Welcome to my blog! I'm the author of MODELS DON'T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES (Dial Books 2009) and THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET (Dial Books 2010) and NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books 2011). My books are for teens, tweens, and anyone who survived junior high.

MODELS is about an overweight eighth grade girl who gets entered into a beauty pageant for chubby teens and doesn't want to win. TOTAL TRAGEDY is about what happens when your family is obsessed with Shakespeare, your seven-year-old sister is a genius, and someone leaves mysterious origami pigs in your locker. NOTES features a cocky orchestral superstar who falls into marching band mayhem.

The books are available for purchase at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and other independent bookstores. Oh, and you can even get my books for FREE! Check them out of a library near you:

You can read about my writing process here (scroll down for new entries), or visit my website for more info about me or my books.

Thanks for coming by!!

I like to take risks and try to step out of my comfort zone whenever possible. That's how I found myself in a bit of a conundrum on Sunday night...

FabHusband and I were out to dinner, celebrating our 8th anniversary (a couple of days early) at a super-swank restaurant on Cape Cod. This five-star place had an amazing view of the water (complete with nearly-full moon and bobbing boats), a menu of culinary wonder (lobster in beurre blanc sauce), and impeccable service.

It also offered a 4 course "Chef's Special" tasting menu. As our waiter explained, if we chose it, we could tell him our preferences/allergies/restrictions, and the chef would create a dinner for us that was off the menu but featured the freshest seasonal ingredients. Every course would be a surprise--two apps, an entree, and a dessert.

It was too good to pass up. Both FH and I decided to go for it. Now, FH is essentially a true omnivore (minus a few green veggies and excessive dairy), but I am a bit more judicious in my food choices: I eat any vegetable you can put in front of me, plus poultry and fish. Eating other mammals is not my thing. So we order the tasting menu, and I tell the waiter my customary, "I don't eat beef or pork," and the chef is cool with that--after all, we're essentially at a seafood restaurant!--and we start speculating about what's to come.

First Course: German Potato Salad
...but not just ANY potato salad. The runner put the plate in front of me and grandly pronounces, "German potato salad dressed with foie gras and a 5 minute egg!" and walks away. Foie gras, if you've never had the "pleasure," is goose liver. But said liver has been made extra fatty because the poor goose has been force-fed his/her diet and kept in a low-mobility environment. It's the poultry equivalent of veal.

I blanched. Although foie gras is technically NOT beef, pork, or mammal, I find it kind of morally awful to eat. And, in my pregnant state, I'm pretty sure that both it and the very runny egg are not on the "preferred" food list. But, as I told FabHusband, "it's my own fault. And it IS poultry, so it's not like the kitchen made a mistake. I'm not sending it back." So I gamely picked up my fork and went for it.

Foie gras? Not my thing. Kind of game-y and super, super rich. But the egg and potato salad with it balanced it out. I picked around some of it, and gave the rest to FH (who loved it, BTW).

Second Course: Seafood Surprise!
FH and I were still chuckling over my bad luck with course #1 when appetizer #2 arrived. Our runner grandly placed our places and announced, "Seafood medley: seared tuna sashimi, haddock, and swordfish belly!" Now, as I said, I love seafood. LOVE IT. And will eat anything that comes from the water. However, when one is in a pregnant state, one is not supposed to eat raw fish, let alone high-mercury raw tuna and...you guessed it: swordfish.

"Oh man," I said. FH shook his head. I picked up my fork. Considering where we were, I felt confident in the quality of the fish (and the tuna looked damn fine). I dove in. My concession: I nibbled at the swordfish and gave the rest to FH.

Course Three: Entree- Boo
After the seafood explosion, I turned to FH. "Seriously, what could they POSSIBLY give me for an entree?" I was sure I was in the clear--I mean, what are the odds that two non-beef/pork things that I shouldn't /typically wouldn't eat would show up on my plate? Besides, the majority of the menu was seafood based, and the waiter said that the chef was using ingredients off the menu. 

Runner, plate, grand pronouncement: "Lamb medallions!"

I couldn't stop myself, I threw my hands in front of my face and started laughing. I don't eat lamb...but it NEVER would have occurred to me to tell the chef that. What are the odds that LAMB would show up on my plate at a SEAFOOD restaurant?! I don't even think it was on the menu. FH was sympathetic: "You can't eat that," he said. I shook my head. "I know."

The waiter came over. "You don't eat lamb," he said flatly. I shook my head and apologized profusely. "It never occurred to me to specify...I'm so sorry...please apologize to the chef..." Waiter took both of our plates away, generously saying, "it's not a problem...no big deal..." but I watch enough Food Network to know that the chef would be annoyed/hurt/upset.

He returned a few minutes later with fish for me, the lamb for FH, all smiles. But I still felt terrible.

Course Four: Chocolate Relief
"Nothing can go wrong with dessert, right?" I asked FH, worried. But no...it was a chocolate tasting plate, with a rich chocolate brownie smothered in sauce and chocolate ice cream. Sweet relief.

All of the food--whether it was something that I'd usually eat or not--was fabulous: meticulously prepared, presented well, and delicious. And although I ended up kind of bumbling my way through the meal, I'm glad I took the risk and went with the blind menu. I certainly learned a few things: being more specific, communicating clearly, and never making assumptions based on what's in front of you. And I got a great story out of it.

We had a wonderful night, and laughed a lot as we celebrated our anniversary. Tonight is our "official" anniversary date: we're ordering Indian take out and will show CC our wedding photos (she's very in to "brides" right now). It's not foie gras and lamb, but it will be wonderful and special in its own right.

And I'll eat it all.

Okay, much to my mother--and probably mother-in-law's--chagrin, I am not Suzy Homemaker. But Halloween + author friends + competitive baking?! SIGN ME UP.

I based my entry on my love for dystopian fiction. Societies where every move you make is scrutinized freaks me the heck out. Teri Hall's THE LINE, Pam Bachorz' CANDOR, Suzanne Collins' THE HUNGER GAMES, and classics such as 1984, THE HANDMAID'S TALE and BRAVE NEW WORLD are some of my favorites.

So I chose to make All-Seeing Eyeball Cupcakes!!



Here's a close shot:



Inside (what you can barely see are the "bloody" red streaks through the cake--but in person they look awesome):


To make your very own All-Seeing-Eyeball Cupcakes:

- Whip up some yellow cake batter
- Add several drops of red food coloring to the batter. Do NOT mix the food coloring all the way--you are going for pinky-red streaks.
- Bake cupcakes as directed and let cool.
- Frost with white frosting (sorry, prncssdidi - I used store bought) and sprinkle with white sparkle sugar to get that glistening effect.
- Dot the top with gummi ring candy (I used Peach Rings) and use dark M&M's for the pupil
- Skinny licorice whips make great lids and bloody veins.
- Sprinkle red sparkle sugar for those last dashes of gory bloodshot detailing.

Enjoy...if you can get past the guilt of having your dessert watch you eat it! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!


The Creepy Cake N Bake-a-Thon is ON! Vote for your favorite entry by commenting below. You can comment on EVERY Cake N Bake post, one entry per post, for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or an official Creepy Cake N Bake doll! Please include your email in order to be entered to win.

Trophies will be awarded on Halloween for the top creeptastic creations. Winners will be chosen by our special Celebrity Judge, Adam Rex, author of such deliciously creepy creations such as FAT VAMPIRE, FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE, FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, and PSSST!

Check the list of contestants and their post dates so you don't miss any of the fun:


Mon Oct. 3 - Saundra Mitchell - Zombaby Bread!
Wed Oct 5 - Stacey Jay - Insane Clown Zombies!
Friday Oct 7 - Erin Dionne
Saturday Oct 8 - Sydney Salter
Mon Oct 10 - Brenna Yovanoff
Wed Oct 12 - Tara Hudson
Friday Oct 14 - Karen Healey
Saturday Oct 15 - Robin Bridges
Mon Oct 17 - Michelle Zink
Wed Oct 19 - Julia Karr
Friday Oct 21 - Victoria Schwab
Saturday Oct 22 - C.Lee McKenzie
Sunday Oct 23 - E. Kristin Anderson
Mon Oct 24 - Natalie Zaman
Wed Oct 26 - Stephanie Burgis
Friday Oct 28 - Dawn Metcalf

A while back, I wrote about connecting with Vince DiFiore of CAKE over an article on marching bands that he published on CNN.com. Well, what I couldn't say at the time--and what I can FINALLY share now!--is that Vince and CAKE put me in touch with the US Scholastic Bands Association, a huge organization that sponsors marching band events all across the country. And this is what came of THAT:

 
The USSBA continues its campaign for students and parents to prove that marching band is more than just a class, it’s a lifestyle - by partnering with Penguin Books and author Erin Dionne on the release of “Notes from an Accidental Band Geek.”
 
In the book, Erin Dionne crafts a funny story about a young girl following in her family’s footsteps but marching to the beat of her own drum.
 
Author Dionne is a band geek at heart, having marched in her high school and college marching bands and recently attended the USSBA event at Blackstone-Millville High School near her home in Massachusetts.
 
Erin wrote about her experience at the USSBA event in Mass., “I had a *blast* on Saturday night. It brought back memories of competitions I did in high school.  The bands were so proud of their achievements and worked really hard on their shows.  I was impressed by their dedication--but also remembered feeling the exact same way when I was competing. There were some great music choices and a few really strong shows.”
 
Dionne continued, “I also did a giveaway and had BAND GEEK stickers made for instrument cases--and they went like hotcakes. I’ll be sure to have more at my next appearances.”
 
Erin Dionne will be on-site as a special guest of the USSBA signing books at MetLife Stadium and the Yamaha Cup on October 15 and at the USSBA National Championships in Annapolis, Md. on November 12-13.”
 
“Notes from an Accidental Band Geek” follows thirteen-year old Elsie Wyatt who plays the French horn just like her father and grandfather. When she learns that she can only qualify for the prestigious orchestra of her dreams by joining the high school marching band, all she can think of is an impending musical death in a polyester uniform.  Will Elsie survive her first year of high school playing in the marching band, make it into the prestigious orchestra, and follow her dreams?  The lessons learned along the way are more than Elsie bargains for, and definitely ones she will never forget.
 
To order your copy of “Notes of an Accidental Band Geek,” CLICK HERE where a portion of the proceeds will go to help support the USSBA and our activities.
 
“Notes from an Accidental Band Geek” author Erin Dionne (www.erindionne.com) is an assistant professor of Liberal Arts at a small college north of Boston, where she teaches freshman comp, lit classes, and some creative writing electives. When not actively promoting her writing with her great humor and enthusiastic understanding of the miseries and magic of middle school, Erin reminisces about her days in high school and college marching band. She lives with her husband and daughter in Framingham, Massachusetts.
 
 EEEEEE!!! I'm so proud and excited to be affiliated with this awesome group, which celebrates the work and achievement of so many students. Band geeks rule!

Band geeks? Okay. Call 'em what you will, but when was the last time YOU performed with rock stars?

Exactly.

Check out these three band-tastic videos!

1. The only time I can support my college arch-rivals Notre Dame? When their band performed in OKGO's video, "This Too Shall Pass."
(it would've been way better if OKGO'd invited the BC Eagles...but whatever)



2. My parents played Fleetwood Mac (on 8-track, no less!) to help me fall asleep when I was 4 or 5. No way I would've snoozed to this version of "Don't Stop," featuring the USC Trojan marching band.
(poor video quality, but the sound is GREAT)



3. And oh, two great bands that go great together: The Boston College Screaming Eagles Marching Band performing "Shipping Up to Boston" with the Dropkick Murphys. I only wish I'd still been in school for this performance...

I get that question a lot these days. Can't imagine why. 

Firstly, band geeks are primarily found in marching bands--although many are proud members of concert/symphonic, jazz bands and orchestras--it's the marching aspect that lends (ahem) street cred to your geekdom.

The second element of geekdom? Practice time. Marching bands are rigorous, (most of the time) competitive groups that perform on a bi-weekly basis for a whole sports season. And when not entertaining the crowd at halftime or in the stands, bands are also participating in competitions and marching in local/regional parades. Prepping for all of that takes LOADS of practice time. Practice that involves:
1. learning and (most of the time) memorizing your music
2. learning--and memorizing--your spot on the field show drill charts (those are the things that tell members exactly where they're supposed to be at any given time on the field during halftime.) here's a sample:



3. learning how to march to your spot while playing your instrument and not crashing into anyone else
4. practicing the "stands tunes" that get played during time outs/touchdowns/stoppages in play
5. learning--and memorizing-- a WHOLE NEW SET OF MUSIC for parades
6. marching in straight lines for parade formation.
-and-
7. learning to love a rockin' polyester uniform.

So band kids practice several times a week, and typically start at an intensive "camp" before school actually begins...and, in some parts of the country, the season begins swelteringly hot and ends at freezing. My practice sessions in high school began at 6:50 am and we also rehearsed after school. In college, it was Tues/Thurs, 6:45-10pm, and Saturday mornings anywhere from 3-5 hours before kickoff. Both my high school and college bands also had week long intensive band camps before school started, to help members get a jump on the season.

To do all that, you really have to love several things:
a. Music
b. Sustained discipline and goals
c. The people you're spending all this time with.

That last one? That's the last big part of where the "geek" in band geek comes from. You're with the other members constantly, working together to achieve a goal (a perfect show) that's much larger than the sum of any one person's part. You travel on long bus rides together, stand out in the sun (or rain, or snow, or all three) for hours together, and endure grueling, repetitive practices together. Those people? They become your family. Band members develop inside jokes, slang, and their own language shortcuts out of their shared experience. (Yeah, sometimes we get a little obsessed with 70's and 80's epic sci-fi adventures...but how can you NOT love The Imperial March?!)

So the band geeks in your life? Respect them and the work they do.




Yeah, I'm a band geek. I own it.
(me, as drum major in high school. Respect the skirt. And the hat)

Author friends, readers, and book lovers...

I'm collecting books (primarily picture books, chapter books, and easy readers, but will take all levels of kids' books) for a really exciting project to help Rhode Island kids in need. Here's the deal:

When my grandmother, Nina, passed away almost 10 years ago, my family decided that they wanted to honor this amazing, special person in a very public, permanent way. They created The Nina Foundation, an organization to raise money for RI kids in need, and paired with the Dept. of Children/Family services to provide basic necessities for kids lacking clothes, properly heated homes, and food. Through our fundraisers, we've helped 70 families, but wanted to do more, reaching more kids.

After nearly 10 years, the Nina Foundation is making an even bigger impact. First, we paired with the Providence Children's Museum. The Children's Museum runs a program where children separated from their families and in the foster care system come in to the museum with their birth parents for supervised family visits, so they can get on the road to being permanently reunited.

The Nina Foundation purchased a HOUSE in Providence and are renovating it. The Fairfield Avenue house--to be called Nina's House--will be a major extension of the Museum's DCYF visitation program. Children will be able to visit with their parents in a home-like setting. Mom and Dad can make lunch for their kids, give them a bath--and--of course, snuggle up and read to them. Social workers will be able to offer guidance and hands-on help as mom and dad negotiate day-to-day skills. The upper floor of the house will hold offices of the Museum DCYF staff.

This is a completely new model of family visitation in New England. (typically, family visitations take place in public places--notably, McDonald's play spaces, or in the LOBBY of the Providence DCYF building. Depressing and sad.)

My part in all this--I'd love to have a mini "library" at the house, so parents can connect with their children through reading together. And beginning readers can proudly show their parents their new skills! All of the books will remain on-site.

If you'd consider donating one of your books, or a favorite read, to the program, I'd be so grateful--and you'd be making an impact in a lot of kids' lives. Nina's House will be finished and presented to the museum on November 1st. I'll accept books via snail mail up through October 28th. (Feel free to sign them with an encouraging note, or if you'd like to send bookmarks, etc, instead, I'd gladly accept those, as well.)

Packages can be sent to me. DM me for my address.

I'll also be presenting at this year's ENCORE! program at Rhode Island College on the 29th, and will gladly accept donations after my session.

If you'd like more info about Nina's House or the program, feel free to message me or leave a note in the comments.

Thanks for thinking of Nina's House!

ETA: new, ARCs, F&G's (as long as the pages are attached), and gently used books are totally acceptable. These books will not be sold or circulated--just read and loved.

At the beginning of the summer I was on hold with some giant beauracracy, clicking through websites to make the time pass, and came across this article about the importance of marching bands and music education on CNN.com. Vince DiFiore, trumpet player for the band CAKE, wrote it. I'm already a CAKE fan--three-year-old CC knows most of the lyrics to "Short Skirt, Long Jacket"--but his article cemented my love for CAKE.
As an eight-year veteran of polyester uniforms and plumed headwear, I was struck by Vince's passion and the clear argument that he made. In essence: band matters. Music matters. It helps kids grow and develop into confident leaders.

Preaching to the choir, here, Mr. DiFiore. Band was an amazing experience in my life. When I abruptly moved twice in two years (one move took place between my freshman and sophomore years in high school), it was marching band that opened the door to friendships and belonging. As an awkward, unathletic teen, it gave me the sense of cameraderie and competitiveness found in team sports. I represented my school--both high school and college--and had the opportunity to travel across the country, perform on television, and learn leadership and problem-solving skills. Marching band forced me to step outside of comfort zone (no pun intended).

Did I mention that most of my closest friends, including my FabHusband, all marched with me? 

Anyway, I was so struck by DiFiore's straightforward nature in the article that when I finally got through the hold chain, completed my business, and hung up the phone, I dashed off a quick thank-you note, found CAKE's email address, and sent it. I told Vince how much I appreciated that he was using his platform to support music education, and told him how much band had meant to me. I told him about NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK, and offered to send him a copy as a thank-you (never expecting that an alt-rock star would be interested in a book for tween girls, but hey...why not?). The article also explained that CAKE has partnered with the USSBA (US Scholastic Bands Association), and together are running a super-cool contest for bands across the country (click here for details). How awesome is that?!

So I sent the email message, and kind of forgot about it.

Until Vince wrote back.

And said that he'd love to read NOTES. (And I freaked out and sent it to him immediately, of course!)

And since then he's emailed a few more times...enjoying the book.

Holy crazy, Batman! A bona-fide ROCK STAR, reading my book?!?! And some other things have come from that, which we'll get into later. But...man. I look at how this unfolded, and what occurs to me is that it all goes back to stepping out of your comfort zone, and championing what you believe in.  Although I don't play my instrument any more (flute/piccolo, if you're keeping score), music has never left my life or art. Obviously, it's the central part of NOTES...but it's important to Celeste in MODELS, and even Hamlet has a musical moment in TOTAL TRAGEDY. I frickin' LOVE marching band.

I'm so grateful that Vince DiFiore took the time to respond to my message, but even more so that he took the time to write that article in the first place. I'm grateful to those years I spent in polyester, and the instant connection that experience generates when you meet someone else who is a bona fide band geek.

If you are so inclined, head over to iTunes and show CAKE some support...they have a great new album out.

As well as doing in-person school and bookstore events, I love reaching out to readers virutally via Skype. So, this fall I'm offering 10 visits as a Skype "tour" for classrooms, book clubs, homeschool groups, etc to talk about NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books). And it's free!

Details:


Title: NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books, releases Sept 1, 2011)

Best for Grades: 5-12

Themes/topics for discussion: family issues, music, marching band, social pressures, reaching out to others, making friends, creativity and passion

Writing Topics I like to discuss: brainstorming, revision, editing, character development, humor, incorporating personal experience into fiction

About the book: Thirteen-year-old Elsie Wyatt wants to be an orchestra superstar, like her dad and grandfather. The first step? Get into Shining Birches, a super-selective summer music camp.
But a missed audition (thanks, Dad!) and approaching application deadline lands her in the plumed hat and polyester pants of her school’s marching band—where she can’t play her own instrument, can’t sit down, and can’t seem to say the right thing to anyone…let alone Jake, the cute trumpet player she meets on the first day. Surviving marching band is going to be way harder than Elsie thought!


Available days/times for Skype chats: Mon/Wed 11:30-12:15pm EST in September and October; some afternoon/evening availability, as well

Tour Dates: September & October 2011; scheduling 10 visits

Email: erinmdionne@yahoo.com

Sorry for the lack of postings...we had a week of spotty internet service, which is so frustrating! However, I have a backlog of posts to activate, so you'll see things over the next few days. This entry is about a field trip we took with the students July 9. We spent this past weekend in Rome, so I have a separate entry about that for later this week.

We boarded our bus at 8am and rode an hour and a half south to see Etruscan tombs in Cerveteri. Built in approximately 700 BC, there were over 30,000 dead in these mound tombs. Each one is carved  into rooms for "sleeping" and "dining." we had to walk down flights of stairs to get into them. Some had been fitted with lights, but others were dark and overgrown, dusty and musty with age. So beautiful and such an incredible sense of the weight of time. There's no other way to describe it...

CC loved it. We walked with different bunches of students and she was able to identify what was sleeping spaces vs. Dining areas. It was really, really hot, so we took it slow.

After that, we got back on the bus for 40 mind and went to Tarquinia, to see more tombs. These were painted inside--some, decorated with animals and hunting scenes. Others were banquets and family life. Lots of the paint had faded, but the vibrant reds and yellows were still visible. To see something that had been painted over 1000 years ago...awe inspiring. It makes you feel very, very insignificant.

On the bus again, and it was time to hit the beach. We drove 30 minutes to the Mediterranean. We had 3 hours to have lunch and enjoy the beach. FH, CC and I ate with the faculty--we took a long lunch to cool off in the a/c-- then spent a half hour in the sand. The waves were high and rough, so CC dipped her feet and splashed with the kids, but didn't go deep. The sand was black--volcanic-- and HOT. There are rental chairs and umbrellas scattered along the beach, and we were able to score one for free. FabHusband went for a dip in the sea, but I opted not to put on my suit. I splashed in the surf, though!

Back to the bus at 5, and then it was 25 minutes (during which CC was so tired she fell asleep with her arms up in the air) to the Tarot Garden Sculpture park. A contemporary artist made a giant piece of art for each of the 22 figures in the tarot deck. The sculptures are so big you can walk in them, and each is covered with beautiful mosaic tiles and mirrors. CC was beside herself, as were the kids.

We finally got home to Viterbo at 8:15pm, exhausted.

So far, I've done about 4 loads of laundry BY HAND ( the washing machine? Filled with mold in the detergent dispenser. So gross I can't even deal), including our sheet and pillow cases. Lemme tell you, the "old country"-- in some ways not all it's cracked up to be!