LISA McMANN

DEAD TO YOU is in stores this week!

2012-02-05T09:34:00.000-08:00

This is the first time I'm not doing a major tour for one of my books--it feels strange! And I'll actually be home with my family on both Valentine's Day and my birthday this year, hooray! But oh, how I will miss you.

The timing is great, though. I've got a few tight deadlines in the first half of 2012, so being able to work at home means I'll be a lot more productive (which means more books for you in 2013)! But I'll miss meeting booksellers, librarians, teachers, and especially teens this time around. I think I will be touring again in the fall when The Unwanteds: Island of Silence comes out.

The good news is that I'll be doing a few short visits here and there. This Thursday I'll be at CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE in Tempe, AZ for the launch party of DEAD TO YOU (call ahead to order personalized/signed copies--they ship almost anywhere). I'll be at the Chino Book Festival in Chino, CA on Sunday, Feb 26, signing in the Mrs. Nelson's Toys & Books booth. I'll also be visiting one of my favorite cities, Houston, for their Teen Book Festival in mid-April. As always, you can follow my travels on the TOUR page on my website. I will add more as they come along.

I hope you enjoy DEAD TO YOU! It's a stand-alone. And hopefully soon I'll be able to let you know what's coming next -- I can't wait to share the news! Stay tuned.

Thank you for buying my books! I really appreciate you.

xoxo

The Writing Cave

2012-01-23T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I'm resurfacing from the writing cave for a day and realized it's been a month since I've blogged. I'm a terrible blogger--I'm sure you'll agree. I prefer the simple, quick tweet or status update to the longer format of the blog. So if you're ever looking for me, you can find me on facebook or twitter.

Can you believe it's only 2 weeks until DEAD TO YOU comes out? If you're wondering what it's about, you can find a description of it on my website. Or maybe I'll just put it here:

Dead To You - Available February 7, 2012!

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together.

But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

As always, there is a little love story. I hope you enjoy it! You can pre-order online or check your local store to see if they have it on order.

What's up next? Well, let me just tell you:

Feb 7, 2012: DEAD TO YOU
Sept 4, 2012: THE UNWANTEDS: ISLAND OF SILENCE (bk 2 of the series)
Feb 2013: My book in the INFINITY RING series will be out! (I'm writing book 3)
Spring 2013: CRASH - a teen paranormal about a girl, a meatball truck, visions, forbidden love, hoarding, and nine body bags in the snow. Potential series.
Fall 2013: THE UNWANTEDS book 3!

No wonder I've been hanging out in the writing cave. Time to go back in.

Exciting book news! INFINITY RING series

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

What is Infinity Ring? It's a seven-book time travel series brought to you by the creators of THE 39 CLUES (Scholastic), written by six different authors (including me!), and it includes an AWESOME online game component which you'll find on InfinityRing.com. You can read everything about it here in the Press Release.

Don't worry -- I'll still be writing THE UNWANTEDS series and my teen novels like DEAD TO YOU as usual. This is just a bonus book. :)

I am so excited to be part of this cool series. I'll be writing book three. One of the funnest aspects of this for me is that all the other authors who are taking part in this are really great people with amazing ideas. And it's also really fun to revisit history and figure out what would happen if things didn't go as they should have.

From left, front: Me, Carrie Ryan, Jennifer Nielsen. Back: Matt de la Pena, James Dashner, Matthew J. Kirby.

(photo copyright Ken Karp 2011)

There's even an article in the New York Times -- cool!

Watch for book one coming out in September, 2012!

Arizona YA authors, teachers, and librarians know how to par-tay!

2011-12-11T06:19:00.000-08:00

The collective of young adult and middle grade authors is growing by leaps and bounds in Arizona, and the cool thing is, we all like each other. Last year we had a party for ourselves and it was a blast. This year we said to each other, "Hey, let's invite some more people who love books as much as we do." So we set a date (Dec 10) and a location (my house), and the eight authors who could attend got busy inviting as many of the teachers, librarians, and booksellers we could think of. And then we asked them to invite a coworker or two.

Word got out. I remember saying, "The more the merrier!" Some teachers and librarians from over a hundred miles away were planning to come. We were amazed and excited. We were about to have our own mini ALA + NCTE + BEA convention right in my house!

In early December, I started mentally adding up the potential number of people who might show up to such an event (free food and wine!) and for about 24 hours, I panicked. What if everyone we invited actually showed up? And then I remembered that lots of people plan to stop in at an open house, but when the time actually comes, things happen, or they realize I live in the boonies, and they can't make it after all. So I panicked again. What if nobody showed up? I figured at least my fellow authors would come, so we could hang out and feel like losers all together.

But my author buddies convinced me that people would come. So I started thinking, hey, if we're having our own little convention, we need to give stuff away. We need SWAG! I sent out a message to my awesome team at Simon & Schuster (Simon Pulse and Aladdin), asking if they had any arcs or finished books floating around to contribute. They said "Sure!" and got busy, reaching out to other S&S imprints as well. The other authors contacted their publishers too. In addition, we all donated books of our own to the cause -- Arizona has had some tough times and no funding for books in libraries and schools lately. We wanted to help, and we wanted to get more new books into our local schools and libraries.

The week of the party, I left on a three-day trip, and when I returned, my husband took me by the hand and said "Come with me." He showed me the entryway of our home. There were nearly twenty boxes stacked high from some amazingly awesome and generous publishers.

"Oh, my," I said. And then I looked at him. "This is going to be the Best. Party. Ever."

He nodded. We set up on the ping pong table. There were hundreds of books, posters, bookmarks, reading guides, socks, thumb drives...and more and more books. It was overflowing and glorious.

We stashed the empty boxes in the bathtub to get them out of the way.

On Saturday the 10th, the authors all arrived early with homemade appetizers and sweet snacks for our 5-8pm open house.

James Owen drew a welcome sign.

Darth headed out to the driveway to greet the book lovers.

Finally, the magic hour of 5pm arrived.
.
.
.
No one came. The clock ticked and echoed in the canyon. The food sat, eager, then concerned.

And then...a car containing two people pulled up. The people got out and came inside.

As any author knows, two people at a signing is worse than a no-show. It's painful and awkward and everybody involved feels weird and bad. Two people attending an event at which eight authors are present...well. It hurts to think about it.

Luckily, this car was followed by carload after carload, a maze of headlights in the darkest corner of the valley, streaming through the neighborhood. Hooray! We built it. They came.

As people arrived, my teenagers greeted them with applause -- they thought it would be great for the guests' self-esteem. After all, who doesn't like a grand entrance?

Over the next three hours, one hundred fifty Arizona librarians, middle and high school teachers, booksellers, and authors came together, met new people who shared their love for children's books, made some connections. They left with full stomachs, books in the crooks of their arms (yes, they all went for the books first, then the food), and grateful hearts for the generosity of publishers 2000 miles away. Before the night was over, the books were gone.

We want to profusely thank the following publishers who gave us books, arcs, and swag of all kinds: Simon & Schuster Childrens' Publishing, Random House, Scholastic, Walker, Fiewel & Friends, and Bloomsbury.

Truly and sincerely,

Amy Dominy (OyMG)
Bill Konigsberg (Out of the Pocket)
Tom Leveen (Party, Zero)
Lisa McMann (Wake trilogy, The Unwanteds)
James A Owen (Drawing Out the Dragons, Here There Be Dragons)
Aprilynne Pike (Wings series)
Janette Rallison aka CJ Hill (My Fair Godmother series, Slayers)
Janni Lee Simner (Bones of a Faerie, Faerie Winter)

The Wattpad Pulse It Winner

2011-12-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

of the trip to New York City to spend a day shadowing a real live editor at Simon & Schuster, and some time hanging out with me, is...

WAIT. First, I have to say something, and it's from the heart:

I was absolutely blown away by all of you who entered. It made me happy that there are so many of you out there who love to write as much as I do. I am really proud of each person who put a little piece of him or herself out there for others to see. That's really hard to do.

Narrowing the entries down to the top ten was really difficult. There were so many great stories. Our team of judges had a really tough time deciding! We had a variety of reasons why these ten were chosen, including writing ability, style, creativity, plot, voice, and uniqueness in coming up with an idea that others haven't thought of.

Choosing the winner out of these ten great stories? One of the most difficult choices I've had to make in a while. A long while. I want to congratulate again the nine finalists, and I want you to hear me -- you are talented. You have great potential. If you enjoy writing, you should keep doing it, because you are good at it.

Being a writer, getting published, winning prizes when you're up against hundreds or even thousands of others is a hard mountain to climb. If you have the stamina and can handle the rejections, the near-misses, the not-quites, you will succeed eventually. You have to keep going, and going, and going. I had over a hundred rejections for the first novel I wrote, and it never got published. Nor did my second novel. But I kept writing, and I kept going, and I kept looking at rejection in the face and saying, "You are only making me tougher. You are only making me want to fight for this more."

I want you to keep going too. Everything you write is valuable. Nothing you write is a waste of time. Every word you write makes you better at the craft of writing. So keep going, knowing that you have what it takes.

Thanks for reading this (even though I know you all skimmed that bit, I hope you went back and read it again). :)

And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for, THE WINNER of the Wattpad/Pulse It story contest is... *drumroll*

CRAVE THE RISK, by lucille0912.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I chose your story because I loved the way you approached the prompt. I love that you made the long-haired main character a boy. I love that you added the hint of a paranormal element with this boy having the strength similar to Samson (and I LOVED that you didn't name him, but made that story sound ominous, and it made the reader wonder what kind of society they lived in), and I liked the twist at the end. Your idea was fresh and different. The thing that clinched it for me, though, was your sense of voice in the story. It was strong and distinct, and I could feel his attitude, I could hear him speaking and thinking in my head. Voice is so difficult to learn to write well -- some writers have it naturally and some have to work very hard to achieve great character voice. Whether you had to work at it or it came naturally, it was there, and it was excellent. Additionally, some of your phrases were really stunning. I remember thinking "I wish I'd written that" a few times as I read your story.

lucille0912, I look forward to meeting you! I’ll be emailing you shortly so we can arrange your awesomely awesome trip to NYC.

Congratulations again to the winner and to all the writers who entered the contest. You are amazing! Keep going. :) And please stay in touch -- you can find me often on my facebook fan page and twitter.

NYC Trip – Wattpad.com Writing Contest Update!

2011-12-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

I know you are all waiting on the edge of your seats to find out who the winner of this contest is! There were a lot of entries to the contest (over 300!) and now we’re finally close to announcing. Well, almost. :D

To celebrate CRYER’S CROSS releasing in paperback this coming Tuesday, I am announcing the top 10 finalists for this contest! As the ten of you listed below all made it to the top with your excellent stories, I wanted to say congratulations by giving you a set of ALL my books! Email PulseIt@simonandschuster.com with “Lisa McMann Final 10” in the subject line & your full name and shipping address in the body of the email to receive your prize.

You can go over to Wattpad to get extra content and extended excerpts of CRYER’S CROSS (http://www.wattpad.com/1739563-cryer%27s-cross-we) and THE UNWANTEDS (http://www.wattpad.com/1739693-the-unwanteds-the-purge) plus a sneak peak to my new book DEAD TO YOU (http://www.wattpad.com/1740073-dead-to-you), coming out February 7th.

Tune back in here on Thursday, December 8th, around 7pm EST (4pm Pacific) for the official announcement of the final winner of the trip to NYC!

OK – enough of the suspense. Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order)!

A Choice by NinjaComesNaturally (http://www.wattpad.com/2095760-a-choice-lisamcmann)
Crave the Risk by lucille0912 (http://www.wattpad.com/1791036-crave-the-risk-lisamcmann)
The Half Blooded by CARLI123 (http://www.wattpad.com/2135634-the-half-blooded-lisamcmann)
The Heir Assassin by eternaldestiny (http://www.wattpad.com/2047255-the-heir-assassin-lisa-mcmann)
Labyrinth by DOODLESNOODLES (http://www.wattpad.com/1837763-labyrinth)
Mr. & Mrs. Young by DeeStory (http://www.wattpad.com/1766160-mr-%26-mrs-young-lisamcmann)
Saving Order by Becca_Lovatt (http://www.wattpad.com/1857754-saving-order-lisamcmann)
An Unexpected Agreement by BrianaBrooks (http://www.wattpad.com/1769575-an-unexpected-arrangement-lisamcmann)
Violet Eyes by kellyca (http://www.wattpad.com/2096076-violet-eyes)
Wanted by RainySkky (http://www.wattpad.com/1774535-wanted-lisamcmann)

News!

2011-11-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

1. If you want to have a chance at winning one of my pre-holiday giveaways (i.e. books galore!) you need to be subscribed to my e-mail newsletter list. I try hard not to be annoying by offering fun contests and prize opportunities in every newsletter, and I only mail out six or fewer newsletters per year. In our fall newsletter I gave away 3 copies of The Unwanteds, a Wake Trilogy boxed set, a copy of Cryer's Cross, and an arc of my upcoming teen novel DEAD TO YOU. Who knows what awesome prizes await you in the holiday edition! The more subscribers I have, the more I give away, so tell your friends too.

2. I had a fun interview with BookPage recently where I talk about what happens in The Unwanteds: Island of Silence (Unwanteds #2).

3. Publisher's Marketplace announced my latest sale (yay!): NYT bestseller Lisa McMann's third book in the UNWANTEDS series, again to Liesa Abrams at Aladdin, for publication in Fall 2013, by Michael Bourret at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. I have plans for seven books in this series, and I will be offering a different collectible postcard (signed & numbered) with each book featuring artwork drawn by my son Kilian, who did the first one (the Eliminators):

4. If you want autographed copies of any of my books for yourself or for gifts, you can order them through my local indies, Evermore Nevermore and Changing Hands. And I'll be doing a special event with Scottsdale bookstore Poisoned Pen in early December where you can order or stop by to get signed copies as well.

5. Did you sign up for my newsletter yet? It's easy, and I won't sell or give your email address to anyone. Just go here and fill out the info in the gray box on the left.

6. Hi! I love you!

Houston this Saturday - Tweens Read book festival!

2011-10-25T15:13:00.000-07:00

The final stop on my tour is in Pasadena, TX, at the TWEENS READ BOOK FESTIVAL this Saturday, Oct 29th. I'm so excited to see my friends from Blue Willow Books again! And I hope if you are anywhere nearby, you'll stop in for an hour or stay for the day. Great authors, great books. It's going to be a blast.

Oh hi there!

2011-10-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

I had such a great tour. Thanks to all of you for coming to my events - I really mean it. It was a total blast and it makes my year when you guys show up. Also nice? Seeing the colorful leaves as we drove across Michigan. Haven't seen them in 7 years!

This Wednesday, Oct 19th, at 4pm Central I'm doing a ustream.com event with the Houston Public Library. Hope you'll join us from wherever you are -- you don't have to be in Houston!

And speaking of Houston, I have one last official tour event -- the TWEENS READ book festival near Houston (Pasadena, TX) on Oct 29th.

If you live in my neck of the woods (Phoenix area), I'll be doing a special holiday event with Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, AZ with several other authors on December 11th. And even if you don't live nearby, you can order signed copies through them and they'll ship them out right away (along with a few stocking stuffers I'll include with all purchases of THE UNWANTEDS).

Three stops in Michigan this week!

2011-10-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

I will be handing out free prize packs with purchase of The Unwanteds (while they last). Can't make it? Call the store to order a copy -- I'll sign it for you when I'm there and leave a prize pack for you too.

*Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 7:00 PM
B&N - Holland
3050 Beeline Road
Suite 50
Holland, MI 49424

*Thursday, October 13, 2011, 6:00 PM
SCHULER BOOKS
1982 Grand River Ave.
Okemos, MI 48864

*Saturday, Oct 15, 2011, 2:30PM
FERNDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY (with Book Beat)
222 E. 9 mile Road
Ferndale, MI 48220
Co-sponsored by the Ferndale Public Library and Book Beat

Denver: Saturday, Oct 1, 3pm!

2011-09-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

See you at the Tattered Cover Bookstore on Colfax this Saturday, Oct. 1st, 3pm. I'll be handing out special Unwanteds prize packs with purchase of the book.

Coming soon -- stops in Holland, Okemos, and Ferndale, Michigan. Join me in my home state!

The Unwanteds Blog Tour is over, and we have a winner!

2011-09-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

The grand prize winner of The Unwanteds book club/class pack of books is...

Heather from Buried in Books!

Congratulations to you and all the recipients of your pack of books. I hope you enjoy!

Many thanks to Heather and Danny from Kismet Book Tours for making this blog tour so fantastic for me, and for all of the awesome bloggers who worked hard to keep the tour rolling along. I feel very lucky to have been a part of one of your tours.

This week: Milwaukee/Chicago areas

2011-09-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

THE UNWANTEDS is available NOW in bookstores and online.

Note: I will be handing out The Unwanteds collector packs with purchase of the book at these events!

*Wed, Sept 21, 2011, 4 pm
BOOKS & COMPANY
1039 SUMMIT AVE
OCONOMOWOC,WI

*Thurs, Sept 22, 4 pm
West Allis Public Library (with Boswell Book Company)
7421 West National Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin

*Friday, Sept 23, 2011, 4 PM
ELA AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY with Lake Forest Book Store
275 Mohawk Trail
Lake Zurich,IL

*Saturday, Sept 24, 2011 -- 8th Annual YA Lit Conference w/ Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville

Newsletter prize winners -- & their winning entries!

2011-09-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you're not on the newsletter mailing list, join now! I do exclusive contests for newsletter subscribers, as well as let you know what's new with me and the books and the family, and what books the McManns have been reading lately. I send roughly 6 newsletters per year. Join here: http://lisamcmann.com/html/contact.php

WINNING ENTRIES - Congrats to all who played!

For the Unwanteds contest, you had to put two animals together, tell me what they'd be called, and describe what they looked like. Here are my favorite three:

1. If I could put two animals together it would have to be a pig and a chicken (a Picken) that way your could get your bacon and eggs from one animal. The animal would have the body of a pig with the face and butt of a chicken and completely covered in feathers. by W.E.

2. 1. Chonky :D - Cheetah/Monkey but it's more fun to pronounce it chunky. See a hybrid between a money and a cheetah would allow the animal to be able to travel effortlessly through the trees and run speedily on the ground. 2. Cat/horse- I only like that one so that it could make the sound MEOWNEIGHHHHH! Because seriously what's a hybrid without an awesome sound :) by T.P.

3. An imaginary creature that I've always thought would be cool is a mix between a dolphin and a unicorn, uncreatively named a unifin (although it does have a nice ring to it). It has the shape of a dolphin, but instead of flippers it has short forelegs with hooves, and it's head is that of a unicorn. It's mane resembles seaweed but can appear in a variety of colors, and whichever color the mane is matches the color of it's long, fish-style soft dorsal fin, which is in place of a dolphin's dorsal fin. Unifins thrive underwater, although they can go on land for short periods of time, in which they shift to resemble regular unicorns. PS. I made it to the end! by M.W.

These three each won a signed copy of THE UNWANTEDS.

For the DEAD TO YOU contest, you had to describe in a word or phrase how it would feel to find your family again but not remember them.

Our winning entry was: Desperate to be invisible but aching to connect - by S.G.

For the WAKE TRILOGY contest, you had to tell me why you neeeeeeeeeeed a box full of Janie and Cabe. Here is the winning entry:

Okay. This is a doozy. It's a reason I Neeeeeeeed a big ole box full of Janie and Cabe. Truth is it's because aliens invaded my podunk little town of Ringgold. Yup. They just up and swooped in! Anyway, they'd only been here for a few minutes when they heard of this amazing series of books: the wake trilogy. (I guess aliens are big fans of reading. Who knew, right?) And, being aliens, they knew the fastest way to get us earthlings to do anything is to abduct us. So they came to my house in the middle of the night, abducted my family, and demanded that I find them a set of these AHMAZING books. And I, being thoroughly and completely miffed at such behavior from Ringgold's newest inhabitants, had to agree. (They were aliens after all. Kinda creepy.) So, that became my quest: find a set of the WAKE trilogy, and get my family back. (Well, except for my little sister. They can have her. :P) I was beginning to lose hope, about to go into hiding, when BAM! There's my answer. Right there in my email, just waiting for me to open it. :) So. That's my tale. My best reason why I NEEEEEEDDD those books. Don't believe me? Check out the picture I attached. It'll convince you my story's true. :)

P.s. I swear I'm normal... I just get all dorky when left to my own devices. Oh, and I made it to the end of your newsletter. It rocked my socks. Or something like that. Cause socks don't actually rock...unless they've got sparkles. Okay...ramble over. Just go ahead and pat yourself on the back for making it throught this babbly email. And for being awesome. BYE! by A.L.

I love this picture so much!

And I had a SECRET CONTEST, called "I made it to the end." For those who read to the end of the newsletter, they found this little tidbit - just write the words "I made it to the end" in your entry, and you automatically got entered to win a book from my bookshelf.

The winner for this contest was Aydrea. Congrats! She chose an ARC of DEAD TO YOU as her prize from my shelf.

Thanks to all who entered not only for entering, but for following directions so well. Casey (my assistant) says she's not even going to ask for a raise because you did such a great job. Hooray!

Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver - coming your way!

2011-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had a chance to buy THE UNWANTEDS yet, now's a great time! You can find it in your local independent bookstore, B&N, Target, and online everywhere books are sold. If your favorite store doesn't have it, ask them to order it for you!

The first leg of THE UNWANTEDS tour was absolutely fantastic. Eleven days in the southeast part of the country with Margaret Peterson Haddix - what a blast! I met so many incredible students, parents, librarians, teachers, and booksellers. Thank you ALL for coming out and making everything fun.

I'm home for a few days (working on copyedits for THE UNWANTEDS Book 2!) but head out next week to the Milwaukee & Chicago areas.

Then it's on to Denver, where I'll have a signing at Tattered Cover on Colfax, Saturday, October 1, 2011, 3:00 PM

In mid-October I'll make my way back to my home state of Michigan, making stops in Holland, Okemos, and Ferndale.

Then, closing out 2 months of touring, I'll be in Houston for the Tweens Read Book Festival, yay!

If you are in the area, please come! I'd love to meet you. Thank you so much for your awesome support of this book! I hope you enjoy the entire series!

xox

Lisa

The Unwanteds tour stops this week & a great review

2011-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Please come, I'd love to meet you!

*Sunday, Sept 4, 2011B&N Alpharetta, GA, 2pm with Margaret Peterson Haddix

*Wednesday, Sept 7, 2011QUAIL RIDGE BOOKSTORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix3522 Wade Ave.Raleigh,NC5:00PM

*Thursday, Sept 8, 2011THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER AND CHILDREN'S STORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix2145 Indian River Blvd.Vero Beach,FL6:00PM

*Saturday, Sept 10, 2011BOOKS & BOOKS with Margaret Peterson Haddix265 Aragon AveCoral Gables,FL3:30PM

See the whole tour here.

And a great review from Shelf Awareness:

In her first book for middle-graders, Lisa McMann (the Wake trilogy) creates a magical adventure that serves as a worthy successor for fans of Harry Potter. The author introduces us to Quill, a land whose governors label artistic children "Unwanted" and deport them to the Death Farm. On the morning of the government's annual Purge, the governors separate the Stowes, who are 13-year-old identical twins: they keep Aaron ("Wanted") and ship Alexander ("Unwanted") off to die. High Priest Justine warns that "creativity [leads] to revolt," which doesn't faze law-abiding Aaron. He will serve her and her Quillitary, an army of Wanteds, and co-exist with the Necessaries (the sect to which his parents belong), who must perform menial labors.

The Unwanteds do not undergo the fate they expect at the Great Lake of Boiling Oil, however. Instead, they are spared by Mr. Today, a mage who has been saving children for decades. He invites them to Artimé, where artists are not punished but rather rewarded and their gifts nurtured. While Quill is colorless and flooded with suspicion, Artimé is vivid and inspires a feeling of security. If their magical world were ever to be unveiled, the residents of Artimé would be prepared to battle with the Quillitary--which would pit Alexander against Aaron.

McMann creates a spectrum of well-defined worlds, peopled with characters that resemble archetypes yet retain original qualities. Stunning fight sequences make use of unique weapons such as slam-poetry charms and origami dragons that breathe fire. This masterpiece delivers a new spin on what it means to be wanted. --Adam Silvera, a bookseller and an intern at Figment.

Discover: A middle-grade dystopia where drawing in the mud gets you banished to the Death Farm. What's on the other side?

Cryer's Cross gets a new cover for the paperback

2011-09-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

The CRYER'S CROSS paperback comes out Dec 6th!

What do you think? I think I love it!

THE UNWANTEDS is now on sale everywhere!

2011-08-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks as always for your wonderful support of my books. I hope you enjoy THE UNWANTEDS series. Book 1 is available in stores and online now.

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories—the strong, intelligent 'Wanteds' go to university, and the artistic 'Unwanteds' are sent to their deaths. When Alex is announced as an Unwanted, he leaves behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted.

But upon arrival at the destination where he expects to die, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the 'death farm' there is instead a place called Artime. There, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Soon, as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Please stop by one of my book signings if you're in the area! Here's my tour schedule:
http://lisamcmann.com/html/tour.php

Not Just For Kids: 'The Unwanteds' by Lisa McMann

2011-08-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

Not Just For Kids: 'The Unwanteds' by Lisa McMann

Special offer, Contests, and Tour Tour Tour!

2011-08-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL OFFER:
We've extended the Prize Pack offer! Due to popular demand, Changing Hands and I have decided to extend The Unwanteds Prize Pack off through Tuesday, Aug 30th - the night I'll be doing the big launch party at their store in Tempe, AZ. We're hustling to put more prize packs together right now! Order a signed copy of The Unwanteds via phone, online, or in person and you'll get a free prize pack. Shipping is available at a special rate for this offer. See the link for all the details! The postcard illustration will be a collectible - I plan to have a new one for each book in this series, so get in on the action early and you'll have the whole set!

CONTESTS: If you want in on the plethora of contests I'll be holding starting next week, you have to sign up for my newsletter or you won't hear about them. Go here.

TOUR TOUR TOUR:
I will be traveling for parts of September and October. Here is the current list of stops. Please come out and see me! Find updates at the tour link above or here.

*Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 7pm -- THE UNWANTEDS launch party and Prize Pack special offer!
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 So. McClintock
Tempe,AZ

*Sept 3, 2011 -- Decatur Book Festival
Teen book stuff: The Escape at the Decatur Library Saturday, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
The Unwanteds: Children's Stage Saturday, 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm with Margaret Peterson Haddix

*Sunday, Sept 4, 2011
B&N Alpharetta, GA, 2pm with Margaret Peterson Haddix!

*Wednesday, Sept 7, 2011
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKSTORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
3522 Wade Ave.
Raleigh,NC
5:00PM

*Thursday, Sept 8, 2011
THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER AND CHILDREN'S STORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
2145 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach,FL
6:00PM

*Saturday, Sept 10, 2011
BOOKS & BOOKS with Margaret Peterson Haddix
265 Aragon Ave
Coral Gables,FL
3:30PM

*Wed, Sept 21, 2011
BOOKS & COMPANY
1039 SUMMIT AVE
OCONOMOWOC,WI
4:00PM

*Thurs, Sept 22, 2011
BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
2559 N. Downer Ave.
Milwaukee,WI
4:00PM

*Friday, Sept 23, 2011
7:00 PM
LAKE VILLA DISTRICT LIBRARY (with Lake Forest Bookstore)
1001 E Grand Avenue
Lake Villa, IL 60046

*Saturday, Sept 24, 2011 -- 8th Annual YA Lit Conference w/ Anderson's Bookshop, Chicago. Details to come.

*Saturday, October 1, 2011
Tattered Cover
2526 East Colfax Avenue
Denver,CO
3:00PM

*Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 7:00 PM
B&N - Holland
3050 Beeline Road
Suite 50
Holland, MI 49424

*Thursday, October 13, 2011, 6:00 PM
SCHULER BOOKS
1982 Grand River Ave.
Okemos, MI 48864

*Saturday, Oct 15, 2011, 2:30PM
FERNDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
222 E. 9 mile Road
Ferndale, MI 48220
Co-sponsored by the Ferndale Public Library and Book Beat

*Friday, Oct 14 - Sunday, Oct 16, 2011 GLIBA convention, Dearborn, MI. More info to come.

*Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 Houston Area TWEENS READ Book Festival - Bobby Shaw Middle School in Pasadena, TX

For a limited time: The Unwanteds pre-order PRIZE PACK!

2011-08-11T14:21:00.001-07:00

Hello readers! I am so excited to show you this cool prize pack that anyone can order starting today through August 25th (limited to the first 100 orders, so you might want to hurry). You'll get exclusive, limited edition prizes free with your purchase of a personalized, signed copy of THE UNWANTEDS through my local independent bookstore, Changing Hands.

It's a great way to support an independent bookstore (did you know I worked in an indie bookstore for ten years?) and get some cool free stuff for you too, including a limited edition postcard of an illustration (The Eliminators), drawn by my son Kilian (he's 17). It'll be hand-signed by me, dated release day 8.30.2011, and numbered.

All the details are here on the Changing Hands website. You will also receive these bonus items by coming to my signing at Changing Hands Bookstore. And the store will ship inside the US for a nice price of $22 total (includes taxes/shipping) and internationally (additional fee for postage).

It's the funnest giveaway I've ever done! I hope you enjoy the goodies.

Wanna know where to find me this fall?

2011-08-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Big plans in the works for my fall tour with THE UNWANTEDS, and I'm visiting lots of states! Here's the current list of stops. Always check here for up to the minute additions or corrections.

*August 30, 2011 -- THE UNWANTEDS (book 1) releases in North America. Here is the up-to-the-minute tour info!

*Tuesday, August 30, 2011 -- THE UNWANTEDS launch party
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 So. McClintock
Tempe,AZ
7:00PM

*Sept 2-4, 2011 -- Decatur Book Festival

*Sunday, Sept 4, 2011
B&N Alpharetta, GA, 2pm with Margaret Peterson Haddix (yay!)

*Wednesday, Sept 7, 2011
QUAIL RIDGE BOOKSTORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
3522 Wade Ave.
Raleigh,NC
5:00PM

*Thursday, Sept 8, 2011
THE VERO BEACH BOOK CENTER AND CHILDREN'S STORE with Margaret Peterson Haddix
2145 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach,FL
6:00PM

*Saturday, Sept 10, 2011
BOOKS & BOOKS with Margaret Peterson Haddix
265 Aragon Ave
Coral Gables,FL
3:30PM

*Wed, Sept 21, 2011
BOOKS & COMPANY
1039 SUMMIT AVE
OCONOMOWOC,WI
4:00PM

*Thurs, Sept 22, 2011
BOSWELL BOOK COMPANY
2559 N. Downer Ave.
Milwaukee,WI
4:00PM

*Friday, Sept 23, 2011
7:00 PM
LAKE VILLA DISTRICT LIBRARY (with Lake Forest Bookstore)
1001 E Grand Avenue
Lake Villa, IL 60046

*Saturday, Sept 24, 2011 -- 8th Annual YA Lit Conference w/ Anderson's Bookshop, Chicago. Details to come.

*Saturday, October 1, 2011
Tattered Cover
2526 East Colfax Avenue
Denver,CO
3:00PM

*Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 7:00 PM
B&N - Holland
3050 Beeline Road
Suite 50
Holland, MI 49424

*Thursday, October 13, 2011, 6:00 PM
SCHULER BOOKS
1982 Grand River Ave.
Okemos, MI 48864

*Saturday, Oct 15, 2011
Framingham, MI library event with Book Beat - details to come

*Friday, Oct 14 - Sunday, Oct 16, 2011 GLIBA convention, Dearborn, MI. More info to come.

*Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 Houston Area TWEENS READ Book Festival - Bobby Shaw Middle School in Pasadena, TX

Maricopa County Library visits

2011-07-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

I'll be visiting a couple of Maricopa County Libraries on Tuesday, Aug 2nd. If you're in Waddell or Surprise, come out and see me! These two are open to the public:
11:00 AM
White Tank Library
20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd
Waddell, Arizona 85355

2:00 PM
Northwest Regional Library
16089 N. Bullard Avenue
Surprise, AZ 85374

Also, don't miss the awesome launch party for THE UNWANTEDS at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ, Tuesday, August 30th, 7pm.

Check my tour page for my Aug/Sept/October schedule! Special gifts to those who come to signings. (Link to tour page above)

Read!

2011-07-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Are you a little bit bored? Feeling wonky? Go read a few pages of THE UNWANTEDS for free.

If you like it, pre-order it. It's fantastically priced at the moment on various internet bookstore sites.

Don't forget to add it to your goodreads list, too.

14-18 year-old writers (US & Can)

2011-07-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Write a story to go with the writing prompt I provided and you could win a trip to NYC, courtesy of Simon & Schuster's Pulse It group and Wattpad.com. I might even meet you there. :)

All the details HERE.

In honor of our dear friend Landru's birthday,

2011-07-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

The McManns will be wearing the pink hot pants of Jesus, eating bacon at every meal, and buying Ithillgorn a puppy.

Also, Tommy Lee Jones gets credit for something.

Random thoughts about edgy YA, and what age is the right age to start reading it

2011-06-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of controversy over what YA is and what it isn't, and what age it *should* be for, and if edgy YA books are too dark or somehow negatively influential to teens (as if teens were stupid). And I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

As a parent of two teenagers, here are some simple thoughts about kids and reading, based on my experiences as a parent:

Both of my kids, when faced with something in a book that they were uncomfortable with, put the book down. Kids do this instinctively. They don't feel a need to keep reading something that is too mature, too graphic, to sexual, too anything. I don't understand why so many people think that kids have no built in monitors for themselves. Have you ever heard a kid say "I was really uncomfortable with the coarse language in that book, so I kept reading it." Of course not. Kids are smart, and their time is precious. They're not going to waste time plugging through something that makes them feel weird.

There comes a time in a parent's life where there is a moment of revelation--something changing in their kids. I remember when it happened for my son (now 17). It was the summer he was 13. And we were talking about something very grown up, and suddenly I looked at him and saw him with new eyes. The gradual changes he'd been making that year in his maturity level were suddenly so obvious. He had become a young adult, and I hadn't noticed until that moment.

A young adult is exactly that - an adult who is young. And we were conversing like adults, about topics adults and young adults talk about. I could feel it in him -- he was ready to read anything, to explore beyond his current repertoire of Paolini and Riordan. And that summer, he did. He read Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, and Ellen Hopkins' CRANK, and I let him read WAKE, by me, which was not quite published at that time, and so many more books that would help grow him up and make him think about choices and consequences. How exciting! We talked about things -- drugs and girls and substance abuse and welfare and sex, and I could almost see his brain growing. I could see him understanding the books and learning from these characters' mistakes, and from their successes. Today I see him making such amazing, great choices in his own life. Coincidence?

For my daughter (now 14), it happened when she was almost 12, in a very different way. One day she said, "Mom, all my friends have read WAKE. Why won't you let me read it?!" It was funny, but I also had to ask myself that same question - Why? I explained my concerns to her about some of the topics that are addressed in WAKE. And I said, how do you feel about reading stuff like that? She gave me the raised eyebrow. "I know what all of those things are, Mom. If I don't like it, I'll put it down."

And again I looked at a child of mine, who had matured so subtly that from day to day, it wasn't noticeable, but with fresh eyes it was so crazy obvious. She had become a young adult. I agreed (of course she would put it down! She'd done it countless times before with other books), and I handed it off, saying "Let's talk about it after." She was delighted. And after, we talked about it. And she got it. My new little adult learned great lessons from Janie. **spoiler alert** When she finished the trilogy, she said, "I'm really glad Janie decided not to drink anymore." I was surprised she'd picked up on that. It's very subtle in GONE, the moment that Janie makes that decision, and it's a moment that I never expected readers to ask me about or discuss, but I did hope they'd sort of absorb subconsciously. There's no big declaration, no epic "here's the moral - don't drink!" It's just a moment, a sentence, where we see Janie make the connection between her mom, the booze, and their life -- and make a different choice for her own life. It's one sentence, easily missed. And my kid -- my brand new young adult, picked up on it.

It's not rocket science for parents to know when their kid is ready to read edgy YA. And there is no exact age - it depends on the kid. Some kids are ready much younger than mine. Some aren't nearly ready yet at those ages. All it takes is a moment sitting at the kitchen bar, talking about grown up things, and noticing things. Letting kids grow up. And saying "hey...I have a book for you." Or listening when your child says in her own language, "I'm ready to learn how to be an adult now."

OMAHA, Nebraska: 5 Teen Authors, 1 Night Only

2011-06-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 8th, from 7-9 pm, please join Ellen Hopkins, A.S. King, Coe Booth, Matt de la Pena, and me at Bryan High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Free books, free food, total win all around.

Check in on the Facebook event page if you're going to be there! Everyone in the Omaha community is welcome.

Giveaways! THE UNWANTEDS and CRYER'S CROSS

2011-05-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to have a chance to win a signed advance copy of THE UNWANTEDS or hardcover of CRYER'S CROSS, I will be running a contest in my next e-newsletter at the end of May. Sign up ASAP to get the scoop! Click here and fill in the info in the gray box on the left. I'll be doing more giveaways through my newsletter from now on, now that Facebook is buckling down on contest rules.

If you're tempted to sign up, but you kind of hate newsletters, you are not alone. I don't love them either, but they're one of the best ways to get bigger chunks of information to fans now that I have multiple books coming out each year. It may encourage you to know I only send out 4 per year. And there's always that unsubscribe button at the bottom.

In the newsletters I also recommend other great books that my family and I have read recently, and talk a little bit about what life is like over in the McMann house.

Praise for THE UNWANTEDS

2011-05-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

In addition to #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Mull's lovely blurb (on the cover in the post below), I received another today that made me a little misty-eyed.

"Reading Lisa McMann's THE UNWANTEDS was like discovering a brilliant, lost children's classic - except it's never going to be lost, because the readers will never, ever forget the magic they'll experience in its pages. Wonderful." - James A. Owen, author and Illustrator of HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS

To know that these two middle grade fantasy heroes of mine have read and enjoyed this middle grade fantasy newbie's book is so meaningful. If you haven't read these authors yet, Check them out -- Brandon's first book in the BEYONDERS trilogy is out now, or you can try his FABLEHAVEN series. James' HERE THERE BE DRAGONS is the place to start in his series, or, if you're looking for inspiration, check out his newly published non-fiction e-book DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS, which will move you, I promise. Only $4.99.

The new cover for THE UNWANTEDS (Aug 30)

2011-05-06T18:52:00.001-07:00

Talking with actor Max Burkholder (Parenthood) about THE UNWANTEDS

2011-05-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of Max and all of the other young actors on the awesome TV show Parenthood. Max and his mom were kind enough to meet me for lunch when I was in LA over the weekend.

Quick news! Los Angeles, Tempe, THE UNWANTEDS

2011-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

You can pre-order THE UNWANTEDS! It comes out August 30. Kirkus Reviews calls it "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" and it's appropriate for ages 9 and up. My teen and adult readers will love it too. It's the first in a series and I'm incredibly excited about it. Pre-order now:

Indiebound.org
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Chapters
Books-a-Million

You can also ask your local bookstore to order it so that you can be sure they'll have it on release day!

Also, if you haven't had a chance to pick up my latest teen paranormal, CRYER'S CROSS, you can find it by clicking on my name in the above links and order it that way, or check your local stores. Thank you for your support! It means the world to me.

Some upcoming events -- LA, Tempe, New York:
*May 1, 2011: LA Times Festival of Books
1:00PM Autographing at S&S/Mrs. Nelson’s Booth #538
(Map Key Identifier: K5)
3:00PM Panel discussion: Perfectly Paranormal: Writing the Fantasic
Panelists: Neal Shusterman , D.J. MacHale, Alyson Noel, Lisa McMann
Moderator: Aaron Hartzler
4:00PM Panel Autographing in the signing area immediately following the panel

*May 3, 2011, 7pm
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE (with Aprilynne Pike!)
Tempe, AZ

*May 25-28, 2011
BEA (Book Expo America) and Blogger Convention
more info to come!

The first review for THE UNWANTEDS (my next book!)

2011-04-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

*SPOILER ALERT* Don't read this review if you don't want to know what happens.
*FIRST CHAPTER ALERT* Go here to watch/listen to me read it.
NOTE: Publication date is now August 30, 2011.

THE UNWANTEDS
Author: McMann, Lisa

Review Date: April 15, 2011
Publisher:Aladdin
Pages: 400
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-0768-8
Category: Fiction

The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in this middle-grade departure from McMann’s string of paranormal mysteries with romance for young adults.

On the day of Purge in totalitarian Quill, which is run by the High Priest Justine, 13-year-olds learn if they are deemed Wanted to attend the university, Necessary to tend the land or Unwanted and purged by execution. Without a good-bye from his Wanted identical brother Aaron, Alex Stowe and the other Unwanteds travel to the Death Farm. Instead of death, they meet the lush and magical world of Artimè, kept secret from Justine by mage Marcus Today. In a third-person narration characterized by even pacing and whimsical inventions, Alex and his peers learn that their creativity threatened Justine’s power. Surrounded by talking blackboards, transporting tubes and such fantastical creatures as an octagator (with the head of an alligator and body of an octopus) for instructors, the teens hone their drawing, music and acting skills while also wielding paintbrushes for invisibility spells and iambic pentameter to stun attackers during Magical Warrior Training, in preparation for battle against the Quillitary. As the youths explore fear, responsibility and free thinking, their spells may be used sooner than they think when Alex’s twin bond is tested and rivals vie for Aaron’s new position in Justine’s government.

Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit. (Dystopian fantasy. 10-14)

I'm in NYC!

2011-03-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Today at 1pm, teen author panel at NYPL on 42nd with Kim Harrington, Maggie Stiefvater, Robin Wasserman, and moderator David Levithan. More panels/authors all afternoon!

Tomorrow at 1pm, Books of Wonder signing on 18th Street, along with 40-some other teen authors. FUN.

Both events are open to tweens and up and are free.

All the details here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=56488781586&v=info

TONIGHT! Live video chat online

2011-03-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT: I'm live in NYC at S&S studios doing an online video chat, 6pm EST. Discussing Cryer's Cross, The Unwanteds, & more. Tweet questions to #chatss OR go here to RSVP, ask, and watch: http://cot.ag/95Obmu

If you missed me on the show SEARCHING FOR... last night

2011-03-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

You can catch the rerun on Monday, March 14, 4pm EST on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). Check your local listings for channel and time. It's the "Barbara and Lisa" episode -- I'm on for the last 20 minutes or so.

It's about me trying to find a long lost friend from my childhood because I wanted to let her know how she influenced my books. I hope you watch!

I like talking with you. (Also, watch me tonight on OWN.)

2011-03-07T07:34:00.000-08:00

I like talking with you a lot. I love it, actually. You make me laugh and you say nice things and you ask important questions.

I'm pretty great (if I do say so myself) at responding to comments on my Facebook Fan Page. Please go 'like' it!

And now there is a BRAND NEW AWESOMELY FUN way to talk to me -- through my VYou.com page. It's the next best thing to being at a book signing.

You don't need a profile to ask a question -- you just type it in and send, and no one will know the question is from you, so don't be shy. A couple times a week I'll answer a bunch of questions via video. How fun is that?

Read more about me + it in a great piece by Jeffrey Trachtenberg right here in the Wall Street Journal. Click on the top article title "Writers Get Close on Web."

And for those of you who are doing book reports on my books -- this is the perfect tool for you! Just look to see if I've addressed your questions already. If I haven't, type in your question and give me a few days to respond (I'm looking at you, procrastinators, lol).

And hey -- let me know if you see me on the show SEARCHING FOR... on OWN. My episode airs Monday, March 7th, 9/8 central.

Thanks for being awesome!

Watch me on TV Monday, March 7, 2011!

2011-03-02T10:17:00.000-08:00

I'll be featured in the new docudrama SEARCHING FOR... on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network), Monday, March 7, 9pm Eastern & Pacific, 8pm Central, 10pm Mountain. Check HERE to see if OWN is available in your area and to find the right channel. And check your local listings to make sure the time is correct.

Here's the description of Monday's episode: Searching For...
Barbara & Lisa
Barbara is searching for two of the three children she placed for adoption after her husband left her nearly 50 years ago (<--NOT ME), and bestselling author Lisa (THAT'S ME!) asks Pam Slaton to help her reconnect with a childhood friend.
PG

So basically it's a show about finding people, and there are two 'stories' per hour-long episode. Last year when I heard about this awesome upcoming show, I approached professional genealogist/searcher Pam Slaton to see if she could help me find someone I'd been searching for. Now you can all see what happened!

I'll tell you one thing -- my search has a little something to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy. :)

I hope you enjoy the show!

Signing in Scottsdale, AZ, Saturday, 3pm, at The Poisoned Pen!

2011-02-23T16:08:00.000-08:00

Local friends and fans, I'll be signing at The Poisoned Pen in old town Scottsdale this Saturday at 3pm. http://www.poisonedpen.com/ Please come! I will be handing out birthday treats.

What is Cryer's Cross about?

2011-02-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a description in a while -- here you go in case you are wondering!

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer¹s Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.

Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried....

The book is in stores now!

Do you like my new reading glasses?

2011-02-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

They look yellow but they are actually green. I got them on tour at University Book Store in Mill Creek, WA.

Here's the rest of my CRYER'S CROSS TOUR:

Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX
*note from the bookstore: You must purchase a copy of Cryer's Cross from BookPeople in order to get any of your books signed.

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central

Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too. Hint...My search has *something* to do with Cabel from the WAKE trilogy!

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come

Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA

Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm

BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA

March 23, 2011, 7pm
Indigo - Yorkdale Mall
3401 Dufferin St.
Toronto, ON
(416) 781-6660

Also appearing in 2011 at:

*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1

*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29

*more info to come

Cryer's Cross is in stores! Signings this week:

2011-02-09T10:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight (2/9): B&N Oceanside, CA, 7pm, with Kiersten White (Paranormalcy)
Tomorrow (2/10): Mrs. Nelson's in LaVerne, CA, 4pm
Friday (2/11): B&N Santa Monica, CA, 7pm, with Katie Alender (Bad Girls Don't Die)
Saturday (2/12): University Book Store, Mill Creek, WA, 3pm
Sunday, (2/13): B&N Lynnwood, WA, 3pm with Caridad Ferrer (When the Stars Go Blue)

You can currently find signed copies of Cryer's Cross at:
Yellow Book Road in San Diego area
Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego (they ship!)

Next week's signings: Bozeman MT (2/15), then Texas! Find all the details here.

Packing for the CRYER'S CROSS TOUR!! Starts Feb 8.

2011-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Once again I find myself packing a single carry-on for a long tour. This time it's 14 days. I love the challenge of picking just the right number of essential clothing items to make it through, and planning out the stops where I'll need to do a little laundry.

One reason I decided to do it this way last year is because it's cheaper to pay for a handful of laundry items at a hotel along the way than it is to check a bag for seven flights at $25 a pop.

And then there's the awesome ease of breezing past baggage claim and getting right to my media escort/driver/cab, and not having to worry about lost luggage issues especially with all the crazy storms we've been having around the country lately.

Here's a look at last year's packing for the 12-day GONE tour: http://bit.ly/i2YB0l

And here's my tour schedule! I'm so excited to visit some new cities this time, including Southern California, Seattle area, Bozeman MT (where Cryer's Cross is set), and several stops in Texas. Let your book lover friends know I'll be in town, will you?

Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm (with NYT bestselling author Kiersten White -- Paranormalcy)
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA

Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA

Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA

Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA

Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm (with Caridad Ferrer -- When the Stars Go Blue)
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Monday, March 7, 2011, 9pm Est / 8pm Central

Watch for me on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network)! I'll be on the show Searching For... and some West Michigan fans just might be too.

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

Saturday/Sunday March 19 & 20, 2011
Teen Author Festival NYC
more info to come

Monday, March 21, 2011, 7pm

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur,GA

Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7pm

BARNES & NOBLE #1955
7660 Northpoint Parkway
Suite 200
Alpharetta,GA

Plus a stop in Toronto, Wednesday March 23,
more info to come

Also appearing in 2011 at:

*LA Times Festival of Books Apr 30/May 1

*Phoenix Comicon May 27-29

*more info to come

CRYER'S CROSS TOUR!! Starts Feb 8.

2011-01-26T18:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011, 7pm
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #302
San Diego,CA

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE - OCEANSIDE
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside,CA

Thursday, Feb 10, 2011, 4pm
MRS. NELSON'S TOY AND BOOK SHOP
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne,CA

Friday, Feb 11, 2011, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
1201 3rd St. Promenade
Santa Monica, CA

Saturday, Feb 12, 2011, 3pm
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE
15311 Main Street
Mill Creek,WA

Sunday, Feb 13, 2011, 3pm
BARNES & NOBLE
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
Lynnwood,WA

Tuesday, Feb 15, 7pm
BARNES & NOBLE
2825 West Main St.
Bozeman, MT

Wednesday, Feb 16, 6:30pm
MURDER BY THE BOOK
2342 Bissonnet St.
Houston,TX

Thursday, Feb 17, 7pm
BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP
14532 Memorial Dr.
Houston,TX
NOTE from the bookstore's website: This event is free and open to the public. In order to meet Lisa McMann for book personalization, you must purchase Cryer’s Cross from Blue Willow Bookshop.
A limited number of autographed copies of Lisa’s books will be available for purchase after the event. If you cannot attend the event, but would like a personalized copy of her book, please call us at (281) 497-8675.

Friday, February 18, 2011, 7pm
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road, Fairview, TX 75069

Saturday, February 19, 2011, 3pm
BOOK PEOPLE BOOKSTORE
603 North Lamar Blvd
Austin,TX

Saturday, Feb 26, 2011, 3pm
The Poisoned Pen
4014 N Goldwater Blvd. Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tucson Festival of Books
Tucson, AZ

I'll be making stops in New York, Atlanta, and Toronto in March as well -- no details yet.

No Name Calling Week Jan 24-28

2011-01-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

A bunch of authors (including me!) participated in making videos for No Name Calling Week. Check it out here.

WAKE: Cryer's Cross Trailer

2011-01-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

WAKE: Cryer's Cross Trailer: "Check it out!"

WAKE is being challenged at Oliver Middle School in Broken Arrow, OK

2011-01-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

A parent would like to have WAKE removed from the school because she objects to adult language and feels that WAKE promotes drug use and sexual misconduct.

I believe WAKE shows teens and tweens the dangers and the consequences of drugs in a real setting. Kids are SMART. A mention of drugs does not equal promotion of drug use -- that assertion is absurd. As for the language...anyone who has spent time in middle and high schools knows how kids talk. Authenticity in books important.

The sexual misconduct thing -- I don't understand. There is no sex in WAKE. There are non-graphic sexual dreams which are typical for anyone in puberty or older. Kids deserve to know they are not the only ones having sexual dreams...and that it's okay. Acknowledging reality does not promote sexual misconduct.

But writing a story about a girl whose mother is an alcoholic and whose father is non-existent does bring in a lot of email -- from kids as young as ten who say things like "thank you for writing about Janie. My family is similar. Now I don't feel so alone." I am so sad that this parent wishes to take away the chance for a Broken Arrow middle schooler to feel comforted by the fact that they are not alone.

The complainant felt that reading the book would result in underage use of substances and premature sexual behavior.

I disagree wholeheartedly and I hate that this person is not giving kids any credit for being logical. Knowledge is power. Sheltering kids from things that happen to teens and tweens in real life is NOT doing them any favors. I say it again: kids are smart. They know the difference between somebody saying "Drugs are good for you, try them!" and a scene where students are doing drugs and are then sent to jail. Why do kids understand this when so many parents do not?

I believe that the first meeting regarding banning WAKE from the school is tomorrow (Tuesday). I've provided a letter of response, but I'm sure the principal would like to hear from others who have opinions on the topic of free speech and censorship, as well as specific comments about WAKE. If you feel so inclined as to write a letter in support of WAKE, and maybe sharing some of the benefits you received from reading it and why you think it's important to have books like WAKE available for students, I found the principal's email on the school's website.

Please be polite and professional. I am very thankful for your support.

Here is the contact info:
Mark Officer, Principal
Email- mrofficer@baschools.org

The school district website can be found here: http://www.baschools.org/ (The link for Oliver M.S. can be reached by clicking on "School Sites" on the left menu.)

Cryer's Cross Trailer

2011-01-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

Check it out!

Hope you're having a great holiday!

2010-12-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

A little update for your 2011 calendar:

GONE comes out in paperback January 4.

CRYER'S CROSS (teen paranormal) hits US/Canadian bookstore shelves on February 8. You can preorder now from your favorite internet bookstore and/or come see me on tour!

THE UNWANTEDS (dystopian fantasy) comes out September 6. (For those of you who wish my teen paranormals were longer, you will be in for a treat here). I'll have more info on this book in a few months.

You can now grab the Cryer's Cross widget for your site and it will stay quiet for your readers -- they'll just have to click the "play with sound" to hear it.

I have two books to write this year (the 2nd book in THE UNWANTEDS series, and a teen thriller that I haven't figured out yet), so I'm working hard on the first and thinking hard on the second. I want to keep you busy! :)

So that's what's happening here in McMann land. What's new with you?

CRYER'S CROSS - from author Lisa McMann

2010-12-21T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a little 2-minute interview I did the last time I was in New York.

GONE is up for a Goodreads Choice Award!

2010-12-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

Wanna vote for it? It's up to you who wins (and many thanks for the nomination, which was also up to you). Click below to vote!

2010 Goodreads Choice Awards Official Nominee: Best Goodreads Author

Vote for this book!

Cryer's Cross arc contest!

2010-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Congrats to winner Alexandra from South Carolina! She has been notified and the arc has been mailed out.

I'll be giving away an ARC of Cryer's Cross in my next (fairly infrequent) newsletter. Sign up here to get the details!

Less than 3 months until CRYER'S CROSS!

2010-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

Have you added it to your Goodreads account yet?

So.

2010-10-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

How do you like the new countdown widget up there? Is your volume on? If not, turn it on and replay. Let me know what you think!

If it's not too much trouble, I'd love it if you could share the widget by tweeting, facebooking, myspacing, etc, or posting it on your blog.

Thank you!

Lisa

October Appearances: Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and Louisiana!

2010-10-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

Check my website tour page regularly for details. (Specifics on Livingston Parish Libraries in Louisiana to come.)

Also on that page -- please take advantage of the Demand It! widget. Maybe I'll come to your nearest major city some day!

Amazing blurbs for CRYER'S CROSS from authors Alyson Noël and Heather Brewer

2010-08-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Well, Cryer's Cross is just over five months away (Feb 8, 2011), and I'm so thrilled that two of my favorite authors have read and blurbed it! Here's what these awesome people have to say about it:

“CRYER’S CROSS is an eerie, gripping, totally addictive, breathtaking whirl of a book with an ending that left me haunted for days. Lisa McMann has done it again—this book is unputdownable!”—Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of THE IMMORTALS series.

"A brilliant, engaging, scary piece of fiction. Every word had me sliding closer to the edge of my seat and gripping the cover tighter and tighter. There are books in the world that make you question your reality and the things that go bump in the night - this is one of them." --Heather Brewer, New York Times Bestselling Author of THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD Series

I am delighted beyond words and forever touched that these two heroes of mine would not only take the time to read an early copy of my book, but that they'd say such lovely things. What a gift.

I hope the rest of you enjoy Cryer's Cross too!

Wish you could autograph my books :(

2010-08-14T12:50:00.001-07:00

You can always buy personalized, autographed copies of my books here: http://www.evermorenevermore.com/lisamcmann.htm . They ship worldwide!

Ask me anything

Want me to tour in your city?

2010-08-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

View all Lisa McMann tour dates

I love you

2010-07-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody, I saw we got a bit heated in the comments in the last post. So I wanted to say that I love you all. (Awwwww!!! Do you love me too? You do? YAY!)

Here are some facts:

I have no control over anything to do with the movie. I do not pick the actors. It doesn't matter how hard you try to "reason" with me in the comments -- I really truly don't have any control, so I hope you'll tone down the "do something, Lisa!" stuff. Because I can't do anything. Besides, I'm thrilled about this development in the movie arena.

That said, I think everyone should have the right to free speech. I don't mind that you disagree with things. That's fine. But I don't like it when people say things like "if you love us you'll change things or else we'll stop being your fans." See above -- I have no control. And it's hard to believe a true fan of the books would do that. Still, I respect your right to say how you feel.

There's no guarantee that the movie will be made. If it is, don't forget we have an amazing writer attached in Christopher Landon.

I love you all no matter how you feel about Miley Cyrus being in talks to play Janie. For the record, I think that all actors have to try new things to grow and transition from child to adult actor. I think Miley would do a great job. But there's no guarantee of a movie so maybe everybody should just calm down for a while.

I hope that those of you who do not like Miley will realize that nobody will force you to watch her movies. It's that simple, folks. You don't like it? Don't go.

Did I mention I love you? Cuz I do.

The rumors are true -- WAKE movie news!

2010-06-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

Paramount and MTV Films have picked up the film rights to the WAKE trilogy, with Christopher Landon (Disturbia) writing/directing. Miley Cyrus is considering the lead role.

As you know, even with people and studios attached, it takes a lot for a movie to actually happen, so there are no guarantees it'll get made. But I'm crossing my fingers.

I am thrilled!

As soon as I have more information, I will let you know. Read all the details at the link above!

xox
Lisa

P.S. I have no control over casting or anything else -- I'm just here to let you know what's up. So please, don't be all about the hatin' all over my blog, my lovelies! Did I mention I am thrilled? I am! I think Miley is awesome. Anybody who can accomplish more by the age of 17 than I can do by the age of 42 is top notch in my book. I think every teen has tremendous potential to shine, don't you? xox

Thank you, teachers!

2010-06-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's the end of the school year and I just want to give the teachers a little nod for being awesome.

When I speak to teacher/librarian groups, I talk about what a difference they make in kids' lives. The hard part about that is that they don't often find out how they affected a student.

I talk about two teachers in my life who each did something small to make my life change dramatically. And if you ever are in attendance at one of these speeches, you'll likely hear the whole story. But in a nutshell, these two teachers did things that were above and beyond the call of duty, even though to them, it probably didn't feel like much.

Teachers, thank you for making a difference in the lives of your students. You may not realize that a word of encouragement from you today may change the course of a student's life. Hopefully 25 years from now, they find you on Facebook to tell you what you meant to them.

Wanna have lunch? Do The Write Thing For Nashville Auction

2010-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

In light of the recent terrible flooding in Tennessee, I'm trying to Do The Write Thing For Nashville by donating an item, and it's up for auction RIGHT NOW, for three days only.

I'm offering the following (to bid, you need to go to the above link and leave a comment with your offer):

Lunch! For you and up to three of your besties. With yours truly. I'll fly to your city and meet you for lunch and we can talk about books and publishing and agents or we can just hang out and chat about peanut butter and pork butt (not together, eww!) and Miss Spoobin.

Speaking of Miss Spoobin, the winning bid gets to take her home! And each person at the lunch will get a signed copy of GONE.

How's that for fun? Get your group of friends together, pool your moolah, and bid! Or buy it as a surprise for your teen or librarian or teacher or BFF or spouse.

And please check out all the other very cool items up for bid, too -- lots of awesome stuff in all price ranges, and it's all for a great cause!

Scottsdale: Civic Center Library tonight!

2010-04-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

It's a paranormal PJ party. I'll be there from 7-8pm signing books and talking about the WAKE trilogy.

On a side note for those of you doing The National Day of Silence today...rock on. Thanks for standing up to bullying.

Operation Book Drop is today!

2010-04-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've participated in the Readergirlz sponsored Operation Teen Book Drop since its inception and today is no exception. I'll be dropping signed copies of WAKE at my daughter's orthodontist office waiting room (Dr. Wing) late this afternoon, over on Ellsworth and Guadalupe in Mesa, AZ:

What is Operation Book Drop?

Check it out:

Help rock the drop!

The Call Me Bookclub Sweepstakes

2010-04-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hello readers. I want to direct your attention to a pretty awesome contest through my publisher, Simon & Schuster. It's called the Call Me Book Club Sweepstakes and you can enter to win up to 25 copies of a book plus a phone call from the author if you are either:

1. a book club
2. a teacher/classroom

Check it out!

We have a WINNER!

2010-03-16T17:47:00.001-07:00

The "Don't Let Your Dreams Fade" vlog contest is over and, after much agony, I have chosen a winner. I loved Ally's vlog. She seemed very real to me.

When I was explaining to my publisher why I picked Ally, I wrote this:

"I loved that she talked about how going through a year's worth
of testing for learning disabilities made her not really like reading or
writing, but that she has come back to it and now dreams of making it
her career. I loved that she was sitting in front of her own writings,
taped to the door, but didn't mention them. I loved that she mentioned that she's in that tough third kid position, who will struggle money-wise with
college because of older siblings. And I love how at the end, she says, 'I hope you pick me, but...if you don't, I'm okay with it.'

She feels like the kind of person I'd enjoy hanging out with in real
life."

Meet the winner, Ally:

Many thanks to all who entered. I loved hearing your stories and I watched all of the entries. You guys are all awesome and it was hard to have to pick just one winner. You all are winners to me. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with me.

Look what I found!

2010-03-16T08:33:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I run across fun WAKE things.

Here's a link to the Jamestown Loop which shows a photo of some students who made South Carolina Young Adult Book Award banners of YA books on their state list. The WAKE banner team came in 3rd place and won a prize. Congrats!

What a great tour!

2010-03-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am home from the GONE tour, and delighted to tell you that we are back on the NYT series list with the WAKE trilogy! Such a difficult list to make, and I never expected us to hit it more than one week. Thanks for coming to my signings and buying my books! This is all thanks to you.

Just checking in from Cincinnati...

2010-03-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

...to let you know I am on day 9 of the tour and the whole carry-on-only thing has been a huge success. I've done laundry twice and that's all I'll need before I head home on Friday. Haven't run out of any product yet, though the tiny bottle of hairspray is almost out and I may need to stop somewhere to grab a bottle to get me through Toronto.

And speaking of Toronto, please come to my signing (along with Becca Fitzpatrick) Wed, March 3, 7pm, at:
Indigo
Yonge & Eglinton
2300 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M4P 1E4 Canada
(416)544-0049

Packing For Tour

2010-02-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm getting good at this packing thing, and I've learned a lot since that first tour a couple years ago when WAKE was just a baby.

I'm heading out in the morning for the third and final leg of my GONE tour. This time I'll be gone 12 days. And I've decided to attempt carry-on only.

Why?

1. Because I'm slightly crazy. Also because I managed it quite nicely for five days (Becca Fitzpatrick managed for six, so of course now I must beat her record)...and if I can do five days, I can do twelve, as long as I have a chance to stop at a drug store somewhere in there to restock on hair product (because it *is* all about the hair, isn't it?) and a hotel that does overnight laundry. Which I will have, because Simon & Schuster takes good care of me.

2. Because I don't like waiting to check bags, and I don't like waiting for my luggage. And I don't like fretting if the luggage doesn't arrive. With seven flights in snowy places, the chance of my bag being lost feels big.

3. Because I have a great carry-on that has wheels that swivel all directions, making a huge difference in maneuvering through the airport/bathrooms/airplane aisle. Huge HUGE difference. I mean it. I would not do carry-on without spinner luggage. (And no, I didn't pay $400 for it. It was 60% off when I bought it. Worth every penny)

4. Because I want new underwear. See, I don't think it's wise to send your undies out for hotel laundry. At $3-4 a pop to wash, it just doesn't seem worth it when you can buy new for that price. And you don't want to carry them with you for 12 days - yuck. So you just pack up all of your old grungy underwear that you've been meaning to get rid of, and throw it away every day. Surprise, housekeeping! And then when you get home, treat yourself to some new ones. :)

5. Because checking a bag means $20 with most airlines, and I'd rather spend it on laundry services, because they even iron stuff, if you can believe that. Crazy, I know.

6. Because I really only have 6 or 7 tops I love anyway, so why pack a bunch of clothes that I tell myself I'll wear when I know I really won't? When I'm on tour, I really just want to be comfortable and in my favorite clothes.

So...now that I've made the decision, I admit I'm a little nervous about it, but I think it's going to be okay. And I think I'll even have a teensy bit of room to spare.

So what's in the bag? I had to pack for cold and warm weather, as I'll be visiting St. Louis, Atlanta, Florida, Cincinnati, and Toronto.

Absolutely everything matches with everything else. My own personal Garanimals. Thin fabrics do well when rolled and they fit into those little gaps nicely. You won't mind if I'm a little wrinkly, will you?
Here's the list!

--13 pairs of undies* (an extra for emergencies, of course)
--10 pairs of socks* (that's all I own...so I may have to wear a couple pairs twice...)
--5 long sleeve tops
--2 short sleeve tops
--2 jackets*
--1 sweater*
--5 camis*
--3 pairs of jeans*
--1 pair of shoes* (Saucony walking shoes, well broken-in)
--1 pair cheapo flat slippers stolen from London Hotel NYC
--1 belt
--1 jammie shirt
--1 pair yoga pants
--1 "dry" toiletries bag
--computer cord
--phone charger

(*)indicates I'll be wearing one of these on the plane, so they will not be in the bag.

The quart-sized bag of liquids goes in my over-the-shoulder bag, which also holds:

--itinerary (prepared by my awesome publicist Nicole)
--Macbook air in a padded envelope (it's okay to laugh)
--purse
--phone
--a copy of GONE
--e-reader
--book signing pens
--sunflower seeds and an individual cup of peanut butter
--one small med bottle containing: ibuprofen, Tylenol PM (key for getting to sleep on time when wired from evening signing and having to get up early for school event), Excedrin (for after those double school events), antihistamine, immodium, and zantac. Yes, we travel prepared for everything, and when you eat 36 meals in a row on the road, you must be prepared.

So...I think I'm ready!

The WAKE trilogy hits the NYT bestseller list!

2010-02-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

With the release of GONE, my books move to a different list on the New York Times Review -- the series list. So rather than GONE competing against other titles as an individual, the entire trilogy competes against other series'. Chances were pretty slim that we'd make this list, but lo and behold, we did it, and at number 8! Thank you for buying the books and making this happen! *hearty-hearts*

GONE on its own hit the USA Today list at #118, which is very cool because it includes all books.

Also, major congrats to a most deserving author and friend, Heather Brewer, who hit the NYT bestseller list (among others) for the first time with her Vlad Tod series. Incidentally, if you are in the St Louis area, she and I will be together signing our NYT bestselling series' books this Monday, Feb 22, at the St. Louis Library. And then to celebrate, we're both going to get new tatts. Heh. (Mom, uh, they're just the temporary stick-on kind, just like the one that's been on my ankle for four years.)

The tour is going great and I had so much fun meeting fans in California and Arizona. Coming up:

Tucson
St. Louis
Decatur, GA
Tampa
Coral Gables
Vero Beach
Cincinnati
Dayton
Toronto

Can't wait to meet you!

Happy GONE day!

2010-02-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

GONE is officially out today! This week's signings: Tue 7pm Changing Hands, Wed 7pm B&N Oceanside, Thu 7pm Mysterious Galaxy, Fri 4pm Mrs. Nelsons, Sat 11am Sam's Club Long Beach, 3pm Borders Canoga Park... More: http://digg.com/u15mP0

Word on the street: GONE is out in many stores!

2010-02-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

The official release day for GONE (Wake, bk 3) is Tues, Feb 9, but I've heard from all over the US that people are snagging their copies and devouring GONE. I see on various online stores (indiebound.org and others) that it's shipping. So head out this week and grab it or order it! While you're at it, pick up a copy of WAKE or FADE (now both in paperback) for a Valentine's gift. Or try the audio books. You can find my books in lots of places including independent bookstores everywhere, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, Sam's Club, BJ's, Indigo, and Amazon.

Today I am doing laundry and getting ready to pack. My tour starts Tuesday -- I really hope to see some of you along the way!

Thanks for being such awesome fans. Hopefully I'll have some good stories and photos to share from the road! And of course, I'll be bringing Miss Spoobin with me. :)

I'm on BlogTalkRadio

2010-02-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

You can listen live at 1pm ET today (Feb 4) or listen to the recorded program later.

Don't Let Your Dreams Fade vlog contest: $1000 prize!

2010-01-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

Here's an example of one way you can make your contest video. This is my daughter Kennedy. It took her about an hour to film and edit the video (you don't need to edit if you don't know how). Easy peasy!

First, read all the details and the fine print so you know if you qualify -- this is a contest for US Teens ages 14-18. (Yes, just US teens. It's a US publisher.)

Just use whatever camera you own or can borrow, and upload the video to youtube or any other video hosting site that will give you a link to it. Show your friends -- no need to hide it -- and enter on my website at the link above by including the link to your online video.

Contest ends March 8th. And I am the final judge. Fun times for me!

Countdown to GONE and tour info

2010-01-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

We are getting close (Feb 9th is the official day!) and I'm so excited to start my tour. Click here to see all the details. As you can see, I'll be with the awesome Becca Fitzpatrick for the first leg of my tour, visiting these cities together:

Tempe, AZ
Oceanside, CA
San Diego, CA
LaVerne, CA
Long Beach, CA
Canoga Park, CA

Then I fly home (on Valentine's Day to see my hubby, yay!) and do some events locally for a few days:

Chandler, AZ
Some schools in the area
Tucson, AZ

And then I'm off to see more of North America:

St. Louis, MO (with the amazing Heather Brewer)
Decatur, GA
Tampa, FL
Coral Gables, FL
Vero Beach, FL (did I mention this event is on MY BIRTHDAY??)
Dayton, OH
Cincinnati, OH

and finally:

Toronto, ON, Canada!

I wish I could stop in everyone's city, but that's impossible! So sometimes we both have to travel in order to see each other, no? Hope to see you.

xoxo

Fund Your Dreams Sweepstakes -- win $1000

2010-01-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

STARTS 1/5/10! Ends 3/8/10.

Hey teen readers, remember last year when we did that cool essay contest and a very talented teen writer named Hosanna Kabakoro won $1000 toward furthering her life goals?

Well GUESS WHAT? My awesome publisher, Simon & Schuster, was so impressed with that contest that they decided to do ANOTHER CONTEST THIS YEAR in conjunction with the FADE paperback release (which is now -- go buy it)!

Isn't that awesome?

This year, instead of an essay, we are doing a Vlog contest -- a video blog. Because of legal issues, bleh bleh bleh, it's only open to residents of the US. And it's only for ages 14-18. I'm sorry to those of you who don't qualify, but it is what it is and I have no control over that.

The question you should be thinking about is "How are your dreams and goals like Janie’s?" Videotape yourself answering the question. You have two minutes or less to provide a convincing argument. Be creative! Be serious! Be funny! Just be anything but boring.

Please read all the instructions, even/especially the fine print, before you enter. There is NO HURRY -- you have until March 8. So make sure you do your best before sending it in -- no do-overs.

Find all the info on my website.
or in the back of the brand new FADE paperback. Go!

PS I get to pick the winner. And then I get to call you and be on the phone with you when you wet your pants with joy over winning $1000. Best. Job. Ever.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

My New Year's question to those of you who have been to book signings: What's the best thing about signings, and what's the worst? Also, what can authors do to make it even better? I've done many signings and would love to know what you love/hate about them. Please leave me a comment with details -- I want to do what I can to make my book signings worth your time.

In other 2010 news:

FADE comes out in paperback January 5. And GONE will finally be here February 9. Eeee!

My schedule is getting full for 2010. Check to see if I'm coming to a city near you.
Looking forward to meeting lots of fans! And if you are anywhere near Vero Beach, Florida, on February 27, I hope you'll come join me at my birthday signing. :D If I have to be away from family on my birthday, there's no better bunch of people to spend my day with than you. I may even bring a treat. Peanut butter for all!

Hope all your dreams come true in the new year.

Love and stuff,

Lisa

Read WAKE free!

2009-12-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Need a break from your winter break? Download WAKE for free between 12/26-12/31. You get 30 days to read it before it disappears.

Enjoy! Pick up FADE in paperback January 5. GONE hardcover comes out February 9.

Don't miss the GONE tour! If you want signed/personalized copies of my books but you're not near one of my tour stops, call one of the stores before my event there and order copies -- I'll sign it just for you and the store will ship it to you. GONE Tour.

The 14-city GONE Tour!

2009-12-22T14:15:00.000-08:00

GONE (Wake, bk 3) releases Feb 9, 2010. Tour will immediately follow. Can't wait to see you! If you aren't near an event but want to buy signed/personalized copies of any of my books, call one of these stores ahead of time and order them. I'll sign them when I'm there and they'll send them out to you -- most stores are more than happy to take your order and ship books to you for a reasonable shipping fee.

*Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010, 7:00pm
w/ Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S. McClintock Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85283
480.730.0205

*Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010, 7:00pm
w/ Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
Barnes & Noble Oceanside
El Camino North Shopping Center
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
760-529-0106

*Thursday, Feb 11, 2010, 7:00pm
w/ Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
Mysterious Galaxy
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Suite 302
San Diego, CA 92111
858.268.4747

*Friday, Feb 12, 2010 4:00pm
w/ Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne, CA 91750
(909) 599-4558
mrsnelsons@mrsnelsons.com

*Saturday, Feb 13, 2010, 11:00a.m.
w/ Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush)
Sam's Club
7480 Carson Street
Long Beach, CA 90808

*Friday, Feb 19, 2010, 7:00pm
Barnes & Noble Chandler Fashion Mall
3111 W. Chandler Blvd #2054
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-792-1312

*Saturday, Feb 20, 2010, 2:00pm
Barnes & Noble Eastside
w/ Robin Brande (Fat Cat)
5130 E. Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85711
520-512-1166

*Monday, Feb 22, 2010, 7:00pm
w/Heather Brewer (Eleventh Grade Burns - Vlad Tod #4)
St. Louis County Library Headquarters
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. @ Clayton Rd.
St Louis, MO 63131
(314) 994-3300

*Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010, 6:30pm
Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 373-6300

*Thursday, Feb 25, 2010, (Time TBA)
Inkwood Books
216 South Armenia Avenue
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 253-2638

*Friday, Feb 26, 2010, 6:00pm
Books & Books
265 Aragon Ave.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305.442.4408

*Friday, Feb 27, 2010, 3:00pm
The Vero Beach Book Center
2145 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772)569.6650

*Monday, March 1, 2010, 7:00pm
Books&Co at The Greene
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
937-429-6302

*Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 7:00pm
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
2692 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Phone: 513-396-8960

FAQs

2009-12-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have been getting a TON of fan mail lately, and I'm having a hard time keeping up. On my website I have an FAQ link, so you can find out info there. But I'll answer some questions here from time to time too, taken from the letters you send me. Here are the most frequent questions I get:

1. I read Cabel's Side of the Story on your website and loved it! Will you write the rest of the book from Cabe's perspective?
I don't have any plans to write a full book from Cabel's perspective at this time. Maybe someday down the road.

2. Are you going to write more books?
Why yes, yes I am. WAKE, FADE and GONE are a trilogy, and GONE comes out Feb 9, 2010. After that I have a YA paranormal stand-alone thriller called CRYER'S CROSS that will be out in spring 2011.

Beyond that is THE UNWANTEDS, a middle grade dystopian fantasy about creative children getting sent to their deaths, coming fall 2011.
And then DEAD TO YOU, a YA emotional thriller about a 16-year-old boy who, missing for the past nine years, returns home, coming spring 2012.

3. I'm writing a report on you/your books for a school project. What would you say is the theme of your books?
Okay, listen up: I can't do your homework for you. Please don't ask me questions that sound like they come straight off your assignment. That's YOUR job to figure out the theme, symbolism, denouement, rising/falling action, plot... When I was a kid...oh, never mind. But you know what I'm going to say. Don't ask me to do your homework for you. It makes me cranky. I don't answer letters like that.

However, if you need info about me, it's amazing what you can find by googling. You can learn stuff on the Lisa McMann wikipedia page (which is rather sparse. How about one of you doing a report updates the wiki while you're at it, hmm?) Or here: I was born in Holland, Michigan in 1968. I have two brothers and a sister. I graduated with a B.A. in English in 1990 from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now I live in Arizona with my husband, son, and daughter. I have a dog and a cat. My hobbies include cooking, reading, and watching reality TV. I love avocados. Uh...I have about 30 short stories in print, the most famous of which is called The Day of the Shoes (Google it). Another is called Like Waves on Rocks (you know what to do). These short stories are NOTHING like the WAKE books.

4. You should make a movie of your books!
I'd totally love to see a WAKE movie. At this time, we have received many inquiries from Hollywood and two offers, but sadly, neither of them worked out. I will keep you posted on any developments, but right now, there are no plans for a WAKE movie. Cross your fingers that it happens someday! Also, many of you want to star in the movie. Just so you know, if a movie ever happens, I will have no control over who is cast. But I'd pick YOU if I could! :)

Hope your holidays are awesome.

Finally...some very exciting news I can share!

2009-12-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

From Publisher's Weekly

and a Press Release from my publisher, Simon & Schuster:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BESTSELLING AUTHOR LISA MCMANN SIGNS

FOUR-BOOK DEAL WITH SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING

New York, NY, December 14, 2009— Lisa McMann, the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult paranormal thrillers Wake and Fade and the forthcoming February 2010 release Gone, has signed a four-book deal with Simon Pulse and Aladdin, imprints of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. The deal, for world rights, including audio, is for two young adult novels to be published by Simon Pulse, and two middle-grade novels to be published by Aladdin. Michael Bourret of Dystel and Goderich negotiated the deal, and is handling film rights.

Dead to You, a young adult novel of psychological suspense about a teenage boy who was abducted nine years ago and is now returning to his family, will be published on the Pulse list in hardcover in spring 2012 with a paperback edition to follow in spring 2013. Pulse will also publish a yet-to-be-titled young adult novel in hardcover in spring 2013 with a paperback edition in spring 2014. Aladdin will publish The Unwanteds, a dystopian middle-grade fantasy novel about kids who are exiled from their homeland when they display signs of creativity to a hidden world where they are trained to use their abilities and hone their magical skills, in hardcover in fall 2011 with a paperback edition in fall 2012, and a yet-to-be titled middle grade novel in hardcover in fall 2012 and paperback in fall 2013.

“Lisa McMann is incredibly creative and the characters she creates leap off the page,” said Bethany Buck, VP & Publisher of Aladdin and Simon Pulse. “Lisa has taken the world of young adult paranormal romance by storm and the publication of these new novels for teens and middle graders will expand the work of this rising star to a broader audience, and we couldn’t be more pleased about it.”

“I'm absolutely thrilled to continue bringing new, edgy YA characters to life with the wonderful Simon Pulse group, and anticipating tremendous fun spreading out a bit into the world of middle grade dystopian fantasy with Aladdin,” said Lisa McMann. “Simon & Schuster has supported me from the beginning and I'm so proud to be a part of the team.”

Lisa McMann is also the author of Wake and Fade. She lives with her family in Phoenix, AZ. Visit Lisa at www.lisamcmann.com or www.myspace.com/lisamcmann, and on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING

Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown, Nickelodeon’s® Dora the Explorer®, Wonderpets® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and coloring & activity books for Universal’s Curious George®. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, visit our website at http://www.simonandschuster.com

Agent Appreciation Day: An ode to Michael Bourret

2009-12-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

I heard through twitter that it's Agent Appreciation Day today, and I can't pass up the opportunity to love on my agent, Michael Bourret of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

When I first started agent hunting in 2006, I ran across Michael and read his bio on the DGLM website. It was short, simple, and funny, and he liked all the same books I liked as a kid. I took an instant liking to him. I was told at the time (by people who had agents) that there is no such thing as a "dream agent" but I kept coming back to Michael. I sent him a query for my first manuscript. Sadly, I never heard back. (We discovered later that he remembered that query, asked to see pages, but his email to me bounced because my server was messed up. Proof that email fails, people -- never let an unanswered query sour you on your dream agent!)

That first manuscript never made it, but a few months later I had WAKE ready to query. Michael was in my first batch of emails for that query, and the first to respond requesting the full manuscript. Five days later, amidst other agent interest, we became a team, and I can't imagine a better fit for me.

Michael is savvy and smart, he's on the cutting edge of technology, and he has incredible passion for books. He's also extremely personable, yet doesn't hesitate to fight on my behalf when necessary. He's an incredible agent, born for this job. But he's so much more than an agent. He is a confidant and friend. I am the luckiest author in the world to have him on my side.

In case I didn't say it today yet, you rock, Michael!

I have notified the winners via email!

2009-11-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Dear everyone,

You are amazing. Reading through all the comments took me a while! I am so thankful for all you have done to spread the word about the WAKE trilogy. Thanks for playing and I wish everyone could have won. :(

Way to go. See you around -- and if you want to say hello, I'm pretty good at answering fans who write on my Facebook fan page wall.

Contest is now over.

2009-11-26T21:07:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I will pick winners randomly. Good luck to all! I'll email winners so that's the spot to watch.

Thanks to all for participating! Love you lots.

xox

FREAKING HUGE CONTEST-O-THANKS

2009-11-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

Click here for details on how to enter. Or just scroll down two posts.

Kalamazoo-zoo!

2009-11-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

We interrupt the FREAKING HUGE CONTEST OF THANKS (see below) to remind you that I will be in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this Thursday and Friday. Thursday night is a signing with James Owen (Here, There be Dragons) at the Kalamazoo Public Library at 6:30. Directions and stuff at the link!

Friday is an all day Youth Literature Festival.

Hope to see you there!

2nd Annual Freaking Huge Contest-O-Thanks!

2009-11-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

Last year's contest was so fun, I decided to do another November contest to thank you all for spreading the WAKE/FADE/GONE love. CONTEST ENDS AT MIDNIGHT EST on NOVEMBER 26, 2009 (That's Thanksgiving Day, for the USians).

This time? I'm giving away THREE advance copies of GONE. And maybe a couple copies of WAKE and FADE. And a darling, adorable dream necklace that I bought from JB and Me in my old hometown of Holland, MI.

This contest is open to the entire universe, as long as you have a mailing address.

Here's how you enter:

Tell people about my books. You can...

-add the magic countdown widget to your blog (grab it from a few posts below)
-link to this contest and let your friends know about it
-post a blog review or a notice of the contest or my books to your followers
-tweet about it
-put it in your facebook/myspace status
-write a review on indiebound.org/amazon.com/bn.com/borders.com, etc
-write a review in your school newspaper or tell ten friends/acquaintances/enemies to read the WAKE trilogy
-whatever other creative way you can think of to get the word out (picket signs on street corners, sandwich boards, naming a street after me...you know. Fun stuff like that)

THEN:

Post a quick note summarizing what you did in the comments below and provide a link if applicable.
Also post your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Easy peasy. Done.

NOTES:

This is the only location on the internet where you can enter. Do not try to enter by tweeting at me or sending me email or facebook messages.

IF you do not want to win GONE (book 3) but would like WAKE (book 1) or FADE (book 2) instead, just mention that in your post. I recognize that some people entering will not have read the first book yet, so that might be more appealing to some. YES, I will still give away three copies of GONE no matter what.

PLEASE do not ask me a thousand different questions about what qualifies as spreading the word, or if you're doing it right. If you don't understand, don't enter. Or ask a friend. Just do something like I mentioned above and assume I won't disqualify you. If you feel good about it, so do I. I love you but I'm kinda busy right now so I'm not taking questions on the contest.

(GOSH, McMann. So cranky.)

Hey, why not find me on facebook / twitter / myspace while you're at it?

Lots of love to all of you, and again, THANK YOU for all you have done for me. I really appreciate the way you guys spread the word. You make me so happy and thankful.
xoxo

My Twitter Simon and Schuster Author Chat: 11/3 @ noon EST!

2009-10-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Follow me on Twitter (@lisa_mcmann) and join me for the first official Simon & Schuster author chat, taking place on Tuesday, November 3, at noon EST!

Follow Simon & Schuster too and if you want, send them your questions early so you can read the answers even if you aren't able to make it to the chat. I'll try to get to all of them! I'd really love it if you'd join us.

Also in November:

Kalamazoo Youth Literature Seminar in Michigan on Friday, Nov 13, with author James Owens! Just want to say hi and get your books signed? Come Thursday night, Nov 12.

Where you can find me this month

2009-10-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

As always, I'm most active on Twitter and Facebook. There are links in the sidebar if you'd like to find me there.

Now for October. Officially and unofficially...here are some things on my calendar that you might be interested in.

*Wednesday, October 14, 8pm EST / 5pm Pacific
Chatting online with Mundie Moms!

Immediately after that at 7pm Pacific, I'm heading out to my local indie, Changing Hands, to listen to fellow S&S author Scott Westerfeld talk about his new awesome book, Leviathan.

*Saturday, October 17, 5pm Pacific, I'll be attending Robin Brande's launch party for her second book, FAT CAT, again at Changing Hands. You should totally come -- Robin is an awesome speaker and both of her books are terrific. Her fist is called Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature, and it recently was optioned for film.

*Wednesday, Oct 21, 6pm Pacific / 9pm EST, I'll be chatting online with Readergirlz for Teen Read Week. Everyone is invited! Please stop in!
And immediately after that, I'll be driving back to Changing Hands for the bazillionth time this month to see author James Dashner talk about his new book, The Mazerunner! (7pm)

*Thursday, Oct 22, 7pm Pacific, I'll be attending The Secret Garden, a musical by Actor's Youth Theatre at the Mesa Arts Center. My kid is in it! And it's going to be awesome. If you live in the valley, please come and support this excellent organization -- shows run Tuesday thru Friday that week. And hey, if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket but you aren't near enough to attend a show, consider dropping them a small donation -- tax deductible (they are a 501C3). Times are tough all over, especially for self-funded arts programs like these that add so much to the community and the lives of our creative teens.

(I am also getting my hair done that day by the amazing Lori, hairdresser to the stars. More red stripes please!)

*Saturday, October 24, all day -- I'll be in Austin, TX at the Teen Book Festival! Just to clarify, this is not just for teens -- all lovers of teen books are invited! This is my first author visit to Texas and I've been dying to get down there, so I'm very excited. If you live anywhere near Austin (or even if you don't), come on out for an awesome day filled with authors and panels and book buying and signings and I'm sure tons of laughs. With that many teen authors in one place, it could get a little dangerous.

*Coming up in November -- Kalamazoo Youth Lit Seminar!

So I'm working on a new book...

2009-10-07T14:12:00.001-07:00

GONE comes out Feb 9, and my part of that (writing it) is done. So yay! Only four months to go. If you haven't stolen my GONE countdown widget yet, you can grab it below.

Meanwhile, I have work to do!

I am under contract for another book with Simon Pulse, and I'm writing it now. It's called Cryer's Cross and it's a creepy paranormal stand-alone novel about a high school senior girl named Kendall who lives in a small town in Montana, where nothing creepy ever happens...until now.

Is there any sort of love story? Why yes, yes there is.

Cryer's Cross is scheduled to come out in spring 2011.

STEAL THIS WIDGET. It's magic. It updates automatically whenever there's news about the WAKE books or about future stuff.

Blogfest 2009 is now LIVE! (and Facebook Fan Page)

2009-09-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Go check it out: Blogfest!
I'm having fun procrastinating by reading all of these interesting answers. My first answer goes up Tuesday the 22nd, I think.

Also, I just started the official Lisa McMann fan page over on Facebook -- the link is at the top right corner of my blog (where I am sporting my new red stripey hair, even though it's hard to see it in that photo).

Why make a fan page for myself? It feels weird and vain and I put it off for a long time. But then I discovered that eventually Facebook cuts you off from having new friends when you reach a certain level. As I near 3000 friends on Facebook with usually about 10-12 new requests each day, I got to worrying. Then I heard that a fan page is the way to go.

So I started this fan page and I want it to be very interactive. I'll post info there. And for as long as I can handle the workload, I hope to respond to all comments over there as well. I'd love it if you'd join me and maybe spread the word about the fan page for me if you are so inclined.

Thank you so much for being great. 'Cuz you are.

Simon and Schuster Blogfest coming soon -- get your countdown widget!

2009-09-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Find out more about Blogfest

HEY! Win a free signed copy of WAKE or FADE

2009-09-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

Over at Free Book Friday! This week only!

Also, teens (12-18) please vote for your favorite books before Sept 18! WAKE is a contender along with tons of other cool books. If you are not between the ages of 12 and 18, please find someone who is and pass it on.

Thanks!

P.S. Did you have a good summer?

Coming soon -- Blogfest 2.0!

2009-09-02T13:34:00.001-07:00

If you were around for last year's blogfest, you know how cool it was to hear from dozens of your favorite authors on various subjects.

Well, it's coming up again soon! No link yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Teens' Top Ten -- voting is now open (ages 12-18)!

2009-08-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Hey teens, you can now vote for your three favorite teen books from YALSA's Teens' Top Ten list. And guess what? WAKE is on that list (along with other awesome books)!

Voting is now thru Sept 18. Go WAKE!!

Warm greetings to international readers

2009-08-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

It is good to have you around!
Some form of the WAKE trilogy already exists, or will soon appear, in the following languages:

Circulo de Lectores / Spanish Book Club
Atlin Kitaplar / Turkish
Patakis / Greek
PT Gramedia / Indonesian
Amarin / Thai
Boje Verlag / German
WYDAWNICTWO Amber / Polish

I wish I could speak all your languages! Hope you enjoy the books.

Also, don't forget to download Cabel's Story for free! Click on the link on my home page: http://lisamcmann.com

The Magic McWidget!

2009-07-31T08:26:00.001-07:00

Grab the McWidget and put it on your website, blog, or social networking site! It's magic -- it'll stay updated with news of the WAKE trilogy, my future books and contests, and other important news. (psst...if you put the widget on your site, you just might be eligible for a McWidget Contest in a couple weeks...for an arc of GONE. More news on that mid-August!)

And go read the free Cabel story I wrote for you! Just click, register, and download it!

Michigan, here I come!

2009-07-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is the time of the year when my husband, children and I make our annual pilgrimage to Michigan to visit family. The weather appears to be really lovely (upper 70s to low 80s, which is a dream compared to the 110-115 we are having here in Arizona). We have family in the Detroit area and also in the Grand Rapids/Holland area, and we'll be spending a few days with each. Plus my niece is getting married. Congrats to Alyssa and Jake! Two very cool people.

Visiting family makes it convenient for me to do a few book signings while I'm there as well. This year I'm making three stops, and I'll be reading an excerpt from GONE. :) Please come if you are nearby:

*Saturday, August 1, 2:00 PM
Borders - Novi
43075 Crescent Blvd.
Novi, MI, 48375
(248) 347-0780

*Monday, August 3rd, 6:00 PM
Pooh’s Corner Breton Village
Reading, Signing/Reception
1886 1/2 Breton Rd. S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

*Tuesday, August 4, 7:00 PM
Schuler Books and Music, Inc
2660 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Phone: 800 331 1727 (MI only)
616 942 2561
Fax: 616 942 9238
email: info@schulerbooks.com

Also, watch for me in the Grand Rapids Press this week as well as on WZZM TV 13's Take Five (on Tuesday morning, Aug 4, between 9 and 10 am).

Hope your summer is going great! Keep an eye on my website in August for a special free short story download -- it's a Cabel story companion to the WAKE trilogy.