Authors, Awesome reads, Book Reviews, Books, Books I LOVE, Cat Winters, Creepy Stories, Debut Novels, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, Young Adult Novels

IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS

Book Review: IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS Author: Cat Winters Genre: YA Historical/Mystery with a Paranormal twist Rating: Five out of Five stars Back of book blurb: In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships… Continue reading IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS

AG Howard, Authors, Book Reviews, Books, Books I LOVE, Fantasy, Happy Things, Justin Levinson, Love, Music, SPLINTERED, Young Adult Novels

Two New Year’s Releases I Adore

Two amazing things are happening on January 1st that I cannot WAIT to share with you guys. First, Justin Levinson is releasing an EP that’s crazy good. His previous album (with The Valcours) was in constant rotation while I was writing and revising my last book so you know it’s good good good. Justin is… Continue reading Two New Year’s Releases I Adore

Agents, Authors, Books, Critiques, For Writers, Literary Agents, Manuscript Requests, Publishing, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life, Young Adult Novels

Query Letter Critique (YA Contemporary)

Original Query: Almost fainting onstage should be a foolproof way to lose a battle of the bands. But seventeen-year-old singer Charlie’s sabotage backfires, and her all-girl band the Wretched Gretchens takes first place anyway. Cue the sappy “Hallelujah” music. It’s not that Charlie wants her band to break up—she’s just sick of her stage persona… Continue reading Query Letter Critique (YA Contemporary)

Agents, Authors, Critiques, For Writers, Literary Agents, Manuscript Requests, Publishing, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life

Query Critique (Non-fiction)

The Original Query: Address Address Address To Whom This May Concern, GO BLOG YOURSELF! What better way to showcase concrete research on blogging as a legit form of writing for students then to place it next to blog entries from the researcher, and teacher, herself? My book, GO BLOG YOURSELF, would include entries from two of… Continue reading Query Critique (Non-fiction)

Agents, Authors, Critiques, For Writers, Happy Things, Hearts and Hearts, Publishing, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life, Young Adult Novels

Query Critique

Original Query: Dear (Agent), Small-time thief, big-time troublemaker, Tristan Storey has been accused of a murder he didn’t commit. And is going to hang for it. With a rope squeezed tightly around his neck, Tristan knows it’s the end, but just as his consciousness flickers, lightning tears down from the sky. It smashes the gallows, freeing the thief.… Continue reading Query Critique

Authors, beautiful life, Critiques, For Writers, Getting Started, Happy Things, Publishing, Query Letter, Revisions, Smiles Are Free, Writing, Writing Life, Young Adult Novels

The Girl with the Green Pen

I know I said I’d post a query critique each Wednesday, but this week I’m bumping it out to Friday (sorry!) to share some news with you. One of my dear friends (and the person I often refer to as “Critique Goddess”) is launching a new website for writers, and I cannot say enough about… Continue reading The Girl with the Green Pen

Authors, Critiques, For Writers, Getting Started, Happy Things, Manuscript Requests, Publishing, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life

Query Critique

The Original Query: THE LOST STORY, completed at 80,000 words, is the tragic and triumphant story of Danielle (Dani) Caldwell, an American girl who meets a Cuban boy and falls in love, only to find their world-views divided over the Cuban Revolution. The story opens in 1980.  Dani's walking through the streets of Manhattan when… Continue reading Query Critique

Authors, Critiques, For Writers, Happy Things, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life

Query Letter OR First Page Critiques…

Hey blog friends! LONG time no speak - color me embarrassed. Did I mention you look super cute today? AND CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S November?! (HAPPY NaNoWriMo!) As you know I was working on SECRET project, then I was editing SECRET project, then I started critiquing and beta’ing for a few of my friends/agent sisters,… Continue reading Query Letter OR First Page Critiques…

Agents, Authors, Barbara Poelle, For Writers, Happy Things, Literary Agents, My Agent Is Super Awesome, Publishing, Science Fiction, Sparkly Things, Speculative Fiction, Writing, Writing Life

Special Post: Ask an agent ANYthing and Harper is open to unagented submissions!

A couple of amazing things I had to share with my fellow writing friends... If you’ve ever wanted an opportunity to ask a literary agent ANY question regarding publishing - now’s your chance! My agent (Barbara Poelle) is doing a monthly column for Writers Digest where she’ll be answering questions from YOU. No writing/publishing question… Continue reading Special Post: Ask an agent ANYthing and Harper is open to unagented submissions!