Deborah Halverson's Blog, page 14
August 4, 2013
Me and My Two Gigantic Faces
It was like that moment when the Wizard of Oz’s gigantic green face appears in front of Dorothy. Only it was my gigantic face. And there were two of them, on either side of me. And in front of me wasn’t quaking Dorothy, but 1200 children’s book writers and illustrators poised to hear what I had to say about “The Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry.” It would’ve been so easy to freak out about those facts, but instead, standing there in front of everyone, I was consciously struck by what a privilege it was to be entrusted with this responsibility. 17 industry insiders had shared with me their opinions and insights about children’s book publishing and its marketplace and its readers, and SCBWI had trusted me to synthesize that input into a snapshot for attendees of the 2013 SCBWI Summer Conference in a keynote speech last night. I took that to heart and did my darnedest to help my fellow children’s book creators to have a rich understanding of where we’re at and a sense of what we can look forward to.
The response from the audience then and at the pool gala afterward was gratifying. Today, I woke up to read the SCBWI conference blog calling my keynote “a fascinating, unique and remarkably valuable talk to better understand the business side of our industry and where our work might fit. She’s helping us do our homework, and do it well.” Phew!
I also found this photo of my gigantic green faces. Yowza! Seriously, folks, look at tiny me at the podium and then look over both of my shoulders. Now I can freak out.
My and My Two Gigantic Faces
It was like that moment when the Wizard of Oz’s gigantic green face appears in front of Dorothy. Only it was my gigantic face. And there were two of them, on either side of me. And in front of me wasn’t quaking Dorothy, but 1200 children’s book writers and illustrators poised to hear what I had to say about “The Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry.” It would’ve been so easy to freak out about those facts, but instead, standing there in front of everyone, I was consciously struck by what a privilege it was to be entrusted with this responsibility. 17 industry insiders had shared with me their opinions and insights about children’s book publishing and its marketplace and its readers, and SCBWI had trusted me to synthesize that input into a snapshot for attendees of the 2013 SCBWI Summer Conference in a keynote speech last night. I took that to heart and did my darnedest to help my fellow children’s book creators to have a rich understanding of where we’re at and a sense of what we can look forward to.
The response from the audience then and at the pool gala afterward was gratifying. Today, I woke up to read the SCBWI conference blog calling my keynote “a fascinating, unique and remarkably valuable talk to better understand the business side of our industry and where our work might fit. She’s helping us do our homework, and do it well.” Phew!
I also found this photo of my gigantic green faces. Yowza! Seriously, folks, look at tiny me at the podium and then look over both of my shoulders. Now I can freak out.
July 9, 2013
“Deborah Halverson on Why Perfectly Nice People Make Perfect Bad Guys” via Cynsations
New York Times & Publishers Weekly best-selling YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith hosts an outstanding blog called Cynsations. The blog is an ever-engaging mix of author/agent/editor/librarian interviews, book celebrations, expert guest posts, and all kinds of resources about the craft and industry of children’s books, with new posts daily. I’m honored that Cynthia contributed the article “Paranormal Fiction: More than the Monsters” to my book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES.
Cynthia is also a prolific writer, and one of her bits of productivity wisdom is to put the blog on hiatus once a year or so. But even on hiatus, she keeps her readers informed and inspired by highlighting some “best of” guest posts. Yesterday she featured my 2011 Cynsations guest post “Why Perfectly Nice People Make Perfect Bad Guys.” You should read it — my neighbor’s dog, Lilo, is the star.
July 8, 2013
A Big Moment in His Reading Life, Caught on Film
I knew there’d be a reaction, so I had my camera ready as my son pulled the book he wanted off the bookstore shelve. So here it is, his first glimpse at the 752-page Harry Potter #4. I’m incredibly impressed that not only has he now read a third of the book, he hasn’t been deterred from his practice of sleeping with his current book under his pillow.
He has no idea #5 jumps up to 896 pages. Boy, his neck is gonna hurt.
July 4, 2013
A New Competitive Eating Record
Because my novel BIG MOUTH is about competitive eating, I keep tabs on the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest each year. Today, Joey Chestnut scored a new world record. Drum roll, please … 69 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes!
Turning a Work Day Into a Holiday
When you work for yourself, from home no less, you tend to be a little stingy with the vacation time. I’ve got deadlines to meet for editing jobs as well as for my next book. The flip-side is that I can be very flexible with my “office.” Check out my office today!
Happy 4th of July.
June 27, 2013
Hello, Goodreads!
Little Boys with Books
My boys don’t understand why I’m always snapping photos of them reading. How can I not? Look at this – It’s the most beautiful thing ever.
June 2, 2013
Coz this mom is crazy ’bout her sharp-dressed boys
Well I just had the best night. I got to sit in the audience of the second grade play, watching my little boys all gussied up and being brave. Two narrators and one orchestra member in the Three Piggy Opera. I swear, THIS is why I became a mommy. My sons were so proud, strutting around in their ties “just like Daddy!” Of course, you know I had the video camera rolling.
May 20, 2013
Deborah’s New Book, for ‘New Adult’ Fiction Writers
I’m happy to announce my new book Writing the New Adult Novel: How to Write and Sell ‘New Adult’ Fiction, to be published by Writer’s Digest Books 2014. It’ll be a hands-on guide featuring essential information, steps, and techniques to guide writers in creating engaging stories featuring eighteen- to twenty-six-year-old protagonists against the backdrop of the emerging adult experience.
I love helping writers develop a personal style that appeals to their audience, and I try to do it in a fun and supportive way. That’s the heart of my writer’s advice website DearEditor.com and my book Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies. I’m honored and excited for this chance to do the same for writers of New Adult Fiction.
