2009 Debutantes

The First Time on yalitchat

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:23:28 GMT

Just FYI: I got the cover up on yalitchat. Looks very nice and appears on each page.

THE FIRST TIME Anthology is here!

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:02:39 GMT

You never forget your first...

In THE FIRST TIME, 25 young adult authors contribute 25 stories all about firsts: first loves, first kisses, first zombie slayings, and more. Featuring New York Times bestselling authors Carrie Ryan and Jessica Verday, plus a host of others. From humor to horror, and everything in between, these stories will make you laugh, cry, cheer, (and maybe even scream) as you experience something brand new from the authors that you love.

Contributing authors include: Cyn Balog, Lauren Bjorkman, Leigh Brescia, Jennifer Brown, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Janet Gurtler, Teri Hall, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Stacey Jay, Heidi R. Kling, C. Lee McKenzie, Saundra Mitchell, Jenny Moss, Jackson Pearce, Shani Petroff, Carrie Ryan, Sydney Salter, Kurtis Scaletta, Jon Skovron, Kristina Springer, Rhonda Stapleton, Charity Tahmaseb, Jessica Verday, J. A. Yang, and Lara Zielin.

Available now for only $2.99!

Get it from Amazon

Get it from Barnes & Noble

If you don't have a Kindle, you can still read this eBook on your phone, computer, iPad, e-reader, etc. Just grab the Amazon Kindle app.

If you prefer the Barnes & Noble Nook app, get it here.

The WestSide Debacle

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:19:38 GMT

When WestSide Books told its authors it was up for sale, we thought we might be in for a break: a new publisher who would actually promote our books, get them out in paperback, and ePub them. The problem seems to be that WSB is using the same sales promotion technique it used for its books . . . not much.

We were asked to keep silent about what was brewing and we did, but now the lid is off and the authors are speaking out. Here's one post by Beth Fehlbaum. She's at least telling publishers that WSB is up for sale.

http://www.bethfehlbaumya.com/apps/blog/show/9161964-ya-publisher-for-sale

I'm posting this for the public as well as the Debs in hopes the word will travel. As long as WSB doesn't sell our books are in limbo. It's quite a mess.

Away is out today!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:24:07 GMT

Here's an interview at The Compulsive Reader in honor of Away's release.

http://www.thecompulsivereader.com/2011/09/interview-with-teri-hall.html

Girls Taking Over the World!

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:04:16 GMT

Hi, everyone! Please join 2009 Debut authors Saundra Mitchell, Lara Zielin and Rhonda Stapleton, with our darling friend Christine Johnson and super-rad special guests Aimee Carter, Julie Kagawa and Sara Bennett Wealer as we gallivant across the midwest (first, the midwest--then the WORLD...mwahahaha!!! *twirling moustache sinisterly*). We're doing 6 book signings in August and would love to see you! Here's info on the signings, plus the dates:

August 5, 6, 7:

Reading, Q&A, Signing
Friday, August 5, 2011
7:00-9:00PM
Nicola's Books
Special Guest: Aimée Carter
Westgate Shopping Center
2513 Jackson Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Booktalk & Signing
Saturday, August 6, 2011
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Summer's Stories
131 S Main
Kendallville, IN 46755

Booktalk & Signing
Sunday, August 7, 2011
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Special Guest: Aimée Carter
Barnes & Noble Livonia
17111 Haggerty Rd.
Northville, MI 48167

* * *

August 25, 26, 27:

Meet, Greet & Sign
Thursday, August 25th, 2011
5:00-7:00PM
Mudsock Books
11850 Allisonville Rd
Fishers, IN 46038

Book Talk, Q&A & Signing
Friday, August 26th, 2011
7:00-9:00PM
Special Guest: Julie Kagawa
Campbell County Public Library
Carrico/Ft. Thomas Branch
1000 Highland Ave.
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(Sponsored by Blue Marble)

Booktalk & Signing
Saturday, August 27th, 2011
4:00-6:00PM
Special Guest: Sara Bennett Wealer
blue manatee
3054 Madison Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45209

For more details, including our press release, please visit the GTOTW website HERE. Thanks, and hope to see you guys there!

A whacked out video on the occasion of The Line's nomination for the Kentucky Bluegrass Award

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:26:25 GMT

Well, I was under deadline. (Is that a good enough excuse for looking like this?)

Love to librarians everywhere, and I thought I would share with the Debs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaCzfKTKLB8

2009 Debs anthology--woohoo!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:48:27 GMT

Hooray!! Check out the cover for the 2009 Debs eBook anthology, THE FIRST TIME.

The list of authors includes: Cyn Balog, Lauren Bjorkman, Leigh Brescia, Jennifer Brown, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Janet Gurtler, Teri Hall, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Stacey Jay, Heidi R. Kling, C. Lee McKenzie, Saundra Mitchell, Jenny Moss, Jackson Pearce, Shani Petroff, Carrie Ryan, Sydney Salter, Kurtis Scaletta, Jon Skovron, Kristina Springer, Rhonda Stapleton, Charity Tahmaseb, Jessica Verday, J.A. Yang, and Lara Zielin.

This will be an eBook only (available via Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords)--the tentative release date is October 2011.

Stupid Cupid trilogy becomes one book!

Tue, 03 May 2011 15:22:08 GMT

I'm so excited to tell you all that my trilogy (STUPID CUPID, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, and PUCKER UP) will be bound into 1 big volume and called STRUCK. It'll release on Dec 6 2011. Here's the blurb:

Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But the path to love is not always a straight shot...

Here's the cover:

Secret Project Revealed! 2009 Debs eBook Anthology

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:10:48 GMT

New York Times bestselling author Jessica Verday announces an e-anthology featuring 25 authors from the writers group 2009 Debutantes

The bestselling author of THE HOLLOW Trilogy, Jessica Verday, has gathered 24 other authors for a kind of Young Adult sampler featuring a theme of “Firsts.” The eBook will be published by Verday herself and she will be co-editing with Rhonda Stapleton author of the STUPID CUPID series.

This eBook will give readers a chance to sample the stories of 25 different authors exploring what it’s like to experience something for the first time. From first kiss to first love, there’s no time like the first time.

“This is an innovative way for authors to reach out to readers in a single book that anyone can afford. Readers get the chance to find a new story from some of their favorite authors, and while they’re at it, be introduced to other authors they may not have been able to get to know yet,” says Verday.

The e-anthology will be available on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords. The tentative release date is October 4, 2011.

Contributing authors are: Jessica Verday, Carrie Ryan, Rhonda Stapleton, Cyn Balog, Lauren Bjorkman, Leigh Brescia, Teri Hall, Stacey Jay, C. Lee McKenzie, Janet Gurtler, Jenny Moss, Jackson Pearce, Kristina Springer, Charity Tahmaseb, Jon Skovron, Heidi Kling, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Hubbard, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Lara Zielin, Shani Petroff, Kurtis Scaletta, J.A. Yang, Jennifer Brown, and Sydney Salter.

Cover to be revealed May 2011.

L. K. Madigan's Feast of Awesome Giveaway WINNERS!

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:32:53 GMT

hello all! thank you so much for the tremendous
response we've gotten for the L. K. Madigan Giveaway.
you guys really worked hard on spreading Book Love for
our friend, lisa, and on behalf of the debs, we say THANK YOU!

below, in no particular order, are the FORTY winners who
have won a copy of both Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's
Mirror courtesy of the debs.

WINNERS!

1. please email me your US mailing address asap!
pon.cindy@gmail.com

2. let me know what your LJ handle, blog name, whatever
was used to identify you so i can cross you off as having responded.

3. you have until this SUNDAY, 2/6 to respond before i select
another winner in your place.

4. please continue to spread Book Love by reviewing, blogging,
and tweeting about lisa's books after you've read them. =)

Again, thank you so much everyone. and please continue to
keep lisa and her family in your prayers, thoughts, and
sharing L. K. Madigan Book Love.

WINNERS LIST

midnightbookgirl
christi heron aldellizzi
gina masone ciocca
marivee
staceysorange
modpodgebooks
kaipee-2
readingteen
mdesmondobrien
mary ellen
lindsay cummings
kasey leblanc
endingunplanned
travisp
baicallybooks
ashlynns
lexiebookbug
nodizzies
lisasanuma
stellarbookblog
bookwormoakes
nalzul
kikihamilton
kdbooklove
poseiwriting
yabliss
jennie englund
britneywyatt
dana19018
mt0089
beth bubookblog
hauntingorchid
zombiegirrrl21
deadtossedwaves
alohajeanne
shwengreen
Mjhsttlr
adannabanana
rauchkelly
fiveforfighting42

L. K. Madigan Book Love for Libraries CLOSED!

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:41:59 GMT

LIBRARIANS! thank you for your wonderful
response to the L. K. Madigan Book Love for Libraries,
courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This giveaway
is now closed!

i wanted to take the time to thank everyone on
behalf of the debs for the outpouring of support and
Book Love i've seen for lisa in our debs giveaway.
thank you so much! please do continue to help
get the word out about lisa's books. <3

in keeping with this, lisa's wonderful publisher,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, is matching our debs
giveaway by donating FORTY sets of lisa's novels
as well. Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror
will be donated to forty PUBLIC or SCHOOL
libraries in the United States.

as a fellow book lover with an endless To Be Read pile(s),
i know how many books are competing for our attention.
but for the librarians who enter, please do help us spread
LK Madigan book love in some way--be it reading the books
yourselves, recommending to readers, displaying face out, etc.

i'm over half way through The Mermaid's Mirror (i began
reading yesterday) and lisa is simply such a wonderful
storyteller. and i find myself caught up in this novel as much
as i was in Flash Burnout, even though the stories are
quite different--her voice shines through.

again, thank you for helping us show lisa how much we love her
and her books!!

L. K. Madigan's Feast of Awesome Giveaway! CLOSED!

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 05:35:58 GMT

Flash Burnout was one of the top five books i read
in 2009. this is saying a lot, because i tend to favor
fantasy novels. it's simply a personal preference, as
indicated in my own writing. but i happened to pick up
an arc of Flash Burnout at ALA in chicago that summer,
read it, and gave lisa's debut novel this short five star
review on goodreads:

stayed up till past 1.30am to finish lk madigan's
FLASH BURNOUT. brilliant. funny, touching, sad,
and utterly real. i love blake. RECOMMEND!

the way madigan channeled a boy teen with a sense
of humor and heart--capable of mistakes like
all of us--is nothing short of amazing.

a terrific read!

then i had the pleasure of meeting lisa at the
scbwi national conference in los angeles. and
proceeded to fangirl her enthusiastically. maybe
i stalked her a little too. =) i couldn't get past the
fact that this charming, mild-mannered woman had
the spirit of a teen boy hidden inside her. we sat on
a table we probably weren't meant to sit on at the end
of the gala and lisa told me about the mermaid book
she was writing. but she wouldn't say anything else
about it. (i'm like that too with my new projects.)

Flash Burnout went on to win the Morris Award in 2010,
given to the best young adult debut novel written in the past
year. i was so thrilled for lisa, for her novel, and for Blake,
the narrator of her story.

this week, lisa shared very difficult news on her blog.
bravely. eloquently.
words fail to express how we, the debs, as a group
have reacted. we've been through so much together
since our publication year, so many ups and downs,
triumphs and tribulations, and i don't think any of us
can imagine news more devastating than this.

so how can we best express our love and support for
lisa during this time? through the celebration of her books.
only a fellow writer can know the angst and turmoil associated
with creating stories--because we put so much of ourselves in them.
won't you help us in spreading L. K. Madigan Book Love?

i already told you how amazing Flash Burnout is, and i've
got a copy of The Mermaid's Mirror winging its way to me.
the debs are giving away FORTY sets of lisa's books. each
winner will receive both Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror.
and to enter, you simply have to help spread the love.

how, you ask? consider:

1. adding her books onto your goodreads shelf.
2. blogging. linking, tweeting about this giveaway.
3. adding reviews to sites or on your blog if you've
read lisa's novels. vlog about it!
4. if you've already blogged about lisa's books, why
not do so again? =)
5. telling your friends about lisa's books if you've read them.
6. buying her wonderful books for yourself, for a friend.
7. checking them out from your local library, requesting them
if they aren't carried.
8. generally spreading the Book Love, however and any
way you can.

then comment in this post on how you shared the Book Love
(with appropriate links to blogs, twitter, goodreads, etc)
to enter for a chance to win one of forty sets we're giving away.
this contest is open to US mailing addresses only and will run
through MONDAY, JANUARY 31, when winners will be chosen by
random. though i may favor entries that took more thought
and effort. good luck! please help us show lisa how much we love her!

Click.

Telephoto lens. Zoom. In a shutter release millisecond,
Blake’s world turns upside down. The nameless woman
with the snake tattoo is not just another assignment.
“That’s my mom!” gasps Marissa.

Click.

Saturated self-portrait: Blake, nice guy, class clown,
always trying to get a laugh, not sure where to focus.

Click.

Contrast. Shannon, Blake’s GF. Total. Babe. Marissa,
just a friend and fellow photographer. Shannon loves him;
Marissa needs him. How is he supposed to frame them both
in one shot?

Click.

Chiaroscuro. Lightdark. Marissa again, overexposed.
Crash and burn.

Talk about negative space.

Click.

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for
miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air,
swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule
the waves — the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will
no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow
her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he
can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient,
powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this
magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail.

Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not
even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will
change her life forever.

Big Blend Radio

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:58:23 GMT

A few weeks ago I said I'd done a radio interview and that the person asking the questions had brought up the issue that YA wasn't necessarily just for YA readers, that more mature readers could enjoy the books.

Here's my interview. Thought you might like to hear what was said about widening the reading audience for our books. I loved the opportunity to speak about that.

http://champagnesundaysmagazine.com/PrincessOfLasPulgas.html

Debs in New York!

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:12:33 GMT

Hey Debs fans,

In case you haven't heard, a bunch of us will be in New York this Saturday, hanging out at Books of Wonder, signing books and chatting with readers. I suspect there will also be swag. Stop by and grab a book for yourself or early holiday shopping, and maybe score some inside info on our upcoming releases!

Full details...

Who: Megan Crewe, Jenny Moss, Jon Skovron, Rhonda Stapleton, J.A. Yang, and Michelle Zink
Where: Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th Street, NY
When: Saturday, November 20th, 6pm - 8pm

Hope to see you there!

Debs Speak Loudly: Winners

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:00:48 GMT

The Debs thank everyone who spoke loudly during this Banned Book week, and stood up for our freedom to read. All winners have been notified in our 100 TWENTY BOY SUMMER giveaway.

If you entered with your Livejournal or Facebook account, please check the message systems to see if you won, and to provide your contact information.

If you haven't claimed your prize by October 5th, we will regretfully have to award your prize to another entrant.

Celebrate the Freedom to Read ~ Win 1 of 100 Copies of Twenty Boy Summer

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:28:47 GMT

Banned Books Week has special significance for the Debs this year. Our own Sarah Ockler and her debut novel, TWENTY BOY SUMMER, are under challenge right now in Republic, MO, along with Kurt Vonnegut's SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 and Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is a moving novel about grief and love. Anna and her best friend Frankie plan to spend their vacation at the beach, in search of their first romance. But what Frankie doesn't know is that Anna already had her first love- the summer before, with Frankie's brother Matt. Their romance was a secret, a secret sealed when Matt died unexpectedly. Now this summer, the secret is going to have to come out.

As Debs, we're biased- we think TWENTY BOY SUMMER is extraordinary. But we're not the only ones:

"Anna's authentic voice and some lyrical writing will satisfy fans of Sarah Dessen, while the mix of romance, drama, and tragedy will be a draw for teen readers of Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult."
- Heather Brooks, Booklist

"Ockler's debut is often poetic and the girls' friendship authentic, making for a poignant summer read."
- Publishers Weekly

"Ockler deftly combines the sadness of the situation and her characters with humor and lightness… This humor along with several sweet and sensitively written love scenes will surely make this intelligent, heartfelt novel a favorite of many older middle school and high school girls."
- Paula Brehm-Heeger, VOYA

"Ockler’s strong debut has a plot predicated around a tragedy, but the story rises above gloom and doom and is just a lovely, heartfelt novel."
- Romantic Times

Now you can decide for yourself. To celebrate the freedom to read, the Debs and Little, Brown are giving away ONE HUNDRED copies of TWENTY BOY SUMMER in paperback throughout Banned Books Week. To enter, just leave us a comment in this post between now and October 2, 2010 about the freedom to read. We'll select ONE HUNDRED winners on October 3rd.

Anyone may enter, open internationally. If you're not using a LiveJournal account to enter, please include an e-mail address where we can notify you if you win. Because the challenge is taking place in Missouri, if you're from MO, let us know in your comment, and we'll give you an extra entry.

Whether you enter or not, we do hope that you'll celebrate your freedom to read this week- write a blog post, write a letter to an editor, read a banned book and always, always speak loudly!

Carrie Ryan's Book Signing

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:02:45 GMT

It was great to meet Carrie at her book signing in San Francisco. And here are some other Debs who also got together for dinner and the signing. (L to R) Cheryl Herbsman, Daisy Whitney, Sarah Quigley, Malinda Lo, and me.

I haz book trailer!

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:15:23 GMT

When I was least expecting it ....

... my FB friend Fausto sent me a book trailer for My Invented Life!

You can check it out here!

Fausto is not only a talented videographer, he's also writing his first YA novel.

I'm his newest fan.

Great Interview!

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:15:03 GMT

Congratulations, Carrie! Great interview in PW:

www.publishersweekly.com/article/453489-Q_A_with_Carrie_Ryan.php

Flirting With Disaster releases today!!!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:01:55 GMT

Hi, all! I'm thrilled to announce that the second book in my STUPID CUPID trilogy is now out! You can find FLIRTING WITH DISASTER in most neighborhood bookstores. Or, check out my website here for links to your favorite online bookstore!

YAY, thanks for celebrating with me!!!

2010 books--what are you eager to read?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:58:48 GMT

So, people--what 2010 books are you chomping at the bit to read? Let's get some frothy-dog excitedness going!! :D

I'm Giving Away Deb Reads!

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:46:56 GMT

Hankering for a good Deb book to read? Zip over to my blog & leave a comment. I will ship to the US and Canada.

I'm giving away A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL by Kristin Walker here. (Plus, she's got a cringe-worthy sunburn story to share.)

You can win THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET by Erin Dionne here. (Erin also shares some relationship advice.)

CONGRATULATIONS NORTON FINALISTS!

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:32:32 GMT

Congratulations to Debs Lisa Mantchev and Malinda Lo. EYES LIKE STARS and ASH are finalists for the SFWA's Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy! We're so proud of you!!

Flirting With Disaster--book launch contest!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:26:10 GMT

Hi, all! I wanted to quickly let you know I'm holding a launch contest for book 2 in my Stupid Cupid trilogy, FLIRTING WITH DISASTER. Check the deets out here: http://rhondastapleton.blogspot.com/2010/02/flirting-with-disaster-launch-contest.html. To enter, all you have to do is gimme your best confession. Looking forward to hearing your dirt! haha

The Very Last Debs Library Post!!

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:31:34 GMT

Beckman High School in Irvine, CA won our Debut Library package, and as a special treat, they sent us a photo of the finished display, with all our books on it. I have to say, this has been my favorite contest all year. It's just so exciting to see our books out in the wild! Many thanks again to ALL the libraries who participated!