Category: Uncategorized

Guest Blog #6 – Linday Eland

Today’s guest blogger is fellow Egmont author, Lindsay Eland!  Lindsay’s MG novel, Scones and Sensibility, is about a girl who wishes life was more like a Jane Austen novel and decides to remedy that by playing matchmaker while working her summer job in her parents’ bakery.  I can’t wait for December, when this book comes out–it’s on my list of “Christmas presents I’m allowed to buy for myself.”

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

The ninja would because he’s stealthy and could pants both of them before they knew what had happened…then again, Batman has a complicated suit. Still…the ninja has so much stealth he could pull it off!

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

Long John Silver was deceptive and cruel…but he did have goodness in him that I couldn’t help but love

3. Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

I really like Christian Bale, though his voice really get’s on my nerves.

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

I’d have super stealth…can you tell I like stealth?

5. Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas? How do you think a truce would ever come about? Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

Never, though Batman would like to think he could negotiate a truce. But he can’t see very well out of that mask and besides, he can hardly move his neck…obvious truce-making skeelz…yes, I just said, skeelz

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

I would pants a pirate and blame it on Batman.

7. If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold dubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

Pantsing with stealth

8. If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

Stealthy pantsing

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

Watch You Got Mail, cause it’s clearly a lot the same as Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan’s relationship

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-pocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

The pirates and Batman probably wouldn’t survive…but the ninjas would survive by stealthy pantsing them. No one can mess with that.

T-shirt!!!!

If you know me even a little bit, you probably know I’m a huge sucker for swag and paraphernalia of all kinds.  I will buy souvenirs “to be touristy” even when I don’t care about the tourist attraction.  So naturally, as soon as I got my book cover, I needed a souvenir, and what better souvenir than a t-shirt? With MY AWESOME BOOK COVER on it?

The colors didn’t come out quite perfect–that’s what I get for ordering from Zazzle. This is the second shirt I’ve bought from them, and both have had off colors. In fact, the last shirt I’d ordered was supposed to be in black and white, yet it had an orangey smear across it. The orangey smear ended up looking really good on it, though, so I didn’t complain. But on this one you can see that some of the really bright spots turned out green like the shirt:

From Drop Box

Even with a few flaws, though, it’s still really cool. I’m still thrilled to be wearing it right now. Here’s the back, which turned out perfect:

From Drop Box

Has anyone else had problems with Zazzle?

I would love to have t-shirt giveaways and make Renegade X shirts using my own art. There’s a shirt Damien wears at the end of the book that I want to make, plus scenes from the book trailer would be pretty awesome. Who wouldn’t want a shirt of the toilet scene?

Anyway, I happen to need to go to the library today, and I just HAPPEN to be wearing my awesome shirt with my awesome book cover on it. I am hoping a librarian looks at it and goes, “Ooh, what’s THAT?” And then I’ll be all cool like, buff my nails for a sec, then turn and say, “Oh, this? This is just MY BOOK.” Actually, if that situation does come up, I will probably panic and go, “Oh, um, you mean me? Well, this is, um… you see, I got my book cover–my book cover, ’cause I’m an author–and it was so cool… everybody says it’s cool. I mean, I KNOW it’s cool, because it is, and… I’m not self-published, either. Well, you could probably tell that because my cover is so cool, but my publisher is Egmont USA. You have some of their books, but maybe you don’t recognize the name, but they’re REALLY BIG in Europe. Oh, you have heard of them? Well, uh… I’m one of their authors, and this is my book, and it comes out in May, and no, I don’t have any bookmarks or business cards yet… I was focused on this t-shirt… ha… I have a book trailer.” Yeah.

Guest Blog # 5 – Dee Garretson

Today’s guest blogger is fellow Tenner Dee Garretson!  Dee’s MG novel, Escape from Camp David, tells the story of the president’s son and two friends getting stuck in Camp David during a disaster.  With their bodyguards and secret service men suddenly out of the picture, the kids have to survive on their own and outwit the security systems meant to keep them inside.  It sounds thrilling!  You can read more about Dee and Escape from Camp David at her website.

And don’t forget to enter the CONTEST, which ends a week from today.

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

Batman, because nobody else has a batmobile, and he’s the only one who gets words superimposed over the fights. BAM! POW!

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

Captain Blood, because he was dashing, could quote Horace, and was well-dressed. I don’t go for the rotten teeth kind of pirate. I’ve heard there is a movie remake in the works, but it will be space pirates this time.

3. Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

Christian Bale, but I also have great memories of the television series. I remember my friends and I brought bath towels to school so we could run around at recess and play Batman. For some reason I was always one of the Robins though.

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

I would love to have a secret entrance to my house, and a bat phone.

5. Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas? How do you think a truce would ever come about? Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

I’m not sure Batman could negotiate a truce, but I bet Alfred Pennyworth could.

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

I can’t answer this. I’m on Batman’s side.

7. If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold dubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

The ability to call up giant waves to get rid of pesky navy ships.

8. If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

The ability to cling to ceilings and walls to improve stealth capabilities.

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

I’d convince them to become a pirate/ninja/Batperson too.

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-pocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

I don’t believe a Zombie-pocalyspse would ever happen, because Zombies are too stupid to take over.

Guest Blog #4 – Anastasia Hopcus

For today’s guest blog feature, I have fellow Egmont author, Anastasia Hopcus!  Anastasia is the author of Shadow Hills,  a creepy YA novel about a teenage girl who travels to a strange town in the hopes of unraveling the secrets of her sister’s mysterious death.  The full description kinda makes me think of Silent Hill, and I can’t wait to read it!  To find out more about Anastasia, visit her website.

Now, onto the interview:

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

Batman, because there is no one cooler. He beat Superman. And recovered from a broken back. Now that’s determination.

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

Does Hiro from Mini Ninjas count? Videogames are fiction, right? Because he is ridiculously cute.

3.  Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

Michael Keaton. Because he was the smirk-iest and I’m big on smirky.

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

Batman: Alfred. Ninja: those crazy two-toe shoe things. Pirate: unlimited parrots. Definitely.

5. Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas?  How do you think a truce would ever come about?  Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

I think Batman could get Lucius Fox to invent a deadly throwing parrot.  Then they could all band together and fight someone they hate even more than each other. Like Jar Jar Binks.

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

Tell the pirates that the ninjas are hiding gold doubloons in their little two-toed shoes. If Batman tried to interfere I’d distract him with a gift card to Radio Shack. Holy gadgets, Batman!

7. If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold doubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

I could bring about parrot-geddon; a rain of parrots. Like in the movie The Birds, except they’d be green and they’d say “Polly want an evil hell-cracker?”

8. If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

I could spit nunchucks at such a speed that it would knock anyone unconscious for days at a time.

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

Cloud of invisibility.

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-pocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

The pirates would turn all their ships into floating fortresses to stay safe out on the seas. The ninjas would kill the zombies from the shadows. Batman would kick every zombie’s butt with no help at all. Because he’s Batman. In case you forgot, he beat Superman.

  1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

Batman, because there is no one cooler. He beat Superman. And recovered from a broken back. Now that’s determination.

Guest Blog #3 – Sarah from Sarah’s Random Musings

Today’s guest blogger on the subject of pirates, ninjas, and Batman is book blogger and fellow Washingtonian Sarah, from Sarah’s Random Musings!

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

Batman. I mean he has enough money to hire someone to beat up the Ninjas and the pirates should be no problem.

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

I don’t know many Ninjas, but Anne Bonny was pretty awesome. Her father was pretty wealthy, but she decided to marry James Bonny. He was a sailor and small time pirate. They moved to the Nassau, where she met John “Calico Jack” Rackham. She had an affair with him and was flogged for it. Later on she ran away with Calico Jack and became a pirate. She met Mary Read, who was another female pirate. She never commanded a ship of her own, but she was really awesome pirate. When she was captured, Mary and her said that they were both pregnant and were allowed to wait execution until she gave birth by law. Her death was never recorded. Some think that her father bribed Jamaica into letting her return home with him.

3.  Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

The Dark Knight. I think that it showed the real side of the joker.

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

I think that it would be changing the world for the better. Pirates rebelled against the unfairness of England’s wealth. Most Ninja try to change peoples mind. Batman protects Gotham City. It is also the power that they have.

5.  Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas?  How do you think a truce would ever come about?  Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

I hope that peace could happen. It would happen by the death of all pirates or ninjas currently existing. I am not sure, it is a long feud.

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

I think that the truce would end by a ninja seeing a pirate of vice versa. I think that Batman might stay out of mega Pirate vs. Ninja fight. It would make his life easier.

7.  If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold dubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

That I wouldn’t have scurvy and be super fast with a sword.

8.  If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

I would have a killer kick, literally.

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

A lot of laughter and trying to change their mind would go a long way.

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-apocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

Well, the pirates are on ships or on tiny islands that few people are on. So I think that they could handle that. Ninjas would be able kick off the zombies’ heads and if one came after them. They would be able to jump somewhere really far. Batman would have all his gadgets to help him with. I am sure that he could up with a cure in his Bat cave

Guest Blog #2 – Dia Reeves

Today’s guest blogger, on the subject of pirates, ninjas, and Batman, is YA author Dia Reeves!  Dia’s book, Bleeding Violet, follows the story of a teenage girl teetering on the edge who runs away to find a new life in a new town, only to discover her new town is full of dark secrets and no one is safe.

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?

The ninja, because ninjas are stealthy. By the time the pirate or Batman noticed the ninja, they would be dead already.

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

My favorite ninjas are the three holy fools from the movie Death Mask of the Ninja. Now, the three holy fools weren’t actually ninjas (they were Shaolin monks) but it still counts. The three holy fools were brothers who hurt so many people with their kung fu that the head monk forbid them to ever leave their house. But that totally didn’t slow them down. One of them managed to fight off a gripload of soldiers WITHOUT ONCE setting foot on the ground. Soooo cool.

3. Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

Erm…the first one?

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

The best thing about being a ninja would be the ability to beat up a gang all by yourself and fly through the air and deflect bullets with your trusty katana.

5. Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas? How do you think a truce would ever come about? Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

First of all, Batman is too self-involved with his billions of dollars and gorgeous women to bother with either ninjas or pirates. And ninjas and pirates don’t bother with each other. Pirates stay in their little boats and ninjas stay on land.

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

I guess if pirates came ashore onto ninja territory and didn’t show the proper respect, the ninjas would attack and five seconds later, the pirates would be toast. And if Batman interfered he would become jelly. And then the ninjas would have a nice little snack.

7. If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold dubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

The ability to see big black X’s not only on maps, but on the land itself.

8. If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

The ability to kill whole armies with only my pinky.

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

I would teach whoever it was my ninja skills which would be so awesome, the enemy would give up everything to stay with me and learn more.

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-pocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

Pirates would just stay out at sea—whoever heard of zombies who can swim? Batman would barricade himself in his mansion with one or two of his lady friends. And ninjas would stay out of the zombies’ reach by running along the treetops.

Salmon Run!

I went for a walk today and on a whim headed over to the park by the creek downtown. There’s a salmon hatchery there, and I remembered the salmon spawn in the fall, so I checked it out. And they were there! Holy crap, it was cool. They were jumping all over and splashing and stuff. So naturally I took a video:

I filmed a lot more than that, but I cut out some of the good bits. Once you’ve seen one fish jumping, really, you’ve seen them all. The thing they’re trying to jump over in the first part is a fish ladder. For anyone who doesn’t know, salmon swim upstream every year to return to where they were born so they can spawn. After they spawn, they die, and the little baby fry swim out to the ocean, then come back again the next year to start the cycle all over again. The fish ladder mimics them swimming upstream, which looks really hard. That one fish in the video that just leaped over the whole thing has the right idea, I think.

From Drop Box

Guest Blog #1 – Frenetic Reader

For today’s post, I asked book blogger Khyrinthia of Frenetic Reader some important questions about pirates, ninjas, and of course Batman.

1. If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?
A ninja, OF COURSE. Pirates are too drunk too fight, and ninjas move so fast that Batman wouldn’t be able to catch them.

2. Who’s your favorite pirate/ninja (in history or fiction)?

I am not on Team Pirate, but I am going to have to go with Captain Kidd. My grandmother who enjoys looking up our ~ancestry~ tells me we are related to him by marriage or something. Which is AWESOME.

3.  Along that line, who’s your favorite movie Batman?

Will you glare at me if I say the only Batman movie I’ve seen is The Dark Knight?

4. What would be the best thing about being a pirate/ninja/Batman?

If I was a ninja, I would actually be coordinated and speedy, which would be quite fun. If I was Batman I’d have the neatest car EVER! And if I was a pirate I could have a sword. Swords are fun.

5.  Do you think there will ever be peace between pirates and ninjas?  How do you think a truce would ever come about?  Do you think Batman could negotiate the truce?

There will never be peace. Not even Batman could knock some sense into those silly, drunk pirates.

6. How would you end said truce and get the feud rolling again and how would you deal with Batman if he tried to interfere?

If such a truce ever came about, I would probably find the pirates (since ninjas are impossible to find) and tell them the ninjas wish to kill them or something. As for Batman, I would probably hire the Joker or one of his other enemies to deal with him.

7.  If you tripped and fell into a radioactive vat of cutlasses and gold dubloons and emerged as a pirate-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

Since I am a VILLIAN, my pirate power would be to convince the “good” pirates that ninjas are way better than they are. Powers of persuasion, yay!

8.  If you stumbled a little farther to the left and fell into a radioactive vat of throwing stars and nunchucks and emerged as a ninja-themed supervillain, what would your superpower be?

The power to use my karate ninja skillz to beat even the most powerful superhero. Superman better watch out.

9. If you were a pirate/ninja/Batman and found yourself in love with the enemy (i.e. a ninja/pirate or, say, Catwoman), how would you handle your taboo relationship?

EWWWW I would never fall for a pirate. They’re all drunk and icky. If I was a pirate and fell for a ninja, I would happily leave my pirate peers behind. I don’t really think I could be Batman, since I am a girl. But if I was Batwoman, I would probably be solitary anyway, so I’d just go hang with the enemy that I loved.

10. And finally, in the event of the Zombie-pocalypse, how would pirates/ninjas/Batman each survive?

The pirates wouldn’t, because they fail too much. The zombies wouldn’t even be able to CATCH the ninjas, since ninjas are super speedy. Batman would get in the Batmobile and run over all the zombies until he found a safe place to live.

Thanks, Khy!  Remember y’all, leave a comment or become a follower to enter the contest to win one of three handy how-to guides.  You know you’ve always wanted to know how to take a kick to the head like Batman, or how to find a ninja clan, or how to navigate the Caribbean!

CONTEST!

To celebrate the relaunch of my site–a little late, I know–and because I love superheroes, pirates, and ninjas, I’m hosting this awesome contest! W00T! I’ve got guest blogs coming up by published authors as well as book bloggers, where I ask the important questions, like, “If a pirate, a ninja, and Batman got in a fight, who do you think would win and why?”

My book, The Rise of Renegade X, is about superheroes and supervillains, and Batman is one of my favorite superheroes, and certainly my favorite “bad ass, could be mistaken for a villain but is standing just this side of the hero line” superhero. So naturally a Batman training manual is essential for leading a happy and full life. And as for pirates and ninjas, who doesn’t love pirates and ninjas? There was even a scene in Renegade X where the characters talked like pirates (you can tell which side they’re on in the epic pirate/ninja battle). I ended up cutting it, but I can assure you it’s an important part in my characters’ psyches. Or something like that.

So to celebrate Batman, pirates, and ninjas (hey, I thought you were celebrating your website?!?), I present to you three awesome prizes:

From Drop Box

Three lucky winners will get either The Batman Handbook, The Government Manual for New Pirates, or, last but not least, Ask a Ninja Presents the Ninja Handbook: This Book Looks Forward to Killing You Soon.

These books are really hilarious, and of course essential guides to life. I already have my own copy of The Batman Handbook, natch, but I’m trying to keep my drool off the pirate and ninja guides (why does she keep mentioning pirates before ninjas? That’s piratist!), because I’ve read the first couple pages, and I’m already jealous of whoever wins them!

But Chelsea, you say, how do *I*, a humble non-pirate/non-ninja/non-superhero win one of these highly valuable, sought-after prizes? Is there a test? To win the ninja book, do I have to prove I’m not a pirate in disguise? Can anyone enter? What about the Joker? CHELSEA, WHAT IF THE JOKER ENTERS YOUR CONTEST AND WINS THE BATMAN BOOK AND LEARNS ALL HIS SECRETS????

That’s just a risk I’m going to have to take! Yes, there’s the possibility that a pirate with mobile internet on their ship will enter and win a ninja handbook, and it’s possible a ninja has already slipped into the room and stolen the pirate guide I thought was sitting next to me. I’m taking that chance! Anyone can enter, like so:

The contest runs from October 1st to October 14th, at which point I will gather up all the entries and draw three names out of a hat or other hat-like object. Name number one gets their first choice, number two gets second choice, and third gets whatever’s left (sorry, third!). Then I will mail them out and all that.

This is going to be one of those point contests.

–You get +1 point for commenting on any post between Oct. 1st and Oct. 14th–can be added up for more points.
–Becoming/already being a follower of the blog or the LJ is +2 points.
–Becoming/already being a fan on the Renegade X facebook fanpage is +2 points.
–And tweeting or blogging about the contest earns you +1 point.

Let me know in the comments which ones you’ve done (provide links for twitter and blog mentions) and tally up your points. And tada!