YA Fiction Pick and Mix 8/31/13 Edition with Giveaway of TWO BOYS KISSING by David Levithan

by Jan Lewis

Wasn’t that wonderful news from Clara Kensie last week about her book deal with the new digital imprint of Harlequin Teen? I’m so happy she can finally announce it and start getting you all excited about her book. I don’t know about you, but I’m fascinated by the idea that it will be released as a serial in three parts a week apart. I think back to the great books that started as serials and the cliffhangers that came out of the format. The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Christo are among my favorite books of all time, and I adore Sherlock Holmes. There’s also Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Madame Bovary, and Anna Kerenina. Having read Clara’s book, I know it was a thriller to start with. I can’t wait to see what happens in the editorial process.

What do you think of serials coming back? Is your opinion different as a reader than as a writer?

I’m in the editing cave for a few weeks, so the pick and mix is going to be shortened this week. I’m posting Clara’s winners below this week’s AMAZING new release from David Levithan, and I’ll see you again next weekend with the regular format.

The good news is that things are happening with my book! The team at Simon Pulse has picked a cover designer, who is already working on a concept I’m thrilled about. I’m hoping to get the go ahead soon to share some of the designer’s other work with you. They’ve also got a new title, which may change, so I’m not going to share yet. Most importantly, my editor has blown my mind with her insight into the story and into Barrie, Eight, Cassie, and the other characters. She’s picked up on nuances and history that aren’t even in the book. And her line edits are brilliant. In fact, looking at the pattern in her line edits, I came up with this week’s writing tip. It’s at the end of the post. 🙂

Have a wonderful week!

This Week’s Giveaway

Two Boys Kissing
by David Levithan
Hardcover Giveaway
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Released 8/27/2013

New York Times‘ bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record–all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites–all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

This follow-up to the bestselling Every Day showcases David’s trademark sharp-witted, warm-hearted tales of teenage love, and serves as a perfect thematic bookend to David’s YA debut and breakthrough, Boy Meets Boy, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013.

Purchase Two Boys Kissing at Amazon
Purchase Two Boys Kissing at IndieBound
View Two Boys Kissing on Goodreads

Clara’s Special Giveaway Winners

PRIZE PACK #1:

TIGER’S CURSE by Colleen Houck

THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan

BURNED, IMPULSE, and IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins

Winner: Heather Cranmer

PRIZE PACK #2:

VAMPIRE ACADEMY, FROSTBITE (VA#2), and SHADOW KISS (VA#3) by Richelle Mead

COLD KISS by Amy Garvey (ARC)

THE SUMMONING by Kelley Armstrong

Winner: The Magic Violinist

PRIZE PACK #3:

THE SUMMER OF SKINNY DIPPING by Amanda Howells

THE SWEET, TERRIBLE, GLORIOUS YEAR… by Lisa Shanahan

THIS LULLABY by Sarah Dessen

HOW NOT TO MAKE A WISH by Mindy Flask

SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD by Kim Culbertson
Winner: Erica Haglund

Reader of the Week: Natalie Aguirre

Natalie is a gift to the online writing community. As a reader, she does fantastic reviews and giveaways of great young adult and middle grade books over at Literary Rambles.

She is also a tireless friend to so many in the blogosphere. I don’t know how she does what she does, but she’s fantastic. Thank you, Natalie, for all you do, and for stopping by here so faithfully and supporting us!

Blogger/Writer of the Week: Carol Baldwin

Carol has been both a reader and a journal writer for more than 30 years. Her book, “Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8” (Maupin House, 2007) reflects these twin passions of reading and writing. “If you want to write, read!”

Carol is writing her first young adult novel, and she teaches and speaks as well. Hop on over to her blog to find posts like the following:

Revision and Seeing the Big Picture

What I’ve Learned from Writing Contests

Writing Tip of the Week

Do a global search for the word “it” in your manuscript. Replace almost every instance with specific details. Readers use detail to keep them grounded in the story, and the more unique the details are, the better. Replacing that one little word lets me build in additional detail and insights into character. Each generic “it” is a lost opportunity!

Repinned from the Mishawaka-Penn Library

Thought for the Week

Via Pinterest

Something Fun Things to Watch

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Jan Lewis

Jan Lewis writes YA fantasy of the contemporary and traditional varieties. She lives in Oklahoma with a husband, two kids, two cats, a dog, and a mother. Instead of unpublished, she prefers to call herself pre-published. While she enjoys drafting, her heart is truly in rewriting and editing. She loves ladybugs, fairies, blue roses, cats, musical theater, and pretty much all things geek.

Post © Jan Lewis and/or Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.

Posted: Aug 31, 2013

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: YA Fiction Giveaways

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The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p>
<p>Your main character needs to be:<br />
• Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br />
• Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br />
• Active enough to drive the story<br />
• Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p>
<p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />

The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p>
<p>But your theme needs to be:<br />
• Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br />
• Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br />
• Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br />
• Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p>
<p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />

The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p>
<p>In general, your plot should:<br />
• Hook readers fast<br />
• Build tension that a child can follow<br />
• Create page turns that feel natural<br />
• Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p>
<p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.

The Arms of your story are the side characters.

The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p>
<p>Your setting should:<br />
• Make your character's world feel real<br />
• Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br />
• Connect different scenes and moments organically<br />
• Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p>
<p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black.

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