Writer Unboxed

Writer’s Digest has their 2008 listing of the 101 Best Sites for Writers online now. Check it out HERE.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s books and business updates on the WU Google Notebook HERE.
And did you know Brenda Novak is having a fantastic auction of items that can benefit writers, including a book proposal […]

On my blog, Flogging the Quill, I do critiques (frequently including line edits) of the opening 16 lines of novels submitted by writer/readers. I have reasons for doing it—platform-building, maybe getting some editing business—but mostly it’s fun to do, and rewarding to help other writers see shortcomings and strengths in their writing.
Best of all, perhaps, […]

I’ve just come back from a few weeks overseas, mainly in France, where my family originally comes from. It was great being back there, seeing everyone, spending time in both Paris and the South (where the family hails from). It was lucky too that my stay coincided with some particularly beautiful spring weather, with the […]

I’ve been having such an interesting time with my agent hunt. One agent, who might’ve been terrific for me, recently rejected my work with encouraging words. The pitch was great, high concept, ambitious, the writing polished and smooth, etc…. But. There were moments that felt…like you could see the violin player in the corner of […]

I admit it, I’m a big fan of gimmicky presents for writers: the latest craft book, a coffee cup that says “Writers Do It With Words” or a brand-new Moleskin journal. My friends and family know this and my work space is loaded with them. Many of these items are cute and […]

Verla Kay is the award-winning author of eight historical children’s books, with three more in the works. Verla’s work is unique, as she’s pioneered a phrase called “cryptic rhyme” and set herself apart from others who write in rhyme. Verla’s also founder of a huge resource for children’s writers, called the Children’s Writing & Illustrating […]

So I’m getting the galleys of Time of My Life tomorrow. Yay! For those of you who don’t know, a galley – or an ARC (advanced review copy) – is essentially an uncorrected paperback version of your book. Which means that there will still be some typos and whatnot, but that mostly, […]

I’ve just been in Melbourne for the Children’s Book Council of Australia conference – three days jam-packed with discussion about writing and illustration for young readers.
The program for CBCA conferences is aimed principally at teachers and librarians, and panel topics ranged from ‘The challenge of “reading” graphic novels’ to ‘How teenage writers get published.’ […]

For those readers who have been following the story of Emmy Cherry, the 10-year old girl killed when a tornado ripped through her Arkansas home, Lynn Wiman, owner of Vintage Books, the bookstore where Emmy spent much of her time, sent us the link to the fund established in her name:
BRIGHTSPIRIT RELIEF FUND
Emmy, a fan […]

Therese and I are starting to get it together again after returning from our annual writer’s retreat. For the fifth year in a row, we–along with fellow writer-buddy Elena Greene–rented a cottage in a beautiful setting, left instructions for spousal units to feed and care for offspring, and gave ourselves permission to immerse in […]

Kath and I are groggy from our re-entry into the everyday world, but we wanted you to know about a few links:
Writer’s Digest published a fascinating interview with Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants, HERE.
Interested in checking out the BackSpace Writers Conference, where you can learn from and mingle with editors, agents and published […]

 
I’m blogging from an undisclosed location to let y’all know that Therese and I are at our annual writer’s retreat.  Monday is my day to post, but I’ll be late because I’ll be deep in re-entry mode from our three-day marathon writing session.  I’ll tell you all about it when I get a chance.
I  know.  […]