Mark Huntley Parsons

YA Author, Rep'd by Curtis Brown. Latest: THE 9:09 PROJECT from Delacorte/Random House - out now! Drummer and runner.
¡Follow your passion!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@john_zeleznik Oh man, that's the best feeling. Congrats!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@the_murfinator Oh my God, yes! We need to (somewhat) know what we want to say, but HOW we say it should come from the subconscious. If you get on a roll and it feels right, keep going!
"Best not to edit it in MFA staleness." 😆

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@john_zeleznik Yeah, but at least you know they have the same taste as you, which gives you common ground and - as long as you do your part - makes it that much more likely they'll read... and perhaps like. 😃

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Holy guacamole!
The prestigious Frederick Gunn School (CT) has just released their summer reading list, and in the fiction category I’m with some heavy hitters - Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Emily Henry, Elizabeth Acevedo, etc. A real “not worthy” moment, for sure!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@the_murfinator Okay, more business than craft, but PW Daily and PW Children's Bookshelf. Their "deals of the week" tell you all about who's buying what, from whom, and where. Plus lots of other all-around book news.
Both Jane Friedman's and Mary Kole's newsletters are wonderful craft resources.

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

The Florida library system for the Jacksonville area (22 branches) has just put out their 2025 "Summer Reading Recommendations" for various age groups, and I’m stoked to see THE 9:09 PROJECT on the list for high school readers.
Librarians rock! 📷📷📷

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

#Writers! Take a quick break and enjoy our latest episode. (You've thought this before, admit it!) As always, come for the content, stay for the stinger! https://t.co/Ty0lgrUltk #writerscommunity #writerslife

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Calling dog lovers everywhere...

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

Looking for a fun #summer #read for your #tween ? #ReadingMiddleGrade does a really nice job creating lists. Happy to see Mr. Whiskers & the Shenanigan Sisters recommended. Aarooo! https://t.co/uWvwKcXWSj
@RHCBEducators

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

Writers! Here's our latest. Take a quick break for some tips we hope are helpful. (And who hasn't had writer’s block?) #writers #WritingCommunity #writinganovel
https://t.co/mETtjdeJqt @MarkHParsons

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

The list for Connecticut’s 2026 state reading award is out (The Nutmeg Awards), and I’m honored to be in such good company – some of my favorite “classmate” books are on this list!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Thanks to the City of Henderson, NV and the Basic Academy of International Studies for hosting us Fri/Sat as part of the awesome Henderson Reads Festival!

They made us feel like VIP rockstars, complete with “all access” laminates for the attendees. Do librarians rock or what???

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Come for the content... stay for the stinger! 😁

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

Writers! Have a quick cuppa with us. Here's the latest episode! https://t.co/53BjiOascy

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

Writers--What does an editor really do? Join us for a quick coffee break! https://t.co/yYg6lT6OKc @MarkHParsons

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Great story here...

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

Dear, treasured fans of FLIPPED--I'm doing these for you. Hope you love them. 🧡🐣🧡 https://t.co/TDDaI2T0LW

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

What makes your writing special? What makes it unique, interesting, expressive, valuable, and compelling…? Hint – it’s not the obvious mechanical stuff like plot/structure/genre/subject matter.
It’s YOU.
And that’s the last thing you want to give up.
https://t.co/CtLE7oGky9

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Can't wait for Ruby and the Chessies to be out in the world!

[Wendelin Van Draanen @WendelinVanD]

So excited about this book! Don't you love the cover? Coming from @HolidayHouseBks this Fall. Can't wait! #YABooks #bookcommunity #Thriller

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@john_zeleznik If your writing is great and you're not getting a bunch of full requests, maybe it's just the query letter?
Have you listened to "The Shit No One Tells You About Writing" podcast? Two agents dissect query letters at the top of the episodes. SO much valuable query info there!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@john_zeleznik Relevant excerpt from https://t.co/vX5RRXKnm3
Subject matter/plot is not the defining factor here. It's simply the framework (mannequin) on which you can hang great/good/fair/poor writing (the dress). It's all about the dress, not the mannequin.

Hang in there!

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

@tomtolkien Love this. Keep fighting the good fight!
(Not that all uses of AI are bad, by any means. But there's a special circle in hell for greedy people who use an algorithm in a lazy attempt to communicate with other humans.)

[Mark Huntley Parsons @MarkHParsons]

Truly humbled to find myself on this list of faves from the Guild of Young Writers out of British Columbia, Canada. (I mean, just seeing UKL on top… swoon! Along with Brown and Baldree and Bradley and Uncle John and all the rest…)