Thursday, April 28, 2011

Night School SALE on Amazon

Amazon has NIGHT SCHOOL on sale for $4.00! That's over half off the $9.99 cover price! I don't know how long the sale will last - but if you are still waiting to get your copy, now's the perfect time! :)

Mari

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Razor Girl


For those of you who don't know, I used to write adult books as well as teen books. This was one of them. It's called Razor Girl and it takes place in a zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Anyway, it was originally published by Dorchester in mass-market (with a different cover), but they had some financial troubles and so I was able to get my rights back on this book - and then republish it in e-book format! I'm so excited to be able to have it available to readers again. I've put it up for $2.99 - much cheaper than it was in paperback or previous e-format. But I want readers to have a chance to experience the book!

Remember, it is not a YA, so it does have some adult content. :) You can buy at Smashwords for most e-book formats or on Amazon for Kindle.

Here's the summary:

THE WORLD HAS ENDED, MOLLY. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?

Molly Anderson is not your average twenty-one-year-old. It's been six years since she and her family escaped into a bunker, led by her conspiracy theorist father and his foreknowledge of a plot to bring about the apocalypse. But her father's precautions didn't stop there. Molly is now built to survive.

Yes, Ian Anderson's favorite book gave him ideas on how to "improve" his daughter. Molly is faster, stronger, and her ocular implants and razor-tipped nails set her apart. Apart, when--venturing alone out of the bunker and into a plague ravaged, monster-ridden wilderness--what Molly needs most is togetherness. Chase Griffin, a friend from her past, is her best bet. But while he and others have miraculously survived, the kind boy has become a tormented man. Together, these remnants of humanity must struggle toward trusting each other and journey to the one place Molly's father believed all civilization would be reborn: The Magic Kingdom, where everyone knows it's a small world after all.

Hope you have a chance to check it out!
Mari

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Blood Coven Vampires Volume One Cover!


I'm so excited to be able to share this cover with you at last! This October, Penguin Books is releasing a two-in-one volume of the first two books in the Blood Coven Vampire series. So this book will contain Boys that Bite and Stake That in one volume for one low price. (I think it's $8.99!) What a deal! I'm so happy to be able give brand new readers a chance to start the Blood Coven books at a great introductory price. After all, there will be 8 books in the series all together! That's a lot to buy!

It also makes a GREAT holiday gift for the vampire lover on your list! :)
Mari

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

My schedule for the Romantic Times Convention

For those of you attending the Romantic Times Convention in LA this week, here is where you can find me:

Wednesday, 3:30-4:30pm -- YA Panel: Rebel Without a Cause: Is a Bad Boy Really Good For a Girl?
Holly Black, Simone Elkeles, Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare, Mari Mancusi, Richelle Mead

Friday 9:30am -- Club RT - Come chat with me, one-on-one, get an autograph (autograph cards available) and a chance to win free books!


Saturday, 11am-2pm -- Giant Book Fair

This is open to the public, so if you live in the area, come by to meet me and get books signed! Details are on my website, so be sure and check out my signing policies. There's a $5 admission fee, but you can also see all these authors.

Saturday, 2:30-3:30pm -- Author Speed Dating - Teen Day Event! This is a meet and greet of YA authors, one-on-one - 5 minutes per author! Sign up if you want to participate.

Saturday 5:45-7pm— Teen Party!!! Come hang with me and celebrate YA fiction with food, drinks and giveaways!

Also, I'll be tweeting my location if you want to stop by and say HI. Or you can email me if you want to meet up somewhere. If I'm free, I'm happy to chat! I'd love to spend the conference hanging with readers! After all, that's why I'm attending in the first place! :)

MARI

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Mari Mancusi, Night School



Here's a video I shot with the lovely Kirkus reviews just before my book party at Book People in Austin. I talk about the Blood Coven Vampire series.

Monday, February 21, 2011

More Fan Art to share!

Round-up of the latest Fan Art of Gamer Girl and Blood Coven. I know I've said it a million times, but my readers rock! I wish I could still draw... :)



welcome to the fantasy world by ~foxy21a72 on deviantART


Allora "gamer girl" by ~sk8rmal on deviantART


Gamer Girl by ~Ree-Uh on deviantART


Rayne by ~lopez4 on deviantART


Jareth by ~vane18410 on deviantART


Stake that by ~Bibi2010 on deviantART


Rayne McDonald by ~ARIANNA-13 on deviantART

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

I love my readers!

So sweet! The Blood Coven roleplayers sent me a gift package in the mail today - filled with awesome stuff--including a handmade Twilight card. So adorbs!





If you're interested in joining them roleplaying - head over to Facebook and message "Magnus Coven". But you must be a fan of the series - they actually have a test, I'm told, to make sure you know your stuff before you join! :)

Thanks again guys! You made my day!!!

MARI

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Finding Night School

It makes me sad to hear that a lot of you are searching for Night School and are unable to find it at your local retailer. I thought I'd do a post to explain why this might be the case.

The book industry right now is in serious transition. Big stores like Borders and Barnes and Noble took over the marketplace some years ago - putting a lot of the indy stores out of business. I mean, who doesn't want to go to a big store with great coffee and a billion books? Problem is, evidently not enough people to keep all those stores open. Both big chains have struggled and now Borders is likely filing bankrupcy and closing 150 stores. (I'm praying for a last minute intervention, but it's not looking great.)

In order to deal with the trouble they're in, these stores have changed up their inventory. For example, they'll add a "Build a Bear" section or maybe sell CDs or DVDs. That limits the number of books they can stock. They also choose to stock books that are BIG bestsellers. So you'll see a whole wall of, let's say, Vampire Academy, but they won't stock some of the smaller titles, like Blood Coven, because they're not as much of a "sure thing."

I mean, think about it. If you had a business that was struggling, wouldn't you want to stock your shelves with what you KNOW people want, not take a chance on what they MIGHT want, if they saw it?

So they pack the stores with bestsellers and books that publishers pay to have promoted. (In other words, those front tables and new release shelves? Those are paid placement. So if an author's publisher won't or can't pay for placement, you get stuck on the shelves, spine out, if you're stocked at all.) And that leaves what they call "midlist series" like Blood Coven off the order list. They just don't know if enough people will want to read it - and in this economic climate, they can't take any chances.

The problem is - if you never expose readers to new books, they'll never know they exists, and then yes, they won't buy them. So it's a self-fulfilling prophesy.

I don't blame bookstores for trying to stay in business. I WANT them to stay in business - as a reader as well as a writer, I love bookstores. I love wandering through them, I love smelling the books. I love that coffee shop! But it's sad to hear when readers come and say they can't find my book in their favorite store.

Another specific problem with Borders right now - some publishers are afraid to send them books, in case they go out of business and can't pay for them. So even if a store like Borders - who has been awesome about supporting the Blood Coven series - wants to stock the books, they might not get to - unless they sort out their current financial situation. (Which I sooo hope they do!)

SO...what's a reader to do? I think we need to start changing the way we buy books. The bookstores, remember, are reacting to what they see on the cash register reciepts-nothing more. But there are ways to show them what books we want to read, beyond the bestsellers.

Here are some options:

1) Go to the store (or call) and order the book. They will get in ANY book in the world if you order it. It usually only takes a few days and you don't have to pay until it arrives--great for readers without credit cards. I believe you can also go online and order it to be shipped to a store.

2) Go to the store's website and order the book online. Takes a credit card or gift card, but they'll mail it right to your front door within a couple days.

Why this is good to do: It shows bookstores what books people want to read. If B&N got a flurry of orders for Night School, you'd better believe they'd start stocking it on their shelves. I know it's more of a pain and requires two trips instead of one, but if you believe in a series and want it to continue - you must work to support it.

Other options:

Buy Independent. You can find an indy bookstore and tell the bookseller you love the Blood Coven series and think he or she should stock it. Indy bookstores love to hear from their customers - they are not a big corporation and have more control over stocking books. So if they know you love it - they'll probably get at least a couple copies in. (Make sure you come back and buy one--to support their interest.)

Buy Online: There are tons of online bookstores (Amazon, etc.) that will sell you any book in the world. If you have a credit card, this is the easiest way to do things. It doesn't help on getting big chains to carry the book, necessarily, but it does help with Bookscan numbers, which is a way publishers keep track of sales. If everyone bought from Amazon, they could go to B&N and say "Look how popular this book is! Are you sure you don't want to stock it?"

Buy e-book: While I beg you not to pirate a free copy of the book, if you want to buy an e-copy, there are tons of ways to do it now. You can either read it on your e-reader or just download it to the computer and read it that way. Or even to your smart phone. This is probably the wave of the future of books, though I know not everyone likes it right now.

Email me: I don't know if every author would do this, but I will always accept direct orders from readers. Just send the money over PayPal and I can ship you out a book. (Autographed, of course!)

Ask your librarian: They have a budget to buy a certain amount of books each year. Let them know what you want to read! They're usually very open to suggestions and can help you get the book.

WHAT NOT TO DO - never just walk out of a store and accept the fact they don't have a book you want - thinking you'll just try somewhere else. Instead, march right up to the front desk and tell them what you want! How will the bookstores ever know we don't want a store just full of Twilight and James Patterson if we never tell them? Remember, they're in customer service, they want you to be happy! But sometimes you have to let them know what will make you happy! (Blood Coven books on the shelves - whoo hoo!)

And lastly - once you acquire and read the book - tell people about it! With diminishing shelf space, there is less and less chance of a reader accidentally picking up a Blood Coven book to read. I rely so much on people reading the books and then telling their friends. Or blogging about the books or talking about them on Facebook. That is the BEST BEST BEST way to overcome the bookstore distribution hurdle.

So there you have it. A billion ways to get Night School (or any other smaller series) in your hot little hands. Now you have no excuse! :)

But seriously - I want to close by thanking you all. You guys are so dedicated to the series - and have made writing it a tremendously awesome experience for me. I just feel fortunate to have the ability to share my stories with you -- not matter how you end up acquiring them!

xo
MARI

PS Lastly - for those who are international, I'd suggest a great website called Book Depository. They will ship FREE (yes free!) to anywhere in the world! You cannot beat that deal!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Blood Coven Continues...with Soul Bound!

I know you guys are still waiting for Book #6 - Blood Ties (and I know some of you have not yet read Night School (#5) since it just came out this month--so many books so little time!) but I did want to let you know there is more Blood Coven in the future!

There will be eight books in the series total and #7 - which I'm actually writing right now - will be out in MARCH 2012. It will be in Rayne's point of view and the title is SOUL BOUND.

Book #8 will be out in fall 2012. Not sure an exact date yet - probably October. We don't have a title as of yet.

So....good news all around! Thanks so much for supporting the series - they're a lot of fun to write and it makes me happy to know so many people are enjoying them.

As always, for the latest news, please refer to my Facebook page. I update there almost daily and hardly ever remember to write in the blog. :) Once I reach 2,000 followers on the page (which I think we're within 20 now!) I will be releasing a sneak peek of BLOOD TIES.

xo
MARI

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Austin Signing at HEB on Saturday

For those readers in the Austin, TX area, I will be signing all the Blood Coven books (including Night School) this Saturday (January 15th) at the Pflugerville, TX HEB

WHEN: Jan 15th from 12pm-2pm
ADDRESS: 1434 Wells Branch Pkwy, Pflugerville, TX

Please come and see me and say hi! I'll have free bookmarks to give away, too!!

Hope to see you there!
xo
MARI

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Night School Release Day!!

The wait is over! Today is the official release date of NIGHT SCHOOL - Book #5 in the Blood Coven series!!






So where do you get your copy? Well, here's the rundown so far:

* Borders - confirmed sightings - they've had them out a week early. They also have all the backlist if you need to catch up.

* Barnes and Noble - so far no confirmed sightings  got a couple of reader sightings!
* Books a Million - confirmed sightings from readers

* Wal*Mart - haven't had confirmed sightings yet, but I'm told they will stock the book. CONFIRMED SIGHTING FROM READER IN AUSTIN! :)

ORDERING ONLINE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Borders

IndieBound

Book Depository - FREE SHIPPING TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!! (Great for international buyers!)

DOWNLOADING THE E-BOOK

Kindle

Nook (Barnes and Noble)

Sony

I assume iBooks has it too, but I can't give you a direct link. You'll have to download from the ap.

This will be updated once I start getting more confirmed sightings. But, in the meantime, go forth and find the book! :)

xo
Mari

Friday, December 10, 2010

Gamer Girl Fan Art

Pulled from Deviant Art. Love it!!!


Gamer Girl - Maddy and Allora by ~camicuti97 on deviantART


Allora- Get Your Gamer Face On by ~TrafficTetris on deviantART

You guys are just too, too creative!
Mari

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Night School Giveaway - One Day Only!



The BOOK CLUB is giving away an advanced, autographed copy of NIGHT SCHOOL. You must go to their website and answer the followig question:

In the 2004 movie "Christmas With the Kranks", who does Spike Frohmeyer want the Kranks to free?

Remember, DON'T post the answer here. Post it over on the BOOK CLUB blog in the comments section.

They're giving away awesome prizes all month long, too!

Good luck!!!
Mari

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Monday, November 01, 2010

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Night School Book Video

Check out the book video I made for NIGHT SCHOOL. Only 72 more days!!



Sunday, October 03, 2010

Pre-Ordering Night School

We're three months away from Night School's release! So I thought I would do a little round-up of where you can pre-order the book if you want to make sure to get it on release day!! Last January Bad Blood sold out of a lot of retailers on day one and it took them a few days to get more copies in--so if you want the book day of, this is the one way to ENSURE you will get it on time. :)

Amazon.com

Borders

Barnes and Noble

Book Depository  (Free shipping worldwide and currently 25% off! A great deal for foreign readers!)

Agnes & Robertson (Australia)

Chapters (Canada)

Also, since I'm getting asked this a lot - Night School will be available on Kindle and other e-book formats. I don't know if it will be available on release day or a couple weeks later. Bad Blood was available for e-book download immediately but Kindle took a little longer. But fingers crossed Night School will be available from the start on all formats!

:)
MARI

Video Book Reports

Found this video book report about Boys that Bite on Teacher Tube. :) I love when students feature my books in book reports. So if you've done one, please feel free to let me know and I'll post it for everyone to see!


Friday, September 17, 2010

Come see me tomorrow in Texas!

For those of you in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I'll be doing a talk, reading and signing tomorrow at 2pm the Haslet, TX Public Library (just north of Ft. Worth). Hope to see some of you there! You can bring your own books for me to sign or I'll have some for purchase.

Here are the details: Hope to see you there! Feel free to email me if you have questions!

Haslet Public Library
100 Gammill St.
Haslet, TX 76052
(817) 439-4278