Hannah Barnaby |  (c) Scott DuBar C'Ville Writer |
Why did you decide to write about organ donation in your latest novel, Some of the Parts?
Most of my stories begin with a situation or a question, and Some of the Parts was no exception. I had always been fascinated by the idea of organ donors and recipients and one day while I was journaling, I wrote, "What if you lost someone and then found out they weren't really gone?" From that one question, I built Tallie's entire story. Of course, I had to do quite a bit of research along the way and there was a great deal I didn't know about how donor families and recipients communicate with each other.
What do you find is the biggest challenge when it comes to promoting your books?
There are two main challenges for me: one is keeping the balance between promoting a finished book and writing new stories, and the other is getting over the feeling that I'm bragging when I talk about my books. I try to keep the focus on the books and the characters, and the potential reader, rather than on myself. And I'm honest with myself about what I'm good at. School visits and book festivals are fun for me. Making a series of videos of myself and posting them online would be torture. Stick with your strengths!
How do you feel about the reviews your books have received (which have been pretty stellar!)?
It's incredible to hear from readers who have connected with something I've written, especially when the story has brought out an emotional response. Some of the Parts is obviously a sad story, in some ways, so it has had a strong effect on readers. But there are unexpected moments, too -- one girl told me that a relationship between two minor characters in Wonder Show made her realize that her own relationship was unhealthy for her and inspired her to end it. That was so powerful for me to hear. Stories truly do effect real change in readers' lives, which is what makes being a published writer such a huge privilege.
How has participating in and being in attendance at the Virginia Festival of the Book helped you grow as a writer?
I love the Festival of the Book for so many reasons--it's thrilling to see our community infused with so much energy and love for writing and books, and it's deeply inspiring to hear other writers talk about their experiences. Writing can be such an isolating occupation. It's vital to connect with each other, share resources, and cheer each other on! And I'm especially happy to have seen the festival expand the programming for young writers in the past few years.
What do you enjoy about Charlottesville's writing community?
I recently held a launch party at New Dominion Bookshop to celebrate the publication of Some of the Parts, and I was in awe of how many writers from the community came to support me. Charlottesville and Richmond both have incredibly tight-knit writing communities but there is always room for new writers, and I have experienced firsthand how welcoming these writers are. Not to mention all the great opportunities to attend readings and classes at places like WriterHouse!
Hannah Barnaby is a former children's book editor and bookseller, and was the inaugural children's writer-in-residence at the Boston Public Library. Her debut novel, Wonder Show (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2012), was a Morris Award finalist in 2013. Her YA novel, Some of the Parts was released in February 2016 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Kids. She lives in Charlottesville, VA with her family. You can find her online at hannahbarnaby.com and can follow her on Twitter @hannahrbarnaby.
Most of my stories begin with a situation or a question, and Some of the Parts was no exception. I had always been fascinated by the idea of organ donors and recipients and one day while I was journaling, I wrote, "What if you lost someone and then found out they weren't really gone?" From that one question, I built Tallie's entire story. Of course, I had to do quite a bit of research along the way and there was a great deal I didn't know about how donor families and recipients communicate with each other.
What do you find is the biggest challenge when it comes to promoting your books?
There are two main challenges for me: one is keeping the balance between promoting a finished book and writing new stories, and the other is getting over the feeling that I'm bragging when I talk about my books. I try to keep the focus on the books and the characters, and the potential reader, rather than on myself. And I'm honest with myself about what I'm good at. School visits and book festivals are fun for me. Making a series of videos of myself and posting them online would be torture. Stick with your strengths!
How do you feel about the reviews your books have received (which have been pretty stellar!)?
It's incredible to hear from readers who have connected with something I've written, especially when the story has brought out an emotional response. Some of the Parts is obviously a sad story, in some ways, so it has had a strong effect on readers. But there are unexpected moments, too -- one girl told me that a relationship between two minor characters in Wonder Show made her realize that her own relationship was unhealthy for her and inspired her to end it. That was so powerful for me to hear. Stories truly do effect real change in readers' lives, which is what makes being a published writer such a huge privilege.
How has participating in and being in attendance at the Virginia Festival of the Book helped you grow as a writer?
I love the Festival of the Book for so many reasons--it's thrilling to see our community infused with so much energy and love for writing and books, and it's deeply inspiring to hear other writers talk about their experiences. Writing can be such an isolating occupation. It's vital to connect with each other, share resources, and cheer each other on! And I'm especially happy to have seen the festival expand the programming for young writers in the past few years.
What do you enjoy about Charlottesville's writing community?
I recently held a launch party at New Dominion Bookshop to celebrate the publication of Some of the Parts, and I was in awe of how many writers from the community came to support me. Charlottesville and Richmond both have incredibly tight-knit writing communities but there is always room for new writers, and I have experienced firsthand how welcoming these writers are. Not to mention all the great opportunities to attend readings and classes at places like WriterHouse!
Hannah Barnaby is a former children's book editor and bookseller, and was the inaugural children's writer-in-residence at the Boston Public Library. Her debut novel, Wonder Show (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2012), was a Morris Award finalist in 2013. Her YA novel, Some of the Parts was released in February 2016 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Kids. She lives in Charlottesville, VA with her family. You can find her online at hannahbarnaby.com and can follow her on Twitter @hannahrbarnaby.
Anne Marie Pace |  (c) Scott DuBar C'Ville Writer |
As an author, what do you enjoy about school visits?
School visits give me an opportunity to meet readers I wouldn’t otherwise get to meet--namely, awesome teachers and librarians and kids! My teaching career was spent working with high-schoolers, but I’ve found that the little ones are just as fun, as well as super-cute. Also, as a former teacher, I am intrigued by education issues in general, so I enjoy visiting different schools and seeing how a love of books is encouraged in classrooms at schools with varying demographics and philosophies.
In your opinion, can a Skype visit be just as fun?
I won’t deny that Skype visits are different from in-person visits. I sing and dance with little ones in person, and that is harder, though not impossible, to do over Skype, since I’m working with a desktop computer in my kitchen, not a studio. But today’s young students have grown up with the amazing technology we have today--stuff we couldn’t have dreamed of when I was their age. So for them, talking with someone over Skype does not feel miraculous; it’s just another way of communicating. I don’t think it throws them off balance in any way. That means that most of what I do with them translates just fine to Skype. I do miss the hugs, though. You can’t Skype a hug!
Tell us about your recent deal with Disney.
A couple of years ago, my agent called to tell me that Disney Junior was interested in optioning VAMPIRINA BALLERINA for a preschool television series. The option didn’t mean they were going to make it into a series; it meant they were asking for exclusive rights to do so if they wished. However, after many months of development, Disney Junior announced this spring that Vampirina is in production and will premiere some time in 2017. Chris Nee, the creator of the award-winning Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins, is executive producer, Norton Virgien is the co-executive producer, Nicky Phelan is directing, and Brown Bag Films from Ireland will do the animation. It really couldn’t be in better hands. The show and the books will complement rather than duplicate each other; we should think of two distinct timelines in a sci-fi universe. The books are the books and the show will be the show. I won’t have any input into the show itself, but LeUyen Pham and I are creating another Vampirina book. Think Beach Blanket Bingo meets Monster Mash, as Vampirina heads to the beach.
How has participating in and being in attendance at the Virginia Festival of the Book helped you grow as a writer?
I’ve been involved with the Virginia Festival of the Book for a long time now. I moderated panels of children’s authors for several years, then I sat on panels, then I put together panels--now my favorite thing to do are school visits. Schools in our area often schedule their author visits for Festival week, so we are all celebrating books together. It’s hard not to feel motivated and excited about our work when we are celebrating books.
What do you enjoy about Charlottesville's writing community?
University towns are always full of interesting people, aren’t they? And some of the most interesting people to me are other writers. My critique group began years ago after a panel at the Virginia Festival of the Book, and not only are we still together, but we’ve all published books. They’re not just my colleagues; they’re my friends. As the Charlottesville Events Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, I’ve had the chance to be at the hub of many children’s writing events in town. I’ve also begun teaching at WriterHouse, so I’m meeting new writers through my classes there. Children’s writers are renowned for being some of the most encouraging and helpful people around, and our children’s writers in Charlottesville are no exception. It’s a great place to live as a writer.
Anne Marie Pace is the author of Never Ever Talk to Strangers (Scholastic Book Clubs 2010), A Teacher for Bear (Scholastic Book Clubs 2011) and the Vampirina Ballerina series (Disney-Hyperion) that is illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Her upcoming picture books include PIGLOO (Henry Holt & Co.), GROUNDHUG DAY (Disney-Hyperion), BIG-EYED BUG (Beach Lane Books), and the next adventure for Vampirina (Disney-Hyperion)! Anne-Marie’s favorite pastimes include reading, cooking, choral singing, walking in the woods, traveling, and (most importantly) spending time with family, friends and her two awesome beagle mixes (AKA mutts). She can be found online at annemariepace.com and Tweeting @AnneMariePace.
School visits give me an opportunity to meet readers I wouldn’t otherwise get to meet--namely, awesome teachers and librarians and kids! My teaching career was spent working with high-schoolers, but I’ve found that the little ones are just as fun, as well as super-cute. Also, as a former teacher, I am intrigued by education issues in general, so I enjoy visiting different schools and seeing how a love of books is encouraged in classrooms at schools with varying demographics and philosophies.
In your opinion, can a Skype visit be just as fun?
I won’t deny that Skype visits are different from in-person visits. I sing and dance with little ones in person, and that is harder, though not impossible, to do over Skype, since I’m working with a desktop computer in my kitchen, not a studio. But today’s young students have grown up with the amazing technology we have today--stuff we couldn’t have dreamed of when I was their age. So for them, talking with someone over Skype does not feel miraculous; it’s just another way of communicating. I don’t think it throws them off balance in any way. That means that most of what I do with them translates just fine to Skype. I do miss the hugs, though. You can’t Skype a hug!
Tell us about your recent deal with Disney.
A couple of years ago, my agent called to tell me that Disney Junior was interested in optioning VAMPIRINA BALLERINA for a preschool television series. The option didn’t mean they were going to make it into a series; it meant they were asking for exclusive rights to do so if they wished. However, after many months of development, Disney Junior announced this spring that Vampirina is in production and will premiere some time in 2017. Chris Nee, the creator of the award-winning Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins, is executive producer, Norton Virgien is the co-executive producer, Nicky Phelan is directing, and Brown Bag Films from Ireland will do the animation. It really couldn’t be in better hands. The show and the books will complement rather than duplicate each other; we should think of two distinct timelines in a sci-fi universe. The books are the books and the show will be the show. I won’t have any input into the show itself, but LeUyen Pham and I are creating another Vampirina book. Think Beach Blanket Bingo meets Monster Mash, as Vampirina heads to the beach.
How has participating in and being in attendance at the Virginia Festival of the Book helped you grow as a writer?
I’ve been involved with the Virginia Festival of the Book for a long time now. I moderated panels of children’s authors for several years, then I sat on panels, then I put together panels--now my favorite thing to do are school visits. Schools in our area often schedule their author visits for Festival week, so we are all celebrating books together. It’s hard not to feel motivated and excited about our work when we are celebrating books.
What do you enjoy about Charlottesville's writing community?
University towns are always full of interesting people, aren’t they? And some of the most interesting people to me are other writers. My critique group began years ago after a panel at the Virginia Festival of the Book, and not only are we still together, but we’ve all published books. They’re not just my colleagues; they’re my friends. As the Charlottesville Events Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, I’ve had the chance to be at the hub of many children’s writing events in town. I’ve also begun teaching at WriterHouse, so I’m meeting new writers through my classes there. Children’s writers are renowned for being some of the most encouraging and helpful people around, and our children’s writers in Charlottesville are no exception. It’s a great place to live as a writer.
Anne Marie Pace is the author of Never Ever Talk to Strangers (Scholastic Book Clubs 2010), A Teacher for Bear (Scholastic Book Clubs 2011) and the Vampirina Ballerina series (Disney-Hyperion) that is illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Her upcoming picture books include PIGLOO (Henry Holt & Co.), GROUNDHUG DAY (Disney-Hyperion), BIG-EYED BUG (Beach Lane Books), and the next adventure for Vampirina (Disney-Hyperion)! Anne-Marie’s favorite pastimes include reading, cooking, choral singing, walking in the woods, traveling, and (most importantly) spending time with family, friends and her two awesome beagle mixes (AKA mutts). She can be found online at annemariepace.com and Tweeting @AnneMariePace.
