What's Fresh with Mary Hogan's Pretty Face

That's what I am. A funny girl. A friend. Nobody's girlfriend. The girl with the pretty face.

Hayley wishes she could love living in Santa Monica, blocks from the beach, where every day—and everybody—is beautiful and sunny. But she just doesn't fit in with all the blond, superskinny Southern California girls who have their plastic surgeons on speed dial. Hayley is smart and witty and has such a pretty . . . face. Translation: Don't even think about putting on a bikini, much less dating superhot Drew Wyler. A bikini will never be flattering, and Drew will never think of her as more than a friend.

Just when Hayley feels doomed to live her life in the fat lane, her parents decide to send her to Italy for the summer—not for school, not for fat camp, just for fun. It's there, under the Italian sun, that Hayley's vision of herself starts to change. She's curvy, not fat. Pizza isn't evil. And life is so much more than one-size-fits-all. Who knows? Once Hayley sees herself in a new light, maybe the girl with the pretty face will finally find true amore.

Hello Mary, thanks so much for visiting us at YA Fresh! Could you please tell us a little about your writing background and how you made your first sale?

Mary: I wrote my first novel in third grade. It was called "Eggward, the Unwanted Egg" about an unhappy egg who rolled away from home. He was scrambled in traffic, fried on the sidewalk, etc. Clearly I was a drama queen...even as a kid.

Many years later, I made my first book sale (THE SERIOUS KISS, HarperCollins) the old-fashioned way--I was rejected by thousands, accepted by one.

Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

Mary: I write everyday, from 9:30 to Oprah.

Please tell us about your latest novel PRETTY FACE and what we can expect from your characters.

Mary: My latest novel, PRETTY FACE (HarperCollins, April 08) is set in Southern California where everyone is blond and thin and perfect...except Hayley--the girl with the "pretty face". Hayley is smart and funny. But, it's not until she spends the summer in Italy (and meets a dreamy Italian boy) that she really learns how to appreciate her curves. Her self. PRETTY FACE is a love story...with pasta.

Sounds great! What's up next? Do you have another project in the works? If so, please tell us about it.

Mary: I'm currently finishing the fourth (and final) novel in my SUSANNA series. The first book, SUSANNA SEES STARS, is about a plucky high-schooler who snags a summer internship at a celebrity magazine. Her philosophy: If you can't get in the front door, climb through a window. (I realize this sounds like a burglar's philosophy, too. But, Susanna's is metaphorical.) This whole series is a run romp through celebrityville. In book two, SUSANNA HITS HOLLYWOOD, Susanna goes to the Academy Awards. Book three: SUSANNA COVERS THE CATWALK, takes place at Fashion Week in NYC. By book four, SUSANNA FALLS IN LOVE...IN LONDON, our girl is a better reporter--and person--than most of her coworkers. This series is the ultimate underdog tale. Where there is Susanna's will, there is always a way!

Thanks again for chatting, Mary! Would you like to close with a writing tip?

Mary: My writing inspiration is taped over my computer: "Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground." Hold your ground. Write what you love. Use spell check.

Mary Hogan is the author of seven young adult novels. Her first, THE SERIOUS KISS, is semi-autbiographical...but don't tell her parents or they will semi-disown her. Mary's books are translated into several languages...German, Portugese, Thai...and sell all over the world. To contact her--in any language--check out her website www.maryhogan.com.

Announcing the Winner of our Caption It Contest!

It was a fun contest, and Kelly and I were thrilled with the number and the LOL quality of the comments!

The winner gets to choose between a signed copy of How to Hook a Hottie and Graffiti Girl.



And that winner is...

Crystal...for her comment, "When using online dating sites, always ask for a picture!"

Congrats, Crystal! Come visit me at www.myspace.com/ferrarotina and we'll talk about your prize.

And thanks to everyone who entered. We'll try to do another one of these contests soon!

Caption It!

We're running a contest this weekend to caption the following picture:

Is that cute or what?

The winner can choose between receiving a signed copy of my book, How to Hook a Hottie or Kelly's book, Graffiti Girl.

Post your captions in our comments before Sunday, March 16 at 6 pm Pacific Time to be eligible, and be sure to check back to learn the winner.

And here's a caption from me to start:

"Got towel?"

And from Kelly:

"Um, I know you're a dolphin and I'm a dog, but I think we can give dating a chance. I mean, I like water."

Good luck!

What's Fresh with Carrie Jones's Love (and other Uses for Duct Tape)

In the follow-up to Carrie Jones Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend, Belle is closing in on her last few months in high school. With a cool and loving straight boyfriend, the bestest best friend a girl could ask for, and a house full of fans when playing her guitar, things are much better than they were before.

But everyone else seems to be more excited with the upcoming changes in their lives than Belle. Her mom has a new boyfriend who makes her giggle and her best friend Em and boyfriend Shawn are madly in love and always showing it! Even Belles ex is happy with his new guy, Bob. So whats wrong with Belle and Tom? Nothing is whats the matter. Nothings happening at all. No sex, no "I love you." Nada. Whats a girl to do?

Hi Carrie, thanks for joining us! Could you please tell us a little about your writing background and how you made your first sale?

Carrie: I was a newspaper reporter and editor but I was tired of having to tell the truth all the time and going to planning board meeting where the members argue about land use regulations until 3 a.m. So, I started writing a story for my daughter. I'd tell her a little bit every time we took a car ride that lasted over 10 minutes. Since we live in rural Maine this meant a lot of car rides qualified. The story got longer and longer and I realized that making up stories was a lot more fun than newspaper writing. Then, I realized if it was so fun I should probably study how to do it. I applied to Vermont College's MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. They actually took me, which was surprising.

After a year I submitted TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND to Flux.

It began as all good things do with an email announcing the creation of Flux, an imprint of Llewellyn. Flux was accepting YA novels. Hhm? I thought to myself. I just wrote a YA novel. Sure, I hadn’t shown it to my advisor at Vermont College’s MFA in Writing Program. Sure, I hadn’t let ANYONE read it. Sure, I only just wrote it in the last month and it was rough, rough, rough. But I sent it in. I chugged out a cover letter. I found some stamps. I mailed it.

Here is what followed, taken from my livejournal entries.

Sweet Editor Man called me within a week of me mailing the manuscript. Seriously. It was wild.

The 30th, 2006

Okay. Here’s the big question of the day: Why am I so stupid?

I will work on the self esteem exercises tomorrow… but today! Today! Today I am allowed to realize the full extent of my idiotness.

Here’s why.

I sent out some manuscript queries on Thursday.

I get a phone call this morning, from a real live editor who says, “Um, is this C.C. Jones?”

“Yes,” I say while pouring out cat food.

He then proceeds to tell me he got my query, wants to see more of my manuscript, but his email requesting it bounced back.

“Really?” I say. “That’s weird.”

“Let me tell you the address,” he says. “cjonese at…”

“Oh,” I say. “Oh. Oh. Oh.”

“What?” he says.

“There’s no e on the end of Jones.”

“I didn’t think so,” he says.

I then apologize and berate myself for not even being able to spell my own last name! What an idiot. He gives me an email address. I send him the rest of the manuscript.

He is a very nice man and he took it anyway.

Haha! We've all made those kind of mistakes, Carrie! Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

Carrie: 1. Wake up.
2. Check email.
3. Sit at computer.
4. Try to write words.
5. Try to write more words.
6. Get antsy.
7. Go use the treadmill for half hour, try to time this so it's at the same time as a Daily Show repeat.
8. Try to write more words.
9. Cry.
10. Go on cross-trainer for 15 minutes.
11. Revise words on page.

Please tell us about your latest novel Love (And Other Uses For Duct Tape) and what we can expect from your characters.

Carrie: LOVE (AND OTHER USES FOR DUCT TAPE) is from Flux. It's the sequel to TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (EX) BOYFRIEND and it was released on March 1, which is my birthday.

All the characters are negotiating their relationships. Belle, the main character, is struggling with the fact that her boyfriend, Tom, hasn't attempted to couple with her and whether that means:
1. He doesn't like her that way.
2. She's uncouplable.

At the same time her best friend, Emily, is dealing with some very heavy issues and Belle's trying to be the best friend she can.

Sounds great! What's up next for you? Do you have another project in the works? If so, please tell us about it.

Carrie: My next book arrives in August. It's called GIRL, HERO. It's about Liliana Faltin. Her stepdad has died. Her biological dad seems to be having some cross-dressing issues, and her mom has a new man coming to stay with them. Liliana's a ninth-grader struggling with trying to find a father hero, and so she writes letters to John Wayne, a dead movie star. Eventually, she figures out that she can be her own hero. That sounds like a song from FAME! doesn't it? Yikes. I think it was... "You gotta be your own hero."

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Carrie! I wish you the best with your writing career. Would you like to close with a writing tip?

Carrie: Writing is when multiple thoughts attempt to create a single entity. It's fun and fabulous and amazing, but it's okay to sometimes get annoyed with it. It's like having a husband/wife/life partner. Sometimes you think it's the greatest thing ever. You can't live without it. Sometimes you just want it to hand over the remote, sit on the couch, and be quiet. If you look at it as a big, fun experiment those good times seem to occur more frequently.

Carrie Jones likes Skinny Cow fudgsicles and potatoes. She does not know how to spell fudgsicles. This has not prevented her from writing books. She lives with her cute family in Maine, but she grew up in Bedford, NH where she once had a séance with cool uber-comedian Sarah Silverman.

The Meyers brothers are from Bedford, too, so you’d think it would make Carrie funnier, coming from Bedford N.H. Obviously, something didn’t work.

Carrie has a large, skinny white dog and a fat cat. Both like fudgicles. Only the cat likes potatoes. This may be a reason for the kitty’s weight problem (Shh… don’t tell). Carrie has always liked cowboy hats but has never owned one. This is a very wrong thing. She graduated from Vermont College’s MFA program for writing. She has edited newspapers and poetry journals and has recently won awards from the Maine Press Association and also been awarded the Martin Dibner Fellowship as well as a Maine Literary Award. Visit her website at CarrieJonesBooks.com.

Friday Fresh: TV Commercials To Remember!

A high school student was telling me the other day about how in her economics class, they are studying the Top Ten Most Successful TV Commercials. We here at YA Fresh know I’m a sucker for Top Ten Lists (haha), so I was all ears.

And while she couldn’t name them all for me without finding her notes--and far be it from me to ask a student to do MORE work--I asked her about the three oldies that immediately jumped to my mind:

--Life Cereal (“Hey, Mikey! He Likes It!”)


--Alka Seltzer (“Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz”)


--Wendy’s (“Where’s the Beef?”)


And she said yes, they were all on the top ten list.

The #1 rated TV commercial, according to this study presented in her class, only ran once. It was for a Mac computer and aired during the Super Bowl. It apparently blazed the trail for what we now know as Super Bowl Commercials, the year’s most important and watched commercials, and once was enough!

So now it’s your turn: what are some favorite or memorable TV commercials that stick in your head?

What's Fresh with Kaza Kingsley's Erec Rex Series

The Dragon's Eye: Enter Alypium, a hidden world within our own where our old knowledge of magic is kept, and strange and fantastical creatures abound. It is a beautiful and mystical place, but things are caving in. the king is hypnotized and his castle turned on its side. The very Substance that holds our planet together has gone awry . . . and whispers tell of evil plans to destroy everything.

Twelve year old Erec Rex has been yanked out of the world as we know it and thrown unwillingly into danger here. As he learns how to get by in this strange place, he discovers some truths about himself . . . and must learn the power of trust and love in order to save his mother, and all of Alypium.

In this stunning tale packed with action, humor, a colorful cast of characters and a riveting plot, debut author Kaza Kingsley brings us into a land of danger and excitement. For Erec, it is a world that is eerily familiar and inevitably entwined with his future.

Hi Kaza, it's great of you to join us! Could you please tell us a little about your writing background and how you made your first sale?

Kaza: Sure! As far as the former, I’ve been writing forever. I used to make my friends write “books” with me when they came to play, until they finally couldn’t stand it anymore, and then we’d go play tag. I read a ton too (which is probably no surprise) and finally began to read books about writing, going to workshops, etc. I majored in psychology in college, which helped me when it comes to analyzing and developing characters, I think. I never got an MFA, but did continue with serious critique groups, workshops, etc. I probably wrote a hundred short stories, and learned a lot along the way. I also published some nonfiction, but that is not where my heart is.

I wrote a novel that never got published, then found a great agent at Writers House for Erec Rex. She left soon, and rather than do the “agent shuffle” I ended up going with a small press. So my first published novel was Book One of the Erec Rex series, The Dragon’s Eye, with Firelight Press.

Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

Kaza: My writing days are so crazy! I immerse myself so completely it’s nuts … but it works best for me that way. I find I get into my story fully, and can write much better if that is all I do. So my typical writing day is:

-Wake up around 7:30 or 8:00.
-If it’s not freezing and snowy (as it has been a lot lately) I run for exercise.
-I make myself a hot cup of organic herbal tea, like a cinnamon-spice blend, or mint tea (if I’m tired then a green tea,) and break off a hunk of dark organic chocolate with things like cranberries and hazelnuts in it
-Then I answer email.
-And finally sit at my desk and disappear into Erec’s world for the rest of the day. I take a few breaks to eat lunch, do a few odds and ends. But I’ll pretty much write for 8 – 10 hours a day.
-Then try to go to sleep early so the next day will be productive.

That last one is so important, but so hard for me when I first get into a writing jag. I’m a night-owl usually, and don’t care if I get a lot of sleep. But when I’m doing a lot of writing I can really tell the difference in my productivity and energy.

I just finished Book Three, The Search for Truth, and I feel like I’ve come out of hibernation! It’s getting passed around to authors for blurbs, editors, etc. And there is still work I need to do on it as well, but now, as a reward, I’ve treated myself to a few movies during the day, and a lot of R and R. I’ll need it – I’m going to start on another book before long. And I’m doing a lot of school visits soon, again, too. So that will keep my busy!

It’s really a crazy life!

I agree! Please tell us about your latest novel in the Erec Rex series and what we can expect from your characters.

Kaza: I am, I think, more excited about this third book than I’ve been about the others. It’s called Erec Rex: The Search for Truth. It’s published by Firelight Press, and releasing October 1st.

For those who have followed the series, this is what I call my “Upper Earth” book. Not all, but a fair amount of the plot takes place in Upper Earth – or our world. This took a lot more research, of course, looking into the habitat, geography, climate, and landmarks of many places around the world, rather than making up my fantasy realm. Erec must make some very difficult choices in this book. This is also the book where very much is revealed. Many questions are answered – but a few more come up!

What's up next? Do you have another project in the works? If so, please tell us about it.

Kaza: I just finished Book Three a few weeks ago, and will be going through another edit soon. So I can’t really dig into anything else for a good month. Plus I’ll be traveling to schools and bookstores in a few cities this spring. But as soon as I can I will start either Book Four or a side book for the series about Aoquesth the dragon. I’m going to try for the side book, but will see. I’m very drawn to starting Book Four now!

Sounds great, Kaza, and thank you again for sharing with us. I wish you the best with your series. Would you like to close with a writing tip?

Kaza: Yes – writing is like learning a foreign language. The more you use it, the better you can express yourself with it. Write as much as possible. Read books about writing. Analyze other people’s writing. Use it all the time, and you’ll learn to make it work for you!

Kaza Kingsley is the author of the bestselling Erec Rex series, available in bookstores across the country. Her series is coming out in nine other countries so far, and was Borders Books Original Voices pick for last December. Visit www.erecrex.com for more information.

Allison van Diepen, author of Street Pharm, is back with another dark and realistic teen tale with SNITCH.

Julia DiVino lives in a mixed territory where Crips and Bloods are always at battle. Even though she has friends in the gangs, she doesn't want any part of it.

Until she meets Eric, a new boy she begins to care for, and wants to be part of the gang lifestyle. Julia tries to stay away from Eric, but she can't deny her feelings when she knows he's in danger. When she warns him of a gang beat down, Julia becomes a target of retaliation from the opposing gang.

And Julia's life ultimately changes.

SNITCH is fast-paced, edgy read with a heart-felt romance, and life-altering messages. Another awesome read by Allison van Diepen that will keep you turning the pages late into the night!

What's Fresh with Jennifer Lynn Barnes's The Squad Series



From the author of GOLDEN and TATTOO comes a new series about high school cheerleaders who are more than what they seem, and an outsider who must become one of them- to save the world. Part Charlie’s Angels, part Bring It On, THE SQUAD focuses on a group of government operatives who double as high school cheerleaders. Already optioned for television by The N, The Squad takes you behind the perfect smiles and too-short skirts to prove that there’s nothing more dangerous than underestimating a cheerleader… especially if she’s on The Squad.

Hello Jennifer! It's awesome to have you back on YA Fresh to chat about your new Squad series! Please tell us about your latest novels: The Squad: Perfect Cover and The Squad: Killer Spirit.

Jennifer: I have both books out on the same day (February 12th!), an experience that I think is probably a little bit like having twins. The books are published by an imprint of Random House, and they're the first two books in a series that follows the adventures of a loner with an "attitude problem" who finds herself suddenly and inexplicably being recruited as a varsity cheerleader. She soon discovers that the squad is a cover for a group of teen secret agents who have the perfect cover, because, as the squad captain says, "who's going to suspect the cheerleaders?"

So fun! Could you share a bit about the main character of the books and what makes her unique?

Jennifer: Toby is very different from any other character I've written. In some ways, she has a stronger sense of self than any of my other narrators- she knows who she is, and she isn't about to apologize for it, and she has no desire whatsoever to be anyone else. At the same time, though, she can be less self-aware than a lot of characters- she knows she's tough, but she has a blind spot when it comes to the ways in which she's a softie.

How did the idea for this series come about?

Jennifer: I have a mental list of books that I'd like to write some day. A couple of years ago, two entries on that list were "book about secret agents" and "book set against the backdrop of competitive cheerleading." Then one night, out of the blue, I realized that I could combine those into one book about cheerleading secret agents, and that's how the idea for THE SQUAD was born.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading this series?

Jennifer: First and foremost, I hope they have a really, really good time reading it. I'd be disappointed if I didn't make them laugh out loud at least a few times, and I'd hope that they go away with the same kind of affection for the other girls on the Squad that Toby develops. Beyond that, though, I do hope that people walk away with the idea that a person can be more than one thing- you can be a cheerleader AND technological wiz, or a fashion guru AND love studying languages. In the world of The Squad, everyone is more than they appear to be, and I hope people walk away from the books and look at the world expecting that there's more to their peers than what they see on the surface.

Wonderful, Jennifer! Best of luck with The Squad Series and thanks for sharing. Would you like to close with a novel you highly recommend and why?

Jennifer: I just finished "Why I Let My Hair Grow Out" by Maryrose Wood, and it was fabulous. I'm a big fan of humor, and it made me laugh out loud several times. Plus, how could you not like a book with a snarky main character, a faery romance, guys with accents, and a bike tour through Ireland?

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a Fulbright Scholar and a recent graduate of both Yale University and Cambridge University. A former competitive cheerleader, she was named an All-American Cheerleader by the National Cheerleaders Association in 1997. She can neither confirm nor deny any experience she may or may not have had as a secret agent, but she can tell you that in addition to the Squad series, she’s the author of three other teen novels: Golden, Tattoo, and Platinum. Jennifer wrote her first book when she was still a teenager and she is currently hard at work on her next. Visit her online at www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com.

Favorite Oscar Moment?



Most everyone watched The Academy Awards last night, right? Even if you had your algebra book, your sewing or your book revisions in your lap?

My favorite moment came in Jon Stewart’s opener about the Vanity Fair party, and how it had been canceled in honor of the writer’s strike. He joked that better yet, have it and invite writers. And then he added something like, “Don’t worry, they won’t mingle.” That gave me a LOL. For not only do I agree that many writers are introverts, but the screenwriters I’ve met totally fit that bill.

However, I’d like to add--for the record--that Vanity Fair can invite ME next year, and I’ll break the stereotype. (Just contact me here through YA FRESH, people. I’ve already got a perfectly pink unworn prom dress, ready to wear...haha.)

So...do you have a favorite moment from last night’s telecast?

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...