Friday, August 14, 2009

Party with JEANNINE GARSEE!

Day 5 of the blog party and we are just getting started!

Show me anyone else who gives away a free book ~ autographed by the author ~ every day for 4 weeks!

Gonna warm up the crowd with some teen music! Everyone is a teen today!



Backstreet is B-A-C-k! (see what my web designer taught me to do with YouTube?)




Carrie had so much fun yesterday that she is giving away two autographed copies of Ghost Sniffer and Other Stories. The envelope, please! Yesterday's winners are ... Kate and Susan! Ladies email me for details!

Jeannine Garsee, author of Before, After, and Somebody in Between ~AND~ Say The Word, has another book on the way... Jen writes for Bloomsbury USA. Check that out! She rocks!

Jen is the first author I met on the internet, years ago. Way back then Before/After had a different title, a working title. Then her agent or Bloomsbury's editor, can't remember the details, said the title had to change.

You have to be flexible if you're going to play in the majors. (A USA baseball term meaning the big time.) We started calling her ms (manuscript), "Martha" after the MC (main character). Psssst! I still call it 'Martha'.

Martha has a mouth on her. She doesn't go slumming, she is from the slum ~ with a big dream to be a professional cellist. As with all of us, everything goes perfectly fine and all her dreams come true by page 7 ~ NOT.

It is no small feat to get a publishing deal with a big NYC publishing house, ya know. So when Jen told me she was thinking about writing her second teen book (YA) with a gay theme, I thought, "Wow! That's a big risk for a debut author in teen lit."

When I beta read "Say The Word" I fell in love with the story. Shawna is a typical suburban teen, headed for the front row seat at medical school (more what she 'should do' rather than wants to do). Her parents are divorced ~ typical. What isn't typical is her dad. He says absolutely horrible things about her mom and mate. To my delight, Shawna's step-mom helps her... I'm not telling the rest.

The problem with Say The Word is that Shawna's BFF calls her "Chica" all the time. AND ~you guessed it~ I got that stuck in my head. For a YEAR (no kidding) CHICA was my buzz word.

Party Game: Whatever you post in the comments HAS to include the word *chica* somewhere in the post. Jen has two books to give away. Jump in and start posting!

More music...(I had help from Ella!)



Carrie sent me this one...



Ivy emailed this one to me (good luck on your day, Ivy)



I thought of this one...



From the party comments...




Coming Monday, Erin Collins! You have all weekend to go back and read the whole party. I'll be here...

The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com

80 comments:

  1. Good morning Chica! Boy I had a ball yesterday - let's hope it goes even better for Jannine!

    Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Chica, glad you had fun! I think everyone did. Thanks for letting me introduce you to my friends!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know you have to run, catch ya, later -- chica!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, AOL+Blogger+YouTube are NOT getting along this morning. I have to restart my comp. BRB --Chica!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Never really liked this kind of teen music, more my daughter's kind of thing. Prefer r&b music from Chica go

    glyn

    http://glynpope.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good morning, Glyn-chica.

    I had to ask Ella for some song suggestions!

    Hey, did my comment show at your blog, I had such trouble with blogger on and off.

    Xoxo Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello, chickas and chickos (does that word exist? I know it does in Croatian :)

    I was soooo in love with Bryan from BSB when I was fourth grade. I even had a "boyfriend" who resembled him (you know-holding hands, sharing candy cotton, cute messages etc.)

    I think it's great to have issues as homosexuality in teen books. It's not like teens don't face it every day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree. (chica)

    Jen's next book has a schizophrenic MC. Jen isn't cranking out cotton candy books. I think they have real relevance. It is actually worthwhile reading for kids rather than toothpaste.

    XX Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  9. I didn't mean to say "kids" I meant to say young adults or teens.

    XX Nadine-chica

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the tune, Ivy!

    We'll be here when you get back from your meeting, chica.

    XX Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  11. No the comment didn't show.
    http://glynpope.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glyn, you didn't say chica...la,la,la-la.

    Okay, I'll come back and post again. I am not for the hair cut, that was funny about your mother-in-law.

    5 AM here. I'm headed for bed, chica. Jen should be getting up soon.

    Love ya guys, I'll be back in a few hours, party on.

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  13. My daughter texted me yesterday 'mummy, can you bring me a book, I don't read and I think I shd' - I just bought Jeannine's book on Amazon! (My daughter is away in Spain at the moment - I'm off to join her next week).

    Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whoops! I missed out the Chica... Shame on me.
    Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Me to. I thought I'd been clever enough first time around.

    ReplyDelete
  16. HEY CHICAS!

    Thanks for having me, Nadine. It's almost 9 a.m. here in Cleveland and I've been up since 4!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello Chica Jeannine!

    Nice to meet you! I've been to your blog and your website. Your blog always makes me laugh. Thank you for that!

    xo,
    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you, Ivy. And thanks for reading it (sometimes I wonder if anyone stops by, lol)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bow chica wow wow!!

    Okay, there's my 'chica' reference o' the day.

    Great post. I'm a huge fan of Jen's writing. Her heart shines through in her books, and her blog posts are hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ok, been busy Writng an Twittering, now I deserve some fun.

    Saying a big hello to Jeannine...looking forward to touring your blog and website today.

    Turn the music up please Nadine whilst I pour myself a glass of something cold and alcoholic. The weekend starts here:-

    Chica, chica, chica, chica...see my fancy footwork.

    Kate

    X

    ReplyDelete
  21. I already bought it, got it signed, and read it. ALL of Jeanine's books ROCK!!

    *waves at Jeanine* It's mela_lyn/Missy. Apparently blogspot isn't liking any of my logins... *shrug*

    ReplyDelete
  22. Don't know where tha atrocious spelling came from in my last post...must have got distracted by all the Chica's. :-)

    I did a log line for Jeannines book Say The Word because it intrigued me. Win or not, this one is destined to appear on my bedside table soon.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow! This room's filling up! I love you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm back,, chica!

    Remember every post has to include 'Chica' no fair saying it twenty times and thinking that will cover the day!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jen,

    I can just hear you, heh, heh, heh...now I can get the whole world saying, 'chica!'


    I say good. Now people won't stare at me when it slips out.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ola mi chicas, es muy bien: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wt4XlP3pU

    ReplyDelete
  27. Remember, lurkers, ya gotta play to win!

    XX chica!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sure, Chica, go ahead! Dare ya!

    Double dog dare ya!

    XX Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  29. Go on, chica, clicka da link... it's good. I happen to love this performer, Carlos Nunez. He's a ham, but he can't help it. He always wiggles like that when he plays. My favourite though is Compostela

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd3DjIXub3c

    Keep on partying!!

    Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  30. That was sooooo beautiful!!! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ola, mi chiquitas!

    These songs are great! Isn't there something magical about Spanish?

    Jeannine, you have an amazing sense of humor, though I think some of these situations weren't as comical to you at the moment...like the two for one toy situation...a big chica ROFL :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hola Chica, como estas hoy?
    I see you put Lovebug here, love that! I don't really like the JB, but that song is lovely :o)
    I visited Jen's site and love the descriptions for the two books, but Say The Word really caught my attention, I'd like to win that one!

    I looove Hey There Delilah! Great song!

    Looks like you're having fun over here, I'll try to come by more often, I promise!

    Loves ya,
    Ella

    ps: I remember NSync from when I was little! They were BSB's competition! LMAO!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello Chicas,

    Thanks for helping me with the music, Ella!

    I see you made it back in one piece, Ivy.

    Hello, Jen. I knew you'd be a hit!

    BRB... Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ay, mi chica Nadine..days like this make me write until my fingers fall off..

    Sorry, no cakes to offer today...

    xo,
    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ivy,

    It went well?

    Write, chica, write!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  36. No, mi chica Nadine, just the opposite. But never mind, I'm in the mood to parteeeee!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ah, I love you, Chica...yes, let's party!

    XX Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  38. *doing the dishes and singing delilaaaaaah.....*

    ReplyDelete
  39. You didn't say chica, Ivy!

    I love that song too. Laurie from work teased me about it all the time because I love the words and his bedroom voice. She would make all the clients in the van have a 'moment of silence' while it played on the radio, then they would laugh their chica heads off and all start talking at once again!

    Nadine 'chica' Laman

    ReplyDelete
  40. Dang - my posts don't take... forgot what I was gonna say Chicas

    ReplyDelete
  41. oh yeah - I'll make some red velvet cup cakes - mmmm.... with chica topping!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hello Chicas,
    Here on the East Coast it is almost happy hour. But I don't even need a cocktail. It makes me dizzily happy just to be with all you wonderful chicas and wannabe chicas.

    All the best,
    Susan (a.k.a. chica) Gabriel

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Susan - I'm just about to pour myself another brandy and cola, whilst watching some 'Mummy' movie and checking out the fun on here - I like that kind of multi-tasking!

    It's 9pm here in the UK.

    Carrie Chica-dee

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi Chicas!

    only 2 hrs sleep last night...had to snag a chica nap. Still 11 hrs to go on Jen's day!

    Yes, Chica Jen...you HAVE to say chica, YOU are the one who got ME hooked on saying it, 'memba?

    You are the best party-chicas in da world!

    I love you guys!

    Chica...

    ReplyDelete
  45. I took a nap, too, chicas--I've been up since four a.m. working on revisions for my next novel. I totally PASSED OUT!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. My dear chicas, I think my party time is over for today, I'm off to study now the kid is asleep. Love ya all chicas...if the studyng gets too boring, I'll jump over for a shot of tequila!

    And...I'm honoured to party with such a great company of chica writers.

    (Okay, I know I am officialy out of the game, but I'm hooked. Chica chica chica. Thre you go. Chica.)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thankf for stopping by, CHIC-AHHHH! :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Heh, I can spell "thanks"--I promise!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I went into a small village today and had to negotiate a chica-ne...

    ReplyDelete
  50. In Spain we have chica-das. Noisy little beasts!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Woah!!! I turn my back for a moment and suddenly there's a whole room full of people Chica-ing!!!

    Hmmm.... what would we call that...perhaps a "chirrup of chica's" or a "conglomorate of chica's"...or perhaps a "blog of chica's"... any suggestions???

    ReplyDelete
  52. I wasn't kidding when I said I had that word stuck in my head for at least a year - chica.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Oh Hello person from Spain!

    Glad you're here, chica!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hello Kate-chica!

    This is better than a secret handshake!

    Later when we visit each other's blogs and leave a comment, we can add chica! It will be our secret friendship word!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hey maybe Carrie will write us a 'chica' song!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  56. Jen, Chica...I love you. Thank you for being my friend through thick and thin and tons of rewrites!

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love you too, Nadine!

    PS Gear up for more beta-ing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Yeah, you let me read part of that then left me haning, chica!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Damn Jen, it's YOUR word, Say THE Word! Chica, chica, chica...got it?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Want some stats, chica?

    Most of the 'referrals' to the blog party are NOT from twitter or facebook attempts.

    They are from...
    wait for it...
    other blog links!

    ReplyDelete
  61. And direct emailings

    Chica, let's let the marketing pros figure that out.

    ReplyDelete
  62. We have guests from...

    Norway, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Croatia (wonder who that is???), Greece, Cote d'lovire, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, United Arab Emirates - Hi Asmaa!, India, Malaysia, Austraila, Argentina, Chile, Canada...opps, I wrote down Norway twice, Belgium, New Zealand, Ireland, Barbados, Philippines, Jordan, and the USA!

    bet you thought I was going to forget to write this "chica"...so far, I haven't forgotten once, I don't think.

    ReplyDelete
  63. You want to know why we are having fun? This isn't about marketing. Look at how many potential new frends we have, 98 first time visitor to this blog yesterday.

    I like connecting with people, Chica. Look at all we've been through together Jen? How many versions of cover art? And when we ring each other...we chat like sisters.

    For that, the internet has been a fab inventions.

    Love all ya, chicas!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Jeepers, I'd better quit typing! Where are all my chica editors!

    *dances off to listen to Hey Deli...*

    ReplyDelete
  65. Crikey nadine...that is one great list...you international socialite you!!!

    It's midnight in the Uk and, much as I would like to stay, I have to bid you all a fond farewell.

    Jeannine: Keep hold of a copy of Say The Word for me..I'm coming to get it. Great blog by the way...I have blog envy now.

    Enjoy the rest of the party folks...oh, did I forget something...hmm, now what was it?


    Oh Yeah...

    C H I C A!!!! WooHoo!!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Goodnight, Europe! Sweet dreams.

    You have all weekend to review the party. Make sure you've posted every day for the big prize at the end. Yes, you can post back on other dates...leave notes to previous writers on their day. It's all good. Life is too precious to sit on the sidelines.

    Still daylight here in the western states. I have to fix dinner, I know other writers are going to stop by...make sure they say, 'chica' while I'm gone...

    I love all you chicas! (We need to get some guy chicas so we can make them say 'chica' won't that be cute?)

    ReplyDelete
  67. OK, chicas. It's nine p.m. here and I'm pooping out. Thanks to everyoone who dropped by. WHAT AN AWESOME PARTY! I'll stop by tomorrow. Thanks, Nadine, for inviting me!!! ((((HUGS))))

    ReplyDelete
  68. Love ya, chica! Nite-nite!

    Only 6 PM here in the western states! I'll pop in and out...tonight and throughout the weekend.

    Thank you, everyone for indulging this crazy idea. *dances off...*

    ReplyDelete
  69. Chica housekeeping, I have to shut down and defrag my comp...be back later, chica. Help yourself, got lots of food and drink...

    ReplyDelete
  70. Checking in
    Keep up the good work.

    kevin

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hey Kev! You came! C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone!

    XoXoXoX Nadine *chica*

    ReplyDelete
  72. Jen, thanks so much.
    I got so caught up in 'chica' and my crazy 'slow' computer that I forgot to ask you questions about being a YA writer for a big time publisher...

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  73. Jeannine,
    It's nice to meet you. I'm Erin Collins.
    what a weekend party!

    Erin

    ReplyDelete