GCC TOURS JENNIFER ECHOLS

GCC TOURS JENNIFER ECHOLS

Coming May 25: ENDLESS SUMMER by Jennifer Echols

The Boys Next Door and the sequel, Endless Summer, in one volume!

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can't wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she's turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that's not going to happen--not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori's romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

Published by Simon Pulse, a division of Simon & Schuster. ISBN-10: 1442406593; ISBN-13: 978-1442406599.

About the Author:

Jennifer Echols grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama--a setting that has inspired many of her books. Always interested in creative writing, she finished her first (and still unpublished) novel soon after graduating with a degree in English from Auburn University at age 20. She worked as an editor for newspapers, a writer for business publications, and a writing instructor for three major universities, completed a master's degree in English, and finished the coursework for a PhD in genre studies before selling a book. Since then, she has written many young adult novels for Simon & Schuster, including Major Crush, which won the National Reader's Choice Award, and Going Too Far, which is a finalist in the 2010 RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Book Buyer's Best. Her next novel, Forget You, will be released on July 20. Currently she works as a copyeditor and lives in Birmingham with her husband and son. Please visit her online at jennifer-echols.com.

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.
1. First topic: Revenge. What is your experience with it? Have you ever sought revenge? As the old adage goes, do you think that living well is the best revenge?

I do think this. I am a non-confrontational, peace-loving person, and when people treat me badly, I tell them so and then seek better people. But I love to live vicariously through a great revenge story—who doesn’t?

2. Cliques and mean girls are everywhere. At book signings I've had everyone from 12 year old girls to 45 year old women tell me they still encounter them. Do you? How has it changed since you were a teen?

I have said it before and I will say it again: my experience with mean girls when I was 12 was so incredibly mean that I don’t think I will ever be able to write a story like that. I don’t think anything has changed with time, either. But I do think that it’s easier and easier to deal with those people as you get older—so if you’re a reader in this boat, just hang on!

3. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

I do this too—I make a new playlist for each book I write. The playlist for Endless Summer contains “Lights Out” by Santogold and “Light Up the Sky” by Yellowcard (this book includes a lot of fireworks and other explosions). The playlist concludes with a beautiful and dreamy love song, “Endlessly” by Green River Ordinance. Think this song in your head when you’re reading the end!

4. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author. (i.e. I tell people Pale Fire by Nabokov is my fave, but right now I'm really into Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.)

Are you kidding??? I LOVE Pale Fire and I’ve never run into anyone else who’s read it. (MKH NOTE: I KNEW I LIKED YOU FOR A REASON!!!) A lot of other classics are on my favorites list, like The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, but my go-to fave is Jane Austen.

5. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

I’d want to walk in President Obama’s shoes for a day. I wouldn’t want the responsibility, but I’m fascinated by the goings-on in the Oval Office. Robert Schlesinger wrote a great (and loooooong) book called White House Ghosts, an in-depth look at the huge influence of Presidential speech writers through the years, and how their words have changed the course of the country. I would love a crack at that job.

6. Who would be in your dream cast if your book was made into a movie or television series? (And multimillion dollar salaries were no issue--they'd all do it for free!)

I have said that Jonas Black from the movie version of Friday Night Lights should play Adam, and Ashley Tisdale should play Lori. But a reader tells me they’ve gotten too old! So now I’m not sure.

7. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have a journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

A love triangle, a beautiful disaster of a boy who is his own worst enemy, and a long hot summer on the lake.

8. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

The Empire Strikes Back. In general I’m not a sci-fi fan, but the chemistry between Han and Leia in this movie—wow.

9. Why should I choose your book for my book club?

It is a feel-good book. It will cheer you up, I promise! I start laughing just thinking about it.

10. I'm a huge and fabulously powerful movie producer and you have 30 seconds (an elevator pitch) to sell me on why your book is great and should be made into a movie. Go!

Adam is adorable. He is a mess. He is love with Lori and he can’t express his emotions except by setting things on fire. You have got to make this book into a movie so we can watch Adam crash his wakeboard. Did I mention Adam?

Megan, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog!

Thank YOU, Jennifer for swinging by to chat. Now everyone, go out and buy her book ASAP!!

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GCC Presents SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready

Super excited for my fellow Girlfriend Cyber Circuit author, Jeri Smith-Ready whose latest book SHADE received a starred review in Publisher's Weekly, with this awesome quote, "Smith-Ready changes the world completely by simply changing our ability to see."

Way to go, Jeri!!

About the Book:

Love ties them together.

Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound.

Jeri's plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that.

When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late.

Jeri loves to hear from readers, so please visit her at www.jerismithready.com, or even better, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jerismithready) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/jsmithready), where she spends way too much time.

Praise for SHADE:

“Shade is a hauntingly good story and an intriguing beginning to a new series. Jeri Smith-Ready proves again why she is one of my very favorite reads! — PC Cast, New York Times-bestselling author of the House of Night series

“The perfect combination of mystery, ghosts and romance, Shade left me breathless.” — Lisa Schroeder, author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me and Chasing Brooklyn

SHADE Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MjKzZTbBE&feature=player_embedded

Simon Pulse Release Date: May 4, 2010

Jeri Smith-Ready, www.jerismithready.com, http://twitter.com/jsmithready,www.facebook.com/jerismithready

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.

1. First topic: Revenge. What is your experience with it? Have you ever sought revenge? As the old adage goes, do you think that living well is the best revenge?

I’m a pretty forgetful—I mean, forgiving—person, so I don’t think I’ve ever sought revenge. Then again, it’s possible I did and forgot about that, too.

Living well is definitely the best revenge. But it’s important not to get too smug when things are going great, because the wheel of fortune is always turning, y’know?

2. Cliques and mean girls are everywhere. At book signings I've had everyone from 12 year old girls to 45 year old women tell me they still encounter them. Do you? How has it changed since you were a teen?

I guess I am pretty lucky, because I haven’t had much recent personal experience with mean girls (in middle and high school, definitely). There are probably tons of them out there on the internet talking stuff about me, but I don’t use Google alerts, so I’m blissfully ignorant. I hope I would choose to ignore it if it happened, or just throw darts at a printout of their faces, rather than lashing out directly.

But I see a lot of mean girls on TV, whether it’s on the campaign trail or in reality shows or even on the news. It almost seems lately like the bigger jerk you are, the more attention you get and the more people throw money at you to see how much bigger of a jerk you can be tomorrow. No one is rewarded for acting like a grownup anymore.

3. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

Each novel I write has one band that helps shape the story and mood, a band I consider the musical “patron saint” of that book. For SHADE, it was Snow Patrol. One day when SHADE was just an idea percolating in the back of my head, I heard “Chasing Cars” over the PA system at a local store. I’d heard it dozens of times before, but its notes of longing literally stopped me in my tracks. I knew at that moment that the song would sum up Aura and Logan’s relationship, especially after his death.

So as I finished writing the book, I played Snow Patrol’s last three CDs on infinite repeat. Their music really helped me channel those feelings of hope and love in the face of unimaginable loss, and I think let me tap into emotions that I wouldn't let myself feel before. Plus, their lyrics are so simple yet eloquent, and it made me strive to find words that I hoped would touch readers’ hearts in the same way.

For SHADE’s sequel SHIFT, which I’m writing now, I’m leaning more toward Death Cab for Cutie, which is the favorite band of the “other boy” in the series, Zachary Moore.

4. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author. (i.e. I tell people Pale Fire by Nabokov is my fave, but right now I'm really into Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.)

Wow, it never occurred to me to tell people a fake book. I guess sometimes I say ALICE’SADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND if I want to reach for a classic or if I’m asked about childhood books. My all-time favorite, though, is GOOD OMENS by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

5. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

I just saw on Twitter where author Melissa Mayhue is going to be a judge for a Truffle Contest in Denver this weekend. I want to be her, on that day. Unless it’s for mushroom truffles, not chocolate truffles, in which case I think I’d like to drive a Zamboni for a day.

6. Who would be in your dream cast if your book was made into a movie or television series? (And multimillion dollar salaries were no issue--they'd all do it for free!)

I’d go with Selena Gomez for Aura and Zac Efron for Logan. And thank them profusely for their charity!

7. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

Girl chooses between first love (who’s a ghost) and new boy in town (who’s very much alive).

8. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. Hands down. Ferris was my idol in high school and college. I probably would’ve gotten better grades if he weren’t, but I think I would’ve missed out on a lot of fun. It’s kind of funny, because now I’m a total workaholic. I rarely go out and have a life. But writing and hanging out with readers and other authors online is a lot of fun, too. I mean, what could be a better job than this?

9. Why should I choose your book for my book club?

Because you will definitely want someone to discuss the ending with! What it means, what happened, why it happened and when. All the clues are there, you just have to find them.

10. I'm a huge and fabulously powerful movie producer and you have 30 seconds (an elevator pitch) to sell me on why your book is great and should be made into a movie. Go!

OK, there’s this girl Aura, right? She and everyone born after her can see ghosts. Which is really annoying and sometimes even dangerous, so she’s trying to find a way to make them disappear forever. Until her boyfriend dies and becomes a ghost. How can she learn to live without him when he’s with her every single night—and she loves it? And what about that cute Scottish guy in her history class, the one who has his own secrets? And hello, did I mention he was Scottish? Wait, where are you going? It’ll be a huge hit! It has music and passion and international intrigue!

Thanks for interviewing me, Megan!
>>>

Take care,
Jeri

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Jessica Brody and The Karma Club

GCC Tours Jessica Brody and The Karma Club!!

The Karma Club released on April 27th from Farrar, Straus, Giroux Books for Young Readers, so if you haven't gotten your copy yet, go out and buy one today!

Here's a little bit about the book:

When you mess with Karma, Karma messes back...

Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you'll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve. But when Maddy’s boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind and get back at the people who have wronged them. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

Praise for THE KARMA CLUB:

"Written with wit and panache. Readers will have fun with this one, and it might make them think a little, too."
--Booklist

“Fresh, funny and engaging. This is one YA debut you won’t want to miss.”

-Alyson Noël, NYT bestselling author of The Immortals series

"A well-paced comedy, with a nice balance of cinematic physical humor and genuine teen emotions."
--Publisher's Weekly

My Interview with Jessica Brody:

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.

1. First topic: Revenge. What is your experience with it? Have you ever sought revenge? As the old adage goes, do you think that living well is the best revenge?

Well, since The Karma Club is about revenge, I think this is a very fitting question! I don’t think I’ve ever actually sought revenge on someone but I’ve definitely had my fair share of vengeful thoughts. But instead of acting upon them, I guess I just wrote them into a book! LOL. I don’t think that living well is the best revenge, I think that living well is the best way to move on…for you. The problem with revenge is that it’s external. It’s about someone else. Your life should only be about you. Don’t give people who hurt you any power by making your life about them.

2. Cliques and mean girls are everywhere. At book signings I've had everyone from 12 year old girls to 45 year old women tell me they still encounter them. Do you? How has it changed since you were a teen?

I definitely had my fair share of this when I was younger. I moved to a new city when I was 11 and did NOT fit in at all. The cliques were mean and ruthless and completely unwelcome to me. It definitely shaped who I am today. But I think in a good way. Because now I can recognize mean girls and cliques from a mile away and steer clear of them. Who needs that drama?! Cliques still exist in adulthood, but I’d like to think I’m now confident enough with who I am to be immune to them.

3. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

Actually, there is one song. It’s called Remember When and it captures the essence of my book so well that it’s become The Karma Club Theme Song! My friend Nikki Boyer sings it and my business partner and I have released it through our new record label, Plastic Guitar Records. It’s actually the first song off the Karma Club Original Book Soundtrack (due out this summer). You can listen to the theme song on my website: www.JessicaBrody.com

4. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author. (i.e. I tell people Pale Fire by Nabokov is my fave, but right now I'm really into Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.)

My favorite book of all time is Bridget Jones’s Diary…and I’ll tell anyone who asks! J It’s actually the reason I started writing. When I read that book back in college, my life changed. It was the first book I’d read for “pleasure” (rather than for a school assignment) in a long time and I’d forgotten how entertaining and fun books could be. I knew right then and there that I wanted to write to entertain people in the same way. After that I started writing my first novel.

5. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

Ooh…fun question! I’d love to be a boy for a day. Any boy really. As writers we have to write both female and male characters. But let’s be honest here, we’re really just guessing at what it feels like to be the opposite sex. We could never really know for sure. And I’ll admit, some are better guessers than others! But I’d love to walk around in a guy’s shoes for just a day and see what it’s really like!

6. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

It’s definitely the bigger picture of Karma. In The Karma Club, the characters learn the hard way that spreading “Good Karma” instead of the bad kind, is the key to leading a happy life. So to further that message, I started a non-profit website, www.TheKarmaClub.org that’s dedicated to helping teens find ways to spread Good Karma (and give back) in their communities and around the world. Plus, I’m hosting a huge red carpet fundraiser on May 1 to celebrate the release of the novel. It’s at the Barnes and Noble in Santa Clarita, CA and a portion of the proceeds from the event go to support the local schools. It’s all about spreading the good! You can learn more about the event at: www.JessicaBrody.com.

7. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

Ack! WAY too many good ones to choose from! Okay, let’s do top three: Can’t Buy me Love, Sixteen Candles and The Princess Bride. Ahhh…Classics!

8. Why should I choose your book for my book club?

Because it rocks! Haha…just kidding. I think it’s a great book club pick because although it’s extremely commercial and fun, there’s also a deeper meaning there. The concept of Karma can strike up a lot of good conversations. The review from Booklist summed it up perfectly: “Readers will have fun with this one and it might make them think a little, too.” I like to keep my books light and fun, but I always make sure there’s something to think about in there as well!

9. I'm a huge and fabulously powerful movie producer and you have 30 seconds (an elevator pitch) to sell me on why your book is great and should be made into a movie. Go!

Ah! Pressure! Okay, here it goes. The Karma Club is about three teen girls who decide they’re tired of waiting for Karma to do its job so they decide to take Karma into their own hands and get revenge on those who have wronged them. But they soon discover, the universe often has plans of its own. And when you mess with Karma…Karma messes back... Ding!

ABOUT JESSICA BRODY

Jessica Brody is the author of two books for adults. The Karma Club is her first book for teens. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California where she is working on her next novel. Despite what some people from her high school might claim, she has never sought revenge on an ex-boyfriend. Visit her online at: http://www.jessicabrody.com

Free Flip Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of The Karma Club on April 27, Jessica is giving away FOUR Flip Video Cameras (as well as TONS of other cool prizes!) on her site. Visit her website, http://www.jessicabrody.com for all the details and to enter to win!

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GCC Presents Kay Cassidy and THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY

I have fallen totally behind in my blogging while trying to keep up with the YAAAB (Young Adult Authors Against Bullying) facebook group and anthology (which will hopefully be out of the proposal stage and into a publishing house soon!!).

So....my apologies to Kay Cassidy for being behind a week in my blogging. Without further ado, here's some info on THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY. Go out and buy a copy TODAY!!

OFFICIAL BOOK BLURB:

What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

BOOK TEASER:

I opened the card, my hands trembling in dread and the faint remnants of what I used to call hope, as a tiny silver high-heel pin bounced into my hand.

I juggled the pin for a second, barely managing to keep it from falling, and flipped open the note with my other hand. The words inside were not a message but an invitation that sent shivers down my spine:

Your presence is requested at The Grind.

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Wear the pin.

Discretion MANDATORY.

Q&A:

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.

1. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

I create a playlist for each book. For me, it's a huge help in transitioning from the real world of laundry, ringing phones and domestic crises to the world of the story. The theme song of The Cinderella Society is Soar by Christina Aguilera.

2. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author.

My favorite book/author is the same as I tell people it is. Or the series is, I should say. My favorite books are Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series.

3. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

I think it would be neat to swap lives with Oprah for a day. There's so much that goes on behind the scenes in her career that I think it would be fascinating to see how she manages to juggle it all.

4. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

An outsider gets tapped to join a secret society of good populars dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. It's about dealing with bullies, getting comfortable in your own skin, and staying true to who you are.

5. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

Pretty in Pink is actually referenced in The Cinderella Society, but my favorite 80s movie is probably The Breakfast Club or 16 Candles.

AUTHOR BIO

Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt Contest^TM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your Five^TM web project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.

Kay Cassidy

THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (In stores now!)

www.kaycassidy.com

Founder, The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest

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Young Adult Authors Against Bullying

Young Adult Authors Against Bullying: "When sixteen-year-old Pheobe Prince hung herself after months relentless bull..."

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You are all amazing!

Oh my!

My hands are numb from all of this typing. I am in a state of amazement and awe at the outpouring of support for the new group, Young Adult Authors Against Bullying (YAAAB). This whole experience has been a whirlwind and I am only now coming up for air. I want to thank the nearly 1000 (yes, you read that right, 1000!) people who have joined the Facebook Page of Young Adult Authors Against Bullying. I cannot believe that I started the FB group last night at 1:30 in the morning (my husband all grumbly because he was trying to sleep and I was pecking away on my laptop. Note to husband: if I had the iPad, you wouldn't hear me typing. I'm just sayin'...)

Anyway, the group is not just for authors. It's for anyone who wants to join the fight against bullying.

So how did this whole thing come about? Oh boy. Well, I have to say it all stems from my anger management issues. I've been seething and stewing over the Phoebe Prince case ever since I heard about it a few months back. I think what drew me in was the similarity to the bullying *mean girls* that I had written about in my books. I really had to dig deep to create those awful characters, and here were a group of girls (and boys) that seemed to have jumped off the pages of my book. I tried to put myself in Phoebe's place (and at certain points in my life, I've been in Phoebe's place), but it was so hard to imagine why she felt that killing herself was the only option. She was in a much darker place than I could ever imagine.

When the ruling came out the other day and the pictures of the "alleged" (I have to say that for legal reasons) bullies were printed in the Boston Herald, I put their pics front and center on my blog and listed their names (just stopping short of tracking down their addresses and phone numbers) and I was about to post when my very level-headed sister, Jocelyn, gently reminded me of my anger issues and that I should not start stoking the fire or become a bully to the *bullies*.

(Darn it, I hate it when she's right.)

So, I took a few deep, cleansing yoga breaths and revised my post to focus on Phoebe and not her tormenters. Then someone emailed me an essay she had written and posted online, and it broke my heart. Here was a girl who was so smart, so wise beyond her years, so self-aware, and yet she allowed these awful people to harass her to the point where she felt she had no way out. That is what breaks my heart. That she felt so alone. I read a Facebook post from Jennifer Sky who posted, RIP Phoebe Prince, who committed suicide after being relentlessly harassed by kids in school. I'm sorry faerie, we would have loved you.

And it's true. The YA world would have opened their arms to this girl. She is who we are writing for. She makes what we do worthwhile. Phoebe and everyone like her, everyone going through the often hellish, never easy task of being a teen in the 21st century-- the age of the Internet and cell phones, IMs, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc. -- this is our audience. This is who we care about.

After I posted my Phoebe Prince story, I noticed that my good friend and fellow writer (one of my favorite YA authors who is just as nice as she appears to be), Carrie Jones had posted something on her Facebook that said, I'm thinking of Phoebe Prince today. Then, a lightbulb popped up. I posted on her FB page that I had just blogged about Phoebe and how I wanted to DO something. There must be something we can DO. We're writers. We have a platform. The kids that read our books are the very ones who are bullying or being bullied. Maybe we can make a difference.

Carrie and I decided to make this into a real movement, a real cause. Not just for Phoebe Prince, but for all the hundreds and thousands of kids who are being bullied RIGHT THIS MINUTE. We want to create a *safe haven* where authors and readers can connect so that they don't feel like they are going through this alone. Because the truth is, they are not alone.

All of a sudden, within hours authors (Jay Asher! Ellen Hopkins!!) were generously offering to help out with this project in any capacity. Carrie and I said, "This is great! We have all these incredible authors on board... Ummm... I've never started a movement before, have you? What do we do now?" We were all Norma Rae without the actual plan of attack. But slowly, we started to piece together some ideas of what would be helpful; what would make the most impact.

First of all, the Internet and all it's wonderful applications have been taken over by the bullies. We want to take it back from them. Instead of using things like the "Honesty Box" on Facebook or anonymously texting people mean things, we want to use it to bring people together, not drive a wedge even further between them. In reality, the Internet has totally changed the way that people interact. When I was in high school and someone wanted to bully me or say rude things to me, they would say it to my face (or to ten other girls who would then say it to my face). Now, everyone can hide behind their computers and say that most horrific, degrading, awful things to each other, and they don't even have the guts to say it face to face. It's like the anonymity of the computer has given rise to a whole new level of meanness in the world.

So, Carrie came up with the great idea of creating a "defriend" button on Facebook where you can unfriend bullies. I don't know if that's possible, but if they can create a million of those annoying Blingee postcards and fan pages for artichokes, I suppose they could create a "defriend" button.

The other amazing thing that came out of all of this was the sheer number of YA and MG authors that had their own personal stories of being bullied. Almost every single one. This totally blew us away, and we realized that this was the direction we needed to go in. We are going to tap all the authors who offered their assistance (tap, tap, this means you!) and try to pull together an anthology of bullying stories. That way, if teens can see that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, maybe they will realize that junior high and high school are such tiny blips on the radar of their lives. It may seem all-encompassing now. But with a little distance, you can look at it through different eyes and see that what seemed so insurmountable and impossible to deal with was actually just one tiny stepping stone, one small obstacle on the way to bigger and better things. Do you think J.K. Rowling cared if she was bullied in school? Maybe she did then, but now, look who's got the last laugh. (By the way, J.K., I know you're an avid reader of my blog. Call me if you want to contribute to the anthology.)

Alright so now Carrie and I have gotten ourselves into this project. It all started less than 24 hours ago and it's increasing momentum in leaps and bounds. We have to sit down and hammer all of this stuff out. Don't worry, we don't mind being inside. We're New Englanders, Spring doesn't come here for a few more months anyway.

But I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have shared their personal stories on my blog, Carrie's blog and the YAAAB Facebook page. I'd also like to thank all the authors who are so forthcoming with their help on this project (whatever it turns out to be!) That's when you know you are dealing with amazing people. Carrie and I don't even have anything set in stone yet and all these writers are saying, Whatever you need, let me now and I'll help out. (Hmmmm.... a million dollars might be nice.... again, just kidding) You really have to admire people like that. I know that I do.

Most importantly we want to create a place either on Facebook or a website or a blog where teens and authors can interact and connect on the topic of bullying. Because the last thing we ever want to happen is to have another tragedy like Phoebe Prince. We want to make sure that no one ever, ever, EVER feels so alone that they believe that ending their life is the only answer.

Okay, I'm going to get down off my soap box and rest my weary typing fingers for awhile. I think I might flip through the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog and order one of these hand relaxers.

Hmmm... on second thought, my husband might think I'm a little crazy. Maybe I'll hold off on this purchase.... for now...

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Remembering Phoebe Prince

This story just breaks my heart.

In fact, it makes me sick.

A fifteen year old girl from Ireland, Phoebe Prince, moved to my state of Massachusetts and was relentlessly bullied, picked on, verbally abused, harassed and degraded on a daily basis. She believed that her only option was to end her life; that it was her only escape. No one stood up for her. Not even the teachers.

On January 14th, 2010 she hanged herself in her bedroom closet, after a particularly brutal day of being tormented by her abusers.

When I wrote my books, I had to really dig deep and combine the worst of everyone I've ever known to make my *mean girl* characters. I needed to make Kate Endicott so despicable, that no one could ever possibly like or identify with her. What frightens and angers me is that there are real people out there worse than Kate Endicott; worse than my most evil fictional character. Truth really is scarier than fiction.

I am angry for Phoebe. I blame the teens who bullied her. I blame the parents of the bullies. I blame the educators who knew what was going on and turned a blind eye.

How can we, as a society, let this happen? How can we let people harass each other to the point where they feel there is no other option but to end their own lives? Why do we glorify celebrities who are mean and vindictive--young women like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton -- who make putting each other down into a sport? Popular reality shows like the Real Housewives, The Hills, and Tinsley Mortimer's new show High Society all highlight women and girls at their very worst. On a weekly basis in top shows (even American Idol!), people are getting verbally trashed, mocked, teased and berated, and we wonder why teens think it's okay to do the same.

We are creating a culture of "mean people." The nastier you are, the more you get noticed. The bigger the bully, the bigger the following. The teen and pre-teen years are difficult enough to get through on their own. But when you add Facebook and blogs and MySpace and IMs and YouTube, you are turning one individual's personal battles into a voyeuristic, masochistic nightmare for the world to see. I remember things that embarrassed me in high school: a catty comment from a group of girls, an unrequited crush, being teased by some teen-aged boys. But then, like most high school "nightmares," they would blow over, like they always had in the past.

Now, kids are forced to relive their worst moments again and again on YouTube or pictures that get IM-ed throughout the Web. The rumors about their sexuality or their embarrassing moments are not just fodder for the local bullies, but now their embarrassment is out there for the world to see and to judge. When I was in high school and college, the good days were exhilarating; the bad days were horrendous. But for most of us, the bad stuff stopped at our front door. We could leave the teasing, the rumors, the cattiness at school and regroup and gather our strength at home. Now the bullying has become relentless. With Facebook and blogs and emails, there is no escape from the harassment. It has become all-encompassing.

If I had a larger platform, I would make the bullies wear the scarlet letters. I think they should be the ones humiliated on a daily basis. I would make it *uncool* to hurt other peoples' feelings and for the popular kids to be popular because they are actually nice. It goes without saying that for the most part, popular kids are often the cruelest. The *in-crowd* is powerful because they rule with fear. It's the same today as it was ten, twenty, fifty years ago. But the difference now is that teens feel like they have nowhere left to turn. We are reminded again and again that things posted to the Internet are out there forever for the world to see. How scary is that? Especially for teenagers who just want to get through their awkward stages and begin living their lives. What if they think that their lives will be forever tainted? What if the bullies know this and feed off of it?

I am going to try to get a group of young adult authors together to make a stand against this type of bullying, so that someone like Phoebe Prince never has to feel that she is alone, ever. So that she or he never has to think that suicide is the only option; the only way to escape the incessant bullying and meanness.

I am posting this essay written by Phoebe Prince that someone forwarded to me, because I think that her words are powerful. Her life was one that was cut too short. She was never given the opportunity to be heard.

“Phoebe’s death on Jan. 14 followed a torturous day for her, in which she was subjected to verbal harassment and threatened physical abuse,” District Attorney Scheibel said.

Yesterday, nine teens were hit with charges in connection with the case.

Mind Over Matter, Value Essay

Phoebe Prince
Mr. B-G
Block E
15/10/09
Mind Over Matter
Where have today’s values gone? Everyone is so preoccupied with their electronic gadgets to appreciate simple moments like the first snow fall of winter or hearing the words I love you for the very first time. We live in an impersonal electronic society, is that what our values have gone to? We no longer appreciate simple conversations now that we have twitter and face-book. Personally I can’t believe that reading an email would have the same effect as speaking with someone face to face, making a moment.
I get into my pink fluffy onesie my feet tingle as they rub off the soft cushioned fabric. I head downstairs into the kitchen. The walls our heath green with various paintings of vegetables. I live in an old country house with a barn door and all the furnishings to boot. My fathers sitting at the dining table reading a thriller type novel as per usual with a half glass full of white wine next to him. The fire is roaring and the smell of hydrangea’s wafts through the air. I curl up on a chair adjacent from my father making sure to be cosily tucked in near the fire. He puts down his book and says, “Now what is on your mind tonight my dear?” From there on we start a heated debate about almost anything. Our conversations range from sex, drugs and rock and roll to matters of great importance such as ancient religions, politics and criminal justice. No subject is off limits with me and my father.
I click in my glossy silver i-pod into my speakers. I turn up the volume full blast, the walls vibrate from the sound of System of a Down screaming out “Chop Suey”. I’m sitting in my room on my mattress (I broke my bed one evening whilst jumping on it). My walls are covered with doodles, posters, lyrics and memories. I have the lyrics to “I love college” by Asher Roth printed on my walls. I start off by listening to some Arctic Monkeys, they always get me in a good mood. My mix soon turns into some darker music. My i-pod reflects me inside throughout. Its my constant companion. Soon my boyfriend rings me up, “Phoebe c’mon man lets go for a spin, bring your i-pod.” I get into his Civic and he starts driving. The windows are down and the air is blowing through my hair, I plug my i-pod in and the Alex Kidd starts pumping. Alex Kidd is by far my favourite DJ. The words “ecstasy” are throbbing in my ears. Leem starts speeding up we’re going well over sixty miles an hour. We change the music to some Chemical Brothers and The Avalanches. He drops me outside the farm across the road from my house. I now put on “Sandiego Song” by the Coronas.
I value both my i-pod and my nightly conversations with my daddy for both different yet similar reasons. My i-pod is stimulating to my body as I can’t help but move along to the beat, it is also the soundtrack of my life, I have a song for every moment and mood of my day. Without it I would be lost. Its also therapeutic for me I find it easy to relate to the lyrics in music and let them wash away any emotion I’m feeling. As for my nightly conversations with my daddy I treasure them dearly they stimulate my mind to no end, he has increased my knowledge of different dialects, cultures, religions and politics. I learn about the world around me even though I don’t leave my kitchen table.

Both my i-pod and my conversations with my daddy make me think, one with its thoughtful lyrics that I relate to and helps me deal with my own personal problems. My nightly conversations make me think about other people and the world that I’m in. I become more emotionally and intellectually mature through both these activities. Although I still value such items that don’t have such significant effects on me. Sometimes I love just walking around in my favourite heels and feeling like the most confident girl in the world, but mostly I just like sitting back and discussing politics with my dad.

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Elizabeth Scott talks about "the unwritten rule"

About The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

What others are saying about The Unwritten Rule:

"Sarah and Ryan's relationship, with the visceral thrill of physical attraction, is beautifully captured, but it's the delicate balance between insecure Brianna's need to put Sarah down and Sarah's loyalty to her needy and lonely friend that will stay with the reader. The painfully abrupt ending fits the characters and story, and will leave readers wanting more. Scott's realistic dialogue and empathetic view of symbiotic relationships will have teens thinking she has been eavesdropping on their conversations. Romance readers will pick up this novel and discover fine, accessible writing many notches about the standard love story." -- Booklist

"I read this book in a few hours, all in the same night. It was impossible for me to walk away from, because I wasn't sure what was going to happen to the characters, and I couldn't even decide for myself what I actually wanted to happen. Did I think the best friend should get the guy and lose her best friend? Was the girl currently with the guy being mean? Was I mad at the guy for not going for what he wanted in the first place? I really liked how our main character considered the role of best friends in the media (especially movies). I found what she said to be so very true - best friends in movies are there to be awkward, to listen... not often to have as great a life as the more popular of the best friends. I was very satisfied with the ending, and agreed with the ways things turned out, even though I didn't know that that is what I wanted until it actually happened. Bravo, Elizabeth Scott!" -- Chick Loves Lit

"This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance--it's heartwrenching and heartbreaking and real. The Unwritten Rule doesn't take the easy all will be perfect route to this story which I think makes the book even more realistic. This book will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you read the last page." -- Green Bean Teen Queen

Author Bio: Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth Scott grew up in a town so small it didn't even have a post office, though it did boast an impressive cattle population. She's sold hardware and panty hose and had a memorable three-day stint in the dot-com industry, where she learned that she really didn't want a career burning CDs. She lives just outside Washington, DC, with her husband; firmly believes you can never own too many books; and would love it if you visited her website,http://www.elizabethwrites.com.

THE UNWRITTEN RULE Simon Pulse / March 2010

My Interview with the Fabulously Talented Elizabeth Scott:

Elizabeth wrote one of the scariest books I’ve ever read called LIVING DEAD GIRL. It’s a book that has haunted me ever since I picked it up a year or so ago. So, I was so thrilled to be able to interview her for the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit. Here goes:

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.

1. First topic: Revenge. What is your experience with it? Have you ever sought revenge? As the old adage goes, do you think that living well is the best revenge?

I've never really sought revenge for anything. And as for living well being the best revenge, I don't know if that's true. I mean, if we're talking in terms of material success, I definitely don't think it matters, because someone who hates you and wants revenge --well, they really aren't going to care how much money you have. But if living well means being the best person you can be, then yeah, I do think that's a good thing.

2. Cliques and mean girls are everywhere. At book signingsI've had everyone from 12 year old girls to 45 year old women tell me they still encounter them. Do you? How has it changed since you were a teen?

If you're female, you will never get away from cliques or mean girls. Ever! I do my best to avoid both, but you can't help but run into them from time to tome. I do think mean girls and women are actually meaner now because there are so many more ways to be mean than there were back when I was a teenager, like--well, like the internet.

3. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

I don't listen to music when I write so I have no idea what would be on my writing playlist, and as for what song captures The Unwritten Rulebest--I have no idea about that either, but I'd love to hear from readers about it!

4. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author. (i.e. I tell people Pale Fire by Nabokov is my fave, but right now I'm really into Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.)

I can't pick a favorite book or favorite author. I love too many to ever just have one!

5. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

I wouldn't mind being my dog for a day. She's got a pretty sweet life, plus I'd love to know what she's thinking.

6. Who would be in your dream cast if your book was made into a movie or television series? (And multimillion dollar salaries were no issue--they'd all do it for free!)

I have no idea!

7. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

One of the cardinal unwritten rules of high school: don't like a friend's (much less a best friend's!) boyfriend.

8. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

Heathers

9. Why should I choose your book for my book club?

Because it's a story about love, friendship, family, and figuring out who you really are. And I think those are things we all wrestle with.

10. I'm a huge and fabulously powerful movie producer and you have 30 seconds (an elevator pitch) to sell me on why your book is great and should be made into a movie. Go!

Actually, to be perfectly honest, I'm just going to ask the producer about his last film--and okay, for gossip about the stars!

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