Sad news

We're sad about the news that Portland author Bridget Zinn passed away on Wednesday, May 25, from complications of colon cancer first diagnosed in early 2009. Many of you participated in our conference raffle and auction contributions raising funds toward her medical bills. Her family and friends note, "The support she and her husband, Barrett, received from hundreds of friends, family members, fellow authors, and fans not only helped to pay some of their medical bills, but helped her maintain her awe-inspiring positive attitude throughout her illness."

See Bridget's blog for information about events being planned to celebrate her life in Portland, OR, and Madison, WI, in June: http://www.bridgetzinn.com/blog/. That page also includes information about how to direct a memorial contribution to the Friends of the Cooperative Children's Book Center. On Facebook, the "In Memory of Bridget Zinn" page (http://www.facebook.com/InMemoryBridgetZinn) connecting those who are mourning Bridget's death and celebrating her memory.

Secret Garden's Author Event

Author Michael Scott reads from his new book THE WARLOCK: THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL, on Thursday, June 2, at 7 p.m. This is a free event!

Author Michael Scott began writing over twenty-five years ago, and is one of Ireland’s most successful and prolific authors, with one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore. He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in twenty languages.

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series has been a longstanding New York Times Bestseller in this country. New Line Productions optioned the feature film rights to the entire six book series and rights have been sold into 37 countries.

Good News for Suzanne Selfors!!

Congratulations to Suzanne Selfors who has not one but TWO new books out this month!!! The first is a sequel to SMELLS LIKE DOG, called SMELLS LIKE TREASURE.

Although her second book is not a children's book, it's still a very interesting project. The book, HOTEL ANGELINE- a novel in 36 voices, is an experimental work written in collaboration with 35 other writers. It was written for a week-long marathon of writing live on stage in Seattle. The result - a truly inventive story that provokes interesting questions about the creative process.

For more information about Suzanne, and her work, make sure to visit her website.

Ultimate Tuesday at Secret Garden Bookshop

May’s Special Guests include co-Author Marcia Vaughan and illustrator Jeremiah Trammell of Seattle publisher Sasquatch’s new THREE BEARS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, on Tuesday, May 31 from 7-7:30 p.m.

When a small blue teddy bear falls out of a “shiny silver box with wheels” in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, two native bears – Black Bear and Brown Bear – agree to help reunite Blue Bear with his boy.

Prizes for all listeners as they walk out the door. For more information visit Secret Garden's website.

Kid Lit Drink Nights

Just a reminder that the next Kid Lit Drink night is next Wednesday, June 1, at The Noble Fir in Ballard, from 7-9ish p.m. It's an awesome & cozy pub; just what we need to make it through the last days of spring in Seattle!

Eastsiders will be happy to know that the next Kid Lit Drink Night in their hood is at the Red Robin in Bellevue Square on Sunday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m.. Make sure to give a special thanks to your guest host, Lily Garfield.

Show, Don't Tell!

When I first started getting feedback on my WIP (work in progress) I kept hearing "Show, don't tell" and honestly it was driving me nuts! It's a phrase that's thrown around in writing circles without too much explanation for beginning writers. Through time and practice I slowly started understanding what that means and my stories started taking on a whole new life (and I received other critique notes instead).

I found this post on the Courage 2 Create blog on a practical way to understand what the phrase "Show don't tell" means & how to really learn the right way to view it from a writing standpoint (wish I had found it earlier). Worth a read as a good reminder & also a practical writing exercise.

Going to LA? Save a few bucks!

If you're planning to attend the SCBWI 40th Annual Summer Conference in LA in August, you might like to know that AdCom member Erik Pulkka has volunteered to serve as an informal matchmaker for cab rides from LAX to the hotel (as well as roomies if you still need one).

There's a SuperShuttle to the hotel, but it can take a LONG time to make its rounds, so if you can get 2 or 3 to share a cab, it's MUCH faster and no more expensive.

If interested in hooking up with other WWA folks to share (and don't mind those others having your contact info), email your contact info and flight arrival info (day, arrival time) to Erik at epulkka at hotmail dot com. He'll collect the info and, later this summer, share some potential matches back out to those who participate. You can then set up arrangements yourself, as you like.

Thanks, Erik!

3… 2… 1… LAUNCH!

VivaScriva is a new website dedicated to critique, the writing process, and the nuances of collaboration. Launched by a tight-knit group of children’s book authors and illustrators, we believe effective critique can make your writing sing and your career soar.

More About the Viva Scrivas: We are eight women writers, from our thirties to sixties. We are writers of picture books, middle grade, YA, textbooks, graphic novels, fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, folklore, and nonfiction. We are also mothers, artists, geneticists, lawyers, ski instructors, magazine editors, teachers, students, librarians, linguists and book lovers. We speak French, Romanian, Spanish, German, and a smidgen of Portuguese, Swahili, and Ancient Greek. We have published over 20 books and have articles in many well-known magazines.

Film screening -- or maybe not

Remember our post a few days ago about a screening of Library of the Early Mind on Wednesday evening at the UW? We've learned that the auditorium is tiny. Tiny. Since we didn't realize that before we posted, the odds are pretty good that they'll have to turn people away. Don't say we didn't warn you. But rather than camping outside the door tonight or having arm-wrestling matches over the seats, you might just want to stay home, because...

...since we know interest in this film is high, we're working on the possibility of bringing it back for a special SCBWI showing in a much bigger place during our 2011-2012 Professional Series. Stay tuned for information about that!

Volunteer Opportunity for K-6 Authors

Aline Gosman is an AmeriCorps member serving at Rochester Organization of Families (ROOF) and Grand Mound Elementary School, and is excited to announce a project called Just Read.

On June 4, local families will be invited to the Rochester Community Center for a day of reading centered activities geared to promote literacy. The day will also serve as a book drive to benefit the after-school program at ROOF Community Services and the local library in Rochester.

She is looking for interested authors (who write for K-6) to get in touch with her. She'd like them to do a reading, and answer questions from the audience. The chance to meet a published or aspiring author would be a special occasion for the children of unincorporated Rochester. It's more than likely a volunteer opportunity, but maybe you can ask about having your books for sale at the event.

You can get in touch with Aline by calling her 360-273-6375 x 18 or emailing at alineg(at)roofcommunityservices(dot)org

Check Out Wendy Wahman's First Book Trailer!

Wendy Wahman has made her very first book trailer for her second children's picture book, A CAT LIKE THAT, which is being launched June 21. You can check out her book trailer here (it's a wonderful trailer with fabulous music). For more information on Wendy, and her work, visit her website, and/or her facebook page.

The Author-Indie Bookstore Connection: Eric Luper Talks Promotion

Great post on Publisher's Weekly (thanks to Laurie for the link!).

YA and MG author Eric Luper (Jeremy Bender and the Cupcake Cadets, HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, May 2011) is such an author, with a knack for coming up with creative ways to get out the word about his books.

Eric shares about promotion (radio and t.v. coverage, book signings, cross promotion, and working with indie bookstores). Good article to check out!!

You're Invited to a Free Film Premiere!

sALA and iYouth are excited to announce the Seattle premiere of Library of the Early Mind, a documentary that explores “the art and impact of children's literature on our kids, our culture, and ourselves.”

The film has been screened around the country and will be shown at this year’s ALA meeting in New Orleans, but, thanks to the efforts of iSchool faculty member Eliza Dresang, we have been given the opportunity to host the first screening in the Pacific Northwest!

When: Wednesday, May 25, from 7-9 p.m.

Where: Allen Auditorium (bottom floor and behind Suzzallo)

Admission: Free

The film features nearly 40 prominent authors and illustrators talking about their work, its genesis and its impact. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! Check out the trailer, information about the filmmakers, and more at the Library of the Early Mind website.

Finding the MUSE with Professor Watermelon

Professor Watermelon (Chadwick Gillenwater) has officially launched his blog. The blog is geared toward teachers and young writers, but all writers are sure to enjoy his weekly IMAGINATION CHRONICLES. These are sure to help you and the young authors in your life find JOY in writing.

So grab a cup of hot cocoa, and come on by. The professor looks forward to helping you find the MUSE!

Artist Opportunity for Underneath the Juniper Tree Online Journal

Underneath the Juniper Tree is an online journal (it's a reincarnation of Crow Toes Quarterly). Here's what they are looking for:

Artists for our June issue! Help us fill up these pages with creepy, courageous, colorful images. Submit your work and ideas to junipertreelit@gmail.com and head over to our Submit Work Page for what is horribly unacceptable. Also, we are looking for an artist of extraordinary calibre to dazzle the cover of our July issue. Send us an email with some examples of your work or what you'd like to see on the cover.

They're also looking for stories- according to Jenn Chushcoff who sent this (Thanks Jenn!). Of course as always make sure read all their terms & conditions about submitting your work

Rosanne Parry Collaborative Marketing Event

Rosanne Parry did a workshop at our April conference on collaborative marketing--which is all about putting the focus on the book-loving community rather than trying to be the solo rock star author. If you are interested in seeing how that works in action, stop by A Third Place Bookstore, 17171 Bothell Way NE this Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. Rosanne will be playing with kid musicians and reading from her new book SECOND FIDDLE. Third Place Books has been consistently generous in hosting children's authors and is an ideal venue for planning a group book event, so come support a local indy bookseller and think about your next collaboration!

For more information on Rosanne, and her work, visit her website.

ATTENTION: KID LIT DRINK NIGHT CHANGE OF DATE!

Due to complications of Seattle Beer Week (long story), our next Kid Lit Drink night will be WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 at the Noble Fir, instead of Tuesday May 31. Please make sure to join us from 7-9 p.m. for a low-key evening of shop talk. Unable to make it? Feel free to set yourself up as host of your own neighborhood KLDN. Contact Brenda Winter Hansen at scbwiwa@scbwi-washington.org

Good News & Reviews for Stephanie Barden!

Woohoo & Good news for Stephanie Barden! There's lovely write up in the latest issue of Notes from the Horn Book for Stephanie's new book CINDERELLA SMITH (in the Chapter Books for Young Readers section). Here's what they have to say:

The eponymous main character of Cinderella Smith by Stephanie Barden is a bouncy, entertainingly dramatic (she says, “Alas” a lot) young girl with a penchant for losing shoes—here, a special ruby-red tap shoe that she needs to play the Pumpkin Blossom Fairy in her dance recital. If she can’t find the shoe, it’s so long, solo. Cinderella’s energy, captured expertly in illustrator Diane Goode’s emotive line drawings, is infectious; readers will delight in her expressions (e.g., dribbly-spit for Seattle drizzle) and enthusiastic use of adverbs and will look forward to Cinderella’s next appearance.

You can check out the latest issue here (and a big thanks to Wendy Wahman for sending the link).

Need a New Journal?

A very fun bit of information from fellow SCBWI WWA member Caitlin Sullivan:

This site will be the death of me. Not only does BookJournals sell blank books recycled from old textbooks, which alone would have hooked me, but there is a Little Golden Books section. Meaning, blank books with the original covers of Pokey Little Puppy, Li’l Toot, Go, Dog, Go… I’ll stop.

Best of all, scattered throughout each blank book are a few pages from the original story. Taking notes at various conferences, I have been the envy of all. But more importantly, when I get stuck I can just read for inspiration:

A dog party!

A big dog party!

What a dog party!

Do you like my hat?

I do not like it.

Good-by again.

Good-by.

I bought six on the spot. Have fun!

Thanks Caitlin (now I have to go buy some new journals too!).

Lois Harris Interview

Lois V. Harris invites everyone to listen to her interview about writing CHARLIE RUSSELL: TALE-TELLING COWBOY ARTIST on The Children Author Show on May 25 and May 26. For more information check out the link! You can learn more about Lois, and her work, on her website.

Liz Gallagher's MY NOT-SO-STILL LIFE on shelves

Our own Liz Gallagher celebrated the release of her second novel Saturday afternoon at Secret Garden Books.

The book, MY NOT-SO-STILL life, is about an artsy teen named Vanessa who dyes her hair to express her individuality (hence Liz's vivid pink wig).

Liz read from her book, which is set in Seattle, served us outrageously good cupcakes from Bake It in a Cake, and held an art contest for her many fans. You can pick up a signed copy of the book at Secret Garden. Sorry, but there are no cupcakes left. Helen Landalf ate like forty of them (kidding, Helen, kidding!)

From left: Kim Baker, Jaime Temairik, Martha Brockenbrough, Helen Landalf,
Megan the baker, and Liz Gallagher. Photo by novelist Heather Davis.

Also from left: pretzels, napkins, lemon bar cupcakes,
nerd-flavored cupcakes (the candy, not the human form), hot chocolate cupcakes,
and Liz's hand holding pink lemonade.

Want To Win a Holly Black Book?

Want to win a signed copy of Holly Black's ZOMBIES VS. UNICORNS? Go visit fellow SCBWI WWA member Dorine White's blog! Seems like she's always got some great giveaways! A site to keep tabs on for sure!!

(9th Annual) Pacific Coast Children's Writers Workshop

Looking for something different in a fiction writing workshop? Perhaps it’s time for agent or editor feedback on your entire novel manuscript. Or maybe you’re ready for multiple professional critiques on your all-important beginning. If so, consider our beachfront seminar for 14 advanced and/or published novelists.

CONVENES: October 7-9, 2011 near Santa Cruz, CA.

CONTENT: Theme is “Envision and Edit Your Story with the Pros.” In-depth novel-crafting sessions; master classes with team-taught, open-clinic critiques of opening chapters, synopses, and full-length manuscripts. Savvy teens also provide target-reader feedback.

FACULTY: Susan Van Metre, Abrams/Amulet VP and Publisher (and New School MFA instructor); agent Joan Slattery of Pippin Properties, former Knopf senior executive editor.

DEADLINES: Priority reg. May 15; application May 25; manuscripts June 25. Open until filled.

FEES: Starts at $769, including lodging; additional fee for whole-novel critiques, including two faculty-mentor consults. For details, faculty interviews, and contact info visit their website.

Summer Fishtrap (A Summer Writing Workshop)

Fishtrap, a literary non-profit based in Enterprise, OR, is pleased to announce the release of our 2011 Summer Fishtrap programming. This year’s Workshop & Gathering theme, “Migrations & Passages”, concentrates on journeys, movement, travel and displacement among other things.

Summer Fishtrap takes place in the temperate July climate of Wallowa Lake in Northeastern Oregon. This year’s dates are July 10-15 for the Workshop Week and July 14-17 for the Gathering. Rosanne Parry, who spoke at the SCBWI WWA annual conference is one of the faculty for the summer program!

We hope you’ll take a moment to review our brochure, send it to your friends, blog about it, or put it out on the counter for your clients and customers. Better yet, sign up—our online registration is live now, and filling up quickly!

For more information on the 2011 Summer Fishtrap visit their website.

Yea For Summer Kid Lit Drink Nights!

May 10 might be our last professional series meeting until fall, but our monthly Kid Lit Drink Nights will continue throughout the summer! On Tuesday May 31, you'll find us back at the Noble Fir in Ballard from 7-9ish (very possibly later). Hope to see you there!Come out and meet up for a casual evening of talking about children's literature.

Don't Miss The Final 2010-2011 Professional Series Meeting

Tomorrow, May 10, is the final Professional Series Meeting for the 2010-2011 Regional Programming season. Our Professional Series Meetings take place at Seattle Pacific University- Demaray Hall, Room 150. Registration begins at 6:45 p.m., programming starts at 7 p.m. Get a map and directions here.

Mini-Session: VISUAL PURSUITS
Explore tools from the illustrator's toolbox that we can bend to our use when creating written work with Laura Kvasnosky. We'll look at graphic ways to view the macro and micro parts of your story; the revelations offered by sticky-note scene making; and collage as a way to summon, center and feed a story. Illustration skills not necessary, but bring paper and something to write with!

Main Session: A LONG JOURNEY IN A SMALL BOAT WITH HEARTY SHIPMATES
Laura Kvasnosky talked to fellow writers and illustrators who have been at it for about 20 years to get their perspectives on the long haul: How do they keep it fresh? What provides new inspirations? How do fame and money fit in? How do they navigate the murky waters of today's publishing world?

Make sure you come hear Laura share these two great sessions and spend an evening with our fabulous SCBWI WWA regional members.

Graphic Artists Guild May 18 Workshop

The User in Google Analytics Land

Georgia Ball

Web analytics are a window into the private world of website user behavior. At first glance it looks like a tangled wilderness. What do those numbers and percentages mean? Learn to read the language of web analytics and track users as they navigate your website.

We'll cover:
Basic terms
How information is recorded
Significance to your bottom line
Key components of the Google Analytics interface
Tracking conversions and search terms

A website developer since 1999, Georgia Ball has used web analytics to gain proven results for national corporations, small business, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations

Pre register at Brown Paper Tickets
$10 Guild members
$10 Students
$15 Sister organizations
$20 General

At the Door- cash or check only -$5 more
More information at their website.

Summer Fun for Kids!

SCBWI member Annie Gage is once again hosting day camps for young readers and writers. Three themed weeks of Reading, Writing and Doing Camp will be held at Mockinbird Books. For full details, go to the website.

Good News for Lois V. Harris & Kathryn Galbraith!

A big hip hip hooray for Lois V. Harris and Kathryn Galbraith!! Lois' book, CHARLIE RUSSELL: TALE-TELLING COWBOY ARTIST, and Kathryn's ARBOR DAY SQUARE, were the two finalists for the 2011 Western Writers of America’s Storyteller Award. They didn’t win, but came close! You can find out more about Western Writers of America on their website.

Just What *Does* An Editor Do All Day?

Here's a great post by Editor Stacy Whitman on what an editor's job looks like (they don't just read all day!). It's very informative, and helps you see things from the editor's perspective! Thanks to Liz Mills for sending it!!

Help Dana Sullivan Win an iPad!!!

Local chapter member and Scooby Snackmeister Dana Sullivan's picture book, I'M GOING TO BE A PIRATE, was selected for a contest held by the e-book publisher TwoBigDads. The contest is to have the most downloaded app from iTunes by August 27 and the prize is an Apple iPad. Dana swears he will let everyone who downloads the app play with his iPad. It's only $1.99, so how could it hurt? All you have to do is go to the link below, click on the "View in iTunes," order it and become Dana's best friend. Even if you don't have an Apple device you can view it on your PC, and there's still the best friend part.

Click here now! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/im-going-to-be-a-pirate/id434128173

Anne Belov Workshop: Finding the Light In Interiors

Working from photographic source materials, we will explore creating a believable sense of illumination in your painting in this 2-day workshop. Issues explored are perspective, establishing a value structure, proportion, and establishing a light source, among others. While this class is geared towards painters, illustrators can learn much about creating a believable setting.

Students should be reasonably comfortable with their chosen media, and have basic drawing skills. Instructor has extensive experience working in oils, watercolor, acrylics, and pencil.

Information and registrations can be obtained at the Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio website, or by calling 360.637.4690 / 206.571.0442

DATE: May 28 - 29, 2011
COST: $220
SKILL LEVEL: All levels

Ann Teplick Reading at Jack Straw Writing Program Reading Series

The Jack Straw Writers Program Reading Series is upon us! May 6, 12 and 20 @ 7 p.m. at Jack Straw Productions in Seattle's Roosevelt District. For more information on the series, visit their website.

Ann Teplick will be reading her poetry on Friday, May 6.

Creative Writing Smorgasbord Class with Sierra Nelson at Hugo House

Whether you’re new to creative writing, wanting to kick off some rust or an old hand looking for some new tricks, this class will offer a variety of innovative approaches to writing poetry that will make the process fun, leave you feeling creatively invigorated and fi ll your notebook with promising starts and new ideas. We’ll write collaboratively at times and also use some collaborative techniques to help spark our individual writing. Writing prompts and inspiration will include “I Am Your Table of Contents,” postcards, colors, questions, found poems, scientific facts and unusual love poems.

Tuesday, May 24, 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Fee for each workshop is $25.

All classes take place in Hugo House’s Cabaret

space.

ABOUT SIERRA NELSON

Sierra Nelson earned her MFA in Poetry from University of Washington

in 2002. Her poems can be found in Crazyhorse, Poetry Northwest,

Fairy Tale Review, Painted Bride Quarterly and other locations,

and her lyrical choose-your-own-adventure chapbook with artist

Loren Erdrich recently won NYU’s Collaboration Award.

Register at Hugo house's website or by calling (206) 322-7030.

Questions? Email writingclassforteachers@gmail.com

Reminder: Northern Network Schmooze this week!

If you live in the Bellingham area, the WWA SCBWI Northern Network wants to invite you to our May Schmooze. It will be the last opportunity before we break for the summer, so please come!

Northern Network Schmooze

Wednesday, May 4, 7:00-9:00 pm

Barnes & Noble, Bellingham, Washington

“Twitter and Facebook and Blogging—Oh My!”

We’ll kick off our evening by sharing a brief conference highlight (from those of us who were able to attend). Then we’ll slide into the subject of social networking: Why should I? What are the benefits? How do I do it? Please join us for an encouraging evening as we discuss these questions and more.

No RSVP required. We will be meeting at Barnes & Noble again (in the café). Questions or comments? Please contact Angelina Hansen: yascribe@comcast.net

Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Bonny Becker!!! Our Own 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Winner!

The SCBWI announced the winners of the inaugural 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Winners, and our own Bonny Becker is among the winners for her book A BEDTIME FOR BEAR!

The Crystal Kite Awards are given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. Along with the SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, the Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers.

You can find the complete list of winners on the SCBWI's Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Winners webpage. You can also find out more about Bonny, and her work, on her website, and her facebook author page (make sure you send Bonny your well wishes!!!

Parkplace Books 25th Anniversary Celebration Party

Please join Parkplace Books, on Friday, May 20, 6-9 p.m. for an evening of merriment as they celebrate 25 years of bookselling, author events, bookclubs, school bookfairs, community gatherings...and just the sheer love of reading.

Mingle with fellow authors, friends and customers of the bookstore, and indulge in delicious goodies, refreshing spirits, and a scrumptious Anniversary cake. They will be offering a 25% store wide sale throughout the evening and two gift Book Baskets will be raffled, raising money for Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program and Hopelink.

RSVP parkplacebooks@integra.net or 425-828-6546

SAL Writers in the Schools (WITS) Year-End Student Readings

Seattle Area students will present their original creative writing at the Writers in the Schools (WITS) annual student readings and celebrations on Wednesday, June 1, and Thursday, June 2 at the downtown Seattle Public Library. These celebrations are sponsored by Starbucks Corporation.

The readings will feature 50 students from the 27 sites in the 2010-11 WITS program. These free events are open to the public and will begin each evening at 6 p.m. in the Microsoft Auditorium, Level 1 of the library. A reception will follow, with sweets donated by Cupcake Royale and beverages donated by Talking Rain.

Stories about students who have participated in the WITS program this year are available at the blog. A blog specifically for the readings and celebrations is also live. This site will feature a poem by a current WITS student every day until June 1 and provides a forum for students, teachers, writers, and community members to engage with WITS. You can follow this blog through the hashtag #WITSINK.

For more information or to bring WITS to your school, visit WITS website.

Mother's Day Giveaway!!

Fellow SCBWI WWA member Dorine White is giving away a fabulous Mother's Day Giveaway -a signed copy of Deb Lund's DINOSAILORS on her blog!!! Contest ends May 6!

Jennifer Phillips May Online Virtual Book Party

Shoreline children's author Jennifer Phillips invites SCBWI members to stop by online during May for her virtual book party celebrating little-known figures in history featured in her juvenile biographies.

Phillips has published in children's magazines and also has released three young reader biographies to date: ELIJAH LOVEJOY'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, about the abolitionist editor who died while defending his printing press; ROBERT WADLOW: THE UNIQUE LIFE OF THE BOY WHO BECAME THE WORLD'S TALLEST MAN, about how Wadlow's overactive pituitary gland took him in extraordinary heights as a child; and NINA KOSTERINA: A YOUNG COMMUNIST IN STALINIST RUSSIA, about the teenager whose diary became an international bestseller years after her death as a guerrilla soldier fighting the Nazis.

The month-long party includes:

• Weekly trivia quizzes and prize drawings of movie, book and restaurant gift cards

• Free giveaway drawings for all three books

• Discount coupons for ebook versions of the Lovejoy and Wadlow biographies

The activities will be happening in two connected virtual universes at www.noseinabookpublishing.com and www.facebook.com/NoseinaBookPublishing.