Oh, what a weekend! I don’t have time this morning to post a full report of all the great people I met and things I learned, but I will say that it was just what I needed. I have a few pictures I might post later, but also, too busy this morning to really give that full attention. The sad thing is that I was bordering on a sinus infection before I went. The cold air of Vermont held it at bay, and really, how could I not be pretty high-energy with that kind of environment? But like and I talked about in the car on the way to Albany (I flew out of Albany–don’t ask, it’ll only remind me of frustration that will distract me from my KW high, and besides, it was worth it to be able to make it there and stay through Sunday), you have to crash sometime. So the sinus infection is pounding away near my brain and I’ve got a book I need to edit, and that leaves my KW report till later.
We actually had snow yesterday morning, so I like to take credit for bringing a little Vermont back with me to Seattle. I’m working from home today because we feared there might be more snow. If you’ve nev
er been to Seattle in the winter, snow is kinda scary here because you combine all these hills with freezing rain and a tiny supply of salt trucks and snow plows, and you get pileups and strandings. Turns out the snow didn’t come–just more regular rain–but I’m working from home anyway because it cuts out a lot of distractions. Including LJ! Off goes the internet! See you later.

I’ve seen them on writers’ blogs, so I know they exist–those little graphics that you can post that show how far you’ve gotten in the current project? Anyone know where I might find one?

I have a project or two I want to keep track of and googling isn’t helping me. But I knew you all could!

Happy Appreciate a Dragon Day.

The library awards have been announced.

I have a copy of Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! on my shelf that I’ve been meaning to get to. Now that it’s won a Newbery, perhaps I should see what the fuss is about! I love medieval stuff–original sources, music, and of course fantasy set in medieval-esque worlds (even if it isn’t all that accurate–sometimes more purposefully than others)–which is why I picked it up in the first place. But you know how it is. Pick up a book and mean to get to it because it looks lovely, but then pick up another book because it too looks lovely, and eventually they can overwhelm you!

I haven’t read any of the Printz honoree books or the winner, but I do know A.M. Jenkins, otherwise known as Amanda M. Jenkins, who is cowriting the fifth book of Hallowmere with Tiffany Trent–Queen of the Masquerade,* which features Christina’s point of view and comes out this August. Her writing is gorgeous. I’ve been meaning to pick up Repossessed, and now I have even more reason to! Congratulations to Amanda!

And I’ve seen The Invention of Hugo Cabret on other people’s shelves, but haven’t done more than glance through it yet. It was one of those I was saving until I “had more time.” Of course. As most books sitting on my shelf are! (Guiltily looks at every author she knows, whose books she’s been meaning to read for forever…)

I hear good things about Geraldine McCaughrean’s work, too, but have never read anything by her. I’ll have to look it up–but of course, given the announcements, I might have to wait a while for any of these to be available from the library!

ETA:
*In posting the cover of Queen of the Masquerade, that reminds me that I’ve never posted the cover of book 4 of Hallowmere, Maiden of the Wolf, which features Ilona as the point of view character. If you’re interested, here it is:

I feel like the circumstances of M.T. Anderson’s Feed come closer to possibility every day. Is it just me that’s completely creeped out? I know this could help for transplants and all that. Perhaps I just read too much science fiction.

It’s been rather a whirlwind weekend. I got to see Candice Ransom several times, at her signings, and dinner, and sat with her listening to several committees discuss outstanding children’s literature. If you haven’t seen her blog yet, it’s a unique look into the minds of a stuffed elephant and her friend, a tuxedo cat. Candice is the author of the Time Spies series, an adventure in time for three young kids that is perfect for transitional readers, the kids who have just learned to read independently. Her books fill a need that relatively few books do, and what’s more important, are a fun read.

Not much more of interest to this blog–sat in on the BBYA teen reports to the committee, which are always fun. Saw the preview of the Spiderwick Chronicles movie, which is PERFECT. It’s the example I’ll be pointing to nowadays for a great movie adaptation that preserves the plot arc and spirit of the book.

I’ve been sitting in a Las Vegas airport for six hours, waiting for the plane that’s five hours late. That’s what I get for taking the advice of an airline, which suggested I leave Philadelphia earlier to avoid possible bad weather later in the day. I have a feeling the flight out of Philly that’s a straight shot to Seattle will arrive before I will, and I left at 7 a.m. instead of 5 p.m.

Must run. I think my plane is actually here.

The day of travel got off to a rough start with the cab arriving 40 minutes late, which meant that I pretty much missed my flight—or so I thought. Thinking that I would have to take the next flight and not arrive until 10:30 or midnight, I didn’t think to take makeup or clothes out of my checked bag, but then the very nice guy at the ticket counter took me to the side when he handed me my boarding pass and said that if I hurried I could get to my original gate and see if they could take me on anyway. 

So, I made it to Philadelphia at the planned-for time, without clothes but the ones on my back. Good think I always bring my asthma medicine my carryon! But that meant I was able to make it to the Random House reception at which several Magic in the Mirrorstone authors and its editor, Steve Berman, were attending. (Thankfully, it was casual attire!) 

Here’s a picture of Steve Berman and Magic in the Mirrorstone authors Lawrence Shoen, Ann Zeddies, and Gregory Frost signing for quite a crowd of librarians and mem
bers of Friends of the Library, the hosts of the evening. 

It was held at the Mummers Museum, which is known for its really Mardi Gras-esque events, and we were able to enjoy a flavor of that with some great music by a musical trio from the museum. Apparently the Mummers are known for their New Year’s parade, which has been going on since before the American Revolution.

I still haven’t gotten my checked luggage, so I’m off to see if I can find a place to get a new shirt or something before my first committee meeting this morning! 

ETA: My clothes
arrived! Yay! Now I don’t have to look (or smell) like a college student bumming around Europe in the same clothes every day. 😀

My friend explains today how her writing group has learned to prioritize critiques so that the most important information gets emphasized most to the writer getting critiqued. Check it out:

In my writing group, we use the 3-2-1 system for giving critiques. We start off our critiques talking about good things. Then, when we’re ready to jump into criticism, we start with level 3 comments–meaning comments that are such large problems that you would put the piece down and not pick it back up (if you were a reader), or you would reject it (if you were an editor). When we’ve gotten through those, we move on to level 2 comments, or things that bothered you, but weren’t deal-breakers. Then we move onto level 1–the small things that probably don’t matter that much, the copyediting stuff, the little itches you want to talk about but probably don’t make a difference in the sale of the piece.

If you have ever been in a writing group that focuses too much on sentence-l
evel problems and not enough on the big picture, perhaps this tip might be useful to you!

This weekend I’m off to Philadelphia for ALA Midwinter. I’m on the Publisher’s Liaison Committee for YALSA, so I get to see the inner workings of the committees this year and to go to some booksignings in the Random House booth for Magic in the Mirrorstone, the anthology of fantasy short stories we’re releasing in February. It’s edited by Steve Berman and features 15 wonderful stories by 15 amazing authors, like Holly Black, Gregory Frost, Tiffany Trent, Cecil Castellucci, Cassandra Clare, Jim C. Hines, and on and on. If you like short stories, check it out. Hey, even if you don’t like short stories, there’s plenty to love–Cecil Castellucci’s first foray into fantasy, a “lost story” of Hallowmere, unicorns, frogs, a voodoo princess… and more, of course. (Twoo wuv, mawage…)

And of course, if you’re going to BE at Midwinter, make sure to come looking for a signed copy of Magic in the Mirrorstone. Gregory Frost and Holly Black are having independent signings, and several others, including Ann Zeddes, Lawrence Schoen, and anthology editor Steve Berman (the reason the whole thing exists!) will be around signing stock, so you might just be able to get a copy with several authors’ John Hancocks!

Mirrorstone does not have a booth at Midwinter this year, so go looking for copies at the Random House booth, #1231.

Here’s the schedule:

11:00AM—12:00PM – Gregory Frost (Shadowbridge & Magic in the Mirrorstone) signs copies of his book in the RH Booth #1231

11:00AM—12:00PM – Holly Black (Magic in the Mirrorstone) signs copies of her book in the RH Booth # 1231

Rebecca Shelley, assistant to R.D. Henham, is throwing a party next week in honor of the release of Red Dragon Codex! Of course, living all the way in Krynn as the Honored Scribe does, R.D. Henham won’t make it to the party, but you can meet Rebecca and try out her tests of valor!

Here’s all the info. If you’re in Utah, check it out!

Red Dragon Codex Publication Party

Open House
January 12, 2008
4:00-6:00 PM

West Valley Fitness Center
5415 West 3100 South
West Valley City, Utah 84120
(801) 955-4000 < br />Community Room A

Come join us for food and fun at the Red Dragon Codex publication party.

Meet the author, Rebecca Shelley (R.D.Henham). Books will be available for purchase and signing at 20% off retail price.

Face the three tests from the book–the tests of courage, love, and truth–to gain the magical silver dragon pendant.

Try your hand at coloring or drawing your own dragons.

And put your name into a drawing for free copies of Red Dragon Codex!

Children of all ages welcome. We can’t wait to see you.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Shelley and friends

And if you’re not in Utah, make sure to find Red Dragon Codex at your local bookstore next week!