Author: Halli Gomez

Halli Gomez writes for children and young adults and works at her independent bookstore. When no one is looking, she sock skates through the house and talks to dogs like they are human. When people are looking, she enjoys reading, outdoors, and breaking out of escape rooms with her family. She is represented by Deborah Warren of East West Literary Agency. Her debut young adult novel List of Ten (Sterling, 3/16/21) won the 2021 NC Young People's Literature Award. You can find Halli on Twitter or her website halligomez.com.
Author, Book Recommendations, Chapter Books, Interviews, Picture Books, STEM

Recommended: MY CAT CAN’T TELL TIME (BUT I CAN) by Rebecca J. Allen

Mila’s cat, Muffin, can’t tell time. Muffin wakes her up early every morning! Tired of having her sleep interrupted, Mila attempts to teach Muffin how to tell time. She tells her about the hour hand, the minute hand, and hour and half-hour units.

Will Mila’s teaching work? Will she ever get a full night of sleep?

Find out more about the book, read an interview with the author, and enter our BIG BOOK GIVEAWAY! Continue reading Recommended: MY CAT CAN’T TELL TIME (BUT I CAN) by Rebecca J. Allen

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Craft Books, Creativity and Craft, Publishing & Promotion, Thesaurus, Writing Tools

More Conflict for You: The Conflict Thesaurus SILVER EDITION is Now Out (plus a giveaway!)

I always get a bit excited when a book I’m waiting for finally releases, so it’s great to finally share that The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggle (Vol. 2) is now out! This SILVER EDITION is the twin of the GOLD EDITION, and continues to explore all the ways we can better leverage the conflict in our story.  If you are new to these … Continue reading More Conflict for You: The Conflict Thesaurus SILVER EDITION is Now Out (plus a giveaway!)

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Author, Creativity and Craft, Interviews, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life, Writing Tools

Writing on Proposal: A Different Option

One of the most common pieces of advice given to writers is that their manuscripts must be complete and as perfect as possible before querying agents or editors. That is true in most cases, but there are some instances where complete manuscripts are not required. In fact, just a proposal will do. What? I have an idea for a book, a really good idea, and … Continue reading Writing on Proposal: A Different Option

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Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, STEM

Cole Champion: STEM Versus Superpowers

As a fellow reader, I already have a list of books to read in 2022, and a list of books to recommend. Top on my list to recommend is the new middle grade series featuring Cole Champion, a regular kid who attends a not so regular school. (Think Sky High meets Big Hero 6.) These books include three features certain to grab the attention of … Continue reading Cole Champion: STEM Versus Superpowers

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Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life, Writing Tools

A New Writing Guide for You: The Conflict Thesaurus +Giveaway

It’s always fun when there’s good news to share, and today is one of those days. You may know Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, the authors of The Emotion Thesaurus. Well, I’m a big believer in the helpfulness of their books and so joined their Street Team for The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Vol. 1). It’s just released, and I am so … Continue reading A New Writing Guide for You: The Conflict Thesaurus +Giveaway

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Creativity and Craft, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

A Peek into the Life of an Editor

As writers, we spend most of our time writing – as we should. We draft then revise, revise, revise, and revise until our manuscript is as perfect as possible. Then we move on to the next step. Query, query, query. Let’s go one further and say we sign with an agent. What now? More querying, but this time your agent is querying editors. It’s called … Continue reading A Peek into the Life of an Editor

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Book Recommendations, Diversity, Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Reading, STEM, Windows & Mirrors

Great Middle Grade Books for Summer 2021

You asked for our favorite middle grade reads of 2021 so here they are! Now that summer is here, Rebecca, Richelle, and I are thrilled to recommend these middle grade books for your vacation. They are perfect for the beach, car, airplane, even when waiting in line at your favorite amusement park. The Truths We Hold (Young Readers Edition) by Kamala Harris Before she was … Continue reading Great Middle Grade Books for Summer 2021

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Author, Debut Group, Interviews, Publishing & Promotion

Interview and Book Launch Celebration with Author Candice Marley Conner

We are thrilled to have debut author Candice Marley Conner with us today! Candice’s two books, Sassafras and Her Teeny Tiny Tail (picture book) and The Existence of Bea Pearl (young adult novel), came out this month. We will be talking with her about books and the methods, and challenges, of writing for such different age groups. Hello Candice! We are excited to have you on The Winged Pen. … Continue reading Interview and Book Launch Celebration with Author Candice Marley Conner

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Inspiration, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

Thoughts From a Bookseller

If you read this blog regularly, you know I am an author, and may also know I have had several careers in my adult life. Four to be exact.  While signing copies of my new novel at my independent bookstore (author – career number three), I was told about an open bookseller position. I love books, as an author you have to, and I love … Continue reading Thoughts From a Bookseller

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Book Recommendations, Diversity, Reading, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

Book Review: Enduring Freedom

Enduring Freedom is a young adult novel written in dual points of view by Jawad Arash and Trent Reedy. This novel releases at a perfect time as the US military prepares to leave Afghanistan and the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 comes later this year. Synopsis: On September 11, 2001, the lives of two boys on opposite sides of the world are changed in an instant. … Continue reading Book Review: Enduring Freedom

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Creativity and Craft, Debut Group, Publishing & Promotion, Writer's Life

The Surprising Aftereffects of the Debut Novel

This past year, I’ve written three posts about the debut year. Peeking Inside a Debut Group, The Debut Timeline, and Launching and Marketing Your Book. It has been a wonderful and enlightening year. Many things about the debut process surprised me, but nothing more than the aftereffects of the whole process. Well, really just one. I mentioned in the post about launching and marketing your novel … Continue reading The Surprising Aftereffects of the Debut Novel

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Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft, Reading, Writing Tools, Young Adult

Tips for Writing Short Stories

Do you read short stories? Have you written any? I love them and have written a few of my own. This month, it seems as if short stories dominated my reading list. I judged a teen short story contest with 33 entries and read two books of short stories. As you can see, I’ve thought of nothing else and that is what prompted this post. … Continue reading Tips for Writing Short Stories

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