This March, I had the pleasure of meeting author Leah Henderson at a writing workshop. When she described her debut middle-grade book set in contemporary Senegal, ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL, I couldn’t wait to read it. Eleven-year-old orphan, Mor, struggles to keep the promise he made to his dying father to keep his young sisters safe and to keep their family together. His aunt … Continue reading Leah Henderson’s ONE SHADOW ON THE WALL
The Winged Pen is thrilled to reveal the cover for Oddity, by debut author and pal Sarah Cannon. Read to the end, because there is a giveaway, too! JA: So Sarah, tell us about Oddity. SC: I can’t wait for everyone to read Oddity! It’s a Welcome to Night Vale-inspired adventure, so it’s both life-or-death and very tongue-in-cheek. It’s a love letter to geeky fan-children … Continue reading Cover Reveal, Interview, and Giveaway with Oddity Author Sarah Cannon
GIRL TROUBLE––friends one day, enemies the next. Who doesn’t yearn for a real friend––one that gets you, always has your back, and someone that you can admire even in their darkest moments? Author Shannon Hale has captured the essence of friendship struggles girls face in her new graphic novel memoir REAL FRIENDS releasing on May 2nd. Girl relationships are difficult. And for the sensitive girls … Continue reading Shannon Hale Interview: Real Friends
Congratulations to our very own Winged pen Member, Jennifer Park. Her debut YA novel, THE SHADOWS WE KNOW BY HEART (Simon Pulse), releases today! Jennifer joins us today to tell us about her book and announce the lucky winner of her swag giveaway. Jennifer, welcome and congratulations! Tell us about your book. In this haunting and luminescent debut novel, a girl’s complicated family life starts … Continue reading Book Birthday! THE SHADOWS WE KNOW BY HEART by Jennifer Park
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
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
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
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
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
We are joined today by middle grade authors Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo and Kit Rosewater. They were both 2016 PitchWars mentees and each received about a zillion requests during the agent round (27 each, to be exact––which is pretty darn close to a zillion in the writing world). Jeanne and Kit, welcome to The Winged Pen and congratulations on your PitchWars successes! Our readers are eager … Continue reading PitchWars: A Behind-the-Scenes Peek with Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo and Kit Rosewater
Gabby: I’m very excited to spend a little time today with Krystal Sutherland, the fabulous debut author of OUR CHEMICAL HEARTS, out now. In addition to writing love stories you want to crawl into, Krystal travels the world being fabulous in fabulous places. Welcome to Winged Pen, Krystal! Krystal: Thank you so much for having me! Gabby: Okay, let’s get to it. Can you tell … Continue reading Author Interview – Krystal Sutherland
We are thrilled to have on the blog today Julie Leung, a debut author whose middle grade novel releases on October 4th. MICE OF THE ROUNDTABLE: A TAIL OF CAMELOT is an epic new middle grade series in the tradition of Redwall and Poppy, based on Arthurian legend and told from the perspective of Camelot’s most humble creatures: mice. Young mouse Calib Christopher dreams of becoming … Continue reading Author Interview–Julie Leung
