The Debutante Ball, established in 2007, is a group blog for authors making their debut in the literary world. We are now in our twelfth season of celebrating up-and-coming authors. Former Debs include bestsellers in the genres of women’s fiction, mystery, literary fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and more. Click on any of the photos above to learn about The Debutante Ball Class of 2019 and their books. Read about the bestselling…
Interview with Ellen Birkett Morris, author of LOST GIRLS
This week’s interview is with Ellen Birkett Morris whose debut, LOST GIRLS, explores the experiences of women and girls as they grieve, find love, face uncertainty, take a stand, find their future and say goodbye to the past. Below, Ellen talks about her favorite time of day, books that inspired her as a child, and a few of the amazing prizes she’s won over the years. Enjoy! ABOUT ELLEN Ellen…
[News Flash] February 22, 2021
Lyn Liao Butler’s agent, Rachel Brooks joined us last week to speak about life on the other side of the query letter. Thanks to Rachel for her great advice! You can read the interview here. And make sure to preorder Lyn’s forthcoming debut, THE TIGER MOM’S TALE! Look out for an upcoming interview with Ellen Birkett Morris this week about her novel, LOST GIRLS. Ellen will be Queen Bee on…
Interview with Lyn’s Agent, Rachel Brooks
Today, we have a very special treat. My wonderful, amazing, fabulous, super-smart and brilliant agent, Rachel Brooks of BookEnds Literary Agency (can you tell how highly I think of her?), has agreed to answer some questions. Ever wonder what an agent is thinking? How they go through their queries and decide who to offer representation to? Rachel is here to give you one agent’s impression of this exciting, yet sometimes…
Back to School: My Favorite Writing Resources
This week’s topic is all about highlighting the resources that helped me along the way to publishing. The websites and podcasts I’ve listed below were (and are) all invaluable sources of information and support in a journey that can often be a lonely one. So saddle up and read on for my favorites: First Draft with Sarah Enni There is so much here to love about Sara Enni’s podcast. She…
[News Flash] February 15, 2021
Many thanks for Barbara Conrey for joining us this week to talk about her bestselling novel, NOWHERE NEAR GOODBYE. Read the full interview here. Ehsaneh Sadr, author of A DOOR BETWEEN US, spoke with Ava Homa this week about her novel, DAUGHTERS OF SMOKE AND FIRE. Watch the interview on our Instagram page. Bridgerton novelist, Julia Quinn, recommends WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES by Denny S. Bryce on…
The autodidact’s reading list
I’ve written previously about how I have an MBA, not an MFA. And how that didn’t work out so great for me. So when I was unemployed and stuck in a tiny apartment while raising a newborn baby, it wasn’t a great time to contemplate going back to school for yet another masters degree. Plus, I reasoned, I’d always been told I was a great writer. How hard could it…
Interview with Barbara Conrey, bestselling author of NOWHERE NEAR GOODBYE
This week’s interview is with Barbara Conrey whose debut novel, NOWHERE NEAR GOODBYE is a USA Today bestseller. Below, Barbara talks about the authors that inspire her, the story behind her book’s title, her next big project and more. Enjoy! ABOUT BARBARA Barbara Conrey worked in the health care industry for many years before opting for an early retirement, which lasted all of three months. She then accepted a position…
On the Road with Denny and her Writing CRAFT Journey!
I am a self-proclaimed craft geek. I love craft books, craft classes, online or when possible, in person. I have traveled as far as Maui to take a workshop and have purchased audiotapes and videotapes and bid on private craft lessons with superstar instructors at online auctions. Sounds a bit like an addiction, I’ll admit it. But for nearly two decades, writing workshops fell under my idea of a great…
[News Flash] February 7, 2021
Elizabeth Everett joined us this week to talk about A LADY’S FORMULA FOR LOVE, out next week. Elizabeth will be launching her book February 9th live on Instagram, as well as participating in a Galentine’s Day Celebration on February 13. Read our interview with Elizabeth here. Both Lyn Liao Butler and Denny S. Bryce were profiled in Forbes this week, talking about what it’s like to be a debut author…
Favorite writing books, blogs, podcasts? So many to choose from!
First, a few classics: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is what helped me turn off my internal critic and editor so I could write, freely, every single day. On Writing by Stephen King is a refreshingly honest look inside the life, practice, and experiences of one of our most prolific writers. It includes tons of straightforward advice about what works and what doesn’t. Save the Cat by Blake Snyder….
