Last night, I got together with some of the other members of the Toronto Middle Grade And YA Authors group at the Bedford Academy to celebrate our 2nd anniversary as a group.
I still remember when Claudia Osmond approached each of us in Twitter about getting together in person in Toronto. I confess I was a little nervous. Meet face-to-face? What if we all hated each other?
As you can guess, my fears were completely unfounded. Not only have I found everyone in the group friendly, but over the past 2 years it’s been wonderful to watch friendships spring up within the group.
We talk about everything from the craft and business of writing to renovation hell stories and family updates. Plus a whole lot of other stuff that I can’t possibly post publicly, of course. :-)Anyway, I asked the attendees of last night’s get together what they were working on or if they had any news to share, and here’s what they told me:
Leah Bobet
Her new book ABOVE is coming out in April 2012 from Arthur A. Levine Books, with international rights sold in Brazil & Germany.
Maureen McGowan
Hopes to announce good news about her YA science-fiction trilogy soon!
Claudia Osmond
Potential paperback version of SMUDGE’S MARK coming in spring 2012. Plus Claudia says that she has actually begun a brand-new middle grade novel!
Jo Swartz
Working on her new picture book, IZZY GOURMET: 5 1/2 YEAR OLD GOURMET FOOD CRITIC, and creating political illustrations in support of Occupy Wall Street.
Bev Katz Rosenbaum
http://www.bevkatzrosenbaum.com/
Has been distracted by her acquisitions editing work for McGraw-Hill Ryerson but has a kick-ass new agent (Jill Corcoran) and a couple of new books ready for publishers’ eyes. Fingers crossed!
Cheryl Rainfield
Her new book, HUNTED, comes out on October 27 in the US from WestSide Books. The Canadian launch is in January , from Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Cheryl is now working on the sequel to HUNTED.
Stacy King
Stacy is currently shopping around her new YA paranormal novel and is hoping to have more news soon!
Nelsa Roberto
http://out-of-the-wordwork.blogspot.com/
Nelsa is looking forward to the release of her 2nd YA in Spring 2012; THE BREAK!