Movies, Books, TV, Music - Well, Sort Of

Story of my life. Usually, I can't get Blogger to upload the images I want it to, leaving me with the most bland-looking content in the blogoshpere. And when I finally am successful? I wind up with a monster-sized version like the one on the left. Feh.

OK, here's the deal. Today I need to write the penultimate chapter on a YA novel due out next year. I've been waiting a very long time to write this particular chapter - yea, me! Problem is, it's my turn to write something here at TFC. And I'm just Type-A enough I can't bring myself to blow you off. However, because that chapter is calling me - "Write me, Lauren! Write me! If you do, I'll even learn how to spell your last name!" - we really do need to keep this short.

On May 3, the fifth volume of The Sisters 8 series for young readers age 6-10 officially pubs. It's called Marcia's Madness and it's already shipping from all the usual suspects. The series, in case you don't know, starts when the parents of the titled octuplets go missing in Book 1: Annie's Adventures. Look at the gorgeous website Houghton Mifflin Harcourt made for the series: The Sisters 8 website. I can hear you now - "Ooh!" "Aah!" Thank you. There are all sorts of cool things on the website, like a craft section and even an area for kids to get tips on starting their own book clubs.

Oh, dear. I hear you talking again. This time you're saying, "But this is Teen Fiction Cafe, Lauren. Where's the teen in all this?" Yeah, well. Surely you must know a kid somewhere you'd love to give A SIGNED COPY TO. Yes, that's right. Now hold on just one more minute.

Since this week's topic is "Movies, Books, TV, Music," I'm going to ask folks to leave comments saying what new-since-the-first-of-the-year thing in any one category - or all four if you have time and are so inclined - has caught their fancy. For me, it would be the new TV show "Parenthood." It's very 1opm-soapish, but it works for me. Of course I don't get a chance to win by telling you that.

But you do! So post away! Sometime Saturday morning, Danbury time, I'll pick a winner and that winner will receive a signed copy of the hardcover edition of Marcia's Madness, signed by all three creators of The Sisters 8: Greg Logsted, 10-year-old Jackie Logsted and me.

Oh, and if you help spread the word about the series and the gorgeous website? No, you don't get any extra chances to win. But I will think you're wonderful and be eternally grateful to you, so there is that.

OK, have fun, turn me on to some new stuff, good luck, Happy Thursday, be good, don't take any wooden nickels, AND...

I'm off to write that chapter. Go, me.

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Good News Friday!

To kick off our Good News Friday, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of my TFC sisters and everyone who participated in the Cinderella Society launch party here on Tuesday! I had a fabulous time celebrating and seeing The Cinderella Society on the shelves after all these months. Definitely a day I'll never forget. :-)

For my good news, I'd like to announce the winners of the blog launch party games!

Winners of the Cinderella Society glass slipper bookmark:


Congratulations to Giada (Italy) and Liz Patanders!

~ AND ~

Winners of the Cinderella Society mini glass slipper:


Congratulations to Jen Petro-Roy and Jill of the O.W.L.!

Thanks again to everyone for celebrating my debut day with me! Contact me here with your mailing address to claim your prize. :-)

So, that's my good news for the week. What other fun news does everyone have to share?

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MISS MATCH: The Final Countdown!

I am so excited! On February 10, my second Simon Pulse romantic comedy, MISS MATCH, will be hitting bookstores. As any author will tell you, by the time their book comes out, he or she is very attached to it. It's only natural. They're like our children. After all, we've spent countless hours on it, from its conception to its infancy, through its childhood and maturation--and finally, the day we send it into the world on its own.

It's a bit scary by the time it hits this point, to be honest. Will the world like it or hate it? Will people get it? Will they even read it?

Though I'm sure I'll have a soft spot for all of my books, both past and future, there are definitely unique qualities about MISS MATCH that I adore.

1. It takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is about an hour away from where I live. It was so much fun putting local elements (though fictionalized) in my story. (BTW, if you like reading about Salt Lake City, pick up fellow TFCer Sara Zarr's Sweethearts.)


2. Sasha Finnegan, the heroine, is not the typical gorgeous, popular, skinny character of a romance novel. She's smart, sensitive, savvy, and funny.


3. The story has elements that are sometimes hard to talk about, yet are present in many teenagers' lives, such as divorced parents, parents who are dating, and body image issues.


4. For those of you who are lucky enough to have a sister, I love the relationship between Sasha and her sis Maddie, and I think you will too.


5. It comes out right in time for Valentine's Day, which is no fluke. :) It will make the perfect gift for someone special or for yourself. And to celebrate, I'm offering a FREE signed copy of MISS MATCH. Just tell me about your favorite V-day memory or plan (for this year). I'll have my 6 year-old son choose the winner on Saturday, Feb. 7. GOOD LUCK!

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Violet in Private Countdown!

Wanna get this widget for your blog or myspace or facebook or, you know, all those other pages you might have? Just click on the "share" button below. Then comment and tell me that you've posted it (you can post in your profile or as a blog entry or on the sidebar of your blog or anywhere you'd like) and I'll enter you to win one very special ADVANCE COPY of Violet in Private. (Yes, I have it in my hands right now!)

Thanks for spreading the word! I'll choose a winner next Friday, May 23!




PS-If you need a vertical option for your sidebar, here you go!




PPS-Or... horizontal!

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Violet by Design Winner!

Real quick, and by random number generator, the winner of Violet by Design is.... Hope!

Head over to melissacwalker.com and email me your address, Hope.

Thanks to everyone who entered--I will be using all your tricks and wishing for good book karma!

MWAH!

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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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