Make way for Liz Gallagher!!!

YAHOOOOOOOO!

We really hope everyone has fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, because it’s time to break out another bottle of bubbly!!!

Yes, it’s time to lift our glasses, toast to the very first Class of 2k8 author, LIZ GALLAGHER!!

Liz is a former children’s bookseller and early education teacher. She received her MFA in writing for children from Vermont College and lives in Seattle (if you want to more about Liz--including the story of how this witch costumed inspired her book--come back tomorrow for her author interview).

Or stop by on Wednesday, for the Liz Gallagher tour of Fremont, Washington. Or on Thursday or Friday for other top-secret Liz-related fun.

Why all the fuss?

Because today Liz is stepping over the threshold, taking the plunge, (and mixing just about every other metaphor you can think up) as she becomes an AUTHOR.

A real live author.

For everyone out there who isn’t an unpublished author, let us take a moment to say that this is HUGE. This is the day Liz has dreamed of for years and years. It's like having a baby, making a million dollars, waking up to find herself a movie star. Just imagine what it would feel like to find your childhood dreams had come true.

Just like that.

Her book will be shelved in libraries everywhere, beloved by teenagers all across the country. And so it seems only appropriate that we find some way to create a fuss.

So... without further ado... YAY! HURRAH! WOOOOOO HOOOOO!

It's time you ran out and got yourself a copy of her awesome book, The Opposite of Invisible!

It looks like this:

Hot, right?

It's really really good. You want the official scoop?

Alice and Jewel have been best friends since grade school. Together, they don’t need anyone else, and together they blend into the background of high school. Invisible. To Alice, Jewel is the opposite of invisible. Jewel is her best friend who goes to Indie concerts and art shows with her. Jewel scoffs at school dances with her. Alice is so comfortable around Jewel that she can talk to him about almost anything. But she can’t tell him that she likes the cool, popular Simon. And then Simon asks her to the school dance the same day that Jewel kisses her for the first time. Still, she can’t say no to Simon. He seems like the easy choice, the one she’s attracted to, the one she’s ready for. But will it mean losing Jewel? In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush, and what it means to be yourself when you’re not sure who that is yet.

Now you'll have to read it. How could you not run out and get one right now?

Or, if you're too lazy to run you can order the book here!

Then you can spend some more time with Liz at Randombuzzers!

And if you want to meet her in person, you can catch her Saturday, January 12, at 1 pm, at the Chester County Book Company, in West Chester PA.

Now, show Liz some serious love, folks! She's an author now. She's all growed up! Leave a comment in the box, and let her know how proud you are of her.

That way, when she's uber famous, you'll have proof you knew her when.