Arcs Appear To Be A Hot Button Topic

I was aware that there's been talk lately about arc gobblers at conferences. Seriously. But I hadn't grasped how extensive and deep the arc angst goes until Writer Beware linked on Facebook to YA author Elizabeth Fama's blog post Kill My Arc. It wasn't so much what she said that surprised me. Personally, I agree with her regarding arcs being unfinished books, or maybe not even books at all. It was the big number of responders, many of them embracing the arc and being somewhat hostile toward Fama's point of view, that made me realize that this is a volatile issue.

I don't go to conferences, so I don't have a dog in this fight. But I will continue to follow it.

Classroom Buzz For Fangbone

I passed my arc of Fangbone on to a family member who teaches reading, primarily to children who need some extra instruction in the subject. I was aware that she had a student who is interested in becoming a cartoonist, and Fangbone is a graphic novel.

I learned this weekend that the first time he read the book, the boy didn't get much out of it. But he read it a second time, at which point it was clear that he was comprehending and enjoying what he was reading. In fact, he became an enthusiastic fan, anxious to read the second volume in the series (which has already been published) and wondering why their school library didn't own those two books. (Our family member suggested that he write to the librarian about the issue.) Not to worry. The young man's father purchased Kindle versions of both the first two Fangbones, so they're available whenever he wants them.

This boy is so taken with this book and has discussed it so often that now other children in his class, children who don't have difficulty reading, are interested in reading it. Our family member also thought it was noteworthy that this is a class of fourth graders, and the book is set in a third-grade classroom. She wouldn't have necessarily expected kids to be interested in reading about characters who are younger than they are. Certainly conventional wisdom tells us that children read up, not down.

But evidently the little barbarian in Fangbone can deal with that issue.

The Rise Of The Typo

Errors in published book has been discussed at listservs for a few years now. The Price of Typos in The New York Times explains why copy editing ain't what it used to be.

I would like to suggest that librarians shelving Advanced Readers' Copies helps promote acceptance of typos and incomplete copy editing. Errors are supposed to exist in Advanced Readers' Copies. They're bound early galleys sent out prior to publicaton for review and inspection by groups making purchasing decision. When librarians add them to their collections because they got them for free at some conference (as I know happens), they are intentionally treating incomplete books as the real thing.

It's only a small point in a larger issue, but it does create a tolerance for error among readers.

Speaking Of The Hannah And Brandon Stories

I have a limited number of arcs for the second volume in The Hannah and Brandon Stories series, A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers, which will be published in July. I've already given out a few, so if you're interested in a copy get in touch with me soon, either through the comments here or e-mail.

It's Time For Me To Do Something About This

A Girl, a Boy, and a Monster Cat will be coming out in June, so I guess it's time for me to distribute some of the arcs I received from my publisher. I made a serious effort to promote Happy Kid!, which did finally get some results. But that was just last year, and I'm having a little trouble getting pumped up to promote again so soon. I just realized I haven't even created a Girl/Boy page at my website.

Last year I approached bloggers about reviewing Happy Kid!. This year, however, I feel somewhat awkward about doing that because I sort of know a lot of the bloggers now. I don't want to make anyone feel they have to say, "Yes, I'll review the book" leading them to then feel uncomfortable if they need to give the book a mixed or worse review. (See Roger Sutton's post on this very situation in reviewing children's books.)

So, I will just say, I have a limited number of arcs. If anyone is interested in receiving a copy for a possible review, go ahead and contact me. (You can do so via e-mail by way of my website, if you'd like some privacy.)

And let the chips fly where they may!