Are you a lurker who reads publishing blogs but doesn’t comment or create your own blog? Do you fail to Tweet or network on Facebook?Good for you! You’re educating yourself about the publishing business without wasting precious writing time. Don’t let anybody pressure you into changing your ways until you’re ready. (Although if you happened to want to make an exception and comment today, I wouldn’t make you turn in your lurker badge. Promise.)Yes, you’ve read a bunch of stuff that says every writer should be out here building “platform.” But my...
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
How Much Can You Expect in an Advance?
Posted on 19:34 by Unknown
If you're not reading agent Kristin Nelson's blog regularly, do check today's. She talks about the standard advances for various genres. All of which vary widely, she says. But it's nice to know what ballpark you might be playing in, isn't it?And if you have time, browse her archives, which contain a whole course on the publishing business. Her advice can help at all stages of your care...
Sunday, 20 June 2010
WHERE THE WILD THINGS AREN'T
Posted on 12:11 by Unknown
A friend and I watched the DVD of Where the Wild Things Are last weekend. We both adore the Sendak book and figured the Spike Jonz version could only be edgier and more fun. But it wasn’t. We both fell asleep—in spite of the phenomenal effects, stellar cast, and faithful adherence to the spirit of the book. Why? I think the filmmakers forgot several things that all writers need to keep in mind, whether writing for film/print or kids/adults.Identify your audience and give them an idea of what to expect. No matter how much you like caviar, if you...
Friday, 18 June 2010
SlushPile Hell--A New Blog
Posted on 10:27 by Unknown
A self-described grumpy agent has started a new blog called SlushPile Hell. Every day he/she posts a quote from an epic #queryfail letter with a snappy response. We KNOW we won't ever find our own queries in there (um, don't we?) But they may remind you of something you wrote in your younger, clueless days. A little cringing, a lot of laughs.Thanks Solvang Sherrie for the heads-...
Thursday, 17 June 2010
What Agents Expect
Posted on 10:44 by Unknown
One of the funniest blogs in the publishosphere is also a fountain of wisdom. If you're not following the awesome 22-year-old YA writer who blogs under the name Tahereh, you're missing out on your daily laugh. Today she posted (for her "Querypolitan" magazine) a list of "What 81% of Agents Expect on a First Pag...
Monday, 14 June 2010
List of Must-Read Publishing Blogs
Posted on 16:20 by Unknown
CKHB's blog is always fun and informative, but this time she's out-done herself. She's posted a list of links to all the most important publishing blogs for writers. If you're looking for an agent, or know somebody who is, get yourself over to Heim Binas Fiction and read "HOW DO I GET AN AGENT." Thanks, Carrie. You did a whole lot of work so we don't have ...
Sunday, 13 June 2010
5 THINGS WE’VE GOT WRONG ABOUT AGENTS Part II
Posted on 11:18 by Unknown
In last Thursday’s post I talked about two of the “myths” agent Jennifer Lawler debunked in her June 1 Writers Digest article, 5 Myths You Shouldn’t Believe About Agents.I found her article refreshing and comforting. But it should probably be read with a bit of skepticism. The truth is most of these “myths” come from agents themselves. I don’t know what agency Ms. Lawler is with, since her website is an author site for her own books (she’s written 32!) But I wonder if maybe she’s a new agent. I think the older, more established agents...
Friday, 11 June 2010
Yeah. I Kind of Hate This New Design Too.
Posted on 10:23 by Unknown
Blogger tempted me with a handful of new templates this morning. I stupidly tried one out. And guess what? I can't go back. At least not without some secret code I can't find. So I'm stuck with this design that obliterates my profile text with my photo. Do I get rid of the photo? Scream and stamp my little foot? Give up and accept my blog is ruined?I feel like I'm being Big Brothered. Or worse. I've just taken candy from that stranger and now he's whisked me off in his windowless van...Anybody else fall into this trap?...
Thursday, 10 June 2010
5 THINGS WE'VE GOT WRONG ABOUT AGENTS Part 1
Posted on 09:58 by Unknown
I just read an enlightening piece by agent Jennifer Lawler in a June 1 Writers Digest post busting some wide-spread myths about agents. A real eye opener.She says SILENCE DOES NOT MEAN NO, so it’s OK to follow up on a query or resubmit if you’ve heard nothing, because email evaporates so often. And—most important to me at the moment—she explains why we’re getting those form rejections on partials and fulls. She says, “If I believe a book could be improved by revision, I’ll make suggestions and ask the writer to resubmit, or I’ll offer representation...
Sunday, 6 June 2010
What’s Your Best or Worst Critique Experience?
Posted on 12:04 by Unknown
I lost a follower over last week’s post. I’m surprised; it seemed one of my blander ones. But I guess you can’t express any kind of opinion without offending somebody somewhere. Opinions are always subjective. That was pretty much my point—it’s why a critique group can be the best or worst thing that ever happened to your writing.Most people who say they love their critique group(s) seem to have done some shopping around. That’s hard to do when the group is a class or a workshop you’ve paid for, so free groups may actually be the most useful: they’re...
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