Daisy Whitney and CJ Omololu

Last week we hosted two local debut teen novelists: Daisy Whitney and CJ Omololu. Both have written realistic issues-based books, one about date rape, one about hoarding. And if you haven't read both books, you should. They are very good.

What can I tell you about them? When Daisy Whitney is not inventing fictional high school worlds, she’s a multimedia reporter specializing in all forms of online and new media content distribution and produces conferences for iMedia and ad:tech. She was the first journalist to launch a personal online newscast covering the internet business. Currently she hosts the audio podcast called This Week in Media. The Mockingbirds, Daisy’s very impressive debut novel, is a powerful, honest book that tackles a difficult subject. It’s a book I think should be on every high school reading list. And she’s apparently writing a sequel about the same secret society.

CJ Omololu, or Cynthia Jaynes Omololu, was born in New Jersey, but grew up in San Diego. And now lives in the Bay Area. She grew up with the serviceable last name of Jaynes, but then married a Nigerian man, which is why her other last name has so many vowels. She’s the author of the picture book, When It’s Six O’clock in San Francisco and the wonderful Dirty Little Secrets – a heartbreaking, disturbing look into life with a hoarder. (I will admit that it made me take a good look at my house and take bags and bags of things to Goodwill. My husband thanks her!). No, it seems she didn't grow up in a hoarder family but was inspired by a magazine article she read on a plane. And her next book? Apparently, it will be a fantasy. (yay!)

They came with a powerpoint presentation about their path to publication that was both funny and informative - along with bad fashion choices and bad hair styles. So inspirational, I can't wait to read their next books.

Here's video of Daisy talking about The Mockingbirds:



And here's video of Cynthia talking about Dirty Little Secrets: