Good News Friday!

Holy cow, it's been an exciting couple of weeks here at the TFC. Three books have had birthdays: Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Twin's Daughter, Alyson Noel's Radiance, and Alyson's Noel's Kisses From Hell (anthology.)

And I'm so excited to help Alyson celebrate the HUGE news that Radiance debuted #2 on the New York Times Bestsellers List for Children's Paperbacks. WOW!!! Congratulations, Alyson!

I also found out that my Lifted is in its second printing and it's an ALA/YALSA 2010 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers nominee. It's in good company, along with Elizabeth Scott's The Unwritten Rule. Click HERE to see the list. Any more good news this week?

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Good News Friday: My New YA, Lifted, is out!

I'm having such an exciting week because my YA novel, Lifted, is finally out. Since I'm on my Two Weddings & a Book Tour road trip, I got to stop by bookstores in NM and CO and though I was too early for some, others had Lifted proudly displayed amongst a variety of wonderful YA selections. I took pictures, but of course I forgot to pack the right equipment so they're stuck on my camera for now.

Click here to read one of the first reviews. Isn't that awesome? And the creator of that blog, Jill, chose to launch her brand-spankin' new blog with this review!

Oh, and here's something especially awesome. Jessica Brody and I are both signing at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch, CO! She's there tonight (go get a copy of The Karma Club if you're in the Denver area, unlike me, who will be trying to coerce my 3 year-old son to be an obedient ring bearer at my dad's wedding in Texhoma) and I'm there Tuesday, June 15! I took a photo of the nice display of her books, but again, it's stuck in my camera.

So! A fun week to be sure, and now I'm off for Kansas! ;)

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Writing for Charity

If you happen to live in the Utah area, this might be of interest to you. Even if you live elsewhere, hopefully you'll enjoy reading about this fun charity project and it will inspire you to do something proactive to help people in need.

This summer have unfettered access to professional children’s authors, all in the name of charity! Saturday, July 19 several local authors will host a Writing for Charity event in Salt Lake City, with all profits going to The Wheelchair Project, which provides wheelchairs for people in third world countries. Come hear writers talk about their process, how to write for a young audience, storytelling tips, and the ins and outs of the publishing business. In addition, have your picture book text or first page of your novel (the most important page!) workshopped by professionals.

When: Saturday, July 19, 9 am to 1 pm

Where: Salt Lake Main Library, 200 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

Cost: $45 (tax deductible!)

Authors include Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Ann Cannon, Kristyn Crow, Becky Hickox, Kimberley Heuston, Anne Bowen, Aprilynne Pike, Ann Dee Ellis, Mike Knudson, and Wendy Toliver (me!)

And on a totally unrelated note, check out my new cover. MISS MATCH will be out right in time for Valentine's Day!

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Ode to Books

Alyson's post about life-changing books got me pondering. I think every book I've read has affected me in some way.

Of all the ups and downs in my life, the one constant has been books. I always have a book with me. Always. I get stressed? I want to curl up and read a book. I get depressed? I want to curl up and read a book. I get bored? Well, you know the drill.

I even have book anxiety. Like when I'm on vacation and I've have finished reading the book(s) I brought with me. Or I'm waiting in a doctor's office and I brought the wrong purse with me and the one with the book in it is sitting at home. Not having a book to read is like... gaaaaah! Does anyone else get this way?

Pictured above are just some of the books I've read in the past couple of months that have made my life more enjoyable. (These are the ones that found their way into my office where I am writing this post...) VIOLET BY DESIGN and KEEPING THE MOON came with me on Spring Break. : )

How many of you are like me? Are books as much a part of your life as breathing?

Linda

P.S. Shameless plug... to celebrate my upcoming release of DEATH BY BIKINI, I'm giving away a signed advanced copy and a totally cute bikini pin over at my blog today if you want to stop by...

~*~

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Win a Free Book!

Wow, what an exciting week! My family and friends came in to help me celebrate the launch of my debut novel, The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren. My husband planned the most elegant party at the Eccles Art Center, pictured here in all its splendor. We ate delicious food, listened to live piano music, and visited with new and old friends. I also signed quite a few books, as you can see in the photo below. It was, in a word, perfect.

In honor of Teen Fiction Cafe's promo week, I'm pleased to offer a FREE autographed copy of The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren. Its official launch date was Dec. 26, 2007, so this baby is hot off the press and just dying to make it into a pair of deserving hands. What do you have to do? It's easy! Just leave a comment, sharing your New Year's resolution. I'll have my one year-old choose the lucky winner, so check back at the end of the week to see if it's you! Good luck, and Happy New Year!

P.S. If you'd like to read more about me or my book, two TFC authors have recently posted interviews. Check them out at YA Fresh and Sara Hantz's blog.

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