Category Archives: publishers

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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Places to Submit for Free

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Building a resume is important, but it’s hard when so many journals and small publications charge for submissions. Sign up for this newsletter and you will be notified of places to submit for free. It’s an inbox treasure.

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Happy Sunday from our daughter and her duck (a long long time ago,) #duck New show up today in Grand Junction. From an acrylic painting I did years ago of a wall of tools. I just loved the design. Zazzle makes these cool hangings. I love their prints. #artprints https://www.zazzle.com/mystery_in_blue_violet_poster-228494279116330300 #art #print "Decisions" Contemporary acrylic painting on canvas at #fineartamerica https://fineartamerica.com/featured/east-river-l-armstrong.html?product=metal-print #metal print #digitalart #cityscape #newyorkcity #Fineartamaerica #decorideas #modifiedphotography Set a timer. Get up and move. Refreshes your mind and you may even live longer. (She says as she sits here for hours... )#RedRoseThorns #OurVoiceIsOurPower #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #add #workfromanywhere #work Depression isn't sadness. It's no feelings at all and it's the worst feeling in the world. You don't have to suffer. Help is available and you can use your insurance. I just posted Coda, part of my Saddlehorn Variations Series, on the Saatchi site, https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Coda/8064/10326047/view
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2012 2013 advice agent agents author authors blogs books challenge character children's books contest creativity fiction help hints ideas information inspiration literary literary agents NaNoWriMo NaPoWriMo novel novels november picture book picture books plot poem poem a day poetry professional promotion publication publicity publishing resources revision social media structure submissions writers writing

    What Small Press Editors Want and Why You Should Care

    Here’s a great insight into the process of a small press editor. Much of this holds for any kind of manuscript submission. It also applies to readers, if you are selling to them directly.

    What Editors Want; A Must-Read for Writers Submitting to Literary Magazines | The Review Review.

    A Market for Novellas

    A market for novellas and shorter nonfiction works at Amazon Singles. Read about it at the Authors Guild site.

    Amazon’s Kindle Singles a Win for Readers, Authors | The Authors Guild.

    What’s New in Children’s and YA Publishing

    Harold Underdown recommends this excellent post summarizing trends in juvenile publishing from a panel at the recent American Book Producers Association conference.

    Changes and Trends in Children’s and YA Publishing: An ABPA Panel.

    Don’t Tweet that Query!

    Read this, if you are tempted to pitch your book to an editor on Twiiter (unless it is a special Twitter event AND you have done your homework about said event.)

    Dr. Syntax: Tweet Not Your Query, Author, or, Why I Don’t Read the Slush Pile Anymore.

    Changing Times: Important Business Information for Writers

    Important business and contract information for every writer. Be sure to read the discussion, too. Then, do some research before signing a contract.

    Writer Unboxed » 5 Industry Trends Requiring Every Writer’s Attention.

    From Editor and Author Cheryl Klein: A Plot Checklist for Revision

    I’m putting together materials for our local SCBWI group’s April Revision Workshop. One of my favorite revision gurus is Cheryl Klein. If you don’t already have it, pick up a copy of Second Sight: An Editor’s Talks on Writing, Revising, & Publishing Books for Children and Young Adults. Until it arrives, or even if you already have it, download this helpful plot checklist. The site even has a Word template!

    CherylKlein.com » Plot Checklist.

    Follow the SCBWI 2013 Winter Conference, Here, Now!

    If you write books for children, join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Their huge Winter Conference is going on right now in New York City. Click on the link below and follow the conference through the eyes of a crack team of official bloggers. You will find out what to expect when you attend your first international conference. The next one is in Los Angeles in August, but the organization sponsors more intimate regional events as well.

    The Official SCBWI Conference Blog.