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.
-What 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.
