Bookanista Thurs. 3/14 - Celebrating Bridget with Poison

The beautiful Bridget Zinn finally has a book out. Ive been waiting for this book for over 2 years.

Bridget grew up in Wisconsin. She went to the county fair where she met the love of her life, Barrett Dowell. They got married right before she went in for exploratory surgery which revealed she had colon cancer. They christened that summer the "summer of love" and the two celebrated with several more weddings. Bridget continued to read and write until the day she died. Her last tweet was "Sunshine and a brand new book. Perfect.

Bridget wanted to make people laugh and hoped readers would enjoy spending time with the characters she created. As a librarian/writer she loved books with strong young women with aspirations. She also felt teens needed more humorous reads. She really wanted to write a book with pockets of warmth and happiness and hoped that her readers' copies would show the watermarks of many bath time reads.

So we are celebrating Bridget's life by talking about her book.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she's the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king's army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she's certainly no damsel-in-distress—she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

If you didn't know bridget - here is your glimpse into a beautiful spirit,

Links about Bridget

(If you post something, don't forget to post a link to this page: http://bridgetzinn.com/help/index.php)

Everything you need to know about helping spread the word (with lots of info and links)

A remembrance of Bridget written by her agent (with a video of Bridget that shows how vibrant and funny she was)

Bridget's path to publication - in her own words.

A post in which Bridget shares her Sneaky Tips for writing (which also has an audio file of her reading this post)

Find out what the other Bookanistas are recommending today!

• Jessica Love covets the cover of ALIENATED
• Tracy Banghart counts on THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
• Shelli Johannes-Wells is wild for POISON
• Katy Upperman shares her passion for ELEANOR AND PARK
• Stasia Ward Kehoe basks IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS
• Nikki Katz adores OUT OF THE EASY

RIP Sweet Bridget Zinn

Last week, a fellow blogger, friend, librarian, writer - and to be honest the sweetest and happiest person around - died way too young at age 33.

Bridget found out 2 years ago (March 2009) that she had Stage 4 cancer. Here is more information. This came to a shock to all because Bridget had no risk factors and lived a healthy life. Even in her fight, she remained upbeat and happy. Her courage was amazing and inspiring. She blogged throughout her battle and showed nothing but total grace.

This is devastating to our writing community. Her agent, Michael Stern did a wonderful tribute to her that is so worth seeing.It totally captures her true spirit. Bridget died way too young. Luckily for us, her book, Poison, was acquired by Hyperion and is supposed to be published in 2012. Look for it! I've heard it is funny and amazing.

Here is a note from her hubby, Barrett. They were together since high school and he is doing some special events to celebrate Bridget's life. Because that is exactly what she would want.

Bridget was a writer and a special friend to all librarians. You are welcome to attend the events or if you would like to do anything in her name, he's asking for donations to CBCC. You can also follow the FB page.

RIP Bridget - may you have an eternity of cupcakes, flowers and shoes. You will be missed.

I saw this poem on a blog and it summed up exactly how many are feeling right now.

Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message She Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotten gloves.

She was our North, our South, our East and West,
Our working week and our Sunday rest,
Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song;
We thought that love would last forever: We were wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Fundraiser for fellow blogger/aspiring author, Bridget Zinn

No marketing roundup today.

Instead I am rounding up your support!

Please comment on this post in the month of May and I will donate .25 cents for each and every comment!! ( I know it may not seem like much but its all I have :)

I am participating in a fundraiser for the month of May benefiting fellow Blogger, Portland Librarian, KitLit member, and aspiring writer, Bridget Zinn.

I started following Bridget's blog last year and related to some issues she was having - eye vision problems and bouts of the flu. I emphasized b/c I was going through vertigo issues at the time.

Even though I do not know her well (you know how different these blogger relationships are :), I feel compelled to help her in any way I can. After all, mine has healed and her healing has just begun. It could have easily been reversed.

So - who is Bridget Zinn?

For those of you who don't know here are a few facts about Bridget.

Within one month -

• she got a fabulous agent


• she began having weird vision problems


• she checked into the emergency room


• she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer that had already spread to her abdomen, lungs and liver.
• she got engaged and married


• She went through emergency surgery to have the tumor removed from her colon


• she has just started chemo treatment and other expensive procedures.


• she had none of the risk factors and no prior knowledge that anything was wrong

Why am I telling you this?

Because I don't think many of us have an idea of what this process would be like. To have so many highs and lows at a young age. And not only facing a tough battle with the #1 disease in America, but also facing enormous medical bills and fear.

We all know, you can't put a price on a precious life. And Bridget has been gracious, funny, and positive through the whole process so far - making jokes and showing nothing but positivity and optimism.

The Auction

Jone MacColloch has graciously gathered some authors (including Lisa Schroeder and the beautifully-expecting, Laini Taylor) and writing professionals to run an auction in the hopes of raising money for Bridget's medical bills.

Go there in the month of may to bid on some great items from books to book critiques to a fabulous marketing piece (who do yo think that is from? Moi! ;).


What can you do?

There are many ways you can give to Bridget:

• participate in the auction
• donate money to her medical fund (email Jone at macrush53@yahoo.com for more information on how)
• provide additional auction items by emailing Jone at macrush53@yahoo.com.
• send any words of encouragement/well-wishes ( she is on facebook)
• Spread the word - post a link to this fundraiser/auction on your blog for the month of May
• If nothing else suits your fancy, comment on this post and I will donate .25 cents for each and every comment on this post in the month of May!!

If any of us were in this position, think of the heartfelt support - monetary as well as emotional - you would need/want but could not or would not ask for.

If you would like to send her wishes of good health, thoughts and prayers, you can visit her blog or friend her on Facebook where she and her fab new hubby, Barrett Dowell, do a great job of keeping everyone informed and up to date.

I thank you up front for anything you can contribute to Bridget and this challenging process she is embarking on.

Good luck Bridget, we are thinking of you always!