It's National Library Week!

It's amazing to me how many opportunities we have every year to celebrate books and readers.  And of course there is a special place in my heart for my local library. It's a small place but friendly and filled with bibliophiles and the folks who love and raise them. I'll be taking my youngest son there bright and early tomorrow morning to start off his spring break with a tantalizing pile of books!

Here's a link to the ALA's National Library Week page:
http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek.

Do you have any great suggestions for celebrating your library this week? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

Back-to-Business Monday: ALA Winter 2013 is in Seattle!

Wherever you are on your publishing journey, the American Library Association is an important resource for you. And, if you happen to run across an opportunity to visit an ALA conference sometime, YOU MUST GRAB IT. I am thrilled that ALA Midwinter is back in Seattle this January and even though I don't have a book coming out this year, I'll be meeting up with some writer friends to prowl the exhibit hall (a one-day exhibit pass is pretty reasonable), fan-girl some favorite writers, say hi to some amazing publishing professionals, and generally celebrate the awesome that is ALA.

If you're going, leave a comment here and let me know when we're doing coffee ;)

Whether or not you live close enough to Seattle to make this winter YOUR ALA, click this link to learn more about the conference, upcoming venues, and why you should listen to librarians!

Bye-Bye Fiction Friday: BOOKANISTA'S, HERE I COME & LOVE YOUR LIBRARY

I am moving my book reviews to Thursdays because I've joined the awesome book-blogger-writer collective known as The Bookanistas!

I'm not sure why they took me in as I am NOT a snappy dresser. And these folks definitely like to make a fashion statement, as in the newest look for fellow Bookanista's, Lisa & Laura Roecker...

Yep, pink hair to match their main character. Now that's devotion to one's novel! I'll be reviewing their book, THE LIAR SOCIETY, soon. But, maybe I should head to Nordstroms tomorrow. Hmmm...

Oh, wait. I can't go shopping this Saturday because it's SAVE OUR LIBRARIES DAY, which means I'll be hanging out at my local public library and encouraging friends and kids to do the same. I found out about this special event for February 5th via the FACEBOOK PAGE of the American Library Association's great I LOVE LIBRARIES WEBSITE. ALA is helping raise awareness for this campaign started by the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (whew--a long, British title). But, seriously, show your library some love tomorrow and stop on by!

Perhaps I'll go shopping on Sunday. 'Cause who couldn't use a cute little black dress?

Back-to-Business Monday: IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE NEAR WASHINGTON, DC...

...the last week in June, DO NOT MISS the American Library Association's annual conference.

Go. Buy yourself an exhibit hall pass.  Pick up some arcs. Meet amazing publishing professionals, authors, and librarians. Learn, learn, learn...

Want more inspiration? Check out this post about my April trip to the Public Library Association Conference in Oregon to get a sense of the amazing events library folks put together.

Also must quickly mention that I'm not (completely) nuts.  I realize it's not Monday yet but I'm publishing this back-to-business post a bit early in anticipation of a hectic week ahead.  Promise I'll post more about author photos next Monday!