Natalie Aguirre, Kristin, and Robyn, I've got bookmarks for you. Email me at caroline starr AT yahoo DOT com with your mailing address, and I'll send them on their way.
My interview with 2011 debut author Danette Vigilante is up over at the Apocalypsies blog!
Danette's first novel is The Trouble with Half a Moon, a contemporary middle grade novel about a young girl's risky friendship with an abused little boy in a Brooklyn housing project. It's pulling in terrific reviews, and I can't wait to read it.
I hope you pick up Danette's book and read what she has to say about The Trouble with Half a Moon and her writing life!
Here are just a few ways to learn about new authors, read up on their titles, and enter for a chance to win copies of their books.
The Elevensies is hosting a year-long program called Lunch and Launch, where authors, on release day, post about a food or drink that shows up in their book and giveaway both a copy of their book and the special snack. With 85+ authors, there will be many opportunities for readers to win. Stop by and read through the spring releases to get a sense of what will be offered and plan on visiting often for your chance to win.
The Class of 2k11 has created a campaign called Pick 3. Choose from Hands On, Mash up Mania, and Cover Re-Creation and enter to win prizes. Read below to learn more:
HANDS ON
The Challenge: Get your hands on a copy of one or more of the featured books for the month. Literally! For a chance to win a prize, just
7 Comments on Debut Authors' Giveaways and Contests, last added: 1/13/2011
I'm participating in the
Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge for next year. Participants must read twelve middle-grade or young adult books by debut novelists by the end of December. This will be especially fun as almost all of the debuts are written by fellow
Elevensies and members of
The Class of 2k11.
While I'm not listing the titles I plan to read ahead of time, I aim to tackle many more than the required twelve. Some novels I plan on purchasing, some I've downloaded to read through
Simon and Schuster's e-galley* program, some I know will be so big they'll be easy to find at the library (
even with our dismal local book purchase numbers), and some I'll borrow through the Class of 2k11 ARC* exchange.
I'd love to be able to read everything coming out next year, but with close to 100 debuts, I know I won't make it. I will, though, share what I'm reading here. Please consider joining in!
*Galleys and ARCs (advanced reader copies) are uncorrected proofs sent out to reviewers.
The Elevensies are a group of 85 (!) middle-grade and young adult authors debuting next year. Our primarily goal is to support one another through the publication process. Members may be as active as they choose and can participate in web chats, weekly check ins, post questions, success, stories, cover art, etc.
Here's our official mission statement:
"The Elevensies is a Live Journal community of YA and Middle Grade authors whose first books come out in 2011. It's a place to hang out, make friends and share the journey to publication with each other, with fellow writers, and with interested readers. Sharing and support are key to all we do. Although we are not a marketing group, we will host several features on our blog aimed at sharing our stories and offering advice and inspiration to aspiring authors. We also will host two to three bigger activities throughout 2011 aimed at connecting our books with readers and supporting those who work with teens and tweens. Elevensies is opt-in and free of dues, and members participate as much or as little as they like. Mostly, we're in this to have fun and to help one another make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime debut experience. "
While some of the posts at our Live Journal account are private (discussions only between us), some are open to the public.
Stop by some time and say hello!
Thank you to everyone who entered Denise Jaden's LOSING FAITH giveaway. One lucky person has won a signed copy of Denise's debut novel and a handmade bag featured on the Warehouse Fabrics blog.
And the winner is Jennie Englund! Jennie, I'll need your mailing address. Robyn, I'll need to stop by soon to pick up the bag (thanks again!).
Most of you are probably familiar with Write On Con, a free on-line writing conference for kidlit authors. The August conference was a huge success with one small glitch: so many people participated, the server was initially unable to support everyone. In order to make next year's conference run smoothly and remain free, the Write On Con ladies are hosting an auction tomorrow (Tuesday, September 14).
Eleven Elevensies have donated books, critiques and other prizes. Items will be available for one hour only. Here's the schedule each author's donation will go live:
7 AM: Beth Revis
8 AM: Julia Karr
9 AM: Lisa Descrochers
10 AM: Carrie Harris
11 AM: Tom Greenwald
12 PM: Ruta Sepetys
1 PM: Maurissa Guibord
2 PM: Kendare Blake
3 PM: Tess Gratton
4 PM: Caroline Starr Rose
5 PM: Randy Russell
I am donating one of three critiques (the winner will choose which one is the best fit):
the first chapter of a mid-grade novel
OR
the first ten pages of a verse novel
OR
an entire picture book
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You are the queen at one-line reviews!
That all sound fantastic. I'm going to agree with Katie. Great one-liners!
Thanks, ladies. It's been a good way for me to think through what I've read.
I've heard the Night Circus is really good. I'll have to try that out.
Bowling is deadly????? Very interesting :)
Liesl, it is good. I was so impressed by the scope of it all.
Jill, you'll have to read Dead Rules. It really is fun and morbid and strange and fun.
I love your one-sentence reviews! And now I want to read them all.
That is so succinct! I'm in awe. I usually end up with several sentences while trying to sum up a book. And they all sound very interesting too.