tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33188402100707683462024-03-12T21:16:15.527-07:00Author2AuthorEmily Marshallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07073350248209507278noreply@blogger.comBlogger1323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-37226306050608178332015-04-20T16:43:00.002-07:002015-04-20T16:43:45.409-07:00Some Book News from Kristina...I'm excited to share some great news! I sold a new middle grade novel!<br />
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From <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/66256-rights-report-week-of-april-13-2015.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=c869f85299-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-c869f85299-304465517">Publisher's Weekly</a>:<br />
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<b>Brett Duquette at Sterling Children's Books has acquired Cici Reno Knows it All, first in the middle-grade Yoga Girls series by Kristina Springer. It follows a pre-teen yoga enthusiast who helps her best friend get a crush's attention by impersonating her on Twitter, but a friendly favor turns into a social media love triangle. Publication is slated for spring 2016; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger negotiated the deal for world rights.</b><br />
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Kristina</div>
Kristina Springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03171504801682649341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-9651158181702343192015-03-17T08:28:00.000-07:002015-03-17T08:28:32.753-07:00CART PRINCESS ~ read for FREEWant to try a free sample of my writing? My young adult short story, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cart-Princess-Kristina-Springer-ebook/dp/B00I6MD9RU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426605411&sr=1-1&keywords=cart+princess"><b>Cart Princess</b></a>, is free today. Check it out and leave a review. :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q89WaSds005egEI4EvK_7w4CqrZiEsGHio6aGpZ9jrqlBAbFf2sbI7Bs4SFs1ykMH_7nHEXM8GjS2M0ntNCe49uDqj1raWtFKSz8L3wJwOBcSAGQ4i_Aq-p2cXp9QBCtxudDVDfhBaM/s1600/CartPrincessCover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q89WaSds005egEI4EvK_7w4CqrZiEsGHio6aGpZ9jrqlBAbFf2sbI7Bs4SFs1ykMH_7nHEXM8GjS2M0ntNCe49uDqj1raWtFKSz8L3wJwOBcSAGQ4i_Aq-p2cXp9QBCtxudDVDfhBaM/s1600/CartPrincessCover2.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
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KristinaKristina Springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03171504801682649341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-17753084358389599692015-02-28T13:19:00.000-08:002015-02-28T13:19:37.928-08:00Library Lost&Found #9: Panty Raid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You know it's a good night at the library when:</div>
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1. a patron comes to the Reference Desk and tells your colleague there's something in the DVD aisle she may want to clean up,</div>
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2. your colleague has to return to the desk for a handful of Kleenex because the item is not fit to touch bare skin,</div>
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3. your colleague returns with a pair of underwear.</div>
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For the record this hot ticket item did not end up in the Lost & Found box, though now I kind of wish we'd put it there to amuse the coworkers in the morning.<br />
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Deena<br />
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-33206847596477433612015-02-19T19:39:00.000-08:002015-02-19T19:39:28.342-08:00Library Lost&Found #8: Presents Under the TreeI don't know what the best part of today's LL&F was: <br />
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1. The fact that someone left a condom in a study carrel,<br />
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2. The fact that it was "King XL Size,"<br />
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3. The fact that it was tucked into this decorative magazine tree</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mq3TXrfqxK9VsEDe1pUcb_RAu428R4ZL1xDMyL0T3endBW5kGkMoC_LwqeNc7aRuT6Jw7mC2xqcWiVLHBaDSvz7rlMJnbhujP_eEgsEXVbFa3yZrcMtQ4MkUAB3e8Dr_dy2T5gj31OhH/s1600/Condom1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mq3TXrfqxK9VsEDe1pUcb_RAu428R4ZL1xDMyL0T3endBW5kGkMoC_LwqeNc7aRuT6Jw7mC2xqcWiVLHBaDSvz7rlMJnbhujP_eEgsEXVbFa3yZrcMtQ4MkUAB3e8Dr_dy2T5gj31OhH/s1600/Condom1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The tree that just keeps on giving!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY50q8atGfrUEkb6YsRPWtYrya4eINSossGmphOTZU1f3RELEOVnEVNPo83Bq3oeob3ih9LgI-AThfx3578o7siAmqPCuqUneq4fXnP3j3AzMxy956CKkEvM8Lxv0zcYRzdW8xzOFTjwu/s1600/Condom3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY50q8atGfrUEkb6YsRPWtYrya4eINSossGmphOTZU1f3RELEOVnEVNPo83Bq3oeob3ih9LgI-AThfx3578o7siAmqPCuqUneq4fXnP3j3AzMxy956CKkEvM8Lxv0zcYRzdW8xzOFTjwu/s1600/Condom3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />Happy Valentine's Day/President's Day/Chinese New Year/Mardi Gras -- celebrate whichever holiday fits your Lifestyle!</span><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Deena</span></div>
DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-36961887386652970472015-01-16T07:45:00.000-08:002015-01-16T07:46:05.875-08:00Library Lost&Found #7: Mind Readers Not AllowedIf you don't want aliens to read your mind, you wear a tinfoil hat.<br />
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If you don't want aliens to read your book, you wrap it in a tinfoil dust jacket.<br />
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And then, of course, you throw it in the library's book drop.<br />
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"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball; but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!" Kang, alien leader from <i>The Simpsons</i> <br />
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Deena<br />
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DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-42669256888669022762015-01-01T16:53:00.000-08:002015-01-01T16:53:22.423-08:00Top Ten Reads of 2014I read 174 books in 2014 (not including books I critiqued for writer friends or picture books that I review separately for <a href="http://www.rocparent.com/">Genesee Valley Parent Magazine</a> -- too many to write up on my <a href="http://deenaml.livejournal.com">LiveJournal</a> where I review all of these). <br />
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This year I kept track of age ranges and genres and came up with the following (the total is over 174 because some books fell into two or more genre categories): <br />
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142 came from the library<br />
17 I own (bought or were gifts)<br />
9 were ARCs<br />
(Um, this only totals 168. Clearly I forgot to tag some, most likely library copies.)<br />
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128 YA<br />
28 MG<br />
14 Adult<br />
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83 contemporary<br />
18 historical<br />
16 mystery<br />
16 scifi/fantasy<br />
13 non-fiction<br />
11 in verse<br />
10 paranormal<br />
9 memoirs<br />
7 graphic novels<br />
6 horror<br />
4 romance<br />
4 thriller<br />
2 dystopian<br />
1 biography<br />
1 poetry<br />
1 short stories<br />
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And in no particular order, because they stayed with me, kept me reading with excitement, and/or were different, my top 10 favorite reads were:<br />
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100 SIDEWAYS MILES by Andrew Smith<br />
Finn Easton's mother was killed by the same horse that broke his back and caused his seizures years ago, and now in his junior year of high school he relies on his best friend and new girlfriend to help him make sense of his place in the world. There is no description of this YA novel that can do it justice. It is so much more than a romance or friendship story or coming-of-age novel, though it is all those things too. It is different and written in ways that make the reader think about how far we travel as the Earth revolves and who is in charge of our destinies. This book contains one of the best bff guy duos ever written, is witty and funny, and has lots of swearing in case that matters. Loved it. (Simon & Schuster, 2014)<br />
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BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
From her birth in 1963 through her childhood years, the author tells the story of her life growing up in Ohio, South Carolina, and Brooklyn during the Civil Rights Movement with her mom, grandparents, and siblings. This beautiful story is told in verse and makes the reader appreciate the simple pleasures of farm and city life as long as there is family and love. A well-deserved winner of the National Book Award and highly recommended. (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014)<br />
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GRACEFULLY GRAYSON by Ami Polonsky<br />
Twelve-year-old Grayson lives with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Chicago and lives a lonely life hiding his interest in wearing girls' clothes until he auditions for Persephone in the school play and slowly lets his deepest secret out. This beautiful upper-MG novel about a sensitive boy looking for acceptance and his place in the world is a winner. Other than a few repetitive descriptions, it is masterfully written and difficult to put down. Readers will want to embrace Grayson for his bravery and high-five his uncle. Highly recommended. (Hyperion, 2014)<br />
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AFTERWORLDS by Scott Westerfeld<br />
At age 18, Darcy Patel's NaNoWriMo paranormal romance YA novel and a sequel are bought by a big NYC publishing company for $300,000, so she moves to the city, meets her first love, and navigates the business of publishing, craft of writing, and art of building relationships and becoming an adult; in alternating chapters Darcy's hero Lizzie tells her own story. The author masterfully wrote two novels in one that at different moments are equally compelling. Both Darcy and Lizzie's worlds are hypnotic and thrilling, the narrators are authentic, and the teasers about Darcy's rewrites that filter into the interior novel in the following chapters are addicting. Young adult novel writers in particular may enjoy this realistic look at the publishing industry and life in NYC, and aspiring writers may be totally sold on signing up for NaNoWriMo next month. A highly recommended YA novel. (Simon Pulse, 2014)<br />
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POSITIVE by Paige Rawl with Ali Benjamin<br />
Paige was born HIV-positive and didn't know the stigma against her disease until she confided in a friend in sixth grade who spread the word, which began a bullying campaign against her; Paige's resulting teen years were full of fear, anxiety, illness, and finally friendships and hope. This highly readable young adult memoir is a fantastic book that should be read by tweens and teens across the country. The writing is slick and captivating, and Paige is a narrator that the reader will follow to the end and wish they could follow her further. (HarperCollins, 2014)<br />
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THE FAMILY ROMANOV by Candace Fleming<br />
In 1894, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia became the autocratic ruler of 130 million people, most of whom were starving, and over the next 23 years would ignore the plight of his people, father five children, declare war against Germany, be forced to abdicate his throne, be imprisoned and executed; this is the story of how it came to be. Fleming's non-fiction volume is full of photographs, direct quotes from letters and diaries, and details about the lives of the rich. It is also the story of the tight knit Romanov family and the apparent love they had for each other no matter what their circumstances, as well as the political climate and how it affected the family and led to Stalin's regime. The Romanov's are drawn as people who were not trained for their too-large job of leading the country, not were they cut out for it, and while the tsar and empress made mistakes, they were not the only ones. Russia has a long history, and the Romanov legacy is a large, fascinating part of it that is handled with care in this highly recommended book. (Schwartz & Wade, 2014)<br />
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MR. MERCEDES by Stephen King<br />
Retired Detective Hodges never solved the case of the Mercedes Killer, the man who plowed into a crowd at a job fair last year, and is ready to fade away himself until he receives a letter from someone claiming to be Mr. Mercedes, which sets Hodges off into investigating the case once again. In true King fashion, there are great lines, perfect character descriptions, and fantastic scenes of horror though this novel is not a slasher type; it has a realistic ring to it -- until the final showdown. Fantastic twists and a creepy, love-to-hate villain make this a fabulous read for those seeking a psychological crime novel. (Scribner, 2014)<br />
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THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES by Robin Talley<br />
Reviewed for VOYA -- a black and white teen become frenemies and then something more when they are forced to be partners in French class after the all-white school is integrated in the south in the 1950s. (Harlequin Teen, 2014)<br />
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WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart<br />
Cady, her two cousins, and their friend Gat are best friends who spend every summer together on a private island off Martha's Vinyard with their mothers and wealthy grandfather, but during the summer she is fifteen, Cady hits her head and forgets most of what happened; she returns to the island two years later and decides to find out what she has forgotten. The writing is solid, the pace is excellent, and the teen feelings of friendships, love, and family are palpable. While this novel falls into the category of "convenient amnesia YAs," it is well done, the end is satisfying if not heartbreaking, and it just feels different and memorable. Highly recommend. (Delacorte, 2014)<br />
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THE PORT CHICAGO 50: DISASTER, MUTINY, AND THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS by Steve Sheinkin<br />
In 1944, an explosives handling mishap killed 320 Navy men and injured over 300 more at Port Chicago, a Navy base primarily operated by black sailors who were segregated from the white bases; 50 of the surviving sailors refused to handle the explosives and were tried for mutiny. This fantastic work of non-fiction brings to light a lesser-known fight for civil rights during WWII. It reads like a courtroom drama full of tangible characters and suspense despite the inevitable ending. Highly recommended to those interested in engaging non-fiction or history buffs. (Roaring Brook Press, 2014)<br />
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I really, really, really enjoyed a lot more books than this from the past year, but thought I'd make myself stop obsessing at top ten. :)<br />
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Can't wait for the first batch of 2015 releases! Happy New Year, all!<br />
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Deena<br />
DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-13962659567940418652014-12-31T04:28:00.000-08:002014-12-31T04:28:35.651-08:00Deserted Sale Ending!Happy New Year, Readers!<br />
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If you are looking for a .99 ebook deal, DESERTED is on sale for just two more days so get it while it's cheap!<br />
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<a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books">Buy books here.</a><br />
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Wishing you a healthy, happy New Year full of love, light, and peace.<br />
<br />
DeenaDeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-46113558801474958712014-12-29T17:46:00.000-08:002014-12-29T17:46:04.825-08:00SISTERS DON'T TELL is live!After years of writing, rewriting, revising, and rewriting again, my YA ebook SISTERS DON'T TELL is now available! Thanks to my LJ readers who have been supportive of my writing and reviews for so many years. Happy New Year, all!<br />
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<img src="http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/deenaml/10684307/27711/27711_900.jpg" alt="sistersdonttellcoverLOWRES" title="sistersdonttellcoverLOWRES"><br />
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<i>Sisters always have the best secrets.</i><br />
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Sixteen-year-old Mel wishes she and her little sister could be close again, but when Annie spills that she’s knocked up, Mel loses any hope of that happening. There’s just no way Mel’s life full of girl friends and cooking can compare with Annie’s world full of boyfriends and sex. Still, Mel promises she’ll keep Annie’s secret, figuring it’s the only way to save their remaining bond. <br />
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Enter Devon, the first guy ever to make Mel feel like the special sister. But the closer she and Devon get the more Mel has to pepper their relationship with little lies to hide her sister’s pregnancy. When Annie drops another bomb, Mel’s afraid she’ll lose Devon if she keeps the secret, or lose her sister for good if she doesn’t. Her only other choice is to stay true to herself, something she hopes she can remember how to do on her own. <br />
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SISTERS DON'T TELL is available through Amazon, B&N, Kobo, iTunes, and Smashwords. <br />
<a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html</a>DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-73252044905520524762014-12-01T10:45:00.001-08:002014-12-01T10:46:35.363-08:00DESERTED is ON SALE for $.99!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Get it while it's desert-hot!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0gVie1WQ_gE_mZO5OgouxgULQjiAM9BJv0lbmsAErwuED4qbZ_AqRuFXfvhQqVVjJlOWfp8BjfhbovFpXxft4SFMf92Tihy207akVeV3IhsQdRFOEZaI7mEjBdeQ9TF1IIHvmyelVHqT/s1600/desertedcoversmall-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0gVie1WQ_gE_mZO5OgouxgULQjiAM9BJv0lbmsAErwuED4qbZ_AqRuFXfvhQqVVjJlOWfp8BjfhbovFpXxft4SFMf92Tihy207akVeV3IhsQdRFOEZaI7mEjBdeQ9TF1IIHvmyelVHqT/s1600/desertedcoversmall-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><em style="position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;">The desert can be dangerous...especially when you've been deserted.</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">Seventeen-year-old Kara is done spying on people for her father, the wealthy and morally corrupt businessman Dr. Ellison. Last summer, when her father’s project literally blew up, she fell hard for one of his victims: Leo, the hot musician who made her question her family’s rules. Now Leo’s clear across the country, and Kara’s ready to reinvent herself in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Of course her father has to mess up that plan, too. He claims a rogue environmental group wants him dead because of his latest alternative energy business venture, and that he needs Kara back on his payroll as the only one he can fully trust. With nowhere else to turn, Kara sends Leo a distressed text message – just before she’s kidnapped, a bargaining chip of the vigilantes who are determined to end her father’s moneymaking plans.<br /><br />Leo is battling the pains of his last run-in with Dr. Ellison but he wastes no time hopping a plane to Vegas to rescue Kara. As he struggles to find her, the pair tries to learn all they can about the project Dr. Ellison is directing in the hopes of using the information to free Kara. Because if there’s one thing they’ve learned from Dr. Ellison, it’s that no risk is too big when it comes to fame and fortune, life and death.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">This link goes to my website's book page</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserted-Deena-Lipomi-ebook/dp/B00LMQLFX2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405209027&sr=8-2&keywords=deena+lipomi" target="_blank">This one goes straight to Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deserted-deena-lipomi/1119934860?ean=2940149790746" target="_blank">This one goes straight to Barnes & Noble</a></span></div>
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Thanks, readers, for your years of support!</div>
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Deena</div>
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DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-75454513616069277662014-11-29T10:33:00.000-08:002014-11-29T10:33:07.699-08:00Library Lost&Found #6: Why Did the Turkey Go to the Library?In honor of Thanksgiving weekend leftovers, today's LL&F is not an abandoned object, but rather someone who got lost and then found the library.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTc4OR1INc2iloZ5WifZQCXYoANVBYPEZ1jWREfv3n9KU72o1-RC4eKyiJZsVELwm2cwBfiEjmKP1wwzyy5S8yJlz0o8vRU6P2fQAX1Qxpi7BXe0k55qTubvQj5k7SbJt4phuMC0ufkkT/s1600/Turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTc4OR1INc2iloZ5WifZQCXYoANVBYPEZ1jWREfv3n9KU72o1-RC4eKyiJZsVELwm2cwBfiEjmKP1wwzyy5S8yJlz0o8vRU6P2fQAX1Qxpi7BXe0k55qTubvQj5k7SbJt4phuMC0ufkkT/s1600/Turkey.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the words of a favorite blog's (<a href="http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2014/11/27/if-cake-croutons-become-a-thing-i-want-credit.html" target="_blank">CakeWrecks.com</a>) turkey cakes, "Goble, goble!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwfoIhRa8ReJUVbXHQgLSHRDG_ufy927nU4KAurdKJWPKzHygNCf6biZYyzX6kyfJUJUMIokAJdd-yx5t88PpmFPmwxXh9igxNfbvenC8-Dejfi7KD3I3g2VW-eJVJfu2uVDGvqesL3oz/s1600/goble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwfoIhRa8ReJUVbXHQgLSHRDG_ufy927nU4KAurdKJWPKzHygNCf6biZYyzX6kyfJUJUMIokAJdd-yx5t88PpmFPmwxXh9igxNfbvenC8-Dejfi7KD3I3g2VW-eJVJfu2uVDGvqesL3oz/s1600/goble.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have a great holiday season, aka Buy Books For All!<br />
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DeenaDeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-79389546380716439232014-10-15T19:06:00.001-07:002014-10-15T19:06:31.312-07:00Library Lost&Found #5: I Don't Like the Drugs But the Drugs Like Me*<span style="font-size: x-small;">*with apologies to Marilyn Manson</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Tip of the Day: Check out the fabulous authors and illustrators coming to the <a href="http://www.rochesterchildrensbookfestival.com/" target="_blank">Rochester Children's Book Festival</a> on Saturday, November 19!</span></b><br />
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Sometimes the items found inside the library are unidentifiable without using the human sense of taste, like this baggie of [basil? oregano? crushed bud?] greens tucked inside a book, apparently from lot #7166:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVJIwfl2XWWp8JMknomXBrWfDYWnx3IQVLGloTGiCggqoN6bPWaUOR-HJvMtko8jStTQLYck1DjrPqf4e82MNnBBIFR6tecFVKeiCEZ2duvpRQsRLFzV0Db7umuBGDtfrvTWh7wb-6Ls_/s1600/weed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVJIwfl2XWWp8JMknomXBrWfDYWnx3IQVLGloTGiCggqoN6bPWaUOR-HJvMtko8jStTQLYck1DjrPqf4e82MNnBBIFR6tecFVKeiCEZ2duvpRQsRLFzV0Db7umuBGDtfrvTWh7wb-6Ls_/s1600/weed.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or this pile of [flour? crushed chalk? coke?] white powder in the parking lot:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBiFg2gH2HvrVtfuFVX1fWwQjoj1vk4Jz668REEkCdzEuIpRNYBEgzyum-oRFIbJIOrm6KGoQfZ9ad02fFMKG2246dRniVtPbuFju78B0rE0R0HMV2SWmjOPNUWVjBeK7pehDhttwj-ft/s1600/coke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBiFg2gH2HvrVtfuFVX1fWwQjoj1vk4Jz668REEkCdzEuIpRNYBEgzyum-oRFIbJIOrm6KGoQfZ9ad02fFMKG2246dRniVtPbuFju78B0rE0R0HMV2SWmjOPNUWVjBeK7pehDhttwj-ft/s1600/coke.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And just in case you were uncertain on this, the best place to keep your tobacky tin is inside a book on CD case:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA6Ku6pTA6OtlMWpvMD76YJATcbNgy3lgUYOHix-Cb3paHTzMsEsdbTXxARCk7YTa07fNPS_C-dlRKnv2zKi17rvZLaCzzQSOOjHWtW6L69MmGLpTEigJ2YEc0k4LYwBCB7LQlUSF6_pg/s1600/toabcco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA6Ku6pTA6OtlMWpvMD76YJATcbNgy3lgUYOHix-Cb3paHTzMsEsdbTXxARCk7YTa07fNPS_C-dlRKnv2zKi17rvZLaCzzQSOOjHWtW6L69MmGLpTEigJ2YEc0k4LYwBCB7LQlUSF6_pg/s1600/toabcco.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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Score!</div>
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Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing</div>
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-27793547292255060912014-10-04T08:58:00.002-07:002014-10-04T08:58:59.529-07:00Library Lost&Found #4: Happy Birthday!<b><span style="color: red;">Tip of the Day: Need some book suggestions? Check out my reviews on <a href="http://deenaml.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">LiveJournal</a> and <a href="http://www.rocparent.com/" target="_blank">Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine</a>. </span></b><br />
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I've mentioned <a href="http://www.author2author.blogspot.com/2014/08/library-lost-1-or-cat-astrophe.html" target="_blank">library donations</a> before -- those boxes of books, DVDs, & CDs that patrons bring us to resell in our Friends store. We get some awesome new materials that bring in cash flow so I can keep offering programs like my upcoming Hallow-Teen Psych Night (my favorite YA program of the year!).<br />
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But sometimes you can tell when a donor is merely cleaning out a family member's house -- or their own -- and just can't bear to throw anything away. So they figure they'll bring their crap to the library.<br />
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Because really, as much as outdated technology makes me sad in some ways, we can't easily sell VHS tapes anymore.<br />
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You know what we really can't sell? VHS home videos.<br />
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You know what we really <i>really </i>can't sell?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ysOYZJeuhA14zOYAj5kEeZqKspMKxCTSser5hV44w6sIBJWmWHsI1tEVilq50J3Z_0Sp55idf63qI6yvYoVZAOKkUE56SdFdXQXUuETgUgu_ZAE6A6Q2p1wmwSfNvnFKfao7IK1EdIJl/s1600/VHS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ysOYZJeuhA14zOYAj5kEeZqKspMKxCTSser5hV44w6sIBJWmWHsI1tEVilq50J3Z_0Sp55idf63qI6yvYoVZAOKkUE56SdFdXQXUuETgUgu_ZAE6A6Q2p1wmwSfNvnFKfao7IK1EdIJl/s1600/VHS2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank the lords they also gave us the sequel. I didn't want to be left hanging!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OAxGekGKMpuepO-dDMeisutHlTaZm6ldctXoXXbo4eOUlxfKvv7Wm97WKLdcx65kRF1K620usfZlnJgxpvokTJ8eFI8LVQ_DcljJxkkYYz1KO3zHOiOVhXwlB3pV9XGelL8HN8TatPmi/s1600/VHS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OAxGekGKMpuepO-dDMeisutHlTaZm6ldctXoXXbo4eOUlxfKvv7Wm97WKLdcx65kRF1K620usfZlnJgxpvokTJ8eFI8LVQ_DcljJxkkYYz1KO3zHOiOVhXwlB3pV9XGelL8HN8TatPmi/s1600/VHS1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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DeenaDeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-77961740201165241102014-09-21T18:47:00.002-07:002014-09-21T18:47:38.674-07:00Library Lost&Found #3 (or Send In the Clowns*)<span style="font-size: x-small;">*They're already here!</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Tip of the Day: Ask your local public library when they hold their used book sales. Not only will you find some true gems at these events, but you'll score great deals and support the library for the coming year!</span></b><br />
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Some Library L&F items fall into the category of "<b>lost</b> in the stacks" and "<b>found</b> while staff were weeding/searching for something else legit."<br />
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One such recent type of L&F item was brought to my attention by a fabulous colleague while she was weeding the stacks. It really doesn't need any more commentary than the item itself provides (circa 1984):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNTGsBfm5cLJdVAK9eHBmxJF2iWGxCfHG596tQGan2kwW8RUdoj3m2Z55f-cwu2nTDbwLqzTYCvu_Z0YeH1Po7l3XJjqrh-hVv5bcnW3GXY8y6dtpx8DNr1nBmISOFipsLA1yAlb4G3rb/s1600/Clown1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNTGsBfm5cLJdVAK9eHBmxJF2iWGxCfHG596tQGan2kwW8RUdoj3m2Z55f-cwu2nTDbwLqzTYCvu_Z0YeH1Po7l3XJjqrh-hVv5bcnW3GXY8y6dtpx8DNr1nBmISOFipsLA1yAlb4G3rb/s1600/Clown1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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And in case you need to know what exactly what this entails:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Tc_Ca9EwX5u3SfdhGuvPxDBXqvRGHuspTt7fMRWYYVqYhU0ZrHtWdHzGzE0KQIrm7zwqS18Hl3SV8-GfisJUSBfxj-G2VFg55letHA2aPGq4htnSBoUR3Vlpa2WtEQXN44FI0Js0pEV/s1600/Clown2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5Tc_Ca9EwX5u3SfdhGuvPxDBXqvRGHuspTt7fMRWYYVqYhU0ZrHtWdHzGzE0KQIrm7zwqS18Hl3SV8-GfisJUSBfxj-G2VFg55letHA2aPGq4htnSBoUR3Vlpa2WtEQXN44FI0Js0pEV/s1600/Clown2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Obviously the book wouldn't be complete without an appendix of clown face make-up ideas:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4lm1lGVGQf3-sp-N0qEojjs_xjb5JB2zZTOCmQjfaPUPY9KFlmWI10HfamabGGHYwk-lT4pqWjrRXbhAqKbz0kCPxMDPApCqpO4kYbs01XVm8-kwSPSRg7wF-Za4V_U_n0BU2u6XR9R1/s1600/Clown3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4lm1lGVGQf3-sp-N0qEojjs_xjb5JB2zZTOCmQjfaPUPY9KFlmWI10HfamabGGHYwk-lT4pqWjrRXbhAqKbz0kCPxMDPApCqpO4kYbs01XVm8-kwSPSRg7wF-Za4V_U_n0BU2u6XR9R1/s1600/Clown3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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If my life as an author and librarian doesn't work out, you know I'll be going full Clown Ministry. Boo yeah!<br />
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Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-12941075172084291362014-09-06T11:18:00.001-07:002014-09-06T11:18:47.119-07:00Library Lost&Found #2 (or Car Alarming)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Tip of the Day: There's still time to enter my <a href="http://author2author.blogspot.com/2014/08/win-two-yas-or-im-not-above-bribing.html" target="_blank">giveaway</a> for two new YA novels!</span></b></div>
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Some items that are stashed in the library's Lost & Found wouldn't be humorous if they were encountered, say, on a street corner. Or the side of the road. Maybe even at a gas station. </div>
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What makes them funny is that someone:</div>
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a) saw the items in the road/library parking lot, </div>
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b) brought them into the library to be a good samaritan,</div>
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c) and our staff put them in the Lost & Found bin.*</div>
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Here is one such case:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPorSbtI4MmODUrmFAwM1RW8u64xSQ41edDJvFt66h3lG4V7JzPO8-_fqgb2rGPgVmgRT_4p8Uk-zyuROxHOZpXFtcbVNVtj1KeTQ7xeXTHesSkd7ySmE1RE4LwBu6cz988srkiqr594KU/s1600/hubcap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPorSbtI4MmODUrmFAwM1RW8u64xSQ41edDJvFt66h3lG4V7JzPO8-_fqgb2rGPgVmgRT_4p8Uk-zyuROxHOZpXFtcbVNVtj1KeTQ7xeXTHesSkd7ySmE1RE4LwBu6cz988srkiqr594KU/s1600/hubcap.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, one day I came into work and found a hubcap in our Lost & Found bin.<br />
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Immediate thoughts:<br />
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a) would anyone who lost a hubcap actually check inside the library for it?<br />
b) omg take my picture with my eyes looking through the holes!<br />
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Anyone missing a hubcap?<br />
<br />
Deena<br />
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*Please note I love my staff and adore that they put these items in Lost & Found, because what is the other choice? Tell the supposed do-gooder who brought it in to put it back where they found it? Immediately throw it in the garbage? No, we must respect the Lost & Found items!DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-76849351658142775292014-08-27T20:45:00.001-07:002014-08-27T20:45:44.553-07:00Library Lost&Found #1 (or Cat-astrophe)<b><span style="color: purple;">Tip of the Day: If you missed <a href="http://writeoncon.com/" target="_blank">WriteOnCon</a> this week, that's OK! Check out the archives and speaker list for current agent and editor information.</span></b><br />
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For the past six years, I have wanted to blog about this topic, and finally, after three years of collecting photos, I am taking the plunge.<br />
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What am I talking about?<br />
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<b>Library Lost&Found</b>, of course!<br />
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Background: I am in charge of the Circulation Department at my library, and with that I inherited "management" of the Lost & Found. This highly evolved area consists of a plastic crate (probably a lost & found item itself back in the day) sitting on a small table in the cart room.<br />
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At any one time the L&F may be full of the following items:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Mittens/gloves</li>
<li>Notebooks/pens</li>
<li>Umbrellas</li>
<li>Canes</li>
<li>Sunglasses/reading glasses</li>
<li>Action figures</li>
<li>Sippy cups/bottles</li>
<li>Flash drives</li>
<li>Etc.</li>
</ul>
<div>
However, there is the occasional time where something completely outlandish ends up in the L&F and I think to myself one/many of the following:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Who could forget that?</li>
<li>Who would bring that into the library in the first place</li>
<li>Who would own that in the first place?</li>
<li>Why did we even save that in L&F instead of throwing it out? </li>
</ul>
<div>
While I am considering the above, I am also usually laughing hysterically and I thought I should share that hilarity with the blog-reading world.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I started collecting photos about three years ago, and it evolved from just items that were placed in the L&F to also include:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Notes/letters/school assignments found around the library</li>
<li>Items stuck in books</li>
<li>Items donated to the library</li>
</ul>
<div>
Now, to kick off <b>Library Lost&Found</b>, this is a recent item that was donated to the library. Keep in mind, we don't actually accept clothing donations...yet somehow these furry faces found their way into our building with a box of books....</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB8qvMR5HwkmcUKJR6cDdAFrrwiDT6eACA0kdZ_c6WlDBkCyxle3igZKCd-y-Vgh6u9Vl6sU-CFUCrvM_sEBCes0YwHpMDu4CT4rAx9xdwOVkjHdCZ-SZkVeMvW6KUN6XE3CjEGFxzowk/s1600/Cat-8-27-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB8qvMR5HwkmcUKJR6cDdAFrrwiDT6eACA0kdZ_c6WlDBkCyxle3igZKCd-y-Vgh6u9Vl6sU-CFUCrvM_sEBCes0YwHpMDu4CT4rAx9xdwOVkjHdCZ-SZkVeMvW6KUN6XE3CjEGFxzowk/s1600/Cat-8-27-14.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
A number of questions arise:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Why did someone think printing cat faces all over the front of a giant t-shirt would be attractive?</li>
<li>When they realized it wasn't attractive, why did they think the library would want it?</li>
</ol>
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Oh, wait, I guess the library did want it since I'm wearing it. But only because it was too amazing to pass up adding the tongues and tail and then gifting it to my director. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But the kitty print itself is all natural, baby! MEOW!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until next time...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing</div>
DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-76514087290990939062014-08-17T19:25:00.001-07:002014-08-17T19:25:02.381-07:00Win Two YAs! (or I'm Not Above Bribing Readers for Reviews)<b><span style="color: #45818e;">Tip of the Day: Get ready for <a href="http://writeoncon.com/" target="_blank">WriteOnCon 2014</a>, the free online kidlit writing conference August 26-27. I'm excited to check out the buzz again this year!</span></b><br />
<br />
I want to start with a huge THANK YOU to all A2A readers who have read BLACKOUT or DESERTED! I am so grateful for the support and excited to work on book #3, which I never thought I'd say. (Me? A trilogy?) I plan on releasing an unrelated YA contemporary novel this winter, and then Jenny and Zak's story in August 2015.<br />
<br />
To celebrate other summer 2014 YA novel releases, I want to give away two of them that I loved:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CSIV70gvBSe8ijz3oSNwz2W3ptB0A16iklmAPQE8TJFAGZOiA9dAOXzeGVqROtNnlyhhcYBA700MRKF6UN0sDB25gfgtEkUcMbILbDK457qhek7RdT8O7n8fxwfIj1QYyeVoZ4CknXGF/s1600/fourth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CSIV70gvBSe8ijz3oSNwz2W3ptB0A16iklmAPQE8TJFAGZOiA9dAOXzeGVqROtNnlyhhcYBA700MRKF6UN0sDB25gfgtEkUcMbILbDK457qhek7RdT8O7n8fxwfIj1QYyeVoZ4CknXGF/s1600/fourth.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uOjGA2WotQzPnYF4XDRn2YDScTV73daXmISZtvPCL_JOhrFuZrlZ-H9HLjSDLvEnFjkisDzfz6Apio3XFk3SSpmBuw3isWhGsPC37M786HQPN6cuavk4wXe9attcs-m8ysSor2KUiQkf/s1600/bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uOjGA2WotQzPnYF4XDRn2YDScTV73daXmISZtvPCL_JOhrFuZrlZ-H9HLjSDLvEnFjkisDzfz6Apio3XFk3SSpmBuw3isWhGsPC37M786HQPN6cuavk4wXe9attcs-m8ysSor2KUiQkf/s1600/bridge.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fourth-wish-lindsay-ribar/1117163975?ean=9780803738287" target="_blank">THE FOURTH WISH by Lindsay Ribar</a> is the sequel to <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-wishing-lindsay-ribar/1109483463?ean=9780142425299" target="_blank">THE ART OF WISHING</a> but it also stands on its own. Why did I love it? Because Margo loves Oliver, a genie, regardless of the exterior form he takes. Margo is a positive, uplifting character who is fun to follow through her own transformation.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bridge-from-me-to-you-lisa-schroeder/1117894837?ean=9780545646017" target="_blank">THE BRIDGE FROM ME TO YOU by Lisa Schroeder</a> is by our very own former A2A contributor! Why did I love it? Because the love story is sweet and non-angsty, and the dual povs from both Lauren and Colby are expressive and connected, but also unique.<br />
<br />
<b>All you have to do for a chance to win is leave a review on Amazon or B&N for BLACKOUT, DESERTED, or both, and leave the link to the review in the comments! You'll get one entry for each review you write and post below (for a total of 4 possible entries). Enter in the Rafflecopter below between 8/18-9/18. <i>Sorry, open to U.S. mailing addresses only.</i></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
For links to the books on Amazon and B&N, go to <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">www.DeenaLipomi.com</a>.<br />
<br />
Happy Second-Half-of-August!<br />
<br />
Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ca578ade1/" id="rc-ca578ade1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-5698829230104051262014-08-02T17:01:00.000-07:002014-08-02T17:01:37.973-07:00On Celebrating EVERY Writing Accomplishment (or Bigger Isn't Always Better)<span style="color: purple;"><b>Tip of the Day: Love deals on discounted ebooks of your choice genres sent to your inbox daily? Check out and subscribe to <a href="http://ereadernewstoday.com/" target="_blank">Ereader News Today</a>! </b></span><br />
<br />
As online social media sites have moved from MySpace to FaceBook to Twitter to Tumblr, I am still a loyal reader and user of <a href="http://deenaml.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">LiveJournal</a>. I post all of my book reviews here and enjoy reading the occasional posts by other stalwart LJ users, such as author and poet <a href="http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Fineman</a>.<br />
<br />
Last month Kelly wrote two posts that made me think. The <a href="http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/836319.html" target="_blank">first</a> was about how she had good news to share; three of her poems had been accepted into two publications. I commented that it was fantastic and every little piece of writing news is something to celebrate when you are a talented, driven writer! Kelly replied that yes, it is good to remember to celebrate and share every achievement, no matter how small.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/836360.html" target="_blank">second</a> was a post called "Why is it so hard to own the good stuff?" and it truly spoke to me and made me start thinking about writing a post of my own, where I knew I'd link to Kelly's post because she is such an eloquent writer. Go ahead, read Kelly's post now. I'll wait. :)<br />
<br />
I've been a writer all my life, but I first began writing with the idea toward publication (YA novels) in 2004, the summer after I finished my MLS and fell in live with YA lit in the YA Materials class. By 2006, I had three manuscripts and was sure that after a couple of years, I would have a YA novel on store shelves. Why wouldn't I? I was reading a ton, writing a ton, had a critique group, started up this group blog, went to conferences, knew how to edit and revise, took an online class, researched the market, signed with my first agent in 2008, kept writing more books, my crit/blog partners got book deals....<br />
<br />
Um, yeah. And here I am now 10 years later without a book deal.<br />
<br />
I am not writing this for pity or because I am fishing for encouraging remarks!<br />
<br />
I AM writing this because, holy crap, I have accomplished a LOT in 10 years in the writing arena and these things need to be celebrated:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>April 2011 -- Accepted as a <a href="http://www.voyamagazine.com/" target="_blank">VOYA</a> reviewer; 1-2 of my YA book reviews are published monthly in this national professional librarian journal</li>
<li>July 2013 -- Self-published my YA ebook <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">BLACKOUT</a> and created a book trailer*</li>
<li>January 2014 -- Hired as a freelance <a href="http://www.rocparent.com/" target="_blank">Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine</a> <i>Book Nook</i> writer; 1 article per month of kidlit book reviews is published in this local free Rochester-area magazine</li>
<li>July 2014 -- Self-published my YA ebook <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">DESERTED</a> and created a book trailer*</li>
</ul>
<div>
* To date, I have sold approximately 135 copies of my books, which is about 130 more readers than I would've had if I hadn't epubbed. Woo hoo!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So basically since spring 2011, I've had something professionally published every month, and since 2014 I've had at least two publications released per month. And you know what? That's pretty freakin' cool! I LOVE writing book reviews and while yes, they do take away time from writing my own fiction, there is a certain satisfaction in knowing they will be seen in print. Plus the librarian in me adores gushing about good books and telling people what to read. :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Other cool things?</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I have a fantastic agent who is working hard with me to polish my next MG novel. We are, of course, hoping the one on sub will sell, but either way it is exciting and motivating to have someone enthusiastic in my court with great ideas for making my books the best they can be. Also, she is a talented author herself so I know she "gets" revision and the work it takes to make your book baby solid for submission, from both sides of the business.</li>
<li>I have a fantastic core of talented writers who critique and edit my work, both online and in-person. I would not be where I am today without the years of input they have given me. I never take them for granted.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I do not plan to ever stop working toward traditional publication or self-pubbing ebooks at this point in my life, and I'm sure if/when I do get that elusive book deal, I will be ecstatic. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I also know that realistically, after the initial push, printing, and distribution of that one book, I will still need to write another and another and another. Not only to sustain a writing career, but because <i>I have stories to tell.</i> And one month, two months, three months after the book comes out, to the general population it will just be another book on the shelf at the library/store/house. Does that mean that the book and the accomplishment and hard work it represents still shouldn't be celebrated just because it is not "new" anymore?</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I say no. I mean yes. I mean: <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Continue to relish that accomplishment and also celebrate all the small goals reached on the way to the next book deal or journal publication or poem completion or query letter sent.</span></b> Because book deals and the publications of said books are too few and far between to be the only thing writers are celebrating.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As longtime A2A reader and awesome YA author <a href="http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Jenn Hubbard</a> said in Kelly's comments:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">We're stopping to smell the roses, instead of saying that they're small roses or thorny roses or there could be more of them. They smell sweet."</span></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Capisce?</div>
<br />
<br />
Now excuse me while I finish up the October monster-themed <i>Book Nook </i>for <a href="http://www.rocparent.com/" target="_blank">Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine</a>. :-D<br />
<br />
Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-52139321732023013162014-08-01T19:17:00.002-07:002014-08-01T19:17:57.918-07:00DESERTED Book Trailer (or Watch it for the Music & Pics)<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Tip of the Day: <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">BLACKOUT is on sale for .99 for two more hours</a>...and DESERTED is officially on sale for $2.99.</span></b><br />
<br />
Today is the official release date for DESERTED, the YA ebook sequel to BLACKOUT!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmCvhQ3mgKMuBQ56222re4QHwvFsqtmnPwtPMevoBxyf9uvVo1e1m0KHgWAVERQlLICJbbSj4fWK42YqyNpxOeHflZvEtz9Y1Hzm2ohgreLrqQP9plLhQACu8H-FB27Q7ysAo11hIf_1e/s1600/desertedcoversmall-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmCvhQ3mgKMuBQ56222re4QHwvFsqtmnPwtPMevoBxyf9uvVo1e1m0KHgWAVERQlLICJbbSj4fWK42YqyNpxOeHflZvEtz9Y1Hzm2ohgreLrqQP9plLhQACu8H-FB27Q7ysAo11hIf_1e/s1600/desertedcoversmall-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In honor of its release, I have created a book trailer with the help of my sister Andrea Lipomi (she took the Vegas photos -- <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">follow her on FaceBook/instagram </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">@feetishspa for more of her pics)</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">, and to my husband John Viviani (he wrote the music and produced the video -- follow Blue Falcon on FB for more new tunes </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bluefalconmusic" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/bluefalconmusic</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Thanks to all my readers, friends, and family for the continued support!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing</span></span>DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-91517109445089178822014-07-19T16:59:00.001-07:002014-07-19T16:59:41.296-07:00Kids Are Reading (or Go On, Blame the Kids*)<span style="font-size: x-small;">*With apologies to Pink Floyd</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Tip of the Day: BLACKOUT is still on sale for .99 through the end of July at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZF4FA8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blackout-deena-lipomi/1116157445?ean=2940148655336&isbn=2940148655336" target="_blank">B&N</a>!</b></span><br />
<br />
I feel like every other week I hear about a news story or opinion piece saying that kids don't read anymore. Well, I can say from working at my library this summer, I don't see it so I won't believe it! :)<br />
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So far for our Summer Reading Program we have approximately 1,000 kids and teens (ages birth through 17) registered, and our circulation desk has had a check out line every day.<br />
<br />
What books are the kids asking for? The ones that stand out as having multiple requests in the past few weeks are:<br />
<br />
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak<br />
Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown<br />
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey<br />
Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder<br />
The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne<br />
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel<br />
Divergent by Veronica Roth<br />
The Maze Runner by James Dashner<br />
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green<br />
Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin<br />
Who Was/Who Is biographies<br />
<br />
What books are the kids and teens in your life clamoring for?<br />
<br />
Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
<br />
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-39422929530922727142014-07-10T09:29:00.001-07:002014-07-10T09:29:13.310-07:00BLACKOUT is ON SALE! (or 66% Off Now!)<b><span style="color: blue;">Tip of the Day: Join <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/home/" target="_blank">BookBub</a> for daily ebook deals emailed directly to you!</span></b><br />
<br />
In anticipation of the upcoming official release of <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">DESERTED</a>, BLACKOUT is on sale for just $.99 for a limited time on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Deena-Lipomi-ebook/dp/B00DZF4FA8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405009055&sr=8-1&keywords=blackout+lipomi" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blackout-deena-lipomi/1116157445?ean=2940148655336" target="_blank">B&N</a>!<br />
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Read about bro and sis Leo and Jenny's NY and PA adventures in book #1 before being whisked off to Las Vegas in book #2....<br />
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Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing</div>
<br />DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-68859039878354244842014-07-04T11:38:00.000-07:002014-07-04T12:59:45.658-07:00DESERTED Is Coming! (or BLACKOUT #2 Is in the Pipeline!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tip of the Day: Make sure to check out your local library's Summer Reading events for all ages! Participating helps boost library use statistics, which get reported to the state and help with funding -- plus they are fun and free!</div>
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On August 1, DESERTED, the sequel to BLACKOUT, will be available wherever ebooks are sold!</div>
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Want some hints on what it's about?</div>
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Las Vegas </div>
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Fremont St., Las Vegas</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Downtown Las Vegas</span></div>
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Love</div>
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The desert</div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/A_JPcBwYGmo/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A_JPcBwYGmo&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/A_JPcBwYGmo&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Environmental extremists</div>
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And here's the official blurb:</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #686767; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><em style="position: relative;"><span style="font-size: small;">The desert can be dangerous...especially when you've been deserted.</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #686767; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Seventeen-year-old Kara is done spying on people for her father, the wealthy and morally corrupt businessman Dr. Ellison. Last summer, when her father’s project literally blew up, she fell hard for one of his victims: Leo, the hot musician who made her question her family’s rules. Now Leo’s clear across the country, and Kara’s ready to reinvent herself in Las Vegas.<br /><br />Of course her father has to mess up that plan, too. He claims a rogue environmental group wants him dead because of his latest alternative energy business venture, and that he needs Kara back on his payroll as the only one he can fully trust. With nowhere else to turn, Kara sends Leo a distressed text message – just before she’s kidnapped, a bargaining chip of the vigilantes who are determined to end her father’s moneymaking plans.<br /><br />Leo is battling the pains of his last run-in with Dr. Ellison but he wastes no time hopping a plane to Vegas to rescue Kara. As he struggles to find her, the pair tries to learn all they can about the project Dr. Ellison is directing in the hopes of using the information to free Kara. Because if there’s one thing they’ve learned from Dr. Ellison, it’s that no risk is too big when it comes to fame and fortune, life and death.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">*Photo's by Andrea Lipomi of Feetish Spa Parlor, Las Vegas</span></div>
DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-6832234375739131882014-06-19T11:37:00.000-07:002014-06-19T11:37:01.250-07:00#BoySwap #Free on #Kindle<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boys, Band Nerds, and Backstabbers. BOY SWAP is </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #d26c8e;">FREE</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm', sans-serif; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> today on <a href="http://amzn.to/1bPrGk2">Amazon</a>. </span><br />
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Kristina Springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03171504801682649341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-89521463566276782752014-06-04T14:29:00.000-07:002014-06-04T14:31:44.528-07:00Best Book Club EVER<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been such a long time since I've posted but last we've talked I mentioned I had moved. That was like a year ago. And my kids go to this really great school and they get to do a lot of cool things and have amazing experiences. Like author visits. They've probably had half a dozen+ authors come to talk to them and each time it's a big deal with everyone wanting signed books and they all read them voraciously so it's a good thing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've never been the kind of author mom to push my books on them. But at one event we were at when the kids were going on and on about the authors, "Did you hear how he gets ideas?" "Isn't that amazing how she thought up that title?" I looked at them and said, "You guys do realize I write books for a living, right?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward a couple of months and a few more author visits. I was leaving to do an author event in Chicago and something clicked with the kids. "Omg! You write books! Can we read them?!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thus started the Springer Family Book Club. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids all demanded their own signed books. How do you sign a book to your own kid? I wrote smooshy love notes to each and signed it Mommy, aka Kristina Springer. And e</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ach night we gather in one bedroom (all 4 kids plus us parents), books in hand, and we take turns reading aloud a chapter from My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours. And it's pretty darn cute I must say. Especially since my kindergartner can only read the fast words he knows (like, for, and, the, you, where etc.) and the girls have to fill in the rest. And the kids laugh at all my jokes. And talk about what could possibly happen next. It's awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight we're reading the last chapter of the book and they're all dying to know what happens. I keep pretending like I don't know which makes them giggle. They asked if we can start one of my other books tomorrow but I'm hesitant-- I think the YA is a little too mature. I did just finish a new middle grade recently so I'm contemplating printing out a copy of that for us to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've been asked in interviews for years, what do your kids think of your books? And I'd always answered, oh they're too young. Now I have a new answer-- they're the best book club ever. :-)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kristina, Miss Author in Action</span></div>
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Kristina Springerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03171504801682649341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-55652132923634129792014-05-27T19:16:00.001-07:002014-05-27T19:17:57.960-07:00Two Months Later (or I Ain't Missing You At All*)<span style="font-size: x-small;">*with apologies to John Waite</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Tip of the Day: Mark your calendar for the <a href="http://www.teenbookfestival.org/" target="_blank">Greater Rochester Teen Book Fest</a> on May 16, 2015 -- there are already 8 authors confirmed to be here in the ROC!</b></span><br />
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For anyone who knows the song "Missing You" by John Waite, it should be clear that I AM missing Author2Author even though it's been two months since I last posted! Where has the time gone? Well, I guess into the following things:<br />
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1. Greater Rochester Teen Book Fest! How could I not have had an amazing time volunteering at this event on May 17? Look at all the YA authors who showed up to talk to over 3,000 teens?<br />
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(Photo from <b style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.teenbookfestival.org/" target="_blank">Greater Rochester Teen Book Fest</a>)</b></div>
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I myself saw over 200 teens in the Debut Author Panel starring Tess Sharpe, Michelle Madow, Cristin Terrill, and Amber Lough. Those ladies were amazing and you should definitely read their books!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2IrvRkvOj4PBnNscDAOQ9nnxwlS5au45nd4JqEvtcqRM_962FZMMuManNdNFhurIO_fjSu87AC6T8z2AdH4L83iomx5Vha-MP4cUHkPrniTJ9HLaCxyk6RlvnmnWQbCRs-AU2TwFRILY/s1600/tbf1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2IrvRkvOj4PBnNscDAOQ9nnxwlS5au45nd4JqEvtcqRM_962FZMMuManNdNFhurIO_fjSu87AC6T8z2AdH4L83iomx5Vha-MP4cUHkPrniTJ9HLaCxyk6RlvnmnWQbCRs-AU2TwFRILY/s1600/tbf1.JPG" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
2. Writing, writing, writing! I am loving my Book Nook gig for <a href="http://rocparent.com/index.php" target="_blank">Genesee Valley Parent Magazine</a>, as well as my <a href="http://www.voyamagazine.com/" target="_blank">VOYA Reviews</a>. My MG novel will be ready for my agent in the next month, and I finished my YA sequel to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Deena-Lipomi-ebook/dp/B00DZF4FA8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401241876&sr=8-1&keywords=deena+lipomi" target="_blank">BLACKOUT</a>. It is called DESERTED and is due out as an ebook on August 1 and it takes place in Las Vegas. Here's the blurb:<br />
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<i>Seventeen-year-old Kara is done spying on people for her father, the wealthy and morally corrupt businessman Dr. Ellison. Last summer, when her father’s project literally blew up, she fell hard for one of his victims: Leo, the hot musician who made her question her family’s rules. Now Leo’s clear across the country, and Kara’s ready to reinvent herself in Las Vegas. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Of course her father has to mess up that plan, too. He claims a rogue environmental group wants him dead because of his latest alternative energy business venture, and that he needs Kara back on his payroll as the only one he can fully trust. With nowhere else to turn, Kara sends Leo a distressed text message – just before she’s kidnapped, a bargaining chip of the vigilantes who are determined to end her father’s moneymaking plans.</i></div>
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<i>Leo is battling the pains of his last run-in with Dr. Ellison but he wastes no time hopping a plane to Vegas to rescue Kara. As he struggles to find her, the pair tries to learn all they can about the project Dr. Ellison is directing in the hopes of using the information to free Kara. Because if there’s one thing they’ve learned from Dr. Ellison, it’s that no risk is too big when it comes to fame and fortune, life and death.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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3. Reading, reading, reading! I am up to <a href="http://deenaml.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">79 books read this year</a>, not including anything younger than MG novels which I just don't have time to record. I did YA book talks for Rochester area teachers, which is always fun and feeds my desire to talk about YA novels and non-fiction for an hour to a captive audience.<br />
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4. I slightly redesigned <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/" target="_blank">my website</a> but it needs a lot more work...I am just not a good web designer. It is a WIP for sure, but for now it at least contains needed information and reconciles my Viviani and Lipomi names and the librarian and writing work I do under each.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCuopmMMXNqw8O6UmY7-hYGgXRJ4m8aG6L-65ARP5OsUMyxVtMdcCop-P66vC4Qey_0cGvsj8-X3TylGvRGPtzJ6oMBNI6MQSxtMbnpoPxF15jHhInhIm_PkhfpQOkupCfJmTPR0r9YBv/s1600/tbf4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCuopmMMXNqw8O6UmY7-hYGgXRJ4m8aG6L-65ARP5OsUMyxVtMdcCop-P66vC4Qey_0cGvsj8-X3TylGvRGPtzJ6oMBNI6MQSxtMbnpoPxF15jHhInhIm_PkhfpQOkupCfJmTPR0r9YBv/s1600/tbf4.JPG" height="200" width="130" /></a><br />
I promise not to wait two months until I blog again! What is everyone else up to?<br />
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Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
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DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3318840210070768346.post-57320554745114970182014-03-16T19:59:00.002-07:002014-03-16T19:59:41.730-07:00Getting Into the Writing Zone (or For the Love of Music)<b><span style="color: blue;">Tip of the Day: Scrivener, the Must Have Digital Writing Tool, is on sale for only $20 for a limited time through <a href="http://www.appsumo.com/scrivener/" target="_blank">AppSumo!</a> I just bought my copy and can't wait to use the Save the Cat outline + Scrivener to write my next MG novel; I'm sure the novel will practically write itself.</span></b><br />
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I have committed myself to e-pubbing DESERTED, the sequel to <a href="http://www.deenalipomi.com/books.html" target="_blank">BLACKOUT</a>, on August 1 -- if not before! In order to make this deadline, I need to finish writing it, get crit partner feedback, get it copyedited, send it for formatting, and upload it in just four short months.<br />
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Can I do it?<br />
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Of course I can!<br />
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What do I need to do to make it happen?<br />
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Write like there is no tomorrow!<br />
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Or at least write like there is no internet/Candy Crush/distractions.<br />
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It's not like writing DESERTED isn't fun -- it totally is! It takes place in Las Vegas and involves rogue environmental groups and secret chemical experiments to harness natural energy. I get to call on both my <a href="http://feetishspa.com/" target="_blank">sister</a> and <a href="http://darrenlipomi.com/" target="_blank">brother</a> for their Vegas and chemist expertise.<br />
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Still, like many people with 21st century technology at our disposal, it's easy to get -- oh, wait, it's my turn on Words With Friends. I'll be right back.<br />
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Oh, right.<br />
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What helps me tally up my word count is going to the library (not where I work; that would be the opposite of productive writing time) or Panera, plugging in my earbuds and pumping up the tunes, and cranking on the keyboard for 2-4 hours. Not only does the location make me stay on task (since I'm not on my couch getting too comfy), but the music helps, too.<br />
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How does the music help? I'm not sure exactly, but last month I went to an author talk by <a href="http://heatherterrell.com/content/index.asp" target="_blank">Heather Terrell</a> and she said what helps her switch her brain from mom/household chores mode to writer mode is playing the same music that she's been writing to all along. She couldn't remember where she'd heard that the musical association worked like that, but once she said it, something clicked for me:<br />
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THAT'S why I keep listening to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Soundtrack-Various-Artists/dp/B001ED7C58" target="_blank">Twilight Soundtrack!</a><br />
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Ahem.<br />
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To be fair, I alternate it with the rest of the saga's music, plus Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and The Great Gatsby. For some reason, albums with various artists work for me, as do those with a YA flavor when I'm writing contemporary YA fiction.<br />
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The other night I needed to get some writing done, and the library wasn't open and I didn't want to leave the warmth of my living room to head to Panera, and my mind was already wandering to Things Other Than Writing. So I decided to give the music association theory a shot. I queued up my Stephenie Meyer inspired iTunes tracks...and finished my outline in 2 hours while sitting on the couch!<br />
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I won't give up my library/cafe writing zone, but I do feel like I have another option that can work fairly well when I'm at home.<br />
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What helps trick your brain into being Writing Ready?<br />
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Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing<br />
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DeenaMLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01093257361683249174noreply@blogger.com2