Double Debut: Interview with Nicole Lesperance

It’s exciting to have one debut novel coming out in a year, but two? Today we are talking with Nicole Lesperance, middle grade and young adult author, who has two novels debuting in 2021! TWP Let’s start with introducing your two novels debuting this year. The Nightmare Thief and The Wide Starlight. Can you give us a brief summary of each? Nicole The Nightmare Thief … Continue reading Double Debut: Interview with Nicole Lesperance

How to Write in Multiple Points of View

Today we’re talking with a few 2021 debut authors about writing in multiple points of view. As writers we know it’s hard to get the character arc and voice down for one character, but two, three, four? Let’s see how these authors tackle this writing style. TWP: Why did you decide to write in more than one POV? One of the central questions my book … Continue reading How to Write in Multiple Points of View

Cover Reveal: Rea and the Blood of the Nectar

All of us at The Winged Pen are excited to be a part of the cover reveal for a new middle grade fantasy: Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi.

The novel tells the story of Rea Chettri, a 12-year-old girl living a simple, if boring, life on the tea plantations of Darjeeling, India. Without warning, Rea’s life gets turned on its head when her twin brother goes missing. Determined to save him, Rea embarks . . . Continue reading Cover Reveal: Rea and the Blood of the Nectar

The Debut Year Timeline

In July, I introduced you to The21ders, the debut group for the authors of middle grade and young adult novels being published in 2021. Today I’m going to talk about the debut year timeline. (And you will see why the knowledge and support of the group is so important) Depending on when your contract is signed, the publishing date set, and the deal announced, you … Continue reading The Debut Year Timeline

Recommended – LOBIZONA by Romina Garber

Some people ARE illegal. Lobizonas do NOT exist. Both of these statements are false. Manuela Azul has been crammed into an existence that feels too small for her. As an undocumented immigrant who’s on the run from her father’s Argentine crime-family, Manu is confined to a small apartment and a small life in Miami, Florida. Until Manu’s protective bubble is shattered. Her surrogate grandmother is … Continue reading Recommended – LOBIZONA by Romina Garber

A Peek Inside the Author Debut Group

Debut groups. What writers with their first publishing contracts are a part of. Ah, the dream! For years I’ve seen the hashtags of debut groups. We’ve all heard of the most recent Novel19s and Roaring20s, right? As soon as I had serious interest in my young adult novel, List of Ten, I realized I was clueless about the next steps. If my book sold, what would … Continue reading A Peek Inside the Author Debut Group

Rebel in the Library of Ever – Publishing During Self-Quarantine

The follow-up to Zeno Alexander’s acclaimed middle-grade fantasy THE LIBRARY OF EVER features a dangerous takeover of the magical Library as our heroine fights to make knowledge free for everyone. We are thrilled to have Zeno Alexander at The Winged Pen talking about the newest adventures of Lenora and the Library of Ever, as well as his thoughts on publishing in this alternate reality. Lenora returns to … Continue reading Rebel in the Library of Ever – Publishing During Self-Quarantine

The Book with Answers to All Your Publishing Questions – BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL

“For the dreamers who sat down to tell a story that no one asked them to write.”  – Before and After the Book Deal I am a dreamer and because you are here, you must be too. That also means you have questions and lots of them. I do not have all of the answers, but I can direct you to a book that does. … Continue reading The Book with Answers to All Your Publishing Questions – BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL

WHAT HAPPENED? Halli Gomez, Rebecca J. Allen and the Work-for-Hire Writing Process

It’s easy to go to a writing conference and think that there is only one road to a published book: Agent–> Editor–> Publisher–> New York Times Bestselling Author. 🙂

Many children’s books are produced by a completely different path. With a Work-For-Hire project… Continue reading WHAT HAPPENED? Halli Gomez, Rebecca J. Allen and the Work-for-Hire Writing Process

It’s Never Too Early: Marketing for Published and Non-published Authors

This year we are surrounded, slammed, by political news, and unfortunately, there is no end in sight. Not even on November 4, 2020.  It got me thinking about those poor books being published later this year. Will their announcements get lost in the presidential candidate bickering? Will the book tweets disappear in the mass of berating tweets from—? How will readers hear the good news? … Continue reading It’s Never Too Early: Marketing for Published and Non-published Authors

Recommended: SHOWTIME SABOTAGE by Verity Weaver

Do you like to solve mysteries? Know an amateur detective? Need a series for reluctant readers? The What Happened Series is the answer. And SHOWTIME SABOTAGE is the perfect place to start.  Green Valley Middle School’s theater students knew their production of Pirates and Lost Boys was cursed. After months of snow days, chicken pox, and flaring rivalries, they have finally made it to opening … Continue reading Recommended: SHOWTIME SABOTAGE by Verity Weaver

Book Release! Emotion Thesaurus Second Edition

Hello! Today I’m helping authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi launch their new book, The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition)! You might know about The Emotion Thesaurus and even have it on your shelf. But chances are, you may not have known a second edition was in the works. Becca and Angela decided to keep it a surprise and only recently announced the book was releasing! So not only … Continue reading Book Release! Emotion Thesaurus Second Edition