Everyone in Austin has been sneezing--why? It's a year round allergy capital! Did I know this before I moved here? Nope. But although the eyes have been runny, itchy--the throat scratchy--and the head a bit cloudier than usual I wouldn't change the springtime in Austin for any reason.
Not Earth Mother--but yours truly, celebrating a new crop of wildflowers that sprung up after a big rain.
The barn is getting transformed daily into The Writing Barn--a place where writers will write, teachers will teach, and visiting lecturers will lecture.
The kitchen area, under the barn loft,
The loft area.
The floor to ceiling bookshelves. I can stand inside one of the boxes.
Writing wise, I've been tinkering and playing with a new picture book. I have high hopes to dig into a YA WIP when I can fully concentrate on those worlds. Teaching wihttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2374640939810788060se, I am working with a bright and capable YA writer and have a few other prospective students waiting in the wings. So despite the itchy eyes--all is well!
Goings on in Awesome Austin
If you missed Chris Barton's book release party for Can I See Your I.D.--don't miss him at the Round Rock, La Fronteria B&N where he will be signing all three of his books tomorrow afternoon from 2-4.
The Diversity in YA Tour's Austin stop was wonderful. Thanks for coming out and thanks for all the books bought after the celebratory conversation.
The Diversity in YA Panel shows off our writing guns.
Today, Trent Reedy (VCFA grad and former soldier) will be appearing on The Today Show alongside his editor Cheryl Klein, as Trent's novel Words in the Dust has been picked for Al Rocker's Today Show Book Club. Congrats, Trent! (I will try to post a clip after he appears from you tube or from the Today Show.)
I am finally sitting down to do a Friday round up. I love them but I've been so busy that my Friday reflection time has been nil. So, today we are going to catch up with a few weeks at once.
Liz Garton Scanlon's release party for Noodle & Lou--a book in ode to an unlikely friendship--was fabulous. There were dirt cups, door prizes, and a full read aloud. Don't believe me? Here are the pics to prove it!
S0-SO-SOLD
Then last week there was the exciting news that Awesome Austin Cynthia Leitich Smith has a new three book deal. Go, Cyn!
Cynthia Leitich Smith Signs Three-Book Deal with Candlewick Press Peek: "New York Times bestselling author of TANTALIZE, ETERNAL, BLESSED Cynthia Leitich Smith's YA novel SMOLDER, to Deborah Wayshak at Candlewick Press, in a three-book deal, for publication in 2013, by Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd. (world English)."
And that P. J. Hoover has a front list release going straight to e-book. Cheers for P.J. and Solstice!
This week brought a two book deal for debut author Nikki Loftin! From Publisher's Lunch:
Nikki Loftin’s debut novel THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY, pitched as Coraline meets Hansel and Gretel, about a young girl whose seemingly delightful new school hides frightening secrets, to Laura Arnold at Razorbill, in a two-book deal, for publication in Summer 2012, by Suzie Townsend at Fineprint Literary Management (World).
Brian Yansky's FIGHTING ALIEN NATION, the sequel to ALIEN INVASION AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES, which continues the story of the survivors of an alien invasion, again to Candlewick, with Kaylan Adair to edit, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world English).
Ah, now wonder we call Austin awesome! Cheers to the latest bunch of books that will see the shelves! But, we here in Austin know process comes first--way before celebration of product--so cheers to all the work that went into these projects and to all those who are working away on a WIP right now.
I had a fab time participating in the #yalit chat the other night with those of us on the Diversity in YA tour. This Monday 5/9 the tour stops in Austin. Come out to BookPeople and join us for what will be a lively conversation.
ReachOut Reads
A reminder--May is Mental Health Awareness Month and over at ReachOut Reads live author chats are happening each week in May! I will be moderating the 5/12 Author chat with Matthew Quick and the 5/16 chat with Joe Luniecivz. Librarians and teachers share the word with teens!
Beginning mid-May, the Hunger Mountain YA & Children's section will launch new content every other week. Why? Because there was just too darn much packed into one issue and we want to be sure each piece gets its due--from our features, to our regular columns--The Toolbox, What My Last Book Taught Me, This Writer's Life, to our fine, fine fiction, poetry and non-fiction offerings.
Our summer 2011 theme is The Varying Shade of Shadows and we will be spotlighting pieces that focus on light and darkness--internally and externally--and literally and figuratively. Contributors this issue are:
Jennifer Zeigler and Clare Dunkle who tackle The Flipside—two great YA writers influenced by Jane Austen and Emily Bronte. Be sure to check out their piece—The Light and Dark Of It.
Our features this go round are being tackled by Ellen Levine, debut author Joe Lunievicz (HM will also offer a sneak peak into Open Wounds, Joe's first novel which I have read in full and it is a captivating swashbuckling character driven read), Janet Gurtler,Janet Fox. We have upcoming Toolbox pieces by Deborah Halverson over at Deareditor.com and Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
Here is a sneak-peak into Janet Gutler's feature--Embracing Shadows.
Sometimes shadows reveal more than we’d like them to. I recall being a weight conscious teen and walking side by side with my older sister. My taller sister whose thinness I envied. The dark outlines of our bodies strolled in front of us. I vividly remember being ashamed of my bulkier shadow. I hated it, wanted to squish it under my feet, wanted to run from it. I’d wished my shadow would disappear behind me. It was too large, too stubby and yet there was nothing I could do to get rid of it. It seemed to mock me.
And yet, at other times in my life the shadows have brought me relief. I’ve taken cover in them, used them to keep myself from being seen by the world. Hiding in shadows can be comfortable for introverts like me. Truthfully I've always harboured a secret envy of my bolder counterparts. I've always thought the world was an easier place for those who truly thrive in the spotlight. Extroverts generally have an advantage over their quieter counterparts, because by definition, extroverts aren’t afraid to be heard and seen. To shine.
Is it any coincidence that Janet's new novel, I'm Not Her, delves into the sibling relationship and what happens when one sister is cast out of the spotlight due to disease and the quieter sister Tess has to take center stage--like it or not.
It's been a goal of mine to offer more for illustrators and for those interested in why and how illustrators in the children's book field can possibly create the eye-catching beauty that they do.INKlings this go round offers a sneak-peak into The Little Bitty Bakery written by Leslie Muir and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. The bestselling Cynthia Leitich Smith will share with us some thoughts on writing her first graphic novel, illustrated by the talented Ming Doyle. And Don Tate welcomes us into his Austin studio to get a look at his work on Duke Ellington: Nutcraker Suite.
Don told me this humorous story and I had to share it here!
My studio is fairly organized considering it looks a mess. I have two drawing stations, three painting stations, and I utilize every flat space, including my floors. Maybe I shouldn't share this story, but after I began my sketches last year, we got a puppy. Her name is Bella, but I call her The Animal. My studio was off limits to her, but she didn't care. After I completed my sketches, and before I could show them to my editor, The Animal wandered in to my studio while I was painting. The few seconds that followed happened in slow motion: She wandered in, looked around, and then squatted on my sketches! I screamed loud enough to wake the dead. But that only scared her and she cut loose, soaking my sketches. Needless to say, after that I had to train myself to keep my studio door closed at all times when The Animal was loose in the house.
Industry Insider interviews feature Elena Mechlin and Joan Slattery of Pippin Properties and Anita Silvey of the Children's Book-a-Day Almanac. We have fabulous new fiction from the likes of Jennifer Hubbard, Christy Lenzi,Penny Blublaugh and more! Much, much more. Hop on over to Hunger Mountain beginning May 16th for the first off this issue’s offerings. New content will be added until mid-August when all content will then be LIVE until mid-September.
We then took off for Atlanta. Saying goodbye to my aunt Susan was difficult but her service and us all being together had its own bumpy grace attached. Along with our goodbyes, we had hellos. V met the all the family who lived in the area. We went to the Marietta diner and feasted on pancakes, cake, omelets, and other yummy dishes. The kids, my mom, and my sister went to the movies where Bella conked out—as did my mom. I read books to Tehmin and Bella—signed books I’d collected for them since the last time I was home. We devouredHoller Loudly,All the World, and the Hallelujiah Flight. We took funny pictures and tucked the kids in and before you knew it we were back in Austin.
I signed copies of Truth with a Capital T for my family and I pointed out to my mom this passage from the acknowledgments at the back of the book:
To my parents, Allan and Beth Hegedus, for sealing my fate and moving the family to Georgia. To the Bells, the Browns, and the rest of the Hegedus crew, and to all those who’ve ever been to the Kiss-Me-Quick Bridge: family is family. Our hearts have been healed.
And, that’s what this trip home to say hello and goodbye was: healing.
Truth with a Capital T has been named a Bank Streets Best Book of 2010. As a prior New Yorker, I love the Bank Street School of Education and the Bank Street Book Store. And like last year when Between Us Baxters made the list, (with an extra special *) I was glad to see Truth be one of the 600 out of 6000 books which were endorsed by Bank Street. Truth is on the list in the Nine to Twelve, Today category.
What’s Happening for Grandfather Gandhi
An illustrator announcement for the Gandhi book is expected soon. Fingers crossed.
What’s Happening for Hunger Mountain
I’ve served as HM Co-Editor for about two years now and the editorial hat is one I’ve grown accustomed to wearing. I love putting the issues together, reading submissions, approaching authors to write for Hunger Mountain, and I love digging deep into the “gushy” stuff of an essay or a fiction piece and getting my editorial hands dirty as the author of the piece creates and shapes and digs a deeper, more substantial pocket of earth to lay their creative seeds in. (Ah, it is spring and flowers, planting, etc. abound). I was more than pleased to do this work with Linnea Heaney and even more pleased to see she wrote about her HM experience over on her blog, Linnea’s Illuminated Notes.
We did go through revision, with Bethany’s gentle, but to-the-point comments. During this time, I learned about addressing editor suggestions and how to rewrite to find the story in the snuggest and most illuminating way. By the time I sent off the final version near the deadline and heard my phone ringing, I knew it was Bethany with the call all writers want to get. I thanked her for being my first teacher in the writing world!
If you haven’t read A Real Best Friend, the picture book manuscript Linnea discusses revising for me, go do. It’s a real good read!
In Awesome Austin
Congrats to Jo Whittemore who celebrated the release of her latest book, Odd Girl In this last Sunday at BookPeople. Check out Jo’s post over at Diversity in YA, Against Tokenism.
For all the Austin TLA buzz go check out the Austin author schedule over at the Austin SCBWI. I will be there walking the floor on Wednesday and attending the All Publisher Party at the Four Season’s Residences Wednesday night.
The YA A to Z Conference kicks off this Friday. I am bowled over at the fab line up and will be busy beyond belief but I am excited to be a part of this inaugural event. Along with my WLT Office Manager duties, I will be sitting on two panels and also doing a Q&A with Uma Krishnaswami. Check out the fab book trailer of Uma’s new novel, The Grand Plan to Fix Everything, which is racking up starred reviews and has early Newbery buzz.
And, as I’ve got to get the office in Awesome Austin, this Tuesday wrap-up has no Outside Awesome Austin links this week but maybe that is a-ok. After all, TLA kicks off today and this year all those librarians are here, keeping Austin weird and well-read (and protesting cut backs and everyone is doing all we can to Keep Libraries Open!)
Today at Inside the Writer’s Studio we have with us the hilariously funny, Jo Whittemore. Jo is the kind of author one can call on in a pinch. When I moved last year, Jo and her husband (the man who can wear a loveseat as a hat and carry it up and down three flights of stairs) were the first to arrive. Jo is that kind of gal. She shows up—in life and on the page. And in both efforts, she is the perfect combination of funny and wise. Jo is here to celebrate her new release, Odd Girl In.
Here is a bit more about Odd Girl In.
Alexis "Alex" Evins is a first-class prankster. When she plays a particularly disastrous prank (hair + fire=bad), her dad sends Alex (and her older brothers) to a character-building after-school program. There, the Evins siblings are faced with the ultimate test of teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. Can the "Evil Evins" pass the course in one piece, or are they destined for an epic fail?
And what are the reviewers saying?
"...witty, laugh-out-loud romp. Whittemore handles not only the comedy but deftly portrays Alex’s and her brothers’ advancement into a more mature state of mind. It should keep middle-schoolers laughing from start to finish. Funny and perky."--Kirkus
"Secondary characters have surprising depth. There’s plenty of humor along the way to redemption and healing as Alex and her brothers learn to work as a team and as a family."--School Library Journal
Thanks for being here Jo!
How do you stay inspired to face the dreaded blank page? Is it something you dread? Look forward to? Share a bit about your writing process.
I used to be a blank page panicker, but over the years I’ve realized you have to view writing a book like eating a pizza. Though you can visualize it in its entirety, you would never attempt to eat a whole pizza at once, just like you shouldn’t attempt to write a book all at once. You eat the pizza bite by bite, slice by slice until you’re done. By that notion, you write a book page by page, chapter by chapter, until it’s done. When I’m facing a blank page, I don’t let myself get overwhelmed by the thought “I have to write a book!” I settle with a simpler, easy-to-grasp goal of “I have to write a page.”
How important is community in keeping you inspired? What authors are a part of your virtual and/or hometown community? How do they keep you inspired? How do you inspire them?
Community is essential to me. People say writing is a solo craft, but I don’t think I know a single author who works entirely alone. You have to have a critique group (or partner) to keep you on track, remind you that your writing is good and help you navigate through the tough parts of your story. You have to have mentors, who can guide you on your career path, encourage you to reach that next level and believe in your work. You have to have writing friends who can sympathize on a bad day, motivate you to succeed by sharing their own successes, and celebrate with you when things go well.
I’m blessed to have so many wonderful authors in my hometown community AND the virtual community. These are friends I’ve met through SCBWI meetings, book signings, message boards, even Facebook and Twitter. They inspire me with their success stories and their tenacity. We shouldn’t be jealous of each other’s good fortune. We should use it as motivation to reach a similar level of awesome. I try and inspire others by sharing personal experiences, both good and bad, and helping them see the worth in their writing and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Theme can be seen as a dirty word but as writers I believe we all have something to say, something we want to share with the world. What is that something for you?
I love the idea of theme, and I didn’t realize I was even writing to one until I heard Marion Dane Bauer speak at the SCBWI LA conference last year. I’d been noticing what I called a trend in my books, where the main characters are usually girls who don’t conform to cliques and “girly” behavior. It concerned me at first, because I thought maybe all my stories were the same, but after hearing Marion Dane Bauer’s speech, I realized the stories were different, but there was a definite theme prevalent in my writing: Different does not equal bad.
How important is voice in your work? How does “voice” come to you?
Voice, to me, keeps the reader turning the pages when there’s no action or happiness to be found. If the voice is captivating, a simple conversation is full of intrigue, and the reader has to know why so-and-so refuses to eat pudding. And a character in a dark situation needs us to keep reading so we’ll know it all turns out okay. The voice is what connects us to a character.
Voice comes to me after I’ve worked out the plot of a story in my head. I’m usually going for funny, so the voice will lend itself to either intentional or unintentional humor. If I’m going for intentional, I’m usually working with a smart, witty character that can crack a joke or issue a retort without a second thought. If I’m going for unintentional, I’m usually working with a sweet, goofy, naïve person who is unaware their words or actions are rife with comedy.
I once heard Deb Caletti say when asked how her life has changed since becoming a published author that she feels she is living the life she is meant to live. How has your life changed since you became a published author? Has it? What lessons have you learned that you’d care to share since becoming published?
Ha! I feel like this is a customer testimony. “Since I’ve become a published author, I’ve dropped ten pounds and have whiter teeth!” But seriously, being published HAS changed my life, in good ways and bad. The good? I’ve become less of a recluse and have ventured out of my shell to make friends and meet new people, something pre-pub Jo would have avoided. For that matter, it’s made me more confident in myself and helped me identify personal strengths. The bad? It’s also helped me identify personal weaknesses! But at least I know what I need to work on.
Lessons to share? Don’t sell yourself short…but don’t oversell yourself either. When I first started many years ago, I boasted to anyone who asked about my book that I was going to be the next J.K. Rowling. Today, other than the fact that we both go by the name Jo, there are no similarities. I’m not even wearing designer underwear.
Another lesson? Watch what you say! The creation of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs mean gossip and negative comments spread much faster to people you might not want to hear. And don’t watch just what you say about other people; watch what you say about yourself. I once had a down day and wanted to post woe-is-me thoughts, but before I could, another writer told me how my good humor always made her feel better. Instead of going public with my pity party, I told a few close friends. The world didn’t need to watch me beat up on myself.
Quickly name 5 favorite stories—could be books or movies even. Do these stories have anything in common with one another? Do they have anything in common with your own work? What comparisons can you make in terms of what matters to you in your own work and what you like to read/experience?
All of these are comfort books for me. One thing they all have in common? They’re from before I was even born! They were originally gifts when I was a kid, and I didn’t read them for the longest time, either because I’d already seen the movie (The Hundred and One Dalmatians, Mary Poppins) or they sounded boring (Mixed-Up Files is set at a museum, The Silver Spoon Mystery was set in the 50s, The Good Master was set in Hungary). But when I finally read them, I fell in love with them. I want to write these kinds of books, the ones kids fall in love with and turn to when they’re sick or sad or just need a bit of cozy.
Inspired by the Actors Studio, what sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
I love the sound of laughter. I hate the sound of crying. I’m prone to duplicating these sounds (and their emotions) when I hear them.
If your protagonist and antagonist were competing on American Idol what songs would each sing? And who would have the better voice? Let’s see. For the newest book, Odd Girl In, the protagonist is a loner tomboy named Alex, and she’d sing Raise Your Glass by Pink. The antagonist is an overachiever named Chloe, and she’d sing Headstrong by Trapt. I’d say Chloe would have the better voice because she’d do anything to win and would hire a vocal coach to help her nail the song.
In ode to Maebelle, the main character in my new book Truth with a Capital T, who keeps a book of little known facts about just about everything, please share a wacky piece of trivia that has stuck with you or please share a little known fact about YOU.
I have stitches in the middle of my forehead from the time I got overexcited about cookies and whacked my head on a banister when I jumped up and down for joy.
Ouch! Told you readers that Jo was exciteable!
Thanks to Jo Whittemore for being with us. For more on Jo, be sure to check out her website, her involvement with the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels (and if in Austin for TLA, please stop by the Texas Sweetheart & Scoundrel reception amid the hustle and bustle of the conference floor) and come see Jo, Varian Johnson, and myself when we join Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo for their Diversity in YA stop here in Austin on May 9th, at BookPeople.
