A Book and a Chat with Natashya Wilson – Senior editor at Harlequin Teen

 

My guest today on “A Book and a Chat” is not an author, nor a blogger; instead I am very proud to say that Natashya Wilson, senior editors at Harlequin Teen dropped by to chat this morning.

In August 2009, a month ahead of its original planned launch date, Harlequin launched its newest imprint “Harlequin Teen”. With the seismic sales of teen series such as Twilight, and the worldwide growth in the YA market, it was time for Harlequin to join the fast expanding YA market.

Far from being just a watered down version on the senior romance novel, the titles being offered by Harlequin Teen have proved so popular that they now have over one million books in print, with three titles produced in2009 they are set to publish sixteen in 2010.

During a hugely entertaining and enlightening show, Natashya shared with us how the giant oak is growing from the acorn of an idea.

The first two books published “Rachel Vincent’s – My Soul to Take” and “Gena Showalter’s – Intertwined” have lead to not only further books in those series but other “must read” YA novels such as “Julie Kagawa’s The Iron Fey” series (one close to Natashya’s heart) and now the “Marsha Warner’s – Greek” books based on the ABC TV show.

With a YA market set to grow by a whopping 30.6% by 2013, and YA science fiction sales anticipated to reach $861 million, the lure of escaping into a good YA book is undeniable.

Natashya shared with us much of her knowledge and enthusiasm for not just the Harlequin Teen books and authors, but for the whole YA fiction genre, from readers and bloggers to authors themselves. The way the readership crosses age groups, why people are reading more and more YA novels and what might be the next “super sellor”.

The chat ranged cross so many topics there is more than can be listed in this small blog. So sit back and enjoy today’s throughly enjoyable “A Book and a Chat with Natashya Wilson”.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Natashya Wilson – Senior editor at Harlequin Teen)”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Natashya Wilson”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Natashya Wilson – Senior editors at Harlequin Teen”

Don’t Forget November is MALE YA MONTH

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

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A Book and a Chat with Amy Brecount White

 

It is always good to have a previous guest back on the show to find out the latest news on their book, and perhaps what they will next be producing. Today is was the return of Amy Brecount White and her wonderful book “Forget-Her-Nots“.

It was really interesting to hear how Forget-Her-Nots, though considered a YA novel, is being enjoyed by ages 12 & up, which in some people’s eyes puts the book into the younger YA category. She shared how many people — especially parents, booksellers, and librarians — have told her they’re grateful for that!

Amy shared with us some of the reponses she’s had from people of all ages to her book, and some of the questions and comments that have been put to her.

During the show Amy shared how some of the most amazing and enthusiastic fan letters for Forget-Her-Nots have come from 11-year-old girls who are strong readers and long to be reading up. In Laurel, the books main character, they find a heroine they can relate to.

We also learned a little about Amy’s next book “String Theories“.

So if you want to find out the latest news on Amy and her wonderful book, listen to tonight’s “A Book and a Chat with Amy Brecount White”

Barry

Direct Link:
“A Book and a Chat with Amy Brecount White”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Amy Brecount White”

To find out more information about Amy Brecount White, her book “Forget-Her-Nots”:
Amy Brecount White – Forget-Her-Nots

Check out http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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A Book and a Chat with Adele Walsh (Persnickety Snark)

 

My guest on tonight’s show was Adele Walsh, creator of the great YA blog “Persnickety Snark“.

I am really glad to finally manage to get Adele as a guest we have planned a couple of other appearances, but illness and then a move from Australia to Japan have delayed Adele being a guest up to now.

Yes that’s right she dialed into the show from Japan.

Adele is Australian teacher currently living in Shizuoka, Japan. She has taught for the past six years in Australian classrooms but is now taking a year off this year to teach Japanese kindergarteners.

As she shared on the program one of the reason she started her blog was to try and bring more books and the works of YA authors into Australia.

Adele and her blog Persnickety Snark (remember the name when voting for next year’s blogger awards) is one of the “Sham wow” YA bloggers that I try and support whenever I can. Back in 2009 when she started the blog her aim was…

“The aim for Persnickety Snark is that it be a home for YA (Young Adult literature) reviews and authors interviews with an emphasis on Australian authors. I offer constructive and honest reviews as well as in depth interviews, thought provoking discussion posts and an unique perspective“.

She does that and so much more.

During the show as well as discussing how Skippy he kangaroo could be the Australian version of Lassie, we discussed how she is creating a YA top 100 of all time. With over 700 people taking up the challenge, I’m sure the outcome will be interesting as well as in some cases surprising.

The show was an entertaining thirty minutes as Adele shared with us her views and some of her favorite authors on today’s “A Book and a Chat with Adele Walsh (Persnickety Snark)“.

So why not stop by and listen to show now, or else download it and play it when you have a few moments.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Adele Walsh (Persnickety Snark) “

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Adele Walsh”

You can find out more about Adele and her blog at:
“Persnickety Snark”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

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A Book and a Chat with Alexandra Diaz

 

Alexandra Diaz was my special guest today on “A Book and a Chat“, and what a great show it was, with almost as much laughter as there was literary content.

Alexandra grew up in a bilingual Spanish/English-speaking family in various parts of the US, but has also lived in Puerto Rico, Austria, and Britain.

Of course knowing that my guest had spent toms time in England it was a topic discussed about during the show featuring the language issues and the aspects of some of her three years she spend at Bath University completing her MA in “Writing for Young People”. The issues with being a tourist guide in Bath, and how people wondered why the water was green, to how she appeared and did not appear in two films.

Along what was a thoroughly enjoyable forty-five minutes of chat, Alexandra lead us from her literary beginnings to the production of her debut novel…

“Of All the Stupid Things”.

“When a rumor starts circulating that Tara’s boyfriend has been with one of the guy cheerleaders, the innuendo doesn’t just hurt Tara. It marks the beginning of the end for three lifelong friends.

Tara’s training for a marathon, but also running from her fear of abandonment from her father.

Whitney Blaire seems to have everything, but an empty mansion and absentee parents leave her looking for her own value in the wrong places.

And Pinkie has a compulsive need to mother everyone to make up for the mama she’s never stopped missing.

Then the new girl arrives in school and Tara starts to feel things she’s never felt for before for a girl. Can the girls’ friendship survive when all the rules have changed?”

“Of All the Stupid Things”. paints a story of reality covering issues such as lesbian relationships, to the joys and clarity of the mind that can come with marathon running, with a freshness that all will enjoy.

The inspiration behind the book cover, simple, yet one that will catch your eye, the response received and the fact that some people forget it is fiction and think the book is really about Alaexandra all were discussed during the show

The story unfolds and the lives of the characters in the book merge in such an impressive way, that you know “Of All the Stupid Things”. will be the first of a long line of successful novels by today’s guest Alexandra Diaz.

The show is one you will not want to miss.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Alexandra Diaz”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Alexandra Diaz”

You can find out more about Alexandra and her book at:
“Alexandra Diaz – Of All The Stupid Things”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

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A Book and a Chat with Judith Graves

I was pleased to have another one of the 2k10 authors on my show today that is the group of writers whose maiden novel is coming out in two thousand and ten.

Today on “A Book and a Chat” my guest is Judith Graves talking to us about her life and her debut novel “Under My Skin“. In addition to writing YA fiction, Judith is a singer, songwriter, and makes daytime appearances as a library technician, which helps with insatiable desire for reading enabling her to devour at least two books a week… in the reading sense that is.

As we learned during the show her fist book in the “Skinned” series, “Under My Skin”, was released in March by Leap Books, where she has also collaborated with author, Kitty Keswick, on the Origins series.

During a thoroughly interesting and entertaining sixty minutes of “A Book and a Chat” Judith shared with us how her writing experiences have wound through the poetry, song, short story paths to this first book of a trilogy. Through the show we not only learned about what lead to Judith writing “Under My Skin” but her steps along the road to publication have been helped by critic groups and now the 2K10 group of authors.

We even heard how Judith along with some of these other authors will be at the BEA in New York next month.

“Under My Skin” when asked to be described in three words, Judith stated “Power, Temptation, Choices”. As we heard during the show, it is a book that covers many aspects characters and indeed creatures, a novel that I’m sure will be a great hit leaving many waiting for the second and final book in the series.

The show was as normal full of interest and humor, covering such items such as Ann of Green Gables fighting zombie potatoes, how a joint critique and exercise group might help authors”, and what is it about seven minutes past nine?

So why not sit back and share a really interesting sixty minute show, or else download the mp3 file and listen to the show at your own convenience.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Judith Graves”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Judith Graves”

You can find out more about judith and her book at:
“Judith Graves – Under My Skin”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:
Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond
Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat
Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

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A Book and a Chat with “Jennifer R. Hubbard”

My guest on today’s special one hour “A Book and a Chat” was author “Jennifer R. Hubbard” whose long awaited debut novel “The Secret Year” came out in January.

There has been much expectation amongst the YA community regarding “The Secret Year” and it has not disappointed, with great reviews wherever you look.

While the book is only 192 words in length each word is carefully picked each one aiding to what is a fantastic journey though your emotions. From the numbness that came over Colt, then the spark he felt when Kirby came along, to the pain with the realization that he may never fully get over Julia’s death. It’s a book that will put Jennifer up among the must reads of YA literature.

During the show Jennifer discussed with us how she developed as a author from writing and illustrating her own picture books at a very early age (I’d love there to be a few of those around), through successful short stories to this, her first, and by no means her last novel.

Sharing with us many of the stages through the creation of “The Secret Year” we were able to get an interesting inside to Jennifer Hubbard, the author.

Some enlightening questions posed by the listeners in the chat room, helped make the show one that all writers and readers and those who just enjoy listening to a good radio show will enjoy.

So why not listen online or down load the mp3 and enjoy A Book and a Chat with “Jennifer R. Hubbard”

Barry

Direct Link:

A Book and a Chat with Jennifer R. Hubbard

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
Jennifer R. Hubbard

To find out more information about Jennifer R. Hubbard and her work visit his web site at:
All About Jennifer R. Hubbard

Check out http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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YA Month – “A Book and a Chat with Heidi R. Kling”

January is YA Radio month on A Book and a Chat, with special guest throughout the month, not only authors but bloggers as well.

Today’s guest on a book and a chat was author Heidi R Kling, whose book “SEA” comes out in June. While I knew a large number of people wanted to listen and talk to Heidi little did I know just how many.

The show was full of questions either from the chat room or from people dialing in. Be it half asleep bloggers, family members, fellow writers or a neighbor Heidi had not spoken to for many years, all wanted to chat to and ask question of the fabulous author.

You can find out more about the show, the links to listen to, as well as the up and coming guests at during YA Radio month at…

http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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YA Month – “A Book and a Chat with Sarah MacLean”

January is YA Radio month on A Book and a Chat, with special guest throughout the month, not only authors but bloggers as well.

So what do you get if you cross the daughter of a spy with Jane Austen?

One answer might be Sarah MacLean my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat”.

Sarah was one of the authors that many wanted to be included in my YA Radio Week, her book “The Season” has been one of the most popular YA novel over the last year.

Check out about Sarah and the show at…

http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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YA Month – “A Book and a Chat with Tirzah (Compulsive Reader Blog)”

January is YA Radio month on A Book and a Chat, with special guest throughout the month, not only authors but bloggers as well.

My guest on today’s YA MONTH – “A Book and a Chat” was one of the YA bloggers I call the Sham-wow of Young Adult LiteratureTirzah who writes in the blog “The Compulsive Reader”.

The show as normal was full of interest and entertainment and Tirzah shared with us how her love of reading had lead her to produce not only her blog, but reviews and book trailers amongst other items. In fact there seems no stopping her. With over a thousand book, I’m sure she’ll have her own library soon.

Many interesting questions were put to Tirzah from people in the chat room, to which she supplied some really interesting answers.

During the show we learned about her favorite books both ones she reads as “comfort books” as well as sharing with us not only her most enjoyed books of 2009 along with some she is looking forward to reading in 2010. We also found out that Tirzah would have loved to have been around in the early twentieth century, chaining herself to railings and shouting “votes for women”.

To find out about this and so much more listen to “YA Month – A Book and a Chat with “Tirzah” and her blog “The Compulsive Reader”

You can find the show links and about Tirzah at…
http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

YA RADIO MONTH

Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

(Listen to the show or else if you want to talk to the guest dial in on 347- 237-5398)
[Times are EST shows are 30mins unless marked]

Jan 2nd – 11:00am Rhonda Stapleton (Stupid Cupid) 1hr
Jan 5th – 7:00pm Bree Despain (The Dark Divine) 1hr
Jan 7th – 6:30pm Tirzah – “Compulsive Reader Blog”
Jan 9th – 11:00am Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters) 1hr
Jan 12th – 6:30pm Kristi – “The Story Siren Blog”
Jan 14th – 6:30pm Alyssa – “Shayglade Blog”
Jan 16th – 11:00am Sarah MacLean (The Season) 1hr
Jan 18th – 6:30pm Kyle – “Goodreads”
Jan 19th – 6:30pm Jessica – “Chick Lit Teens Blog”
Jan 21st – 6:30pm Sharon – “Sharon Loves Books & Cats”
Jan 23rd – 11:00am Heidi R Kling (Sea) 1hr
Jan 26th – 7pm Carol Lynch Williams (The Chosen One) 1hr
Jan 28th – 6:30pm The Cindy Loves Books Show
Jan 30th – 11:00am Lisa Schroedar (Chasing Brooklyn) 1hr

Check out http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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YA Month – “A Book and a Chat with Bree Despain”

January is YA Radio month on A Book and a Chat, with special guest throughout the month.

My guest on today’s YA MONTH – “A Book and a Chat” was BREE DESPAIN author of “THE DARK DIVINE” which had it’s launch party just a few days ago.

Like all good times when you are enjoying yourself, this one hour special just seemed to fly by, being both a fun and educational sixty minutes.

During the show we learned about how life and directed Bree along the various byways to find her true calling of producing, this her first, but certainly not her last novel.

The Dark Divine has received rave reviews about her book full of suspense and mystery, characters with unexpected depths, a romantic plot yet with twists and turns that keep the reader wanting to turn the page. And all the time as the tension continues to build you’ll learn more about the supernatural elements and the creatures in this fantastic YA novel.

Bree shared with us her experiences from her writing and having Egmont as a publisher, to her book launch where King’s English Bookshop or TKE in Salt Lake City, where so many people turned up it was standing room only, how some people even had “Dark Divine” t-shirts. the book stored which actually “asked” if they could host the book launch, and despite extra copies of the book sold out on that day. They even baked special purple halfmoon cookies for the event.

During the show Bree divulged the writing of a second and possibly a third novel about the more in the lives of the Divine family as they deal with their problem and Grace and Daniel learn to accept and cope with the differences between them.

And why does Bree dream about large lumps of cheese covered in honey?

To find out about this and so much more listen to “YA Month – A Book and a Chat with “Bree Despain”

Direct link to the show is…

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond/2010/01/06/ya-radio-month–a-book-and-a-chat-with-bree-despa

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from

Bree Despain

To find out more about Bree and her writing visit

The Dark Divine

YA RADIO MONTH

Location: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

(Listen to the show or else if you want to talk to the guest dial in on 347- 237-5398)
[Times are EST shows are 30mins unless marked]

Jan 2nd – 11:00am Rhonda Stapleton (Stupid Cupid) 1hr
Jan 5th – 7:00pm Bree Despain (The Dark Divine) 1hr
Jan 7th – 6:30pm Tirzah – “Compulsive Reader Blog”
Jan 9th – 11:00am Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters) 1hr
Jan 12th – 6:30pm Kristi – “The Story Siren Blog”
Jan 14th – 6:30pm Alyssa – “Shayglade Blog”
Jan 16th – 11:00am Sarah MacLean (The Season) 1hr
Jan 18th – 6:30pm Kyle – “Goodreads”
Jan 19th – 6:30pm Jessica – “Chick Lit Teens Blog”
Jan 21st – 6:30pm Sharon – “Sharon Loves Books & Cats”
Jan 23rd – 11:00am Heidi R Kling (Sea) 1hr
Jan 26th – 7pm Carol Lynch Williams (The Chosen One) 1hr
Jan 28th – 6:30pm The Cindy Loves Books Show
Jan 30th – 11:00am Lisa Schroedar (Chasing Brooklyn) 1hr

Check out http://abookandachat.blogspot.com

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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