Celebrate Children’s Book Week

I’m lucky enough to be part of this illustrious group of authors who will be celebrating Children’s Book Week at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC. Here’s a press release about the event:

CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK WITH SEVEN LOCAL AUTHORS

Chapel Hill, NC, May 16, 2010—Join seven local children’s and young adult authors for a reading, question-and-answer session, and booksigning. Hear excerpts from David Macinnis Gill’s award-winning Soul Enchilada (Greenwillow); Bonnie J. Doerr’s eco-mystery Island Sting (Leap Books); Carolyn McAlister’s retold folktales ¡Holy Molé! (August House) and Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief (Charlesbridge); Maryam Tabibzadeh’s poetic Persian Dreams (Dream Books); Laurie J. Edwards’ biography of R&B singer Rihanna (Lucent) and thriller/romance from the anthology Summer Lovin’ (Wild Rose Press); Adrienne Ehlert Bashista’s picture books on Russian adoption, When I Met You and Mishka: An Adoption Tale (DRT Press); and Anne Runyon’s seasonal picture book, The Sheltering Cedar (Portal Press).

Attendees will be treated to a sneak peek at two of Leap Books’ most recent paranormal releases: Freaksville by Kitty Keswick and Under My Skin by Judith Graves. These teen novels have unique graphics and illustrations by Canadian artist Val Cox.

Leap Books, a newly launched publisher of teen and tween books, is sponsoring this Children’s Book Week . Featured authors are all local members of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), an international organization that provides networking, education, and support for authors and illustrators of children’s books at all stages of their careers.

The American Booksellers Association began Children’s Book Week in 1919. In 1944 the Children’s Book Council (CBC) took over the role of promoting reading and literacy through Children’s Book Week activities. Each year in May, CBC sponsors a nationwide week of events to encourage children and teens to read. A list of these events, as well as related online activities, can be found at the CBC website.

Rihanna in the News

Rihanna, of course, is often in the news. But this time, it’s my Rihanna biography that’s being cited. Rihanna (People in the News) has been mentioned in a review of Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded. The review has appeared in several places. It’s always fun to know that other people are reading your book.

And the book also received a well-written, and thought-provoking review at Amazon from miss-independent.

Review for Rihanna

Just saw this review from Flipkart:

Book Review of Rihanna ( Series – People In The News )

Rihanna (People in the News)

Review by Evelyn Richards

Author Laurie J. Edwards does a wonderful job of presenting Rihanna’s life in a readable format. Beginning with the singer’s rough childhood with her cocaine-addicted father to her signing a contract with Jay-Z at age 16 and her subsequent rise to fame, the biography is a page-turner. Edwards draws you in and keeps you interested throughout as she tells little-known details of the behind-the-scenes persona of Rihanna. Sneak peeks at other performers, such as Gwen Stefani, Maroon 5, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and many others.

A fun day!

What a great day so far!! My author copies of Rihanna just arrived & our first review for Summer Lovin’ is in at http://lnk.ms/073Fj. And it’s a good one! Yay!!

I’m Having Twins

Talk about coincidences, I just got my release date for Summer Lovin’ , & the digital release date is 5/22—the exact same day as Rihanna‘s releasing!! I feel like I’m having twins, but this should be a lot easier!

The print book won’t be out until July, though: the tenth to be exact.