Last week I had a very honest conversation with author Jen Calonita about navigating middle school. We talked about our new books, our fantasy do-overs, and how the struggles we had as 12-year-olds haven’t gone away. We also explore my new favorite question: Is it possible for friends to grow up without growing apart?

Well? Is it? What do you think?

Enjoy!

xoxo Lisi

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YALLWEST over the weekend was a blast. For those who couldn’t make it I’m sad we didn’t get our face time in, but I’ve included some highlights below to make up for it. Here’s a very behind the scenes look to start off.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFXCyJ2H2uc]

I moderated the panel “Do popular things automatically suck?” Turns out they don’t. Lovely authors Maya Van Wagenen, Danielle Paige, Victoria Aveyard and Morgan Rhodes were panelists.

My dear friend and famed editor Erin Stein sniper snapped this shot of me moderating panelists in leather leggings. Realized when I got home I’d worn them backwards. At least in person I pretended to be cool (#WeArePretenders 24/7) and some people actually bought it, as evidenced by Danielle Paige’s tweet.

@LisiHarrison @arbiteroftaste @YALLWEST Lisi, it was so nice finally meeting you IRL! As expected, such a fun, funny and smart moderator!

— danielle paige (@daniellempaige) April 14, 2015

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry_uyDZvOgc]

The infamous, aforementioned green room. It was buzzing all day like this.

Naturally, we took selfies. So many selfies. Here’s one featuring Erin, author Shannon Hale and me. Love these ladies.

Reading our “1 Star” reviews.

If you’re not following me on Twitter then you didn’t know I was posting behind the scenes videos at the event. You don’t want to miss something urgent like that again so go follow me now. I’ll wait.

Reemerging for a little sunlight and book fest fun did me wonders but this week I’m back in my writer’s cave cranking out Dirty Book Club pages. If I didn’t get a chance to see your face this weekend I’d love to see it this week while in hibernation. Tweet me, DM me on Instagram or PM me on Facebook a selfie with a message you want to share. I’ll personally respond to all. Can’t wait to see you!

TTYW,
Lisi

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I know I haven’t had much face time with you lately. In case you miss my mug Google “Lisi Harrison images,” then drain all color from my face and replace my ah-dorable outfit with something ill-fitting and typically worn when flu-like symptoms kick in. Yes, I’ve spent the winter hibernating in my writer’s cave working on my adult novel The Dirty Book Club and mama misses the wonderful world of YA. To prove it, I’ll be at Yallwest Saturday, April 11th. What’s Yallwest? Only the most ah-mazing YA book festival eva! Here’s a rundown of where you can find me.

On Saturday, April 11th at Santa Monica High School:

* I’ll be moderating the panel “Do Popular Things Automatically Suck?” with lovely YA authors Victoria Aveyard, Danielle Paige, Morgan Rhodes, and Maya Van Wagenen in the Gallery from 11:00am-12:00pm.

* Then, I will be signing books in the Science Quad from 12:00-1:00pm.

* I will be hustling my butt over to the Cafetorium from 1:00pm-2:00pm to be part of the panel for “That Time I Sucked,” which should not be missed.

Still not sold on coming out next weekend? Check out all the ah-mazing authors who will also be at YallWest April 11-12 here, and watch the video below for the rest of the event’s details. Can’t wait to see you there!

TTYW,

Lisi

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She’s so a Sheridan.

I’m back in the office, working hard to respond to your questions. Gustavo, Rebecca, and Maya, I’ve answered you today. More to come next week on the Blah-g and be sure to check my Facebook page for more photos from the Summer Soiree.

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POST YOURS by messaging me on Facebook or Tumblr and submitting your confession, or just tweet it @LisiHarrison or comment on Instagram @Lisi4RealHarrison. That’s it!

TTYW,

Lisi

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We’ve all heard the phrase, fake it ’til you make it. But these master pretenders started after they made it. Or maybe fame gave them the means to become the people they were truly meant to be. It’s impossible to know. If only we had their journals…

5. Snooki from MTV’s Jersey ShoreFrom naughty to hottie.

4. Miley Cyrus

From ah-dore to hard core.

3. Justin Timberlake

From rapper to dapper.

2. Heidi Montag of MTV’s Laguna Beach

From girl-next-door to door-knockers.

1. Lady Gaga, queen of pretending

From prim to grim to him.

* * *

I’m off to L.A. to talk the talk. Gonna try and make Pretenders into a TV show, baby! Wish me luck!!!

And if you didn’t hear the news yesterday,  pre-order your copy of PRETENDERS now to find out which Noble High freshmen are faking amazing and why. The first 25 people to post a screen shot of their receipt on my Facebook page will win a sneak peek of book #2, License To Spill. Want me to sign your copy? Choose the VIP option at the link!

Pre-Order PRETENDERS here

TTYW,

Lisi

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What do you say? Can we at least try it once and see how it goes?

Shhhhhh. Don’t speak. I’ll leave you with the details and you can think about it. But don’t think too long or someone else may come along and steal your spot. No pressure. Just saying…

If you’re feeling it–feeling us–click on this link: Little, Brown Live at the Lounge
on Tuesday, September 24th at 7pm EST / 4pm PST. I’ll be the one wearing the S.W.A.P. (Sealed With A Promise) bracelets and the shy smile. I’ll show you the colors and designs we chose and tell you how to get one for yourself. Of course we’ll chat about   PRETENDERS, boys, school, friends, fashion, my past series, my future series, our plans for the future.

Nervous? Don’t be. Megan McCafferty, author of Jessica Darling’s It List will be there too.

You will be able to submit questions for us to answer and you’ll also have the opportunity to ask us questions live, on video.

RSVP ASAP to guarantee a spot. I’m serious, hurry! (Too forward?) R.S.V.P.

Not only will we be giving away copies of PRETENDERS and JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST, but you’ll have a chance to win a boxed set of the Monster High and Jessica Darling series and a new S.W.A.P. bracelet. We might even read from our old journals to prove how serious we are about taking this relationship to the next level. We’re talking real heart-on-the-sleeve stuff here.

All I’m asking is that you think about it. And that you decide to go for it. And that you RSVP right away. And that you ask us questions. And give us compliments. But only if you’re ready. Which you should be. Because I am. And we promised never to grow apart.

Think about it.

TTYTuesday (if you want.)

Lisi

(Please say yes.)

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Example: I wrote the first two Clique books while working at MTV but when Best Friends for Never debuted at #7 on the New York Times Bestseller list I was forced to quit and write full time. Suddenly life became very lonely. It was awful.

Humble Blah-gging = Blah-gging about your new series while couching it in a phony show of humility.

Example:

Wow! I am seriously spacey. I didn’t even realize I was holding the pens that promote my highly anticipated new series, Pretenders. Someone had to point it out to me. I must be losing my mind. Medic!

You know me. It’s not in my nature to brag, humbly or otherwise. So imagine how uncomfy I felt when Erin, my editor insisted that I post a list of reasons why you’ll love Pretenders. I was like, Erin that is so obnoxious and self-aggrandizing. I honestly don’t have it in me.

Erin: Oh, come on, Lisi. Write about your genius plotting. The way you strung five stories together with such grace. It was as if those journal entries were woven together by the magical hands of Gawd, herself. And the character’s voices. I am convinced they’re real.

Me: I dunno. Sounds kind of braggy.

Erin: Fine. Then how about how hilarious it is? I mean I literally laughed out loud on the subway. No word of a lie, I needed CPR. I didn’t even care. My dying wish was that I could stay alive long enough to see how it ended. Thankfully, I did. I mean Jagger’s final entry? Total shocker!

Me: Meh.

Erin: What about how girls will finally understand how the male mind works, especially when it comes to matters of the heart? I mean seriously, Lisi, I’m calling you The Hammer, because you nailed it. I’ve always wondered what guys think and now I know. At the very least readers will realize that boys have feelings too. That’s important. Really.

Me: I know, but do I have to say that? Can’t readers come to that conclusion on their own? It feels more genuine.

Erin: Why show when you can tell? Unless we’re talking about your author photo. That should definitely be shown. It’s a perfect mix of sassy and serious. And that yellow shirt really pops.

Me: I’m not writing about my photo.

Erin: Gawd, you’re humble. Hmmmm. Oh, I love how you prove that there’s more than one side to every story. I’m always trying to figure out what guys are thinking. My friends and I analyze crush-conversations and texts for hours. Pretenders proves that there’s always more going on than we think. It also shines a light on the enormous amount of pressure teens face these days. How the bar has been raised too high. Looks, grades, Facebook “likes,” trophies. . . We are in a constant state of competition, with others and ourselves. It seems as though the only way to win is to pretend you’re better than you really are. It’s tragic. That really resonated with me.

Me: Thanks. But I think I’m going to let the book speak for itself.

Erin: Could you at least mention your Instagram account?

Me: You mean the one that focuses on confessions? Sure. It’s Lisi4realHarrison. I had to add the 4real because some Pretender swiped my name. Hey, “LisiHarrison,” if you are reading this please make yourself known by posting your picture and writing, I am a pretender because I am using Lisi Harrison’s name on Instagram. #wearepretenders. It’s the least you could do.

Even if you didn’t swipe my name, please let me know how you are a pretender. Do you spray tan? Fake sick? Cheat on tests? Say, “I love you” when you don’t? Hair extensions? Claim to run a six minute mile? Send yourself flowers? Fake being vegan? Don’t forget the hash tag #wearepretenders. I am creating a Pretenders interconnectivity web across social media and I want you to be part of it. I already posted one of the many ways I am a pretender. Go on, take a look. I’m about to post another one because I just plagiarized “interconnectivity web across social media” from Alisha the office elf. Thanks Alisha! Now will you please tell me what that means?

TTYW

Lisi (or am I?)

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KEVY: What’s Lisi’s favorite thing to make for dinner?

ANYONE WITH EARS: I dunno, what?

KEVY: Reservations.

(Fake laughter.)

I roll my eyes when he tells it even though it’s true. I can’t cook. And those who can’t do should turn to those who can.

So when S.R. Rhodes sent me a message on Facebook on the difficulties of getting published, I turned to my brilliant editor, Erin, for the answer.

Need a visual? Here we are last week in my office. She was in San Diego for Comic-Con and stopped by Laguna for an afternoon of chit-chat and shopping. The owner of an ah-dorable local boutique called Isla gave us free matching key chains because we bought up the store. As you can see, we were very excited.

My excitement continues because Erin put some serious thought into her advice and if you follow it, I will be reading your books someday.

Here is S.R. Rhodes’ question:

Hi Lisi,

For me, queries can be a bit intimidating. I feel like literary agents focus so intensely on the query letter that the manuscript itself, good or bad, has little importance. I know that rejection is a part of life but in the “author” world it has become overwhelming, especially when no criticism is given. I have read books, web blogs and digest magazines with tips on queries, and just when I think I’ve figured it out… another rejection. No publishers will accept manuscripts without representation except for the ones who ask for hundreds of dollars up front. My passion for writing is a well-lit flame that will never burn out. I write day and night- typing, pen and paper or talking into recording devices. I’m not a quitter…I will fight for my dreams hopefully gaining more knowledge and skills along the way. I need some insight from another author, which is why I’m messaging you. Any words of wisdom? Thank you.

Sincerely,
S.R. Rhodes

Now Erin, over to you…

Hi readers,

Lisi asked me to answer a few questions for you. I know a lot of you are aspiring authors and that is fantastic! Keep writing! As with any artistic calling, it can be hard to break out and get your work noticed. For large publishing houses, the standard policy is to only accept manuscripts that are submitted through an agent. This is largely just a matter of volume—editors couldn’t possibly answer every single query if it was an open-door policy and most publishers do respond to every submission they get. So here are some ideas on making your way in the publishing world…
1) It is easiest to get your manuscript seen by a publisher if you have an agent. An agent truly is a great advocate for an author. So do consider trying to get representation for yourself.

2) Editors keep their eyes peeled for talent out in the world. Try other forms of writing—try your hand at journalism by writing for websites, magazines or newspapers and build up a clip file of published work. Write a blog on a topic that interests you and try to drum up a following. Or self publish through a variety of different platforms and try to garner an initial readership for your book that way. (These kinds of projects are all great experience that you can use to pitch yourself to an agent as well.)
3) Consider paying a small fee to a freelance editor to review your manuscript and help you revise. There are a lot of great people out there who can help you take your writing to the next level.
4) Attend writing workshops or attend a full writing program. It will help you polish your work and meet other authors.
As with any career, the best thing you can do is network! Take classes, talk to local professors or authors, attend seminars, join a writers association—there are trade organizations for all aspects of the publishing industry. Apply for an internship at a publisher, or an agency, or to assist an author. The more people you meet, the more people you are connected to through their connections. The more people you know, the more you can talk about your projects and get advice. If you network your way to an editor, sometimes you can get someone to look at your work without an agent.
Basically, you need to do everything you can to put yourself out there and make connections. You also need to make sure you are putting your best work out there. Really take your time to develop your writing, and if you can’t get anyone to notice the first book you write, write another! A writer’s work is never done (as Lisi can tell you!). Keep creating…and good luck!

THANK YOU ERIN!!!!!!

I have to go make my dinner reservations for tonight. I’m expecting company.

TTYW,

Lisi

The post Erin is Carin’: My Editor’s Advice on How to Get Published appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

It’s painful. And what’s worse? Mine is spreading. I am about to address your questions, none of which have anything to do with writing. I will give my opinion and dole out advice. All while silencing the voices that keep telling me I have no idea what I’m talking about. Although these ones might be right.

Dreamerhogwartsbeliever on Tumblr asked: If you could cast any young stars on the Hollywood scene at the moment for the second Clique movie, who would you pick? (Not including the girls from the first movie).

Emma Roberts as Massie

Karley Scott Collins as Claire.

Selena Gomez as Alicia.

   Bella Thorne as Dylan.

HELP!!!!!! I have spent the last HOUR trying to cast Kristen. ANY IDEAS???
A young Blake Livley is where my heads at.

Noah Cyrus as Layne. (LOVE THIS ONE!)

2. Lauren Hass on Twitter asks: What was the dream career that you wanted when you were a little kid?!

EhMaFraud: You’re looking at it. (When you’re reading one of my novels.)

3. Julia from my Blah-g comments asks: You and Kevy and married, correct? Or do you just live together and are in looovvee?

EhMaFraud: Yes we are married. But I prefer to call him my life-crush. It sounds more exciting.

4.  From Kathy off my blah-g comments:

“On Sunday my grade went on a field trip for a couple days with kids from another campus my school is associated with. I know the kids from there, we were together in primary. One of the girls there (code name Anabelle) was one of my friends from the school. But during the trip she did something really mean to me and I have no idea why.
Here’ what happened. She was talking to all my guy friends and keeping them away from me just to piss me off and make me jealous (excuse my language in this comment, I’m just really mad at the girl). I don’t know what I’ve ever done to make her want to hurt me, but for some reason she did. We went out to dinner one night, and there was just one friend of mine who was making our table the best one to be at, it was soooo much fun!! But than Anabelle was like, “oh can I talk to you?” so he went over to her table. She kept him there for a really long time. Then when he left, she said “what else can I do to make Kathy jealous?” A friend of mine that was at her table told me about it.
I’ve never done anything to hurt her and it really pisses me off that she’d do something like that to me. I felt like walking up to her and telling her she was a b!tch, but I didn’t. I thought I’d tell her over e-mail but I decided no to. I want to get revenge over her but I know it would be wrong. I don’t know what to do. I know I’m mad and that she shouldn’t be able to get away with it that easily, but I don’t know how I can get back at her with out acting like a total b!tch myself. I don’t wanna sink to her level.

This is a REALLY long comment and it means the world to me if you read it.
Any advice? I’d love to hear your say in the matter!!”

EhMaFraud: Kathy, few things hurt more than a friend turning on you, especially when you don’t know why. I understand the urge to fight back and hurt her the way she hurt you. Believe me, I do. But even a fake advice giver like myself can see that she’s trying to get a reaction out of you. So the best way to get her back is to ignore her. Imagine an invisible bubble around yourself and don’t let her in. The more she tries to penetrate the thicker your bubble gets. It may seem like you’re taking the easy way out but ignoring takes more strength than calling someone names. And please do NOT email anything to her. Emails can be changed, forwarded, posted, and used for evil. Write everything you WANT to say to her in a private journal, then say nothing. And remember, bubble up for safety!

Please label all future inquiries to Ask EhMaFraud and I will do my best to answer them.

TTYW,

Lisi

Proud Fraud Complex survivor since 2001.

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