Category: Book Recommendations

Book Recommendations, Interviews

Bill Blume and the Teenager Vampire Hunter

 Bill Blume Website: http://www.billblume.net/gidion01.html Bill works as a 911 dispatcher for Henrico County Police. He served as the 2013 chair for James River Writers. Despite the red covers, little blood is spilled. Gidion is the younger male version of Sookie Stackhouse and Veronica Mars. A fast-paced thriller. A witty boy. Written by a police expert. Fresh spin on the vampire trope from the hunter’s perspective. … Continue reading Bill Blume and the Teenager Vampire Hunter

Sussu Leclerc2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Four on 400, Interviews, Picture Books

Picture Book Author Interview: Camille Andros

I’ve been obsessing about this picture book for almost a year now. Finally, finally, finally March is here! CHARLOTTE THE SCIENTIST IS SQUISHED releases March 14th and would make THE. BEST. EASTER/SPRING. GIFT. POSSIBLE! Charlotte is a serious scientist. She solves important problems by following the scientific method. She has all the right equipment: protective glasses, a lab coat, a clipboard, and a magnifying glass. … Continue reading Picture Book Author Interview: Camille Andros

Michelle Leonard3 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

The Mesmerist! Interview with Ronald L. Smith

I’ve got an irresistibly spooky #FridayReads suggestion for you today! Ronald L. Smith, Winner of the 2016 Coretta Scott King New Author Award for his debut middle-grade novel HOODOO, has a new book out. Cue the fog machine! THE MESMERIST, a thrilling mix of creepy, urban fantasy and historical fiction, released on 2/21/17. Perfect for fans of the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series and Lockwood & … Continue reading The Mesmerist! Interview with Ronald L. Smith

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Author Interview: Ali Standish

Today we welcome debut middle-grade author Ali Standish to The Winged Pen. Ali is the author of THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE, which released on January 24th! Pull up a chair and get comfy, Ali! Thank you so much, and thanks for having me!  Congrats on your debut middle-grade novel, THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE. It has been described as a beautifully written mystery about … Continue reading Author Interview: Ali Standish

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, News, Young Adult

BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME

BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME will be released August 2017! This YA sci-fi anthology (edited by sci-fi authors Paige Daniels and Mary Fan) features stories about girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)… Girls who engineer, tinker, hack, and more, using their smarts to save the day. It’s got space operas, sci-fi mysteries, steampunk, cyberpunk, all kinds of punk! … Continue reading BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft

Brandon Mull’s Creative Juices

Brandon Mull writes for boys using his relentless imagination and his scouting experience. He has written Beyonders, Fablehaven, and Five Kingdom among others. Mull says in an interview with Tori Ackerman, “I wanted to go to a world where there was a lot to discover, but still light and fun.” If Brandon Mull’s series appeal to every demand of one’s imagination, it’s because the author … Continue reading Brandon Mull’s Creative Juices

Sussu Leclerc1 Comment
Book Recommendations

Book Birthday Twofer: CARAVAL and EDGE OF EVERYTHING

With two books we love coming out on the same day, we debated what to do. Give one book the spotlight today and feature the other another day? Arm wrestle for the blog spot? (That would be a pathetic sight!) But our own birthdays are only a week apart and we celebrated them together with a glass of bubbly—after a morning of talking through fixes for … Continue reading Book Birthday Twofer: CARAVAL and EDGE OF EVERYTHING

Rebecca J. AllenLeave a comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Book Talk with Author Jessica Lawson

Jessica Lawson is not only the author of three terrific middle grade books, she’s also an all-around cool human being. When she discovered my daughter was a fan, she commenced a covert operation to make sure a swag bag, along with a handwritten note, was waiting under the tree for my daughter on Christmas morning. Today, she’s agreed to chat with the Winged Pen. Jessica, … Continue reading Book Talk with Author Jessica Lawson

Jessica Vitalis3 Comments
Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft

Review – How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way To Improve Any Manuscript

In How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way To Improve Any Manuscript, James Scott Bell promises the reader craft secrets to shape great dialogue. As a writer juggling a full life, the phrase “fastest way to improve” catches my eye and I hit Amazon’s buy now button. When the book arrives, it’s a slim 135 pages. Was it worth the price? Will it stay … Continue reading Review – How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way To Improve Any Manuscript

Eileen Schnabel4 Comments
Book Recommendations, Interviews

Happy Release Day to The Outs!

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend and critique partner E. S. Wesley to The Winged Pen to talk about the release of his debut, The Outs. JA: Congratulations on your debut! Can you tell us a little bit about The Outs’ journey toward publication?  ESW: Sure thing! The Outs was the culmination of other work I’d done in the past, developing this idea and exploring what … Continue reading Happy Release Day to The Outs!

Julie ArtzLeave a comment
Author, Interviews, Young Adult

The Radius of Us

Marie Marquardt is the author of two YA novels. Her first, Dream Things True, is a gorgeous coming-of-age story that gives voice to the undocumented immigrant experience. On the jacket, author Jennifer Mathieu describes the story as one that will “forever change the way you view those who live their lives in the shadows” and I have to agree—Marie’s stories should be required reading for … Continue reading The Radius of Us

Jessica Vitalis2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Young Adult

Shout out for Stephanie Garber’s CARAVAL

Caraval is the story of Scarlett, a girl who is desperate to escape her violent and controlling father and to take her younger sister, Donatella, with her. Scarlet hopes marriage to a man she’s never met, a marriage arranged by her father, will save them. Donatella doesn’t believe it will, so she persuades a handsome sailor to transport them off their island home and to Caraval, a … Continue reading Shout out for Stephanie Garber’s CARAVAL

Rebecca J. AllenLeave a comment