Book Birthday: THE UNICORN QUEST by Kamilla Benko

Today we’re celebrating the publication of THE UNICORN QUEST, a middle grade novel that Bloomsbury describes as, “An enchanting, exciting fantasy about a real-world girl searching for her sister in a land full of magic and strange creatures, blending the timeless feel of The Last Unicorn and Wildwood with Frozen‘s powerful themes of identity, enchantment, and sisterhood.” Those of you who follow me through Pitch Wars know that I have a … Continue reading Book Birthday: THE UNICORN QUEST by Kamilla Benko

Jessica VitalisJanuary 30, 2018May 9, 20181 Comment

Interviews, Middle Grade

Q&A with Middle Grade Author Julie Leung

Julie, congratulations on the release of your latest book, Mice of the Round Table (Voyage to Avalon) and welcome to The Winged Pen! Your cover is gorgeous––tell us about the story. Julie: Young mouse Calib Christopher has nearly completed his training to become a squire to the Knights of Camelot when news of a deadly plague reaches the castle. Soon all of Camelot is showing … Continue reading Q&A with Middle Grade Author Julie Leung

Jessica VitalisOctober 23, 2017May 9, 2018Leave a comment

Contests, Feedback, Four on 400

Four on 400 October 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. Camp Chrysalis (Middle … Continue reading Four on 400 October Feedback

Gita TreleaseOctober 14, 2017June 2, 20192 Comments

Four on 400

October Four on 400 Contest Window is Now Open!

Q: What is Four on 400? A monthly contest that provides ONE LUCKY MG or YA WRITER with feedback on their opening 400 WORDS! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a MG or YA writer feedback on their work from four of The Winged Pen’s contributors. Q: Sounds exciting! How do I enter? To enter, simply comment at the bottom of this post! At 4pm (EST) … Continue reading October Four on 400 Contest Window is Now Open!

Jessica VitalisOctober 4, 2017October 5, 201717 Comments

Book Recommendations, Love Letters, Young Adult

Dear Anne of Green Gables

Welcome to a brand new series on The Winged Pen! Here, we write love letters to our favorite books—the ones that shaped us, as writers and as people. First up is the book that inspired me to start this series: Anne of Green Gables! In case you haven’t read it, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is the story of an orphan girl who, after … Continue reading Dear Anne of Green Gables

Kate HillyerSeptember 29, 2017May 9, 20188 Comments

Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Book Recommendation: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding

I am a huge fan of creepy. Books, movies, decaying abandoned houses. So when The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. This book is the whole package of eerie while still having the humor middle grade readers love. “I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding