Trailer for TEMPESTUOUS by Lesley Livingston!

Teaser for THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES by Jean M. Auel!

Visit www.jeanauel.com for the most up-to-date info!

Everyone's excited about THE KNEEBONE BOY! -- Coming out on September 14

“With a dark, witty absurdity suggestive of Lemony Snicket, Potter draws readers into this compelling mystery-adventure....sharp, humorous, and poignant observations...Often laugh-out-loud funny, this tale quietly solves a deeper mystery: how to heal the hearts of this immensely likable trio.” --Publisher's Weekly

“Fresh, funny and surprising. The sibling dynamics--alternately testy and touching--are believable, as are the wonderfully odd characters....A quirky charmer.” --Kirkus, starred review

“Metafictional flourishes keep us amused and on our toes as Potter tackles some serious topics from a position both gothic-cheeky and compassionate.” --Horn Book Magazine

And, in a poignant haiku from one blogger:

Yes, it really is
that good. Voice, character, and plot --
it's got them all.

--EmilyReads.com

Feiwel and Friends, September 2010

Astounding reviews for COMMUTERS by Emily Gray Tedrowe

"In her wonderfully cohesive debut novel, short-story writer Tedrowe graduates to elegant novelist with a winding, convincing familial drama about the ties that bind and the bonds that bend to the breaking point....From her first steps into the story, Winnie is the most winning member of a multifaceted cast....the author’s deft handling of a large and distinctive cast should win raves from those who revel in this sort of ensemble crazy quilt. A lovely and literate family drama that wins bonus points for its sincerity and open-hearted delivery." --Kirkus

"[An] impressive debut novel." --Chicago Sun-Times

"Tedrowe is an exceptionally adept first-time novelist, creating a thoroughly engrossing plot, redolent settings, and intriguing characters coping valiantly with fear, terrible decisions, and the bewitchment of money. Tedrowe’s tale of family conflict, shelter, love, and loss is suspenseful, funny, and tender." --Booklist

"Tedrowe...shows great promise in her compassionate, nuanced depiction of love--among the old and young alike--and her confident handling of alternating, multigenerational narrators." --Publisher's Weekly

"The reader feels sympathy for Tedrowe's characters, even when they behave badly, and through the various threads, Tedrowe reminds us that love transcends social and monetary boundaries....This New England family drama will be a good book club selection." --Library Journal

Plus, COMMUTERS was a "Best New Paperback" featured in Entertainment Weekly, an IndieNext Notable Pick for August, and a Target "Breakout Book" selection for August! Congrats to Emily!

Harper Perennial June 2010

Safina interviewed on PBS's NEED TO KNOW

As news about the BP oil spill continues to come to light, renowned marine biologist and author Carl Safina has been providing his opinions and insights in the media. The latest is his interview on PBS's Need to Know. Watch the video below! Safina is the author of SONG FOR THE BLUE OCEAN, EYE OF THE ALBATROSS, and VOYAGE OF THE TURTLE.

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.

Theater Production of Willard's EAST OF THE SUN & WEST OF THE MOON

Shaking the Tree, a theater based in Portland, Oregon, recently produced Nancy Willard's EAST OF THE SUN & WEST OF THE MOON. Willard's story is a retelling of a Norwegian folktale involving hideous trolls with long noses, a prince trapped in bear skin, and a girl who must rescue her prince from the trolls. Check out the incredible pictures below or click the link here to see more!

C.W. Gortner on THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI and THE LAST QUEEN

THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI (Ballantine Books) will be released on May 25, 2010!

THE LAST QUEEN (Ballantine Books) is available in bookstores now!

Interviews with Wendy Webb and Carl Safina

Debut author Wendy Webb's THE TALE OF HALCYON CRANE just keeps getting great press! Most recently, Webb was interviewed by KAXE Radio. Click here for the interview and to hear more about the book!


Carl Safina, a MacArthur fellow and a 2010 recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, interviewed with WHYY Radio for Earth Day about the future of the ocean. Safina has written a variety of books about ocean life, including SONG FOR THE BLUE OCEAN, EYE OF THE ALBATROSS, and VOYAGE OF THE TURTLE. Click here for his insights into our ocean's fate!

Ann Mazer on SPILLING INK, coauthored with Ellen Potter

Get to the Point, the MacMillan Kids blog, has a guest post with Ann Mazer, who co-wrote SPILLING INK with JVNLA author Ellen Potter. Check it out if you want to see Ann's top ten reasons for writing the book!

"6. Because every time Ellen Potter sent me one of her sections, I was practically screaming with delight. (If you don’t believe me, just read SLOB, PISH POSH, or OLIVIA KIDNEY and see for yourself.)"



















Feiwel and Friends March 2010

Huffington Post raves about LANGUAGE OF SECRETS

"Destined to become this year's THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER and a perennial book club favorite . . . an absorbing, provocative and, ultimately, satisfying read from the first page . . . Pick it up. You won't be sorry."



Click here for the full review!!













Doubleday March 2010

Natalie Zemon Davis wins the Holberg International Memorial Prize

Natalie Zemon Davis, author of THE RETURN OF MARTIN GUERRE and TRICKSTER TRAVELS, has been awarded the prestigious Holberg Prize--a major award for excellence in law, theology, the arts, humanities, or social sciences.

Click here for The Varsity's excellent interview with Natalie Zemon Davis, in which she discusses her life and work.

Cecilia Galante on WILLOWOOD

Out Today!!!
Simon & Schuster March 2010

The Editorial Role: An Agent's View by Jean Naggar

Jean Naggar, president of JVNLA, Inc., wrote a wonderful blog post for the Huffington Post that's currently up on their website. Check it out!!

"We literary agents are now essentially functioning as editors, stepping into the vacuum and metaphorically taking up the stubby red pencil we had stored as a memento of a bygone age. It is now our responsibility to our writers to polish the gem before it is even seen by editorial eyes. And since most publishers today will not consider unagented manuscripts, over our transoms they come tumbling for us to filter and refine."

I realize with gratitude that for every editor who espouses the fast and furious view there are still some willing to fall in love and to commit. I know who they are. Their names are lovingly breathed within the walls of our agency, Their opinions are shared and treasured. We know the editor who knows how to edit without dictating or ruffling the feathers of a sensitive novelist, who grasps the unspoken intent of the author and enables it, who believes in a work before that belief has been endorsed by everyone else, and who is willing to fight for it in a job climate where a lay-off may be a breath away."

Click here for more!!

Book Trailer: DARKLIGHT (Wondrous Strange #2) by Lesley Livingston

Harper Teen December 2009

And the Nominations Keep Coming: Nancy Springer's CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE, Sarah Waters' THE LITTLE STRANGER

Nancy Springer has already received an Edgar nomination--the Enola series' second! Nancy's fourth!!--for 2009 THE CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRINOLINE, Springer's fifth title to feature Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes' brilliant young sister Enola. Late last week, CRYPTIC CRINOLINE was similarly honored with an Agatha Award nomination. We're rooting for you, Nancy!

















Philomel May 2009

In other award news, Strand magazine (which has the distinction of having first published over fifty of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories--a minor theme here, perhaps?) announced its Critic Awards nominees, including the much-ballyhooed, Man Booker shortlisted LITTLE STRANGER, by Sarah Waters. Great news for great writers--congrats to Springer and Waters both!!


















Riverhead May 2009

Special Sneak Peek: Potter's KNEEBONE BOY Cover Art!!

Ellen Potter's KNEEBONE BOY is scheduled for Fall 2010 publication, yet news about the title is already spreading through the blogosphere.

Ellen Potter is featured as a guest blogger on MacKids, offering up her enthusiasm for the absolutely stunning cover art that has just been finalized for KNEEBONE BOY!

Fuse 8, a School Libary Journal blog, picked up the story and ran with it in a post of their own--as did Bookshelves of Doom, which offered the following prediction:

"This book cover is so very gorgeous that it will tempt so very many readers currently unaware of Ellen Potter's fantabulous storytelling, characters and general writing skillz . . . with this new book, she will become the NYT Bestselling Author with Legions Upon Legions of Fans that she SHOULD be . . ."

Fingers crossed for oh-so-fantastic Ellen Potter!!

Cecilia Galante on Writers Block

Check out more clips at Simon and Schuster's author page for Cecilia--and be on the lookout for WILLOWOOD, coming March 2010!

Red Writer to the Rescue!!

See below for Episode 1 of Alison Lyne's RED WRITER, inspired by the heroic exploits or Martha Bennett Stiles! (Click images to maximize panels.)

JVNLA Welcomes Elizabeth Evans

Elizabeth Evans worked for six years with Kimberley Cameron & Associates (formerly the Reece Halsey Agency). Elizabeth specializes in nonfiction, including memoir, current affairs, pop culture, relationships, journalism, history and popular science. She also represents select titles in up-market women’s fiction, mysteries and young adult novels.

Welcome aboard, Elizabeth!!!

(Click here for more)