Poison is Here!
In 2007, when I was just starting to think about writing a YA novel, with maybe the farfetched hope of someday being a published author, a moment of generosity and friendship changed my life for the better. My writing life and my non-writing life. I had met Bridget Zinn, but we were not yet friends. When Bridget heard I was…
In Our Own Words
I get asked a lot about how difficult it was to write Personal Effects from the first person POV of a seventeen-year-old male. I answer the question by talking about avoiding generalizations, by knowing your individual character, by knowing that we are all more alike than different, and that this seventeen-year-old male I know very well, etc. But the truth…
Announcing The MSFV Success Story Blog Hop!
Wow! The summer has flown by. I can hardly believe that Personal Effects will hit shelves in 6 weeks. I've recently updated the News & Events page with some book launch parties, conferences and festival appearances, and I will continue to update the list as additional events are scheduled. I'm posting today to alert you to a special blog tour that…
Cover Reveal & Swag Giveaway!
I am thrilled to finally be able to share the cover for Personal Effects! Personal Effects (September 2012, Candlewick Press) Ever since his brother, T.J., was killed in Iraq, Matt feels like he's been sleepwalking through life — failing classes, getting into fights, and avoiding his dad's lectures about following in his brother’s footsteps. T.J.'s gone, and the worst part…
It’s going to be a busy fall
I’m in this weird state between anticipation and celebration. Planning, waiting, watching, hoping…and trying to write and work and sleep and not become overwhelmed. Personal Effects is out in two weeks. We’re putting the final touches on some launch celebrations, and waiting for the day to arrive. All the while I have been writing/re-writing/revising like crazy in order to get…