Face-to-Face Pitches

Pitching sessions are a wonderful opportunity to talk with an agent about your manuscript, but they also have some problems. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-problems-associated-with-face-to.html

Disabled Characters

All children should have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the characters of our books. 

http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/disabled-characters-in-ya-literature/

Action Scenes

Action scenes add much more to your story than the action depicted.

http://ellaroutloud.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/dystropian-guest-post-sheryl/

Contemporary World Building

Just because you're not writing fantasy, that doesn't mean you can skimp on the world building. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/writing-contemporary-requires-just-as.html

Selling Your Book at Events

Things to do before and at events to sell more books.

http://www.amarketingexpert.com/52-ways-market-book-tip-1-sell-books-events/

Blog Tour Tips

How to arrange and conduct your blog tour. 

http://marielamba.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/blog-tour-tips-on-planning-your-journey/

Point of View Character

It's important to figure out whose story is it. 

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2014/04/choosing-point-of-view-character.html

Meeting Deadlines

Here are some tips to avoid the ever-present distractions of life. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/avoid-distractions-meet-those-deadlines.html

Teacher's Guides

Teacher's guides aren't just for nonfiction. 

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2014/04/teachers-guides/

Don't Forget Setting

Your setting affects your characterization, plot, pacing, voice, and much more. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2014/04/guest-post-author-editor-deborah.html

Finding the Right Title

Just remember, no matter how much you like your title, there's a good chance your publisher will change it. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/05/finding-right-title-for-your-book.html

TV Interviews

What you might want to know before you go on the air. 

http://buildbookbuzz.com/9-things-you-wish-you-knew-before-your-first-tv-interview/

Fantasy Worlds

Three tools to make your fantasy world more realistic and come alive. 

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2014/04/three-tools-to-make-your-fantasy-world.html

Endowed Objects

Giving your characters props does more than just surround them with things. 

http://www.thebrainlair.com/2010/12/keeper-by-kathi-appelt-guest-post.html

All About Agents

What do agents do, and do children's writers need one? 

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

Does Your Story Have Emotional Impact?

Your characters need to show both empathy and sympathy for other characters. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/does-your-story-have-emotional-impact.html

Author Panels

How to make your author panel run smoothly, even if you're not in charge. 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-perks-perils-of-author-panels.html

Transitions

Here's a handy list of useful transitional phrases. 

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2014/05/from-archives-narrative-transitions.html

Sometime It Is Who You Know

Never underestimate the value of networking with your fellow writers.

http://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/sometimes-know/

Query Letters

Yes, they do serve a purpose. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/your-query-letter-does-serve-purpose.html

Picture Book Tips

Five award-winning picture book authors give their advice. 

http://www.openbooktoronto.com/articles/writing_picture_books_tips_top

To Outline or Not

A third choice is to write the outline and then throw it away as soon as you start writing. 

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2014/04/craft-of-writing-why-outlines-work-for.html

Revision

Revision and polishing are not the same thing. 

http://www.mariondanebauer.com/blog/2014/04/1615/

Writing Out of Order

Rather than writing your novel from the first scene to the last, try writing them out of order. 

http://katiaraina.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/writing-out-of-order/

Editing for Agents

Many times an agent will give you feedback and suggest revising before offering representation. 

http://www.literaryrambles.com/2014/04/agent-tina-wexler-skila-brown-guest.html

Emotional Plot

Unless your character experiences highs and lows, your story will be flat. 

http://kidlit.com/2014/04/14/i-hate-nice/

Lack of Agent Communication

What might be happening if your agent has gone missing in action. 

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2014/04/agents-going-off-rails.html

Kidlit Blogs

Kidlitosphere Central contains links to a wealth of children's and young adult blogs. 

http://www.kidlitosphere.org/bloggers/

First Pages

A group of agents give advice on writing the first pages of a novel. 

http://chasingthecrazies.wordpress.com/the-f3/

Layers of Characterization

There are many layers you can give your character to add to their depth. 

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2014/04/layers-of-characterization.html

School Visit Toolbox

Bring a box of these essential tools on every school visit. 

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/the-little-magic-box-for-school-visits-and-signing/