Contemporary Middle Grade Novels
OLD WORLD SUMMER came into being over fourteen years ago. I worked on it for a couple years, but then put it on a shelf until January 2017. I wanted to give it another chance and dusted it off for a revision class in February 2017. For six weeks I re-plotted, wrote a new synopsis, did character sketches, and thoroughly wrapped my mind around twelve-year-old Brian's way of thinking. With a whole new story and a better understanding of what Brian wanted, I revised it heavily and submitted it to the 2017 WV Writers contest. I received First Honorable Mention, 4th place. I revised it further, giving it a new name, TROUBLE IN HEMLOCK HILLS, and submitted it again to the same contest in 2018. It won 2nd place! It just goes to show--never give up on your work!
UNDER MY SKIN, a thriller set in a Virginia small town, has been in the works for many years.
UNDER MY SKIN, a thriller set in a Virginia small town, has been in the works for many years.
Steam Punk Novel for Middle Grade
CHURNING THROUGH, a steampunk novel, started as a short story in 2013. Two young brothers, the youngest a nerdy type, navigate the unsettled world of corporate espionage in both London and the Bahamas. There's mayhem, adventure, and an annoying nemesis of the frilly, perfume-wearing persuasion. I find this sub-genre of sci-fi, an alternate reality set in the Victorian era with machines powered by steam, extremely fun to read and write.
Sci-Fi Novels for Middle Grade
WHAT'S DRIVING DOLAN, my current WIP (as of February 2021), has time travel, a cloud society, and race cars. I'm thinking it would be great as a graphic novel.
Another futuristic sci-fi manuscript I've worked on for many, many years began during NaNoWriMo 2009. I managed to complete the mandatory 50,000 words in order to get my coveted certificate. But I wrote myself into a corner with no outline, so I had to start again.
Another futuristic sci-fi manuscript I've worked on for many, many years began during NaNoWriMo 2009. I managed to complete the mandatory 50,000 words in order to get my coveted certificate. But I wrote myself into a corner with no outline, so I had to start again.
The only thing that's left of my original manuscript are the characters, Benni and Rickert. I've gone through about 50 titles and right now, I'm calling it THE FINAL SEGMENT. It refers to Benni's education in the healing arts; she's stuck on the third and most crucial part due to medical condition she's developed.
I have had parts of the manuscript critiqued by an agent and an editor at recent Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conferences, and the whole manuscript by a couple critique partners I found through this organization. I can't thank the SCBWI enough for helping me grow as a writer and staying connected to current kidlit publishing.
I have had parts of the manuscript critiqued by an agent and an editor at recent Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conferences, and the whole manuscript by a couple critique partners I found through this organization. I can't thank the SCBWI enough for helping me grow as a writer and staying connected to current kidlit publishing.
In 2013, I submitted the novel, then titled DROP BY DROP, to the Whidbey Writer's Workshop MFA Alumni Emerging Writers Contest and I made the finals, top ten!
More recently, THE FINAL SEGMENT won 3rd Honorable Mention in the 2015 Writers-Editors Network International Writing Competition, the 2016 Jack Reid Scholarship of the MD/DE/WV region of the SCBWI, and first place in the 2016 WV Writers contest, children's book category.
More recently, THE FINAL SEGMENT won 3rd Honorable Mention in the 2015 Writers-Editors Network International Writing Competition, the 2016 Jack Reid Scholarship of the MD/DE/WV region of the SCBWI, and first place in the 2016 WV Writers contest, children's book category.
Magazine Short Stories & Articles
You can find my short stories and quizzes in the guardian angel kids e-zine. (See http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/mar012-pg5-story.htm for an example).
I also write devotionals/meditations/modern day parables for teens and have been published in Devozine. One of my first publications with them is: http://devozine.upperroom.org/spiritual-practices/ice-cream-fast/
I also write devotionals/meditations/modern day parables for teens and have been published in Devozine. One of my first publications with them is: http://devozine.upperroom.org/spiritual-practices/ice-cream-fast/
© Juliana M. Jones. All rights reserved.