No Ordinary Book

Spirited has been selected for the Children's Book Council Winter Seasonal Showcase, No Ordinary Book. The title is also featured on the CBC homepage.

What makes Spirited so special?

First of all, it's filled with stories by talented authors. Contributing authors include Maria V. Snyder, Candace Havens, Shannon Delany, Jill William-son, Linda Joy Singleton, Heather Kenealy, Judith Graves, Kitty Keswick, Dawn Dalton, Carmen Tudor, John W. Otte, Halli Dee Lilburn, and Mark Finnemore.

Second, the anthology benefits charity. All proceeds from the sale of SPIRITED will be donated to 826 National, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting students, ages 6-18, to improve their writing skills.

Third, it contains AR. If you prefer your apparitions 3-D rather than 2-D, slide the AR icons under your webcam to see the augmented reality leap off the page. (Thanks to Karl Gee for the AR.)

Fortune Cookies, Cherry Coke, and Proms

What do fortune cookies, Cherry Coke, and proms have in common? Read on to find out. Leap Books (LB) interviewed author Kitty Keswick (KK), who has something to say on all three subjects. She even throws in some chocolate cake and a free story for her blog readers.Not to mention a chance to win a free copy of the Spirited anthology.

LB: What was your most embarrassing moment?

KK: Which one do you know about? Wouldn’t want it getting out...can we make a deal? How does chocolate cake sound?

LB: What advice do you wish you could give to your younger self?

KK: Don’t give up your dreams for anyone. Fortune cookies with Cherry Coke is not a major food group. And lay off the midnight college pizza parties.  Your metabolism will slow down, trust me on this one. :-)

LB: What super power do you wish you had?

KK: Like, I don’t already have enough? Oh, you weren’t supposed to know that…errr, secret identity and all. (Ix-nay-on-the-super-powers-nay.) Hmm, super power, super power. Well, a photographic memory would be nice. My memory is sorta bad of late. Teleportation, because I love to travel and who wouldn’t want to go to Europe in the blink of an eye. (Ah, British accents are drool worthy, truly.) And to see future danger…only if I could avoid it or change it. Because just knowing the future without being to change it would really stink. Oh and invisibility, because you never know when you might need it. I am not asking too much, am I? So when can I expect my super powers? Seven to ten business days?? How will they be delivered? Can I request Thor from the Avengers?

LB: What’s hiding in your closet?

KK: I hope nothing deadly…I don’t have any silver spikes. It’s pretty packed. So if there was a monster lurking in there, it was probably crushed by the weight of my clothes and shoes.

LB: Have you ever climbed into or out of a window?

KK: Yes, on several occasions. Not sure what that says about me…lol. I used to climb out the bathroom window and sit on the roof above the sunroom and watch nature. I also had to use a ladder to get into that same house through a second story window, because I was locked out. I’ve also jumped fences, too. Some pretty big ones…into some very intriguing places. I will let your mind wander because I am not telling where. I am full of interesting secrets. :-)

LB: Who would you cast to play your life in a movie?

KK: Sarah Rue, because people say she looks like me. She’s also quirky like me and a talented actress.

LB: What is something most people don't know about you?

KK: That I have a twisted sense of humor. Really. I am not kidding.  You would never have guessed, huh?

LB: What's one question you wish interviewers would ask?

KK: Not a clue…I get some pretty strange and bizarre questions; nothing seems to be off limits with me. TMI? Eh, maybe.
----
Kitty Keswick's story in the Leap Book anthology Spirited is "Death Becomes Her." If you have any other questions for our featured author, be sure to leave them on the blog or ask them on the Spirited Facebook page. Each question or comment earns you a contest entry (see below).

About the Story, "Death Becomes Her"

Willow Martin’s life is a fairytale. Only problem is she's Cinderella before Prince Charming shows up. She has a real life evil stepmonster and stepsister, who take great pleasure in making sure Willow's story is a nightmare. As her dance draws nearer, a dress and a haunting spirit forever change her story. Will it be a Happily Ever After?

For a free paranormal prom story by Kitty Keswick, click on this title: My Prom Date's a Vampire.

About the Author

Kitty Keswick grew up on her grandfather's California vineyard, where her imagination was her best friend. At a very tender age, she started writing her stories and reading them to the grapes. Kitty has been an Anglophile since age four when she saw Robin Hood and fell head over heels in love. Robin Hood inspired the hero of her first book, Freaksville, part of a trilogy that includes Furry and Freaked and Freaked No More. Kitty lives with a bossy tabby cat and maybe even a few ghosts. She spends her days with werewolves, Valkyries, vamps and other creatures that go bump in the night. Kitty is also the proud owner of an Indie bookstore in Peru, Indiana. Visit her at her website or her blog.

And if you'd like to know a few more secrets about the Spirited authors, read some early posts on the Spirited Facebook page and Leap Books blog. Anyone who posts a link to one of those secrets will be entered in a drawing for a free book. You may leave a comment or question for each author for an additional entry for a print copy of Spirited.

One winner will be drawn after all 13 blogs about the authors are posted. Enter as often as you'd like by linking to author secrets or leaving comments or questions.

And for a limited time get the Spirited ebook

Regularly $8.99

On sale for $.99

Until April 8, 2012

Teen Interviewer Talks to Kitty Keswick

Teen interviewer Anna interviews Leap Books author Kitty Keswick:

When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

I have always written stories. I wrote to escape, to entertain myself, to get the stories that were in my head...out. I write from my dreams and if I don't work on the stories that I'm dreaming about ("they" can be very persistent), I don't sleep until I do. I started out as a journalism major because I enjoyed writing. I didn't care that much for non-fiction and switched my major. The idea of being a novelist was always in the back of my head. I had been writing full-length stories since high school. It was until 2004 that I started to do something about it and joined RWA (Romance Writers of America). There I learned more about the craft and started attending conferences and sending out queries.

Have you always specifically liked supernatural stories?

Yes and no. My stories have supernatural elements, but they are more character driven and based in folklore and mythology.

Do you consider romance a necessary component in all your stories?

Yep. I am and always will be a romantic sap. It's a blessing and a curse. Love can be wickedly cruel and totally earthmoving amazing. There's always something to write about when love is involved, good or bad. Love changes you, it shapes you. Whether it's for better or worse is up to you.

What is your favorite genre of stories to read?

Right now, it's mysteries and sci-fi. It changes. I am re-reading One for the Money and Game of Thrones.

Why did you choose to write young adult books instead of adult books or children's books?

I wrote general romance first. Several novels and got close. I had many editors tell me they liked my character building and worlds and snarky humor, but felt my voice was a little young for general romance. I took their advice and went back to my roots, YA. I started writing, really writing as a teen. I used the basic elements of those stories to formulate my YA novels. I keep a dream journal and often get my ideas from my dreams. Freaksville started out as a strange conversation between two best friends.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Study your craft, never stop learning. Read. And never give up.

More about author Kitty Keswick:

 Kitty Keswick has been an Anglophile since age four when she saw Robin Hood and fell head over heels in love. As she grew up on her grandfather’s California vineyard, Kitty’s imagination was her best friend. At a very tender age, she started writing her stories and reading them to the grapes.

Kitty now lives with a bossy tabby cat and maybe even a few ghosts. She spends her days with Werewolves, Valkyries, Vamps and other creatures that go bump in the night.


Her books:

Having a family whose skeletons in the closet lean toward the paranormal is not a topper on anyone’s list. Sophomore Kasey Maxwell is busy juggling the typical teen angst. Add visions, ghosts, and hairy four-legged monsters into the mix and you get FREAKSVILLE. It’s a wonder Kasey has survived.

Sixteen-year-old Kasey Maxwell left Freaksville behind when her family moved from California to rural Pennsylvania. But she didn't leave her troubles behind. As her Valkyrie side grows, the spirits become more haunting. When her visions turn bloody, Kasey must trust new support systems—paranormal ones.

Get entombed in stories of Egyptian treasures, shudder at tales of malevolent spirits, and become enthralled with the adventures of witch-hunters, ghost seekers, and lost souls. From steampunk to cyberpunk, our collection spans past, present, and future hauntings. One story actually leaps off the page with 3D augmented reality. Go ahead. Turn the page if you dare. We won't tell if you sleep with the light on. Because after all, there's no rest for the wicked.

Freaksville Book Trailer




Spirited Book Trailer

Author Kitty Keswick appearing October 1, 2011

Living the Dream: New Indie Bookstore

For our first installment of Leap Book authors reaching their dreams, we're featuring Kitty Keswick, writer of the Freaksville series. Kitty is not only a storyteller, she's also a booklover. In addition to her large personal book collection, she considered it a privilege to work in a bookstore. Now she's on the verge of realizing a lifelong dream: opening an Indie bookstore.

Leap is thrilled that she's taken this step during times when so many bookstores are shutting their doors. Instead, Kitty is infusing new life into downtown Logansport, Indiana, with her Some Kind of Wonderful bookstore. The store, which will also have a coffee shop, is slated to open on Main Street in the Greensfelder Building. This historic edifice has been renovated on the exterior; now work will be done on the interior to turn it into a haven for booklovers.

Greensfelder Building on Main St.

Kitty is the author of Freaksville and the forthcoming Furry and Freaked. For Indiana residents who would like to meet her in person, Kitty will be appearing at the library on October 1, 2011.

Success for Freaksville

Leap Books is proud to announce that author Kitty Keswick's young adult novel Freaksville has been named by P & E as a 2010 Top Ten Novel for YAs. Teens enjoy the humor and the light paranormal mystery. Here's what one teen reader had to say on Bearamy's Book Club, where Keswick's book was spotlighted for January, "Kitty Keswick is a great writer over all!!"

In addition to kudos for her books, Kitty was chosen as the featured author for the Children's Book Council's January/February column in the American Library Association's publication, Knowledge Quest, a magazine for school librarians. Kitty's article, "D is for Dragons," tells the poignant story of the struggles she overcame to become a novelist.

What's next for this award-winning author? She's hard at work on book two in the Freaksville series. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Furry and Freaked. See the great cover design below. Looks fabulous, doesn't it?

If you haven't read Freaksville, check out the story of four teens trapped in a haunted theater on the night of the full moon. Battling hungry werewolves and angry ghosts, sixteen-year-old Kasey and her friends uncover buried secrets to solve a decades-old mystery.

Whereas Freaksville is told with a lighter touch, readers who prefer their paranormals a bit darker will gravitate to Furry and Freaked, where Kasey's in for some hair-raising challenges.

Both books feature art by the award-winning Canadian graphic artist, Val Cox.

Gothic Barbie

Author Kitty Keswick recently received a gift in the mail from a fan. A goth Barbie modeled after the ghost, Ruby, in the Freaksville series. Thanks to 15-year-old Trisha from Montana. Here's a close up of the doll. Readers who also loved the goth ghost will be pleased to know that Ruby, with her snarky attitude and goth fashion sense, will play an even greater role in book 2 of the Freaksville series, Furry and Freaked. See the cover below...and look for it in 2011!

If you aren't sure who Ruby is, here's an excerpt from Furry and Freaked...

“You little minx! Two guys!” The familiar female voice shocked me. I tried to cover the fact that I was indeed sucking face with a guy almost two centuries deceased. But my uncoordinated feet had other plans. All in one move, I twisted, spun around, and took an ungraceful surge forward. My body fell one way and my cell phone the other. Isaac broke my fall. I pushed up from his very solid chest. He smiled crookedly at me. My heart betrayed me and skipped a little beat.

Clapping drew my attention. Ruby, the teenage ghost from Bridges Auditorium, nudged me with the toe of her blood-red, ankle-length, combat-style boots.

“I have to hand it to you, Valkyrie, that was pretty entertaining. I’ll give it an eight for ingenuity.”

“You’re dead. Go to the light!” I shouted at both of them. My supersonic Valkyrie powers hadn’t kicked in yet. Nothing happened.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, V-A-L-K-Y-R-I-E.” She dragged her pet name for me out. “But you can’t banish me. Him, you could banish”—she tossed her thumb in Isaac’s direction—“to the Netherworld, if you knew how, which you don’t.” She offered me a hand.

I accepted it and stood.

“I see the furball has competition,” Ruby snarked. She blinked and then was perched atop the fence post. Her long black-and-white-striped, stocking-clad legs swayed like a pendulum weighted by red punk boots.

Isaac teleported in behind her and poked her. “She is a spirit, but not? I do not understand.”

“You pick ’em bright, dontcha?” Ruby picked at her nails.

“Ruby, be nice.” I dusted the dirt from my jeans and walked closer to both ghosts. “Why are you here?” I asked as I folded my arms about my waist.

“I have all the time in the world to debate the matters of the universe, Valkyrie. You, on the other hand, don’t.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She hopped off the fence and stood inches from my face. I focused on the black eyeliner goop in the corners of her brown eyes.

“The Powers That Be felt you were a sorry excuse for a V-A-L-K-Y-R-I-E. and needed help. Ta-da! I’m your guide.”

“My guide?”

“Catch up, kid. Yes, you need training, and fast.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“What can you say?”

“I’m not at liberty to say what I can or cannot say.” She grinned. “Face it, you’re clueless, you need me.”

Ready for Some Hauntingly Good Fun?

This Halloween meet 16 YA Paranormal Authors at THE CROSSROADS!

From October 16-31st, bloggers and authors will meet at a virtual crossroads, sharing their love of the paranormal and things that go bump in the night with readers.

What’s dark, delicious and READ all over? Young adult paranormal fiction, my FIENDS, and what better way to celebrate debut and established authors in the genre than a blog tour frenzy? Over sixteen days this October (October 16-31) bloggers and authors will meet at a virtual crossroads, sharing their love of the paranormal and things that go bump in the night with readers.

Judith Graves, an Alberta based YA author, (Under My Skin, Leap Books, 2010) has organized the event, the first multi-author blog tours of its kind. She’s wrangled in New York Times bestselling authors (Tonya Hurley, Ghostgirl series. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) and newbies alike for the sixteen day promotional GOREfest. Participating bloggers will give away generous amounts of SWAG donated by the authors, as well as signed copies of Crossroad author titles.

Paranormal authors deal with the fantastical and the yearnings of their readers. “It’s a once a year opportunity to be anything and anyone you want to be. Anyone can be a princess, a superhero or a villain- all in one night,” says Jordan Deen (The Crescent. Black Rose Writing, 2010). Joy Preble (Haunted. Sourcebooks Fire, 2011) agrees, “Halloween is a time for unloosening – of spirits and self.” Why not indulge in the spirit of reading? “[Halloween] is a time where the veil between the real and the unreal, the living and the dead, thins until you think you see strange shadows following you under the pumpkin-orange moon…” adds Karen Kincy (Other. Flux, 2010)

Besides the usual deal with the devil lore, crossroads symbolize so much more, as Angie Frazier (Everlasting. Scholastic Press, 2010) shares, “Literally or figuratively, a crossroads is place where a single decision will change everything. For me, a crossroads symbolizes choice and loss, and sometimes even bravery—when you choose one path, countless others are left behind, unexplored.” Amy Brecount White (Forget-Her-Nots. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2010) expands, “A crossroads symbolizes new possibilities. We can’t see what’s going to happen in either direction, but a choice is unavoidable. We are our choices, which is both exciting and scary.”

This Halloween, choose to explore new stories, new voices. “It’s the only holiday that encompasses imagination to the fullest. A night to be whoever you want to be. Try someone’s shoes on for size…experience magic,” encourages Kitty Keswick (Freaksville, Leap Books, 2010).

How the tour works:

From October 16-31st, readers, under the thrall of Wade Gervais, a dark-side vampire from Judith Graves’ Under My Skin, hunt for answers to a new paranormal trivia question each day. The answers are hidden within a different blog post daily, encouraging readers to visit each blog, each day of the tour. Bloggers will be giving away a bevy of tricks and treats donated by Crossroads Tour authors. At the end of the tour, on October 31st compiled answers are sent to Graves and a grand prize winner is randomly selected from those with correct and complete entries. There will also be two live chats on October 31st and November 1st, bringing readers, authors and bloggers together for a final celebration on Halloween and the Day of the Dead.
For the full list of participating authors, bloggers and giveaways, check out The Crossroads event page.

Saturday Shivers by Kara Eggers

 My great-grandmother went to a fortune teller when she was young. The woman told her that she'd only have three children at a time. Grams didn't know what she meant, but wondered if she'd have triplets. Unfortunately, the fortune didn't mean that at all.

Grams ended up having six children. Her first three children were born within four years of each other. And Grams thought the fortune teller's predicition had come true--until she got pregnant with number four. The other three children now ranged in age from 5-9. A month before the new baby was born, their middle daughter got sick and died.

While she was in labor with her fifth child, the youngest one was hit by a car and died. Grams and Gramps thought they'd beaten the odds when their sixth child was born. All three of the older children were healthy. Relatives kept an extra close eye on all three of them while Grams was pregnant and during her delivery. The new baby was also healthy. They all breathed a sigh of relief. Sadly, though, the newborn died two days later. Now they think it was probably SIDS, but then they called it crib death.

With all the sadness in her life, you'd think Grams would have ended up bitter or depressed, but she was one of the most cheerful people I've ever met. She lived into her late 90s and adored every one of her 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. She never got cross with any of us, even when we were being little "hooligans," as she'd say. When we were misbehaving, she'd scoop us up into her ample lap, give us a hug, and say, "Seems to me you need a little extra loving right now." It always worked.

Wow, Kara! That was both a heartbreaking and inspiring story. And luckily, not all fortunes are as sad as that one. In fact, if you'd like to find out your own fortune, head on over to author Kitty Keswick's website, where you can ask questions of her crystal ball. It'll give you an answer when you click on it. Hope it's one you want to hear.

And if you'd like to share a brush you've had with the paranormal,
feel free to send it to our blog coordinator, Lexie North at leapblogtours@gmail.com. We'd love to post your spooky tales.

A Book and a Chat with Kitty Keswick

Author Kitty Keswick was featured on Barry Eva's show, A Book and a Chat. Here's the intro:

"Today was one of those shows that I have been looking forward to, partly because in this case I have actually met the author, secondly that I know she loves the English accent *grin*, finally that her book is one a lot of people have read and enjoyed.

A Book and a Chat with my guest Kitty Keswick lived up to all my expectations, as we chatted about her and her 'romance with a bite' debut YA book."

Click below to hear the interview:

A Book and a Chat with Kitty Keswick

Meet Kitty Keswick at Borders in Turlock, CA, Today

Don't forget to stop by Borders in Turlock, CA, between 2-4 pm to hear Kitty Keswick read from her novel, Freaksville. Books will be available for purchase and autographing.

In addition to hearing Freaksville excerpts, you'll get a chance to see the exciting illustrations by Canadian graphic artist, Val Cox.


This is Kasey Maxwell, the heroine of Freaksville. ------->

Interview with Kitty Keswick

Author Kitty Keswick is gearing up for a booksigning in her hometown of Turlock, CA, on Sunday, June 20 from 2-4 pm at the local Borders. Kitty mentioned that the high school in Freaksville is based on Turlock High School, where she went to school. We asked her to tell us a bit more about those high school years.

If you could go back and change one thing about your high school years, what would it be?

Nothing, I loved my high school years.
What was your most embarrassing moment? (If you aren't too embarrassed to tell it)

I competed in Speech and Debates tournaments. (I lettered my sophomore year.) One competition (on a Saturday), I was crossing the street. I had on new flats and I slipped and fell on my butt in front of some of the people that were later on a judging panel. I can’t remember if I won that debate or not, just that I fell in front of a lot of people. I’m a bit of a klutz, so this was one of many mishaps and the least embarrassing one to share.

What is your favorite memory of high school?

Too many… to list or chose. I’d say the overnight stays with the debate team. We traveled all over California. The rest is classified, so, er, my lips are sealed….yeppers, sealed.

Have you been back to Turlock High? If so, what's different? If not, do you plan to go?

Funny, I never planned on returning to Turlock. I left for college when I was seventeen and never really looked back. But Fate has a funny sense of humor (you’ll meet her in Furry), and she likes to throw wrenches in all your well-laid plans. I’m back in Turlock, not by choice. It isn’t the small farm town I remember. It’s grown, and now I get lost frequently trying to find my way around. I’m not sure if this is where I’m landing. It might be a small trip in my life’s journey. You never know where the path will take you. Sometimes it comes full circle, perhaps so you can learn something you missed? I have no clue.

Are any teachers still at Turlock High who taught you?

I have three favorite teachers who really made a lasting impression on me. Interestingly enough, they were all English teachers. Mr. Jack, my English teacher and debate coach, still teaches, but he’s at the new high school. My other favorite English teacher, Mrs. Boyle, retired. I did email her to tell her I finally sold one of my stories. And my favorite teacher who pushed me very hard, Mrs. Dillman, passed on a few years ago. I will miss her candy bars and sense of humor. We’d come into the classroom, and there would be candy bars on our desk. She’d tell us that we could touch them, but would have to describe them in a short essay. After the essay we got too munch on our treats.

Besides writing essays, do you have any writing-related memories of high school?

I used to write stories about werewolves in spiral notebooks…nothing has changed.

We know you still write in spiral notebooks, and you still write about werewolves, but you’ve added ghosts and Valkries and other beasties of the night. One other thing has changed, though. Now your tales are being published. Why did you choose to write paranormal both then and now?

I think it chose me.

When you were in high school, what did you dream of becoming? Have you reached your dreams or are you working toward them?

I always wanted to be a writer. I started out as a Journalism major, but with my dyslexia, I struggled a lot. I switched my major to Interior Design. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my passion, writing is. It is who I am, and my struggles just make the reward so much sweeter. I want to continue writing, because I have so many stories rattling around in my head.

Author Kitty Keswick booksigning in Turlock, CA

Author Kitty Keswick grew up in Turlock, CA, and now she's back in her hometown for a booksigning. Join her at the Borders in Turlock on June 20. Here's the info:

Stay tuned for more info about Kitty and her debut novel, Freaksville, the rest of this week.

Visit the St. Agnes Branch of the NY Public Library today at 4 pm

New York Public Library (St. Agnes Branch)

When: Thursday, May 27, 4pm – 6pm

Where:  New York Public Library (St. Agnes Branch) (map)

Description:  See authors Judith Graves, Kitty Keswick, and Bonnie J. Doerr along with other members of the Class of 2k10, who'll be there for a reading and a panel.

They've arrived...

Authors Judith Graves and Kitty Keswick are now in the Big Apple. Bonnie J. Doerr will be arriving on Monday. You can catch up with them at the following places. For additional details check out the posts below.

More information will posted each day, so you can be sure to see them if you live in NY or are there for BEA.

Here's one more event where you can find them:

 And if you'd like to meet some of the other authors in the Class of 2k10, here's another opportunity to see them at the Mulberry Street Branch:

Countdown to BEA

  

Photo by thephotoholic

It's almost here. Leap Books authors are descending on the Big Apple for BookExpo America. Meet Kitty Keswick, Judith Graves, and Bonnie J. Doerr in person. They, along with fellow authors in the Class of 2k10, have many appearances and booksignings planned. All this week we'll give you sneak peeks at the venues where you can find them.

This is a quick rundown, but we'll highlight each of the places in a separate post so you'll know what to expect and when.

Monday, May 24th - Judith Graves at the Teen Author Carnival from 5-8 PM at the Jefferson Market Library.

Tuesday, May 25th - 6 PM - Class of 2k10 booksigning at Books of Wonder

Wednesday, May 26th - 10 AM - Class of 2k10 reading and panel at New York Public Library (Mulberry St. Branch)

Wednesday, May 26th - 4 PM - Class of 2k10 book signing at The Voracious Reader Bookstore in Larchmont, NY.

Thursday, May 27th -  4 PM - Class of 2k10 reading and panel at New York Public Library (St. Agnes Branch)

See you then!!

Your Last Chance

Today's your last chance to attend a Children's Book Week event. This week, which runs from May 10-16, is coming to end. But don't despair, you can enjoy an exciting program today at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC.

In addition to 6 other fabulous authors from a variety of publishing houses, you can meet Leap Books author Bonnie J. Doerr in person from 1-3 pm today. Pick up an autographed copy of her book Island Sting. And you'll also get to hear readings from Freaksville by Kitty Keswick and Under My Skin by Judith Graves. And get to see the great graphics by Val Cox. If you haven't already snagged a copy, all the books will be for sale at the event. Or get one from our Leap Books store for 30% off from now until May 31, 2010.

Schedule for Author Appearances on May 16

SCHEDULE FOR CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK AUTHOR PROGRAM

May 16, 1-3 pm
Flyleaf Books
752 Martin Luther King Blvd. (Historic Airport Rd./Highway 86)
Chapel Hill, NC


PICTURE BOOK/MG AUTHORS (1:00-1:35)

Caroline McAlister
Adrienne Ehlert Bashista
Anne Runyon
Bonnie Doerr

10-MINUTE BREAK (1:35-1:45) /PICTURE BOOK AUTOGRAPHING

YA AUTHORS (1:45-2:25)

Laurie J. Edwards
Kitty Keswick (a reading)
Maryam Tabibzadeh
Judith Graves (a reading)
David Macinnis Gill

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION (2:25-2:35)
AUTOGRAPHING (2:35-3:00)

Wow, Check Out Voracious Readers' Window!

If you're heading to NY for BEA (that's BookExpo America, for those of you who aren't familiar with this huge gathering of the book world), take a gander at this window. Pictures of all the Class of 2k10 authors and their books are on display. How cool is that?

And best of all, you'll see 3 Leap Books titles in that window. Isn't that fab?? Freaksville by Kitty Keswick, Island Sting by Bonnie J. Doerr, and our newly arrived Under My Skin by Judith Graves. You can meet all three authors in person at BEA or at the Voracious Reader (details below). And be sure to get an autographed copy of all the hottest debut books of 2010.

Thanks for the great publicity, Voracious Reader! And we hope you have a whole host of hungry readers mobbing your store for this event on May 26.

Only Two Days to Win...

Kitty Keswick, author of Freaksville, is giving away some T-shirts. All you have to do is comment on her blog, the Wolfy Chicks, for a chance to win.

Some T-shirts are plain. Others are artistically decorated by Kitty herself. Check the blog for the cool designs.

Are YOU ready to leap?