One Week in Kentucky

A great week speaking in Kentucky began with an airport run-in with Cliff from Cheers. I mean, Hamm from Toy Story and Mack from Cars. I mean, John Ratzenberger!

In my li'l rental car, in which I swoop through areas where I'm speaking to see as many local oddities as I can, I caught a distant ark being built. This isn't being built for a flood, but as a duplicate to one used during a well-known Biblical flood in an attraction called Ark Encounter. Still, if it starts raining a lot, I know where I'm heading!

But I was brought into Kentucky to speak, so I headed to the Grant County Public Library in Williamstown and was given one of the coolest handmade gifts!

Some attendees were in their seats long before I was scheduled to begin. And if you really want an author to feel special, that is precisely how you do it!

As the following road sign proves, if there's anything Kentucky is known for besides horse racing, it's bourbon.

Every few years, I'll take a sip from a shotglass to see if I've finally acquired the taste buds for "adult" beverages. The answer is always an instantaneous "No!" Still, I wanted to check out some of the nearby distilleries due to regional curiosity. But before driving out to any of them, I did more of what I was there for. This time, the seats were filled at Bardstown Middle School.

Their questions were great, which is always the sign of a school that encourages students to think for themselves and think outside the box. Although, when I was leaving, I did catch a couple students trying to escape.

The coolest distillery I visited while in Kentucky was for Maker's Mark. They do everything by hand here, including printing their labels on this press.

If you've ever seen their bottles, they're distinctive because of the dripping red wax on the neck. I learned that those drips are trademarked! Here's what it looks like when the wax-less bottles arrive, get dipped, and then set back on the conveyor belt.

Before my talk at the Nelson County Public Library that evening, I had dinner with a few librarians. Joining us was the mother of a girl who ended her life last year as a seventh grader. This bracelet remains on my wrist as I type this, and will remain here until it wears out.

Then it was time to do my speaking thing!

The next day, I began my journey to Bowling Green, which should have taken an hour and a half. It turned into an all-day adventure as I kept finding road signs luring me to amazing destinations. For example, the land once owned by the following family.

The Lincoln's lived here for the first two years of Abraham's life. They drew their water from this very spring!

Another stop brought me to Hidden River Cave. The next tour didn't leave for a couple hours...unless I didn't mind tagging along with a class of fifth graders. Of course I didn't mind! They made the whole experience much more interesting. And loud! But interesting.

When I arrived in Bowling Green, all of the teen and children's authors who had arrived for the following day's Southern Kentucky Book Festival were hanging out and having a grand ol' time. But I didn't join them. Why? Because I didn't know about it. Why? Because I wasn't invited. Why? Because the event organizers were told I wasn't into that sort of thing. What? Why? Because that's what the person who arranged my visit told them!

What!?!?

For most events I attend, the organizers approach me directly, and sometimes my publisher arranges events. Other times, a booking agency will contact me to see if I'd like to do an event they're working on. Often times, I say yes. The agency takes 20% of whatever I make, as they should. After the event, they'll usually tempt me to sign with them exclusively in exchange for more gigs. Every time, I say no because I like working directly with the venues, and I don't mind making less money per visit if that means I get to meet more readers.

If you've ever contacted me directly about setting up a visit, you know that if you hire me, I'm yours for the entire day. If you want me to speak four four times during the day, plus have lunch with select students, and then speak at a library in the evening, that's great. That's why I'm there.

But at this event, apparently the Book Fest was told I would only speak one hour on Friday and then I would sign for only one hour on Saturday. Meanwhile, the rest of the authors spoke several times throughout the two days, and when they weren't speaking, they were sitting with their books from 9am to 3pm to autograph books for any readers who wanted them.

And I, apparently, don't go for that sort of thing.

Why was this said by the booking agency? Maybe they thought it made me ("their" author) seem important. Maybe one of the other authors brought to the festival by this agency (there were three of us) had demanded this in their contract, and maybe the agency didn't want to make that author look bad. I don't know! Yet...

Either way, I didn't know about any of this at the time, so while the other authors gathered to hang out, I was probably watching YouTube videos in my hotel room. And then, later in the evening, when my friend Katherine Howe arrived, we attended a delicious event called Taste of Bowling Green. Local restaurants showed off their edibles, and a kick-ass band played. We also stepped into a photobooth to document the evening. Do either one of us look like author divas? I don't think so!

#SOKY #YA

The next morning, I arrived at the festival at 9:30am, That's thirty minutes after they opened, which was thirty minutes before my presentation. That's when I noticed all the other authors sitting at tables, ready to sign their books. And that's when I began to question why I wasn't invited to sign books throughout the entire festival. And that's when my jaw began to drop.

So I went and gave my presentation...

,,,and afterwards, I promptly went to the table where my books were stacked and I sat there until 3pm like the good author that I am.

You know who has great readers? I do! You know who else has great readers? Shannon Messenger. One of her readers brought a lot homemade cookies based on her books. 

Who's that making a face at my cookies? Another author who has amazing readers, Alecia Whitaker. One of her readers brought her senior portraits to the festival, and each picture included books by her favorite author: Ms. Whitaker. While this was my first time meeting Alecia, I had so much fun with her as my seatmate that I will now refer to her as my Sister-From-Another-Mister. The first book I bought at the festival was Wildflower. And yes, of course I had it signed!

An author I'm always happy to see and hang out with while traveling is Phil Bildner. His shirt, in Arabic, reads "Love Conquers Hate". That matched perfectly with my purple shirt, worn in tribute to Prince, who passed away the day before.

I got to meet author M.D. Payne, and found out that he's the husband of the person at Penguin who organized last school year's 50 States Against Bullying campaign. 

A book I've been looking forward to reading, The Serpent King, was written by Jeff Zentner. And now, I own a signed copy! Even better than that, Jeff taught me a new way to eat apples, from the top down, which makes it possible to devour core-and-all. So weird! And so cool!

I also had a great time discussing the fun of co-authoring books with the co-authors of the Doon series, Lorie Langdon and Carey Corp.

The second day of the conference, the organizers were able to squeeze me onto an author panel discussion, which is something I love to do (despite what they had been told). I even got to pose for my first selfie-stick photo with many of my fellow festival authors.

Thanks for a great week, Kentucky!

The Doors of Perception

Last week, I spoke at Royal Palm Beach High School in Florida. (I know, sometimes being an author requires you to drag yourself to a place called Royal Palm Beach.) RPBHS was in the midst of week-long events and discussions based around Thirteen Reasons Why. So I'm guessing that's why they invited me!

One student asked me, "Is it weird to think that a whole school is doing this around something you wrote?" Yes, it is. It's very weird!

And it's one of the most amazing things an author can experience.

Students designed book-specific bookmarks, which I've already given a prime spot in my office. But I'm going to assume none of the students ever used the bookmarks while reading 13RW...because they couldn't stop reading it!

Another student designed this poster in the library.

The office door in the library was full of positive notes left by students and faculty.

Then it was time to speak to an audience where so many of the students had already read my book.

During lunch, I dined on Chipotle (they donated everything!) with a group of students wearing shirts designed for this week. These students were chosen from a larger group of students who had created projects--posters, displays, wordles...--dealing with my book.

Then...time to speak again!

Before I left, I was taken on a tour of decorated classroom doors that won a school-wide contest.

Doors, man! I've never been so emotionally moved by...doors!!!

Between 2 Holidays: ILLINOIS

I usually do a lot of travelling around Easter, though I would never miss being home on that special morning. Like most years, this Easter began with an egg hunt, followed by a hike up Terrace Hill with JoanMarie and Isaiah for a hilltop service.

The next morning, I flew to Illinois to do my part in two week-long high school events. But when I got to my hotel that night, it was being evacuated. The police officer told me it was for "hazmat issues." If you care to know what that issue was, you can click here.

So that's a new travel experience that may find its way into a story one day...

The first school I visited, Lakes Community High School, was in the midst of Writers Week. Obviously, I'm very pleased with how my author career has unfolded, but I've attended enough events similar to this one to wonder where my interests may have turned if I'd been introduced to so many different types of writing careers.

Swag!

The one speaker I got to hear, Jennifer Dornbush, had a crazy story about how she found her way to crime fiction, It involved dead bodies being brought to her home as a child, and a photo of her Barbie doll in a bodybag.

I shared my author experience with two groups of students in the theater, and led a workshop on writing suspense to a smaller group of writers.

The "green room" was backstage, where departing theater students had left messages on the walls for future students. I love the sentiment below.

The next day, I spoke at Grayslake North High School's Spark Week. Here, many types of arts are explored with many speakers and performers.

At one of my presentations, I was introduced by two students who sang while one of them played the ukulele. I love ukulele! I own a ukulele! This student, though, played her ukulele much better than me. And both students sang much better than me. But, whatever...

Another one of my presentations had me introduced by an accordion and singing pirates. In this case, I have no relation to either the accordion or pirates.

I'm seeing these Writers Week and Spark Week ideas pop up more and more throughout the country, and I really hope it keeps growing. And I hope they keep inviting me!

The next day, I returned home. And I made it home in time to celebrate another beautiful holiday: April Fools' Day!

This year, my son and I made his likeness using a wig, Charlie Brown, and footie pajamas. In the morning, Isaiah told JoanMarie he was going out back to play, and when she and I opened the curtains a few minutes later, "Isaiah" was holding on by one arm to the roof's rain gutter.

Next year's prank is already being planned.

Happy Easter!

The following is my annual Easter re-post.

Every so often, a reader tells me their impression of something I wrote in a way that deepens my own understanding of my own words. Someone in Florida once told me how a decision one of my characters made helped her illustrate a sentiment she'd been trying to get across to her friends.

Here's what she told me:

In the past, I've had to help friends realize that life goes on even after you've made a poor decision. Not because you move on or get over it, but because you grow as a result of it. You build something new, something with a higher purpose, using what you've learned as one of your bricks.

When I read that, my heart leapt! Since there was no way I could say it any better, I immediately knew I'd be using her words in future speeches...and blog posts.

So what does this have to do with Easter?

One of the most beautiful ideas surrounding this holiday is that we're all given an opportunity to make corrections if we find ourselves traveling down a road we don't want to (or shouldn't) be on. In fact, we're given this opportunity to change every day. Every second! But sometimes we need a calendar to remind us.

Refresh. Repair. Rebirth. Whatever you want to call it...

Renewal is a wonderful blessing!

Easter 2016

10th Anniversary Edition: THIRTEEN REASONS WHY

hardcover anniversary edition

includes special additional content

On sale: December 27, 2016

Thirteen Reasons Why up-to-date:

• #1 New York Times bestseller
• over 2.5 million copies in print in the U.S.
• translated into 35 languages worldwide
• in production as a 13-episode series for Netflix (Tom McCarthy, director of Spotlight, recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture, will direct the first two episodes; Brian Yorkey, Pulitzer Prize winning writer of Next to Normal, is the series creator and lead writer; executive producers: Steve Golin, Selena Gomez, Kristil Laiblin, Tom McCarthy, Diana Son, Michael Sugar, Kristen Teefey, Mandy Teefey, Joy Gorman Wettels, Brian Yorkey)

Ontario Teen Book Fest: Part 2

There's something going on in Ontario!

I was all set to proclaim yesterday's visit to the Ontario Teen Book Fest one of my best days as an author, but then I reviewed the post about my my previous visit in 2012. Apparently (and now I fully remember), that was also one of my best days as an author.

Yesterday began when I woke up at 3am, and then drove to family friend (oh, and amazing author) Mary Weber's to begin a 4-hour car ride. Sitting behind Mary in the photo below is her daughter, Rilian. Behind me is Rilian's friend, Jenna. Despite what our faces say, the coffee was delicious and necessary.

The book festival has grown a lot since my visit four years ago. For example, hashtags and selfies are much more common. In fact, many of the pics I'll post below were found using #OntarioTBF. And if you were a reader attending the festival who wanted selfies with authors, even if they were speaking you could get one!

A few times, unlike the photo above, actual versions of the authors could also be found in the same place.

Alexis Bass, Michelle Levy, Andrew Smith, me, Mary Weber,

Virginia Boecker, Kristin Halbrook, Mary McCoy, B.T. Gottfred, Robin Reul,
Jessica Brody, Stephanie Diaz, Sara Elizabeth Santana,
Nicole Maggi, E. Katherine Kotaras, Marrisa Meyer

The organizer of the event was the extraordinary Courtney Saldana. Any continuing awesomeness of this festival is due to her work, and the volunteers she brings aboard.

The conference began with keynotes by me, Marissa, and then Andrew.

And I think we did rather well!

There were three panels that attendees could attend in the morning. Unfortunately, I only got to attend one. Fortunately, I got to be on it!

Lunch, which followed this panel, was provided by Panera. And I was happy to find no onions on my sandwich! Thank you, Panera.

Full bellies make authors very happy.

Not an accurate depiction of our height difference.

Not an accurate depiction of the hair on Jessica's chin.

(She doesn't have any.)

Unfortunately, I could only attend one of the afternoon's three panels. Fortunately, I was on that one, too!

During the massive book signing, Mary and I had the chance to sign another author's book...and it wasn't even vandalism!

Bonus material from Cress by Marissa Meyer.

And look at this reader's homemade shirt!!!

Thank you, OTBF, for another wonderful festival. And thank you for this wonderful tag, which featured the cover of my next book. (A copy of What Light is headed your way, Courtney!)

Spring 2016 Children's Books

Browsing through the Spring 2016 Children’s Books issue of Publishers Weekly, these are the recently released (or soon-to-be released) middle-grade and teen novels that most grabbed my attention:

The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli, trans. by Daniel Hahn. A Brazilian boy who lives in a giant, hollow, concrete head of St. Anthony can hear people’s prayers—and decides to answer them.

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando. Eleven years after six kindergartners went missing without a trace, five of them return—not knowing where they’ve been.

The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott. Two teens take a road trip to meet three people who received their late best friend’s organs.

The Parent Agency by David Baddiel. Tired of his strict parents, Barry makes a wish that transports him to a world where kids choose their own parents.

Some of the Parts by Hannah Barnaby. Grieving her older brother’s death, Tallie tries to track down the recipients of his donated organs.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin offers a look at the days leading up to the tragic events and how that day impacted the lives of four middle schoolers in different part of the country.

Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw. A teen finds an outlet for her fanfic writing by posting a fanfiction narrative about her schoolmates online.

The Classy Crooks Club by Alison Cherry. AJ discovers that her strict grandmother’s “bridge group” is actually a club of crooks.

The Season of You and Me by Robin Constantine. After her boyfriend breaks up with her, Cassidy falls for a paralyzed fellow counselor at a summer camp.

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper. A girl who has a rare disorder that makes words people say about her appear on her body finds ways to accept who she is.

Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend by Alan Cumyn. Shiels falls for the first-ever interspecies transfer student at her school.

Breaker by Kat Ellis. The death count on campus rises after Kyle, son of an executed serial killer, arrives at his new school.

The Secret Destiny of Pixie Piper by Annabelle Fisher, illus. by Natalie Andrewson is the first of a duology about a girl descended from Mother Goose.

Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee T. Frazier. Inspired by a woman entrepreneur on TV, Cleo launches a tooth-pulling business at school.

Twisted by Hannah Jayne. When her father is accused of being a serial killer, Bex becomes the ultimate bait in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

The Deadly 7 by Garth Jennings. An ancient machine pulls the seven deadly sins from a boy’s soul, turning them into creatures who help find his missing sister.

Dreamology by Lucy Keating. After Alice falls in love with the boy who has long appeared in her dreams, he shows up at her new school.

The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder, photos by Jill Wachter. Penelope curates a mini-museum dedicated to all the different heartbreaks—love and friendship— in her life.

The Sleepover by Jen Malone. Three friends try to piece together the evidently outrageous antics of their sleepover the night before, when they may have been hypnotized.

Save Me, Kurt Cobain by Jenny Manzer. A girl who’s been adrift since her mother vanished suspects that Kurt Cobain is still alive—and that he’s her father.

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather. Sam discovers she’s at the center of a centuries-old curse affecting anyone with ties to the Salem witch trials.

Nowhere Boys by Elise McCredie. After four boys spend a stormy night in the bush, they return home to discover that no one knows them.

26 Kisses by Anna Michels. After a break-up, Veda finds the perfect solution to heal her heartbreak by embarking on a summer-long quest to kiss 26 boys—one for every letter of the alphabet.

Gemini by Sonya Mukherjee. The story of 17-year-old conjoined twins is told in alternating perspectives, marking Mukherjee’s debut.

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever by Jeff Strand. Justin and his filmmaking buddies decide it’s time to make the greatest zombie movie ever.

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian. Keeley and her friends make the most of their remaining time together after a storm floods their hometown and everyone is ordered to pack up 

and leave.

Demon Dentist by David Walliams, illus. by Tony Ross. Is the new dentist in town responsible for the creepy crawlies appearing under kids’ pillows in place of coins from the tooth fairy?

Dreamers Often Lie by Jacqueline West. After a high-school actress fractures her skull, she’s afraid to admit that she’s hallucinating about Shakespeare.

Back At It: YORBA LINDA

Last week I spoke at the Yorba Linda Public Library. It was my first author talk since before Thanksgiving, so my nerves were hitting hard. But I knew it was friendly territory because Amy, the teen librarian who set this up, used to work at the San Luis Obispo Public Library. And that's where I used to work!

So we're basically family.

I love seeing book displays at libraries and bookstores based around topics. Or, if there's an author visit, a display of books that touch on similar themes.

I gave my first author talk eight-and-a-half years ago, so it's rare to see something done for the very first time. But at this library, they labeled the refreshment stations after places in Thirteen Reasons Why! The coffee table became Monet's Garden...

...and if you wanted a root beer float, you went to Rosie's Diner.

The audience was great, which isn't unusual...thankfully!

But I was especially grateful to have such a good audience for this visit. This was my first talk where I was able to mention two exciting career developments. As you can see by the screen behind me, I can now talk about three books: Thirteen Reasons Why, The Future of Us, and What Light, which comes out this October!

It takes a long time for me to figure out the best way to describe a book, so this was my test audience for What Light. And I totally messed it up! But like I said, I was happy they were a great audience.

Here are members of the library's book group, as well as Amy on the far left.

The second development I was finally able to discuss publicly was the upcoming Thirteen Reasons Why Netflix series. The lucky audience in Yorba Linda also had the chance to meet, get pictures with, and speak to some of its producers and writers, who came out from Los Angeles to attend the event.

Maybe the next time I speak I'll have even more news to share!