jonnyskov

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Well, we’re winding down on the debut YA author blog tour. On this, our second-to-last entry, we have The Espressologist by Kristina Springer.

About The Espressologist

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

About Kristina Springer

Kristina Springer has a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Writing from DePaul University. Her first novel, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, was published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux on October 27, 2009. Her second novel, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS, also from FSG, will be published in the fall of 2010. She lives in a suburb of Chicago, IL with her husband Athens and their four small children Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin.

My probing an insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

Favorite: Writing the first draft
Least Favorite: Line edits

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

I have to be at a cafe (usually Starbucks) with my laptop and a yummy coffee drink. Typically a bag of Trader Joe’s low-fat honey wheat pretzels are present as well.

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

Zombie

Buy This book!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

It is incredibly rare for me to get scared by a book. I think the last time was in college, and that was Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse, so I’m not sure if that actually counts. But there is a scene in Shadowed Summer, by Saundra Mitchell, that is so creepy it actually inspired genuine fear. And yet, despite its creepiness and Southern Gothic aura, Shadowed Summer is a very sweet and curiously hopeful book. It’s about ghosts and small towns with secrets, sure. But it’s also about wanting to be a kid for just a little longer in a world that forces you to grow up too soon.

Iris’s mother has been dead for some time. Her father is a kind and good man, but not exactly a create communicator. Her primary support seems to be her best friend, Collette. The two pretend to cast spells and contact ghosts. But this summer, things are different. Collette has begun to discover boys and isn’t quite as interested in playing pretend anymore. Iris, beginning to feel abandoned by her friend for some dumb boy, withdraws and digs deeper into her pretend spell casting. But then she actually does contact a real ghost. Oops.

What follows is part cold case mystery-solving, part good old fashioned haunting. But there’s an undercurrent of something else there. At each turn, Iris discovers that nothing is as simple as she thought. Not friends, or boys, or family, or even herself. As she sees the world around her more clearly, she loses her innocence. And it is a loss deeply felt, as it should be. That tender breaking point should be both celebrated and mourned for all of us. Saundra Mitchell does an excellent job with both.

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

It’s been a little while since I’ve done an interview. It’s nice to have them spaced out a bit, yes? It allows you to appreciate them more. FOr example, this quick interview with fellow Indie Next list and debut Young Adult novelist L.K. Madigan. I won’t tell you about her ardent literary crush on Markus Zusak (far too scandalous!), but I will tell you about her awesome book, Flash Burnout.

About Flash Burnout

Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who’s a girl. One of them loves him, the other one needs him.

When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa’s long-lost meth addicted mom.

In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty.

About L.K. Madigan

L.K. Madigan is a writer living in Portland, Oregon, who finds it odd to speak in the third person. Therefore:

Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

Favorite part?The epiphanies. That moment when you’re not even consciously thinking about your work-in-progress, maybe you’re taking a shower or driving to work, and the solution to a plot point or character motivation pops in your head. Ahhh …

Least favorite? The part when the writing is hard and you think your book is terrible and you want to give up. (This is First Draft Hell stage, and is perfectly normal. Remain calm. Or clam, whichever works.)

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones.

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must choose one.

Pirates don’t seem so lovably Johnny Deppish these days, so I’m gonna go Ninja.

image via paxholley.net

Buy this book!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

I’m pounding brutally away at the new novel and getting ready for my NCTE adventure in Philly next weekend, plus, you know, day job, raising children, etc, so I’ve been a little busy. But I just wanted a share a few really cool things:

Struts & Frets made the Kids Indie Next List! AW YEAH! GO INDIE POWRRRRRR!

Also, very nice things being said from reviewers. Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t get too worked up about reviews either way unless I know and respect the reviewer (more on that hopefully soon!). Still, my publisher seems pleased with this sort of thing:

“breezy, immensely readable, and is told in a convincing and often-insightful teen voice…it’s surprising that there aren’t more YA novels with this kind of solid indie cred.”
–Booklist

“a crowd pleaser.”
–Publishers Weekly

Also, Kathryn Gaglione pointed out that Struts & Frets made it on the Goodreads “Movers and Shakers” list in their regular newsletter. I really like being called a “mover and shaker”, despite the fact that I’m not a very good dancer. So I thought to celebrate, I’d give away an advanced review copy of Struts & Frets on Goodreads. Who knows, if I get a big response, maybe I’ll give away more…

Here’s the giveaway entry form.

And now, back to demons and misfits ;)

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

It was a whirlwind weekend in NYC and I’m still recovering. I participated in my first public event at Books of Wonder with all these established authors (and some newbies like me!). I found out that STRUTS & FRETS has been nominated by Indiebound.org for the 2009-2010 Winter Kids Indie Next list. I got my first trade review (Kirkus sez”Deftly executed, this debut novel hits a few high notes and handily avoids falling flat.“, which as far as I can tell, is pretty nice for Kirkus). I made my very first video at my publisher’s office. I had a very exciting discussion about my next book with my agent (I think it’s just about ready to send out!). I saw an amazing Steampunk Haunted House put together by my friends at Third Rail Projects. Saw wild two piece band which features some crazy cello-playing (which I could remember the name of the band, I’ll try to follow up on that). And got to see some really great friends.

So here’s a few videos of the weekend. First, my promo video done at my publisher’s office. Like literally, in the main publisher Steve’s office, because he as this awesome autographed Ramones poster.

And here is me actually reading two separate little bits from Struts & Frets. Check out that acting! (I’m a bit rusty…).

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

It’s possible that the stress of my upcoming launch is taking its toll and softening my brain. Or else I’m finally accepting my own limitations. Either way, this is going to be one of my cheesiest posts ever! Just fair warning….

My friend Heidi does a Thankful Thursday blog post, and I thought I’d give it a shot. Err, except it’s Wednesday…because tomorrow I’ll be in NYC reading at Books of Wonder.

I am thankful for my wife, my children, and my friends, who never fail to inspire me, to challenge me, and to make me laugh. Writing is a lonely business and the more I do it, the more I appreciate that it is when I am with those I love that I feel most alive.

I am thankful for a job that pays well enough and is stable enough that we don’t have to scrabble for every penny like we did not so long ago. A job that also allows me to have a constant connection to my children’s education.

I am thankful for this bright, exciting, new career as an author. It has allowed me to meet so many marvelous people. It has challenged me to grow as an artist and, more importantly, as a human being.

I am thankful that these things have freed me up to ask the hard question, “And what now? How will I use these gifts? Rather than hoarding them like a miser, how will I multiply and share them?” Because I am very much aware of my own limitations in that respect.

And so…

I ask for clarity to look within my own heart and be able to separate the wheat from the chafe. To discard the husk of distortions I put upon things and keep the kernel of truth.

I ask for courage to take that kernel of truth and honor it, regardless of my many fears, doubts, and anxieties.

I ask for compassion, that during my truth-seeking, I remember to be kind and generous to everyone I encounter, even those who have hurt me. Especially those who have hurt me.

I always did like beginning new journeys…

image via www.555design.org

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

My first novel is officially published in less than a week. My second novel is completed and in the hands of my agent for consideration. And so I turn my attention to a new novel.

I had forgotten how exciting it is to start a new project. And how frightening.

It feels a bit like this caterpillar’s journey, which, my sons and I observed the other day (click to see).

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

I’m going to be doing a couple of posts on how I discover new music. One of the big ones for me has always been independent radio. Back in the day, it was really the only way (other than mix tapes from friends) to discover new music. And even now, most of them stream online. So even though I live in DC, I can still get my dose of John In The Morning from Seattle’s KEXP.

I thought it might be cool to come up with a big list of stations. These are the ones that I know about. If I’m missing your favorite indie radio station, leave it in the comments and I’ll put it in.

KEXP 90.3 – Seattle, WA http://kexp.org

WWCD 101.1 – Columbus, Ohio 43215 http://www.cd101.com

WYCE 88.1 – Grand Rapids, MI http://www.grcmc.org/radio

WMNF 88.5 – Tampa, FL http://wmnf.org

WLUW 88.7 – Chicago, IL http://www.wluw.org

WRFG 89.3 – Atlanta, GA http://wrfg.org

KVMR 89.5 – Nevada City CA http://kvmr.org

WEFT 90.1 – Champaign, IL http://weft.org

KYRS 92.3 & 89.9 – Spokane, WA 99201 http://www.kyrs.org

KBOO 90.7, 100.7, & 91.9 – Portland, OR http://kboo.org

WWOZ 90.7 – New Orleans, LA http://www.wwoz.org

WYEP 91.3 – Pittsburgh PA http://www.wyep.org

WFPK 91.9 – Louisville, KY http://www.louisvillepublicmedia.org

KGNU 88.5 – Boulder, CO http://www.kgnu.org

WFMU 91.1 – Jersey City, NJ http://wfmu.org

WRIR 97.3 – Richmond, VA http://wrir.org

KRUU 100.1 – Fairfield, Iowa http://www.kruufm.com

KCRW 89.9 – Santa Monica, CA http://www.kcrw.com

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Heidi Kling, author of the forthcoming Sea from Putnum, interviews me on her blog and gives away a free copy of Struts & Frets. She grills me mercilessly on the origins of the book. I also talk somewhat intelligently on the link between acting and writing, how I get things done, and genius Gonzo the Great. And I come out publicly in support of Dakota Fanning being cast as the female lead in a movie version of Struts & Frets (if such a thing were ever to happen). But only if she gets dreadlocks.

Read the interview and enter the contest to win the book here:

http://seaheidi.livejournal.com/159877.html

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Yes, that is a laundry basket on his head

My oldest son, like many people on the Autism Spectrum, adores repetition. He repeats words, phrases, and body movements. He plays the same show, album, or game again and again. And if I let him, we would read the same bedtime story every night. But because I value my sanity, we have a rule that we don’t read the same book two nights in a row. He is a clever little fellow, though, and I think he’s caught on that there is one book I will never refuse to read, no matter how many nights in a row he asks for it. That book is I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off A Little Self-Esteem by Jaimie Lee Curtis and illustrated by Laura Cornell.

I’m Gonna Like Me is a simple, fun, upbeat book about liking yourself no matter what, when you do something great, when you screw something up, when others appreciate you, and even when they don’t. It’s about unconditional love for yourself.

I don’t think he realizes yet that he’s “different”. And his peers are only just beginning to catch on. They ask things like, “Why doesn’t Logan make sense sometimes?” or “Why does Logan cover his ears like that?” or “Why does he keep falling over like that?” These kids are all around six years old, so my wife and I keep it simple. We use explanations like, “Logan’s brain just works a little different than most people’s” or “Logan has super sensitive hearing” or “He’s falling over and over again because it’s fun! You should try it!” We don’t really go into labels like Autism and they just accept what we say and get on with playing. But I know that eventually, this won’t fly. Kids will be kids and being “different” in middle school is always unpopular.

We can’t always be around to speak for him. Fortunately, he is high functioning enough that he is capable of speaking for himself. But he must do more than that. He must advocate for himself. He must constantly reconcile the way he views the world with the way that others do. He has a beautiful, open heart and it will be hard for him to keep it that way while he weathers the storm of being “different” at a time when everyone else is desperately trying to fit in. So we strive to lay a foundation now of good self-esteem and unconditional self-love, hoping he will be able to draw upon that later in life.

But of course, isn’t this what we want for all our children? Aren’t they all different in some way that will at some point in their life make them wonder if “different” equals “wrong”? Aren’t we all? And couldn’t we all use a reminder to let off a little self-esteem?

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Yep, you read that right. I’ve been relentlessly interviewing other authors. And now, as the official launch date for STRUTS & FRETS draws near and rumors that it has already surfaced in stores grow more insistant, I have the pleasure of being interviewed. And the first is by thriller author Cym Lowell, who talks to me about music, what I like about writing YA, and the peace of mind I find in writing. Check it out on Cym Lowell’s blog!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

I have a lot of fond childhood memories of spending weeks at a time on my grandfather’s boat. Lauren Bjorkman, fellow Shakespeare fan, insightful critic, and author of the debut YA novel My Invented Life, grew up on a sailboat. And to me, that is just insanely awesome.

About My Invented Life

Roz and Eva are sisters, close friends, and fierce rivals. Roz fantasizes about snagging the lead in the school play and sexy skate god Bryan as her boyfriend. Sadly a few obstacles stand between her and her dreams. For one, Eva is the more talented actress. And Bryan happens to be Eva’s boyfriend. But is Eva having a secret love affair with a girl? Enquiring minds need to know.

Roz prides herself on random acts of insanity. In one such act, she invents a girlfriend of her own to encourage Eva to open up. The plan backfires, and Roz finds herself neck deep in her invented life. When Roz meets a mercurial boy with a big problem, she begins to understand the complex feelings beneath the labels. And she gets a second chance to earn Eva’s trust.

My Invented Life is set in a small California high school during rehearsals for a Shakespeare comedy.

About Lauren Bjorkman

Lauren Bjorkman grew up on a sailboat, sharing the forecastle with her sister and the sail bags. Against all odds, they are still friends. She enjoys making things up, chocolate in large quantities, and anything that makes her laugh. She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her husband, two sons, and a cat that plays fetch.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My highest highs and lowest lows happen as I revise. When I first get feedback, I get a sinking feeling that I just spent months of my life writing an unsalvageable wreck of a novel. After the emotions fade, and I think about the story, the new ideas that come to me are a total rush. I enjoy rewriting once I’ve figured out where I’m going.

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

soft pillows (I write in bed)

a smallish lap top (most comfy)

caffeine (preferably embedded in coffee or chocolate)

the internet (to look things up)

cat (optional)

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

I adored (is that possible) robots as a kid, but can’t imagine being one. I like stealth, so I choose Ninja.

Buy this book or face the nautical ninjas!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

While I haven’t worked with Megan Crewe in a writer’s group, I did had the pleasure of meeting her at BEA last spring. And of course, the fact that when she’s not writing, she’s helping children with special needs wins big points in my book. I’ve also had the pleasure of reading an as-of-yet unpublished Middle Grade novel, and let me tell you, Megan’s writing has a clarity that is rare and refreshing.

About Give Up the Ghost

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody… and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance…

About Megan Crewe

Like many fiction authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say “eh”), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My favorite part is the early revision stage. When the story’s already written out, but still fresh, and I can play with it and fix all the stuff that went wrong in the rough draft.

My least favorite part is rough drafting—not knowing for sure if the story I’ve planned out will work on the page.

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

When I’m on the go, I could not live without my 5-subject Hilroy notebook and a good ballpoint pen to capture any ideas that pop into my head. At home, I love my iBook, which is what I do all my writing on. It was my present to myself after I got my agent. :)

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

Ninja! Mysterious and swift and powerful—an awesome combination.

Buy this book

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

As you may have guessed, most of the debut authors I feature on my blog are people I haven’t actually met face to face. Pam Bachorz, author of the just released Candor, is one that I have not only met, but also exchanged ideas and advice with in our writer’s group. I can say without hesitation that Pam is a tremendous talent and a pleasure to be around.

About Candor

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, heÕs found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. HeÕs got them all fooled: OscarÕs the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows heÕs made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar falls in love. He must choose whether to let Nia be lost to brainwashingÑor to sacrifice himself.

About Pam Bachorz

Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every possible performance group and assiduously avoided any threat of athletic activity. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees. Her mother is not happy that PamÕs degrees are stored under her bed.

Pam lives just outside Washington, DC with her husband and their son. She likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.

As far as she knows, Pam has never been brainwashed. Or maybe thatÕs just what sheÕs supposed to say.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

I love writing the first quarter of a novel. It’s such the easy part for me. And then… the next third is staring down the barrel at me, and I’m really worried I’m going to get lost. I get happy again when I reach that final act, which means I’m fretting while writing, like, half the book.

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

I love my story wire. I bought this wire curtain hanger from IKEA and stretched it across my study. I write plot points on index cards and hang them from the wire, swapping and sliding as the mood strikes, and marking them off when I finish that chapter.

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

A pirate named Captain Jack Sparrow.

Buy this book or the most popular pirate on earth won’t like you!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

It all started with a girl named Jackson. She had an idea for an online group of Young Adult authors with debut books published in 2009. Who can say if she ever expected it to transform into A Feast of Awesome. What is known is that I and so many other writers that I’ve featured on my blog (or plan to) are extremely grateful to her for bringing us all together. So at last, it gives me great pleasure to introduce As You Wish by Jackson Pearce.

About As You Wish

Seven months ago, Viola’s boyfriend told her he was gay—moments before she was going to lose her virginity to him. Heartbroken, Viola has resigned herself to near invisibility, until she inadvertently summons a young jinn out of his world, Caliban, and into her own. Here he will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to get back to Caliban, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid her wishes will be manipulated into curses. Jinn knows that should she wait too long, the Ifrit, guardians of earthbound jinn, will press her to wish by hurting those around her.As they spend time together, Jinn can’t deny that he’s slowly falling in love with Viola, blurring the lines between master and servant. It’s only after Viola makes her first wish—for a popular boy to love her—that she realizes the feelings are mutual.

With every wish Jinn’s time with her diminishes, but the longer she waits to wish the greater danger she’s in from the Ifrit. Together, Viola, Jinn, and Viola’s ex-boyfriend try to outwit the Ifrit while dealing with their own romantic complexities and the alcohol-laced high school social scene.

About Jackson Pearce

Jackson Pearce is twenty-four years old and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy and currently works for a software company even though she auditioned for the circus (she juggled and twirled fire batons, but they still didn’t want her). Other jobs she’s had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist.

In addition, Jackson coaches both colorguard and winterguard at a local high school; she’s taught over four hundred students since starting six years ago. Coaching provides the greatest “research” for writing YA that she could ever ask for and has introduced her to some of the most unique characters she’s ever met.

Jackson began writing when she got angry that the school librarian couldn’t tell her of a book that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself when she was twelve. Her parents thought it was cute at first, but have grown steadily more concerned for her ever since.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My favorite part is finishing the second or so draft, when things are really starting to come together. Least Favorite? Finishing the first draft, when I know the whole thing is fail :)

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

Diet Coke? Hm. I don’t think I have any “gear” really…

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

Unicorn.

Unicorns are the new zombies, and As You Wish is the new Twilight. So buy this book!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Folks, she’s done it again! Sydney Salter, who I introduced you to back in April for her debut book My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters has published her second book already called Jungle Crossing! Sheesh! I thought I was productive, but she’s whooping by ass! Of course, this is art, right? So it’s not a competition. Right?!?!

About Jungle Crossing

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona’s minicamp. If she’s not there, she’ll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she’s the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat’s parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat’s world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

About Sydney Salter

Sydney Salter’s fascination with Mayan culture started when she was six years old and climbed down a steep, dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in Sydney’s imagination that led to writing Jungle Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading, writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers.

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Kate Messner…Educator, Skype Master, Nature Lover, TV Reporter, generally lovely person, and now Young Adult Author! Her debut novel, the Brilliant Fall of Giannna Z is out now!

About The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z

Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator. Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline. She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

About Kate Messner

Kate Messner grew up in Medina, New York and graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communication with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She worked as a television news producer and reporter in Syracuse, NY and then Burlington, VT, before going back to school to get a teaching degree. These days, Kate is a National Board Certified middle school English teacher. She has helped hundreds of kids work on leaf collection projects and likes sugar maples and catalpa leaves the best. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her husband and kids and loves spending time in the woods.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

I love revision – love it with a capital L. For me, it’s the best part of the process because there’s already something to work with, and it’s at that point that I usually have the real vision for what I want the book to become. Plus, I am a big fan of brightly colored Post-It notes and manage to use lots of those when I revise.

I don’t think I have a least favorite part of the writing process. Other than the waiting, of course!

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

I love my little writing notebooks, multi-colored pens, bright Post-It notes, and my MacBook!

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

Pirate – I live on the water, after all!

The Dread Pirate Roberts politely requests that you purchase this book.

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Jennifer Brown is funny. That’s just how it is. And yet she has written a book about the aftermath of school shooting called Hate List. If you’ve been reading my blog a while you know this is precisely the sort of conflicting duality that I love.

About Hate List

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria.  Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create.  A list of people and things they hated.  The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year.  Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

About Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown is the author of HATE LIST, a YA novel coming out in September 2009. As a two-time winner of The Erma Bombeck Global Humor award and weekly columnist for The Kansas City Star, as well as Saturday Featured Blogger for Mom2MomKC.com, Jennifer spends a lot of time dressing up her dog for laughs and thinking of new ways to works words such as “Puh-lease” and “Ch-yeah!” into sentences. Jennifer grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri area, where she still lives with her husband, three kids, and whole herd of uncooperative pets.

My probing and insightful questions

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My favorite part is starting a new project. I’m all giddy-like and stuff, kinda like the night before your birthday.

My least favorite part is writing synopses. *gags, writhes, pounds head on desk, throws stuff, cries*

What writing “gear” do you like (could be anything from your favorite tool to your favorite tchotchke).

I have a Hemingway cap. You know, one of the dorky baseball cap things with the reeeally long bill? My hubby bought it for me as a gag gift one Christmas. Showed him. I wear it when I write. Nyah!

Zombie, Pirate, Robot, or Ninja…you must chose one.

Pirate…Wench.

Buy this book or taste steel, landlubber!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

Random.org number generator has spoken. Apparently it has a thing for guys named Steve…

The winners of the Mix Contest and the proud owners of a signed advanced review copy of STRUTS & FRETS are:

Stephen Celeste

• Brooklyn – Neva Dinova
• Seventeen Devils – The Starlight Mints
• You’ve Got a Friend In Me – The Zutons
• Make Out, Fall Out, Make Up – Love Is All
• Hitler In Me – SwordFishTrombones

AND

Steve Brezenoff

• “While You Wait for the Others” Grizzly Bear
• “Sugarfoot” Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
• “Never Forget You” Noisettes
• “God Help the Girl” Stuart Murdoch
• “Not My Name” The Ting Tings

If you didn’t win this time, don’t be discouraged! There will be other contests! STRUTS & FRETS isn’t just for guys named Steve! I promise!

Originally published at Jon Skovron. You can comment here or there.

From Struts & Frets:

“Mixes are funny,” I said.
“How’s that?” She was still messing with some kind of lighting thing.
“Well, you pick songs, you know, and most of the time you aren’t really thinking about why. You’re just thinking about that person and then thinking, ‘oh, this would sound great next.’ But maybe there’s some kind of subconscious thing at work. I mean, this song . . . then I think there’s that Cure song, ‘Just Like Heaven.’ then that Pixies song, ‘La La Love You.’ And I think there’s even a Magic Numbers song in there . . . I mean, come on.”
“I can’t believe you remember what you put on a mix you made me two years ago.”
“But that’s exactly it,” I said. “All that thought I put into it. Didn’t I see that I was making you a crush mix?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought it was pretty obvious.”

Since the days of double cassette decks, I’ve loved making mixes. Crush mixes, friend mixes, saving-you-from-your-bad-taste-in-music mixes…I just love putting songs together in surprising and eclectic ways. To celebrate the fact that I just got a big old box of advanced review copies of Struts & Frets from the UPS guy today, I’m throwing a mix contest. Two lucky people will win a signed advanced review copy (complete with occasional typos and a handsome picture of yours truly) of Struts & Frets. Names will be chosen at random from the comments of this post — the real post on my blog, not the LJ or Facebook feeds, plz.

All you have to do to enter is tell me 5 songs you’re really digging right now. Think of it as a “snapshot of your life” mix. No pressure. Doesn’t have to be something brilliant that you know you’ll love in a year. Just whatever you’re grooving to right now.

I’ll start…

• Born On A Day The Sun Didn’t Rise – Black Moth Super Rainbow
• Parentheses – The Blow
• Japan – Cocorosie
• So Bored – Wavves
• When I Grow Up – Fever Ray

Now it’s your turn! Please, only one entry per person, thanks!