If this little video doesn't make the teenage girl inside of you want to curl up in a cozy nook with a good book, I don't know what will. Kids Can Press put together a super sweet trailer introducing their new Young Adult Imprint, KCP Loft, and the four books they will publish this Spring. I think it's pretty cool how they gave a little wink/nod in the video to details from the books. Like, for Zenn Diagram, they have the book sitting by paint brushes and Zenn is an artist. Awww!

Anyway, I'm still working on getting my Advance Reading Copies out to various educators, bloggers, librarians, and friends. I had teacher conferences this week and gave a couple copies to my kids' English teachers. That felt kind of scary! Like, handing it over and saying, "Here ... I wrote this. Um ... hope you like it?"  If you know of someone who has some influence in the teenage reading world, give me a shout and I'll try to get you a copy. If you've read it already and want to write me a review, head on over to Good Reads. I'm hovering at a 4 star rating right now, which is awesome, but I'd love to hear what more people think! Just ... be honest but gentle. :-)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I sure have so much to be thankful for this year.

My 15-year-old son has asked if a few of his friends could read my book, so he's been circulating a couple of copies. While it's pretty cool to think that people -- especially teenagers -- are reading it, it's also really nerve wracking. What if they hate it? What if they lose respect for me and think I'm a big dork? What if I got the voice all wrong? So many doubts run through my mind.

I've read, over and over again, that writers should write what they want to write and then let it go and move on to the next thing. To not let bad reviews or negative comments get under their skin. And I get that in theory. But even this week someone commented on Good Reads that my book read like a debut novel and, despite the fact that the reviewer liked it overall, I let that hurt my feelings. But the thing is: this IS my debut novel! I've got to get over myself. Everyone has different tastes and my book, my writing, my thoughts will not be everyone's cup of tea.

That being said, it's so cool when people actually like what I've written. Nathan's girlfriend, Ashley, wrote me this letter after finishing Zenn Diagram:

Mrs. Brant,
Hi! So, I read your book and I loved it! It was so well written. I actually laughed out loud a lot and I love the way you wrote your characters. The plot twist completely caught me off guard and threw me for a loop. I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. It was so witty and clever. Thank you so much for sharing this novel with me and letting me read it! I am so excited for you.
<3 <3
Ashley

Gave me a boost of confidence right when I needed it. Thanks, Ashley!

​You know how sometimes people cry when they see their babies for the first time? They're so overcome with emotion that they just can't help themselves? Well, let me tell you: Babies got NOTHIN' on your first book. (I'm kidding, of course. Well, sort of. Actually, I'm not kidding. Birthing this baby involved  a much longer gestation period and just as much pain.) So, yeah. I definitely cried a little when I held this bundle of joy for the first time. When you have a dream for nearly 40 years and it finally comes true, it definitely warrants some joyful tears!

I now have Advance Reading Copies (aka ARCs or galleys) in my grubby not-so-little hands. They are beautiful. I can't stop carrying one around with me and staring at it lovingly. I'm actually disgusting myself a little -- I'm like one of those newly-in-love couples that is always gazing into each others' eyes.

I've had to part with a few of them. That is their purpose -- to go out into the world and make people fall in love with them. Like some teeny bopper Disney channel heartthrob. So I've had to give a few away and will gladly give away more. Are you an educator?  A librarian? A book blogger? Contact me and let me know if you are interested and I'll make sure you get one. Just take good care of my babies. :-) And if you happen to be on GoodReads and want to write a review, have at it!

Just for fun, here are links to just a few little blog bits I've found out in the world:

• YA's Most Ship-able Couples - MaximumPop!
• More Upcoming Books I'm Super Excited For - BookmarkLit 
• A Plot You Can't Help Fall In Love With - RiverMooseBooks