To all bloggers and reviewers

As the date for Legend's launch inches closer, I find myself feeling more and more afraid. Back when I was unpublished and still searching for the right story, I always fantasized about what it would be like if I knew that something I'd written was going to be launched. (I had written four unpublished manuscripts before Legend, so I had plenty of time to fantasize!) I thought I'd know how it would feel. But honestly, I didn't know a thing--because the mix of emotions I feel these days (anxiety, happiness, terror, excitement, fearfearfeaaaar) is NOT what I had imagined. I guess I couldn't have known. It's just one of those things I needed to experience to understand.

But in addition to the aforementioned emotions and all the whirlwind of activities leading up to Nov. 29 (i.e. Launch Day), I also feel one more emotion. Gratefulness. Specifically, I feel grateful for all the YA bloggers, reviewers, and general readers that have taken the time to read and review the advance copies of Legend. It's such a thrill and privilege for me. I'm so thankful for your reviews (both the good and the bad), because it means you took the time to read and then analyze Legend for better or worse. So, thank you! I know you have a lot of books to choose from. Picking up mine, well....nothing makes me happier than that.

(If you are a book blogger, reviewer, or would just like an ARC of Legend, please send an email to yrmarketing -at- us.penguingroup.com with your name, email, blog URL, and mailing address. It doesn't guarantee a copy but as far as I've seen, Penguin's been pretty good about it so hopefully you'll get a copy!)

Legend's UK/AU cover is revealed

I'm so giddy with excitement that I get to share the UK/AU cover of Legend with you guys now. Check out this piece of epic awesomeness!



gah, I love it. Strong stance, gorgeous landscape and colors. *SQUEE*

(Also, Comic-con was AWESOME. Photos here!)

Comic-con Schedule

Hi guys! I will be at San Diego Comic-con this week, from Thursday through Sunday. If you're also attending, please stop by the following if you can! Love to see you there.

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"No Damsels in Distress" Panel, Room 25ABC, Thursday at 4:00 PM

I'll be speaking on this panel about Legend and its characters. I will be in the amazing company of the following panelists:

Chloe Neill – Chicagoland Vampires series
Jeanine Frost – Night Huntress series
Jeanne Stein – The Anna Strong Chronicles
Jocelynn Drake – Dark Days series
Carrie Vaughn – Kitty Norville series
Seanan McGuire – The October Daye series
Sherrilyn Kenyon– Dark Hunter novels

There will be a signing session after this panel in the autographing area!
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Penguin Booth Autographing Session, Friday at 10:00 AM, Penguin Group Booth #2913R

I'll be signing advance copies of Legend from 10 AM to 11 AM on Friday.
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Comic-con is always such a good time, and this year I'm as excited as ever. Costumes, panels, people, woot! Love it. See you there! <3

LEGEND is in USA Today!

Have been looking forward to this article's release and am excited to finally share it! USA Today is running an article about Legend right in time for Comic-con, where I will be on a panel this Thursday at 4:00 pm (Room 25ABC) to talk about Legend (panel is called "No Damsels in Distress"). Brian Truitt (the interviewer) is way past awesome.

Plus, see the official Legend trailer from Penguin, as well as read the first 3 chapters, at the article link! For those who read the first chapter and saw Day's point of view, now you'll get to see June's point of view too. Hope you guys all enjoy!

USA Today: Lu's dystopian novel is a 'Legend' in the making: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-07-18-marie-lu-legend-dystopia_n.htm

Tweaked titles

My boyfriend has a really quirky habit of not remembering the names of movies/books properly. Instead, he'll say what he THINKS is the name of something, but it is often hilariously off. Case in point:

Real title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Boyfriend's memory: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Sorcerers

Real title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Boyfriend's memory: Jason Jones and the Argonauts

Real title: The Golden Compass
Boyfriend's memory: Curse of the Golden Compass

Real title: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Boyfriend's memory: Snow Flower and the Seven Dwarves

Now I mention book and movie names just to see what he'll twist it into later on. :heart:

Happy Friday, guys! May you go forth and watch some HP this weekend! Or at least eat something scrumptious. :)

Legend fan art, Comic-con, and food poisoning

(Reposted from my deviantArt blog)

Had a rough bout of food poisoning early last weekend, one bad enough to actually give me a minor stomach ulcer. WUT. O___o Not the most comfortable feeling in the world. Anyway, when I went to my local urgent care to get it checked out (to make sure I wasn't dying or something), the male nurse led me to one of their back rooms:

Nurse: "Wait here. The doctor will be in to see you shortly."
Me: "Okay."
Nurse: (hands me a thick wad of that hospital butcher paper) "I'll need you to take off your pants."
Me: "Excuse me?"
Nurse: "You'll need to remove your pants. Wrap this around you when you're done."
(nurse leaves)

In hindsight, I found this hilarious because I'd just recently rewatched that Family Guy episode which makes fun of this, i.e. no matter what you go in for, you have to take off your pants. Turns out they just wanted to poke my stomach without, like, belts in the way or something. But I swear the doctor could tell I was giving him the EVIL EYE the entire time, my hands ready to go into ninja battle chop mode.

Anyway. TMI? Yeah, probably. Whatever. I'll delete this story later.

:)

In other news, I will be on a panel at Comic-con! On Thursday at 4pm, I'll be on the "No Damsels in Distress Here" panel in room 25ABC, talking about Legend. If you're attending, please come by! Other panelists presenting with me include the amazing Kathy Reichs, creator of Bones (the TV series). Here are the panel details:

4:00-5:00 No Damsels in Distress Here— Female voices in sci-fi and fantasy create kick-ass heroines. Danger just might be these girls’ middle name. But no amount of bad guys can keep these ladies from doing what’s right. Whether standing up for friends and family, or just plain kicking some ass, these girls don’t shy away from a fight. Damsels on the panel include Marie Lu (Legend), Kathy Reichs (Bones & Virals series), Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires series), Jeanne Stein (The Anna Strong Chronicles), Merrie deStefano (Feast: Harvest of Dreams), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville series), Seanan McGuire (The October Daye series), and Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter novels). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 25ABC

And in other very awesome news, check out this BEAUTIFUL fan art of Day, by Dianne Garcia!!!! This is the first official fan art of Day from Legend, and I am so incredibly psyched. Look at all those watercolor details! And the hair! The smug expression! The vest, the background! The posture! I love everything about this. The attitude screams Day. LOVE IT!