Category: Current Events

Rock the Drop, 2013

21 Comments

Yesterday I dropped four fantastic young adult novels in random public places around my town in the hope that four lucky readers would find and enjoy them as much as I have.

April 18th was Rock the Drop, a celebration of Teen Lit Day sponsored by ReaderGirlz, in collaboration with Figment, I Heart Daily, Soho Teen, and 826NYC. This was my second year participating; I’ve had such a blast with this event, and I love that it supports an amazing cause.

Last year I selected books for the drop rather haphazardly. This year I put a little more thought behind my choices. I went with a dystopian theme, and I dropped first books in trilogies with the idea that perhaps the person who happened upon each book would love it enough to either purchase the subsequent books in the series, or check them out from the library. Smart, right? 🙂

My first drop was on Cannery Row, a very touristy area of my very touristy town. The John Steinbeck bust was begging to have Divergent propped up against it.

   

I dropped Ship Breaker at the middle/high school bus stop in my neighborhood, and The Pledge at Pinkberry (YUM) just after school let out.

After all that book dropping (not to mention teaching a painting lesson to my daughter’s kindergarten class), I was very thirsty. A Starbucks iced tea did the trick, and I left Wither, my final book, behind for a lucky reader.

Tell me… Did you Rock the Drop yesterday? Which books did you leave around your town?

#RockTheDrop

12 Comments


I had so much fun Rocking the Drop last year, I’ll most definitely be participating again this year. In fact, I’ve already printed my book plates and selected the novels I plan to drop (I’ll share more about my choices in the few days). This week my mom is visiting from Phoenix and I plan to enlist her help in my covert book dropping plans. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled!

Here are the details about this year’s Rock the Drop from the ReaderGirlz site:

Rock the Drop 2013

ReaderGirlz are happy to announce Operation Teen Book Drop 2013! On April 18th, ReaderGirlz will be teaming with Figment, I Heart Daily, Soho Teen, and 826NYC to celebrate YA lit in honor of Support Teen Lit Day on Thursday, April 18th. We can’t wait! 

This year, in addition to rocking out and dropping our favorite YA titles in public spaces for lucky readers to discover, we’re directing supporters of teen fiction everywhere to consider a book donation to 826NYC to help grow their library.

Here’s how you can get involved:

* Follow @readergirlz on Twitter and tweet #rockthedrop
* Print a copy of the bookplate and insert it into a book (or 10!) On April 18th, drop a book in a public spot (park bench, bus seat, restaurant counter?) Lucky finders will see that the book is part of ROCK THE DROP! 
* Post the banner at your blog and social networks. Proclaim that you will ROCK THE DROP! 
* Snap a photo of your drop and post it at the ReaderGirlz Facebook page. Then tweet the drop at #rockthedrop with all the other lovers of YA books.

Tell me… Will you Rock the Drop in 2013?

Five on Friday

18 Comments

1. Have you heard about the Jan Plan? It’s my friend Christa Desir‘s idea, and it’s very simple: Finish a project in January. Any project. At your pace, in your time, for your own benefit. Originally, I’d planned to finish the first draft of my NaNo WiP, but I just got at editorial letter from Super Agent Victoria (yay!) and I’ve decided that the project I’ll complete this month will be a revision of Cross My Heart. Nothing too crazy needs to be changed, but Victoria has given me some awesome ideas for upping the tension and tightening the pacing in the first half of the story. I’m all in. I hope to have Cross My Heart submission-ready before February. And when I do, I’ll tackle my NaNo Wip.

2. I’ve read some amazing books lately. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor, which I mentioned during the YA Superlatives Blogfest but never officially reviewed (it’s disturbing and gorgeous and heartbreaking – read it!), and Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, which is captivating and romantic and gritty, not to mention beautifully written (thanks for the recommendation, Tracey!). Currently, I’m reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. While dragons aren’t usually my thing, so far I’m enamored by this book’s unique concept and incredible world building.

3. Speaking of books, I’ve got some highly anticipated novels in my very near future. I’ve preordered Shades of Earth by Beth Revis, Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi, and Just One Day by Gayle Forman (one of my literary heroes!). Plus, I’ve recently been told that The Age of Miracles and The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread (a pastry cookbook!) are must reads. Thanks for the recommendations Erin and Jess!

4. I signed up for the Debut Author Challenge! I haven’t signed up in previous years, but I always do my best to support new authors. Often debut releases end up being some of my favorites. 2013 is a huge year for debuts, seeing as how some of my friends have their first books coming out: Erin Bowman, Christa Desir, Ann Rought, Amie Kaufman, and Cristin Terrill, to name a few.

5. My husband, girlie, and I went to Phoenix to visit my parents for the New Year. I love the desert…


My girlie fed ostrich, and I let a bird land on my head. Yes.

Sunrise loveliness.

Happy New Year from us. 🙂

Oh, and this happened. Don’t forget to be awesome!

Tell me: What’s new with you? Are you participating in the Jan Plan? What are you reading these days?

The Class of 2012: YA Superlatives Blogfest

9 Comments

The Class of 2012: YA Superlatives Blogfest is only

ONE WEEK AWAY!

In case you’ve forgotten, The Class of 2012: YA Superlative Blogfest will run Monday, December 17th – Thursday, December 20th and will highlight our favorite books of 2012. This blogfest (hosted by Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and me) is all about promoting extraordinary young adult novels, so don’t worry if your 2012 reading list is on the short side. And don’t worry if you don’t have a book/character/cover/element for each of the categories. We just want you to jump in and participate any way you can!

That said, there is an incentive to participating each and every day of the blogfest: Those who do (and who link to their posts via the daily linky lists so we can verify) will be entered to win a 2012 YA novel of their choice! Four winners will be randomly selected and announced December 21st on the hosts’ blogs. There will be a $20 limit, and the giveaway is open to anyone who lives where The Book Depository ships. (Just to be extra clear: It’s okay to skip a category here and there if you don’t have a book to fill it, but you must participate during all four days of the blogfest to be eligible for the giveaway.)

To refresh your memory, here are this year’s categories:

Monday, December 17th: Head of the Class
Favorite Dystopian
Favorite Science Fiction
Favorite Fantasy
Favorite Contemporary
Favorite Action/Adventure
Favorite Historical Fiction
Favorite Comedy
Favorite Mystery
Favorite Romance
Favorite Paranormal
Favorite Family Drama
Favorite Genre Bender

Tuesday, December 18th: Popularity Contest
Choose characters who fit each topic from ANY YA book!
Class Clown
Most Likely to Become a Rock Star
Mostly Likely to Start a Riot
Biggest Flirt
Fashion King and/or Queen
Girl You’d Most Want For Your BFF
Boy You Wish You’d Dated in High School
Most Likely to Become President
Quirkiest Character
Villain You Love to Hate
Favorite Parental Figure
Coolest Nerd

Wednesday, December 19th: Elements of Fiction
Most Envy-Inducing Plot (Or, the plot you wish you’d thought of yourself.)
Most Formidable World (Or, the setting you definitely would NOT want to visit.)
Wanderlust-Inducing (Or, the setting you’d happily to.)
Loveliest Prose
Best First Line
Most Dynamic Main Character
Most Jaw-Dropping Ending
Best Performance in a Supporting Role
Best Use of Theme

Thursday, December 20: Best in Show
Favorite Cover
Cutest Couple
Most Likely to Succeed (Or, pick a Printz Winner.)
Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime (Book you just couldn’t put down!)
Best Repeat Performance (Your favorite sequel or follow-up.)
Favorite Finale or End of Series Novel
Romance Most Worthy of an Ice
Breakout Novel (Your favorite book by a debut author.)
Best Old-Timer (Your favorite read of the year, published BEFORE 2012.)
Book Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry
Most Pleasant Surprise (Best book you didn’t think you’d like, but totally did.)
Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle
Sleeper Hit (Book you found so awesome you wish it had been hyped more.)
Favorite Outlier (Your favorite middle grade or adult 2012 book)
Your turn! Pick your own superlative category and post it at the end this day’s list. Blog hoppers will be able to drop by and vote for their pick in the comments of your blog!

So, finish up those 2012 reads and start drafting your posts now! And please feel free to grab our banner and/or button (both designed by Tracey Neithercott) to post on your own blog to help us spread the word.

Questions? Ask away in the comments. 🙂

NaNo Update #7

26 Comments

Progress (word count or a general status update): 44,038

Current Mood: So, so hopeful! I think I might actually “win” this NaNo thing… Who would’ve thought?! The end is in sight, and therefor I am motivated. Even if I end up having to write out of order, I WILL finish this thing. And by the way…. Congrats to those of you who have already won! I am absolutely in awe, and your success have given me an extra boost of inspiration!

Inspiration: 

The hope of a writer is to create this kind of magic...

Goals as of Today: I hit my 40K by Friday goal from last week, so that’s exciting. As of today, my goal is to keep pace so I’ll see 50K on or before this Friday… YAY!

Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit: 

       There was nothing more than his hands gripping her waist and his mouth open against hers, the balmy autumn air heavy and damp against her skin. The kiss wasn’t unpleasant, exactly, but there was no emotion accompanying it, nothing that made Bree want to deepen it, or even prolong it.

       Still, she was patient. She let Henry draw back first. And when he did, he was grinning, obviously proud, like he’d just cleared an enormous hurdle while wearing weighted shoes. 

Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): Our Thanksgiving was awesome. We had potluck celebration with our local military friends and fun was had by all. Also, I made a Pecan Pie Cake, and ate WAY too much.

In other news, my husband, daughter, and I saw Rise of the Guardians this weekend and we LOVED it. The story is perfection, and the movie is visually stunning. I’m not a big 3D fan, but definitely see Rise of the Guardians in 3D. You won’t regret the inflated ticket price. 🙂

In my downtime I’m reading: Mini book review… I finished Saving June by Hannah Harrington over the weekend. Guys… I adored this book — it’s a new favorite! It’s a mash-up of Jandy Nelson’s lovely prose and Courtney Summers’ s bold storytelling, all wrapped up in an epic road trip. And the boy… Jake. He totally made me swoon. And if all that isn’t enough, the songs that are a part of the various mixed CDs mentioned throughout the story are compiled into playlists at the end. I want to download them all and relive the book while I listen!

Saving June

In an attempt to cure my Awesome Book Hangover, yesterday I started Reached by Ally Condie. I’m a fan of the first two books of the Matched trilogy, and I’m excited to see how the series wraps up.

You should read this blog post: Increasing Your Book’s Momentum By: Editor Laura Carlson Because: It’s full of awesome tips for getting your story up and running, and for infusing it with plenty of excitement and an unputdownable pace.

You should also read this blog post: The Fine Art of Story Resonance By: Author Susan Dennard  Because: Story resonance is so important, and Susan shares lots of hints for weaving subplots together to create a deep, complex, echoing plot (think Jellicoe Road and If You Reach Me).

Gratuitous Photos (Because I love ‘em!):

  
Autumn treasures, my favorite little face, and a lovely California sunset.

If you’re NaNoing, are you on track to win? And if you’re not NaNoing, what’s new in your writing world? 

NaNo Update #6

31 Comments

Progress (word count or a general status update): 32, 506

Current Mood: Improving… Last week sucked, frankly, but I’ve come to terms with it and I’m moving on with what needs to be done. I know that’s elusive, and for that I apologize. I can report that I’m making awesome progress on my NaNo project, and it’s more a joy to work on than a chore… A good thing!

Inspiration: It’s hard to wait around for something you know might never happen, but it’s even harder to give up when you know it’s everything you want. ~ Unknown

Goals as of Today: Hit 40K by Friday. That’s lofty, especially since my girlie is out of school this week, but seeing that benchmark will make me feel very confident about finishing the month with 50K.

Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit:

As Bree neared town, the running path became busier. Cyclists with aerodynamic helmets and bikes worth thousands streaked by shouting, “On your left!” Women in the dredges of middle age, power-walked in expensive sweat suits, carrying lattes and chattering. Runners, like Bree, who were out to perform, raise their heart rates and sculpt their calves and drop their times. When she could spare the concentration, she smiled at a few. But she felt a kinship with them all. They were like her, intense and dedicated. Competitors.

Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): I ran the Big Sur Half Marathon yesterday! Guys. It was *really* hard. It wouldn’t have been bad three weeks ago before I aggravated my sciatic nerve, but yesterday… Wow. I’m still limping. The good (great!) news is that I finished, and I got to have beer at the end of the race.

A shot of the course (also my regular running route — I am very lucky!). Can you see the little runners in the distance?

Finished! Tired but excited, and with beer! (Why does my neck appear freakishly long in this picture? I look like a turtle…)

I love the medals!

In my downtime I’m reading: Saving June by Hannah Harrington. I just started, but so far this one reminds me a bit of The Sky is Everywhere. Which is to say: A dead sister is involved, the writing is gorgeous, and I already love it.

You should also read this blog post: What’s Next in Publishing: Agent Laurie McLean Looks in Her Crystal Ball By: Agent Laurie McLean (guest-posting on author Anne R. Allen‘s blog) Because: It’s a succinct view of publishing then, now, and in the future from an industry insider.

Gratuitous Photo (Because I love ‘em!):

I can’t pinpoint why, exactly, but I love this photograph. I think it’s the combination of obvious daddy/daughter fun, my girlie’s joyful smile, and the flags billowing so perfectly in the background. (Not to toot my own horn or anything. :))

Tell me: How was your weekend? What are you reading these days?

Dear Teen Me…

8 Comments

We all have things we’d like to tell our teen selves (my list is miles long… Don’t worry about what other people think, Teen Katy!). Because of this, a group of young adult authors have compiled letters to their teen selves in a book called Dear Teen Me, published by Zest Books.

Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves

From Goodreads: DEAR TEEN ME includes advice from over 70 YA authors (Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss? Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he’d had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you’ll find friends—and a lot of familiar faces—in the course of Dear Teen Me.

To celebrate the launch of Dear Teen Me, lots of people have started writing letters to their teen selves. Some have also coming up with Dear Teen Me videos. I was lucky enough to be invited to take part in one that my talented friend Erin L. Schneider put together. It’s full of familiar faces and seriously awesome six-word advice, and it’s so, so well done! Please do take a few minutes to check it out: DEAR TEEN ME

What six words of advice would you give to your teen self?

NaNo Update #5

27 Comments

Progress (word count or a general status update): 27,556

Current Mood: Not great. Some things have happened this week that have significantly dampened my writing spirit, and my word count goals have suffered. I’m still on track to write 50K by the end of the month, but I’ve suddenly got a lot of new issues and commitments I wasn’t counting on. I’m worried about having the time and the appropriate frame of mind to officially “win” NaNo. I’ve come so far, though, and because of that, I’m not ready to give up. I love my characters and their story. I do not want to abandon them.

Inspiration: “I’m so overwhelmed… I’m not sure if I’ve found a rope or lost my horse.” ~ Unknown (Not exactly writing-related, but very much how I’ve been feeling lately.)

Goals as of Today: Finish November with 50,000 words. That is all.

Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit: Henry was a good boyfriend, sweet and considerate, quick with compliments and generous with gifts. He had never become outwardly angry with Bree, even though she was sometimes purposely difficult. He told her that he loved her, and not just when he wanted something. He said it often and with feeling; Bree suspected he meant it, which terrified her to her core. 

Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): In the interest of sparing you a big ol’ heap of negativity, I’m going to skip this one. Let’s just say that November is not turning out at all the way I’d hoped.

In my downtime I’m reading: I’m nearly finished with Starters by Lissa Price. While this one certainly requires some suspension of belief, it’s one of the stronger dystopians I’ve read this year. I’m a fan of main character Callie, and the action-packed climax has me wanting to just finish already!

You should read this blog post:  What the Rest of the World Doesn’t Get About YA By: Author Natalie Whipple Because: It’s a personal, uplifting story about why writing YA is so, so important.

You should also read this blog post: Shady Business By: Agent Sarah LaPolla Because: It’s chock full of awesome advice regarding researching backgrounds and track records to ensure that the agents, agencies, and small publishers writers are querying and/or submitting to are legitimate.

Gratuitous Photograph (because I love ‘em!):

Lovely California dawn…

Tell Me: What do you have going on this weekend? 

NaNo Update #4

28 Comments

Progress (word count or a general status update): 22,611

Current Mood: Eh. I didn’t write AT ALL on Sunday, and I payed for it yesterday. It was hard to get back into the mood, though I did manage to knock out 2,371 words. I’m approaching the dreaded “sagging middle” (am I the only writer who hates that term?) and I’m stressing about keeping the story’s momentum going. That said, I still like my story, and I still enjoy being immersed in its world. I referred to my daughter as Bree the other day, which is my MC’s name. So that’s fun.

Inspiration: Simple…

Goals as of Today: My girlie’s school has a week of half-days thanks to parent/teacher conferences, so my goal is to keep my head above water. That means, log at least 1,600 words a day. In my perfect world, I’ll hit 2K every day through Friday.

Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit:

Their two conversations, brief and random as they’d been, had somehow become the highlight of Bree’s week. Good weird, he’d written in his note. She couldn’t help but agree. 

After a relatively quiet breakfast with her parents, she got dressed for school. The little slip of paper on which Duncan had scribbled his note found its way into the small inner pocket of her bag. It gave the bag added weight, a pleasant solidity that kept Bree tethered to the ground as the day wore on. 

Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): Raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing about my runner’s injury… Wait — You too?! My sciatic nerve is still giving me grief. I ran a slow five miles on Saturday and suffered the consequences all day Sunday. The good news is that I now know that I’m capable of pushing through the pain. So, watch out Big Sur!

In other news, I got my match for Sip Swap 2012 hosted by  Kelsey and Jessica. Now I’m even more excited about the swap because my my match is someone I know through her blog and mine. If you’re reading this right now, you *might* be my match. Can’t wait to go mug shopping!

In my downtime (ha!) I’m reading: Starters by Lissa Price. I’m about 130 pages in and honestly, I thought I was going to be annoyed by this book. But I’m not — not even a little bit! The main character is turning out to be all kinds of likable.  Starters is a page turner, and it’s kept me guessing which, considering the dystopian-saturated YA world in which we live, is pretty impressive.

You should read this blog post: Your Style, Your Voice, and Why, Yes, You Are a Special Snowflake By: Writer Amanda Hannah (via YA Highway) Because: The post defines the sometimes confusing term “voice,” which we hear so often in the writing world, and tells us how our own voice is like a fingerprint we leave on our readers.

You should also read this blog post: 12 Movies That Inspired My Love of YA (And Influenced the Way I Write It) By: Moi! (Over at YA Confidential) Because: Teen movies are the best, and I’d love to hear about your favorites.

Gratuitous Photograph (because I love ‘em!):

I hosted a baby shower for a lovely friend on Sunday, and this little guy helped set the mood. Directions for making one of your own are HERE.

Hangin’ out with my favorite girl.

Tell Me: What are you reading? How’s your writing coming along? How’s your week shaping up?

NaNo Update #3

23 Comments

Progress (word count or a general status update): 17,009

Current Mood: Inspired, yet daunted. I keep coming up with awesome ways to challenge my main character, and I’ve had all kinds of ideas for cool little subplots. These are good things! BUT. I’m starting to worry that I might have too many good things going on. Is that even possible at 17,009 words? I’m not sure… Too many ideas are better than NO ideas, right?

Inspiration: Good writing is supposed to evoke SENSATION in the reader. Not the FACT that it is raining, but the FEELING of being rained upon. ~ E.L. Doctorow

Goals as of Today: Lots going on this weekend, so today I’d like to write at least 2,000 words. I’d like to follow-up with at least 1,000 words on both Saturday and Sunday.

Recent Favorite NaNo WiP Bit:

Duncan was smiling. It was a private sort of smile, the kind Bree shared with Payton when an inside joke come up in a room full of people.

“And your boyfriend,” Duncan said. “He’s real, right? Not some convenient product of your imagination? One you use to deflect strange guys who ask for your number?”

“He’s definitely real,” Bree confirmed, though for the first time in the three years since she’d signed on as Henry’s girlfriend, she kind of wished he wasn’t.

Non-NaNo News (because life DOES go on): My pulled muscle turned out to be sciatica, which is definitely NOT AWESOME. Seriously, guys. Stepping off a curb wrong brings tears to my eyes. I might be crawling the Big Sur Half Marathon…

In lighter news, the other day while my girlie was watching me put my husband’s laundry away (yes, I put my husband’s laundry away… Best Wife Ever), she said, “Mommy, I never want to get married.” When I asked her why not she said, “It just looks like A LOT of work.”

Pretty much, kiddo. It’s so worth all the work, though!

In my downtime (ha!) I’m reading: I finished Bittersweet, and it was very charming. Last night I opened Starters by Lissa Price, but I was so freaking tired I only made it through a few pages. No complaints yet, though. 🙂

You should read this blog post: The YA Boy Problem (Again) By: Author Kristin Halbrook (via YA Highway)Because: She eloquently addresses the many ways YA breaks identity barriers and questions social mores while telling beautiful, quality stories (and she tells “YA tourists” why they’re doing themselves a disservice). Plus, she includes a whole list of male-protagonist YAs.

You should also read this blog post: Losing Perspective on Your Writing: Does This Sing or Suck? By: Author Roni LorenBecause: She reminds us that we’re probably never as good OR as bad as we think. It’s the perfect post to balance the emotional ups and downs of NaNoWriMo.

Gratuitous Photograph (because I love ‘em!):

We just really love living in California.

Saturday we’ve got my daughter’s last soccer game and Sunday brings a few social engagements I’m very much looking forward to. Oh, and I’ll be fitting some writing into the next few days, too. 🙂

What do you have going on this weekend?