We Love YA: Andrew Hammond's Letter to His 16-Year-Old Self

To celebrate their fantastic YA list, Headline have put together an awesome #WeLoveYA promotion to share the love for all YA books, not just the ones they're publishing! From Jen E Smith’s top five books, songs and films that make her happy, to Tanya Byrne’s top five books, songs and films that make her sad to Cathy Brett’s letter to her teenage self, there will be amazing content across 20 book blogs, as well as short pieces written by the YA team at Headline about their favourite YA book, and a little bit about what they do at Headline in publicity, marketing, sales and editorial. Not only that, but bloggers get to share their favourite YA novels, too. To find out where you can find this exciting content and for all the recommended favourite YA titles, head to Headline's 'Which Book Next?' Facebook Page and Pinterest boards!

Today, I'm sharing a letter from Andrew Hammond, author of the Crypt series, to his 16-year-old self. Read on to see what advice he had to share.

Dear Me (aged 16),

Remember those days spent worrying about which subjects to take, what courses to study, which modules to opt for and what job, ultimately, you’re going to end up in? Do you remember the words ‘what are you going to do for a living?’ ringing in your ears? It's so pressurized isn't it. Can you even remember when you didn't have these pressures?

2013 YA UK Debut Interview: The Bone Dragon by Alexia Casale

We all like supporting YA and New Adult debut authors, but this year, rather than just read their books, I'll be highlighting them on my blog too, so you can hear about these wonderful authors.

Today I'm interviewing UKYA author Alexia Casale, whose debut YA novel The Bone Dragon is being published by Faber and Faber in the UK on 2nd May 2013. Read on for more:

The Bone Dragon by Alexia Casale - Evie's shattered ribs have been a secret for the last four years. Now she has found the strength to tell her adoptive parents, and the physical traces of her past are fixed - the only remaining signs a scar on her side and a fragment of bone taken home from the hospital, which her uncle Ben helps her to carve into a dragon as a sign of her strength.

Soon this ivory talisman begins to come to life at night, offering wisdom and encouragement in roaming dreams of smoke and moonlight that come to feel ever more real.

As Evie grows stronger there remains one problem her new parents can't fix for her: a revenge that must be taken. And it seems that the Dragon is the one to take it.

This subtly unsettling novel is told from the viewpoint of a fourteen-year-old girl damaged by a past she can't talk about, in a hypnotic narrative that, while giving increasing insight, also becomes increasingly unreliable.

A blend of psychological thriller and fairytale, The Bone Dragon explores the fragile boundaries between real life and fantasy, and the darkest corners of the human mind. from Goodreads.

A Novel Cover Up: Amber Caraveo on If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

A Novel Cover Up is a semi-regular feature that looks at how covers are made. Thanks to Orion Children's Books, their Editorial Director Amber Caraveo - and editor for the book in question - is stopping by the blog to talk about how the covers for If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch was designed. Other than the cover, all images in this post are copyrighted to Orion Children's Books and used with permission, and can be clicked to enlarge.


IF YOU FIND ME is such an extraordinary and powerful novel - and also so unique - that it was actually very difficult to create just the right cover for it. We wanted something that would appeal to the YA readership for which it was written, of course, and so we started by looking at the American cover . . .

Review: Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer

Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer (review copy) - WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoilt for you.

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it's just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that's a survival tactic.

But now he's got problems even his brothers can't help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn's dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he'd rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it--the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out--sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace. From Amazon UK

Weekly Gossip

Here is your bookish news from the past week.

Before I start, I should tell you that this will be my last Weekly Gossip post. As you would know from my Changes to Once Upon a Bookcase post, you will know I've been trying to reduce the amount of time I spend on blogging admin so I have time for other things I want to do. I had decided I will only post news posts about things I'm interested in, but after more thought, I've decided I'm going to stop these posts altogether. Unless I'm excited about something and really want to talk about it on the blog, I will no longer be posting any book or author news. However, I will be tweeting news I'm interested in - because I still want to share it, and on Twitter it's much quicker - so if you still want to know about the news I receive, please follow me on there - @Jo_Stapley

So first off, the self-published versions Night Creatures Series by Marianne de Pierres is now available to buy on Amazon!


As I said in March, Marianne decided to self-publish this series on Amazon so it is available worldwide rather than just in Australia and New Zealand from Random House Aus Teens, and now they are available! Check them out at the following links:

Amazon US eBooks and Paperbacks / Amazon UK eBooks and Paperbacks

First Class Post (48) & Weekly Highlights

First Class Post - because this post is first class!

London Book Fair - Blogging: The New Community Write-Up

So as you would know from reading this post, I was asked to be the Media Partner for the London Book Fair 2013's Children's Innovation Theatre, and I was also asked to be a speaker. So:

On the 16th April 2013, I went to the London Book Fair.

To speak on a panel.

Called Blogging: The New Community.

AND I DID IT!


Photo taken by Hermione Lawton of Puffin.
So this isn't your normal event report. I'm not going to tell you in detail what was discussed (mostly because it's all a bit of a blur!). This is just a post with a little bit from me, gushing, and some photos.