Patrick Jones (Bloomsbury & Walker) returns to TLA as the "+1" on our panel Women of YA Lit + 1. Not only will he present as an author, he will also lead the discussion. Do not miss this program!

Tuesday, March 31, 2-3:50 p.m. with Cassandra Clare, Margo Rabb,Justine Larbalestier, and Nancy Werlin

Have you attended TLA before? If so, what advice do you have for new authors?

Several times when I was working as the Youth Services Coordinator for the Houston Public Library, but just once before wearing my "author" hat. My advice for new authors is to bring lots of business cards and handouts. TLA folks are eager for information and contacts.

What is your preferred method of writing and why -- laptop, longhand, typewriter?

I write on a Dell laptop, but before I write, take unreadable-but-to-me notes in longhand before I start writing.

Favorite books of the past year

Well, this is where it gets embarrassing .... I'm just not reading a great deal of teen fiction. I loved Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee (which is actually due out in March 2009) about the complicated nature of families. I also enjoyed Box Out by Minnesota author John Coy, and I finally read Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins. Mostly, I'm reading professional wrestling biographies. I track my reading at good reads

Favorite books from your YA years

I wasn't really a book reader as a YA, but I guess Carrie by Stephen King and Ball Four by Jim Bouton.

Finish this sentence. The perfect vacation is...

unknown to me. As I still have a nine2five job in addition to writing / doing school visits, I have not take a vacation in some time.

MySpace or Facebook?

Both, as some of my teen readers at on each.

BBQ or Tex-Mex?

Tex Mex; it is hard to eat vegetarian BBQ (mmm hickory smoked tofu)

Finish this sentence. Libraries are…

the best value in America.

Do you have a blog, website, or other online presence that you would like to share with us?

My website www.connectingya.com links to my facebook, myspace, and email.