Catching up with Day 5 after a long (but extremely fun) Girl Scout day at the Children’s Theatre Company. Today is Leigh Brescia.

Leigh’s Firsts:

Anthology story: When Skies Are Gray

First line: 

The bell jingles overhead as I pass into the morning sunlight, trading the smell of ground coffee beans for wet asphalt, the humid air barely breathable.

Oh, I don’t want to say too much about this story. I’m afraid I’ll spoil it by even hinting at what happens. It’s a must-read–angsty and atmospheric, and romantic in a way that might surprise you.

2009 Debut: One Wish

Catch up with Leigh: Visit her blog!

Yes, it’s true! We’re still getting a few late, breaking entries in the BFF contest! The contest ends tonight and we’ll announce the winner (and his/her BFF) tomorrow.

Sisters and Friends:

My bff is my sister. She’s older than me by 4 years. When we were younger, we didn’t really ever get along. But now, we are as close as two could be! As we’ve gotten older and have became busy with our own lives, we don’t get to spend as much time with each other as we used to, but we call each other nearly everyday. And usually hang out with each other about once a week.

I think she deserves this because she’s always there for me and never lets me down when I need her. She’s super funny, sweet, but harshly honest when the time calls for it. She’s the best!

We’re over at So Many Books, So Little Time today talking about the inspiration behind The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading. Want to know what sparkly blue eyeliner and Hottie McHottie have to do with that? Then click on through.

And remember, comment on any of our blog tour posts to be in the running for the Summer Geek Read Prize Pack.

Today we’re over at Sharon Loves Books and Cats where I talk about favorite childhood books and how they may have influenced my writing. Come on over and post a comment about your favorite childhood book. We’d love to hear about it.

And, of course, that would put you in the running for the Summer Geek Read Prize Pack as well.

To honor both books and cats, I give you gratuitous cat pictures. Oreo, my cat:

There's a new alpha cat in town ... and she's got a bone to pick with you.

A new kind of Christmas tree ornament.

Yes, that's *my* computer chair.

Today we’re at Mrs. Magoo Reads, talking a bit more about collaboration. Earlier we’ve written about the high level elements of writing together: respect, honesty, leaving your ego at the door. Today, we look at more of the mechanics of getting the words on the page and conflict resolution.

Remember, stop by, leave a comment, and you’ll be included in the drawing for the Summer Geek Read Prize Pack that includes a signed copy of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading and a signed copy of Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard.

The entire first chapter (beyond what we have here) of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading is now available over on the Simon and Schuster site.

Ready? Okay!

Welcome to the Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading site. We’re getting ready for our book release and our site up and running. Be sure to watch this space.