20 Tips on Query Letters by Agent Janet Reid

The Guide to Literary Agents website includes a guest blog by Ricki Shultz. The article focuses on agent Janet Reid and her 20 top tips on query letters. In addition to "Keep it brief" and "remain professional", Janet includes "Surefire Query Killers" and what I think is the best advice of all, "Remember: You can query too soon. You cannot query too late."

Check out the article and make those query letters work for you.

Has Your Picture Book Idea Already Been Published?

Check out the hilarious flow chart that picture book author Tara Lazar (Monstore, Alladin/Simon & Schuster, Summer 2013) has posted on her blog. The chart leads the aspiring author down the path of "PROCEED WITH CAUTION" or "STOP! THIS IDEA HAS ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED". Check out Tara's blog and let's just hope you don't land on the "This book has already been written by Denise Richards" square. Good luck!

Sign up for the SCBWI NJ Anuual Conference - Today!

Wow, wow, wow! Check out the line-up of editors and agents for the annual June conference in Princeton, NJ. About 25 industry professionals will be giving workshops, intensives and critiques to attendees. Interested in submitting to a publisher that is closed to submissions? If you attend the conference, that door is suddenly open. Like to hear how published authors got their break? Register for the workshops teaching you rhyme vs. meter or how to write a good query letter. The possibilities are endless, but catch the early bird pricing today before time runs out!

More Goodies from SCWI Conference

Alessandra Balzar, co-publisher of the HarperCollins imprint Balzar & Bray, addresses "What Makes Your Work Publishable?" Ms. Balzar tells the crowd the 10 factors she wants before acquiring a project. Lucky SCBWI attendees heard the whole list, but the rest of us who had to miss the conference can at least get five "don't miss" pointers.

!. Voice

2. Groundbreaking concept

3. World-building

4. Read Aloud Quality

5. Heart

Check out the SCBWI blog to read the details of Ms. Bray's talk.

What Happened to Your Book Today?

Another day of writing? Does it really matter? Is your book making a difference? Author Kate Messner want you to know - it does! Kate is the author of numerous novels and picture books. And she has written a brilliant blog post titled, "What Happened To Your Book Today?". A gentle reminder that somewhere our book is warming the heart of a child, telling a kid they are are not alone, eliciting a giggle, shared by chubby hands and a parent's heart. Your book may not win awards, but it's turned a reluctant reader into a voracious reader or been wrapped in birthday paper and chosen carefully as the perfect gift. Yes, your writing does indeed matter.

NY SCBWI Conference

Are you going to the annual NY SCBWI conference? It promises to be a fantastic event, filled with agents/editors galore and great writing tips from inspiring authors. Today's SCBWI Team Blog interview: Advice on Critiques from Editors and Agents. Check out the interview so you'll know how to get the most from your valuable critique.

Feelng the Pain of Rejection? Laurie Halse Anderson Understands . ..

Now I know it's the start of a brand new year, and I probably shouldn't speak of rejection, but Laurie Halse Anderson understands your pain. Laurie is the author of Speak, Fever 1793 and other great novels. This wonderful article speaks to the pain of rejection, but also the inspiration to move past and continue forward. And isn't moving forward what the New Year celebrations are all about? Happy New Year and happy writing!