I met Henry Neff at last year’s NCIBA Fall Discovery show, where I not only learned about his Tapestry series, but I found out about IMPYRIUM, the first book in his new MG fantasy series. Anyone who loves intricate world-building should be sure to pick this one up: For over three thousand years, the Faeregine […]
Happy New Year to all! Tomorrow, on January 3, THE HUNDRED LIES OF LIZZIE LOVETT will hit the pavement! I featured it back in November, and I can’t wait for this story to get into the hands of readers: A teenage misfit named Hawthorn Creely inserts herself in the investigation of missing person Lizzie Lovett, […]
I first saw Zohreh Ghahremani on a panel that discussed libraries collaborating with local authors, and I really liked what she had to say. I even quoted her in this article. Once I found out more about her books, I knew I had to interview her. Sky of Red Poppies begins with an unusual friendship […]
I first got to know Maggie Thrash’s writing when her graphic memoir, Honor Girl, passed by my desk. It was a beautiful book in an of itself, but what I remember most about it was how hard it was to categorize. Did it go with biographies? Graphic novels? The important lesson here, of course, is […]
Every time I read one of A.S. King’s novels, I think she can’t possibly top it. Especially with the brilliant ways she’s been able to answer interview questions here on three different occasions: specifically here, here, and here. She is the epitome of what makes every wonderful writer–she keeps getting better. This is definitely apparent in […]
Earlier this year, I talked about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and what it taught me as a writer. While that movie fell a bit short of my expectations (A bigger Death Star? Really?), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story did not. And, I learned even more about what makes good story and character development. […]
Earlier this year, I featured the Bounders series by Monica Tesler. The newest book in the series, THE TUNDRA TRIALS, debuted yesterday. And, the first book in the series was also renamed with a new, episodic title. Have a look: Thirteen years ago, Earth Force—a space-military agency—discovered a connection between brain structure and space travel. […]
Last year, I featured Shannon Messenger and her Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and even though I hadn’t read her books yet, I was intrigued by them. Well. After having read the first one (twice), I can say that this series is so wonderfully addictive that I can’t wait to read more of it. […]
HOLDING COURT is just the kind of book I love to read. Not just for the setting (a castle-turned-dinner theater) or the comedy. It’s the unique voice that really makes this book sing, starting with the very first line: “I’m standing behind the counter of my mom’s antique shop, thinking about Grayson Chandler’s abs, when […]
Last week, my post about book promotion in libraries went live on The Write Life. Feel free to have a look. I hope that both librarians and authors find it helpful. Stay tuned for Wednesday, where I’ll be interviewing the amazing K.C. Held. And while you’re waiting, here’s a meme that I couldn’t help guffawing […]