The Power of Fantasy for Young Adults

I recently wrote a blog post for Dundurn Press arguing the validity of fantasy stories for young readers. I know YA fantasy has always been a popular genre but I can’t help but think of how timely it is in 2020, now that the world has gone pear-shaped.

YA fantasy is often labeled as escapist fare but I see it as something more powerful and even necessary. To me, it’s always been a way to cope with a changing world.

Here’s the blog post. I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to share it!

That Feeling...

It’s a long road from sitting down to write a novel to seeing it on bookstore shelves. But if you can make it, there are a ton of great moments:

• A publishing house making an offer

• Signing your publishing contract (remember to use a cool pen)

• Working with your editor

• Seeing the cover design

Another moment is when you finally get to see your novel, which was once merely a word document, as an actual book with a spine, cover and back cover.

I recently opened a box to find my author copies laying in packing paper. These are the copies that a publisher gifts the author. I had briefly seen my novel at a book signing in January but this was the first time I got to really feel it between my fingertips and flip through it. It was the first time I read the printed words of a story I spent years writing. It felt strange but it’s something I’ll remember for a long time.

For whatever reason, each book was warm. I like to think they shot out of a printer and landed right in a nondescript box and was then sealed shut. But, most likely, the delivery truck was driving around the city on a hot day and that heat warmed the box.