News

Hi! I’m back from an amazing long weekend at a writing retreat near Front Royal, VA. Six of my best writer-friends and I rented a big log cabin and spent the time writing, reading, talking about writing and publishing, reading scenes from our upcoming books or WIPs, drinking wine, eating cheese, hanging out in the hot tub, and coming up with both short- and long-term career goals. We also, as those of you who follow me on Twitter might have seen,  had an unexpected guest in the form of Bartholomew the Bat. There was a whole adventure that involved poking him with bamboo poles, throwing blueberries out the door in an attempt to guide him, eventually covering him with a blanket, and a kind sheriff (or a sheriff’s officer?) who came and freed him. Anyway! I got good news while I was gone – BORN WICKED sold in Japan! That’s... Read More

Hi! I’m Jessica Spotwood, author of THE CAHILL WITCH CHRONICLES. Book 1, BORN WICKED, is out now in hardcover and comes out in paperback on January 3! The sequel, STAR CURSED, comes out on June 18. My books are historical fantasies about witches and sisters and kissing. Now, for the reason you’re here… Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This triannual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt at each stop. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive a signed book from each author on my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online... Read More

Hi! If you’re reading this in Google Reader or some other feed, you might want to click through to the site – because it has a shiny new look to match the new look for the Cahill Witch Chronicles! It’s a little darker, a little more mysterious, while hopefully still keeping the same lush, romantic feel – just like the new covers! The Books page is my favorite because there are now TWO covers there – it’s like they’re sister-books! *is such a dork* But you can also find an updated list of my favorite reads, and some fantastic reviews of BORN WICKED, and how to get in touch with me (I love hearing from readers!). The Mundie Moms debuted the STAR CURSED cover this morning. I love it. I especially love the colors, and the stars, and the determined look on Cate’s face. I like to think that she... Read More

EXCITING THINGS are happening tomorrow! First – the cover and synopsis for STAR CURSED have been floating around the internet for a few weeks, but I’ve been mum about it because it wasn’t final. The official, final cover will be released tomorrow morning on Mundie Moms – along with the entire first chapter! EEP! I will post a link and tweet my face off when it goes live! I can’t WAIT to hear what you all think! Second – YA Scavenger Hunt kicks off tomorrow, where you can win a bazillion awesome books and get special sneak peeks at things! I’ve written a short Cahill Christmas story featuring Cate, Finn, and Maura. It was SUPER fun and I can’t wait to share it with you! (And in a few weeks, I’ll be sharing the same story – but from Finn’s pov!) NOW. I have a confession to make. I quit... Read More

Hi! Two weeks ago I started tracking my time – well, not time exactly, but but what I accomplished each day – because I am always interested in balance and how I can structure my days better. I don’t know if it will be of interest to anyone but me, but I am always fascinated by others’ writing habits and routines, so here goes: MON, NOV 5 work: finished the Cahill Witch Chronicles story bible; finished tweaking the end of STAR CURSED other: found super-cute Friendsgiving place card craft TUES, NOV 6 work: did STAR CURSED edits; caught up on reader email other: voted!, hour walk, watched election results with twitter WED, NOV 7 work: spent 2.5 hours on marketing stuff (mostly updates for website) other: emails, found recipe for Friendsgiving (cheddar-jalapeno stuffing which was delicious) THURS, NOV 8 work: brainstormed Cahill Book 3, talked to Editor Ari, set up a school... Read More