The Debutante Ball wishes each and every mother a very happy Mother’s Day!
From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Kerry is very excited about Amy’s release of THE GLASS WIVES!!! Also, she will be signing books at the Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley on Sunday, May 18th.
Deb Susan received a splendid review from Kirkus, who called CLAWS OF THE CAT “an absorbing look at Japanese culture, along with a sharp mystery.” Yes, I did the happy dance!
Deb Dana cannot wait to celebrate Deb Amy’s launch of THE GLASS WIVES this week!
Deb Amy AAK! THE GLASS WIVES goes on sale TUESDAY!
Past Deb News
Kirkus reviews called Deb Erika Marks’s THE GUEST HOUSE “A satisfying read that evokes the leisurely warmth of long summer days and true connection.” Congratulations, Deb Erika!
Deb Tawna Fenske’s next romantic comedy has an official title – in 2014, look for Deb Tawna to tell us exactly why SIZE MATTERS
Deb Friends
Congratulations to Deb Friend Erika Robuck, whose new novel, CALL ME ZELDA, released last week!
Deb Dish – How has your mom – or being a mom – helped you on your writing journey?
Deb Amy: I thought, no I knew, that for my kids to see me doing something important to me, that I enjoyed, that had nothing to do with them, was really important. It wasn’t the motivation to start writing again, more of a benefit. We always want our kids to pursue their passions and I believe my kids often enjoyed seeing me pursue mine, especially as they got older!
Deb Kerry: My mom read to me, every day, from as far back as I can remember right up until the day I informed her I would be reading my own books from now on. Besides teaching me a great love for books, she also taught me that I could do or be anything if I put my mind to it. I’ve tried to pass these things on to my own kids.
Deb Susan: Like Deb Kerry, I had a mom who read to me every single day – often for far more minutes than grown-up me can believe. When I wrote my first (horrific) manuscript in high school, she supported me every step of the way. She paid for me to attend my first writer’s conference (shortly after I graduated from college) because I couldn’t afford it on my own. Most of all, she believed in me every step of the way – which is why I dedicated Claws of the Cat to her. No one could deserve it more.
Deb Dana: From the time I was a little girl, my mom has always been supportive of my dreams and passions, whether it’s been writing or cooking or playing the flute. In middle and high school — and even occasionally in college — I would ask her to read my papers or stories, and she would always oblige, even when she had a zillion things of her own to do. What I most appreciated was her honesty. If what I’d written was fabulous she’d say so, but if it wasn’t my best work, she’d tell me that, too (though kindly). That way, if she raved about something, I knew she meant it — and that what I’d written was actually good and not just good in a mother’s eyes. As a new mother (9 weeks and counting!), I hope I can give my son that same gift of supportive honesty.
Your Turn!! We’d love to hear about your mom, or your experience being one!
May 12th, 2013
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From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Kerry has been having an absolute blast at both C2E2 in Chicago, and the Romantic Times convention in Kansas City. For your viewing pleasure, a glimpse of the C2E2 insanity, courtesy of author Alex Bledsoe.
Deb Dana has some exciting news to share soon…but can’t tell you quite yet… 
Deb Kelly is excited about her Kirkus review that goes live today. Hint: They liked it, they really liked it!
Deb Susan is delighted to announce another signing for CLAWS OF THE CAT – July 18, 2013 at 6:30pm at Face in a Book bookstore, El Dorado Hills, California! You can find all Deb Susan’s signings here!
Past Deb News
Deb Joanne Levy has opened JL Author Services, a full-service virtual assistant service specializing in author marketing, scheduling, and other ways to help authors operate the business side of a writing career. Click the link for details!
Deb Sara Jio’s first novel, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH, made the USA Today Bestseller list this week. Congratulations, Deb Sarah!
Deb Dish – Happy Release Week, Deb Amy! Tell us: what did you like best about THE GLASS WIVES?
Deb Amy: Oh dear! What I like best is getting to share it with everyone!
Deb Dana: I loved so much about this book, but I particularly connected with the references to Jewish culture and the way Amy reflected that culture in everything from the grieving process to the concept and role of family.
Deb Kelly: I love the friendships, in all their nuance.
Deb Kerry: I especially loved Amy’s depiction of the grieving process – so very real and from the heart – but with hope and healing in sight.
Deb Susan: I loved the complexity of Amy’s story and the way her protagonist struggles with realistic emotional challenges – it seemed like reading about real people instead of fictitious characters.
Your Turn!! Have you read THE GLASS WIVES? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
May 5th, 2013
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From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Dana had a blast with former Deb Sarah Pekkanen at One More Page last week! Here are a few photos from the event. So much fun!
Deb Kelly‘s launch party has been set for July 12th in Madison, WI! Save the date!
Deb Susan now has a third scheduled reading and signing for Claws of the Cat! She’ll be at Face in a Book bookstore in El Dorado Hills, California (just outside Sacramento) on July 18, 2010 at 6:30 pm- hope to see you there!
Deb Kerry is at the C2E2 con in Chicago, along with Superman, various storm troopers, furry creatures, and a group of wonderful writers. This afternoon she’ll be on a panel with Amber Benson, Christina Henry, and Anne Bishop.
Past Deb News
Deb Joanne Levy‘s SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE has been chosen as a 2013 Sydney Taylor Notable Book – and is also a nominee for the 2014 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award – congratulations Deb Joanne!
Deb Kristina Riggle’s upcoming novel, THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD, is now available for pre-order … more details here.
Deb Dish – Tell us something about yourself most people might not know!
Deb Dana: I sang and played the flute in high school (not at the same time…) and competed in all sorts of music competitions. I made all-region choir and band, which was exactly as dorky as it sounds. But I totally loved it.
Deb Kelly: I can play the ukulele! Badly, but with great enthusiasm.
Deb Susan: I am allergic to fish … but not to shellfish. Which means, not only do I have the inverted (and far less common) form of the allergy, but most of the inhabitants of my reef could actually kill me, if I was silly enough to eat them.
Deb Kerry: Following along with the musical trend (since fish and I have a normal relationship), I played the tuba in high school and my first year of college. Which, as Dana says, may be dorky but was a ton of fun and allowed me to go on band trips to far and interesting places.
Your Turn!! We’d love to hear something interesting, and unusual, about you!
April 28th, 2013
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From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Dana is super excited for her event this Thursday with former Deb Sarah Pekkanen at One More Page in Arlington, VA! The event begins at 7:00 — come one, come all!
Deb Susan will be speaking at the Auburn Book Affair in Auburn, California next Saturday, April 27. Hope to see you there!
Deb Kerry will be at C2E2 in Chicago next weekend, and on Sunday she will be on a panel called FOES, FANGS, and FURY with Anne Bishop, Amber Benson, and Christina Henry.
Deb Dish – What part of your writing have you struggled the hardest to improve?
Deb Amy: I am sometimes pronoun challenged and often punctuation possessed. Meaning, I screw up the mechanics of things on early drafts, which makes for a lot more work on the revision front. Trying to temper my comma-love, keep track of he’s and she’s, and keep my em-dashes to a minimum. Maybe.
Deb Dana: Raising the stakes. I’m better at that now, but I often want to protect my protagonist, and that’s the wrong impulse for a good plot!
Deb Kerry: Plot. Oh, and apparently world building. I’m learning that if you’re going to write a trilogy in a complicated new world it would probably be smart to develop the world before you write the first book.
Deb Susan: I struggle with passive constructions, especially in early drafts. I have to stay on my toes to keep things active!
Your Turn!! Tell us what you struggle to improve – writing-related or otherwise!
April 21st, 2013
| Posted by Susan Spann | Debutante Ball, News Flash
From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Kerry is up to her ears in alligators – um, revisions. Not that this is news, but it overrides everything else in terms of importance and prioritizing.
Deb Dana Had a blast Skyping with a lovely book club in Minnesota and marveled at their carrot cake cupcakes a la Hannah Sugarman. You can read all about their evening here!
Deb Susan received her first independent book review for CLAWS OF THE CAT – and she’s thrilled! Learning that someone else enjoyed your book is one of the best feelings in the world.
Deb Amy is thrilled to announce that THE GLASS WIVES is #2 on Goodread’s Best Beach Reads 2013 list! Click over and vote if you’re feeling particularly beachy (or if you wish you were feeling beachy)! And, you can now “search inside the book” when you find THE GLASS WIVES on Amazon. Gotta love it!
Past Deb News
Deb Joelle Anthony is appearing at the Victoria Children’s Literature Roundtable on Monday, April 15 at 7pm in British Columbia, Canada (more information here). On Tuesday morning, April 16, Deb Joelle will be at the Sanich Centennial Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library to give a talk and answer questions. Here‘s the info. If you’re in the B.C. area, stop by and say hello.
Deb Kristina Riggle has received her ARCs for THE WHOLE GOLDEN WORLD, which releases November 5. Congratulations, Kristina!
Deb Dish – Do you read books about writing (craft)? If so, is there one in particular you’d recommend?
Deb Amy: My favorite is On Writing by Stephen King because he gets into your head. I also loved How Not To Write A Novel because it was funny and very truthful. Both are worth having on your nightstand!
Deb Dana: I come back to three books often: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. They’re all great for different reasons.
Deb Kerry: One of my favorite writing books is The Right to Write by Julia Cameron. It’s not a writing how-to book, per se. It’s focused on helping you live and thrive as a writer, which is just as important. I love James Scott Bell’s Revision and Self Editing for plot and structure things. And, oddly enough, I’m rather fond of the Nanowrimo guidebook, No Plot, No Problem.
Deb Susan: Liked Deb Amy, I adore Stephen King’s ON WRITING, and like Deb Dana I continue to use Donald Maass’s WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL – and also his guidebook for Breakout Novelists. I’m always looking for new ones, too, if you have recommendations!
Your Turn!! Please share YOUR favorite book on the craft of writing!
April 14th, 2013
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From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Susan has two confirmed signing dates for CLAWS OF THE CAT! July 25, 2013, at the Barnes & Noble on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, and September 16 at the Tattered Cover on Colfax in Denver, Colorado!
Deb Amy’s THE GLASS WIVES is listed on Goodreads’s “Best Beach Reads of 2013″
Deb Kerry is still in the throes of edits for WAKEWORLD.
Past Deb News
Deb Sarah Pekkanen’s THE BEST OF US is now available on audio – great news, and congratulations Sarah!
Also, Deb Sarah Pekkanen and Deb Dana Bate will be signing and reading from their books at ONE MORE PAGE Bookstore in Arlington, VA on April 25 at 7pm. Don’t miss it!
Deb Molly Backes is teaching a course on WRITING THE YA NOVEL at Story Studio Chicago starting Monday April 8 – it’s not too late to sign up!
Deb Dish – Do you cry when you’re happy? When you’re sad?
Deb Amy: YES and YES! But I don’t really cry in front of anyone. So it’s a good thing that I don’t cry often.
Deb Susan: Until this weekend, I would have said “only when I’m sad,” but yesterday I teared up while sitting at my son’s pre-orientation family day at his college of choice and listening to the keynote speaker congratulate all the admitted students on their admission to one of the country’s top colleges. Apparently, joy for my son makes me weepy too.
Deb Kerry: Yes. I also cry when I’m mad or scared, or whatever. I hate crying in front of anybody, but if the tears decide they are coming, they are coming. I have about zero control over them.
Your Turn!! What brings you to tears?
April 7th, 2013
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From the 2013 Debs…
Deb Kerry is mired in revisions of Book Two. (The secret is that she actually rather enjoys this process)
Deb Dana will be doing a joint event with former Deb Sarah Pekkanen on April 25 at One More Page in Falls Church, VA! Hooray for Debs, past and present!
Deb Kelly is thrilled about her lovely Library Journal preview, and pleased to see they think THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS OF SHIPWRECK LANE is great for book clubs! I love book clubs. Well, I love wine.
Deb Susan just learned that she has a signing and reading for CLAWS OF THE CAT at the Barnes & Noble on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica on July 25!
Deb Amy is excited that her publisher (St. Martin’s Press) sold large print rights to THE GLASS WIVES.
Past Deb News
Deb Tiffany Baker’s THE GILLY SALT SISTERS is now available in paperback. Congratulations Tiffany!
Deb Jenny Gardiner’s ANYWHERE BUT HERE is part of an Easter Basket Special this weekend: more details here, for those seeking a chick-lit Easter treat.
Deb Dish – Are you an April-Fools prankster, or are you more likely to find yourself being pranked?
Deb Amy: Neither. I don’t like practical jokes. At all. 
Deb Dana: I’m definitely more likely to be pranked. My friend once convinced me there was such a thing as Skittlebrau — a beer flavored with Skittles. I mean, seriously?
Deb Kelly: I don’t love April Fool’s Day–specifically I hate the news media’s insistence on making up wacky stories that sound awesome and getting me all excited about a robot who can solve crime or a new federal program that buys goats for suburban families with large lawns. And then boom, you remember what day it is, and poof, there goes the robot and the goats. It’s such a downer. Instead they should make up terrible stories so you can be relieved when the real news turns out less bad. Do you hear me, NPR?
Deb Kerry: When I was a kid we were totally into the practical jokes. Sugar in the salt shaker, salt in the sugar bowl, cups of water balanced on door frames, pillows that would fall on your head if you flipped a light switch. Well – those two latter were beyond my skill, but my brother and my cousin were up to the task. Now I’m so boring I often forget that it’s April Fools Day at all.
Deb Susan: Although I’m fairly gullible, I’m more often the prankster. Probably my best one was labeling the fax machine in the office so people thought it was a new, “voice operated fax” (“The machine may take a couple of tries to calibrate to your voice. If it fails to send on the first attempt, please repeat the number and say “SEND” louder and more slowly.”) The trick wasn’t original with me, but apparently no one in the office I worked in at the time was familiar with the prank. I had people screaming at that fax machine all day.
Your Turn!! Tell us about the best joke you’ve ever pulled!
March 31st, 2013
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