Links Galore

June 16, 2015Leave a comment

Lots of good links to share:

Great post on Hinduism in YA lit.
At a time when there are a lot of excellent YA/children’s authors writing in verse, so glad to hear Jacqueline Woodson has been named as the Young People’s Poet Laureate.
An awesome updated graphic guide for LGBTQ YA novels, including some favorites from the last few years.
“She is a toy steeped in tragedy, and who is offered tragedy during play?” On the complications of the Addy Walker doll.
A.S. King on feminism and inclusion.
If you’re like me and just getting into the graphic novel world, a few LGBTQA recommendations. And some for a (mostly) younger set.
And while we’re talking about graphic novels, FURIOSA!
A list recommending YA novels for adults that recommends actual YA novels?!
How to encourage summer reading.
Love the sound of Project UROK.
Great interview with the genre-crossing Jennifer Donnelly.
This post about writing retreats and residencies is one to keep bookmarked.
A few YA novels to look forward to in the second half of 2015, including one by the wonderful Robin Talley.
The intensity of fandoms and the pressure on authors.
I. Need. This. Shirt.
Great suggestions for revision–and for drafting, to be honest.
I can totally get on board with the no guilt approach to writing.
Having some seriously feels about JK Rowling’s response to all of us waiting for our owls.
But maybe Jo can hold off on the “indigenous magic” in America.
What’s the difference between a space opera, a cyberpunk novel, and dystopian lit?

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor: BTAF Trivia Night!

April 30, 2015Leave a comment

Things I like: young adult literature and trivia competitions. Needless to say, I am super psyched about the upcoming Boston Teen Author Festival Trivia Night at the Cambridge Public Library!

Teams of 5 will compete in a YA/kidlit trivia challenge, win prizes, eat snacks, and get to hang out with YA and MG authors like Lori Goldstein, Jen Malone, MarcyKate Connelly, and me! The details:

BTAF Trivia Night
Cambridge Public Library Teen Room
449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138
Thursday, May 7
7pm, followed by book signing

Come on out for an awesome time and celebrate Children’s Book Week by proving you and your friends know the most about Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and more. Hope to see you there!

Links Galore

April 27, 2015Leave a comment

Lots of good links to start your week:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Tumblr is awesome for writers.
I’m all for ‘they’ as a singular pronoun.
Survey says authors like their publishers, wish they got more marketing.
So you want to be a writer...
As if I didn’t already love London.
Security, fear, and a passage cut from A Wrinkle in Time.
These bookmarks are way cuter than the library receipts I usually end up using.
This year’s 2015 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees from ALA include ’14 debut author favorites Lies We Tell Ourselves and Midnight Thief.
Looking back on the illustrations of Margaret Bloy Graham.
A call for diverse children’s books on the international scale.
YA characters who love poetry.
“Libraries are the public institutions that exist to nurture cultural literacy, lifelong learning, and bringing its community together.” The Ferguson Library Director on the necessity of libraries in their communities.
Allusions to Milton and other ways to win a Pulitzer.
The Queer Young Adult Literature Conference sounds awesome.
And some under-the-radar LGBTQ YA reads.
Yes, adults can enjoy YA novels.
A conversation about writing and motherhood.
The Library of Congress is sharing a giant poetry reading archive.
Bringing books to incarcerated mothers and their babies.
I’m subscribing to all of these bookish podcasts.

Check It Out

April 21, 20151 Comment

Libraries are the best–free books, movies, games and music; cool events like readings and musical performances; helpful resources; free internet; meeting spaces; and more for patrons.

And of course, librarians are the coolest, like when they put together a fun Taylor Swift-inspired video all about how great libraries are. From the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for National Library Week:

I already practically skip when I leave the library with an armful of books. Now I’m going to have to hold back from singing, “Check it out!”

Links Galore

February 26, 20151 Comment

Lots of good links I’ve been hoarding:

Sometimes teenagers are selfish and obnoxious and make bad choices, and that should present be in YA.
Molly shares info about putting together her library’s Harry Potter night, makes me infinitely jealous.
I need to read more graphic novels.
Winter, Laura Ingalls-style.
The only rare books my alma mater will receive are old copies of the Sweet Valley Twins.
Love-inspired words.
The story behind the twelve little girls in two straight lines.
This African-American Experience Literary Reference Guide is a must-bookmark.
Every genre has its story tropes.
Fantasy novel misconceptions about the middle ages.
A must-read interview with Laurie Halse Anderson, powerhouse of YA literature.
Looking good, BPL!
Even famous writers need day jobs.
Some cool lesser-known fairy tales.
Want to share a love for reading aloud? LibriVox is looking for volunteers.
On creating thoughtful, critical book reviews.

Links Galore

February 9, 2015Leave a comment

Lots of good links to start the week:

So excited to see The Chance You Won’t Return on this list of excellent contemporary YAs from small/independent publishers! Love the work smaller pubs are putting out.
And thanks to Jill for including The Chance You Won’t Return in her list of favorite reads from 2014!
Mackenzi Lee on recognizing when your problems are ‘champagne problems.’
Love this interview with Jason Reynolds, in which he talks about Walter Dean Myers, grief, and writing books about teens.
JK Rowling answers a few Harry Potter questions on Twitter, shares her favorite tea brand.
Corinne Duyvis on why we shouldn’t focus so much on ‘strong’ characters.
On awards, diversity, and how dedicated people can make a difference.
Emma Watson and Belle love reading.
Shakespeare’s got rhythm.
The stress of combining bookshelves with your partner.
Library patrons share what books made them readers.
Sometimes Hollywood recognizes that novelists know how to tell stories.
Can relate to pretty much all of these.
Man leaves secret millions to his local library and my heart swells.
Reading pet peeves from real teens.
Gertrude Stein gets an iPhone.
Making money by selling poems; like a lemonade stand, but way cooler.

Links Galore

October 13, 20144 Comments

Lots of links for your perusal:

Because writers dig research.
YA? MG UMG? LYA? What do age ranges actually mean for reading?
On reviewing and self-publishing; comments section also worth checking out.
In the same vein, no one owes you a reading/review/publication.
Virginia Woolf on reading what you want: “Everywhere else we may be bound by laws and conventions — there we have none.”
And it’s okay if you don’t like the ‘great, important books’ you’re supposed to read.
Librarians are on the front lines of fighting against government surveillance.
One reading is tackling the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge.
Most artists are trying to balance their art with their day jobs.
Possible real-life inspirations for classic fairy tales.
I’ve totally dressed up as Claudia Kishi.
Forget the Nobel, I want to see the award for Book That Made Most People Who Read It Happier And Nicer.
Navigating your way through lots of sci-fi and fantasy reading goodness.
We all feel like impostors.
Trust PBS to report on why adults are reading YA and actually talk to children’s/YA writers and editors.
Readers love Doctor Who and Doctor Who loves books.
“This is indeed an effect of YA literature- a deepened love and appreciation for the relationships around the reader outside of the book, away from the plots and characters in the pages read.” Love this post.
Secret bookshop. You know you love those words.

All About the Books

October 3, 2014Leave a comment

The puppets really make this one for me:

Nashville Public Library team, you are rock stars!

Boston Teen Author Festival: Panels Announced!

September 12, 2014Leave a comment

It’s less than two weeks to the Boston Teen Author Festival and I’m so excited!

Doors open at 10:45, and we’ll be having four amazing panels. The info has just been announced! I’ll be part of Platonic in Love: Writing strong non-romantic relationships. One of my biggest pet peeves is that YA is all about insta-love, and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to talk about other kinds of love and relationships and friendships in YA with some seriously amazing authors.

Check out the poster below for all the panel/author goodness: