Steven Malk, Krista Marino, Frank Portman - From Idea To Book: The Writer-Agent-Editor Team

Steven Malk discovered Frank Portman (a musician) at a Mr. T Experience show and thought his music would translate well into young adult literature.

Frank Portman performs his song Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend. (If you're not hear to experience it...find it on iTunes!)

Malk invited several editors to see one of Portman’s shows and Marino went. As an editor building her own list, she saw the potential.

Over lunch, Marino asked Portman if there were any songs he could turn into a story. Portman took that as an assignment and his first book came out of his song, King Dork.

Portman performs his song King Dork. (again...find it on iTunes!)

Portman sat down and wrote thirty pages…all voice and attitude. From that, the book was sold to Random House.

Malk says those fist thirty pages were so amazing, with a voice that you’ve never heard before: such a strong voice, such great humor.

Every word counts in a song, the same as with a picture book. And Frank has a mastery of language.

Important take-aways:
-you need to take from everywhere in your life for a story idea
-read a ton of YA, the classics and the new stuff
-your publisher wants to sell your books but they can’t do it without your help
-blogging is important, it’s a way to reach out to readers
-use all of your connections…networking is so, so important
-expect the book writing and revising process to be a collaboration
-find an editor who gets your project

Frank Portman's second book ANDROMEDIA KLEIN is out later this month.

Insider Info Not to Be Missed!

Afternoon Session Preview: Frank Portman, Steven Malk, Krista Marino

Sometimes you end up in the right place at the right time and get great scoop at the conference. For me...twice!

So, since I'm part of Team Blog, lucky you, I get to share. Shhh...

Later today, Portman, Malk, and Marino will be presenting together in the afternoon breakout session: The Writer-Agent-Editor Team. This scoop from Steven Malk: the talented Frank Portman will preform a song (or two!) during the session. How cool is that?

Then yesterday, Frank's über cool editor, Krista Marino, handed me a Frank Portman promo CD FULL of goodies (some of them secret...squeee!).

Nothing like cook swag, huh?

I'll be there live blogging (and sharing a bit from my swag!), but if you don't want to miss a Frank Portman performance, you'll have to join me.

Frank Portman, "Cultivating Your Teen Voice"

Second morning panel I'm attending is:

FRANK PORTMAN, "Cultivating Your Teen Voice"

(Pictured above is Frank and his trusty guitar!)

Some quick highlights:

Frank Portman began his panel by performing one of his songs on guitar called "You're the Only One." He talked about writing in an authentic teen voice and read an excerpt from his novel KING DORK that made everyone laugh.

Funny moment: One conference goer asked, "Are you texting?" He smiled and held up his cell phone and said, "No, I'm keeping track of time." :)

What books did he like? "I was very interested in comics when I was a kid. But I did read several books, so I kind of know what I'm talking about."

"YA is great because it's wide open. It's a tradition that goes back a long way. That said, I think it's a terrible mistake to tailor your writing to a demographic in any kind of direct way because it will be fake."

He warned aspiring writers NOT to think that "because you're writing from a teen POV, it must be less complicated - simpler, dumber - than a regular book. That will not produce a good book."

He discussed the conundrum of how "sex sells" but it also frightens publishers because of the age group (his book is hilarious and very candid - he jokes about his editor called once and said, "Frank, we have to talk about the nipple problem." LOL!) But he says there's a difference between overt vulgarity and a realistic sense of how to approach the topic of sex in YA literature. In fact, his next novel will be from the point of view of a female teen character!

Overall, a packed room that loved Frank's music performance, honesty, and humorous presentation.

Posted by Paula Yoo