There are some great anecdotes from people in the children's book business about the music that inspires them -- share your own here:

http://www.authorsnow.com/faves-on-a-friday-music-to-book-by/

Some of my recent favourites on the site:

Diversity in Fiction by Sarah Ockler:

http://www.authorsnow.com/connect-with-sarah-ockler-how-diverse-is-your-bookshelf/

Confessions of a First Time Author by Nan Marino:

http://www.authorsnow.com/connect-with-nan-marino-confessions-of-a-first-time-author/

Research in fiction by Jennifer Hubbard

http://www.authorsnow.com/connect-with-jennifer-r-hubbard-research-in-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-380

And check out the author spotlights, interviews, and behind-the-book wonderfulness -- February was an amazing month for debuts!

On how we seem to be misunderstanding the value of librarians just as we need them most.

More fabulous YA and MG debuts..Sarah Maclean's The Season also exploded onto the scene. Great interview right over here!

Stacey Jay and YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME made a big splash in Mississippi. And Erin Dionne's MODELS DON'T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES was a huge hit at our local Scholastic Book Fair; it's also blowing up the blogosphere, big-time.

Amazon links provided for book descriptions; if you can, pick up the books at your local independent bookstore.

New post up on AuthorsNow!; please share your 'book that changed everything' in the comments. Thanks so much to everyone who supplied such fantastic anecdotes.

Glossy promotional campaigns, bestseller lists everywhere, that indefinable buzz that skyrockets a book to the forefront of our collective imagination — we’re inundated with hard sells these days, often for the same few titles. How do you offer readers books beyond the bestsellers? How do you find the ones that will resonate with you and the people in your community?

My first 'Five Faves' column on AuthorsNow! is up; if you have a moment, stop by and share your favourite ways to find new books.