Category: Writing

Teen Tuesday: Contest and Conference

6/4/2014

Humor contest

Entries for The Royal Nonesuch National Humor Writing Contest are due June 30th. There is a youth category for writers under age 18. Submissions should be 10,000 words or less. For the complete rules and contest information, visit the Mark Twain House website.

Conference for teen writers

There is one week left to register for the Chapter One Young Writers Conference which takes place June 14th and June 15th in Arlington Heights, IL. This is a conference for writers ages 12-22. For more information, visit the Chapter One Conference website.

Teen Tuesday: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

5/28/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

This week's (belated!) Teen Tuesday focuses on resources for teen writers interested in science fiction and fantasy.

To learn more about worldbuilding, check out this article, Seven Deadly Sins of Worldbuilding, and this HUGE list of questions you can consider while creating a fantasy world.

Analog isn't a market for teen writers specifically, but it's a paying market with submission information available online.

If you live in the Washington, DC area, Politics & Prose Bookstore is hosting a fantasy writing workshop for teens August 11th - 15th. For more information, check their website listing.

Science fiction author Jeffrey A. Carver offers advice on his website. (I'm a big believer in his tip about planning your next market and sending out a submission the same day you receive a rejection.)

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America website has an extensive Information Center for writers.

If you know of other resources for science fiction and fantasy writers, particularly those for teens, please let me know.

Teen Tuesday: CICADA Magazine

5/20/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

Origami cicada courtesy of morgueFile.

CICADA is a magazine written for teens ages fourteen and up. A paying market, the magazine publishes fiction, poetry, first-person nonfiction, and alternative comics. The website advises: "Please keep in mind that CICADA's readers are intelligent and sophisticated and can handle complexity with respect to theme, characterization, and plotting." See the submission guidelines for more details about how to get a sample copy (research the market before you submit) and further instructions about how to send in your writing.

I is for Inspiration Sandwich: #AtoZChallenge

4/10/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Since my A to Z theme is creative inspiration, the letter "I" just had to be for Inspiration Sandwich by SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy). This is a whimsical book filled with colorful doodles and hand-written pages meant to inspire.

Cover from Goodreads

Excerpt from the official description: a "collection of 43 ways to awaken your creative self, including 'invite someone dangerous to tea,' 'take lots of naps,' and 'make friends with freedom and uncertainty.'"

Have you read any of SARK's books, or other books that are visually inspiring?

E is for Emotion: #AtoZChallenge

4/5/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

For today's inpiration, pick an emotion (dread, curiosity, relief, etc.) and think about how two different characters in your work-in-progress would show that feeling. How do their actions vary? What makes them unique? For more information, here's an article from Angela Ackerman: Writing Emotion: Does Your Hero Shrug, Smile & Frown Too Much? (Do you struggle with this, too?)

For your emotion-themed listening pleasure:

D is for Dryer Sheets (and Other Scents): #AtoZChallenge

4/4/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

For Tina Fey, the smell of dryer sheets works creative wonders as she writes in the laundry room. (See the American Express ad here.) I will occasionally light a scented candle while I write, but I'm easily distracted and have a fear of burning down the house, so it's not part of my regular routine.

I do like to proofread at this small desk we have that we don't use often. Each time I work there, my brain knows it's time to read slowly and carefully. Do you have a favorite scent that inspires you? Do you have a special location you use to write/revise/proofread?

(Thanks to Susan Brody for the idea for today's post.)

Photo from morgueFile

Friday Five: 5 Things You Should Do Before Submitting Your Manuscript

3/28/2014

For this week's Friday Five, Heather Ayris Burnell, founder of the Sub It Club, has written an encouraging guest post on what to do before submitting your manuscript.

Being a writer is tough! And some would say that submitting your work for consideration is the hardest part of all. It takes guts. But you can do it! First though, you’ve got to make sure you’re ready. Here are 5 Things You Should Do Before Submitting Your Manuscript:.

#1 Work Hard

First of all you need to write, not just anything, but something great. Yes, this takes time. Of course, it depends on the piece but a book can take months or even years to write. And it’s not over once you’ve written it.

#2 Collaborate

Get critiques, more than just one. Read feedback carefully. Do your very best not to take offense to criticism. Going through rounds of critiques as you revise can really help you refine a manuscript into a well thought out, publishable piece. Remember that to make your work its best you need to use all the time and energy you need before submitting. Get your query letter and synopsis critiqued too!

#3 Be Logical

Of course you don’t have to use all of the feedback that’s given to you. Use that which works to help you make your story better. But if you see patterns it’s usually good to pay attention to them. Not feeling a manuscript because you’ve been working on it too much? Give yourself a break. It’s easy to want to rush to get a piece we love out into the world, but publishing will still be around when your manuscript is ready.

#4 Be Resourceful

Learn about your craft and your market. There are so many resources at our fingertips there’s really no excuse for lack of knowledge when it comes to what a great manuscript needs or how to submit your work to the right market correctly. You can learn from books, numerous free online sources, paid classes, and genre specific groups such as the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

#5 Be Hopeful

I’d be surprised if any writer ever truly knew that their manuscript was 100% ready to go. It’s difficult when you’re so close. But if you’ve worked hard and gotten feedback, revised and polished, and know your craft and your market, you will figure out when it’s time to let something go…out on submission or perhaps *gasp* into a drawer. You’ll figure out where you should send your best work to give it the best chance of acceptance. You will know for darn sure that it takes hard work and persistence not only to reach that goal of getting a piece of your work out on submission, but to reach that supreme goal of publication.

Here’s to you, writers!

Heather Ayris Burnell moderates Sub It Club, a support group for writers and illustrators submitting their work, where she writes about submitting manuscripts and more. She also curates the Monster List of Picture Book Agents on her blog. Her picture book, Bedtime Monster, is published by Raven Tree Press. She’s represented by Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

Thank you, Heather! If anyone would like to add other submission tips, please leave them in the comments below.

Friday Five will return in May. Visit April 1st for my first A to Z post on inspiration. A is for....

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Theme Reveal: Inspiration

3/21/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

I’ve decided to join the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, which means posting 26 times throughout the month using the letters of the alphabet as a guide. (On April 1st, A is for …. and so on.)

My blogging theme for the month of April is Inspiration.

I’ll tackle sources of inspiration for writers and other creative-type people throughout the month. If you want to generate some ideas for my posts, let me know in the comments what inspires you.

Teen Tuesday: Teen Ink

3/18/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Literary mag and site written by teens

Teen Ink is a literary magazine and website that features poetry (including song lyrics, sonnets and haikus), fiction, book reviews, hot topics in nonfiction, and art/photos. The site also provides two forums for teens -- a regular one for chatting and a writers' workshop for sharing creative work. Teens also provide reviews about colleges and summer programs. Sign-up is required for submissions (which they accept year-round) and participants must be 13 to 19 years old. To learn more, check their submission guidelines.

Friday Five: 5 Marketing Books for Writers

3/14/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Marketing a book is different from marketing toys, pharmaceuticals, or cars. But of course there are books about how to market books! Here are five that may help.

ISBN 9781582975542

Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform
By Christina Katz

Excerpt from description: "Before you can land a book deal--before you can even attract the interest of agents and editors--you need to be visible. How do you become visible? You develop a platform, or a way of reaching your readers. Everybody can develop a platform, and this book shows you how to do it while you're still writing."

I think "platform" can be a tricky concept for novelists, but I love the idea that there are things writers can be doing *today*, even without a book deal.

ISBN: 9780985861117

What To Do Before Your Book Launch
By M.J. Rose; Randy Susan Meyers

Description: "What To Do Before Your Book Launch is a guide for authors, covering everything from working with your publisher, to reading in public, to help for publicity and marketing, to using (and misusing) social media, to how to dress for your author photo…and far more, including cautionary tales, worksheets, timelines and etiquette tips."

Sometimes marketing is overwhelming. And sometimes even books about marketing can be overwhelming. Not this one! This guide is helpful and succinct. It contains useful lists and a great sample timeline of activities.

Promote Your Book: Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author
By Patricia Fry

Excerpt from description: "A well-organized collection of the most successful low- and no-cost ideas for promoting a book."

This book is geared more toward self-published writers but offers information that would be useful to the traditionally published as well.

ISBN: 9781599634210

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire: The Writer's Guide to Marketing & Publicity
By Rob Eager

Excerpt from description: "You've written a book, but if it doesn't sell, what's the point? In 'Sell Your Book Like Wildfire, marketing expert Rob Eagar explains how to use the best promotional methods available to get your book noticed and drive sales."

Chapter 14 is dedicated to fiction writers and this book contains an interesting section explaining Amazon rankings.

ISBN 9781618220271

Everyday Book Marketing: Promotion Ideas to Fit Your Regularly Scheduled Life
By Midge Raymond

Excerpt from description: "Book publication is just the beginning... Everyday Book Marketing is for the published author who is not only a writer but who also may have another career, a family, and any number of other obligations that require fitting book promotion into a budget where both hours and dollars may be hard to find. This book will guide you on the journey from Writer to Marketing Pro, offering essential marketing tools along the way-including such book promotion basics as how to schedule a book tour and how to make the most of social media to how to keep the buzz going long after your launch date."

I just finished this book recently. It's divided into useful sections that each end with ideas on how to break the big steps into manageable ones. The end of the book contains some interesting interviews with authors and experts.

Do you know of other book marketing resources? Please let me know in the comments.

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Teen Tuesday: Contest and Conference

Humor contest

Conference for teen writers

Teen Tuesday: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Teen Tuesday: CICADA Magazine

I is for Inspiration Sandwich: #AtoZChallenge

E is for Emotion: #AtoZChallenge

D is for Dryer Sheets (and Other Scents): #AtoZChallenge

Friday Five: 5 Things You Should Do Before Submitting Your Manuscript

#1 Work Hard

#2 Collaborate

#3 Be Logical

#4 Be Resourceful

#5 Be Hopeful

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Theme Reveal: Inspiration

Teen Tuesday: Teen Ink

Friday Five: 5 Marketing Books for Writers

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