Globetrottin' -- Jay

Some people pick up foreign languages like that. Other people don’t. I’m one of those other people. The only D I ever received in high school was in Spanish…and that was only because my best friend (born in Mexico) “helped” me write my final speech.

So today was a humbling (though very exciting!) day. My editor called to let me know that the foreign rights to Thirteen Reasons Why recently sold to France, Japan, Korea, and Italy. Which is really odd because French, Japanese, Korean, and Italian are four of my very favorite languages! Though I do have room for some more.

To think that people in those parts of the world are going to read my novel (written for the contemporary American teenager) and hopefully get something meaningful out of it is absolutely mind blowing. I know this happens to a lot of authors, but it makes me feel like some sort of a U.N. Ambassador with a really cool title. Something like the U.N. Ambassador of Dual-Narrator YA Suspense Novels. Or the U.N. Ambassador of 21st Century Novels Revolving Around Audiotapes in Shoeboxes.

It…is…just…so…weird.

And I absolutely can’t wait to see the covers!

Now, you wanna see something kinda cool? I found this newspaper clipping buried in my desk today. It’s from an article publicizing an elementary school PTA book fair. My elementary school PTA book fair! It’s from 1983 when I was eight years old. And that’s me, in my very first newspaper photo, sitting on the right. Yep…I’m in my favorite room in the whole school. The library!


- Jay

Cheers! -- Guest Blogger, Amy

Eve & Amy in Hawaii

Disclaimer: I am Evie's sister and, therefore, might be slightly biased.

After reading about Eve's (and Robin's…Hi Robin!) last few torturous months working on her book revisions, and not being able to talk to her on the phone (which has caused major withdrawal for me), I have been eagerly waiting to see the fruit of her labor.

So, after reading Eve's latest revision of Kidz In The Wood today, let me just say…

HOLY SH*#! (Can I say that on the blog?)

It is really, really wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I loved the early version, because it touches on issues and characters close to my heart and draws on some shared experiences between my beloved sister and me. But now it captures and moves me in on a deeper level, especially since I know how hard she has worked to make the book better, based on suggestions from Laura.

The changes were significant in terms of plot, structure and symbolism. I was with her in Hawaii when she started really mulling over how to incorporate some allegories she had been considering and I didn't know what to expect. I had a vague idea of what she wanted to accomplish, but never imagined that the story would now have me sitting on the edge of my seat (well, it was literally the stool at Eve's kitchen counter, which has a very small seat area) with the story arc and the universality of the situations her characters face. Of course, the aspects I loved about Kidz in the Wood since day one - the absolute nailing of the teenage boy's mind/voice and the dialogue - are still present, but now I feel those things blossom in a better overall story that I'm sure will one day delight readers all over the country as it has delighted me.

And, so I say, let's raise a glass to congratulate Evie on a (very hard) job (extremely) well-done. By the way, I'm actually here in California to raise that glass with Robin, Jay and Eve, which makes me even happier than I was when I finished reading Eve's book! Where's the tequila? Shots all around!

Cheers to Evie and Robin!

- Amy (Evie's sister)

Anticipation -- Robin

Wow! Got my brochure for the SCBWI summer conference in the mail this week. Did y’all? Is yours already marked up with huge circles, too? The list of speakers is amazing...

• Walter Dean Myers!
• John Green!
• Susan Patron! (wonder if she’ll be decked in Newbery Jewels-wear…cuz we will!)
• And the Class of 2K7…which happens to include…
  

Wait for it…

Wait for it…


Here it comes…


Our own Jay Asher!

Jay is going to be speaking with other members of the Class of 2K7 on Saturday afternoon during the 3:15 workshop. Please go watch him speak, because that’s right in the middle of Eve and my swimming/lounging time, so we’ll need the scoop. (Kidding…we’ll be there…in the back…wearing bathing suits…ready to run back to the pool!)

Actually, I have a feeling we’re not going to have much time for sunbathing because there are so many speakers I want to see. Cecil Castellucci, Mary Hershey, Mark McVeigh, Julie Strauss-Gabel, Arthur Levine, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Tamora Pierce, Erin Vincent, Lisa Yee…oh, I could go on!

When will we ever have time for serious goofing off and waiting in line for our coffee and waiting in line for the bathroom (women understand the seriousness of this issue) and waiting in line for coffee again and walking 17 miles to the nearest eating establishment to spend $17 on some fries?

And of course, I’m excited about the silvery costume party. But I have a feeling we won’t win this year…not unless they create a Most Tactless & Tasteless category. Then, we’d be #1 for sure.

- Robin

P.S. If you’ve never been to the national conference, check out our summary of last year’s conference here...and here...and here.

Talkin' About the Boy in NYC -- Jay

The first time I went to NYC was to attend SCBWI’s first annual winter conference (it was my first time spending a big chunk o’ money on this writing thing). The second time I went was to meet with several editors as my prize for winning SCBWI’s Sue Alexander Award (it was my first time spending a big chunk o’ someone else’s money on this writing thing). Both times, I went alone.

Now, I’m going as an official author…and my honey’s coming with me!

On Sunday, June 3rd, I’m gonna bask in the literary candy store of BookExpo America. Meanwhile, my wife wants to run up the stairs of the Empire State Building. Unfortunately, this isn’t allowed anymore (other than during their annual race to the top). So does anyone know of another NYC skyscraper which allows access to its stairs for people who crave that kind of pain? Cuz that would be my wife.

On Monday, we’re gonna be the ultimate tourists and hit museums, restaurants, and Broadway shows from sun-up till almost sun-up again.

On Tuesday, I’m gonna briefly sit in on the recording of the audio book for Thirteen Reasons Why...which I know will absolutely fuh-reak me out! Then, I’m gonna swing by the Donnell Central Children’s Room and say “Hey!” to everyone’s favorite bloggin’ librarian. Meanwhile, my wife is gonna take her djembe (a handheld African drum) and find a nice street corner to serenade the East Coasters with her music. But does anyone know if she can get arrested for that? Cuz our flight is non-refundable and she really needs to get back in time for work.

On Wednesday, I’m gonna sit in on some more audio recording, listening to the second narrator bring my story to life. Then I’m going out to lunch with my editor from Listening Library. And then my editor from Razorbill is gonna show me around the Penguin empire, introducing me to all the creative and wonderful people who have worked so hard on my book. Meanwhile, my wife (who, by then, should be totally worn out) is gonna relax in Central Park with her sketchbook….which, to me, sounds like a perfectly sane thing to do.

- Jay

NOTE FROM MY WIFE: If any of you wanna join her for some skyscraper steppin’ or Central Park sketchin’, shoot me an e-mail.

NOTE TO ROBIN & EVE: Seriously, I would love for the two of you to come. But I used to work for the airlines, and they can tell when two women are scrunched up in a piece of luggage.

Middle Grade? Aisle 5 -- Robin

I just got back from the grocery store where I purchased some of those things they call “fresh vegetables.”

I’ve been so busy the past few weeks revising my middle grade novel that I’ve been relying on my friends over at Stouffer’s to feed the family. The cashier checking me out tonight asked, “Is this Japanese eggplant or Chinese eggplant?” I’m like, “Doesn’t matter! It’s not frozen!”

So another interesting thing has happened over these last few weeks while I’ve been obsessively revising. My husband has become very interested in the book I’m writing. Which is really quite cute, but also kinda weird, but also kinda cool.

He said he wanted to get a better understanding of what makes a good middle grade novel, and he asked me to recommend a book that is the quintessential middle grade book—something that’s fun and totally kid-friendly. I looked through my bookshelf and I handed him a copy of Frindle. You can’t get much better than that. Funny, well-written, and a book any kid would love. My husband sat down and read it in one sitting.

And?

He loved it! He wanted more! He’s now hooked on middle grade fiction! (Thus, the kinda weird, but kinda cool part.)

Which brings me to my problem: What do I give him next? I need to find middle grade books, from classic to modern, that have great hooks and are just plain fun for kids to read.

Any suggestions?

- Robin

Two-Thirds Vote --Eve

People always ask me how we can operate so smoothly here in Disco-Land, since the three of us share big personalities, strong opinions, and love of the limelight. So, I thought I'd explain a few things about the Disco Mermaids and our very Democratic policies.

First, we are unusually lucky that the three of us agree on most of the important things, like which movies to see (if Colin Ferrell's in it...we're there!), where to eat (love pizza, burgers, and anything milkshake-y), who will drive (me...don't know why, I just always do), and which movie stars we'd want to smooch (Jessica Alba, anyone??).

There are very few things we disagree on, and we pretty much avoid those topics. Like, I won't name names, but one Disco Mermaid doesn't like a particular female presidential candidate that Jay and I LOVE, so sometimes that causes friction. And two Disco Mermaids LOVE dogs, and one is afraid of them, so sometimes Jay gets mad at us for making fun of him.

But when we really need to make a critical decision about something, we always put it to a vote. Two-thirds wins. No appeals, no re-counts. Here's an example of a recent Disco Mermaid voting record:

Color shirt Jay should wear for first speaking engagement: 1-Brown, 2-Pastel color that enhances his skin tone

Does Eve's book need another revision? 2-Yes, 1-No way; it's perfect!

What should we wear for the SCBWI conference theme party? 2-Something comfortable, 1-Something skanky-trashy

What should Robin work on next? 3-Funny Middle Grade...It's unanimous!

Should Eve cut her hair and get bangs? 2-Yes! 1-What are bangs?

And, yes, having three of us does get a little tricky sometimes, because when you have an odd number of BFF's, somebody's always left out. Unfortunately, sometimes that somebody is me...like the other day when we were playing at my house, and Jay and Robin voted that every day of the week that ends in "day" will from now on be "Make Fun Of Eve Day,"...Then, I wasn't so down with the whole democracy thing.

Love to the DM's! Tomorrow's officially been renamed "Mon" so no busting on the Evie...HA!

Eve