Karen Mahoney is a writer who has also worked as a book buyer, and so is very knowledgeable about books in general. Read her guest blog about how she got into writing YA!
First of all, a big Thank You to Jocelyn for letting me ‘borrow’ her corner of the internet. Teen Book Review is one of my favourite places to read about YA fiction, so it’s very cool to be here.
As a writer of YA urban fantasy, I’m lucky enough to be represented by Miriam Kriss of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency in New York (despite the fact that I’m a Brit based in London). My first novel,The Iron Witch, is currently on submission to editors in the US, so any good vibes you want to send my way would be much appreciated. ;) Regardless of that, my debut publication is coming up later this year in an anthology of YA vampire stories, The Eternal Kiss (Running Press, Autumn 2009). My story is called ‘Falling to Ash’ and puts the spotlight on an important supporting character from The Iron Witch. Moth is a young vampire who returns to her hometown for a memorial service, one year after her mother’s death, but is reluctantly pulled back into the supernatural world while she’s there. What should be a routine job for her ‘boss’ turns into something with potentially deadly consequences. I’m excited to be a part of this anthology, and if you like vampire stories you’re in for a real treat with the amazing authors that are involved.
I write YA fiction for so many reasons – and to be honest, I didn’t even know that I was a ‘YA writer’ until I first worked as a bookseller and realised how huge the Teenage Fiction section was. I never sat down and thought: “Okay then, I’m going to write for teenagers because that’s what sells!” I write for young adults simply because I happen to love writing about characters aged around 16-18. It’s an age where a lot happened in my life, and all of those experiences – the good and the bad – seem so much more powerful when you’re going through the inevitable changes that the teenage years bring. All those ‘first times’ that we go through at 17… It makes for wonderful drama and conflict in fiction. The potential for emotional writing is huge, and I love writing big emotional scenes. I remember how brave I could be at 17, while now I am much more cautious and (try to) think things through before acting. There’s a fearless quality to many teenagers I have known.
My stories involve the fantastic existing alongside the ordinary – I love that combination! The possibilities are endless… My characters include vampires, shape-shifting elves, half-demons, witches, and a girl with iron tattoos that give her super-strength. How can you not want to get lost in a world that’s filled with darkness and excitement; romance and adventure; and huge life-or-death battles between good and evil – usually where the sides aren’t as clearly defined as you might like?
I used to work with older teens as a student advisor, and I learned so much then. Not just about the young adults I worked with, but also about myself. I think it was then that I realised I wanted to focus on the teenage years in my fiction. Now that I’m writing YA contemporary fantasy I can truly allow my imagination to soar, while still keeping myself and the worlds I create firmly grounded in the very real issues of what it’s like to be a teenager. I remember
that time pretty well (too well!), even though it sometimes seems very far away. To think that I’m writing books that might one day be read by young adults who experience things so passionately… That would be a dream-come-true. :)
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Feel free to visit me at my blog – I update almost every day and ramble on about all sorts of things over there: http://kazdreamer.livejournal.com.
I am also part of a new website and group blog for nine urban fantasy and YA authors, which will launch on Monday.
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As an avid reader of all kinds of fiction – including YA urban fantasy, I’m giving away two books to one commenter:
An ARC of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (due for release in February), and
a signed copy of the new UK edition of Tithe by the brilliant Holly Black.
Just leave a comment telling me what you’re reading at the moment – or what the last book you read was – and Jocelyn will pick a winner and forward me that person’s details. I’ll mail to any country.
This contest will be open until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, January 24. Thanks, Karen!
January 14, 2009 at 11:13 am
This morning on the bus I finished The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson. Wonderful story, and set in a very thought-provoking world.
January 14, 2009 at 11:46 am
I am currently reading What the Dickens: A Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire. Its very entertaining and he is a very good writer.
January 14, 2009 at 11:50 am
Margo Lanagan’s Red Spikes, a collection of ten short stories.
I really believe there is an art to writing a great short story and this lady has got that down! Really excited to read more of her work.
January 14, 2009 at 11:53 am
Oops.
Got so wrapped up in the new book I forgot to say – thanks Karen! It’s interesting to hear the appeal of YA from an author’s perspective.
January 14, 2009 at 11:53 am
I am reading Meg Cabot’s Airhead. Not sure how I feel about. I am trying to stick out and see if it gets better.
January 14, 2009 at 12:28 pm
At the moment I’m reading Chalice by Robin McKinley.
Great guest blog – one of the things I love most about reading YA is the emotions. I’m very character focused and only romance tends to put as much emphasis on what the characters are feeling.
*sends good vibes*
January 14, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Karen! Great blog. :D As always!
I recently read Wake by Lisa McMann (LOVED it) and Paper Towns by John Green. :)
January 14, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Great blog, Karen! Thanks :)
I’m reading PRIVILEGE by Kate Brian.
January 14, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’m reading The Princes Diaries by Meg Cabot. I’ve heard her series is great… so I have the first five books already. haha. I’m almost done.. and I’m loving it. xD
Please count me in. Great contest! =)
January 14, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Now I’m reading a Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie. And I was reading a New Moon from Twilight saga last week ^^
January 14, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I’ve finished “Cirque du Freak” last Sunday and today I started on “Orcs” by Stan Nichols.
And yes, who doesn’t like to read about the fantastic?!
Keep on going and best of lucks
January 14, 2009 at 4:53 pm
HI! I’m currently reading Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper, last book in the Dark is Rising series speaking of Young Adult. They were a favorite as a kid and I just got my hands on my set again so I’m rereading them. ^.^
January 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm
On my own time I’m reading ‘The Princette’ by: Anne-Laure Bondoux, so far its okay, and for school I’m getting ready to start reading ‘Lord of The Flies’ by William Golding.
January 14, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I’m reading “In you room” by Jordanna Fraiberg right now, and it’s really good! :)
January 14, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side?! I want to read that so badly!!! And I loved Tithe, but I don’t have my own copy. :(
I’m reading Graceling by Kristin Cashore and it’s great!!!
January 14, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Oh, and The Iron Witch sounds really good! I love YA urban fantasy!
January 14, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Currently reading A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas :)
January 14, 2009 at 10:30 pm
My favorite fantasies are those that show the fantastic existing alongside the ordinary!
Right now I’m reading Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler. Very good mystery, for those who like well-written, complex twists in their detective fiction.
January 15, 2009 at 2:43 am
I just finished reading I Know It’s Over by C. K. Kelly Martin. Pretty nice :)
January 15, 2009 at 8:58 am
I’m currently reading Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong, which I am very much enjoying (=
January 15, 2009 at 9:19 am
Hey Karen!!! *waves*
Interesting article! I can’t wait to read your books…
January 15, 2009 at 10:40 am
Hey everyone – great comments and recommendations so far! Thanks all for taking the time to read the post & contribute. :)
Cheers,
Karen
p.s. I’ll check back again later – keep ’em coming.
January 17, 2009 at 9:08 am
i just finished johnson’s “the key to the golden firebird”
January 17, 2009 at 9:41 am
I just finished Serena Valentino’s Nightmares & Fairy Tales. IT was interesting – my very first graphic novel :)
January 17, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Oh, Jessica’s Guide looks fantastic.
Awesome guest post though. I just started a blog, Bridge the Gap, for all things foreign, so I’m definitely sending vibes for your book to be published!! :)
As for what I’m reading, it’s a mix of things but Harry, A History and The Suicide Shop (French novel, translated into english). Both are really good so far.
-lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
January 18, 2009 at 10:48 am
Right now I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult.
bball11kt(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
January 20, 2009 at 2:15 am
I’m currently reading ‘An Abundance of Katherines’ by John Green. I’m only about 20 pages into it but I’m already hooked!!!
gadgetgirl70(at)gmail(dot)com
January 20, 2009 at 7:37 pm
[…] just a reminder to enter Karen Mahoney’s contest here on Teen Book Review if you haven’t done so already; it ends […]
January 20, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I’m one of those people who are reading about 20 books at a time. I just finished rereading the first Princess Diaries for the millionth time cuz it was on TV and I wanted to read the real version to purge out the mistakes made by the movie. I’m currently working on Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse 5. Can’t decide if I like it or not. Usually sci-fi isn’t my thing, but the idea that its narrator sort of parallels Vonnegut is cool. The other book I’m reading isn’t quite fiction… The Prince by Machiavelli. I know he’s supposed to be the epitome of evil and selfishness, but some of his tenets of leadership make interesting points.
January 20, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I’m new and I just started to read book blogs, but I love yours. :) It’s amazing.
Anyway, I’m currently reading The A-List: Hollywood Royalty.
I figured since I never got around to the old series, I’d start fresh.
Thank you for this great contest. :D
January 20, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I’m currently reading A Girls Guide to witchcraft which is incredibly cute and funny and I also have The Accidental It Girl all ready to read next. Thanks for the contest!
January 20, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I’m reading Deadly Little Secret & Unwind right now :) I ordered DLS on New Years & it just got here yesterday so I’m really anxious to get into it.
And I can’t wait for a chance to read that vampire book-it sounds like so much fun :D
-Lucile
January 20, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I just finished Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature… and am now trying to prevent myself from buying another book since I have a few coming in the mail soon. (Soon! Hopefully!)
January 20, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I just finished On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta and absolutely loved it!
January 21, 2009 at 2:51 am
I’m currently reading Flora Segunda by Ysabeau Wilce and Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston.
Thank you :)
January 21, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I am currently reading the final book in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn. It’s a great book, but I’m bummed it’s almost over. I’m trying to string it along slowly.
January 21, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I just finished Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac which was completely fantastic! I cried so much, and I fell in love with the biggest dork ever. (:
January 21, 2009 at 8:33 pm
OH, and what I’m reading now: IT by Stephen King which is as scary as it looks. :D
January 25, 2009 at 1:22 am
[…] Posted by jocelyn under contests The winner of the contest (chosen by random.org) on Karen Mahoney’s guest blog is Adele. Adele, you’ve won an ARC of Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side and […]
September 15, 2014 at 8:59 am
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