It's "Fallen Angels Week" on Lifetime, which I'm assuming is a tie-in to the Saturday night premiere of Lifetime's film adaptation of TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET (August 9th at 9 p.m.). Well, on my blog, "Girl Uninterrupted", it's "Lola Week" - all Lola, all the time.

But first, something really freaking cool:

You know how ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY has its weekly "What to Watch" column, now penned by the lovely and talented Jessica Shaw? Well, this week's ONLY pick for Saturday is TRUE CONFESSIONS! EW's Leah Greenblatt, who is also very lovely and talented, writes, "Despite some yawning plot holes (superfamous blond actress + brunet dye job = total undercover stranger! who knew?), it's surprisingly self-aware fun."

In my defense, Morgan's transformation into Claudia Miller involves more than a dye job. Book Morgan gets a nose job and a breast reduction, puts on a significant amount of weight, and wears glasses in addition to turning her golden locks mousy brown. AND people notice that Claudia resembles Morgan, though the lack of boobs and excess booty, in addition to the Everygirl Target wardrobe, makes them all think, "nah." Yes, it's still far-fetched, but not QUITE as far-fetched as it is in the TV movie.

Anyway, Leah G gives the movie a B overall, so I ain't complaining.

MORE MOVIE GOODIES:

Win a copy of Valerie Bertinelli's juicy autobiography, LOSING IT!

Check out a newly blond JoJo discussing "Hollywood's Temptations."

ReadSlate's take on "The Lifetime Original Movie 2.0" - great article but contains two factual errors (1. Morgan DOES complete a successful stint in rehab and 2. Even though Valerie Bertinelli's TV movies may have appeared on Lifetime previously, this is actually her very first ORIGINAL Lifetime TV movie.)

In fact, Valerie discusses this very thing here. One more correction: sorry, Jacqueline Cutler, but despite your assertation that "Morgan [is] a thinly veiled Lindsay Lohan," she's totally not. I BASED MORGAN ON A YOUNG DREW BARRYMORE YEARS BEFORE LINDSAY STARTED TRAIPSING IN AND OUT OF REHAB. However, Jacqueline, your assessment that JoJo is "terrific" as Morgan is 100% correct.

Something I knew: JoJo turned down the role of Hannah Montanna. Something I didn't: she almost turned down the role of Morgan Carter.

BACK TO THE BOOK:

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET is a Readergirlz recommended read for August! This month's theme is body image. And, because this also happens to be the month the movie premieres on Lifetime (this Saturday! August 9th! At 9 p.m.!), we're giving away autographed copies of the book! Just check out the Readergirlz forum on MySpace on August 9th and leave a comment under the thread "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet Giveaway"!

Starting October 8th, the Lifetime TV movie adaptation of TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET begins filming! I don't know too many details yet, except that JoJo (the pop singer-cum-actress) will be playing the role of Morgan Carter (anyone else see a slight resemblance to Lindsay Lohan?) and that Tim Matheson will be directing. Oh, and Kristen, my editor at Penguin, found out that Drew Barrymore will be filming an HBO movie in Toronto THE SAME TIME that TRUE CONFESSIONS is shooting there. How much would it kill to snag her for a cameo?

And for those of you who've been begging me for a third STARLET book? Looks like that might actually happen now, too.

Swimming in starlight,
lola

Just found out that True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet was named one of New York Public Library's 2007 Books for the Teen Age. Thanks, NY!

Just found out that TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET was named a 2007 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults selection! It's on the "What's so Funny?" book list. I'm listed along with people like Gordon Korman! Sue Limb! Ned Vizzini!

I feel special.

Kudos to my good friend Laurie Faria Stolarz, whose BLUE IS FOR NIGHTMARES was named to the "Religion: Relationship with the Devine" list! Her books rock, and if you haven't read them, you totally should.

BTW, has anyone seen the promos for a Very Special Episode of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE airing in February? Hosted by (gasp!) DREW?

I. Am. Dying.

Yay! Just found out that TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET has been nominated for the 2007-08 Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award! Super exciting stuff, especially since TRUE CONFESSIONS is something of a love letter to live in the Midwest. This East Coat brat is honored to be considered among such awesome writers as Maureen Johnson, David Lubar, and Marcus Zusack, to name a few.

Thank you, Indiana!

MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET is officially on sale as of today! Also out: the hot new paperback version of TRUE CONFESSIONS. Enjoy!

Gimme some cover love! You can now view the cover for MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET on Amazon.com. AND you can get a glimpse of the hot new cover for the paperback version of TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET over there as well!

Wondering why I don't yet have them posted on this loverly site? There are a few reasons, but the biggest one is that I'm working with my gorgeous glam girl of a web designer to revamp LolaDouglas.com. Stay tuned for Lola v2.0, which should drop sometime this fall.

A couple of hot-n-happening YA librarians are already sharing the love for MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET. Check out their reviews!

From Cedarlibrarian:

"The sequel does not disappoint. Morgan Carter, no-longer-undercover starlet, is trying to maintain as normal a life as she can lead in Fort Wayne, Indiana, complete with mean girls, loyal friends, and an insecure (kinda) boyfriend. Only now that everyone knows who she is, she's followed by tabloids and celebrity journalists, who are making her life insane. In the midst of the insanity, she has to get through her classes, deal with her superficial mother, support her friends, and try to figure out what the hell is going on with Eli. (He's a teenage boy. 'Nuff said.) This book has a lot more serious content than the first, but it's by no means gloom and doom. There's lots of girly brand-dropping, Hollywood gossipy angst, and romance. Verdict: Style and substance."

And from Liz B over at A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy:

"If I didn't know better, I'd say Lola is the pseudonym of Drew Barrymore. Maybe someone 'in' the industry would be able to point out howlers and mistakes galore, but the essence is what is important: Lola respects these teens, the Britneys and Lindsays, MaryKates and Ashleys and Mischas. She respects Hollywood and the entertainment industry; yet is not seduced by it. This isn't a rosy picture of tinsel town. But it is a wake up call to the public not to judge teenagers by ridiculously high standards; to the adults in the profession to be adults, not business managers; and to the teens themselves, saying, you have choices."

My sincerest gratitude, girls!

Tonight's the Season 3 premiere of PROJECT RUNWAY. But you know what else?

I HAVE A BLOG THINGIE.

Yeah, it's true. Go check me out at http://loladouglas.livejournal.com.

Nice discussion of TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET over at "A Chair, a Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy." <

Less than six months until its sequel, MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET, debuts!

Kellye Carter Crocker at the Des Moines Register has this to say about STARLET: "This funny, diary-format novel ... is a satisfying read, with more depth and heart than most chick lit. Look for the sequel this fall." Guess Iowa readers are digging Morgan, too!

Guess what? MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET (a.k.a. "the sequel") is officially available for pre-order on Amazon.com. No cover is posted yet, but I'll be sure to let you know when it is!

Ooh, a new review! And a lovely one at that! From Pat Trattles of Children's Literature:

"Morgan's story, told in journal form, is one in which a spoiled Hollywood brat transforms into a charming, at times obnoxious, yet witty and fun character who overcomes a lot of garbage in her life to discover who she really is. Overall, it provides a great read with a sequel to be released in Fall, 2006."

Bless your heart!

And here's a blog entry from YA goddess Teri Lesesne (professornana on LiveJournal), in which she gives STARLET a big thumbs up:

http://professornana.livejournal.com/36850.html?

Lastly, a special thanks to all of those lovely readers out there who have been sending me the bestest e-mails ever. Keep 'em coming!

Don't know if this qualifies as news or not, but if Morgan Carter were heading to Target this week, she'd so totally purchase this.

Anyone know if the groundhog saw his shadow or not? I'm beyond ready to put away my Uggs and slip on some strappy sandals.

According to School Library Journal, TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET "is nearly as amusing and compelling as Meg Cabot's PRINCESS DIARIES and Louise Rennison's GEORGIA NICHOLSON series . ... This engaging read with a promised sequel will be popular." Let's hope SLJ is right!

KLIATT thinks STARLET is worthy of a star! (Starred review, that is.) Reviewer Myrna Marler, an associate professor of English at BYU, calls it "an absorbing read." She goes on to say, "Who has not imagined themselves in the ranks of the wealthy and famous, the mundane life a mask for the glamorous persona fighting to get out?" Hear, hear, Prof. Marler! Hear, hear!

The people over at Teenreads.com have been incredibly kind! Click here to read an interview that contributing writer Carlie Webber conducted with me over e-mail, then hop over here to read her review of STARLET. Highlights include this unexpected (but much appreciated!) gem: "Morgan is charming (even when she's obnoxious), witty, fun, and most importantly, a multifaceted person who has to overcome a lot of garbage in her life. Meg Cabot fans, this is the book to pick up while you're waiting for the next Princess Diaries installment."

Me? Sharing fans with (gulp) MEG CABOT? *faints dead*

I heart the Romantic Times Book Club! Here's what they had to say about True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet:

"Told via the heroine's humorous journal entries, this cute tale shows the downside of being a young star. Readers will root for Morgan and yell at her when she veers off track. With a charming ending that leaves a few loose ends for the book's sequel, due in the fall of '06, this unpredictable tome is pure enjoyment."

Kirkus has spoken! Quoth the impossible-to-please review journal: "[True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet] is light, breezy and lots of fun, especially for girls with Hollywood fantasies."

The first review of MORE CONFESSIONS ... is in and whew, am I relieved! Especially since it's from Kirkus, who are notoriously hard reviewers.

Two weeks until MORE CONFESSIONS is on the stands!

Kirkus Reviews
The continuing travails of 17-year-old Morgan, genuine movie star, as she tries to live like a normal teenager in the Midwest, come across with delightful zing, yet address serious subjects. Morgan deals with first love, old enemies, best friends, new enemies, weight gain, hairstyles, fashion and her selfish mother, all the while fending off the horrid paparazzi and tabloid press. With all of that, she's inches away from her first-year sobriety token when she's thrown together with the celebrity who raped her years ago. Written in diary-style, this sequel picks up right where the opener left off, with little explanation of what has gone before. As such, it barely stands on its own, but for fans who want more, it delivers. Douglas manages the lightest of styles while delving into deep issues for adolescents. Fun, breezy entertainment with thoughtful undertones. (Fiction. YA)

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet goes on sale November 3, 2005, wherever books are sold. Pre-order your copy today!