This week, Jennifer Donnelly talks fairy tales with Gregory Maguire; Diana Ma has a “crowning” launch; and Karen M. McManus puts family first.
Wicked Cool Conversation
On December 9, Jennifer Donnelly and Gregory Maguire virtually visited Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga., to celebrate their new novels, Poisoned (Scholastic Press) and A Wild Winter Swan (HarperCollins/Morrow), respectively. The duo discussed the enduring appeal of fairy tale retellings, their creative processes, inspirations, and more. Little Shop of Stories provided signed bookplates for attendees who purchased either book.
A Royal Affair
Diana Ma (Heiress Apparently, Abrams) took to Zoom on December 3 for a launch event hosted by Seattle-based indie bookstore chain Third Place Books. Fellow YA author Katharine McGee (American Royals II: Majesty, Random House) served as moderator. Ma spoke about her writing process, her experience as a We Need Diverse Books mentee, Asian American representation in YA, and writing advice for debut authors.
Family Plot
Bestselling author Karen M. McManus recently launched her latest novel, The Cousins (Delacorte), at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Mass. Stephanie Garber (Caraval, Flatiron) joined McManus for a Crowdcast conversation on December 1. McManus’ newest YA mystery follows estranged teenaged cousins Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story, who are invited to work at their reclusive grandmother’s luxurious island resort for the summer—even though two decades ago, she abruptly disinherited each of their parents.
