The Fobisher men have been tending the river for generations, keeping it clear of ice and weeds and hauling corpses from its depths. As soon as Wulliam turns 16, he will become the new Riverkeep. But, just a few days before his birthday, Wull’s father is pulled underwater, and when he surfaces, he’s no longer himself. Wull sets out in search of the mysterious sea-dwelling creature that may hold the key to saving his father.
Read more4 Rules for Writing Groups
You’ve finished your first draft and you’re ready to get some feedback before you start the editing process. Or else you’re stuck with a half-baked plot or a series of scenes without a thru-line, and you need some help figuring out where to go next. Either way, you’re ready to join a critique group. But where to start?
Read moreKids learn more “rare words” from books than from the adults around them
The other day, I came across a scholarly article called, “What Reading Does for the Mind.” It’s an oldie, originally published in 1998 in a journal from the American Federation of Teachers. It discusses kids’ unique sponginess, and the notion that most of the vocabulary we develop when we’re young comes from exposure in our environment, rather than through direct instruction. But it goes a step further, suggesting that written word has a much greater influence than spoken on kids’ developing lexicons.
Read moreBook Review: You Know Me Well
High school seniors Mark and Kate have sat next to each other in class all year but have rarely spoken. On the first night of Pride, the two run into each other in a San Francisco bar, where Kate is avoiding a setup with her (likely) soul mate, Violet, and Mark is trying to impress the (definite) love of his life, Ryan.
Read moreAudiobooks: A Life-Changing Discovery
A couple weekends ago, I was headed to my parents’ house, about four hours away, so I started up my 30-day Audible trial and downloaded The Nest to keep me company. Mostly because Kimmy Schmidt said I should.
Read moreGuest Post: Why an Author's Online Presence Matters
These days, any author of note has some kind of online presence — at the very least, a website or Twitter page where they can keep in contact with their fans. Chances are, you follow a couple of your favorite writers yourself. But, with the time and legwork it takes to get these profiles off the ground and attracting followers, it’s no wonder authors question whether it’s worth the effort to create an online presence.
Read more5 Inspiring Commencement Speeches from Authors I Admire
It comes as no surprise that authors often offer the best words of wisdom. Here, I collected the five most inspiring commencement speeches given by authors.
Read moreAmazon's First Brick-and-Mortar Store
A week ago in Seattle, Amazon opened the doors to its first real life bookstore. It’s a curious move, considering the online giant’s founding goal was to offer more books for sale, and at lower prices, than any brick and mortar could possibly offer.
Read moreIndependent Bookstores: BookPeople, Austin
Not only is it a wonderful place to shop, but BookPeople is the epicenter of Austin’s fantastic literary community.
Read moreIndependent Bookstores: Wicked Good Books, Salem, MA
The space is beautiful, with hardwood floors, exposed brick, and giant Palladian windows. With the right touches, it could be the ultimate cozy winter spot. The current layout, however, feels more suited to storage than solace. Industrial carts on either side of center become the focal points of the store, with stacks upon stacks of five-dollar hardcovers.
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