Children’s Lit Fabulosity

The new story posted this week in the Subterranean Special YA Summer Issue is Kelly Link's "Valley of the Girls." I believe this is Kelly's first new story published in some time (she also has a fabulous story coming out in this fall's Steampunk! anthology, which she and Gavin co-edited for Candlewick). "Valley of the Girls" is typically brilliant; a mash-up of ancient Egyptian culture and science fiction that only Kelly could come up with, let alone pull off.

And, after this, there's just one more story left to come in the issue. It's from Genevieve Valentine–who, coincidentally, will be stopping by here on Friday for an interview as part of the Summer Blog Blast Tour. You can see the full schedule for the SBBT over at Colleen's.

Now go forth and enjoy.

I'm officially back from vacay (oh, vacay, I miss you already), and will be around this week. Promise.

This week's new story is Tobias Buckell's "Mirror, Mirror." I think you'll see why I was excited about this one–not only is it fabulous, it's science fiction, which I really wanted to include in the issue, but was afraid I wouldn't get from anyone.  (And actually Kelly Link's upcoming story is also SF. So that'll teach me.) Better yet, it has antique mirrorshades.

This is a nerdy writer thing, but I'd be remiss not to point out that Toby is doing something very, very interesting and cool with the use of tenses in this piece.

Go forth and read.

I know, I know, it seems like I only stop in here lately to post pointers to these, but I'll do better starting this week. My schedule's less crazycakes than it was in April and May, and I plan to just have my regular workload moving forward. The house of cards almost came falling down, my friends.

Anyway, more soon.

But first, check out this week's new Subterranean YA issue story, "Seek-No-Further" by the fabulous Tiffany Trent. I've said all along that I feel incredibly lucky about how many different kinds of stories I got for this project. Tiffany sent me this supercreepy historical piece set in Appalachia (and with the perfect feel of an Appalachian ballad, I think). Hope you love it as much as I do.

I've just been delighted with people's reactions to all these stories, by the way. You make me happy.

And this week Alaya Dawn Johnson's "Their Changing Bodies" is added to the mix. I can guarantee you've never quite encountered a vampire story like this. (I particularly think you'll like this one, Justine.) I'd give a content warning, but that would ruin all the fun of this often hilarious, sometimes explicit, and ultimately sweet story of summer camp.

Enjoy!

(Back later with more nattering and talking about the loveliness of Wiscon.)

…is Richard Larson's fabulous "The Ghost Party," in which Charlee goes to an unusual party. I love how sharp this story is, and how fraught in that way YA does so well. I was delighted when I read it as a submission, and delighted anew reading it again today. Enjoy!

This also brings us to four stories live, almost half-way through the issue. The time, she does fly. Still, much wonderfulness left to come.

The Subterranean special YA summer issue continues with Karen Joy Fowler's "Younger Women." Just thinking about this story makes me happy. Given that it's from the point-of-view of a teenage girl's mother, rather than a teenager, I'm sure someone could make an argument it's not YA at all. But, in typical and wonderful KJF style, it is undeniably about YA… or at least about a very common dating situation in YA and so I declare that it counts.

Plus, it's just a really great story. Check it out. (And read Malinda Lo's "The Fox" if you haven't yet.) And, as they say, much more to come.

p.s. I know, I know, I haven't been around these parts much lately. I'm about two days from having some breathing room back, and look forward to burbling about various things.