Tag: how they got here

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Rhonda Stapleton

Rhonda Stapleton’s debut YA novel STUPID CUPID is out now…and she’s here to join us with some questions about how 2009 came to be her big year!


From the author’s website…

Felicity Walker believes in true love. That’s why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid’s Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn’t just a matchmaker…she’s a cupid! (There’s more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired…and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.

Welcome, Rhonda! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

I started an adult story that I really took time to plot and work on regularly. When I did that, I knew I was a real writer!

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I looooooved so many books as a kid–Homecoming, Jacob Have I Loved, any of the Sweet Valley High books, romance series books, Ramona Quimby (so funny!), etc.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  Music?  Food & beverages?

I need caffeine when I write. haha. It can be soda or tea, but I love having something to drink right beside me. I usually write in the evenings–and it can be anywhere I can plug my laptop into…the living room, dining room, or my office.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I try to come up with a list of things I know I need to tweak. Also, I start with the big stuff first (plot, characterization, setting) and then focus on the smaller things (grammar, word choice, etc).

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Keep on writing! Do it regularly–keep a journal, or whatever it takes. Practice your craft! That’s how you grow. Also, read a lot. Writers are often huuuge readers.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I queried my agent through email! She found my editor for me. 😀

Thanks for joining us, Rhonda!

You can read more about Rhonda Stapleton at her website. You can pick up your copy of STUPID CUPID at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author L.K. Madigan

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today…L.K. Madigan, author of FLASH BURNOUT!

When I attended ALA this summer, there were a few advance reader copies I was so, so hoping to find, and FLASH BURNOUT was at the top of that list. L.K. Madigan and I share an agent, and I’d already heard great things about her book.  It lived up to all the talk and more.

I was smitten with the main character’s voice just a few pages into this debut YA novel. It’s really, really funny at the same time it tackles some tough issues about family, teen romance, drug addiction, and friendship.

The book begins with a photography assignment for fifteen-year-old Blake, just experiencing his first real romance. When Blake inadvertently snaps a picture of his friend Marissa’s mother, he launches her into a journey for which she desperately needs some support. That journey causes Blake to question what he thought he knew about love and friendship and takes readers on a wild ride of their own.

The voice in this book is really remarkable, and Madigan’s rich characters with their hysterical dialogue reminded me of John Green at times. FLASH BURNOUT is a fantastic, fantastic debut – one that I highly recommend for high school and maybe some older middle school kids, too.

Congratulations, Lisa – and welcome! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

I’ve been writing since I was a child, so in some ways, I never really questioned my fate. The first “novel” I ever wrote was an 80-page book about mermaids, complete with crayoned illustrations.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

The first book I can remember adoring as an independent reader was NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE, by Betty Brock. Then of course I loved HARRIET THE SPY, and A WRINKLE IN TIME. As I got older, I devoured teen problem novels. Now that I think about it, today’s “edgy” YA novels are no more shocking than some of the books I read back then.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

Wow … all of them! Every teacher who wrote compliments on my papers, or read my work aloud in class, or handed me an award for a winning story … all of them encouraged me and built up my confidence.

I remember a particular summer program at the Montavilla Library in Portland, for kids interested in writing … at the end of the program, all of our stories were typed up (on a typewriter!) and bound with plastic binding and cardboard covers. That was very, very impressive to me. Who knows? The idea may have been planted right then that I could write REAL BOOKS.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I don’t, actually. It’s more a matter of eliminating distractions and inserting my head firmly into the story.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

It takes a long time to find your voice. When you first start writing, you may mimic the writing style of authors you admire … at some point, your own unique way of telling a story will emerge.

What’s special about your debut novel?

It’s a contemporary realistic novel with a teen boy narrator bobbing in a sea of paranormal romances about vampires/werewolves/faeries and the girls who love them.

And as soon as I can stop laughing, I’ll ask  you about the process. What were the best and worst parts of writing FLASH BURNOUT?

The best part was how FUN it was to write.

The worst part was researching the effects of methamphetamine use … not just the physical damage to users, but devastation to the user’s families, especially children.

Any more books planned?

Remember that mermaid story I mentioned? My next book is a young adult novel about a surfer girl and a mermaid. It will be published in 2010.

Yay! Thanks for joining us, Lisa!

Read more about L.K. Madigan at her website.   You can pick up your copy of FLASH BURNOUT at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Sydney Salter

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 


Today…Sydney Salter, author of JUNGLE CROSSING!

Despite her reluctance to go on a family vacation to Mexico, Kat ends up on a teen adventure tour where she meets Nando, a young Mayan guide. As they travel to different Mayan ruins each day, Nando tells Kat the legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. 

This is actually Sydney’s second title released in her debut year, after her YA novel MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS – You can read my interview with her on that book here.


Welcome, Sydney! Writing across genres, do you find differences in your process between MG and YA?

Not really. I always try to get inside my characters’ heads and write in their voices no matter what their age. I have found that writing every novel is a unique experience with its own joys and challenges. I guess they’re kind of like people that way–complex and one-of-a-kind!

What did you learn launching your first book that you’ll remember when JUNGLE CROSSING is released?

Hopefully, not to stress out about things I cannot control–like reviews. I do think there’s a big marketing difference between middle-grade and YA. Teen bloggers can really help spread the word about a YA novel they enjoy, but Jungle Crossing will depend much more upon parents, teachers, and librarians.

What’s next for you?

My second YA novel, Swoon At Your Own Risk, comes out in April 2010. But right now I’m exciting about figuring out what to write next! That will always be my favorite part–falling in love with a new character.

Thanks for joining us!

You can learn more about Sydney at her website and check out JUNGLE CROSSING at IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Jackson Pearce

Celebrating another book birthday today! 

Today, AS YOU WISH, a novel for teens written by Jackson Pearce and published by Harper Collins makes it way into the world. Here’s what it’s about, courtesy of Jackson, who is also the founder of the 2009 Debutantes, a group of debut writers for kids and young adults.

Seven months ago, Viola’s boyfriend shared a secret that ended their relationship. Heartbroken, Viola has resigned herself to near invisibility, until she inadvertently summons a young jinn out of his world, Caliban, and into her own. Here he will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to get back to Caliban, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid her wishes will be manipulated into curses. Jinn knows that should she wait too long, the Ifrit, guardians of earthbound jinn, will press her to wish by hurting those around her.As they spend time together, Jinn can’t deny that he’s slowly falling in love with Viola, blurring the lines between master and servant. It’s only after Viola makes her first wish—for a popular boy to love her—that she realizes the feelings are mutual.

With every wish Jinn’s time with her diminishes, but the longer she waits to wish the greater danger she’s in from the Ifrit. Together, Viola, Jinn, and Viola’s ex-boyfriend try to outwit the Ifrit while dealing with their own romantic complexities and the alcohol-laced high school social scene.

For more on AS YOU WISH and Jackson Pearce, visit her website/blog where she shares stories of publishing and some mighty funny videos. This woman is dangerous with a FlipCam.  Really.   You can buy AS YOU WISH from an Indie bookstore through the ever-awesome IndieBound.

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Jennifer Jabaley

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’m hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today…Jennifer Jabaley, author of LIPSTICK APOLOGY!

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows.  Emily Carson has always been a good girl.  So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she’s sure she’ll get busted.  What Emily doesn’t know is that her parents will never return.  That their plane will go down.  And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick – her mother’s last words.

Now it’s fall in New York City and Emily’s trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.  Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media – and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony.  But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can’t let go of her mother’s mysterious apology.  Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family – one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser – Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Welcome, Jennifer! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

The very first thing I submitted was a story for a contest for the magazine "Highlights". I didn’t win, but they purchased the piece. I was stunned, I had always heard how particular that magazine was and how hard it was to get a story accepted! It was the first time I thought, hey, maybe I really can do this!

What books did you love when you were a kid?

Judy Blume, Lois Lowry and Beverly Cleary were my favorites.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

I clearly remember the day my elementary school librarian handed me a Judy Blume book and said "I think you’ll love this author." She was instrumental in nuturing my love for reading.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  Music?  Food & beverages?

Now with two young kids (with vastly different sleep schedules) I rely on a baby sitter. When she comes I like to go to a local bakery with big wooden tables, strong coffee and great pasteries.

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

Honestly I think the best strategy for me is to take some time away. When receiving a huge revision letter it can be very overwhelming. If I try and tackle it immediately I can get very overwhelmed and frustrated. With just a little time away, suddenly things seem more reasonable.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Find an idea that excites you! Accept criticism and use it to make your work better. And write because you love to write, not because you want to be a best seller or rich and famous.

What’s special about your debut novel?

II think what makes LIPSTICK APOLOGY special is that it combines both heart and humor.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

Best: falling in love with my characters.
Worst: That overwhelming feeling whey you’re uncertain how to proceed.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?
Tried and trued – query letter. I created my list of agents to query by reading the acknowledgement sections of the books I loved to see who the author’s agent was.

I think the best piece of advice for writing a query letter is do your homework! Reference a book that the agent has represented. For example in my letter I said "I’m writing to you because you represented The Nanny Diaries and I feel my writing style is similar."

Thanks, Jennifer!  Click here to learn more about Jennifer at her website. You can pick up your copy of LIPSTICK APOLOGY at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Megan Frazer

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."  

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today… Megan Frazer, author of SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY!


Secrets of Truth & Beauty — When Dara Cohen was little, she was crowned Little Miss Maine. That was then. Now Dara’s seventeen and she’s not so little anymore. That’s just one of her many problems.  Another is that her control-freak mom won’t get off her case about anything. Yet the one that hurts the most is the family secret: Dara has an older sister her parents tried to erase from their lives.

Welcome, Megan! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

In sixth grade language arts, we did an assignment where the teacher read the first half of a scary story, and we had to write the ending. Mine was super gory and scary! When the teacher read the actual ending, I was disappointed in it, and thought mine was better. I had been writing for fun for as long as I could remember, but that was the moment when I first started to think about myself as a writer and doing it professionally.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I read constantly. I had an upstairs book, and a downstairs book, and my brother always said not to bother even trying to get my attention when I was reading (full disclosure: sometimes I was pretending I couldn’t hear him). So, it’s very hard for me to pick a favorite. Here are a few middle grade novels off the top of my head, but I know I will forget some. Tuck Everlasting, Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins,  the Ramona books, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, Wait Till Helen Comes.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

I think all of my teachers did a great job. In particular, the elementary school program focused on writing as a bridge to reading. My teachers encouraged us all to write, even my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hilliker. In high school I found support from a writing teacher, Kay Morgan, and one of my English teachers, Liz Dodge, who mentored me on my senior project, a picture book about vegetarian dragons that was a collaboration with a friend of mine.

Now that I’m working in a high school, I see how much passion and effort teachers give to their students, their subjects, and their classes. I think I was a grateful student, but I could have been much more so. This is a tough job, and I didn’t realize how much I got from my teachers until well after I graduated. That’s one thing, though, that has been cool about getting published. One of my former teachers, Liz Whaley, now works at the Water Street Book Store, and I was able to give her a copy of my ARC and let her know how my education allowed me to become a writer.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  

I am a full time school librarian, and have an infant, so yes, finding time is very difficult. I stay at work half an hour every day to work on writing, be it actual writing, or, more recently, interviews like this one. Half an hour may not seem like much, but it’s 30 minutes of actual writing: not surfing the web, checking email, what have you. I got the idea from the article Writing In the Age of Distraction by Cory Doctorow (http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2009/01/cory-doctorow-writing-in-age-of.html).

(I highly recommend this article for all creative-types.)
Of course, having the summers off is also a big help. There’s no way I would have completed the draft of Secrets of Truth & Beauty without it.

Your favorite strategy for revision?

It depends on what kind of revision you mean. When I am still working on it myself, I try to do the “put it away for at least a month” thing. This works best if I’ve given it to a friend to read. Then I can come back to it with a new eye.
In terms of revisions with my editor, I tend to work chronologically. I start with the line edits, and just go through doing them, which gets me back into the book. Then when I come to a more substantial fix, I either do it then, or put it aside to really focus on later.

Best advice for young writers?

Live. Get out into the world and things that challenge you and maybe make you a little bit uncomfortable. I believe that the more experiences you have, the wider your perspective grows, and that can only improve your writing.

What were the best and worst parts of writing your debut novel?

Writing the first draft is always so freeing. I’m not an outliner, so for me it’s about discovery – I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m also a very analytical person, so going back and revising is fun for me, too. I like to see what’s there, strip away what doesn’t belong, and build up the strengths.

The worst part was when it felt like it was never going to be finished. I had countless rounds of revisions. It was great to have such a supportive editor. She was demanding, but in a good way. It was like I was running a marathon, with her a few steps ahead, saying, “Just a little bit more! You can do it!” And in the end, all of the work was worth it.

How did you find your agent and/or editor? Would you like to share your successful query letter?

My query letter (with notes from my agent!) is up on the web for all to see right here: http://acrowesnest.blogspot.com/2008/11/sara-queries-that-worked.html

In retrospect, I’m a bit embarrassed by the name-dropping, but I’d read somewhere that’s the way to do it, so I did. I’m not sure that it helped at all.

Thanks for sharing your journey, Megan!

You can read more about Megan at her website, and of course, you can ask for SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Cynthea Liu

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."  

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today… Cynthea Liu, author of PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE!


A photo from ALA: That’s Cynthea Liu on the right, along with her fellow debut author Cindy Pon (SILVER PHOENIX) on the left!

Twelve-year-old Paris Pan’s life is a mess. She’s just moved to a tiny town in Nowheresville, Oklahoma; her family life is a comical disaster; her new friends are more like frenemies; and the boy she has a crush on is a dork. Things couldn’t possibly get worse, until she discovers that a girl mysteriously died years ago while taking a seventh-grade rite of passage–the Dare– right near Paris’s new house. So when Paris starts hearing strange noises coming from the creepy run-down shed in her backyard, she thinks they could be a message from the ghost of a girl. But while she has no plans to make contact with the great beyond, her two new friends have other thoughts. Everyone who’s anyone takes the Dare, and now it’s Paris’s turn.

Welcome, Cynthea! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

One of the first things was my first query letter, but if I go back even further, really, the first thing I DREW when I was in college (sketches of animals), later became the impetus for my full children’s book novel.  A novel that barely got subbed and is now sitting quietly on my hard drive, waiting for me to come back to it again when I’m ready. 

Unlike a lot of writers, I never thought I’d be one when I was younger. Seriously, if you had asked me in high school or junior high, I would have rolled my eyes and said, "WHY WOULD I EVER WANT TO DO THAT?!"

Even when teachers and college professors encouraged me to pursue it, I just laughed them off. I had no idea that what I wrote was actually readable and interesting to people. I just thought, "well, that’s how I talk. That’s not real writing."

Now I know, that being authentic – expressing yourself as a "real" person is exactly how writing should work. Why hadn’t someone said that to me earlier? I could have fifteen novels under my belt by now. 🙂

What books did you love when you were a kid?

I was a freak for animal stories. Talking animals, nontalking animals, animals that played instruments, animals that saved lives, animals that got lost, animals, animals, animals!
RATS OF NIMH
TRUMPET OF THE SWAN
BLACK BEAUTY
MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE
WATERSHIP DOWN
I gobbled them all up. And of course, I had to have an animal in PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE. Go, the dog, is one of my favorite characters.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

Yes, my algebra teacher. Yes, my ALGEBRA teacher left a lasting memory for me about books. I had complained to her one day that I couldn’t find anything to read anymore. I’d read it all. She said, "Well, have you tried some adult books?" She handed me my first DEAN KOONTZ book. Which I LOVED. Of course, now she’d probably be jailed for giving me an adult book, complete with a racy scene, to read. But man, thank you, Mrs. M for saving my reading life when I was in 8th grade.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  

These days, I’ve been extremely swamped with my book launches BUT when I do write, it is heaven. I’ve got my Diet Dr. Pepper at my side, my laptop, and my critique partner, the fabulous Tammi Sauer, at the ready, online. I work for at least four straight hours, either laughing my head off or banging my head against the computer. It’s such great fun. And I mean that!

Your favorite strategy for revision?

My strategy for revision these days is to keep going back to the beginning and rereading it as I build each new chapter. This helps me check story flow and work out any kinks before I end up with a huge plot disaster on my hands. Nothing worse than a huge plot disaster.

Best advice for young writers?

BELIEVE that you can do it. START NOW. You’re a hot commodity. Publishers LOVE young writers. When you’re old like me, no one cares. But your YOUNG and cool and so talented. So get crackin’ on that book! Nancy Fan was 12 or 13 when she got her first book published. Christopher Paolini was 15 when he started his book Eragon. 

YOUR AGE IS A PLUS in the book publishing industry. So stop worrying about how long it’ll be before you are 5 feet tall or when you’ll get your driver’s license. You can get a book written and published NOW. That’s definitely cooler than getting behind the wheel so you can cart your younger sister around.

What’s special about your novel?

PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE is actually my first novel. I started it before THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA so it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. There is so much of me and my family experiences in the book, that I feel like the book is actually a "part" of me. So don’t rest a pop can on it or anything. Let’s show some respect for the Pans!

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best parts of the book are the most difficult parts of the book to write. I try very hard to strike an emotional chord with the reader, and doing that is no easy task. So if you ever feel yourself getting scared, laughing out loud, getting angrey, tearing up even, that scene right there was one of the hardest parts to write.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

Finding an agent and an editor was like courting this cute guy who has no idea what you look like or what your personality is like. All you can do is hand him your book and hope THAT does the trick. Fortunately for me, I nabbed my agent fairly early in my writing process but getting an editor to fall in love was not as quick. I had to give the editors several different versions of my book before they fell for my wiley ways. Hard work, man!

And here’s Cynthea’s successful pitch for PARIS PAN:

Twelve-year-old Paris Pan has moved to a small town where she has a real shot at making friends. But that friendship comes at a price. She must take The Dare, something that killed a girl on the very property she now resides. To make matters worse, Paris must play basketball against her will, eradicate a crush on the least desirable boy in sixth grade, and cope with a family crisis that was possibly caused by a chili dog.

Thanks for sharing your journey, Cynthea!

You can read more about Cynthea at her website, and of course, you can ask for PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Mandy Hubbard

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today…Mandy Hubbard, author of PRADA AND PREJUDICE!

Fifteen year old Callie just wants to impress the popular girls when she buys a pair of Prada heels on her class trip to London. She didn’t plan on tripping, conking her head, and waking up in 1815! Now she’s wearing corsets with her designer pumps, eating bizarre soups, and breaking up engagements. If only the nineteen year old Duke of Harksbury wasn’t so bloody annoying, she might have a little fun in Austen-Era England…

Welcome, Mandy! Tell us about the first thing that made you think you might be a writer.

It wasn’t until I was 20 and wrote a novella called WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? that I thought I was a writer. It was super melodramatic and half-true-half-fiction. I’m glad it has ceased to exist.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE, HATCHET, Z FOR ZACHARIAH, and SHILOH.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Hughes, used to read aloud to us for the last 15-30 minutes of every day. That was my absolute favorite part of the day! She read us Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, The Black Stallion, and countless others.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  Music?  Food & beverages?

I mostly write on the train (a 30 minute ride) to and from work, or after 9pm when my daughter is asleep. I find that I dont really need anything specific around me, but I do love Diet Coke!

Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?

I use track changes and mark up the manuscript. Then I tackle the small things first, so the "to-do" list seems smaller, then the large items. Then I re-read it again.

What’s your best advice for young writers?

A published author is an amatuer who didn’t quit. Don’t quit.

What’s special about your debut novel?

I think the time travel and Jane Austen make it fun and very accessible for reluctant readers.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The worst part? the revision requests that led to rejection! It’s always crushing to work hard on something for an editor and be rejected. The best part? Even at draft 9, I still loved the story.

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I queried my agent. My agent found me my editor!

Thanks for joining us, Mandy!

You can read more about Mandy at her website. You can pick up your copy of PRADA AND PREJUDICE at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Cyn Balog

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today…Cyn Balog, author of FAIRY TALE!

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They’ve been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they’re totally hot for each other. But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam’s awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away. When Morgan demands answers, she’s shocked to discover the source of Cam’s distance isn’t another girl- it’s another world.  Pip claims that Cam is a fairy.  No, seriously.  A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their "perfect" love can weather an uncertain future.


Welcome, Cyn! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

I remember writing things as a kid and liking them, but once I wrote a mystery story in 6th grade and just had so much fun with it, that was when I knew this was something I wanted to do for a living. Before that, it was just a way to spend time.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

Charlotte’s Web, No Flying in the House, anything by Shel Silverstein.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

Nope. I can honestly say I had NO help or mentoring from any adults in my life, so I can’t figure out how I determined I wanted to be a writer so young. Maybe it was divine intervention!

What’s your best advice for young writers?

Do not let anyone tell you that it’s not possible, that you’re too young to be taken seriously in this business. If you want it badly enough and work hard enough, you can get there.

What’s special about your debut novel?

Have you seen the cover?  It’s gorgeous!

Thanks for joining us, Cyn!

You can read more about Cyn at her website. You can pick up your copy of FAIRY TALE at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Danielle Joseph

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I’ll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."  

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You’ll even be able to read some successful query letters!)  If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!

Today… Danielle Joseph, author of SHRINKING VIOLET!

So I’m extra pleased that I’m Danielle’s blog tour stop today, since I just finished reading SHRINKING VIOLET yesterday and loved every minute. This is the kind of book teens love for its authentic voice and realistic portrayal of what it’s like to be graduating from high school.

Tere Adams is a super-shy senior who loves music and has dreams of being a radio DJ. Her inner strength is tested when her mom’s boyfriend provides an "in" to the local hit station at the same time a dreaded group presentation at school forces her out of her shell there. As someone who worked in radio right after college, I laughed like crazy at Joseph’s dead-on characterizations of the personalities that inhabit popular radio stations, from the shirt-open prime time DJ, to the music-loving cool guy, to the front desk receptionist. This novel will especially appeal to teens who are constantly attached to their iPods and those who love popular music, and it has a mysterious love interest to satisfy romance fans, too. A fun, fantastic summer read!

Welcome, Danielle! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.

"Mommy, Can I Go to the Zoo?" Written and illustrated by me in first grade and laminated by my teacher.

What books did you love when you were a kid?

Pippi Longstockings, all Judy Blume books and I was a big fan of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?

I was lucky to have many inspiring and supportive teachers but I will always thank my mom for reading to me every night.

Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge.  When and where do you write?   Do you have any special rituals?  

I sometimes write in my office and other times I head off to Starbucks with my laptop. Sometimes I sit down with a cup of coffee, other times it’s all about the chocolate. If I’m editing I like quiet. If I’m writing something new, I often turn up the music.

Your favorite strategy for revision?

I like to break things up into segments and I often jump around.

Best advice for young writers?

Be true to yourself. Write what you want!

What’s special about your debut novel?

That I wrote about real people and their fears.

What were the best and worst parts of writing it?

The best was just getting my thoughts down on paper. There really was no worst because I had so much fun writing this book!

How did you find your agent and/or editor?

I read a book that I really enjoyed and then decided to query the agent. She liked my sample and requested the full manuscript and soon after we began working together!

Thanks for sharing your journey, Danielle!

You can read more about Danielle at her website, and of course, you can ask for SHRINKING VIOLET at your local independent bookseller.  You can also order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!