Kate Messner's Blog, page 53

Making the Leap: Time to Change Manuscripts

My plan all summer long has been to get as far as I can on my new middle grade mystery and then set it aside when my editorial letter arrived for SUGAR ON SNOW, the figure skating novel that will be my second book with Walker Books for Young Readers.  I knew I'd need to make the switch this week, but it didn't go exactly as I'd planned. 

My editor actually emailed me the editorial letter on Monday with a note saying that line edits would arrive on Tuesday.  I  wanted both before I started revisi

BUG BOY by Eric Luper: Not Your Mother's Historical Fiction

Eric Luper's historical YA novel BUG BOY comes out on Tuesday, and I can't resist a little book celebration for one of my critique pals. If you know eluper , then you know he's one of the nicest, funniest guys you'll ever meet.  If you've read his first YA novel, BIG SLICK, you know he can spin a timely, fast-paced gambling story like nobody's business.  Now there's BUG BOY - a gambling story from days gone by that shows his talent for writing historical fiction as juicy and fast-paced as anythi

All I want to do is read.

How can I possibly pick up the house and do laundry and answer email with all these staring at me?

ALA Chicago - Day Four

Heading to the airport later this morning, but first, here are a few more photos from ALA and Chicago.

Yesterday started bright and early on the ALA exhibit floor, where I ran into malindalo  , whose debut YA novel ASH is on the way from Little Brown. It's a re-telling of Cinderella with a twist -- the main character falls in love not with the prince but with the King's huntress.  I read an ARC of Malinda's book a few weeks ago, and it's beautifully written. Don't miss it when it comes out in Sep

ALA Chicago - Day Three

I really meant to blog every night, but last night, after a full day on the exhibit floor, a trip up the Sears Tower, and then the Newbery/Caldecott/Wilder Banquet, all I could do last night was climb the stairs to our room, take off my pointy shoes (how do some of you wear those every day?), and fall into bed after an amazing, amazing day.

It started with a moment I've been waiting for 28 years.



I met Judy Blume. JUDY BLUME!!!!!! Her signing was right before mine, so my daughter and I were the

ALA Chicago - Day Two

My ALA signing is tomorrow morning from 10-11 at the Bloomsbury/Walker booth (#1711).  That meant today was a free day for me to enjoy the exhibit hall and merrily gather books.  (I am guessing that Heaven is a lot like the ALA floor only with a better food court.)

Random House was one of my first stops of the day, where I was delighted to find this.

I've been dying to read Rebecca Stead's WHEN YOU REACH ME, so one of these signed copies is now on the nightstand next to me - yay! 


It felt like eve

kmessner @ 2009-07-10T23:47:00

Be forewarned.  This is my first time at ALA or any conference this size, and I am excited.  Therefore, I will be posting photos and blogging over the next few days at a rate that only my mother will likely appreciate. 

My family arrived in Chicago this morning and dropped luggage off at our bed & breakfast in Hyde Park.



It's very close to the Obamas' home and to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, which is featured in Blue Balliett's THE WRIGHT THREE.  We're planning a walking tour some time over

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Mandy Hubbard

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You'll even be able to r

How They Got Here: 2009 Debut Author Cyn Balog

This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here." 

It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids.  2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors.  (You'll even be able to r

Tuesday in NYC

I have come to the conclusion that there is no good way to go to New York City "for the day" when you live where I live. 

My JetBlue experiment, which began with a sprint through the Burlington airport at 7am yesterday and ended with a four-hour flight delay and my arrival home at 4:15 this morning, confirmed this.  Next time, I will spend the night. 

My time in the city,  however, was delightful. It began in this fabulously pointy building.



I love that the publisher for THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GI