Elizabeth Miles's Blog, page 2

Bossypants, Birchbox, and Book Birthdays

Hola. (Holla!)


First of all, I've gotta say it: After months (a year?) of putting it off because I thought it would be disappointing, I finally read Tina Fey's comedy memoir Bossypants. It took me just two days to fly through it. She is unbelievable -- able to be funny on every other page (at least)! I particularly enjoyed her thoughts about being a working mom and the play-by-play of the Sarah Palin sketches in 2008.

Next, I am dying to get home and check my mailbox because my first-ever Birch...

Kirkus and VOYA reviews!

Hi friends!

I am so thrilled (like, beyond happy) to share these two early reviews of ENVY, from Kirkus and VOYA. It's one thing to hear positive feedback from your best friend and your editors and your family members -- in fact, it's a great, heartwarming thing that I value tremendously. That said, it's a horse of a completely different color to read reviews from strangers -- especially critical, close-reading strangers like the folks at Kirkus and VOYA.

I'm proud of ENVY. It's my second book,...

Jess Rothenberg on Catastrophic History, denial, and silly author antics

I had the great privilege of spending a bunch of time with Jess Rothenberg, total sweetheart and author of the heartbreaking and hilarious The Catastrophic History of You and Me , this weekend -- first, she (and her fiance Stephen Barbara) hosted a cozy barbeque for Paper Lantern Lit peeps; then I got to sit on a panel with her and a gaggle of other YA ladies at Books of Wonder on Saturday.

I promise I was there! I was sitting to Jess's right (and Lauren was next to me).    ...

Back in Maine

Bonjour, weirdos!

Just a quick pop-in to report that my couple of days in NYC were fantastic; mom was shocked, friend-time was cozy, and all crises (such as missed flights) were averted. I looooved the event at Books of Wonder -- what an awesome bookstore, and a great group of readers/question-askers.

AND NOW I HAVE A NEW KITCHEN! Pics to come.

xo-E

Friday morning in NYC

Hello friends!

Here I am in Brooklyn, sitting at Lauren's dining room table while she's off doing...something. I'm not actually sure where she is; she left in a whirlwind of "I'm late" and "See you later." I plan to spend the next few hours drinking her coffee, eating her toast and peanut butter, and reading her FANTASTIC new middle grade book, THE SPINDLERS. I started it last night and it is truly imaginative and great fun to read. I giggled out loud a few times!

Later today we'll head ov...

Get Lit!

Paper Lantern Lit has a beautiful new website. Check it out here.

In other news, I have two catastrophically AMAZING author interviews coming early next week (or maybe even over the weekend - does anyone read blogs over the weekend?). Stay tuned. You're going to love them.

And lastly, in case you haven't heard about this cozy event: Saturday, June 9th @ Books of Wonder - me, Lauren Oliver, Rebecca Serle, Jess Rothenberg, Courtney Sheinmel, Kate Ellison, and Lauren Morrill. Holy wow.

xo-E

Donna Tartt's The Secret History

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this passage in Donna Tartt's The Secret History, which I am currently reading (and LOVING):

" 'Why does that obstinate little voice in our heads torment us so?' he said, looking round the table. 'Could it be because it reminds us that we are alive, of our mortality, of our individual souls--which, after all, we are too afraid to surrender yet make us feel more miserable than any other thing? But isn't it also pain that often makes us most aware of se...

Alma Katsu: Characters as crazy people, love stories, and branching out into YA

Hooray for Alma Katsu, whose 2011 debut, THE TAKER, was widely praised (by others and by yours truly). The sequel, THE RECKONING, comes out next month, and from what I hear it is even more gripping than the first book.

Here is a picture of its dramatic cover:


And here is a picture of me, Alma, and Steph from Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust at the Maine Festival of the Book: 


We had a great time that day -- Alma and I chose to interview each other in front of the crowd, which led to a lively...

The FURY series has a new look! Learn more...

When FURY comes out in paperback this summer, readers will notice that it has a totally different look -- one that's more in line with the hardcover version of ENVY (pub date: September 4). Just like I did last year, I talked with Simon Pulse editorial director Jennifer Klonsky and Simon & Schuster associate art director Jessica Handelman about the hot new covers. Their answers offer a glimpse behind-the-scenes...



[Note: This isn't the emotional post I alluded to earlier on Twitter. T...

Rachel McClellan FRACTURED LIGHT interview + giveaway!

I am thrilled to introduce Rachel McClellan, author of FRACTURED LIGHT, the first book in a new paranormal series in which a young girl learns how to manipulate the light around her. I first learned about her via Elana Johnson's blog, where Rachel wrote a great guest post about listening to our characters.

Cindy C. Bennett, author of Geek Girl, says that FRACTURED LIGHT's protagonist, Llona, "is a hero worth cheering for." Yay!


I interviewed Rachel via email; coincidentally, she...