Literary Rambles

Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop

Happy Tuessday Everyone! Today I'm excited to participate in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox and MomDoesReviews. I can't believe it's already the middle of September. It definitely feels more like fall. Our temperatures started cooling down into the 60's by September 1st. It's still really pleasant when the sun is out, so I don't mind.

Book of Your Choice or Amazon Gift Card

I am offering a book of your choice for $20 or less on Amazon. I’m looking forward to seeing what books everyone is looking forward to reading.

If you don’t have a book you want, you can win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway Details

To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 30th telling me whether you want a book, and if so, which one, or the Amazon gift card and your email address. Be sure to include your email address. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. The book giveaway is U.S. only and the Amazon gift card giveaway is International.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts

I hope to see you on Monday!

And here are all the blogs participating in this blog hop:

MamatheFox, Mom Does Reviews, and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Author Interview: Christine Virnig and Phantom Academy Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Christine Virnig here to share about her MG Phantom Academy, It sounds like a fun ghost story with a mystery to be solved. That’s my idea of a good story, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery?

Hi Christine! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

First of all, thank you so much for interviewing me! I always love talking about books and writing :)

I’m a children’s book author from Madison, Wisconsin, and I write picture books, middle grade novels, and middle grade nonfiction. My road to becoming a writer was actually somewhat circuitous. I first fell in love with reading children’s books when I was a stressed-out doctor looking for ways to escape the real world, and it was only after these kid’s books were thoroughly woven into my heart that I started seriously thinking about trying to write one myself. But as soon as I put finger to keyboard… I was hooked.

2. Where did you get the idea for Phantom Academy?

Most of my best book ideas seem to pop into my head as I’m trying to fall asleep at night, and Phantom Academy was no different. The whole first scene of the book—where Finn DIES and needs to choose between two paths—came to me this way. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn’t wait to write it down… and discover what happened next!

Your Writing Process

3. I get ideas at random times too. Share about how you developed the storyline and wrote the first draft of Phantom Academy. How long did it take to write and revise your manuscript before you were ready to submit it?

When I first started writing Phantom Academy, I had no idea where the story would lead; I just wrote whatever came to me. But as soon as I realized there would be a large mystery component, I stopped writing and began loosely plotting out the rest of the novel to make sure all the clues were in place and that everything would fit together in the end.

It’s always hard for me to estimate how long it took me to write and revise any given manuscript, as I jump around between projects a ton. But if I had to guess, I’d say maybe nine to twelve months???

4. From reading the blurb where Finn dies due to being hit by a coconut and reviews, I can tell that you mixed humor into your story. What made you decide to add this element to your story? Can you share some tips for those of us who’d like to include humor but don’t know how to write like this?

For better or worse, humor—or my version of humor, I should say—is one thing that shows up in almost everything I write. I think this is because my main goal when writing is to create the funnest book that I can, and to me, this includes a good dose of laughter.

I try to add humor in multiple different ways. Puns and word play are big ones. I also love coming up with unexpected similes that are both humorous and illustrative. Using parentheses and em dashes to set off funny little asides is another favorite technique. And lastly, I find it much easier to add humor when I write in first person (though this might just be a me-thing).

5. It’s cool all the different ways you add humor to your stories. Share about Finn, your main character. Is he in part based on anyone you know? Did his character development come easily to you, or was it a struggle?

Finn is brave, and impulsive, and he loves his friends and family fiercely. He also has a ridiculous sense of humor (aka MY sense of humor). I’m absolutely positive that his personality is influenced by people I know—I’m just not totally cognizant of who or how or in which ways.

Finn’s character development was much more difficult for me than most of my characters. Not only is he brave, while I’m a complete scaredy-cat, but he jumps headfirst into everything without bothering to think things through first. Given that my MO is to waste hours agonizing over even the tiniest of decisions (like do I want Peanut Butter M&Ms… or Peanut M&Ms?), it took real effort for me to keep Finn true to Finn.

Your Journey to Publication

6. You’ve had four books published—Dung for Dinner, Waist-Deep in Dung, A Bite Above the Rest, and Phantom Academy. How did you get your first publishing contract, and what has it been like getting your publishing contracts since then?

I queried agents with a book proposal for Dung for Dinner in 2018 and was immensely lucky to end up signing with Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. From there, Jim did the hard work of selling my books while I got to have fun writing the next thing.

Getting a publishing contract is never easy—and given the current state of middle grade publishing, who knows if I’ll ever be able to sell another book in that space—but it’s been absolutely wonderful to have a partner in the process. Each book contract Jim has landed for me has felt like a real gift, and I’m so grateful for every one of them.

7. A Bite Above the Rest was published last year. How have you juggled writing Phantom Academy while working on releasing A Bite Above the Rest?

I’ve actually never signed a book contract without having already written the entire manuscript, and this has really taken the pressure off. I’ve never had to draft on a deadline (apart from self-imposed ones meant to prevent endless tweaking), so my “juggling” has always been very manageable. I’m also exceptionally fortunate to be able to devote a lot of time to my writing, which gives me a lot of freedom.

Marketing Your Book

8. How did you celebrate the release of Phantom Academy? How do you plan to continue marketing it?

I actually have no plans to celebrate on Phantom Academy’s release day, unless going to the optometrist for a long overdue checkup counts as a celebration?

I honestly HATE having the spotlight on me, so I’ve never had a launch event for any of my books. I do have a bunch of book signings scheduled for the days and months after the release, though, and I’m super excited to be on a spooky books author panel at the NCTE convention in Denver later this fall to talk about the book!

9. It’s great that you have a marketing plan that works for you. What are you working on now?

So Many Things! I’m busy revising a spooky middle grade book about a haunted prison that I desperately hope will become published someday. I’m also having an absolute blast writing picture books. I have one picture book that will come out in 2027; some exciting, can’t-be-told-yet news regarding a second picture book; and I have a few PB manuscripts ready to go out on submission soon. So… fingers crossed with all these things!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Christine. You can find Christine on Instagram at @virnigchristine. Her website is christinevirnig.com.

Giveaway Details

Christine’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Hurricane Heist for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 27th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Christine on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Tuesday, September 16th I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts

I hope to see you tomorrow!

Literary Agent Interview: Ashlee MacCallum and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Ashlee MacCallum here. She’s a junior agent at Howland Literary.

Hi Ashlee! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Ashlee:

Ashlee MacCallum joined Howland Literary after interning at Triada US. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a master’s in Education.

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Ashlee is passionate about championing marginalized creators and uplifting historically underrepresented voices. She gravitates toward high-concept, commercial fiction with bold storytelling, standout pacing, and a distinct voice that grabs you from the first page. A devoted kidlit reader, Ashlee has a soft spot for speculative stories, mysteries, and anything delightfully weird. When she begins building her own list, she’ll be looking for unforgettable picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult fiction.

Ashlee lives in Nevada with her husband and two children. By day, she’s a high school English teacher who assigns cool books, reads powerful essays, and makes her students dramatically reenact Macbeth. Outside the classroom, Ashlee writes picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels. She is represented by Amanda Carbonell at Belcastro Agency.

When she’s not lost in a book or spinning one of her own, Ashlee is probably mapping out her next Disney adventure, binging a true crime podcast, or humming show tunes in the kitchen. She’s fueled by caffeine, charmed by ghost stories, and fluent in banned books.

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I discovered the writing community in 2021 when I started writing picture books. After signing with an agent and learning more about what the role entailed, I decided I would eventually pursue that path. When I started drafting my own MSWL for fun, I knew I was ready to dive in.

Last year, I completed an internship with the wonderful Brent Taylor at Triada US and this spring, I was lucky enough to land a roll as a junior agent at Howland Literary.

So far, I have signed two clients, and both are currently on submission. I hope to grow my list slowly and steadily over the next year or two.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

Howland Literary is an exceptional agency, which I feel so fortunate to be a part of. At Howland, we represent award-winning writers of literary fiction, non-fiction, young adult fiction, and children’s books. I have the unique opportunity to help Howland grow its children’s division alongside my coworker and friend, Rebecca Angus.

We are a career-focused agency which aims to represent authors for the entirety of their career versus just one project. Additionally, Howland is passionate about uplifting marginalized authors and representing books that champion underrepresented identities.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I represent picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and new adult. At this time, I am most eager to find a young adult or new adult novel, as I have room for this on my client list. My favorite genre tends to be horror, but I also love genre mashups and am keen to find a horrormance.

4. Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

I’d absolutely love to find a mystery/thriller that features and uplifts indigenous voices, similar to Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

Right now, I’m not looking for historical fiction or much in the contemporary space. My taste leans heavily on the speculative and commercial side of the industry.

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

I believe books have the ability to shift perspectives and foster change. I’m looking to champion stories that push boundaries and expand what we think is possible. I hope to find authors who are not just wickedly talented, but also those who are authentic and bold. As an agent, I see my role as a partner and fierce advocate for my clients.

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Definitely. As a high school English teacher, being editorial just comes naturally. Before going out on submission, I would run through developmental, copy, and line edits as needed. That being said, I won’t give unnecessary feedback just for the sake of doing so. I want to preserve the author’s vision and voice as much as possible!

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

I accept queries through QueryManager. I don’t have a system for being open/closed to queries at the moment, although I might in the future. Right now, I open and close as I best see fit, depending on my client’s needs and the number of full requests I have to consider.

I hope to see query letters that are of reasonable length which include: a greeting (personalization is not required for me), hook/pitch with metadata (the title, genre, and word count), a short synopsis, a bio paragraph, and a closing.

I really like to see authors with strong and recent comps because this tells me they read in their genre. Another thing I pay close attention to is the manuscript’s conflict and stakes. For me, these must be clear and engaging.

9. Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

To be honest, I really don’t. I have been in the query trenches twice and it’s tough! I would probably be horrified to read the first query I ever sent. I understand people are learning as they go and doing the best they can.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I respond quickly! As I said, I’ve queried before. There is nothing worse than feeling like your work has gone off into a black hole where no one will read it or respond. I would say I generally respond within a day or two to queries, and anywhere from a month to two months for a full.

If I don’t respond to your query within a few days, it means you have made it to my maybe pile!

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11. Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

Absolutely! My advice would be to keep looking for your perfect match until you find them.

Clients:

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

I love this question! As of this interview, I have signed two exceptional clients whom I co-represent with Rebecca Angus. The first shared client we have is Brier Marilyn, who is a picture book author-illustrator, and the second client is middle grade author, Uriel Harper.

I know I’m biased, but my clients are the most incredible human beings and so, so talented. I adore them and will fight like crazy to see their books on the shelf one day in the near future!

Interviews and Guest Posts:

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

Sure! Since we hit on queries earlier, I’ll share one of my favorite query-resources. Here is a helpful link to get your query in great shape: How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Manuscript Requests | Jane Friedman

Links and Contact Info:

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Here is my Linktree, which includes a link to my Query Manager page, my MSWL, agent website, and my social media: ashleemaccallum | Twitter, Instagram | Linktree

Additional Advice:

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

It’s been said so many times, but don’t give up! If you need a break, take one, but always come back to writing and querying if this is your dream and passion. Your perfect partner and agent might be right around the corner J

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Ashlee.

Giveaway Details

Ashlee is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through September 20th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Monday, September 15th I have an interview with author Christine Virnig and a giveaway of her MG Phantom Academy

Tuesday, September 16th I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts

I hope to see you on Monday!

Author Interview: J.A. Dauber and Press 1 for Invasion Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have J.A. Dauber here to share about his MG Press 1 for Invasion. It sounds like a funny, action-packed story. I could use humor in my stories, and I’m looking forward to reading this one.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

A kid who just wanted a cell phone ends up being responsible for saving the world from an alien invasion in this hilarious, action-packed new middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe and Gordon Korman.

Ten-year-old Matt really wants a phone, but his parents won’t let him have one. When he finds one just lying on the sidewalk, he naturally picks it up and claims it for himself. But when Matt uses his new phone to take pictures, they show the crossing guard in front of his school as a monster. But that can’t be right…can it?

Matt soon learns a) his lunch lady is also a monster (actually, an alien); b) an invasion of Earth is due to take place within the next few days; and c) the lunch lady is having cold feet (well, tentacles) about the whole thing and wants his help. Matt and his friend Marcela join forces with her to save the planet.

Battles in their school cafeteria and high above the Earth’s atmosphere place them in very close encounters with alien pets and the business end of a gigantic oven. As the danger mounts, Matt and Marcela must ask themselves what they’re willing to risk to save their friends, their family, and their world.

Hi J.A.! Thanks so much for joining us.

It’s great to be here!

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

Well, let’s see: I’m a dad, with three kids ranging from seven to twelve; I live in New York; and I spend most of my time reading, teaching and writing. Two of those last three things have been pretty much staples of my life ever since I was a kid - and I just feel incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to get opportunities to do them professionally in all sorts of ways!

2. It’s cool how much reading and writing have been a part of your life. You’re a professor of Jewish Literature and American Studies at Columbia University. Except for one YA novel, Mayhem and Madness: Chronicles of a Teenaged Supervillain, your other published books are scholarly. What made you decide to write a middle grade story?

It’s definitely true that most of my other books are for adults, but they tend to be on popular topics: horror, comics, comedy. Some of them - though not all - are designed primarily for scholarly audiences, but even those are about popular material (although that material might have been written in different languages and published for audiences several centuries ago….). So, I’ve always been interested in material that appeals to as wide an audience as possible.

And I always say that no one grows up saying that they plan to write academic monographs - the stories that I tried my hand at as a kid had robots and superheroes and monsters and all sorts of things like that. And my family suggests that I have the maturity of a twelve-year old…so I guess I figured it was still something I wanted to do!

Your Writing Process

3. Ha! Ha! Where did you get the idea for Press 1 for Invasion?

It really started with an image, or, more precisely, a sequence of images: a kid looking at his crossing guard through a phone camera and seeing a goggle-eyed alien monster through the camera…and then putting the phone down and seeing a normal-looking human in uniform. Then I wrote the book to figure out what was going on!

4. This sounds like an action-packed, high-stakes story. Share about how you plotted it out and how long it took to write your first draft.

Thanks - I think people are going to like it! (My ten- and twelve-year-old really did, and suffice it to say they’re not shy about letting their father know if something, like, say, a joke, doesn’t live up to their standards.) I think it took a few months to write the first draft; I write every day, and just try to follow the movie in my head and see what happens. This then leads to different loose ends and promising ideas that need development, which is what the second draft is for!

5. In the midst of all the high-stakes drama of your story, you’ve also made the story humorous, which is a big plus for many readers, including me. But it can be hard to write humor. How did you know where to add the funny parts of your story? What are your tips for adding humor to a story for middle graders?

What a great question! Having written a history of Jewish comedy and a biography of Mel Brooks, I know how to ruin humor by trying to explain or belabor it: and I think the key is that the humor has to flow naturally from the situation and the characters, rather than saying, “Oh, there needs to be a joke here.” Kids are awesome, and hilarious, and if you put them in the right situations - and in a high-stakes narrative, those situations are going to abound - the humor can come pretty naturally, I think.

6. How do you squeeze in time to write fiction with your busy schedule as a university professor?

I write every day; and I think - like exercise - the key, at least for me, isn’t so much the amount of time or the word count but the constancy. If you write fiction the equivalent of the length of a long email on a daily basis, you’ll have a draft of a book a year. (That’s not really how it works, of course, but the principle matters, I think.)

Your Journey to Publication

7. Yes, writing every day does help to finish a first draft in a reasonable amount of time. Share about how you got your publishing contracts for Mayhem and Madness: Chronicles of a Teenaged Supervillain and Press 1 for Invasion.

I’ve been extremely lucky to have wonderful agents - Alec Shane for Mayhem; and now Stacey Glick for Press 1 - and they were the ones who connected me with Sally Morgridge at Holiday House and Kara Sargent at Simon & Schuster/Aladdin. They both believed in the books, and found editors who did, too!

8. How did working with your editor make Press 1 for Invasion stronger?

In so many ways. Kara is a brilliant editor, on (at least) three distinct levels: what the story needs globally, in terms of a theme developed or a scene missing or extraneous; what the sentence needs in terms of rhythm or flow, what you could call line-editing; and what the audience needs, or doesn’t, in terms of concepts or phrasing that might land in ways you don’t expect. And all that said, she - like all the best editors I’ve worked with in various media - is deferential to the author’s story, writing, and solutions. But what I’ve found is that I love to be edited by great editors. Who wouldn’t want a brilliant, thoughtful voice dedicated entirely to making your work better?

Promoting Your Book

9. It’s great that you have such a great editor. How are you planning to celebrate the release of Press 1 for Invasion and promote it?

This past weekend, I had a great launch event at An Unlikely Story (Jeff Kinney’s bookstore in Plainville, MA), where I was joined in conversation by The Sherlock Society and City Spies author James Ponti. I’ll be going to whatever bookstores and schools will have me - and very excited to do a NYC launch event at my children’s school this weekend, where I get to be a source of embarrassment for all three of them! And of course, I hope to do lots of interviews like this one, where I can encourage readers to pick up a copy for their kids, their friends, their friends’ kids, and, you know, even your enemies if that’s your thing. I don’t judge….

10. I’m a huge fan of James Ponti! What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up a time travel novel for middle graders that’s set in Ancient Greece. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, J.A.! You can find J.A. at @jeremydauber.bsky.social and www.jeremydauber.com.

Giveaway Details

J.A.’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Press 1 for Invasionfor a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 20th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow J.A. on his social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This ARDC giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, September 10th I have an agent spotlight interview with Ashlee MacCallum and a query critique giveaway

Monday, September 15th I have an interview with author Christine Virnig and a giveaway of her MG Phantom Academy

Tuesday, September 16th I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

Author Interview: Skyla Arndt and House of Hearts Giveaway and IWSG Post

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Skyla Arndt here to share about her YA House of Hearts. I love murder mysteries. This one is set at a private school with a secret society. I’m looking forward to reading it.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

Solving her best friend's murder means infiltrating a secret society, resisting a forbidden love, and running from a vengeful ghost in this sophomore novel by the author of Together We Rot.

Violet Harper knows her best friend was murdered. Even if everyone else has labeled her death a “freak accident,” Vi is sure she’d been trying to tell her something right before she died. Cryptic messages about her friend’s elite boarding school, her whirlwind romance, and the mysterious secret society she was entangled in all point to a more sinister fate.

So, Violet does what no one else seems willing to do: She transfers to the same fancy school to dig into the society’s murky history and find out what really happened to her friend. She knows the truth might not be pretty, but what she doesn’t bargain for is the handsome boy at the center of it all—Calvin Lockwell, the brother of her prime suspect and descendant of the school’s founder. He’s obnoxious and privileged, and Violet can’t deny their haunting attraction. It soon becomes clear his family is hiding a dark secret that may not be of this world, and suddenly Violet’s following her friend’s doomed footsteps down the rabbit hole. Even as details emerge of a deadly curse plaguing the school, she can’t escape her true feelings for Calvin. But loving him may be the last thing she ever does.

Before I get to Kate’s interview, I have my IWSG post.

Posting: The first Wednesday is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The awesome co-hosts this month are: Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, Diedre Knight and me!

Optional Question: What are your thoughts on using Al with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines/beats?

I see Al as a tool. I wouldn’t use it to write my story or create my outline. But I would use it for research, writing a blurb, looking for comps, and other similar tasks.

I want to shout out about an IWSG milestone. Happy 14th Anniversary! I'm so grateful for Alex and this group and all the support I receive from you all

Interview With Skyla Arndt

Hi Skyla! Thanks so much for joining us!

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

Thank you for having me! I’m so excited to finally usher House of Hearts into the world.

I’ve wanted to be an author since the third grade… which is when I learned that “cryptid hunter” wasn’t on the job market. Instead of hunting things that go bump in the night, I pivoted to writing about them. I’ve always been a fan of horror and fantasy, so it was a natural switch for me to make! I’ve been an avid writer ever since.

When I’m not hunched over a keyboard, you can find me binge watching horror movies and buying one too many candles for my “monster lair” office.

2. Where did you get the idea for House of Hearts?

It’s a bit of a weird story! This book didn’t begin as a single idea, but rather a cumulation of all the things I love. I was recovering from severe burnout after my debut and I desperately needed a project that was fun! I wasn’t sure if HoH would ever see the light of day, but at the time, I needed a secret passion project to help rediscover the love of writing. House of Hearts was the perfect escape!

Your Writing Process

3. It’s great that you connected with your love of writing when writing House of Hearts. What was your process of writing the first draft of House of Hearts? Did you plot it out?

The first draft had a very loose outline. It was purely meant to be a fun side project to kickstart my creativity and so I didn’t immediately sweat the details. But after finishing that first iteration of the book, I was absolutely bursting with ideas on how to finetune it. I’ve lost count of how many revisions it’s gone through, but it’s been so fun to watch it grow and take shape with every revision.

4. Your first book, Together We Rot, was also a mystery. What are your rules for creating clues, false leads, and suspects when writing your first book and House of Hearts?

It helps to know how you want the book to end and to work backwards from that point! I might not have plotted much in my earliest draft of this story, but I always had a general sense of the ending that has kept somewhat consistent through the years. From there, it’s a lot of revision and editor/friend feedback. Sometimes the best clues and false leads begin as random lines that your designated editor picks up on and suggests for you to expand. Revision does wonders in all aspects!

5. Those are great tips. Share a bit about your main character, Violet, and three things you really like about her.

Violet is a scholarship student who enrolls in the prestigious Hart Academy—not to pad her college application, but to investigate her friend’s mysterious death and get revenge on those responsible.

Three things I love about Violet:

● She will go to the ends of the earth for those she cares about. She might have a tough outer shell, but she truly does care about her family and friends on the inside and will do anything to protect them.

● She’s hardworking! Not many students would climb their way up the academic ladder to secure a scholarship for a boarding school their senior year.

● She’s flawed. We’re not all perfect in life and Violet is no exception. From keeping secrets from her friends to navigating jealousy and grief, I hope young readers can find themselves on the page and realize that no one is perfect at any age, let alone in their teen years.

Your Journey to Publication

6. Your agent is Claire Friedman. How did she become your agent?

Claire is the absolute best! I was introduced to her through the agent showcase of a mentorship program. Unfortunately, “Pitch Wars” is no longer an active program, but at the time it helped un-agented writers edit their manuscripts and then submit their work in a query showcase for agents to read.

7. It’s too bad that writers can’t take advantage of “Pitch Wars” anymore. Was going on submission for House of Hearts a different experience for you than when you got your first publishing contract for Together We Rot? How was it different?

Yes! Together We Rot went through a typical submission process. Claire sent the book around to multiple editors before it finally found a home with my wonderful editor, Maggie, at Penguin! My original offer was for one book and it included an option clause which let Maggie get the first look on my second book. Luckily when House of Hearts was tidied up and ready to read, she offered on it immediately.

Promoting Your Book

8. How are you planning to promote House of Hearts? Has your approach to marketing changed since you were a debut author?

It’s tough for trad pub authors to promote their own books. We only move the needle so far on our own (as much as I’m sure we would all love to do more!). One mindset change I’ve had from my debut is to try to approach promotion as an extra bonus and not a main source of stress. It should be fun to scream about your book—not another source of burnout.

As far as fun “marketing-adjacent” activities, I’ll be traveling to Salem the week of my release and spending time at the Salem Literary Festival and also having a masquerade themed book party!

9. What are you working on now?

I have an adult thriller called GOOD TASTE that was recently announced! It’s about a conwoman who meets her boyfriend’s rich family for the first time on their private Antarctic cruise ship, but quickly realizes that these foodies may be hungry for more than generational wealth—and she will be next on the menu, unless she can find an unexpected ally.

My other project is still under wraps at the moment, but I can share that it’s a gothic romantasy. Fingers crossed I can share more in the future!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Skyla. You can find Skyla at https://www.instagram.com/arndtskyla/

https://arndtskyla.com/

Giveaway Details

Skyla’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of House of Hearts for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 16th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Skyla on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Monday, September 8th I have an interview with author J.A. Dauber and a giveaway of his MG Press 1 for Invasion