Emerging from the Mists . . .

of Crazy Land. Yeah, I have been SO scarce around here the past few weeks . . . and have really missed reading blogs, writing up clever posts ha, ha! Lots of life-threatening family emergencies, extra unexpected travel, kids' crises, book deadlines and doing way more than I probably should/need to for book launch *this* Saturday for CIRCLE OF SECRETS! Been slammed personally, emotionally, and professionally.

It's so nice to be among friends again! So. Lots of cool news and giveaways coming up. Because . . . drum roll . . . THIS is HERE!!!

Book Birthday is Saturday, October 1 - but Amazon and B&N are already shipping!!!

I also had my very first expense-paid trip as an author to a *national* event two weeks ago to Charleston for SIBA (Southern Independence Booksellers Alliance annual trade show). Yes, I was actually *invited* (did NOT have to beg, borrow or steal) and my publisher paid the flight and hotel!

I was terribly nervous, but my panel went great, signed stacks and stacks of books, got to hear some fabulous speakers like Avi and Kadir Nelson, stayed in a really nice hotel, AND got to meet my agent in person for the first time who drove down especially to meet me! A really wonderful weekend - and my panel photograph, "Hideous and Haunting" made PW's online newsletter! Scroll to the bottom!

 

Me at the Signing Table

 

 Margaret Peterson Haddix and Ellen Hopkins!

 

 The Amazing Scholastic Staff!

 Signing for darling Abby!

 

 Got to meet my incredible agent Tracey Adams

for the first time in person! She and her whole family, including Super Agent Josh Adams are WONDERFUL!!! I really love them. 

 
So now I'm chewing fingernails about Circle of Secrets out in the wilds of the world . . . 

Three Rules? How about Three Steps!

Remember this amusing quote from Monday? 

"There are three rules to writing a novel and nobody knows what they are." William Somerset Maugham

Look no further! Harlan Coban has an article in the Wall Street Journal titled, "Want to be a Great Writer? Follow these Three Steps".


It begins like this:
'“I don’t like writing.  I like having written.” Ah, the paradox.' 

A great essay from a writer who's been in the trenches for a long time.

About 20 books worth. :-)

In Labor

Working on this holiday. I have a new book due by October 1 and I still have about 125 pages to write and then 250 to get feedback on and revise into something lucid and exciting and page-turning. Insane, eh? Much.

Book launch of CIRCLE OF SECRETS is October 1 and I'm only doing about a million various things for the launch . . . all of them are fun, but I think I bite off more than I can actually chew, swallow and digest!

Which reminds me . . . must make chocolate chip cookies to be able to coherently write . . .

I thought this quote was hilarious:

"There are three rules to writing a novel and nobody knows what they are."

William Somerset Maugham

Book Birthday!

The paperback officially released today! In all its gorgeous, adorable-ness! I just love the girl on this cover.

Only $5.99 - dang cheap for a book! I love how Scholastic makes paperbacks so inexpensive and affordable and so easy to give as a gift for any occassion or a stocking stuffer. Heck, I spend more than that on Christmas candy--or a burger!

To celebrate I'm giving away two copies!!! Just throw me a bone - I mean a comment!

Or a burger since I'm actually hungry . . . wish I had me some gumbo . . . Maybe I'll make chocolate chip cookies! Yes!!! With a Dr. Pepper chaser!

Please help me celebrate a book I spent 8 years creating and loving and finally got to send it into the world.

Her eyes just kill me  . . . so pensive and full of meaning.