David Macinnis Gill's Blog: Thunderchikin Reads, page 18

Schedule for ALAN Workshop 2012

The first draft of the 2012 ALAN Workshop has been released (authors, times, and panels are subject to additions and subtractions so check the final program on the ALAN site for updates closer to the workshop). The ALAN workshop will be held in Las Vegas November 19–20 in the MGM Grand.

ALAN Workshop 2012

Monday, November 19

7:30–8:00 Registration

8:00–8:15 Welcome cj Bott, ALAN 2012 President

8:15–8:40 “Reaching Them All, ALAN has Books for Everyone.”

Teri Lesesne, ALAN Executive Director

8:40–9:15 Fantasy

Shannon Hale, Princess Academy, Courtesy of Bloomsbury Publishing

Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven Boys, Courtesy of Scholastic

Rae Carson, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Courtesy of Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers

Kristin Cashore, Bitterblue, Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group

Chaired by: Karen Hildebrand, Ashland University, Ashland, OH

9:15–9:50 Mysteries Charlie Price, Desert Angel, Courtesy of Macmillan

Paul Griffin, Burning Blue, Courtesy of Dial/Penguin Young Readers Group

Todd Strasser, Kill You Last, Courtesy of Egmont

Robin Wasserman, The Book of Blood and Shadow, Courtesy of Random House

Chaired by: Angela Beumer Johnson, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

9:50–10:25 Humor, Giggles, and Snide Remarks

David Lubar, Beware the Ninja Weenies, and Other Warped and Creepy Tales, Courtesy of TOR

Seth Rudetsky, My Awful Popularity Plan, Courtesy of Random House

Joe Schreiber, Perry’s European Playlist, Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Joan Bauer, Almost Home, Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group

Chaired by: Jeff Kaplan, University of Central Florida

10:25–10:40 Break

10:40–11:15 Middle School Panel

Xavier Garza, Maximilian: The Mystery of the Guardian Angel, Courtesy of Cinco Puntos

Amy Gordon, The Shadow Collector’s Apprentice, Courtesy of Holiday House

Stacey Kade, Body & Soul, Courtesy of Hyperion

Sharon G. Flake, Takedown, Courtesy of Scholastic

Chaired by: Jon Ostenson, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

11:15–11:50 LGBTQ — Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens

Emily M. Danforth, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Courtesy of HarperCollins

Ilike Merey, a & e forever, Courtesy of Lethe Press

Julie Anne Peters, Our Prom (So Deal With It), Courtesy of Little, Brown

Leslea Newman, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard,Courtesy of Candlewick

Chaired by: Cleo Rahmy, Portland Secondary Schools, Portland, CT

11:50–12:50 Lunch

12:50–1:50 Educator Breakouts

1. Finding Spaces for Young Adult Literature in the Federally Mandated Classroom

Cheryl North-Coleman, University of Maryland

Barbara Jones, Richlands Middle School, Richlands, Virginia

Nancy Rankie Shelton, University of Maryland

2. Visual Vibes: Tapping Into The Power Of Graphic Reads and Responses

Carrie Dawson, Marana High School, Tucson, AZ

Marney Welmers, Tortolita Middle School, Tucson, AZ

3. “Bookends”– Teens Promoting Reading to Teens through a School/Library Television Show Partnership

Diane Tuccillo, Harmony Library, Poudre River Public Library, District, Fort, Collins, CO

4. Sharp Stories without The Edge: Powerful YA Books for Sensitive Readers

Chris Crowe, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

Jon Ostenson, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

5. “He’s Just So Strange!” Life on the Spectrum in Y.A. Books and in the Classroom

Lois Stover, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

David Finkelman, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

6. Confessions of Literacy Teachers: Middle School Teachers Pushing the Boundaries

Emily Pendergrass, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Stephanie Carr, Wright Middle School, Nashville, TN

7. It’s All in the Telling: Multicultural YA Lit and the Literary Aesthetic

Wendy Glenn, University of Connecticut

Ricki Ginsberg, Rockville High School, Vernon, CT

Jillian Zabrocky, University of Connecticut

8. Full Steampunk Ahead: A National Consortium for Teaching Young Adult Literature through Technology

James Blasingame, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Cynthia Nicholson, Griffin High School, Griffin, GA

Meredith DeCosta-Smith, Arizona State University

Corrine Gordon, Brown Mackie College, Phoenix, AZ

Mary Powell, Phoenix North High School, AZ

9. Many Books to Reach and Teach Them All: Using YA Literature to Prepare Pre-Service Teachers for Working with Adolescents Across Content Areas

Sean Kottke, The Robert B. Miller College, Battle Creek, MI

Kristine Gritter, Seattle Pacific University

Denise Ives, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tara Nappi, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Deborah Van Duinen, Hope College, Holland, MI

1:50–1:55 Poet Sonya Sones, Poet, Author, Performance Artist, Courtesy of Simon and Schuster

Introduced by Melanie Hundley, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

1:55–2:30 Wild & Crazy Teen Librarians

Teresa Parham, Milpitas Public Library, CA

Don Phillips, Adult & Teen Services Librarian, Pleasanton Public Library, CA

Christina Getrost, Librarian, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, OH

Walter Mayes, Library Media Specialist, The Girls’ Middle School, Palo Alto, CA

Chaired by: Mary Arnold, Public Services Supervisor, Maple Heights Library, OH

2:30–3:05 Children of the World

Patricia McCormick, Never Fall Down, Courtesy of HarperCollins

Deborah Ellis, My Name Is Parvana, Courtesy of Groundwood Books

Eric Walters, When Elephants Fight, Courtesy of Orca Books

Chaired by: Don Gallo, Editor, Solon, OH

3:05–3:20 Break

3:20– 3:55 Love Stories

Beth Ann Bauman, Jersey Angel, Courtesy of Random House

Deborah Cooner, Skinny, Courtesy of Scholastic

Deborah Blumenthal, The Lifeguard, Courtesy of Albert Whitman

Gabrielle Zevin, Because It Is My Blood, Courtesy of Macmillan

Chaired by Daria Plumb, Riverside Academy, Dundee, MI

3:55–4:15 Benjamin Alire Saenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Introduced by: Rene Saldaña, author and educator, College of Education, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

4:15–4:45 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Panel

Ricki Ginsberg, chair, Rockville High School, Vernon, CT

Award winners will be announced closer to workshop.

4:45–4:50 Closing — Sonya Sones & cj Bott

Tuesday, November 20

8:00–8:15 Membership Chair & TAR Editors

Karin Perry, Sam Houston State University, TX

Steve Bickmore, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Jacqueline Bach, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Melanie Hundley, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

8:15–8:45 Fascinated with Serial Killers

Barry Lyga, I Hun t Killers, Courte sy of Little, Brown

Dan Wells, I Don’t Want To Kill You, Courtesy of TOR

Derf Backderf, My Friend Dahmer, Courtesy of Abrams Chaired by: Jeff Harr, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent, OH

8:45–9:20 Graphic Novels

Faith Erin Hicks, Friends with Boys, Courtesy of Macmillian

Mark Siegel, Sailor Twain, Courtesy of First Second

Dave Roman, Teen Boat, Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Raina Telgemeier, Drama, Courtesy of Scholastic

Chaired by: James Bucky Carter, University of Texas at El Paso

9:20–9:55 Nonfiction

Gaby Rodriguez, The Pregnancy Project, Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Anita Silvey, The Plant Hunters, Courtesy of Macmillan

Eric Greitens, The Warrior’s Heart, Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Nell Beram, Yoko Ono, Collector of Skies, Courtesy of Amulet Books

Chaired by: Jennifer Buehler, Saint Louis University, MO

9:55–10:10 Break

10:10–10:15 Sonya Sones, Poet, Author, Performance Artist,

Courtesy of Simon and Schuster

10:15–10:50 Science Fiction

Marissa Meyer, Cinder, Courtesy of Macmillan

Malinda Po, Adaptation, Courtesy of Little, Brown

Beth Revis, A Million Suns, Courtesy of Penguin

Scott Westerfeld, Goliath (Leviathan series), Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Chaired by: Walter Mayes, The Girls’ Middle School, Palo Alto, CA

10:50–11:25 ALAN Confronts Censorship

Jim Blasingame, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Wendy Glenn, SpeakLoudly, University of Connecticut

11:25–11:45 Lois Lowry, The Son, Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Introduced by: Barb Ward, Washington State University Pullman

11:45–12:45 Lunch

12:45–12:50 Sonya Sones, Poet, Author, Performance Artist, Courtesy of Simon and Schuster

12:50–1:25 Dystopias

Mike Mullin, Ashwinter, Courtesy of Tanglewood

Kat Falls, The Fetch, Courtesy of Scholastic

Isamu Fukui, Truancy City, Courtesy of TOR

Marie Lu, Legend, Courtesy of Putman/Penguin

Chaired by: Karin Perry, Sam Houston State University, TX

1:25–2:00 War in Our Daily Lives

Jessi Kirby, In Honor, Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Corrine Jackson, If I Lie, Courtesy of Simon Pulse

E.M. Kokie, Personal Effects, Courtesy of Candlewick

Trish Dollar, Something Like Normal, Courtesy of Bloomsbury

Chaired by: Sean Kottke, The Robert B. Miller College, Battle Creek, MI

2:00–2:35 cj’s favorites: Tender Tellings

Kate Ellison, Butterfly Clues, Courtesy of Egmont

Jo Knowles, See You at Harry’s, Courtesy of Candlewick

Blue Balliett, Hold Fast, Courtesy of Scholastic

Susan Vaught, Freaks Like Us, Courtesy of Bloomsbury

Chaired by: Shannon Collins, Corner Stone Middle School, Cookeville, TN

2:40–3:40 Author Breakouts

1. Issues on Social Justice

Ann Angel, chair, Courtesy of Abrams

Varian Johnson, Courtesy of Random House

Peter Marion, Courtesy of Holiday House

J.L. Powers, Courtesy of Cinco Puntos

2. Writing for the Child in the Mirror

David Macinnis Gill, chair, Courtesy of HarperCollins

Robin Wasserman, Courtesy of Random House

Alan Gratz, Courtesy of Random House

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Courtesy of Egmont

3. Why Teens Love Science Fiction

Mary Arnold, chair, Public Services Supervisor, Maple Heights Library, OH

Isamu Fukui, Courtesy of TOR

Mary Pearson, Courtesy of HenryHolt/Macmillian

Kat Falls, Courtesy of Scholastic

4. Adverb Fight Club: Strengthening Writing through Critique

JJ Johnson, chair, Courtesy of Peachtree

Stephen Messner, Random House

John Claude Bemis, Random House

Jennifer Harrod, card-carrying member, Adverb Fight Club

5. Creating Ripples: Writing for Kids in the Middle

Kate Messner chair, Courtesy of Scholastic and Walker/Bloomsbury

Blue Balliett, Courtesy of Scholastic

Jody Feldman, Courtesy of HarperCollins

Rebecca Stead, Courtesy of Random House

Jo Knowles, Courtesy of Candlewick

6. Religion: The Last Taboo of YA Literature

Francisco X. Stork chair, Courtesy of AAL/Scholastic

Donna Freitas, Courtesy of Knopf

Deborah Heiligman, Courtesy of Knopf

7. Questioning Why LGBTQ is Absent in ELA Classrooms

Joan Kaywell, chair, University of South Florida,

Paula Taylor-Greathouse, co-chair, University of South Florida

Catherine Ryan Hyde, Courtesy of Random House

Steve Brezenoff, Courtesy of Carolrhoda LAB/Lerner Publishing

8. In My Own Mirror

Lynne Alvine, chair, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA

Sharon G. Flake, Courtesy of Scholastic

9. Smells Like Teen Spirit–Teenage Angst and Alienation in Realistic YA Fiction

Steve Bickmore, chair, Louisiana State University

Kate Youngblood, co-chair, Louisiana State University

David Levithan, author, Editor, Scholastic

Frank Portman, author, Delacorte Press

E. Lockhart, author, Delacorte Press, Hyperion

3:45–3:50 Wrap up — Intro of ALAN 40th President, Jeff Kaplan

Top Cows’ Cyber Force Returns

I’m backing the re-issue of an old comic that started the Top cow/Image line. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this comic in the wild, and I’d love to see it re-done. Best of all, it’s free.

“Top Cow aims to be the first major US comic publisher to launch one of their biggest properties with top tier creators concurrently for the traditional print market and exploding worldwide digital market for FREE.”

FAQ: Is there a sequel to Black Hole Sun/Invisible Sun/Shadow on the Sun?

Is there a sequel to Black Hole Sun?

Affirmative. The sequel to Black Hole Sun is Invisible Sun, which was published in March 2012 by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Is there a sequel to Invisible Sun?

Affirmative. The sequel to Invisible Sun is Shadow on the Sun, will be published in March 2013 by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Is there a sequel to Shadow on the Sun?

Negative. There are no current plans for Greenwillow to publish more Durango books.

FAQ: Is there a sequel to Black Hole Sun?

Yes, the sequel (it’s more of a companion novel) to Black Hole Sun is Invisible Sun, which was published in March 2012 by Greenwillow, and imprint of HarperCollins. Here’s the cover:

photo

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FAQ: Will there be a third Durango book?

Yes, there will. It’s titled Shadow on the Sun, and it will be published in March 2013 by Greenwillow/HarperCollins.

iVerse Plans to Kick Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is my favorite crowd sourcing venture, especially for startup comics. It looks as if it’s going to be facing some competition from iVerse, the company that brings us digital comics. The press release is below, but in a nutshell, it looks as if iVerse is positioning itself as a one-stop-shop for creator-owned comics. Very interesting.

iVerse Media, creators of some of the world’s most popular and widely used technologies for reading and distributing digital comics,

announced today the launch of Comics Accelerator (www.comicsaccelerator.com), an innovative crowdsourcing initiative designed to bring more new projects to market more quickly, while providing comics creators, publishing partners and related content

producers opportunities to retain a greater percentage of monies raised.

“Unlike other crowdsourcing avenues, Comics Accelerator was designed so that the vast majority of funds raised go directly to the project being supported, not the website managing the process,” said Michael Murphey, iVerse CEO. “Project creators will also have ready access to iVerse’s pioneering expertise in digital content development and delivery, as well as a suite of targeted marketing tools that simplify and speed the

funding – and subsequent sales – of their finished products.”

Created expressly for the comics community, Comics Accelerator differs from other crowdsource funding models in a number of significant ways, including:

Publisher Hubs – A single destination where a publisher’s fans can find all their latest projects and at which all social marketing related to a project can be centralized.
Digital Reward Delivery – Immediate fulfillment of digital incentives to backers after a project has been funded, through iVerse’s proprietary ComicsPlus digital comics platform.
Reserve Funding Option – Project creators may set a reserve goal so that they can choose to accept funds from supporters if they get close enough to their original target to proceed with production.

But perhaps the most drastic difference offered by Comics Accelerator concerns fees. Like other platforms, Comics Accelerator charges 5% of a project’s attained funding (though creators may also take advantage of iVerse expertise, marketing support and other added value benefits like those cited above). Unlike other platforms, however, Comics Accelerator caps its fee at $2,500 per project. “We saw how successful some projects had been on other sites,” said Murphey, “ and then saw how big a chunk the site was taking. I couldn’t help but think that all those contributors thought they were actually contributing to the project – not the site. Sure, we’ve got costs, but we’re looking to grow this industry fairly and responsibly. We think that publishers and creators should receive as much as possible if one of their projects hits it big!”

iVerse consulted with a number of publishers and creative teams in the development of Comics Accelerator and is already pursuing opportunities to broaden the nature and variety of projects that are brought to fans. “Limited edition hardcovers, ‘one day only’ variants, digital singles/printed trade combinations – they’re all fair game,” said Steve May, iVerse Director of Business Development.

“We’re also determined to remain non-exclusive,” added May. “Project creators can run a Kickstarter campaign simultaneously to their Comics Accelerator efforts. Whatever accelerates the making of good comics.”

Varian Johnson Signs with Scholastic

Writer, Texan, and all around good guy Varian Johnson has hit the big time with his debut MG novel. “Cheryl Klein at Scholastic’s Arthur A. Levine Books imprint has bought world rights, in a pre-empt, to author Varian Johnson’s middle-grade debut, ‘Jackson Greene Steals the Election.’ Pitched as ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ for middle-schoolers, the book stars an eighth-grade reformed con artist who has to get his old crew back together to stop the school bully from winning the all-powerful SGA Presidential election, while trying to win back his ex-best friend and first crush. Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger brokered the deal.”

Neil Gaiman Signs Five Book Deal

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Photo: Kimberly Butler.

Fellow HarperCollins author Neil Gaiman has signed a new book deal, which is fantastic news for pretty much everybody because it means more books by Neil, including a picture book. It’s hard to believe, but Neil has published thirteen books with Harper already, including Graveminder, which won the Newbery a couple of years ago (accompanied by a famous string of sleep-deprived tweets that helped put Twitter on the map.

Here’s an excerpt of the PW article on the deal:

Both picture books will feature a new character created by Gaiman, a little panda named Chu, that is known for having an outsized sneeze. The first book, Chu’s Day, will be illustrated by Adam Rex; it is set for January 8, 2013.

The other three titles in the deal will include a middle-grade novel called Fortunately, the Milk, which will feature art by Skottie Young and which HC calls “an ode to the pleasure and wonders of storytelling itself.” Gaiman will also write a sequel to the 2009 book Odd and the Frost Giants (also published by HC), which features characters from Norse mythology. The third novel in the deal will be a middle grade book, and is currently untitled.

Keeping Up with Comic-con 2012

For those of us who couldn’t make it to Sand Dieog this year (or ever, in my case), G4TV.com is posting fairly up to the minute news, videos, and tweets about Comic-con on its website. Even thought the event long ago stopped being just about comics, you can still hear some cool updates on your favorite books.

Video Game — E3 2012