TRAUMA QUEEN nominated for 2011 Cybils!

TRAUMA QUEEN was nominated for a 2011 Cybils Award in the Middle Grade Fiction category! I'm super excited about this, especially because the nominator was Danielle Smith,who writes one of my favorite blogs, Theresabook.

You can check out the list of nominees here. The list closes October 15. Did your favorite books from 2011 make the list? Some of mine did, and I'm looking forward to reading all the titles that are new to me!



Also wanted to share with you some photos from a mother-daughter book club I attended last night in Sleepy Hollow, NY. I was so delighted that they launched their year with TRAUMA QUEEN, and thrilled to be invited. The girls and their moms were incredibly enthusiastic and sweet, and made me feel really welcome. Not only did we have a great discussion about the book, but we got to hang out a bit and share delicious home-baked goodies. I was blown away by all the Trauma Queen posters, and the girl who showed up in custom-made Trauma Queen monkey flannel pj's--with CHOCOLATE NIGHT written on the back! Too cute!

Nell Minow Interviews Me on Movie Moms!

Here's an interview I feel really honored to have done. It was for Nell Minow's blog, Movie Moms.


Nell is an amazingly accomplished, fascinating person. She isn't just one of the nation's leading experts in corporation law--she's also an important blogger with a parent's alert eye for movies and books that are both appropriate for and appealing to kids. I'm so delighted that she calls TRAUMA QUEEN "terrific," "smart and very funny." Please check out our conversation and add your thoughts!

Visit to North Wales Area Library, North Wales, PA

Last night I spoke to the tweens at the North Wales Area Library in North Wales, PA. In honor of the Chocolate Day theme in TRAUMA QUEEN, Jayne Blackledge, the lovely children's librarian, served chocolate bars and chocolate fondue! Yum!

While we were all enjoying the gooey deliciousness, I spoke about being a writer. One thing I told the kids was that to be a writer, you don't have to create perfect stories--you just have to write! I told them about the tiny notebook I keep in my pocket so that I'm always ready to jot down random thoughts, stuff I notice when I'm people-watching, overheard snatches of conversations, jokes. When you "find" stuff in nature and record it in your notebook, that counts as writing!

How To Get An Agent

Sometimes, especially in the summer, I hear from people who have just completed manuscripts. They ask me, “What’s the first thing I should do?”

Here’s what I tell them. Put the manuscript aside for a month or so. Then reread it, revising like crazy. Revise it until you’re sure you’re done. Then show it to some critical (but tactful) readers, and revise it again, based on their feedback.

When you’re sure that if you revise one more word, you’re going to totally ruin your manuscript, you’re ready to try to get a reputable, well-connected children's book agent. Anyone can call herself an agent--they don't need a license—so it's important to thoroughly check out anyone willing to represent you. You’ll want someone with a strong list of authors, ideally some of whom write within your genre. I would strongly advise meeting any potential agent in person, because chemistry is crucial. Your agent will sometimes be delivering bad news, and you want someone who will be careful with your feelings. Always keep in mind that your agent is your face to the publishing world, so you want someone who can work cordially and effectively with editors.

Unfortunately, it can be tough to get an agent, especially for this market. Here are some ways to get going:

--Join SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and go to their meetings, etc
--Get a copy of Children's Writers and Illustrators Market
--Join JacketFlap and other networking websites
--Read Verla Kay's message board, and others
--Read the Acknowledgements page in other books of you genre. Sometimes agents are thanked there, and you can get names that way
--Read Preditors and Editors, and other online sources

When you have a list of reputable agents with experience in the type of book you've written, be sure to follow the agent's rules for submissions. Some are not currently accepting queries, some want the first three chapters of your manuscript, etc. Pay attention to exactly what they're asking, and research how to write a query letter. This is a world with a lot of customs and procedures, and you can't cut corners.

Good luck!!

My Visit to Mary Tisko School

Last Friday I visited the fourth grade at the Mary Tisko School in Branford, CT. I spoke a little about how important it is to accept constructive criticism, reading to the kids from my early rejection letters. (Kids are shocked by those letters! Sometimes it seems as if they think writers finish a manuscript and then just hit the PUBLISH BOOK button.)
I also read to them the first chapter of Trauma Queen, and then we had a lively Q & A. My favorite question: What part of your personality is in each of your characters? Wow.

Oh, and it was fun asking the boys in the audience if they ever read realistic fiction.
The boys: Sure we do!
The teachers: Ahem. No, you don't.

After the presentation I was delighted to eat lunch with fourth grader Lisa, fifth grader Jennie, the school's amazing Library Media Specialist Lydia Orloff Kroeber, teacher Erin Blake Burris, and the stupendously generous Laura Desmarais. Thank you all!

TRAUMA QUEEN BOOK TRAILER CONTEST

What is a Book Trailer?
A book trailer is like a movie trailer for a book. It uses multimedia such as images, video, animation, music and words to compel the viewer to read the book. It should be engaging, persuasive, captivating and exciting.

Competition Guidelines:
* Only tweens/teens ages 10 -18 may enter this competition.
* Trailer must be based on Barbara Dee’s book, TRAUMA QUEEN.
*One entry per person/group. You may not enter individually and then as part of a group;
you must choose which way you wish to enter. Group size must not exceed six participants.
* Maximum time limit for trailer is one minute in length.
* Your book trailer must adhere to copyright laws. All work must be original, copyright free or permission must have been obtained for borrowed images and/or music. Barbara Dee has posted book cover images, and her photo on her blog – visit her website at BarbaraDeeBooks.com and her blog at blog.BarbaraDeeBooks.com
* All book trailers are to be submitted to Z, Head of Teen Services, Chappaqua Library 195 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY 10514, on a well labeled DVD or flash drive and must be accompanied by an official entry form, available online on her blog or at the Chappaqua Library and its Teen Zone website. NOTE: DVD and Flash Drives will NOT be returned.
* Entry deadline is 5pm, Friday, September 30, 2011. Late entries will not be accepted.
* Winning entry will be announced on Barbara Dee’s Blog as well as the Chappaqua Library Teen Zone Website during Teen Read Week October 16 to 22, 2011.
*Judging panel: author Barbara Dee, Larry D'Amico, Graphic Artist/Gallery Curator at Chappaqua Library and Carrie Krams, New Castle Media Center Executive Director.

Judging Criteria:
10 marks will be awarded for each of the following criteria giving a total of 50 marks.
* Hook – Hooks are used to build interest and grab the attention of the audience
* Presentation – Pacing fits the storyline and builds mood. Presentation is succinct. Transitions are smooth and a logical sequence is presented.
* True to Book – Provides enough information about the book to persuade people to read it without giving away the plot.
* Technical Expertise – Proficient and creative use of chosen technology.
* Originality

Prizes:
Grand Prize: ONE Ipod Shuffle 2GG black and personalized autographed copies of TRAUMA QUEEN (one book per group participant).

Second Prize: ONE TRAUMA QUEEN tote bag with ONE full set signed books (Just Another Day in My Insanely Real Life, Solving Zoe, This is Me From Now On, Trauma Queen) by Barbara Dee and Snickers pack (one set/pack per participant if entering in a group). If a group wins, everyone in the group will win a personalized autographed copy of TRAUMA QUEEN and a Snickers pack.

Third Prize: ONE TRAUMA QUEEN t-shirt, TRAUMA QUEEN nail polish sets. If a group wins, everyone in the group will win set of TRAUMA QUEEN nail polish

This contest is co-sponsored by Barbara Dee, The Chappaqua Library, New Castle Parks and Rec & New Castle Teen Alliance.

TRAUMA QUEEN Blog Tour giveaway winners!

Announcing the three winners of the TRAUMA QUEEN blog tour giveaway! They are:

Ali, Grand Forks, ND
Maggie, Fayetteville, NC
Judy, Baltimore, OH

Each winner gets a copy of TRAUMA QUEEN plus a super cute TRAUMA QUEEN t-shirt. Winners, if you take a photo wearing the t-shirt, please send it to me and I'll post it here!

We pick the postcard giveaway winners on Friday. Stay tuned!