Name: Jenna Yun What you Write: Middle-grade and Young Adult speculative fiction Agent: Emily Forney
Why BookEnds? BookEnds has a solid reputation with experienced agents, wonderful social media presence, commitment to inclusivity, and advocacy for their authors!
If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?
I’m married with three littles (son, daughter, and dog), so whenever I’m not working my day job, writing, or reading, my family is keeping me very busy and happy!
Where can readers find you on the web and social media?
My Twitter and Instagram handles are the same @jenna_yun.
I technically have a website (jennayun.com), which I really should update!
What’s the last book you read?
The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad. Yes, the cover is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen, but the story within is even better!
If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?
I’m pretty sure my answer would constantly change because I love to experience the shifting seasons and different landscapes outside my window. Can my answer be traveling around the world? All I need is my laptop, a table, a large cup (or two) of coffee, and a cozy blanket.
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?
One of my CPs told me that the first draft is for telling the story to yourself and the subsequent revisions are for telling the story to your readers. This nugget of wisdom has helped me set realistic expectations for my first drafts and allow myself to simply get the words on the page even if it’s rife with typos, telling-not-showing, filter words, and plot holes.
What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?
Don’t do it alone! I had a wonderful CP and friend who was there in the trenches with me. I don’t know how I would have managed the ups and downs and the WAITING without being able to commiserate with someone who understood exactly what I was going through.
How did you know your book was ready to submit?
The thing is, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like my book is ready because “ready” seems like an ever shifting goal post. Maybe it’s the student in me, but I fully expect that I’ll continue to grow as a writer for as long as I write and I believe there is always room for improvement. In fact, knowing that there’s more to learn and grow is extremely motivating for me. That said, instead of asking myself whether or not the book was ready, I asked myself if I was ready. And I knew I was ready when I reached a point where I felt my work accurately reflected not only my current abilities as a writer, but my potential as well.
Name: Jenna Yun
What you Write: Middle-grade and Young Adult speculative fiction
Agent: Emily Forney
Why BookEnds? BookEnds has a solid reputation with experienced agents, wonderful social media presence, commitment to inclusivity, and advocacy for their authors!
If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?
I’m married with three littles (son, daughter, and dog), so whenever I’m not working my day job, writing, or reading, my family is keeping me very busy and happy!
Where can readers find you on the web and social media?
My Twitter and Instagram handles are the same @jenna_yun.
I technically have a website (jennayun.com), which I really should update!
What’s the last book you read?
The Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad. Yes, the cover is one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen, but the story within is even better!
If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?
I’m pretty sure my answer would constantly change because I love to experience the shifting seasons and different landscapes outside my window. Can my answer be traveling around the world? All I need is my laptop, a table, a large cup (or two) of coffee, and a cozy blanket.
What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?
One of my CPs told me that the first draft is for telling the story to yourself and the subsequent revisions are for telling the story to your readers. This nugget of wisdom has helped me set realistic expectations for my first drafts and allow myself to simply get the words on the page even if it’s rife with typos, telling-not-showing, filter words, and plot holes.
What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?
Don’t do it alone! I had a wonderful CP and friend who was there in the trenches with me. I don’t know how I would have managed the ups and downs and the WAITING without being able to commiserate with someone who understood exactly what I was going through.
How did you know your book was ready to submit?
The thing is, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like my book is ready because “ready” seems like an ever shifting goal post. Maybe it’s the student in me, but I fully expect that I’ll continue to grow as a writer for as long as I write and I believe there is always room for improvement. In fact, knowing that there’s more to learn and grow is extremely motivating for me. That said, instead of asking myself whether or not the book was ready, I asked myself if I was ready. And I knew I was ready when I reached a point where I felt my work accurately reflected not only my current abilities as a writer, but my potential as well.
Share this:
Like this: