Maggie Bean in Love & Justice Stores

This just in from the Publisher's Weekly Children's Bookshelf Newsletter!

Simon & Schuster’s Aladdin Mix imprint has partnered with tween-centric Justice stores (formerly Limited Too) to promote a different Aladdin Mix title each month, both in 900 stores nationwide as well as online. The first featured book, for the month of July, is Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers. Subsequent books in the promotion will be Things Are Gonna Get Ugly by Hillary Homzie, Four Truths and a Lie by Lauren Barnholdt, DeVillers’s Trading Faces, Maggie Bean in Love by Tricia Rayburn and The Cupid Chronicles by Coleen Murtagh Paratore. An excerpt from Liberty Porter is currently available on the Justice website. (http://www.hotcoolstuff.shopjustice.com/rockin-reads)


So exciting!

And...We're Back!

Back in May, I said I would no longer be updating this blog...but because Google loves Blogger, and because it finds things in entries here that it doesn't on my regular website, I'm giving it another go. To make up for lost time, I've re-posted below entries written since the switch.

I'll still update my website with information about me and my books, but for now, you can find the blog here!

And She's Off!

Ruby’s Slippers is done! I sent the first draft to Kate the Great (my editor) on Friday.

A range of emotions always accompanies the initial send-off. I’m excited that what started as a simple idea made up of a few sentences has grown into an entire book. I’m relieved that the book’s temporarily done. I’m eager—and a little nervous—for my editor’s feedback. I’m anxious to revise until the book’s as good as can be. I’m nostalgic for the fun times my characters and I just shared.

I’m also a little lost. When I’m working on a project (especially one with a deadline!), I’m IN it. I write and revise for weeks on end, sometimes longer, depending on the book. Whenever I’m not writing or revising, I’m outlining, or plotting, or thinking about how to improve what’s already been done. If I take a whole day off and am too busy to sit in front of the computer and too distracted to even think about the project, I can’t wait to wake up the next morning and get back to it.

Of course, breaks are good. Everyone needs them. And after working so intensely for so long, my brain definitely welcomes the chance to recharge. But I know it’s only a matter of days before I’m ready to dive into the next project.

Then the problem becomes: Which one? I’ve been kicking around several ideas lately, including a spooky ‘tween series and a super romantic young adult novel. I’m already tempted to start jotting down notes and fleshing out characters.

But first thing’s first. There will be plenty of time to decide...after the break!

Ruby's on Amazon! (originally posted 7/9)

There’s not much to see since the cover’s still in the works...but Ruby’s Slippers is on Amazon! It’s described as Gilmore Girls meets The Wizard of Oz, and has a release date of May 4, 2010.

As for the cover, my wonderful editor sent me a note last week with the current concept and samples by the artist they plan to use. I don’t want to say too much, too soon, but here’s a hint:

Shoe-bling.

I know I’m excited!

Run, Toto, Run! (originally posted 6/27)

I read in a local paper that it rained 23 of the first 26 days of June. I haven’t been keeping track, but given that our grass seems to be a fast-growing distant relative of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, that sounds about right.

It rained again yesterday. And thundered. The shih tzu’s not particularly fond of thunderstorms, so at the end of the day, when the clouds finally parted, we headed to one of our favorite spots to trot off the trauma. The sky was still fairly muted, and despite the earlier downpour, the air was thick with humidity, but I was sure that after pummeling our stretch of sand all day, Mother Nature would be content to take the night off.

I was wrong. We’d gone less than a mile when the clouds returned. I didn’t think much of it until they darkened, shifted, and sank low enough that I could reach up and touch them. They descended so quickly and moved in such a way that I was seriously watching for funnel formation. And I wasn’t the only one—as the rain and lightning started and we booked it to the car, a passing cyclist called out, “Run, Toto, run!” At which point, of course, Murphy decided to pull on the leash and sit down. In the middle of the parking lot. In the middle of a tornado.

Thankfully, the clouds continued to shift without spiraling all the way down, but the scene was still like something out of Twister. Joggers sprinted, dogs barked, cyclists flew. One cyclist took a particularly nasty spill, and another slowed enough to grab him by the arm and yank him up before pedaling on.

I’m no Helen Hunt and my digital camera’s no Dorothy (the tornado data recorder Hunt’s character created), but together we managed a few shots of the storm’s progression...

Click here for pictures:

http://web.me.com/triciarayburn/Tricia_Rayburn/Blog/Entries/2009/6/27_Run%2C_Toto%2C_Run!.html

Little House, Big Life (originally posted 6/25)

Like most girls growing up in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, I loved “Little House on the Prairie.” Loosely based on the wonderful books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the show featured Melissa Gilbert as Laura, a spunky, adorable “Half Pint” who lived with her family near the small town of Walnut Grove in the late 1800s. I loved everything about the show: the opening shot of Laura, Mary, and Carrie running through a field, the Ingalls’ home, Laura’s close relationship with Pa, bratty Nellie Oleson, their simple-yet-extremely-complicated life, and so much more. Most of all, I loved watching Laura find her way in and out of sticky situations. No matter what she did or how much trouble she got into, her family was always there to help. And while life on the prairie presented many challenges (blizzards, tornados, fires, bad crops, illness), all in all, I thought Laura was one lucky girl.

Which was I was so excited to pick up Prairie Tale, Melissa Gilbert’s new memoir. I couldn’t wait to dive in and learn all sorts of little-known, behind-the-scenes secrets of one of my favorite childhood shows and stars. Who got along on set? Who didn’t? How fun was it to grow up on such a successful show? What was life like post-prairie?

Well, I learned everything I wanted to know about Melissa Gilbert...and a few things I probably didn’t! Here are some highlights:

1. For the first 24 hours of her life, Melissa was known as “Baby Girl.” She was then adopted by an entertainment super-couple in California.
   

2. She and Michael Landon, who played Pa, had a very special relationship. He was like the father she never really had.
   

3. She didn’t really get along with Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Laura’s older sister Mary. She was, however, great friends with Alison Arngrim, who played mean Nellie Oleson.
   

4. Jonathan Gilbert, her brother, played Willie Oleson.
   

5. She hated filming romantic scenes with Dean Butler, who played Laura’s husband Almanzo. Melissa was only 15 when their on-screen relationship progressed, and Dean was several years older.
   

6. She considered herself a dorky, sheltered kid, and as a result, had difficulty transitioning to adult life.
   

7. She had a nose job...and other elective surgery. Sometimes more than once.
   

8. She dated Rob Lowe on and off for six years. They were engaged at one point, but eventually called it off.
   

9. She hung out with and/or dated many other famous boys/men, including Scott Baio, Tom Cruise, and John Cusack. Kiefer Sutherland is apparently still in love with her, but Melissa’s happily married to Bruce Boxleitner.
   

10. Despite making countless TV movies, she’s always been a little self-conscious around other “big screen” actors.
    

11. She served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
    

12. While hanging out with friends, she was invited to Michael Jackson’s ranch—by Michael Jackson. That same night, she and her friends chose to hang out with Liza Minnelli instead.
    

13. Sara Gilbert, who played Darlene on “Roseanne,” is her sister.
    

14. Throughout her life, she’s struggled with a variety of addictions.
    

I’ll stop there for those who want to read the book...but the main thing I took away? Despite blizzards, tornados, fire, bad crops, illness, and a host of other problems, growing up on the prairie was, in some ways, much easier than growing up in Hollywood!

Summer Office Rotation (originally posted 6/17)

I usually write in one of five places, each of which has its own set of pros and cons.

Home Office

Pros: close by, no showering necessary, fun breaks with the shih tzu, free coffee

Cons: sometimes too close by, no showering necessary, unlimited procrastination opportunities (i.e. internet, laundry, cleaning, fun breaks with the shih tzu)

Starbucks

Pros: close by, comfy chairs, no internet, good coffee, Frappuccinos

Cons: restricted hours (i.e. off-limits pretty much all summer, when our location’s overrun with vacationers)

Panera

Pros: close by, outdoor seating, limited but adequate coffee selection

Cons: free internet, restricted hours (meal times too busy/distracting)

Borders

Pros: location provides good driving/thinking time, surrounding books provide inspiration, no internet, less-than-stellar coffee selection

Cons: at 45 minutes away, sometimes too much driving/thinking time

Barnes & Noble

Pros: location provides great driving/thinking time, surrounding books provide inspiration, in-house Starbucks, comfy chairs, ideal atmosphere

Cons: at over an hour away, sometimes too much driving/thinking time, free internet

In a perfect world, I’d be at Barnes & Noble every day; but in this world, where B&N is so far away, I usually only get there once every other week. Rotating between the rest usually works well, but with Starbucks out of commission for the next two months, I think it might be time to add a temporary substitute.

Like, the beach.

This one’s tricky. The beach has many pros—it’s close by, outside, internet-free, and gorgeous—but it also has some serious cons. Namely, sand. The sun offers its own challenges, but a good umbrella can take care most of those. The sand, however, always finds a way to infiltrate everything you bring to the beach, no matter how hard you try to protect against it. I could drive to the beach and work in my car without ever getting out, and sand would still find a way in. And if the sand got to my laptop, that’d it for my office rotation.

Still, I think it might be worth the risk. Especially on days like today, when the sky’s blue, the sun’s shining...and Barnes & Noble is still so far away!

Torrential Rain = Foiled Plan (originally posted 6/9)

I had big plans for today. Big plans I’d been planning—and putting off—for days.

I was going to cut the grass.

This might not sound like a big deal...but our yard, though small, is actually a hill. And it’s been raining a lot, so the grass is tall enough that Murphy looks like a lion skulking through the African savanna whenever he walks through. And our poor excuse for a lawnmower is currently held together by a shoelace. All of which makes cutting the grass as daunting a task as climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops.

But I was going to do it. For Murphy. And for our mailman, who probably won’t want to brave the harsh savanna once it swallows our mailbox.

Unfortunately, my big plans have been delayed. Because I woke up this morning to the sound of rain dancing across the roof. And later today, we’re supposed to be hit with severe thunderstorms. Which means by the time the skies clear and I drag the broken lawnmower out of the garage again, the grass will likely be a foot taller than it is now. That shoelace better be strong.

But the news isn’t all bad! Rainy days are bad for outdoor productivity, but great for indoor productivity. I’m going to work on Ruby’s Slippers and continue reading How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford, which I picked up at BEA. I’m going to keep writing and reading till I can’t write or read anymore.

Or until the grass reaches the windows and turns day into night. Whichever comes first!

Egmont Faces (originally posted 6/3)

Egmont hosted a “Coffee and Kringles” gathering at their BEA booth Saturday afternoon. I had no idea what kringle was before this (and kept picturing churros, which aren’t even close), but soon found out that it’s a Danish filled pastry. Totally apropos for Egmont USA’s launch, since the entire company is based in Denmark!

Here are a few shots from the event.

Doug Pocock (EVP, Egmont USA), me, Rob McMenemy (SVP and Managing Director, Egmont UK)

Rob McMenemy, Pam Bachorz (author), Elizabeth Law (Publisher, Egmont USA), me, Doug Pocock, Chris Myers (author), Jennifer Barnes (author), Kristin Venuti (author), Walter Dean Myers (author)

The Answers to My BEA Questions (originally posted 6/1)

As predicted, BEA was a blast! I got to spend time with the entire Egmont USA team, meet other authors, hang out with my agent, and load up on lots of great new books. I also did a little shopping, which is always fun—especially in NYC!

The only way the weekend could’ve gone any better was if I hadn’t walked all the way across town in fairly new shoes shortly after my arrival, and if my feet hadn’t punished me for the following 48 hours. But, you live, you learn! And I definitely learned not to take any chances next time.

I also learned the answers to last Friday’s pre-BEA questions. Here they are:

1. Yes
   

2. Unfortunately, no
   

3. I’m guessing probably not, even though I didn’t get the chance to find out for sure
   

4. Yes!
   

5. If taking cabs everywhere, yes. If walking across town, no.
   

6. 11, give or take. And I had to buy more when my stash from home ran out!
   

7. YES!
   

8. YES!
   

I was so busy I didn’t take many pictures, but there should be some floating around that I’ll try to find and share here.

I hope you had as wonderful a weekend!

Weekend of Books (originally posted 5/29)

I’m headed to NYC for BEA today! This is my first time attending, and I can’t wait. I mean, I get excited just going to Barnes & Noble, and this afternoon I’ll be going to an entire convention center FILLED with books! I hope I can control my excitement enough to make somewhat intelligent/witty/coherent conversation with other attendees.

Additional concerns and questions include:

1. Will I be able to find the Egmont booth without enlisting the assistance of Javits Center security?

2. Will I be able to track down my favorite authors?

3. If I DO track down my favorite authors, will I be able to tell them how much I admire their work without sounding like an obsessed groupie?

4. 4. Will the rain hold off?

M5. My shoes are cute, but are they NYC-appropriate?

6. 6. Per question #5, how many Band-Aids will I go through?

7. 7. Is there a Starbucks near my hotel?

8. Do I really want to add caffeine to the natural buzz I already have?

Only time will tell! I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures and post a recap early next week. Until then, have a GREAT weekend!

Egmont USA to Launch at BEA This Weekend! (originally posted 5/27)

Egmont USA (SIREN’s publisher!) will launch their first line at Book Expo America this weekend. I’ll be attending the festivities, and am so excited to meet the team and other Egmont authors. From my experiences so far, they seem like an incredibly dedicated, hard-working, enthusiastic bunch!

Here’s an article about the launch, courtesy of Publisher’s Weekly and thebookseller.com:

Egmont set for BEA US launch

27.05.09 Caroline Horn

Egmont USA is to launch its first children's list at Book Expo America this week as a showcase for 15 titles that will be published this autumn. The list is largely home-grown but includes such UK titles as Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson and Mike Wilks' Mirrorscape, as well as co-acquisitions between the UK and US.

Egmont's move into the US follows that of Walker Books, Bloomsbury, and most recently, Macmillan. Egmont UK managing director Rob McMenemy said the decision to launch in the US "came out of an awareness that authors we publish such as Jenny Nimmo and Frank Beddor were going on to become huge stars in the US, but we didn't have the US publishing rights".

The UK and US teams will work closely with a view to acquiring globally. He added: "We have a virtual team spanning the US and UK which works very closely together, both reading manuscripts and acting as scouts for each other." Pam Bachorz's Candor was the first joint acquisition for Egmont UK, USA and joint venture company, Hardie Grant Egmont in Australia.

The launch list includes two picture books, six core fiction and seven YA novels, chosen from more than 350 manuscripts.

Egmont USA executive vice-president Doug Pocock said: "Our focus is on creating quality fiction from middle grade through to YA. We've noticed a real increase in strong fiction for teens but we remain committed to building a balanced list and are seeking exciting projects in each category."

The company will publish 30 to 40 original titles each year.

The US office has a core team of eight staff including publisher Elizabeth Law and executive editor Regina Griffin, with support from freelance staff. Random House will handle sales and distribution.

It will take several years for the US venture to contribute to the bottom line, said McMenemy.

He added: "We have entered the market for the long-term and we are only just in the development phase for the list and the business.

"An investment of this scale will always take some time to pay back and we do not expect profit for a few years yet."