They Call Me Mr. V

For the rest of the month, I'll be all over the place. Hope to see some of you at one or more of these events!


Oct 15, 2009 at 7:30 PM:
Writer's League of Texas Monthly Program:
A Writer's Guide to PR and Marketing
Writers' League of Texas Office
611 S. Congress Ave, Suite 130
Austin, TX 78704

Oct 17, 2009:
3rd Annual KidLitosphere Conference
Washington, DC
(Click here for a list of participants.)

Oct 24, 2009:
Austin Teen Book Festival
Westlake High School, Austin, TX

Nov 1, 2009:
Texas Book Festival
Austin, TX
(moderating YA panel featuring Jessica Lee Anderson, Libba Bray, and Sara Zarr)

So it seems that I've sold another novel:

Children's Young Adult: Varian Johnson’s UNTITLED companion novel to the forthcoming SAVING MADDIE, again to Stephanie Elliott at Delacorte, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger, NA

As you can see from the Publisher's Marketplace blurb, we decided to go with the "less-is-more" option. For right now, all I can say is that the book will be written from Madeline's POV, and...well, that's about it. More details to come later, probably after Saving Maddie is released (March 9th, 2010).

Sorry for all the vagueness...but to make up for it, I'm thinking about giving away my last, lone, final ARC of Saving Maddie. Stay tuned to the blog, Facebook, or Twitter for details....

...but instead I'm watching Youtube videos from my college years. This stepshow is a parody of the old Kung Fu movies we grew up watching. And yes, I'm in there...


Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Zeta Chapter, Stompdown, 2000 (Part 1).


Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Zeta Chapter, Stompdown, 2000 (Part 2).


Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Zeta Chapter, Stompdown, 2000 (Part 3).

I'm a little late on this, but here are a few pics from the 2009 SCBWI Conference Blue Moon Gala:









I'm not even gonna try to list everyone I met, because I know I'll leave someone out. All I'll say is that I had a great time, and I can't wait for next year!

(Taken from Cynsations)

Round Rock, Texas -- Acclaimed authors Kathi Appelt and Sharon Darrow will lead a conference on the craft of writing for young readers on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 at Teravista (4333 Teravista Club Dr.) in Round Rock, which is located just 20 minutes north of Austin.

The event is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, where both Kathi and Sharon serve on the faculty.

The VCFA program intends for this retreat to serve as an opportunity for alumni and their colleagues to reconnect with one another as well as to reignite their passion for the craft of writing for children and teens.

You do not need to be a VCFA graduate to participate.

Newbery Honor winner Kathi Appelt will lecture on "Writing the Novel" and lead a craft class and writing workshop on "Writing the Picture Book."

Former faculty chair Sharon Darrow will lecture on "Braiding the Character's Emotional Trajectory into the Story's Event Trajectory." Her craft class and writing workshop will focus on "The Plot Sentence & Major/Minor Dramatic Questions."

Together, Kathi and Sharon will discuss the rewards of the writing life, product, and process.

Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 with a social gathering at Teravista's historic Ranch House, and continue the following day with lectures, workshops, and panel discussions at Teravista Golf Club.

The fee for the VCFA Day in the Lone Star State event is $150.00. Online registration is available at this link. Contact Debbie Gonzales (512.426.6050) with questions.

(Note: I'm not sure if I'll "officially" be in attendance, but I hope to make an appearance at some point during the weekend.)

Thanks to the awesomeness of Jenny Medford with Websy Daisy Web Design, I have a new website. And it's spiffy!

I'm in the process of switching domain registration and hosting services (in preparation for the BRAND NEW WEBSITE!!!), which means varianjohnson.com may be out of commission during the next week or so. Feel free to check out my schedule of infrequent blogging at Livejournal, or you can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook. You can also email me at varianjohson(at)gmail(dot)com.

And for those of you going to the SCBWI Conference, see you in LA!

 

Since this is now up on the Random House Site, I figured I'd go ahead and post the catalog copy for SAVING MADDIE, along with a "not-quite-but-almost-100%" cover:

Joshua Wynn is a preacher’s son and a “good boy” who always does the right thing. Until Maddie comes back to town. Maddie is the daughter of the former associate pastor of Joshua’s church, and his childhood crush. Now Maddie is all grown up, gorgeous—and troubled. She wears provocative clothes to church, cusses, drinks, and fools around with older men. Joshua’s ears burn just listening to the things she did to get kicked out of boarding school, and her own home.

As time goes on, Josh goes against his parents and his own better instincts to keep Maddie from completely capsizing. Along the way, he begins to question his own rigid understanding of God and whether, as his mother says, a girl like Maddie is beyond redemption. Maddie leads Josh further astray than any girl ever has . . . but is there a way to reconcile his love for her and his love for his life in the church?

So, yeah--I'm a Master of the Fine Arts. I don't have a picture of me with my fancy hood, but believe me, I graduated. Here are a few pics from the residency:


Me and Rita Williams-Garcia. I'm holding the ARC for Rita's next book, ONE CRAZY SUMMER and Rita's holding the ARC for SAVING MADDIE.

And if I haven't said so before, I love, love, love me some Rita Williams-Garcia (and if you haven't read JUMPED, go and buy it now!!)



Me and my good friend Rachel Wilson. Many of you haven't heard of Rachel yet (unless you've been lucky enough to catch her performing with Barrel of Monkeys) but Rach is a superstar waiting to happen (that is, if she ever finishes that novel...). Unfortunately for her, Rach is one of my best friends from Vermont, which means she knows way too much about my nose hair grooming habits (long story) and affection for meat.

Seriously, Rachel is amazing, and I would happily give her a kidney if she ever needed one (again, another long story).



And speaking of meat...that's a MEAT tray from the party the 4th semester's threw for my class. As many people at VCFA know, I have a thing for meat, and the Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines were kind enough to provide a little protein nourishment at the party.

All kidding aside, Vermont College of Fine Arts is a magical place--a place that I'll miss dearly. I made some lifelong friends there, and I learned so much about the craft of writing. I am a better writer because of this program, and I only hope that any future novels I write will honor the fine VCFA tradition of quality literature.

---
FYI - While I was in Vermont, I missed all sorts of things concerning Justine Larbalestier's cover for her new YA novel, LIAR. I'll have more to say in this topic at some point, probably closer to the release of SAVING MADDIE, but I do want to say that I'm in awe of how honest and brave Justine has been about this. She is made of awesome.

That's me doing karaoke at Vermont College. And what am I singing?

Billie Jean.

Rest in Peace, Micheal.

1) DDD's with Sarah Bird (Read recaps by Jenny and Shana)

2) New Blackberry Phones! (Who needs a stupid iPhone anyway?)


3) Vermont College Workshop Packets (with my workshop being led by the wonderful Sharon Darrow!


And last but not least....

4) ARCS and...
5) Dust Jackets!

I'm so, so, so late on this, so I won't go into to many details about TLA, except to say that it was great! The panel with John and Wendy went very well, and I had a chance to hang out with both old and new friends. You can check out Margo and Jenny's blogs for more info. However, I did want to post a few pics (and sorry for the page formatting):




Here I am with author Sara Zarr. I've know Sara through the power of The Internets for a few years now, so it was really nice to meet her face-to-face.





Here I am with Chris Barton and Wendy Lichtman. Fun fact: Wendy is related to Austin author Shana Burg.

And if you're wondering why Chris is wearing a t-shirt that says, "Ask me who INVENTED this color," you should check out his upcoming book, The Day-Glo Brothers (Charlesbridge, 2009).






Here I am with Gretchen Pruett, Library Director for the New Braunfels Public Library and Julie Ousley, a member of the New Braunfels Public Library Advisory Board. I'll be speaking at the New Braunfels Public Library at the end of June.






And here I am with Renee Dyer, chair of the TLA Tayshas Committee. My Life as a Rhombus was named to the Tayshas List last year.

Again, I wish I took more pics of all the fabulous people I met. Hopefully I'll take more pictures at the 2010 Conference in San Antonio!

On Wednesday evening, Jennifer Ziegler and I are road-tripping to Houston for the 2009 Texas Library Association Conference. I'll be participating in a panel with John Green and Wendy Lichtman called Do the Math: A Formula for Teen Reading on Thursday morning at 10:00. Jenny will be signing at the Random House Booth on Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00. Then we'll be at the bar, tossing down margaritas discussing abstract literary concepts with other authors.

Other Austinites in attendance include:Margo Rabb, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Don Tate, Chris Barton, Brian Anderson, and Jessica Lee Anderson.

Hope to see some of you there.

At least for today, good news comes in pairs!

1.) My Life as a Rhombus was named to the New York Public Library's "Stuff for the Teen Age" List. Rhombus was listed in the "Girl Drama" group, along with Audrey, Wait (Razorbill) by Robin Benway, The Fortunes of Indigo Skye (Simon and Schuster) by Deb Caletti, 30 Days to Getting Over the Dork You Used to Call Your Boyfriend (Delacorte) by Clea Hantman, Suite Scarlett (Scholastic / Point) by Maureen Johnson, The Market, (Hyperion) by J.M. Steele, and Climbing the Stairs (Putnam) by Padma Venkatraman.

Compared to past lists, the NYPL has made quite a few changes, which makes Rhombus's inclusion even that much more spiffy! You can hear about some of the new changes below:



You can check out all of the "stuff" that made the list at the NYPL's "Stuff for the Teen Age" website: http://www.nypl.org/books/sta2009/

I really, really, really wanted to go to New York for the ceremony, but I was just too damn stingy to shell out the money for a ticket. However, I will be going to Waco next month, because...

2) Rhombus was named as a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Award for Best Young Adult Book. The other finalist are Anne Estevis for Chicken Foot Farm (Arte Publico / Pinata) and Jo Harper for Birth of the Fifth Sun (Texas Tech Press). The award for this and all of the Texas Institute of Letter's awards will be announced at the organization's annual meeting in April.

My classmate Rachel is part of Barrel of Monkeys, an arts education theater ensemble in Chicago. Among other things, they teach creative writing to under-served students, and adapt students' stories for the stage.

And now, thanks to Rach [who (whom??) is also singing background], I can't get one of the songs out of my head. The actual title of the song is My First Girlfriend, but like all good 90's styled R&B grooves, it needs to have an alternate name.

Thus, Shidai.

It was written by Tyberius W., who (whom??...dammit, where's a copy-editor when you need one) despite being in only 4th grade has already found himself on the loosing side of love.

Check out Tyberius's original story. Then listen to the podcast. And while you're at it, check out what else Barrel of Monkeys have to offer.

With all the press the Delacorte Dames and Dude Society has been getting, I figured it might be a good idea to actually talk about my Delacorte book, Saving Maddie. Of course, the book doesn't come out for another year, and it isn't even listed on Amazon yet, but why let a little thing like purchasability stop me.

First, here's the cover:


Let's just say I'm...curious about what the response will be concerning the cover.

Personally, I love the cover, and so does my editor. I think it gets across everything the novel is about.

So what is the novel about?

As I've stated before, I hate describing a book. I never know if the person is asking about the plot or the theme or the characters or whatever.

And, in general, I suck at summaries.

So until I get the official flap or catalog copy, you'll have to do with my rag-tag description of the book.

Saving Maddie is about:

1) A boy named Joshua
2) A girl named Madeline
3) Lust
4) Love
5) Proverbs Chapter 4 vs The Parable of the Lost Sheep
6) Jose Cuervo
7) Coffee
8) Blackberries

Got it? Good!

I've been lucky enough to be featured in the Austin American-Statesman twice in the past week.

On Feb. 24th, I discussed The Brown Bookshelf and our 28 Days Later Campaign.

And today, I was featured along with the Austin Delacorte Dames - April Lurie, Margo Rabb, Jennifer Ziegler, and Shana Burg. Check us out. (And click here to see one of the pics from the photo shoot.)

Personally, I'm really hoping that Margo finds a way to fit Byron the Cowboy into her new novel. Or maybe she can save that for the sequel - Vampire Cowboy Love.

I’m pretty sure I’m late on this, but for a while there the 25 Random Things About Me Meme was all the rage on Facebook. And I kinda sorta ignored all those tags I got. But never fear -- now that my Vermont College of Fine Arts packet is out the door, I’m happy to present my 25 random things.

1. When I was growing up, my brother and I shared a car. Jenny, the Mighty Topaz -- a dirty red, ’87 Mercury Topaz. She was like a lot a women I knew in my younger days; temperamental, prone to overheating, always wanting me to give her money. But just like any good woman, whenever I need her, she was there...except for that time she broke down in Chunky, Mississippi in the middle of the night.

2. When I was in the first grade, I had a dream that the Cat in the Hat was trying to kill me. Except he was wearing a lampshade instead of a hat. And he was firing invisible bullets.

3. I’ll be on a panel with John Green and Wendy Litchman at TLA this April. The good news -- people will come because they want to hear John Green. The bad news -- people may come because they ONLY want to hear John Green.

4. I have the preliminary cover for Saving Maddie. I'll probably post it sometime next month.

5. My pants size in high school was 29” / 30” waist by 34” inseam. My pants size now is 30” / 31” waist by 34” inseam.

6. Mrs. V hates when I bring up my clothing size.

7. When I was in college, a girl thought it was sexy to insert her tongue in my ear. The entire time, I kept wondering if I had remembered to clean my ears that morning.

8. I like meat. I hate it when people steal meat from my plate (you know who you are).

9. If I go too long without writing, I’m not a nice person to be around.

10. I worry that I worry about the wrong things.

11. I have a love / hate relationship with all of my jobs.

12. I once worked as a fundraiser for the University of Oklahoma. I would call people and ask them to donate money to the school. Some people were nice. Others hung up on me. And some people cursed me out. Either way, I had to end my call with a “thank you.”

13. I probably curse more than I should.

14. The idea of having a baby thrills me.

15. The idea of having a baby terrifies me. (FYI, we are not pregnant)

16. Supposedly, white men can’t jump. Neither can black, 6’-0”, 150 pound writers / engineers.

17. I suck at sending out thank you cards. I also suck at buying birthday / wedding / holiday presents. So if you didn’t get something from me, don’t feel bad.

18. However, if you do feel bad about not receiving a card / gift / invitation / whatever, blame Mrs. V. That’s what I always do.

19. I am in love with the Number 9 sandwich from Jimmy John’s.

20. I love cheesy 80’s cartoons.

21. I almost cried when Mufasa died in The Lion King. Almost.

22. Some people say that I laugh like a hyena.

23. Gummi Bears are my kryptonite.

24. I’ve broken both of my ankles, though not at the same time.

25. A lot of people still call me Chad. A lot of people call me Chadwick. A lot call me Varian. And a lot call me V. I answer to just about anything.

One of the most exciting things about being an author is not only seeing my own books in print, but seeing other books by authors I know in the bookstores. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see all of these books face out at one of the local Barnes and Noble here in Austin:

Eternal (Candlewick, 2009) by Cynthia Leitich Smith. The summary: At last, Miranda is the life of the party: all she had to do was die. Elevated and adopted by none other than the reigning King of the Mantle of Dracul, Miranda goes from high-school theater wannabe to glamorous royal fiend overnight.

Meanwhile, her reckless and adoring guardian angel, Zachary, demoted to human guise as the princess’s personal assistant, has his work cut out for him trying to save his girl’s soul and plan the Master’s fast-approaching Death Day gala.

In alternating points of view, Miranda and Zachary navigate a cut-throat eternal aristocracy as they play out a dangerous and darkly hilarious love story for the ages.

With diabolical wit, the author of Tantalize revisits a deliciously dark world where vampires vie with angels — and girls just want to have fangs.



Golden Girl: A Bradford novel (Simon Pulse, 2009) by Micol Ostow. The Summary: Spencer Grace Kelly has it all, and then some...especially with two new arrivals at prestigious Bradford Prep: Spence’s ex-boyfriend and first love, Jeremy, and Regan Stanford, a frenemy with a mysterious past.

Micol, a recent graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Program for Writing for Children and Young Adults, is also the author of Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razorbill, 2006) and So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) (Flux, 2009).



Shadowed Summer (Delacorte, 2009) by Saundra Mitchell. The Summary: Nothing ever happened in Ondine, Louisiana, not even the summer Elijah Landry disappeared.

His mother knew he ascended to heaven, the police believed he ran away, and his girlfriend thought he was murdered.

Decades later, certain she saw his ghost in the town cemetery, fourteen-year-old Iris Rhame is determined to find out the truth behind "The Incident With the Landry Boy."

Enlisting the help of her best friend Collette, and forced to endure the company of Collette's latest crush, Ben, Iris spends a summer digging into the past and stirring old ghosts, in search of a boy she never knew.

What she doesn't realize is that in a town as small as Ondine, every secret is a family secret.


So, go out and buy books. Support the chains and the independents (like Bookpeople and The Flying Pig).

And be sure to check out 28 Days Later at The Brown Bookshelf. We'll be profiling established and up-and-coming African-American authors all during the month of February!

 

I've never been one for creating New Year's Resolution, but being that I'm too lazy to get some writing done right now, I figured I'd share a few thoughts on what I'm hoping to accomplish next year.

1) Hire someone to update my website: I started my website in July of 2005, using good-old html and Notepad. I'm relatively happy with the design, but the source code is a pain to update, and quite frankly, my time is probably better spent writing books than writing code. I'm also hoping to get my blog better integrated into the website.

2) Spend more time with family and friends: 2008 was a killer year. I spent way too many late nights trying to beat a deadline. My schedule looks much, much better this year, mainly because in July I'll...

3) Graduate from Vermont College: All my critical work is done (more on this later this month), so now that I'm focusing mainly on my creative work, things should go a lot smoother.

4) Finish a new novel: Note that I didn't say sell a new novel. Don't get me wrong, I fully intend to have another book under contract by the end of the year (hopefully sooner), but much of the hocus-pocus of publishing is out of my control. However, I can control what I produce at home, in my office, on my laptop.

5) Take more chances with my work: I'm itching to do something new, something different, although I don't really know what "new" or "different" is yet. Maybe more short stories. Or a picture book. Or a pop-up book about breasts and man-parts (my classmates will get this).

6) Read Octavion Nothing 1 and 2.

7) Do a better job at cheering on other authors: I sometimes get so wrapped up in what I'm trying to accomplish, I forget about what other authors are trying to do. There are some really great authors out there, and I want to make sure that they get their time in the spotlight.

8) Finish a joint-project with a classmate: One of my classmates and I have been talking about working on a joint MG project for almost a year now, and mostly because of me, it hasn't gone much further than a few outlines and sample pages. I'm hoping that as things calm down, we'll be able to work on this novel.

9) Find the drive to consistently get up at 5:00 in the morning: Ever since I turned in my last round of edits for Saving Maddie, I've been reluctant to get up in the morning for my usual writing routine. My goal this year is to get up and out of the house by 5:50 AM at least four days a week. This would give me almost two hours of fresh writing time before work. (And look for another post in a few months concerning motivation.)

10) Clean up my office: Seriously, it hasn't been cleaned, dusted or vacuumed in over a year. My desk is covered with papers, books, and random receipts. Mrs. V won't even stop foot inside my office at this point.

Hmm...on second thought, maybe that isn't such a bad thing.

Happy 2009!