Media Folder

Finding Wonderland

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 20:59:27 -0500

If you love young adult literature, check out this humble sanctuary for news, advice, links, and fun.

You've no doubt heard of The Class of 2k7, a group of first-time children's and YA authors with debut books coming out in 2007 who hope to promote each other's books with a joint website, blog, newsletter, forum, chat room, and brochure. While it's a great idea, it begs the question (at least to me) of what people do when this year's "class" graduates. Are there plans for a Class of '08, or is the newness of the idea played out?

School Library Journal

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 16:21:52 -0500

This article appeared in School Library Journal, the print magazine, as well as its online counterpart, SLJ.com. Together these resources serve librarians who work with young people in schools and public libraries.

The Web site, whose name connotes the year 2007, offers a video of all the various books, which are aimed at kids age seven and up, and has multiple resources so librarians and other children's literature fans can find information about release dates, plot synopses, author Web sites, interviews, and biographies.

Author Links

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:11:32 -0500

Sarah Aronson:

Jay Asher:

Ruth McNally Barshaw:

A.C.E. Bauer:

Kelly Bingham:

Julie Bowe:

Laura Bowers:

Paula Chase:

Cassandra Clare:

Author's Discussion Forum

Rosemary Clement-Moore:

Autumn Cornwell:

Karen Day:

Sarah Beth Durst:

Ann Dee Ellis:

Aimee Ferris:

Author's Discussion Forum

Greg R. Fishbone:

Sundee T. Frazier:

Jeannine Garsee:

Judy Gregerson:

Stephanie Hale:

S.A. Harazin:

Thatcher Heldring:

Paula Jolin:

Carrie Jones:

Marlane Kennedy:

Rose Kent:

Jo Knowles:

Constance Leeds:

Eric Luper:

Melissa Marr:

G. Neri:

Elizabeth Scott:

Suzanne Selfors:

Joni Sensel:

Rebecca Stead:

Author's Discussion Forum

Heather Tomlinson:

Tiffany Trent:

C.G. Watson:

Sara Zarr:

2008 CWIM

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 19:02:06 -0500

Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market is published annually and includes a "yellow pages" of book, magazine, and other publishers, information about conferences and agents, basic how-to information, and interesting feature articles. The 2008 edition will include an article on the Class of 2k7 and "First Books" features for several Class members.

SCBWI:NE News

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 18:55:45 -0500

SCBWI:NE News is the bi-monthly newsletter of three New England regions of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

We're only just getting started but already we're accomplishing things that none of us would be able to do on or own. Our website at Classof2k7.com is getting a lot of action, our story has attracted the interest of news outlets, and we're planning regional tours and panels. But perhaps most importantly, like any graduating class, we've formed friendships that should last deep into our respective publishing careers. With luck we'll continue helping each other for many years and passing our knowledge on to the Classes of 2k8, 2k9, and beyond.

Book Trailerpark

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 18:45:22 -0500

The Book Standard's excellent blog of book videos.

The video was designed and edited by Eric Luper and Sarah Aronson, two of Class of 2k7’s members. Each author submitted a stock or self-made photo that “embodies some aspect of their book,” Luper told Book Trailerpark. “I created a video montage which flashes the images in rapid succession, creating an overall emotion rather than conveying specific information about the individual books.” Luper used the Pinnacle software program to create the video and musician Keiki Cabanos engineered the music.

Booklist Online

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:15:11 -0500

The Booklist blog, Likely Stories, is maintained by Kier Graff.

Of course, writers aren't always skilled at publicity, marketing, and sales. Many of them became writers in the first place because their imaginations weren't captured by the business world. So it's always interesting to see how they approach the task. The "Class of 2k7," a group of first-time children's and YA authors who are all making their debuts in 2007, have come up with a truly novel approach. I wish them well–may they have town cars sent to their doorsteps by major publishers when their second novels come out.

Expression OnLine

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:00:39 -0500

Expression OnLine is the SCBWI international online newsletter, available for free to all current members of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) anywhere in the world. It includes news and short feature items about children's books, the industry in general as it is practiced in different parts of the world, and the people involved - writers, illustrators, book designers, publishers, editors, booksellers, librarians, teachers, parents, educators, and more.

The Class of 2k7 launched a new website last month at (http://classof2k7.com). The 2k7ers are debut children's and young adult authors who have come together to co-promote their upcoming books. Class President Greg R. Fishbone explains, "We formed our group because publishers are expecting more from authors these days in terms of marketing and promotion, but as first-time authors we're already dazzled and overwhelmed by the whole process. By pooling our resources and sharing knowledge, we can accomplish more as a group than any of us could ever do alone." Greg's first book, THE PENGUINS OF DOOM, is scheduled for a July 2007 release from Blooming Tree Press (http://gfishbone.com).

loisszy

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:56:38 -0500

Author Lois Szymanski is a friend of the Class.

The Class of 2k7 is a group of first-time children's book authors with books coming out in 2007. They are from 20 states. Their coming together has created a huge publicity opportunity. First time author Greg Fishbone came up with the idea, then went to SCBWI newsletters to solicit other authors to join his group. Now, they have a Web site (www.classof2k7.com), a blog, and plans to target booksellers and librarians with the intent of selling books and landing book tours. What a fabulous idea! We can always accomplish more when we come together for a common cause.

Cachibachis

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:23:30 -0500

A blog from author/illustrator Amy Cullings

Here's a new group of children's writers whose novels are about to debut. Their website is called Class of 2K7, and includes a blog featuring their writing and news about their upcoming children's, middle grade and young adult novels. It seems they've already got a listing for class of 2K8! Congratulations to the class of 2K7!

Sellers Library Teens

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:15:57 -0500

Group blog by the teens and librarians at Sellers Library in Upper Darby, PA

No, not our high school seniors (although I love you all). This is the name a group of first-time authors have given themselves. Their books will all be published next year, hence the name Class of 2k7. They are hoping to do some regional touring in small groups, so maybe we'll see them in our neighborhood!

Needle in the Haystack No More

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:58:17 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Entry Form

Needle In The Haystack No More

Class of 2K7 Provides One-Stop Shopping for Booksellers, Librarians and Teachers Searching for New Voices in YA & MG Literature (City, State) -- Trying to find the freshest new voices among the 6,000 children's books released annually is as easy as 2-K-7. The Class of 2K7, a collaborative effort of thirty-nine debut children's authors from twenty-four publishers, launched today with one goal in mind -- provide easy access to their books to booksellers, librarians and teachers (BLTs). Building upon the community vibe that exists within the children's writer's community, members ignored their books differences and instead focused on the commonalities -- each author is new to the children's market and striving to be noticed among the three groups that can most influence readers' buying habits. "One voice in a crowded field is drowned out. But a collective voice resonates crisp and clear," says Greg Fishbone, 2K7 creator and Class President. "Together we're pointing BLTs to our books, making it easy for them to make decisions on children's lit acquisitions or booking authors for visits." The concept of easy, one-stop shopping was the impetus behind the formation of the class. The collective shout of 2K7 strategically directs BLTs to a virtual community consisting of a website, Blog, and forum where BLTs can research the members and their books, ask writing-related questions and interact directly with members on topics relevant to the children's book market. The website www.classof2k7.com offers a "shop before you buy," atmosphere. Authors are categorized by genre, release date, and region. The site also links to each author's individual website. "Say you're a librarian looking for an author in the southwest. We've got one there. Actually we've got four," Fishbone says. "2K7 members represent ten U.S. regions on both coasts all the way from New England to Florida. And all members are willing to do multi-author events both within and beyond their regions." Members believe that participating in the collaborative effort will help their books stand out to BLTs beyond the initial flurry of release. "We wanted to provide a tool that would ensure that anyone seeking a new author in 2007 could find us," 2K7 member, Paula Chase-Hyman explains. "We'll be announcing 2K7 events and new releases all year-long. Each time a BLT heads to our site, another new author or half-dozen may pique their interest." In addition to the website, BLTs can pose questions to the authors on their blog http://community.livejournal.com/classof2k7/ or interact one-on-one with the group/request a visit via their forum http://forum.classof2k7.com/ . The Class of 2K7 is a collaborative effort of thirty-nine debut children's authors from twenty-four publishers. More information on members and their books can be found at www.classof2k7.com ###

Oz and Ends

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 13:20:56 -0500

Author J. L. Bell is a friend of the Class.

I was ahead of the curve on this news, but only because I'm in writers' groups with the 2k7 class president, Greg Fishbone (The Penguins of Doom), and member Karen L. Day (Tall Tales). So today I pondered the question: What do those two middle-grade novels have in common? They both have young female narrators, they're both contemporary, and...they'll both be printed on paper. That's about it. 2k7 is a very diverse class.

GalleyCat

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 12:43:38 -0500

A blog about books and publishing.

It's a model that's proving popular for many debut writers; see, for example, the recent launch of Class of 2K7, a site where 40 children's and YA authors have pooled resources to promote each other's debut books.

Gotta Book

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 11:56:23 -0500

Author/Poet Gregory K. is a friend of the Class.

Yowza! It's a huge amount of talent... including two longtime members of my own blogroll... and I betcha contained in their 39 books are gonna be some of THE hottest titles of next year. Now, not only does the Class have a cool website, but they have a group blog! We non-classmembers get to ask questions there, too, so head on over and poke around and ask. Or ask around and poke. But just go.