As mentioned, this blog is a placeholder for my shiny new website, currently undergoing its facelift. Thanks to those of you who’ve indulged me by hanging around this joint as I count down to the “family” release.

The good news is, THE RELEASE IS NEXT WEEK!

Oh, my goodness CAN YOU EVEN?

I, for one, cannot. Seriously.

Still on the horizon, in case you managed to miss it,

*a reading and signing with the Contemps up in Larchmont, NY, 4/29

*an appearance at BEA on 5/26

*a feature on figment.com

*a feature on MissLiterati.com

*various still-being-finalized blog interviews COMING SOON TO A WEBSITE NEAR YOU!

…And other things I might be forgetting in all of the excitement.

So in addition to all of the above hoopla, next week should ALSO bring the unveiling of the new site. Still at this address so you don’t even have to go out of your way to find me. See what I did there? Who’s looking out for you?

Happy weekend, readers!

Yes, people, the book releases officially on Tuesday, 4/26, so today, it’s all about me. Deal with it.

*Dying to read family? Pre-order your copy now!

*Want a chance to meet yours truly and get a copy of the book all signed and pretty? Come see me at BEA, Thursday, 5/26, 12;12:30, table 5.

*Want to read an amazing review of the book via librarian Liz Burns? Here you go! Sorry to be all braggy-pants, but I can’t help but post a snippet. I don’t think anyone has ever said such nice things about my writing in my life!

Because the language is deceptively simple. Because phrases haunt me. Because I want, so desperately, for Mel to find herself. Because I found sympathy for the most unsympathetic actions. Family is a Favorite Book Read in 2011.

*And one from VOYA:

Ellen Hopkins fans will appreciate the use of verse to tell the gruesome story. Those who know the details of the Manson murders, particularly those who have delved into Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi (Norton, 2001), will quickly notice the similarities between real life and fiction here….[A]n interesting psychological study of cults and the lost souls they attract.

*And finally, what better birthday present than a night of reading, signing, and schmoozing with other awesome Contemps? April 29th, The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY. Come for the authors, stay for the free pizza!

I think that’s about it, for now. Next week will probably be equally self-promotional and gross, what with the book releasing and all, but, y’know. Hopefully it’s understandable.

Hope you can make it out to an event or five!

1. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, E. Lockhart
2. Accomplice, Eireann Corrigan
3. How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff      

Or maybe she's just creeped out by the "family" cover?

After a quick jaunt around the nabe we settled on Hudson Park as DROP CENTRAL, just as we did last year.

Park benches – especially West Village park benches – make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Yay for Teen Lit Day!

So bashful!

Today’s the day, people! Figment and readergirlz have partnered to promote the 2010 Rock the Drop celebration in honor of YALSA’s Support Teen Lit Day. Download a bookplate, slip it into a beloved YA novel, and “drop” that book for an unsuspecting reader to find! Snap a photo of your “drop” and send it to readergirlz or figment to be featured on the blog, and you’re entered to win a set of Ruby Oliver books by E. Lockhart.

What are you waiting for? Go rock the drop!

See what I did there?

Yeah, at the risk of being a broken record, this week is all about Rock the Drop.
Now that ALA’s list of most frequently-banned books has been released, why not consider dropping a BANNED book tomorrow? Way to make two times the statement about teen lit, and literacy!

Also, note that the winner of “most creative ‘drop’” will receive a complete set of Ruby Oliver books by E. Lockhart, the most recent of which, Real Live Boyfriends, was well worth the– ahem — wait.

I hope you’re as excited about Rock the Drop as I am! In the meantime, here’s some footage of myself and Ms. Jones being VERY stealth as we pulled off last year’s Drop:

Figment.com is running info about Rock the Drop all week long! Come Rock the Drop with us, and help spread the word!

Thanks mucho to rgz Miami HOST Crissa Chappell (and her niece, Corie, a very good sport!) for the excellent video.

I know, I know – you miss your Monday Muse, but hopefully this info will be perfectly inspiring!

Speaking of reading and loving (and loving reading!), I have to wax rhapsodic about this year’s readergirlz/figment Rock the Drop initiative, created to celebrate Support Teen Lit Day.

On April 14, (that’s Thursday, people!) download a bookplate from readergirlz or figment, paste it into a book for donation, and drop your copy someplace public for some lucky reader to find. Fun, right? Then send a photo in to one of the blogs (or both! But we’ll be cross-posting) to show us how you rocked the drop!

Right now I’m reading Sean Olin’s Brother/Sister. It’s great: fast-paced and grabby. It would make for a good “drop.”

Just sayin’.

But the result of that genetic blip is that if I’m ever not actively smiling, I look FURIOUS.

And I kinda can’t help it.

So, yeah. I can relate. (Via The Gloss.)