Starred Reviews, Six-Figure Deals & More News

With so much distressing news in the world, we welcome wonderful praise for our clients. Here’s what they’ve been up to…

AWARDS

Let 'er Buck written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Gordon C. JamesNonfiction picture book LET ‘ER BUCK: GEORGE FLETCHER, THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Gordon C. James was a 2020 Spur award winner for the Storyteller/Illustrated Children’s Book by the Western Writers of America.

Donna Gephart‘s LILY AND DUNKIN was nominated for the California Young Readers Award.

REVIEWS

not so pure and simple by Lamar GilesLamar Giles has received his FIFTH starred review for NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE! It’s from Bookpage, and follows the stars from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist.  BookPage also posted agreat interview with Lamar.

THE STARTUP SQUAD: FACE THE MUSIC, the second book in the series written by Brian Weisfeld and Nicole C. Kear, is “an enjoyable and diverse story highlighting friendship, entrepreneurship, and perseverance,” according to Kirkus.

APPEARANCES

The Booking Biz clients Bethany Hegedus, Don Tate and Jessixa Bagley talked about writing through troubled times in a webinar for The Writing Barn.

The Writing Barn is also holding classes for parents and kids featuring The Booking Biz clients:

Brian Weisfeld has been featured on the news in Austin on KEYE and KXAN, plus in San Antonio on WOAI and KABB.

Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies by Carmen OliverCarmen Oliver has been busy. She wrote a post for the Nerdy Book Club on what makes a successful author. Also her book, BEARS MAKE THE BEST READING BUDDIES, was chosen for Hillsborough School Board Member Dr. Stacy Hahn’s StoryTime Online initiative. Plus. on March 21, Carmen participated in giveaways courtesy of her publisher Kids Can Press for 2020 International Day of Forests. She also revealed an online reading of her book A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS: How One Boy Inspired Millions to Save a Rare Animal for educators, librarians, and parents.

BOOK RELEASES

Green On Green written by Dianne WhiteDianne White‘s new picture book GREEN on GREEN came out on March 17! The book has received two starred reviews, from School Library Journal and BookList. It is also a Junior Library Guild selection. An activity kit for the book is available on her website.

NEW BOOKS

Scholastic has acquired Tami Charles‘ next young adult novel in a six-figure deal at auction. Tami was inspired to write MUTED after the Me Too movement and her experience in an all-girl R&B group. The book set in the music industry looks at the business of exploitation and how dreams of the girls are often used against them. MUTED is set for publication in 2021.

Interview: William Alexander on Board Games, Neoteny and Dino-Bear Princesses

William Alexander
William Alexander

Author William Alexander has earned numerous awards for his middle-grade novels, including the National Book Award for GOBLIN SECRETS in 2012. A teacher for the acclaimed Master of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the University of Vermont. His latest middle-grade series, A PROPERLY UNHAUNTED PLACE and A FESTIVAL OF GHOSTS, received praise from Publishers Weekly, The New York Times and a starred review from Kirkus for the first book.

What’s behind all these wonderful stories? We asked… Continue reading “Interview: William Alexander on Board Games, Neoteny and Dino-Bear Princesses”

5 Steps to Find Your Best Conference or Festival Speaker

Whether you’re organizing a conference or festival, you want attendees to leave with great memories. And for that, they need to emotionally connect with the speakers you present.

How to choose the right speakers isn’t as easy as looking up a list of “great speakers.” Your conference or festival needs the RIGHT speakers, and there’s an art to finding yours. Continue reading “5 Steps to Find Your Best Conference or Festival Speaker”