The Elevensies

ICE DOGS COVER!

2013-02-11T22:23:42Z

I almost passed out when I first saw this cover.

I keep staring at it.

I am. Full. Of. Joy!

Girls' Nightmare Out Tour

2012-08-09T19:59:23Z

Hey all y'all! Wanted to let you know two of your Elevensies are touring this summer and we'd LOOOVE to meet you! Kendare Blake and I are hitting the road this coming Thursday along with fellow Tor Teen author Marta Acosta. Our stops look like this:

Thurs, Aug 16, 6pm – Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop, 1030 Bonita Ave., La Verne, CA

Fri, Aug 17, 6:30pm – Murder By The Book, 2342 Bissonnet, Houston, TX

Sat, Aug 18, 7pm – St. Louis County Library Headquarters Auditorium, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO

Sun, Aug 19, 6pm – Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2785 Dixie Hwy, Crestview Hills, KY

Mon, Aug 20, 5pm – Warren Newport Library, 224 N. O’Plaine Rd., Gurnee, IL

Tues, Aug 21, 7pm –Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL

Wed, Aug 22, 7pm – Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3425 Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR

Thurs, Aug 23, 7pm – Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA (With Amanda Hocking)

Fri, Aug 24, 7pm – Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA

If you're near any of those locations, PLEASE come see us, so it's not just us reading to each other. (Cuz that would be embarrassing.) Hope to meet some of you!

CJJ2 launch events if anyone's around

2012-08-01T16:19:52Z

hi all, if anyone's in the neighborhood, please come help me celebrate the pub of CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO EXTRA CREDIT. it's like the first CJJ book, only newer.

wed aug 15 @ 4pm - RJ Julia, madison CT

tues aug 21 @ 6pm - Books of Wonder, NYC

wed aug 22 @ 6pm - Barnes and Noble, Westport CT

hope to see you and hope all are well.

tommy g

GREENWALD MAKES UNIMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING CONFERENCES

2012-06-22T14:35:01Z

Not-very-well-known children’s author Tommy Greenwald made an unexpected announcement today, declaring that he has made himself available for writers’ conferences, provided the conferences are held at locations with a spa.

“It has long been a dream of mine to give back to the writing community,” Greenwald said in a prepared statement. “I am now delighted to be able to do just that, as long as the writing community pays my expenses and throws in a few hot stone massages.”

Greenwald, the author of the somewhat-obscure CHARLIE JOE JACKSON series, went on to describe how excited he is to get started. “I know there are a lot of pre-published writers out there who are looking for feedback,” he said. “I look forward to talking with them about how to shape their voice, who might be the best editors for their work, and which yoga classes they recommend I take.”

Reaction around the children’s literature community was swift and universal. “This is so great,” said Greenwald’s editor, Nancy Mercado of Roaring Brook Press. “I have no idea what Tommy could possibly say that would help other writers, but he could definitely stand to lose a little weight.”

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide To Summer

2012-05-25T17:59:33Z

Hi everyone! Since Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer, which is my favorite time of year, it seemed like a good time to check in! Here’s a short list to help you make the most of this wonderful, fantastic, perfect homework-free season.

1. Never use the words “summer” and “school” in the same sentence.
2. Don’t wear socks between June 1 and September 30.
3. Ice cream melts fast, so eat it quickly, then have some more.
4. If a girl asks you if she looks fat in a bathing suit, never say “yes.”
5. French fries go with everything.
6. Swimming counts as a shower.
7. When your mom tells you you’re getting too much sun, go inside and play video games.
8. Sand belongs on the beach, not in your bed.
9. Stay away from movies that involve a lot of screaming.
10. Never use the words “summer” and “reading list” in the same sentence.

Cover Reveal for THE TORN WING

2012-05-02T17:54:31Z

Hi Guys,

I'm so excited to reveal the cover for book two in THE FAERIE RING series today! There's a full post over on my blog. Thanks for letting me share!!

it must be book 2 trailer day

2012-04-09T15:12:32Z

coz here's mine, just posted. happy spring everyone. tg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTYBn_wu1M

Book #2 Trailer

2012-04-09T14:57:17Z

I just got a new trailer for Book #2, Eye of the Sword, which came out March 13. Book #3 is written, but I'm waiting for the publisher to say if and when they want it. Meanwhile, here's the link to the latest trailer. Happy writing and reading to everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei33h9br3JM

Gorgeous new cover

2012-04-07T16:41:45Z

wow! Have you guys seen Ruta's new cover? Just saw it in my bookstore and had to buy the paperback because it's sooooo pretty. I think I like it even better than the hardcover. Congrats on all your success, Ruta!

Long Live the Elevensies!

2012-04-04T03:11:38Z

Hey there, and thanks for stopping by! This is the site of the Elevensies--authors whose debut novels came out in 2011. We're still around, still writing awesome books, still hanging out together and still sharing the journey, but we're mostly behind the scenes now that a new group of debut authors is burning up bookshelves with their amazing work. We still post news here every now and then, so check back often. Interested in what your favorite Elevensies authors are up to lately? Just check out their websites, which are linked in the sidebar. Thanks so much to the readers, bloggers, librarians and booksellers who helped make our debut year so wonderful. 2011 truly was one to remember, and we can't wait to see what's next!

April Book Tour. Would Love To See You!

2012-03-21T15:38:28Z

Hi all -

The paperback of "Between Shades of Gray" comes out April 3rd and I've strung together some events for it.
If you're local in any of these cities I would love to see you !

I'll be in the corner of the store...sitting at a table with a stack of books...feeling awkward and uncomfortable.

Hope to see you!

Ruta

April 3
Cambridge, MA
2 Events!
•

Cambridge Public Library
440 Broadway
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
1:30 p.m.
•

Porter Square Books
25 White Street
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
7:00 p.m.

April 4
Darien, CT
Barrett Bookstore
314 Heights Road
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
7:00 p.m.

April 10
Oakland, CA
A Great Good Place For Books
6120 La Salle Avenue
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
7:00 p.m.

April 12
Salt Lake City, UT
The King’s English Bookshop
1511 South 1500 East
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
7:00 p.m.

April 14
Houston, TX
TeenBookCon
www.teenbookcon.org

April 17
Raleigh, NC
Quail Ridge Books & Music
3522 Wade Ave
Author Appearance and Book Discussion
7:00 p.m.

Top Three Things You've Learned: Live Now!

2012-03-19T19:08:47Z

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Top Three Things I've Learned series is up live on my blog right now! Drop by and share some wisdom there, or point some debuts to it.

Thanks everyone for participating! I've already gotten a lot of feedback, and people seem to really like the article :)

You can visit the site here: http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2012/03/top-three-things-youve-learned.html

(I'm having some trouble with LJ at the moment and can't get linking or html to work correctly...)

Crystal Kite Award Finalist

2012-03-05T19:33:57Z

And congratulations to Carole Estby Dagg, whose novel THE YEAR WE WERE FAMOUS is a finalist for SCBWI Western Washington's Crystal Kite Award!

Golden Kite and Sid Fleishman Awards!

2012-03-02T21:51:45Z

Congrats, Ruta and Chris!

Children's Book Insider Clubhouse website

2012-02-06T19:16:12Z

I just wanted to let everyone know that the website I'm going to be serving as "YA Expert Guide" for, CBI (Children's Book Insider) Clubhouse, is up! It looks like it's going to be a great resource for children's writers of varying levels, including those looking to self-publish, with a number of really great people serving as Expert Guides. Take a peek and pass on the link to anyone you know who might be interested.

http://cbiclubhouse.com/cmd.php?af=1427759

Mock Newberrys

2012-02-01T18:47:14Z

Our own Caroline Starr Rose's MAY B is on School Library Journal's Mock Newberry list!

http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/heavymedal/2012/01/31/2013-newbery-reading-list/

News @ Eleven

2012-01-25T15:42:10Z

Guadalupe Garcia McCall's UNDER THE MESQUITE won the Pura Belpre Monday at the Youth Media Awards!

Sheela Chari's VANISHED won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature honor award!

Are we missing anyone? If so, please share below!

Our Sheela nomianted for the Edgar!

2012-01-19T16:08:05Z

I just saw this morning that our very own Sheela Chari and VANISHED are nominated for The Edgar under Best Juvenile category!!! Here's the link: http://theedgars.com/nominees.html

Congratulations Sheela!! That's huge!

SCBWI new york, anyone?

2012-01-18T02:53:50Z

So who's going? I'll be there, and would love to meet any and all. if you're going please respond here or email tommy@tommygreenwald.com Also, if you know anyone who's looking for a free critique, I'm running a tongue-in-cheek contest for anyone attending the conference. (Details at tommygreenwald.com.) so far i have two entries. I've really got this blogging thing down, don't I?

October thru December Debut Novel Giveaway (International)

2011-12-28T13:33:07Z

It's time for one last 2011 debut novel contest! I'm giving away one of the Elevensies books released in October thru December of this year:

http://www.annastan.com/2011/12/october-december-debut-giveaway/

Keep rocking on, Elevensies!

And the winner is...

2011-12-22T17:43:13Z

And the winner of the random drawing for the FLYAWAY Lunch and Launch giveaway is....

Jess Parks (skrat)!

Congratulations, Jess, and thanks to everyone who entered.

If you're still interested in winning a hardback copy of FLYAWAY, there are two more opportunities on the FLYAWAY Blog Tour:

Today (Thursday), at Me, My Shelf, and I, where I've posted an interview with Aunt Mindy, one of the characters in FLYAWAY and...
tomorrow (Friday) at A Backwards Story, where I'm doing a This and That interview.

Good luck and happy holidays!

ELEVENSIES LUNCH AND LAUNCH PRESENTS: FLYAWAY BY HELEN LANDALF

2011-12-19T22:16:54Z

Pull up a chair, bring your appetite for a great story, and raise your glass as we celebrate the launch of a new Elevensie title!

Helen Landalf is pleased to announce the release of her debut YA novel, FLYAWAY.

"Flyaway is so good I read it in one sitting....I was hooked!" -- Han Nolan, National Book Award winner

"Fans of Ellen Hopkins and Jay Asher: Prepare to fall in love....Filled with bighearted love and gritty realism, Flyaway rings with bittersweet truth." -- Justina Chen, author of North of Beautiful

"Readers will....cringe at some of the choices Stevie makes and cheer as she learns to finally put herself first instead of continuing to be caught up in the maelstrom of her mother’s problems. In the face of bleakness, Stevie offers hope for the other victims that addiction creates." -- School Library Journal

So, this post is supposed to be about food, but here in Seattle, Starbuck's coffee is considered one of the four major food groups.

I just couldn't set my book in Seattle without at least one scene taking place in a Starbucks:

EXERPT FROM FLYAWAY:

Imagine my surprise when we walk into Starbucks and this handsome black dude stands up to greet us. I mean, this guy looks like a movie star. His hair's a little on the gray side, but his skin is so smooth, and his eyes slant at the corners like a cat's. He's wearing these cool rectangle-framed glasses, and a diamond stud sparkles in one ear.

I can tell Aunt Mindy notices him too. she funbles with her sunglasses, and when he goes up to the counter to order, she raises her eyebrows at me and whispers, "You lucky dog! I wish I needed some tutoring."

I look away. There should be a law against old people flirting.

To celebrate the release of FLYAWAY, I'm holding a random drawing for a signed hardback copy, a $10 Starbuck's gift card, and a bird-themed Scrabble-tile pendant.

Just comment at the end of this post, and I'll enter you in the drawing. The winner will be drawn at the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 21st and announced on Thursday, Dec. 22nd.

In the meantime, you can purchase FLYAWAY at your favorite indie bookstore or by following one of these links. Enjoy!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flyaway-Helen-Landalf/dp/0547519737
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flyaway-helen-landalf/1100692315

FLYAWAY trailer!

2011-12-19T18:57:00Z

The FLYAWAY trailer is now public. Here's the link:

http://youtu.be/MM6zX6Wd_D8

If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate it if you could share. Thanks!

Congratulations, Elevensies!

2011-12-09T19:05:36Z

Congratulations to fellow Elevensies Rae Carson, Ruta Sepetys and Guadalupe Garcia McCall - their books were nominated for William C. Morris awards!! Congratulations, you guys - you wrote wonderful books, and your nominations are so well deserved!

News @ Eleven

2011-11-28T17:38:13Z

Great news for the Elevensies!

Reviews
Helen Landalf's FLYAWAY received this review from School Library Journal:
"...This slim novel moves quickly as Stevie grapples with friends experimenting with drugs, a budding romance, and the confusion that comes with someone finally believing in her. Despite Stevie’s angry, defensive voice, readers will like her. They’ll cringe at some of the choices she makes and cheer as she learns to finally put herself first instead of continuing to be caught up in the maelstrom of her mother’s problems. In the face of bleakness, Stevie offers hope for the other victims that addiction creates."

Foreign Sales
The German edition of Julia Karr's XVI is set to release in December.

TV Deals
Kim Harrington's CLARITY was optioned for television.

Sub-Rights
Caroline Starr Rose's MAY B. has been selected as a Junior Library Guild title.

Second Books
HAVOC: A Deviants Novel, the sequel to Jeff Sampson's YA debut VESPER, received a nice review in VOYA:

"The second installment in the Deviants series finds Emily Webb facing more questions than answers: Why does she change from mousy 'Daytime' Emily to brashly assertive 'Nighttime' Emily to frightening 'Werewolf' Emily? Are there others like her? Who—or what—are the mysterious shadowmen? When did cheerleaders develop a talent for telekinesis? Most importantly: What does an agricultural research company called BioZenith have to do with all of these mysteries?

"Havoc picks up directly after the conclusion of Vesper (Balzer + Bray, 2011/VOYA April 2011), and although the narration tries to recap events from the first book, readers will want to experience the books in order. The intriguing storyline and action are interspersed with analytic commentary from some sort of reporting agency that is, thus far, unnamed. Clues are gradually revealed, but most of these lead to even more mysteries, paving the way for a long, complex, and enjoyable series."
—Aarene Storms

VESPER will release in paperback at the end of December, just in time to buy with newly received holiday gift cards, followed by the hardcover release of HAVOC on January 24, 2012.

On January 19, 2012, the sequel to Julia Karr's XVI, titled TRUTH, will be released.

A MILLION SUNS, the sequel to Beth Revis's ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, will release on January 10, 2012.

Booklist says of the novel: "Revis’ interweaving of science fiction, romance,and action is deft—an especially impressive feat given the condensed time line under which this story
operates." The review went on to add that "…Revis just might make straight-up sci-fi cool again.”

Romantic Times gives A MILLION SUNS 4.5 stars and says, “The second in Revis’ Across the Universe trilogy is as twisty as the first! You’ll feel the spaceship walls closing in as Elder and Amy race to find a way to save the day. Can’t wait for the third, to find out how it all ends.”