Author Intrusion

How to identify author intrusion and fix it. 

http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/12/13/weed-out-author-intrusion/

Embedding Tweets

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/how-to-embed-tweets-in-your-blog_b43850
How to add a tweet within your blog post or website. 

Laying Clues

How to write a mystery so you're readers won't fell you cheated. 

http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/12/laying-clues-and-adding-twists-to-our.html

Point of View

A great post, with diagrams, explaining the different points of view.

http://diymfa.com/2011/12/07/the-last-point-of-view-cheat-sheet-youll-ever-need/

Rejection

25 truths every writer should know about rejection.

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/12/13/25-things-writers-should-know-about-rejection/

Stages of Writing a Book

Here are the five turning points on the way from idea to finished manuscript.

http://howtoplanwriteanddevelopabook.blogspot.com/2011/12/five-major-turning-points-on-road-to.html

Big Revision

According to agent Mary Kole, "unless you make big changes, a revision isn’t worth doing."

http://kidlit.com/2011/12/07/big-revision/ 

Money Stuff

Book royalties, advances, and money.

http://writerunboxed.com/2011/11/28/11-frequently-asked-questions-about-book-royalties-advances-and-making-money/

First Novels

Ten hints to increase the chances your first novel won't turn into one of your "practice novels."

http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2011/12/can-first-novel-find-publisher-10-dos.html

Character Names

Many sites listed to help you find the perfect character names. 

http://tnt-tek.com/writing/how-do-you-come-up-with-character-names-an-exhaustive-list/

Active and Static Backstory

Different ways to weave backstory into your manuscript. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/12/active-versus-static-backstory-and.html

Life Cycle of a Book

From writing through publicity, videos about each step along the way.

http://publishingtrendsetter.com/life-cycle-book/

Basic Social Media Tips

50 quick, dirty, and cheap ways to improve your social media presence.

http://blog.commpro.biz/socialmediazone/featured/50-quick-dirty-and-cheap-ways-to-improve-your-social-media-presence/

Book Talks/Signings

A detailed list of what you and the event organizer need to know.

http://yodiwan.com/2011/09/15/what-authors-and-venues-need-to-know-about-scheduling-book-talks-signings/

Good and Bad Rejections

How to make your rejections work for you.

http://www.autocrit.com/websitepublisher/articles/114/1/Ten-Ways-To-Make-Rejection-Work-For-You-Not-Against-You/Page1.html

Press Releases

What you need to include in your press release.

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/03/how-to-write-a-press-release-a-mini-tutorial/

Dead Parents

How can you show the influence of your character's missing parents on his/her lift?

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/disney-parents-dead-mothers-and-absent-fathers

Storyboards for Revision

How a detailed storyboard can keep your manuscript on track.

http://www.plotmonkeys.com/2011/11/10/guest-author-joan-swan/

First Line

Some hints to hook your reader right from the outset.

http://carolriggs.blogspot.com/2011/11/hook-first-line.html

Writer's Block

12 Steps to get past a case of writer's block.

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/11/30/cure-writers-block/

Manuscript Flaws

45 errors that will show your lack of storytelling experience.

http://www.plottopunctuation.com/blog/show/forty-five-more-flaws-that-expose-your-lack-of-storytelling-experience-part-1

Query Letters

A brief description of what to include in a query letter. 

http://timetowrite.blogs.com/weblog/2011/11/what-writers-should-include-in-a-query-letter-to-publishers-or-agents.html

Premature Editing

Does revising before you finish your first draft kill your creativity? 

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/editing-are-butchering-your-creativity/

Extending the Life of Your Book

Tips to keep up interest in your book after the first few post-launch months.

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-prolong-your-books-exposure.html

Query Personalization

Don't try to a fake the personalization on your query.

http://kidlit.com/2011/11/09/query-personalization/

First Person

Why it's a problem and why writers are drawn to it.

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2011/10/problem-with-first-person-but-why.html

Small Presses

What are the advantages and disadvantages of publishing with a small press.

http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/small/

First Person

Why are writers drawn to it? 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2011/10/problem-with-first-person-but-why.html

Coping with Rejection

How to keep going after rejection. 

http://www.novelmatters.com/2011/08/six-tips-for-when-rejection-happens.html

Voice

How to craft a great voice. 

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/05/how-to-craft-great-voice.html

Parents

How to handle parents in your book. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/how-to-avoid-parenting-your-characters

Book Piracy

What can you do about it?

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/11/authors-and-book-piracy/

Marketing Your Book

An extensive list of links about marketing. 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/08/how-to-market-your-book/

Contests

Why it's worthwhile to enter contests before you submit to agents and editors. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/11/treating-pain-of-rejection.html

Writing Flaws

45 flaws described in detail that show your lack of storytelling experience. 

http://www.plottopunctuation.com/blog/show/forty-five-more-flaws-that-expose-your-lack-of-storytelling-experience-part-5

Blog Comments

Why comments are important and how to generate more of them. 

http://www.publetariat.com/sell/author-blogging-101-comments

New YA Imprint

British Publisher, Angry Robot, will launch a new YA imprint, Strange Chemistry in September 2012. 

http://angryrobotbooks.com/2011/11/introducing-strange-chemistry-our-new-ya-imprint/

Character Driven

Everyone seems to be looking for character driven picture books like these. 

http://robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/2011/08/c-character-driven.html

MG Marketing

Two things every MG author should do to publicize a book. 

http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/390127.html

School Visits

What mistakes do authors make in school visits?

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/?p=537

High Concept

What do editors and agents mean when they talk about "high concept?"

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/08/what-is-high-concept/

Contracts

Ten contract items that may give you a headache. 

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/48002-contract-headaches.html

Google+

How to set up an author or book page on Google+.

http://inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2011/11/8/how-to-set-up-an-author-or-book-page-on-google.html

Book Release

A timeline for what you need to do in the months before your book's release. 

http://www.lisaschroederbooks.com/2010/02/timeline-and-checklist-for-ya-of-mg.html

Word Frequency

Here's an easy way to find out if you're overusing certain words. 

http://writewords.org.uk/word_count.asp

Unpublished Writers

Does it make sense to blog before you're published? 

http://kidlit.com/2010/07/21/should-unpublished-writers-blog/

Agent Search No-nos

Agent John Cusick tells what not to do when you're looking for an agents.

http://johnmcusick.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/ten-surefire-ways-to-turn-off-a-prospective-agent/

YA and First Person

Why is the first person POV the norm in YA?

http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-i.html

Ending Your Story

Sometimes all you need is to cut the last sentence, paragraph, or scene. 

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/the-end-wrapping-up-your-stories

Picture Book Questions

Answers to many questions about getting your picture book published. 

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/07/whole-lot-of-info-about-picture-books.html

How to Get an Agent

Agent Jill Corcoran provides links to her posts on how to get an agent. 

http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-get-agent.html

Goodreads

How to get the most out of the largest reader social media site. 

http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/10/lia-keyes-making-full-use-of-goodreads.html

Fear of Rejection

Some ideas to help you get past your fear of rejection and submit your manuscript . 

http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/387350.html

Redundant Phrases

Tighten your writing by eliminating these phrases. 

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-redundant-phrases-to-avoid/

Digital Books for Kids

What you need to know about the different types of digital books available for kids.

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/making-sense-of-digital-books-for-kids-part-1/
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/making-sense-of-digital-books-for-kids-part-2/

Naming Your Characters

Here are some mistakes to avoid when you name your character. 

http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2011/10/5-tips-for-not-screwing-up-your.html

Reconnecting With Your Work-in-Progress

Some tips to get you back on track after you've had to step away from your manuscript. 

http://writeitsideways.com/6-ways-to-reconnect-with-your-work-in-progress/

New MG/YA Publisher

Algonquin will start publishing middle grade and young adult novels.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/49287-elise-howard-moves-to-algonquin-to-start-list.html

Sales Data from Publishers

An interesting article about how the big three publishers will be sharing sales data with their authors. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/business/media/authors-to-get-sales-data-from-three-big-publishers.html

Search Engine Optimization

As a writer, is it worth your while to try and improve your search engine results? 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/10/do-writers-need-to-worry-about-google/

YA Voice

Two blog posts about perfecting your YA voice. 

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/perfecting-your-ya-voice-part-1/
http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/10/19/perfecting-your-ya-voice-part-2/

Tips to Drive Traffic to Your Site

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/39ways-to-drive-traffic-to-your-site/
What good is a website/blog if no one sees it?

Online Etymology Dictionary

Do you need to know the earliest a word was used to make your novel historically accurate? 

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?

Retiring a Novel

When is it time to give up on a manuscript and move on to the next one?

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/10/a-time-to-kill-your-novel/

New Publishers

Should you take a chance on a new publisher?

http://behlerblog.com/2011/10/10/the-falling-domino/

Contact Info

Make sure it's easy for people to find your contact info. 

http://catwoods.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/contact-tip-for-writers/

Types of Voice

Editor Krista Marino says voice is made up of: diction, perspective, characterization, and dialog.

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/perfecting-your-ya-voice-part-1/

Historical Fantasy

What's the difference between steampunk and gaslamp fantasy?

http://enchantedinkpot.livejournal.com/104323.html

Rhetorical Devices

50 fancy names for some great writing hints.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-rhetorical-devices-for-rational-writing/

Marketing Your Novel

From before you even sell it to after it hits the shelf.

http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2011/10/tips-on-marketing-your-novel.html

Foreshadowing

How to drop hints to make your readers want to find out more. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/03/guest-author-cathy-clamp-foreshadowing.html

Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal Romance

What's the difference?

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/urban-fantasy-vs-paranormal-romance#

Character Questionnaires

Two ways to learn more about your characters.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/29M1om/www.writingclasses.com/InformationPages/index.php/PageID/106

YA Twitter

Links and hashtags to follow if your write (or read!) young adult novels. 

http://albertwhitman.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/a-quick-and-inevitably-incomplete-guide-to-the-ya-twitterverse/

What Sells MG Books

Tools to help increase the sales of your middle-grade novel. 

http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-sells-middle-grade-books.html

Foreign Rights

Agent Sara Crowe gives a look at what's involved. 

http://acrowesnest.blogspot.com/2011/09/sara-on-foreign-rights-and-book-fairs.html

Skype Author Visits

Here's a website to let schools know about your availability to do an author visit via Skype. 

http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/

Twitter Rules

Follow these rules to twitter success. 

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2011/10/ten-rules-for-twitter-success.html

Character Types

There are several standard types of characters that may appear in your manuscript. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/10/seven-character-types-that-build-your.html

Author Platform

Ten tips to building an author platform.

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/10/10-tidbits-about-author-platform/

Readings

Some great tips for the reading part of your school or bookstore visit.

http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/09/guest-blogger-jennifer-nielsen-rules-of.html

Simultaneous Queries

Why you should submit to editors or agents in batches. 

http://writerunboxed.com/2011/09/26/why-you-should-only-query-6-8-agents-at-a-time/

First Lines

Five tips to make a memorable first line. 

http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com/2011/09/5-elements-of-riveting-first-line.html

Character Voices

Make sure your character isn't speaking in your voice. 

http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/09/15/character-voices-shouldnt-sound-like-yours/

Outlining

What are the benefits of outlining before you write your manuscript?

http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com/2011/09/benefits-of-outlining.html

Middle Grade Voice

Stacy Whitman of Tu Books explains what makes middle grade, middle grade.

http://www.stacylwhitman.com/2011/09/07/some-thoughts-on-middle-grade-voice/

Book signings

Here are some tips to attract people to your book signing. 

http://1stturningpoint.com/?p=6805

Skills Every Writer Needs

If you want to be a writer, you need to be able to do more than just write. 

http://cherylreifsnyder.blogspot.com/2011/09/tuesday-ten-skills-every-writer-needs.html

Grantwriting

The basics of writing a grant to improve your chances of getting chosen. 

http://janefriedman.com/2011/08/17/grantwriting-101/

Magical Realism

How it's different than paranormal and five tips to get you started. 

http://writeoncon.com/2011/08/writing-magical-realism-vs-paranormalfantasy/

Questions to Ask Your Characters

Have a chat with your characters to find out who they really are. 

http://nicolehumphrey.net/thirty-character-questions/

Chapter Books and Graphic Novels

An explanation of the difference between chapter books and similar age books like easy readers and middle grade, plus a look at graphic novels.

Marketing with School Visits

How to use school visits to build relationships that will result in increased sales. 

http://writeoncon.com/2011/08/successful-marketing-and-promotion-with-school-visits/

Surviving Rejection

Rejection hurts, but maybe these tips will help. 

http://www.novelmatters.com/2011/08/six-tips-for-when-rejection-happens.html

Self-Editing

Ten tips that seem to go against the conventional wisdom. 

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2011/08/wait-dont-kill-that-darling-real-skinny.html

Ebook Trends

What's in the future for ebooks? 

http://www.publetariat.com/business-end/next-10-ebook-trends

Endings

Make sure the end of your book is satisfying to your readers. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/07/its-over-getting-readers-to-ending-and.html

Fantasy

Author Bruce Coville's tips for fantasy writing. 

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/14-quick-tips-for-fantastic-fantasy-writing/

Marketing Your Second Book

Things an author should do differently the second time around. 

http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/2011/08/ten-things-ill-do-with-my-next-books.html

Building Characters

Don't do these things.

http://juliemusil.blogspot.com/2011/08/10-things-not-to-do-when-building.html

Unagented Publisher Offers

What should you do if you don't have an agent and you receive an offer from a publisher. 

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2007/08/handling-unagented-offer-from-publisher.html

Photos in Nonfiction

The challenge of including photos and cartoons in your nonfiction books and articles. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/09/guest-post-karen-blumenthal-on-power.html

New MG/YA Agent

Barbara Scott is joining Wordserve and will be accepting middle grade and young adult submissions. 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/09/new-agent-at-wordserve/

Dialect

How to indicate dialect while still making your story readable.

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/09/kate-hart-on-dialect-and-dialogue.html

Query Mistakes

Don't make these rookie mistakes when you query agents. 

http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com/2011/09/rookie-mistakes-to-avoid-when.html

Publisher Services

What do you get from a traditional publisher? 

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/08/package-of-services-publishers-provide.html

Book Ideas

Maybe making a list from one of these prompts will give you a book idea. 

http://robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/2011/08/listing-you-way-to-new-ideas.html

Math and Science Books

A blog about using children's books to teach math and science. 

http://bookishways.blogspot.com/

How to Market Your Book

Rachelle Gardner provides an extensive list of book marketing links. 

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/08/how-to-market-your-book/

Teacher Guides

Why you should have one and how to choose someone to write  it. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/08/guest-post-natalie-dias-lorenzi-on.html

Preparing for Publication

What to do between your book's acceptance and its publication.

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/07/10-ways-to-prepare-in-advance-for.html

Picture Book Market

Agent Jennifer Laughran talks about the picture book market.

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/07/whole-lot-of-info-about-picture-books.html

Quick First Draft

Using a tip from screenwriting, here's one method of producing a quick and dirty skeleton of a first draft.

http://writerunboxed.com/2011/06/29/kicking-out-a-fast-first-draft-2/

Social Media Resources

Harold Underdown provides links to social media information. 

http://www.underdown.org/social-media-resources.htm

Book Proposals

How to write book proposals for both nonfiction or fiction.


http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/07/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/

Social Media No-nos

Don't do these things if you want to be taken seriously as a writer.

http://whisperedwritings.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/10-ways-to-kill-your-writing-career-using-social-media/

Researching Similar Books

How alike is too much?

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-siblings-are-good-twins-can-be.html

Fan Mail

As amazing as it may seem, too much fan mail can be a problem. 

http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=1016917725611909564

After the First Draft

First off, celebrate, then onto the work to be done.

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/2011/07/10-things-to-do-after-finishing-first.html

New Children's Publisher

Editor Eileen Robinson has opened up a new publishing company, Move Books, with an emphasis on books for boys. 

http://www.move-books.com/

Carolrhoda accepting YA Submissions

Until the end of September 2011, Carolrhoda will accept unagented YA submissions as described here.

http://carolrhoda.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-will-submit-to-me.html

School Visit Contracts

Make sure your contract covers these ten items. 

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/?p=519

Fatal Writing Flaws

Avoid these five writing mistakes. 

http://storyfix.com/5-creative-flaws-that-will-expose-your-lack-of-storytelling-experience

fantasy

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/finding-the-fantastical/

Notes from a talk by author Bruce Colville about writing fantasy. 

How to Research

A simple method to prevent you from getting bogged down in research while you're writing. 

http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/researching-your-story-a-suggested-strategy/

Outline or Seat of the Pants

Author Elizabeth Spann Craig has written both ways and gives her pros and cons of each method.

http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-wrap-up-of-outlining.html

Blogging Tips

Links to over 30 tips and tutorials about blogging.

http://www.ricardobueno.com/33-must-read-tips-tutorials-for-bloggers/

Promotional Brochures

A brief overview of what you should includes in your school visit brochure.

http://schoolvisitexperts.com/?p=480

Reasons for an Agent

It's not just about making the sale.

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/06/6-benefits-of-having-agent-in-todays.html

Last Lines

Scene and chapter endings are just as important as beginnings.

http://lydiasharp.blogspot.com/2011/06/scene-and-chapter-endings.html

Author Websites

Here's a description of what you should include in your website if you're published or if you're not.

http://kortizzle.blogspot.com/2011/06/author-web-sites-basics.html

Brainstorming

Lists to help you beat writer's block by brainstorming.

http://www.rickwalton.com/freeu/brains/index.htm#43

Interviews

Some things to watch out for during a radio or tv interview.

http://timetowrite.blogs.com/weblog/2011/06/writers-six-things-not-to-do-during-tv-and-radio-interviews.html

YA Research Grant

The ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents) Foundation is offering a grant of $1,500 for research in young adult literature. (deadline Sep 15) 

http://www.alan-ya.org/grants/

Domain Names

Why you should have your own domain name even if you don't have a website.

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2011/06/29/mastering-ones-own-domain-an-no-this-is-not-a-seinfeld-reference/

Signing With the Wrong Agent

A bad agent is worse than no agent.

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/06/listen-to-your-gut.html

Scenes

Tips to bring your scenes to life.

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/07/bringing-scenes-to-life.html

Pseudonyms

Things to consider if you're thinking about using a pen name.

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Agent%20Miriam%20Kriss%20On%20Whats%20In%20A%20Name%20When%20Should%20You%20Use%20A%20Pseudonym.aspx

Vary Your Syntax

There are many ways to say the same thing. Take advantage of them.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/10-varieties-of-syntax-to-improve-your-writing/

Getting Out of Your Book Contract

If things aren't working out, is it possible to get out of your contract?

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/06/getting-out-of-your-book-contract-maybe.html

Agent Pitch Sessions

Agent Natalie Fischer tells what you absolutely should not do during a pitch session.

http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2010/10/pitch-session.html

America Writes for Kids

This website provides links to author web pages by state.

http://usawrites4kids.drury.edu/

Dialogue No-nos

Things to avoid when writing dialogue.

http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com/2011/06/dialogue-disasters.html

Blog Topics

Can't think of what to blog about? Here are some ideas.

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2011/06/30-blog-topics-for-writers.html

Plot Questions

Editor Cheryl Klein gives a list of questions about plot to consider.

http://chavelaque.blogspot.com/2011/06/plot-questions.html

Acquisitions Meeting

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2011/06/acquisitions-meetings.html 

What happens in them and what criteria do they use to evaluation your manuscript.

Openings

Here are some openings you might want to avoid.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/06/five-openings-to-avoid.html

Publisher's Marketing

What marketing does your publisher do for your book?

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/06/do-publishers-market-books/

Dictating a First Draft

Try dictating your first draft to get that story out of your head and into the world.

http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/dictate-your-story-%E2%80%93-an-unconventional-method-of-completing-a-first-draft/

Book Signings

Four things you can do to help make your book signing a success.

http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-four-elements-of-great-book.html

Email Etiquette

Some simple tips to make your email more professional.

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2011/06/email-etiquette.html

1970s

Even if you lived through them, you'll find some fascinating details to use in your historical novel (yes!) set in the 1970s.

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-post-traci-l-jones-on-writing.html

Querying Editors When You Have an Agent

Why you shouldn't do this.

http://behlerblog.com/2011/06/12/if-you-have-an-agent-then-why-are-you-querying/

Story vs. Craft

What's the difference between story and craft, and why should you care?

http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/05/story-vs-craft/

Language Arts Common Core Standards

Find out the curriculum standards for each state.

http://commoncorestandards.com/ela/k-12-curriculum-maps/

Getting Ideas

Here are lists of brainstorming ideas to kickstart your creativity.

http://www.rickwalton.com/freeu/brains/index.htm#43

Children's Publishers Links

Here's a list of publisher links to make it easier for you to do your research. 

http://f1rstpages.com/publisher-links/

Beta Readers

Who's not a good choice to be your beta reader?

http://bigglasscases.blogspot.com/2011/06/beta-omega.html

Google+

Learn how to use this new social network. 

http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-guide/

Novels in Verse

What are they and should your next novel be written in verse?

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/exploring-the-verse-novel/

Rebus

Magazines are always looking for people who can write good rebuses.

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/nutsbolt.shtml

QR Codes

What are they and how can you use them to market your books.

http://katiedavis.com/blog/marketing/2011/06/qr-codes/

Going on Submission

What actually happens after your agent submits your novel to editors?

http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-to-expect-when-youre-submitting.html

Editing Checklist

Here's a detailed list of things to look for, from big picture items down to fine-detail areas.

http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/06/07/checklist-for-editors/

Afraid of Twitter

Here are twelve tips for the twitter-phobic.

http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/twelve-tips-for-twitterphobes.html

Character Traits Thesaurus

http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2011/05/introducingthe-character-traits.html  

Another great resource from the folks who brought us the emotion thesaurus.

Interviews

Some hints on being a good interviewee.

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/06/promoting-your-book-dos-and-donts-of.html

Inexpensive Book Trailers

Don't have much to spend on making a book trailer? Here are some hints.

http://katenoble.com/blog/2011/05/how-to-make-a-book-trailer-for-5/

Nonfiction Proposals

Seven tough questions to ask yourself before you submit a nonfiction proposal.

http://bk-askthepublisher.blogspot.com/2011/04/useful-proposals.html

Resist the Urge to Explain

After you've shown it, don't then tell it.

http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2011/05/resist-urge-to-explain.html

Proofreading

Doing a better job of proofreading will lead to a more professional manuscript.

http://www.mywritingblog.com/2011/05/10-actions-you-can-take-to-improve-your.html

YA or MG?

How can you tell which you're writing?

http://www.yahighway.com/2011/05/5-fast-differences-between-ya-and-mg.html

First Books

Why it's unlikely your first book will be published.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/05/will-your-first-book-be-published.html

Picture Book Lists by Topic

Lists of picture book by subject matter.

http://cecilybooks.blogspot.com/

How Not to Describe Your Character

Don't fall into these predictable traps.

http://victoriamixon.com/2011/05/09/8-ways-not-to-describe-your-main-character/

PEN/Steven Kroll Award

This new award honors the author of an illustrated picture book.

http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/2144

Chapter Endings

How do you know when to break to a new chapter?

http://ht.ly/4Uy6K

Interminable Agency Clause

Why you shouldn't have this as part of your contract.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/04/interminable-agency-clause.html

Word Count Norms

What's are the standard word count ranges for children's books.

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordcount-dracula.html

New Agency

Hen and Ink Agency will specialize in children's books.

http://fallingleaflets.blogspot.com/2011/05/agency-alert-agent-move-and-agent.html

Following Up on a Submission

When and how should you follow up if you haven't received a response to your submission.

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2011/05/following-up-on-submissions.html

Character Traits

100 weird character traits to help you brainstorm even more character traits.

http://writeanything.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/35-weird-traits-your-characters-may-have/

Making a Living

Can you quit your day job and make a living from your writing?

http://mandyhubbard.livejournal.com/249542.html

Novels in Verse

How to decide if writing in verse is right for your novel.

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-post-caroline-starr-rose-on.html

Deciding to Move on from a Manuscript

Is it time to admit that your manuscript might never be published and move on?

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/05/case-for-putting-manuscript-in-drawer.html

Writers and Their Editors

How does the editor/writer relationship work?

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/the-writer-and-editor-relationship/

Choosing a Title

Here's a handy mnemonic to help you choose a good title.

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/05/need-some-bling-for-your-title-try.html

Blurbs

How to request a back of book blurb.

http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2011/05/art-of-blurb-request.html

Agency Agreements

What you should look for in your contract with an agent.

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/04/on-agency-agreements.html

Synopsis

Some great tips on how to write a synopsis.

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/how-to-synopsis/

Overexpressed Emotions

More is not always better when you're showing your character's emotions.

http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/2011/02/over-expressed-emotions.html

New YA Science Fiction Imprint

Prometheus Books’s Pyr imprint is starting a line of young adult science-fiction novels.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/47244-pyr-to-enter-young-adult-market.html

New MG/YA Agent

Judith Engracia is a new literary assistant at Liza Dawson Associates and is looking for middle-grade and young adult novels.  

http://caseylmccormick.blogspot.com/2011/04/interview-with-literary-agent-judith.html

New MG/YA Agent

Lauren Ruth has joined Bookends and is looking for middle-grade and young adult manuscripts, in addition to books for adults.  

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2011/06/lauren-is-open-for-submissions.html

Microsoft Word Formats

Why you submit your manuscript as a .doc and not a .docx document.

http://kidlit.com/2011/05/04/doc-is-not-docx/

When Your Agent Doesn't Like Your Next Book

Some suggestions on how to handle this unfortunately situation.

http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-your-agent-isnt-feeling-love.html

How to Punctuate Dialogue

Simple examples show how to write dialogue correctly.

http://www.superheronation.com/2011/04/20/punctuating-dialogue-in-novels-and-short-stories/

Book Readings

How to find and work with a venue for your book reading.

http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-book-reading.html

Fantasy Writing Tips

Author Bruce Coville gives tips for fantasy writers.

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/bruce-covilles-eight-tips-for-fantasy-writers/

Traditional Publishing

Ten things to like about traditional publishing.

http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/370655.html

Agent Myths

Make sure you don't honor these myths about agents.

http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com/2011/04/3-myths-about-agents.html

Fun Look at Book Elements

It's a periodic table of storytelling.

http://computersherpa.deviantart.com/art/Periodic-Table-of-Storytelling-203548951

When You Should Set Your Story in the Past

Don't just do it so you can eliminate modern-day technology.

http://kidlit.com/2011/04/27/time-period-settings/

What Does an Agent Do?

It isn't just reading books all day long.

http://slwhitman.livejournal.com/168370.html

How to Get Followed Back in Twitter

Here are some reasons you might not have followers.

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/13-reasons-why-you-didnt-get-followed-back_b1635

Value of Traditional Publishers

What does a traditional publisher do for you? 


http://janni.livejournal.com/729257.html

GLBT in YA

Blog, forum, and reading lists about GLBT characters in young adult novels.

http://www.gayya.org/

Online Marketing

Don't miss the opportunity to market through these sites.

http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2011/03/07/7DontMissSitesForOnlineMarketing.aspx

First Drafts

What to worry about and what to ignore.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/04/its-start-what-not-to-worry-about-in.html

How Not to Get an Agent

Some tips to avoid getting an instant reject.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-get-agent-not.html

After Your Novel is Finished

Author Elana Johnson has written a free ebook about your next steps.

http://www.elanajohnson.com/#!query-to-the-call

Debut Novels

What can you reasonable expect from your debut novel?

http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/debut-novel-expectations.html

Transitions

How to move your character from scene to scene without confusing or boring your reader.

http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/2011/04/making-transition.html

Picture Book Dummies

For illustrators only, how to make a picture book dummy.

http://www.yellapalooza.com/tutorials/dummies.html

New YA Agent

Rachel Stout of Dystel and Goderich is looking for believable and thought-provoking YA.  


http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/New+Agent+Alert+Rachel+Stout+Of+Dystel+And+Goderich.aspx

First Drafts

Tips to quickly get that first draft out of your head and into the computer.

http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/2011/04/5-tips-for-quickly-writing-your-first.html

Fund your Writing

It takes a village, and kickstarter can help.

http://www.kickstarter.com/

Distancing Verbs

Get closer to your reader by eliminating these distancing verbs.

http://fantasy-faction.com/2011/strengthen-your-prose

Conference Expectations

Tips to keep your conference expectations in check.

http://yamuses.blogspot.com/2011/05/managing-your-conference-expectations.html

Character Descriptions

How to slip in a description of your character without stopping your story flow.

http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/slipping-in-character-description/

Book Readings

How to make your book reading a success.

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/5+Tips+For+A+Successful+Reading.aspx

Copyediting vs. Proofreading

They're not the same. Find out the difference.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-difference-between-copyediting-and-proofreading/

Conference Mistakes

What not to do at a conference.

http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2011/04/top-five-mistakes-writers-make-at.html

Starting a Writing Group

Tips for that first meeting.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-agenda-items-for-your-writing-group%E2%80%99s-first-meeting/

Problem Words and Phrases

A list of 50 sets of words/phrases that are often confused.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/50-problem-words-and-phrases/

Book Promotion

Should you hire a company to help you with your book promotion?

http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/promoting-a-book-should-i-hire-a-book-promotion-company/

Keep Your Wordpress Blog Safe

How to prevent hackers from getting into your Wordpress blog.

http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2011/03/28/10StepsToSecureYourWordPressBlogFromHackers.aspx

New MG/YA Agent

Kathleen Rushall is pioneering a mg/ya list for Waterside Productions.

http://www.waterside.com/agency/2007/10/kathleen-rushall/

Book Packagers

How do they work?

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-packager.html

Online Reference Sources

Seven websites to help you do research for your nonfiction or fiction.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/7-great-online-research-resources-for-writers/

Leaving Your Agent

Points to consider before leaving your agent.

http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com/2011/02/killing-messenger.html

Backstory

Some tips for putting in your backstory without using an information dump.

http://www.publetariat.com/write/how-include-backstory-without-killing-your-novel

New MG/YA Agent

Kathleen Rushall of Waterside Productions is looking for middle-grade and young adult novels.

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/New+Agent+Alert+Kathleen+Rushall+Of+Waterside+Productions.aspx

Present Tense

What are some of the problems with using the present tense? 

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2011/05/present-tense-problems.html

Mistakenly Published Blog Post

What should you do if you hit "publish post" too soon and would like to take it back.

http://www.thehappyaccident.net/oops-or-what-to-do-when-you-mistakenly-publish-a-blog-post/

Prologue Alternatives

How to weave traditionally prologue information into the main body of your book.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/02/prologues-not-as-evil-as-you-think.html

Online Press Kits

What to include in your online press kit. (You do, of course, have a press link on your website, right?)

http://www.publetariat.com/sell/book-marketing-your-online-press-kit

Writer's Block

Tips to break your writer's block.

http://www.publetariat.com/write/breaking-writers-block-10-tips-get-you-back-writing-roll

Book Readings

Tips to make your book reading run smoothly.

http://www.mrmediatraining.com/index.php/2011/02/23/nine-ways-to-give-a-better-book-reading/

Choosing a Title

Keep at it until your title sings.

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Whats+In+A+Title+Everything.aspx

New MG/YA Agent

Judith Engracia of Liza Dawson Associates is looking for middle-grade and young adult novels.

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/New+Agent+Alert+Judith+Engracia+Of+Liza+Dawson+Associates.aspx

Podcasting

Step-by-step instructions to create a podcast.

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/01/15/how-to-create-a-podcast/

Conferences

Tips to make the most out of a writing conference.

http://pjhoover.blogspot.com/2011/03/writing-from-place-ten-ways-to-make.html

Sequels and Series

What's the difference?

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2011/03/sequels-sequel.html

Publishing Myths

Agent Rachelle Gardner shares and debunks common myths about publishing.
 http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/myth-busting-part-1.html  

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/myth-busting-day-2.html  

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/myth-busting-our-3rd-and-final-day.html

Types of blogs

What type of blog should you have--personal, professional, group, or vlog?

http://sommerleigh.com/?p=2269

New Children's Agency

Beth Fleisher, formerly with Barry Goldblatt Literary, has formed her own agency, Clear Sailing Creatives.

http://www.clearsailingcreatives.com/Home_Page.html

Third Person Omniscient

When is it useful to use this point of view?

http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/five-advantages-of-third-person-omniscient-pov/

Book Marketing Mistakes

Seven mistakes authors make in marketing their books.
http://www.publetariat.com/sell/seven-book-marketing-mistakes-authors-make-part-1-8

Small Ways to Improve Your Writing

Address these seemingly-minor, mechanic-level changes before submitting your manuscript.
http://heydeadguy.typepad.com/heydeadguy/2011/03/8-fiddly-things-you-can-do-to-your-manuscript-to-make-your-editors-day.html

Top Children's Agents and Agencies

Who's making the most deals?
http://fallingleaflets.blogspot.com/2011/03/writeoncon-news-and-top-dealmaking.html
http://fallingleaflets.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-5-childrens-lit-agencies.html

Fantasy World-Building

Have you considered all these important points?
http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com/2011/03/are-you-asking-these-important.html

Facebook for Authors

What are fan and book pages and should you have them?
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/02/facebook-for-authors-how-to-get-started.html

Sequels

A sequel shouldn't be just a next book about the same character.
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/03/sequels.html

Curious Pages

If your book is not all sweetness and light, then this might be the perfect place to be reviewed.
http://curiouspages.blogspot.com/

Movie Deals

Two posts on the ins and outs of getting a movie deal.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/hoping-for-movie-deal-part-one.html
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/03/hoping-for-movie-deal-part-two.html

Chapter Breaks

What they add to your manuscript.
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2011/03/art-of-chaptering.html

Bookscan

How to use the Bookscan numbers in your marketing efforts.
http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/03/whats-so-great-about-those-bookscan.html

Fantasy

YA writers give advice on writing fantasy.
http://community.livejournal.com/enchantedinkpot/84375.html

Twitter Hints

Get the most out of twitter for the least amount of effort.
http://www.novelpublicity.com/2011/02/get-the-most-out-of-twitter-in-the-least-amount-of-time-a-10-tip-guide/

Kill Your Darlings

How to tell if you really need those lines/scenes.
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/02/no-pain-no-gain-killing-your-darlings.html

First Person POV

Pros and cons of writing in first person.
http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/six-limitations-of-the-first-person-pov/
http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/five-reasons-to-write-in-the-first-person-point-of-view/

Editing After Acquisition

Even after you have a book contract, you'll still be editing your manuscript.
http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-much-editing-does-contracted-book.html

Twitter Writing Feeds

100 Twitter feeds to improve your writing.
http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/blog/2010/100-twitter-feeds-that-will-improve-your-writing/

Query No-nos

What not to do when you query an agent.
http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-will-make-agent-gong-your-query.html

Identifying Cliches

Paste in your text and see where you've used cliches.
http://cliche.theinfo.org/

Email Lists

How to grow your email contact list.
http://bluerosegirls.blogspot.com/2011/02/seven-tips-to-grow-your-mailing-list.html

Writing Tips

Simple hints to improve your writing.
http://www.darkangelwritingandreviews.com/2011/02/infinite-checklist-of-writing-tips.html

Judging Your Manuscript

50 things editors/agents think about when evaluating your manuscript.
http://fallingleaflets.blogspot.com/2011/02/50-things-your-manuscript-is-judged-on.html

Increase Traffic to Your Site

Easy tips to bring people to your blog and/or website.
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2011/02/15/HowToMeaningfullyGrowTrafficToYourSiteBlog.aspx

Problems in Novel Manuscripts

Ten common reasons that will cause your manuscript to be rejected.
http://www.superheronation.com/2011/02/08/10-reasons-novel-manuscripts-get-rejected/

Nonfiction and Schools

How to connect your nonfiction book to a school curriculum.
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-post-sarah-c-campbell-on.html

Seeing Your Novel's Big Picture

Here's a handy way to see see if your scenes and characters are in the right places.
http://blog.garycorby.com/2011/02/get-big-picture-of-your-novel.html

Successful Picture Books

Nine traits that make a picture book great.
http://tmarchini.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/9-factors-that-make-a-picture-book-successful/

Kill Your Darlings

Nine great hints to help you cut, cut, cut.
http://storytellersunplugged.com/blog/2011/03/09/the-delete-key-the-published-writer%E2%80%99s-best-friend/

Dialect

Should you use regional dialects in your manuscript?
http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/accents/

Timing from Contract to Book

Why does it take so long after the contract is signed before a book is published?
http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-slow-can-you-go.html

Overused Phrases

Here's a handy tool to see if there are any overused, multi-word phrases in your manuscript.
http://www.writewords.org.uk/phrase_count.asp

Conference Tips

How to get the most out of a writers' conference.
http://donnabowmanbratton.blogspot.com/2011/02/dos-donts-and-stuff-of-attending.html

Grounding Your Reader

As soon as your readers get confused, you've lost them.
http://kidlit.com/2010/08/04/grounding-the-reader/

Thrashing

Are your revisions making your manuscript better or just different (and maybe even worse)?
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/02/thrashing.html

Onomatopoeia

This extensive list of sound words includes the date first used.
http://www.examples-of-onomatopoeia.com/examples/onomatopoeia.php?a=1

Writing Humor

Author Lenore Look shares what works for her.
http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/2011/01/lenore-look-look-whos-laughing.html

Blogs and Queries

Should you mention your blog in your query letter?
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/01/should-i-mention-my-blog-in-my-query.html

Finding Your Voice

Editors and agents are always looking for a unique voice.
http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2010/12/finding-your-voice.html

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2010/12/finding-your-voice-part-second.html

Getting Twitter Followers

What you may be doing wrong if you're not getting followed.

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/13-reasons-why-you-didnt-get-followed-back_b1635

Curse Words in YA

Should you use them and how often?
http://www.kirstenhubbard.com/2011/01/on-cursing-in-ya.html

New Agent

Agent Kristin Miller of D4EO is looking for author/illustrators and authors of middle grade and young adult novels.
http://agentkristin.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-agent-wish-list.html

Dialogue Mistakes

Some things to avoid when you're writing dialogue.
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/6-common-dialogue-mistakes-to-avoid.html

Dialog Beats

What are they and why are they necessary.
http://heydeadguy.typepad.com/heydeadguy/2011/01/and-in-the-morning-im-making-waffles.html

Submitting Via Email

How should you format and name your emailed manuscript.
http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-sub-queries-full-ms-in-digital.html

Overused Themes in YA

If your book has one of these, you'd better make sure you've given it an original spin.
http://www.write-brained.com/2011/01/overused-themes-in-ya-part-iii.html

Remainders

What are book remainders and how does this affect you.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-are-remainders.html

Planting Clues

Hints and foreshadowing aren't just for mystery writers.
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/01/trail-blazing-planting-clues-and-hints.html

Independent Book Stores

In the wake of many chain bookstore closings, here's a list of independent alternatives.
http://www.edrants.com/list-of-independent-alternatives-to-closed-borders-bookstores/

Voice

Links and tips to help you create your own unique voice.
http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/01/developing-unique-voice-links-tips-and.html

Submission Checklist

Make sure you check these before submitting a manuscript for consideration.

http://cbaybooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/checklist-for-submitting.html

Filter Words

When you filter your words through the eyes (or ears or other sensory organs) of your characters, you weaken your book.
http://writeitsideways.com/are-these-filter-words-weakening-your-fiction/

Problem Critique Group Members

Characteristics of people who will make your critique group less useful.
http://yamuses.blogspot.com/2011/01/critique-of-critique-group.html

Writing Twitter Feeds

Twitter feeds to follow to improve your writing.
http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/blog/2010/100-twitter-feeds-that-will-improve-your-writing/

Starting a Blog

29 tips for starting a blog (or improving an existing one).
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/01/30/starting-your-first-blog-29-tips-tutorials-and-resources-for-new-bloggers/

Sensory Language

Lists of sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch words.
http://www.yoakumisd.net/junior_high/bartosh/bartosh2.html

Podcasting

How to create an online audio presentation.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/01/15/how-to-create-a-podcast/

Setting

Questions to ask that will enrich your setting.
http://www.yingleyangle.com/2010/05/20-questions-to-enrich-your-setting.html

Point of View

Here's a detailed explanation which uses the Hansel and Gretal story as examples.

http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/point-of-view-first-person-third-person-or-objective/

Search Engine Optimization

How to help Google and other search engines find your site.
http://www.amarketingexpert.com/how-to-help-google-find-your-site-2/

The F-Bomb

Should you use swear words in your young-adult novel?
http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2010/11/great-f-bomb-debate.html

Earning Out Your Advance

What does this mean and is your career doomed if you don't earn out.
http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/show-me-the-money/

Rhythm

How great rhythm leads to great read alouds.

http://www.bethanyroberts.com/RhythmandtheReadaloud.htm

taxes

Links to resources for writers about taxes.
http://www.publetariat.com/business-end/7-links-help-every-writer-taxes

Introducing Your MC

Some dos and don'ts to introduce your protagonist.

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/09/12-dos-and-donts-for-introducing-your.html

Early Readers

Author Grace Ling tells why they're not an "easy readers."

http://forum.teachingbooks.net/?p=4743

Agency Agreements

What to expect when you sign with an agent.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/02/agency-agreements.html

Plotting

Using a plot board to lay out your story.

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2011/01/writers-plot-board-getting-organized.html

Distributing ARCs

How to distribute electronic ARCs (advanced reader copy) of your upcoming title.

http://www.netgalley.com/

Pacing

What not to do if you want to keep your novel moving along.

http://writerunboxed.com/2010/08/24/telegraphing-and-other-pace-killers/

Blog Comments

Read the post and the other people's comments before you respond.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/01/how-to-write-good-blog-comment.html

Sagging Middles

Maybe your story is too simple.

http://literarylab.blogspot.com/2010/06/keep-your-middle-from-sagging.html

Picture Book Checklist

Items to consider as you revise.

http://cornelldeville.blogspot.com/2010/06/picture-book-checklist.html

Titles

Choose a title that will make kids want to pick up your book.

http://shannonkodonnell.blogspot.com/2010/07/title-tips.html

Onomatopoeia

Here's a great list of sound words with (sometimes tongue-in-cheek) descriptions.

http://www.soundsafaritheater.com/onomatopoeia.html

Tag Lines

How to create a good tag line and where to use it.

http://www.bookbuzzr.com/blog/book-marketing/book-marketing-mistake-number-1-no-tag-line-for-book-or-author/

Rule of Twenty

You need to reach the twentieth idea before you get to original ones.

http://upstartcrowliterary.com/blog/?p=1527

School Visits

Hints from author and school librarian Toni Buzzeo

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2006/09/author-librarian-interview-toni-buzzeo_13.html

Chapter Endings

How to end your chapters so your book will be a pageturner.

http://howtoplanwriteanddevelopabook.blogspot.com/2010/10/creating-page-turner-tricks-to-great.html

Query No-nos

Twenty things not to do in your query.
http://publishinglane.blogspot.com/2011/01/intern-tips-query-edition.html

Is Your Novel Really Finished?

See if it can pass these ten tests.

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2010/08/conference-round-up-deborah-halverson.html

What Not to Do at Conference

Avoid these ten mistakes.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-ways-to-be-awkward-at-writers.html

Kill Your Characters

If you have characters who aren't pulling their weight, kill them off.

http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/2010/08/make-your-characters-earn-their-keep.html

Creating Book Trailers

A simple overview, including what software you need, of how to create a trailer.

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/01/07/how-to-create-a-book-trailer/

Prologues

Seven reasons not to have a prologue and two reasons to have one.

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/7-deadly-sins-of-prologues-great-novel-beginnings-part-2/

Picture Book Queries

How soon should you query with a new picture book?
http://kidlit.com/2011/01/12/how-soon-do-i-query-again/

Character Names

Be consistent or you'll confuse your reader.

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/07/30/how-to-confuse-your-reader/

Introduce Your Characters

Show them in action, in conflict, and involved in a mystery.

http://www.plottopunctuation.com/blog/show/how-to-establish-your-characters-openings

New Jewish Children's Books Imprint

In association with PJ Library, Marshall Cavendish has launched a new imprint, Shofar Books, specializing in Jewish-themed children's books.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/45902-new-jewish-children-s-books-line-launching-this-fall.html

Tighten Your Writing

Ten easy suggestions to make your writing tighter.

http://alexisgrant.com/2010/12/13/self-editing-10-ways-to-tighten-your-copy/

Jewish-Themed Books

Barb Krasner's Highlights Foundation course on writing children's books with Jewish themes.
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/FWsched_jewishThemed_11.html

New Childrems' Agency

Marcia Wernick and Linda Pratt have opened a new agency to represent children's book writers from pb through ya.
http://www.wernickpratt.com/index.html

Contracts

What do agents actually negotiate?

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-much-negotiation-is-there-with.html

Rejections

What do agents/editors really mean in those rejection letters?
http://www.bethanyroberts.com/rejection_letters.htm

Snowflake Method

A ten-step method to design a novel.
http://bubblecow.co.uk/2010/12/how-to-write-a-novel-the-snowflake-method/

Writers' Toolbox

Collection of miscellaneous useful links for writers.
http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2010/12/writers-toolbox-prepping-for-2011.html

Story Questionnaire

Answer these questions and your story will be well on its way.
http://ht.ly/3dkvp

Twitter Hashtags

Twitter hashtags related to writing.
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/40-twitter-hashtags-for-writers/

Writing about Eyes

What eyes can and cannot do in fiction
http://nouveauwriter.blogspot.com/2010/08/guest-post-beware-eyes-that-march-what.html

Author Websites

Do you need one before you're published?
http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-websites-for-pre-published.html

Posting Work Online

Should you post your manuscript online?
http://kidlit.com/2010/12/20/should-i-post-my-writing-online/

Writing Degrees

Types of degree programs, both online and on-campus.
http://nouveauwriter.blogspot.com/2010/11/guest-post-degree-options-for-aspiring.html

Contract Cancellations

What would cause an editor or publisher to cancel your book contract?
http://behlerblog.com/2010/11/21/canceling-a-project-reality-check/

Adverbs and Adjectives

Overused ones to avoid.
http://www.darkangelwritingandreviews.com/2010/11/dreary-ole-modifers.html

Small Presses

What are the advantages in publishing with a small press?
http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/2010/12/as-i-see-it-top-ten-reasons-to-publish.html

Social Networking for Writers

Agent Jason Pinter gives some dos and don'ts.
http://waxmanagency.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/the-10-commandments-of-social-networking-for-writers/

Novel Queries

Links to many posts on how to write a query for your novel.
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2010/12/08/TheUltimateGuideToNovelQueries.aspx

Build Your Online Presence

Nathan Bransford gives tips on how to be successful online.
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/11/seven-tips-on-how-to-build-following.html

Conference Checklist

What to bring and what to leave home.
http://kidlit.com/2010/12/03/conference-checklist/

Writing Bible

What you need to document to keep everything consistent and on track in your novel.
http://www.write-thing.com/2010/05/12/making-a-writing-bible-an-essential-tool-for-story-writers/

Author Websites

How to make your website a place people will want to visit.
http://www.authortechtips.com/7-secrets-for-amazing-author-websites/

Reversion of Rights

In this digital age, when is a book "out of print?"
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/11/reversion-of-rights.html

Free Books for Low-income Teens

First Book Is Giving Away More Than 125,000 Books to Low-income Teens
http://scbwi.blogspot.com/2010/11/novel-gift-first-book-is-giving-away.html

Synopsis Cheat Sheet

Answer these worksheet questions with complete sentences to create a one-page synopsis.
http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/

Amateur Writing Mistakes

These writing mistakes will scream "amateur" to an editor.
http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/2009/10/marks-of-amateur-starting-list.html