This week YA author Diana Rodriguez Wallach took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the author of Small Town Monsters. (See YEM’s interview of Diana Rodriguez Wallach here.) See highlights from the takeover below.
Hi! I’m Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of the YA #horror SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. Don’t be too scared, the book has a lot of heart. It’s about Vera Martinez, who is helping Max save his mom, & an entire town, afflicted by dark forces. Let’s chat about writing! #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/tTlnCggWPa
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I used to be a reporter, so lots of research went into SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. Ed & Lorraine Warren, NXIVM, Jonestown, & Latin American folklore came together to create the creepy world of Roaring Creek.
Any of you fans of THE CONJURING? How about HBO’s THE VOW? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/jFHnMgcC9B— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
SMALL TOWN MONSTERS is my 7th published novel & my 1st with a Big 5 Publisher.
My first 2 novels didn’t get published, & I’m currently on my 4th agent. (Yup, you read that right.) So don’t give up!
Got questions about my query/publishing journey? #YAauthorTakeover #amquerying pic.twitter.com/YzxjGlhnTU— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
Did u know a Salem psychic predicted I’d write children’s books? It’s true! And when I got THE CALL that my debut novel sold, it was Fat Tuesday & I was in New Orleans at Mardi Gras wearing beads & a mask. Where were u when you got THE CALL?
The story: https://t.co/fcyE9pSKB8 pic.twitter.com/hgZThmjjDh— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I got my 1st agent in '06, so I’ve been at this a LONG time. I share what I’ve learned on my website via a “Links for Writers” page. I compiled websites, podcasts, forums, ect. that have helped me. What sites have helped you? #YAauthorTakeover https://t.co/8VohKjtFbD pic.twitter.com/IJPOufV826
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I often speak at writers' groups about rejection. PROOF OF LIES took 7 yrs & 3 agents to publish. It’s now optioned for film. SMALL TOWN MONSTERS wasn’t my 3rd agent’s cup of tea, so we parted ways. Now it’s w/a Big 5.
How do u get past rejection? #YAauthorTakeover #NaNoWriMo21 pic.twitter.com/FPkadtb6uN— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
My debut novel, AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS, is set in the town where my dad grew up—Utuado, Puerto Rico. Here are some photos from a trip I took pre-Hurricane Maria. Have you set a book in your family’s hometown? pic.twitter.com/vgxGqgrRAt
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
My Puerto Rican Grandma used to babysit me & didn’t speak much English. She learned by watching soaps, so I’m still a big @generalhospital fan. My husband surprised me w/a cameo from @MauriceBenard at the launch party for SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. #YAauthorTakeover #Generalhospital pic.twitter.com/0gkPm22Akv
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
All 7 of my novels are paperbacks. I’ve never had a hardback! It’s one of my #goals. But as a child of the ‘90s, I grew up with YA thriller paperbacks, so it feels fitting.
Here’s an @instagram reel w/all of my books. What are some of your publishing goals? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/BoSuTqeKv0— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I recently got into “manifesting” what I want from life. So I create #visionboards & keep them near my desk as inspiration. It helps me to dream big & not give up—even if my goals seem huge & impossible. Have you made a vision board? Other techniques? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/HYQkyvRDAa
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I wrote SMALL TOWN MONSTERS during the '19 election craziness, which affected the cult aspects of the book. We sold the ms during the pandemic & I’m a working mom, so I had to do all my edits while supervising virtual K & 4th grade.
Did you write during COVID? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/kFyTpRuI0h— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I can sum up SMALL TOWN MONSTERS in a tweet, because it is a #PitMad success story! I found my agent Lane Heymont at @tobiasliterary via this app. So it CAN happen. See my original tweet pictured here.
Have you tried pitch fests? Had any success? #YAauthorTakeover #amquerying pic.twitter.com/lJQbcZihDC
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
Fun Facts! I grew up in Delaware County, PA (Delco), the setting for Mare of Easttown. And yes, we all speak w/that accent.
I was also recently an extra in a @hallmark movie created by the producer who optioned my YA novel PROOF OF LIES. #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/39lMvLx8ki— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean you should stop reading spooky stories! Horror is year-round fun. SMALL TOWN MONSTERS is my 1st #horror novel & it was named one of the 13 Scariest Books of 2021 by @KirkusReviews! What's your scariest book or movie? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/5RTXRc95nu
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
Fun Fact—I love pets! I have two cats who like lots of attention while I write. And I put a toy poodle in SMALL TOWN MONSTERS because I grew up with one as a kid.
What are your favorite books with pets? #YAauthorTakeover #CatsOfTwitter pic.twitter.com/HeQwsOGbka— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
Celebrate every milestone—when you finish a draft, send that 1st query, get a full request, etc. Don’t wait til you’ve “made it” to break out champagne. Your publishing goal posts will constantly move. This is me celebrating the launch of SMALL TOWN MONSTERS. #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/xBovVXc1lu
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
I have a whole shelf dedicated to signed books—from bookstore events, Book Con, Thriller Fest, etc.
You can get a signed copy of SMALL TOWN MONSTERS, & free bookmark, by ordering thru my local indie #bookstore, Children’s Book World. https://t.co/MjG9ut3A8c #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/U2l4UaOz72— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
SMALL TOWN MONSTERS is my 1st audio book! It’s read by the fantastic actress @frankie_corzo, who's narrated some other wonderful #Latinx novels, including MEXICAN GOTHIC. She perfectly nails Vera’s voice.
What’s your fav audio book or narrator? #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/kYL3bpSxL0
— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
That’s it! Thanks to Young Entertainment Mag for letting me takeover & chat books, writing, & SMALL TOWN MONSTERS.
Remember, the nicest thing you can do for any author/book you love is leave a review on @goodreads, @amazon & @BNBuzz. Spread the book love! #YAauthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/oQiN7bYjFv— Young Entertainment Magazine (@YoungEntmag) November 4, 2021
