Rejections

Why don't agents explain their rejections? 

http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/reasons-agents-dont-explain-their-rejections/

Craft Books

Author Ingrid Sundberg's list of her favorite ten writing craft books.


http://ingridsnotes.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/craft-book-connoisseur/

Multicultural Nonfiction

It's important that children's books, both fiction and nonfiction, are inclusive. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2013/02/guest-post-maha-addasi-yvonne-wakim.html

New Imprint

Egmont UK is launching a new children's nonfiction imprint, Red Shed. 

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/egmont-launch-red-shed.html

Skype in the Classroom

Visit a classroom from the comfort of your own home. 

http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2013/02/skype-in-classroom-with-shaunda-kennedy.html

Multiple Offers

How do you handle offers from several agents? 

http://kidlit.com/2010/05/31/getting-offers-from-multiple-agents/

Too Much Research?

You don't need to put all you have researched into your novel. 

http://www.writetosellyourbook.com/fiction-advice/is-your-research-showing

Critiques

How to use the suggestions you get from a critique. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/01/wow-wednesday-laura-ellen-on-using.html

Author Interviews

Here are some tips to make your interview go smoother. 

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/01/5-great-author-interview-practices/

New Imprints

Amazon is adding two new children's imprints: Two Lions and Skyscrape. 

http://paidcontent.org/2013/01/21/amazon-childrens-publishing-expands-with-more-books-for-younger-kids-and-teens/

Word Choice

Make every word count. If it doesn't, cut it. 

http://theeditorsblog.net/2013/01/22/cut-the-flab-make-every-word-count/

Writers' Conferences

What should you do or not do at a writers' conference. 

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/08/writers-conference-tips-10-dos-and.html

Earning Out

Does the publisher lose money if you're book doesn't sell well enough to cover your advance? 

http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/main/2012/02/does-the-publisher-lose-money-if-my-book-doesnt-earn-out.html

Dialect and Slang

A little dialect and slang in your dialogue goes a long way. 

http://www.fromthewriteangle.com/2013/01/hey-yall-dialects-and-slang.html

Researching Your Novel

Dos and don'ts of doing research when you're writing fiction. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2013/01/researching-your-novel-dos-and-donts.html

Simple Plot System

If you're a pantser (that is, one who doesn't outline), this seven-point plot overview system is a must. 

http://lizwritesbooks.com/2012/05/the-7-point-plot-system-aka-save-the-cat-for-pantsers/

Passionate Characters

Passionate characters make for passionate readers.

http://www.mitaliblog.com/2008/10/ten-tips-about-writing-race-in-novels.html

Libraries

Seven tips for getting a library to carry your book. 

http://www.amarketingexpert.com/7-secrets-to-getting-into-libraries/

Character Names

You need to think about a name before you give it to your character. 

http://www.chitrasoundar.com/blog/2013/01/28/choosing-character-names/

School Visits

Five tips to make your school visit easier (and better). 

http://acrowesnest.blogspot.com/2013/01/michael-5-tips-for-school-visits.html

Middle-Graders

If you write middle-grade, you need to know how middle-graders think/act/talk/feel.

http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-ever-middle-grade-writer-should.html

Cause and Effect

How to build your story through a series of causes and effects. 

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2013/01/three-ways-cause-and-effect-can-build.html

Common Core

Jill Corcoran offers a three-part series on what you need to know about curriculum standards. 

http://www.jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2012/11/common-core-state-standards-kidlit.html

http://www.jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-does-ccss-common-core-state.html

http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2013/01/creating-your-ccss-aligned-curriculum.html

Self-Editing Scenes

In addition to self-editing your overall book, you also need to examine it scene-by-scene.

http://www.mitaliblog.com/2008/10/ten-tips-about-writing-race-in-novels.html

Why Get an Agent?

An agent does much more than just find a publisher for your manuscript.

http://hannahmosk.blogspot.com/2010/08/reasons-you-want-agent-that-you-havent.html

New Children's Imprint

Capstone has a new imprint to publish trade picture books.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/55621-capstone-to-publish-picture-books-for-the-trade.html

Writing Race in Novels

Step One: Forget "race."

When to Stop Revising

It's hard to know when it's time to send your baby out into the world, but here are a few hints that might help. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/01/when-should-you-stop-revising.html