Enter to win the celebratory giveaway:* 8 1/2 inch plush Amby--short for Ambrosia--food of the gods! It's Artemis's pet dog. (Yomiko)
* Sally nail polishes
* Bangle bracelets (mudd)
* Goddess Girls bookmark
* Autographed copy of Artemis the Brave
See more information.
More News & Giveaways
How To Guest Blog by Lia Keyes from The Scribbler. Peek: "You need to be sure your post fits their style and stance. So read as many posts as possible, as much to be sure it’s something you’d like to be associated with as to figure out how to write a post that will integrate seamlessly with their existing content."
Cynsational Tip: if you're a featured in an interview or guest post on someone else's blog, it's gracious to link to it with your thanks. Don't copy and publish it (simultaneously or otherwise) without first touching base with the host blogger. If you'd like to retain the copyright, most folks will say "sure!" But first make sure you have a meeting of the minds.
Twitter Tags of Interest for Children's Literature (from Picture Book to YA) by Greg Pincus from GottaBook. Peek: "Here is an attempt to create a list of the various tags used on Twitter that relate to the field of children's literature. This will be a 'living' document, changing as Twitter changes and as new tags pop up."
Interview with Barry Deutsch, author of Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (Yet Another Troll-Fighting, 11-Year-Old, Orthodox Jewish Girl) by Leah Cypress from The Enchanted Inkpot. Peek: "I...wanted to counter the stereotype that being religious means being dour and grim. I hope people reading Hereville will get the impression that for the characters, Shabbos is, yes, a religious occasion with real spiritual meaning, but also an occasion that's full of joy." See also Seasons in Fantasy.When Writers Don't Read by Parker Peevyhouse from The Spectacle. Peek: "Reading a chapter of someone else’s book is like taking a shot of espresso–it keeps me going. It puts me in the right frame of mind, like the author is sitting there with me waiting for me to jump in with my own story."
Promoting Your Books by Michelle Bayuk of Albert Whitman from Tabitha at Writer Musings.. Peek: "...authors are not expected to sell books. You can go into a bookstore and alert the store manager about the book they have coming out, possibly leave a postcard or something similar behind, but you are not the one who convinces the store to buy X number of copies."
Online Persona Week Ten: Friends and Followers by R.L. LaFevers from Shrinking Violet Promotions. Features tips and suggestions from Lisa Schroeder, Sherrie Peterson, and Becky Levine. Peek from Lisa: "The best blogs are inspirational, educational or funny, or a combination of the three."
New Agent Alert: Joan Slattery of Pippin Properties by Chuck Sambuchino from Guide to Literary Agents. Peek: "Joan Slattery joined Pippin Properties in November of 2010 as an agent and contracts manager. After nearly twenty years in children's book publishing, most recently as Senior Executive Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers."
2010 Winter Blog Blast Tour Schedule by Colleen Mondor at Chasing Ray. Note: lots of great insights here; I especially enjoyed L.K. Madigan at Writing and Ruminating. Peek: "If I'm really honest with myself, I think I did know when I first wrote the book that I wasn't finished with Lena's world. At the same time, if this book ends up as a stand-alone--after all, I can't force my editor to publish a sequel--I'm proud of the story. It's whole and complete, in its own 'bittersweet' way."Child's Letter Writing Campaign Brings Local Bookstore: Books-A-Million to open at mall by Mark Millican from The Daily Citizen in Dalton, Georgia. Peek: "Claude Anderson of Books-A-Million was at Westwood Elementary School on Friday morning to announce a store opening in Walnut Square Mall — perhaps even before Christmas — as a direct result of Charlie’s letter-writing campaign that eventually included 500 students from several schools."
Scholastic Experts Issue List of Ten Trends in Children's Books from 2010 from PR Newswire. Peek: "Given the effects of the recession on families, it is nice to see a rise in the humor category...."
Writer's Links: Agents compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith from Children's-YA Literature Resources. Note: round-up of the best of the Web on acquiring, working with, hiring and firing an agent.
Spooky Screening Room
Check out this book trailer for Across the Universe by Beth Revis (Razorbill, Jan. 11, 2011). It's incredibly effective. Read the first chapter (PDF).
More Personally
The Horn Book magazine says of Blessed (Candlewick, Jan. 25, 2011), "Even in undeath, Quincie has a zest for life that shines through as she balances supernatural duties with schoolwork and running her family restaurant, the vampire-themed Sanguini's. Romance blossoms, too, as she and her beloved werewolf, Kieren, prove their devotion to each other under deadly duress. A hearty meal for the thinking vampire reader."Austin YA librarian Jen Bigheart sent in this shot of the Blessed ARC, taken at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek in Austin. Jen was there seeing "Due Date" (and apparently, reading, too!).
This week's highlights included welcoming Anne Bustard, Bethany Hegedus, and Amy Rose Capetta (pictured) for a writing day in the dining room. Amy brought homemade chocolate muffins, cranberry scones and whipped cream. Anne brought mixed nuts and dried fruits.
We also did a little seasonal decorating. The themes of my tree are music and literature.
Reminder: I welcome (and respond to) comments at Cynsations at LiveJournal. You can also find me at facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.Spooky Events
Save the Date! Joint Launch Party: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick) and Night School by Mari Mancusi (Berkley) book party and signing at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at BookPeople in Austin. Read a guest post by Mari on Kids Don't Read Like They Used To...And That's a Good Thing (on connecting books to technology).
