Malinda Lo

Warning: This is a very long and detail-filled post. What’s in it for you? Free books and sneakiness. So, to begin:

First, Ash has been selected for the Fall 2009 Kids’ Indie Next List!

The list is compiled based on nominations from independent booksellers across the U.S., and it features a top 10 list and 46 additional titles in age-appropriate categories. Ash is in the Teen category.

Bookseller Karen Maede Allman of The Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, WA, wrote:

“Ash is in some ways a retelling of the Cinderella story, but it’s also a commentary upon enchantments. Will Ash succumb to the allure of the mysterious stranger? What does her late mother’s involvement in the old ways of magic have to do with her current situation? And will she be doomed to spend eternity away from the one she truly loves? This thoughtful, compelling story kept me reading late into the night.”

How intriguing is that? I never would have thought of Ash in that way, but Ms. Allman’s observation is so interesting! I love hearing others’ interpretations of my book.

Next up: See me live and in person!

I have finalized dates for some bookish appearances in the Bay Area:

• KidLit Salon — Panel talk with fellow debut YA authors Cheryl Renee Herbsman, C. Lee McKenzie, Sarah Quigley and J.A. Yang
  Aug. 24, 2009 at 7 p.m.
  Book Passage
  51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
  Corte Madera, CA 94925
  (415) 927-0960
• Ash Book Launch! — Signing, door prizes, and special treats for all
  Sept. 10, 2009 from 6-8 p.m.
  San Francisco LGBT Center
  1800 Market Street
  San Francisco, CA 94102
  (415) 865-5555
• Sonoma County Book Festival — Signing
  Sept. 19 at time TBA
  SCBWI Booth
  Old Courthouse Square
  Santa Rosa, CA
• Kepler’s Books — Signing
  Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
  1010 El Camino Real
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
  (650) 324-4321

There are more events in the works, so stay tuned and I’ll let you know as soon as I know. You can always check the Events page, too.

Next: Free books!

It has come to my attention that you can win free copies of Ash at a couple of places this month.

• YA Books Central is giving away 15 copies of Ash throughout August. All you have to do is enter their contest here.
• Fabulous YA author Melissa Marr is giving away 6 ARCs (which are now a “limited edition” situation) of Ash through Sept. 15. You must go here to enter.

There may be other giveaways going on, but I don’t know about them. So if you’re giving away a copy and want me to mention it, shoot me an email.

Last but not least, a teaser

Yesterday I spent most of my day traveling. The destination was this place:

I can’t say anything more right now, but it was super fun and involved a gorilla costume. OK, maybe I exaggerate a little bit (about the gorilla part — but just slightly). I’ll reveal all later this fall …