The Painful Value of Critiques

Call me a scientist. I have recently embarked on two experiments: Book Roast's March 17th 'Luck' Pitch Party and the Public Query Slushpile, which I have commented on before here. I submitted a 68-word pitch on one of my picture book manuscripts to Book Roast's Pitch Party and its corresponding full-length query on the Public Query Slushpile. I received positive feedback and constructive criticism at both locations. Commentators forced me to address several issues related to my manuscript. The process was not easy, as we all want to believe our work is flawless, but it was empowering at the same time. I had to contemplate my reasonings for certain aspects of my writing with as much of an objective eye as I could muster. While I did not place in the Pitch Party, I consider both experiments to be great successes, as they provided ongoing dialogues that will only strengthen my manuscript.

Miss Snark's First Victim recently posted on the rules of listening to critiques, which includes these sage words: 'Never love your manuscript more than you appreciate your critters.'

Editorial Anonymous also expounded on this issue at her Anonymati site: 'It is not the willingness and ability to write well that separates the amateurs and hobbyists from Real Writers. It is the willingness and ability to rewrite well that makes you Real Writers.'

These experiments have been two more examples of the power of networking with other authors.

Marketing Yourself as a Writer

I have posted on the importance of following publishing blogs, but what about hosting one? In this technological age, writers have seemingly endless possibilities to market themselves and their work. Consider some of the following online options:

• Author website (a general website about you as an author, which could be personal or strictly professional)
  
• Book website (a separate site created for each of your published titles)
  
• Agent's/Publisher's website (request that your agent updates his website to include your book after publication)
  
• Author blog (again, depending on your audience, this could be more personal a la Sarah Dessen or informative, such as this blog)
• Book review websites (submit your book for consideration at sites such as: Goodreads, etc.)
  

Then there are the numerous social networking sites (some of which I have linked to before):

• JacketFlap (children's/YA publishing blog reader/networking site)
  
• Technorati, (online blog directory with networking features)
  
• Facebook (social networking site)
• MySpace (social networking site geared towards a younger, school-age demographic)
  
• Twitter (micro-blogging site with the ability to network)
  
• Linked In (professional networking site)
  

In the blogosphere, there have been a few useful posts on these topics recently. QueryTracker offers a pros/cons list of several major social networking sites, a 'how to' guide on creating a writer blog or website, and a helpful list of what to include in your website. Writer/blogger Shelli interviewed Sarah Davies from Greenhouse Literary on how authors can help market their books. Shelli also posted several helpful links on 'Friday's Marketing Round-up.' Finally, literary agent Jessica Faust from BookEnds gave her thoughts on what authors can do to sell books.

Please comment with any important online market avenues that I have left out.

UPDATE (03/28/09): Jane Smith wrote a great post on how to write a press release.
First-time picture book author, Kim Hutmacher, created a terrific article on steps to maximize the publicity her debut manuscript.

New Place, Same Musings (Part II)

My blog can now be found on Technorati, an online blog directory of sorts. As a relatively new blogger and, as yet, unpublished author, it is important for me to establish a presence within the online community of children's authors and bloggers.

Please, look me up and let me know what you think. Fellow bloggers, be sure to "Fave" me or include links to any posts of mine that you found helpful (which will improve my blog's authority). Thanks for the help!

Positivity on the Blog Front

As a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, I am greatly enjoying agent Nathan Bransford's Positivity Week. As a part of his current endeavor, he has written a very encouraging post on reasons to be optimistic about the future of books. He also has included the Ten Commandments for the Happy Writer.

Last week, Editorial Anonymous posted another interesting blog, encouraging readers to name small publishing companies that represent reputable children's books. The response was large and informative. Several writers also included which publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts (for those of my blog readers interested in seeking publication without an agent). However, most publishers still do give preference to submissions from agents. In addition, agents offer writers more than just access to publishers.

I continue to have meaningful communications with fellow children's book authors on JacketFlap. Thank you for the encouragement and fellowship! Keep it up!

Do you know what you don't know?

Welcome to all of my new subscribers! I appreciate your interest in my blog. Feel free to actively participate--I love hearing your comments and will be sure to respond!

Over the past several days, I have enjoyed meeting fellow writers and illustrators through JacketFlap in various stages of publication. One thing has stood out to me--many of the aspiring authors I have met through JacketFlap do not know what they don't know. Several have asked me questions on how to begin seeking publication or where to find an agent (or if they even need an agent).

If you have stumbled across my blog and are seeking direction, take heart! All published authors began as you have, not knowing where to begin. Let this post serve as your roadmap.

Now, don't take that to mean, I think I know it all. On the contrary, I know I am not the best suited to describe all the intricate ins and outs of the publishing industry. That is precisely why I will direct you to those more established agents and editors of the field. I'm not going to bother reinventing the wheel (or in this case, the printing press). Rather, I will lead you to several great resources for your forray into children's publishing.

The information will be grouped into topical questions. Be sure to check back on this post periodically, as I will update it as I find other useful links.

What is the submission process?

What is a literary agent and do I really need one? or What should I expect from an agent?

How do I find an agent?
Other resources for finding an agent:

• AgentQuery (online agent database with search function)
  
• Publishers Marketplace (online marketplace of writers, publishers, and agents with database search function)
  
• Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market (the top market guide in book format, which includes an enormous listing of agents in addition to general industry information)

What is a query and how do I write one?
Other useful guides to writing a query:

• Anatomy of a Good Query Letter I & II
  
• Query Letter Mad Lib
• The Query Letter Outline (courtesy of author Lisa Gardner)
  
• Query Shark (agent critiques of query letter submissions)
• the Anonymati (editor critiques of children/YA query letter submissions)
• The 10 Most Common Query Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• What to Include in the Hook and the Letter Itself (courtesy of Author2Author, a blog hosted by 5 YA authors)
• What to Include in the Author's Bio Paragraph
  
• When is the Right Time to Query
• Links on How to Write a Query Letter (compiled by associate agent and writer Jill Corcoran)
  

How do I format my manuscript?

What word count should I have for my children's book manuscript? and How should I format it?

Do I need to find an illustrator for my children's book text? No.

What do I need to know about the audience and competition for my children's book?

What are my rights as an author?

How do I separate the good agents from the bad? or How do I avoid a scam? or How can I tell if an agent is legit?

What is self-publishing? or Is it a good idea for my manuscript/writing career? or Is it a 'magical highway' to bypass the difficulties of the publishing industry? (For those of you who do not know, the answer to the two previous questions is 'no.' See the links for the professional opinions of Nathan Bransford--Literary Agent and Editorial Anonymous--Children's Book Editor.) Still considering it? What are the sales record of self-published/print-on-demand (POD) books?
or What does an agent/editor think my previously self-published book? or Are articles on self-publishing telling me the truth, free from bias?

Is there a publishing dictionary out there to help me understand all this industry lingo? (courtesy of Editorial Anonymous--Thank you!!)

Are there any blogs I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• Editorial Anonymous
• Cynsations
• All of the blogs listed on the side of my page are great!

Are there any organizations I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
• The Association of Authors' Representatives

Are there any websites I should be aware of as an aspiring children's or YA author?

• The Purple Crayon (informative site on writing and illustrating children's books)
  
• Absolute Write (online forum for authors)
• Children's Writers and Illustrators Message Board (online forum specifically for those writing and illustrating children's books)
  

Well, that should get you started on the right path. Please post comments or questions. If I don't know an answer, I will research it for you.

New Place, Same Musings (Part I)

My blog can now be found on JacketFlap, a well-known Children's Publishing Blog Reader. As a relatively new blogger and, as yet, unpublished author, it is important to establish a presence within the online community of children's authors. Please, look me up and let me know what you think.

Where are Picture Books now?

It should be a relief to know that Picture Books are alive and well!

I know this article is about 2 years old, but I found it while doing some research on the picture book market. Another, more recent, but still refreshing taking on the state of children's publishing can be found here. It is always encouraging to see other authors succeeding in the field. In this environment of closing imprints and freezing backlists (see the Boston Globe or Nathan Bransford's more recent update), I am bolstered to read of children's books that are being sold.

Storytime is crucial to young children's early literacy skills. I am currently reading an excellent reference book on the topic: "Much More Than the ABCs: The Early Stages of Reading and Writing" by Judith Schickedanz.

Let me know what you think.

Quick Update

Good news!

I have formally accepted an offer of representation from JD DeWitt at The View Literary Agency. Check her out at: http://www.theviewlit.com/. More on this later.

Cheers!

Opening Day

It's Day One of the blog and I feel like the owner of a new restaurant. Come, taste the fine cuisine at Le Garrigues.

Although this is the first post, I am not new to blogging, nor am I green when it comes to writing. While earning my Master's degree from James Madison University, I was awarded Best Graduate Paper at a statewide conference. Currently, I am considering an offer of agent representation (TBA) for a couple of my picture book manuscripts.

One of my goals is to create intelligent, adventurous, and engaging stories of children from a variety of backgrounds that must look within themselves to overcome everyday challenges. Kids are smart; believe me, I am around them all day. They can figure out a lot on their own. Too often parents and teachers rush in to a conflict, rather than allow the child to problem-solve on their own. I want to encourage this developing skill within preschool children, which is why I model it through my characters.

Now for a bit more on the blog, here's a list of things I will post:
--Updates on my career as an author
--Samples of my work
--Relevant publication information
--Useful industry news, links, and advice for other authors

I will not post:
--Full manuscripts
--Detailed information on my agent (other than name and link), publisher, contracts, or sales
--Criticism of others in the industry (I will leave that job to those more qualified...for example, http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/ )

Thanks for trying the fare and please come again!