Saturday Update #4 - May 2nd

As I promised, this week's update post is going to be *mostly* about the books! As of today, 18 different titles have arrived in Edinburgh, ready to participate.

This is probably going to be the last week I can actually capture all the books in one photo frame. Here they are:

Look how pretty they are!!!!

I really have a serious weak spot for author signatures and dedications. Here are a few photos of cute messages and swag, included by the lovely people who have donated these books:

Next week, we will start announcing teams! When organising the teams of books, I have a couple of goals, so it's not going to be as simple as putting 5-6 books together in a box:

Wide Representation 

The goals are as follows:

1) To include as wide a spectrum of sexuality and gender variance in each box as possible. 

2) To create an appealing selection with a fair and balanced mix of UK/US authors, paperback/hardcover books, signed/unsigned titles and different publishers. 

3) To put titles together that will give bloggers interesting themes to talk about, should they desire, including how gender is represented, portrayal of disability, variance across genre, etc.

Hopefully all the teams can deliver on those goals! One of the key things we wanted to achieve with this Blogathon was full representation for as many groups as possible. It's important that young readers really can see themselves in literature and have access to a full rainbow, not just a few shades! 

We have succeeded on a lot of fronts. 

Books that have either arrived or been pledged represent: gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, polyamorous and genderfluid identities. The books also represent people of colour and characters with disabilities. 

Also Welcoming ... Peter Knapp from Park Literary! 

First 10pgs Critique Wild Card 

I am always seeking middle grade and young adult stories with big questions at their centers, irresistible concepts, and unforgettable characters. I like high concept stories or stories that employ great narrative devices, such as the tapes in Thirteen Reasons Why, the keepsakes and epistolary format in Why We Broke Up and the diary formats of Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I am also always looking for dark psychological suspense and truly scary horror—both in YA and in MG. I want contemporary realistic novels that explore issues of identity, culture and community—conversation starters like The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Wonder, The Fault in Our Stars, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Ask the Passengers, Faking Normal, etc. Other items on the wish list include: historical middle grade fiction such as Gary Schmidt’s Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy;funny contemporary with heart such as David Levithan’s Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares; and stories that play with genre and voice, such as the exceptional works of Nova Ren Suma and A. S. King. Further favorite titles include When You Reach Me, Savvy, Slob, The Secret Tree, The Graveyard Book, We Were Liars, Love Letters to the Dead, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Endangered and of course childhood favorites such as From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Shiloh, Where the Red Fern Grows, My Side of the Mountain, Frindle, Holes, and anything by Roald Dahl (to name just a few). In short, I’m looking for books that wow me—stories that are incredible in both concept and execution.

FAQs 

(1) I am an agent/author/editor/publisher and I want to participate!

That's great! You can email me at julia_ember@yahoo.com ! 

(2) How much shipping time should I allow to Edinburgh?

From the UK, please allow 3-4 business days. When shipping from the US, or further afield, I'd advise that you plan for 7-12 business days. 

(3) Can I get in touch with a representative from Stonewall? 

Of course! Stonewall UK are aware that we are running this event on their behalf, and they are very excited about it. Please contact James.Baker@stonewall.org.uk for any information relating to the organisation. Note that we are running this event for them, so all logistical queries should be directed to the email address above, but if you want more information on Stonewall themselves or the work they do, then please contact James. 

(4) I don't want to wait for the auction! I just want to donate money on behalf of the event and Stonewall. 

We have set up an Indigogo Page for this purpose. Once the auction begins, book boxes and publishing wild cards will be listed for purchase on the page. But if you want to donate from goodness of your heart -- huzzah! 

Click here!

Support Banners

With about a month to go until the launch of the event, it's time to get the word spread out a bit! If you'd like to direct people to the blog, so that they can follow the evolution of the event, use one of the support banners below! Or make your own!