Guest Post: On Chapter Books by A. H. Richardson

Chapter books are becoming more and more popular with parents and children. They are great for transitioning younger readers from picture books that rely heavily on illustrations to tell a story to longer more complex stories and plots that rely less on illustrations as it does on prose.

My guest writer today is the author of Jorie and The Magic Stones, the first book in a new chapter book series by A. H. Richardson. Today, she explains the importance of chapter books and why she chose to write in the genre.​

On Chapter Books



A.H. Richardson

Every book that I ever read, or that was read to me, had chapters.

I couldn't imagine a book without a chapter, any more than I could imagine a 'Banana Split' without bananas! Why do I think that a lot of authors are going back to the 'chaptering' of books?

I can only speak from my own personal reasoning, which is that a 'Chapter' has a delightful way of compartmentalizing everything so neatly ... it is a way of putting the forthcoming part of the story, into a little 'box', designed to pique the interest, but not to tell too much at the same time. You want to excite interest and curiosity in what is yet to come, without giving away important secrets. In its own way it is a story 'teaser.'

​When reading to children, or when children are reading for themselves, the end of a chapter signifies many things; as in "that's all you get to read for now", or "end of chapter, let's finish homework!" or "We'll read Chapter Ten - Chook Disappears', tomorrow, when you've done your chores" -- or whatever the rationale might be. The child gets to read the story in little sections, which I think always works well for them.

​As to the genre of story, what could be more bewitchingly delicious than a story about a nine-year old heroine and a magnificent dragon, liberally peppered with all sort of fun bad guys, and a wonderful boy companion, Rufus. My goal was to make this story (or this series, I should say) as enjoyable to grownups, as to the children, and I believe that I made it for this age group for one very good reason: I have not advanced much myself beyond the age of about 12, so I believe I can present a wonderful world to this age of child ... not quite child, and not quite grownup.

Thank you for listening --- and for reading. Read children, read ... books open many doors, you'll see.

Location! Location! Location!

This year, I decided to do something a little different. Instead of hiding away in my room, I decided to make my NaNo writing space a little more spacious.

I have commandeered the dining table for my writing pleasure for the month of November. I have access to the kitchen and my never-ending stash of tea, a big window that lets me have a wonderful view of our backyard and trees, also, the table, is a tall one. It allows me to still type standing when I get tired of sitting in the somewhat comfy chairs. The black file holder doubles as my snack box and a place to post my "do not disturb" sign! :D  You don't see it but I have headphones that allow me to block out noise and the random family member who poke about in the nearby kitchen. And the lighting is perfect! So far, it has been great for high daily word counts!

Location is everything! So, where is your writing space this month? What does it look like?

How Do You Start Your Story?

At the beginning, end, middle, with the title, the pitch, the hook?

There is the whole divide of planning and plotting your story or simply writing from the seat of your pants. One thing I have noticed with my own writing, I don't plot or plan my story out. I try to but it turns out into a synopsis then goes into storytelling. Sometimes it starts at the beginning, the middle or with a simple title.

This year's story, Picture Perfect, (working title only) started in a crazed smathering of me trying to figure out my story. I had an idea but the idea was not really fully coherent but it was moving around quickly in my head so I just wrote it all down until about 3000+ words later, the story began to form more fluidly. Page five on my word doc begins chapter one. But this is NaNoWriMo. The first draft is expected to be trashy until we go back through it and wash, rinse and repeat a gazillion times.

So, how do you start your story? 

Summer School 2014: Building Character

This summer I am going to summer school!
That's right, Summer School 2014: Building Character with Nerdy Chicks Write.
I need this challenge to reboot my writing and honing my craft. Thanks Nerdy Chicks Write!!!!!

Originally posted by Sudiptabq

Welcome to Summer School 2014: Building Character
Are you looking for a way to keep writing through the dog days of summer?
Do you want to be inspired by some of the best writers in children’s literature?
Join a fun and fabulous community of  people who are as passionate about kidlit as you are!

Enroll in Summer School now! (It’s free!)

What is Summer School?
Summer school is defined as a school or a program that provides lessons during summer vacation. Studies have shown that participation in summer school has substantial beneficial effects on its participants. 

Kidlit Summer School is a four week writer’s workshop that will run from July 21 through August 15. Because we (Kami and Sudipta) both enjoy teaching writing classes, we wanted to find a way to offer craft-based writing advice on a particular topic each summer. Our 2014 course is going to focus on writing great characters.

Read more and register here. I did!!! So what are you doing this summer!

Once Upon A Pitch

So, you find yourself in a conversation with an old friend, co-worker, random stranger and it comes up that you are writing a story. "Oh, what's your story about?" they ask. If you are anything like me, then this dreaded question sends you into shudders, stammers and hyperventilation.

Pitching my work in progress is the hardest thing for me to do. One would think I should be able to pitch my own story but actually, it is hard to give a description of a story without rambling and giving it all away. Well, it is hard for me.

I have joined quite a few groups, blogs and forums, looking for ways to develop the art of pitching books. I get a lot of practice reading other pitches over on Susanna Hill's blog. She has a wonderful weekly blog post called Would You Read It, where writers post a pitch of their work in progress. Readers are given the opportunity to say why they would or would not read a book based on the given pitch. The exercise gives the writer help in tightening their pitches. It is also great for people like me to learn just what makes a good pitch.

But I was even more thrilled a few days ago to find a really super and simple way to pitch a story plot. This wonderful example comes from Mandy over at Picture Book Academy. Her post, Plotting Your Picture Book with a logline or pitch is quite informative. She begins with the basic elements of a character based/plot driven picture book. Then Mandy gives an example of a generic pitch.

Character wants to do something but can’t because there are obstacles. But when something drastic changes or happens, the character is able to do something and solves the problem.

_________________________ wants to _______________________ but can’t because _____________________ .But when _____________________, he/she is able to_________________ and __________ .

Visit Mandy's blog post and download her awesome worksheet that outlines the basic structure of a story pitch.

Happy Pitching!!!
 

Taking a Stroll Down Inspiration Lane

Inspiration is a key ingredient of writers.

We find inspiration in every moment, in every word, and in every feeling. Writers can find inspiration for their stories just about any and everywhere. If you ask any writer or author where they get their inspiration, you will get a whole host of fun and interesting ideas.

Some ideas include:

Take a walk: Nature provides an unlimited source of inspiration. My poem, Autumn Song was inspired by a picture I took on a walk with some friends along Point Defiance Park a few years back. Wind Journey was inspired as I walked around my sister’s university campus.

Take a trip: to the zoo, the park, the beach, (Hawaii) anywhere there are lots of sights, sounds and smells (yes, I said smells. J )

The Coffee Shop: You will find lots of fun and unique characters in a coffee shop. Tully's has a delightful Macha Green Tea Latte, so my sisters and I often go. Next to our table I noticed an older gentleman sketching in a notepad from a fashion magazine. Then I saw him look around then begin to sketch the environment of the coffee shop. It was really neat to watch. I also got a poem out of it! 

Magazines and newspapers: Magazines usually have a lot of beautiful pictures that inspire the writer’s soul. Newspapers are a fun way to create a story out of headlines and want adds J

Other books and authors: are also a great source of inspiration.

Daily life/events: What’s the saying, ‘write what you know’ who knows your life, your family, your kids, your friends, co-workers better than you do? Some of my poems and stories were inspired things children said or did in my classroom or things other teachers said happened in their classrooms. 'When Baby Has A Bad Day,' was inspired by, yes a baby in my classroom who was having a really bad day!

Pictures: Old photos, paintings, illustrations, doodles and more offer a wonderful source of inspiration for writers. My flash fiction piece, ‘The Dark Side’ was inspired by a picture of the moon I took some years ago.

Inspiration is everywhere for the taking and for the giving J What will inspire you today?

Book Tour: Fields of Elysium Guest Post: A Publishing Journey

A Publishing Journey

What is an author platform and how can you get one?

If you are a new author, getting ready to publish or one who has been published already, and you don’t understand why your book doesn’t sell, you probably haven’t heard about author platforms, as was the case with me when I published my first book.

Since there are dozens of articles and posts explaining the definition of author platforms, I’ve decided to share the personal experiences of my publishing journey with you instead. Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and launch a very successful writing career.

It was in 2011 when I finished my first novel American Charm.  I was so excited about it that I couldn’t wait to see it in print. While my test readers (only family members back then) read it and criticized it, I researched literary agents and my publishing options. I considered the story to be perfect because it came from my heart, and I believed as such it deserved to be on the shelves of bookstores. I decided to find an agent who would represent me at the major publishing houses. I bought guidebooks, did more research online, and finally ended up sending query letters to two prestigious agents in the business. Very soon I had to face the reality that instead of agents fighting each other to get hold of my manuscript, one of them rejected me politely, the other never responded. My pride suffered, but not my enthusiasm.

Next, I did more research and found out about Amazon KDP and Createspace self-publishing. Eager to hold and smell my first freshly printed book, I submitted my novel to an online editing company, paying them big bucks to bring the manuscript into shape, only to find out a year later that they did a sloppy job. I designed the cover, wrote a synopsis, and finally uploaded my book to Amazon but priced it way too high. I didn’t want to be compared to other self-published authors. I thought myself better. Stupid of me. Then I shared the link with my three hundred friends on Facebook, believing that they would promote it for me and the news about my newly published book would spread like wildfire. Oh boy, how wrong I was!

While I wanted the world to stop and for everybody to concentrate on my super-duper amazing story, and download, review and share it, I received a monthly report with only a dozen sales.  My husband encouraged me, saying that, considering that I’m Hungarian and English is my second language, the fact that I convinced a dozen people my book was worth their money is pretty incredible. But I wanted more. I just didn’t know how to get it. Soon I became torn between spending my limited time working on a sequel or promoting myself. I started to read articles about successful self-pub authors with great envy, hoping to learn a trick or two, but whatever I tried only boosted sales momentarily.

But I kept going. I reached out to local papers and review companies, and created a little buzz once more. The book started to sell, then the sales died down again. Finally I gave up on self-promotion and concentrated on writing, believing that either my story or my writing style was not good enough. I wanted to get better. 

Four months later I published a short novella, and by early next year the second volume of American Charm. I knew I was not going to break the bank with the new releases, but I believed I had to continue the story for those who enjoyed my first book.

However, as time went by I never stopped collecting information about self-publishing successes, so by the time I finished my fourth book, Fields of Elysium, I had a well-detailed marketing plan. Due to the fact that Fields of Elysium is a young-adult romantic fantasy, a different genre from my first series, I decided to change my author name and start afresh. I even un-published my previous novels because they are nowhere near to my new standards, but I’m planning to revise them.

Fields of Elysium was completed, proofread, and edited by a retired English professor, test-read, designed and had a cover and synopsis. I only had to start building my author platform, bring awareness to my book, and create a demand for it. I opened an account on Goodreads and started a two-month-long ARC book giveaway. By the time the novel was published, close to a thousand people marked it ‘to-read.’

I submitted it to professional review companies, like Kirkus Reviews, Readers Favorite, Reader Views Kids, Young Adult and Teen Readers, etc. to gain creditability through their respected opinions. Then I started to send queries to book bloggers and book clubs, humbly asking them to accept a free hardcopy of my book in exchange for an honest review. When I ran out of books (you have to watch your budget), I offered free e-books. Truth be told, hardcopies were more popular than e-books.

In the meantime, I bugged the life out of my already existing Facebook friends and fans with news of my upcoming hot release. Surprisingly I received positive feedback. The number of my fans started to increase, so I began to post giveaways, funny posts, romantic posts, etc., aware that I’m not really good at connecting with fans through social media sites.

With the growing awareness about my book on Goodreads and Facebook, I started to receive five-star reviews from professionals.

The big day came. Fields of Elysium was published. Knowing my former sales numbers, I was very pleased to see the first monthly report. But my job was not nearly done. I reached out to other authors in the same genre; we did author exchange reviews, along with promoting each other’s work and exchanging information.

I’m still new to the business and I learn something everyday, such as how effective book blast and blog tours can be; how important it is to join forces with similar authors and do joint promotions; and even how to price your book right.

I have learned over the past two years that building your author platform takes time and it’s necessary for traditionally published and indie authors equally. Visibility and proven reach (number of fans, comments on your posts, reviews, target-audience posts and interactions, etc.) are what agents and readers look at first before they invest in you. You have to be open to new approaches, reach out and help fellow authors, open Facebook, Twitter, Google+ accounts, set up a Goodreads page to increase your book’s visibility. Create a trailer, join book clubs as a reader not a writer, reach out to bloggers, reading communities, and above all never give up.

I still have a lot to learn, but I never stop browsing the web for new ideas. After every book I published I learned something new, and I do better with each book launch. Today I know that it’s not enough to start building awareness of your book two months in advance, because receiving reviews and organizing book blasts and blog tours take months.

I hope you will learn from my mistakes, and will be patient and won’t rush into publishing your book. If you plan to write a series, I highly recommend finishing the second and third books before you publish the first one. You will still have time to polish them, or rewrite parts between publications, but that’s still less work than trying to write an entire novel in a timely fashion while you spend six-teen hours a day on the computer to promote your first book.

And I leave the most important thing for last. It doesn’t matter how much money or how many hours you spend on building your author platform if your book doesn’t talk to the readers. All successful authors – fiction or non-fiction – have one thing in common: they were all able to strike an emotional chord in the readers; and their books were most likely well edited and proofread as well. It’s not an easy thing to do; otherwise every book would be a bestseller

A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in a wealthy Eastern European family, she had a chance to travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.




Website * Facebook * Twitter

$25 Tour Giveaway
 
Ends 5/15/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://www.iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Guest Post: Handling Pizza and Writer Rejection

Handling Pizza and Writer Rejection

Liz Gruder, author of Starseed

I grew intrigued while perusing a menu recently. When I read the ingredients of a particular pizza outloud: artichoke hearts, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, parmesan and mozzarella, my boyfriend made gagging noises. “I hate artichokes,” he said. “Why can’t we get pepperoni?”

I sighed. My pizza had been rejected.

I mused that writing was similar to pizza. You concoct what you perceive is a wonderful, tasty story … and after serving it to consumers, be prepared for rejection.

The stories of famous writers being rejected are legendary.

--J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone was rejected by a dozen publishers before Bloomsbury, a small London publisher, took it on – and that was only after the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter begged her father to read it.

--Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time was rejected 29 times before finding a publisher.

--And C.S. Lewis, (Chronicles of Narnia) received over 800 rejections before he sold a single piece of writing.

Does this mean that those who rejected these writers were wrong? I bet they kicked themselves for lost revenue, but their opinion likely remained the same.

If you scan Goodreads or Amazon popular book reviews, they range from “loved it” to “terrible!”

--Harry Potter. One star. “We can see the beginnings of Rowling's authorial failings … Rowling's prose is quick and simple, but sometimes awkward and without music or joy.”

--A Wrinkle in Time. One star. “Madeleine L'Engle brings to the table a cursory knowledge of astronomy, the imagination of a brown paper sack, and half-assed characters.”

--The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe. One star. “I am tempted to give this book a zero … awful book.”

I would hope that the standard for a one-star review is being among the worst books ever. Every element is terrible—the editing, writing, plot, characterization, voice, vision, world building, theme, etc. It hardly seems fair to give these books one star. But this is my subjective opinion. And that’s what rejections and reviews are. In fact, the soaring heights and pitiful lows of many book reviews make the reading public appear bipolar. Witness Twilight.

Many think it’s okay to review a pepperoni pizza when they hate pepperoni and splatter hot cheese all over the wall. If I hate pepperoni, I’m not going to order it, let alone review it. How is that fair to the chef? Others will declare that the chef needs to be executed for his terrible pizza. But herein, again, lies the subjective slaying in “terrible.”

The real issue here is that these writers, whether serving pepperoni or artichokes—were tenacious. They didn’t quit. They found that one “yes” publisher who believed in their work. Later, they ignored the “no’s” who dissed what they dished up and kept writing. They realized there is no book or pizza that will be universally loved. They believed in their visions, persevered and found consumers who enjoyed their unique recipes.

So when ordering pizza, my boyfriend and I decided on a small pepperoni and a small artichoke pizza. We agree to differ, absent the stinging vitriol that often lace book reviews. We respect one another, despite our differences. Best of all, he didn’t try to convince me why I should hate artichokes, for he understands that tastes vary.

--Liz Gruder

www.lizgruder.com
https://twitter.com/LizGruder
https://www.facebook.com/authorlizgruder

Liz Gruder
As a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. An avid reader, she used to hide under her covers and read with a flashlight. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license and a yoga certification. After going through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Liz realized how short life is and is now slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids (totally awesome and thought provoking) and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction. Starseed is her debut novel.

Blog Tour: Query Writing with Kerri Cuevas

Query Writing with Kerri Cuevas

Author of Deadly Kisses

Query!

Did someone say query?

Stop! Don’t run for the hills. I promise it’s not that bad.

We all dread the querying process, and I’m not going to tell you how to write a query letter. There are bloggers who go into great detail about the subject. Being a published author who has gone through the process, I have a different perspective about queries.

When writing a query letter it’s important to not only sell your story, but also yourself. The agent or publisher reading your letter doesn’t know anything about you except what you tell them. Getting your book ready to be unleashed into the world is a long, intense process. Your agent or publisher needs to trust that you can fulfill your end of the process in the allotted time given. They don’t know if you will complete the editing process with them unless you are able to convince them of it in the query letter.

In addition to the obvious credentials—college, writing groups, blogging, critique groups, and awards; you need to ask yourself this: What can you do for them? You need to tell them what things you feel you will be successful with—marketing, speaking engagement, networking, web site development, etc. You need to show them that you will be able to put in the time needed to promote your book, either online, in print or in person. If you have built up a following, either with other books or in building interest in your current book, let them know you have a waiting audience.

We have to be our own best advocates and writing an amazing story is not enough. Use these tips and you'll improve your chances of being accepted by a publisher.

I hope that hill isn’t looking so high anymore.

Kerri Cuevas

author of Deadly Kisses

Book Summary:

Aiden Grant is seventeen, has a killer kiss, and a boss who used to be President, back in the old days. You see, Aiden is a grim reaper and his kiss welcomes the newly dead. But Aiden’s pleasant grim reaper lifestyle is in jeopardy. And it’s not only because Honest Abe keeps throwing out history lessons with reaping assignments, just to confuse him. It’s because Aiden’s next assignment is to reap the soul of Bee, the only girl he has ever loved.

When Aiden’s kiss of death fails, intertwining their souls, Bee is still very much alive and they are both in trouble. The ancients want Bee, who has special powers of her own, and they’ll do anything to get her.

Some rules are meant to be broken—even if that means Aiden must bargain with his own soul to save Bee. Who knew the afterlife could get so complicated?

 Author Bio:

Kerri Cuevas was born and raised in Rhode Island. She moved to New Hampshire with her husband, three kids, cats and a rabbit named Hercules in 2005. When she's not writing, she's chasing chickens on her small farm or searching for the ultimate mac-a-cheese recipe.

Kerri went to college for Early Childhood Education but now writes books for young adults full-time. Her storytelling stems from watching too many horror flicks as a teen, but she no longer needs to sleep with the lights on.

 

Author Links:

Goodreads       Author Website        Author Blog       Amazon 

Guest Post: How Tameka Fryer Brown Landed an Agent

Tameka Fryer Brown, author of MY COLD PLUM, LEMON PIE, BLUESY MOOD (Viking Children's, 2013)

Landing an Agent 

Many have written about the best way to land an agent, with varying perspectives and offers of advice. I’ll add my voice to the fray with a personal testimony on how I landed my agent, what I did and did not do. 

CONNECTING:  As a newbie writer, I DID NOT pitch to agents (or editors) at conferences. Not that there’s anything wrong with doing that, and it may work very well for some. But since I suspect that most agents and editors don’t remember a tenth of the people they come in contact with at conferences, especially those whose only interaction with them is to try to pitch their manuscripts, I decided that wasn’t for me.

As a more seasoned writer, I now strike up conversations with editors and agents at conferences, but I DO NOT lead with my writing at all. I strike up normal conversations about every day topics. Why have I never initiated a conversation with a story pitch? For one thing, I still believe all those pitches tend to run together after a while. Unless you make a personal connection with someone, they likely won’t remember you or your story. Plus, that whole “elevator-pitch your story to all the publishing professionals at the conference” is just not my style. If I’m interested in submitting to someone, I do just that: submit my manuscript. My work should be able to speak for itself.  However, whenever I do make a personal connection with a publishing professional at a conference, they always ask me about what I write and the projects I’m working on.  I try to always be prepared with a 30-ish word synopsis of the projects I’m working on for such instances, but if it’s up to 50 words, I don’t sweat it. We’re just having a friendly conversation—not a nerve-racking pitch session.

SUBMITTING:  Back when I was submitting my own manuscripts to agents, I DID research each of them as thoroughly as possible. It was while reviewing the Andrea Brown Literary Agency’s website that I noticed agent Jennifer Rofé had minored in Social and Ethnic Relations. Since my manuscript highlighted a close-knit, diverse neighborhood, I thought it might interest her. Today she is my agent because of that targeted approach. I’ve sold two books with her, including my latest, MY COLD PLUM LEMON PIE BLUESY MOOD (Viking Children’s/Penguin). So much information is available online these days, no one should ever skip the important step of research.

I DID follow submissions guidelines to a “T”. I DID NOT, however, over-obsess over query and cover letters as it relates to formatting and such. I DID proofread and make sure that my letters looked professional, but I did not worry about whether my bio info was in the third or fourth paragraph, or if I listed my word count in the upper right hand corner or below  my contact info on the left. I learned the most important thing was to craft a letter that hooked the reader from the beginning, described the plot early on, and made my story appear as dynamic as possible, without verbosity.  So long as the content is there (and the glitter/confetti/clipart is not), that’s what counts.

COMMUNICATING:  When Jennifer initially expressed interest in my manuscript, she asked me several questions, among which were: “Do you have any other manuscripts?” and “Are you open to revising your work?” My answers were: “Yes I do.” and “Yes I am.” To those readers seeking to land an agent (or a publisher), these should be your answers, too. 

It’s important for agents to know that you are not a one-book-pony.  Picture book authors especially should have at least three completed manuscripts before seeking representation; novel writers for older age groups might be able to have only one, but it helps to be actively working on another. As for revising—revising is what writing (and publishing) is all about! One can’t get to literary excellence without it. Be one with the Backspace! Embrace the Delete key!

I’m not sure if my experience contradicts everything you’ve ever read about landing an agent. If it does, then that simply proves there is no one right way to do it. Tailor your approach to whatever works for you and make it happen!

Aura Blog Tour: Guest Post: Query Do's and Don'ts

Query Letters 

Do's and Don'ts  

Rebecca Talley, Author of, Aura 

The purpose of a query letter is to ask a prospective editor or agent if he might be interested in reading your work. The query letter needs to pique the interest of the editor or agent so that he will ask to read more. 

In the first paragraph, you want to hook the editor or agent. Make every word count. Don’t over-hype your work, but pull out the most interesting aspects to include in the hook. Make that editor or agent want to call you and insist that you send him your manuscript at once. Work on your hook until it successfully communicates the gist of your story in the most appealing way possible, usually in about five sentences.

In the second paragraph, include the specifics about your book such as title, word count, target market, if it is a series, and that it is complete (fiction manuscripts need to be complete before querying).   

In the third paragraph, you'll want to add your previous publication credits, especially if they are similar to what you are submitting. You can also include memberships in professional organizations like SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). If you have no publication credits, simply skip this part, but do not call attention to your lack of credits.

In the last paragraph, you want to call the editor or agent to action by asking if he would be interested in reading the entire manuscript. Include a request such as, "May I interest you in reading my manuscript?" This is a very important part. Make sure you have included correct contact information. Then close the letter with an appropriate thank you and your name.

Be sure to follow the editor's or agent's guidelines posted on their websites or included in directories. Some prefer only email queries while others will only read print ones. Some will accept either form. If you don't follow the guidelines, your query will most likely be deleted without the editor or agent even reading it. 

Keep the query short and professional.

Do not include praise from your mother or the lady that lives down the street. Do not include a full synopsis of the story.

Do not put in any false information about yourself or your book. Do not "butter up" the editor or agent with insincere praise.

Do not send a query with spelling mistakes or improper grammar.

Study effective query letters and be sure to have trusted readers look over your query before you send it.  

The query letter represents you and your work. The goal is to entice an editor or agent so make sure your query letter is the best it can possibly be.

 Rebecca Talley
Fiction Inspired by Life
http://www.rebeccatalley.com

Aura

"I half-turned to her and shrugged, still processing what I'd seen, or at least what I thought I'd seen, in Ms. Neal's eyes—like they weren't hers. Obviously, they were her eyes, but it looked like she'd plucked them from someone else's head. A dead someone else's head."

In the fight between good and evil, Light is your only weapon.

Crystal Scott finally feels like a normal teenager. She has a lead in the high school play, a best friend, and a gorgeous boyfriend. With prom only a few days away, Crystal’s ordinary life seems perfect.

Endowed with great Light because of her virtuous choices and her inherent gifts, Crystal’s aura has become visible to those with the ability to see auras. Unfortunately, her power has also attracted the attention of demons intent on destroying all Light.

When Vincent Crandall, the human host for a powerful demon, discovers that Crystal’s Light is strong enough to disrupt the connection between demons and their hosts, he realizes she may be able to sever the connection altogether. Determined to stop her from interfering with his plans to rule the world, he sends operatives to neutralize her Light.

After the operatives fail to disable Crystal, Vincent decides he must harness her power for himself. He kidnaps her parents, and Crystal is thrust into battle against a demon army she didn’t even know existed. With the help of a mysterious young man and his mother, Crystal must learn to use the power within her before Vincent kills her parents and exploits her Light.

                                               About the Author: Rebecca Lynn Talley
Rebecca Lynn Talley grew up in the gorgeous seaside city of Santa Barbara, CA. She met, and married, her husband, Del, while attending Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She currently lives in rural Colorado on a small ranch with a dog, too many cats to count, and a herd of goats. She and Del are the proud parents of ten wildly-creative, multi-talented children.

Rebecca is the author of a children's picture book, Grasshopper Pie (WindRiver 2003), a children's chapter book, Gabby's Secret (DuBon Publishing 2011), four novels, Heaven Scent (CFI 2008), Altared Plans (CFI 2009), The Upside of Down (CFI 2011), and Aura (DuBon Publishing 2012). She has also authored numerous children's stories and articles for both print and online magazines.

Guest Post: Pitch Perfect: Pitching to Agents or Editors

Pitch Perfect: Pitching Your Story to an Agent or Editor. 

Do's and Don'ts 

by Jodi Kilpack, author of Baked Alaska

The important thing to remember when you are pitching your book is that having the editor listen to you is only half of the goal. The other half is listening to them. They eat, sleep, and breathe books. They understand craft, and genre, and audience, and trends far better than any writer every could because they have a far more objective point of view than we do. The chance to sit down with them and learn from their experience is priceless, and one that many writers miss out on because they are so intent on blowing them away with THEIR idea.

Do: Prepare a short explanation of your book, including your main character and their main problem. This should be a few sentences and NOT be a question such as "Have you ever wondered what would happen if a volcano exploded one mile from your home?" Instead you might say something like this, "My book is about a girl named Kaylynn. She lives in a small town where nothing exciting every happens, until a Volcano explodes while she's babysitting and she has to get all the kids to saftey before the molten lava burns them alive!" You want the editor to understand the main point of your story.

Do: Have a one or two page synopsis ready to hand them if they ask for it, but don't offer it to them. If they want it, they'll ask, and they might want you to send it to them rather than take it right then.

Do: Listen to anything they tell you, even if it's painful. If they say they think your plot is redundant, ask them in what ways. If they find your character dull ask if they have any ideas to make them more interesting. Respect the position they hold and show that you are teachable.

Do: Be kind and courtious. Remember, they are people too and it is not their job to hurt or offend you. They truly are here to help you.

Don't: Argue with them. Even if you think they are 100% wrong, do not argue. It's disrespectful and closes you off to any learning opportunity.

Don't: Try to force your manuscript on them. They have likely traveled and don't want to haul a bunch of manuscripts back with them. And if they don't ask for it, they don't want it. Don't try to assuage your ego by making them feel obligated to read your book.

Don't: Tell them God inspired you to write the book. Even if it's true, it's manipulative and it raises the assumption that they are somehow doubting Diety if they reject you. Be professional.

Don't: Feel like it was a waste of your time if they don't request to see more of your book. Evaluate the experience and draw as much good as you can from it, knowing that you are on a journey that is long and full of learning experiences. Take it in stride, learn all you can, and know that regardless of how uncomfortable the meeting is, you are better for having done it.
Josi
www.josiskilpack.com
 

 

About the Author:
Josi S. Kilpack grew up hating to read until she was thirteen and her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began her first novel in 1998 and hasn’t stopped since. Her seventh novel, Sheep’s Clothing, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Mystery/Suspense, and Lemon Tart, her ninth novel, was a 2009 Whitney Award Finalist. Josi was the Best in State winner in literature for 2012 and currently has two books (Banana Split and Tres Leches Cupcakes) as finalists in the 2012 Whitney awards.

About the Book:
Sadie plans to spend time relaxing with her two grown children, Breanna and Shawn, and her boyfriend, Pete, while enjoying the luxury and cuisine of an elegant cruise ship and helping to plan her daughter’s upcoming wedding. But even as the crew prepares to leave port, Sadie has suspicions about the voyage ahead and the relationship between her normally easygoing son and a mysterious female passenger he obviously knows but refuses to discuss. When the woman is discovered unconscious during the second night at sea, Sadie’s apprehension escalates. Over the last few years, Sadie has developed an extreme dislike for secrets—and it would seem her son is keeping one from her. *Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadies Virtual Test Kitchen.

Guest Post: Traditional Publishing, Self-Publishing and Alternative Publishing Tips

Traditional Publishing, Self-Publishing and Alternative Publishing Tips

Saturday, February 02, 2013

Janette Grant, Author

Article:

Looking outside of the box: publishing in the 21^st century

Traditionally, the printing and distribution of books has been an exclusive enterprise reserved for those individuals who are either affiliated with or financially supported by large publishing houses, but the prominence of the World Wide Web and the ability to read materials upon portable electronic devices is revolutionizing the publishing industry. Writers and aspiring authors have access to a wealth of opportunities that were not available to them ten to fifteen years ago and the divide between publishers and writers is gradually shrinking. These changes require looking outside of the box when considering publishing prospects and can be divided into three major categories:  traditional publishing, self-publishing and alternative publishing.

Authors who previously may not have had access to a literary agent or an inside line to the editor of a mainstream publishing company can now take advantage of the numerous alternatives available. Writers have easier access to mainstream publishers through websites, better access to literary agents through online resources and social networking groups, and then there are the various smaller publishers, blogs and private websites that allow writers to publish their work immediately online.

For aspiring writers interested in breaking into the mainstream world of publishing, the traditional route may be the best fit. Although traditional publishing can be very time consuming and is hit or miss at best, especially for new authors who have not been published and who do not have an agent behind them when submitting a manuscript, large publishers have access to the most resources for marketing and distributing written works and will often secure writers through writing contracts that stipulate profits and future projects. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to hear back from a publisher after an initial submission so a substantial time investment is necessary when considering this course. In addition, not all publishers accept un-solicited manuscripts and in those instances the writer must submit his or her work after securing a literary agent.

On the other hand, self-publishing can be a much faster process and can provide an author with more say in the creative and production process.  A writer can publish their work independently through companies that provide fee based printing packages where a minimum number of books are required to be purchased or there are companies that will assist writers in the process of self-publishing for a consultative fee and provide support with marketing and distribution. There are still other companies that do not require any fees or initial purchases but where an author can upload his or her finished manuscript and receive assistance in designing a book cover.

Alternative publishing opportunities consist of providers that allow writers to post, publish and upload their work for free. Some of these sources pay their contributors for their work and these platforms allow aspiring writers to develop their craft while reaching a live audience full of potential readers. There is a small concern surrounding the issue of security and the possibility of another writer or publisher developing similar books or writing to those published, but most of these private companies provide terms of agreement and implement every manner of precaution available to them.

In summary, there is a wide array of opportunities for aspiring writers seeking to have their works published. Traditional publishing houses are trying to meet the demands of a growing technology-savvy readership that turn more quickly towards an iPad or smartphone when reading and as a result may be less likely to accept manuscripts from new writers for hard print, but such companies, Harper Collins for example, have developed resources where aspiring writers can explore the possibility of producing an e-book which can be used as a stepping stone into the industry. Publishers like Author Solutions, CreateSpace and Lulu are worth looking into for self-publishing opportunities and can make the process easy with minimal investment while alternative publishing platforms like Wattpad and Goodreads have more of a social networking component where authors can write and receive hands-on feedback from readers who can read their writing online; these types of enterprises are especially useful for new writers because readers can comment on the work, share the work with others and provide response directly to the author in real time. Interactive platforms allow authors to directly reach their readers while simultaneously building a strong fan base.

For more information, some useful links about traditional publishing, self-publishing and alternative publishing are provide below.

Links:

Self-publishing

http://www.lulu.com/us/en

https://www.createspace.com/pub/l/google_sales.do?ref=1159293&utm_id=6030

http://www.authorsolutions.com/USAPenguin.aspx?CMP=LEC-AS

http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/index.html

http://www.wattpad.com/

www.goodreads.com

http://authonomy.com/writing-community/

Unsolicited manuscript submissions:

http://www.pegasusbooks.net/submissions/

http://www.routledge.com/info/authors/

http://www.oup.com/us/corporate/proposalsubmissionpolicy/guidelines/

http://wintergoosepublishing.com/submissions/

http://www.coombsmoylett.com/submission-guidelines

http://www.phoenixyardbooks.com/submissions.php

http://www.ncmpublishing.com/submissions.html

http://sbpra.com/

Solicited Manuscripts:

http://www.randomhouse.biz/manuscripts/

http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/index.html

http://www.simonandschuster.com/help/publishing#manuscripts

http://www.harpercollins.com/footer/help.aspx#Manuscripts

http://www.hayhouse.com/guides.php

Literary Agents:

http://www.writersdigest.com/

http://www.writersmarket.com/cms/open/agent

http://www.literarymarketplace.com/lmp/us/index_us.asp

Author Janette Grant

• Houston Islam Examiner

Isahah Janette Grant currently resides in Missouri City, TX and is the author of the children's book, Sameerah's Hijab and the First Day of School. She is a founding member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), an internationally based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions of members of the Muslim community. Her published works include poetry that has been published in three anthology collections and articles that have been published in the Providence Journal Bulletin newspaper. She currently owns and runs Mindworks Publishing, a community based desktop publishing business, and is working on completing her first work of fiction. She studied at Boston University in Massachusetts majoring in Print Journalism and writes poetry in her free time.

Monday Muse: Lay vs Lie

Is it just me or does anyone else ever get a little nervous when having to write the word lay vs lie? I usually don't think twice when I'm on the computer because of word check that picks up the grammar mistakes for me. It's when I'm writing for others, like the daily notes I send home to families about their children's day, that I kinda get nervous. The first thing I do is try to remember the rules, is it lay or lie. Is it laid or lie or lay .... and you get my point. I often just reword it so that I don't have to use that verb.

*Sigh*

Well, folks, I'm done. I am going to get this if it is the last thing I do! You know what they say, practice makes perfect! But until then, here is a simple chart with the two verbs in their different forms. :)

Monday Muse: The Rule of Three

So, last Saturday I babysat two  super fun, energetic, and happy little girls. Toward the end of the evening as it got close to their bed time, we sat down, *phew* and watched a really fun and educational cartoon called Umizoomi. It was during the viewing that I noticed something that I had never noticed before. The story had three segments, each segment had three obstacles, each obstacle had three hurdles to overcome. Wow! The rule of three really stood out.

What is the Rule of Three?

The "rule of three" is a principle in writing that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things. A series of three is often used to create a progression in which the tension is created, then built up, and finally released.

But is there something really to the art of writing with the rule of three? Does it really make your writing more effective, more engaging, more entertaining? I'm not sure, I have not really experimented with writing with this particular rule. However, it does make a lot of sense. And when I look back at some of the children's books I have read, where the element of three is used, the books are definitely more appealing.

So, just what makes it more appealing? Well, what I have learned so far is that:

* three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern
* three is easier to remember because of its brevity
* three is often used to create increasing tension in a story and finally release usually with a twist.
* our brains are wired to respond to things presented in groups of three

And every day I am learning more. Now it is time for me to go back to my manuscripts and see if I can apply this rule to my stories and see if it improves them, make them more effective, engaging and entertaining. :) And to think all this came from watching a kid's cartoon! :D

Check out these blogs 
Copy Blogger: How to Use the "Rule of Three" 
The Write at Home Blog: The Rule of Three