Author: conjurors
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New Dystopian Novel Launching Today
I want to give a huge thank you to all my friends and fans who supported my Kindle Scout campaign to publish my young adult dystopian novel, Joan the Made. My novel was a winner, and it is now on sale on Amazon for $3.99. If you love edgy young adult fiction like Hunger Games, Ready…
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Vote for Joan the Made on Kindle Scout
After much writing, editing and general agonizing, I have finished the first book in my new trilogy, Joan the Made. This young adult series is set in the near-future, and follows Joan Fasces after she discovers that she cloned from of one of history’s greatest heroines—Joan of Arc. (Check out the full description of my novel…
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How Much Violence Is Too Much in YA Literature?
As a writer of YA science fiction and fantasy, I’m no stranger to writing my heroines into some violent struggles. Whether it’s emotional abuse or outright warfare, somehow these themes are embedded in the hero(ine)’s journey. But I am also sensitive to the fact the readers of my stories are not adults, like me. When…
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A Mom’s Take on Maui’s “You’re Welcome” Song from Disney’s Moana
Maybe it was because my 5-year-old decided to write a letter to Santa about all the things mom had done wrong that day. Maybe it was because my 3-year-old refused to let me brush her teeth for the umpteenth time until I showed her pictures of rotten teeth on the Internet. Or maybe it’s just that…
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2017 YA Fantasy Trends
The crop of YA fantasy novels this year has been a true delight. It’s still February, and I’ve already ripped my way through hundreds of pages of adventure, anguish, and romance. As a reader, it’s been a blissful escape during a year that has been tumultuous for so many of us already. As a writer,…
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Looking for Villainspiration
It’s dark and dreary in my hometown of San Jose this week, and the ghost of something dark hovers at the edges of my thoughts whenever I watch the news. The combined effect might be disturbing if it were an ordinary week, but right now I’m obsessing over how to craft a worthy villain to…
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Goodreads Book Giveaway of My YA Fantasy Novel, The Society of Imaginary Friends
Enter for a chance to win a hard copy of my Amazon bestselling novel, The Society of Imaginary Friends, a young adult epic fantasy. Click here to enter my Goodreads Giveaway, which is live now through December 21, 2016. This breakthrough novel is the first book of The Conjurors Series, and retails for $8.99. Description: Valerie Diaz has…
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The New YA Prince Charming
Protective. Strong. Aggressive. These have been the most prized traits in many YA romantic heroes over the past decade or so. But why did protective feel like stalking? Why did strength trump kindness? Worst of all, aggressive translated to controlling. (I’m looking at you, Edward Cullen.) Fast forward to the present, and a new romantic leading man is…