Photo Friday: California and Gray's Papaya!

Last week I was in San Francisco and Sonoma, which ruled, so here are a few pics. At the Museum of Modern Art, behind Jim Hodges' meticulously sewn artificial petals, which create an amazing flower curtain. In the sideview mirror of the convertible Mustang we rented for Sonoma and Napa. Yes, we went that cheesy. At the Sterling Vineyard in Napa. I'll admit it: I had lots of wine. I also seem to be having a Flashdance moment. And last night, I saw that Gray's Papaya in the West Village got in on the collective WOOOOHOOOO in NYC last week. OBAMA! Happy weekend. PS-The Book Vault is giving away five SIGNED copies of Katie Finn's TOP 8. I heard Katie read a little while ago and she was SO SO good! Seriously hi-larious. I want to win. What about you? Enter here.

Yet Another Amazing Contest Entry!

Here is the fabulous Victoria's Big Contest Entry, which I love, love, loved (after I looked up "vagility")! Those of you who've read the Violet books will enjoy it, and those of you who haven't, well, enjoy anyway. And ask for the books for a holiday gift. Heehee.Here's Victoria: "I came up with the idea of describing Violet's character using the letters of her name along with an explanation as to why I perceive Violet in this way. I have also tried to use words which aren't particularly 'obvious' just to make it more fun! My ideas of Violet are based on book 1. :) V - Vagility Violet has vagility as she was able to succeed in the modeling industry despite having to struggle to create a name for herself as its such a competitive business. She overcame a number of different problems which could have ruined her chances to reach the success she has, for example, Veronica's nastiness towards the beginning. I - Intelligence Not only did Violet manage to graduate from school early, but she also had the intelligence to know when it was time to return home to correct any problems with the people who are most important... her family and friends. O - Originality Violet's ideas for the modeling industry were completely original, including what others would describe as her 'amateur' smile and her 'everyday' walk. She was daring enough to try something new and was successful as she found a way which would work for her. L - Loyalty Violet stuck by Veronica when she was going through her time of need. This showed great loyalty as Veronica had not always been the nicest person to Violet. Violet also showed loyalty when she went home to her family and friends, those who are genuine, as opposed to staying in the superficial lifestyle where relationships were based on what oppurtunities you could create for each other. E - Extraordinary Violet is most certainly living an extraordinary lifestyle, after all, how many people get spotted by a women in Chanel shades who are suddenly the most sought after model in the country? T - Talented Violet most certainly has a whole lot of talent! The adventures she endures are all the proof we need of this. Originally, she seemed to carry inner talent as when she was snapped up by Angela she was unsure of whether she was up to the challenge, however, after the ego-boosting sessions she certainly flaunted her new-found talent!" Thanks to the creative and lovely Victoria! Happy Thursday! PS-There's an interview with me up on Sparknotes where you can ask me a question about being a writer and I'll totally answer (not that I wouldn't answer anyway). Go check it out if you have time.

Win-It Wednesday: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Last week's winner of Wide Awake (which I read right up until the moment of the election, and cried right through much of it, in awe of how amazingly timely the book is, politically) is... Jenny, who ate cottage cheese w/craisins and lots and lots of coffee. Craisins? I love cross fruits! For this week's contest, we have a book near to my heart, Bloom. I've raved about this one before, and it is such a romantic story that it made me have a semi-crush on the computer fix-it guy at the office where I used to work, just because he sort of looked like the character Evan. Also: sweetest cover ever. Now, I've hung out with author Elizabeth Scott (see, there we are), and besides having the bluest eyes I've ever seen, she's both hilarious and fun. But for some reason I always forget to bring her books to sign. So this copy is unsigned (sorry), but that does not take away from its brilliance, so you will love it anyway. To win, you have several options. Last week I made it easy with that "What's for breakfast?" question, so this week you have to work slightly harder. Here's how you enter: 1. Join readergirlz (you can sign up for the newsletter via that link). Also, you can join the forum (HERE on myspace), where you can chat with the authors-of-the-month about their books (this month is Ellen Emerson White and next up: Meg Cabot!). It's an online book club with monthly picks, but you actually get to interact with the author, which makes me go all fangirl. 2. If you don't have a myspace profile, you can still keep up with the readergirlz blog, where I'll be blogging a few times a week. I am a blogging machine! Follow the blog there for another entry. 3. Leave a comment on Mrs. Magoo Reads' review of Violet by Design. I'll tell you why: Because I want you to help me cast the Violet books! I need help with this question. 4. Go see the Free Book Friday Teens interview with me, and enter to win a signed copy of Violet in Private or leave a comment there. Do any or all of those, and that's how many entries you have to win Bloom (comment below and tell me what you did to enter). I'm also throwing in a Tess Lip Gloss with the book, because they're fun and pretty, and so is this story. Happy Wednesday!

Report from Rye: A reading with Selena Breed

I love doing events with model Selena Breed, who is just about the coolest girl I know. When we speak together, I read excerpts from the Violet books, and she shares her real-life fashion world experiences. It's a blast. (Also, I think it's funny how we both automatically do the fashion stance of hand on hip, tilted shoulder when someone takes our picture!)Here's a report from a reading we did at the Rye Free Reading Room in Rye, NY this fall. We had a great time and met some awesome girls in the audience. Selena's in LA now, but we'll still do events together whenever we can! Happy Tuesday. PS-Thanks to Lindsey at Sarah's Stars Book Reviews for the review of Violet in Private. PPS-Thanks to Mrs. Magoo for the review of Violet by Design!

Cover Stories: You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby

I'm a big fan of Amanda Ashby's, and not just because her blog always has music playing (though that does help!). She's also an energetic and funny writer, and her debut novel, You Had Me At Halo, has an incredibly quirky premise (I love quirky!). Publisher's Weekly described the book thusly (btw, it is quirky to use the word thusly): "It's The Lovely Bones meets Bridget Jones in this fluffy take on what happens after death...it's a fun, witty traipse through the afterlife."When the afterlife is fun and witty, I want to be involved. And here is Amanda's Cover Story: "I'm not a very visual person at the best of times so it's really not part of my writing process to try and picture a cover. Also, it wasn't until I signed with my agent that I got my fabulous title and I think that played a big part in helping guide the cover!" "My editor sent me an email to say they were having a meeting about it the following week and asked for ideas. Here is the reply I sent her: 'I've been having a snoop around Amazon and the covers that have really drawn me all seem to have blue skies and clouds in them. One idea was to have the sky/cloud background with the title in big letters and the O of Halo looking like a real halo, which could have Holly hanging off it, as if she's going to fall. There could even be a city skyscape below or Vince standing by an office building or something?' "The other idea was to have Holly in the right hand corner on a cloud, sort of speeding to earth while hanging onto her halo and at the bottom left have Vince perhaps leaning on a signpost with an arrow pointing back up to heaven. In the middle the title could be written out in a circle like a halo. "I was so happy the first time I saw my cover because it was better than I EVER could've dreamed--thereby proving why I should stick to writing and not try and design covers since my ideas were all cluttered and messy and what they came up with was so sharp and clean! My favorite part is the shape of the cloud and the clothes that my heroine is wearing (she really would've picked them if she wasn't dead and stuck in a guy's body!!!!) "I loved it so much (as did my agent) that we only had good things to say! I'd just like to add that I felt very lucky to get such a wonderful cover on my debut book. Over the years I've heard loads of horror stories about authors getting covers that don't have any resemblance to the story inside, but that definitely wasn't the case for me and I really think that my cover perfectly represents what the book is about (not to mention the tone!)" I think Amanda's first suggestions were great, and had a definite impact on that sky-blue-with-clouds cover! Inspirations are always a little scattered, Amanda. You did well! What do you guys think--do you like the cover? And what other blue-sky books can you think of? Alyson Noel's Cruel Summer comes to mind for me.

Win a copy of Violet in Private...

over at Free Book Friday's new Teen site. And, as the title indicates, you can check back every Friday for another chance to win a new book!Also, I wanted to thank Beverly for this entry in the Big Violet Contest in August. She wrote a great poem (it really does capture Violet!), and here it is! I am more than a model or a runway girl. There are layers to me and somewhere a pearl. I can walk the runway in Milan or New York but just don't let me get photographed with some food on a fork. I just want to be accepted and be me but everyone wants me to be whom they think I should be I want to go to Vassar and live a normal life without the fame, but how do you leave who you were to become who you are meant to be in this game? I'm looking for solutions and clues behind doors, read about it in Violet in Private now in stores. -- Beverly S Clark And also, thanks to Melissa Walker, my namesake, who creatively submitted an entry in which found the word for violet in as many languages as possible: violet MANUSHAQE LJUBIČASTA BOJA fialova violetti violette Violetta viola fiolett fioletowe violetas violeta violett kannike Waioleka IBOLYA VIJOLITE Happy Saturday, everyone! PS-My blog can't post some of the characters, obviously, but you can see them here.

Photo Friday: 80s Teen Movie Love

Alea got me thinking about movie soundtracks I love (Some Kind of Wonderful is at the top), and Nicole asked for some 80s teen movie recommendations. I can't possibly list all of my favorite 80s movies, but I can give a shout-out to these nine. Please add them to your netflix queue immediately if you have a pop culture deficit in any of these areas. PS-Remember, if you're a Gossip Girl fan, you cannot understand Chuck Bass until you know Steff from Pretty in Pink. PPS-Got more? Name them in the comments. Anyone who names one I haven't seen (that is a true classic) wins a lip gloss!

Big Thursday Thanks!

To Mrs. Magoo Reads. Fun review, fun video! Glad I surprised you. Head over to her blog post and cast Violet on the Runway if you're so inclined--I'd love to hear your suggestions! PS-Mrs. Magoo also blogged about Teens Turning Green, and Em reminded me that I love this organization! It was the impetus for Violet going green in Violet in Private. Yay for the Earth!

Win-It Wednesday: Wide Awake by David Levithan (signed!)

Last week's winner of Stephanie Kuehnert's I Wanne Be Your Joey Ramone is... Aimee C, who also gets a flower wristband! And, there are three additional wristband winners: Blondey, Lilly and Book~Adorer! Let me know where to send your prizes. This week, in honor of last night's fabulous election, I'm giving away an autographed copy of David Levithan's prescient 2006 novel, Wide Awake. It's a story about a newly elected gay, Jewish president whose win is called into question. Well, that's part of the story. The other part is a sweet love story. Frenetic Reader and I must think alike, because she reviewed the book yesterday and can give your more information (and a bit of fangirl gushing). To enter, just say hi below and tell me what you ate for breakfast. Yes, this week is easy because I'm in such a good mood! Me? I ate a mixed berry Yoplait yogurt. And now I'm going to walk in the sunshine. I've gone cheesy today. Happy Wednesday! PS-David put up an awesome post on YA for Obama that will make you want this book even more! Go read it.

Sarah Dessen Talks About ALONG FOR THE RIDE (+ Go Vote!)

As I keep going on and on about, last week, I had the chance to sit down with the amazing Sarah Dessen and have her chat about her upcoming spring novel, Along for the Ride.I even tried to add the readergirlz logo and credits (I'll get better at imovie, I promise). Enjoy! Subscribe to my videos here, and to readergirlz videos here (where there are awesome interviews with Jay Asher, John Green, Rachel Cohn and more). PS-Remember to do this today. (No, not be a pinup girl, vote! Aren't her shoes great, though?) PPS-And check out the readergirlz blog, where I blogged the vote along with readergirlz divas Mitali Perkins, Lorie Ann Grover, Holly Cupala and Dia Calhoun.