Bonnie Pipkin is the debut author of Aftercare Instructions (Flatiron Books, 2017). From the promotional copy:
“Troubled.” That’s seventeen-year-old Genesis according to her small New Jersey town. She finds refuge and stability in her relationship with her boyfriend, Peter—until he abandons her at a Planned Parenthood clinic during their appointment to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
Continue Reading New Voice: Bonnie Pipkin on Aftercare Instructions »
Padma writing on the dock
One of the most vital aspects of timeless writing is voice. Every serious reader, every writer has (or must develop), a strong sense of what voice is. Yet, like time, voice eludes definition.
Of course, I’m going to try and define it. To me,
Continue Reading Guest Post: Padma Venkatraman on Voice: Writing Lean, Spare or Lush, Rich »
When I joined SCBWI, my biggest dream was to sell a middle-grade novel. I attended as many workshops as I could and was excited when there were speakers who wrote MG or YA.
But often I had to sit through talks on writing picture books.
By Lindsey Lane
What are you supposed to do when your debut novel releases in paperback?
a) Nothing
b) Heave a sigh of relief
c) Let everyone know
d) All of the above
Ahhh, the conundrums of marketing.
Guess what? There is no prescribed method for marketing our books.
The Absoluteness of Nothing by C.G. Watson (Simon Pulse, May 2017) releases today in paperback. From the promotional copy:
Caleb Tosh has suffered one personal trauma too many, but this last one – the sudden departure of his mom – has pushed him down a dark and disorienting path.
Continue Reading Book Trailer: The Absoluteness of Nothing by C.G. Watson »
Today we welcome author Courtney Stevens to discuss her upcoming YA novel, Dress Codes for Small Towns (Harper Teen, August 22, 2017). From the promotional copy:
The year I was seventeen, I had five best friends…and I was in love with all of them for different reasons.
Continue Reading Author Interview: Courtney Stevens on Faith in Lit & Life »
By Katie Bayerl
Katie Bayerl is the debut author of A Psalm for Lost Girls (Putnam, March 2017).
From the promotional copy:
“Tess da Costa is a saint — a hand-to-god, miracle-producing saint. At least that’s what the people in her hometown of New Avon,
Continue Reading Guest Post: New Voice Katie Bayerl’s Path to Publication »
Compiled by Gayleen Rabakukk
Josanne La Valley obituary from The New York Times.
Peek: “Josanne received degrees from St. Lawrence University, Smith College and Vermont College of Fine Arts. She worked in arts management and as a professional musician before she turned to writing.”
Compiled by Gayleen Rabakukk
Check out these videos from debut author Angie Thomas on The Hate U Give (Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins, 2017). Peek: “I was inspired to write the novel in 2010, right after the Oscar Grant case…I wanted a way to find hope and I wanted to show the human side of all these cases.
Continue Reading Author Videos: Angie Thomas on The Hate U Give »
Lamar Giles’ last Cynsations visit was in 2014 as a debut author.
Since then, he’s had two novels named Edgar Award finalists by the Mystery Writers of America and helped found We Need Diverse Books.
He serves as senior vice president of fundraising for the non-profit organization dedicated to putting more books featuring diverse characters into the hands of all children.
