Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Debut of the Month - All About Between Shades of Grey + Giveaway

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Book Profile

Name - Between Shades of Grey ( Goodreads )
Author - Ruta Sepetys ( Profile )
Genre - Historical
Release Date - 22nd March 2011
Avaliable - The Book Depository / The Nile

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously—and at great risk—documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives.

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The Nuts and Bolts of ...EVERYTHING!

• Revision MadnessI revised quite a bit for my agent prior to submitting the book to publishers. This is a picture of a revision in progress.



The colored notes represent places I had to revise the manuscript.

• Writing on the Road
I wrote a lot of Between Shades of Gray while on the road for work. I spoke many chapters into this voice recorder while driving and also wrote big chunks while in the Cotswolds.



• Name Changes

I had to change the names of the main characters because the names I originally chose were not used in 1941, when the story takes place.
- Lina was originally Indre.
- Jonas was originally Linas.

• Titles

The original title of the book was Between Shades of Gray, but at one point we considered changing it. Alternate title options were Ice & Ashes and The Jar of Silence.

• Behind the Scenes Movie Cast

Most people want to cast the characters in their book. Instead, I’m going to cast some of the incredible team behind the scenes at Philomel/Penguin:









Ralph Fiennes as publisher, Michael Green.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Helena Bonham Carter as editor, Tamra Tuller
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






Gwyneth Paltrow as publicist, Shanta Newlin


















Nicole Kidman as School & Library Dir., Scottie Bowditch

















Emma Stone as Online Marketing Director, Anna Jarzab











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~Giveaway ~

Ruta has kindly offered ONE (1) winner a chance to win the following -


- One Signed ARC of Between Shades of Grey
- One 'Hope' Keyring
- One Between Sahdes of Grey Soundtrack Download Card
- Bookmarks and Book Plates

Rule of Entry -

- International
- MUST leave a comment on this post or Ruta's post HERE 
- Must fill out this FORM
- +1 Leave Comment on My Review HERE
- Extra Entries Not required
- Ends April 5th 2011

Badass Bookie xx
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67 comments:

  1. TrissMarch 16, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Oh, I am the first to comment here. I would love to win this book. Thank you for this giveaway!

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  2. RickiMarch 16, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    Ice & Ashes would have been a wonderful title, too.

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  3. CassMarch 16, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    That's one good looking behind the scenes crew! Thanks for the giveaway!! I'm reading my copy right now actually, but I love those goodies.

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  4. -petitMarch 16, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    I'm dizzy just for looking to your manuscript. The Jar of Silence, would be a funny name :x

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  5. Amber (Books of Amber)March 16, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Thank you for the giveaway! I love that Ruta cast Helena Bonham Carter as her editor.
    I'm glad they kept Between Shades of Gray for the title. Maybe it's because I'm so used to it, but I love the title!

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  6. Chloe BookloverMarch 17, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    That is some serious editing!

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  7. Jessi E.March 17, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    This is a really fun post! It's amazing/scary to see how much revision goes into a story, but it's inspiring to see one that made it. I also love the behind the scenes cast!!!

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  8. VivienMarch 17, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Holy crap, that's a lot of post it notes!!

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  9. BidishaMarch 17, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    The Jar of Silence. Hmm. I wonder how that must have been.

    I'm glad you stuck with the final title, though.

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  10. AmburHostynMarch 17, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    I love the Behind the Scenes movie cast :D made me smile :)
    The revision process looks pretty intense :S lol
    Thanks for sharing this post, it was really interesting :D

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  11. KulsumaMarch 17, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    I would love to read Between Shades of Gray because it sounds amazing!!

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  12. Sniffly KittyMarch 17, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    It's interesting that some names didn't exist in 1941 ^.^

    Sniffly Kitty
    Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books

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  13. Tiffany DrewMarch 17, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Been looking forward to reading this book. I would love to win a copy. Thanks so much for the chance :)

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  14. KatieMarch 17, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    I like the alternate titles as well. I'm super excited about this!!

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  15. QuinnMarch 17, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I have to admit, i like the name Indre. This has been on my to-read list for a while, and I'm really excited about this

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  16. AshleyMarch 17, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    I have been wanting to read this book for a long time! This was such an interesting post! And, I love that the movie cast wasn't for the book, but was for the process!! Too funny!!

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  17. Erin W.March 17, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Really wants to read this book! Love your cast! haha.

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  18. Audrey (holes In My brain)March 17, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    I am *living* to read this book, I've read nothing but rave reviews about it! And i love that casting part, too funny! :)
    Also, all those titles are great, but I think I love Between Shades of Grey the most.

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  19. Catch My WordsMarch 18, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    I read Ruta's manuscript, and her book is amazing! I am so excited to see this novel finally hit the shelves because it's been a long time in the making. It's a very lucky winner who wins this untold piece of history. A movie too? Oh, Ruta! I am so excited for you! Don't forget your roots as an original seven.

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  20. ScootMarch 18, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    I loved the cast of your support staff for the book! Great idea. I can't wait to read Between Shades of Grey. Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Lisa SchenstedMarch 18, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    thanks for hosting this giveaway! i've heard nothing but praise for this book, and i'd love to win a copy. :)

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  22. CarolMarch 18, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    What a really fun post! Thanks for hosting this giveaway & Ruta for her generosity ^^

    Good luck to everyone!

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  23. Tales of WhimsyMarch 18, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Awesome post!
    (not an entry)

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  24. PreciousMarch 18, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Spoke chapters into a voice recorder? Wow! That seems hard to do! :) But it's best to be productive whenever there's a chance! I love the casting of the Philomel team!

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  25. ThaisMarch 19, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    I'd really like to read this book. It seems really interesting, and the cover is gorgeous!

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  26. AnonymousMarch 19, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Great giveaway! I'm really excited about reading this book.:)
    As for the titles: The Jar of Silence sounds good, but i love the title Between shades of gray. Says so much about the story and life in general.

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  27. KellyMarch 19, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    I love that kind of giveaway, when you can win several things and when it is international :) Thank you!!!

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  28. S a n d r aMarch 20, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    This seems interesting!! Thank you for the chance!! :DD

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  29. Reading Away The DaysMarch 20, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    Great giveaway. This book sounds awesome but sad :)

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  30. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win this book, it sounds awesome!

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  31. ChrystalMarch 20, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Interesting to see the editing process in a visual way. And I like that you kept the name the same. :)

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  32. UnknownMarch 20, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Wow, I can't wait to read this and the hope keychain is great. Thanks for this giveaway. My fingers are crossed!
    Kristie W

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  33. RachelMarch 20, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! This book sounds all sorts of amazing :)

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  34. Brittany @ Nice Girls Read BooksMarch 20, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Thank you for the giveaway! This is amazing. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the publishing/writing process!

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  35. xlacrimaxMarch 21, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    I would really !really! love to read this book, because I'm Lithuanian :>

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  36. Kapri (Book Fanatics)March 21, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    This book looks amazing! I would love to win it!

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  37. Reading Mind / The Loyal Book March 21, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    The book sounds so great...and kleenex needed!

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  38. SarahMarch 24, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Thank you for the great giveaway! I loved the "Behind the Scenes Movie Cast"!

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  39. Casey (The Bookish Type)March 25, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    I've heard that this is a modern classic in the making -- thank you so much for the chance to win!

    I love that Ruta carried her tape recorder around and spoke chapters into it! I had fantasies of doing that when I was younger -- it seemed so writer-y =D

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  40. Casey (The Bookish Type)March 25, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Erm, I'm a little confused on the entry form where it asks whether you commented day one or day two? I clicked day two for commenting here -- I hope that was right!

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  41. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    OMG I want to read this book so bad !!

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  42. buddytMarch 26, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    It sounds like a very interesting read and I would love to read it.

    Casting your pulishers staff is certainly different !

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  43. BirgitMarch 26, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    I've also been a bit confused about the entry form (day 1 and day 2), but I commented everywhere I was supposed to, so I think everything will be just fine :-) !

    Great giveaway!!

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  44. UnknownMarch 26, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! I think The Jar of Silence would have been a good title - it sounds so mysterious.

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  45. Ashley @ Bookaholics AnonymousMarch 27, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    those sound like good titles but I think shades of gray is nice. Sounds like a good book.

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  46. αιѕнαн ❤March 27, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Awesome giveaway!

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  47. virginiaMarch 27, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    what a wonderful giveaway..the cover is so pretty..
    pls enter..
    gfc follower.
    i followed you on twitter.

    virginiamaeroque@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Stephanie (Books Are A Girl's Best Friend)March 27, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Thanks for making the giveaway international!
    I love history so this one sounds great and I really enjoyed the 'behind the scenes' info. Off to fill in the form :)

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  49. AnonymousMarch 27, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Huh, wow, thanks for this giveaway - I love the pries! And I really appreciate it's international - it's so hard to get such awsome things if you live out of US or Canada! So THANK you!
    mikki-mano@hotmail.com

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  50. AikMarch 28, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I've always wanted to read this book!

    ReplyDelete
  51. MichelleMarch 28, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    This is a great giveaway! The book looks awesome...would love to win.
    GFC - geekdgirl

    methirteenATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  52. Linda: Book NinjaMarch 28, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Love the cast of the team. I'm dying to read this and I like this title better but I wonder how a jar fits into this.
    Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com

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  53. ArtemisGMarch 29, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Great post! Book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  54. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Wow! This looks awesome. Thanks for such an amazing giveaway!

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  55. Amy CMarch 31, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I love WWII stories! :D

    amy408(at)gmail(dot)com

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  56. aloveforbooksApril 1, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    I'd say nice pick for Between the Shades of Gray!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  57. Book Chatter CathApril 2, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Would absolutely LOVE ♥ to win this
    Thanx for the chance

    cbcowley@gmail.com

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  58. Celiac LibrarianApril 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    I like the 'Hope' Keyring

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  59. ClaryApril 2, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Great giveaway!

    claroxide@yahoo.co.in

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  60. Kayleigh @ The Reading JournalApril 2, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Oooooo, i cant wait to read this book :D

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  61. AleethaApril 3, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    It's nice to know all those behind the "scene".
    Wow to those revision.

    I hope I can get the chance to read the book as well.

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  62. jen7watersApril 3, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Oh...look at that swag...oh please, please, lucky pixies of mine, help me win this one *fingers crossed* :'D

    and wow, that's a great cast, indeed.

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  63. AshleyApril 4, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    I would love to win this book and swag. Thanks so much for the opportunity!

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  64. JustineApril 4, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I've heard many awesome things about this book. And I would have to say that I've been persuaded! I'd love to read this book! :)

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  65. ChelApril 4, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    I like Between Shades of Gray the best. :)
    TY for the giveaway!

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  66. KelseyAnneApril 5, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    I've heard awewsomeness about this book! cannot wait to read it =] lovely swag as well!
    thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  67. ashleyApril 6, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    THANKS!!!

    ReplyDelete

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