A couple of days ago, I wrote about the up-and-coming Michelle Modesto, whose forthcoming YA novel is going to be awesome. Then yesterday, I was at the Terroir Creative Writing Festival in McMinnville, OR, where I met another YA author, Jennifer M. Hartsock. And gang, I’m telling you now, if you’re a YA fan, put her on your list, too.
I haven’t seen anything of her novel, Battleground, but I’ve been browsing her blog and watching her YouTube series, The YA Publication Project, and I’m enjoying her enthusiasm and ambition and professionalism and honesty — it’s fascinating, refreshing, and inspiring. She hits all the conferences and festivals, she writes and publishes widely, she’s interned for Ashland Creek Press and run a student newspaper column (which brought back memories of my own student journalism days) . . . . In short, she works damn hard, which is what you have to do if you’re going to call yourself a writer.
I don’t think it’ll be long before she lands an agent and a book deal, but in the meantime, she already has a lot to offer, so you should get to know her now. If nothing else, subscribe to her video series on YouTube — if you’re new to writing, you’ll find a lot of great information there, and if you’re an old pro, you’ll find some good reminders of craft. (Beginner’s Mind, gang!)
Samuel Snoek-Brown 
You are so kind to write this. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about writing! I’m continuously reminded of how supportive our community is. Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙂
My pleasure! I really like what you’re doing, and I love sharing good work with others. And yeah, the Oregon writing community in particular is phenomenally supportive — I love our literary family in this state! 🙂
It’s a growth genre, Sam. I fell into it by accident, and I’m old. I’ve taken note of both Michelle and Jennifer. 🙂
I love reading it, but I confess I’ve no idea how to write it. All respect to those who do!
Rule No.1 – your readership is at least as intelligent as you are, so do not ‘write down’. 🙂