A little after the fact, I wanted to share some pix from a beautiful Momma Love celebration at BOBO Restaurant that Jessica Shyba of Momma’s Gone City threw to celebrate the release of my book! Actress Amy Ryan was the honorary momma and she had some really sweet things to say about being featured in Momma Love.

Moms (and everyone else), if you don’t already know about BOBO, you should! They have a private garden in the back that makes you forget you’re in NYC! It’s ideal for private parties, showers, birthdays… and the staff and food couldn’t be better!

Donna Bell’s Bake Shop provided delicious southern desserts, and Anne Kilcullen at Blade NYC made the space even nicer with her beautiful, one-of-a-kind floral arrangements. (Blade NYC is starting a section of their business that will be geared specifically towards children’s parties!). Moore Brothers Wine Shop- my favorite wine store in NY because of its selection, sweet staff, and it’s children’s play area (YES!)- sent over a dozen bottles of sparkling wine for the toasts!

All in all, it was a great sunday evening!

(all photos ©Amber DeVos and Rita Cheng)

 

 

 

I’m thrilled to say that Princeton University has asked me to talk at an “Author’s Lunch” Monday, May 6, 12-2pm. Reserve a seat at the table with us by calling 609.497.1777. $60 per person Includes delicious lunch, and proceeds benefit local scholarship fund, The 101: Fund, supporting need-based college scholarships for local high school graduates.

COME ON DOWN! Let’s chat!! I’ll also be selling and signing books just in time for Mother’s Day! (Cheaper than rush shipping!)

 

 

After 12 years and an emotional roller coaster ride, Momma Love is now for sale at MommaLoveTheBook.com. I’m shipping books daily for Mother’s Day! If you want your’s, waste no time.(Please note that media mail takes 2-8 days to deliver. There is also a priority mail option.)

xAli

 

Momma Love was 104% FUNDED last week when the Kickstarter fundraiser for it ended! Here are some pix of Momma Love rolling off the presses at SHAPCO Printing in Minneapolis, MN. SHAPCO is a “Green” printer, so that means that all waste product- paper, proofs, plates, etc- are recycled, and all inks are eco-friendly. Which is GREAT!

My rep Debi Bergerson has been an incredible person to work with there. She gets my vision for the book and is full of creative suggestions and solutions. (Plus she’s just very nice!) Owner Joe Avery came up with a perfect solution for the poppy title type I wanted! Wait till you see!

An album I’m really excited about that I recorded twelve years ago with my long time musical collaborator Matt Verta-Ray has just been released. We’d recorded it as a lobor of love, and then put it on the proverbial shelf, busy with other musical projects. Now the stars have aligned and it’s out there walking and talking on its own, available through iTunes and Amazon as well as through the labels listed at the end of this promo video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just shot this cover for a thriller called Level 2. I think of this cover - another one I’ve had the pleasure of shooting with Lizzy Bromley of Simon and Schuster – as a mix between Barbarella and Dubstep.

My husband, Joshua Bright, and I shot video together on set, and later I edited it down to be the promo video below. The soundtrack is by the amazing PatrickReza.

Also check out my “8 Questions with an Author” interview with Level 2 author Lenore Appelhans next week.

 

 

Out of 3,743 images submitted to the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops annual portraits contest, I’m happy to say mine was 1 out of 50 winners and the company is good. There are lots of strong shots from lots of photographers.

 

I just shot the third and final cover in “The Chemical Garden” trilogy this past monday. I won’t be able to show it for a few months, but the first two covers (below) have been a smash hit with readers and critics, winning many “best covers of the year” awards on literary blogs. These covers have been incredibly fun to shoot! Each one has been a true collaboration with Simon and Schuster art director (and resident genius) Lizzy Bromley! From sketching to brainstorming to prop shopping to dress shopping to building elaborate sets on the day of the shoot, every step has been pure joy! I’m sad to see the series come to an end. But Lauren DeStefano is a hugely talented writer, so hopefully we’ll get to help bring her next series to life as well.