Blogger of the Week:
Suzanne Young

YA Author Suzanne Young started blogging at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com a little over a year. She didn't have a publishing contract and began blogging, she says, mostly just for fun. "Over the next several months, I tried to find my niche. One of the things that really worked for me was my ongoing story blog, Going Green. It was a YA story that I was writing every few days strictly for my blog. I seemed to gather some readers from it and loved doing it!"

When it was time to send her work to publishers, Suzanne began by submitting her manuscript directly to editors. "It was a scary time for me, but I gathered interest and was feeling great," she says. "Then I got an email from Melissa Sarver with Elizabeth Kaplan Agency. She had been reading my blog and wondered if I was currently represented. After a few weeks of emailing and talking with her, I knew she was perfect and ended up signing with her! Soon after, I sold two books to Razorbill. And my blog played a huge part in finding Melissa, proving that blogs can be important for up-and-coming authors."

Her debut novel Smitten Kittens, featuring Tessa Crimson and her squad of cheerleaders who investigate cheaters (as in cheating boyfriends) will be released from Razorbill in 2010.


Suzanne also participates in a group vlog called Lip Gloss Lit. "This one for me is a blast. I got together with a critique partner of mine, author Amanda K. Morgan and we started a vlogging site where we blogged via video. It's a great way to show our personalities and be able to chat with people on a more personal level. We’re always looking for guest vloggers, so keep us in mind!"

For bloggers just starting out, Suzanne advises "let your personality shine through. Sure, my blog might not always be about writing (like when I talk about my daughter’s desire to trap squirrels in jars) but I try to always make it fun. That’s my style. So let your blog reflect your style and people will get to know and care about your journey!" And indeed her ebullient personality comes across in her blog.

Visit www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com today and wish Suzanne...

Happy Birthday!

Blog of the Week:
Cuppa Jolie...


Jolie Stekly answered a few questions about her blog, Cuppa Jolie, in the midst of a Western Washington SCBWI Retreat. (She was about to walk out the door to pick up Patti Lee Gauch when I emailed her.) Jolie, a former elementary school teacher, is currently a Regional Advisor for the Western Washington SCBWI and has just finished revising a NaNoWriMo rough draft.

Tell me a little about your blog?

I have a What the Buzz? section on my blog where I say: “In this blog I chat with baristas about books, interview authors, buzz about coffee spots, and blather about writerly issues and the other stuff on my mind.” Really, I mostly blather. This is actually a great personal reminder that I need bring some more focus to the first three.

When I started Cuppa Jolie, I decided to combine all the passions that collide in my writing life: books, coffee, and people. Plus, I had some sort of delusion that as I started to interview authors at cool coffee spots, they’d start to invite me to get together with them at their favorite places. Crazy, I know, but one can dream. Really, I dream about one day chatting with Judy Blume over lattes and pastries as I secretly pinch myself because I was talking to my childhood fave. Hey, crazier things have happened.

Cuppa Jolie debuted in August. Wy did you decide to start blogging?

Peer pressure. Really. It started with the cutest couple in the children’s book world, Laini Taylor and Jim DiBartolo. For a good year, every time I saw them, they’d ask me when I was going to start a blog. They wouldn’t leave me alone about it and it became quite obsessive—okay, maybe I’m exaggerating, but they convinced me I should do it. Laini and Jim couldn’t say enough about the ways it’s helped them connect with the larger children’s book community. And, you know, they were right. I’ve been amazed at the connections and friendships I’ve made in a few short months.

What would you say is the purpose of your blog? As a new blogger, did you learn anything helpful at the Portland conference?

A purpose? Yikes. That makes it seem like what I’m doing, what I’m saying/writing, is important. Like it might matter to someone else. Well, actually, I hope it does, even the silly stuff. If I can make someone say, Hey, I do that, too! or I have days like that! or even if they just laugh or nod their head, then good deal. Not only does it make me feel good, but I hope it does for those reading.

A purpose not intended but has been great: Letting my family (across the country) get a glimpse into my writing life which is quite separate from my personal/family life. (Hi, Grandpa! Love you.)

As for the Kidlitosphere Blogging Conference in Portland, I almost didn’t attend, but I’m so glad I did. One of my biggest takeaways from the conference—comment on other blogs. Before I started blogging myself, I read many, but never commented. I mentioned in one of my posts that I almost felt like a stranger peering in a window, not wanting to get caught, not wanting the blogger to know I was curious. I have a completely different attitude as a blogger. I LOVE when people leave me comments, not only that, but if you’re a blogger yourself, it’s a great way to start getting to know others in the industry. So comment!

Can you give any advice to writers just beginning to create a presence in the blogosphere?

That’s a tall order! But the first thing that comes to mind is to dive in and go for it. Also, be yourself. This actually makes me think about a session at the conference presented by the wonderful and very successful blogger, Mother Reader. While I may have just said to dive in, do think it over a bit (just not too much or you might never do it). Find your niche; find your purpose and what will work for you personally. Another huge piece of advice Mother Reader shared was to consider a group blog so that the responsibility can be shared. But now that I spilled all that very well-intended information, I’m not sure if I’ve followed a bit of it (other than being myself).

Blogging is fun. I think it was one Miss Alice Pope who commented early-on in Cuppa Jolie’s history and told me it’s addictive. You’re right, Alice. It really is.

Blog of the Week:
Teen Fiction Cafe...


"The idea for the Teen Fiction Cafe was hatched in March 2007 I was chatting online with fellow RWA member Sara Hantz and we realized our debut teen novels launched within a few months of each other," says founding member Wendy Toliver. "We thought it would be cool to gather up-and-coming as well as multi-published YA authors for a group blog, covering topics their teen readers would find interesting--as well as fellow authors, librarians, teachers, etc."

After this initial discussion, Sara and Wendy emailed a group of international YA authors they knew or wanted to know and every one said they'd love to participate. Kelly Parra volunteered to take care of the technical aspects of starting and maintaining the blog.

Here is the fabulous list of contributors to Teen Fiction Cafe:

• Amanda Ashby
• Lauren Baratz-Logsted
• Teri Brown
• Jessica Burkhart
• Liza Conrad (Erica Orloff)
• Linda Gerber
• Sara Hantz
• Stephanie Kuehnert
• Alyson Noel
• Kelly Parra
• Wendy Toliver
• Melissa Walker
• Sara Zarr

How do they handle so many cooks in one kitchen? "Every week, three or four authors post on a recommended topic. Whenever someone has an idea for a new topic, it's added into the rotation, and Sara Hantz is great at sending reminder emails to everyone." says Wendy. "The authors post any time during that week, with the goal of keeping the blog fresh and fun. Additionally, once a month the blog hosts a 'Promo Week,' where the authors may promote their work, an event, or someone else's work, hold a contest, etc. Teen Fiction Cafe gets approximately 500-1000 hits a week."

Besides blogging together, the TFC authors share industry and personal news, promote each other's book launches, brainstorm, hang out at conferences, arrange group book signings, and otherwise support one another. Says Wendy: "It's been an amazing ride, and only gets more exciting as time goes on."

Blog of the Week:
Annette Gulati's The Writing Wild Life...

Annette Gulati started blogging (hesitantly, she says) just over a year ago “I kept hearing over and over by editors that even unpublished writers needed to create a web presence. I already had a website, but there was something about the blogging community that lured me in. I was reading other author blogs and I enjoyed following their journeys. I also loved the fact that there were so many friendships out there.”

So Annette created The Wild Writing Life as a way to chronicle her writing journey, what she calls “the trek I’m taking through the sometimes perilous jungle of children’s publishing.” But the purpose of her blog, she says “has sort of grown into finding a place in this community, and having the opportunity to talk about children’s literature with others who are as passionate about it as I am. My blog is really a smattering of things: relating industry news, some book reviews, author interviews, sharing my own successes and failures. I feel sort of like the parrot who sits atop a tree overlooking the jungle and knowing exactly what’s going on, but with the goal of someday being right down there with the others in the thick of it all.”

Annette is well on her way to descending from that tree top. Last year she won the Barbara Karlin grant for picture book writers from SCBWI. “Picture books have always been my first love,” she says. Winning the grant “was a tremendous boost of confidence for me. I have numerous picture books in various stages of development, but I’ve also written several easy readers and chapter books. I also love writing for children’s magazines.”

Blog of the Week:
Johanna Wright's what's new on JohannaWright.com...

In addition to a portfolio, a bio page, a link to her etsy store and other standard artist's website features, illustrator Johanna Wright offers a wonderfully visual blog on JohannaWright.com. Johanna says blogging allows the public to get to know her, feel connected with her artwork, and follow her career, wherever it may go.

"As an illustrator, a website is key. I feel like having a blog keeps people connected to my work in a way that they haven't been able to be in the past," she says. "I lived in New York for many years, and spent four of those years selling my artwork on the streets of Manhattan. Sitting on the street was a great way to connect with thousands of people, and get them interested in my art on a personal level. Now, blogging has replaced that for me. I can spend the day painting in my studio, record some of my artwork in a blog post, and still connect to more people than I have in the past."

Johanna say she feels like she's "in a really happy place creatively." Her first book, Secret Circus, is coming out with Roaring Brook Press in spring '09. Two other RBP titles she wrote and illustrated follow in 2010, Bandits and Rabbits on Skates. And she illustrated Clover Twig, by Kaye Umansky, also slated for spring 2009.


"I feel like there is a small group of blog readers that have followed my path to this place. That's so great to me! It gives me the freedom to do more of what I love to do, and spend less time trying to get people invested in what I'm creating."

If you enjoy her work and would like to keep up with what Johanna's doing, you can sign up for her email newsletter. I did--I think her style offers the perfect mix of warmth and wonder.

Blog of the Week:
Lee Wind's I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I read?...

This week I kick off my new recurring Friday feature, Blog of the Week, with I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I read?, "The Place to find out about Young Adult fiction books with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning characters and themes....and other cool stuff from Lee Wind, Teen Action Fantasy author."

Wind began blogging in 2007, and had since amassed a comprehensive collection of GLBTQ books which are listed by category on I'm Here. I'm Queer. "When I was a teenager, I read everything sci fi and fantasy and YA I could get my hands on," he says. "But there were NO gay characters. In anything. Today my blog lists over 170 books that would have changed my life if I could have read them when I was 16. Hopefully, knowing these books are out there so they can get them and read them will make a difference for Teens today."

Lee's blog mission is to:

1. Provide Lists, Synopses and Reviews of every YA and younger book with Gay (GLBTQ) Characters and Themes
2. * Share Hidden Gay History--the stuff they don't necessarily teach in school
3. Talk about Popular Culture, Gay Teens, and Kid Lit
4. Spark and nurture a sense of community--(i.e., providing weekly topics for Gay Straight Alliance Meetings)

* In regards to #2, I asked Lee if there is actually gay history taught in schools. After all, he's in California, I'm in Ohio--things may be way different on the West Coast. There was some effort, he says, to pass a gay history curriculum, but it was vetoed it. "But some schools (especially those with GSAs) seem to be discussing some gay issues and history, even if it's not part of the curriculum. I guess I'm being optimistic and should just say 'the stuff they don't teach in schools!'" [Note: As I was working on this post yesterday, the PW Children's Bookshelf hit my inbox and included an article titled Gay History 101 about Linas Alsenas' Gay America which has just come out from Amulet.]

You can read more about I'm Here. I'm Queer by clicking here. Click on the individual books listed on the blog to read overviews along with reviews from blog readers and add your own reviews. And be sure to direct teens who have an interest in GLBTQ literature to Lee's Blog.