Cheryl Klein takes a spin on a Segway scooter. Is the ending comic, tragic...or both?
Good news for Ann Teplick
She gets to teach two children's writing classes at the Richard Hugh House. They're intended for kids in third through sixth grades, and you can learn more about them here.Ann is a poet, playwright and prose writer who makes a big difference for student writers in our community. She works with young writers at Hugo... Continue Reading →
What’s ‘high concept’?
Editorial Anonymous is back with the useful definitions, this time explaining what agents editors mean when they say "high concept."Basically, it means she wants a hook. She wants to be able to describe what will appeal to consumers about the book in just a sentence or two.I, like many editors, wish more writers had a... Continue Reading →
Books, food and fundraising: yeehaw!
Tomorrow (Sept. 24) is Dish Up Literacy night at a variety of local restaurants, including Julie Reinhardt's Smokin Pete's BBQ, where they'll even have a band.Restaurants are donating 20 percent of their sales to Page Ahead, the state's leading provider of books and literacy programs for children.Get more information on Julie's blog, including a link... Continue Reading →
National awards: a big, fat list
Not all the categories are up to date, but this Horn Book list of national awards for authors and illustrators is a quick way to keep tabs on the best stuff in our field. Next time you can't think of what to read next, go there.
This week at Nathan Bransford University
Here's an excerpt from his post on showing vs. telling:My interpretation is this. With the understanding that "if it works it works," and there are always exceptions, in general: universal emotions should not be "told." Instead, we should be shown how the character is reacting to their feelings.I'm of the opinion that we read books... Continue Reading →
Interesting piece on boys and reading
Jim Whiting sends this along--a survey of teen boys about why they read, and what they might like to read with older adults (such as their grandparents). Consider it your dose of good cheer (and endearingly awkward teen-ishness for the day).
What, pray tell, is ‘merch’?
Editorial Anonymous has some words of warning on the topic of dolls and toys that accompany books:Q. Crocodile Creek, MerryMakers, Inc., and Manhattan Toy Company design plush toys for children’s book publishers. When do publishers decide to introduce this type of product? What percentage of sales goes to the author and/or illustrator? A. Often, those... Continue Reading →
New agent alert: Mary Kole
She's a new associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary, and here's what she's seeking:At this time, Mary is only considering young adult and middle grade novels and truly exceptional picturebooks. She's seeking fresh, unique voices and idiosyncratic characters who, by book's end, she knows like a friend. Her favorite stories are character-driven but well-plotted... a... Continue Reading →
How to revise a novel
Holly Lisle revises 150,000 words in two weeks. Can you, following her formula? The main ingredients:- your manuscript- a spiral bound notebook- four colored pens- your character notes/background file you used creating the bookMy favorite part? She instructs us to celebrate at the end.