The group includes 21 YA authors with books coming out from Sept 2010-August 2011. Our mission is simple–to spotlight contemporary fiction for young adults through blog posts, author events, and (over)sharing from our teen years. We have fun things planned all year long, including a contest going on NOW through November 15, 2010.
Read 18 of our 21 books and enter to win ALL 21 BOOKS. Visit the Get Involved page for more information

I often write IMPACT when signing my name in books. It’s a word that has new meaning to my main character, Desi, as she takes on different princesses’ identities. I believe in that word—believe everyone in this world has the ability to positively impact others—but sometimes felt weird writing it. How could I tell others to reach out when my own arms were folded so tightly to my chest?

So this summer I’m making a pledge to somehow make a positive impact every day and record my experiences in a personal journal. It’s not a new or revolutionary idea, but it’s a good one. Potential adventures: helping a little old lady cross the street, giving advice to an aspiring author, finally getting someone in my family on What Not To Wear, or donating time/money to assorted charities. It doesn’t have to be a huge or monumental task. I think this quote by Judith Kelman says it well, “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily.”

To kick it off, I’m also doing a feature on my blog: The Impact Initiative. I’ve asked over 20 other authors to share a time when
 they were touched by another person OR
a time when they reached out to someone else. Every weekday for the next month, I’ll post their beautiful, thoughtful, heart-touching essays.

To make it even more fun, I’ll be doing a weekly giveaway of some of these authors’ books, as well as contributing a boat-load of signed copies of PRINCESS FOR HIRE (every winner will get two books—one to keep, one to share).

To enter, all you have to do is post a comment. Double points if you share your own story.

You can enter EVERY DAY, and of course you’ll want to because you’ll be checking back to read these essays.

Starting with… mine.

So although I have some limited knowledge on the subject (take a bath, brush your teeth, wear clean clothes), I’m by no means a expert–I’m lucky if I can get my own daughters’ hair combed. But I do have a cousin (by marriage, but I still claim spousal relations as my own, especially the awesome ones) who has some fantastic hair skillz, and has set up a blog to show you how to recreate her styles. Her daughter–who I suppose is my second cousin through marriage?–serves as a model. My own daughter carries around her hairstyle book, often flipping to pages and asking why HER mommy can’t do that with hair.

Because I’m WRITING about it. Dearest. And you also have more hair than a yeti. Beautiful yeti hair, but still very hard to tame.

So, if you’re looking to create a fun princess ‘do, check out Princess Hairstyles*

*I endorse this product not because of my familial connection, but because this woman is a ARTIST, and I am a great supporter of the arts. Ahem.

Crystal Clear Giveaway

Hypnotize your friends with the shining. Notice I didn’t capitalize that like The Shining.

The Grandest of Grand Prizes (over $100 dollars in cash and prizes)

Still totally awesome prize

Hey, you still won something prize

Plus, this is pretty much the most awesome book trailer ever, and KARMA CLUB by Jessica Brody looks super cute. There is some kissing in the trailer, as this is a young adult (teen) novel. Comes out April 2010. Check it.

http://www.gogirlmag.co.uk/princessforhire