Big plans in the works for my fall tour with THE UNWANTEDS, and I'm visiting lots of states! Here's the current list of stops. Always check here for up to the minute additions or corrections.

*August 30, 2011 -- THE UNWANTEDS (book 1) releases in North America. Here is the up-to-the-minute tour info!

*Tuesday, August 30, 2011 -- THE UNWANTEDS launch party
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 So. McClintock
Tempe,AZ
7:00PM

*Sept 2-4, 2011 -- Decatur Book Festival

*Sunday, Sept 4, 2011
B&N Alpharetta, GA, 2pm with Margaret Peterson Haddix (yay!)

*Wednesday, Sept 7, 2011
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKSTORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
3522 Wade Ave.
Raleigh,NC
5:00PM

*Thursday, Sept 8, 2011
THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER AND CHILDREN'S STORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
2145 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach,FL
6:00PM

*Saturday, Sept 10, 2011
BOOKS & BOOKS with Margaret Peterson Haddix
265 Aragon Ave
Coral Gables,FL
3:30PM

*Wed, Sept 21, 2011
BOOKS & COMPANY
1039 SUMMIT AVE
OCONOMOWOC,WI
4:00PM

*Thurs, Sept 22, 2011
BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
2559 N. Downer Ave.
Milwaukee,WI
4:00PM

*Friday, Sept 23, 2011
7:00 PM
LAKE VILLA DISTRICT LIBRARY (with Lake Forest Bookstore)
1001 E Grand Avenue
Lake Villa, IL 60046

*Saturday, Sept 24, 2011 -- 8th Annual YA Lit Conference w/ Anderson's Bookshop, Chicago. Details to come.

*Saturday, October 1, 2011
Tattered Cover
2526 East Colfax Avenue
Denver,CO
3:00PM

*Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 7:00 PM
B&N - Holland
3050 Beeline Road
Suite 50
Holland, MI 49424

*Thursday, October 13, 2011, 6:00 PM
SCHULER BOOKS
1982 Grand River Ave.
Okemos, MI 48864

*Saturday, Oct 15, 2011
Framingham, MI library event with Book Beat - details to come

*Friday, Oct 14 - Sunday, Oct 16, 2011 GLIBA convention, Dearborn, MI. More info to come.

*Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 Houston Area TWEENS READ Book Festival - Bobby Shaw Middle School in Pasadena, TX

I'll be visiting a couple of Maricopa County Libraries on Tuesday, Aug 2nd. If you're in Waddell or Surprise, come out and see me! These two are open to the public:
11:00 AM
White Tank Library
20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd
Waddell, Arizona 85355

2:00 PM
Northwest Regional Library
16089 N. Bullard Avenue
Surprise, AZ 85374

Also, don't miss the awesome launch party for THE UNWANTEDS at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ, Tuesday, August 30th, 7pm.

Check my tour page for my Aug/Sept/October schedule! Special gifts to those who come to signings. (Link to tour page above)

Are you a little bit bored? Feeling wonky? Go read a few pages of THE UNWANTEDS for free.

If you like it, pre-order it. It's fantastically priced at the moment on various internet bookstore sites.

Don't forget to add it to your goodreads list, too.

Write a story to go with the writing prompt I provided and you could win a trip to NYC, courtesy of Simon & Schuster's Pulse It group and Wattpad.com. I might even meet you there. :)

All the details HERE.

The McManns will be wearing the pink hot pants of Jesus, eating bacon at every meal, and buying Ithillgorn a puppy.




Also, Tommy Lee Jones gets credit for something.

There's been a lot of controversy over what YA is and what it isn't, and what age it *should* be for, and if edgy YA books are too dark or somehow negatively influential to teens (as if teens were stupid). And I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

As a parent of two teenagers, here are some simple thoughts about kids and reading, based on my experiences as a parent:

Both of my kids, when faced with something in a book that they were uncomfortable with, put the book down. Kids do this instinctively. They don't feel a need to keep reading something that is too mature, too graphic, to sexual, too anything. I don't understand why so many people think that kids have no built in monitors for themselves. Have you ever heard a kid say "I was really uncomfortable with the coarse language in that book, so I kept reading it." Of course not. Kids are smart, and their time is precious. They're not going to waste time plugging through something that makes them feel weird.

There comes a time in a parent's life where there is a moment of revelation--something changing in their kids. I remember when it happened for my son (now 17). It was the summer he was 13. And we were talking about something very grown up, and suddenly I looked at him and saw him with new eyes. The gradual changes he'd been making that year in his maturity level were suddenly so obvious. He had become a young adult, and I hadn't noticed until that moment.

A young adult is exactly that - an adult who is young. And we were conversing like adults, about topics adults and young adults talk about. I could feel it in him -- he was ready to read anything, to explore beyond his current repertoire of Paolini and Riordan. And that summer, he did. He read Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, and Ellen Hopkins' CRANK, and I let him read WAKE, by me, which was not quite published at that time, and so many more books that would help grow him up and make him think about choices and consequences. How exciting! We talked about things -- drugs and girls and substance abuse and welfare and sex, and I could almost see his brain growing. I could see him understanding the books and learning from these characters' mistakes, and from their successes. Today I see him making such amazing, great choices in his own life. Coincidence?

For my daughter (now 14), it happened when she was almost 12, in a very different way. One day she said, "Mom, all my friends have read WAKE. Why won't you let me read it?!" It was funny, but I also had to ask myself that same question - Why? I explained my concerns to her about some of the topics that are addressed in WAKE. And I said, how do you feel about reading stuff like that? She gave me the raised eyebrow. "I know what all of those things are, Mom. If I don't like it, I'll put it down."

And again I looked at a child of mine, who had matured so subtly that from day to day, it wasn't noticeable, but with fresh eyes it was so crazy obvious. She had become a young adult. I agreed (of course she would put it down! She'd done it countless times before with other books), and I handed it off, saying "Let's talk about it after." She was delighted. And after, we talked about it. And she got it. My new little adult learned great lessons from Janie. **spoiler alert** When she finished the trilogy, she said, "I'm really glad Janie decided not to drink anymore." I was surprised she'd picked up on that. It's very subtle in GONE, the moment that Janie makes that decision, and it's a moment that I never expected readers to ask me about or discuss, but I did hope they'd notice. There's no big declaration, no epic "here's the moral - don't drink!" It's just a moment, a sentence, where we see Janie make the connection between her mom, the booze, and their life -- and ma

Wednesday, June 8th, from 7-9 pm, please join Ellen Hopkins, A.S. King, Coe Booth, Matt de la Pena, and me at Bryan High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Free books, free food, total win all around.

Check in on the Facebook event page if you're going to be there! Everyone in the Omaha community is welcome.

If you'd like to have a chance to win a signed advance copy of THE UNWANTEDS or hardcover of CRYER'S CROSS, I will be running a contest in my next e-newsletter at the end of May. Sign up ASAP to get the scoop! Click here and fill in the info in the gray box on the left. I'll be doing more giveaways through my newsletter from now on, now that Facebook is buckling down on contest rules.

If you're tempted to sign up, but you kind of hate newsletters, you are not alone. I don't love them either, but they're one of the best ways to get bigger chunks of information to fans now that I have multiple books coming out each year. It may encourage you to know I only send out 4 per year. And there's always that unsubscribe button at the bottom.

In the newsletters I also recommend other great books that my family and I have read recently, and talk a little bit about what life is like over in the McMann house.

In addition to #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Mull's lovely blurb (on the cover in the post below), I received another today that made me a little misty-eyed.

"Reading Lisa McMann's THE UNWANTEDS was like discovering a brilliant, lost children's classic - except it's never going to be lost, because the readers will never, ever forget the magic they'll experience in its pages. Wonderful." - James A. Owen, author and Illustrator of HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS

To know that these two middle grade fantasy heroes of mine have read and enjoyed this middle grade fantasy newbie's book is so meaningful. If you haven't read these authors yet, Check them out -- Brandon's first book in the BEYONDERS trilogy is out now, or you can try his FABLEHAVEN series. James' HERE THERE BE DRAGONS is the place to start in his series, or, if you're looking for inspiration, check out his newly published non-fiction e-book DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS, which will move you, I promise. Only $4.99.

I'm a huge fan of Max and all of the other young actors on the awesome TV show Parenthood. Max and his mom were kind enough to meet me for lunch when I was in LA over the weekend.

You can pre-order THE UNWANTEDS! It comes out August 30. Kirkus Reviews calls it "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" and it's appropriate for ages 9 and up. My teen and adult readers will love it too. It's the first in a series and I'm incredibly excited about it. Pre-order now:

Indiebound.org
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Chapters
Books-a-Million


You can also ask your local bookstore to order it so that you can be sure they'll have it on release day!

Also, if you haven't had a chance to pick up my latest teen paranormal, CRYER'S CROSS, you can find it by clicking on my name in the above links and order it that way, or check your local stores. Thank you for your support! It means the world to me.

Some upcoming events -- LA, Tempe, New York:
*May 1, 2011: LA Times Festival of Books
1:00PM Autographing at S&S/Mrs. Nelson’s Booth #538
(Map Key Identifier: K5)
3:00PM Panel discussion: Perfectly Paranormal: Writing the Fantasic
Panelists: Neal Shusterman , D.J. MacHale, Alyson Noel, Lisa McMann
Moderator: Aaron Hartzler
4:00PM Panel Autographing in the signing area immediately following the panel


*May 3, 2011, 7pm
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE (with Aprilynne Pike!)
Tempe, AZ

*May 25-28, 2011
BEA (Book Expo America) and Blogger Convention
more info to come!

NOTE: Publication date is now August 30, 2011.

THE UNWANTEDS
Author: McMann, Lisa

Review Date: April 15, 2011
Publisher:Aladdin
Pages: 400
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-0768-8
Category: Fiction

The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in this middle-grade departure from McMann’s string of paranormal mysteries with romance for young adults.

On the day of Purge in totalitarian Quill, which is run by the High Priest Justine, 13-year-olds learn if they are deemed Wanted to attend the university, Necessary to tend the land or Unwanted and purged by execution. Without a good-bye from his Wanted identical brother Aaron, Alex Stowe and the other Unwanteds travel to the Death Farm. Instead of death, they meet the lush and magical world of Artimè, kept secret from Justine by mage Marcus Today. In a third-person narration characterized by even pacing and whimsical inventions, Alex and his peers learn that their creativity threatened Justine’s power. Surrounded by talking blackboards, transporting tubes and such fantastical creatures as an octagator (with the head of an alligator and body of an octopus) for instructors, the teens hone their drawing, music and acting skills while also wielding paintbrushes for invisibility spells and iambic pentameter to stun attackers during Magical Warrior Training, in preparation for battle against the Quillitary. As the youths explore fear, responsibility and free thinking, their spells may be used sooner than they think when Alex’s twin bond is tested and rivals vie for Aaron’s new position in Justine’s government.

Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit. (Dystopian fantasy. 10-14)

Today at 1pm, teen author panel at NYPL on 42nd with Kim Harrington, Maggie Stiefvater, Robin Wasserman, and moderator David Levithan. More panels/authors all afternoon!

Tomorrow at 1pm, Books of Wonder signing on 18th Street, along with 40-some other teen authors. FUN.

Both events are open to tweens and up and are free.

All the details here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=56488781586&v=info

TONIGHT: I'm live in NYC at S&S studios doing an online video chat, 6pm EST. Discussing Cryer's Cross, The Unwanteds, & more. Tweet questions to #chatss OR go here to RSVP, ask, and watch: http://cot.ag/95Obmu

You can catch the rerun on Monday, March 14, 4pm EST on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Check your local listings for channel and time. It's the "Barbara and Lisa" episode -- I'm on for the last 20 minutes or so.

It's about me trying to find a long lost friend from my childhood because I wanted to let her know how she influenced my books. I hope you watch!

I like talking with you a lot. I love it, actually. You make me laugh and you say nice things and you ask important questions.

I'm pretty great (if I do say so myself) at responding to comments on my Facebook Fan Page. Please go 'like' it!

And now there is a BRAND NEW AWESOMELY FUN way to talk to me -- through my VYou.com page. It's the next best thing to being at a book signing.

You don't need a profile to ask a question -- you just type it in and send, and no one will know the question is from you, so don't be shy. A couple times a week I'll answer a bunch of questions via video. How fun is that?

Read more about me + it in a great piece by Jeffrey Trachtenberg right here in the Wall Street Journal. Click on the top article title "Writers Get Close on Web."

And for those of you who are doing book reports on my books -- this is the perfect tool for you! Just look to see if I've addressed your questions already. If I haven't, type in your question and give me a few days to respond (I'm looking at you, procrastinators, lol).

And hey -- let me know if you see me on the show SEARCHING FOR... on OWN. My episode airs Monday, March 7th, 9/8 central.

Thanks for being awesome!

I'll be featured in the new docudrama SEARCHING FOR... on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network), Monday, March 7, 9pm Eastern & Pacific, 8pm Central, 10pm Mountain. Check HERE to see if OWN is available in your area and to find the right channel. And check your local listings to make sure the time is correct.

Here's the description of Monday's episode: Searching For...
Barbara & Lisa
Barbara is searching for two of the three children she placed for adoption after her husband left her nearly 50 years ago (<--NOT ME), and bestselling author Lisa (THAT'S ME!) asks Pam Slaton to help her reconnect with a childhood friend.
PG

So basically it's a show about finding people, and there are two 'stories' per hour-long episode. Last year when I heard about this awesome upcoming show, I approached professional genealogist/searcher Pam Slaton to see if she could help me find someone I'd been searching for. Now you can all see what happened!

I'll tell you one thing -- my search has a little something to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy. :)

I hope you enjoy the show!

Local friends and fans, I'll be signing at The Poisoned Pen in old town Scottsdale this Saturday at 3pm. http://www.poisonedpen.com/ Please come! I will be handing out birthday treats.

I haven't posted a description in a while -- here you go in case you are wondering!

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer¹s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.

Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried....

They look yellow but they are actually green. I got them on tour at University Book Store in Mill Creek, WA.

Here's the rest of my CRYER'S CROSS TOUR:


Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
*note from the bookstore: You must purchase a copy of Cryer's Cross from BookPeople in order to get any of your books signed.

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251



Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central

Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too. Hint...My search has *something* to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy!



Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come



Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA


Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm

BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA



March 23, 2011, 7pm
Indigo - Yorkdale Mall
3401 Dufferin St.
Toronto, ON
(416) 781-6660

Also appearing in 2011 at:

*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1

*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29

*more info to come

Tonight (2/9): B&N Oceanside, CA, 7pm, with Kiersten White (Paranormalcy)
Tomorrow (2/10): Mrs. Nelson's in LaVerne, CA, 4pm
Friday (2/11): B&N Santa Monica, CA, 7pm, with Katie Alender (Bad Girls Don't Die)
Saturday (2/12): University Book Store, Mill Creek, WA, 3pm
Sunday, (2/13): B&N Lynnwood, WA, 3pm with Caridad Ferrer (When the Stars Go Blue)

You can currently find signed copies of Cryer's Cross at:
Yellow Book Road in San Diego area
Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (they ship!)

Next week's signings: Bozeman MT (2/15), then Texas! Find all the details here.

Once again I find myself packing a single carry-on for a long tour. This time it's 14 days. I love the challenge of picking just the right number of essential clothing items to make it through, and planning out the stops where I'll need to do a little laundry.

One reason I decided to do it this way last year is because it's cheaper to pay for a handful of laundry items at a hotel along the way than it is to check a bag for seven flights at $25 a pop.

And then there's the awesome ease of breezing past baggage claim and getting right to my media escort/driver/cab, and not having to worry about lost luggage issues especially with all the crazy storms we've been having around the country lately.

Here's a look at last year's packing for the 12-day GONE tour: http://bit.ly/i2YB0l

And here's my tour schedule! I'm so excited to visit some new cities this time, including Southern California, Seattle area, Bozeman MT (where Cryer's Cross is set), and several stops in Texas. Let your book lover friends know I'll be in town, will you?

Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm (with NYT bestselling author Kiersten White -- Paranormalcy)
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA

Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA

Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA


Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA

Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251



Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central

Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too.



Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come



Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA


Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm

BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA



Plus a stop in Toronto, Wednesday March 23,
more info to come



Also appearing in 2011 at:

*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1

*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29

*more info to come

Saturday, Jan 29, 2011, 4-6pm (NO Cryer's Cross available here -- CC comes out Feb 8)
YAllapalooza at Changing Hands Bookstore
Tempe, AZ

Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA

Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA

Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA


Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA

Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

A bunch of authors (including me!) participated in making videos for No Name Calling Week. Check it out here.