Tips for Beginning Writers

If you're just starting out on your writing journey, you might find these tips helpful.

http://groggorg.blogspot.com/2016/11/tips-for-beginning-writers-suzy-leopold.html

How Many Queries

Here's an interesting, but non-scientific, survey about how many queries it takes to land an agent.

https://writersrumpus.com/2015/04/24/how-many-queries-does-it-take-to-get-an-agent/

Wrong Word Errors

It's important to carefully review your manuscript to make sure you haven't inadvertently misused a word.

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/proof-reading-catching-wrong-word-errors

Pen Names

If you decide you don't want to publish under your real name, here are some things to consider as you choose your pen name.

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/naming-newly-published-author

Small Publishers

If you don't have an agent, it's up to you to evaluate a publisher.

https://janefriedman.com/evaluate-small-publisher/

Author-Illustrator Teams

Here are some things to consider if two people, an author and an illustrator, want to submit a manuscript together.

http://kidlit.com/2010/06/14/working-as-an-author-and-illustrator-team-before-submission/

Deep Point of View

Writing in deep point of view allows you to get past your character's surface emotions.

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/10/diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/

Backstory in a Query

There's limited room in a query, so leave out the backstory of your manuscript.  

http://bookendsliterary.com/2016/11/15/backstory-can-be-a-dangerous-thing/

Red Flags

Avoid these writing red flags to increase the chance an agent or editor will ask to see more.

http://savvyauthors.com/blog/index.php/red-flags-in-editing-why-editors-agents-reject-your-manuscript-after-the-first-pages-by-meg-latorre-snyder/

Book Category

The category of your novel (middle grade or young adult) determines where it will be shelved in a bookstore.

http://annerallen.com/novel-genre-ya-mg-na-adult/

When Your Agent Says, "No"

Your agent is not going to love every manuscript you send, so what should you do if it's a pass.

https://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2016/11/when-your-agent-says-no-by-hilary-wagner.html

Slang and Jargon

The judicious use of slang and jargon will make your dialogue more authentic.

http://annerallen.com/slang-jargon-insider-lingo-11-ways-to-find/

Communicating With Your Editor

To make the most of your author-editor relationship, you need to have good communication between the two of you.

http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blogs/seven-do-s-and-don-ts-of-constructive-communication-with-your

Agent Search

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you begin your search for an agent.

http://www.teachingauthors.com/2016/10/that-perennial-agent-question-plus-book.html

Word Count Trackers

If you want to keep track of how many words you've written each day, there's software to help.

https://writersrumpus.com/2016/12/16/need-a-word-count-tracker/

Don't Rush Revising

When it comes to revision, it's important to take your time.

http://kidlit.com/2016/12/12/rushing-through-revision/

Endings

Your endings should make your readers say, "wow!"

https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/11/04/how-to-write-endings-that-wow/

Editorial Letter

The first step after receiving an editorial letter is to take a deep breath.

http://writerunboxed.com/2016/12/04/the-dreaded-editorial-letter/

Acknowledgements

Follow this checklist so you don't miss anyone in your acknowledgements pages.

http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2016/11/30/acknowledgements-checklist/

Book Series

Writing a book series is more than simply having multiple books about the same characters.  \

http://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2016/11/writing-series-is-more-than-just-common.html

Bad Writing Rules

You shouldn't blindly follow all the writing rules you hear along the way.

http://annerallen.com/stupid-writing-rules-12-bad-writing-tips/

Third Person

When writing in third person, you need to choose between an omniscient or limited point of view.

https://blog.reedsy.com/third-person-omniscient-vs-limited

TED Talks

Children's writers and illustrators might find these TED talks both useful and inspiring.

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2016/11/ted-talks-for-childrens-writers-and.html

Inner Editor

When you should, and shouldn't, listen to your inner editor telling you what to do.

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2016/11/when-its-ok-to-listen-to-your-inner-editor/

Picture Book Elements

As you write your picture book manuscript, keep these ten elements in mind.

https://mrsbung.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/ten-essential-picture-book-elements/

Boring Edit

This revision technique simply involves identifying the boring parts of your manuscript, then fixing them.

http://kidlit.com/2016/11/07/a-boring-edit/

Book Launches

Questions to ask yourself as you plan your book launch, including, "What are your goals?"

https://janefriedman.com/getting-ready-launch-book-start-5-questions/

Book Blurbs

What can you do to increase the chances someone will agree to blurb your book?

http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/get-published-sell-my-work/10-book-blub-basics

Sales Figures

What does it actually mean when you hear a book sold a certain number of copies?

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2016/10/sales-figures.html

What Do Literary Agents Do

An agent does much more for you than just selling your book.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009/09/what-do-literary-agents-do.html

Goodreads

Here's an introduction to Goodreads for both readers and writers.

http://groggorg.blogspot.com/2016/09/goodreads-how-it-works-for-readers-and.html