Happy Book Birthday!!!!
Today is the book birthday for Keri Mikulski’s new book,
Head Games!
Keri and I have been critique partners for years and have shared many highs and lows. I'm so happy for her success!
On with the questions.
1. Tell me about your journey. Did you always want to be an author? What
sparked you to start writing?
I’ve always loved to write, but sadly, I never thought I was smart enough to be a ‘real’ author. I spent most of my childhood dreaming of becoming a professional softball player. But, when that didn’t pan out I worked as a lifeguard, a secretary, a nurse, a personal trainer, and a teacher, attempting to find myself. But, there was always one constant throughout it all – writing. I wrote constantly. And during this time, little hints of my future were popping up around me. One of my college papers was placed in the university’s archives, I began creating picture books for my niece, and I landed a job teaching reading and writing at a middle school. But, what ultimately sparked my writing was the birth of my daughter. After Kaci was born I felt like I could do anything. I enrolled in a writing course, sold my first article six months later, and set my sites on writing sports fiction for girls.
2. Your characters seem similiar to what I imagine you were like when
you were younger (sports playing, boy-crazy girls). Yes? Do you base
your characters on real people?
Ha! I love it! You know me so well. :)
Absolutely! Every character I write begins with one characteristic of someone I know and A LOT of imagination. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is place little clues thoughout my books. That way if the person the character is based on reads the book, he or she will know it’s him or her. :)
3. You write for relunctant readers. Are there guidelines you must
follow? Vocab limitations? Sentence structure?
My books are not specifically packaged for ‘reluctant readers’. Therefore, I have no limitations. However, I do receive a ton of emails from reluctant readers.
4. Will Derek Jeter ever appear in one of your books?
Too funny! I’ve actually written Derek Jeter into every single one of my books – either as a reference, a dream, etc.. I always imagined sending Jeter my books with a note attached to it. Then, he would call me, inviting me to lunch. *sigh* But, poor Derek always gets cut. :(
5. What's your publicity schedule?
I’m scheduled to present at a bunch of workshops this Spring. I’ll excited to appear at the Delta Kappa Gamma New Jersey State Conference in March, the New Jersey Librarians Conference in May, NJSCBWI in June, and a bunch others. I plan on attending signings at both basketball and softball tournaments this summer. However, right now, most of my time will be devoted to writing Books 4, 5, and 6.
6. What are you working on now? When will it come out?
I’m finishing the copyedits for STEALING BASES, the next book in the series. STEALING BASES will hit bookstores on July 7th. :)
7. Do you have a message for young girls struggling with life and love?
Hmm.. Go with your gut. :) And stay away from boys with lists. :)
Thanks bunches!
Keri :)
--
Keri Mikulski
http://www.kerimikulski.com
Author of Head Games (Penguin/Razorbill, January 2011)
Author of Stealing Bases (Penguin/Razorbill, July 2011)
Wednesday: Interview with author Aimee Friedman
SEA CHANGE by Aimee Friedman
16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.
There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.
Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?
How long have you been writing?
Ever since I COULD write! Seriously. I have very vivid memories of writing my first stories around the ages of 5 and 6, and feeling even then that this was something that gave me a lot of joy and fulfillment. I basically haven't stopped since.
Do you have formal writing training?
I took several creative writing classes in college, which were really helpful and challenging--it was in those classes that I began to see writing as a craft, as hard, painstaking work--more than just a hobby. I think it's good for writers to take at least one writing class, but it's certainly not necessary. I still believe that the best writing is the kind that isn't over-thought or over-structured.
What was your agent search like?
I actually don't have an agent! I'm one of those rare exceptions, but that's only because I work in publishing, and got my start as an author that way. I'm actually in the process of signing with an agent right now, and the best advice I can give to new authors on this is to go with someone you have a good gut feeling about, someone whom you trust and sense will be as invested in your creativity and career as you are!
Was there a particular incident that inspired you to write SEA CHANGE?
I've always loved mermaid stories--from the classic Andersen fairy tale to the movie "Splash." I got the idea for Sea Change while I was riding a ferry to Governor's Island, a small island off the tip of Manhattan. I was looking down into the foamy water, thinking about all the ocean mythologies, and I wondered about reversing the traditional gender roles: what if the girl was the human, and the boy the sea-creature? From that Sea Change was born.
Did Sea Change go through many revisions? Outline? Yes or no?
I usually outline all my books, and Sea Change had a rough outline, but overall, its beginning and ending went through the most changes. Originally, I had the story open in New York City, with Miranda hearing the news of her grandmother's death, but my editor very wisely suggested I start the story with Miranda en route to Selkie Island. And the ending I'd had planned originally was less ambiguous than the current ending, but the current ending felt more right to me as I was in the midst of writing.
Were you always interested in legend and lore?
Yes! I grew up with my mother telling me fairy tales every night before bed--not just your standard Disney fare, but elaborate Russian and Hungarian folk stories (my parents are both from Eastern Europe). I love learning about the legends and lore of specific places (such as the islands off the coast of Georgia, where I decided to set Sea Change)--it's a rich, juicy, fascinating way of learning history.
I read that you were selected to go to a high school that specialized in science. It reminds me of your protagonist Miranda. Is there a lot of "you" in Miranda?
Yes, like Miranda, I went to Bronx Science for high school, but unlike Miranda, I was never an aspiring scientist, and I always preferred English and History to Math and Physics. In some ways, Miranda represents the way I often wish I could be: level-headed and rational. I tend to be much more of a drama queen than Miranda...in terms of characters, I'm much more like the character of Katie in my novel, THE YEAR MY SISTER GOT LUCKY, which came out last year!
The imagery used to describe Selkie Island seems so authentic. Did you often vacation at the beach as a child? Did you visit an island similiar to Selkie as part of your research?
I love the beach--must have to do with my being a Cancer. To do research for Sea Change, I took a wonderful trip out to Tybee Island, which is right near Savannah, and spent a lot of time soaking up the beach and the local flavor.
Do you feel mythical creatures are based on some sort of reality? Could they still exist? ie. Loch Ness, Bigfoot.
The tiny, tiny rational scientist voice in me says "no way." But the much louder, writerly, what-if? voice in me says "I hope so!"
What can we look forward to reading next? Any new books coming out soon?
I'm currently working on a book for younger readers that's a spooky story, which has been a lot of fun. I have a new YA novel in the planning stages, and a sequel to Sea Change in mind! Stay tuned!
For more information, visit Aimee at: www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com
Thursday Industry News:
Since October I've been reading Publisher's Lunch (the free version), and jotting down interesting industry news. I'll share. Since I am interested in YA paranormal- I specifically recorded some info because it involved this genre.
- Foundry Literary-new agent-Stephanie Abou
-School of Fear-YA-agent-Sarah Burnes-The Gernet Company
-Endeavor-Rebecca Oliver-thrillers
-Tara Weikum-Harper Collins-fairy book
-Jodi Reamer of Writer's House repped fairy book
-The creative Culture-agent-Matthew Rlblonk
-Jenoyne Adams-YA-Bliss Literary Agency
-Stephanie Tade Agency-Dana Bacher
-Anne Hoppe of Harper Children's bought Wicked Lovely-rep was Rachel Vater
-Donna Bray of Hyperion bought Dead Beautiful-repped by Ted Malawer from Firebrand Lit.
-Lindsey Heaven from Puffin bought Devil's Kiss (YA)-repped by Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Lit.
-Michelle Brower from Wendy Sherman Assoc. sold Mixed Animal (YA)
-Krista Marino of Delacorte bought Witches Alphabet (YA)-repped by Rachel vater-Folio
-Ginger Buchanan from Ace bought Many Bloody Returns-repped by Joshua Biilmes of Jabberwacky Lit.
-Kelly Sonnack joined Andrea Brown Lit.
-Brendan Deneen joined Fineprint-YA-thrillers
-Melissa Sarver joined Elizabeth Kaplan Lit.
-Becky Cole made senior editor of Plume Books
-Sharon Shavers Gayle joined Mary Jack Wald Assoc.
-Jennifer Mattson joined Andrea Brown Lit.
-Ginny Weissman left Martin Lit.
-Gary Heidt left Fine Print Lit to form Signature Lit with Ellen Pepus
-Jason Ashlock and Meredith Dawson have formed new agency called Moveable Type Lit.
-Craig Kayser joined Moveable Type Lit.
-Vivian Chum joined Prospect Agency
-Stephen Barbara joined Foundry Lit.
-Marlene Stringer joins/forms Stringer Lit.
-Elise Prouix left Frederick Hill
-Julia Churchill joined Greenhouse Lit.
-Jenny Rappaport starts The Rappaport Agency
-Andrew Karre left Flux and joined Carolrhoda Books
-Michelle Andelman joined Franklin and Siegal
-Scovil Chichak Galen changed name to Scovil Galen Ghosh Lit.
-Michael Bourret VP of Dystel and Goderich
-Jessica Papin joined Dystel and Goderich
-Megan O'Patry joined Veritas Lit.
-Steve Troha joined Vigliano Assoc.
-Laetitia Rutherford joined Mulcahy Assoc.
-Rob Weisbach-new management company-Rob Weisbach Creative management
-Eric Simonoff left Janklow and Nesbit and joined William Morris
-Paul Rodeen left Sterling Lord and starts Rodeen Lit. Management
-Rebecca Gradinger left Janklow and Nesbitt and starts Finchley Road Lit.
-Jenny Bent leaves Trident and forms The Bent Agency
-Jill Corcoran joined The Herman Agency
-Stacia Decker and Danielle Chioth joined Firebrand Lit
-Willy Blackmore left Impetus Press and joined Bliss lit
-Michelle Andelman of Lynn C. Franklin Assoc.-YA fantasy
...to be continued next Thursday : )
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