Monday, April 02, 2007

I Get So Excitable! -- Jay

A few days ago, walking through the teen section of a bookstore, I stopped in front of a new hardcover memoir. Something about the author’s name sounded familiar. So I picked up Grief Girl, opened it to the back flap, and…Yes!…I do know Erin Vincent. At last summer’s SCBWI conference, I chit-chatted with her and Sarah Littman in the hotel lobby till even the moon started to get tired.

I absolutely love those out-of-the-blue Hey, that name sounds familiar! moments. And while I wait for the next one, here are some more moments I can’t wait to arrive this year:

I can’t wait to read Debby Garfinkle’s Stuck in the ’70s! I’ve been a fan of Debby’s since before we shared an agent. In fact, when the Disco Mermaids first discussed blogging, we often referred to the humorous tone of her blog.

I can’t wait to read Jerry Spinelli’s Love, Stargirl! You probably didn’t know there was a sequel to Stargirl, did you? Well, there is...and that's got me all excited!

I can’t wait for this summer’s national SCBWI conference! Next month, at the L.A. Writer’s Day, we’ll find out the theme of the after hours party. And on the entire drive home, I’m sure the Disco Mermaids will be rackin’ our brains over what costumes to wear.

I can’t wait for the next brainstorm session with Eve regarding her teen romance, 365 Days (or whatever she's gonna call it)! This is the novel that I think best captures Eve’s humor and heart. And while I’ve never cried while reading a book, this one just might do it.

I can’t wait for Robin to start submitting her teen novel, Skye is Falling (or whatever she's gonna call it)! Not only is it populated with some of the best characters I’ve ever read, it’s…well…it’s got a huge kick-ass twist that I am so excited about.

But most of all, I really can’t wait for October 18th! (That's the release date of Thirteen Reasons Why, in case you didn't know.)

So, what’s got you all excited? And it’s okay if you say October 18th…I can share.

- Jay

8 comments:

Lisa Yee said...

October 18th will never be the same for me again.

Let's count down the days!

Anonymous said...

October 18
birthday for--
Martina Navratilova
Chuck Berry
George C. Scott
Peter Boyle
Wendy Wasserstein
and
Thirteen Reasons Why
THAT is a BIG day!!

from: The Secret Language of Birthdays
by Joost Elffers & Gary Goldschneider

~~laura

Disco Mermaids said...

And that's why Lisa Yee is So Totally awesome!

But now I feel like I'll be overshadowed by Martina Navratilova's B-day. Thanks, Laura.

- Jay

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the mention, Jay!

One of the coolest things about this business is knowing other writers. Yay for us!

Emily Jiang said...

Thirteen Reasons Why Oct. 18 is a great day:

13. It's not Friday 13th.
12. Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is first published as The Whale by Richard Bentley of London in 1851.
11. In 1954, Texas Instruments announces the first Transistor radio.
10. I have no deadlines that day.
9. Alaska Day - US buys Alaska in 1867.
8. The Second Opium War finally ends at the Convention of Peking with the ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin, an unequal treaty, thus bringing the downfall of China. Okay, not a great reason, but it's important.
7. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is released in 2007.
6. The Grand Ole Opry opens in 1925.
5. 5 months and 9 days after my talk, during which I share the success story of 13 Reasons Why.
4. Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan was born in 1127.
3. Disney's The Jungle Book is released in theaters in 1967.
2. 13 days until Halloween!
1. Everyone goes out and buys a copy of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher!

Most facts taken from Wikipedia.

Yay, I'm excited for you, Jay!

Disco Mermaids said...

I just checked Wikipedia, Emily, and I think I know which ones you didn't find there.

- Jay

alvinaling said...

I haven't read LOVE, STARGIRL yet, but when you read it, you'll see a familiar name in it. ;)

Disco Mermaids said...

What? No, you're not allowed to do that, Alvina. You come back here and spill those beans!

Is there an Alvina in the book? A new friend for Stargirl named DiscoMermaid? A boyfriend named (gulp) Jay Asher?

Alvinaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!