As part of a new series called “Tips from the Industry,” Book Divas asked me to guest blog about how to get readers’ attention. Can books compete with all the other media choices available to teens today? Take a look at my article and tell me what you think.
How cute are these girls?
Had a great time hanging out with lots of cool chicks at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia, last weekend! Author Jennifer Jabaley and I took turns interviewing each other about our writing process. Jennifer shared how she got the idea for her novel LIPSTICK APOLOGY, and I shared why I can’t write when pigeons are present. (If you missed it and would like to know where Jen got her original idea and/or how pigeons came into the conversation, check back for a video of the event to be posted soon.)
We were thrilled to have JUSTINE magazine take part in the festivities. All the girls got lots of cool swag, including a free copy of JUSTINE and a Lip Smacker. One lucky girl even won a backpack filled with books, courtesy of JUSTINE. (I am totally jealous!)
Big, big thanks to the folks at Little Shop of Stories–especially Krista, who took such great care of us that night, and Terra McVoy, the store’s manager and author of PURE. Thanks also to my friend Phyllis, who set up such a nice table of refreshments. I had fun getting to know Shelli Johannes Wells of Market My Words, children’s book illustrator and author Elizabeth O. Dulemba, bloggers Vania Stoyanova, Kelsey Fleming, Shalonda, Eli, and lots of other cool people. And, of course, it was wonderful to meet so many teen girls who came out that night. I hope you’ll enjoy BRAND-NEW EMILY, and I hope to meet up with you again next year when JUMP hits shelves (November 2010). 
I just found out today that BRAND-NEW EMILY has been selected for quiz development by Accelerated Reader. Since the AR program is in use in so many schools, that means it will be easier for teachers and librarians to put BRAND-NEW EMILY on their reading lists. Very good news!
Had a great time at the signing at Books & Company at The Greene in Dayton, Ohio. I got to meet some of the members of the Centerville High School Colorguard–so full of personality! One of them won the makeover from Sephora and plans to save it for homecoming night, so Centerville guys, get your courage up and go ahead and ask for that date! I asked her to send me pictures, so I hope she will.
I got to tell the Centerville girls all about my awesome cousin Meg, who just joined the colorguard team this year at another Ohio HS.
Thanks, ladies, for coming to the event and introducing yourselves! Hope you enjoy the Lip Smackers and BRAND-NEW EMILY! And best of luck with your performances this football season!
How excited was I to see that Nashville Scene magazine titled their article about my July 27 signing, “Rue the Day”?! Gotta love it. Also, I love when reviewers use words such as “wackiness” when writing about my plot, so big thanks to Emily Bartlett Hines for the nice review.
While we’re on the subject of reviews, a shout-out to Flamingnet.com for giving Brand-New Emily a perfect 10 out of 10, and their TOP CHOICE award. I’m most impressed with the fact that this review website was started by a high school student and now uses student reviewers from all over the country. Way to get out there and be industrious! I would’ve started a website when I was in high school, except that the Internet didn’t exist, and I was too busy making my hair really, really big.
