(or honoured, if you happen to be reading this in England) FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB has been nominated for the 2012-13 Gateway Award. Actual Live Teens get to vote on which book should win, which makes this award particularly meaningful. DUMB was also selected as a 2011 Notable Book for Global Society. Here, the chair [...]
The Missouri State Teachers Association has asked me to lead a Creative Writing Retreat. It should be lots of fun, and there are still a couple spots open, apparently. So if you fancy a weekend of writing and thoughtful exchange, this could be for you! Here are the details . . . Creative Retreat for [...]
So I have this new fantasy trilogy coming out. It’s called ELEMENTAL, and the first book comes out in fall 2012. I’m incredibly excited about it, and the editing is going really well. There’s no doubt this is some of the best stuff I’ve ever written. Just as exciting, bloggers are getting on board (dystopian [...]
Although no one will ever mistake me for a good cook, the lovely folks at Pots & Pens invited me over for an interview. There’s some new stuff there (for anyone who is wondering what I’m up to at the moment), and even a bonus soup recipe. And it’s so easy, even I can’t screw [...]
CALLING ALL CHICAGOANS … I’m thrilled to announce that tomorrow evening there will be a live theater performance of Five Flavors of Dumb at the Loft in Evanston Public Library (Third Floor East of the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. Tel: 847-448-8625). Here’s the full blurb: Saturday, July 23, 3 p.m., Community Meeting Room, [...]
It’s July 4th weekend here in the States – the annual celebration of US independence from oppressive Brits. Hence I’m writing this from an undisclosed bunker and disguising my accent every time I answer the phone. Okay, that’s not completely true. Actually, I’m sitting on the deck of a house in Myrtle Beach, SC, which [...]
Missie at The Unread Reader has interviewed me for her “When I’m Not Writing” series. (There’s even a book giveaway.) You’ll be able to read top tips on how not to intervene in sibling rivalries, and you’ll discover the extraordinary lengths I’ll go to in order to procrastinate. Since Gayle Forman was the last interviewee, [...]
I’m often asked what’s the best part of being a published author, as opposed to an unpublished author. Well, there are the obvious things: I get to see my book in print; I actually get to make money doing something I love; I get to do school visits and talk about my work, etc etc. [...]
For anyone wondering what life is like four months after the release of FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB, the answer is, uh . . . chaotic. 1. For a start, I’ve had a few school visits recently, which I adore. Today, I met with the students at Marquette High School in Chesterfield, MO. A couple of weeks [...]
A couple of weeks ago I went back to college, although for once, I wasn’t after another degree (you can breathe again, Mum and Dad). My hosts were the faculty and students of Connecticut College, an extraordinarily beautiful campus nestled against the River Thames in New London, CT. In case you’re wondering how on earth [...]
