Fairy Bad Day

Is up for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk. Of course I was a little surprised to discover this since it's not coming out for 14 more months, but hey, it's all good! I don' t have a cover or the official blurb for it yet, but I promise I will go and update my website soon with a teaser. In the meantime let's just say that it's the story of a girl who cries wolf. But instead of wolf it's with fairies. Invisible killer fairies. Oh, and Curtis Green, the hero is not only deliciously hot but he also spends the entire book with a broken leg. Gotta love a hero on crutches!

Not much else to report. The writing is going mind-numbingly slow but I am getting there. I have a bad habit of over-writing and a short book that just doesn't work, so right now my system is to write it all down and then the next day go back and delete it all and do a shorter version. Then I go and write some more stuff and the next day, I delete it all and...well, you get the picture! Anyway, despite this less than ideal approach, I'm still getting there!

Reading wise, my son and I are doing Percy Jackson together. I wasn't feeling the love at first because there were far too many cut off conversations but now that things are heating up, we're both starting to like it. As for me, I'm meant to be reading The Monstrumologist but I got nightmares so now I'm chilling with a Louise Bagshawe instead because when the going gets scary, the scaredy cats put the book down! I will finish the other book thought because I'm really liking it - I just might need to only read it during the day or perhaps do a Joey and put it in the freezer from time to time!!! Retweet this button on every post blogger

New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age 2010

Me. I'm on it! I made the NYPL's totally cool Stuff for the Teen Age. I know, I think it's crazy too. Especially since my favorite book is on it - The Hunger Games, not to mention my favorite TV show, Skins. I have no idea how a light-hearted Zombie book managed to sneak in there but I'm not complaining!

You can check it out here - though keep scrolling because I am quite literally the last book on the list (obviously they thought I was special! Or, because my book title begins with a Z!!!) Retweet this button on every post blogger

GCC presents Elizabeth Scott

First up - a big thank you to everyone who came over to Teen Fiction Cafe's three year anniversary. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! Anyway, now it's time to introduce a new Girlfriend to you! We're very lucky to have Elizabeth Scott amongst our ranks and I know that loads of fangirls at the library where I work will be getting giddy with excitement!!!!!

So, if you don't know, Elizabeth is the author of Stealing Heaven, Living Dead Girl (which I'm just about to read after being assured by several people that I won't get too scared!!!!!) and numerous other YA books. But today she's here to talk about her latest novel, The Unwritten Rule.

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...




Looks and sounds amazing, doesn't it. And because I'm a giver, I've also got a cool interview with Elizabeth! Check it out!


What was the inspiration behind this book?

The Unwritten Rule actually came about because my editor at Simon Pulse, Jennifer Klonsky, and I were talking about friendships and high school and the things you just instinctively knew you could never ever do then, like be interested in a friend's boyfriend and I said, "Yeah, it's like the unwritten rule," and bam! There was the story. It just popped into my head--all the characters, everything that was going to happen--and I love my editor for letting me take the idea and run with it!

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?


I'm a plotter. I can't write anything unless I know the characters and the beginning and the end of the story.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

I love everything Anne Lamott says about first drafts, but this is probably my favorite thing she says about them: "I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts. All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much." No one says it better than Anne Lamott and her book on writing should be compulsory reading for everyone because she is so very, very wise (and funny, and manages to make you cry as well!)

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Right now, I'm really loving Life Unexpected. And Greek. And Lost. And Big Love. And Modern Family. (What can I say? I like TV!)

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I'm actually a pretty good cook. At my husband's office, whenever they have a potluck, he is required (!) to bring in my macaroni and cheese. Or my chocolate cake.

Awesome! And don't forget that Elizabeth's new book is out now so make sure you add it to your wish-list because this is one that shouldn't be missed! Retweet this button on every post blogger

Christina's cover

Woot - my cp, Christina Phillips has just posted the cover for her debut book so make sure you head over to her blog and check it out (though if you're under 18, maybe not because it's a hot historical!) Retweet this button on every post blogger

win stuff

Hahaha - do you like my catchy title to lure all of you Google Reader people in! Anyway, my post is up at Teen Fiction Cafe today and as well as having a chance to win a copy of Zombie Queen of Newbury High, you can also enter in all the other great comps that have been running all week. But be quick because we're drawing everything on Monday!!!!! Retweet this button on every post blogger

Interesting article

There is a good article in the LA Times about adults who read YA books! Naturally, since I'm one of them, I was pleased to see it!!!! Actually, I love how many adults come over to the Teen section of the library on the weekends and I can assure you that I never let them escape without at least one fabulous book so that I can get them hooked - mwhahaha!

Not much else to report. Rita books are finished and I'm still working on my second Djinn book. I hope to have it finished pretty soon, mainly because there is still a third one to write, not to mention all the other ideas that are chattering away to my mind (naughty ideas, naughty!)

Also, don't forget that the party is still going strong over Teen Fiction Cafe! Retweet this button on every post blogger

Teen Fiction Cafe

Don't forget that the Teen Fiction Cafe three year anniversary party is still going strong. Lots of fabulous posts and even more fabulous prizes. Well, what are you waiting for? Get over there! Retweet this button on every post blogger

Ice Ice Baby

Yes my friends, it's been a while since I've blasted Vanilla Ice, but I'm afraid that I need another fix. For those who are easily offended, look away now!!!

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Third print run

I forgot to mention yesterday that Zombie has gone into a third print run! Thanks to everyone who has supported my book - I'm ridiculously happy about this!!!!

Oh, and there is a short article on me in the University of Queensland Graduate magazine. You can check it out here!

And now, like a phantom I will once again disappear into the night. Okay, the morning, since I really need to get my kids ready for school (but between you and me, I still think that night sounds better!) Retweet this button on every post blogger

Party at Teen Fiction Cafe

It's the three year anniversary of Teen Fiction Cafe and from now until the 13th of March there are going to be all sorts of awesome posts and giveaways going on so make sure you check in everyday to see what's happening!!!!!

As for me, there is writing going on. There are doubt monkeys being killed and there is quite a bit of out of tune singing going on as well. All in the name of art I tell you, all in the name of art.

I've almost finished my Rita books, which is lucky since they need to be done in a week and I've got a huge pile of ya books to dive into, which I can't wait. Apart from that life is going well. Sara Hantz and I will be presenting a ya workshop at the RWAustralia conference in Sydney this August which is pretty exciting! I haven't been to Sydney in many years so it's going to be lots of fun. What's everyone else been up to? Deets please! Retweet this button on every post blogger