i do love to judge

guess who's a second round judge for the awesomeness that is Nerds Heart YA? yes, it's me. good guess.

What is Nerds Heart YA? (source)
basically it's a tournament for under represented ya lit. but if you want MORE deets, here you are:

"In 2009 Renay from subverting the text set up Nerds Heart YA with the aim of showcasing books that had not received as much publicity as the big hitter books of 2009. Through a bracket style competition, judges who were passionate about getting more visibility for fantastic, under represented books whittled down a shortlist of sixteen to just one ultimate winner – Steve Kluger’s ‘My Most Excellent Year’.

In 2010 Nerds Heart YA returned bigger than ever with some new organisers! The 2010 tournament showcased 32 books via an additional level of brackets, with a focus on diversity.

This year the central focus of the tournament will continue to be diversity. In 2011 we’re seeking to build a dynamic long and short lists of books that represent one of a series of relatively under publicized categories.

Specifically, the lists will consist of books that:

• Were published in 2010
• Have received minimum press on blogs

Feature characters, or are penned by authors, who fall within the following categories:

• Person(s) of Color (POC)
• GLBT
• Disability
• Mental Illness
• Religious Lifestyle
• Lower Socioeconomic Status
• Plus-size"

okay but here's the deal guys, the nominations close on March 7th! so if you know a book that you ADORED that met the criteria listed above, you should totally nominate it.

nomination form.

Nerds Heart YA.

p.s. not all of the judges have been notified yet...so good luck if you applied to be part of this awesomeness!

p.p.s. okay but if you're NOT a judge you should totally nominate anyway. it's all about getting the word out about awesome books that aren't getting the recognition they deserve!