It’s monday so I have to be organized, right?

First - I am blushing and squirming profusely as I do this, but Betsy Bird posted an incredibly detailed and generous review of CHAINS. Thank you, Betsy!

The weekend sort of didn't exist for me because I spent most of it rushing hither and yon. Saturday morning I flew to Detroit and then took a cab to Dearborn for the Great Lakes Bookseller's Association annual tradeshow. I hung out with Sarah Miller and ran into Jaime Adoff, who has produced both a new book and (with considerable help from his wife) a new baby this year.

Early galleys of David Macinnis Gill's Soul Enchilada were there! (Click on the link to see the real cover, which is v. cool.) I toured the floor, signed a couple hundred copies of CHAINS, soaked my hand in ice-cold water, then spent a looooong time on the treadmill so my legs would be as tired as my signing hand.

The big event was Sunday - the booksellers gathered for one of the nicest conference breakfasts I've ever eaten, thanks to the generosity of Bookazine. While the booksellers enjoyed their sausage, eggs, and way too many pastries, I grabbed the microphone and talked about the reasons I wrote CHAINS, then Suzanne Collins talked about the writing of HUNGER GAMES, and Jerry Pinkney showed us his process and motivation for his new book, THE MOON OVER STAR.

We were all very happy when the speaking part was over.

I also got to meet Kathe Koja,

Two weeks from today I leave on the CHAINS book tour! Yikes! I need to write many, many pages before then. I also need to find the appropriate tour sneakers. Anyone know where I can find a pair of sizzling, baby-blue high-tops, women's size 10 or men's 8? Oh, and I need a couple of shirts that won't wrinkle. But mostly I have to write oodles of pages.

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The right to read, the right to think, the right to express opinions

Worth fighting for.

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carolyn mackler’s visit & a holiday in the forest

BH and I scurried down from the tundra to Syracuse last night to listen to Carolyn Mackler talk about her writing and her experiences with having her books challenged and banned.

That's my friend and fellow author Ellen Yeomans on the left, Carolyn, and me with the goofy face.

Carolyn gave a terrific speech that including reading some letters from readers that moved me to tears. She's had to deal with terribly nasty challenges, but she's handled them with grace.

It was also very nice to finally meet my LJ friend ! An unexpected delight was the presence of a group of students from Chittenango High School. Several of them remembered me from my school visit four years ago. It was really nice hanging out with them. I would love to see more area high schools sending interested groups of students to this library's annual Banned Books lecture. It is a whopping teachable moment.

While Speak is at position 65 on the ALA's Banned Book List for 2006-2007, Carolyn's book, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things sits a few spots above it, and has made it to the Top Ten a few times. No author ever wants to have their book challenged or banned, but it provides us all with a tremendous opportunity to revisit the principals of the First Amendment and continue to fight for our guaranteed rights as Americans.

Which is more important now than ever.

And speaking of attacks on the Constitution.... I still think the bail-out bill gives too much authority to the Treasury Secretary, and not enough accountability.

But I am not going off on a political rant today. (Shocking, I know.) Today is the birthday of my youngest daughter, Meredith, aka The OfficeMouse, aka Daughter 3.

A rare photo of Mer sitting still.

Happy 21st Birthday, darling girl!

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to the parents of the future writers of America...

I often hear from young readers asking my advice about how they can become an author, but yesterday, the question came from a different angle. The mother of a talented teen writer wrote in asking my advice.

She wrote "I need some advice (please)…… My teenage daughter writes beautifully and her teachers are saying she should consider a future in journalism or writing etc. When I try to discuss this with her all I manage to get is "I hate to write". Did you know from an early age that you wanted to be a writer/author? How do I cultivate such a gift without turning her away from it? You know how it is when you are a teenager, the more your mother wants you do something the less you want to do it."

My first thought was that I'd love to have coffee with this mom. She's she's probably a little overanxious about her daughter's future, but most parents are, and besides, this mom is reaching out for some information. How cool is that?

So I wrote back: "I have a strong opinion about this, so brace yourself.

Leave her alone. Please!

I had no idea I was going to be an author when I was in high school. I didn't major in English or creative writing or journalism (though I wound up working at newspapers for years). But I found my path. If my parents had dragged me to this path, I can guarantee that I would never have become an author.

There are countless ways your daughter's gift can unfold. Please give her the space to let her explore them on her own. Fill your home with books, art, music, and good food, and keep the "You Must Be A Writer" pressure locked out.

If she does become a writer, please don't turn her bedroom into a guest room, because she'll probably move back home to save money."

She, in turn, wrote back a very nice note thanking me.

I wish I could take some of that mother's enthusiasm about her daughter's talents and sprinkle it on the parents who discourage their kids' artistic dreams.

Come celebrate Banned Book Week with me tonight! Join me in downtown Syracuse where the Onondaga County Library System is hosting a reception for and presentation by Carolyn Mackler, author of wonderful books like The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, and Vegan Virgin Valentine. The reception starts at 5:30pm, and Carolyn speaks at 6pm.

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fun things first, then rage

Before I climb up on my soapbox and rant, I will try to use my "inside voice" and politely share a few things.

Thing 1 - You can read about why I wrote CHAINS on the Simon & Schuster website.

Thing 2 - Because Simon & Schuster is a totally excellent publisher, you can find a CHAINS Reading Group Guide on their website, too.

Thing 3 - Bookavore weighs in on the demise of the Minx imprint and how publishers might be missing an important segment of teen readers.

Thing 4 - I'm putting together my book tour presentation about CHAINS with Apple's Keynote software and I am loving it so much, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to making Keynote presentations. Seriously. Ditch your PC and switch to a Mac. Today. (Thank you, Officemouse, for nudging me to get this software.)

Thing 5 - I went for my first post-race run yesterday and I have definitely aggravated my left ITB which in turn is tormenting my left knee. I have been stretching it gently many times a day since the race, but it is one stubborn tendon. Do any of you have experience with this?

Thing 6 - I would like Congress to pass a bill that allows Americans to "do over" the month of September. I am currently running a 700 billion minute deficit and I need some help.

Ooops, the rant is beginning. I cannot hold back any longer. If you aren't in the mood, you should leave the room now.

::climbs up on soapbox::

Ahem.

Is anyone else worried about the lack of checks and balances on the authority of the Treasury Secretary under the proposed socialization bailout of Wall Street? And is anyone else as angry as me that the same people who don't think we can afford - or should even consider - providing basic health care to all Americans because that would be socialist, are in such a gol-darned hurry to bail out the irresponsible greedy SOBS who were permitted to bring our economy to the brink of disaster?

And why does it all have to happen so quickly? When politicians want to make not-quite-Constitutionally approved decisions this fast, I get very nervous. And angry.

If you're feeling the same way, please write to your Congressional representatives today. And don't forget to register and vote!

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one more friday thing because this poem just rocked me

This poem by Sherman Alexie is echoing inside me.

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Friday Five

1. Central New York Literary Event Alert! To celebrate Banned Books Week next week, the Onondaga County Library System is hosting a reception for and presentation by Carolyn Mackler, author of wonderful books like The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, and Vegan Virgin Valentine next Wednesday. BH and I will be there - why don't you join us?

2. Central New York Literary Event Alert 2! I will be speaking about Chains at the B&N Educators' Night on Tuesday, October 14, at 7pm.

3. I love Strange Maps.

4. Thank you to TeensReadToo for a lovely review of Chains. And to KLIATT, too, for the pretty star.

5. I believe that the concept of "gluttony" when applied to eating apples just picked at the farm around the corner is better described as "celebration."

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oh, yeah

Sara says it better than me.

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running forward

Many, many thanks to everyone for the kind notes and condolences for my sister and her family. They are muddling through the best they can, and the love of others sure makes a big difference.

It was actually very nice to have work as a distraction. So I am drawing the curtain across the lingering grief, and running forward.

Well, shuffling forward.

I flew to Boston late last week to be one of the dinner speakers at the New England Children's Bookseller Advisory Council (as part of the New England Independent Bookseller's Association conference). I had a lot of fun giving the speech, but the best part for me was listening to my co-presenters, Jeanne Birdsall and Norton Juster. I was thrilled to meet PW ShelfTalker blogger and Wellesley Booksmith buyer Alison Morris, and reconnected with Elizabeth Bluemle of The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, VT. (Thank you for the wonderful introduction, Elizabeth!)

That is Jeanne, me with the goofy grin, and Rebecca from Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, MA (where I'll be speaking on November 7th). I am wearing an IndieBound shirt. You would look good in one, too.

After a busy Boston day, I flew to my adopted hometown, Philadelphia. Can I just say again for the record how much I love this city? Got off the plane, walked through the terminal, hopped a SEPTA train and was in Center City in a flash. BH drove down from the tundra and met me there.




We visited the National Constitution Center (which you must visit).

I hung out with my homeboy, George.

While BH mingled with the Signers of the Constitution, looking ponderous and grave.


Afterwards I partook of a Philly sacramental meal.

And, thus refreshed, we pushed on to the African American Museum in Philadelphia. You should REALLY see this one, too! I wasn't allowed to take any photos, but we were fascinated by the exhibit on Alpha Kappa Alpha, and blown away by several levels of art and history about the Afro-Mexican experience.

After a good night's sleep, we woke bright and early for the Philadelphia Distance Run, 13.1 miles (aka a half-marathon). The weather was gorgeous and everyone was friendly and enthusiastic. We ran with more than 16,000 other crazy people. Most of them were faster than us, but they were very sweet about it.

The course took us into Center City, past Independence National Hall (yes, I blew kisses and muttered the opening words of the Declaration as we passed by), then out the west side of the Schuylkill River, over a bridge, and down Kelly Drive on the east side of the river to the Art Museum. Most inspiring to me were the bands along the route, particularly those who played the Eagles' fight song. There were plenty of water stops (plus Cytomax, which is my new favorite fluid because it did not upset my tummy) and one gel station. And port-a-potties! Yes!

As BH and I overtrained for the Lake Placid half-marathon in June, it makes perfect sense that we undertrained for this one. We were saved from humiliation by an incredibly flat and forgiving course. We made the finish line in a respectable time and, most importantly, really enjoyed the run. Our feet may have shuffled, but our spirits soared.

(There is a great shot of BH and I at the end of the race with our bling (finisher's medals) around our necks. As soon as I can figure out how to get it off his phone and onto my computer, I'll post it.)

After a long hot shower and a nap, we hobbled to an Italian restaurant known for serving large portions.

BH consumed most of a vat of ziti.

I ordered a piece of lasagna as big as my head and almost ate the whole thing.

Now that we overtrained for one race and undertrained for another, we are looking for a third half-marathon for which our training will be just right. Can anyone recommend a race in February 2009?

I'm in Philly for a few days of research, then headed back to the north country to tuck all of this research into the proper chapters of my new book. Wish me luck in the archives!

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one of those weeks when the tide is out

I have long used the expression "the tide is out" to describe those times when the dark stuff in life is stark and unavoidable. This week qualifies.

Early Sunday morning, my brother-in-law, Calvin Stevens Jr., died of a sudden heart attack. He was 45 years old. His son is on his way back from Iraq for the service. If you know my sister, Lisa, and you want to express your condolences, these details will help you.

And David Foster Wallace died last week and I can't stop thinking about it. Many thanks to Sara Zarr for writing what I needed to read.

And a friend of my parents on died Tuesday night. While her death was neither sudden, nor tragic in the manner of Wallace's, her death is a sad loss to her family and friends.

So, yeah. The tide is out.

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