Wow, I’ve got all kinds of news to report today, and just about all of it is good! Woot!
First off, we’re back from vacation, though I’m still in the process of answering emails! I came back to over a 1000 messages, so please do be patient if you don’t hear back from me right away! We had a good time even though Florida was having an unusual cold spell while we were there. Still, it was warmer than here at home! Max learned to wave hello and goodbye while we were gone too! I’m so proud of him!
Next up — some really great news! Sucks to Be Me was chosen as one of the ALA’s 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers! Yay! I knew it was nominated before, but now it’s official! I’m on the list! Isn’t that awesome!!!
And kinda going along with that…I just found out that the winner of the ALA Best 2008 Teen Read Week Event was a library in San Antonio, Texas. And guess what? I’m the prize! Isn’t that something?? So I’ll be off to San Antonio sometime in March (which, incidentally, will also be Max’s 1st birthday!)! If you live in Texas, I hope you’ll be able to come by! I’ll post more details as I get them. I’m not sure of the exact dates yet or what I’m supposed to be talking about or anything yet!
In news of the strange, someone posted a review of STBM on Amazon this week saying my book was full of bad language and sex! I don’t know what they are talking about! I can’t help but wonder if they posted a review for someone else’s book under my book, since there’s no sex in the book at all (though Mina does get in a little kissing at the end…) and there are hardly any “bad words” at all. For those of you who have read the book — did you think the language was on the “bad” side?? I’m curious. And did you think she was preoccupied with sex??
In completely non-related to writing news, my younger sister is coming to visit this week from Charlotte, NC. Hope she’s ready for some snow!! 
I think that review on Amazon was totally wrong about your book having bad words and sex in it. I read the review and I was like what is she saying? I think she must have got Mina’s search for love confused. She wanted to find love with a nice and hot guy and if you think about it what girl doesn’t. You never mention Mina wanting sex in the book, I just think she misunderstood. Congratulations on being on the ALA’s 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers. To bad I don’t live in Texas, but have fun and Happy Early Birthday Max!
Thanks, that makes me feel better! I don’t know what that lady was talking about!
no, your book was great and totally appropriate!
The only part mentioned of sex is when her mom says, “When youre a vampire you’ll have more muscles and sex will be good” but that’s it. You tell that Mina isn’t very happy to have “the talk” and maybe mentions something about sex, but nothing more than that small part. There is no sex in it. As for bad languge…was there any? I would’ve given this book to a 12-year-old or something. It doesn’t have any of that stuff. No sex. No bad languge. They must be mistaken. Jeez, people. Can’t wait for the sequel!
I’m picky when it comes to language and sex in books, and there was nothing in your book that caused me a moment of concern. I was rather hurt by the portrayal of the school librarian, however. I apologize on behalf of my kind for whatever school librarian was mean to you in your youth. Really, most of us are nice, nonjudgemental, and very helpful!
Hi Ms. Yingling. Oh goodness, I love librarians! I didn’t think she was that bad; she just wanted quiet. And she was ready with a willing ear if Mina wanted to talk when she thought Mina was “in the family way” without being judgemental.