Susan Vaught's Blog

The opening lines of Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy read, “The day my mother exploded a copperhead snake with an elephant gun, I decided I was genetically destined to become a felon or a big-game hunter. That was good, since I had tried being a ballerina, poet, artist, and musician, and I sucked at all of those.”

This was actually very true in my life, both the snake-shooting (my mom really did this), and the fact that I spent a good part of my first 8 years of life trying to find something–ANYTHING–I was good at doing. I wanted to be creative and artistic. The problem was, I was awful at just about everything I tried.

I’ve always been so amazed and impressed by people who can draw, and today, I got some sketches from a young fan who gave Footer and Peavine and Angel life on art paper, and captured Footer’s attitude, too. I added some background and art credit, and got her permission (and her mom’s) to show the world.

So completely fun! Thank you, Annie. Keep reading–and keep drawing!

On Tuesday this week I embarked on a gigantic adventure thanks to the Mystery Writers of America and Sylvie Frank (my editor), Paula Wiseman, and her amazing team at Simon & Schuster‘s Paula Wiseman Books. Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy was nominated for an Edgar award in the Juvenile category, along with amazing books by Avi, Matthew Baker, Lauren Oliver, and Kevin Sands (a fellow Simon and Schuster author.

MWS and S & S treated us *so well*. We began the awards week with a visit and signing at the incredible Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca–which is, quite literally, wall to wall mystery books, complete with ladders on rails and the best ever atmosphere.

The next day, we had a great panel discussion about writing mysteries/darker themes for children and young adults, moderated by Lyndsay Faye. We moved on to Books Of Wonder for another panel event, with all of the Juvenile and Young Adult nominees. That bookshop was a magical children’s place, complete with signed rare books from the authors who wrote the very text of my own childhood.

The next day, S & S Kids gave us a festive, lovely reception to celebrate, and then it was time to get ready for the big event itself (thank you Blooming Nails for healing my chipped, cracked mess of a manicure in record time). The awards ceremony was larger than life, and fun, and electric, with so much talent packed into one room!

Winning the Edgar is a highlight of my career, and I want to give many thanks to MWA, my agent Erin Murphy, my editor Sylvie, and to everyone at S & S Kids/Paula Wiseman books for making it possible.

I have tons of great photos to add to this post, but that’ll have to wait until I get home to my laptop, as I’m not as good at posting on the iPad as I’d like to be.

So, stay tuned! More to come…

Happy to announce that Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy made the Bank Street Best Children’s Books list, in the 9-12 section!

In writing Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry, my narrator Dani was easy to create. Her voice rang in my mind as soon as I imagined her (she is still making comments, by the way, even as I pen …

Source: COVER REVEAL: THINGS TOO HUGE TO FIX BY SAYING SORRY by Susan Vaught

Head on over to Nerdy Book Club to read the whole article!

I send this out to friends and strangers, to souls in pain over decisions made by organized religious groups. As you grieve and restructure, remember that religion is not God, rituals are not in fact the true practice of faith, and the errant cruelty of a misguided few cannot overshadow the beauty of love, kindness, and connection to the wondrous diversity of humanity. 

You are who you have always been, and light shines mightily for you, in this world and in whatever realms may lie beyond.

   

  

Diversity continues to be a vibrant topic in Children’s Literature, with many difficult and rewarding conversations taking place. This last week I’ve watched many folks get heated, offended, confused, frustrated, even downright angry–then back off, regroup, and dive back in with civil discourse. Way to lead, all of you. This is how it is done. I think the community is setting an example that I wish politicians and government leaders would follow. Talk. Talk some more. Listen. Listen even harder. Then do the right thing. If you figure out you made a mistake, apologize and try again. Do not give up. Do not quit. I’m proud to know so many children’s authors, especially right now!

I’m not a gardener, but my other half certainly is. This time of year is an explosion of baskets full of delicious gatherings. Short version: YUM!

   

 

I hope every writer who speaks to children–and you are all amazing–will one day speak to them of love, hope, and justice. I hope every reader will touch a book and come away more whole, and more ready to bring peace to a better world.