Hello lovely readers. All these April showers are certainly starting to bring out May flowers, and we hope you’ve been enjoying the sun when it deigns to peek through those Vancouver rainclouds. But enough about the weather! Without further ado, here’s our newest edition of YAing news:
The First Page Feature is a chance for emerging writers to feature the first page of their works-in-progress (ranging from Middle Grade to New Adult) in our monthly newsletter. Interested in featuring your first pages? Read our First Page Feature guidelines here, and submit here!
April’s First Page Feature is Vanessa Bedford Gill
Vanessa Bedford Gill is both a writer and librarian. Her interest in picture books led her to pursue a degree in children’s literature at UBC. She enjoys writing YA contemporary fiction and picture books, which often tackle sensitive topics, but open up important conversations. She was recently a juror for the Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook Award.
The Earth has Bubbles
Cold, white sunlight infiltrates the cracks in the Grosvenor High School front wall, the jagged shadows making the fissures appear wider, brightening them with the intensity of the light. Dirty white clouds have marched in and are impudently pushing on the northeast corner of the sun, throwing patches of shade on the sidewalk. The horizontal concrete slab walls are oblique and domineering, and as grey as fireplace ash. Their surface is rough and unmottled, except for a newly-minted border on the lower section of the school wall. Damp golden maple leaves have been stuck forcibly to the bottom foot of the wall by the wind, creating a curious gilded baseboard. The early showers have not turned into heavier rainfall as predicted, and have instead been joined by high winds. It is this sight of the golden leaves that catches the observant eye of January Boiling.
January grimaces. The wind forces icy air under her thin, unlined rain jacket, and it rudely lifts the corners, exposing the silver buttons on her faded jeans. Pushing the hair out of the creases of her eyelids, January surveys the parking lot looking for Olivia’s red Fiat, a salient pop of colour in this grey landscape. Olivia’s text, which was sent last night, is vague:
Kate gone away. Don’t worry – talk tomorrow
January reads the text again and then puts her phone away. Olivia is running towards her, eyes down and barely glancing in front of her, blinded by her heavily highlighted blonde hair swinging in newly-washed tendrils across her forehead.
“Sorry, I’m late. I was working on my resumé again.”
“No problem.”
“I don’t think I stand a chance of getting an intern position at Styled. My resumé is terrible,” Olivia adds.
January doesn’t contradict her.
“Do you want to go and talk in the cafeteria?” Olivia makes a gesture behind her.
“No, the lineup is always too long.” January scowls, but Olivia has her hands in her pockets and is trying to move the holes in her jeans back to the centre of her legs. It annoys her that Olivia is late, preoccupied with rearranging her clothing, and now proposing that they wait in the cafeteria lineup for ten minutes.
“It takes a lot of effort to try and look this dishevelled,” Olivia laughs. She is trying to avoid talking about Kate, their mutual friend, who disappeared last night. January prefers it when Olivia steers the conversation to lighter topics like her edgy fashion choices. January usually applauds Olivia’s avoidance of emotional topics because she tends to overanalyze everything. However, today she would prefer if she would share any news about Kate in an expeditious, matter-of-fact manner.
“It’s cold here. Let’s talk in the lab,” January says in a whispery voice.
They barely make eye contact on the way to the biology lab, mostly because Olivia’s red umbrella is sunk low over her head, like an ill-fitting panelled Viking helmet with no visibility.
At the biology lab, waiting for their nine o’clock class to start, January feels numb with hands that are ice cold under her mittens. Her fear of learning where Kate is makes her unable to talk to Olivia. Instead, she stares in front of her and notices that a cactus plant on the teacher’s desk has shrivelled: its soil resembles fine sand like a dusting of icing sugar. The grey pebbles, which decorated the layer beneath it, now look like dried cherries. She desperately wants Olivia to tell her where Kate is, and find out why she is not responding to her texts.
What drew you to writing for younger audiences?
During my MLIS I took many courses in children’s librarianship as well as ones that allowed me to explore writing for picture books. I have been lucky enough to continue my creative writing practice as I pursue my Master of Arts in Children’s Literature. I read so many children’s books that it is hard for me to imagine not writing for a young audience.
What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
I like to find myself deep in the writing zone without interruption, where the words flow and you have no idea of time. This doesn’t happen everyday, but I was recently on a plane and due to turbulence had to sit in my seat for many hours. I’m giving credit to the seat belt because I was able to write for many hours with deep concentration. I’m thinking of installing one on my desk chair at home!
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
The best writing advice I’ve received is to “write in images.” Thinking about whether I could paint the paragraph I have just written, has helped me to infuse more imagery into my YA writing and picture books.
If you are interested in contacting Vanessa Bedford Gill, please email young.adulting@ubc.ca.
YAing Updates
We’ve published some marvellous reviews since our last update. Here’s a recap:
- “The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale is a story that transports readers to a charming magical setting filled with adventure and quirky characters I couldn’t help but adore. Themes of growing into oneself and learning to be vulnerable are wonderfully interwoven into Ewan’s character. The rest of the poignant narrative explores themes of self-worth, grief, and a heartfelt exploration of loss. This book will enchant readers with its cozy fantasy atmosphere created by magical elements and captivating dialogue.” Hooria Bilal reviews The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith
- “Coi is a strong-willed and lovable main character, and Carter does a wonderful job of developing her personality. Though this novel tackles tougher subjects like grief and trauma, it also addresses struggles teenagers often face. As a first-year university student, Coi is figuring out her professional passions, developing meaningful friendships, and understanding her new romantic relationship. The mix of these struggles while also coming to terms with her mother’s death culminates in a determined main character I couldn’t help but root for.” Sophie Savage reviews And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter
- “Addie’s voice is very compelling, and she explains her life as an eleven-year-old in a beautiful way. She’s fiercely protective of her brother Billy and is also incredibly practical, having been forced to grow up at such a young age. The descriptions and sensory detail in this book are so honest and real that I was entirely transported into Addie’s world while reading. Manzer does an amazing job at writing about a girl who has experienced things kids should never have to experience in a very age-appropriate way.” Evelyn Hussey reviews Picture a Girl By Jenny Manzer
As always, check back every Thursday and every other Tuesday for more reviews of upcoming and new releases.
Industry News
A reminder that FOLD 2024 is coming up and registration is open! The festival runs from April 28 – May 5. Events April 28 – May 1 will be VIRTUAL, while events May 2 – 5 will be offered IN-PERSON. Check out their website to view this year’s fantastic schedule and register for tickets.
The webinar Get Published! Writing Fiction for Young Readers is being hosted by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre on Saturday, May 11. The panel of industry professionals includes authors Vicki Grant and Michelle Kadarusman, and Patricia Ocampo, Senior Editor, Kids Can Press. Register here!
DC Canada’s One Story a Day Writing Contest is accepting story entries from students in Grades 1-6. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2024, and the top three winners in each category will receive a cash prize and be published in an illustrated storybook. Learn more here!
CANSCAIP’s Writing for Children Competition is on the horizon! As Canada’s largest competition for unpublished children’s writers, this is a great opportunity for emerging authors to get their work for young readers recognized. The deadline is May 31st. Click here to learn more!
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 