Are You A Nine to Fiver?

Returning from vacation and spent time focusing on several projects. Just in time is this post from Kristi Holl on Thinking Like A Nine-to-Fiver.

With the carefree days of summer coming to a close, we'll be falling into schedules and commitments. Kristi's blog should make it easier to fit writing into the day, and all the other parts of life too. How to do it? Check it out here.

Highlights Foundation and Writing Novels for Young Adults

Crisp autumn days certainly seem like a long time away from these sweltering summer days. But autumn will be here in a blink, and Highlights Foundation offers a fantastic weekend for eight YA writers. Rich Wallace, former Highlights editor and author of numerous YA/MG books, will host a workshop on the beautiful grounds of the Highlights Foundation in the Poconos.
Identify voice, create interesting internal dialogue and find interesting story ideas are among the topics that will be discussed. Interested? Limited to eight participants, so find the details here and act fast.

Vote for Katie!

Highlights Magazine just acquired my "Gallant Kid" article about Katie Stagliano. Yay! Katie is an incredible kid and she certainly deserves a starring role as a Gallant Kid. As an eleven year old, Katie grew a 40 pound cabbage from the third grade Burpee Seed school program. She donated it to a homeless shelter, and found her calling as a gardener and volunteer. Now you have the chance to vote for Katie. If she wins, Katie can start two more gardens, adding to the seven gardens she currently is tending. More gardens means more vegetables donated to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Vote today - only four days left!

True or False? Top Ten Publishing Myths

Former NY editor Erin Brown has a great article on Top Ten Publishing Myths. Terrific information for aspiring authors. We all like to think that publishers will be offering huge advances, our book will hit the NY Times bestseller list, and we need only to clear our calendar before the publisher creates a glitzy publicity tour. Ms. Brown explains why these are all myths, but take hope! Knowledge is power. This information can help you define your book as a success in realistic terms.

Looking To Go Green?

Going green is the hot topic right now, but this article is about pulling in the green, or at least spending less, while you are busy pursuing your writing dreams. In the Institute of Children's Literature newsletter is "Going Green in the Writing Business" by Sally Phillips. The article lists helpful suggestions such as: Getting magazines from libraries, submitting electronically to publishers, entering writing contests with no fees, free writers newsletters (like Institute of Children's Lit), submitting to smaller magazine publishers, etc.. In today's economy, this is information that we could all use!

Where Are You In Your Writing Career? Freshman or Senior?

Author and professor Randy Ingermanson poses this question to (unpublished) writers of all genres, "Where are you in your writing career?". Breaking the career into four categories: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Randy explains the nuances of each level of the career path. It's a bit like high school really (and you thought you had left that a long time ago).

Freshman: wandering the halls, looking for guidance, finding their way
Sophomore: a little experience, know how to find the right class (or conference)
Junior: doing some exciting work, not afraid of revising
Senior: have all the tools, shown polished work, ready to graduate

Check out the article and the action plan that will get you ready for graduation (and publication).

High Concept: Publishers Want It, But What Is It?

Kathy Temean has posted a great article by Steve Kaire on the definition of high concept books. We hear that term bandied about at conferences, but what exactly does it mean? Steve Kaire states that five essential components must exist:

1. The premise must be original
2. The story must have mass audience appeal
3. Your pitch must be story specific
4. The potential is obvious
5. Your pitch should be one to three sentences long

Check out the article - is your manuscript high concept?