Thursday, January 31, 2008

Taking Advantage

So, this week agent Nathan Bradford of the Curtis Brown Literary Agency announced a 1st page contest on his blog. It's not everyday you get to put your writing in front of an agent. He received over 600 entries which is just crazy, but just proves that you should take advantage of ever opportunity out there.

The internet, blogs, discussion groups are goldmines for tidbits of information and contests such as these.

On a personal note, I got a request for a full manuscript from an agency this week for my new picture book. It's my favorite so far and I consider any request for a manuscript from a query letter, a triumph for my query letter.

On a sad note, I found out this week that there will be no Central Ohio Literature for Children Conference. I'm so bummed that I can't stand it. I loved going last year and it was local and affordable. Hopefully, they'll find another coordinator and have one in 2009

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Central Ohio SCBWI website

We have launched our regional chapter website. Please check us out at
Central Ohio SCBWI

Jan. 19th: Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite authors, Edgar Allan Poe. In my opinion, he was the first true mystery writer and I love how his stories have a rhythmic cadence to them.

I'll never forget my introduction to Poe. I was in the 7th grade and we read 'The Telltale Heart'. My English teacher was a gifted storyteller and read the story perfectly. She built up the tension and I was hooked.

It remains my favorite Poe story followed by "The Black Cat". Two years ago, I fortunate enough to visit his museum in Richmond, VA and it was really something to be in the same room with some of his actual manuscripts and letters. I got to see his desk and personal items.

One of my 'must do' trips is to go to Baltimore and do the Poe tour.

So Happy Birthday, Edgar!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008

6500 words

I had a wonderful holiday season but I was ready to get back to normal. I'm really excited about the prospects for 2008. I have 2 picture book manuscripts that are queried out to publishers. That was one of my goals for 2007.

I also have been working on my YA book. I didn't write for about 3 weeks after I wrote this one scene. I cried the whole time. I had never been so into what I was writing that I felt I was inside my character writing everything she felt.

I considered it growing as a writer. I just wrote what what she was saying. It was pretty cool.

What I'm reading: I just started Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wiener

Sunday, January 6, 2008

2008 SCBWI WIP Grant

I submitted my application for this Work In Progress grant last year and am going to do it again for their 2008 grant. I'm submitting my new YA novel and am really looking at my first Chapter since that's what I'll be submitting.

SCBWI offers several grants in different genres. Several grant winner have gone on to publish their novels. It would be a great item to include in a query letter.

If you're interested in writing or illustrating children's book, it really benefits you to join SCBWI. You can find them at SCBWI







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