The Story Siren: '09 Debut Authors Challenge

Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 7:33 PM

In the midst of the new year, you’ve probably noticed a lot of book challenges being started! I loved doing all my challenges last year. My favorite challenge of 2008 was Jocelyn of Teen Book Review’s 2k8 Challenge. I was very disappointed to hear that Jocelyn wouldn’t be hosting it again this year. With her blessing I will be taking over the challenge.

For lack of creativity on my part at the moment, the challenge will be called ‘09 Debut Authors Challenge. If anyone would like to join, please do!

Anyone can join, you don’t need a blog to participate. But if you are a blogger feel free to review your challenge books! If you don’t have a blog you can always share your views by writing a review for Amazon.com/BarnesandNoble.com/GoodReads/Shelfari, or any other bookish site.
The objective, obviously, is to read a set number of YA or MG novels from debut authors published this year.* I’m hoping to read at least 30, but choose a number that you feel comfortable with. You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year.
The challenge will run from January 1, 2009- December 31, 2009. You can join at anytime!

* novels do not have to be published in the year 2009. If you'd like to limit it to books published in '09 that is your choice!

I love finding out about new authors, so be sure to come back and link your reviews with Mr. Linky. I’m still deciding if I want to do a monthly Mr. Linky or have a huge one for the entire challenge.... most likely I’ll be doing the monthly one.

You’ll have to do all the research to make sure a novel meets the criteria for the challenge. I do have a few sites that can help with your search; The Class of 2k9, 2009 Debutantes (book list), and Authors Now!.

If anyone has suggestions for a better name, I’m all for it. And I’d love some help with a logo!

If you think you'd be interested in participating sign the Mr. Linky below with your name or blogger nickname! You can link your blog's URL or you can link your actual '09 Debut Authors Challenge post.

47 comments:

Kimberly Derting said...: This post has been removed by the author.; January 3, 2009 8:16 PM
WannabeWriter said...: I'm so in! My blog is a private writing blog, so I guess I can't link or anything, but I'm IN. xD; January 3, 2009 8:19 PM
Chick Lit Teens said...: I'm definitley signing up! There are so many great debut novels coming out in 2009.; January 3, 2009 8:44 PM
Hillary said...: YES! A reason to go out and buy all those awesome new books I've been hearing about!; January 3, 2009 8:59 PM
Kelsey said...: Oh, how awesome! I'm in! And I'd be happy to help with the logo!; January 3, 2009 9:08 PM
Cheryl Renee Herbsman said...: Hey, thanks so much for doing this! I have been fortunate enough to have gotten a jump start on reading some ARCs of upcoming debuts and they are awesome! Love this challenge! Happy New Year!; January 3, 2009 9:31 PM
Sydney Salter said...: I'm in too! I've also read a few ARCs and they are amazing!; January 3, 2009 9:49 PM
Rory Wilson said...: i think this is a good idea i would love to read new authors!; January 3, 2009 9:52 PM
Khy said...: Definitely in. (: So many debuts look amaaaazing.; January 3, 2009 10:45 PM
Sarah MacLean said...: I'm totally doing this! Thanks!; January 4, 2009 11:14 AM
Heidi R. Kling said...: I'm planning on reading most of the 2009 Debutante books anyway so I'm in!! Thanks!; January 4, 2009 11:17 AM
Charlotte said...: This is my first challenge--thanks for organizing it!; January 4, 2009 1:27 PM
cyn2write said...: that sounds great! I'm in, too!

Cyn Balog; January 4, 2009 2:47 PM
The Story Siren said...: Yay!! I can't wait to see what everyone reads!!; January 4, 2009 4:12 PM
Sarah Ockler said...: How fun! I've already started... just finished Michelle Zink's PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS! :-); January 4, 2009 4:14 PM
sarahtales said...: Sounds like the most fabulous idea ever! I have been lucky enough to read some 2009 debut ARCs, and there are some brilliant and awe-inspiring people coming out this year. (And then there's me. Oh well. They bear with me very bravely...)

Sarah Rees Brennan; January 4, 2009 4:16 PM
rimasbookjournal said...: I am totally starting this challenge!

Do ARC's of 2009 debutee authors count?

-Rima; January 4, 2009 4:20 PM
Fran Cannon Slayton said...: I'm in! I've already read Suzanne Morgan Williams' BULL RIDER (FEB '09) and am reading JT Dutton's FREAKED (MAR '09) - both are fantastic reads!; January 4, 2009 4:55 PM
Kaylee. said...: Hey, I got your comment about the link exchange, and I would love to exchange links with you. I'll add yours right away!

-Kaylee. :); January 4, 2009 5:27 PM
laurenbjorkman said...: What fun! I'll review the books I read on my website blog!! Thanks for doing this.; January 4, 2009 5:57 PM
kmessner said...: I'm totally in! Like others who have posted, I'm a 2009 debut author, too, and I've had the pleasure of reading a handful of ARCs already. If those are any indication, 2009 is going to be a great year! Thanks for hosting this!; January 4, 2009 8:28 PM
Danielle Joseph said...: Count me in! I've read three so far and am looking forward to reading many more!!; January 4, 2009 10:33 PM
Epiphany Renee said...: Great Challenge! Can't Wait!... I'll read one a month. I'll be adding a list and reviews to my myspace blog!; January 5, 2009 12:56 PM
Kathrin said...: Okay, I have a question: What does MG mean? Thanks!; January 5, 2009 6:08 PM
jenny-moss said...: I'm there!; January 6, 2009 11:33 PM
Deva Fagan said...: Ooo, what a great challenge! I'm doing my best to read all the books by my fellow 2009 Debutantes so I am definitely in!; January 7, 2009 7:38 AM
cynthea said...: Kathrin, MG stands for middle grade. Hope that helps!; January 7, 2009 8:21 PM
Darling Diva said...: Thank you for this great challenge. IT is an awesome opportunity to see what amazing new authors are debuting this year. I love seeing what others have on their list.; January 8, 2009 5:21 AM
Rhonda Stapleton said...: I'm game!! I think this is a stellar idea. :D; January 8, 2009 7:37 AM
Cat said...: Oh, I suck at challenges, but turns out I have a lot of these books on my wishlist anyhow and added more from that list! So... I guess I will. Maybe. I don't know.

Oh, fine. I will.; January 8, 2009 9:19 AM
Hoi polloi said...: This is going to be so fun!!! I can not wait to see what everyone is reading.; January 8, 2009 1:42 PM
Speed Reader said...: Sorry I'm late to join! I'm so excited about all the great authors and their books that are coming out this year!! Good luck to all!; January 8, 2009 6:20 PM
Kimberly Derting said...: I'm going to try to read all of my fellow Debs books this year...I'm so excited that you've started this!!!; January 8, 2009 6:32 PM
Lauren said...: Sorry, I'm so late at joining this.

Anyway, it's going to be fun reading some of the debut novels of '09. It looks like there is going to be a ton of them this year!; January 9, 2009 6:48 PM
Adele said...: Well I am relatively new to the YA blogger's world. I have been doing my own thing over at Sarah Dessen Diarist for awhile now.

I really want to delve into the minds of some debut authors - good or bad. Sign me up, buttercup!; January 10, 2009 7:36 AM
The Story Siren said...: yay! thanks everyone for signing up!; January 10, 2009 9:36 PM
Cheryl&Amber said...: Ooo I love this idea! I've been lucky enough to get a few ARCs already and tons of books on a list that I want to read this year.; January 18, 2009 9:46 PM
Epiphany Renee said...: I have almost finished my list for reading a book that debuts each month.. anyone know of books with release dates in November and December (I already have 12 books on my list, which is in my blog on myspace- http://myspace.com/epiphany_renee; January 19, 2009 8:19 PM
Tia Nevitt said...: I do this anyway, because it's the whole point of my blog, but what a cool idea! I'm in!; February 3, 2009 7:55 PM
SANDY said...: What a great idea! In 2008 I was a debut author so I feel good supporting 'the team'. I had some trouble putting together my list of books to read. Then I found this excellent blog where Scott Carter interviewed 50 debut authors in 2008. So if anyone else is looking for suggestions to add to their list - there are some interesting sounding books here http://thefirstbook.wordpress.com/; March 5, 2009 5:48 AM
Cheryl & Amber said...: Me and my co-owner already wanted to do this for ourselves, so this is nice to be involved with others!! Great idea!!

Cheryl @ Just Your Typical Book Blog; March 6, 2009 6:11 PM
vvb32 said...: Sounds like a fun challenge. Count me in as I'd love to get more YA into my reading pile. Thanks. -Velvet; March 15, 2009 10:51 PM
paperback.pixie said...: I think I may have already started without realizing :-) I'm a new blogger though, so I hope I can pull it off!; March 19, 2009 7:06 PM
Cinnamon said...: Count me in!; April 20, 2009 12:41 PM
epiphany renee said...: I am still looking for a November title (I am doing one a month), any suggestions.; April 27, 2009 10:03 AM
Mariah said...: I know I'm kinda late in starting but I really want to do this!; June 11, 2009 4:00 PM
Sara said...: This post has been removed by the author.; September 3, 2009 4:51 PM