Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 117

If you have not yet seen the moving video message Ellen DeGeneres made about lesbian/gay bullying and the recent gay teen suicides, please watch this. It's so important that we speak out against oppression when we can, and that we support each other.

Check out ALA's list of the top 100 Banned Books spanning 2000-2009; you might be surprised at what you find. Harry Potter tops the list, and there are some books by Judy Blume, and of course Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and some books with lesbian/gay content, such as Speak; The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and more. But–Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson? Really? A book that has so much depth and pain and is so beautifully written? The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine...

Did you know it's Banned Book Week? I think this is especially poignant with the recent attempt at challenging Laurie Halse Anderson'sSpeak and Twisted; Ellen Hopkins' disinvite and the censorship of Burned; and the recent challenge of Jo Knowles' Lessons from a Dead Girl. Those are all wonderful, powerful, truly *important* YA books that deserve to reach people–that teens and adults should have the chance to discover and read.

I may be extra sensitive to book banning, since my parents...

You can check out some of my original art, including a drawing I describe in Scars, at A Good Addiction, and can also enter to win a signed copy of Scars. I hope you'll check it out.

My interview on Fox 25 Morning News in Boston today was such a lovely, positive experience! Kim Carrigan, the interviewer, was so friendly, professional, and kind with me, and asked wonderful questions. And Michele Lazcano, the producer, who greeted Julie Schoerke (my book publicist) and me at the door, was also so welcoming, down-to-earth, and friendly; I felt put at ease and greatly welcomed by both women. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience!

Check out the interview below:

It shocks me to the core when anyone equates rape with pornography. But that's exactly what associate professor, Wesley Scroggins (who is also affiliated with Reclaiming Missouri for Christ) has done, comparing Laurie Halse Anderson's beautifully and sensitively written YA novel Speak, and the rape scenes in it, with soft pornography and filth.

My parents, who sexually and ritually abused me, DID actually make rape into porn. They filmed me being raped, and they sold and traded the film with ...

Read about Why I Write About Self-Harm, Sexual Abuse, Being Queer, & Other Tough Stuff on Raw Ink. You may need to join to read.

I may also post it here in full text, if you all want me to.

Did I mention that I bought myself a Kindle for my birthday? (The new, Kindle 3 version.) Oh yeah, I did. And I'm loving it so far. (grinning) I got myself the Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6), which was $189, but there's also a Kindle Wi-Fi without the 3G (internet access like cell phones use) for $139. I almost got that one, but I decided I wanted the fun and ease of purchasing ebooks instantly wherever I am, not just when I'm in my own wi-fi area or free wi-fi access. I researched the...

Below is my TV interview on DayTime Toronto about Scars. I was SO nervous the day before, but once I was at the TV station, everyone was friendly, kind, and encouraging, especially the host! It was a good experience for me. Let me know what you think.

Find out how I relate to my main character, Kendra, from Scars, in this interview, what I hope readers take away from Scars, and more, & enter to win a signed copy of Scars at the latest blog tour stop for Scars.

Don't forget to enter all the previous blog stops as well via Teen Book Scene.