And then we set to work figuring out, um, how exactly do we do that? When I first approached these talented ladies with the idea for a book authored by seven people that would NOT be an anthology, but rather one continuous story, every last one of them said “sign me up” before I even got to the details. The seven of us are about to turn in a manuscript for a multi-authored middle grade novel called Seven Sides to Every Story, which will publish with Simon & Schuster next summer and which we pitched as, “Following the format of the film Love Actually, seven students’ storylines intersect over the course of one night at a middle school dance.” And, in the true spirit of collaboration, I’ve invited some friends to join me (well, not just my friends, but my co-authors.) The writer’s room tends to be a mythical place, typically reserved for TV show scribes, but I’m here to make a case for exactly that type of banding-together approach across all types of fiction. The very words “group project” can strike fear in the hearts of your students, but their teachers know better, right?

Group Projects: They’re Not Just For Your Students Jen’s joining us today to talk about how that all works! Her next project is a book written with friends, in multiple points of view. Jen’s titles include AT YOUR SERVICE, YOU’RE INVITED, and THE SLEEPOVER. We also have guest author Jen Malone joining us. Good morning! Who’s feeling brave this week? It’s Friday, which means it’s time to check in with Gae on her blog and get some feedback on your work-in-progress if you’d like.

Operation Pucker Up by Rachele Alpine