Survey Results: YA Authors, Librarians, & Preferred Contact Methods

I was honored to be asked to present at the Southern California Library Cooperative's YA Workshop about connecting with YA authors through social media, interviewing, and podcasting. 

Before I talk about that, I want to give major kudos to Erica Cuyugan of Santa Monica Public Library and Ryan Gan of Orange Public Library, who did a fantastic job organizing the workshop. They kicked things off with an awesome author panel that included Jennifer Bosworth, Ann Stampler, Lissa Price, Meadow Griffin, and Cecil Castellucci. 

I loved hearing what these authors had to say about their writing processes, and was struck by how much they all expressed their love of libraries and willingness to partner with librarians to spread the joy of reading to kids and teens. Truly inspiring! 

The author panel was followed by librarian presentations, and to prepare for my portion of the workshop, I created a brief survey distributed via social media channels, asking YA authors a simple question: 

When a librarian wants to invite you to speak at their library, how do you prefer they first contact you? 

My survey was in no way scientific-- it was casual and anonymous, and I honestly can't be sure of who really answered. It was intended as a quick way to gather a snapshot of data. In any case, I received 32 responses, and the results were as follows: 

28 out of 32 authors who anonymously responded to the survey indicated that they prefer a direct email from librarians inquiring about potential library visits. 

Survey respondents were able to choose more than one option. The second most popular option, with 7 responses, was to email the author's publicist. It's worth noting that the majority of respondents who chose this option also indicated they would welcome a direct email. Only two respondents chose an email to their publicist as their sole preferred communication method.

The other communication methods generally accompanied the direct email option, indicating that many authors welcome contact through Twitter and Facebook, etc., but social media is probably not the most effective way to initiate the conversation. Only one respondent chose Twitter as their sole preferred communication method.

The breakdown of responses for communication methods beyond email look like this:

Facebook: 4
Twitter: 3
In person at a conference: 3
In person at a book signing: 2
Blog comment: 1

My personal theory is that librarians should create a presence on social media and interact with their favorite authors. Don't hesitate! Get to know publishers and publicists. Create those connections. When it comes to an in-depth conversation that's going to require some thought and planning, email is the best way to go-- but I believe your email is more likely to get noticed if the author or publicist already has a positive connection with you due to your social media presence.

In addition to asking the question about communication preferences in my survey for authors, I asked them to elaborate on their answers, and include any other information that would be useful for librarians to know regarding the coordination of author visits. These questions were optional, but many of the respondents took time to provide very thoughtful information. Here are the authors' anonymous comments:

What to Read When You're Sick of Being Sick

Sniffle, sneeze, cough. Like everyone, I'm sick. I've been sick for over a week now, and I'm sick of being sick. There are really only two bright sides to this situation:

1. Tea. Lots and lots and lots of tea. Piping hot tea, with copious amounts of lemon and honey. Ahhh.

2. A chance to indulge in some comfort reads. Between Nyquil and general exhaustion, I'm not altogether sharp enough to concentrate on a book I haven't read yet, so I love to re-read when I'm sick. I don't always have time to re-read entire books, but even just revisiting a few happy-making chapters cheers me up.

When I'm sick, I want to read something that will transport me to a different time or place, something with characters I can root for, and something with a certain amount of sweetness that just makes me smile.

The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale / Betsy and the Great World, by Maud Hart Lovelace /
The Other Countess, by Eve Edwards / Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson /
Entwined, by Heather Dixon / The Dragonfly Pool, by Eva Ibbotson

Introducing My Kids to a Classic: Richard Scarry

I gave my four-year-old his first Richard Scarry book last weekend, and as I'm sure you can guess, he loves it. He's obsessed! There's so much to look at! I bought him What Do People Do All Day? because I remember reading when I was little. It's funny how the illustration of pigs laying bricks and the cross-section of a ship can bring back an exact snapshot of a moment from my childhood.

Scarry, Richard. What Do People Do All Day? (Abridged). 64 p. 1968. Random House. Hardcover $14.00. ISBN 9780394818238.

I love the way this book enhances our daily walks to the park-- my son is now on the lookout for manhole covers, which he understands connect to the sewers, and he can tell you all about how the builders put a water heater in a new house. I also appreciate how the vignettes explaining various job functions demonstrate how we all do our part to contribute to society. This book gives my son and me a lot to talk about-- not just about the wide variety of jobs people do, but also about how we can all help each other by working together.

And my two-year-old daughter just loves the illustration of the ballerina cat. Because mommy takes ballet! And of course I'm every bit as graceful as that dancing cat... or at least my daughter thinks so. 

My only objection to this fine tome? No examination of the inner workings of the Busytown Library. Ah, well.

What was your favorite Richard Scarry book? 

Recent Reads and Happenings

How can it possibly be December already? I've got our Christmas shopping done (all books, of course) but somehow I still find myself surprised that we're heading into the final weeks of 2012. It's been a busy year!

So what have I been up to lately? Working on the grant application to seek funding for my Eureka! Leadership Program project, reviewing books for School Library Journal, accepting taskforce/committee appointments for YALSA and my state library association, blogging for The Hub (my latest post is about gender-neutral names in YA novels).

What have I been reading? 

The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
I've read some of Stiefvater's previous works, and I liked them, but none hooked me as much as her latest book did. The Raven Boys is a most excellent blend of eclectic elements-- a family of psychics, a group of elite boarding school boys, and a quest to find a legendary Welsh king said to have been buried in the hills of Virginia. I was riveted. Stiefvater's prose is always lush and gorgeous, and the plot elements really clicked for me in this one. It may be personal preference- I'm just not that into werewolves or horses- but I think this is her best work yet.

The Fire Horse Girl, by Kay Honeyman
Historical fiction lovers, keep an eye out for this title in January 2013. Honeyman's debut novel tells the story of a headstrong girl who leaves her small village in China with hopes of a new life in San Francisco during the 1920s. I haven't seen many YA books addressing the difficulties Chinese immigrants encountered in coming through Angel Island to enter America, so this was a refreshing read. Honeyman's historical research shines on every page, and the characters are interestingly flawed and three-dimensional. Also, how gorgeous and eye-catching is that cover? I love it! (ARC for review generously provided by Scholastic via NetGalley.)



What have I been up to?

Last weekend, I went to the grand opening of the Whittwood Branch Library in the City of Whittier. The director of Whittier's library system is one of the mentors I was honored to meet at the 2012 Eureka Leadership Program, and I wanted to take part in celebrating her success.

It was fun and interesting to observe a library event as a spectator-- I'm used working these types of events as a librarian, so I really liked being able to step back and witness this community's deep appreciation for their library.

Maybe the best part of the event was seeing how many people came out on a Saturday morning- during the holiday season, when they could have been shopping, no less!- to support their new public library. Hundreds of eager library patrons lined up to enter the building, as soon as the ribbon cutting ceremony was done, they streamed into the building and immediately started using all the resources the library offered. It was truly inspiring. Congratulations, City of Whittier!

Giveaway Winners & Other Stuff

Thanks to everyone who entered the Dear Teen Me and Diviners giveaways on my blog over the past couple of weeks! The winners have been contacted. Congrats, Ashley R. and Tina Crossgrove!

I was also the lucky winner of a blog giveaway recently, and just wanted to publicly thank Rori of Rori Roars for the Ballet Beautiful Blast Series DVD! I like doing the Ballet Beautiful exercises to build up strength between actual ballet classes, so I'm really grateful to have won this prize. If any readers of my blog are also into ballet, you should check out Rori's awesome blog. (By the way: I am happily back to my ballet classes after injuring my toe a couple months ago, for anyone following along. Whew!)

What else? Obviously, I've slowed down in my blogging lately. I've been busy! Still reviewing books and apps for School Library Journal and blogging for The Hub. And in September, I was one of 32 California librarians to participate in the Eureka! Leadership Institute. After an intense week of learning, discovering, and making connections with amazing people in the library field, I am now embarking on the implementation of a year-long, grant-funded project that will benefit my library's community. I am so honored to be a part of the Eureka! Leadership Program and I know I'm going to learn so much through the experience.

In other news, I just went to an awesome author event at the beautiful Encinitas Library in San Diego county: YA in the Sun.

Twenty amazing authors were there to mingle with readers and sign books, and everyone had such a great time. We'll have coverage of this event up soon at Authors are ROCKSTARS!

Book Review and Giveaway: The Diviners, by Libba Bray

Bray, Libba. The Diviners. 592 p. 2012. Little, Brown. Hardcover $19.99. ISBN 9780316126113.

What can I say about The Diviners? It's like Libba Bray sat down and said, "Now, Allison, I know you're a big fan of my work. What would YOU like me to put in my next book?" Because I swear this book was practically tailor-made for me! Let's take a little inventory of the things I loved about this book:

• Extensively researched 1920s setting. 
• Plucky heroine with snappy dialogue. 
• Diverse cast of characters. 
• Fascinating Victorian/early 20th century spiritualism.

Yep, it's awesome! And creepy. Awesomely creepy! Creepily awesome? It may seem a little daunting at nearly 600 pages, but the intricate plot and strong pacing kept me riveted. Bray introduces a large cast of characters, and juggles their intertwining storylines with grace. This is the first volume in a four-book series, and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel.  

I was thrilled to get a chance to meet Libba earlier this year at the ALA Annual Conference and chat with her about The Diviners. She is just as awesome as you would expect!

Be sure to catch our podcast interview with Libba and her amazing editor, Alvina Ling, on Authors are ROCKSTARS!

While I was reading The Diviners, I kept thinking about Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, a small retailer that creates all-natural, hand-blended perfume oils with a "dark, romantic Gothic tone." I could see the Lab having a field day crafting the most incredibly evocative scents to compliment the eerie imagery from this book. In fact, there are already several scents in the Black Phoenix catalog that remind me of The Diviners. For example...

OUIJA 
Lush parlor rooms draped in thick velvets and gilded in gold, unearthly whispering in the distance, fleeting flashes of wraithlike figures rushing just outside your vision, the chill of a phantom presence brushing by your cheek, the inscrutable knowledge that disembodied eyes are peering at you from darkened corners-- this is the essence of Victorian-era spiritualism: rosewood, oak and teak notes with wispy blue lilac, tea rose, dried white rose and ethereal osmanthus.

OMEN
Deep, mysterious, and full of dark portents: oakmoss, juniper berry, myrrh and patchouli.

THE RAVEN
Sleek, dark, and ominous. Violet and neroli mingled with iris, white sandalwood and dark musk.

INTRIGUE
A sultry, exotic scent that inspires devious plotting and clandestine affairs. It is a scent painted in artifice, veiled in deceit, and slithering with whispered secrets. Black palm, with cocoa, fig and shadowy wooded notes.

VEIL
A quiet scent, soft, calm and enigmatic. A perfume of mystery, of whispers, and of secrets behind secrets. White sandalwood, lilac, gardenia, violet, orris, lavender and ylang ylang.

Are you convinced that Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab goes perfectly with The Diviners? Then I have a giveaway for you!

This giveaway includes the following:

• A Diviners pendant on a black cord, in a small burlap bag.
• Sample vials of Ouija, Veil, and a few other Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfumes that remind me of The Diviners. (To be honest, I have quite a collection of sample vials, so I'll throw in some random ones just for fun!) 

To enter, just comment on this post and tell me:
1. Your favorite thing about The Diviners (or what you're most looking forward to about this book, if you haven't read it yet).
2. The Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scent that tempts you the most. (Take some time, browse their catalog! They offer hundreds of scents and the descriptions are alluring. And no, I am not affiliated with this company in any way- just a big fan.)

Be sure to leave your email address with your comment so I can contact the winner. Contest is open to US residents only. Enter by November 8th for your chance to win.

Blog Tour Stop: Dear Teen Me

Anderson, E. Kristin & Keneally, Miranda (ed.). Dear Teen Me. 192 p. 2012. Zest Books. Paperback $14.99. ISBN 9781936976218.

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Dear Teen Me blog tour!

This book, based on the awesome Dear Teen Me website, hits bookstore shelves on October 30th from Zest Books. Distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Zest is one of my very favorite publishers of teen nonfiction. I know I can always count on something edgy, entertaining, and informative from them, and Dear Teen Me is no exception. It's a compelling read.

Dear Teen Me is an anthology of letters from authors of young adult fiction giving advice and insight to their teen selves. Contributors include Ellen Hopkins, Lauren Oliver, and Sara Zarr, among many other fantastic authors. Ranging from heartbreaking to hilarious, their letters share the most soul-baring, cringe-inducing, and life-altering moments they experienced during their teen years. There is an overall message of hope and affirmation in these letters-- a reminder that we all experience ups and downs in the process of growing up, and we can all come out on the other side, older and wiser.

It's the perfect book to curl up with on a contemplative evening. If you're an adult, this book will make you think about what you would want to tell your teen self, and remember what it was like to be at a such a pivotal point in your life. If you're still a teen, it will make you think about what you're trying to get through right now, and encourage you to realize that you're not alone.

Now here's the part where I take you on a nostalgic pictorial tour of my own teen years... 

But before we journey back in time to the 1990s, I should mention that if you read all the way through this post, there's a giveaway at the end! Okay, here we go--

I was a teen in San Diego during the mid-'90s, and I remember those years fondly. I was kind of a bookish geek, but given the fact that I'm a librarian now, that's no surprise, right? Middle school was hard for me. I had trouble figuring out who I was and where I fit in. But by high school, I was feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Not perfect, but pretty happy.

I had really long hair.

I reveled in wearing pleated miniskirts and Mary Jane high heels Thank you, Clueless, for that fashion aesthetic!

I did a lot of plays and musical theater, and absolutely loved performing. Every theater experience was so important to me-- from playing an extra in Our Town as a freshman to getting the lead role in Steel Magnolias during my senior year. (I can't quite explain my fashion choice in this picture from a musical revue, but I'm pretty sure vests were considered stylish at the time.)

I was a cheerleader. Mostly to earn the PE credit, and certainly not because I was an amazing dancer. I wasn't! It took me forever to learn each routine (and also, I never actually understood football). But I tried really hard, got to know a great group of girls I might never have spoken to otherwise, and had so much fun.

I had an awesome group of friends. We used to pass notes in class, use ridiculous code names to talk about cute boys, and laugh at inside jokes built up over layers of years.

If I  were writing a letter to my teen self, a la Dear Teen Me, I might include the following...

• Study harder. Seriously!
• You're not the only one feeling angsty. It's just part of being a teenager. You'll be okay.
• Do me a favor and stick with ballet instead of quitting after 6 months. 
• Please don't wear this outfit:

The dress is cute, but why the hat? Why?? Oh, 13-year-old self, bless your heart. I'm pretty sure you were exceptionally pleased with that ensemble.

Since leaving my teen years behind, I like to think I've matured and maybe even gained some wisdom along the way. But... well, confession time: I used to get in trouble with my high school librarian for spinning the giant world globe in the library. It absolutely begged to be spun! It rumbled in the most satisfying way with each spin... which was, of course, the reason I got shushed and scolded.

Last weekend, I visited my high school for its centennial celebration and had the opportunity to peek into the gorgeous, brand-new library during the festivities. What did I see? THE GLOBE.

What did I do?

Well...

Some things never change.

Do you think my high school librarian would believe I'm a librarian now?

Hey, Teen Me, you did all right.

Giveaway alert! 

Now that you've gotten a peek into my teen years, I'm sure you're eager to read the (much more insightful) letters in Dear Teen Me. Well, lucky you: Zest Books is giving away an awesome Dear Teen Me prize pack to one reader of my blog!

To win a copy of Dear Teen Me (autographed by 4 - 5 contributors, plus postcards and bookmarks!), comment on this post by Monday, November 5, and tell me about your favorite or most regrettable fashion choice of your teen years. Pictures earn a double entry. Be sure to leave your email with your comment so I can notify the winner. Contest open to US residents only.

Be sure to visit all the stops on the Dear Teen Me blog tour, and take a look at the Dear Teen Me events page to see if there's a book signing at a location near you!