Links Galore

May 10, 2017Leave a comment

Lots of links I’ve been saving:

On Buffy the Vampire Slayer turning 20 and the Scooby Gang fanfic
Changing your story’s core question to boost your writing.
Or maybe try these other tricks to help you move forward when your story’s stuck.
Quitting is the only thing that makes you a failure.
I have major card catalog love.
I also have major love for these reasons why adults read YA.
These Velveteen Rabbit illustrations are so gorgeous and evocative.
Beyond excited for this Little Women adaptation (yay Masterpiece!).
If you’re querying, some interesting stats and helpful tips.
Helpful advice for attending conferences while dealing with a chronic illness.
The secret world of celebrity ghostwriters.
Querying cheat sheet.
YES MORE MISS FISHER!
Supporting authors even when you can’t afford every new book you want to buy.
Being a professional vs. being an amateur.

Motivation Monday

May 8, 20173 Comments

I’m getting myself back on the blogging train after a couple weeks of off-line activity (marathon, NESCBWI, life with a dog), so today feels like a great time to share this fantastic comic by Debbie Ridpath Ohi:

It’s really easy to focus on all the scary “what ifs” and “you can’ts” and so on, but for today, let’s focus on what we can do. And then do the same tomorrow.

(PS–Debbie regularly posts writing inspiration illustration, so make sure to check out the rest of her work.)

Kidlit for Cancer Research

April 10, 2017Leave a comment

This time next week, I’ll be running the Boston Marathon with the Dana-Farber team. I ran with Dana-Farner last year, too, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

But for charity team runners like me, fundraising for a great cause is even more important than the race itself. On the Dana-Farber team, we raise money for innovative cancer research at the Claudia Adams Barr Program, where scientists use this seed money to fund creative and dynamic projects that could make major lifesaving changes for patients and families. I know way too many people whose lives have been affected by cancer in some way, and I’m so honored to be part of these efforts to support science and fight cancer.

Right now, you can help support science and fight cancer AND win some awesome writerly items. What more could you want? Check out Kidlit for Cancer Research, in which some fantastic writers and agents have donated signed books and query/first page critiques! There’s some seriously awesome stuff like:

The auction closes tonight, so get your bids in now! 100% of funds raised go to groundbreaking research at the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Friday Fifteen

March 31, 2017Leave a comment

Happy Friday, everybody! It’s been a week, and for some reason it’s snowing again, but that’s a good excuse to stay inside and talk about what I’ve been reading in fifteen words or fewer.

Irises by Francisco X. Stork
Touching story about sisters, sacrifice, grief, and moving on.

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
Another fantastic Tiffany Aching book; excellent look at fear and violence.

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
Powerful and moving account of the amazing black women who got us to the stars.

Links Galore

March 23, 2017Leave a comment

Lots of links I’ve been saving:

Librarians resist. And now libraries matter more than ever.
I am so excited about another book in the His Dark Materials universe.
Ian McKellen, Shakespeare, and immigration.
One of my favorite college professors on turning to poetry in times when words otherwise fail us.
Gender identity and sexuality and the next generation.
A win for Team Oxford Comma.
But sometimes it’s okay to bend the grammar rules.
Death and Jane Austen’s unfinished novel.
And then the murders began.
They’re making the future.
Pixar, tell me your secrets.
Why we need national support for the arts and humanities.
Great list of YA books about refugees.
Maybe it’s time to break up with your agent.
Parsing the helpful feedback from the not-so-helpful.
What it actually looks like to write (and finish) a novel.
Great suggestions for writing through the middle.

Friday Fifteen

March 17, 2017Leave a comment

Happy Friday, guys! Or more accurately, OH THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY WILL THIS WEEK NEVER END?! This week was cold and snowy and I want to curl up in a comforter with a giant cup of tea until it’s actually spring out there. Who’s with me?

In the meantime, here are a couple of book reviews in fifteen words or fewer:

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
Puberty’s hard when you also have to fight endless winter. Continue to love Tiffany Aching.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
Beautiful writing and atmosphere, but not sure it ultimately left me satisfied in Ruth’s story.

Friday Fifteen

March 10, 2017Leave a comment

Happy Friday, guys! How is it that this week’s felt so long and so short all at once? Also it snowed today and all I want to do is wrap myself in a comforter and not leave the house until April. Fortunately, in that scenario I could still read, so let’s get the weekend started with a few book reviews in fifteen words or fewer.

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Great collection of essays about race, sexism, education, media, and Scrabble.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Wanted more from Oscar as a character, but Díaz’s writing is stellar.

Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Wish I had a fifth grade class to share this with. Heart-wrenching and heartwarming.

Friday Fifteen

March 3, 2017Leave a comment

Happy Friday, guys! It’s been a week, so let’s head into the weekend with some book reviews in fifteen words or fewer:

George by Alex Gino
Hopeful story of a trans girl longing to play Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web class production.

Pieces of You and Me by Erin Fletcher
Charming story of a second-chance romance; Rylee and Chase’s chemistry feels so real. So needed this!

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
Full-steam-ahead on the Tiffany Aching books. Witchcraft, hard work, common sense and community!

YA Passport at Trident Booksellers with Lauren McLaughlin and Annie Cardi

February 28, 2017Leave a comment

capture Hey there, Boston-area YA fans! This Thursday, I’m going to be at Trident Booksellers & Cafe with fellow YA writer Lauren McLaughlin for a conversation about books, writing, and probably how great the sweet potato fries are at Trident. Lauren’s launching her new book, The Free, and I’m so excited to be part of the festivities.

The details:

YA Passport with Lauren McLaughlin and Annie Cardi
March 2, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115

Come say hi, get some tasty food/a refreshing beverage, snag a book, and take part in a fantastic YA conversation!

Friday Fifteen

February 24, 20171 Comment

Happy Friday, guys! This week has had some ups and downs, but the ups included beautiful sunny weather and seeing Newsies the Broadway musical movie experience with some awesome author friends, so I’m gonna call this week a win. Let’s kick the weekend off with some book reviews in fifteen words or fewer.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Engaging family drama with strong writing. Lydia and Nath stood out the most for me.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Why did it take me so long to read a Discworld book? Tiffany forever!

Running in Literature: A Guide for Scholars, Readers, Runners, Joggers and Dreamers by Roger Robinson
An interesting look at running in myth, poetry, and stories. Atalanta is my new favorite.