Fall debuts, new book deals, virtual events and more! 📣
The Soaring ’20s are back with a FALL 2020 SHOWCASE! Keep reading for a sneak peek at their new picture books, behind the scenes and drawing tutorial videos, as well as advice for young writers! Prepare to be wowed by this group of up and coming kidlit extraordinaries — and make sure to stay on the lookout for their amazing books due to hit shelves Fall 2020!
The Soaring '20s talk plotting and pantsing their way to a debut on Writers' Rumpus. Check it out.
Illustrator Interview: Junyi Wu on creating BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST
By Lindsay H. Metcalf
Many people outside the children’s publishing industry don’t realize what goes into making a picture book. Notably, authors often have no contact with the illustrator while the book is being made. That’s why I was so excited when Junyi Wu, the illustrator of my debut, BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, agreed to answer a few questions for the Soaring ‘20s blog. I’m thrilled to learn how she rendered the gorgeous illustrations for our book, new this month from Albert Whitman & Co.
Read more here.
Soaring '20s Creators Celebrate Indie Bookstores!
August 29th is Independent Bookstore Day! We are so thankful for the support that independent bookstores have given us in our debut year, from running launch parties, to handling orders, to offering book signings — indies are the best!
In these pandemic times, our local stores need our support now more than ever. Here’s where you can find signed copies (and in some cases, order personalized ones) of our 2020 releases. Or, you can always order books from YOUR local store via their store website or by using IndieBound or Bookshop.
Read on for our favorite indie bookstores.
Connect with Soaring '20s Creators Via Virtual Events
Don't miss your chance to connect with the Soaring '20s at these virtual events.
The Highlights Foundation is hosting the month-long, virtual LATINX Writers Symposium from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, and our very own NoNieqa Ramos (BEAUTY WOKE) is on faculty. Learn more here.
Join Candy Wellins (SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA) for a reading and Q&A hosted by the Tacoma Public Library, Sept. 19th at 1 p.m. Pacific.
Looking to harness the power of groups to market your next book? New England SCBWI's digital shop talk features SEVEN Soaring ‘20s team members! The "Soaring Into Marketing with a Debut Group" webinar is Sept. 22nd at 7 p.m. Eastern, and is only $10 for SCBWI members. To learn more and register, click here.
Sept. 22: No Voice Too Small virtual book launch featuring DJ Annie Red. Order from An Unlikely Story and you can get a bookplate signed by all three editors: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley.
Sept. 23: Beatrix Potter virtual event hosted by Mainstreet Books and the St. Charles (MO) City-County Library, featuring Lindsay H. Metcalf and illustrator Junyi Wu as well as Linda Marshall, author of Saving the Countryside, another Beatrix-themed picture book out this year. If you order BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST from Mainstreet and your book will include a bookplate signed by both Lindsay and illustrator Junyi Wu.
Join Angela Kunkel (DIGGING FOR WORDS) for a virtual read aloud and Q&A hosted by Essex Free Library, Sept. 26th at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.
Sept. 26: Watermark Books virtual No Voice Too Small Q&A. They are also selling NO VOICE TOO SMALL with bookplates signed by the three editors.
The Bath Book Bash on Sept. 26 features numerous New England and Maine authors including Rajani LaRocca (SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS), Carrie Finison (DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS), and Anna Crowley Redding (RESCUING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE). Get the full lineup here.
Angela Kunkel (DIGGING FOR WORDS) is hosting a virtual storytime at Belmont Books Saturday, Oct. 17th at 11 a.m. Eastern.
On Oct. 20th at 7 p.m. Pacific, Kirsten Larson (WOOD, WIRE, WINGS) will appear on the Women Who Write panel to talk writing craft as part of Bakersfield's One Book Project.
New Book Covers
Don't forget, you can see all our covers and preorder on our website.
📣 New book deals 📚
Soaring '20s in the news and on the road
THE PASSOVER GUEST by Susan Kusel is available for preorder from One More Page Books. Order through them for a copy signed by Susan!
DIGGING FOR WORDS by Angela Kunkel was released simultaneously Sept. 9th in English and Spanish. Booklist said, "This amiable picture book offers children glimpses of Colombia as well as a role model who values books and enjoys sharing them with others. " Check out recent interviews with Angela on Kidlit 411, Critter Lit, and Simply 7. Watch Angela unbox DIGGING FOR WORDS on our YouTube channel.
WHEREVER I GO by Mary Wagley Copp was named to NPR's top 100 Books for Young Readers. Find the full list here.
Melanie Ellsworth (CLARINET AND TRUMPET) was interviewed on the Critter Lit blog. Read it here.
WOOD, WIRE, WINGS by Kirsten W. Larson was featured in Women in Aviation Internationals' Aviation for Girls magazine. She also appeared on the Women of HerStory podcast discussing the life of Lilian Todd.
Julie Rowan-Zoch (LOUIS) was the featured author for the 12x12 blog. Publisher's Weekly gave LOUIS a good review saying, "Digital cartooning by illustrator Rowan-Zoch (You’re One!) is to the point, with a Louis who is expressive without skewing hammy." Full review here.
Rajani LaRocca (SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS) will be a We Need Diverse Books 2021 Middle Grade Mentor. Her first MG, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, won a MA Book Award Honor. She revealed the cover for her next picture book, BRACELETS FOR BINA'S BROTHERS, and unboxed her next MG, RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE.
Now through 9/21 Carrie Finison will give away one copy of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS to a Twitter follower and one copy to a newsletter subscriber. Learn more.
NoNieqa Ramos (YOUR MAMA) was part of the YA Pride Blogathon. Check out her post.
Christina Soontoornvat's middle grade, ALL THIRTEEN, has received three starred reviews! Kirkus said, "An in-depth account of a harrowing real-life mission that succeeds against all odds...Masterful storytelling fleshes out the complex human emotions behind key decisions, illuminates diplomatic and political negotiations, and underscores an unwavering faith—in maintaining hope and in harnessing powers of the mind. Thoughtfully researched, expertly crafted."
I'M GONNA PUSH THROUGH by Jasmyn Wright appears on the list as a recommended books for ages 4-8 for Netflix’s new series, Bookmarks. And the book was featured in Girl Scouts of America's Awesome Girls Read-Along.
With three fall releases, Lindsay Metcalf has been busy. She's appeared on the Reading with Your Kids Podcast, Simply 7, Legit Kidlit, and Tuesday Debut. Find even more on the BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST page.
Metcalf's second book, NO VOICE TOO SMALL, received a starred review from Kirkus, which says it's “Never too soon to start stirring things up.” The #NoVoiceTooSmall Book Club on @Flipgrid is now a featured collection in the Discovery Library! Find additional educational resources here.
Publisher's Weekly gave Lindsay's third book, FARMERS UNITE! a good review, calling it “Accessible prose and quotations from primary sources enrich this nonfiction photo-illustrated picture book.”
