Joy Preble's Blog, page 33

Texas Book Bloggers are Rockstars: Day 5: Maria Cari Soto, Sarah Evans, Christin Baker

Welcome to Day 5 of Texas Bloggers are Rockstars! Today we'll finish up the series with three bloggers made of awesome: Maria Cari Soto, Sarah Evans, and Christin Baker. Maria, who not only works at MD Anderson and blogs and travels to every book event she can but also works as Blue Willow Bookshop's Web and Media Specialist, is a truly generous and amazing human being who has been a huge supporter of me and my books. Maria is passionate about the things she loves. Just ask her about her fan girl adoration for another book by my publisher, Sourcebooks, Catching Jordan! (Acutally, you don't have to ask; she talks about it below!) Sarah is fascinating to me because she's a math teacher who loves reading! I knew this species of renaissance woman existed, but I'd never met one before… and I taught high school for a lot of years! And Christin is a graduate student in music and from what I hear, a talented organist! All three of ladies support our local events in ways that humble us author-types and makes us teary-eyed as shove thank you chocolate in their hands.
(PICTURES: At Barnes and Noble table, from left to right: Christin Baker, me, author Chris Mandelski, Maria Cari Soto; at Empire Cafe, from left to right: Chris Mandelski, author Amy Fellner Dominy, Sarah Evans, Maria Cari Soto, me, blogger Melinda Russell Sheridan)

Make sure to visit their blogs.
You can find Maria at http://cariblogs.blogspot.com
You can find Sarah at http://sarahsbookslife.blogspot.com
You can find Christin at http://portraitofabook.com

And now on with the final q/a of the week!

JP: What inspired you to begin blogging about books?

MCS: I get asked this from time to time and the simple answer is I started reading a lot after I read Twilight and the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Claire. My friends on twitter who also loved Twilight wanted to know what i was reading now or did I have a list of what I was going to read next. From there my friend Monica who is photo/life/fashion blogger said oh you should start a blog. I had no idea that people read blogs and much less about books. I was also certain that the only readers I would have would be the friends who talked me into the blog. Two and a half years later here we are.
SE: A blogger I met through Twitter and then in person at a few local book signings talked me into it.
CB: I was actually inspired - and encouraged - by my friends who already had book blogs. Before I started my blog I had been posting reviews on Goodreads, but I wanted to do more. I wanted to be able to connect with authors and other readers in a more direct way. A book blog seemed like the perfect way to do that.

JP: Talk about your own blog: what is its focus? Do you review books you don't like? Do you interview authors? Do you post about other things besides books? How did you develop that mixture?
MCS: My blog is kind of random and it changes all the time. I review both books that I loved and books that were not for me. I also don't review every book I read. For me the book has to have an emotional impact. The good books are easy to gush about and the bad I can easily say what I didn't love. The books that are just in the middle are harder to write reviews for. How do you write a review for a book that didn't really move you?
I love doing author interview especially after I have read their book so I can really ask questions that fans of the book would ask. I post a "To Read List" every month and I have been doing this since I started my blog which lists what I plan on reading each month. I also love working with authors to do video readings, cover reveals, trailer releases, and anything else to help shine a spotlight on upcoming books.
SE: My blog, Sarah's Books & Life, is mostly about books, but I also wanted to have to place to talk about life if the mood hit. Since I started it in May 2011 it has been mostly about books, focusing on YA and MG books. While I LOVE to read YA books that are geared toward the upper YA's, I have expanded to include middle grades since I teach seventh grade math. There is nothing like recommending a book to a student and having them come back asking if a friend can now borrow it because they loved the story that much. Plus, my students get a huge kick out of the fact that their Math teacher LOVES to read, it helps break the ice. I generally don't pick up a book if it doesn't sound interesting to me, so I guess with that most books I'm going to like on some level. I've rarely picked up a book, read it and rated it a 1 or 2 stars for that reason.
I love interviewing authors, after all, without the author we wouldn't have amazing worlds to lose ourselves in. I also like to feature book trailers because they have helped get some reluctant readers pick up books they may not have tried otherwise. I'm still working on developing the right schedule/ pattern for posts since I'm still fairly new at this but my goal is to post 1-3 reviews a week, my trailer Thursday, and hopefully another feature.
CB: I review mainly YA books or books with crossover appeal. I post author interviews and guest posts when I can, and I am in the process of creating a new feature for my blog. I do review almost every book that I read, and I like to think of my reviews as balanced and fair rather than "positive" or "negative." Because the goal behind starting my blog was to connect with other readers and authors as well as to promote books, especially books by new or lesser-known authors, I try to have a variety of posts that can bring attention to many different books.

JP: Talk about your experience with the Texas book blogging community, author book signings, conferences you've attended like ALA or Texas Festival of Books, the various young adult conferences like Houston Teen Book Con or Austin Teen Book Festival, trade shows like BEA, etc. What's the most fun and why? What encourages you to keep coming out to these events?
MCS: I am a big supporter of YA Authors and our local indie bookstores so I attend practically all YA events and I love posting pictures and talking about what went on at the events.
I have attended ALA, Texas Book Festival, Houston Teen Book Con and Austin Teen Book Con. The best part for me is getting to hang out other bloggers that I don't see everyday. Hanging out with the people I talk to practically daily on twitter and who love books as much as you do is such a treat.
SE: I try to attend as many author signings in my area as I can to support them and the local bookstores hosting the authors. For me, who is so not a writer, I love hearing how they come up with their ideas and what their writing process is like. As a teacher, it gives me ideas to suggest to my students or even ways to encourage them to follow their dreams. My first conference was the Austin Teen Book Festival and it was so much fun! I had the pleasure of helping out at the first Tween Book Con in Pasadena and I had fun sharing my love of reading with students in the area. I am looking forward to attending ALA for the first time this year and I'm a little nervous about it but excited at the same time! I guess I continue to go because I love reading and then sharing what I read with my students and friends.
CB: The Texas book blogging community is, in a word, amazing. We are so fortunate to have events like the Austin Teen Book Festival and Houston Teen Book Con as well as a number of signings. I've attended events and signings in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, and every time it is just as much fun to socialize with the other bloggers as it is to meet the authors present. Everyone is incredibly welcoming to new bloggers at book events, and we all try to support each other in what we do. Many of the bloggers have become close friends and get together even outside of book events. For someone who is still relatively new to Houston, I was very thankful to find this group of people.

JP: If someone asked you why supporting books, booksellers and authors is important, what would you say?
MCS: I love books and the sense of community. Books are now a part of our social lives. Before, bookish people were considered shy and would rather live in a book and while we may be that we now can talk to our favorite authors. Go meet them and meet other people who have a passion for books and that's a great foundation for friendship. Our booksellers make it possible to have connections with the authors we love and admire.
SE: Books are a doorway to the imagination. Even though someone else created the story, the reader creates the picture in their head as they read. I think the more you read, the better problem solver you can become, I guess that's the math teacher in me coming out :). Plus it's always great to support the art you love.
CB: Reading is so incredibly important. From reading books, we learn new things, expand our horizons, open our imaginations, find words for emotions and feelings that we cannot name, and see that we are not alone. Because of that, and as someone who grew up with her nose in a book, I want to help promote books and the authors who create these wonderful stories and worlds into which we can escape. Furthermore, booksellers, especially indie bookstores, give so much back to the community by hosting great author events and signings. Supporting these stores enables more events, which in turn can help foster the love of reading. It's a win-win situation.

JP: Any favorite author stories?
MCS: Oh my gosh where to start. Last year I worked really closely with the debut group Class of 2k11 and meeting them by either video chat or in person was a blast. They are all wonderful! There are two authors who I completely go fangirl over one is Kimberly Derting who I met and I'm sure I acted like a crazy person. The other is Miranda Kenneally and after reading and re-reading Catching Jordan last year well I knew that the world had to read it and I have made it my personal mission to make sure every person I talk to knows how much I loved the book and how they must read it ASAP. If I could buy a couple hundred copies and pass them out I would. I have met a lot of authors and they were all such amazing experiences.

SE: How the covers of some books evolved is pretty funny. I also find in interesting that several authors I've met started off doing something other than writing.
CB: There are so many! If I talked about all the authors I have been fortunate enough to meet, this answer might turn into a novella. Instead, I'll just say that I have enjoyed meeting all of the authors that I have. I always think it's fascinating to hear their stories about their road to publication and learn more about their books and their writing processes. I love the conversations and the chance to know more about the author behind the book.

JP: Thank you ladies for finishing out this series with such great responses!
Let's give a round of applause to all our bloggers ! *claps hands in a circle*And a hearty shout out to Derry Wilkens and Kay Mitchell at Sourcebooks for taking time out from planning how we will conquer the world in August when Anastasia Forever comes out to spread some blogger love on the publishing side!




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Day 4 Texas Bloggers are my Rockstars: Kristin, Tillie, Amy

(Pictures: single pic- Tillie; Group shot at Blue Willow: Kristin, blonde on far left in back row next to me. Amy in back row on far right in blue. Plus other familiar faces!)

Today on Texas Book Bloggers are my Rockstars, we will meet Kristin Rae, Tillie N. and Amy Rose Thomas. I actually don't know if Tillie writes, but both Kristin and Amy are also writers, chasing toward publication. Amy was actually at the ABLA Big Sur Writing Conference that I attended this past December. And Kristin, who is also a fabulous photographer, writes with me at our local Starbucks when we get the chance.

Make sure to follow them!

You can find Kristin at http://kristincreative.blogspot.com
You can find Tillie at www.nuttierreads.com
You can find Amy Rose at www.wordluster.blogspot.com

Now let's get to those questions!

JP:What inspired you to begin blogging about books?

KR: Shortly after I joined my local writers guild in 2009, someone spoke about social networking and the benefits to having a blog. I knew nothing about blogging and honestly thought the whole thing was a silly waste of time. But once I explored the Internet and saw just how much information was out there and how many incredible people were blogging, I jumped on board. Blogging became an addiction very quickly.
TN: I use to blog on my main blog about the books i had read and people started asking me if I had any recommendations so I started blogging more frequently. Then someone introduced me to NetGalley and I became obsessed :)

AT: My love of reading. I wanted to share how much I adored the books I had been reading and hopefully convince someone else out there to pick up this book and give it a chance.

JP: Talk about your own blog: what is its focus? Do you review books you don't like? Do you interview authors? Do you post about other things besides books? How did you develop that mixture?

KR: I think the Thumper Rule is a good rule to blog by, especially as an aspiring author. I'm not doing anyone, myself included, any favors by giving bad reviews. I like to highlight books and authors that I feel deserve notice. Sure I'll occasionally read a book I'm surprised made it into print, but I generally keep my mouth shut about it. Someone might like it, so who am I to keep them from giving it a chance? And for the author that wrote it, it's their baby. You never want to tell someone their baby is ugly!
I began my blog as a way to network with other writers. For me, my love of writing stems from a love of reading. I get lost inside of stories, in the worlds authors create. I get attached to characters as if they're my friends. I love being able to use my blog as a way to introduce great stories and characters I discover, and it's a unique way to hear from others that love a particular book as much as I do.
I'm not too strict about my blog topics, so I've gushed about new carpeting we got installed in the house, movies I love, conversations I've overheard that inspire my writing, vacations, my two boxers... pretty much whatever's on my mind when I sit down to write a post.
TN: I use to have one combined blog...but now I focus only on books on my book blog and I will still highlight good ones on my main blog {which really doesn't have a focus because I definitely can't stay focused lol}.

AT: My blog focuses on book reviews of YA books. I also have a feature for teen writers that are trying to break through. Their passion and creativity blows me away. I hope that I one day am reading their books and placing them on my bookshelf. I try to promote reading and writing, to encourage it in adults and teens alike.

JP: Talk about your experience with the Texas book blogging community, author book signings, conferences you've attended like ALA or Texas Festival of Books, the various young adult conferences like Houston Teen Book Con or Austin Teen Book Festival, trade shows like BEA, etc. What's the most fun and why? What encourages you to keep coming out to these events?

KR: I try to go to as many local book signings as I can. Living just north of Houston, I'm fortunate to have a big Barnes and Noble down the street that brings in a lot of authors, as well as two great indies closer to town, Blue Willow Bookshop and Murder By The Book. Not only is it a great time to show support for all the work the authors put into their stories, I also get to hang out with fellow bloggers and writers, some of which I now consider friends. It's too much fun! The book world is just overflowing with the BEST people, and I love feeling a part of that.
As a writer especially, there's no greater inspiration to keep going full steam ahead than hearing directly from an author about their publishing story and writing process. I get excited at author events! I love interacting with an author who's work I admire. Even if you just chat with them for a moment, you make a connection that helps you appreciate their stories even more.
Events like Austin Teen Book Festival and the Houston Teen Book Con are fantastic because it introduces you to authors you might not have otherwise heard of. When I hear an unfamiliar author speak on a panel, that's their chance to hook me! It's not uncommon for me to run right out and buy their book just because of something they said that stuck out to me.
TN: I love the Texas book blogging community. Jenn Big Heart does a fantastic job linking up all of us linked up and organizing events within events. I started my book blog right before the Austin Teen Book Festival and I have to say the book blogging community is AMAZING. They are so supportive and informative. I was nervous showing up there not knowing anyone, but by the end I met so many great friends who I talk to on a regular basis. I love book signings too. I wind up becoming such fangirl for the authors! It is amazing to meet authors and get to know some of them. What keeps me going is learning about the authors. I think that getting to know them really does encourage me to read more and more of their books...

AT: Texas book bloggers rock! Seriously. Everyone I've met in the blogging world is so supportive and encouraging of one another. I think it all boils down to one thing in the end. We all love books.

As for events, I go to as many as I can. I can never get enough. Authors and books and booknerds all together in one place makes for fun times. My favorite events to attend so far are the teen book conferences, like in Austin and Houston. The author panels are so informative and there's still time for each person to have a little one-on-one with the authors of their choice.

JP: If someone asked you why supporting books, booksellers and authors is important, what would you say?

KR: I'm going to pull the writer card again here first. How can I not support the industry I want to break into? All of those lucky published authors were in my shoes once, dreaming about the day they could have their books out on the shelves and meet readers at their own book signings. They made it, and I'm really and truly ecstatic for them. Supporting them by buying their books and going out to their signings are really the only ways I can say, "Thank you. Thank you for putting in the work to get this beautiful story out there for us to enjoy. And thank you for showing me that it can be done." And one day, I might be in need of this kind of support too. You never know!
Booksellers, booksellers, how do I love thee? Here's the thing: books look good on my shelves. They are tangible things. I can turn their pages. I can smell them. I can get them signed. I can give them away. eBooks scare the mess out of me, and I haven't completely jumped on board that train just yet. Yes, I've bought a few "eBook Only" stories by authors I wanted to support (I downloaded Kindle for iPhone), but outside of that, hard copies are for me. Bookstores and libraries are important features in society, especially in this digital age, and I would be heart sick to see them go. We must support them!!
TN: Wow, that's in interesting question...I would tell them it's important because we need to make sure that reading books should never be a lost art. Books, booksellers and authors shape our lives. I love being able to escape to another world and I think that if we stop supporting that it will be harder to do so.

AR: The book industry is influx. It's shaky right now. And the world needs books. I recently read an article that discussed dissociative behavior in teens in Japan. The article said that none of the kids in the study read books and then went on to discuss why this is vital to a healthy growing psyche. Books open up worlds to an individual that they would never be able to experience firsthand otherwise. Books give you empathy, allow you to feel things and see things in a whole different light. Books connect people.

JP: Any favorite author stories?

KR: I've been fortunate to meet quite a few amazing authors, including (but certainly not limited to!) Rachel Hawkins, Lauren Oliver, Ally Carter, Veronica Roth, Maureen Johnson, and even Scott Westerfeld. I'm a huge huge huge Stephanie Perkins fan and I've managed to meet her twice. Stephanie isn't afraid to be herself, effectively pulling off the combat boots and the wild hair (I wish I had some sort of style outside of my yoga pants!). She's one of the sweetest authors I've met, and is genuinely thankful for readers. I'm a total fangirl, and can't wait to make a fool out of myself again the next time she comes to town!

TN: I will say with all of the "YA author drama" as of late, I am thankful that I haven't been a part of it. I love the support I get from authors when I review their books. Trinity Faegen, Cindy Bennett and Amy Clipston are some of my favorites. They all have commented on my reviews as well as pimped them out on twitter. Amy in particular is wonderful and has answered questions I have had on her last series! Plus she made sure I got an ARC of her latest book since she knows how much I enjoy her series and reviewing her books. I love when authors actually talk to us on twitter/email. It makes me feel more invested in them. Oh, and I wind up going a little fan-girl but they don't seem to mind :)

AR: At Austin Teen Book Fest in 2011, I saw Scott Westerfield speak on a panel. He was intelligent, witty and a tad bit cocky. But when the time for questions came, all these kids wants to talk to him. His books had really made an impact on their lives and their own writing. Yes, many of these kids were writers. Each time that a kid addressed a question to him, Scott devoted every single bit of his attention and focus on them. He would lean out of his chair and over the table, getting as close to them as possible. He cared so much what these kids had to say. It humbled me and inspired me and made me realize all over again what the YA genre is all about. The kids.

JP: Thanks, ladies, for some amazing answers! I hope that by the end of this series everyone understands not only how much work and passion bloggers put into their work but also how thoughtful they are about the publishing industry!

And for our last day tomorrow, another trifecta!! The fabulous Maria Cari Soto, the delightful Sarah Evans, and a blogger who also is a talented organist, Christin Baker!

Texas Bloggers are Rockstars Day 3: Stephanie Pellegrin and Jen Bigheart

Today I'm chatting with two of my favorite Austin folks: writer/blogger Stephanie Pellegrin and librarian/blogger Jen Bigheart. And yes, that's her real name! I first met Stephanie at TLA in San Antonio in 2010. Dreaming Anastasia had been doing well, and Sourcebooks had asked me to come sign at TLA, which was awesome. So I'm sitting at the Follett booth, which is right near the main entrance to the exhibit floor, getting ready to sign. The doors open for the morning. And this horde of librarians thunders wildly toward me, hundreds of librarians full steam ahead, flailing muppet arms and swinging book sacks… and then thunders past me to get tickets for Suzanne Collins. Think of this story when you read Stephanie and Jen's answers to favorite author stories below. I met her that very same day, by the way! My signing line was also very long. But no one thundered. As for Jen, we've been running into each other for a couple years now, introduced by Maria Cari Soto, who you will meet later this week. Jen is smart and funny and awesome! And does amazing things like support literacy causes and arrange a happy hour at ALAMW for like 100 people!
(Pictures: Me and Steph on the fateful TLA day when the librarians were thundering by. Me and Jen and Steph at ALAMW#12, in a much more peaceful setting)

Check out Steph's blog at www.stephaniepellegrin.com
Stop by Jen's I Read Banned Books Blog at www.jenbigheart.com


On with the interview:

JP: What inspired you to begin blogging about books?

JB: Unlike many others, inspiration had nothing to do with blogging - at first. I had to start my blog in the summer of 2009 as a requirement for library school. For three semesters I posted information storage and retrieval strategies and children's literature book reviews all anonymously. When I graduated the next summer, I decided to keep it up and I'm happy I did! I was literally waiting impatiently for my final grades to post so I could redesign and personalize my blog. My old blog entries about successive fraction and citation pearl searches are still there if anyone cares to read. *crickets*

JP: Talk about your own blog: what is its focus? Do you review books you don't like? Do you interview authors? Do you post about other things besides books? How did you develop that mixture?

SP: While I do talk about books on my blog, I don't review them. I'll occasionally post a review on Goodreads, but never on my blog. I'll do author interviews from time to time, but mainly I talk about my writing and what's going on in my life. I'm selfish, my blog is about me. :p
JB: I review young adult and middle grade literature, as well as host authors for interviews, giveaways, and guest posts. I have been reading children's literature at a steady pace since my oldest was in elementary school and when I read voluntarily, that is what I turn to. The theme of my blog when I was in library school was "banned books." I kept the name, I Read Banned Books, and continue highlighting "banned" or challenged books. Texas challenges the most amount of books than any other state - by far! I have information about intellectual freedom and resources for a parent, consumer, and/or librarian. I mostly stick to YA with an occasional middle grade read, but I must say how much I miss reading picture books. I used to keep up with all of the latest releases and now, I just don't have time. I think I may need to rethink that.

I do not shy away from posting less than favorable reviews. I am sure to address all of the important literary elements, such as plot, characters, setting, ect when reviewing a title. I always point out what I liked and then what fell short in a story. If I find myself not saying much on the bright side, I don't publish a review on the blog. I try to remember that not every book is a favorite of mine, but it may be a favorite for someone else.

JP: Talk about your experience with the Texas book blogging community, author book signings, conferences you've attended like ALA or Texas Festival of Books, the various young adult conferences like Houston Teen Book Con or Austin Teen Book Festival, trade shows like BEA, etc. What's the most fun and why? What encourages you to keep coming out to these events?

SP: I couldn't ask for a better community. Seriously. I moved to Texas four years ago from a small Mississippi town where there is not literature community, YA or otherwise, so to move here and be a part of all this was a little overwhelming at first. My friend Jen Bigheart and I cofounded a group called Literary Lonestars on Facebook, it's a group for Texas bloggers and writers to get together and talk about books, upcoming signings in Texas, etc. When we started it I thought we'd get maybe 50 people to join, but we now have over 900 members and our Texas blogger list is growing every day. I've been to pretty much every book related event in Texas, but I have to say TLA is always my favorite. It's amazing to be able to be around so many literate people who share the same love for the written word as you do.

JB: We are so lucky to have a fantastic literary community in Texas! This includes writers, book sellers, festivals, and awesome bloggers. Back in December 2010, I started to keep a list of YA/Kidlit bloggers in Texas. During the same time, Stephanie Pellegrin, an Austin writer, and I started Literary Lonestars so we could keep Texas in the know about all of the awesome events that happen in the Lonestar State. Today, there are 78 of us bloggers! Each one of these people has a terrific blog and I am happy to know them. Every day I am amazed at the support we give one another.

TLA is the largest state-wide library conference and the dedication those librarians put into a yearly conference shows. They bring the best speakers, authors, workshops, and publishers every year. This year, Judy Blume will be in attendance! Hands down, this is one of my favorite vacations of the year! The other is the Austin Teen Book Festival. Heather Schubert, a MS librarian here in Austin, has poured her heart and soul into connecting Texas teens with their favorite authors. With the help of the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation and Book People, every year is bigger and better. This event is now the largest teen book festival in the country. I am over the moon to have served on planning committees for both TLA and ATBF.

Texas Book Festival, YAK Fest, Montgomery Teen Book Festival, and Teen Book Con are also amazing events that draw terrific crowds. Each one of these events gives us Texas bloggers a chance to get together and talk shop. I try to host a get together at each event and we have 70 bloggers, authors, and book lovers coming to the ALA Midwinter meetup this month.

JP: If someone asked you why supporting books, booksellers and authors is important, what would you say?

SP: As a former bookseller and a writer, there are many reasons I'd give for supporting, but to condense it down: Literature is the foundation of life. Without books, I seriously believe our society would crumble.
JB: Regardless if you think the world will go digital and printed books will be obsolete one day, literacy, the ability to read and write, is a ticket to freedom. I'm pretty sure I just quoted Oprah, but she is correct! Think about all of the things you read in a day that aren't in books or magazines. Yeah, you get what I'm saying. I support authors and booksellers so I am not limited to reading prescription bottles or nutritional information on food labels. I want to escape in a book. I want to see myself in another character. I want to read about boys from the wrong side of the tracks falling for girls whose father owns those tracks. I can't get that from a bottle of pills.

JP: Any favorite author stories?

SP: It's a long one, but a good one. At TLA 2010 Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins was to make an appearance and sign books. Due to her carpal tunnel syndrome she'd only be signing 200. The rules were one book per person and no personalization. I knew this was going to be in-freaking-sane. I woke up at 4:00 and was on the road to San Antonio by 5:00. I arrived at about 6:45 and got in line for my wrist band. Instead of just handing out the wrist bands as we all thought they would, they said that we would all have to run (literally, they told us to run!) to the author signing area. I am not in good shape, and with a backpack full of books for authors to sign that day, I knew I was in trouble. But to meet Suzanne Collins? I'd do anything. So at 9:00 they open the exhibit hall doors and everyone takes off. I'm running beside the girl I was in line with, she drops her iPhone and KEEPS RUNNING. I stop to pick it up for her and as I'm zooming by I think, "Oh my gosh, this is how people get trampled. I'm going to get trampled and die by a bunch of librarians." Luckily that didn't happen. I did lose about 40 places in line, but I got my wristband, got to meet Suzanne Collins so all was well. I met up with my friend Jen and told her my story. Another girl overheard us and said something like, "Oh that was nice of you." or something like that. Later on in the day I was in line behind that girl and she was retelling my story. Only in her version I fell, got kicked, AND broke my leg. I opened my mouth to correct her, but decided against it. I'd rather be the girl that got mauled by librarians. :)

JB: I've been lucky enough to attend some great dinners, receptions, and parties at library conventions and book festivals. I think my first I-might-faint moment was when Suzanne Collins came to TLA in 2010. I raced down those escalator stairs and ended up being #2 in line to meet her. Right alongside me was Stephanie Pellegrin and Heather Schubert. Lol! I read The Hunger Games when it was released based on a review by the awesome Stephen King. He said it would be a hit, and well….we know the rest of the story. My other favorite author moment was being invited to a dinner with Katherine Tegen and Veronica Roth last year at ALA Annual. It was a small, private dinner with librarians from all over. I couldn't believe that the year before I was in library school and only 365 days later, I was eating dinner with people I could only dream about meeting. Icing on the cake? Driving Veronica, Katherine, and her editor Molly back to their hotel in my Bigheart Bus with "Does This Car Make My Books Look Big?" painted on the back window! Priceless!

Thanks so much, Stephanie and Jen!! I am glad we got to share our three-way story about Suzanne Collins!

Up tomorrow, a trifecta! : Chatting with Kristin Rae, Amy Rose Thomas and Tillie!

Texas Bloggers are Rockstars Day Two: Mundie Moms and Girls in the Stacks

(Picture: Left side, second from bottom, Stacy Wells. Right side, third from bottom, Katie Bartow)

Today we're continuing with Texas Blogger Weeklong Festival of Love with visits from Stacy Wells of Girls in the Stacks and Katie Bartow of Mundie Moms!

I have gotten to know Katie and Stacy at various book events around Texas and particularly at Blue Willow in Houston where I live. Katie has hosted live chats that I've been in and we've got some plotting and planning going on right now for next month, so stay tuned! I recently had the privilege of hanging out with both of them at ALAMW#12 (as well as Stacy's fellow 'Stacker' Nancy) and I'm excited to let the world see their awesomeness here today!

Make sure to visit www.GirlsintheStacks.com and http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com

Now on with the questions!

JP: What inspired you to begin blogging about books?

KB: I've always loved books, but it wasn't until I was introduced to Cassandra Clare's City of Bones through Twilight Moms did I finally want to start a site devoted to not only her books, but YA and MG books

SW: TWILIGHT! Once we read that book we were on a book frenzy!

JP: Talk about your own blog: what is its focus? Do you review books you don't like? Do you interview authors? Do you post about other things besides books? How did you develop that mixture?

KB: My general focus is YA book reviews, live author chats, interviews, blog tours and giveaways. When I started book blogging no one hosted live author chats and I wanted to not only bring authors and readers together, but I wanted to do something no one else did. I've currently hosted over 100 live authors chats (the first ones I hosted were done not on the blog, but on a different chat room site). I love the excitement fans get over talking to their favorite author.

As far as reviews, in the beginning I felt the need to read review or try and review every book I was sent, whether I liked the book or not. I quickly learned that is not why I wanted to run my blog. I want to enjoy what I read and promote. I have posted reviews for books I don't like, but that's been only on occasion. I don't want to spend time reading a book a don't like. There's a ton of other great books I'd rather spend my time reading.

I love interview authors. I'm fascinated by how they come up with their stories, what they think of their characters etc. I really enjoy author interviews. I also love chatting live with them. It's so rewarding for me when readers from around the world get so star struck by talking to their favorite authors. I also enjoy hosting blog tours for books I've enjoyed reading. Since they're time consuming and I do them for free, I've had to become very picky on the tours I run.

SW: Our focus is to recommend a slew of books to others, through our video author interviews and our weekly podcast.
JP: Talk about your experience with the Texas book blogging community, author book signings, conferences you've attended like ALA or Texas Festival of Books, the various young adult conferences like Houston Teen Book Con or Austin Teen Book Festival, trade shows like BEA, etc. What's the most fun and why? What encourages you to keep coming out to these events?

KB: I've had the chance to take part in a lot of awesome events here in TX. There's such a great community for authors and bloggers alike. I've attended numerous signings at Book People, helped out with the Smart Chick's Tour in both Austin and Houston, Harper Teen's Dark Days tour in the Summer of '11 and I'll be helping out with their upcoming event in Feb, as well as hosting Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Chaos tour stops in Austin and San Antonio. I've had the privilege of volunteering at the Austin Teen Book Festival for two years in a row, and last year's TLA, both events fabulous! I've visited the Houston Teen Book Con, signings in Houston, as well as around the Austin Area, attend various blogger get togethers, author meet ups and I'm looking forward to attending this year's ALA in Dallas. There's seriously so much book stuff to do around Austin, it's awesome! I highly recommend the Austin Teen Book Festival. I've attended that for 3 yrs in a row and was first introduced to it via Lisa McMann, whom I went to meet there in 2009.

SW: We've been fortunate, we've attended so many events/conferences and each of them have been great in their own right. However, there is nothing (and we mean nothing) like a Texas event filled with Texas authors, librarians and bloggers. There is such a feeling of generosity, warmth and a true passion for the written word when gathered.

JP: If someone asked you why supporting books, booksellers and authors is important, what would you say?

KB: I would say because to me reading is empowering. It inspires, it motivates, and it changes the lives of those who spend time getting lost in a book. I think it's important to not only support reading, but those who also support the cause, like book sellers and especially authors!

SW: There's nothing like a good book to bring your imagination alive! We can learn to be better people, have more empathy for others' struggles, gain life experiences and live out the human experience more fully through reading. As Emily Dickinson wrote, "There is no frigate like a book/to take us lands away." Books make us better!


JP: Talk about your relationship with publishers. I'm assuming they're supportive of what you do.

KB: There's a few that I feel I have a close relationship with and few I'd like to have a closer relationship with. They've extremely supportive in what I do and they've been like that from the moment I reached out to them, or was introduced to them from various authors. The publishers I work closely with are phenomenal!

JP: Any favorite author stories?

KB: I have a few, but for the sake of a long answer I will say I have loved meeting all the authors I have. It's such a pleasure to finally meet people who's books I've read numerous times, and I've talked to via email, or twitter. For me the moments I've had to just sit down and talk to them are the moments I cherish the most. I've made some lasting friendships with authors outside of their books, and those are the most meaningful to me.

SW: Oh, we have had our share of geeky fangirl moments with authors, especially the ones that we love. Maggie Stiefvater was super cool to talk to and game for the strange video ideas we had; Meg Cabot had us all in major squee mode because she was a superstar; and we loved talking to David Levithan, he interviewed Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler as an honorary Girl in the Stacks -wow! Our favorite YA authors not only write awesome books but also are so awesome in real life!!

JP: Okay, that last answer was really fun to read!!

Thank you, Katie and Stacy, for your wonderful responses and for everything that you do for books, authors and literacy!!

Up tomorrow, the fabulous Austin duo of Stephanie Pellegrin and Jen Bigheart!!

Texas Book Bloggers are Rockstars: Day One

Today I begin a week long blog series that I have titled "Texas Book Bloggers are my Rockstars." Please understand, all book bloggers are my rockstars. But here in the Lone Star State, we've got an amazing community and I see them frequently at conferences and conventions and book events. So it's time to spread some blogger love!
When DREAMING ANASTASIA came out in 2009, I was an unknown English teacher/author. There was no big marketing campaign. It was largely through blogger word of mouth that news of the book spread once it released in September. And because of that blogger love, Sourcebooks asked me to write the sequel, HAUNTED, and later, the third book, ANASTASIA FOREVER, which will be out this coming August.
The blogger community as a whole, and the Texas blogger community in particular, has been generous and supportive and amazing. They support not only authors but literacy in general and they do so because of their passion for books and reading and the craft of writing. I am awed and humbled by this generosity, and I am not alone in that feeling. Both Sourcebooks, who is also participating in this blog series, and Soho Press, whose new Soho Teen imprint will include my THE SWEET DEAD LIFE in Spring 2013, understand and appreciate what book bloggers do for our industry.
They include them at dinners and events and today Sourcebooks' Derry Wilkens, the Publicity Manager for Children's and YA and Kay Mitchell, publicist, have stopped by the blog to express their gratitude. (Pictures: Top- Derry; Bottom - Kay)
In the coming days, I will interview 9 amazing Texas bloggers!
And now, let's hear from Derry and Kay at Sourcebooks:
JP: I know Sourcebooks is very supportive of the book blogger community. Can you talk about that relationship?
DW: We love them!! Bloggers are the best cheerleaders EVER for books. On their own dime and on their own free time, they spread their love for reading, for books and for authors to anyone and everyone who will listen. I am so impressed with the joy, enthusiasm and smart commentary they put into their discussions of books on blogs, websites, Facebook and Twitter. And then they go out into the "real world" and do the same thing. We rely on them to start the buzz about a book long before it goes on sale and they also remain fans of the book and the author long afterwards, too. That long term support is invaluable.
KM: We love the blogger community! I've worked on a lot of different types of books, so I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of different bloggers. They are a fantastic group of people as a whole and really lovely as individuals as well. I have an enormous amount of respect for what you all do—especially those of you who also have other jobs, families to take care of, that kind of thing. I bow down to your ability to multi-task.
One of the things that we understand is just how important the bloggers are to our media outreach, to the success of our books, and to our authors. Just this morning I had an author email me about a note she had gotten from a blogger and she was literally squeeing because she was so excited about the positive response to her book. Just after the holidays 3 of the bloggers we work with selected one of our adult fiction novels as part of the Top 10 of 2011 lists and that book made it into the Amazon Top 100 Women's Fiction that very weekend. So we get to see the big, big impact of bloggers every day.
I love to send out an email about a new book for review, a blog tour, or an announcement about good news to bloggers because the response is like a tidal wave of warm fuzzies (to use the professional and technical term). Bloggers are, as a group, one of the most responsive and positive groups of media professionals I work with. (Disclaimer: I am not saying that the other media professionals are surly, just that bloggers are awesome.)
We love bloggers (and their reviews, and their love for our authors), and I really feel like they are supporting us at least as much as we are supporting them.
JP: Where do most of your interactions with book bloggers take place? Email? Twitter? In person? What's the most fun for you about that blogger/publisher relationship?
KM: I mostly talk with the bloggers via email, though I'm connecting with more and more bloggers on Twitter (yes, I'm book-stalking you). It would be terrific to meet more bloggers in person! It's always such fun to meet someone at a conference or a book signing and realize that you've been "talking" with this person for months (or years!) on email—I'm not sure who enjoys that more, me or the bloggers. I'm going to say me (but my psychic powers are on the fritz this week, so I can't say for sure!)
DW: The best part about talking with bloggers is seeing the same excitement for books that I have. Unlike most industries, everyone in publishing has a genuine passion for books. And it's wonderful for us to be able to share that with the people who read them. We talk to bloggers by email, on Twitter, and then, best of all, we meet them face-to-face at book conferences like Book Expo America. I encourage every blogger to stop by our Sourcebooks booth whenever they can!

JP: Derry, you're a Texas girl. If we promise not to tell book bloggers from other states that you're a teensy bit biased toward the Lone Star State, could you talk about why Texas book bloggers are the biggest rockstars?

DW: That's easy. Texan Blogger = Rock Star. It's just what happens when you live in the Lone Star State. Kidding aside, the thing that impresses me the most about Texas bloggers is how they've built a community across such an enormous state. Not only online, but I see Texas bloggers in big numbers at conventions, too. So, you get bloggers from El Paso meeting up with Dallas bloggers and South Texas bloggers to go to book festivals and conferences. Do you know how much driving that takes? It can be as much as 10 hours in the car! And all for the love of books.

JP: Kay, you're not a Texas girl. If we promise to forgive you for not growing up in the Lone Star State, could you talk about why Texas book lovers are the biggest rockstars?
KM: Conditional only on that forgiveness! Honestly I've found all of the book love that comes out of Texas to be just phenomenal. Every blogger I've connected with that is based in Texas (including gracious hostess Joy Preble) is incredibly enthusiastic, wanting and willing to do whatever they can to find out about new books and share them with their readers and everyone else who will listen, and just generally loves books with their big Texas hearts. TLA has been by far my favorite trade show to attend because the energy level is so incredibly high, people are excited to be there talking about books and I've gotten to meet some terrific Texas bloggers!

Thank you, Derry Wilkens and Kay Mitchell!

Up tomorrow: Katie of Mundie Moms an Stacy Wells from Girls in the Stacks! Stay tuned!

Friday Five

1. "I liked being a person. I wanted to keep at it." from John Green's The Fault in our Stars
2. Watched Ides of March last night. Wanted story to be fuller, but Ryan Gosling. Oh Ryan Gosling. How did you not get nominated for some kind of award for this performance?
3. I'm revising a romance. A sexy, sweet, funny romance. And I'm having the best time this week. I don't know what will happen to this book, but I have a smile on my face when I'm working and I find myself rushing for the laptop each day. A good sign.
4. Think we'll being going to see Haywire this weekend. Anyone seen it? Anyone have other movie recs?
5. Snagged some amazing reads at ALA and now I need to find time for: THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, LOSERS IN SPACE, EMBRACE, ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE, THE GATHERING STORM (an Anastasia book!), and FRACTURE... among others.
And I'm hoping that all those who snagged a copy of the SOHO TEEN sampler are reading the samples of those 6 novels, including THE SWEET DEAD LIFE, by me!
As for ANASTASIA FOREVER, I'm still hoping to show you a cover soon. Maybe some ARC's by TLA? Now wouldn't that be cool....

Welcome Cynthia Leitich Smith and Diabolical

Today I'm welcoming my friend and mentor and fellow Texas author, Cynthia Leitich Smith, whose new YA paranormal, DIABOLICAL, part of her TANTALIZE series, is out now! Cyn lives in Austin and I once teased her that we should rename Austin 'Cyn-City' in honor of her. All puns aside, Cynthia Leitich Smith is not only talented and at the top of her craft, she is also generous and warm and a million other adjectives that all mean made of awesome.
So let's get down to business.
First a little bio:
Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author of TANTALIZE, ETERNAL, BLESSED, DIABOLICAL and TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY (Candlewick). Her award-winning books for younger children include JINGLE DANCER, INDIAN SHOES, RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME (all HarperCollins) and HOLLER LOUDLY (Dutton).
Her website at www.cynthialeitichsmith.com was named one of the top 10 Writer Sites on the Internet by Writer's Digest and an ALA Great Website for Kids. Her Cynsations blog at cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/ was listed as among the top two read by the children's/YA publishing community in the SCBWI "To Market" column.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcLj8n...

Indiebound link: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978076...

And now for the interview. Today I wanted Cyn to talk about two main topics: What it takes to build and maintain a writing career for the long haul and what it's like to have two writers in the family, since her husband, the equally talented Greg Leitich Smith is also working and successful author.

Here goes:

JP: One of the reasons I'm so honored to have you as a personal mentor is that I admire not only your body of work but also the incredible diversity and longevity of your writing career. Can you talk a little about where you started and how?
CLS: Thank you, Joy. I'm the one who's honored.
My early strategy—or lack thereof—could be held up as a model for what not to do.
About a year after graduating from law school, I quit my job as a law clerk in Chicago with the intent to write full time. I was newly married, carrying a heavy student debt, and I didn't have a single word down in manuscript form.
Crazy, right?
But I'd begun reading fiction again—comics and books for young readers. Law school had given me the confidence to believe that I could achieve any goal. And after the Oklahoma City Bombing, I felt personally compelled to make a more positive contribution to the world. I took a long walk home that day, sat on a pier, and talked to some ducks in Lake Michigan.
It was the strangest thing. I didn't have to think hard about it. I knew there was nothing more important to me than creating books for kids.
So, I went home and told my husband, Greg Leitich Smith, that's what I wanted to do with my life, and he totally supported my decision. Now, he writes for kids, too.
Greg and I moved from Chicago to Austin, which back then had a lower cost of living. I took a part-time job as a tutor in a program for students from migrant farm families at St. Edward's University. I also joined the fledgling Austin chapter of SCBWI, under the leadership of a dynamic young woman named Meredith Davis, and soon afterward, signed up for a life-changing private workshop or two, taught by children's authors Debbie Leland and Kathi Appelt.
Kathi and my other initial mentor, Jane Kurtz, both wrote a variety of books, and so it didn't occur to me that such a varied career was unconventional or risky or that I couldn't aspire to the same.
JP: What tips can you give writers who are just starting out in their careers about maintaining and nurturing a career for the long term?
CLS: Read, both in those categories that call to you creatively and those outside your specific areas of interest. Read a variety of books—across age markets, formats and genres. They don't have to be obvious models to inform and inspire. Be especially sure to read outside of your comfort zone. Creating art is all about thriving, innovating amidst uncertainly and chaos; reading books that challenge you is a smart way to steel yourself.
Find your tribe, a community of people, a partner—someone or, better yet, several someones—to support you along the way, preferably those who understand that it's an ongoing journey. And while you're at it, punt the naysayers. I'm not suggesting you surround yourself with Pollyannas or those who won't stretch you, but rather that you associate with folks who're all about how and not whether you'll achieve your dreams.
Write. I can't tell you how to write. Actually, that's not true. I could highlight countless ways to write, and the conversation surrounding such strategies can be helpful. But ultimately, it's up to you to figure out the formula that works best for this time in your life and your current work(s) in progress, with the understanding that you'll no doubt have to evolve eventually.
Follow your passions. Think hard about writing the book only you can write. Think hard about writing the book that scares you. Once you've gotten that first novel manuscript under your belt, perhaps try something different than rewriting protagonist after protagonist in variations of your own image. This is your chance to see the world through fresh eyes. Take it.
Don't fret trends, but don't shun them either. If the wind is at your back, enjoy it while it lasts. The only constant is change.
Don't play writer at the expense of writing, unless you just want to be a member of the community rather than someone who ultimately produces books. There's nothing wrong with wanting to hang out with children's-YA writers. Who doesn't love that? But don't fool yourself into thinking that your attendance at an endless array of conferences is a substitute for words on the page. If you've been hauling that same old tired manuscript to critique group for the last three years (without re-envisioning or beginning a new project along the way), take a break and work on something else.
Celebrate! Celebrate if you finish a scene or a chapter or reach the end! Celebrate personal rejections! Celebrate your sales and awards and readers mail! Yes, there are challenges to the writing life. Sometimes it requires Teflon skin. Occasionally, it's okay to indulge in some comfort ice cream or have a good cry. But writing and publishing children's-YA books is also a glorious, magical pursuit. Never lose sight of that. Enjoy!
JP: Anyone who knows you knows that you balance many obligations: your books, your blogging, teaching and mentoring for the MFA program at Vermont College, speaking engagements… Can you talk about that balance and how you achieve it?
CLS: For all of us, balance is an elusive goal, a forever work in progress. I'm on leave right now from VCFA, though, in 2012, I'm teaching several workshops around the U.S. and taking a couple of private students a semester. At various points in my career, I've pursued more or fewer short projects, more or less long-distance speaking, been to varying degrees available to nurture new voices. The formula changes with my circumstances and passions.
However, I am committed. I appreciate that, in this global marketplace, I'm competing against thousands of incredibly talented writers from around the world. Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? For precious few contracts. At the same time, I'm someone who'd rather work cooperatively, so I've chosen to compete primarily with myself and do what I can to help raise up and shine a light on the community and conversation of books.
Beyond that, I put quality time into both my writing and the business of being an author. But so does Laurie Halse Anderson, Libba Bray, Heather Brewer, Jennifer L. Holm, Robin LaFevers, David Levithan, David Lubar, Mitali Perkins… I could go on and on.
No matter how much we may long for balance, publishing consistently and (by industry standards) successfully, requires sacrifice and dedication. I've come to terms with that.
After all, the top doctors, engineers, accountants, plumbers, coal miners, rocket scientists, athletes, and musicians work pretty darn hard, too.
JP: What's a typical writing day like for you? Writing week?
CLS: I'm on the computer by 8 a.m. By 11 a.m., my goal is to have blogged, touched base with my networks, answered my email, and responded to any publishing/media/event-related inquires. I spend the lion's share of the afternoon focusing on my work in progress.
After Greg comes home from his day job, we have dinner together and then I either write or do damage control on the author front for another couple of hours. Weekends are a godsend because there are fewer interruptions, though many book events tend to fall on Saturdays.
JP: Your husband Greg is also a writer with many books and projects of his own. What's it like to live—and work— under the same roof as another writer? Does it have its own set of challenges? Or are you guys just proofreading merrily over dinner every night?
CLS: In addition to his after-dinner writing session, Greg also works on his manuscript first thing in the morning or after a run. He's an early bird and may put in three hours of writing on a Saturday before I wake up.
Beyond that, we do serve as each other's first readers. We're tougher and more direct with each other than we are when we critique other people. After all, Leitich Smith is a joint brand in the business.
You know, I've seen author spouses who're competitive with each other to negative ends, but that hasn't been an issue for us, possibly because we met as first-year law students (and whatever challenges would've probably arisen then).
I enjoy traveling and speaking with Greg more than going out into the world on my own, though I do both fairly regularly. It's a gift to have someone who understands that when you're staring out the window, you're not ignoring him—you're unraveling a plot snag.
And certainly, we've both benefitted from having the other's books out there during our respective career ebbs and flows.
But big picture, it's simply fun—what a gift to share the writing life with someone you love. I appreciate his ongoing support, and it's a treat to read his terrific stories before anyone else does. I can hardly wait for the release of Greg's upcoming novel, Chronal Engine (Clarion, March 2012).

JP: Anything else you'd like to tell us as DIABOLICAL (great title, btw) comes into the world?
CLS: Diabolical is the fourth book in the Tantalize series and concludes the super arc inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's about second chances, a final test of heroes Quincie, Kieren, Zachary, and Miranda, and a rejoicing of how much they've grown. Diabolical is the most fantastical, funny, romantic, scary, jaw-dropping book in the series to date. It's a hell of a ride.


Cynthia's 2012 Tour Schedule

Feb. 10 Austin, TX

BookPeople YA Fantasy Panel

7 p.m.
Vicious Valentine: featuring authors Jordan Dane, P.J. "Tricia" Hoover, Mari Mancusi, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and L.A. Weatherly---moderated by Sean Petrie. Whether you love love, hate it or fear it, be there for spooky cool refreshments and scary bookish fun!

March 8 Albuquerque, NM
Alamosa Books Author Event
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

March 10 Tuscon, AZ
Tuscon Festival of Books
(plus school visits)

April 18 Houston, TX
Texas Library Association Conference
(two panels and signing)

June 11-15 Sandy, UT
Writing & Illustrating for Young Readers

July 11-15 Southampton, NY
Southampton Writers Conference

August 13-19 Montpelier, VT
17th Annual Postgraduate Writers Conference

ALAMW#12, Soho Teen and more

ALA Midwinter in Dallas was made of awesome. From the wonder Texas book bloggers (who I will be featuring next week in a series of posts) to the librarians, to my Houston crew of YAHOUs (YA Houston) and our lunch time smack down with Austin's Sweethearts and Scoundrels, it was a crazy busy two days that began with an amazingly attended happy hour arranged by Jen Bigheart at Campisi's. 75 plus bloggers, authors, publishing people all schmoozing and talking books. Heaven!
But of course the main focus of the conference for me was being there with the Soho Press team as they launched Soho Press on Saturday. This was one classy event: wine (red and white!), Soho Crime water pistols, and beautiful samplers of the upcoming Soho Teen line that will start arriving on shelves in 2013, including my The Sweet Dead Life! If you missed out on getting a sampler, you can see a version of it on line here. To the 100 plus people who came out, stood in line, asked me autograph and were in general kind, supportive and generous of heart, I thank you from the bottom of my toes. (plus I did get to ask people if they wanted a gun. and at one point - okay three points -- quoted the gun and cannoli line from The Godfather) The day concluded with the Soho dinner at Wild Salsa where I got to visit with more librarians and also some of my favorite bloggers including Katie of Mundie Moms and Stacy and Nancy from Girls in the Stacks. They have supported me for a long time now, and so it was delightful to hang with them and eat delicious food. (let me add here that I did not take a picture of my three taco platter (two al pastor and one shrimp) but it was yummy)
Plus everyone at Soho: editor Dan Ehrenhaft, publisher Bronwen Hruska and Juliet Grames and Michelle Rafferty... they rock so hard I cannot put it into words.
Pictures: top picture is the Soho team; two pictures at Soho booth are me (with sampler) and the lovely and talented author Bethany Hegedus and then (with water pistols), me and librarian and all around wonderful human Jennifer Haight (@hipmamajenn); at Campisi's: Jen Bigheart, me, Stephanie Pellegrin; at our YAHous/Sweethearts smack down lunch: Jenny Moss and Kari Ann Holt and then me and my Comic Con cohorts -- Jessica Lee Anderson, me, and PJ (Tricia) Hoover.
Stay tuned for tomorrow when I feature another Texas treasure: Cynthia Leitich Smith, whose Diabolical just released today!!

Five for Friday

1. And another observation about Lyla the basset/boxer: people talk to me now when I walk her. More specifically men talk to me. Men tell me about their dogs. Men tell me about the dogs that live with their ex-wives. Men walking their dogs stop and ask if our dogs can 'visit.' Stoner teenage sons taking out the garbage say (and this is an exact quote) "Dude, what the hell is that dog? I LOVE that dog."
2. Finishing a trilogy is a strange and wonderful and bittersweet experience. I have been writing some piece or another of Dreaming Anastasia since 2005. That is a long time. A lot of characters. Anne and Ethan and the gang have been cozied up in my brain for all those years. I think we will have to be pried apart with a crow bar. But we'll hang out for awhile longer, since Anastasia Forever is coming in August. And soon a gorgeous cover (i've seen hints... i'm excited) coming soon. More on this later.
3. Excited to be going to ALA today and at the Soho Press booth Saturday as they launch Soho Teen and I get to begin chatting about The Sweet Dead Life, which will be out in 2013 as part of Soho Teen's inaugural list. Let me just say that I love, love this book. And the others in the new imprint, too! Stay tuned.
4. Reading Catching Jordan by Miranda Keneally, a Sourcebooks 'sista author.' Jordan Woods is the star quarterback. Jordan Woods is also female. And then the love troubles begin, initially in the form of a new quarterback named Ty. A fun, fun read. After this, it's The Fault in our Stars, by John Green, which I've been sneaking pages of since I bought it earlier this week. I am in awe of John Green's writing in this book. Love, death, life... it's all in there. Beautiful and heart wrenching and funny all at once.
5. And speaking of John Green, it's possible there's still a restraining order from the fan girl hysteria that I squeaked his way when we met at TLA a couple years ago. I mumbled on so long and gushingly about how wonderful he was and such an inspiration and... eventually his eyes glazed over and we snapped a picture.

What are You Watching?

One set of edits (Anastasia Forever final copy edits) turned in. One to go (first round macro edits for The Sweet Dead Life) More tomorrow about how it feels to complete a series.
Today we're chatting TV.
I like TV. I really do. And while I've yakked about my love for Bravo (Beverly Hills Housewives; Top Chef Masters), my real love is scripted shows. (Okay, reality is scripted, too. But we're not supposed to acknowledge this) Drama more than comedy these days, although I still have a warm spot for Big Bang Theory. I think I have to since Jim Parsons grew up just down the road. Even though it's getting repetitious and I honestly haven't seen an episode in a long while, it's still funnier to me than Modern Family, which I find it tedious and not particularly amusing.
Awkward on MTV? Love, love, love. It's not perfect. Real high school isn't like that. But I forgive it for that because I adore Jenna Hamilton and her narration. I adore lines like "The ellipses is the slut of punctuation." Too f-ing funny.
Once Upon a Time and Grimm -- well, it's been a contest each week. I was Grimm all the way, but now OUAT is pulling ahead with its back stories of Rumplestiltskin and Hansel and Gretel. Fabulous writing. Blew me away!
Season Two of Being Human is off to a good start.
Vampire Diaries --- I will never tire of Damon. Even when he mugs the camera. Never. Tire.
Lost Girl --- just getting into this. Will report soon.
(note to self: this is a shit load of television. Please justify it by saying that you learn about scripting and pacing and character development. Um. Yeah. What I just said)
It's on hiatus, but Covert Affairs is nice eye candy.
But my new revelation --- and yes, I have to finish catching up on season 1, is Downton Abbey. I had no idea I would love this. But I don't just love it. I adore it!
How about you? What are you watching?