First up, we have an interview with the incomparable Jessica Barnes, of Waterbrook/Multnomah. I’ve actually met Jessica and she’s fun to talk to about YA – she’s a true fan of the genre which makes her ideas something to really listen to. Tell us a little about yourself! Well, I’m an associate editor with the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and I work mostly with our fiction line. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably be a veterinarian. (My college career took a very sharp turn about halfway through.) My only claim to fame is that Edward James Olmos once hugged me. Are you actively acquiring YA? What’s on your wish list as far as YA Novels go? I, personally, am very interested in YA (if you look at an average […]
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Meet Nancy Rue!
Today I’d like to introduce a dear friend Nancy Rue. Nancy is the author of more than 100 books that span from tween to YA to adult. Finding out how successful authors tackle books for children can help you grow as well! Q. You have several series that are geared for girls in the 8-12 age range. What draws you to that age group? What draws me to the 8 to 12 age group is the fact that they are no longer those sweet little baby girlfriends, but they haven’t lost their minds yet and become teenagers. This is the time to lay a foundation for them – a basis for making their own decisions and standing up for themselves and others and Jesus as they get older. They still […]
Read the RestMiddle-Grade Novels
Take a trip to your local bookstore and browse the shelves of this category – usually called “independent reader”. Among the books here you’ll find practically every genre represented. There are action novels, fantasy novels, boy books, girl books, classics and contemporary. It is a place where little boys can ride to faraway lands or a twelve year old can deal with their parent’s divorce. It’s where a young boy or girl gets to live vicariously through the story. Writing for the 8-12 age range goes by many names, “independent reader” being only one. Sometimes you’ll hear it referred to as “juvenile”, “tween” or even just labeled as “9-12”. That’s why your main character is probably the single most important part of a middle-grade novel. The hero or heroine of […]
Read the RestThe Picture Book
It seems like everyone I meet wants to write a picture book. Especially moms and teachers. They tend to read these a lot and probably are thinking, “Hey! I could do this!” Trouble is, everyone thinks that. I think picture books are probably the toughest kind of writing for children. They are short, which means every word must count. The language of picture books is subtle. Not to mention, picture books are extremely expensive to produce. Therefore, they are a bigger investment on the part of the publisher. That means stories that are bought for picture books must stand out from the crowd – they must have “heart, smarts and sparkle”. What does “heart, smarts and sparkle” mean? Just like with most writing, it’s a bit indefinable and also a […]
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