Photo Friday: Utah!

So, first we hiked Bryce Canyon, which was gorgeous and tiring in the best possible way. Here, I lean. In Park City, I was being fascinated by this tree I strolled by one day, where people had hung up hundreds of sneakers. A graduating class maybe? I skiied a couple of days, but not with my camera. And my friend Katie broke her leg, so wish her well! And be careful skiing in heavy powder! Happy Friday! PS-On a grumpy note, my DVR lost a ton of shows while I was away, including the premiere of America's Next Top Model and the finale of Top Chef. Neither of which are on hulu. Anyone see these?

Win-It Wednesday: New Moon and Eclipse

I'm back from my trip! And now I have 100 new books to read thanks to your comments, because I want to read what you guys are reading! I'm greedy like that with books. The two book winners from the two-week-long Win-It Wednesday contest are... Erika Lynn (who wins No Laughter Here by Rita Williams-Garcia) and Valerie (who wins The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson). Send me your addresses! So, on my long vacation I finally have finished three of the four Twilight books (don't chastise me for being behind! I know! I know!). I gave away Twilight last year, but now I have copies of New Moon (paperback) and Eclipse (hardcover) to give away to one lucky winner. By the way, I am firmly on Team Jacob, which I know isn't totally popular, but it's how I feel. Now, to win both of these books (which you've probably read), I want to know what team you're on, if you've read the series. So tell me that below. But I also want you to share this readergirlz video with facebook friends, blog readers, librarians, anyone who loves books. Because Operation Teen Book Drop '09 is going to be bigger than ever this year. Got that? So, tell me below about your Edward/Jacob preferences (or let me know if you haven't read the books yet... which will make me feel better about being so slow!) and also share this video in any way you please. Then, you're entered! Happy Wednesday!

Cover Stories: Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

Lisa Yee's latest novel, Absolutely Maybe, came out in February. It's full of friendship and family and pink hair. In short, I loved it. And I asked Lisa to share her Cover Story, so here goes:"It's weird, but I didn't have anything in mind at all for the cover. I used to be a Creative Director and my job was coming up with concepts and working with the art and copy departments to see them through. I think that once I became an author it was nice to be able to let go of that. Plus, I have total faith in my editors, Arthur Levine and Cheryl Klein, and Elizabeth Parasi, my art director. "I knew the cover would be a photograph, but beyond that I didn't know what to expect. I was asked about what the main characters looked like: 'Does she look like Kelli Osbourne?' 'Well, the goth-y part of Maybe does, but Maybe's more petite and her hair is pink . . . and blue . . . and green.' 'Does Hollywood [the romantic interest] look like Napoleon Dynamite?' 'He's the same height, but better looking in a geek-chic way.' That sort of thing. MW Note: Here are some of the covers they tried out. (Alea, notice that the last one is a Lookalike for Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell!) You can see these, and read more about the book, on Lisa's site! "Here's the first cover, that was later nixed. The name also changed because of the movie 'Definitely Maybe.' I loved the kids here, and thought it was cool that Ted, Maybe's best friend, is with her. It was adorable, only it looked more like a middle grade book cover. Because I also write MG, it was important that it be clear this book is YA. So it went back to get redesigned. However, the iconic feel of the final cover ultimately trumps this one. "The Hollywood star in the background was a stock photo. Several models were considered and I saw some of their head shots. The model selected really captured the look I was going for. She was brought into the studio and her hair was dyed pink. For the shoot she was wearing a black Led Zeppelin t-shirt and the logo was photoshopped out. Here's the cover in comp phase before the final photoshopping and tweaking. "Once the final design was approved, the model was brought back in for a second photo shoot. I thought that was so cool. That they really wanted to get it right and went to that much work and expense for the cover. "In the end, I just love it so much. And if you get a chance to see it in person, it's even better. The lettering is raised and so is the question mark in the middle of the star. Perfection!" I think it's really eye-catching too, and I thought about the cover while on my trip to LA last week! Maybe deserves a star on the Walk of Fame. What do you guys think of this cover vs. the others? I say they chose the best one (though I like seeing Ted!).

Go See Girls Write Now Today! (+ Contests)

PS-If you're not in the NY area, you can still celebrate books by making this craft (or winning it), courtesy of Holly Cupala, Readergirlz Diva! Go enter to win a set of book magnets. PPS-Bookworm is launching March Madness book giveaways, and Violet in Private is the first one you can win! Go here to enter.

Photo Friday: LA!

Visited my very cute friend Charles in LA this week; had a fantastic time! Love Bette Davis! And Vivian Leigh! Ah, Gone With The Wind. Le sigh. One day I'll own a vintage typewriter like this one I found in Silver Lake. The Griffith Observatory is such a great spot to get a view of LA. I was like a little kid in Hollywood--I hadn't been to the touristy spots since I was 9 years old! Which star's hands would you choose to touch? PS-Debut novelist Abby McDonald is giving away a copy of her novel SOPHOMORE SWITCH. Go enter the contest!

Bonus Cover Stories: The Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

I'm thrilled to have Mitali Perkins tell her latest Cover Story for Secret Keeper, a book I cannot wait to read! (Too many good books is a nice problem, I know, but I still wish I had more hours in the day for the to-read pile). Here's Mitali!"When it comes to art, I'm in the appreciator rather than the creator category. My publisher asked me for input, and I told her that there were a glut of covers set in India with girls peeking over veils or around sarees. I didn't want something that felt too 'ethnic.' "When I saw this cover, I LOVED IT! I was so happy. I think it's a stock photo. Because I 100% loved it, I had no suggestions. I hope the art department enjoyed the rave email I sent to my editor. "I am VERY pleased with this cover; I think it captures the feel of the story perfectly." And sometimes, people, it's just that easy. Love at first cover. I think the cover model's downcast eyes (gorgeous lashes, btw!) are perfect for Mitali's story about a girl who keeps her heart in secret diaries. The colors and patterns are just indicative enough of its Indian setting. What do you guys think? Watch the book trailer here:

Win-It Wednesday: I'm Out of Town!

But you can still win stuff, because who am I to deprive you? Enter last week's contest for a chance to win one of two books... I'll choose a winner next week! Yes, I know that graphic is kind of manic, but I like it. I get cheesy sometimes. PS-Tonight if you're near NYC, you should go to this reading. It's gonna be ah-mazing! March 4 -- Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425 6th Ave, at 10th St.) Donna Freitas, The Possibilities of Sainthood Sarah MacLean, The Season P.E. Ryan, In Mike We Trust Heather Duffy Stone, This is What I Want to Tell You Siobhan Vivian, Same Difference PPS-Another contest! Alyson Noel is giving away a signed copy of EVERMORE, her wildly popular new novel. (Remember the Cover Story?)

I'm Not Here

I'm in LA! But I'm presenting a Fashion Week Gift Bag to win (and a vlog to watch) over at In Bed With Books. Good luck! And I'm also here doing a mini interview with Bookworm. Come say hi!

Cover Stories: Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

The lovely Janette Rallison's latest novel, Just One Wish, comes out this week, so you can probably find it in stores, oh, right about now! But first, read her Cover Story:"I admit that I've always had a crush on Robin Hood. This probably came from watching old Errol Flynn movies on TV. Although, really, when I think about it, I've never watched a version of Robin Hood where he wasn't some totally hot guy, so yeah, what's not to love? "I guess it was inevitable that one day I'd write the hunky bandit into one of my novels. In Just One Wish, 17-year-old Annika has a little brother with a brain tumor, and he wants more than anything to meet the actor who plays Teen Robin Hood in a hit series by the same name. Annika, who's a take-charge type of girl, decides she can make his wish come true by driving to Hollywood, finding the actor who plays Teen Robin Hood, and convincing him to visit her brother. The first two goals she pulls off pretty well; the third gets a bit complicated. "Because I figured a hunky Teen Robin Hood cover would appeal to girls I suggested something like this to my editor (left). Really, I think you could just slap a title on this picture and it would sell a ton of books. Unfortunately, it's from an old TV show and apparently there are some copyright laws the publisher didn't want to deal with. (Go figure.) But girls, feel free to print out this picture and put it on my book. "My next suggestion was a picture of Annika shooting a bow and arrow, as there is a rather climactic scene where she has to shoot a bullseye. But the marketing department didn't think that sort of picture would appeal to girl readers. It wasn't feminine enough or something. Whatever. Just because a girl likes to read doesn't mean she can't occasionally outshoot the boys. "What the marketing department came up with was this: "And I have to say that I was relieved, since I didn't hate any of these covers. (I can't say that for all of my books.) My editor asked me which one I liked the best. I did a survey on my blog and the overwhelming winner was the lips blowing the dandelion. It was my favorite too. I happily told my editor that I and my blog readers loved that one. "Sometimes I think my editor asks me my opinion in order to choose the opposite thing. It's the same reason my teenagers ask me which outfit I like best when they're clothes shopping. If I like the shirt/pair of pants/dress, it can't possibly be hip, and they know to eliminate it from their shopping pile. "The marketing department narrowed it down to these covers: "And I was okay with them; I was just disappointed I didn't get my favorite cover. At the same time the name of the book was changing on a weekly basis. It started out as: My Life as a Teenage Genie, which seemed too flippant so I suggested The Rules of Wishing. My editor didn't like that one, but wanted something that sounded a bit serious so we settled on: Last Wish. The marketing department thought that Last Wish sounded too grim (They were right about that) and changed the title to: When You Wish Upon a TV Star. I liked that title a lot which was an immediate signal to the marketing department that it needed to go. They came up with Just One Wish. (I like that title too.) "Because my editor knew that I liked the lips-blowing-the-dandelion cover so much he put it back into the pile of possible covers for the marketing department to consider, and miracle of miracles during the last round of considering covers they decided that they liked it best too. "Of all of my covers, it is my favorite. (You can't see it on this picture, but the cover actually has sparkles on it. How cool is that?) And it's a great book too!" I love this cover story and we got a little Title Tale in there too... And I think things settled just where they should be. It's a delicate cover, without being over-the-top sweet. What do you guys think of the Cover Story and the title drama? PS-Watch Janette talk about the book on TV!

NYC Teen Author Festival! March 16-22

I'll remind you about this one again soon, but here's the heads up! You must, must, must come! And not just to see me (though I'll be reading in the Bronx and at Books of Wonder, and I'd love a hello!). But enough about me; here are the shiny, happy events you can attend if you're in town: Juvenalia Smackdown Monday, 3/16, 4-6pm, Tompkins Square Park branch of the NYPL, 331 E. 10th Street Join Holly Black, Alaya Johnson, Justine Larbalestier, David Levithan, Diana Peterfruend, Scott Westerfeld as they read some of their (ahem) less accomplished work from their middle school and high school years. Hosted by Libba Bray. I Have Seen the Future... and It Sounds Like This Wednesday, 3/18, Mulberry Street Branch of the NYPL Teen authors are notoriously stingy about reading from their works-in-progress. But for Guest of Honor Joe Monti, authors Libba Bray, Rachel Cohn, Eireann Corrigan, Justine Larbalestier, Barry Lyga, and Scott Westerfeld are willing to share a little bit from their future books. Hosted by David Levithan. The Five-Borough Read Thursday, 3/19 BROOKLYN: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn 10-11am: Gayle Forman Jenny Han Leslie Margolis Abby Sher Matthue Roth Robin Wasserman BRONX: Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx 4-5pm: Coe Booth Madeleine George Paul Griffin Brian Sloan Melissa Walker MANHATTAN: Countee Cullen Branch, 104 W 136th St 4-5pm: Matt de la Pena Daphne Grab Mary Hogan Bill Konigsburg Barry Lyga Carolyn MacCullough MANHATTAN: Jefferson Market Branch, 425 Avenue of the Americas 4-5pm: David Levithan Bennett Madison Laura McLaughlin Billy Merrell Marie Rutkoski MANHATTAN: Webster Branch, 1465 York Avenue 4-5pm: Lisa Ann Sandell Courtney Sheinmel Rachel Vail Cecily Von Ziegesar Martin Wilson QUEENS: Far Rockaway Branch, 2002 Cornaga Ave, Queens 4-5pm: Tara Altebrando Laura Dower Heather Duffy-Stone Aimee Friedman Eliot Schrefer Siobhan Vivian Rita Williams-Garcia STATEN ISLAND: St. George Library Center, 5 Central Avenue 4-5pm: Kate Brian Judy Goldschmidt Michael Northrop Micol Ostow Lynn Weingarten Rock Out with TIGER BEAT! Thursday, 3/19, 6pm at Books of Wonder By day, Libba Bray, Daniel Ehrenhaft, Barney Miller, and Natalie Standiford are upstanding authors. But by night, they turn into... TIGER BEAT, the first ever YA author rock band. Tonight is their debut public performance... and it's sure to go down in legend. With opening act The Infinite Playlists (Rachel Cohn and David Levithan reading a litany of musical references, but mercifully not singing). I Love You, New York: Teen Lit in the City Friday, 3/20, 6pm, NYPL, 42nd Street, Court Room Join authors Coe Booth, Paul Griffin, Maureen Johnson, David Levithan, Cecily von Ziegesar, and Rita Williams-Garcia in a spirited reading and discussion about teen novels set in New York City--from the glamour of the gossip girls to the grit of the Bronx projects, from the everyday battles of the high school halls to the extraordinary events of 9/11. Stuff for the Teen Age Ceremony Saturday, 3/21, 1pm, NYPL, 42nd Street, Celeste Bartos Forum This new list only has the best of the best, and includes books, music, movies, and video games. Featuring a keynote by Walter Dean Myers Teen Authors Celebrate Teen Readers Sunday, 3/22, NYPL, 42nd Street, Trustees Room, 1pm Over a dozen authors salute teen readers and teen advisory board members from around the city, including Blake Nelson, reading from his upcoming novel Destroy All Cars. The Biggest Teen Author Signing EVER Sunday, 3/22, Books of Wonder, 4pm Join over 40 authors for a signing extravaganza as they take over Books of Wonder, sign books, and converse with fans new and old. An incredible event that is sure to go down in book-signing history. Authors include: Nora Baskin Jessica Blank Judy Blundell Coe Booth Elise Broach Susanne Colasanti Sarah Darer-Littman Matt de la Pena Heather Duffy-Stone Gayle Forman Aimee Friedman Madeleine George Maureen Johnson Kristen Kemp Justine Larbalestier David Levithan E. Lockhart Barry Lyga Carolyn Mackler Sarah MacLean Megan McCafferty Laura McLaughlin Neesha Meminger Billy Merrell Blake Nelson Micol Ostow Matthue Roth Marie Rutkoski Lisa Ann Sandell Courtney Sheinmel Abby Sher Brian Sloan Rachel Vail David Van Etten Ned Vizzini Adrienne Maria Vrettos Cecily von Ziegesar Melissa Walker Robin Wasserman Scott Westerfeld Suzanne Weyn Maryrose Wood Lizabeth Zindel Can you stand it? I'm going to be gushing all over the place!