Holly Cupala's Blog, page 32

Fun at the SCBWI WWA Conference!

Joni Sensel, Laurie Thompson, Kim Baker, Jaime Temairik, Sara Easterly, and all of the people at SCBWI WWA have outdone themselves again, if that were even possible!

Tea with Mitali Perkins & readergirlz, Kidlit drink night, dinner with Secret Agent Man Edward Necarsulmer (who is no longer a secret, after he made a huge splash here), an unbelievable lineup of speakers (Laini Taylor, Jay Asher, Michael Bourret, Elizabeth Law, the classy women of Blue Slip Media, Mitali, and many more).

Here's te...

Story Secrets winners: BEFORE I FALL and SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Wow, what a terrific response for last week's Story Secrets author, fellow 2010 debut Lauren Oliver, who came to chat with us about BEFORE I FALL. And I'm SWOONing from all of the super entries we got for Sydney Salter's newest YA, SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Who won, you ask?

First, we'll award the winner of SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Drumroll, please:


...


We were swoony with laughter when we read this entry, from Cleverly Inked:

"Well... My worst moment in a bathing suit had to be when I was 13 I...

rgz CAMEO! chat tonight with Diane Duane

Stop by tonight for a special online release party with Diane Duane, author of A WIZARD OF MARS! Live chat at 6pm PST/9pm EST at the readergirlz blog - see you there!

DIY Friday: easy lemon cookies!

Do you ever just get a random craving for lemon? (I confess: I do.) I haven't posted a recipe for a while, and this one came out so yummy!

(Gluten-free friends, this is such a basic recipe that I think it would be terrific with gf flour substitute!)

So without further ado, here are...Iced Lemon Shortbread Cookies:

For cookies (adapted from a Martha recipe):

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp almond extract
grated peel of one lemon
dash sa...

SCBWI WWA Conference!

Tonight is the kickoff of the incredible event that is the SCBWI WWA Conference!

I'm super excited to see friends (including my amazing agent, Edward Necarsulmer IV), plus I'll be a speaker on the local success panel!

Plus I will be giving away one advance copy of TELL ME A SECRET!!!! You have to enter at the conference to win!

And the kickoff event is... KID LIT DRINK NIGHT! From the Chinook Update blog:

Anyone with an interest in children's literature is welcome to come and schmooze with...

Story Secrets: BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver + Giveaway!

We're chatting story secrets today with my fellow HarperCollins debut author, Lauren Oliver - and to have not one but TWO advanced copies of BEFORE I FALL to give away! (See below for details on how to win!)

I picked up this book when I went to the American Library Assocation meeting in Boston, and ironically, I found myself reading it the day it is supposed to take place: Friday, February 12th. So I'm very interested to hear about the story behind her story and hope you will be, too.

Welcome, ...

Secrets of Landing and Agent, Part II: The Agent!

Yesterday we interviewed Katherine Grace Bond, newly agented and still giddy with happiness, about recently signing with Awesome Agent Sara Crow of Harvey Klinger.

Today we hear from Sara herself about why Katherine's query stood out, and how you can make your query more interesting to the agents you hope to work with - welcome, Sara, and thank you for sharing your wisdom!

*****

SARA CROWE: I am thrilled to be working with Katherine on her debut YA novel. I just looked back at her emailed query ...

Secrets of Landing and Agent, Part I: The Author!

My friend Katherine Grace Bond, poet and YA author and teacher and terrific critiquer, recently heard the words that writers long to hear: "May I represent you?"

*sound of crowd cheering!*

That's right, Katherine is now represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger!

So I invited Katherine to spill some of her secrets to landing an agent right here. Welcome, Katherine!

*****

HOLLY: The actual event of receiving an agent offer is kind of a momentous and memorable event in any case, but yours is...

Happening in April

No April Fool's, I really did sell my second YA, STREET CREED, with "wows" from my editor!

Thanks to everyone for cheering with me!

STREET CREED is slated for Fall 2011...which seems like so far away right now. On the other hand, the TELL ME A SECRET launch is just a couple of months away now...eek! I'm not sure I'm ready for actual readers, though it's gotten pretty amazing responses so far!

This months' Story Secrets are already hopping with a visit from Sydney Salter, and upcoming with...

TELL ME A SECRET Prize Pack winner!

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the Library Blog Challenge!

One commenter receives a TELL ME A SECRET prize pack, including a CD from Universal Hall Pass (music that inspired the book), a TMAS excerpt, handmade TMAS magnets (made by me!), and the limited edition bookmark...

And the winner is...




***********The Book Girl!**********




Congratulations, Book Girl! I will contact you, or you can contact me with the form below so I can get that prize to you. Thanks again to everyone for...