In response to all the enthusiastic queries about future books . . . some good news: I've completed a 286-page draft of #4, NIGHT SWIMMING, which brings Isabelle (PERFECT), Sam (LUSH), and Eyvn (BOUNCE) together at a fictitious summer camp in Maine. The bad news: the story needs a lot of revising before it's reader-ready. (Grrr.) Summer '09 was the intended release date, but now everything is getting pushed back while I decide how to proceed with revisions. In the meanwhile, I'm working on Book #5, so it's anyone's guess which will cross the finish line first--or when that finish line may materialize. Much depends on how willing my boys are to let me write this summer. My five year-old, Jack, summed it up the other day when he said, "Mommy, I want you to have a baby,and I want it to be a girl." I asked him why, and he said, "So she can write all your books while you play with us." Funny kid. But since I don't yet have a daughter to be my surrogate, I will just have to continue the precarious mom/writer juggling act until I get the job done. And I will get the job done; it's merely a matter of time!

Meanwhile, wishing everyone a great summer (let me know what you're reading!)

xoxo, Tash

Calling all New England Readers . . .

Looking for something fun to do on the weekend of April 25th-27th? Check out the Newburyport Literary Festival in Newburyport, MA. For a list of featured authors, check out the link below. I'll be presenting on Saturday the 26th, at 11:45. Hope to see you there!

:) Natasha

Newburyport Literary Festival

Just when I thought LUSH was the poor, neglected middle child of my three literary offspring, the good news keeps on rollin'!

Thanks, Rhode Island readers!!!

Check it out. . . .

Rhode Island Teen Book Award

This just in: LUSH was named one of the International Reading Association’s YA Choices for 2008. Thanks, all you rock star readers out there!

xoxo,

Tash

I just heard that BOUNCE was named one of the New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age 2008." Now there's something to bounce about!

Happy St. Patty's Day, everyone :).

I hope everyone finds someone cute to smooch today, or at least something chocolately to eat :).


Love,

Tash

To all you good little readers out there,

May visions of great literature dance through your heads tonight, and may Santa make all your reading and writing dreams come true. Wishing everyone a warm and wonderful holiday. . . .

Love and sugarplums,

Tash

At long last, I have revamped the photos on this site, which were tragically in need of an update. Sometimes I like to delude myself that I am younger than I am. That earns me a smack in the head with a stack of books, n'est pas?

Hope everyone had a spooky and chocolate-filled night. I am definitely suffering from sugar overload this AM!

xoxo,

Tash

well, I'm off to the great state of Nebraska tomorrow AM to accept the Golden Sower (the children's choice award) for PERFECT. And what will I be doing every minute while I'm on the plane and hanging in the hotel room? Working on Book #4, of course! I am determined to finish by January. Keep on me, girls.

Meanwhile, it absolutely must be said. . . .

GO RED SOX!!!

Okay, I have officially entered the 21st century; I now have a MySpace page AND a Facebook page. Check 'em out (and feel free to send suggestions b/c I am definitely a novice).

xoxo,

Tash

Natasha Friend's MySpace

The kick-off celebration for BOUNCE was a huge success. Indisputable MVP of the event was Avalon (pictured here), who traveled for hours to get to R.J. Julia (awesome bookstore, by the way). Honorable mention to all the Shoreline Y.A. readers, their parents, my new neighbors (whom I already adore), my mom and dad, M.O.L. and S.O.L., Mrs. D, Mrs. P., and, of course, my boys, who wore their purple BOUNCE tees with aplomb (or should I say a-plum?)

Check out the "Photo Gallery" for more pics.

Well girls, reviews and e-mails are starting to roll--or should I say "bounce"?--in, and I can officially breathe now. So far, so good. "Entertainment Weekly" gave the book an "A-"; Target stores will carry it through December (which is huge); and, most important, dear readers, many of you have written to say that you liked BOUNCE even more than PERFECT and LUSH! Hurrah! Now I am even more inspired to crank on Book #4. My goal is to finish by Jan. 1. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Meanwhile, happy back-to-school to all!

xoxoxo,

Tash

More about Bounce

Hey all you New England readers,

Want to help celebrate the release of BOUNCE and get your copy signed?

You are warmly invited to the

BOUNCE Book Launch!

Saturday, September 15th

3:00 PM

R.J. Julia Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT

All Book-lovers welcome!

More about Bounce

You asked for 'em, you got 'em: PERFECT, LUSH, and BOUNCE tees are now available for purchase from my website. Even better, the first five people to buy one of each tee will receive a free advanced copy of BOUNCE, which isn't due to hit bookstores until September!

More information