* have a contemporary YA novel with a traditional publisher coming out between 9/2011 and 8/2012.

Author Tara Kelly recently blogged about the importance of realistic stories in the young adult market and how many of these titles just don’t get the attention that books of other genres receive.There’s a great discussion going on at her blog (over 70 comments so far) with lots of recommendations for readers who enjoy realistic YA.

In addtion, Tara is hosting a giveaway of over one dozen books! Check it out here. The drawings will take place on June 30th, so get on over there with your recommendations!

Taylor Morris writes middle-grade novels for Simon & Schuster’s Aladdin division. Her most recent title is BFF Breakup, and in honor of its release this year, Taylor found bunches of middle-grade and YA authors to answer questions about best friends for her blog.

This week, features Nikki (whom I met when I was fifteen) and me! Bonus: A vintage photo from our high school years is included in the post!

I was Googling myself just now (and not to find reviews of my book; I swear!), and I happened across a brand-new review at LitFest Magazine.

The reviewer compares Freefall to S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, which I find very interesting. I actually read The Outsiders after I finished writing Freefall because a instructor told me that I should pitch mine as “an updated Outsiders.”

I really like this line from the review:

[T]he plot is the entire denouement of a story that climaxed approximately three months before the book begins, but that also means that the whole story is uplifting, and a good companion piece to current campaigns to help teenagers get through high school alive and in tact.

I think that sometimes the cover art and jacket description make people think that the book is going to be depressing, so I think it’s cool that this reviewer found the story to be the opposite!

Book blogger Ginger at GReads posted: “I have a special place in my heart for those broken boys in YA novels, especially when the story is told from their POV.”

So on her site this month, she has recommended titles she enjoyed that she feels fit that description. One that she featured was Freefall! She also offered up further recommendations from both author Hannah Moscowitz and Kari at A Good Addiction. If you’re looking for more books about boys, definitely check out Ginger’s post.

I’ve donated a VERY SPECIAL item to help benefit tornado disaster relief in Alabama! This is one for All 4 Alabama and the proceeds of the auction will go to helping some of the smaller communities devastated by the April storms.

Now, whenever I’ve contributed items for auctions or contests in the past, I’ve opted for a signed copy of Freefall for the winners. (Although, in December, I also knitted Harry Potter-inspired scarves.) This time, I decided to do something different.

Okay, it’s still a signed and personalized copy of Freefall, but this time it is SUPER-PERSONAL and totally one of a kind!

I am going through a copy of the book and writing notes on EVERY SINGLE PAGE. I’m revealing everything I can think of to reveal to you about the inspiration for scenes, the stories behind the characters, things that changed from first draft to finished book, quotes and occurances that came from my real life, and much, much, much, much more!

I’ve already put four hours into this project and I’m only on page 90!  Yes, I have a lot to go, but I’m having so much fun doing it. So, I’m hoping, hoping, hoping that someone out there who might like me, but who really likes Freefall, will be interested in bidding on this book! :-)

Here’s a sneak peak of a somewhat scandalous selection with behind-the-scenes info scribbled in by me:

So that’s the stuff! If you are interested in bidding (and I really hope you are!), please go here! The auction for this item ends on Wednesday, May 25th at 8pm CST. Thank you so much! ?

Angela Carlie is starting a series on her blog called “(Someday) Famous” where she interviews writers who are in all different stages with their writing. She kicked it off today by posting a Q&A with me!

Click here to find out a little bit more about me, Freefall, and even a couple of until-now undisclosed things about my next book, Live Through This!

Help Write Now is a writing community auction to benefit Southern storm relief. What this means is that authors, bloggers, editors, agents, and others have made donations–either of items or of their time–and the proceeds from these donations will be added to the Red Cross’s general disaster relief fund.

Each day, new donated items are listed. They are on day 8 right now and there are lots of great choices for writers and readers alike! I’ve offered up a signed and personalized copy of Freefall. Bidding for this item started this morning and will be open for three days.

I’ve also spotted lots of signed books, new ARCs, Skype interviews, manuscript critiques, and artwork. The link to the full auction is here, and you can click the tabs to learn more about who is running things and how it all works. So check it out! Maybe you’ll find a great gift for someone else or for yourself!

I came across two new reviews for Freefall last week. Both of the reviewers happen to be named Michelle!

Click each link to read the full reviews.

Michelle at GalleySmith said: It is in watching [Seth's] evolution [through Interpersonal Communication class] that Scott works her magic best. She shows Seth at the lowest of lows and then challenges him to become a better person. To become a more stable person. To become the person he wants to be. This doesn’t come without cost — loss of friends and family — but in the end he is far richer for it.

Michelle at Michelle’s Bookshelf said: I find Freefall to be an amazing contribution to the contemporary world of YA. It is honest and true to real life, does not shy away from difficult subject matter and is narrated through the eyes and voice of an authentic and well etched individual. If you are a fan of contemporary novels with fantastic characters then I 100% recommend this novel to you!

Thank you to both Michelles for sharing your thoughts about Freefall!

I added a new entry from the diary I kept at age 14, and wow! It is filled with rage toward “Curt.”

It’s been a while since I’ve typed up a new diary entry because I’ve been really busy writing my second book, Live Through This. But also! The real Curt and I reconnected earlier this year. It has been really cool catching up with him. This is silly, but I felt self-conscious about adding this particular angry entry from when I was 14, knowing that he could see it and that he’d definitely know it’s about him. I posted it, though. Just for you, The Internet! Plus, all of this stuff happened almost 20 years ago, so we really have moved on from it.