Home of Tundra Books, Puffin Canada, Penguin Teen Canada, and Friends
You’re invited to the launch of two spectacular middle grade novels! Join Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Kallie George as they launch their latest books, Mya’s Strategy to Save the World and Wings of Olympus!
When: Thursday, April 25, 2019
Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Vancouver Kidsbooks
Address: 2557 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9
Admission is free, light refreshments will be served.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kallie-george-and-tanya-lloyd-kyi-at-kidsbooks-tickets-56196589512
We just finished a successful week-long blog tour in support of Tanaz Bhathena’s The Beauty of the Moment – thank you to all the bloggers who participated!
Check out their thoughts below:
Monday, April 8
Tuesday, April 9
Wednesday, April 10
Thursday, April 11
Friday, April 12
Thanks for following along!
As a bonus, here’s a short Q&A with Tanaz herself:
Recommend a book for Susan and Malcolm.
Susan: The entire Amar Chitra Katha series of graphic novels
Malcolm: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson (It might have to be an audiobook though; he’s not keen on reading)
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
Have more faith in your dreams.
What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?
Butt in seat. The story won’t tell itself.
What are you reading now?
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
What books do you recommend for fans of The Beauty of the Moment?
The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, 2 States by Chetan Bhagat, and You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins
5 Random Facts About Tanaz Bhathena:
Please join us for the launch of Megabat and Fancy Cat, the second book in the hilarious and sweet new middle grade series from Anna Humphrey, illustrated by Kass Reich.
When: Saturday April 13, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Moonbeam Books
Address:335 Jane St, Toronto, ON M6S 3Z3
There will be a reading and a drawing demonstration as well as a Make-Your-Own-Megabat craft. Admission is free, snacks will be available.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/megabat-and-fancy-cat-launch-tickets-59057860651
This week, we’ve been running a blog tour for Heather Smith’s poignant coming-of-age novel, Chicken Girl, and now all the reviews are in!
Monday, February 25
Vicky @ Vicky Who Reads gave us a guest post from Heather, as well as five reasons to read Chicken Girl
Lisa @ Remarkably Lisa loves Poppy’s gay twin brother, Cam
Jaaron @ Worn Pages and Ink called it one of the best YA novels she’s read in a long time
Tuesday, February 26
Malanie @ malanie loves fiction thinks a lot of people will enjoy it despite the heavy topics
Chelsea @ Twirling Pages wrote a love letter to the book, saying that she saw herself in almost every character
Alexa @ Like Literally Literary is especially fond of Poppy’s new friend, Miracle
Wednesday, February 27
Kaitlyn @ Midsummer Night’s Read really connected with Poppy’s character
Wendy @ A Cupcake and A Latte loves Heather’s “touching and emotionally uplifting writing”
Thursday, February 28
Summer @ Butter My Books is hoping for a sequel about Lewis (or Cam!)
Christine @ Padfoot’s Library posted a short piece about writing from Heather
Olivia @ The Candid Cover thinks the book has a great message about respect – both online and IRL
Friday, March 1
Kate @ Snarky Yet Satisfying fell in love with Poppy and her friends on the first page
Zuhra @ Venus Reads couldn’t put it down
Thanks so much to all the bloggers who participated – we hope they convince the rest of you that you need this book in your life. Look for it on shelves next week!
Nobody writes YA thrillers like Karen McManus. One of Us is Lying was a runaway smash hit-think The Breakfast Club with a deadly twist-and her latest novel Two Can Keep a Secret is just as fun, with shocking reveals and twists that will keep you reading late into the night. Find out about Karen’s writing process and which character she relates to the most below!
Describe TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET in 5 words.
Homecoming turns deadly once again.
Which of your characters from your latest novel is most like you?
Ellery’s twin brother, Ezra. He’s the observer of the story, along for the ride as Ellery starts poking around in their mother’s past and the mysteries of Echo Ridge. Ezra’s running commentary is pretty much exactly what I’d say in the same situation. Also, we like the same music 🙂
Recommend a book for Ellery.
Ellery is a true crime buff, so she’d love something like The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas. The main character in that book was a key witness in the years-old prosecution of a serial killer, but now that she’s older she’s starting to question whether her memories are real.
There are so many twists in this story. How do you keep track of them while writing?
I would love to tell you that I have an extremely clever system, but I use a basic Excel spreadsheet as a chapter guide. I sketch out key beats for plot and characters, and then write in 3-4 chapter bursts. I do a lot of revising of those chapters before I move on, making sure I’m satisfied with how the story is progressing. Then I go back through the larger outline to see if what I’ve written requires any changes to the structure as a whole.
What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?
I wish I could remember who said this, because I’d credit them if I did: that characters should be doing something in the last chapter that would have seemed impossible in the first. I love that, because it’s the perfect litmus test as to whether your characters have undertaken enough of a journey to grow and change.