Teen Fiction Cafe

Hey Everyone-

I'm blogging HERE today, so stop by and say hello!

Parlez-vous Deja Vu

Hello Everyone-

I just learned that the FLY ME TO THE MOON French rights were sold to the same publisher that handled the ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS rights and I'm totally psyched! They did such a good job with the ART GEEKS cover, I can't wait to see what they do with FLY ME!

Also, my next YA, KISS & BLOG, will be on the shelves in just two months, and early reviews are coming in! The awesome website, Teens Read Too, calls it- "Fast and entertaining . . .a juicy novel . . .captivating plot . . ." You can read the whole review by clicking HERE.

And, to celebrate the KISS & BLOG release, I'll be taking part in a book signing/How to Write for Teens discussion with the amazing YA author, Debby Garfinkle. The event will be held at the Laguna Beach bookstore, Latitude 33, on Sunday, May 20, 3:00 p.m.
They're located at: 311 Ocean Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA
Hope to see you there!

Stewardess Hates Job

"Stewardess Hates Job" - this was the title of a "hot reads" book review of FLY ME TO THE MOON in the Saturday edition of the Montreal Gazette, and it totally cracked me up.

Mostly because I didn't hate being a flight attendant! I mean, not every day. I only hated the ones with bad weather, no empty seats, and infinite delays .

But there were good days too, like the time when. . .um . . .

Okay, mostly I was in it for the layovers.

But the review was good, they even called it "fun and quite entertaining." And I would include a link, but they won't let you read it unless you subscribe.

In addition to being fun I recently learned that reading my book (okay, not necessarily my book, but fiction in general, as opposed to non-fiction) will make you more empathetic.

According to a study conducted at the University of Toronto (yes, I am loving Canada these days!) Subjects who read more fiction than non-fiction, performed better in tests of empathy and social understanding, leading the researchers to conclude that people hone interpersonal skills through the "simulated social experiences" they have when immersed in a fictional narrative.

Which got me thinking about my own "simulated experiences" like how reading Deenie convinced me I had scoliosis, (I didn't), and how reading The Little House books allowed me that covered wagon, prairie experience without ever having to leave the comforts of my OC neighborhood.

There were more, but I'd really like to hear about yours! So, tell me- what were some of your favorite "simulated social experiences?"

Girl Scene

The awesome online magazine, GIRL SCENE, is giving away copies of my books FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, and LAGUNA COVE! I did a fun interview with them as well so be sure to check it out!

Also, I've recently joined forces with eleven amazing YA authors, to create the-- TEEN FICTION CAFE. We're hanging out, sipping lattes, and blogging about all kinds of interesting things, so feel free to stop by and say hello!

And this Spring, I'm excited to be part of the first, annual,
Literary Orange event where I'll take part in the panel- The Awkward Age.
The event takes place on April 21, and I hope to see you there!

Nowhere Girl

I admit, I've gone underground. I haven't blogged, haven't answered the phone, haven't watered my plants, even missed my best friend's birthday which is like, completely unforgivable.

Never mind that I'm bogged down in deadlines and papers and can barely come up for air, it's no excuse. And when she finally gave up and called me at 8:45 pm, I looked at my husband, standing before me, holding the phone, and was just about to say, "I can't take it, I'm swamped!"

When he said, "Oh hey, Happy Birthday Snarky!"

And I felt about this () big.

My best friend, the one who financed my first laptop so I could write my first book back when I couldn't quite swing the cost on my own, the one who inadvertently introduced me to my husband when she forced me to have a drink at that Newport Beach bar, the one who once captured a teary eyed ex-boyfriend professing his undying love for me and admiting he made a big mistake(he did), on videotape.

Not to mention how we always make a big deal about each other's birthdays, dragging it on for the entire week until everyone begs for us to move on.

So needless to say, I feel pretty bad, and plan to make it up to her.

But until then, Happy Birthday Snarky!! I'm so lucky to know you!!