Category Archives: News

Book Expo 2013!

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I’m thrilled to introduce JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST: THE (TOTALLY NOT) GUARANTEED GUIDE TO POPULARITY, PRETTINESS & PERFECTION at BEA this year! Details:

1. I’m not walking the convention floor. However, JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST will be featured in Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Booth #1829. I’m told that my publisher will distribute a limited number of ARCs per day throughout the convention SO GET THEM WHILE THEY LAST. And if you don’t see it, please ask for it!

2. I’m attending the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers cocktail party on Thursday, May 30th. Actually, they’re putting me and five other Little, Brown authors to work as bartenders. I’m serving a punch of my own creation called the Jessica Darling Clementine. The final IT LIST cover (NOT the trial covers currently on amazon.com or bn.com) will be revealed in the form of cute take-home coasters. I’m very excited about this because I love the final cover so very much.

3. I’m also going to the NYC Rooftop YA Author and Blogger Party hosted by Liza Weimer of WhoRuBlog. If you see me, talk to me! Why am I writing a middle grade novel? When did I decide to revisit Jessica Darling? Am I afraid of messing with the SLOPPY FIRSTS legacy? Ask and I will answer.

So that’s my schedule. I’m sorry that these events are invitation only and therefore limit my opportunities to connect with readers. Hopefully I’ll be back at BEA next year to talk about the second book in the IT LIST series…

As always, thanks for reading!

Megan

What do Jessica Darling & Marcus Flutie Have in Common with Katniss & Peeta?

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SloppyFirstsENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY chose Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie as one of the Top 10 Best YA Couples of All Time! OF. ALL. TIME. Admittedly, the list skews toward recent novels. In fact, I think the only couple on the list that predates Jessica and Marcus is Katherine and Michael (and RALPH) from Judy Blume’s classic sexytimes novel FOREVER… Continue reading What do Jessica Darling & Marcus Flutie Have in Common with Katniss & Peeta? →

New Year, New Book!

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I’m excited about 2013, people. I’ve got a lot to look forward to this year, not the least of which is the publication of the middle grade prequel to SLOPPY FIRSTS.

JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST: THE (TOTALLY NOT) GUARANTEED GUIDE TO POPULARITY, PRETTINESS AND PERFECTION goes on sale in September 2013.

I’ll tell you more about it when my publisher lets me. For now, all I can say is that I had more fun writing this book than any book I’ve ever written. (And I’m already having a blast working on book #2!) This new series is targeted to 9-to-12 year-olds, but I know in my heart that fans of the original books will LOVE getting to know junior high Jessica and Marcus and Hope and the Clueless Crew before they were even called the Clueless Crew.

(I’d show you the adorable cover that was wholeheartedly and unanimously approved by a mini focus group of some of my favorite 8-to-13 year olds but I’m not allowed to. Yet.)

As always, thanks for reading.

Megan

 

BID on MARCUS FLUTIE SECRETS and SO MUCH MORE

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In my previous post I told you all about YA for NJ and how my donation for the auction is a one-of-a-kind ARC of SLOPPY FIRSTS all marked up in my own handwriting with stories behind the story including the 100 percent honest truth about the origins of Marcus Flutie. That is a pretty awesome prize for a die-hard Jessica Darling fan. Or a pretty awesome present for the die-hard Jessica Darling fan in your life. Which is perfect timing since THE HOLIDAYS ARE FAST UPON US.

Yesterday I read about A GIRL AND HER ROOM, a series of portraits by photographer Rania Matar. I’m fascinated by photography as it relates to the study of anthropology and sociology and I’m obviously very invested in the inner worlds of teenage girls so yeah, I love the idea of this book and what I’ve seen of it so far. (I don’t own it yet but THE HOLIDAYS ARE FAST UPON US so **hint**hint** to any family members who might be reading this.) Anyway, so I tweeted about this book and one of my followers @roxie_heartless asked about my teenage bedroom and I promised I would find and post pictures.

Here they are:
Continue reading BID on MARCUS FLUTIE SECRETS and SO MUCH MORE →

Jessica Darling Is New Jersey…And So Am I

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Me and coworker, Kohr’s Frozen Custard, Casino Pier, Seaside Heights, NJ, 1992.

“When you take a summer job in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, the self-proclaimed Home of Sunnin’ and Funnin’, it pretty much guarantees that you will have no time for either sun or fun.” –SLOPPY FIRSTS

If you’re at all familiar with my work, you know that I poked fun at “Sleazeside Heights” more than a decade before MTV made it a national pastime. But the jokes run deep, people. New Jersey–and its beach communities in particular–plays a huge role in making Jessica Darling who she is and who she wants to be. Why? Because growing up on the Jersey Shore shaped me into the person–and especially the writer–I am.  Continue reading Jessica Darling Is New Jersey…And So Am I →