Demetra Brodsky

DIVE SMACK • 2018 • Tor Teen/Macmillan

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Earlier Event: July 20
Comic Con International
Later Event: September 23
Southern California Writers' Conference Guest Speaker

Follow @demebrodsky on Instagram

Day 19 #authorlifemonth Non-Bookish Hobby. I’ve been an artist for my entire adult life. I have a fine arts degree from #massart in Boston with a concentration in graphic design. I love to paint and DIY and make things with my hands when I have time. I know how to knit and I’m teaching myself needlepoint. I used to have an Etsy store where I sold handmade jewelry, and not too long ago, I was still doing corporate design work, as well as designing swag for other authors. Everything from exhibition design to bookmarks to book cover design and a cricket illustration for author Andrew Smith for Grasshopper Jungle. The small collages are from a postcard project I did with my BFF @hemcguire where we sent postcards to each other, visually responding to something in one another’s work and including that in the pieces we sent back and forth. I think of writing a novel as painting with words. The subtext as the necessary negative space we use in design. Writing takes up so much time, more than any other thing I’ve done in the arts, but my promise to myself for 2019 is to get back to working with my hands on a regular basis. Do you have a hobby you want to make more time for this year? … #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yaauthor #readmorebooks #teammonarch #diy #readmorebooks #bookgram #makemoreart #bookpassion #bookobsessed #desinger #writers ##yougotthis #painting #tuesdaythoughts #tuesday
I found a hawk feather on my morning walk today. I accept and honor this gift from the universe and the guardianship, strength, and farsightedness that it represents. Have you ever found something extraordinary while just going about your day? . . . . . . #notbookish #giftsfromtheuniverse #feathers #yaauthorsofinstagram #naturelover #nature
I have to remind myself of this every single time I sit down to write a first draft. I’m not a quick and dirty drafter. I’m a plotter. And then I get to each major turning point and stop to reassess the plot points coming up next. I’m what my editor called a Bill Murray-er. Meaning, I write forward but go backward to revise clues and small hints as I go. I’ve written 50K words in the last two months and I’m writing 8+ hours a day right now to turn this new book into my editor. The end is in sight. . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #teammonarch #booksbooksbook #readmorebooks #bookgram #bookpassion #bookobsessed #divesmack #writers ##yougotthis #motivationmonday #monday
Some nights, you just have to step outside your own door, lay on your back staring up into a palm tree and tell yourself . . . YOU GOT THIS! . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #comingsson #coming2020 #amwriting #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis
I made caprese skewers for my family, but I ate at least ten of these. Maybe more. I lost count. I love to cook when I have time, but I had to make something yummy and fast so I could get back to writing. What’s your favorite fast and a little fancy thing to make? . . . . . #homefoodie #notbookish #caprese #authoreats #yaauthorsofinstagram #yaauthor #makeityourself #homemade #healthyeats
Happy Valentine’s #tbt from Theo Mackey to you! #divesmack 🔥❤️💧 . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #teammonarch #divesmack #writers #yougotthis
Day 13 #authorlifemonth Swag/Stationary. I love these #DIVESMACK bracelets I had made. I'll be bringing them to #pasadenalovesya #ontarioteenbookfest and #commercelovesreading in March. They're much thinner than the traditional rubber bracelets and I had to scour the internet to find if I wanted the diving team's Monarch mascot embossed on them, as well, but it was worth the hunt. The best things usually are, don't you think? . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack #yaauthor #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #livetodiveanotherday #swag
For Day 12 of #authorlifemonth, I don't really have Shelved Manuscript per say. Everything I've written has been read by my agents and is lying in strategic wait. The one I'm currently most excited about it is Greek Mythology inspired. Drawing from my cultural background as a First Generation Greek American, an homage to my grandmother who suffered the loss and then gain of a child taken from her during wartimes, and my love for the stories I grew up with. #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #shelvedms #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #teammonarch #booksbooksbook #readmorebooks #bookgram #bookpassion #bookobsessed #divesmack #writers ##yougotthis #greekmythology #tuesdaythoughts #tuesday
It’s always fun to see my book in the bookstore, especially when #divesmack has the autographed copy sticker on it. I have the same reaction every time. A little jump from my heart. An exclamation, “That’s mine.” I don’t think it will ever get old, especially when I’m in such great company. . . . . . #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #teammonarch #divesmack #writers #yougotthis #motivationmonday #monday #bookaddict #bookaholic #igreads #instabooks #instareads #bookphotography #goodreads #ilovebooks #barnesandnoble #bookgram #bookcommunity #totalbooknerd
Day 11 #authorlifemonth Biggest Distraction! My dogs: Ponyboy and L.B. ❤️❤️ If I close my office door, Ponyboy will alternate between making weird monkey noises and bodyslamming all ten pounds of himself into the door until I let him inside. L.B. is a senior dog now, so if I’m on a deadline and don’t take her for a walk first thing, she just walks in periodically and stares at me like I’m a huge human disappointment. Get in line with that move, sister! LOL. #iamloved … #yaauthorsofinstagram #yaauthor #bookish #authorlifemonth #biggestdistraction #doxiepinsofinstagram #terriersofinstagram #amwriting #getbacktowork #doglover
Prosecco Buttercream. I deserve it. #treatyoself … 🍩 #ondeadline #donut #yaauthorfood #eatlocal #donutconnoisseur #getbacktowork #metime #demetrabrodsky #carlsbadfoodie #amwriting #yaauthorsofinstagram #yaauthor #thegoodscarlsbad
When you write 3k words, you get to sneak out for a macaron! White Chocolate Lavender for me, Matcha for my daughter. … #cookielove #newwip #coming2020 #yalit #yaauthorsofinstagram #ondeadline #bookworm #yaauthor #booknerd #teammonarch #divesmack #motherdaughter #macaron
Day 8 #authorlifemonth Writer Friends. It’s such a hard thing to pick because the writing community is full of so many wonderful people I call friend and adore. And on the other hand, so many of my non-writing friends lifted me up through the entire process and carried me through my debut. For this one, though, I went with the ladies who are my always in writing. Critique partners, shenanigan buddies, tear wipers, cheerleaders, and treasured advisors. ❤️❤️❤️ … #bookish #yalit #yaauthor #booknerd #authorlifemonth #writerfriends #readmorebooks #divesmack #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram
#authorlifemonth #authorfashion I’m usually in leggings and a t-shirt or sweatshirt when I’m writing at home. Comfort is a priority. But it’s pretty safe to say I’m obsessed with my field jacket. And also the other ladies in these pics. Springboard Diving Olympian and consultant to #DIVESMACK @karenlaface who I’ve been friends with for 17 glorious years, and my friends @lolo_55 and @ktjfry where we all showed up accidentally matchy-matchy, which made me realize we need to get drinks soon! 🍷🍸After I hit my deadline and Katy has her baby. 😬❤️👶🏼 … #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #teammonarch #divesmack #booksbooksbooks #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion
My #authorlifemonth awesome moment was seeing my book in a bookstore display for the first time. I was there for someone else’s signing when I discovered my face on this table, advertising my upcoming launch party! … #bookish #bookaddict #bookaholic #if reads #instabooks #instareads #divesmack #goodreads #mysteriousgalaxy #mysteriousgalaxybookstore #bookfan #bookgram #bookcommunity #totalbooknerd #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #bookishlove #torteen #bookaddiction #alwaysreading #lovebooks #lovereading #booksofinstagram
“Meanwhile, it was a privilege.” While my daughter is at school, I’m sneak reading her classroom copy of #BRAVENEWWORLD. 📚 📚 📚 #bookish #bookaddict #bookaholic #igreads #instabooks #instareads #bookphotography #goodreads #ilovebooks #bookfan #bookgram #bookcommunity #totalbooknerd #booknerdigans #bookgeek #booklove #bookishlove #bookdragon #bookaddiction #alwaysreading #lovebooks #lovereading #aldushuxley #bravenewworld #booksofinstagram #lovetoread
Thank you @the.ya.booktraveler for featuring Theo Mackey, aka The Big Mac, as your pick for MALE LEAD for #SBS #signedbooksundays. I’m so glad you enjoyed my book and that it has a real life connection for you (as it does for me). I hope we get to meet in person some day to discuss. . . 🔥 ❤️ 💧 Today’s #signedbooksundays theme is MALE LEAD 🏊🏼‍♂️. I feel that male driven books are definitely not as common in YA so I always appreciate when I get a chance to read one, like Dive Smack by @demebrodsky! It’s a psychological thriller about diving and the main character takes Adderall. All my kids take medication for ADHD and mental health is such an important & daily part of all our lives. It was interesting reading a book that featured a medication I deal with every day. #SBS is hosted by @diamondxgirl & @bookcrushin . . What are your favorite male lead books? . . #divesmack #demetrabrodsky #yathriller #torteen #macmillan #thriller #yalit #adderall #diving #sportsbook #books #signedbook #bookstagram #sunday #psychologicalthrillers #bookish #bookaddict #bookaholic #igreads #instabooks #instareads #bookphotography #goodreads #ilovebooks #bookfan
Just a woman, standing around, waiting for her man to get dressed so he can take her to the Vaud and the Villains show at @bellyuptavern. 🎷🎼 2019 goal to get out and see more shows in motion. . . . #goingtoashow #bellyuptavern #notbookish #saturdaynightvibes #takemeout #rainraingoaway #yaauthorsofinstagram #yaauthor
We have one of these telephone booths in my town near the beach and nobody can tell me why, or how long it's been there, or how it got there. I love that it adds so much charm, and the writer in me is dying to crack the mystery of this decidedly British landmark that makes me feel like Sherlock and Watson are going to round a corner at any moment. @carlsbadcagov can you help? @carlsbadvillage any thoughts? #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #obsessed #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #carlsbad #carlsbadbythesea #carlsbadvillage #sherlockholmes
This is one of my favorite parts of writing: subtext. Maybe that's because it was something I had to consciously work on. What are the characters saying without speaking, their body language and reactions. Because of this, I became a serial eavesdropper and lookie-loo in public, waiting and watching and taking notes. Inventing what isn't being said for sport. And now I know subtext is one of the best expressions of scene and situation a writer can have in their toolbox. 🔥 ❤️ 💧 #bookish #bookstagram #bookworm #yalit #yaauthor #thriller #suspense #torteen #macmillan #booknerd #hotread #readmorebooks #bookaholic #igreads #divesmack#booksbooksbooks #yaauthor #bookcommunity #yaauthorsofinstagram #bookobsessed #bookpassion #alwaysreading #bookphoto #booksarelife #writers #yougotthis #subtext #wednesdaywisdom #Wednesday