The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest Dueling Blog Tour with YA author Kay Cassidy

Welcome to The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest Dueling Blog Tour with YA author Kay Cassidy! Kay is the host of the brand-new Great Scavenger Hunt Contest for teen and youth librarians in the U.S. and Canada. She’s joining me today to chat about The Hunt and how it came to be.

Q: What made you decide to create The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest?

A: As a YA author and proud owner of a well-worn library card, I wanted to give something back to all the librarians whose book recommendations helped me grow as a writer and fed my imagination over the years. With the economy in turmoil, funding for public libraries is taking a major hit. School libraries are struggling as well. So I set out to create a totally free program that teen and youth librarians could use to keep kids excited about reading.

Plus, I’m a huge fan of trivia, scavenger hunts, mysteries... so The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest was a natural fit. I would’ve been all over this when I was younger. Trivia fans... unite!


Q: What exactly is The Hunt?

A: The Hunt is a brand-new, super easy, totally FREE library outreach program for teen and youth librarians. The program is open to librarians in the U.S. and Canada, in public libraries and school libraries alike. It offers year-round free programming that’ll keep readers coming back to the library for more.

Over 120 YA and middle grades authors have created a 10-question scavenger hunt (i.e. super fun trivia quiz) for one or more of their books. Scavenger hunts include questions like “What was the color of Moe’s hideous car?” or “What is Gemma’s favorite comfort food?” Every scavenger hunt also has a special note from the author to give it a personal touch.


Q: How does The Hunt work?

A: Once librarians register their library, their readers (called hunters) are eligible to participate. Hunters can check out the list of more than 200 titles in The Hunt, read the book of their choice, complete the scavenger hunt, and turn it in to their librarian. The librarian checks the answers against the quick answer key. If the hunter gets at least 8 out of 10 answers correct, the librarian can enter the hunter in the monthly contest. (NOTE: All scavenger hunts must be submitted to a participating librarian in order to be eligible for the contest. Participating librarians may enter hunters via the official contest entry form.)


Q: And, of course, the prizes! What kinds of prizes do you have and how can people win?

A: Every month, I’ll choose one lucky hunter as the winner. The winning hunter will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card (good in stores or online) to use for whatever their heart desires. Even better? When a hunter wins, the host library wins too… a library prize tote filled with more terrific scavenger hunt books for the library’s collection. It’s a win-win!


Q: Definitely a win! So, tell me more about your upcoming YA debut. When will hunters see a scavenger hunt for it in The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest?

A: My debut novel, The Cinderella Society, is the first in a new YA series. The series takes readers behind the veil of a secret society of extraordinary girls where ultimate life makeovers are the main attraction. Lifelong outsider Jess Parker thinks life on the inside is her ultimate fantasy until she discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a battle of good vs. evil played out on the high school battlefield, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.

The Cinderella Society will be an April 2010 release from Egmont USA with book two in the series to follow in Spring 2011. I’m very excited about sharing a scavenger hunt of my own in The Hunt. Come on, next April!


Now, let me turn the tables on you for a minute. :-) First of all, thank you so much for participating in The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest. If it weren’t for authors like you, The Hunt couldn’t exist. Authors are incredibly busy people, so I owe a debt of gratitude to each of the authors (like you!) who graciously volunteered their time to create a scavenger hunt.


Q: What made you take time out of your busy schedule to participate in The Hunt?

I love to encourage kids to visit their local libraries and read, read, read. Books can be fun! I also want to give back to the wonderful librarians who have inspired me and supported my work.

Q: Do you think you would’ve wanted to be a hunter when you were younger?

Absolutely. I love to read, but I'm also very competitive and love to take tests and answer questions. I'm sure this is true for many kids today, as well!


KAY CASSIDY BIO:

2008 Golden Heart winner Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. Kay is a former college cheerleader and sorority girl, an M.B.A. and a member of Mensa. She thinks it's comical when people are surprised to discover those things aren't mutually exclusive. Kay is a seasoned professional trainer and former leadership development specialist who enjoys teaching motivational workshops around the country. She is also the founder and host of The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, a national library outreach program that provides year-round free programming for teen and youth librarians. THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY is her first novel. Visit Kay on the web at http://www.kaycassidy.com/.

The German edition of INVISIBLE LIVES is now available!

Droemer Knaur has just released my novel, INVISIBLE LIVES, in Germany as DER HOCHZEITSSARI (THE WEDDING SARI). I absolutely love the cover. I wish I could read German.

INVISIBLE LIVES (the North American version) and my middle grade novel, LOOKING FOR BAPU, are now available as Kindle Books, as well.

Enjoy!

More soon...

The 4th Annual Field's End Writers' Conference

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: The 4th Annual Field's End Writers' Conference, Poulsbo, WA; April 18, 2009. Reserve your spot now! Field's End's 4th annual writers' conference takes place at beautiful Kiana Lodge on the shores of Agate Passage, just north of Bainbridge Island. Enjoy a day of camaraderie, inspiration, and learning about the art and craft of writing. For more information about Field's End, please visit www.fieldsend.org. We're proud to announce that this year's conference is an especially great value; we're offering additional workshops and events while keeping registration at our 2008 rates. We've also included more offerings for poets and children's book writers.

Keynote speaker: "Grammar Girl" Mignon Fogarty (as seen on Oprah in May 2007) is the creator of the popular podcast, Grammar Girl, and founder and managing director of Quick and Dirty Tips. A science writer by trade, her new book, Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, reached The New York Times paperback nonfiction bestseller list in August 2008. The Washington Post says, "Creator Mignon Fogarty has an engaging style that doesn't make you feel bad about misusing the word 'badly.' "

Opening speaker: A Seattle-area native, Jim Lynch pursued journalism after he graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in creative writing and journalism. Jim has served as a writer for The Seattle Times, the syndicated muckraker Jack Anderson, and Portland Oregonian's Puget Sound reporter. He is the author of the novel The Highest Tide, set in the Puget Sound waters on the outskirts of Olympia. Lynch's second novel, Border Songs, a story about marijuana smuggling, dairy farming, terrorism paranoia, and the wonder of birds along the Washington/British Columbia border, will be released by Knopf in June 2009.

Workshop presenters: Kathleen Alcala, Elizabeth Austen, Lana Hechtman Ayers, Royce Buckingham, Carol Cassella, Jonathan Evison, Waverly Fitzgerald, Mary Guterson, Paul Hanson, Grace Jackson, Priscilla Long, George Shannon, Michael Dylan Welch. You can find the conference program schedule here [pdf]http://www.fieldsend.org/images/confprogramforweb.pdf

You can find the conference workshop and event descriptions here [Word] and here [.rtf]

NEW FOR 2009! • "At Conference End: A Reading" featuring Jim Lynch, Mignon Fogarty and Michael Dylan Welch. We've scheduled this celebratory event in the Moose Room to cap off a long day of learning, inspiration, networking, and creativity.
• Jump Start moderated freewrite with author Mary Guterson. At the request of past conference attendees, we're offering writers a chance to start spinning out ideas culled throughout the day. Mary will get writers started with evocative prompts.
• Participant open mic moderated by poet Lana Ayers. Another popular request from participants who want an opportunity to share their own short work. There will be a sign-in sheet and Lana will gently enforce a 2-minute time limit per participant.
• Wind Down creativity workshop with creative coach Grace Jackson. For decompressing after a day of intensive learning, this craft project combines individual and group collage around a positive theme. Playtime for writers!
The conference also includes its popular break-out sessions, hands-on workshops, a delicious salmon/vegetarian buffet lunch, and plenty of time to meet and discuss the writing life with fellow writers. Regular registration rate: $150.Group rate (5 or more): $130 per person. (Highly recommended for writing groups, but please sign up soon!)Please visit the Field's End conference page to sign up and to find all other particulars.http://www.fieldsend.org/Conference.html Registration questions? registrar@fieldsend.org

Tamara Kaye Sellman• Conference Director, Field's End: A Writers' Community: www.fieldsend.org
Check out our newly updated website and blog!

MISSION STATEMENT: Field’s End serves the writers’ community and nurtures the written word through lectures, workshops and instruction in the art, craft, and profession of writing. Field's End: A Writers' Community, is a committee of the nonprofit Bainbridge Public Library Board.

Come to the Bellevue, WA book launch of SECRET KEEPER by Mitali Perkins

If you haven't read a book by the amazing Mitali Perkins, go out and buy one right now! Born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and raised in five countries before settling in California, she is the talented and acclaimed author of six novels for youngsters and many short stories, reviews and articles.

Mitali's newest title is Secret Keeper (Random House), an intriguing novel for teens:

When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha Gupta, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba’s brother and his family, as well as their grandmother, in Calcutta.

Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. Asha’s only solace is her rooftop hideaway, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. Asha can hardly believe that she, and not Reet, is the object of Jay’s attention. Then news arrives about Baba . . . and Asha must make a choice that will change their lives forever.

Early praise for Secret Keeper:

"Achingly realistic." -Kirkus Reviews

"Heartbreaking and hopeful." -Publisher's Weekly

"Quietly powerful." — Booklist

I hope you will come to Mitali's Book Launch party in the SEATTLE AREA this Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, 2 p.m., at the Bellevue Barnes and Noble, 626 106th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA. Phone: 425-453-7958.

I'm planning to attend the book launch. I hope to see you there.

Mitali is also giving a Teen Writing Workshop with Chai, Naan, and Samosas, Sunday, January 18, 5:00 p.m., at the Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Phone: 425-450-1765.

An Author's Career Moves in Mysterious Ways

In a thought-provoking blog entry titled How the Biz Can Drive You Crazy, author Tess Gerritsen writes:

“...no matter how good a book may be, no matter how much effort a publisher puts behind that book, it can still fail. Success involves many random factors that are completely out of our control….All I can do is write the best book I’m capable of and trust my publisher to do its job right…After that, the book either sinks or swims. And there’s not a hell of a lot I can do to change it.”

I’m learning the truth of this. Reviewers praised my second children’s novel, LOOKING FOR BAPU, and I promoted the heck out of the book, but despite my efforts, hardcover sales were not fabulous. Random House even delayed publishing the paperback, as release of the softcover often puts the more expensive hardcover out of print.

I could not force the book up the bestseller charts. I had no choice but to move forward and begin writing my next manuscript.

Then a few serendipitous events occurred, none of which I could not control. LOOKING FOR BAPU was nominated for two state awards—Hawaii’s NeNe Award and Washington’s 2009 Sasquatch Reading Award. The book was also selected for King County Library System’s 2009 Global Reading Challenge, a cooperative effort between King County Library System and local public school districts. In a Battle of the Books style program, 4th and 5th graders across the county work together in teams, competing with other schools to answer questions about the ten selected books. The goal is to encourage students to engage in teamwork while reading “some of the best in children’s literature.” This year, King County Library System expects to host “9 school districts, 58 schools, and 1,300 students.”

Seattle Public Library also picked LOOKING FOR BAPU for its 2009 Global Reading Challenge involving 40 schools, 320 teams and 2,240 students. But wait, there's more! LOOKING FOR BAPU is also one of six books chosen for Fraser Valley Regional Library’s 2008-2009 Reading Link Challenge, which will see the “greatest participation in history: 2079 children are registered to form 297 teams from 80 schools in 12 school districts.” (Learn more about the programs by clicking on the links.)

As you can imagine, sales increased for LOOKING FOR BAPU. The book came out in paperback in August 2008 and has already gone back for a reprint. Who would have guessed?

Perhaps my promotion efforts helped. Or maybe those wise and wonderful teachers, librarians and students found the book on their own. Either way, I’m deeply grateful to all my readers.

Here’s more testimony to the influence of external factors on an author’s career: three distributors have re-ordered my novels for adults. Both books – IMAGINARY MEN and INVISIBLE LIVES – have also gone back for reprints. Droemer-Knaur will release INVISIBLE LIVES as DER HOCHZEITSSARI in Germany in 2009, and Simon & Schuster has just sold the German rights for IMAGINARY MEN to Droemer-Knaur as well. I never could’ve predicted these serendipitous developments, but I’m delighted.

LOOKING FOR BAPU - News and Contest Winner

Happy Halloween, everyone!

The winner of my “Bapu contest” is Davis Blackmon. Congratulations, Davis! To everyone else - don't despair. I'll run another contest soon. I have to celebrate the latest news! LOOKING FOR BAPU is one of ten books chosen for King County Library System's 2009 Global Reading Challenge program. From the library's web site: "This is a Battle of the Books style program that allows 4th and 5th graders across the county to work together as a team and challenge other schools to correctly answer questions about the selected books...This year we expect to host 9 school districts, 58 schools, and 1300 students." See the list of books here.

Looking for Bapu - Contest

My middle grade novel, LOOKING FOR BAPU, will be released in trade paperback August 26, 2008. The book has been nominated for Washington Library Media Association’s 2009 Sasquatch Reading Award and is on Horn Book Magazine’s list of recommended books about Hinduism. Papertigers gave the novel a lovely review: “A touching and, at times, hilarious story about a boy coming to terms with loss, change and other difficulties… Banerjee knows her audience.”

To celebrate, I’m running a CONTEST. Answer this question:

In LOOKING FOR BAPU, what does Anu do to show his support for Andy during class pictures?

Email your answer to anjali@anjalibanerjee.com with “Bapu contest” in the subject line, or send your response to:

Anjali Banerjee,
PO Box 540

Olalla, WA 98359-0540.

Be sure to include your return address and/or e-mail address. I must receive your response by OCTOBER 15, 2008. If you answer the question correctly, I will enter you to win a $100 Book Sense or Amazon gift certificate (your choice). I’ll contact the winner by OCTOBER 30, 2008.