Exams are here, and so is the snow (rain?)! What better way to give yourself a study break than to check out the latest in the children’s & YA publishing industry? So, put on some calming tunes, make yourself a hot cocoa, and grab a warm blanket as we dive into what’s been happening here at Young Adulting.
YAing Updates
First, let’s give a huge warm welcome to Ariane, Young Adulting’s newest Associate Editor! Ariane is a current MFA student here at UBC and we couldn’t be more excited she’s joining us!
Since I last wrote you, we’ve published some marvellous reviews/interviews! Here’s a recap:
- “I found this novel both cathartic and incredibly soothing. Even in the darkest times, Jewish joy and humour always prevail. No matter what.” debut reviewer Lonnes Leloup reviews The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum.
- “It reminds perfectionists young and old that art is not about accuracy, and your value does not come from the preciseness—or even the inventiveness—of the works you produce, but from within.” Kaitlyn Chan reviews Make Your Mark Gallery: A Coloring Book-ish by Peter H. Reynolds.
- In our December author spotlight, reviewer Jade Courchesne interviews Lynette Richards, author and illustrator of the graphic novel Call Me Bill. Lynette talks stained glass, writing inspirations, and the importance of being kind to oneself:
I would like young people to know that we are all perpetually becoming our truest selves. If they are conflicted, try to be patient – be kind to themselves and know that they do not need to know everything all at once. Nurture self-love. Seek self-discovery. Play. Dress up, dress down. Dance. If they have reached a place where they are no longer conflicted, but are afraid, that is also familiar human experience, and when it is time to be courageous, they will know. Treat yourselves and your friends with love and kindness.
5 Questions for Lynette Richards
Industry News
The Joan Betty Stuchner—Oy Vey!—Funniest Children’s Book Award is open for submissions! This opportunity is open to Canadian authors or illustrators whose work of juvenile literature gets the jury laughing the most. There are TWO prizes this year: one for a board book or picture book, and one for chapter books or graphic novels (note—this contest is not open to YA submissions). This opportunity is open from now until December 14th! Check out their website for more information.
Another submission opportunity is on the horizon! Check out Chocolate Lily Book Awards as they are currently accepting submissions for their 2023 award. This opportunity is open until January 31, 2023 and is available for authors and illustrators of children’s fiction who are residents of BC. Check out the submission details here.
It’s also the time of year of booklists! Kirkus released their ‘Best Young Adult Books of the Year’ and we are so excited to see a few of the titles we’ve reviewed included. Check out Lonnes Leloup’s review of The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum to get a sneak peak of one of the best YA books of 2022. Be sure to check out their lists for Middle Grade and Picture Books too!
As always, please do send us your news related to children’s and young adult literature at young.adulting@ubc.ca so we can feature them in future newsletters. Our newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. And remember to keep up with us on Twitter and Instagram!
Take care, and happy reading!
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 