Claire Zulkey's Blog

Many years ago I met with a book editor named Kristen Pettit and showed her some books I was working on, including An Off Year: we hit it off personally but she passed on my book, although that didn't prevent us from starting up a nice long-distance friendship. In between then and the more recent present, she took some time off work to start a family, but when she came back to her work, she thought of me while looking for some new projects. In May 2013, she offered me the chance to try out for a new series, one she described as "sweet friendship stories for voracious girl readers 8-12. The kind that devoured The Babysitter's Club." Well, I was the kind of girl who devoured The Babysitter's Club, plus I always wanted the chance to work with Kristen, so I said yes.

I was sent a synopsis for the series, penned by Cari Simmons, and for my particular book, which was to be called Best Frenemies. I immediately clicked with the story because a.) It was set on Chicago's North Shore, where I grew up (it even included a scene at Walker Brothers, where I spent many high school mornings before delayed-start "B-Days.") b.) It was about the growing pains of female friendships, which is something I can identify with even as an adult woman: what happens when your path with a good friend diverges, or you have a hard time blending your different friend groups? I was also happy that the book's protagonist was an unapologetically smart girl and that the book was not to be boy-centric, because frankly, I am not sure how I could write a realistic romance aimed towards 8-12 year olds.

I got the job after writing a few sample chapters and my assignment from there was to write a 40,000 word manuscript based off the longer synopsis I received. At first, it felt a bit odd to fill out a pre-existing concept, but I grew to really enjoy the process. First, I didn't have to worry about how to end it or where the story beats were, and also I got to do the fun parts of character development. I got to decide what the characters looked like and what made up their personality quirks, who filled out their world. Along the way I received some really good editorial feedback which is always painful at first (what do you mean, the thing I worked hard on isn't perfect as-is?) but is almost always for the best.

And so now today you can buy Best Frenemies in hard copy or for your e-reader. It being a middle grade novel, I don't expect all my adult friends and relations to check it out, but if you are a middle grade reader, or you work with or live with those that are, I think you'll enjoy the book no matter what age you are. I'm proud of it and I hope some kids out there enjoy it as much as I enjoyed those BSC books way back when.

Here please find an interview I did with the wonderful author of "The Art of Secrets" and "Love Drugged," Jim Klise!The Art of SecretsLove DruggedJames Klise

I really didn't want to like this book.

An enemy recommended it to me and everyone I hate has been raving about it and it's about a topic that's not of interest to me at all so I really thought, "This book is not up my alley at all!" So of course I read it.

I really was hoping to waste some of my time and money with this book. Everything seemed like it would work out great: the cover is unattractive, the title is stupid, it's blurbed by authors I loathe, and the author's photograph makes me want to punch him in the stupid nonexistent chin.

My ideal scenario would be that I would began reading the book and would ultimately throw it across the room, unfinished, so that I could write one of my patented "COULDN'T FINISH IT" reviews. So I sat in my least-favorite chair, the one that's not too close to the wall, so that I could really fling that sucker when the story just got too tedious and ridiculous to manage anymore. This chair is also close to my computer so I can fire off a review the second after I finish yet another disappointing book.

Things were going great so far, by which I mean terribly. The characters were contrived, the sex scenes were cringeworthy, the plot nonexistent. I rolled my eyes so hard I got a headache. I came dangerously close to writing my own novel--one better than the one I was reading--because I was so reverse-inspired. I was raising my arm to do you-know-what when a twist came out of nowhere that changed everything.

Suddenly I became engrossed! I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The dialogue zipped along realistically. The details were crisp and clear yet not a single superfluous word was employed. I fell in love with each and every one of the characters. I laughed out loud and even cried a little bit at the end. Before I knew it, I had actually finished the entire book, which I've never done in my history of reviewing books. I was overwhelmed by the book.

So, I'm dismayed to say I loved this book. I really expected less of it. This book would not be better used as toilet paper. It left me feeling full inside. Reading it was an excellent use of my time. What is the opposite of "meh"? That's how I feel. Zero stars.

This time around, a certified genius!

Ten years ago I interviewed "The Fault In Our Stars" and "Looking For Alaska" author John Green, although at the time he had not yet published a book. Today we revisit that first interview.

Right here! Make sure to check out the link at the end for the full version.

Did you love this book as much as I did? Then enjoy this interview with its author:

http://www.wbez.org/blogs/claire-zulk...

I contributed to this fun Emusic post:

http://www.emusic.com/listen/#/book-n...

here you go!. I realized that I should post my interviews with authors to Goodreads much more frequently, so I'm starting with the newest one.

Specifically those that are smart and realistic and not chick-litty? (YA suggestions are welcome too). I'm intrigued after reading "The Wonder Spot" and "The Myth of You and Me"--it's a subject a lot of writers tackle but not always successfully.

Suggestions requested! Thanks in advance!