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Torkidlit Tweetup: July 8th, 2010

[Update: Since the news appeared yesterday in Publisher’s Marketplace, I figure I can announce it here — Congrats to Megan Crewe, who just signed for a THREE-book deal with Disney-Hyperion! Yay, Megan!]

Megan Crewe, at the tweetupWent downtown yesterday for the monthly tweetup of the Toronto Middle Grade and Young Adult Writer Group. As usual, I had a ton of fun as well as learning a lot about the publishing industry.

Last night, I recall feeling a bit tired and glancing at my watch, thinking it was around 9 pm… and being shocked to find out it was 10:30.

Derek Molata, Ian Keeling, Rob Weston

This may seem like nothing to you, but I’m so not a night person and am usually in bed by that time.

Adrienne Kress and I wield our vegetables.

The mix of attendees changes every time because of everyone’s schedules. This time around, I met Derek Molata for the first time. Derek’s a YA/adult science fiction and fantasy writer and (like most of the Torkidlit types) is on Twitter.

Really nice guy and wow, interesting publishing industry stories to tell (!).

Cheryl Rainfield, Jo Swartz & Megan Crewe talking with Adrienne Kress.

I feel very lucky to be part of such a great group. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging of each other. Thank you, Claudia!

Helaine Becker, Claudia Osmond, Andrew TolsonBev Katz Rosenbaum & Claudia Osmond

Here are some of the other attendees at last night’s gathering:

Helaine Becker | Helaine’s blog | Twitter

Megan Crewe | Megan’s blog | Twitter

Adrienne Kress | Adrienne’s blog | Twitter

Lesley Livingston | Lesley’s blog | Twitter

Claudia Osmond | Claudia’s blog | Twitter

Helaine BeckerCheryl Rainfield | Cheryl’s blog | Twitter

Bev Katz Rosenbaum | Twitter

Rob Weston | Rob’s blog | Twitter

Ian Keeling

Maureen McGowan | Maureen’s blog | Twitter

Andrew Tolson | Twitter

Lesley Livingston & Maureen McGowan

Cheryl Rainfield

Lots of recent great news for several of the members, including some ESPECIALLY GREAT news about one member that can’t be announced publicly yet.

Just a few examples…

Ian Keeling has a story in the August issue of Realms of Fantasy.

Megan Crewe‘s GIVE UP THE GHOST has been nominated for the Sunburst Award For Excellence in Canadian Speculative Fiction.

Cheryl Rainfield had a great time in ALA, and has had a ton of great feedback about her newly launched SCARS. Librarians say that teens love the book. Plus not only has SCARS been nominated for ALA/YALSA’s QuickPicks and Stonewall awards, but also for ALA’s Rainbow List.

Lesley LivingstonLesley Livingston‘s WONDROUS STRANGE has been shortlisted for the Sunburst Award For Excellence in Canadian Speculative Fiction, nominated for the first annual Teen Read Awards as Best Canadian Read, and won (!) the Young Adult Canadian Book Award. There was some other good news, too, but I forget it…maybe another Torkidlit person could help me out here.

To find out more about Torkidlit, please visit the Torkidlit website. You can see more photos from last night’s event in my Flickr set.


Tags: Inkygirl