Amy Fellner Dominy, Award-Winning Author of Tween/Teen Novels
Amy Fellner Dominy, Award-Winning Author of Tween/Teen Novels
It’s been a week of worsts—and that’s been a good thing! 
Today I’m wrapping up My WORST Blog Tour. I had a great time launching my new middle grade novel, Audition & Subtraction, by reliving some of my own middle school memories. Thanks to everyone who jumped in with comments, and shared stories. Most especially, thanks to my wonderful hosts:
The Best Things That Came from my Worst Experiences.
Last Tuesday my second teen novel, Audition & Subtraction, officially launched. As the days have passed, friends and family keep asking me how it feels…how it’s going…what’s it like?
I always feel this pressure to smile really big and say “Oh, it’s all wonderful!” Because it’s a dream, right? What can be un-fabulous about having a new book out in the world? But the deep dark secret hidden truth is that it’s a mix of good and bad. Here’s what I mean.
For a writer who is usually chained to her desk, I got out and about a lot this week. March 7th was WRAD–World Read Aloud Day, so it was cool to be a part of that! I thought I’d share some of the pictures and highlight moments while it’s all still fresh in my mind.
MONDAY: I went to Lincoln Elementary and faced the bright eyes of about 40 kindergarteners during two different classes.
With author Tom Leveen
Kindergarteners are squeezably cute
If you could ask an author anything, what would you want to know?
This is the question. My question. About your question. Or, more to the point, about the questions I might get from a class of eighth graders.
On Friday, I’m going to a middle school to speak to 120 eighth graders. I’m going to be in an area without a projector or screen so my handy-dandy powerpoint presentations are out.
So instead, I’ve decided to do a Q & A thing. I’m going to write up index cards of all the questions I can think of that kids might want to know. Then, they can either ask one of their own, or pick one of mine. Such as:
Class officially began on 11-11-10. That’s when the Class of 2k11, a group of sixteen debut MG and YA authors, officially went live on the web and with our monthly newsletter.
In fact, we began much earlier. I joined the group late spring/early summer and there were LITERALLY! 100 emails a day (every day!) as we all tried to agree on what our website should look like, our logo design, our message, our target, what contests should we run, what conferences should be attend, who would do what and when and why.
Last weekend was the SCBWI-AZ writer’s conference, held in Scottsdale, Arizona. I know I’m a little biased since this is my home state, but I do believe that our regional director, Michelle Parker Rock, along with her staff of volunteers, puts on an AMAZING conference.
Case in point: The faculty are the peeps you want to meet—editors, agents, and industry insiders from all aspects of the biz. Plus there are breakout sessions on craft, chances to pitch a story idea, get a manuscript critique, show off your illustrations and get your first page read out loud and commented on.
Have I got a blog for you to read…and no, it’s not mine.
A couple of weeks ago Barbara Krasner, who writes a great blog called The Whole Megillah, came up with an interesting idea: a triple interview.
It all started after she read OyMG and posted a very wonderful review. From there, Barbara suggested an in-depth look at how a book is written and sold–told from the perspective of the three people involved: The author, the agent and the editor.
Apparently I’m not a multi-tasker.
For years and years, I concentrated 100% on writing. I’m not saying that was easy–many stressed-filled nights of waking up at 2:00a.m. and realizing I’d taken a wrong turn in my story–usually 10,000 words ago. But at least my total focus was on the story.
Then, I sold my first book. In preparation for the launch, I concentrated 100% on marketing for the past few months. I prepared materials, spoke to schools, wrote blog interviews, tweeted, facebooked, planned launch events and a signing trip to New York. And yeah, it was stressful–many nights of waking up at 2:00a.m. and wondering if I’d sell more than the five copies I’d buy myself.
