Complex themes in YA literature and feedback on a submitted piece

In today's Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and CeCe critique two query letters. They discuss a good example of the concept of 'curiosity seeds'; the importance of expedience when getting a character from point A to point B; the creation of immediacy through present tense; how to give specifics in the query letter without ruining the curiosity seeds you want to plant in the pages; how the discussion of money in pages allow for various opportunities to reveal details about a character; and the need for a balance between interiority and emotionality.

After which, Bianca chats with Rosemary Hennigan, author of The Favorites. They discuss framing the narrative by doing heavy lifting in the opening pages; having your character make the reader ask some big questions; stories that both entertain and intellectually nourish readers; not giving the reader all the information; choosing a specific historical backdrop to mirror themes in the book; how whatever’s happening in politics in that timeframe affect your character’s emotions and decisions; and the subjectivity of the industry.

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