Sunday, May 1, 2011

Getting to know YA author B. A. Binns

Hello readers, introducing B. A.  (Barbara to you) Binns. I’m thrilled to be a YA cog in Romancing The Genres.  I live in  Illinois (which is a wonderful place now that I’m no longer wading through 20 inches of snow) and write multi-cultural fiction.  When I was younger I was a nomad, I’ve lived in Wisconsin, Michigan and did a short stint in Virginia, but I’m happy back here in the state of my birth. 


My YA novel PULL, won the 2009 Golden Rose and Finally A Bride contests. After being published in 2010 by WestSide books, it is now a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards.  
I’m still doing the happy dance even as I slave away at the sequel.  My adult manuscript, Damaged Goods, was a finalist in the RWA 2010 Golden Heart contest and I’m seeking a publishing home for that as well.
I began life as a scientist, and have degrees in Biochemistry and Computer Science. I came to writing by the back door, beginning with technical writing.  I was always an avid reader, and still have a houseful of books that I read and review on my personal blog
I grew up with four siblings and have one adult adopted daughter. Add in trips around the globe chasing solar eclipses, hiking adventures that left me on the verge of deliberately falling down a mountain so the helicopter would have to carry me away, a trip in a submarine, cancer surgery and a bipolar family member and…well, I’ve got enough writing material inside my head to last forever.
I hope you’ll join me as I put the YA spin on the subject of romance.  And please visit me on my website, http://www.babinns.com.

15 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

Love, absolutely love the comment about falling down a mountain so the helicopter would have to carry you away. Been there...

Isn't it amazing how our own lives give us so much writing material. I'm looking forward already to reading your, I think it's July, post on the subject.

Judy said...

Another science major!!! Maybe I should have went into the science field, I would have loved writing novels. That was not meant for me, I just don't think I have a good enough imagination!!! The YA genre is coming so fast. I have also gotten into it, I look for them in the bookstores and on the web.

Sarah Raplee said...

I nearly died of heatstroke on a hike through the Black Hills of South Dakota, so I totally understand the helicopter thing!

We writers seem to live interesting, adventuresome lives, don't we?

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that your amazing book, PULL, wins the National Reader's Choice Award! We're lucky to have you blogging with us.

Anonymous said...

There is so much romance in YA fiction. I am excited to see some discussions about this as it differs in some ways. Romance is so broad. And I love the concept of coming to writing via the back door.

Blythe Gifford said...

What a diverse crew! You all will be able to mix up quite the conversations! Best of luck.

Geralyn said...

As an L.A. teacher for teenagers, I'm always looking for good YA literature for our classroom library, especially multicultural lit that offers opportunity for dialogue. The whole romance angle can be tricky for this age, so I'm looking forward to this blog and to reading your work.

PJ Sharon said...

Fantastic news on your contest wins and recent publication. I've heard good things about PULL and can't wait to read it. I love the idea of group blogging. Severalof my writer friends and I will also be starting a blog in July called 'WRITING SECRETS OF SEVEN SCRIBES' It really cuts down on the effort required for maintaining your own blog. Share the load, I say! See you on the YARWA loop and hopefully at Nationals.
Best of luck on sales and writing the sequel!

Stina said...

I'm looking forward to read your posts, Barbara. I love romance in YA. And I love biochemistry, too. I took some courses in energy metabolism as part of my MSc. :)

Greta said...

Hi, Barbara.

Now if only there were a helicopter rescue service for authors stranded in a tough and tangled patch of plot ... there've been times I would have switched on my beacon. :)

Good luck in the Readers Choice Awards. That's amazing!

Tam Linsey said...

Good to have you along for the ride, Barbara! The movie trailer for PULL is very moving.

Pamela said...

Congrats on the launch of the blog! I've added it to my google reader feed and look forward to adding to my list to be read!

B. A. Binns said...

Thanks to everyone who came to visit me. I hope you stay connected as I continue the YA spin on Romance, and here's hoping one of my guests win the prize.

Margo Dill said...

Great idea for a blog and I love the YA spin, too!

Margo
http://margodill.com

Ilona Fridl said...

Hi, Barbara!
I think I told you on the loop, but a big congrats on your finals in the National Readers Choice! Hope to see you at the conference in Brookfield!

Morgan Mandel said...

Hi Barbara,
I had no idea you lead such a dangerous and exciting life!

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel