Podcasts about ya fiction

Harun Aur Kahaniyo Ka Samunder by Salman Rushdie (1990) vs The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (1961)

OMG, Kristy's running for eighth-grade president! Which sounds extremely low-stakes until you compare it to Mallory's unopposed run for seventh-grade secretary. Plus, a delightful glimpse of what might have been, if only Scholastic weren't COWARDS. On today's agenda: Alan Gray's writhing corpse; pizza legalities; Esther questions the nature of her reality; gritty, challenging middle-school theatre; a terrible shortage of visiting authors; delicious moles; pandering to the electorate for fun and profit; extensive bike-based misery; a Frookie Cookie deep dive. Our theme song is ‘The Incredible Shrinking Larry' by Matt Oakley and ‘Big Band Jingle A' is by Lobo Loco, both on the Free Music Archive. If you like our show, tell a friend, rate and review on your podcast app of choice, drop us an email, or come say hi on Instagram! We also have a ko-fi and we're real self-conscious about it!

Another two week old double down to cover touring. Lucky, the world hasn't fallen apart with a trade war that we don't mention at all. Find our Patreon page HERE.Join the How 'Bout This Discord server to be part of the conversation.Spark Podcast Network.Executive Produced by Jason Geary, Karl McConnell and Rik Brown.Produced and Edited by Jason Geary.Music by THE Robbie Ellis. Check him out on Spotify here.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Join us at the Story Works Round Table for a fascinating discussion with YA authors K.T. Angelhart, Tricia Copeland, and C.C. Robinson as they explore the nuances of young adult fiction and the importance of character development. We talk about the universal appeal of Young Adult Fiction, the importance of relationships with teenage protagonists, and how to build the thematic resonance of young adult fiction.Get Alida's musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils and stay up to date on book launches, special offers, and more at booksandpencils.substack.com Are you ready to get more out of your writing, grow your writing skills, and get that book written? Do you want community, feedback, and the mentoring of an expert story craft coach? Check out group coaching for novelists and memoirists. A new session is beginning soon. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching Are you ready to work with a developmental editor or writing coach? Alida works with fiction and nonfiction writers on all kinds of writing projects. Email or schedule a discovery call. www.wordessential.com. Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com.Master the art of Act I!Visit wordessential.com/workshopsRead A Stone's Throw today and begin your journey into art, love, and magic! Get it on Amazon.

Grace's mentor turns out to be less of a girl-boss and more of a girl-who-tries-to-get-you-to-kill-yourself, which isn't fun. Jez and Sidorio confront the vampirates, and Connor and the vampirate captain help take them turn. Connor's new bestie stabs him in the back, literally. Christina and Vittorio lose their last nerveBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bad-book-bash--5889791/support.

Grace and Connor are introduced to the Pirate academy; a posh boarding school where children are sent to learn about stealing, murder, and how to eat caviar. These pirates are sounding more corporate at each page turn. Christina and Vittorio talk about the connection between Claddagh rings and 9-11Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bad-book-bash--5889791/support.

“For every child that thinks something is wrong with them, my books are saying, ‘be you, even if others can't see you. The people who don't see your beauty, see your glory–they have a problem. Something is wrong with their eyes, their soul.'” – Jewell Parker RhodesRaised mainly by her grandmother on a steady diet of porch stories (and lots of bread), Jewell Parker Rhodes spent decades writing for adults, perfecting her craft in order to “be good enough” to write for kids. For Jewell, that has meant creating books that speak to a range of kids with different experiences and backgrounds (like her grandma used to refer to as a “mixed blood stew”) and to the educators and librarians supporting them.Jewell channels her inner Hamilton, as she notes, always writing like she is running out of time. And since she started writing for kids, she has indeed been prolific. Jewell is an award-winning author whose work spans adult and children's fiction. Her children's books include her children's debut, “Ninth Ward,” which won a Coretta Scott King Honor Award, “Bayou Magic,” “Towers Falling,” and “Ghost Boys,” a New York Times bestseller that continues to spark critical conversations about racial justice. And many, many more. In this episode, Jewell opens up about her tumultuous childhood, reflects on her grandmother's wisdom, and recounts many of the surprising twists of her life. That includes Jewell's amazement at living this long and what she'd tell her students if she ever returned as a ghost.Settle in for an episode you don't want to miss with the exceptionally colorful stories of Jewell Parker Rhodes!***Jewell's reading challenge, Comic Trips, celebrates timeless classics she adored as a child alongside today's graphic novels. It's an opportunity to explore how the comic art form has grown and to challenge the misconception that graphic novels aren't “real” books. Learn more and download Jewell's recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/jewell-parker-rhodes***This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is once again Kat Gatcomb, previously a youth services supervisor at Nashua Public Library in New Hampshire and now in customer success at Beanstack! This week, she shared two key lessons she wished she had known earlier as a librarian. ***Show ChaptersChapter 1 - Bread Freak (03:27)Chapter 2 - Spellbound (09:53)Chapter 3 - Prince(ss) Valiant (15:13)Chapter 4 - The People Could Fly (17:50)Chapter 5 - Simply Complex (25:10)Chapter 6 - Schoolbound (32:32)Chapter 7 - You Can't Pierce My Soul (35:25)Chapter 8 - Gunnin' for 120 (41:49)Chapter 9 - Comic Trips, Jewell's Reading Challenge (45:10)LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupJewell Parker RhodesJewell Parker Rhodes Instagram“The People Could Fly” by Virginia HamiltonFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community's reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

If you haven’t always had the easiest time getting along with your mom, this episode is for you. As teenagers, it can be hard to “put the shoe on the other foot” and understand where our parents are coming from. That’s what author Maurene Goo wished she could’ve done better when she was younger. Her latest novel, “Throwback” — the Reese’s Book Club Winter Young Adult pick — is a fresh take on a timeless time travel story, which explores mother-daughter relationships and what it would be like to know the 17-year-old version of your parent. She shares how “Back to the Future” inspired her, and what it was like to experience the ’90s through a Gen Z lens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I am chatting with my friend and author Victoria Koops about The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning. If you love magic, witches, The Inheritance Games, murder mysteries, and treasure hunts, this book is perfect for you! Take a listen as Victoria and I take a deep dive into all things magical and witchy! We chat about the characters, plot, witches, magic, scavenger hunts, murder, how our personalities relate to the lead characters, Renaissance festivals, and so much more! We had so much fun chatting about this fantastic book and I know you'll enjoy listening.  A little about The Lies We Conjure: Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it's a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this.The hostess is dead, the gates are locked, and a magical curse ensures no one can leave until they solve both her murder and the riddles she left behind―in just three days. Because everyone else at this party is a powerful witch. And if the witches realize Ruby and Wren are imposters? The sisters won't make it out of Hegemony Manor alive.Follow Victoria on social media: Instagram, FacebookCheck out her website.Purchase her book HERE or HERE.Send us a textHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

0:01:44: NXIVM: The Vow 0:02:34: Leah Remini: The King of Queens star sues Church of Scientology 0:03:30: The Truth About Jared Leto's Bizarre Cult - Camp Mars 0:04:34: NXIVM: Allison Mack, Grace Park and Other Actors Recruited by the Cult 0:06:15: What Is Gemini? Everything You Should Know About Google's AI Tool 0:07:51: Terminator 0:09:30: Fake Luigi Mangione Alibis - Know Your Meme 0:10:06: Supreme Court Will Hear TikTok Ban This Week—Here's What To Expect 0:11:46: Slightly High Historian 0:12:00: Glitter & Greed: The Lisa Frank Story 0:12:40: Annie (2014) 0:15:16: Here's why YouTube's bugging you about your age 0:20:34: This year has been exhausting! 0:22:12: France and Germany falter as Trump presidency looms South Korea's President Declared Martial Law Syrian rebels topple Assad who flees to Russia in Mideast shakeup Gaza is still happening France's Prime Minister was kicked out Trudeau says 'not a snowball's chance in hell' Canada will join US 0:28:16: Rebekah Weatherspoon on TikTok 0:30:29: The Move Bombing 0:31:00: Here's why all your streaming services cost a small fortune now 0:31:55: Fav media of the year  Homicide: Life on the Street Copaganda Diablo Dropout TV This Ravenous Fate The Rise of YA Fiction and Why It's so Important X-Men 97 Interview with the Vampire Agatha All Along The Penguin  The Batman 2002 Alligator Bites Never Heal  GNX Hiss 0:43:19: Nicki Minaj is in debt 0:44:37: Lil Wayne & The Superbowl 0:46:12: Watch Beyoncé Bowl | Netflix Official Site 0:50:41: BoxLunch 0:52:34: Was Luigi Mangione Charged With Terrorism While the Buffalo Supermarket Shooter Was Not?   0:54:04: Ryan Murphy Defends ‘Monsters' Against Erik Menendez Criticism and Backlash Over Homoerotic Brother Scenes: ‘We Had an Obligation to Show All of That' 0:55:24: Divorce in the Black 0:56:20: Jonathan Majors and Megan Good are engaged. 0:56:49: Jim Brown was a monster 0:59:45: Meagan Good on Eyebrow Tattoos 1:00:46: Wicked 1:05:08: What we're thankful for 1:10:03: Where to find your hosts!  Check out our carrd to see where you can find us!  https://nerdgasmnoire.carrd.co/ Make sure you join our new discord channel and hang out with the community! discord.gg/7DqMZSy ENJOY! Hosts: De, Jamie, JP, Maria, Melissa, Storm Producer: De, Jamie, JP, Maria, Melissa, Storm Writing Team: De, Jamie, JP, Maria, Melissa, Storm Editor: De Audio Production: De Theme Song: Feelin Good provided by Mike (Pound 4 Pound Podcast) & Marion Moore from ALBM Production Design: JP Fairfield Social Media: Melissa, Storm

YA Fiction with Susan Miller: A Conversation on Coming-of-Age Stories We will discuss your new YA novel: “By the Way, I Love You” Susan Beth Miller lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she works as a clinical psychologist. She is the author of three novels, including Indigo Rose and A Beautiful Land, and five psychology books, including When Parents Have Problems, Shame in Context, and Emotions of Menace and Enchantment. She loves the natural world, surprising ideas, art, democracy, science, inspiring friends, and dogs of all shapes and sizes. Link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-B.-Miller/author/B001IXU0Z8?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Donate to support PEG free artist interviews: Support PEG by checking out our Sponsors: Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription. The best tool for getting podcast guests: https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghost Subscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content: https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/ Donate to support PEG free artist interviews: Subscribe to our YouTube  https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRpr PEG uses StreamYard.com for our live podcasts https://streamyard.com/pal/c/6290085463457792 Get $10.00 Credit for using StreamYard.com when you sign up with our link RSS https://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rss Introduction

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author Jason June! We are going to be chatting about his brand new holiday rom com, Flopping in a Winter Wonderland.Flopping in a Winter Wonderland is a deliciously fun YA Queer romance set during the Christmas season. It is reminiscent of all your favorite Hallmark Christmas movies, is full of all kinds of holiday antics, boasts a wonderful setting, and will give you all the feels! Join Jason June and me as we chat about his writing, Jason June's love for Christmas, his inspiration for Flopping in a Winter Wonderland, what it means to be a hopeless romantic, the fantastic characters in this book, the storyline, and so much more! A little about Flopping in a Winter Wonderland: All Aaron wants for Christmas is for his brother, Casey, to get over his ex, Raquel. He'd prefer not to be at Winter Wonderland, the island north of Alaska that's home to a year-round Christmas theme park. But Casey loves Christmas, so here they are. Unfortunately for Aaron, Casey's determined to do anything to win Raquel back.All Kris wants for Christmas is for his uncle to move back to Winter Wonderland to be the first gay Santa. To make that happen Kris needs to win the Race, his grade's annual competition to see who can get a guest to fall in love with them first. Winning means a trip to New York, where Kris would be able to plead his uncle's case to the founder of Winter Wonderland himself.After some slippery ice sends Aaron and Kris literally flopping into each other, Kris agrees to help Aaron with his plan to keep Casey single. But in all their scheming, both can't stop thinking about kissing the other, and it's not just because of the mistletoe around every corner. Too bad true love isn't on either of their Christmas lists. . . .I'd like to say a special thank you to Jason June for coming on the podcast and chatting with me today! And a special thank you to Martha Kiley for setting up the interview. Check out Jason June's websiteFollow Jason June on Instagram, and X.comPurchase Flopping in a Winter WonderlandSend us a textHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Today I am chatting with my friend Rebecca about YA magical realism novel, The Stones of Burren Bay, by Emily De Angelis. Take a listen as Rebecca and I chat about the plot, characters, Irish/Celtic spiritualism, Native American culture and spiritualism, grief/grieving, and more! The first fifteen minutes are spoiler free!A little about The Stones of Burren Bay: In a tragic car accident, 15-year-old Norie loses her deadbeat father while her distant mother is injured. Her prized possession, an antique artist's box that traveled from Ireland with her great-great-grandmother, is destroyed along with her deep connection to her art. As Norie grapples with her self-identity, obscured by grief and anger, she and her physically and emotionally fragile mother are forced to relocate. With no other relatives to rely on, they call on the kindness of her mother's oldest friend Dahlia and her daughter Wil, who run the Jolly Pot Tearoom and Burren Bay Lighthouse Museum on Manitoulin Island. Dahlia introduces Norie to ancient Irish Celtic spiritualism and opens the thin veil between the past and present where Norie encounters the echo of a century's old spirit, Oonagh. Through Oonagh's own story Norie comes to terms with her father's betrayal and death and rediscovers her passion for art. As her mother's emotional wounds reach a crisis, Norie realizes they must face their guilt and grief together in order to heal and become reunited as mother and daughter.Send us a textHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

What if a dusty box in your attic held the key to a whole new chapter of your life? Join Nkrumah Mensah as she reveals how rediscovering a forgotten manuscript transformed her from construction professional to celebrated YA author! ===============================================

Author Jane Buckingham discusses her new young adult psychological thriller, A Lie for a Lie. In this novel, Sabrina Richard's carefully orchestrated future is on the line when she finds herself ensnared in a series of high school revenge pranks that get out of hand. By messaging a revenge account, she and her fellow classmates can exact revenge on their enemies, but at what cost? Sabrina discovers she's being set up to take the fall for a prank gone wrong and must uncover the mastermind behind the revenge account before it's too late.

“I think it caused me to get over some of the sort of narcissistic impulses in my writing and not make it about me and impressing, but instead about having the best reading experience I could imagine.” - Eliot SchreferAt a young age, Eliot Schrefer acknowledged that he was hiding himself. Growing up queer when he did meant concealing a key part of his identity for the sake of self-preservation. It was through books that he first learned to accept his queerness. That thread leads to one of his most well-known books, “Queer Ducks (and Other Animals).” We unravel that and so much more about Eliot's journey in this episode.While his coming of age taught Eliot Schrefer to stop living his life exclusively as an observer, as an author, found himself once more removing himself from his work. This time, though, it's intentional and for vastly different purposes. To Eliot, writing is about asking questions that the author is not supposed to answer. That's for the reader to do.Eliot is a bestselling author celebrated for his young adult and middle-grade novels, including “Endangered,” and the rest of his Ape Quartet series, “Queer Ducks” (that even landed him on The Daily Show!), as well as “The Darkness Outside Us” and its newly released sequel, “The Brightness Between Us.” Eliot is also a Printz Honoree and a two-time National Book Award finalist. In this episode, Eliot shares how he has practiced self-concealment in both his life and stories, and why he believes this has helped him better connect with his teen audience. He also reveals why his current influences include Carl Sagan, Jane Goodall, and Eeyore. For his reading challenge, Beyond the Human Experience, Eliot wants us too to practice seeing the world outside of the human perspective. He says it "reminds us that we're not the only creatures worth caring about." Learn more and download Eliot's recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/eliot-schrefer***This episode's Featured Librarian is Tammy McIntyre, a library media specialist in Gwinnett County Georgia for many years and now works with us at Beanstack. Today she offers a guiding principle she follows as a librarian and especially as a parent.Show ChaptersChapter 1 - Carl Sagan and M.T. Anderson Walk Into a Bar…Chapter 2 - Science, Fantasy, and the Matrix (Printer) Chapter 3 - What I BelieveChapter 4 - The View From the ClosetChapter 5 - Duck HuntChapter 6 - I Ask the Questions Around HereChapter 7 - Beyond the Human ExperienceChapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian LinksThe Reading CultureThe Reading Culture Newsletter SignupEliot SchreferEliot Schrefer (@schrefer) • Instagram photos and videosPale Blue DotM.T. Anderson on The Reading CultureGregory Maguire on The Reading CultureEM Forster - WHAT I BELIEVEHowards End by E.M. Forster | GoodreadsFollow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)Beanstack resources to build your community's reading cultureJordan Lloyd BookeyHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Author Becky Dean discusses her new young adult contemporary romantic comedy, Hearts Overboard. Set on a cruise ship bound for Alaska, this novel follows Savannah Moore, who is still reeling from a public breakup with her boyfriend and being nicknamed “Moore the Bore.” In an effort to heal her heart and her reputation, Savannah vows to do one new thing each day. Stepping out of her comfort zone is far from easy, and it's made all the more challenging because her long-time nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. Tanner offers to help her with her plan to try new things, and, as it turns out, she may not dislike him as much as she thought.

“Why am I fighting this? Like, why am I fighting the thing that I want to write? For who? For like a teacher that I haven't seen in five years or ten years? For a critic who I don't know?” - Zoraida CórdovaZoraida Córdova doesn't care about what a book should be. When she writes, she's interested in.. well… what she's interested in. That means Zoraida doesn't prioritize following rules or meeting pre-set expectations. If she wants to write about sappy zombies, she will. If she wants to create a deep, profound novel, she will. Above all, she values creative freedom.She has always made a way for herself and her spirit to shine through her work. Whether it's writing for Star Wars or Disney's Meant to Be collection, short stories for one of her anthologies about creatures like vampires, mermaids and faeries, or her epic novel “The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina," Zoraida keeps it fresh and original. And her readers love it! By following her own passions instead of trying to satisfy what she “should do,” Zoraida delivers something readers crave—authenticity.Zoraida Córdova is an award-winning author celebrated for her genre-blending, magical tales like “Labyrinth Lost,” the first book in her Brooklyn Brujas series, which earned her an International Latino Book Award. Her versatility spans adult literary fiction, romance, young adult fiction, editing anthologies, and even adding a touch of romance to the Star Wars universe.In this episode, Zoraida reflects on the importance of writing for yourself, shares the “about the author” blurb that changed her life, and details her tween years as a green-haired Wiccan screamo-punk (you can't make this stuff up). Let's just say that Zoraida's commitment to rejecting the expectations placed on her began at an early age. (And she has the journals to prove it!)***For her reading challenge, Screw the Comfort Zone, Zoraida leans into her love of breaking the rules. To break free from her comfort zone. For her reading challenge, she selected a list of books she has read over the past few years that she adored but seemed "hard to pitch" to publishers because of how they defy convention. Difficult to pitch but still infinitely loveable.

OMG, we're back! After a lengthy hiatus involving international travel, LARPing toddlers and multiple cases of Covid, it's finally time for part 2 of Snowbound!  On today's agenda: we finally hold Belgium accountable; Get Ready With Kristy; southern boys be skiing; how to know when it's true love, Ann-style; the haunting of Bart Taylor; Chewy's double life; Esther says a wrong word; Richard Spier has some chill downtime; a land of wonder and bad cup noodles; Madame Noelle busts out the emergency liqueurs; the best Christmas present for the boring stepfather in your life; a lot of depressing foreshadowing about climate change. Our theme song is ‘The Incredible Shrinking Larry' by Matt Oakley and ‘Big Band Jingle A' is by Lobo Loco, both on the Free Music Archive. If you like our show, tell a friend, rate and review on your podcast app of choice, drop us an email, or come say hi on Instagram! We also have a ko-fi and we're real self-conscious about it!

Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with author and poet David Ebenbach about Possible Happiness, his latest teen and YA novel set in Philadelphia in the 80s.What can a high school journey in the late 80s tell us about today's struggles with mental health and sexuality? Acclaimed author and academic David Ebenbach explores this question through the lens of his latest novel, Possible Happiness. Discover how David's personal experiences shape his characters and narrative, providing a deeply relatable and insightful look into the complexities of teenage life. Unpack the surprising classification of his novel as a YA book and understand the nuances behind the protagonist Jacob's experiences and challenges.We also dive into the multifaceted world of David Ebenbach's career, from his poetry and short stories to his commitment to student-centered teaching at Georgetown University. Learn about his creative process, the importance of the arts in education, the therapeutic nature of reading, and the bittersweet emotions tied to an empty nest. Enjoy,MandyDavid EbenbachPossible Happiness, David EbenbachA Thousand Times Before, Asha ThankiThe Bees, Laline PaullLes Fourmis (Empire of The Ants), Bernard WerberAda Limon BooksAnne Carson BooksFor Australian listeners, you can purchase books from yourbookstore.ioSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Today I am chatting about The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood. Joining me to chat about this wonderful YA Historical Fantasy, is first time guest Rebecca Ahola. You'll want to take a listen to this episode because I have finally found a YA book with vampires in it that I LOVE! Vampires set in the Civil War...and it's sooooo good! Take a listen as Rebecca and I chat all about the plot, characters, the American civil war, slavery, the fabulous audiobook narrators, Lauren Blackwood's powerful and beautiful writing, gorgeous vampires, a hot power couple, a love for cute little snails, and more! Trigger warning: This episode does include talk of slavery, rape, death, and graphic visuals that are portrayed in the book.  A little about The Dangerous Ones: One vampire to kill. Another to love.War doesn't scare Jerusalem. She's a Saint. Thanks to powerful demigod-style reflexes, endurance, and strength, she's fearless. And she has one goal - revenge.But she never expects to team up with the handsome, arrogant Alexei to accomplish it. He's one of those Ancient Vampires. And ever since her family was enslaved and murdered by one, Jerusalem hates vampires.But in the year they've been fighting alongside one another against the Confederate Army and the vampires who benefitted off slavery, Alexei's never done anything but prove he's on the Union's side and hers. She may know the enemy better, hate the enemy more than anyone in her battalion, but so does he. And she'll use that to her advantage. Because if she can get her revenge by helping Black people gain freedom and equality without having to steal it for themselves like she had to, then all the better.Together, she and Alexei set out to change the course of the war, risking their hearts and themselves as they attempt to take down the vampire who destroyed everyone Jerusalem held dear. But for Jerusalem, it's about more than love and justice.It's about killing a god.Send us a Text Message.Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

S.M. Sykes (Scott)Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know S.M. Sykes. Scott Sykes is an author in the young adult (YA) fiction genre. In this episode, we chat about what his career was before he started writing, and what led him to eventually start writing his first novel. After serving in the U.S. Navy, and settling down in Delaware, Scot got inspired to pick up the pen. In addition to his THREE novel series (The Blue Series), Scott has written tons of novellas and short stories. You better believe I ask him to explain the difference to me! We discuss several different writing forums including Medium, and NaNoWriMo, and even some of his social media strategies. The Blue Series consists of: Eyes of Blue, A Dim Blue, and Loss of Blue. Scott thought the series was done there, but the story won't be laid to rest! Expect more books in the series from this tireless indy writer. You can catch Scott at various writing & horror conventions around the country, and don't forget to check out his social media. He posts some pretty fun and inventive videos on Instagram & TikTok.

Today I am chatting about a fabulous YA Rom Com, The Breakup Artists, by Adriana Mather. Joining me today is my friend Morgan, lover of all things Rom Com.Take a listen as Morgan and I chat all about the plot, characters (including characters we love to hate), my obsession with the 1996 movie version of Romeo and Juliet, how there is a character with my name in this book, our favorite swoony moments, and so much more! First fifteen minutes are spoiler free!A little about The Breakup Artists: August and Valentine, seventeen-year-old best friends, run a business called Summer Love, Inc. They hire themselves out to unhappy parents whose kids are in bad relationships, adopting fake identities and going undercover to break up these relationships by any means necessary.Valentine, the brains of the operation, believes that they're making the world a better place by steering people away from a relationship precipice so they can someday find true love. But for August, every case is personal--another chance to prove that true love doesn't exist. He blames his sister's manipulative boyfriend for her death, and--unlike Valentine--he doesn't believe in soul mates. No, he thinks the idea of falling head over heels is ridiculous at any age.But then August meets Ella, who suddenly turns everything he thought he believed about love upside down. The problem is that she's their new case, which means that everything he's told her about himself is a lie--including his name.Send us a Text Message.Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Marissa chats with Anna Sortino about her latest YA romance, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. Also discussed in this episode: who is the ‘real' audience we write for, deciding on a single vs dual POV and where the points of view intersect, leaving space in outlines for exploration, layering in character traits and details during revision, writing family dynamics, including disability representation and how to provide context for able-bodied readers, how much personal experience to include, and so much more!The Happy Writer at Bookshop.orgPurchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify MarketersOur mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377 Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Join Jaime Jo Wright today for a chat with YA author, Moriah Chavis as we chat about her book "Heart of the Sea", about pirates, and about the YA Fiction industry and the need for young mind friendly fiction!

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author Marie Lu! We will be chatting all about her new book, Icon and Inferno; the sequel to Stars and Smoke. Take a listen as Marie and I chat about her writing process, what inspired her to take a break from writing fantasy and write a thriller instead (it'll surprise you!), the research she did for these two books, how Starbucks gift cards can be used as spy tech, the romance between Sydney and Winter, what's up next for Marie, and more! The entire episode is spoiler FREE!A little about Icon and Inferno: A year has passed since superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment together in London -- and their intense chemistry – the two haven't spoken at all. Though they're never far from the other's thoughts, or fantasies.So when Syndey shows up at Winter's studio one day with a new mission from Panacea, he has no choice but to accept. With the clock ticking, the duo prepares to head to Singapore to rescue an operative in danger -- only to learn he's none other than Sydney's ex, a rogue agent known as the Arsonist.Of course, nothing is ever simple when it comes to Winter and Sydney. Especially not with the glamorous Gavi Ginsburg, a globe-trotting socialite and Winter's one-time girlfriend, in the mix. Is she back for Winter's heart – or does she have her eye on another prize?The smoldering sequel to New York Times bestselling Stars and Smoke follows Winter and Sydney on yet another treacherous mission that grows more sinister with each twist and turn. To make it out alive, they'll have to figure out how to be partners again -- and if they can resist the burn of something more.Thank you so much to Marie Lu for being my guest today and thank you also to Tatiana Merced-Zarou at Macmillan for setting up the interview. Lastly, thank you to Macmillan audio for both the Stars and Smoke and Icon and Inferno audiobooks! Check out Marie Lu's website. Follow Marie Lu on social media: Instagram, Facebook, XPurchase Icon and Inferno.Send us a Text Message.Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Hey TPAY Babes, on this episode Lex discusses the pains and realities of being in a relationship with mismatched libidos AND: -Audiobooks and YA Fiction favorites -Pleasure Moments -And MORE! Join Our Pleasure Babe Community on IG/TikTok: @allyourpleasures_ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tpaypod/message

Today I am chatting with my friend Dani about Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross.Divine Rivals is a beautiful fantasy set in an old fashioned war-torn world where two journalistic rivals form a connection that will be tried and tested. This book is a sweet enemies/rivals to lovers romance where are main characters are drawn together through writing letters. It's a book that could be considered Greek Mythology meets You've Got Mail, meets a Hallmark movie. It's sweet and timeless and will give you ALL the feels!Take a listen as Dani and I chat all about the plot, characters, Greek mythology, how men shouldn't start a war in order to get a woman's attention, and more! We might even discuss a little of the sequel, Ruthless Vows...just maybe... First 15 minutes are spoiler free!A little about Divine Rivals: After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.Send us a Text Message.Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Author Tim Shoemaker has a heart for good fiction for middle-graders and YA readers, and as he describes his goals with his stories, you get a sense of his heart for the readers themselves.  Listen in and see why I immediately bought the books after chatting with him. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  When Focus on the Family considered the kids who had grown up on The Adventures in Odessey were growing up and needed something more age-appropriate, they turned to Tim Shoemaker for an exciting, action-packed series. Well, he certainly delivered!  His High Water series features park ranger families and the adventures they get up to--starting in The Everglades, the series proceeds up to Massachusetts and back down to the Everglades in his most recent book. EEEP! Shoemaker also has a stand-alone novel about bullying. Easy Target sounds like a great read, too!  The Second Storm by Tim Shoemaker The Second Storm is the fourth book in the High Water series. It blends contemporary mystery and suspense, dramatic situations, and high adventure that readers 12 years old and older will love. A Category 5 hurricane is heading for southern Florida, and Parker Buckman's friend Wilson Stillwaters is caught in its crosshairs. It's going to be bad, and Wilson will need help. But that means going back to the Everglades―a place filled with some bad memories. Angelica will do anything she can to get her friend Parker back home safely. What she doesn't realize is the real threat―the second storm―is threatening to be far more deadly for Parker and his friends than the hurricane. The storm has allowed Clayton Kingman to escape from prison, and he has a big surprise in store for the group, one he intends to deliver personally. An even bigger storm is brewing . . . and there's no way to stop it. Learn more about Tim on  his WEBSITE and follow him  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Matt interviews Rachel Shinnick, author of YA Fiction novel Moon Thief. They discuss what led Rachel to writing her first novel, how she saw God working in the process, and the various trials of getting published for the first time. They discuss what it looks like to value artistic pursuits while also embracing and embodying Christian values as an artist. Learn more about Rachel and Moon Thief at https://www.rachelshinnick.com/

Today I am chatting with NY Times Bestselling author of fiction for all ages, Jennifer Donnelly! Today Jennifer and I are chatting about her brand new fairy tale retelling, a gender swapped reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Beastly Beauty. Beastly Beauty is Jennifer's third fairy tale retelling. Her others are Stepsister and Poisoned, which tell the tales of Cinderella's "ugly" stepsister, and Snow White.  Take a listen as Jennifer and I chat all about her writing style, her inspiration for these fairy tale reimagining's, the messages society sends young women and how we can combat them, pulling inspiration from Grimm's fairy tales, and so much more! You won't want to miss it!A little about Beastly Beauty: What makes a girl "beastly?" Is it having too much ambition? Being too proud? Taking up too much space? Or is it just wanting something, anything, too badly?That's the problem Arabella faces when she makes her debut in society. Her parents want her to be sweet and compliant so she can marry well, but try as she might, Arabella can't extinguish the fire burning inside her -- the source of her deepest wishes, her wildest dreams.When an attempt to suppress her emotions tragically backfires, a mysterious figure punishes Arabella with a curse, dooming her and everyone she cares about, trapping them in the castle. As the years pass, Arabella abandons hope. The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her true self: a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love.When a handsome thief named Beau makes his way into the castle, the captive servants are thrilled, convinced he is the one to break the curse. But Beau -- spooked by the castle's strange and forbidding ladies-in-waiting, and by the malevolent presence that stalks its corridors at night -- only wants to escape. He learned long ago that love is only an illusion. If Beau and Arabella have any hope of breaking the curse, they must learn to trust their wounded hearts, and realize that the cruelest prisons of all are the ones we build for ourselves.A special thank you to Jennifer Donnelly for coming on the podcast and chatting with me today! And a special thank you to Amanda Trautmann at Scholastic, Inc. for setting up the interview!Moonkarta***The Guardian - Best Podcasts of the Week******Radio Times - Pick of the Best...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Marissa chats with Ana Ellickson about her debut YA urban fantasy, THE VANISHING STATION. Also discussed: having the courage to leave an agent even before selling a book, developing complex magic systems and how helpful editors can be for ensuring they work, using locations—known and unknown—as settings for urban fantasy, creating three-dimensional but lovable flawed characters, using Save the Cat beat sheets, the importance of opening chapters, and so much more!Picture This app: https://www.picturethisai.com/Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780399579745 Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781984859235 The Happy Writer at Bookshop.orgPurchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Writing Mastery AcademyUse the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.Amplify MarketersOur mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Red Herrings SocietyUse the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Marissa chats with Makiia Lucier about her new romantic YA fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology, DRAGONFRUIT. Also discussed in this episode: writing by hand in notebooks, what it's like to revise and resubmit to an agent, the advantage of keeping early writing a secret, the joy of research and using it to build lush worlds and believable fantastical creatures, how characters can surprise even the writer, the huge evolution in story and characters from first to final draft, writing standalones versus series, and so much more!The Happy Writer at Bookshop.orgPurchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Writing Mastery AcademyUse the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.Amplify MarketersOur mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Red Herrings SocietyUse the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Today I am chatting with New York Times Bestselling author F. T. Lukens. Take a listen as F. T. and I chat all about their latest queer speculative fiction young adult novel, Otherworldly. You'll hear us chat not just about this fantastic supernatural story, but about F. T. Lukens' writing process, what it would be like to live in a never ending winter for five years, mythology, meet cutes vs. meet disasters, how M. Night Shyamalan  scared the heck out of both of us, and how both F. T. and I worked as dish washers at one point (just like our main character, Ellery). Otherworldly is a sweet cozy fantasy filled with magic, mythology, supernatural characters, and more! You'll travel into Ellery and Knox's worlds, discover their found family, hope along with them as they go on this incredible journey. And, while there are definitely creepy magical moments in this book, Otherworldly will leave you  feeling like you just received a warm hug. This is one young adult fantasy you don't want to miss!About Otherworldly:Seventeen-year-old Ellery is a non-believer in a region where people swear the supernatural is real. Sure, they've been stuck in a five-year winter, but there's got to be a scientific explanation. If goddesses were real, they wouldn't abandon their charges like this, leaving farmers like Ellery's family to scrape by.Knox is a familiar from the Other World, a magical assistant sent to help humans who have made crossroads bargains. But it's been years since he heard from his queen, and Knox is getting nervous about what he might find once he returns home. When the crossroads demons come to collect Knox, he panics and runs. A chance encounter down an alley finds Ellery coming to Knox's rescue, successfully fending off his would-be abductors.Ellery can't quite believe what they've seen. And they definitely don't believe the nonsense this unnervingly attractive guy spews about his paranormal origins. But Knox needs to make a deal with a human who can tether him to this realm, and Ellery needs to figure out how to stop this winter to help their family. Once their bargain is struck, there's no backing out, and the growing connection between the two might just change everything.Thank you to F. T. Lukens for coming on the podcast and chatting with me today! And a special thank you to Alex Kelleher at Simon and Schuster for setting up the interview. Check out F. T. Lukens websiteFollow F. T. Lukens on InstagramPurchase OtherworldlyHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

Today I am chatting about These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. Joining me as my guest is Rachel from the Barely Bookish podcast.  If you love the story of Romeo and Juliet, you will love this re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic story. Chloe Gong takes the story of Romeo and Juliet and plunges it into 1926 Shanghai. This story has it all; warring gangster families, a forbidden romance, war in the city, and a monster who wants to destroy them all. And in the midst of it all, is the classic star-crossed lovers story of Romeo and Juliet, complete with a vast amount of Easter eggs from Shakespeare's original story. Join Rachel and me as we chat all about the story, characters, Romeo and Juliet Easter eggs, 1926 Shanghai and U.S. fashion, monsters, and more!A little about These Violent Delights:The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love…and first betrayal.But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can't stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple ThingsGet a six week suggestion box of things to note and notice this spring.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

OMG, there's a genius in Stoneybrook and it's not Janine! Janine WISHES she was as talented as this kid. Meanwhile, we experimet with a pivot to audio drama. On today's agenda: mandatory Disneyworld representation; unspeakable crimes against God and nature; Chekhov's Toupee; Karen's son makes Esther insecure; leave Mckenzie Clarke alone; Alan Gray surprises and delights us; Uncle Andy's Tar Machine; Claudia fails third-grade fox biology; an infestation of art pseuds; crosswords as a spectator sport; nobody needs to know more than one (1) cricket player. Our theme song is ‘The Incredible Shrinking Larry' by Matt Oakley and ‘Big Band Jingle A' is by Lobo Loco, both on the Free Music Archive. If you like our show, tell a friend, rate and review on your podcast app of choice, drop us an email, or come say hi on  Instagram! We also have a ko-fi and we're real self-conscious about it!  

This week on BFI: I discuss the second Twilight movie: New Moon. I and my guests Lily Steinberg and KeriAnn Eng dive into what two of us contend is the best movie in the series.   Follow the show on social media!   Instagram | TikTok | Letterboxd   Follow on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts!   YouTube | Spotify | Apple   Promotional artwork by Lily Steinberg Logo artwork by Kristen Eng

Author Candace Kade discusses her newest book, Hybrid. It is the second installment in Candace's young adult near-future science fiction trilogy known as The Hybrid Series, which she likens to Ready Player One meets Divergent. In Hybrid, Candace takes on the issues of CRISPR and genetic alteration, adoption and the meaning of family, as well as a bit of fun, including the wonderful celebration of the Lunar New Year. Even though Hybrid is the second book in the series, it is really more of an origin story for main character Lee Urban as she struggles with the idea of family—how difficult it can be, but also how hard we will fight to keep it.

Today I am joined by debut author Emily Locker to chat about her YA Rom Com, Running Mates!Take a listen as Emily and I chat about her journey to becoming a traditionally published author, romance novels, our love for independent bookstores, the fantastic characters and plot line, our swoony cinnamon role love interest, youth activism, star-crossed love, and more! The entire episode is spoiler free!A little about Running Mates: In the quaint yet politically charged town of Edgartown, North Carolina, two worlds are about to collide. Meet Annabelle Morningstar, an impassioned, quirky high school activist raised by her news anchor and surgeon mothers, both champions of progressive ideals. Across town, there's Gabe Delgado, the quintessential all-American boy, molded by his conservative, Cuban senator father. Edgartown is a town literally divided―the Liberal East and the Conservative North coexisting as neighbors but rarely as friends. But what happens when the two sides meet in the least likely of places: a local bookstore?When employees at Annabelle's favorite literary haven decide to unionize, she finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Gabe's. And then they're tossed together weekly as they get special training help for their beloved cross-country competitions. With their worlds thrown into disarray, the two high schoolers must navigate their complex feelings for each other while wrestling with their polarized upbringings. Can love bloom in the crossfire of political discord?A special thank you to Emily for coming on the podcast today. And a special thank you to Kathleen Carter at Kathleen Carter Communications for setting up the interview. Check out Emily's websiteFollow Emily on InstagramPurchase Running MatesThe Happy Writer with Marissa MeyerAuthors, from debuts to bestsellers, chat about books, writing, publishing, and joy. Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Louise Davis, author of the book, Haunted by You. Louise is a powerful, up-and-coming young adult author with an innate ability to draw readers into her stories using dramatic realism. Her commercial and accessible writing style blends with highly riveting and twisting plotlines to craft truly unique works of literary art. Her recent book, Haunted by You, artistically showcases her wide range of writing skills, weaving in romance, mystery, and suspense all in one thrilling book. Her lifelong love of reading led her to earn a bachelor's degree with a focus on creative writing, which paved the way to writing her own books, including her children's book, Grandpa's Boots. Through Louise's profound character development and realistic storylines, she enjoys entertaining her readers while delivering valuable life lessons in the process. When Louise is not sharing her love for writing with the world, she enjoys reading, going on adventures, and spending her time with her five boys, husband, and various animals on their peaceful 3-acre ranch-style home in the Idaho Falls, Idaho area. In my book review, I stated that I found Haunted by You to be a delightful YA Fiction that is a perfect mixture of suspense and clean romance. And I learned when interviewing Louise that this is part of a trilogy! Genevieve is a teenage girl who falls for Steve, a student at a private school in Charleston and a ghost tour guide. However, their budding romance has to take a back seat to what Genevieve learns about her father - he's being blackmailed! Davis does a good job introducing us to the characters and providing enough details to make us look in all the wrong directions for the blackmailer. And although the ending wraps up nicely, there is plenty of room for more! You can follow Author Louise Davis: Website: https://www.louisedavisbooks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisedavisbooks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louisedavisbooks   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   #louisedavis #hauntedbyyou #youngadult #youngadultmystery #mystery #romance #youngadultromance #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

In this week's episode Marissa chats with debut author and podcaster Bethanie Finger about her YA historical fantasy, MORE THAN LIFE. Also discussed in this episode: expedited series releases, being a pantser, even when worldbuilding, finding the magic in editing, short chapters, the effectiveness of writing exercises and sprints, the Prince Kai Fan Pod, the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and asking for help, and so much more. Show notes: The Prince Kai Fan Pod: https://princekaifanpod.wixsite.com/website Follow Litjoy for info about The Heartless Annotated Special Edition: https://www.instagram.com/litjoycrateThe Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify Marketers Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Red Herrings Society Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Writing Mastery Academy Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this week's episode Marissa chats with Hafsah Faizal about her latest YA fantasy heist, the first of a new duology, A TEMPEST OF TEA. Also discussed in this episode: how a non-reader can turn into a reader and then a published author, planning out a heist when being mostly a pantser, struggling with doubts and imposter syndrome, planning out romance, worldbuilding and the wisdom of editors, the benefits of time and space away from a project, and so much more!The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Red Herrings Society Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Amplify Marketers Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Today I am chatting with one of my best friends, Bethanie Finger, about her debut YA Historical Fantasy novel, More Than Life!Take a listen as Bethanie and I chat all about her journey to get her book traditionally published, her motivation behind writing this story, how writing this book helped her process the grief of losing her own father, the plot line, characters, world building, Taylor Swift, and more! The entire episode is spoiler free! A little about More Than Life:As the daughter of a high-ranking sea captain, nineteen-year-old Cordelia Kimbal lives a life of luxury in the sea faring kingdom of Mikiria. But when her father dies unexpectedly, she is stripped of her title and home, and forced to join the working class in order to survive.Determined to rise above her losses, Cordelia is eager to prove her worth and stand on her own. But four months after her father's passing, a mysterious letter arrives, revealing the secret location of the mythical island of Qualaris. Known for concealing the secrets of magic and eternal life, Qualaris is often dismissed as mere legend, but Jaspar, Cordelia's father's enigmatic apprentice, is convinced of its existence and is harboring its secrets—secrets that the dark enchanter, Janus would stop at nothing to obtain.For generations, Jaspar and his ancestors have pursued the discovery and rescue of Qualaris while battling a curse of nonexistence, and he believes that Cordelia is the island's true protector, the one who can save it and its people from Janus's impending threat.Faced with the daunting task of defending Qualaris and its people, Cordelia embarks on a quest to locate the island, embrace her birthright, and take on the darkest enchanter in history. If she doesn't, the island and its people won't be the only casualties of Janus's war.Join Cordelia on her journey as she navigates a world of magic, mystery, and danger, discovering her true self and the strength within her.A special thank you to Bethanie for chatting with me on the podcast today and sharing your story!Follow Bethanie on Instagram.Check out Bethanie's website.Purchase More Than Life!Have a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

To celebrate Valentine's Day I am chatting with my good friend Victoria Koops about the swoony YA Rom Com, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher. This is such a fun book! If you enjoy Renaissance Festivals, Shakespearean things, Medieval Times, adorable singing bards (like Jaskier from The Witcher), a plus-sized protagonist, theatre, LGBTQ+ representation, and teen romance, this book is for you! Join Victoria and me as we chat all about Renaissance festivals, theatre kids/theatre life, the swoony romance between our two main characters, grief/grieving, relating to a plus-sized protagonist, believing in fate, our dream to quit our jobs and travel to all the Renaissance festivals in the States, and so much more! The first 30 minutes are spoiler free! A little about The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway:Since her mother's death, Madeline “Gwen” Hathaway has been determined that nothing in her life will change ever again. That's why she keeps extensive lists in journals, has had only one friend since childhood, and looks forward to the monotony of working the ren faire circuit with her father. Until she arrives at her mother's favorite end-of-tour stop to find the faire is under new management and completely changed.Meeting Arthur, the son of the new owners and an actual lute-playing bard, messes up Maddie's plans even more. For some reason, he wants to be her friend - and ropes her into becoming Princess of the Faire. Now Maddie is overseeing a faire dramatically changed from what her mother loved and going on road trips vastly different from the routine she used to rely on. Worst of all, she's kind of having fun.Ashley Schumacher's The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway is filled with a wise old magician who sells potion bottles, gallant knights who are afraid of horses and ride camels instead, kings with a fondness for theatrics, a lazy river castle moat with inflatable crocodile floaties, and a plus-sized heroine with a wide open heart... if only she just admits it.Check out Victoria's websitePurchase Victoria's debut novel: Who We Are in Real LifeHave a question about today's book or author? Have a book you want me to review on the podcast? Just want to say hi? Send me an email at yabookchat@gmail.comDon't forget to give the podcast a 5 star rating, and leave a review! Thank you for your support!

In this week's episode Marissa chats with Dinesh Thiru about his debut YA fantasy adventure, INTO THE SUNKEN CITY. Also discussed in this episode: how a gag project can inspire a writing career, retelling a literary classic (TREASURE ISLAND) in a postapocalyptic setting, how much of the source material to use, and creating a more modern diverse cast of characters, being conscious about your setting and sensory details, using real maps and biology to make the setting and details feel real, creating the voice of colorful characters, balancing being a stay at home parent with the writing, and so much more! Show notes: The Artists' Way – Julia Cameron https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780143129257 The official MM merchandise shops: https://www.etsy.com/shop/happywriterstorehttps://thehappywriter.creator-spring.com/ https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-happy-writer The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify Marketers Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Matt interviews Sarah Arthur about her first YA Fiction book, Once a Queen, as they discuss the intersection between faith and great literature. Sarah is also the author of a nonfiction book on Madeleine L'Engle and a Lord of the Rings devotional. You can find Sarah's upcoming book Once a Queen at https://sites.google.com/view/saraharthur-fiction/home

In the final episode of our season on Juvenile and YA Fiction, the entire CenterForLit crew gathers to reminisce about how they got hooked on reading as children. We also discuss how to go about guiding young readers through the current environment of juvenile and YA literature. Referenced Works: You can support the CenterForLit Podcast Network by making a purchase through our affiliate programs! American Adventure Stories for Boys Forever Island by Patrick D. Smith A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter John Paul Jones by Vincent Brown The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty Eragon by Christopher Paolini Mara: Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne The Box Car Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner The Borrowers by Mary Norton The Littles by John Peterson The Complete Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem Stuart Little by E.B. White The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Please ⁠join the Facebook group⁠ and ⁠subscribe to our Substack Newsletter⁠! We love hearing your questions and comments! You can contact us by emailing i.andrews@centerforlit.com, or visit our website www.centerforlit.com to find even more ways to participate in the Great Conversation.

Emily joins Ian in this episode to talk about our first author who writes solely in the YA genre: John Green. They discuss what makes his work so different from others we've covered this season and what that means for parents and readers who want to benefit from his rich, literary voice. Referenced Works: You can support the CenterForLit Podcast Network by making a purchase through our affiliate programs! Turtles All the Way Down Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction by Nick Ripatrazone Vlog Brothers Crash Courses “Has this artist ever seen a baby?” Heavyweight #37: John Green The Anthropocene Reviewed Looking for Alaska The Fault in our Stars Paper Towns  An Abundance of Katherines A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles  Please ⁠join the Facebook group⁠ and ⁠subscribe to our Substack Newsletter⁠! We love hearing your questions and comments! You can contact us by emailing i.andrews@centerforlit.com, or visit our website www.centerforlit.com to find even more ways to participate in the Great Conversation.

In this episode, Megan joins Ian to talk about the magic of Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks series. They discuss what it is about this series that appeals so well to audiences of all ages and what that can teach us about good writing for young readers. Referenced Works: You can support the CenterForLit Podcast Network by making a purchase through our affiliate programs! The Penderwicks Boxed Set The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy The Penderwicks on Gardam Street The Penderwicks at Point Mouette The Penderwicks in Spring The Penderwicks at Last Harry Potter Boxed Set Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt Please ⁠join the Facebook group⁠ and ⁠subscribe to our Substack Newsletter⁠! We love hearing your questions and comments! You can contact us by emailing i.andrews@centerforlit.com, or visit our website www.centerforlit.com to find even more ways to participate in the Great Conversation.