the moms that went most definitely left
their tween/teens behind. the kids that were
there were preschooler age. so i wound up not
doing a reading because the age bracket just wasn’t
right. i had actually told megan whalen turner
about the event and she came with. so i felt
a little bad, but we both took it in stride, still
sold a few copies of books, and had oodles of
fun strolling the exhibit hall looking at “womanly”
things. =D not only is megan a fantastic author, she’s
just plain fun to hang out with.

got home around
2pm, had a late lunch, then got ready for the
mysterious galaxy holiday party. this was
so much fun. the eleven authors invited
(including me!) were very eclectic in genres.
nancy holder (wicked, possesions) and
kami garcia and margie stohl (beautiful creatures)
and i composed the YA authors.

we also had a few YA bloggers show, which
is always loads of fun!

vania, me, kiersten ( debut PARANORMALCY out with
harperteen fall 2010!), khy, and nancy!
i had the pleasure of meeting vania at scbwi this summer.
and khy in my pocket is my Original Stalker, who drove over two hours
to attend my san diego book launch! nancy came to my san francisco
signing. it was so great to see everyone there again and feel the
YA book love! =DD

pamela, a fellow fantasy writer and
aspiring author!

kami garcia, margie stohl, nancy holder, me
and megan whalen turner.

look at these fotos? how could i not have
had fun? i always have a great time at
mysterious galaxy events!!

and of course, i have an interesting story
behind my purple velvet dress. it actually
has long sweeping sleeves, quite renaissance
like! no fotos of sleeves, alas. =( i was probably all
of twenty or so when i went to the citadel in
los angeles (an outlets place) to shop. wandered
into a betsy johnson shop (had no clue who
she was) and fell in love with this dress.

purple was my favorite color at the time. i’m pretty sure
the dress was discounted to $150 or $100.
either which way, more than i had ever paid for
a dress. but i loved it so much i bought it. so yes,
it’s nearly two decades old. haha! and i’ve worn
it only a handful of times. so i was happy to show
it off at the holiday party. =D
the necklace i bought from etsy.com!
the large crystal pieces were actually part of
chandeliers and reused by the jeweler. i love it!

finally, there are signed copies of Silver Phoenix
available through mysterious galaxy for holiday
gift giving! if you’d like it personalized with a name
inscription, just email me! it’s something i can
definitely do! thanks to all of you who have been
so supportive of my debut! <3 <3 <3

what a weekend! i’m glad i’m here
to tell you about it! a playgroup mom friend
was very kind to host a book club meeting at
her house for Silver Phoenix on friday night.
composed of two book clubs and two playgroups,
we had a group of women who mostly did not read
young adult or fantasy–and all seemed to enjoy
the book and were eager to discuss it.

i had so much fun and didn’t get home until after
11pm.

on sunday, i had a signing at bn in huntington
beach. many of my LA / OC friends have been waiting
very patiently for this! and i spent the morning picking
up extraordinary desserts mini-cupcakes for the
event and left an hour early to get to the bookstore.
never again.

i got stuck in oceanside for 40 minutes going all of
two miles. (i think there was an accident ahead?) and
when i got onto the 73N–i tried to make up time wailing
to a weezer song to destress.

bad idea.

guess who got pulled over for a speeding ticket?

*margie stohl asked so many great questions
at my signing. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES is out 12/09.

one time, while driving the same route home from
college, i got a speeding ticket because i wasn’t looking
in the rear view mirror (like this time!) too distracted
from reciting a recent poem i had written.
(poems are meant to be recited aloud!)

argh.

and when i told the officer i was late
for an author signing, he said what?! like i had said
i’m missing the mothership and they will take off without
me or something. *sighs*

*i’ve known tracy from online for nearly a decade!
so lovely to finally have the pleasure of meeting in person!!

next time, i’ll know to leave at least TWO hours early.
i arrived five minutes late (augh!!) but the bn events
coordinator was so nice and said they never started on
the dot, anyway.

*enchanted inkpot writers representing!
gretchen, lia, me and amaris.

it was a special signing because it was the
first that my mom and sister were able to attend!
it was also the first time that i actually read
an excerpt from Silver Phoenix (my favorite scene
in the book). we also had a fantastic question
and answer session and at the end of the signing,
a tween came over to ask me about the book.

she was very excited about it and asked her dad
if she could get it. and she could. =D

the cupcakes were very well received, altho i
only had space in my ice chest for one box (the
chocolate ones) and my carrot mini cupcakes melted.
(the frosting and the white chocolate shavings.) they
tasted great still, however.

but they sort of looked like me by the time i arrived
at the bookstore. =O
everyone who had come to see and support me
(friends new and old) were so kind and said they
had a great time. i only wish i had the chance to
speak with everyone longer. i always wish that.
i felt very “official” when i saw that my event had
been tweeted with fotos and videos uploaded during
the fact. haha! love my friends! =D

and finally, i leave you the weezer song that
was the cause for my speeding ticket. it’s one
of my favorites by them.

each thing taken by itself is very exciting!
when i look at everything together all at once–
bad idea–more than a little overwhelming.

i’ll be doing my first RADIO INTERVIEW this friday!
it’s for KCMN AM — a colorado station at 8.30am.
that means i’ll be chatting bright and early at 7.30am
my time on friday. do wish me luck! =D

i had the pleasure of sharing a last official san diego
meal with foodie and cali girl convert k this week.
she introduced me to this izakaya restaurant and it was
so so so good. the definition is small dishes served at
a japanese establishment serving alcohol–so their
version of tapas. i didn’t drink tho, just ate. i love having
lots of small dishes to try, it is so fun and a feast for
the senses!!

stewed bamboo and pumpkin. the pumpkin was
so sweet and i absolutely LOVE bamboo. just call
me panda cindy.

this salad had a light dressing which i love
and deep fried shredded yams (perhaps?) piled on top.

i’m probably the only person in america who
doesn’t eat sushi. ha! but the salmon slices were
cooked and delicious. k had all the raw slices of
scallop and said it was great too!

tofu (YUM!) and clams stewed in sake.
alas, the clams weren’t fresh and tasted yucky.
i thought i was being particular (as i don’t eat
a lot of shellfish) but k confirmed and they took
the dish away and we weren’t charged for it.

grilled rice balls with soy sauce.
you could also choose miso flavor!

yam cake that scared me. ha!
it was a little spicy and salty and the
consistency killed me–crunchy. k said
chewy but no, i love me my mochi. this
yam cake was just crunchy.

deep fried drumsticks. i’m actually
salivating right now thinking about it.

my dessert! they called it pudding but it
was more like an egg custard with caramel sauce
and black butter on the side. SO GOOD, and very
light and not too sweet.

k got the strawberry parfait and it was really
yummy too!

fotos galore! but i neglected to take a picture of
the cupcakes–from sweet things recommended by
my friend at 6togo as well as martha!

kara and her husband, greg, flew all the way
from arizona to come attend my signing–their very
first book signing. kara already read my book and i was
so happy to see her. we know each other from…the baby
boards! both our munchkins are close in age! kara also took
the majority of my fotos with friends. =D

i look constipated here. this
is no reflection on kara–or me. i hope. ha!!

the fabulous martha! we are in an embrace!
jennifer l who ran the event brought gorgeous
flowers for my signing table!

NINJALICIOUS NANCY is part of the word ninjas, ink
group that i recently joined. she was so kind to bring her
friend and goddaughter, anna, a teen reader! the perfect
person for my book. thanks so much for coming!!

mary who runs the awesome site kidlit!
i’ll see you in los angeles, mary!! =D

jon yang, who’s own YA debut, EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE
released today! congrats, jon! cannot wait to read this!

sarina took the day off to come in from sacramento.
we’ve been online friends for nearly a decade, i’d say.
but first time we’ve met! it was such a highlight! she
gave me a present, which i didn’t open until after the signing.
it’s a lovely leather bound journal with my name engraved
on it. thank you so much for such a thoughtful gift, sarina!
and for celebrating my release with me!

fellow 09 debs malinda lo and cheryl herbsman attended!
cheryl’s debut, breathing just released as well. we traded
author copies and i’m very excited to read it!

m lo’s debut, ash, a lesbian retelling of cinderella
will be out later this year. aren’t both these covers
so gorgeous and evocative?

christine came with her honey in tow
(i gave her cute honey a thumbs up! ha!)
another online friend whom it was so much
fun to meet in person!

the beautiful edna! we first met at the scbwi conference
last summer and she’s been such a fantastic resource
and friend since. i also met her lovely “daughter” who
is in college. yeah. i don’t believe it either.

the books inc at laurel village was perfect for
my signing. it was a store with a very cozy and
welcoming feel, with lots of parking in the back.
i did a question and answer session, coaxed by
jennifer l–hey, i may actually read the third time
around! and just had a fabulous time. it never ceases
to make my heart full when i see old friends and
new come out to support me.

sweet pea showing you who’s boss.
(we fight a lot. we both want to be boss.
i don’t know what will happen in ten years’
time. haha!) but she was my little helper
handing me bookmarks to give to people.
where was munchkin? running around like
a rabid monkey upstairs and stuffing cupcakes
down his trap. =D

now onto silver phoenix news!!
i spent the majority of yesterday in dire need
of a sound proof padded room as i wanted to bounce
off the walls literally finding out my debut was named
one of the top ten fantasy novels for youth by booklist!
gaiman, pratchett and … pon? i still can’t get over it.

never in my dreams did i think i’d be on any type of
list with neil g–not even coolest dark wavy hair category.
haha! i seriously feel like the kid who crashed the
grand ball and crawled under the table sneaking sweets. =p~

speaking of which, a signing time for ALA CHICAGO in
july has been set. i’ll be signing on saturday, JULY 11th
at 10am along with fellow debut author extraordinaire
and greenwillowite partner in crime, david m. gill!

also, i’ll be flying out to nyc for a wedding the weekend
of september 18th and will  be doing a signing in
nyc as well. details are forthcoming. i’m very excited–i’ve
not been since i graduated from nyu with my masters back
in may 2000! it’s been too long, new york, new york!

finally, want another chance to win a signed copy of
silver phoenix? jordyn is doing a give away on her blog!
there is ONE PERSON participating so, um, your chances
are good currently. =D

also, please don’t forget to comment on my own
silver phoenix contest. i’ve seen A LOT of linky love
and reviews, but if you don’t comment with link in that
actual post, it’s impossible for me to keep track. i’m running
on 2 brain cells at the moment! i think if we hit 200 comments
with links, i’d feel obliged to give out TWO prizes. weeee!
contest runs through JUNE 8th so there is plenty of time!

off to pick up sweet pea from kindy now!

i’ll be signing at books inc in laurel village on friday night!

also, next friday MAY 15, i’ll be at a
benefit for rollingreaders at the new children’s
museum in downtown san diego. i’m really looking
forward to this as well!

i’ve been so busy with SILVER PHOENIX’s release
i haven’t been able to blog about an awesome group
i’ve joined that just started called THE WORD NINJAS, INK.
yes, it’s really that cool. =D

i made my first post today, “firsts” being a very
appropriate topic. you can read the first poem i ever
wrote–or at least felt it was worthy to type up and
keep. tho i’m almost sure it’s the first poem i wrote. =)

http://community.livejournal.com/thewordninjas/

also, don’t forget my SILVER PHOENIX SET FREE contest
running through JUNE 8th! make sure to comment directly
within that post to let me know what you’ve done to win some
raffles! =D i’ve seen so many nice posts online but my brain
is much too much too to keep track! so let me know!
and THANK YOU!!

http://cindypon.com/2009/silver-phoenix-set-free/

hope to meet some of you in san francisco! =D

and in celebration, i’m holding a contest and giving
away some awesome prizes. namely, an original framed
brushpainting. if you have not seen my art, please click
over to the chinese brush art link to your left. i can’t
say for certain which painting it will be, but a flower subject
or bamboo or cute critter / bird is very likely. i’m in the
midst of some art events so anything i
have on hand may sell. i price my framed paintings from
$200 to $400. along with a signed copy of my novel.

then i got to thinking. i realize i have some admirers
of my art, but it’s really rather presumptuous to assume
that everyone would be interested in that as a prize. so
another possible prize for the winner is a $100 gift card
to a book store of your choice. also offered with a signed
copy of my novel.

depending on how many participants there are–i may
give away more than one painting / gift card prize!!
so of course, in my bid for shameless self-promotion to
help my debut become the little asian fantasy novel that could,
i’m asking you to help spread the word!

there are many ways to earn a “raffle” ticket. you can
do part or all of these listed.

-post the cover of SILVER PHOENIX on your blog
and link back to this contest. please mention
the prizes!! [1 raffle!]

-post my awesome trailer by madison on your blog
and link back to this contest. please mention the
prizes!! [2 raffles!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJ1xy009bk

-read SILVER PHOENIX and post a review on your blog. [3 raffles!]

-read SILVER PHOENIX and post a review on amazon,
bn.com, borders, or any other site that sells books. [3 raffles!]

-read SILVER PHOENIX and post a review on goodreads,
librarything or any other forum that holds book discussions. [3 raffles!]

reviews should be honest, and at least 60 words long. that’s
really just a few sentences!

and as i said, you can do just ONE of these things listed above
or all of them, depending on how many raffles you’d like.
i will ship prizes galactically! and am looking forward to new
alien avvys from new commenters. =DD
contest will run through MONDAY, JUNE 8th! please leave
comments with links for me to verify the above for your raffles!

so my lovely readers, you who have supported and encouraged
me and been so kind these past three years. so many of you who
have witnessed my journey from the very beginning, THANK YOU!
i honestly would not have made it this far without you guys!!
my debut takes flight today and i’m hoping to watch her soar. =)

update : i’ve extended the contest to get at least 200 participants
and i will give away BOTH prizes! first name drawn can choose which
s/he wants and second winner gets the other prize!!

here’s to more good news in april!! eeee!

If the cover image of a fearless Chinese heroine reminds readers of such films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, that’s intentional; the story inside will, too. First-time novelist Pon has a screenwriter’s talent for producing a sweeping saga, and in this, the first of two books set in ancient China, 17-year-old Ai Ling faces demons, monsters, and gods as she tries to fulfill her destiny. Frightened after a local man tries to blackmail her into marriage, Ai Ling resolves to journey to the emperor’s palace where her missing father was last seen. Along the way, she meets the handsome Chen Yong, who is of mixed parentage and on a quest to find answers to questions about his family that have haunted him his whole life. (In the story’s prologue, readers get hints about his origins.) As in most martial-arts movies, the story sometimes takes a back seat to the action, but Pon doesn’t stint when it comes to her characters. Ai Ling is a clever and determined heroine, Chen’s younger brother is a witty teen whose girl-crazy ways transcend the centuries, and even the monsters have dimension. Pon’s writing, both fluid and exhilarating, shines whether she’s describing a dinner delicacy or what it feels like to stab an evil spirit in the gut. There’s a bit of sex here, including a near rape, but it’s all integral to a saga that spins and slashes as its heroine tries to find her way home.
— Ilene Cooper

i finally started feeling somewhat human
again on sunday and was upbeat–ready
to tackle my long to do list before debut release.
then monday rolled around (and as monday tends to do),
i inexplicably felt a little defeated and deflated
about everything. i’m a planner and a control freak,
and it’s difficult for me to acknowledge the fact that
there is only so much i can do for SILVER PHOENIX
to help her succeed. and that at some point, i’m just
going to have to let go in a way.

i’m in better mood today! i okayed the proof
for my postcards and am working on having
bookmarks made (with brush art!).
i don’t think i’ve mentioned
it before, but i hired a private publicist to help
with the release, and she was able to connect
me with the benefit shown above, honoring local
children’s authors and artists. i’m excited as it’ll
be another opportunity to display my art work
as well as sign books!

i will also be showing my art in spanish
village’s balboa park from april 15 – 27.
i was able to find a few pieces to back, as
i’ve mainly been painting for the picture book,
so didn’t have as many pieces this year.
we’re also closing in on a san diego launch
party for early may. i’ve created an EVENTS
listing on the side and will keep you posted!

it’s all very exciting and more than just a
little overwhelming. only four weeks away
now before SILVER PHOENIX lands in the
bookstores! eeee!

linky love : the debs love librarians give away!
win ARCs and released books plus other goodies!
(and yes! a copy of SILVER PHOENIX arc is in the
goodie bag!) are you a librarian or know one?
direct them over to this page! contest open through
this friday! =D

i picked up the bookplates today
and they are lovely. also bought
some “test pens” for autographs.
please email me : pon.cindy@gmail.com
if you cannot make the cali signings
and would like a personalized bookplate
to stick in the novel. =D

i’m currently working on postcards
for publicity purposes.

and this morning, i received my second
blurb…from meg cabot! amazing!!!

“I couldn’t put it down. Your heart will be racing, and you’ll be
aching for more. An addictive gem.”
~Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead series

thank you so much for taking the time to
read and blurb SILVER PHOENIX, meg!!
something had to give and i’m getting a sore
throat again. but i know it won’t be too bad.
i don’t have time to be sick! =)

there has been a lot of stuff going on for me!
today, i sent off my picture book dummy to
virginia. the moment of truth came when i had
all the pages printed and sat sweet pea down to
read her the story. she gave me a very good critique.
she said “how about if you don’t say [phrase] so
much?”

i had thought i’d use a repeated phrase but
she was right–totally didn’t read right. so i asked
what i could do instead. she said i could
use it maybe four times. that was okay. haha!
she was very considerate and thoughtful just
like virginia! it wasn’t like she said “i don’t like
this or i don’t like that…” i was surprised and
pleased.

then the second test came when i had the
love read the PB to sweet pea. (the revised
text according to her critiques. =) and i was
able to get some comments from the love.
the text is at about 600 words. i’m not sure
if i followed all the “rules”. but it was a pleasure
to work on and i’m looking forward to learning
more.

i’ve been so busy with behind the scenes
author stuff for SILVER PHOENIX release–
which is end of april / early may.

1. book signings. i’m working on doing signings
up in san francisco (tentative friday 5/8 at books
inc. in laurel heights) as well as los angeles and
in san diego. will NOT be doing nyc as i think it’s
too ambitious this year. i admit i only wanted to go
so i could meet my fabulous editor and agent and
all the wonderful people at greenwillow books. BUT
i definitely will be headed out there for the sequel.
maybe i’ll even have “fans” by then! =D

2. bookplates. i’ve finalized my bookplate
design! i’m very happy with the brush art
i chose: simple, graceful, elegant.
some people have wondered
where / when to buy my book. i’d say unless
you can make it to a signing in the locations
listed above, to buy them however you’d like–
from online or the bookstores. i will be thrilled to
send a personalized bookplate out to you!
simply email me with a request. =D i will
email back to confirm!
and yes, it’s available for preorder on amazon
as well as bn.com and borders.
also at mysterious galaxy an awesome local
independent bookstore. =D eeee!

3. been working on revamping my website.
something simple, reflecting me. i love my
current website–but i think it’s more catered
to showcasing my art than an author site.

4. also working on myspace and twitter presence.
both a tad overwhelming! but everyone says
the teen readers are on myspace, and i want a
way for them to easily get in touch! =)

5. and finally–my sequel.
it’s time to jump in again and
i am very truthfully, scared. all my
fellow writers suggest that i reread what
i’ve written to get back into it. i know a
main concern is that i haven’t had the time
to research and dream as i did for the debut.
i’m learning to work with deadlines.
but i do need to find that perfect balance for
the time that i have.

i am, however, excited by the thought of
working on it again, which is a very positive
sign. wish me luck, guys! =DD

and finally, i’m the judge for an awesome
contest run by fellow 09 deb lisa mantchev
for her novel eyes like stars. look at the gorgeous
cover below! she hasn’t stopped by yet on her
blog tour, BUT you can hop over to her newly
launched site and win an ARC. i am one of the
esteemed judges for the shakespearen themed
LOLCat contest! check it out!! you have until
the end of the day, march 17th, to play!!