Of Thrones & Tempting Trailers: What Do You Like in a Book Trailer?

I don't often use this blog to blatantly push or promote Bloomsbury & Walker books (in fact, I don't really think I've shied away from putting them under the same analytical lens I apply to all of Young Adult lit), but today I do want to share a project that I'm immensely proud to have worked on: the book trailer for Throne of Glass, which debuted recently on MTV.com's Hollywood Crush blog.


By the by, if you like the trailer and want to read the book, Sarah Maas is holding an ARC giveaway on her blog through the end of this week.

Now, I want to know: what do you think of the trailer? More importantly, since I'll likely be working on many more of these over the next several seasons, what do you usually like in a book trailer? What do you never like to see? How much do book trailers affect your interest in a book, usually?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Why Katniss is a Feminist Character (And It’s Not Because She Wields a Bow and Beats Boys Up)

WARNING: If you haven’t read the books yet (and really, what have you been doing with your life if you haven’t?) this post contains spoilers.

When The Hunger Games hit shelves in 2008, its feisty main character quickly earned the “strong female character” seal of approval from fans of young adult lit. Hot-tempered, bow-wielding Katniss is fiercely independent, scornful of feminine frills, and barred off to any emotion that could render her vulnerable. Essentially, as one Tor.com blogger pointed out recently, she’s the anti-Bella Swan, a golden girl for all those YA readers who like their female protagonists to do something more worthwhile than choose between two men.

But amidst the flurry of excitement over Katniss’s complete and utter BAMFness (to use the technical term), it’s easy to forget what keeps her alive is not superior strength, speed, or intelligence, but rather a characteristic that no one else in the arena embraces. Ultimately, it’s not the weapons Katniss wields but the relationships she nurtures that save her life.

And I’m convinced that she’s a feminist character not because she wields a bow like Bella never could, but because while in the arena she learns to recognize, value, and eventually embrace feminine strengths. It’s her ability to find strength in other women — and to support them in return — that makes the girl on fire a feminist.

[Read the rest of this article on Tor.com]

The Lifecycle of a Book

Okay, so you've written your book—now what? The system that carries a book from your hard drive to a bookstore's shelf is so complex and multifaceted that, even if you're a regular scholar of the publishing blog world, there's a good chance you still don't know every intricacy of the process. Fortunately, the many awesome bloggers of Publishing Trendsetter have teamed up to give you a comprehensive look at the process from start to finish.

Trendsetter has gone behind the scenes to talk to tons of young industry professionals about what they do and how it contributes to a book's success. Over the next few weeks, they'll explore one department a day, and I'll link their posts here so you can share the wealth.

Puzzled by publicity? Dumbfounded by distribution? Or just wondering how it all fits together? Then look no further for answers than the grid below—and our daily posts!

(click and then choose "Show Original" to enlarge)

Young to Publishing, or Still Making Your Way In? Publishing Trends Just Launched a Blog for You!

I'm really excited to announce that Publishing Trends has invited me to join them on a new venture, the launch of their Publishing Trendsetter blog. The whole Trendsetter team is dedicated to fostering dialogue and innovation among the new generation of book industry professionals—those within their first ten years in the business (and those aspiring to be!). With over ten regular bloggers at various points in their careers and with backgrounds in consulting, design, acquisitions, e-publishing, publicity, marketing, reviews, editorial, and more. We'll share our own insights; present research and analysis; offer Q&As, podcasts and surveys; and open topics up for roundtable discussions with young publishers and industry veterans alike.

There are a lot of great blogs out there for those at the executive level in publishing, and they all offer valuable insights on the industry and ideas for the future. But we are the future. With that in mind, Publishing Trendsetter is, in the words of our fearless leader Elisabeth Watson, "where the brilliant publishing minds of tomorrow are today."

I'm so excited to hear from you on Publishing Trendsetter. Click the banner above to go check it out!

Baltimore's CityLit Festival Presents Publishing in the Digital Era: A Panel for Publishing's Progressive Thinkers!

Dear illustrious readers! It is nearly time for Baltimore's CityLit Festival at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Which means it's nearly time for our panel, Publishing in the Digital Era. The festival is one week from tomorrow on Saturday, April 16th. Exciting events will go on all day, but my event is at 3:30 pm in the library's Poe Room.

In case you've forgotten, here's a quick description of the hour-long event:

E-books. Vooks. iPads. Technology is altering how we read and deliver literature. Co-sponsored by BackList, this timely panel, composed of local writers and publishing professionals, will explore and discuss the ever-changing face of publishing—and what it means to writers—as we move further into the digital era.

I'm excited to announce the full list of panelists, which includes:

• Charisse Carney-Nunes, Award-Winning Children's Book Author (I Am Barack Obama) and Founder of Brand Nu Words (digital publishing)
• David Drager, Poet, Entrepreneur, Software Engineer, and Founder of Lit4.us
• Allissa Richardson, Knight Foundation’s Institute for Interactive Journalism Grant Recipient for cutting-edge mobile journalism (“MOJO”) lab at Morgan State University
• Myself, Rachel Stark, Freelance Editor and Editorial Assistant, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• and Moderator Felicia Pride, Professional Writer, Book Blogger for AOL, Publishers Weekly Contributor, and Founder of BackList, an organization that specializes in producing engaging and interactive content across platforms

I can't tell you how excited I am to meet and share a stage with all of these fabulous Baltimore creatives and entrepreneurs.
I hope you'll join the audience in asking smart questions, enjoying with rapt attention, looking on in awe, or throwing vegetables from the back row. Bring your iPads, Nooks, Kindles, and more for what's going to be an awesome discussion!

Turn-Key: My Latest (And By Far Greatest!) Editorial Adventure

Kayla got made when she was just seventeen. It was a fair fight, no surprises for anyone, but that doesn't change the fact that she shot a woman in cold blood. That she played her part in the mafia's game.

With her Uncle Damian just murdered, it's Kayla who should be stepping into his shoes. She's the natural leader the family needs—except she's never quite fit in. And in any case, the mob is no place for a woman.

Abandoned by the family and plagued by doubt, Kayla must finally decide where her allegiance lies. Can she continue to play the pawn, or is it time to cut ties with the mob for good?

"Turn-Key" is a new short story by J. Hickman, the writer and artist behind the web comic Morgens. Told in a voice that's in parts haunting, irreverent and sardonic, it follows a band of punks, rebels and mobsters through a journey to find common ground. Forced finally to decide who she can trust, Kayla is about to finish the growth she started years ago, when she first became the mafia's tool.


I cannot rave enough about "Turn-Key," or Morgens in general. J. Hickman's sense of voice, the thoroughness with which she explores her characters, and her impeccable artistic style make the Morgens universe one you won't want to leave. I'm flattered to have had the opportunity to work with her as a developmental editor on her latest projects. I hope you'll follow this link (or the one in the banner above!) to follow along as "Turn-Key" unfolds. The story updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so if you hurry over now you won't have far to go to catch up! You won't be sorry you did.

While you're there, be sure to check out J. Hickman's extraordinary design portfolio, 13 Avocados (ever wondered who designed this blog?). Seriously. When she gets big, you're gonna want to be able to say you knew her when.

Note: This story and the Morgens series as a whole is intended for teens and contains some content that may not be suitable for younger age groups.

We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Broadcasting with a Very Exciting Announcement!

Sorry, Cats and Kittens and Writer Friends: there will be no post this week. But never fear: there is some good news!

On Saturday, April 16th, I will be participating in a panel on Publishing in the Digital Era at Baltimore's CityLit Festival. Here's a quick description of the panel:

E-books. Vooks. iPads. Technology is altering how we read and deliver literature. Co-sponsored by BackList, this timely panel, composed of local writers and publishing professionals, will explore and discuss the ever-changing face of publishing—and what it means to writers—as we move further into the digital era.

If you're in the Baltimore area on April 16th, be sure to drop by the Enoch Pratt Free Library's central branch for a full-day of author presentations, readings, panels, and networking opportunities. You'll hear from National Book Award winner Jaimy Gordon, my past professor (and totally butt-kicking novelist) Jessica Anya Blau, and more. Be sure to stop by the Fine Arts Department at 3:30 pm to participate in the panel discussion. It should be lots of fun!