Story Monsters Ink Summer Reading Guide

When things are not exactly going smoothly, a bit of positive news is even more welcome than ever. And to be candid, with all months of testing I have been going through, and the results to those tests that once again put my world into a tail spin, learning that 7th Grade Revolution was featured in the July 2021 issue … Read More

7th Grade Revolution: The Tag-alongs

When I started writing 7th Grade Revolution, I knew I’d be working with an ensemble, so it took me a bit to get to know some of the characters. I knew Dennis and Rhonda right away, but the one who made himself known next was Spencer Jackson. Spencer is the kid in every class who is quick with a comeback, … Read More

Along Comes the Nautilus

Yesterday, while sitting in a chemo chair having an IVIG treatment*, my agent, Italia Gandolfo, chatted me and asked whether I could talk. I gave her my usual smart aleck response that I could talk, as long as she does most of the talking and doesn’t mind monosyllabic responses from me … or in another words a fairly normal conversation … Read More

7th Grade Revolution: Bats

Bats usually get a bad rap. They are linked to vampire lore and are accused of sucking blood. Even vampire bats don’t suck the blood … they lick it. While licking blood is still creepy, it lacks the horror of sucking. They tend to go after cows rather than humans anyway. 🙂 And contrary to popular belief, they don’t want … Read More

Digital Book World Awards: Winner

As I write this, I’m a little blown away. Recently, I announced that I had been selected as a finalist in the Best Children’s Book category and the Best Use of Social Medial in Book Marketing category for 7th Grade Revolution for the 2018 Digital Book World Awards. I was so honored to have reached that stage and not only … Read More

A Boost from Fan Mail

The power of fan mail. Did you ever have one of those days??? Not a day where something catastrophic happens, but just the million and one little things that can derail your day. Like being on a conference call with your older-than-dirt, but still functioning so no need to replace, cell phone where you are the only person on the … Read More

2018 Silver Falchion Readers’ Choice Nomination

I NEED YOUR HELP The 2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion International Readers’ Choice Award has opened voting and 7th Grade Revolution is up for Best Fiction – Juvenile and I need your help to win.  From the Killer Nashville site: Every year Killer Nashville receives hundreds of submissions for our Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Awards for best books of the previous year. … Read More

7th Grade Revolution and The Journal of Angela Ashby Honorable Mentions

Woooooo Hooooo!!! It has been a week and it’s only Tuesday. After being delighted to learn about the win in the Pre-teen Category of the 2018 American Fiction Awards for 7th Grade Revolution just three days ago, imagine my surprise when learning than not only had 7th Grade Revolution received an Honorable Mention in the Children’s Books Category in the … Read More

7th Grade Revolution – Winner 2018 American Fiction Awards

I am DELIGHTED to announce that 7th Grade Revolution has the HONOR of being a WINNER in the 2018 American Fiction Awards competition. It is truly an honor to have won the category and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’d also like to give a shout out to my publishing-mates Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor and Mary Ting for … Read More

7th Grade Revolution Finalist in 2018 International Book Award Competition

I am DELIGHTED to announce that 7th Grade Revolution has the HONOR of being a Finalist in the 2018 International Book Awards competition. In a field of 2,000 entries, it is truly an honor to have achieved a Finalist award and I couldn’t be happier about it. This is going to be an incredibly short post, because I have some … Read More

Career Day at Heritage Intermediate

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend Career Day at Heritage Intermediate School — and I had a blast. It was a banner day for me in so many ways. First, I love the opportunity to talk to my readers. But more than that, the Career Day was my first in person appearance after publishing 7th Grade Revolution … in … Read More

7th Grade Revolution: School Library Journal Review

While I was checking out all the libraries which have shelved 7th Grade Revolution, I ran across a review for the book. While that isn’t surprising, what caught my attention was that the review was the School Library Journal. At the point of realization, I must have looked very much like the girl in the photo because not even my … Read More