Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Blog Posts by Tag
In the past 7 days
Blog Posts by Date
Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Secret Keeper (Random House 2009), Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 25
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: Secret Keeper (Random House 2009) in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
The Indian version of SECRET KEEPER just arrived. The book's design and texture are gorgeous, and it smells like India (confession: I love sniffing new books.)
The copyright page includes a statement we don't see here in the States: "Mitali Perkins asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work." Wonder where that originated?
I'm heading off to Orlando for the International Reading Association Convention, where I'll be presenting at one of the pre-conference Institutes on Sunday (right after Jacqueline Woodson, yikes). On Monday, I'm signing copies of Bamboo People from 11-12 at Charlesbridge, Booth 542, and then signing copies of Secret Keeper from 1-2 at Random House Children's Books, Booth #1413. Hope to see some of you there!
Moral rights is a UK thing (and presumably entered Indian law from that direction).
I *think* where moral rights comes into play is in a work-for-hire situation. Like in the US, the writer-for-hire doesn't retain the copyright, but unless they waive them, they *do* maintain moral rights.
Liz Burns and other lawyers are welcome to jump in and correct me, of course.
Oo love it! I think the US cover is so beautiful - the colors, the simplicity, the downglancing face. But she is so sad/serious looking - I guess I never realized that until I saw the wimsy and joy of the Indian cover - the motion of the whizzing plane, the notebook, the upside down girl (whose world is of course made upside down in the story). I think they're both lovely - just so different. It must feel really interesting to have your book published in India - have your others? What has that been like? ie. reactions from young people in India? Congratulations on this!
Ooh, I love both! I agree with Sayantani, though, that the US cover is quite serious. While the ending sure made my cry, SECRET KEEPER was whimsical and a bit off-beat, too! Congratulations on two beautiful covers. =)
Actually inspired by your posting of these two covers, I just blogged on this (lately quite charged) issue of Asian American authors and book covers - trying to do a round up of a lot of recent cyber-conversations. Hope it's ok I linked back to this post too: http://storiesaregoodmedicine.blogspot.com/2011/02/judging-asians-by-our-book-covers.html
I think I like the Indian cover even more than the American one! It's so whimsical, and the doodle-like look of the text reminds me of Amelia's Diaries. It's interesting to me that the American cover plays with Indian artistic motifs in such an up-front way, whereas the Indian cover is much more subtle.
I think I would pick up the American cover before the Indian - BUT, the American cover appeals to me because it looks slightly exotic to this white chick, whereas in India it obviously wouldn't.
Kirkus reviews captured my hope for my novel SECRET KEEPER (Random House): "Asha’s struggles will enlighten and inspire young women, and encourage them to value their own freedom."
In honor of SECRET KEEPER's paperback release, I'm turning over today's twitter stream to feature tweets from charities that empower girls. Track the tweets via hashtag #StrongGirls.
Paperback classroom copy sets available from Random House. Order personalized copies for 7 bucks or so from my local indie, and I'll trot down the hill to sign them before shipping.Call 617-244-6619, or email Newtonville Books with your request. The book, of course, is also available for order via other booksellers.
A new study in Scotland finds tween and teen girls crumbling under cultural pressure:
Over the two decades, (Helen) Sweeting found that, while the 15-year-old boys she spoke to had experienced a small increase in psychological distress, the number of girls of the same age reporting mental issues from mild anxiety to issues serious enough to justify hospital treatment, had jumped sharply.
Assuming a growing global homogeneity of youth culture, I shared this article on twitter today and asked two questions:
Are there cultural sub-pockets where strong girls find shelter from the "be successful *and* sexy or else" stress storm?
When it comes to cultural pressure on teen girls, should YA writers try to mend, join the trend, or neither?
Theater, sports, Girl Scouts, fasting from media, and strong families were among the responses to the first question. (If you have others, leave them in the comments.)
As for the question of responsible writing for tweens and teens without didacticism, Janni Lee Simner, author of Bones of Faerie, gave this balanced answer: "They should try to show [the pressure] truly — to give it and readers a voice."
Books were definitely a haven for me in the face of cultural pressure, even though I came of age in a much less stressful time for girls. That's why I'm proud Secret Keeper made the 2010 ALA Amelia Bloomer List, a bibliography "intended to highlight feminist books examining women’s history, those that celebrate women who have blazed trails, and those that describe problems and identify solutions for situations we face today."
I suppose in religions girls can feel safe and have no pressure to be sexy. I definitely agree with the sports one! Bit I also think ins sports there is a lot of pressure to be sucessful and WIN.But that drive can be good. In most extracurriculars activites really, whther it be debate team, Model UN, math team, medical club, etc. these help shelter girls and help us to grow and feel more confident that we can do anything.
This is a sad study and I imagine if girls in Scotland feel this way, American girls feel it even more. I know I do.
I am a graduate of and a former teacher in an all-girls high school. I highly encourage parents to consider single-sex education for their teen girls. I realize that this is not feasible for many, but for those to whom it is accessible it is an invaluable opportunity. This article articulates the argument much better than I could http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/graduates-of-all-girls-schools-85038.aspx.
As for the responsibility of YA writers, I feel the mere fact that YA literature has completely exploded since I was a teen in the mid 90s is enough . I read adult fiction as a teen because there wasn’t much around then (or nobody was pointing it out to me) and by then I’d already outgrown Francine Pascal’s blond twins (worthy of another whole discussion). As the mother of a girl, an educator, and a library student, I feel it is the responsibility adult readers to connect teen girls with stories that portray strong heroines.
Each year the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association selects 25 outstanding trade books published the year before enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world. Winning titles include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry written for students in grades K-12. I'm thrilled that Secret Keeper is on this list in such good company!
Ajmera, Maya. Faith. Written by Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, and Cynthia Pon. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Baskin, Nora Raleigh. (2009). Anything But Typical. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Bausum, Ann. Denied, Detained, Deported: stories from the dark side of American immigration. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
Bryan, Ashley. Words to my Life’s Song. Photographs by Bill McGuinness. New York: Atheneum.
Burg, Ann E. All the Broken Pieces. New York: Scholastic.
Combres, Élisabeth. Broken Memory: a Novel of Rwanda. Translated by Shelley Tanaka. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Deedy, Carmen Agra. 14 Cows for America. In collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah. Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
Edwardson, Debby Dahl. Blessing’s Bead. New York: Melanie Kroupa/Farrar Straus and Giroux.
Khan, Rukhsana. Wanting Mor. Toronto, ON: Groundwood.
Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little, Brown.
Marshall, James Vance. Stories from the Billabong. Illustrated by Francis Firebrace. London: Frances Lincoln.
Murphy, Jim. Truce: The Day The Soldiers Stopped Fighting. New York: Scholastic.
Naidoo, Beverley. Burn my Heart. New York: Amistad/HarperCollins.
Napoli, Donna Jo. Alligator Bayou. New York: Wendy Lamb/Random House.
National Geographic. Every Human Has Rights: a Photographic Declaration for Kids. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
Nelson, Marilyn. The Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial.
Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves. Deputy U.S. Marshal. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda.
O’Brien, Anne Sibley. After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance. Written by Anne Sibley O’Brien and Perry Edmond O’Brien. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Partridge, Elizabeth. Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary. New York: Viking.
Perkins, Mitali. Secret Keeper. New York: Delacorte.
Reynolds, Jan. Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life: A Story of Sustainable Farming. New York: Lee & Low.
Russell, Ching Yeung. Tofu Quilt. New York: Lee & Low.
Stork, Francisco X. Marcelo in the Real World. New York: Arthur Levine/Scholastic.
I've added more books to my tbr pile! It's interesting, I've read that some readers are really unhappy with Orange Houses because of how it treats Africa but it's been getting lots of praise. I haven't read any of the nofiction or younger grade books, but I do intend on reading them. The Inernational Reading Association is a great idea and i'm glad they publish this list.
I really liked Blessing's Bead and Claudette Colvin! I'm so glad to see Claudette receive her long over due praise, she was so brave. To think she was only my age when she helped start such an important movement! hooray for Marcelo In the real World, I will forever love that book. Last Summer of the Death Warriors is fantastic as well :) And of course, congrats on yet another honor of secret Keeper! From all that I've heard, Secret Keeper deserves all the praise it gets and more.
Meanwhile, on Goodreads, another reader disagreed: "I didn't really like the ending, but I loved the rest of it."
Of all my books, SECRET KEEPER seems to be evoking the widest range of gut responses.
Is there a particular book you've loved that another reader wanted to fling across the room? Or vice a versa, maybe: you wish you'd never read it because it left you sad, mad, or otherwise disturbed, but other people apparently adored it?
Oh, so many, starting with Catching Fire to be au courant (I was really unenthusiastic). Goodreads has made me realize that almost always there are two things going on when people hate a book I like: either they've misunderstood the point of the book somehow (The Green Glass Sea, for instance), or it just isn't their thing. I try to keep this in mind now when I dislike books, especially if I'm a lonely voice.
There's nothing I enjoy more than a good love story, but I didn't expect to be so emotionally pulled into this tale. I was spellbound by the details ... It was a book that both educated and inspired ...
This is one of those awards that dovetails with my personal vision as a writer, honoring books that "promote cooperation and cultivate an awareness of our diverse cultures." Thank you, Skipping Stones!
Here's the full list of multicultural and international awareness honor books. Download this .pdf to see the list of nature and ecology books. Reviews of all the books are in the magazine's Summer 2009 issue.
52 Days by Camel by Lawrie Raskin with Debora Pearson. Annick Press. Ages 9-13.
A Boy Named Beckoning by Gina Capaldi. Carolrhoda Books.Ages 8-12.
As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Raul Colón. Alfred Knopf. Ages 6-10.
A is for Abraham by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Ron Mazellan. Sleeping Bear Press. Elementary grades.
Baila, Nana, Baila/Dance, Nana, Dance retold by Joe Hayes, illustrated by Mauricio T. Sayago. Cinco Puntos. Middle grades.
Ethiopian Voices: Tsion’s Life by Stacy Bellward, photographs by Erlend Berge. Amharickids. Ages 6-11.
Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World by Natalie Maydell and Sep Riahi, illustrated by Heba Amin. Global Content Ventures. Ages 9-13.
I Am Barack Obama by Charisse Carney-Nunes, illustrated by Ann Marie Williams. BrandNu Words. Ages 6-10.
Pitch Black, a graphic novel by Youme Landowne and Anthony Horton. Cinco Puntos. Ages 13-17.
Lana’s Lakota Moons by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. Univ. of Nebraska Press. Ages 12 and up.
The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang. Coffee House Press. Ages 14 and up.
Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins. Delacorte Press. Ages 12 and up.
The Storyteller’s Candle by Lucia Gonzalez, illustr. Lulu Delacre. Children’s Book Press. Ages 6 and up.
Grandfather’s Story Cloth by Linda Gerdner and Sarah Langford, illustrated by Stuart Loughridge. Shen’s Books. Ages 4-9.
Want to spread the buzz about your book to teachers and librarians, who in turn will share it with their students? Ask Deborah Sloan (former director of marketing, promotion, advertising and publicity at Candlewick) if she'll feature it in The Picnic Basket. Here's the premise:
We send you free books. You tell us what you think! Welcome to The Picnic Basket, where school and library professionals taste new and forthcoming children's books with first-come, first-serve sample copies of books for kids of all ages. Read the books, then post your reviews here for your colleagues to read.
Twenty-some educators thus far have submitted reviews of my SECRET KEEPER, and I'm refreshed by their honesty and encouragement:
A thought-provoking book and a good read. In the spunky and opinionated Asha, pre-teens and teens can find a role model in their search for individuality.
I wept right in the middle of the mall as I read this book while waiting for my daughter to window shop with her friends. I couldn't put it down, or concentrate on anything else. I was a blubbering fool. I felt as if the author pulled up a stool and sat me right at Asha's family table.
This was a wonderfully written book, and I look forward to sharing it with my high school sophomores and juniors.
I’m going to warn you: I cried at the end of SECRET KEEPER. Don’t worry; I won’t give away too many secrets. Just one: I didn’t cry because of the sad ending. I cried because author Mitali Perkins resisted the urge to "go Disney," and I instantly loved her for it.
I just finished reading SECRET KEEPER. It is a fantastic story! My students can definitely relate to having to live with extended family members and having to obey others rules and not having any space/privacy of their own. They tell me this daily. They can also relate to the importance of keeping promises, even if they mean hurting yourself. And they definitely can relate to being poor and not having any money.
Now that's praise from the praiseworthy, and well worth the investment.
Most authors have little to do with book jackets. It's strange because a good cover can spur sales while a boring cover can kill your book, especially when it comes to teen readers. Not to mention the fear of an artist usurping power by representing a character differently than the author imagined, or adding stuff to the plot that simply isn't there.
But a novel is a collaborative process from start to finish, and authors have to trust editors, art directors, designers, and artists with book covers. While they might seek input from us, the final decision isn't in our hands.
Melissa Walker (rgz diva and author of the VIOLET series) interviewed me about the jacket of SECRET KEEPER (pictured in the sidebar) as part of her Cover Stories series. Here's an excerpt:
"My editor asked for input, and I told her that there were a glut of covers set in India with girls peeking over veils or around sarees ..."
Well-developed characters, funny dialogue, and the authentic depiction of spunky Asha’s longing for romance and female self-determination, set in a culture that restrains women’s choices, make this book an attractive pick for teenage girls.
Thanks, SLJ!
Yesterday, Françoise Bui, my editor at Delacorte, called to tell me that the book has sold nicely (whew) since pub date of 1/16. We expressed our mutual delight that SECRET KEEPER is going to be translated into French and published by Editions Thierry Magnier in Paris. Vive La France!
Last but not least, Françoise asked for updates about my upcoming events and any buzz about SECRET KEEPER. Authors, note that you should be keeping your editors and publicists informed about any and all mentions of your book, as well as your appearances. It helps. Here's what I sent to Random House:
On the Web and in Print:
This month's School Library Journalfeatured several authors who twitter, and the book got a nice mention.
I talked about my book launch in my column for Boston Globe/yourtown.
No doubt about it -- my novel SECRET KEEPER has definitively been launched. Some of you gathered to party on the west coast, wishing the book (and me) well in Bellevue, Washington or joining the harambee in Palo Alto, California.
And yesterday, seventy or so of you showed up to celebrate at Newtonville Books in Newton, Massachusetts. What fun! The samosas were yummy thanks to Punjabi Dhaba in Cambridge, my son made the chai, we raffled off prizes, the girls all sported bindis, and you made bookseller Mary Cotton (and me) very happy by buying quite a few books. (Photos courtesy of Laya Steinberg.)
I wore the same Ann Taylor pants at all three parties. They were comfy.
Here's Yolanda Leroy of Charlesbridge asking sotto voce how that revision of Bamboo People is coming along. Mary Newell DePalma brought the fantastic flowers.
I wish your book a long and happy journey on the waves of success! Sorry I wasn't there to hoist a chai or two, but glad to hear you had such a lovely day.
I just finished reading your book Secret Keeper, this is my first book that I read from your list of the books, quite amazingly the book was very nice, it reminded me of the book french lover by Taslima Nasreen (I thought that book was also very nice with an exception of explicit details on sex, may be Taslima wanted to cater to western reader more.) I really liked your writing craft, the book was really interesting and was quite a page turner. It nicely deals with the relationships, hopes and misery of life. I will definitely look forward for other books. In my view when I pick some of the fresh writers of modern India living outside countery, It has quite a display of nostaligia and sometime I find divided vision between India and rest of the world. Somewhat they are mentally challenged to come out of the view of bigger world. I am hoping for better books to come from your side. Once again thank you very much for the nice book that I just finished reading.
I just finished the copy you signed for me in Palo Alto--wonderful story. I love Osh and was seriously impressed at how deftly you handled the choices she has to face. Lovely story!
The characters are skillfully drafted, playing the requisite parts (domineering matriarch, displaced wife, gangly teenager) without becoming caricatures, and the setting is richly depicted. Offer this to fans of family drama as well as those who seek literary windows into other cultural or historical contexts.
Blogger Jen Robinson's review was thrilling because she described my dream response from readers:
I read it two quick sittings, eager to know what would happen next. I could practically smell and taste Calcutta in the 1970's, and I loved the characters, especially Asha.
Sherry Early at Semicolon picks it as her favorite among my novels:
Such a powerful story! Secret Keeper is a tale of love and loss, of traditional family and of new ways and mores creeping into and disrupting the old conventions ... I really think that this book is Ms. Perkins’ best book to date, an exploration of cultural norms and changing roles, of responsibility to self and to family, and of flawed but loving answers to difficult issues.
When you write for teens, you cherish their kudos. Listen to Sarah Woodard at Sarah's Random Musings:
The characters drew a hole in my heart from how life-like they were and how the ending wasn't exactly what I wanted. It was still amazing. If you want to discover a book that will pull your heart strings and make you wonder: How much would you sacrifice to save someone that you loved?
If you're in the Boston area, don't forget to RSVP for my East Coast Book Launch Party (mitaliperk at yahoo dot com) because I need to order enough samosas and chai. Would love to see you there!
Book Launch Party for SECRET KEEPER Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, 2 p.m.
Buh-bye, Arctic Front! I'm heading to California and Washington for a blur of book events and writing workshops. If you're anywhere near Palo Alto or Bellevue, check my schedule here, and please stop by and say hello. I'll be back on the Fire Escape on 1/21, with pictures, news, and gossip.
Thanks to everybody who celebrated with me as SECRET KEEPER released on 1/13. You made it feel like a party even though I was cloistered in my writing nook most of the day. Check out the yummy soup that author Jama Rattigan concocted:
And don't worry, I'll be keeping an eye on great posts about books between cultures, like this one,"All A-Twitter About Newbery Diversity," where librarian Liz Burns responds to an in-the-news study that lamented the lack of diverse characters in Newbery-winning novels. Definitely worth a read.
For me, 2009 kicks off with massive renovations on Mitali's Fire Escape. I'd love to hear what you think, or if you have any suggestions to make the new site more user-friendly.
We're up to 23 bookstores and 85 authors/illustrators over at our New England indie-author Valentine's Day event, Kids Heart Authors Day. Only two weeks left to sign up!
Last but not least, I'm busy fine-tuning my mini-tour for the launch of Secret Keeper on January 13th. I'll be reading, signing books, and offering writing workshops in the San Francisco and Seattle areas, as well as just plain partying in Bellevue, Palo Alto, and Newtonville. I'd love to see you there. Feel free to sign up for the book giveaway over at Goodreads, too.
SF BAY AREA:
Book Signing and Chai, Thursday Jan. 15, 2009, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, Not Your Mother's Book Club, Books Inc., Town & Country Village, 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto, CA. Phone: 650-321-0600.
Free Writing Workshop, Thursday Jan. 15, 2009, 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Not Your Mother's Book Club, Books Inc., Town & Country Village, 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto, CA. Phone: 650-321-0600.
SEATTLE AREA:
Book Launch Party, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, 2 p.m., Bellevue Barnes and Noble, 626 106th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA. Phone: 425-453-7958. (ALL the readergirlz divas have put this on their calendar, bless their hearts, so here's your chance to meet them!)
Teen Writing Workshop, Chai, Naan, and Samosas, Sunday, January 18, 5:00 p.m., Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004. Phone: 425-450-1765.
BOSTON AREA:
Book Launch Party, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, 2 p.m., Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut St, Newton, MA 02460. Phone: 617-244-6619.
This career requires nerves of steel. Countless disappointments and the agonies of waiting have driven many a writer to drink. Or to Cadbury chocolate. Basically, choose your favorite numbing agent to survive the ride. There are celebrations along the way, though.
First you endure a long string of rejections. Mini Fiesta #1: Here's to landing a contract! Clink! ForSecret Keeper, an offer came from Delacorte almost three years ago.
Next you wait to see if critics like your work. Mini Fiesta #2: Here's to getting a good review! Clink! My book's coming out in a month, and I'm exhaling bit by bit as the reviews start trickling in. I already heard that PW liked it, but the good news is that Kirkus agreed, saying that "this achingly realistic story ... will enlighten and inspire young women, and encourage them to value their own freedom." Whew.
Then you hope the darn thing sells. Mini Fiesta #3: Here's to earning out your advance and getting royalties! Clink! Ka-ching! Checks come for Sunita, Monsoon Summer, and Rickshaw Girl, but will they for Secret Keeper? I hope so. Because for some books I'm still waiting.
Each letter or note from a reader generates celebration, too (clink, clink), but finally, inevitably, no matter how many starry reviews and awards and fan mail and checks come your way, you'll get a letter from your publisher. It will inform you politely and formally that the book is going out of print and getting remaindered. Do you want to buy some copies, and if so how many? CLINK! *glass SHATTERS*
That's why the real party is writing the next story. Pass the Cadbury please.
SUNITA is O-O-P, and MONSOON SUMMER is no longer in hardcover. What do you do? Nothing. Books have lives. I was shocked to find out how many of Marilyn Sachs' books are O-O-P, including MARV and VERONICA GANZ, two great reads. Now, though, with Print on Demand, your story can still be accessible.
I guess you go with the overall balance and remember that the big reason we're here is the actual writing? I think you've got some future readers who won't be so happy, though. Will you buy up any of the remainders, do you think? (I'm sensing another blog post here!)
Here's to more celebrations as our books are born and touch others, Mitali. Standing O for libraries where our words still whisper for many years to come, even after they are out of print.
Keep writing! An author friend, who was recently #2 on the NYT, just had many of her early O-O-P titles re-issued with new covers, twenty years after the books were first published. Very cool. A book never really dies. One day, when you're even more famous than you already are, your back list titles will be re-issued with beautiful new covers.
Have you requested reversion of rights for your O-O-P titles? The same friend advised me to request reversion of rights for Maya Running (Maya is O-O-P too, boo hoo) so I can control any re-issue that might happen bazillions of years from now.
I skimmed back over your blog entries about First Daughter. Did you read Tess Gerritsen's entry about making ourselves crazy trying to figure out why a book makes it or doesn't make it? You can only do your best - so many factors are out of our control.
I haven't read your First Daughter books but the covers are wonderful and your writing is always amazing. What else can you do? We can truly make ourselves crazy worrying about all this stuff.
BTW, just as an aside, Chick Lit is passe, gone, kaput, dead, sayonara. So if you're thinking the covers were not Chick Lit enough - that's a GOOD thing.
I shouldn't be giving you advice, as you're way ahead of me in your career, but these are my measly two cents, for what they're worth!
Mitali, you'll be pleased to know that your books were featured VERY prominently on display tables at the recent Book Fair at my daughter's school, and there were many kids leafing through them.
In an intimate and absorbing drama about a displaced Indian family in the 1970s, Perkins (Monsoon Summer) vividly highlights the conflict between traditional Indian values and feminist ideals ... Readers may not always agree with Asha’s bold decisions, but they will admire her courage and selflessness as she puts her family’s needs before her own. Besides offering insight into Indian culture, Perkins offers a moving portrait of a rebellious teen who relies on ingenuity rather than charm to prove her worth. Ages 12–up
"Intimate and absorbing," I've been murmuring under my breath as I go about my business. "A moving portrait." That helps to silence the bad voices in my head. Every author hears them, and they must be vanquished.
The first review of your forthcoming novel feels almost as dear as a first kiss -- if it's sweet, that is.
Book Embargo, a blogger who works at an indie, had this to say about SECRET KEEPER (Delacorte, January 2009):
...It was a beautiful book. (Haven’t I said that already?) But it really was. The family dynamics, with the father gone to America, the mother and two sisters left to live with relatives. The money problems, the Indian culture, it was all so beautifully written and described. However, it was not a romance novel where everyone lives happily every after in their perfect world. It was a novel of family honor and respect, doing what is right even though it may kill you inside. It was beautiful and worth it, but have tissues ready at the end!
I have no idea how she got a copy of the book as I haven't even seen the galleys yet, but there's much about this industry that befuddles me. Chalk it up to wonder and mystery -- just like that first smooch.
That is a great review! How wonderful for you. And, as the poster above commented, I too love the cover design. The colors and the way in which the girl's face is framed with the graphics is really lovely.
For the first time in my career, I hesitantly approached a couple of my favorite bestselling YA authors, asking if they'd consider reading SECRET KEEPER and, if they liked it, sending me a quote that could be printed on the cover. Neither accepted my invitation -- politely, for perfectly valid reasons -- so the book will be blurb-free.
Then last week, I was approached by a first-time novelist to be quoted on her book. "I've got sweaty palms," she informed me in her email request, and I knew exactly how she felt. It was hard to ask.
Now I'm wondering -- can a validation from another author on the cover convince a reader to buy or borrow a book?
As a reader, I have clear views about this issue. Blurbs only have NEGATIVE influence on me. In other words, if an author I can't stand recommends a book, chances are I won't read it. For example, I can't stand A.S. Byatt for a number of reasons (I hated Possession; she trashes genre fiction, even though she wrote historical romance herself). If she blurbs a book and deems it great, I won't read it.
However, if someone I love blurbs a book, it has no effect on me whatsoever. I'd rather read a review by a critic or reader who likes the work of Writer X and makes a comparison than if Writer X makes the comparison herself by blurbing.
Call me contrary, but this is the way it works not only for me, I suspect.
I disagree. If an author I don't like comments on a book, I ignore it. Just because I don't like their work, it doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy the books they enjoyed. On the other hand, if an author I do like says they liked a book, it does pique my interest. For example, I was recently looking for a good mystery novel to read and I saw one with an intriguing quote from PD James on the back. That did influence my decision to read it in a positive way.
Mitali, I always figure that the blurbers are friends of the author. A blurb by someone famous wouldn't make any difference to me. I'm much more likely to go by word of mouth, familiarity with the author, a good review, or a cover I like.
I have become very jaded about blurbs. I have rarely read a book that lived up to the blurb-hype on the cover. I've been known to put books back on the shelf if there are blurbs on the cover. I think blurbers have a lot to gain by blurbing. Their names are on another author's book, thus providing them with an opportunity to gain name recognition. Thus authors have a lot of motivation for providing a positive quote. I just finished a book today that had blurbs all over the back cover from some very high profile people. I can't believe we were all reading the same book.
I'm with Kelly. I'd much rather read a quote from a critic about one of the author's earlier works. That gives me a more unbiased idea of what the author's general work is like.
Just as people are influenced by the blurbs on movie ads, people are influenced by the blurbs on books. But since most literary critics do not garner nearly as much fame as the likes of Ebert and Roper, blurbs from famous (or not-so-famous) authors serve the same purpose. Everyone wants to know what the book is "really" about when they look to buy a book. One gleans this information either by looking at the cover, flipping through the pages, or reading the jacket flap synopsis. No one wants to spend money on a book they will not like. That is where blurbs and other advertising comes in. But unfortunately, there is no good way to find out if you will really like a book except actually reading it.
Interesting thoughts, all ... I've noticed that I tend to pay attention to blurbs on non-fiction because of the "expert" factor, but ignore blurbs on fiction because so what if s/he liked this story, I may not connect with it at all.
We bloggers and writers read those blurbs with a bit of cynicism. I wonder, though, about teens who are the "oh-I'd-DIE-if-I met-HER" kinds of fans of the blurber.
i've heard blurbs work on booksellers. as in, if the buyers see a good blurb, they're likely to take more copies of the book to sell. not sure if that's true, but it's one theory...
I am much more interested in the kind of blurb which gives a synopsis of the story so that I have some idea what it is about. I do find some of the author recommendation things interesting, mostly because I like the way it gives you a bit of an insight into their interests (of course this is only actually interesting if you know or care who they are). I always look for information from the blurb on the back cover, but I'd always prefer a synopsis to a few 'this is great' quotes, whether from critics or authors. Actually, now I think about it I have never been positively influenced
oops, I think I accidentally deleted the end of that sentence! It was supposed to read "Actually, now I think about it I have never been positively influenced by the remarks of a critic". Sorry, it is the middle of the night, which is not a good time for my typing.
For the first time in my career, I hesitantly approached a couple of my favorite bestselling YA authors, asking if they'd consider reading SECRET KEEPER and, if they liked it, sending me a quote that could be printed on the cover. Neither accepted my invitation -- politely, for perfectly valid reasons -- so the book will be blurb-free.
Then last week, I was approached by a first-time novelist to be quoted on her book. "I've got sweaty palms," she informed me in her email request, and I knew exactly how she felt. It was hard to ask.
Now I'm wondering -- can a validation from another author on the cover convince a reader to buy or borrow a book?
I'm never swayed by blurbs one way or the other. I ignore them utterly, just as I tend to ignore long author forwards and the like.
When a person whose work I admire offered to blurb my first book, I accepted gratefully, seeing the gift for what it was -- rare indeed in YA! But I don't feel compelled to get blurbs, and I don't think they convince teen readers that one's book is worthwhile. The buying public includes their parents and grandparents, who might need that encouragement to find that a book is "right" for their child or teen, but I do think Booklist blurbs do more for that than other authors' words.
Blurbs help me, but not in a "Meg Cabot liked this, and I like Meg Cabot" but it does give me a sense of the type of book it is.
I can't remember what book it was, but it looked dark and scary and very, very serious. But all the blurbs were from light-hearted chick-lit writers AND! Lo and behold! Despite the cover and flap copy, it was light-hearted chick lit!
So, now I look for clues like that.
For nonfiction though, I do look seriously at blurbs.
Mitali, you said; "We bloggers and writers read those blurbs with a bit of cynicism. I wonder, though, about teens who are the "oh-I'd-DIE-if-I met-HER" kinds of fans of the blurber." I absolutely agree with what you are saying. I think with todays teens it does make a difference. They are very influenced by the "OMG, It's her!" factor. They tend to seek out books that are recommended by their favorite authors. Teens want to feel connected to the authors they like, this is just another way of achieving it.
oh no! not Asha Means Hope? I so loved that title. But anyways, this cover looks really nice! It's very artistic, but if your intent was to stay away from putting your book in a cultural category--then I'd say this wasn't such a great idea. But I love the black and white photo.
Erin said, on 4/3/2008 8:54:00 PM
It's beautiful! It makes me want to read it, definitely!
Liz B said, on 4/3/2008 9:11:00 PM
wow, wow, wow. that is a brilliant cover.
Anonymous said, on 4/3/2008 9:36:00 PM
this is a really afantastic cover. very tempting title I cannot wait to read monica
Kelly said, on 4/3/2008 9:51:00 PM
Wo-hoo! It's beautiful, Mitali. I can't wait to read it :)
TadMack said, on 4/4/2008 4:04:00 AM
Oh, Mitali! Wow, this is the WEEK for cool book covers! I really like this. (And I am coveting those eyelashes.) Sticking with a between-cultures theme, I think this is a book about... relationships... maybe traditional vs. Western? And someone is keeping a secret...? Or is that too generic?
It's GORGEOUS. Congratulations, Mitali!
Cloudscome said, on 4/4/2008 4:44:00 AM
Ooo baby I can't wait to read that one! Give us more!
Barbara O'Connor said, on 4/4/2008 6:58:00 AM
Love it! Definitely a pick-me-up-and-read-me cover!
MotherReader said, on 4/4/2008 9:23:00 AM
Beautiful cover and I love the girls eyelashes. It's about... keeping secrets? I'm not good at that game. I couldn't guess the content of Barbara's book (commenting above me) and it was titled How to Steal a Dog.
Amy Bowllan said, on 4/4/2008 11:13:00 AM
Great title and cover, Mitali!
Monika said, on 4/4/2008 11:25:00 AM
Beautiful, Mitali. Sejal was asking if she can model for one of your covers next time!
a. fortis said, on 4/4/2008 12:11:00 PM
Ooh! A child keeps a secret about her family! Or from her family... It definitely implies the idea of culture and of...introspection and thoughtfulness. Great cover!
Mitali Perkins said, on 4/5/2008 11:06:00 AM
Thank you all so much. And your guesses about content are so great -- my feeling is that a reader should be able to glimpse a bit of what the book's about from the cover, and perhaps guess what it's going to make you feel if you accept the invitation to read it.
Lisa Yee said, on 4/6/2008 12:58:00 AM
Wow, awesome cover!!!!
gail said, on 4/8/2008 11:30:00 AM
Love it!! In the bookstore it would not only catch my eye, it would jump into my hands, and start turning pages!
Congrats, gail
YNL said, on 4/9/2008 9:07:00 AM
I hate to be the sole negative voice here - the colors, the patterns are lovely!
But the title combined with the girl's bowed head and unsmiling face instantly made me think, "Uh-oh! Her secret's gonna take years of therapy to get over." Her posture and expression imply shame and hurt to me.
Not that that would prevent me from reading the book, come to think of it.
Mitali Perkins said, on 4/15/2008 8:22:00 AM
I love the varied responses. Thanks so much, everybody!
yoggya said, on 4/23/2008 3:44:00 PM
wow is this book one of those really deep books? i would love to read it, certainly after looking at that cover.
This week Delacorte editor Françoise Bui told me that a copy editor's working on Secret Keeper (Random House, Spring 2009), the flap copy and author bio are good to go, and she's sending me cover art soon.
I've got one more revision of The Bamboo People due to Charlesbridge, but that feels more than manageable.
And agent Laura Rennert called to chat about future projects.
After almost three years of writing under contract, I'm free! Picture me on the Austrian Alps -- wait scratch that, the Himalayan foothills -- singing and whirling with arms akimbo.
My goal for the next three years? Hone the craft, sweetheart, and no signing on a dotted line before that first draft is finished.
gail said, on 4/4/2008 7:29:00 PM
Wow, a bookie future with publication dates and revisions nearly finished and someone interested in more. That's security. It's like knowing your car is full of gas and your laundry is done.
Mitali Perkins said, on 4/5/2008 11:03:00 AM
It does feel a bit like that, but I don't forget the running on empty and the dirty laundry of ELEVEN years of rejection between books one and two.
Anonymous said, on 4/12/2008 9:54:00 PM
my dog hasn't seen all of this movie yet
JE said, on 4/14/2008 11:57:00 PM
so you have finally finished her obligations under contract and are free to work on future projects and learned a lesson about signing before a first draft is complete. that's cool
Mitali Perkins said, on 4/15/2008 8:24:00 AM
je
Some authors need to sign before writing to put food on the table, and since any one of us might be in that position someday, I'm never saying "never again."
For now, I can breathe easy. But if an editor did approach me with an amazing idea, I might sign again. So I'm not sure if I learned that lesson after all!
Things will continue to be light here this week, as PG&E plans to cut off our neighborhood’s power today for who-knows-how-long to test who-knows-what. Add in the fact that I’ve spent the past few days inhaling 130-year-old lead paint dust at the new house and you might see why I’m a little slower than usual and am also having very fine hallucinations. Plus, moving day is Saturday.
Next week I promise to post some photos of the new digs, largely so you can mock our paint selections. Until then, I have a post up over at the Chronicle’s Poop blog about the golden era of animal-boy TV shows, including some very embarrassing insights into my childhood viewing habits.
Oh, how sad. The wonderful "Farley" cartoonist has passed. He just announced his retirement a few days ago, then succumbed to a brain tumor. He was 64.
Many many mornings I enjoyed reading about Farley, Irene, Bruce the Raven, Velma Melmac, the bears, and more in the Chronicle while I drank my coffee. He and they will all be sadly missed.
0 Comments on Goodbye Phil Frank as of 9/14/2007 10:01:00 AM
So not an expert, but --
Moral rights is a UK thing (and presumably entered Indian law from that direction).
I *think* where moral rights comes into play is in a work-for-hire situation. Like in the US, the writer-for-hire doesn't retain the copyright, but unless they waive them, they *do* maintain moral rights.
Liz Burns and other lawyers are welcome to jump in and correct me, of course.
And congratulations! It's beautiful.