My First Blog Tour, Cyblis And More

So a few weeks back Laura from Amulet books, asked if I wanted to participate in a blog tour for Erica Perl's new picture book Dotty. That same day I had I had just featured Dotty in my on sale now: new release feature and talked about how much I loved it. So this wasn't one of those blog tour invites that makes me wonder has this person ever been to my blog and which I quickly delete.

Even so, I still wasn't sure if I wanted to take part. I love doing interviews but I've always stayed away from blog tours. Though I am starting to come around about how I feel about them I know authors need to promote their work and sometimes this is the best way to go about it.

My problem with blog tours is over saturation. Its turn off to see an author interviewed at several blogs in one weeks time, especially if the questions are standard, boring or both. Or when its obvious the blogger hasn't read the book. Or when the questions and answers are phoned in.

I said yes to, for three reasons. 1. I loved the book. 2. Even though I didn't know which other bloggers would be participating, I assumed there wouldn't be much overlap with mine. 3. I'd still be coming up with the questions.


It will post on Monday I really like how it turned out. It looks like any other interview. I don't know if I will take part in any more blog tours but I am very happy I said yes to this one.

It's Cybils or Children's Young Adult Bloggers Literary Award time again. That makes me very happy. I am already thinking about which books I will nominate. They are looking for judges now.

Recently publishers weekly did an article on two upcoming children's titles about the earthquake in Haiti.

I finally joined NetGalley , now I can receive digital galleys. Since I don't have a kindle will have to read on my laptop. I think its a great idea for titles I am unsure about. The children's and young adult selection is small. Though there are a lot of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles available. Including the third book in the National Fludd, Beastologist series by R.L. LaFevers and A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.

I have Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston in my inbox. I won't open until I know I have a chance to read it. Once a galley is opened, you have a certain number of days to read it. That seems fair. Net galley is free, all you have to do is register. Publishers must approve your request.

Author Mitali Perkins had a book launch party for her YA novel Bamboo People. I think it would be difficult to listen to Perkins read this excerpt and not want to read the book. Someone will be reading Bamboo People soon and that someone is me.