Orca Currents – Books for Teens

Posted by Thomas Alan Gray Oct 21, 2009

I'm toying with the idea of writing a novel (isn't almost every writer a closet novelist?)

"Start with the publisher" advised my Winghill tutor, Michael Crawley. As part of my research for that writing class assignment, I was to check out some book publishers and choose samples of their work to read.

Wound up looking most closely at Orca Book Publishers out of British Columbia because

1. They're a Canadian outfit
2. They accept only Canadian authors (hey, that's me!)
3. They focus on publications for youth (I'm thinking of writing a juve or YA)
4. They are actively seeking manuscripts

The books I picked up at the library range from okay to excellent. I'd like to think that I can write in that range.

Here are the books I've been reviewing. Check back often as the list expands.

Orca Currents

• Interest level : ages 10-14
• Reading levels from grade 2.0 to grade 4.5
• Age-appropriate themes
• Contemporary, compelling stories
• Short, high-interest novels

Cracked, Michelle Martin Bossley, 2007

Laggan Lard Butts, Eric Walters, 2006

Chat Room, Kristin Butcher, 2006

Dog Walker, Karen Spafford-Fitz, 2006

Orca Soundings

• Interest Level : ages 12+
• Reading levels from grade 2.0 to grade 4.5
• Contemporary, compelling stories
• Short, high-interest novels

Zee's Way, Kristin Butcher, 2004

Trouble with Liberty, Kristin Butcher, 2003

I've also asked the publisher for review copies of some current titles.