Today’s guest post digs into why manuscripts are rejected, and comes from the fantastic Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest and Guide to Literary Agents blog and book fame. He’s celebrating the recent release of this fabulous book, HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK: DEFEND YOURSELF WHEN THE LAWN WARRIORS STRIKE (AND THEY WILL). Here, …
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Today’s question about hiring an editor and mentioning using freelance editors from Zoe is a quick one: If a writer decides to have an MS professionally edited by a reputable editor known in the biz (I dunno, think freelance editors like Alan Rinzler or a Lisa Rector perhaps), should the writer ever mention it in …
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This question about how to write early readers, easy chapter books, and chapters book on the blog comes from Mary: I have a PB manuscript that I’m thinking of turning into a chapter book. I’ve noticed that I haven’t seen many agents listing easy chapter books as their interest. Do agents represent CBs or is …
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This question about how to write an original story from idea to execution comes from UK reader Adele: I recently heard someone on the radio ask a famous business entrepreneur (James Caan from the UK version of Dragon’s Den), “What is more important: the idea, or the execution?” His response was that, in business, ideas …
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Heather asked this question about writing a young adult book in the comments a few days ago: I’ve been thinking a lot about and practicing different YA voices. I know what my friends and I were like as teenagers (dry wit, sort of like Juno – “older than our years” due to divorce and other …
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I have never talked about self publishing on this blog. Of course, I have many thoughts on how to self-publish and the topic of self-publishing in general, but they’ve largely been quiet. Why? Because a small minority of self-published authors blame agents and editors and other gatekeepers for “having to” self-publish. The establishment is The …
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“What a dynamo! What a natural comedienne! I loved this 2-in-1 ball of energy. She gave great advice, too.” – DFWCon Attendee For Conference and Event Organizers I love speaking, critiquing, hearing pitches, consulting with writers, teaching workshop, reviewing portfolios, giving presentations, and otherwise giving conference attendees my time and attention. I’m based in Minneapolis, …
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“How do I copyright my writing? Should I copyright my book before sending it to a publisher?” This is a very common question. Neveah asked another version of it in the comments: What happens if you submit the first couple of chapters to an agent, and that agent copies it? How Do I Copyright My …
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Erinn recently wrote in to ask: With the iPad selling 1 million in a month, how will the e-readers change children and YA literature? I’ve notice there hasn’t been a whole lot of YA ebooks, not as many as “adult” books. Has the e-readers revolution effected the children literature market? Great question, but complicated. As …
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Want to know how to become a bestselling author? Let’s dig into to this question via a cheeky little bugger wrote into the blog: So, is anyone ever able to quit their day job after selling their first MG or chapter book? I need a writing reality check. How to Become a Bestselling Author: Keep …
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