Buzzin' in the Bay

All of the Buzz Girls, with the exception of Tina and I, are buzzing in San Fran this week. Tina is attending SCBWI in Century City. And I, well, I have been consoling myself with Dairy Queen Buster Bars because I am living vicariously through my cell phone and laptop. But even though the Bees have been super-busy they have still managed to keep me in the loop through emails, text messages, and phone calls. Trust me, you just can't beat a surprise phone call from your super-agent while you are feeling sorry for yourself watching THE TWO COREYS. :)

A little birdie told me that the workshop that the Buzz Girls put on today was nearly standing room only. With a title like Building Buzz in YA, who wouldn't want to be there? Topics included how to design a teen-friendly website, to blog or not to blog, finding out who your teen audience is, navigating teen-popular networking websites, school visits, book launches, and using your existing network to your advantage. If you weren't there, don't despair. The BBG's are planning to set aside a whole week discussing our topics! Here is a photo of Marley, Tera, and Dona at the workshop this afternoon.

One of the biggest events at RWA National is the Literacy Booksigning. Here are some fun shots from the signing.

Simone Elkeles who is up for a RITA (see her pretty blue flag) for her novel, LEAVING PARADISE. Good luck Simone! I'll be cheering you on from Illinois.

Tera Lynn Childs signing her debut novel, OH MY GODS, soon to be a television series or made for TV movie starring Ashley Tisdale. Next to Tera is Terri Clark, author of one of the four fabulous stories in Breaking Up Is Hard to Do. I can't help but notice that she is sporting a shorter sassy do' this year. So cute!

Here is Dona signing How to Salsa in a Sari. Dona's new book SHRINK TO FIT is out in stores TODAY!!!! Go buy it!!!! And that adorable redhead peeking over her shoulder is Heather Davis, author of NEVER CRY WEREWOLF which debuts in April 2009.

Marley and her friend from college, Scott were having fun at the signing where she signed copies of ZETA OR OMEGA? & THE NEW SISTERS from the Sorority 101 Series.

Last, but not least, is a YA author who does our genre proud. Double RITA finalist, Kelly Parra (check out her blog YA Fresh with BBG Tina Ferraro, http://yafresh.blogspot.com/), author of Graffiti Girl. See her two blue flags? Yeah, she's kind of greedy but we still like her a lot!

I'm so glad that everyone is having fun at Nationals and I can't wait til D.C.!

xo,

Stephanie

http://www.stephaniehale.com/