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Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track

rollergirlthebook

About Me

Visit the official Rollergirl:Totally True Tales From the Track web site

Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track, published by Touchstone (Simon & Schuster) in February 2007.

About the Book The 1950s phenomenon of Roller Derby is back in full force, and it's definitely not your grandma's game anymore. With leagues in more than 100 cities across the country, a national tournament, and major sponsors, the new wave of the sport has gone mainstream. No one is better qualified to tell the story of Flat Track Derby's astronomic rise than Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan. A founding member of the Texas Rollergirls -- the league that launched the sport and the reigning national champions -- she has helped redefine what it means to be stylish, sporty, and sexy.

With her mouthy, tough-as-nails style, Melicious recounts her best tales from the track: her fierce rivalries with The Wrench and Ivanna S. Pankin, the scene at the annual national tournament, the thrill of a bout, and the infractions that so often bring her to the penalty box. From the minute she first laced up her skates and wrapped herself in her alter ego, Roller Derby has given her a confidence boost, and she shares the positive impact the sport has also had on girls -- young and not-so-young -- who tack posters of her to their bedroom walls and lace up their own skates.

Complete with photos and suggestions on how to develop a Rollergirl name and persona, this unprecedented tell-all comes from the woman who's watched the sport evolve from an underground Friday night event to a bona fide national phenomenon.

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"Rollergirl crackles with wit and furious energy--an absorbing account of the power of DIY spirit and punk rock rebellion." -- Davy Rothbart, author of FOUND
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About the Author Melissa Joulwan, a.k.a., Melicious, no. 11 on the Hotrod Honeys , is a founding member of the Texas Rollergirls Rock’n’Rollerderby league. The original Miss Texas Rollergirl, Melicious was also voted Fan Favorite in 2005 and was ranked number one for on-track assists. She is a freelance writer and lives in Austin, Texas, where the world's best music and BBQ are just around the corner. She's particularly fond of big black boots, leopard print, things that are sparkly, and Social Distortion.

Visit Melicious's personal myspace page.

My Interests

Grippy skate wheels, hard hits, loud music, devoted fans.

I'd like to meet:

Rollergirls (and the people who love them), Roller Derby Widowers, Roller Derby fans, and anyone who wants to read a good yarn about our crazy-fun sport.

Heroes:

Ann Calvello, Joanie Weston, and all the Rollergirls -- past and present -- who value a good block more than good sense

My Blog

Oh, my. Im in Glamour magazine.

I was hoping for a mention of my book... instead, it's a quote from me, that makes me sound like a bubblehead. I give you my solemn vow, I did not utter the words, "goody-two shoes no more."But it's h...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:25:00 PST

It’s Banned Books Week

Read about Banned Books Week here:http://blogs.ala.org/oif.php?title=top10list&more=1&c=1 &tb=1&pb=1And help minimize ignorance -- read a book from this list:http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2007/09/30...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:48:00 PST

Rollergirls Guide To Austin

I wrote an article for Blood & Thunder that highlight my completely biased opinion on the best stuff to do in Austin. Just in case you didn't get your copy of Blood & Thunder yet, here's the text of t...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:21:00 PST

Austins Fittest - Bloody Marys in the Top 10

Austin Fit Magazine recently sponsored a competition to find the Top 10 Fittest athletes in town -- and the Texas Rollergirls own Bloody Mary (aka, Juliana Gonzales) made the list.From the magazine:"H...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:40:00 PST

Launch of ViaDerby

I've got a link for you to add to your Derby bookmarks: ViaDerby, a new content/commerce site that is "committed to strengthening roller derby leagues, growing the sport internationally and supporting...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:20:00 PST

If you read your email, you can read a kickass novel.

May I recommend Jane Eyre to start?DailyLit will send tasty digital snacks of public domain books to you. You can specify segments every day, just weekdays, or M/W/F via email or RSS. Neat, right? Eac...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:26:00 PST

Ready for my close-up

Last summer, Tomcat and I were cast as extras in an independent film called Kabluey. The cast includes Lisa Kudrow, Christine Taylor, Teri Garr, and Chris Parnell -- and the filmmaker Scott Prendergas...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:16:00 PST

Vote for me?

Hey, y'all!If you read Rollergirl: Totally True Tales From The Track, and you liked it, maybe you can help me out.It's time for the Austin Chronicle's "Best of Austin" -- and there's a category for LO...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:04:00 PST

Check out my new band -- St. Joe's Choir

My better half -- D the B -- has a new band called St. Joe's Choir. He writes the songs, plays rhythm guitar, and sings like an angel that stayed up all night drinkin' whiskey. I'm on keys and vocals...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 06:39:00 PST

Austin Music Magazine

I've got some new pieces o' writing in circulation!Austin Music Magazine is a glossy, free pub that showcases Austin's badass music and nightlife. I wrote a few short pieces for the May/June issue:- a...
Posted by Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:01:00 PST