New Year, New Look, New Book!

You may have noticed a whole new look over here at the Alyson Noel page. Well, that's all due to the hard work of the amazing Heidi over at Xuni, who so generously took time out from her holiday to design me a new website, blog, and myspace page! It seemed like the book covers were starting to pile up on my old site, and Heidi did a great job of sorting it all out in a fun, vibrant, user friendly way!! Man, I love a good makeover!!

Also, my debut adult novel, FLY ME TO THE MOON, was released the day after Christmas! And I will admit to slinking into a bookstore or two (or three) to see just where it's placed on the adult shelves. I'll be singing copies in January at the following locations and would love if you could make it!

Wed, Jan 17 at 7pm- Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, Ca

Thurs, Jan 18 at 7pm- Borders Books, 125 W Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA

Wed, Jan 14 at 7pm- Borders Books, 3333 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA (across from South Coast Plaza!)

Next up- I'll be announcing a contest soon, so stay tuned for that, and my next teen book, Kiss & Blog, is coming out in May, and another, as of yet untitled, teen book is coming out next Fall. . . .

Happy New Year to all of you! And if you get a chance, check out this fun interview I did over at BookBurger. I actually had a chance to eat that exact same burger here- and it was awesome!

Getting to know you 2007

So, it's already 4:24 in Laguna Beach and instead of writing, excercising, or showering- I chose to spend the day answering this getting to know you e-mail from my friend Jeannie in Oregon. The following is the result of a hard days work!

1.. What time did you get up this morning? 8:35, it seemed like the right thing to do

2. Diamonds or Pearls? Turquoise

3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Stranger than Fiction- loved it!

4. What is your favorite TV show? Tie between The Office and Entourage

5. What did you have for breakfast? An entire pot of coffee, followed by toast and a handful of vitamins 3 hours later

6. What is your middle name? Noel

7. What is your favorite cuisine? I love it all, but good French Bistro always satisfies

8. What foods do you dislike? Snack foods, pre-packaged foods, fast foods

9. Your favorite Potato chip? See above!

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? U2- because Bono is that perfect blend of hot and altruistic!

11. What kind of car do you drive? A black one with new rear tires, a partially missing bumper, and a messed up passenger door due to the Christmas day tread separation incident.

12. Favorite sandwich? The tuna tartine at Bouchon in Las Vegas. I dream about that sandwich.

13. Favorite item of clothing? My new Ugg boots that I'm tempted to sleep in. . .

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you
go? I'll start with Sir Richard Branson's private Virgin island and see where that leads. . .

15. What color is your bathroom? A light, terra cotta, orangey type of color

16. Favorite brand of clothing? I really love my new Gap hoodie.

17. Where would you want to retire to? I don't want to retire!

18. Favorite time of day? Thursdays at 8:30.

19. Where were you born? Some hospital in The OC

21. What laundry detergent do you use? The one in the green box

22. Coke or Pepsi? Venti non-fat latte, s'il vous plait.

23. Are you a morning person or night owl? PM- totally

24. What size shoe do you wear? 7- 7.5

25. Favorite animal? Dogs rule!

26. Any news you'd like to share with everyone? Why yes, now that you ask, I'd like to mention that FLY ME TO THE MOON is in stores now!

27. What did you want to be when you were little? A mermaid, a princess, Mrs. John Travolta, Judy Blume- In that order.

28. Favorite candy bar? See number 8.

29. What are your favorite childhood memories? Riding my horse after school with my friends. . .

30. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? baby sitter, department store sales girl, bookkeeper in training, secretary, tour guide, hotel clerk, T-shirt painter, jewelry maker, flight attendant, author

31. Any nicknames? Snarky, pronounced with a lisp.

32. Eye color? Greenish hazel

33. Ever been to Africa? Yes, and it was awesome!

34. Ever been toilet papering? Oh, yeah!

35. Ever loved someone so much it made you cry? It wasn't love that made me cry. . .

36. Ever been in a car accident? Christmas day- me vs. my right rear tire

37. Favorite restaurant? Studio in Laguna Beach, Bouchon in Las Vegas

38. Favorite ice cream? Golden Spoon frozen yogurt- half vanilla, half pistachio, with yogurt chips on top= pure heaven

39. Favorite flower? Tie between orchids and peonies

40. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney, totally.

41. Favorite fast food restaurant? Again, see #8.

42. What color is your bedroom carpet? Hard wood floors with flokati rugs

43. How many times did you take your drivers test? One anxiety ridden, sweaty palmed time.

44. Before this one, from whom did you get your last email? The iTunes store, welcoming me to the iTunes family

45. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The iTunes store. That was one helluva a welcome.

46. What do you do most often when you are bored? I don't do bored.

47. Bedtime? Late. Very, very late

48. Who are you most curious about their responses to this
questionnaire? STS, I have no idea if he's ever been toilet papering. That's something I should have cleared up before we got married.

49. Last person you went to dinner with? STS, last night.

50. What are you listening to right now? Psychedelic Furs- Pretty in Pink, courtesy of the iTunes store.

51. What is your favorite color? Turquoise blue

52. Lake, Ocean or River? Ocean

53. How many tattoos do you have? Zero, too fickle.

54. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The intention.

55. Who sent this to you and what is something you didn't know about
him/her? Ms. Jeanie sent it, and I learned soooo many interesting things! Norma-? Really-????

56. What materialistic thing would you ask for if you had one wish to
make? More wishes.

57. Time you finished this email? Shhh! I'm procrastinating!



Hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and wishing you all good things in 2007!
Alyson

Win Free Stuff!

Just a reminder to click over to TEENSREADTOO for your chance to win tons of cool stuff! There are multiple prizes for every day between now and December 31st. On December 19, I'll be giving away autographed copies of Faking 19, Art Geeks and Prom Queens, and Laguna Cove, as well as a Sephora gift card! But there are plenty of other awesome prizes as well!

Just click on the "31 Days of Giving" banner. What are you waiting for??

Alyson

The Truth About Watched Pots. . .

I just discovered that it's not at all true what they say about watched pots- they really do boil, and I can prove it!

Just seconds after my last post, I heard a truck pull up in front of my house, followed by the sound of a soft thump right outside of my office window. And just like one of Pavlov's dogs I jumped up from my seat, fled my desk, and skidded to the porch where I found a padded envelope bearing a label that read- St. Martin's Press.

Okay, maybe it wasn't a large brown box, and maybe it was Fed-Ex rather than UPS, but inside was a single copy of the final version of FLY ME TO THE MOON- the one that's ready for mass consumption, the one that my awesome editor, Stefanie Lindskog, knew I was anxiously waiting for!

In person the cover is bright, vibrant, and velvety smooth. And the little gold luggage printed on the front bears my characters initials (H.L.)- so so cool! There's just nothing like getting your hands on the finished product- I can't wait until it's in stores so you can feel for yourself!

Alyson

January Book Signings!

Last Sunday's book signing at Latitude 33 was really fun! Not only do they have an awesome staff, but also a nice, new, well stocked YA section that completely rocks! And one of the best parts was I got to meet D.L. Garfinkle- a fellow OC scribe and author of Storky who just happens to have so many books coming out over the next 2 years I can barely keep track of them all- there's THE BAND series, the STORKY paperback, a children's series, and more! All that and she's super nice too!

Also, it's just two more weeks until FLY ME TO THE MOON hits the shelves and I can hardly wait for my very own copies to arrive. Seriously, I keep peeking through the blinds in my office, checking to see if that nice UPS man has left a large, brown box on my porch! I also admit to a very recent trip to my local B&N to see just where it will land on the fiction shelves (as opposed to my usual spot on the teen shelves), and apparently it will be keeping some very good company!

Speaking of FLY ME TO THE MOON- I will be signing copies at the following locations, and really hope you can stop by and say hello!

Wednesday, Jan 17th at 7pm, Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA

Thursday, Jan 18th at 7pm, Border's, 125 West Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA

Wednesday, January 24th at 7pm, Border's 3333 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA

Until then, I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful New Year!

Alyson

Laguna Cove

Fly Me to the Moon

Now Playing- My Book Trailers!

Hey everyone-
Just 19 more days until FLY ME TO THE MOON is scheduled for take off, but the book trailer is ready for immediate viewing! Click HERE to check it out!

Also, I was so exicited about the FLY ME trailer, I had one made for LAGUNA COVE too! Click HERE to see it!

I have a major website overhaul planned for the end of December- and Xuni.com has come up with an amazing design! Be sure to check back soon, so you don't miss it!

And for those of you hanging out in the OC this weekend, I will be signing copies of my teen books at:

Latitude 33
311 Ocean Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA

I'll be there at 1:00pm, so please stop by and say hello!

Have a good day!
Alyson

Sprechen zie deutsche??

I apologize to my German friends if that's not how you spell it! Because I have to admit that I do not sprechen zie deutsche, though maybe I will learn since my upcoming novel, FLY ME TO THE MOON, will be translated into German sometime in 2008!

Romantic Times gave it 4 stars!

And Publisher's Weekly calls it- "Sex in the City at 37,000 feet."

It's scheduled for take off on 12/26/06- so be sure to check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out the Teens Read Too 31 Days of Giving- beginning December 1, for your chance to win awesome prizes all month long! I'm giving away autographed copies of Faking 19, Art Geeks and Prom Queens, and Laguna Cove as well as a Sephora gift certificate! I'm Day 19. . .

Okay, I'm off to make my day after turkey sandwich breakfast-

Have a good weekend everyone!

Alyson

Save the Date!!

Just wanted to spread the word that I'll be signing copies of my books at the awesome Laguna Beach bookstore, Latitude 33, on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 1:00 pm. There will be music, refreshments, and hopefully YOU!

It's located in downtown Laguna Beach at:

311 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA

tel- 949.494.5403

Hope you can make it!

Alyson

Coincidence?

Call me crazy (and believe me, you may want to after this post!), but ever since my Dwight Schrute bobble-head doll arrived, my life has taken an interesting turn.

Now, for all of you who (gasp!) don't watch The Office, I'll just say that Dwight is the overly anal, extremely weird, yet highly watchable Assistant (to the) Regional Manger with a penchant for brown suits and mustard colored shirts.

I'm not a collector of bobble-heads, and I've never purchased anything from a TV show before, but when I saw the Dwight doll I just knew- I definitely had to get me one of those.

The moment it arrived I pulled it out of the box, removed the bubble wrap noose from his thin, fragile neck, then I placed him on my desk, in the enviable spot right next to the screen.

And that's when the magic began.

Since Dwight's arrival:

- Brazilian rights were sold on my upcoming book, Fly Me to the Moon
- Laguna Cove was chosen as a Barnes & Noble Recommended Holiday Gift
- Art Geeks and Prom Queens is nominated for the NYLA Book for All Seasons Award
- I'm buzzing right through the writing of my seventh book that's not due until 7/07 (must be the influence of Dwight's amazing work ethic)
- My husband woke up yesterday morning, and with absolutely no prompting from me, started fixing the bubbled, peeling, water damaged wall in my office that's been bugging me since the day it happened.

Coincidence?? I think not. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
_

Suffragette City

In case you've been living under a rock, let me remind you that today is election day. And though I won't be so presumptious as to tell you how to vote (though I do have strong opinions on the matter!), I will urge you to get out there and do it. To head for your nearest polling place, cast your ballot, and wear your little "I Voted" sticker for the rest of the day!

It wasn't so long ago that women weren't allowed that kind of say. And it was years of struggle and sacrifice to finally earn the right.

During the last presidential election I was watching the news, one of those candid, person on the street interview pieces. They stopped this twenty-something woman and asked if she planned to vote. She smiled adorably at the camera, then mumbled something about having a nail appointment, doubting she could fit it all in.

Since I don't know her I can't say for sure, but I'm willing to bet that the most she got out of those shiny new nails were ten, maybe twelve decent days. But the decisions made by our elected officials have repercussions that last decades.

So why not honor your sisters who paved the way? Grab a ballot, and go excercise your right!

The Real, Real OC (really!)

I have a confession to make. Back when I was a teen, Orange County was not considered cool. And it certainly never had a jazzy little nickname, like the OC. People referred to it as The Orange Curtain, and, um, a few other things, but mostly they didn't refer to it at all.

Oh sure, Newport Beach was cool, as was Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach and just about any other town that's name ended in "Beach." But I didn't live at the beach. I lived inland. And, sorry fellow Yorba Lindians, but inland was definitely not cool.

Back then all of the attention was focused on 90210 and Melrose Place. And so I spent countless hours (when I should have been in school) making that long, traffic clogged, freeway commute just so I could loiter on Melrose Avenue and then sneak into a Beverly Hills club where this group of uber glamorous British guys hung (Britian was undisputably cool), just hoping some of that hip LA vibe would survive the long trip home.

The second I graduated high school I hopped on a plane and headed for London. Then I came back for one year before doing it again, eventually ending up in Greece, on the island of Mykonos, where I spent several years. And after that came New York, a place I thought I'd never want to leave, but then, wouldn't you know it, I met my future husband who just happened to live in the OC. And before I realized what hit me, I was officially back.

It's nice to be part of this moment, even if this new found popularity has made finding an available parking space about as statistically improbable as winning the Power Ball. But as a houseguest of mine recently said as we headed up Niguel Road-"Jeez, even the gas stations are nicer here."

And the weather, don't forget the weather!




I

Cover Girl

Hey Everyone-

Well the newest addition of Portrait magazine is out and I made the cover! Um, no I'm not Ashley Tisdale, but my name is on the cover, because they interviewed me and reviewed my books and stuff. . . Click HERE to read all about it!
Alyson

Vegas- hold the chips!

Vegas- hold the chips!




My husband and I just returned from a quick trip to Vegas. We LOVE Vegas. We were married in Vegas, and we make a point to go a couple times a year. When I tell people this, they usually assume we are big time go for broke gamblers, but the truth is, we rarely drop more than a quarter in the nearest slot machine. We go for the amazing restaurants, the Cirque du Soleil shows, the awesome pools, the shopping, the spas, the outlet stores on the way home, and the over the top glitz and glamour that makes a weekend there so much fun. Add to that the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Bellagio, and the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibit at the Venetian- there was just no time left to lose our shirts at the black jack table. Maybe next time!

Happy Halloween everyone!

The Laguna Beach Library Rocks!

Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE The Office. So much so, that I'm not ashamed to say that I arrange all of my Thursday nights around that 8:30 time slot. That's why last night's Friends of the Laguna Beach Library annual dinner gave me such a bad case of angst. The social began at 6:30, the dinner at 7:30, and even though it's a quick drive home, I was sure we wouldn't arrive until well past the end. And even though I'm not tech savvy enough to own a Tivo, I do have a semi-reliable VCR, not to mention a husband who's a wiz at setting the timer.

Though there was that one time when it didn't work. . .and what if it happened again?

So as we headed off to the dinner, I tried to let my excitement over meeting T. Jefferson Parker (I loved California Girl) twice in two weeks, override any anxiety I might have over missing my favorite TV show. And as it turns out, I'm so glad I went! Not only did I win five autographed hard covers in the silent auction, but I met some interesting people, learned all about raising a guide dog puppy via doggy-in-training, Azure, and his owners (I'm seriously thinking about signing up to do this!), caught up with the wonderful writer, Kathleen Givens, but I also managed to convince T. Jefferson Parker that I was merely a fan and not a stalker.

Then the moment we got home, I ran through the door, raced for the couch, and held my breath as I grabbed the remote and pushed play- then burst out laughing when I saw The Office was a rerun!

And the winners are . . .

Just got home from a wonderful (quick!) trip to Sonoma, and now it's time to get started on those copy edits for my next teen book, KISS & BLOG, which is scheduled for a May 2007 release!

But before I get to work I'm going to take a moment to announce the winners of last week's contests-

One autographed copy of ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS will go to- Little Willow

One autographed copy of FAKING 19 will go to- Isabel

One autographed copy of LAGUNA COVE will go to- Melissa

Thanks so much to all of you who played!
Have a good week everyone!
Alyson

Win an autographed copy of LAGUNA COVE!!

So it looks like Teen Read Week is coming to an end. . .but I still have one last book to give away! So if you'd like to win an autographed copy of Laguna Cove just visit my website, and e-mail me the name of the character who moved from Connecticut to Laguna Beach. One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Saturday, midnight, Laguna Beach time, and all the winners for all the contests this week will be announced on Wednesday! Thanks for playing and good luck!

P.S. I just saw this movie and loved it!

Thursday Thirteen Numero Uno-!

Thirteen Things about Alyson Noel Because it's Teen Read Week, I'm feeling nostalgic about the Teen books that rocked my world. Here's my list: 1. Are You There God, it's me, Margaret- The Judy Blume classic that was passed around my sixth grade class until Mrs. Balou got hold of it. The next day she held it up and said that she'd "read it in ONE day" and it was "no big deal." Mrs. Balou was a bitter old woman. She was also dead wrong. It still IS a big deal. 2. Deenie- Read immediately after the Margaret book, Deenie taught me about scoliosis and first kisses, assuring me I could survive either one. 3. Catcher in the Rye- Yeah, we had to read it in AP English, but Holden Caulfield spoke to me. And I've read that, and every other JD Salinger book like a gazillion times since. 4. Love is One of the Choices- Whatever happened to Norma Klein, and why are her books out of print? 5. French Postcards- again, Norma Klein, funny, poignant, takes place in Paris. I read it again and again until I could get there on my own. 6. Forever- Yup, another Judy Blume classic, passed around and whispered about, I remember the plot to this day! 7. The Great Gatsby- Not necessarily young adult, but still a great coming of age story! 8. Sarah T Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic- There was even an afterschool special starring Linda Blair! 9. Go Ask Alice- by anonymous. Still haunting to this day. 10. That was Then This is Now- by SE Hinton- Extraordinary, a masterpiece, so awesome. 11. The Outsiders- also SE Hinton. I mean, who can forget Ponyboy? 12. Wuthering Heights- Heathcliff, Cathy, that darn windwept estate. . . 13. Pride and Prejudice- I'm still crushing on Mr. Darcy! So that's my list. Now I'm curious which books make yours??? Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Win an autographed copy of FAKING 19!!

Okay, once again in honor of this being Teen Read Week and all, and with Art Geeks and Prom Queens being nominated for the Teens Top Ten award. Today I am giving away an autographed copy of my debut novel, FAKING 19. All you have to do to win is visit- www.alysonnoel.com click on My Works, scroll down to FAKING 19, and then e-mail me with the name of Alex’s best friend! One winner will be chose at random- the deadline is Friday- midnight- Pacific Time!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Alyson

Win an autographed copy of Art Geeks and Prom Queens!

Hey Everyone-

In honor of Teen Read Week and the Teens Top Ten Award (which Art Geeks and Prom Queens just happens to be nominated for!!) I'm giving away an autographed copy of Art Geeks to one random person who can correctly identify the name of the Greek Island I lived on! The answer is somewhere on my website- so just visit www.alysonnoel.com and either click "email me" or write to me at alyson@alysonnoel.com with the answer!

The winner will be chosen at random!

Have a great day!

Alyson

Vote for Art Geeks and Prom Queens!

Hey everyone

Just a reminder that Teens Read Week begins Sunday, October 15 and ends Saturday, October 21.

I'm happy to say that my teen novel, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, has been nominated for a TEENS TOP TEN award!

Voting has already started, and you can click HERE to cast your vote!

And be sure to stay tuned as I will be running contests in honor of Teens Read Week!

Have a fun weekend!
Alyson

Q&A

My interview with the awesome site, Teens Read Too is now posted!

Click HERE to read it!

Portrait

There's a very cool teen internet magazine, PORTRAIT, that was kind of enough to review ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS and LAGUNA COVE- click on the titles to read!

Veronika Asks

I just completed a really fun interview with Veronika Asks-

Click HERE to read it!

Dear Santa,

Back when I was a kid, the countdown to Christmas always started with the arrival of the Sears catalog, aka- "The Wish Book." This catalog was so coveted that to avoid any possible rioting, my mom had no choice but to lay down the ground rules- which mostly amounted to a bunch of "seniority rules" gibberish that placed the book squarely in my oldest sister's hands, and then my middle sister's hands, until it eventually trickled its way down to me.

There were advantages to being last. Like being able to peek at my sister's choices, so I could make sure not to waste my own precious picks on a duplicate item. Though being born five years apart, pretty much guaranteed that I was the only one jonesing for both the Barbie Country Camper and the Racer Green Corvette for midlife crises Ken.

But now that I'm older (notice I didn't say "grown up") the early holiday rush always starts with the arrival of the Neiman Marcus "Christmas Book." And my husband's steadfast refusal to even acknowledge its existence, means I get the book all to myself. And just like the Wishbook before it, this catalog is also overwhelming. Filled with all manner of luxuries I can hardly believe I've been doing without. So in my need to reign it all in and bring it down to a more manageable level, I relegate myself to just two items to fixate on- one that I can both use and afford (trickier than it sounds), and one that I couldn't possibly use, can in no way afford, but now that I know of its existence, desperately need.

This years picks are-

1. The Swarovski Crystal Encrusted Pen found on page 79. This sparkly little gem is the perfect accompaniment for those Border's and Barnes and Noble book store signings. And at $60 is only about $58.01 more than my usual four pack of Bics. Not to mention how it's practically guaranteed to do wonders for my image, boost me onto the NYT bestseller list, and make me seem uber glamorous.

2. The Virgin Galactic Charter to Space found on page 87. Anyone who's read FAKING 19, knows all about my mad Richard Branson crush. And even though I was lucky enough to actually meet him, and even hug him (that sweater is now securely tucked away with a couple cedar chips in an undisclosed safety deposit box), this opportunity far surpasses that Virgin Record Store Grand Opening chance encounter. This is an chance to undergo three days of medical testing and astronaut training, to launch into space where one can experience weightlessness (that alone is worth the price of admission!), tool around way up high in the sky for awhile, before landing safely and being whisked off to Branson's very own PRIVATE VIRGIN ISLAND where I and a guest of my choosing will enjoy four nights of luxury accomodations along with an exclusive celebration hosted by Sir Richard Branson himself, where he will present all of us astronauts with a set of Virgin Galactic astronaut wings! (Which probably won't be made of plastic like my OTHER airline wings).

I realize that at first glance the price tag of $1,764,000.00 may seem a bit daunting. But since there will be six of us astronauts, and six of our guests, I think if we divide it up evenly we should be able to make this work!

Besides how often does an opportunity like this come around? Only once a year that I know of.

Backstory

Click HERE to read the story behind the story on all of my books!

Everyday I Write the Book (except yesterday!)

Recently I finished untitled book #6. Not the kind of "finished" where I've sent it to my editor and am anxiously awaiting her reply, but more the kind where I've passed it off to my husband and agent (my favorite first readers) so that I can temporarily wash my hands of it and do a mental cleanse before I start thinking about what's next (which I guess would be untitled book #7). And since I tend to be so obsessive when I'm writing- ignoring the phone, emails, and the world at large-reaching the point when I actually get to type "The End" feels just like the last day of school, with its promise of long leisurely days with no work to do.

So yesterday, I took the day off. And what began as a simple trip to the bank, soon turned into a full fledged field trip. Starting with my husband's comment about what a nice day it was, which immediately sequed into, "We should go to the San Juan Capistrano Mission."

The last time I went to the mission was for a real field trip back in the fourth grade, the kind that required permission slips, a packed lunch, and my mom solemnly swearing to be a cool chaperone, and not act all mom-like in front of my friends. And as my husband and I strolled around Orange County's most famous ancient ruins, I remembered my ten year old self, and how thrilled I'd been to trade the rigors of the classroom for a day of goofing around with my friends. Which also made me realize just how little has changed since then.

And after we'd been fully reacquainted with Father Serra and all his good deeds, my husband and I caught the last matinee of "Little Miss Sunshine," which is quirky, and awesome, and a definite must see.

But even though the sun was shining just as bright today, I didn't even think about playing hooky. Summer is over, and untitled #7 waits.

One Giant Leap for Grammar Sticklers

Having lived on the Greek island of Mykonos for several years, and adopting phrases like- “I go make shopping now” and “I no want more ouzo”- I’m the first to admit that grammar is no longer my strong point.

But after years of being chided by historians and critics (I mean, isn’t enough that he walked on the moon people?), for not uttering the more dramatic and grammatically correct phrase “One small step for a man. . .” (um, he left out the “a” which according to those in the know, made one of history’s most famous quotes no more than a bunch of redundant gibberish, ultimately translating to “One small step for mankind, one giant leap for mankind"), Neil Armstrong has finally been redeemed.

Thanks to some high-tech, sound-editing software, computer programmer Peter Shann Ford found evidence of the missing “a” that was not only spoken, but transmitted to NASA, and so was able to prove that Armstrong had said it right (or would that be correctly?) all along.

Now if we could just clear up that whole “I’m a jelly donut” JFK debacle!

Only 87 days until Christmas!

I'm taking part in the awesome TeensReadToo 31 days of giving!

Click HERE to see how you can win an autographed copy of Faking 19, Art Geeks and Prom Queens, and Laguna Cove, along with a Sephora gift certificate- from me!

P.S. I'm Day 19!

15 Questions

I just completed a fun interview with YA Books Central! Click HEREto read it!

Mars & Venus

It was sometime around the second grade when it became known that my middle name is Noël. Not knoll, like Noel Coward. But Nowell. Like Christmas. Only French.

And even though there wasn’t a single eight-year old among us who could speak a foreign language, much less recognize one on paper (we just figured those were words we didn’t know yet), from the moment Mrs. Parker got called out of class, and Scott, who was well on his way to being Most Likely To End Up On America’s Most Wanted, ran to her desk, snatched the class roster, and scanned the list for embarrassing middle names to make fun of, life as I knew it would never be the same.

Recess, which once consisted of much anticipated cartwheel competitions, now became mini marathons, as I did my best to flee the surly band of thugs, armed with the lyrics of “The First Noël” that they sang at the top of their lungs. And it took me two full days to discover the one place, (besides the principal’s office), that none of them would willing enter.

But after nearly a week of being camped out in the girl’s bathroom, while my friends all progressed from cartwheels to back hand springs, I finally emerged, sweaty and defeated, head bowed in shame, as they descended upon me, harmonizing together in a lofty, prepubescent soprano.

“Why do they do it?” I wailed, looking to my mother for insight, while knowing that she alone was completely to blame, for giving me such an awful, horrible middle name.

But she just shook her head as she sat down beside me. And after pouring me some milk and passing me a cookie, she told me the scariest, most confusing thing I’ve heard to this day. “That’s what boys do when they like you,” she said, nodding as though it made sense.

Virtual Laguna

So apparently MTV has come up with a virtual version of Laguna Beach. One where according to the president of the MTV Networks Music, Film, and Logo Group, “You can not only watch TV, but now you can actually live it.” And with a virtual house and car costing as little as $4.99 a month, (which is about $1,999,995.01 than it costs just to own those two necessities in the real Laguna), I’m ready to move.

In pretend Laguna I can chose my height, weight, skin tone, and hair color (as opposed to relying on unpredictable things like genetics, carb consumption, malfunctioning mystic tan machines, and the whims of my colorist). And I’ll even have unlimited wardrobe choices where I can wear whatever I want without having to worry about my butt looking fat. Unless of course I want it to.

And with cute sexy lifeguards on stand by to greet all new arrivals, it’s clear that the real Laguna can no longer compete.

So I’m packing my bags and loading up the car. You can have your Real OC, I’m going virtual.

Want to come with me? Click here

Black vs. Pink

All this chick lit bashing is really starting to wear on me. For one thing, I think it’s ridiculous. Let people read and write what they want for gosh sake, I mean, what’s with all the harsh judging? And second, it’s all starting to seem so dismally junior high, a time I never hoped to revisit, with all it’s insult hurling, eye rolling, clique snubbing, and brainiacs versus the girls with good shoes war mongering.

And it’s not like this literary vs. commercial debate is anything new, that battle has been raging for years, and it’s really no secret who’s been wearing the dowdy stained apron and stirring the pot. But as much as they try to make it go away, chick lit is not going anywhere. Oh sure, they may tone down the covers, or even give it a new name, but as long as there are women, struggling to find the right job, the right guy, the right zip code, and yes, the right shoes, there will be fictional heroines to represent them.

Sometimes you want a heavy read, sometimes you want a light read- the freedom to choose without persecution is what really matters.


For a pretty hilarious take on all this click here

LAGUNA COVE featured in Justine magazine!

LAGUNA COVE is featured in the Aug/Sept issue of Justine magazine's Page Turners-- "New reads that'll make you want to finish your homework."

On newsstands now!

Why are flight attendants always so__________? (Fill in the blank)

As a person who spent over a decade clad in blue polyester, support hose, and bunion inducing, pointy toed pumps, this is the question I get the most: Why are flight attendants always so- bitchy, grouchy, hostile, mean- fill in the blank.

Well, having been one, it’s hard for me to see them like that. I know them as my hardworking, hilarious, former coworkers who can take the worst hell trip and make it, well, a little less hellish. Though if by chance, you do come across someone intent on wrecking your flight, it may have something to do with this:

Sent to me last week by a flight attendant friend(who shall remain nameless),and picked up today by the Today show (I swear Matt Lauer looked truly disturbed), it seems the good people at Northwest Airlines, in yet another ill-advised act of nincompoop employee relations distributed a booklet of money saving tips to workers whose jobs will likely be cut the second the airline can outsource them.

The booklet, meant to encourage employees to “manage their money better” and “prepare for financial emergencies,” included the following helpful tips:

Instead of dining out at an overpriced restaurant, or spending your hard earned dough on popcorn and a movie, why not take “a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods.” - Yes, in the woods, where no one can hear you scream.

Tip #48: “Move to a less expensive place to live.” --Gee, I never thought of that!

Tip #59- “Never grocery shop hungry.” --Thanks mom!

But the best, most helpful tip of all urges one to not be “shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”

A Northwest spokesman agrees that “some” of the suggestions “were a bit insensitive” and has removed the helpful tips from the booklet and their employee website.

I don’t know about you, but reading that sure made me a bit cranky, annoyed, grouchy, _____________ (fill in the blank).

Super Model

Recently my husband and I toured some model homes in one of the new Orange County developments. Not that we don’t love where we live, but sometimes you need to see all of your options to prove that you’re happy.

Also, I love to peek into those perfectly decorated, color-coordinated, pristine spaces, while trying to imagine some of my fictional families taking up residence. Which room would Alex pick? Would Rio really go for that silver framed puppy poster hanging on the far wall in the designated, upstairs, “teenage daughter” room?

In one house, we wandered into the great room (with optional stone fireplace), only to interrupt a large group of friends, lounging on the overstuffed sofas and chairs, doling out juice boxes to bored toddlers, and breastfeeding newborns, while extolling the virtues of plan 3 with the Tuscan elevation. Where they actors, hired for their ability to add a little “reality” to an otherwise artificial space? (They're doing this now, I read about it in the LA Times). Or have model homes become the new meet cute spot for the “play date” set?

But it was Residence B (total living area 4,073 square feet, with optional loft) that really left me gobsmacked. As after touring countless homes with their ubiquitous pink, teen dream rooms, it wasn’t until this particular one that I found a copy of “Faking 19,” placed on the nightstand, next to the lamp. And after jumping in glee, waving it around, and announcing to everyone browsing the second floor that I was the author, I put it back, careful to angle it in just the right way, while wondering if it was included because of the content, or, more likely, because the cover matched the color scheme.

Either way, it didn’t matter. Because seeing my book among all those carefully chosen, teenage artifacts, made it feel like home.

Snakes on a Plane

As someone who spent the last eleven years employed as a flight attendant for a major airline (actually twelve, if you count last year when I was still on the books, yet never once donned the blue polyester suit), I will state now, and for the record, that I have never, ever seen a snake on a plane.
Cockroaches? Yup.
Mice? Check.
Extremely bad, snake-like, venomous behavior by VFP’s (very famous people)? You bet.
But snakes? Not so much.
Although I did serve Samuel L. Jackson a bottle of water once, and I’m happy to report that he behaved very well.

I haven’t seen the movie. And I’ll be honest and say that I probably never will. Flight Attendant’s are unusually harsh critics of airplane movies. “They just never get it right,” we whine. Though all too often it’s true. The flight attendants are always portrayed as unbelievably ditzy, the pilots are cast as overwhelmingly sexy (as if), and the passengers are all well meaning, understanding, and far to willing to roll up their sleeves and help out (this rarely happens, I assure you). Besides, I’ve got plenty of my own airplane horror stories to last me a lifetime. Though unlike my friend and fellow scribe, Lori Jakiela- (if you haven’t read Miss New York has Everything, go get it, now!)- I was never licked by a passenger. Although I was tripped (on purpose), barfed on (may have been an accident, I’m still not sure), solicited (definitely sure on this one), screamed at by a VFP (I still won’t watch her show), and had a very finicky first class passenger demand that I obtain some “palate cleansing sorbet” immediately. I was used to the occasional odd request, all flight attendants are, but at 30,000 feet, flying over the middle of the Atlantic, in the middle of the night, well, it’s sort of awkward to just pop out and head over to the local market.

And even though the days were excruciatingly long, and even though my feet hurt for eleven years straight, and even though the majority of my layovers weren’t at all glamorous, I wouldn’t trade those memories for nothin’. I may have been encased in blue polyester for a good deal of the time, but I met some amazing people, worked with the best crews, and saw the world (for free!).

Though never once did I see a snake.

FLY ME TO THE MOON, my first adult novel, is about a 28 year-old flight attendant living in New York City. It will be released on Dec. 26, 2006.

This book made possible by. . .

One of my favorite parts of novel writing is crafting the acknowledgments page. Partly because I save it for last, just after having crawled out of my (cave) office, squinting into the sun, and surveying the wreckage, seeing who amongst all my friends and loved ones is still with me, having withstood my latest bout of phone avoiding, door closing, and overall fun shunning.

Acknowledgements rock. It’s a chance to (apologize, make amends), thank all the people I really care about, and show how much they mean to me by adding cryptic prose and inside jokes that only we understand. I like to think of it as an amazing dessert, the kind that hopefully follows one of those “I know it’s good for me but that doesn’t mean I have to like it” kinds of meals. And not to take away from, or in any way diminish the contribution made by those who truly do help keep me going and make it all possible, the truth is, if I were to write a real acknowledgements page, well, it would probably look like something like this:

I’d like to thank the good people at the Monarch Beach Starbucks for the friendly smiles, excellent service, and allowing me to invade that little round table in the corner, where I poached electricity and muttered under my breath for a full ten days last winter, when the FLY ME TO THE MOON deadline just happened to fall the exact same week the roofers showed up to reshingle my house.

Thank you to the makers of Proactive for saving my (life, chin, self-esteem, T-zone), skin. I mean, just because I write teen fiction, doesn’t mean I want to revisit my teen acne. And now, thanks to Proactive, I can concentrate less on zits and more on words. Are you listening Rodan & Fields? I am endorsing your product! For free even! Which is about two gazillion dollars less than what Jessica Simpson charged.

Muchos gracias to my good friends at the Dana Point, Ocean Ranch, Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt for providing a healthy, tasty, sugar rush, that has never let me down, and has helped me beat many a pending deadline.

I’m completely indebted to The Gap for creating the world’s best, most versatile, navy blue sweatpants. The one’s that take me from bed to chair to Starbucks to Golden Spoon to chair to couch and back to bed again in absolute comfort and style.

Also, thank you to Ugg, who probably without even realizing it, somehow managed to create the perfect pair of slippers to go with the aforementioned sweatpants.

And of course, huge thanks go out to Meg Cabot. Yes, that Meg Cabot. And even though we’ve never met, and even though I’m sure she has no idea who I am, I just couldn’t have done it without her. Seriously. Every time I feel like throwing it down and heading for the beach, I force myself to glance at my copy of ALL AMERICAN GIRL and think: What would Meg do? Would Meg be packing her beach bag when she had a book due? And even though I can’t say for sure, I like to think that she absolutely would not. I mean, you don’t get to publish a bazillion books a year by slacking off and hanging on the beach. So, yeah, thank you Meg.

But most of all thank you to the World Wide Web. Without you, I could never waste so much time, spend so much money, and learn so much useless information and actually call it research. That’s right, Defamer, Nordstrom.com, Daily Candy- I’m thanking you, for getting me through the day, and providing the laughs, insight, and credit card debt I so require to keep it going.

Win a new wardrobe!! (and a copy of my book!)

So, Laguna Cove was officially released last Tuesday, and today Alloy has started an awesome sweepstakes! Just go to:
www.alloy.com click on "Win" then click on "Laguna Cove" for your chance to win a $100 Alloy gift certificate and a copy of Laguna Cove!
Good luck everyone!

Why I Write

Recently I attended a birthday bash (and I mean BASH!) for a very good friend of mine. And somewhere in the midst of all the laughter and small talk and fun, someone asked if I chose to write teen fiction because I have such fond memories of high school.
To which I instinctively balked. “God no. It was horrible! I mean, you couldn’t pay me to go back!” This was followed by vehement head shaking and perhaps, even a dramatic shudder or two.
And then my husband looked at me, gently nudged me on the arm, and said, “Um, honey, but you kind of are being paid to go back.”
Oh.
Okay, so maybe he’s right. In fact, I guess it’s pretty obvious that he’s definitely right (as usual). And now that it was out there, spoken like a fact, it got me wondering just exactly what I was thinking when I chose to make my living writing about a time in my life which I didn’t particularly enjoy, and at times, actually found quite painful. I mean, since graduation I’d done so many other things, lived in so many other places. So what on earth could be the reason for all this? Am I a masochist?
Luckily, no.
Because now that I find myself smack dab in the middle of the inevitable piling up of years between then and now, I can actually look back on those times and see certain events with far more clarity, and much more objectivity than I ever could’ve mustered up before. And the truth is, simply, that those years shape and inform you in more ways than you think, and that the adult you later become owes a huge debt to the person you were back then.
Whether you hated high school (like me) and tend to use that time as a catalyst to get the heck out and carve a more suitable place for yourself somewhere else, or you look back at it fondly, (hard for me to believe but these people do exist) and strive to recreate that feeling wherever you go from there, there’s simply no denying that those years make an impact, and so, they are not easily forgotten.
Last April brought about the untimely death of my husband’s twin brother, who battled pancreatic cancer for a year and a half, (and to whom I’ve also dedicated my upcoming novel, “Laguna Cove” as well as to the son and daughter who he so sadly left behind). And while I won’t even attempt to find the words to describe this completely devastating time, I will say that when news of his passing reached a group of their former junior high school friends, they wasted no time in springing into action, and planning a sort of impromptu memorial in Richard’s memory.
I remember holding my husband's hand as we made our way up the steep driveway that lead to the house where several of his old friends (all of whom were strangers to me) patiently waited. And where, once inside, we flipped through old photos, skimmed over yearbooks, ate hot pizza, drank red wine, laughed at shared stories and fond memories, and eventually climbed up the hill where we released a stream of balloons, watching as they drifted off into the evening sky, bidding a silent goodbye to Richard.
Some of these people drove a long distance, some even boarded an airplane just so they could be there. For us, the trip was a mere hour and forty-five minutes up the trusty 405. And as I sat beside my husband, leaning into his shoulder, while listening to old stories, told by a diverse group of old, junior high school friends, who hadn’t seen each other in over thirty years, it made me think back to my own old circle of friends, and how even though we may not speak all that often, I’m happy to say, that quite a few of them are still in my life.
I guess I write teen fiction because it’s the last time you feel so protected yet yearn to be free, you want to fit in but long to find your true self, you hate waking up for school but fear the day when you’ll no longer have to, and you are truly on the verge of so many exciting new “firsts” that you’re in such a hurry to check off, yet you’re also aware that once you do, it’s hard to go back.
But I also write teen fiction to honor the memory of the person I was then, as well as the friends who stood beside me, and who were far more important than I may have realized at the time.
A few days ago, my husband received a phone call from an old summer camp buddy, that he’d lost touch with more than thirty years ago. Apparently this guy had been reminiscing about his old group of tight knit friends, and has planned a summer reunion so that they can all get together again.
By the time my husband hung up, we’d already RSVP'd.


P.S. The first chapter of LAGUNA COVE is now available on my website! Visti www.alysonnoel.com for a preview!

Greetings from Laguna!

So I finally made it to myspace and Blog Spot- whew! Thought I'd never finish that profile page. But since Laguna is currently socked in with a major case of June gloom, it's not like I missed a great day at the beach or anything!

My third novel, LAGUNA COVE, will be in stores next month. And so I'm pretty much spending all of my time obsessing over that fact, but then also refusing to think about it. Seriously. The encroaching pub date always sends me into a frenzy of excitement and nauseau (okay, mostly excitement, but still), and since I've already finished two other books since I handed in LAGUNA COVE, I'm no longer sure how it goes. Something about the beach. . .and three friends. . .and then there's that new girl. . .and oh yeah, that really hot guy. . .but then she also kind of likes that other guy . . .

ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS continues to bring good news! It recently won the New Yok Public Library's Book of Winter 2006 award, and was also included in their prestigious Books for the Teenage 2006 catalog. Also, it's been nominated for the American Library Associations Teens Top 10 Award- voting takes place in October, and let me just say it's included among so many other great titles, that just being nominated is an honor! Truly! So thanks to all of you who read it, liked it, and told a friend!!

But what really left me gobsmacked and speechless and stunned was Niki Burnham's blog last week where she wrote such nice things about ART GEEKS I barely knew how to respond! (And for those of you who know me, you also know how very rare that is!) And if I wasn't so tech challenged you'd be able to click on her name right now and land on her page, but since technology is one of my biggest challenges (really, I'll be amazed if this blog even gets posted) I urge you to look her up, and then go out and get her novel, ROYALLY JACKED. And then when you're done with that go get the sequel, SPIN CONTROL- they are funny, compassionate, and completely endearing- and you'll see why she left me so flattered.

FAKING 19 was also nomintated for the New York Public Libary's Book of Summer 2005 award- but John Green's LOOKING FOR ALASKA won. So I went out and bought it, sat down to read it, and could not put it down til I'd reached the end- it was AWESOME.
Happy summer everyone!
Alyson