One of the most highly anticipated young adult releases of 2020, of All the Stars and Teeth Entertainment Weekly declares, “This epic fantasy, which subverts gender stereotypes and expectations, has the potential to break out in the mold of [Tomi] Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone, with its fresh take on themes on vengeance and coming-of-age.” #1 New York Times bestselling author Adeyemi herself hails it, “Fierce and unrelenting … Do yourself a favor and get lost in this beautiful book!” Macmillan acquired the two-book high seas adventure series in an aggressive pre-empt. Its debut author, Adalyn Grace, will join us as a Special Guest Speaker in February to discuss how it came to be. Welcome Adalyn!
Advance Submission Readers
With only a couple-three more likely to be added, the bulk of our Advance Submission Readers have been confirmed and are now open for selection. Along with the many authors and editors, literary agents accepting submissions:
- Lisa Abellera, with Kimberley Cameron and Associates
- Tara Gilbert, with Corvisiero Literary Agency (added 11/11/19)
- Amanda Jain, with Bookends Literary Agency
- Jill Marr, with Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency (bumped to Irvine, 2020)
- Sarah Phair, with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
- Dr. Uwe Stender, with Triada US Literary Agency
- Jennifer Chen Tran, with Bradford Literary Agency
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For those signing up for a reader, or multiple readers, be aware that the deadline to submit material is January 20th, 2020. Many readers will sell out before then (and be noted as such on the Staff page). It is advisable to sign up for readers early, then submit your pages only when you’re absolutely certain they’re ready for review. Do not submit multiple versions of the same submission as we near the deadline. Here’s where to Learn All About Advance Submissions.
Much Good “Muse” to Report
So many SCWCers working in so many genres. Those with new releases include Dennis Bowen’s seventh installment of his International Thriller Series, The Jasmine Negative … Ashlynn Cubbison’s Chasing Beverly, in which an “Olympic hopeful sacrifices her own aspirations in order to breathe life into her mother’s dreams” … Mike Murphey’s The Conman, a novel based on the life of former pro-ball pitcher Keith Comstock … And from Melissa Fischer, The Advocacy, a novel set in 1992 Ghana, drawn from her own experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer there.
On the creepy jeepers side of things, the second book in Pamela G. McCord’s Pekin Dewlap Mystery series, The Ghost on Firefly Lane, find the trio of best friends hired to help a sad spirit step into the light … And in audio book, Evan Ramspott’s (writing as Better Hero Army) Book 2 of his Plagued States of America series, Plagued: The Rock Island Zombie Counteractant Experiment, is now out. It’s narrated by our own Melanie Hooks, who is beginning to amass an impressive catalogue of audio work.
Coming up in 2020: Nikki Katz’s The King’s Questioner, “an epic YA fantasy featuring royal drama, dark magic, and a secret that could topple a kingdom” (January) … Suzanne Redfearn’s “thoughtful exploration of life, death, and the world in between,” In an Instant (March) … Robert Mitchell Evans’ space opera, Vulcan’s Forge (March). Best of success to all!
And speaking of working in genre fiction, be sure to watch this new doculogue from our recent Irvine event. Featuring Kali Wallace, August Norman, and Jonathan & Jynafer Yanez, it drills into the challenges and business of doing so.
Early “Bard” Discount
Discounted pre-registration for our 34th annual winter event is open. Do so by December 1st and save $100 on Full Conference participation. The workshop slate will be posted shortly. Subscribe to our mailing list or join our Facebook community to stay up to date.
Happy NaNoWriMo!
–Michael Steven Gregory
Executive Director, SCWC/SWS
