Signing Off on GOD AWFUL THIEF

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GOD AWFUL THIEF, the sequel to God Awful Loser, is looking great. Earlier this week I signed off on the signatures (the page bundles)…

Approving Signatures of God Awful Thief

…checked out the matte and glossy finishes and the embossing for the book jacket…

GOD AWFUL THIEF jacket print

…and approved on the color check…

Book Jacket of God Awful Thief

… for the final okay of the big print run, which will speed across the same presses used for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Let’s hope some of that good karma rubs off.

You can pre-order GOD AWFUL THIEF here.

I hope you’re excited to read more of Cupid’s adventures. And as a reminder, if you liked God Awful Loser, please do the kindest thing you can do for a writer: leave a review at Amazon, Goodreads, or your favorite website.

Thanks!

I Never Imagined It

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South Milwaukee Public Library

It’s amazing how certain events in your life harbor so much meaning.

I remember as a child spending many, many, MANY enchanted hours reading on the bean bags at the kids’ corner of the South Milwaukee Public Library. I used to ride my bike the half hour to get there to happily satisfy my demanding reading habit, delighting in Peanuts and Moby Dick alike.

This Wednesday, December 2nd, I will cherish the immense honor of presenting there, my hometown library. Starting at 6:30, I’ll present an excerpt and talk with readers about my fantasy novel, God Awful Loser, a signed copy of which is on the library shelves.

I will admit that my childhood self never imagined presenting as an author in the building in which I traipsed so often. I loved reading; books were, to me, worldly educators, understanding friends, and foolhardy daredevils. As a child, I never imagined writing books. As an adult writing a part of my novel at the SM library, I had to smile at going full circle from reader to writer.

Thank you, South Milwaukee Public Library, for welcoming me — at any age.

Mixing with Librarians and Other Book Lovers

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I had a great time this week meeting the most dedicated book lovers and readers around. Thursday, I was honored to speak about writing and publishing at the Wisconsin Library Association’s Annual Conference. Here we are, left to right: Columbus (WI) Library Director and Panel Moderator Cindy Fesemyer and Authors Valerie Biel, me, and Zachary Howe.

Wisconsin Library Association - Columbus Public Library Director Cindy Fesemyer and Authors Valerie Biel, Silvia Acevedo, and Zachary Howe

Saturday, I was one of a host of authors at the Edgerton (WI) Sterling North Book & Film Festival celebrating its tenth year. And what a reunion — I got to see former TV anchor Patty Loew, with whom I worked as an intern in my college days at WKOW-TV in Madison! I helped on a documentary that later earned an Associated Press award. We hadn’t seen each other in 25 years! Now she’s an accomplished author, and I was so happy to see her. 🙂

Edgerton Sterling North Book & Film Festival Authors Patty Loew and Silvia Acevedo

Thanks to all the librarians out there, to readers, and the many other book lovers that make this journey so wonderful.

Premiering (!) the “Wisconsin Writes” Author Interview Video Series

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I am incredibly honored to be the very first author featured on the newly created WISCONSIN WRITES AUTHOR VIDEO SERIES. This interview chat was created by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for students to hear directly from authors about how they do what they do, providing a glimpse into both their current works and their creative minds.

I have two segments, which you can see above or at the WI DPI website. The first segment is on my writing process, and the second covers many topics, including my approach to subject matter, the role of research, editing, feedback from other writers, and advice to students.

Many thanks go the educators behind this series! I hope you enjoy it, too, and please feel free to share it widely with the writers (young and old) in your life!

Young People Can Handle It — at the Wisconsin Writers Association

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Wisconsin Writers Association Kid Lit Panel - Pat Schmatz, Silvia Acevedo, Melanie Boyung, Jessica Freeburg, and Miranda Paul

Wisconsin Writers Association Kid Lit Panel – Pat Schmatz, Silvia Acevedo, moderator Melanie Boyung, Jessica Freeburg, and Miranda Paul

I had the honor and pleasure of talking on a panel about kid lit at the Wisconsin Writers Association‘s Annual Convention yesterday. Beside me were some of the most talented writers of the day, their works spanning from picture book to young adult novel.

A few of the questions had to do with taboo topics and whether we censor our writing for the sake of our audience. The answer was a universal no to censorship but that, of course, a writer’s presentation is tweaked depending on age range and relevancy to the story. We all agreed that stories are a safe place to explore new worlds and perspectives. Besides, those readers who don’t enjoy a book will self-censor, that is, decide a particular book isn’t for them and put it down. It comes down to choices, which is an integral part of growing up.

Not every book covers deep, heavy topics, but most offer a window to emotional growth. My God Awful Loser is a light read and yet doesn’t gloss over the protagonist’s womanizing. He and other characters eventually learn, with the readers riding their wave, to value those around them.

Do kids need books to teach them such lessons? Perhaps another question is in order: Who remembers reading a book at just the right time and having it profoundly affected their worldview?

Scrapping a Chapter for “Wisconsin Writes”

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Wisconsin Writes - Marci and Silvia AcevedoSoon Wisconsin students engaged in writing will have video proof that, yeah, sometimes you just have to scrap what doesn’t work. And who got to teach them that? Why, yes, you guessed right. It was me.

It was part of an interesting video project being put on by the Wisconsin Department of Public Schools, the state agency that runs public schools. The “Wisconsin Writes” project aims to catch Wisconsin authors wherever they happen to be in their work-in-progress to talk to students about how they’re advancing their work and to answer a few tough questions. My work-in-progress is the sequel to God Awful Loser.

It so happens that I was at a point in which I’d explored a certain path only to find it didn’t work, and so I was on the cusp of scrapping a full chapter. That turned into a talk about how sometimes you just have to try something out, see how it goes, get messy, be willing to change it or let it go if it’s not your vision, and embrace picking it up again where you left off. I hope hearing that is helpful to students.

Here I am signing God Awful Loser for the program’s host. Thanks, Marci, for inviting me. 🙂

Featured on “Interviewing Authors”

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Silvia Acevedo on Interviewing Authors PodcastWhat an honor it is to be interviewed about your work, but it’s especially wonderful when the interviewer is Tim Knox, author, entrepreneur, and host of the hugely popular “Interviewing Authors” podcast.

Tim Knox has interviewed many fascinating and talented publishing professionals. His podcasts are endlessly entertaining and a treasure trove of insight. I’ve enjoyed them, each and every one, for a long time now.

Tim and I had a fun talk about my newly released fantasy novel, God Awful Loser, my TV life, and just how interfering Venus is, really. And Tim is so complimentary, calling God Awful Loser “one of my favorite books of the year, and I don’t say that lightly.” Here’s a link to our talk. Enjoy!
http://interviewingauthors.com/silvia-acevedo-tv-journalist-great-time-god-love/

LOVED Signing at the beautiful Tribeca GalleryCafe & Books

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I loved meeting readers and writers this weekend at Tribeca GalleryCafe & Books in Watertown, WI. They promoted my appearance and my young adult book, God Awful Loser, which I’m thrilled to say they called “an awesome summer read you can’t miss!”

Tribeca is just a beauty of a bookstore with rows of great books, sumptuous coffee selections, unique local artistry, and an adorable children’s area upstairs that’s visible through the white picket fence. Enjoy a few pics of the event!

Tribeca GalleryCafe & Books

Tribeca GalleryCafe & Books

God Awful Loserright by the sweets!

God Awful Loser right by the sweets!

Reader with Silvia Acevedo

Silvia and readers

Silvia Acevedo and reader

Tribeca Book Of The Week

Tribeca Book Of The Week!

Highlights of the God Awful Loser Book Launch

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Had a wonderful book launch for my young adult fantasy, God Awful Loser, held Friday night at the incomparable Boswell Book Company in Milwaukee. Thank you so much to all of my friends and family — and complete strangers (but soon to be friends) — who came out to hear me babble about my book. The reading was fun, as was the mingling afterward. I’m really blessed to have people support me.

I spy God Awful Loser on Boswell shelves

I spy God Awful Loser on Boswell shelves

God Awful Loser on Boswell shelves

Doesn’t God Awful Loser look great there?

Jeff Miracola & Silvia Acevedo

My husband, Jeff, and me behind the sumptuous treats

Ambrosia petit fours

Petit fours to mimic ambrosia, the food of the gods

Silvia Acevedo reading a passage of God Awful Loser

Reading a passage

With former colleague Erica and her daughter

With former colleague Erica and her daughter

Esther, bright and fascinating

Esther, bright and fascinating

With Rebecca and family

With Rebecca and family

With Lynn, Wisconsin's celebrity stylist!

With Lynn, Wisconsin’s celebrity stylist!

Eileen, my mom Iris, me, and mother-in-law Regina

Eileen, my mom Iris, me, and my mother-in-law Regina

Silvia and Iris

With my mom, Iris

Silvia and Janet Halfmann

With talented picture book author Janet Halfmann

Mingling

Mingling with the faaaabulous people

Kathleen & Dano

Kathleen & Dano

The awesome athletes in my life

The awesome athletes in my life

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING!!! 🙂

Three Weeks Until The Big Day

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Silvia Acevedo Book Launch FlyerThree weeks from today I will be at my book launch. It’s happening at Boswell Books on May 8th at 7 p.m. and of course you’re invited.

I admit to being awed that the book launch is my own. I’ve been to quite a few launches, being a member of the state’s writers’ association and being plugged in to that world. I’ve even attended the launch of a former WTMJ-TV reporter and colleague. I couldn’t be more proud of the writers I know who’ve put their words out into the world. It takes guts.

My launch, like theirs, marks the culmination of years of writing. It’s the release of a brand new, funny mythology into the young adult genre. More than that, it’s me putting myself out there in a way I never have before. It’s one thing, as a reporter, to talk and write about the accomplishments and talents of others; it’s another thing to accept a challenge for yourself and then go for it. It’s an exciting thing I’ve done.

There’s no single work of art or literature that absolutely everyone loves. Every creator has to accept that. As a reporter, I had to develop a thick skin early on. So I’m going to do my best to always focus on the positive on this new journey of mine. Regardless of how the work is received, I’m so glad that I did it. I tried something new, and my friends will be there to see it. Hope to see you among them. 🙂