Writers Wednesday

AGENTS!

Want one? Need one? Looking, hoping, praying for one?

Today I'm sharing a post titled: "How to Hook a Literary Agent: 16 Agents Share What Gets Them Reading."

 This post appeared at Adventures in YA Publishing.

There are some great insights into what agents look for when they read that important first page of your novel.

Writers Wednesday

Worth reading --

This post at MacGregor Literary blog -- An Open Letter to my Fellow Authors (a guest blog from novelist Richard Russo).

Russo received the Pulitzer Prize for his fabulous novel "Empire Falls."

Writers Wednesday

Many of the writers I meet at workshops or critique groups are teachers who were inspired to write a story that relates to their area of curriculum interest or expertise.  These educators often struggle with finding an appropriate venue for their work once it is completed. 

Today's guest post is by Kathryn Starke who has founded a successful company that targets the market for educator/writers. 

Kathryn Starke

            Each day in my position, I motivate children and teachers to enjoy the writing process.  I am an urban elementary school literacy specialist, children's author, public speaker, freelance educational writer, and the founder of Creative Minds Publications and Consulting, a global educational company based in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. I have my BS degree in elementary education and my Master's degree in Literacy Culture from Longwood University. I have been in the field of education for a decade, but I have been writing since I was a very young girl. I never imagined that I would become a children's author and be able to share my passion with readers of all ages.

            Having taught in Title I and inner city schools, I realized that engaging and educational literature is necessary for my students to learn to read, and in turn, read to learn. I wrote Amy's Travels, a multicultural children's book based on a true story, to teach the seven continents to my second graders. I originally started Creative Minds Publications to publish and market this trade book to schools in Virginia. This spring, Amy's Travels was released in its second edition and is used in schools on six continents. Our mission is to ensure quality literacy instruction for all students, which is why CMP publishes books written by educators; all our books are complete with curriculum and comprehensive guides to use at home or in the classroom. Turtle Without a Home is an example of environmental literacy, written by educators in northern Virginia, which is also published under the Creative Minds Publications imprint.

            From presenting at reading and writing conferences, I have met so many teachers that have an idea for a title; I now use my experiences to help fellow educators become published authors. I'm never looking for any particular topic, but the story has to match an objective that can be utilized in school curricula. They also have an illustrator or graphic designer ready to take on the project. My clients come to me as unpublished writers simply sharing a manuscript and goal for themselves and for their work. I am most impressed by a story that readers can make a personal connection to as well as learn a life lesson from; a story that makes you think long after you finished reading is a plus. And remember, your target audience is children, so you must use a simple sentence structure that can be read with ease. Many people have a wonderful story idea but do not present a great children's book because there is too much text on a page, which is overwhelming for children and the vocabulary is far too advanced. Think about how you would speak to a child in conversation or teach a child in your class and write that way.

            Thus far, all of my authors have come to me with their own educational materials to match their book, which is very characteristic of teachers. Creative Minds Publications is able to develop and write lesson plans and book guides for any titles published through us or through a publishing company in which we have a partnership. For example, Brandylane Publishers in Richmond, Virginia, publishes nonfiction materials, and we create materials or programs to complement the book to be used in schools or institutions. Danger on My Doorstep is a Holocaust story written for middle schoolers and published under Brandylane's imprint; Creative Minds Publications markets and distributes the book and programs in the educational realm, which is my expertise.  Keep writing, and do not get discouraged by what others may express about your work. Everyone has a story to tell, but it's how you present and market your manuscript or book that truly makes the difference.

For more information about Kathryn Starke and Creative Minds follow these links:

Creative Minds Website
Creative Minds on Facebook
Follow Kathryn on Twitter  Kathryn at Pinterest           

Writers Wednesday

I'm pleased to announce that there are two new guests visiting All About the Books.

August 1st:

From telling tales of the crypt to spinning stories about Peteyboo and the Worm

By Bram Stoker Award winning author, John Everson

August 15th:

On writing books with an educational lesson

By Kathryn Starke, founder of Creative Minds Publications and Consulting, a global educational company based in Richmond, Virginia.

Two very different posts that you won't want to miss.

As for today's post -- One of the conversations I seem to have most often with fellow writers, particularly those new to the craft, revolves around actually completing the book. 

Their struggle toward a finished book isn't about problems with character development, plot line, voice, or point of view.   Even after these important aspects of the novel have been successfully dealt with and the last word is written, many of the authors I know seem to be paralyzed when it comes to declaring "THE END."

Why? 

Most often the the reason stems from the fear of what comes next -- Sharing the work with potential agents and editors or with a wider circle of readers.

Cynthia Morris has written a thoughtful guest post on the subject entitled: The Courage to Launch at Courage 2 Create. 

Take a few minutes to read her helpful suggestions.  It will be time well spent.

Versatile Blogger

I'm sending a heartfelt "Thank You" to Tammy Flanders from Apples with Many Seeds for recognizing me as a Versatile Blogger!

This recognition comes with three important responsibilities:

• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog. 
• Share 7 things about you. 
• Give this award to up to fifteen bloggers.  Contact those bloggers and let them in on the exciting news.

Here are 7 things about me as a writer.

1. I began my career writing for regional and national periodicals.

2. My work as a Library Media Specialist surrounded me with children's literature and eventually caused me to switch a portion of my writing efforts to children's books.

3. My family pioneered their way West by covered wagon to Arizona and I grew up surrounded by Western culture which is why it is often reflected in my work.

4. I feel a personal and professional responsibility to share what I know about my craft with my fellow writers.  With that thought in mind, I've co-chaired Young Authors Conferences, provided in-service training/seminars for teachers, and taught writing workshops for children and adults.

5. I'm passionate about doing research.  I have shelves and shelves of books on a variety of topics related to the craft of writing, history, folklore, etc.  I favor primary sources for history whenever possible and some of my books are from the 1800s.

6. Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway have influenced me through their body of work, but also through their perspectives on the craft of writing.

7. One of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain is: "To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement.  To condense the diffused light of a page of thought into the luminous flash of a single sentence, is worthy to rank as a prize composition just by itself . . . Anybody can have ideas -- the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph. -- Letter to Emeline Beach, 10 Feb. 1868

I would like to recognize the following Versatile Bloggers -- listed below in no particular order:

Tales of the Rushmore Kid

The Miss Rumphius Effect

Teaching Authors

The Happy Accident

Adventures in Children's Publishing

School Visit Experts

The Librarian Writer

Jen Robinson's Book Page

Writer's Wednesday

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What did you write today?

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"The only certainty about writing and trying to be a writer

is that it has to be done, not dreamed of or planned and

never written, or talked about (the ego eventually falls

apart like a soaked sponge), but simply written; it's a

dreadful, awful fact that writing is like any other work."

 Janet Frame

Writer's Wednesday

On the subject of Query Letters to Agents...

 

Multiple Submissions is a topic that often comes up during workshop Q and A.  At first thought, multiple submissions rather than single submissions seems like a good idea. 

Writers may have an anxiety-filled wait for a response from a single agent.  Although with most submissions now done via email, response time is much quicker than in the days of snail mail.  With single sumissions, if the agent passes on the work, then the writer needs to make the next submission, wait again and so on in the quest to find the perfect match.

It's important to keep in mind that the perfect match is the reason for submitting in the first place.  So the questions is whether or not multiple submissions are the way to find that workable agent/author relationship. 

Ideally, you've done your homework in preparation for seeking representation by thoroughly researching a number of agents. 

• You've honestly assessed your work and have a clear understanding of where your book fits in the market place. 
• You know what categories and genres of books the agents represent: fiction or nonfiction, picture books, beginning readers, MG, YA, adult, graphic novels, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, historical, biographies, self-help, etc. 
• You know what percentage of each type of book the agents have sold. 
• You know what is of special interest or what the agents are specifically looking for in the current market.   
• You've checked the agent's website to insure that all of your information and submission requirements are up to date.
• You've used all that information to create a list of potential agents ranked in order of preference. 

Now you are at the point of decision.  Do you send your work to the first person on your list or to the first five?

Might as well send the book to the first five.  After all, not everyone is going to want your book.  So why not send several submissions and hope at least one gets you a request for the manuscript.  You're right.  You are going to be rejected, but approached with that mind set the problem is one of the glass half empty.  You multiple submit with the hope that one of the five is positive.  However, if you've polished your manuscript until it is brilliant as diamond, crafted a smart query letter, and really fine-tuned your list of potential agents, your odds of a positive response should be good. 

What happens then if more than one agent requests your book?  Most agents, even those who accept query letters in a multiple submission situation, will only accept a manuscript for their exclusive reading.  This means that as soon as you decide to send your manuscript to one agent, you must immediately withdraw the work from consideration by any other agents you've queried. 

And there is another what if . . . Let's say the first agent to respond positively is number five on your list.  Good practice and basic courtesy says to respond to that request for your manuscript ASAP.  But you're still hoping to hear from number one or number two.  Now what?  Do you withdraw your manuscript from their consideration or try to stall agent number five.  It gets complicated very quickly, ethical dilemmas abound and ultimately you can find yourself indulging in bad business practice.

What to do? If you query one agent at a time, beginning with your first choice, you'll know you gave yourself and your manuscript the best chance.  If your manuscript is requested, great!  If the agent passes, at least you won't wonder if you missed a better opportunity.  Yes, you'll be rejected by some.  Yes, single submissions are slower.  And in hindsight you may look back and decide you could have submitted to all those agents simultaneously and been able to move on.  That feels like a negative approach to me.  It's almost as if you're counting on being rejected and just want to get if over with quickly. 

On the other hand, multiple submissions will get your query in front of more agents, more quickly.  If the agents on your list are fairly equal in your estimation so that you'd be happy with any one from your list then multiple submissions may be the fastest route to an agent.  Just keep in mind that when it comes time to submit your manuscript, exclusive reads will most likely be the rule.

Whatever your decision -- Best of Luck!

Writer's Wednesday

On the subject of copyright and the Internet...

Check out this OP-ED piece from the NY Times: Would the Bard Have Survived the Web?

Writer's Wednesday

A Potpourri of Posts


At Write4Kids! -- On e-Publishing "This May Be The Future of Picture Books"


At Through the Tollbooth -- On self-promotion "Author Fan Pages"

At E is for Book --More on e-publishing "Apps vs. e-Books"

Writer's Wednesday

Writing is serious business: Struggling through the fog of a first draft, the endless rounds of revision, the quest for publication, and if all goes as planned - learning the ins and outs of promoting your book.

Somewhere along the line, it's easy to forget to have a bit of fun along the way. Lighten your mood and brighten your day with these recent posts.

At Pen and Ink: Do You Speak Query? by Kris Kahrs

At Teaching Authors: A Savage-soothing Tip for Novelists Pseudo, Real and/or Lost by Esther Hershenhorn.

At The Librarian Writer: 3 Reasons I'm Not Concerned That My NaNoWriMo Word Count is Dismal.

Writer's Wednesday

It's Writer's Wednesday Miscellaneous:

For those of you contemplating the step into self-publishing...here's an interview with Eric Hammel at Jane Friedman's There Are No Rules titled - Self-published Authors Should Band Together.

Think it's too late to take up writing? Be inspired! Read this interview with Hugo Cipriani at Writers in Residence. Mr. Cipriani became a published author at the age of 94.

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm sharing this worthwhile post:

Writer's In Residence has an interview with Cheryl Malandrinos from Pump Up Your Book. Cheryl discusses Blog Tours and shares some valuable information about online book promotion.

And don't miss Tales from the Rushmore Kid: Writing Tip of the Day from Ann Whitford Paul and Alexis O'Neill.

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm writing on a deadline...doing a final polish (I hope) now at chapter 18 of 22.

In the meantime follow this interesting and informative discussion on the Pros and Cons of Traditional publishing vs Self-publishing at Editorial Ass.

Regardless of how you are published, ultimately the goal is to sell books and here is a current article from the LA Times on promoting an author's brand whether it is the books or related products and services. The article discusses Open Sky a new online site designed to allow published authors and others to sell to the public. I haven't checked it out yet and this isn't an endorsement, but it might be worth a look. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done business on the site. What did you think?

The Manuscript's Done...Now What?

It's Writer's Wednesday and I'm sharing some posts that deal with post-writing questions.

At Kidlit.com: "Should you send a Slew?" a post on queries and submitting your best work.

At Adventures in Children's Publishing: "Thank you Rejection" by Terry Lynn Johnson, a post about finding an agent.

At Writer's in Residence: an interview with writer Darrell James discusses what an author can do to prepare for the release of a book and maximize the potential for success.

Marketing Your Book

It's Writer's Wednesday and here are a couple of perspectives on Marketing your Book that I'd like to share.

Wow Wednesday at Adventures in Children's Publishing offers a tip from middle-grade author Anita Laydon Miller on making your book more marketable.

And from Through the Tollbooth, a thought provoking post titled "The Times They are a Changing," contrasting the market for self-published vs. traditionally published books. The post incorporates comments and statistics from Stephen Roxburgh's keynote speech at Chautauqua on the future of publishing.

It's Writers Wednesday

Here's a potpourri of interesting posts:

• From Stroppy Author's Guide to Publishing, How to Read a Publishing Contract.
• The Subversive Copy Editor Blog offers -- Advice for Writers: Preparing your E-Manuscript.
• And don't miss this gem from Help! I Need A Publisher! titled Nailing Your Character.

Summer is a great time to be outdoors exploring.

Even when you're just hanging out in the backyard, there are interesting critters to be found. If your children are avid insect collectors, you might want to check out Bug Zoo: How to Capture, Keep, and Care for Creepy Crawlies, written by naturalist, Nick Baker. You'll find a review today at A Year of Reading.

Many a future scientist began collecting, bugs, leaves, rocks, etc. Despite the progress made in science instruction in school, there are still a great many students who are intimidated by the subject. You'll find an interesting post about student perceptions regarding scientists at Oz and Ends.

Mark your calendars, all you kid lit bloggers: Kidlitosphere 2010 Conference is Saturday, October 23rd. at Open Book - Minneapolis, MN. The conference is hosted this year by Andrew Karre (Carolrhoda), Ben Barnhart (Milkweed Editions) and Brian Farrey (Flux). If you blog about children or YA books, this will be the place for you.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Officer Buckle knew more safety tips than anyone else in Napville," is from the Caldecott Medal Book - Officer Buckle and Gloria, written and illustrated by Peggy Rathmann.

It's Writers Wednesday and the topic is Cover/Query Letters.

These two types of letters serve basically the same purpose: introduce your work and inquire about possible interest on the part of an editor or agent. A cover letter is sent with a manuscript (the entire manuscript for picture books, a partial for chapter books) or book proposal (for non-fiction work). A query letter is sent when you are not permitted to include your manuscript. The query is similar to the cover letter, but it will include more story detail because it must hook a reader's interest sufficiently to persuade them to ask to see your manuscript.

A cover/query letter is the first piece of your writing that a prospective editor or agent will read. This is your opportunity to introduce your work and yourself as well as provide a glimpse of your writing style and expertise.

Before you inquire, research the publishing house, editor or agent. Does your work fit their criteria? Double-check their website for the most current information on submission guidelines and follow them to the letter. If the publisher or agent wants an exclusive look, be sure to mention that is what you are giving them. If they accept multiple submissions, you must let them know if you currently have the work submitted somewhere else.

Format: Plain white 8 1/2 x 11 paper or your personal business-style letterhead, typed, single-spaced in standard business form. Your letter should be no more than one page and ideally you want plenty of white space in your letter. Provide all your contact information: name, address, phone numbers, email. If you are employed in some other field, do not use that letterhead.

Your letter should be clear, concise and at the same time give the reader a sense of your personality. Avoid colored papers, inks, patterns, prints, borders, clip art, or cute fonts. Proofread to catch all grammar, spelling or typo mistakes.

Your letter should be structured more or less like this:

• Opening: Address your letter to a specific person if possible. Double check the spelling of their name and their current company title.
• Paragraph #1 Provide the title, type of book and word count. If the book is intended for a particular publisher's line, mention it.
• Paragraph #2 This is the moment when you hook the reader's interest in the story. Your passion and hard work are showcased here. Provide a description and brief synopsis of your story in a style similar to the tone of the book. A synopsis should not withhold the conclusion. Avoid a "to discover the ending, you'll have to read the book," tease. What is the book about? What's the theme? Why are the characters special? What is the conflict? These are questions you want to answer without sounding like you're checking them off a list. This paragraph will be the reader's best picture of how well you write. Let your enthusiasm come through, but avoid the hype: this is the next Newbery, NYT best seller, Harry Potter, etc.
• Paragraph #3 And now for a bit about you. Include significant publications, credentials, background, memberships in professional writing societies -- as it relates to the work you are submitting. If nothing applies then skip this paragraph. Don't talk about the letter to the editor that made it into your local newspaper, or how your friends, relatives or third grade class loved your book.
• The closing: Make this a polite farewell. Mention any enclosures: manuscript, SASE. Don't leave them with a deadline, "If I don't hear from you by such and such a date, I'm sending this somewhere else.

Mail your submission via standard mail, no return receipts, etc.

Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Then get busy writing that next great idea!

It's Writer's Wednesday

I've had several questions recently about query letters and what type of biographical information to include.

Bios vary depending on the type of project you are submitting. The first thing a publisher wants to know is if you have publishing credits. Ideally, you've had successful sales of a work similar to the one you're submitting. Even if that is not the case...say you've been published in recognized periodicals and now have a book you are shopping...the fact that you've been published in another genre can work to your advantage. It tells the editor/agent that you have some experience.

If you're unpublished, perhaps you have writing or literary experience as an editor, writing instructor or English professor.

If you are writing non-fiction, you'll also need to demonstrate that your are a credible expert on the subject of your book. If you write about rocks and minerals, the fact that you're a geologist is information your publisher wants to know.

Think of your query letter as an interview and your publisher as a potential employer. Then remember that publishing is a business. What makes you marketable? Do you lecture or have some sort of name recognition or following that is large enough to account for a portion of the reading audience.

If this doesn't apply, don't worry. Ultimately, it's all about the writing.

For more on this topic read: How to Write a Successful Query by Moira Allen.

It's Writers Wednesday -- Let's talk about the dreaded rejection letter.

No writer, whether you've published one book or dozens, escapes the experience. It's true that you may not receive the sad news in print. Many publishers have adopted the policy of not responding at all unless they are interested in your project. Never-the-less once the deadline they allow themselves comes and goes in silence, the hopeful may assume the worst and the rejection is every bit as genuine as if it arrived on letterhead.

As a reminder we're all in this boat together, take a look at the course Dan Gutman navigated on his way to the publication of Honus and Me (which was not only a publishing success and the beginning of a popular series, but was also made into a TV movie). Be sure to read all the way to the end of the post. You'll find some great food for thought.

Writing isn't for the faint of heart. One of my rejection letters, which I treasure and share with audiences at workshops and presentations, reminded me that the publishing house that was passing on The Gingerbread Cowboy received 20,000 submissions a year and only published 20 books.

My story had a one in one thousand chance. Those odds are a good thing to keep in mind in this business of ups and downs. A few rejections later and my editor at HarperCollins was on the phone asking if I was interested in having them take on the project. The rest is history.

Now for a light-hearted look at the subject, check out this great parody by Kris Kahrs of a rejection letter to Herman Melville from his British publisher regarding Moby Dick at Pen and Ink.