Pictures That Make Me Happy

Lots and lots of writing going on here. I am closing in on the end of revisions for my next novel (my magic-at-Princeton book). This weekend, I am going to my first ever writers' retreat (Kindling Words), and I have high hopes of major progress. And s'mores. That's right, I'm told there will be a bonfire with s'mores! So. Very. Excited.

Anyway, while I play with words, I wanted to share with you some pictures that make me happy.

This beautiful bear was drawn by Realm Lovejoy to accompany her interview with me on her blog. She draws pictures to accompany each author interview. Very cool.


And this gorgeous piece was created by Katie of Sophistikatied Reviews. I think it totally looks like a real movie poster. Check out all her fan art. Quite awesome.


Lastly, my friend Cathie sent me this photo from a store window on Madison Ave in Manhattan.


Now that is one snazzy polar bear!

Newbery and Printz 2010

Snoopy dance of joy for Rebecca Stead and Libba Bray!!!

This morning, Rebecca Stead won the 2010 Newbery Award for her beautifully crafted novel WHEN YOU REACH ME, and Libba Bray won the 2010 Printz Award for her brilliantly hilarious novel GOING BOVINE.

I love it when nice things happen to nice people. Both Rebecca and Libba are awesome people in addition to being fantastic writers.

I first met Rebecca when we were both members of a debut-author group called the Class of 2k7. (Her excellent debut novel FIRST LIGHT came out the same year as my debut novel INTO THE WILD.) She's always been so friendly and sweet and gracious. I was so excited to hear she'd won the Newbery. Bet she was too!

Libba is simply hilarious, both on the page and in person. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with her at various teen author events in Manhattan, most recently at a Teen Author Reading Night where we both read from our books. While the rest of us read our scenes in the usual chronological order, Libba asked the audience to call out page numbers and read a selection of random pages from GOING BOVINE. It was the best reading I've ever heard. And of course, there's this.

So please join me in dancing for Rebecca and Libba, as well as all the other winners and honorees of today's American Library Association awards. See the full list here.

Sometimes the universe gets things right. Well done, ALA.

Happy New Year

Since it's been a while since my last blog post (sorry!), I'd like to begin by saying something profound...

Yeah, I got nothing. You?

I spent the bulk of December with my family, which was wonderful and very happy-making. I also dove into revisions on my next novel (coming fall 2010), also happy-making. I promise I'll tell you more about it as the year progresses. (Hee-hee!)

For now, just wanted to wish you all a happy new year! Hope you have a wonderful 2010 full of dreams come true!

More soon.....