Our Seattle HOST, Stephanie Guerra, is here with a stellar interview!
Hi girlz! I attended the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award ceremony in June, and had the pleasure of meeting the 2010 winner, Amy Ackley, author of Sign Language. Amy spoke eloquently about her passion and persistence, and thanked Amazon for giving her a chance to break into a very tough industry.
Did you always want to be a writer?
Growing up, I was that introverted kid that always felt like I was on the outside looking in at life. I found the world complex and fascinating, and was always looking at a situation and thinking, “What if?” On long car rides, I would watch out the window as farmhouses and small towns passed by, and imagined I was a girl living in that farm, who had a best friend that went to that church, and they spent hours together playing hide-and-seek in those cornfields … my active imagination ensured that I was never bored or lonely.
.jpg?picon=590)
By: Micol Ostow,
on 6/11/2012
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: martha brockenbrough, rgz Seattle HOST, Add a tag
Did you know that our very own Martha Brockenbrough has a new book out? That's right -- Devine Intervention released on June 1st, and Seattle HOST Stephanie Guerra is here with the full report.
I'm thrilled to announce the release of Martha Brockenbrough's new book, Devine Intervention, a work of comic genius about the world’s worst guardian angel. Martha’s fabulous launch party was at Secret Garden Books in Seattle (see pictures below). Here are her thoughts about the launch, plus some peeks into her inspiration and writing process. Thank you, Martha, for sharing, and for writing this delectable book!
What were some of your favorite moments at the launch?
I loved the whole thing. Holy cow. I was surrounded by friends and family, delicious food—including an angel food cake from my editor, Arthur Levine—and music from a harpist who played the classic rock songs I referred to in my novel. In my book, I imagine an entertaining sort of heaven, a place where the grass is greener than green, the sky is Tidy Bowl blue, where elderly people frolic to the music performed by a heavenly choir called Nun of the Above. In real life, though, heaven is being surrounded by your favorite people on the day your life's big dream has come true. Confession: I bawled like an infant, but one who made the bad decision to wear non-waterproof mascara.
By: Micol Ostow,
on 5/3/2012
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: SCBWI, rgz Seattle HOST, Add a tag
Here's host Stephanie Guerra with the latest from Seattle!
Hi girlz!
Last week SCBWI Western Washington celebrated the bi-annual Inside Story at Mockingbird Books in Seattle. Local authors and illustrators came together to share their recently published books and tell their “inside stories,” including the inspiration behind their works. There was an amazing turn-out with all seats filled and a lively audience of booksellers, teachers, librarians, and fans. Host Martha Brockenbrough (Things That Make Us [Sic], Devine Intervention) upped the fun with literary trivia questions and prizes. Below please find a spotlight on the YA authors who presented, with information about their newest releases. (I was one of the number, and so excited to be a part of it!)
Weaving Magic by Mindy Hardwick
He loves magic. She loves romance. But the biggest illusion is the one Shantel and Christopher perform together. Sixteen- year- old Christopher fights to stay sober while fifteen-year-old Shantel struggles in the aftermath of her mother’s death and seeks refuge in a fantasy world. But the unacknowledged roots of their problems refuse to stay buried and soon, the two are headed toward a deadly magic trick. Can Shantel and Christopher move beyond magical illusions to find love?
The Wicked and the Justby J. Anderson Coats
By: Micol Ostow,
on 3/27/2012
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: ally carter, rgz Seattle HOST, Add a tag
Readergirlz Seattle Host Stephanie Guerra recently sat down to chat with Ally Carter, author of the Gallagher Girls series. Here's what they talked about:
Hi Girlz,
Ally Carter, author of the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series, came to Third Place Books in Seattle to promote Out of Sight, Out of Time (fifth in the Gallagher GirlsSeries). She was delighted with the crowd, and commented on her enthusiastic, smart readers. I read the book and had the chance to interview Ally, who is funny, articulate, and altogether charming.
In Out of Sight, Out of Time, Cammie Morgan wakes up in a European convent without a clue about what she has done in the past few months—or what’s been done to her. All she recalls is that she had to leave Gallagher Academy to protect her family and friends from the Circle of Cavan, an ancient terrorist organization. Now she must return home and try to unravel what she’s been through, and whether she can trust her friends, her boyfriend, and even herself.
By: Melissa Walker,
on 12/9/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rgz Seattle HOST, stephanie guerra, something to hold, katherine schlick noe, Add a tag
"Hi girlz! Last night I went to a launch party for Katherine Schlick Noe’s debut novel, Something to Hold. I have never seen Secret Garden Bookshop so packed; it was literally wall-to-wall people. It was an emotional moment for me, because Katherine has been a loyal writing partner for years, and it’s wonderful to see her book in final form, and to see all the excitement surrounding her publication.
"Something to Hold is a lovingly told piece of historical fiction about eleven-year-old Kitty, a white girl who spends 1962 on Warm Springs Indian Reservation because of her father’s work as a forest manager. At first, Kitty feels alienated from the Indian kids, and longs for the security of an all-white school. But as she awakens to the richness of Native American culture, and sees firsthand the social injustices toward Native Americans, her feelings shift. When she befriends the girl that she feared the most, the change in Kitty fully takes root. As she learns to stand up for her beliefs, and discovers that 'belonging' is a something she carries in her own heart, she finally transcends her feelings of rootlessness.
"The book is drawn from Katherine’s life experience growing up on Indian reservations, and the voice and setting reflect that intimate knowledge. The language is poetic and evocative, and the imagery rich and varied. Katherine has a gift for conveying deep meaning in small, everyday objects: a piece of fruit, a leather bag. Her details bring time and place alive in a way that is both haunting and moving. While the book is classified as middle-grade, I think it “reads up” very well and should appeal to girls in the 7th –-9thgrades.
"Witnessing Katherine’s writing of this book has been one of the great lessons in my own writing life. Above all, I’ve learned from her the art of revision (please don’t miss her amazing post on the topic). Something to Hold began as a set of disconnected stories—pearls in their own right—not united by a central plot. It was fascinating to see Katherine weave a rock-solid narrative thread through her disparate shorts, a process which she likens to weaving a basket. It helped me understand both the commitment and flexibility required for effective revision, and also the very different processes that authors embrace as they bring their works to completion."
By: Melissa Walker,
on 11/11/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rgz Seattle HOST, stephanie guerra, Add a tag
A couple of nights ago, I visited Secret Garden Books to see Stages on Pages, a book tour comprised of YA authors who hail from various backgrounds in the performing arts. The tour will stop at cities along both coasts, with changes in the author line-up depending on location. For more information on who will be where and when, go here.
The gathering at Secret Garden opened with a gorgeous violin performance by Jessica Martinez, and moved quickly to author readings. It was a treat to hear the authors (pictured below) read their own work, and I got a good sense of each of their strengths.
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe is a stunning novel in verse about Sara, a ballerina struggling with the intense pressures of her art. Kehoe’s writing is lyrical and elegant, with strong images that resonate with emotional truth. This is verse at its most accessible, meant for lovers of poetry and prose alike.Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez is the story of Carmen, a teenage violin prodigy who falls in love with her greatest competitor. Martinez is a master wordsmith. Her descriptions are simple but evocative, and I felt the depth and complexity of Carmen’s relationship to music in the first few pages of the book.
Amplified by Tara Kelly has got me excited about voice. Kelly has a pitch-perfect ear for dialogue, and she’s nailed the voice of a young female guitarist who pursues a future with a rock band instead of going to college. When she finished the reading, I was convinced I’d heard the living character speak to me.
Second Fiddle by Roseanne Parry is set in Berlin just before the Wall came down. It has a blockbuster plot and a great hook: When thirteen-year-old Jody and her friends witness the attempted murder of a Soviet officer, they save his life and attempt to protect him by disguising him as their music instructor.
Adios Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft is one of those books that grabs you by the throat and gives you a dose of gritty truth. Unflinching and honest, it is the stor Add a Comment
By: Lorie Ann Grover,
on 10/7/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: stephanie guerra, Alexa Martin, Third Place Books, Amber Kizer, rgz Seattle HOST, Add a tag
Here's a great entry from our Seattle HOST, Stephanie Guerra! Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring of 2012.
Hi girlz!
I recently went to see Alexa Martin (Girl Wonder) and Amber Kizer (7 Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes, Gert Garibaldi’s Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time, Meridian, Wildcat Fireflies) promote their new books at Third Place in Seattle. It was a fun, intimate evening, with lots of great information from the authors about their inspirations, vices, and writing processes. Here are some fun facts:
Alexa’s vice is Louisiana style coffee, which is mostly cream and sugar. Amber says hers is “food, and I’m not a vegetarian. Baked goods.” I loved hearing that! I’m always comforted by women who like caffeine and pastries as much as I do.
Alexa shared a fascinating story about her formative writing experiences. She was diagnosed early with a learning disability, and went through school feeling “less intelligent” than the other kids. Special education helped her achieve success in literacy, and in fact, she began to overcompensate for her disability, producing “very clean copy.” I can attest to that. Her writing is crisp and clear, with her verbs doing most of the work. When she uses an adjective, it’s the perfect one. What an amazing example for anyone struggling with a learning disability.
Amber told us about her inspiration for one of the settings in Wildcat Fireflies.Helios is a restaurant she visited many times with her family, and over the years, she formed a bond with the owner. When this woman was fighting cancer, Amber told her that Wildcat Fireflies would be “her” book. The owner then revealed that she’d made a bucket list, and one of her dreams was to leave something lasting. With Amber’s book dedication, she felt she could check off this dream.
It was also inspiring to hear about writing process from these two very different authors. Amber aims to produce ten new pages of work each day, while Alexa works more slowly, piecing
Add a Comment
By: Lorie Ann Grover,
on 8/5/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Third Place Books, kimberly derting, rgz Seattle HOST, Eileen Cook Mandy Hubbard, Suzanne Young Lisa Schroeder, Cat Patrickstephanie guerra, Add a tag
By: Melissa Walker,
on 6/14/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rgz Seattle HOST, leila sales, mostly good girls, stephanie guerra, Add a tag
Welcome our Seattle Host, Stephanie Guerra! She teaches children’s literature, young adult fiction and a seminar in writing instruction at Seattle University. She also heads a volunteer creative writing program at King County Jail, and researches and speaks about literacy instruction for at-risk and incarcerated young adults. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and children. Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring of 2012.
Stay tuned for Stephanie's reports of Seattle book events! Today, she shares a book review of Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales:
"Leila Sales’ Mostly Good Girls is both deep and delightfully fun; puff pastry that’s actually good for you. It takes on the hypocrisies of the New York prep-school world with humor and affection, and inspires provocative questions about class and identity.
Add a Comment
By: Melissa Walker,
on 4/25/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Holly Black, cassandra clare, mortal instruments, city of fallen angels, red glove, rgz Seattle HOST, stephanie guerra, Add a tag
Hi readergirlz,
A few highlights from Holly’s and Cassandra’s Q&A:
Advice for aspiring authors: Read outside your comfort zone; read a lot of nonfiction, because you’ll use it; write a lot; and find a critique partner who’ll tell you when your stuff is crazy.
For Shadow Hunter fans: Cassandra has a new trilogy in the works!
Cassandra’s favorite part of being an author is getting to talk about her characters with people who know all their quirks and foibles, just like she does.
It was amazing to see these two ladies in action -- they're warm and totally down-to-earth, with wicked senses of humor. Don't miss them if they hit your town on the tour.
See you soon, girlz! --Stephanie
By: Melissa Walker,
on 3/29/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: rgz review, eishes chayil, hush, rgz Seattle HOST, stephanie guerra, Add a tag
Welcome our brand new Seattle Host, Stephanie Guerra! She teaches children’s literature, young adult fiction and a seminar in writing instruction at Seattle University. She also heads a volunteer creative writing program at King County Jail, and researches and speaks about literacy instruction for at-risk and incarcerated young adults. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and children. Her debut young adult novel, TORN, will be published by Marshall Cavendish in spring of 2012.
Stay tuned for Stephanie's reports of Seattle book events! Today, she shares a book review of Hush by Eishes Chayil:
"Gittel Chava Klein is the beloved daughter of caring parents, has good friends, and loves her life. So why, at seventeen, is she haunted by memories of her best friend, Devory, who died in the fourth grade?
"Gittel’s tightly-knit religious community has managed to create a social enclave within the bustling world of Brooklyn: inside her neighborhood, the internet does not exist; only Jewish newspapers are read; and everyone wears the same style of clothing that their great-grandparents wore. Boys and girls are educated for their respective roles as Torah scholars or housewives and teachers; and no one knows anything about sex until the week before their arranged marriages.
"Love, respect, and loyalty thrive in this community—but that very loyalty can cause people to protect secrets that should not be kept. As Gittel approaches marriage age, fragments of recollection come together, and she begins to question the facile explanations of her friend’s death offered by her parents and other community members. The more those around her try to 'hush' her questions, the more frantic Gittel becomes to discover the truth—and to make it known. But at what cost? Will any young man want to join lives with a trouble-maker?"Part mystery, part memoir, and part drama, HUSH is a heart-wrenching and inspiring look at the price paid when communities hide dangerous secrets. The author, a Hasidic Jewish woman, has chosen to write under the pseudonym Eishes Chayil—in Hebrew, a woman of valor. (In the novel, the term is used to pressure Gittel to stop asking questions about her friend’s death.) Chayil opens doors to think about the many groups that have silenced voices to protect themselves from scandal, and the urge in all of us to “look away” from things that cause us discomfort or shame. Written in lyrical prose, with a tight and riveting plot, HUSH is a call for attention to a painful issue, written by a woman who refuses to keep silent—a woman of valor."
By: Liz Gallagher,
on 2/5/2011
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Liz Gallagher, giveaway, deborah reber, Secret Garden Books, rgz HOST, rgz Seattle HOST, Add a tag
Hello, Readergirlz!
It's been a while since I've done one of my favorite things - going to book events and telling you about them. That's changing now, though, because it's an exciting time for book releases in Seattle!
On Wednesday night, I got to gather with other local YA writers and friends (including divas Holly and Martha!) to celebrate the release of Deborah Reber's first novel!
You've seen Debbie around here before. She's also the author of a bunch of non-fiction books that we here at readergirlz highly recommend, plus she runs an amazing blog called Smart Girls Know.
Love, Love, Love is actually two books in one: Debbie's Language of Love, plus Cupidity by Caroline Goode. If you're a fan of the Simon Pulse series of romantic comedies, I can guarantee you'll love both!
Here's what Language of Love is all about, from the back cover:
Janna is quickly adapting to life in Seattle as a high school exchange student from Hungary. Or at least Julian, the cute boy she met in a coffee shop, thinks she is. The truth is, he overheard Janna using a phony accent, and now she's stuck playing the part ... Will Julian want to be with the real Janna? Or will she discover that lies don't always translate to love?
To celebrate, Debbie hosted a super-fun party at Secret Garden Books. There were hot-pink cupcakes and Valentine's Day Peeps! She also put together a quiz about other love stories set in Seattle. Guess what? I won the quiz! Which means I have a copy of Love, Love, Love to give away!
Leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a random winner (US only)! Plus, I also won a raffle prize that I'll throw in! It's a copy of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, which Debbie worked on. You've got from now 'til next Saturday, the 12th, at noon pst to comment and win both! Please leave an email address in your comment so I can let you know if you won.
Me, Debbie, Peeps and the giveaway books
Now, I'm off to get in a Valentiney mood with Love, Love, Love!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/track
</p>
<a name="commentsforpost792308target" id="commentsforpost792308target" style="text-decoration:none;"></a>
<div id="commentsforpost792308" style="display: none;" ></div><a class = "leavecomment" title="Click Here to Add a Comment" href="/redirect.asp?kind=3&value=590&t=http://readergirlz.blogspot.com/2011/02/rgz-seattle-host-deborah-reber-with.html" onclick="window.open(){kind=small}
Add a Comment
By: Liz Gallagher,
on 10/24/2010
Blog: readergirlz (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Janet Lee Carey, rgz HOST, rgz Seattle HOST, dragons of noor, Add a tag
Hello, readergirlz!
I'm so happy to see you. I've been away from book events for too long, so I was very glad for the chance to celebrate rgz co-founder Janet Lee Carey's latest book, Dragons of Noor! The party happened last night at Parkplace Books. It was a night full of celebration, yummy food, and giving to Plant a Billion Trees.
Children fly when worlds are shaken.
Now the children are Wind-taken.
Seek them there,
seek them here,
before the children disappear.
- Janet Lee Carey
How cute and foresty does Janet look? This is her with the amazing Chinese dragon her sister made years ago . . . Janet is looking surprised because she's just realized how many years ago. In dragon years, it's not really all that many. Janet explained that, to her, dragons are "conscious nature". I love that, don't you?
What a blast. I'm constantly amazed by the talent of our rgz founders!
The party was full of characters. Literally. Favorites from the book came to life!
The party was also full of friends, readers and rgz Divas! Here's YA author Mary Jane Beaufrand with our own Holly and YA author Heather Davis. Holly did amazing face painting, and MJ and Heather are decked out with Noorish accessories.
What a blast. I'm constantly amazed by the talent of our rgz founders!
See you soon, girlz!
