My new YA novel, Karma for Beginners (Hyperion, 2009), came out this August; I was writing that novel at the same time that my husband Erik Jensen and I were adapting my first YA novel, Almost Home (Hyperion, 2007), for feature film.
(Jon Bon Jovi‘s production company optioned Almost Home,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Author Jessica Blank on Adapting a Novel to a Screenplay »
Learn about David L. Harrison.
How do you define artistic success?
Perfection is the goal. Writers see in their imagination what they intend to create–a finished piece without blemish, a stunning accomplishment that holds readers close and thrills them with an astonishing experience. Results rarely match the dream that beckons us on,
Stick Man and Christmas Book Picks by Esme Raji Codell from The Planet Esme Plan. Peek: “if I could have one Christmahanukwanzaakah wish, it would be that children’s books wouldn’t go out of print quite so quickly, and publishers would back artists instead of titles.” Read a Cynsations interview with Esme.
Michelle Markel is the author of Tyrannosaurus Math (Tricycle/Random House, 2009).
What’s the most fun you’ve ever had working on a book? Why?
Tyrannosaurus Math was a pleasure for many reasons. It was a quick and easy conception. I was substituting in a second grade classroom, we’d run out of math activities,
Penny Blubaugh is the first-time author of Serendipity Market (HarperTeen, 2009). From the promotional copy:
When Toby breathes on Mama Inez’s bird-shaped invitations, giving them the power to fly, plans for the Serendipity Market begin. Soon, eleven honored guests travel from afar and make their way to the storytellers’ tent to share their stories.
Continue Reading New Voice: Penny Blubaugh on Serendipity Market »
Saundra Mitchell is the first-time author of Shadowed Summer (Delacorte, 2009). From the promotional copy:
Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells.
Continue Reading New Voice: Saundra Mitchell on Shadowed Summer »
Enter to win a copy of The 2010 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, edited by Alice Pope (Writer’s Digest, 2008)(22nd Annual Edition)!
From the promotional copy:
The 2010 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrators Market is the most trusted source for children’s publishing information, offering more than 700 listings for book publishers,
Learn about Carolyn Crimi, and visit her team blog, Three Silly Chicks.
Carolyn’s latest book is Henry and the Crazed Chicken Pirates, illustrated by John Manders (Candlewick, 2009).
When and where do you write? Why does that time and space work for you?
Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys: Creative Encouragement, Copy Editing, Web Design specializes in the design of children’s and young adult book author sites.
What do you think makes a good author site? What elements are essential?
Perhaps the most important thing is something the average site visitor never sees—the underlying markup and coding.
Continue Reading Online Promotion: Designing an Author or Illustrator Website »
Bonny Becker is the award-winning author of 12 children’s books, including picture books and novels. Her book A Visitor for Bear, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton (Candlewick, 2008) was a New York Times Bestseller, Amazon’s Best Picture Book of 2008, and winner of the Golden Kite Award and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award.
