Author Jane Kurtz talked about “Unpuzzling the Mysteries of Chapter Books and Other Novels” via the Institute of Children’s Literature chat room recently; check it out and then visit Jane’s site. Jane is lovely and one of my original mentors; her latest is a fantasy, The Feverbird’s Claw (Greenwillow, 2004).
Category: General
Texas Tales Auction
The Austin Public Library Foundation is sponsoring a Texas Tales auction as a fundraiser. If you’re an Austinite, surf by and check it out. In addition, the foundation is hosting a concert with Los Lonely Boys. Sigh. Hope I’ll be able to make it.
What else? I’m watching “The First Wives Club,” and Greg is trying a new chicken marsala recipe.
Haemi Balgassi
Author Haemi Balgassi has a new blog. Haemi is the first real friend I made in children’s books, and I love her wholeheartedly. Surf over to check it out, then stop over to her Web site, and if you haven’t already, pick up copies of Peacebound Trains and Tae’s Sonata.
Real Kidz
Received an email today from Real Kidz, which makes biracial plush dolls, about their new online shopping. Very cute site and dolls, though I’ve yet to see a doll in person (so to speak). In any case, biracial dolls are an excellent idea; very long overdue. Important for families that are mixed race and those that are not.
Critique Group
My critique group met tonight at Anne’s. We have one very important message for you all: prologues are back! All the really cool people are writing them.
In other news, Debbi Michiko Florence has a new blog.
Mail Call
Today’s mail brings the recent issue of Book Links along with the following review copies:
Close Encounters of a Third-World Kind by Jennifer J. Stewart (Holiday House);
Offsides by Erik E. Esckilsen (Houghton Mifflin);
Cecilia’s Year by Susan & Denise Gonzales Abraham (Cinco Puntos);
The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun by Wendie Old,
The New Rules of High School
Read The New Rules of High School by Blake Nelson (Viking, 2003), which is about a smart, self-absorbed boy’s fall from perceived perfection. The voice was outstanding, and the story was a compelling, one-sitting read. The author does a particularly good job with reversals. Ages 12-up.
Received a wonderful T-shirt and sweatshirt from the ever-darling Katie Davis,
Moccasin Thunder
The Native American YA anthology, edited by Lori Carlson and published by Harper, apparently will be called: Moccasin Thunder.
Speaking of thunder, it rained like crazy today, though I did make it out to have my hair and nails done. I know, I know, it’s indulgent. But hey, how many writers out there aren’t in therapy,
Teddy Award Short Works Finalists Announced
And, the finalists for the 2004 Teddy Children’s Book Awards are:
Short Works
Lee Merrill Byrd, The Treasure on Gold Street (Cinco Puntos Press)
Karin Cates, The Secret Remedy Book: A Story of Comfort and Love (Orchard Books)
Joyce Gibson Roach, Horned Toad Canyon (Bright Sky Press)
Just a reminder,
Continue Reading Teddy Award Short Works Finalists Announced »
“Love Actually”
Maybe it’s the emotive place I’m in today or the fact that all of my muscles are still screaming from this weekend’s yard work. But I find myself a happy, hopeful, gushy mess after watching this movie. Tremendously affecting. Okay, total chick flick, but hey, guys have hearts, too, don’t they? I’m pretty sure.