My fellow Knopfer (we're both being published by Random House/ Knopf), Josh Berk, has his debut novel out today. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin is a great novel and everybody should go out and buy it. Seriously. It is quirky and funny. Here's a quick summary...
Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)
Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut.
Also, here is the cover so you can spot it easily the next time you visit your favorite bookstore (or troll through Amazon).
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY JOSH!
This time, it's to say that The Red Umbrella is going to be on-sale on its original date...May 11th. The early release is a no-go. Seems there were some issue with sales/marketing and things that had already been planned for my book. Oh well! No harm, no foul!
Now, back to your regularly scheduled program...
Yesterday, my fabulous editor called to say that the school & library marketing department at Random House wanted to make my book available earlier, so my release date was being moved up by a month to April 13th. People, that's like two months away! Two. Dos. Zwei. Due. Deux. Accck! I am freakin' out! Everyone will be able to read it in 68 days (yes, I adjusted my countdown clock already). Okay, deep breaths...I'm better now, thanks.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled progamming.
- Mood:
excited
Thanks to everyone who participated in my first giveaway contest! I had over 100 entries and so many of you blogged, tweeted, posted my widget and book trailer...all to help me get the word out about the book. Okay, so I bribed you all with extra entries if you did that, but I'm still appreciative! So here goes...
Drumroll please… here I go to the random number generator website to pick the winners. This is so exciting.
The GRAND PRIZE winner of an advance reader’s copy of THE RED UMBRELLA is… Stacey Canova! Woo-hoo! Here's a picture of the book I'll be sending your way...
I’m also giving away some swag since there was such a huge response to the contest, so the winner will receive all this stuff
(The Red Umbrella coffee mug, The Red Umbrella umbrella and signed bookmarks).
Going back to the random number generator...and the lucky entrant is… Kathy Burnette!
Congrats to both winners! I’ll be contacting you by email to get your mailing addresses and then I’ll send out your prizes!
For everyone else who entered…stay tuned because there will be a different contest every month until my book is released on May 11th.
Next giveaway begins on February 11th !
The catastrophe in Haiti is heartbreaking. An earthquake, so close to the earth's surface, that it had the power of 35 atomic bombs. 35 bombs! And it hits the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Their capital, Port-au-Prince, is devastated. Some reports say the death toll may be over 100,000.
Look at these pictures from CBSnews.
The presidential palace,
someone's home,
the face of being buried alive.
Imagine the people who are there. Children crying out for their missing parents. Parents searching for their kids. So many of them buried in the rubble. So many more of them suffering because the hospitals have been flattened, there's no clean water, no food and no security. My heart breaks for them and for my friends who live here in the U.S. who are waiting to hear news from their family.
I want to help.
I know many of my cyberspace friends want to help, too.
So this is what I propose. We all issue a challenge to each other to donate the average cost of one book ($10) to the American Red Cross by texting "Haiti" to 90999 (the charge will appear on your cellphone bill).
Let's get some momentum on this! Come on...make a difference when it is most needed! I did it...will you?
Up until today I thought May 11th was important because my book is being released into the world (sounds like I'm sending off a sea turtle or something), but nooooo. It's much more than that.
This day is BIG NEWS because one of my absolute, favorite shows will be airing its series finale. HOW COULD I NOT KNOW THIS? The only thing I can think of is that I've been counting the days until the new & final season starts (21 and counting) and so I overlooked the end. BUT NOW I KNOW. The LOST finale is scheduled to air on the same day as my book debuts.
This has to mean something, right? Everything means something on LOST (the comic book a kid reads, the song a character hums, the Dharma wine someone drinks, etc.). I take it as a sign of yin/yan, beginning/ending... the circle of life if you will. See, as that show ends, my real life "show" will begin. It'll be a year of book signings, conferences and school visits.
Ah, so much is explained and yet we know so little. (That was my deep thought, Yoda-like moment).
But for now, let's focus on being Lost together.
Over at my website www.christinagonzalez.com you can enter to win an advance reader's copy of THE RED UMBRELLA by just sending me a message (just make sure you put CONTEST in the subject heading).
You get extra entries for tweeting/blogging about the contest or for putting up my countdown widget on your website. The only thing you have to do is tell me about it so I can make sure to give you credit!
The contest will run through Jan. 24th and if I get more than 50 entries I'll give another winner some swag (signed bookmarks, exclusive The Red Umbrella umbrella).
Now, why are you still reading? Go try to win some FREE stuff!
TEN THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY...( Read more... )
Yes, 2010 is only a few days away and that means lots of great books will be coming out (yes, my countdown widget tells me that The Red Umbrella will be coming out in only 134 days, 7 hours, 54 minutes,
Alas, what to do if your wallet can not possibly afford to buy all these amazing books? Well, first make sure you set a little aside to buy my book (just kidding, um, no...I don't think I am). But what can you do if just can't afford to get all these new, fantastic books and you still want to help the authors? Here are a few ideas... You can request that your library get the book, swap books with some friends and then write reviews on Amazon, Borders, Goodreads etc., talk to your friends about these books and in general help publicize new books. Lisa Schroeder wrote about this on her blog http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/30
Christmas Eve at my house (and at just about every Cuban household I know) is basically a big, BIG, BIG family feast. Every year we celebrate Christmas Eve with the family (at my house it can be any number between 12 – 60 people…depending if my extended family is coming over or not...have I mentioned that our summer vacations usually involve about 45 people gathering for a few days at the beach...and that's just one side of my family...but I digress). The evening starts off rather typical with Christmas music playing in the background and a few appetizers (usually a spinach dip, cheese and crackers...nothing to extraordinary). People arrive and chat.
Did I say chat? HA! That's not really a good description. We talk, laugh, say stories...all in a slightly loud manner and usually everyone is doing this at the same time (we kinda drown out whatever Christmas music is playing in the background). You'd think the fact that we see each other all the time would cause us to run out of things to say, but no, Cubans usually have something to say about anything and everything. You gotta love it!
Then dinner is announced and everyone grabs a plate and starts filling up on the following:
( See pictures and read more... )
- Mood:
hungry
At the party, I witnessed some tears as many remembered the home, friends and family they’d been forced to leave behind 49 years ago, but mostly I heard laughter. Men and women, hugging each other and reminiscing about their teen years. Many who hadn’t seen each other in almost 50 years laughed at some of the expanding waistlines and receding hairlines, but you could tell that, in their mind's eye, they were still the same teenagers that were thrust together back in the early 1960's.
This all reminded me that no matter how old you are, your teen years are always a special time and you really don’t lose those feelings (although sometimes so-called maturity buries it a bit). Maybe that’s why YA books appeal to so many, and yes, THAT is why I write.
Anyway, now the important decision will be...what to wear? The event is being taped by C-SPAN Book TV and so the question becomes even more critical (although I will probably be edited out of the taping). My wonderful Tenner cohorts have suggested I do the following: wear a tweed sportsjacket with elbow patches and a monocle, carry a pipe, sit by a fireplace and play some background mood music.
Hmm, methinks I will definitely stand out... but not in a good way! A thorough scan of my closet (and that of my sister's) may be in order. Perhaps even a bit of retail therapy will be necessary.
Regardless, I hope everyone in the Miami area comes out for this wonderful event. There's something for everyone (from kids to monocled, tweed-sportsjacketed, pipe-smoking book lovers). Here are some pictures from past years (from the fair's website).
Here are ten things I've learned in the past few days...
1) A Blackberry is not waterproof (yes... you know this is going to be bad when I start with that).
2) Pushing someone in the pool on a hot Florida day is funny.
3) Pushing your husband into the pool is even funnier.
4) Pushing your husband into the pool while he's holding his Blackberry is NOT funny.
5) Finding out that all the information on said Blackberry has not been backed-up is even less funny.
6) Having no insurance on the phone means forking out lots of moolah for a brand new Blackberry (needless to say, NOT FUNNY)
7) Having the guy at phone center tell you that all the info stored on the phone (90% of everything) is lost and only the few numbers on the SIM card can be retrieved is...well, it's depressing.
8) Being told to stick the phone in a bag of rice for a few days in the hopes that it will somehow work is hilarious (also sounds like a bit of voodoo magic).
9) Going home immediately and putting the phone in rice anyway...funny.
10) Two days later, taking the phone out,shaking out the grains of rice, pressing the on button and seeing the darn thing come to life again...FREAKIN' CRAZY!
So the lesson learned is... always check before pushing someone in the pool and have a bag of rice close by if you forget.
Over at Chick Lit Teens www.chicklitteens.com/2009/10/birthday-e
For all my non-writer friends, ARCs are Advance Reader's Copy and they are sent out to reviewers before the book is actually available for sale. This is actually the very first time I see my book as a...well, you know...book! I am so excited! Thrilled! Over the moon! Ecstatic! I've even been acting a little like Gollum in The Lord of the Rings (yes, caressing the ARC and calling it "precious"). Random House and my fabulous editor also sent me my jacket flap which is glossy and pretty and beautiful...I could go on and on. Oh yeah, it's "pre-e-e-ecious".
Help Tere keep her voice!
What is Shrinking Violet? It's a young adult novel about an extremely shy high school senior trying to find her voice and reach her dream of becoming a DJ, despite the obstacles that stand in her way.
The book is about to go on back order and in order for more copies to be printed, more people have to place orders for the book.
So here's how you can help:
Please tell anyone that you think might be interested to place an order now before it's too late. Guys, girls, grandmas. grandpas, you're never too old to read humorous teen fiction!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141659
http://www.indiebound.org/book/97814165
I'm also running a contest for those that want to have some fun! There will be four winners, each receiving a $25 gift certificate to iTunes or the bookstore of their choice.
So how can you win?
1. Post a review of Shrinking Violet on Amazon.com or B & N.com 2 points
2 Blog, Tweet or Facebook about the Save Shrinking Violet Campaign 1 point for each mention
3. Take a picture of yourself wearing a sweater and mimicking the book's cover (you must have the book in the photo too). 2 points
Contest begins at 11pm on Thursday, September 24, 2009 and ends at 11pm on Thurday, October 15, 2009.
After you enter, you can either email me at danielle@daniellejoseph.com or leave me a comment here.
Much love,
Danielle
Admit it...we've all done it ...we've googled our names to see what comes up. I registered my name and book title with Google Alert (it does the googling for me) and look what popped up.
I'm on the Random House website! I know, I know, this shouldn't be surprise. After all, they are publishing my book and everything...but still! Random House has me on their website with an awesome book summary and author info! Breathe, okay, feeling better. Nope, I'm giddy all over again. Great way to start a Monday!
The Red Umbrella
Written by Christina Gonzalez
- Category: Juvenile Fiction - Ethnic - Hispanic & Latino; Juvenile Fiction - Historical - United States - 20th Century; Juvenile Fiction - Family
- Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
- On Sale: May 11, 2010
- Price: $16.99
- ISBN: 978-0-375-86190-1 (0-375-86190-4)
- Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ABOUT THIS BOOK
The Red Umbrella is the moving tale of a 14-year-old girl's journey from Cuba to America as part of Operation Pedro Pan-an organized exodus of more than 14,000 unaccompanied children, whose parents sent them away to escape Fidel Castro's revolution.
In 1961, two years after the Communist revolution, Lucía Álvarez still leads a carefree life, dreaming of parties and her first crush. But when the soldiers come to her sleepy Cuban town, everything begins to change. Suddenly the revolution hits home. Freedoms are stripped away. Neighbors disappear. Her friends feel like strangers. And her family is being watched.
As the revolution's impact becomes more oppressive, Lucía's parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send her and her little brother to the United States-by themselves.
Suddenly plunked down in Nebraska with well-meaning strangers, Lucía struggles to adapt to a new country, a new language, a new way of life. But what of her old life? Will she ever see her home or her parents again? And if she does, will she still be the same girl?
The Red Umbrella is a moving story of country, culture, family, and the true meaning of home.
About the Author
Christina Diaz Gonzalez based this powerful novel on the experiences of her parents, and of the 14,000 other unaccompanied minors who came to the United States in Operation Pedro Pan. This mass exodus of children is a little-known and fascinating piece of history, and Gonzalez has created a story that brings that history vibrantly to life.
Gonzalez practiced law for several years before returning to her childhood passion for stories and writing. The Red Umbrella is her first novel.
Christina Diaz Gonzalez lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband and two sons. You can visit her on the Web at www.christinagonzalez.com.
Copyright © 1995-2008 Random House, Inc. All rights reserved
Today I had an incredible breakfast with about 60 Pedro Pan "kids" (most are about 60 years old now). For those of you who don't know, Operation Pedro Pan was a secret plan where, in the span of two years (1960-1962), the parents of over 14,000 Cuban children made the heart-breaking decision to send their kids to the US, alone, in order to escape Castro's communist revolution. This is what my book, THE RED UMBRELLA, is based upon.
Anyway, I was invited to the group's monthly breakfast meeting (www.pedropan.org ) because a few members wanted to talk to me about my upcoming book and the November release of my book trailer. I didn't expect to address the whole group and I certainly didn't expect the incredible reception everyone gave me. People were congratulating me on finally having told their story in a format where young readers will learn what happened to so many. There were people wanting to pre-order the book now (even though the release is eight months away) and others saying how they will be buying several copies to give to all their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. WOW! I was inundated with love and they haven't even read the book yet (hope I live up to their expectations).
I definitely want to do more things like this. Even though my book is geared toward the 12+ age group and I will be doing school visits and talking to teens/pre-teens in different forums, I hope adults also enjoy reading it. Especially those adults that, for a variety of reasons, have been separated from their family at a young age.
This was a very inspiring day! YAY!
Here it is folks! The book cover for The Red Umbrella. My editor told me I could go ahead and share it because it has been getting a great response from the the powers-that-be over at Random House and Knopf. So, of course, I'm sharing it with just a few people. :-)
Personally, I love it! Let me know what you think.
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