Alyson Noel's Blog, page 22

The 17th Minute

The video below was sent to me from fellow YA author, Teri Brown. It's a beautiful & powerful film, written, directed, and produced by seventeen-year old, Nicolas Braccioforte. It's message is very important and I urge you to watch it.
Be well,
Alysonxoxo

SHIMMER poll- signings - & more!

Cupcakes baked by the Terman School librarian!

Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know about a fun SHIMMER poll over on Girl's Life--Click HERE to choose what you'd do if you encountered a ghost!
Also, thanks to the wonderful students and staff at both the Madison & Terman middle schools--I had so much fun talking with all of you!
For those of you who missed the signings at Barnes & Noble, Oceanside & Kepler's, Menlo Park--I left behind signed copies of the both The Immortals & Riley Bloom series, so feel free to stop by or call to pick up a copy!
More events coming up in April--hope to see you there!

April 6-10RT Book Lovers ConventionWestin Bonaventure HotelLos Angeles, CAThursday, April 711:15 - 12:15—Panel: "Not Another Teen Panel: YA for Adults"Saturday, April 9, Teen Day!2:30 - 3:30—Author Speed Dating4:30 - 5:30—Panel: "How Do You Build A World-And Characters For It: An Interactive WorkshopFor More info on Teen Day, click HERE!Follow on Twitter!Friend it on FaceBook!For more info on the Convention click HERE!


Saturday, April 16, 1:00 PMTeen Book Fest 2011!Ontario Senior Center225 East B StreetOntario, CA 91764Find out more!
April 30 - May 1LA Times Festival of Books!USC CampusLos Angeles, CADetails coming soon!

Enjoy your weekend!
Alyson :)

SHIMMER Signings!!

Just wanted to send a big, glittery thanks to the librarians, teachers, and students at the Madison Middle School for making yesterday's school visit so fun!! Also thanks to all of you who came to list night's signing at the B&N in Oceanside--it was a great way to celebrate SHIMMER's release!!
Today I'm hopping on a plane and heading north, in preparation for tomorrow night's signing at Kepler's in Menlo Park!!
Hope to see you there!!
Thursday, March 17, 7:00 PMKepler's BooksSHIMMER Talk/Reading/Signing1010 El Camino RealMenlo Park, CA 94025(650) 324-4321

SHIMMER!!!

Hey Everyone-
Today is the official release day for SHIMMER , and I couldn't be more excited!
SHIMMER is the second book in the Riley Bloom series (DREAMLAND, book 3, will be in stores on 09.13.11!), where Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation on St. John, Virgin Island, when Riley comes across a young ghost named Rebecca, and soon learns Rebecca's not at all what she sees. The daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories, and it's up to Riley to help Rebecca without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories . . .
Early reviews are starting to come in, and here's what people are saying:

"There's just something about Riley that I absolutely love! She's spunky, sassy, funny and even though she's dead, she's so full of life . . . Although these books are mid-grade books, they can easily be enjoyed by adults as well. Riley shines! She is a superstar! I'm intrigued by the thought of the Here & Now and I can't help but want to see what adventure Riley will find herself in next." 4 Stars, Bookwormygirl

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"Shimmer is a fast, fun and intriguing read. An excellent installment in the series . . . I look forward to see how things turn out in the next book."—Anna's Book Blog

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Just like the first book in the series, RADIANCE-- SHIMMER was a blast to write! Riley is one of my favorite characters to spend time with as she's so spunky and sassy, but also has a really soft vulnerability about her as well--she's a bundle of contradictions, for sure!
I'll be celebrating SHIMMER's release with a two signings this week, and I really hope to see you at one of the stops!
On Tuesday, March 15, I'll be here:
Tuesday, March 15, 6:00 PM Barnes & Noble SHIMMER Talk/Reading/SigningEl Camino North Shopping Center2615 Vista WayOceanside, CA 92054(760) 529-0106

And on Thursday, March 17, I'll be here:
Thursday, March 17, 7:00 PM
Kepler's Books
SHIMMER Talk/Reading/Signing
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 324-4321

To get a sneak peek on what SHIMMER's all about, you can watch the trailer here:




Check out the SHIMMER Q&A, read an excerpt, and listen to an audio clip HERE!
You can also watch the fun video I made for the Scholastic Book Fair ( RADIANCE is a featured pick!), here:



You can also listen to Riley's playlist HERE and keep up on all of my releases and news by downloading the free Alyson Noel app HERE!
As always, thank you so much for your generosity, kindness, and support! It's so awesome to have such a great group of readers to celebrate with, and I couldn't do it without you!
Have a great day, everyone!
Alysonxoxo

Ooblek!!

After looking at these pictures, you cannot be blamed for asking yourself:
What is this man doing?
Well, the answer, dear reader, is:
Ooblek.
That man has made himself a big bowl of Ooblek--which, for those of you who missed that day in science class or summer camp--or, skipped that particular Dr. Seuss book where it found its fame, you can learn more about it and get the recipe to make your own bowl of Ooblek HERE.
So why should you even bother with making Ooblek, thinking about Ooblek, reading any further about Ooblek, much less clicking that link??
Because Ooblek is not only fascinating and fun, but it provides a really important life lesson as well. One that twelve-year-old Soul Catcher, Riley Bloom, is forced to confront during the course of her latest, tropical island, Soul Catching, adventure in SHIMMER (in stores 03.15.11!)!
You see, Ooblek is both soft and liquidy, which would seem as though you should be able to make a fist and pound your way through it, right?
But Ooblek, like life, will not be forced. If you try to pound your way through it, you won't make a dent, your fist will not only not penetrate, but will actually bounce back!
But if you soften your fingers and tread gently, your hand will easily find its way through, all the way to your final destination--er, the bottom of the bowl.
So go ahead, make yourself some Ooblek and try it for yourself! And for added fun, add a little food coloring to really jazz it up!
And speaking of SHIMMER/Ooblek . . .
Next week I'll be signing copies of my books both here:

Tuesday, March 15, 6:00 PM Barnes & Noble SHIMMER Talk/Reading/SigningEl Camino North Shopping Center2615 Vista WayOceanside, CA 92054(760) 529-0106

& here:

Thursday, March 17, 7:00 PM Kepler's Books SHIMMER Talk/Reading/Signing1010 El Camino RealMenlo Park, CA 94025(650) 324-4321

Hope to see you there!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
Alyson:)
Note: A special thanks to my husband who not only prepared the Ooblek but who also braved the Ooblek so that I could act as photographer. No hands were damaged in this experiment.

BLUE MOON in Chile!!

Hey All--
Just wanted to share this video of BLUE MOON aka ESPEJISMOS on the Chilean news!!






Have a good day!
Alysonxoxo

Bella Donna

I'm blogging over at the Teen Fiction Cafe today about my recent visit to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum!
Click HERE to read it and tell me about the art/artists that inspire you!

DARK FLAME Nominated!!

Hey Everyone-
I just learned that DARK FLAME is nominated for TRR's "Best YA Romance of 2010 Award"- !!!!
To see the full list and vote for your favorite, click HERE!! (Note: Scroll all the way to the end of the page to see the YA list!)
Have a great day!
A:)

Since I've Been Gone

Hey Everyone!
Just back from an amazing week in beautiful New Mexico where I saw things like this:


And this:


And this:


And ate things like this:


I'd been to NM several times in the past, but always as a quick weekend visit--this was the first time I spent an entire week taking pictures, taking notes, talking to interesting people, soaking in hot springs, and, of course, eating!!! (The blue corn pancakes above were a definite fave!).
And since I was there to do research for my upcoming SOUL SEEKERS series, I was thrilled to get the chance to interview several locals who provided a ton of insight that I couldn't have gotten otherwise--so a big THANK YOU to Emily, Daniel, and those who prefer not to be mentioned by name--you know who you are!!
But, of course, while I was gone, tons of stuff came in, and since I had limited Internet access, this is the first chance I've had to post them--so without further ado, here goes!
First off, the sweet, talented, and crazy stylish Melissa Walker posted my thoughts on the EVERLASTING cover, which you can read HERE!
Also, as NIGHT STAR was just released in the UK - (have you seen the commercials? For my UK readers they're playing on E4 TV )-- I did a piece for Amazon UK on my thoughts on finishing the series, which you can read HERE! (Note: you may have to scroll down a bit since it originally posted several days ago!).
Also for UK readers, there's an awesome giveaway going on over at My Kinda Book, click HERE for your chance to win!
And to keep up on all of my UK releases, you can friend the UK Facebook page HERE! (PS- You can watch the commercial on FB too!).
And, I have to say that as someone who was once told by one of my OC high school teachers that I'd "never amount to anything"-- it was pretty cool to be chosen as OC Metro magazines "20 Women to Watch for 2011" which you can see HERE!
And last, but most definitely not least . . . I just learned that EVERMORE is nominated for Colorado's Blue Spruce Young Adult Award!! To see the full list of nominees click HERE!
And . . . I've got some incredibly exciting news to announce . . . just waiting for the final OK so stay tuned for that!!
But meanwhile, SHIMMER is releasing next Tuesday, March 15--and I really hope to see you at one of the signings, which you can find HERE!
Okay, I think that covers it . . . now back to my post-vacation Laundrypalooza!!!
Have a good night, all!
Alysonxoxo

SHIMMER Signings & More!

Hey Everyone-
SHIMMER's release is less than three weeks away--in stores on 03.15.11--and the early reviews are starting to come in!
Bookwormygirl gives it 4 Stars, saying:
"There's just something about Riley that I absolutely love! She's spunky, sassy, funny and even though she's dead, she's so full of life . . . Although these books are mid-grade books, they can easily be enjoyed by adults as well. Riley shines! She is a superstar! I'm intrigued by the thought of the Here & Now and I can't help but want to see what adventure Riley will find herself in next."

To view the trailer, read an excerpt, or check out the SHIMMER Q&A click HERE!
Also, new signing events have just been confirmed, so here's the latest update:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 6:00PMSHIMMER Talk/Reading/SigningBarnes & NobleEl Camino North Shopping Center2615 Vista WayOceanside, CA 92054760-529-0106
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Thursday, March 17, 2011, 7:00PMSHIMMER Talk/Reading/SigningKepler's Books1010 El Camino RealMenlo Park, CA 94025(650) 324-4321
***
RT Book Lovers ConventionApril 4-6, 2011Westin Bonaventure HotelLos Angeles, CA
Thursday, April 711:15 - 12:15—Panel: "Not Another Teen Panel: YA for Adults"
Saturday, April 9, Teen Day!2:30 - 3:30—Author Speed Dating4:30 - 5:30—Panel: "How Do You Build A World-And Characters For It: An Interactive Workshop*For all the inside scoop on the RT Teen Day, follow on Twitter - friend on Facebook - or click HERE to see the RT Teen Day Page!
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Ontario City Library Teen Book Fest!Saturday, April 16, 2011 1:00 PMTalk & Sign along with YA authors:Katie Alender, Cynthia Hand, Nancy Holder, & Marlene PerezOvitt Family Community Library215 East C StreetOntario, CA 91764
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LA Times Festival of Books!April 30 - May 1USC CampusLos Angeles, CADetails coming soon!
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Also, coming June 2012-- the EVERLASTING Tour-- Stay tuned for details!!(If your city is not mentioned, please know that I don't pick the locations, I just go where they send me!)Hope to see you at one of the stops!!
Alysonxoxo