Geek News and Musings

PROM QUEEN GEEKS!

HI all… the newest adventures of the Queen Geeks, titled PROM QUEEN GEEKS, is being hatched even as we speak (or blog.) I’ve posted the first chapter her on the site for your reading pleasure. Simply go to the ABOUT THE BOOKS link, download the PDF, read, and comment! I’d also like to know what you think about the cover, too.

Posted by laura on June 25th, 2008 under News | 3 Comments »

Book signings today/tonight!

Hey - due to my inability to keep track of months and days, I am only today putting in the blog that I am doing four book signings this week as part of Children’s Book Week. Today, Wednesday, I’ll be swooping into the San Diego Central Library at 1:30, and then I’ll be jetting over to the Point Loma library on Voltaire Street for a 4 p.m. appearance. At 6:30, I’ll be at the Mira Mesa library, whooping it up with the Mira Mesans. Tomorrow, Thursday, I’ll be at the Rolando library at 3:30. Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore (the best little bookstore in San Diego, I might add) is hosting these events and will be selling books, so come on down!

Posted by laura on May 14th, 2008 under Book Signings | Comment now »

PMS Avenger!

I have decided, based on random research surfing on the web, that I will be cultivating a new identity: PMS Avenger! The first premenstrual syndrome superhero (I think, although this is just an idea off the top of my head, so I haven’t really checked). Why would I even think of this? While researching one of those pesky writing questions (”can you hurt someone with an air rifle?” And by the way, if you know the answer, please email me at lpreble@cox.net) I found a site featuring a weapon so amazing, so revolutionary, that is demands its own champion. Check back for the future adventures of PMS Avenger!

Click here for the ultimate PMS Avenger weaponry!

Posted by laura on April 12th, 2008 under Random Thoughts | 3 Comments »

Detroit Free Press review

Well, even though I’m a Buckeye from Ohio State, and therefore a sworn enemy of the Wolverine State, the Detroit Free Press had a nice review of the book, so I’m linking it here. My book is reviewed about halfway down the page in the article. Go Bucks, though!

Posted by laura on February 29th, 2008 under News | Comment now »

Walking on Air podcast

Click here to hear the interview!

I did an interview last week with two absolutely hilarious women, Betsy and Sal, on their radio show Walking on Air out of Chicago. I’ve included the link if you’d like to hear it; my part begins exactly in the middle of the show, so you may have to forward through the first part if you don’t want to hear about politics and the fact that their intern set his bedroom on fire. Those are also interesting segments, though, so you might want to listen!

Posted by laura on February 25th, 2008 under News | Comment now »

SCWC and stuff

Hey, loyal geeks…I’ve noticed that I don’t have too many reviews on Amazon.com, and while I have a few on Barnes and Noble, I could always use more. If you’re so inclined, I’d really appreciate a nice review on one or both of these sites. Of course, if you didn’t like the books, feel free to ignore this message.

I just gave a presentation at the Southern California Writer’s Conference this weekend. It was quite fun, especially when one person at my workshop asked me if I did standup! I can be really funny if I’m not trying. I think that if I were to have a spot at the Improv, I’d freeze up and start lecturing about John Steinbeck or something equally non-amusing. Anyway, it was a lot of fun, and as always, I learned a lot from talking to the participants at the workshop (titled YOUNG ADULT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION). The ironic thing is that I often get as much out of talking to the participants as they do from my presentation, I think. It’s always great to meet other writers in any context.

I’ll be going to the Big Sur Writing Conference next month, and am really excited about having a whole weekend to work on NOTHING but writing! If you’re in the Big Sur area, let me know!

Posted by laura on February 18th, 2008 under News | 1 Comment »

Kansas City Star Review

Need a quick read? Meet the `Queen Geeks’

By Laura Peterson
McClatchy Newspapers

“The Queen Geek Social Club” pulls you in through Shelby Chappelle’s quirky inner thoughts, crazy friends, bizarre home life and unpredictable actions. (MCT)
Tuscaloosa News

It was the first day of break, and I was curled up in my bed in a mass of blankets with a mug of hot cocoa. I was too cozy to get up so I grabbed “The Queen Geek Social Club” that was sitting on my nightstand.

As I made my way through the first couple of pages, I found myself unable to set this book down. As each chapter ended with an unanswered question, I just had to turn the page and begin the next chapter, which was filled with even more teen angst, new love correlations and ongoing drama.

“The Queen Geek Social Club” pulls you in through Shelby Chappelle’s quirky inner thoughts, crazy friends, bizarre home life and unpredictable actions.

Author Laura Preble included great detail and commentary along with the plot. What makes this book even more enjoyable is that as a teenage girl I was able to connect with the characters and their problems. Preble was able to take the average problems teenage girls face and make then fascinating.

So, if you’re looking for a great and quick read, “The Queen Geek Social Club” is just that book. With a cliff-hanger ending you might even find yourself picking up its sequel, “Queen Geeks in Love” right after to continue and find out what happens in the chaotic high school life of Shelby, just like I did.

Laura Peterson is a junior at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City, Mo.

Posted by laura on January 23rd, 2008 under News | Comment now »

Review from Press & Sun-Bulletin

Young adult chick lit has geeks in love, conflict

Kevin Lucia

“Queen Geeks in Love” (Berkley Jam Books), by Laura Preble

Laura Preble’s second novel is as enjoyable as the first, providing many humorous, entertaining moments. The narrative is witty, lively, maybe just a tad outrageous — but that’s part of the fun. Regardless, “Queen Geeks in Love” continues the saga of Geek Extraordinaire Shelby Chapelle, while leaving plenty of room for further geek adventures.

Last year, loner Shelby met the indefatigable Becca Gallagher and their lives were changed forever. Not content to hide in the cultural elite’s shadows, Becca inspired and formed the “Queen Geek Social Club” to advance the cause of geeks everywhere. Now, a smashing school dance and summer vacation later, the girls enter 10th grade and face the only thing powerful enough to threaten their solidarity: boys.

Suddenly, things are thrown awry as Shelby grapples with conflicting feelings for new boyfriend Fletcher, Amber and Becca fight over a sullen goth-comic-book artist, and a goon in a rabbit suit leaves Becca love notes. To further complicate matters, Becca plans (much to Shelby’s horror) to expand the Queen Geek mandate to include a Web site, an appearance at the local ComicCon as the “Geektastic Four,” and a first annual “GeekFest” — a talent show of geeky proportions.

Preble loses none of her steam in this story. The characters are realistic, making them easy to sympathize with, and there are plenty of laugh-aloud moments in this extremely fun read. Proving she has her finger on the pulse of what it means to be human and a teenager, Preble has a bright Young Adult literary future ahead. Link to Kevin’s other reviews

Posted by laura on December 1st, 2007 under News | Comment now »

The Dresden Files - Support Geeks!

I am a huge fan of Jim Butcher’s excellent books, THE DRESDEN FILES, and of the subsequent TV series on Sci Fi. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after ONE season. A lot of us geeks are banding together to bring the show back, and if you’re a sci fi nut, I’d urge you to jump on the bandwagon. You can help my going to Hey Nielsen!, a site that allows you to rate TV shows without actually having a Nielsen box in your home.

http://www.heynielsen.com/ If you’re a fan of the show/books, also blog about it!

Posted by laura on November 11th, 2007 under News | Comment now »

West Hills Superhero Contest Winners

Hey all - I did a little mini-competition in the BE A SUPERHERO contest specifically for West Hills, my high school. I’ll be posting the winning entries as soon as I can notify the winners, who are Kenny Davis, Priscilla Fernandez, and Jordan Zuniga: they win the Barnes and Noble cash! There will be other winners in the future, so feel free to submit your hero!

Posted by laura on November 10th, 2007 under News | Comment now »