YA Fresh

California Dreamin’

Those who know me, know I dream big. Of lofty goals and why-not-me’s? But I also dream, well, small. In particular, a couple summers ago, while I was waiting for my editor to let me know what she thought of the first draft of HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE, I woke up in a cold sweat that she had said we had to change every word, including the title, my name, and its target audience! I mean, she thought it that bad.

In truth, she ended up really liking it, and we did considerably less revising on it than we did on TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS, which just goes to show that sometimes dreams are just...well, dreams.



Last night, while I was still awake, I had one of my “lofty” type dreams come true. When the Spring 2008 Children’s Book Sense Picks were posted on the American Booksellers Association website:

BookSense

(For those who don’t know, this list represents “recommended” new reads to their members--the owners and managers of independent bookstores--and are nominated by them as well). Nestled inside the seven YA picks was this:

HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE: A Novel, by Tina Ferraro (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, $8.99, 9780385734387 / 0385734387) "Ferraro captures the high school voice perfectly with this enjoyable romp about a smart young girl's desire to make money, only to come up with a slightly harebrained plan that is not what she bargained for. A good, fun read for girls 14 and older." --Maureen Palacios, Once Upon a Time, Montrose, CA

Definitely a surreal experience to discover that my little book about hotties and a six point plan has gone on to literary recognition and recommendation! But hey, part of being a big dreamer is knowing when to shut up and just say thanks. So thanks to my editor for her support and input, to Kelly for her good ideas and holding my hand when I got insecure, and to everyone who reads it and thinks it’s not half-bad!

And keep dreaming, everyone...