L'Estate Offuscó : Shadowed Summer in Italy!

I'm so excited to announce my very first foreign rights deal, I can't even believe it!

Italian rights to Saundra Mitchell's Edgar nominated SHADOWED SUMMER, to Giunti, by Daniela Micura on behalf of Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger.

And now you know exactly as much as I do! When I know more, I'll be sure to share!

Free Fiction: Ascension Homecoming

Shadowed Summer is coming in paperback in June, and to celebrate that, I'm sharing a short story set in Ondine for free. Originally written for Jeri Smith-Ready's Blogtoberfest, ASCENSION HOMECOMING is a vignette set in the autumn after Shadowed Summer takes place. I hope you enjoy it!

New Cover for Shadowed Summer

Shadowed Summer gets a fresh new cover in paperback, coming June 8, 2010. Come check out the new art!

Guest Post and Giveaway with Sarah MacLean

My dear friend Sarah MacLean has a new book coming out next Tuesday, 9 RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE. It's funny, sexy, smart Regency romance- if you liked Sarah's YA regency The Season, you're going to trip out over 9 Rules.

And it's my pleasure to be visiting her blog today with Iris and her 9 rules for getting by in Ondine. Sarah's also giving away a copy of Shadowed Summer, so please do stop by and celebrate the release of her new book!

Guest Post and Giveaway with Julia Karr

To celebrate Julia's great blog re-opening, I've written a guest blog about keeping the magic and mystery in writing- and she's giving away a copy of SHADOWED SUMMER. (Even though you see my gorgeous new paperback cover there, the copy you win will be a hardback copy with the hardback cover.) Come check it out!

Interview with Red House Books

WillowRaven at Red House Books interviewed me (her first interview, and I really enjoyed it!!) for her blog today. Find out what scares me unreasonably, what Elijah Landry and Jack Rhame got up to when they were teens, how quickly I wrote THE VESPERTINE, and what books I can't wait to read. Check it out!

Guest Post and Giveaway with the Mundie Moms

To celebrate the Mundie Mom's birthday, I'm talking about worldbuilding- and giving away a bundle of SHADOWED SUMMER, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan, and BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The contest will be open for two weeks- anyone may enter (open internationally!) Please do stop by!

Shadowed Summer a 2010 Edgar® Nominee!

I'm stunned and delighted and stunned some more to announce that Shadowed Summer has been nominated for a 2010 Edgar® Award in the Young Adult category.

I'm humbled to be nominated alongside one of my favorite authors, Caroline B. Cooney, bestseller Peter Abrahams, agency-mate John. C. Ford, and Dene Low, whose book I just ordered from my local indie so I can read it right away!

Many thanks to the Mystery Writers Association, and absolute best of luck to my fellow nominees. This is so exciting, I can hardly stand it!

Chat with the Mundie Moms

Next Tuesday, January 19th, 2010, I'm going to be chatting about Shadowed Summer with the fabulous Mundie Moms. We're scheduled for 9PM EST, and the room will be available on the Mundie Moms' site the day of chat! I know American Idol will be on, but I hope to see you there!

Worldbuilders Lottery

Patrick Rothfuss, author of THE NAME OF THE WIND, is holding his second annual prize lottery for Heifer International, and I'm pleased to say a signed copy of Shadowed Summer is one of the prizes.

There are hundreds of books, CDs, DVDs, and schwag from Neil Gaiman, Katherine Kerr, Lauren Bjorkman, the folks at Subterranean Press, DAW Books and Joss Whedon. That's a lot of neat stuff, and Patrick is matching 50% of your donation! Find out more here, and get your ticket today!

Cynsations: New Voices

It's a pleasure to be part of Cynthia Leitich Smith's debut author series, NEW VOICES, today! Find out where Shadowed Summer came from, what books I loved growing up, and how I approach marketing for my own novels! It's all right here.

Mt. Kisco Public Library Podcast

I'm so excited to finally share the giggletastic podcast I did with Maria and Deirdre at Mt. Kisco Public Library. I had so much fun talking with them about Shadowed Summer, library ghosts, library newts, Byron and Black Eyed Peas songs. No, really! Come check it out!

Holidaze with the Debs

What happens when The Debs go on tour together? We have a really fantastic time talking about books and sharing them with you! Check it out!

Shadowed Summer a Cybils Nominee

I'm pleased to announce that SHADOWED SUMMER has been nominated for a Cybil in the MG/YA Fantasy-Science Fiction category. It was recently reviewed by one of the panelists, who says "...(Shadowed Summer) shows how far the world of junior supernatural gothics has come--or maybe just that this one is a standout."

Shadowed Summer Among Atlanta Parent Magazine's Top 50

Calling SHADOWED SUMMER a "page-turning mystery," Atlanta Parent Magazine has included it in their Top 50 Must-Read Books. I partially modeled fictional Ondine on Ila, Georgia, so it's an especial pleasure to be included in this list!

Shadowed Summer in the 2009 Guide Book to Gift Books

I'm so pleased to announce that SHADOWED SUMMER is included in The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books GUIDE BOOK TO GIFT BOOKS 2009.

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE FINER GIFTS THAN BOOKS- they offer enjoyment, knowledge, and artistic stimulation. They're also gifts that go on giving without requiring any upkeep or cleanup, they're a cinch to wrap, and they're easily sent through the mail! All of these titles have been reviewed in the Bulletin, so they've been recommended by professionals.

You'll find SHADOWED SUMMER in Books for Middle Readers (Gr. 4-6, 9-11 yrs)!

Guest Blog: Haunting You Internationally

The hauntings go on and on in October, and today in Books Obsession, I'm guest blogging about ghosts around the world!

Haunted Interview with YA Edge

YA Edge took a few to chat with me about Shadowed Summer- what does Ila, Georgia have to do with Ondine, LA? Find out!

Guest Blog: Everybody's Ghost Stories

Book Nerds let me have the floor recently to talk about ghostly urban legends- my favorite kind! All of these stories are true! (Or are they?)

In School Library Journal: Scare Tactics

I'm so pleased to announce that Scare Tactics, an article I wrote about ghosts in teen and tween fiction, appears this month in School Library Journal. It's truly an honor to be part of SLJ!

Exclusive Shadowed Summer Short Story

It's my absolute honor to be part of Jeri Smith-Ready's Blogtoberfest. She's the author of Eyes of Crow, Aspect of Crow, The Reawakened, Bad to the Bone, Wicked Game, and the forthcoming Shade, and this month marks her fifth year of blogging!

To celebrate her anniversary and the season, I've written a short story that takes place after Shadowed Summer, called Ascension Homecoming. You can read it exclusively at Jeri's site- and you could win a signed copy of Shadowed Summer if you stop by, as well! Hope to see you there!

Guest Blog: We Are Soul Machine

I'm guest blogging today at From The Heart, about the philosophical heart behind paranormal fiction. What do zombies and fairies really mean? Find out what I think here!

Campaign for the American Writer

Recently, the Campaign for the American Reader asked me what I was reading- it has music, it has awesome, what is it? Find out here!

Tête-à-Tête with Between the Lines

Prodhi interviewed me for Between the Lines, and what a fun interview it was. Judge for yourself if my latest novel idea is cracked or inspired, and find out which author I'd like to have a cage-match with. Check it out!

Interview with Writer Musings

I was interviewed by Tabitha at Writer Musings! Find out how often I write, and for the first time, I confess what my next project is! Check it out!

Southern Writers Tour with Kami Garcia

I'm totally honored to be part of Kami Garcia's Southern Writers Tour. Not only did we get to talk about why the south makes such a great setting for fiction, but she actually got me to give up my fried chicken recipe. Check it out!

Interview with Dissecting Perfection

Mya from Dissecting Perfection had me in for her first author interview, which runs from the deeply silly (llamas spitting out their souls before they die) to the deeply navel gazey (the true nature of ghosts and being and stuff.) It was so much fun, and she was kind enough to keep my fangirl squeeing off the record. That's what I call a great interviewer! Check it out!

Digital Shadows Vlog Continues!

What started as a small video project for Shadowed Summer has turned into a regular feature! I'm vlogging all kinds of things, but right now, a series on How to Write a Novel. I just posted the third installment today, but you can catch up on all the installments (and other random videos!) at my YouTube channel! I hope to see you there!

Live and Uncensored with Kittenface Berk!

Josh "Kittenface" Berk, author of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, just interviewed me, and we had so much fun. And I'm not saying that because he's holding a blaster under the table like Han Solo! Come check it out- and please, help me...

Shadowed Summer in GRAND Magazine!

I'm excited to be the Kids' Book Author of the Week at GRAND Magazine! Because HEY- young adults are NOT the only people buying YA novels!

Shadowed Summer in The Horn Book Guide!

Shadowed Summer has been included in the Fall 2009 Horn Book Guide, I'm so excited. They say, "A Southern gothic sensibility adds a chill to this sweltering Louisiana mystery." Bwee, shivery!

Manuscript & Query Critique for Auction

We're raising money to buy BOOKS for the students at Oklahoma City's Tulakes Elementary school. How are we doing that? By holding an awesome auction while celebrating Cynthea Liu's debut of PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE. Come bid on a 5 page manuscript or screenplay critique or a query letter critique from me- and help Tulakes students get the books they deserve!

The Weekly Reader with Rachael Hanel

I did my first radio interview as a published author, with the lovely Rachael Hanel from The Weekly Reader! You can listen in June 4th, 2009 (today!) on KMSU at 11.30 eastern/10.30 central - on their website! And! I'm so excited, because I'm sharing the hour with sister deb Cynthea Liu!!

Kind Words for Shadowed Summer!

I'm extraordinarily honored to announce that Annette Curtis Klause, author of The Silver Kiss and Blood & Chocolate, has offered this endorsement of Shadowed Summer:

"A subtle and enthralling tale of innocent obsession that almost made me miss my Metro stop!"

As a longtime fan of Ms. Curtis Klause's work, I'm totally breathless right now!

Chicago Tribune Printer's Row Lit Festival

I will be participating in a panel discussion about YA fiction at the Printer's Row Lit Festival! The panel includes Jacquelyn Mitchard, James Kennedy, and Sally Nemeth, moderated by Amy Alessio.

You can check it out at the University Center/River Room on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at University Center, 525 S. State Street, Chicago, IL. Check out their website for more information about the festival!

Shadowed Summer an ALAN Pick for May!

How exciting- Shadowed Summer is one of ALAN's Picks for May! There are a lot of other fantastic books on the list, including sister Deb Cindy Pon's Silver Phoenix, so I'm in honored company! Check it out!

SECOND PRINTING FOR SHADOWED SUMMER!

I just got word that Shadowed Summer is going into its SECOND PRINTING! Many thanks to everyone for their enthusiasm and support; it means so much to me and my little southern gothic ghost story!!

GLBT Month at Book Chic!

I'm so pleased to be a part of GLBT Month with Book Chic! There have been lots of great guest blogs already, and more to come. I'd like to share mine today, The Last Time We Ask Why. Thanks for having me, Book Chic, and thanks for a great project!

Spotlight On At Shalonda's Blog

I'm honored to be in the spotlight on Shalonda's Blog today. Find out how a Ouija board can be like a frisbee, what my dinner every night in hell would be, and whom I admire most, living or dead (aside from Shalonda, of course!) It's such a pleasure to be included! Thanks Shalonda!!

My Pub Story!

I'm excited to be this week's Pub Story at Reviewer X's place. You want to know how I got to this point? Quitting. No seriously. Read the Pub Story and find out more!

Kind Words for Shadowed Summer!

I'm extraordinarily honored to announce that New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce has offered this endorsement of Shadowed Summer:

"Tight, tense, and real- it gripped me long after I finished it! This is the best ghost story I've read in ages!"

As a longtime fan of Ms. Pierce's work, I'm simply over the moon right now!

Huge Digital Excerpt of Shadowed Summer!

Oh, this excites me so much! Random House has created a widget to let you read BIG excerpts of their novels online! That means now, you can read a tiny sample of Chapter One right here or you can read all of Chapter One and part of Chapter Two, in full-sized digital clarity, for free! I'm so stoked! Check it out!!

Lies & Stuff Mailing List

To the many doodads and thingums on my websites, I added a mailing list this week! Be the first to find out the news, sports and weather... er, any news about me, my books or my films, and maybe even get exclusive freebie stuff in the future. Like ARCs. And bookmarks. And pictures of monkeys. Yay, mailing list!

Shadowed Summer Nominated at YA Reads!

Shadowed Summer is in the running for Best Book, Best Debut and Best Author of February 2009 at YAReads!

And while I suspect I will get smashed by the super fantastico authors who are nominated along with me (Hi Erin! Hi Cynthia!), you can win a copy of Shadowed Summer just for voting.

You can also win copies of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (which I want so hardcore, it's not even funny,) The Fetch, Wherever Nina Lies, Fade and The September Sisters! Check it out!

Shadowed Summer Signing!

Please join me on Saturday, March 28th, for a signing of Shadowed Summer at Bookmamas! I'll be there from 1:30pm to 3:30pm- with books, treats, and a chance for you to win an Extremely Haunted Gift Bag!

Shadowed Summer in School Library Journal!

I'm so pleased to be reviewed in April's issue of School Library Journal. They say, "Mitchell packs a lot into this novel; on the periphery of the story are hints... that give complexity to the secondary characters living in this small town. Suggest this one to readers who like a supernatural twist to their coming-of-age stories." Suspicious of the ellipsis? Read the whole review here, but be warned- it's spoilery!

See You at Flycon!

I am pleased to announce my participation in Flycon2009! Flycon is an online convention with activities during the peak hours of every time zone. It begins midnight, Friday 13th in March 2009, in Australia and roll with the sun. I will be part of the following events:

Crossing over from fan fiction to pro writing
Friday, March 13, 3 p.m. EST
Other panelists: Karen Miller, positive pat, R.J. Anderson


Author chat: Debut 2009 SF/Fantasy novelists session
Saturday, March 14th, 9 a.m. EST
Other panelists: Lisa Mantchev, R.J. Anderson, Deva Fagan, Megan Crewe

Please drop by- I think it's going to be a conaliciously good time!

Interview with Want My YA

I'm so excited; I'm the inaugural interview on Want My YA's new Monday feature! In this interview, I talk about hearing voices, my collection of collections, and I ask readers the most important bedrock character of our time. Find out and weigh in!

Shadowed Summer in Hellnotes

My very first review from a horror-oriented magazine, Hellnotes' Sheila Merrit had nothing but good things to say about Shadowed Summer. My favorite quote? "This spectral story is insightful and eloquent; the ache of youth is remarkably rendered," she says, and I'm so honored!

Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith

I'm not sure how this happened, but somehow, I've been interviewed by bestselling all-around YA rockstar, Cynthia Leitich Smith. (Her latest, Eternal, debuted the same day as Shadowed Summer, and it is nom- check out the hot trailer!)

Most of the time, I'm a little punchy when I do interviews, but this one's a little more serious. Find out the whole reason Shadowed Summer came to be, and which current debut author I think has the jump on me- right here on Cynsations.

Interview with MOVParent.com

Stealing the spotlight back from Iris, I recently did an interview with MOVParent.Com! I take a stab at why people want to believe in the supernatural- and whether I believe- and find out which character makes me feel vulnerable!

Iris Rhame on Inside the Characters' Studio

Iris from Shadowed Summer has her very own first interview with the inimitable Sarah "The Season" MacLean. And it's an odd little detail, but Iris' answer to the heaven question makes me tear up. Probably because I'm crazy. But hey, it's some trivia! Iris Rhame on Inside the Characters' Studio!

Shadowed Summer Signing!

Come join me on Saturday, February 21, for a signing of Shadowed Summer at Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe! I'll be there from 1:00pm to 3:00pm- and while you're there, enter to win an Extremely Haunted Gift Bag! Watch a digital invitation or get the deets right here:

Author Tales with The Story Siren

It's an absolute pleasure to be part of The Story Siren's Author Tales today! Not only can you find out how a ghost led to my spending the night in a booth at Waffle House, and what it was like to be a phone psychic, The Story Siren is giving away a copy of Shadowed Summer to readers who comment! Check it out!

Fresh New Voices of YA with Book Chic

I'm so honored that Book Chic selected me as one of his two Fresh New Voices of YA for February (along with September Sisters author Jillian Cantor!) Today is the interview portion of the pageant... I mean, today I answer a few questions- among other things, find out what thinking about slapping a friend unexpectedly in the face has to do with Shadowed Summer!

Interview with Sarah Rees Brennan

"Roadkill Zombies", ninjas, and what I'm reading this week that isn't comic books- find out what the heck I'm talking about. The wickedly funny Sarah Rees Brennan interviews me for Fangs, Fur, Fey, and she should realize with her novel, The Demon's Lexicon, coming out this summer that turnabout is, in fact, fair play.

Shadowed Summer Begins!

Today's the day- Shadowed Summer is finally here! Booklist says it's "Highly atmospheric, with pulse-pounding suspense and an elegiac ending" and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's books calls it an "atmospheric reaffirmation of the power of a good haunting."

For a limited time, if you take a picture of yourself with your copy of Shadowed Summer and send it to me at pix AT shadowedsummer DOT com, I will mail you a personalized, signed clear bookplate to put in your copy. (One per person, please, and be aware- I plan to post your pix on a Googlemap!) Thanks so much for celebrating my debut with me! Summer begins-- TODAY!

Shadowed Summer on Kindle

Got one of the new Kindles? Have one of the old ones? I'm excited to announce that Shadowed Summer is available for instant download to your Kindle- and if you buy it now, you can save six dollars off the cover price. Digital Shadowed Summer- get yours today!

Shadowed Summer at Juvenil Romántica

I'm extremely honored to be featured at Juvenil Romántica today as their Excerpt of the Week. Darklia, their Chief of Translation, put an amazing amount of effort into translating the opening pages of Shadowed Summer into Spanish, and she did a beautiful job. Many thanks to Darklia and Cirial, and everyone at Juvenil Romántica; it's an absolute pleasure to be included!

Shadowed Summer in Booklist

Booklist has reviewed Shadowed Summer for the 2/15/09 issue, and they had such amazing things, it's hard to pick just one- but I'll go with "Highly atmospheric, with pulse-pounding suspense and an elegiac ending." What an honor!!

Shadowed Summer in The Bulletin

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books has reviewed Shadowed Summer for the 2/09 issue, and I am so pleased to say they awarded it a Recommended rating! "Good ghost stories are, like ghosts, a little thin on the ground in these times, and readers will be pleased to find this atmospheric reaffirmation of the power of a good haunting."

Poisoned Rationality Special Edition!

It was a special treat to be interviewed by Lexie from Poisoned Rationality this week. She asked some of my favorite questions so far, including why Iris, Ben and Collette were uniquely suited to try to solve the disappearance of Elijah Landry. Find out right here!

RAD with The Book Muncher!

I am so pleased to be a part of Random Author Days at The Book Muncher today! This is my first guest blog, so I'm a little nervous. I hope you like it though, - In Search of Anything.

Interview with Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean interviewed me recently for her awesome blog, Macleanspace! Come find out why ghosts, why Louisiana, why Iris and why my best friend is going to kill me!

Interview with Arya Darcy

It's such a pleasure to be interviewd by aspiring author and teen book blogger, Arya Darcy! Find out whom I'd cast in a Shadowed Summer movie, whether I've ever considered giving up, and the answer to the most pressing question of all: pirates or ninjas? Come check it out!

Signing Party!

Join me in Fishers at Mudsock Books & Curiosity Shoppe on February 21, 2009! I will be reading and signing Shadowed Summer, and answering your questions from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. While you're there, enter to win the Extremely Haunted Gift Bag!

Interview with Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean interviewed me recently for her awesome blog, Macleanspace! Come find out why ghosts, why Louisiana, why Iris and why my best friend is going to kill me!

Interview with Arya Darcy

It's such a pleasure to be interviewd by aspiring author and teen book blogger, Arya Darcy! Find out whom I'd cast in a Shadowed Summer movie, whether I've ever considered giving up, and the answer to the most pressing question of all: pirates or ninjas? Come check it out!

My Cover Story with Book Nymph

Today, I'm pleased to be discussing my cover art with Book Nymph- and what mortifies me is that somehow, I failed to credit the amazing artist who painted Iris- Chad Michael Ward. There's definitely no cover without Mr. Ward!

Interview at Authors on the Verge

Whoa, I didn't expect this to show up until later! It's like a little surprise in the middle of the week! But I am so excited to be part of Cynthea Liu's Authors on the Verge author interview series! Find out how much weight SHADOWED SUMMER lost before it sold, and how close my Wendi and I got to having our own show on HBO!

Interview with My Favorite Author

I am so pleased to have been chosen to participate in My Favorite Author's Debut Author Month! There are reviews forthcoming, but today, I'd like to share the interview I had with them recently. Find out where the idea for Shadowed Summer came from, and the really bassackwards way I became a writer.

Interview at Author2Author

Kristina Springer of Author2Author interviewed me recently as part of their Teen Read Week, and she's the first person to ask me if I've seen a ghost! Have I? Read the Interview to find out!!

My First Interview, by Chandler Craig!

Chandler Craig of Fumbling Toward Fiction has been interviewing the Debs, and this week, she spends some time with me! Check out the interview here!!