I'm almost in sight of being caught up–except for finishing the new novel revision, but working on it. Unbelievable! Or, rather, in honor of The Princess Bride movie's recent anniversary: Inconceivable! So…if I owe you a response or a guest post or something like that it should show up in the next few days.
There are many links today, so let's get to it:
- There's a New Voice interview with me up at Cynthia Leitich Smith's, which is a dream come true all its own since I've been following Cyn's blog devotedly for years. It's also quite possibly the most confessional interview I've done and I talk candidly about my publishing journey and its detours (by way of saying, a little nervous about this one, but you are all kind sorts, right?). Also, there's a deluxe giveaway featuring a signed copy of the book, a handmade duct tape rose pen, bookmarks and the LAST Blackwood T-shirt.
- Emilie's Book World Blackwood review: "Gwenda Bond's Blackwood was a fantastic debut both from the author and new publisher, Strange Chemisty. It was exactly the kind of book I hoped it would be and it made me turn page after page." (*beams*)
- I loved this video about how David Bowie twirls those crystal balls so effortlessly in Labyrinth.
- TV maven Kate Linnea Welsh's "Why I Love Fringe." Oh, the new ep of this (alas) final season was SO good. Even at its bleakest, this is a show with love and hope in its heart. And willing to take risks.
- Interesting stuff about time travel in this article about Looper.
- Great interview with Libba Bray. Snippet: "I just read this great quote by Junot Diaz. He was talking about true intimacy, and he was saying that it was the willingness to be vulnerable and to be found out. I loved that phrase, that you were willing to be found out. That’s what I felt that YA did."
- Kimberly Hirsh will be posting about all lit dark and wondrous at Quaint and Curious. Add it to your reader/blogroll/etc.
- Congratulations to Betsy Bird and all the other organizers of KidLitCon this past weekend. It sounds as if it went swimmingly–and I enjoyed following along on twitter (next year must go back!) and am very much looking forward to the posts that follow this week.
- Speaking of conferences, my editor Amanda Rutter is exploring the possibility of throwing a YA-specific conference in the UK. If you have thoughts, stash them here.
- Baby pudu.
- It's October 1, which means that Cybils nominations are OPEN! There are a few rules changes this year. Go here for all the skinny.
- Last, but not least: October 1 also means that the Ballou Sr. High Book Fair is IN PROGRESS. You can read all about it at Guys Lit Wire. This is truly a labor of love and great organization by the wonderful Colleen Mondor and I urge you to go check out the post and see the evidence of what the previous fairs have done for this school-in-need. Then go scope out the Powell's list and get donating.