Category Archives: agents

What You Need to Know About Query Letters

If you’ve finished a project and you are about to query an agent or editor, here’s a great article linked from Harold Underdown’s blog. If you don’t know about him and you write for children, keep his site handy. It’s a terrific resource.

Before you send, a checklist:

  • Did you research your recipient?
  • Did you spell their name right?
  • Are you sending a manuscript they said they didn’t want?
  • Did you include your social media information? (If you have it.)
  • Did you include your contact information?
  • Is your letter brief and to the point?
  • Does the tone of your letter catch the spirit of your story?
  • Did you include the character and the stakes? (If you don’t know what stakes are, look it up.)
  • Did you include only relevant biographical information?
  • Is your letter less than a page long?

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A Panel of Writers Discusses How they Got Their Agents

I don’t know about you, but I’m currently looking for an agent. Here’s a podcast panel with five agented writers talking about how they connected with those all-important partners in the publishing business.

Click here to check it out.

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    Have a Picture Book MS? Check This Out

    Click on the link for information about how to create a winning entry for PB Pitch sessions on Twitter.

    6 Tips to Help You Get Ready for Your Picture Book Manuscript to Be Discovered on Twitter through PBPitch

    More resources for picture book writers and more about me.

      https://www.instagram.com/thisbluerabbit/

      How to Write a Chapter Book from an Expert

      Interested in writing for children? Don’t miss this great post on literary agent Jill Corcoran’s blog. While you’re there, check out other useful information for writers. I have heard her speak at conferences. Writers who have her as an agent are very lucky. She is warm, honest, and experienced.

      #WritingTips Raffle Editor Jen Arena’s Expert Advice on Writing Chapter Books Win a Copy of Jen’s 100 SNOWMEN.

      Find Out Why Picture Book Manuscripts are Shorter Than They Used to Be

      If you have checked market guidelines lately, you know picture book manuscripts are shorter than ever. Read the post below to find out why.

      re: What’s Up with the Super Short Picture Book Texts? | DearEditor.com.

      What NOT to Include in Your First Pages

      Here’s an article I’m going to be studying. You might want to take a look, too. It summarizes what sends up red flags for readers (agents or not).

      Writer Unboxed » What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel: Advice from Literary Agents.

      FIRST FIVE FRENZY with Amy Boggs of The Donald Maass Literary Agency | chasingthecrazies

      Here’s an interview with a top literary agent about the first five pages of your novel. Amy Boggs is currently open to queries. See her preferences on the Donald Maass Literary Agency site. (Also, be sure to read The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass. It’s amazing!)

      FIRST FIVE FRENZY with Amy Boggs of The Donald Maass Literary Agency | chasingthecrazies.

      Danielle Smith of Foreword Literary

      This new agent may be just the partner you are looking for. She is seeking picture books, early readers, and other books for children. Read about her on WritersDigest.com!

      New Literary Agent Alert: Danielle Smith of Foreword Literary | WritersDigest.com.

      How to Choose the Right Tone for Your Query Letter

      If you are writing a query letter, you might want to click on the link below and read the short post first. It’s very informative.

      re: What’s the Right Tone for a Query Letter? | DearEditor.com.