Actually, I can't even call myself a blogger because I NEVER WRITE!

I just looked up and realized it's been, like, over five months since I've posted a blog entry. Whoa, where have I been? And why am I such a blog-absentee (blabsentee?). Well, here goes:

1. I've been working on my new novel. I LOVE IT. More on that soon. (Funny, some characters in my novel are bloggers and THEY keep up). Oh, well.

2. I've been trying to cook more. It just feels good, you know? I'm a vegetarian, so I've become obsessed with roasting vegetables. I seriously think my roasted vegetables rock.

3. I've been spending quality time with my husband and son. We went on a vacation recently. We go for walks. We go out to eat. We bond. They beg for non-roasted vegetables.

4. I've been reading. Yes, reading. I was asked to be a judge for this year's National Book Award!!! For the young people's literature category, of course. Between now and September I'll be reading about 250 books. My head spins with the math (250? 250?) but I'm actually having a blast with the reading.

So there's my teeny little update. Hopefully it won't take me five months to write another.

Love,
Carolyn

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been woefully absent from the blogosphere. But I have good reason! I'm hard at work on my new book. Yes, I'm really doing it. I'm halfway through and aiming to finish a draft by January. Wish me luck!

So I've come up for air to say two things: First, thanks to all of you who are writing to tell me that you love Guyaholic! You have no idea how much that means to me.

And also, I'm signing at a Barnes and Noble in New York City's Greenwich Village tomorrow (Saturday, December 1) at 3pm. If you're in the neighborhood and feel like saying hi, please drop by! I'm signing as part of this Behind the Book event - great organization that brings authors into underprivileged schools. All book sales tomorrow benefit Behind the Book. Here are the details:

Barnes & Noble, Greenwich Village location -396 Ave of the Americas at 8th Street

Hope to see some NYC readers tomorrow!

Love,
Carolyn

Hi all-

First of all, I apologize for the complete and total silence. I've been on a book deadline (still on it), so whenever I have a moment to write, I work on the novel. The book is due in January. Then I'll have a lot more time. Then maybe I'll get some new clothes, too. I've been wearing the SAME pair of jeans all fall.

In much more exciting news, I will be reading from/signing Guyaholic on Monday, October 15 at 6pm at Borders Columbus Circle in NYC.

http://www.shopsatcolumbuscircle.com/scs/user/eventDetails.aspx?EventID=EV-00587

The very best part is that I'll be appearing with three of my all-time favorite authors: Megan McCafferty (Fourth Comings) and Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List). So please come out and see us and say hi and ask lots of questions. If you can't find me, that's because I'll be waiting in line to get books signed by Megan, Rachel, and David.

Hope to see my New York readers on Monday! And now, back to writing...

Love,
Carolyn

I'm now on YouTube! Yes, my very first YouTube appearance (at least as far as I know...). Last week, I got an email from the American Library Association asking if I'd film a commercial for them promoting this amazing Banned Book Read-Out event in Chicago on September 29. I will be there - along with several other banned authors - reading from our scandalous books. I seriously do not understand this, but The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things was the 4th most challenged book in America in 2006. I was SHOCKED when I found out because I get so many emails from readers telling me that my book helped them feel better about themselves, stop hurting their bodies, etc. Who'd want to ban that?

So of course my inner diva freaked out and was like OF COURSE I'LL FILM A COMMERCIAL FOR YOU!!! But then real life hit and I realized we don't have a video camera. I borrowed one from my friend Jhoanna, but at the last minute my husband did it with our digital camera. It took a lot of takes because, even though I'm an inner diva, I'm a dork in real life and have very little camera-ready poise. For the first few takes, according to Jonas, I was batting my head this way and that (huh?). So then I tried to fuse my skull to my neck, but then I cracked up because our son was talking in the background. FINALLY we got something passable:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px07Pr05UUk

So there's my debut on YouTube (that's our bookshelf in the background).

In other news, Guyaholic is going to get a small (but very cool!) review in the New York Times Book Review this weekend! Yahoooooo. I will try not to bat my head too much.

Love,

Carolyn

We're back from a lovely and relaxing vacation in the Adirondacks where I swam, read, cooked, and did absolutely no work on my new book. And I'm totally stressing about it because I have so many ideas...I just need to find the time to write. I'm waiting for those wide open stretches time that I used to have pre-baby, but that's ancient history. Phew. Wish me luck.

The big and exciting news around our house (well, apartment...but we call it a house) is that my son is starting a new pre-pre-school tomorrow morning. He has new sneakers and a new haircut and he's very excited to see what toys will be in store for him. I get to attend WITH him for the first few days! So exciting. I love watching him do his thing in the world.

And then, after a morning in pre-pre-school, we're headed to my dad's apartment (not sure why, but I never call this one a house). He lives nearby and he's going to rescue us tomorrow because we have a contractor tearing apart our bedroom. And then, after a packed afternoon, I'm going to un-frizz my hair and dig through my backpack for something clean to wear (yes, I'm living out of a backpack tomorrow) and hand off my son to my husband and then I'm scurrying to a downtown train bound for...

My First NYC Reading of Guyaholic!!

Yes, it is THE MOST HECTIC DAY IN THE WORLD. My head spins just thinking about it. And, typical me, I keep wondering how/where I'll be able to eat. But I guess the good news is that I'm not obsessing (too much) about the Guyaholic reading. If I think about it I'll get nervous, butterflies, the whole thing. I'll wonder what I should wear (cool jeans and a top? new brown dress?). And I'll wonder, even after seven years and four books, what to say BEFORE I begin reading. "Hi, I'm Carolyn?" (they know I'm Carolyn). "Hey, y'all?" (I'm so not southern). "Howdy, this here is my new book" (Duh). Hopefully I'll think of something between now and tomorrow. If you have a good idea, email me, okay?

FYI, if you live in NYC and want to come to the reading, here are the details:

Wednesday, September 5 - Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, the Tompkins Square Branch of the NYPL, 331 E. 10th Street, off of Ave B)

Okay, off to dig through piles for the new brown dress (or cool jeans and a top?). I'll let you know what I decide.

Love,
Carolyn

PS Speaking of NYC events, I'd like to put in an extra-special plug for my extra-special friend, Megan McCafferty, author of the bestselling Fourth Comings. She'll be reading/speaking/signing in NYC on Thursday, September 6 (6-8pm Borders, Columbus Circle). For more info on Megan's event, check out www.meganmccafferty.com. I'll be there too!