Suzanne Young's Blog, page 10
July 18, 2011
Summer 2011 SCBWI Pre-Conference Interview: Julie Strauss-Gabel
In another SCBWI Team Blog exclusive, I'm here with the incredible Julie Strauss-Gabel. I had the opportunity to chat with her in a pre-conference interview for the Annual Summer Conference in LA!
Let's learn more:
Julie Strauss-Gabel is the Vice President and Publisher of Dutton Children's Books, a small middle grade and young adult fiction list (Please note that Dutton no longer acquires picture books.) A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard University, Julie worked at Hyperion Books for Children and Clarion Books before joining Dutton in 1992. Her authors include: Ally Condie (Matched), Gayle Forman (If I Stay, Where She Went), Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark & Grimm), John Green (Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns), Nina LaCour (Hold Still), Lauren Myracle (the Winnie Years series), Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss), and Nova Ren Suma (Imaginary Girls). (From SCBWI website)
I got a chance to interview Julie Strauss-Gabel about the upcoming conference:
What advice can you offer first time attendees on how to select the right workshops for them?
Pick the opportunities that are both for the writer you are and the author/professional you hope to become, being realistic about what you really need now or in the near future. I think it's important to mix in some attention to craft, not just focus on selling. All that said, this is a special opportunity that doesn't come along often, so make time for someone you've always wanted to hear speak, or take a chance on a new topic.
What topics will you touch on in your talk?
I'm looking forward to talking with a lot of people about the talented authors I'm working with and the list I'm building at Dutton. It's been an exciting few months as Dutton moves into a small, fiction only list, and it's nice to have the opportunity to be back with so many friends at the LA SCBWI Summer Conference to talk about it.
The LA SCBWI Summer Conference has a great mix of writers. What do you think newly published authors can gain from attending a conference?
Especially at a conference this big, I think writers at every level can find information and inspiration. Not only is it a great opportunity to take your craft to the next level (everyone is always learning and getting better . . . that never stops), but also to pick up some knowledge about marketing and the business overall. And the personal connections you will make with other writers is so, so important; it's probably the best thing about the conference.
There you have it! Yet another reason to attend!! Thank you so much to Julie Strauss-Gabel and I hope to see all of you at the conference!
Let's learn more:
Julie Strauss-Gabel is the Vice President and Publisher of Dutton Children's Books, a small middle grade and young adult fiction list (Please note that Dutton no longer acquires picture books.) A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard University, Julie worked at Hyperion Books for Children and Clarion Books before joining Dutton in 1992. Her authors include: Ally Condie (Matched), Gayle Forman (If I Stay, Where She Went), Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark & Grimm), John Green (Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns), Nina LaCour (Hold Still), Lauren Myracle (the Winnie Years series), Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss), and Nova Ren Suma (Imaginary Girls). (From SCBWI website)
I got a chance to interview Julie Strauss-Gabel about the upcoming conference:
What advice can you offer first time attendees on how to select the right workshops for them?
Pick the opportunities that are both for the writer you are and the author/professional you hope to become, being realistic about what you really need now or in the near future. I think it's important to mix in some attention to craft, not just focus on selling. All that said, this is a special opportunity that doesn't come along often, so make time for someone you've always wanted to hear speak, or take a chance on a new topic.
What topics will you touch on in your talk?
I'm looking forward to talking with a lot of people about the talented authors I'm working with and the list I'm building at Dutton. It's been an exciting few months as Dutton moves into a small, fiction only list, and it's nice to have the opportunity to be back with so many friends at the LA SCBWI Summer Conference to talk about it.
The LA SCBWI Summer Conference has a great mix of writers. What do you think newly published authors can gain from attending a conference?
Especially at a conference this big, I think writers at every level can find information and inspiration. Not only is it a great opportunity to take your craft to the next level (everyone is always learning and getting better . . . that never stops), but also to pick up some knowledge about marketing and the business overall. And the personal connections you will make with other writers is so, so important; it's probably the best thing about the conference.
There you have it! Yet another reason to attend!! Thank you so much to Julie Strauss-Gabel and I hope to see all of you at the conference!
July 14, 2011
Summer 2011 SCBWI Pre-Conference Interview: Steven Malk
As part of my pre-conference coverage for SCBWI's Summer Conference, I got a chance to interview fantastic agent Steven Malk of Writers House. Here's more about him:
Steven Malk is the third generation of his family to be involved in children's books, as both his mother and grandmother owned children's bookstores. He opened a West Coast office for Writers House in 1998, and represents a wide range of authors and illustrators, including Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith, Marla Frazee, Kadir Nelson, Sara Pennypacker, Jennifer Donnelly, Brett Helquist, Sonya Sones, Adam Rex, Deborah Wiles, and Cynthia Rylant, among others. (from SCBWI's website)
I was lucky enough to interview Steven about the upcoming conference:
Are you doing any manuscript critiques this year? If so, what can an author expect in terms of feedback?
I will be doing critiques this year. I do my best to provide constructive feedback to the author about his or her work, both from a strictly editorial perspective and also in terms of how the work fits into the market from an agent's perspective. I really believe that the best editorial conversations are a dialogue, so I always hope for some back and forth in the critique session and try to ask questions that hopefully get the author to think of his or her work in new ways. My goal is for the author to take my comments, think about them carefully, and use them as a springboard to really dig in and build on my feedback in a way that will result in the best revision possible.
The SCBWI Summer Conference is a great way to meet perspective agents. Have you ever met a client through a conference or after-conference submission?
I've been fortunate to have met lots of talented people at the conference over the years, and a few of them have ended up becoming clients. At one of my very first conferences, I met Sonya Sones after one of my talks. She introduced herself and then sent me her manuscript, STOP PRETENDING, right after the conference. I'll never forget reading the whole thing in one sitting and being completely blown away. At that same conference, I met Bruce Hale, who submitted the first book in his CHET GECKO series to me following the conference. And, finally, I critiqued Stephanie Hemphill at the conference. She submitted the poems that eventually formed the foundation for her first book, THINGS LEFT UNSAID. Stephanie's gone on to write several well-loved books and she won a Printz Honor for YOUR OWN, SYLVIA.
What advice can you give first-time attendees in terms of making the most of their conference experience?
I think the key to making the most of the conference experience is to go in with an enthusiastic but relaxed attitude and not to put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes, I think people go in with very specific goals to the point that they feel the conference will be a failure if they don't talk to a certain person or get a request from an agent or editor. And that's not the case at all. The more important thing is to just soak up as much as you can and relish the chance to be around so many people who love children's/middle-grade/YA books as much as you do. The most important and useful piece of information you pick up at the conference might come from a speech you hear or a critique you get or even just from an informal conversation in the lobby with a fellow writer or illustrator. If you can go into the conference just expecting to have fun and learn as much as you can, you won't be disappointed and you'll keep coming back year after year.
Wow, amazing right?? Thank you so much, Steven! And everyone, I'll see you in just a few weeks!!
-Suz
Steven Malk is the third generation of his family to be involved in children's books, as both his mother and grandmother owned children's bookstores. He opened a West Coast office for Writers House in 1998, and represents a wide range of authors and illustrators, including Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith, Marla Frazee, Kadir Nelson, Sara Pennypacker, Jennifer Donnelly, Brett Helquist, Sonya Sones, Adam Rex, Deborah Wiles, and Cynthia Rylant, among others. (from SCBWI's website)I was lucky enough to interview Steven about the upcoming conference:
Are you doing any manuscript critiques this year? If so, what can an author expect in terms of feedback?
I will be doing critiques this year. I do my best to provide constructive feedback to the author about his or her work, both from a strictly editorial perspective and also in terms of how the work fits into the market from an agent's perspective. I really believe that the best editorial conversations are a dialogue, so I always hope for some back and forth in the critique session and try to ask questions that hopefully get the author to think of his or her work in new ways. My goal is for the author to take my comments, think about them carefully, and use them as a springboard to really dig in and build on my feedback in a way that will result in the best revision possible.
The SCBWI Summer Conference is a great way to meet perspective agents. Have you ever met a client through a conference or after-conference submission?
I've been fortunate to have met lots of talented people at the conference over the years, and a few of them have ended up becoming clients. At one of my very first conferences, I met Sonya Sones after one of my talks. She introduced herself and then sent me her manuscript, STOP PRETENDING, right after the conference. I'll never forget reading the whole thing in one sitting and being completely blown away. At that same conference, I met Bruce Hale, who submitted the first book in his CHET GECKO series to me following the conference. And, finally, I critiqued Stephanie Hemphill at the conference. She submitted the poems that eventually formed the foundation for her first book, THINGS LEFT UNSAID. Stephanie's gone on to write several well-loved books and she won a Printz Honor for YOUR OWN, SYLVIA.
What advice can you give first-time attendees in terms of making the most of their conference experience?
I think the key to making the most of the conference experience is to go in with an enthusiastic but relaxed attitude and not to put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes, I think people go in with very specific goals to the point that they feel the conference will be a failure if they don't talk to a certain person or get a request from an agent or editor. And that's not the case at all. The more important thing is to just soak up as much as you can and relish the chance to be around so many people who love children's/middle-grade/YA books as much as you do. The most important and useful piece of information you pick up at the conference might come from a speech you hear or a critique you get or even just from an informal conversation in the lobby with a fellow writer or illustrator. If you can go into the conference just expecting to have fun and learn as much as you can, you won't be disappointed and you'll keep coming back year after year.
Wow, amazing right?? Thank you so much, Steven! And everyone, I'll see you in just a few weeks!!
-Suz
July 13, 2011
About last night...
Here are a few pictures from last night's A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL signing. You can see more on Facebook. Thanks to EVERYONE who came out! I'm incredibly grateful for your support. It was so much fun, and I'm really sorry to the couple who witnessed the spit-takes (yes, plural) at the afterparty...
Next stop is Washington on 7/31! More details on my events page. Thanks!!!
Next stop is Washington on 7/31! More details on my events page. Thanks!!!
July 12, 2011
Book Signing: Powell's Books Cedar Hills TONIGHT!
My first A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL book signing is tonight! And I'm not at all nervous. I also haven't been able to sleep, or eat, or write, or read.... WAIT! I am nervous!!!!
Anyway, I hope to see you there! Here's the information about the event:
And if you can't make it, you can still order a signed copy and Powell's will ship it to you. Cool, right?? Follow THIS LINK to order.
Now I'll go back to not being nervous....
Anyway, I hope to see you there! Here's the information about the event:
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 07:00 PM Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.
Beaverton, OR 97005
Suzanne Young's new novel for teens, A Need So Beautiful (Balzer & Bray), is a completely original take on angel mythology. Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong. She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need — a powerful urge to help someone, usually a stranger. But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. As the Need grows stronger, however, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte.
And if you can't make it, you can still order a signed copy and Powell's will ship it to you. Cool, right?? Follow THIS LINK to order.
Now I'll go back to not being nervous....
July 10, 2011
A LOVE THAT OVERCOMES-Writing challenge
Over at inkpop.com I'll be the guest judge for a superfun writing contest! Here's more about it:
(from inkpop.com)
And HERE is where you can enter. Good luck!!
(from inkpop.com)
Charlotte's boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him, but what's really wrong is that Charlotte has a constant need. As a Forgotten—a kind of angel on earth—Charlotte is constantly drawn to help virtual strangers. This is the conflict that propels the story of A Need So Beautiful.
Now it's your turn. Write a short story, poem or person essay about love that overcomes all obstacles.
Two writing winners will be selected by author and guest judge Suzanne Young to receive a free copy of A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL as well as three books of their choice from HarperTeen. Two comment winners will be selected at random to win a free copy of A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL as well as three books from the HarperTeen library.
PRIZES FOR 4 WINNERS!
Two writing winners and two commenters will be also be selected to win a copy of LARK as well as three additional books of their choice from the HarperTeen catalog. Winners will be announced here on inkpop Forums.
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL WRITING CHALLENGE DETAILS
Format Selection: Any
Genre: Short Story, Poem, Personal Essay
Launch Date: July 7th, 2011
Deadline: July 14th, 2011 (12 p.m. EST)
And HERE is where you can enter. Good luck!!
July 1, 2011
Cool News!
I was super excited today to see on Amazon.com that A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL was one of the Editors' Picks for Best Book of the Month in Young Adult. HOORAY!!! This is what they had on the main page of the selections:
And now... I'm going on vacation!! Enjoy the holiday!
What a great honor! You can check out the other three selections and the list HERE. You can even read inside A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL!A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Charlotte wants to resist The Need, which as a Forgotten means she is drawn to helping a stranger. As it becomes stronger she must accept or fight her destiny in A Need So Beautiful, a stunning and emotional new novel by Suzanne Young.
And now... I'm going on vacation!! Enjoy the holiday!
Summer 2011 SCBWI Pre-Conference Interview: Alessandra Balzer
The SCBWI Summer Conference in LA is just around the corner, and to give you more behind the scenes action, Team Blog is conducting pre-conference interviews. Today I'm here with Alessandra Balzer:
Alessandra Balzer is the Vice President, Co-Publisher of Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books. She edits everything from picture books to novels for teens. Among the authors and illustrators she is fortunate enough to work with are Candace Bushnell, Doreen Cronin, Stephanie Hemphill, Gordon Korman, Patty McCormick, Bob Shea, and Mo Willems. Recent projects include the #1 New York Times bestseller Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion, the National Indie bestseller The Trouble with Chickens: A JJ Tully Mystery, and the New York Times bestselling Carrie Diaries series. (From SCBWI's website)
I got a chance to interview Alessandra Balzer about what you can expect from this summer's conference:
1.) What do you think authors can learn from editors when attending a SCBWI conference?
I think they can get terrific, straightforward feedback about the publishing and the editorial process. I also love hearing people's stories about their experiences or their career paths—it can be so inspiring. Authors should come prepared with lots of questions. They'll also learn about editors' tastes and what they are looking for.
2.) What will be the focus of your workshop, and do you think it's best suited for published or aspiring authors?
My workshop will reveal the key secret to publishing that has been protected by editors for centuries...kidding! Sadly there is no one secret. I'm going to debunk some myths that authors have probably heard about the publishing process and be very honest about the process that editors go through in-house for acquisition, and what my particular imprint (Balzer + Bray) is looking for. I'll also leave lots of time for questions--that's often the most useful part for writers. It's probably best suited for aspiring writers and published writers who are just starting out.
3.) Is there any advice you can give writers on how to reach out to editors or agents they've met through SCBWI?
Most editors work in publishing houses that do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. But usually the presenters will be willing to accept submissions from attendees for a short period of time. They will normally detail that in their presentation and if they do not, authors should ask. I'm sure Lin, Sara, or Kim will have a good idea if you can't find it out through your session.
So there you have it! Yet another reason to attend this year's conference!! You can check out more interviews and insights at the conference home page. Hope to see you this summer!!!
-Suzanne
Alessandra Balzer is the Vice President, Co-Publisher of Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books. She edits everything from picture books to novels for teens. Among the authors and illustrators she is fortunate enough to work with are Candace Bushnell, Doreen Cronin, Stephanie Hemphill, Gordon Korman, Patty McCormick, Bob Shea, and Mo Willems. Recent projects include the #1 New York Times bestseller Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion, the National Indie bestseller The Trouble with Chickens: A JJ Tully Mystery, and the New York Times bestselling Carrie Diaries series. (From SCBWI's website)I got a chance to interview Alessandra Balzer about what you can expect from this summer's conference:
1.) What do you think authors can learn from editors when attending a SCBWI conference?
I think they can get terrific, straightforward feedback about the publishing and the editorial process. I also love hearing people's stories about their experiences or their career paths—it can be so inspiring. Authors should come prepared with lots of questions. They'll also learn about editors' tastes and what they are looking for.
2.) What will be the focus of your workshop, and do you think it's best suited for published or aspiring authors?
My workshop will reveal the key secret to publishing that has been protected by editors for centuries...kidding! Sadly there is no one secret. I'm going to debunk some myths that authors have probably heard about the publishing process and be very honest about the process that editors go through in-house for acquisition, and what my particular imprint (Balzer + Bray) is looking for. I'll also leave lots of time for questions--that's often the most useful part for writers. It's probably best suited for aspiring writers and published writers who are just starting out.
3.) Is there any advice you can give writers on how to reach out to editors or agents they've met through SCBWI?
Most editors work in publishing houses that do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. But usually the presenters will be willing to accept submissions from attendees for a short period of time. They will normally detail that in their presentation and if they do not, authors should ask. I'm sure Lin, Sara, or Kim will have a good idea if you can't find it out through your session.
So there you have it! Yet another reason to attend this year's conference!! You can check out more interviews and insights at the conference home page. Hope to see you this summer!!!
-Suzanne
June 28, 2011
THE DAY BEFORE by Lisa Schroeder
I'm so excited that my friend Lisa Schroeder is publishing her new YA novel THE DAY BEFORE today!! And even my dog, Murdock, was so excited that he decided to recreate her cover.
Congrats, Lisa!! And everyone, pick up your copy today!
Amazon B&N Borders IndieBound
June 27, 2011
You can be the face of HarperTeen!
Over on HarperTeen's facebook page they are having an awesome contest in honor of A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL.
They have over 77,000 fans which means you could be REALLY POPULAR! :-) All you have to do is find something gold that you think is beautiful, or you can even paint yourself gold in honor of the book! For example, here's a great photo that VLC Productions took during the making of the book trailer:
What else is beautiful to you??? Post and comment HERE for your chance to win!!!!
-Suz
Check out the GORGEOUS gold cover of A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL! What else is "beautiful gold"? Post a photo to our wall that means "beautiful gold" to you, and we'll choose one to be the HarperTeen profile pic on July 2!
They have over 77,000 fans which means you could be REALLY POPULAR! :-) All you have to do is find something gold that you think is beautiful, or you can even paint yourself gold in honor of the book! For example, here's a great photo that VLC Productions took during the making of the book trailer:
What else is beautiful to you??? Post and comment HERE for your chance to win!!!!
-Suz
June 24, 2011
A Dramatic Reading- A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL
I was lucky enough to have my friend and author Josh Berk feature A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL in his hilarious MasterBerk Theatre.
Enjoy!
Where to get your copy:
Amazon B&N Borders Indiebound
Enjoy!
Where to get your copy:
Amazon B&N Borders Indiebound
