Living with Tragedy
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 Posted in Before You Go, Interviews & Appreciations | 1 Comment »For the paperback publication of my young adult novel, BEFORE YOU GO, I was asked to answer a few interview questions for the back matter. I didn't really intend to share this here, but given recent events, and the fact I ...
Check Out the German Edition of “BEFORE YOU GO.”
Sunday, January 13th, 2013 Posted in Before You Go | No Comments »There's really not a whole lot to like about writers, frankly. We tend to self-obsess. For example, try as I might to avoid it, I'll sometimes wander over to Amazon.com to check out how James Preller, Inc., is making out ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #163 (from “the oldest teenager”)
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013 Posted in Before You Go, Fan Mail | 1 Comment »Here's one . . . Hi! I work in a library, and I JUST finished "Before You Go" - I realize you may be hoping for actual young adult readers instead of one who is, ummm, still emotionally at the teen ...
Review: “Before You Go” — Librarian as Matchmaker
Thursday, November 15th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go | No Comments »Naomi Bates is a librarian in Texas, and she has quietly kept up a nice blog, YA Books and More, where she reviews current books and digital media. She was recently kind enough to read my book, Before You Go, ...
“The Swimmer” in BEFORE YOU GO
Monday, November 5th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Fun Clips | No Comments »Burt Lancaster starred in a literate little 1968 film called "The Swimmer," based on a short story by John Cheever. I'm certain that I watched the movie as a kid, probably on The 4:30 Movie during Burt Lancaster week. Growing ...
Why a Character Talks about Kurt Vonnegut in BEFORE YOU GO
Monday, September 24th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Interviews & Appreciations | No Comments »For starters: I've always done it. Always? Yes, in fact, always. It's a tradition that started when I was six months old and referenced Go, Dog. Go! during a Skype with Granny. I continued to do it with my Jigsaw Jones ...
BEFORE YOU GO reviewed in The New York Times Sunday Book Review
Friday, August 24th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go | 3 Comments »I'm stepping out from under my self-imposed Cone of Silence . . . . . . to share the happy news that my new Young Adult novel, Before You Go, will be reviewed in the upcoming New York Times Sunday Book ...
Grateful
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, the writing process | 3 Comments »The writing life has its ups and downs, and more downs than I'd prefer. No, it's not coal mining, and I'm not an ice road trucker . . . . . . .but this job can be full of doubt and disappointment. Still, ...
BEFORE YOU GO: The Imaginary Soundtrack to My Young Adult Novel, Part 1
Friday, June 29th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Music, the writing process | No Comments »No blogging for at least a week until I beat a deadline into submission, literally. So 'til then . . . I've concocted an imaginary soundtrack that plays during the imaginary movie that's based on my (real!) upcoming Young Adult novel, ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #157: Author Advice, Before You Go . . .
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Fan Mail, the writing process | No Comments »Dear Mr.Preller, I am a big fan of your books. I am in seventh grade this year, and two years ago, in fifth grade, you visited my school. You talked about a book you were writing, about four teenagers/young adults, and ...