Things to Come

On Friday, July 10 at the We Love YA blog, some of my fellow YA finalists in the 2009 Golden Heart Awards are popping by to talk about their nominated manuscripts. Leave a comment over at We Love YA for your chance to win a copy of HEARTBREAK RIVER, by 2007 GH winner Tricia Mills (aka Trish Milburn). Trish had the happy task of ringing each of us back in March to tell us we had finaled.

One of my dear critique partners, Stephanie Kuehnert, is gearing up for this month’s release of her sophomore book, BALLADS OF SUBURBIA. In this powerful story, the main character, Kara struggles to find a way to cope when her family breaks down and friendships go awry. Steph has a very personal story to tell about what inspired her to write the book here.

And in other news…
One of my other dear CPs, Anna Campbell, features in the Sunday Telegraph’s Sunday Magazine supplement today. The article talks about how romance novels are back in fashion and that the women who write them aren’t stereotypical, champagne-swilling, bon-bon-eating, feather-boa-wearing hacks. (Although, I’m partial to champagne and chocolate, so the cliche is not far off in my case.) They’re smart, savvy, and enthralling millions of readers. Overall, it’s a nice article that acknowledges the good work of our nation’s internationally bestselling romance authors.

Harlequin Teen

It’s always good to hear about new YA imprints popping into the market. The latest one that’s generating a bit of chatter is the upcoming Harlequin Teen line. Senior Editor Natashya Wilson is currently acquiring. She considers both agented and unagented submissions. Forearmed is forewarned, so I’ve gathered up a few links relating to the line, which launches this August with Rachel Vincent’s paranormal MY SOUL TO TAKE.

• Harlequin Teen trade website for reviewers.

An official website aimed at readers is due to go live in July.

• Writing guidelines.
• Isabel Swift’s interview with Natashya Wilson.
• Novelist Inc’s article on why Harlequin has set up a YA line.
• Plans afoot for the line.
• Harlequin’s Teen Panel, where readers between the ages of 13 and 17 can discuss what they’re reading and stories they’d like to see published.
• Publishers Weekly article.
• Naysayers? We’ll see if they’re right after the line has had time to establish itself.

In other news…
There’s still heaps of time to comment at We Love YA and win a copy of Dee White’s absorbing new YA, LETTERS TO LEONARDO.

Happenings

Join me on Sunday, June 28 at my other blog home, We Love YA, when Walker Books author Dee White drops by as part of her cybertour.

In Dee’s latest YA, LETTERS TO LEONARDO, fifteen-year-old Matt dreams of being an artist, just like his late mother. But when his supposedly dead mum sends him a birthday card, Matt’s life becomes as complicated as a Pollock painting. He finds solace in writing to the only person who could possibly understand what he’s going through – Leonardo da Vinci.

Dee’s got a spooky story for us to kick off our dream theme this week. Be sure to comment at We Love YA for your chance to win a copy of LETTERS TO LEONARDO.

In other news, my fab critique partner, Stephanie Kuehnert, is just weeks away from launching her second novel for MTV Books, BALLADS OF SUBURBIA. It’s an intense read about a bunch of kids whose stories resemble a ballad. The choruses echo mistakes they make again and again, while in the verses they try to make sense of it all. In July, I’ll be guest blogging at Steph’s place, and you could win new music and a T-shirt from one of my fave bands. Please check back for an exact date.