Marie Lamba, author

 

Home
Books etc.
About me
For Writers
For Girl Scouts
Author Visits
Marie's Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by. If you're into great reads, dark chocolate, evil poodles, and learning more about my new YA novel, What I Meant..., then this is the place to be. *Now there's an excerpt and some hot new reviews  on the Books etc. page.* Check below for lots of new updates and author appearances, plus find out what you can do to help show the world What I Meant...! Explore and let me know your thoughts and suggestions by contacting me at marielamba@hotmail.com.

(author photo by Adria Lamba)


What I Meant...
by Marie Lamba
(Random House YA novel 2007) is "an impressive debut..." Publisher's Weekly  

**HUGE NEWS!!!**
My novelWhat I Meant...has nearly sold out its first hardcover printing and is being reprinted even as we speak!  Yeah!!!!  

This means the novel is selling great (thanks to you all) and really gaining new readers everyday.  To you, my readers, I give my heartfelt thanks for your support, and for continuing to share What I Meant... with book lovers everywhere. Because of lack of presence in those big chain bookstores, What I Meant... has had to beat some incredible odds to make itself heard. So this success is due to you speaking up for this book, just like Sang in the novel must speak up for herself. YOU ALL ROCK!

Check below under "Help Show the World What I Meant..." to see how my readers have managed to spread the word, and how you can become part of the movement to keep this fantastic mojo going! And never EVER doubt that you can personally make a difference.


What I Meant...
by Marie Lamba
Random House YA, 2007
Trade Hardcover, $16.99, ISBN: 978-0-375-84091-3
Library Binding, $19.99, ISBN: 978-0-375-94091-0

A 15-year-old girl
A hot guy
An Indian dad
An American mom
An evil aunt
And plenty of drama!

This book is set in Doylestown, PA and in Philly. Want more juicy details? An excerpt? Click on the book jacket or on Books etc. 

**NEW BLOG SITE**
Fresh for 2008, I've started a new blog where I'm talking about my latest completed novel OVER MY HEAD, and the process of writing my newest novel DRAWN. I'll also be posting reviews of some hot new YA books coming out in 2008. See what's going on by paying a visit to http://marielamba.wordpress.com/


**HOT REVIEWS** 
School Library Journal says:
"The teen's family life and struggles will resonate with readers of all backgrounds...the book will have a broad appeal, leaving readers wanting more."

The Wichita Eagle has dubbed What I Meant... "a stunning debut novel." Their review goes on to say, "Lamba writes a hilarious account of teen life in a bicultural family that young readers will easily relate to. Her characters and plot lines are convincingly honest and realistic."  

Publisher's Weekly states: "Lamba makes an impressive debut...readers will find much to like in Lamba's heroine, who ultimately survives a set of trials worthy of Job with grace and humor."

Kirkus says: "Realistic and well-paced."

Booklist writes, " ...spies and secrets make for great drama, and many readers will not be able to get enough of Sang's hilarious, angry, hip narrative about her diverse family and friends."

 
For more of these and other smokin' reviews, click on the book jacket or on Books etc.

Help show the world WHAT I MEANT...!
My first YA novel, is on the shelves and getting great reviews. Yeah! But word is that What I Meant... is not be appearing in most chain bookstores. Phooey. So who determines the success of a book? Readers! 

Here's where each of you can make a HUGE difference.  If you've read What I Meant... and enjoyed it, please tell at least three people about it, especially people who live in a different state than you. If you could blog about this novel, write about it on your Facebook or Myspace, post a review somewhere...it could truly make a difference. We need to spread the word far and wide. Readers rule!
Update...never underestimate the power you readers have. Because of your support, my first printing has nearly sold out, and the book is going into a second printing. Thank you, all!!!!  So please do continue to spread the word, and let's hope even those big bookstores will start giving us lowly first-time novelists some shelf space ;)


**HOT NEWS**
**"Plotting a Novel Group
," an article I wrote about how to create your own writers group geared especially toward novelists, is in the February '08 issue of Writer's Digest Magazine.

**
I recently visited the extremely wonderful teens at the Sellers Library in Upper Darby, PA. For details and photos, visit their blog by clicking here.

**What I Meant... has been reviewed by the uber-cool website AsiansofMixedRace, which said: "Marie Lamba's phenomenal debut What I Meant... will have you captivated with its drama, touches of Indian culture, and trials and tribulations of a biracial teenage girl. This YA novel is definitely for all ages." Their site is also featuring an interview with me. To check it out, just click here.

Upcoming Author Visits

Thursday, April 17,
all-day visit with Lenape Middle School, in Doylestown, PA! 

Monday, April 28th,
I'll be the featured speaker at the Educator Appreciation Event, held 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Barnes and Nobles, Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA.

Friday, May 2nd,
I'm a presenter at the 2008 New York School Librarians and Media Specialists Conference in Tarrytown, NY. My topic is A Lot Like Me: Needing Biracial Heroes in Today's Mainstream Lit. I'll also be doing a booksigning...

Sunday, June 1st,
scout visit with senior and cadette scouts in Harrisburg, PA area!

Tuesday, June 3rd, 7 p.m., Doylestown Public Library, Doylestown, PA. Sponsored by the Doylestown Library's Friends, this talk will feature a reading, Q&A, and signing. Free and open to the public. Come one and all!

Thursday, June 5th, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Author, Author Chapter 2 cocktail reception and signing at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library.

Sunday, October 19th,
featured speaker and booksigning at the Keystone State Reading Association Convention, Valley Forge Convention Center, Valley Forge, PA.

What I Meant... in the media!
-In April I did an on-air interview and reading for XM Radio's Fiction Nation on Take Five, XM 155 with witty host Kim Alexander. Visit Fiction Nation's website for her review of What I Meant... as well as for a ton of other books reviews you can use. Just click here.


-
W
hat I Meant... was featured in an article about diverse teen literature by reporter Penelope M. Carrington in The Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, VA. To listen to an audio clip of me discussing my biracial character, my book and my family, click here.

- Wonderful YA author K.L. Going featured me on her on-line forum, where I answered questions about writing and my book. Stop by and check things out under "Author Interviews" at www.klgoing.com/forums

- India Abroad recently wrote a feature on What I Meant... and my biracial family.


Other Stuff: My very first booksigning was a smash hit, and we sold so many books that we set a store record (okay, aside from Harry Potter). The Doylestown Bookshop is an amazing independent store. Shop there!!!! Pictured with me with their recent What I Meant... purchases are Cari, Sarah and Nicole. Thanks to everyone who came out!

 

The Princeton Teen Book Festival on May 5th at the Princeton Public Library in NJ was an incredible event featuring tons of authors (and me). Below is a photo of my booth there, and me with my faithful What I Meant... supporters Hannah, Cari and Adria. 

I participated in a special author's panel discussion called "The Writerly Life" at the Doylestown Public Library. It was set up and run by Adria for her Gold Award project for Senior Scouts (congrats, Adria!). Below are authors Jonathan Maberry (Ghost Road Blues), me, Damian McNicholl (A Son Called Gabriel), and Theresa Golding (The Secret Within, and The Truth About Twelve ), talking with visitors just after the event. 

 

 

Hit Counter