Interview with Holly Black by Malinda Lo from Diversity in YA Fiction. Peek: "...I think the tricky thing about fantasy is that issues in the magical world should ideally both remind us of issues in our world, but not parallel one thing so closely that it appears to be merely that thing in disguise."Twelve Tips for Twitterphobes by R.L. LaFevers from Shrinking Violet Promotions. Peek: "Today’s post is for those of you out there who haven’t yet tried Twitter or who have given up on it or who are just plain flummoxed by it."
Skype Authors: Partnering with schools and book clubs through virtual visits to support education worldwide. Suzanne Williams writes: "The authors on the site have pledged to contribute 25% of their fees for any Skype visits booked through the site to a charity that supports education in the developing world. For 2011-2012, that charity is Camfed, and they will be raising money to provide school supplies to elementary students in Malawi. I'm still adding authors to the site and hope to have a group of 20 - 25 participating authors within the next month or two."
What If Your Characters Don't Want Anything? by Charlie Jane Anders from io9. Peek: "If the plot happens in spite of your characters' desires, that makes those desires more important." Source: Gwenda Bond at Shaken & Stirred.
Agents mull change to AAA code of practice by Charlotte Williams and Benedicte Page from TheBookseller.com. Peek: "Literary agents are privately discussing removing a clause preventing them from acting as publishers in the UK Association of Authors' Agents constitution." Source: Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent.
As Nike Says: "Just Do It" by Erin Vincent from Crowe's Nest. Peek: "...I understand that you are busy with a million other obligations. But if you want to write – if you want to be published – you have to start. Right now. Don’t put it off any longer, because trust me, it will never be the right time."Congratulations to Rubin Pfeffer of East West Literary for signing Kari Baumbach, and congratulations to Kari for signing with Rubin! Note: link to Rubin includes a substantial video excerpt of his presentation at a Highlights Foundation workshop; he offers insights on technology-driven changes in publishing as a business.
You Need a Complete Manuscript by Mary Kole from Kidlit.com. Peek: "The only exception to this rule is if you’re writing older non-fiction, like something for the middle grade or teen age rage or a reference book/textbook. And picture books from author/illustrators..."
The Elusive Advanced Reader Copy by Mary Lindsey from QueryTracker. Peek: "If authors say no to requests, it's not because they don't want you to have an ARC, it's because they are expensive and hard to come by, and in today's market, the buzz from that ARC might be the only publicity that author gets."
Social Networking and Your Picture by Jessica from BookEnds, LLC. Peek: "One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is the use of your book’s cover as your profile picture." Note: your mileage may vary.Team 'Hunger Games' talks: Author Suzanne Collins and director Gary Ross on their allegiance to each other, and their actors by Karen Valby from Entertainment Weekly.
Making It Through the Middle by Kristi Holl from Writer's First Aid. Peek: "...if you don’t get through middles, you’ll never get to the end–and be published."
More Personally
Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith by M.G. Buehrlen from Young Adult Books Central. Peek: "Book four is still untitled, but it will feature characters from all of the previous books. Expect more adventure, humor, chilling suspense, and moments that may well inspire Quinice/Kieren and Zachary/Miranda shippers to swoon."Lost Souls? from Book Moot ("Smith does not focus on any individual religion or faith here but the story reflects a belief that we all possess a spirit that can be imperiled. For teen readers, that is not a bad thing to ponder.").
I'm on a revision deadline and spending the week at the annual Texas Library Association Annual Conference and the YA A to Z Conference, sponsored by the Writers' League of Texas (more on all that to come), but first here's a quick look at my comings and goings around town.
Highlights of late include lunch at the Shoal Creek Saloon with Austin author-illustrator Salima Alikhan. Read a Cynsations interview with Salima.
Last weekend, I had coffee with Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA student Melanie Crowder at BookPeople.
Afterward, we continued upstairs to the children's section for Jo Whittemore's launch party for Odd Girl In (Aladdin, 2011).
Jo give a warm, upbeat, funny PowerPoint presentation and then signed books for her many eager fans.More Personal Links of the Week:
- Writers and Dinosaurs: P.J. Hoover from Greg Leitich Smith;
- and Do You Read Cynsations? by Debbie Reese from American Indians in Children's Literature.
