Graphic Novelist MariNaomi on “Unlikable” Characters

By Greg Hunter, Associate Editorial Director, Graphic Universe

I was a fan of MariNaomi’s graphic memoirs before reading the proposal for her new YA graphic novel Losing the Girl. Even so, the book’s treatment really struck me with the complexity, range, and unvarnished portrayal of its characters. In celebration of the book’s pub month, I spoke with Mari about writing characters and keeping them complicated. Read More

Reading Like a Writer: What Authors Read for Inspiration [Part One]

By Carol Hinz, Editorial Director of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books

I’ve been thinking lately about the importance of reading in shaping a person’s writing skills. Before we can write well, we first have to see good writing and then absorb it through a mysterious osmosis-like process. This is certainly true for authors and editors, and I believe it’s likewise true for teachers and students.

Authors regularly are advised to read within their genre, which is great advice, but I became curious about what else the authors I work with enjoy reading. I got a wonderful range of responses, and I’ll be sharing them in groups of three over the next few weeks. Read More