Cover Stories: Invisible Touch by Kelly Parra

I really enjoyed author Kelly Parra's RITA-nominated Graffiti Girl, and her new book, Invisible Touch, looks Exciting. So I asked her some questions about the cover, and here's her story. "Before the cover of Invisible Touch was created I was asked to provide some specifications on my main character Kara. And my editor told me she was giving the art department ideas of pictograms for the cover. So I really didn't know what to expect. I knew a girl would be on the cover but I wasn't quite sure what she would be doing! I told them Kara had short hair and she had light brown skin. "When I saw the cover I was blown away! Kara was stunning and the images gave a paranormal feel, but Invisible Touch is urban too and the brick wall gave an edgy feel. I had the feeling they got the brick wall and eye from my website, www.KellyParra.com. I was very pleased! "Obviously, they didn't give Kara the short hair. Haha! So Kara's hair suddenly changed in the book. *wink* I did not have to change Kara's hair, but it would have bothered me otherwise and it was an easy fix. "We all agreed on the cover, writer, agent and editor. It was very eye-catching and portrayed the feel of the novel and that's what counted. A few months later when the final cover surfaced the title had been shifted and font changed, but it was still awesome!" Thanks, Kelly! This might sound silly, but I'm so glad the hair descriptions match the cover! I get so bothered by covers that look nothing like the character I know in the book, so I'm with Kelly on that change. What do you guys think of this cover? Oh, and to find out more about Invisible Touch, here's the trailer: Happy Monday!

Gone to Carolina...

I'm in NC this weekend, and I got to have lunch with author Sarah Dessen on Friday! Chapel Hill magazine interviewed us together, which is un-effing-believable for me--yay! We actually went back to our old high school to take photos in the hallways by the lockers, which was the weirdest experience. It felt completely unreal to be back there, and with Sarah Dessen no less! She is amazingly nice and funny and all the good things you imagine she is. So much fun.Anyway, more home state press (I forget if I posted this before) are these 5 Questions from the Charlotte Observer's Style Section last spring. I can't believe they asked me about STDs! I didn't see that coming... also, could I have said "self esteem" one more time? Yeesh. But still, I like that shirt I'm wearing, so there's a plus (although, now that I think about it, it's the same shirt I was wearing for the magazine photo shoot yesterday--oops). Enjoy! Happy Sunday!

Two things on a Saturday

1. Love this Huffington Post essay by America the Beautiful documentarian Darryl Roberts. Go read it to get the full story if you have time, but in short, MTV was involved with a new reality show called Model Makers that was going to take girls 17-24 and make them "high fashion." Translation: The goal was to get the girls to be super skinny. Roberts points out that to lure young girls to audition, the website said: "Have you always wanted to model but don't know where to start? Maybe you don't know the right people. Maybe you are not thin enough. Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don't."Um, yikes! The good news: Due to lots of uproar from people who heeded Roberts' calls to protest, the show has been canceled! Phew. (Oh, and that photo is the awesome Ali Michael, whom I've raved about in the past, and who has nothing to do with the show.) 2. On another note, YA for Obama is going strong now, with dissenting voices (come on over, McCain fans!) and big prizes for people who volunteer (read Maureen Johnson's Call to Action, With Prizes blog). Also, you could meet Adam Brody if you volunteer for Obama. Right, Devyn? I'm just saying. Enjoy your Saturday!

Photo Friday: It's Fall! + AA Drag Show

First, fall is awesome, as evidenced by this tree on my block. It's lemon-lime colored! I love it. So last weekend I went to a show where there was no line for the ladies' room (but the men's room was PACKED). It was The 8th Annual Miss Sobriety Drag Pageant put on by Alcoholics Anonymous, and it was fabulous and glittery! I went with my friend Kevin, who, admittedly, inspired a bit of the character of Kurt in Violet in Private. Everyone needs a Kevin. Here are a few shots. (1) Note that I got to meet Project Runway contestant Chris March, who was really nice (yes, that's me in between those glamorous queens!). (2) All the contestants on stage. (3) And the winner, Chisa Chu! I didn't get a good shot of last year's winner, Pancakes Barbara, but she was gorgeous and hilarious, in a young Judy Garland kind of way. Have a shiny, happy weekend!

Another Violet Contest Entry: A Fashion Show, by Rachel Robinson

The super-innovative Rachel Robinson turned in an incredible entry into the Big Violet Contest. She made a flier advertising a fashion show that Violet is walking, a ticket for the event, and a press release about it, (the text of which I'll post below so it's easier to read). I absolutely love Rachel's creativity here! Thank you, RR! Violet Greenfield Returns By Rachel Robinson Friday, October 3rd, Tracetown Fashions will debut their mysterious new "Green" clothing line during fall fashion week. And in keeping with the Green fashion, everything connected to the show will be environmentally friendly. With organic make-up, a recycled canvas tent, and electric powered by solar panels, Tracetown is already making quite the impression. But Tracetown going green isn't the only thing leaving an impression on the fashion world; it is Tracetown's choice on the model that will close their show, Violet Greenfield. After taking a sabbatical away from modeling to attend a semester at Vassar College and an internship at Teen Girl magazine, Violet Greenfield is making her debut back into the modeling world in Tracetowns tent at fashion week. But this isn't just any debut, that fabulous Miss Greenfield stated several times that the Fashion Week tents will be her one and only stop in the modeling world. Our sources have reported that Greenfield has received several offers to have her walk in other shows, but so far she has not accepted any. "I'm only doing this as a favor to Mickey and Matt. They gave me my start, stuck by me through thick and thin (literally), and I want to repay them anyway I can." When asked about why all of the fuss about having Greenfield model for them, Tracetown representatives gave this statement: 'Violet Greenfield is the inspiration and reason behind our new line of Green fashions. It is only fitting that she represents them.' Tracetown seems sure of their decision, and Greenfield seems ready, lets just hope the fashions fit. How cool is Rachel? So cool.

Win-It Wednesday: When it Happens by Susane Colasanti (Signed!)

It was fun to hear about all of the books you guys are reading, but now my to-read list is so long. I can usually finish a book a week, but I like to read four at once, so I'm always switching off. Anyway. The winners of last week's contest are: Monica A (who wins Poseur + clutch) and nadine-stella (who wins Frenemies + clutch)! Now, since I had the honor of reading with author Rachel Maude last night (which was a lot of fun, btw! *hi* to the girls I met!), I got another copy of Poseur so I could give away a bonus surprise, and that one goes to... cute little redhead! (Sorry, no third clutch to give out for that one.) Send me your addresses, M, N-S and CLR. This week, I'm giving away a signed copy of Susane Colasanti's debut novel When it Happens. I haven't read her new one (Take Me There) yet, but I really enjoyed WIH. It's the story of Tobey and Sara, two high school seniors who are made for each other, if they can just relax and get together! The story is told in alternating points of view--first Sara's, then Tobey's, which is so great. I mean, don't you always want to know what your crush is thinking? Susane used to be a high school teacher, and she's a really fun person with a fantastic character voice. You will love it! To enter to win, comment below and tell me about your first crush... I'm feeling excessively nosy. Mine was on this guy named Scott who had dark hair and the bluest eyes. When we were in third grade, I used to always try to sit near him in class and get next to him in line. Sigh. I also used to wish with all my heart that he would lean over and kiss me on the cheek. Yeah, my fantasies were very racy. So... who was yours?

Brooklyn Reading Tonight

I have my very own poster in the window of my neighborhood Barnes & Noble--exciting! The reading with really cool Poseur author Rachel Maude is tonight at 7pm at 267 7th Ave in Park Slope. Come if you're nearby? The far right poster is for It's Kind of a Funny Story author Ned Vizzini, who always does these writing workshops at this B&N--something else to check out. PS-Thanks for helping Violet in Private get nominated for a Cybil award! Yay! (The list is filled with great to-reads.)

Cover Stories: Jump the Cracks by Stacy DeKeyser

Stacy DeKeyser's book Jump the Cracks, has one of the most compelling descriptions ever: "A 15-year-old girl is accused of kidnapping when she finds an abandoned child on a train and then hides him from his abusive father. Soon she's on a cross-country journey with the boy, as each 'right' decision gets her deeper into trouble -- and farther away from home. Victoria has vowed to protect the little boy no matter what. But can she keep that promise? Fast-paced suspense about a determined girl who becomes both rescuer and abductor of a child at risk."Sounds like the cover could have gone a bunch of different ways, so Stacy's here to share how it played out: "When I write, and even when I read a novel, I prefer not to form a distinct mental picture of the main characters. I don't include much physical description in my book. I prefer to let the characters sort of form and shape themselves in the reader's mind. Probably for the same reason, one thing I DID know was that the cover wouldn't show any faces. "Flux was great about [requesting input on the cover design]. My editor Andrew Karre asked me for my ideas, and he told me his. My only requests were 'no faces' and 'no shiny covers.' (That's just me--I don't like shiny book covers.) "When I saw the cover, at first I was a little surprised, because Andrew had described a cover using mosaic tiles, like you see in the New York City subway, which is one setting in Jump the Cracks. So when I saw the actual cover. without any mosaics, it threw me a bit. But I warmed up to it instantly. I loved the arrows, and the suggestion of motion, and the fact that you can't see what the girl might be carrying. You know she's going somewhere, and you want to know her story. And (I suppose this will sound weird after I said I don't imagine my characters' physically), she looks exactly the way I'd pictured her in my head. "I had no comments to make, except, 'Wow!' Andrew said there had been several different cover designs, but I only saw one -- the perfect one. And I still really love it." Thanks, Stacy! I agree that the cover has so much motion--it definitely indicates a fast-paced journey, and I can't wait to read the book! What do you guys think?

Paper Towns by John Green

I love this video. I really need to read Paper Towns. Has anyone read it? UPDATE: I ordered the book from The Community Bookstore. Wonder which cover I'll get? It's fun to leave it up to fate!

Photo Friday: Corn Maze!!

I had to post photos from last weekend, when I finally fulfilled a dream: To enter a Corn Maze. We did not have these where I grew up in NC, so seeing them in upstate New York was super exciting. And since we were coming back from a friend's wedding, I got to run through the corn maze in a dress, which is extra fun. Did you guys know about these things? Amazing! I know this last one is overexposed, but I feel like it's the closest I'll ever get to looking like part of the cast of Heroes. I'm about to blow something up! Happy weekends, everyone. PS-Bookworm Readers is giving away a copy of Popular Vote by Micol Ostow. Yay for contests!