SJ Kincaid

Hey everyone!

On May 7th, HarperTeen Impulse is releasing an INSIGNIA prequel novella focused on Wyatt Enslow! Pre-order it today!

In S. J. Kincaid’s fast-paced and humorous sci-fi Insignia trilogy, the earth is in the middle of World War III when teen gamer Tom Raines is recruited to train with other young cadets as a pivotal member of the elite combat corps, the Intrasolar Forces. At the Pentagonal Spire’s training academy, he makes the best friends of his life—fellow government weapons-in-training Wyatt Enslow, Vik Ashwan, and Yuri Sysevich.

In ALLIES, a 47-page prequel novella to the series, budding genius Wyatt Enslow—intensely loyal and hyperintelligent if occasionally, hilariously, socially awkward—takes center stage as S. J. Kincaid reveals Wyatt’s life before she found her place, and her own inner strength, among her devoted band of friends at the Spire.

Praise for Insignia: “The characters are real, funny, and memorable. You won’t be able to put this book down.”—Veronica Roth, New York Times bestselling author of Divergent

HarperTeen Impulse is a digital imprint focused on young adult short stories and novellas, with new releases the first Tuesday of every month

For more information, check out this page

Additionally, the ebook of INSIGNIA is on sale for $2.99! Please spread word!

So I just e-mailed the two people who won the VORTEX ARC. Depending on whether I get my hands on one more book, I may draw another name as the winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

That said– Pitch Dark Books is now running a VORTEX giveaway, and they’re giving away TEN ARCS. So head on over to Pitch Dark Days to enter!

Did you guys watch the Academy Awards? I only caught the end, but I thought Jennifer Lawrence’s acceptance speech was adorable. As was Hugh Jackman running up to help her– then running back again when he realized she didn’t need it. Very cute. I really was rooting for him to win for Les Miserables.

Take care, and thank you to everyone who entered the contest!

First of all, in six days, FRAGMENTS will be coming out. It’s the sequel to PARTIALS by Dan Wells. Are you as excited as I am???

Second of all, I’ve been tagged by Lynne Kelly, author of CHAINED, for the Next Big Thing Blog Hop. So here are the answers below!

1. What is the working title of your book?
It’s VORTEX, and I’m giving away two ARCs today! Please check out the bottom of the page for the giveaway!

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
VORTEX is the second book in the INSIGNIA series. The original idea for INSIGNIA came from an article I read about futuristic drone warfare.

3: What genre does your book come under?
YA sci-fi or dystopian.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
The kids are pure imagination, but I definitely had images of actors for some of the adults. Vengerov is Vladimir Putin meets Daniel Craig. Dalton is Rob Lowe in Wayne’s World (or Starship Troopers– he does a great skeezy) meets Paul Ryan meets Patrick Bateman. Blackburn, I always picture John C McGinley in his early Scrubs days.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In VORTEX, Tom Raines has to choose between betraying someone he cares about, or facing terrible consequences at the hands of a dangerous new enemy.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
It’s going to be published by Katherine Tegen Books. It’s out July 2nd.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A while. I threw away a 90k draft and started over.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
INSIGNIA. Is that lazy? Yes. I don’t care.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My three book deal and the contract I signed. They were great inspirations.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
A few slight spoilers, how about that? Highlight to see them:
Tom loses something (or some things) quite valuable to him.
Someone is very shocked by something.
Someone has made a dreadful mistake that comes back to bite him or her.
Some people have a romantic moment while being eaten by a shark.
Want to find out more? Then enter the contests to win an ARC!

Now, I’m tagging my friends and fellow writers, Phillip Siegel, author of the upcoming 2014 release, THE BREAK-UP ARTIST, and my crit partner for several years, the amazing Amy Sonnichsen, agented by Kate Testerman.

 

I’ve been sitting on this news, but now I get to announce it! INSIGNIA made the shortlist for the Waterstone’s Book Prize! Read more here. This is a huge honor, and thanks go to my UK Publisher, Hot Key Books, and the UK booksellers who have supported the series.

Anyway, very exciting!