Author: Rebecca J. Allen

REBECCA J. ALLEN writes middle grade stories that blend mystery and adventure & young adult stories with kick-butt heroines. She's the author of STEM Superhero adventures, Cole Champion Is Not Super and Cole Champion Takes On the Villains (Jolly Fish Press). When not writing, she loves to bike, watch spy thrillers, and craft the perfect crème brûlée. You can find her at rebeccajallen.com. (she/her)
Conferences & writing retreats, Interviews, SCBWI

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 50th Annual New England SCBWI Conference with Co-Director Jim Hill

The 2023 New England SCBWI Conference will be held Friday, April 28th – Sunday, April 30th.

This is my go-to writing conference because it’s always got great depth in everything kidlit, from writing picture books to middle grade and young adult novels, plus graphic novels and illustration. I was looking for the inside scoop to share with readers and got it and thanks to Co-Director Jim Hill.

This year’s conference will be extra special because:

– It’s the conference’s 50th anniversary!
– It’s IN PERSON. While Zoom conferences are great, I think we’re all ready to meet up live with writing and illustrating peeps who we haven’t seen for a bit.

For a run-down on what the schedule includes and more, read our full article! Continue reading A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 50th Annual New England SCBWI Conference with Co-Director Jim Hill

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Author, Book Recommendations, Chapter Books, Interviews, Middle Grade

THE EASTSIDE EXTRA Series by Anita Storey: Review + Author Interview

Anika Veerkar, Benicio “Benny” Flores, and Libby Abrams are neighborhood friends–and known to be relentlessly curious. They’re always asking questions, and their interest in sharing the answers has led them to start an online newsletter. Encouraged by their parents, they venture out into the community to investigate the most engaging mysteries. Continue reading THE EASTSIDE EXTRA Series by Anita Storey: Review + Author Interview

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Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Recommended: BEST FRIENDS, BIKINIS, & OTHER SUMMER CATASTROPHES by Kristi Wientge

Alex has always known her best friend and next-door neighbor, Will, will be there for her. That’s just how it’s always been. Until a girl from the pool named Rebekah comes over to them and says hi. Suddenly, Will is changing his clothes, restyling his hair, and breaking all of their summer plans and Alex is not happy about it . . .

Click to read more! Continue reading Recommended: BEST FRIENDS, BIKINIS, & OTHER SUMMER CATASTROPHES by Kristi Wientge

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Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Recommended: THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy Tandon

Rory still can’t say his r’s, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. First Rory’s ex-best-friend Brent started hanging out with the mean lacrosse kids. But then, a terrible accident takes Brent out of school, and Rory struggles with how to feel . . .

Read more in today’s post! Continue reading Recommended: THE WAY I SAY IT by Nancy Tandon

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Conferences & writing retreats, SCBWI

The Inside Scoop on the 2022 New England SCBWI Conference: An Interview with Juliana Spink Mills

This year’s New England SCBWI Conference is Friday, April 29th through Sunday, May 1st. It’s my regional conference and I look forward to it every year. This year’s conference is particularly special because co-director Juliana Spink Mills lives in my town. It’s wonderful that a writer-friend is running the show!

I wanted to get the word out about how great this conference is, so I sat down with Juliana to get the inside scoop. Continue reading The Inside Scoop on the 2022 New England SCBWI Conference: An Interview with Juliana Spink Mills

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Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Recommended: The Ogress and the Orphans

This is the feel-good book that we need right now, when there is so much not right with the world. It’s got the kind Ogress you want to hug and the greedy dragon it’s so easy to hate, especially when he plays tricks on people for his own benefit. And then there are the clever orphans to cheer on as they try to unravel why so many bad things are happening . . . Continue reading Recommended: The Ogress and the Orphans

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List of Ten by Halli Gomez
Book Recommendations, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

The Secrets Authors Keep: LIST OF TEN News Halli’s Been Waiting to Tell Us!

Have you ever seen those mysterious tweets from authors . . . “I have a secret I can’t wait to tell you!”

How frustrating is that? Well, as it turns out, it’s just as frustrating for the author! Halli’s had both some new book cover secrets as well as some award secrets. As soon as she was allowed to talk, I got the scoop!

Here’s a look into the secrets authors have to keep. Continue reading The Secrets Authors Keep: LIST OF TEN News Halli’s Been Waiting to Tell Us!

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Creativity and Craft, Master Your Craft

Querying 201: 9 Tips for Querying a Manuscript That’s NOT Your First

We wrote an article on querying your manuscript a couple years ago. That advice is still solid, but I wanted to write a follow on for people who have been around the query block before.

Why?

When writers first query, they tend to rush into it, sending out lots of queries without taking the time to incorporate feedback. I’ll admit I was guilty of this. Once you’ve put time into a few manuscripts and have a better sense of what type of agent you’d like to work with, it’s easier to slow down and be deliberate.

So whether your first (couple?) manuscripts didn’t get you an agent or you’ve parted with your agent and need to find a new one, these suggestions can help you dig deeper to find the best partner for you. Continue reading Querying 201: 9 Tips for Querying a Manuscript That’s NOT Your First

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Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Nonfiction

Recommended: SKY GAZING by Meg Thacher

Who doesn’t get entranced looking up at the stars? Whether you’re searching for constellations or imagining blasting off from Earth to found the first settlement on Mars, the night sky gets your imagination rolling. And you have much more knowledge to work with if you’ve read up on the objects you’re gazing at.

That’s where Sky Gazing comes in . . . Continue reading Recommended: SKY GAZING by Meg Thacher

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10 best ya books for summer 2021
Book Recommendations, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

10 Great Young Adult Books for Summer 2021

It’s summer! And we’re actually allowed out of our houses and can get to the beach this year! We know you want a few good books to bring on vacation, so Halli, Richelle, and I came up with a list of our favorites.

Whether you love thrillers or fantasies, contemporaries or romances, you’ll find something(s) you love on this list.

Happy reading! Continue reading 10 Great Young Adult Books for Summer 2021

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