Teen me had a passing interest in Escher

Did you ever wish you could go back in time and give a message to your younger self?  And did you maybe wish that other people could benefit from hearing that message?  That’s the philosophy behind Dear Teen Me, a blog created by my webly friend Emily Krisin Morse and others.  I recently had my turn talking to my teen self, and here’s what I had to say.  I’m glad I finally got it off my chest.

There are other great entries here, many by friends of mine, like this one and this one.   You could really spend an afternoon thinking about different peoples’ experiences then and now.  In fact, maybe this will be the afternoon!

Day 1– social networking in a middle-grade novel and how I made Marina just mean  enough.

Day 2–wrestling with what to put in the novel and what to keep out at various stages of the drafting process (funny comment at the end of this one.)

First of all, I am pleased to announce that I will be appearing at two more bookstores in the area this fall!

Saturday, August 21, 2pm

Desinations Booksellers

604 East Spring Street * New Albany, Indiana

Saturday, September 11, 4pm

Carmichael’s Bookstore

2720 Frankfort Avenue * Louisville, KY

I must be straightforward and report that there will not be cake.  (I know! And you were told there’d be cake!)  However, there will be something pretty much as good: a chance to win a free classroom visit from an author!  (Well, this is good if you are a parent, teacher or librarian.  If you are a childless plumber not taking any extension classes anywhere, I imagine that this offer doesn’t appeal as much as cake.  But moving on…)

It’s pretty simple: come to a Nice and Mean event (I will read and dazzle you with my super-secret strategy for spritely Q&A), and if you are a parent, teacher or librarian, you can enter a drawing to win a classroom visit from me. I’ll talk about the process of becoming a writer, discuss the skills that are crucial to being an artist (revision and attention to detail–sound familiar, teachers?), and answer questions.  (I can also read from the book, but often, the Q&A takes a while.)

What if you’re thinking, Oh woe, I do not live near enough to attend, so I cannot enter the drawing! or I am occupied both of those days!  Fear not.  Next month or so, I will hold a drawing online for those interested in a Skype visit.

Go, go, Nice and Mean!  See ya real soon!

They have part 1 there, too, in case you missed last week’s.  This week, you will learn the deep and hidden meaning behind the line, “Where’s your butt?”

Enjoy!

The serialized story I mentioned, Not That Girl, is now available online!  Especially if you’re a fan of Marina and Sachi, I hope you’ll check out the adventures of Jackie, Mel, Zoe and Becky, four best friends who prepare for the beginning of eighth grade–and some big changes.*

*Teaser/synopsis courtesy of the Louisville Courier-Journal.  I used to be good at writing those for my own work.  But I just tried to write one for this and it stunk so badly that I just went to the hard copy and ripped it off.  Thanks, Editor Dave!

In other news, I went to The ALA C onference (American Library Association) this weekend in DC, and it was awesome!  I can’t wait to post pics and share tales.  Preview: teens weighing in about YALSA picks; book-cart drill team; Will Shortz.

I also look forward to telling you about how I’m seriously considering killing of one of my characters (meaning editing her out, not killing her in the book) and how great that will be if it’s the right choice.  But I must return to said manuscript and reread in its entirety today, so back to’it, missy!

A note about Lindsey: first, she has one of the funniest writing voices on the web.  I’m sure you’ll agree when you check out her blog.  Second, at any good bookstore, you will find me and Lindsey together.  No, not in person, although if could clone ourselves and be constantly selling our books–cool.  (Or creepy?  Yeah, no, definitely creepy.)  I just meant that she is LEAvitt and I am LEAder, and our books like to hang out together, as pictured below.

I must confess that I hadn’t read many Impact Initiative entries until last night, when I sat down to write mine, but ohh!  These are seriously good pieces.  They’re diverse and true and memorable.  I encourage you to go read them all, and then pressure Lindsey to turn them into a book.  Because I know she doesn’t have a lot going on right now.  (Kidding!  Kidding!)

Thanks, Lindsey, for making an impact on me.  

Now, go read!

The Louisville press has been very generous to me with their time and affections!  Click here to read Erin Keane’s article, the cover of the Courier-Journal Sunday Arts section, “The angst of 13: Writer catches voice, reality of tweens.”

My favorite part:

“[Leader did not] set out to change the world in which [her characters] would live. Even when the story is resolved, there’s no evidence that Marina and Sachi will overcome their differences and social ranks to become best friends forever. She might not be writing about vampires, but Leader knows the difference between middle-school fantasy and reality.

‘I wasn’t trying to make it a manual for girl empowerment. I’ve seen books where the author tries to do that, and in addition to being unpleasant to read, it kind of tanks the story line,” she said. “I really wanted to write something that felt real. The characters aren’t going to start integrating their lunch tables in the end. That just wouldn’t happen.’

And the LEO (Louisville Eccentric Observer) wrote a luffly plug for my reading here Louisville on Friday:

Local author Jessica Leader is basking in the glow of the reviews for “Nice and Mean,” her recently published novel of cooperation and ambition among the middle school set. This first book by the former New Yorker and Actors Theatre teacher has landed a prominent place among recommended children’s titles for summer reading. Leader has multiple area events scheduled throughout the summer, but the Hurstbourne Borders gets first crack with a signing party Friday evening. The author gets high marks for her ability to capture the tween voice while piling on realistic conflict, and she can be expected to lead an engaging and entertaining event for an age group that should be encouraged to read at every opportunity. If you’ve got a tween, by all means, drag ’em away from the video screens and get ’em here. —T.E. Lyons

Congratulations to Miss Kallie, the winner of the Nice and Mean Giveaway contest! Miss Kallie will win a signed copy of Nice and Mean, her first choice of the books in the giveaway, and lots of fun swag.

Send me an email (jess@jessicaleader.com) and let me know which book you would like as well as your mailing address. I will mail it sometime early next week.

Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls, shared comments about nice and mean characters, etc.! You made my launch week fun. And if you need anything further from me, well, you know where to find me.

Coming soon: reports from the book parties. Nice friends and pretty pictures!!

Don’t forget–to win the Grand Prize that includes your very own copy of Nice and Mean, you have to leave a comment on this blog tallying up your points.  I will announce the winner by Wednesday, June 16th.  Get out your calculators, my friends!

It’s been so fun to read your thoughts throughout the week, especially your own favorite Nice or Mean characters (thank you, Page Flipper!) and your thoughts on whether you are nice or mean (GreenBeanTeenQueen.)  

Thanks, too, to my wonderful hosts, who went along for the ride and occasionally had to battle Blogger.  The Story Siren, Green Bean Teen Queen, The Page Flipper, Reading in Color and Laurens Crammed Bookshelf are great!

This whole week, in fact, has been great.  The NYC book launch party brought friends from all walks of life, including two kids I met on a research trip last year who journeyed into the city just for this!  I’m looking forward to uploading pictures etc.

Now, though, I’m off to throw a wedding shower for my best friend.  She has been so wonderfully supportive throughout the whole book-launch process, and I can’t wait to shower her with a very cool game I’ve devised. 

Have a good Sunday, everyone!

ps We have one winner so far from the blog tour stops–Caitlin  Can’t wait to connect with the other winners!