Monday, August 8, 2011

Big Announcement: YA Title Revealed!



Before we draw the curtain, here's the back story:

Two years ago, I had just finished my sixth novel, The Dragon's Heart, and was waiting for query responses. In the meantime, I began book #7, MoR: GroundShaker. Ultimately, I received several rejections and two fulls (also rejected, but in a very awesome and positive way). Then I started a new job with a fantabulous coworker, Michael Jensen. We shared our interests. He read The Dragon's Heart. He liked it. Being an artist, he pointed out some flaws and his insight was very helpful.

Then, on afternoon, we went to lunch and he confided an idea that he had, based on a dream from a decade ago. Our conversation went something like this . . .

Mike: "It was about a girl, and a guy, in a forest . . ."

::I chew my gnocchi:: "Sounds like Twilight . . ."

Mike: "Only she's a princess and he's a ghost."

::I pause with interest:: "That's different . . ."

Mike: "and they're looking around all over the place for a needle that can bring him back to life."

::I drop my fork:: "That would make a GREAT story!"

So I wrote the first chapter that night. Mike didn't think I was serious. We got to talking and struck a deal. I would write it and he would edit/shape it. I added this. He suggested that. We built a new world, an alternate medieval Scandinavia (that looks something like this).


We also invented magic systems, new theologies, and developed lovable (and love to hate) characters.

This is what we came up with . . .


Woven, YA Fantasy, complete at 92,000 words.
(Registered, Writer's Guild of America West, 2011)

Nels has a simple dream, to become a knight, but his ambition is crushed when a felled tree claims his life. Invisible and alone, he wanders the kingdom as a ghost—until a lost princess stops him for directions. When they find his body, they unearth a chilling truth.

Nels is not dead. He is Unwoven.

A rogue sorcerer, bent on altering the Fabric of Reality, is responsible for Nels’ fate, but with the magic of a lost needle, they can stop this murderer and give Nels a chance to have his spirit woven back into his body.

To find it, the ghost and princess must settle their differences and work together. If they fail, the kingdom will fall and Nels will be lost. But if they succeed, they may weave more than just his soul . . .

Early Beta Reader feedback is, so far, universally positive. It's our wish to find a home for this as soon as possible. Thank you all for stopping by, and a big THANK YOU to those who have pushed me these last two years since I started blogging about it.

Mike and I make a great team. We plan on making other projects in the near future (sequels, maybe?). A special thanks to my family, friends, Awesome Alphas, and Shelley Husk (for being our first beta reader).

What do you think? Is this the kind of story you'd like to read? Did I hype it too much?

Check out Kate Coursey's site. She posted a critique on an excerpt from my rewrite of  The Dragon's Heart!

I'm David, and enjoy your virtual donut!

39 comments:

  1. I think the story sounds lovely, just quirky enough to be different, but not so 'out there' that it would scare of potential buyers.

    That first picture is incredible, by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds great. Very unique. I like the cover art.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want to read it. The cover's awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the title and the premise! And the way it came about as well. Congrats on getting it to this point! I hope you find a home for it soon.

    And I left an award for you at my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. DUDE!!!??? That is like the most...different idea since...well, I don't know, it IS the most different idea. If you've got absolute confidence that this is the one; then, it is the one. Because I am already hooked.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That sounds so awesome, David! I love the cover, the title, the blurb...I would absolutely pick this one up. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh wow I wasn't suspecting that. I usually don't read those of paranormal stuff but I'd definitely heck this one out. Like others have said it's totally different. The cover also sold me, it's great - kudos to you two (as said over in the usa!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This story sounds frickin' awesome DPK. Where can I buy my copy lol. I'm super serious.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh. My. Gosh. Love the cover, love the title. I want to read this book now!!! Read the summary to my teens and they want to read it too...

    ReplyDelete
  10. This book sounds AWESOME! Totally AWESOME! I don't think you will have a bit of a problem finding it a home and I will be one of the first to buy and read it. Can't wait to hear how this all comes about. Best of luck! You guys make an awesome team!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, yeah, you'll get published. I thought about it and how unique it is. That's how Whitesides got published (Janitors) because his idea was really unique. And yours is too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds like a good story, and I love the cover art. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've already told you this at LTUE, but I absolutely LOVE this idea. A magic system based on sewing/weaving, and the concept of sewing a spirit back into its body....so cool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the summary! It sounds like such an original story. And the cover art is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is an awesome concept cover, David! I love the premise, it is so different. I think it has the potential to be published. Like, soon. Really excited to read it, man. That is super awesome.

    -Matt

    ReplyDelete
  16. That cover is gorgeous! The title actually relates to the book AND it's not the typical ghost story. If the insides are as lovely as the outside I'd say this book deserves all the hype it gets.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the summary, the title and the cover art. I would definately pick that book off the shelf and buy it. I really look forward to reading it in the future!

    ReplyDelete
  18. David, here's to best writerly palz--I'm so happy for you! Yay! Love the sound of your book. <3

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
    Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
    YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds amazing! I love the title. Okay now I'm having author envy for your book, yup, it sounds that killer!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love how this novel came together! Sounds like a fantastic read and the cover are it gorgeous. Oh, and that title rocks! Hope it finds a home soon so I can get a copy. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Everyone - Thank you for giving Woven such a warm reception. This is going to be a fun adventure to publish this thing. I'll keep you up to date with any developments. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would definitely pick that book up off the shelf. It sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. OK, just one thing: this needle they look for better not be in a haystack. Actually, that would be cool if it was actually in a haystack.

    -Matt

    ReplyDelete
  24. The cover is stunning and the story sounds pretty awesome. I think you have a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  25. That cover art is the bomb! ;) Very cool! Let's get this baby published. I'm ready for a new book to read and this sounds wonderful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the cover, the premise, everything. Can't wait for you to get this published! It sounds amazing! :D

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ooh, it sounds intriguing! Thanks for sharing the story behind your book, the blurb, and beautiful cover with us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Well I have to say the title, blurb, cover, and story behind it's conception are just amazing. If this doesn't catch an agent or publisher's eye, what could?

    ReplyDelete
  29. p.s I'd like to know more about how you got the cover art!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Really like the plot of the story and I'm liking the cover even more. Must be wonderful to work with an artist to create not only your virtual world, but a cover too. Well done to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love it all, including your dinner conversation :-) I would love to read it, so be sure to find an agent and a publisher soon!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would pick this book up! Way to go on the story. It sounds so intriguing. And I agree with everyone, the cover art is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hey David, I'm passing on a blog award to you along with an internet meme on today's post because you are AWESOME.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Interesting! And I love the cover. I would like to read it, maybe while nibbling on that virtual doughnut. Mmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Super awesome that you keep querying! I especially like how you describe the two full rejections as "awesome" and "positive." You are indeed an experienced and positive-minded author, sir:)

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a post! I loved hearing all about your book, how you came up with the ideas, the dream, EVERYTHING! And I love, love, love the sound of your book! I would definitely want to read it. Now hurry up and get it to an agent so I can get lost in your book!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would definitely read this. It's write up my alley! And I love that cover art as well... Beautiful! :D

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yep I would read it, I think..although i have a million and two to read already...but love the idea, love how you presented it (with your quirky dialogue!!) so if it's written already, where is it? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this unpublished book, this past weekend! (It's all about who you know...and who your friends are! ;) This was a FANTASTIC read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I must say, I see a movie in the making, too. It is ALL there! I do have one suggestion. When I read it, I didn't know a thing about it... so when Nels "died", it was a complete shock! (Of course the unpublished version doesn't have a cover/back page summary.) I liked it that way. I think that is what made it so "different" from any other book I've read. If you give that part away on the back of the cover, or even on a blog site, I think it takes a huge element of surprise away! (...Just my 2 cents!) Anyway, FANTASTIC story line. I LOVED the plot. I loved the characters. I love how the fascination never ends. It continues on throughout the entire story, with many climactic points, any of which would have been sufficient to end it, yet, it didn't stop there. Job well done. I can't wait for the sequel, prequel or movie to come out! ;) Thank you, author!

    ReplyDelete