Fresh Ink by Lamar Giles

Fresh Ink

by Lamar Giles

All it takes to rewrite the rules is a little fresh ink in this remarkable YA collection from thirteen of the most recognizable diverse authors writing today including Nicola Yoon, Jason Reynolds, Melissa de la Cruz, and many more, and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books. 

"This awesome anthology came together with the fantastic organization We Need Diverse Books, and...combines an all-star cast of talent." --Paste Magazine

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still being written--whose next chapters are up to you. 

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Thirteen of the most accomplished YA authors deliver a label-defying anthology that includes ten short stories, a graphic novel, and a one-act play from Walter Dean Myers never before in-print. This collection addresses topics like gentrification, acceptance, untimely death, coming out, and poverty and ranges in genre from contemporary realistic fiction to adventure and romance. It will inspire you to break conventions, bend the rules, and color outside the lines. All you need is fresh ink.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Schuyler Bailar, Melissa de la Cruz, Sara Farizan, Sharon G. Flake, Eric Gansworth, Malindo Lo, Walter Dean Myers, Daniel José Older, Thien Pham, Jason Reynolds, Aminah Mae Safi, Gene Luen Yang, Nicola Yoon

"I absolutely love this mix of established and newer talents, and I'm really intrigued and excited by the mixed formats." --BookRiot

"Huge, huge names in YA participated." --Bustle

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

5 of 5 stars

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I received this book for free from Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I am so excited for this new release! I'm not the biggest short story fan, but Fresh Ink has won me over heart and soul. Check out the deets below and enter for a chance to win a copy!

About Fresh Ink:




 

>>>READ AN EXCERPT of Fresh Ink HERE!


About the Fresh Ink Authors:


I can't include the usual info about all the authors. It'd take up waaaaay too much room and people would be pissed at all the scrolling. So here's the names linking to Goodreads:
Lamar Giles (Editor), Nicola Yoon, Malinda Lo, Melissa de la Cruz , Sara Farizan,

Eric Gansworth, Walter Dean Myers, Daniel José Older, Thien Pham, Jason Reynolds, Gene Luen Yang, Sharon G. Flake, Schuyler Bailar, Aminah Mae Safi


IMHO: Fresh Ink Anthology:




This is a great anthology. Very easy to slip into and keeps your attention. I think it'll work great for reluctant readers, those uninitiated to non-white, non-hetero stories as an introduction, and of course for current fans wanting more of their favorite authors.

I had my 11 year old daughter read a few, like Don't Pass Me By and Catch, Pull, Drive. She gives her own two thumbs up too.

I really, really hope there are more anthologies like this forthcoming. To keep myself from giving it all away and rambling here's some...

mini-reviews of my favorites:


Catch, Pull, Drive by Schuyler Bailar - I so want this as a full novel. Hopefully Bailar will have more releases soon! I'll be checking for them :D 🤩🤩

Why I Learned to Cook by Sara Farizan is super fucking sweet and adorable. 😍😍

Tags by Walter Dean Myers....😭✊Rest in Power.

Don't Pass Me By by Eric Gansworth - Way to go Hubert!!! 😊😊😊

Super Human by Nicola Yoon -This last story, the last sentence has haunted me since I finished. ☠️👻

The Story MCs breakdown:



  • 4 black stories - 3 straight boys and 1 straight girl

  • Trans* boy

  • American Native boy

  • 2 f/f stories both POC - one Iranian MC, and one with Asian and Black Americans

  • Muslim immigrant m/w story - countries of origin not discussed

  • Filipino girl

  • Afro-Latinx man and woman

  • Japanese boy


Most of the supporting characters and love interests are from marginalized communities as well.

Genres:
There's one gaslamp fantasy, one historical, one superhero and the rest are contemporary, including the play and the comic. Most are about crushes and heartbreak, relationships and romance, while one is about hate crimes on a college campus, and another is about a homeless kid chasing his dreams.




Giveaway of Fresh Ink Anthology:


3 winners will win a finished copy of FRESH INK US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fresh Ink Tour Schedule:


This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon

Last modified on

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  • 20 August, 2018: Reviewed