Top 8 of 08 — promising new writers

Following the lead of my dear friend kc dyer, here is my top 8 of 08. She told me it could be any favourite 8s, but this is a year of many extraordinary new writers, and here are 8 of them:

ONE:

The hands down most promising new writer of 2008 is kidcrit’s own Hélène Boudreau! Speak about an over-achiever! Having her first book published in 2008 wasn’t enough for her. I’ve lost count, but I think she had four! Three were with Crabtree Publishing and one is her first novel, Acadian Star, published by Nimbus. Congratulations, my dear!!!

TWO:

Natalia Buchok is one to watch. She won the Kobzar Fellowship for her novel-in-progress this summer, which meant that she got to work with Janice Kulyk Keefer at Humber Summer School for Writers. Natalia and I did a research trip to Ukraine and Poland in the late summer. Her writing is stellar and this WWII novel she is working on is gut-wrenching and amazing. Her first fiction publication credit was the story “A Bar of Chocolate” in Kobzar’s Children.

THREE:

This goes to another Uke: Paulette MacQuarrie, the contributor of  “Christmas Missed” for Kobzar’s Children. A bit of background to how that story was written. When I was putting together the anthology, I needed a final story set in 2005/06 and wanted it set during the Orange Revolution. The person who had committed to that story backed out at the last minute. I also had three Holodomor stories that I wanted to include, but had to cut them back to just one. Paulette’s lyrical “Bread for the Birds” was one that ended up on the cutting floor, so I asked her if she could write a story set during the Orange Revolution. She came through in spades. It’s not an easy thing to write good fiction to a deadline but Paulette can do it.  Paulette is the producer and host of Nash Holos, BC’s longest running and only bilingual Ukrainian radio program so she knows what it’s like to work under pressure.

This summer, I was approached by Formac Press to do a non-fiction book about the internment of Ukrainians in WWI. This is a topic near to my heart, as my grandfather was one of those internees. When I realized that I wouldn’t be able to do this book due to other committments, I suggested Paulette. There is no other writer that I would have suggested for this. Paulette has the necessary research skills, a passion for the subject, the ability to write a compelling story, and the gift of being able to write well within a strict deadline. I know that this book will sing and it will launch her on a new path in writing.

FOUR:

Goes to kidcritter Lois Peterson, whose first novel Meeting Miss 405 came out in the fall. Lois is definitely one to watch. Her writing sings!

FIVE:

Goes to kidcritter Deborah Kerbel, whose first Canadian-published YA novel, Mackenzie Lost and Found, came out in the fall. Congratulations, my dear!

SIX:

They didn’t write a book, but Ian wrote the songs, and their first album is out in Germany and that’s a pretty significant achievement. Congratulations to Ian and Aaron of DYM.

SEVEN:

it’s not her first book by any means, but it’s her first picture book and it is getting rave reviews. Congratulations to Valerie Sherrard and her illustrator/son-in-law on the fall publication of There’s a Cow Under My Bed!

EIGHT:

Goes to a kidcritter who is not yet published in fiction but she has finished her amazing YA novel, Summer Camp Diaries. I see big things in her future with publishers pounding down her door. Congratulations, Martha Brack Martin! 2009 is going to be your year!

 

Author: Marsha

I write historical fiction, mostly from the perspective of young people who are thrust in the midst of war.

14 thoughts on “Top 8 of 08 — promising new writers”

  2. Me too!

    Well thank-you for that vote of confidence! I would like to think you’re right…but even if you aren’t, I’m just happy to be nominated with such an illustrious crowd! Wow!

    I’m curious…Looking back over your many accomplishments and your rich career in writing, which year would you describe as YOUR “year?” Was it the year you first had one of your very own published books in your actual hand? What about when you first realized you could write? Or maybe when you received the first contract? The first Forest of Reading nomination?

    When was Marsha’s “Best Year?” And why?

    1. Re: Me too!

      Martha, you deserve it. You nailed your voice in Summer Camp Diaries. Writing humour is the hardest and you sailed through it.

      My best year? I’d have to say 2008. The year Aram’s Choice was made into a play, and I was awarded the Order of Princess Olha by the President of Ukraine himself. And Daughter of War was nominated as a YALSA best book, and I had a royalty cheque so big that it had to be couriered. Add to that a memorable research trip to Ukraine and Poland and my son graduating from university on the Dean’s honour list and landing a job that he loves. It was a sad year too, with the sudden death of my dear mother-in-law, who is the inspiration for my current work-in-progress, Stolen Child. And knee surgery for me.

      1. Re: Me too!

        I wondered if you’d say that. I was thinking this year was pretty red-letter for you too (or would that be “glittering and sparkling” given the imminent New Year’s celebrations?) I was thinking purely professionally, but absolutely, your son’s accomplishments should get some points. So perhaps should Orest’s lovely new plane, and your plethora of speaking engagements, some far afield and others with new forms of audience members (like your presentation to the Faculty of Ed at the U of T). Yes, I think you are well within your rights to call this year “your year,” and I will encourage you to have a few cocktails on Dec. 31 to send it off properly! Now just imagine what 2009 will bring!

  3. Wow!!

    What an honour, Marsha!! Thank you for thinking of me — I’m thrilled to be included on this list!!
    And congrats on your own big banner year! You give all of us ‘newbies’ so much to aspire to. Here’s to an awesome 2009!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

      1. Re: Wow!!

        Thanks, Marsha! Fingers crossed that you’re right! BTW, how did your knee surgery go? Did they get your miniscus all fixed up?

Comments are closed.