KELLY QUINN is getting a face lift

I've received the much anticipated comments from my editor from Aladdin (Simon and Schuster's Children's Publishing Division), and not surprisingly, I'll be making more changes to KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB.
Recently, I've taken a break from KELLY to work on another project which isn't baked enough to tell you about. I'll just say that it's for an older audience than KELLY and takes place at a summer camp in the Poconos...that's it, I'm not saying anything else. And believe me, it's killing me because I'm excited about it. But, now I'm going to separate from the new project to attend to the KELLY comments. Some are quick fixes, while others are more significant and will take some time to figure out and rewrite.
I have a love/hate relationship with revising. Often being told you need to make changes to a project over which you've toiled for a very long time doesn't feel so good, although I have to say that I have an OUTSTANDING support network which makes this as painless as possible:
The WIPs: This is my very special critique group, the Works in Progress, that I'll talk about in more detail in another entry. They're feedback and ideas are always enlightening, and always gentle.
My agent: I'll admit that the first time Sarah told me to consider my manuscript a draft (after over a year of revising), I wasn't thrilled. But she was very specific with her guidance regarding what was needed for the plot to "work." She too was kind and gentle...and right, apparently because it caught the attention of the wonderful Alyson Heller.
Enter my new editor: Now a fresh set of eyes reviewed the piece from a slightly different perspective. Among other things, Alyson wants to ensure the commercial fit with Aladdin Mix. She knows the Mix audience well and wants to give them what they've come to expect from the imprint. When I didn't think there could be any room for improvement, Alyson has found the cracks that need mending.
So, it is with this newest set of insight that I'm determined to make KELLY even stronger. Working through edits can be time consuming, and tedious. BUT, it's also rewarding when you look at a chunk of pages and think, "By Golly, it's even better!"

Review of The Melting of Maggie Bean

So, if you can't tell, I've been on a reading binge. The great thing about reading these tween and YA books is that they are super quick, easy reads. On my quest to seek out an understand the Aladdin-Mix authors I also read The Melting Of Maggie Bean, by Tricia Rayburn.

Maggie looked down and barely saw her toenails peeking out from the shadow of her stomach. She closed her eyes and slowly stepped onto the scale. Once she finally opened her eyes, Maggie almost fell off the scale.
Maggie Bean's having a tough year. Since her dad lost his job he spends more time watching TV than talking to his family, and her mom's totally stressed about money. So Maggie focuses on what she does best: keeping up her straight-A average and eating chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.
But everything changes when Maggie gets a chance to try out for the synchronized swim team. Becoming a Water Wing has always been Maggie's dream -- who wouldn't want to have an instant circle of friends and wear that cute silver bathing suit? As a Water Wing, maybe she'll start believing she's more than just a socially awkward bookworm. Maybe people will see past the extra weight she's recently gained to the funny, cool girl hiding underneath. And maybe, just maybe, Peter Applewood will finally notice her.

This book was so cute. Maggie is an endearing character that I want to befriend and the struggle she faces broke my heart, at the same time her maturity is inspiring.

This is perfect for all ages. (nothing edgy to worry about.)