Blog Posts

27: Midwinter Fever, with guest school-library marketing expert Jenny Choy

1/20/2019

I'm getting ready to head to Seattle for ALA Midwinter. So what even IS that? In this episode, I speak to Jenny Choy, the Associate Director for School-Library Marketing for Abrams Books for Young Readers. Jenny tells us the difference between publicity, marketing, and school-library marketing, and gives us the lowdown about what happens behind the booth curtains at a big librarian conference like ALA. What books are on display, and why? Which authors get invited, and why? What does she wish that authors knew about her job? So much great info! Yay!

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Show Notes

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck and you just might win a book. Plus, you can give me input about what you'd like to hear about on the podcast!
* Abrams Books for Young Readers website
* ALA Youth Media Award speculation blogs: Calling Caldecott, Heavy Medal (Newbery),
* Books we chatted about:

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26: The Great Big Holiday Gift Guide, 2018

11/26/2018

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I chat with four awesome booksellers about their top children's and YA book picks for holiday gift giving (and my own picks, too!) -- some you've probably heard of, but others likely be new to you, and all are well worth checking out. Of course, there's no way that we could get ALL our faves in one little podcast.... but hey, it's a start. :-)

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Meet the Booksellers:

Stephanie Appell, Parnassus Books, Nashville TN
* Find Stephanie on Twitter
* Find Parnassus on Twitter
* Parnassus has awesome book subscriptions for both YA and grownup books! These first edition, signed hardcovers come straight to your door every month -- a subscription would make an AWESOME gift for a true booklover.
* Parnassus has amazing dogs, for real. Mary Todd Lincoln is my best friend!
* Stephanie is obsessed with this Etsy shop...

Rebecca Wells, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
* Find Rebecca on Twitter
* Find Porter Square on twitter
* Porter Square does a ton of events - including a Debut Authors event series starting in 2019!
* Rebecca is also an author! Find out more about her debut, SHATTER THE SKY, out in July 2019.
* Rebecca is obsessed with the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Abby Rice, The Briar Patch, Bangor, ME
* Find Abby on Twitter
* Find the Briar Patch on Twitter
* The Briar Patch has been a children's-only bookstore for 35 years.
* They do a Harry Potter Festival every summer -- I NEED TO GO TO MAINE FOR THIS!
* Abby is obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons!

Nichole Cousins, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH
* Find Nichole on Insta
* Find White Birch Books on Insta
* White Birch has been open for 25 years -- and they have some long running book clubs that are almost as old as the store!
* Nichole is obsessed with Litograph Temporary Tattoos - they make great stocking stuffers, too!

Picture Books

About gratitude, in all its permutations, for all ages

Offers a way to talk about race and privilege with kids

A fun read-aloud that will make the whole family laugh - punny hilarity at its best!

Gorgeous illustrations, fun to read aloud, all about our fave pollinator!

About creative exploration and celebrating individuality

In picture book and board book form -- who can't relate to a little penguin who has LOTS of problems? (Cold... Dark...Not being able to find your mom when everyone looks like a Penguin!)

An activity book full of surprises, to keep the littlest kiddos busy!

For kids age 3+ who have been nervous about school... or just really love funny dino stories!

Chapter Books

A perfect story -- quiet and wonderful, for younger MG readers.

Loved PRINCESS IN BLACK? This might be your next read!

8 year old Cilla needs to become a bestselling author, ASAP!

Delightful adventures in Magical Brooklyn!

The further adventures of young author Cilla Lee-Jenkins

Chaos, kerfuffles, catastrophes, and friendship - for inventive, curious kids.

Graphic Novels

Harriet the Spy meets Amelie! For mystery lovers.

Perfect for cool teens and kids over 10, who want to be delighted AND smash the patriarchy!

Not out until next year (sorry!) but this is a MUST READ! graphic novel about the space race. Keep your eyes peeled for this start of a new series in Spring 2019.

Knights, robots, monsters, rogues! For gamers, and anyone who loves Raina and All's Faire in Middle School.

Hilarious, for fans of El Deafo and Smile

Middle Grade

Enter the magical world of Victorian London with a chimney sweep girl and her best friend, a soot golem.

For anyone who loves animals, science and adveture!

A lovely book about family, friendship and problem-solving, for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Kate Messner

The book we wish we had when we were 10-12 -- heartwarming middle school crushes, LGBTQ rep, and friendship drama at band camp.

Reissues of the classics in lovely hardbacks - for any kid who is interested in the performing arts. BALLET SHOES is about three orphan girls who support their family during the depression by going on stage.

The Noel Streatfeild classic about skating and DRAMA.

Scouting + Magic - if you love PERCY JACKSON but want something new...

For adventure-lovers with a funnybone! A Monty-Pythonesque buddy comedy and so much more.

Nostalgic fun for fantasy lovers -- if you like strong heroines, snark and DRAGONS, get to know this classic!

For kids 8-12 who are FUTURE Stephen King fans - spooky, with tiny robot assassins!

A curious ink creature helps a whole family in this very imaginative middle grade tale!

YA & Adult/Crossover Fiction

Deb Caletti is a master of Contemporary YA, and this is a masterpiece.

About two sisters whose family is cursed. A lyrical, Latinx, queer fairy tale mashup.

For anyone who has ever felt like they don't quite fit in...

IF I STAY meets WHEN YOU REACH ME in this narratively adventurous YA that will make you cry your face off.

For those seeking an immersive and satisfying fantasy

For people who inhaled Jenny Han's TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE and need to know what to read next!

For fans of true crime podcasts such as Serial, My Favorite Murder, - teens or adults!

A bookseller's all-time favorite - this mythological celebration of female strength in a male-dominated world - perfect for adults AND YA readers.

For those who love YA and don't take themselves too seriously: Jane Eyre meets Ghostbusters!

Technically for grownup SF/F-lovers - but great for older teens as well. Think THE GODFATHER + MAGIC.

A powderkeg of adventure, sisterhood and resistance - a crew of fierce lady pirates fight the patriarchy!

Nonfiction For All Ages

The story of the journey to the moon, told in blank verse with breathtaking illustrations.

A collection of untranslatable words from around the world - charming, for word-lovers (and trivia-lovers) of all ages

For kid and teen chefs (current or aspiring!)

Literally... life size animal tracks! So cool!

A gorgeous coffee-table book filled with poems and art based on nature words that had been eliminated from a modern children's dictionary.

Gorgeous, a poem for every day of the year, this could be a family heirloom.

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25: Ms Martha goes to Washington, with guest author Martha Brockenbrough

11/22/2018

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Martha Brockenbrough returns to discuss her latest book of YA Nonfiction, UNPRESIDENTED, a biography/documentary about the life and times of Donald Trump. We also talk about how you can decide when a story is YOURS to tell, how to deal with bad reviews, how teen readers are the BEST readers, and how to write about current events without having a brain meltdown. Martha gives writerly advice about a variety of craft issues, and we do a switcheroo, where Martha asks ME about Holiday Books! Plus, as always, we discuss what we are obsessed with this week.

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Show Notes:

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck and you just might get books - more importantly, you'll help me keep making podcasts!
* Find Martha on Twitter -- Find me on Twitter
* Martha's website
* Huskies! Having! Tantrums!
* Rat Chases Cat

Books We Discussed:

Martha's latest - a biography of Donald Trump.

Pretty much everything I learned about the Vietnam War I learned from this astounding book.

We talked about Holiday Books -- and oh, hello, it's almost Christmas, and Martha has a holiday book!

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24: Ask an Editor, with Emma D. Dryden

10/18/2018

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Editorial consultant Emma D. Dryden has a storied career in children's publishing. She sat down with me to talk about revision, as well as the difference between working for a publisher and editing under her own shingle. I asked her a LOT of questions, including, what should an author expect from a Freelance Editor? How do you know if or when the time is right to hire one? What are the most common problems she sees in manuscripts? What is a "Quiet Book"? What's the difference between YA and MG, reallllly? Plus, Emma gives her top tips and tricks for revising, and a whole lot more.

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Show Notes:

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck and you just might win some books.

* Find me on Twitter! Find Emma Dryden on Twitter!

* Want to hire Emma to help you overhaul your ms? Visit DRYDENBKS website.

* Emma's upcoming Spring 2019 Highlights Foundation workshop intensive looks terrific!

* Emma is an author, too! Check out WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR

* Resources we chatted about include Underdown.org and Darcy Pattinson's "Shrunken Manuscript" -- and here's a video of the Shrunken Ms technique!

* Emma recently wrote about the power of "Quiet Books" for the SCBWI

* Stay Here on Netflix may be about renovating rental properties - but there are lessons here for writers, too!

* Pics from Maurice Sendak's house:

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23: Schmagents get a Schmackdown with guest agent Kelly Sonnack

9/13/2018

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Guest agent Kelly Sonnack joins me to talk about best practices, agent-wise... and WTH are some bad agents even DOING? Also we answer listener questions, talk about query management, vent on the topic of submission do's and don'ts, and we go in deep about our favorite yearly event, the Big Sur Children's Writers Workshop. Oh and obviously we also talk about the Black Death and how it affects caterpillars, among other scintillating topics. Join us, won't you?

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SHOW NOTES

* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck to support the show, and you just might win books.

* Here's me on the twitter! Here's Kelly Sonnack!

* ABLA query guidelines

* Registration for the Big Sur Children's Writers Workshop is now open!

* TheJanuary Elfman Scholarship for Big Sur CWW. Application deadline is 9/30

* The Shaya Cookbook

* Ever want to know everything about what can go wrong with caterpillars? I gotchu.

Books we talked about:

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22: Getting Biographical with Lesa Cline-Ransome

8/16/2018

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Guest author Lesa Cline-Ransome gets into it about writing nonfiction (particularly biographical) picture books. Like, how does she choose subjects? How does she decide HOW to tell the story, do research, and get a new angle on a topic we might think we already know? Plus, what is it like to have a partner who is also the illustrator for your picture books? Annnnd, we discuss Lesa's brand-new debut Middle Grade novel, FINDING LANGSTON.

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SHOW NOTES

* The Literaticast has a Patreon!

* Find me on the Twitters!

* Find Lesa Cline-Ransome on Twitter, or on her website!

* 44 PAGES - A documentary about Highlights Magazine and the production of the 70th anniversary issue, Inon Netflix

* KIM'S CONVENIENCE - A funny and heartwarming sitcom about a Korean-Canadian family, also on Netflix. (Both OK for kiddos.)

* Want to procrastinate? Spend time on Apartment Therapy.

* One of our fave shows on HBO, INSECURE is about to start its third season! (Not for kiddos...)

BOOKS WE DISCUSSED

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21: Mochi Pounding Madness with Guest Author Debbi Michiko Florence

7/21/2018

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Author Debbi Michiko Florence joins us to chat about her winding path to publication, and her awesome chapter book series, JASMINE TOGUCHI, the fourth book of which has just been released. I talk about how to query chapter books, Debbi gives insight into the writing of them, and we both dole out wisdom (??) for listener questions. Plus we talk about ducks, snacks, and cooking shows.

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Show Notes:

* The Literaticast is able to exist because of Patreon. Like it? Throw in a buck and you just might win books!
* Debbi Michiko Florence's official website
* Debbi on Twitter! Me on Twitter!
* Debbi on Insta! Jasmine Toguchi on Insta! Me on Insta!
* Meet the illustrator of Jasmine Toguchi - Elizabet Vuković!
* The Infamous Word Count post!
* Bokksu - a subscription service for Japanese Treats
* Meet Darcy and Lizzie:

Debbi's own chapter books:

Some of Debbi's mentor texts and favorite chapter books:

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20: Burning the Candle at Both Ends with Dan Santat

6/16/2018

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Award-winning author-illustrator Dan Santat joins me to discuss time management, illustrating vs authoring, portfolio-making, the World Cup, killers for hire (again! it's a theme!), and so much more.

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SHOW NOTES:
* The Literaticast has a Patreon! Throw in a buck to support the show, and you just might win books, too.

* Find Dan Santat on Twitter, or on his website! Find ME on Twitter!

* Dan talked a bit about the SCBWI -- are you a member?

* Check out the portfolios of some of the up-and-coming illustrators Dan is keen on: Matthew Forsythe, Stephanie Graegin, Katherine Roy, Corinna Luyken.

* Jenn's fave new podcast is Graphic Novel TK - subscribe!

(SOME OF THE) BOOKS WE DISCUSSED:

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19: The 30,000 Foot View, with guest author Erin Dionne

5/24/2018

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I give some recommendations for my favorite books for writers. Then my guest, middle grade novelist and English professor Erin Dionne, chats with me about revision tips and tricks, plotting vs pantsing, story structure, and more. Spoiler alert: There is no one way to be a writer! Oh also we talk a bit about contract killers and trivia addiction. Obviously.

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SHOW NOTES:

* The Literaticast has a Patreon - throw in a buck and you just might win books! (Also, you'll help keep new episodes of the podcast coming. Yay!)

* Erin Dionne is on the web, and on twitter. (Also, I'M on twitter!)

* Blake Snyder's "Beat Sheet" for plotting (See the book SAVE THE CAT, below, for more details)

* Another example of cinematic plot points

* Erin's first picture book is coming this fall, and you can pre-order it now!

* Teachers Write is a great FREE program that runs over the summer, July 9-Aug 3, particularly geared towards teachers who also write books. Check it out for mentorship and inspiration!

BOOKS WE DISCUSSED:

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18: Buy the Book, with guest bookstore buyer Suzanna Hermans

5/8/2018

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I'm joined by Suzanna Hermans, from Oblong Books & Music in New York's Hudson Valley. She talks about how she curates the selection at Oblong -- what prompts an "auto-buy" from her -- and when books get returned. We also touch on some hot topics: Does a scandal from an author prompt exclusion from the bookstore shelves? And just how terrible IS Henry Higgins from MY FAIR LADY? (#theworst). Plus, great book recommendations, and current obsessions!

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SHOW NOTES:

* SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE!
* The Literaticast has a Patreon - chip in a buck, and you just might win books every month.
* Find me on Twitter @literaticat - Find Suzanna Hermans on Twitter @oblongirl
* Visit Oblong Books & Music on the web!
* Awesome upcoming YA events at the Hudson Valley YA Society
* Edelweiss is a digital catalogue system
* Obsessions have a Caribbean flair:
-- Jenn rec's a TV show on Netflix: DEATH IN PARADISE is escapist "Murder She Wrote-esque" fare.
-- Suzanna recommends ONCE ON THIS ISLAND for Broadway Lovers.