Pam Binder is looking for regional published authors to attend the PNWA members’ holiday party, where you can informally sign and sell your books, which will be supplied by Barnes & Noble.The event will be in Bellevue on December 5, from 6 – 9 p.m. and will include chatting, eating, and drinking, of course, as... Continue Reading →
Becoming more resilient: 3 steps
Here's a bit from a blog called The Irrepressible Writer, by Carol Grannick:I like things simple and clear. Years ago, I went to a workshop about giving workshops. One thing in particular stayed with me. The presenter believed that a ”lesson” should never have more than three main points. I really liked that, maybe because... Continue Reading →
Studio tours: Vijaya Bodach
Thanks to all of you who've sent photos of your work spaces along. I'll post one a day for the next few days and label each of them (the labels are the tiny text at the bottom; when you click on one of these, you can see other posts in the same category).We'll start with... Continue Reading →
Support indie bookstores Nov. 21
This news release went out to indie bookstore fans on Facebook. Indie bookstores are really important for new and emerging authors; very often these stores have a wider selection than chains (and certainly than book discounters). These are the stores most likely to carry your books, and most likely to hand-sell them if they are... Continue Reading →
2009 Printz Award speech
This one's by Melina Marchetta, who won for JELLICOE ROAD. Confession (which will make sense when you watch the video): I did not make it past page 31 in this book, so maybe it's time to give it another try.
Where do you work?
Every once in awhile, British newspapers (which write so much more in depth about books than the American ones) run photos of writers and artists and their offices.Let's be British and do that here.Send a photo of your workspace to chinook AT marthabee.com along with a few words about what makes the space work for... Continue Reading →
Four mistakes beginning writers make
Here's the top of a blog post that might help you refine your prose a bit:As an editor, I know when I am reading someone's first novel. I have nicknames for the four give-away faults beginners make: (1) Walk and Chew Gum (2) Furry Dice (3) Tea, Vicar? (4) Styrofoam. I see at least one... Continue Reading →
Nathan Bransford on the benefits of tv
Here's a stealth blog post: help wrapped in humor: As longtime blog readers know, I have a bit of a reality TV habit. I still watch Survivor (I know), I was a habitual The Hills watcher before our messy breakup, and I would very much like to be friends with Phil Keoghan from the Amazing... Continue Reading →
Bellingham Network Schmooze: Taking the dread out of the dreaded synopsis
Here's the scoop on the next Bellingham Network Schmooze:TOPIC: Taking the dread out of the dreaded synopsisWHEN: December 1, 2009 6:30 pm - 8:30 pmRSVP: to the schmooze host, Mattie Wheeler: [email protected]: Mattie will respond to your RSVP with directions."Do you mean to tell me I must summarize my 50,000 word novel in 250 words?... Continue Reading →
Registration for The Great Critique is now closed
Wow, the response for The Great Critique 2010 was phenomenal! Because it is part of our SCBWI Western Washington regional programming, we launched it first to those who have already paid for the 2009-2010 season. Even with the additional Great Critique spots we added this year, the event was sold out within 36 hours. You... Continue Reading →