Literary Agent and Author Regina Brooks

Regina Brooks is a true Renaissance Woman. She is an author, the founder and President of Serendipity Literary Agency, and in addition to her careers in publishing, she’s worked as an aerospace engineer for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, and made history as the first African American woman to receive a Bachelors of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Ohio State University. Brooks is also the Executive Director of the Y. B. Literary Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the reading of literature as a meaningful, lifelong activity and transformative experience for youth. Ms. Brooks, has edited over 50 published books, and her latest work is WRITING GREAT BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS. This month, she shares what she enjoys most about the book biz.

Collaboration At Its Best

They say that the best problem solving and development happens in a group setting. Publishing is a breeding ground for social interaction. When I think about the number of people involved in the development of a book before consumers see it in the bookstore, its incredible. Whether it’s the researchers, the editors, the publicists, the marketers, the sales people, designers, photographers, manufacturers, or agents, we all share a collective responsibility towards making each book work. I love being a part of a team of people all working towards a similar goal.

Helping to Give Birth to Ideas

When people hear that I’m in the book business, either they have a book idea, or their mother, cousin, sister or brother. Everyone has a story or idea that they would love to share with someone. And while not every idea is publishable or book worthy, I find joy in helping writers give birth to deserving projects. It is very satisfying when Im allowed to put my “touch” and perspective on a brand new book.

Reading Skills Revolutionized

This business forces you to read and understand written information quicker than one would ever think possible. I’ve learned to be more discriminating about the information I take in .To think in some weeks I can average 200 queries. I love that I’ve been able to master large volumes of information so fast.

Curiosity that leads to Discoveries

I’ve always been of the curious sort. Oh, whose doing that? What are they talking about? Innovation? What if? The publishing business rewards those that experience the emotional rush that comes with exploring, investigating, and discovery. The most successful non fiction books are those that break new ground, those ideas that are a step ahead. Book people find out the subject matter that people want to know before they even know they want to know it.

Unmistakable magic

Every book represents a journey into an authors enchanted imagination. And with each book a diverse range of subjects and styles are all expressed distinctively. I can’t help but get excited by the unmistakable magic that I experience when I’m allowed on the voyage.

Thank you, Regina! WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS is out now.

“Of course, in SHINE, I was focused on the issue of post-9/11 discrimination against anyone who was perceived to be Arab, Muslim, or Middle Eastern, but that was an issue I was quite familiar with and had seen around. An issue I was not used to seeing, and that was utterly new to *me* was explored in ALL RIVERS FLOW TO THE SEA by Alison McGhee. It’s a lovely, heart-breakingly beautiful novel about the death of a sibling, a mother having to let go, and a family moving forward. It is definitely one of those “quieter” YAs, but one that has left a lasting, indelible imprint on me.”

–Neesha Meminger, SHINE, COCONUT MOON (McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, March ‘09)

“THE OUTSIDERS was the first book I read that reflected my neighborhood. I couldn’t relate to fresh-scrubbed, fictional suburbias. It was such a relief to open a book and find the kids I knew. The ones who had to couch-surf to get away from abusive parents; the ones who knew if you had to shut off a utility, electricity was the one to keep. And that’s the world I chose for my first novel- always hoping that perhaps my book would be relief for someone else. There’s power in knowing you’re not alone.”

–Saundra Mitchell, SHADOWED SUMMER (Delacorte, February 2009)

“Prior to reading THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB series by Ann M. Martin, I had never heard of diabetes. In the third book, The Truth About Stacey, the main character struggles as she tries to both control and conceal her condition. In first-person narrative, she describes her treatment and her symptoms. She was often thirsty. Uh-oh. So was I! I momentarily wondered if I too had diabetes. I went to my mother and asked her. She told me I did not have diabetes. I was relieved. I drank some fruit juice.

I read more about diabetes in this book and checked out some fact-based articles about it. I had learned something new and developed a sympathy for those walking in Stacey’s shoes.

I devoured all of Ann M. Martin’s novels, including the single titles that were not related to her famous series. One such novel, WITH YOU AND WITHOUT YOU, detailed the illness and loss of a parent. The title is wholly accurate, as the story shows life for the family before and after the father gets ill, and how their lives change throughout the struggle and after he succumbs to the disease. As the Mouse said in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, “Mine is a long and a sad tale!” Yes, it was sad, but it made me feel for people I knew who had lost family members while also making me appreciate my family’s health and our close ties.”

–Little Willow, bookseller, writer, web designer

“…For me one of those books was ANNE FRANK: DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL. I don’t think it was about suddenly realizing the Holocaust was a terrible thing — I already knew that. But Anne was a real kid, and I felt like I knew her and lost a friend. That made the Holocaust become something more than a historical fact for me. It became immediate and real and horrifying.”

–Kurtis Scaletta, MUDVILLE (Knopf, February 2009)

“A SHELTER IN OUR CAR (Children’s Book Press, 2004) by Monica Gunning, illustrated by Elaine Pedlar, is such a powerful book. It takes you inside the life of a child named Zettie and her mother who live in their car and try to make do. As it explored Zettie’s fear and sadness, it made me think about the many homeless children who long for a safe place to live. The story ends on a hopeful note, but sadly, for too many kids there is no happy ending. I chose that book as the Thanksgiving selection for a girls book club I lead. So often, we take having a home for granted. But this book makes you remember to give thanks for every blessing and reach out to help those in need.”

–Kelly Starling Lyons, ONE MILLION MEN AND ME, (Just Us Books, 2007)

“Two current favorite children books: A COOL MOONLIGHT by Angela Johnson. I love this book for the magic and tenderness of it. What could have been a sad story instead is one about acceptance and joy. FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson. Love this for the perceptions of children, for their humanness. Children are not pure innocents. They are complex beings capable of greater understanding and insight than we give them credit for.”

–Susan, Color Online reviews and discourse on books, culture, and literacy of/for women writers of color

For more on children’s lit and issues, check out Susan’s Unofficial List of Great YA by or About Women of Color, Little Willow’s articles on gender bias, and her full article, Books That Opened Your Eyes.

What book changed your perspective, or get you thinking about something in a new or different way? Did it confirm beliefs or ideas that you’d already had? What made it effective? Did you take any action (large or small) as a result of reading the book? Share in the comments below.

“I love all the DEL RIO BAY CLIQUE Books by Paula Chase Hyman…Paula does such a good job of describing high school life, Del Rio Bay could have easily been my high school. Her characters are so believable, I have friends a lot like all the members of the Clique. The book is funny and it teaches lessons, but it’s not preachy. You don’t even realize right away that you learned something, you just think: I loved this book/series!

SKIN I’M IN by Sharon G. Flake is a really good MG read. It’s sad and powerful. Deals with bullies and being ashamed of one’s skin (especially the issue of people wishing they were lighter, which is a story that needs to be told).

- Ari, book reviewer and blogger at READING IN COLOR

“When I was a child my favorite “school story” was actually a movie. The Trouble With Angels starring Hayley Mills. I was fascinated by the concept of a girl – a fish out of water – attending a boarding school and discovering that surface appearances didn’t tell the whole story. That and the fact that she had a best friend/partner in crime with which to terrorize the nuns and the Mother Superior. But what stuck with me was the ending – that the defiant, rebel rousing main character blossomed and came into her own and made a decision to join the Novitiate after graduation. I didn’t see it coming and because I didn’t, it made the ending more powerful. I was ready to sign up right then and there – and I wasn’t even Catholic.

Little did I know that years later, I’d be enrolled at Phillips Exeter Academy – a New England boarding school filled with similar adventures, two partners in crime and students from all over the world. I pulled equally wacky stunts, managed to avoid the usual punitive consequences, and had a blast – much to the consternation of the administration. In the end – I left a bit more mature than I went in and it has stuck with me all those years. Those years cemented my love of reading and writing. How could it not? Its graduates include Dan Brown, John Irving, Gore Vidal and Peter Benchley to name a few. I relived those memories when my daughter attended a summer program there last year. The smells, the joys, and the realization that if I had it to do all over again – I’d do it in a heartbeat. Only I’d be more like my daughter. She followed the rules meticulously and wreaked much less chaos as a result! Or maybe not – being the villain is a lot more fun!”

-Christine Taylor-Butler, author of SACRED MOUNTAIN, EVEREST

Do you have a longtime or recent ’school story’ favourite? Was there one that had a huge impact on your life? I’m always looking for a good one — recommend it in the comments below.

“I can’t think about THE BOOK OF SALT by Monique Truong without thinking of omelets and butter.”
Shadra Strickland, BIRD

“If I’m being *good*, baby carrots and green tea.”
Denise Jaden, LOSING FAITH

“Sliding on the Edge definitely has a creative-snacky connection. How does “Ketsup soup” sound as a main course? Yum.”
C. Lee McKenzie, SLIDING ON THE EDGE

“I eat handfuls of frozen mini-peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s during SEA edits and JADE draft(s)… Oh and TONS of Lattes. Is that a food group?”
Verdict: I’m on a diet!
Heidi R. Kling, SEA

“One of the comic touches in MUDVILLE is that the dad is a horrible cook who concocts things like spam manicotti, chili dog pie, and green bean chili. The week my book was released, to celebrate, my wife treated my to nothing but meals featured in the book.”
Kurtis Scaletta, MUDVILLE

“I love to snack on ginger candies or sugared tamarind candy. Oh, and the old favorite, chocolate. ”
Karen Kincy, OTHER

“In my desk drawer, I have a stash of candy cigarettes, blow pops, candy necklaces, peppermint patties, and caramel cremes. Great for getting in touch with my inner child. A fun food read is CANDY FREAK by Steve Almond. Make sure you run to your local candy store and buy the candy bars he writes about. Fun to eat and read!”

Anna M. Lewis, award-winning toy inventor working on several projects in toy and publishing land.

“A large mug of Earl Grey tea with milk and at least three dark chocolate kisses. Such sensory overload is inspiring and gives me a little jolt.
If I’m being good, green tea (cold) with honey, please.”
Amy Brecount White, FORGET HER NOTS

“Assorted nuts and trail mixes keep me going on a slow writing day”.
Guadalupe Garcia McCall, A MESQUITE IN THE ROSE GARDEN

“An earthy chewy tortilla filled with warm honey and soothing butter!”
Jennifer Cervantes, TORTILLA SUN

“I’m going to face my shame and misery and admit it: cheesy gordita crunch, and Mountain Dew.
I know. What can I say? Sometimes I bike to the Taco Bell. That’s gotta be good, right?”
Steve Brezenoff, THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1

Where do you make book/food connections? Share your favourites in the comments below!

What were the elements of the story that shouted “film!” to you?

BRIN: Honestly, the first chapter of the book spoke to me. It offered a prose depiction of basketball that was so honest, so raw, and felt so much like the gyms I grew up playing ball in that I instantly connected with the voice. Then I kept reading and sparked to the way the layers were peeled back on Sticky’s story. Then I read some more and found an authentic version of the Santa Monica and Venice, CA that I grew up in… For me, this source material was an opportunity to go home and make an honest film – a film about an LA and a character that normally doesn’t get told. That opportunity absolutely excited me.

MATT: I’m not sure how much of what I was writing even shouted “book!” while I was writing the initial draft. This was my first novel and I was suffering from a serious case of “impostor syndrome.” Who was I to think I could write an entire novel? And a novel that actually sold? Crazy talk. Luckily the obsessive part of me beat out the skeptical part and after about a year I had the makings of an actual book. Of course, it wasn’t until the revision stage that I figure out what the book was actually about.

I’ve always loved visual fiction. Novels driven by scene. My main character, Sticky, is very external. Throughout ninety percent of the novel he is actively NOT internalizing events from his past. He’s a reactionary character. Because of this, much of the character development is driven by what he does as opposed to what he thinks. So that part was easily translated into script form. Also, the basketball scenes were very active. Pick up hoops in Lincoln Rec, as well as the big playoff game in the middle of the book. Early in the process, Brin described what he wanted to do with the basketball scenes, and that really excited me. There’s only so much you can do in fiction. I went to odd figurative language, short choppy sentences, syncopated rhythms. But Grayson brought it all to life in the movie version.

But truth be told, I had no idea this was worthy of adaptation until Brin said he was going to make it happen.

What were some of the immediate challenges and surprises in creating the screenplay?

MATT: The biggest challenge for both of us was the structure of the novel, which is non-linear. The present tense element of the story takes place in just one day. But the novel moves back in time as well. Half of the literal space is dedicated to flashback (which I tell my writing students is a big no-no). As a novelist I wanted to explore all of the foster families that had taken Sticky in only to ultimately give him back. For me, this is what the novel is about first and foremost. In a traditional film we probably would have scrapped the foster system and built up the hoop action. But (thank God!) Brin was also interested in Sticky’s rough background.

The coolest surprise for me was the way we were able to move through time. I love some of the transitions in the film version. I think Brin did an amazing job keeping the audience grounded. And one of the biggest highlights of the film is Brin’s strategy of showing Sticky in front of every single foster house at the end of the film. That’s when it really hits home what a crazy and sad journey Sticky’s been on just to get to present day.

BRIN: One major hurdle was taking a character that is so abused by the system that he spins inside himself and lives in an extremely internal manner. His external reaction occurs pretty much on the court and he becomes a classic active character only when backed into a corner and forced to react. But what would normally be seen as a flaw became quite useful in our story arch because when he does finally take matters into his own hands late in the film, it has an unbelievably wonderful impact on the audience. We gambled on the notion that the ills Sticky’s suffered, the difficult system he endured, and getting to see him overcome some of those woes would allow us to win the audience over and buy some time with a character that kind of lives in a turtle’s shell. I’m always pleasantly surprised and pleased when the audience vocally roots for Sticky in a harrowing scene toward the end of the film.

What remained consistent about your vision for the film, and what had to change?

BRIN: I think the consistencies are in how authentic the basketball is and truthful the depiction of a normally unseen Santa Monica and Venice is. I also feel like Sticky’s overall arch and story is pretty consistent with where we started a few years back.

A lot changed from script to shoot to final film. For one, we had to cut a 3 ½ hour rough cut of the film down to a 1 hour 40 minute film, so a bunch of great scenes that we all loved hit the edit room floor. The one scene that we lost which comes straight to mind is a scene that originally made me believe that this could be a film – the scene is one where a street walker on Lincoln Blvd teaches Sticky how to kiss a woman’s hand. In writing the script, this scene felt like the moment when Sticky begins to realize that he can love again after all the ills bestowed on his character and starts to rethink how to define family. It’s a very important scene to the book. However, in structuring the film, it immediately became expendable.

Those are the lessons learned late in the adaptation process – don’t be too precious with the book – the book is one piece of art and the film should be seen as another piece of art merely trying to tell the same story in a completely new way.

MATT: I think the movie version of Sticky is incredibly true to the book version. We kept some of his monologues and placed them over basketball action. We remained very true to Sticky – which was really important to the story.

The biggest change was probably between Sticky and Anh-thu (his girlfriend). The end of their story is QUITE different. Right Brin? Brin . . . ?

BRIN: Oh… sorry, I was perusing through your new book WE WERE HERE – could be a good film… But, yes, sir. That is quite correct .

BALL DON’T LIE opens in select theatres June 5.

What book-to-film adaptations have you adored/abhorred? What questions do you have about the process? For the trailer and more about BALL DON’T LIE: The Book, The Film, and of course, The Legends, visit them all online. And check back next month for Part Two of the interview, including a fantastic giveaway!

The pledges per comment, and the comment caps, varied, but word spread through cyberspace.  Five people were also inspired to make flat donations to their local libraries.  Ultimately, the bloggers raised more than $1500 for libraries and organizations throughout the world.  A few of the bloggers still have open challenges and are collecting comments.  A complete listing of the challengers may be found at Jennifer R. Hubbard’s blog at http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/93576.html

The bloggers hope to repeat this effort for the benefit of libraries at some point in the future.  They are excited by this example of how the Internet may be used as a force for positive change, both in terms of raising funds and raising awareness.  As participating writer Jama Rattigan stated, “Raising money for libraries is important, but equally as important is raising consciousness about its significance in our lives.  The public library is one of the most precious free resources we have in our communities.  It’s there for us, but we have to share the responsibility for taking care of it.”

Questions about the Bloggers’ Library-Loving Challenge may be sent to Jennifer Hubbard at jennifer[at]jenniferhubbard[dot]com.

Reading Between The Lines

• Horn Book editor Roger Sutton’s blog, with entries like this on didacticism and the relationship between readers and writers, almost always stirs up the booktalk pot,
• while What Makes a Children’s Classic? in The Guardian provided additional food for thought.

People of the Books: Dialogues on Race and Culture

• Neesha Meminger’s blog on race and YA Lit, and the ensuing comments, along with
• The Politics of Wizards and Vampires, by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez,
• Anti-Racist Parent’s opinion piece on Black teens and reading trends,
• Mitali Perkins’ thoughts on the value of ethnic awards, and
• Brown (But Not) Like Me, which is only in part about how The Brown Bookshelf chose its name, were all thought-provoking as well as thoughtful.

Behind the Book

As much as some of us may wish to avoid it, the book industry is still just that — a business, and one that involves real people with real feelings:

• Editor Alvina Ling’s explanation of what takes place at a Focus Meeting is fascinating,
• Agent Nathan Bransford’s blog is a boon to authors everywhere, with posts like this one on query letters.
• Shrinking Violet Promotions’ Introverts Bill of Rights is both helpful and reassuring,
• and Cynthia Leitich Smith makes throwing a book launch party sound good, even to an introvert like me.
• The delightful Bildungsroman interviews, like this one with author Sarah Darer Littman present a unique opportunity to engage in the life of a book
• as do the “He Said, She Said” discussions on GuysLitWire, and
• there’s an interesting look at “books that appeal to both genders,” such as this conversation about Play Me by Laura Ruby.

The Business End

Many of us book people have fantasies of getting into the field from another angle …

• Why Authors Love Indies,
• these bookstore design dreams and
• The Librarian is a Person in Your Neighborhood offered new perspectives on these partners in the book world.
• A glimpse at curriculum connections through windows like Teaching with Easels,
• and Words Without Borders Lesson Plans remind us of the magic that educators make with literature and learning.

Just Because

For pure publishing fun, check out …

• Jackson Pearce’s Getting Published Fantasy on YouTube,
• Monica Edinger and Roxanne Hsu Feldman’s Children’s Literature Application Test,
• and Saundra Mitchell’s fascinating audio essay on how Hurricane Katrina changed Shadowed Summer are just the thing to inspire, make you smile, and perhaps hit the forward button just one more time.

Oooh! Just had to add this one, featured on Fuse #8, by Jarrett Krosoczka — the soundtrack alone is amazing.

What have you seen around the Web about the business of books that you’ve blogged, Facebooked, or forwarded into eternity? Share it below!

To keep from taking over the site completely, I’ve included the first half of the survey here.  If you’d like to read the rest of the questions and responses, they are up on my site at www.NeeshaMeminger.com/funstuff.

Q.  What are some of the most recent books you’ve read for fun? Which ones did you like the most?

• Chitra:     Twilight – I enjoyed it the most.
• Ritu:         The Harry Potter series seem the most fun to me but I have not read any other recently.
• Pinku:     Daughters of the Moon books & Alex Rider books. I liked them both, they were really good.
• Nikhal:     I don’t read for fun. King Lear
• Touria:     The Tweneith Wife. I love creative stylistic novels. I also enjoy autobiographies.
• Kamil:     I liked Tomorrow Never Ends, The Jester, 4^th July, Memories of Midnight, Books by Sidney Shewlon and James Patterson
• H.S.:        2pac

Q.  What are some things that make you want to buy a book?

• Chitra: Storyline
• Ritu:    The description; horror and mystery books are my favorite
• Pinku: The story
• Nikhal: Music production
• Touria: The author
• Kamil:  Nice themes, real life experiences, more non fictional theme
• H.S.:     I don’t buy books.

Q.  So, what are things that make you put a book down?

• Chitra: If its just too serious or confusing
• Ritu: Too much detail
• Pinku: The author
• Nikhal: Title, cover
• Touria: When I cannot understand it
• Kamil: Hard to understand themes, book that deals with no major topic
• H.S.: The cover

Q.  How do you feel about blunt sex talk in books for teens?

• Chitra: I think it’s disgusting, more porn than literature
• Ritu: It’s good to be aware of everything.
• Pinku: I don’t mind.
• Nikhal: Not cool
• Touria: I feel comfortable
• Kamil: No probs
• H.S.: Its alright

Q. What about swear words?

• Chitra: Depends how much and where
• Ritu: It used in everyday lives
• Pinku: I don’t mind.
• Nikhal: Just not cool
• Touria: I feel comfortable as well
• Kamil: No probs…either…
• H.S.: Its all good

Q.  Do you have a favorite genre of books, i.e. fantasy/sci-fi (like Harry Potter, Golden Compass, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, etc.), romance, action/adventure, drama, comedy? What is it/are they?

• Chitra: Twilight series, romance/adventure
• Ritu: Harry Potter, horror, romance and mystery
• Pinku: Fantasy/sci-fi
• Nikhal: Not really but I liked goosebumps
• Touria: Autobiography, Shakespeare
• Kamil: I like mystery, adventure, thriller and romance
• H.S.: Romance, action

Q.  Do you feel that there is currently an accurate portrayal of South Asians in books, TV and the media? Why or why not?

• Chitra: Not really frequently
• Ritu: No. They show them poor and the show India filled with poverty
• Pinku: No, not really. They kind of just put them in there like a joke.
• Nikhal: Yes, they offer book and media advice
• Touria: Only at times. Novels are more accurate than the media because the media is more narrow minded and stereotypical
• Kamil: I do not think so because it only shows some cultures of many existing in South Asia
• H.S.: . . .

Q.  What kind of representation would you like to see of a South Asian teen? What qualities would s/he have?

• Chitra: Normal, like any other teenager
• Ritu: A smart, educated person because not all South Asians should be portrayed as poor, living in slums.
• Pinku: Strong, kind.
• Nikhal: Someone who is straight forward, nice and kind.
• Touria: South Asian teens (girls): youthful, independent, cultured
• Kamil: I like South Asian teen trying to cope in a white American society this quality would be confident, confused and questioning.
• H.S.: . . .

Q.  What kinds of issues do the South Asian teens in your life face that are not depicted on TV, in films, or in books? What would you like to see addressed?

• Chitra: Their family lives, rules, culture
• Ritu: Prejudism
• Pinku: Peer pressure, religion vs. society
• Nikhal: Racism, how South Asians are being blamed for 9/11
• Touria: Parent/sibling conflicts; peer pressure
• Kamil: I would like to see South Asians influenced by Western lifestyle and struggling to choose the right one.
• H.S.: family problems, relationships and etc.

Neesha Meminger is the author of SHINE, COCONUT MOON, her debut novel. For more information, visit her author page.