This year has been a ride, hasn’t it? But there have been some good things happening, and I’m here to share them! PhD Program and Move Long-time readers will know that I loved my master’s at Bath Spa University. In fact, I loved it so much… I came back! Last fall, I applied for and was given admission to Bath Spa’s Creative Writing PhD program. Why do a PhD? A couple of reasons, including gaining experience, the opportunity to teach, and an excuse to return to the United Kingdom for a few years. My PhD project is on messages about...
One of the coolest things in my life was seeing my book out in the wild, but a close second? Seeing The Eleventh Trade in different languages — and the covers international publishers choose for the story. And now, a little under a year since the English language version launched, I can finally share all of the translations with you! If you want to see a cover in more detail, just click the picture. Van Niets Naar Iets (Dutch) & L’Ultimo Scambio (Italian) The Dutch and Italian version of The Eleventh Trade took the cover from the US design....
Hello, my lovelies! It has been Quite A While since the last real update, and that is because life and writing has been crazy. Mostly the good sort of crazy. But yes, crazy. Today I’m excited to officially announce my spiffy new look, brought to you in part by the wonderful Jonelle Jones. I knew that my website needed an overhaul with the approaching launch of my debut The Eleventh Trade, and I wanted to treat myself to a pro’s creative expertise. I have to admit, it was nice to put this in someone else’s hands and be the client in the freelance relationship...
Things have been scarce on the blog recently, and that’s down to three things: Deadlines for The Eleventh Trade revision The Invisible Boy draft 2 writing WriteOnCon‘s fundraiser!!!!! It’s the last thing I want to talk about today. If you don’t remember, WriteOnCon is an online kidlit conference covering everything from picture books to young adult, featuring tons of industry specialists from all around the spectrum. (I am personally incredibly ecstatic about GAIL CARSON LEVINE who is COMING TO THE CONFERENCE and I CAN’T EVEN DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!) Since I’ve been doing a lot over on WriteOnCon, I don’t want you guys to miss out....
Back in the spring, Bath Spa University contacted me about an opportunity to film an interview with the British Council in Manchester. I was all, “Pffft, why would they want to fly me out to talk to me?” But they were all, “We’re actually making these cool videos for every UK university and we’d like to cover your story and we’ll pay for all your expenses.” And I was all, “WELL OKAY THEN.” So the last week of June, I found myself flying over the Pond yet again. This time I brought my sister along as my travel companion. I...
This week, I had the fabulous opportunity to attend the Trust Conference: American Forum (representing myself as a writer). I’ve attended the full conferences in 2014 and 2016, and they are truly life changing. This conference was a smaller, shorter affair, but still very insightful. The Trust Conference brings together activists and experts from around the world to talk about the latest in human trafficking (and prevention), slavery in the supply chain, and other worldwide humanitarian issues. If you want to see the panels for yourself, you can check out Thomas Reuters Foundation’s Trust Women video album on Facebook, which...
On the WriteOnCon forums this year, an interesting topic came up: How do you write when you have personal trauma(s)? Do you use them, or avoid them? I only have my own experience to draw from, and everyone is unique. Our wounds are different and the ways we carry them are different. So please take this with a grain of salt. In my young life, I’ve already had to carry a few traumas. Mine (like most) rise from situations where I (or a loved one) were incredibly unsafe, and afterward my life was entirely changed. That how my counselor defines trauma, by the...
Earlier in the year, my brother Jason Koons tagged me in a challenge to do 7 days of nature photography on Facebook. I always meant to share here, but never got around to it. So, several months late, here we go! Day 1 It was raining today, which put me in mind of this picture from Berry College in 2009. I love the way leaves look in the rain–each drop like a small galaxy. Day 2 When we were at the redwood forest in CA, my niece Megan pointed out these tiny, tiny mushrooms underneath the giants. Children...
I am not sure how to do a year in review this time around. A lot of people have many things to say about 2016, and much of it isn’t encouraging. But what has been black for many has been more complex for me. Here are some moments from 2016: January I dance the night away with my nieces at one cousin’s wedding. Megan and Hana think I’ve got the moves, and I let ’em believe it. New diagnosis: Gastroparesis. It is the third autoimmune attack in under a year, and takes my diet from “gluten free levels of inconvenient” to “ask me...
Earlier this month, I had the fabulous opportunity to attend the conference Trust Women (representing myself as a writer and also Childbirth PATHS International, a great new NGO). I attended the conference in 2014 and found it truly life changing — and I don’t say that in a light, off-the-cuff sort of way. I’ve been to many, many conferences in my time, and there’s nothing like this two-day event. Trust Women brings together activists and experts from around the world to talk about the latest in human trafficking (and prevention), slavery in the supply chain, women’s rights, and other worldwide...
