Tag Archives: YA

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: A Stage over Ruthless Stars by JJ Clapton

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Today on the site I’m delighted to reveal the cover of JJ Clapton’s A Stage Over Ruthless Stars, a YA sci-fi with a dual POV (gay and aro) releasing February 1, 2025! (Links to the ebook are below, but it’ll be available in paperback upon release as well.) Here’s the story:

Aznan is a chronically ill high school drop out living on a space station with an illness that hates gravity. But he’s going to be a famous inventor… That’s if he can win the biggest tech competition in the system. Held at his space station’s circus, and judged by titans of industry, it’s one massive showcase to demonstrate his homemade tech in front of a live audience.

To win, he’ll need his ex-best friend’s help. Kairo hasn’t spoken to him in three years, not since he left school to join the circus as an aerialist, but Aznan can handle that. Oh, and the local favourites just turned up dead. That, not so much.

Everyone’s saying sabotage. Murder and riches.

A competition worth killing for.

And when a second team dies right in front of Aznan’s eyes, the official reassurances of glitches and accidents no longer hold. The body count is rising. The Grand Showcase is blasting closer. With nobody willing to stop the show, Aznan and Kairo must unearth the truth or risk their lives with one final act.

And here’s the cover, designed by the author!

Buy it: Amazon | Books2Read

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JJ Clapton is a queer, autistic writer of science fiction and fantasy across multiple age ranges. Originally from London, she grew up retreating from life into the stories in her head. When she became sick with a chronic illness as a teen, she relied on the stories to help her escape. After more than half her life spent somewhere between housebound and bedbound, stories have been a constant companion and light even in the hardest of times. JJ loves to write stories in which characters like her exist and have adventures even if she doesn’t get to have many herself. Apart from being an avid reader, she loves craft, watching sports, and stimming to music. She now lives in Lanzarote where she enjoys meowing at all the local cats (of which there are many!). And has a lovely, vicious, cute little cat of her own called Rocky.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters

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Today on the site I’m delighted to welcome back Paul Michael Winters to reveal the cover of The Haunting Between Us, a coming-of-age ghost story releasing from Maelstrom Press on January 7th, 2025! Here’s the story:

Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh can’t believe the boy of his dreams just moved into the house of his nightmares.

He dreads the haunted Victorian mansion across the street, where the ghost of the White Lady roams the halls. When he sees her through the bay window, his ghost-hunting friend Abby wants to investigate. But then the new owners pull up, and Cameron is captivated by the brooding, handsome boy moving in. He longs for a boyfriend, but years of bullying have shattered his self-esteem.

Sixteen-year-old Hugo Cruz and his father flip old houses, moving often, fleeing from the grief at the loss of Hugo’s mother. They unknowingly move into the most haunted house in Port Townsend, Washington. From day one, Hugo encounters shadows that move by themselves, locked doors without keys, and hidden rooms. He hides the mysteries from his superstitious father, not wanting to uproot their lives.

When the White Lady becomes impossible to ignore, Hugo turns to Cameron to help uncover the house’s dark history. They soon form a bond that goes beyond friendship, but as their feelings deepen, the White Lady’s wrath intensifies. Entangled in a web of sinister secrets, they risk not only their love but their very existence.

And here’s the appropriately haunting cover, designed by Valerie Gomez and illustrated by Marcella Bolivar! 

Two sixteen-year-old boys in an intimate pose in front of an imposing haunted house at night.

Buy it: Amazon

Paul Michael Winters is a lifelong creative writer whose life is filled with queer joy. His passion is to spread that joy through storytelling and writing books where you might not typically see queer characters. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his husband and two tuxedo kitties. Find him online at pmwinters.com and follow him on social media at @pmwintersauthor.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller

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Today on the site I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller, a contemporary YA releasing with Levine Querido on May 13, 2025! Here’s the story!

Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As her senior year at Pageland High begins, Grace struggles to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football (especially since people keep telling her they can’t believe that she of all people is trans – whatever that means).

But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever. The thing is, there’s no playbook for girls like her in the world of football. And when a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she’s willing to give up for the game she loves.

From exciting debut talent Victoria Zeller comes One of the Boys, a coming-of-age story with an unforgettable voice for the queer jocks, the straight theater kids, and everyone in between.

And here’s the powerful cover, illustrated by Jon Stich and designed by Casey Moses!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. A former football player and lifelong fan, her initial focus was sports journalism before she made a sharp pivot to writing about queers who can’t stay out of trouble. Her sportswriting can be found at Defector, while her manic minute-by-minute sports analysis can be found on Twitter at @dirtbagqueer. One of the Boys is her debut novel.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee

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Today on the site I am so thrilled to be sharing the cover for the long-awaited Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee, a cozy Sapphic YA fantasy releasing June 10, 2025 from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan! Here’s the story:

A geeky overachiever determined to save the world through science and a troublemaking chosen one lashing out against her destiny meet and fall in love in a magical coffeeshop as their two very different universes begin to collide in Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe, C.B. Lee’s fun, sapphic, cozy fantasy YA romance.

When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important scholarship deadline, she stumbles right into Kat’s family’s coffeeshop. Brenda is swept away by cool, confident Kat, who actually cares about Brenda’s 19-step plan to save the world through science. Meanwhile, Kat can’t stop thinking about Brenda, who is smart, passionate, and doesn’t seem to care that Kat is the prophesized Chosen One.

The only problem? Kat and Brenda are from different universes. Like need-to-find-a-portal-to-go-on-a-second-date different universes.

As their universes collide and things spiral out of control, can a girl who is determined to save the world find love with a girl determined to outrun her destiny?

And here’s the gorgeous cozy cover, illustrated by Lisa Villella and designed by Meg Sayre!

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N | BAM

(C) Caroline Tran

C.B. Lee is an author of young adult and middle grade fiction including the NYT Bestseller Minecraft: The Shipwreck. Their works also include the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selected A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix, the Lambda Literary Award nominated Sidekick Squad series, Ben 10 graphic novels, Out Now: Queer We Go Again, and From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back. Lee’s work has been featured in NPR, Teen Vogue, Wired Magazine, Hypable, Tor’s Best of Fantasy and Sci Fi and the American Library Association’s Rainbow List.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Superficial by Diane Billas

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Today on the site I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Superficial by Diane Billas, a superhero YA for fans of National Treasure releasing September 24, 2024 from Creative James Media! Here’s the story:

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea’s friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

And here’s the action-packed cover, designed by Triumph Covers!

Superficial by Diane Billas. Two superheroes, one male with a red cape and one female with a yellow cape and blonde hair, are running down the street. In the background is the city of Philadelphia with William Penn on top of City Hall. The blurb at the top of the cover says, “A narrative pulsing with action, mystery, and heart.” -Robin Alvarez, author of When Oceans Rise

Buy it: Amazon | Books2Read

(c) Sam Rodriguez, S.R.WeddingStory

Diane Billas lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn or piano, and dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit. She is the author of the young adult sapphic romance Does Love Always Win?, featured in Parents magazine, and the young adult queer superhero book Superficial. You can connect with Diane at dianebillas.com, on Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @dianebillas, and on Instagram and Threads @dianebillaswrites.

 

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: The Assassin’s Guide to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker

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Today on the site, I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Natalie C. Parker’s The Assassin’s Guide to Babysitting – a YA adventure billed as John Wick meets Adventures in Babysitting with superpowers, found family, and enemies-to-lovers sapphic romance – releasing January 7, 2025 from Candlewick! (Fun fact: Adventures in Babysitting is the first movie I ever saw in theaters, and Natalie C. Parker wrote one of my favorite books from my author debut class, so this is extra fun on multiple levels!) Here’s the story:

Tru has been hiding all her life. Her parents taught her to conceal her bastion Talent: indestructible skin, muscles, and bones. In a world where Talents are common and varied, no one trusts a bastion—they’re too powerful. Hiding failed to keep Tru’s parents alive, but moments before their murder, Tru’s mom pointed her to Logan Dire, a famed recluse assassin who adopted and trained orphaned Tru. At seventeen, she’s still hiding. Not even her closest friends know her true name or Talent, or that she’s balancing high school with knife and stealth training (while crushing on her BFF’s older sister). When assassins interrupt a mundane babysitting job booked through BountyApp—where lethal hunters find work and babysitters for their kids—Tru flees with a one-year-old strapped to her chest and spiraling questions: Who killed her parents? Whom can she trust? What does it mean to be a bastion? And is it ever OK to kiss a girl who’s trying to hunt you down? 

From an award-winning author comes a masterfully plotted thriller that holds character and relationship on a par with action and nail-biting suspense.

And here’s the electric cover, designed by Maria Middleton with art by Jonathan Bartlett!

A teenage girl climbs a fire escape with a baby in a sling on her back

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon | B&N | Books-A-Million | PRH

(c) Georgia Shae Photography

Natalie C. Parker is the author and editor of several books for young adults, among them the acclaimed Seafire trilogy. Her work has been included on the NPR Best Books list, the Indie Next List, the TAYSHAS Reading List, and Junior Library Guild selections. Natalie grew up in a Navy family, finding home in coastal cities from Virginia to Japan. Now she lives with her wife on the Kansas prairie. Find her at nataliecparker.com.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Under All the Lights by Maya Ameyaw

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Today on the site, I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Under All the Lights by Maya Ameyaw, releasing October 8, 2024 from Annick Press! Here’s the story:

A songwriter wrestles with instant stardom and his bisexuality in this raw and propulsive novel for fans of If This Gets Out and Alice Oseman’s I Was Born for This.

After one of his songs goes viral, Ollie Cheriet gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a cross-country tour, an album deal, and a chance to help his family with their financial struggles. The only problem? Ollie has major stage fright, a symptom of his anxiety disorder. As pressure from performing, social media rumors, and his romantic life rises, his mental health starts to spiral. So he’s surprised at how grounded he feels when he collaborates with his wildly talented—and distractingly cute—touring partner, Jesse. Music has always helped Ollie through hard times, but he’s going to have to be more vulnerable than he ever thought possible to find self-acceptance in the glow of the spotlight.

Featuring characters from Maya Ameyaw’s acclaimed debut When It All Syncs Up, this story takes readers into the green room, immersing them in the vivid behind-the-scenes world of touring musicians.

And here’s the striking cover of Under all the Lights, designed by designed by Sam Tse with art by Otesanya! (Series design is by Zainub’s Echo.)

Buy it: Bookshop | Amazon

Doesn’t that sound and look fantastic?? While I definitely encourage using the above preorder links, you can also shoot your shot at winning a copy in the Goodreads giveaway that just went live!

***

MAYA AMEYAW is a former bookseller and currently works as a community arts writing instructor. She has edited several mental health–themed anthologies for youth and adults, and her writing was included in the anthology Brilliance Is the Clothing I Wear (Dundurn Press). Maya also runs a YouTube series and blog where she interviews YA authors about their writing journeys. She lives in Toronto and can be found on Twitter @MayaAmeyaw.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Mighty Millie Novak by Elizabeth Holden

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Today on the site I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Mighty Millie Novak by Elizabeth Holden, a Sapphic YA contemporary releasing August 20, 2024 from Flux Books! Here’s the story:

Social anxiety, her parents’ divorce, and messy friendships won’t stop Millie’s pursuit of what she wants—in roller derby or in love. But her own lies might . . .

Sixteen-year-old Millie Novak is stuck in an “if only” rut. If only she were stronger and faster, maybe her roller derby teammates would take her seriously. If only she had the guts to go back to in-person learning, maybe she’d have a social life. If only she weren’t such an awkward mess, maybe she could get the attention of that cute girl on the all-star derby team. And don’t get her started on her family!

After the one-two punch of her beloved older brother’s departure for college and her parents’ overdue split, Millie decides it’s time to reinvent herself. With the help of her new friend Pumpkin and a little bit of deceit, Millie crafts a plan to cement her status on the team and get her crush to fall for her.

 But reinvention isn’t easy. Millie’s constantly shown up by show-off teammate Stork, and the only way she can get her crush’s attention is through increasingly elaborate lies. Worse, she begins to suspect Pumpkin is not the supportive friend she’d imagined. Toughest to handle? Realizing the person she’s in love with might not be her longtime crush, after all.

And here’s the kickass cover, illustrated by Chloe Friedlein and designed by Karli Kruse!

Buy it: Flux | B&N | Amazon

(Note: it’s 30% off to preorder through Flux using code FALL2024!)

Like Millie, Elizabeth Holden is an avid roller derby player, a blocker with Madison Roller Derby since 2015. Liz’s league-mates know her as Auntie Matter; her derby name is a reference to her job teaching college physics. (And, yes, she is also an aunt. Hi, William and Hugo!) When not busy writing, playing derby, or teaching, Liz is most likely leading international trips with her company, Leaping Hound Travel. Liz also co-hosts an X-Files podcast, We Want to Believe, with her sister. Liz’s tattoos are vibrant and numerous, her laugh is loud, and her heart belongs to her pet greyhounds. Learn more about her at elizabeth-holden.com.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Rabbit & Juliet by Rebecca Stafford

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Today on the site, I’m delighted to host the cover reveal for Rabbit & Juliet by Rebecca Stafford, a queer YA Thelma & Louis-esque contemporary releasing September 24, 2024 from Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins! Here’s the story:

Seventeen-year-old Rabbit has been struggling to stay above water since her mom died. In the span of a year and a half, her small Georgia town has become unbearably hellish: her ex-boyfriend, resident golden boy Richard, turned into an unrelenting stalker; her friends are nonexistent; and her dad is campaigning hard for Functioning Alcoholic of the Year.

But all that changes when the sarcastic, gorgeous, and frustratingly impenetrable Juliet Bergman walks into Rabbit’s weekly support group. All hard angles and James Dean bravado, Juliet throws Rabbit a life preserver just as depression threatens to sink her.

Then one morning, Rabbit’s ex–best friend, Sarah—Richard’s current girlfriend—shares a horrific discovery about Richard and his crew that pitches Rabbit back into darkness. The three girls vow to enact revenge on the boys for what they’ve been doing to unsuspecting girls at parties. With Juliet leading the charge and demanding blind loyalty from the girls, Rabbit falls harder for her than she thought possible. It isn’t until Rabbit is faced with a startling act of violence that she must decide how far she’s willing to go—for herself, for Juliet, and for justice—when love and grief threaten to topple everything.

And here’s the striking cover, illustrated by Mariia Menshikova and designed by Kathy Lam!

Buy it: B&N | Amazon

Rebecca Stafford is a Pushcart Prize award–winning poet, writer, critic, and editor whose work has been published in the New Yorker and reviewed in the New York Times. Rabbit and Juliet is her debut young adult novel. To learn more about Rebecca’s distinguished body of work, visit her online at rebeccastaffordauthor.com.

Cover Reveal

Exclusive Cover Reveal: Haunting Melody by Chloe Spencer

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Today on the site, I’m delighted to reveal the cover of Haunting Melody by Chloe Spencer, an f/f YA fantasy/horror/mystery releasing October 1, 2024 from Tiny Ghost Press! Here’s the story:

Failure is a sinister song. One that Melody Myere is all too familiar with.

The only child of an acclaimed ghost hunter couple, Melody’s First Sacred Hunt should have been a walk in the park. All she needed to do was catch a ghost, like she’s done all her life. But when an unexpected wraith showed up causing havoc, Melody was left scarred and embarrassed.

Suffering from depression and PTSD post-hunt, Melody relocates to the sleepy island town of Murkmore, where her parents have been tasked with capturing the ghost responsible for a series of grisly deaths. Determined to prove herself, and despite her parents’ protests, Melody sets out to capture the specter on her own.

When a haunting song lures Melody to an abandoned theater, she encounters a recently deceased musical prodigy by the name of Cyrus. All signs point to Cyrus being the killer, but Melody isn’t so sure, suspecting something more discordant is afoot.

Haunted by more than just a sinister song, Melody must learn to trust her instincts to catch the killer and prove herself before it’s time to face the music.

And here’s the appropriately haunting cover, illustrated by Alex Moore!

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Minnesota native Chloe Spencer is an award winning writer, indie gamedev, and filmmaker. She is the author of Monstersona, Duality, and the upcoming 2024 paranormal mystery-romance Haunting Melody. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, trying her best at Pilates, and cuddling with her cats. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Film and Television from SCAD Atlanta. You can find more about her on www.chloespenceronline.com.