Julie Larios's blog (which you can find on the left, along with craft-related blogs by our chapter colleagues), has this fabulous poem. It's just right for Friday the 13th. Happy howling, everyone. And be sure to check out her whole post. Late Night ThoughtsWhy nothowl at the moon?Soon it will be sun-up --who knows what... Continue Reading →
On working with publicists
An often quoted adage (that’s not actually in the Bible) with one little word change to make it apply to what I want to talk about today.If you are a published author, one of the smartest things you can do when it comes to marketing and promotion is to be a squeaky wheel without the... Continue Reading →
Quote of the day: C.S. Lewis
Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement. ~C.S. Lewis(And I think I know which finger.)
Thanks, SCBWI Western Washington
A number of us donated signed books to benefit the Water 1st auction, which raised a total of $500,000 to build water systems for the world's poorest communities. Our signed books generated enough to provide clean water for four children FOR LIFE. It's sort of amazing, isn't it? Water-borne illnesses are the leading killer of... Continue Reading →
St. Martin’s Press: new YAish imprint
Georgia McBride has news on her blog about a new imprint at St. Martin's, apparently meant to be a hybrid between YA and adult publishing.From Publishers Marketplace November 4, 2009Dan Weiss Joins SMP As Publisher at LargeFormer SparkNotes publisher and packager Dan Weiss is the latest seasoned executive to join Macmillan, taking the new position... Continue Reading →
Ah! No need to obsess over query details
Michael Bourret, the Dystel & Goderich agent soon to set up shop in Los Angeles, has a nice post on the agency blog about queries--and how to make yours stand out without tearing your hair out.What I’m looking for is a unique idea and good writing. I’m looking for an authentic, interesting voice--yes, voice in... Continue Reading →
Betsy Bird on L,B’s upcoming offerings
You do read Betsy Bird's Fuse #8 blog every day, right? Because someday, when we are all wizened and gummy, the whippersnappers will say her name and fan their faces because that is what you do in the presence of a legend.Aaaanyway, she has a great roundup of what Little, Brown & Company will be... Continue Reading →
Marianna Baer on introducing characters
Here's a really helpful craft post on introducing your new characters effectively:It's a cliche, I know, but you really do get only one chance at making a first impression -- in life and in fiction. From the moment a new character enters a book, the reader consciously and subconsciously picks up on clues about his... Continue Reading →
250-word YA novel contest from Sourcebooks–November only!
Sourcebooks (in conjunction with NaNoWriMo, the Gotham Writer’s Workshop, and some guest judges from a variety of publishing houses) is hosting a 250-word YA Novel contest to encourage would-be YA authors.If you have a YA novel--or a YA novel idea--you can submit the FIRST 250 words for a chance to have the idea seen by... Continue Reading →
YA releases: a handy tracker
Wonder what's coming out when in the world of YA? Wonder no more. This site tracks that for you.