Sara Ryan

It was at least a year ago that Paul and Colleen told me I ought to read The True Meaning of Smekday. It took me a while, but guys, you were right. So I’m late to the party, but because some of y’all may be as well, I’ll tell you the book’s basic premise. Gratuity [...]

Unrelated, except insofar as estate sales evoke melancholy almost by definition: I was pleased to discover that I could get Little Sue albums on emusic, and it made me realize that my music collection is currently underrepresented in moody alt-country. Suggestions?

…when I was a guest on the Erika Moen Show (with your host, Erika Moen) check it out. It is totally archived, in two parts, and embedded here for your convenience:

Sometimes I see shapes in driftwood. This one: a hand holding a tiny pen. Sea serpent. Other times I don’t, but I can’t stop taking pictures regardless.

Via deliasherman. Generates haikus from your recent journal entries. Here are three that sound a bit like a story, especially if you read them aloud dramatically: the question of why i decided to read it before i read her delights me when i find out what kind of writer you are thinking what absolutely not [...]

Sometimes people read books because they think the books will be Important, and even Improving. That is not why I decided to read Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga, but you would be forgiven if you looked at the expressionist painting on the cover and came to that conclusion. Chelsey recommended the book, and I’m so [...]

I first “met” Liz Funk years ago when she emailed me after she’d read Empress. Now she’s 20 and has just published a book of her own, Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Overachieving Girls. I asked her some questions about her experience: What inspired you to write this book? Growing up, I [...]

April — whether it will be the cruelest month is yet to be determined, but it’s definitely the most packed with travel & events so far in ’09! April 3-5th: I will ride the train up to Seattle for the Emerald City ComiCon and the debut of Flytrap #4, Performance Anxiety! April 18-19th: I will [...]

So lately I have been trying to see more live theater. I’ve been fairly successful in this goal, in part because a very cool theater company, Portland Playhouse, is now within easy walking distance of my house. Last weekend, for instance, I saw Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck. Portlanders, I recommend the production. Get there quick, [...]

Hey, folks within a reasonable distance of Portland — Friday at 5 pm, you should come to the Barnes & Noble at Clackamas Town Center for the SCBWI Oregon Author/Illustrator Gala! The event description from the bookstore site: “Join us as we celebrate the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Ilustrators – Oregon! Meet Deborah [...]