soup of the day: flash burnout by l.k. madigan!

~ jama


photo by Seven_Hundred.

Everybody: Smile and say, "Cheese!"

Oh yes, you do have a killer smile (you really should pose for pictures more often). Has anyone ever told you your face could launch a thousand chips ships?

*licks lips and continues to munch on extra sharp cheddar lens*

Okay, I need to focus. Today’s another hugely wonderful super duper landmark day, because we’re congratulating debut author L.K. Madigan on the publication of her brand spankin’ new young adult novel, Flash Burnout (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009)!! Yay!

     
        FLASH BURNOUT by L.K. Madigan,
        Young Adult Fiction published by HMH, 2009, 336 pp.      

*flashbulbs explode all over the world*

Yes, do continue cheering and clapping, because as I’ve said often enough, there is only one first book in a writer’s lifetime and the occasion should be savored, shouted from the rooftops, and celebrated in every way possible.

In Flash Burnout, Madigan (a self-admitted boyaholic), presents the funny, compassionate character of Blake, a fifteen-year-old who must  negotiate the delicate balance between having a beautiful girlfriend who adores him (Shannon), and a friend who needs him (Marissa). After he takes a photo of a homeless woman for a class assignment, he learns she is actually Marissa’s drug-addicted mom. Blake is inadvertently pulled into Marissa’s life, and soon Shannon makes it very clear that she is not thrilled with him helping Marissa. While trying to navigate the tricky waters of love and friendship, Blake begins to see who he really is in a much clearer light.

In an interview at 2010: A Book Odyssey (an LJ community for 2010 debut authors), Lisa mentions her sources of inspiration for Flash Burnout: a previous (as yet unpublished) novel featuring Blake as a minor character, a conversation with a medical examiner, a photo of a girl with heartbroken eyes, and the idea that "some parents are toxic." The term, "flash burnout," is photo lingo for "overexposed," a cool title for what appears to be a very compelling book. Can’t wait to read it! 

So far, word on the street has been very positive. Enthusiastic early readers have cited the believability of Blake’s voice and the dilemmas he faces, the interesting combination of the serious and the comic, and the realistic treatment of themes such as first love, teen sex, boy-girl friendship, death, family relationships, and substance abuse. The book is enriched by the inclusion of photography tips at the beginning of each chapter, a reflection of Lisa’s personal interest in the field.

Kirkus found the dialogue "genuinely alive;" "the details are just intriguingly bizarre enough to hook teens of both sexes and keep them engrossed by the naively unsteady love triangle." 

Booklist gave Flash Burnout a *starred review*: ". . . this rich romance explores the complexities of friendship and love, and the all-too-human limitations of both. It’s a sobering, compelling, and satisfying read for teens and a promising debut for a new young adult author."



Did you know that Lisa’s favorite color is robin’s egg blue?

So, are you all ready to strike a pose? Gather round the soup bowl, don your bibs, and dip your shiniest spoons in honor of Lisa K. Madigan, our author of the day. No need to wait for the click!


Today’s Special: Photogenic Potage (will brighten your smile and help you charm the camera).

Good job! I like the way you slurp. Now help yourself to a crab wonton, Lisa’s favorite snack:

photo by mooshee85.

When you’re ready for a little dessert, nosh on a cammie cupcake,

photo by Ciak Kiah.

or bite right into this Nikonic beauty:

photo by cupcakeenvy.

By now, you know the drill. Zoom on down to your nearest local indie, or order Flash Burnout online. (I’ll be watching you through my telephoto lens.)

Our deepest, heartfelt congratulations, Lisa! We’re thrilled for you!

                                          ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MORE:

L.K. Madigan official website and Live Journal blog, Drenched in Words.

Interviews at 2010: A Book Odyssey, Fumbling with Fiction, Writing for Children and Teens, and The Tara Tracks.

Reviews at ten cent notes and TeensReadToo.

*For those of you in the San Francisco area, L.K. Madigan will be appearing at the Not Your Mother’s Book Club Third Annual Fall Book Bash at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009, at Books, Inc., along with Sara Zarr, Barry Lyga, Andrew Smith, and Allen Zadoff!

**This just in: Would you like to see your name in L.K. Madigan’s next book, a YA fantasy called The Mermaid’s Mirror (to be released Fall 2010)? Click here for details of the special auction she’s running!

More Soup of the Day posts here.

**Robin’s egg blue mosaic photos by confections, hine, Isaiah 12:2, and ConanTheLibrarian.

Copyright © 2009 Jama Rattigan of jama rattigan’s alphabet soup. All rights reserved.
 

36 thoughts on “soup of the day: flash burnout by l.k. madigan!”

  3. I can’t decide what I want more–the cheese camera or those sweet camera-topped cupcakes! No better way to introduce a new book to the world than one of your soup-bowl posts. Lucky Lisa . . . and lucky us. I can’t wait to read this book now that you’ve called it to my attention.

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  4. That sounds like a great premise/storyline. Thanks for the tip. And look at you, getting back and immediately celebrating someone’s book release. You’re oh-so generous, you know?

    jules
    7-Imp

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  6. Re: Your posts are so tasty!

    Yes! I once had a teddy bear sculpted out of butter for a tea party. That’s what the cheese cameras reminded me of. Hmmm — maybe you should sculpt a Dylan bust out of chocolate or something :).

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  8. You are SO awesome – you find the BEST pictures for these release celebrations.

    FLASH BURNOUT is so good, and I’m excited others get to experience the awesomeness now that it’s out in the world.

    YAY Lisa!!

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  9. Aw, you always say the nicest things. My TBR pile has become a tower — I just wish I could read faster to keep up with all these great new books that are coming out.

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  10. Sounds interesting! I suspect there aren’t nearly enough books told from the boy’s POV. Congrats to the author!

    Also, I want a crab wonton now.

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  11. Great scrapbook!

    Having watched her road to publication with deep admiration, I’m kvelling for Lisa today. Thank you for presenting her/us with this wonderful scrapbook of her journey.

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  12. a Dylan bust out of chocolate or something :)….

    I think that’s why many artist still work in clay… You never get to see that bust, I’d probably eat it!

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  15. Jama, I’m speechless with joy and gratitude.

    (And believe me, being unable to speak doesn’t happen to me very often. Just ask my husband.)

    This post is soooo amazing and delicious and thoughtful I just want to reach through my screen and hug it.

    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

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  19. We do need more books from the boy’s POV — and done well, too. Lisa seems to have nailed it with this book.

    I’ve never had crab wontons. Thanks to Lisa, I’ll be seeking them out!

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  20. Re: Great scrapbook!

    Lucky you, to have been in on her journey from the beginning. I think I came aboard just a little before her big book sale post. I’m just happy I’m here today to congratulate her on her big day!

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  21. Thanks, Liz. I, too, am lusting after that typewriter. Actually, I like robin’s egg blue, too, and have been considering painting my dining room that color. 🙂

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