I've started a new blog, so if you follow me on google reader or through a feed or anything, you'll want to switch over to HERE.
http://lindseyleavitt.blogspot.com/
I might still cross post the entries to livejournal, but probably not. I'm over livejournal's ads and settings, so I'm excited for the clean start on blogger.
N-E-WAY. Come join me! And thanks so much for reading for however long you've been reading.
Cheerio!

2 posts in one day? What sort of blogging cyborg has taken over your body, Lindsey? It's called My Kid's Are All Sitting Here Miraculously Watching PBS So I Gots To Get These Things Out While I Can, Yo.

1. Speaking of blogging (that's what we were speaking of, yes?) I am in the process of designing a new blog over at blogger. Sorry, LJ, after 6 1/2 years, things just aren't working out anymore. I'll post a link update, but it shall be New! And Fresh! And Ad-free! I finally figured out my blogging aversion was due to LJ, so I'm excited to blog more often. Aren't you excited to read more often? AREN'T YOU???

2. It's the end of January, so you're probably looking for an end of January pick-me-up. So I have one for you in book form. And by pick-me-up, I mean you might end up in a ball sobbing at one point, but in a good way. The best way.



This is the review I posted on goodreads right after I read: This book made my soul hurt in all those achey soul places. loved loved loved loved. If you're tired of paranormal, don't let the cover (the FABULOUS cover) dissuade you. This is a yummy mix of mythology, and I can't wait to see where Brodi takes this series.
And now, months later, I'm still thinking about this book. The emotional poignancy in this story really caught me by surprise.

3. Right now I'm revising my fifth novel. One of the common questions I get asked at school visits is "Does writing a book get easier?" And the answer is Yes. And Not Really. Yes because I now know the components of a novel, how to add richness to a character, how to outline, how to plot, how to revise. But just because I have those tools doesn't mean I don't have to use them to build something new Every Single Time. (Also, I obviously haven't learned how to hold of on Capitalization). This fifth book is harder is some ways than previous ones, partially because of expectations, but mostly because I'm better at recognizing what is good and I know I'm not there yet. But that's why God gave us revision, kids.

4. Oh! Super great news. SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD made the 2012 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adult's list. Out of thousands of YA titles, just over a hundred are named, so it was exciting that the committee thought Sean met "the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens". Most important, librarians use these lists to help them make selections, so hopefully SGH will get into even more hands.

5. Las Vegas had the most glorious sunset last night. My facebook feed has been filled with much better pictures from local friends, but thought I'd share my quick neighborhood shot. My five-year-old asked me if the sky was on fire.

I'm ridiculously excited to be a part of the Highlight's Foundation Founder's Workshop: Making the Web Work for You! For long time blog readers, you will recall I was granted a scholarship to attend Highlight's Chautauqua workshop in 2006, and this workshop is the reason I am a published writer. Perhaps not the only reason, but a huge one. You can read about those adventures here. I'm very glad I'm not pregnant for this next conference, because I swear I cried on every author I met before. Just to be safe, you might not want to sit in my splash zone during workshops.
This workshop is for writers at all different points in the publishing process and hopefully by the end of the week you'll have a clear blueprint for online promotion. The other speakers are AMAZING, and I've already learned so much from them already. I'll also be offering manuscripts critiques during the week, and Honesdale is picturesque paradise, so you're going to be inspired across the writerly board. And I hear the food is good. Not that that was a qualifier in my professional commitment. Well, not the MAIN qualifier.
If you do sign up, let me know! They offer dozens of workshops, so check the website. 

2011 was my busiest year yet in the writing realm, and I pretty much learned that while I like The Busy, too much does not a sane Lindsey make. So I'm glad 2012 has less on the horizon as of now. I have this two-year-old I'm very excited to see grow up (not to mention those other two kids that sort of look like her), and once Logan is in preschool, we can get crazy again. For now, she's providing plenty of Real Life insanity. The good kind.

BTW, I'm copying my buddy Lisa Schroeder on this one, who in her post noted that we saw each other 4 times this year.
4 times is still not enough, thus I am still plotting the writing commune I one day hope to establish. Like the world could handle that much awesome.

January
--Utah writing retreat with Lisa Schroeder, Becca Fitzpatrick, Rachel Hawkins and Emily Wing-Smith. Words can not do this experience justice, but if I tried it would be lots of WAHOO! and OMG! and FUNFUNFUNFUN!!!
--Scholastic version of PRINCESS FOR HIRE is spotted at bookfairs and later in book orders. 13 year-old Lindsey faints from joy

February
--One of my dearest writing friends, Lisa Madigan passes away from pancreatic cancer. Almost a year later, and I still can't believe that I'm typing that. Such a bright light for this world to lose.
--Give my first keynote address at SCWBI Southern Breeze Spring Mingle. Spoke with my fabulous agent, Sarah Davies, as well. Also got to tour Margaret Mitchell's house with Birmingham Bestie, Irene Latham.
--Sell 2 more books to Bloomsbury, including my next contemporary novel, AUTHENTICALLY VINTAGE. Books will release in 2013 and 2014. I get to write more books! And someone will pay me to publish them! Still a miracle? You betcha.

March
--SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD releases! Celebrate with loads of signings, skype visits, blog interviews, and school events,
--including Not Your Mother's Book Club at Books Inc. in San Francisco. Always a dream of mine to sign at this store.
--Paperback of PRINCESS FOR HIRE releases

April
--Turn in first draft of third princess for hire book, which at that time was still called third princess for hire book :)
--Find out SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD has been nominated for the Kentucky Bluegrass award. This is my first nomination for a state list, which isn't a huge deal, but a milestone for me. 
--Houston Teen Festival and visit to The Kinkaid school and my fifth grade cousin's classroom. Texas knows how to host an event. Lose to author Stephanie Perkins in table shuffleboard, a game I have been practicing ever since.
--Do six visits in central California, including the school my older brother works at as a vice principal. Give one lucky class 30 copies of Princess for Hire. Not something I'm able to do often (if ever again), but was truly a Santa Claus moment. Ho Ho.

May
--THE ROYAL TREATMENT releases! The tiaras return, and we dance in giddy glee.
--Signing in Las Vegas at my local BN, and at my very favorite independent bookstore, The King's English in Salt Lake City. Friends from different periods of my life show up to both, making me grateful for both friends and life.
--Speak on panel for IRA in Orlando. Husband joins me and we visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as well. Fly to Philadelphia and New York to visit family and also have a chance to see my Bloomsbury editor, Caroline. Sadly, we also learn on this trip that a close friend of ours took his life, and as a result I have one of those life-assessing summers that involved less authorly duties, more writing, and loads of family time.

June & July
--WRITE MY FACE OFF. Work on revisions for A FAREWELL TO CHARMS, which I turn in right before my birthday in August. Also begin AUTHENTICALLY VINTAGE. My sister-in-law babysits two a

I get a couple emails a week asking me if there will be a third book a week and when it will be out, so I'm posting this for reference sake.
Yes. There's another book. And it's up on Amazon (FOR PREORDER RIGHT HERE. Buy it now, and the book shall magically appear in oh, 8 months. Set it and forget it!). I'm guessing it's okay to share the cover for A FAREWELL TO CHARMS. 
Which is the third and final book in The Princess for Hire series.
Which will be out June 26, 2012.
Which is the book where BIG STUFF GOES DOWN.




I can't wait for you to all to read this book and figure out who that is in the locket and just what charms are in store. Here's the jacket flap info (if you have not read the first two books, SPOILER AHOY)

A FAREWELL TO CHARMS Synopsis:

One of those most common questions I get asked is where do I get my inspiration? And I often pull out a quick/funny/trite answer, but really? The answer is life. I keep a notebook by my bed, in my purse, in my car, in my office, and sometimes I'm driving and a-ha happens, sometimes I meet someone or hear something and the idea clicks into one of my stories, or spawns a whole new book. Here are a couple inspired moments from October

Music:


(You know I'm going with the stache picture)

I went to a Paul Simon concert  with my parents at the Caesar's Palace Colosseum (where Celine Dion sings. I know). The median age at this concert was probably 44, and Paul Simon just turned 70, and I still felt like I did when I was 16, sitting on the jetty at a beach in Mexico, my walkman (yes, walkman) blaring THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK. My mom's first concert was Simon and Garfunkel when she was 16, and we both look like old men when we dance, so it was a night that bridged generations.
The man is a master lyricist. And it was somewhere in the middle of the concert that I closed my eyes and thought about the background to one particular song and.... there it was. The lacking emotion in the end of my WIP. I might even put one of the quotes somewhere in my book. Uh, if it doesn't cost too much.
One of his recent songs that I really enjoyed is called Rewrite. My dad says it's about rewriting a life, which sure, SOUNDS deep, but I'm going with the literal definition because I feel like I'm always in the middle of a rewrite. Always.

Here's my favorite verse with chorus.

IF you're a teen/have a teen in your possession and IF said teen attends a school in US and IF that school has an English/Reading teacher, than chances are high (roughly 73% by my calculations) that you can have access to scholastic book clubs. And you really want access, like, NOW so you can go to the October TAB book order and order Sean Griswold's Head for the low low LOW price of 5. I already ordered, because i'm narsacistic like that (but not too narsacistic that i know how to spell that word) and also bought another copy of I HEART YOU, YOU HEART ME by Lisa Schroeder and GIRL, STOLEN by April Henry. That's three authors from www.thecontemps.com. RAD. Here's the screen shot for SGH. The big surprise bonus was that it's also a featured booktalk title, which you can what here



Isn't he adorbs? Pretty much one of the most exciting things to happen yet as an author. I lived for scholastic book orders when I was a kid, spent all my babysitting money on books. Gleeful fun ordering my own book now as an adult, with daughters over shoulder saying "Buy that best friend journal instead!"
Also, had a fabulous Disney adventure. I think you can't say trip, it has to be adventure, right? I thought I signed a contract that said that. Afterwards, I was the last-minute moderator for the Orange County Children's Book Festival "Keepin it Real" panel with Jessi Kirby, Kirsten Hubbard and Andrew Smith. Someone filmed and posted on YouTube (this happens. Usually when you're posture is especially bad and you know you're mom is going to call and say STAND UP STRAIGHT) But nonetheless, here it is. And now, I must away. I will be in Portland this weekend for the WORDSTOCK festival, speaking Sunday on two panels, SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT at 2 and a chat with buddy Lisa Schroeder at 4. See you there!

I started my first journal when I was twelve. It mostly consisted of lists of my friends, or lists of boys I liked, or lists of things I did. It almost always began with an apology for the amount of time that had passed since the previous entry. I look back now, and there are a lot of sorries and not a whole lot of content. 

So I'm not going to do that now, apologize to the faceless readers who no doubt have dwindled thanks to my sporadic blog posts. But I do want to talk about how I've changed as a writer, as a person, since I first started this blog and where I've been and where I want to be.

I quit journaling when I started this blog 6 (seriously, 6?) years ago.  When I posted my first entry, I was 25, had a one-year-old baby, lived in a tiny student apartment, had been writing seriously for only a few months, and knew next to zilch about publishing. This blog was the vessel that allowed me to be heard, to interact, to reach out and connect with readers, writers, and friends. I savored discussions and comments and kept a little hit counter that let me know people were actually READING. And that's what I wanted, it's what I've always wanted. Readers. The difference is now I have books to write, contracted books that will someday be published. I try to respond to reader email. I tweet and facebook and skype and market and do signings and even teach classes on how to social network. I love my little internet bubble.
But this year, the bubble popped for me. I had two books come out within two months of each other, another two books to write within one year. I did about forty online interviews, traveled for book signings and festivals, and skyped my face off. And, frankly, I got sick of myself. I started to dread questions like "Where do you get your ideas?" or "What's it like being an author?" I felt like all I ever talked about was writing, that I'd become a marketing robot. I became scared to share me, especially on this blog, because I felt so over-exposed already. So much of me was tucked into my stories, wasn't that enough? Not to mention, I dreaded sounding ungrateful because that wasn't it at all--I loved all the authorly things. It was more like I'd gotten a hot fudge sundae with every topping imaginable, and had a stomachache from eating so much.

And so I often went days without getting online, because my computer time had to be writing time if I was ever going to make the next deadline. I also gained weight, hurt my wrist, and realized that a lot of other things I wanted to do in life weren't happening because I was spending so much time on book things.

I don't know if it was even a conscious decision, but I started to let work-related things slide--this blog being one. I started to say no to interviews, stopped logging into writing sites, and even lost contact with some writing friends. I felt like a fraud doing this, because at the same time I was doing panels and interviews on the joys of social networking. On the flip side, I started to say yes to more book clubs, working out, vacations, kids' activities, dates with hubby, time with family, school volunteering. Life. I have a much fuller plate than I did when I first started writing, with three kids at various ages, who either need to be picked up from preschool, dropped off at playgroup or shuttled to dance, soccer, signing, doctor's appointments. I also broke down and got a sitter two afternoons a week, so I could have solid chunks of writing time, and thus solid chunks of quality mommy time.

I am the two things I've always wanted to be. But I've found that getting what you want doesn't mean work isn't involved. It doesn't mean I don't get stressed out and spend most of my time feeling like maybe I should either quit working altogether or get full time childcare and write all the time because I worry I'll only be good at both things, never great, and why try if I can't b

In the last year or so, I've gone to some great conferences and book festivals and signings and schmoozes and get togethers. They're all fun, I meet great people everywhere I go, and I always come home and nap for about three weeks afterwards. Don't worry--I put some cereal on the table for my kids and turn on Disney channel. I have learned children can survive months with these basic staples.
But my most favoritest concert in the galaxy is LA SCBWI aka kids camp for kids writers. At other writerly shin digs, I'm either speaking or signing or meeting important people, and this all means I have to prepare and worry and put on my professional face (which closely resembles my fun face, just with more twitching). At this conference,  I can sit in the lobby and talk with writing friends I only get to see every year. Yes, I also go to classes taught by acclaimed, wise authors, BUT i was so gold star in high school that i never ditched so I have to live out those fantasies now. At writing conferences. That I paid for. 
This years conference, although an utter blast, was also bittersweet, remembering my dearly missed friend, LK Madigan. Our first in-person meeting happened two years ago in the conference hallway, and no, she was not wearing pants. Good times. Another best writing bud, Lisa Schroeder, was also noticeably absent, but she did come to Las Vegas to see the band LIFEHOUSE the previous weekend, and we played with my girls and ate cupcakes and had an overall grand time. I don't have a picture of us, because I am THE WORST at documenting major life events, but here is one picture from the poolside conference.



And now some highlights from the conference.

1. Author signing
I'm used to going to signings and having the majority of buyers either not know who I am or have not yet read my book. At the published author reception, i spoke with other writers who knew me and my work and it was pretty hard not to reverse fan girl and thank them for reading. Having readers is still pretty mind blowing, truly. Also, that people spend their money on my book? Forgetaboutit.



2. Adjoining rooms
Like I said, seeing friends is the best part of the conference for me, and this group of Utah authors are some of my favorite. I don't have an in-person writing group in Las Vegas, but I do travel to Salt Lake City regularly, so I'm like an occasional honorary member at their lunch table. Brodi Ashton (upcoming book is EVERNEATH. I will blog about this book in January. It is on my top 5 YA list for the year) had the idea, and lo, the adjoining rooms were genius. Along with Bree Despain (THE DARK DIVINE) and Emily WIng Smith (BACK WHEN YOU WERE EASIER TO LOVE), we had many late night giggles with the doors between our room open. Seriously, like camp, minus campfire and plus king-sized beds and maid service and balconies and room service. Which is how I like to roll.

3. The pajama party
I was bummed that the annual ball wasn't dress up this year, until I got my PJs on. And then I realized it is easier to cabbage patch in pink slippers and plaid pants. I am also in professional love with this DJ. Yes, if I say PROFESSIONAL, than it is totally kosher. And this was a professional conference, so...

*INSERT PICTURE HERE AS SOON AS I TRACK DOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS IT**

HE IS SO (PROFESSIONALLY) CUTE!

4. Libba Bray made me cry. Twice.
Tears 1: Libba Bray (Printz winner, bestseller, author of BEAUTY QUEENS and A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY) gave a hilarious talk about writing the third book in her career launching trilogy. Did I mention I too am

 Newsletter subscribers already got the insider tip on the new title, and now, as a blog reader, you are next. (I like making y'all feel privelaged. Feel it?)

 I didn't see Harry Potter last night. I actually haven't seen Deathly Hallows 1 yet. I've been saving it. I do this whenever beloved series end. I STILL haven't seen the last episode of LOST. I like knowing it's there. I know, weird, but once I see these movies, I've seen them all, and there is no more new Harry to look forward to.
Except there is, because part of the joy of being a parent is sharing magic with my kids, and now my seven year old is almost ready to be Potterized (the movies scare her, understandably so, but we're starting Sorcerer's Stone. Rereading for the 10th time, I'm still amazed by Rowling's voice and characterization and world building. Truly truly genius).
And actually, Rylee has already been exposed to plenty of Potter over the years. Here's her first/last midnight release party from four years back. Dang, she was cute. Full recap of that magical night here
Happy Harry y'all!

Halfway through summer, and as always, it's time for a little catch up...

 ---SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD is now available from scholastic UK in paperback. Here's the the cover:



Yes, THIS is officially the pinkest book ever. And the picture does not do it justice--the neon is hypnotic in person. Order it on Amazon UK or book depository to find out for yourself, and while you're there, post a review since, you know, there aren't any yet.

--speaking of foreign covers, I'm pretty sure the second princess for hire book will be out end of the month in Dutch. I have no idea what is up with the butterfiles, but they're PRETTY butterflies, so fly away sweet winged creatures! Fly away!



--After many months of travel and deadlines, my body was starting to show it. And by "It", I mean all the eating out and revision chocolate and hours doing nothing but typing. So I finally joined a gym again, finally started being conscious of my food intake. My progress is slow and steady, but already I can tell that I'm feeling good overall, and that my pants no longer cause me physical pain to button.
But this article on diet soda... it's too much. I HAVE ONE VICE, PEOPLE. ONE. Do you really need to take that from me too? I bet you people slash rainbows and run over squirrels, too.

---Looking for a summer read? Might I suggest this book again.


If you need further convincing, check out my post on the contemps blog here

--There is a HUGE auction going on over on Carrie Harris's website (her debut, BAD TASTE IN BOYS, just released this week!) I've donated a copy of SGH and THE ROYAL TREATMENT, but there are a million other books and professional writing services happening. All for a good cause. Girl knows how to debut in style!

--Going to see The Neon Trees on Friday.

Really liked their first album, didn't realize until recently that I know the bass player. My best friend dated him during this ancient time called the nineties--he played in a local ska band that I spent much of high school skanking too. What is skanking? Seriously? AM I THAT OLD?

--My fall schedule is filling up. I'm very excited to be a part of book festivals in Costa Mesa, Portland, Houston, and here in Vegas. AND I'm going to the national SCBWI conference in LA this August. Are you, fellow writers? 
Finally, starting to book school visits and skype visits for the 2011-2012 school year. Find out more on my website events page.

--REVISIONS for Princess for Hire 3 are here and due end of the month. We have a title, we have a cover idea, and I should be able to share both in the upcoming weeks. Every time I sit down to work on P4H3, I just can't believe this series is almost over! OR IS IT? (

My Grandpa Keith passed away last week at 92. Whenever I note his death, I feel a need to mention his age. He'd lived a very full life, and each year that he aged, we knew that he didn't have much time left.
I thought knowing something was inevitable translated to being prepared. And I was wrong. I will miss him very much-- miss him for me, but especially for my father, my aunt, and my wonderful uncle who took care of grandpa for any years.
In the closet of my father's summer home are stacks of boxes filled with my grandpa's life. I happened upon these boxes one night (happened=waited until everyone in the house was asleep so I could search the loot) and spent the next hour learning more about my grandpa than I had in my entire life. From a box.
Journals, letters, pictures, annotations, golf cards, file folders, paper clips, stuff. Stuff. Stuff. And so many questions. Who was this lady who kept writing during WWII and referencing an apple tart. Was the tart a joke or code? Who were all these people in the pictures? When did he sell real estate? Why didn't I know that? And why was THIS stuff important, why were THESE the things he kept?
There was a person I knew, and that person i'll treasure. He was my grandfather, and a good one at that. We saw each other a couple of times a year at best, with years sometimes passing in between. Our visits were often brief and surface, especially at the end when grandpa wasn't always lucid. I was just a few pictures in those many, many boxes, but all those pictures and people and relationships formed the man he was. But one thing I got out of this past week is this--
I might not have known everything about him, but I knew something, and that something was pretty special. 

I'm in the full swing of summer, and find my days are long but very, very fast, and by the time I sit to blog, a whole lot of owerpoqwirqwjrqwlkrjwqlkrjqwpoirwqpoiqr comes out, so please excuse my spottiness here. I'm about to hit my 6 year (you read that right, SIX YEAR) blogoversary, so planning some fun for that! Meanwhile, you can follow along with the Teen Book Scene blog tour for The Royal Treatment. Just click the cute image below...




And if you still need more reading after those interviews,  preorder THE DAY BEFORE by Lisa Schroeder, a book I am so ridiculously excited to see released, I'm verging on crazy. This is my favorite YA book of the year, and I'm hoping to welcome the release in style. What that means yet, I can't say (I can't say, because I don't know, but just trying to maintain some allure).




Happy summer, and more soon!

I took May off, if you can't tell. Not from book promotion, and certainly not from writing, but from blogging, because, well, I did. Sufficient reason, no? So now I play catch up through some quick pictures. 



IRA Orlando:
If you are an literacy educator, whether in the library or the classroom, you should be involved with IRA. I was very impressed with this organization, specifically their new website: ENGAGE. You have to be a member of IRA to fully access the site, but it's very user-friendly, clean, and helpful. Almost makes me want to go back to teaching (until I remember the 15 lbs I gained my first year from school lunches. Mmm, fried chicken day was THE BEST)
I spoke on a panel with Kate Messner, Cynthea Lui, and Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (some of my favorite author ladies) about how to implement web 2.0 tools into the classroom. We skyped with @MrSchuReads class in Illinois (an intervaotr in his own right, who has a great blog featuring book trailers). We also did a podcast covering our presentation that will be available on the engage site come Wednesday, along with discussions and interactive content.
Bloomsbury also had an author dinner, where I had the chance to dine with Kate Messner, Eric Velasquez and Martin Sandler, who I adored. Eighty books, several Emmy awards,  and, well, you can imagine the guy had some stories to tell. Found this article, which I think shows some of his spunk. I love the people I'm able to meet as an author. Always interesting, very humbling.



Wizarding World of Harry Potter
There are not words. Amazing, every bit. Well, except perhaps the butterbeer. Not a fan of butterscotch, but had to be authentic. Oh, how I ache to create a world like JK Rowling's. MAGICAL.



New York:  MoMa, broadway, central park, a couple of movies and time with my husband to just walk around and be together, listening to authors at Books of Wonder for diversity tour, and an unplanned dinner with my editor at a very loud tapas joint


(yes, I have discovered Instagram, and no. I am never going back)

The King's English signing in SLC:
Such a fabulous book store. My super awesome, super supportive Uncle Kyle also brought SGH and TRT sugar cookies. I would do events daily if they could be this successful. Not daily. Weekly. That would be a lot of getting ready/wearing of non-elastic pants.



(these adorable girls came down from Idaho. They're like coordinating, twin Desi's! Thanks for coming Stucki family!)

Futhermore: We also had preschool graduation, family in and out of town, some hard news, some good news, and a lot of life things happening in May. I can't tell you how ready I am for summer--lots

 Is out! In stores! You can buy it, or go to your library and check it out! Or tell your friend to buy it (this week with the code listed below) and then borrow it. Or go over to goodreads and enter the giveaway there. 
 My launch party was yesterday, put on by the fabulous Crystal Perkins at Barnes and Noble. Crystal is a good friend and a strong advocate for YA literature. Her book recommendations are always spot on. The store truly gave me the royal treatment, they even named drinks in the cafe after Meredith and Desi. And there was a security guard standing by my books. Although that was just where he happened to stand, I did feel a little Stephanie Meyer-esque. I'm very thankful to all my family, friends, readers and kids-who-just-wanted-a-free tiara who stopped by. Thank you thank you everyone!





Best of all, a bookfair was set up by BN this week. Use the code #1048605 at ANY Barnes and Noble store or at bn.com on ANY book during this week, and 10% of your purchase will go towards The United Way of Western Alabama for tornado relief. If we raise $2500, that percentage goes up to 15%. So Please please please spread the word on that. That's not just for my book. ANY BN PURCHASE. You can go read a scandalous romance novel or buy your kid a puzzle or a boxed set of a TV show (I think you get the picture here), and you're helping a good cause. Go you!

I'm headed to Orlando for IRA tomorrow, where I will presenting on a workshop on using social networking to enhance reading programs with Kate Messner, Cynthe Liu, & Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. I'll also be signing at the Disney book, so if you're there stop by. My hubby is coming along since it's our wedding anniversary, and WE ARE GOING TO THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER. I daresay the man doesn't quite understand how much geeking out is about to take place by yours truly. Mad geekery. If there is one publishing dream I have, it's theme park after my book. Dream big, kids.
Dream Big.

I meant to write about five blog posts this last week. Then the news kept compounding, and since I hadn't covered the previous subject, I didn't feel like I could address the next. So below is a hodpodge post--please forget the jumpy topics.

1. Thanks everyone for commenting on my blog for Multiple Sclerosis. I didn't even know this, but right now the MS Society is matching dollar for dollar all donations, so in all over a $100 was raised by one little blog post. And I even did my mini-walk which was very... mini.

2. After all that fun commenting, I bet you're wondering where to give next, yes? Please check out http://helpwritenow.blogspot.com/ for an online auction happening soon for victims of the southern tornados. I'll update later this week with additional ways to contribute, but if you're like me, you want to do something NOW. As many of my readers know, we left Alabama just this past year and I ADORE the people of this state. Our home there is fine, but many others were not fortunate, including close friends, and now here I am in Las Vegas, unable to grab a chainsaw and get to work. So instead, I'll be donating some items here and to various relief efforts and I hope you'll do the same. There's a lot going on news-wise right now, but Alabama folk are some of the most giving and kind people I've ever met, and they need help.


(picture of my little sister's friend, Racheal which actually appeared on my yahoo news feed. They hid in their bathtub and that's their apartment right there. Yeah)

3. So you can see why I've been mentally busy. And yes, I'm an author of princess books and have yet to comment on The Royal Wedding. And here is my confession... I have yet to WATCH the royal wedding (well, I watched a minute clip of the kiss. And holy Grace Kelly, I adored Kate's dress) But the footage is still there, and hopefully tomorrow I will finally idulge in order to celebrate the release of THE ROYAL TREATMENT.

4. Yep. Release of THE ROYAL TREATMENT is tomorrow. And the best compliment I can get with this book is, "I liked it better than the first." I know some writers take this as a slight, but I hope this one is better. I hope the next one is better than this. I'm always trying to up my game, and I think I accomplished that with this second book. I hope you agree! And, little plug, please spread the word. I can't tell you how important this is, whether through reviews on amazon or BN, a quick mention on your facebook, or even just telling a friend that they're daughter might like this book. I've been blessed with some really supportive readers and friends, so keep up the good work!

5. This week, I read OKAY FOR NOW. Take all those big, overblown, over-used words used in reviews and use them for this book, but use them with sincerity, because this book really was Remarkable, and Riveting, and Life Changing. This will be the book I tell everyone to read. I plan on reading it again this summer, once I have a little time to forget it (if that's even possible), because I want that experience of reading this again for the first time. This book hit my gut, hit my heart, and blew me away.



READ.

6. Quick shout out to Hanford School District in central California. I was able to visit half a dozen schools in this district last week, and it was another awesome experience. Always fun to stretch my public speaking muscles with groups classroom-sized to a junior high assembly (eek! Still get nervous for these!). And incidentally, while traveling from one school to the other, I learned California has a hands free cell phone law. The cop who pulled me ove

Shannon Hale is an author I've followed since I first started writing, partly because I adore her writing, but also because her blog gives me a taste of who she is. And from my stalking stand-point, I like her. She's down to earth, funny, a devoted mother, and she does posts like this.

Mortification Monday

Yes, my love for Ms. Hale is now secure. Because such tales of woe happen to every author, even award-winners and bestsellers. Get a group of authors together, and we'll tell stories that make those naked-in-front-of-the-school nightmares seem appealing. So now I gleefully share with you one such event...

I wrote last year about my southern book tour for PRINCESS FOR HIRE. In many ways, I considered that tour a success. I didn't sell a lot of books, but I met a lot of sellers, visited schools, and learned something about presenting myself as an author. Now I can point out the advantages, but during that week I felt like the biggest loser ever, and not in an NBC kind of way.
On this tour, I signed at a very respected, HUGE and busy independent bookstore. They'd made a flag of my cover, which hung over a desk and a few rows of chairs right by the children's section. My publisher had provided a literary escort to drive me around to my events, and I'd even done my first TV interview that morning. Ten minutes before the reading, there were already three people seated, so I sat down to chat with them while I waited for the rest of crowd to come.
Which, of course, never happened.
The bookseller kept checking her watch and wandering around the store, trying to convince browsers to come listen to the author. None of them did. One "audience member" was really only sitting there because she was reading a mystery book. The remaining "fans" (yes, we use lots of quotation marks with stories like these) were two elderly ladies wearing lavish hats and a haze of floral perfume. I read to them, talked about getting published, and was almost done with the hour of humiliation when one nice woman smiled and said, "Oh, this is a children's book? We came because we thought it was a pink woman's novel. Can we still read it?"
YES. And do you have granddaughters? Goddaughters? WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO WILL READ THIS BOOK? I ended up selling them 2 books each, feeling very much like I was standing in their living room pushing vacuums or encyclopedias. A few minutes later, a friend of mine from high school mercifully showed up with a three neighborhood girls, so now we had someone to enter the teen giveaway basket the store was sponsoring. Yes, a basket, flag, not to mention literary escort, hotel, dinner, and car from my publisher. All for six books.
And my next tour stop? I sold ONE solitary copy of Princess for Hire. But that wound is still too deep to discuss.
But that was my debut, so surely the next book would be a smash now that I was such a success. SURELY any store would let me at least sign stock of SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD, especially in my home town. I brought my book baby up to the counter, informing the manager I was a local author published with a major NY house. But, alas. Said manager said, "We don't really do that, because it still probably won't sell. And please don't ask to do a signing. You're just going to sit at an empty table anyway."
Of course, my mom was there, too. Blessedly, she did not tell that manager off. As far as I know.
I have more. We all do. But there are also wonderful stories of packed stores and appreciative schools, and a shoe store clerk who recognized me from my author photo and gushed about my book. It's all part of the author schtick, and I've learned to...
expect little and appreciate a lot. 
Also? Make friends in all major cities and bribe them to come to your events. Tiaras or candy are often good incentives.
Two approaching for THE ROYAL TREATMENT, out May 3!
(g

 Last weekend, I went to my first CON. I've been to conferences before, and meetings and get-togethers and schmoozes, but not a CON--except for all those conventions I went to. So, oh. Um.. I went to my first TEEN BOOK CON. In Houston. My very first.
Every student in every state should have an opportunity to experience something like teen book con. The sixteen-year-old in me kept screaming at adult Lindsey. A recap...

16 LL (uh, then LT): Holy Moly. That high school was unreal--totally looked like a mall. And I should know, because i work at the Gap.
29ish LL: I hate the Gap. The jeans fit funny.
16 LL: They sit right at the belly button. Where all jeans should fit. Just like Joey on Dawson's Creek:


29 LL: Man, that style was not big-meal friendly. But let's move one. Teen Book Con
16 LL: Was, like, astounding. Awesome. And.. what's another word that starts with A?
29 LL: Amazeballs.
16 LL: What? No one says that. 
29 LL: In the future we do. Everyone at the conference did. The paranormal panel even brought amazeballs to throw into the audience, and I even signed an amazeball.



All pictures stolen from Teen Book Con on facebook, because I poured a water bottle on my purse (and on Blake Nelson AND Rachel Hawkins. Great getting-to-know-you activity) So alas, my phone was moisturized and I was not able to take pics.

16 LL: Well fine. Balls. I just came for the books and to listen to some amazing authors. Like Deb Caletti? She did this key note and held up her gym shorts from high school, which would probably fit on my one knee cap, and she was so funny and REAL and totally got me and that's probably why I love her books, even though, in my late-nineties existence, they are not yet available.
29 LL: She was amaz---- great. I sat next to her during our panel and didn't even freak out as she spouted words and words of wisdom. And I heard where the adorable Stephanie Perkins got the idea for ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, and finally met Kristen Tracy, who assured me we are, in fact, soul mates, which was good, because I was getting that vibe too.



(Deb Caletti, Stephanie Perkins, Kristen Tracy, and me aka the panel: The Lighter Side With Some Bumps Along the Way. Yeah, things got bumpy in there)
So, to put it mildly, the panels went really well, at least from my authorly (and sort of fan girly) vantage point.
16 LL: Except when you got all tangenty and talked longer than the other panelists. Especially on that dreams questions. Please. I don't wake up every morning thinking "I shall be a writer someday!" My biggest dream is finding a boy who looks like Pacey from Dawson's Creek. 
29 LL: You do. Or you will. Curry.
16 LL: Curry LEAVITT? No way. He wishes he was Pacey.
29 LL: Yeah, well he gets more Paceyish after you get married, and the actual Pacey ends up on this show called Fringe that is just straight-up whack. But that's not important right now.
16 LL: What, Pacey's future TV roles or the fact that you just revealed the love of my life sits next to me in physiology and is currently dating my best friend.
29 LL: Er, both. Hey, look at the shiny books! Let's talk books! I got to meet

Dear Readers and Friends,
The finished copy of THE ROYAL TREATMENT arrived in the mail yesterday, and she is a beaut. TRT and P4H joined hands and twirled around and oh... how they laughed, all whilst SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD looked on with adolescent scorn. But my girls did not care, they are together at last.
(er, backwards. I don't know how to flip the covers, but they are still happy together).



And the still unnamed youngest sister of the Princess for Hire trio? Sent her to my editor yesterday. Glory be! This is only the first draft, so she is in very bad shape, but we have a few months yet to get her as shiny as her siblings. And now I end this odd sibling metaphor.
So! After three months of drafting (with a book release thrown in for good measure, and another one a mere 4 weeks away), I return to the land of the living. Hello again. The laundry awaits! My email inbox is bulging. The children and I have big plans to bond (except for this weekend--I will be in Houston for The Teen Book con and to visit at The Kinkaid School. More on that to come). And I might just go revel in this beautiful weather we've been graced with AND hit up a bookstore, since today is an epic release day (I'm very excited to buy some fantastic mid-grade novels: KAT, INCORRIGIBLE by Stephanie Burgis, OKAY FOR NOW, by Gary D Schmidt, & END OF THE LINE by Angela Cerrito).
Since I have been offline writing this book, do drop a note. I might not respond until June, but I still care. And for further updates, check out my twitter or facebook page, since I've gotten better at keeping those going, but sometimes not ye ol' blog.
Soon, but not TOO SOON,
Lindsey

It's still March, so I'm not too late in posting this. Well, a little late, but fashionably so.
March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month (and actually, MS Awareness week was March 14-20, but I am personally behind about 5 weeks on everything right now, so on my calendar this post is actually EARLY)
Maybe you don't know what Multiple Sclerosis IS. Payton, my main character in SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD, did not until she learned about her father's diagnosis. Although I discuss some MS symptoms and terms in my book, it's a work of fiction and only one family's story. Every single MS case is different. So here are some places to learn more:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Mutiple Sclerosis Foundation
Multiple Sclerosis Research Center

And this video:


Before writing this book, I knew a few things about MS because of my father-in-law's diagnosis. I didn't know how debilitating the disease could be, or how prevalent: Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. I've also been surprised how many people know someone with MS. I've had some really touching emails come in from readers who've shared their experiences, reaffirming that again, every case is so different. Mothers, brothers, grandmothers, children have all had their ability to walk, feel, see, or move lost because of MS.
What can you do for a disease that has no cure? 
BIKE MS: When I first sold SEAN GRISWOLD, I thought it would be fun to do a bike ride like the one in the book based, which was based on a bike ride my husband did.
Then I got on a bike.
Then I revised that plan. 
WALK MS: Yes, Walking. This I could do. Most of us could walk for MS, right? 
Right. We can. And The MS Society has a great website with all the walks, challenge walks, and bike rides in your area.
I had planned to do the MS Walk in Vegas in April, but sadly it was the same weekend as Houston Teen Book Con. So instead, I am creating my own mini-walk wherein I walk around my neighborhood (for the first time in forever since I have been in my deadline hole). Bummer I don't get a cool Walk for MS shirt, though. Perhaps I'll employ my puff paint.
And as far as raising money goes, we'll keep it simple.
For every comment on this post, I will donate $1 to MS research. Up to $150, which was my goal for the original walk.
Of those who comment, I will pick one name and send a signed copy of SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD. International fine.
So just by commenting with a, Hey there Lindsey! Cool puff paint on that shirt!, you're contributing. Go a step further by spreading the word. Add another step, and look! You're walking! Now you can join a walk :)

I don't really know why I started to write this post, but I feel like I've spent much of my life alternatively hating on/defending Las Vegas. Which is probably what we all do with our home town. The first time it hit me that the place I grew up had a unique stigma was when I went on a class trip to Washington DC in sixth grade. My friend and I were playing cards on the bus and kids from the other school in Arkansas leaned over and begged us to teach them how to gamble, like of course we knew. And then they asked if I knew any gangsters. Or if my dad was a dealer. Or if I lived in a hotel.
And that's all there in Vegas. But there are also strip malls and track homes and swimming pools and nice parks and decent schools and all the things that define a southwestern town. The commercialization here is too much, and most of our history is imploded for something Bigger! Grander! Sexier!, and gah... there is a significant lack of charm in most neighborhoods BUT it's also beautiful 95% of the year here, and it's easy to navigate and it's home.
Now as an adult, I get asked all sorts of crazy and inappropriate questions about how I spend my time here. I'm a suburban mom with a solitary, PJ-wearing job, so none of that "scene" applies to me. And I'm so sick of the whole, "What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" advertising campaign, because there is plenty of LEGAL fun to be had here, no bachelor party-cheating or drunken debauchery required.
So today, readers, I offer you a more wholesome view of Vegas. A travel guide that any teenager can follow and leave with most of their money still in their pocket and no felonies on their record. To find more, check out Emily Wing Smith's BACK WHEN YOU WERE EASIER TO LOVE (out from Dutton end of April), which includes a fun Vegas road trip and Barry Manilow. 
Next time you're in town, let me know! We can meet at the bookstore. That's a hot spot no matter where you live. 

Hi kids! coming at ya from San Francisco where I'll be doing signings for the next couple of days. The author of today's post is also doing signings here for the next couple of days with Sarwat Chadda, so bathe in the bounty of literary fun! Right now we are singing Somewhere Out There to each other from our respective hotel rooms.
I'll choose a winner at the end of the week. Thanks all for playing and to all the authors for participating. Fun times!
I saved this last heart throb because
1. It's long
2. It required pictures
And so, read. And then go read the book. And then go watch the movie. And drool. 


When it comes to Paper Heartthrobs, I have many. I'm kind of slutty,

literarily speaking. There's Gilbert Blythe, and Sydney Carton, and

Jim Taylor....oh, the list goes on. But only ONE can be The Fictional

Dude I Would Want To Marry And Have Babies With (Were He Not

Fictional, Because Otherwise, That Is Gross And Maybe Grounds For

Being Institutionalized). And that man? Cal Trask from EAST OF EDEN.

 

Why do I love Cal so much? Well, in a lot of ways, he's the

prototypical "Bad Boy With A Heart of Gold." He's troubled and angsty

(and hot), but he has good reason to be. I mean, his mom is an evil

prostitute who shot his dad, Adam, after sleeping with Adam's brother

(who may be Cal's REAL father), and since Cal is more like his mom,

his dad kind of hates him  (See above, RE: shooting),and prefers Cal's

twin brother, Aron (who WAS actually fathered by Adam. Yeah. Twins,

possibly fathered by two different brothers. And you thought the

classics were boring.)

 

Not having his dad's love makes Cal act out in all kinds of ways

(drinking! Hanging out with Loose Women! Angrily pushing ice down

slides!), but deep down, he's a good person. He's just confused, and

being told that he's "bad" his whole life hasn't helped. Okay, so

yeah, he more or less gets his brother killed, and I guess he DOES

kind of steal said brother's fiancee, but still!  And in case you

needed further proof of his swooniness, here are some pictures of

James Dean playing him in the 1954 film version of EoE. CASE CLOSED.~Rachel Hawkins, author of DEMONGLASS and HEX HALL

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