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Dear Friends,

As promised, we are kicking off our non-stop parade of indies during the entire month of May in celebration of our 2nd Annual National Independent Bookseller Month here at Shrinking Violets. Keep those names of your favorite indies coming. All of you that submit a bookstore name and the 4-1-1 on it will be entered into our drawing for a gift bag that starts with ten new children's books. . . but that's not all!

Taking a well-deserved lead in our parade is my favorite local indie-- CHAUCER'S BOOKSTORE right in my own 'hood. I'm just fresh in from a visit, where I was thrilled to see the new paperback edition of Robin's book, Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, along with a host of other titles from friends and children's writers that I admire. (Hey, Bruce, I just read your new Snoring Beauty. It's a riot--yada yada hippity hop!)


All the best books kids need access to are there. The staff in the children's section read-read-read, and they love books. What a concept, huh? They know their stuff. No sooner than a title inquiry is out of my mouth, it's in my hands. My sidekick made our first, but not last, purchase of the month there. Let the shopping and love-in begin! If you are ever in Santa Barbara, check them out. I know you'll love them as much as Robin and I do!

Chaucer's Books
Loreto Plaza
3321 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-6787
events@
chaucersbooks.com

Link to Chaucer's


Stay tuned! We'll be back each and every day-- no kidding. =-]


Mary Hershey

By Kirsty OUP-UK

Just a short post from the UK this morning, but one that should really get you thinking. Our book How Novels Work, which is no stranger to us at OUPblog (as you can see here and here), is now coming out in paperback. To celebrate this, author John Mullan put together a few booky brainteasers, and here they are. The answers can be found here - but no cheating!

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The firecrackers are starting to sizzle and spit! Are you ready? Here come the winners for our 10,000 Hits Contest!

1st Place goes to Liquid Amber, winner of the tre chic Banned Book bracelet from Vroman's Books in Pasadena. I'm wearing mine today. Love it tons. Way to go LA!

2nd place to Anne Marie, who will receive an autographed copy of Robin's lastest book Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos. And don't forget, you can also designate another recipient if you want to donate the book to a school, agency, child, or White House Library.

3rd place goes Stephanie Humphreys! I'll send you (or your designee) a signed copy of The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California. Atta girl, Stephanie!

And, last, but never least, 4th place honors to Rebecca Langston George! Hip hip soufle! Rebecca, you have your choice of chocolate OR a 10-page manuscript critique from Robin. Anyone else out there willing to admit that this would present a real conundrum?

I need our four esteemed winners to email me with your address so we can get your booty out to you.

Danke, arigato and graci, good friends, for joining in our celebration and being part of our SVP world. We are truly having the time of our lives here, and look forward to the next ten grand, or gazillion. (I'm working on my abundance issues.)

YOUR fans,

Mary & Robin

By Kirsty OUP-UK

The summer holidays are upon us, and what better time to catch up on a little reading than this. A few months ago the OUP blog brought you a post written by John Mullan, host of The Guardian newspaper’s book club, and author of How Novels Work. Today I have excerpted a small part of the book itself, which explains that literary references aren’t just the domain of the most academic texts: even contemporary writers such as Donna Tartt hark back to their literary ancestry. So while you’re lounging in the sun this year, why don’t you see how many references you can find in your holiday reading? (more…)

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