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Disney XD is premiering a new program about lab rats tonight… (well sort of! The show is about three super-human teens who grew up in a lab where they slept in vertical tubes and ate protein pellets until their “step-brother” discovers... Read the rest of this post

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I've been asked if tall tales & short stories would help spread the word about inkpop's re-launch!

Writers are invited to post their books, short stories, book ideas, query letters and poetry. By placing your work on pick lists, the inkpop community identify their favorite work and offer constructive feedback. At the end of the month editors from HarperCollins reviews the Top Five projects in each category.

For readers, inkpop offers the first opportunity to have a one on one conversation with a real publisher. They know you have ideas for books, thoughts on where you would like to see your favorite series go and more, well they want to hear from you. Through inkpop your ideas will start to be reflected in the books published by HarperCollins. They want to make publishing a collaborative process and inkpop is where they want to start.


Finally, inkpop will be dedicated to exposing the publishing industry from the inside out with unique features that will provide never before seen access to the editing process, cover selection and more.


My Perspective

In the past I've participated in writers' peer review websites similar to inkpop, but I found that as a children's/YA author that my work was often reviewed by writers who didn't know the market, so therefore weren't able to offer helpful or constructive criticism.  The difference with inkpop is that it's a site dedicated to YA fiction so I should imagine the writers and readers know the genre inside out and would be perfectly placed to offer insightful advice.  And as anyone who reads and writes YA knows, YA readers are a passionate bunch!

Although there are no guarantees your work will find itself in the Top 5, maybe it would be a good way of finding out if that idea you have works or brings something fresh to the table?  Perhaps you are considering self-publishing and want to attract an audience?  Maybe you just want to see if your writing stands out from the crowd?

For writers outside of the US, I've checked that the site is open to anyone, and it is, and the only age limit is that you must be 13 years old or older.     

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It's no secret that we here at Ypulse are big fans of the boom happening in teen writing communities online. Like zines, lit mags, and fiction forums that came before, it's exciting to see a new wave of platforms for young artistic types that enable... Read the rest of this post

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What am I reading now? Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger
 

Publishers of children’s books have, in recent years, come to appreciate the importance of social networking sites. The greatest role such sites play is to allow direct contact with your target audience. If you have a line of communication with your audience, you can sell to your audience.

HarperCollins Children’s Books took the concept of the social networking site a step further with the creation of Inkpop. Inkpop allows teen authors to submit pieces of writing to be read and discussed by their peers. Leigh Fallon, a teen writer from Ireland, did just that with her novel, The Carrier of the Mark. Her manuscript was subsequently voted into the “Top Five” an honour that garners a review by an editor at HarperCollins, and, perhaps, publication.

Fallon’s paranormal romance is the first Inkpop book to be chosen for print. The Carrier of the Mark is set for a Fall 2011 release.

Susan Katz, president and publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books said, “Inkpop is HarperCollins Children’s Books’ first site (and not the last) to really put the users’ voice and ideas in the forefront. Social media is incredibly empowering if used correctly, and HarperCollins recognizes this and is gearing up to make social media the cornerstone of all of its digital endeavors.”

So, if you’re a teen writer, head on over to Inkpop. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Who knows? You could be the next Leigh Fallon.

0 Comments on Inkpop Snags Leigh Fallon as of 2/3/2011 8:14:00 AM