David Macinnis Gill's Blog: Thunderchikin Reads, page 33

A Story ARC

In the life of a book, there are many important moments—concept, first draft, revisions, revisions, and more revisions, followed by copyediting. Nothing makes a book feel more to me than seeing bound galleys, aka ARCs, advanced reading copies.

It's been fifteen months since the day I decided that the draft of my now-drawered mystery novel was no longer workable and emailed my editor, Virginia, a single line concept for a future dystopic story. She responded with great enthusiasm, and Black...

Covers for Black Hole Sun & Soul Enchilada Paperback

Guess what? After months of anticipation (and teasing on my part), the Fall 2010 Greenwillow Books catalog has been released, which means I can officially share the jackets for both Black Hole Sun (a future-dystopia kick-ass action novel set on Mars that will will be released on August 24) and the paperback version of Soul Enchilada (to be released on August 31). Looks like August is going to end with a bang!

Balkin Buddies Raffles off Online Author Chats

Balkin Buddies is sponsoring a raffle of a number of online chats with authors and artists and invite schools and libraries to participate.

All you need is a computer with a camera (many computers come embedded with this now), a microphone and speakers (also built in to most computers), and an account with iChat or Skype. Directions for how to get set up on iChat and Skype can be found at balkinbuddies.com/onlineauthorsavailable.html.

To be eligible for the raffle, you must:

(a) have an a...

Join Me at the Virginia Festival of the Book

Come join me and a host of other YA authors for this year's Virginia Festival of the Book, March 19-20 in Charlottesville, VA. I'll be presenting and reading from Black Hole Sun on March 20, joined by Jennifer Hubbard, Amy Brecount While, and Paula Chase Hyman. But that's not all!  The day will be full of panels featuring award-winning YA and children's authors:Terrific Kids' Novels Adults Will Love Too – Anne Marie Pace, Moderator  10:00 AM, Omni Hotel1. Kathy Erskine2. Fran Cannon...

Teen Rally For Free Speech

Two students at Montgomery County High School, Diana Banderas and Stephanie Bellot, have organized a free speech rally in Mount Sterling, Kentucky to protest the challenge by parents and school board superintendent Daniel Freeman of several YA novels, including DEADLINE by Chris Crutcher and TWISTED by Laurie Halse Anderson.  College prep English teacher Risha Mullins used the books with classics in reading circles — voluntary options.  A parent or two complained, the review committee voted...

2010 Morris Award

YALSA has announced the five titles for the 2010 Morris Award shortlist. YALSA will name the Morris Award winner at the Youth Media Awards in Boston at ALA's Midwinter Meeting on Jan. 18. YALSA will also honor the winning title, as well as Morris shortlist titles and YALSA Nonfiction Award winners at a reception on Monday, Jan. 18 from 8-10 p.m. at Westin Copley Place Essex Center South.

Congratulations to this year's finalists:

"Ash" by Malinda Lo, by published by Little, Brown Books for...

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Winner Announced

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is pleased and proud to announce the winner of the inaugural Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction.  Established in 2008 to honor the wishes of young adult author, Amelia Elizabeth Walden, the award allows for the sum of $5,000 to be presented annually to the author of a young adult title selected by the ALAN Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Committee as...

My ALAN/NCTE Schedule

Ah, Fall is in the air, and the turkeys are on sale at the supermarket, which can mean only one thing–NCTE & ALAN! Even now, thousands of English teachers are packing for their annual pilgrimage to the National Council of Teachers of English Convention and the ALAN Workshop.  Just the thought of it gets my blood pumping.  I myself am packing and doing all of those last minute things that you have to do to get out the door with all your necessary materials and clothes in one checked bag and...

Visit HarperCollins Children's Books Booth #213 at NCTE

Visit HarperCollins Children's Books Booth #213 at NCTE

HarperCollins Children's Books

We're so excited about this year's NCTE Convention, which will be held in Philadelphia, November 20–22, 2009, with the ALAN Workshop following on November 23–24. Come visit us at booth #213 to check out our newest books, collect galleys and other giveaways, and meet our amazing authors. The NCTE signing schedule is as follows (subject to change):

Friday, November 20

Diane Zahler, 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Eileen and...

Pit Row Authors

Love NASCAR? Love books? Happen to be in Charlotte, NC on Friday, 11/6? Then come on by the AASL Author Pitstop! It's 12:45-2:15 in the Exhibition Hall, Charlotte Convention Center, 501 South College Street. Lots of YA authors will be there, signing books, and mocking one another. Take a look at all the authors working the Pits: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aas... Who knows, John Bemis (The Nine Pound...