Exquisitely bizarre

I did a blog tour as part of the forest born release. Here are some of the interviews:

Book Nut

Compulsive Reader

The Story Siren

I've mentioned before my affection for the Cybil Awards, given out by the children's and YA book bloggers. As national and newpaper review space is diminishing, I think book blogs will get more and more powerful in reviews and book recommendations. We'll see review quotes on book jackets from well known bloggers instead of the likes of Kirkus (which is apparently closing up shop! Ah, Kirkus, who will zing us with that final line now?).

As you may know, I'm one of a couple dozen writers and illustrators taking part in the Exquisite Corpse Adventure. This is an online book told in installments, each chapter written by a new author. The Library of Congress and National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance partnered to use this story as a way to draw people to read.gov, a fabulous website with so much stuff for readers, kids and adults, teachers, librarians, parents, etc. They posted Episode 7 this week, by yours truly. This was so fun and really challenging to write. They're not calling it a "book" so much as a "game." And it turns out when a bunch of children's authors get together to play this kind of a game, things get really bizarre. 

I'll be writing a second episode sometime next year, with the final episode written by whoever will be the new Ambassador of Children's Literature. I've read a few episodes ahead, and M.T. Anderson's made me both laugh out loud and tear up. I'm being absolutely literal. Laugh and cry. This man...what can I say about this man? Is "genius" too trite? How in the midst of this big stew of a story could he write a few pages so lovely and funny and perfect? Astounding.

Merry Christmas this week, and I hope you all feel snuggly and content. Even you Aussies. I know it's summer, but it's never a bad time of year to feel snuggly.

Comments

[Je Reve]

I love those interviews! And a snuggly (but, please, not snuggie) Christmas!

[RosaleeLuAnn]

Megan Whalen Turner’s Gen books
I'm SO GLAD these made your top five (even if it was only off of the top of your head. :-)

[Megan J.]

I forgot to check read.gov! Thanks for the reminder. It's wonderful so far, and I've been hooked since we hear Jon read the first part in D.C.!

[Ruby Diamond]

Quite enjoyed the interviews (I'd love to have you on my blog next time you go on blog tour!) and the episode. You're so sassy. :D

Your saying that you started a new book the other day because you couldn't help it made me wonder: Do you ever start books you don't finish, anymore?

[Caroline]

Great interviews! I really enjoyed reading them. And, *ahem* we still haven't forgotten about the super secret project you keep taunting us with...

[aquafortis]

Thanks for the Cybils shout-out! We strive to be a helpful resource for librarians and other book buyers (professional and otherwise).

[Christen]

Merry Christmas, Shannon! :D

*off to check out the new episode*

[Nadia]

It's amazing how technology changes our perspectives and lives. Yet, in just a few short years, it becomes the norm and the rising generation thinks we are terribly old-fashioned for missing how things were in the "old days".

[Nadia]

Sorry my link didn't work on my last post. I'm always typing it wrong. ;-)