An Epic Event for an Epic Book

January 30, 2016American Sign Language, Sword and Versedeaf camps, inc., kate bradley-ferrall, l.v. pireskathymacmillan

Kathy MacMillan perches on a ledge looking over the dining room where gala guests sit. — The celebration gets underway!

There is not a word in the language of the gods to describe how grateful I am to everyone who came to last night’s Sword and Verse Gala to benefit Deaf Camps, Inc. I got to celebrate the launch of my debut novel with my favorite people from all the different spheres of my life, and I got to highlight an organization that is dear to my heart and make a contribution to the Deaf Camps, Inc. scholarship fund.

Learn more about Deaf Camps, Inc. at www.deafcampsinc.org. — Learn more about Deaf Camps, Inc. at http://www.deafcampsinc.org.

Sword and Verse is all about language and communication, and how detrimental limiting access to language is. That’s why I am especially pleased that my launch event was able to highlight and support Deaf Camps, Inc., a volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to providing fun, safe, communication-rich camps that promote the physical, spiritual, and social development of Deaf/hard of hearing children and children learning American Sign Language. I have been involved with Deaf Camps, Inc. for fifteen years, and never have I met a more dedicated and passionate group of people.

Kathy MacMillan stands in front of a mantelpiece speaking into a microphone while a woman beside her interprets in American Sign Language. — Sharing the inspirations behind SWORD AND VERSE.

Inkpot and quill centerpieces featuring lines from Raisa's heart-verse. — Inkpot and quill centerpieces featuring lines from Raisa’s heart-verse.

The author hard at work signing guests' copies of SWORD AND VERSE. — The author hard at work signing guests’ copies of SWORD AND VERSE.

I was so excited to share this evening with members of my critique group, authors Kate Bradley-Ferrall and L.V. Pires.

Thank you to the board and volunteers of Deaf Camps, Inc, who worked hard to pull this event off; to Elaine Benson and Joanne Westerman, who provided interpreting services for the evening; to the staff of Grey Rock Mansion and Simply Elegant Catering, who hosted us in style, and to the many donors who made this event possible:

ASL Interview

January 29, 2016American Sign Language, Interviews, On Writing, Sword and Verse, Young Adult Fantasyruith lehrerkathymacmillan

I’ve been fortunate to participate in lots of great interviews about Sword and Verse in the pas few weeks, but this is my favorite! That’s because it was conducted by Ruth Lehrer, a fellow American Sign Language interpreter and the author of the forthcoming middle grade novel Being Fishkill (Candlewick, 2017). We decided to do the interview in American Sign Language to make it completely accessible to our friends in the Deaf community. (Don’t worry, nonsigners – we also provided an English transcript – mostly. There’s a bonus, untranslated question for signers only!)

I loved the thoughtful questions Ruth asked about the role of language in the book, and I loved the opportunity to share how my experiences in the Deaf community impacted the story. I hope you will enjoy this interview as much as I did! Watch the interview in ASL or read it in English at the Swanky Seventeens Blog.

Read This!: THE YEAR WE FELL APART by Emily Martin

January 28, 2016Read This, Reviewsemily martin, the year we fell apartkathymacmillan

The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin

Summary: Few things come as naturally to Harper as epic mistakes. In the past year she was kicked off the swim team, earned a reputation as Carson High’s easiest hook-up, and officially became the black sheep of her family. But her worst mistake was destroying her relationship with her best friend, Declan. Now, after two semesters of silence, Declan is home from boarding school for the summer. Everything about him is different—he’s taller, stronger…more handsome. Harper has changed, too, especially in the wake of her mom’s cancer diagnosis. While Declan wants nothing to do with Harper, he’s still Declan, her Declan, and the only person she wants to talk to about what’s really going on. But he’s also the one person she’s lost the right to seek comfort from. As their mutual friends and shared histories draw them together again, Harper and Declan must decide which parts of their past are still salvageable, and which parts they’ll have to let go of once and for all.

Holy wow, did I love this book. It sucked me in and didn’t let go. I finished it two days ago and I am still thinking about it. And I will never ever be able to listen to “Out of the Woods” by Taylor Swift again without thinking about Harper and Declan. (Not because the song is referenced in any way – it’s just perfect for them!)

Harper is such a realistically drawn character – a girl who is lovable and sometimes hate-able, conflicted and yearning for connection, and sometimes selfish and self-destructive. The what-was and what-could-have-been and what-could-be between her and Declan is palpable, and I couldn’t stop reading. As powerful as the romance is, though, this book succeeds because it is about more than just a girl trying to get her ex-boyfriend back. Harper has to navigate so many pitfalls of growing up in a society that does little service to strong girls, and in Martin’s capable hands, the story wraps itself around the reader’s mind and heart.

I’d love to see Emily Martin on a panel someday beside Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (author of FIRSTS) and Shannon M. Parker (author of THE GIRL WHO FELL) for a frank discussion of writing about young women finding their way through the minefield of modern girlhood.

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Read This!: SHALLOW GRAVES by Kali Wallace

January 27, 2016Read This, Reviewskali wallace, shallow graveskathymacmillan

Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous.

Do not read this book when you are in the house alone – especially if you are a big scaredy cat like me. That said, Breezy, the main character, is more full of life than any reanimated corpse has a right to be. Horror and heart-pounding action alternates with witty banter, intense world-building, and characters that make you want to pull up a chair and hang out for awhile. (I dream of that brownie in the basement.) If you’re a horror reader, you’ll eat this right up. If you’re not a big horror reader, grab this anyway, because you won’t want to miss the great characters. Just, you know, keep the lights on and make sure someone else is around.

Shallow Graves is out now

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Read This!: ARROWS by Melissa Gorzelanczyk

January 26, 2016Read This, Reviewsarrows, melissa Gorzelanczykkathymacmillan

Arrows by Melissa Gorzelanczyk

Summary: Aaryn, son of Cupid, was supposed to shoot both Karma and Danny but found out too late that the other arrow in his pack was useless. And with that, Karma’s life changed forever. One pregnancy confirmed. One ballet scholarship lost. And dream after dream tossed to the wind. A clueless Karma doesn’t know that her toxic relationship is Aaryn’s fault . . . but he’s going to get a chance to make things right. He’s here to convince Danny to man up and be there for Karma. But what if this god from Mount Olympus finds himself falling in love with a beautiful dancer from Wisconsin who can never love him in return?

Things I predict will happen when you read this book:

1) You will want to punch Danny. Often. Seriously, rarely have I felt so violent toward a fictional character. He is a detestable and unfortunately entirely realistic villain.

2) You will be pulling for Karma to wake up and realize what an abusive relationship she’s in.

3) You will recognize the dynamics of Karma and Danny’s relationship and be reminded uncomfortably of that one friend who just can’t be convinced that he’s wrong for her.

4) You’ll experience a strange craving for cheese curds.

5) You’ll call into question the entire bureaucracy of Eros and his arrows. Oh, wait, that’s Aaryn, son of Eros. But I bet you’ll dig him too.

6) You may be tempted to write fanfiction due to how much you want to see Karma punch Danny in the face.

ARROWS is a fun and fresh take on Greek mythology and teen romance. And it’s out now!

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