rgz Shout Out: You Go, Demi Lovato!

Last month, we posted about Demi Lovato's grateful and encouraging statements as she thanked her fans for supporting her through her recovery. Then we watched her appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she was very candid about her struggle with eating disorders and with cutting.

Sometimes, the truth can be the hardest thing to admit - but it's the most important. If you find yourself in an unhealthy situtation, don't be afraid to reach out for help. The people who truly love you will be there for you, no matter what, and they can help out. If you are hurting in any way, reach out to someone you trust and take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow.

If you don't see the video below, click here to watch it on YouTube.

rgz Shout Out: Demi Speaks Up

The readergirlz wanted to give a shout out to actress/singer Demi Lovato, who is speaking out about what happened to her and singing her heart out. Here's a quote from an Associated Press (AP) article:

"A year ago today ... I was not in a good place," the 19-year-old said at her concert Saturday night. "I needed help and I want anybody in this audience to know that if you're struggling with one of the issues that I dealt with or a different issue, that you can get help, that you can recover and it's possible if you just tell someone. [...] There are so many beautiful girls in this audience that don't know that they're beautiful, but they just are."

- and from a video to her fans:

"Life is what you make of it. My life began to change again, and I became happier, healthier, and stronger."

You go, Demi.

Rgz Shoutout: Tera Lynn Childs!

Hey, Readergirlz!

Today's a big day for Tera Lynn Childs, author of the Oh.My.Gods. series!




Her new book, Forgive My Fins, is out!



Here's Tera with a special hello just for you girlz!



Here's the skinny on Forgive My Fins:
Half-mermaid princess Lily Sanderson has been living on land for the past three years, crushing on Seaview swim-god Brody Bennett, dealing with annoying biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher, and just generally trying to figure out this whole human thing. But everything changes when she accidentally bestows her magical first kiss on the wrong boy.

Oooo. . .can't wait to pick it up!

Video Interview: Meg Cabot

Wondering what Meg Cabot thinks about the Twilight movies? Check out this video interview, in which the bestselling author of The Princess Diaries talks to rgzTV host Little Willow about movies, TV shows (Meg Cabot loves Glee!), and her typical writing schedule.



If you can't see the video above, click here.

Make sure to check out the December 2008 issue of readergirlz, when we spotlighted Meg's book How to Be Popular.

Robin Benway Shoutout

Last month, author Robin Benway participated in Operation TBD. Last weekend, I ran into Robin at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and she gave a shoutout to readergirlz. Thanks, Robin!

Robin's first novel, Audrey, Wait!, was recommended by the postergirlz in the October 2008 issue of readergirlz. Her next novel, The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June, will be released in August.

Read my full-length interview with Robin Benway from 2008.

See how Robin rocked the drop in 2010.

Read my review of Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway.

Rgz Shoutout: Heather Davis!

Two chances to win free books at the end of this post!

Today's a big day for Heather Davis, author of Never Cry Werewolf! Her new book, The Clearing, is out today!



Here's how Heather describes The Clearing:

This book is a time-travel, paranormal YA romance published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. It's the story of Amy, a girl who moves out to the country to recover from an abusive relationship. All she's looking for is some peace at her aunt's farm, but in a misty field at the back of the property, she finds Henry, a boy living in the endless summer of 1944, staving off a tragedy that could rip his family apart. Both teens must gain the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

And here's a special hello to you, readergirlz!



I've got one signed copy to send to a lucky commenter on this post. Comment all week! I'll announce the winner on Saturday!

Heather's running her own celebration, with more free copies over at her blog that she shares with YA authors Dona Sarkar, Marley Gibson, Stephanie Hale, Tera Lynn Childs, Tina Ferraro, and Wendy Toliver: Books, Boys, Buzz!

So say a quick hi to Heather here, then go over there, increase your chances to win, and find out more about how you can help Heather help teens in need all week just by commenting over there.

Heather says:

Because so many teens don't have a place to go to recover from abuse like Amy (the main character in The Clearing), I will also be making a donation to Teen Feed in honor of The Clearing's release. Teen Feed is a wonderful organization in my city that serves homeless teens hot meals and helps them find the resources to get identification and counseling that will lead to employment, housing, and a new life. I will donate 50 cents for each unique commenter during the release week, up to $250.

I think it's amazing that Heather's using her release week to help teens--let's help her rock that idea!

Rgz Shoutout: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl!

Beautiful Creatures fans, take note! Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl recently announced the title of the sequel, which will be out on October 26 (just in time for Halloween, yay!).

Did you hear?

It's. . . BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS!

There's more! TODAY, they're debuting the cover art at the Beautiful Creatures NING.

Before you run off to get your first peek at the cover, check out this shoutout that's just for readergirlz!





I don't know what could match up to the gorgeous Beautiful Creatures cover, but I can't wait to see!

Rgz Shoutout: Ellen Hopkins!

We featured her book Impulse last year, and Ellen Hopkins has been writing away!

Check out all her new titles here.



Yay, Ellen!

Rgz Shoutout: Alyx Harvey!

Think you might be tired of vampires? But they're so much fun! (We don't know exactly why, either, but they are.) Take heed of what Alyx Harvey has to say in her shoutout.

Rgz Shoutout: Carrie Jones!

Celebrate awesomeness with Carrie Jones! She's shouting out.

Rgz Shoutout: Street Team Sarah!

Rgz Street Team member Sarah, caught on video with a shoutout! Isn't she the cutest?

Rgz Shoutout: Lisa McMann!

Today is release day for Lisa McMann's GONE, the last of the WAKE trilogy! She gives readergirlz a shoutout:



PS-Don't forget about Lisa's “Don’t Let Your Dream Fade Vlog” Sweepstakes, going on through 3/8. Enter!

Rgz Shoutout: Suzanne Young!

Just a quick hello from Suzanne, whom I met last night at the Jefferson Market Public Library's Teen Author Reading Night! (She's awesome.) And it's so timely too -- check out Diva Holly's Story Secrets with Suzanne for a chance to win a copy of The Naughty List!

Rgz Shoutout: Barry Lyga!

Melissa caught up with Barry Lyga at Bank Street Books in NYC!



How gorgeous is that cover? Check out the Cover Story to hear about how they found the perfect girl to be main-character Kyra.