Lisa McMann's Blog, page 12
July 19, 2011
14-18 year-old writers (US & Can)
Write a story to go with the writing prompt I provided and you could win a trip to NYC, courtesy of Simon & Schuster's Pulse It group and Wattpad.com. I might even meet you there. :)
All the details HERE.
All the details HERE.
July 13, 2011
In honor of our dear friend Landru's birthday,
The McManns will be wearing the pink hot pants of Jesus, eating bacon at every meal, and buying Ithillgorn a puppy.
Also, Tommy Lee Jones gets credit for something.
Also, Tommy Lee Jones gets credit for something.
June 25, 2011
Random thoughts about edgy YA, and what age is the right age to start reading it
There's been a lot of controversy over what YA is and what it isn't, and what age it *should* be for, and if edgy YA books are too dark or somehow negatively influential to teens (as if teens were stupid). And I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
As a parent of two teenagers, here are some simple thoughts about kids and reading, based on my experiences as a parent:
Both of my kids, when faced with something in a book that they were uncomfortable with, put the book down. Kids do this instinctively. They don't feel a need to keep reading something that is too mature, too graphic, to sexual, too anything. I don't understand why so many people think that kids have no built in monitors for themselves. Have you ever heard a kid say "I was really uncomfortable with the coarse language in that book, so I kept reading it." Of course not. Kids are smart, and their time is precious. They're not going to waste time plugging through something that makes them feel weird.
There comes a time in a parent's life where there is a moment of revelation--something changing in their kids. I remember when it happened for my son (now 17). It was the summer he was 13. And we were talking about something very grown up, and suddenly I looked at him and saw him with new eyes. The gradual changes he'd been making that year in his maturity level were suddenly so obvious. He had become a young adult, and I hadn't noticed until that moment.
A young adult is exactly that - an adult who is young. And we were conversing like adults, about topics adults and young adults talk about. I could feel it in him -- he was ready to read anything, to explore beyond his current repertoire of Paolini and Riordan. And that summer, he did. He read Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, and Ellen Hopkins' CRANK, and I let him read WAKE, by me, which was not quite published at that time, and so many more books that would help grow him up and make him think about choices and consequences. How exciting! We talked about things -- drugs and girls and substance abuse and welfare and sex, and I could almost see his brain growing. I could see him understanding the books and learning from these characters' mistakes, and from their successes. Today I see him making such amazing, great choices in his own life. Coincidence?
For my daughter (now 14), it happened when she was almost 12, in a very different way. One day she said, "Mom, all my friends have read WAKE. Why won't you let me read it?!" It was funny, but I also had to ask myself that same question - Why? I explained my concerns to her about some of the topics that are addressed in WAKE. And I said, how do you feel about reading stuff like that? She gave me the raised eyebrow. "I know what all of those things are, Mom. If I don't like it, I'll put it down."
And again I looked at a child of mine, who had matured so subtly that from day to day, it wasn't noticeable, but with fresh eyes it was so crazy obvious. She had become a young adult. I agreed (of course she would put it down! She'd done it countless times before with other books), and I handed it off, saying "Let's talk about it after." She was delighted. And after, we talked about it. And she got it. My new little adult learned great lessons from Janie. **spoiler alert** When she finished the trilogy, she said, "I'm really glad Janie decided not to drink anymore." I was surprised she'd picked up on that. It's very subtle in GONE, the moment that Janie makes that decision, and it's a moment that I never expected readers to ask me about or discuss, but I did hope they'd sort of absorb subconsciously. There's no big declaration, no epic "here's the moral - don't drink!" It's just a moment, a sentence, where we see Janie make the connection between her mom, the booze, and their life -- and make a different choice for her own life. It's one sentence, easily missed. And my kid -- my brand new young adult, picked up on it.
It's not rocket science for parents to know when their kid is ready to read edgy YA. And there is no exact age - it depends on the kid. Some kids are ready much younger than mine. Some aren't nearly ready yet at those ages. All it takes is a moment sitting at the kitchen bar, talking about grown up things, and noticing things. Letting kids grow up. And saying "hey...I have a book for you." Or listening when your child says in her own language, "I'm ready to learn how to be an adult now."
As a parent of two teenagers, here are some simple thoughts about kids and reading, based on my experiences as a parent:
Both of my kids, when faced with something in a book that they were uncomfortable with, put the book down. Kids do this instinctively. They don't feel a need to keep reading something that is too mature, too graphic, to sexual, too anything. I don't understand why so many people think that kids have no built in monitors for themselves. Have you ever heard a kid say "I was really uncomfortable with the coarse language in that book, so I kept reading it." Of course not. Kids are smart, and their time is precious. They're not going to waste time plugging through something that makes them feel weird.
There comes a time in a parent's life where there is a moment of revelation--something changing in their kids. I remember when it happened for my son (now 17). It was the summer he was 13. And we were talking about something very grown up, and suddenly I looked at him and saw him with new eyes. The gradual changes he'd been making that year in his maturity level were suddenly so obvious. He had become a young adult, and I hadn't noticed until that moment.
A young adult is exactly that - an adult who is young. And we were conversing like adults, about topics adults and young adults talk about. I could feel it in him -- he was ready to read anything, to explore beyond his current repertoire of Paolini and Riordan. And that summer, he did. He read Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, and Ellen Hopkins' CRANK, and I let him read WAKE, by me, which was not quite published at that time, and so many more books that would help grow him up and make him think about choices and consequences. How exciting! We talked about things -- drugs and girls and substance abuse and welfare and sex, and I could almost see his brain growing. I could see him understanding the books and learning from these characters' mistakes, and from their successes. Today I see him making such amazing, great choices in his own life. Coincidence?
For my daughter (now 14), it happened when she was almost 12, in a very different way. One day she said, "Mom, all my friends have read WAKE. Why won't you let me read it?!" It was funny, but I also had to ask myself that same question - Why? I explained my concerns to her about some of the topics that are addressed in WAKE. And I said, how do you feel about reading stuff like that? She gave me the raised eyebrow. "I know what all of those things are, Mom. If I don't like it, I'll put it down."
And again I looked at a child of mine, who had matured so subtly that from day to day, it wasn't noticeable, but with fresh eyes it was so crazy obvious. She had become a young adult. I agreed (of course she would put it down! She'd done it countless times before with other books), and I handed it off, saying "Let's talk about it after." She was delighted. And after, we talked about it. And she got it. My new little adult learned great lessons from Janie. **spoiler alert** When she finished the trilogy, she said, "I'm really glad Janie decided not to drink anymore." I was surprised she'd picked up on that. It's very subtle in GONE, the moment that Janie makes that decision, and it's a moment that I never expected readers to ask me about or discuss, but I did hope they'd sort of absorb subconsciously. There's no big declaration, no epic "here's the moral - don't drink!" It's just a moment, a sentence, where we see Janie make the connection between her mom, the booze, and their life -- and make a different choice for her own life. It's one sentence, easily missed. And my kid -- my brand new young adult, picked up on it.
It's not rocket science for parents to know when their kid is ready to read edgy YA. And there is no exact age - it depends on the kid. Some kids are ready much younger than mine. Some aren't nearly ready yet at those ages. All it takes is a moment sitting at the kitchen bar, talking about grown up things, and noticing things. Letting kids grow up. And saying "hey...I have a book for you." Or listening when your child says in her own language, "I'm ready to learn how to be an adult now."
June 7, 2011
OMAHA, Nebraska: 5 Teen Authors, 1 Night Only
Wednesday, June 8th, from 7-9 pm, please join Ellen Hopkins, A.S. King, Coe Booth, Matt de la Pena, and me at Bryan High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Free books, free food, total win all around.
Check in on the Facebook event page if you're going to be there! Everyone in the Omaha community is welcome.
Free books, free food, total win all around.
Check in on the Facebook event page if you're going to be there! Everyone in the Omaha community is welcome.
May 15, 2011
Giveaways! THE UNWANTEDS and CRYER'S CROSS
If you'd like to have a chance to win a signed advance copy of THE UNWANTEDS or hardcover of CRYER'S CROSS, I will be running a contest in my next e-newsletter at the end of May. Sign up ASAP to get the scoop! Click here and fill in the info in the gray box on the left. I'll be doing more giveaways through my newsletter from now on, now that Facebook is buckling down on contest rules.
If you're tempted to sign up, but you kind of hate newsletters, you are not alone. I don't love them either, but they're one of the best ways to get bigger chunks of information to fans now that I have multiple books coming out each year. It may encourage you to know I only send out 4 per year. And there's always that unsubscribe button at the bottom.
In the newsletters I also recommend other great books that my family and I have read recently, and talk a little bit about what life is like over in the McMann house.
If you're tempted to sign up, but you kind of hate newsletters, you are not alone. I don't love them either, but they're one of the best ways to get bigger chunks of information to fans now that I have multiple books coming out each year. It may encourage you to know I only send out 4 per year. And there's always that unsubscribe button at the bottom.
In the newsletters I also recommend other great books that my family and I have read recently, and talk a little bit about what life is like over in the McMann house.
May 10, 2011
Praise for THE UNWANTEDS
In addition to #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Mull's lovely blurb (on the cover in the post below), I received another today that made me a little misty-eyed.
"Reading Lisa McMann's THE UNWANTEDS was like discovering a brilliant, lost children's classic - except it's never going to be lost, because the readers will never, ever forget the magic they'll experience in its pages. Wonderful." - James A. Owen, author and Illustrator of HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS
To know that these two middle grade fantasy heroes of mine have read and enjoyed this middle grade fantasy newbie's book is so meaningful. If you haven't read these authors yet, Check them out -- Brandon's first book in the BEYONDERS trilogy is out now, or you can try his FABLEHAVEN series. James' HERE THERE BE DRAGONS is the place to start in his series, or, if you're looking for inspiration, check out his newly published non-fiction e-book DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS, which will move you, I promise. Only $4.99.
"Reading Lisa McMann's THE UNWANTEDS was like discovering a brilliant, lost children's classic - except it's never going to be lost, because the readers will never, ever forget the magic they'll experience in its pages. Wonderful." - James A. Owen, author and Illustrator of HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS
To know that these two middle grade fantasy heroes of mine have read and enjoyed this middle grade fantasy newbie's book is so meaningful. If you haven't read these authors yet, Check them out -- Brandon's first book in the BEYONDERS trilogy is out now, or you can try his FABLEHAVEN series. James' HERE THERE BE DRAGONS is the place to start in his series, or, if you're looking for inspiration, check out his newly published non-fiction e-book DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS, which will move you, I promise. Only $4.99.
May 6, 2011
May 3, 2011
Talking with actor Max Burkholder (Parenthood) about THE UNWANTEDS
I'm a huge fan of Max and all of the other young actors on the awesome TV show Parenthood. Max and his mom were kind enough to meet me for lunch when I was in LA over the weekend.
April 23, 2011
Quick news! Los Angeles, Tempe, THE UNWANTEDS
You can pre-order THE UNWANTEDS! It comes out August 30. Kirkus Reviews calls it "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" and it's appropriate for ages 9 and up. My teen and adult readers will love it too. It's the first in a series and I'm incredibly excited about it. Pre-order now:
Indiebound.org
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Chapters
Books-a-Million
You can also ask your local bookstore to order it so that you can be sure they'll have it on release day!
Also, if you haven't had a chance to pick up my latest teen paranormal, CRYER'S CROSS, you can find it by clicking on my name in the above links and order it that way, or check your local stores. Thank you for your support! It means the world to me.
Some upcoming events -- LA, Tempe, New York:
*May 1, 2011: LA Times Festival of Books
1:00PM Autographing at S&S/Mrs. Nelson's Booth #538
(Map Key Identifier: K5)
3:00PM Panel discussion: Perfectly Paranormal: Writing the Fantasic
Panelists: Neal Shusterman , D.J. MacHale, Alyson Noel, Lisa McMann
Moderator: Aaron Hartzler
4:00PM Panel Autographing in the signing area immediately following the panel
*May 3, 2011, 7pm
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE (with Aprilynne Pike!)
Tempe, AZ
*May 25-28, 2011
BEA (Book Expo America) and Blogger Convention
more info to come!
Indiebound.org
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Chapters
Books-a-Million
You can also ask your local bookstore to order it so that you can be sure they'll have it on release day!
Also, if you haven't had a chance to pick up my latest teen paranormal, CRYER'S CROSS, you can find it by clicking on my name in the above links and order it that way, or check your local stores. Thank you for your support! It means the world to me.
Some upcoming events -- LA, Tempe, New York:
*May 1, 2011: LA Times Festival of Books
1:00PM Autographing at S&S/Mrs. Nelson's Booth #538
(Map Key Identifier: K5)
3:00PM Panel discussion: Perfectly Paranormal: Writing the Fantasic
Panelists: Neal Shusterman , D.J. MacHale, Alyson Noel, Lisa McMann
Moderator: Aaron Hartzler
4:00PM Panel Autographing in the signing area immediately following the panel
*May 3, 2011, 7pm
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE (with Aprilynne Pike!)
Tempe, AZ
*May 25-28, 2011
BEA (Book Expo America) and Blogger Convention
more info to come!
April 4, 2011
The first review for THE UNWANTEDS (my next book!)
*SPOILER ALERT* Don't read this review if you don't want to know what happens.
*FIRST CHAPTER ALERT* Go here to watch/listen to me read it.
NOTE: Publication date is now August 30, 2011.
THE UNWANTEDS
Author: McMann, Lisa
Review Date: April 15, 2011
Publisher:Aladdin
Pages: 400
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-0768-8
Category: Fiction
The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in this middle-grade departure from McMann's string of paranormal mysteries with romance for young adults.
On the day of Purge in totalitarian Quill, which is run by the High Priest Justine, 13-year-olds learn if they are deemed Wanted to attend the university, Necessary to tend the land or Unwanted and purged by execution. Without a good-bye from his Wanted identical brother Aaron, Alex Stowe and the other Unwanteds travel to the Death Farm. Instead of death, they meet the lush and magical world of Artimè, kept secret from Justine by mage Marcus Today. In a third-person narration characterized by even pacing and whimsical inventions, Alex and his peers learn that their creativity threatened Justine's power. Surrounded by talking blackboards, transporting tubes and such fantastical creatures as an octagator (with the head of an alligator and body of an octopus) for instructors, the teens hone their drawing, music and acting skills while also wielding paintbrushes for invisibility spells and iambic pentameter to stun attackers during Magical Warrior Training, in preparation for battle against the Quillitary. As the youths explore fear, responsibility and free thinking, their spells may be used sooner than they think when Alex's twin bond is tested and rivals vie for Aaron's new position in Justine's government.
Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit. (Dystopian fantasy. 10-14)
*FIRST CHAPTER ALERT* Go here to watch/listen to me read it.
NOTE: Publication date is now August 30, 2011.
THE UNWANTEDS
Author: McMann, Lisa
Review Date: April 15, 2011
Publisher:Aladdin
Pages: 400
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-0768-8
Category: Fiction
The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in this middle-grade departure from McMann's string of paranormal mysteries with romance for young adults.
On the day of Purge in totalitarian Quill, which is run by the High Priest Justine, 13-year-olds learn if they are deemed Wanted to attend the university, Necessary to tend the land or Unwanted and purged by execution. Without a good-bye from his Wanted identical brother Aaron, Alex Stowe and the other Unwanteds travel to the Death Farm. Instead of death, they meet the lush and magical world of Artimè, kept secret from Justine by mage Marcus Today. In a third-person narration characterized by even pacing and whimsical inventions, Alex and his peers learn that their creativity threatened Justine's power. Surrounded by talking blackboards, transporting tubes and such fantastical creatures as an octagator (with the head of an alligator and body of an octopus) for instructors, the teens hone their drawing, music and acting skills while also wielding paintbrushes for invisibility spells and iambic pentameter to stun attackers during Magical Warrior Training, in preparation for battle against the Quillitary. As the youths explore fear, responsibility and free thinking, their spells may be used sooner than they think when Alex's twin bond is tested and rivals vie for Aaron's new position in Justine's government.
Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit. (Dystopian fantasy. 10-14)
