In case you haven’t visited the Events page lately, check out which cities I’ll be invading in the coming weeks to read/sign/celebrate the release of Geek Girls Unite:

OCT. 9

4 PM at the JBL theater inside the EMP Museum (Seattle, WA)

Are you a fan of science fiction, fantasy, horror, action, gaming, science, anime, roller derby, cosplay, comic books, technology, B-movies, LARPing and video games? Then come by to the first-annual GeekGirlCon and hear me talk about my experiences at Alternative Press during the burgeoning emo scene. I saw all the blood, sweat, tears, and eyeliner that went into being a chart-topping success—and you might not ever hear these juicy stories again! Join me as I question why most of the emo girls are in front of the stage and not on it and why many girls aspire to be muses instead of musicians. Reserve your pass now and be a part of geek girl history! I’ll also be doing a signing on OCT. 9 at 3 PM at The University Book Store (Booth #308-309).

OCT. 14

2 PM at the Javits Center (NYC)

If you happen to be wandering around New York Comic Con, come stop by the Harper Collins booth (#944) and I’ll sign your copy of Geek Girls Unite. I’ll also be handing out limited-edition GGU totes. You don’t want to miss out on this shoulder candy.

7 PM – 8:30 PM at the NYU Bookstore (NYC)

Come mingle with other geek girls and hear me read from Geek Girls Unite. I’ll also be doing a signing afterward so you’ll definitely want to stick around. ** UPDATE ** I’m pleased to announce that the amazingly talented Jenny Owen Youngs will be performing a couple songs for your listening enjoyment. Get there early and bring all your friends!!

All that aside, I was really inspired by the whole thing and thought it would be cool if I offered up my own State of the Union Address—and by “State of the Union Address,” I mean “I’m going to write a long post bout all the crazy stuff that’s been going on in my life”. You might want to go to the bathroom first. Or grab a snack. Either way, this is gonna take a while.

1. After spending 14 amazing months taking a bite out of the Big Apple, I recently made the move back to Los Angeles to take an amazing job at Warner Bros. Records. I was definitely sad to leave my MTV family but I really couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become the label’s Senior Creative Director. I just finished my second week at work and I feel like I can’t stop smiling. I’m not as excited by all the boxes I still need to unpack or the fact that I need to buy a car, but I’m really trying to focus on the positive—like the fact that my apartment has a jacuzzi tub.

2. Mark your calendars because Geek Girls Unite: How Fangirls, Bookworms, Indie Chicks, And Other Misfits Are Taking Over The World is coming out on Tuesday, Oct. 4, which is almost a week away!! That’s right. Geek Girls Unite is coming out next week! I can barely believe it myself. If you haven’t pre-ordered it yet, what are you waiting for? If the answer is, “Leslie, I want to walk into a Barnes & Noble, feel the book in my hot lil’ hands and then show off my excellent literary taste to the check-out clerk at the front counter,” then that’s totally acceptable. In fact, I encourage it.

I happen to have some inside connections who sent me an advance copy of the finished book. You might have to wait until next week to turn the pages yourself, but here’s a look at what you’ll be getting your paws on:

3. To celebrate the release of Geek Girls Unite, I’ll be making some appearances over the next few weeks.

First up is GeekGirl Con. I’ll be speaking on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 4 PM in the EMP JBL Theater, located in the Experience Music Project. The name of my chat is “Emo Music and the Muse: How Girls Are Depicted On and Off Stage.” Come on by and hear me share about my experience at Alternative Press during the burgeoning emo scene. I saw all the blood, sweat, tears, and eyeliner that went into making bands like Fall Out Boy, The All American Rejects and My Chemical Romance chart-topping successes, but there are tons of stories that didn’t make it into the pages of AP. Not only am I going to dish the dirt, but I also want to question why most the emo girls are in front of the stage and not on it and why many girls aspire to be muses instead of musicians. Passes are still available and can be purchased online or at these Seattle retailers.

I’ll also be doing a signing at 3 PM on Sunday, Oct 9 at the University Book Store (Booth 308-309). You won’t want to miss that, either. If you’d like to check out the other amazing geek goddess doing signings over the weekend, check out this handy-dandy Media Signing Schedule.

I’m still ironing out the details for upcoming events in New York City and Los Angeles, but I’m hoping to be able to share more about those in the coming weeks. However, I’m tickled to say I’m slated to make an appearance at New York Comic-Con Oct. 13-16. Throw those lightsabers in the air and stay tuned for more info!!

4. Are you a fan of Geek Girls Unite on Facebook? If not, then hoof it over and press “Like.” (This isn’t rocket science, people.) Not only are all your friends doing it, but you’ll be the first to get info about upcoming events and random goodies. For example, I just previewed the limited-edition tote bag we’ll be giving away to special, super-awesome people. Do you think you’re special or awesome enough to rock such a rad tote? Then “Like” Geek Girls Unite on Facebook. Here’s a taste at what you’re missing out on if you don’t:

The tote features one of Nan Lawson‘s amazing illustrations from the book and your shoulder is totally naked without it.

5. In case you were wondering if emo was dead, the answer is a resounding “no.” I was recently interviewed by the lovely Jen Verzosa for the San Francisco Bay Guardian on that very topic and I was stoked to show off my music geek girl skills. Read it and tell me what you think!

6. My fingers are getting tired so I’m going to tie a pretty bow on this post by leaving you with two songs that I physically can’t stop listening to. The first is “Losers” by The Belle Brigade.

The second is “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey.

You’re welcome.

Let me start off by saying that I hate running. I used to say unless there was someone chasing me or a big bag of money across the street, I wasn’t moving these gams for no one.

Then I hit 30 — and my metabolism plummeted. I quickly learned if I didn’t want to turn into a big ball of mush, I would need to put aside my problems with jogging and learn how to fly like the wind.

After investing in a super-cute outfit, shiny new trainers and fancy pedometer, I turned my attention to the most important part of my cardiovascular mission: Making a high-energy playlist. I spent hours testing the BPMs, counterpoint textures and ascending rhythm of chord progressions to make sure I compiled the most high-energy songs possible. Finally, I was equipped with everything I needed to run circles around Carmelita Jeter.

I’d love to tell you that I run 10 miles every day and am currently training for the New York Marathon. Unfortunately, I’d be lying. In the past year, I can count the times I’ve gone jogging on one hand — and three fingers, if you want to get technical. I can say that I listen to my running mix all the time, though. It’s the greatest soundtrack for bedroom dance parties. (Hell, those have gotta burn some calories, right?)

That’s why you should do as I say; not as I do. So, if you’re looking to raise your heart rate and log some miles on the concrete, I suggest you load up your music player with songs from CSS, Daft Punk, The Sounds and Shiny Toy Guns.

To read the entire column, head over to MTV Buzzworthy.

When I was younger, I totally thought I was famous. Actually, I thought my name was famous. See, my dad was a classic-rock fanatic and insisted on turning up the oldies station whenever we were in the car together. From an early age, I learned to appreciate Motown, soul and, of course, The Beatles. While my friends were freaking out over Milli Vanilli, I was rocking out to Big Bopper.

I was especially taken with the song “Groovin’” by The Young Rascals. In addition to having an impressive harmonica solo, I was also stoked because it sounded like frontman Felix Cavaliere was singing about me… Leslie! There’s this part in the blissful ditty where he swoons, “Life could be ecstasy/You and me and Leslie.” Sure, I was a little confused why Cavaliere would invite a third party on a date with him and his girlfriend, but who was I to judge? I found out years later that he wasn’t really singing my name’s praises: The lyric actually goes, “Life could be ecstasy/You and me endlessly.” What a bummer.

Attention, songwriters: I’m still waiting to be the inspiration for a hit so feel free to throw my name into the musical mix and see what comes out. In case you need help, my name easily rhymes with “folie,” “tensely” and “Nestle.”

What are some songs that do feature real names in the title? I’m glad you asked. Let’s pretend we’re members of the American Name Society and check out songs from Amy Winehouse, Kaiser Chiefs, The Shins and Elvis Costello.

To read the entire column, head over to MTV Buzzworthy.

When it’s this hot out, there’s no point in leaving the comfort of my air-conditioned bedroom — and if I am forced to leave my air-conditioned bedroom, then there’s really no point in putting effort into my appearance because I’m going to look like a wilted piece of lettuce the second I step outside.

All this talk about the heat wave got me thinking about the four elements — earth, wind, fire and water — and, more specifically, the songs that these phases of matter have inspired. To get closer to nature, check out songs by Bright Eyes, Jawbreaker, The Carpenters and Tegan And Sara.

To read the entire column, head over to MTV Buzzworthy.

Have you ever become addicted to someone, “Intervention”-style?

Like a minute couldn’t go by where you didn’t think about them or what they were doing or who they were doing it with? Like you Googled their name a million times to see if you could piece together a virtual scrapbook of their entire life? Like you had to hunt down all of their past loves so you could see if they were prettier/smarter/thinner/funnier than you and then, in turn, compare yourself to them endlessly? Like, your obsession to know anything and everything about them became so out of control that you were a couple camera crews away from Jeff Van Vonderen standing on the other side of a hotel conference room door, telling you your loved ones felt like they were losing you and they wanted to get you back?

Yeah, me neither. I can imagine it’s a really intense feeling, though. One that definitely needs its own musical score. When stalking, er, researching the object of your affection, might I suggest the following tunes from Blondie, Kylie Minogue, No Doubt and Hall & Oats.

To read the entire column, hoof it over to MTV Buzzworthy.

Reason #189654789345 I love my editor, Stephanie: She writes amazing columns for YourItList.com pondering the possibility of 2011 being “The Year of the Geek Girl.”

Not only is my book, Geek Girls Unite, included in her argument, but she also mentions an exciting event going down in Seattle this October. It’s called Geek Girl Con and it’s going to be off the chain! How do I know? Because I may or may not be involved with it.

(Nod, nod, wink, wink.)

More details to come so stay tuned!

In the meantime, do you think 2011 should be crowned the Year of the Geek Girl?

(credit: SoulCulture)

Who: Björk

Type of Geek: The Avant-Garde and Ethereal Music Geek

I might not always understand what Björk’s singing—or what she’s wearing—but I’ve always appreciated her unwavering devotion to creating the most authentic and unique music possible. An important aspect of being a music-geek girl is trusting your gut. If your gut tells you to train with Inuit throat singers or wear a swan dress to the 2001 Academy Awards, well, you’ve gotta go with it.

Part of what makes Björk a music goddess is her flair for dichotomy and her ability to remains mysterious yet misunderstood, powerful yet vulnerable. Björk is truly fearless and that’s an admirable quality in anyone—especially a music geek icon.

To read more about other Music Geek Goddesses like Björk, pre-order your copy of Geek Girls Unite: How Fangirls, Bookworms, Indie Chicks, And Other Misfits Are Taking Over The World.

My newest MTV Buzzworthy column is up and it’s about one of my most favorite weekend festivals, The Bamboozle. To tell you the truth, I didn’t have that much fun this year. However, that could’ve been because I only went for three hours on Saturday afternoon. Aside from eating two Nathan’s hot dogs, which were delish, I was ready to leave the minute I got there. Here are a couple reasons why:

Oh, well. Maybe I’m getting too old for this shiz. If anything, my Bamboozle debacle made me remember all the good times I’ve had at the fest, which is what provided the inspiration for my Soundtrack Of My Life column. Check it out and tune in to music by Taking Back Sunday, New Years Day, Against Me! and Say Anything.

I’m also pleased to introduce a new column I’ll be writing for MTV Buzzworthy. It’s called Soundtrack Of My Life and it’ll be a weekly playlist compiled by yours truly. Click here—or on the lovely logo below—and read my inaugural column, which just so happens to be about Dudes In Suits. Swoon.

More stories/ramblings/posts to come. SWEARS!