Busy September!

Hello Imaginary Readers!

I'm back.
September has always a busy month for me but this September has been extra fun, extra full, and zipping by lickety split. First off, the launch of a new preschool year (I'm the director of a preschool) coincided with the launch of my new YA novel, SHIFTY. So I've been surrounded by great energy revolving around young children, families, teachers and literary events all at once.

I have always loved September, ever since I was a kid. What could be better than a new notebook and pencil, excitement and nervous thoughts of what my new grade, or class, or college semester would be like? I've always loved September in the preschool, too--spiffing up the classroom, planning curriculum with fellow teachers, welcoming back the returning children and getting to know the new little ones.

The quality of light in September, our San Francisco skies, and children's voices in the air all seem particularly heartfelt and full of potential.

And into this busy energy my new YA novel, SHIFTY, has been released into the book-reading world. Busy busy but fun! My book launch party was at Books Inc with a crowd of family, old and new literary friends. Thanks to everyone who came or sent your good wishes. It means a lot to me to share the celebration.

As a writer, I of course spend goo-gobs of time alone creating my imaginary characters and worlds in my books until those characters and their stories become more and more real to me. I write and revise with the hope that I'll capture a great story full of humor and heart that will someday be published and read. Many afternoons and evenings it is a huge leap of faith to keep writing. But with perseverance and luck that "someday" of SHIFTY being published has arrived. Time to celebrate!

So please celebrate with me, Imaginary Readers.
Read the book and tell me what you think. Please send me any "questions for the author" right here on the Imaginary Blog or at Lynn@ShiftyTheBook.com

Please tell teens, teachers and librarians about SHIFTY and take a look at my Shifty website at www.ShiftyTheBook.com. Pass the link along to others who might be interested. You'll also find a great, free downloadable Teacher's Guide, reviews of the book, and info about my inspiration for the story.

And inside the pages of of the book, SHIFTY?
There, Imaginary Readers, there you'll find Shifty's story.
I hope you like it.
Please take a look.

And what am I up to now? Since it's September, I bought myself a new notebook! And the September skies of San Francisco still feel full of a unique quality of light, good energy, and children's voices.

Forecast: A notebook (soon) full of story ideas.