Uncorrected Proofs, Living with ARCs: One Author’s Perspective
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, the writing process | 1 Comment »I've never been comfortable when people describe themselves as "perfectionists." Especially coming from writers. It implies that, somewhere down the line, they actually do get it "perfect." We don't, not ever. But many of us -- though not all -- try ...
First Review for my new book, BEFORE YOU GO: “I just know it will be a best seller.”
Thursday, January 12th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Family | 2 Comments »I'm thrilled to announce that I just received the first review for my upcoming Young Adult novel, BEFORE YOU GO (Macmillan, July, 2012). Bloggers should note that the reviewer received an Advance Reader's Copy directly from the author by special ...
What’s New in Books: Free Catalog Download
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 Posted in Before You Go | 5 Comments »I can't wait until I'm an old man sitting in a rocking chair on my front porch, complaining about how the world's gone plum crazy. That's my default position: I'm naturally a cranky old man, even from when I was ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #131: Upcoming Books
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 Posted in Before You Go, Fan Mail | No Comments »Hello! My name is Russell. I want to read all of your books. I am enjoying Bystander so much. I was just wondering what other books you have besides Bystander because I am reading it now? Please contact me back ...
Dream Guitar
Monday, November 28th, 2011 Posted in Before You Go, Music | No Comments »I was happy to come across this article, "Revealed: The Real Guitar Heroes," which features a new book,Instrument, by photographer Pat Graham. (Check out Graham's awesome blog, here.) In the article, various musicians discuss their favorite instruments. I particularly liked Peter Buck's ...
James Preller Interviews . . . Carmen Deedy, author of “THE CHESHIRE CHEESE CAT”
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 Posted in Before You Go, Interviews & Appreciations, Readings, the writing process | 4 Comments »As an author, mine was not the story of the wide-eyed boy who loved weekly trips to the library, the happy ritual of laden arms lugging home precious treasures. No, we didn't do that stuff in my family. For starters, ...
The First Look of the Rough-Draft Book Cover, “BEFORE YOU GO”
Monday, August 1st, 2011 Posted in Before You Go | 6 Comments »And so it comes after all that waiting, the book cover. Via jpg these days, that's how you get the first glimpse of it, clicking on a file attached to an email. And it comes with caveats, apologies, explanations, assurances. The ...
Bad Words in Books: Censorship, and Self-Censorship, in Children’s Literature
Friday, July 8th, 2011 Posted in Before You Go, Bystander, the writing process | 1 Comment »I recently did an interview -- honestly forget where, but it was with a middle-school reader -- who asked the following question about Bystander: Q. What was the reason you added some questionable or inappropriate words? I replied: I don't understand the question. ...
Revision Week: Part 3 (”Kill Your Darlings”)
Thursday, November 11th, 2010 Posted in Before You Go, the writing process | No Comments »For Revision Week here at jamespreller.com, I've found myself going through old manuscripts, seeking salient examples of my revision process. And while there are many, what's even more pressing to me is that I'm revising a manuscript right now. So I'll ...
Revision Week: Part II
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 Posted in Before You Go, the writing process | 2 Comments »Here's a copy of one paragraph from the edited manuscript for Before You Go (Spring, 2012), my first young adult novel -- a book that just so happens to contain many, many paragraphs. I selected this one because it displays ...