Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 76
March 13, 2012
In Toronto? You're invited to my HUNTED book launch at Bakka-Phoenix Books March 31st
Are you in Toronto? Then you're invited to the launch for HUNTED, my YA paranormal fantasy/dystopian on March 31st from 4-6pm at Bakka-Phoenix Books (84 Harbord St near Spadina. See map). There will be food and prizes! I hope you'll come celebrate with me.
I think it's important that we each celebrate the good things in our lives, the accomplishments–and HUNTED is a book I'm proud of and care a lot about. I don't always remember to celebrate, though–so please come help me! (smiling)
If you're on FaceBook, you can see the event here and mark whether you're coming or not. Or just show up!
This is for the Canadian paperback version of Hunted published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside.
Fab book domino video!
I love book videos, and book domino videos are especially cool. But this video by Bookmans is the best one I've seen yet! I love the sense of fun and play, the way the book lovers are just pretending to go about their business and not notice all the books tumbling around them. And the guy catching the book as if it was selected just for him is great!
What do you think? Did you like this book video? Do you have another book video you love that you want to recommend?
March 9, 2012
Drawing on life in books: art I talked about in SCARS
You may know, if you follow my blog or have read interviews with me, that I drew on a lot of my own life experience to write SCARS. Like Kendra, I'm a sexual abuse survivor, I used self-harm to cope, and I'm queer–and I used my insider perspective to bring realism to the work. And also like Kendra, I had a great therapist, and I used art (and writing) to cope in a healthy way with the abuse. Unlike Kendra, I am also a ritual abuse survivor, and my experience of torture comes out in my art and writing.
Some of the art that I talk about in SCARS I actually created as a teen. If you read SCARS, you may remember Kendra talking about this drawing. I drew it first in pencil, then in ink, using a paint brush and India ink in the background, and washes of ink over the figure, as well as a fine-tipped marker over some of the pencil. I was trying to show the pain of sexual abuse, the way it hurts not just physically but emotionally for years afterward. (Although it does get better.) When I drew it I was in so much emotional pain–it felt like the pain would never end, even though I was in therapy. The bandaids were symbolic for me–things were a tiny bit better because I was talking about the abuse, but it was so hard and the pain felt pretty unbearable at times. I'm so grateful that it got better!
(You may have seen some of this artwork before in my Dear Teen Me letter.)
I liked a lot of the same mediums that Kendra did in SCARS–I especially like pencil and colored pencil, though I've also used clay, wire, and wax for sculptures; acrylic, watercolor, and tempura for paintings; and ink for drawings.
I didn't mention Kendra creating a self-portrait, but I imagined her doing that. I made Kendra vulnerable, the way I was, the way I painted my own self-portrait as a teen:
And, like Kendra, I found greater happiness over time, and that began to show in my art (and my writing):
Have you used art to try to get out emotion or make things better? How about writing, or another creative outlet? For me, using writing and art to get out emotion has been very helpful.
March 8, 2012
Happy IWD! Help a woman gain financial independence risk-free to you
Happy International Women's Day! Today, Kiva & their partner are giving away many free trial loans. You can help a woman out of poverty, help her gain financial independence by taking part in a (free-to-you) $25 loan. Or, if it inspires you, you can even lend your own money.
You go through the borrowers and the reasons they want the money, and select who you want to loan to and how much. You can even search specific interest you have–for me, that's books and bookstores. I searched and found a number of women (and men) that I can lend to that fit that (as well as stationary). I've used my free trial, and now I've also lend some of my own money to help another woman with her bookstore.
Help make a difference in women's lives! I just did.
free online Marvel comic about money skills
Marvel and Visa have teamed up to give readers a free online Marvel comic that teaches about money skills. I love comics, and I love when writers and artists make an issue something that's enjoyable to read. The writer, James Asmus, even included some humor.
You can read the comic online or print it out. It features the Avengers and Spider-Man. Good on Marvel for this and the other free comics they've provided over the years on issues such as child abuse.
There's also a free downloadable/printable budget worksheet to help readers understand budgeting.
March 7, 2012
More YA ebooks on sale: Week of March 07, 2012
There are some great YA ebooks on sale on Amazon right now, especially Libba Bray's Beauty Queen.
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray is $3.99 (down from $9.99)
From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.
Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.
The Circle Opens #1: Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce is $3.99 (down from $7.99)
Part of the 8-book Tamora Pierce reissue for Fall 2006, this title in the Circle Opens quartet features spellbinding new cover art. Concides with the release of WILL OF THE EMPRESS in trade pb.
Lady Sandrilene fa Toren knows all about unusual magic–she herself spins and weaves it like thread. But when she witnesses a boy dancing a spell, even she is confounded. To her dismay she gets news of a mysterious murderer stalking a clan of local merchants. The killer employs the strangest magic of all: the ability to reduce essence to nothingness. As the murders mount and the killer grows bolder, Sandry's teaching takes on a grave purpose. It becomes clear to everyone that the killings can only be stopped by the combined magic of two people: the young teacher and her even younger student.
Flawless by Lara Chapman is $2.51 (down from $7.99)
Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.
On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?
This hip retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac is filled with hilariously misguided matchmaking, sweet romance, and a gentle reminder that we should all embrace our flaws.
Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper is $3.68 (down from $9.99)
Poor, orphaned Grace Parkes is in a horrible situation. Her illegitimate child has just died in childbirth, so she traveled to the Brookwood Cemetery to place the small infants body in a rich lady's coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can do right by the little baby, and to avoid the disgrace of a paupers grave. Grace meets two people at the cemetery who will have a most unusual affect on her life, though she doesn't know that yet. For now, Grace has to suppress her grief and get on with her meager life, scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food, and looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself. But a great fraud has been perpetrated on young Grace – and she is secretly the recipient of a most unusual legacy — if only she is able to claim it. Of course, the rich only get richer in this gothic tale of class distinctions, mysterious secrets, and malicious fraud.
Judy Blume books to be released as ebooks late March
13 of Judy Blume's children's books will be released as ebooks by Random House Children's Books. The new ebook editions will be available beginning March 21 in the U.S. and Canada, wherever Random House ebooks are sold.
"This is an exciting day for me," says Judy Blume. "I'm happy that my readers, many of whom have been patiently waiting, will now be able to choose which format works best for them to enjoy their favorite books."
On March 21, 10 of Blume's titles will be released as individual ebooks, including Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Deenie; Blubber; and Tiger Eyes. Readers will also enjoy Iggie's House; It's Not the End of the World; Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself; Then Again, Maybe I Won't; Here's to You, Rachel Robinson; and Just as Long as We're Together. The three additional titles to be released at a later date, to be announced, are The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo, Freckle Juice, and The Pain and the Great One, a picture book.
March 6, 2012
Cartoon Network To Address Bullying
Cartoon Network is working to educate kids about bullying with their new original documentary Speak Up, which will air Sunday, March 18 at 5:30pm, then at 8pm, commercial-free. It is part of their Stop Bullying: Speak Up campaign to help kids to speak up about bullying and support those who've been bullied. Speak Up features interviews with kids aged 8-13, talking about bullying–by those who've been bullied, watched bullying happen, or been bullies themselves. Speak Up also includes Cartoon Network's three hosts of Dude, What Would Happen, as well as Chris Webber (NBA All-Star), Matt Wilhelm (Pro BMX champion), and NASCAR drivers Trevor Bayne, Jeff Burton and Joey Logano, who all share their experiences about bullying and encourage kids to speak out. Before, during and after the documentary, bullying prevention expert and author Rosalind Wiseman will talk more about bullying, and answer viewer questions online at StopBullyingSpeakUp. The documentary will also be posted the website afterwards, and will be offered free of charge to customers through Comcast Xfinity, Facebook, iTunes, Xbox 360+Kinect and YouTube.com, each for at least two weeks after the documentary first airs.
I like seeing companies making an effort to try to help kids and make things better. Good on Cartoon Network.
Via Cynopsis Kids
Muppet Parody of The Hunger Games
I love the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins–such a powerful book!–so I find it very cool that the upcoming movie is creating such a big sensation. To me, it means even more people will pick up the book.
And now…the Muppets have taken on the Hunger Games and made a parody, taking clips from the Muppet movie and splicing them out of context, tying them together with new text. I love the Muppets, too, so this was kind of fun to watch. What do you think of it?
via Hollywoodcrush
On sale or cheap children's & YA ebooks: Week of March 06, 2012
The Prometheus Project: Trapped
by Douglas E Richards is $1.92
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the adult thriller, WIRED, THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT: TRAPPED is the first book in a critically acclaimed science fiction series for kids.
A fantastic alien city buried deep underground. What wonders — and what dangers — is it hiding?
Ryan and Regan Resnick have just moved to the world's most boring place. But
when they discover their parents are part of an ultra-secret project called Prometheus they are plunged into a nonstop adventure: one that will be the ultimate test of their wit, courage, and determination. Soon they are under attack and facing hostile alien worlds, alien technology, and unimaginable dangers at every turn.
Now, with their mother facing certain death, they must race to solve a seemingly impossible mystery to have any hope of saving her. But if they save their mom, they will have no way to save themselves. . .
The Prometheus Project: Captured
by Douglas E Richards is $1.92.
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the adult thriller, WIRED, THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT: CAPTURED is the second book in a critically acclaimed science fiction series for kids.
Ryan and Regan Resnick are the youngest members of a top-secret team exploring the greatest discovery ever made: a vast alien city buried deep underground – as potentially deadly as it is astonishing. When the city is captured by highly trained soldiers led by a ruthless alien, the adult members of the team are taken hostage. Now, Ryan and Regan are the team's only hope of survival.
With the future of the world at stake, the Resnick Kids must do the impossible: outwit the brilliant alien, free the prisoners, and thwart an unstoppable invasion. But not everything is as it seems. And time is quickly running out. . .
The Prometheus Project: Stranded
by Douglas E Richards is $1.92
The Boy at the End of the World by Greg Van Eekhout is $1.99 (Bloomsbury)
This is what he knew:
His name was Fisher.
The world was dangerous.
And he was alone.
Fisher is the last boy on Earth – and things are not looking good for the human race. The carefully crafted survival dome where Fisher and dozens of other humans have been sleeping for millenia has been destroyed. Through a lucky accident, only Fisher survived.
The world Fisher wakes up in is a lot like ours – but it's changed, too. After the human race wiped itself out, nature took over, and wild creatures evolved into barely familiar beasts. Fisher must face them all as they set off on a journey that seems hopeless – at first. Then Fisher uncovers evidence that there may be a second survival dome far to the west. What was once a struggle for one boy's survival becomes a journey of hope.
With a broken robot and a friendly mammoth as his only companions, Fisher heads West. But something is watching them… something that wants to find the second survival dome just as badly as they do.
Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors is $1.99 (Walker Books)
When you're the daughter of a best-selling romance writer, life should be pretty good. But for 16-year-old Alice Amorous, daughter of the Queen of Romance, life is an agonizing lie. Her mother's been secretly hospitalized for mental illness, and Alice has been putting on a brave front, answering fan letters, forging her mother's signature, telling the publisher that all is well. But the next book is due and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother. And she needs one fast.
That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who's been following her. A boy who tells her that he has a love story. A boy who believes he's Cupid. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head, and begins to see things she can't explain, she must face the truth – that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.
The Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test) by Aimee Carter is $1.29 as a pre-order (Harlequin Teen)
A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld…until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades's wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn….
A Goddess Test series ebook novella.
Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevat is $3.49 (Candlewick)
Escape. Milena, Bartolomeo, Helen, and Milos have left their prison-like boarding schools far behind, but their futures remain in peril. Fleeing across icy mountains from a terrifying pack of dog-men sent to hunt them down, they are determined to take up the fight against the despotic government that murdered their parents years before. Only three will make it safely to the secret headquarters of the resistance movement, but the fourth is captured and forced to participate in a barbaric game for the amusement of the massesâ€"further proof of the government’s horrible brutality. Will the power of one voice be enough to rouse a people against a generation of cruelty? Translated from the French, this suspenseful story of courage, individualism, and freedom has resonated with young readers across the globe.
Girl Parts by John M Cusick is $2.99 (Candlewick)
"Hello, David. My name is Rose. It's a pleasure to meet you. We are now entering minute two of our friendship. According to my Intimacy Clock, a handshake is now appropriate…"David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David's parents present him with a hot Companion bot to encourage healthy bonds and treat "dissociative disorder," he can't get enough of luscious red-headed Rose — and he can't get it soon. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Severed from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up, knowing Rose isn't real. With Charlie's help, the ideal "companion" is about to become her own best friend. In a stunning and hilarious debut, John Cusick takes rollicking aim at internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uber-connected world.
