The Lerner Blog

By Alix Reid, editorial director of Carolrhoda Lab   On April 1, Carolrhoda Lab will publish Pointe, Claw, a brilliant new novel by Amber Keyser, author of The Way Back from Broken. The story is a tale of magical realism in which two best friends—Jessie, who wants to be a professional ballerina no matter what […]Read more "Q&A with Pointe, Claw Author Amber J. Keyser"

Author Mary McCoy shares the story behind Camp So-and-So, her second YA novel.  As perhaps befits a book set at summer camp, I wrote Camp So-and-So on a dare. My first novel, Dead to Me, is a crime novel, a mystery set in 1948 Los Angeles, and once I’d finished writing it, I was itching […]Read more "Writing on a Dare: Guest Post by YA Author Mary McCoy"

Author Sasha Dawn stops by the blog to talk about writing thrillers, home improvement projects, and Harrison Ford. 1. First, tell us a little about yourself.  I live in northern Illinois, where I’ve lived my entire life, and where most of my works take place. I have an amazing husband and two teenage daughters, who […]Read more "Q&A with YA Author Sasha Dawn"

  From Domenica, TFCB’s editorial director: I asked Sally McGraw (above) to share her thoughts about writing Find Your Style: Boost Your Body Image through Fashion Confidence, her new Spring 2017 YA title for TFCB. This a great addition to any collection. In its December 1, 2016, review of the book, School Library Journal said, “The colorful photos portray […]Read more "Meet Sally McGraw!"

Meet debut YA author Kara Storti! Her first novel, Tripping Back Blue, is available now. 1. Who inspired or encouraged you to write? A few teachers really stick out: A high school teacher told me that I had some talent. He encouraged me to write simply and simply write. I liked how he called me […]Read more "Q&A with YA Author Kara Storti"

Today, author Shannon Gibney shares the story behind See No Color, her debut YA novel. I’ve known Alex Kirtridge for some time now, but I didn’t know is if anyone else ever would. Alex is the mixed black protagonist of my novel See No Color, and is a tenacious, thoughtful teenager. Adopted into a loving […]Read more "For Mixed Black Transracially Adopted Girls Who Thought They Were the Only Ones: Meet Alexandra Kirtridge (Guest post by Shannon Gibney)"

Today on the blog, author Amber J. Keyser shares how she began writing The Way Back from Broken, her young adult debut novel.   The Way Back from Broken begins with a quote from “The Epigrams of Lusin,” translated by Lin Yutang. Hope is like a road in the country: There was never a road, but when […]Read more "From Personal Loss to Novel: One Author’s Path (Guest Post by Amber J. Keyser)"

We were lucky enough to get Amber J. Keyser, author of Sneaker Century: A History of Athletic Shoes and The Way Back from Broken (coming October 2015), in the author hot seat! Below are her answers to questions about her favorite books, her writing process, and the first book she ever authored (teaser: the cover was crocheted!).    […]Read more "Author Hot Seat: Amber J. Keyser"