It's That Time Again...

I'm pretty excited for the first day of school. It's my favorite day of the whole year. I'm happily sharpening pencils and buying new notebooks.

In anticipation for all the school reading that will occupy me come fall, I need to relax this week and read a great book that features school. Any suggestions? What's a good book that's either set at a boarding school or features school as a significant setting? Ideas?

I'm looking forward to making a list with my fresh pencils and new notebooks!

Hiatus Is Over

Well, kids, summer is just about over, and I am *this* close to finishing a rough draft of my next book. That's just a draft, mind you, and I'm not above throwing it all away and starting over again. But at least I have something to work with.

And my course syllabi are almost ready to roll. When school begins on August 22, I might actually have everything done that needs to be done. (Might is the operative word here. I never completely rule out the possibility of a Mad Libs-style syllabus, so if you're enrolled in one of my classes, come on the first day prepared with ten verbs, ten nouns, three adverbs, and a gerund :))

If you live near me (Salt Lake City), I'll be doing some book signings in September when The Predicteds releases. Come out and say hi. I'll be mortified if my only attendee is my husband. (He's handsome, but he doesn't talk much.)

Thursday, September 1 from 11:30-1:30 at Westminster College Commons (The King's English will have books for sale there.)
Wednesday, September 7 at 7:00 at the King's English (1511 South 1500 East)
Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 at the Jordan Landing Barnes & Noble (7157 Plaza Center Drive
in West Jordan)

Blog Interviews

Thanks to the lovely Jaskirat for posting an interview with me over at her blog. Check it out.

I also did an interview over at Safari Poet, a brilliant blog chock full of book news, interviews, and reviews. You can even win a signed ARC of The Predicteds over there! Go take a look. That's my last ARC, follks.

Book Readers

The best thing about writing a book is hearing from readers. I luuuurve to talk about books with anyone who will participate in the conversation. And there's a lot of conversation out there. I can't believe I just discovered book bloggers! Where have I been since 1998?? The only downside is that I never get anything done anymore. It takes me all day just to keep up with everyone's reviews and discussions. I need an assistant to do my actual work. (Anyone want to teach my class this summer? Takers?)

Every day I discover a new great blog. Today's great find is Amanda who just reviewed The Predicteds. I love that she mentions the themes that I was wrestling with as I wrote the book.

You should go read her blog.

Then you should really consider teaching my summer class for me.

Videos

I'm doing a little series of videos (produced by one of the most talented professional communicators out there, the lovely Anita Boeira). I'll be answering questions about writing, reading, and probably The Jersey Shore. What do you want to know? What should I talk about? Submit your questions here, and I'll make sure to adress them!

Videos will be posted here and on my Facebook page throughout the summer.

Spring Semester 2011--> Done

The Good: Final exams and papers are all graded!
The Bad: I feel brain dead.
The Good: Spring term is officially over.
The Bad: Summer term started yesterday.
The Good: I have some time to recover before my summer class begins.
The Bad: I have neglected my own writing this semester.
The Good: I am going undercover to write until somone comes looking for me.

See y'all then!

In Which I’m an Idiot

I just learned that a flash mob is not a mob of naked people. I’m not sure where I came up with that definition, but that’s what I thought.

Imagine my surprise when I found out the students at the college where I teach participated in a flash mob. I was concerned because it was cold that day! When nobody disrobed, I figured that either a) they did it wrong, or b) my definition was way off.

Turns out that “b” is the correct answer.

Please enjoy this video of fully clothed people dancing to Lady Gaga in the courtyard of our very lovely college.