Listen to the Together Time show with host Dianne de Las Casas on #BlogTalkRadio - http://ping.fm/WDXMS

Read Ellen Hopkins' response to critics' reviews of Tricks, saying it is too graphic for teens http://ping.fm/YYxvo

Authors: Looking for a literary agent? Guide to Literary Agents is a great blog. http://ping.fm/H6J9D

People from ten diff countries are my Facebook fans! Too cool and thank you so much! http://ping.fm/KYDPb

Eliana & I made fluffy, buttery popcorn pancakes w homemade blueberry syrup for breakfast. Yum! Yes, I will post the recipe. :)

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit, forever changing the landscape of New Orleans & Gulf Coast. Let us reflect & remember...

Just booked another gig for Spring 2010 - this time in Kansas City, through Facebook chat! Yay!

Wonder how to build career as storyteller/speaker? Ck out my book, Story Biz Handbook, 30 ch & nearly 400 pgs of how-to. Available on Amazon

Facebook "Fan of Dianne" Friday Fanfare sent out. Check the "Updates" in your "Inbox." Hip hip hooray for my supporters! You are FANtastic!

Today is a cool morning, a nice way to start my day at the track. Is Fall coming to New Orleans?

Quick dinner, relaxing night w family. Watched Soloist w Downey Jr. & J. Foxx. Great story. Now straying fr comp to READ. :)

I have been managing to keep my email inbox hovering between 20-25 emails for about a week now. Miracle!

OMG! Accidentally DMed wrong person on Twitter asking to schedule a "date." Was for a guest spot on my radio show but sounded so wrong! LOL

Watermelon in the back of the fridge froze. What a delicious accident! It's like eating a frozen treat! Wow.

Smart-E-Bear is now avail @ Walmart.com. Download ur fave children's songs & stories into the plush bear, including mine! :)

Another booking came in today. Thank you and Yay!

Brit publisher Kraken Opus will release book on wine for US$1.04 million. Book lists best wineries in world & comes w 6 bottles fr ea winery

Walked @ track - luv it 1st thing in morn! Had healthy brkfst - oatmeal, egg white omelet & sweet seedless watermelon for dessert.

Did everything on yesterday's To Do incl. 2 new stories. Now off to walk at track. On today's TD: write keynote, interview & telecon.

Added another school to my school tour in California. Yay! Now fielding a different booking request... :)

Much to do today: workshop handouts, book airline tkts, write 2 stories, edit book proposal & fill out book mktg questionnaire for publisher

The late Senator Ted Kennedy's memoir, True Compass (Twelve, $35, 9780446539258), has a September 14 pub date.

Breakfast: egg white omelet stuffed w garlic, roasted red peppers, spinach & tomatoes. Topped w smoked ancho chile sauce. Mmmm.

Went to the track, walked a brisk 45 minutes & watched the sun rise. And still, I promised my daughter we would Wii fit together today!

So I'm the mid of work on the Net when comp decides to shut down & auto update w no warning! Ugh.

So psyched that I am returning to Cali to perform @ my old JH school & dedicating next book to my fave teacher on October 14!

TN & OK in Sept, CA & Chicago in Oct, NC & NJ in Nov and lots of Louisiana in between. Busy Fall!

Just confirmed performance & book signing at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge on October 17, 2009 @ 2pm!

Just finished interview w Cay Gibson for Lake Charles American Press. What a sweetie! Can't wait to see the article!

RT @SimonSaysCanada @ellenhopkinsYA 's new book TRICKS is out today! http://ping.fm/18iYp #newrelease

Ellen Hopkins @ellenhopkinsya, best-selling YA author has gorgeous new website! http://ping.fm/HJagr Visit!

Getting Boys to Read is great blog w awesome message by @MrMLibrarian http://ping.fm/SOAhq

Keep abreast of the book biz. Subscribe to Shelf Awareness. http://ping.fm/bak6A

Article: 10 Reasons to Get "Social" on the Web by Dianne de Las Casas http://ping.fm/mr5vS

Culinary skills at rest tonite. Ate at Vietnamese Restaurant. Bo Nuong Vi! Mmmm. And enough left over for lunch! :)

Scheduled another interview this week and a school tour in California. Yay!

You can now access Kidlit Book Trailers thru its own URL: kidlitbooktrailers.com. Kidlit authors & illustrators, upload your book trailers!

Just sched. 2 newspaper interviews re: new books & life as Louisiana author. All done thru Facebook chat. Yay! Thx, Cay!

Had 1st show on Blog Talk Radio. Had tech glitch during show but other than that, went well. Have to wk on audio quality. Thx to listeners!

Join me LIVE on my Together Time show tonight at 10pm CDT on #BlogTalkRadio at http://ping.fm/fv8o6 or call (914) 803-4507

Dinner: Fresh herb, garlic & apple roasted chicken w oregano rice & wine glazed baby carrots. Wine: Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2002

My little chef, Eliana, made me a ham & swiss cheese melt for lunch. Yummy!

Yay! My new book, Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle & Thrill (Oct. release), is available for online ordering now. http://ping.fm/14F7k

Breakfast: Almond vanilla french toast, mozzarella herb chicken sausage with garlic & fresh oregano hashbrown. Mmmmmm!

Daughter moved into dorm. Bk signing was fantastic! Lots fans & books sold. :)

After long day of errands, look forward to relaxing. Tmrw, moving daughter into dorm & hv book signing @ B&N Citiplace Baton Rouge. Pls come

Facebook "Fan of Dianne" Friday Fanfare went out this morn. FB friends, ck ur update tab inside ur Inbox. U didn't know abt it? Me either!

Sooooo excited. Whittled emails down fr 200 to UNDER 20!! Woo hoo!

Ck out the new children's book trailers that have been added to Kidlit Book Trailers! http://ping.fm/DTOuT #kidlit

Sent out FB "Fan of Dianne" Friday Fanfare update. Now hv 270 fans fr 75 a wk ago! I hv best fans ever (u know who u are)! Hv a fab day!

I hv the best web designer @hafnerdesigns. Ck out new "Hot Off the Press" book box on my site. http://ping.fm/q7ffS

Hv 1101 friends on FB! But FB "Fan of Dianne" http://ping.fm/ZTvHS grew fr 75 to 266 in less than wk! LUV my friends & fans!

Had a productive planning mtg w my super asst, @rbuscemi, via Skype. Grt ideas, lots to do! Look out world, here I come! LOL

Very pleased that Kidlit Book Trailers is growing! Add ur book trailer! http://ping.fm/Ss7ru

Finally going to bed after staying up all nite to build http://ping.fm/5ffS9 Just need a few Zzzz to rejuvenate & start over.

Yay! There are kidlit book trailers up! Join us at http://ping.fm/N2aEe #kidlit

Kidlit Authors/Illustrators, join Kidlit Book Trailers http://ping.fm/WAsIJ a place for u to upload ur book trailers! Pls RT! #kidlit

Kidlit Authors, join Kidlit Book Trailers http://ow.ly/kGBK, a place for u to upload ur book trailers! Thx to @liakeyes for inspiration!

Daughter Soleil @sassysunshine01 pimped out her Twitter page w help of @hafnerdesigns. Soleil's page is gorgeous & so is she! :)

Author Tip: Sign up for BookTour.com & register ur book signings. Feeds into Amazon.com author pgs, Goodreads.com & others!

Author Tip: Create your author page on Amazon.com with books, bio, pic & blog feed http://ow.ly/kFIq Thx @liakeyes!

Created my author page on Amazon.com http://ow.ly/kFHF Thx @liakeyes!

Back fr Educator's Night @ local bkstore. Made grt contacts! Thk u Gina, Heather & Jill,! Grt mtg u, Linda & Julie fr Perpetual Help School!

If u are a "Fan of Dianne" & have pics, please post them to Dianne's FB Fan Page! http://ping.fm/kYAcZ

Dianne's FB fan page http://ping.fm/wjlSa updated w new content. Fans will recv wkly update w "Fan of Dianne Friday Fanfare"

Finished new bk proposal, Sent webmaster copy to add new bk box on frnt pg & add new bks to bk section, sent postcard copy to graphic artist

Finished new book proposal on Filipino folktales & outline. Emailed to my co-author in Philippines for her thoughts and ideas. :)

Updated FB fanpage www.facebook.com/fanofdianne w links to bk activities, bk trailer, puppet instructions & more. Join & visit! Thx!

Luv power of Facebook. Done so much biz over FB past wk. Scheduled bk signing, planned bk w co-author in Philippines & booked shows!

Submitted work to wonderful agent at a dream literary agency... Here's hoping!

Article: Best Birthday Bashes for Kids by Dianne de Las Casas http://ping.fm/WlEMd

Article: 10 Tips to Make Back-to-School Cool! by Dianne de Las Casas http://ow.ly/kpUT

Friends, my Facebook fan page name has been set. Please visit & join! www.facebook.com/fanofdianne Thk u friends & fans for ur support!

Made it by midnight! Grew FB fan page fr 75 to 100. Now I can claim my name (to fame). LOL Thk u all for ur support! <3

Picked up my mom fr the airport. She was in Puerto Rico & dodged 2 tropical storms & a hurricane... Whew!

5 more fans on my FB fanpage & I can claim my name! ;) Can we do it before midnight CST?! http://ow.ly/kof9

I helped a friend, Lori Alexander, set up a Twitter and Ping.fm acct. (@loriealexander). Woo hoo, Lori! Welcome to Twitterville. :)

Ooooooh! Cuban sandwiches for dinner w leftover peppercorn garlic-stuffed pork roast I made last nite. Salivating yet?

Would love for my friends & fans to join my FB fan page! Thank you for your support. http://ow.ly/knhg

Sean Buvala @storyteller says re social media, "MySpace is 'posters.' Facebook is a club. Twitter is a mixer. LinkedIn is online resume."

Listening to a telecourse on social media by Sean Buvala @storyteller from www.storyteller.net

Ah, the Facebook problem was momentary. Yay! Can't have FB down for an addict like me... LOL

Has anyone else had a problem with Facebook being down today? I keep getting a "can't find the server" message.

Author Tip: BookTour.com lists ur book signings, allows ppl to add to their calendar & partners w GoodReads.com & others to publicize event.

Tropical Storm Bill is now Cat 1 hurricane... We gotta watch him!

Excited! Will work on new book of Filipino Folktales w Zarah Gagatiga, a teacher/librarian friend in Philippines. She agreed to co-author!

My web designer @hafnerdesigns, designed me the coolest Twitter skin. I luv it! Check it out! @storyconnection

Story Connection Xpress newsltr went out & generated great response. Thk u to all friends & fans! Luv seeing u on FB & Twitter. Happy Tales!

Power of social media - talked to my client in Philippines abt scheduling tour there, half world away - communicating on FB chat! Wow!

Sent Story Connection Express newsletter - theme: School is Cool! AND scheduled book launch signing over Facebook chat. How rockin is that?!

Ok, no FB, Twitter & email until I finish my newsletter. Note to self: Concentrate, Dianne! Control those itchy fingers. Turn off chat! LOL

Hurricane season winding up. TS Ana & TS Bill headed west fr Atlantic Ocean. Weather.com says Bill likely to become hurricane & head to U.S.

Rec'd new ARCS fr S&S to rvw: Jasper Dash & Flame-Pits of Delaware, Claim to Fame & Brixton Brothers: Case of The Case of Mistaken Identity.

My mom is in Puerto Rico w Tropical Storm Ana on way. She wants to evacuate tmrw but Jetblue won't allow flight chng w/o exorbitant fees.

Author & Poet Hope Anita Smith (@hopewordsmith) is wonderful! Hope, thk u for spending time w me on the phone! U are amazing & appreciated!

Welcome, Author & Poet Hope Anita Smith @hopewordsmith to Twitter! Let the celebration begin! #FF @hopewordsmith

As of today, my website, www.storyconnection.net, has rec'd 2,325,253 hits from over 25 countries! How cool is that?!

Hoping to straighten out a scheduling snafu w AASL Nov Conference in Charlotte, NC. Scheduled on only day I CANNOT attend! :(

Children's Bk Authors/Illustrators, to be on resource list, send website, FB addy & Twitter name. Reply or email dianne@storyconnection.net

Compiling resource list of children's authors/illustrators on FB & Twitter for my website. Wanna be listed? Email dianne@storyconnection.net

Got all info I need on virtual author visits in schools. Good to go! Now working on a VAV program & info sheet for schools.

School in CA wants to do teleconference visit w me. Never done one & wonder what to charge. Authors, feedback?

My children's book publisher listed my Fall 2009 regional book tour of Sam's Clubs on Booktour.com. Authors, join Booktour. It's free!

Where is Facebook? Am I the only one experiencing "can't find the server?" Perhaps it's another alien invasion...

University of North Carolina adopted The Story Biz Handbook as a college textbook for a communications course. Cool!

Eliana lft for 1st day in 4th grade, running out the door like hare w her bkpk strapped on like tortoise's shell. So the morn races begin...

Rec'd a booking request thru Facebook, proof that social media marketing works! Biz is abt connecting & building relationships on & offline.

Pencils sharpened, uniform ironed, backpacked stuffed, breakfast planned... Eliana starts 4th gr tomorrow. Bye summer! Hello school!

Finished new book proposal for Tell Along Tales! Playing w Participation Stories & submitted to my editor @ Libraries Unlimited. Excited!

The Story Biz Handbook, rec'd two really awesome reviews on Amazon.com. Yay! 30 ch. book on how to manage a career as a storyteller/speaker.

RT @mashable BREAKING: Facebook To Launch Facebook Lite - http://bit.ly/B0MtF

Goog's new search engine: Google Caffeine. Crave it like ur morning cup-o-joe... LOL Try the beta http://ping.fm/M9S9F Thx Heidi!

Finished edits to Scared Silly final (was supposed to be a review but errors needed fixing [not mine]). Should go to printer soon! Yay!

Editing, editing, editing Scared Silly book. Glad I get a final review - there are vital corrections needed.

Used lftovr chkn fr lst nite's Ancho BBQ Chkn sandwiches (w homemade guac & chorizo) to make chick n cheese enchiladas. Mex cornbrd on side.

My website, storyconnection.net, rates a 99 on websitegrader.com. Highest score yet. Yay! Thx to my web designer, Heidi of Hafner Designs!

Changed article title to be more specific: "Marketing Your Story Biz through Social Media" for Storytelling Magazine Jan/Feb 2010 issue.

Daughter, Soleil, gets 1st illustration credit in Scared Silly. Yay Soleil! Book dedicated to my Junior High English teacher, Mrs. Good.

RT @changinghands Neil Gaiman wins 2009 Hugo Award for THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. http://ping.fm/gfSd9

Professional Storyteller (http://ping.fm/RmS9A), a storytelling social network I founded, celebrates 1001 members today!

Updating Professional Storyteller (http://ping.fm/oWeUv), social network for storytellers fr around world

It's 3am & Eliana is having a last summer slumber blast before school starts. Ssssh. We're still playing in our blanket fort...

Fanmail: "Thk u... I purchased ur book, Handmade Tales. I'm excited to teach my 2nd gr. students ur stories & activities!" -Lynne Weinberg

Dressed to the nines... This foodie is lookin forward to a delectable dinner & dessert!

Going to an upscale restaurant in New Orleans to celebrate... But it's a surprise!

Having Twitter probs - no more Twitter auto add bots. Overloaded my acct & blocked me fr following. Now hv to unfollow to be able to follow!

I was just delivered the most gorgeous floral arrangement in a cool vase with a handle! Thank you, sweetie!

On Aug 7, 1993, I married my best friend. Thk u, Antonio, for our beautiful family, for ur support & for ur luv. Here's to many more. <3

Edited a book proposal, helping another author tighten & focus her project. Submitted to publisher today. Done & crossed off my LIST.

Kid Chef Eliana rec'd her new biz cards today, designed by her sister, Soleil. They are adorable & match her new website, elianacooks.com.

Made mushroom pate stuffed chicken, homemade pesto w basil fr Mom's garden, fresh green beans & banana Nutella cream cheese crepes. Yum!

Just saw my new book cover for Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle & Thrill. Looks great!

Update: AMResorts said Soleil could request transfer of vouchers to me. She sent email & they are doing so. Satisfactory resolution.

AMResorts will not budge. VP insists on issuing swine flu free guarantee to Soleil cuz she contracted flu, not me tho I paid for trip.

FB shut down chat feature indefinitely for "abuse" while talking w friend. Apparently, u can overchat. Continue chat & FB will disable acct!

Kid Chef Eliana posted a new recipe on elianacooks.com: Parmesan Serrano Potato Quiche Muffins http://ping.fm/hgOBc

Eliana & I had fun making Parmesan Serrano Potato Quiche Muffins. Mmmmmm! We'll put the recipe on her blog, elianacooks.com.

Difficulty w AM Resorts re vacay vouchers. They want to issue to Soleil who contracted flu but I PAID 4 vacay & she's still MY dependent.

VP fr AM Resorts called to ck on Soleil- nice guy! Dreams Cancun will honor swine flu-free guarantee. We get 3 free vacays. Soleil bk to wk.

Kid Chef Eliana posted new cooking video: Devil's Food Monster Muffins. Only 2 ingredients & low fat too! http://ping.fm/Xau17

Yay! Chef Tariq Hanna of Sucre' New Orleans won TLC's Ultimate Cake-Off, creating shark-themed cake for Aquarium of the Pacific! Congrats!

Our friend, Chef Tariq Hanna of Sucre' (desserts) in New Orleans competes on TLC Ultimate Cake-Off. Sneak peek Mon 8-3-09 @ 9pm CDT. Watch!

Dangers of telling ur daughter bedtime stories - u hv to finish story! "Mommy, what happened to Ricky & X, the man in purple trench coat?!"

Soleil not going to wk today just to be safe. Today her last day on Tamiflu. Want to make absolutely sure she's no longer contagious.

Soleil feeling lots better. No fever, has energy & joined fam for dinner tonite. Disinfected her rm & washed bedding. Rest of us feel good.

1 step forward - 2 steps back... Soleil was doing great yesterday but woke up w swollen eyes. Was hoping she could join gen population tmrw.

Read Kid Chef Eliana's blog abt mtg TLC Ultimate Cake-Off's Pastry Chef, Tariq Hanna. http://ping.fm/ayE2C

Went out for a bit & met Pastry Chef Tariq Hanna of Sucre in New Orleans. He'll be on TLC Ultimate Cake-off on Aug 3.

Check out Kid Chef Eliana's cooking tutorial on chicken tostadas. http://ping.fm/8qmoO

Blogged "How Swine Flu Turns a Household Topsy Turvy" http://ping.fm/uMVYQ