Friday, April 4, 2014

ARC GIVEAWAY: THE ACTUAL & TRUTHFUL ADVENTURES OF BECKY THATCHER



UPDATE: The winner of the ARC is Prerna and the winner of the Tina Wexler critique is Davy! Winners have been contacted. Thanks everyone for your awesome suggestions of fun spin-off characters! I hope you'll check out BECKY THATCHER when she's out in July!

Hey, Project Mayhem! I am so super excited and honored to be giving away an amazing ARC – THE ACTUAL & TRUTHFUL ADVENURES OF BECKY THATCHER by Jessica Lawson, which debuts on July 1st. I am ALSO thrilled to be giving away a query critique by Jessica’s powerhouse agent, Tina Wexler!! So read on for an interview with both Jess and Tina, and see below for more details on the giveaway of this hilarious and poignant middle grade debut.


PM: Jessica, why do you write middle grade? Is there one quality you think all middle grade books should have?

JESSICA: I’m a nostalgic person by nature, and those middle grade years, 8-12, were some of the happiest of my life. It was also the time that I truly fell in love with books, and still breaks my heart when I walk into the children’s section of the library and know that I’ll never have time to get to know all of the characters there.

In terms of qualities I think all middle grade books should have, I’d say at least a moment or two of humor, an instance or two of adventure, and either an overarching or underlying sense of heart.

PM: Taking on a classic like Tom Sawyer takes some serious ovaries. Tell us about how you arrived at the idea, and how you decided Becky's story needed to be told.

JESSICA: Oh, I don’t know that it needed to be told, but it sure was fun to write. For me, it wasn’t a matter of taking on Twain with the intention that a Tom Sawyer connection would be my “in” with publishing (although I made sure that Samuel Langhorne Clemens was the first person I listed in my acknowledgements for Becky T.). At that point, I’d written quite a few manuscripts so I wasn’t thinking about much other than writing down the story in my head, an idea prompted by revisiting the world of Tom Sawyer while dusting my bookshelf one day.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer caught my eye. I hadn’t read it in years and found myself thinking about Tom and Huck and all the adventures they had together. And I thought about Becky Thatcher, the nicely-dressed, finely-coiffed young girl who represented all that was good and pure to Tom—a girl who was distraught at discovering that Tom had been “engaged” to someone else. At Becky’s age, I was more likely to start a game of let's swipe cookies from the cabinet and make a secret hideaway under the porch than to wear dresses and play at being engaged. Being a tree-climbing, mischief-making, cops-and-robbers-playing kind of girl, I always related more to Tom and Huck than to Becky.

I decided that my version of Becky would be an adventurous young girl in overalls, with a smart mouth and a big heart. I decided that she would face the trials and tribulations of growing up, spit plenty of cherry pits, and be able to appreciate a fine piece of bacon.

For various reasons I set the idea aside for a while, and when I was ready to write this Becky’s story, I jotted down a few sample pages and sent them to CPs like you, Joy, for a voice check. You gave me some great feedback, and off I went. It was the fastest draft I’ve ever written (not that it didn’t need lots of follow-up work!) and became the manuscript that got me an agent and a book deal.

PM: After a long agent search, you landed one of the best around. Any querying tips?

JESSICA: Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. And get excited about the new manuscript you’re writing while you’re querying (because YOU ARE WRITING ANOTHER MANUSCRIPT WHILE QUERYING, AREN’T YOU?).

Don’t be afraid to aim high. Newer agents that are interested in your genres (particularly those associated with established agencies) are wonderful to query because they’re looking to build their lists a bit more, but don’t be afraid to try for agents who have bigger clients and limited interest in acquiring new clients. If they’re open to queries, then they’re still looking to fall in love with new material—maybe your new material!

And don’t be afraid to query an agent who has previously rejected one of your manuscripts. Agents get a ton of submissions and they aren’t going to hold it against you if you’ve submitted 2 or 3 projects that haven’t been a fit.




Jess’s agent search was worth the wait, because she ended up signing with Tina Wexler of ICM, and Tina has graciously agreed to give away a critique of either your query or your first page to one person who comments on this blog post! I asked Tina a couple questions.

PM: Tina, what intrigued you about Jess's query?

TINA: I have always been interested in retellings that give voice to a character—and specifically a female character—who played a bit part or was overlooked in the original version of the story. So Jessica’s pitch, putting Becky Thatcher front and center, immediately appealed to me. Also, her query perfectly captured Becky’s voice, and it had such spark. How could I resist?

PM: Why did you decide to offer rep after reading the manuscript? What do you love about BECKY?

TINA: I offered representation because this adventure story, with its spunky girl protagonist and great sense of humor, spoke to my heart. Yes, there’s plenty of hilarious mischief-making, but underneath the dangerous fun is a story of a girl struggling with the loss of her brother. That emotional grounding is what I’m looking for in everything I represent. It’s what makes me fall in love with a character, what made me fall in love with Becky. It’s why I’m a reader, and why I think other readers will really connect with the book.

(Check that out! BECKY is being released in a boxed set with a couple books by some guy named Twain!)

And you will, you guys. You really will fall in love with Becky (and the amazing art by Iacopo Bruno)! I’m so excited to share an ARC of THE ACTUAL AND TRUTHFUL ADVENTURES OF BECKY THATCHER with one commenter on this post. I planned to do one of those giveaways where you get entries for following and liking and adding Jess, but she was insistent that no one have to jump through hoops. ‘Cause she’s sweet like that. (But you definitely should follow her and like her and add her, because you do not want to miss Becky when she comes out!) So all you have to do is leave a comment! (Though we do ask that you follow Project Mayhem to be eligible.) 

To be entered to win the ARC, tell us which side character in a classic MG book you’d like to see get their own spin-off novel, and make sure we have a way to contact you. If you want to be entered for the critique, mention that in your comment, too! On April 11th, I’ll pick one winner for the ARC and one winner for the Tina Wexler critique. I’ll update this blog post then and notify the lucky winners!

Thanks so much, Jess and Tina!!

55 comments:

  1. Does Ron or Dudley from the early Harry Potter books count? Or maybe the mermaids in Peter Pan. The faun in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Those are picks I guess.

    The interviews were very nice. Jessica took a risky step and was rewarded with a really good agent and a book deal. Tina's reason for picking Jess's query is great and gives hope to others that agents do take your words into consideration when reading your queries.

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    1. Ooh - I love the idea of a book for Dudley! The terror of living with my crazy cousin the wizard!!

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  2. Ooh, good question. Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter books, maybe? (Although they probably don't count as classics). I always liked George from the Nancy Drew books (do those count as MG? - Nancy was in high school, but they're what I read when I was that age) I think the Grandmother in the Witches would have some interesting stories.

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    1. OF COURSE THE HP BOOKS ARE CLASSICS. :-) Those are all fun suggestions!

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  3. What a great interview! I'm off to publicize through Twitter and FB and also to "jump through hoops" for Jess.

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  4. Congrats, Jessica! Sounds awesome!

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  5. I am so excited for this book! Side character for me? Fatty from Fellowship of the Ring. Always wondered what his adventure was like.

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    1. I have not read LOTR, but what an unfortunate name. :-) Is he actually really skinny?

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  6. awesome interview! Definitely something I would have loved as a kid (and now, too since I've never really grown up :) I would love to win the critique by Tina Wexler as well.
    email: prernapickett at yahoo.com

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    1. Ha - yes! Jess's Becky is very spirited. I think she will really appeal to kids and grown ups alike!

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  7. Maybe that was Becky's frog in Calaveras County! Sounds great!

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  8. What an intriguing story idea. Loved the interviews. I'd have to go with Hector "Zero" Zeroni from Holes. The next chapter in his life would be more than interesting.

    A Tina Wexler critique would be great. Enter me in. Thanks.

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  9. I'd love my girls to read this. (Ok, I want to read it, too!) Thanks to Sharon Roat for the heads-up.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. You could read it together! BECKY would make a terrific read-aloud!

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  10. I'm ready for the TAaTAoBT! Great post.

    I'd like to read The Adventures of Templeton, A Not so Nasty Rat! In fact, You might have inspired me to reread Charlotte's Web again and dive into that idea myself. @RobertPolk2

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    1. to reread...again? I'm an idiot.

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    2. Reread again simply means you've already re-read and want to read it for a third time. :-) Anyway, I LOVE the idea of exploring Templeton's side of things!!

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  11. First, I want to say I remember when I heard about book when Jessica shared a query (version whatever, and I mean that in a nice "I've been there" way) and early pages at WriteonCon years ago and was really
    impressed.

    Tie-ins or re-tellings of classic novels are such a slippery slope, but I love to see when writers aren't afraid to make pre-existing characters their own.

    I wasn't surprised to learn later it sold, but I lost track of her, so thanks Project Mayhem for interviewing her, and her agent Tina offering a critique as part of the giveaway pre-launch blitz. I'd LOVE to win that critique, or the ARC.

    Okay, now my pick for a character to have their story would be Moony from Tor Seidler's "A Rat's Tale." He's the uncle of the MC, but what little time he played into the original book, I could see he had many an adventure of his own, and a sidekick (before being estranged) that would lead to many a dynamic moment.

    It would fun to see what he'd be like in his youth. (might be too modern, but I haven't read as many of the "Classics" as of yet...)

    That book was the catalyst for my debut novel GABRIEL (though mine is an entirely different story) so it's a particularly precious book to me.

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    1. I haven't read that, but there are no requirements for what makes a classic here at Project Mayhem - if it is a precious book to you, it is one of your classics!

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  12. Hmmmm, maybe Diana from Anne of Green Gables?

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    1. Jpetroroy at gmail dot com

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    2. Ooh, yes, Diana is one like Becky Thatcher who might have a very different side to explore!

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  13. Hmmm. I've always wondered about Calvin from A Wrinkle in Time.

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  14. I'd love for Kate from The Mysterious Benedict Society to get her own series. And please enter me for the drawing, thanks! jeffchen1972 at gmail

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  15. I WANT TO READ THIS SO MUCH! I've loved it since reading the first few pages at WriteOnCon a couple years ago, and it's been a pleasure to get to know Jess a little since then.
    I'd love to see a spin-off about a secondary L. M. Montgomery character like Gilbert Blythe. Unfortunately, LMM's family has kept everything pretty rigorously copyrighted. (Yep, I looked into it.)

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    1. Yay! Jess is one of the nicest people in publishing! And Gilbert Blythe was, perhaps, my first book boyfriend.

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  16. For the ARC and the critique, I'd LOVE to follow the daily adventures of badass bear Iorek Byrnison from the His Dark Materials series. Can't get much cooler than that.

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  17. You know how I've waited for this book, but to see it will be released as a boxed set with Huck and Tom? SWOONING HERE.

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    1. Isn't that fantastic??? I'm soooo excited. :-) Google Iacopo Bruno to see some of the artist's work - they'll all have interior illustrations by him.

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  18. I would love a book about the faun from The lion the witch and the wardrobe or a harry potter book told from the view of Hermione. amymays53@gmail.com

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    1. I was always sad we didn't see more of Mr. Tumnus!

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  19. I just pre-ordered THE ACTUAL AND TRUTHFUL ADVENTURES OF BECKY THATCHER from my local, independent bookstore!! I am SO CRAZY excited for this to come out!!!!

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    1. Woo-hoo! I called my independent bookstore and they said they don't do preorders, so I demanded to know if they would have it THE DAY IT COMES OUT and I'm pretty sure I scared them a little.

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    2. No preorders? That's insane! What kind of bookstore are they?!

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  20. Late to the game, but thank you SO much for the interview! I love this blog and had a blast answering your questions :) Good luck to everyone in the book and query critique giveaway!

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    1. Thank YOU, Jess!! Congrats on your upcoming well-earned debut!

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  21. I'd love to see Dickon's story from The Secret Garden. And I'd love a critique! My email is jessicaloliveros at gmail dot com. Congratulations to Jessica!

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  22. I want to read a story with Safer from LIAR & SPY, because I'm so very curious about his past and his future...

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  23. So many great responses above. I'd enjoy hearing Claudia's younger brother Jamie's story from FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER.

    And I really want to read Jess's book. In fact, I just followed her before I even saw this post. Please enter me for the critique too. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  24. Great interview, Joy! This is such a fabulous book, and I can't wait to have my own hardcover.

    It might be fun to read a spin-off of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from the POV of one of the other children--maybe Violet or Veruca? Perhaps they were not all as awful as they seemed...

    Oh, and I'm dying for some real Simon Snow books to be spun off from Fangirl!

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  25. Thanks for the great interviews-- and the contest! I love reading the story behind the book.

    Hmmm....I've always thought Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter would have some interesting adventures. And what about Margalo, the object of Stuart's affection in Stuart Little? She needs her own story!

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    1. Andrea -- just chiming in to say YES. A book from Margalo's point of view would be wonderful.

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  26. I'm so happy for Jess, who is one of the nicest writers I've run into while blogging. And I can't wait to read this book! I'd love to be entered in both contests.

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  27. How fun! The book sounds fantastic, I can't wait to read it. I'd love to be entered to win either the ARC or the critique - thank you! I had so much fun thinking about side characters I'd like to see in their own novels, but I think ultimately I've decided on Princess Rhyme and Princess Reason from The Phantom Tollbooth. It's one of my favorite books, and those princesses fascinated me as a kid.

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  28. As soon as I heard about this book, I thought Becky must be a cross between Tom Sawyer and Anne Shirley. What a great idea! I guess it's safe to consider Harry Potter a classic MG (I know you won't disagree, Joy). I'd love Hermione to have her own novel -- I love the dynamic suggested by her dentist parents' pride that their daughter is invited to Hogwarts. If that's not classic enough, maybe a spooky book from the point of view of one of the trapped ghost children in Coraline. I have a query out to Ms. Wexler and would love to win a critique with her! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  29. How did I miss this? I'd love the ARC or the critique! And as for a spin-off, I'd love to see any of the characters from A SNICKER OF MAGIC get a book of their own--Jonah, certainly, as far as MG goes... but also the lady with the backpack of burdens or the banjo-playing uncle.

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  30. Jess Lawson is all things wonderful, as is her version of Becky Thatcher. I'm so, so excited for to meet this sweet and spunky character.

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Thanks for adding to the mayhem!