Girls vs. boys: the throwdown

Kirby Larson has organized the Ultimate Throwdown on Gender in Books.

Following the SLJ article that suggested making characters boys when it makes no big difference to the story, and a rebuttal on MSN Entertainment written by a certain opinionated person whose name rhymes with Schmartha, Kirby's adding even more voices to the debate.

Starting around noon today, you can read a lively series of posts exploring the question of gender and reading/writing featuring the likes of librarians Jerene Battisti and Nancy Pearl and writers Erin Blakemore, Dave Patneaude, Rodman Philbrick, Jon Sciezska, Joni Sensel, Terry Trueman and Ben Watson, plus avid reader, Tyler Larson (NYU Film School grad, Associate Producer at HBO, and son of a certain blogger).

What a great lineup! She's also giving away an autographed copy of HATTIE BIG SKY to the first commenter each day. So you can't miss this. I'm bringing popcorn. And maybe a Hefty bag to protect my clothing from tomatoes. I hear that Ben Watson kid can throw.

Click here to go there.

Cover model smackdown

Two shirtless males, two very different types of publishing. One is Tom Thumb, by Richard Jesse Watson and modeled by his son, Benjamin James Watson, the team that brought us THE BOY WHO WENT APE.

The other is Mr. Romance, showing his burly business in a cover shoot.

Yes, then we are all agreed. Mr. Romance, button your blouse. You're in second place here.

Calendar: Upcoming Events

We have some great events featuring our members coming up. For more information, click the links on the calendar on the left side of your screen:

Joni Sensel Query Workshop: Hooks, Lines & Stinkers
Sat, Jul 18
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Richard Hugo House

Trish Harding: LETTERS ALIVE
Sun, Jul 19
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Village Books in Bellingham

Richard Jesse Watson and Benjamin (Squeal!) Watson - Ultimate Tuesday
Tue, Jul 28
7:00pm - 7:30pm
Secret Garden Books

Author Sean Beaudoin launches YA book FADE TO BLUE
Sat, Aug 1
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Secret Garden Books