Agents, Reviewers, and Books...

I know this blog hasn’t been about writing lately (ya know, considering the title and all), but that won’t be the case forever. I promise. Lately, I feel like a racehorse waiting for the starting gates to open. I’m ready, I’m just waiting to be told to go.

In the meantime, I do have some writery (no coffee = made up words) stuff to talk about.

First, here are some of my favorite new blog discoveries:

These are some great agent sites. Nathan Bransford and BookEnds, LLC, both of which have an abundance of information on writing query letters (which every writer can use help with), how to shop for an agent, what agents are looking for, the process they go through in looking for clients, and all kinds of good publishing industry information. These are just all around fantastic sites for any writer, at any stage of the game!

The second sites are these amazing teen reader blogs that I’ve stumbled across. They are amazing, and these are just two of my favorites so far, Reviewer X and YA Book Realm. These are smart, sometimes sharp-tongued, well-read, and just down right brilliant girls who review Young Adult books online. Damn, I wish I’d been as articulate as they are at their ages! (I’m a little bit afraid of Reviewer X, but I secretly want to be her when I grow up).

There are so many of these great sites out there (and reviewers of all ages), like Em’s Bookshelf, Presenting Lenore, and Young Adult Book Bloggers, just to name a few. Check them out!



And lastly, speaking of books, I am anxiously awaiting my shipment of The Emerald Tablet by PJ Hoover from Amazon. I cannot wait to get my hands on this Middle Grade fantasy adventure to read with (or without) my daughter. After reading all the reviews, I know this is going to be a great book! You should pop on over to Amazon and order one for those 8-14 year olds in your life. Did that sound like a plug? Umm, yeah…


I’m currently reading, Lament by Maggie Stiefvater, and so far I’m really into it. Unfortunately, I have far less time for reading lately then I would like. Ugh, kids! Do they really need to be fed?

Comments

PJ Hoover said…
Thanks so much for the shout out, Kimberly! I totally appreciate it! And you should be getting your book soon!
I seriously can't wait to read it, PJ!!!
Leigh Purtill said…
There are a TON of great teen bloggers out there and they are WICKED smart! They don't let any of us writers get away with anything! (Honestly, a few of them terrify me!!) :)
Anonymous said…
Haha. We teen bloggers ARE quite scary ;)
Tam and John said…
As a high school teacher (albeit ex) I am so happy to hear that there are brilliant teen bloggers out there. There is nothing greater than a young writer with the confidence to share. And thanks for the great info, Kim!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Harmony and Leigh,

So what does it say that I like the "scary" teen bloggers??? Maybe I have some unresolved approval issues...


And Tam,

I think I'm a little jealous that they've got such a great outlet for their voices...and that they're using it for good rather than evil!!
YA Book Realm said…
OMG THANK YOU soooo much for the mention!! Do you know how flattered I am? I'm on of those book bloggers who rarely gets recognition and when I do I have the most silliest smile in my face during the weirdest time (ex: my friend telling me about her break-up with her boyfriend of 2 months)

So THANK YOU again!
Hey YA Book Realm!

You should probably get used to it...you have a great site, and I'm guessing you're just going to get more and more recognition as people find you there! :)
Steph said…
OMG Kimberly, I'm so sorry for not catching this sooner. Just added your blog to my feed reader (why hadn't I before? >.<) and I saw this and I was like, Wait...!

Thank you SO much for mentioning me on here and for the kind words - that's very nice of you! :) And honestly, though, I don't know why you'd wanna be me - *I* don't have a book deal and a pretty amazing agent! :)


Again, thanks!

Steph (Reviewer X :))
Hi Steph,

I was actually talking about your blog at my meeting in New York this week when we were discussing teen bloggers/reviewers. I was telling them that my favorite reviewers are the ones that aren't afraid to rip a book to shreds (especially if it deserves it!), but that you're also the ones I'm a little afraid of too!

Talk about power...what's not to be jealous of???

Seriously though, even knowing all that, you are at the top of my *wish-list* for reviewers...and believe me, I've been making a list!