Look what I just saw, right at eye level, at the Union Square B&N! It’s a bit early still—these are September releases—but it still makes me giddy to see them! Now it’s your turn! Go look for them! Go buy them! (And if your preferred bookseller doesn’t yet have them or Galaxy … Read more
Tankborn received its first press review from Kirkus! Advanced genetic engineering and upsettingly plausible caste oppression keep pages turning in this futuristic science fiction tale… A good option for science-fiction fans interested in genetic engineering, rebellion and class issues. ETA: AND TODAY you can download the first four chapters and try it out!
Ever wonder how an editor might edit cross-culturally, or how an editor works with a cultural consultant? Not sick of hearing the story of how Tu started? Check out these interviews of me—and then go check out the rest of Doret’s and Uma’s blogs, because they’re both important voices in children’s literature right now. Interview … Read more
Writers often ask me about query letters—how to write them, what to put in them, what will hook me. The problem is that I hate query letters. I much prefer a simple cover letter with the first three chapters (NOT three chapters randomly sampled from the book). This is why my submission guidelines explicitly say, … Read more
For those of you who submitted PARTIAL manuscripts, I am nearly up to date on everything that has come in up through June 1. I’ll post when I am, so that you’ll know that if you haven’t heard from me, the answer is no. But I’m still working my way through a few. For those … Read more
Just a little reminder of my personal editorial policy and Lee & Low’s company guidelines when it comes to submissions: I am a bit slow in processing submissions. Sorry, I just have a lot on my plate that I’m juggling. I’m working on catching up on a LOT of submissions, and will be getting back … Read more
The announcement came out in Publisher’s Marketplace today, so I can share it here, too! Kimberly Pauley’s CAT GIRL’S DAY OFF, when a girl’s celebrity-addicted friends make her watch a viral Internet video, her secret “talent” to understand the language of cats catapults them into a celebrity kidnapping mystery with ties to Hollywood and Ferris … Read more
Pictures from a recent visit to NYC by Cynthia Leitich Smith! These were taken in Feb. 2011, but I completely forgot to post them. What’s that? You don’t know Cyn? How could you miss this unyielding advocate for children’s literature? In fact, I’m surprised you somehow managed to make it to MY site if you … Read more
And finally, part 3. Read parts 1 and 2 here and here. So now let’s talk about writing cross-culturally! Writing Cross-culturally A few months ago, I answered a reader’s question on my website, in which she asked, basically, “Is my character ‘black enough’?” which prompted a wide variety of responses, some voices expressing why the … Read more
See here for part 1. Many authors have broken that mold & followed Ursula K. Le Guin’s admonition to write more of the “other.” But there’s still a strong British tradition—among the biggest touchstones for kids from the 70s and 80s era are arguably Susan Cooper, Roald Dahl, Diana Wynne Jones, etc. All touchstones for … Read more
0 items in the cart ($0.00)