Recommended: FRIEND ME by Sheila M. Averbuch
What happens when an online friend becomes a real-life nightmare?
Roisin hasn’t made a single friend since moving from Ireland to Massachusetts. In fact, she is falling apart under constant abuse from a school bully, Zara. Zara torments Roisin in person and on social media. She makes Roisin the laughingstock of the whole school.
Roisin feels utterly alone… Continue reading Recommended: FRIEND ME by Sheila M. Averbuch
New: Blast from the Past!
This year has been pretty nutso. All the chaos and news demanding our attention can make reading new books hard – at least it has for me. I’ve found myself turning more and more to books, movies and TV shows that I’ve already experienced – for comfort, for predictability, for the relaxation that comes with knowing what’s next. Well, we Pennies decided that re-reading might … Continue reading New: Blast from the Past!
8 Tips for Getting a Great Manuscript Critique
I’ve been thinking about manuscript critique and revision a lot lately.
A LOT, a lot.
I’ve been working on a young adult thriller that feels like it has taken forever to pound into shape. As one of my critique partners mentioned more than once, “You don’t have to write 95,000-word manuscripts with 4 point-of-view characters. There are easier stories to write.”
True enough. And I’m extremely lucky to have wonderful critique partners (CPs) who will read my 95,000-word monstrosity and help me make it better.
As I revised on my own and then with notes from CPs, I spent a lot of time thinking about manuscript critiques and. . .
Continue reading 8 Tips for Getting a Great Manuscript Critique
Cover Reveal: LIST OF TEN by Halli Gomez
Today, we’re so excited to host the cover reveal of a story by one of our own!
Ten: three little letters, one ordinary number. No big deal, right? But for Troy Hayes, a 16-year-old suffering from Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, the number ten dictates his life, forcing him to do everything by its exacting rhythm.
A harrowing yet hopeful account of a teen living with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder . . . and contemplating his own mortality. Continue reading Cover Reveal: LIST OF TEN by Halli Gomez
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: GIRL, SERPENT, THORN by Melissa Bashardoust
An atmospheric retelling of tales from Persian culture. Girl, Serpent, Thorn begins as many retellings do, with a neglected princess hidden away from the world. But the fact that Soraya’s skin is poisonous to the touch gives the story a unique twist. As as the princess begins to see her condition not as a curse but as a source of power, the story really becomes interesting. . . Continue reading Recommended: GIRL, SERPENT, THORN by Melissa Bashardoust
Recommended: WHERE DREAMS DESCEND by Janella Angeles
The first thing that drew me into this story was the rich magical world. Kallia performs in a club, descending from above the stage masked and sitting on a crystal chandelier as depicted on the book’s cover. She controls the entire space—lights, music, and atmosphere with her magic, drawing every eye.
But Kallia seeks a bigger stage and freedom from Jack whom she has reason to mistrust. . . Continue reading Recommended: WHERE DREAMS DESCEND by Janella Angeles
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
Recommended: IT CAME FROM THE SKY by Chelsea Sedoti
This is the absolutely true account of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania was invaded by aliens and the weeks of chaos that followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and, above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more.
Only. . . there were no aliens. Continue reading Recommended: IT CAME FROM THE SKY by Chelsea Sedoti
A Resource to Help You Choose the Right Job for Your Character + Giveaway
Today we’re hosting Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi of Writers Helping Writers on the blog. They’ll tell you a bit about their Writer’s Showcase event, new book, and a great freebie to check out. Awesome, right? Continue reading A Resource to Help You Choose the Right Job for Your Character + Giveaway
Interview and Giveaway with Author Sara Bennett-Wealer
We’re here today with Sara Bennett-Wealer, whose new book NOW & WHEN is out today! Let’s dive right in! Skyler Finch hates Truman Alexander with every fiber of her being. So when her phone starts sending her notifications from the future, and it looks like she’s with Truman—as in romantically with him—she goes on a quest to fix it. But changing the future means messing … Continue reading Interview and Giveaway with Author Sara Bennett-Wealer