Grammar Question? Ask the Grammar Girl

I rely on my critique group for my punctuation and grammar questions, but this is a terrifc website for many of the grammar questions that pop up for writers. You can submit a question or check the archives. Happy (correct) writing! Grammar Girl

Hats Off to NJ SCBWI!

Hats off (and a big bow) to Kathy Temean and Laurie Wallmark for coordinating a fantastic conference! Kathy and Laurie are the dynamic duo that managed to have 22 publishing houses/agents represented. These fine agents/editors were available for critiques, networking, workshops and a post-conference dinner. They also generously donated full manuscript critiques for the Silent Auction (proceeds to benefit the scholarship fund). Prizes galore! The raffle had autographed books, gift certificates and book bundles. NJ SCWI presented me with a signed copy of a Richard Peck book and a gift certificate for money off another NJSCWI event -as a token of appreciation for volunteering to facilitate a First Page session. Folks - run, don't walk, to the 2011 June conference! This year about 10 authors/illustrators received contracts through the NJ workshops/conference. The conference attendees left with their heads full of new ideas, inspiration and a big dose of gratitude to Kathy and Laurie. They are tireless volunteers who have done an outstanding job!

YAY! The NJ SCBWI Conference is Here!

Off to the NJ SCBWI conference and am I excited! Folks, take a look at this fantastic line-up of editors/agents/authors:

Marshall Cavendish

Dial and Dutton

Random House

Egmont USA

Highlights

Sterling Publishers

Philomel

Wendy Lamb Books

Sourcebooks, Jabberwocky

Paulist Press

Little, Brown BFYR

Dial BFYR

Putnam

Knopf

Scott Treimel Literary Agency

Foundry Literary

Adams Literary

Sheldon Fogelman Agency

Herman Agency

Andrea Brown Agency

Fne Print Literary Agency

Viking Books

Henry Holt

Keynote speakers:

David L. Harrison - author of 80 children's books

Catherine Murdock - author of Dairy Queen and other books

Last year I was on the faculty as a member of the "First Book Panel". This year, I'm facilitating a workshop for the "First Page Session". Bring those first pages folks - this is where my manuscript "Tonight You Are My Baby" was discovered.

Hope to see many of you SCBWI friends this weekend!

Feeling Rejected? How About These Famous Authors?

Join the club! And it's an esteemed group as well - famous authors who have climbed the ladder to success, and accrued a pile of rejection slips as well. We have all heard the story of how our beloved Harry Potter was rejected at least a dozen times before Bloomsbury Publishers picked it up (and we all breathe a collective - whew!). But how about Stephen King or William Faulkner?
And the literary success of Diary of Anne Frank and Animal Farm? Almost didn't happen. Check out this article from the Examiner.com to see the 30 authors/books who rose above rejection, polished their manuscripts, and didn't give up. Each rejection is the chance to make your manuscript better and find the editor who will love your work as much as you do. A little inspiration next time you find a rejection letter in your mailbox . . .

Just the Facts? Or More?

In the third edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, author Harold Underdown gives us the latest in children's non-fiction (now also called informational books).

For example, there are books that present just the facts, biographies, creative non-fiction (books that follow a traditional story arc or facts presented in a fun, unusual format), and how-to books. Check out the sneak peek at this chapter. Sneed Collard, author of numerous non-fiction books, is quoted, "Non-fiction has not even begun to peak as far as creative possibilities." I'd have to agree with Harold and Sneed. In addition, creative non-fiction opens the door to the school market and provides teachers with another avenue of meeting required teaching units. Sounds like school visits are a must!

Agent Pet Peeves

The Guide to Literary Agents has a terrific post on agent pet peeves. Quoting numerous agents representing various genres, the post lists everything from cliched phrases ("It was a dark and stormy night" - wow, people actually still write that?) to flowery writing that doesn't move the book forward. Also mentioned: waking from a dream in Chapter One, a run-down list of physical attributes, and characters moving around in the scene, but essentially doing nothing.
Before submitting to your dream agent, check out this article.

Why does it take so long to hear about my manuscript?

If you are a writer, you have surely muttered the question, "Why does a publisher take so long?". This is probably asked after the hundreth day of checking the mailbox. Actually, to hear in 100 days isn't bad :) A publicist from Peachtree Publishers, an independent publisher with a terrific list, gives us a peek into the acquisition process. This may not make the wait any easier, but it gives us more clarity. Thanks to the Peachtree folks for this blog. Check it out here.