Lisa Unger's Blog, page 10

Woo-hoo! I am over the moon, thrilled, and BEYOND excited to announce that I will be interviewing the incomparable Judy Blume on stage at the next month on Saturday, October 24th! I am a lifelong fan, so this is huge honor. I can’t wait and I hope you can be there!!

Judy Blume and Lisa Unger at the 2014 Key West Literary Seminar reception.

Excerpt from the Tampa Bay Times 

By Colette Bancroft, Times Book Editor:

For generations of young readers, Judy Blume’s novels have been life-changing — wise and witty books they remember for years and even hand down to their own children.

Blume, in conversation with author Lisa Unger, will headline the 23rd annual Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading on Oct. 24 at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Blume has sold more than 80 million books and is internationally beloved for her more than 20 novels for young readers such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

At the festival, Blume will present her latest book, her fourth bestselling novel for adults. In the Unlikely Event is a coming-of-age story based on real events, a series of plane crashes that happened in her hometown of Elizabeth, N.J., in the 1950s. (For a review of the book, and to find out how to get wristbands that guarantee seats for Blume’s talk, .) Blume, a Key West resident and activist for intellectual freedom, is sure to be a compelling speaker.

I loved chatting with Alex Segura over on Do Some Damage! We talked about the germ for CRAZY LOVE YOU, Gregg Hurwitz, Jud Myers from Blastoff Comics, graphic novels, character, fiction vs. reality, my daughter’s love of comics, and more.  !

is now available in trade paperback!

There’s a fabulous readers group guide, interview with me and an excerpt of my new novel INK AND BONE (June 2016) in the back of the book!  Looking for that perfect beach read for the last days of summer? Jak Jak (my doodle) thinks you should look no further!

is now available in trade paperback!

There’s a fabulous readers group guide, interview with me and an excerpt of my new novel INK AND BONE (June 2016) in the back of the book!  Looking for that perfect beach read for the last days of summer? Jak Jak (my doodle) thinks you should look no further!

I am excited to share that I’ve been nominated in Creative Loafing’s “Best of the Bay” for BEST LOCAL FICTION WRITER and BEST BOOK BY A LOCAL AUTHOR.  If you could take a moment to cast your vote, it would mean the world to me! Thanks for your support in this and all things!

You might be thinking: I’ve heard about Lisa Unger, but I don’t know where to start reading!  Or, I just read one and loved it, but I’m not sure what to read next? What kind of reader are you? Take this fun new

Last night was our first time doing the Second Saturday in St. Petersburg, Florida. And I can’t believe we haven’t done this sooner!  We started the evening at our friend  in the Warehouse Arts District, which is one of the most beautiful and inspirational galleries, working studio, and homes I’ve visited anywhere in the world.  Duncan is one of favorite artists in any medium.  And, of course, he has impeccable taste in the other artists he shows in his gallery — , Hiroshi Yamano, and are some of my favorites.  The clay work of St. Pete artist Rob Giordano was so moving and exceptional that I could not resist taking a piece home!

Then we went on to the which was having its member show opening, with some really stunning pieces in all mediums there.  Then it was on to where some spectacular puppets featuring the Pellone/Barrett Puppet Collection had taken over the gallery — beautiful, spooky, weird (my favorite combination of things.)

There is still so much more to see and we’ll be doing this again sooner rather than later.  It reminded me how important it is for a creative person to go on this type of “artist’s date.” In The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, it’s one of her major pieces of advice — that a writer should make time to go out and be inspired by other art forms — or anything that enriches and energizes her creative spirit.  I was joyful drifting around from place to place — enjoying paintings, sculptures, glass work, clay, puppets.  I don’t think it was any coincidence that I had a great writing morning today.

St. Pete is such a vibrant arts community.  I love being a part of it.  Tampa Bay pals, do put the Art Walk on your calendar!  You’ll see some wonderful creations, mingle with other artists and art lovers, and probably find something perfect to take home like I did!

Stunning Rob Giordano piece that came home with us from ArtWalk last night.

Just in time for your holiday weekend beach reading IN THE BLOOD download is on sale for $1.99!

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I’m so excited to announce that  (the largest mystery conference in the world) will be held in St. Petersburg in 2018! It seems so far, but I’m thrilled to be the toastmaster and can’t wait to see the other guests of honor , , , , , , and all the wonderful readers like you in my hometown area! Hope you will join us!