My publisher has asked me to attend ALA Midwinter in Seattle later this month (Jan. 24-27). I’m really looking forward to this. If any of my librarian friends, writer friends, or former colleagues from ALA will be there, I’d love to see you. I’m not sure what programs or events I’ll be participating in yet, but I’ll post that info when it becomes available. Let me know if you’ll be there too, and we can catch up over a drink!

Bullying will be the trend in young people’s books in 2013, according to Galley Cat. For once, with PERMANENT RECORD, I will have my finger on the pulse of things, instead of writing novels about my frequently bizarre ongoing obsessions (cf. bowls made out of Allman Brothers records, portable bowling alleys, beer can afghans, and thrift store photos of strangers).

A lot of people tweet that, in exchange for liking their Facebook page, they will like yours in return, but they don’t actually carry through on their end of the offer. That’s kind of a dick move.

While organizing (erm, cough cough) my kids’ Halloween candy, I found—as God is my witness—a rock in one of their bags.

Have also discovered that I really only like Kit-Kats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. In a pinch, a mini Twix will do. I mean, I’ll eat the other stuff, but I won’t like it.

In the past three days, my kids have lost one hat, three sets of gloves, and one Halloween costume. How do you lose a Halloween costume?

See, I’m not all doom and gloom. I didn’t even know this comic masterpiece of mine from 1995 was online, but here it is. It originally appeared in Dan Kelly’s zine Chum and was then anthologized in The Book of Zines: Readings from the Fringe (compiled by Playboy editor Chip Rowe), a collection of essays and articles from the obsessive, frequently bizarre world of zines. Thanks, Dan, for letting me write whatever I wanted.

Negotiating subsidiary rights to your novel can be a potential windfall or minefield, depending on how savvy your agent is and the split you’ve agreed to. Only one of my prior books ever had any subsidiary rights sold (and those rights were retained by the publisher, not me, blaaaargh), and those rights were for a Norwegian translation. Really. Norwegian. Why? Nothing about the book screamed out “Norway!” How does it differ from Sweden? Are they for or against IKEA? Why is death metal so popular there? The scant sunlight, perhaps? It could make you depressed. I can see that. Maybe there is a correlation between that and the reason they wanted my book, which I will choose not to explore.

So I’m happy to announce I’ve sold audio rights for Permanent Record. I like to think about who will narrate the book, what it will sound like. I can’t wait to hear all those big words I included that I can spell but can’t pronounce. In my head it sounds like Kal Penn.

But I’m still waiting for Norway.

Available now: my new YA novel, Permanent Record (Skyscape, 2013). In post-9/11 America, a bullied Muslim teenager retaliates against his tormentors—with dangerous results.

Praise for Permanent Record

Selected as the 2014-15 teen title for the
Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year 

Selected by Library Services for Youth in Custody for their 2014 “In the Margins” Book Award list

*STARRED REVIEW* “Badi’s sardonic narrative makes the novel crackle. Behind his nervous distrust of the world is a burgeoning resilience, depth of character, and commitment to battling injustice.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Terrific…An appealing portrait of adolescent angst and rebellion.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“…an edgy, discomfiting attack on post-9/11 nerves and prejudices.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Stella [has] constructed a sympathetic character who is whole, who is real, and who has many facets, that recognizes the interplay between such things as mental health, outsider status, and bullying. Permanent Record is one of my Favorite Books Read in 2013; and those who love The Perks of Being a Wallflower will also love this story of an outsider trying to find his way in the world.” —School Library Journal review blog, Liz Burns, “A Chair, a Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy”

*STARRED REVIEW* “Podehl’s reading of this dark and emotionally complex novel is laudable, convincing, and flawless.  … Listeners are readily able to relish escalating moments of tension, right up to the dramatic conclusion in this extremely compelling production.” —Booklist multimedia reviews

*STARRED REVIEW* “Nick Podehl’s narration is masterful … The novel is a must-have for all school or public libraries.” —School Library Journal multimedia reviews

“Smart, funny, and psychologically complex. Leslie Stella is a brilliant writer, and her debut as a writer-for-teens is a dazzling achievement.” –Julianna Baggott, New York Times bestselling author of PURE

“I tore through this book, couldn’t put it down… What I adored is that it didn’t tone down the abuse that Badi suffered at his first school. I thought it was a really well-written and thought-out book, and would not have any hesitation recommending it to older teens.”—Teen Librarian’s Toolbox.com

“Damn, this book was one hell of a roller coaster ride. Realistic characterization and wonderfully written internal monologue … complex … distinct among YA heroes. This book is a gem.” —The Social Potato Reviews.com

“It was probably the most real book I have ever read. The cast of characters was phenomenal… Badi Hessamizadeh, AKA ‘Bud Hess,’ might be just my favorite male narrator ever.”—Readers in Wonderland.com

“A poignant and compelling tale of a unique high school outcast, told in a searing and memorable voice.” –David Klass, author of YOU DON’T KNOW ME

Those who know me, know that I have an ongoing obsession with flow charts and in fact have assembled many in my days as an editor at Lumpen. Here’s a good one for fans of The Hunger Games, put together by the Teen Zone staff at the Lawrence Public Library.

New site is up, Twitter is up, Facebook is up. I have one more round of light edits on Permanent Record before the end of August, then ARCs (advance reading copies) go out in the fall. Finished first draft of next novel. It’s been a busy summer. I also got stung by a bee. In bed.