By Karis Rogerson If you follow Julie Dao anywhere online, you’ll know at least one part of her story: the nearly decade-long journey to publication. Even while she studied medicine and briefly put writing aside, she says she knew subconsciously writing was what she wanted to do. “Writing is … [Read more...] about Julie C. Dao on Fairy Tales, Romance, and Her Latest YA Novel
young-adult
5 MG and YA Novelists with Disabled Characters Share What Inspired Their Stories
Editor's note: We Need Diverse Books has decided to update the original list of books, which included 7 titles, to remove A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore and Ziggy, Stardust & Me by James Brandon. We were made aware of the Native representation in these books by Debbie Reese. For more … [Read more...] about 5 MG and YA Novelists with Disabled Characters Share What Inspired Their Stories
Why Addie Tsai Wanted to Write a Queer Asian Character in Her YA Novel Dear Twin
I was beyond thrilled when I signed a publishing contract for my memoir. But I started getting suspicious when the publication date came and went, and the cover hadn’t been finalized. What was worse was that the emails I sent to the managing editor of the press went unanswered. I didn’t receive a … [Read more...] about Why Addie Tsai Wanted to Write a Queer Asian Character in Her YA Novel Dear Twin
Everything I Learned from the WNDB Mentorship Program
In this blog post, WNDB mentee Kelly McWilliams shares an update about her experience with the WNDB Mentorship Program. Kelly was a mentee in the 2017 Mentorship Program and had a Young Adult Fiction Mentorship with Jodi Meadows. To learn more about the mentorship program, visit our website … [Read more...] about Everything I Learned from the WNDB Mentorship Program
How Stories About Disability Help Create Empathy
By Karol Silverstein This story was first published in The Glass House. It happens to me regularly. I’ll be in a grocery store, a restaurant, maybe on the sidewalk in front of my apartment building, heading for the garage. A group of kids spots me and freezes—startled by my hand deformities, … [Read more...] about How Stories About Disability Help Create Empathy
Q&A with Alison Gervais: THE SILENCE BETWEEN US
Today we’re delighted to welcome Alison Gervais to the WNDB blog to discuss her upcoming debut THE SILENCE BETWEEN US, out August 13, 2019. Moving halfway across the country to Colorado right before senior year isn’t Maya’s idea of a good time. Leaving behind Pratt School for the Deaf where she’s … [Read more...] about Q&A with Alison Gervais: THE SILENCE BETWEEN US
Q&A with Rebecca Kim Wells: SHATTER THE SKY
Today we're delighted to welcome Rebecca Kim Wells to the WNDB blog to discuss her upcoming debut SHATTER THE SKY, out July 30, 2019. A determined young woman sets out to rescue her kidnapped girlfriend by stealing a dragon from the corrupt emperor in this stunning fantasy debut that’s perfect … [Read more...] about Q&A with Rebecca Kim Wells: SHATTER THE SKY
Where Are All the People of Color on Young Adult Book Covers?
What can a survey of 1400 young adult books tell us about the quantity and quality of racially diverse representation in young adult cover design? By Jenny Kimura If you’ve been tracking the diversity movement in young adult literature, you’re probably aware of just how many wonderfully diverse YA … [Read more...] about Where Are All the People of Color on Young Adult Book Covers?
