ODDITY author Eli Brown discusses his alt-history fantasy novel for young readers. We talk world-building in an 1800's North American setting, approaching sensitive historical topics, creating an objected-based magic system, and tackling themes of grief, trauma & agency for a middle grade audience.
Playlist - Writing Young Adult Fiction
GAME CHANGER author Neal Shusterman talks about his thoughtful & propulsive young adult sci-fi novel. We discuss the story as an 'empathy primer'—exploring a center-of-their-own-world protagonist who is not the hero—and why his writing process begins with a completely handwritten first draft.
BLACK CANARY: BREAKING SILENCE author Alexandra Monir talks about writing for the DC Icons young adult series, adapting the fan-favorite Black Canary and Court of Owls in a prose novel, and how she got the job of writing a major media tie-in.
Leigh Bardugo is the author of the young adult fantasy Grishaverse novels (Shadow & Bone, Six of Crows). THE LIVES OF SAINTS is a collection of Grishaverse religious folklore, a physical manifestation of an item from her stories.
Author Tricia Levenseller discusses her new YA fantasy novel, THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US. Discover her writing process for the villain-driven story being described as a 'Slytherin romance'.
Debut author Katy Rose Pool talks about her young adult fantasy novel, THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS (Fierce Reads / Henry Holt & Co.). Learn about her no-outlining, character-centric process as we explore her well-developed fantasy world.
Bestselling young adult fantasy author Mary E. Pearson talks about her writing process for DANCE OF THIEVES and its new sequel, VOW OF THIEVES (Fierce Reads). Both novels are set in the world of her popular REMNANT CHRONICLES series.
Roshani Chokshi, author of the THE GILDED WOLVES (St. Martin's Press), discusses the writing process and world building for her exciting new young adult fantasy novel and series.
Recorded live at San Diego Comic Con 2018, the "Here There Be Dragons: Creating Fresh Stories in Fantasy" panel features authors Tomi Adeyemi, Robert Jackson Bennett, Jason Denzel, R.F. Kuang, and Mary E. Pearson. Moderated by Adron Buske.
Jason Denzel, the author of MYSTIC DRAGON (TOR), discusses his storytelling process and influences for creating the MYSTIC trilogy.