Get The Party Started!

Wow! The KidLit Authors Club has a party just waiting for you! This newly formed group of 13 PA, NJ, De authors will bring experience, writing tips, prize bags and fun to your next event. The mix includes picture books, middle grade and YA novelists. The spring schedule is hopping and events are already booked into Fall 2010. Check out our website at KidLitAuthorsClub and get the party started!

Does a Capybara make a nest? Ask an expert!

So you're writing a non-fiction piece? Perhaps an interesting article or you have a fabulous book idea? That's great! The beauty of writing in today's world is the ease of checking facts. Say you're writing a book about the rainforest (okay, I'm writing a book about the animals of the rainforest). With a click of your mouse, you can enter the rainforest and discover that a large pig-like rodent with webbed feet (called a Capybara) also dwells there. Great internet sources tell us that the Capybara stays near the water, but you can't seem to find out how it makes a nest. Does it tunnel in the mud? Does it make a nest of grass and twigs? Who on earth will know these offbeat facts? You need a Capybara expert! In the March/April SCBWI bulletin, author Jane Mcbride Choate shares a fabulous list of experts just waiting to help!

Experts.com

intota.com

JustAnswer.com

OnlinePublicRecordsSearch.com

LivePerson.com

expertfinding.net

And if any of you are Capybara experts, please let me know. No pressure though, I can always ask the other experts!

Board Book Edition Coming Fall 2010!

Great news! Tonight You Are My Baby will also be printed Fall 2010 as a board book edition! This edition will be for the littlest readers, who can hold the sturdy book in their hands and share the story of Mary's love for her baby. This is the perfect stocking stuffer, baby shower gift, or new baby present. Look for it in your local bookstore in September.

Announcing KidLit Authors Club!

I'm breaking my own challenge (inspired by Laurie Halse Anderson of abstaining from blogs, Facebook, Twitter for one month) for this important announcement. The KidsLit Authors Club has arrived!

Are you a teacher or librarian in the PA, NJ, DE area who would love to have one-stop shopping available for author visits? How about a whole group of young adult, middle grade and picture book authors arriving at your doorstep in one day? If you think this is a fabulous idea - look no further.

The KidLit Authors Club (KAC) is a group of of authors and illustrators from PA, NJ and DE who will bring the party to you! The KAC is new, but gosh, are we busy already! Check out the website for a list of where we will be visiting: bookstores, schools, libraries and writing conferences. This terrific mix of debut and multi-book authors combines fun with valuable writing tips. You make the contact, we'll take it from there - talk about a party planner!

Check out our blog at KidLit Authors Club and be inspired!

No Time To Write? Stop Blogging!

Another gem from Laurie Halse Anderson, and she makes a very good point. She dares us to stop blogging, Facebook, etc. for the month of February. I would have to agree that we will find ourselves with much more time to write. The newsletter from the Institute of Children's Literature relays a quote from Laurie that I think is fabulous. "Reading blogs will not turn you into a published author. Writing blogs won't either. Writing books will. You have precious little time after your other responsibilities and if the goal is to write a book, well, then . . . write it." That's it, folks - I'm signing off. Not sure I can do the month of February, but the longer I write this note, the less time I'm writing my book!

Top 10 Influential YA Authors

Amazon recently announced who they consider to be the Top 8 Influential YA Authors of the decade. I picked up this link from the blog of Laurie Halse Anderson, who I think is a terrific author, and is included in the list. Other noteworthy authors are Meg Cabot (Princess Diaries), Stephenie Meyers (Twilight) and Christopher Paolini (Eragon). Check it out.

Book Proposals

Literary agent, Rachelle Gardner, has a terrific blog post on how to write a non-fiction book proposal. She also lists several books that will help you in this endeavor. This is really valuable information folks. "What's the big deal?" you say. "I just write a few sentences about my book and how it will be a hit on Oprah." Actually, a book proposal is a big deal. Details include: who is your audience? What books are similar? How is your book different? What is your platform? Why are you qualified to write the book? Include Table of Contents and several chapters. When will the book be completed? What is your publishing history? This comes at a good time for me, as I embark on a proposal. Hope you all find it helpful too. Thanks to Rachelle Gardner. . .