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Take it from spiritual guru Deepak Chopra—and author Jessica Brody!—karma is alive and kicking. Just reading about the talented Ms. Brody’s steps to publication brings to mind that ole what-comes-around-goes-around adage. A few years ago Jessica took a leap of faith. She quit her job and decided to answer to her inner 5-year-old (the one who always knew writing was her true calling). Jessica’s karmic investment is paying in divine dividends today. She hit the publishing world by storm, releasing two popular adult novels. And this week,  she makes her YA debut with THE KARMA CLUB.  Here’s the story teaser that’ll leave you wanting more…

About The Karma Club:
When you mess with Karma, Karma messes back…
Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you’ll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve. But when Maddy’s boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind and get back at the people who have wronged them. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.

Also be sure to check out the book trailer for THE KARMA CLUB (on the scroll-down), featuring a cameo by Mr. Chopra himself!!  But for now, take it away, Jessica…

DR: What’s your favorite stage of your work process: researching, writing or editing? Why?

JB: Definitely writing. I actually hate researching. I don’t have any patience for it. I’m just like, “Let me get in there and I’ll make it up as I go along!” Haha. Editing is probably my second favorite, but usually by the time I’m in the editing stage, I’ve already started writing a new book and I much more excited about that.

DR: How do you get over a major bout of writer’s block?

JB: I never use the term “writer’s block”…well, except right there. I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction. What you resist persists. What you focus on only gets bigger. If I went around saying, “Crap, I have writer’s block,” then yes, I would have writer’s block. If I refuse to even acknowledge the concept, then it doesn’t exist. And guess what? I’ve never had it. Of course, I get stuck from time to time as any writer does. To deal with it, I usually just mediate and tell myself, “the solution already exists; I just have to remember what it is.” By the time I wake up the next morning, the problem is almost always solved. Also…massages help. I do my best problem solving on the massage table!

DR: Think back to your sophomore year in high school. What were you like at age 15?

JB: Not much different than I am now except hopefully now with better skin! Actually my main character Maddy in The Karma Club is VERY similar to how I was in high school…although I never sought revenge on an ex-boyfriend. Not that I wasn’t tempted to several times!

DR: What’s the craziest or coolest thing you’ve done in the name of research?

JB: Well, I haven’t done it yet, but next month I’m scheduled to go “under cover” at a fast food restaurant. In the book I’m writing now (52 Reasons to Hate My Father), a teen heiress is forced to work at a fast food restaurant and since I’ve never worked at one, I need to get to find out what it’s like. My friend owns a Taco John’s restaurant and he’s bringing me as a new employee so that I can be trained like it’s my first day. I told him not to tell any of the other employees what I was doing so I could get the “real experience.” I’ve never been more excited to make tacos! But what I’m really looking forward to is working the drive-thru. I’ve always wanted to wear one of those headsets. “Welcome to Taco Johns, can I take you order?” How did I do?

DR: What’s your favorite spot to cozy up with a book?

JB: The beach! My favorite vacation is one where I can do nothing but read all day with the sound of the waves as a backdrop. Unfortunately my busy schedule limits me from being able to do that too often.

Thanks, Jessica! Keep paying it forward—and my best to Deepak.

**Jessica’s keeping the book release celebration going with the coolest contest giveaways around. Head over head over to her website and enter to win one of four Cannon Flip Video Cameras!!

It’s hard to believe YA author Kay Cassidy has recently released her debut novel. THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY may have just hit the shelves, but the world of children’s literature has benefitted from Kay’s genius for a while now. From her YA author interviews and her wonderful The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest to promote reading, to the motivational Live Your Five web project, Kay has made an awesome impact. Can’t wait to dive into her empowering tale about the Cindys and the Wickeds.

About The Cinderella Society:
What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider.  So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside.  She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.
Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her.  Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public?  And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

Check out my recent Q&A exchange with Kay…

DR: What’s your favorite stage of your work process: researching, writing or editing?
KC: My favorite stage is brainstorming and plotting.  There’s something hugely satisfying about creating a story concept out of nothing.  And being a planner in general, plotting is right up my alley.
DR: How do you get over a major bout of writer’s block?
KC: Most of the time, it’s sitting down and brainstorming.  Whenever I get writer’s block, it’s almost always because something isn’t working in the story that I don’t want to admit.  But when I force myself to sit down and address it-and come up with much-needed alternatives-it’s usually enough to break through the block.
DR: What bad habit are you desperately trying to break out of?
KC: Not exercising + eating poorly.  I really need to get back to a healthy lifestyle again, especially if I’m going to sustain this career.  I need to know my body can handle the stress and random stints of hyper-productivity without collapsing in exhaustion when it’s done.
DR: In PERFECT SHOT, London steps out of her sporty comfort zone to participate in a modeling contest. When was the last time you ventured far out of your comfort zone?
KC: The one that sticks out in my mind is when I sent THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY out to agents.  It was so easy to toil away in my own little bubble, but something else entirely to let other people into that world (people who might think I stunk!).  LOL
DR: What’s your favorite spot to cozy up with a book?
The recliner in my serenity room.  My recliner, a good book, a mug of hot cocoa. that is bliss right there.
DR:  These days, everyone and their pet pooch is a multi-hyphenate. What talents or professional titles would you include your multi-hyphenate profile?
Author/Great Scavenger Hunt Contest TM founder/Cupcake Aficionado

Thanks for sharing, Kay. And by the way–if you’re interested, I’m all for starting The Cupcake Society. Really. Just say the word!

If London Abrams can do it, so can I!!

Like London, the main character in PERFECT SHOT, I also had an opportunity to play the amateur model. Yes, y’all. Your gurl was featured in Redbook magazine’s “real women” fashion spread (January 2010 issue).

I previously promised to share behind-the-scenes photos of the fashion shoot, but after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, I didn’t feel it appropriate to post it back in January…or February or March.

So without further delay, here’s a sneak behind the curtains where the magic happened. On a balmy autumn day, I arrived at the lower Manhattan studio, sampled the nice breakfast spread, slipped into a cozy white robe and then reported to the hairdresser’s seat.

First up, the coif. After the introductions, I warned the hairdresser about my big head of hair, to which he replied in his down-home Southern accent, “The higher the hair, the closer to God.” Well, y’all, I must have a direct line to the Lord.

Above, the image makers. To the left/To the left: The hairdressers, who worked on rotation, using a skinny curling iron to sculpt those curls. The woman at right was the talented tailor who made the too-large “relaxed suit” I modeled fit like it was custom made for me. (If I turned around, you’d see all the pins running down my back and along the back of my legs.)

Those heels were no joke. I’m usually all about the flats, so I felt like I was walking on stilts. Shout out to the wonderful stylist and fashion director Audrey Slater for turning me into a model for a day.

And it’s crazy how a scene I wrote for PERFECT SHOT a year ago played out in my own life. Just like London Abrams during her very first photo shoot, the right song also helped me relax and have fun with the shoot. Before that, I was super stiff and clueless about how to pose. For London, the song was “Click, Flash” by Ciara. For me, the song was M.I.A.’s “Swagger Like Us”

And voila:

Head to Redbook’s website for a closer look at the entire fashion spread. So exciting!

So many people were saddened by the story of Phoebe Prince, the 15-year-old who took her own life after being relentlessly tormented by school bullies. I only learned about Phoebe weeks ago, when the national media announced that her alleged bullies would be brought up on criminal charges. From that point, I was so moved, I searched every article I could find on Phoebe’s plight. I especially appreciated the sincere reporting done by Boston Globe journalist, Kevin Cullen.

Now YA and MG authors are being called to use our platform to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Thanks to fellow GCC authors Megan Kelly Hall and Carrie Jones, a movement has started. From the moment Megan posted her reaction on her blog, the support came pouring in. Authors like Jay Asher and Cynthia Leititch Smith chimed in in support of Megan’s idea for a personal essay anthology about bullying. Now there are over 2,000 fans of the Megan and author Carrie’s brand new Facebook group, YA Authors Against Bullying.

Head over to Facebook to join this group for updates on this movement, and to connect with authors and teens who are standing up to bullying. Girls like Phoebe need to know that they are not alone.