Author Event Recap and Giveaway: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Hello readers.  Well it's been a busy week for me.  Between working and trying to squeeze these author events in, I'm tired, but it was worth it. I immediately perk up when the authors show up, fan-girling away.  As an added bonus, I'm giving away a Signed Copy of the latest and last in The Beautiful Creatures series: Beautiful Redemption, so don't forget to scroll down and enter below.  There's probably one more author event I'll be attending before the holidays.  I think the events will quiet down for a bit until after the New Year.

Leigh Bardugo, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are the authors of the hit series Beautiful Creatures.  The first book has been made into a movie which is due to hit the theaters February 13th, 2013 (see trailer below). I was pleasantly surprised to find out this event would be moderated by Leigh Bardugo, author of Shadow and Bone, who did a fabulous job.  Kami and Margaret were fascinating to listen to, and you can see how these larger-than-life personalities could come up with such a wonderful story.

Kami and Margie began the night by relating how they decided to write Beatiful Creatures, and it was a fascinating story.  Apparently, Kami was the third grade teacher to all three of Margaret's daughters, and due to the many meetings Margaret was called into over her daughter's "spirited behavior," they struck up a friendship.  In response to a challenge given by Margaret's daughters to come up with a story that was different from what was on the market, they crafted the idea of Beautiful Creatures in one long lunch.  They wrote chapters and passed them around to family members, and to Margaret's daughters to get the teenage perspective.  Soon her daughters were sharing these chapters with school friends, and then it went viral, moving through high schools.  They would get feedback on the story and characters, and this shaped the first book.  Link and Ridley were originally throw away characters but in response to feedback their roles become much larger.  They never shopped the story around, and had little idea how the whole publishing industry worked.  A writer friend of Margaret's submitted their book without their knowledge and it was bought.  Soon after the movie rights were purchased, before the book was even released.  

Both Kami and Margaret are very happy with everything about the movie, from the casting, to the sets, and costumes.  Before filming, the director Richard LaGravenese, sat them down and grilled them for hours on the universe and rules of Beautiful Creatures.  He had a notebook full of notes and questions, and was very serious about staying true to the story.  They said Ethan and Lena are spot on casting, just observing the actors on set, they knew they were the perfect choices.  The trailer looks amazing, and I can't wait to see how the movie turns out!  

I have a Signed copy of Beautiful Redemption plus some swag to giveaway to one lucky person.  The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  So fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win.  The only requirement is that you follow the blog via GFC. The giveaway will run for two weeks, so make sure you get your entry in soon.  Thanks for visiting and good luck! 

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