Although I have many faults, being lazy isn’t one of them. HOWEVER, I do fall into lazy writing occasionally. I use cliched phrases when a quick twist would create something much more memorable. I drop in pet words — like “the” — without restraint. But I didn’t know I was a pleonasmist until I read… Read more »
Jill Corcoran is an agent who comes from a marketing background and I find her take on the industry an eye-opener. See what you think…http://jillcorcoranliteraryagency.com/what-makes-a-book-sell/
The website, 30 Day Books, offers marketing advice and tips for pre-self published and published authors. Even though I am traditionally published, I receive their Magic Monday newsletter and have found great stuff there. For instance: I’ve been working on a new marketing plan for A Warm Winter Tail because the debut shine has worn… Read more »
If you are a picture book writer or illustrator, I sure hope you will consider participating in Tara Lazar’s extravaganzic Picture Book Idea Month. She’ll have guest posts from some of the industries best thinkers, opportunities for prizes (including critiques from stellar agents), and a community-wide buzz. Go here to learn more.
Once again, I am following Shutta Crum’s lead on sharing a REALLY IMPORTANT POST ABOUT WRITING. It’s on Writer Unboxed which is one of the most helpful writerly sites out there. This postwritten by Lisa Kron is about how crucial it is to determine our main character’s point of reference to the world before we begin… Read more »
Cool gold seal! I used to say nothing exciting happens on a Friday in the children’s book industry, but I’ve had to change my tune. I found out about winning a WOOP grant on a recent Friday (WOOP, WOOP!) and this past Friday, I learned about A Warm Winter Tail winning a Gelett Burgess Award! Here’s the description… Read more »
I love this post from the Institute of Children’s Literature’s E-News editor, Jan Fields. about writing with rhythm. It breaks down the basics and if you know the basics, you can build from there. Have You Got Rhythm? All speech has rhythm. Rhythm is just the natural pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Humans are naturally drawn… Read more »
I’ve shamelessly lifted the full description of this amazing award opportunity. It’s your job to submit! The SCBWI is dedicated to fostering the emergence of diverse voices in children’s books. The SCBWI On-The-Verge Emerging Voices Award was established in 2012 with funding from Martin and Sue Schmitt of the 455 Foundation. The grant will be given to two writers or… Read more »
Here is information on a great writing contest for my Michigan friends…“On behalf of the Write Michigan committee, I am delighted to announce the Second Annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest. Write Michigan is a statewide writing contest featuring $250 cash prizes for Judges’ and Readers’ Choice winners in each age category. Judges’ Choice runners-up receive $100. The top five stories in each… Read more »
Considering self-publishing? Here is an informative post on the topic from Miss Snark’s First Victim that might help you make the decision: http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2013/08/why-im-not-self-publishing-right-now.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissSnarksFirstVictim+%28Miss+Snark%27s+First+Victim%29
Sharing insights on writing children’s books and the publishing industry, and offering trinkets for creators and educators because you rock.
