The Part of Fashion Week I'm Not Into + Happy Video

It's the snark. The comments about weight, the use of the word "commercial" as an insult to beautiful models, the catty who's-in-the-front-row? chatter at the shows. Blech. Mrs. F-B sent me this link about German designer Wolfgang Joop calling Heidi Klum "too heavy" and I just have to say: Puleez. She shines. And I love her and Seal together. But I guess old Wolfgang what's-his-name got a little press out of it. Always remember this: Whenever someone insults you, that insult reflects something they're missing in themselves. A little bit of low self-confidence, perhaps a feeling of not belonging, maybe a dash of I'm-not-worthy. It has nothing to do with you. I hope the NY Fashion Week models remembered that as they put themselves under the spotlight last week. Okay, Oprah moment over. Happy Sunday! PS-The awesome Genevieve did a video review of Violet on the Runway for FiveAwesomeYAFans (a ning you should be a part of, naturally! They have a great collection of videos which totally take up time when I should be writing but it's FUN). Watch below if you've got a sec. This one made me feel all *happy*!

Micol Ostow's Bradford Novels

Micol Ostow had a fabulous book party last night for the release of the first Bradford Novel, Golden Girl. And character Madison Takahashi scored an interview with my character Violet Greenfield. Too fictional for you? Nah. Go here to read it and leave some love!Then watch the book trailer here: I got a signed copy of the book from Micol, so look for it on Win-It Wednesday after I read it (hey, I'm into recycling...). PS-This Saturday I'm looking for the perfect vintage wedding dress. What are you up to? PPS-Oh, Mari Mancusi is also having a contest for people who post our video, so go leave a comment on her blog too if you shared it... then you have two shots to win stuff!

Photo Friday: Fashion Week LEWIS Show

Some photos from Alison Lewis's show at Fashion Week, which was--as you can see--simply divine and totally my style. I want that diagonal button dress (up front)! Click for clearer photos (don't know why they're so fuzzy!). So sometimes, shows aren't on a runway; they're on a stage where the models stand to be looked at. Of course, they don't have to stay still, but they do have to look pretty up there for a couple of hours. This show was held at Bobo in the West Village. Meet lovely designer Alison Lewis (left) and stylist Tanesha Smith (who did all the styling for the show, including the gloriously messy headscarf wrapping, which I loved). Also note that crazy cat in tulle. A fancy bird that was part of the decor. I just liked it for it's oddness. Happy Friday! PS-Little Willow alerted me to former model Robyn Peterson's one-woman show, Catwalk Confidential, which totally reminds me of Violet! ("Robyn Peterson writes with pungent theatrical wit about her swift, exciting and funny ascent from Florida teenager, hanging around the pool, to ravishing model, strutting on the high fashion runways in Paris. Seeing her onstage now, you know exactly why she was such a blazing star." -- David Trainer, Director "That '70s Show"). Wish I could go to the show, but it's on the west coast!

Bonus Cover Story: On Point by Lorie Ann Grover

The worlds of modeling and ballet have always seemed connected to me. Wisps of girls with strong inner determination are the ones who survive the shark pools of both fashion and dance. I'm so happy to have the fantastic Lorie Ann Grover (readergirlz Diva extraordinaire) here to share her cover story for On Pointe. The book, written in verse, tells the story of Clare, a very tall girl who dreams of becoming one of 16 dancers chosen for the City Ballet Company. Here's Lorie Ann on the cover: "Okay, I have to say, I sound like a picky pants in this Cover Story. So particular! But it is the world of ballet. Oh, my. Everyone was so patient with my requests! When I began to discuss the image for On Pointe with my editor Emma Dryden of Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster, I begged her to represent high quality toes shoes on the cover. In the ballet world, your shoes are everything. Seriously.

"Back when I danced with the Miami Ballet Company, I special ordered my shoes from Germany every month. The shoes were constructed according to an outline and diagram of my feet. Those were the kind of shoes I wanted on my cover. I knew that I'd lose the respect of dancers today if the publishers showed inferior shoes. "The art department asked for a photo of my old shoes to help them in their search for the perfect image.

"I pointed out the square toe and flatter boxing. I provided brand names to narrow down the possibilities. Just as important to me was the fact that the model be in good form or position. I couldn't bear her to be over extended with a weak arch or not fully up on pointe. And please, I asked, no new shoes! They needed to look worn and used to be in keeping with my story.

"When the final cover was presented to me, I was so pleased! Perfect form, perfect shoes, all the way down to the placement of the elastic and the knotted ribbons. They aren't brand new, but worn and broken in. It's a beautiful stock photo of a real dancer.

"In terms of the composition, I loved the placement of the feet close to the edge of the book. It creates so much good tension. The font is elongated and thin like a dancer. The added lines and blocks of color are reminiscent of Mondrian paintings. What could be stronger for a book titled, On Pointe?

"As for the flap, I was told it's unusual to use an author photo. However, when I shared this image, the art department decided they did want to include it.

"So after all the fuss about the cover toe shoes being so exact, there I am at age seven, on pointe, in horrible shoes with ribbons hanging out. In bows! Ack! The cover designers were kind enough to remove the dangling ribbons from the final flap photo. Shew. And whenever I visit schools I take the opportunity to lecture on not going on pointe until you are done growing. Unlike me, who was put into toe shoes at seven because I was the size of a twelve year old. But that's another story..."

How fun is Lorie Ann?! I love how much her own life experience went into this story, and this cover. What do you guys think?

PS-If I had my way, I'd wear a tulle tutu as often as possible. With sparkly shoes.

Win-It Wednesday: Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne

iTunes thanks you for all those love song suggestions from last week--I'm still wading through and listening--soooo much fun when I want to procrastinate actually writing. And the winner of FADE by Lisa McMann is... Addicted to Books! Send me your mailing address, ATB. Today, (in honor of, you guessed it, Fashion Week!) I'm giving away a copy of Erin Dionne's Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies. Celeste is mortified when her Aunt Doreen enters her in the Miss HuskyPeach pageant for plus-sized girls--but will she find her inner runway model? With a witty narrator and even an older model named Violet (!), this book is total fun. To win, you have more of a task than usual. See, Mari Mancusi and I got to tape a TV segment for Better TV (that's it below!) and we want to share it. So if you can post it to your blog, your facebook page, your myspace, twitter it or even just forward the URL to a few friends, then you're in! Just leave a comment below to say you shared it. I trust. The cool thing is, the more views this gets, the more likely they'll be to cover Young Adult books/authors in the future. So send it out there! And let me know what you think... I was totally nervous and a little word-stumbly, but ah well. That red camera light comes on and it's easy to freak out. TV is hard! And I need a haircut. Happy Wednesday! PS-Late-breaking giveaway added to yesterday's post with Jennifer Banash's characters, so go back and enter that one too!

The Girls of IN TOO DEEP Talk Fashion + Win a Book!

This week, Jennifer Banash is making the rounds, and I asked if I could interview her two main characters--Casey (the new-to-city girl from Normal, IL) and Madison (the ultimate Manhattan princess)--in honor of Fashion Week. Luckily, they all said yes!MW: What's your go-to outfit, the one that always makes you feel confident and really YOU? Madison: "Black cashmere V-neck sweater from Prada, dark washed skinny Hudson jeans, and black D&G knee-high stiletto boots. Throw a Zac Posen fuschia trench on top, and you have the equivalent of fashion perfection." Casey: (Bursts out laughing.) "Or a hot pink nightmare!" Madison: (Rolls eyes.) Casey: "Anyway... I'd have to say... that I'm not sure anymore. I mean, all my clothes from my life back in Normal seem so... wrong for my life here, you know? (Squirms uncomfortably.) Maybe the dress that Mad bought me? The yellow one I wore to Drew's party a while ago?" Madison: "Oh, you mean the dress I was kind enough to buy you that you wound up seducing my boyfriend in? That dress?" MW: Okay! Back to Fashion! Madison: "Whatever. It's ancient history, anyway..." MW: Favorite designer? Madison: "Zac Posen. Accept no substitutes." Casey: "I'm really still learning about this whole designer thing. Before I moved to NY, I thought that Isaac Mizrahi for Target was fancy." Madison: "Really?" (Raises one eyebrow.) "Color me surprised..." MW: "Moving on... Any fashion inspirations or muses?" Madison: "I'm really inspired by the whole flapper look Vogue is forecasting for spring--it's so glamorous and timeless. And, of course, in terms of celebrities, anything Kate Moss wears is always fresh, original, and amazing. She has awful taste in men though--kind of like someone else I know..." Casey: "Chloe Sevigny. I really admire the fact that she's not afraid to take risks, and, above all, be herself. She's such an original, and has the clearest sense of self that she's able to channel into the clothes she wears." Madison: "That's so perfect, Casey! Your style is just like hers--that whole Mormon look with the bag dresses she rocks on Big Love is SO hot right now..." MW: Actually, I'm a Chloe fan too. She misses a lot, but when she hits it right, she's a true original. Thanks, ladies of The Elite Series! It was fun talking style with you. In Too Deep is on sale now (oh, to have those turquoise eyelashes...). I'd love to hear the answers to these questions from anyone who wants to share. I always need new go-to outfit ideas, muses and designers to check out. PS-Teen Vogue highlights some teen fashion bloggers this month, and we're doing the same at I Heart Daily. They're great to read if you're into style. ** UPDATE: Jennifer just told me that she's offering a copy of In Too Deep to one commenter, so weigh in below and you're entered! **

Cover Stories: Fashion Week Interview with Molly (aka Violet!)

Special Fashion Week post! Meet Molly H. She's the model on the cover of all three Violet books. She friended me on facebook one day, and we started talking. It was really cool to meet the books' cover model, and I thought you guys might be interested in her too. So I asked her a few questions: How did you hear about the Violet books? My booker told me about the job and asked if I was available to work for a "book cover." That was all I had heard about it until I received a phone call from photographer about a few things I should bring with me to the shoot (shoes, jeans, etc.)

When you shot the cover, did you know what the books were about? I heard a little about what the series would be about on the day that I shot the first cover. I was excited to hear that there'd be more than one so I could one day see the series all together.

Did you have any input into the posing/clothing used on the covers? I was asked to bring some basic articles of clothing to each of the shoots like shoes, jeans and some plain shirts, but the photographer (Shirley Greene) had some specific requirements for the "look" so I basically wore what was required. They were all really cute which was great because it always helps to feel comfortable with what you're shooting in.

Anything fun/interesting about the shoots? They were in a studio, right? The shoots were in the lower east side at Shirley Greene's studio. The first shoot was fun because it was my first book cover and I really didn't know what to expect. She also had a kitten and the kitten kept getting in the shot. Every time we would be getting close to getting the shot, the kitten would wonder into the frame, it was so funny. The second shoot was interesting because the picture called for a yellow bathing suit bottom and we couldn't find one so we just used solid yellow underwear. The actual picture turned out to be a little too revealing so the had to superimpose a skirt on me! It was so funny to see the two (the original and the final) next to each other on a blog I came across on the internet haha [MW Note: Um, that'd be mine].

The last cover was the most fun to shoot by far because my face was in the shot and it was great to finally reveal Violet's face. The school girl outfit was adorable too, we had a lot of fun styling it all different ways.

What other book covers have you done? Besides the Violet Series, I have done Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter. It is the second of a series and is a New York Times Best Seller. I had a "similar chin" to the girl who shot the first cover, and that is why I was selected to shoot it.

Did you read any of the books (it's ok if you didn't!)? I have not yet! My mom has and said they're really engaging and sweet. I plan on reading them! [MW Note: Molly's mom sent me the nicest email a few months ago about how much she liked the books--so cute!]

If you read them, do you relate to Violet at all? It's funny that you're posing as a model, since you are one. My mom told me a lot about Violet and from what I hear, we are very similar. I remember trying to balance high school ("normal life") and commuting to the city to work with FORD and trying to find who I was and what I wanted out of life, all at the same time. In the summertime, before and during modeling, I could be found waitressing at a small restaurant in my town, or working in a beach shop down the street from my house (I live in Sea Isle City, a little barrier island town off the coast of New Jersey.) I was and still am level-headed when it comes to having a work ethic. Fortunately modeling hasn't jaded that sense of normalcy for me. I'm actually working at a clothing store right now while I'm at college in Florida!

What's the most fun modeling job you've done? The most fun I've ever had on a job was working for Kira Plastinina's showroom. It was a two day job, and my best friend Mikel Ennis worked it as well. We basically got to the location, a trendy loft space in Chelsea. The furniture was all specially made and was pink. The clothes were all really cool and hip and Mikel and I had a great time posing for pictures and working with the other FORD girls. It didn't feel like work at all. Some of the pictures from those days were in the Kira stores around the city.

Where are you now? School? About to move to NYC, right? I am currently living in Florida and attending college at The University Of Tampa. I am going to be moving back to New York City to pick up with FORD where I left off. I am so excited to get back to modeling I missed it so much and am ready to get back just before fashion week. I may take some classes at Hunter college to continue my education.

What are you up to next? I hope to travel more with modeling and also broaden my horizons with the types of work I am doing. I hope to begin to shoot more print work as well as runway work. I am planning on speaking to the Lifestyle division at FORD in hopes of doing this. I'm ready to get back to the city!!! Thanks, Molly! It was so much fun to get to "meet" the girl who posed as Violet. (That's Molly dolled up for Fashion Week, above.)

Question for you guys who've read any of the books: Did you picture Violet the way she looked on the covers, or did you create your own character in your head? And everyone: Do you usually do that with books with character photos on the covers? Just curious.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's a love day, no matter who's around you to love. Just spread the hearts. And though I try not to tout I Heart Daily too much on this blog (because it's kind of like people showing you their baby photos--isn't she the PRETTIEST BABY EVER!?--which of course he or she is, always), but today I have to share our Valentine's Day cards, created by awesome site designer Martina Fugazzotto. You can download, print and cut them out if you want to celebrate today but you're not into Hallmark cards.And today, we have a guest post by the lovely Jocelyn Pearce, who recommends giving a gift from Heifer International. You can read all about why, but let me just say that Jocelyn's words convinced me to create a wedding registry with Heifer International so my guests can either buy a family in Cameroon a flock of chicks in my name, or they can get me a blender. Seriously, check it out. It'll make you feel good. Happy Valentine's Day! PS-Bookworm just got to read Violet on the Runway! Check out her review here.

Photo Friday: Cover Girls (Sarah Dessen and... Me!)

When my hometown magazine, Chapel Hill, contacted me and Sarah Dessen about doing a joint interview, I thought I might be imagining things. They wanted to feature both of us, as authors from Chapel Hill who write for teens. Which is, pretty much, the biggest honor ever.Sarah and I had a great time--she's as cool and fun as you'd expect her to be--and the magazine ran a looong story in the January/February issue. Which also happens to have us on the cover! This big photo is from the interior--I just like it better because on the cover I feel like I look ridiculous! And I like that jacket.

Anyway, I'll paste each page of it below... feel free to click to enlarge so you can read details on my 9th grade crush (Yes! They named names!) and Sarah's take on perfectionism and parking lot slacker-dom. We also both talk basketball, of course (though they did cut some of that conversation--I think we each had three or four Carolina basketball stories. It comes with the town.)

Happy Friday!

PS-I know, I know, my scanner isn't what it should be. Sorry about the crookedness and the patchy color! Best I could do.

Bonus Cover Story: Screwball by Keri Mikulski

**Quick note: Go to Linda Gerber's Love Fest for romance advice from me today (eek!) and also a chance to win pink lip gloss and Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen!** You guys must know Keri Mikulski from her fun blog and her sporty series, which starts with SCREWBALL! I invited her over to tell her home plate cover story, and here we go: "Since the beginning, I pictured a simple cover for SCREWBALL and I always adored Lauren Myracle's TTYL series covers. I didn't want the cover to be too sporty or completely non-sporty. Instead, I pictured something in the middle. "I was lucky. My publisher elicited my input about the cover from day one. I was so new to the book world (still am), so I had no idea what to expect. She sent me some early designs and ideas and asked what I thought and I was honest. "At first the covers were shot with models. But, the final cover I believe is a stock photo. In a weird twist of fate, my best friend since elementary school's sister, Jodi Raines, completed the second round of designs. Jodi sent four designs to my publisher and I immediately fell in love with the final pick (far right). Jodi did an amazing job and she's extremely talented. "My editor sent me some different colors and ideas (pictured above) and we both agreed on the purple background and light purple letters. Luckily, Jodi is super laid back and open to suggestions. But, honestly, when I saw the second round, I knew the purple cover was the one. I was thrilled and completely trusted Jodi's total vision. "When I received the ARCs in the mail, I was ecstatic. The cover looked awesome and better then I ever imagined. I'm still blown away by designers. It's unbelievable how someone can read a story or a plot summary and develop an image that expresses the 60,000 (+) words in one pic. Wow." And Keri asks: "Do you think we made the right choice?" I do! I like simple covers and don't always need models. This one has a great feel to it with the dirty heart--it shows a tough softness that echoes in the book. (Though I wonder if that cute guy and girl were sad they didn't get to be on the cover of Keri's book! I don't know why I think about stuff like that, but I do.) What do you guys think?