Leaving the Boy at Home Without a Babysitter -- Robin

Luckily, I’m not leaving my 4-year-old home by himself…I’m just leaving Jay home by himself! Eve is still drinking from coconuts in Hawaii and I’m leaving for a camping trip in Zion National Park in Utah. My son is determined to see “red rocks.” Not brown, red. So, of course, we’re packing up and taking a big family trip. Hopefully, my boy won’t say, “The Fjords! I must see the Fjords!” But, of course, we’d take him. He’s just that cute.

Here’s what I’m reading on my trip:
The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California, by Mary Hershey.
Rules, by Cynthia Lord (I work with autistic children at my “day job” so I can’t wait to read this book.)

Since Eve and I are gone, we all know what that means…Jay is in charge.

Gulp.

I’ve instructed him not to answer the door unless it’s someone he knows and to only answer the phone if it rings twice, hangs up, then rings again. (Probably shouldn’t give my secrets away, huh?)

So take it easy on Jay while we’re away. And please, if you see him in public and he’s wearing white socks with dark shoes, set him straight for us, would ya?

- Robin

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

The Monster at the End of this Post

Did you read that?

In the title, what did that say? Did that say there will be a Monster at the end of this post???

IT DID? Oh, we are so scared of Monsters!!!

SHHHH Listen, we have an idea. If you do not scroll down, we will never get to the end of this post.

And that is good, because there is a Monster at the end of this post.

So please do not scroll down.

YOU SCROLLED DOWN!

Maybe you do not understand. You see, scrolling down will bring us to the end of this post, and there is a Monster at the end of this post.

Here, this will stop you from scrolling down. Get a long rope and *tie* your arms to your sides. This way you cannot…

YOU SCROLLED DOWN AGAIN!

You do not know what you are doing to us! Now…stop scrolling down!

Okay! We, the Disco Mermaids, are asking you nicely to *nail* your scrolling-finger to your mouse pad so you will not be able to scroll down, and we will not get any closer to the Monster at the end of this post.

All right!

All right!

All right!

Do you know that every time you scroll further down…you not only get us closer to the Monster at the end of this post, but you royally piss us off!

What we need to do is keep your hand entirely away from your mouse or keyboard. So why don’t you *glue* your hand to your forehead! We would just like to see you try to scroll down now.

Do you know that you are very stubborn?

One more scroll will bring us to the end of this post, and there is a Monster at the end of this post.

Oh, we are so scared!

Please do not scroll down.

Please.

Please.

Please.

Well, look at that! This is the end of the post, and the only one here is…YOU.

You, lovable, furry old YOU, are the Monster at the end of this post. And you were so scared!

We told you and told you there was nothing to be afraid of.

(Oh, you are so adorably ugly...)

Happy April Fools Day!
And Happy Birthday, Evie
(turning 29…again!)

(WRITING TIP #23: to learn everything you need to know about writing a suspense novel, you've gotta buy this book)

Quick...Quick!...QUICK!

Quick: Order your Newbery Jewels merchandise today! Several well-known authors and librarians have already ordered theirs. Don't be the only one at your next library/writing conference without one. On Thursday, the three of us received our shirts...and they look fabulous!

Quick!: The next issue of the Class of 2k7 quarterly eZine is almost ready for delivery. Subscribe now to find out about some upcoming middle-grade and YA debuts that'll be flying off the shelves very soon.

QUICK!: Check back this Sunday for an April Fools Day salute to monsters. (Actually, this QUICK! is more for us...in the hopes that we get it ready in time.)

Shout to My New Homeboy -- Eve

Feeling uninspired and stuck today (while revising my middle grade book), I slouched to the mailbox and got a nice surprise and just the shot of adrenalin I needed. No, not a book contract, but something really cool, nonetheless (I love the fact that that word is actually three words put together to make a new word that is totally unnecessary to use, but sounds cool).

Anyway, my new BFF homeboy, Alan Lawrence Sitomer sent me an ARC of Homeboyz, which will be released on April 1st (my birthday…very few shopping days left for you guys…just sayin'). And I am thrilled! Not only is Mr. Alan (as his students call him) an amazingly talented, witty, brilliant writer for teens, but he is also California's 2007 Teacher Of The Year! Not to mention an incredibly nice dude. I discovered him a year ago when I read The Hoopster and Hip Hop High School, and was blown away by how much our writing had in common in terms of subject and themes. We began e-mailing back and forth and he has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me ever since. His enthusiasm for teaching and literacy stimulated me to return to the schools this year to tutor in reading and writing, which has been a blast! Thanks, Alan!!

After reading his books and learning what he's done for his students and community, I can't help but mention him on our blog and insist that you go out and buy, rent, borrow, or steal his books right now! The thing I love most about his writing is that it's authentic, fast-paced, funny, and extremely kid friendly. Meaning, it's exactly what I would have picked up as a kid. The issues he tackles are tough and important, and too often neglected in Kid Lit. There are only a handful of authors today writing about contemporary inner city kids and their struggles. Alan Lawrence Sitomer is a shining star among them, and I sincerely hope to join him one day.

Evie's review of Homeboyz to follow soon!

- Eve

Heading in the Right Direction -- Robin

On Saturday, I headed south to find north. My Super Agent, Erin Murphy, put on a workshop in Santa Barbara called “Finding Your True North as a Writer.”

It was an eventful day for me, because not only was I learning how to set my goals as a writer, I was meeting my agent in person for the first time! (And yes, I checked my teeth...twice. Fine, four times.)

Erin’s workshop was wonderful and I started thinking about the process of becoming “an author” in much deeper ways. I suppose the easiest part for me was writing about what my perfect writing life would look like…

• Write every morning from nine till noon.
• Go running on an isolated trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
• Meet Jay and Eve for coffee.
• Rush back home to thank my housekeeper for all the hard work.

So maybe my perfect writing life hasn’t happened yet, but at least I’m meeting Jay and Eve for coffee on a regular basis!

After the workshop, I got to hang out with Erin in downtown Santa Barbara (very lovely, but, man, it was cold!). We discussed my career and what I’d like to do in the future. Then I spent about 30 minutes stumbling through my words trying to explain my idea for my next book. She listened patiently while I rambled on, then she sat back in her seat, let out a big sigh, and said, “I absolutely love it!”

Whew! That was all I needed to hear to make it a perfect day. But it got even better because I went out to dinner with Erin, Alexis O’Neill (our regional advisor), Val Hobbs, and two other clients of Erin’s, Mary Hershey and Robin LaFevers.

I acted very lady-like, didn’t use any foul language, and watched them eat lovely salads and salmon dishes while I scarfed down a cheeseburger. Actually, Val scarfed one down, too, so she’s my new BFF. (Sorry Jay and Eve.)

Oh! And I was so glad to meet Cynthia Jaynes Omololu, another client of Erin’s, who came down from San Francisco. Utterly…cool…chick! And she’s almost as tall as I am, so we’ll get along just fine.

And Greg Trine was in the house. Hi, Greg!

A big thanks to my Super Agent for making it a lovely day and for being a totally lovely person. I know she’ll lead me in the right direction and make this process all the much sweeter.

- Robin