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The Montgomery County Book Festival is now partnering with Lone Star College – Montgomery. This year the festival is being expanded from a teens only format to include authors of children’s and tween books, young adult authors who cross over to the adult market and authors who write specifically for adults. However, as this blog focuses on children’s and young adult’s literature, I’ve only listed the names of authors who write for these age groups. For a complete list, visit the Montgomery County Book Festival website.
Chinese New Year Storytime! Join author Mary Wade in celebrating the Chinese New Year with the reading of NO YEAR OF THE CAT.
The Emperor has a problem. He wants his people to remember the year in which his son was born. But there is no way to keep track of the years. So the Emperor devises a race in which animals will cross a river. The first twelve animals to reach the opposite side will have a year named after them. Thus, the people will be able to remember the years and the events that occurred. And so the race is set. Rat, knowing he is no match for the rushing water, schemes with Cat on how to cross the river. Together the two convince Ox to carry them across. But halfway across the river, Rat shows his true colors. Will Cat make it to the other side? Which animals will have a year named after them? Accompanied by exquisite watercolor artwork, this charming story explains the origins of the Chinese calendar.
February 5, Tuesday, 6:00 PM Barnes & Noble, College Station Janet Fox and Joy Preble, YA Authors
Join Janet Fox and Joy Preble for an exclusive young adult Q&A session of their latest books and what it takes to be a YA author. We will be celebrating the release of Janet’s newest book, SIRENS, and Joy will talk about her upcoming book, THE SWEET DEAD LIFE.
Houston playwright Kathleen Tolan’s regional premiere of MEMORY HOUSE, directed by Claire Hart-Palumbo.
As Katia struggles to finish her college essay by tonight’s midnight deadline her mother Maggie tries to motivate and encourage her while baking a pie. Mother and daughter wrestle with lingering issues from Katia’s adoption from Russia, her parents’ divorce and her fear of leaving home as they pick their way through the very human, very honest, and sometimes very funny struggle of how to connect with each other and face the future.
Post show discussions: Following the Sunday matinee on February 3, the audience is invited to join the artists involved with the production as well as a diverse panel of adoptive families, who will reflect on the play and share their own experiences.
For very important information about this event including pricing and age restrictions, see Main Street Theater’s website.
Ally Carter, New York Times best-selling author of the five books in the Gallagher Girls series, will discuss and sign her young adult novel PERFECT SCOUNDRELS.
Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.
No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark.
Here’s this week’s roundup of events for children’s and young adult authors and illustrators. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Montogmery County Book Festival on February 2! If you write or illustrate—or are interested in learning about writingor illustrating—children’s literature, there is still time to sign up for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators spring conference here in Houston on April 13. Critique slots for our guest speakers are filled, but there are still opportunities for critiques from several of our wonderful local authors, including Kathy Duval, Warren Hanson, Sherry Garland, Joy Preble, and Ana Maria Rodriguez.
Melanie Chrismer, author of more than a dozen books, including the Phoebe Clapsaddleseries, presents her newest picture book, CHACHALACA CHIQUITA. In a Southwestern spin on the Chicken Little tale, Chachalaca Chiquita, a colorful southwestern bird, is on a mission to tell the jefe (boss) that the sky is falling after a pebble falls from the sky and hits her right on the head. Chachalaca Chiquita joins the feathered flock-Lina Gallina, the prairie hen, and her chicks-and heads to the mountain, passing bugs buzzing, birds flying, lizards snatching, and animals moseying, collecting more animals along their journey. Their adventure takes a turn when they meet sly Tacito Ocelote and they learn that he is the jefe—the one who started it all and has been expecting the odd flock for dinner.
January 26, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. River Oaks Bookstore Kip Cosson, PB Author/Illustrator
New York artist/author Kip Cosson’s newest picture book, MEECE FOR MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY, follows the adventures of Meece Mouse, who decides to run for Mayor of New York City. As part of his campaign, Meece and his campaign manager, Ned Penguin, visit all five boroughs of New York City. Mayors from all across the country are reading this book to children and teaching them about our electoral system in an entertaining way.
Houston playwright Kathleen Tolan’s regional premiere of MEMORY HOUSE, directed by Claire Hart-Palumbo.
As Katia struggles to finish her college essay by tonight’s midnight deadline her mother Maggie tries to motivate and encourage her while baking a pie. Mother and daughter wrestle with lingering issues from Katia’s adoption from Russia, her parents’ divorce and her fear of leaving home as they pick their way through the very human, very honest, and sometimes very funny struggle of how to connect with each other and face the future.
For very important information about this event including pricing and age restrictions, see Main Street Theater’s website
It’s been a lovely, rainy January here in Houston. My azaleas have decided winter is over and have already started blooming. For Christmas, my husband and son got me a new birdbath and hanging feeder and now my backyard has become a bird playground. I love glancing up at them throughout the day while I’m writing.
Speaking of writing, you need to hurry if you still want to sign up for the Austin SCBWI conference. Registration ends February 2. The Houston SCBWI conference will be in April this year. We’ve sold out all critique spots for our guest speakers, but there are still spots available with our local authors. If you are new to writing, this is a great opportunity to have an experienced author give you feedback on your work.
Don’t forget! The Montgomery County book Festival is coming soon! Mark your calendars for February 2, Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm!
Gayle Forman, award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT, will discuss and sign her new young adult novel JUST ONE DAY. Equal parts mystery and romance, JUST ONE DAY uses the power of travel to show how all manner of journeys can lead to the most unexpected revelations.
Sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey has always followed the rules. But when she meets the laid-back 20-year-old Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter in England at an underground performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, there’s an undeniable spark. One day’s adventure together in Paris seems to ignite the flames love till the following morning, when Allyson wakes up to discover that Willem has disappeared without a trace.
This 24 hour whirlwind forces Allyson to confront the narrow confines of the life that has been built for her.
A breathtaking journey of self-discovery, JUST ONE DAY showcases Forman’s nuanced use of language, exposing the depths of grief and passion, and the unexpected joys that can come from the most challenging times.
Best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz will discuss and sign GATES OF PARADISE, the breathtaking finale of her Blue Bloods series.
Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael, or as they are known in the coven, Jack and Mimi Force.
Will Bliss and the wolves she has recruited to join her win the battle for the vampires? Is Schuyler prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, the same one Michael was forced to make in Florence so long ago? Love and vengeance, duty and loyalty, life and death, are all at odds in this gripping, heartbreaking finale.
As Katia struggles to finish her college essay by tonight’s midnight deadline her mother Maggie tries to motivate and encourage her while baking a pie. Mother and daughter wrestle with lingering issues from Katia’s adoption from Russia, her parents’ divorce and her fear of leaving home as they pick their way through the very human, very honest, and sometimes very funny struggle of how to connect with each other and face the future.
Post show discussions: Following the Sunday matinees on January 20 and February 3, the audience is invited to join the artists involved with the production as well as a diverse panel of adoptive families, who will reflect on the play and share their own experiences.
For very important information about this event including pricing and age guidelines, see Main Street Theater’s website.
I’m off like a herd of turtles to re-engage here and on facebook and twitter. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family and just sitting by the fireplace editing and revising manuscripts. There’s more editing and revising in my near future before launching into a new project that’s whispering to me, but it will have to wait its turn. Last night’s SCBWI meeting got me revved up to start the new year. We had a great panel of three Houston authors—Dotti Enderle, Wendy Lanier and Lynne Kelly—who gave us tips and info to help everyone prepare for our upcoming Houston SCBWI regional conference in April. The illustrators broke off for their own info session, run by our Houston Illustrator Coordinator, Diandra Mae. This is going to to be a fantastic conference. I can’t wait!
Meanwhile, here’s a fun YA event to look forward to a bit earlier:
Gayle Forman, award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT, will discuss and sign her new young adult novel JUST ONE DAY.
Sheltered American good girl Allyson “LuLu” Healey has always followed the rules. But when she meets the laid-back 20-year-old Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter in England at an underground performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, there’s an undeniable spark. One day’s adventure together in Paris seems to ignite the flames love till the following morning, when Allyson wakes up to discover that Willem has disappeared without a trace.
This 24 hour whirlwind forces Allyson to confront the narrow confines of the life that has been built for her.
A breathtaking journey of self-discovery, JUST ONE DAY showcases Forman’s nuanced use of language, exposing the depths of grief and passion, and the unexpected joys that can come from the most challenging times.
Our beautiful park suffered severely from last year’s drought. Money raised through ticket sales for this event and 30% of artists’ sales will be donated to The Memorial Park Conservancy for park reforestation.
Come enjoy the wine, dessert and snacks at the cocktail reception featuring the founder of Paws on Patios, Patrick Walsh, Jim Porter– chairman of The Memorial Park Conservancy, Brian Kalinec– singer/songwriter, Suzanne Marsh– silhouette artist, and the amazingly tall Walking Tree Of Life performer as well as many wonderful artists who will be selling tree-themed art. Visit www.theartfullumbrella.com/art_benefit for the details and to purchase tickets. Art which is not purchased at the event will be for sale online from December 12th-18th at www.theartfullumbrella.com/art_gallery/. Photo credit: Steve Lathem
For those of you in the West Houston/Katy/Fulshear areas, I wanted to pass on news of the 3rd annual “Stuff the Sleigh of Katy”, an all-volunteer holiday toy drive benefiting pediatric cancer patients treated at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) – West Campus, and their siblings. Santa Claus will present the children with toys collected in his Santa’s Sleigh at a family holiday party. The community toy drive is accepting donations to purchase holiday gifts through Wednesday, December 12. Those interested in sponsoring a child’s gift may stop by the Firethorne Community Center to select a ‘sleigh’ gift card with a wish list item on it from a young cancer patient or their brother or sister. Photo credit: Ginny Lund
We have several fun events happening this weekend! Remember that the information here is from the sponsoring bookstore or organization’s website and changes do happen. Please check their websites for the latest, most up-to-date information on these events.
Best-selling picture book author and illustrator Anna Dewdey will visit Houston to kick off the Houston Public Library’s annual Season’s Readings program. Anna is the author of the LLAMA LLAMA picture books as well as ROLY POLY PANGOLIN, GRUMPY GLORIA and NO BUNNY’S PERFECT.
Join Rachel Harris as she discusses and signs her new book MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
Armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat is thrust into the Renaissance on the eve of her sixteenth birthday where she soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But romance takes an unpleasant turn when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around. Can Cat find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?
Illustrator Nancy Binford presents her new book, THE LAST CHRISTMAS TREE. The story of a not-to-handsome tree that has watched all the other trees on the lot get taken home. Will The Last Christmas Tree get a home?
While you’re out doing your holiday shopping, don’t forget to stop by the Houston area fine independent bookstores which frequently sponsor author and illustrator events:
Ally Condie, author of the international bestseller MATCHED, and its sequel, CROSSED, will discuss and sign her new novel for young adults, REACHED.
Book: In REACHED, Cassia faces the ultimate choices in the long-anticipated conclusion to the “New York Times” bestselling Matched Trilogy. After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.
During the Christmas Stroll from 7:00-9:00 p.m., stop in at The Book Nook and visit with Marci Peschke, author of the KYLIE JEAN series. From blueberries to beauty pageants, Texan second grader Kylie Jean wants to be the queen of everything! But in her quest to be the best, this young southern belle learns a few lessons of her own. Mischievous, delightful and fun, this series will be at the top of every young girl’s list! Series titles include:
Texas Author George Arnold will present the sixth book in his Cats of the CIA series, MUNCHEN MADNESS, a multi-lingual adventure for kids—English, Spanish, Italian and French with built-in teaching guides. In this adventure, the lovable cats of the C.I.A. are in Bavaria where the cats (and the readers) learn to speak a considerable amount of German.
Melanie Chrismerpresents her newest picture book, CHACHALACA CHIQUITA. In a Southwestern spin on the Chicken Little tale, Chachalaca Chiquita, a colorful southwestern bird, is on a mission to tell the jefe (boss) that the sky is falling after a pebble falls from the sky and hits her right on the head. Chachalaca Chiquita joins the feathered flock-Lina Gallina, the prairie hen, and her chicks-and heads to the mountain, passing bugs buzzing, birds flying, lizards snatching, and animals moseying, collecting more animals along their journey. Their adventure takes a turn when they meet sly Tacito Ocelote and they learn that he is the jefe—the one who started it all and has been expecting the odd flock for dinner.
Gracie Cavnar’s book EAT IT! FOOD ADVENTURES WITH MARCO POLO: LEAVING HOME follows Ottavio Fornero, a pint-sized member of Marco Polo’s famous expedition as he discovers wondrous foods through the rich cultural traditions of people along the old Silk Road. As Ottavio journeys from Venice to the Middle East, cooks and readers as young as seven learn thirty easy-to-follow recipes inspired by the trip. Volume One of this three-book series, Leaving Home, is so deliciously descriptive, the reader can almost smell the famous rosemary-laced Fornero focaccia and cheesy, cinnamon spiked losyns.
I had a great time Saturday at Brazos Valley SCBWI’s writing workshop with Penguin editor Jill Santopolo. The workshop had a full house, and it was fun to see so many writers from all over Texas.
In more exciting conference news, registration is now open for the Houston SCBWI Annual Spring Conference on April 13-14. Our featured speakers are:
Josh Adams—Adams Literary
Paul Rodeen—Paul Rodeen Literary Management Sara Sargent—Editor, Balzer&Bray Lucy Cummins—Art Director, Simon & Schuster Peter Brown—Award-winning Illustrator
Stephanie Hedlund—Editorial Director, ABDO Publishing
Danielle Young—Assistant Editor at S&S Books for Young Readers, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
In addition to the all-day conference on Saturday, Josh Adams of Adams Literary will have a three hour intensive on Sunday which will help you determine how to know when you’re ready to share your work with editors and agents, position you and your work
effectively for today’s market, and submit it smartly to find a successful match. For more information and to register see our new website at houstonscbwi.org.
Once again, this week’s author events for children’s and young adult literature is brought to us from our good friends at Blue Willow Bookshop.
Laini Taylor, author of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, the Dreamdark books BLACKBRINGER and SILKSINGER, and the National Book Award finalist LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES, will discuss and sign her new novel for young adults, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT.
In this sequel to the highly acclaimed DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people.
Friday, November 9, 5:00 p.m.
West Houston Community Center, 725 Bateswood, Houston, TX 77079 Daniel Handler, MG Author
Daniel Handler will discuss and sign Lemony Snicket’s novel WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR? Lemony Snicket’s previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, THE COMPOSER IS DEAD, and 13 WORDS. His forthcoming book, WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR? is the first question in All The Wrong Questions.
Book: In a fading town, far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket began his apprenticeship in an organization nobody knows about. He started by asking questions that shouldn’t have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not be published, in four volumes that shouldn’t be read. WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR is the first volume.
This is going to be a fun week for me. My critique group meets this week and on Saturday I get to go to a workshop with Penguin editor Jill Santopolo! I had a great time at James Scott Bell’s workshop a couple of weeks ago, and I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s event. Thanks to Northwest Houston RWA for hosting James Scott Bell and thanks to Brazos Valley SCBWI for bringing Jill Santopolo. It’s great to be a writer living in live in Texas! (Actually, it’s great to be living in Texas, period.)
And to add to the fun, we have two events from our friends at Blue Willow Bookshop. The first is today!
Author Candace Fleming and Caldecott medalist illustrator Eric Rohmann will discuss and sign their new picture book, OH, NO! Young children will delight in repeating the refrain “OH, NO!” as one animal after another falls into a deep, deep hole in this lively read-aloud.
A team from BRAIN QUEST will conduct a Brain Quest Challenge at Blue Willow for an afternoon of fun and trivia! Can you match wits with a 12 year-old? Tackle these questions from Brain Quest’s seventh-grade edition: “In what African country can you visit Nairobi?” and “What do you call the arrangement of elements started by Mendeleyev?” Go to the head of the class if you answered “Kenya” and “the periodic table.”
We have lots of wonderful events to add to your calendar for early September. A great variety, from picture books to middle grade to young adult, will be at venues all over our city. I hope to see you here and there! As always, please check the sponsoring book store’s website for the latest most up-to-date information on these events, or better yet, visit their stores!
Ken Oppel, author of more than fifteen books for children, will discuss and sign his newest novel for young adults, SUCH WICKED INTENT, the sequel to his acclaimed YA novel, THIS DARK ENDEAVOR.
The book: When does obsession become madness? Tragedy has forced sixteen-year-old Victor Frankenstein to swear off alchemy forever. He burns the Dark Library. He vows he will never dabble in the dark sciences again—just as he vows he will no longer covet Elizabeth, his brother’s betrothed.
If only these things were not so tempting.
When he and Elizabeth discover a portal into the spirit world, they cannot resist. Together with
Victor’s twin, Konrad, and their friend Henry, the four venture into a place of infinite possibilities where power and passion reign. But as they search for the knowledge to raise the dead, they unknowingly unlock a darkness from which they may never return.
Blue Willow Bookshop hosts Jamie Lee Curtis as she reads and signs her new picture book MY BRAVE YEAR OF FIRSTS: TRIES, SIGHS AND HIGH FIVES. This tenth collaboration between Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell celebrates the everyday bravery of trying new things for the very first time. While our spunky heroine, Frankie, learns to ride a bike, tie her shoes, make new friends, love her first dog, borrow a book from the library, say when she’s wrong, try yucky food and work with her dad, she also learns that trying new things is how she grows—and that being brave enough to do so is what growing up is all about.
Texas Author George Arnold will be introducing his sixth book in his Cats of the CIA series, MUNCHEN MADNESS, a multi-lingual adventure for kids—English, Spanish, Italian and French with built-in teaching guides. MUNCHEN MADNESS, the sixth book in the series, features a 750-word German vocabulary and pronunciation guide built right into the story.
Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the WICKED LOVELY series, will sign and discuss her newest YA novel, CARNIVAL OF SOULS (interesting website; I heard there was supposed to be a trailer released in August but it must not be out at the time of this posting).
The book: In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.
Lisa McMann and Margaret Peterson Haddix will discuss and sign their new novels for children, UNWANTED: ISLAND OF SILENCE and THE MISSING: CAUGHT.
Lisa McMann is the NYT bestselling author of the WAKE trilogy; CRYER’S CROSS; DEAD TO YOU; the VISIONS series; and the MG dystopian fantasy trilogy THE UNWANTEDS.
The book: The stark world of Quill and the magical haven of Artimé now welcome whoever wants to live there. In Artimé, Alex Stowe and his friends hone their artistic magical spells while wondering how long this peace between Quill and Artimé will last. Alex is stunned when Mr. Today comes to him with a special request—one Alex questions his readiness for, until circumstances offer a dramatic answer. Back in Quill, Aaron Stowe, Alex’s twin, faces a very different path. Devastated by his loss of status after Justine’s defeat and seething with rage toward Alex, Aaron is stealthily planning his revenge and return to power.
Margaret Peterson Haddix is the author of many acclaimed YA and MG novels, including THE MISSING series and the SHADOW CHILDREN series.
The book: In THE MISSING: CAUGHT, Jonah and Katherine are accustomed to traveling through time, but when learn they have to return Albert Einstein’s daughter to history, they think it’s a joke—they’ve only heard of his sons. But Albert Einstein really did have a daughter, Lieserl, whose 1902 birth and subsequent disappearance was shrouded in mystery. But when Jonah and Katherine return to the early 1900s to fix history, Lieserl’s mother, Mileva seems to understand entirely too much about time travel. And Mileva has no intention of letting her daughter disappear.
Congratulations to the randomly chosen winner of the Advance Readers’ Copy of Nikki Loftin’s debut middle grade novel THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY…
ROBIN!
Five more lucky winners will receive a bookmark:
Christine Sarmel
Dianna Brown
Marty
Joanna Labow
Anne Bingham
Thank you to everyone who came here to read Nikki’s post and to everyone who went to The Splendid Academy’s site to to leave their suggestion for Splendid Academy’s menu or just to have a look around. As soon as I gather all the winners’ email addresses, I will send notes to get your mailing addresses.
THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY launches tomorrow! Congratulations to Nikki on her outstanding debut!
Hey everybody! We have a super-special treat today! Debut author Nikki Loftin, whose middle grade novel THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY launches August 21, is joining us to talk about something that concerns many writers—building a website for middle grade fans. Take it away, Nikki!
The worst words in the entire world, to a reader who’s gone down the rabbit hole into the world of a wonderful book, are “The End.” I remember feeling as a child that sinking sensation as I got closer and closer to the end of a favorite novel, knowing the magic would end soon, and I would have to step back into reality.
I hated that. I wanted the story to keep going. I wanted to read the biographies of the characters, I wanted to know what they were eating for dinner the day after the story ended, what they did with their friends, who they spoke to… So many of these characters became my friends. When the story ended, it was almost like they’d moved away.
(Of course, when I was child, there was no such thing as the Internet, with its sites for fan fiction and Pottermore-ish places to keep the dream alive. Hold on for a second while I yell at some kids to get off my lawn. There, I’m done.)
I thought—hoped—that some kids would fall in love with my characters and the world of Splendid Academy enough to have that same longing feeling. And I wondered if I could provide something to extend the magic of the story, just a bit, with a website for Splendid Academy. I reserved the domain name of my school, put up some placeholder pages, and started thinking.
What kind of site did I want? What could I offer my readers that would be fun for them, yet easy for me to maintain so I could, you know, have time to write more books?
The site I wanted would be partly for marketing—anything promoting your book serves that sort of purpose. But I really wanted it to be something for my readers. So I started jotting down notes about what I would have wanted as a kid, if I had just finished reading The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy.
I wondered if this was all a waste of time. Then, a lovely publicist/creative genius named Kirsten Cappy, from Curious City, met with me in the spring and helped me solidify some of my ideas, and she mentioned that librarians love to be able to send avid readers to book-related sites—and book clubs can use them as a part of their discussion. (She had me at “librarians love.”)
The first thing I settled on was a page with staff bios. I tried to write each one with enough detail so that readers who had finished the book would get the hidden jokes (and hidden threats), but kids who hadn’t read it yet wouldn’t see spoilers. Since the site ostensibly is written by the principal and teachers of the school, any reference to the book would have to be hidden—although to be fair, I did decide to put a very visible button to take potential buyers straight to a site where they could buy a copy!
I thought a series of letters from the principal would be fun to write, with the occasional note from one of the other teachers, and maybe even a “guest blog” from some of the secondary characters to add to the fun. Of course, with a book involving enchanted food, a school menu would be a must. (The most recent post is a call for readers to comment on the site for the chance to have their favorite food added to the upcoming menu. I’ll also have kids at the launch party in a few weeks write down their favorite foods, so I can post them there as well.)
I have thoughts about adding a quiz for prospective students, as well as adding “lesson plans” featuring the many fairy tales I reference in the book… but I’ll have to see how much time it takes. A writer’s first job is writing, after all—and if all goes well, I’ll have kids emailing me to “hurry up and write another one!”
And that’s probably the very best way to please your audience.
NOW FOR THE CONTEST!!!
For a chance to win an Advanced Readers’ Copy of Nikki’s debut novel THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, you can help Nikki build her website! Go to SplendidAcademy.com and leave a comment about your favorite food! (Remember, this place has gourmet fare, so don’t be shy about asking for the good stuff!) Nikki is also giving away some cool bookmarks to reward even more yummy suggestions for the school menu. The contest will run one week and we will announce the winner on Monday, August 20.
THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY
Coming from Razorbill, August 21, 2012
When Lorelei’s old school mysteriously burns down, a new one appears practically overnight: Splendid Academy. Rock-climbing walls on the playground and golden bowls of candy on every desk? Gourmet meals in the cafeteria, served by waiters? Optional homework and two recess periods a day? It’s every kid’s dream.
But Lorelei and her new friend Andrew are pretty sure it’s too good to be true. Together they uncover a sinister mystery, one with their teacher, the beautiful Ms. Morrigan, at the very center.
Then Andrew disappears. Lorelei has to save him, even if that means facing a past she’d like to forget – and taking on a teacher who’s a real witch.
What Lorelei and Andrew discover chills their bones—and might even pick them clean!
Don’t forget! Go to SplendidAcademy.com and leave a comment about your favorite food!
(And isn’t that a fantastic cover? Illustration by Alexander Jansson, cover designed by Emily Osborne.)
I hope everyone has been having a fun summer, and it’s not over yet! I want to tell you about local two events coming up next weekend. All the fans of Joy Preble’s magical trilogy will be gathering for the grande finale of Russian history, romance, magic and mythology with Anne, Ethan and Anastasia.
Join Joy Preble as she launches ANASTASIA FOREVER, the final installment of her young adult trilogy, Dreaming Anastasia. Thanks to Joy’s publisher, Sourcebooks, we also have a chance to sneak preview the first three chapters!
From Joy’s website: Secrets within secrets. Truths within lies. Anastasia—She was the darling of the glittering Winter Palace while her half brother Viktor was relegated to the shadows. Now he’s ready to take his turn in the spotlight…and revenge on the world that shunned him. Anne—The visions won’t stop. One minute she’s in her bedroom on her cell phone. And the next she’s in the past witness to the private moments of the royal Romanov family. Ethan—He’s been eighteen for nearly century and finding Anne is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. But the magic in his blood is turning darker, forcing him to wonder whether he’s the most dangerous threat of all. History Doesn’t Tell Us Everything….
August 11, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. THE BOOK NOOK Multiple Author Visit
Fifteen of authors from Fort Bend are meeting to sign your copy of their book! This event includes authors of many genres, including Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, author of THE CONCH BEARER and authors of other children’s books.
If you are interested in learning more about writing nonfiction for children and teens, don’t miss this month’s meeting of the Houston Society of Children’s Bo
Today I have a guest post on Janice Hardy’s blog! For the two or three of of you who are not familiar with Janice Hardy and her great upper MG fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, please head over to her blog. There you will not only find my guest post on why I love writing for the younger end of middle grade, Laugh and Cry Like a Nine-Year-Old; you will find the most amazing and helpful collection on the internet of posts for writers. I think I got most of my education in story structure there!
Check back here soon for a guest post from debut author Nikkki Loftin and a giveaway of an ARC for her soon-to-be-released MG novel, THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY!
It’s time for me to announce the winner of the giveaway for the ARC of Lauren Oliver’s THE SPINDLERS!
And the winner is…
Jessica Shaw!
Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaway!
And I was the winner of a giveaway this week, too! YA Highway had a huge giveaway of ARC’s books and critiques and I won two ARCs—WHAT’S LEFT OF ME by Kat Zhang and STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff! Thank you, YA Highway!
Here’s a bit about these two books:
WHAT’S LEFT OF ME is the story of a fifteen-year-old girl fighting for her right to survive in a world where two souls are born into each body and one is doomed to disappear. Pitched as The Golden Compass meets Girl, Interrupted. This is the first of a trilogy, and rights have already been sold in ten countries!
STORMDANCER is the first novel in Jay Kristoff’’s THE LOTUS WAR; a fantasy trilogy set in a Japanese-inspired steampunk dystopia. Tor.com has put up a sneak preview excerpt (Chapter 3) which you can read here.
I have another exciting giveaway coming—an ARC of Nikki Loftin’s debut Middle Grade fantasy, THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, so check back soon for the details!
Many of you are fans of New York Times Bestseller author Lauren Oliver’s YA novels, particularly her DELIRIUM trilogy. Oliver’s first MG book, Liesl and Po, was recently published. I loved this sweet, fun ghost story. Now Oliver has a new MG coming out in September, THE SPINDLERS, a very different kind of fantasy.
The book:
Looking across the breakfast table one morning, twelve-year-old Liza feels dread wash over her. Although her younger brother, Patrick, appears the same, Liza knows that he is actually quite different. She is certain that the spindlers-evil, spiderlike beings-came during the night and stole his soul. And Liza is also certain that she is the only one who can rescue him.
Armed with little more than her wits and a huge talking rat for a guide, Liza descends into the dark and ominous underground to save Patrick’s soul. Her quest is far from easy, and the road to the spindlers’ nests is riddled with danger. She must brave tree snakes, the Court of Stones, and shape-shifting serpents before facing her greatest challenge in the spindlers’ lair, where more than just Patrick’s soul is at stake.
Via twitter, I heard that this book was all the talk at BEA among the children’s literature crowd. I happened to have an ARC of THE SPINDLERS, so I thought this might be a fun giveaway. To enter, just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway starts Tuesday, July 17, and ends at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 23. This contest is only open to entrants in the mainland United States and Canada. a Rafflecopter giveaway
To start off the evening, Blue Willow Bookshop’s owner and manager Valerie Koehler gave us the good news that the keynote speaker for the 2012 Tweens Read festival on October 20 will be Heather Brewer! The last time Heather was in Houston was for her launch of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS. Watch the Tweens Read site for updates!
Macmillan publicist Allison Verost (@aecverost) was the moderator for the panel of five YA authors. The evening started off with each author introducing her book. I couldn’t write down all they said, but over the past two weeks, I’ve put up posts about each of these authors and the book she was presenting at this event, so I’ll list those here:
Allison asked the authors to tell what they found most surprising about being a YA author and what they found most exciting. Emmy Laybourne’s response to most surprising: “You guys!” the time it takes between getting the contract for the book and the book hitting the shelves. Six months to two years? What’s wrong with it? Most exciting was that
Yesterday at The Book Spot in Round Rock, Lynn Kelly had her Hill country debut of CHAINED, the story of a boy and an elephant who have a friendship stronger than any lock, shackle, or chain. By a lucky chance, I happened to be in Round Rock, so I stopped in to hear Lynn talk about her novel.
I haven’t spent much time in Round Rock, so I’d I’d never been to this book store before. It is a cozy neighborhood with resident dogs who make sure everyone fells welcome. It was easy to spot regular customers because the first thing they did was pick up the dogs! If you are in the greater Austin area in July, you might want to stop by to see their Kids Spot, a special area for early readers through elementary school, and their young adult selection for middle school and high school readers.
Lynne was having a busy day. Just before her appearance at The Book Spot, she’d been a speaker on the Tweens or Teens panel at the Writers’ League of Texas 2012 Agents Conference YA to Z Track (738 KB .pdf). Though between the WLT conference and ALA, many of the writers I know were busy elsewhere, it was good to see a few familiar faces at The Book Stop, like Tim Crow, Debbie Gonzales, and Nikki Loftin (she brought cupcakes!). I hope I’ll get to see a few more at some of the events coming up in Texas later this fall, like maybe the Southwest Texas SCBWI Fall Conference!
One of the props Lynne brought with her was a replica of an elephant’s tooth. Elephants lose and regrow their molars up to seven times. This was part of a poignant discussion between two characters in the book. For more notes on Lynne’s talk about CHAINED, you can take a look at the post I wrote up after her launch at Blue Willow Bookshop. Thanks to The Book Spot for hosting this event. I love book stores that support authors! You can help support The Book Spot by Liking them on Facebook.
Blue Willow Bookshop hosted a really special event this week—New York Times best-selling rockstar Jodi Piccoult and her teenage daughter Samantha Van Leer with their new co-written middle grade/young adult book. Jodi Piccoult says Samantha (Sam) pitched the idea for the book to her while she was on tour in L.A. and Jodi knew at once that out of Samantha’s many story ideas, this one was a winner.
BETWEEN THE LINES is about what happens when happily ever after…isn’t. Delilah, a loner hates school as much as she loves books—one book in particular. In fact if anyone knew how many times she has read and reread the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially her cooler than cool classmates, she’d be sent to social Siberia . . . forever.To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there’s a handsome (well, okay, incredibly handsome) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there’s something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is not just a one-dimensional character in a book. He’s real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they’re from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?
Jodi and Samantha took turns reading excerpts from the two main characters points of view. Both gave excellent readings, then the event was opened up to questions. Since Jodi Piccoult is such a big name, many questions were about her novels for adults, but I’m going to focus on the questions about Samantha and BETWEEN THE LINES.
As usual, I wrote as fast as I could, but I’ve ended up paraphrasing both questions and answers. None of these are verbatim, but I’m trying to be as accurate as I can. So here goes:
Question: Jodi, some of your books have controversial topics. Sam, do you read them? Jodi, are you comfortable with that?
Sam: Yes, I’ve read four of them.
Jodi: We have a very open household. I don’t think there’s any topic off limits. The more controversial my books are and the more upset people get about them, the more I am convinced I am doing the right thing.
Question: Are the two of you planning to write any more books for teens?
Sam: The first thing we are going to write is my college applications! But we do have an idea for a sequel to BETWEEN THE LINES.
Jodi: When Sam was in second grade, her teacher called and asked if she could send home Sam’s story to typed. When I said yes, the teacher said she needed to warn me—it was forty pages!
Question: Did you both discuss how this book would be written?
Tera Lynn Childs will celebrate the debut of her newest book for young adults, JUST FOR FINS. When Lily Sanderson decided to remain Crown Princess Waterlily of the mer kingdom of Thalassinia, she knew she couldn’t just coast along in the current. But since she’s spent the last couple of years on land, Lily’s not sure she has the fins to lead a kingdom… Just when Lily thinks her double life on land and sea can’t get any more complicated, an ancient mer law might separate Lily and her human boyfriend, Quince, after all. It feels as if the pair is up against a solid tsunami wave! In JUST FOR FINS, Lily will have to find a way to balance safety and justice for the mer people and for the humans she loves.
First Friday Reading Series, will feature the 2012 Meta-Four Youth Poetry Slam Team. Meta Four Houston is a nonprofit organization that encourages self-expression and literacy among Houston’s youth through creative writing and performance. Meta-Four Houston grew out of the Young Houston Writers 2007 -2008 collaboration between the Houston Chronicle daily newspaper and three local arts non-profits – DiverseWorks, Voices Breaking Boundaries and Writers in the Schools – that formed to identify and support the nascent youth spoken-word community in our city.
Inprint House is located at 1520 West Main, one block south of the Menil Collection, one block east of Mandell, in the Museum District of Houston. Always free, open to the public, always an open reading after the featured poet. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
If you saw my last post about this week’s children’s literature events in the Houston area, you will have noticed the exciting monthly meeting Houston SCBWI has lined up for its members for July. Lynne Kelly, author of the debut middle grade novel CHAINED, will lead nine other debut authors of children’s literature from picture books through young adult in a visit with us via the internet:
In honor of this event, I am running my first ever giveaway, an Advanced Readers Copy of Megan Miranda’s YA novel, FRACTURE.
FRACTURE
By the time Delaney Maxwell was pulled from a Maine lake’s icy waters by her best friend, Decker Phillips, her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead.
But somehow Delaney survived–despite the brain scans that show irreparable damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be fine, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney now finds herself drawn to the dying, and when she meets Troy Varga, a boy who recently emerged from a coma with the same abilities, she is relieved to share this strange new existence. Unsure if her altered brain is predicting death or causing it, Delaney must figure out if their gift is a miracle, a freak of nature–or something else much more frightening….
Please note: The cover shown is the cover of the actual book,now available in bookstores. The cover of the ARC which is being given away is plain blue with no artwork.
I’ve been told that Rafflecopter is an easy-to-use method for running contests, so I am giving it a try. Contestants will only have tonight and tomorrow to enter. I will announce the winner at the meeting, and you must be present to win. The SCBWI meeting on Monday, July 9 will be held, as always, at the Tracy Gee Community Center at 7 P.M.
Thanks to everyone who played along with my giveaway for tonight’s Houston SCBWI meeting. The winner will be announced at the meeting tonight.
Don’t forget, this awesome event is free and open to the public. Come to our meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Tracy Gee Community Center to hear ten authors talk about their debut experiences.
Last night’s Houston SCBWI event was so much fun! It was great to hear from the ten debut authors who participated in our Google+ Hangout. Their comments about their journeys to publication were enlightening, inspiring and in some cases, a reality check. Occasionally success comes quickly, but usually it is a long hard climb. You’ve got to love it, because the journey is not for the faint of heart. A big Thank You! to Claire Legrand, Megan Miranda, Joanne Levy, Ame Dyckman, Tiffany Strelitz Haber, Anne Greenwood Brown, Lizzie Foley, J. Anderson Coats, Jennifer Wolf, and Lynne Kelly for sharing their stories and hard-earned knowledge with us.
And in case you missed the announcement, the winner of the ARC for FRACTURE by Megan Miranda, was Millie Martin.
Thanks to Blue Willow Bookshop, we have another YA author event this coming week:
S.J. Kincaid will discuss and sign INSIGNIA, her debut novel for young adults.
More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.
Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him?
Thanks for stopping by. And by the way, isn’t all this rain amazing?
February 2, Saturday, 3:00 PM
February 5, Tuesday, 6:00 PM
Now-February 10
February 5, Tuesday, 7:00 PM
