NYC Teen Author Festival 2011!

David Levithan is a lucid, passionate, smart writer who I love for many reasons, not the least of which is his selfless and tireless work creating a vibrant community of YA writers.

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So there is this NYC Teen Author Festival which I am somehow through the good graces of who knows who, involved with. (!) I will be reading from AND THEN THINGS FALL APART on Thursday, March 17 at this fancy library center. It is also known as St. Patrick's day and I have not yet decided if I will wear green...

Then I will miraculously be on a PANEL of debut authors on Friday, March 18 at the 42nd Street Library. But my book isn't out till July. But I will still talk about it. And the whole "debut" thing. With gusto!

The whole event is miraculous. Every sparkling wonder that has ever written for teen readers with any seriousness is going to be there. LIBBA BRAY! DAVID LEVITHAN! HOLLY BLACK! JUDY BLUNDELL! E. LOCKHART! I could go on, but I might have a heart attack...

Here's a few details below for the events I'm slated for but the whole thing is going to be great. I'm going to try to go to as many as I can.

Now.

WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?

Suggestions accepted.

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Please click the above facebook link for the official page and up to date info

Thursday, March 17 (Five Borough Read, 10-12):
Bronx Library Center, 310 E Kingsbridge Road, Bronx

Margie Gelbwasser
Sarah Darer Littman
Arlaina Tibensky
Maryrose Wood

Friday March 18th, Symposium (South Court, 42nd Street Library, 2-6)

3:00 – 3:50: Debut Author Showcase

Authors:
Jocelyn Davies
Margie Gelbwasser
Christopher Grant
Anne Heltzel
Kimberly Marcus
Arlaina Tibensky

Moderator: Jack Martin / Chris Shoemaker

I Blame the Bikram Yoga...

I am obsessed. I would rather tie myself into a pretzel while sweating to death than blog, eat, write, bathe my children, cook, clean, and read.

I love it. I love how gross it is. I love how all my clothes fit me. I love how much less my back hurts. I love how I can finally do that thing with my foot that I couldn't do two months ago. (see picture)

Love. It.

And I'm not even that guilty about it.

L. K. Madigan passed away this week. She was a YA writer and a wise women. She had a brief and horrible fight with pancreatic cancer. This is her advice to writers, aspiring or otherwise:

“The main thing is to WRITE. Some days it might be 2000 words. Some days you might tinker with two sentences until you get them just right. Both days belong in the writing life. Some days you may watch a ‘Doctor Who’ marathon or become immersed a book that is so good you can’t stop reading. Some days you may be in love or in mourning. Those days belong in the writing life, too. Live them without guilt.”

And so up yours guilt. I'm through with you.