Sydney Salter's Blog, page 36

Guest Nose Pam Bachorz

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Pam Bachorz, debut author of Candor. I really enjoyed reading this one--and highly recommend it!
A quick reminder: You can still enter to win chocolate! Now here's Pam:

In CANDOR, everybody looks the same, adhering to a squeaky-clean ideal of beauty. So I'll tell you a story from my own life.

Two days before my college senior picture was going to be taken, I noticed I had very obvious roots showing from the blond highlights I'd gotten months before...

Chocolate Giveaway: Week #2

This week I'm giving away a signed copy of Jungle Crossing, a bobble-head tortoise, and a mouthwatering selection of Theo chocolate bars: Vanilla, Coconut Curry, Chai, Bread & Chocolate, Nib Brittle, and Coffee. If you're ever in Seattle, a Theo chocolate factory tour is a terrific way to spend an afternoon. Free samples!

Chocolate Tidbit: The earliest evidence of the Maya's use of chocolate comes from a ceramic jar dating back 600 B.C.E.
To enter this week's contest, please leave a...

Winner!

We have a winner: Jensen Girls
Congratulations!

In My Mailbox (7)

Much thanks to The Story Siren and Alea The Pop Culture Junkie for the this weekly feature.
I only purchased 2009 Debutante books this week:

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate MessnerA girl has less than a week to complete her leaf project.
Why I'm Excited:The book takes place in Vermont--and I have many fond memories of gathering colorful leaves when I lived there as a young child. Plus, it's just the kind of story my 10-year-old loves.


Candor by Pam BachorzAbout teens living in a town...

Guest Nose Kate Messner

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Kate Messner, author of the debut middle-grade novel, The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Kate says:

Beauty is a topic where my main character and I definitely see eye to eye. Gianna Z. is too busy with her running and her art projects to worry about makeup or fixing her hair, and she can't stand that t-shirt that her track team nemesis wears with the slogan "It's now how you play the game, it's how you look when you play the game."

I'm with Gianna, and I...

Gust Nose Kate Messner

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Kate Messner, author of the debut middle-grade novel, The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. Kate says:

Beauty is a topic where my main character and I definitely see eye to eye. Gianna Z. is too busy with her running and her art projects to worry about makeup or fixing her hair, and she can't stand that t-shirt that her track team nemesis wears with the slogan "It's now how you play the game, it's how you look when you play the game."

I'm with Gianna, and I...

Swooning Over The 1st Look Inside

One of my absolute favorite parts of the publishing process is getting that bulky package of 1st Pass Pages in the mail. I got so excited when Swoon At Your Own Risk arrived on my doorstep last week that I possibly frightened my UPS man with my delighted squeals.

1st Pass Pages show the exact layout of the book. Doesn't the title look cute?

I also love seeing what the chapter titles are going to look like and seeing the story set up like a real book:



Plus Swoon At Your Own Risks has a bunch of e...

Thank The Mayans for Chocolate Giveaway Week #1

Welcome to the Thank The Mayans for Chocolate Giveaway! To celebrate the release of Jungle Crossing, I'm giving away my favorite chocolates, a signed book, and bobble-head turtles (because they're just too cute).
This week's selection comes from The Chocolate Bar in downtown Boise, Idaho (here I am buying you chocolate!). The lovely chocolatiers have selected a box of hand-crafted customer favorites just for you. I'm also including a bag of chocolate bark from Dream Chocolate. And you thought ...

In My Mailbox (6)

Much thanks to The Story Siren and Alea The Pop Culture Junkie for the this weekly feature.

In My Mailbox:
Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha MemingerAn Indian-American teen coming to terms with her family heritage in the weeks following 9/11
Why I'm excited:About 25 pages in, I already decided that I needed to buy a copy for my daughter's English teacher, her school library, etc. Not only is this story beautifully written, it is important. It's also a 2009 Debutante book!
Bought (I showed some...

Contest!

Another 2009 Debutante giveaway (I added a little something special in honor of Jungle Crossing this time around). Click below to enter!