Final Night at SCBWI!

Woo! I haven't been blogging nearly enough shenanigans posts. Am I growing up? Or have I just learned to keep the party pictures private? I guess you'll never know....

Today was an excellent day. Other than the awesome coverage on Team Blog...

It was also... wait for it... my first book signing!! I was so excited! Within ten minutes all of the copies of The Naughty List were sold out! And then, people had me sign bookmarks, stickers, even their sketch pads. It was overwhelmingly awesome. I'm so happy. And I'm so grateful to SCBWI for all they've done for me.

Here's some pics from the signing!!!

One last moment for the bloggers! (minus Lee who we love dearly)

Stay tuned for an exciting week of NYC editor and agent pictures!!!!!

-Suz

Conference fun!

Yesterday was a great day! I sat through Razorbill publisher Ben Schrank's awesome speech. And no, I'm not just saying it was awesome because he mentioned The Naughty List. And held it up. Said it was good. Convinced people to buy it. That had no bearing on my opinion of his talk. Now... I'm not sure what he was talking about... but I'm SURE it was awesome!!! Kidding, it was pretty good.

But THEN, as I was walking out, I was surprised by these two cuties!! Look at that! How freaking cool is that? Sophie flew in from Chicago to meet me! And Grace had bussed it from Boston. It was, in fact, my rock star moment, and I became a squeally 12-year-old girl when I saw them. THANKS, GIRLS!!

Oh, and meet Steve! A fellow Tenner with his book, The Absolute Value of -1, debuting this year. We went to some fancy looking bar in Grand Central Station that was sort of reminiscent of The Shining--but in a cool, non-murderous way.

I also got to see Melanie Hope Greenberg, who took a second to look fabulous with me (Or at least that's how I thought it would look at the time).

Then I hopped a cab to meet a friend--even though the whites of my eyeballs froze the second I walked outside. Luckily the places we went were warm and she is so super fun, it was worth my dead, frozen eyes.

I have a book signing today! Yay! So I'll be back with more pictures!!

Shenanigans in NYC!

Check out the conference blog for more action:

Oh... I've been waiting to talk about the shenanigans!!! Last night was the VIP party at the Hyatt, and after getting over the shock that I was actually there, I started to loosen up (Thanks, Corona!)

I got to meet my agent, my editors and more editors!! I wore a fancy dress with fancy boots and I have to say, I felt pretty VIP.

My coolest moment was when the team at Balzer and Bray pulled me aside. They found ME!! I was stunned. I'd spent the morning silently stalking them, wondering if they'd know who I was if I introduced myself. Instead they went on about how much they loved A Need So Beautiful. They almost made me ruin my mascara! But I ADORE them! They are sooooooo freaking cool.

I got to meet Ben Schrank which was a complete thrill for me! I'm glad he got to put a face to all the harassing emails I send. But don't let this picture fool you. He can totally smile. :-)

My Razorbill editor Brianne was there, so sweet and fun. The entire Razorbill team was WONDERFUL! I can't wait to go by their office later this week.

Superstar agent Jim McCarthy came by and we talked about his fabulous lifestyle--running? Really?

Lauren Oliver neglected to mention in all this time that she's a SUPERMODEL!

And finally, I got to catch up with some of the gals I follow on Twitter! They are even cuter life-sized.!!

It was such a fun night. The editors from Bloomsbury, Simon Pulse, Grosset and Dunlap... man. they were awesome. It made me feel awesome. I wonder if I can fit one more awesome in this paragraph. Awesome.

Love,Suz

Wow, that's intense!

I'm here at the writer's intensive at SCBWI NY--and wow, I can hear the brains working. Writers get a chance to read their work to an agent or editor and get feedback! It's such an amazing opportunity.

Check out this room!

Get more up to the minute coverage at TEAM BLOG!

Oh, yes. First NYC post

After sobbing my way to NYC (although to be honest, the flight wasn't too bad), I finally arrived and then stood around completely in awe. I was that weird, dorky lady with a big giant suitcase walking as she looked up at the skyscrapers. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Then I hunted down the fabulous Alice Pope and we talked Team Blog strategy and hit up Grand Central Station. The Oyster Bar was pretty neat!!! Check us out:

It's hard to see, but I was in the middle of the station trying to be inconspicuous. Pretty sure I could be a ninja.

Friday night is an exciting deal for me. Stay tuned...

See You Soon!!

Hopping a flight to NYC in the morning! I'll catch you on the flip side!

Don't forget to follow all the conference action with Team Blog!

-Suz

Book Deal: Starring Suzanne Young

This only happened on Monday, and yet, waiting to tell you has been like death for me. I HAVE HUGE NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It goes something like this:

Suzanne Young's A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, in which a 17-year-old discovers that by performing the good deeds that her body compels her to, she will disappear into the Light and be forgotten, but by fighting "the Need," her fate could be even more dire, to Donna Bray at Balzer and Bray, in a two-book deal, in a pre-empt, by Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (World English).

I'm so so so so freaking excited!!!!!!!!! First, I get to publish books 5 & 6--which is great. But what makes it really special is that this is THE book. The book that poured out of my heart, the book that means everything to me. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful. My new editor--oh, I just don't have the words. We are going to make the most amazing book together.

2010 is going to be great! After struggling like you can't believe, things are finally coming together. And I have a lot of people to thank. You will all be receiving emails and phone calls very soon. And if you're in NYC--Let's get cocktails this week!!

A Need So Beautiful will be published in the Summer of 2011 and I can't wait to share more news as it happens. And of course, in 8 days.... THE NAUGHTY LIST comes out!!! Please, please check it out!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much everyone. And true to my original promise two years ago... every book sale will be accompanied by a Book Deal Dance. Here's where that first started. Sigh. Look away if you're faint of heart.

Love, Suz

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thank you, Jim. I'm going to bring you the best cupcakes ever.

It's almost time....

For SCBWI's Annual Winter Conference!!! Are you coming with me?? Please?? If not, I hope you follow all the action on the official team blog site!

Also, while I'm in NY conferencing it up--The Naughty List will be released into the world! So I'm going to have all sorts of goodies and fun pictures for you. After all, what fun is a conference without all the shenanigans?

For one last pre-conference goodie, check out Jaime's interview with Allyn Johnston of Beach Lane Books!

See you soon!!!

Blog Hopping

If you haven't seen it yet, amazing author Lisa Schroeder has been featuring authors on her blog all month long. The theme: DREAM BIG! Lisa is always inspirational and always supportive--and now you can check out how other authors feel too!

Hop on over and click through the month for some fun, thoughtful posts. I'm guesting over there today and it's dedicated to my Portland family. :-)

Click HERE!!

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit: Starring Carrie Jones

I am so excited to feature NYT Bestselling author Carrie Jones on my blog today!! Her new book Captivate and her debut Need have both made the list!! Let's learn more about her!



About CAPTIVATE:

In this NYT-Bestselling sequel to NEED, Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

What People are Saying About NEED and CAPTIVATE:
“If you asked Stephen King and Stephanie Myers to co-author a book, they would come up with NEED.” – Justine Magazine.

"An exciting venture filled with nasty evil creatures,nail-biting action and heart-pounding romance." —teenreads.com

“Romance, suspense, and a very clever heroine make this a must-read!” —Toledo Blade

"Genre fans will enjoy the sizzle between Nick and Zara as well as the paranormal cast." —PW

“This book is for fans of Holly Black and Melissa Marr… fairy lovers crowd in! It’s got some really good reviews coming in already. We’re talking a love story people, with fairies - please, who would not buy this? So look out!”— Annette’s Book Blog

"Jones masterfully blends paranormal fantasy, suspense, and romance to craft a new supernatural tale that is certain to appeal to fans of dark urban fantasy like Marr's Wicked Lovely and paranormal romances like Meyer's Twilight books. A likeable cast of engaging and interesting characters combine with a plot that grabs readers and refuses to let go." —VOYA

"A fast-paced novel worthy of the fantasy greats, Need will take you for a ride." —VOYA, teen reviewer

About Carrie Jones:
1. Carrie can not drink coffee. It makes her insane. Do not give her caffeine.
2. Carrie is very responsive to loving strokes on the hair, kind of like a puppy. However, do not do this without asking first unless you are a ridiculously handsome man or an editor who is about to offer her a trillion dollars for the first draft of her novel.
3. Carrie is secretly really, really shy even though she’s pathetically outgoing in person. She has a very hard time calling people. So, if you want to talk to her, make the first move. And, if you’re her in-Maine female best friend, Jennifer, do NOT get mad at her because she is so bad at returning emails.
4. Carrie sometimes wears mismatched socks, if you do not think this is cool, do not tell her. You will hurt her feelings.
5. Carrie really, really wants you to like her books. Please like her books. PLEEEAASSSEEEE. She’ll be your best friend forever. That is, if you want a friend who is shy about calling and emailing and who wears mismatched socks and can’t drink caffeine and likes being pet on the head. Hhmmm….
6. Carrie is not above begging.
7. Carrie, like Belle in TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND drinks Postum. It’s for the same reason, too.
8. Carrie loves Great Pyrenees dogs. They are huge and white, and furry and it looks like they have white eyeliner and mascara on, which is way too cute. Do you have one? Send a picture!
9. Carrie lives in Maine. She has a hard time with this in the winter. It is bleak in Maine in the winter. Imagine everything shades of gray and brown and no green anywhere except for in people’s noses. This is Maine in Winter. Maine in summer is the best place in the world, so it’s a trade-off. Feel free to invite Carrie to your house in the winter, but not if it’s in Greenland, Canada, or anywhere north of Florida.
Forget that. She’d still probably come.

Links:
http://www.carriejonesbooks.com
http://www.needpixies.com/ (This is where sneak peaks and contests are. You can win a computer. Seriously!)
http://www.facebook.com/carriejonesbooks?ref=profile
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Need-by-Carrie-Jones/53387039515?ref=ts

I also had the chance to interview Carrie!!
1.) Okay, first question. If this were high school, which senior superlative in the yearbook would you score?

Most likely to be self deprecating

2.) What is one thing you wish you would have done when you were younger? For me, it’s that I never studied abroad. How about you?

Oh! I totally wish I had studied abroad. I even got a Goethe Institute Award to do that but my mom cried and I felt too guilty. Bad choice.
I also wish I’d dated more than one guy in high school.
And I also wish I did more acting.

3). So, say your book just got picked up for a movie (congratulations!) Who’s playing your MC?

It’s Lea Michelle because I am totally in love with GLEE.

4.) If you could take one literary character to prom, who would it be, and why?

I would take Nick from NEED. Yes, he’s my own character but I’m totally in love with him.

5.) And finally, since all of the other questions were so serious… What do you hope teens take away from your book?

I hope that they:
1. Feel like they can have adventures too
2. Feel like they can do be who they are and not be afraid of it.


Thanks, Carrie!! And a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on all of your success!!!

Can I admit something?

Okay, is it going to make me sound lame if I tell you that I'm terrified? And no, it's not about the airplane this time. My book, The Naughty List, will be out in 16 days. I wrote this book nearly 3 years ago. I sold this book nearly 2 years ago. I'm not sure I ever really thought it would come out.

But now.... Now I'm like this:

Can't sleep. What if everyone hates it? What if nobody buys it?! What if it becomes a big giant flop that will forever ruin my career? What if it offends people? What if it bores people? What if I go back to my hometown and people wonder why I wrote for teens? What if no one shows up at my signing at all?

When will I have time to write another book? What if I can't write another book? What if I write another book but no one wants to buy it because it's not the same as The Naughty List?

What if my book is a failure? What if it's a success? WHAT. IF.

*please excuse this minor freak-out. I should only be like this for... say...the next 16 days. :-)

Suz

Let's catch up with Team Blog-SCBWI NY Conference

Hey! It's almost time for SCBWI's annual winter conference in NYC. So excited!

Okay, let me be real for a second. I've mentioned before... I'm terrified to fly. It's a problem I've have for years, my husband teases me about it endlessly, and I feel like no one understands. To show how insensitive people can be--last night my husband watched a special on what really happened when the plane crash-landed in the Hudson River.

When I pointed this out, he was like, "Oh! Sorry." AND WENT TO CHANGE IT! I told him, "You can't change it now! I need to know how to survive!"

Guess what I had a nightmare about last night?

Sigh. Where was I? Right! The wonderful conference that is on the other side of the country (a loooong flight across the country) It's time to check in with the awesome Team Blog and some of the interviews you may have missed! Look for us at the conference (we'll be the ones constantly on laptops or tweeting) and be sure to say hi! We love to interview people!!!

Also, if you can't make it to the conference (deciding to stay safe on the ground) you can still follow all of the action on the SCBWI Conference Blog. Interviews, videos, pictures--all sorts of wrap ups and events. See you there!!!

Check this out:

Lee Wind has Eddie Gamarra for a pre-conference Interview
Jamie Temairik is finding out about Peter Sis
And Jolie Stekly took time to chat with Jenn Bailey

Book Signings!

I'm so excited. And no, no I can't just hide it. So with The Naughty List being only 23 days away (Squeee!) I've set up a few book signings!!! I'm pretty sure this isn't real, and in fact, I often dream about writing blog posts. So I'm not going to freak out about this. Not at all.

First things first, I hope I get to see everyone at the NY SCBWI Conference! I'll be hopping around and blogging and I just found out--wait for it--they'll be selling my book in the bookstore!!!! How. Cool. Wait, I said I wasn't going to freak out. Sorry. Well, I'll be at the conference Jan. 28-31st. Come say hi!

Next up I'll be heading to my hometown of Utica, NY! At 1pm on Saturday February 6th, I'll be doing my first book event at the Barnes and Noble in New Hartford, NY. They even have it listed on their website! Here!

And finally, I'll be at Powell's Books (fist pump) in Beaverton Cedar Hills Crossing at 7pm on February 16th! I really hope all of my local (and sort of almost local) friends and authors can make it!! Check the link

Okay, time to crawl out of the cave of revisions. The Naughty List 3 is out the door and I'm feeling a bit like this:


Have a great day!

Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit: Starring Eileen Cook

First, look at how awesome this cover is!!!



Fellow GCC member Eileen Cook is celebrating her release week! Here's more about her awesome new book, GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD.

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

What you should know about Eileen:

Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. When she was unable to find any job postings for world famous author, she went to Michigan State University and became a counselor so she could at least afford her book buying habit. But real people have real problems, so she returned to writing because she liked having the ability to control the ending. Which is much harder with humans.

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

Praise for Eileen’s Writing:

“Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me laugh out loud.” --Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead

“Not since Judy Blume's Margaret introduced herself to God has there been such a funny, genuine, conflicted, wanna-be-sorta-good-maybe-later girl as Emma. Cook's tone as she takes on the big ones—life, love, faith, and friendship—is pitch perfect.”--Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Midnight Twins and The Deep End of the Ocean

"Smart and fun and full of heart." --Sarah Mlynowski, author of Bras & Broomsticks and How to Be Bad

And finally, I got to interview her!

1. Okay, first question. If this were high school, which senior superlative in the yearbook would you score?

Most likely to laugh so hard something comes out her nose

2. What is one thing you wish you would have done when you were younger? For me, it’s that I never studied abroad. How about you?

I wish I would have cared less about what other people thought. Honestly, with all that anxiety I had it’s a wonder I didn’t have an ulcer at 18. I was so worried and now I secretly suspect people didn’t care that much about what I was doing one way or the other.

3. Now here’s the self-promotion part: Can you please tell us all about your book? We have some book shopping to do!

The book was inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo. Who doesn’t love a story of best friends, revenge, and hidden identities? If you have ever had someone hurt you and daydreamed about what it would be like to get them back, then this book will be for you.

4. So, say your book just got picked up for a movie (congratulations!) Who’s playing your MC?

I’ve been asked this sort of question before and I stink at it. I come up with one name and then change my mind and then sit there and spend hours on IMDB trying to figure out a better plan B. Personally, I would like to cast Colin Firth so I could meet him, even though there is no real Colin Firth type character in the book. Thus, I will leave the casting to Hollywood as long as they promise to invite me to the fancy parties.

5. If you could take one literary character to prom, who would it be, and why?

Mr. Darcy played by Colin Firth. Mmmm Colin……

6. And finally, since all of the other questions were so serious… What do you hope teens take away from your book?

I hope they walk away realizing that life is too short to worry about what other people are doing and to get busy grabbing their own happiness.

***Thanks, Eileen! And everyone, look for GETTING REVENGE ON LAUREN WOOD at your bookstore today!!!

Author Signing: Starring Lisa Schroeder!!

The amazing and talented Lisa Schroeder had a book signing tonight and I was lucky enough to be there. Thankfully this nice man with a baby gave up his seat so that I could sit down (thanks, Jim!). Because it was standing room only! Lisa's book CHASING BROOKLYN came out today and it is AWESOME!!!!!

Here are some pics!

Even some bloggers from Salem drove up! Hi, girls!!

And of course, Portland's AMAZING, SUPPORTIVE, BRILLIANT crew!!! LK Madigan, Christine Fletcher, Lisa Nowak, Emily Whitman, April Henry, Lisa Schroeder, Laini Taylor, ME, Jim Di Bartolo and Jone McCollough!

So much fun!!!!!