Here's a great opportunity for people who live in the southern part of our region--and for people who love a good road trip:The Art of the EndingIf you missed it at our SCBWI WWA conference two years ago, Joni Sensel will reprise her endings workshop at Wordstock in Portland on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1:30... Continue Reading →
What is this good writing of which people speak?
Cheryl Klein. Could she be any more wonderful? Doubtful. She writes, she edits, she bakes cakes...And now, she offers the five hallmarks of great writing on her blog: prose, characterization, emotional depth, plot construction and thematic richness. Check out the post on Chavelaque for more on each, along with her selections of books that excel... Continue Reading →
Creating a fantasy?
Here are questions you can ask when you're in the world-building phase.They're by Patricia C. Wrede, who wrote the terrific ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES.
Publishers Weekly spring previews
Dave Patneaude's EPITAPH ROAD gets a shoutout on this spring preview from Publishers Weekly.If you want to see what's out right now, though, check out PW's A-Z listing.You have to click here, though, to see the cutest fall release by a Northwest author.
How to write a nonfiction book proposal
This is primarily intended for the adult market, methinks. But Danielle Chiotti's primer on the construction of a nonfiction book proposal is right on the money (I've sold two books in the adult market with just this approach). So, if you're wondering how to put your NF proposal together, pop on over to the Upstart... Continue Reading →
Okay, this is mean but…
May we all have such success with our writing that the U.K. Telegraph devotes space to dissecting our twenty worst sentences, as they've done with Dan Brown.A teaser:16. The Da Vinci Code, chapter 4: A voice spoke, chillingly close. "Do not move." On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly. Only... Continue Reading →
Submit to the printed Chinook
It’s hard to believe, but summer has come to a close. The trees are changing colors, the air is crisp, and it’s time for the next Chinook newsletter.We want to hear from you!Do you have a special talent in the children's book business?Have you learned something in a class that you want to share with... Continue Reading →
Terry Pratchett, a Printz among us
Here's Pratchett's Printz speech (be sure to watch the part where he tells what he's making in the cauldron):
The plot thickens
Lev Grossman at the Wall Street Journal wrote a long story about the re-emergence of plot in fiction (even literary fiction), making the case that good books don't have to be hard reads. Some of our favorites--including The Hunger Games--get a shout-out.Read the story here.
Good news for Kathleen Kemly
Her book Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story has been selected to represent the state of West Virginia at the 2009 National Book Festival.Here is a link to the event: http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/Congratulations, Kathleen! (And check out her website, while you're at it.)