How to use this Page

 Today I'm over at the YA Contemps blog, talking about April Henry's latest release, GIRL, STOLEN, for our Spotlight Wednesday feature. It's a great, compulsive read, so definitely check it out (but not unless you've got a chunk of time to devote, because it's hard to put down)!

I'm also very excited to be spreading the word about October's featured author over at readergirlz, Laini Taylor. If you haven't yet read LIPS TOUCH, now's the time - preferably before Laini's upcoming Twitter chat on 10/20! 



So there's my blog post, utterly honest in its title representation - two awesome authors who are not me. Get reading! 

I love a sexy werewolf or hating an evil dystopian government as much as the next girl, but there's another side to YA literature: and realistic contemporary fiction.

Now there's a new group dedication to celebrating it, and I'm thrilled to be a member! "The Contemps" are 21 authors, all of whom have contemporary realistic books coming out in the next year.

"The Contemps" can be found at our homebase, www.thecontemps.com. We're planning a bunch of activities, including giveaways, spotlighting other contemporary realistic authors, multi-author events and sharing experiences from our own teenage years. Look for stories about making out, hanging out, parents, best friends, sex and sexuality,homework, high school bloopers, bullies, parties, teachers, racism, hobbies, drug and alcohol use, pop culture--some odd and lively mash-ups!

So check us out - and check back often! We've got a great kick-off challenge--commit to reading a certain number of our books, and you could win all of our new releases!

Hi and happy August from your NYC Host, Micol! I’m enjoying some quiet writing time upstate this month, but I wanted to share a few recent events and thoughts.

Everyone knows that readergirlz are some of the brightest, most creative and daring girls around! Have you ever wondered whether your creative passion could someday become a fulfilling career? I never imagined that one day my job would be “teen book author,” but I’m sure glad it is!

One person who never had any doubt about following her dream is jewelry designer Katharine Sise. She launched her own business a few years after college and has written a book about how to pursue a career in a creative industry. Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career comes out on August 24th and is an amazing resource for any girl who is determined to chart a creative course. Check it out!

If you’re in the market for fiction this month, have a look at Finny by debut author Justin Kramon. Finny follows the titular protagonist through a quirk-filled girlhood and adolescence (boarding school! bad influences! boyfriends!) and on through an emotional journey to womanhood. It’s comedy, tragedy, and artful characterization at its best. I had the pleasure of reading with Justin at local NYC indie McNally Jackson, and have been tearing through the book ever since.

And finally, if you’re a fan of realistic, contemporary young adult fiction, keep an ear to the ground for the Contemps! Who are the Contemps? Well, I can’t tell you just yet, but you can follow their tweets for right now, and stay tuned – on August 17th, all will be revealed!

Until then – keep reading!