This week the chills are in the air for the start of the scary season; a YA author launches a virtual exhibition highlighting mental health; a picture book gets an amusing virtual kickoff; and the next chapter in a game of wealth is revealed.


Spooky Celebrations

On September 9, Books of Wonder in Manhattan kicked off the spooky season with a virtual celebration launch of YA novel Mary, Will I Die? (Scholastic Press), written by Shawn Sarles (r.), which follows a group of kids who decide to play a game of “Bloody Mary,” unknowingly setting off a chain reaction of events with dire consequences. Sarles was joined in conversation with Ryan La Sala (l.) (Be Dazzled, Sourcebooks Fire) to discuss writing horror and what scares them.



Hold on to Hope

YA author and Holdon2Hope Project founder Rocky Callen (A Breath Too Late, Holt) is hosting an international virtual mental health art exhibition called Hope Lives in the Dark.” The exhibit, which opened on September 10 to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, features artists from around the world. It is co-curated by Callen and her sister, international artist/activist Martina Maya-Callen. The project was created to unite artists in suicide prevention and mental health awareness.



Hate Toi-let You Go

Colleen Paeff and Nancy Carpenter celebrated the release of their picture book, The Great Stink (S&S/McElderry) on August 31, with a virtual launch party hosted by Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, Calif. The duo discussed their favorite illustrations, gave insight into how Victorian England sparked the idea, and answered questions form a virtual audience. Inspired by a promotional video about the launch, attendees each brought a roll of toilet paper to the event. (Top row, l. to r.: Julia Wasson, Molly Ruttan, Lissa Price, Ronna Mandel, Ann Whitford Paul, Cheryl Walker, Michele McCole Moss. Bottom row, l. to r.: Eloise Freeman, Michelle Markel, Dana Middleton, Colleen Paeff, Kate Korsh. Photo: Kova Paeff)



Let the Games Begin

To celebrate the launch of her new YA novel The Hawthorne Legacy (Little, Brown), sequel to the bestselling The Inheritance Games, Jennifer Lynn Barnes (bottom) participated in a virtual pub week tour, collaborating on events with Best of Books (in conversation with Maureen Johnson (The Box in the Woods, HarperCollins, top), Blue Willow Bookshop, East City Bookshop, and Books of Wonder.