1. Can I get a signed bookplate?

Yes! Some of you have asked me about getting Parties & Potions signed for the holidays. While I'm not sure about my event schedule yet, I am going to be signing personalized bookplates. I set up a mailbox for this and everything.

Want one?

Here's what to do:

Send a letter with a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to:

Sarah Mlynowski, 295 Greenwich Street, #177 New York, NY 10007

Please tell me who I should sign the bookplate for and if you need any special message (no longer than a line please!) I am happy to make up my own. Also, only one per person. Unless you are buying Parties for everyone on your Christmas list. (Which would be super cool of you, and in that case I'll personalize ten per letter.)

Make sure to put the right address and postage on the SASE or you will not get the bookplate/s. Instead the letter will come back to me or get lost.

You may also want to include your e-mail address in the note in case of problem..

Also, I'm kind of testing out how this is all going to work, so check back here for any changes...

2. Where can I send you a letter?

You are really, really sweet for wanting to write me. Or maybe it's for school. Either way, yay!

I'll admit that You're better off sending me an e-mail in the contact section--you will get a respnse faster! And save paper!

But you can also use the above address to send me your letter.

And if you include an SASE I'll send you a bookplate in return.

Also want to mention: please don't send me stories or manuscripts! I can't read or edit them, and I'll unfortunately have to send them right to the recycle box.

3. Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas come from everyday feelings and experiences. For example, B&B is about a girl who finds out that her younger sister is a witch. This was based on my little sister Aviva. Unfortunately, not the witchcraft part. What inspired the book is the always complicated love, jealousy, and pride involved in a sister relationship. Ever since Aviva was born and took over my role as the center of my family, I’ve been writing stories about her. There was “Life with The Squirt,” “The Squirt Ate My Homework,” and the “Adventures of SuperSquirt.” That one was about a little sister who could fly. Basically Bras & Broomsticks is its updated version. In my opinion, the key to writing is to take what you know and go wild with it.

4. Any chance you’re really a witch?

Um….no. I wish. And my sister wishes too. Unfortunately neither of us have one magical bone in our bodies. We can’t levitate objects, zap up new cars or tell the future.

5. If you had magical powers and could what would you wish for?

World peace. A cure for cancer. Naturally straight hair.

6. Is Bras & Broomsticks going to be a movie?

a. Maybe one day...but not at the moment.

7. But I heard Emma Roberts was suppose to star as Rachel!

Yes, she was. But she is no longer. Things change fast in Hollywood. If I hear any movie news I will post it.

8. You know, I would make a great Rachel...

I'm sure you would. But I'm not in the movie business. If a producer wants to make any of my books into movies, then I sell them the rights. That's all I do. Sorry! I don't cast. If I the rights get sold, and if I hear about auditions, I will post them, I promise!

9. Do you have to wait to be inspired to write?

The thing about being a professional author—when it's no longer a hobby, but your job— is that you can't wait for inspiration. I have to stop myself from hitting the snooze button every morning, and force myself to sit at my desk and get to work. I have to see it as a job, like any other job, or I'd never get any work done!

10. Where do you actually write?

I do most of my writing in my apartment, at my desk on the computer. Sometimes, I take my laptop all the way over to the couch. I don't like to write outside of the apartment because I'm easily distracted (Nice coat! Cute dog! There's a bus! Why is my screen still blank?)

11. Who are your all-time favorite authors?

I have tons. Margaret Atwood, Dorothy Parker, J.K. Rowling, Helen Fielding, Judy Blume…the list can go on and on.

12. What are your hobbies?

I love to travel (last year I went on an amazing African safari) and I like to scuba dive (except when I spot sharks under water. But that's a story for another time.)

13. What are your hobbies?

I love to travel (last year I went on an amazing African safari) and I like to scuba dive (except when I spot sharks under water. But that's a story for another time.)

14. I am doing a book report on your book! Can you tell me the plot/ theme/ meaning / setting / characters?

I'm thrilled you're doing a book report on me! But no, I can't tell you the plot/ theme/ meaning / setting/ characters. I think you're supposed to figure those out for yourself. But I can tell you some helpful details about me:

Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec

Lives In: New York, NY

Born: Jan 4 1977

Pets: None

Siblings: One sister, one step-sister

Married: Yes

You can also find out lots of info about me in this A-Z I wrote for my publisher, and in the press section. Good luck!

15. Can you come do a book signing in my city?

I would love to! But here's how it works: the publisher has to decide to send me on tour (yay!). Then they ask different stores across the country who wants to have me, and where they think they can have a good (meaning have lots of people show up) event. So if you want me to come to your town tell your local bookstore that they should invite me. And: get your friends to buy my books. I'm not making that last one up--the more popular my books are in a town, the more likely they are to send me there.

16. I want to be a novelist, but an entire novel seems so overwhelming. What should I do?

Try setting small goals—like writing one page a day. Before you know you'll have a finished book. Trust me, it works.

17. What kind of schooling do I need to write a book?

Anything you learn or absorb helps your writing. In my case, I have a degree in English lit, which allowed me (er, forced me) to read many different types of books and understand various writing styles. But any subjects you take in high school or college will broaden your knowledge and make you a better, and more informed writer.

18. How long does it take to write a book?

It takes me about 3 to 4 months to write a first draft. Then there's lots of editing, of course. The entire process from starting to write the book, to seeing it in print takes about two years.

19. Can you give me any tips on how to get published?

Start with short stories. Get published in your school literary journals. If no such journal exists-start one. Send your story to teen mags and city-wide journals. If you're wondering about addresses, check out 2005 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

If you want to get a novel published, here's what you have to do: finish the book. Seriously. I get e-mails all the time from people who want to be writers and think there's a magic formula. There isn't. You have to finish the book. That's what will separate you from everyone else. If you need help, you may want to check out the writing book I co-wrote with Farrin Jacobs. It's called See Jane Write. (This book was written for adult readers, so ask a parent or guardian if you're under fifteen.)

Once you're done, buy an agent's guide (you don't need to get an agent for short stories, but it helps a lot with novels). Then write a killer cover letter and synopsis. Publishing books will show you how. Then send the cover letter and synopsis to every agent (or publishers who accept un-agented material) and wait for the responses. If no one bites, try more or revisit your stuff! And be patient…but don’t stop writing.