Congratulations to Annette Curtis Klause on the forthcoming release of a new edition (with a new cover) of The Silver Kiss. Includes two bonus short stories about Simon and Zoë, one of which ("The Christmas Cat") has never before been published. Read a Cynsations interview with Annette.The Infernal Devices: check out the gorgeous new site celebrating the latest from Cassandra Clare. Read a Cynsations interview with Cassandra.
Summer Blog Blast Tour: Rachel Caine from Trisha at The Ya Yas. Peek: "The romantic tension between Shane and Claire is, for me, the sweetest part of the series. I think at a certain point, as a writer, you have to let go and let your characters drive, and they seem to do that pretty well when it comes to having feelings for each other." Read a Cynsations interview with Rachel.
Marvelous Marketer: Alan Gratz from Shelli at Market My Words: Rantings and ravings on how authors can better market their books to kids. Peek: "I wish I would have planned for selling more books from the outset, and designed an initial site that could be easily augmented as new books were added. I have that now, but it could have saved myself a lot of nights at the computer if I had made the original site focus on me, not a single book." Read a Cynsations interview with Alan.
Interview with Jeannine Garsee by Debbi Michiko Florence. Peek: "Only when I start on the first revision do I really get into the souls of the characters." To win a copy of Jeanine's Say the Word (Bloomsbury, 2009), leave a comment here by midnight PST June 7. Read a Cynsations interview with Debbi.
Authors Who Skype with Book Clubs from Kate Messner, Children's Book Author at Kate's Book Blog. Peek: "I am starting a list of authors who offer free 20-minute Skype chats with book clubs." Note: opportunity for traditionally-published authors and book club coordinators. See initial list.
Marianna: Further Thoughts on Dialogue -- Distinct Voices for Similar Characters from Crowe's Nest. Peek: "In looking at YA novels that center on groups of friends, I found that some (definitely not all) writers successfully develop recognizable voices for their characters while still believably portraying close-knit groups with much in common. To do this, the writers key into the defining aspects of the characters’ personalities and create voices that reflect those traits."
The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies by David Lubar (Starscape 2009)(ages 8-up): a recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith at GregLSBlog. Peek: "In his fourth Weenies collection, Lubar delivers another set of often funny, sometimes gross, and occasionally creepy 'Twilight Zone'-ish short stories."How Ursula K Le Guin led a generation away from realism: The most vital writers of my generation have been weaned from a puritanical distrust of imagination by her influence by Scott Timberg from The Guardian. Source: Miss Rumphius Effect.
YA Paranormal Panel @ RomanceDivas: Christopher Golden, Cassandra Clare, Rachel Caine, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Lucienne Diver, Jeff Mariotte, and Alyson Noel are all talking about writing YA Paranormal fiction at the Romance Divas forum. Ends May 30. Source: Little Willow at Slayground. Read Cynsations interviews with Christopher and Rosemary. See links to interviews with Cassandra and Rachel above.
How Tight is Your Bow? from Kristi Holl at Writers First Aid. Peek: "If we slow down–if we try to live a more balanced life–can we get it all done? Is it really possible?"
Writing from Life Without Boring Yourself by Mary Ann Rodman from Teaching Authors: Six Children's Authors Who Also Teach Writing. Peek: "...unless it makes sense within the context of the story, nobody cares if it 'really happened that way.' This is fiction. Fiction is shaped reality."
Shrinking Violet Promotions has been celebrating independent bookstores!
President Obama and First Lady named Honorary Chairs of the 2009 National Book Festival from Lori Calabrese. Peek: "President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will serve as Honorary Chairs of the 2009 National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress. Now in its ninth year, this popular event celebrating the joys of reading and lifelong literacy will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th Streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). The event is free and open to the public."
Congratulations, Victoria Laurie
Congratulations to Austin author Victoria Laurie, author of Oracles of Delphi Keep (Random House, 2009)! Victoria is shown above (in the multicolored top) with Mandy Books, Kids and Young Adult Events Coordinator from BookPeople. This photo was taken on Tusday night in the small red house at Jeffrey's in conjunction with a Random House dinner party, celebrating the release.
From the promotional copy:"Ian Wigby is about to find out that he is a very special boy.
"Along the southern coast of England, atop the White Cliffs of Dover, stands a castle. And at that castle’s old keep is an orphanage. Delphi Keep has seen many youngsters come and go through its gates, and Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, are happy to call it home. Life has always been simple at the Keep, and the orphanage safe, until one day, Ian and Theo find a silver treasure box. And within the box, a prophesy. Three thousand years ago a great Greek oracle wrote of a quest. A quest on which the fate of the world depends. A quest that names two children—Ian and Theodosia. Suddenly Delphi Keep is no longer safe. And Ian and Theo, along with a very special group of friends, realize they must unravel the meaning behind the scroll of Dover cavern before darkness falls on the world. And before an unfathomable evil catches up with them."
More Personally
Hooray! I've heard from Listening Library/Random House that Jesse Bernstein and Allyson Ryan will be playing the voices of Zachary and Miranda for the Eternal audio book, which will be available July 14. Jesse's credits include the Percy Jackson series audio books. Allyson's include The Garden of Eve by K.L. Going and the Suddenly Supernatural series by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel audios. Click links to hear their voices! I'll keep you posted as more details arise! Note: news of the cover artist for Tantalize: Kieren's Story (Candlewick, TBA) is coming soon.
Author-illustrator Annette Simon sends this shot of Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) and Eternal (Candlewick, 2009) from Target in Columbus, Ohio.
On the Reading Table: Eternal from Lindsey Lane at This and That. Peek: "Fascinating. Leitich Smith is in full command of the world she has created in this book."Beyond that, my Memorial Day weekend was quiet and productive--with a razor focus on my upcoming deadline. Greg made sushi on Monday afternoon.
Thank you to Michelle Stewart and her students at Mt. San Jacinto College for their hospitality during my conference call visit on Wednesday!
Thank you to Chris Eldin for the book roasts!
Howdy to Jennifer Ziegler's mom! Thanks for reading Cynsations, and good luck with your manuscript! I'm rooting for you! Read a Cynsations interview with Jennifer.
Congratulations, Austin readers! The Austin Public Library will join the community 9 a.m. May 30 to celebrate the grand opening of the newly constructed North Village Branch located at 2505 Steck Avenue near the corner of Burnet Road and Steck Avenue. This newly constructed 11,000 square foot library is replacing the 5,000 square foot storefront lease spaced facility located in the North Star Home Shopping Center at 2139 W. Anderson Lane where it has been located since 1971. Source: Austin Public Library. See more information.
Attention: Aleksie in Indiana: your signed bookplate and bookmark have been returned by the postal service as undeliverable. Please contact me to confirm a new address. Thanks!
