Howdy, folks. Phew, this is a busy time of year for me. School starts. Football. The fall routine is almost set up so the weekly blog is getting back on track. We have a schmooze coming up -- 9:30 AM Critique (bring copies) and 10 AM (meeting) at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Bring in your brilliant ways of how to keep track of your manuscript submissions. It's a roundtable discussion.
Our conference is also coming up folks. Here is the link. Sign up! It's going to be fab. Here's the scoop:
Connections & Craft
November 12, 2011 A&M United Methodist Church
417 University Drive
College Station, TX 77840
As another tidbit. Oh, my Brian Floca is going to be speaking at our conference! Here is a nice interview with Brian that you may wish to check out.
Books!
Here's what is hot at the Naperville Public Library in Illinois. From PW.
And here is a link to this week's NY Times bestsellers.
Here are the Amazon bestsellers.
Here are the current INDIEBOUND bestsellers.
Inspiration!
Here is a post from literary agent Sarah Davies -- The Spirit of Normandy. This is one encouraging post.
Here's a post from Joe Konrath about How to Succeed.
Provocation!
The uphill battle for authors with original work. Definitely a provocative post.
Need some instant creativity juice, here's some weird and wonderful advice.
Opportunities!
Just a reminder. Here is a new magazine for emerging YA authors. It's called Sucker Literary Magazine. It's featured in PW. It's a place for short fiction. You may wish to check it out.
You need to be working on your story now if you plan to enter the 2012 Highlights For Children contest. Here is the contest information link.
If you want to go to the Children's Writing Workshop at Chautauqua, you get an edge if your scholarship application is early.
Hunger Mountain is out there. This is a reminder too.
See you next time for more scratch!
Any views expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of the SCBWI.
8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Weekly Scratch: Manuscript Formatting, eBook Formatting, Document Maps, Love Librarians
Howdy, folks! At the last schmooze I promised to send out some of my favorite formatting links. Don't forget to sign up for our fab conference on November 12, 2011. Brazos Writers has a workshop for the mystery inclined on September 10, 2011.
This week we eschew all else for formatting information.
Submission Formatting
So here is Nathan Bransford's thoughts on formatting manuscripts. He's a bright guy and 'spains good. Check out his post.
Gotta love the Purple Crayon. Here is Harold Underdown's take on formatting.
Email Formatting
Formatting for an email submission. There is a nice discussion in this article about email submission. This is stuff to help you make it pretty and not garbled when you send it in. Courtesy of Writing World.
Remove the formatting from a Word Document. Here's quickie advice.
Here is another little article about email formatting that may be of some use to you.
eBook Formatting
Here is an article I like about Kindle formatting. I found some understandable advice here on how to do turn a Word document into one that can be easily read on the Kindle.
Amazon offers a page about Kindle formatting too. You might find it useful.
Here is a guru article from Aaron Shepherd. You will certainly know a thing or two if you wade through this article on Kindle Formatting.
Document Maps
I'm a fan of the document map feature of Word for formatting my novels.
Here are some articles to help you on your way if you want to get a tech on.
This article is pretty simple and straight-forward about how to make a simple document map. You might like it.
Here is another nifty article about creating a document map for a novel.
Well, I'm closing out this week with a "gotta love librarians" moment. Check out this article.
Check y'all next week with more chicken scratch.
This week we eschew all else for formatting information.
Submission Formatting
So here is Nathan Bransford's thoughts on formatting manuscripts. He's a bright guy and 'spains good. Check out his post.
Gotta love the Purple Crayon. Here is Harold Underdown's take on formatting.
Email Formatting
Formatting for an email submission. There is a nice discussion in this article about email submission. This is stuff to help you make it pretty and not garbled when you send it in. Courtesy of Writing World.
Remove the formatting from a Word Document. Here's quickie advice.
Here is another little article about email formatting that may be of some use to you.
eBook Formatting
Here is an article I like about Kindle formatting. I found some understandable advice here on how to do turn a Word document into one that can be easily read on the Kindle.
Amazon offers a page about Kindle formatting too. You might find it useful.
Here is a guru article from Aaron Shepherd. You will certainly know a thing or two if you wade through this article on Kindle Formatting.
Document Maps
I'm a fan of the document map feature of Word for formatting my novels.
Here are some articles to help you on your way if you want to get a tech on.
This article is pretty simple and straight-forward about how to make a simple document map. You might like it.
Here is another nifty article about creating a document map for a novel.
Well, I'm closing out this week with a "gotta love librarians" moment. Check out this article.
Check y'all next week with more chicken scratch.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Weekly Scratch: The Revolution, Craft, Fun
Howdy, folks! Whew, it hot. I hope the heat is keeping you inside writing masterworks.
Follow this link to learn more about the upcoming SCBWI Brazos Valley Conference. Check out editor and author Claudia Gabel's website. Claudia is a speaker at the upcoming conference SCBWI BV conference.
Plan ahead? The 2012 Austin Conference is on February 17 and 18.
Remember, the Mini-Retreat is around the corner. SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice is on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located at Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX. SCBWI Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill, will team up and present A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice. They are combining their professional backgrounds to inform and inspire beginning and seasoned writers. Jacqueline and Alicia will present new ways to look at writing for children and have several writing exercises to unlock your writing obstacles.
We also have a Schmooze: Schmooze: How to Format a Manuscript with Liz Mertz. She will explain
standard formatting for manuscripts and why is it important at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Critiques start a 9:30 AM.
Are you a mystery writer? Brazos Writers has an all day workshop: BRAZOS WRITERS PRESENTS THE ART AND SCIENCE OF INVESTIGATION on the September 10, 2011 at the Brazos Center from 8:30 AM to 4:00 AM. Check out their website for more info.
THE REVOLUTION
Children's picture book apps are all the rage. Check out these two companies on the forefront of the technological wave. One from Oceanhouse Media and another from Skyreader Media Inc.
Want to convert a PDF for your Kindle/Nook/Kobo ebook? Here is a page to help you out.
What are some ebook trends on the horizon? Here is an an article with preditictons.
CRAFT
Here is a good blog about how to create a character bible. It's from the San Diego Professional Writer's Group.
Want to know the difference between magical realism and paranormal/fantasy? Here is a post from WriteOnCon.
FUN
Minimalist Fairy tale posters. Less can be more.
You probably want to check out Pottermore. You may need a place for your fans to dwell someday too.
Follow this link to learn more about the upcoming SCBWI Brazos Valley Conference. Check out editor and author Claudia Gabel's website. Claudia is a speaker at the upcoming conference SCBWI BV conference.
Plan ahead? The 2012 Austin Conference is on February 17 and 18.
Remember, the Mini-Retreat is around the corner. SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice is on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located at Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX. SCBWI Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill, will team up and present A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice. They are combining their professional backgrounds to inform and inspire beginning and seasoned writers. Jacqueline and Alicia will present new ways to look at writing for children and have several writing exercises to unlock your writing obstacles.
We also have a Schmooze: Schmooze: How to Format a Manuscript with Liz Mertz. She will explain
standard formatting for manuscripts and why is it important at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Critiques start a 9:30 AM.
Are you a mystery writer? Brazos Writers has an all day workshop: BRAZOS WRITERS PRESENTS THE ART AND SCIENCE OF INVESTIGATION on the September 10, 2011 at the Brazos Center from 8:30 AM to 4:00 AM. Check out their website for more info.
THE REVOLUTION
Children's picture book apps are all the rage. Check out these two companies on the forefront of the technological wave. One from Oceanhouse Media and another from Skyreader Media Inc.
Want to convert a PDF for your Kindle/Nook/Kobo ebook? Here is a page to help you out.
What are some ebook trends on the horizon? Here is an an article with preditictons.
CRAFT
Here is a good blog about how to create a character bible. It's from the San Diego Professional Writer's Group.
Want to know the difference between magical realism and paranormal/fantasy? Here is a post from WriteOnCon.
FUN
Minimalist Fairy tale posters. Less can be more.
You probably want to check out Pottermore. You may need a place for your fans to dwell someday too.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Weekly Scratch: The Truth, Plot, WriteOnCon
Howdy, folks! It's hot outside. No question! I've been off to LA for the SCBWI Summer Conference. Here is a nice write up in PW about the conference. Good times for sure. But now it's time to roll up the sleeves and get ready for the next stuff coming. Work is good.
Remember, the Mini-Retreat is around the corner. SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice is on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located at Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX. SCBWI Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill, will team up and present A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice. They are combining their professional backgrounds to inform and inspire beginning and seasoned writers. Jacqueline and Alicia will present new ways to look at writing for children and have several writing exercises to unlock your writing obstacles.
We also have a Schmooze: Schmooze: How to Format a Manuscript with Liz Mertz. She will explain
standard formatting for manuscripts and why is it important at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Critiques start a 9:30.
Follow this link to learn more about the upcoming SCBWI Brazos Valley Conference. Check out Martha Mihalick's website: Martha Mihalick's Curiosities from a Children's Book Editor. Martha is a speaker at the upcoming conference SCBWI BV conference.
THE TRUTH
Have you ever wondered how much a children's book editor makes? Here's an article from GalleyCat that offers some insider info.
PLOT
Want to read a good book about plotting. Seasoned children's author Chris Eboch offers a new book called ADVANCED PLOTTING. Check it out. Here is a blog that talks about plotting a series. Check it out too.
WRITEONCON
Sad that you did not get to go to LA. Here is a deal for you: WRITEONCON! A free conference from August 16 to August 18.
Oh, this is hot summer. I hope that is reflected in your writing. Back soon with more scratch..
Remember, the Mini-Retreat is around the corner. SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice is on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located at Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, 2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX. SCBWI Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill, will team up and present A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice. They are combining their professional backgrounds to inform and inspire beginning and seasoned writers. Jacqueline and Alicia will present new ways to look at writing for children and have several writing exercises to unlock your writing obstacles.
We also have a Schmooze: Schmooze: How to Format a Manuscript with Liz Mertz. She will explain
standard formatting for manuscripts and why is it important at the College Station Barnes and Noble. Critiques start a 9:30.
Follow this link to learn more about the upcoming SCBWI Brazos Valley Conference. Check out Martha Mihalick's website: Martha Mihalick's Curiosities from a Children's Book Editor. Martha is a speaker at the upcoming conference SCBWI BV conference.
THE TRUTH
Have you ever wondered how much a children's book editor makes? Here's an article from GalleyCat that offers some insider info.
PLOT
Want to read a good book about plotting. Seasoned children's author Chris Eboch offers a new book called ADVANCED PLOTTING. Check it out. Here is a blog that talks about plotting a series. Check it out too.
WRITEONCON
Sad that you did not get to go to LA. Here is a deal for you: WRITEONCON! A free conference from August 16 to August 18.
Oh, this is hot summer. I hope that is reflected in your writing. Back soon with more scratch..
Monday, July 18, 2011
Weekly Scratch: Perfect Pitch, Rejection Dictionary
Howdy, folks! SCBWI Brazos Valley has some events coming. First, on July 27 at the College Station Barnes and Noble at 10:00 a.m., author Sherry Garland will offer tricks of writing winning query and cover letters.
Don't forget the upcoming mini-retreat! SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX).Cost: Free. Offered by Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill. More info is on the website.
Mark your calendars! Our annual conference registration -- Connections and Craft 2011: Writing for hildren and Adults -- is about to open. The conference will be held at A&M United Methodist Church on November 12, 2011 Keep checking the website for more information.
Perfect Pitch
Wonder how to avoid "I'm out of town" syndrome. Check out this article and learn the worst time to pitch a book.
The 2011 Backspace Agent-Author Seminar is November 3 and 4, 2011. This conference offers an interesting take on how to break into the business.
Want to pitch your book and don't know whether it is high concept or not? Author Lori Wilde offers some thoughts about that.
Rejection Dictionary
Ever wonder how to decode a rejection? Here ia a post over at ADVENTURES IN CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING and The Writer's Rejection Dictionary.
Dog days of summer. More scratch next week.
Don't forget the upcoming mini-retreat! SCBWI Saturday: A Mini-Retreat to Inspire Your Writing Voice on Aug. 27, 2011, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley (2275 Dartmouth St., College Station, TX).Cost: Free. Offered by Brazos Valley Children’s Literature Book Club co-coordinators, Jacqueline Gramann and Alicia Clay O’Neill. More info is on the website.
Mark your calendars! Our annual conference registration -- Connections and Craft 2011: Writing for hildren and Adults -- is about to open. The conference will be held at A&M United Methodist Church on November 12, 2011 Keep checking the website for more information.
Perfect Pitch
Wonder how to avoid "I'm out of town" syndrome. Check out this article and learn the worst time to pitch a book.
The 2011 Backspace Agent-Author Seminar is November 3 and 4, 2011. This conference offers an interesting take on how to break into the business.
Want to pitch your book and don't know whether it is high concept or not? Author Lori Wilde offers some thoughts about that.
Rejection Dictionary
Ever wonder how to decode a rejection? Here ia a post over at ADVENTURES IN CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING and The Writer's Rejection Dictionary.
Dog days of summer. More scratch next week.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Weekly Scratch: YA Opportunity, Revolution, Good Letters, Tweets, Book Club, Craft
Howdy, folks. I hope y'all are not too hot. Keep working on your projects. Make space for the art and craft of children's books. I hope are writing heats up just like the weather. Check out the SCBWI Brazos Valley website for upcoming events: schmoozes, a retreat, a conference. Lots of cool stuff ahead.
YA Opportunity
Here is a new magazine for emerging YA authors. It's called Sucker Literary Magazine. It's featured in PW. It's a place for short fiction. You may wish to check it out.
Revolution
Yes, HarperCollins "I Can Read Books" are now digital. More migration from print. Read about in PW.
The number of print books sold has fallen by 10% in the past 6 months. The biggest chunk is out of adult fiction -- also reported in PW.
SCBWI Austin has a conference on October 8, 2011 at Saint Edwards University: Storytelling in the Digital Age: Embrace the Change. Folks in the neighborhood sort through the revolution to help you understand what is going on out there.
Good Letters
I love Letters of Note. They put some outstanding correspondence over there. Here is one to warm the heart of anyone who has been rejected by an editor. Enjoy.
Tweets
Here is a round up of tweets from agents from late June. You might find something interesting here.
Book Club
Don't want to get out in the heat but you do want to hang with readers of good books. Check out this how to Host A Virtual Book Club article.
Craft
Underneath every story is something hovering. What are you not saying when you are writing? Why is that important. Read this article on subtext if you feel the need to dive into the deep end of the craft pool. :)
Write more this week. I'll see you next week with more of the weekly scratch.
YA Opportunity
Here is a new magazine for emerging YA authors. It's called Sucker Literary Magazine. It's featured in PW. It's a place for short fiction. You may wish to check it out.
Revolution
Yes, HarperCollins "I Can Read Books" are now digital. More migration from print. Read about in PW.
The number of print books sold has fallen by 10% in the past 6 months. The biggest chunk is out of adult fiction -- also reported in PW.
SCBWI Austin has a conference on October 8, 2011 at Saint Edwards University: Storytelling in the Digital Age: Embrace the Change. Folks in the neighborhood sort through the revolution to help you understand what is going on out there.
Good Letters
I love Letters of Note. They put some outstanding correspondence over there. Here is one to warm the heart of anyone who has been rejected by an editor. Enjoy.
Tweets
Here is a round up of tweets from agents from late June. You might find something interesting here.
Book Club
Don't want to get out in the heat but you do want to hang with readers of good books. Check out this how to Host A Virtual Book Club article.
Craft
Underneath every story is something hovering. What are you not saying when you are writing? Why is that important. Read this article on subtext if you feel the need to dive into the deep end of the craft pool. :)
Write more this week. I'll see you next week with more of the weekly scratch.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Weekly Scratch: Mom Power, The Darkness, Life VS Writing, Rule breakers, Query!
Howdy, Folks. I hope your work is heating up like our summer, because if it is, you are on fire. In the news is former SCBWI Brazos Valley member Donna Cooner . Read about her six-figure debut deal here. Shout out to her on Facebook! Kathi Appelt is a contributing writer to Writing Young Adult Fiction for Children. So yay! I hope you all enjoy the Fourth!
Mom Power
I like this article about the power of moms to influence book sales and think it is cool.
The Darkness
Lots of folks are arguing about this article about in the Wall Street Journal about the darkness in YA books. Believe me this has incited dramatic feelings and many are going on and on about this article. Be sure to check out the comments too.
Life vs. Writing
Some advice to keep you writing even if life is throwing you tons of curve balls. This is all about Plan B.
Rule breaker.
Do you see rules as merely the guidelines. Apparently George Orwell wrote the rules. Follow this link to learn them. You can decide whether to break them or not. Here's a list of 5 rules you are encouraged to break. Give it a look.
Query!
Here is some encouragement to get you querying and moving away from your perfection. :)
Have a fun weekend!
Mom Power
I like this article about the power of moms to influence book sales and think it is cool.
The Darkness
Lots of folks are arguing about this article about in the Wall Street Journal about the darkness in YA books. Believe me this has incited dramatic feelings and many are going on and on about this article. Be sure to check out the comments too.
Life vs. Writing
Some advice to keep you writing even if life is throwing you tons of curve balls. This is all about Plan B.
Rule breaker.
Do you see rules as merely the guidelines. Apparently George Orwell wrote the rules. Follow this link to learn them. You can decide whether to break them or not. Here's a list of 5 rules you are encouraged to break. Give it a look.
Query!
Here is some encouragement to get you querying and moving away from your perfection. :)
Have a fun weekend!
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