In a way, I’m still finding my voice as an agent.
My taste evolves based on what published books I read, what new genres my clients explore, and how my own preferences mature over time.
I started interning at an agency when I was 23 years old and Twilight-mania hadn’t yet hit,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Sarah LaPolla on Finding Her Voice as an Agent »
My new YA novel Conjured (Bloomsbury, 2013) is the darkest novel I’ve ever written. I worked hard to create an atmosphere of disorientation and ominous chaos.
It’s about a girl in the paranormal witness protection program, who, haunted by visions of carnival tents and tarot cards,
Continue Reading Guest Post & Giveaway: Sarah Beth Durst on Darkness & Light »
A.R. Capetta is the first-time author of Entangled (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013). From the promotional copy:
“Alone was the note Cade knew best. It was the root of all her chords.”
Seventeen-year-old Cade is a fierce survivor, solo in the universe with her cherry-red guitar.
By Shawn Stout
I’m really rubbish at a lot of things.
Athletics. Keeping plants alive. Singing.
Actually, I can sing without any problems, it’s just the sounding good part that I stink at.
Washing windows. How do you keep the tiny fuzz on the paper towels from getting stuck on the glass,
Thank you to the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation for recognizing my work in young adult writing at the 2013 Illumine benefit gala on Friday night at the downtown Hilton.
My appreciation to author-illustrator Mark G. Mitchell for his gracious introduction!
Thanks also to the Austin youth literature community,
Discussed among bestsellers
A Closer Look at Gender & The New York Times YA Bestsellers List by Kelly Jensen from Stacked. Peek: “I’ve always suspected that men outnumbered women on the list, and when I’ve made that claim before, I’ve been told that’s not true. But actually,
Source: Austin SCBWI
“The Austin SCBWI chapter is proud to introduce the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award, honoring one of the long-time members of our chapter.
“Cynthia is an inspiration not only as an award-winning and best-selling author, but also as a champion of children’s book writers.
Continue Reading Austin SCBWI’s Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award »
Check out the book trailer for Picture Day Perfection by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Santat (Abrams, 2013). From the promotional copy:
It’s picture day, and the boy at the center of this charming picture book wants to make sure his picture is perfect.
Marcia Goldman is the first-time author of Lola Goes To Work: A Nine-To-Five Therapy Dog (Creston Books, 2013). From the promotional copy:
Meet Lola, a little terrier with a big job. Children will identify with the feisty Lola as she struggles going to school,
Continue Reading New Voice: Marcia Goldman on Lola Goes To Work: A Nine-to-Five Therapy Dog »
It’s no secret that once you step onto the path of publication, a lot of things immediately swing right out of your control: When you sign with an agent. When your book will be published. What your cover looks like. And then there’s the little matter of publication date.
My first book came out in 2009,
