Blog Tour: Megan Crewe!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Megan Crewe, whose book Give Up the Ghost debuted on September 15. I read the ARC of this and loved it--it definitely kept me hooked!

Here’s a blurb about Give Up the Ghost:

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Aaaaaand, a little about author Megan Crewe:

Like many fiction authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity. Visit her online at http://www.megancrewe.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I had an image of a girl hanging out talking with her sister, just a normal everyday conversation...except her sister was a ghost. And I knew I had to write about this character who was totally comfortable chatting with ghosts.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

Spicy fries! They had the best spicy french fries in my high school caf and I would've eaten them every day if I could have. :)

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

Making stuff up. I love being able to go "what if" with all sorts of crazy ideas, and then playing them out and seeing what happens.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Megan--and huge congrats on the release of your great book!!

Stupid Cupid sampler in Simon Teen newsletter!

Stupid Cupid is a sampler in the Simon Teen newsletter this month!!! How cool is that? :D Just click HERE to download the .pdf file.

Here's the list of all 9 Simon Teen YA novels being featured:

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

Blood Ninja by Nick Lake

The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger

Beautiful by Amy Reed

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

To subscribe to the various S&S newsletters, you can click HERE.

By the way, my book has 84 days to go until release! EEEEH! So freaking cool...and a bit scary. But trying not to think about the scary part. Oh! And I have a venue and bookseller for my launch party. Once I get the final date, I will post it everywhere. I'd love to see people come! :D

OMG I Want These T-Shirts

I was browsing a t-shirt and kitchy items website called http://www.nerdyshirts.com/ and saw some really funny shirts in stock. Take a gander at my favs (all images courtesy of http://www.nerdyshirts.com/):

Okay, Saved By the Bell was one of the cheesiest shows ever, but I watched it. A lot. I won't say how much. Anyway, Slater rules. ROFL

HAH. Nothin' else to say about this one.

Ah, the Internet. Making high-quality love matches since the early nineties.

The manpanion would totally love this one. He's a big Streetfighter fan.

Another funny shirt. Ah, I love the video game tees. I used to LOOOOVE my Nintendo, back in the day.

Whew, I'm in my revision cave!

Just checking in quickly with you guys to let you know I'm still alive and kicking. LOL. I'm working on revisions for book 3, and I've been intensely chugging away at them. Plus, I'm going out of town for a few days next week for a work thing. I'll post more when I return!

Hope everything is going fine for you guys. :D

PS--I just realized that Tuesday Sept. 22nd is the 3-month marker from the release of Stupid Cupid. SO cool!! It'll be here before we know it. I'm planning a launch party for mid-January and will post deets when they're available. :D EEEEEH! Okay, this is not the time to throw up. haha

Blog Tour: Sydney Salter!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Sydney Salter, whose book Jungle Crossing debuted on September 1. I read the ARC of this and really enjoyed it!

Here’s a blurb about Jungle Crossing:

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

Aaaaaand, a little about author Sydney Salter:

Sydney Salter's fascination with Mayan culture started when she was six years old and climbed down a steep, dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in Sydney's imagination that led to writing Jungle Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading, writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers. Visit her online at http://www.sydneysalter.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I wanted to write something to teach my daughters about Mayan culture before a family vacation to Mexico. I ended up writing my first novel which they weren't old enough to read yet!

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

I've always been suspicious of cafeteria food. But I'm a lazy lunch maker and often packed just yoghurt and a rarely-eaten apple.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

The writing! I'm so happy while drafting something new or diving in to fix something old. It's the waiting in between that makes me cranky!

Thanks for coming to my blog, Sydney--and congrats on your second release of the year!!

Debs Giveaway--enter now!

Check it out--this month's 2009 Debutantes giveaway! You have until tomorrow at noon EST to enter. Good luck!

Blog Tour: Kate Messner!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Kate Messner, whose book The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z debuted on September 1. I'm stoked to read this story--it sounds adorable!

Here’s a blurb about The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z:

Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator. Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline. She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Kate Messner:

Kate Messner grew up in Medina, New York and graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communication with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She worked as a television news producer and reporter in Syracuse, NY and then Burlington, VT, before going back to school to get a teaching degree. These days, Kate is a National Board Certified middle school English teacher. She has helped hundreds of kids work on leaf collection projects and likes sugar maples and catalpa leaves the best. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her husband and kids and loves spending time in the woods. Visit her online at http://www.katemessner.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I'm a 7th grade English teacher, and for about a decade, I've watched the 7th graders at my school work on a great big leaf collection project each autumn. It's a great project - but an overwhelming one for kids who tend to procrastinate, and I've seen so much humor and drama surrounding that one project over the years that I knew I wanted to write about it. Gianna Z. is assigned a very similar project in the book. She's one of those creative, free-spirited kids who aren't organized, and she struggles with it. On top of that, she's dealing with a changing family situation and changes in her feelings about her best guy friend. Ultimately, that's what I hope readers find at the heart of this book - a story about facing changes and challenges with a sense of humor and a creative spirit.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

You remember loving food from the cafeteria in high school?? (Methinks we did not attend the same high school, Rhonda.) My favorite high school lunch memory is from senior year when my friend and I would leave school grounds, go to Dave's ice cream, and have dessert-for-lunch. My favorite was the soft chocolate ice cream with M&M's mixed in.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

There are a million things I love about being a writer -- the rush I get from creating, the fun research trips, the excitement of having a book out there in the world... but my absolute favorite thing is talking with kids about books. There is nothing in the world like listening to a fifth grader explain his or her theory about a character you created. It's just so, so cool.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Kate--and congrats on your release!!

Blog Tour: Jennifer Brown!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Jennifer Brown, whose book Hate List debuted on September 1. I've heard FANTASTIC buzz about this novel, and I am so eager to get a copy!!

Here’s a blurb about Hate List:

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Jennifer Brown:

Jennifer Brown is the author of HATE LIST, a YA novel coming out in September 2009. As a two-time winner of The Erma Bombeck Global Humor award and weekly columnist for The Kansas City Star, as well as Saturday Featured Blogger for Mom2MomKC.com, Jennifer spends a lot of time dressing up her dog for laughs and thinking of new ways to works words such as "Puh-lease" and "Ch-yeah!" into sentences. Jennifer grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri area, where she still lives with her husband, three kids, and whole herd of uncooperative pets. Visit her online at http://www.jenniferbrownYA.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

Actually, it was a song. You know when you get a song stuck in your head right before bedtime and then you can't sleep because all night long that song is replaying over and over and over again in your dreams? Yeah, normally I hate it. But one night I got that Nickelback song, "If Everyone Cared," stuck in my head, and when I woke up, I had the idea for Hate List. I mulled it over the next morning with my coffee, and by the time breakfast was over, I had a pretty good idea exactly where the story was going to go.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

I didn't eat lunch very often in high school. Instead, I used the $2 a day lunch money my parents gave me as gas money. So usually I'd scrape up 50 cents for a soda, and that would be lunch. Today, I can't imagine skipping lunch. I'd be a puddle by the end of the day.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

NOT having to work in an office somewhere. And I get to feed my inner introvert shamelessly all day long.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Jennifer--and BEST WISHES on your new novel!!

ABC meme about me

I decided to do the ABC meme that's floating around. Even though you're supposed to tag 3 people, I'm not gonna. I'll just share my answers, and you can do it too if you like!

Available or single? Nope, I have a manpanion. :D

Best Friend? The manpanion. Awwwww I'm so sappy. Don't judge me!

Cake or Pie? OMG cake, hands down. Unless it's bread pudding. *drool* Or peach cobbler. That stuff is evil good too.

Drink of choice? Either Dr. Pepper, or Coke with lime. Tasty!!

Essential item for every day use? Um, my brain. LOL

Favorite color? Greeeeeeeeen. I love it. So soothing and pretty.

Google? Um, YEAH, I lurve Google so much.

Hometown? Cleveland, yo. I don't really have a "hometown" per se, because I moved around a LOT. But I've been here over 10 years now, so I guess this counts.

Indulgences? Books and books and books. And shoes. And did I mention books? LOL

January or February? February!

Kids and their names? 2--Shelby and Bryan

Life is incomplete without...? Love. Awwwww there's that sappiness again. LOL

Marriage date? Don't know yet--good question! LOL

Number of siblings? I have a sister, and she's crazy. :D

Oranges or apples? Oranges, I guess. I'm not a huge fan of either one.

Phobias and fears? OMG I have so many. I'm not going to list them all, but a few of them are spiders, clowns, sidewalk grates, being pushed off a cliff, and dying. Eclectic!

Quote for the day? "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

Reason to smile? I'm alive! I think that's a pretty darn good reason. LOL

Season? Fall is my fav. I love when the weather cools just a little bit, and the leaves turn.

Tag 3 people? Nah--people can tag themselves. :D

Unknown fact about me? Ummmmmm good question. I can flip my tongue upside down in both directions. That's pretty weird. And probably TMI. haha

Vegetable you hate? I hate tomatoes, but they're fruit. As far as veggies go, I don't really hate any. I'm not a fan of split pea soup, though. Blech.

Worst habit? HAH, oh man, I have a lot of bad habits. Probably biting my nails. And leaving my shoes scattered across the house. And my desk is a total mess. Anyway, I'll just stop now.

X-rays you’ve had? I had my back x-rayed when I went to the chiro.

Your fave food? This is hard. I'm a total foodie. I love Japanese food (especially sushi). I also rabidly love General Tso's chicken. Mmmmmmmm I'm huuuuuungry...

Zodiac sign? Cancer/Leo cusp. So I'm totally moody and introverted at times, then outgoing and loud at other times. I'm a regular barrel of laughs!

If you do this meme on your blog, please provide a link in the comments so I can check it out! :D