Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon-January 2, 2012-January 8, 2012

Welcome to the sign up post my first ever Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. (#mgreadathon)We'll spend a week together reading, blogging and talking middle grade! Why? Because Middle Grade ROCKS! I love writing it, reading about it and most of all book talking it. Nothing better than matching a book (or five or ten) to readers aged 8-12.

START DATE: Monday, January 2, 2012 

END DATE: Sunday, January 8, 2012 (midnight)

WHAT TO DO: Sign up any time now until January 8 and read as many Middle Grade books (fiction and non-fiction) as you can.  If it's just one book that's great! If it's more, that's great too! That's it...unless you...


TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHUR (not required):


-Create a read-a-thon pledge
-share a to be read list in a comment to this post or on your own blog, send me the link and I will post it for you.
-plan a giveaway do let me know that and I will add it to the giveaways


MY READ-A-THON PLEDGE: For each book I read I am going to donate five dollars or the actual book to my local library. (www.granumpubliclibrary.ca). Also, throughout the week, I will be posting updates to my reading, plus sharing some of my favorite books and mg blogs from 2011.


THE GIVEAWAYS (so far):

• From me Everyone who signs up will be entered to win one of two middle grade prize packs that I will put together from my own collection. Extra entries for spreading the word-twitter, facebook, blogging. (Canada & U.S.) #mgreadathon

Prize Pack #1-ARC-13 Gifts by Wendy Mass, The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson, Wildwood by Colin Meloy

Prize Pack #2-The Unwanted by Lisa McMann, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, ARC of Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

• Michael A. Scotto-two signed copies of his book Latasha and the Little Red Tornado . Everyone who signs up will be entered. (U.S. and Canada) 
• Lisa Ard- for every book she reads she is offering an e-copy of her book Fright Flight (up to three copies, maybe more! (link to her post).
• Charlotte of Charlotte's Library-is offering a giveaway of two forthcoming middle grade fantasy arcs--The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards and Fairy Lies by E.D. Baker.
• Walden Pond Press-TBA! and it's made of awesome

MY TBR PILE (a sampling) :

-a number books from WALDEN POND PRESS-THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander, JUNIPER BERRY by M.P Kowslowsky and BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu
-BIGGER THAN A BREADBOX by Laurel Synder.
-The Familiars-Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
-Storybound by Marissa Burt
-Lemonade War-Jacqueline Davis
-My Very Un-Fairytale Life-Anna Staniszewski
-AND-books written by some of my fabulous co-bloggers @ From the Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors!


I will be reading hardcopies and e-copies alike. On my ipad, on my kindle, on my computer, on my couch. When I am not at work or writing, that is. It is going to be a full and busy week, but in the best kind of way.



If there is anything that is unclear, please do ask me!

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Sign up for MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone wonderful rest of the Holiday Season! This week will be all about organizing and getting ready for Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon, looking forward with my blog and seeing where I want to take it in terms of focus.

So, again....HAPPY HOLIDAYS and here is to a wonderfilled 2012. Cheers!

MMGM-Scary School by Derek Kent, plus giveaway Interview and Giveaway @ Mixed Up Files

Good Monday morning all. Hope you enjoying your Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, so far. I know I am!

EDITING TO ADD...Winner of DOGSLED DREAMS is Marybelle (commenter number one, that's a first! heh heh). Just waiting to hear back from her.

Now, back to the regular programming.

Have an interview and giveaway going on over on The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors...with a kid ghost named Derek. The same Derek the Ghost that wrote the ultra fun and creepy scary SCARY SCHOOL. Not only does he have a super cool book, his website for the book ROCKS!

I think what I loved most about this book is that I am pretty sure kids will love the no fear writing...it's funny, it's silly, it's scary as are all the characters. Kids respect that kind of writing, I think. As I read I couldn't wait to see and meet the teachers. My favorite is Miss Fang and next is the nurse. Well, there is also the multi-eyed teach. And then there is the new kid who does a not so good job of trying to fit. Don't think I ever stopped smiling as I read this one. Here's a bit more from Indie Bound:

You think your school's scary?

Get a load of these teachers:

Ms. Fang, an 850-year-old vampire
Dr. Dragonbreath, who just might eat you before recess
Mr. Snakeskin—science class is so much more fun when it's taught by someone who's half zombie
Mrs. T—break the rules and spend your detention with a hungry Tyrannosaurus rex!

Plus

Gargoyles, goblins, and Frankenstein's monster on the loose
The world's most frighteningly delicious school lunch

And

The narrator's an eleven-year-old ghost!

Join Charles "New Kid" Nukid as he makes some very Scary friends—including Petunia, Johnny, and Peter the Wolf—and figures out that Scary School can be just as funny as it is spooky!

If you head on over to From The Mixed Up Files you can read my interview with Derek the Ghost and enter a giveaway to win the book!

More Marvelous Middle Grade goings on:

Shannon Whitney Messenger (founder and genius behind MMGM)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 

Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-DOGSLED DREAMS by Terry Lynn Johnson and a Giveaway

I am so pleased to welcome Terry Lynn Johnson to my blog today. Not only because her book DOGSLED DREAMS received thumbs up from my book club kids (and me!), but also because she recently made a fantastic announcement about her next book. Terry is a dedicated and passionate author who has worked hard on each leg of her writing journey. I'm so impressed with her. Because of that passion we're able to hand her book to young readers. And it is a book I recommend...you recommend. 


Terry's doing double duty for us. Joining in with Oh MG YA Canada and Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. 


And by the way! I'll be giving away a copy of DOGSLED DREAMS. Just leave a comment and next Monday random org and I will pick a winner.


Here's more about the book from Good Reads:

Twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer.  She’s an inventive but self-doubting musher who tackles blinding blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training, and flying poo missiles. All of her challenges though, seem easier than living up to the dogs’ trust in her abilities.

Here's the interview that offers you a chance to get to know Terry.


Thanks for being here, Terry! The book I'm giving away is DOGSLED DREAMS. It received thumbs up from my book club kids who are ages 9-12.  Did you set out to write for this age group or was it more how the story evolved once you knew it was one you wanted to tell?


I knew Dogsled Dreams would be a middle grade story. But when I wrote my second book, I tried for young adult. It seems though, it's much more fun to write in this genre. I love the excitement of life and learning new things at this age. 

Do you have a new book we can watch for or one you and your agent are seeking a publishing house for?

My middle grade adventure, Ice Dogs will be released in 2013 (winter) by Houghton Mifflin. 
Ice Dogs is about a young musher who gets lost in a blizzard with her race team, and saves a boy with a secret. With their food gone, and the temperatures dropping, they must learn to trust each other and the dogs if they are going to survive.

Do you have a great author visit or book signing moment you'd like to share? Something made you think...I love this job!

I was at a sled dog race in Marmora, Ontario, and a young reader hung around my table looking at my book, reading the back, talking to me about other books she's read and loved. When her mom found her, she talked her into purchasing a copy. I was so happy to have met her and talked about our mutual love of books, and sled dogs!

Speaking of loving the job, when it comes to the writing what is your most favorite part of the process, what is your least, or the part you find the hardest to work on.

I love revising. I know a lot of writers hate it, but, I get excited to see my story shaping into the best it can be. 

Hardest part of this business is the waiting! I have the attention span of a pea. It's quite difficult for me to wait months to hear back on something that I've been working on. But I'm sure it's good for me to work on patience.

I know several kids who are aspiring writers. They range in age from 8 to 13. When did you start writing and do you have any advice for them?

My interest in writing may have started in grade nine. I had an awesome creative writing teacher who encouraged me to keep a file of ongoing ideas and works in progress. I still do that. 
I'd also suggest doing some on-line research to find the many periodicals that are looking for content from young writers. They have to put out a new issue every month or so, that's a lot of opportunities to get your writing published! 

Do you mind sharing a latest greatest read with us? Something you would recommend to middle graders and/or teens and those of us who read and writer for them? 

oh, I could talk for hours about great books. 
For middle grade, I loved Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner. And my favourite young adult book this year so far was Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

And finally (being as we are also celebrating Oh MG/YA Canada today, too!)

What is your favourite part of living where you do? Do you have another part of Canada that you love to visit or that you've always wanted to but haven't yet?

I lived in Thunder Bay for twelve years, the setting for Dogsled Dreams. I lived right on Lake Superior and absolutely loved the wildness of it. Now I live on a smaller lake, near Lake Huron, which I also love. I like that there's so many opportunities for outdoor adventures. So many trails to explore, bays to kayak, mountains to hike, I feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful place. And such inspiration for an outdoor writer.


That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by and reading. If you'd like enter the giveaway, just leave a comment. Making the draw next Monday. 


Don't forget to check out the rest of the MMGM gang:


Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe  (a.k.a Fearless Leader)

Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Get Read-y for 2012

Just signed up for Get Read-y for 2012 hosted by Loving Books. A great and fun way to read it up until December 31 and get ourselves ready for all those great reads coming in 2012 and read through some of those TBR piles that are teetering. And ya know because I am participating it will become my duty to read, read, read, read and read.

Sigh. 

It is a tough job...you know the rest of how that goes.

And, along the way I am hoping (well, I know I will) I will add to my book talk pile for my next visit with my old book club (speaking of that, hoping to start one out in my new hometown once 2012 gets moving along).

Tween joining in the fun of Get Read-y for 2012 and writing and working and preparing for the holidays it promises to be a fun and joy filled season!

Back with my to read list tomorrow.

Cover Reveal-EMBRACE by Jessican Shirvington

Recently I read the ARC of EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington. More of a review closer to the release date, but for those of you looking for a great urban fantasy, with a strong female mc and a believable teen voice to read yourselves or recommend to teens, I'd say add this to your "Waiting on Wednesday" posts or to be read lists. It's good. Solid writing, totally believable character, and boy...the choice she has to make keeps you turning those pages to find out what happens. The ARC didn't have the final cover. But, now that cover is ready to go and I must say, I like it. 

A lot. 


And what is even cooler? There is a video of the cover shoot. Suweet!

Embrace Cover Shoot from Sourcebooks Inc on Vimeo.

A little more about the book  from Sourcebooks;

"It starts with a whisper.

            “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Strange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th birthday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…"

Also well worth the read is Jessica's guest post on Page Turners about her  debut in the U.S. 




Congratulations to Jessica and the Sourcebooks team on a beautiful cover! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of spreading the word. 

Giveaway Winners!

First, sorry it took so long to make the announce. On the most recent giveaway announces, the flu (aka the sore throat from heck) kicked my butt, big time. And--never thought I would say this, I am sick of ice cream. On the other giveaway, it was me forgetting to announce. My apologies.

And here we go :


Danika Dinsmore (Accidental Novelist) won the copy of Extraordinary by Adam Selzer. Book is on the way.

Ems of In Which Ems Reviews Books won the Holiday Read-a-thon and The Night Circus is on its way to to her.

Rounding it out is Joan (commenter #59) on the Book Lover Holiday Hop. I am just waiting to hear back from her.

And a big thanks to all to who stopped by, read, commented and followed me. Happy Holidays, all!

I shall be back later today with a cover reveal for EMBRACE, a novel by Australian author Jessica Shirvington to be released in the U.S. March 2012.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Greetings MMGM Travellers.

I have nothing today, but will be back with a roundup of Marvelous Middle Grade Reads next week.

Enjoy your blog reading today, I know I will! And speaking of blog reading, I like checking out the GreenBeanTeenQueen, Tween Tuesday's. AND (just call me Deblah blah, lol) I am making us an icon-well a couple actually and Shannon will see what she likes. Alrighty then that's it from me.

Here be the other MMGM-ers. If, btw, you are not on this list, let me know in the comments (or email works, too) and I will be sure to add you.

Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental NovelistShannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Three Writing Reads and December Sci Fiction and Fantasy Releases for Children and Teens

Well, I did not make the NANO word count, BUT, pretty happy with the book I am working on. Broke 43,000 and am now at 45,000. Ending blossomed and I can see and feel it and have been writing it. Each time my MC and her sidekicks wonder if it can get worse? It does. Now, a lot of that may be second drafted out, but it’s fun seeing just how much they can take, even some of their flaws are being put to good use (cause really, I don’t want them to be perfect at the end, heh heh).

Now, because I have slowed down with the fast drafting, I am taking the weekend to smooth out scenes and plot lines, and just do some general reading on writing. It’s part of the way I think on a book.

Many of you already are familiar with SEEING CREATIVE, but giving a shout out to Stina’s 12 Days of Christmas for writers. Came upon it on day three and it’s timely to say the least.

Seeing Creative: The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers: Day Three

And I like this post. Keeping in mind that Danika is NOT saying to send out your queries now, just use the query as a means of focusing in on the tone and feel of your book as you prepare to work on draft two. I like doing that. I also rewrite the synopsis. It’s my way of getting the whole story in my head, helps me see the the arcs (or see that they are not there, lol!)

NaNo Hangover: What to do between your first draft and second (part 1) « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

Now. I am still working away on the first draft of HAPPY MEDIUM, A HOWLING HEIGHTS NOVEL (yeah, the title is changing). But when that done I will be stepping into the second draft. So, will be having a close look at this:

“NaNoWriMoReMo” – Make December Your NaNoWriMo Revision Month

Finally, check out Charlotte’s Round-Up of new books hitting the shelves in December. I’d say there is some good shopping to be had for your kid and teen readers. Yourself, too!

Charlotte's Library: New releases of fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens--the first half of December, 2011 edition

Enjoy the weekend all!

Holiday #Readathon December 2-4-Giveaway

I have a pretty full schedule this weekend, but I am in on the Holiday #Readathon being hosted by Liza on Who RU. (click about icon for details).  When I get home from work tonight will make a mini-pile of to-reads for this. Next week, will be donating two books each to my local school and my local library (new to town, so figure this is a good way to introduce myself). AND-I have a mini-challenge/giveaway for everyone. Here it is :

Read  (or donate) a Middle Grade Novel, let me know what it is, what you did and I will enter you to in a giveaway for  a book of your choice, up to 20.00 value. Making this international so you can make your pick from the Book Depository.

Happy reading everyone!

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Elsewhere on Just Deb:

Holiday Book Lovers Giveaway Hop (20.00 gift certificate)

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon (Jan 2-Jan 8, 2012-reading and prizes and more, oh my!)

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop-Dec 2-Dec 6

Greetings to all of you making the rounds for the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop (Dec. 2nd to 6th). Shout out and thanks to Kid Lit Frenzy and I'm A Reader Not a Writer for hosting us!

Don't know about you, but I love love the Holidays, spending time with family, reading, writing, decorating, baking...er, eating!

As a book lover I appreciate anything book related I must say and one of my all time favorites and something I cannot get enough of is gift cards. So-thought I would give away a 20.00 gift certificate from Indigo Books (Canada) or Barnes and Noble...or, if you have a favorite indie store you buy from and they offer online gift certificates I am more than happy to get you one from there. OR-a book of your choice, up to 20.00.

All you need to do is comment with what you would like and your email so I can contact you  if you win. I will use random org to pick a winner at the end of the blog hop.

Happy Hopping! See below for the links so you can carry on with the fun and if you are so inclined to hang here for a little longer please check out my MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON.  It will be in the first week of January.

MMGM-26 Tips for Surviving Grade Six by Catherine Austen

Morning all! At the risk of mentioning this too much (I will blame it on my rookiness at doing this) I am hosting a Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon. It was inspired by MMGM. My to read list and book pile is massive.  I kept thinking, man, I need a weekend to read my brains out with all these books. I've participated in a couple of read-a-thons and loved them, so figured why not do one for all the middle grade I want to read. More details in my sidebar.

Also...giving a shout out to Charlotte of Charlotte's Library. She posted her round-up of middle grade fantasy reviews, news and more yesterday. This is a regular read for me. Hope you make it yours!

Alrighty then....on with MMGM! Another big thanks and a dozen cupcakes to the fab Shannon Whitney Messenger for leading the charge.

26 Tips for Surviving Grade Six by Catherine Austen is a series of connected short stories headed told in third person follows Becky throughout her grade six year, from her wish come true to have someone her age living on her street to Christmas Holidays away from _everything and everyone_, to a birthday party that threatens a best friend relationship.


From Good Reads:Becky wrote the book on getting through grade 6, but these aren't the kinds of tips that come from school books or teachers... 
Forget social studies, math, and science - this hilarious new novel is about surviving some of the real problems tween girls face. Honest and heart-warming, the story follows 11-year-old Becky Lennnox over the course of the school year as she figures out how to survive friendships, first crushes, embarrassing parents and annoying older brothers. 

Delightful and spot on for the middle grade experience. Becky is a believable character whose voice and personality come shining through. No small challenge when writing in first person, in this writers opinion. And what a fun choice for a mother daughter book club. Laugh out loud funny and great opportunities for moms to share their own sixth grade experiences as they flood back after reading this. The author has managed to capture the reality of a today kid with a universality that will speak to the old day kids (like me). Yep. Kind of liked this one. I interviewed Catherine last week as part of her blog tour (there's still time win a copy of 26 TIPS and her YA dystopian ALL GOOD CHILDREN btw). She's also the author of another middle grade, WALKING BACKWARD. This one is on my ipad waiting to be read. Back tomorrow with my thoughts on ALL GOOD CHILDREN. Enjoy the rest of your MMGM and do check out the rest of MMGM-ers. And for those of you Nano-ing...write ON!

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

The Book Cellar: YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge

Looking forward to all the wonderful books coming out in 2012 (and also to starting up a kids book club in the new town we've moved to) and decided to join in with The Book Cellar's YA/MG Reading Challenge!

Here is a little bit from the site:

 I thought it would be fun to have a YA Fantasy Reading Challenge for 2012 with the objective to be read 10 YA or MG fantasies, any type be it high, urban, epic, etc that will be released in 2012.

Every month I will have a post for participants to link their reviews and there will be monthly giveaways picked from those reviews. Reviews can be posted on a personal blog or Goodreads.


To find out more head on over, check it out and...sign up!

The Book Cellar: YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge:

Tangled Tides Washes Ashore

Karen Amanda Hooper's book, Tangle Tides is out. And let me tell you it sounds FABULOUS! (oops, did I shout that? sorry).

It has merfolk, sirens, gorgon and sea serpents and there is a war going on. She's asking us to join in, pick a side-win some prizes. But, I am telling you now, win or no win I am getting this book. Here is the link to more information on the book and the sea creatures as she has developed them for her book.

* Eternal Moonshine of a Daydreaming Mind *: TANGLED TIDES WASHES ASHORE!:

As for the side I am choosing? Well...Sirens! They sing, they love the warm and they can control the weather. I love all kinds of weather and have a fondness for the stormy blowing kind. So powerful!

Catherine Austen Blog Tour and a Giveaway

Today it is my pleasure to welcome Catherine Austen to the blog. She's a mighty fine author of picture books, middle grade and young adult authors. And, she's Canadian so I'm adding her to my OH (MG/YA) Canada collection of interviews!

Adding a quick note to say...The Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon is on!

Catherine has two new books out now and she's on a whirlwind blog tour that I'm thrilled to be a part of. Plus, her publishers are giving away both of her books. Details follow the interview.

First, let me share the books.

Her Young Adult: ALL GOOD CHILDREN
From Catherine's site: Quick-witted, prank-pulling graffiti artist Maxwell Connors is more observant than the average New Middletown teenager. And he doesn't like what he sees. New Middletown's children are becoming frighteningly obedient, and their parents and teachers couldn't be happier. As Max and his friend Dallas watch their classmates transform into model citizens, Max wonders if their only hope of freedom lies in the unknown world beyond New Middletown's walls, where creativity might be a gift instead of a liability. For those who like their dystopias with a rich character sauce and a side of humour.
Her Middle Grade:  26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6
From Good Reads:Becky wrote the book on getting through grade 6, but these aren't the kinds of tips that come from school books or teachers... 
Forget social studies, math, and science - this hilarious new novel is about surviving some of the real problems tween girls face. Honest and heart-warming, the story follows 11-year-old Becky Lennnox over the course of the school year as she figures out how to survive friendships, first crushes, embarrassing parents and annoying older brothers. 

And now, the interview!

Congrats on having two more books out! One is middle grade, one young adult. Was the process for writing each one different? Or do you have a basic path you follow from idea to book?

I am all over the map. If I make any progress at all in a manuscript, I call it a good day.

I wrote All Good Children  fairly steadily for about ten months (5 drafting and 5 revising), working from a detailed outline. Some days were hard to face (I got stuck in my narrator’s terrified head a bit too deeply), but I was I was dedicated and methodical.

I wrote the first part of 26 Tips as a short story about 8 years before I wrote the rest of the book, and I expanded it SUPER FAST: I jotted out some ideas and drafted the whole thing in the space of a few weeks. Then came revisions, but still, it was a fast and completely joyful process because that book is all fun.

You have been pretty busy this fall with launching ALL GOOD CHILDREN & 26 TIPS FOR SURVIVING 6TH GRADE, blog tours, interviews. What were some of the highlights. Did you getting any sleep? ) Any advice for other authors embarking on a blog tour or getting out there and promoting their books online?

I always get my sleep. I always exercise. And I practice drums at least a couple times a week. The real question is: Did I get any writing done?

As for highlights, I love my book launches. I throw a party at my local library. It’s relaxed and warm and busy and chatty. I am always touched by the friends and neighbours who come out to help me celebrate.

I also enjoyed meeting other writers this past year – I joined a critique group and attended events and visited an awful lot of coffee shops. I’ve always envied the way musicians collaborate. “I’ll do the dialogue and you jump in with some narrative summary,” just doesn’t work the way guitar and piano can. But writing and publishing is still made easier by friends who are peers. 

For promotion advice, I’d say: Do what you’re comfortable with. I like interviews because they make me pause and think about my own creative process. I have fun on my website, and a few people actually look forward to my blog posts. But if you’re not comfortable doing those things, then don’t. One good review in a respected journal will sell your book better than a ton of self-promotion. So write a great book and let other people blog about it. Would Salinger tweet? Would Dostoevsky do a blog tour? You need to write; all the rest is optional.

In my book club I have some keen readers (of course!), but also some keen writers. They range in age from 8 to 14. When did you start writing and do you have any advice for my book clubbers?

I don’t remember if I wrote stories as a kid, but I took extra English credits in grade 13 and I published my first story in university, so I’d guess that I started young.

As for advice: Cultivate your imagination (unplug and go stare out of windows or sit on a stoop and conjure up some characters and stories – adults will call this lazy but it’s hard work). Devote yourself to a task long enough to accomplish something (keep working until it’s the best you can make it – adults will call this obsessed but it’s completely normal and necessary). Read A LOT. And just write, whatever it is that you feel like writing – a poem, a journal, a comic, a story – as often as you can and as well as you can. And be proud of it.

What’s your typical writing day like?

Drag self to computer. Procrastinate for twenty minutes. Berate self for procrastinating and UNPLUG INTERNET. Open work in progress. Reread yesterday’s writing. Experience pleasant surprise that it’s not as bad as I remembered. Resist temptation to plug internet back in. Resume writing (for whatever time I have available that day).

Recent read/s you’d like to recommend?

A House Called Awful End by Philip Ardagh cracked me up. The Glory Wind by Valerie Sherrard made me cry. Blink and Caution by Tim Wynne Jones was beautifully written. And Christopher Paul Curtis’s Elijah of Buxton is my favourite narrator ever. 

Thanks for stopping by, Catherine! Happy touring.


If you'd like to learn more about Catherine please do head to her website and her blog. And, be sure to check out the blogs on the tour. I know I am!

The giveaway is for US and Canada. All you need to do is comment and make sure I can contact you so I pass the info to the publishers. One winner with receive BOTH books. You have until midnight (MST) Monday, November 28. Good luck!

And to all our neighbours south of the border...Happy Thanksgiving.


And a quick note to say...Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-Thon is on!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (and a read-a-thon)

Planning for a 2012 Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-Thon is ON. and if you have any thoughts, suggestions, "Deb, what ever you do, don't do this's", do comment there of here. Was thinking doing the last week in December, but that could be too busy for some (although a great way to step into the New Year.

NOW on to the task at hand, Marvelous Middle Grade Monday which is the brain child of marvelous Shannon Whitney Messenger who has her very own MM coming out.

My NANO novel is a ghost story. So, they on the brain right now. Needless to say I have had many jumpy moments in this old church my husband and I are renovating (whilst we live in in) and old white house next door? No one lives there! Or. Maybe some one does? The book I'm recommending today provides some jumps no matter where you be. It is a seriously creepy ghost story with a great brother and sister team that kids will relate too and a crazy good plot that will keep them page turning to the end.  The books are also language, dialogue and description rich. AND-there is a family curse! Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman make a mighty fine team. The best part is, there are more books in the series!

FROM INDIE BOUND-Molly and Adam aren't thrilled about their dad's upcoming birthday. Whether it's a family curse or just bad luck, the Barnett males have a distressing tendency to drop dead the day before they turn 35. Their mom has a plan, though: a trip to the family's lakeside cottage. It's a great idea...until weird things start happening. A problem at work means Mom can't go. Grandfather's creepy old desk and papers appear in Molly's bedroom. A freak fall leaves Dad with a badly sprained ankle. Everyone blames Molly for the accident, saying she screamed for help while swimming in the lake, but Molly knows it never happened. Things go from bad to worse when a strange nurse named Reggie Crankshaft shows up out of the blue to offer his help. As Molly and Adam struggle to make sense of the odd events and figure out what really happened at the lake, their efforts to protect their father grow ever more desperate. 


Happy Middle Grade Monday, all! And here is some more marvelous to keep you growing your to read piles:

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy

Danika Dinsmore-Accidental Novelist
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jennifer Rumberger-Jennifer Rumberger, Children's Author
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

p.s. if you are participating in MMGM's and I don't have you listed above, please do let me know so I can add you. Thanks!

Planning for a 2012 Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-Thon is ON.

So, each Monday I travel the net reading Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts. And--the reading list, pile, requests from the library, bookstore buys, ebook purchases etc etc grows. Lately I have been thinking I need a weekend read-a-thon "thingy" or a read-a-thon week, where, when you are not working on the job you are reading middle grade

OR--maybe just Design your own read-a-thon, ARCs, NetGalleys, recent purchases, whatevers.

EDITED...I am DOING this! Walden Pond Press (speaking of, they have some crazy good middle grades) loved the idea, offered the possibility of giveaways and my mind started tick tick tick. For sure thinking of making it a week long "thing", but beyond that now looking for some CO-HOSTS. 


So!


Stay tuned....just deciding on a week to do it. Thinking something either Feb or March 2012.

Adam Selzer Interview & Guest Post "Developing Skills as a Smart Aleck in a Practical Application Environment."

Happy to say that Adam Selzer is on the blog today! I featured him last week and now he's back to answer some questions and well....share some smart aleck insight. He's officially one of my favorite authors and hope you'll check out some of his titles. Now, on with the interview!

What is the writing process like for you, especially when it comes to finding the voice of your novels, something you are pretty darn good at! (Note: I PUT  A SPELL ON YOU-multiple points of view, each voice rings different and true).

Every project is different, but it usually starts with a lot of throwing stuff at the wall. With "Spell" i made a list of characters before I did anything else, then tried writing from a number of different voices. As the plot came together, I got a better sense of which characters worked as narrators and started to build the story around a core four of them. It was a lot of fun finding ways to make them each distinct from the others - and interesting to see how people reacted. The critic/librarian reviews all said the characters had distinct voices, but a lot of goodreads reviews said they didn't. I don't go on goodreads anymore.

How did go about aging Jennifer for EXTRAORDINARY? Can we expect to see more of her?

I actually wrote a whole sequel to "Spell," that took place a few weeks later. It's still just sitting on my hard drive, but having done it gave me some more idea of where she'd be as a person in six or seven years: burned out, and dealing with a lot of anger, but holding it all together and still working towards being the kind of person she wants to be (despite her parents' objections). "Extraordinary" sort of exists in an alternate reality from "Spell," the kind of reality with vampires and zombies in it, but she'd be the same sort of person in either reality. The kind who relieves stress by destroying dollar store junk with crowbars and imagining people getting trampled to bit by ponies, but is disturbed even to think this sort of thing. She's good at anger management, but has more anger than she's comfortable with (in this way, she's a lot like me).  I always wanted to write more about the kids from "Spell," and sneaking them into this book was a fun way to get away with it. Jennifer will probably only be back if the sales on this one are great, or if I ever find something to do with that "Spell" sequel.  I'd still like to bring Harlan back some time. 

 

Pretty cool on having two books come out at the same time. (SPARKS & EXTRAORDINARY). How did that come about?

Strictly by accident! They were written a year or so apart, but the wheels spin at different speeds with different publishers. For them to end up coming out on the same day was a total coincidence - authors don't get a lot of say in things like the release date. Or the title, for that matter. I wanted the titles to be "Fairy Godmofo" and "Debbie Does Detention," but I knew deep down that I'd never get away with either of those! I have a real habit of coming with titles that I think are great, but no one else does. 

So, a while back I asked Adam what it took to be a smart aleck writer--here's his answer in a special guest post. Thanks for this Adam. Enjoy the read everyone, I know I did!

***

"Developing Skills as a Smart Aleck in a Practical Application Environment."   

I got my start as a smart aleck in algebra class, way back in 8th grade. My friend Tanner and I were sort of the Back Row Hooligans of the class. Rather than learning anything, we just sat at our table cracking jokes. Making up jokes about algebra was tricky business, so we really had to stretch our brains to come up with anything funny. When we ran out of material, we'd write goofy songs about slushees and beating people up (which we couldn't have actually DONE on the best day of our lives). We still record (under the name Scapegoat 95) when we're in the same city.

But I didn't really get into much intensive training as a smart ass until high school, when I moved down to a redneck town in Georgia and started working in restaurants. The customers not only seemed to be begging for someone to make fun of them  - the deserved it.

When someone asks to be moved to your section, because he doesn't want a black waitress, you can't just let that pass. You can't ARGUE with guys like that, and you certainly can't talk any sense into them, but you CAN make them feel stupid. In fact, you MUST. Some people still think it's actually socially acceptable to make a request like that in a restaurant, and you have to make it clear that times have passed them by. "The Times They Are a-Changing" was already more than 30 years old by then - they'd had plenty of time to adjust. My favorite trick with those guys was to say "ooh, you're a racist? Oh, far out! Say something all prejudiced and everything." Then I'd laugh and loudly ask if everyone else got a load of the hillbilly. 

When someone asks you to be a dear and bring the 8 year old birthday boy's present (a high powered rifle) out for him, you can't just slip into a career as a gun runner without making some snarky remark to save face.

The high point, the real baptism by fire, came when I was working at a Starbucks in Duluth, an Atlanta suburb where only about half our customers spoke English, in 2001. After 9/11, word got around that the guy who steered the plane into the south tower was a regular customer of ours, and we started to get a lot of vigilantes in the store. One guy, who I'm pretty sure thought he was Batman, lamented that he'd seen the guy and his partner at IHOP with airplane blueprints. "And I let them slip through my fingers!" he wailed. He was genuinely upset and coping with what seemed like a real feeling that he'd failed, so I didn't say anything, but it was hard not to. What would he have done? Called the FBI and said he saw a couple of brown-skinned guys who looked like they were into airplanes? Any time other than those heady days right after the attack, you would have just assumed they were pilots or engineers. Really, that should ALWAYS be what you assume when you see a guy with airplane blueprints, isn't it? 

My proudest moment of that period - indeed, the proudest moment of my career as a smart ass - came when a guy strolled into the store and complained that there were a bunch of Arabs sitting at the table outside of the store.

"You've got a bunch of terrorists on your porch," he said. "I'm gonna go get their driver's licenses so when they blow up a building, I can sell my story to CNN."

I knew most of those guys on the porch. I'd sit with them on my breaks and chat. I wasn't going to let this guy get away with calling them terrorists.

"We're not profiling against Arabs here," I said. "But we ARE profiling against idiots. So you'll have to leave."

My manager backed me on this one. He was a cool cat, that manager. Most of them would have fired me. I would have been proud to be fired for that one, though. 

I spent a few more years honing my skills - there's probably no better place to develop smart aleck techniques than working in customer service. You don't always get to say what's on your mind out loud (unless you're a sassy waitress in a sitcom), but your brain is always working.

Thanks Adam! Favorite part...we are profiling idiots. Nicely done.