EVENT: Author Michael Buckley reads from his new series:Nerds, Book One: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society DATE Saturday, 10 October 2009 TIME 2 PM LOCATION Seattle Public Library – Ballard Branch 5614 22nd Ave. NW Downtown BallardCombining all the excitement of international espionage and all the awkwardness of elementary school, this exciting new series... Continue Reading →
Cheesy networking vs. going to events
Here's a useful post on GalleyCat about marketing:Book Publicity Tips: Real Conversations Vs. Shameless PromotionBy Jason BoogMost literary types are shy, solitary, and isolated--traits developed through the obsessive craft of writing. However, in this world of shrinking book reviews and disappearing publicity budgets, writers are being forced to break these habits.Today's guest on the Morning... Continue Reading →
An interesting way of looking at the U.S.
Laurie Thompson sent along a fascinating Wired map of the seven deadly sins. It's not directly related to children's writing (except maybe the envy and sloth parts occasionally). But it got me thinking. Something this interesting could easily have stories behind it--in almost any genre.- Imagine a dystopic future where people are sent to different... Continue Reading →
Wondermark Genre Fiction Generator
Another brilliant entry from Cory Doctorow, behold David Malki's Wondermark Genre Fiction Generator (steampunk authors, take note!):
Betsy Lerner on bad business lunches
I read Lerner's THE FOREST FOR THE TREES years ago and enjoyed it (an editing guide). But I might like this roundup of worst-ever business lunches even more. Here's a taste: “Hm, oh god, worse lunch date ever, but there are so many to choose from! Probably my first one. I was a baby editor... Continue Reading →
Magazine writers: tips on figuring out age range of readers
The ICL has a useful piece by Jan Fields on determining the age range of your magazine article reader, and how you can target your work for 2- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 9-year-olds, and 8- to 12-year-olds. Read the whole thing here.
Ann Gonzalez interview on The Book of Life blog
The Book of Life is a blog about Jewish people and the books they need; this week features a podcast interview with our own Ann Gonzalez, who wrote RUNNING FOR MY LIFE (which started out as a NaNoWriMo project).The blog called the book, about mental illness, a mitzvah. Mazel tov, Ann!Listen to the podcast here.
Then what? Carrie Jones essay on Hunger Mountain
Hunger Mountain is the literary journal of Vermont College, and it's a really enjoyable read for the likes of us. Check out Carrie Jones's essay on why she writes fantasy: It’s all Bigfoot’s fault. I wanted to find him. Every day when I was a kid, I’d rush through my homework, breeze through a call... Continue Reading →
Elizabeth Law on ‘oozing sores’
You can't hear Egmont USA editor Elizabeth Law speak without 1) cracking up; and 2) wanting to sit by her at the dinner table. Here's a line from her interview with Shrinking Violet Promotions: Just write your heart out. I promise you that’s what matters. I would much, much rather find a great, unusual, distinctive... Continue Reading →
A blog I’m loving
It's the Rejectionist. And I can't seem to stop reading. Here's a sample entry:Tuesday, September 29, 2009Topics That Are Not, In Fact, of Inherent Interest, and Do Require Some Effort On Your Part in Order to Constitute a Successful BookAlcoholism (of self, of parents), amulet discovery, autism, being a musician, being a twenty-year-old musician with... Continue Reading →