YA Sunday Morning News: This Week for Writers 6/25/17

by Lori Ann Palma

Hello, writers! It was a light week as far as YA news, but I’ve still got some great links to keep you motivated this summer.

If there’s a news story or blog post you found particularly interesting, or you want to share your thoughts on an article, send me a tweet. Or just stop by to say hello!

Enjoy!

Writing for Publication—Queries and Submissions:

PubCrawl Podcast: Query Refresher via Pub(lishing) Crawl: A podcast on crafting a query letter.

Writing for Publication—Book Marketing and Social Media:

A Millenial’s Guide to Killing It at Instagram via The Next Web: Tips to get you started on Instagram.
Helpful Tips for Promoting Your Blog on Social Media You Need Now via BadRedhead Media: Using social media to drive traffic to your blog.

Author Interviews:

FFBC Blog Tour, Spotlight, & Giveaway: The Suffering Tree (Elle Cosimano) via YA Books Central: Elle Cosimano stops at YABC to talk about her book, The Suffering Tree.
Lorie Langdon shares cover of ‘Olivia Twist’ and why the classic story resonates with her via Happily Ever After: Lorie Langdon on her upcoming YA historical fantasy, Olivia Twist, and why she felt compelled to reimagine Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.
Author Of The Week: Chat with Julie Eshbaugh (Obsidian and Stars), Plus Giveaway!! via YA Books Central: Interview with Julie Eshbaugh about her YA novel, Obsidian and Stars.
KAYLA OLSON GUEST POST and THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE GIVEAWAY via Literary Rambles: Kayla Olson discusses her path to publication in a guest post.
Why We Need Diverse Characters In YA Books, According To Angie Thomas via BuzzFeed Books: Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give, speaks to BuzzFeed about being inclusive when it comes to writing for children.
In Done Dirt Cheap, I wanted to write about sisterhood. via YA Interrobang: Interview with Sarah Nicole Lemon, author of Done Dirt Cheap.
We especially need flawed characters who are marginalized. via YA Interrobang: Interview with Riley Redgate, author of Noteworthy.

Adventures in YA Publishing Author Interviews:

Amanda K. Morgan, author of SUCH A GOOD GIRL, on doing what works for you

Literary Agent News and Interviews:

Meet the Agent: Anjali Singh of Ayesha Pande Literary via Writer’s Digest: Updated information on agent Anjali Singh and what she’s seeking in submissions.
Agent Susan Hawk: Likes and Dislikes via Kathy Temean: Interview with literary agent Susan Hawk and what she’s seeking in submissions.
AGENT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH KELLY VAN SANT AND QUERY CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY via Literary Rambles: Interview with Kelly Van Sant of D4EO Literary Agency.

Writing and Pitch Contests:

Pitch Wars 2017 … all the details! via Brenda Drake: The full details on this year’s Pitch Wars contest, opening August 2.

Writing Craft:

Why You Should Write a Synopsis Before You Start Writing Your Manuscript via Operation Awesome: Using a pre-novel synopsis to help you plot your story.
Creating Effective Transitions via Karen Woodward: Transition tips to get you from scene to scene.
The Blueprint for Writing a Novel from the First Five Pages to the End via Adventures in YA Publishing: Questions to ask about your characters as you craft your first five manuscript pages.

Writing Inspiration:

Confidence and the Writer, Musings from Author Catherine Egan via Adventures in YA Publishing: Author Catherine Egan shares some thoughts on being a confident writer.
Why Write During Difficult Times via Writer Unboxed: Writing as a cure to life’s ailments.

Publishing News & Trends:

What new YA covers hit the web this week? (June 20) via YA Interrobang: A look at this week’s YA cover reveals.
Penguin Announces New John Green Novel, ‘Turtles All the Way Down’ via Publishers Weekly: A new book from John Green is on its way.

New YA E-Book Deals:

New YA Book Giveaways:

YA New Book Deals and Releases:

New Releases this week 06/19-06/25 plus Giveaway of SUCH A GOOD GIRL via Adventures in YA Publishing: Our weekly feature of the best new YA releases, plus giveaway!
What new YA books release this week? (June 20) via YA Interrobang: Another selection of YA releases.
What’s New In YA ~ June 20th, 2017 via YA Books Central: YABC’s look at new YA releases.

Just for Fun:

Sarah Dessen Picks 7 Great Books for Your Beach Bag via The B&N Teen Blog: Books recommended by Sarah Dessen for your summer TBR list.

Lori Ann Palma

Posted: Jun 25, 2017

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: Lori Ann Palma | This Week for Writers

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← Previous: Amanda K. Morgan, author of SUCH A GOOD GIRL, on doing what works for you Next: Free 1st 5 Pages Writing Workshop Opens July 1st! →

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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