Feb. 2010 News from Amber Kizer
Newsletter for January 2010
Amber Kizer
ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME
MERIDIAN (paperback Aug 2010)
7 KINDS OF ORDINARY CATASTROPHIES (Spring 2011)
WILDCAT FIREFLIES (Fall 2011)
ECHOES OF 1492 (Spring 2012)
www.AmberKizer.com
www.OneButtCheek.com
www.MeridianSozu.com
On Goodreads and Facebook “Amber Kizer”
Amber@amberkizer.com
***************
Contents:
A note from Amber
Favorites for Valentine’s Day
Contest/January Contest Winners
Upcoming Appearances
Reprint Information
***************
A NOTE FROM AMBER
Hello my favorite readers!
First, thank you to all of you who added your voice to the title change debate for Gert’s second adventure. After tallying, having the students at Langley Middle School narrow down options, and vote, I passed on the suggestions to my publisher who conducted their own focus group…all that lead us to 7 KINDS OF ORDINARY CATASTROPHIES. And for those of you who wanted the adults to know that “Butt” in the title piqued your interest, I passed that along too! Be sure to check out this month’s contest for another way to add your voice to my process!
I’m very hard at work on WILDCAT FIREFLIES, Meridian’s second adventure due out in the fall of 2011. It’s coming along nicely but there are not enough hours in the day for me!
For those of you wanting to know about the Spanish version of MERIDIAN, I just found out it’ll be out in the second half of this year—so look for it this fall. When I have an exact date I’ll share that. The next international release will be in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia in May 2010—so not too far from now. If you’re a fan from there and know a good bookstore who would appreciate bookmarks and other MERIDIAN swag please let me know.
I promised in this Valentine’s Day version that I’d share books I love, but I’m also going to share a few other favorites as well.
Next month stay tuned for my NCAA basketball picks and maybe more importantly updates about WILDCAT FIREFLIES, the soundtrack I wrote to and the candles I burned while working on this book.
Questions, comments? Email me anytime Amber@AmberKizer.com
Take it one at a time,
Amber
***
AMBER’S VALENTINE’S DAY FAVORITES
Do you know (RED)? This is a fantastic way for consumers to put their money where their hearts are. Started by Bono many companies including Apple, Dell, Converse, Gap, Starbucks, and Nike all offer (RED) options. By buying (RED) a portion of your purchase price goes to buy lifesaving AIDS medication for people in Africa. Check it out www.joinred.com
The Haiti Earthquake is very much on my mind. If you missed the national telethon, you missed some incredible music, but you can still download the amazing soundtrack on iTunes and your money will benefit organizations working there. Search for HOPE FOR HAITI NOW.
My absolute favorite organization is Heifer International and they work all over the world. If you’re looking for a meaningful Valentine for someone who would appreciate it, more than chocolate or flowers, make sure you check out www.Heifer.org
Okay, books:
I fell in love with fiction while in middle school—up until that point I read and books were all over our house, but I didn’t have to read. One Zebra Historical Romance and I was completely hooked on the genre (I still am). But there are two authors whose mad skills as story weavers are incomparable. There’s a warning though—their work from the 80s and 90s is much better than any of their new stuff—so go “old” when you’re looking for their books!
Jude Deveraux does the best historical romances and family stories of any I’ve ever read. They can be a bit magical, but not in an overt way, and I never fail to feel uplifted, warm and fuzzy and redeemed with one of her books. The first of hers I read was KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR and I picked it up because a boy I was desperately crushing on was reading it (I also read Anne McCaffrey for him too, not that he noticed--ever). Jude wrote in trilogies, often about sisters or cousins or the same small town. So if you pick one up and like it, there are many more to devour, from ancient Scotland to new world wild west. Look for her books written between 1985 and 1997…these were her best though she has continued to write to rave reviews from other readers.
Nora Roberts started in category romance—those are the shorter, monthly romance books. But then she branched into stand alone books. Hers can be more hit and miss so look for the trilogies with publication dates of the 1990s like BORN IN FIRE, DARING TO DREAM, and newer ones from the Chesapeake Bay series, and Three Sisters series. Her newest BRIDE QUARTET is back to her best work—if you like bridal magazines or wedding shows, then you may very well enjoy these! She also writes a futuristic crime series under the JD Robb that I also like!
The first Gabriel Garcia Marquez book I read at thirteen is called STRANGE PILGRIMS and is a collection of short stories—it still stands as one of my all time favorite books. The story LIGHT IS LIKE WATER is amazing.
For those of you who like intellectual stories that are complicated and questioning—check out Mary Doria Russell’s THE SPARROW and it’s follow up book CHILDREN OF GOD. Fantastic!
Here’s an answer to a question I get a lot from readers. Gert’s brother Mike gives her a book called GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON in my first book ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME. Yes, the GUIDE is a real book and in fact it’s the best sex, and sexuality, book I’ve ever found. It’s phenomenal. I’d like to stand on street corners and in airports handing it out—the world would be a much more secure and educated place. Written with a sense of humor that makes it fun, this is a thick book that tackles everything. So if you feel like you need information, but don’t know where to start, or want to give a teen a place to start a conversation, I cannot recommend this book enough. Updated often, no subject is off limits, and all of it passes the common sense test of treating yourself and your partner with respect. Information is always our friend so check out Paul Joannides’ GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON.
My most recent author-I-love-find goes to Julie Anne Peters. She tackles difficult, taboo, or complicated subjects in an entertaining, compelling, emotional YA format. I loved LUNA, the story of a transgender girl and her sister. DEFINE NORMAL is well done and her newest BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS I’LL BE DEAD tackles suicide and bullycide in a way that would make for fantastic class or family discussions. She has other books that I’m working my way through. I can’t say enough about her work to readers, but also teachers and librarians. Fabulous!
For those of you who love to bake, or think you might, I have to suggest Colette Peters’ books especially CAKES TO DREAM ON. I find a lot of cookbooks and recipes aren’t quite right (Martha Stewart’s never ever work for me) and that gets frustrating especially for beginners who have no way of evaluating a recipe for potential. Colette’s step by step instructions, as well as her recipes, work—taste fantastic and have I mentioned that they turn out for the home baker?
On the same note if you love the colors painted on cakes and cookies, but don’t know where to start check out Pearl Dust, Luster Dust and Highlighters. You mix them with lemon extract or vodka (both evaporate leaving the color behind—I prefer the lemon extract I think it dries faster, but it also leaves a nice lemon taste) and paint onto either royal icing or fondant. Lots of cake supply stores carry them, but you can also purchase them online. Check out www.cakesbysam.com (I’ve ordered from them) or do a search for luster dust in your area and see who might have them. They’re not expensive, a little goes a long way, and most are safe to eat (they say if they’re not!).
***
FEBRUARY CONTEST
This month’s contest relates to MERIDIAN and the sequel WILDCAT FIREFLIES that I’m working on right now. I’ve received a ton of fan mail (THANK YOU!) and some of you have questions or things you’d like to see addressed in the next book—like “I want to know more about Tens!!!” and “Are Fenestras only girls or can there be guys too?” And “Are Fenestras real or did you make that up?”
So I want to know—if you could tell me one thing you’d like to know more about—what’s the thing you hope I’ll explain or expand or detail in the next book—what would you want to see? I can’t make any guarantees about it, but I’ll certainly make sure the FAQs on the website reflect your questions.
Email me with your one question or comment by Feb. 21st and your name will automatically be added to a drawing for a signed, personalized copy of either of my books. (Have them both? Then, you can have it signed for a friend!)
Here’s your chance to voice your wishes for the sequel! Amber@AmberKizer.com
January Contest Winners:
Jennifer S.
Lucy S.
(You should receive email requesting your choice of book and mailing addy)
***
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
May 20th WICA in Langley WA
A Whidbey Talks Presentation about Creativity
Details TBA
July 2010 PNWA Summer Conference
Seattle Airport HILTON
I’ll be presenting a workshop about organizing and writing YA series
Details TBA
***
PERMISSION TO REPRINT
You have permission to reprint any or all of the content in this newsletter, please include the following paragraph with the material:
Reprinted from Amber Kizer’s newsletter—get your own at AmberKizer.com. Amber’s debut novel ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME was a NYPL 2008 Best Book For Teens. MERIDIAN starts the Fenestra Chronicles and is a dark paranormal available in hardcover now. Read more at www.MERIDIANSOZU.com. To read or listen to an excerpt, get up the minute news, and be eligible for cool exclusive promotions please visit www.OneButtCheek.com or www.AmberKizer.com to sign up to receive the newsletter.
You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for it at AmberKizer.com, MeridianSozu.com, or OneButtCheek.com, or you told me you want to subscribe. You may unsubscribe at any time.
If you like this newsletter, please pass it on to your friends, family and colleagues.
Amber Kizer
ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME
MERIDIAN (paperback Aug 2010)
7 KINDS OF ORDINARY CATASTROPHIES (Spring 2011)
WILDCAT FIREFLIES (Fall 2011)
ECHOES OF 1492 (Spring 2012)
www.AmberKizer.com
www.OneButtCheek.com
www.MeridianSozu.com
On Goodreads and Facebook “Amber Kizer”
Amber@amberkizer.com
***************
Contents:
A note from Amber
Favorites for Valentine’s Day
Contest/January Contest Winners
Upcoming Appearances
Reprint Information
***************
A NOTE FROM AMBER
Hello my favorite readers!
First, thank you to all of you who added your voice to the title change debate for Gert’s second adventure. After tallying, having the students at Langley Middle School narrow down options, and vote, I passed on the suggestions to my publisher who conducted their own focus group…all that lead us to 7 KINDS OF ORDINARY CATASTROPHIES. And for those of you who wanted the adults to know that “Butt” in the title piqued your interest, I passed that along too! Be sure to check out this month’s contest for another way to add your voice to my process!
I’m very hard at work on WILDCAT FIREFLIES, Meridian’s second adventure due out in the fall of 2011. It’s coming along nicely but there are not enough hours in the day for me!
For those of you wanting to know about the Spanish version of MERIDIAN, I just found out it’ll be out in the second half of this year—so look for it this fall. When I have an exact date I’ll share that. The next international release will be in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia in May 2010—so not too far from now. If you’re a fan from there and know a good bookstore who would appreciate bookmarks and other MERIDIAN swag please let me know.
I promised in this Valentine’s Day version that I’d share books I love, but I’m also going to share a few other favorites as well.
Next month stay tuned for my NCAA basketball picks and maybe more importantly updates about WILDCAT FIREFLIES, the soundtrack I wrote to and the candles I burned while working on this book.
Questions, comments? Email me anytime Amber@AmberKizer.com
Take it one at a time,
Amber
***
AMBER’S VALENTINE’S DAY FAVORITES
Do you know (RED)? This is a fantastic way for consumers to put their money where their hearts are. Started by Bono many companies including Apple, Dell, Converse, Gap, Starbucks, and Nike all offer (RED) options. By buying (RED) a portion of your purchase price goes to buy lifesaving AIDS medication for people in Africa. Check it out www.joinred.com
The Haiti Earthquake is very much on my mind. If you missed the national telethon, you missed some incredible music, but you can still download the amazing soundtrack on iTunes and your money will benefit organizations working there. Search for HOPE FOR HAITI NOW.
My absolute favorite organization is Heifer International and they work all over the world. If you’re looking for a meaningful Valentine for someone who would appreciate it, more than chocolate or flowers, make sure you check out www.Heifer.org
Okay, books:
I fell in love with fiction while in middle school—up until that point I read and books were all over our house, but I didn’t have to read. One Zebra Historical Romance and I was completely hooked on the genre (I still am). But there are two authors whose mad skills as story weavers are incomparable. There’s a warning though—their work from the 80s and 90s is much better than any of their new stuff—so go “old” when you’re looking for their books!
Jude Deveraux does the best historical romances and family stories of any I’ve ever read. They can be a bit magical, but not in an overt way, and I never fail to feel uplifted, warm and fuzzy and redeemed with one of her books. The first of hers I read was KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR and I picked it up because a boy I was desperately crushing on was reading it (I also read Anne McCaffrey for him too, not that he noticed--ever). Jude wrote in trilogies, often about sisters or cousins or the same small town. So if you pick one up and like it, there are many more to devour, from ancient Scotland to new world wild west. Look for her books written between 1985 and 1997…these were her best though she has continued to write to rave reviews from other readers.
Nora Roberts started in category romance—those are the shorter, monthly romance books. But then she branched into stand alone books. Hers can be more hit and miss so look for the trilogies with publication dates of the 1990s like BORN IN FIRE, DARING TO DREAM, and newer ones from the Chesapeake Bay series, and Three Sisters series. Her newest BRIDE QUARTET is back to her best work—if you like bridal magazines or wedding shows, then you may very well enjoy these! She also writes a futuristic crime series under the JD Robb that I also like!
The first Gabriel Garcia Marquez book I read at thirteen is called STRANGE PILGRIMS and is a collection of short stories—it still stands as one of my all time favorite books. The story LIGHT IS LIKE WATER is amazing.
For those of you who like intellectual stories that are complicated and questioning—check out Mary Doria Russell’s THE SPARROW and it’s follow up book CHILDREN OF GOD. Fantastic!
Here’s an answer to a question I get a lot from readers. Gert’s brother Mike gives her a book called GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON in my first book ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME. Yes, the GUIDE is a real book and in fact it’s the best sex, and sexuality, book I’ve ever found. It’s phenomenal. I’d like to stand on street corners and in airports handing it out—the world would be a much more secure and educated place. Written with a sense of humor that makes it fun, this is a thick book that tackles everything. So if you feel like you need information, but don’t know where to start, or want to give a teen a place to start a conversation, I cannot recommend this book enough. Updated often, no subject is off limits, and all of it passes the common sense test of treating yourself and your partner with respect. Information is always our friend so check out Paul Joannides’ GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON.
My most recent author-I-love-find goes to Julie Anne Peters. She tackles difficult, taboo, or complicated subjects in an entertaining, compelling, emotional YA format. I loved LUNA, the story of a transgender girl and her sister. DEFINE NORMAL is well done and her newest BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS I’LL BE DEAD tackles suicide and bullycide in a way that would make for fantastic class or family discussions. She has other books that I’m working my way through. I can’t say enough about her work to readers, but also teachers and librarians. Fabulous!
For those of you who love to bake, or think you might, I have to suggest Colette Peters’ books especially CAKES TO DREAM ON. I find a lot of cookbooks and recipes aren’t quite right (Martha Stewart’s never ever work for me) and that gets frustrating especially for beginners who have no way of evaluating a recipe for potential. Colette’s step by step instructions, as well as her recipes, work—taste fantastic and have I mentioned that they turn out for the home baker?
On the same note if you love the colors painted on cakes and cookies, but don’t know where to start check out Pearl Dust, Luster Dust and Highlighters. You mix them with lemon extract or vodka (both evaporate leaving the color behind—I prefer the lemon extract I think it dries faster, but it also leaves a nice lemon taste) and paint onto either royal icing or fondant. Lots of cake supply stores carry them, but you can also purchase them online. Check out www.cakesbysam.com (I’ve ordered from them) or do a search for luster dust in your area and see who might have them. They’re not expensive, a little goes a long way, and most are safe to eat (they say if they’re not!).
***
FEBRUARY CONTEST
This month’s contest relates to MERIDIAN and the sequel WILDCAT FIREFLIES that I’m working on right now. I’ve received a ton of fan mail (THANK YOU!) and some of you have questions or things you’d like to see addressed in the next book—like “I want to know more about Tens!!!” and “Are Fenestras only girls or can there be guys too?” And “Are Fenestras real or did you make that up?”
So I want to know—if you could tell me one thing you’d like to know more about—what’s the thing you hope I’ll explain or expand or detail in the next book—what would you want to see? I can’t make any guarantees about it, but I’ll certainly make sure the FAQs on the website reflect your questions.
Email me with your one question or comment by Feb. 21st and your name will automatically be added to a drawing for a signed, personalized copy of either of my books. (Have them both? Then, you can have it signed for a friend!)
Here’s your chance to voice your wishes for the sequel! Amber@AmberKizer.com
January Contest Winners:
Jennifer S.
Lucy S.
(You should receive email requesting your choice of book and mailing addy)
***
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
May 20th WICA in Langley WA
A Whidbey Talks Presentation about Creativity
Details TBA
July 2010 PNWA Summer Conference
Seattle Airport HILTON
I’ll be presenting a workshop about organizing and writing YA series
Details TBA
***
PERMISSION TO REPRINT
You have permission to reprint any or all of the content in this newsletter, please include the following paragraph with the material:
Reprinted from Amber Kizer’s newsletter—get your own at AmberKizer.com. Amber’s debut novel ONE BUTT CHEEK AT A TIME was a NYPL 2008 Best Book For Teens. MERIDIAN starts the Fenestra Chronicles and is a dark paranormal available in hardcover now. Read more at www.MERIDIANSOZU.com. To read or listen to an excerpt, get up the minute news, and be eligible for cool exclusive promotions please visit www.OneButtCheek.com or www.AmberKizer.com to sign up to receive the newsletter.
You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for it at AmberKizer.com, MeridianSozu.com, or OneButtCheek.com, or you told me you want to subscribe. You may unsubscribe at any time.
If you like this newsletter, please pass it on to your friends, family and colleagues.
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