YA Supernatural Baddies by Cynthia K. Ritter from The Horn Book. Peek: “Looking for a book to send a chill down your spine? These four new novels involving creepy paranormal characters are perfect for the occasion.”
Cynsational Insight
Evil Librarian by Michelle Knudsen (Candlewick, 2014), recommended at the above link by The Horn Book, is my new favorite book of all time! Not because the hero’s name is Cyn, but, yes, that is a bonus.
From the promotional copy:
When Cynthia Rothschild’s best friend, Annie, falls head over heels for the new high school librarian, Cyn can totally understand why — he’s really young and ridiculously hot and apparently thinks Annie would make an excellent library monitor.
But almost immediately, Cyn starts to sense that something about Mr. Gabriel isn’t quite right. Maybe it’s the creepy look in the librarian’s (literally) mesmerizing eyes, or the weird feeling Cyn gets whenever she’s around him, or the blood and horns and giant bat-like wings that appear when he thinks no one is looking. Before long, Cyn realizes that Mr. Gabriel is, in fact … a demon.
Now, in addition to saving her beloved school musical (Sweeney Todd!) from technical disaster and avoiding making a complete fool out of herself with her own hopeless crush (who happens to be the only other person who knows the truth about Mr. Gabriel), Cyn has to save her best friend from the attractive-yet-very-very-bad clutches of the evil librarian, who has not only bewitched Annie but seems to be slowly sucking the life force out of the entire student body!
The Horn Book says, “Fans of Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Tantalize series or Larbalestier and Brennan’s Team Human will enjoy this blend of supernatural action, school story, romance, and dark comedy.”
More News & Giveaways
Everything You Should Think About Before You Apply to a MFA Program by Elizabeth McCracken from Association of Writers and Writing Programs. Peek: “Don’t apply to safety schools. Don’t apply to any school you know you don’t want to go to. You shouldn’t settle for something you think is just okay in any aspect of your writing life.”
There Is Nothing Wrong with Writing Nonfiction Books for Children by Liz B from A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy. Peek: “There is nothing wrong, and actually much right, with writing age-appropriate nonfiction books for children and teens. When and how subject matter is introduced and discussed is, well, the reason fifth graders aren’t sent to university classes (unless they’re Doogie Howser, of course.)” See also Clearing the Brush by Roger Sutton from The Horn Book.
Thoughts About Bordered and Borderless Girls by Samantha Marby from YA Highway. Peek: “…in my mind, Hispanic kids spoke Spanish. At their homes, there were statues of the Virgin Mary on the mantels. Their mothers made their own salsa and carried it in a porcelain mug when they went out to eat because what the restaurants served wasn’t hot enough. Those kids weren’t like me. But they were like my grandmother.”
Is Aging the Problem? Or Ageism? by Lindsey McDivett from A Is for Aging. Peek: “Researcher Sheree Kwong See observes the
seeds of ageism being planted in children as young as toddlers, and recommends that advocacy start early.”
Interview with Lin Oliver on SCBWI’s Emerging Voices Award from Lee and Low. Peek: “We all acknowledge the need to support aspiring authors of color, but their eventual success will be determined by the marketplace. It is crucial that the these books prove to be not only artistic and social successes, but also commercially viable.”
Print Books Outsold E-Books in First Half of 2014 by Claire Fallon from The Huffington Post. Peek: “…not only did overall print book sales, at 67 percent of the market, outpace ebook sales, both hardcovers and paperbacks individually outsold ebooks.”
Off the Literary Reservation: Young Adult Fiction Is Giving Native Americans Their Own Voice by Catherine Addington from The American Conservative. Peek: “In the American imagination, the Native population is confined not just to physical reservations but to the historical reservation of the past.”
Five Ingredients for Writing Horror by Robert Lettrick from Project Mayhem. Peek: “…we are hardwired to protect ourselves and fear is a big part of self-preservation.” Note: includes giveaway.
The 2014 GG Short List from Canada Council for the Arts. Peek: “‘This year’s list of finalists contains powerful novels and poems, imaginative children’s books, skillful translations, entrancing dramas and enlightening non-fiction,’ said Canada Council Director and CEO, Simon Brault. ‘They are all meaningful books in which we can, as readers and Canadians, lose ourselves and find ourselves.'”
Pre-writing: Discovering Your Character’s Secrets by Robin LaFevers from Writer Unboxed. Peek: “Pre-writing is all about backstory, which informs the characters and story taking place just as surely as the contours of the earth’s crust influences its landscape.”
Cynsational Giveaways
- 3 ARCs of Backwards Moon by Mary Losure
- Uncovered (An Autumn Covarrubias Mystery) by S.X. Bradley
- Signed copy of Atlantis Rising by T.A. Barron
The winner of a signed copy of The Camelot Code by Mari Mancusi was Karin in Oklahoma.
This Week at Cynsations
- Chris Barton on How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying
- Mary Losure on Aloft on a Broomstick: Making the Leap from Nonfiction to Fiction
- Interview: Betsy Bird and Julie Danielson on Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature
- E-volt Oct. Special: Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith for $1.99
More Personally
Exciting news! I’m honored to be a contributor to the recently announced Violent Ends anthology, edited by Shaun David Hutchinson (Simon Pulse).
Highlights of the week also included watching fellow Austin children’s-YA author Chris Barton on “Mysteries at the Museum” on The Travel Channel! Way to go, Chris!
Reminder: my e-edition of Blessed (Candlewick) is on sale this month for only $1.99. A perfect Halloween read–check it out!
Personal Link
- Guardians of the Galaxy + Star Wars + Firefly: LEGO: Always Shoot First
- Stereotypes and Native Students
- The Hapa Project
- Japanese American Legal History
- “The Flash” — What’s the Verdict?
Cynsational Events
Cynthia Leitich Smith will speak on a panel “Where Are the Heroes of Color in Fantasy & Sci Fi Lit?” from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at YALSA’s YA Literature Symposium in Austin.
