Thursday, January 31, 2019

Picture Book or Chapter Book

What's the best way to tell your story--as a picture book or a chapter book? 

https://taralazar.com/2018/09/17/is-your-picture-book-actually-a-chapter-book/

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

When NOT to Submit

Ten reasons you're not read to submit your manuscript to an editor or an agent. 

https://scotteagan.blogspot.com/2018/12/10-reasons-to-not-submit-your-story-to.html

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Writing Life

Thirty lessons about the writing life, starting with persistence is more important than talent. 

https://writerunboxed.com/2018/11/27/30-things-ive-learned-about-the-writing-life/

Monday, January 28, 2019

Query Tips

The most important query tip is to write a good book, but here are some others that can help you in your agent search.

https://dianaurban.com/tips-authors-querying-literary-agents

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Writing Novels

Consider these ten points as you're planning, writing, and revising your novel. 

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/the-10-step-checklist-to-writing-a-better-than-average-novel/#

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Categories of Children's Books

Different categories of children's books, from board books to young adult, have different word counts and target audiences. 

http://www.jennybowman.com/2018/03/01/what-genre-is-my-childrens-book/

Friday, January 25, 2019

Understanding Your Character

In order to write a character your readers can relate to, you need to understand that character. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/12/characters-are-people-too-bring-your-book-to-life-part-i/

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Strong Operning Scenes

By strengthening the opening of your book, you increase the likelihood of a person reading on. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/12/5-ways-to-write-stronger-opening-scenes.html

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Comp Titles

When you're submitting a manuscript, it helps to list some books comparable to yours. 

https://kidlit.com/2018/12/10/comp-titles-in-a-query-book-comps/

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Punch Up Your Picture Book

These five simple suggestions will help your picture book one that kids will want to read over and over again. 

https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/picture-books-with-punch/

Monday, January 21, 2019

Top Nonfiction Blogs

There are a lot of writing blogs out there, and here are 25 of the best ones for nonfiction. 

https://blog.feedspot.com/nonfiction_blogs/

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Picture Books by the Numbers

This survey surveyed published picture book authors on questions like how long did it take to get published and how big was the advance.

https://hannahholt.com/blog/2017/9/20/picture-books-by-the-numbers-2017
https://hannahholt.com/blog/2017/9/25/writing-picture-books-a-look-at-the-number-part-2

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Manuscript Formatting

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make your manuscript conform to industry standards. 

https://jerryjenkins.com/manuscript-format/

Friday, January 18, 2019

Following Up With an Agent

Here are some hints about how long to wait and how to do it before following up on an agent submission. 

https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/04/when-to-follow-up-with-a-literary-agent

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Agents as Advocates

One of the big advantages of having an agent is they can step in when you are having a disagreement with your editor. 

https://rachellegardner.com/let-your-agent-be-the-bad-guy/

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Adult Characters

How much page time should adult characters have in your middle grade novel? 

http://www.deareditor.com/2018/12/re-how-much-page-time-can-adult-characters-have-in-middle-grade-novels/

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Multiple Points of View

If your story is told through the eyes of more than one character, you don't want to confuse your readers. 

https://nybookeditors.com/2016/09/write-novel-multiple-points-view/

Monday, January 14, 2019

Tension in Dialogue

Here are some hints on how to increase the tension in your your character, and hence your story, through dialogue. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/12/9-tension-building-elements-for-character-dialogue/

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Bookstore Events

How to reduce the likelihood of a low turnout for your next bookstore event. 

https://careerauthors.com/stories-from-the-road/?fbclid=IwAR37zkp3BniiTV-pummeX-tzS7VzEmQvnc5HXyZCQpgWBhaBDh0YMhIgz0k

Saturday, January 12, 2019

holiday picture books

Here are some points to think about if you're writing a book with a tie-in to a specific holiday.

https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2018/12/writing-holiday-picture-book-by.html?fbclid=IwAR2-TCq-K7k0-WrYjuDW68pzOr2Kys1FFG97S8GQNzdl315cpKFM3fJ_9cU

Friday, January 11, 2019

Critique Partner or Beta Reader

You need people to both look at your manuscript with a critical eye (critique partner) and to read it like a reader (beta reader).

https://www.bridgidgallagher.com/blog/127-the-difference-between-critique-partners-and-beta-readers-and-why-you-need-both

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Naming Characters

One of the fun parts of writing a story is choosing the perfect name for your character. 

https://electricliterature.com/how-to-give-your-characters-unforgettable-names-656abb1e260d

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Art Notes

Is that art note in your picture book manuscript really necessary? 

https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2018/12/11/ask-dianne-dealing-with-conflicting-informagtion-plus-book-winner-update/

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Revising Older Manuscripts

There's a lot you can learn when you revise manuscripts from when you were a newer writer. 

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/09/5-things-re-editing-your-older-work-can.html

Monday, January 7, 2019

Tension

Your book has no plot without tension, and here are some ways to add it while revising.

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/02/three-ways-to-add-tension-during.html

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Subrights

Here are examples of fair income splits between you and your publisher for subrights (audio, film, book club, etc.).

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/11/14/writing-tips-10-ways-to-fake-a-professional-edit/

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Editing Like a Professional

Use these tips when you revise to bring your story to the next level. 

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/11/14/writing-tips-10-ways-to-fake-a-professional-edit/

Friday, January 4, 2019

First Person Narrators

If you're writing in first person, how do you describe your protagonist without resorting to the old "looking in the mirror" trick?

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/08/what-do-i-look-like-protag-describing.html

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Out-of-Print Books

Is there a way to bring new life to a book your publisher has decided to declare out of print? 

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2018/12/guest-post-shutta-crum-on-breathing-new.html

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Subtext

Body language transmits more information than spoken dialogue. 

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/11/know-subtext-got-subtext-on-the-page/

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Elevator Pitch

You never know when you might be in a position to give a short pitch of your manuscript, so be prepared. 

http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2018/08/elevator-pitch-anytime-anywhere.html