Author: Julie Artz

Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Picture Books, STEM

Interview and Giveaway with Author Clare Hodgson Meeker

I’m thrilled to introduce my friend and nonfiction author Clare Hodgson Meeker! The Winged Pen is delighted to help her celebrate the release of GROWING UP GORILLA. Gorillas are one of my favorite animals and this story took place right at our local zoo. It’s a gorgeous picture book full of facts and pictures and one that elementary school children will ask for again and … Continue reading Interview and Giveaway with Author Clare Hodgson Meeker

Julie Artz4 Comments
Author, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

There’s nothing I love more than announcing a gorgeous new voice in middle grade fantasy. So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce you to K. A. Reynolds, debut author of the magical, glorious The Land of Yesterday. Welcome to The Winged Pen, K. A.! JA: More and more often, we’re seeing middle grade authors tackle tough subjects like grief, mental illness, and trauma for … Continue reading Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday

Julie Artz1 Comment
Creativity and Craft, Interviews, Literary Agent, Master Your Craft, Publishing & Promotion

MYC – Querying, An Agent’s Perspective

Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Last year, we walked you through every step from getting the big idea through polishing your finished novel. Our bonus post last week dipped back into craft and how to give your story cliffhangers. We also offered anxiety-free tips on playing the waiting game. This week, we’re talking with agent and Winged Pen pal Hilary Harwell from KT Literary about … Continue reading MYC – Querying, An Agent’s Perspective

Julie Artz1 Comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

Windows & Mirrors – Celebrating National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month, so Windows & Mirrors is back with another great list of books by under-represented voices. This time, in verse. The Poet X This new release by Elizabeth Acevedo is taking the publishing world by storm, debuting on the New York Times best seller list. This story about a young poet who dreams of performing all the poems in her notebook … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors – Celebrating National Poetry Month

Julie ArtzLeave a comment
image shows middle grade and young adult fiction books open with text face out
Creativity and Craft, Master Your Craft

MYC – Six Steps to a Query-Ready Manuscript

Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss writing a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last year, we walked you through every step from getting the big idea through polishing your finished novel. This week, we tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in the history of the known world in your critique group and beyond: Is your manuscript query-ready? … Continue reading MYC – Six Steps to a Query-Ready Manuscript

Julie Artz2 Comments
Love Letters, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

A Windows & Mirrors Love Letter – The Hate U Give

Welcome to a special Love Letters edition of Windows & Mirrors where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to hear Angie Thomas, author of the National Book Award-nominated, NYT best-selling The Hate U Give, speak in New York City. I loved putting a face … Continue reading A Windows & Mirrors Love Letter – The Hate U Give

Julie ArtzLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King award winner Rita Williams Garcia’s Clayton Byrd Goes Underground is one of my favorite recent middle grade reads. Full of voice, the musicality and raw emotion of the blues, and complex family relationships, … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

Julie Artz1 Comment
Book Recommendations, Windows & Mirrors

Introducing Windows & Mirrors

The phrase “windows and mirrors” has become a catch-phrase of the movement for more inclusivity in children’s literature. Borrowed from a scholarly paper written more than twenty-five years ago by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, the words remind us why children need to see themselves, and others who are not like them, in books: Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real … Continue reading Introducing Windows & Mirrors

Julie Artz2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Young Adult

Learning to Love Audiobooks

We do a lot of book recommendations here on The Winged Pen because between the lot of us, we read all. the. books. From MG fantasy modern classics to hot new releases to Native American literature for young readers. But recently, a fairly intense Mom Taxi schedule left me considering something new: audiobooks. I never got into audiobooks because I mistakenly imagined myself fidgeting while I … Continue reading Learning to Love Audiobooks

Julie Artz6 Comments
Contests, Feedback, Four on 400

Four on 400 December Contest Feedback

Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s Four on 400 contest! Sharing your writing takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for our contest.Below, we’ve posted the first 400 words from this month’s winner, along with feedback from at least four of our members. We also encourage our readers to share their (constructive) suggestions and encouragement in the comments section below. THE BOY WHO … Continue reading Four on 400 December Contest Feedback

Julie ArtzLeave a comment
Conferences & writing retreats, Creativity and Craft, Interviews, Literary Agent

An Interview with Manuscript Academy co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer

Happy #MSWL day! Today, agents and editors from around the world will Tweet their wish-lists. It’s a great way to fine tune your query list and to get an idea of what editors are looking for as well. Manuscript Wish List co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer has been hard at work on another project recently as well: The Manuscript Academy. She stopped by The Winged Pen to … Continue reading An Interview with Manuscript Academy co-founder Jessica Sinsheimer

Julie Artz1 Comment
image shows middle grade and young adult fiction books open with text face out
Creativity and Craft, Master Your Craft

MYC: Dynamic Dialogue

Welcome to this week’s Master Your Craft post! Each Wednesday we’ll discuss prewriting and drafting a new book from the BIG IDEA to QUERYING. Last week, we continued our series on revision with Editing the Big Picture. This week, we’re diving in to crafting dynamic dialogue. Are your readers complaining of stilted dialogue, too many monologues, or not enough “voice” in your characters’ spoken words? If yes, you … Continue reading MYC: Dynamic Dialogue

Julie Artz1 Comment