Debbie Reed Fischer

The internet is an amazing thing. Since Braless in Wonderland came out last week, I've been getting really kind e-mails from adult readers of teen fic (my peeps), friends and fellow writers.

But today's letter was really special.

Behold, my first letter from a kid:

Debbie,

I just wanted to sent you a quick note and let you know how much I enjoyed your book.  I'm 13, and after reading about it, I was excited to read it.  It took me one day, and that includes sneaking in extra pages under the covers with a booklight to find out how it ended.

I've already talked to my YA librarian and asked her to order more copies and to tell kids about it.  I can't wait to read your next book!

Thanks again for creating such a wonderful book!

I've read it about five times. OK, ten. When I think of the rejection letters, the self doubt I had when I started this journey, some of the disappointments that came along - and still come along  once in a while even after getting published - I remember that my ultimate goal was always to connect with teen readers.

So that's why today is pretty special, at least to me.

Favorite Line right now: "Every struggle you have is just preparation for the success to come." ---Lisa Lopez, from the documentary The Last Days of Left Eye  

 

By Double D I mean double display. BRALESS IN WONDERLAND and PROM KINGS AND DRAMA QUEENS. Isn't that the BRALESS book cover on my tank top? Why, what a coincidence. And who is that strange little boy with the cast on his arm peeking out from behind the display? It looks suspiciously like my son. But, er . . . no, I have no idea who that kid is who is clearly not behaving  . . .  




Me buying my own book. Tee hee. In my excitement, I forgot that I didn't have my wallet with me. Luckily, I am very disorganized and have random free-floating cash and coins loose in my pockets. The people behind us in line weren't thrilled when I started counting pennies, though . . . borrowed from that kid who is a complete stranger . . . 




Oh, I almost forgot! Congrats to Kym Brunner (chosen by random number generator) on winning a signed copy of my book and a pair of groovy hoop earrings! In fact, very similar to the ones I'm wearing. Also worn by Allee, my main character. Kym, I need your mailing info!

In other news, please come visit me on KL Going's forum this week as I'm her guest author interviewee. I am so honored to be there and a huge fan of her books. Plus her readers ask really great questions and it's fun to chat. Come on over! The link is: 

http://www.klgoing.com/forums/

:) deb

Favorite line today: "Her house smells like soup." From Juno, which I'm watching as I make chicken soup  . . .
 

A reader just gently reminded me that in a recent post, I extended the deadline for the contest until Monday, April 28th. 

Which I plum forgot about.

I blame wearing platform heels in this Florida heat for these little lapses of memory. It can make a girl dizzy, believe me.

So I'm happy to announce I'll be picking another winner next week. And yes, I have yet another pair of brand new silver hoop earrings to give away along with BRALESS IN WONDERLAND. One can never have enough earrings. It's a rule.

Keep those entries coming . . .

Favorite Line right now: "You know I love you more than my luggage." Clarisse, my favorite Steel Magnolia 

                                          
Congrats to:                                                               
http://cyn2write.livejournal.com/ (as chosen by random number generator) who gets a pair of gorgey silver hoop earrings and a signed copy of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND (just as soon as I receive my author copies, any day now . . .). Cyn, please send me your mailing info, or if you're not comfortable with that, you can send me the mailing info of your groovy local library and I'll send it there. Congrats and enjoy!

For those of you who didn't win, thank you so much for entering and stay tuned! I'll be having more contests in May involving Braless sightings and prizes. 

Speaking of Braless sightings, muchas gracias to all of you who have written to me telling me you've spotted BRALESS IN WONDERLAND on store shelves. It fills me with joy! Some of you have also let me know you've visited the bookstore to buy it and my book  wasn't there. PLEASE ORDER IT!!! This way, it will be there soon. And then more people can dare to go braless . . . by the way, the word "braless' in the title refers to feminism and 'smoke and mirrors' type undergarments such as chicken cutlets. "Chicken cutlets?" you ask? The answer is revealed in the book . . .

Please stop by HERE for some virtual champagne to celebrate.

Have a great week, everyone!

Favorite line today: "Ooh, look, how nice. Delish. Mmm." Martha Stewart, to her cat as she's brushing its teeth with a human toothbrush. Weirdness.

Today is going to be fabulous on many levels. First, I will be hitting a few select bookstores with my camera, hoping for Braless Sightings (and by Braless Sightings, I'm referring to my book, not German tourists in South Beach).



 Next, I'll be donating a few books mysteriously in the manner of a teen lit tooth fairy . . . If you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to go to http://readergirlz.com immediately and join the divas!

There has been a lot of fabulosity lately. Great reviews, meeting new friends and teen readers in cyberspace, no cavities AND Passover is coming and I don't have to cook! Not to mention I get to see my book on a store shelf today. Does life get any better? I think not.

Contest Update: I am extending the deadline until April 28th, Monday, so keep spreading the word. :)

Favorite line: I ROCK THE DROP!     

 

Release date is tomorrow, April 17th! To celebrate, I'm giving away a brand new pair of silver hoop earrings, the same style worn by Allee, my main character in BRALESS IN WONDERLAND. They are muy South Beach and perfect for hot summer nights. Plus you'll win a signed copy of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND. Woo hoo!

All you have to do is tell a friend about the book, then leave a comment about it on this blog or on my Myspace page.

Winner will be announced Monday, April 21.

Lots of luck! 

Favorite line today: "Let the competition worry about the competition." - my dad

Hey, a girl can dream, can't she? Here is my dream cast for Braless in Wonderland, the movie. (When I worked in casting, I thought it would be as easy and fun as writing this post. It wasn't.)

Allee, the main character, would be played by Emma Roberts. She has those full lips modeling agents love, and she's a terrific actress. Or possibly Miley Cyrus because Allee has to be funny too, and Miley can pull off comedy. Amanda Bynes I love, but she's too old for the part.



Emma Roberts


Summer, the stunning, blondy-licious model from Georgia would be played by new Australian supermodel Gemma Ward (she'd just need a dialogue coach - no biggie). If the accent is too big a prob, Dakota Fanning always delivers.


Gemma Ward


Monique, the aging, faded glam agency owner, would be played by Cher, natch. Also, Brigitte Nielsen would have the right combo of scary and chic. Yep, she would if you put her in the right suit. Trust me on this.





Claudette, the sexy, wise and maverick model, would be played by Rihanna.



Allee's parents would be played by Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

Zach Ephron would be Allee's gay friend Miguel. Oh, come on, people. This is not a stretch.



Sabrina, Allee's little sister, would be played by Ellen Page. Momma, Allee's tough-yet-maternal booker would be played by Camryn Manheim.
 
OK, full disclosure: this photos for this blog were pulled and posted by none other than Teri Brown, author of READ MY LIPS. See, I "borrowed" this entry from our 2k8 blog. If you want to find out more about Teri, the author class of 2k8, and the fabulous M. P. Barker, click  here: http://classof2k8.blogspot.com/

3 DAYS UNTIL RELEASE DATE . . . 

Favorite line today: "I like to dance around in my underwear. That doesn't make me Madonna." From Working Girl.

Congrats to  mandymorgan on being the lucky winner of my very first contest!


                                                                         

Mandy will receive a pair of Haviana flip flops ( a summer essential), plus a signed copy of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND! Hugs go out to Mandy, as well as to Jessica Burkhart, author of the middle grade series TAKE THE REINS (2009), for running the contest and for interviewing me. Check out Jess's blog if you haven't already: http://jessicaburkhart.livejournal.com

In other news, I went to my friend Dorian Cirrone's booksigning last week for her latest YA release, PROM KINGS AND DRAMA QUEENS.


 Here are some highlights:



Dorian with Mindy Alyse's two gorgey daughters. Inside scoopy: the one in the mauve sweater is a mini-me for Mindy. I would also like to point out that Dorian's bangs always look perfect like that, sans cowlicks or anything sticky-uppy like my bangs. 



Like her book, Dorian is funny, riveting and socially conscious. Note the donation box for the Cooperative Feeding Program. Read the book and you'll see why she chose to incorporate community involvement with her launch signing.    

This is the last signing I'll attend until my very first signing, which I'll be doing with Dorian and Gaby Triana, author of THE TEMPTRESS FOUR on May 8th at Borders in Boca. Wow, that is coming up soon.

Maybe because my book comes out in 5 days. 5 days. 
GASP
That is crazy.

Go read Prom Kings and Drama Queens. It's a really great, enjoyable read. Promise. 

Favorite Line today: "If Hillary was so pro gun, she would have shot her husband a long time ago." Joyce Behar, defending Hillary Clinton on The View. 


  

[Bad username:            ]

Hi all,

Pop on over to Jessica Burkhart's blog and enter the contest to win 2 essentially fun items for summer: 1) a pair of Haviana flip flops and 2) a signed copy of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND:

jessicaburkhart

or

http://jessicaburkhart.blogspot.com/






Good luck! BRALESS goes on sale April 17th. I don't know if I mentioned that . . .

Favorite line today after cleaning out my fridge: When in doubt, throw it out.  

I have to admit I like this part of promotion. Hope you like it as well!

:) deb

Favorite line at the mo: "I don't know much about football, but it's the only time white spandex pants are acceptable on TV." - Project Runway

I want to stand on a rooftop and shout: 

I'M TIRED OF MYSPACING AND FACEBOOKING AND BLOGGING AND LIST SERVING AND CHATROOMING ALREADY! WILL WE CYBER FRIENDS EVER MEET IN PERSON? IS THIS ALL A FUTILE WASTE OF TIME? ENOUGH TALK ABOUT WRITING! JUST SHUT UP AND WRITE! 

Does anyone out there feel this way?

I'm feeling the same way about promotion in general. Why does promoting suck so greatly? I'm frantically sending out postcards, giving bookmarks away left and right, sending emails to 'Save the Date" for my signings, organizing a contest I can do in the next few weeks, and a milion other promotional tasks, yet the one thing I'm NOT doing enough of is writing.  Does any of this promotional stuff really work? Or am I a big sucker? And isn't it nauseating for people to constantly hear/see you promoting your book?

By the way, BRALESS IN WONDERLAND comes out on April 17, in 3 and a half weeks. 

Favorite line at the mo is from Jack Nicholson: "I'm voting for Hillary because I think she's the best man for the job."

                                            

Here is the lovely Class of 2k8 chairwoman Jody Feldman, author of THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES, and I presenting at the Florida SCBWI conference. Note that, unlike me, Jody has mastered the art of holding your book cover without ruining the shot by catching the glare of flourescent lighting. This is something the models never taught me.

Another author appearance I just did was at Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Florida. It was arranged by the most accomplished eighteen-year-old I have ever met, the incomparable Ilana Jacqueline.   She has already been published in an athology and is halfway through writing a novel. What were you doing when you were eighteen? I was busy watching the Arsenio Hall show and Bedazzling my T-shirts with rhinestones. 

Anyway, I love talking to high school kids. Here were my favorite top four questions, followed by my answers:

Do you ever hate your own writing?
Omigod, yes. A lot of writers have a hard time reading their own work because all you see is what you want to change. You feel like your book is never truly finished.

I read your ARC of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND and I want to know what happens to Allee next. Will there be a sequel?
I'd love to write a sequel if my publisher requests it. I want to know what happens next for Allee too.

Is there a dragon in your book?
No. 

What do you think about the idea of BRALESS IN WONDERLAND being made into a movie?
I'm all for it. In fact, I think we should all join hands and say a prayer right now for this to happen. 

Any questions you all love from students?

Favorite line at the mo comes from Christopher Knight on My Fair Brady: "Let your past support you, not haunt you." Wow, Peter from The Brady Bunch is pretty deep. Who knew? 

 Recently, I had a whirlwind of a day, consisting of a truly inspiring high school visit, followed by an evening reception for designer Elie Tahari (more on aforementioned excitement as soon as I have pix). As someone with Too-Much-all-at-Once-Makes-Me-Tired syndrome, I had to recover the next day with one of my favorite activities. 

No. Not writing, not that favorite acitivity. Sorry.

I rented an indie movie. I knew nothing about it. Hadn't read the reviews, there was no big media hype, a blank slate. Perfect.

                                                                                

In film school, I fell in love with indies and still find them far superior to Hollywood films, mainly because of the writing. There is an old-school creativity to them that you don't see in the big crapbuster, um . . . I mean, blockbuster movies. They have endings where loose ends often stay loose, kind of like real life. You might have some resolution, but the story doesn't conclude with a nice, neat bow. In Rocket Science, the ping-pong dialogue is over-the-top, but it's deliberately over-the-top, because this is a movie about debate. Best of all, the main character has a terrible stutter, yet the film doesn't stereotype, play the sympathy card or portray him two-dimensionally. He's a typical high school kid, yearning for a girlfriend and a normal family, and having no luck with either. 

And let's talk about the writing. Writer/director Jeffery Blitz has some plot points that truly took me by surprise. That's good writing. Whether it's a book or a film, good writing takes me by surprise. Good writing provokes.

Good writing pumps me up to do my own good writing.

Favorite line from Rocket Science: "Debate is life. Life is debate."



 

                                                                                                       

In honor of Project Runway's finale (airing tonight, pause for happy dance), I went out yesterday to the swankiest, most chi chi poo poo hair salon in the land of Boca Raton and got my hair cut into Heidi Klum bangs. In my delusional world, this makes perfect sense. In related delusional news, I was thinking that I must look as good as Heidi Klum now that I have her bangs. This delusional thinking was reinforced as I walked out into the parking lot after my haircut and sure enough, people were staring at me. I was thinking, 'Wow, look at me in my Heidi-bangs, I am the hottest thing since sliced bagels.' (In Boca it's bagels, not bread). As I got to my car, more and more heads were turning. 'Hoo-ee, check the new me out!' I was thinking now. 'I am truly sumpin sumpin.'

Just before I got into my car, I glanced down.

And there it was.

The garbage-bag-like smock from the chi chi poo poo salon, all damp with clumps of fuzzy hair sticking to it, still on me. 

Thus, the turned heads and staring.

Sigh.

At least I have fooled this fabulous magazine into thinking I'm cool. If they only knew . . . 
Scroll down a little and check out my interview in the left-hand column.

                                                                                                    

Favorite line at the mo, from Juno: "I am for shizz up the spout."

              
                                                                                                             

THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES by the fabulous Jody Feldman came out this week. It's a middle grade, and this is one book that promises to be a hit with kids and adults alike. It's getting rave reviews. I, for one, can't wait to check it out. 

Favorite line today comes from my son: "Mom, you're weird, but in a good way."

 
I know there has been much ado in the blogosphere about Diablo Cody and her Oscar win for writing Juno. I, for one, am thrilled, not only because I have a huge crush on that movie, but because her Oscar was awarded for the screenplay's optimism, clever dialogue and HUMOR.  Humor, in general, gets the short end of the awards stick in the arts, which is so very, very wrong.  

                                      
 
                                                                                     


6 other screenplays full of humor and teen angst that I think should have been Oscar-worthy: 
 HEATHERS: Dark, dark satire  + teen homicidal malcontent = brilliant

                             PRETTY PERSUASION: I know. You've never seen it. Check it out. 
                              
                      SAVED

                      NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

                      BREAKFAST CLUB 

                       ELECTION

Humor often has depth when it's done well, despite what awards committees think.

Add to this list! What would your picks be? 

Line I'm sick of at the mo: "Stripper turned Writer, Diablo Cody." Note to all the media buttheads who keep referring to Diablo Cody as the Stripper-Turned-Writer: She was always a writer. Being a stripper does not strip you of your intellect or wit, just your clothes. Was Josephine Baker referred to as the Topless-Dancer-Turned-Singer? Hello.
 

It was great to see Barbara again after all these years. We hugged, she remembered me well, congratulated me, and we laughed about how things come full circle. There was also some chatting about professional stuff, and I was glad to hear her how successful she's become. A movie on Lifetime was based on one of her books. Hello, my dream is calling. 

I jest. I'm not that much of a sell-out.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!  Lifetime, Spike, cable access, I don't care if the Sci-Fi Channel buys it and makes my characters Martians. 

So! Back to my speaking gig: originally, my speech was going to be about my journey to publication, but instead of focusing on the "dreams can come true" angle, I stressed the importance of connecting with working writers, mentorship, and becoming part of a supportive writing community. Which, of course, is far more important than a movie deal.
 
Seriously.

Even though Barbara said hers put her daughter through law school.

And we have a bar mitzvah to pay for in a couple of years.

But whatever. The culture of the book is sacred and all that. 

The kids were, well, as awesome as only kids can be. It was an especially talented group because Dillard High has the largest magnet program for the arts in Broward County. The question and answer session is always full of surprises. One kid asked, "How would you characterize your writing voice?" and Barbara blurted out, "Intellectual and smartass!"

No wonder I love her.

Favorite Line today: "Everything that's supposed to happen, does, eventually." Kevin Spacey, in American Beauty (screenplay by Alan Ball).  

My first speaking gig at a high school is tonight. I'm feeling very relaxed. Too relaxed, which has me a little worried. Maybe it's because this gig came to me last minute (I'm a Ready Betty, a good stand-in for anything when you're in a pinch) and because there is some destiny and synchronicity involved. Here's the true story:

Thirteen years ago, a mystery author named Barbara Parker came to my office where I worked as a modeling agent. She told me she was an author writing a book set in the modeling industry, and asked if she could observe me working, ask me questions, and have me check her pages for accuracy. Even though my job didn't even allot time for lunch or bathroom breaks, and my hair was literally falling out from stress,  I was thrilled to take time out to do it because she was an author, the dream profession, the fantasy job I'd wanted my whole life.

After she finished the book, I told her about my dreams. She took me seriously. She pointed me in the right direction with workshops and organizations. She wrote me encouraging letters and sent postcards (this was before everyone e-mailed). She even took me to a formal, five-star lunch with her editor, which I now realize was probably unprofessional. But she did it anyway because she wanted to help me. And help me she did. I got my butt in gear and started writing, then followed her advice to join SCBWI. As my friend Joyce Sweeney wrote in her book Waiting for June, "If you throw yourself in the right direction, someone will catch you." That someone for me was Barbara Parker.
 
                                                                           

Eventually, life went its usual wandering way; Barbara and I lost touch. Until now.

Because tonight, due to some random Internet searching and another author who had to cancel her appearance tonight, the organizers of the event found me. And guess who I'll be co-presenting the program with? 

Like Deepak says, it's synchronicity.

I have a lot to thank her for.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Favorite line today - already above but it's so good I'll say it again:"If you throw yourself in the right direction, someone will catch you." From WAITING FOR JUNE, by Joyce Sweeney.  




       

 I feel a happy dance coming on. 
              
                                                                          


1) I just realized BRALESS IN WONDERLAND comes out in exactly two months. 

2) I also just realized I have enough in my budget for some kind of swag giveaway, as long as it's cheap reasonable .     

Which means . . .

3) I can order promo goodies!  It's like shopping, but even better, because it's sort of like shopping for accessories. Only they're accessories that just happen to have my book cover on them.

This makes me want to happy dance to a Rick James tune, much like Olive in Little Miss Sunshine.  I am positively giddy.  

Even though I know these giveaway thingies don't really sell books. I may as well be tossing my moolah down the loo. But it's my first book and I really, really want to have something to give away besides bookmarks. Is that so wrong?

It's just that I can't decide what to get. It has to be something useful for both adults and teens, which is why the only thing I can come up with is sticky pad Post-it type thingies. That seems pretty good, but I keep thinking there must be something better out there . . . Or should I go with magnets? Stickers? 

Any suggestions, people? Help me waste money shop! Just remember it has to be cheap reasonable.

Favorite Line today:  "101 Things Removed From Human Bodies" - the title of a program on the Discovery channel. The Discovery channel has a surprising number of gross-out shows they always broadcast during dinner time. Thanks, Discovery channel, for ensuring my gag reflex works perfectly. 

                                               





 

                                                                 

Wanna swag? The Class of 2k8, of which I'm proud to be a member, is giving away books for free! A whole stack! All you have to do is click here to find out how you can win them. And that's groovy.

Favorite line today -  from MSNBC, an announcer discussing the casino fire in Vegas: "There were welders on the roof. I don't want to speculate about what caused this fire, but those welders probably caused it."