Mia Siegert's Blog

February 22, 2016

Preorder Incentive! :)

As Copied from the Jolly Fish Press Website (as a note, we're down to the last 100):


That's right, folks! We're giving away swags for the first 125 pre-orderedcopies of Mia Siegert's momentous Jerkbait. Here's how it works:

The first 25 readers who pre-order the book will each receive a signed copy of Jerkbait, a personal letter from author Mia Siegert, and a special bookmark.
The next 100 readers who pre-order the book will each receive one Jerkbait keychain and a copy of Joey Parker's inpirational debut, The Joey Parker Movement: Against All Odds.

To participate and receive all these cool swags, simply saunter over to your favorite online book retailer and place your order. Send a copy of your receipt to publicity@jollyfishpress.com with “Jerkbait Giveaway” as your subject. Easy as that.

(US residents only.)
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Published on February 22, 2016 16:14 Tags: jerkbait-swag

December 30, 2015

Reflecting on 2015

I'm odd about numbers. I was born in 1985, and like 5, 10, and 15s. I was born on the 16th, and it's been kind of a lucky number. In anything I write, I labor through deciding what numbers to use for everything--character age, minutes, you name it. There's always a symbolic reason.

So, in thinking of that, I look back over this year--mostly incredible things, a few sad.

-I moved back out. I'm incredibly grateful to my Mom for letting me move back home and stay there longer than anticipated, but it's nice to feel independent once more.

-I got an agent. Travis Pennington is absolutely brilliant and I couldn't be happier working with him.

-I sold my first book! Since 2010, I wrote three books and have three WIPs. Jolly Fish Press is pretty fantastic, and I love working with McKelle George. Her patience is absolutely astounding.

-Sadly, my fiancé's mother passed away after a long battle with cancer. I was able to have one last conversation with her and was grateful that at least she was able to know that my book sold.

-Also sadly, my fiancé's cat passed away not long after his mom. His cat was 19, so she had a pretty long, good run, but still sad.

-I went to Australia for the third time.

-I went to New Zealand for the first time. Both islands. I met a Twitter friend, too.

-I turned 30. On my 30th birthday, I got engaged!

-I was given tickets to a suite for the NJD vs CAR game. Wow.

-JERKBAIT made the #1 New Release for Teen and YA LGBT Issues on Amazon as a preorder. It's doing pretty well on the Goodreads lists, too, it seems.

-I also read 54 books. Considering the year before, I was only able to read 5 for pleasure due to work (the most insane schedule I've had in my life), I was hoping to get through 20. I consider this a huge accomplishment.

I hope everyone has a really good new year, and I hope you have some good Book Resolutions.

Best,
Mia
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Published on December 30, 2015 18:37 Tags: 2015-wrap-up

December 22, 2015

The Writing Limbo

Hello, folks,

With JERKBAIT off with the copyeditors and another project off with my agent, I realize I'm in the rare position where I have time to create.

Some writers sell a book then start on a brand new project. By the time JERKBAIT sold, I had completed three novels and three in the works at different stages. One of the three is an adult thriller I'm SUPER stoked about. The second is more experimental literary fiction, but the story is rooted with so much truth about a horrific incident that it will take me years to finish, if I ever finish it. The third, I'm not sure yet. It's YA with, at the moment, three POVs, and a river. I'm not sure if it could, or would, turn into something, and while the beginning is enticing, as a pantser, I have no clue where it's going. Part of my New Year's Resolution is to be a bit more organized and attempt to have clearer outlines, 1-2 sentences about what's occurring, 1-2 sentences about what it means for the characters involved.

Anyway, just thought I'd write a little musing comment as I see the sidewalk is slick and I'm waiting for more rain to fall.

Best,
Mia
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Published on December 22, 2015 11:03

November 30, 2015

Astonished.

First, thanks to EVERYONE for all the adds and support on Goodreads. It was an amazing surprise to discover we're on 514 shelves from people all around the world.

Second, people should be getting their won!bracelets in the near future! A few weeks ago, I mailed them to my publisher but I'm currently in Australia so it might take awhile. I'd LOVE to see pics of people wearing them, so please tag me! :)

Third, I've been really inspired lately, which is great for my writing/editing. On Nov 16, I celebrated my 30th (I mean 29+) birthday and was surprised with a proposal! My now-fiancé and I were then able to take a 12-day getaway in New Zealand (both islands) which really recharged my brain. Writers, seriously, any time you can, travel somewhere you might normally never go. Really. It's the best tool.

Signing off for now. Just wanted to express gratitude. Seriously, thank you for believing in me and helping my dream come true.

-Mia
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Published on November 30, 2015 23:33

October 29, 2015

Wow!

So uh, JERKBAIT made #1 on Teen and YA LGBT Issues Books on Amazon today. I'm still a bit in disbelief, but how exciting.
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Published on October 29, 2015 03:17 Tags: jerkbait

September 30, 2015

Rainy Days

I love rain. I love everything about rain, the purifying nature, the way it feels, the way it sounds. I love that it changes the barometric pressure and that it allows me to combat my insomnia. I love that I get my biggest writing epiphanies in the rain.

I don't love that it's connected to a hurricane.
I don't love that there's a chance it might affect my flight on Tuesday.

That aside, I'm excited to say that I had a MAJOR epiphany in relation to something sorta-new I'm working on. It happened while I was at the spa getting a slimming treatment and body wrap (divine). As I lay on the table, wrapped in saran wrap, covered in all these layers under an infrared light and sweated like crazy, I closed my eyes and listened to the rain outside the window. You could faintly hear it over the typical beach sounds one hears at a spa.

It came to me within minutes, visions that I could put to words, things that I was able to write down as notes to remember.

What a glorious feeling.
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Published on September 30, 2015 10:14 Tags: brainstorming, rain, writing

September 21, 2015

Working Like Crazy

Hello, folks! :) I've been quiet for a few days, but for good reason. I just finished up a semester at Berkeley College, submitted revisions to my editor (#TeamMcKelle), am sitting tight on some notes from my agent (#TeamTravis), started a brand new semester at SNHU, and other things... like how I leave for Australia in 15 days and will stay there for two months (with a little excursion to New Zealand that still needs to be worked out).

I'm greatly looking forward to this trip as I haven't seen my boyfriend since last December and haven't had a break in a few years. The last time I went to Australia (two years ago), I taught online while I was there--this time will be no different although, upon completion of the semester, I will absolutely take a break.

Besides spending time with him, I'm looking forward to clearing my head, sight seeing, traveling, and, of course, writing. Change of scenery can really make some dramatic changes in one's writing, and I'm excited to get some real hard work done on some projects that have been set on the back burner.

So, what have you all been up to? I hope writing and reading a bit.
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Published on September 21, 2015 08:03 Tags: australia, working

September 17, 2015

Book Soundtrack--Coming Soon!

Hello, folks.

Just a short post to say that I will be putting together a (hopefully awesome) soundtrack to accompany JERKBAIT. :) You can expect to hear a collision of sound, ranging from musicals to female power rock.

And hey, maybe as a fun bonus I'll include the hockey team's warm up music. :)
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Published on September 17, 2015 05:53 Tags: book-soundtrack

September 6, 2015

The Crunch - On Editing

As unpublished writers, we always hear about the editing process and how draining it can be. We nod our heads sympathetically and think we get it.

Then we get our first book deal. Our first edit letter on our first past.

Then we realize, "Wow... this is different than what I expected."


At least that's how I feel.

I thought I was unbelievably prepared for my edit letter. And while I wasn't like John Green, who wrote an article about sobbing hysterically for four days after each edit letter, it got to me. Not because I thought I was worthless, no. Not that at all.

It got to me because I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to meet expectations.

At Goddard College, we had a saying, "Trust the process." That was really hard to do. I took an extra semester. I wish I took an extra two. But I finished.


With only two weeks, one hour, and fifty-five minutes until deadline, I've been attempting to outline, pestering my amazingly patient editor, and having "WOE IS ME" moments where I curse my brain for not being able to think things through and sucking at outlines.

But something started to click. Not just with that, but with the books I made myself read, knowing I was reading for educational purposes rather than solid pleasure.

(Just so you know, it's a REALLY difficult transition to go from very experimental literary fiction to YA).


So... I'm frazzled, which is natural.

But I'm also ending up with a really good book, one that I honestly can't wait to share with everyone.


And, on that note, I should probably try to sleep. Tomorrow's a big day:
1. Ride horses
2. Get plane tickets to Australia to visit my boyfriend for TWO MONTHS! AHHHH! :)
3. Revisions for my novel
4. Drive back to my apartment
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Published on September 06, 2015 19:11 Tags: editing, revision

August 17, 2015

Trying this Goodreads Blog Thing.

Hello, folks!

I really haven't blogged since Live Journal was a thing, but I'm going to try my best to keep it up on a semi-frequent basis.

I recently did a few interviews about JERKBAIT, such as this neat one with Leslie Chivers, one of my good buddies and a critique partner. He's got a superb novel that I am obsessed with; it's going through a lot of name changes now, so once I have more info, I'll share what I can.

Just a short little post for now. I'm currently working at the speed of light on revisions for my editor, McKelle George. The Jolly Fish Press team is absolutely amazing, by the way. Everyone has been kind enough to hold my hand through the process since everything happened all at once with JERKBAIT.


That said, what books should I add to my To-Read list? I want to read something really gritty. :)
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Published on August 17, 2015 09:21 Tags: first-post, interview, test