Archive for 2010
November 29th, 2010
Holy smokes, it’s almost December! 
Things have been hopping here at Casa Cassidy. I’ve been getting a lot of tweets and emails this month about CINDY ON A MISSION timing and wanted to give you all a quick update.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of months (including the exciting sale of THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY to Editora Record in Brazil at auction!) and there are some BIG changes coming for me in 2011 and beyond… most of which I can’t announce publicly yet. Gah!
One thing I can tell you is that CINDY ON A MISSION will not be coming out in Spring 2011 as originally printed in the back of THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY. (So don’t worry, you haven’t missed ARCs on it. LOL) I’ll have more details to share about Jess and the Cindys in early 2011 and promise to keep you posted on their further adventures!
In the meantime, there are lots of exciting new things in the works too (including two new books I’m over le moon about!). But I’m saving that scoop for a big announcement in 2011. Just know that I’m SUPER excited about Sekret Project D (a dark YA with a kick-butt heroine) and Sekret Project CR (a fast-paced middle grades cipher mystery) and I’m having an absolute blast. I can’t wait for 2011 and beyond!
Have I mentioned I love my job?
November 9th, 2010
It’s here! I’ve been getting emails all year asking when THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY’s e-book would be available for Kindle, Nook, iPad, Sony Reader, etc. I’m delighted to announce that it’s finally here for all you e-reader fans!
As a new Nook buyer, this is extra fun. I’ve already downloaded the sample chapter just so I can see it on my Nook. For your convenience, here are the links to the e-book version on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
In other news, I’m also happy to announce the winners of THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney. This was a special giveaway I wanted to host because a) Daisy is fantabulous and wonderful, and b) because Cindys always stand up for what they believe in (and that’s an important part of THE MOCKINGBIRDS). And the winners are:
Aimee Bartis and Kristi Helvig
Congratulations Aimee and Kristi! Please contact me here with your mailing address to receive your prize.
November 8th, 2010
It’s that time of year again… the holidays are approaching, and I’m busy re-evaluating how I want to finish out the year and kick off 2011. One of the things I’ve been pondering is my Five. I’m a huge proponent of Living Your Five™… choosing the five areas you most want to make a difference in and then committing to doing a little bit every day to live your Five.
I haven’t revisited my Five since the end of last year, and I’m ready to do that again. What I’ve realized is that my interests and priorities have changed a lot over the year. A LOT. It’s been one of those years where so many unexpected career and personal things have occurred that it’s left me wondering how to meld them into a harmonious and balanced life moving forward. Revamping my Five seems like the logical place to start, no?
So here are my new Five for late 2010 and beyond:
1. Embrace gratitude and pay it forward
One of the things I’ve started doing is tweeting some of the things I’m grateful for. There’s so much chatter on Twitter that I always enjoy the meaningful tweets about what’s really important to the people I follow. My contribution to that is to use the #dailygratitude hashtag and tweet about some of the big (and small!) things that make me smile.
I’m also a huge believer in paying it forward. The national Great Scavenger Hunt Contest™ is a primary piece of my Pay It Forward platform. By offering librarians across the country a fun, free, year-round reading program that not only keeps kids and teens coming back to the library for more but also encourages a lifelong love of reading for pleasure, I’m helping both librarians and young readers build stronger connections with books.
But I’ve also begun to branch out. I volunteer at a local school library that has seen cutbacks (as so many libraries have). And I’ve started looking for ways to give back in my community as a whole. I’m excited to see what 2011 holds in store for me on this part of my Five.
2. Live a self-sufficient life
I’m a suburban girl, born and raised. My mom is a great cook and can sew and craft with the best of them. But somehow this never rubbed off on me. I haven’t worked a sewing machine since junior high, I’m a terrible cook, and I don’t know the first thing about gardening (other than planting a flat of flowers from Lowe’s). The older I get, the more I realize that I’m doing myself and my family a disservice by being so clueless.
So I’m setting out to change that. I want to be able to rely on myself to provide for my family and not be at the mercy of what’s on the shelf at the local store. I’m not talking about living off the grid, mind you; I’m just talking about being more self-sufficient. Not only is this better for our family, but it’s better for our community and for our planet. I believe we all need to have basic skills so that, in the event of a Katrina or the grid failure that knocked out power to several states a while back, we can make sure our own basic needs are met so we are better prepared to help others when things get rough.
3. Put family and friends first
I have a plaque on my desk with the engraving “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” I look at it every day as a reminder that what’s truly important is making a difference to those closest to me. Too often over the last year I’ve put book signings or The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest™ or any number of other projects ahead of my family. And yet with my family I have a unique opportunity to make a deep and meaningful impact. It’s like HGTV says: “Change the world, start at home.”
If we give our best to the people we love and help nurture them as they embrace their full potential, we extend our own ability to make a difference in the world. And as Jess learns in THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY, the people you love deserve your best.
4. Seek out inspiring stories and share them with others
This is one of my favorite pastimes. I love reading about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. People who don’t have a lot of money to throw around, people who lead incredibly busy lives, people who are facing incredible adversity… and yet they find time–scratch that, MAKE time–to give back to others and make a difference in the world around them. Those stories absolutely make my day. I want to do more to seek out those stories and share them with others. We can all use more inspiration in our day, can’t we?
5. Live a greener life
This has been a biggie of mine for a while. I love finding ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. I love learning about alternative energy sources. (We just looked at a solar backup generator yesterday that was pretty darn cool – if only we lived in a sunnier locale). This also ties into the self-sufficiency part of my Five too. In fact, focusing more and more on living a greener life this year is, in large part, what led me to become an advocate for self-sufficient living. It’s a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and serenity to know that you’re helping your family, your community, and your planet at the same time.
November 2nd, 2010
Happy release day to Daisy Whitney and her debut, THE MOCKINGBIRDS! If you haven’t met Daisy yet, high-tail it over to her web site (or visit her on Twitter @daisywhitney) and get to know this incredibly sweet dynamo.
Daisy is not only a fellow Tenner, but also a fellow girlfriend on the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit. To celebrate her release (and thank her for being such a huge supporter of me and authors everywhere!), I’m delighted to be sponsoring a THE MOCKINGBIRDS giveaway to not one, but two lucky commenters. It’s a double whammy! Stay tuned at the end of the interview for all the details.
GCC presents… Daisy Whitney!
It’s GCC time to kick off November! This week, I’m ecstatic to bring you the amazing and wonderful (and so so smart)…
Daisy Whitney
Welcome, Daisy!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Daisy Whitney
Short Bio:
Daisy Whitney is a new media producer, reporter, and internationally-known Web show creator, and The Mockingbirds is her debut novel. A graduate of Brown University, Daisy believes in shoes, chocolate chip cookies, and karma. She lives in San Francisco, California with her fabulous husband, fantastic kids, and adorable dog, and you can follow her writing blog and new media adventures at DaisyWhitney.com.
The Book
The Mockingbirds
November 2, 2010
Little, Brown
**On shelves TODAY!**
Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way–the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds–a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.
In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl’s struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone–especially yourself–you fight for it.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
I pinch myself every day. Life is a wondrous extraordinary thing and I truly believe if you keep working hard dreams have a funny way of coming true.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I try to live an eco-friendly life by recyling, re-using, and buying sustainably grown food. I also made a decision to return to vegetarianism earlier this year for many reasons including a love of animals and a desire to make as low an impact on the earth as possible.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
Health! My children! My husband! My dog! Everything! Most of all I am so grateful that my family is healthy and happy!
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
I went on a pre-pub tour this summer and it was totally surreal to meet all these booksellers and librarians who were excited about my book!
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
I’d have to say The Little House on the Prairie books because whenever I look back on reading as a child I was always curled up with those books. They showed me how books can take you away to another world.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Being the only one who missed the Madonna concert is not the end of the world!
Thanks to Daisy for a terrific interview!
The Giveaway!
In celebration of Daisy and her debut, I’m happy to be sponsoring a giveaway of THE MOCKINGBIRDS to two lucky commenters! Comment below and tell us why you think it’s important to stand up for what’s right. A bonus entry to every commenter who also shares a story about a time when they personally stood up for something they believed in! Comment below by Monday, November 8, 2010. (Giveaway open to US only.)
October 27th, 2010
It’s time to announce the winner of Denise Jaden’s debut LOSING FAITH, a US/Canada giveaway sponsored by her publisher!
The winner of LOSING FAITH is:
Lauren
(aka 365 Days of Reading)
Congratulations, Lauren! Please contact me here with your mailing address and I’ll forward it to Denise so her publisher can send along your copy of LOSING FAITH.
October 20th, 2010
HER AND ME AND YOU winner!
Congratulations to the winner of Lauren Strasnick’s latest book, HER AND ME AND YOU…
Carly!
(aka Carly Reads)
Congrats, Carly! Please contact me here with your mailing address. I’ll forward it along to Lauren, and you’ll receive your book directly from her publisher.
And now…
GCC presents Denise Jaden!
It’s GCC time again! This week, I’m delighted to bring you my fellow Tenner…
Denise Jaden
Welcome, Denise! (Readers: Be sure to check out the LOSING FAITH giveaway at the end of the interview!)
The Girlfriend
Name:
Denise Jaden
Short Bio:
Denise Jaden lives just outside Vancouver, Canada. When she’s not writing, she can often be found homeschooling her son or dancing with her Polynesian dance troupe. Losing Faith is her first novel. Find out more at denisejaden.com.
The Book
Losing Faith
September 7, 2010
Simon Pulse
**On shelves now**
A terrible secret.
A terrible fate.
When Brie’s sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.
As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Being a published author has only been a recent dream of mine, say in the last seven years or so. Still, it is a major accomplishment, and when I look around and see so many writers trying so hard to get published (many whom I would consider more talented than I am!) I am truly humbled by it all.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I’d love to be able to personally connect with teens and young people and somehow make their world easier for them. I know *I* had a hard time as a teen, and the world certainly hasn’t gotten any easier for that age. I’d love for my books to make even just one person feel understood and not alone in the world.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
What am I NOT grateful for might be an easier question! I am so incredibly blessed. I have a wonderfully supportive and encouraging husband, the best son in the world (I know, I’m a bit biased here) and I’m seeing a piece of my heart (my first book) hit the shelves. I also have better friends than a person could rightfully ask for and an extended family who are made of awesome. Truly, truly blessed!
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
My best moment was still when I received my first offer of representation. Hearing someone in the world–a publishing professional no less!-use the “L” word about my writing for the first time.I’ll never forget that moment.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
To be honest, I didn’t read a lot growing up. I always thought of reading as “work” and I think I missed out on so much because of that attitude. I do, however, have fond memories of ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME MARGARET? By Judy Blume. It made me laugh out loud and feel a sense of camaraderie.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Only one? Well, okay. Even though I know I wouldn’t have listened, I would still tell my teen self not to worry so much about what other people think of me.
Thanks to Denise for a terrific interview. I’m delighted to be offering up a free copy of LOSING FAITH to one lucky commenter courtesy of Denise’s lovely publisher. This publisher giveaway is open to US only. Comment below by Monday, October 25, 2010 for your chance to win!
October 16th, 2010
It’s GCC time! A few weeks ago, I had the lovely opportunity to meet this week’s Girlfriends Cyber Circuit guest: the awesome, funny and incredibly sweet…
Linda Gerber
Welcome, Linda!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Linda Gerber
Short Bio:
Linda Gerber (www.lindagerber.com) is the author of the popular Death by Bikini, Death by Latte, and Death by Denim as well as two books in the S.A.S.S. series. She lives with her family in Dublin, Ohio.
The Book
Trance
October 14, 2010
Penguin Speak
**On shelves now**
Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what’s to come—a trance. She’s pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she’s never been able to stop the event from actually occurring—not even when the vision was of her mother’s fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn’s life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear: it’s up to her to save Jake from a near-certain death.
Combining romance and suspense, Trance delivers a paranormal thriller that is unique in its ability to appeal to sci-fi and chick lit fans alike.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Being an author is a recent dream. I didn’t grow up thinking I could ever be doing what I am right now. Once I decided I had stories to tell and I wanted the chance to tell them, I did everything I could to get here. It’s a great sense of accomplishment to know I made it happen.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I was recently inspired by a young author, Riley Carney, who has established a foundation to work toward youth literacy. She talked about empowering youth by giving them greater ability to learn and the seek opportunities. I can’t imagine a more worthwhile cause – and something that will change lives for the good, so that’s a new focus for me.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
My family. My friends. My faith. The ability and the freedom to pursue my goals.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
I’ve got to meet some amazing authors at events and signings (and cheesecake lunches). I’m still such a fangirl that each time is a squee moment for me.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls was first book I stayed up all night to read. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite book of all time, but that the book I was reading when I happily realized I was a true bookaholic, and that many years of reading pleasure awaited me.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enough with the drama, already. All this high school stuff won’t matter in a year or two. Trust me.
Thanks to Linda for a terrific interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of Trance today!
October 8th, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the lovely and incredibly talented…
Lauren Strasnick
Welcome, Lauren! (Readers: Be sure to check out the Her and Me and You giveaway at the end of the interview!)
The Girlfriend
Name:
Lauren Strasnick
Short Bio:
Lauren Strasnick grew up in Connecticut, now lives in Los Angeles, and is a graduate of Emerson College and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) MFA Writing Program. Visit Lauren on the web at www.laurenstrasnick.com.
The Book
Her and Me and You
October 5, 2010
Simon Pulse
**On shelves now**
First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.
Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred–and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred–and something about Adina–that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world, no matter the consequences.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Oh, absolutely, it was my dream, & still is. Each book that comes out feels like a mini-miracle. The day I got the call that my first book had sold was such an insane high – total elation. Nothing compares.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
Tough question, Kay! I’d like to think I make the world a bit better by being honest and fair to those I interact with. This is mostly a good thing, but my preoccupation with things being “even” and “right” gets me into trouble occasionally… Also, I am a committed friend. Endlessly loyal to those I love.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
My health (knock wood), my family, my friends, my kitten, (knock wood, knock wood, knock wood), my career, good food, great music, good art, nice clothes… I could play this game forever (knocking wood every time!).
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
S&S sent me to Orlando this summer for the RWA nationals. I’ve never been *sent* anywhere before! So thrilling.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
I have a very distinct memory of lying on the living room couch, finishing up WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls, weeping. That book killed me.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Kiss more boys.
Thanks to Lauren for a terrific interview. I’m delighted to be offering up a free copy of Her and Me and You to one lucky commenter courtesy of Lauren’s delightful publisher. Comment below by Monday, October 18, 2010 for your chance to win!
September 9th, 2010
I’m delighted to be participating in Christine Johnson‘s delightful (and yummy!) Great YA Bake Sale of 2010! If you haven’t seen her launch post for it, here’s what it’s all about from the magical Christine herself.
from Christine:
It’s here, it’s here – The Great YA Bake Sale of 2010!
It all started when I realized that YA authors seem to have one big thing in common – an obsession with sweets and baking.
That gave me an idea. I started calling (well – okay, emailing) around and ended up with more than a dozen kind, sugar-loving authors on board to bring you one amazing contest.
Here’s the deal:
To enter, simply leave a thoughtful comment on an author’s Bake Sale blog post, or tweet about the contest with the hashtag #YABakeSale10. Voila! You’re entered.
When you enter, you become eligible to win any one of the Personal Prize Packs (i.e. a comment on Saundra Mitchell’s blog may net you the Cyn Balog prize pack. You’re entering the whole contest, not just that particular author’s part of it.) You also become eligible to win the humongonormous Grand Prize Basket.
What’s in the Grand Prize Basket?
Each author has hand-written two copies of a favorite sweet-treat recipe. One copy has gone into a beautiful recipe book that is part of the Grand Prize Basket. In addition to the (hand-written! Did I mention that?) recipe collection, the Grand Prize winner will receive:
A signed copy of Cyn Balog’s SLEEPLESS
Bookmarks for KAT, INCORRIGIBLE by Stephanie Burgis
A special THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY prize pack with a mini glass slipper and a shiny glass slipper bookmark from Kay Cassidy
Signed bookmarks for THE CRESCENT and HALF MOON, pencils, and a crescent moon and crystal-studded star necklace from Jordan Deen
A (signed?) copy of THE BODY FINDER, a THE BODY FINDER tote bag, sticker and bookmarks from Kimberley Derting
An EVERLASTING-themed notebook, bookmark and pin from Angela Frazier
A signed copy of CLAIRE DE LUNE, signed stickers and a silver, moon-themed bookmark from Christine Johnson
A signed copy of SHADOWED SUMMER, matching chocolate candies, Twilight-themed heart candies, bookmarks and THE VESPERTINE dance card from Saundra Mitchell
A signed copy of THE PACE, by Shelena Shorts, along with bookmarks and THE PACE pencils
A signed hard-cover of SHADE and a Keeley Brothers pin from Jeri-Smith Ready
A signed copy of PERSONAL DEMONS, a PERSONAL DEMONS tank top, temporary tattoos, and bookmarks from Lisa Desrochers
. . . AND MORE!!! All for ONE LUCKY WINNER!
But that’s not all!
Each author has one other handwritten recipe that will be part of each author’s own Personal Prize Pack.
The prize packs include:
Cyn Balog – Signed copy of SLEEPLESS and a handwritten recipe for Coconut Bread.
Stephanie Burgis – UK paperback copy of A MOST IMPROPER MAGICK and a hand written recipe for Apple Muffins
Kay Cassidy – Hand-written recipe for Chocolate Decadence Bundt Cake and a special THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY prize pack with a mini glass slipper and a shiny glass slipper bookmark
Megan Crewe – Hand-written recipe and giveaways
Shannon Delaney – Hand-written recipe and giveaways
Jordan Deen – Basket with Pampered Chef baking gear and a recipe for Orange Pineapple Cake
Kimberly Derting – Signed copy of The Body Finder, stickers, a totebag, bookmarks and a recipe for Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lisa Desrochers – A copy of PERSONAL DEMONS and a recipe for Sunday Coffee Cupcakes
Angie Frazier – A signed hard-cover copy of EVERLASTING, bookmark, and a recipe for Butter Rum Cupcakes with Coconut Buttercream Frosting
Judith Graves – Copy of UNDER MY SKIN, a character card, and a recipe for Dead Lady Fingers
Christine Johnson – A signed hard-cover copy of CLAIRE DE LUNE, stickers, a silver moon-themed bookmark and a recipe for Chocolate-Chip Butterscotch Blondies
Saundra Mitchell – Recipe and giveaways
Jennifer Murgia – ANGEL STAR swag, Octogram earrings, and a hand-written recipe
Shelena Shorts – Signed copy of THE BROKEN LAKE and bookmarks and a hand-written recipe
Jeri Smith-Ready – SHADE UK paperback edition and a recipe for Scottish Oat Scones
Fine print: The contest entries must be posted by midnight eastern time on September 20th. This contest is open to the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
TO PARTICIPATE: (All comments must be posted by September 20, 2010)
** To enter to win Christine’s grand prize basket with all of our goodies, go to her blog and comment on the Great YA Bake Sale of 2010 post!
** To enter to win my special THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY prize pack with a mini glass slipper and a shiny glass slipper bookmark PLUS a hand-written recipe for Chocolate Decadence Bundt Cake, comment on this post below.
** To enter to win any of the other author prize packs, check out their blog post and comment there too!
Happy entering (and happy baking)!
September 8th, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the wonderful and funny…
Lucienne Diver
Welcome, Lucienne!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Lucienne Diver
Short Bio:
Lucienne Diver is a writer by night and a literary agent by day.
The Book
ReVamped
September 1, 2010
Flux
Gina and her boyfriend Bobby are sent undercover to infiltrate a New York high school where some seriously weird stuff is going down. Worse than that, Gina’s new super-secret identity is as goth-girl Geneva Belfry. No color palette to speak of. More chains than a bike rack. And don’t even get her started on the shoes. At least she won’t be too worried about blood spatter when kicking the butt of her newest nemesis, who’s decided that the high school makes a perfect playground.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
I’ve wanted to be a published author since I was about eleven years old and finished my first “novel.” It was supposed to be a short story, based on a concept we were given in class and ended up around 110 pages. I received my first rejection at fifteen or sixteen when I submitted the novel to the Avon Flare competition. I don’t know if Avon still does this, but it was a contest open only to young people and the best manuscript achieved publication. I still had a long way to go toward that goal, but the day I reached it was one of the most amazing of my life.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
That’s a great question, and so hard to answer, because the things I want most to change are those things that I have the least control over. What I’d most like to stop is abuse of any kind…spousal abuse, child abuse, etc. Child abuse is especially heinous because of their vulnerability and the position of power that adults hold over them. Giving time or money to help after the fact, to treat the trauma and help victims get back on their feet is wonderful, but I’d love to get at the heart of things and nip it all in the bud. When I wish on a star or blow out a candle, my most fervent wish is that people stop hurting each other, particularly those they’re supposed to love and protect.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
I’m incredibly grateful for my family. They awe and amaze me and keep me on my toes, showing me by their examples ways in which I can be a better person. My husband surprises me with laughter and thoughtfulness. My son sees the world with such clarity and creativity that he helps me view it through new eyes. My father, mother and grandmother are amazingly giving of their time to others. My sister would do anything in the world for anybody without a thought to herself. Her son is a wonder and her husband a character.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
You’ll laugh, but honestly, it was being asked to emcee an event in October as my character. You see, Gina (my fashionista vampire) is so real to me that she’s not only insisted on a series—first Vamped and now ReVamped, with two more on the way—but she’s even got her own blog. Sometimes I feel more like I channel the character than do any actual work myself. So it’s very meaningful to me that other people are starting to share in my delusions. Yes, people talk back to my “imaginary” friend. (Gina would have my head if she heard me call her that.) Soon she’ll have a better social life than I do.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
Hands down it’s THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND by Elizabeth George Speare. It’s all about a girl who was raised by her grandfather in Barbados, who is sent to live with her Puritan aunt and uncle after his death. On the trip, she dives into the ocean to save the doll of a pinch-faced little girl who doesn’t seem to have anything else in the world to cling to and she’s immediately branded a witch. It’s an amazing story, about prejudice, sacrifice and, especially, the courage it takes to stand up to the status quo and risk being slapped with a label that could lead to death in order to do what is right.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
You know, it almost doesn’t matter, because I wouldn’t have listened. I was hard-headed (still am, actually), and I wouldn’t have heard anything before I was ready to hear it, if that makes any sense. If I could give her confidence instead of advice, though, I’d do it in a New York minute. I never really let anything stop me, but I did stress about everything far more than necessary.
Thanks to Lucienne for a terrific interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of ReVamped today!
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