Online Auction for the Cure of Diabetes

Brenda Novak, New York Times Best Selling author, is currently holding her annual online auction for the cure of diabetes. Brenda runs this fundraiser in honor of her youngest son, who was diagnosed with Type 1 at five years old (he's now 14), and the millions of others who suffer from diabetes. The proceeds have one purpose—to help find a cure—and will go to the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami. Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research is a registered 501(c)3, so donations are tax deductible.

There are MANY wonderful items to bid on (some starting as low as $2) such as:

*Concert Tickets
*Tea with Meg Cabot at the Plaza in NYC
*Personal Makeover
*Baja Mexican Cruise
*Disneyland Trip
*Critique by best selling author
*Autographed Books and ARC's
*Editor Evaluations

Seriously, there is something for everyone!! This auction is open until May 31st. Check out the auction HERE.

I have donated a GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS ROOM and art inspired basket which includes a signed copy of the book, a framed 5x7 original illustration from the book, custom made Gossip candy bar wrappers filled with yummy chocolate, handmade bookmarks and magnets made from my original gallery art prints, plus a few extra surprises.  You can view my listing HERE.

Fab Five & Giveaway Winner!

Today's post is brought to you by the number five...

1. I was dancing for 5 hours (yes, in public!) and fell on my butt. seriously.

2. I read 5 books in less than 5 weeks (Trauma Queen is SO good and A Match Made in High School is hilarious!)
3. GOSSIP went into it's 5th printing! Yay!!
4. GOSSIP sold to it's 5th country (Greece!) Double Yay!
5. Got some fabulous news about a THIRD book!!! Um, yeah, not so "five" related but I couldn't resist!

And in way overdue news...the winner of the art print giveaway is....

D.M. Cunningham of Literary Asylum Blog!!



So what tops your fab five list?

Graphic Evolution of GOSSIP

Day four of this Blogtastic Blog Tour goes to Jen Daiker at Unedited. Her post is totally cool. She is going to show you the Graphic Evolution of my MC , Sofia, from GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM!

While I have your attention, I htought it would be fun to show you the graphic evolution of two other characters from the book, the BFF, Nona, and the crush, Andrew.

NONA BEFORE- She was "too" cartoony

NONA BEFORE

NONA AFTER-less cartoony, more graphic. And,a noticeably larger head!

These were other Andrew "possibilites" but they just didn't seem right.
And the first one here was too cartoony as well.

The original Andrew ended up being the final Andrew.

I make e a point of never showing his eyes.



So if you haven't already, check at Jen's blog and see what Sofia could have looked like!

Which do you prefer?


The Blogtastic! Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 18^th: The Misadventures in Candyland 
She will have super secret info to dish on me. And a super secret picture!

Tuesday, April 19^th: The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment
Find out how the illustration process works and see (exclusively!) illustrations cut from Gossip From The Girls' Room!

Wednesday, April 20th: Rambles & Randomness
A way fun interview and a image of how I did my research for Gossip (never before seen!) And win a copy of GOSSIP!

Thursday, April 21st:  Unedited
See the graphic evolution of Sofia Becker from Gossip. What? She had other looks? Wait till you see!

Friday, April 22nd: Talli Roland
What's the most embarrassing question I get asked? And seen before drawings from my childhood (yikes!)

Saturday, April 23rd: Booking Mama
Did you get teased or bullied as a kid? I did! Find out what about!

Monday, April 25th: Random Acts of Reading
Omigosh! Did I really send a query to Random House when I was a kid? Visit to find out!

Tuesday, April 26th: Amie Borst
A way humorous Q&A session and revealing book covers, including the new cover for RUMORS! Plus, awesome giveaway!

Research Much?

Do you write about subjects you already know? Or do you research? They always say, write what you know. Not sure who "they" is, but it makes sense, right? I've written two stories based on experiences, and research. And the best kind of research is hands on! You might remember from last year how I went on a real live ghost hunt for a supernatural sotry I was writing. Well, for GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM, I did a little hands on reasearch too. What did I do?

For day three of the Blogtastic Book Tour, Vicki Rocho (Thanks, Vicki!) has posted all about it (and maybe a picture too)!

So head on over to her fabulous blog, Rambles & Randomness..Now, don't make me repeat myself!

Check out the blog tour schedule HERE.

Blog Tour Day 2: Blogtastic Illustrations!

Ever wonder the how the illustration process works for GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS' ROOM? Today, The QQQE blog (Hi Matthew!) kicks off the second day of the Blogtastic! Blog Tour, and I reveal how this process works. Oh, and he might kinda also sorta share with you images from GOSSIP that were cut from the book, and the reason why! And you know what else? He's doing a super awesome giveaway. So you k now what that means, right? Head over to his blog right now! And if you misssed yesterdays blog tour post, head straight to Candyland's immediately after! Yeah, she might have some super secret stuff to share too!

Reminder: still time to enter and win one of my art prints! Winning!!