Whatever Wednesday: NJRWA Recap

October 27th, 2010

Hey, everyone!

Whew. What a weekend!! I had an absolute blast at the NJRWA Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. Besides watching my bud, Cyn Balog, author of FAIRY TALE and SLEEPLESS, seek inspiration by staring at a disco ball, here are my top three favorite highlights from the conference.

Highlight #1: I won a Meg Cabot book! Actually, Cyn won the Meg Cabot book and I made her hand it over, since I’m Meg’s biggest fan. Okay, I didn’t exactly make her. Cyn and I both won baskets. The Cabot book was in Cyn’s basket. We (I) decided we would scatter our basket winnings and we took turns picking our favorite things. I volunteered to go first.

Highlight #2: I spent oodles and oodles of time with some of my favorite people, including, Cyn and my fairy agent, Michelle Grajkowski. Cyn and I decided to take a flight to Vegas and club on Saturday night. Just kidding. We hit the mall across the street instead. This is really just a room at the hotel. Seriously.

Highlight #3: Cyn and I survived our workshop, Wanna Write YA? During the workshop, we met and hung out with some amazing people. Here’s me after the workshop. I was wiped.

And here’s Cyn relaxing with her favorite book.

Now I’m back, exhausted, inspired, and excited for next October.

Until next year…

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: A Heart in a Book and Batman

October 20th, 2010

The leaves are changing, baseball playoffs are in full swing, and it’s time for the annual NJRWA PUT YOUR HEART IN A BOOK CONFERENCE! Only two more days!! Yay!

This year, I’m lucky enough to present a workshop at the conference. The fabulous Cyn Balog, author of FAIRY TALE and SLEEPLESS, and I will be presenting WANNA WRITE YA? on Saturday. So, if you’re at conference, please stop by to say hello!

Speaking of the season, guess what Halloween costume my daughter picked out to wear this year?

That’s right. And don’t dare call her Batgirl… She’s BatMAN. Gotta love Pre-K.

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: HEAD GAMES TRAILER and my favorite things!

October 6th, 2010

Hey, everyone!

I just turned in my STEALING BASES revisions and I’m going to reward myself with some of my favorite things…

Like this…

And this…

In the meantime, I’m so excited to post the HEAD GAMES trailer! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: Win a signed ARC, Swag, and Critiques!

September 15th, 2010

Hey, everyone!!

Did you check out the Write On Con website this week? A whole bunch of authors, including myself, are giving away tons of free stuff!! Check it out here and support this wonderful conference!

Happy Wednesday!

Whatever Wednesday: Writer Routine

September 8th, 2010

Hope everyone enjoyed an amazing Labor Day weekend!

I’m over at Jennifer Shirk’s blog today chatting about my writer routine. Check out her fun blog here and win an ARC of HEAD GAMES.

Happy Wednesday!

Jersey Shore Sunday: Happy Labor Day!

September 5th, 2010

Whatever Wednesday: September Book Review Club

August 31st, 2010

Wow. Summer is winding down already. But, my usual sadness is sugar sweet this year. Why? HEAD GAMES is almost here! Four months and counting! Yay!

The first Wednesday of the month means another edition of The Book Review Club hosted by Barrie Summy, author of the I So Don’t Do Mysteries series. Today, I’m featuring three books by the amazing Lauren Myracle - Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen.

Recently, I picked up this highly acclaimed middle grade series for two reasons. One, I’m heading back to the classroom this fall and I was in need of a brush-up on the perils of adolescence. And two, author Lauren Myracle’s writing is always incredible. Her books are never a disappointment.

Here are the five reasons why I loved yet another one of Myracle’s series…

1. Voice – Myracle’s voice is one of the best. Distinct, unique, and amazing, I could recognize Myracle’s one of a kind voice with my eyes closed.  One word – wow.
2. Characters – Once again, Myracle nails characterization. Winnie is likable, fun, and ferocious. She journeys through middle school in a realistic, genuine way. Myracle consistently creates characters I care about.
3. Fearless Writing – Myracle doesn’t hold back. Her work is consistently fearless, honest and real. She tackles ‘make you cringe’ moments like no one else.
4. Must Read Middle School Material – Like Judy Blume books, this series is a great read for middle schoolers to meander and test out adolescence through the eyes of Winnie.
5. Sweetie – And to top it all off, Lauren Myracle is one of the nicest authors ever!

Okay, I promise, I’m done gushing over Lauren Myracle (Love her!). For more middle grade, young adult, and adult book reviews and recommendations, click here.

Happy Wednesday! 

Disclosure: I often receive ARCs and/or books for reviews (most of the time due to my Chick Lit column for South Jersey Mom magazine and sometimes because I’m an author and other times because I beg). However, I do not blog about every book I receive, only the ones I absolutely adore or feel the need to recommend to fans of sporty lit.

Modeling, Basketball, and Fashion Savy Editors…

August 30th, 2010

Don’t miss my interview with the fabulous Book Scout today! I answered questions about the Pretty Tough series, fashionistas, and much, much more. Check it out here.

Happy Monday!

Whatever Wednesday: Teen Writers Workshop!

August 25th, 2010

Hey, everyone!

Take a close look at this pic…

Because this group of future famous authors are going to be at a bookstore near you very soon! I was lucky enough to spend some time with this talented bunch as they shared their fantastic short stories during our Teen Writer’s Workshop at the Cape May County Library. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of TEEN TALES: VOLUME TWO this winter! It’s an amazing collection!

Happy Wednesday!

Sporty Saturday Spotlight is Back!

August 13th, 2010

Hey, everyone!

It’s that time of year again. We’re gearing up for another season of Sporty Saturday Spotlights! If you or someone you know is a sporty girl and would like to be spotlighted on Pretty Tough, please email me at kerimikulski(at)gmail(dot)com. We’re searching for all sports and still have slots to fill for the 2010-2011 season. Check out an interview from last year here.

Happy Friday!