Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Editor Deborah Halverson - Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies

As I wrote before, I met editor/author Deborah Halverson last summer when I was on the faculty of the SCBWI summer conference.  Her new book, Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies is released next week and she has a fabulous blog tour with a manuscript critique give away.  Check it out at her blog http://deareditor.com 

I am so pleased that Deborah agreed to give me an interview for the blog.

 When and why did you start writing for children? 

I was a late bloomer when it comes to being an official writer: I wrote my teen novels after I’d been a children’s book editor for ten years. You see, the timing was finally right for me to see if my secret dream of being a writer was worth schlepping around any longer: I’d just left my office gig as an editor with Harcourt Children’s Books in order to freelance edit and teach writing classes at night while caring for my triplet babies during the day.

Moon Over Manifest - Newbery Winner 2011

Newbery winner, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, a historical fiction middle grade novel, the story is told by twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker. It starts in May 1936 in Southeast Kansas, but Vanderpool masterfully flips the story back to 1918.

It’s the heart of the Depression, and for many years Abilene and her Dad have been traveling the rails, looking for work and living in shantytowns. But after an accident, Abilene is left in the only town in which her Dad has long ago connections, Manifest, Kansas.

Sherry Shahan - Purple Daze

I have known prolific author Sherry Shahan for many years. Sherry is funny and generous! She is represented by my good buddy, agent Jill Corcoran. Sherry's new novel, Purple Daze, is getting rave reviews. I was so pleased when she agreed to give us an interview.

When and why did you start writing for children?

I began writing as a hobby when my two daughters were quite young. Back then, it was something to do to keep my brain from turning into strained carrots.

Editor Deborah Halverson - Writing Tip of the Day

I met editor/author Deborah Halverson last summer when I was on the faculty of the SCBWI summer conference. She has written a number of teen novels and  just completed her book "Writing YA for Dummies," scheduled for release in June 2011. Based on the great revision tip she gives us here, I'd say if you are writing YA, buy her "Dummies" book!

One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer won all sorts of awards, including a Newbery honor. It is my kind of middle grade, historical fiction.

By 1968, life had changed for all African Americans. Some were comfortable demanding their civil rights and some where stuck in the status-quo. But twelve year old Delphine reminded me of how few Black role models were on TV at the time, how none were part of the local police departments and even how her little sister Fern could have only a White baby doll. 

Delphine and her two younger sisters are sent by their father across the country to Oakland to spend a month with their mother, who had abandoned them years before. The girls, disappointed that their mother doesn't want them there, are even more shocked that their mother is a Black Panther.

Interview Wednesday - Kidlitosphere

It's Interview Wednesday in Kidlitosphere, and my blog is your portal!

 

First, scroll down to my interview yesterday with novelist Suzanne Morgan Williams.

Then check back all day today to view comments with links to many other Kidlit blog interviews. Here's your chance to hear and interact with authors, illustrators, editors, agents and librarians in the world of children's literature.

Suzanne Morgan Williams - Writing Tip of the Day

I met Suzanne Morgan Williams many years ago at the SCBWI Summer Conference.  She is RA of Nevada and a champion of the SCBWI.  I love her YA novel, Bull Rider, and I was so pleased that she has given us a seemingly obvious but somewhat overlooked Writing Tip of the Day.

Book Blips - Class of 2k11 - Bad Taste in Boys - Carrie Harris

This debut novel has zombies in it and sounds like a hoot!

Bad Taste in Boys Delacorte/Random House

Super-smartie Kate Grable gets to play doctor, helping out her high school football team as a student trainer. Not only will the experience look good on her college apps, she gets to be close to her quarterback crush, Aaron. Then something disturbing happens. Kate finds vials that makes her believe the coach has given the team steroids. Except...the vials don’t contain steroids. In fact, whatever is in them is turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless, flesh-eating...zombies!

Interview Wednesday - Kidlitosphere

It's Interview Wednesday in Kidlitosphere, and my blog is your portal!

 

First, scroll down to my interview yesterday with Holiday House editor Julie Amper. 

Then check back all day today to view comments with links to many other Kidlit blog interviews. Here's your chance to hear and interact with authors, illustrators, editors, agents and librarians in the world of children's literature.