Today I have Saundra Mitchell on the blog! Saundra is celebrating the release of her debut novel, Shadowed Summer, and recovering from a recent John Green sighting. More on that in a moment, but first:

About Shadowed Summer

Nothing ever happened in Ondine, Louisiana, not even the summer Elijah Landry disappeared. His mother knew he ascended to heaven, the police believed he ran away, and his girlfriend thought he was murdered.

Decades later, certain she saw his ghost in the town cemetery, fourteen-year-old Iris Rhame is determined to find out the truth behind "The Incident With the Landry Boy."

Enlisting the help of her best friend Collette, and forced to endure the company of Collette's latest crush, Ben, Iris spends a summer digging into the past and stirring old ghosts, in search of a boy she never knew.

What she doesn't realize is that in a town as small as Ondine, every secret is a family secret.

About Saundra Mitchell

A screenwriter and author, Saundra Mitchell penned the screenplays for the Fresh Films and Girls in the Director's Chair short film series. Her short story "Ready to Wear" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and her first feature film, Revenge Ends, debuted on the festival circuit in 2008. In her free time, she enjoys ghost hunting, papermaking, and spending time with her husband and her two children.

On to the Interview!

Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of Shadowed Summer, or what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Saundra: I have to say, I really enjoyed writing every time my main character Iris bickered with her best friend Collette. They're so contrary sometimes, in the way only best friends can be!

Me: I love best friend dynamics! They can be such love/hate relationships. What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Saundra: I'm currently working on a variety of projects- I'm finishing up a spec script for a pilot (the first episode of a television show,) as well as several short film projects. Fictionwise, I *am* working, but I can't say on what yet. It's a secret!

Me: Sounds Exciting! And Sneaky! I suppose we’ll have to check your webspaces for updates. And finally: who is your writing hero and why?

Saundra: You know what? Any writer who sits down, finishes the book, and braves the ugly wilds of rejection is my hero.
Me: Definitely! It can be a tough journey from writing to publication: nerves of steel required.

Readers, you should know that Shadowed Summer is already getting lots of praise! Booklist calls it: "Highly atmospheric, with pulse-pounding suspense and an elegiac ending."

And if that’s not fantastic enough, a certain, special, writer boyfriend of mine stopped by a recent Shadowed Summer Signing. SA-WOON!



Do it with me now: (SIGH)! And while I am completely jealous of Saundra—I mean, he’s like, TOUCHING her) I wish her the absolute best with her new novel!)

You can visit Saundra at her home on the web: http://www.saundramitchell.com/ or http://www.shadowedsummer.com/

And . . . Shadowed Summer is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Shadowed-Summer-Saundra-Mitchell/dp/0385735715/

Don’t forget that Saundra will be chatting with Deva Fagan tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by, Saundra!

You know you need to watch what you say when you’re tucking your pre-schooler in at night and she tells you to “Dream about John Green.”

No joke. A few nights ago I had a dream that I went to a J.G. book signing. Obviously, BEA has been on my mind lately, I just read Paper Towns, and I am an original Nerdfighter (as in Brotherhood 2.0 from the beginning) so this really doesn’t come as a surprise.

And so I mentioned my dream in the car to the guy I’m sorta married to but not allowed to talk about online. I had a dream. It was about a book signing. John Green was there. It was random. And funny. Whatever. (He rolled his eyes anyway.)

Clearly someone else was listening in the back seat, though. So I laughed when, a few days later, baby girl told me that she: “Had a dream about John Green and it was funny.” Of course it cracked me up. But tonight took it to an entirely new level. . . .

“Dream about John Green,” she said. And then . . . “He writes books.”

Thanks for the tip, baby girl. I’ll do my best, though I’ve learned that you never dream about the things/people you want to. . . . I might never be that lucky again. . . .

(www.sparksflyup.com)

Although . . . Leo is gracing my TV set as I type this, just as he graced my walls when I was in Jr. High. (Sigh) One can always hope.

Okay, so what don’t I have in common with Erin Dionne? In addition to being writers and sharing the same first name (Yes! In real life I’m an Erin, too), we also both teach college English (though she’s onground and I’m online), we each have books out this Spring, and they both have a strong body image storylines.

So, of course, I’m especially excited to talk to Erin about her new release: Model’s Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies.

First . . . About the Novel:

Thirteen-year-old Celeste Harris is no string bean, but comfy sweatpants and a daily chocolate cookie suit her just fine. Her under-the-radar lifestyle could have continued too, if her aunt hadn’t entered her in the HuskyPeach Modeling Challenge. To get out of it, she’s forced to launch Operation Skinny Celeste—because, after all, a thin girl can’t be a fat model! What Celeste never imagined was that losing weight would help her gain a backbone . . . or that all she needed to shine was a spotlight.

More About Erin Dionne:

Erin Dionne has lived on two coasts and in four states. Her debut novel, MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES, was inspired by events that occurred in seventh grade, when she wore a scary peach bridesmaid dress in her cousin’s wedding and threw up on her gym teacher’s shoes (not at the same event). Although humiliating at the time, these experiences are working for her now.

Erin lives outside of Boston with her husband and daughter, and a very insistent dog named Grafton. She roots for the Red Sox, teaches English at an art college, and sometimes eats chocolate cookies.

Sounds Great, right? On to the Interview!

Me: Erin! (I feel like I’m addressing myself!) I’m so happy to have you here today! I haven’t read it yet . . . so without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies, or what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Erin: I had a blast writing all of the HuskyPeach scenes. It's a more glamorous world, and it's also very over-the-top. Aspects of it made me giggle out loud.

Me: I’ve never been part of the beauty world, but I can imagine. Those girls (and their moms) are fairly intriguing. Okay, so we all know that writers never take breaks: what kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Erin: Right now I'm in the middle of revisions on my second book, another middle grade, called THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET. That comes out in Spring 2010. At some point, I want to write YA, but MG seems to be where I'll be for a while--I have another MG project in the development stage!

Me: I love that title! I remember when you were trying to decide what to call your ms: Total Tragedy was definitely my favorite choice! And finally, who is your writing hero and why?

Erin: Stephen King. Absolutely. He actually writes from the POV of children really well (Read "The Body" if you don't believe me), and first and foremost he's a story teller. The characters and what happens to them are the most important element in his books, and I respect that. Some writers get caught up in flowery language, others are so enthralled with their writerliness that it gets in the way of the story. King gets out of his own way and lets the story come through.

Me: Stephen King is a master . . . at keeping me up at night. The movie versions of his novels traumatized me. . . . I did love his book, On Writing, though. And I know you’re both huge Red Sox fans. ;)

I’m so excited about this release! If you want more information about Erin or Models you can stop by her home on the web at http://www.erindionne.com

And . . . Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Models-Dont-Eat-Chocolate-Cookies/dp/0803732961/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Erin will be chatting with Deva Fagan tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com

Thank you so much for stopping by, Erin!

This Just In:

One Wish is officially available for Pre-Order!

http://www.amazon.com/One-Wish-Leigh-Brescia/dp/1934813052/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234542331&sr=1-1

Continuing with the Great Debs Tour 2009, I have the fabulous Jenny Moss on the blog today. Jenny is celebrating the release of Winnie’s War, which dropped February 3rd.

About Winnie’s War

A debut novel set against the backdrop of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.

Life in Winnie's sleepy town of Coward Creek, Texas, is just fine for her. Although her troubled mother's distant behavior has always worried Winnie, she's plenty busy caring for her younger sisters, going to school, playing chess with Mr. Levy, and avoiding her testy grandmother. Plus, her sweetheart Nolan is always there to make her smile when she's feeling low. But when the Spanish Influenza claims its first victim, lives are suddenly at stake, and Winnie has never felt so helpless. She must find a way to save the people she loves most, even if doing so means putting her own life at risk.

About Jenny Moss

JENNY MOSS is a former NASA engineer. She earned a master's degree in literature and taught writing as an adjunct at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Winnie's War is her first novel. She lives with her two teenagers in Houston, Texas.

On to the Interview!

Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Jenny: The kiss

Me: I *love* kisses! What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Jenny: I'm working on several books right now, but my main focus is a YA fantasy, which will be released by Scholastic in 2010

Me: Who is your writing hero and why?

Jenny: Lately, I've been thinking about the awesomeness of the MG/YA writing community: as a whole, my writing hero. The diversity, talent, compassion, wisdom, kindness of this community constantly amazes.

Me: I couldn’t ask for better writer friends than my publishing list mates and the 2009 Debs. They truly are Made of Awesome!

What’s more . . . you should know that Winnie’s War is getting a lot of love on the review circuit:

“The first-person narrative beautifully captures Winnie’s voice and, especially, life in a small Southern town. . . . Moss handles the large cast of characters and historical information with a deft touch, always allowing the narrative to carry the story. A multifaceted, nuanced debut.”—Kirkus Reviews

You can visit Jenny at her home on the web: www.jenny-moss.com or her blog: http://jenny-moss.livejournal.com

And . . . Winnie’s War is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Winnies-War-Jenny-Moss/dp/0802798195

Jenny will be chatting with Deva Fagan tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com

Thank you so much for stopping by, Jenny! You rock!

So I had the best weekend ever, right? Wanna know why? Because a little birdie dropped an early birthday present into my lap. (Re-reading I realize how this *could* be taken out of context . . . but it was a good present, I assure you.)

It’s a v. v. v. early present, because my birthday is actually in June. The only reason I got it was because I just so happened to check the mail first and I generally have no qualms about opening the guy I’m sorta married to but not allowed to talk about online’s mail: especially when I’m not warned that something special is coming my way.

I just want to say that you know you’ve married a good one when he emails your favorite author in the whole world to ask for her autograph for you. (This isn’t the first time he’s done this: I have Meg Cabot’s, too.)

And for the record, he wasn’t mad I discovered it early. In fact, I guarantee had I not gotten to it first, he would’ve given it to me within 24 hours (He is the eternal early gift giver: one year I had nothing to open on Christmas Day, because he’d already given me everything in the weeks before.)

So today I’m announcing to the blogosphere, that I married the best dude ever . . . and not only because I said it, but because YA Royalty, Sarah Dessen, said it:

Also, I finally finished my latest YA Work in Progress. It kept getting longer and longer and I didn’t think I’d ever finish, but it’s done. It’s still untitled, but it’s done. Will start revising (possibly cutting huge chunks out) v. soon (after I’ve regained consciousness).

In other news, a little birdie has also mentioned that a certain group of spring releases may be available on Amazon in the coming days. Will post details/links the moment I have them.

And finally: Thank you to the fabulous Lauren on Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf for giving One Wish a shout-out!

http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/02/waiting-on-wednesday-week-12.html

She is the coolest!

Love,
~Leigh~

This year I am fortunate enough to be guest interviewing many of the 2009 Debutantes (www.feastofawesome.com). Today I am featuring Stacey Jay and her new novel: You are So Undead to Me.

About You Are So Undead to Me
Megan Berry's social life is so dead. Literally. Fifteen-year-old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a bunch of dead people. All Megan wants is to be normal—and go to homecoming. But someone in school is using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, and it's looking like homecoming will turn out to be a very different kind of party--the bloody kind.

About Stacey Jay
Stacey Jay is a workaholic with three pen names, four kids, and a decidedly macabre sense of humor. She loves zombies, creepies, crawlies, blood, guts, gore, and of course, romance. "You are So Undead to Me," Stacey's debut paranormal Young Adult Romance featuring Zombie Settler Megan Berry, was released on January 22nd from Razorbill books.

On to the Interview!

Me: Where did the initial idea for YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME come from?

Stacey: I've always been a zombie freak. I find them weirdly hilarious as well as scary as all heck. So when I started my first paranormal YA, I knew I wanted to incorporate zombies in some way. I didn't want them to be the bad guys, but I didn't want a zombie hero either because decomposition just isn't sexy, you know? After letting the idea sit I came up with the zombie Settlers, people who have to de-angst the Undead and get them back into their graves with magic and plain old good listening skills. The rest of the book grew from there.

Me: Um, no. Decomposition isn’t sexy at all. Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Stacey: The black magically raised zombie scenes. Zombie attacks are awesome! (Also the first kiss scene was great. Sigh . . . first kisses.)

Me: I *love* first character kisses. They’re great! So . . . we know all authors have them: how do you handle those particularly "bad" writing days?

Stacey: Ugh. I just push on through. When it's your job and you have deadlines to meet, you don't have any other choice. I mean, I have bad mothering days but the diapers must still be changed. Maybe I don't wipe bottom with quite the cheery grin I usually do, but I still wipe bottom. Same with writing. I just get in there and wipe bottom. Um...make words. I meant make words.

Me: I hate diapers. I’m so glad mine is potty-trained. How do you plan to spend your release day??

Stacey: Stalking bookstores with my two youngest kids to see if I can find books to take pictures of for my blog and then taking my four year old to test for his orange belt at karate. He's very nervous so he should keep my mind off worrying about people actually buying my book.

Me: I think as far as worrying goes, this is only the beginning! What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Stacey: Right now I'm in edits for the second Megan Berry Zombie Settler book, currently titled “Undead Much." I'm so happy with the way it's turning out. Even scarier and romancier than the first, which pleases me. I hope readers of the first book will enjoy it. I'm also in edits for an untitled book for Flux featuring a zombie heroine. She goes to zombie school and eats brains in the cafeteria and so on. It's also been great fun.As far as the future is concerned, I'd love to tackle something without paranormal elements. There are times when a good old fashioned love story is all I want to read and I'd love to write one for the YA audience. Hopefully, I'll get the chance!

Me: That is awesome! For all you zombie lovers out there:

You can visit Stacey at her home on the web: http://staceyjay.com

And . . . You Are So Undead to Me is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-So-Undead-Me/dp/1595142258/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225898596&sr=1-1

She will be chatting with Deva Fagan tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com

Thank you so much for stopping by, Stacey! You Rock!