#ktliterary

[sistahscifi]

Are you ready for another magical historical fantasy from Leslye Penelope?!?

DAUGHTER OF THE MERCIFUL DEEP releases THIS TUESDAY! Link in bio: @sistahscifi | https://sistahscifi.com/products/daughter-of-the-merciful-deep

Credit to @leslyepenelope DAUGHTER OF THE MERCIFUL DEEP releases on June 4th! So here’s another bit of inspiration for the novel: the Bridgeforths of Limestone County, AL and Beulahland.

#BlackHistory #DrownedTowns #BridgeforthFamily @tuskegee28 #blackhistoryeveryday #Beulahland #GeorgeWashingtonCarver #TuskegeeUniversity #daughterofthemercifuldeep #leslyepenelope @orbitbooks_us @orbitbooks_uk @ktliterary #SistahScifi

[naviarlab]

naviarhaiku498 – Long days and warm nights

naviarhaiku498 – Long days and warm nights

Long days and warm nights Laughter carried through the breeze Summer sings to us

Trenise Ferreira is a Jamaican-American writer who has been telling stories her entire career: as a college football journalist, a publicist at Walt Disney World Resort, and currently as a corporate communications professional and children’s book author.

When Trenise was in third grade, her teacher said that she should write books when she grew up – and Mrs. Buckner got it right! Wonder and imagination are at the heart of Trenise’s stories, creating worlds where children can get lost between the pages, laugh, and learn along the way.

An active member of the SCBWI Los Angeles chapter, Trenise is also a graduate of the Children’s Book Academy and The Voice Roadmap writing programs. She was selected as an inaugural mentee for the 2022 Picture Book Rising Stars program and is currently a 2023 We Need Diverse Books mentee.

Most recently, she won the SCBWI 2023 Ann Whitford Paul Most Promising Manuscript (Fiction) Award. Trenise is represented by Hilary Harwell at KTLiterary. You can find Trenise in her natural habitat – on Twitter! – @TreniseFerreira.

Seven days to make music in response to the assigned haiku: to participate visit https://www.naviarrecords.com/about/naviar-haiku

Deadline: 26th July 2023

Haiku by Trenise Ferreira https://twitter.com/TreniseFerreira

Picture by Ankhesenamun https://unsplash.com/photos/0ulIuQ01iSw

[amesliu]

I'm not sure what prompted this question but have you read Daisy Jones and the Six? I have a feeling you would like it. There is also a ~free~ audiobook version that makes the story even better

i have not and pls laugh at this but i haven't read a non riordanverse book since i got depressed in the 10th grade but i will keep that in mind for when i decide to become literate again

[mamahadtolistentoallthisdrama]

As my hubs will tell you, I’m always a little late to the party. But, the kind souls at @ktliterary sent me a much anticipated book, MICHIGAN VS. THE BOYS, so I decided to jump aboard the #slapshotreadathon. - 🏒. Synopsis: When a determined girl is confronted with the culture of toxic masculinity, it's time to even the score. - 📚. Michigan Manning lives for hockey, and this is her year to shine. That is, until she gets some crushing news: budget cuts will keep the girls' hockey team off the ice this year. - 📚. If she wants colleges to notice her, Michigan has to find a way to play. Luckily, there's still one team left in town ... - 📚. The boys' team isn't exactly welcoming, but Michigan's prepared to prove herself. She plays some of the best hockey of her life, in fact, all while putting up with changing in the broom closet, constant trash talk and ?harmless? pranks that always seem to target her. - 📚. But once hazing crosses the line into assault, Michigan must weigh the consequences of speaking up --- even if it means putting her future on the line. - 🏒. A determined girl?!? Hockey?!? I really didn’t need to read further to be interested. Most of you know that for years, when we lived in the Bay Area, hubs and I were San Jose Sharks season ticket holders. I used to call it marriage therapy. Seeing a live hockey game is truly fun, and it’s something I wish we could do more often. - 🏒. I promise to give you a full review of the book as soon as I finish it. But, for now, the kiddos are on Fall Break, I have an excellent book to read and hockey season has started! Here’s to Fall! - 🏒. 🏒. 🏒. #readathon #bookstagram #bookreview #ktliterary #michiganvstheboys #yabooks #ireadya #kidscanpress #carriesallen #booklr #fallbreak #hockeybooks #tbr #currentlyreading #beartown #hockey https://www.instagram.com/p/B3SaxdwgGoa/?igshid=g1xqs0xfwpnh

[haich-slash-cee]

Is the print publishing world picking up online/fandom terms? How they are using them? How do we feel about this?

So this is... attention-getting, for folks who like to follow publishing and meta stuff.

https://twitter.com/sapphicxrey/status/1215065948677443584

https://twitter.com/TorDotComPub/status/1233391556750647299

(2nd tweet -- TW, mentions of non-con)

Are we seeing the beginnings of book publishers directly borrowing from online/fandom culture in promoting their books? How do we feel about these examples?

More below cut.

Exhibit #1: screenshots of Bonds of Brass promo from Jan 8 2020. (Which is probably going to have reactions of “haha, cute” at most.)

Transcript of blurb: 

“If you like... 

forbidden romances, “there’s only one bed”, cityships, weaponized umbrellas, powersuits, secret princes, best friends, best friends PINING, fake dating between PINING best friends, tactical streaking, the minivan of starships, cigar-chomping cyborg ladies, scary empress moms, galactic-level bisexual disasters, LEGACY (WHAT IS A LEGACY?), rooftop hopping, golden trios, rumblin’ drums, bootleg fireworks, BIG SPACE BATTLES PEW PEW, a surprisingly functional public transit system, mob trouble, one hell of a pilot, the inherent DRAMA of empire, a nice interlude in a river, smoking a joint that’s been on the floor, sick stunts, slick grifts, hiding in a dumpster, or any combination of the above,

 Then you might like 

BONDS OF BRASS”

The Twitter responses seem to be generally enthusiastic. (And also, “FinnPoe! FinnPoe!”)

Personally, I’m intrigued from a meta-view of “oh so that’s definitely pulling from online world and fanfiction world, interesting. I wonder how much fanfiction culture is starting to influence print book culture and promotion.” Maybe I’ve got some questions like, “Ok so moneymaking companies such as Penguin are now using culture developed by the not-moneymaking-world of fanfiction? How do we feel about this?” Anyway, the book looks cute, I’m interested enough and I might get it from the library.

I suspect many people’s reactions are along the lines of “hm, interesting”, “sounds like a lark”, or “haha they’re using AO3 tags as promo”, etc. 

Exhibit #2, screenshots of DOCILE promo, from Feb 28 2020 (today is March 1 2020), and screenshots of Twitter responses so far:

(*CW, non-con discussion)

Tweet transcript:

“DOCILE by @KMSzpara:  

-Dubcon/Noncon 

-Dramatic Trillionaire Content 

-BDSM and then some more BDSM and then a lot more BDSM

 -Hurt/comfort and hurt/no comfort

 -Cinnamon roll of steel 

-The most scandalous kink: love 

-Courtroom, bedroom, & Preakness drama

[Tor book website link]”

So this is getting mixed reactions on Twitter. All dozen or so reactions, so far. Here’s text transcripts and bio info from repliers, below. I’m being a little obsessive, mostly to show that there’s a mix of queer, book-ish people in the replies (including the author).)

Noncon is nonconsentual sex, rape. Even in fandom it's a content tag, not a promotional term. I can't imagine being a rape survivor and seeing this come across my TL. -- @WriteSomeGood [queer rainbow] [Cis queer homemaker, aspiring author, maker of incredible cinnamon buns. She/her] [has a Tumblr page]

I’m not a survivor but it was an instant “no thank you” from me. And I was sincerely looking forward to this prior to. This is the most immediately off-putting marketing push I’ve seen for a book in a long damn time. -- @AGAWilmot [Author, editor, artist. Co-EIC of @anathemaspec. @SFU alum. The Death Scene Artist/W&W 2018. Ace/enby. They/them. Horror is my comfort food.]

Whichever intern wrote this tweet, deserves a full time job. With benefits. -- @simeontsanev [Aspiring writer, post-aspiring musician, and overall geek  He/Him /[queer rainbow]/ To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now! http://simeontsanev.com]

Idk why everyone thinks it’s always an intern writing copy and not a team comprised of extremely skilled social media experts, editors, publicists and marketers, and their assistants  I worked on those tags with my editor and a good friend!! -- @KMSzpara [Kellan. [queer rainbow]  Speculative fiction writer. Queer agenda.  Hugo & Nebula finalist.  DOCILE 3/3/20 from Tor Dot Com Publishing.  He/him.  Rep @suddenlyjen] *The author, bio page and twitter page.

this is CUTE! -- @MSSciarappa  [queer rainbow] I do books. he/him.

I am Extremely Ready for this content thank u -- @JessicaBCooper [Journo ☽ Writer of faerie, villain fuckery & cruel desires ☽ Lestat & Loki's love child ☽ Aleksander Morozova's side-hoe ☽ Rep'd by Kate Testerman @ktliterary]

I’m listening -- @MerynLobb [Government worker. Weightlifter. Nihilist. Aspiring cult leader. Avid user of words, often bad ones. #AMM R6 Mentee. she/her]

Soon! Soon!! -- @castrophony [Geek. Gamer. Cosplayer. Bibliophile. Scientist. She/Her.]

[happy reaction gif] -- @TorDotComPub [Providing a home for writers to tell SFF stories in exactly the number of words they choose. All our titles are available globally in print and DRM-free ebook.]

[throwing stuff in dumpster, unhappy reaction gif] -- @cursedgravy  [name's xavi, im a transman and i like to daydream about making content] 

For more context, here’s the blurb from the author website. Below is the blurb from the publisher’s site:

“Docile

K.M. Szpara

K. M. Szpara's Docile is a science fiction parable about love and sex, wealth and debt, abuse and power, a challenging tour de force that at turns seduces and startles.

There is no consent under capitalism.

To be a Docile is to be kept, body and soul, for the uses of the owner of your contract. To be a Docile is to forget, to disappear, to hide inside your body from the horrors of your service. To be a Docile is to sell yourself to pay your parents' debts and buy your children's future.

Elisha Wilder’s family has been ruined by debt, handed down to them from previous generations. His mother never recovered from the Dociline she took during her term as a Docile, so when Elisha decides to try and erase the family’s debt himself, he swears he will never take the drug that took his mother from him.

Too bad his contract has been purchased by Alexander Bishop III, whose ultra-rich family is the brains (and money) behind Dociline and the entire Office of Debt Resolution. When Elisha refuses Dociline, Alex refuses to believe that his family’s crowning achievement could have any negative side effects—and is determined to turn Elisha into the perfect Docile without it.

Content warning: Docile contains forthright depictions and discussions of rape and sexual abuse.”

So that’s a lot of info and reactions.

Personally: at first glance, I absently skimmed the tweet and “hurt/comfort” popped out, and I was like “What? Mainstream publishing is cool with this now? I was wondering if ‘hurt/comfort’ would one day become commonly used in publishing [related post]. But this is way sooner than I thought.” And then I read the rest of of the tweet and thought, “Wait, what?” 

And then I started reading through the tweet replies and thought, “OK, at the risk of getting a bunch of Tumblr drama, I want to bring this to the whump community and see how people feel."

As for myself, one of my squicks is non-con, and I’m not really interested in hurt/no comfort. So just from the tweet, I know the book is not for me. The official blurbs confirmed that. In this sense, this is like skimming Ao3 tags on a fic and saying “pass” on a story.

However, I have questions about the specific promotion of the book. So the official blurbs are pretty standard. What about that tweet, which Tor (and the author, who helped put it together) put out? Because I think an official publisher’s Tweet comes with different context than Ao3 tags.

First, the different internet spaces. You can filter tags on Ao3 and Tumblr. I know you can mute words on Twitter, but is that the same thing? Also, would people be expecting these tags on Twitter? Compared to Ao3 or Tumblr or Tumblr Whump spaces?

Within the Tumblr Whump community, from what I’ve browsed, the community attitude (guidelines?) seem to be “Write and discuss what you want. Be sure to tag it, use content warnings, or otherwise clearly communicate if you have things that may be triggering. Respect people’s squicks/triggers. Walk away from what you don’t like.” Like, tumblr whump has a very specific culture of trying to balance discourse/stories about potentially very dark stuff, but also wanting to make sure the IRL people and Tumblr users are okay. There’s always posts going around about how to do this, are we doing this in the right way, ethics, so on. Also -- and people can correct me -- the whump tumblr space might be where tags are content warnings for people to stay away, and also what people might actively look for. So if any space is going to discuss if this promotional tweet checks out, I feel like it’s this space. 

Also, to note again, Tor Tweets are in the money-official-publisher-world, not unpaid-tumblr-people or unpaid-fanfiction-fandom-world.

Maybe I just want to ask, “Hey those first two tweet responses, does they have a point? Tor using ‘noncon’ as official promotion? On Twitter?” I mean, I’ve previously written, “The CW and TW tags that Ao3 writers use, I really wish those were used with published books as well.” But somehow, the Tor tweet was not quite what I was expecting. Maybe for reasons similar to that first tweet response. (I guess one could debate if a tweet is really promotion or just information... you know what someone can correct me, but I’m gonna say that a Tor.com tweet is promotion, compared to information like Ao3, and that tweet was there for promotion.)

Those tags operate within specific Ao3 and Tumblr cultures and infrastructure. I don’t hang around Twitter for whump stuff, IDK what the culture is. Anyway, does dropping these tags into a promotional tweet from Tor.... translate?

The tweet is evidently gathering the people who are there for it, and the people who aren’t there for it are quickly realizing that they are not there for it. But personally, the Tor website blurb does a better job at that, using writing that I’d expect from a publisher for communicating fictional non-con situations. (Maybe the blurb content warnings are what I wanted more of, when I said I wished for CW and TW in books.)

Anyway, there’s no huge drama about that Docile book promo on Twitter, as far as I can tell. So this is a niche thing, right now. But. The promo for Bonds of Brass and for Docile might be the beginnings of a trend of well-known book publishers borrowing from online writing / fandom culture and terminology in order to promote or categorize their books. These two promos might set a precedent or have other significance.

So if anyone has discourse on the tweets or potential future trends... 

[lisa-lostinlit]

💬 Who are you currently shipping? I recently read Tinsel by Devney Perry and I adored Sofia and Dakota. I’m definitely shipping them. 💕 . Start Here by @trishwritesbooks about two teens who go on a life-changing sailing trip as they deal with the grief of losing their best friend in this heartwrenching, hopeful novel from the author of Something Like Normal and In a Perfect World. . If you would like to learn more about the book or order a copy click on the link in my bio. I have partnered with @trishwritesbooks to give away a copy of Start Here! . TO ENTER: - follow me, @trishwritesbooks, @simonteen and @storygramtours - tag a friend you think will be interested . For an EXTRA entry: - visit @ve_xo tomorrow and repeat these steps . RULES: - Giveaway will end August 26th at midnight EST - International - not affiliated with Instagram - must be 18 or have parents permission - must be a public account so I can verify entries ________________________________________________________ #startheretour #ktliterary #starthere #trishdoller #SimonTeen #storygramtours #bookcommunity #bookphotography #booknerdigans #bookgram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookworms #bookworm #booknerd #mybookfeatures #ireadya #bookaesthetic #booksbooksbooks #toberead #instareads #onthebed #bookster #amreading #hygge #bookstagramming #yalit #yareads #hyggelife — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2KJboz7

[storywrtr]

#Repost @ktbuffy with @get_repost ・・・ GIVEAWAY!!! In celebration of hopefulness, on this Election Day I’m thrilled to be giving away an ARC of @casey.mcquiston’s forthcoming novel RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE on behalf of the team here at KT Literary. To enter, like this post, and follow @ktbuffy and @casey.mcquiston. For extra healings of love, add RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE on @goodreads and share this post on your own feed or story! Tag a friend below who would also love a delightful romance between the son of the (female, Latina) President of the United States and a Prince of England! #bookstagram #giveaway #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #redwhiteandroyalblue #RWRB #ktliterary #arcgiveaway #galleygiveaway #romance #romancereads https://ift.tt/2QjI0Qg

[ktliterary]

Happy Book Birthday to TALK NERDY TO ME!

Happy book birthday to Tiffany Schmidt‘s third book in the Bookish Boyfriends series, TALK NERDY TO ME!

I came to this series after the first two books were already out, but I devoured them, and I’m so excited that you all will get to read about Eliza and Curtis’s story now!

Eliza takes center stage in this swoon-worthy third installment of the Bookish Boyfriends series

Eliza Gordon-Fergus is an expert rule-follower. She has to be; her scientist parents dictate her day-to-day decisions, and forbid her from dating. Which is why she finds Curtis Cavendish maddening. He’s never punished for his class clown antics–and worse, his mischief actually masks brilliance. Like, give-Eliza-a-run-for-valedictorian brilliance.

When Eliza reads Frankenstein for English class, she’s left feeling more like an experiment than a daughter. Curtis agrees to trade her Anne of Green Gables under one condition: She has to beat him at the science fair. Eliza knows they’re supposed to be competing, but the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she’s in over her head. Because one thing’s certain about Curtis: He makes Eliza want to break all the rules.

This book made me want to bake all the cupcakes and reread all the classics. But you don’t need to just take my word for it! Kirkus loved it, too!

Fans will be thrilled with this third installment in the Bookish Boyfriends series that focuses on brainy Eliza and her intellectual equal.

In the first two books, it was the Campbell girls who fell under the spell of Ms. Gregoire’s English class and found romance. But Eliza has absorbed the evidence her scientist parents provided demonstrating that dating is detrimental for adolescents. Or is it as she fears: that she is not lovable? Her parents are always off on research expeditions, monitor her actions from afar, and do not prioritize emotions. Eliza knows rationally they must care about her, but the lack of warmth and affection she feels becomes painfully clear when Eliza begins to identify with Frankenstein’s monster, an outcome Ms. Gregoire may have feared when she tried to steer Eliza away from using the book for the class project. Eliza switches to another book, Anne of Green Gables. As Eliza relates to Anne, she wonders if class clown Curtis is her Gilbert. Readers will be charmed by Curtis’ gentle consistency and Eliza’s confusion as her feelings change from combative to happy. As Eliza develops in confidence, her relationship with her parents improves, too, allowing her to finally feel settled. Eliza and most main characters are white, Curtis is biracial (white/Egyptian).

Sure to leave romantics with an afterglow.

Grab a copy today from your favorite local bookstore, our ktliterary Bookshop portal, Amazon, B&N, or wherever you buy books! And check out Tiffany’s Instagram for more Bookish Boyfriends and fun TALK NERDY TO ME content.

Happy Book Birthday to TALK NERDY TO ME! was originally published on kt literary

[richincolor]

Teachers! Choose Diverse Books!

In the past couple of weeks or so, there have been a couple of articles about the importance parents, librarians, and teachers have in exposing children and young adults to diverse voices. Matt de la Pena’s article, How We Talk (or Don’t Talk) About Diversity When We Read with Our Kids, focused on the little ones and how when we read with our children that instead of focusing on the “otherness” of the story, we focus on the actual story. Next, Lee and Low, in their blog post titled, Why Do We Need Diverse Books in Non-Diverse Schools?, went a step further discussing how diverse books need to be shared in a non-diverse classroom to help the children become more empathetic and open to other view points and ideas. Lastly, Sara Megibow of KT Literay, shared her experience of helping her son’s 4th grade teacher make the classroom library more diverse. In her blog post, Diverse Success Story, she shares her process of how she went about donating the books to the classroom. All of these three articles truly resonated with me as a teacher, and I thought I would add my voice to the discussion, sharing my experience how I go about choosing the books I use in my curriculum.

Last year, I had a conversation with the then 7th grade teacher about his reading list. His co-teacher happened to mention that they were reading books that had only one type of character; I’ll let you guess what type. I just happened to be sitting there and of course, I had to say something. His response, “Well, I wanted them to read the classics.” Argh! And then I let him have it. Okay, not really, just reminded him that our student population was 60% Hispanic/Latino and 40% African American and that it would be a good idea to include different voices into his reading list so the kids can see themselves reflected in the books they read. I reminded him that our goal is to not only teach, but to create life-long readers and when we force our kids to read the classics, we alienate them and turn them off reading. We also do not give them an opportunity to connect the literature to their lives, allowing them to become open-minded, well-rounded students. Needless to say, after that conversation, he changed up his reading list based on my recommendations. My point in sharing this story is that as teachers we MUST be mindful of the books we are presenting to our students. We cannot rest on sharing the “Western Literary Canon” anymore because the canon only represents one type of voice and excludes all others. Sure, you have Maya and Langston and Toni in there, but one would think that there were only great Black writers decades ago. Then again, the canon cannot include just Black and White writers. America is a plethora of diverse voices and our canon should represent all of those voices. That is why teachers should move away from reading straight from the “canon” and work to make a more inclusive reading list.

So, about my process. I am lucky that I work in a school where I am able to create my own curriculum. I know many teachers do not have that freedom and are instead required to use a “pre-packaged” curriculum. However, in a Common Core workshop I went to a few years ago, we were informed that “pre-packaged” Common Core curriculum wouldn’t be ready until 2018, which leaves many teachers having to create their own curriculum for the first time. Freedom! I think this is a great opportunity for those teachers to show their creativity in the classroom and create some amazing, and enriching, learning experiences. One of the best ways to create these experiences and to open their students to different points of view is to use diverse books! This requires teachers to be thoughtful and strategic in their planning and perhaps conduct a bit of research. Let me assure you, however, that the results are worth it.

I’ve been teaching 8th grade now for about 8 years, so my curriculum is pretty much set, though I do change it up every year, adding books, changing books, changing units. Shoot, this year alone I changed one and added two books in the middle of the year! But, in deciding which books I want my students to read, I make sure that I have a variety of voices, both male and female lead characters, as well as find books that are different genres so students can find a genre they like to read and hopefully read similar books on their own. This year’s book list includes…

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (my Honors class read this) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Honors class again) Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare Romiette & Julio by Sharon Draper Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson The Pregnancy Project by Gabi Rodriguez

Quite an impressive list, yes? You might be wondering how with Common Core pushing more non-fiction reading, how can I get away with basing my curriculum around novels. Well, I supplement the novels by using non-fiction that is related to the content of the novels in the classroom. By having my students read the novels and then reading non-fiction articles that deal with similar subjects in the classroom and using those to frame lessons, my students are able to truly learn about different lives, different places, different points of view, and therefore become more open-minded students. My students are able to connect with the literature in unique ways (my Honors students connected with Gatsby through their mutual hatred of Daisy, and Gatsby’s desire for the American Dream) and are always able to see mirrors as well as windows. Not all the students like every book (and that is okay), but they all at least find one book that they connect with and always, always, ask me for more books by that author. And honestly, love for reading is the takeaway I want my students.

If you are wondering where to begin, take a look at any award winners list, with the ALA being so diverse this year you can’t go wrong. Or, create a theme you’d like to focus on for the year and then search for books that have a similar theme. I usually begin 8th grade with units that focus on the self, and then second semester focus on issues that students are facing or will face (such as pregnancy). Lastly, since Common Core is encouraging cross-curriculum, why not try to tie books that fit another subject? When I taught 7th grade, I loosely tied my curriculum to the Social Studies curriculum. In CA the 7th grade Social Studies curriculum is World History, so I made sure that all of my books were either written by authors from around the world, or featured characters living in different countries. My students that year were exposed to Nnedi Okorafor and Thanhha Lai.

It takes a bit of research, work and planning to make sure you choose diverse books for your students, but as teachers, we are tasked with creating well-rounded, critical thinking, open-minded students. We have a stake in making our world more inclusive for everyone by showing diversity through the books we share with our students. We have the ability to allow our students to have the tough discussions about race, fairness, etc, by using novels. We have the “power” to help bring about change, we just have to be mindful with how we go about it. Making the decision to include diverse books is just one step.

PS. I will add that the topic of sponsoring a classroom and donating diverse books to students is a topic that came up at the Day of Diversity, so if that is something you are interested in, read Megibow’s blog and then get started on your own project. There are still 2 more months to the school year; it’s not too late!

[reneebriana]

What type of books are hard to sell now?

Paranormal and dystopian. Though these may still be selling well (ie: anything by Cassandra Clare or Veronica Roth) the publishing world runs a few years out from publication. Editors are acquiring for 2016 and beyond, and sales for those genres won’t be as strong.

Honestly, I think there will always be readers for each of these genres, but the general public won’t be interested long-term.

What’s selling well? Contemporary. Period.

Maybe we’ll cycle back around to Vampires in the next 5 years? Who knows.

[sistahscifi]

We really enjoyed reading THE MONSTERS WE DEFY, but you don't have to take our word for it! @publisherswkly gave the newest title by Leslye Penelope a starred review! You can preorder THE MONSTERS WE DEFY on our @facebook, @instagram, @shopify, @twitter, @pinterest or @librofm stores. Link in bio: @sistahscifi. Better yet, you can check it out at your local #library! Reposted from @leslyepenelope Soooo excited that THE MONSTERS WE DEFY received an amazing starred review ⭐ from @publisherswkly!! 😍⁠ ⁠ "Penelope’s blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect, with wit, romance, and a lovable found family thrown in for good measure. Readers will be wowed."⁠ ⁠ Reposted from @orbitbooks_uk Feast your eyes on the gorgeous cover for The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope, out Aug 2022! In 1925 Washington D. C., a clairvoyant woman leads a ragtag crew bestowed with magical gifts to pull off a daring heist and save her community from malevolent beings. Clara Johnson talks to spirits. A gift that saved her during her darkest moments in a Washington D. C. jail. Now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So, when the Empress, the powerful spirit who holds her debt, offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, a desperate Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District. But Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. She’ll need help from an unlikely team, from a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody to an aging vaudeville actor who can change his face, to pull off the impossible. As they encounter increasing obstacles, a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn, and conflict in the spirit world begins to leak out into the human one. And along DC’s legendary Black Broadway, a mystery is unfolding—one that not only has repercussions for Clara but all of the city’s residents. Design by @von_brooklyn #sistahscifi #OrbitBooks #TheMonstersWeDefy #LeslyePenelope #CoverReveal #Bookstagram #Bookish #FantasyBooks #orbitbooksus #orbit22 #redhookbooks #themonsterswedefy #lpenelope #fantasy #fantasybooks #historicalfantasy #blackfantasy @ktliterary ⁠ @orbitbooks_us (at Sistah Scifi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgRhotJLZJo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ktliterary]

On the Podcast: Live Show! Client Retreat 2020

kt literary Agents at Client Retreat 2020

Today, we get a little meta. We podcast about podcasting. Last month at the kt literary Agency Retreat we had the opportunity to gather together with about 40 clients and talk about all things publishing for a few days. And we recorded our very first live show! Hannah and myself (Renee) discuss podcast guest etiquette, what technology you need to be a guest on a show, and even share some interview tips.

Additionally, we talk with L. Penelope of My Imaginary Friends and Alex Brown and Rebecca Mahoney of the wildly popular fiction podcast, The Bridge. They give us insight on working with a podcast network and how to plot, cast, and produce a narrative podcast.

We hope you enjoy a peek at what goes on at the kt literary client retreats!

Follow L. Penelope @leslyepenelope Follow Rebecca Mahoney @cafecliche Follow Alex Brown @gravity_fail09

Of course you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @ktliterary or on our website www.ktliterary.com.

On the Podcast: Live Show! Client Retreat 2020 was originally published on kt literary

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VOICES HEARD: By KT Literary and The Word

If you saw our recent post about closing to queries and are worried that means you won’t have a chance to get your manuscript in front of us this summer, don’t fret! T’m truly thrilled to announce that we are partnering with the Word, a local Denver non-profit organization working to build a publishing community that will fight for inclusivity, for the first ever Voices Heard project. The Voices Heard project is a special opportunity to query to be taken on as a new client with KT Literary’s experienced agents—an opportunity open specifically to writers from underrepresented backgrounds!

Throughout the month of July, KT agents will be closed to all submissions outside of the Voices Heard project.

If selected through the project, writers have the chance to learn from the knowledge of these experienced agents by having a sample of an unpublished manuscript read by an agent and receiving feedback within 2 weeks of submission. And of course (let’s not forget this part!) selected writers may be taken on as new clients with KT Literary!

For more information, please go to the Voices Heard website. There you’ll find information on how to apply, tips and resources, an interview with Kate, and soon, recaps of Twitter Q&As with all of the agents of KT Literary, as well as our manuscript wish lists, backgrounds, and more.

Our first live Twitter #AskAgent Q&A will be tomorrow, Thursday, June 12th at 2pm Mountain. Follow @ktliterary and @wordisdiversity, as well as the hashtag #VoicesHeard for all the news and information!!

And get those fantastic queries ready!

VOICES HEARD: By KT Literary and The Word was originally published on kt literary

[ktliterary]

On the Podcast! Ellen Booraem and Deva Fagan

Today, I have the privilege of speaking with two of our Powerhouse Middle Grade authors, Ellen Booraem and Deva Fagan. These women are both from Maine and they both write beautiful, sharp, emotionally resonant Middle Grade fantasy. We talk about writing, magic, LARPing, and puppers. We also talk about promoting their books with a group of authors who all release in April 2021. Ellen and Deva have been joined by Nancy Werlin whose YA release is called ZOE ROSENTHAL IS NOT LAWFUL GOOD and Leah Cypess’ Middle Grade fantasy THORNWOOD. I had such a wonderful time speaking with Deva and Ellen and I hope you enjoy the conversation, too. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitchr, iHeartRadio, and more! Just Search ktliterary!

River Magic

Nightingale

Deva Fagan: website, Twitter and Instagram

Ellen Booraem: website, Twitter, Facebook

You can find us at ktliterary.com and on Twitter and Instagram.

On the Podcast! Ellen Booraem and Deva Fagan was originally published on kt literary

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Happy Book Birthday to FLOAT PLAN by Trish Doller!

I’m so thrilled to finally be able to celebrate the release of Trish Doller‘s amazing adult debut, FLOAT PLAN! This book is: • ONE OF OPRAHMAG.COM’s MOST ANTICIPATED ROMANCES OF 2021 •

• ONE OF 2021’s HOTTEST ROMANCES ON GOODREADS •

• AN INDIE NEXT LIST PICK FOR MARCH 2021 •

Heartbroken by the loss of her fiancé, adventurous Anna finds a second chance at love with an Irish sailor in this riveting, emotional romance.

After a reminder goes off for the Caribbean sailing trip Anna was supposed to take with her fiancé, she impulsively goes to sea in the sailboat he left her, intending to complete the voyage alone.

But after a treacherous night’s sail, she realizes she can’t do it by herself and hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned. As romance rises with the tide, they discover that it’s never too late to chart a new course.

In Trish Doller’s unforgettable FLOAT PLAN, starting over doesn’t mean letting go of your past, it means making room for your future.

“The perfect escape. Fresh, funny, and romantic. I wish I could sail away with this book.” – Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries and Little Bridge series

We’ve been absolutely blown away and overjoyed at the early response to this book. I hope you’ll check it out for yourself! Feel free to join Trish and Meg Cabot tonight (Tuesday, March 2nd) for her virtual launch event through Macintosh Books. Or head over to our Instagram account @ktliterary for a Live chat on Friday, March 5th at 7pm Eastern/5pm Mountain for a one-on-one conversation about FLOAT PLAN’s long and winding Road to Publication.

Happy Book Birthday to FLOAT PLAN by Trish Doller! was originally published on kt literary

[ktliterary]

Happy Book Birthday to THE STEPMOM SHAKE-UP!

Congratulations to Niki Lenz on the release of her second middle grade novel, THE STEPMOM SHAKE-UP, out today from Random House Children’s Books.

Grace + her dad, Davy = Team Gravy. No way is a new stepmom going to break up this team. . . .

Filled with reverse Parent Trap-like pranks, The Stepmom Shake-Up is a hilarious and heartfelt look at what it means to be a family.

Grace + Dad = the perfect team

After Grace’s mom died, she and her dad grew extra close. They have special nicknames and are always busy with new projects–like building a puppy condo for their dog, Potus–and they love learning random facts about the US presidents. Grace thinks her little family of two is perfect.

Then some committee members at church suggest it’s time for Dad to start dating again. And Dad agrees! Grace knows that adding a new member to the team will end in disaster.

No problem! She and her best friend have a plan: Operation: Stepmom Shake-Up

But what if a little shake-up is exactly what Grace’s family needs?

From the author of BERNICE BUTTMAN, MODEL CITIZEN, a Texas Bluebonnet award winner, comes this “funny, sympathetic look at a kid grappling with family change.” (Kirkus Reviews). Pick up a copy today at BookShop, IndieBound, Amazon, B&N, or your favorite bookstore! And send Niki your best milkshake photos on Twitter!

The STEPMOM SHAKE-UP trailer is here! Pre-order your copy at https://t.co/3efwfkcwOr #amreading #mg #ktliterary pic.twitter.com/FB1Fg2it4R

— Niki Lenz (@NikiRLenz) February 26, 2020

Happy Book Birthday to THE STEPMOM SHAKE-UP! was originally published on kt literary