Must-Read Monday (Tuesday edition)

So, I’m a bit behind the eight ball today. Which is good. It means I’m busy…which is better than that alternative, I suppose. Lots of great stuff going on that I can’t wait to share…. and lots to read these last few days. It was hard choosing just a few must-reads.

But, here goes:

Mom in the City
I recently re-connected with a college friend of mine on Facebook. We both graduated from ASU J-School together (Go Devils!) and both dated Sigma Chi frat boys. Needless to say, times have changed and now we’re both busy moms with a shared passion for writing.

She sent me a wonderful story she wrote on leaving suburban life behind and heading back into the city where she belongs – a tough choice she recently made with her family, but the right one for them. Read her article, Mom in the City: Leaving the Suburbs, and let her know what you think and where your family thrives.

The Nicholas Effect
This wonderful story breaks my heart and gives me hope at the same time. Read about one family’s tragedy in losing their son Nicholas – who has become known as the boy who saved thousands of lives. And think about it, could you do what they did? It’s a tough subject, but an important one. When you leave your comments on the story, you could win one of 7 copies of the book we’re giving away.

Ruined giveaway
Speaking of giveaways, author Paula Morris is guest blogging over at SheKnows about her teen ghost story –Ruined. Read about how Paula came up with her love story set in New Orleans, her love of Wuthering Heights and enter to win the Ruined giveaway: a cool digital camera and autographed copy of the book. And check out the Ruined book trailer as well.

Julia Roberts Scandal
Want to know how Irene Zutell came up with the idea for her new novel Pieces of Happily Ever After? Well, it all started with a Julia Roberts scandal.

Irene dishes about the scandal and her book over at My Daily Find.

First paragraph contest
Speaking of how a book gets started, check out this fun contest on the best first paragraph challenge. Put on by Curtis Brown literary agent, Nathan Bransford, on his popular publishing blog for writers and industry peeps, the Third Sort-of Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge is going on until this Thursday at 4 p.m. PST.

You could win your choice of a partial critique, query critique, or phone consultation with Nathan on your work in progress and a copy of The Secret Year by Nathan’s client, debut author Jennifer Hubbard, which will be published by Viking in January 2010. The book is a young adult novel about a secret love affair between two teenagers – being touted as mixing the romance of Romeo and Juliet with the violence of The Outsiders.

I’ve read The Secret Year for an upcoming review I’m doing, and Hubbard is one to watch. Her subdued voice throughout the book reminded me of one of my favs (Curtis Sittenfeld) – Hubbard pushes and pulls you in subtle ways you can’t put your finger on, with emotions and realizations simmering just below the surface and, at times, crashing into you like the river in the novel. It’s a must-read and I look forward to Hubbard’s career.

So, enter Nathan’s fun contest, and maybe you’ll win the chance for some advice from him on your career as well.

Okay, Happy Monday …er, Tuesday, y’all.