06/11/09 Paris Pan Launch: Thirty Children’s and Teen Book Professionals Raise Money for Title I School in Oklahoma

(Chicago, IL – June 11, 2009) In an unprecedented online event called “Take the Dare: Show You Care” beginning on June 11, 2009, thirty children’s and teen book authors will raise money for Tulakes Elementary, a Title I school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “Take the Dare: Show You Care” will take place at www.cynthealiu.com and will be hosted by the event’s creator, author Cynthea Liu, whose debut middle grade novel Paris Pan takes the Dare (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) launches on the same date. All royalties from the sale of Paris Pan during the launch will go to Tulakes, but Ms. Liu believes the event’s main fundraiser will be a one-of-a-kind auction featuring manuscript critiques, virtual author visits, and other special prizes provided by a range of authors in the industry from New York Times bestselling talents to new authors on the verge of publication.

Ms. Liu, whose novel Paris Pan Takes the Dare is set in Oklahoma, is a native Oklahoman herself and an avid supporter of educators who work hard to support kids from diverse backgrounds in low-income areas. “Growing up, I always felt like I didn’t have as much as everyone else,” Ms. Liu says. “Books showed me that my life wasn’t the only kind of life out there. Reading gave me hope.” Ms. Liu hopes “Take the Dare: Show You Care” will give Tulakes a stronger foundation to foster a love of reading and writing for kids who need it most.

The event will continue through July 5th, 2009. To learn more about “Take the Dare: Show You Care,” please contact cynthea@cynthealiu.com.