Seattle HOST: Rebecca Stead!

Before anything else, I just have to say: WAY TO GO, SEATTLE! The turnout to see and hear Rebecca Stead tonight was absolutely amazing. So many people, so many young readers, so many great questions.

Dear Rest of the Country: KEEP IT UP!

I had a feeling Rebecca would be an amazing speaker, and I was not disappointed. Wow, is she.

First, she read a couple of bits from WHEN YOU REACH ME. Then, she had what was basically an in-depth conversation with a roomful of people.

We got to hear about Rebecca's writing process (solitary, then with feedback from trusted friends and lots of hard work), her childhood encounter with Madeleine L'Engle (a shy hello and a signed book that she still has!), her favorite thing about WHEN YOU REACH ME (the freedom to explore Miranda's weird inner world), how difficult it is to learn about time travel (very!), and lots of other stuff. The night basically felt like having coffee with a very talented writer, without the coffee but with plenty of excitement buzzing in the air. I left more inspired to write, and I know other people did, too . . .

. . . like all of the other middle grade and YA authors who showed up!

Thatcher Heldring and Suzanne Selfors

Linda Johns, Sundee Frazier, Sundee's adorable baby

Heather Davis, aspiring writer Emily of Damsels in Regress, me, Jen Bradbury

The traditional Liz with Author photo was difficult to get because of the looooooooooooong line of people waiting to get their books signed (keepsakes just like Rebecca's signed book from Madeleine L'Engle!), but I did my best.

Definitely catch Rebecca if she's touring near you. Here's the whole list of cities she'll be visiting this time around.

See you soon!

Seattle: Mark your Calendar!

Hello, rgz! It's been way too long since I've updated you on Seattle's happenin' teen book scene, and that's mostly because authors/bookstores/libraries take breaks during the winter holidays. Never fear: February is fixin' to be a big month (despite any preconceived notions we may all have about the size of February).

Here are three awesome Seattle teen book events that are coming up. Hope to see you there! And if you can't make it, check back here for re-caps (I may not be able to make the whole event on the 9th, but will try to at least catch the end of it!).

Monday, February 1, 6:30 pm
Rebecca Stead -- that's right, the very recent Newbery Medal winner for WHEN YOU REACH ME, and also the author of the amazing YA novel FIRST LIGHT -- will be at the University Village Barnes & Noble. Check here for a complete list of city stops on Rebecca's tour.

Saturday, February 6, 7:00 pm
Seattle author Mary Jane Beaufrand celebrates the release of THE RIVER at University Bookstore. MJ is also a contributor to the University Bookstore's 110/110 collection, which means if you buy THE RIVER, you'll also get a copy of 110/110 (even if you're not in Seattle and you buy it at their online store; enter code happy110). Ahem, and if you do pick up 110/110, look for other stories by readergirlz Divas and other friends of ours, too. Yay!

Tuesday, February 9, 7:00 pm
Do you enjoy the slightly lighter side of vampires? Come meet THE CHRONICLES OF VLADMIR TOD author Heather Brewer at Secret Garden Books in Ballard. Click here for a full list of Heather's tour appearances, and get ready for Vladmir's junior year!







See you soon!