It's a Party!

Hey friendlies:

I'm off upstate near the Delaware River, communing with nature and being vair vair serious about my writing.
(Also? Dealing with satellite Interwebs, which is why all of my posting has been so spotty of late. Props to Liz for helping a sister out with the slack).

One thing that is NOT serious, however--in that it is ALL ABOUT funfunfun--is that the launch of Fashionista is well underway! My author copies arrived the other day and they are gorj. Gorj, I tell you. You've already seen the ultra-fab trailer that Liz posted the other day (it totally makes me SO CURIOUS to learn all of Mads' secrets, and--DUH!--I'm the one who wrote them!). But between now and 8/25 (our official launch date), you can check out Paige's blog, an uber-insider's account of her time at Zephyr.

We're also going to be running new exclusive content on the other Bradfordians' blogs, so if you aren't following those yet, keep your eyes peeled. And Mads herself will be running exclusive interviews with other fashion-type peeps, and offering up awesome giveaways in the process. This will all culminate in a MOST VERIEST Twitter party, (date TBD), wherein you can test your knowledge of all things Bradford, and win many loverly prizes.

What more can I say?
Watch. This. Space.

Mwah!

--Meeks

Fashionista Launchy Goodness!

Sorry we've been so quiet recently, but we've been gearing up for an amazing FASHIONISTA launch and working on Bradford #3. But it was worth the wait, because now we've got a bunch of blogiddy goodness for you, counting down to the launch of Fashionista later this month.

First, hot off the presses (or the iMac, more likely), is the trailer for Fashionista.



Let us know what you think of it, and please feel free to repost it.

Second, fan-favorite character Paige is going to be sharing her deepest, darkest secrets from her second stint at Zephyr all this month at her blog, The Detox Diaries, in what we like to call Bradford blogisodes.

She'll be opening up the privacy settings on the posts she wrote while she was involuntarily shipped off to the island rehab retreat so you can take a peak. Her posts will bridge the gap between GoldenGirl and Fashionista and let you know EXACTLY how she feels about Regan weaseling her way into Paige's inner circle and what Spencer did to her at the end of book #1, among other things. So, if you want the inside scoop, be sure to add her blog to your RSS reader, or check her blog during the week for updates.

Finally, with help from the YA blogger who runs Alley of Books, we're planning a Fashionista Twitter Party with author Micol Ostow for later this month, which will include an online trivia hunt, giveaways, and possible guest appearances from the Bradford girls themselves. (Hmm... wonder how well they're getting along these days.)

So, enjoy all the great stuff we have for you today, and keep checking back for the latest updates!

This Book Is So Punk Rock

Micol Ostow is one busy author. When she's not writing the next Bradford novel or creating amazing online content, she writes amazing stand alone books like SO PUNK ROCK (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), a hybrid prose/graphic novel published by Flux that she created with her brother, illustrator David Ostow. It goes on sale today, so if you like Micol's other books, pick it up at your local bookstore or order it online.

Micol has really gotten the hang of this multi-platform stuff—SO PUNK ROCK's characters come to life in much the same way as the Bradfordians. Check out Ari and Reena's Twitter accounts and The Tribe's My Space page.

Check out the trailer, here:

And let us know what you think about Micol and David's new book!

FASHIONISTA takes the blogosphere by storm!

Or, okay--if not storm per se, there's a small drizzle happenin' up in here.
It's true, folks--the first sighting of a FASHIONISTA review online! Check it out!

Courtesy of the fine folks at BookKids, which seems like a totally fabu indie bookstore. Wish I were closer so I could stop by and thank 'em in person for the shout out! We're keeping vair good company in that article, as well. Note to self: stock up on summer sequel reading.

Now that the first draft of book 3 is complete, we're gearing up for lots of pre-launch book 2 funnage. Stay tuned!

I was thinking of you lovelies the WHOLE TIME!

Reasons why this blog has been so hushity.

Also, a trailer for my non-Bradford project.

(Don't worry--you friendlies will always be my truest).

To bed so I can finish book 3 TOMORROW!

Besos,

Meeks

NYC Teen Author Carnival!

Hello friendlies:

I am tappity-tapping away at an undisclosed location (okay, fine--it's Cafe Henri, try to contain your shock), but wanted to quickly post about this most very of author events taking place in NYC next Thurs:
The NYC Teen Author Carnival!

It is being run by YA bloggers Devyn Burton, Mitali Dave, and Korianne Wey, and rumor has it there may be TREATS and CONNECT FOUR involved!
I will be there, as will many, many other most awesome young adult writers. Come carnival with us!

And now, back to my regularly scheduled Bradfording....

Notes from the Underground

As FlirtyLiz has intimated, I've been squirreled away working on the third installment of Bradford, which is tons of fun, especially since it's very Hollywood and pop culture-centric.
I haven't had much chance to come up for air, but I thought you might appreciate a short list of recent Google searches I've done in service of your fine book series:

1. M Night Shymalan
2. Tarte Cheek Stain
2. Lotta Stensson
3. Dolce and Gabbana (I really should know how to spell this by now)
4. Apothecary Bar, Philadelphia
5. Golden Bridge Yoga, LA
6. Ryder Jared
7. Soiree
8. microdermabrasion
9. Jimmy Choo
10. Martin Scorsese

Liz would be impressed to learn that despite all of this web-based "research," I have resisted the siren song of Internet shopping.

Back to work, people!

MWAH!

Happy Birthday!

Hello, Bradford fans!

Today is a very special day—the anniversary of the birth of Bradford's talented author, Micol Ostow. So let's all wish her the most fantabulous of birthdays!

(Meanwhile, she's toiling away on the third Bradford manuscript, so cheer her on!)

I have it on good authority that several Bradfordians actually sent her e-mails to wish her well. How meta!

Micol, here's hoping you get to eat lots of Smooch sweets and drink a Saketini to celebrate you special day!

Happy Birthday!

Across the Blogoverse, Part 2

Hello, Bradford Friendlies!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. Micol's hard at work in a super-sekrit location, writing BOOK #3 of Bradford. (Okay, probably not REALLY secret. I'm guessing she's either in her writing chair, or at Cafe Henri, or possibly watching Veronica Mars on a short break.)

My excuse is that we're working with Simon Pulse on some Even More Super-Sekrit stuff, that will most likely include a big Bradford contest & ALL-NEW, ONLINE-ONLY Blogisodes in June to tide you over until FASHIONISTA comes out in August.

In the meantime, check out these recent Bradfordly links:

Senfaye at A Maze of Books says "GoldenGirl lived up to my expectations, and it was awesome!"

The Feed Your Imagination book blog says "Ostow's latest is fun and fast-paced."

Ten Cent Notes says "It's fun, gossipy, not so mean that it's trashy, but definitely a wonderfully fluffy read..." and also posted an interview with Micol.

So, enjoy these links & keep checking back for more updates about our SEKRIT June online events!

Countdown to FASHIONISTA!

If you didn't get enough of Bradford's resident fashionista in GoldenGirl, never fear! Madison's story (and scandals) are featured in the second Bradford novel, Fashionista, coming to bookstores on August 25, 2009.

I know, I know. That sounds like a long time before you'll be able to get your Mads fix. But just remember two things:

1) You can count the days until Fashionista hits stores with this loverly countdown widget. Share it! Embed it on your blog! Watch the seconds/minutes/hours/days click away!

2) You can always get more Mads via her blog, her Twitter feed, or her Facebook page to tide you over while you wait for all the gory deats of her scandalous life!

P.S. Don't you just love this cover? Mads really knows how to rawk a gold sequin top!

No foolin'!

Hello friendliest:

I know it might seem that April 1st would be the perfect opportunity to pull some kind of cyber-prank on all of you devoted Bradford followers, but alas, I'm on major deadline (book 3, here we come!), and not feeling particularly crafty today (gotta save all of that scheming for my girlies, right?).

Instead, I wanted to give a quick shout out to Wdebo, the blogger behind The Electrical book cafe. Wdebo recently posted a review of GoldenGirl that I loved, loved, loved! NOT only because she liked the book and had lots of good things to say about it (though, I have to admit, of course that helped), but specifically for this quote:

"All in all, this was a really good book for those who enjoy books like Privilege. Also, for those, like me, who HATE these types of books, read it and I believe you will like them like I do. ( I can't wait for Fashionista!"

I just adore the fact that my little old book managed to appeal to entice someone to read outside of their typical area of interest.
Not that I don't enjoy positive feedback from ALL of my readers--srsly, flattery will get you everywhere, people--but there's an added element of satisfaction in knowing that we've managed to convert one bookworm over to the Dark Side (otherwise known as "blitchlit").

And that's no joke!

The Winners are UP!

Yes, you read that correctly, WINNERS. As in, plural. Spencer is giving away TWO prizes on her blog to the winners of her birthday contest. Check it out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!

Hello my most friendliest of people:

If you'll allow me a moment of self-indulgence, I just wanted to post a brief notice that TODAY IS MY BABY BROTHER'S 30 BIRTHDAY!
It's true. David K. Ostow is old as the hills, yo.
Some of you who know my work know that Dave is my collaborator and illustrator on the forthcoming hybrid graphic novel project, So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), which will be out in July. See above: us at last year's Comic Con NYC being all professional and conference-like.

In terms of his relationship to the Bradford-verse, suffice it to say that one Jeremy Brown's musical tastes have been heavily influenced by Brother Dave.

Dave blogs about book and non-book stuff over on livejournal; stop by, friend him, and wish him a happy day if you have a mo'.

Here's a shot of us from his official birthday celebration this past Saturday night--what on earth do we think I was talking about?!



Maybe we're still arguing about that acoustic Nirvana CD that went missing sometime in the mid-nineties. We'll never know.

Regardless, I hope you have a fabbidy day, David!

Spencer's contest

Quick update to let you know Spencer's blog comments form was temporarily broken, BUT HAS NOW BEEN FIXED!! So please enter to win a signed copy of THE SEASON!

Sorry about that!

The kitchen sink

(Also known as, this blog post.)
For serious people, I have many many things to share with you! So exciting!

For starters, in Bradford news, yesterday was the Biggest Teen Author Signing Ever at Books of Wonder in NYC. Not only did I get to sign copies of GoldenGirl, but I also got to meet Bradford friendlies Sharon Anne and Khyrinthia! I am pleased to report that both are every bit as awesome in person as online.
You may recall that Sharon Anne was our grand prize winner from the Bradford Blog Bash! Here's a pic of her humbly accepting her prize package (above).
(Please to disregard my slouching! I can hear my mother in my ear with the: "stand up straight!" And she would be correct. But oh, well.)

Other things Bradford: Spencer's birthday contest continues! Today, she announced on her blog that she'll be giving away as her present to YOU a signed copy of The Season by authoress extraordinaire Sarah MacLean. Rumor has it that Sarah will even be doing a short Q&A with Spencer on Wednesday in honor of the close of the contest. Swing by Spencer's blog between now and midnight Wednesday and post your own six word memoir, and you'll be entered for a chance to win the book.
(And believe you me, it's a good book. Worth the pain of the creative process.)



You might think that that is more than enough news from my corner of the world. But I have MORE THINGS TO TELL YOU!
Namely, that I can be found this week in two places: firstly, at author KC Dyer's Darby Speaks blog, chatting about--what else?--the Bradfordlies.
ALSO, an excerpt for the Ellen Hopkins anthology from SmartPop, Flirtin' With the Monster, (coming in May) can be found here. I was so flattered to be asked to contribute an essay, and let me tell you, it was nice to put those VCFA critical writing skills to use!

As you can see, it's been all kinds of bizzy here in Ostow-ville. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

Spencer's Spectacular Birthday Party!

TODAY is Spencer Grace Kelly's birthday! And to celebrate the anniversary of everyone's fav GoldenGirl, she's hosting a special contest for all her friendlies over at her blog, All That Glitters, this week.

Craft your own six-word memoir and post it in the comments section to her post by midnight EDT on Wed, 3/25. She and her BFFs will choose their favorite and award the winner a prezzie.

Good luck!

NYC Teen Author Festival--THIS WEEK!

Hey all:

Just a quick reminder that today kicks off the first-ever TEEN AUTHOR FEST here in New York City! Throughout the week, you'll be able to attend readings, signings, and panel discussions featuring tons of amazing young adult authors.

I'll be reading in Staten Island on Thursday, and signing with about 40 other authors at Books of Wonder on Sunday.
You can find a link to all of the Teen Author Fest events here!

Hope to see you!

The Head of the Class

Hello, Bradford friendlies!

I've just read the RAVE review of GoldenGirl at the Vita Dei blog. She rated it an A++++ and said "It was awesome! I loved it and I say that about books very rarely." Thank you, Jessica!

There's also a really great review of Micol Ostow's previous book, Popular Vote, over at Juiciliciousss Reviews, so check that one out as well.

My bookshelf, my self...

Happened to blog on my author blog (that is, the non-Brad-specific blog over at livejournal) about the ways in which we judge and are judged by what we read and what books we display. The topic was spurred by a post at Jezebel asking, when is a bookshelf a dating dealbreaker?

Would love to hear your thoughts, if you've got 'em. Come visit me here.

Happy Monday, people! We survived Daylight Savings!

Prize-alicious and Swag-tastic! Blog Bash winners REVEALED!

For those of you pretties who thought this day would never come, the wait is over--lo, we have tallied the various prizewinners from our month-long Bradford Blog Bash, and giveaways will be going out STAT!

(Though we may wait a week until the gorj new Bradford bookmarks and magnets come in so we can add them to some of the prizes. That's worth the wait, right?)

But first, I did want to thank you very very muchly for all of your supportive friendliness during our mucho-exciting new series launch. I had a great time meeting new people out there in the blogosphere (and spending time with old friends!), and my Bradford girlies had a great time getting to know you all, too! If you haven't already, be sure to check them out on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, and on their own private blogs (links can be found on the sidebar to your left) to catch updates, additional plot reveals, and even some online-only story arcs to help you get your Bradford fix between now and June, when FASHIONISTA releases.

But I believe we were speaking of swag.
I'm sure that Spencer would agree that pressies are always most very.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

*Widget download giveaways:
Katie Johnson
Meredith Foster

Mondays With Micol winners:
Allie Jones
Faith
Marjolein

Guest Blogger winners:
Lynn Weingarten ("Wherever Nina Lies"): Shalonda
Cynthia Leitich Smith ("Tantalize"): Paradox

(Quite Extremely) Grand Prize:
Reader Rabbit

and...

THE MOST, ULTRA, EXTRA, VERY Grand Prize:
Sharonanne!

Woo hoo!

If you've won a prize, and for any reason I don't have your information, I shall be contacting you shortly.

THANKS FOR PLAYING ALONG (and for partying with us)!

Besos,

Micol