Feb 9, 2024: Deborah at SCBWI-Los Angeles Writer’s Day March 9
On March 9, Deborah will present “The Ultimate Checklist for Submitting Your Novel to Editors” at the SCBWI Los Angeles chapter’s Writers Day, to be held the Skirball Cultural Center in L.A. There will be opportunities to pitch your book to one of five children’s lit agents, a manuscript contest, networking and socializing with other writers, and more sessions and keynotes by: editor Ariel Richardson, author Henry Lien, author Liz Garton Scanlon, author/screenwriter Karol Ruth Silverstein. Learn more at Writers Day 2024: Bud to Blossom – How to Grow Stories and Nurture Creative Inspiration
Feb 8, 2024: Deborah at Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop
Deborah is honored to be on the faculty of this year’s Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop. Hosted by Andrea Brown Literary Agency, this three-day workshop “brings top tier professionals together with both beginner and seasoned writers.” Writers mingle and discuss their works with editors, agents, and published authors and attend small group sessions where one-on-one feedback is provided. Learn more at Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop.
Publishers Weekly Reports on Deborah’s “State of Children’s Publishing” Digital Event
This week, Publishers Weekly, the trade magazine for the publishing industry, gave rich coverage of Deborah’s digital event for SCBWI, “The State of Children’s Publishing.” Its article, entitled “SCBWI Scopes Out Book Trends,” has been called a “must-read” across social media.
Watch Deborah’s “State of Children’s Publishing” Digital Event
On September 29, 2023, Deborah will present a digital event called “The State of Children’s Publishing” for SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Books Authors and Illustrators. The online event is 90 minutes long and free to SCBWI Premium members. You can register on the SCBWI website: https://bit.ly/3t7N0j8. The event: With a rich understanding of our unique corner of publishing, children’s book creators can strongly position the projects they’re working on—the ones that reflect them as individual storytellers. In this state-of-the-market and acquisition trends presentation, hear what’s selling and what’s being acquired, what’s being wished for and what’s showing signs of potential upswing. Understand the factors influencing our industry’s health and sales, including AI, book banning, social media and book discovery, diversity efforts, the sale of Simon & Schuster, imprint launches and closures, and more. Veteran editor and author Deborah Halverson combines deep market research and exclusive interviews with many industry insiders to provide an experts’ sense of the overall state of the children’s book market.
Listen to Deborah on the How Writers Write Podcast
May 10, 2023 – Deborah was interviewed on the writing craft podcast HOW WRITERS WRITE – Episode 111. She and host Brian T. Murphy talked YA fiction, establishing productive writing routines, and getting yourself unstuck when writers block strikes. Brian’s traditional end-of-interview Six Questions are wonderfully creative, so you don’t want to miss those. Question #3: “If you could pick a spirit book—this is the book you would choose to be reincarnated as—what book would it be?” How would YOU answer that? Here’s the link to the podcast to hear what book Deborah would be: https://bit.ly/3WEcApq. Or type How Writers Write episode 111 in your favorite podcast app.
Join Deborah for May 13th On-Line Picture Book Workshop
April 2023 – Join Deborah on May 13, 2023, for a virtual three-hour workshop “Kit and Caboodle: Crafting Irresistible Picture Books From Idea to Query,” hosted by the writing group Children’s Book Writers of Los Angeles. Learn the features of irresistible picture books and strong query letters and elevator pitches. Attendees will put pen-to-paper during the workshop, applying the learned techniques to their work-in-progress picture book manuscript(s) or to brainstorm a new project, and crafting a pitch and query letter. Current WIPs NOT required for attendance. For details and sign-up, visit the event page.
Deborah on SCBWI Podcast
April 29, 2023 – Deborah enjoyed a great conversation with SCBWI Podcast host Theo Baker in the episode “From Slush Pile to Stand Out Manuscript with Deborah Halverson.” They got into the nitty-gritty of her editorial approach, the challenges and joys of writing, and her journey in publishing. Listen on your favorite podcast app, including these (click to listen): Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts.
Deborah Presenting to the Redwood Writers Group
September 17, 2022 – Deborah is honored to be invited to present to the Redwood Writers chapter meeting on September 17, 2022. The online event, “You’ve Written a Book, What’s Next?”, will be an hour-long webinar for beginners as well as advanced writers — published and pre-published — looking to perfect their submission package and strategy. The Redwood Writers is the largest branch of the California Writers Club.
Deborah Featured in Writers’ Forum Magazine
August, 2022 – Deborah was honored to be Writers’ Forum magazine’s “Where I Write” feature this month. The feature focused on her writing (and editing!) visits to the San Diego Public Library’s public reading room, which is a gorgeous space. Her default writing spaces are the lake and fields by her home, but at least two days each week she picks a beautiful San Diego location like Balboa Park or the beach at the famous Hotel Del Coronado. She chooses her locations sometimes by mood, but usually with some thematic link to what she’s writing or editing that day, then she shares photos on her social media to share the inspiration of the space. “Just give me a travel mug of hot cocoa, a beautiful space, and an engrossing project to write or edit and I’m happy.”
Deborah Talks Trends in Children’s Books with SCBWI Nebraska
August 14, 2022 – Deborah spent an afternoon at a virtual meeting of SCBWI Nebraska. She talked about how the various categories of children’s books are performing, how some audience and market expectations are changing while others remain constant, and what trends seem to be playing out in the market and in acquisitions and in reader reception.
Deborah Auctioning Picture Book Edit & Call for #WeNeedDiverseBooks Holiday Auction
December 6, 2021 – Deborah is honored to be contributing to the #WeNeedDiverseBooks Campaign by offering a picture book edit and phone call with me in their Holiday Auction. Visit https://bit.ly/3HZPItU to bid on this and check out all the other offerings. The Holiday Auction ends 10pm Eastern 12/6/21.
Spend the Weekend with Deborah and SCBWI-SoCal Los Angeles for Writer’s Retreat 2021
October 1, 2021 – Join Deborah, 2 agents, and 2 editors for a 2-day Virtual Writer’s Retreat for creatures of chapter books and middle grade/young adult fiction October 9-10, 2021. Between critique sessions with agents and editors, Deborah will do Craft Workshops on four story elements — character, plot, setting, and voice… plus revision techniques! bit.ly/3lz4Q7i
Deborah Shares How to Find the Right Editor for Your Book
September 1, 2021 – Join Deborah on Sept 11, 2021, for an inspiring and informative market report and learn about new imprints and what they are requiring. She will also share her tips on researching editors to find the perfect fit for your book. Register at www.sandiego.scbwi.org.
Deborah Featured in Publishers Weekly!
August 22 2021 – Publishers Weekly covered Deborah’s in their article “2021 SCBWI Conference: Significant Market Transformation Due to COVID-19.” The article provides a peek into Deborah’s Market Report for the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators summer conference. http://pwne.ws/3lwpczD.
Deborah Shares How to Find the Right Editor for Your Book
September 1, 2021 – Join Deborah on Sept 11, 2021, for an inspiring and informative market report and learn about new imprints and what they are requiring. She will also share her tips on researching editors to find the perfect fit for your book. Register at www.sandiego.scbwi.org.
Deborah at UCLA’s Writers Symposium
August 2021 – Deborah joined 11 amazing YA authors at UCLA’s writing symposium “The Young and the Reckless: Writing for Teens. She was in the a panel with award-winning, best-selling YA novelists Aiden Thomas and Adam Sass. “Put characters in unexpected settings to provoke surprising dialogue, unpredictable action, and stress.”-Deborah Halverson https://www.uclaextension.edu/ya-symposium
Deborah’s Predictions for the 2021 Children’s Lit Market Published in SCBWI INSIGHT
January 16, 2021 – Deborah shared some predictions for children’s literature market in the January edition of SCBWI INSIGHT, a monthly enewsletter for members of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. INSIGHT features current children’s book hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews and monthly contests. When talking about likelihoods for 2021, emerging trend-lines are intriguing to extend forward. Deborah appreciated the challenge and opportunity to do so. For an excerpt of the members-only article “What Will the Children’s Literature Market Look Like in 2021?: A Crystal Ball Prediction,” click here.
Deborah Edits a Book Benefitting Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse
November 24, 2020 – Deborah was honored to edit the Purple Project’s picture book PENNY’S ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO. Sales benefit victims of domestic violence and abuse. For this book, thirteen San Diego County mayors and a deputy mayor each penned a chapter of a story about a kind-hearted purple butterfly named Penny visiting their respective cities and doing a good deed. Per the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Deborah Halverson, an editor and publishing consultant, wrote chapter transitions and edited the book at no cost, while Danielle Ramirez created colorful illustrations…. The 85-page illustrated book, “Penny’s Adventure in San Diego,” is now available for pre-order for $25 and due for release in early December.”
Deborah Offering a New On-Line Class for KidLit Writers
October, 2020 – Deborah is honored to be offering a new class for Children’s Book Insider: “10 Things That Get Kidlit Manuscripts Rejected – and How to Avoid Them.” It will be 90 minutes of deep-digging writing tools for writers of picture books, chapter books, middle grade and young adult — fiction and nonfiction. The class will be live online Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020, with lifetime on-demand rewatching. Jump on over to the class page for the full details and sign-up. Children’s Book Insider is a place to take classes on all aspects of writing and publishing books for young readers.
Deborah to Offer a Digital Workshop for SCBWI (Free & Exclusive to SCBWI Members)
May 29, 2020 – Deborah will present the fifth workshop in the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’s second Digital Workshops series. The series is for current SCBWI members, and is free — an offering for members during this unusual summer of lockdown and creative challenge. Deborah’s workshop will be “Submissions Studio: Writing Queries, Strategizing Submissions, and 10 Ways to Translate ‘No’ to ‘Yes!’” It’s for writers of all children’s book categories — beginners as well as advanced writers — looking to perfect their submission package and strategy. The workshop will include a master handout, sample query letters, and a quick-reference sheet for translating editorial feedback. Workshop date: Thursday, July 2 , 2020, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Pacific Daylight Time. Registration opens Monday, June 29 , 2020, 10am PDT.
Deborah’s Article about Ebook Lending in SCBWI’s “Insight”
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah’s article “The E-Book Lending Battle Between Libraries and Macmillan, and What It Means to Authors” has been published in the March 2020 issue of INSIGHT, the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrator’s monthly enewsletter featuring current children’s book hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews and monthly contests.
Deborah’s Children’s Book Publishing Overview Article in SCBWI’s “The Bulletin”
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah’s article “2019: A Year in Review” has been published in SCBWI’s Winter 2020 edition of THE BULLETIN, a biannual publication provided to members of the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators. The article is a children’s publishing industry overview, examining events and trends of 2019.
Deborah to Ring in New Year with a Submission Webinar
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah is excited to be asked by SCBWI – Texas: Austin to ring in the new year with a submissions webinar. WRITING QUERIES, STRATEGIZING SUBMISSIONS, & INTERPRETING EDITORIAL FEEDBACK is for writers of all children’s book categories, and beginners as well as advanced writers looking to perfect their submission package and strategy. Deborah will do some critiques as part of the webinar: query letters, 1st 10 pages of a YA/MG novel, or a submission package of a query letter, synopsis, and 1st 10 pages. The webinar will be January 14, 2020, 7-8:30pm CT (5-6:30pmPT, 8-9:30pmET). Details and registration at bit.ly/2N5pXNV.
Deborah to Present a YA/MG Technique-Focused Webinar
Oct 29, 2019 – Join Deborah for a technique-focused, hour-long Webinar designed to make YA/MG writers stronger self-editors and novelists on Nov 14, 2019. THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING YOUR MG/YA TO EDITORS: 10 Tests Your Manuscript Must Pass to Prove It’s Ready to Submit. How can you know when your Middle Grade/Young Adult manuscript is ready to submit to agents or editors? You think it is, but how can you know for sure? Learn ten actionable tests for knowing when a novel is really, truly ready to submit . . . along with ways to whip the manuscript into shape if it fails a single one of them.” Hosted by SCBWI-Texas: Southwest. Details and registration at http://bit.ly/2pnztn1.
Giveaway: Signed Copy of Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES
June 15, 2019 – Teen writer resource site TipsForTeenAuthors.com is giving away a signed copy of Deborah’s craft book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES to go with her in-depth interview about freelance editing as a career. Read the interview and enter the giveaway at http://bit.ly/2lxDbrV. The giveaway ends September 9, 2019.
Deborah at SCBWI Summer Conference in L.A. August, 2019
June 15, 2019 – Deborah was pleased to be included in the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ 2019 annual summer conference. She presented a 50-minute breakout session called “Up-to-the-Minute Market Report: Industry Updates, Submissions, and New Imprints” and a 15-minute highlight version on the MainStage. She also critiqued manuscripts one-on-one over the course of the conference.
Deborah to Present Webinar for YA/MG Writers July 16, 2019
June 15, 2019 – On July 16, 2019, 7-8:30pm CT (5-6:30pm PT / 8-9:30pm ET) Deborah will present the webinar “Subtext & Subplots: How to Deepen and Energize Your YA/MG Fiction.” She’ll teach techniques for using subtext and subplots to build rich, satisfying stories and fix common storytelling “problems.” She’ll also be critiquing for those who choose that additional item for the event. It will bosted by SCBWI-Texas: Austin. Details & registration at bit.ly/2ZgH2bs.
Deborah Teaches YA all day at SCBWI-Florida’s Orlando Mid-Year Workshop June 7-8, 2019
June 10, 2019 – Deborah was honored to be in Orlando presenting a full-day YA workshop with editor Hannah Milton of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and author/agent Eric Smith of P. S. Literary. The workshop had additional tracks for middle grade fiction, picture books, and illustration, plus full-day intensives and one-on-one critiques.
Deborah to Critique and Consult at SCBWI-Nebraska’s Writing Retreat Sept 27-29 2019
April 1, 2019 – Deborah will be meeting with attendees and critiquing manuscripts for this wonderful weekend of writing and industry talk. Cabins in beautiful Mahoney State Park, book talk, creative minds and great people–SCBWI’s Nebraska chapter is putting on an inspiring, supportive event.
Deborah Reads to 4th Graders for Read Across America Day
March 2, 2019 – Deborah read to two 4th-grade classes at a local elementary school as part of the school’s celebration of Read Across America Day. She was doubly honored: the kids asked her to read one of her works-in-progress. What a day!
Deborah on Faculty for MG/YA Writers’ Retreat April 12-14, 2019, in Idyllwild, CA
February 27, 2019 – I’m pleased to be on the faculty of SCBWI-Southern California’s “2019 Spring Writer’s Retreat” for Middle Grade & Young Adult fiction at Tahquitz Pines in Idyllwild on April 12 – 14, 2019. My esteemed fellow faculty are Pam Gruber, Senior Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Erika Turner, eEditor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade; Kari Sutherland, Agent at Bradford Literary Agency; and Jennifer Azantian, Agent at Azantian Literary. The three-day, two-night retreat is full now, but they do have a cancellations list in case that sounds like something you’re interested in.
Deborah To Be a Guest Reader for Read Across America Day
February 20, 2019 – Deborah will be a Guest Reader at a San Diego elementary school as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day on March 1, 2019. Check out your local reading events for ways to get in on the fun!
Deborah Gives Big Tip for Character Development in Guest Post on Cynsations Blog
October 18, 2018 – Deborah is honored to be a Guest Blogger on the amazing Cynsations blog today, with her post “Deborah Halverson on Viewing Narrative Beats as ‘Revelatory’ Beats in MG/YA Fiction.” A snippet: “Perhaps we writers drop in those generic actions because we’re so focused on getting the first scenes in place; perhaps we’re just not seeing those beats for the opportunities they are. ‘Oh, what treasure troves those little actions can be!’“
Deborah Unveils a New Look for DearEditor.com
October 14, 2018 – Deborah and her website designer have been hard at work all summer, and today they unveiled the fruits of labor: a fresh new look for DearEditor.com, Deborah’s writers’ advice website. To celebrate the redesign, Deborah is giving away a free edit of a picture book manuscript and a free partial edit of a novel manuscript via Rafflecopter — the giveaway entry deadline is October 22, 2018.
Deborah Presenting State of the Market report at SCBWI-San Diego Sept 8
September 7, 2018 – Deborah will present an up-to-the-minute state of the market report at the first meeting of SCBWI-San Diego’s meeting season. She’ll talk about what’s selling, what’s being wished for, and what’s showing signs of potential upswing. Combining deep research and exclusive interviews with industry insiders, Deborah presents the general acquisitions environment for large and small publishing houses and literary agencies. September 8, 2018, at University of San Diego School of Nursing. For more, visit SCBWI-SD’s event page.
Deborah to Present & Critique at SCBWI Summer Conference in L.A. Aug 3-6
April 3, 2018 – Deborah will present “Up-to-the-Minute Market Report: Industry Updates, Submissions, and New Imprints” and “Subplots & Subtext: How to Deepen and Energize Your MG/YA Fiction” at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ Annual Summer Conference in L.A. August 3-6, 2018. She’ll also be critiquing manuscripts one-on-one. Conference registration opens April 17th @10am PT. (Manuscript Consults limited so if you’re interested, register asap on the 17th.!)
Deborah on Faculty at SCBWI Southern Breeze WIK ’18
March 12, 2018 – Deborah was honored be a part of the faculty at SCBWI-Southern Breeze’s 2018 writing-and-illustrating for kids (WIK) conference, presenting sessions on non-rhyming picture books, revising young-adult and middle-grade novels for submission, and the state of the children’s book industry. The Southern Breeze chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators offers support to writers and illustrators in Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle. It’s an amazing group of creative and supportive people, attendees and conference organizers alike. If you live in that area and write/illustrate for young people, do yourself a solid and check out the group.
Interview with Deborah in New MG/YA Online Writing Course at Children’s Book Insider
Sept 23, 2017 – Deborah is proud to contribute an interview called “Writing for Tweens, Teens and New Adults” to Children’s Book Insider’s Blueprint series, for their new Middle Grade/Young Adult Writing Blueprint. CBI always presents great content. Other fabulous interviews are a part of the new Blueprint — editor Mary Kole and author Matthew J. Kirby. Author Alice Kuipers is the instructor. You can check it out at writing blueprints.com
Deborah on Faculty at SCBWI 46th Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 7-10, 2017
March 22, 2017 – Deborah is excited to present the annual Market Survey as well as a 3-hourr writing intensive “How to Talk Like a Teen When You’re So Not One: Writing Dialogue in YA/MG Fiction” at SCBWI’s 46th Annual Summer Conference in LA. She will also be doing one-on-one critiques throughout the conference.”
Deborah at Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference in L.A. Oct 28-30, 2016
Sept 28, 2016 – Deborah will be teaching sessions at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference October 28-30 in LA. There, writer’s can expand their skills regarding Craft, Storytelling, Character, Genre Studies, Getting an Agent, Getting Published and Revision. Deborah’s sessions: “Crafting a Youthful Narrative Voice and Authentic Dialogue for Young Adult Fiction”, “Writing Riveting New Adult Fiction”, and “Panel: Connecting With Middle-Grade and Young Adult Readers.”
Deborah on YA Author Panel June 11 at Barnes & Noble in Santee, CA
June 8, 2016 – Deborah will be on a YA author panel at Santee, California, Barnes & Nobel Saturday, June 11, at 2pm. The panel is “Writing a Book Is Like Riding a Roller Coaster!” Fellow panelists—fabulous YA writers—and Deborah will share stories of their writing ups and downs, and answer questions about writing and publishing: Debra Driza (MILO 2.0 series), Barrie Summy (I SO DON’T DO series and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY H.), Karri Thompson (MIRROR X, ASCENDENCY), and Matthew Ward (THE FANTASTIC FAMILY WHIPPLE, THE WAR OF THE WORLD RECORDS). Come join them!
Deborah Teaches Writing “Believable Dialogue” in New Writer’s Digest Craft Book
May 30, 2016 – Deborah is proud to have contributed Chapter 10 “Believable Dialogue” to Writer’s Digest’s new book CRAFTING DYNAMIC DIALOGUE, a comprehensive guide to writing compelling, authentic dialogue in fiction. The craft book is filled with advice and instruction from best-selling authors and instructors like Deborah, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Steven James, James Scott Bell, Donald Maass, Cheryl St. John, and many others. Covered in the book: bend the rules to create a specific effect; understand the role of dialogue in reader engagement; use dialect and jargon effectively; give every character a believable, unique voice; set the pace and tone; reveal specific character background details; generate tension and suspense; and utilize internal dialogue.
Join Deborah at The SCBWI 2016 Summer Conference
May 3, 2016 – Join Deborah at the SCBWI 2016 Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 29-31 (optional craft intensive a on Aug 1). She’ll be presenting the breakout “Crafting Swoon-Worthy Young Adult Romantic Relationships,” the “An Up-to-the-Minute Market Report” on the main stage, and the craft intensive “Crafting Plots that Push, Pull, and Provoke Characters… and Readers, Too.” She will also do 1-on-1 critiques.
Rave Review for Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies
August 26, 2015 – Author/blogger Lee Wind is well known for caring deeply about writers, so his recommendation of Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES on the SCBWI blog makes Deborah proud: “Deborah Halverson (who I’m always so impressed with) has put together a really useful guide… Her book is packed with good stuff.”
Writing New Adult Fiction wins San Diego Book Award
August 6, 2015 – Deborah’s craft book Writing New Adult Fiction won the San Diego Book Award for 2014 Best Published Business Book. To celebrate, she is giving away a free full manuscript edit on her writers’ advice website DearEditor.com August 10, 2015 – August 14, 2015, with the winner to be announced on DearEditor.com August 15, 2015. Click over to DearEditor.com for entry details.
Deborah to present Market Report at SCBWI Annual Conference
April 1, 2015 – Deborah will present the “Up to the Minute Market Report” at the 44th Annual SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 31- August 2. She’ll also present the breakout sessions “Techniques in New Adult Fiction for YA Writers” and “The Ultimate Checklist for Submitting Your MG/YA Novel to Editors,” the 3-hr intensive “Voice in MG/YA: How To Create an Authentic Teen Narrator,” and do one-on-one critiques. Registration opens April 9. For more info: http://www.scbwi.org/2015-summer-conference-in-los-angeles/
Deborah Interviewed for “Adventures in YA Publishing” Blog
February 12, 2015 – Deborah was interviewed by the blog Adventures in YA Publishing. Excerpt: “With the current enthusiasm for contemporary realistic stories, I see too many manuscripts that showcase above-average writing but fail to deliver a fresh angle on the contemporary teen experience. What makes your story about a regular kid in high school stand out from all those other well written stories about regular kids in high schools? I want to see more great writers find their distinct angles so that they can find publishers and places on bookstore shelves.”
Deborah to Lead Simi Valley Writing Retreat January 16-18
January 15, 2015 – Deborah is leading a fun and informative three-day intensive for SCBWI Cen-Cal Writers’ Retreat: An Editor’s Strategies for Reaching Fabulous Final Drafts. This intensive will consist of lectures, hands-on exercises, informal discussions, and the option of a small group critique session. For an additional fee, you can register for a manuscript critique and private consultation with Deborah.
The Writing New adult Fiction BloG tour kicks off with giveaways, interviews, and guest posts
October 8, 2014 – The blog tour celebrating the publication of Writing New Adult Fiction is under way! From October 6 – 31, bloggers will be posting reviews of the book, interviews with Deborah, and guest blog posts written by Deborah covering craft, promotion, and the business of publishing New Adult fiction. All of the posts have giveaways, and there’s a tourwide giveaway of a free full manuscript edit. Here’s the link for the tour schedule, updated with excerpts and direct links as each post goes live: http://deareditor.com/?p=6644 And here’s the link for the free manuscript edit giveaway’s Rafflecopter entry form: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354204/.
Deborah’S INTERVIEW on “sensibility” in na fiction vs YA fiction, Plus SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY ON Agent Jill Corcoran’s BLOG
October 3, 2014 – Stop by literary agent Jill Corcoran’s blog for Deborah’s guest post feature “What’s the Difference between “new” adult and “young” adult fiction? Plus a CONTEST!” and enter the giveaway for a free signed copy of her new book WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION. (Giveaway ends Oct 15.) From the interview: “”What’s the difference between ‘new’ adult and ‘young’ adult? My answer usually starts with a single word: sensibility.”
Deborah’S ‘write for kids’ video INTERVIEW about writing na fiction vs YA fiction
October 2, 2014 – New Adult Fiction, with characters age 18-25, is exploding. But what, exactly, is New Adult, and how is it different from writing for young adults? Deborah explains the ins and outs of NA in this interview on Write For Kids, presented by Children’s Book Insider.
Deborah’S INTERVIEW ABOUT na fiction & SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY ON KC MAGUIRE BLOG
Sept 15, 2014 – Stop by KC Maguire’s blog for an interview with Deborah and to enter the giveaway for a free signed copy of her new book WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION. From the interview: “NA has become established and is pushing for a greater range of stories and thematic exploration, there seems to be a call for fiction that doesn’t necessarily get into the nitty gritty of body parts and movements. After all, not everyone who wants to read about the NA experience wants such graphic detail, and not every writer is comfortable writing it. Ultimately, the details of the sex acts aren’t necessary in order to explore love at this stage of life. Serve up emotionally satisfying relationships. Craft stories that build up sexual anticipation through love denied, teased, and toyed with. A much-anticipated kiss can be more dramatically powerful than a perfunctory graphic groping. That’s why I dedicate a full chapter of my book to the crafting believable, satisfying romance. And it’s why I say that explicit sex scenes are currently expected but maybe not so essential in the long run. The degree of explicitness in NA fiction is an evolving element.”
Deborah Joins Faculty of SCBWI-Missouri Fall Conference Sept 6-7, 2014
Sept 2, 2014 – Deborah will present the “State of the Market” and lead the intensive “How to Build Your Own Teenager” at the SCBWI-Missouri Fall Conference in St. Charles, Missouri, September 6-7, 2014.
Deborah’s Article “NA Fiction for the YA Writer” in Sept/Oct Issue of SCBWI’s The Bulletin
Sept 2, 2014 – “Writers see an overlap between ‘mature YA’ and NA and wonder what it means for their own stories about older teens…. There are essential differences in story content, though, and knowing those can help you determine if your mature YA is actually an NA offering.” From Deborah’s article in the Sept/Oct issue of SCBWI’s THE BULLETIN. If you’re an SCBWI member and want to read it, log into your profile page and click on resource library, then on Bulletin in the dropdown menu.
Deborah To Join Faculty of Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference in L.A. August 15-17, 2014
July 1, 2014 – Join Deborah for her 3-hour Boot Camp “Writing Riveting New Adult Fiction” and her 1-hour breakout session “How to Hide the Seams for Smooth, Flowing Fiction” at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza – Los Angeles August 15-17. For details about the sessions and other award-winning, bestselling authors and publishing professionals at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference, click here.
Deborah’s Interview about the SCBWI Conference, Uses for Setting, and the Difference Between NA and YA Fiction
May 9, 2014 – “Saying NA fiction is just YA with sex is akin to saying YA fiction is just stories of high school romance.” Insightful interviewer Lee Wind asks Deborah about being on the faculty of SCBWI’s upcoming summer conference in Los Angeles (Aug 1-4) and also about the difference between “voice” and “sensibility” in writing, characteristics of New Adult Fiction, and other writing advice. Check out the full interview here.
Deborah Presenting Market Keynote at SCBWI 43rd Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, Aug 1 – 4
April 18, 2014 – Join Deborah and other authors, agents, and publishing professionals at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators annual info-packed 4-day summer conference. In addition to presenting the market keynote, Deborah will present the session “New Adult Fiction for the Young Adult Writer” and the intensive “Crafting a Youthful Narrative Voice and Sensibility in MG/YA Fiction.” She’s also available for one-on-one critiques. Join the fun! Registration opens Monday, April 21, 10am PST. Intensives fill up FAST.
Meet Deborah at the New Adult Sleepover Weekend in Savannah, GA, December 6-8
December 6, 2013 – Check out the inaugural New Adult Sleepover Weekend, an event for readers and authors of New Adult fiction. Panels about NA characters and publishing, swag, meet-and-greets, parties . . . a fun and informative weekend! Deborah will be there, meeting and greeting and taking in all things NA. Savannah Riverfront Marriott, 100 General McIntosh Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31401.
Meet Deborah on YA Panel at San Diego’s Mira Mesa B&N on November 22
November 22, 2013 – As part of Barnes & Noble’s Discovery Friday event Friday, November 22, at 6pm, Deborah will be part of a lively panel about books for young people with Shannon Messenger, author of the middle grade series Keeper of the Lost Cities and the teen trilogy Let the Sky Fall, and Debra Driza, author of the YA thriller Mila 2.0, the first in a series currently being developed as a series for ABC. The panel will be moderated by fabulous Full Circle Literary agent Taylor Martindale. It’s Discovery Friday at the B&N that day, so there will be giveaways all day, including Catching Fire posters, John Green posters, Legos, etc. There will also be a special musical performance by Stacey Leathersich at 8:30. B&N: 10775 Westview Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92126.
Deborah’s Interview Delves Into How Writers Can Succeed in Publishing
August 22, 2013 – In an interview by N.W. Harris, author of Joshua’s Tree, which currently tops the Goodreads 2013 Summer Reading list, Deborah talks about writing fiction versus nonfiction, her path to publication and editorial career, and three things new writers must do to compete in the current, highly competitive publishing industry: “Publishing is an industry, as unartful as it is to admit that, and writers who want their books out there for readers to buy must consider themselves players rather than pawns.” Full the full interview, visit NWHarrisBooks.
Deborah Presents State of the Market Keynote at SCBWI Summer Conference
August 5, 2013 – Publishers Weekly included Deborah in its coverage of the 42nd Annual SCBWI Summer Conference: “Deborah Halverson, founder of DearEditor.com, delivered a keynote titled Market Report: An Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry, which compiled the results of interviews with 17 publishing insiders…. Halverson reported that sales are up for picture books, but editors are still cautious about the category. Chapter books and early readers remain challenging….” For more highlights from Deborah’s keynote, click over to PW’s article.
Deborah to Pen ‘New Adult’ Fiction Craft Book
May 6, 2013 – Deborah has just inked a deal to publish Writing the New Adult Novel: How to Write and Sell ‘New Adult’ Fiction with Writer’s Digest Books in Fall 2014. Writing the New Adult Novel is a hands-on guide featuring essential information, steps, and techniques necessary to turn a clever concept into a top-notch novel for 18- to 26-year-olds as well as the teen and adult crossover audience. The book will include advice on self-publishing into the New Adult marketplace, insider tips for finding the right agent and/or editor and preparing a stand-out submission package for traditional publishers, and an extensive chapter on self-marketing to help writers move boldly into the realm of self-promotion.
Deborah to Give State of Children’s Book Market Keynote at SCBWI Annual Summer Conference Aug 2-5
April 20, 2013 – Deborah is honored to be delivering the “Market Report: An Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry” keynote at SCBWI Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles Aug 2 – 5. She’ll also teach the intensive “How to Build Your Own Teenager: Techniques for Writing Believable MG/YA Characters,” and two breakouts: “The Read-Aloud Factor: Achieving Rhythm without Relying on Rhyme in Picture Books” and “Setting, Wherefore Art Thou?: The Surprising Benefits and How-To’s of Setting in MG/YA Fiction.” For info, check out the conference page.
Deborah to Host Revision Week at DearEditor.com March 24-30
March 15, 2013 – March 24-30, Deborah will run DearEditor.com’s second annual Revision Week. She’ll have six authors—who have published a combined 290 best-selling and award-winning books—for a week of revision tips, insights, and stories from the trenches. Who’s stopping by? Laura Griffin (romance novels), Matthew J. Kirby (YA novels), Bruce Hale (chapter book series and picture books), Susan Stevens Crummel (picture book and collaborative revision), Peter Economy (non-fiction), and Larry Dane Brimner (picture books, chapter books, easy readers, nonfiction… you name it!), that’s who! Deborah will add to the excitement with daily drawings for Free Partial Edits and a grand prize Full Manuscript Edit giveaway.
OnText Blog Features DearEditor.com
Jan 26, 2013 – DearEditor.com gets the thumbs up in the OnText blog feature “Writing Children’s or Young Reader Books? Great Source of Publishing Help.” OnText is hosted by ghostwriter Maryan Pelland. Pelland calls The Editor “a wealth of information for writers, authors, and ghostwriters to ask questions about the craft of writing or about the very confusing and frustrating publishing industry. Her answers are concise and pull-no-punches.”
Deborah Celebrates Her First Picture Book with a FREE EDIT Giveaway
Dec 1, 2012 – Deborah believes writers should celebrate every milestone—and she’s got a milestone to celebrate with her readers. Her first picture book, Letters to Santa, has just published and she’s feting it by giving away a FREE edit of a picture book manuscript up to 2,000 words on her DearEditor.com website. Deadline: December 4, 2012. Read the giveaway post for full entry details.
The Editor Announces Three New Books
Oct 17, 2012 – The Editor’s three books for Rubicon’s Remix struggling readers series have launched! Brave New World: Cyber World, Brave New World: Meltdown, and Brave New World: Robotic World. To page through previews of the books electronically, visit the Remix: Brave New World series page.
Deborah Guest Posts on “Finding Bliss” Blog; Free Book Giveaway
Sept 17, 2012 -Excerpt: “Revision can be daunting. . . . Why not give your brain a break by breaking your task into focused chunks? With this approach, you’d pick a writing element, say plot, and ignore everything but that. Working Big Picture chunks to small detail chunks rather than page by page, you’d focus not on revising the story but on honing single elements. Gone is that scattered, overwhelmed feeling.” Read the rest of Deborah’s guest post “Chunking Your Revision” on Laura Howard’s blog Finding Bliss, and enter Laura’s giveaway for a free copy of Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies.
An Interview with Deborah
Aug 27, 2012 – Excerpt: “The trick is to make something big happen in the story to create a big emotional impact that would raise the emotional temperature of the story and keep it from being too quiet.” You can the full interview with Deborah on Natasha Yim’s blog “I Must Be a Masochist – A Writer’s Life.”
Coverage of Deborah’s SCBWI conference Market Trends Keynote
Aug 23, 2012 – Deborah complied the “2012 SCBWI Market Survey: Publishers of Books For Young Readers” report for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and gave a keynote at the recent SCBWI Summer Conference about what she learned from her survey – giving attendees the current market needs and trends. To read coverage of her keynote, click over to “SCBWI Summer Conference: Market Keynote Follow-Up with Deborah Halverson” on the SCBWI Blog.
Deborah to Give Current Market Trends Keynote at SCBWI National Conference in L.A. Aug 3-6, 2012
Deborah will be at SCBWI’s 2012 Summer Conference in Los Angeles Aug 3-6. She’ll be presenting the Current Market Trends Report keynote, a breakout session on writing dialogue, an intensive on revising your MG/YA novel, and an intensive on creating youthful narrative sensibility. Check out the full info on the SCBWI conference page.
Deborah Advises How to Use Subtext as a tool on Quirk and Quill
June 28, 2012 – Deborah’s advice about using subtext to puff up a “flat” fiction manuscript is featured today on Quirk and Quill, a blog hosted by 10 alumni of the Vermont College of Fine Arts writing program. To read the post, click over to “Serving Up Subtext” on Quirk and Quill.
Deborah Visits Stanford . . . Virtually
May 25, 2012 -Deborah talked books and writing during an online chat session today with a Stanford writing class that uses her Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies as their text. The Editor is honored that schools continue to adopt the book for their classes.
DearEditor.com Hosts Revision Week with 8 Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors
March 4, 2012 – Deborah’s popular writers’ advice website DearEditor.com brings together eight prolific, bestselling, award-winning authors for Revision Week, 7 days of revision tips, insights, and stories from the trenches. Learn from writers who turn first drafts into lauded books every day:
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- Cynthia Leitich Smith, bestselling YA gothic novelist, picture book writer, short story writer, and popular children’s lit blogger.
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- Kathleen Krull, author of more than 60 books, especially picture books and biographies for young readers.
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- R.L. LaFevers, author of the 13 novels for young people.
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- Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver, and Theo Baker, popular chapter book collaborators.
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- Mark A. Clements, horror/suspense author, screenwriter, and prolific ghostwriter.
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- Nathan Bransford, top blogger and former literary agent-turned-author of the Jacob Wonderbar middle grade books.
- Rachel Caine, New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of more than 30 novels.
DearEditor.com Now on Google+
Feb 26, 2012 – Deborah is pleased to announce the DearEditor.com Google+ page, sharing industry news, creative inspirations, and writing tips to keep you in the publishing know. The new page complements the DearEditor.com Facebook page and the @Dear_Editor Twitter feed.
DearEditor.com Goes Mobile
Feb 26, 2012 – Deborah is pleased to announce that her popular writers’ advice website DearEditor.com is now mobile-friendly. With the new mobile design, you can easily read new posts and comments on your mobile device of choice, and you can post your own comments on-the-go. With a simple click on the arrow at the top of your mobile display, you can access archives, categories, and any page on the DearEditor.com website.
Deborah on “Writers Voices” Radio Feb 17, 2012
Deborah will appear live on “Writers Voices” 1-2pm CST, Feb 17, 2012. “Writers Voices” airs on KRUU FM 100.1, an open source, solar-powered community radio station that broadcasts to the larger Fairfield, Iowa, area and has worldwide listenership via the web. Each week we air an hour-long interview with a writer, agent, editor, publisher, or someone else connected to the world of writing.. To listen to the show live, tune in to KRUU FM radio or go to online at http://www.writersvoices.com. Hear the rebroadcast Monday Feb 20 8 AM on KRUU FM or download it from the archives: http://www.writersvoices.com or http://www.kruufm.com/station/archives/61.
Deborah’s FREE Online YA Fiction Workshop Feb 21-23, 2012
The Institute of Children’s Literature website is hosting an online YA workshop featuring Deborah. The drop-in Q&A-format workshop takes place on the ICL’s message board, which anyone can read (no registration required). If you want to post a question, you do need to register (for FREE) by sending email to jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com with the username you want. Check out the ICL’s Guest Speaker archives while you’re there.
Deborah on “How to Promote Your Book” Podcast ON Feb 7, 2012
As part of her blog tour for her ebook How to Promote Your Children’s Books, author/illustrator Katie Davis focused her regular podcast on “Promoting Your Book.” Deborah has a guest appearance. See the episode description here: http://katiedavis.com/how-to-promote-your-book/. Or click here to hear it directly!
Deborah to Write THREE Books for Struggling Readers
Jan 1, 2012 – Deborah has just signed onto write three books in a new “hi/lo” series for struggling readers. More details will be announced when the series launches!
Deborah to Write Picture Book about Santa
Dec 25, 2011 – Deborah has been signed to write a picture book about Santa Claus, to be published Christmas 2012. Details about that exciting project to come!
YA FUSION Interviews Deborah
Dec 4, 2011 – YA Fusion, a blog written by YA fiction writers about the amazing world of young adult fiction, interviewed The Editor and hosted a giveaway of WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. The interview spans the writing, editing and reading realm, and offers tips to writers about gauguing market trends and walking the line in “edgy” fiction. Read the interview on YA Fusion.
More Spotlight Week at The Writing Nut: An Interview with Deborah
Oct 19, 2011 – Spotlight Week at the Writing Nut blog continues with an interview with Deborah, covering what makes YA fiction so popular, what aspiring writers should do, and what young readers should know: http://bit.ly/qEOyqs.
Deborah Featured During Spotlight Week at The Writing Nut
Oct 17, 2011 – The Writing Nug blog features Deborah and her book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES all week. Stop by for a review of the book, an interview with Deborah, and a giveaway: http://bit.ly/r0l1Ht
San Diego Union-Tribune Dubs Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies “Tremendously Helpful”
Sept 2011 – The San Diego Union-Tirbune dubbed Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES a Recommended Read, calling it, “Fun, insightful and tremendously helpful.”
Deborah at San Diego Public Library Book Festival
Oct 12011 – Deborah is honored to be a part of the San Diego Count Library Book Festival Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Encinitas Library. Speakers include YA great Ellen Hopkins, bestseller Lisa See, and Skinny Bitch series author Kim Barnouin. Deborah will be presenting in the community room 5 to 6pm. Check out the festival website for a full list of great speakers.
Deborah Teaches YA at SCWC Conference in Newport Beach
Sept 24, 2011 – Deborah will be presenting “Writing for Teens? Then Think Like One” at the Southern California Writers’ Conference – LA on Sept 24, 2011. Here’s her session description: “Whether your narrator is your young main character or an all-knowing omniscient being, there are ways to convince young readers that you understand them and their view of the world—and to hook’em good and hard in the process. This session teaches techniques for creating a narrative sensibility that reflects the way teens think, resulting in teen fiction that “clicks” with young readers.” Click on over to the SCWC website for details about this conference, which runs Sept 23-25.
Deborah on Writing on the Sidewalk Blog
Aug 3, 2011 – Deborah talks writing, Legos, and banging drums in “Writing on the Sidewalk,” the blog of authors Suzanne Santillan and Sarah Wones Tomp.
Deborah & The League of Extraordinary Writers
Aug 3, 2011 – Deborah is an interview guest on The League of Extraordinary Writers, a blog hosted by dystopian authors Jeff Hirsch, Elana Johnson, Julia Karr, Beth Revis, and Angie Smibert. With Q-and-A about the most common pitfalls for writers, the current rise in YA lit, a list of must-reads for writers, and the viability of self-publishing as an alternative pub path for writers, this interview is full of great information. Check it out!
WYAFFD Blog Tour: July 18 – July 27, 2011
Please drop in on Deborah’s 8-stop Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Blog Tour July 18-27. It’ll be a fun tour, with Deborah guest posting about craft and promotion, and with interviews, giveaways, and a grand finale FREE webinar. Full tour schedule:
July 18: Shrinking Violet Promotions
July 19: SCBWI blog
July 20: QueryTracker.net
July 21: Elizabeth O. Dulemba Blog
July 22: Cheryl Rainfield Blog
July 25: Story Connection
July 26: The Got Story Countdown
July 27: FREE “Meet the Editor” webinar w/Deborah & Katie Davis*
Interviews, Guest Blog Posts, Podcasts, & Giveaways in Support of Writing Young Adult Fiction For DUmmies Virtual Book Launch!
July 6, 2011 – Thank you to these websites and blogs for their exclusive content and giveaways in support of Deborah’s Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch, June 29 to July 5, 2011, on Deborah’s writer’s advice website DearEditor.com:
The Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse
TeachingAuthors.com blog
From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors blog
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s “Cynsations” blog
Darcy Pattison’s “Fiction Notes” blog
Kathi Appelt’s blog
We Do Right blog
“Blame It On the Muse” blog
Christine Fonseca’s blog
Samantha Clark’s blog
Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch Starts Today!
June 29, 2011 – Celebrate the publication of Deborah’s new book Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies from June 29 to July 5 on Deborah’s writer’s advise website DearEditor.com with daily “Free First Chapter Critique” giveaways, free downloads, excerpts from the book, and profiles of the 13 amazing authors, editors, and agents who so generously contributed sidebars to the book. As the grand finale, Deborah is giving away a “Free Full Manuscript Edit” on the final day. Click here for details about the 7-Day Virtual Book Launch.
Deborah’s 1-Minute “Writing Tip” Video
June 20, 2011 – Click over to Tina Nichols Coury’s blog Tales from the Rushmore Kid for a one-minute video tip from Deborah Halverson. The topic: Checking to see if your protagonist has completed a full character arc.
FREE Webinar with Deborah on July 27, 2011
Please join Deborah Halverson and author Katie Davis for a FREE webinar on July 27, 2011, 9:00-10:oo pm EST. They’ll be talking revision and writing craft and including a giveaway (or two). For full details or to sign up, visit the webinar information page.
Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch Set for June 39 thru July 5
June 6, 2011 – Deborah’s writers’ advice website, DearEditor.com, will be the site of a huge 7-day virtual book launch for the publication of Deborah’s new book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. Visit DearEditor.com every day for exclusive free downloads, book excerpts, profiles of lauded MG/YA author contributors, and daily Free Critique/Full MS Edit Giveaways. More details to come!
Deborah to Critique at SCBWI-LA Nat’l Conference
June 6, 2011 – Deborah will be critiquing manuscripts at the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators 40th Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, August 5-8, 2011. Click on over to SCBWI’s conference site for details about this incredible event.
Deborah Gives Setting Tips in Hunger Mountain
May 16, 2011 – Deborah is honored to have an article featured in the summer 2011 issue of HUNGER MOUNTAIN, the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ wonderful journal of the arts. In “Where the Teens Are: 5 Ways to Freshen Up YA Fiction’s Favorite Settings” Deborah offers writers tips for making familiar teen fiction settings like school and the main character’s room feel provocative instead of inevitable. Click on over to Hunger Mountain for more..
Deborah Featured in Anderson Valley Post
May 11, 2011 – Anderson Valley Post, the local paper of Anderson Valley, California, ran an article featuring Deborah and her co-faculty for the Cottonwood Intensive Revision Workshop. To read about Edgar Award-winning author Charlie Price, author/illustrator Dr. Mira Reisberg, and Deborah, click over to Anderson Valley Post. To learn more about the May 21, 2011, conference, go to the conference website.
SCBWI Chapter Features Deborah in Kite Tales
Mar 2, 2011 – Deborah lays down some scene advice in the 2011 Spring Issue of Kite Tales, the newsletter for the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California. The chapter has shared a link to the newsletter, which is full of fantastic information: Kite Tales, Spring 2011. For more information about SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators), go to SCBWI.org.
Deborah to Talk to Teachers About Supporting Young Writers
On June 20-23, 2011, teachers earning their MAs will gather at the 32nd San Diego State University Summer Conference, and Deborah will be there with them. Her session, “BIF! BAM! POW!: Helping Young Writers Release Their Inner Heroes,” focuses on helping young writers tap into the heroes within themselves in order to write about characters who overcome their fears and flaws for heroic outcomes.
Deborah Talks about the Stuff Between Scenes for “Fiction Notes “
Nov 29, 2010 – In her role as The Editor on the writers’ advice website DearEditor.com, Deborah wrote a guest post about why it’s crucial that a writer knows what happens in the white space between scenes for author Darcy Pattison’s blog “Fiction Notes.” Here’s a teaser: “There’a trove of information and emotion lurking in the white space separating the last line of one scene and the first line of the next. You’re the master manipulator of your story–you should know exactly what’s happening in that space.” Check out “Fiction Notes” for the whole post.
Big Mouth a Thanksgiving Good Read on “Good Morning Connecticut”
Nov 21, 2010 – Deborah’s novel BIG MOUTH was featured today in Katie Davis’s a Thanksgiving book round-up on “Good Morning Connecticut” (ABC affiliate WTNH). See the four-minute segment on the GMC website: “Books Give Good Thanksgiving Message.” Katie Davis is an author and the creator of the popular children’s book podcast “Brain Burps for Books.”
Deborah Tapes “Brain Burps About Books” Podcast
Nov 18, 2010 – In her role as The Editor on the writers’ advice website DearEditor.com, Deborah answered listeners’ questions about publishing children’s books on author Katie Davis’s podcast “Brain Burps About Books.” The podcast will go live Wednesday, November 24. If you’ve got a question you’d like Deborah to answer in a follow-up podcast, call Katie’s toll free line at 888-522-1929 and leave a message.
Deborah Signed to Write Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies
July 29, 2010 – Deborah has signed on to write WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES for Wiley Publishings’ For Dummies line. The book is scheduled for June 2011 publication.
Deborah’s Article about Teen Fiction & Melodrama Appears in “The Inside Story”
May 31, 2010 – Deborah wrote the feature article “Melodrama Isn’t a Four-Letter Word” for this month’s “The Inside Story,” a monthly newsletter by Bruce Hale, author of two hilarious chapter book series–the Chet Gecko series, and the Underwhere series. A teaser from Deborah’s article: “So, you’re thirty-something writing teen novel, and you want your narrative voice to sound convincingly youthful? That’s an outstanding goal. A believable voice makes all the differenc ein the success of a manuscript. But how do you actually do it? The answer might surprise you.” To subscribe to “The Inside Story” and read Deborah’s article in full, go to http://bit.ly/b3yXd5. To learn more about Bruce Hale, go to BruceHale.com!
Deborah Interviewed on SCBWI’s “Industry PROfiles”
May 26, 2010 – Deborah was interviewed on SCBWI’s “Industry PROfiles”. The interview focuses on Deborah’s literary journey from playroom to publishing house to author’s chair, and explores how she balances her roles as Author/Editor/Mom. Check it out!
Deborah to Speak at SCBWI-San Diego Chapter Meeting
September 11, 2010 – Deborah will present “How Do You Know Your Manuscript Is Ready for Submission?” at the season-opening meeting of the sCBWI-San Diego chapter, on September 11, 2010, from 2-4pm, in Hahn Nursing Hall on the University of San Diego campus. For details about the meeting and the chapter, visit their web page.
Deborah Interviewed on SellingBooks.com
April 6 , 2010 – Deborah talks writing, DearEditor.com, and why half of females aged 18-25 want to be run over by a truck in a new interview on SellingBooks.com. Check it out!
Deborah Interviewed on Writers’ Waiting Room about the Creation of DearEditor.com
March 13, 2010 – An interview with Deborah was posted on Writers’ Waiting Room today. The interview focuses on the creations of DearEditor.com.
Deborah to Present Workshop at SCBWI 2010 Summer Conference July 30 thru Aug 2, 2010
Deborah will be presenting a workshop at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ 39th annual summer conference, which will be held at the Century Hyatt in Los Angeles July 30 through August 2, 2010. Deborah’s session is “The Ultimate Checklist for Submitting to Editors: 10 Tests a Novel Must Pass to Prove It’s REALLY Ready for Submission to Editors.” Registration for the conference starts April 28th at www.scbwi.org.
Deborah launches DearEditor.com
March 5, 2010 – Today Deborah launched www.DearEditor.com, a writers’ advice website where writers–published or not–can ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry and get direct answers and actionable suggestions. Whether they write fiction or nonfiction, for children or adults, this advice site is a place for writers to get guidance for the issues that challenge them. Deborah invites you to visit Dear-Editor.com and look through the archives, respond with your own comments or tips, or email your own questions. Above all, Deborah aims to make Dear-Editor.com a useful (and she dares hope fun) interactive resource for writers.
Deborah raises $3,222 for Breast Cancer Research
Nov 2009 – Deborah raised $3,222 as part of her participation in the “Breast Cancer 3-Day” 60-mile walk, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. That amazing organization funds breast cancer research, treatment, education, and screening. But Deborah didn’t do it alone… she had the the help of her four-year-old triplets, her devoted husband, and the families of the four other triplet moms on Deborah’s team, who all pitched in to host five Pink Lemonade Project lemonade stands in various locations around San Diego. And of course, there’s the immeasurable support of generous friends, family, and everyone who donated through the Pink Lemonade Project lemonade stands.
Deborah Speaks at the Society of School Librarians International Conference
October 16, 2009 – Deborah spent an afternoon with members of SSLI, a national independent school library association, at San Diego’s Hilton Gaslamp hotel. SSLI awards seven annual best book awards in the areas of Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.
Deborah Live on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510
Nov 29, 2008 – Deborah is at it again, dishing up BIG MOUTH anecdotes along with discussion of competitive eating and eating disorders on “Live with Lisa on The Daily Flow Show.” Saturday, November 29, at 9:00 a.m. MST (8:00 PST, 11:00 EST). The topic will be “Food, Fitness, & Football.” To hear the show, listen to AM 1510 in Denver. Phone in with questions or comments at toll free 888-817-1510.
BIG MOUTH Gets Thumbs Up from Horn Book
October 2008 – The fall issue of The Horn Book Guide gives BIG MOUTH a cool thumbs up! The Horn Book Guide reviews over 2,000 titles in each semiannual issue — virtually every children’s and young adult book published in the United States in a six-month period. Here’s what it had to say about BIG MOUTH: “In this cautionary tale about food-obsessed boys with eating disorders, Halverson uses humor and a light touch to explore a serious, little-discussed issue.”
Deborah Live on ESPN 1600 AM Radio on June 28, 2008
Do you prefer your radio with ketchup or mustard? Deborah will be serving up both—along with a generous helping of hot dogs and BIG MOUTH anecdotes—on ESPN 1600 Radio’s “Live with Lisa on The Daily Flow Show” Saturday, June 28, at 12:00 EST, 10:00 Central, 9:00 PST. The topic will be “Food, Fitness, & the Fourth of July.” To hear the show, listen to 1600 AM or call in to the Public Access number 1-303-331-7116 .
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa on July 12, 2008
Another book signing for BIG MOUTH! This is will be an afternoon affair, complete with a reading from BIG MOUTH and a talk by Deborah. Saturday, July 12, 2:00-3:00 pm at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa: 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126, 858/684-3166, west of I-15 off Mira Mesa Blvd, next to Edwards Cinema.
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa July 12, 2008
Another book signing for BIG MOUTH! This is will be an afternoon affair, complete with a reading from BIG MOUTH and a talk by Deborah. Saturday, July 12, 2:00-3:00 pm at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa: 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126, 858/684-3166, west of I-15 off Mira Mesa Blvd, next to Edwards Cinema.
Book Signing at Borders – Gaslamp July 1, 2008
Deborah’s first book signing for BIG MOUTH is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 4:00-5:00 pm at Borders – Gaslamp (Downtown San Diego): 668 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, 619/702-4200. The store is located on 6th Avenue, between Market and G Streets.
BIG MOUTH to Be an E-book
Deborah’s second teen novel, BIG MOUTH, will be published as an e-book! Delacorte/Random House says the e-book edition should be out toward the end of July, a month after the hardcover hits stores.
Deborah to Speak at San Diego Children’s Book Festival on May 4, 2008
Deborah will appear on a Teen Fiction panel at the San Diego Children’s Book Festival on May 4, 2008. The free festival will be a dynamic day-long family festival that invites children (from tots through teens) to experience the magic of books and meet some of the country’s top authors and illustrators. The Festival promotes literacy and benefits the San Diego Public Library. Deborah’s panel will be held 2:30-3:30 in the Community Room. She’ll sign books after the panel. Activities include author readings and signings, illustrator presentations, story times, face painting, a bounce house, music, and more. For more information, check out the festival’s website: www.SanDiegoBookFestival.org.
Festival location and times:
Sunday, May 4, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nobel Recreation Complex & North University Community Library
8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
(Just off I-805, near University Towne Center)
Deborah Interviewed in Tattoos for Women Magazine
Deborah is interviewed about HONK IF YOU HATE ME in Tattoos for Women magazine’s February 2008 issue, Vol.#81.
Deborah’s Live TV Interview on “Fox6 News in the Morning Weekends”
November 3, 2007 – Deborah was interviewed on San Diego’s “Fox6 News in the Morning Weekends.” Watch the interview by clicking here. Deborah discussed her teen novel HONK IF YOU HATE ME as well as the La Jolla Writers Conference, which was held at Paradise Point Resort and Spa November 2-4, 2007. Deborah taught two workshops about writing for children at the LJWC, which is in its seventh year. For more info about the conference: www.lajollawritersconference.com.
Deborah’s Live TV Interview on “Inside San Diego”
August 23, 2007 – Deborah was interviewed about HONK IF YOU HATE ME on San Diego’s KUSI News program “Inside San Diego.”
Deborah Interviewed on “How Writers Write” Podcast
June 2, 2022 – “How Writers Write” podcast host Host Brian Murphy and Deborah discuss what makes fiction “Young Adult Fiction,” writing practice and process, and what it’s like to think like an editor. It’s a fabulous discussion — they dig deep into it! To listen to the podcast: Apple: https://apple.co/3m9kAhZ; Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3m8rpQR
Deborah Auctioning Picture Book Edit & Call for #WeNeedDiverseBooks Holiday Auction
December 6, 2021 – Deborah is honored to be contributing to the #WeNeedDiverseBooks Campaign by offering a picture book edit and phone call with me in their Holiday Auction. Visit https://bit.ly/3HZPItU to bid on this and check out all the other offerings. The Holiday Auction ends 10pm Eastern 12/6/21.
Spend the Weekend with Deborah and SCBWI-SoCal Los Angeles for Writer’s Retreat 2021
October 1, 2021 – Join Deborah, 2 agents, and 2 editors for a 2-day Virtual Writer’s Retreat for creatures of chapter books and middle grade/young adult fiction October 9-10, 2021. Between critique sessions with agents and editors, Deborah will do Craft Workshops on four story elements — character, plot, setting, and voice… plus revision techniques! bit.ly/3lz4Q7i
Deborah Shares How to Find the Right Editor for Your Book
September 1, 2021 – Join Deborah on Sept 11, 2021, for an inspiring and informative market report and learn about new imprints and what they are requiring. She will also share her tips on researching editors to find the perfect fit for your book. Register at www.sandiego.scbwi.org.
Deborah Featured in Publishers Weekly!
August 22 2021 – Publishers Weekly covered Deborah’s in their article “2021 SCBWI Conference: Significant Market Transformation Due to COVID-19.” The article provides a peek into Deborah’s Market Report for the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators summer conference. http://pwne.ws/3lwpczD.
Deborah Shares How to Find the Right Editor for Your Book
September 1, 2021 – Join Deborah on Sept 11, 2021, for an inspiring and informative market report and learn about new imprints and what they are requiring. She will also share her tips on researching editors to find the perfect fit for your book. Register at www.sandiego.scbwi.org.
Deborah at UCLA’s Writers Symposium
August 2021 – Deborah joined 11 amazing YA authors at UCLA’s writing symposium “The Young and the Reckless: Writing for Teens. She was in the a panel with award-winning, best-selling YA novelists Aiden Thomas and Adam Sass. “Put characters in unexpected settings to provoke surprising dialogue, unpredictable action, and stress.”-Deborah Halverson https://www.uclaextension.edu/ya-symposium
Deborah’s Predictions for the 2021 Children’s Lit Market Published in SCBWI INSIGHT
January 16, 2021 – Deborah shared some predictions for children’s literature market in the January edition of SCBWI INSIGHT, a monthly enewsletter for members of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. INSIGHT features current children’s book hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews and monthly contests. When talking about likelihoods for 2021, emerging trend-lines are intriguing to extend forward. Deborah appreciated the challenge and opportunity to do so. For an excerpt of the members-only article “What Will the Children’s Literature Market Look Like in 2021?: A Crystal Ball Prediction,” click here.
Deborah Edits a Book Benefitting Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse
November 24, 2020 – Deborah was honored to edit the Purple Project’s picture book PENNY’S ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO. Sales benefit victims of domestic violence and abuse. For this book, thirteen San Diego County mayors and a deputy mayor each penned a chapter of a story about a kind-hearted purple butterfly named Penny visiting their respective cities and doing a good deed. Per the San Diego Union-Tribune, “Deborah Halverson, an editor and publishing consultant, wrote chapter transitions and edited the book at no cost, while Danielle Ramirez created colorful illustrations…. The 85-page illustrated book, “Penny’s Adventure in San Diego,” is now available for pre-order for $25 and due for release in early December.”
Deborah Offering a New On-Line Class for KidLit Writers
October, 2020 – Deborah is honored to be offering a new class for Children’s Book Insider: “10 Things That Get Kidlit Manuscripts Rejected – and How to Avoid Them.” It will be 90 minutes of deep-digging writing tools for writers of picture books, chapter books, middle grade and young adult — fiction and nonfiction. The class will be live online Tuesday, Oct 13, 2020, with lifetime on-demand rewatching. Jump on over to the class page for the full details and sign-up. Children’s Book Insider is a place to take classes on all aspects of writing and publishing books for young readers.
Deborah to Offer a Digital Workshop for SCBWI (Free & Exclusive to SCBWI Members)
May 29, 2020 – Deborah will present the fifth workshop in the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’s second Digital Workshops series. The series is for current SCBWI members, and is free — an offering for members during this unusual summer of lockdown and creative challenge. Deborah’s workshop will be “Submissions Studio: Writing Queries, Strategizing Submissions, and 10 Ways to Translate ‘No’ to ‘Yes!’” It’s for writers of all children’s book categories — beginners as well as advanced writers — looking to perfect their submission package and strategy. The workshop will include a master handout, sample query letters, and a quick-reference sheet for translating editorial feedback. Workshop date: Thursday, July 2 , 2020, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Pacific Daylight Time. Registration opens Monday, June 29 , 2020, 10am PDT.
Deborah’s Article about Ebook Lending in SCBWI’s “Insight”
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah’s article “The E-Book Lending Battle Between Libraries and Macmillan, and What It Means to Authors” has been published in the March 2020 issue of INSIGHT, the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrator’s monthly enewsletter featuring current children’s book hot topics, helpful hints, exclusive interviews and monthly contests.
Deborah’s Children’s Book Publishing Overview Article in SCBWI’s “The Bulletin”
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah’s article “2019: A Year in Review” has been published in SCBWI’s Winter 2020 edition of THE BULLETIN, a biannual publication provided to members of the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators. The article is a children’s publishing industry overview, examining events and trends of 2019.
Deborah to Ring in New Year with a Submission Webinar
Jan 7, 2020 – Deborah is excited to be asked by SCBWI – Texas: Austin to ring in the new year with a submissions webinar. WRITING QUERIES, STRATEGIZING SUBMISSIONS, & INTERPRETING EDITORIAL FEEDBACK is for writers of all children’s book categories, and beginners as well as advanced writers looking to perfect their submission package and strategy. Deborah will do some critiques as part of the webinar: query letters, 1st 10 pages of a YA/MG novel, or a submission package of a query letter, synopsis, and 1st 10 pages. The webinar will be January 14, 2020, 7-8:30pm CT (5-6:30pmPT, 8-9:30pmET). Details and registration at bit.ly/2N5pXNV.
Deborah to Present a YA/MG Technique-Focused Webinar
Oct 29, 2019 – Join Deborah for a technique-focused, hour-long Webinar designed to make YA/MG writers stronger self-editors and novelists on Nov 14, 2019. THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING YOUR MG/YA TO EDITORS: 10 Tests Your Manuscript Must Pass to Prove It’s Ready to Submit. How can you know when your Middle Grade/Young Adult manuscript is ready to submit to agents or editors? You think it is, but how can you know for sure? Learn ten actionable tests for knowing when a novel is really, truly ready to submit . . . along with ways to whip the manuscript into shape if it fails a single one of them.” Hosted by SCBWI-Texas: Southwest. Details and registration at http://bit.ly/2pnztn1.
Giveaway: Signed Copy of Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES
June 15, 2019 – Teen writer resource site TipsForTeenAuthors.com is giving away a signed copy of Deborah’s craft book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES to go with her in-depth interview about freelance editing as a career. Read the interview and enter the giveaway at http://bit.ly/2lxDbrV. The giveaway ends September 9, 2019.
Deborah at SCBWI Summer Conference in L.A. August, 2019
June 15, 2019 – Deborah was pleased to be included in the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ 2019 annual summer conference. She presented a 50-minute breakout session called “Up-to-the-Minute Market Report: Industry Updates, Submissions, and New Imprints” and a 15-minute highlight version on the MainStage. She also critiqued manuscripts one-on-one over the course of the conference.
Deborah to Present Webinar for YA/MG Writers July 16, 2019
June 15, 2019 – On July 16, 2019, 7-8:30pm CT (5-6:30pm PT / 8-9:30pm ET) Deborah will present the webinar “Subtext & Subplots: How to Deepen and Energize Your YA/MG Fiction.” She’ll teach techniques for using subtext and subplots to build rich, satisfying stories and fix common storytelling “problems.” She’ll also be critiquing for those who choose that additional item for the event. It will bosted by SCBWI-Texas: Austin. Details & registration at bit.ly/2ZgH2bs.
Deborah Teaches YA all day at SCBWI-Florida’s Orlando Mid-Year Workshop June 7-8, 2019
June 10, 2019 – Deborah was honored to be in Orlando presenting a full-day YA workshop with editor Hannah Milton of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and author/agent Eric Smith of P. S. Literary. The workshop had additional tracks for middle grade fiction, picture books, and illustration, plus full-day intensives and one-on-one critiques.
Deborah to Critique and Consult at SCBWI-Nebraska’s Writing Retreat Sept 27-29 2019
April 1, 2019 – Deborah will be meeting with attendees and critiquing manuscripts for this wonderful weekend of writing and industry talk. Cabins in beautiful Mahoney State Park, book talk, creative minds and great people–SCBWI’s Nebraska chapter is putting on an inspiring, supportive event.
Deborah Reads to 4th Graders for Read Across America Day
March 2, 2019 – Deborah read to two 4th-grade classes at a local elementary school as part of the school’s celebration of Read Across America Day. She was doubly honored: the kids asked her to read one of her works-in-progress. What a day!
Deborah on Faculty for MG/YA Writers’ Retreat April 12-14, 2019, in Idyllwild, CA
February 27, 2019 – I’m pleased to be on the faculty of SCBWI-Southern California’s “2019 Spring Writer’s Retreat” for Middle Grade & Young Adult fiction at Tahquitz Pines in Idyllwild on April 12 – 14, 2019. My esteemed fellow faculty are Pam Gruber, Senior Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Erika Turner, eEditor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade; Kari Sutherland, Agent at Bradford Literary Agency; and Jennifer Azantian, Agent at Azantian Literary. The three-day, two-night retreat is full now, but they do have a cancellations list in case that sounds like something you’re interested in.
Deborah To Be a Guest Reader for Read Across America Day
February 20, 2019 – Deborah will be a Guest Reader at a San Diego elementary school as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day on March 1, 2019. Check out your local reading events for ways to get in on the fun!
Deborah Gives Big Tip for Character Development in Guest Post on Cynsations Blog
October 18, 2018 – Deborah is honored to be a Guest Blogger on the amazing Cynsations blog today, with her post “Deborah Halverson on Viewing Narrative Beats as ‘Revelatory’ Beats in MG/YA Fiction.” A snippet: “Perhaps we writers drop in those generic actions because we’re so focused on getting the first scenes in place; perhaps we’re just not seeing those beats for the opportunities they are. ‘Oh, what treasure troves those little actions can be!’“
Deborah Unveils a New Look for DearEditor.com
October 14, 2018 – Deborah and her website designer have been hard at work all summer, and today they unveiled the fruits of labor: a fresh new look for DearEditor.com, Deborah’s writers’ advice website. To celebrate the redesign, Deborah is giving away a free edit of a picture book manuscript and a free partial edit of a novel manuscript via Rafflecopter — the giveaway entry deadline is October 22, 2018.
Deborah Presenting State of the Market report at SCBWI-San Diego Sept 8
September 7, 2018 – Deborah will present an up-to-the-minute state of the market report at the first meeting of SCBWI-San Diego’s meeting season. She’ll talk about what’s selling, what’s being wished for, and what’s showing signs of potential upswing. Combining deep research and exclusive interviews with industry insiders, Deborah presents the general acquisitions environment for large and small publishing houses and literary agencies. September 8, 2018, at University of San Diego School of Nursing. For more, visit SCBWI-SD’s event page.
Deborah to Present & Critique at SCBWI Summer Conference in L.A. Aug 3-6
April 3, 2018 – Deborah will present “Up-to-the-Minute Market Report: Industry Updates, Submissions, and New Imprints” and “Subplots & Subtext: How to Deepen and Energize Your MG/YA Fiction” at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ Annual Summer Conference in L.A. August 3-6, 2018. She’ll also be critiquing manuscripts one-on-one. Conference registration opens April 17th @10am PT. (Manuscript Consults limited so if you’re interested, register asap on the 17th.!)
Deborah on Faculty at SCBWI Southern Breeze WIK ’18
March 12, 2018 – Deborah was honored be a part of the faculty at SCBWI-Southern Breeze’s 2018 writing-and-illustrating for kids (WIK) conference, presenting sessions on non-rhyming picture books, revising young-adult and middle-grade novels for submission, and the state of the children’s book industry. The Southern Breeze chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators offers support to writers and illustrators in Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle. It’s an amazing group of creative and supportive people, attendees and conference organizers alike. If you live in that area and write/illustrate for young people, do yourself a solid and check out the group.
Interview with Deborah in New MG/YA Online Writing Course at Children’s Book Insider
Sept 23, 2017 – Deborah is proud to contribute an interview called “Writing for Tweens, Teens and New Adults” to Children’s Book Insider’s Blueprint series, for their new Middle Grade/Young Adult Writing Blueprint. CBI always presents great content. Other fabulous interviews are a part of the new Blueprint — editor Mary Kole and author Matthew J. Kirby. Author Alice Kuipers is the instructor. You can check it out at writing blueprints.com
Deborah on Faculty at SCBWI 46th Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 7-10, 2017
March 22, 2017 – Deborah is excited to present the annual Market Survey as well as a 3-hourr writing intensive “How to Talk Like a Teen When You’re So Not One: Writing Dialogue in YA/MG Fiction” at SCBWI’s 46th Annual Summer Conference in LA. She will also be doing one-on-one critiques throughout the conference.”
Deborah at Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference in L.A. Oct 28-30, 2016
Sept 28, 2016 – Deborah will be teaching sessions at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference October 28-30 in LA. There, writer’s can expand their skills regarding Craft, Storytelling, Character, Genre Studies, Getting an Agent, Getting Published and Revision. Deborah’s sessions: “Crafting a Youthful Narrative Voice and Authentic Dialogue for Young Adult Fiction”, “Writing Riveting New Adult Fiction”, and “Panel: Connecting With Middle-Grade and Young Adult Readers.”
Deborah on YA Author Panel June 11 at Barnes & Noble in Santee, CA
June 8, 2016 – Deborah will be on a YA author panel at Santee, California, Barnes & Nobel Saturday, June 11, at 2pm. The panel is “Writing a Book Is Like Riding a Roller Coaster!” Fellow panelists—fabulous YA writers—and Deborah will share stories of their writing ups and downs, and answer questions about writing and publishing: Debra Driza (MILO 2.0 series), Barrie Summy (I SO DON’T DO series and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF EMILY H.), Karri Thompson (MIRROR X, ASCENDENCY), and Matthew Ward (THE FANTASTIC FAMILY WHIPPLE, THE WAR OF THE WORLD RECORDS). Come join them!
Deborah Teaches Writing “Believable Dialogue” in New Writer’s Digest Craft Book
May 30, 2016 – Deborah is proud to have contributed Chapter 10 “Believable Dialogue” to Writer’s Digest’s new book CRAFTING DYNAMIC DIALOGUE, a comprehensive guide to writing compelling, authentic dialogue in fiction. The craft book is filled with advice and instruction from best-selling authors and instructors like Deborah, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Steven James, James Scott Bell, Donald Maass, Cheryl St. John, and many others. Covered in the book: bend the rules to create a specific effect; understand the role of dialogue in reader engagement; use dialect and jargon effectively; give every character a believable, unique voice; set the pace and tone; reveal specific character background details; generate tension and suspense; and utilize internal dialogue.
Join Deborah at The SCBWI 2016 Summer Conference
May 3, 2016 – Join Deborah at the SCBWI 2016 Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 29-31 (optional craft intensive a on Aug 1). She’ll be presenting the breakout “Crafting Swoon-Worthy Young Adult Romantic Relationships,” the “An Up-to-the-Minute Market Report” on the main stage, and the craft intensive “Crafting Plots that Push, Pull, and Provoke Characters… and Readers, Too.” She will also do 1-on-1 critiques.
Rave Review for Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies
August 26, 2015 – Author/blogger Lee Wind is well known for caring deeply about writers, so his recommendation of Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES on the SCBWI blog makes Deborah proud: “Deborah Halverson (who I’m always so impressed with) has put together a really useful guide… Her book is packed with good stuff.”
Writing New Adult Fiction wins San Diego Book Award
August 6, 2015 – Deborah’s craft book Writing New Adult Fiction won the San Diego Book Award for 2014 Best Published Business Book. To celebrate, she is giving away a free full manuscript edit on her writers’ advice website DearEditor.com August 10, 2015 – August 14, 2015, with the winner to be announced on DearEditor.com August 15, 2015. Click over to DearEditor.com for entry details.
Deborah to present Market Report at SCBWI Annual Conference
April 1, 2015 – Deborah will present the “Up to the Minute Market Report” at the 44th Annual SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles July 31- August 2. She’ll also present the breakout sessions “Techniques in New Adult Fiction for YA Writers” and “The Ultimate Checklist for Submitting Your MG/YA Novel to Editors,” the 3-hr intensive “Voice in MG/YA: How To Create an Authentic Teen Narrator,” and do one-on-one critiques. Registration opens April 9. For more info: http://www.scbwi.org/2015-summer-conference-in-los-angeles/
Deborah Interviewed for “Adventures in YA Publishing” Blog
February 12, 2015 – Deborah was interviewed by the blog Adventures in YA Publishing. Excerpt: “With the current enthusiasm for contemporary realistic stories, I see too many manuscripts that showcase above-average writing but fail to deliver a fresh angle on the contemporary teen experience. What makes your story about a regular kid in high school stand out from all those other well written stories about regular kids in high schools? I want to see more great writers find their distinct angles so that they can find publishers and places on bookstore shelves.“
Deborah to Lead Simi Valley Writing Retreat January 16-18
January 15, 2015 – Deborah is leading a fun and informative three-day intensive for SCBWI Cen-Cal Writers’ Retreat: An Editor’s Strategies for Reaching Fabulous Final Drafts. This intensive will consist of lectures, hands-on exercises, informal discussions, and the option of a small group critique session. For an additional fee, you can register for a manuscript critique and private consultation with Deborah.
The Writing New adult Fiction BloG tour kicks off with giveaways, interviews, and guest posts
October 8, 2014 – The blog tour celebrating the publication of Writing New Adult Fiction is under way! From October 6 – 31, bloggers will be posting reviews of the book, interviews with Deborah, and guest blog posts written by Deborah covering craft, promotion, and the business of publishing New Adult fiction. All of the posts have giveaways, and there’s a tourwide giveaway of a free full manuscript edit. Here’s the link for the tour schedule, updated with excerpts and direct links as each post goes live: http://deareditor.com/?p=6644 And here’s the link for the free manuscript edit giveaway’s Rafflecopter entry form: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354204/.
Deborah’S INTERVIEW on “sensibility” in na fiction vs YA fiction, Plus SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY ON Agent Jill Corcoran’s BLOG
October 3, 2014 – Stop by literary agent Jill Corcoran’s blog for Deborah’s guest post feature “What’s the Difference between “new” adult and “young” adult fiction? Plus a CONTEST!” and enter the giveaway for a free signed copy of her new book WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION. (Giveaway ends Oct 15.) From the interview: “”What’s the difference between ‘new’ adult and ‘young’ adult? My answer usually starts with a single word: sensibility.”
Deborah’S ‘write for kids’ video INTERVIEW about writing na fiction vs YA fiction
October 2, 2014 – New Adult Fiction, with characters age 18-25, is exploding. But what, exactly, is New Adult, and how is it different from writing for young adults? Deborah explains the ins and outs of NA in this interview on Write For Kids, presented by Children’s Book Insider.
Deborah’S INTERVIEW ABOUT na fiction & SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY ON KC MAGUIRE BLOG
Sept 15, 2014 – Stop by KC Maguire’s blog for an interview with Deborah and to enter the giveaway for a free signed copy of her new book WRITING NEW ADULT FICTION. From the interview: “NA has become established and is pushing for a greater range of stories and thematic exploration, there seems to be a call for fiction that doesn’t necessarily get into the nitty gritty of body parts and movements. After all, not everyone who wants to read about the NA experience wants such graphic detail, and not every writer is comfortable writing it. Ultimately, the details of the sex acts aren’t necessary in order to explore love at this stage of life. Serve up emotionally satisfying relationships. Craft stories that build up sexual anticipation through love denied, teased, and toyed with. A much-anticipated kiss can be more dramatically powerful than a perfunctory graphic groping. That’s why I dedicate a full chapter of my book to the crafting believable, satisfying romance. And it’s why I say that explicit sex scenes are currently expected but maybe not so essential in the long run. The degree of explicitness in NA fiction is an evolving element.”
Deborah Joins Faculty of SCBWI-Missouri Fall Conference Sept 6-7, 2014
Sept 2, 2014 – Deborah will present the “State of the Market” and lead the intensive “How to Build Your Own Teenager” at the SCBWI-Missouri Fall Conference in St. Charles, Missouri, September 6-7, 2014.
Deborah’s Article “NA Fiction for the YA Writer” in Sept/Oct Issue of SCBWI’s The Bulletin
Sept 2, 2014 – “Writers see an overlap between ‘mature YA’ and NA and wonder what it means for their own stories about older teens…. There are essential differences in story content, though, and knowing those can help you determine if your mature YA is actually an NA offering.” From Deborah’s article in the Sept/Oct issue of SCBWI’s THE BULLETIN. If you’re an SCBWI member and want to read it, log into your profile page and click on resource library, then on Bulletin in the dropdown menu.
Deborah To Join Faculty of Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference in L.A. August 15-17, 2014
July 1, 2014 – Join Deborah for her 3-hour Boot Camp “Writing Riveting New Adult Fiction” and her 1-hour breakout session “How to Hide the Seams for Smooth, Flowing Fiction” at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza – Los Angeles August 15-17. For details about the sessions and other award-winning, bestselling authors and publishing professionals at the Writer’s Digest Novel Writing Conference, click here.
Deborah’s Interview about the SCBWI Conference, Uses for Setting, and the Difference Between NA and YA Fiction
May 9, 2014 – “Saying NA fiction is just YA with sex is akin to saying YA fiction is just stories of high school romance.” Insightful interviewer Lee Wind asks Deborah about being on the faculty of SCBWI’s upcoming summer conference in Los Angeles (Aug 1-4) and also about the difference between “voice” and “sensibility” in writing, characteristics of New Adult Fiction, and other writing advice. Check out the full interview here.
Deborah Presenting Market Keynote at SCBWI 43rd Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, Aug 1 – 4
April 18, 2014 – Join Deborah and other authors, agents, and publishing professionals at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators annual info-packed 4-day summer conference. In addition to presenting the market keynote, Deborah will present the session “New Adult Fiction for the Young Adult Writer” and the intensive “Crafting a Youthful Narrative Voice and Sensibility in MG/YA Fiction.” She’s also available for one-on-one critiques. Join the fun! Registration opens Monday, April 21, 10am PST. Intensives fill up FAST.
Meet Deborah at the New Adult Sleepover Weekend in Savannah, GA, December 6-8
December 6, 2013 – Check out the inaugural New Adult Sleepover Weekend, an event for readers and authors of New Adult fiction. Panels about NA characters and publishing, swag, meet-and-greets, parties . . . a fun and informative weekend! Deborah will be there, meeting and greeting and taking in all things NA. Savannah Riverfront Marriott, 100 General McIntosh Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31401.
Meet Deborah on YA Panel at San Diego’s Mira Mesa B&N on November 22
November 22, 2013 – As part of Barnes & Noble’s Discovery Friday event Friday, November 22, at 6pm, Deborah will be part of a lively panel about books for young people with Shannon Messenger, author of the middle grade series Keeper of the Lost Cities and the teen trilogy Let the Sky Fall, and Debra Driza, author of the YA thriller Mila 2.0, the first in a series currently being developed as a series for ABC. The panel will be moderated by fabulous Full Circle Literary agent Taylor Martindale. It’s Discovery Friday at the B&N that day, so there will be giveaways all day, including Catching Fire posters, John Green posters, Legos, etc. There will also be a special musical performance by Stacey Leathersich at 8:30. B&N: 10775 Westview Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92126.
Deborah’s Interview Delves Into How Writers Can Succeed in Publishing
August 22, 2013 – In an interview by N.W. Harris, author of Joshua’s Tree, which currently tops the Goodreads 2013 Summer Reading list, Deborah talks about writing fiction versus nonfiction, her path to publication and editorial career, and three things new writers must do to compete in the current, highly competitive publishing industry: “Publishing is an industry, as unartful as it is to admit that, and writers who want their books out there for readers to buy must consider themselves players rather than pawns.” Full the full interview, visit NWHarrisBooks.
Deborah Presents State of the Market Keynote at SCBWI Summer Conference
August 5, 2013 – Publishers Weekly included Deborah in its coverage of the 42nd Annual SCBWI Summer Conference: “Deborah Halverson, founder of DearEditor.com, delivered a keynote titled Market Report: An Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry, which compiled the results of interviews with 17 publishing insiders…. Halverson reported that sales are up for picture books, but editors are still cautious about the category. Chapter books and early readers remain challenging….” For more highlights from Deborah’s keynote, click over to PW’s article.
Deborah to Pen ‘New Adult’ Fiction Craft Book
May 6, 2013 – Deborah has just inked a deal to publish Writing the New Adult Novel: How to Write and Sell ‘New Adult’ Fiction with Writer’s Digest Books in Fall 2014. Writing the New Adult Novel is a hands-on guide featuring essential information, steps, and techniques necessary to turn a clever concept into a top-notch novel for 18- to 26-year-olds as well as the teen and adult crossover audience. The book will include advice on self-publishing into the New Adult marketplace, insider tips for finding the right agent and/or editor and preparing a stand-out submission package for traditional publishers, and an extensive chapter on self-marketing to help writers move boldly into the realm of self-promotion.
Deborah to Give State of Children’s Book Market Keynote at SCBWI Annual Summer Conference Aug 2-5
April 20, 2013 – Deborah is honored to be delivering the “Market Report: An Up-to-the-Minute State of the Industry” keynote at SCBWI Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles Aug 2 – 5. She’ll also teach the intensive “How to Build Your Own Teenager: Techniques for Writing Believable MG/YA Characters,” and two breakouts: “The Read-Aloud Factor: Achieving Rhythm without Relying on Rhyme in Picture Books” and “Setting, Wherefore Art Thou?: The Surprising Benefits and How-To’s of Setting in MG/YA Fiction.” For info, check out the conference page.
Deborah to Host Revision Week at DearEditor.com March 24-30
March 15, 2013 – March 24-30, Deborah will run DearEditor.com’s second annual Revision Week. She’ll have six authors—who have published a combined 290 best-selling and award-winning books—for a week of revision tips, insights, and stories from the trenches. Who’s stopping by? Laura Griffin (romance novels), Matthew J. Kirby (YA novels), Bruce Hale (chapter book series and picture books), Susan Stevens Crummel (picture book and collaborative revision), Peter Economy (non-fiction), and Larry Dane Brimner (picture books, chapter books, easy readers, nonfiction… you name it!), that’s who! Deborah will add to the excitement with daily drawings for Free Partial Edits and a grand prize Full Manuscript Edit giveaway.
OnText Blog Features DearEditor.com
Jan 26, 2013 – DearEditor.com gets the thumbs up in the OnText blog feature “Writing Children’s or Young Reader Books? Great Source of Publishing Help.” OnText is hosted by ghostwriter Maryan Pelland. Pelland calls The Editor “a wealth of information for writers, authors, and ghostwriters to ask questions about the craft of writing or about the very confusing and frustrating publishing industry. Her answers are concise and pull-no-punches.”
Deborah Celebrates Her First Picture Book with a FREE EDIT Giveaway
Dec 1, 2012 – Deborah believes writers should celebrate every milestone—and she’s got a milestone to celebrate with her readers. Her first picture book, Letters to Santa, has just published and she’s feting it by giving away a FREE edit of a picture book manuscript up to 2,000 words on her DearEditor.com website. Deadline: December 4, 2012. Read the giveaway post for full entry details.
The Editor Announces Three New Books
Oct 17, 2012 – The Editor’s three books for Rubicon’s Remix struggling readers series have launched! Brave New World: Cyber World, Brave New World: Meltdown, and Brave New World: Robotic World. To page through previews of the books electronically, visit the Remix: Brave New World series page.
Deborah Guest Posts on “Finding Bliss” Blog; Free Book Giveaway
Sept 17, 2012 -Excerpt: “Revision can be daunting. . . . Why not give your brain a break by breaking your task into focused chunks? With this approach, you’d pick a writing element, say plot, and ignore everything but that. Working Big Picture chunks to small detail chunks rather than page by page, you’d focus not on revising the story but on honing single elements. Gone is that scattered, overwhelmed feeling.” Read the rest of Deborah’s guest post “Chunking Your Revision” on Laura Howard’s blog Finding Bliss, and enter Laura’s giveaway for a free copy of Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies.
An Interview with Deborah
Aug 27, 2012 – Excerpt: “The trick is to make something big happen in the story to create a big emotional impact that would raise the emotional temperature of the story and keep it from being too quiet.” You can the full interview with Deborah on Natasha Yim’s blog “I Must Be a Masochist – A Writer’s Life.”
Coverage of Deborah’s SCBWI conference Market Trends Keynote
Aug 23, 2012 – Deborah complied the “2012 SCBWI Market Survey: Publishers of Books For Young Readers” report for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and gave a keynote at the recent SCBWI Summer Conference about what she learned from her survey – giving attendees the current market needs and trends. To read coverage of her keynote, click over to “SCBWI Summer Conference: Market Keynote Follow-Up with Deborah Halverson” on the SCBWI Blog.
Deborah to Give Current Market Trends Keynote at SCBWI National Conference in L.A. Aug 3-6, 2012
Deborah will be at SCBWI’s 2012 Summer Conference in Los Angeles Aug 3-6. She’ll be presenting the Current Market Trends Report keynote, a breakout session on writing dialogue, an intensive on revising your MG/YA novel, and an intensive on creating youthful narrative sensibility. Check out the full info on the SCBWI conference page.
Deborah Advises How to Use Subtext as a tool on Quirk and Quill
June 28, 2012 – Deborah’s advice about using subtext to puff up a “flat” fiction manuscript is featured today on Quirk and Quill, a blog hosted by 10 alumni of the Vermont College of Fine Arts writing program. To read the post, click over to “Serving Up Subtext” on Quirk and Quill.
Deborah Visits Stanford . . . Virtually
May 25, 2012 -Deborah talked books and writing during an online chat session today with a Stanford writing class that uses her Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies as their text. The Editor is honored that schools continue to adopt the book for their classes.
DearEditor.com Hosts Revision Week with 8 Bestselling, Award-Winning Authors
March 4, 2012 – Deborah’s popular writers’ advice website DearEditor.com brings together eight prolific, bestselling, award-winning authors for Revision Week, 7 days of revision tips, insights, and stories from the trenches. Learn from writers who turn first drafts into lauded books every day:
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- Cynthia Leitich Smith, bestselling YA gothic novelist, picture book writer, short story writer, and popular children’s lit blogger.
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- Kathleen Krull, author of more than 60 books, especially picture books and biographies for young readers.
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- R.L. LaFevers, author of the 13 novels for young people.
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- Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver, and Theo Baker, popular chapter book collaborators.
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- Mark A. Clements, horror/suspense author, screenwriter, and prolific ghostwriter.
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- Nathan Bransford, top blogger and former literary agent-turned-author of the Jacob Wonderbar middle grade books.
- Rachel Caine, New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author of more than 30 novels.
DearEditor.com Now on Google+
Feb 26, 2012 – Deborah is pleased to announce the DearEditor.com Google+ page, sharing industry news, creative inspirations, and writing tips to keep you in the publishing know. The new page complements the DearEditor.com Facebook page and the @Dear_Editor Twitter feed.
DearEditor.com Goes Mobile
Feb 26, 2012 – Deborah is pleased to announce that her popular writers’ advice website DearEditor.com is now mobile-friendly. With the new mobile design, you can easily read new posts and comments on your mobile device of choice, and you can post your own comments on-the-go. With a simple click on the arrow at the top of your mobile display, you can access archives, categories, and any page on the DearEditor.com website.
Deborah on “Writers Voices” Radio Feb 17, 2012
Deborah will appear live on “Writers Voices” 1-2pm CST, Feb 17, 2012. “Writers Voices” airs on KRUU FM 100.1, an open source, solar-powered community radio station that broadcasts to the larger Fairfield, Iowa, area and has worldwide listenership via the web. Each week we air an hour-long interview with a writer, agent, editor, publisher, or someone else connected to the world of writing.. To listen to the show live, tune in to KRUU FM radio or go to online at http://www.writersvoices.com. Hear the rebroadcast Monday Feb 20 8 AM on KRUU FM or download it from the archives: http://www.writersvoices.com or http://www.kruufm.com/station/archives/61.
Deborah’s FREE Online YA Fiction Workshop Feb 21-23, 2012
The Institute of Children’s Literature website is hosting an online YA workshop featuring Deborah. The drop-in Q&A-format workshop takes place on the ICL’s message board, which anyone can read (no registration required). If you want to post a question, you do need to register (for FREE) by sending email to jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com with the username you want. Check out the ICL’s Guest Speaker archives while you’re there.
Deborah on “How to Promote Your Book” Podcast ON Feb 7, 2012
As part of her blog tour for her ebook How to Promote Your Children’s Books, author/illustrator Katie Davis focused her regular podcast on “Promoting Your Book.” Deborah has a guest appearance. See the episode description here: http://katiedavis.com/how-to-promote-your-book/. Or click here to hear it directly!
Deborah to Write THREE Books for Struggling Readers
Jan 1, 2012 – Deborah has just signed onto write three books in a new “hi/lo” series for struggling readers. More details will be announced when the series launches!
Deborah to Write Picture Book about Santa
Dec 25, 2011 – Deborah has been signed to write a picture book about Santa Claus, to be published Christmas 2012. Details about that exciting project to come!
YA FUSION Interviews Deborah
Dec 4, 2011 – YA Fusion, a blog written by YA fiction writers about the amazing world of young adult fiction, interviewed The Editor and hosted a giveaway of WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. The interview spans the writing, editing and reading realm, and offers tips to writers about gauguing market trends and walking the line in “edgy” fiction. Read the interview on YA Fusion.
More Spotlight Week at The Writing Nut: An Interview with Deborah
Oct 19, 2011 – Spotlight Week at the Writing Nut blog continues with an interview with Deborah, covering what makes YA fiction so popular, what aspiring writers should do, and what young readers should know: http://bit.ly/qEOyqs.
Deborah Featured During Spotlight Week at The Writing Nut
Oct 17, 2011 – The Writing Nug blog features Deborah and her book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES all week. Stop by for a review of the book, an interview with Deborah, and a giveaway: http://bit.ly/r0l1Ht
San Diego Union-Tribune Dubs Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies “Tremendously Helpful”
Sept 2011 – The San Diego Union-Tirbune dubbed Deborah’s WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES a Recommended Read, calling it, “Fun, insightful and tremendously helpful.”
Deborah at San Diego Public Library Book Festival
Oct 12011 – Deborah is honored to be a part of the San Diego Count Library Book Festival Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Encinitas Library. Speakers include YA great Ellen Hopkins, bestseller Lisa See, and Skinny Bitch series author Kim Barnouin. Deborah will be presenting in the community room 5 to 6pm. Check out the festival website for a full list of great speakers.
Deborah Teaches YA at SCWC Conference in Newport Beach
Sept 24, 2011 – Deborah will be presenting “Writing for Teens? Then Think Like One” at the Southern California Writers’ Conference – LA on Sept 24, 2011. Here’s her session description: “Whether your narrator is your young main character or an all-knowing omniscient being, there are ways to convince young readers that you understand them and their view of the world—and to hook’em good and hard in the process. This session teaches techniques for creating a narrative sensibility that reflects the way teens think, resulting in teen fiction that “clicks” with young readers.” Click on over to the SCWC website for details about this conference, which runs Sept 23-25.
Deborah on Writing on the Sidewalk Blog
Aug 3, 2011 – Deborah talks writing, Legos, and banging drums in “Writing on the Sidewalk,” the blog of authors Suzanne Santillan and Sarah Wones Tomp.
Deborah & The League of Extraordinary Writers
Aug 3, 2011 – Deborah is an interview guest on The League of Extraordinary Writers, a blog hosted by dystopian authors Jeff Hirsch, Elana Johnson, Julia Karr, Beth Revis, and Angie Smibert. With Q-and-A about the most common pitfalls for writers, the current rise in YA lit, a list of must-reads for writers, and the viability of self-publishing as an alternative pub path for writers, this interview is full of great information. Check it out!
WYAFFD Blog Tour: July 18 – July 27, 2011
Please drop in on Deborah’s 8-stop Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Blog Tour July 18-27. It’ll be a fun tour, with Deborah guest posting about craft and promotion, and with interviews, giveaways, and a grand finale FREE webinar. Full tour schedule:
July 18: Shrinking Violet Promotions
July 19: SCBWI blog
July 20: QueryTracker.net
July 21: Elizabeth O. Dulemba Blog
July 22: Cheryl Rainfield Blog
July 25: Story Connection
July 26: The Got Story Countdown
July 27: FREE “Meet the Editor” webinar w/Deborah & Katie Davis*
Interviews, Guest Blog Posts, Podcasts, & Giveaways in Support of Writing Young Adult Fiction For DUmmies Virtual Book Launch!
July 6, 2011 – Thank you to these websites and blogs for their exclusive content and giveaways in support of Deborah’s Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch, June 29 to July 5, 2011, on Deborah’s writer’s advice website DearEditor.com:
The Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse
TeachingAuthors.com blog
From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors blog
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s “Cynsations” blog
Darcy Pattison’s “Fiction Notes” blog
Kathi Appelt’s blog
We Do Right blog
“Blame It On the Muse” blog
Christine Fonseca’s blog
Samantha Clark’s blog
Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch Starts Today!
June 29, 2011 – Celebrate the publication of Deborah’s new book Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies from June 29 to July 5 on Deborah’s writer’s advise website DearEditor.com with daily “Free First Chapter Critique” giveaways, free downloads, excerpts from the book, and profiles of the 13 amazing authors, editors, and agents who so generously contributed sidebars to the book. As the grand finale, Deborah is giving away a “Free Full Manuscript Edit” on the final day. Click here for details about the 7-Day Virtual Book Launch.
Deborah’s 1-Minute “Writing Tip” Video
June 20, 2011 – Click over to Tina Nichols Coury’s blog Tales from the Rushmore Kid for a one-minute video tip from Deborah Halverson. The topic: Checking to see if your protagonist has completed a full character arc.
FREE Webinar with Deborah on July 27, 2011
Please join Deborah Halverson and author Katie Davis for a FREE webinar on July 27, 2011, 9:00-10:oo pm EST. They’ll be talking revision and writing craft and including a giveaway (or two). For full details or to sign up, visit the webinar information page.
Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies Virtual Book Launch Set for June 39 thru July 5
June 6, 2011 – Deborah’s writers’ advice website, DearEditor.com, will be the site of a huge 7-day virtual book launch for the publication of Deborah’s new book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. Visit DearEditor.com every day for exclusive free downloads, book excerpts, profiles of lauded MG/YA author contributors, and daily Free Critique/Full MS Edit Giveaways. More details to come!
Deborah to Critique at SCBWI-LA Nat’l Conference
June 6, 2011 – Deborah will be critiquing manuscripts at the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators 40th Annual Summer Conference in Los Angeles, August 5-8, 2011. Click on over to SCBWI’s conference site for details about this incredible event.
Deborah Gives Setting Tips in Hunger Mountain
May 16, 2011 – Deborah is honored to have an article featured in the summer 2011 issue of HUNGER MOUNTAIN, the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ wonderful journal of the arts. In “Where the Teens Are: 5 Ways to Freshen Up YA Fiction’s Favorite Settings” Deborah offers writers tips for making familiar teen fiction settings like school and the main character’s room feel provocative instead of inevitable. Click on over to Hunger Mountain for more..
Deborah Featured in Anderson Valley Post
May 11, 2011 – Anderson Valley Post, the local paper of Anderson Valley, California, ran an article featuring Deborah and her co-faculty for the Cottonwood Intensive Revision Workshop. To read about Edgar Award-winning author Charlie Price, author/illustrator Dr. Mira Reisberg, and Deborah, click over to Anderson Valley Post. To learn more about the May 21, 2011, conference, go to the conference website.
SCBWI Chapter Features Deborah in Kite Tales
Mar 2, 2011 – Deborah lays down some scene advice in the 2011 Spring Issue of Kite Tales, the newsletter for the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California. The chapter has shared a link to the newsletter, which is full of fantastic information: Kite Tales, Spring 2011. For more information about SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators), go to SCBWI.org.
Deborah to Talk to Teachers About Supporting Young Writers
On June 20-23, 2011, teachers earning their MAs will gather at the 32nd San Diego State University Summer Conference, and Deborah will be there with them. Her session, “BIF! BAM! POW!: Helping Young Writers Release Their Inner Heroes,” focuses on helping young writers tap into the heroes within themselves in order to write about characters who overcome their fears and flaws for heroic outcomes.
Deborah Talks about the Stuff Between Scenes for “Fiction Notes “
Nov 29, 2010 – In her role as The Editor on the writers’ advice website DearEditor.com, Deborah wrote a guest post about why it’s crucial that a writer knows what happens in the white space between scenes for author Darcy Pattison’s blog “Fiction Notes.” Here’s a teaser: “There’a trove of information and emotion lurking in the white space separating the last line of one scene and the first line of the next. You’re the master manipulator of your story–you should know exactly what’s happening in that space.” Check out “Fiction Notes” for the whole post.
Big Mouth a Thanksgiving Good Read on “Good Morning Connecticut”
Nov 21, 2010 – Deborah’s novel BIG MOUTH was featured today in Katie Davis’s a Thanksgiving book round-up on “Good Morning Connecticut” (ABC affiliate WTNH). See the four-minute segment on the GMC website: “Books Give Good Thanksgiving Message.” Katie Davis is an author and the creator of the popular children’s book podcast “Brain Burps for Books.“
Deborah Tapes “Brain Burps About Books” Podcast
Nov 18, 2010 – In her role as The Editor on the writers’ advice website DearEditor.com, Deborah answered listeners’ questions about publishing children’s books on author Katie Davis’s podcast “Brain Burps About Books.” The podcast will go live Wednesday, November 24. If you’ve got a question you’d like Deborah to answer in a follow-up podcast, call Katie’s toll free line at 888-522-1929 and leave a message.
Deborah Signed to Write Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies
July 29, 2010 – Deborah has signed on to write WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES for Wiley Publishings’ For Dummies line. The book is scheduled for June 2011 publication.
Deborah’s Article about Teen Fiction & Melodrama Appears in “The Inside Story”
May 31, 2010 – Deborah wrote the feature article “Melodrama Isn’t a Four-Letter Word” for this month’s “The Inside Story,” a monthly newsletter by Bruce Hale, author of two hilarious chapter book series–the Chet Gecko series, and the Underwhere series. A teaser from Deborah’s article: “So, you’re thirty-something writing teen novel, and you want your narrative voice to sound convincingly youthful? That’s an outstanding goal. A believable voice makes all the differenc ein the success of a manuscript. But how do you actually do it? The answer might surprise you.” To subscribe to “The Inside Story” and read Deborah’s article in full, go to http://bit.ly/b3yXd5. To learn more about Bruce Hale, go to BruceHale.com!
Deborah Interviewed on SCBWI’s “Industry PROfiles”
May 26, 2010 – Deborah was interviewed on SCBWI’s “Industry PROfiles”. The interview focuses on Deborah’s literary journey from playroom to publishing house to author’s chair, and explores how she balances her roles as Author/Editor/Mom. Check it out!
Deborah to Speak at SCBWI-San Diego Chapter Meeting
September 11, 2010 – Deborah will present “How Do You Know Your Manuscript Is Ready for Submission?” at the season-opening meeting of the sCBWI-San Diego chapter, on September 11, 2010, from 2-4pm, in Hahn Nursing Hall on the University of San Diego campus. For details about the meeting and the chapter, visit their web page.
Deborah Interviewed on SellingBooks.com
April 6 , 2010 – Deborah talks writing, DearEditor.com, and why half of females aged 18-25 want to be run over by a truck in a new interview on SellingBooks.com. Check it out!
Deborah Interviewed on Writers’ Waiting Room about the Creation of DearEditor.com
March 13, 2010 – An interview with Deborah was posted on Writers’ Waiting Room today. The interview focuses on the creations of DearEditor.com.
Deborah to Present Workshop at SCBWI 2010 Summer Conference July 30 thru Aug 2, 2010
Deborah will be presenting a workshop at the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators’ 39th annual summer conference, which will be held at the Century Hyatt in Los Angeles July 30 through August 2, 2010. Deborah’s session is “The Ultimate Checklist for Submitting to Editors: 10 Tests a Novel Must Pass to Prove It’s REALLY Ready for Submission to Editors.” Registration for the conference starts April 28th at www.scbwi.org.
Deborah launches DearEditor.com
March 5, 2010 – Today Deborah launched www.DearEditor.com, a writers’ advice website where writers–published or not–can ask questions about the craft of writing and/or the publishing industry and get direct answers and actionable suggestions. Whether they write fiction or nonfiction, for children or adults, this advice site is a place for writers to get guidance for the issues that challenge them. Deborah invites you to visit Dear-Editor.com and look through the archives, respond with your own comments or tips, or email your own questions. Above all, Deborah aims to make Dear-Editor.com a useful (and she dares hope fun) interactive resource for writers.
Deborah raises $3,222 for Breast Cancer Research
Nov 2009 – Deborah raised $3,222 as part of her participation in the “Breast Cancer 3-Day” 60-mile walk, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. That amazing organization funds breast cancer research, treatment, education, and screening. But Deborah didn’t do it alone… she had the the help of her four-year-old triplets, her devoted husband, and the families of the four other triplet moms on Deborah’s team, who all pitched in to host five Pink Lemonade Project lemonade stands in various locations around San Diego. And of course, there’s the immeasurable support of generous friends, family, and everyone who donated through the Pink Lemonade Project lemonade stands.
Deborah Speaks at the Society of School Librarians International Conference
October 16, 2009 – Deborah spent an afternoon with members of SSLI, a national independent school library association, at San Diego’s Hilton Gaslamp hotel. SSLI awards seven annual best book awards in the areas of Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.
Deborah Live on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510
Nov 29, 2008 – Deborah is at it again, dishing up BIG MOUTH anecdotes along with discussion of competitive eating and eating disorders on “Live with Lisa on The Daily Flow Show.” Saturday, November 29, at 9:00 a.m. MST (8:00 PST, 11:00 EST). The topic will be “Food, Fitness, & Football.” To hear the show, listen to AM 1510 in Denver. Phone in with questions or comments at toll free 888-817-1510.
BIG MOUTH Gets Thumbs Up from Horn Book
October 2008 – The fall issue of The Horn Book Guide gives BIG MOUTH a cool thumbs up! The Horn Book Guide reviews over 2,000 titles in each semiannual issue — virtually every children’s and young adult book published in the United States in a six-month period. Here’s what it had to say about BIG MOUTH: “In this cautionary tale about food-obsessed boys with eating disorders, Halverson uses humor and a light touch to explore a serious, little-discussed issue.”
Deborah Live on ESPN 1600 AM Radio on June 28, 2008
Do you prefer your radio with ketchup or mustard? Deborah will be serving up both—along with a generous helping of hot dogs and BIG MOUTH anecdotes—on ESPN 1600 Radio’s “Live with Lisa on The Daily Flow Show” Saturday, June 28, at 12:00 EST, 10:00 Central, 9:00 PST. The topic will be “Food, Fitness, & the Fourth of July.” To hear the show, listen to 1600 AM or call in to the Public Access number 1-303-331-7116 .
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa on July 12, 2008
Another book signing for BIG MOUTH! This is will be an afternoon affair, complete with a reading from BIG MOUTH and a talk by Deborah. Saturday, July 12, 2:00-3:00 pm at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa: 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126, 858/684-3166, west of I-15 off Mira Mesa Blvd, next to Edwards Cinema.
Book Signing at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa July 12, 2008
Another book signing for BIG MOUTH! This is will be an afternoon affair, complete with a reading from BIG MOUTH and a talk by Deborah. Saturday, July 12, 2:00-3:00 pm at Barnes & Noble – Mira Mesa: 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego, CA 92126, 858/684-3166, west of I-15 off Mira Mesa Blvd, next to Edwards Cinema.
Book Signing at Borders – Gaslamp July 1, 2008
Deborah’s first book signing for BIG MOUTH is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 4:00-5:00 pm at Borders – Gaslamp (Downtown San Diego): 668 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, 619/702-4200. The store is located on 6th Avenue, between Market and G Streets.
BIG MOUTH to Be an E-book
Deborah’s second teen novel, BIG MOUTH, will be published as an e-book! Delacorte/Random House says the e-book edition should be out toward the end of July, a month after the hardcover hits stores.
Deborah to Speak at San Diego Children’s Book Festival on May 4, 2008
Deborah will appear on a Teen Fiction panel at the San Diego Children’s Book Festival on May 4, 2008. The free festival will be a dynamic day-long family festival that invites children (from tots through teens) to experience the magic of books and meet some of the country’s top authors and illustrators. The Festival promotes literacy and benefits the San Diego Public Library. Deborah’s panel will be held 2:30-3:30 in the Community Room. She’ll sign books after the panel. Activities include author readings and signings, illustrator presentations, story times, face painting, a bounce house, music, and more. For more information, check out the festival’s website: www.SanDiegoBookFestival.org.
Festival location and times:
Sunday, May 4, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nobel Recreation Complex & North University Community Library
8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
(Just off I-805, near University Towne Center)
Deborah Interviewed in Tattoos for Women Magazine
Deborah is interviewed about HONK IF YOU HATE ME in Tattoos for Women magazine’s February 2008 issue, Vol.#81.
Deborah’s Live TV Interview on “Fox6 News in the Morning Weekends”
November 3, 2007 – Deborah was interviewed on San Diego’s “Fox6 News in the Morning Weekends.” Watch the interview by clicking here. Deborah discussed her teen novel HONK IF YOU HATE ME as well as the La Jolla Writers Conference, which was held at Paradise Point Resort and Spa November 2-4, 2007. Deborah taught two workshops about writing for children at the LJWC, which is in its seventh year. For more info about the conference: www.lajollawritersconference.com.
Deborah’s Live TV Interview on “Inside San Diego”
August 23, 2007 – Deborah was interviewed about HONK IF YOU HATE ME on San Diego’s KUSI News program “Inside San Diego.”