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Monday, June 20, 2011

Two Announcements

I've got two announcements for you guys this morning. The first one is probably obvious by now.

I've been invited to join the group blog, Project Middle Grade Mayhem. Some of my favorite authors are members there, like Hilary Wagner, Jen Blom, and Rose Cooper, and the other members all seem awesome, I just have to get to know them now.

In the meantime, it would be great if all of you would head over there, follow the blog, and say hello on my behalf. I haven't done a single post yet, but I'm looking forward to playing my part.

The other announcement is equally important. I'm sure you all remember the ridiculous article in the Wall Street Journal. The one that called Young Adult Literature too dark (and depraved) and specifically called out my friend, Andrew Smith, for writing a sick novel, with no happy ending. Well, Andrew is going to be interviewed this morning (10 AM CDT) on Minnesota Public Radio, on Midmorning with Kerri Miller.

I grew up in Minnesota, and I love Andrew's writing, so this is going to be interesting for me. Make sure you give it a listen if you like that kind of thing.
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43 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJune 20, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    And with all of this publicity, I bet Andrew's books are selling like crazy now.

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  2. Laura PaulingJune 20, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Pretty cool! Heading over to check it out!

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  3. Steve MCJune 20, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Congrats on the new blog. I love the cross between MG and Fight Club. Especially the Manifesto and Club Rules.

    And Alex, yeah, nothing like some controversy to sell books.

    Huck Finn was banned when it first came out, with Louisa May Alcott saying, “If Mr. Clemens cannot think of something better to tell our pure-minded lads and lasses he had best stop writing for them.”

    But as Twain wrote to his editor, “The Committee of the Public Library of Concord have given us a rattling tip-top puff which will go into every paper in the country... That will sell 25,000 copies for us sure.”

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  4. SarahJune 20, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    Wow, Matt. Another group blog! You are a busy guy--now I'll head over the check out the blog!

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  5. StinaJune 20, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    The name's familiar, not sure why. Guess I'd better mosey on down to find out why.

    Unfortunately I won't be able to listen to Andrew's discussion. I hope he kicks some major ass. :D

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  6. Natalie AguirreJune 20, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Congrats on joining Project Mayhem. That's awesome. I already follow it.

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  7. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Congrats on Project Mayhem. It is great to see great Middle Grade blogs out there.
    Thanks for the heads up on the Midmorning program too.

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  8. UnknownJune 20, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    "it would be great if all of you would head over there, follow the blog" - done!

    I live in Mexico so it's difficult for me to listen to some American radio but I will try online. I'm glad your friend is being given the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

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  9. S.A. LarsenッJune 20, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Already follow the Mayhem!! Congrats, Matt. That's fantastic. :)

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  10. TrishaJune 20, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Congrats on joining the Mayhem team!! Very exciting :)

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  11. Sommer LeighJune 20, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Congrats on the new group blog invite! I can't wait to read it!

    Also, I LOVE ANDREW SMITH!!! Fabulous writer all around.

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  12. LindsayJune 20, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Yay. Congrats on the group blog invite. :)

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  13. RenaeJune 20, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Congrats on joining Mayhem! I'm heading over there right now!

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  14. Creepy Query GirlJune 20, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    awesome! On my way!

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  15. Michael G-GJune 20, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Matt from Minnesota @ Mayhem. Marvelous!

    Great to see Middle Grade getting so much love!

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  16. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Congrats, Matt! This brought a smile to my face this Monday morning. (Trust me, that's a tall order.)

    Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. And 'grats as well on being a new member of the 700 Club.

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  17. Nicole ZoltackJune 20, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Congrats on joining Mayhem! It looks awesome. I'm a new follower there.

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  18. Suzie F.June 20, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Hooray for more Middle Grade blogs and congrats on joining! As a MG writer I love seeing that it's getting more support.

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  19. Jeff BeeslerJune 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Congratulations to both you and Andrew! I'm sure you'll have fun getting to know those authors in that group, and as for Andrew, good stuff seems to be stemming from something so bent toward malice.

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  20. Carolyn AbiadJune 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Yay for Andrew Smith and congrats on the Mayhem too! :)

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  21. Hart JohnsonJune 20, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Congrats on the invitation for the group blog! And nice that MPR is addressing the 'controversy'. I followed your blog up with my own thoughts on the matter and pretty much all my reader responses were in agreement... nobody is forcing anyone to read anything, and the lighter stuff is THERE--the options need to be there because a lot of readers want/need that.

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  22. Christina LeeJune 20, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Hope Andrew's book flies off the shelves!

    And good for you, buddy!!!!

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  23. Old KittyJune 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Yay for spreading your wings over at this fab group blog!!!

    And Yay for Andrew Smith too for being dark and depraved!!! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  24. Lydia KangJune 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    I was also thinking, it's good publicity for his books.

    Congrats on joining the MG group!

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  25. Bryan RussellJune 20, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Are you gonna do a Bransford and write some middle grade now?

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  26. L. Diane WolfeJune 20, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Congrats on the group blog. YA is tough to write, but I'd think MG would be even more difficult.

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  27. Sarah AhiersJune 20, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    yay congrats! And Hannah emailed me this morning about MPR so i was in the know

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  28. S. L. DuncanJune 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Listening to MPR right now!

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  29. Paul JosephJune 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    This stupid bookstore wouldn't connect me. Any chance there will be a link to the archive?

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  30. Bethany ElizabethJune 20, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    That's great for Andrew - giving him a chance to speak back. :) Awesome. And congrats on your new blogging group!!

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  31. Tracey NeithercottJune 20, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Congrats on joining the mayhem!

    And way to go, Andrew! I hope he showed The Man that not all stories need happy endings.

    (Also, the photo of you and your daughter is at my right as I type this. She's so adorable I want to pinch her cheeks.)

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  32. kahJune 20, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Yay to both!

    Sorry I missed Andrew's radio interview. :( But how awesome is that?!

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  33. Talli RolandJune 20, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    That's a fab group to be part of - congrats! I heard on another blog about that interview but I haven't heard it.

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  34. Jemi FraserJune 20, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Very cool - I'll head over to the site - but it might not be till tomorrow - graduation tonight :)

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  35. Marsha SigmanJune 20, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Congrats to you! I'll head over asap!

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  36. Janet JohnsonJune 20, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    Congrats on the invite! And best of luck to Andrew. :)

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  37. SlamdunkJune 20, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Best of luck with the group blog Matthew; you always have an interesting perspective and will be a good addition there.

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  38. Lisa Gail GreenJune 21, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Very cool!! I wish I had seen this earlier, I would have listened to the interview. Also FYI, my dad is from Duluth and I visited every year for the first twenty years of my life.

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  39. Hilary WagnerJune 21, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    We are sooooo happy to have you! :)

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  40. Colene MurphyJune 21, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Congrats!! That's awesome!! Also, she did that author more good than harm, I would think. Hope his interview went well!

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  41. Angela AckermanJune 21, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    WOOT! So glad to hear you're joining PM. That's awesome!

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  42. Mike WinchellJune 21, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Very happy to have you as a fellow Mayhemer, Matt! You'll be a great addition.

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  43. Rose CooperJune 21, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Yay Matt! So happy to you have there!You'll be a terrific fit for the blog :)

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