Mundie Moms

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Picture The Dead Launch Party TONIGHT

May 6th at 7:30pm PST (10:30pm ET) two-time National Book award finalist Adele Griffin and co-writer Lisa Brown (best selling author/illustrator) will be hosting a virtual book launch for their new book, Picture the Dead at the Booksmith in San Francisco. Lemony Snickett spokesperson (Daniel Handler) will be reading a statement of introduction to this horrid story! Both the authors and Mr. Snickett himself will be in costume.

SEE IT LIVE AT: http://www.redroom.com/picture-the-dead-book-webcast

This virtual event will be streamed via UStream, and any questions for the authors can be posted in the launch discussion forum on the TeenFire website. Prior to the event, salient questions will be pulled out and read by the event coordinator. You can also use the TeenFire chat room to discuss the event in real time!

Lisa and Adele will be reading and discussing Picture the Dead—an illustrated mystery story in the gothic tradition with extensive graphic elements. Taken straight from the pages and photographs of history, this paranormal mystery follows Jenny as she uncovers the mysterious circumstances surrounding her fiancĂ©’s death in a prison camp during the Civil War. Find out more on http://www.PictureTheDead.com.

Michael Chabon thinks that “PICTURE THE DEAD is a tour de force, a remarkable feat of visual and verbal storytelling, as playful as it is serious, as haunting as it is delightful. It lures us into looking at the world and life anew.”

The only hardware you’ll need is an internet ready computer, a monitor and either speakers or headphones!

Holly Black "loved Picture the Dead. Eerie, romantic, moody and immersive. A beautifully illustrated gothic delight!"

If you want to hear about a new, scary story to read in the dark—and learn about the rich illustrations and wonderful history surrounding the book—you can just log in and watch! You can use this event to meet other YA addicts across the globe right on our TeenFire Chat Room—7:30pm PT, 10:30pm ET. BE THERE! (via Sourcebooks).


We'll be posting our review of this wonderful read later today! This is one book we definitely recommend reading!

Do The Write Thing For Nashville-Live auction in support of TN's severe flooding

As we mentioned in our Thoughtful Thursday post, Do The Write Thing for Nashville is hosting a live action (okay, we didn't mention that, but we mentioned them). The auction STARTS @ 9 AM CST!!!!! *this auction is now LIVE*

Here's a list of items that will be up for auction:
- From New York Times bestselling author and Nashvillian Sherrilyn Kenyon: An advance copy of her novel INFINITY (May 25th release), and an INFINITY prize pack with bookmark, poster, etc.

- From critically-acclaimed mystery novelist Bill Cameron: Signed copies of LOST DOG (2007), CHASING SMOKE (2008), DAY ONE (2010) (Available June 1) and a character named by the bidder in COUNTY LINE ROAD (Someday).
- From Hannah Moskowitz, author of BREAK (Simon Pulse): Two query critiques (two winners).

- From Upstart Crow agent Chris Richman: A 30 minute phone call with a writer to discuss the industry, getting an agent, and whatever else they’d like to discuss.

-From author Rachel Hawkins (Disney-Hyperion): 2 signed copies of Hex Hall with Hex Hall t-shirts (two winners).

- From author Tessa Gratton (Random House), author of the upcoming BLOOD MAGIC: A short story critique.

- From blogger and knitter Annika Klein: Custom fingerless typing gloves.

- From author Angie Frazier (Scholastic Press): Her personal and last copy of the ARC of her book EVERLASTING.

- From Nashvillian author Susan Gregg Gilmore (Shaye Areheart Books): 6 hardcover copies of THE IMPROPER LIFE OF BEZELLIA GROVE (when released 8/17) and a luscious homemade pound cakes that ties into the book. Also, a SKYPE, i-Chat or personal visit with a book club depending on location.

- From author Gwen Hayes, author of FALLING UNDER (NAL/Penguin): One "What Gwen Said" coffee mug and query letter + first 30 ms pages (double-spaced) critique.

- From author Kirstin Cronn-Mills (Flux): A signed copy of THE SKY ALWAYS HEARS ME: AND THE HILLS DON'T MIND and a 25 page critique.

Here's where you can go bid on the items at: http://tinyurl.com/25ng3n8 (their blog)
Be sure to follow them on facebook here, http://tinyurl.com/2vr6ujt to stay updated with their lastest information. More goodies will be added this week!

Visit our Thoughtful Thursday post here, http://tinyurl.com/39l5ecg to learn more on how you can help with the TN flooding and the Gulf Coast Oil Spill.

Lindsey Eland's Scone and Sensibility Blog Tour

We are excited to be taking part in Lindsey Eland's Scone and Sensiblity blog tour.

What can you tell us about Scones and Sensibility, and what inspired you to write it?

Scones and Sensibility is the story of an overly-romantic and overly-dramatic 12-year-old girl who set’s to matchmaking in her small beach town with hilarious and disastrous results. And I was inspired to write Scones by my desire to create a character that was very different than most middle grade fictional characters out there, and also one that reflected a lot of who I was when I was 12 and how I…umm…still am.


Are your characters loosely based on people you know?

Some of them are! Mr. Nightquist is based on a family friend we had growing up named Hank who worked in a small office in Marimont, Ohio. Jack-the-Nipper really does exist in my old neighborhood where he bit a family friend on her ankle as she walked by, and my parents are completely in-love and smitten with each other just like Polly’s parents.


Have you ever had a Polly-like match up before?

In college we had a thing called “get-your-roommate-a-date” but luckily mine was NOT disastrous. I was set up with a guy named Gabe who wound up happily marrying one of my best friends in college. (Waves at super gorgeous couple!)


What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?

Receiving the emails or notes or compliments from readers who thought Scones was hilarious, and cute, and utterly delicious.


What is your favorite Jane Austen book?

It’s a tie between Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, though I do think that I have a bigger crush on Mr. Darcy than on Captain Wentworth.


Who are some of your favorite authors, or authors that inspired you to be a writer?

I adore anything by Shannon Hale, Kate Dicamillo, Richard Peck, Polly Horvath, and Roald Dahl! They definitely inspired me to write and are five of the best writers for middle grade and young adult readers on the planet.


If you were packing for a week-long trip and could take only two books, what books would you take?

Oh dear…only two?! Alright, if I have to choose…ummm…I’m going to have to say Anne of Green Gables and Jane Eyre.


Are there any other books you're currently working on?

Yes! I recently turned in my contracted book two to my editor. Though it is also contemporary middle grade, it is much different than Scones and Sensibility. The current title is A Teaspoon of Rosemary, and it’s about a shy, introverted girl who, in the midst of becoming a wonderful young chef, finds and embraces her inner strength and confidence.


Thank you so much Lindsey for taking the time to answer our questions. We're looking forward to A Teaspoon of Rosemary's release.


What could be better than eating warm scones while reading a delightfully fun book?! Please enjoy Lindsey's Scone Recipe here:

Lindsay Eland’s Favorite Scone Recipe

2 cups flour

3 tablespoons sugar

2 ½ teaspoon baking powder

1 stick chilled butter cut into pieces

1 cup chocolate chips

½ cup buttermilk

1 large egg, and 1 for egg wash

½ teaspoon vanilla

cinnamon and sugar

powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder together in a large bowl then cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. In a separate bowl whisk buttermilk, egg, and vanilla together. Drizzle over the flour mixture and stir with a fork until dough comes together.

4. Turn onto a floured work surface and knead a few times then pat dough into a 1-inch thick circle.

5. Cut into triangles, brush with egg wash, and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

6. Bake 22 minutes.

7. Optional: Turn oven to broil and then dust with powdered sugar and broil for a few minutes...watch carefully though so the sugar doesn't burn.

Scones and Sensibility is available now and is published by EgmontUSA.

Be sure to visit Page Turners, http://www.pageturnersblog.com/ tomorrow to see the next stop on The Scones and Sensibility Blog Tour.

Thoughtful Thursday- BP Oil Spill & TN Flooding




(found from Bronson Pelletier's facebook page)


The Salvation Army Nashville Area Command has activated an emergency disaster response team and mobilized feeding canteen to assist local and state government operations due to severe weather and subsequent flooding in Middle Tennessee.

DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT OUR RELIEF EFFORTS - CLICK HERE

The Salvation Army asks that you keep our neighbors here in Middle Tennessee in your prayers and we will keep you updated on our relief efforts in the region. (taken from http://tinyurl.com/2bq9rvm).

You can also find a list of items they are in need of and drop off locations from here http://tinyurl.com/2bq9rvm.

Our friend Myra McEntrye, along with two other Nashville based authors have formed a group Do The Write Thing for Nashville, which was started to raise money for http://www.cfmt.org/floodrelief/

You can join their facebook page here: http://tinyurl.com/2vr6ujt and their blog here: http://tinyurl.com/25ng3n8 to help raise money for those devastated by the Nashville flood.

The BP Gulf Coast Oil spill is in need of some major support. The oil will have lasting effects on the many Wildlife Reserves, as well as ocean life and to those who live in the area. I've put together a list of sites who are helping with the Gulf Coast Oil Spill.
picture taken from here:http://tinyurl.com/2btc9d4

You can visit these sites to learn more about how you can help support the oil clean up:
Defenders of Wildlife - http://tinyurl.com/29ku838
National Wildlife Federation: http://tinyurl.com/359ugd4
You can find out more and ways to help here, at Everyday Wildlife Champions, facebook page:
How you can Volunteer to help with the clean up efforts: http://tinyurl.com/2bdn6zn

If you know of any links that you'd like to share for the TN flood and the Gulf Coast Oil Spill, please leave them in the comments. We'd like to help spread the word on ways we can all help.

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