Melissa C. Walker's Blog
December 24, 2009
It's Christmas and I'm home in Chapel Hill, so here's a quick one, via facebook update yesterday (all true!):
"Rescued a lost pug in the road, put up signs and craigslist post, reunited it with its owners (family with elated little girl). I'm like my own Hallmark special today!"
Merry, merry!
"Rescued a lost pug in the road, put up signs and craigslist post, reunited it with its owners (family with elated little girl). I'm like my own Hallmark special today!"
Merry, merry!
December 23, 2009
Last week's winners of the fabulous Tamora Pierce's books are: babygirlG (Trickster's Choice) and Raelena (Trickster's Queen)! Send me your addresses for the books!Now, go forth and hit a bookstore for those last-minute gifts. Need I remind you of indiebound's lovely reason why? They're wittier than I am, but here's mine: Giving someone a book gives them a whole world of adventures and people to meet and places to go and emotions to work through. I dare you to think of a more fulfilling way ...
December 21, 2009
Maggie Stiefvater had one of my favorite covers this year with Shiver, and Linger--her upcoming summer release--is already a 2010 favorite. I had to hear the story behind these simple, subtle designs. Here's Maggie:"I was a professional artist before I went full-time with my writing, so I'm possibly even more opinionated about book covers than most authors. I had mocked up a few covers for SHIVER, but nothing that I was really happy with -- I was way too close to the project. They were all be...
December 20, 2009
The view out my front window. Anyone else in snow?
(And yes, we have bars on the street-level windows in Brooklyn. But aren't they artistic?)
(And yes, we have bars on the street-level windows in Brooklyn. But aren't they artistic?)
December 18, 2009
So we did end up getting two kittens (thanks for everyone's advice!). The second one's name is Winona (Winnie for short, and when she's in a cheerful mood). Here she is, sitting pretty, with attitude:
And here's Swayze, eyeing the baby Christmas tree:
The two of them get along... sometimes. Dave captured a still moment:
I'm so glad we have two! You guys were right--Swayze is much happier with someone to bully, and she swats him right back. Happy Friday!PS-Aspiring authors: Have you heard about h...
And here's Swayze, eyeing the baby Christmas tree:
The two of them get along... sometimes. Dave captured a still moment:
I'm so glad we have two! You guys were right--Swayze is much happier with someone to bully, and she swats him right back. Happy Friday!PS-Aspiring authors: Have you heard about h...
December 16, 2009
Okay, so these two books are epically awesome, and tonight on readergirlz, we'll be chatting LIVE! with Tamora Pierce from 9pm-10pm EST (that's 6pm Pacific). You can learn all about the books and the legendary TP on readergirlz, too.
Here's how you can win:1. To enter for Trickster's Choice, just leave a comment below and tell me what book you most want for the holidays. (Post your wishlist on Raschel's contest too--still going on!).2. To enter for Trickster's Queen, you've got to show up at t...
Here's how you can win:1. To enter for Trickster's Choice, just leave a comment below and tell me what book you most want for the holidays. (Post your wishlist on Raschel's contest too--still going on!).2. To enter for Trickster's Queen, you've got to show up at t...
December 15, 2009
I signed up for Ari's Reading in Color Holiday Book Exchange, and I just got my gift from the lovely Kelsey (The Book Scout). It's a copy of Debbie Rigaud's PERFECT SHOT (for which I just posted the Cover Story earlier this month!). Ari's site is fantastic because it explores diversity in YA books, and she writes great reviews (check out her holiday gift guide).Thanks, Kelsey and Ari. I love book exchanges, and I can't wait to read this one!
December 14, 2009
I have two amazing authors here today, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Since they're both talking, I'm going to Q&A this Cover Story. Their book is the very-buzzed-about Beautiful Creatures. I haven't read it yet, but I can't wait!Here's the story behind that gorgeous cover:
MW: Did you have an idea in mind for your cover as you were proposing/writing the book?
Margie: We did. My sister-in-law, who is a graphic designer, even mocked it up. It was a black and white image of an enormous moon, w...
MW: Did you have an idea in mind for your cover as you were proposing/writing the book? Margie: We did. My sister-in-law, who is a graphic designer, even mocked it up. It was a black and white image of an enormous moon, w...
December 13, 2009
Love this indiebound campaign that Nicole pointed out to me. It's true, right? And some great paperbacks cost as little as $6 NEW! *cough* Lovestruck Summer *cough*I said this in my newsletter, but I'll repeat it here: If you're buying any of my books as gifts this holiday season, email me your address and I'll send you a signed bookplate--dedicated to whomever you wish, even yourself--in the mail. Signed books are extra special. I have a whole shelf of them that I completely treasure!Happy S...
December 11, 2009
A quick trip to LA where I forgot to take pictures with my other fabulous friends Kara, Katherine, Shay, Taffy and the famous Alexa Young (you guys know her, right?). Anyway, I had fun. And here are some shots I did get, with the boys (and the blowfish):The blowfish over the table at the oldest restaurant in Santa Monica... 
Charles on the flying trapeze. He's getting really good! (I didn't do it... scaredy cat.)
Dave overseeing Rod's name-writing on the (cold, windy) Malibu beach. But hey, Bea...
Charles on the flying trapeze. He's getting really good! (I didn't do it... scaredy cat.)
Dave overseeing Rod's name-writing on the (cold, windy) Malibu beach. But hey, Bea...
