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Hi Everyone! I know we have so many things going on in the world of Mackenzie Blue so I thought I would make a quick reminder video for you. Be sure to watch it below and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at twells@buzzmg.com! =)
- Katherine McNamara Announced As Winner of the “Are You Mackenzie Blue?” Contest! Congrats, Katherine!
- THE SECRET CRUSH is in stores now!
- Mackenzie Blue is the featured selection this month in the Circle of Respect Book Club!
Appearances Coming Soon
Tina Wells founded Buzz Marketing Group at the tender age of 16. She’s spent the last decade keeping her finger on the pulse of what’s hot for tweens and teens. Prior to becoming America’s youth expert, she earned a B.A. in Communication Arts from Hood College, and she’s currently a student at Wharton School of Business.
Her many honors include Essence Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Award, Billboard’s 30 Under 30 Award, AOL’s Black Voices Top Black Female Entrepreneur’s Award, and the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. She was also named one of Inc.com’s Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 and one of Cosmopolitan’s “Fun Fearless Phenoms.”
Tina serves on the board of Friends of the Orphans and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mackenzie Blue is Tina’s first book. She resides in southern New Jersey with her vast collection of shoes.
5Mackenzie Blue Partners with Kajeet!
Posted on 06.11.2009 | No Comments ...
It’s been awhile, but I’ve been traveling so much the last few weeks. I finally have a few days with no flights to catch so I wanted to take a some time to let you guys know about Mackenzie Blue’s partnership with Kajeet. Kajeet has cool phones made especially for tweens. I think its a great way to stay connected with your friends while allowing parents to set parental controls.
The phones even have Mackenzie Blue Wallpaper available on them for a limited time! 
For more information, you can visit: http://www.kajeet.com/mackenzieblue
Well I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your week. Be sure to check out the site—we added new photos, updated news, and new diary entries from Zee!
Peace, love, & shopping,
TW
So Mackenzie Blue is your first series. What was it like to write your first book?
As most people know, I started out my career as a writer when I was 16. I also have my degree in Journalism, so writing’s been my passion for as long as I can remember. Writing a book is exhausting! Honestly! You put so much of yourself into the story and the characters. You also become a little sensitive, since people are reading something that’s a tad bit personal. What you’re writing really becomes a part of you.
So did you enjoy it?
Oh I loved it. It’s honestly the one thing I’m most proud of in my professional career. Writing a book takes a lot of patience, persistence, and positivity! I’d call it the 3Ps! You need to surround yourself with people who are really supportive. But I absolutely enjoyed it, and can’t wait to write even more stories.
So tell us about Mackenzie Blue.
Mackenzie has been apart of my life for a few years now. I swear she’s a real person! I was editing a manuscript, and I honestly started talking back to her! I said to myself, ok, this has gone too far! But seriously, Zee, as her friends call her, is a normal 12 year-old girl just trying to figure out who she is, who her friends are, and how she’ll make it through middle school. She’s discovering who she is and what she likes. She’s clever, fun, and a nice girl.
Is there a part of you in Zee?
It’s funny, whenever someone asked me this at the beginning of the writing process, I’d say no. Having read and reread the book, though, I’m now starting to think Zee is more like me than I thought. Like Zee, I always had a crush on a boy in middle school. I also went to a private school. And at the end of the day, I’d like to think that I always made the right decisions, even when it was hard. I also love my friends and I’m very close with my family. So yes, I do think there’s a part of me in Zee.
When you were Zee’s age, what did you like to read?
Well first let me say that I always had a book in my hands when I was growing up. My faves were all of the R.L. Stein mystery books. I also loved every teen girl series you could think of. When I was in middle school, I would read a book a day in the summer. I lived for summers at the library!
What was your style like?
At the time I thought I was pretty hip, but I’ve now realized I was a fashion disaster!!! When I was around Zee’s age, I got my first training bra, which was an adventure for sure. I liked to wear a lot of girlie dresses, tights, and flats. That was my look. And for some reason, I wore tons of pink.
What did you do for fun?
I spent my weekends with my best friend Missy (we’re still best friends 16 years later!). We would either have sleepovers at my house or hers. We’d go to the supermarket and buy tons of snacks, rent movies, and watch repeats of Saved by the Bell. We would sneak and read Missy’s older sister’s teen magazines, and try out beauty products. We didn’t have the Internet or IM yet, so we spent a lot of time on 3-way calls with our other friends. We would usually round out the weekend with a trip to the mall or movies.
Can you tell us one of your most embarrassing moments?
Oh goodness! I have so many! I think this is where I’m just like Mackenzie. You know it’s like tripping over your own two feet, wearing a not so cute outfit, having your crush not like you back. I also became really good at tripping UP the stairs! I was good at laughing it off, though. And while I played all sports, I was only really good at field hockey. So every moment I was on the basketball court was an embarrassing moment. My first season, I scored a whopping NINE points. Yes. Just nine. In an entire season. ‘Nough said.
Finally, what’s next for Zee?
Oh I can’t wait for you to see the adventures to come! I don’t want to give too much away, but I promise you some LOL moments! You can expect new friends, big surprises, and lots of fun. Mackenzie’s world really is your world, so I hope that you do see some of yourself in her. I hope that you take time to go on your own adventures and think about what your big dreams are. And remember that all dreams can definitely come true! I’m living proof!
