A good deal has happened in the time that elapsed between my decision to update the website and my taking the initiative to do so. 2009's Sydney Taylor Book Awards were announced in early January but I am bringing you the good word again today: So Punk Rock was named a "Notable Book for Teens" by the award committee.

No, my phone has not been ringing off the hook with offers for deals from Hollywood studios coming in at breakneck pace (actually those types of calls would go through Micol's agent so it's possible but unlikely that I'm being kept out of the loop). No, I'm not getting invited to parties hosted by New York a-listers and yes, I'm still living just barely above the poverty line and eating mint milanos for dinner (which I'd continue to do even if I were hit by sudden fame and fortune).

Despite all that the fact that we made it onto the Sydney Taylor radar means a great deal to me, though not necessarily to you unless you're my mom or my dad or maybe some girl I'm trying to impress. But it's definitely news worth sharing and I hope that if you've read the book you'd tend to agree with the ST folk that it was a 'notable' experience.

Thanks again to everyone who has had nice things to say about SPR. Fingers crossed for more good news to come!

--d

Well, if you're reading this (and you're not me) it means I've finally pulled it together and posted a revamped version of my website to the internet. A few more bells, a few more whistles and some more content for you to sink your teeth into.

My goal is for this to be an interactive website. What that means, I'm not quite certain, but what I do know is that it involves you writing me, me definitely getting back to you and using your feedback and your ideas to shape the content of this site. . . and of course giving you full credit for any of your ideas that I implement (with your permission of course).

Looking forward to hearing from you. Happy New Year!

--d