Friday, September 21, 2012

Fiesta Fridays: Winner of the Templeton Twins, and other Fine Things


Friday fiesta time, folks. First up, I have a fun interview and giveaway over at Project Mayhem, featuring Susan Lubner's debut middle grade, THE UPSIDE OF ORDINARY. Hop on over and see what you think.

Second, a great big "thank you" to everyone who commented on the Templeton Twins blog tour post. I truly appreciate your unstinting support of Middle Grade Mafioso. Random.org has been in seclusion with the Don and he's decreed the winner to be:


Heidi, please be in touch so I can forward your mailing address to the good people at Chronicle Books and they can send you a copy straight off the presses.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Anyone got any special plans?


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Cybils Redux


Remember last year, when the Don released me from his service for a couple of months so that I could plow through 150 or so middle grade books? (The librarians at my local library got to the point where, when they saw me walk in, they would chant a joyful chorus of relief because my requests were literally weighing down their hold shelves.) I was a round one panelist for the Cybils (Children and Young Adults Bloggers' Literary Awards)--and it was a complete hoot!

This year, I've gone one better. I'm a round two judge, which means that, starting in January 2013, I will read the nominated shortlist, winnowed down to about six or seven titles by the intrepid first round panel, some of whom I know (Hi, Jill the Owl and Deb Marshall) and some of whom I'm looking forward to meeting (Kyle KimmelAmy KoesterAli Breidenstein, and Art Spencer.) Everyone knows our major domo, Karen Yingling, whom I believe to be the most voracious--as well as the most judicious-- reader on the planet. If you haven't yet done so, check out her amazing blog, Ms. Yingling Reads.


Ms. Yingling, doing a spot of time travel
In the round two panel, Jennifer Donovan was a fellow panelist last year (Hi, Jen!). I'm looking forward to getting to know the other three: Cameron Kelly RosenblumAndi Sibley, and Freya Hooper

Hopefully, all of you MGMafioso readers have got an idea of a book you'd like to nominate. Here's how to do so, from the Cybils FAQ page: 

Can anyone nominate?
Yes, anyone may nominate one book per genre during the nomination period. We post an online form from Oct. 1-15 every year.
Which books are eligible?
Any books published between the end of one contest and start of another. For 2012, that means books released between Oct. 16, 2011 and Oct. 15, 2012. This year, we are also accepting nominations for book apps for iPad, Web or computers.
Does it help if a book has lots of nominations?
NO! In fact, the online form will kick the nomination back if a book's already been listed. It needs to get on our radar only once for consideration. After that, it's up to the judges.
So ~~ Start your engines. Cybils season is upon us!!

Monday, September 17, 2012

The Blog Tour That Keeps On Giving


ISN'T JEREMY HOLMES' ART WORK BRILLIANT?

Hello. I'm hoping that scads of MMGMers will fly in today to comment on the interview I posted on Saturday with the natty Narrator of THE TEMPLETON TWINS HAVE AN IDEA. Fab and funny book--and, if you comment on this post, you have the chance to win a copy of it. (I will add your entry to the four dauntless souls who read the blog post over the weekend!)

For ease of reading, I'm repeating the interview in this very post. Here goes:


I'm part of a blog tour for this delicious new novel, by a novelist called Ellis Weiner who must, by necessity, be long-suffering. Why do I say this? Because he has to endure the orations and opinions of a narrator who would give Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch a run for their money. Later on, I go toe-to-toe with this worrisome wordsmith. But first, a quick description of the book, courtesy of the jacket flap

Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't? ).

And now, let the games begin:

Dear Narrator--or should I say "Insane rant roar"? (c.f. pg. 97)

I thoroughly enjoyed your narration of THE TEMPLETON TWINS HAVE AN IDEA. It appears you are a "rant roar" of the highest caliber. I particularly liked your "Questions for Review" at the end of each chapter, because there are never more than three of them, and this quite fits my attention span. For example:




I have styled my own questions to you accordingly.

1. Which of the following gave you the greatest trouble saying ten times very fast. (I stole this idea from the heading of Chapter 10, in case you haven't gathered.) a) Tick-Tock Tech   b) Nanny Nan Noonan   c) Dean D. Dean   d) Dan D. Dean. Why?

Narrator: In truth, none of them.  They’re mere alliterations, and as such they practically pronounce themselves.  Watch:    
See?  One can essentially sit idly by and listen to them repeat themselves of their own accord.  Somewhere in the narrative I think I remark that “particularly ridiculous” might be challenging to repeat several times very fast—ten is a bit oppressive—so that’s the one I would most like not to have to repeat.

2. If the Templeton Twins had failed in their mission to persuade their father to allow them to have a ridiculous (in your words) dog, what other animal might they have been willing to receive? Would, say, a tenacious, ridiculous lizard have been as effective as Cassie, the smooth-haired fox terrier, in sinking her teeth into Dean D. Dean's lovely trousers? (pg. 193 for the confused.)


Narrator: The idea of a tenacious-yet-ridiculous lizard is an excellent one.  Lizards, in my opinion, have been coasting on their reputation for being either frightening or eerie.  This has been going on for 230 million years, and I think we can all agree that enough is enough. 
However, while we have been led to believe that early lizards (i.e., dinosaurs) made ferocious noises and so forth, there is scant evidence that today’s lizards are capable of barking with anywhere near the volume, duration, and ridiculousness of the modern fox terrier.  That is why I always say, “Find me a lizard that barks, and then we’ll talk.”

3. If the narrator were to invite a reader to dinner, and that reader was not a fan of the narrator's meatloaf (which seems highly unlikely), what other delicacy might the narrator dangle to cause said reader's taste buds to tingle?

Narrator: As you—and the world—will see in Book II, I happen to have a superb recipe for cole slaw.  Yet even I can concede that inviting someone over for dinner, and serving them only cole slaw, could be viewed as an inadequate gesture of hospitality.  I would therefore augment it with, perhaps, Taco Fried Chicken, the recipe for which I would steal borrow from Kenny Shopsin, an eccentric New York chef.  (You coat chicken breasts in crushed tortilla chips and deep fry.)

Bonus Question, because I love to cheat: Will the Templeton Twins have another idea, and if so, when? Will you be employed in its narration? (That's actually three bonus questions. Told you I like to cheat.)

Narrator: Thank you for asking.  Yes.  Above I allude to Book II, the title of which is The Templeton Twins Make a Scene.  I will indeed be its Narrator and, now that I think of it, I am deeply offended that you even need ask.  Oh but never mind.  I’ll “get over it,” as we apparently now say.  Because don’t I always?  It will be published in September of next year, I assume, barring catastrophe.

I thank you profusely (which I looked up in the dictionary) for your time in unraveling some of the knottier mysteries about the Templeton Twins. I look forward to waving your novel in the air and shouting at potential readers while flying my prototype Personal One-Man Helicoptor around my local bookstores and libraries. Thank you for the idea of putting it in a knapsack.

Narrator: No, no, thank YOU.  It was my pleasure.

T.N.

So there we have it, folks. Leave a comment, and I will draw a winner from my fedora next week. 

The Prize: A copy of The Templeton Twins Have An Idea. And, for a further bonus, please head thisaway to enter the Pester the Narrator Contest http://templetontwins.tumblr.com/submit He's a guy who could do with a good pestering!! 

Alla prossima!



Saturday, September 15, 2012

Q & A With The Narrator of The Templeton Twins Have An Idea




Hey you over there, pretending to watch your kid's soccer game while surreptitiously checking your Smartphone: if you want to chuckle at anything other than the opposing coach's antics, have I got a nice quick and comic interview for you.

You see, I'm part of a blog tour for this delicious new novel, by a novelist called Ellis Weiner who must, by necessity, be long-suffering. Why do I say this? Because he has to endure the orations and opinions of a narrator who would give Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch a run for their money. Later on, I go toe-to-toe with this worrisome wordsmith. But first, a quick description of the book, courtesy of the jacket flap

Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't? ).

And now, let the games begin:

Dear Narrator--or should I say "Insane rant roar"? (c.f. pg. 97)

I thoroughly enjoyed your narration of THE TEMPLETON TWINS HAVE AN IDEA. It appears you are a "rant roar" of the highest caliber. I particularly liked your "Questions for Review" at the end of each chapter, because there are never more than three of them, and this quite fits my attention span. For example:




I have styled my own questions to you accordingly.

1. Which of the following gave you the greatest trouble saying ten times very fast. (I stole this idea from the heading of Chapter 10, in case you haven't gathered.) a) Tick-Tock Tech   b) Nanny Nan Noonan   c) Dean D. Dean   d) Dan D. Dean. Why?

Narrator: In truth, none of them.  They’re mere alliterations, and as such they practically pronounce themselves.  Watch:    
See?  One can essentially sit idly by and listen to them repeat themselves of their own accord.  Somewhere in the narrative I think I remark that “particularly ridiculous” might be challenging to repeat several times very fast—ten is a bit oppressive—so that’s the one I would most like not to have to repeat.

2. If the Templeton Twins had failed in their mission to persuade their father to allow them to have a ridiculous (in your words) dog, what other animal might they have been willing to receive? Would, say, a tenacious, ridiculous lizard have been as effective as Cassie, the smooth-haired fox terrier, in sinking her teeth into Dean D. Dean's lovely trousers? (pg. 193 for the confused.)


Narrator: The idea of a tenacious-yet-ridiculous lizard is an excellent one.  Lizards, in my opinion, have been coasting on their reputation for being either frightening or eerie.  This has been going on for 230 million years, and I think we can all agree that enough is enough. 
However, while we have been led to believe that early lizards (i.e., dinosaurs) made ferocious noises and so forth, there is scant evidence that today’s lizards are capable of barking with anywhere near the volume, duration, and ridiculousness of the modern fox terrier.  That is why I always say, “Find me a lizard that barks, and then we’ll talk.”

3. If the narrator were to invite a reader to dinner, and that reader was not a fan of the narrator's meatloaf (which seems highly unlikely), what other delicacy might the narrator dangle to cause said reader's taste buds to tingle?

Narrator: As you—and the world—will see in Book II, I happen to have a superb recipe for cole slaw.  Yet even I can concede that inviting someone over for dinner, and serving them only cole slaw, could be viewed as an inadequate gesture of hospitality.  I would therefore augment it with, perhaps, Taco Fried Chicken, the recipe for which I would steal borrow from Kenny Shopsin, an eccentric New York chef.  (You coat chicken breasts in crushed tortilla chips and deep fry.)

Bonus Question, because I love to cheat: Will the Templeton Twins have another idea, and if so, when? Will you be employed in its narration? (That's actually three bonus questions. Told you I like to cheat.)

Narrator: Thank you for asking.  Yes.  Above I allude to Book II, the title of which is The Templeton Twins Make a Scene.  I will indeed be its Narrator and, now that I think of it, I am deeply offended that you even need ask.  Oh but never mind.  I’ll “get over it,” as we apparently now say.  Because don’t I always?  It will be published in September of next year, I assume, barring catastrophe.

I thank you profusely (which I looked up in the dictionary) for your time in unraveling some of the knottier mysteries about the Templeton Twins. I look forward to waving your novel in the air and shouting at potential readers while flying my prototype Personal One-Man Helicoptor around my local bookstores and libraries. Thank you for the idea of putting it in a knapsack.

Narrator: No, no, thank YOU.  It was my pleasure.

T.N.

So there we have it, folks. You can go back to pretending to watch soccer. Oooh... was that a goal?! If so, you can now celebrate by leaving a comment, and I will draw a winner from my fedora next week. 

The Prize: A copy of The Templeton Twins Have An Idea. And, for a further bonus, please head thisaway to enter the Pester the Narrator Contest http://templetontwins.tumblr.com/submit He's a guy who could do with a good pestering!! 

Alla prossima!


Friday, September 14, 2012

I'm Talking Templeton Tomorrow




...And I know tomorrow's Saturday, and y'all have bigger fish to fry such as weekend family activities and such. But Professor M.G. Mafioso gets to interview the Narrator of this very funny book, and he is a HOOT!!  I'll also be giving away a copy of The Templeton Twins Have An Idea for your very own delectation.

So join me on the morrow, for a quick burst of hilarity. (Or, as the Don's been known to say: "Youse pay me a visit, or else I pay youse a visit." He gets a lot of visitors.) Ciao!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Announcing my participation in The Templeton Twins Blog Tour





Just want to give you a heads up that I will be participating in the blog tour. My post goes up next Saturday, which is a rum old day for blogging, but there you have it. This is a jolly good book--and I'm betting that the author is a hoot. Pop on over to The Mundie Kids at http://mundiekids.blogspot.com today to start of the blog tour with a bang!

Here's the entire blog tour, for future reference. And come back and see me on Saturday. In the meantime, Natalie Aguirre over at Literary Rambles has a surprise guest, plus a chance to win one of the most talked about books of the season.


The Children's Book Review
11-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
There's A Book
12-Sep
Q&A with The Narrator
Watch.Connect.Read
13-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Stiletto Storytime
14-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Middle Grade Mafioso
15-Sep
Q&A with The Narrator
sharpread
16-Sep
Q&A with The Narrator
mrcolbysharp.com
The Book Cellar
17-Sep
Q&A with author Ellis Weiner
Mother Daughter Book Club.com
18-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Media Darlings
19-Sep
Q&A with author Ellis Weiner
The Book Monsters
20-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Karin's Book Nook
21-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
The O.W.L.
22-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
The Children's and Teens' Book Connection
23-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Pink Me
24-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner
Book Dreaming
25-Sep
Guest post from author Ellis Weiner

Monday, September 3, 2012

WINNERS!! (Yes, I said "Winners!")


 


Wow, September! It seems that summer has flown by. Today is Labor Day, and school starts on the 5th. For the first time in 16 years, I won't have a child at home for the greater part of the day. Which means I have BIG PLANS, I can tell you. I am going to be organized, and I am going to be a writing machine.



Speaking of organization, I was supposed to reveal the winner of GUYS READ: THE SPORTS PAGES on Friday. But on Friday I was too busy cleaning house (for an appraisal--and for getting ready for #3 Son's 6th birthday party.) Now the house has been cleaned and duly trashed again, and I can get back to the blog. Furthermore, through the awesome auspices and generosity of Walden Pond Press's Kellie Celia, I have not ONE but TWO ARCS to give away.

So, without further ado, the winners are:


and


Congratulations to you both. I'll be in touch for addresses.

Happy Labor Day, everyone. May all your writing labors be rewarded.