Monday, December 22, 2008

Ah, Montana

We've arrived at our cabin in the woods in Montana for the holidays - and it's snowing like crazy (perfect) - and cold - like living inside a snow globe. The sled will be out tomorrow, then the snowshoes. In years past we've seen wolves and elk and mountain lions. In a couple of years we should be here year-round. I can't wait.

Starting in the new year I'll be trying to interview authors who are launching books, to bring attention to some great new children's lit. And I'll try and fill you in on what's happening at VCFA, too, when I'm back there for the January residency. I just got my workshop book of ten submissions, and I'm looking forward to reading them!

My novel edits are really humming! And my last packet return from Sarah was wonderful - it made me smile big time. She loves my middle grade, which I finished this semester. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.

Happy Holidays to all - and I wish everyone a joyous New Year.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Announcing...!

And now I can announce the launch of the 2k9 website!

Here it is: http://www.classof2k9.com/

As I said, I've read a few of these ARCs and they are exceptional. More on that later!

Monday, December 8, 2008

And Now, the Good News

So the publishing industry is suffering, as we all are, from our economic crunch. But here's the good news:
children's publishing is still strong! And, frankly, the books being published are better than ever.

Two cases in point: I've been participating in the group of debut novel authors called "2k", after the original 2k7 group founded in 2007. I began with the 2k9 crowd, although my book is now slated for 2010, so I've slipped away into 2k10. But I've had the chance to read some ARCs and I am really, really impressed. I'll blog on specific titles right before they launch, but keep eyes out because there are some hot new books emerging.

And many of these same authors are part of the group called AuthorsNow! I'm one of these, too, and their website is up and running as you can check out at right.

Great books, folks, so reading is so not dead. Hooray!