Euphoria

Writing Conference: Making It in Tough & Changing Times

2012-01-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

Fellow writers, let me spread the good word! On Saturday, January 28th, a practical, affordable one-day conference is being held at Tabor Space and promises to cover "everything from creating potent sentences and writing irresistible query letters, to writing killer openers and making it as a writer in a media-saturated world." Emily Whitman, author I'm attending because Emily Whitman is on

Enjoy It While It Lasts

2011-10-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

My son's class took a field trip last week. Not to the zoo, pumpkin patch, apple u-pick farm, or famous waterfall. To a park, just a short walk away. I joined in the fun, because autumn field trips happen quickly. Blink and you'll miss the sign-up list, and before you know it, it's winter and the only field trips offered are trips to the insides of places. Like museums, or puppet theaters. Which

Little Jewels and Patterns

2011-09-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm back from KidlitCon 2011, but I must have left my brain there, because it is still very much engaged in writerly/ readerly thoughts. I attended KidlitCon with Emily Whitman and Nora Coon in order to spend time with them and my newfound kid lit community, but also with the hope that I could pick up ideas for how to use my blog to full effect. What should I write about? What can I share that

What's Your Wish?

2011-06-24T23:20:00.000-07:00

Her wish is secret. What's yours? It's technically been summer for two days now and I'm sick of cold weather, cloudy skies, and wool socks. Enough already- this is bumming me out. I need some vitamin D. But you know what made me happy today? I saw a true harbinger of warm weather in my yard: our first dandelion. Thank the gods! For me, dandelions conjure all sorts of greatness. Rub them under

Julian Hector: Monday is One Day

2011-04-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

Scholastic, 2011 Julian Hector dreams in 32-page spreads. And vibrant primary colors. And tight narrative arcs. I'm certain of it. He didn't tell me this outright, but his enthusiasm for the medium is so contagious that he's got me doing it. Everything about picture books appeals to Julian Hector. Writing and illustrating utilize all the things that he loves to do as a creative person:

"Second Fiddle": A First-Rate Middle Grade Novel

2011-03-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

Calling all fans of Heart of a Shepherd: Rosanne Parry made me cry...again! The first time was when she depicted the loving relationship between a ten-year old boy and his rancher grandfather near Oregon's Strawberry Mountains. This time, she did it when a trio of girls bond with themselves and others while playing ensemble in Berlin and Paris. (For the record, she also made me laugh and gasp

An Open Letter to the TODAY Show

2011-01-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

TODAY@nbcuni.comDear TODAY Show Representatives: I am writing to let you know how disappointed I am that this year's Newbery/ Caldecott recipients were bumped from your show today. ... I try, but somehow cannot hide from 'Snooki'. I do not need to know about her ghost-written memoir. I am asking you for less reality television junk pseudo-news and more about quality literature for

Favorite 2011 Picture Book So Far & Young Writers Workshop

2011-01-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Clever, retro, gorgeous. Congratulations to Philip and Erin Stead for winning the Caldecott Medal for A Sick Day for Amos McGee! While those at ALA are cheering for the winners in balmy San Diego, I'm getting on my scarf and boots so that I can climb to the highest snowy peak and shout out praises for a delightful new winter read. Veteran children's author Susan Blackaby was shown snippets of

Susan Fletcher on Dragon Chronicles Book 4: Ancient, Strange and Lovely

2011-01-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

Atheneum, 2010 Happy New Year, one and all! Today, Susan Fletcher joins me to talk about the publication of Book 4 in her Dragon Chronicles series: Ancient, Strange, and Lovely, (Atheneum, 2010). Personally, I can think of no better way of ushering in 2011. A consummate crafter of award-winning historical fiction and fantasy, Susan teaches in the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing

Happy New Year, CYBILS finalists!

2011-01-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

I mean to say, 'Happy New Year to all!' However, I would like to take a moment between football and rousing family games of Bananagrams to congratulate the finalists for the 2010 CYBILS. Check them out here. Since I'm honored to be one of the judges for the Middle Grade Fiction category, here's a special nod to the 7 MG finalists. Now, get your reading on!

Impressive List of 2010 CYBILS MG Fiction Nominees. Finalists TBA Tomorrow!

2010-12-31T21:55:00.000-08:00

A Million Shades of Gray by Cynthia Kadohata Atheneum Nominated by: Aline Pereira Reviewed by: Sherry A Place for Delta by Melissa Walker Whale Tale Press Nominated by: Katy F. Abigail Iris: The Pet Project by Lisa Glatt Walker Books for Young Readers Nominated by: Jennifer Wharton Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman Clarion Books Nominated by: Kirby Larson Reviewed by

"Happy Crappy Draft Day!"

2010-11-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

The Natural Habitat of 'The Mamzo' (that's me!) On this Sunday November 28th, I have officially won something. This is unusual for me, as I don't play the lottery or team sports, as a rule. But I do write, and according to The Office of Letters and Light, anyone who writes 50,000 or more words of a novel in the month of November is a winner. This is the first year I've accepted the challenge

"Bridget Kicks Cancer: Season of Love and Hope" Auction

2010-11-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

Note: In an effort to spread the word quickly, I've taken this info verbatim from Cynthia Leitich Smith's fabulous blog Cynsations. Thanks, Cynthia, for posting this. And thanks to Jone MacCulloch and all the other great people for organizing this auction. Please donate and bid! Bridget Zinn, is a librarian, fellow kidlitophile, and talented author. Her debut YA novel Poison (Disney Hyperion)

Write on Track.

2010-11-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

If you're wondering why I've been slow to post of late, all you need do is click here for the answer. Ah, the pure joy and adrenaline of it. I've got blisters on my fingers- for reals. Happy November, everyone!

Bloggers and Booksellers Unite!

2010-10-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

Dear readers: I’m moderating a panel with industry friends on how bloggers and independent booksellers can work together for mutual benefit at the PNBA Trade Show today. This post contains notes on topics that my panel and I believe are worth discussion. Bloggers and Booksellers Unite! (A.K.A. "Chance favors the connected bookseller.") What do book bloggers actually do? How can independent

Adios, Nirvana - ¡Hola, Conrad Wesselhoeft!

2010-10-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

“If Stalin or Hitler arrested me and tossed me into one of those camps, I would carve words with my fingernails. If they cut off my fingers, I would write with my teeth. If they pulled out my teeth, I would blink my words to any listening bird. If they cut off my eyelids, I would fart code into the troposphere. You’d have to kill me to stop me from writing. It’s how I breathe.” - Jonathan in

Mo Willems Alert!

2010-10-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Mo Willems will be at the Clackamas Town Center Barnes & Noble Monday October 4th (that's tomorrow night, folks) at 6:30! He'll be reading from his latest in his adored stuffed animal series: Knuffle Bunny Free. Which, for Portlanders, begs the question: why, for the love of Jove, is he not reading at Powell's? (Probable answer: PR and parking.) Ah, well. No matter. Small (corporate) price to

Inara Scott Says: You've Been Recruited!

2010-09-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

What if you were recruited to attend the world's most prestigious prep school? A training ground of sorts for the rich, the famous, and the powerful? Would you accept the full-ride? What do you think would be asked of you in return? In Inara Scott's debut YA fantasy Delcroix Academy, this is exactly what happens to Dancia Lewis. She's a girl who has spent her whole life blending in to the

The CYBILS are Coming!

2010-09-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Dear savvy readers: Many of you have not only heard of the CYBILS, but have served as panelists or judges yourselves. But for those among us for whom the term conjures images of Sally Field in made-for-tv movies, let me set the record straight. For over four spins around the sun, the CYBILS awards have been given yearly by bloggers to the year’s best children’s and young adult titles. I am

Emily Whitman Booksigning Tonight

2010-09-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Emily Whitman, author of Radiant Darkness, will be reading from her newest YA novel Wildwing tonight. Come with your listening ears and your hearts ready for tales of love and time travel. Where: Looking Glass Bookstore, 7983 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202. When: Friday, September 24th at 7 PM Check out the Wildwing book trailer: Makes me want to wear a bodice!

Holly Cupala's 'Secret' is Out!

2010-08-25T14:30:00.001-07:00