Wow! Lots-a Books

The town of Cold Lake, Alberta, is getting prepared for the big day. The vendor who will be selling books at the launch party is Lots-a Books. So far, the books are selling fast. They may be all sold out before the party. Here's all they have:

Not much left, as you can see, on their once-full display table. More books are winging their way to Canada, but will they arrive in time? The town of Cold Lake is rallying behind their hometown author, and a signboard outside the store (see below) has been luring the locals in. If you live in the area, you might want to hurry in to get one of the last few copies before they're all sold out.

Not to worry if you miss out, as you can still order the books from Leap Books, and we'll ship them right out to you. Be sure to check out our spring special rates and enter the coupon code at checkout. The books are also available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and through major distributors, such as Ingram and Baker & Taylor.

So what's all the excitement about? Is it the cool gothic art by Val Cox that decorates the pages? Or is it the engrossing story of Eryn McCain written by Judith Graves? Most likely it's both. Check back all this week for some sneak peeks at the art and excerpts from the novel. Today we'll just tantalize you with the first lines from the book:

I ran as if my life depended on it.

Maybe it did.

Who needs to stay alive and why in this cold northern Canadian town of Redgrave? A town infested with paranorms...

Is it possible? Can it be? Does the fictional town of Redgrave resemble Cold Lake? The thought is chilling. If so, maybe it's the paranorms who've been snapping up those books before the humans find out their deep dark secrets.What has author Judith Graves revealed about them in the pages of her book?

Vamp thrall...wolven vs. werewolves...

witches and warlocks...and other beasties of the night romp through the pages of Under My Skin (UMS). Get your copy to discover the hidden magick buried in Redgrave. Or perhaps, Cold Lake?

You'll meet many Beasties of the Night at Judith Graves' launch party on Saturday Night, April 24, 2010. Stop in for cake and drinks, great music, and an autographed copy of UMS. And maybe you'll discover some paranorms in disguise...

Countdown to Launch Party

Under My Skin arrived. Here's author Judith Graves reading her copy. Even her dog is checking out the book. Curious about why they're both so absorbed?

Stay tuned this week for some fun snippets from the book. You'll find out why everyone who's read it is raving about it.

Here's what Rosemary Clement-Moore, author of Prom Dates from Hell, Hell Week, Highway to Hell, and The Splendor Falls had to say about it:

"Under My Skin is a roller-coaster romp through a supernatural world filled with scary beasties, otherworldly magic, and characters you'll root for. Eryn is a tough but likable protagonist whose paranormal problems make a compelling story full of mystery, magic, action and romance. A fun and engaging read. I'm looking forward to the sequel." 

And best of all, you can get Under My Skin for 30% now through the Leap store. Also available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

And if you live near Cold Lake, Alberta, get ready to party this weekend: The big day is April 24, 2010. Find out more at the Wolfy Chicks blog.

The Secret Lives of Librarians - Part Two

We continue our series exploring the secret lives of people who turned their passion for reading into a career. Check out today's guest's take on teens and technology.


Next up: Linda W. Braun, president of Young Adult Library Services Association and author of Teens, Technology, and Literacy;

 Or, Why Bad Grammar Isn't Always Bad

Secret passions: Coffee and Technology

What turned you into a reader?
I was surrounded by books when I was growing up. My parents were avid readers and we had books all over the house, in every room including the basement and attic.

If you hadn’t become a librarian, what might you have done instead?
Television producer – probably news or documentaries.

What can booklovers and publishers do to help with the current library funding crisis?
Ask good questions about what a library in 2010 should be doing for the community and don’t make assumptions about what a library is all about. The library is more than a place that members of a community have because they think they should, or because it has sentimental value. The library is a living breathing organization that has a lot to give to a community. Find out what that is and make sure that you get it.

What kind of books are most popular at your library?
I am a consultant and library school educator, so don’t work in a library currently. However, in conversations with teens and librarians I know that a wide-variety of titles are currently popular. There is still interest in supernatural stories with werewolves, vampires, fairies, and so on. These stories that take place in a world which teens can relate to and with which they are familiar has something to do with their popularity. Manga and graphic novels are popular with many teens and these titles span a variety of genres. Non-fiction on topics related to contemporary interests and web-trends are popular as well.

Most people picture librarians sitting around reading all day. What’s wrong with this picture?
Libraries are a customer service institution, just like a bookstore, coffee shops, or computer stores. That means that librarians working on the front lines are always helping people find what they need, answering questions face-to-face or virtually, and making sure that the services provided meet the needs of the community.

What advice do you have for turning non-readers/reluctant readers on to books?
I have advice for the adults that live and work with reluctant readers. Be willing to recognize that reading on a computer screen or a digital device is reading. Help kids and teens that don’t think they like to read see themselves as readers by acknowledging that reading happens in lots of different forms and formats in 2010. When we start to recognize that kids and teens are always reading, and are willing to call that type of reading reading, kids and teens who don’t think of themselves as readers, but who are because they are constantly reading in non-traditional formats, will begin to think of themselves as readers and begin to be more interested in reading as something they like to and want to do.

Here's the secret stuff about Linda:

What book character are you most like and why?

Harriet the Spy because I’m curious.

What 3 things would you never walk out the door without?

iPhone, Starbucks Card, Sunglasses

Did you ever sneak out a window? No fair only answering yes, you have to tell us when and why.

I snuck out of a second floor porch when I was a freshman in high school in order to meet my boyfriend.

What was the worst clothing disaster you ever faced?
It wasn’t a disaster when I was a teen but when I look back now I see it that way – a halter top that was short in front as well as missing in back.

Do you have a tattoo?
Don’t have one and am too scared of the pain to get one.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?
Adults would recognize teenagers as human beings that are valuable to a community and have brains that work. Adults would not treat teens as second-class citizens and would support teen development and not pretend, in many cases, that teens don’t really exist.

If you could star in any TV show or movie, what would it be and why?
Gilmore Girls because I loved the relationships between the characters.

The Secret Lives of Librarians

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to turn a passion into a full time job? Well, that's what librarians have done. They've turned their love of reading into a career. Imagine getting first crack at all the new releases while the rest of us have to put our names on the reserve list. And if someone's annoying you, you get to tell them emphatically to Shush. Sweet!
We decided to talk to some of our favorite librarians. We get them to dish on what a great job they have and maybe even get them to share a few secrets.  Shhh!!! Don't tell!

First up, Dr. Leigh Ann Jones
Coordinator of Library Services, Frisco ISD, Frisco, TX

Obsession: book covers (subject of her dissertation)
Loves: libraries, family time, YA books

What turned you into a reader?

My mom claims I'm a reader because she liked to sleep late. When I'd wake up really early as a toddler, she'd change my diaper, give me a bottle, a banana, and a Life magazine. She swears the Life magazine was worth another hour's sleep for her.

Tell us about your most disastrous author visit. (No names please.)

We host several authors a year and thankfully the great majority are warm, gracious, and interesting. Unfortunately divas do exist. I have frantically driven all over town at 10:00 on Sunday evening looking for "ruby-red grapefruit juice, no sugar." I have been summoned with an imperious wave and told, "Your author is hungry, and I don't do fast food." One author showed up late with his Botoxed wife in tow, was rude, and had his manager call and cancel the afternoon sessions with an hour's notice.

Most people picture librarians sitting around reading all day. What’s wrong with this picture?

That we don't actually get to do it!

What advice do you have for turning non-readers/reluctant readers on to books?

I think it takes the reader finding just the right book. And to find that book, it normally takes a caring librarian or teacher who reads like crazy and is willing to get to know the kid well enough to say, "Hey, I think you'd really like this book."

What can an author do to ensure a successful visit/booksigning?

Like kids. Smile. Get rid of the canned presenation. The best author we've hosted lets the students ask him questions the whole hour, so every session is fresh and it's what the kids want to know.

Here's the secret stuff:    

Did you ever sneak out a window? No fair only answering yes, you have to tell us when and why.

Yep. In high school I crawled out my window to meet this guy who had already graduated and was still hanging around (there's one in every small town). My sister told on me, and my dad followed me to the square where we were sitting and talking. Humiliating. My freshman year in college the guy actually called and asked me out, saying "Maybe your dad won't follow you this time." I was too freaked out to go.

Tell us about a paranormal experience you’ve had.

In middle school I got on a kick of reading books about ghosts, ESP, and reincarnation. I badly wanted to see a ghost, but the closest I ever came was pretending to feel something in the room after playing with the Ouija board at a sleepover.

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?

Teen Author Carnival

The authors have been announced for the Teen Author Carnival in NYC on May 24, 2010, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.

And Leap Books is thrilled that author Judith Graves will be one of the attendees. Other fabulous authors attending include (click on their names to check out their websites):

1. Heidi Kling
2. Jeri Smith-Ready
3. Holly Cupala
4. Michelle Zink
5. Stephanie Kuehnert
6. Elizabeth Scott
7. Judith Graves
8. Alexandra Diaz
9. Barry Lyga
10. Jon Skovron 
11. Tonya Hurley
12. Amy Brecount White
13. Linda Gerber 
14. Melissa Walker
15. Kieran Scott 
16. Courtney Sheinmel 
17. Michael Northrop
18. Lauren Oliver 
19. Ned Vizzini 
20. Melissa Kantor 
21. Susane Colasanti 
22. Violet Haberdasher
23. Eliot Schrefer
24. Sarah Darer Littman

You can see all these authors at:

Jefferson Market Branch Library
425 Avenue of the Americas [at 10th St.],
New York, NY 10011-8454


For a a night of Q&A, activities, and giveaways, join these authors and the hosts of the event (Devyn Burton, Mitali Dave, & Korianne Wey) for a star-studded evening in the Big Apple.

A Stellar Review

Thanks to The Book Butterfly for a great review of Freaksville, Kitty Keswick's novel. Here's a short excerpt from her review:

"FREAKSVILLE is a unique novel, both in the storyline, well defined characters, artful little illustrations and blog format....the posts themselves were so well written and entertaining, I enjoyed reading them and quickly became engrossed in the plot line.


The tension between Kasey’s family and the Johnstone clan added some depth to the plot line and I look forward to this aspect being explored in FURRY & FREAKED, the fabulously named sequel to FREAKSVILLE."

Other bloggers also were intrigued by the Maxwell-Johnstone feud, which will play an even greater part in later books. In Bed with Books mentioned it:

"FREAKSVILLE was fun, and not just because of the cute illustrations. Kasey has a strong voice, and I liked her habit of making lists. I liked her relationship with Gillie. The two girls supported each other without getting jealous of the other's relationship. I liked the background feud between the Maxwell and Johnstone families - I can't wait to see that expanded as Kasey and Josh further their relationship."

Curious about the Johnstone-Maxwell clan wars? Although Freaksville is fiction, Kitty Keswick researched a centuries-old feud between the Maxwells and the Johnstones to gather background information for her novel. She even traveled to England and visited the site along the Scottish border that was the setting for clash between the clans. Here's a photo of the remains of Lochwood Castle, destroyed by a fire set by the Maxwells in the sixteenth century.

Want to find out more? Feel free to ask Kitty a question about her research. And be sure to stop by the Wolfy Chicks blog for some special giveaways.