Eye on Flux: June 2009 Edition

Overview: Two really great interviews this month (and a special sneak peek behind the scenes of the Printz awards) plus YOUR questions answered in the Flux Mailbag.

* * * * *

See Flux in Action at ALA: Yours truly will be at ALA's 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago from July 11-14 at Booth #2658. We'll have Flux authors on hand to sign copies of their books. Schedule is as follows:

Maggie Stiefvater (author of LAMENT and the forthcoming BALLAD)
Saturday, July 11, 1pm

Susan Fine (author of INITIATION)
Saturday, July 11, 2pm

Simone Elkeles (author of HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION, LEAVING PARADISE, HOW TO RUIN A TEENAGE LIFE, and the forthcoming HOW TO RUIN YOUR BOYFRIEND'S REPUTATION)

Sunday, July 12, 1pm

* * * * *

Interview: Micol and David Ostow, authors of SO PUNK ROCK (AND OTHER WAYS TO DISAPPOINT YOUR MOTHER)

The sister-brother writing team of this hybrid graphic novel (which recently got a starred review in Booklist) discuss where the idea for the book came from, how their collaborative process works, and whether or not they'd ever collaborate again.

Check out SPR's Official Site here:

http://www.kosherpunkrock.com/

See the awesome book trailer!

Micol's Web site: http://www.micolostow.com/

David's Web site: http://www.davidostow.com/

Sample art from SO PUNK ROCK:

Follow the Tribe on Twitter:

Ari http://www.twitter.com/rockonari
Reena http://www.twitter.com/NJchoirGRRL

* * * * *

Flux Mailbag: This month's burning questions get answered....

--"Do you accept submissions from anyone?"

--"What bit of practical advice (aside from the oft-spoken 'Write well') do you have for aspiring writers?"

* * * * *

Interview: Elizabeth Burns, blogger at A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy and recent Printz Award committee member.

Liz Burns took time to give an insightful look into the processes involved in getting on the Printz committee (hint: it involves black magic...I kid...maybe....), what the day to day life of a Printz committee member was like (hint: any free time involves reading...a lot...)

Check out Liz's blog at: http://yzocaet.blogspot.com/

She also contributes articles to Pop Goes the Library: http://www.popgoesthelibrary.com/

* * * * *

To download the podcast:
AAC (iPod friendly) version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes.)

MP3 version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes or Windows Media Player.)

* * * * *

Next month: More author inteviews! More burning questions answered! And another Flux author steps forward in a brave attempt to be the new reigning champion of 60 Seconds of Fame!

Eye on Flux: May 2009 edition

Overview: With the first podcast down, we sally forth with our May edition, featuring interviews with three authors, a peak into the Flux mailbag, and a new segment called 60 Seconds of Fame.

Interview: Jeremy Craig, author of THE STRAITS

We talk to Jeremy about his debut YA novel and its eerily prescient correlation to a recent article in the New York times. Jeremy also shares some of his favorite literary figures and discusses how his writing relates to his current status as film school graduate student.


For more information, check out Jeremy's web site:
http://www.readthestraits.com/






Interview: Gillian Summers, author of THE SECRET OF THE DREAD FOREST


Berta Platas and Michelle Roper don the pseudonym of Gillian Summers to write the Faire Folk Trilogy, the concluding volume of which comes out in June. Berta and Michelle offer a preview of what's to come in the series, give their insight on working with a writing partner, and talk about their attraction to renaissance festivals.



For more information, check out Gillian's web site:
www.gilliansummers.com/



Flux Mailbag: I answer questions sent in by listeners relating to the types of books we do at Flux and whether or not I read every submission we receive.


Send your questions for the Flux Mailbag to questions at fluxnow dot com. Each month, I'll randomly select a few questions to answer and if yours appear on the podcast, I'll send you the Flux book of your choice!



60 Seconds of Fame: A.S. King, author of THE DUST OF 100 DOGS, joins us to launch a brand new segment on the podcast where authors sit on the hot seat for 60 seconds and compete for valuable prizes (i.e. bragging rights for being the reigning champ of 60 Seconds of Fame).





To download the podcast:

AAC (iPod friendly) version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes.)

MP3 version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes or Windows Media Player.)



Next month: We'll talk to Micol and David Ostow, the sister-brother writing team behind Flux's first hybrid graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (AND OTHER WAYS TO DISAPPOINT YOUR MOTHER) and our special guest will be Elizabeth Burns, librarian/blogger extraordinaire who will discuss her recent tenure on the Printz award committee.

Eye on Flux: April 2009 Edition

Overview: Our inaugural podcast! We set the stage for this new series of podcasts to discuss upcoming Flux titles, the world of YA, and anything else the editor feels like talking about.

Interview: Susan Fine, author of INITIATION

We sat down for a talk with Susan Fine to discuss how her background as a teacher at a private school influenced the world she created in INITIATION.

For more information, check out Susan Fine's website.

Available on Amazon, Borders, BN.com, Powells, and Flux





Interview: Lucienne Diver, author of VAMPED

We chatted with Lucienne about her debut YA book and how her work as a writer informs the work she does as a literary agent.


For more information, check out Lucienne Diver's website.

Available on Amazon, Borders, BN.com, Powells, and Flux


Send us your questions! Ask us your Burning Questions about Flux, the world of publishing, our authors, etc. and if we answer your question on the podcast, we’ll send you the Flux book of your choice. Send questions to questions at fluxnow dot com.

To download the podcast:

AAC (iPod friendly) version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes.)

MP3 version: Right click here and select 'Save as.' (Clicking on the link will prompt the file to launch in iTunes or Windows Media Player.)

Next month: We look at our June releases, answer questions, and introduce a new segment: 60 Seconds of Fame!

Eye on Flux

Yes, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to the new blog for EYE ON FLUX, our brand spanking new podcast. This change marks a new direction for the Flux Blog. Where in the past we were a repository for Flux news, interesting stories from the world of publishing, and the occasionally bizarre random musings of Flux’s acquiring editors (I include my Esteemed Predecessor on that), the launch of the podcast brings a new feel and tone for the blog.

This space will now be the “go to” source for everything having to do with the podcast. We’ll have a link whereby you can download it. You’ll be able to stream it directly from the site. We’ll have supplemental information on everything you hear in the podcast. And it’s all FREE!

And just so you still get your fix for all the latest Flux news, there’s always the OTHER Flux blog on our main Web site: www.fluxnow.com, maintained by the always entertaining Tricia O’Reilly. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out what Tricia’s doing over there.

Here’s the skinny on what this podcast-thingy is all about:

• The podcast will occur monthly (for the foreseeable future).
• I (Brian) will be hosting the podcast (for those with an insatiable desire to learn what I sound like).
• We’ll highlight forthcoming books from our catalogs via author interviews.
• We’ll answer Listener Burning Questions and give free books away.
• We’ll have discussions about the world of young adult literature, we’ll have special guests, we’ll have fun.
• For the time being, EYE ON FLUX is ONLY available here. We anticipate having distribution on iTunes in the near future.
• Look for the first edition later this week.

Spread the word! Go forth my pretties! Make blog posts and send e-mails. Make sure that everyone has their eye on Flux!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

It's been mighty quiet 'round these parts, I reckon. Must be a good reason for that.

Well, boy howdy, there is! You might be seeing a few changes at the ole Flux Blog in the near future. Kind of a "re-imaginin'" like them thar Hollywood folks like to say.

Best put the kettle on, kick your feet up, and keep your eye on Flux, ya hear?

Let me get this straight... you're dissing the Wild and Crazy Guy?

For reasons that should be obvious, I get a bit twitchy whenever someone suggests banning a book or play or tries to impede others from access to artistic materials. For instance, a school superintendent in Oregon shut down a high school's impending production of Steve Martin's play, PICASSO AT THE LAPINE AGILE, after 137 community members signed a petition stating their "concern" about the show's adult content. Similarly, across the country, other high schools have faced similar opposition to their proposed stagings of the musical, RENT.

In the case of the Oregon school, Steve Martin himself has stepped up to the plate and offered to fund a non-profit production of the show to be produced off-campus in an effort "to prevent the play from acquiring a reputation it does not deserve."

I'm always happy to see parents taking an active interest in their children's activities and I firmly believe it is every parent's right to steer their children away from anything they feel might be harmful (based on personal values, of course). That stops making sense to me, though, when this "protective" nature expands to the children of other parents. Isn't it just easier (and more responsible) to tell your kid "I don't want you to have anything to do with that show" than it is to attempt to block other people's children from having the experience? Or am I missing something?

Anyway. Yay on Steve Martin. I hope the director of the show takes him up on this offer.

Congratulations to Robin Friedman!

Robin's Flux book, NOTHING was recently shortlisted for Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award for Best Young Adult novel.

Winners will be announced at the end of May. Robin's book had previously won the 2009 Sydney Taylor Notable Books for Teens Award. Go Robin!