Saturday, September 25, 2010

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.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

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.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Handling Backstory the Right Way




 Workshop

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

Sunday, September 19, 2010

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.

Friday, September 17, 2010

YA Fiction to DIE For

Author Judith Graves will be speaking at:

Northern Lights Library System ConferenceSeptember 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.

Blogmania Winners

Thanks to all the terrific people who left comments during Blogmania. And to all our new friends!!

Stop by on Sunday, September 19th for the list of prize winners.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Blogmania Is Here!!

Thanks for joining us for Blogmania today. Be sure to check out all the great prizes at the official site. More than $38,000 in prizes will be given away on Sept 15-16. Only 2 days to enter.

We hope you'll friend us and leave a comment for a chance to win the following prizes:

3.1 MP digital video camera;
4X digital zoom,
1.5 color LCD screen,
includes USB cable and
audio/video cables $90.00 value



Leap Books gift certificate $10.00
Plus 3 Leap Books $46.00 value

Handmade glycerin soaps in a beautifully
decorated Victorian padded box $35.00


We're glad you stopped by. Be sure to visit Leap Books website for Free Reads, great new books for teens, and fun activities for schools and book clubs.

http://www.leapbks.com/exclusives/ofdh.html
FREE READs:


http://www.leapbks.com/exclusives/mpdav.html
Here are a few upcoming events for Leap Books:


OCT. 4

Kat O'Shea, Editor-in-Chief of Leap Books, is teaching a workshop Handling Backstory the Right Way.

Here's the 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.

###

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.

Meet Judith Graves Tonight

DON'T FORGET: You can see author Judith Graves tonight!

September 14th: Backstage with A YA Writer (Cold Lake Public Library, Alberta, Canada, 6 pm): Sponsored by the Cold Lake Public Library and the Writer’s Guild of Alberta.

“Get a glimpse at what it is to be a young adult author and the steps to get there.”

Monday, September 13, 2010

Backstage with a YA Author

Check back at 11:00 p.m. tonight for info on the swag Leap is offering for Blogmania on Sept. 15-16.

The Writers Guild of Alberta and the Cold Lake Public Library present:
Backstage with a YA Author
A Talk and Reading by Judith Graves

Cold Lake, AB – In celebration of Alberta Art Days, the Writers Guild of Alberta and the Cold Lake Public Library are hosting an event with Young Adult author Judith Graves on September 14th, 6:30 pm, at the Cold Lake Public Library—Grand Centre Branch (5513B - 48 Avenue, Alberta, Canada).  This event is free and open to the public.
Judith will be reading from her latest book and talking about her journey to publication, providing the audience with a glimpse of what is like to be a published writer of young adult fiction – and the steps to follow to get there. A question-and-answer period wraps up the session.
A firm believer that Canadian teen fiction can be sexy, action-packed and snarky, Judith writes paranormal stories with attitude. Her debut novel, Under My Skin, was released in March 2010 with Leap Books. The sequel, Second Skin, will be available in 2011.
This event is part of the project “Backstage with a Writer”, a partnership developed between the Writers Guild of Alberta and several libraries in rural Alberta. Presented with the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the project includes, among others, sessions scheduled to take place in Black Diamond (novelist Betty Jane Hegerat), Grande Prairie (travel writer Ted Bishop), Lacombe (memoir author Janice Williamson), Olds (nonfiction author Brian Brennan), Rocky Mountain House (poet Shirley A. Serviss), Spruce Grove (screenwriter Scot Morison) and Vegreville (playwright Conni Massing).
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Writers Guild of Alberta is the largest provincial writers’ organization in Canada, and was formed in 1980 to provide a meeting ground and collective voice for the writers of the province. Alberta Arts Days – an annual celebration to showcase Alberta artists of all types – aims to encourage Albertans to discover, experience and celebrate the arts.

For more information, please visit:

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Countdown to Blogmania--3 days to go

Block off September 15-16 on your calendar and get ready to snag lots of great merchandise. Blogmania is a chance to friend lots of new blogs and to gain fabulous prizes.

It's a weekend long extravaganza where you leave comments on as many participating blogs as you can. Each blog will be offering at least $100 worth of merchandise as prizes. Pretty cool, huh?

Wondering what the prizes will be? Leap Books is participating, and we'll be offering one grand prize worth $100, plus other prizes for commenters. And watch for these Blogmania signs that will be popping up all over the Internet. Check back on Sept. 13 for a sneak peek at the great swag we'll be offering.

Today's the Day

See author Bonnie J. Doerr and 40+ other authors at Bookmarks 2010 in Winston-Salem, NC. 11 a.m. on September 11, 2010:

bookmarksbookfestival.org

Friday, September 10, 2010

Interested in Writing Mysteries?

Leap Books author Bonnie J. Doerr will be speaking on a panel this weekend at Bookmarks 2010 in Winston-Salem, NC, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 11 at the Millenium Center. Also appearing on the panel are New York Times bestselling authors John Hart and Erica Spindler.

Here's the blurb about the panel: 

Writing a Mystery with Bonnie J. Doerr, John Hart and Erica Spindler 11:00 - 11:45 am In honor of the On the Same Page Program’s pick for 2010, The Maltese Falcon, written by Dashiell Hammett, the featured writers will discuss how they approach writing a mystery.

For more great programs, click here.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Bookmarks 2010

If you're in the Winston-Salem, NC, area this weekend, be sure to stop by their famous yearly book festival. Bookmarks 2010 features big-name authors and up-and-coming stars. On Saturday, September 11 from 10 am to 5 pm, you can see many of your favorite writers in person at ten different downtown venues.

For a brochure of the event, click here.

Here's a list of the authors who are speaking:

2010 BOOKMARKS FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Sixth Street Stage – Billy Collins
Young Readers Central – Tim Tingle
Red Room, Millennium Center Basement – Jade Teta and Keoni Teta
Speak Easy, Millennium Center Basement – Charlie Pierce
Food for Thought, Millennium Center Dock – Joan Nathan

10:30 am. – 11:15 a.m
.
Artworks – Trudier Harris
5ive and 40rty – Alexander Ewing
Urban Artware – Rachel Keener

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Young Readers Central – Carol Crane
Signature – Workshop with Carol Roan, “Speak Up: The Public Speaking Primer”
Red Room, Millennium Center Basement – Panel Discussion: Emerging Voices with Erica
Eisdorfer, Kathleen Grissom and Kim Wright
Blue Room - Millennium Center, Basement – Panel Discussion: The Art of Mystery with Bonnie
Doerr, John Hart and Erica Spindler

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Sixth Street Stage - Christopher McDougall
5ive and 40rty - Jack Riggs
Food for Thought, Millennium Center Dock – Lulu Powers

12 noon – 12:45 p.m.

Young Readers Central - Storytime (will only last approximately 20 minutes)
Artworks - Robert Leleux
Speak Easy, Millennium Center, Basement – Frank Deford
Blue Room, Millennium Center, Basement – Christopher Cardinale

12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Young Readers Central - Melissa Conroy
Signature – Workshop with Anjail Rashida Ahmad, “The Essence of Poetry Writing: A
Workshop for Beginners”

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Sixth Street Stage – Diana Gabaldon
Artworks - Watts Wacker
5ive and 40rty - Patricia Phillips Marshall & Jo Ramsay Leimenstoll
Red Room, Millennium Center, Basement – Ursula Vernon
Blue Room, Millennium Center, Basement - Erica Spindler
Food for Thought, Millennium Dock – Aviva Goldfarb

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Young Readers Central- Irania Macias Patterson
Urban Artware - Emily Herring Wilson

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Signature – Workshop with Judith Geary, “Publication Pathways 2010”
Speak Easy, Millennium Center, Basement – John Hart
Blue Room, Millennium Center, Basement - Kathy Patrick

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Sixth Street Stage – Patrick McDonnell
Young Readers Trade Street Stage- Linda Beatrice Brown
Artworks - Zee Edgell
Food for Thought, Millennium Dock – Fred Thompson

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

5ive and 40rty - Wanda Urbanska
Urban Artware - Anna Fields

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Sixth Street Stage- Panel Discussion, Sense of Place: Diana Gabaldon, Rachel Keener and John
Kerr
Young Readers Central - Major Brian Dennis
Signature – Workshop with Andrew Leslie, “Finding Your Voice in Oral Literature: The Basics
of Storytelling”
Speak Easy, Millennium Center, Basement – Kenneth Posner

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Artworks - Panel: Future of the Book and Publishing: Barry Miller, Carolyn Sakowski, Lee
Thompson and Myles Thompson
Red Room, Millennium Center, Basement – Getting Immigration Right with David Coates,
Hernando Ramírez-Santos, and Peter Siavelis

A Special Performance held by Choctaw Storyteller, Tim Tingle, will be held at the Center
for the Arts beginning at 4 p.m.


Programs will be held in the following venues:

Sixth Street Main Stage, Young Readers Central at the City Market Stands / Downtown School, 601 North Cherry Street; Artworks Gallery, 654 North Trade Street; 5ive and 40rty, 541 North Trade Street; Urban Artware, 207 West Sixth Street; Signature, 534 North Trade Street; the Red Room, the Speak Easy and the
Blue Room, the Millennium Center Basement, 101 West Fifth Street – Entrance is off of Trade
Street; Food for Thought, Millennium Center Dock – Entrance is at the back of the building.