MG Lair member Suzanne Linn Kamata wanted to say thanks! She was awarded a YALITCHAT Marketing Grant, which she used to purchase and mail giveaway copies of her forthcoming YA novel GADGET GIRL.

Author of the forthcoming THE WATER CASTLE, Megan Frazer Blakemore's untitled new novel, about an aspiring Nancy Drew who becomes convinced that the gravedigger employed by her family's cemetery is actually a Soviet spy, and decides to expose him with the help of the new boy in town, a genius with a secret, again to Mary Kate Castellani at Walker Children's, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world English).

Author of VARIANT, Robison Wells's next two books, including a sequel to his forthcoming YA thriller BLACKOUT about superpowered teenagers helping the US military fight off terrorist attacks and full-scale invasion, again to Erica Sussman at Harper Teen, in a good deal, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world). 

Alison Kent's historical romance novella set in 1870's Crow Hill, Texas the setting for the author's contemporary Dalton Gang series, for an upcoming anthology, to Wendy McCurdy at Berkley, in a nice deal, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency.

Courtney Stevens's FAKING NORMAL, following a 16-year-old girl and the relationship she develops with her awkward neighbor, a teenage boy, as she struggles to forget the traumatic events of the summer before, to Rosemary Brosnan at Harper Children's, in a major deal, in a pre-empt, in a two-book deal, by Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency (World English).

Liz Czukas's ASK AGAIN LATER, pitched as Sliding Doors meets Sixteen Candles, in which a high school junior relies on the flip of a coin to choose between two unwanted prom invitations, causing reality to split in two resulting in disasters of humorous proportions as she experiences each potential "version" of prom night, to Erica Sussman at Harper Teen, in a very nice deal, in a two-book deal, for publication in Winter 2014, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency(NA).

Sara Hantz's IN THE BLOOD, about the son of a pedophile who has to battle his inner demons to discover, that in his case, the apple did fall far from the tree, to Liz Pelletier at Entangled Teen, by Amy Tipton at Signature Literary Agency (world). 

Karri Thompson's THE VAN WINKLE PROJECT, about a teen girl who wakes up in a hospital over 1,000 years into the future and finds there's a sinister reason some people seem familiar -- and that they want something only she can give, to Liz Pelletier at Entangled Teen, in a three-book deal, by Kathleen Rushall at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. 

Kallie George's THE MAGICAL ANIMAL ADOPTION AGENCY, in book #1: CLOVER'S LUCK, in which Clover accepts a volunteer position at a pet adoption agency unlike any other and soon finds herself in a world of fairy horses, dragons with temperamental snouts, wizards, princesses, and, unfortunately, witches, for publication in summer 2014, with book #2: THE ENCHANTED EGG, for publication in summer 2015 and book #3: THE MAGIC MALADY, for publication in summer 2016, to Abby Ranger at Disney-Hyperion, in a very good deal, in a three-book deal, by Emily van Beek at Folio Literary Management (world English).

German rights to Bonnie Hearn Hill's GHOST ISLAND, to Cora, by Thomas Schlueck Agency on behalf of Tamar Rydzinski at the Laura Dail Literary Agency.

Catherine Linka's A GIRL CALLED FEARLESS, set in a present-day USA where, after the deaths of millions of women, teen girls have become a priceless, guarded commodity, leading to one girl's perilous escape from an arranged marriage, uncovering a hidden world of political corruption and underground rebellion as she flees to the safety of the Canadian border, to Mollie Traver at St. Martin's, in a two-book deal, for publication in Spring 2014, by Sarah Davies at the Greenhouse Literary Agency (World English).

German rights to JV Kade's middle grade debut BOT WARS, to Ravensburger, by Friederike Biesel of Thomas Schlueck Agency, in association with Kathleen Ortiz at New Leaf Literary & Media on behalf of Joanna Volpe.

Erin Richards's VIGILANTE NIGHTS, a gritty YA debut reminiscent of The Outsiders, about a 17-year-old boy who turns vigilante to get revenge on the street gang who killed his twin sister, until he falls in love and risks losing everything again, to Jacquelyn Mitchard at Merit Press Books, for publication in Summer (July) 2013, by Natalie Lakosil at Bradford Literary Agency (World English). 

PASSION BLUE

by Victoria Strauss

Publication date: November 6, 2012

Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing

Be sure you know your true heart's desire, or you may find yourself surprised by what you receive. This is the warning the Astrologer-Sorcerer gives Giulia when she pays him to create a magical talisman for her. The scorned illegitimate daughter of a Milanese nobleman, Giulia is determined to defy the dire fate predicted by her horoscope, and use the talisman to claim what she believes is her heart's desire: true love and a place where she belongs-not likely prospects for a girl about to be packed off to the cloistered world of a convent. 

  

But the convent of Santa Marta is full of surprises. There are strict rules, long hours of work, and spiteful rivalries...but there's also friendship, and the biggest surprise of all: a workshop of female artists who produce paintings of astonishing beauty, using a luminous blue mixed from a secret formula: Passion blue. Yet even as Giulia begins to learn the mysteries of the painter's craft, the magic of the talisman is at work, and a forbidden romance beckons her down a path of uncertainty and danger. She is haunted by the sorcerer's warning, and by a question: does she really know the true compass of her heart?

  

THE SAVAGE FORTRESS

by Sarwat Chadda
Publication date: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

After three weeks of vacation, Ash Mistry is ready to leave the heat and dust of India behind him. 

 

Then he discovers a gleaming gold arrowhead hidden in the sands---a weapon used to defeat evil King Ravana in legend. At least, Ash is pretty sure it's only a legend...

But when Lord Alexander Savage comes after Ash, the legends are suddenly way too real. Savage commands an army of monstrous shapechangers called rakshasas, who want only to seize the arrowhead and restore Ravana to power. As they hunt Ash through magnificent fortresses and brutal deserts, he must learn to work with a powerful rakshasa girl named Parvati, and find the strength within himself to fight on no matter what. Because this isn't just a battle to stop the end of the world. It's a battle to stop the end of reality as we know it. 

 

SHUT OUT

by Kody Keplinger
Publication date: November 6, 2012

Publisher: Poppy

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention.

Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And Lissa never sees her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling, coming. 

 

ECHO (SOUL SEEKERS #2)

by Alyson Noel
Publication date: November 13, 2012

Publisher: St Martin's Griffin

Daire Santos just saved her grandmother's life-and her soul. But at a cost. The Richters, a dark family of sorcerers, have been let loose in the Lowerworld, and Daire and her boyfriend, Dace, must once again work together to find them before they upset the balance between good and evil, and destroy not only their small town in New Mexico, but the entire world.

 

As Daire and Dace's relationship deepens, Dace's evil brother Cade grows stronger than ever, building his power and forcing Daire to confront the horrifying prophecy that has brought them all together. One that will leave Daire no choice but to claim her true destiny as Seeker, but only by making an unthinkable sacrifice for the greater good of all.

 

BAD HAIR DAY

by Carrie Harris
Publication date: November 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books

Kate Grable is geeked out to shadow the county medical examiner as part of her school's premed program. But after he's arrested for murder, she's left with the bodies. And when Kate's brother, Jonah, stumbles upon a dead gamer girl, Kate realizes that the zombie epidemic she cured last fall was only the beginning of the weirdness taking over her town. Someone-or something-is murdering kids. Something really hairy. And strong. Possibly with claws.

Could it be werewolves, like Jonah and his dorktastic friends think? Kate's supposed to be a butt-kicking, zombie-killing genius . . . but if she can't figure out what's behind the freakish attacks, the victims-or what's left of them-are going to keep piling up

 

Each month we spotlight one submission to the Submissions Mailbox. This November enjoy the first 500 words of Roza Marie's successful submission!

About Roza: Roza is an active member at YALITCHAT.org. If she isn't reading, writing or being domesticated, she's hanging out with her kids and traveling.

Title: SPOKEN
Genre:  YA Fantasy/Fairytale
First 500 words:  

I wake to the kiss of a blade against my throat. My heartbeat roars in my ears, while panic courses through my veins. I know, I should scream, but fear constricts my voice. And this mattress won't let my body sink any lower. 

Sweat beads across my forehead as Greyson says in a ragged voice, "I...I'm sorry, Princess Calla. It's me or you." 

I blink, and a lonely tear slips down my cheek. I tremble beneath the weight of his azure gaze. This can't be happening. 

Just yesterday, those eyes had crinkled with laughter when I'd crossed my eyes, and stuck my tongue out at dinner, while Devon's parents were talking about their latest renovations. "Greyson, please . . ." The steel bites into my throat, and I choke back a sob as hot liquid trickles down my neck. There's nothing I can do, but wait for the inevitable. My breath hitches. Any second, Greyson will kill me. 

This is it.

He squeezes his eyes shut. The blade trembles against my skin, and I don't dare interrupt whatever thoughts are keeping him from slicing my throat. But I can't stop the tears continuing to spill. Please don't let him do this. He opens his eyes and bites his lower lip.

Greyson slowly withdrawals the weapon from my throat, and sighs-heavy and broken-pulling back from me. It's not nearly far enough. "I can't," he whispers. I struggle to put more distance between us, but my sheets and his weight have me pinned in place. "Calla, the castle is dangerous for you." I can't help the frustrated noise that escapes me. "Believe me or not, I'm not the real threat to you. You must go. She's determined to have her vengeance on you. Do you understand?"

I have no idea who he's talking about. At this point, I don't really care. My focus is on the knife, still tight in his grip. Words do not form easily in my head, but I mumble, "Why?" Greyson and I used to be friends. We used to play in the gardens, hide from the servants, or in my case, my tutors. Everything between us was perfect until my fifteenth birthday, when things changed. He'd been acting weird ever since then, but not weird enough that I'd ever dreamed he'd storm into my bedchambers, wake me from my sleep and threaten to kill me.

"Calla, you have to leave now. I can help, but you have to promise never to come back here." If he hadn't charged into my bedroom, acting like a mad person I would have gone with him. I wouldn't have even questioned him, but now, absolutely not. He's insane! He just had a knife to my throat and he actually thinks I'll willingly go with him now. Madness! 

I yank my leg free from the quilt and kick at his side. "Get out!" Sitting up straighter, I keep my eye on him. He lunges at my throat-with his forearm, not the knife.

Requests: Partial from Georgia McBride of Month9Books and Erika Galpin of Noble Romance.

In addition to our fabulous YALITCHAT events, November is full of awesome conferences and events in the writing world!  A few highlights are listed below.  For more details on these events and many others, please check out the Events Tab on YALITCHAT.ORG

YA in the Sun - Encinitas, CA

YALLFest - Charleston, SC  

SCBWI Eastern PA Fall Fest & Critique Fest - Lancaster, PA

SCBWI Missouri Fall Conference - St. Charles, MO

New Jersey SCBWI Fall Craft Weekend - Parisppany, NJ

La Jolla Writer's Conference - La Jolla, CA

Atlanta Writers Conference - Atlanta, GA

We're scouring the Internet to find events that our members might be interested in, but the Internet's a big place! If you know of a conference, festival, or other literary event that is of interest to YA writers and isn't on our calendar, please email  membership@yalitchat.org attention Jessica Capelle.  Check the Events Tab often to see if a great event is headed your way!

November 7 - Authors who get personal online. Does an author's personal/political/religious views, online persona, etc. impact whether you purchase their book(s)? How careful should you be online about what you say about your personal views?

November 14 - Guest Author Victoria Strauss on writing YA historical fiction.

November 21 - Open Topic. No host - happy Thanksgiving!

November 28 - Technology and writing. Do you use it or prefer to go "old school"?

EDUCATION GRANT

Available for Teachers and Librarians who are members of YALITCHAT.ORG. Educators join YALITCHAT.ORG's Premium membership for $25/annually though it is NOT necessary to do so in order to qualify for the EDUCATION GRANT. 

Apply for a grant for use on classroom supplies, technology purchase, author visit, etc. Grants available in amounts of $50.00 per member. Five available per membership year. NB: Educators (regardless of membership level) qualify for FREE classroom supplies at beginning of each semester. Join our EDUCATORS group for more info. 

HARDSHIP GRANT*

Want to expand your horizons and connect with others in the industry but just don't have the funds? YALITCHAT offers TWO types of Hardship Grants and is available to individuals who desire to join YALITCHAT, SCBWI, RWA, RWAYA and other related organizations but need help doing so. 

YALITCHAT Membership Grant 

Covers the cost of a full year's premium membership in YALITCHAT.ORG or $30.00 per grantee.
There are 5 grants available for the 2012-2013 Membership year (July-July).
BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR 2011-2012 MEMBERSHIP YEAR: $150 (5 GRANTS).

YALITCHAT OTO Hardship Grant*

Covers the cost to JOIN any Other Trade Organization in disbursements of $25 per grantee.

There are 4 available for the 2011-2012 membership year (July-July). You MUST be a premium member of YALITCHAT.ORG in order to qualify for this grant. 

BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR 2012-2013 MEMBERSHIP YEAR: $100 (4 GRANTS).

MARKETING SUPPORT GRANT*

 Are you a newly published author in need of marketing support materials for a new release? How about an author about to head on tour in need of giveaways and promo items? Do you need to purchase more ARCs from your publisher to get exposure for your book? Need money to get that new website off the ground? We can help.

Last year we gave away $600 in grants towards supporting published members in promoting their books! There are be five grants available or $100 per person/grantee. Grants are available to premium members only.

BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR 2012-2013 MEMBERSHIP YEAR: $500 (5 GRANTS)

QUICK LEARNING GRANT*

Up to $50 toward any learning initiative such as a webinar, online course, conference, etc. You must be already registered for said initiative and have already paid in full. Must be writing or publishing industry related.
$250.00 USD year available total and $50 per grantee.
BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR 2012-2013 MEMBERSHIP YEAR: $250 (5 GRANTS).

Want to learn more about grants or need an application? Please send an email to grants at yalitchat (dot) org.

*Available to Premium Members ONLY!