rgz HOST, Seattle: Return to Me

Happy to play rgz HOST tonight and report on the wonderful book launch of co-founder Justina Chen for her latest release, Return to Me.

Justina and I

Love this photo with stardust above Justina. :~)

Therese Plummer, actor who recorded the audio book of Return to Me

Celebrating rgz divas, Holly Cupala, me, Dia Calhoun, and Janet Lee Carey

rgz co-founders

Justina talked of the moment when you are ground to dust only to realize it is stardust revealed, stardust you are made of and surrounded by in your family and loved ones. Everyone was inspired and touched. Enjoy the photos, rgz! Happy reading to you each.

Return to Me
by Justina Chen
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2013

rgz HOST "Better Late Than Never" FORSAKEN Special Edition!

Apologies for the delay, rgz readers - August was a flurry! Without further ado:

You've read her cover story, now here's a shot of author LIsa M. Stasse celebrating her spanking-new novel, THE FORSAKEN!

The event: SCIBA Summer Tea Party

Date: July 22, 2012

The location: Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop  in La Verne, CA (an awesome indie bookstore that hosts tons of great events)

The details: A really fun gathering of some authors and independent booksellers!

The authors: Lisa M. Stasse (THE FORSAKEN)--that's Lisa, signing above!, Lissa Price (STARTERS), Bethanie Murguia (ZOE GETS READY), Elana Arnold (SACRED), and Scott Speer (IMMORTAL CITY). Scott also directed the recent dance movie STEP UP: REVOLUTION and his girlfriend Ashley Tisdale of High School Musical fame was kind enough to come to the event and listen to all us authors talk about our books.

The pics: The first photo is one of me signing a copy of THE FORSAKEN. The next photo is one of us authors onstage presenting our books. Lissa Price is in the center, and I'm to her left in the photo.

It was a really fun time, with lots of treats (lemonade and finger sandwiches) and books galore! :)

Thanks, Lisa! We're excited to keep the FORSAKEN buzz humming along!

rgz Everett HOST Post - Debut Authors on Tour!

Hi readergirlz! Today our Everett Host, Carole Estby Dagg, has some news about a mini-tour of six debut authors around and about the Pugent Sound. Sounds (no pun intended!) delightful, no?

 Come Meet the New Kids on the YA Block!

If you live in the Lake Forest Park-to-Olympia corridor of NW Washington, you have several opportunities to meet six new YA authors as they go on tour with readings and panel discussions in mid-March. Whether your reading taste runs to magic or the macabre, real-life contemporary or really old-fashioned, find your next favorite book – and maybe win a copy in a drawing that will be held at each event:

Schedule

March 14, Third Place Books 7 P.M.
17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA

March 15, Capital High School 12:40 p.m.

(not open to the general public)
Olympia,WA

March 15, Olympia Timberland Library 7:30 p.m.

313 8^th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA
Panel

March 16, Garfield Books, 7 p.m.
208 Garfield St., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA

Here’s a preview of books by the New Kids on the YA Block:

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, by Kendare Blake:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation. He kills the dead. When a job takes him to a new town after a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, he expects an easy kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, who has killed everyone who has dared step into her deserted Victorian house.

Kendare appreciates Greek mythology, rare red meat and veganism. Visit her at www.kendareblake.com

DON’T EXPECT MAGIC, by Kathy McCullough

After her mom dies, Delaney Collins moves in with her estranged father and discovers that he’s a fairy godmother—or rather, a fairy godfather—and that she’s inherited the skill as well.  Although she doesn’t believe in happily ever afters, Delaney is forced to help Flynn, a boy at her new school, win the girl of his dreams. But as she gets closer to making Flynn’s dream come true, Delaney finds herself with a wish of her own…

Kathy lives in Los Angeles, where she writes books and screenplays. Find out more about her at www.kathymcculloughbooks.com.

THE FAERIE RING, by Kiki Hamilton

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and is a reservoir which holds a truce binding the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic.

Kiki believes in faeries, and magic. You can visit her website at www.kikihamilton.com.

FLYAWAY, by Helen Landalf

Flyaway, a contemporary realistic novel set in Seattle, centers on 15-year-old Stevie’s struggle to come to terms with her mom’s addiction to meth. While her mom is in rehab, Stevie stays with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy, who gives her a taste of a more normal teen life, forcing Stevie to choose between loyalty to her mom and the chance to move forward into a more positive future.

Helen Landalf is author of two pictures books and five books for teachers. When she’s not writing, she works as a Pilates instructor and teaches dance to preschoolers. Visit her website at www.helenlandalf.com.

NEVER EIGHTEEN, by Megan Bostic:

Seventeen-year-old Austin Parker’s dying wish is to help his loved ones understand that life is short, and it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Plagued by addiction, abuse, conflict and loss, they’ve given up. He’s desperate to help them live—even though he never will.  It’s probably hopeless, but he has to try.

Megan Bostic loves sock monkeys, the color black, and her crazy beautiful daughters.  Find out more at www.meganbosticbooks.com.

THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS, by Carole Estby Dagg

In 1896, a Clara Estby and her suffragist mother walked from Washington State to New York City in a race against the calendar to win money to save the farm and prove women could do it. The book is based on newspaper articles which described their real-life 4,000-mile trek and their narrow escapes from flash flood, days lost in the Snake River Lava Fields, shooting a bandit, camping with Indians and a meeting President-elect McKinley.

Carole writes in Everett and a converted woodshed on San Juan Island under the supervision of a bossy cat. Visit her at www.CaroleEstbyDagg@yahoo.com.

rgz Everett HOST post - Carole Estby Dagg on FLYAWAY

Hey there rgz: 

I've been in hibernation for the past few weeks on a quasi-maternity leave, but what better way to ease back into the writing world than with a post from your Everett Host, Carole Estby Dagg? 

Readergirlz Report – Helen Landalf and FLYAWAY

 

Flyaway, by Helen Landalf

Harcourt, 2011, 167 pages

 

 I love going behind the scenes with authors to hear how their books came about, so last Saturday I drove to Bellingham to hear Helen Landalf talk about her debut YA novel, Flyaway, at Village Books.

 

As I approached the back of the store, strains of a mellow guitar wafted up the stairwell which led to the events area in the basement. A cozy group of us met Helen’s guitar-playing husband, Steven Bishofsky, and chatted with Helen and amongst ourselves until she started her introduction and read from the second chapter of Flyaway.

 

In that scene, the main character, Stevie Calhoun, is alone in the apartment, waiting for her mother. Stevie is used to her mother’s irregular hours—she is, after all, a free-spirited exotic dancer whose job requires late nights. But this time, Stevie hasn’t seen her mother in three days, the collection agency is calling again, and she’s afraid that if anyone finds out about her situation Child Protective Services will take her from her mother.  

 

Without warning, her Aunt Mindy shows up. She’s indignant that Stevie has been left alone for so long and horrified by the rumor that the place Stevie’s mother works is a front for dealing crystal meth. Under duress, Stevie leaves a note for her mother and goes with Aunt Mindy to her home. She refuses to pack a bag because she intends to return to her mother’s apartment the next day, when her mother is sure to be waiting for her.

 

The reading ended with a provocative cliff-hanger, so what could I do but buy the book to see what happens next?  Helen signed my copy and I read it in one sitting. Without giving too much away, I’ll tell you this much:  A perfect twist near the end of the book refocuses Stevie’s picture of the world around her, causing her to re-evaluate herself, her mother, a boy she meets in a bird rehabilitation center, and her aunt. Throughout the book are recurring images of things broken -  things that can be mended and things that can’t.

 

I could have read an un-autographed copy of the book, but without seeing Landalf in person I’d have missed the answers to all these behind-the-scenes questions:

 

What was the inspiration for Flyaway?

Trying to explain why a teen would remain fiercely loyal to irresponsible parents.

 

Is this your first book?

Flyaway is Landalf’s first published YA book, but she also published a series of books for teachers on using dance in the schools and two picture books. Two previous YA books were rejected, but Flyaway had publishers in a bidding war over it!

 

Do you write full-time?

No, the day job is teaching dance and Pilates…hmmm. Any similarity between the loving Aunt Mindy (who owns a Pilates studio) and Helen are purely coincidental, of course.

 

How did you learn how to care for injured birds?

Landalf spent time at two wildlife rehabilitation clinics.

 

The event concluded with Steven Bishofsky singing a song, "Flyaway," which he composed for Helen about the book’s main character and about the struggles of the writer—or any artist--to persevere until her inspiration takes wing.

 

I love the ambiance of a reading—think of the difference between hearing a recording of a favorite band and seeing them live. Check out your near-by bookstores to get a schedule of author appearances and get a group together to see an author in person!

 

Carole Estby Dagg is a former librarian who is now writing historical fiction. Her first book, The Year We Were Famous, earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly and a place on the 2012 Amelia Bloomer list of books chosen by the Feminist Task Force of the American Library Association. The Year We Were Famous is based on the true story of Clara Estby and her mother, who walked from Spokane to New York City back in 1896 in a race against the calendar to win $10,000 to save the family’s farm and to prove women could do it. Carole is lucky enough to have a song composed for one of her main characters, too – it’s on Linda Allen’s CD, Here’s to the Women, which honors women of the suffrage movement.

 

Under the supervision of a bossy cat, Carole writes in Everett and a converted woodshed on San Juan Island.

 

Rgz Host: Stephanie Reviews Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

Our Seattle Host, Stephanie Guerra, teaches children’s literature, young adult fiction and a seminar in writing instruction at Seattle University. She also heads a volunteer creative writing program at King County Jail, and researches and speaks about literacy instruction for at-risk and incarcerated young adults. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and children. Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring.

Stay tuned for Stephanie's reports of Seattle book events! Today, she shares a book review of Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber:

"Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick is not a 'girl' book—it’s definitely aimed a male audience, with the requisite high-adrenaline nonstop action and suave, funny protagonist. I’m reviewing it because I’m always interested in breaking down the barriers between 'girl' and 'guy' books. Sometimes that means finding titles that appeal to both sexes, and sometimes it means finding books that give us a glimpse into the collective psyche of the other side. This book does both—sort of.

"Sixteen-year-old Perry is an aspiring musician and a classic East Coast kid: urbane, witty, and intelligent. During his senior year of high school, his family hosts a Lithuanian exchange student, Gobija Zaksauskas. Contrary to Perry’s hopes, she’s far from a sultry Euro-model with a fetching pout; she’s nondescript, frumpy, and forgettable. When she asks that Perry take her to prom on the night of his band’s first-ever NYC gig, he refuses. But his father lays down the law, and Perry finds himself at his school with a bespectacled girl dressed in traditional peasant garb (think floor-length hand-stitched burlap) on the night when he should be shredding in NYC.

"At prom, a jerk makes a cruel comment about Gobi’s outfit, Perry defends her… and she finishes the job by delivering a world-class azz-whupping? Shortly afterward, she loses the burlap sack and magically transforms into a foxy babe with a rocking body (sadly hidden for so long under her bulky sweaters). Now it comes out that she’s no potato-fed peasant; she’s a 24-year-old secret agent, here to deliver justice to some nasty mob types.

"Oh, the surprises that those bulky-sweater-wearing girls can harbor. What follows is a tear-through-NYC adrenaline ride in which Gobi knocks off several of her targets, fights others, gets blood all over everything, and dances very sexily with Perry, who has been aiding, abetting, and resisting her by turns. I won’t spoil the ending for you, if you haven’t already guessed it.

"Joe Schreiber is a smart, funny guy and I found myself lingering over some of his hilarious, well-crafted, strangely poetic sentences. On a sentence level, the book is masterfully done. On a plot level… well, let’s say Schreiber knows how to dish up what guys like. But I think he’s selling them—and us—short.

"I was a lot more interested in Gobi when she showed up to prom in her peasant garb, which takes major cajones of a different kind than those required to kill people. I wanted to know that girl. Sadly, I lost her as she shrank into a one-dimensional stereotype. I don’t think any author or filmmaker is throwing women a bone by making female characters bad-ass a la Charlie’s Angels. Even toting guns and doing roundhouse kicks, they’re still just sexy things for men to look at. Real women rarely beat up and kill men while dressed like porn stars.

"I did appreciate that Schreiber made his protagonist kind and courteous; he didn’t make fun of Gobi when she was 'ugly,' and he defended her from others doing so. That’s worth something. But the device of librarian-takes-off-glasses-and-shapeless-dress is such a tired male fantasy that it undoes some of the good accomplished by a decent male protagonist.

"I’ll end my rant before it gets tiresome, if it isn’t already so. Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick is a fast, fun ride and worth reading because of the excellent humor and strong word-smithing. But I’m holding out hope that Schreiber will turn his considerable talents to creating real female characters with depth, emotion, and intelligence. I would push the envelope a little further and request that they not always be 'hot,' but I think that would probably be going too far."

rgz Seattle HOST: Deborah Reber Reading

Hi, readergirlz!

I went to see Deborah Reber promote her new book, Language of Love, at University Books in Bellevue. Deborah shared the inside story: she wrote her book under contract, and went through the whole back-and-forth of the editorial process. Then, shortly before pub date, her editor told her the house had decided not to publish any more romantic comedies. They were going to cancel her book.

For an author, that's like putting a year's worth of work through the shredder. It was not a good day, Deborah said.

However, Simon Pulse realized Deborah's book was too good to lose. So with a little creative thinking, and a little genre-shuffling, they were able to package it into a two-book collection titled Love, Love, Love. And now it’s on the shelves, with the coolest cover ever. For the inside story on that, check out Melissa Walker’s blog post.

Here’s a picture of Deborah and me, above, with her beautiful book.

See you soon, girlz!

Our Seattle Host, Stephanie Guerra, teaches children’s literature, young adult fiction and a seminar in writing instruction at Seattle University. She also heads a volunteer creative writing program at King County Jail, and researches and speaks about literacy instruction for at-risk and incarcerated young adults. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and children. Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring of 2012.

rgz NYC HOST: Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer Release Party!

At Books of Wonder, among Han-made cupcakes and beer, we celebrated the release of Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer!

See below for pics of the food (pigs in a blanket went FAST), fellow authors Coe Booth and Bennett Madison and the lovely-in-white Jenny, and, of course, the Pajants (they were total photo hogs, insisting on pictures with both Jenny and the awesome Coe Booth).

Congrats on the release, Jenny! 

Jenny reads a particularly hilarious passage... that ends with a cliffhanger! Conrad!

Blue Moon beer...

Bennett Madison and super S&S Editor Zareen Jaffery (does B not have amazing hair?). 

Jenny made cupcakes!

Pigs in a blanket get fancy on a silver tray!

Coe, my baby bump, and the Pajants

Jenny, humoring me and the Pajants.

rgz Seattle HOST: Deborah Reber! (With Giveaway!)

Hello, Readergirlz!

It's been a while since I've done one of my favorite things - going to book events and telling you about them. That's changing now, though, because it's an exciting time for book releases in Seattle!

On Wednesday night, I got to gather with other local YA writers and friends (including divas Holly and Martha!) to celebrate the release of Deborah Reber's first novel!

You've seen Debbie around here before. She's also the author of a bunch of non-fiction books that we here at readergirlz highly recommend, plus she runs an amazing blog called Smart Girls Know.

Love, Love, Love is actually two books in one: Debbie's Language of Love, plus Cupidity by Caroline Goode. If you're a fan of the Simon Pulse series of romantic comedies, I can guarantee you'll love both!

Here's what Language of Love is all about, from the back cover:

Janna is quickly adapting to life in Seattle as a high school exchange student from Hungary. Or at least Julian, the cute boy she met in a coffee shop, thinks she is. The truth is, he overheard Janna using a phony accent, and now she's stuck playing the part ... Will Julian want to be with the real Janna? Or will she discover that lies don't always translate to love?

To celebrate, Debbie hosted a super-fun party at Secret Garden Books. There were hot-pink cupcakes and Valentine's Day Peeps! She also put together a quiz about other love stories set in Seattle. Guess what? I won the quiz! Which means I have a copy of Love, Love, Love to give away!

Leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a random winner (US only)! Plus, I also won a raffle prize that I'll throw in! It's a copy of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, which Debbie worked on. You've got from now 'til next Saturday, the 12th, at noon pst to comment and win both! Please leave an email address in your comment so I can let you know if you won.

Me, Debbie, Peeps and the giveaway books

Now, I'm off to get in a Valentiney mood with Love, Love, Love!

rgz Seattle HOST: Janet Lee Carey's Dragons of Noor!

Hello, readergirlz!


I'm so happy to see you. I've been away from book events for too long, so I was very glad for the chance to celebrate rgz co-founder Janet Lee Carey's latest book, Dragons of Noor! The party happened last night at Parkplace Books. It was a night full of celebration, yummy food, and giving to Plant a Billion Trees.

Children fly when worlds are shaken.

Now the children are Wind-taken.

Seek them there,

seek them here,

before the children disappear.

- Janet Lee Carey

How cute and foresty does Janet look? This is her with the amazing Chinese dragon her sister made years ago . . . Janet is looking surprised because she's just realized how many years ago. In dragon years, it's not really all that many. Janet explained that, to her, dragons are "conscious nature". I love that, don't you?

The party was full of characters. Literally. Favorites from the book came to life!

The party was also full of friends, readers and rgz Divas! Here's YA author Mary Jane Beaufrand with our own Holly Cupala and YA author Heather Davis. Holly did amazing face painting, and MJ and Heather are decked out with Noorish accessories.

What a blast. I'm constantly amazed by the talent of our rgz founders!

See you soon, girlz!

rgz NYC Host: Back to School (and Books!)

Micol here!

September means that I am officially back in New York City, where the book world is back at it in full swing!

Sunday marked the annual Brooklyn Book Festival, and though I was knee-deep in Deadlineville and couldn’t attend, apparently I was the only bookish type in New York who didn’t!

Once my manuscript was in (hurrah!), there was no way I was missing last night’s Barnes and Noble Back to School Bash! Organized by David Levithan, the program featured readings from all of your most-anticipated fall releases, as well as the rockin’ song stylings of everyone’s favorite YA jam band, Tiger Beat! Tiger Beat is Daniel Ehrenhaft on guitar, Barnabas Miller (but you can call him Barney) on drums, Natalie Standiford on bass (chicks who rock = major cool), and the inimitable Libba Bray on lead vocals! Quite the line-up, huh? Check them out as they rock out! In between songs, each took a turn reading, along with Eireann Corrigan and Eliot Schrefer. All in all, it was the perfect way to usher in the fall reading season!

But the fun’s not over, folks! For all of you Cornelia Funke fans, today marks the book birthday of her newest work, Reckless!

To celebrate, Funke is inviting readers "behind the mirror" for a huge theatrical storytelling event! Join Cornelia LIVE TODAY, September 14th at 1:30 pm EST for the worldwide launch of Reckless, featuring musical performances, dramatic readings, an interactive audience Q&A and more! Check out the live feed at: http://www.iclips.net/watch/get-reckless-tour - and check out Reckless!

That’s all for me! Happy fall – and happy reading!

rgz NYC HOST: Calling all Creative readergirlz!

Hi and happy August from your NYC Host, Micol! I’m enjoying some quiet writing time upstate this month, but I wanted to share a few recent events and thoughts.

Everyone knows that readergirlz are some of the brightest, most creative and daring girls around! Have you ever wondered whether your creative passion could someday become a fulfilling career? I never imagined that one day my job would be “teen book author,” but I’m sure glad it is!

One person who never had any doubt about following her dream is jewelry designer Katharine Sise. She launched her own business a few years after college and has written a book about how to pursue a career in a creative industry. Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career comes out on August 24th and is an amazing resource for any girl who is determined to chart a creative course. Check it out!

If you’re in the market for fiction this month, have a look at Finny by debut author Justin Kramon. Finny follows the titular protagonist through a quirk-filled girlhood and adolescence (boarding school! bad influences! boyfriends!) and on through an emotional journey to womanhood. It’s comedy, tragedy, and artful characterization at its best. I had the pleasure of reading with Justin at local NYC indie McNally Jackson, and have been tearing through the book ever since.

And finally, if you’re a fan of realistic, contemporary young adult fiction, keep an ear to the ground for the Contemps! Who are the Contemps? Well, I can’t tell you just yet, but you can follow their tweets for right now, and stay tuned – on August 17th, all will be revealed!

Until then – keep reading!

rgz Miami HOST: Danielle Joseph's Indigo Blues

Hey, it's Liz here!

Your Miami HOST Crissa has been busy out and about in Miami! She made this video of Danielle Joseph, author of Shrinking Violet, talking about her new book Indigo Blues! There's a reading, too. I want it NOW!

Thanks, Crissa!

Team Jessica T-Shirt Giveaway!

Our rgz NYC Host, Micol Ostow, recently attended an exclusive event for the forthcoming Francine Pascal book Sweet Valley Confidential. In this novel, the famous Wakefield twins are all grown up. What has happened to Jessica and Elizabeth in the ten years since they graduated from Sweet Valley High? You'll have to read the book - which comes out in March 2011 - to find out.

In the meantime, Micol picked up something to tide you over: a Team Jessica T-shirt! It's a size large (L) in juniors, so it runs small. See the picture below:



Want to win a Team Jessica T-shirt? Leave a comment below and tell us why you're on Team Jessica or Team Elizabeth!

Update: The winner is Erika Lynn! Thanks to everyone who entered the contest.

Want a sneak peek at Sweet Valley Confidential? Visit http://www.sweetvalleytenyearslater.com/

rgz NYC HOST: Summer Fun is Underway!

Your NYC HOST, Micol, is here today! Yay! Here she is:

I can’t believe that summer only officially began last week – here in NYC, we’ve been getting bookish for ages now – and that’s a good thing! I have tons and tons to fill you in on:

Book Expo 2010 kicked off nearly a month ago, and in addition to taking in major info overload on the Expo floor, I also attended a Meet the Booksellers party at one of my fave indie bookstores, Books of Wonder. While there I chatted with author Shani Petroff, who was days away from turning in the third book in her Bedeviled series. Can’t wait to read it!

Another highlight of BEA week was the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs), where So Punk Rock was honored with a silver medal! Shiny!

I had the chance to break from the convention for coffee with Andrew Karre, the brilliant editor who first acquired Punk Rock over at Flux. Andrew is now working as Editorial Director for CarolrhodaLab Books ], and his launch list – due out in fall – looks edgy and intense and all things awesome!

Later that week, it was back to Books of Wonder for a panel featuring chapter book authors and illustrators.

I had a blast hearing about the interplay between text and art, and fell in love with the new series, Frankly, Frannie, about a little girl who wants nothing more than to have a real, grown-up job. Anyone hiring? Franny is written by A.J. Stern, pictured here with her extended publishing family.

Every month in NYC, author/editor/wunderkind David Levithan morganizes a Teen Author Reading Night at the New York Public Library, and finally, in June, I was able to attend! So many amazing new releases, so little time...but let me tell you, I’m getting my hands on Little Blog on the Prairie, by Cathleen Davitt, stat! (I never did quite outgrow my Laura Ingalls Wilder phase.)

Finally, June also saw the release of fellow Vermont College-er Jessica Leader’s Nice and Mean, and she came all the way up north to celebrate in style! We feted Jess at Bank Street Books, where she signed books and socialized with her adoring fans (see below).

Yup, summer is in full swing here in New York City, and it looks like the fun times are still heating up. Next up – July 4th weekend and catching up on my reading, of course!

See you soon!