The Espressologist Paperback Giveaway

This week over at Author2Author we're talking about why we write in the genre that we do. I talk about writing YA Chicklit and how much I love it. Comment on this post why YOU love YA Chicklit to be entered for the chance to win the recently released paperback of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST. Mail in the USA only. Winner announced next Thursday.

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit: Starring Laurie Stolarz

Laurie Stolarz has stopped by to talk about her latest book, DEADLY LITTLE GAMES.

About the Book:

High school juniors Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: they both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to see the future through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control. Camelia’s gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn’t yet comprehend. Before either one has a chance to fully grasp their abilities, a new danger surfaces, but this time, Camelia is not the target. Adam, a familiar face from Ben’s past, is drawn into a puzzle he can’t solve. . . and his life is on the line. As the clues pile up, Camelia must decide whether to help him and risk losing Ben or do nothing and suffer the consequences. But in these games,who can be trusted?

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)

LAURIE: I love strong black coffee with just a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top. That’s it. Nothing else.

KRISTINA: I am always curious about when and where writers write. Can you tell me about your schedule and your favorite place to work?

LAURIE: I write wherever and whenever I can. I have a toddler who goes to preschool three mornings per week, so I use that time. I also write in the car, waiting to pick up my grade-schooler, at coffee shops when I can get a sitter, and at night.

KRISTINA: If your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?

LAURIE: Blake Lively. That’s who I pictured as my MC when I was first starting the series.

KRISTINA: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

LAURIE: Since before I could even write, creating stories and plotlines for my dolls and having them act out plays. Then, when I actually could write, I’d write out the scripts and make edits and adjustments I went along.

KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?

LAURIE: At one of the places I visited to speak, an all-girls residential facility, a girl cried simply because I showed up, because she never thought it would happen – that someone would want to spend time with them. It was very touching.

KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?

LAURIE: Yes: http://twitter.com/lauriestolarz

KRISTINA: What are you working on now?

LAURIE: I’m currently working on Deadly Little Voices, the fourth book in the Touch series.

About the Author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series, which has sold nearly 750,000 copies worldwide. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at www.lauriestolarz.com.

A Contest From Laurie:

TOUCH SERIES CONTEST

From the author: “In celebration of the release of DEADLY LITTLE GAMES, I’ve launched a very exciting contest. You will need to read a copy of DEADLY LITTLE GAMES to enter. Prizes include having a minor character in DEADLY LITTLE VOICES, the fourth book in the TOUCH series, named after him or her, or a phone call from me. OFFICIAL RULES for this contest are on my website, under NEWS. ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM, DOWNLOADABLE FROM WWW.LAURIESTOLARZ.COM/NEWS.html. Sign up for my e-Newsletter for updates on contest, book, and appearance info: http://www.lauriestolarz.com/newsletter.html.”

Sarah Dessen Gift Set Giveaway!

As you probably know, I've been blogging with a great group of writers at Author2Author for the past 3 years. This year we're trying out a FUN FRIDAY (giveaways, author interviews/blog posts, fun writing stuff) and to kick off our first one we're giving away this really cool Sarah Dessen Gift Set. It includes three of Sarah's awesome books, a key pendant, and keepsake box. You only have to comment on THIS BLOG POST for a chance to win. So easy!

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit: Starring Eileen Cook

Eileen Cook is visiting my blog today to talk about her new book (one I can't wait to get my hands on!) THE EDUCATION OF HAILEY KENDRICK.

About the Book

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

Reviews

"Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review

"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers Weekly

Our Interview

KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)

EILEEN: I live in Vancouver where it is practically a crime to admit this- but- I don’t like coffee. Not even coffee flavored ice cream. I’m more of a chai tea latte or hot chocolate (high end only please, none of that chalky power mixed with water) kind of person.

KRISTINA: I am always curious about when and where writers write. Can you tell me about your schedule and your favorite place to work?

EILEEN: Have laptop can travel. I write on the beach, in my backyard, while traveling in hotels, in coffee shops, libraries, at my desk and on the sofa. I find when I get stuck if I change location it seems to make a difference.

I love the idea of having a regular schedule, but I never seem to manage it. Instead I set a weekly goal of what I want to get done and give myself permission to write pages and pages on one day and only a few paragraphs on another.

KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?

EILEEN: I spend an unbelievable amount of time on picking a character’s name. I go to those baby name websites where you can search by different meanings and cultures and play around until I find something that “feels” right. Then when I have a name for everyone I have to decide if they fit together. For example you don’t want everyone’s name to start with the same letter or to rhyme.

KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?

EILEEN: I love hearing from readers so feel free to drop me a line at Eileen@eileencook.com. I heard from one reader who was going through a difficult time with her mom in the hospital. She would read parts of my book out loud to her mom so they would have a reason to laugh. I was so honored to be able to help (even in a very small way) during that time. One of my favorite comments was someone who said “You write teens so well, it’s like you were one once.”

KRISTINA: What are you reading right now?

EILEEN: I just started Revolution by Donnelly. So far it seems great!

KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?

EILEEN: Yes please! You can find me under Eileenwriter.

KRISTINA: What are you working on now?

EILEEN: I have a middle grade series coming out for young readers (ages 8-10) in the Spring called The Fourth Grade Fairy. I’m also hard at work on my new YA novel. I’m working on a gothic story with the working title of Haunting Isobel. It has a creepy old house, a family mystery, a brooding handsome man and a possible ghost. It’s been a tremendous amount of fun to write so far.

About the Author

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

Scholastic

So cool! My Fake Boyfriend is in the Scholastic TAB Flyer!

2010 Year in Review

What a great year this has been!

It started with a *BANG* with the sale of my third book to FSG, JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS. JYAP comes out in the fall of 2011 so watch for it!

In mid-January I did an event at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, with Julie Halpern and Beverley Patt. It was one of my favorite signings with such a fun group and at a lovely store! I'll be back there again on January 29th at 2pm with Elizabeth Eulberg (The Lonely Hearts Club) and Kristin Walker (A Match Made in high School) which I think will be an absolute blast!

February was packed with first the launch party of my friend Kristin Walker's funny book.

And of course the super fun Valentine's Day signing I did with Kristin and Kimberley Pauley.

Then a visit from two of my fave critique partners (Deena from NY and Em from IN) and the annual Anderson's Children's Literature Breakfast.

In March I did a fun visit with the Westmont Junior High Writer's Club, attended the Joliet Library Author Fair, met fellow Deb Carrie Ryan at her Anderson's Bookstore signing (yep, with Kristin Walker again. If you can't tell yet we hang out a lot!),

and I was debut author of the month on Alice Pope's blog!

April consisted of more fun author events like the Fountaindale Library Authors Festival (I'm going back again this April!) in Bolingbrook, IL, and a Reader Meet Author chat at the Borders in Bolingbrook (my fave Borders).

In May I did my first ever Skype school visit (loooove the skype visit! Happy to do them free for schools-- e-mail me for info) and visited with a Young Writers Studio group. And I was revising like crazy (and I do mean crazy. Me and revision-- not so cool. It's probably the hardest part of the whole writing process for me).

June was a blur of end of year school stuff with my kids, swim lessons, and baseball games. And I swore off checking my Amazon rank.

In July I had one long anxiety attack as I realized my book, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS, was coming out in August and I needed to order promo, plan a launch book signing, and fill out about a million interviews and guest blog posts. And I launched my new super cute Web site!

In August, I celebrated my new book release!

Early September was the launch book signing.

And two more author fairs in Aurora and Homer Glen.

In October I worked hard at copyedits for JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS, attended the ISLMA Author Showcase, got older (birthday month!), and I about died when my author idol Meg Cabot mentioned me on her blog.

And in November? Things got EVEN BETTER when Meg Cabot wrote a blurb for my book!! I still get giddy even thinking about it! I also had a seriously amazing time on vacation with my family and friends. Looooooove Disney!

And of course this month: a big whirl of fun holiday celebrations with family and friends, the Young Chicago Authors Holiday Book Bash, and my new book trailer celebrating The Espressologist releasing in paperback next week.

Other cool things in the past month or so: The Espressologist was named a 2010 honor book by the Society of School Librarians, Scholastic Book Fairs bought My Fake Boyfriend is Better Then Yours (I can't tell you how much I LOVE the school book fairs and how I can't wait to see my book there!!!) and I also saw the Japanese and Russian versions of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST release (German released in '09). And I sold My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours to Germany too! Foreign sales are the coolest, I'm telling ya.

And moving into 2011 I have one book I'm writing now, one I'm revising, and three more that I've started and need to get back to. Which sometimes feels overwhelming to me but then I remind myself that it's a good place to be: busy!

Happy New Year! I hope your 2011 is amazing!

The Espressologist Paperback

THE ESPRESSOLOGIST comes out in paperback on Tuesday, January 4th! Here's the super cute trailer for the book.