Holy anger management, Batman! I’ve read about some fictional mean girls, in my day, but Rita Williams-Garcia’s Dominique from Jumped takes the crown. It got me thinking about mean girls and the role they play in YA fiction. About four years ago, mean was really in. Gossip Girl hit its zenith and every time I [ Read the full article… ]

LEE & LOW BOOKS, award-winning publisher of children’s books, is pleased to announce the tenth annual NEW VOICES AWARD. The Award will be given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color. The Award winner receives a cash grant of $1000 and our standard publication contract, including our basic advance and royalties [ Read the full article… ]

It can be argued (feel free to do so in the comments, as a matter-of-fact) that when it comes to YA for African Americans, once you step out of the traditional – literary fiction of the historical and realistic variety, much of what’s being marketed, currently, falls into two new categories – hood or christian. [ Read the full article… ]

Personally, I think social networking is going to be the death of us all. We’re just going to network ourselves to pieces. I’m not totally convinced that it’s the marketing tool of ages that others do. For the most part, if you were a popular business or entity before you Myspaced, Facebooked or yes, Twittered, [ Read the full article… ]

Thank you for your support this year. This year’s 28 Days Later campaign was a roaring success. We more than doubled our page views and appreciate the word-of-mouth and blog love the site has been given. Please continue to spread the word. And while I’m sure discovering more about authors are already a reward for [ Read the full article… ]

Mama Says: A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons, written by Rob D. Walker illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon published by Scholastic/Blue Sky, 2009 The phrase father knows best simply isn’t always true. Speaking for myself, my Mama knew best — and to this day, she still does. That’s why I fell for [ Read the full article… ]

Thanks to Patricia W over at Readin N Writin blog for selecting The Brown Bookshelf as a Fab Blog. Since you’re only supposed to select five blogs and it’s five of us here at BBS, it works out perfectly. You’re also supposed to list five things you’re addicted to…but sorry Pat we’re going to skip [ Read the full article… ]

Vital Statistics Structural Engineer / Grad Student at the Vermont College of Fine Arts /YA Author Bibliography: Saving Maddie (Delacorte, 2010) My Life As a Rhombus (Flux, 2008) A Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid (Genesis Press, 2005) Three Words That Describe Varian Laid-back Friendly Determined Varian’s Writing Style Hmm…I’m still trying [ Read the full article… ]