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BOOKS
That is what we are all about, us writers!
On Awfully Big Blog Adventure we talk about and write books so that children young and old can read them. There is nothing more unhappy than a book without anyone to read it. We all know that children have to learn the skill that is reading so that they can discover the joy of losing themselves in a book, the delight of living new experiences through the characters in their favourite books.
We writers like to think that all parents will encourage this by spending time reading to their children, many do and there are agencies like Bookstart and BookBug who deliver books into the hands of every new parent and child. But as children grow up things change and we all know that life is not always the way we would like it to be, so we need our schools not only to help children learn the skill of reading but to find joy and delight in a broad range of books, to help them to become enthusiastic readers.
We have heard about how public libraries are under threat of closure or cuts in John Dougherty's excellent but depressing post A Death in the Library but at a time like this we need to make sure we recognise how important our school libraries are, and encourage those excellent people the School Librarians.
I visit a lot of schools and it is often an enthusiastic and hard working school librarian who will invite me to speak. They understand how an author visiting a school and speaking passionately about what they write can infect students with their enthusiasm and on occasion can be the trigger that switches some children on to reading. Finding the right book for the right child, the book that helps that child discover there is something in books for them, is something that can change lives. Books that deal with difficult subjects in a fictional setting can provide an opportunity to experience emotions, to dip into the dangerous side of life in a safe way. Teenagers need to push against authority and against the rules but reading and taking that journey with characters they believe in, can allow them an opportunity to see what might happen if they tried this in real life - raising questions they might never have asked themselves about the consequences of their actions. Books can be powerful in changing ideas and raising discussions that might never otherwise come about.Going to borrow books from the public library works for some children but there will always be those who will never go to the library, but they all go to school.
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| With some of the Teen Title Reviewers |
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| Authors at Teen Titles event |
In Edinburgh some reading groups review teenage books for the excellent magazine Teen Titles Have a look on the website (link below) and check out a copy. This would not succeed without the efforts of the school librarians. Every year the lovely people at Teen Titles host a gathering and invite the young reviewers along to meet some of the YA authors who are in Edinburgh for the Book Festival . It is always great to meet these enthusiastic teenagers and their school librarians. I was joined there this year by fellow authors Teresa Flavin, Kate Harrison, Jane McLoughlin and Elizabeth Wein, Roy Gill, Keith Gray and John Fardell. Have a look at a copy of Teen titles here Teen Titles
Book prizes, particularly those judged by teenagers, is another way school librarians keep them reading. The excitement raised by these events keeps the students reading and introduces them to a wide variety of books, allowing them also the opportunity to get involved and have a say.
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| Catalyst Book Awards |
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| Red Book Awards |
The Kids Lit Quiz brings together teams of young readers from schools up and down the country to compete in a book related quiz, with the winning teams playing in a national final and having the chance to travel, sometimes as far as New Zealand to play in the world final against teams from all over the world. Often at the KLQ there are teams of authors and teams of school librarians who play alongside the school teams. Everyone has a lot of fun, many win prizes of books, too. The school librarians encourage their school teams to read and answer questions, and to take part in the quiz.
School librarians are specialists who as shown above do so much to encourage our young people. School libraries are essential and should be at the heart of the school, and school librarians must be valued for the great work they do, especially in these days of poor literacy.
Encourage a person to read and you give them the world. Our children deserve no less.
Please leave a comment if you want to support school libraries and school librarians. Come along if you can, to make your voice heard or join the facebook pages below.
There will be a Mass Lobby for School libraries in London and in Edinburgh
On Monday 29 October- Houses of Parliament, in London
On Saturday 27th October at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
'For many children the only way they'll access a public library is if their parents take them. And if the parents don't have the time, don't see the value of books and libraries, cannot afford (or don't want to spend) the bus fare getting to the library, then their children will not have equal access. Add to that the "uncoolness" of going to the library and you can see why many teenagers last visited their public library when they were 5 years of age!
This isn't true of a school library. ALL students have equal access and if library lessons and reading for pleasure are part of the curriculum, then there's less stigma attached. It's easier to read if it's expected of you and everyone else is doing it!'
'We believe that access to quality school library provision, including a specialist school librarian, supports children and young people's learning and achievement across the curriculum. We encourage HM Inspectors to reflect on the impact of the school library during their inspection and encourage the Scottish Parliament and local authorities to recognise the importance of the school library in developing lifelong learning skills in our children and young people.
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www.lindastrachan.com
Linda Strachan is the award winning author of over 60 books for all ages from picture books to teenage/ YA novels and a writing handbook Writing For Children
Her latest novel is Don't Judge Me- published by Strident October 2012
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Just something simple with paper and Psalms
Welcome to Author Isobella JadeIsobella Jade is an author, petite model and a wizard of self-promotion. Her modeling memoir Almost 5'4" is her personal memoir about being a shorter-than-average model in NYC, the ins and outs and highs and lows of striving to beat the odds. Her graphic novel Model Life was released in November 2009 and Short Stuff is her collection of on-the-job experiences that took place after Almost 5'4" and includes modeling tips for shorter girls. Her most recent work is a new YA novel called Careful, the first book of the Careful, Quiet, Invisible series.
Website:
Seventeen featured the book in their book club:
BC News Channel 9 about the book:
Guest Post on Texting & Driving
The truth is I don’t drive. I still don’t have my driver’s license, and I’m not in a rush to get it. I’ve been living in New York City for the past ten years and I don’t need a car here anyways. Even when I lived in suburbia in Central New York and turned sixteen I wasn’t overly anxious to drive, especially when one of my high school friends and I got into a car accident together on the way to the mall. I definitely wasn’t rushing to the DMV or driving school after getting out of the hospital. As a competitive track and cross country runner traveling to meets on weekends and training all week, my mind wasn’t on the freedom of having a driver’s license; I already felt a sense of control and speed while preparing for my next race.
These days I’m not often in cars, but when I’m in one there’s always an anxious feeling to get out, to slow down and to tell the driver to be careful. It’s not a phobia of cars, I just hate the thought of putting my life in the hands of someone who might not value their own life or the life of others, someone who’s driving too fast for no reason or steering with their knees to drive, or texting while driving.
In my new young adult novel, Careful, the first book of the Careful, Quiet, Invisible series, the main character Estella dies in a texting while driving crash, but while writing the manuscript at first I wasn’t sure how Estella was going to die. Then I noticed all the news segments on teens dying from texting and driving and campaigns around pledging not to text and drive. Younger drivers being so careless really disturbed me and at the same time inspired me to include the dangers of distracted driving into the story. I think it’s extremely selfish and unmindful to text and drive.
To prepare my mind and emotions for writing the car crash scene and Estella’s transition as a spirit, I watched car crash videos on Youtube and online news segments that showed the aftermath of texting and driving accidents. Throughout the book Estella struggles to accept that in an instant her life was cut short and that Heidi, the girl who caused the crash, gets to live.
Heidi was well known and popular, bound for her own success on the track, and didn’t purposely kill Estella, but she did kill her. Heidi represents how even a small town girl can become a local criminal in a matter of seconds from using a cell phone while driving.
There’s a responsibility that comes with getting a driver’s license and owning a car that somehow has evaporated in minds of drivers these days, as if, in our world of so many distractions, it’s an impossible task to pay attention, watch the road, put the phone down and just focus on what’s happening right now.
I really want the reader to feel Estella’s anguish and confusion over her death and the future she lost out on because of someone else’s careless act, and how precious life is because it’s a real issue that goes beyond the page, it’s happening right now and affects all ages, and can be prevented if drivers choose to be cautious and careful.
Careful by Isobella JadeAfter Estella Montclair is killed in a texting and driving crash, what remains of her face and body is devastating. But not all of her has died. During the first month after her death, Estella's spirit travels among her living friends and family. Her best friends Zara, Eva and Jett show her how pain and sorrow can break apart or strengthen a bond. She also sees for the first time that loss can spark revenge, catastrophe can come without warning, and we all have secrets. She wonders if her chance for love with Phoenix has passed her by, and if out of sight truly means out of mind. And maybe one day the girl who caused her death will admit her mistake. While adjusting to a new state of being, Estella struggles to face the limitations that come with death, but blossoms by recognizing she can still touch the lives of the people she once knew so well.
Tour Giveaway:5 signed print copies of Careful (US only)
5 e-book copies of Careful (International)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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By: Julie,
on 9/20/2012
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Book Hooked
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After moving to Chicago to be with her boyfriend, Rachel Bertsche realized that she was missing out on the female friendships she had left behind - specifically a BFF (best friend forever, if you're living in the stone age). So she decides for one year to take every opportunity available in her city to make new friends by going on one friend date a week. She goes on friendship speed dates, joins a friending website, and even rents a friend. The book chronicles her experiences and how her search changes her life and her feelings about friendship.
I was totally prepared to bond with this book. I haven't always had a BFF and there have been times when I felt like the only girl in the world without a group of besties. I went into it hoping for some identification with the author and to maybe learn some things about how she improves her friendships. But I came out of the book really convinced that I am totally happy with my friendships. I've got the Nesties, I've got Bestie, I've got friends at church, at the dog park, and at work, and I have Sugar Bear. I mean honestly, can you think of a better BFF than a sister? Talk about shared history - we have Sugar Bear's entire life in common.
WritingI thought the writing was nice. I wasn't over-impressed, but it was certainly well thought out and detailed. Pretty much what you'd expect from this type of memoir. Easy to read and follow.
Entertainment ValueIt was just ok for me. I didn't identify with the author the way I wanted to. It seemed to me that she already had two best friends, they just didn't live near her. And she had several groups of close friends that she spent time with on a regular basis. I didn't really get why she felt like she needed new friends, but I think the concept was interesting. I just got bored of reading about every single one of her friend dates. I think the book would make a better blog or even be better as a shorter book. The different methods she uses to make friends are all interesting, but I didn't think I needed to read about all 52 friend dates.
What I did find interesting and did identify with was how the internet figured into Bertsche's experiences. I met some of my very closest and dearest friends through the internet. They are people who would fall in the BFF/can call any time of the day or night category. I've also used the internet to meet local people who have the same interests I do - in particular, other people with Great Danes. There's a local group of Dane owners who meet up at the dog park occasionally that we got involved with after finding them online.
I think people really underestimate the walls that are broken down for friendship by the internet. Some of my closest friends live in Alabama and the mid-West and even in Canada, but through text, Google chat, Twitter, and Google Hangout, I see them more than I see many of my local friends. It's not the same as if we all lived in the same city, but it's really the next best thing.
OverallIt's an interesting concept and an ok read, but I think it dragged on way too long. I would have preferred it in blog format (it seems like one of those blogs that got turned into a book) or if she had taken out some of the less interesting stories. But if these kind of memoirs interest you, you may want to give it a try.
I won an ARE of this one in a contest hosted by Random House on Shelf Awareness.
I feel myself getting a little choked up about the news that editor Kathy Dawson will be getting her own imprint at Penguin Young Readers. She acquired my first book, My Life Among the Aliens, for G.P. Putnam's Sons when she was a very young editor, and I had had only two short stories published. She edited my first five and three-quarters books. (She left Putnam before Happy Kid! was published.)
At my house, we talked about my work at the dinner table. Butch and Spike came close to being real people to us, and I recall one of my sons snatching one of Kathy's editorial letters out of my hand so he could see what she had to say about them. There was a period when all the Gauthiers knew who "Kathy" was, even though my older son and I were the only family members who met her. He was in high school and after we were on our way home he commented on how young she looked.
I'll be sending some e-mails tonight to spread this good news.
By: Stephane Kardos,
on 9/20/2012
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Stef's sketches
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Yesterday's session with super talented Dreamworks friends.
When growing up, we had our seats
Around the dining table.
We knew where everyone belonged –
We didn’t need a label.
Within the car, the rules applied;
The window seat was mine.
The youngest got the middle seat –
He’d dare not try to whine.
As an adult, I’m still the same –
I like the seat I’ve picked;
In classrooms, lunchrooms, or the car –
Usurpers I evict.
Some people just don’t understand.
They think I'm dictatorial,
When really, it’s within my genes
To be quite territorial.
We all have quirks, and one of mine
Is choosing where I sit.
It’s juvenile and just a tad
Obnoxious, I admit.
But since it means a lot to me
Most people seem to yield,
Perhaps enjoying someone else’s
Craziness revealed!
Did you hear the news? THE UNWANTEDS hit the New York Times children's paperback bestseller list at #9. I am so excited! THANK YOU for making it happen!
Book 2, ISLAND OF SILENCE, is now available in stores and online everywhere in hardcover, ebook, or audio download. If you favorite bookstore doesn't have it in stock, ask them to order it for you.
I'm home this week, but heading out on the road to Provo, UT next Wednesday, and visiting San Francisco and Austin, Texas in October. Get the scoop on all my tour stops
here.If you missed my "behind the scenes of The Unwanteds" post on Nerdy Book Club, you can
find it here.Thanks again for all your wonderful support! I wouldn't get to do this awesome job without you.
xo
Lisa
By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka,
on 9/20/2012
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the JJK blog
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This Sunday I'll be reading and signing at The National Book Festival, right on the mall in Washington, D.C.. I look forward to hanging out with the readers in our nation's Capitol!
I'll be on the Target Storyteling Stage on Sunday at 3 pm. It's an incredible festival with lots going on! All of the info is here!
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 9/20/2012
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Susanne Gervay's Blog
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Tim McGarry Director of Monkey Baa Theatre,
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Bvulgari Sydney,
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TODAY TONIGHT Channel 7 TV – took us on a fabulous day with the charming James Thomas TT reporter.
We had the best head massage ever from BLOW DRY BAR at the top of Kings Cross
A glorious sparkling day overlooking our harbour
Crab and salmon cooked to perfection from MANTA at Finger Wharf
Champagne, champagne and champagne
Shopping at Tiffany’s, DIOR, Bvulgari ….. with funny, fast, fantastic over 50s gals embracing life
Julie Schoneveld from Marketingeye travelling the world, bringing Tourism Thailand to Sydney – LOVE Thailand
Annette Guerry – committed to COURAGE TO CARE – promoting peace through Holocaust survivors
Me – just back from the IBBY Congress LONDON where I spoke about ‘Ships in the Field’ my beautiful new picture about everyone having the right to home.
AND totally excited that I AM JACK is published in the US by Kane Miller
AND MonkeyBaa Theatre’s adaptation of JACK which will tour the USA from Florida to Alaska
AND and guess who’s going with the brilliant actor Tim McGarry and the wonderful production manager Sam Johnson on the tour of the USA with I Am Jack?
- ME.
Watch our for the feature film coming- I AM JACK – (includes all my JACK books) and in the Billy Elliot genre. Can’t wait!
It’s hard to get to 50 and beyond but if you can get there, work out divorce, caring for families, work and suddenly find you’re free to pursue your dreams – what a trip!
Pretty much everyone I know is having babies. Or has them. Or is about to have more. Anyways there are babies everywhere in my life right now and I am often buying presents for people with babies. This has turned out to be a problem.
I don’t know if you have noticed but the clothes available for babies and littlies are AWFUL. As one friend said, “If I see another onesie with yellow ducks or blue boats I will scream!” And they’re almost always pastel. I HATE PASTELS. Or white. Or grey. Grey? What are they? Little prisoners in a dystopia? (Maybe. Don’t answer that.) Then there’s the whole girl clothes are mostly pink and boy clothes mostly blue thing. SERIOUSLY? What century is this?
So I am begging you, my faithful readers, do you know of anywhere that sells bold coloured onesies/rompers/whatever you call those little suits for babies in your culture? Where do I find Goth baby clothes? Anarchist baby clothes? Surreal baby clothes? Fun baby clothes? Hip baby clothes? Cool baby clothes? NOT PASTEL baby clothes?
I will be eternally in your debt.
Thank you!
By: Stephanie Roth Sisson,
on 9/20/2012
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Stephanitely
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Now joining my Icky POO list:
GMO's
Investor's Business Daily
Elephant Poachers
Slime balls who have have their criminal records expunged (yes, they crawl amongst us) - icky poo
Okay, I left my brain in Georgia (currently up in Ohio) along with my Top 10 list for the haibun challenge. I will update this post when I get back down to Georgia, but I don’t need my list to remember the winning haibun. It’s not because the other haibuns were not excellent; it’s because this haibun haunted me personally (as the father of five children).
Look for updates next week, but here’s the winning haibun in the meantime:
Splash of Silence, by Taylor Graham
He left his room in disarray – toy cars scattered, coloring books on the floor with broken crayons. He didn’t make his bed this morning. How his mother would like to straighten the sheets, pull up the comforter, and fluff the pillow in its place. She watches at the window as a searcher follows his dog down the street.
creekwater giggles –
a deep pool under willow
dances small debris
*****
Wow! Please congratulate Taylor. She wrote an amazing haibun. Like I said, I plan to release the rest of the Top 10 list once I have it with me.
*****
Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer
*****
If you’re into blogging, check out this 9-minute excerpt of my hour-long tutorial 50 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Blog.
By: Childrens Department,
on 9/20/2012
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Book Bits
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I was sold on this book from the very first line: “Convicts can spot a runaway right off the stick.” Then came: “I was trudging down Coolbrook Road, a big fat lie of a name if there ever was one. The brook was invisible, unless you counted the dried-up gulley running alongside.” Still, I was worried that Rebel McKenzie was going to be one of those clever books that just don’t go anywhere, the author too busy thinking of witty things to say to worry about things like plot and character. Then, Rebel was trying to convince the convict that she wasn’t running away: “’I’m out for a walk.’ ‘Wearin’ half your clothes? You look swolled up like a tick.’ It was true I had on seven pairs of underwear, four pairs of shorts, and five T-shirts…” By the way, the title of the chapter is “Never Wear Seven Pairs of Underpants.” Ok, I give. Rebel is running away to try to escape having to spend the summer living with her sister, who she hasn’t seen in 3 years, babysitting her nephew (that’s right, nephew –Rebel’s been an aunt since she was 5) instead of going to the Summer Ice Age Kids’ Dig and Safari in Saltville, Virginia. Rebel wants to be a paleontologist, and she can’t wait for a chance to excavate a woolly mammoth skeleton and stake her place in paleontology history. Instead, she’s living in Grandview Estates, which is really a trailer park (or mobile home community according to Rebel’s sister Lynette), taking care of Rudy, “a spindly-legged boy with cowlicky brown hair and a narrow, ferret face….He put me in mind of one of those plants that grow under rocks” while her sister goes to beauty school. There are some other great characters: Doublewide, the cat who knows how to pee in the toilet, Lacey Jane, who’s been tormenting Rudy, and Bambi Lovering, a young beauty-queen-in-the-making. When Rebel finds out there’s a beauty contest with a cash prize, she decides that winning the contest is her only chance of having enough money to go to the Ice Age Kids’ Dig. The story just gallops along from that point on, with Rebel bulldozing her way past every obstacle (not the least of which is that her idea of talent is being able to burp the names of the 13 colonies). Rebel McKenzie is a great read –clever, and with a great plot and funny characters. Review by Stacy Church
Now that it is September, it is time for apple picking and best of all, apple pie. In this book, a little girl makes a tasty apple pie, and her dog is eager and determined to get a taste of it. After the dog’s pining drives the little girl away, he is able to devise a plan to finally get a bite of it. The story is told using the letters of the alphabet and introduces children to some new vocabulary. The adorable, retro illustrations add to the fun. Make sure you have an apple pie ready when you share this book!
Posted by: Liz
Big News: For the first time ever Writer’s Digest is packing up its writing and publishing knowledge and heading to Hollywood (no, they aren’t making a movie about us … yet). We’re bringing our Writer’s Digest Conference to the West Coast (why should only East Coast writers have all the fun?) and we want you there. Here’s the scoop:
Event: Writer’s Digest Conference West
When: October 19-21
Where: Hollywood, CA (Loews Hollywood Hotel & Spa)
Why You Should Attend: Writers looking to write better, get published and connect with agents.
Highlight: The Pitch Slam, where you get one-on-one pitch meetings with agents.
Register now for the Writer’s Digest Conference West.
Here’s the full rub:
DETAILS
Join us at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa in Los Angeles, CA, October 19 – 21, 2012, for all of the informative sessions you’ve come to love from WD Conference, now on the West Coast. Register now and start making your travel plans today. If you register before July 19, 2012, you can get an early bird discount.
This is the first year for a West Coast WD Conference, and we’re excited to bring you the very best sessions, speakers and publishing advice, set against inspiring views of Los Angeles. Get real-world advice on getting published in today’s ever-changing market, with a focus on sharpening your writing skills, polishing your pitch and selling your work.
THE PITCH SLAM
Be sure to attend the Pitch Slam, a fast-paced, three-hour event with agents who are actively looking for new writers to represent. We’re adding new agents every day and expect to have at least 20 in attendance.
GET THIS: To date, at least 8 writers who have attended past WD events have told us they signed with agents they pitched at the Pitch Slam. If that isn’t enough reason to come, I do not know what is. The Pitch Slam unquestionably works. Start on the conference website and click on “Success Stories” on the right side.
Who’s Speaking?
Learn from the best at this year’s Writer’s Digest Conference West. Get helpful insights from bestselling authors and award-winning writers like James Scott Bell, Steven James, Elizabeth Sims and many others, plus well-known industry experts.
Featured Sessions
Ask the Agent Panel
Friday, October 19 · 5:10 – 6:30 pm
This is a Q&A session for you to ask literary agents practically any publishing question. Find out what they really think about query letters, live pitches, self-publishing and more.
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
Friday, October 19 · 6:40 – 7:30 pm
Attending the Pitch Slam? This is a can’t-miss session. Get insights on how to perfectly prep your pitch (and your work) and learn how to get comfortable and stay confident so you can make a great first impression.
A Self-Publishing Author’s Guide to Contracts with Dana Newman
Sunday, October 21 · 10:00 – 10:50 am
Thinking about going it alone? This session is critical for authors who are looking for success in the self-publishing world. Learn details about the basics and the fine points of literary agency agreements, collaboration agreements and much more.
Register for these, and all of our other sessions here.
Last week my daughter's teacher sent out an e-blast letting us know what the children would be learning the upcoming week. As I scanned the e-mail I noticed in their Writing lesson they were going to learn how to "put said to bed". The image I kept getting was of poor little said, being sent to bed with no supper. I wondered if said would be the type of word who kept looking for ways to stay awake, rubbing its eyes, asking for water and maybe needing an extra blanket or two.
I was impressed because I don't remember learning something so fun in my own fourth grade class. I remember doing a report on the natural resources of Alabama.
But then I thought, is this really the right lesson for a writer?
Said gets a bad rap, doesn't it? Use it too much it gets redundant and boring. Don't even think of spicing it up with an adverb (shudder) because the literary police will actually come knocking on your door and ticket you for lazy writing. "Then of course there are using other words in its place," she scoffed. Just the other night I had a conversation with my daughter that went something like this...G - "Mom, what's another word for said?"Me - "What do you mean?"G-"You know, what can I use instead of said?" Me - "Um, hmm, well, you see..." No, really, try and answer that question easily. It wasn't that I was stumped, but I had to ask her what was going on in the scene. And then suddenly I was getting into dialogue mechanics* and the tone of the scene and what point did she want to get across and really all she wanted to do was finish her work, watch some Phineas and Ferb and then go to bed herself. To be clear, I don't have a problem teaching fourth graders to find different words for overused ones. I get it. This is for creativity, not creating a Printz-worthy masterpiece. It expands their minds, makes them think. As I revised some of my own writing this week, that little phrase kept going through my head. And while I didn't put said to bed on every page, I did give it some warm milk and made the suggestion on quite a few. The result was tighter, more concise dialogue.Maybe not a bad lesson for writers after all. So how about you? Do you have trouble putting said to bed? *For a great lesson on dialogue mechanics and the word said please refer to the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.
Recently, I created a Pinterest account for the purpose of promoting selected literature by and about American Indians. Here's a screen shot of what I've loaded so far:
Pretty cool, huh? It allows me to
visually provide people with books that I find outstanding. They're tribally specific! They're award winning books! And of course, there are no stereotypes in these books! Wanna follow me on Pinterest? Here's the link:
American Indians in Children's Literature on Pinterest
By: Molly,
on 9/20/2012
Blog:
the pageturn
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We’ve teamed up with our brilliant Online Gurus here at HarperCollins Children’s Books to bring you something new on The Pageturn: monthly videos highlighting that month’s “picks,” featuring picture books, chapter books, middle grade and YA.
They’ll be brief booktalks of titles that we feel are perfect for your use in libraries and schools, both brand new and old favorites, directly from our hearts to yours. We don’t think we’ll be ever be YouTube stars (just wait for the blooper reel!), but our goal was to replicate as much as possible that great experience we have at conferences with you all, talking face to face, sharing what we love.
So here we go! Thoughts? Suggestions? We want to hear!
Molly’s September picks:
Picture Books:
EVERYTHING GOES: IN THE AIR, by Brian Biggs
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS, by Mo Willems
Chapter Books:
FANCY NANCY: NANCY CLANCY, SUPER SLEUTH, by Jane O’Connor, Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Middle Grade:
THE PECULIAR, by Stefan Bachman
THE GREAT UNEXPECTED, by Sharon Creech
Teen:
THE CROWN OF EMBERS, by Rae Carson
What a wonderful and busy last few days! I’m so excited to announce my newest release. Of course wordpress was being difficult and not letting me sign in, so this post is a few days delays. ~grumble~
Getting Broken Aro finally out is such a great pleasure (and relief). It’s a while in coming, with some ups and downs and too many edits to count. Finally it is here and has a kick butt cover to boot. I couldn’t be happier!
Broken Aro is the first in a new series, The Broken Ones. It is a YA epic fantasy and was a great book to write. I hope you all enjoy the story and characters as much as I do. My current goal is to have the second book, Broken Prince, written by Christmas and published in the beginning of 2013.
If you pick up a copy do drop me a note and let me know what you thought!
Broken Aro (Book One of The Broken Ones)
Published by Untold Press on Sept 14 2012
70 000 words
Available at all Amazon stores for 2.99. Free to borrow for Prime members!
Open your eyes to darkness. What do you see? Does the darkness frighten you? Now imagine the darkness being the cargo hold of a slave ship. Your city has fallen. Your family is most likely dead. You don’t know anyone around you, and some of them aren’t even human. Giving up would be so easy to do, but not for Arowyn Mason. Not after being raised in a military family with seven brothers. Every great story should begin with a plan. Aro’s was to escape and to survive.
Escape comes, but at a price. As they reach the shore, Aro and the other survivors learn that freedom doesn’t mean safety. The slavers want their property back and will do anything to get it. The party uses every ounce of their brute strength, a hearty helping of cunning, and even ancient magics to keep themselves alive. Sickness, danger, and even love surprise them at every turn. Dealing with danger becomes their way of life, but none of them ever considered that nothing can be quite as dangerous as a prophecy. Running turns into another race altogether as her world falls to pieces again and again.
On this very beautiful Philadelphia day (blue-drenched skies and clouds a-wisp in both directions), I share news that I've wanted to share for the past many days. Amy Rennert, my long-time agent, is the one who whispered this in my ear. I have her to thank for bridging me toward that very thing that makes me happiest in life—hanging out with urgent, passionate, striving kids and helping them grow.
So here we go. This coming January, I will be joining the glorious YoungArts program in Miami—"the signature national organization that recognizes and supports America's most talented 15-18 year olds in the visual, literary and performing arts." Do you want to fill this very hour with beautiful things (music, HBO film, photography, stories)? Then go to the
YoungArts website, grab a root beer or a cup of tea, and sit back. Just let it happen.
Since 1981, YoungArts has given young people from across the country the chance to learn from giants such as Edward Albee, Robert Redford, Julian Schnabel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Bobby McFerrin, Frank Gehry, Placido Domingo, Liv Ullman, and Kathleen Turner. It has helped nurture stars such as Viola Davis, Elizabeth Kostova, Allegra Goodman, Nicki Minaj, and Vanessa Williams. It has elevated culture. It has made people dance. It has mattered.
And you, my young friends out there—you still have a
chance to apply. Applications for this could-it-be-any-better-than-this? opportunity can be filed up through October 19, 2012. Those who are selected—in
nine disciplines—are eligible for the week-long immersion in the arts (Miami, early January), for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts recognition, and for monetary awards.
This year, I will be teaching writing to high school students in a botanical garden. Over the course of that same week,
Marisa Tomei, one of my favorite actresses (did you see her in "The Wrestler?"; don't you just love her whole, authentic self?),
Bill T. Jones, that sensational choreographer and teacher, and
Lourdes Lopez, recently named the artistic director of the Miami City Ballet, will be conducting Master Classes as well. The evenings will be filled with performances. A gala dinner will be held. And I will be there, happy.
My young talented friends, consider applying. Amy Rennert, thank you. And Lisa Leone, the real Lisa Leone (vice president of Artistic Programs), you are one talented photo/movement-goddess. I encourage those reading my blog to visit
The Real Lisa Leone and to discover, among many fine finds, a certain Marisa Tomei hula hooping her way to glory.
Gotta go run and touch the sky.
Caren has been the manager of Belle Vie, a luxurious plantation house in Louisiana, for over four years and she is completely committed to her job and her life there. When she is informed by one of the groundsmen that a body has been discovered, half buried on the property, Caren is drawn into the story of this horrific murder and begins to learn more and more about Belle Vie's past. Things she isn't quite sure she wants to know.
The story is incredibly intense and lush in both detail and language. This is not a simple murder mystery that would typically have the reader flipping the pages quicker and quicker to find out whodunit. You'll want to linger on these pages, reading the beautiful details that Locke injects into the plot. If there were ever a lovely murder story, this would be it!
A whole slew of topics are touched on --race, politics, slavery, etc.-- but there isn't so much "stuff" that the plot becomes cumbersome or that it strays totally away from being a thriller. I loved Locke's writing and her characters and I found myself caring about them in a way that doesn't typically happen with this genre of book. The setting was spectacular and I could feel myself transported to both the past and to the present in the story.
Such an excellent read and one I would definitely recommend for fans of both thrillers and great writing in general. Attica Locke is one I'll be keeping my eye on!
You can find Attica on her
website,
Facebook, or
Twitter.
The Cutting SeasonAttica Locke 384 pagesAdult FictionHarper9780061802058September 2012Review copy
If you are writing a novel for the first time, you’ll need to know when and how to end a chapter. Learn about chapter breaks and see examples of some from popular novels in the following excerpt from the book Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb.
Novels have all different styles of chapter breaks. Some have dozens of short chapters, some have a few huge chapters (often called parts or books), and some have no chapters at all. The chapter break should be placed strategically. If, while constructing your outline, the thought of separating your plot into chapters confuses you or saps your energy, don’t make chapter break decisions yet. Write a first draft of the whole novel, then come back to this section to place your chapter breaks with intention during your rewrite. But if, as you think about your story, the discussion of chapter breaks stimulates your imagination, construct your outline with chapter breaks included.
Take a look at your favorite novels. How did the author break up the story? The most important thing is that at the end of each chapter the reader should be craving the next chapter. Make the reader want to turn the next page. An old-fashioned cliffhanger is not required (though they still work), but tension of some kind is essential. End not where the action lulls but where it is the most dynamic. Give the reader new information right before you cut him off. The following are examples of strategic chapter breaks.
BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY, BY HELEN FIELDING
14 CHAPTERS, 271 PAGES
At the end of chapter “April” Bridget hints that she might be pregnant and then titles the next chapter “Mother-to-Be”—again, we have no self-control. We must read on. It’s especially easy to keep reading Fielding’s novel because the diary entries are often short. Just one more, we tell ourselves. It’s addictive.
LULLABY, BY CHUCK PALAHNIUK
44 CHAPTERS, 260 PAGES
Chapter six: The hero tries a killer poem out on his unsuspecting boss. If it works, the man will be dead before daybreak. Instead of ending the chapter with news of the death, Palahniuk stops right after the hero decides not to try to explain the experiment to his employer.
“We both need some rest, Duncan,” I say, “Maybe we can talk about it in the morning.”
Of course we can’t wait—we have to start chapter seven.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE, BY WILLIAM GOLDMAN
8 CHAPTERS, 399 PAGES
Chapter five: We know one of the characters has spent his whole life trying to track down an anonymous nobleman with six fingers on his right hand. At the end of chapter five another character notices that the man who is about to torture him to death has an extra finger on one hand! It doesn’t matter that chapter five was one hundred pages long, or that chapter six is fifty-nine pages long; we have to turn the page.
Buy Your First Novel now!
Last year PBS came to my house to film a testimonial about the influence of public television in my life. This is what they have released just recently:
Hermosa Gente.
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Great post, Linda. School libraries are so important, as you say not every child will go to a library but they all go to school. I've met some lovely librarians when visiting schools who've shown tremendous dedication to encouraging the children to read.
Libraries/librarians - a measure of our civilisation.
I think it's a really excellent point that not all children visit public libraries, but they all go to school - ridiculously, it hadn't occurred to me before. I remember going to a recently refurbished primary school library in Bristol a few years ago - it was fantastic, with bright colours, murals by the children, inviting areas to set down - it just made you want to curl up with a book. All schools should have them - and the librarians to make them work.
Well said - and a good explanation of why they matter.
As the local public library may not be easy to reach, especially given the distances children do travel to secondary school and/or have limited hours and stock as well, so the school library and the library staff should grow even more important.
Hear, hear.
And in primary schools, in England anyway (most of the schools I visit are in England)there is often no library or designated librarian. And primary age children are even less able to get to the public library under their own steam than secondary children, and arguably it's even more crucial that they get that reading habit!
The Society of Authors is running a campaign about this also - hope it has some results.
There is one thing more unhapopy than a book without a reader Linda - and thats a child who wants to read, without a book! Hence the importance of libraries. I used to live in ours: I'd have been desolate without it.
Karen - I agree there are some lovely librarians with true dedication to getting kids and books together
So right, Joan.
Sue It is wonderful when libraries are lovely places the kids want to be in, and welcoming. I have also been in primary schools, as Emma mentions, where they have little or no library as if it was not important.
As you say, Penny many primary school children cannot get to a library and if the parents are not willing, interested or able to take them it is more difficult to get them into a reading habit.
Madwippit I agree about a child without a book.... I too spent many happy hours as a child in my local library
Linda, agree with what you say about there being no librarian in many primary schools, although often a teacher or parent takes on that responsibilty.
However, I'm also thinking of the additional hours many secondary children travel each day by school bus, train or car especially if they are in a rural location. And they have to fit in homework on top of that.
very good post
Thank you for this excellent post. Of course school librarians are necessary. I do hope the Govt listens to all the lobbying. Wish I could come to Westminster day but am busy, alas. Good luck to all.
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