Monday, September 22, 2014

Follow Fest!


I’m excited to have discovered and be participating in Follow Fest 2014. I hope to meet some new blogger friends and learn about their work. Here is a little bit about me and what I am working on.



Name: Pat Esden

Fiction or nonfiction? Fiction

What genres do you write? New adult and young adult fantasy and suspense

Are you published? Yes. MOONHILL, my NA paranormal trilogy will be coming from Kensington Books starting in Spring 2016.  In the past, I’ve published a number of short stories and novelettes in places such as Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, Mythic Circle and Challenging Destiny.

Tell us a little about yourself. When I’m not writing, I’m usually digging through musty attics or going to auctions in search of funky collectables to sell. I was a florist for many years and a contributing writer for Vermont Bride Magazine.  I love golden retrieves, don’t wear makeup and grow amazing morning glories.

What are you reading right now? I just finished Jeaniene Frost’s NA paranormal, THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES—and I loved it. The next book up is Brigid Kemmerer’s YA paranormal, STORM. Yeah, I’m a little behind on reading this one, but I’ve heard wonderful things about the story and am dying to dive in.

If you’d like to keep up with what I am reading, connect with me on  Goodreads

Which authors influenced you the most? Gosh, this is a tough one. I have a fondness for mid-century romantic suspense writers: Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney . . . Lately, Nova Ren Suma’s writing has inspired me and so has Melissa Marr’s. Honestly, I read a wide variety of books and find something to take with me from all writers, whether I love the book or not.  

Do you have a newsletter? You can sign up for my newsletter on my website. However, I’m not sending out newsletters at this time. However, there will be cool giveaways in the near future, some only for newsletter followers.  Newsletter link

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
I’ve been active in the YA writing community for many years and am always delighted to meet new kidlit writers. However, I’d also really like to connect with more NA writers.  I’m interested in both interviewing NA writers and in being interviewed about my writing and career twists.  I enjoy interact with writers on Twitter for writing challenges, chats and general support. I don’t follow writers whose tweets focus on self-promotion.

How can people connect with you?

Website: Pat Esden

Twitter:  Pat Esden 


Personal Facebook: Pat Esden

Google +: Pat Esden



Thanks for stopping by! And please hop over to http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com to meet some of the other authors participating in Follow Fest this week.


68 comments:

  1. Thanks for taking part in Follow Fest, Pat.
    Hope you meet lots of writers. :)

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    1. Thank you for organizing this! I'm looking forward to checking everyone's blog out and to making new friends.

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  2. Nice to meet you, Pat. Maybe we can catch up on twitter sometime - I love a good writing challenge :-)

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    1. I hope so. Sometimes it takes awhile to figure out who everyone is, but writing is always more fun with friends and cheerleaders.

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  3. Hi Pat,
    Wow, Victoria Holt brings back memories. I used to love gothic romances. I think those books taught me about atmosphere.
    Congrats on your trilogy and I'm happy to meet you. :-)

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    1. Great to meet you, too--and thank you for the congrats. I'm totally thrilled and can't wait until I get to share the book. And, yup, atmosphere is why I loved those books as well.

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  4. Hi Pat! Am also lover of golden retrievers (six in total in my family). Looking forward to following you.

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    1. I lost my last golden in June and I'm trying hard to hold off getting a puppy for a little while. But I think I'm loosing the battle :)

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  5. Hi Pat, nice to meet you! I'm surprised at how many fantasy authors are doing this. I love fantasy. Can't wait to read some of your stuff!

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    1. That's because fantasy authors are awesome ;) Nice to meet you.

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    1. You should join. I'm meeting loads of new people.

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  7. How did I miss you sold a trilogy to Kensington?! I must be living under a rock. Huge congrats - I'm so happy for you!!! I loved your self-interview!

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    1. Yes--I'm over the moon thrilled. The last post I did was almost a month ago and it tells the whole story. I suspect you weren't under a rock. It came as a sudden surprise to me.

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  8. Hi Pat, I love YA and NA novels. I actually am writing my first books in these genres. I majorly write fantasy because it is the genre that captured my heart when I was young. I am always looking for more books to add to my shelves. I look forward to reading your works :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. It's wonderful to meet new writers and readers. I'm looking forward to checking out your post really soon.

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  9. I love suspense. :-) Good to meet you.

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    1. Good to meet you too! It's wonderful to connect with new people.

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  10. Hi Pat, great to meet a fellow paranormal author and CONGRATS on your three book deal! Wishing you loads of success!

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    1. Thank you very much. I'm thrilled about the deal. I love reading paranormal books and it'll be fun to see what readers think of mine.

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  11. Hello, Pat, nice to meet you!!! I have 2 Labradors, so close to goldens, love them. Congrats pubbing with Kensington!!!! Much Success!!!!

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    1. Labs are wonderful, too. Yeah, I'm still dancing with joy about Kensington and about to dive into revisions full force.

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  12. Hi Pat, I was in the floral business for almost 20 years. We'll have to swap Valentine's Day stories! Congrats on your trilogy. How exciting! Best wishes!

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    1. Nice to meet you. LOL. Most people wouldn't believe some of those Valentine's stories--not to mention ones about weddings.

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  13. I bet you find great things in those attics!! I think it would be so cool to go thru peoples old things! The treasures you can find! Congrats on your accomplishments!

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    1. We bought the attic of a shed a few weeks ago. The range of things we uncovered was amazing. Everything from a box full of amazing mineral samples to old dresses from the 1960s, handmade fishing lures and old sleigh bells--I won't mention the gross stuff.

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  14. The only makeup I wear is lip gloss/lipstick - and that's only if I'm going out. And I'm jealous you can grow lovely flowers!

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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    1. If I couldn't have my summer flowers, I'd be very sad. I use the morning glories as privacy screens so I can write on my porch.

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  15. Hey Pat, thanks for checking out my fest post and I'm glad to meet another writer who really enjoys writing. I'm currently reading Meg's Secret which is part of an amazing contemporary romance trilogy by Kelley Abell. Self promotion is a tightrope, no one wants to be around anyone who only talks about themselves. Best of luck with your upcoming NA novel. Nice meeting you.

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  16. Nice to meet you as well. You're so right about self promotion. It definitely isn't easy to get the balance right.

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  17. Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart! I haven't thought of those names and years, but they are some of the first writers I loved. Their stories were so innocent and so dark at the same time. Lovely.

    Great to meet you!

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    1. Nice to meet you too, Samantha. I normally read very recently published novels, but last year I went back and read a lot of the mid-century gothics for fun. You're right, about them. I was also surprised to find how well they'd held up over time--better than I'd expected.

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  18. Hi, Pat, I'm happy to discover you and learn more about you through this Follow Fest. I've always wanted to know a florist, and I rarely wear make-up either. Nice to meet you.

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    1. Nice to meet you too, Demetria. And it looks like you met two florist :) JQ Rose also used to be one. I retired from the florist business last Fall, so I could devote more time to my writing. This was my first summer of no weddings in many years. I often was dealing with 20-30 brides at a time. Hard to believe in retrospect.

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  19. Pat, nice to meet you through Follow Fest. I enjoyed your interview and feel inspired to renew my interest in searching through attics and antiquing to find what goodies can be uncovered. There's something magical in that treasure hunting process that could also be connected to your creativity and writing process.

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    1. So true. The things I find and the people I meet often find their way into my stories. It's also a fun way to make extra cash.

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  20. Nice to meet you! I write NA/crossover fiction and I'd love to connect with more authors. :)

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  21. I agree. It's hard to keep track of everyone, but we do seem to have similar taste in writing and reading. Please, elbow me on Twitter or here if I forget to keep in touch.

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  22. Hey, I'm a florist, too! Very cool that we floral design in common!

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    1. Cool, Jackie. I used to dream up scenes and brainstorm writing things while I designed. Then I'd go home at night and put the ideas into action. Worked well, except it didn't leave much time for sleeping--especially around flower heavy holidays and prom time.

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  23. Great to meet you and also to connect on Twitter. Your "treasure hunting" hobby sounds soooo fun! Congrats on the multi-book deal.

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    1. Nice to meet you, Laurel. Actually, the treasure hunting is mine and my husband's main income. We've done it for years, but it still amazes me what we can sell.

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  24. It's wonderful to meet you. I'm so thankful for this blogfest as I loved reading all about you!

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    1. Nice to meet you as well. And I totally agree about this blogfest!

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  25. Way to go publishing with Kensington! Digging around in attics is cool. I love antiques...so many stories to be imagined!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. You're so right. One of my suspense WIPs was inspired by mementoes I found in a old candy box.

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  26. Sounds like you have many adventures ahead of you with everything you've got going on!

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  27. Hi Pat. Congratulations on your books being picked up by Kensington! And I have to admit, rummage is one of my favorite words and therefore, past times. Great to meet you through Follow Fest!
    ~Ava

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    1. Nice to meet you as well. Yeah, I love rummaging in all its glorious forms :)

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  28. Nice to meet you! Congrats on your upcoming trilogy. NA seems to be becoming a bit more established these days.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. You're right about NA too. More established and the category is rapidly broadening.

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  29. Hello Pat :-) I so love your enthusiasm and positivity (which spell check informs me isn't a word, but I'm leaving it anyway)!!

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    1. Olivia, spell check is forever changing my last name from Esden to Essen. So I'm quite certain you're correct and it is wrong :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. My mom used to read a lot of Victoria Holt books. She seemed to enjoy them, too. Nice meeting you through the follow fest!

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  31. I thought your comments about twitter were interesting. I tweet by blog when I post but I also tweet about the weird and random things that come up in the day to day - like the fact that my toddler sounds like a siren when she talks. lol But there are LOTS of twitter accounts who seem to only post giveaways and promotions and things like that. I understand the annoyance.

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    1. I can imagine the siren thing :) Across the street from where I live is a family that has five very happy girls who are all loud and love giggling and screaming. When the school bus turns down our road, they all yell--ever morning at 7:10. I don't need an alarm clock.

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  32. Great to meet you Pat!And thanks for following and visiting us! Totally returning the gesture!

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  33. Ooh, new adult paranormal, sounds really cool! Great to meetcha.

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    1. I can't wait until 2016 when I get to share Moonhill with everyone. Great to meet you as well!

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  34. Ahhhh Nova Rem Suma is so fabulous I am in awe of her most of the time!

    <3

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    1. And she's not just a wonderful writer, she's a fantastic teacher as well. So much to admire :)

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  35. Hello! I loved your tidbits and I adore morning glories. They are so beautiful.

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    1. Morning glories are the best. Unfortunately, they are at the peak of bloom right now and ever night is threatening frost!

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