Friday, January 31, 2020

Story Ideas

If you're stumped on an idea for your next story, maybe one of these methods might help. 

https://www.chloetwist.com/blog/how-to-get-story-ideas/

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Blurbs

Here are some reasons your query blurb might not be working. 

http://bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/20/why-your-query-blurb-isnt-working/

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Writer's Brand

The pros and cons of whether or not you should break out from your writer's brand. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/07/can-authors-break-free-from-the-brand/


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Marketing Objectives

Before you decide on a marketing plan, you need to know what your objectives are (other than just to sell more books). 

https://www.janefriedman.com/before-you-market-your-book-set-your-objectives/

Monday, January 27, 2020

Kidlit Writing Tips

Here are five simple tips to think about if you write for children. 

https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/07/5-tips-for-writing-for-children

Sunday, January 26, 2020

What Editors Wish Writers Knew

Here are seven things that children's book editors wish authors knew before submitting. 

https://writeforkids.org/blog/2014/09/7-things-editors-at-childrens-book-publishers-wish-writers-knew/

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Foreshadowing

Done well, foreshadowing is a might tool in your writer's toolbox. 

https://www.nownovel.com/blog/8-laws-foreshadowing/

Friday, January 24, 2020

Promoting a Debut

What should you do (or not do) and how much does it cost to promote your debut? 

http://www.rachelsolomonbooks.com/blog/my-promo-breakdown

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Streamline Your Editing

Here's a list of things to look for as you revise your manuscript. 

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/11/quick-and-tidy-tips-to-streamline.html

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Picture Perfect Picture Books

These five tips will make your picture book one kids will want to read over and over again. 

http://www.childrenswritersguild.com/five-top-picks-for-a-picture-perfect-picture-book/

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

School Visits

Here are some examples of school visit letters of agreement that will help make the day go more smoothly.

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/school-visits-letters-of-agreement/

Monday, January 20, 2020

Publishing Lessons

Nine lessons, both business- and emotion-related, about publishing. 

https://www.malindalo.com/blog/2019/12/10/9-lessons-from-10-years-in-publishing

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Copyright Myths

There are many misconceptions about copyrights.

https://copyrightalliance.org/ca_post/debunking-copyright-myths/

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Writing Fantasy

Here are seven suggestions from Gail Carson Levine for writing fantasy.

https://kidlit.com/2019/12/16/writing-fantasy-gail-carson-levine/

Friday, January 17, 2020

Perfect Endings

What are the elements of a perfect ending for a story? 

https://killzoneblog.com/2019/12/what-makes-for-the-perfect-ending.html

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Outlining

Even if you're a pantser, an outline can help in many ways. 

https://www.nonfiction-ninjas.com/blog/outlines-what-else-are-they-good-forby-christine-liu-perkins

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Show, Don't Tell

We've all heard the adage, "show, don't tell," but how do you go about doing that? 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/12/show-dont-tell-misunderstood/

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Work for Hire

How do you decide if work for hire is for you? 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/11/writers-is-work-for-hire-for-you.html

Monday, January 13, 2020

Critique Groups

Why it's important to be part of a critique group. 

http://fantasy-faction.com/2019/on-the-importance-of-critique-groups

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Fair Use

When is it fair use to include third-party text in your manuscript? 

https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/fair-use-when-can-i-use-third-party-text-by-joseph-perry/

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Picture Book Agents

Contrary to popular wisdom, there are agents out there willing to take picture book clients.  

Friday, January 10, 2020

Successful School Visits

Three simple tips to help ensure your school visit is a success. 

https://writersrumpus.com/2015/03/17/3-secrets-to-school-visit-success/

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Agents or Editors?

Is it better to find an agent first or submit directly to publishers? 

https://www.janefriedman.com/query-agents-editors/

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Novel Writing Tips

Here are some tips for those new (and not so new) to writing novels. 

https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/11/improve-your-novel-writing-11-tips-for-newbies/

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Middle Grade or Young Adult

How do you tell if you're writing a middle grade or young adult novel? 

https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/5-ways-to-tell-if-youre-writing-middle-grade-or-young-adult-fiction/

Monday, January 6, 2020

Editorial Feedback

How do you approach revising your manuscript after receiving editorial feedback? 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/11/how-to-navigate-editorial-feedback-and-revise-your-wip/

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Place

You can use the places in your story to move the plot forward. 

https://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/5-thoughts-on-how-to-use-place-to-move-your-story-forward

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Editing a YA Anthology

Here are some things to consider and steps to take if you want to edit a young adult anthology. 

https://dailydahlia.wordpress.com/2019/07/09/so-you-want-to-edit-a-ya-anthology/?sfns=mo

Friday, January 3, 2020

Comp Titles

When you query, you may be asked to find competing titles, so here are some hints how to do so. 

https://annerallen.com/2019/11/finding-using-competing-book-titles/

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Describing Hair

Here's an comprehensive guide to how to describe characters' hair. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/11/writing-about-hair-comprehensive-guide/

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Small Publishers

Here are some questions to ask if you're going with a small (or even a large) publisher. 

https://rachellegardner.com/questions-to-ask-a-small-publisher/