The SAVING ZOE Movie is Happening!

I've been waiting my whole career to see this burst on one of my books!

Dear Friends,

I'm so happy to announce that after 10 years in the making, SAVING ZOE is becoming a movie and it's all thanks to Laura, Vanessa, and Ellen Marano, pictured below. Simply put- they persisted and got it done. :)

With Laura Marano, Vanessa Marano, and Ellen Marano-stars and producers of SAVING ZOE.

Way back in 2007/08 Laura read the book and passed it on to her sister and mom. Not long after, Ellen contacted me about possibly optioning the book for a movie starring her daughters. We met for lunch and they were so genuine, kind, smart, and funny I loved them immediately. The girls were a bit too young for the roles at the time, but over the years I watched them, along with their careers, blossom and grow. Two years ago, when Ellen reached out and said they wanted to try again I didn't hesitate to give my consent.

They hooked up with director Jeffrey G Hunt, along with Brian and Leanne Adams, who wrote the screenplay (which I read and loved!). Then fast forward to last week when my husband and I traveled to Augusta, GA to visit the set. It was a dream come true!

Watching my characters come to life was such a magical, slightly surreal moment. The first scene I saw on the monitor was of Vanessa playing Zoe and I broke down and sobbed.

Me sobbing. Photo by Jeffrey G. Hunt

Some news articles were written about the filming, which you can read HERE and HERE.

Shooting will wrap soon- I think by the end of this week - then edits and the rest will resume. I promise to keep you updated as I can regarding release dates, etc. But for now, I wanted to share some pics from the set. Also, don't forget to follow me on Instagram where I post even more pics.

With screenwriters Brian & Leanne Adams

On set with my husband and Echo's diary!

Annie Jacob is beautiful and funny and she's amazing as Abby!

With the SAVING ZOE bad boys, smokin' hot (and really nice!)  Nathaniel Buzolic (Jason) and Evan Castelloe (Tom)

With the gorgeous, smart, and talented Giorgia Whigham (Carly)

With handsome Chris Tavarez - he's amazing as Marc- and the director, Jeff Hunt

Lunch with the SAVING ZOE cast & crew

With Chris Tavarez - gorgeous and kind, he's a class act

With Vanessa (Zoe) and Chris (Marc)

And lastly, with these two beauties, Laura & Vanessa!

Thanks for joining me on this journey....more to come!

Peace * Joy * Love

Alyson

"Saving Zoë" - fan made trailer

This fan made trailer for the SAVING ZOE movie is so amazing- I couldn't wait to share it with you!

Enjoy!

xoxo
A

Vanessa & Laura Marano Excited About Their Movie!

Love these sisters and I can't wait to see them as Echo and Zoe!

Saving Zoe Quote

Thought I'd have a little fun with the Saving Zoe movie excitement and post these from time to time!

xoxo

Alyson

SAVING ZOE movie option!!!

Hey Everyone-

Well, I've been sitting on this news for a while and I'm so thrilled to finally announce that SAVING ZOE has been optioned for film!!

Here's the Publisher's Marketplace listing:

September 9, 2015
		Film rights		#1 NYT bestselling author Alyson Noel's SAVING ZOE, about the complicated relationship between two sisters showing how the bond can endure long after one of them has gone, to actress/producers Ellen Marano, Vanessa Marano (Switched at Birth), and Laura Marano (Austin and Ally) with Jeffrey G. Hunt (Vampire Diaries) directing.

I'm so excited to have such amazingly talented people attached to this project! I met the Marano sisters and their mother, Ellen, a few years back when they first expressed interest in Saving Zoe and I can honestly say that not only are these girls beautiful both inside and out, but I can't think of a better pair to portray fictional sisters Echo and Zoe.

SAVING ZOE was released in 2007. It marked my seventh book at the time, and even though I've written many books since, ZOE has always held a special place in my heart. Which is why I'm thrilled that my dream of seeing this story adapted for either the big or small screen is one step closer to becoming a reality.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, here's a blurb:

One dead sister's secrets save the other's life—in more ways than one...

It's been one year since the brutal murder of her sister, Zoë, and fifteen year old Echo is still reeling from the aftermath. Her parents are numb, her friends are moving on, and the awkward start to her freshman year proves she'll never live up to her sister's memory.

Until Zoë's former boyfriend Marc shows up with her diary.

At first Echo's not interested, doubting there's anything in there she doesn't already know. But when curiosity prevails, she starts reading, becoming so immersed in her sister's secret world, their lives begin to blur, forcing Echo to uncover the truth behind Zoë's life, so that she can start to rebuild her own.

Prepare to laugh your heart out and cry your eyes out in this highly addictive tale, as Alyson Noël tackles the complicated relationship between two sisters and shows how the bond can endure long after one of them is gone.

SAVING ZOE also received some nice recognition, including these:

• National Reader's Choice Award winner for the Young Adult category 
• Nominated for YALSA's 2008 Teens' Top Ten list! 
• Nominated for a CYBIL AWARD 
• Featured on the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment as a book to buy for teens! 
• Chosen as one of the "Best Books of 2007" on TeenReads.com 
• "Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten List" on TeensReadToo.com
• Chosen as a Junior Advisory Board "Favourite read" for Canada's largest book retailer, Chapter/Indigo/Coles

More to come, but for now -- thanks for letting me share this exciting news!!

Peace * Joy * Love

Alyson

Blog Roll!

So, hello!!

I hope your summer is treating you well, and yes, according to my last blog post it really has been six months since my last visit, and not only have I missed you, but so much has happened since then!

Like...I recently signed a three-book deal for a new YA series, UNRIVALED, with Harper Collins that I'm super excited about!

Me celebrating at Harper Collins Headquarters with the only things you really need for an epic celebration: Snarkles & Sparkling Cider!

And since I hope to get this blog going again, I figured what better way to begin than by taking part in a blog roll?! 

The amazing author of HUSH LITTLE BABY, Suzanne Redfearn, invited me to join this blog roll in progress that's all about the writing process. I don't know about you, but I'm always interested in reading about other writer's creative processes, so without further delay, here's mine:  

1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON –
I’m currently working on the first book in my upcoming YA series, UNRIVALED (in stores early 2016!). It’s a bit of a departure from more recent works as it takes place in the fast-paced world of LA nightclubs, where three teens get caught up in a high-stakes competition and the desperate measures they take to win that make them suspects in a mysterious crime. It’s glamorous, edgy, suspenseful, sexy, and of course, there are loads of cute boys and romance! After writing 14 paranormals over the last 5 years, I’m having a blast returning to my contemporary roots!

2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?
I don’t necessarily set out to make my books different, as I’m not really thinking about anyone else’s books while I’m writing. I just try to write about subjects that are either deeply personal, or deeply interesting to me, and then I create a cast of characters with varying perspectives and try to tell the absolute truth of their journey until ultimately (hopefully!) arriving at some sort of greater, more universal truth by the conclusion.

3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?
Nearly all of my books are either reflective of some aspect of my life experience—feeling lost and failing myself miserably back in high school (FAKING 19), dealing with the soul-crushing grief of losing a loved one (SAVING ZOË and THE IMMORTALS series), or sometimes it’s a question or an idea that I’m grappling with—is there life after death? (THE RILEY BLOOM series), destiny vs freewill (THE SOUL SEEKERS series). Sometimes I start out merely exploring an idea, sometimes I’m actively looking for answers, but I’m always changed for having taken the journey alongside the characters.

4. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?
I’m currently working on my 23rd novel and I can honestly say that my writing process continues to be a work in progress. I went from having no process with my first book (FAKING 19) to evolving to a sort-of three part process that works pretty well by now, but I’m always looking for ways of improving!
It’s basically part ritual—green tea, scented candles, a carefully curated playlist, part process—Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat Beat Sheet that I use as an outline, and a whole lot of discipline—not just the usual Butt In Chair, but rather, Butt Stays In Chair Until The daily Word Count Is In! I find that by doing that repeatedly for several consecutive months, by the end, I have a book!

5. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS NOT WORK?
If my writing process isn't working it’s usually because something in my story isn't working. There’s no magic in the process, it’s merely a tool to get from Chapter 1 to the end. When I’m stuck, I either return to my outline and try to figure out why it isn’t working and where to go next, or I do more research into my characters and their world, or both—it never fails to get the story moving again!

So now I get to tag 3 more authors and trust me, you won't want to miss them!

Up next- the amazing Mary Pearson , author of the incredible JENNA FOX CHRONICLES TRILOGY and THE KISS OF DECEPTION (July 8)-- a book that took my breath away and left me begging for the sequel!

The incredible Kimberly Derting who writes books that I love, love, love like the awesome BODY FINDER series, and more recently, THE TAKING--an amazing book that I was luck enough to blurb!

And, the Fabulous Melissa de la Cruz who writes so many awesome books, it's hard to keep track! Most recently I loved The RING & THE CROWN, and FROZEN--book 1 in the Heart of Dread Series. Her books explore so many interesting worlds--witches, princess, vampires--I can't wait to get a glimpse at her process to see how she does it!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Alyson

KEEPING SECRETS in stores now!!!

Secret wishes, hidden heartaches and painful truths.
Everyone has them—but some secrets are harder to hide.

Hey everyone,


I'm so excited to share that KEEPING SECRETS, a special 2-in-1 reissue of FAKING 19 and SAVING ZOE, is in stores now! You can check out all the details on my website here. I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

More news coming soon from the Singapore/Australia tour!

Alyson

xoxo

Keeping Secrets!

Hey Everyone!

I'm so excited to share the cover for KEEPING SECRETS - a special edition SAVING ZOE + FAKING 19, 2-in-1, that'll be in stores on 06.19.12!!

Hope you like the cover as much as I do!

Have a great day-

Alyson

xoxo

FOREVER SUMMER in stores now!!!

Summer. A break from the burdens of school. Deep tans, deeper thoughts. Far away from the everyday. Closer to making dreams come true...What does summer mean to you? For the two teenage girls in these two unforgettable novels, summer means being torn away from the familiar and finding new friends. A new place in the world. A new sense of self. And maybe even new love along the way...

Forever Summer: When you're having the time of your life, you never want it to end.

Hey Everyone-

I'm so excited to announce that FOREVER SUMMER, a special edition 2-in-1 reissue of LAGUNA COVE & CRUEL SUMMER is in stores now! Just looking at the cover makes me dream of long, lazy days on the beach--and I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

For your chance at a free copy, check out the interview I did HERE --be sure to read all the way to the bottom where they've posted the rules.

And speaking of reissues, SAVING ZOE, just got a nice review over at Fresh Fiction, which you can read HERE.

And, for those of you interested in signed copies, I'll be appearing this coming weekend at the LA Times Festival of Books - held this year on the USC Campus in LA! My schedule follows below--I really hope to see you there!

LA TImes Festival of Books

USC Campus

Los Angeles, CA

April 30, 2011 4:00 PM

Signing in Mysterious Galaxy booth

May 1, 2011 3:00 PM Panel:

“Perfectly Paranormal: Writing the Fantastic”

Reissues & Cover Reveals!!

Hey Everyone-

Very exciting Tuesday in store here . . .

First: My debut novel, FAKING 19, and my sixth novel, SAVING ZOE have been repackaged and reissued and they are in stores today!!

They're also available on audio -- to hear an excerpt, click HERE & HERE!

Second: As promised . . .

The EVERLASTING cover is revealed!!!

Hope you like it as much as I do!!

In stores 06.07.11!

The sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever?

Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!

Have a great day, everyone!

Alyson

:)

FAKING 19 & SAVING ZOE Redux!!!

As some of you may know, before I wrote The Immortals series and the Riley Bloom series, I wrote seven stand alone novels (six for teens - one for adults)--and so I'm excited to announce that my publisher, St. Martin's Press, is repackaging those novels--two of which will hit stores in February!!

Repacking is basically like a make-over for books. They get a shiny, new. updated cover though the story inside stays the same--and I love, love, love what they've done with mine!

FAKING 19 is my debut novel and the first book I ever wrote. And though the main character, Alex, is fictional, she goes through a lot of the same things I did in high school, which makes her really dear to me, so I'm especially excited about this one!

Here's what people said:

"Noël's debut novel is realistic and convincing. Alex and M are fresh and endearing, and anything but superficial. First-person narration and situations dealing with sex, drugs, and alcohol make this a compelling look at one teen's broken life and how she fixes it. Readers will relate to both characters and their lives." —School Library Journal

"...Alyson Noël still manages to create characters that I can identify with. Underneath the glamorous exterior, Alex is just another girl struggling to get through her high school years. Along the way, she learns an invaluable rule of life: Success is a gift that you give to yourself. 5 Stars." —TeensReadToo

You can read more reviews, along with a summary, HERE!

SAVING ZOE was my sixth book and one that I'm really proud of. I have a real fondness for the main character, Echo, and I really hope you enjoy reading her story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Praise for SAVING ZOE:

*National Reader's Choice Award winner for the Young Adult category
*Short Listed for YALSA's 2008 Teens' Top Ten list!
*Nominated for a CYBIL AWARD
*Featured on the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment as a book to buy for teens!
*Chosen as one of the "Best Books of 2007" on TeenReads.com
*"Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten List" on TeensReadToo.com

* Junior Advisory Board "Favourite read" for Canada's largest book retailer, Chapter/Indigo/Coles

You can read more about SAVING ZOE and watch the trailer HERE!

The rest of the backlist will be repackaged and released throughout the year--I'll let you know as it happens!!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

A

xoxo

Secret Garden

(Blog title courtesy of The Boss--Bruce Springsteen!)

(Summerland--as imagined by Skyrose--isn't it lovely?!!)

So, the ringing in of a new decade got me thinking a lot about how I spent the last one, and I have to say, that if nothing else, it's been one of great change. Containing some of the hardest, most difficult hurdles I've ever faced, and yet those very same hurdles ended up providing not only great opportunity for learning and growth, but the chance to build something positive from them.

On the Millennium New Year's Eve, I was in Stockholm Sweden on a four day layover (I was working as a NYC based flight attendant back then), and a trip like that was pretty much the same as getting paid to vacation in a gorgeous (and cold!!) city. And, as I was still dating my soon-to-be husband, I took him along and we had an amazing time!

Fast forward to 2001, we got married in May, and by September, when 9/11 hit, I was suddenly faced with a 40% pay cut and the additional duty of performing early morning bomb checks. And as horrible and tragic as that day was, as much as that moment of watching those planes fly into the towers will forever be sealed in my mind, it also served as the impetus to finally stop talking about my dream of being a writer, and actually start, well, writing!

So, I dusted off the story I'd started nearly a decade before, finished it, sent it off to a slew of publishers (erroneously thinking I didn't need an agent--wrong!), only to get a slew of rejections for my efforts. And yet, as much as it hurt to be rejected by everyone, in the end it just made me try harder. I took classes, revised my manuscript over and over again, and by 2003 I had an agent, and by Feb 4, 2004 I was offered a two-book deal with St. Martin's Press!

But before we'd even finished celebrating, we were hit with tragedy as every member of my husband's immediate family was diagnosed with cancer within months of each other--including my husband.

By 2005, when my debut novel, FAKING 19, was released we'd already lost his mother, and a very, dear, old friend of mine (my first love!), suddenly passed away too. By the time my second book was released, my husband lost his twin brother, and by the time my third book was released, I was on the verge of losing my husband as well.

But, he pulled through, and what was truly the absolute darkest phase of my life, ultimately shifted into something else. And I soon realized that If I hadn't experienced that--if I hadn't gone through a grief so deep I could barely get off the couch--I wouldn't have been able to write Saving Zoe, Cruel Summer, or any of the books in The Immortals series. Those stories were a direct result of where I'd been and who I'd become because of it. Writing them helped me to make better sense of the world.

2009 has brought some amazing opportunities my way, and to say that I'm grateful hardly seems sufficient. And even though I have no idea what 2010 will bring--I can't wait to get started! If nothing else, I think I've finally learned that no matter how dire something may seem on the surface, if you go deep (very, very deep!), there's a message, an opportunity for growth, and maybe even a chance to turn it into something better.

The other night I watched "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (original version) on TV, and at the very end, in Charlie's "all is lost" moment, when Wonka tells him that he failed the test and to go away, Charlie reaches into his pocket and hands over the gum he'd taken earlier. Only to have Wonka look at him, eyes shining as he says:

"So shines a good dead in a weary world."

And then hands him the keys to the kingdom.

I hope you all shine just as bright (if not brighter!) in 2010!!

Alyson

xoxo

The Perfect Holiday Gift!

Question- What could be better than giving someone a gift you just know they'll like and doing good simultaneously?

Give up?

Answer- Nothing.

Because that's about as good as it gets!

So, head on over to The Page Flipper blog, where the awesome Chelsea is auctioning a signed and "marked up" copy of SAVING ZOE. I filled the book with notes, and post its, and little drawings, of all the things that inspired me to write it!  There's not another one like it anywhere-- guaranteed!

And the best part is, your winning bid will go straight to the FIRST BOOK charity? How awesome is that!

Auction ends on December 22nd!

See you over at The Page Flipper!

Alyson

Weekend Update!

Hey all you teen readers, just wanted to let you know that today is the last day to vote for YALSA's Teen's Top Ten Award. Did I mention SAVING ZOE was nomintated? I did? Okay, well anyway, if you want to vote before the polls close, click HERE.

And speaking of teen readers, this week Jessica Brody is featuring author Jenny O'Connell on Free Book Friday! Jenny's written ten teen tomes in the last five years and she's giving away a signed copy of her latest novel, RICH BOYS! To listen to the podcast interview and sign up to win, go HERE.

And finally, I wanted to give a shout out to the awesome librarians, teachers, and students at Arnold Beckman High School! I had an awesome time speaking with all of them--they couldn't have been nicer!

Well that's it for now--have a fun weekend everyone!

Teen Read Week!

Teen Read Week has officially started, and I, for one, am thrilled! Not only because I'm all about teens and reading (especially reading teens!), but also because SAVING ZOE is nominated for YALSA's Teens Top Ten Award!!!! Alongside these awesome titles:

Laurie Halse Anderson. TWISTED.
Holly Black. IRONSIDE: A MODERN FAERY’S TALE.
Libba Bray. THE SWEET FAR THING. (Gemma Doyle Trilogy, #3)
Meg Cabot. JINX.
P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. BETRAYED. (House of Night, #2)
Cassandra Clare. CITY OF BONES. (The Mortal Instruments, #1)
Jenny Downham. BEFORE I DIE.
Jessica Day George. SUN AND MOON, ICE AND SNOW.
Anna Godberson. THE LUXE.
Ellen Hopkins. GLASS.
Catherine Jinks. EVIL GENIUS.
Jeff Kinney. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: GREG HEFFLEY’S JOURNAL.
Juliet Marillier. WILDWOOD DANCING.
Melissa Marr. WICKED LOVELY.
Richelle Mead. VAMPIRE ACADEMY. (Vampire Academy, #1)
Stephenie Meyer. ECLIPSE. (Twilight, #3)
Andrew Nance & Colin Polhemus, illus. DAEMON HALL.
William Nicholson. JANGO. (The Noble Warriors, #2)
Alyson Noël. SAVING ZOE!!!!
James Patterson. SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS. (Maximum Ride, #3)
Mal Peet. TAMAR.
J.K. Rowling. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.
Neal Shusterman. UNWIND.
Scott Westerfeld. EXTRAS. (Uglies, #4)

Voting takes place from Sunday October 12 to Saturday October 18th, and all you have to do to vote for your favorite (er, SAVING ZOE perhaps??) is click HERE

Happy Sunday Everyone!!!

Free Book Friday Podcast Interview!

Hey Everyone-

Amazing author of THE FIDELITY FILES and good friend, Jessica Brody, is featuring moi this week on her awesome new website-- Free Book Friday!

She put together a really fun (and very professional sounding, I might add!) podcast interview where I talk about which airplane stories were true in FLY ME TO THE MOON, the story behind the story in SAVING ZOE, and why I chose the blog- email-postcard format in CRUEL SUMMER -- and more!

Oh, and while you're there, I'm giving away signed copies of those books as well so be sure to sign up for your chance to win!

It's so easy-- all you have to do is click HERE!

Oh, and to subscribe on iTunes click HERE!

Best of luck and Happy Monday!

Mark it Up!

So, add this to the BRILLIANT IDEAS file:

The good people over at Shooting Stars Magazine and The Page Flipper are hosting an auction to benefit First Book, an organization that provides books for children from low income families, and I'm thrilled to be part of it!

I'll be donating a marked up copy of SAVING ZOE (see above) stuffed with all sorts of post it notes, little known facts, a few odd asides, a notation or two (or five or six), the story behind the story, and more (lots more!).

Tons of authors will be participating, and the auction will run from Oct-Dec, which is just in time to start buying those holiday gifts, no?

So start saving those pennies now-- it's all for a wonderful cause!

I'll post more info as I get it!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Desert Daze

If you're anywhere near the Coachella Valley and  interested in picking up a signed copy of one of my books, then stop by the Border's in The River a beautiful outdoor shopping center in Rancho Mirage. 

I dropped by yesterday to browse the stacks and sign stock, and just happened to notice that CRUEL SUMMER, which came out in June, has gone into another printing!!  And SAVING ZOE, which was released a year ago next month, is in it's fifth! And since YOU are directly responsible for that I just wanted to say:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the EVERMORE galleys arrived the other day, and they're gorgeous!!  And while I don't have many to spare, I will be giving one away on Kelly Parra's Secret Fates blog contest, which was recently moved to October. So keep an eye out for that!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!

Zoe Won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just back from the RWA conference in San Fran where I met lots of amazing new people, got inspired by some awesome workshops (if you ever get a chance to see Blake Snyder speak--don't even hesitate, just go!), and was thrilled to attend the Oklahoma chapter's reception where SAVING ZOE won the National Reader's Choice Award in the Young Adult category!!!!!!
As most of you probably know by now, that book was born out of a time of great personal grief, and I'm so incredibly grateful to all of the readers who've supported it!

But now, it's time to unpack . . .

Have a good day everyone!

Finally ,Fontana!

So, awhile back I promised to post some photos of my Lewis Library and Technology Center Book Talk in Fontana, CA, and I finally got them all uploaded so I can share them with you!

As mentioned in my last post, this is a brand-spanking-new facility, and I was amazed by the amount of awesomeness it contained. Seriously. At over 93,000 square fee, with over 200 computers, a children's library, an adult library, and a young adult library featuring computer pods with a race-car inspired theme, it's a long way from the boring beige house of books I grew up with. Oh, and did I mention the coffee bar???

Anyway, I had a great time! And was overwhelmed by the amount of time and care they put into my program. Everything from a beautiful display of my books in the front entrance:


To awesome signage:



They even put together a craft table where readers could make their own diaries just like the ones in SAVING ZOE. I mean, seriously, how cool is that??



But, as always, the best part was talking with the readers, answering their insightful questions, and getting to know them while signing books. (Below is the original cover for CRUEL SUMMER-the male model was overwhelmingly vetoed for looking too wimpy!).




All in all a really fun day!

Oh, and speaking of fun, I did an interview over at SLICE OF ORANGE, the Orange County, CA RWA blog! So, if you've got the time, drop by and say hi!

Tomorrow I'm off to BEA-- can't wait!

Have a good day everyone!