Annie Cardi's Blog, page 20
July 27, 2015
Links Galore
Start the week with some good link-age:
The delightful Amber Lough on The Blind Wish and writing even when “all I want to do is curl up on the floor of my office.”
In case you’re looking for a fantasy series to dive into.
I’m a big Lumberjanes fan.
And speaking of summer camp books.
Or maybe you’re more into the idea of a summer road trip.
You could also map out your own trip to see American literary landmarks.
Dr. Seuss could have hung out with Don Draper.
I love the idea of expanding a known universe (in this case, Twilight) with mini-movies.
This fairy tale illustration exhibit sounds awesome.
David Bowie is the coolest.
Dropping out of art school.
“If you liked something, there was this real sense of solitude with your interest. It was so rare to find someone who shared your interest, and when you did find someone, you clung to that person, even if you weren’t the best match, because it was so rare to find someone.” Rainbow Rowell on how great the internet is for fans of all kinds.
And John Green on how great the internet is for learning communities.
Some fantastic feminist YA reads.
Welcome to Hufflepuff, Newt Scamander.
The Librarian of Congress position is about to be open.
July 24, 2015
Happy Amelia Earhart Day! Plus Giveaway!
Photograph showing Amelia Earhart sitting in the cockpit of an Electra airplane. (via Wikicommons)
Happy birthday, Amelia Earhart! Today would have been the famous pilot’s 118th birthday. Despite having been born over a hundred years ago and having disappeared over the Pacific seventy-eight years ago, she still fascinates and inspires the public. And, obviously, her presence and history are a big part of The Chance You Won’t Return.
What better way to celebrate Amelia Earhart’s birthday than to host a giveaway?
Enter the Rafflecopter below to win a signed copy of The Chance You Won’t Return, plus some book swag and a few extra goodies. For extra entries, follow me on Facebook and Twitter, tweet with the hashtag #TCYWRgiveaway, and comment below about where you’d go if you could travel anywhere.
Thanks to Amelia Earhart for her continued inspiration, and happy Amelia Earhart Day to all my wonderful readers!
Note: Giveaway for US residents only. I love international readers, but postal is expensive.
July 22, 2015
My Entirely Non-Scientific Breakdown of What Defines YA
I read a lot of YA. Mostly YA. I write YA, so it’s important for me to keep up with what’s going on in the field, and I like reading my fellow author’s work. It’s also a category I enjoy in general–I read a lot of YA when I was a teen, and haven’t abandoned that side of the bookstore yet.
So I definitely agree that twenty-somethings can get a lot out of YA. They’re coming of age stories, and when you’re in your 20s, being able to reflect on your own teen years while also still feeling so close to that instability and possibility makes for a great reading experience.
However, one part of the post stood out to me: “As far as I can tell, apart from the unwritten no-graphic-intimacy rule, the only true requirement for a book to be considered YA is that the protagonist(s) must be somewhere between the ages of 13 – 19.” Sharma is making a point about how YA can consist of all kinds of genres and plots and emotions, which is true and awesome.
But this got me thinking about what actually defined YA. If the requirement is just that it’s about a teen protagonist, what about books like The Age of Miracles or Tell the Wolves I’m Home. Although those books have a lot of crossover appeal, I’d put them in the general adult fiction section of the bookstore, not with the YA novels. And I’d definitely classify The Book Thief as a YA novel, but its narrator is Death–not exactly your typical teenager.
So here’s my totally non-scientific breakdown of what makes a YA novel:
The main character is a teenager
Again, this can vary a little, but for the most part the protagonist is a teenager. This is about the teen experience, not about the kid or adult experience.
The POV is immediate
This is what makes the big difference for me. Whereas books like The Age of Miracles or even To Kill a Mockingbird are about young characters, and potentially read by teen readers, what makes YA particular is that it’s about that moment of the teen experience. It’s not set many years later, from an adult perspective looking back on this experience. It’s set right then, when the emotions are high and the future isn’t always clear.
The POV is close
Even when a book is written in third person POV, I find that YA novels are written much closer to their main characters’ perspectives. Adult novels tend to keep their characters at more of a distance. One thing I like about YA is that the narration isn’t afraid to get into the emotional messiness.
And maybe most importantly…
Teens are the intended audience
There have been a lot of articles in the past five years about adults reading YA and if that’s okay (of course it is), but they’re not the people for whom the books are written. These books are written with teens and their particular experiences and pressures and dreams and realities in mind. When I write YA, I want to connect with teens who are experiencing a lot of things for the first time and forming their identities and figuring out who they want to be and where they want to go. If these stories also connect with adult readers, that’s fantastic. But it’s secondary. Teen readers, YA is yours, first and foremost.
No matter what makes YA, it’s exactly where I want to be as a writer.
Are there any other features that you think define YA literature? Share them in the comments!
July 21, 2015
Attention MA Authors: Marketing and Bookstores Talk at the Writers’ Loft!
These days, most authors have to finagle a lot of their own promotion. And unless you have a background in marketing, it can be difficult to figure out what’s worthwhile and who you should connect with and how you should plan for events.
That’s when you bring in the experts. Wednesday, July 22 (tomorrow!) friend, writer, and former bookstore event maven, Allison Pottern Hoch, is giving a talk at the Writers’ Loft about book marketing and working with local independent bookstores.
I’m excited to hear Allison’s advice and figure out ways I can better market my work and connect with the wonderful people at our local bookstores. Come on out and take notes with me!
July 17, 2015
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, everyone! Tonight, I’ll be at Porter Square Books with a bunch of awesome YA authors, so come say hi, get some books signed, and chat with us about all things writing/reading.
And even if you’re not in the general Boston area, we can get the weekend rolling with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or under:
Reading: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Brought back lots of good first year of college feelings. Also dig a fandom story.
Writing: “Fortunately, we’re accepting volunteers for the secret project.”
Hijinks in the WIP!
July 13, 2015
Links Galore
Lots of links to start your week:
A lovely way to , who was killed in the Emanuel AME church shootings.
And a fascinating Charleston syllabus about the history of racial violence in the city, South Carolina, and the US in general.
I can’t get enough of JK Rowling’s post-Harry Potter revelations.
How to support authors even if you can’t afford to buy their book.
Match your binge watching with binge reading.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and visiting the Met.
Student reactions to book covers.
This is my kind of camping.
Lay vs. lie. vs. laid–the trickster gods of the English language.
I’m so excited for Mockingjay Pt 2. Also afraid that I’m going to cry all over the theater.
100% yes to everything in this post about fat phobia in YA lit.
Anatomy of a query rejection.
Very interested in the Diversity Baseline Survey.
July 10, 2015
Friday Fifteen
Happy Friday, everyone! All week I felt like I had no idea what day it was, so I’m way glad to see that the weekend’s finally here. Let’s kick things off with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing, in fifteen words or fewer:
Reading: Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Exciting story that explores the layers beneath tropes of magic girls and dark forests.
Writing: “If there’s a dragon round, just run. Not worth the third-degree burns.”
So the WIP’s not fantasy, but I had to work in a dragon reference somewhere, right?
July 8, 2015
Tunnel Tour and Author Panel – Friday, July 17!
One of my favorite parts of being an debut author was getting to know other authors who have had books published in the last few years or have books coming out soon. So I’m way psyched to get together with a bunch of other debut authors as part of Susan Adrian’s Tunnel Tour. Get ready for a great conversation about books and publishing and writing and inspiration and more! The details:
Tunnel Tour, YA Author Panel and Signing
Friday, July 17 at 7pm
Porter Square Books
25 White Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
I can say with great confidence that every panel member is an awesome person and wildly talented author, so make sure to come out and say hi!
June 26, 2015
Friday Fifteen
I sat down today to get some major work done, and ended up completely distracted by the SCOTUS ruling in favor of marriage equality. I’m so happy for friends, family members, and other couples and families whose lives are directly affected by this change. Your relationships have always been valid, and I’m glad they’re now supported legally.
So instead of the regular Friday Fifteen, I’m harkening back to the micro-review days of yore. Here are a few of my favorite LGBTQ (mostly) YA novels, reviewed in fifteen words or under:
Far From You by Tess Sharpe
The sleuth-smarts of Veronica Mars meets the self-destructiveness of House, centered around a heartbreaking relationship.
Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
Dual perspectives about two girls on opposite sides of desegregation left me shaking with emotion.
Ask the Passengers by A.S. King
King blends philosophy and magical realism and sexuality and family life together beautifully.
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
A coming out story that’s sharp, funny, sad, and surprising in turns.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
A hard one to read in many ways, but Cameron’s story is poignant and hopeful.
Baby Be-Bop by Francesca Lia Block
Touching story of coming out, from one of Block’s classic characters.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Surprisingly gentle story of friendship, identity, and coming out, and I loved the parental presence.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Heartbreaking look at family life and gay relationships in the 1980s, via bereft teen June.
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Lola’s family life, particular her dads, were my favorite part of the story; so genuine.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Told in dual perspectives, Noah’s narration is so sweet and sad.
Happy Friday, everyone!
June 19, 2015
Friday Fifteen
H
appy Friday, guys! Today’s the start of the Tenth Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge, and although I’m so sad I can’t take part this year, I’m cheering for all of you diving into a weekend of (slightly competitive) intense reading. In the meantime, here’s a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or under.
Reading: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Even knowing what happened, loved the family dynamic. Forman’s writing is so elegant.
Writing: “Gotta work on the side of the angels every so often,” Harrison said.
This WIP has references to Sherlock, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, and Welcome to Night Vale. Nerd explosion!
