Heads Up

Just wanted to remind everyone that Ally Carter and Jade Parker/Rachel Hawthorne will be in San Francisco at the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing. I also wanted to give everyone a heads up that Melissa Marr, Wicked Lovely, and Regina Scott, La Petite Four, will also be there! These are only 4 of the 500 authors that will be there so take a look at the list before you go, you may find some other great authors!

Graphic Novels

So lately I have been noticing that a lot of authors are publishing graphic novels. Authors are using graphic novels to give more detail to important events and/or characters, as well as to tell new adventures and even entirely new stories. Both Michelle Jaffe and Shannon Hale are releasing graphic novels. It appears that graphic novels may be the new "in thing" for authors. What's your view on this? Are you jumping on the bandwagon? Or staying old fashioned?

Book Blurb

So while reading Lauren Mechling's Dream Girl I came across a line that sounded oddly familiar:

"...I have one green eye and one hazel eye..."

Now compare this to a writing prompt idea in Gail Carson Levine's writing guide, Writing Magic:

"I have one green eye and one brown eye..."

Other than changing brown to hazel, the two are practically identical. Coincidence?

Friday Five

1. I am in the process of creating a Chick Lit Teens newsletter! Once it is up I will be collecting emails for the mailing list


2. As many of you have noticed I have not been posting as many reviews. I've found that between reading, working on the blog, and working with authors that reviewing is pretty hard. I am going to strive for one review a week.
3. Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling was released on Tuesday.
4. You can now submit your questions for August Spotlight Author, Ally Carter and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer.
5. Jennifer Lynn Barnes has released the cover of Fate, the sequel to Tattoo, on her blog. Check it out, it is SO awesome!

Win a Signed Copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer!

One (1) first prize winner will win a SIGNED copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer.
One (1) second prize winner will win a copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer.

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your first and last name. All entries are due by 5:00 PM PST on July 31st. Winners will be announced on August 5th.

Good luck!

(Contest open to all US residents)

Win a Signed Copy of WINNING ELEMENT

Want a chance to win a signed copy of Shannon Greenland's Winning Element?
Check out:
http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2008/07/author-interview-and-contest-shannon.html

You can also read an exclusive interview with Shannon as well as enter to win all four Specialists books, signed by Shannon.
Enjoy!

Questions for Ally Carter

August is rapidly approaching and I am knee deep in prep for the Spotlight Series. Want to do your part? Here is your chance, submit your questions for the August author, Ally Carter. All questions must be submitted by 12 o'clock noon on Sunday July 27. Your question can be simple (i.e. How did you come up with the series?) or more complex (i.e. From quiet, complex Cali to brooding Macy, your books are filled with strong, passionate characters. Where do you draw inspiration from for your characters?) There is no such thing as a stupid question and all submissions will be considered, so submit yours today!

And the Winner Is...

The All Time Favorites: Strip!!

Thanks for all the votes!

Friday Five

So not a lot has happened this week, but here is what has:

1. Today is your last chance to vote on your favorite slide show. The winner will be revealed tomorrow
2. I want to thank everyone for visiting. Hits have sky rocketed this week (Over 250 in the past few days)
3. I have been talking to Ally Carter and I will be getting a chance to interview her when I meet her in San Francisco. Look for the interview next month.
4. Since #3 pretty much gave it away, I might as well announce that the August Spotlight Series is the Gallagher Girls series.
5. I've received my first book from Book Divas, Into the Wildwood. Look for the review in the next week.

Chick Chat: Claudia Gabel

1. Did you always want to be an author? If so why? If not what did you want to be?

I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was a little girl. I had—and still have!—a vivid imagination and I love to read, so I found writing to be a good fit for me. In fact, when I was a kid, I used to write stories and my brother (who is now a successful visual artist) would illustrate them. I always hoped that my dream of becoming an author would come true, and I'm so lucky that it has.

2.Is being an author what you expected?

Yes and no. I expected that most authors lived this glamorous celebrity lifestyle, and guess what? I still have a full time job! I did expect that I would love the process of writing my own novels, and it was more fun and fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. I was also hoping that I’d hear from teen readers who enjoyed the books and the response from them has been incredible! I get a few emails each day and reply to every one.

3.What was your road to publishing like?

I’ve been a book editor for about nine years now, so there are many people in the publishing industry who are familiar with my work. I met my friend/editor Aimee Friedman through a project we worked on together called SUMMER BOYS, and a year later, she asked me if I’d be interested in writing my own series for Scholastic’s paperback imprint, Point. The rest is history!

4.How has your family contributed to your writing?

My family has been a great source of support for me. They’ve always cheered me on when it came to my writing and have done a lot in the word-of-mouth department, especially at our family reunion last year. My aunt and uncle even set up a signing at the pavilion we rented. Who doesn’t love teen fiction, hot dogs, and water balloon tosses?

5.Many writers have a place that inspires them, a place where they do their best work. Where is your writing spot?

I write on my PC at a desk in the small writing nook that’s located in my bedroom. There are built in bookshelves on the wall too so if I ever need inspiration from my favorite authors (like Meg Rosoff, Sarah Dessen, and Dana Reindhart), their work is within arms reach. I’m also facing away from the window so I won’t get distracted.

6.In the books Nola and Marnie's friendship is tested when they enter high school and the two find themselves in a friendship feud. What was your inspiration for the In or Out series? Did you have your own feud with a friend?

The books are loosely based on my relationship with my best friend Therese. I met her in kindergarten and we were close all the way through grammar and middle school. When we entered high school, Therese was quite adamant about fitting in with the popular girls while I just wanted to coast under the radar. We didn’t have a huge fight like Nola and Marnie, but we did grow apart. It wasn’t until she went away to college that we reconnected and now she’s a lawyer and works a couple of blocks from me. We see each other all the time!

7.From queen bee Lizette to troubled Matt, the supporting characters in In or Out are colorful and captivating. How did you create such a rich cast of characters?

Everyone adores Matt, and to be honest, he is a fictional incarnation of an old flame, who was also my good friend in high school. It was very easy to write that character because I have known him for almost twenty years, and he actually is that charming! Other supporting characters were exaggerations of people I’ve known over the years—I find that taking someone’s personality quirk and magnifying it can be a great way to construct vivid characters.

8.Many teens dream of becoming authors. What advice would you give to writing teens?

I get this question all the time! One of the most important things you can do as an aspiring writer is join a workshop, or at the very least, show your work to a friend whose opinion you trust. Every writer needs constructive criticism and feedback in order to improve his or her skills. You also have to be very diligent, too. If you get stuck on one story, start on something else and see if you can make more headway with a different idea. Frustration is natural when you are first starting out, so don’t trap yourself by sticking to one particular project. Lastly, you have to remember that you still are writer, even if you don’t get published. Writing is a labor of love, and that’s all that matters.

9.Now for the question on everybody's mind: Will there be anymore In or Out books?! If not, are you working on a new book or series? And if so what is it about and when can readers expect so see it on the shelves?

I’d love to write more IN OR OUT novels, but there hasn’t been an official decision yet about whether the series will continue. In the meantime, I’ve been working on a stand-alone romantic comedy that takes place during spring break on Laguna Beach. It hasn’t been picked up yet, but when it does, I’ll make a big announcement!

Friday Five

1. The first contest for the Spotlight Series is up and running! Only problem is that no one is entering! I borrowed these questions from Claudia Gabel herself, from a contest she held earlier this year (in which I won a signed copy of FC,EC) Some of the questions were extremely hard (i.e. What slogan did Lizette come up with for Marnie?) so I took those out and replaced them with easier ones (i.e. What kind of party did Lizette throw Marnie?), thinking that they would be easier, but maybe I was wrong. Let me know your thoughts, as I may consider changing a few of the questions.
2. Claudia Gabel sent back the interview questions!(Look for the interview next week) She also agreed to donate a SIGNED COPY of one of her books! Yay! Which means that there will be another contest next week. (This one will require nothing from you other than a quick comment) But I can't give away the signed copy until someone wins FC,EC. So enter! Quickly!
3. I recently discovered the awesome Shelfari.com! This website has a huge database of books and you can create a virtual book shelf with all of the books you want to read, are reading, and already have read. I've already built mine (see my faves at the bottom of the blog), go make yours!
4. Both Ally Carter and Rachel Hawthorne will be in San Francisco and I will get the pleasure of meeting them! *Girlish squeal* But all is not fun and games, I will be getting a special signed copy of Ally's I'd Tell You I Love You, but then I'd have to Kill You for the blog and, if I'm lucky, getting an exclusive interview with her!
5. I began my work on next month's Spotlight Series (formal announcement of the series coming soon) I already have the banner (which rocks!) and have been in contact with the author.

Even though it hasn't been the most interesting week there is always something happening. Keep reading!

Win a Copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer

The first person to correctly answer all six questions will receive a copy of Claudia Gabel's latest, Friends Close, Enemies Closer! Send your answers in, via a comment. Make sure to include you're name in your submission.

What kind of car does Dane drive?

What movie do Matt and Nola watch on their first Friday movie night together?

What kind of party did Lizette throw for Marnie?

What was the name of Nola and Marnie's favorite hang out?

What is Dane’s nickname for Nola?

What kind of sneakers does Sawyer usually wear?

Good Luck!
Don't forget to check back later today to see who wins!

Coming to a City Near You!

Rachel Hawethorn, also known as Jade Parker, is the author of multiple books, including the Making a Splash series, To Catch a Pirate, and Island Girls and Boys.

Ally Carter is the author of the fantastic Gallagher Girls books, I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You, Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy, and GG3 (coming soon)

Both Ally and Rachel will be stopping in San Francisco later this month. I'll defenitly be there, and I hope to see many of you there to!

Tips for Finding a Signing

One of the questions that teens aske me is "How do you meet so many authors?" So I decided to share my method for finding book signings:

#1 An Author's Website is NOT the Place to Look

Updating a website is a lot harder than updating a blog or live journal. These days many authors are using these resources to inform readers. This said, you are more likely to find out about signings on the author's blog or live journal than on their website.

#2 Check Blogs

Once you've found the blogs of you're favorite authors, make a favorites list and check back two to three times a week for the latest happenings.

#3 Once you Find a Resource Use It

If you find an author is having the event at a certain bookstore or is being hosted by a club, check the hosts website. Chances are they run an event program for authors. Checking these websites every few weeks will keep you up to date on who is coming and insure that you know if your favorite authors will be stopping by.

#4 Book Releases Mean Book Tours

When an author releases a new book, they usually follow the release with a tour. Your best bet at meeting an author is right after they release a new book.

#5 Know Your Author

Does your author have a child? If so how old are they? Authors with newborns are less likely to tour than those without.Where does he/she live? Knowing where your author lives is very important. If they have a child they may not tour as much, but they will still make little appearances around where they live. Also, in between book releases authors still make appearances, usually close to home. So the closer you are to the author's hometown the more likely you are to meet them.

That's it! These five tips are a sure fire way for you to meet your favorite authors!
Already I have found two authors making appearances at the end of the month in San Francisco! The more you look, the more you find.

Good luck and happy hunting!

P.S. Here is a tip for once you find a signing:

Always Read the Cliff Notes or Summary

The worst thing that can happen at a book signing is an author or other reader asking you about the book and you forget. Chances are that you may have read the book a few months back and forgotten who some of the characters were or what happened. You don't have to worry about rereading the book, just read a summary or some of the Cliff Notes as a refresher.

Welcome!

I just wanted to take a moment to welcome all new readers and give them some info!

Here are some great things to look forward to in July:
-Exclusive Interview with Claudia Gabel
-A Chance to Win a Copy of In or Out
-A Chance to Win a Copy of Friends Close, Enemies Closer
-A Chance to Win a SIGNED Copy of One of the In or Out Books
-Submit Questions for the August Spotlight Series
-Review on Jet Set ( Released September 2008)

Here are some of the great things to do on Chick Lit Teens:
-Read Reviews
-Share your Favorite Titles
-Submit your own Reviews
-Enter in Great Contests and Raffles
-Join Discussions
-Connect with other Readers

These are some of the segments of Chick Lit Teens and a bit about them:
-Spotlight Series: Every month I will select a series (you may request a series) known as the Spotlight Series. As part of the Spotlight Series I will interview the author, give away some of the books, and more.
-Friday Five (Previously Fantastic Fridays): The top five events that have happened in the past week, from book releases to signings.
-Amazing Authors: A list of great authors' blogs.
-What I'm Reading: Just as the name says this features the book that I am reading and a link to the authors website.
-All Time Favorites: A slideshow of my favorite books of all time.

Kitty Kitty

Jasmine Callihan is back and badder than ever!

The day before Jas’s senior year, her father, Dadzilla, suddenly announces that he is moving the family across the world to Venice. Needless to say Jasmine is less than happy to leave behind her great friends and new boyfriend. Her only hope is the college tour that her high school is hosting in San Francisco. Jas is committed to attend the tour; all she has to do is convince Dadzilla that she has changed her ways and is the perfect model daughter. But trouble always has a way of finding her. Her only friend in Venice, Arabella, begins claiming that someone is trying to murder her and before Jas has a chance to act, Arabella is found dead. While the police are convinced it was suicide, Jas knows better. Her funky friend would never have killed herself. Jas takes the case into her own hands and soon she is scouring Venice for clues, before the killer can strike again.

Michelle Jaffe weaves a captivating mystery, combing her witty humor with cold, hard suspense. While it is the humor and suspense the initially grab the reader, it is the amazing cast of characters that keep you reading. From the wild and wacky Hench Twins to creative, savvy Roxy, the characters are hard not to love. Even readers who are not usually fond of mysteries will love it. Kitty Kitty offers something for everyone, fashion, humor, murder, mystery, friendship, and romance. Kitty Kitty is by far one of the best mysteries I have ever read, surpassing the original, Bad Kitty.

I would recommend Kitty Kitty to anyone who loves to read. Whether you’re looking for something funny to read by the pool or a more serious captivating read, Kitty Kitty is the perfect choice.

5 Stars!!!!!!

Friday Five

1. While linking the Making a Splash: Robyn picture to Jade Parker's website, I found that Jade Parker is the pseudonym for Rachel Hawthorne, a very popular author of many (what I call glorified magazines) Point books. Oddly, my sister has read all of Rachel Hawthorne's books.
2. Since I've been on vacation I have been a reading machine, finishing a book everyday. I'd read more but I've had to limit myself to one book a day because otherwise we are visiting Barnes and Noble thrice a week and then we get into the whole banned from the book store thing and that is really not a fun place to be.
3. CHICK LIT TEENS IS GOING TO BE IN THE PAPER THIS WEEKEND! THE PAPER! YES IT IS GOING PUBLIC! MY LITTLE BABY BLOG IS GROWING UP! (AND JUST FOR FUN HERE ARE SOME MORE CAPS. YAY CAPS!)
4. It's the 4th of July. (Creepy how it is also number four on the list. Totally by accident, I swear) Hope everyone enjoys lounging by the pool and reading. (at least that is what I'll be doing) Oh and if you like fireworks have fun watching them tonight.
5. Kitty Kitty by Michele Jaffe came out on July 1st!!!!!!!! Yay! For those of you who don't know, this is the sequel to Bad Kitty. (One of the first YA books I ever read and definitely one of the best) For those of you who've never heard of Bad Kitty, shame on you.

YAY!

For all of you who have looked at the Amazing Author link list, you may have visited Amanda Hubbard's LJ and seen that she is not in fact a published author, rather in the process of writing and publishing her first book. The novel, titled Prada and Prejudice (Genius I know!), is about a girl who visits London and buys a pair of Prada heels, as she walks out of the store she suddenly trips and wakes up in Regency London. Prada and Prejudice hits shelves summer of 2009.
Well a quick check of Amanda's blog revealed that...drum roll please!... Prada and Prejudice is done!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though I just recently started reading her LJ, I've read all about her road to publishing and am so happy for her! So I want everyone to head on over to Amanda's LJ and congratulate her http://mandywriter.livejournal.com/133703.html

In other news, I've also spoken with Amanda and she will be giving Chick Lit Teens an exclusive interview next year, closer to the release of Prada and Prejudice.

Voting Time!

After taking into consideration some of the comments on the All Time Favorite slide show, I have created THREE slide shows. The first is the All Time Favorites:Strip, the second is the All Time Favorites: Collage, and the third is the All Time Favorites: Show. Take a look at them both and vote on you're favorite!
Remember all votes must be in by July 18!