Posts for category ‘appearances’

How to Save a Life got its fifth starred review, from School Library Journal, and was named one of its Best Books of 2011. Thank you, SLJ!

Also, it received a fantastic review from Horn Book, including the quotable: “The depth of characterization is exceptional, and the ending is surprising but satisfying, making for a rewarding read.” I also like the review’s description of Mandy as “desperately hopeful.”

I talked about the process of writing the book a little bit with Bethany Hegedus at Hunger Mountain online. (Be sure to check out all the new kidlit content over at HM–particularly Andrew Karre’s column on why writers don’t need to be distracted by the ongoing flurry of debate and sometimes uproar about YA). I also recently spoke with the Christianity Today blog Her.meneutics about things like why I’m a poser when it comes to quoting Flannery O’Connor.

Please also do not forget I’m teaching at the Glen Workshop West next summer in Santa Fe. (Oh glorious August! Come to me now!) You could ask Santa for money towards your Glen tuition; it’s worth every penny. (The whole experience, I mean, not bragging about my workshop which is as much a gift to me.)

Now our scrapbooks are up to date. Have a great weekend!

If you’re in Salt Lake City, you’ve got two great chances this week to get some of your holiday shopping done and visit with local authors.

Tuesday, December 6th – Sam Weller’s Bookstore – 6 p.m.

(254 S. Main St., SLC)

I’ll be signing How to Save a Life, and hanging out with the great Sam Weller’s crew, as part of City Academy’s Book Fair. Spend an evening poking around Sam’s amazing selection of new and used books. There are some real treasures here, seriously. (And don’t miss your chance spend some last moments in Sam’s historic location before the big MOVE at the end of the year to Trolley Square!)

Thursday, December 8th – The King’s English – 5:30 – 7 p.m.

(Corner of 1500 E/1500 S, SLC)

It’s TKE’s annual holiday party with local authors! I’m just one of a whole herd of authors who will be there, including my pal Matthew J. Kirby (Icefall). And guess what? Everything is 20% off during the party. Come get a treat, some signed books, and a discount.

Both stores giftwrap. I hope to see you there.

In just about an hour or so, I’m taking off for the official How to Save a Life tour. In the coming week, I will be in Omaha, Lincoln/Seward, St. Louis, and Louisville. Not too long after that, I’m doing some other stuff. My full schedule with details is here.

If you can’t come see me in person, I’ve been on a blog tour this past week, and I’ll be making a few more blog appearances when I get home. The stops so far:

Book Notes playlist at Largehearted Boy

Interview at Forever Young Adult

(See the Forever Young Adult review here)

Interview at Hooked to Books

Also, don’t forget that your book club (personal, school, library) can win a set of How to Save a Life and my presence (via video chat) at your book club by entering the sweepstakes sponsored by my lovely publisher, Little, Brown.

If you’re in a place I’m not going but would like a signed (even personalized) copy of How to Save a Life, you can get one through the King’s English signed-copy program. Simply contact them and tell them what you want and we’ll make it happen!

Finally, follow all the touring fun, blog tour links, and what I’m eating and seeing via twitter, and/or by “liking” my author page on Facebook. I will try to post as many pictures and updates as I can while on the road! I may even try doing something with video, though it will be the first time I’ve tried that with my iPad, so we shall see.

Thanks for all your support of How to Save a Life so far. It’s been an exciting time. See you back here the first week of November, if not in person this coming week.

Yes, this is going to be the primary subject of my blog for the next few weeks – thanks for listening!

- Would you like your very own, free copy of the How to Save a Life hardcover? Of course you would! Kristen Pelfrey is doing a giveaway on her blog, and at the same time supporting Eighth Day Books. Thank you, Kristen!

- The first trade review is in, from Kirkus, and it’s a goodie with a star. Among the quotable quotes: “Woven together from two simple threads, the resulting tapestry is as beautiful as it is real. A story that will resonate beyond its final page.” That makes me happy.

- What makes me even happier? The review over at Forever YA. I think I would love a review from them even if they didn’t like the book, because they are just so sassy. Fortunately, they do like the book. Perhaps my favorite line: “And then there’s Mandy. The best way I can describe Mandy is that she’s like an alien pretending to be a teenage girl.” Oh, Mandy.

Events! Tour!

On the Internets:

- October 17-25 and maybe beyond, I will be blog touring. If you follow me on Twitter, or at my Facebook author page, you will get all the links.

In the Salt Lake area:

- October 19 (Wed): I’ll be on a panel with Emily Wing Smith and Bree Despain, at the West Valley City Library, 7 p.m., as part of the Utah Humanities Book Festival and Teen Read Week

- October 20 (Thurs): Official book launch! I’ll be reading and talking and signing at The King’s English, 7 p.m. Please come! It’s going to be a good time.

- October 22 (Sat): I’ll be signing at the Costco on 300 W (around 1800 S). It’s my first Costco signing. I’m scared, and scared of being lonely. So if you have some shopping errands to do, do them on Saturday and get a signed copy of How to Save a Life while yer at it. 1 p.m.

In the Midwest!

I told you I’d be back with YET MORE LINKS TO STUFF. And here I am!

- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is running a sweepstakes and the prize is ME. And free books! More specifically: you can enter your book club (including school and library clubs) for a chance to win a set of How to Save a Life for your club, and a visitation by me, via satellite link. Actually video chat. But “satellite link” sounds much cooler. This is open through the end of December! So I’ll be reminding you here and there.

- I’m teaching YA fiction at the Glen Workshop again next summer, but this time in beautiful Santa Fe. We (me, my class) had a great time this past summer and did some good work together. I’d love to have you join us, and the rest of the amazing faculty. (Brett Lott, Barry Moser, Scott Cairns, oh my!) There are scholarships possible, and if you have any questions at all please let me know. Registration is open now – a small deposit holds your spot if you’re not sure.

- It pleased me to no end to learn this week that one of the National Book Foundations “5 under 35″ writers for 2011 is YA author John Corey Whaley. I haven’t read his book yet, but man it’s good to see some representation. Thank you Oscar Hijuelos for understanding that young adult authors are not the J.V. team of literature.

That’s all I got. Have a good weekend, and see you back here next week!