There is More Than One Reason to Celebrate Jennifer Hubbard

Please join Robin and me as we celebrate and congratulate our long-time Violet, Jennifer Hubbard, as she launches her debut novel this month!

THE SECRET YEAR

Viking Juvenile

Young Adult

Published Jan 7, 2010

192 pages

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly.

Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia’s boyfriend— knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can’t mourn Julia openly, and he’s tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia’s journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he’s desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

“With this debut novel, Hubbard has crafted a fine addition to the pantheon of YA literature.”—Francisca Goldsmith, Booklist

“It's a moving portrait of grief and the sharp societal lines that divide.”—Publishers Weekly

Pictured--a premonition: Future fans of Jennifer Hubbard line the sidewalks in front of her local indie waiting for her next novel.

"When my book came out at the beginning of January, I had a week-long party on my blog where I collected comments, and donated money to my local library based on the number of comments I received. I gave away books. My cat made an appearance as a guest blogger. My three goals for the week were: celebration; giving back; fun and entertainment. I’m also having a live party at my local independent children’s bookstore."

Having visited Jennifer's blog, I can attest to the fact that she has written the book (or at least should!) on how to host a fabulous on-line launch. Take a click and check it out! She graciously thanked everyone that had been part of her journey, and then began fund-raising for her local library. She donated 50 cents per comment up to $50 max. Such a stellar idea! She also invited librarians to email her for an exclusive raffle, and gave away three copies of her book to them. She made a point to congratulate many other YA books that have launched in January, posting titles, authors and synopses of each.

This is karmic networking at its best. It also serves the purpose of gently softening the spotlight, which for folks like us, can feel a bit too warm and bright.

But, wait! There's more. When I asked Jennifer if she'd like to donate a book to one of our readers, she declined. Yup! Turned me right down. She asked if instead of giving her book, she could give one of our readers a donation of $25.00 to be sent to the Haiti relief fund of their choice. Yeah, absolutely. So, Violets and Vinnies, those of you that leave a comment today will be entered to win a directed donation to the earthquake victims. Thank you so much, Jennifer. You are an author and a gentlemanwoman. We will match your pledge to our winning reader.

"Yes, I am an introvert. But I’m not a hermit—I enjoy interacting with people, especially through the written word, whether online or on the printed page. (I blog, and I’m also on Twitter as @JennRHubbard.) Being an introvert just means that time alone recharges my battery. I’ve enjoyed the supportive atmosphere here at SVP since the blog began, and my suggestion for a paradoxical yet apt slogan is: Introverts, Unite!"

Jennifer R. Hubbard lives and writes near Philadelphia. She is a night person who believes that mornings were meant to be slept through, a chocolate lover, and a hiker. The Secret Year is her first published novel. She blogs right here. As does her cat, Scout, on occasion.

Violets, let the cyber-confetti `:~*!`:~*!`:~!`:~*!`: fly for Jennifer's first novel and for her generous, soulful contribution and presence!

Pictured: Jennifer and cat, Scout. Please note that relative size of Jennifer and Scout's heads are not to scale. I'm nearly certain of that.

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GREAT NEWS! Author and psychologist Laurie Helgoe, interviewed here a short while back, will be joining us for a few guest essays in the coming months. Laurie wrote the massively popular non-fiction book Introvert Power, which many of us have read. If you have a particular question or topic that you'd like her to talk about, please let us know!

Lastly for now, I'll leave you with a sneak preview of our upcoming interview that SVP Field Reporter Laura Salas conducted with author and coach Nancy Ancowitz. Nancy is the author of Self-Promotion for Introverts: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. We will run a two part interview with her, starting next Monday. I can't wait!

Excerpt: I've noticed that most of my public speaking clients spend most of their preparation time on content rather than delivery. However, they're already content experts. So what they really need to do more is practice how they'll speak in a strong, modulated voice, gesture effectively, and use the space. -- Nancy Ancowitz

Have a seriously sensational week, friends!

Mary

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Launching Becky Levine's New Book!

Pictured: Becky's Launch Day interpretive dance

Congratulations and many celebratory hugs to the lovely Becky Levine on her launch day!

The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide

How to Give and Receive Feedback, Self-Edit,

and Make Revisions

Writer's Digest Books

January 15, 2010

304 pages

Becky Levine is a writer and speaker, living in California’s Santa Cruz mountains. In addition to this new non-fiction title for adults, Becky also writes for children and young adults. She has completed a middle-grade mystery and is currently working her first picture book and a historical YA set in 1913 Chicago.

She is also a book reviewer, and an avid blogger and Tweeter. She is a generous and active contributor to social media conversations. I suspect she has an army of clones out there visiting sites. She never fails to make a positive comment, offer encouragement, or share a welcome bit of Becky Wisdom.

Despite all appearances (especially on social-networking sites and blogs), Becky swears she is a true introvert, needing quiet, solitary down-time (AKA curling-up-with-a-British-mystery) to recharge. In fact, as she plans the year’s signings and workshops, she is considering an extra suitcase just to carry along her collection of Agatha Christie novels. You can learn more about Becky at her website and blog, www.beckylevine.com.

My plan for launch day is still to make a plan! No, I know I'm going out to dinner with my husband and son, at a restaurant where my son can get a burger, my husband can get his own form of beef, and I can get anything I want. :) I'm trying to work up the nerve to actually saunter through a few bookstores, too, and see if they have my book on their actual shelves. And, if any of them do, I'm promising myself that, at least once, I'm going to go up to a counter and offer to sign copies. How's that for a celebration?

Becky is generously offering an autoraphed copy of The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide to one of our readers. She is happy to send a print copy, or a PDF for your Kindle. All you need to do to enter to win is to post a comment, or reply to me privately with the correct answer to this question:

Becky's pet cockatiel, Bard, can whistle the tune to which of the following:

1) Inagaddavida

2) Single Ladies

3) Theme from Woody Woodpecker

4) Flight of the Bumble Bee

5) I've Got You, Babe

Please join us in giving Becky Levine a rousing and robust launch of her brand new book into the world. ::::Today at high noon, honk your horn in her honor if you're driving :::: If you're home, call your local indie and ask if they carry Becky's book :::: Order her book on-line for a writing buddy with a birthday coming up, or donate it to your local library :::: Visualize her selling squillions upon squillions of copies ::::

Becky, much, much success to you!

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Announcements! Announcements! The winner of the Lisa Yee Special Prize Pack-- 2 of Lisa's novels, a package of marshmallow Peeps, and special hair goop just like Lisa uses is... Rebecca Knight! Congratulations. Rebecca, will you email me off line so that I can get your mailing address?

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An SVP Exclusive: The Outing of Lisa Yee

Ever heard the term gaydar? In case you haven’t, it's short for gay-radar, and it is a special knowing that GLBTQ folks have that allows them to sense or recognize a kindred spirit nearby. I can’t even begin to tell you how handy this is in the world. You’ll be happy to hear that introverts have their own special knowingness, that one can learn to use out in the world. Viodar? Shrinkdar? Maybe Introdar? Whatever it is, Robin and I were both getting a missle-sized hit of it at the SCBWI National Conference in 2008 when we happened to notice the state of famed children’s author, Lisa Yee, in between sessions.

You know the proverbial look of a deer caught in headlights? It was like that, only the headlights were from an oncoming Ford F-650 filled with eleven drunken deer hunters. Both Robin's and my ears pricked up at her high-pitched distress signal. Danger! Danger! Must. Find. Solitude. Sooooooon. We both wanted to take her into protective custody. Fortunately, Mr. Husband Man was nearby and took the matter into his hands. (Note to self re future biz idea--Special Forces Unit for Introvert Rescue.)

But Lisa Yee-- an INTROVERT? Her travel schedule is enough to make you want to dose yourself good with Dramamine—between author visits, conference and convention gigs, she is burning some serious rubber. She maintains active and outrageously popular Live Journal, My Space and Facebook accounts. About twenty minutes ago she posted the following status update at Facebook: At a conference in Santa Barbara. Forgot my hair goop. Will toothpaste work? There are 20 responses already, friends and fans eager to help.

Lisa hit the parchment running in 2004 with a Publisher's Weekly Flying Start and the coveted Sid Fleischman Humor Award for Millicent Min, Girl Genius, which I think one of the funniest opening lines ever written. I often read them when I'm teaching writing because it is such a classic example of the ever-elusive "voice" that so many struggle with.

“I have been accused of being anal retentive, an overachiever and a compulsive perfectionist, like those are bad things. My disposition probably has a lot to do with the fact that I am technically a genius. Unfortunately, this label seems to precede me wherever I go.” -- from Millicent Min, Girl Genius, Arthur A. Levine Books, 2004

Five novels and two anthologies have followed in Millicent's wake, and one gets the feeling that Lisa is just getting her game on. Her books have garnered rave reviews, strong sales, and numerous notables, hot summer reads, critic's pick, best books of the week, the year, and there seems to be no end to this meteor named Lisa Yee.

If you happen to have been in a vegetative coma since 2004 and haven't yet had the pleasure of her acquaintance, one very important piece of intel that I feel I must share concerns her yellow, long-eared muse named Peepy, who has accumulated more photo credits, travel chops, and celeb elbow-rubs than Angelina Jolie. Lisa and Peepy discuss Summer Reading here.

So without further ado-be-do, Robin and I are delighted to bring you this ::Exclusive:: Shrinking Violet Outing of Lisa Yee, Big Giant Introvert.

SVP: Lisa, on the day that this interview will be posted, there will likely be a collective, cosmic gasp as you are officially outed as an introvert. Has it been your life experience that most people just assume you are an extravert?

Lisa: Yes, it's so weird to me that people peg me as extroverted. True, I can be, and have been known to act strange and silly in public, but really, I am an introvert. That is, I love to be alone and am most comfortable that way.

People often confuse being an introvert with being shy. But those are two completely different things. I am not shy in the least. Oooh! Oooh! I just looked up my introvert affliction up and here's what Wikipedia has to say. "Introverts are less likely to seek stimulation from others because their own thoughts and imagination are stimulating enough. A common misconception is that all introverts suffer from social anxiety or shyness. Introversion does not describe social discomfort but rather social preference. "

SVP: Is Peepy an introvert or extravert?

Lisa: Extrovert. Totally.

SVP: Robin and I talk a lot at SVP about how helpful it is in marketing/promotion activities (signings & events) to have a "buddy" with you. Does Peepy serve that role for you? Does she help deflect some of the spotlight from you?

Lisa: Absolutely. Wherever I go people want to meet her. I like that because then I can hide in the background and she's the star. Like on my blog. Most of the photos are of her, not me. And it's fun for me to talk about where I've been or who I've met, but cast it via her POV. But that's what authors do, don't they? They really put their characters between themselves and their readers.

SVP: How would your husband and your BFF answer this question: "When Lisa needs to unplug and recharge, her favorite way to spend a day is..."

Lisa: . . . to be alone with a box of See's chocolates.

SVP: Your blogging/traveling/writing/family schedule seems to have you moving at warp speed. What are your biggest challenges in managing your schedule and keeping the proverbial balance?

Lisa: I don't sleep, and then three times a year I get really sick and collapse for a few days. I'm not kidding! Actually, I have very little time to myself, so when I am on the road, I like the solitude of impersonal hotel rooms, albeit with high-speed internet access.

Balance wise, the kids come first. However, I do a lot of out-of-state school visits, and one time my son was complaining bitterly about me leaving and laying on the ol’ guilt trip. So I said, “I’m on the road so we can go to Hawaii for vacation this year.” And he looked at me and said, “See you!”

SVP: Are there any marketing/promotion activities that make you so uncomfortable that you choose not to do them?

Lisa: Well, I can get all worked up before a booksigning, but I still do them. (I'm always afraid no one will show up.) The only thing I'm not doing at this very moment is Skyping but that will probably change soon. Although it's the tech part of Skype that makes me nervous.

SVP: Which promotion activities do you most enjoy?

Lisa I really enjoy blogging. It's fun to blather on and on with no constraints. The down side is that there's no proofreader, so spelling and grammar are tossed out the window.

It’s always fun to meet my blog readers in person, especially the ones who post comments. I feel like I already know them, and I guess I do.

SVP: Of all the characters that you've written, is there one that is most drawn from your own soul?

Lisa: I can't say there's just one. It's corny, but they're like my children and they're all a part of me. I do tend to worry more about my boy characters and what's going to happen to them when I'm not around. The girls, well, they're strong and I know they're going to make it.

SVP: Who inspires you?

Lisa: My kids are a great inspiration to me. I wrote the BOBBY series --BOBBY VS. GIRLS (ACCIDENTALLY), BOBBY THE BRAVE (SOMETIMES), and more to come, because when my son was in fourth grade he said, "Mom, why don't you write a book with not a lot of commotion."

Sometimes when my teenager says or does something she knows is wrong, she'll look at me and say, "Oh no, that's going in one of your books, isn't it?"

So, yes, I steal ideas from my children. But mostly, I write to appeal to them and have them in mind as I ask myself, “Will Teen like this?” Or, “What will Son think about that?”

SVP: I wanted to touch on public speaking a bit, as it is something that comes up with our readers time and time again. There is a lot of fear about it this. I've seen you address a hotel ballroom full of people and I've seen you in a much smaller, intimate venue. In both, there is such a open and unguarded quality to what you share. Do you find one setting more challenging than the other? And, do you find it easier to speak to kids or adults?

Lisa: Although things like cocktail parties terrify me, I have absolutely no fear about public speaking. I guess because I am in a role as an “author” and I know what’s expected of me. I actually like speaking to large crowds because I can feed of the response and energy in the room.

Both kids and adults are fun to talk to, although with kids I know that if I say the word “fart” I’ll get a laugh. That’s only sometimes true with adults.

SVP: Would you rather be stranded on a desert island with a introvert or extravert?

Lisa: Introvert.

Ah-h-h, a woman after our own heart... Thank you, Lisa, for all that you've shared here! In honor of Lisa's Big Outing, we are in quite the festive moods. Taking a lesson from our own newly launched Irene Latham, we're going to put together a Lisa Yee Prize Package for our winner here today. Should you be the lucky Violet, you will win your pick of two Lisa Yee novels, one set of your very own marshmallow peeps, some special authentic "hair goop" like she uses (and sometimes forgets to take to conferences), and whatever else I feel like putting in your package! All you need to do to enter to win is to tell us one unique fact about Lisa Yee that is not already listed here. On your mark, get set, GO-O-O!

Have a joyous week, friends!

Mary

Launching Leaving Gee's Bend-A Debut Novel!

Congratulations to IRENE LATHAM, launching her debut middle grade novel today!

LEAVING GEE'S BEND

G.P. Putnam's Son

January 7, 2010

230 pages

Ten year old Ludelphia Bennett has only known log cabins, orange dirt and cotton fields of her small sharecropping community. But when Mama gets deathly ill, Ludelphia does something quite drastic-- she leaves Gee's Bend for the very first time. Mama needs medicine badly, medicine that can only be found in Camden, over forty miles away. It's a dangerous journey, but Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make Mama proud, including documenting her journey-- her story--in a new quilt for Mama as she goes along. In the end, Ludelphia's courageous adventure saves the day for Mama and all of Gee's Bend.

Take a look at Irene's marvelous book trailer. I love the way she uses contemporary girls to share their mother's best advice to them. Great concept, Irene!

Irene says she will celebrate her debut, quietly, with family and a local quilting group, where she will honor her seamstress mom and talk about how this novel, at its heart is a love poem to her mother. Her "official" book launch party will be January 10 at North Shelby Library (Birmingham, Alabama), where she'll happily, in true introvert style, divert the spotlight by including the actual quilters of Gee's Bend (and a quilt!), without whom there would be no LEAVING GEE'S BEND.

Irene would love to raffle off a signed copy of Leaving Gee's Bend here at Shrinking Violets! And, for a second chance to win, hop on over to her blog, you can win a special Gee's Bend ::prize pack:: that includes a signed book, quilt postcards, a quilted potholder and a original Ludelphia sewing kit. I love this a lot. Deadline to enter is January 10th, so don't tarry. I'm headed there shortly!

Irene Latham is a poet and novelist who writes heart-touching tales of unexpected adventure. She also wrangles three boys, has a charm quilt in the works, and is currently planning a summer trip to the five National Parks in southern Utah. Her favorite characters in books and real life are those who go their own way. You can visit her at her website, her blog and even on Twitter!

A slightly younger Irene encouraging us all to live a life worth writing about!

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Congrats, to Cate for being the winner of a signed copy of Lisa Schroeder's Chasing Brooklyn that launched just this week. Cate, if you send me an email by by clicking here, we'll get that out to you!

Tick-tock! Tick-tock! Just five more days until our exclusive interview with an introvert that is coming out of the Violet Closet! Don't miss it...

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Happy Launching to Lisa Schroeder

Congratulations to LISA SCHROEDER launching her new YA novel this week!

Chasing Brooklyn

Simon Pulse

January 5, 2010

432 pages

Lisa says she will be celebrating her release day on Tuesday by doing a reading and signing at the Clackamas Barnes & Noble in Clackamas, Oregon, wishing and hoping that the weather cooperates. If you're in the Portland area, she hopes that you will come by! All the details can be found by clicking right here.

And if you'd like to see what a completely compelling book trailer looks like, take a look. Lisa's Book Trailer.

Lisa is also celebrating her release month by hosting a special event on her blog all month long called Dream Big 2010. Twenty-five other amazing authors have written blog posts around the topic of Dream Big! If you're looking for inspiration during the month of January, you'll surely find some here at Lisa's Dream Big 2010.

Lisa Schroeder is a native Oregonian, which means her childhood summers were spent camping, fishing, reading books (of course!), and playing in the sun, when it finally came out. These days, Lisa spends her summers, and every other part of the year, sharing all the wonderful things Oregon has to offer with her husband and two sons. She is the author of two other verse novels for young adults published by Simon Pulse - I Heart You, You Haunt Me, and Far From You. Her middle grade debut, It's Raining Cupcakes, will be published by Aladdin in March, 2010.

Robin and I think one of you deserve an autographed copy of Lisa's book. Well, we think you all do, and if either one of us sell an movie option to Disney this week, we may just do that! :-] In the meantime, throw some confetti Lisa's way today via our comment section, and you'll be entered to win. Best of luck to you!

Lisa, have a terrific launching. Happy congrats from the entire Shrinking Violet tribe. Wishing you and your novel great success!

Pictured: Lisa and her beach dancing partner, Stormy.

Heads up, friends! We have not one, but TWO Violets launching books this week. While we usually post only on Mondays now, in honor of our second launcher, we're hosting a Thursday ::Special Edition:: post. Come on back.

And, you do not want to miss our Monday, January 11th post! As part of our feature Coolest Introverts in Children's Lit, we will be interviewing-- you're never gonna guess-- seriously-- no way! Yup, we are. This Monday. S/He is an introvert! Swear. And the Shrinking Violets are the first to know-- it's like an EXCLUSIVE. Wow.

Sarah Vowell, Violet Superhero

There are at least eight excellent reasons that I think you should take the nine minutes it will take to watch this video of Sarah Vowell, who is the voice for the superhero Violet from The Incredibles.

1. Sarah Vowell is a big introvert. And a New York Times bestselling author like each of us will be. Soon.

2. Sarah Vowell is so cool you won't hardly be able to stand it.

3. Sarah Vowell is extremely funny.

4. Sarah Vowell says things like "... I'm better with dead people."

5. Like Nancy Pearl, she has her own Action Figure-- two actually, and one of them is INVISIBLE.

6. Sarah Vowell makes Abraham Lincoln seem kinda, well, you know, hot.

7. Sarah Vowell does interviews on shows like Jon Stewart and brings down the house. Simply by being herself. What a concept!

8. Could there be a better name for a superhero than Violet?

What do you think, friends? Does she make the cut for our Shrinking Violet Hall of Fame?

Originally posted February 2008--updated December 2009

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Just a quick hellloooo from my temporary digs in Texas-- hope you all have survived the holiday celebrations thus far! If any of you haven't, please report in! Your Violets stand by steadfast--ready, willing, able to offer some emotional and spiritual CPR.

Onward to 2010! I resolve to be as thoroughly me as Sarah Vowell is thoroughly her-- with all her marvelous eccentricities. Can you imagine the loss to the world if she tried to vanilla out?

Lord, I shudder at the thought. Any resolutions you'd like to share?

Pax,

Mary Hershey

Holiday Survival Guide For Introverts

1. Find a quiet spot in your day, even if it is just for five minutes, and allow yourselves to just be…still, calm, centered. At least for five minutes. A true gift to yourself.

2. Tell everyone you’re going Christmas shopping, but instead indulge in an hour alone with a warm, soothing drink as your only company. No, it's not being selfish; you will have more energy and heart to deal with all your holiday demands if you take care of yourself! Trust us on this.

3. Give yourself some time this holiday—even just fifteen minutes—to do some writing or dream or make big plans for the coming year.

4. If your time is too frazzled to actually make progress on your manuscript, consider personal journaling or maybe even character journaling. Journaling your character's thoughts and feelings can be a great way to stay connected to your WIP without having to actually produce pages. In fact, one of my favorite writing exercises one year was this: Choose a character you’re currently working on and write his or her Christmas wish list.

5. Don’t forget ear plugs. They can be a lifesaver. Especially when the TV is blaring, the kids are playing too loudly, or the snow-blower is going down the street.

6. Don’t forget to plot—plot for a few hours solitude, plot for a quick escape, plot to get everyone to leave early. . .

7. Naps! Either a long luxurious two hour nap where you sleep hard enough to get bed head, or quick refreshing pick-me-up of a 20 minute cat nap, allow yourself a luxury of a nap. Special Perk: Writer + nap = work. (Or at least, that’s what I’ve managed to convince my family.)

8. A plea on behalf of all the introverted children out there in the world—for introverted children, having to get up in Santa’s lap and TALK to this perfect stranger, usually IN FRONT OF other perfect strangers can be the 6 year old equivalent of public speaking.

9. Fill your holiday well by doing the things that make your holiday feel complete and yours. Remember, this is not self-indulgence, it’s self-preservation. It’s also a way to honor the spirit of the holidays in a way that has personal significance for you. Better yet if it is something that no one else really cares for: a local production of The Nutcracker, Watching Love Actually (my favorite Christmas movie EVER), a certain collection of holiday music that makes everyone else groan when you put it on.

10. Don’t forget to recharge your batteries—and no, we don’t mean Duracell or Eveready! We really can’t state this one strongly enough. It’s something introverts have to be vigilant about during the best of time, but during the holidays, it is critical! Take the time to recharge your battery! Do not risk depleting your reserves! (Yes, that’s an order. Or maybe just a sternly worded warning: Whichever makes you most inclined to follow it.)

11. Enjoy the dead zone between Christmas and New Years, when life kind of stops—or at least slows down. It’s a fallow, fertile time when we’ve just capped the year with a celebration and have yet to start the new year with all its resolutions, plans, and intentions. It’s a time for dreaming, reflecting, of reviewing and savoring. If you haven’t had a chance to refill your well or recharge your batteries, grab some time now, while everyone is in this lulled state.

Wishing everyone a fabulous end to 2009!

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And our winner from last weeks additions to the Introvert's Wish List is . . .

Feywriter! For her brilliant idea of NO carpooling!

"10: No carpooling to the family event. Allow us to follow in our own car even though others have plenty of space in the suburban. We happen to like the familiarity of our own vehicle, and the lack of conversation."

Spoken like a true introvert! Feywriter, email Miss Mary and she'll see about getting that prize out to you!