Just another testament to Andrea's fine writing voice and savvy for the business in general, check it out here.

Read it. Think about what it does and does not do.  Learn from it.

--msg

Siebert, Taylor option novel 'Hick'
By Borys Kit

April 10, 2008

Producers Steven Siebert and Christian Taylor have optioned the best-selling novel "Hick," by first-time author Andrea Portes.

"Hick," published in 2007 by Unbridled Books, was recently named among the best adult books for high school students by the School Library Journal.

The coming-of-age story centers on 13-year-old Luli McMullen, who runs away from her ramshackle Nebraska home after being abandoned by her deadbeat parents and heads to Las Vegas. Along the way, she learns the truth about American rootlessness and discovers both the power and peril of her own sexual curiosity.

The producers hope to mold the project with a lead character in the vein of Addie Loggins of "Paper Moon" and Iris Steensma in "Taxi Driver."

Portes is in talks to adapt the screenplay.

Taylor, via his shingle Taylor Lane Prods., is developing "Angela and Diabola," an adaptation of a novel by Lynne Reid Banks ("The Indian in the Cupboard"), with writers Mike Deseve and Andy Rheingold of the Gotham Group and producers Jane Startz and Gillon Stephenson.

Siebert and his Lighthouse Entertainment recently produced the youth-oriented road comedy "Endless Bummer," starring Khan Chittenden and Matthew Lillard. Upcoming projects include drama "The Lion's Share" with director Bob Giraldi.

Congratulations Andrea and Sally!

--msg

Paulina herself was poised, intelligent and kind. I couldn't help but like her. She was stunning and spoke of her book A MODEL SUMMER in an endearing, honest manner. However, I was a bit surprised to see how the event seemed to be so focused on her, considering that there were many other esteemed authors present who didn't seem to get much play time. Much to their credit, if this bothered any of the writers, they didn't show it in the least. Also, Paulina was extremely gracious.

I was prepared to find Andrea Portes to be full of herself, given her recent HICK success and general cool-girl status. Nothing could be further from the truth. Apparently, she was stranded in the Shreveport airport, hitched a ride into town, walked into the local watering hole and said, "Where are all the book people?" Luckily, someone's relative was there who directed her two blocks away to the opening "author welcome" party. I, also, noticed that she seemed much more friendly and genuine with the Jefferson locals than the other out-of-towners, who were more standoffish.

Particularly amusing was the night of the Ball of Hair, when Geoffrey M. Gluckman (author of DEADLY EXCHANGE) ,who appeared to have been the kingpin of the Paulina entourage, donned a three-piece bright red suit, horned-rim glasses, black ear muffs and funny teeth, only to win the Timber Man dance off.

Surprisingly, all of the "girlfriends", authors and locals alike, dressed up in full HAIRSPRAY regalia and were dancing up a storm all night. The Tyler, Texas group won the dress-up contest, beating out the particularly smashing group from Houston and the truly inspired "Aqua-net Girls".

I was delighted to see that many of the authors dressed-up, having had their hair done at Kathy Patrick's BEAUTY AND THE BOOK. It showed a devil-may-care spirit that one wouldn't expect from writer-types. I'll be buying many of their novels to show my appreciation. I am posting a list below, in the hopes that everyone will go out and buy their books immediately. Thanks, Jefferson! We had a blast!

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Buy these books asap:

Debbie Rodriguez: "Kabul Beauty School"

Paulina Porizkova: "A Model Summer"

Andrea Portes: "Hick"

Carolyn Haines: "Ham Bones (A Southern Belle Mystery)"

Kathy L. Patrick: "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life"

Cai Emmons: "The Stylist"

Kim Sunee: "Trail of Crumbs

Ellen Baker: "Keeping the House"

N. M. Kelby: "Whale Season: A Novel "

Geoffrey Gluckman: "Deady Exchange: A Novel"

Darnell Arnoult: "Of Sufficient Grace: A Novel"

Lynn York: "The Sweet Life"

Virgina Boyd: "One Fell Swoop"

Rosemary Poole-Carter: "Women of Magdalene"

Rickey Pittman: "Black Orphan in the Confederate White House"

Janis Owens: "The Schooling of Claybird Catts"

Michael Lee West: "Mermaids in the Basement"

Robert Dalby: "Kissing Babies at the Piggly Wiggly"

River Jordan: "The Messenger of Magnolia Street"

Denise Hildreth: "The Will of Wisteria"

Jimmie Ruth Evans: "Bring Your Own Poison"

Judy Larsen of "All the Numbers: A Novel"

The reviews, of course, have been fantastic:

Guy Savage at Mostly Fiction includes Hick in good company as well, giving the book 4.5 stars out of 5:

If you enjoyed novels such as Where the Heart Is and She’s Come Undone, then there’s a good chance you’ll also enjoy Hick.

The Emerging Writers Network matches that four-and-a-half, and piles on the praise:

From the time Luli walks off her property through to the end of the novel, Portes gives us a combination of road novel with coming of age work. She blends the two seamlessly as Luli grows up in front of the reader, beginning to explore her own sexuality and the power that this entails, while at the same time, going through some of the traditional road trip scenarios – meeting new people, getting in troublesome situations, etc. The thing Portes does extremely well is give Luli this ability to survive, no matter what is thrown her way, and plenty is thrown her way – and frequently brought upon by her own actions, reminding the reader again and again that she is only 13. This is also where the writing of Portes shines. While only 13, Luli almost forces herself to step outside her body and simply be a witness to events that are occurring. Throughout, she holds onto a ‘this will pass’ sort of mantra, and it is entirely believable.

Portes has created a character that the reader cannot help but root for, even when knowing she is taking a mis-step or two (or more). The fact that Portes did so, while allowing said character to have a wit, and a nose for interesting situations, helps the pages fly by. It’s an exceptional debut effort and hopefully the beginning of a great career.

And Regis Schilken, author of The Oculi Incident and The Island Off Stony Point, strongly recommends Hick:

Hick is fast paced, it is original, it is an outstanding novel of perseverance and courage. Luli’s sometimes crude descriptions will make a reader howl but at the same time, root for her survival amidst all the foul play tugging at her heartstrings. She is out there, she is alone, but damn, she will survive. "I’m not looking back playing that same old song no more. I ain’t gonna spend my life staring at my socks, slouching to a chorus of mighta coulda shoulda woulda."

I would recommend Hick to any reader looking for a fascinating story and is not offended by the "F" word. Luli has heard it from infancy. Her speech would sound unnatural without it considering the years of low-life she endured before taking off on her own.

I would sincerely hope that author Portes is planning a sequel to Hick so readers who fall in love with charismatic Luli like I did, can ultimately see her fate. I would personally like to congratulate Andrea Portes for writing Hick. One would never know it was a first novel.

The reviews are in. Many of them. And they're all positive. We at SCWC hope to bring you the best, and we're proud to present Miss Andrea Portes at our San Diego conference over the Presidents' Day Weekend.

There is, indeed, still time to register. See the Southern California Writers' Conference website for more information about speakers and session leaders, and how to sign up for this most excellent event.