What I Learned - In the Lip Smacker Lounge

Bonnie Belle Lip Smacker has posted the first reviews of What I Learned From Being a Cheerleader! Yes, the company that has saved my lips from chapping year after year is reciprocating the love!

Bell Bridge Books
"What I Learned From Being A Cheerleader"

By: Adrianne Ambrose
Posted by: lipsmackers (CA)
Posted: May 28th, 2010

Our heroine, ELAINE REWITZER, says:

"I am the most average person on the planet. I'm not tall or short. I'm not fat or skinny. I'm not pretty or ugly. I don't have blonde, red or black hair. If I walk past someone on the street the thing they remember most about me is nothing. Seriously! I'm that average. That's one of the reasons I want to be a cheerleader. When you're wearing a cheerleading uniform, people notice you. Boys notice you. Boys like Todd Watson notice you. It's like they have to recognize you because you're a cheerleader for their team. They have to be nice to you. Maybe you don't get to date them, but at least they know you exist..."

To see the review and read more, go here!

Flying Colors Comics

If you happen to be in the Concord area, you really should stop by the Flying Colors comic book store for comics and other cool stuff. First of all, it's the nicest comic book store you've ever seen. Secondly, the staff is super nice and helpful.Thirdly, the owner, Joe Field, invented Free Comic Book Day. That's right, baby, he's the one that started the whole thing. Pretty neat, huh?

For a glimpse of the signing (note to myself, do not wear that shirt again until you have lost 8lbs) go here:

Joe's Blog at Flying Colors.

Tough Pigs Interview

Tough Pigs - (Muppet Fans Who Grew Up), was kind enough to interview Joanna Estep and myself about Fraggle Rock issue #2. Go here to check it out.



I have to say that Joanna gives a hilarious interview. If she wasn't so brilliant as an illustrator, I'd advise her to switch over to writing. She's one quick chick.

Fraggle Rock #2 Signing - Concord, CA

Hello - Fellow Fraggle Rock creator, Leigh Dragoon (yeah, cool name, I know) and I will be signing copies of issue two at Flying Colors in Concord on Saturday. Here's the info:

When:
Saturday, May 29th 2010
12pm – 3pm

Where:

Flying Colors Comics

2980 Treat Blvd
(at Oak Grove Road), Concord, CA 94518
(925) 825-5410

If you're in the area, come on by!

Leigh Dragoon Interview! - Fraggle Rock #2

To celebrate the launch of Fraggle Rock #2, here's an interview with the lead writer, Leigh Dragoon. Not only is she a great writer, but use the link to check out her art. S'nice!:



How did you become involved with Fraggle Rock?

LD -I had worked with Tim Beedle previously on a Tokyopop/Harper Collins project called "The Faerie Path". That project was a very positive experience, and I jumped at the chance to work with him again, especially on such a wonderful project as "Fraggle Rock".

What Fraggle Rock character do you most relate to and why?

LD - I think I most relate to Boober. I hate to say it, but I'm a chronic worrier, and I can't help but see a little of myself reflected in his constant pessimistic outlook.

What are you working on currently?

LD - I'm currently working on a few different projects -- two comics, one a writing gig -- but none of them are at a point yet where I'm able to talk about them. I hope I don't have to keep them under wraps too much longer though -- I'm pretty excited about them.

Of these groups, who is your favorite / least favorite and why? Muppets, Fraggles, Care Bears, Beanie Babies, Ninja Turtles, French Foreign Legion, X-Men, A-Team, Cleveland Indians, or vikings.

LD - I LOVE the Muppets, the Fraggles and the X-men! And oh boy, I sure was obsessed with Care Bears and the A-Team when I was a kid. I had a big crush on Murdoch. I never really caught on to the Beanie Babies/Ninja Turles craze. I have to say, I don't know anything about sports.

You have the lead story in issue #2 of the new Fraggle Rock. What inspired your story?

LD - It's a funny story. I'd spent a month working on a pitch for an idea I thought was really good, only to finally realize that it was too similar to the plot of an existing episode! D'oh! I spent a few days trying to figure out a way to make that story work, before deciding to scrap it. I sat down and remember thinking they tell you to write what you know...and I know a few things about troublesome cats, so I decided to do a story about that.

What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

LD - Definitely the first two books in Anne McCaffrey's "Harper Hall" trilogy. I was obsessed with dragons, and I loved Menolly! I thought she was so cool. I think I read the covers off my copies of those books.

What book are you reading currently?

LD - I'm currently reading Cherie Priest's "Boneshaker". I like steampunk fiction and I've heard a lot of good things about her work.

What comic are you reading currently?

LD - I think the comic I picked up most recently is Wendy Pini's retelling of "The Mask of the Red Death". I'm a huge "Elfquest" fan. More than anything, "Elfquest" is the series that got me interested in art and comics in the first place, and I've been looking forward to her branching out into new stories.

Who is your favorite 21st Century artist? Why?

LD - Probably Maxfield Parrish. I love the amount of detail he puts into his backgrounds and his figures. His paintings are like snapshots in worlds of utter tranquility. I love the way he uses light and shadow in his work as well.

What's your dream project as an artist / writer?

LD - Probably a retelling or adaptation of one of my favorite classic books. I really love projects like that.

(AA - Thanks Leigh!)

What I Learned Sample Text

Things are heating up for the launch of What I Learned From Being a Cheerleader on July 15th. Check out the first twenty pages on Scrbd. And I love the little illustration. So cute!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

If for some reason you haven't already read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, then you need to do so immediately. But, be prepared. All you're going to want to do is read this book and things like attending to work and family members will only get in the way. So, get the book, then check into a hotel, hang up the do not disturb sign and turn off your cell phone. It's that hang-onto-your-hats good.

I don't even feel like I'm going out on a limb when I say it is the best YA adventure books I have ever read. I'm also impressed that even though a woman wrote this action packed, high intensity book, she choose not to hide behind her initials to disguise her sex. And if there are still any men out there who persist in shying away from books that are written by women, evolve already or you'll be missing out.

I won't get into the details of the book. I'm sure you know how to look things up using the internet, but I will say that, besides being action packed with unanticipated plot twists, it is beautifully crafted and thought provoking in a way you rarely find in adult books, let alone the YA section.

Archer is genius

Just found out about the animated series Archer from my cool friends in the know and I have to say, "It is genius!" I literally had to force myself to stop watching it so I can share it with my husband when he gets home. (That and so I actually get some work done.) It's adult content, so not for everyone, but definitely hilarious and I highly recommend it to an age appropriate audience.