- Just a reminder, I'm in Asheville at Malaprop's tonight at 7 p.m. with Megan Shepherd (The Madman's Daughter), Meagan Spooner (Shadowlark), April Tucholke (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea). I'm sure the store would be glad to get you a signed book, even if you can't make it. Annnd now for all those many hangovers I promised you.
- Anne Ursu speaking eloquently about middle grade and getting heavy.
- Laurie Anderson on her relationship with Lou Reed in Rolling Stone. See also: Patti Smith in the New Yorker.
- Another wonderful column from the divine Lauren Cerand.
- The Atlantic talks to several YA authors about how they approach their work.
- Also at The Atlantic, Robin Wasserman talks about the impact of Stephen King's work on her.
- Mette Harrison with some typically smart observations about writing and publishing.
- Why Are Thousands Of People Dreaming About This Man?
- Two of my favoritest people in the world, Kelly Link and Meghan McCarron, talking about the Vampire Diaries and narrative.
- Eliot Schrefer's fabulous New York Times piece about writing for kids and teens, in case you missed it: "When I turned in my first officially young adult novel, my editor didn’t cut for content. He didn’t strike a single moment of sexual desire or brooding or bad language. What he did was set a pretension barometer twice as strict as adult fiction’s and started deleting every time the arrow ticked over."
- Justine Larbalestier talks about romance and YA, including many smart thoughts from some of my favorite adult romance authors.
- Why I have to get back to yoga.
- Maud Newton's introduction to her conversation with Donna Tartt.
- The most important YA posts you'll read this week: Kelly Jensen at Stacked on gender and the New York Times' bestseller list: part one and part two.
- Bejeweled skeletons.
- And, last but never least, Genevieve Valentine reveals the madcap awesomeness of this year's Miss Universe national costume competition. My kingdom for them to put this back in the televised program.