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I know I’m an old-timer because when I read this post on LISNews about LII “merging” with the IPL at Drexel, my first thought was “Drexel?” I was an IPL volunteer back in 1994 or 1995 when it was still at the University of Michigan and my oldest library friends and colleagues are from there. You can see one of my early contributions on this FARQ which still gets me some email from time to time. I think of LII as blossoming under Karen Schneider’s guidance and leadership before they started doing a bad-funding tailspin and while I’m happy that the LII will continue to exist, I’m a little concerned it may lose some of its unique identity or focus. In any case, I went to the LII homepage and the IPL homepage and saw no mention of this so I guess we’ll all have to wait and see how it all shakes out.

Blake Carver has launched his new site LISWire this week. Working with Robin “birdie” Blum they are creating a site where businesses and individuals can send news releases and get them online and subscribable/linkable. I am looking forward to being able to send this URL to all the nice well-meaning people who send me press releases in email. I always write back to them, “this sounds great, do you have a URL where I can link to this information?” and now I can give them someplace to send it so it can be linkable by them and readable by others. Blake is inviting feedback on the new site, if you have a second, drop by and give him some critique.

Woo-HOO, today we have Liz Gallagher joining us in the beauty shop! Liz is the author of The Opposite of Invisible, a debut young adult novel from Wendy Lamb Books (Random House) about a fifteen-year-old Seattle girl and how she learns the difference between a crush and love, and love and best friendship. She is also a member of the Class of 2k8!



Welcome, Liz! Grab some coffee, get comfy in the beautician’s chair, and let’s get down to the gossip.

Nice to see you, Laura! I hope you know that whenever I think of you, I think of going for ice cream that time! Not a bad association, I dare say.

Good times, hehehe! Okay, when’s the last time you’ve treated yourself to a manicure?

Manicures are my biggest indulgence lately. I have my Nice Place and my Cheap Place. I try to go every couple of weeks. If I could afford it, I’d go every day! The last time was this past Saturday, right before my book release party. I went for Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI’s almost-black color.



What hair styling product can you not live without?

Stuff to help my waves get curlier. Lately, I’m obsessed with the whole line from UNITE Eurotherapy, especially their curl cream.

How long have you been with your current stylist and what are your appointment conversations like—chatty and personal, or quiet and professional?

I’ve been jumping around because I just did a bunch of research for Seattle magazine’s big beauty issue, which is coming out in February. That’s my kind of research! My last appointment was with a young superstar who does the BEST BLOND. We’re chatty with each other.

In my novel, the ladies have fun answering the “Hypothetical Questions of the Week” from their favorite tabloid. So here are some for you:

HQ #1: If you could hit the rewind button, which book published by another author do you wish you could have written? Which movie screenplay?

For a book, I’d have to say FEED by M.T. Anderson, because it’s the book that inspired me to write YA. It has the best first line ever: “We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck.” For a movie screenplay: Garden State. Those characters are pretty similar to the kinds of characters I write.

HQ #2: You magically find a $100.00 bill in your box of cereal. In what frivolous way would you spend it?

Fancy mascara and a cozy sweater.

HQ #3: TV execs are offering you a spot on a new reality show for writers. Do you say yes? If so, how would you be portrayed? (i.e. the boss, whiner, bore, paranoid-wreck, etc.?)

Heck, yeah! I think I’d be the even-keeled one who goes with the flow. When I had random housemates in Canterbury (England) during my junior year of college, that’s what they said about me: I was the one who wasn’t a drama queen and wasn’t in the middle of everything. I was just always around!

HQ #4: You’re a big-time celebrity who just had a baby. If you were competing for the most bizarre celebrity baby name, what would it be?

I’m not sure, but I do know that Jason Lee’s kid is called Pilot Inspektor! I think that’s pretty out-there, and it MAY have inspired the name of one of the characters in my WIP. I might go for Winter -- my mom says she wishes she’d named me that. I actually think Apple is a cute name!

HQ #5: If you followed the career path you chose for yourself in high school, what would you be doing for a living now?

I’d be an author. It’s a true dream (and an actual goal) come true.

The Lightening Round—no more than two words per answer!

Do you . . .
Outline or wing it? I fly.
Talk about works-in-progress, or keep your trap shut? Vault-like
Sell by proposal or completed draft? Whole enchilada.
Love to edit or cringe at the thought? Love. It.
Prefer writing a new book or marketing the old? Both good.
Write better at home or in a coffee shop? Coffee shop!
Read your released book or no thanks, I’ve read it enough? Uh-uh.

And finally, what’s your favorite . . .

Time to write? First thing.
Movie? Too many.
Book? Too many.
Author? M.T. Anderson.
Song? Peanuts dance.
Pair of shoes? Need some.
Guiltiest pleasure? American Idol?
Line from a movie? "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."

Thanks so much for stopping by, Liz, and congrats again for the recent release of your first novel! It's so awesome how your high school goal came true! (Had mine, I'd be on the Olympic Equestrian Dressage team right now. Go figure!)

Now go work those killer almost-black nails! ;)

Today we have Lisa Schroeder joining us in the shop! Lisa is the author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, a young adult novel in verse about love and grief in which a fifteen-year-old girl’s boyfriend, who is dead but not gone, is keeping her from moving on.



Welcome, Lisa!  Grab some coffee, get comfy in the beautician’s chair, and let’s get down to the gossip.

Thanks, Laura. I’m so glad to be here. I love this shop you’ve set up for authors to come and chat with you. I hope I get to do it live and in person someday!!!

Wouldn't that be cool?  And if it was televised!  Hmm . . . what would I wear?  Can't go wrong with a nice pant suit.  Or wrap dress.  Wait, aren't I supposed to be interviewing you?  Right.

Okay, Lisa, when’s the last time you’ve treated yourself to a manicure?

Can you believe I’ve never had a manicure? I do indulge in a pedicure every now and then, however. I had one last summer, right before the SCBWI conference in LA. I even got cute little flowers painted on. They were SO cute!

What beauty product can you not live without?

I have REALLY dry skin, and I need a super rich moisturizer at night. I use Extra Emollient Night Cream by Mary Kay and hope they never, ever discontinue it!

How long have you been with your current stylist and what are your appointment conversations like—chatty and personal, or quiet and professional?

I’ve been with Mia for about three years. I had to switch when my other one refused to let me grow my hair out. She didn’t think it’d look good on me, so she’d cut it and cut it, and so I finally had to leave. I really like my hair now, so it was the right decision.

Mia and I are very chatty and personal. If you think I’m going to divulge what we talk about, well, sorry. What happens at the hair salon stays at the hair salon. ;)

In my novel, the ladies have fun answering the “Hypothetical Questions of the Week” from their favorite tabloid. So here are some for you:

HQ #1: For one day, time travel is a reality and you have the opportunity to visit any famous deceased author you want. Who do you pick?

Since I’ve been on a Jane Austen kick lately, I’ll go with her. I would love to sit and have tea with her and see if she’s as witty and funny in person as she is in her books.

HQ #2: Paparazzi are stalking you, looking for shots of odd things authors do while writing. What do they catch you doing, hmm?

Turn the music up, turn the music down, turn the music up, stare out into space for awhile, turn the music down, open the window, close the window, turn the music up, stare out into space for awhile… You get the picture.

HQ #3: You’ve been locked in a bank vault with that guy from The Twilight Zone, so you finally have time to read! What’s the first book you crack open? (And don’t worry—no one stepped on your glasses.)

So many people in LJ-Land raved about LIFE AS WE KNEW IT, by Susan Beth Pfeffer, and put it on their top-of list for 2007, so this would be the one.

HQ #4: If I asked the members of your critique group who you’re most like when critiquing manuscripts, would they choose Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell?

Probably Randy Jackson. I try not to sugar coat things like Paula, and yet I don’t knock someone down just for the pleasure of it (like Simon). I think I try to be honest, but kind. I understand that writers take their work very seriously, and it’s important to point out the good things about it as well as the areas it needs work.

The Lightening Round—no more than two words per answer!
Do you . . .
    Outline or wing it?     Wingingly outline
    Talk about works-in-progress, or keep your trap shut?     Some mumbling
    Sell by proposal or completed draft?     Completed draft
    Love to edit or cringe at the thought?     Love it
    Prefer writing a new book or marketing the old?     Writing, please!
    Write better at home or in a coffee shop?     Coffee shop
    Read your released book or no thanks, I’ve read it enough?     Read it.

And finally, what’s your favorite . . .
    Time to write?     Early Morning
    Movie?         I’m torn between PRETTY IN PINK and THE GOODBYE GIRL.
    Book?     Impossible to name just one, so I’ll just say BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT was one of my favorite books read in 2007!
    Author?     John Green
    Song?     NAME by the Goo Goo Dolls
    Pair of shoes?     My 15 YO Nike Air running shoes
    Guiltiest pleasure?     My weekly Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
    Line from a movie?     “The hard is what makes it great.” – A League of Their Own

Thanks for stopping by the shop, Lisa, and for that sweet compliment about my book!  (Remind me to send you that five bucks later.)  Your favorite line is one of mine as well--I always repeat it to myself whenever I'm struggling with my writing!  That and Tim Gunn's Work it out. ;)

Best of luck with I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, and everyone be sure to check out Lisa's website!

For my last Shop Talk Tuesday interview of the year, we have Randi Hacker joining us in the beauty shop! Randi is the author of the LIFE AS I KNEW IT, a young adult novel about a teenage girl whose life is turned upside down when her sixty-nine-year old father suffers a stroke.



Welcome, Randi! Grab some coffee, get comfy in the beautician’s chair, and let’s get down to the gossip.

When’s the last time you’ve treated yourself to a manicure?

Oh, it’s been about 3 years now.

Okay, that's not too shabby. How long have you been with your current stylist and what are your appointment conversations like—chatty and personal, or quiet and professional?

About 4 years. He’s a barber and we mostly discuss the Jayhawks.

What kind of hairstyle did you have in high school?

Long and straight – no small feat given my natural and unruly curls. If I could only have back the hours I spent forcing it to be straight…



In my novel, the ladies have fun answering the “Hypothetical Questions of the Week” from their favorite tabloid. So here are some for you:

HQ #1: For one day, time travel is a reality and you have the opportunity to visit any famous deceased author you want. Who do you pick?

Anonymous. Just kidding. Aldous Huxley

HQ #2: If you could hit the rewind button, which book published by another author do you wish you could have written? Which movie screenplay?

Brave New World. Local Hero.

HQ #3: You magically find a $100.00 bill in your box of cereal. In what frivolous way would you spend it?

Dinner out for me, my daughter and a couple of friends.

HQ #4: You’re a big-time celebrity who just had a baby. If you were competing for the most bizarre celebrity baby name, what would it be?

Botox or maybe Tyvek.

HQ #5: Paparazzi are stalking you, looking for shots of odd things authors do while writing. What do they catch you doing, hmm?

Writing with a pencil but not using the eraser.

HQ #10: If you followed the career path you chose for yourself in high school, what would you be doing for a living now?

Writing adult novels.

The Lightening Round—no more than two words per answer!
Do you . . .
Outline or wing it? Wing it
Talk about works-in-progress, or keep your trap shut? Yes.
Sell by proposal or completed draft? Completed draft.
Love to edit or cringe at the thought? Love it.
Prefer writing a new book or marketing the old? New.
Write better at home or in a coffee shop? Home.
Read your released book or no, I’ve read it enough? No thanks.

And finally, what’s your favorite . . .
    Time to write? Before first light.
    Movie? Local Hero
    Book? Pride and Prejudice
    Author? Kurt Vonnegut
    Song? The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
    Pair of shoes? Red Arcopedicos
    Guiltiest pleasure? Reading Jackie Collins’ novels
    Line from a movie? “Goodbye everyone! I’m off to Reykjavik!”

Thanks for stopping by, Randi, and about HQ#5--if you write your novels in pencil then wow, you are one tough writer! I'm lost without my laptop. And for those of you who are wondering what Arcopedicos look like, allow me:



Dang, they do look comfortable!

Have a great Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday! Today we have Jo Knowles joining us in the beauty shop. Jo is the author of the YA novel, Lessons From A Dead Girl (Candlewick Press), the story of an abusive friendship and one girl’s struggle to find understanding and forgiveness.



Welcome, Jo! Grab some coffee, get comfy in the beautician’s chair, and let’s get down to the gossip.

Thanks, Laura! It’s so nice to be here!! I could use some highlights and a trim.

Wow, you truly are a brave woman if you trust me with scissors.  ;)  Okay, first off, when’s the last time you’ve treated yourself to a manicure?

Actually, I have NEVER treated myself to one. I’m so embarrassed! I’ve had two manicures in my life. One for a friend’s wedding—she paid. And the most recent (10 years ago) for my own wedding. A friend of mine was a little horrified that I wasn’t planning to have my nails done so she went out and bought me a gift certificate. I can’t help it. I’m guess I’m just not a painted nails kind of gal. :-)

Nah, neither am I.  What’s the most regrettable hairstyle you’ve ever had? Any mullets? Rat tails?

A few days before I started high school I cut my hair short and got a perm. I looked like a mousey Orphan Annie. It was a really regrettable way to start my high school career.

What beauty product can you not live without?

Oil of Olay hydrating lotion. I’ve been using it forever.

In my novel, the ladies have fun answering the “Hypothetical Questions of the Week” from their favorite tabloid. So here are some for you:

HQ #1: You’re a big-time celebrity who just had a baby. If you were competing for the most bizarre celebrity baby name, what would it be?

Pickle (girl or boy)

HQ #2: Paparazzi are stalking you, looking for shots of odd things authors do while writing. What do they catch you doing, hmm?

Eating Smarties for breakfast.

HQ #3: You’ve been locked in a bank vault with that guy from The Twilight Zone, so you finally have time to read! What’s the first book you crack open? (And don’t worry—no one stepped on your glasses.)

I’ve always wanted to read War and Peace?

HQ #4: If I asked the members of your critique group who you’re most like when critiquing manuscripts, would they choose Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell?

Probably Randy. I think it’s really important to be honest AND nice. :-)

HQ #5: If you followed the career path you chose for yourself in high school, what would you be doing for a living now?

I think I changed my mind about 500 times in high school. So let’s see. Either a photo journalist, a nurse, a private investigator, a veterinarian, a teacher or a graphic designer.

The Lightening Round—no more than two words per answer!

Do you . . .
    Outline or wing it?   Wing it
    Talk about works-in-progress, or keep your trap shut?   Talk
    Sell by proposal or completed draft?   My choice?
    Love to edit or cringe at the thought?   Love it
    Prefer writing a new book or marketing the old?   Both
    Write better at home or in a coffee shop?   Coffee shop
    Read your released book or no thank you, I’ve read it enough?   Just passages

And finally, what’s your favorite . . .
    Time to write?   Daytime
    Movie?   Princess Bride
    Book? Author?   Impossible to choose!
    Song?   It depends on my mood. ;-)
    Pair of shoes?   Flip flops
    Guiltiest pleasure?   The E! channel
    Line from a movie?   That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you."

Thanks for joining us, Jo, and for being brave enough to let me work with your hair.  Those chunky highlight stripes look . . . um, real nice, sweetie.  And about those lopsided bangs . . . asymmetrical hair-dos are due for a comeback, right?
Have a great holiday!