Celebrating REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS!

I was fortunate enough to get to go to Helene Boudreau's (sorry I can't get the accents in on your first name, Helene!)book launch for her new tween book from Sourcebooks called REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS tonight. I've been anxiously awaiting the book like many of the #torkidlit group of writers and all the Verla Kay Blueborders(the book released December 1st but I wanted to get my copy at Helene's launch)Verla Kay's Blueboards was where I first met Helene and she, in turn, introduced me to the #torkidlit group. To say I am grateful to have met Helene would be an understatement.

It feels like MERMAIDS is very much a Blueboarder baby since Helene shared her agent search with the query letter for the book over a year ago. If you want to see the evolution of a great query check out this thread. Now, after all Helene's hard work was the celebration of the book itself. I wish I had pictures but I'll leave it for Helene to share the awesomeness of the cake (beautiful!) and the coolness of listening to the first chapter of the audio book and the joy of finally seeing a book you've worked so hard on come into being. I especially enjoyed seeing the scrap of paper where the idea for MERMAIDS was written - literally an old grocery receipt with the idea for the book scribbled on the back.

I got home and read the first few chapters and I'm hooked. Jade is a wonderful, funny, sweet heroine and I can't wait to see what happens to her (well, I know she becomes a mermaid but what about her mom? and her crush? and does she ever get rid of that zit??)

Congrats, HELENE!

Thankful Thursdays

I know I'm not the first blogger/writer to theme out one of their days to offer up some tidbits on what they have to be thankful for but I think it's about time I started. I've been trying to live life a bit more optimistically for me and after the last few days of worry about my mom's health I think it's a great time to offer up some thanks to the universe because karma has a way of following you and I need to highlight some things and people that just don't get enough credit.

I totally underappreciate my husband. He's a rock when I need him to be and he kept the homefires burning (without burning down the house) while I was gone this week.

The supportive torkidlit MG/YA writers group initiated by the fabulous Claudia Osmond. Even when I'm away I feel their support and, lo and behold, Claudia posted her interview with me this week and I barely had to lift a finger. I'm thrilled to be returning the favour and will be posting my interview with Claudia next Monday once I organize my life after being away for three days! Thank you Claudia and torkidlit!

I'm also thankful to be back in town for Cheryl Rainfield's book launch of SCARS tonight. She's doing a fabulous thing by having a charity affiliation with the all profits for Scars sold tonight going to the Toronto Rape Crisis Center/Multicultural Women Against Rape and Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN). SCARS is about 15-year-old Kendra, a sexual abuse survivor who can't remember who abused her. When things get tough, she cuts herself to cope--but that only hurts her more. With the help of some people she loves, a good therapist, her art, and a friend who might just become her girlfriend, Kendra is able to face her past and to find healing.

Who can't help but be thankful when there's authors like that doing such good things in the world?

I'm also thankful and excited and a little sad to see my oldest daughter officially finish high school today and celebrate with her Prom. She is smart, beautiful and a joy in my life. I've been a lucky Mom to get to share this life with her and I know this is a significant ending and beginning point for the next part of her life. Congratulations, baby. Thank you for being such a fabulous first child.

And on that slightly weepy note, I will end my first Thankful Thursday. You know, they're right when they say to list out the things you're thankful for when you get overwhelmed, feel too tired to cope or are just in a bad mood. Life is good sometimes and we just need to remind ourselves of that once in a while. Hope you're having a thankful Thursday!

Five Best Things About A Book Launch

5. You get to order your favourite dessert Pasteis de Nata - (portugese custard tarts) and a cake with a picture of your book on it and share it with friends and family (Although I must say I only got to eat a piece of the cake - the tarts were snapped up like money drifting on the street!)

!).


4. You get to thank everyone who's supported you and share with them the joy of having a book published. Because writers all know how important supportive friends and family are through this slog!

3. You get to sign actual copies of your books with a cool pen - a dream you thought would never come true (I really like cool pens

2. Friends bring you lovely bouquets of flowers and plants that you can enjoy for days afterwards (Well, I'm hoping I can keep the plant alive for more than a few days - I'll work hard on it Stephanie!!)



And the number one best thing about the launch?

1. You get to watch your Mom and Dad read the dedication of your book and see your Mom's eyes well up with tears of love. Thanks Mom and Dad - having you there was the best part of the launch!