CLASS OF 2K19 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
What is the Class of 2K19?
The “2K Classes” are groups of debut YA/MG authors who focus on MARKETING. We pay dues ($275 total per person), maintain a private forum, create a website, and commit to 10-15 hours per month to collectively promote our books. Membership is capped at 20 authors, and the 2k Classes have become well-known among librarians and booksellers, so there are benefits to joining.
History:
The first 2K Class was founded in 2007 by Greg R. Fishbone and has been a strong promotional network/outlet for debut YA and MG authors every year since. Here are some 2k alumni you might be familiar with: Melissa Marr, Joy McCullough, Rebecca Stead, Sara Zarr, Jo Knowles, Gloria Chao, Nancy Viau, Sydney Salter, Rhonda Hayter, Jeri Smith-Ready, and Jennifer Hubbard, among many other talented authors. Check out some of the books from last year's class! Bonus--word on the street is that there might be a 2K Alumni group formed in the future.
Here are links to check out the past few years of the Class of 2K websites, books, and members:
www.classof2k14.com
www.classof2k15.com
www.classof2k16.com
www.classof2k17.com
www.classof2k18.com
(Class websites from 2K13 and earlier are no longer available.)
Class Mission Statement:
The Class of 2K is a community of YA/MG debut novelists banding together to use group synergy to promote their books. Typically, group activities include developing common promotional materials (website, blog, other social media, postcards, brochures, etc.); creating press releases and/or hiring a group publicist; forming panels to speak at conferences; and supporting one another while sharing information about the publishing world as we discover it.
We actively encourage applications from Authors of Color and #OwnVoices authors.
Membership Requirements:
1. This must be your first book in YA/MG fiction, and your book must be scheduled for release in 2019.*
2. Your publisher must be listed in Children’s Writers and Illustrators Marketplace or be an SCBWI PAL publisher. Also, your publisher must be based in the USA.
3. You are required to commit 10-15 hours per month to the group and pay the required dues of $275.
4. We are going to repeat that last one, in case your time commitments will not allow for the 10-15 hours per month that is required to help promote. Everyone must commit so Class2K19 can be successful. If that will not work with your schedule, we understand, and kindly ask you to pass. Thank you!
5. Your deal must have been announced in Publisher’s Marketplace or Publisher’s Weekly and have a confirmed 2019 date.**
* If your first publisher did not meet the listed requirement (i.e. self-published, adult book), but your current publisher does, then you can still be considered a “debut” author.
**If your book has SOLD and has a confirmed 2019 pub date, but has not been announced yet, please email me for details.
How to Apply:
I will be chairing this year’s group, so if you’d like to join the class, please apply via this link:
Class of 2K19 Application Form
The application form will go live on Sunday, May 20th at 1pm Eastern Standard Time.
If you need more information, feel free to email me at debutclass2k19 (at) gmail (dot) com
Applications will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis, and assessed for eligibility. Once assessed, you'll be notified by email if you're on the team. Thanks again! We look forward to working together with you!
All best,
Sarah Lyu, 2k19 President
DebutClass2K19 (at) gmail (dot) com
Co-chairs:
RuthAnne Snow, Secretary
Kelly Coon, Treasurer
