Exciting Rap Trailer for Simone Elkeles New Release!

Simone Elkeles, author of Perfect Chemistry has put together this absolutely fantastic rap trailer for her YA book. She’s got two versions, the uncut and the G-rated. I watched the uncut. It’s clever, it’s hip and it’s a must-see. I won’t say any more. Get yourself over to her website and check this trailer out. Tell me what you think and tell me you don’t want to go out and buy this book.

Major kudos to Simone!

www.simonelkeles.net

Coming in December 2008!

A modern tale of star-crossed lovers with a fresh urban twist. At Fairfield High School, on the outskirts of Chicago , everyone knows that south-siders mixing with north-siders can be explosive. So when Brittany Ellis and Alejandro “Alex” Fuentes are forced to be lab partners in chemistry class, this human experiment leads to unexpected revelations – that Brittany ’s flawless reputation is a cover for her troubled home life, that Alex’s bad-boy persona hides his desire to break free from gang ties, and that when they’re together, life somehow makes more sense. Breaking through the stereotypes and expectations that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart, Perfect Chemistry takes readers to both sides of the tracks in a passionate love story about looking beneath the surface.

Check out the Chats

We've had three chats so far and three still to go. If you're interested in seeing who the authors are and what they talked about visit here.

Enjoy!

It's Official!

We lined up an awesome program for seven 11th grade English classes. We found six YA authors who graciously gave their time to make this program a success by chatting online with the students. We also have one email interview set up with a New York editor. How cool is that!

Want to know who we got? Check out the list:

Margo Lipschultz
Editor, HQN

Julie A. Harford
Author, If You Could Only Choose Your Mother

Bev Katz Rosenbaum
Author, I Was A Teenage Popsicle & Beyond Cool

Jenny Han
Author, Shug

Judy Gregerson
Author, Bad Girls Club

Jay Asher
Author, Thirteen Reasons Why

Greg Neri
Author, Chess Rumble & Yummy

The chats will be taking place next week and the week after. I'll be posting feedback from the authors. Stop by and see what they had to say about their chats.

The Laughs Never End with Author Rhonda Stapleton

I'm so pleased to bring an interview to you with author Rhonda Stapleton. Her book Stripped is a chick lit that has gotten great reviews. Currently, she is actively marketing her YA manuscript and hopes to break into the YA chick lit market with Nibbling Nirvana. We certainly wish her success and hope to hear good news on that front soon. And if you want to get to know Rhonda's wicked sense of humor better, visit her blog.

1. First off, tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into writing YA and why chick lit?

I have two kids and a fiance who keep me busy at home. LOL. I have a Master's degree in English and a Bachelor's degree in English, creative writing. I actually started out as an adult writer--I have an adult chick lit novel and an adult chick lit short story published through Freya's Bower. I started that adult novel as a romantic comedy, then realized chick lit was a better fit for my voice and decided to run with it. A writer friend of mine, Erin McCarthy said I should try writing YA. And she was right--I fell in love with the genre instantly!

2. You write chick lit for adults and for teens. What are the similarities and differences writing for these two markets?

Great question. The similarities for me is the chick lit angle. I tend to have a very conversational tone in my writing, which carries well into both adult and YA. But YA presents its own challenges--writing tight, and channeling how things are for the modern-day teen. It sure ain't Sweet Valley High anymore! :D

3. What is your YA story Nibbling Nirvana about? What are your plans for this novel?

This story is about a flaky, self-centered girl who dies while eating a pulled pork sandwich. So, she becomes a ghost and has to accomplish some good deeds in order to cross over. The idea came about because I choked on a pulled pork sandwich one time--NOT fun. My agent is currently submitting the novel to publishers as we speak! *gulp*

4. Briefly describe, Stupid Cupid, which sounds like a hoot, by the way. In what stage of completion is it?

This story is about a teen who becomes cupid for her school. Of course, she's pretty bad at matchmaking, and some crazy stuff happens. The story is completed and going through revisions right now, and then I'll send it to my agent to see what she thinks.

5. What is it you hope readers take away from your stories?

For me, I hope they feel like they just came away from a funny conversation with a close friend. I like the intimate, close feel of writing. I also write a lot of funny--I just like writing goofy stuff!

6. Do you find it harder or easier to write novels for teens as opposed to adults? Why or why not?

Wow, good question. In a way, I actually find it harder to write for adults. Maybe I'm just a teenager trapped in a woman's body. LOL. But the teen voice just felt right to me.

7. On your website you have "Romance, Fun and lots of Laughter." Is that a principle you live by? How do you not let things get to you?

Oh, absolutely. Doesn't mean I don't flub up and get down sometimes, but I think life is too short to feel bad. I hope when I get really old, I have tons of laugh lines around my eyes and mouth. To me, that's REAL character, you know? Having great memories of laughing so hard, tears pour out of the sides of my eyes. But when I get too down to laugh off my problems, I run right to the Reese's peanut butter cups. My pants hate me for it, though. haha

8. What YA books have you read recently that you loved? Who are some of the YA writers that you like?

I've read several that I loved: Lois Lowry writes some FABULOUS YA stuff--I read The Giver, Gathering Blue, and The Messenger. Her stuff is so simplistic, but beautiful. I also read a great book called The Heavenward Path by Kara Dalkey. Great read--go get it if you love reading about ancient Japan! Hmmmm--I also read Now and Zen, which is set in modern Japan, by Linda Gerber. There are tons in my to-be-read pile, too, including Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I like reading all kinds of YA--historical, funny, serious, etc.

9. If you could be any character from any movie or book, who would you choose to be and why?

This is a cool question. I don't think anyone has asked me that before. SO many people to choose! I'd say someone like Angela Lansbury and investigate crazy happenings (and solve them!!), but it would stink to have people be afraid of you--every time she goes somewhere, someone kicks off. So, maybe Nancy Drew is a better answer. :D

10. When you were growing up, did you dream of becoming a writer? What did you want to be?

Actually, I had about 42,000 different careers I wanted to try, including opera singer (until I went from soprano to alto), deep-sea diver (until I learned about the bends, which freaked me out), a cartoon animator (until my mom made me pass on an art scholarship to a college because it was in another state--wah!), psychologist (until I got preggers and didn't have time to finish all that schooling), and teacher (until I realized I hated the school's education program, haha). I decided on English, finally, because it was a core interest of mine forever. And what I love about writing is that I can be all of these! I can research them, make characters live these roles, and that way, I don't have to pick just one career. Which is great for my other personalities. haha

11. Five years from now, where do you hope to be in your writing career?

I hope to have many YAs written and sold! I'd love to keep moving up, get my books out there, continue growing in my writing and expanding. I think writers need to take an active interest in their own careers, and I plan to do so.

Blogs to Check Out!

It constantly amazes me how many terrific blogs are out there that focus on reading and the YA market. This week I came across two more that I wanted to tell you about.

First there is All Info About Teen Reading, a terrific all-round resource for teachers, parents and teens with regard to reading activities. Take the time to scroll down to the variety of information available, such as the Paperback Swap Exchange.

Second, it appears that several YA authors have gotten together to form the Teen Fiction Cafe. At the moment the site displays the latest covers along with links to those author's webpages. It's a cool way to introduce you to authors you may not have read. There's a slightly unfinished look to the site as if they may decide to blog but haven't decided. It's worth keeping your eye on.

Patrizia

Interview with Linda Gerber

When I discovered on a Yahoo YA Writing Loop that a fellow writer lived in Tokyo, I knew we had to meet. In a Roppongi Starbucks we sat down for coffee and talked about writing, balancing it with family, and our goals. Linda is as warm and personable as she comes across in this interview below. --Patrizia

How long have you been writing and how did you discover your true fit lay in the young adult market?

Part one: I’ve been writing forever, but only professionally for a few years.
Part two: I’m still channeling my inner teenager so I naturally gravitate to YA.

Describe your journey to being published. What were some of the high points and low points?

Long, long ago, in a kingdom far away, a wannabe writer set out on a quest. Trusty books at her side and computer at her fingertips, she wrote and wrote and wrote. Queries were sent. Rejections were received. Still she wrote. Then, one bright and sunny morning, she received an email. ‘Would you like to write for S.A.S.S.?’ an editor said. ‘Yes!’ cried the writer. And she wrote and wrote and wrote. The end… no! The beginning!

Tell us about being a part of a publisher-driven series. What limitations
did you have to work with? Did you feel those limitations interfered with
the story?

Writing for a publisher-driven series is like building a house with the frame already in place; you know it’s going to have four bedrooms and two and a half baths - everything else it up to you. Does this place limitations on the house? Yeah, if you want to put in a basement but zoning restrictions prevent it. If you’re a good contractor, though, you can work around that. Finish the attic instead.

Your first book Now and Zen came out in Fall 2006. What’s it about?

Nori Tanaka is thrilled to be studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan, but it isn't exactly what she had imagined. She expected tranquil gardens and swoopy-roofed houses, not concrete and neon. And everyone assumes that, with her traditional Japanese features, she's a native instead of the naïve Japanese-American that she really is. Even Erik, a gorgeous German student, mistakes Nori for Japanese, and treats her like a personal tour guide. Nori is sure that he'll like her for who she is once he gets to know her, so what harm can come of temporarily pretending to be Japanese? It doesn't take long to realize that she has a lot to learn about Japan, and about herself, before she can pass for a native. But after exploring the karaoke clubs in Tokyo, the peaceful temples in Kyoto, and the tranquil heights of Mt. Fuji, Nori knows she has a good chance of finding the hidden Japanese spirit and Zen mindset within herself.

What books do you have scheduled for release this year? Can you give a brief description? And what are you currently working on?

My second book in the S.A.S.S. series, The Finnish Line, will be released in September. It’s the story of a girl from Park City, Utah – a competitive ski jumper - who goes to Finland for her semester abroad and works to become one of the first female jumpers allowed to jump at the Lahti Ski Games.

My new baby is a mystery series for Puffin’s sleuth imprint. I just completed the first book and am diving headfirst into the second.

Any suggestions on how writers can learn about publisher driven series that might be open to new authors?

Keep up on the market. Watch Publishers’ Lunch. Haunt your local bookstore. Check out the new series books coming on the market and pay attention to who the publishers/distributors are.

Join a writer’s organization such as SCBWI and take advantage of their market updates.

Network, network, network. This is how I first heard about the S.A.S.S. series.

How do you stay in touch with your target audience? Aside from a website or My Space page, is there anything else a children's writer should do to stay current with trends?

Hang out with the people you’re writing for. You had better like kids if you want to write for them – they can smell a phony a mile off. Read what they read. Watch what they watch. Let them download their playlists into your iPod. Have fun!

What do you find to be most difficult writing for the YA market? Easiest?

Difficult? The competition. There are some great YA books and authors out there. Easiest? Getting caught up in the stories and characters. I love writing YA!

In your opinion, how important is it to have an agent to break into the YA market? What are some of the considerations a YA writer should think about when searching for an agent?

I have a navigation system in my car. I also have a printed map. I can find my way around Tokyo using either one of them. The navigation system just makes it a whole lot easier.

In shopping for agents, I say go for one who A. represents (and LOVES) the type of book you write and B. has a proven sales record C. his/her clients aren’t ripping said agent apart on their blogs…though some of those should be taken with a whole shaker full of salt…

YA has been hot. Do you see that trend continuing? Do you have any
concerns about the direction of the market?

Pull out your fan, baby, ‘cause YA ain’t cooling down any time soon. I think the market’s moving in so many different directions, you can find whatever you want to find. I’m looking at the good stuff. No concerns there.

What are some of your favorite books? Your favorite authors? In YA and in general.

“Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold…” I’m always adding to my favorites list. The latest additions are Kate Coomb’s Runaway Princess, (which is a whole lot cooler than the title makes it sound,) and Ally Carter’s I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You, (which, yeah, is just that cool.) My favorite authors list is always growing, too. In YA, I love Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen, Ioin Colfer, Phillip Pullman, Donna Jo Napoli, Jonathan Stroud, Kate Coombs, Marsha Skrypuch, K.C. Dyer… I could go on and on. My ‘grown up’ favorites include Brad Meltzer, Lee Child, Gayle Lynds and Tess Gerritsen.

Where do you get your ideas from? How much influence has your
international experience had on your writing?

I order my ideas online at www.bestsellers.com. If that doesn’t work, I eavesdrop on people and steal their looks, their mannerisms, their personalities and anything else that isn’t nailed down.

The International thing, of course, provided the opportunity to write the S.A.S.S. books. I also think it’s broadened my perspective. I mean, I now know how to dress like a Harajuku girl. My life and my writing are enriched.

How do you juggle family life and a writing career? Any tips for the writing parent?

I send my progeny out the door at 8:30 and play… er, write until they return at 3:00. (When I’m not scrubbing toilets, shopping, cooking, cleaning the turtle’s tank, doing laundry, volunteering at school, running errands, and all that other annoying mom stuff that takes up my writing time!)

Advice to writing parents? Gather your family together let them know you are going to make writing a top priority. Carve out some time for yourself. They will not understand this. Show them, with love and patience, that you mean business. Don’t back down! If you don’t take your writing time seriously, no one else will.

What advice would you give the unpublished writer trying to break into
the childrens and/or YA market?

Read. Write. Send your stuff out. Don’t stop.


To learn more about Linda Gerber and her books, please visit her website at www.lindagerber.com