The blog of author Matthew J. Kirby

Category: Writing

  • BEA – Before

    As I mentioned in my last post, I’ll be going to BEA this year.  Next week, actually.  I’ll be doing some speaking, and also some signing at the Scholastic booth.  I fly in on Tuesday, and on Wednesday my editor, Lisa Sandell, will be talking about my forthcoming novel, Icefall, on the Middle Grade Editors…

  • A Chained Heart

    Last week, we had a freak storm sweep into our area.  One minute, things were pretty calm.  A little overcast, maybe, but not bad weather.  The next minute, 70 mph winds start raging and pelting us with hail.  The assault lasts for about 5 minutes, and then it just stops.  Things go back to pretty…

  • Teen Author Boot Camp

    I believe I mentioned this once before, but I’ll mention it again.  This upcoming Saturday (April 23rd) I’ll be teaching at the Teen Author Boot Camp.  If you’re a teen, and you’re interested in writing, this conference is a wonderful opportunity.  The faculty line-up and the list of the classes they’ll be teaching is really…

  • First Review of Icefall

    Things have been pretty hectic lately.  And by lately, I mean the past eight months or so when the school year began.  Writing books while working full-time as a school psychologist can be pretty daunting, exhausting, and stressful.  I try my best, but it can be difficult to wear so many hats. One thing I’ve…

  • Icefall

    My second novel won’t be released until later this year on October 1st, but I’m really excited to share a little glimpse of it with you now. So here is the synopsis for my next middle-grade novel, Icefall. Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her…

  • Beginning a new book

    I’ve pretty much finished work on my second book, which will be published later this year on October 1st, and I’ve begun writing my third.  As with my second book, the third is going to be something new and different from what I’ve previously written. I have the general idea of the story, and I’ve…

  • Publishers Weekly Flying Start

    I’m really excited to announce that Publishers Weekly has chosen me as a Fall 2010 Flying Start for The Clockwork Three!  I’m thrilled and honored. From Publishers Weekly: Our semi-annual Flying Starts feature highlights first-time children’s book creators with noteworthy debuts over the season just past. Our fall picks: Adam Gidwitz, whose A Tale Dark…

  • Revisions done! Also, a few more reviews.

    Well, I survived. And what’s even better than that, I feel good. When I began Book 2 (which now has a title, and which I will hopefully be able to announce soon) I knew I was venturing into unknown territory in terms of my skill as a writer. It was a great big gamble as…

  • Revisions are a Weekend at Bernie’s

    I’ve been working through revisions on my next book for the past few months, and it’s been a challenge for me.  Revisions to The Clockwork Three were relatively painless.  Not so with my next book.  Not at all. I’ve made it no secret that I hate revisions.  Some writers talk about how much they love…

  • SCIBA – 2010

    This past weekend, Scholastic sent me to Hollywood for the annual trade show of the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association, where I got to meet lots of book-loving people, and had a wonderful time. The night before the trade show, I went out to eat with my publicist, Lauren, and Roz, the Scholastic sales rep for the…