My theme for 2013 is Influential Women Authors.
My definition of influential is any author, classic or modern, who has inspired writers, readers, or the larger scope of culture. Some are personal favorites, or have special meaning to me.
What this list is not: a list of the most influential writers of all time. Rather, this is a collection of influential writers, corresponding with each day's letter.
For the full list of participating blogs, click here.
OK, Now I did some searching for Y-named authors and was really grasping at straws. Yes, some "Y" writers exist, but none I was familiar with enough for the list. So, today will be a freebie for a Young Adult authors of influence.
I've already mentioned several YA authors throughout the month, so here are a few more women who are really making a difference in books written for teens:
Malinda Lo: she advocates for diversity in YA fiction--not just cultural, but she pushes for discussion on gender equality, and sexual orientation. She writes YA with a fantasy or paranormal theme.
Kirsten Hubbard: the author of Like Madarin, and Wanderlove, both beautifully written, although quite different. Both explore themes of abandonment, loss, and identity. Wanderlove is a beautiful escape as it details a post-high school grad's trip to South America to find herself. The author travels extensively and it shows in her writing.
Sarah Rees Brennan: I just finished her "Sassy Gothic" Unpsoken, and it is a delight. A strange family in a strange English village, a girl who hears voices in her head...it's spooky-fun. Plus the Irish author is a delight to see in person--I believe she's touring now with mega-author Cassandra Clare.
There are so many more but I'll need more to blog about in the coming year, so I'll save my accolades for book reviews and author features. If you've read any Young Adult fiction, who is an influential woman author you like?
Posts
I think Alison Goodman is someone people should read more of.
ReplyDeleteI love Maggie Stiefvater, A.S. King, and Holly Black.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the curseworkers books by Holly Black.
DeleteI second A.S. King. And I loved THE MOON BOOKS/TRILOGY by Susan Beth Pfeiffer. Also, I enjoyed Lauren Oliver's BEFORE I FALL.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, there are so many terrific Young Adult authors right now. Cornelia Funke, Laurie Halse Anderson is one of my all-time favorites, Veronica Roth is awesome, Meg Cabot, and Keira Cass's The Selection Trilogy, Lauren Oliver's "before I die," and Robin LaFevers. I wish April Lindner would write more-- her style of writing is contagious. Oh, and, Marissa Meyer (I haven't read her books but her personal advice to me after a book signing was unforgettable. And, I've met A LOT of authors as a bookseller.) These women have been influential in many ways and am grateful to have met and/or read their books.
ReplyDeleteI have Sarah Rees Brennan's UNSPOKEN sitting on my desk in front of me right now, but I still have yet to read it. I've heard such great things about it, so I'm kind of excited. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for my favourite influential woman author, I'm going to have to go with Maggie Stiefvater. That woman is amazing! Aside from her awesome writing, she's just an incredibly interesting woman.
I saw her at a book event, she really is a cool person. I loved The Scorpio Races.
DeleteWhat a great idea- a chance to add in authors you might otherwise have missed...great list! :)
ReplyDeleteJane Yolen would've been a good choice for a Y writer. She's written for children, preteens, and teens.
ReplyDeleteI thought of her too after I made my comment. She is a terrific writer and my kids fell in love with her "How Do Dinosaurs..." series when they were younger. She also tweets out excellent, usable advice. :)
DeleteI'll look her up!
DeleteI've so enjoyed your posts-our tastes are very similar. For "Y", I would've said Lisa Yee, who writes for Scholastic and is edited by Arthur Levine. Now, tomorrow, I predict that you'll finish up with Gabrielle Zevin ... hope so; she's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMy oh my, I haven't read any of these authors. But what a lot of great suggestions . . .
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with any of these names, but then it's been years since my DD was of the age when we selected books for young adults.
ReplyDeleteA-Z challenge
Where do I begin?? So many great women authors in YA today!!
ReplyDeleteI saw Jane Yolen last week (as a poet!) at Texas Library Association conference, as well as Melissa Marr & Kelly Armstrong(whose new middle grade book Loki's Wolves is just out; as M.A. Marr & K.L. Anderson to distinguish from their edgier teen and adult fiction) and many others.
On BooksYALove.com, I try to feature debut authors and smaller publishers, so drop by and read recommendations for great books by Stasia Ward Kehoe, Bethany Wiggins, Cat Winters and so many more. You'd have enough to do an entire new alphabet of women YA writers next year!!
I have also seen some wonderful writers in person whose books I haven't yet read. I will check out your site!
Delete