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Archives for Jan 2010

• ARC Giveaway Friday - The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin - And the winners are...

  Jan 29, 2010

  Today's ARC Giveaway is The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk. For your chance to win, read the following description for the book and at the end we will give you instructions on how you can enter! Here is the description for The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin:

  "Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)

  Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut."

  To enter for your chance to win a copy of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, either write in the comments section who your favorite geek-heroes are OR submit a question for Josh Berk on his forum here (he'll be joining us on February 22!) Winners will be announced on Monday.

  
  

  AND THE 5 RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNERS ARE:

  sunshine_09: Hello there, Josh! My question is: What was your favorite childhood book?

  teenlib: My favorite geek-hero is Antsy Bonnano from Neal Shusterman't Antsy Does Time and The Schwa Was Here.  These are two of my favorite books because I think Antsy is such a great character!

  sunshinegirl94: Hello Josh Beck,
Welcome to Randombuzzers! My question is what was it like for your main character who you're writing about to be deaf? Hearing is a common sense that writers usually use to describe things with, and not being able to do this must have been a challenge.

  hallia: Hmm...I'm going to say Artie from Warehouse 13. His whole job, spending his days among dangerous historical artifacts, the way he gets excited about a new artifact and goes off on a bit of a rant about the object and what it could be related to.

  harrypotterluver: My favorite geek hero is Napoleon Dynamite! Enough said:)

  by HeadBuzzer | 27 comments |
  Filed under: ARC Giveaway Josh Berk

• Random Hour #71: Pen Names

  Jan 27, 2010

  A pen name is a pseudonym adopted by authors who do not want their real names published.  There have been many famous pen names throughout history, some of which you would be surprised to know was a pen name. Some famous authors who have published with their real name have also published with a pen name! Below is a list of some of the famous pen names (and their real names) throughout history:

  • Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)

  • Moliere (Jean Baptise Poquelin)

  • George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)

  • Ayn Rand (Alisa Rosenbaum)

  • Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)

  • Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

  • J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts)

  • Acton Bell (Anne Bronte)

  Would you ever use a pen name? If so, what would your pen name be? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages to using a pen name? Share your thoughts in the comments section here.

  
  

  by Buzzgirl | 18 comments |
  Filed under: Random Hour

• Very LeFreak: Tech Detox: Episode 3

  Jan 26, 2010

  Have you been following Very LeFreak author Rachel Cohn as she shares her tips for detoxing from that technology we're all so addicted to these days?

  Watch this week's new episode and enter to win a Flip Cam and a set of books!

  Also as an extra bonus if you comment on the video on YouTube and share your YT username below in the comments of this blog post we'll award you 50 buzz bucks for your comment as a little thank you :)

  Happy Tuesday!

  by HeadBuzzer | 5 comments |
  Filed under: rachel cohn Very LeFreak youtube

• Kristin Harmel Week

  Jan 26, 2010

  Happy Tuesday everyone! We'd like to welcome Kristin Harmel, author of After, to Random Buzzers this week! She'll be joining us all week to answer your questions on her forum located here! In honor of her visit, we have created several activities and a quiz for you to partake in!

  AFTER: MAKE A DIFFERENCE -   Tell us about a time when you made a difference in someone else’s life – when you did a truly selfless act that had a positive effect on someone else.

  AFTER: REDESIGN THE BOOK COVER -   Redesign the cover to represent what you think the book is about.

  QUIZ: TEST YOUR KRISTIN HARMEL KNOWLEDGE -   See if you know all there is to know about Kristin Harmel's books!

  
  

  Have you asked Kristin a question yet? Are you excited for her new book? How many of you have read Kristin's other books? Share your comments below.

  by HeadBuzzer | 0 comments |
  Filed under: Buzz Author Kristin Harmel

• Kristin Harmel Joins Us on Monday!

  Jan 22, 2010

  This coming Monday, January 25th, After author Kristin Harmel joins us on the buzz boards to discuss her latest work and answer your questions! If you haven't asked her a question yet, head on over to her forum located here. Here is a letter from Kristin to you:

  Hi there!

  I’m excited to be making my first appearance on Random Buzzers! What an awesome group! I can’t wait to meet as many of you as possible!!! You can find me online at www.KristinHarmel.com, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kristinharmel or search for me on Facebook to become my Facebook “fan”! I ALWAYS answer emails, posts and tweets from readers, so I would LOVE to hear from you too!!!!

  AFTER is my second young adult novel for Random House (I also write women’s fiction novels). It’s the story of 16-year-old Lacey Mann, whose father died in a car accident nearly a year before the book opens. Now, as the anniversary of the accident approaches, Lacey, who thinks that she’s dealt with her own feelings pretty well, is trying desperately to help the rest of her family. Her mom has thrown herself into her job. Her younger brother barely talks anymore. Her older brother has become popularity-obsessed and completely annoying. It will take a new guy at school – the mysterious and hot Sam Stone – to make Lacey realize that maybe she has a few lingering issues that need to be dealt with too. But after a big lie comes to light, another tragedy occurs and the person she’s come to trust most lets her down, Lacey begins to worry that it might be too late to make things right.

  I’ve been writing for PEOPLE magazine for nearly ten years, and AFTER was actually inspired by a story I worked on a couple years ago for PEOPLE about a 30-year-old woman named Kate Atwood who had founded an organization called Kate’s Club, to help kids who had lost a parent. Kate’s own mother had died from breast cancer when Kate was 12, and in getting to know Kate, and some of the teenagers who attended Kate’s Club meetings, I started thinking about how much the death of a parent (or even the divorce of your parents) could change the course of your life.

  But AFTER isn’t just a story about loss; it’s a story about learning to trust, looking inside yourself for the toughest answers, and falling in love for the first time. Writing about Lacey, her brothers, her mother and her friends made me both laugh and cry. I hope you’ll feel like that when you read it too!

  Here are five fun facts about me so that we’re not quite strangers when we see each other on RandomBuzzers.com!

  • I’m only five feet tall, so most of you are probably taller than me! I’m mistaken for a teenager pretty regularly – until people look a little more closely!

  • When I was in high school, I worked at a professional baseball stadium, doing the on-field promotions (such as the dizzy bat race and the mascot run!) between innings! I also played the drums in my high school’s marching band!

  • I live about 20 minutes from Walt Disney World and have had an annual pass to the Disney parks since I was 10. I still go at least a few times a month!

  • I’ve interviewed a ton of celebrities for People magazine and a TV show called The Daily Buzz. Some of my favorites have been Patrick Dempsey (who drives race cars in his spare time), Daniel Radcliffe (who offered me a cup of tea when we met!), and Matthew McConaughey (Ahhhh...drooolllll...)! You can see me talking with Daniel Radcliffe here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coADH9zvQ1Y

  • I’m ghostwriting the autobiography of rock’n’roll legend Chubby Checker (whose big song, “The Twist,” I’m sure you’ve heard), so since I’m supposed to be writing the book in his words, I have to think like a 68-year-old man on a regular basis! I’ve always loved music, though (my first young adult novel, WHEN YOU WISH, is about a teenage pop star), so I’m having so much fun!

  
  

  I can’t wait to begin chatting with you! See you soon on www.RandomBuzzers.com!

  
  

  Xoxo,

  Kristin

  
  

  by HeadBuzzer | 0 comments |
  Filed under: Buzz Author Kristin Harmel

• ARC Giveaway Friday - Split - and the winners are....

  Jan 22, 2010

  Today we are giving away 5 ARC copies of Split from first-time author Swati Avasthi. Swati will be joining the buzz boards on February 8th!

  Sixteen-Year-Old J ace W itherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret. He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret. At least so far. Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back.

  To enter for your chance to win an ARC copy of Split, head on over to Swati's forum and ask her a question.

  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTIONS. BELOW ARE THE 5 RANDOMLY CHOSEN WINNERS:

  Kitty_Committee: Hi Swati, welcome to Random Buzzers... I hope you enjoy your time here... we're a fun lot.

I have a couple of questions.  The first is what inspired you to write a book centering around abuse?  Was it to raise awareness?  Have you had someone in your life who experienced it personally?  (I realize the last part is kind of personal, so you obviously don't have to answer it.)

The second is one that I like to ask everyone (and I do mean everyone).  Was there a certain book that inspired your love of reading or writing, or hooked you on a certain genre?

  Cynthisizer: When reading a book I love it when the main character is unique and relatable. What characteristics make Jace unique and how do you think a reader could relate to him?

  PinkDaisy: Hey Swati! Split sounds like a really exciting read. Like the protagonist, have you ever experienced a situation where keeping a secret had a major impact on your life?

  Masquerade1: Welcome Miss Avasthi!!! glad to have you with us. your book sounds very interesting and i can't wait to read it so here are my questions for you: I know you are a first time author, so i was wondering, how did you enjoy the experience? what was your favorite part of writing this book? how long have you been writing? have you tried to write books before this but never published/finished them? i cant wait to hear from you on random buzz :)

  Shadley: Welcome Ms. Avasthi, My question for you is: If you or a friend had this problem how would you handle it? Even though your book may be classified in fiction, these types of abuse situations happen all the time. That's why i want to know how you would handle it. And ,also, was it something similar in your childhood or a friends that inspired you to inform people on such an important topic? Your book sound so good. I will definitely try to read it.

  by HeadBuzzer | 3 comments |
  Filed under: ARC Giveaway Swati Avasthi

• Random Hour #70: Dream Diary

  Jan 20, 2010

  An odd, but fun way of writing can be found in the form of a dream diary. Ever kept one? If you have, you’ll know that our dreams are weird. Totally weird. Dreams always make sense in our minds, but the second we start to explain them to someone they become so bizarre and confusing.

  Dream diaries are fun to keep and even more fun to read. They can help you come up with story ideas or even gain a better understanding of the situations in your life. Either way, I definitely suggest starting this ritual!

  Here’s how to keep a dream diary: Keep a journal and pen by your bed. Every morning, while the dream is fresh in your mind, immediately write down just a few notes about your dream. Dreams can leave our minds within minutes of waking up, so it is important that you are quick and only write down the main points of your dream. If you remember the dream later, you can always go back and fill in the details. Fill up your entire diary and when you’re done, read through them and have fun!

  So what I’d like to know is how many of you keep a dream diary? What are some of the craziest dreams you’ve ever had? Does keeping a dream diary help with your other writing? Have you ever gotten an idea for a story from a dream? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

  
  

  by Buzzgirl | 10 comments |
  Filed under: Random Hour

• Technology Detox #2: Score Buzz Bucks & Enter to Win a Flip Cam!

  Jan 19, 2010

  Technology Detox Episode #2 is now up on the Very LeFreak YouTube Channel. Come check out Rachel's latest video and leave a comment! If you leave a comment and then share your YouTube username in the comments of this post we'll give you 50 buzz bucks!

  Remember - at the end of the video you'll see a secret message that will tell you how you could win your very own Flip Cam!

  We can't wait to hear what you think of this latest detox installment!

  by HeadBuzzer | 7 comments |
  Filed under: rachel cohn Very LeFreak youtube

• ARC Giveaway Friday - Dizzy in Your Eyes -- And the winners are...

  Jan 15, 2010

  Beloved children's book author and speaker Pat Mora has written an original collection of poems, each with a different teen narrator sharing unique thoughts, moments, sadness, or heart’s desire: the girl who loves swimming, plunging into the water that creates her own world; the guy who leaves flowers on the windshield of the girl he likes. Each of the teens in these 50 original poems, written using a variety of poetic forms, will be recognizable to the reader as the universal emotions, ideas, impressions, and beliefs float across the pages in these gracefully told verses.

  To enter for your chance to win an ARC copy of Dizzy in Your Eyes, head over to this forum and either (1) ask Pat Mora a question or (2) tell Pat what makes you different from any other person you know, what sets you apart from all the rest.

  
  

  AND THE 5 RANDOMLY SELECTED WINNERS ARE:

  Zita: Great to have you here. I am about to tell you what makes ME different than EVERYONE ELSE. First, I would like to say how its interesting how people say 'you guys are the same!' to twins, when the only thing they might share is looks. Otherwise, they are just about as same as you and me. I am waaaaay totally different from everyone else because of my personality, my looks, my accent, the way I act, and the clothes I wear, plus the person I am all in all. I am unique and special in my own little way, laughing along with weird jokes that result in funny when I do, and small things like how I say "Hi!" so cheerfully. (Especially when I poke people to get their attention- makes them more happy. Don't ask me why) So what I am basically coming down to is that you guys are all mammals and I am an alien from Saturn!

  Bleach1460: 1. which do you relate to more: free form poetry without rhymes, or rhyming poetry? Do you use either one type to relay specific emotions? 
2. What do you want the reader to come away with from after reading this book? Is there something the reader should understand about you? or should they just relate to it?

  hderaps: I am SO excited about this book! I don't know where I first read about it, but it's definitely on my wishlist! It is so hard to find collections of poetry for young adults. I use poetry all the time in my teaching because my students love it. They especially love poems that they can relate to-- Not ones where there's some "deep" message that is hidden so deep that they can't find it. I would love to know how and where you get your inspiration to create poems for teens. How do you capture teen voice in your poetry?

  Suprbee: Which did you write first: Poetry or books? And where do you like to draw most of your inspiration? 

I think what makes me unique is all of my interests. If you walk into my bedroom, all you can see are posters, pictures, etc, lining my walls. They all tell something very important about me. On one wall are all my drama posters from the various plays I've been in, while others hold posters from my favorite movies/tv shows. Then there are my bookshelves filled to overflowing with beloved books! I am not the only person with these interests, but I am the only one that has this exact mix of them and that expresses my likes in this exact way!

 Thanks again for joining us!!

  Mevurah: Hey Pat! I like how your book is of poetry! I guess one thing that makes me different from other peopl my age, is that i don't go out alot. I've never gone to the mall to hang out with friends or seen a movie with them. I wouldn't say i'm a loner, but i guess thats just the way i am.

  by HeadBuzzer | 3 comments |
  Filed under: ARC Giveaway Pat Mora

• Ask Ruby - Answers from Ruby!!

  Jan 14, 2010

  Ruby Oliver here. You asked my advice, and I am telling you all again: 
Kiss the boy you like who seems like he might be only a friend. Or hold his hand. All this wondering and lolling around:  if we act like that, how are we girls going to be president and run our own businesses and change the world? We have to take action and MAKE THE MOVE even if it is scary.

  If he doesn't like you, you will at least LIKE YOURSELF for going after what you want and not being a wimp about it. And if he does like you:  yippee.

  Another thing I am telling you again:

  I am  not an expert. In  anything. I am seventeen year-old mental patient/social leper. Also, I am fictional.  I am the heroine of The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book and The Treasure Map of Boys. Plus Real Live Boyfriends, which comes out December, 2010.  All books by E. Lockhart.

  Here's where you can read all about E. Lockhart: www.e-lockhart.com.

  Okay. Enough about her.

  
  

  The point is:

  I am in no way qualified to give advice to the lovelorn.  Or to anyone really. My life is a complete debacle. And if you want to know how really really bad it is, read the books.

  Still --  you guys asked my advice, so I'm gonna try to answer.

  (Secretly, I like it. Makes me feel like less of a leper.)

  
  

  xoxoxoxox

  Roo

  How do you get back a good friend? :(

  I am the last person on earth to give a good answer to this. I have lost all my friends. Or nearly all. It is seriously depressing and lead me to have horrible panic attacks where I had to go see a shrink. So all I can say is, you are NOT ALONE. Other people (translation: me) have experienced this horror and lived to tell the tale.

  You might try a sincere apology, the kind where you don't say: "Sorry, but it was kind of really annoying what you did."  Or "Sorry, but I just couldn't help it because…."

  Just a full-out "sorry" with no "buts."

  That didn't work at all when Nora was mad at me.  But then later, much later, it sunk in and we made friends again.

  What's your fave accessory?

  My glasses. I can't see without them but they are also cool.

  Dear Ruby, What are you supposed to do when all your friends seem to be dating but you've never even kissed a boy? It feels like it'll never happen!!!

  This is not my problem as I have kissed a lot of guys. But my first kiss was with someone totally icky to me, and really it would have been way better to wait and have a pleasant one.  It practically put me off kissing for life and you can read all about it in The Boyfriend List.

  However, of you look on E. Lockhart's blog (www.theboyfriendlist.com) in the sidebar, you will see that she didn't kiss anyone until she was sixteen.  And after that she really had zero problem finding people to kiss.  She might have even overdone it a bit in college.

  So it's probably okay. Just seriously irritating waiting around.

  I have a problem. I fall for a guy way to fast and get to attached. Then inevitable I get hurt. I'm almost ready to just give up and be that lady that lives alone except for 50 cats to keep her company... and I hate cats. Is there anything I can do to fix my little problem?

  Honestly, it sounds like you have Issues. And I say that with love!  Because I am a person with a giant freaking pile of Issues.

  What I mean is, there is  probably some deep down reason you are falling for a guy and getting superattached way fast.  I dunno.   My shrink Doctor Z would probably make me write in a journal or something, and think a lot about my dad and other grownup men in my life and what I might be reacting to when I deal with guys. Like, is there a pattern I'm repeating from when I was a little kid? Or is there some kind of hole or need I'm wanting to fill?

  I know this sounds completely shrinky, but hey -- I see a shrink. And sometimes her ideas are good.  Not easy to hear, but good.

  
  

  How much stock should we put in fortune cookie fortunes?

  Fortune cookies are lacking in deliciousness and therefore pretty low on my scale of pastry-type goodness.  If a fortune came out of a double chocolate macadamia cookie, that would be worth considering very seriously. But if you don't really want to eat the cookie, I wouldn't listen much to the fortune inside.

  
  

  Hey Ruby, will zits ever go away?

  Yes!

  At least, this is what people tell me.

  I still have them myself.

  If you look at  pictures of my dad, Kevin, when he was in high school, he was COMPLETELY COVERED IN GIANT ZITS. Seriously. Like his face was swollen up with them and they were oozy and really bad.  But now he's like an old married guy and has no zits at all.

  
  

  Dear Ruby, I have a problem. I've discovered that the only time I can have an articulate conversation with guy is when I'm not directly talking to him. ei: email, AIM, phone. However, when I try to talk to them face to face I can't think of anything to say. What should I do?

  If you can talk to him on the phone, you'll eventually be able to talk to him in person. Boys are famous for being lame phone conversationalists. So really, you've mastered the hardest part of boy-chat already.

  I think you should forget trying to be articulate and just say:   Do you want to go see a movie with me on Saturday? Then if he says yes, you can talk about what to see, and when you go out you will talk about the movie.

  And you will have a date!

  If he says no, you can crawl into a hole, lick your wounds, and cheer up by remembering you are an awesome person who made a bold move and didn't lie around being a passive noodle.

  Oh!

  Another thing.

  I have sometimes filled awkward silences with kissing.  I do not really recommend this practice, as it has gotten me into some trouble, actually. But sometimes it works and is extremely fun.  If he is not attached and you are not attached and it is not going to ruin your whole entire social life if you kiss him.

  
  

  Happy holidays!

  
  

  Xo

  Ruby

  
  

  by HeadBuzzer | 1 comment |
  Filed under: Ask Ruby