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)

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, For Writers, Getting Started, Literary Agents, Manuscript Requests, Novels, Publishing, Synopsis, Writing Life

Say what? Publishing Terms Defined

Publishing has a lot of jargon we take for granted because we’re around it ALL the time. Over the weekend I was asked a few questions, so here are some definitions if you’re seeing things floating around twitter or the blogosphere and feel out of the loop... Please note: This list isn’t all inclusive, so… Continue reading Say what? Publishing Terms Defined

Authors, Books, Characters, For Writers, Getting Started, Happy Things, Inspiration, Interwebs, Literary Agents, Love, Manuscript Requests, Sparkly Things, Writing Life

5 things you can be proud of RIGHT NOW

As writers we spend a lot of time inside of our heads. A LOT. I’d say we also spend a GREAT deal of time focused on the future. OMGGG when will I sign with an agent? When if ever please please please will I find an editor who wants to buy my book? What if… Continue reading 5 things you can be proud of RIGHT NOW

Books, Characters, Inspiration, Literary Agents, Manuscript Requests, Query Letter, Science Fiction, Writing

Revisions, Unicorns, and lot’s of Face Punching

Oh my, oh my, OH MY. I can’t believe it’s Friday, which is a good thing. But STILL. Where does the time go? More importantly WHERE DID MY BRAIN GO?! There’s so much happening. Here’s the deal: I received a reader’s report on my current manuscript several weeks ago, LURVED the suggestions and got to… Continue reading Revisions, Unicorns, and lot’s of Face Punching

Authors, For Writers, Humor, Manuscript Requests, Query Letter, Writing, Writing Life, Young Adult Novels

A Day in the Life: Querying Phase

Regular blog followers know I'm just beginning to query my latest shiny manuscript. So I thought I’d interject some humor for others who are, or have ever been a part of the query-go-round. Enjoy! Day in the writing life: Querying Phase Morning coffee Open special query email Gasp when you see 10 new messages Swear… Continue reading A Day in the Life: Querying Phase

Authors, Manuscript Requests, Novels, Rejection, Science Fiction, Writing, Writing Life

Publishing trends may come and go, but honesty always prevails.

Publishing trends may come and go, but honesty always prevails. Here's why. (In my opinion.) Every writer published, or unpublished fears the dreaded T word. TREND. Just mentioning t-who-should-not-be-named makes my stomach twist in a knot. Advice is dispensed by everyone and their mother on the subject, but what happens when the story that’s itching… Continue reading Publishing trends may come and go, but honesty always prevails.

Inspiration, Literary Agents, Manuscript Requests, Pictures worth a thousand words, Query Letter, Quotes

You must ‘want to’ enough…

They say that perseverance is key in the publishing industry. So keep that in mind fellow writers on this #Writers Wednesday. Don't be discouraged by rejection. You never know what tomorrow's mail will bring. You just might find your literary agent partner in crime. Believe in you enough and believe in your writing enough to… Continue reading You must ‘want to’ enough…