All the Little Things

If you wondered what genius of organization put together this blog tour, it was the amazing sarah_ockler, and she is here today!

Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six—an adaptation of Steven Spielberg's E.T. Still recovering from her own adolescence, Sarah now writes for young adults. After several years of wandering between New York City and Denver, she and her husband Alex now live in Upstate New York with lots of books and an ever-expanding collection of sea glass. Twenty Boy Summer is Sarah's first novel. Visit her online at www.sarahockler.com.

While on vacation in California, sixteen-year-old best girlfriends Anna and Frankie conspire to find a boy for Anna’s first summer romance, but Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is a debut YA novel that explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.


Now check this out:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Hey Sarah! So... you, like, know that you're a writer, right? Did you get that memo? Because for some logic-defying reason you keep stopping and stalling and trying to pretend that you're not a writer. Um, why? Quit worrying about what other people think and just keep writing! Every time you deny your true calling in life, a bell rings and an angel kills a kitten... or something. Do you really want that on your head? No. So keep writing. You can't outrun it! Write write write! k thx bi!

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

A photographer. I love creating things and capturing moments, either on the page or on film. If I wasn't writing fiction, I'd probably try to do something with both writing and photography - travel writing or National Geographic-style journalism, maybe. But right now I'm just so honored and happy and grateful that I get to write full time!

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

A couple of girlfriends at my former office took me out for martinis after work, just after the deal became official. When I got home, my husband had flowers for me, and we went to our favorite Argentine restaurant in Denver and stuffed ourselves silly. Then we spent the next few days - I mean weeks - okay, months - going "OMG did that really happen?"

Honestly, it's been almost 2 years since the sale of TWENTY BOY SUMMER and I still celebrate it a little every day. :-)


Mmmm ... martinis and Argentinian food. Nom nom nom slurp.

Fabulous answers, Sarah! Thanks for popping in.

More about Sarah Ockler here.

Find an indie bookstore carrying Twenty Boy Summer here.

Or order it here.

 

A round of applause for cyn2write !

Cyn Balog is a normal, everyday Jersey Girl who always believed magical things can happen to us when we least expect them. She's also the Race & Event Manager for several national fitness magazines. She lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and young daughter. Both are 100% human, or so she thinks. FAIRY TALE is her first novel.

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they're totally hot for each other. But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away. When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the source of Cam's distance isn't another girl- it's another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their "perfect" love can weather an uncertain future.


Cyn's answers of awesomeness:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Probably, "don't let anyone tell you it can't be done." I was told I was too young, and then I was told it wasn't possible to make a living as a writer. Those things detered me for a very long time, and guess what? It is possible.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I would love to own my own bookstore, but it's a good thing I'm a writer instead because I am so disorganized the business would probably fail in a month.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

We got McDonald's. We are very classy. I did spend part of my advance check on two extravagant purchases, though-- a computer, and a ENORMOUS swingset for my daughter. Oh, who am I kidding, I use the swingset, too. It has this really nice clubhouse and sometimes I just sit in there and hide/chill out.


Computer, swingset, Mickey D's ... who could ask for more?

Thanks for dropping by, Cyn!


Find out more about Cyn Balog here.

Order Fairy Tale here.

Let's hear it for daniellejoseph!

Danielle Joseph was a college DJ for five years on the Gyroscope, a world music show. She also interned at several top Boston radio stations while earning her BFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College. She has taught Creative Writing and English to Middle school students.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Danielle now lives in Miami, Florida with her husband and two young sons. These days you can find her cruising around with the tunes blaring and her internal DJ hard at work.

For high school senior Teresa Adams, every day is an ordeal. She’s so painfully shy that she lives in dread of having to speak to anyone in the hallways or answer questions in class. But after school, in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks—doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up, Tere surprises herself by working up the nerve to ask her stepfather to give her a chance—and finds herself The SLAM’s newest intern on one of the station’s most popular shows. Behind the mike she’s Sweet T, her sexy, confident on-air persona. To everyone’s shock—especially her mother’s—Sweet T is a hit. Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music, making Tere wonder if it’s possible to be jealous of yourself. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest—and a prom date with “Sweet T” is the grand prize--Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare. . .


I  lined 'em up and Danielle knocked 'em down!

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

To get a move on! I wouldn't have stopped writing for a few years when I started teaching. I would've kept on writing!

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I would've liked to be a DJ and a psychologist. Too totally different things but each helping people in their own way.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

Funny enough I was going to pop some champagne. I bought some and then totally forgot to take it out since we had so much going. I was visiting my family in South Africa at the time and we spent the day at the beach which was awesome!


Wow, college DJ? From South Africa? Can she get any cooler?

Thanks for popping in, Danielle!


More on Danielle here.

Order Shrinking Violet here.

Years ago, when I first came across several of Denise Biondo's gorgeous signature websites, I promised myself that if I ever sold a book, I'd hire her to do my site. Well, I did, and it's live!

Now I just sit here and stare at it's awesomeness. It's so way beyond what I ever imagined.

Denise Biondo is worth every cent twice. SHE IS SO GOOD!!

Check it out, but you might need to shield your eyes because her work is so damn brilliant.

www.kristin-walker.com

Just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we have J.E. Macleod with Waiting to Score!

J.E.’s path to becoming an author was a windy one. After college, she wrote advertising copy for radio and then television and eventually moved on to work in sales and marketing for too many years.

After having a son, J.E. followed her dreams and wrote her first book. Once she started writing YA, she felt like she’d found her home and has been writing it ever since. J.E. lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a new puppy named Meeko. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.

Zack Chase, new in town, gets a crash course in the dangerous, fast-paced lives of local teen athletes. A good-looking, book-loving hockey star, Zack’s also expected to be a womanizing, alcohol-abusing party animal, but it’s not who he is. As jealous, obnoxious team captain Mac hounds him, Zack falls for Goth-girl Jane and befriends her teammate brother, both with their own secrets. Tragedy strikes and affects them all in this true-to-life debut novel, giving readers an insight into the lives of high school students and athletes.


Questions? Let 'er rip!

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Hey J.E. Revising isn't just running a spell check. Dig deeper.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

If I weren't a writer/stay at home mom, I would probably be in the same career I was in before I quit. I'd probably be an Account Manager for a consumer goods company.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

My husband brought me home flowers. It was very sweet. We also took our son out to the Cheesecake Cafe and had their gigantic slice of chocolate cake. Which is also what I'm planning on doing on launch day. I'm sensing a pattern...


Well, I have a soft spot for all Canadians, of course, so a special thanks to J.E. for stopping by!


More on J.E. Macleod here.

Score a copy of Waiting to Score here.

Wowza, did you know we have a NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLER in the Debs?

Well, we do! It's Aprilynne Pike, aka maprilynne!

Aprilynne Pike has been spinning faerie stories since she was a child with a hyper-active imagination. At the age of twenty she received her BA in Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found at the gym; she also enjoys singing, acting, reading, and working with pregnant moms as a childbirth educator and doula. Aprilynne currently lives with her husband and three kids in Utah, and dreams of warmer climates.

 

Aprilynne Pike's WINGS is the first of four books about an ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to both worlds.


Oh, Aprilynne...

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't be afraid to shelve a novel and write another one. It will almost certainly be better.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I am a certified childbirth educator and doula and if I weren't writing, I would definitely go back to that.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

When I found out I was going to be published my husband and I were in the middle of law school and we were totally dirt-poor. So when I found out about my book deal, I took my husband and kids out to eat at Carl's Jr. And it felt like such an extravagance.


A doula? How coola!

Thanks for visiting, Aprilynne!


Hey, what do you really need to know besides NYT BESTSELLER? Well, okay, if you want to learn some more about Aprilynne, go here.

And snag your copy of Wings here.

See ya next time!

Next up, cindy_pon!

Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. The author is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy Pon lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.

On the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. She can reach into other people's spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams...and that's just the beginning.

ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor's palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. Here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.

So Cindy...

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

i think i would have asked myself to take more writing courses in my 20's and to simply write more. i stopped writing altogether in my 20's. then i wonder if i would have written SILVER PHOENIX if i had a different writing history. maybe things worked out as it should have?

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

my other love is chinese brush painting. so artist.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

hmm. nothing really. ha! i think i had a date night with the hub soon after and we toasted to it. the day of, i just wandered around in a dazed. couldn't believe it!


I've seen some of Cindy's Chinese brush painting, and lemme tell ya, it's gorgeous. But I'm sure glad she chose writing! Thanks for stopping by, Cindy.

More about Cindy Pon here.

Order Silver Phoenix - Beyond the Kindom of Xia here.

Welcome sarahcross !

Sarah Cross has saved the world, like, five times since fifth grade -- and you didn't even notice. Learn her secrets at www.sarahcross.com.

Superpowers are awesome -- unless you actually have them, like Avery does. There's only so much he can pass off as "adrenaline" before people start to get suspicious. Probably it's best to lie low, so guys in white lab coats don't come to carry him away, to find out what makes his freakish body tick. Who wants to be vivisected? But flying under the radar becomes a whole lot harder when you can actually fly. It's dangerous to be different, so for now he'll pretend to be normal, unremarkable Avery -- a dull boy -- anything to keep his secret safe.

What he doesn't expect is the horrifying truth about where his powers came from, who else might have them, and the madness of one villain's plan to turn this superpowered dull boy into something even more powerful and amazing.


Well, Sarah...

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stop second-guessing yourself!! Write the best book you can possibly write and #@$% everything else.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

A Pallas' cat wrangler. I don't think that is actually a job, though. Sadly ...

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?
 
I took a deep breath and thought "omg it finally happened." That was all the celebration I needed. :)

#@$% yeah! I totally agree. Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

More on Sarah Cross here.

Order Dull Boy here.

Okay, I know I'm a few days nearly a week late, but last Thursday, I got to meet up with fellow Debs Kristina Springer (aka tinaya ) and Aprilynne Pike (aka maprilynne  ) at Aprilynne's signing at Anderson's Bookshop.  And guess what? They're every  bit as awesome as I imagined. It was so fun to actually meet in person!

After Aprilynne's lovely presentation, the three of us went for drinks. We laughed our butts off dishing about the biz.  What a blast.

Here we are. Clearly I didn't get the memo about wearing blue shirts, but I managed to soldier on.

Please welcome, C. Lee McKenzie, aka sealy38!

A native Californian, C. Lee McKenzie has always been a writer, but to eat and make contributions to children's college funds, she’s also been a university lecturer and administrator. Lee’s written and published non-fiction articles, both in her field of Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication, and in general readership magazines. For five years Lee wrote, edited, and published a newsletter for university professors who were managing global classroom issues. Since she turned in her academic hat and began writing for young readers, Lee’s fiction and non-fiction works have been frequently published in the award-winning e-zine, Stories for Children, and Crow Toes Quarterly has published her ghostly tales. Sliding on the Edge is her first young adult novel. Writing for teen readers keeps Lee in touch with the young members of her family, and allows her to re-visit those wonderful years in life when everything is possible. When she isn’t writing, Lee’s hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Gatos, California.

 

Shawna Stone is a heartbeat away from making the worst mistake anyone can. She’s close to taking her own life. Kay Stone is a grandmother Shawna has never known, and at sixty-four Kay feels there is little left in her life to look forward to. When they are thrown together they circle each other in a crucible of secrets and distrust until saving a doomed horse unites them and gives each a reason to live.

Here we go!

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

I'd tell myself to start earlier. I put a lot of things ahead of writing, and I wish I hadn't.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I've already been something else and I enjoyed it a lot. As a university teacher I was privileged to work with so many young, talented people from all over the world. I think my association with them has helped me in this second career. I guess my answer is been there. Done that. Now I wouldn't change my career in writing for the world.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I'm holding off on the celebration until April 24th when the book comes out. But I guess I celebrate a little every single day. I feel like I'm sipping champagne all the time these days.

Enjoyed your questions. Thanks. Lee


Thank you, Lee!

Find out more about C. Lee McKenzie here.

Order Sliding on the Edge here.

Welcome Cheryl Renee Herbsman, aka dreamerwrites !

Cheryl Renée Herbsman lives in Northern California with her husband and two children, but she grew up in North Carolina and often spent summer vacations at the Carolina coast. Like Savannah, she fell in love as a teenager, and like Savannah and Jackson, she and her boyfriend carried on a long-distance relationship. They are now celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary.

What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe?

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

This debut novel has it all—an endearing, funny, hopelessly romantic main character, lots of down-home Southern charm, and a sunny, salty beach setting that will transport you to the Carolina coast. 

Hey, Cheryl...

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I'd probably go back to one of my earlier choices -- psychology or Child Life hospital work.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

Dinner and champagne with my family.

Thanks, Kristin!


Short and sweet. Perfect. Thanks, Cheryl!

More on Cheryl here.

More on Breathing here.

Heeeeeere's  leighbrescia !

Leigh Brescia grew up in North Carolina, spending most of her days playing in the woods behind her home and imagining she was a princess. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Communication from Mount Olive College and her Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. She currently teaches online English composition courses for three universities, and an online “Writing Novels for Young Adults” course for UC Irvine.

When she’s not grading papers or writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She sings when she’s in a good mood and has killed every plant she’s ever owned. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and her three-year-old.

 

Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.


Okay, Leigh, let's hear what you have to say...

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Be patient. It’s going to take longer than you ever thought possible, but hang in there: it’ll happen.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

Growing up, my parents were convinced that I was going to be an actress. I also love to sing and dance (though I can’t do either very well), so maybe I would’ve tried to be some kind of performer. I’d also love to be an artist, or photographer, or film director, or jewelry maker. . . .

I tend to value fine arts/creative professions more than anything else. Even when I was younger I never thought of myself as a nurse or an office manager (no 9-5, no pantyhose, no thank you). In college, I briefly wanted to major in psychology and become a counselor, but that was completely squashed when I signed up for Abnormal Psych. Not long after, I switched my major to English Communication and never looked back.

Deep down I always knew I would pick a non-traditional career.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I was actually on vacation with my family at the beach when I got the email . . . so I spent the day lounging at the beach/by the pool, which is what I would’ve done anyway. It was great, though.

Thanks!


I second your answer to #1. Thanks so much, Leigh!

Find out more on Leigh Brescia here.

Order One Wish here.

Today I welcome devarae to the blog tour with her debut novel, Fortune's Folly!

Deva Fagan likes searching for patterns, which is how she explains both her degree in mathematics and the echoes of old fairy-tales in her stories. She also loves tea, gardening, and playing the fiddle. She lives in Maine with her husband and her dog.

Ever since her mother died and her father lost his shoemaking skills, Fortunata has survived by telling fake fortunes. But when she's tricked into telling a grand fortune for a prince, she is faced with the impossible task of fulfilling her wild prophecy-or her father will be put to death. Now Fortunata has to help Prince Leonato secure a magic sword, vanquish a wicked witch, discover a long-lost golden shoe, and rescue the princess who fits it. If only she hadn't fallen in love with the prince herself. . . .

(Hey, you all know the drill)

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't give up!

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

At other points in my life I have wanted to be an astronomer, a comic-book artist, a marine biologist, and archaeologist, and Jim Henson.

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I went out to dinner with my husband (mmm.... linguini alfredo!) and bought a bunch of bulbs to plant in my yard.

Thanks Kristin!


Thank YOU, Deva! I hope those bulbs are blooming now.

More about Deva here.

Order Fortune's Folly here.

My apologies to sydney_salter  for my being two days late and three cents short of a nickel. But here she is!

Sydney Salter held a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer, including her brief stint delivering pies and flowers, wrecking vans, and destroying wedding cakes in Reno, Nevada. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two big Bernese Mountain dogs. She loves reading, writing, traveling, and, of course, baking and decorating cakes (but not driving them anywhere).



Seventeen-year-old Jory Michaels wakes up on the first day of summer vacation with her same old big nose, no passion in her life (in the creative sense of the word), and all signs still pointing to her dying a virgin. In spite of her driving record (it was an accident!), Jory gets a job delivering flowers and cakes to Reno's casinos and wedding chapels. She also comes up with a new summer goal: saving for a life-altering nose job. She and her new nose will attract a fabulous boyfriend. Jory survives various summer disasters like doing yoga after sampling Mom's Cabbage Soup Diet, enforced-mother-bonding-with-crazy-nose-obsessed-daughter night, and discovering Tyler's big secret. But will she learn to accept herself and maybe even find her passion, in the creative (AND romantic!) sense of the word?

 
Here's what Sydney had to say to my questions:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Learn to love revision--it's the key to producing a publishable novel.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

Oh, I've done this many times. I'll be a historian--and then I can write historical novels. I'll be a psychologist--and then I'll write novels. I'll run a bed-and-breakfast--and then I'll write novels. I just want to write novels!

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

My book deal happened on my way to the SCBWI LA conference so that night I celebrated with my fellow Regional Advisors. (Very fun). Two days later my husband met me in the hotel bar with champagne! (Very romantic!)
 

SO romantic! Thanks for stopping by, Sydney!

More on Sydney Salter here.

And order My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters here.
 

I love Yan and Carol. Love 'em I say!

Why? Because they're smart and funny and they put up a goofball interview with me, along with an ARC contest.

Check 'er out fer a laugh!

Debs blog tour! Debs blog tour!

Today, meet Neesha Meminger, author of Shine, Coconut Moon.

Neesha Meminger was born in India, grew up in Canada, and currently lives in New York City with her family. All of her writing explores the inner landscape of her characters, and how it merges or conflicts with the outer. She writes stories of women and girls defining themselves and shaping their own destinies within the confines of their day to day realities.



Samar–a.k.a. Sam–is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family. It's never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend. But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam's house–and turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting "Go back home, Osama!," Sam realizes she could be in danger–and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.


Neesha says to my q's:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Do it for the love of writing, not the result of that writing.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

Something that had me interacting closely with people -- teacher, therapist, some sort of counselor, maybe?

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

Dinner out with Hollis -- that's my favorite way to celebrate :).


I agree--dinner out is always a treat. Thanks, Neesha!

For more about Neesha look here.

And find Shine, Coconut Moon here in the US and here in Canada.

Happy launch, Neesha!
 

If you haven't heard the amazing buzz about Forest of Hands and Teeth, then...where've ya been? I'll give you all the deets here.

Born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Carrie Ryan is a graduate of Williams College and Duke University School of Law. A former litigator, she now writes full time. She lives with her writer/lawyer fiancé, two fat cats and one large puppy in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are not at all prepared for the zombie apocalypse.




The Forest of Hands and Teeth is about a young girl named Mary growing up generations after an apocalypse in a village surrounded by fences protecting them from the Unconsecrated, zombie-like creatures inhabiting the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Cut off from the rest of the world and told they are the last survivors of the Return, every part of her life is controlled by the religious order called the Sisterhood. As Mary starts to fall in love with someone she shouldn’t, she learns the extent of the Sisterhood’s power and starts to discover more of their darkest secrets. When the security of the fences is threatened and her world is thrown into chaos, Mary must decide what she’s willing to risk to find out if there’s life beyond the Forest.

Here are Carrie's fab-o answers to my Qs:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Oh this is a tough one... I think I'm where I am today because of the wrong turns I've taken in the past (and a few right turns along the way). But I would probably remind myself to enjoy the ride!

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I was a lawyer for a few years so I would probably go back to that if I had to. But I'm really hoping I don't have to - lol!

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I had a really awesome release day!! It happened to coincide with a writing trip to a castle in Ireland with some other YA authors and we had a really fantastic meal catered and popped champagne. I blogged about it here: http://carrie-me.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-spend-your-release-day.html. I was sad that I didn't get to share the day with my fiance, JP, who was such a big part of my book. But it was still pretty cool :)


Beyond cool! We all were dripping with envy on this side of the pond, but no one deserved a castle-y time more than Carrie.

More info on Carrie Ryan here.

Get your sticky fingers on a copy of Forest of Hands and Teeth here (indie) or here (amazon).

Thanks for popping in, Carrie!
 

I have done the impossible.

I have gotten a 4 year old not only to eat, but even LIKE tuna salad. WITH tomatoes!

The myth is reality, people.

Today I welcome the lovely, Heather Duffy Stone, aka heather_ink</lj>!

Heather Duffy Stone writes stories and essays that are mostly inspired by high school—either her own or someone else’s. This Is What I Want to Tell You is her first novel. She has lived in Vermont, England, Los Angeles, rural New York and Rome, Italy. For now she cooks, sleeps, explores, writes and teaches in Brooklyn, New York.

About This is What I Want to Tell You

The stories people tell are always about the things we left behind, and about the things we wish we could do again. The real story isn't about what you know; it's about what you wish you knew then. When my brother and my best friend fell in love—that was the end of everything I knew.

Fraternal twins Nadio and Noelle share a close connection—and as Noelle's best friend since they were five, Keeley Shipley fit perfectly into their world. But everything changes after Keeley spends the summer before junior year at Oxford. When Keeley returns, Nadio falls in love with her. Noelle, ripped apart by resentment, sees her as an ungrateful rich girl. But Keeley has a painful story that she can't tell yet. As Nadio and Keeley hide their romance, Noelle dives into something of her own—a destructive affair with an older boy.

Beautifully presented by dual narrators in a haunting stream of memories, this is the deeply moving story of how secrets can consume a friendship—and how love can heal it.


Here are Heather's answers to my Qs:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

I would say stop being so dramatic, but drama makes a good story… so I think I’d just remind myself to focus and not get discouraged. I stopped writing at all for about three years after I didn’t get in to some MFA programs, and I wish I could have given myself those years to write.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

I’m a school counselor as well as a writer. Those are the two things I wanted to be so I can’t imagine doing anything else…

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravagant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I think I’m still in the awe stage… but I’m actually getting ready for a launch party which is tomorrow—my friends and family are coming from all over and I had tattoos made and snacks that mimic a meal served in the book… I think I will finally be ready to celebrate tomorrow! 

Well, party hard, Heather. You deserve it!

More on Heather here. 

Order This is What I Want to Tell You here.
 
See ya next time!
 

Can these Debs get any better? Well, take a look! Today we have the lovely, thoughtful, insanely organized Saundra Mitchell, aka anywherebeyond!

A screenwriter and author, Saundra Mitchell penned the screenplays for the Fresh Films and Girls in the Director's Chair short film series. Her short story "Ready to Wear" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and her first feature film, Revenge Ends, debuted on the festival circuit in 2008. In her free time, she enjoys ghost hunting, papermaking, and spending time with her husband and her two children.



Nothing ever happened in Ondine, Louisiana, not even the summer Elijah Landry disappeared. His mother knew he ascended to heaven, the police believed he ran away, and his girlfriend thought he was murdered.

Decades later, certain she saw his ghost in the town cemetery, fourteen-year-old Iris Rhame is determined to find out the truth behind "The Incident With the Landry Boy."

Enlisting the help of her best friend Collette, and forced to endure the company of Collette's latest crush, Ben, Iris spends a summer digging into the past and stirring old ghosts, in search of a boy she never knew.

What she doesn't realize is that in a town as small as Ondine, every secret is a family secret.

So how did Saundra answer my questions? Well, I won't keep you waiting.

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Move to LA.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

Door-to-door monkey salesman. Actually, I don't know. I've sometimes considered going back into the normal, 9-5 workforce, but I have no idea what I would do with myself. Graphic design, maybe?

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravagant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

I believe we went to dinner at Cracker Barrel. That's right, folks- bask in the glamour.


Hey, no dis from me for the Barrel. Any restaurant that comes complete with rocking chairs is okay with me. Thanks, Saundra, for dropping by!

More on Saundra here and SHADOWED SUMMER here.

And place your orders here, folks.

Thanks for stopping by!