Shannon Messenger's Blog, page 38

Do you want to LET THE SKY FALL???? (Hint: there's a giveaway!)

Okay--don't go into shock, but I AM ACTUALLY POSTING ON MY BLOG. (I know, I know--I said don't go into shock!)

Sadly, this does not mean I'm out of the deadline cave. I'm still very much trapped in that dark, stressful place for at least another few weeks. But the good news is: I snuck out into the light because I have something SUPER AWESOME to share with you guys--and a contest too! (so you'll want to stick with me to the end of this post)

See, I don't know if you realize this, but LET THE SKY FALL is launching into the world in LESS THAN 100 DAYS!!!!

I know to some of you that might sound very far away--but trust me, that is SOON. Like holy crap, there aren't enough exclamation marks in the world to convey how soon that is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personally, I'd been planning to commemorate the impending countdown to LTSF's launch with a panicky, exclamation mark filled post (hey, kinda like this one) wherein I stressed about ALL THE THINGS.

Fortunately though, the lovely people at S&S had something MUCH more awesome planned (this is why authors shouldn't be in charge of these things). And so, I give you: THE MOST SHINY AWESOME COUNTDOWN WIDGET I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Make sure you click the play button in the top right--THERE ARE WIND SOUND FX!!!!(and if, for some reason, that isn't loading right on your screen, you can also find it HERE)
Equally exciting--or maybe even MORE SO--is that S&S has also built a super-awesome microsite for LET THE SKY FALL, which they will be adding all kinds of cool things to in the months to come. And to start off the fun, they have the first four chapters online for you to read. Click HERE to check that out.

You can also click HERE to add it to your Goodreads shelves and HERE to "like" LET THE SKY FALL on Facebook.
And of course this wouldn't be a proper celebration without a contest. SO I'M ALSO GIVING AWAY AN ARC OF LET THE SKY FALL!!!!!!!!!!
I want to make this really nice and easy for everyone (especially myself, given the whole DROWNING IN DEADLINES thing). So to enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm pacific time on Saturday, December 8th. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Sunday, December 9th. That's it--that's all you have to do. And international entries are welcome.
HOWEVER, I know some of you might wish there were a way to increase your chances of winning. So I will also give FIVE extra entries to anyone who posts the widget on their blog. I don't need a link--if you say you did it I trust you. But make sure you let me know that you did so I can give you your extra entries. 
Ready?
Set?
GO!!!!!!!

MMGM Links (12/3)

Yup. Still buried in the deadlines--SORRY--but as always, I have made up the MMGM links! And before we get to them I also want to say a) thank you SOOOOO much for bearing with me this month with my terrible blogging habits. And b) I do actually have something pretty cool to share with you tomorrow, so make sure you stop by then!
Okay, on to the links!

-Faith Hough is caught up in SUMMER OF THE GYPSY MOTHS. Click HERE to see why.   

- Emily Ellsworth has an awesome gift guide for middle grade readers. Click HERE to see who she included! 

- Gabrielle Predergast has 2 features this week. Click HERE to see her thoughts on THIRD GRADE ANGELS. And click HERE to see her thoughts on PEARL VERSE THE WORLD.

- Jennifer  Rumberger is sharing THE FOURTH STALL. Click HERE for her review. 

- Susan Olson is loving THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC. Click HERE to see what she thought. 

- Andrea Mack is caught up in THE EYE OF THE STORM. Click HERE to learn why she thinks its worth a read  

- Dorine White is shivering for THE VOID OF MIST AND THUNDER. Click HERE to see what she thought.  

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE WEDNESDAYS. Click HERE to see why. 

- Rosi Hollinbeck ia featuring CLEMENTINE AND THE FAMILY MEETING--with a giveaway! Click HERE for all the fun!

- Barbara Watson is cheering for MADISON MORGAN: WHEN DOGS BLOG--with a Giveaway! Click HERE to see why.     

- Laurisa Reyes is reviewing BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. Click HERE for her thoughts. 

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!

- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time! 

- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is always part of the MMGM fun. Click HERE to see what she's talking about today.

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.    

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome! 

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time

MMGM Links (11/26)

STILL in the deadline cave--and starting to feel like I'm never getting out. *cries* But here are your MMGM links!

-Barbara Watson is talking about... *blush* KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. (Eee!) Click HERE to see what her daughter thought. 

- Sue Heavenrich joins the MMGM fun with a feature on DON'T FEED THE BOY. Click HERE to welcome her to the group. 

- Dorine White is shivering for THE COLOR OF BONES. Click HERE to see what she thought.  

- Brennan & Meyrick Murphy are caught up in THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Click HERE to see what these two middle grader's thought.   

- Andrea Mack is soaring for FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX. Click HERE to learn why she thinks its worth a read 

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends KATERINA'S WISH. Click HERE to see what he thought.     

- Susan Olson is has some LINKS ABOUT DYSLEXIA. Click HERE to see what that's all about. 

- Laurisa Reyes has an interview with  Hans Bauer and Catherine Masicola--plus a GIVEAWAY of FISHTALE! Click HERE for details. 

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time! 

- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is always part of the MMGM fun. Click HERE to see what she's talking about today.

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.   

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time

MMGM Links (11/19)

Once again I have no MMGM for you--and I KNOW I've kinda dropped off the planet blogging-wise. SORRY! This deadline is basically killing me. But I will always do my best to assemble the links, so here you go!

- Dorine White is shivering for THE UNDERTAKERS--QUEEN OF THE DEAD. Click HERE to see what she thought. 

- Rosi Hollingbeck is cheering for THE AMAZING HARRY KELLAR--with a signed book GIVEAWAY. Click HERE for details.   

- Michael Gettel-Gilmarten is championing THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING UP. Click HERE to see what he thinks 

- Brennan & Meyrick Murphy are sold on DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE THIRD WHEEL. Click HERE to see what these two middle grader's thought.   

- Andrea Mack is featuring RACING HOME . Click HERE to learn why she thinks its worth a read 

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends CAPTURE THE FLAG. Click HERE to see what he thought.     

- Susan Olson is caught up in THE INFINITY RING, BOOK ONE: A MUTINY IN TIME. Click HERE to see why. 

- Michelle Mason is spreading the love for ZORA AND ME. Click HERE to see her review 

- Melanie Conklin is wondering at WONDER. Click HERE to see why she thinks you should be too.  

- Laurisa Reyes is reviewing MICHAEL VEY Click HERE to see what she thinks. 

- Danika Dinsmore is feeling OKAY FOR NOW. Click HERE for her review. 

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.  

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time! 

- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is always part of the MMGM fun. Click HERE to see what she's talking about today.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time

MMGM Links (11/12)

Still buried under deadlines--SORRY--but here's all the MMGM links:

- Dorine White is championing for THE YOUNG HEALER. Click HERE to see what she thought.   

- Andrea Mack is singing praises for THE HUMMING ROOM. Click HERE to learn why she thinks its worth a read.    

- Annie McMahon is cheering for THE CHILDREN OF MIDIAN. Click HERE for her feature. 

- Susan Olson is rooting for MAX QUICK: THE POCKET AND THE PENDANT. Click HERE to see why.  

- Jennifer Rumberger is featuring two series: CLEMENTINE and IVY + BEAN--with a DOUBLE GIVEAWAY. Click HERE to enter. 

- Faith Hough is ALSO singing praises for THE HUMMING ROOM (not surprised--I loved this book). Click HERE for her thoughts. 

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE GENIUS FILES: MISSION UNSTOPPABLE. Click HERE to see what he thought.    

 - Brennan & Meyrick Murphy are gushing about THE GODDESS GIRLS: GIRL GAMES. Click HERE to see what these two middle grader's thought.  

- Barbara Watson is wishing for KATERINA'S WISH. Click HERE to see why.  

- Michelle Mason is loving the BFG. Click HERE to see why she loves this classic. 

- Laurisa Reyes has an interview with author Arefa Tehsin! Click HERE for all the fun.  

- Rosi Hollingbeck is shouting out for TOBY GOLD AND THE SECRET FORTUNE--with a signed book GIVEAWAY. Click HERE for details.  

- Heidi Grange is heaping on the praise for GRAVEDIGGERS: MOUNTAIN OF BONE. Click HERE to learn more about it. 

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.  

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time! 

- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is always part of the MMGM fun. Click HERE to see what she's talking about today.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time

ALL THE THINGS!

Wow--is it Friday already???? WHERE DID THE WEEK GO??????????

Oh wait, I know where my week went:


Those, my friends, are copyedits for KEEPER 2. A.k.a: the most tedious and tiring part of my job multiplied by the longest book I've ever written. End result = *flail* *whimper*

(you'll also note the boxes and empty bookshelves in the background. Yes, I moved, and still have yet to unpack pretty much ANYTHING. Except those flowers and placemats on the table, strangely enough. I mean really, who needs dishes and pots and pans when there are decorative accents? One must have priorities!)

I also had a school and store visit this week (so much fun! Though sooooo exhausting).

And... I'm still trying to crank out a TON of new words on LTSF 2 in order to make my starting-to-feel-impossible deadline.

None of which I'm telling you to complain. These are all very happy things. BUT, they are also very time consuming things so they kept me away from blogging and twitter and facebook and all the other ways I usually like to connect with you guys. And they will probably continue to keep me away for the majority of this month. SORRY.

I promise things will get back to normal (ish) soon and that I will catch up on email and mailings (if you're waiting on a prize I promise, it IS coming. As soon as I unearth it from the leaning tower of boxes). Thank you so so so so SO much for bearing with me in the meantime.

Also: I have been TOTALLY remiss in mentioning a super-awesome event I'll be at this Saturday. If you live in SoCal you DON'T want to miss out. It's called YA In the Sun and there are some seriously cool authors who will be there (plus one awkward, giggly blonde). Check out the list:

Josephine AngeliniLeigh BardugoJennifer BosworthJessica BrodyDebra DrizaCynthia HandNancy HolderKirsten HubbardSuzanne LazearMarie LuSarah MaasGretchen McNeilShannon MessengerTone MilazzoCindy PonAndrew SmithBarrie SummyMcCormick TemplemanGreg VanEekhoutKiersten White
I mean.... WOW, right? The universe seriously might explode from all that awesome. And there will be signings and LOTS of mix/mingle time, plus raffles and all kinds of other fun things (we even have a live band!) So if you live in SoCal COME HANG OUT WITH US. Here's the event details--hope to see you there!
YA In The SunSaturday, November 102:30-4:30 pmEncinitas Library540 Cornish DriveEncinitas, CA(760) 753-7376

MMGM Links (11/5)

Okay, I know it's been a few weeks since I've had an MMGM for you, but with dual deadlines coming up and a few more events it *may* be a little bit longer before I'm back on track. But I'm still going to try to assemble the links every week. Just... bear with me!

And here's where you can find the other awesome MMGMs: 

- Jessica at Book Sake is raving about THE NECROMANCER.  Click HERE to see why. 

- Natalie Aguirre is featuring THE SPINDLERS--with an "Ask the Expert" interview and a GIVEAWAY. Click HERE to read more.

- Susan Olson is featuring her top ten time travel books. Click HERE to see what they are. 

- Andrea Mack is cheering for CAMO GIRL. Click HERE to learn why she thinks its worth a read.   

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends WONDER. Click HERE to see what he thought.    

- Alex Baugh joins the MMGM fun with KIZZY ANN STAMPS. Click HERE for all the fun.  

- Laurisa Reyes has an interview with author Kassy Tyler--with a GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for details. 

- Barbara Watson is gushing about TRUE COLORS--with a GIVEAWAY! Click HERE to enter.  

- Akossiwa Ketoglo is enraptured with THE UNWANTEDS. Click HERE for her review 

- Dorine White is struck by FOG. Click HERE to see what she thought. 

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.  

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time! 

- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is always part of the MMGM fun. Click HERE to see what she's talking about today.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time

ShaNoWriMo!!!

Sorry for the cheesy title guys--I *couldn't* resist. :)

But since it's Nov 1, and everyone has NaNo on the brain, I figured it was time to weigh in on whether I will be joining all the NaNoWriMo fun. And the answer is....

Sorta!

I will be doing some SERIOUS writing in November.  (In fact, I'm trying not to think about just how much writing I have to do, because it is a LOT.) I owe the sequel to LET THE SKY FALL rather soon, and with all the chaos of KEEPER's release I'm a *little* behind on my writing schedule.

But, that doesn't really count as NaNo-ing, because I'll be working on a book that I've already started (and thank goodness for that. *hugs the words that already exist, wishing there were more of them*). Plus, I'll be sending pages to CPs and revising as I go because well... I'd rather not send my lovely editor too hot of a mess.

So I will definitely be in the writing trenches, drafting like a madwoman all month, (and probably stressing and panicking on twitter). But I'm not *officially* NaNo-ing because I'm breaking a few too many rules (who knew I was a rebel?).

But I am happy to cheer you all on.

Go! 
Write! 
Win!!!! 
(and send cupcakes and caffeine--I'm going to need them!!!)
*\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/**\o/*(those are cheerleaders, in case you can't tell)

ROOTLESS Blog Tour Stop: Interview with Laura Rennert and Chris Howard (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Yay, welcome to today's stop on the ROOTLESS blog tour!!!! 
These days I don't have time to do very many blog tours--but I HAD be a part of this one because I LOVED this book. It's so amazingly well written--and talk about a head trip of a story. Seriously, read it. You won't regret it.
But right--you're not here to read my ramblings!
Today I have the privilege of sharing an amazing--and exclusive--interview between Chris Howard and his lovely and brilliant literary agent Laura Rennert. So take it away Chris and Laura!
(and make sure you read to the end--there's an AWESOME giveaway!)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ROOTLESS simply wouldn't exist without the amazing, Laura Rennert. Not only did she find a publishing home for the book after she helped me edit the manuscript, but if it wasn't for Laura, I might never have written the book at all! The first time we met, Laura read some of a manuscript I'd been working on for a few years. She didn't like the story much, but she liked my writing - and told me to write another book. So I did… and that book was ROOTLESS. As a result, I'd happily run into a burning building to save her pet chihuahua! In addition to being brilliant at what she does, Laura is also super cool… and she's graciously agreed to participate in this Q&A with me. BOOK BLOG TOUR EXCLUSIVE!

CHRIS: I brought ROOTLESS to the Big Sur Writing Workshop that your agency sponsors, and came away from that weekend with an agent, an editor, and some great new friends. Can you tell us a little about how the workshop came to be, and what's made it such a success over the years?

LAURA: We’re thrilled to be celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of our Big Sur Writing Workshop this December! As agents, we recognize that in-depth feedback on a manuscript from industry experts is incredibly valuable for writers, and is often hard to come by. The conference evolved to meet that need. Our agency created the Big Sur Writing Workshop because, though there are many conferences that present valuable industry information and offer networking opportunities, there aren't as many where a writer can get intensive feedback. One of the reasons the Big Sur Workshop is so special is that each attendee belongs to two critique groups of four or five writers, each with a group leader who's an experienced editor, agent, or author. Over the course of the weekend, each critique groups meets two times, for about two hours. Writers have the opportunity to workshop different sections of their work and get extensive hands-on feedback. They also have time for revision and can bring the revised material back for another session with their critique group.

Big Sur has been a great success over the years because of the attendees’ passion and commitment, the outstanding and generous faculty, and the intimate workshop setting, which fosters real relationships among writers and faculty. We're proud to have amazing success stories like yours! For us, the Big Sur Workshop is a labor of love. That so many attendees have found their agent or editor, turned an important corner with their manuscript, and gone on to get a publishing deal makes it all worthwhile for us.


CHRIS: One of the things I love about working with you is that you're hands-on at the editorial stage, before even sending a manuscript to the publisher. You pushed me to make ROOTLESS better with your great feedback, and my reaction to your ideas always seems to be "if I'd thought of that, I would have done it already!" It must be something that comes naturally to you, but how have you honed your editorial skills over time?

LAURA: Although I wouldn't say it's a requirement, I do believe that getting my Ph.D. in English Literature and teaching at the university level helped me hone my editorial skills. Those many years of literary analysis were invaluable. I also came close to attending a joint M.F.A. and Ph.D program and, though I didn't choose this path in the end, I did take quite a few creative writing courses. I'm drawn to great literary stylists, both of the past and of our time, and I believe reading widely and analyzing superlative works developed my taste and sharpened my editorial skills. Whenever I make big deals and have books that are breakout successes, I analyze the essential elements that are the basis for this success. These two things together, my academic background and my success in the market, have helped me come up with the criteria for powerful and successful books likely to stand the test of time. I use these criteria in assessing the works I choose to take on, and it also helps shape my approach to working on client manuscripts. I also invest in continuing education that helps me hone my editorial eye. For example, many authors need help with story structure, and I've found that Robert McKee's fantastic course on screenwriting, among others, has helped me work with authors on this aspect of their manuscripts. Finally, an occupational hazard and benefit: when I read in any genre, I always read with a critical eye, assessing what is working and what isn't working.


CHRIS: You represent such a diverse group of authors, from #1 NYT bestsellers Maggie Stiefvater, Ellen Hopkins and Jay Asher, to brand new, first-time authors. Are there common threads that tie your clients together, or is what draws you to a particular story always different?

LAURA: The common threads that tie my clients' diverse works together and draw me to a particular story are:

a.) an amazing, original voice
b). an unusual or fresh perspective
c). an ability to make the reader think and feel deeply
d). page-turning story telling
e). some element of narrative risk-taking
f). rich, replete world building


CHRIS: Though there are strong, dare I say badass, female characters in ROOTLESS, the protagonist, Banyan, is very much a seventeen-year-old dude. Why do you think so much of YA literature is dominated by female protagonists, and what do you think it'd take to buck that trend?

LAURA: I LOVE Banyan precisely because he's such a relatable teen guy!

So much of YA literature is dominated by female protagonists because this segment of the market is driven by girl readers. When editors make acquisitions, and when agents take on clients, they're especially on the lookout for works that appeal to this female audience. Editors and agents know that one of the best things about this female readership is its intense loyalty. Maggie Stiefvater's THE RAVEN BOYS, the first book in her new YA series, and Ellen Hopkins' new YA novel TILT just both debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List, and it's this amazing, committed female readership that helped put them there.

Unfortunately, this kind of thinking also becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Acquisitions are increasingly driven by this teen girl readership, so editors and agents have a harder time making the case for books that don't target this audience. As a result, agents take on fewer YA novels that target a male readership, editors are more reluctant to bring these books to acquisitions, and fewer such books are published. There's a trickle down effect. Writers are then disinclined or discouraged from writing YA boy books because they're aware of this calculus, and at the other end, we lose many male teen readers because they have a hard time finding YA books that appeal to them.

I think the way to buck the trend is to publish smart, powerful fiction that has both teen girl and teen boy appeal. ROOTLESS accomplishes this beautifully. It's an intense, page-turning, action-filled, nail-biting novel about a gritty, vivid, violent world, with a charismatic, sometimes inconsiderate teen guy protagonist. Banyan is a survivor but is also vulnerable. His tough exterior hides his longing for connection and belonging, and his conflicted relationships with the other characters, including his intense romance with a badass girl pirate named Alpha, are so relatable, real, and wrenching.


CHRIS: If an aspiring-author is reading this and thinks… I should query Laura, she's beyond awesome… what's your best advice for them before they do?

LAURA: First and most importantly, I'd advise them to work on their craft and to make sure their manuscript is as strong as they can make it on their own. It's also important that they demonstrate their professionalism as writers in the work itself, in the query, and in any contact with the agent. Authors should educate themselves about the market, about how to approach agents, and about the category within which they're writing. Also, the more you can personalize or tailor your submission to a specific agent, the more likely it is to capture the agent's attention. Thus, before submitting to me or to any other agent, please check out the agency's website. For me, that's www.andreabrownlit.com. Our website includes submission guidelines, our bios, and a list of our exemplary titles and recent deals. My author website, laurajoyrennert.com, also offers some advice for writers.


CHRIS: Finally, I got asked this, and because you know the book almost as well as I do, I wondered what you'd say… If you could be in one scene in ROOTLESS, which would it be?

LAURA: This is a tough one! There are so many scenes I love in ROOTLESS, and some are so vivid and terrifying that, even though they're amazing, I’m not sure I’d want to inhabit them. I'd have to pick the beautiful and heart-rending scene where Banyan has repaired the statue and brings Alpha and the others to see it first illuminated. I don't want to say too much more about this scene because readers should come to it on their own, but for me it sums up the perilousness, vulnerability, and beauty of being human. It's a moment that stayed with me.


And now, the tables get turned, and it's Laura's turn to ask me questions!

LAURA: What's was inspiration for ROOTLESS? You wrote the novel in such a compressed period of time that I'm particularly curious about where it came from.

CHRIS: The inspiration came from seeing all the trees in the Colorado Rockies that have been killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. I started thinking "What if some sort of insect destroyed every single tree, all the crops and plants and grasses? What would be left?" … I imagined genetically engineered corn surviving, and a single corporation owning it. And then I pictured a young man building trees out of scrap metal on the dusty plains… Once I started thinking about it, I couldn't stop. Banyan's voice was so clear in my head. "They figured me too young for a tree builder." I had that as the opening line right away, and I wrote the first chapter the same day the idea popped into my head. By the end of the first chapter, I'd introduced five main characters and the map to the last trees, so then I thought about it for a few weeks, to make sure my ideas "made sense", and then I let it pour out of me. I knew the book was about people searching for something "lost" - nature, the trees, human connection. And I think, more than anything else, knowing what it's about helps tell the story - though you realize later all these other things it's about, too!


LAURA: How much of you is there in Banyan?

CHRIS: Probably more than I realized when I was writing the story! I've certainly been a rootless drifter at times :) And we both love trees, that's for sure. I'd say the most similar thing, though, is that I began writing stories because I believe in the transformative power of art, that transcendence that Joseph Campbell calls the "elixir of life", and that's ultimately why Banyan and his father build trees. "To have something to believe in. To prove you can take one thing and make one thing into another," as Banyan says in the book.


LAURA: You're a musician, as well as an author. Can you tell us if there's any connection or relationship between the music and writing for you?

CHRIS: Well, I think I have more of a gift for writing than for anything I've ever done musically! But I come at it from the same place… I'm trying to tap into the feeling of being alive. I mean, really being alive. Whether you're creating it or witnessing it, I believe a story or song, a sonnet or statue, a beautiful building, a play, a film… anything where the human spirit is allowed to soar… it lifts you up, reminding you of the wonder of existence. The natural world certainly fills me with that sort of transcendent feeling, too. And for me, there's no better feeling :)


LAURA: What do you feel are some of the most important things you learned from any part of the process -- writing, revising, working with an agent, working with an editor, working on the sequel -- of bringing ROOTLESS to publication?

CHRIS: I've learned that I do really good with deadlines - even if I just set them for myself. I wrote the first draft of ROOTLESS in a frenzy, and then spent a lot of time revising. So I thought I'd take more time over the first draft of the second book in the series, assuming I'd have to do less revising on the flip-side. The opposite was true! I "took my time" too much on the first draft, and got bogged down in prose versus story. I had to really gut it and get back to the mindset I was in on the first book.

Another important thing I've learned is: the "audition feeling" doesn't go away! I thought if I found an agent and an editor who connected with my work, then I'd be set. But your story has to connect with people every step of the way - all the way through the publishing house, booksellers, reviewers, readers. So you have to get used to people judging your work, and their opinions affecting how many others will be exposed to the story.


LAURA: What part of the working on a novel is the most fun for you, and why?

CHRIS: The first draft! Even if it needs tons of work later on, I love that initial creative phase where you feel like you're reading and writing the story at the same time. I think the subconscious is more interesting than most stuff on the surface, and it's so fun to balance on all these different parts of your brain. It's a rush, really. Like surfing a wave :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laura Rennert has been a Senior Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 1998. She thinks of herself as a "literary omnivore" and specializes in all categories of children's books, from picture books to young adult, and in up-market women's fiction and narrative nonfiction. She represents award-winning and best-selling authors, including #1 NYT bestsellers Ellen Hopkins, Jay Asher, #1 NYT bestseller and Printz Honor Finalist Maggie Stiefvater, and National Book Award Finalist Kathleen Duey, as well as brand new, first-time authors. Find Laura online at andreabrownlit.com and laurajoyrennert.com


Chris Howard was born not far from London, but was raised under the influence of a galaxy far, far away. He left England at the age of nineteen, traveled around the globe one too many times, then settled in Colorado. He's studied natural resources management, concentrating on forest ecology and sustainability; spent seven years leading wilderness adventure trips for teenagers; worked for the National Park Service; released three albums of swirly guitar music; and been a kick-ass wedding DJ. ROOTLESS (Scholastic Press, November 1st, 2012) is Chris's first novel, and he's currently at work on the next book in the series. Find Chris on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and his website GIVEAWAY TIME!
Look at the shiny prize:

(and in case that's not clear, 1 winner will get one SIGNED AND PERSONALIZED hardcover of ROOTLESS, a bookmark, and a T-Shirt of their color/size preference. )
Enter using the fancy rafflecopter thingie!
(And if you want to follow the rest of the tour and get more chances to win ROOTLESS swag, check out http://yabookscentral.com/blog/rootless-blog-tour)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

YAMazing Race Winners!

Sorry this is a little late. So much chaos with travel and moving!!!

Okay, there were five winners, each of whom get a complete set of all 4 KEEPER art prints. And they are:

Book SakeKaty BMicaela SmithMrs. SilversteinTia Dalley
YAY!
*tosses confetti*
If that's you, please email me at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com with your mailing address so I can send off your prize. 
Thanks to everyone who entered. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll do more giveaways in the future. :)