World Building

Some thoughts for writers: In some ways the writerly concept called “world building” is just another way of saying “writing”. Still, no matter your story’s genre, taking the time to think through and organize some of the story-world’s details and rules up front can help keep the story coherent, consistent and feeling ‘real’ (and save …

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Music’s Powerful Effect On Our Teenage Lives…And Beyond

When I was a teenager music was a big part of my life. It still is. But there’s something about the music we listen to when we’re in our teens that sets it apart, it seems to me. At that age music is more than just music, it’s a statement about who we are. We …

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Olivia and Wen: Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up

Without a word we started walking along the water together, Olivia and me. The tide was going out, and after a few steps we took off our shoes and let the waves roll over our feet in the soft wet sand. There was a sailboat in the distance. Behind it, a line of pink puffy …

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On authors, readers, and the Internet

“YARN: You have your very own YouTube channel, tweet regularly, and post often on your website. Do you feel that these are now required extensions of your profession? Is this more so in YA or just a general shift in contemporary literature? Do you think social media creates more of a bond between author and …

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Join The Lemonade Mouth Revolution!

“Warmhearted and innocently wild, this stand-alone sequel will find appreciative fans among teen music obsessives and social activists.” – Kliatt Reviews on Lemonade Mouth Puckers Up Rebels. Troublemakers. Visionaries. The Lemonade Mouth revolution continues… Learn more Order Now: Amazon Barnes & Noble Indie Bound Powell’s Books-A-Million iBookstoreSend someone a personalized signed copy Incredible but true: …

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Interview with YA Review Network

 “The novels of Mark Peter Hughes…provide us with pure fun.” – The Young Adult Review Network Sometimes as readers we forget that YA can be fun. Sure, we enjoy discussing its technical and literary components, but YA is often at its best with some gleeful enjoyment thrown into the mix. The novels of Mark Peter …

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UMass Magazine Puckers Up

UMass Magazine: BookMarks by Patricia Sullivan Mark Peter Hughes ’95G is in a good place: His young adult novel, Lemonade Mouth, masterfully told in the voices of five high school outcasts who form a band, was made into a Disney Channel movie musical. His family received star treatment on the set and he even appears …

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