Thursday, December 31, 2015

Questions for Prospective Agents

You want to have a long relationship with your literary agent, so ask these questions up front.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2014/02/questions-to-ask-your-prospective.html

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Bad Query Advice

It's helpful to know what not to do when you query.

http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php/2015/10/28/the-worst-query-advice-youve-gotten/

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

Author Bios

Whether it's for your query letter or promoting your book, you want to have a good author bio.

http://buildbookbuzz.com/author-bio-mistakes/

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Aspiring Writers

Here's some advice as you set out on your journey to publication.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/12/ten-things-debut-author-kim-savage.html#.VmIUmHarRlY

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Not All Books Sell

No matter how good your manuscript is, it might never find a home with a publisher.

https://andyrossagency.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/my-stern-lecture-to-a-client/

Friday, December 25, 2015

Overused Words

There are some words that many of us overuse and often should be deleted.

https://writelarawrite.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/words-to-delete/#wordlist


Thursday, December 24, 2015

Before You Submit

Make sure you follow these important steps before hitting "send."

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2015/11/important-steps-before-submitting-to.html

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Writing Conferences

If you need encouragement to attend a writing conference, here's a list of reasons to go.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Underwriting

Writing too little can be as bad as writing too much.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/11/the-fatal-flaw-of-underwriting/

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Pinterest

Is Pinterest a good way to promote your book?

http://www.darcypattison.com/marketing/pinterest-for-authors/

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Revision Letters

Congratulations on receiving a revision letter. Now what?

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-to-do-with-revision-letters.html

Friday, December 18, 2015

Picture Book Advice

Here are some suggestions for beginning picture book writers.

http://www.laurajoyrennert.com/writers-checklist-picturebooks.php

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Book Promotion

Here are some dos and don'ts for getting the word out about your book.

https://henryherz.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/mea-culpa-some-dos-donts-of-promoting-books/

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Author Notes

Though more common in nonfiction, backmatter is sometimes appropriate for fiction.

http://kidlit.com/2015/10/25/author-notes-and-backmatter/

Monday, December 14, 2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Copyright

Do you need to copyright your manuscript and will that prevent book piracy?

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2015/10/do-you-need-to-copyright-your.html

Friday, December 11, 2015

Cover Design

Do authors have any input over the cover design of their books?

http://literaticat.tumblr.com/post/129949968155/how-much-input-does-the-author-have-in-cover-art

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Forgettable Picture Books

Make sure your picture book is one kids will remember and want to read over and over again.  

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Time to Publish

Publication takes a long time because there are many steps from initial manuscript to a book on the shelf.

http://authorchristinenorris.tumblr.com/post/130889235828/why-does-publishing-take-so-long

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Fractured Fairy Tales

Kids love fractured fairy tales, so learn how to make yours the best it can be.

https://taralazar.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/howtowritefracturedfairytales.pdf

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Query Resources

When your manuscript is ready to query, consult these websites before submitting.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2015/10/5-indispensable-resources-you-need-when.html#.ViK8oflVhBc

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Writing Tips from Ursula LeGuin

Here are eight of LeGuin's best writing tips.

http://www.nownovel.com/blog/writing-a-novel-ursula-le-guin/

Friday, December 4, 2015

Publisher Bankruptcy

It's never good news to hear your publisher is declaring bankruptcy, but it's important what you should do if that happens.

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2015/09/help-my-publisher-is-declaring.html

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Scene List

Creating a scene list can change, for the better, the way you write your novel.

http://thewritepractice.com/scene-list/

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Negative Critiques

A negative critique, as hard as it is to hear, will help you improve your manuscript.

http://ingridsundberg.com/2015/08/24/what-to-do-when-you-get-a-negative-critique-of-your-writing/

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Pre-Release Marketing

Here are twelve months of preparation for the launch of your book.

http://www.livewritethrive.com/2015/09/28/a-12-month-strategic-plan-for-marketing-your-book-before-release/