FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES?

Want to win
FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES?
Just visit the
QUAKE
web site and register
for AfterShock, our
Newsletter.

We'll draw one lucky
name to receive a box
of school supplies

valued at $25.00!

Drawing to be held
August 6, 2007!

The Seeing Stone (Spiderwick Chronicles)

Don't hold me back, I'm on a roll! Last night I finished Book Two. Spiderwick Chronicles: The Seeing Stone. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Field Guide" as it was a nice place to start, but book two really got the old adrenaline pumping. Getting better acquainted with the Grace Children, and getting nose to toes with the goblins was quite an adventure. I'm not quite sure what to think of Hogsqueal, but I don't think we've seen the last of him.

After finishing books one and two I've still got two thumbs up and am holding back hitting book three as I need to pace myself. And don't think that because I am a grownup that I don't appreciate the important things in life. After finishing "The Seeing Stone" I immediately went online to hit the Spiderwick site. I am now a proud member of the International Sprite League. Some things are just too important to ignore!

Harry who?

Spiderwick Chronicles: The Seeing Stone
ISBN: 0689859376
Authors: Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black,

Very Cool Blog

Very cool blog. Check it out:

http://yawriters.blogspot.com/

The Spiderwick Chronicles

I'm not sure why, but when I was at the American Library Association Trade show I saw a poster for a book that I had never heard of. I know, me not having heard of a book. But there it is. So I see this poster for Spiderwick and I am instantly enchanted. Why? Well, I'm not sure, but I was.

So there I am, looking all over the huge Washington DC Convention Center for this book. After two days I finally find the Simon & Schuster booth and another poster...but no books. No brochures, nothing...just a poster! So I ask, and they have given everything away.

So I come home and I begin searching the Howard County Library database and every time I look they are all checked out. I hate when that happened. Well, after a couple of months...and no it never occurred to me to buy them...I mean it did, but I don't want to buy a whole set of books if I don't like them. So I finally found them...ALL OF THEM! I snatched them off the shelf and stuffed them in my Kfir Luzzatto "THE ODYSSEY GENE" book bag and ran...not walked...to the check out desk and there I was! I was thrilled.

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
ISBN: 0689-85936-8

Since the book is very short I truly expected to find the typical kid's fantasy, I was disappointed. I mean it is a kid's fantasy, but it is so much more. Take a few words, sprinkle in some charm, and add numerous awesome illustrations and you have an excellent book. Getting to know the Grace kids in "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is going to be so much more than an adventure.

If I had to pick one element of "The Field Guide" I don't think I could. The kids are kids, with problems and personalities and if you weren't holding the book in your hand, you might think they live next door--it's excellent. Toss in a few brownies and some animals and you have one heck of a cool story.

I've got book two sitting on the dining room table waiting for me, but work comes first...at least until lunch!

And if you're looking for another great fantasy…minus the Fae…you can try the Cynthia's Attic Adventures by Mary Cunningham.

The Missing Locket
The Magic Medallion

Shakin' things up!

Hey, this is a secret for a little bit longer, but Echelon is celebrating! We've decided that kids and young adults need their own space at Echelon. So we are going to shake things up with QUAKE!

You can get a sneak peek at www.quakeme.com

And since we have not made a public announcement, only tell a couple hundred of your closest friends!

And if you don't see something you think we should add, let us know!

You can send your comments and suggestions to Lisa@quakeme.com

One Very Fab Conference

I just got back from the Romance Writers of America National Conference. Conferences are always fun, but eternally exhausting. Let’s just say me and Visine become one at these things.

All the big romance names were there: Suzanne Brockmann, Nora Roberts, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and I could go on and on.

A lot of young adult authors, too: Shannon Greenland (that’d be me), Simone Elkeles, Stephanie Hale, Heather Davis, Tina Ferraro, Julie Linker... Again, I could go on and on. (and if you’re a YA author and I left you out, totally be cool about it, okay? I’m still a bit blurry from the week long event.)

Simone Elkeles (YA author), Stephen Barbara (fab agent), and myself gave an awesome workshop—and I’m not just saying that. It was called “Its Not Cheating If You Do It With A Younger Guy”. Funny title, huh? Simone came up with it. It definitely got people in the door. The workshop was all about what’s hot in YA right now and how to transition into writing for that market.

Now I’ve been to a lot of workshops over the years. Some are great, some are mediocre, and some are real snoozers. If its not attention grabbing I usually end up leaving and doing something better with my time (coffee, bathroom, etc...) (That’s why I always sit in the back, so I can make my escape). Ours must have been great because only two people got up and left during the whole hour. I’d like to think they had a bathroom emergency.

So now I’m back and I’m leaving again this up coming weekend to give the same workshop down in Tampa. Let’s hope it goes just as well!

Straight Out of Hogwarts!

Horton's Books & Gifts in Carrollton, GA, would fit gracefully in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The oldest bookstore in Georgia (established in 1892) with its wood floors providing an occasional creak, and the massive floor to ceiling bookshelves, will be hosting the "wizarding" community on Friday, July 20th. Feel free to come in your "wizardry" finest.


You'll need to arrive between 8:00PM and 9:00PM in order to be sorted into houses. Maps will be provided of participating locations such as Gringott's and the Shrieking Shack. Magical classes such as herbology, potions, and wand making will be given by your prefect. Points will be awarded (or deducted!) during the classes, and the House Cup will be awarded at 11:45.


Oh, and one more thing…Deputy Headmistress, Dorothy Pittman, has arranged for you to be able to purchase a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the stroke of midnight.


Horton's Books & Gifts
410 Adamson Square.
Carrollton, GA 30117
770-832-8021

Gotta get Goth

I know you're out there...lurking, maybe even spying on us. Well, I need you to come out of the woodwork and answer some questions for me. I am in the beginning phases of a new series called "Nemesis Force."

I am doing some research and I need some good solid information on the teen Goth scene. Forgive me, but I'm old--42 this year.

I need to find out about the music, the clothes, and what really makes a girl Goth and not just a crappy dresser. I am especially interested if you are anywhere near Baltimore.

Please help me

Karen

New Cover

I got the cover for my February 08 release. Check it out. Isn’t it cool?

Another "Attraction"

Today I worked on 4 new 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas (3DSSC) paintings, laying them out. It will take several weeks until they are finished, but at least they are started.

Here's a photo of a 3-D "Attraction" painting. This one is only three feet high, so it will fit anywhere.

That's the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com/.

I Want to Interview You!

As an author, I have a ton of fun doing interviews. Today, I'm on a mission. I want to interview as many teens as I can. After all, if I'm writing a new series for y'all, I should get to know you, right?

So here's the deal. If you choose to answer the interview questions, I'll use your name in the series! Sound like fun? I think so ;)

Okay, let's get started!

1) Name:

2) Age:

3) What is your favorite video game? Name your favorite trick, trick, attack, weapon, or action you love in the game. (Example: Halo2; Drive cool cars.)

4) What is your favorite book? Name a favorite scene. (Example: Vampirates; One of the twins beats up 2 assassins with a frying pan.)

5) What is your favorite music/band/group? Name one of your favorite songs. (Example: The Academy Is; Slow Down)

6) What is your favorite Movie? Name one scene you loved. (Example: Pirates of the Caribbean 2--Dead Man's Chest; When Jack Sparrow runs from the cannibals.)

7) What do you say when something bad happens? (Example: Bummer!)When something good happens? (Example: Nifty!)

8) What do you jokingly call your friends? (Example: Doorknob!)

9) If you could genentically evolve into a super-human, what would you change? (Example: Breathe under water.)

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me interview you! I'll keep y'all posted on how the series is going. If you want to get a glimpse at a short writing exercise I did years ago that I'm using as a sort of launching pad for brainstorming this new series, you can see it here on my website.

Looking forward to reading your responses!
Warmly,
Jenny:)

"Attraction"

"Attraction" is one of my 3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas (3DSSC) paintings I said I would photograph and post. Here it is. It's 4 feet high and composed of 5 canvases. The center canvas has more depth than the others.

That's the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com/.

I Met Judy Blume!

Its official, me and Judy Blume are BFFs. Here’s a pic to prove it. No, seriously, I met her in D.C. at the American Library Association. She’s super sweet and completely humble and wonderful. I was totally honored. I think every girl out there grew up with at least one Judy Blume book on their bedroom shelves.

And, ready for this, I had a book signing with another young adult author, Simone Elkeles, and I’m not kidding you when I say the line was stretched down the hall of the Washington Convention Center. We both felt like such rock stars!