Skype Visits Anyone?

If you aren't sure how to use Skype for author visits, author Judith Graves will demonstrate this free technology that allows schools and libraries to host inexpensive author visits via the Internet.

See her presentation at:

 October 4, 2010: Parkland Regional Library School PD Day (Lacombe, Alberta, Canada). Session on Skype Author Visits and making the most of author related videoconferencing in a library setting.

If you aren't able to attend this session, contact Judith about a presentation for your organization. And remember, all our Leap Books authors are available for Skype visits. Contact Cathleen Cartwright, Public Relations Assistant, at cathleencartwright@leapbks

TALEBLAZERS Lit Fest

Throughout October, author Judith Graves will be available for visits:

October 2010: Young Alberta Book Society TALEBLAZERS Lit Fest. Touring schools and libraries across Alberta, discussing my journey from singer/songwriter to Young Adult paranormal fiction author. I explore what makes fiction to DIE for, how to develop characters that ROCK, and how to REVAMP your  work (revision with BITE!). She'd love to meet all students, library staff, and teachers from across the province. Book her now: www.yabs.ab.ca

 Here are two of Judith's scheduled appearances:

October 5: Red Deer College Confluence Campus (Rocky Mountain House, AB).

October 22:  Author visit in Grimshaw, AB.

Judith is the acclaimed author of the Skinned Series. Book One, Under My Skin, is available now. Watch for Second Skin in 2011. And the third book in the series, Skin of My Teeth, will be out in 2012.

Be Subversive: Read a Banned Book!

It's here again--that time of year when readers around the country celebrate the freedom to read: Banned Books Week. Held by the American Library Association every year in the last week of September, Banned Books Week will take place: September 25−October 2, 2010.  It's a time to show your support for authors whose books have been banned.

Here's a list of few books that have been banned:

The Bible
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle

There are plenty more at the ALA website. Even one of our own authors' books was challenged. Some teachers did not feel the cover of Island Sting with its bullet holes and blood was suitable for the classroom, even though Doerr's book is an eco-mystery about endangered animals. Here's her challenged cover below:

What's your favorite banned book? Anyone who answers this week will get 20% off any Leap Books title from now until the end of the year. Watch for some great upcoming releases, including Jacqueline Horsfall's For the Love of Strangers.

Meet Editor Kat O'Shea

If you've been longing to submit a manuscript to Leap Books, this may be your opportunity. As you know, Leap Books only accepts agented manuscripts. They do make exceptions for attendees at conferences where any Leap Books editor speaks. If you haven't been able to attend conferences to meet one of our editors, you can meet Kat O'Shea, Editor-in-Chief, online at Savvy Authors during October.

Kat will be teaching at:

If you attend her workshop Handling Backstory the Right Way, you can submit one manuscript directly to Kat following the four week class.


Here's a brief blurb:

You only have a paragraph or two to capture an editor’s or reader’s interest. If you don’t draw readers in quickly, it’s hard to make a sale. Get your story off to a more exciting start by eliminating backstory. Discover how to identify backstory, when to cut it, where and how to use it effectively.

WHEN: Oct 4 - Oct 31
COST: $15 for Premium Members
$25 for Basic & NON-Members

So head on over to Savvy Authors to register.

Handling Backstory the Right Way

 Workshop

Handling Backstory the Right Way

Instructor: Kat OShea. You only have a paragraph or two to capture an editor’s or reader’s interest. If you don’t draw readers in quickly, it’s hard to make a sale. Get your story off to a more exciting start by eliminating backstory. Discover how to identify backstory, when to cut it, where and how to use it effectively.

WHEN: Oct 4 - Oct 31
COST: $15 for Premium Members
$25 for Basic & NON-Members

Blogmania Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Blogmania giveaway. We're so glad to have you as friends!

Leap Books had three winners during the Blogmania giveaway. We're pleased to announce the following winners:

1) Video camera: Betty: Reflections with Coffee
2) Leap Books and gift certificate: Tea
3) Victorian gift box and soaps: Kalia_Kane

Hope you enjoy your prizes. And for those who didn't win, we have a consolation gift prize of 20% off any Leap purchase. If you email leapcontests AT gmail DOT com, we'll send you a code to use when purchasing.

We hope you all enjoy your prizes and keep stopping back for more Leap Books. We have some exciting new books debuting soon.

YA Fiction to DIE For

Author Judith Graves will be speaking at:

Northern Lights Library System Conference,  September 18, 2010: Elk Point, AB, Canada: “YA Fiction to DIE For” a quirky look at the road to publication from singer/songwriter to author of paranormal YA fiction and co-president of the Class of 2k10, a group of 23 debut YA and MG authors from across North America.

Judith is the acclaimed author of the Skinned Series. Book One, Under My Skin, is available now. Watch for Second Skin in 2011. And the third book in the series, Skin of My Teeth, will be out in 2012.