Category Archives: Cool Stuff

Cool Stuff, Events, News, Uncategorized

Early 2023 Upcoming Events

Welcome to 2023, friends! I’m so pleased to announce that I actually have a few in-person events coming up in the next few months. I hope to add more, but, as always, if you’d like me to come visit with your students/patrons/book club, please check out my visits page and get in touch.

Ontario Library Association Super Conference – Friday, February 3, 10:00am – signing at the Orca Book Publishers booth #410/412. I will be signing books and giving out tons of bookmarks.

See the full list of author signings here.

Sharp Words Book Fair – Saturday, February 25, 10 – 6pm Bridgeworks in Hamilton (200 Caroline Street North).

I will be signing books with May be an image of text that says 'SHA WRDS RDS HAMILTON'S Winter Book Fair FEBRUARY 25, 2023 SUPER CRAWL' several other kidlit authors. There’s also a full day of programming. See here for details and follow for up-to-date information. 

FREE to attend. 

 

OLA Forest of Reading Festival of Trees – May in Toronto. More details to come. Stay tuned!

 

Books, Cool Stuff, FISH OUT OF WATER, News, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

Kid Reviews are the BEST Reviews Part II

Currently playing episode

If you’ve been around these parts, you know I love kid reviews and am always so thrilled when a reader takes the time to write/tape a review and share it with me. Well, in this instance, the amazing E Train reviewed THREE of my books in brief but really insightful podcast episodes that are part booktalk part review. Check them out below (the images are links that go to E Train’s podcast page).

THE SUN WILL COME OUT

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

FISH OUT OF WATER

Thank you so much, E Train!

You can follow E Train’s podcast reviews and social media: Twitter and YouTube.

Books, Cool Stuff, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

Kid reviews are the BEST reviews!

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS has been out in the world for a couple of weeks and I have been amazed and humbled by the wonderful feedback it’s gotten. So many reviewers have loved the book and while that’s so gratifying, I have to say that reviews from young people provides the kind of validation that authors really appreciate. To that end, I’m so excited to share this awesome video review by Ric of Ric’s Book Reviews.

Thank you so much to Ric for reading and talking about SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS (and totally getting the book!). “A beautiful book that’s masterfully written.” No higher praise!

But Ric isn’t just a great reviewer but an excellent interviewer! His questions are so thoughtful and smart – it’s a true pleasure to be interviewed by him. Watch the interview he did with Lisa McMann and I about our connections, working together, our books, and more:

AND check out Ric’s great review for Lisa’s latest, CLARICE THE BRAVE:

Follow Ric’s review channel on YouTube or check him out on Facebook, and Instagram.

Thanks again, Ric!

Books, Contest!, Cool Stuff, Events, Launch Party, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

Launch Week Awesomeness!

Well, friends, it’s been a week already. Whew! I’ve been so incredibly overwhelmed with the book love (and author love!) that I’ve received already and as I’m writing this, it’s only Wednesday. I’ve been so consumed with this book and getting the word out, that I actually forgot to do a release day post.

Here it is, just a day late. Still counts and now I can include some of the assorted media and posts.

In case you’re new to these parts, my book, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS came out yesterday (October 12). *throws confetti*

Here are a few of the celebrations – first with the upcoming things so you can hurry to register/get your ticket.

October 14 – Triple Author Launch Extravaganza!

Click for ticketing! https://www.changinghands.com/event/october2021/lisa-mcmann-joanne-levy-dusti-bowling

October 14 at 7pm PST/10pm EST is the triple-author launch extravaganza in partnership with Changing Hands Bookstore.

Event details are here. If you purchase one of my books as part of your ticket, you’ll get a signed bookplate and one of these cool wood and paper bookmarks.

NOTE: Changing Hands Bookstore is in the US but they will ship anywhere. Ticket price includes US shipping.

If you are in Canada and would like to purchase a book and bookmark directly from me, please head on over to my Etsy shop.

http://http//www.joannelevy.com/reading

October 20, 11:30am – I’ll be doing a virtual public reading from SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS and will then be discussing the book and doing Q&A with award-winning author and psychiatrist, Tziporah Cohen. Free but registration is required. Sign up here.

And here’s some media/posts about me and the book:

The Nerdy Book Club – The story behind SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS – includes a giveaway open until October 19.

A spot on CHCH Morning Live – my hometown station’s morning show that I watch every day.

A Q&A I did over at the Orca blog.

Another Q&A I did with Deborah Kalb.

A post I wrote about how Jewish funerals are inherently green funerals over at L. E. Carmichael’s Cantastic Authorpalooza.

More to come but until then, I hope you’ll join me at one of my events. If you enjoyed reading SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, please support the book by giving it a review at Goodreads and/or the place you bought it. More importantly, please pass it along to someone else who may enjoy it.

If you’ve read this far, you are the best. Thank you.

Books, Cool Stuff, News, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

A Giveaway and a STAR!

We’re getting close to the release of SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS in October, but I’m hearing that it’s already shipping out to stores. Thank you if you’ve already pre-ordered – hopefully that means you’ll get your copy soon!

In the AMAZING news category, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS just got a starred review from Kirkus Reviews:

⭐️ “A heartfelt and expertly written tale of loss, family, and friendship that will have readers blinking back their tears…Beautiful and sincere.”

If you haven’t pre-ordered your copy yet and are feeling lucky, you can enter this Goodreads giveaway for a paperback copy:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Sorry for Your Loss by Joanne Levy

Sorry for Your Loss

by Joanne Levy

Giveaway ends September 18, 2021.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

I have a few more things in the works to celebrate the release – some fun online events and giveaways. Stay tuned for more details to come.

Books, Cool Stuff, News, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

SORRY (not sorry!)

Hello! When I started writing my next book, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, it had a different title: TREE OF LIFE. I had carefully chosen that title because it works on many levels in the book (once you read it, you’ll understand) but as often happens, book titles change. I love the new title, but the funny thing about it is that when I post about it or send emails about it, I realize it’s not a good idea to use the title as a subject line. Anyway, I say that because as I’m writing this post, I realize using the title for a blog post header might cause some alarm.

What I’m NOT sorry about is some bragging I’m going to do about the book. I’m thrilled that the book has already gotten some amazing advanced praise.

Amazing, right? Speaking of research, I have added a page that outlines some of the research I did for this book, including some behind-the-scenes photos from a real funeral home. I’ve also added links for further reading and research, should you be like me and want to know even more about the fascinating subject of funerals and what happens to us when we die.

If you’re wondering what (and who!) inspired me to write this book, check out the cover reveal I did over at POP! Goes the Reader. I’ll wait here.

Now that you’re back, look at this:

“OF COURSE, humor”. Thank you to Lisa and Adam for your kind words about this book. Thank you for indulging me in a little bragging. I worked hard on this book and absolutely can’t wait until it gets out into the world. But before you go, I’d appreciate it if you’d add the book to your Goodreads TBR list. And if you’re inspired to do so, you can even pre-order the book from Bookshop.org, from Orca directly, your local Canadian indie bookstore, Indigo, or, you know, that other place.

Books, Cool Stuff, Events, Guests, Launch Party

Epic Book Chat – with Jennifer A. Nielsen

To celebrate the release of THE SUN WILL COME OUT, I will be holding a fun webinar in partnership with fellow author, Jennifer A. Nielsen. There will be discussion, Q&A, and lots of giveaways! For details, registration, and to ask questions in advance, click here. The event will be recorded and posted at a later date. Hope to see you!

Books, Cool Stuff, News, Uncategorized

Sorry For Your Loss – cover reveal!

Hooray! It’s time to share the cover reveal for SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, my book set in a Jewish funeral home. Sounds dark, I know, but there’s a few laughs, crafts, and lots of hope in this book for tweens that will come out in the fall of 2021.

If you want to see the brand new cover and learn about the inspiration behind why I wrote the book (and who I credit for it) check out the exclusive cover reveal over at Pop! goes the Reader.

Check out the cover reveal at Pop! goes the Reader.

Before you go, I’d love it if you’d add the book to your Goodreads TBR list. And if you’re inspired to do so, you can even pre-order the book from Bookshop.org or from Orca directly. More retailers coming soon.

Cool Stuff, News

More Books From Me. Sort of.

Happy New Year!

I’ve been a very neglectful blogger, I know, but I find myself so busy with many things at once and end up only posting when I have big news. Well, guess what?

BIG NEWS (you saw that coming, right?)

I have two middle grade books coming out this year from Simon and Schuster, and they are multi-storyline, choose your own path type stories. But they are slightly different from the Choose Your Own Adventure books that you might be used to. These are kind of romancy, and the typical CYOA format doesn’t really allow for a lot of character development and story building (reading more like a walk-through video game), so in these books, there are fewer, but more meaningful choices.

The super-cool covers were illustrated by Cassandra Calin:

There are many ways this story can go. YOU decide what happens next. And if you don’t like how it ends? Just start again! The Yes No Maybe So series is an interactive reading experience about friendships, family, and all the feelings.

Every day before and after school, Tara Singh helps her parents at their Indian sweet shop, but the only business Tara is interested in is show business. When a local theater announces a casting call for The Wizard of Oz, Tara is determined to wear the ruby slippers.

As she prepares for the audition, Tara is distracted by some unexpected drama: There is Rohan, the delivery boy her parents hired. Hiro, her forever crush, who wants to rehearse with her. And Desmond, a shy theater nerd who has started lighting up her heart. Can Tara win the part and get the guy?

You have the power to choose what happens…and the chance to choose differently next time! 

There are many ways this story can go. YOU decide what happens next. And if you don’t like how it ends? Just start again! The Yes No Maybe So series is an interactive reading experience about friendships, family, and all the feelings.

Yael Lewis is dreading her bat mitzvah. Her loving but clueless mother insists on throwing an epic birthday extravaganza, even though Yael hates the spotlight.

Despite herself, Yael is excited when her crush Cam accepts the invitation. But then she meets Gabriel, the emcee’s son, whose chill attitude makes her rethink the party plans. Thank goodness her old friend Eli will be there to keep her steady, even though he’s returned from camping a little bit different. Will Yael’s party be the best…or a bust?

You have the power to choose what happens…and the chance to choose differently next time!

 

Both books are available for pre-order at your retailer of choice and you can also add them to your To Be Read list at Goodreads.

Thanks for your support and stay tuned – I may just have some more news coming soon (I did say I was busy…).

 

Cool Stuff, News

A Proud Canadian Ginger

It’s no secret that I’m a redhead. As a kid, I wasn’t so fond of the hair that made me different. As an adult, I now appreciate my gingerness but feel like maybe I needed to grow into it, to be comfortable in my own skin before I could embrace having hair that made me stand out. It took a long time to realize it was an essential part of me, what made me me.

Canadian Ginger So when I heard about the opportunity to participate in an anthology by and about redheads, especially Canadian redheads, a club of which I am a very proud member, I was stoked to join in.

The result is my story SEEING RED which is included in this awesome anthology, CANADIAN GINGER from Oolichan Books, edited by Kim Clarkand Dawn Marie Kresan. SEEING RED is a sassy and tongue-in-cheek look at some of the stereotypes all redheads have endured at one time or another.

I hope you’ll check it out and enjoy not just my short story, but the essays, poems, and fiction that embrace the redhead experience.

Get your copy at Bryan Prince Booksellers, your local indie bookshop, or Indigo.