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The American Library Association (ALA) has released its annual list of the most frequently challenged library books of the year. We’ve linked to free samples of all the books on the list–follow the links below to read these controversial books yourself.
In California, a school committee voted to remove the Stephen King novella “Different Seasons” from Rocklin High School library shelves. The lone dissenter on that committee was 17-year-old student Amanda Wong, who continued to fight the ban and spoke against the decision at a later school board meeting. After hearing Wong’s concerns that the removal “opens a door to censoring other materials,” the district superintendent overturned the committee’s decision and returned the book to the Rocklin High School library’s collection.
This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.
This information was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit: www.nytimes.com.
Today's Trailer Tuesday features The Future of Us and The Underdogs. I've been waiting for quite a while to see what the trailer would be like for The Future of Us. What do you think? Does it make you want to read the book?
American iDol (a new iPhone app offers AI fans video clips, background info on Idol contestants and the latest news about this season) (MediaPost, reg. required)
- Generation OMG (New York Times' in-depth exploration of how the recession will shape... Read the rest of this post
All the factors that went into success of "13 Reasons Why" (Jay Asher's amazing YA debut, which has sold nearly half a million copies!)
Special Voice +
Concept that was strong =
They bought it
"Strong package" good image, nice tape branding of cover, great backcover copy
Jay the author is great, charming, with an enormous ability to promote himself
House - Ben's imprint, recognized word of mouth building and supported that with appropriate marketing.
Book hits the NYTimes list 20 weeks in... and stayed there.
Marketplace where issue of bullying very much in consciousness - this book came at it in a strange way - book and national consciousness hit at same time.
Even after you get everything right - the change of a book hitting at this level, where he feels the book with be the "Go Ask Alice" of it's generation, like "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson will be the book of its generation.
The odds of something like that happening are like 1 in 100,000.
--Posted by Lee Wind
0 Comments on Ben Schrank's Real Deal: When Everything Goes Right as of 1/1/1900
One week ago Saturday, I stepped into a Story Garden. Immediately, like magic, roots grew down into the ground, connecting me to a rich substrata of writers, editors, agents, all with amazing stories to tell. As I wandered the Story Garden (known to some as the SCBWI Western Washington Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference) flowers of every sort shot up out of the ground at my very feet. I watched with amazement as one particularly bright colored blossom (Genus Lainius taylorus, fuschia petals, quite lovely) began to speak. Wondrous tales of a circus troupe within her very being, struggling to emerge, wove a spell around all of us in the Story Garden, prompting great excitement at the possibilities for each of us, ready to bring forth our own fruit.
As the day wore on, and we were watered, fertilized and shone upon by Master Gardeners Jay Asher, Peter Brown, Edward Necalsulmer IV, Jordan Brown, Lisa Graff, Paul Rodeen, Michael Bourret, Sara Crowe, and so many others--voila! We bore fruit. Many of us scurried to secret corners, to quickly capture those first buds of a new story, the tentative tendrils of a plot twist.
No garden is quite complete without a Garden Gnome, and by early afternoon, our very own gnome appeared (see above), cheering us on, giving bits of writing advice to each of us who captured him before he disappeared back into his own hidden garden, once again to write.
And now each of us have returned to our own secret gardens, treasuring all we brought back from that magical weekend, seeding our own stories to bloom in due time.
I know the TLA convention is supposed to stand for Texas Library Association, but it really should stand for
TOTALLY LIVE AWESOMENESS!
What happens when you connect 7,000 librarians with publishers, vendors, and authors?
A convention floor full of orthopedic shoes?
Wrong answer. Aside from the mosh pit of ARC hyenas, y0u get an amazing experience. In no particular order, here’s why you shoulda been there, Holmes…
13. The Locale: Three Words. San Antonio. Riverwalk. Fiesta.
12. Suzanne Collins: Not only did Suzanne do a question and answer session about The Hunger Games series, she also autographed books in the author’s area. She is supremely kind and gracious in greeting fans. She’s also one of the few people I’ll sprint-across-the-convention-floor-to-score-a-signing-wristband for.
Go Team Peeta!
11. Publishing People: As a library convention, TLA is second only to ALA. Most of the major publishers are there. It’s not uncommon to meet editorial staff at the booths. It’s wonderful to get a sneak peek at the wonderful new titles coming out. These folks know their stuff. They know what’s good and they know what’s hot. And they are incredibly kind to librarians! And we love them for it.
10. Maureen Johnson: Wowsa, MJ brought a million jars worth of crazy coolness to TLA this year. She spoke on a YA panel and signed at her publisher’s booth. (And don’t think I didn’t score an extra autographed copy of Suite Scarlett for a blog contest. I absolutely did!)
9. Authors, Authors, Authors: Jeff Kinney. Julie Powell. Jay Asher. We have more authors at TLA than Scarlet Whisper has jewels. The sessions and autograph area are always chock full of the very best scribes in the known universe. Don’t take my word for it, you can check out the author and speaker list here. I can’t tell you how fun it is to hear the stories and musings of these talented folks. At TLA, writers are ROCK STARS!
First Day Jackpot!
8. ARCS: Advanced Reader Copies are in no short supply on the convention floor. Publishers kindly supply librarians with books to preview. Here’s the thing, though. Nobody likes the hyena who snatches every book in sight and stuffs copies into her free tote bag. I’m not an indiscriminate ARC hog. I stop, look at the book, and decide whether I’d like to read and review it. Also, the booth folk are kind enough to give the ARCs, so I always try to get their input on what books they’re excited about. They know the good stuff. I’ve found more evergreens and wonderful titles this way. For example, Connie Hsu was
8 Comments on Thirteen Reasons Why…You Shoulda Been at TLA, last added: 5/5/2010
Now *I* want to be a librarian. Sounds like you had a blast!!
Jemi Fraser said, on 5/4/2010 5:02:00 PM
WOW!! I’m so entirely jealous right now! What an awesome group of people! Thanks so much for sharing the photos and the info – so very, very cool
catwoods said, on 5/4/2010 5:09:00 PM
What Christa said!
You’ve had entirely too much fun rubbing elbows with the bigs of the writing world. Next time I’ll just sneak along in your baggage. No, I’ll carry your books for your signings when you are treated like a rock star!
Sounds like a blast!
jmartinlibrary said, on 5/4/2010 5:26:00 PM
C’mon, you CAN be a librarian!
jmartinlibrary said, on 5/4/2010 5:27:00 PM
I really love my profession, and I think it’s meshes nicely with writing, too. Thanks for the support, sunshine!
jmartinlibrary said, on 5/4/2010 5:29:00 PM
Hey, this is all I’ve got. Now that TLA’s over and I’m coming home from another conference this weekend, it’s back to my real glamourless life.
Hahahaha. I will sneak you in my suitcase, but I don’t think you ever have to worry about carrying my rock star books. But we can dream, right?
Lotso hotso news today, folks. I hardly know where to begin. Let’s start with the big news that the illustrious editor Margaret K. McElderry passed away recently. I had mentioned The McElderry Book of Greek Myths in my Valentine’s Day post earlier this week. Maybe she was on my mind. In any case, there’s a great New York Times piece from 1997 on her. I’m fond of it, not least because Eden Ross Lispon mentions four books McElderry edited right off the bat and they are ”The Borrowers”, ”Ginger Pye”, ”The Dark Is Rising”, and ”The Changeover.” The Changevoer!! The book I keep hoping will be reprinted soon so as to leap on the Twilight train while there’s still time! In any case, I was unaware that Ms. McElderry worked in my own children’s room for years. Good to know. Fellow librarian and novelist Sara Ryan offers her own remembrance of Ms. McElderry and The New York Times wrote up one as well. Dunno that they needed to include the idea that We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is “un-P.C.” Um . . . maybe if you’re Stephen Colbert, but what precisely is “un-P.C.” about that book again? It’s not like Oxenbury depicted the kids packing heat, after all.
In other news the Cybils Awards (the only awards awarded by bloggers) for children’s and YA literature were announced this week. The Cybils strive to balance great writing with child-friendliness. With those in mind I think their selections were top notch. You can see all the winners here. This year none of the books I nominated made the final cut, but I see that frequent commenter on this blog Eric Carpenter got TWO of his books on there! Well played, Eric. Well played indeed.
I like it when my favorite folks end up linking to one another. I couldn’t have been more shocked, though, with a recent posting by Kate Beaton. She was writing a comic about Ada Lovelace (and where is the children’s biography on the fact that the first computer programmer was a woman, by the way?) and then mentioned in her notes that there were some Jules Verne illustrations out there that were “definitely worth a look”. I love me my Verne, and lo and behold who did Kate link to but none other than Ward Jenkins, he of this season’s Chicks Run Wild (by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen). Ward speaks of Jules Verne: The Man Who Invented the Future by Franz Born, illustrated by Peter P. Plasencia circa 1964. Worth your time.
Carbon dating jackets with headless girls and cupcakes. The book that proves that kids will buy a hardcover to infinity if they like it (and no, it’s not Wimpy Kid).
10 Comments on Fusenews: “Compare and contrast Goodnight Moon with The Sun Also Rises”, last added: 2/18/2011
Thank you, Betsy, for contributing to the latest StorySnoops blog post!
jules said, on 2/17/2011 5:46:00 AM
My husband, in his mind, named our second daughter for Ada Lovelace. In my mind, we got it from the novel Cold Mountain. Oh well, at least she’ll have two stories to tell.
And, yes, she needs a biography. Lovelace, not my daughter.
Dennis said, on 2/17/2011 9:46:00 AM
thank you! as a long-time, hardcore fan of The Changeover, where do I sign up for that campaign?
Nathan Hale said, on 2/17/2011 9:50:00 AM
I remember entering the Margaret K. McElderry Picture Book Contest year after year in the 90’s. The winning book would get a publishing contract. I can’t seem to find much info on it now, but it kept me submitting stories.
Jonathan Auxier said, on 2/17/2011 2:57:00 PM
LOVE the Verne illustrations — thanks for putting them on my radar! Also, thanks for the mention of the mentor post (fitting, really, as the whole thing was sparked by your FACTOTUM review.)
Ruth McNally Barshaw said, on 2/18/2011 1:06:00 PM
Nathan — I entered that contest, too! (in its last year, 2002) I didn’t win the contest, but I won bigger: working on my entry gave me both an appreciation for kids’ books and also a new career. I wish I’d thought to thank Margaret herself. Thanks for another juicy post, Fuse.
Joanne Fritz said, on 2/18/2011 5:48:00 PM
Betsy, that’s a lot to digest. Thanks for all the great links! I already read COLLECTING CHILDREN’S BOOKS and PW CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF, but I hadn’t seen the others.
Unfortunately, when I tried to click on your link to Audrey Wood’s new blog, I got a 404 error.
Elizabeth Bird said, on 2/18/2011 6:55:00 PM
Blast. I shall correct immediately. Thanks for the heads up!
Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher and The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things author Carolyn Mackler have signed a deal with Penguin’s Razorbill imprint for a young adult novel they co-wrote.
The Future is Us will come out in November with an initial printing of 500,000 copies. Publisher Ben Schrank negotiated the deal with two literary agents, Laura Rennert of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and Jodi Reamer of Writers House.
Here’s more from the release: “The Future is Us is set in 1996, when less than half of all American high school students have ever used the internet. Facebook will not be invented for several more years. Emma just got a computer and an America Online CD-ROM with 100 free hours. When she and her best friend Josh log on to AOL they discover themselves on Facebook … fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what life has in store for them. Josh and Emma are about to find out.”
Hi all in "The Land of Blog" ti's your forever wandering and trustworthy guide Library Ninja Bill with more news on the latest, at least to him, and greatest, a matter surely open to debate, reads out there. Okay got a bunch of good stuff this go-round so let's jump into the deep end of the pool (hope everyone can swim).
First things first. I recently heard from my most excellent friend Kirsten Cappy from the great state of Maine. She had this to share with me so check it out:
Pretty funny right! Thanks Kirsten, you Rock!!!! Can't wait to give this book a spin! Now on to more serious. yea right, business:
Skulduggery Pleasant, Playing with Fire by Derek Landy - This is the second book in The Skulduggery Pleasant Series and it is just as fun and full of action as the first. Now is the time to pause reading this review and skip to the next review I made sometime back on another blog. It's all about the first book and some cool stuff. Take your time I promise to wait with this review until you finish that one. All right see you back soon.......Hum, Hum, Hum , Hum, Hummm. Ah back are you? Sounds like great stuff doesn't it? Well, um, now about the second book. Skulduggery is back with his allies Stephanie , or should I say Valkyrie Cain, the kick-butt ninja stylized Tanith Low and others. An old foe of Skulduggery's, Barron Vengeous, has escaped his prison which just happens to be the very same one Skulduggery put him in 80 years ago. He has recruited sinister allies in Billy Ray Sanguine - a Cowboy of the supernatural plains whose power makes everything come undone around him (sounds confusing I know, but man this guy is dangerous), Mr. Dusk - a vampire of the utmost power, and others to bring the Faceless Ones to this dimensional Realm (if you thought Vengeous and his crew was bad, they got nothing on the Faceless Ones). On top of stopping the Barron and his allies from bringing back the Faceless Ones, Skulduggery and crew must defeat the resurrected Grotesquery - a fearsome and vicious creature assembled from various spine chilling monsters, who is also a key to bringing the Faceless Ones into our dimension. Did I mention if the Faceless Ones are brought back to our dimension that it's the end of everything. Oh well, as you can see this book has got it going at 110 ten miles per hour and it won't let you go till it's over!!!! Highly recommended for those 9 and older!!!!!!
All right let's take a trip into Bill's past:
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy -Who is the best detective ever? Did you guess Sherlock Holmes or Inspector Jacques Clouseau or perhaps The Hardy Boys? Well if you guessed any of those you would be wrong!!!!! The greatest detective ever is none other than
0 Comments on 13 Reasons, Being Pleasant and not Playing with Fire! as of 1/1/1900
And I've missed you guys. As weird as that sounds.
To be honest, I've had a few publishing world setbacks over the summer that I haven't really wanted to be honest, I've been hiding out. Embarrassed, sad, excited about new opportunities and projects, relieved, mad, frustrated, hopeful and yet totally discouraged with this industry overall.
Over the last 2 years, I've moved out of ignorant bliss into a confusing reality.
That's not to say it's bad but sometimes those realizations and changes hurt because they are not always what you want. I've realized a few things about this industry:
*not everyone good gets published
*not everyone published is good
*a great agent doesn't mean they are good for you
*as much as we love writing, it's a business and it's about money.
*It's hard to reconcile passion with money.
*Its all in the timing
* Doesn't matter who you know, its down to have a good book that hits at
the right time.
*Even though this industry feels as though it moves slow, I think it moves fast. A door that is open one month is closed the next.
*No matter what you do or how hard you work, you cant force anything.
So I guess I will come clean so I can move forward honestly and openly.
My awesome agent and I decided to part ways. To be honest, even though my agent was awesome and hardworking and communicative and fun and supportive, sometime you need a fresh perspective and something different than you did 2 years before. My writing has changed, my genre has changed, and my direction has changed. All relationships are unpredictable - some are for a r
37 Comments on I'm back but not the same (and Bookanista love), last added: 9/25/2011
I can so relate to this, and I'm sorry it happened to you. i went through the acquisitions dance with two books before I parted with my agent in 2007. To drop from the highest of highs (I AM THIS CLOSE!!!) to the lowest of lows (I AM BACK TO WHERE I STARTED!!!) is enough to wear anyone out. The important thing, though, is that you didn't give up. You took time to figure things out and then you moved forward with something new. That takes guts, my friend. And though we don't know each other, I want you to know I'm ridiculously proud of you for not letting this keep you down. Kick those feelings of frustration and despair in the groin and keep on being awesome.
Welcome back! I'm sorry to hear that things have been so difficult for you! Thanks for being honest and open and sharing your experiences with us. Good luck!
I totally relate to your post. Even though I published my first book back in 2007, I am still struggling for recognition. As you so eloquently put it even if your book is good, getting an agent is hard, as it's getting published. And having an agent doesn't guarantee publication. And getting published, I may add, doesn't translate into public recognition or sales. Why we keep on doing it? My guess is that, at least for me, writing is an addiction, a curse that binds me to the computer with the promise of the bliss of finding that perfect word, that perfect scene. Keep your faith and write on! Best of luck!
Sorry to here this. If it wasn't for our insanity as writers... we'd move away from publishing. Alas... we're all crazy... some in more degrees than others. I've had 3 agents... and I'm still hoping. I'm looking forward to hearing how your new project is going! All we really have control of is our words.
Oh, Shelli, I'm so sorry to hear this. But you know what else I am? Grateful. I appreciate your willingness to share your story, because you're right--too often, the hard stuff goes unsaid. We all need each other: for celebrations, yes, but also for encouragement and solace and unconditional support. And you have my support 100%! :-)
Shelli, Yours was one of the first blogs I started to follow. I remember contacting you for agent advice and how kind and open you were.
This business can be so painful. There are no guarantees for anyone. Your persistence and commitment to writing above all the heartache is something to be admired.
Here's to that first love. We all are grateful for your honesty. Caroline xoxo
Having not yet gotten as far as you have, I can only imagine the heartbreak you're going through. Thank you for sharing it with us. As someone still searching for that agent and editor, it's good to hear how the process works for everyone, not just those who make it big. Best of luck to you. You'll find your moment.
Hey, you are speaking my language over here!! (((hugs))) Haven't talked about it much either, but parting ways is HARD.
And this--->> "I think I'm a giving person and a positive person and the last three months have really challenged that. It's been hard to be supportive of those making it, hard to hide my own bitterness towards the process, and hard to find the motivation and confidence to push forward."
So much YES--saying that out loud is hard!! Welcome back and congrats for having the courage to do it all (And STILL DREAM)!!!
What amazing, courageous honesty. Thank you so much for being brave and kind enough to share. You are an amazing woman, and I can't wait to see your book in print one day, I KNOW it will happen for you! *hugs* We support you!! :)
Welcome back, Shelli! I missed you! Sorry to hear about your summer. I totally understand how you've been feeling. So here's a big cyber (((hug))). Glad to have you back, and thanks for your honesty.
I want to second what Shannon said. Thank you for sharing your story with us! For those of us just entering this realm, we need to have our eyes wide open and know what to truthfully expect. Good luck on your new journey!!! :)
I'm so glad you're back and thanks for sharing this. I agree with Shannon that it's good to sometimes share the hard parts too.
I've so been there too. I started out starry eyed and so full of hope. But about 8 years later and I am hopefully finishing my first book while juggling a full time (and suddenly uncertain) job and family. And I'm realizing from putting pitches and queries out there that this may not be the book.
I do enjoy the journey and write when I can and hope for the best. But I am realistic and know I need to focus on the paying, hopefully more certain, job. I think we need to encourage and support each other and celebrate our journeys whether they lead to publication or not. Because we are the same people inside no matter what and getting published doesn't define our self worth.
I hope you'll stay around so we can support you and you can support us.
So glad you are back! At the same time, I am so sorry! Good for you for not giving up. That is the most important aspect out of all of this. If you love what you're doing, never give up!
Shelli, It's so good to see you back on line. I agree with your thoughts about timing and luck and fate. But only pure doggedness will keep you in the game long enough for all three to align correctly! I am glad to hear that you are staying in the game.
I really related to Carmen's comments too--getting published moves you into a whole 'nother level of "no control"--over sales; over whether people like your book; over people's snarky reviews; over whether anybody will buy it; etc., etc.
To stay sane (admittedly, I'm always a bit borderline ;-)), I've decided that the only thing we CAN control is how we tell our stories. Everything else is out of our hands.
So tell your story, girl! There are plenty of us who want to read it!
I'm so glad to see you back online, but sorry that things with your agent and your books didn't work out as you had hoped. I would just echo what others have said here and thank you for sharing the not-so-great part of this business with us. We have all experienced these disappointments in different ways, and it's good to know we're all in it together and we can be honest with each other.
Good luck as you take your next steps. I am certain you are on your correct path.
Thank you for "coming clean" and sharing. I am starting over too - sounds like we've been on a similar path. I'm grateful for this generous, supportive community along the way!
Oh, Shelli, my heart is breaking for you. What a difficult road you've had for the last few months. I can't even imagine the roller coaster of emotions you've been through. I'm so glad to hear you're working on something new. Keep going forward. There's no doubt in my mind you WILL make it. *hugs*
Nothing good is easy. Nothing too easy is good. Mom used to say things like that to me all the time. It doesn't make it any better but sometimes hard words are true.
Thanks for sharing this and we're all so glad you did! It's true; I'm always ranting to my bf about how everybody's online lives seem perfect and awesome and everyone has a great marriage and a writing room and lots of money.
I just wanted to thank you for your honesty. I understand much of the pain and disappointment you've experienced and face that question, "Do I continue" on a regular basis.
I know you've made a difference in many writers' careers already and I know the karma or good juju (whatever you want to call it) really will come back on you. Maybe not as you expect it or even want it and certainly not on your timeline. Just remember to stay open to opportunities beyond what you are striving for.
Welcome back and sorry you've had such a hard time. Hopefully this new project will bring you some of that excitement back.
i've seen enough of these posts from writers who have left their agents now to know that getting an agent isn't the answer. I know the tougher road is still before me. I know that great writers with great books don't always get deals. And I know that some books really aren't that great but got published. And that there are many writers who come so close only to not make it that last step.
I wish you the best with this new manuscript. And someday we'll all be celebrating together.
Wow. And *hugs* and I'm so tremendously impressed with your tenacity and honesty and openness. Thank you so much for sharing, and you are doing the very smartest thing: starting something new, fresh, something that will revitalize you so you're ready to go forward.
I've been a follower from a while back, but I hope to keep closer tabs (now that you're back! yay!). :)
Your post has probably helped more people than you know! I applaud your honesty and courage. Sharing your journey helps us all gain perspective on this crazy life we've chosen as writers. *hugs*
This was a brave post, Shelli and I imagine that every single writer can identify with this on some level or another. This is a tough biz and perseverance is half the battle. XOXO
Shelli - Your post is so honest and so heartfelt and SO TRUE. Thank you for opening up online but especially for taking a difficult experience and allowing the whole world in to learn from it. At the same time, I hope the whole world reaches out to thank you and comfort you and call you "friend." If you don't mind, I'd like to direct other writers to your post. It will be a gift to them.
Ah, Banned Books Week. It only comes but once a year (as opposed to banning books which appears to be a year long occupation). For the one stop shopping round-up everyone needs, bookshelves of doom has compiled just a top notch collection of links for the occasion. One of these is to the blog for ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom. They’ve started posting video testimonials from authors. One of them? My man Jay Asher. Tell it like it is, Jay!
Were it not Banned Books Week, of course, I would have begun with what I’m going to far as to declare the Best Book Trailer of the Year. See if you agree:
Seriously. That rocked my socks.
Speaking of sock rocking, I don’t know if you were aware of the creation of the animated take on Mary Norton’s The Borrowers out there, but the film is done and coming out. Doesn’t look half shabby either.
Those of you curious as to how good it is (and how it diverges from the book) may want to visit this review over at Fantastic Reads.
I’m awfully grateful to this next video because it clarifies for me what exactly this new collection of Dr. Seuss stories being promoted right now (The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories) actually is. As you’ll see, they weren’t some stories left in a drawer that Seuss “didn’t think were good enough” for publication. I think that’s an important distinction to make and I love that this tells you a bit of backstory as well.
Thanks to Mary Van Akin for the link.
So I’m in my library the other day and who should just waltz through the door, easy as you please, but none other than Sam McBratney of Guess How Much I Love You?
Clay was intrigued when he discovered the package on his front doorstep. Who wouldn’t be pleased and excited to receive a surprise gift in the mail? Never would he have imagined that the box held Hannah in the form of cassette tapes. The same Hannah that he had desired to know better. The same Hannah he might have come to love. The same Hannah who had committed suicide only days before.
As Clay listens to the tapes he learns more than he ever wanted to know about Hannah and several of their classmates. She takes him on a mental journey into the cruelties that she couldn’t seem to escape. They all played a part in her suicide, even Clay.
How will Clay face the others who have already heard the tapes. What will those who listen choose to do with what they learn? After listening to Hannah’s tapes, Clay will never be the same.
Just as Clay can’t stop himself from inserting the next tape, the reader will be unable to stop reading just because a chapter ends. Along with Clay, the reader will want to know, “Why?” As a teacher who’s experienced the classroom with the vacant seat, the book hits close to home.
Jay Usher’s debut novel, Th1rteen R3asons Why, is powerful and well crafted. It’s a book not to be missed.
Two weeks after Hannah Baker killed herself, Clay comes home to find a package addressed to him containing seven numbered cassette tapes. When Clay plays the tapes the voice of Hannah Baker informs him that he is one of the reasons that she died. Seven tapes with thirteen sides to the story and to figure out his part in it, he'll have to listen to it all.
Asher has written a novel that packs an
0 Comments on Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher as of 5/4/2008 3:49:00 PM
MINI-VIEWS: Pint-sized interviews that leave you smiling.
JAY ASHER is the author of the New York Times Bestseller's list young adult novel, THIRTEEN REASONS WHY. He got the idea for THIRTEEN REASONS WHY at a museum. While taking an audio tour, he was struck by the eeriness of the voice in his ear—a woman who described exactly what he was looking at, but wasn’t there.
Jay lives on the central coast of California. THIRTEEN REASONS WHY is his first book. Find out more about him at http://www.discomermaids.blogspot.com/.
Thirteen Reasons Why has had huge success in its young life. Did you ever foresee the kind of attention it has received and how do you keep grounded with all of the attention it (and you) have gotten since its release? And possibly related to that, what project are you currently working on? If the book found its audience (which required the help of booksellers and librarians), I thought it could be a real word-of-mouth success because of its mix of suspense, a unique structure, and the issues it discussed. I just didn't think the initial audience would be so big. From there, the teens took over and began recommending it to their friends. I definitely didn't expect to see it on the New York Times Bestseller list, though. When it first appeared on that list, it was such a shock that I actually started crying.
As far as staying grounded, a full-time job definitely helps. But, more than that, the letters I receive from teens are so heartwarming and inspiring. Many of them open up about their own lives and tell me the ways in which the book positively affected them. I can't feel anything but honored by that.
I'm working on my next novel for teens right now. There will definitely be more humorous elements in this book than Thirteen Reasons Why...but hopefully just as engaging.
Do you have a favorite novel-writing exercise, tip or piece of advice that you find most useful, and are willing to share with other writers? Thirteen Reasons Why was the first manuscript I wrote without anyone looking at it (other than the first 12 pages) before it was finished. Since I was writing such a personal story, I didn't want anyone swaying the emotional aspects of my words yet. But I did hold several brainstorming sessions with my wife and two writing friends (and co-bloggers) Robin and Eve. After it was finished and polished to the best of my abilities, then I let other people read it...one at a time. After each person critiqued it, I made alterations and then passed the manuscript on to the next person. That way, the story was seen through fresh eyes each time as opposed to the same people critiquing every stage of the revision process.
What's your favorite children's joke?(I know as a frequent winner of the SCBWI summer conference joke contests, you've got to have a few jokes on hand ;-). Knock knock!
Who's there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrup----
Moooooooooooo!!!
Thanks, Jay!
1 Comments on MINI-VIEW: JAY ASHER, last added: 6/24/2008
The End of the Conference: Autograph Party Photos...
After half a chocolate cupcake and half a yellow cupcake, I got some shots of the autograph party (which I didn't have to participate in because the 2009 CWIM didn't make it to the bookstore which in a way was OK because I feel a little silly signing books).
Susan Patron, Sara Pennypacker, and Ann Whitford Paul look happy about autographing.
Washingtonians Holly Cupala (who is holding one of the roses from the gorgeous bouquet her husband sent in celebration of her very recent two-book deal!) with RA Jolie Stekly and her stack of books.
The awesome Paula Yoo listens to a conference-goer as she prepares to sign her first novel, Good Enough.
Authors Katherine Applegate and Jay Asher--both of whom I interviewed for Insider Reports in the 2009 CWIM.
Rachel Cohn happily passes one of her novels off to a conference goer (note the red "Reading Is Power" bracelet) while Bruce Coville concentrates on signing.
Marla Frazee and her line of autograph seekers. (I wonder if her hand got tired.)
SCBWIRAs/authors Esther Hershenhorn (Illinois) and Ellen Hopkins (Nevada).
Down the row: Linda Zuckerman, Paula Yoo, Lisa Yee, Mark Teague, and Adam Rex (who you can sort of see).
The American Library Association (ALA) has released its annual list of the most frequently challenged library books of the year. We’ve linked to free samples of all the books on the list–follow the links below to read these controversial books yourself.
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Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher and The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things author Carolyn Mackler have signed a deal with Penguin’s Razorbill imprint for a young adult novel they co-wrote.
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JAY ASHER is the author of the New York Times Bestseller's list young adult novel, THIRTEEN REASONS WHY. He got the idea for THIRTEEN REASONS WHY at a museum. While taking an audio tour, he was struck by the eeriness of the voice in his ear—a woman who described exactly what he was looking at, but wasn’t there.
Now *I* want to be a librarian. Sounds like you had a blast!!
WOW!! I’m so entirely jealous right now! What an awesome group of people! Thanks so much for sharing the photos and the info – so very, very cool
What Christa said!
You’ve had entirely too much fun rubbing elbows with the bigs of the writing world. Next time I’ll just sneak along in your baggage. No, I’ll carry your books for your signings when you are treated like a rock star!
Sounds like a blast!
C’mon, you CAN be a librarian!
I really love my profession, and I think it’s meshes nicely with writing, too. Thanks for the support, sunshine!
Hey, this is all I’ve got. Now that TLA’s over and I’m coming home from another conference this weekend, it’s back to my real glamourless life.
Hahahaha. I will sneak you in my suitcase, but I don’t think you ever have to worry about carrying my rock star books. But we can dream, right?
I’m so there next year!!!!
YES, you need to come next year, girl!