Media Folder

10/17/2006: Ohmigodohmigodohmigodohmigod....
01/03/2007: Class of 2k7 - Now It's Personal
01/08/2007: Class of 2k8!

The Fuse #8 blog is maintained by a children's librarian at the Donnell Central branch public library in New York City.

What really impressed me is that this collective group goes across publishers. We're used to debut authors in small groups coming together to promote one another. I've just never seen anything quite on this scale before, and it pleases me mightily. Those of you who also have books coming out next year (ahem, Eric Berlin, ahem, Jay Asher) might want to join up with this kooky crew. Lord knows I wish I could, and I'm not even a writer.

10/17/2006 Entry

Reviews of young adult/teen books.

It's awesome that these authors are all supporting each other, and they have some great books coming out! Check out the YA section of the site. I can't wait to read these books!

10/19/2006 Entry

Author Mitali Perkins is a friend of the Class.

The Fire Escape is delighted to introduce the Class of 2k7, a group of 37 first-time children's and YA authors from 21 states and D.C. with debut books from different publishers coming out in 2007. Welcome, 2k7-ers, to the hard-earned but delightful place of nodding when the inevitable question comes after you introduce yourself as a writer.

10/22/2006 Entry

Promoting the love of books by children, and the continued reading of children's books by adults.

What's neat about the site, I think, is the tremendous level of energy and excitement that the thirty-seven authors bring to the party. The kidlitosphere's own Jay Asher (from The Disco Mermaids) is a member.

10/26/2006 Entry: Class Is Now In Session
01/16/2007 Entry: Lots to Read

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.

11/02/2006 Entry

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.

11/4/2006 Entry

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.

11/06/2006 Entry

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!

11/05/2006 Entry

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!

11/4/2006 Entry

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.

11/20/2006 Entry

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.

1/1/2007 Entry

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.

02/05/2007 Entry

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?