**Below are three
ways to solve your QUERY blues**
*Great
Books - *Links to Online Query Information
- *Sample Queries
Great Books on Queries:
Bev
Cooke recommends Stephen King's "On
Writing" - it has a dynamite agent letter in the craft
section of the book.
Galinarecommends 1-"The Publishing Game: Find an Agent in 30
Days" by
Fern Reiss (website is http://www.publishinggames.com ) 2
-"How to Write Irresistible Query Letters" by Lisa
Collier Cool
Links to Online Query Letter Information
*Query
Letters for Children's Book Fiction
- "Musings" Archive for April 2003, by Margot Finke.
Offers sample letter, great advice, plus links to other query information.
Write4Kids.com
- Cover and Query Letters,
by Linda Arms White. Excerpts from her book.
Writing.org
- Bud Thaler. One sample query letter.
DOS
and DON'TS:How to Write the Perfect Query Letter, by
Gail Eastwood. A short list, succinct and to the point.
Writers
Write - "Writing a Query Letter That Sells,"
by Alex Keegan. Lots of pre and post query advice and personal thoughts.
Also, a great sample query letter.
Charlotte
Dillon's Author Page. This writer offers fine query insights,
an excellent query sample, PLUS many links to sites and articles
where you can learn more about the "Art of the Query Letter."
The
Complete Nobody'sGuide to Query Letters, by Lynn
Flewelling. Sample query, interesting lead in, and great added advice
and suggestions. Even a little on rejections!
How
to Write a Query Letter - Some excellent detailed
advice.
Queries And Proposals - Querying Paying Publications.
by The Dabbling Mum
All materials copyrighted
Query Letters And Proposals
In the publication world query letters
are king. Publications use query letters to weed through piles of
ideas generated from talented writers, while determining which writer
fits the publication's needs. Learning to write great query letters
and book proposals is key to helping writers sell more ideas.
Angela
- This is a copy of the cover
letter she sent that resulted in a very detailed and specific personal
rejection letter. Each time this editor looked over my work her
comments are so inspiring. Yet, it wasn't a cold call cover letter
- I met her at a conference.
QUERY for a picture book manuscript:
Editor's Name: 17 June 2004
I appreciate your request to see a revision of my manuscript. You'll
notice the story of (describe original story) has grown into something
new. This story is about dreams, determination and never giving
up.
Please consider the enclosed manuscript TITLE. In true picture book
style, the illustrations tell part of the story. Brief illustration
notes are included to describe actions.
Thank you for your consideration of my work.
Sincerely,
Angela Cerrito
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Katrina
Martin Davenport - This is the
query letter I wrote for "Denise's Mold." It's
the first book I ever wrote, and it was accepted by the first editor
who read it. It comes out in April.
Katrina Martin
Cris DiMarco
Windstorm Creative
Dear Ms. DiMarco,
I am pleased to enclose Denise's
Mold, a picture book for young readers, for your consideration.
This book will delight five- to ten-year-olds, especially those
with a curiosity about science.
In Denise's Mold the main character
gets a microscope for her birthday and wants something to look at
under its lens. She decides to grow mold - in her room. When her
mother finds out, Denise has to find a way to fulfill her love for
science and keep her mother happy.
Included are a list of the molds
Denise grew and detailed instructions for growing mold and preparing
a slide. These are perfect activities for a summer science project
or use in a classroom. Denise's Mold inspires youngsters, and especially
young girls, to develop a love of science and it fulfills the aim
of Little Blue Works: to entertain and captivate while teaching
children about their world from a child's perspective.
The book is based on the young adventures
of my mother, who is now an award-winning microbiologist for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I am a licensed teacher
and former journalist with extensive experience in reporting, writing,
and editing. Currently I am a freelance writer and editor. I have
also been known to cultivate mold in my refrigerator.
I have enclosed a SASE for the return
of my manuscript should it not fit your needs. Thank you for considering
Denise's Mold. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Katrina Martin enclosures: Denise's Mold, Submission Form, SASE for manuscript,
SASE for reply
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
NOTE: Roxyanne proves there is more than
one route to an agent.
Roxyanne
Young got her agent with a phone call.
SHE WRITES: I was at the Maui Writer's Conference last August and
had gone through their 10-minute pitch-a-palooza sessions and I
was told by a major publisher that she definitely wants to see my
book. After I'd recovered from that, I floated back to my room and
called an agent I'd met and had lunch with when we were both on
the faculty at an SCBWI retreat a few months earlier. It was a Sunday,
so she didn't get the message until Monday, but she called me as
soon as she did, and we made a date for lunch a couple of days later.
I brought the book to show her. She and her business partner both
loved it, so they signed me. Since then, I've been revising and
polishing, and we'll be submitting it to that editor in a few days!
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Leah
Suslovich wrote this successful query letter for her book, “The
Midnight Children.”
Dear __________:
Karrie Lent always expected to
grow up to be a powerful witch. In the town of Cromlinton, where
all the children are witches and all the adults are clueless, Karrie's
sister Holly is the most powerful witch of all. But Karrie herself
seems destined for a mundane life. She is twelve years old and still
powerless when two mysterious strangers move into Cromlinton and
set off a string of unnerving events.
Only Karrie, the outsider, stands
a chance of saving her town from serious danger. For the first time
in her life, she cannot turn to her sister, whose erratic behavior
leaves her with no one to trust. In order to save herself and her
town, she will have to face the truth about her relationship with
her sister, and about the source of the strange powers that the
children of Cromlinton have accepted for so long.
My complete manuscript, “The
Midnight Children,” runs 215 pages and approximately 47,500
words. May I send it to you? Enclosed is a self-addressed, stamped
envelope, for your reply.
I have published several stories
in professional fantasy magazines, including Marion Zimmer Bradley's
Fantasy Magazine and Odyssey. A copy of one of my published stories
is enclosed.
I have sent queries on this book
to several other publishers.
I look forward to hearing from
you.
Sincerely,
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Linda
Moore Kurthkindly sent me a copy
of the query letter that eventually landed her a contract for KEIKO'S
STORY: A Killer Whale Goes Home, published in 2000 by The Millbrook
Press.
April 10, 1998
Dear Publisher:
Keiko the whale leapt into the hearts of children and adults around
the world with his star turn in the movie, "Free Willy."
When he is moved to a seapen in the North Atlantic this fall or
next spring to continue his own trip toward freedom, one billion
people will be watching. Because releasing a captive orca has never
been done, interest in Keiko will remain high as the Free Willy
Keiko Foundation continues their work with him.
My story, KEIKO THE WHALE: The Real Life Story
of "Free Willy." covers Keiko's life from his capture
as a two-year old, his time in Mexico City, his role in the film,
his dramatic move to Newport and his move to the seapen. It profiles
the people who have dedicated their lives to Keiko and tells how
they work with him. Approximately 6,000 words, KEIKO THE WHALE includes
information about orca behavior so readers eight years and up can
understand some of the challenges of returning Keiko to his native
habitat.
Over the past year I have developed a rapport
with Diane Hammond, spokesperson and publicist for The Foundation.
They are anxious to see this book published. I have interviewed
his trainers, visited orcas in the wild, and read volumes about
wild and captive orca behavior. All this research has been used
to inform the story.
I'm sure you know that millions of children around the world know
and love Keiko. They raised money for his move to the Oregon Coast
Aquarium and are curious about plans to release him. They want to
see pictures of Keiko. They are hungry to hear how he is doing.
They are invested in him.
Did you also know that Keiko has been on the
cover of Life magazine twice? 300 journalists were on hand in Newport
when Keiko arrived. That event was broadcast in England, Finland,
and Australia. 750 million people saw the Discovery channel video
on Keiko. Keiko's home page gets about 6,000 hits a day. Over 20,000
Free Willy Keiko Adoption Kits have been sold.
My book, HOME OF THE HEART, was published by
Avalon in 1996. I am a member of SCBWI and Willamette Writers and
have authored local and national articles on animals and crafts.
I am a good speaker and will do my part to promote the book through
school visits and other viable venues.
I am enclosing an outline and the manuscript
of KEIKO THE WHALE. Certain information will have to be updated
closer to publication time. Because of the timeliness of the subject,
this is a simultaneous submission. Thank you for your consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Linda Moore Kurth
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
After digesting all this, it
is obvious there are mamy ways to write a query.
Myrla Deansuggests for the faint of heart, a little book
titled "Rotten Rejections" - ISBN 0- 916366 - 57-X,
Edited by Andre Bernard. It contains such gems as "Regretthe
American public is not interested in anything on China" (to
Pearl Buck, 1931)
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Online
Links to Some Riotious Rejection Letters
From Ursula
K. Le Guin
A copy of a rejection letter her agent received for the first book
of she handled for me (The Left Hand of Darkness ). I have omitted
the name of the Editor and his publishing house.
A
Rejection Letter - Just substitue the name of your book for
the university mentioned.- a HOOT!!
Writing
for Children - Rejection Letters - A bunch of rejections
received by famous writers.Worth a giggle!
Rejection
Collection -This is a site that has a multitude of rejection
letters from many different surces - writing is just one of them.
Browse, and see if any of the rejections can top those you have
received.
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
OUR REJECTION GRIPES!
Juliet's
biggest gripe is when I get a form rejection letter that had obviously
been
photocopied so many times that it is splotchey and crooked! It's
a little gripe, but when I take the time to send a porfessional
package, I would appreciate at
least a fresh copy for my rejection letter. LOL!
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Lynn
Evansdoesn't have any nasty rejections
but she did receive a ridiculous one. She submitted a short story
about a young bear to a house that specified "absolutely no
anthropomorphism". There wasn't any, totally naturalistic.
The rejection said that it was interesting, but could be improved
by adding some interaction with other animals that children loved
so much. Apparently, the editor didn't know a lot about bears. The
only interaction they have with other animals is
EATING THEM!!!
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>
Bill
Kirk last week received what appeared
to be a rejection of a query letter he had sent in January. His
SASE came back with his enclosed bio, but no letter, note,
check-box memo, or even my outgoing letter. At first he was bummed,
especially since there wasn't an actual rejection. But after giving
it some thought, he figured he might as well interpret the contents
in the most favorable way possible. He sent the publisher a follow-up
letter (with another SASE) pointing out that they had apparently
inadvertently forgotten to include their response letter requesting
the t full manuscript. Really, what else COULD it be?
He hasn't heard anything yet and hopes that his SASE doesn't come
back empty. But, if it does, Bill is ready with his "Second
Follow-up Notice of
Inadvertent Omission" just in case....
PLUS: Bill Kirk's, "A
Writer's Postal Excitement Scale"
(Based on personal experience, slightly embellished)
1. No response from the publisher--They're still
thinking about it…. So it's been a year--some people are thorough.
2. An SASE is returned with nothing inside--consider
the possibilities....
3. A returned SASE with the manuscript inside
with no notes, no form letter or any other indication that anything
besides a Pitney-Bowes mail sorter has touched it.... must have
liked it so much they made copies and are still passing them around
the office....
4. An SASE with a pre-printed, unsigned and unmarked
form letter.... Now we're talking! There's a chance, right?
5. A returned SASE with a SIGNED letter and a
rejection reason box checked.... Ya gotta love the extra effort
and attention....
6. A returned SASE with a SIGNED letter and an
encouraging rejection note--like "I read this twice before
throwing it away...." Quick! Send them something else.
7. A returned SASE with a marked up manuscript--in
color crayon.... Ok, so the editor could have her 3-year old child
on her payroll....
8. A returned SASE with the manuscript inside,
marked up with legible comments like, "I've never seen anything
quite like this...." Be still, my heart, they love me….
9. A returned SASE with a form letter indicating
interest in seeing more--time to start looking through the car ads
for my new jaguar....
10. A returned SASE with a SIGNED letter and
an anticipated date of publication... sometime within the next ten
years.... Ok, it's time to add this puppy under my name at the bottom
of my email messages....
Hope springs eternal....
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Wendie
Old declares she has the worst rejection
letter ever -- Right after she got all those awards for"To
Fly," and just after she attended the English Teacher's
conference to pick up her Orbis Pictus, she sent a submission to
a big name publisher. This publisher had been represented at the
same conference, and she had visited their booth after finishing
her own book signing.
Several months later, she received
a rejection from them: Complete with a two page letter telling her
how to join the SCBWI (a group she'd been active in for 15 years),
how to prepare a ms. and how to submit to publishers and other la-de-dah
stuff for beginners. To say Wendie was insulted would be understating
her reaction.
And YES, her cover letter did list all her books that had won awards
and mentioned she had seen their booth at that conference. Gnash
and errrrg! Wendie says she doesn't mind regular rejections. They're
part of this crazy business. Collecting them proves that you are
working in the field.
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Sue
Bradford Edwards writes: The worst thing about rejection
for her is not the letters themselves. It comes when her five-year-old
tries to help. "Gosh, Mom. I guess the story just wasn't
very good. Sometimes things work great in your head, but when
you try it, stinko. It happens to me all the time." That's
about the time his father tries to whisk him away to safety while
pelting Sue with chocolate.
Her favorite rejection letter was where they actually tried to
make it
personal by including the ms. title. Unfortunately, and Sue still
doesn't know
how they did this, they didn't reject her ms but one of her secondary
sources. Just as well they didn't want to publish that since some
other pesky publisher was already doing it!
Sue's second favorite set of letters involved a rejection of page
one in her
SASE. About two months later, she got a rejection of page 2 in
their
envelope. She still hasn't heard back on pages 3 through 10.
*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*<>*
Jane
Yolen says of a magazine she
had had frequent stories and poems in, to which she (mea culpa)
sent two stories at the same time. Of one, the editor said, "This
is absolutely the best story you have ever written but we are
going to have to pass on it. The other is more ordinary, but we're
taking it."
Worst rejection in children's books came, she believes, from
an editor who had actually bought and then kept a picture book
of hers on her shelf for eight years looking for an illustrator,
before returning it to Jane saying, "We think the time for
this particular manuscript has passed."
NOTE: In another post JanY wrote (and I paraphrase) that if you
receive a generic rejection from a manuscript that was requested,
it would pay to check with the designated editor. This is in case
your MS was accidentally dumped in the slush pile and read by
some new-chum right out of college, instead of the editor who
requested it. Apparently this can happen.
I'm a bit slow with this column,
I know. It's just that I have so much else to do each day, and
I suspect no one really reads what I write here. I'm setting up
for a 2 day School Visit at the end of January, and I have added
a new Teachers Guide page to compliment my series of animal picture
books on CD and download. Then, there's my new book, "Rattlesnake
Jam," told in rhyme, and coming out in CD and soft cover
some time this year. YEA! Kevin Scott Collier is the illustrator,
and his cartoon style is just crazy enough to make kid's eyes
pop!
The next thing is to find publishers
for a few midgrades I have finished. At this point in time, I
am guessing that finding the right publisher for my darlings might
be slightly harder than building a full scale replica of the Pyramids
in my back yard. And no, I am not joking
We are chilly and wet here in
the upper Willamette Valley of Oregon. I often wish I could send
a few million gallons of the stuff to my water-starved Aussie
mates. Although now they have floods to contend with. Cripes,
talk about a country of extremes! No wonder I'm the way I am.
. .
I am leaving the
comments below, because I feel strongly that many e-books get
a rough deal. Sure, some are terrible - but so are a lot of paper
books. People need to check out an e-book before they cast it
aside as rubbish - fair's fair, mates!
Please, READ MY E-BOOKS - they
prove that great children's e-books are available. My rhyming
series of animal books is educational, as well as a fun, easy
way for your kids to use the computer. Kids today are computer
savvy. They have grown up with computers the same way we grew
up with the telephone and radio. All I ask is that teachers and
parents read one book. You will love the illustrations, and I
know the rhymes will hook you into reading more.
This series of books is available
on CD, and as "instant" downloads in a Flip Book format.
I realize there are many bad e-books out there, and that this
medium does not get a lot of respect - except for certain types
of nonfiction books. However:
My series is educational,
fun, and darn good reading for children of any age.
6 e-Books to Brag About - YEA!
2 more in my rhyming series have
now been published - Mama Grizzly Bear,illustrated by Gloria Swan, and Humdinger
Hummers, illustrated by Amy Moreno. Both these
artists came up with spectacular illustrations that I love.
It is 2 years since the first
in my series, "Kangaroo Clues,"
came out to great reviews. What a thrill! The illustrations, by
famed Turkish artist Mustafa Delioglu, are just wonderful.
"Never
Say "BOO"
to a Frilly"was
the second book in my rhyming series about Australian and US animals.
Delightfully illustrated by Aysin Eroglu, a Turkish artist
who has had her work used by UNICEF, as well as displayed in some
of the finest European galleries. I am thrilled with the results.
"Prairie
Dog's Play Day" and "Don't
Eat Platypus Stew" round out the 6 - Only 1 more to
go!
You can Read
about the artists who illustrated my series of rhyming animal
books on my BOOKS page. They went out of their way to do their
finest work for my e-Books.
The publisher, Writers-Exchange
E-Publishing,has designed and produced my series
beautifully. My appreciation and thanks go to CEO Sandy Cummins.
I feel privileged to work closely with Sandy, and all the terrific
artists who decided my books were worth their time and talent.
After viewing some of my "almost complete" book setups,
I feel honored that these talented people worked with me.
You can read about all seven books
on my BOOKS page. As each new book
is published, the BOOKS page will change to reflect the new purchase
options and give more individual PB details.
This clear Grammar Explanation comes
from Jan Fields - Kid Writers
Magazine, CW member and moderator.
Gerunds and participles work because
(in the hands of a talented writer) they add spice and interest to
a sentence. They can sometimes be a bit attention getting and if used
poorly they can be wordy but there is nothing passive about them.
Passive is a voice that occurs only with transitive verbs and occurs
only when the subject of the sentence isn't doing anything in the
sentence and is being "done to" instead:
"My dog was shot." <--
passive
"Someone shot my dog." <-- active but weakened by the
addition of a indefinite pronoun that is not defined. Adding a weak
subject never strengthens a sentence.
Many people have condemned passive voice. The "evil" of
passive is that it can be draggy and wordy. The construction itself
is no worse than any other. I have seen people become so frightened
of passive voice that they will change a strong sentence in passive
voice into a weak sentence using indefinite pronouns just to avoid
passive voice.
Writers are best served to dump all of these "evil construction"
rules and simply judge writing on a sentence by sentence basis. Does
the sentence drag? It is awkward? Is it wordy and to convoluted for
the reader? If we change every sentence to a direct active indicative
construction with no stray clauses or unusual forms, you'll end up
with writing that is too harsh and too similar. That's dull too and
a lot of newer children'swriters are wrecking their own voice by trying
to do it.
WARNING!
You have been
kidnapped
from The Purple Crayon's"Musings"
page so you can read the
. . .
Complete
Text from the Published Writers in her May 2005 "Musings."
(A return link to the Purple
Crayon can be found at the end of this segment)
These writers have
different styles, write for many different genres, and came to writing
from different places. Yet because they discovered the basic secret
of writing success, they are all published.
Click the links below to read
these writer's individual texts.
*Jane Yolen
- http://www.janeyolen.com
Some talent, a lot of perseverance, and a healthy dollop of luck.
*Nancy
Coffelt - www.nancycoffelt.com
I have taken classes, read books, visited websites and attended (and
taught) my fair share of workshops. All of these things helped me
be better informed but they weren't what made me a published author.
Writing, writing often and writing about things that made me laugh,
cry, and horribly irritable made me a published author. I didn't stick
my big toe into the cold waters of the children's book world, I did
a big old cannonball off the diving board.
The writing that I do is my comittment to myself. I know very
well that everything that flies off my fingertips is not going to
be published. Sometimes it's just practice but it is never a waste
of time to spend energy mastering what you love. My 7th and 8th books
will be out in 2006. I just sold another manuscript last week but
I still receive rejection letters on a regular basis. These letters
don't get me down at all. They are simply reminders that I am WORKING.
Rejection isn't failure, quitting is. And that is the only no-no in
writing that I can think of.
Happy perseverence!
*Cynthia
Leitich Smith - http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
plus http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/
> My background in journalism and law, the support of my author/husband
and writing community, my "national" mentor Jane Kurtz,
and a week-long class taught by author Kathi Appelt were the ingredients
that led to my success.
I had always loved to write, but to me, "fiction writer"
seemed like the job of a rich dead white guy from England. So as a
first-generation college student, I majored in journalism, which taught
me to write every day. Law school followed, and it nutured both my
confidence and my critical thinking skills. While these may have given
me the necessary practical preparation, writing is still 90+% psychological.
So, it was Greg and my writing buddies (locally, nationally, and online)
who gave me constant encouragement each step of the way. Author Jane
Kurtz "adopted" me early on, and introduced me to many more
people, including a list serv of professional writers on which I met
my dedicated agent. But the one experience I can set a finger on was
a workshop led by Kathi Appelt at her father-in-law's ranch in Texas.
I don't know exactly what it was--juggling scarves, writing to music,
drinking margaritas on the back porch, but some time that week, I
found my voice and a vision for my work. I hope this helps!
*Jackie
Hosking - www.jackiehosking.com
Even though I would not consider myself to be an established children's
writer, I am published. And the elements that I would consider to
be most vital in my publishing success are networking; I write a monthly
column on the subject for Marg McAlisters's www.writing4successclub.com.
I have also found that as a new writer I can trade my time for advice.
A couple of years ago I offered my time to a very busy author. I helped
her to research a project she was working on and in return she helped
me to cut through all the 'crap' (excuse the language)I cannot stress
enough the importance of giving in order to receive. The more I gave,
the more I received in return. New writers often think that they have
nothing to offer. Not true. Market research is also extrememly important
and this is where networking is invaluable but again new writers cannot
expect to be given such information for free. I think what separates
a true professional from a hobbyist is their willingness to do the
homework and to share what they learn with those who they hope will
help them. The world of writing and publishing is enormous. We need
to help each other. Networking and sharing are the key. I also edit
a free online networking newsletter for Australian children's authors/illustrators.
My mentor started it and I took it over when she became too busy.
Here are my thoughts on what helped me get published.
*Ann
Herric - http://ann.herrick.home.att.net
In writing, the number one rule for me has been perseverance. It takes
perseverance to sit at a desk and write on a regular schedule until
one day, lo and behold, there's a complete manuscript. It takes perseverance
to rewrite and rewrite until that manuscript is polished to as close
to perfection as possible. It takes perserverance to search for the
right publisher. Too many writers, with good manuscripts, give up
after submitting their work once or twice. Scour Writer's Market.
Read The Writer and Writer's Digest for marketing news.
I sold my first two books to publishers who listed their current
needs in the marketing news in Writer's Digest. I sold my next two
books to a market I read about in a newsletter for writers of young
adult books. I've joined several writing lists on the internet to
keep in touch with current market needs. Currently, I have an editor
interested in a manuscript. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she'll
want to buy it, but meanwhile I will write and network and do market
research. I will continue to persevere.
*Linda
Singleton - http://
www.LindaJoySingleton.com My first sale was the result of hearing
an author speak at a local writing workshop about her small publisher
who was seeking light-hearted fiction. It took many submissions to
this publisher and rewriting per editorial requests to make that sale.
Nearly three years later I held my first book in my hands.
Selling that first book is hard. Continuing to sell can be harder.
The key to staying published when editors changes, publishers fold
and books go out of print is perseverance. Also, networking with other
authors, joining writing groups and reading many books. Through tears,
through smiles, you just keep trying. Never give up.
*Elizabeth
O. Dulemba- http://dulemba.com/It takes an unbudgeable determination to become a successful published
writer. Motivational speakers say, "You have to believe in your
dreams." It never occurred to me that some people don't, or that
if I worked hard enough, I still might not succeed. I don't know how
you achieve this mind-set, the mentality of a dog with a sock, but
it is essential. For me, writing well is incredibly hard. Sure, I
have lots of ideas, which I write down and then declare, "I have
hung the moon!" But when it comes to prose others want to read,
I have to knead, shape, and cut my words - my precious babies. It's
a game. I take my idea, imagine it as a Rubix cube, turning it every
which way until it comes out right. If you were as horrible as I was
at Rubix cubes, you can relate to my frustration while making my words
work. My husband has also been invaluable. He is not only supportive,
but has the brain of an editor - a bonus discovered after I said,
"I do."
He, above all else, has helped make my writing readable. My determination
makes me take his advice, rework and revise, rather than quit.
*Susanna
Reich - (website coming soon) I was always a good writer
but it took many years of just living my life before I felt I had
something to say. I had two careers and a marriage and a child before
I started to write. At first I wrote to promote my business, but gradually
I became more interested in writing for its own sake. I didn't care
so much what I wrote--fiction or nonfiction, for adults or children--as
long as I was writing. I joined SCBWI and started going to conferences
and networking. I asked my local children's librarian what kind of
books she needed. She said "biographies of women," so I
wrote Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso. It sold within a year or two.
When I started working on my second book, a biography of the dancer
and choreographer Jose Limon, I joined Margaret (Bunny) Gable's workshop
at the New School in New York. For six years I went to that class
every week and heard people's work read aloud. I found out what worked
and what didn't work. I learned to listen for clarity of meaning,
the right choice of words, strong characters, narrative tension. That's
where I honed my craft.
Success is a tricky word. So many people define success as getting
published. Getting published is thrilling, but more important is your
commitment to writing. You have to see yourself as a professional.
I sit down at my desk every morning and I stay there, whether I feel
like it or not.
*Lea
Wait - http://www.leawait.com
By far the most important preparation I did for writing for children
was focusing myself on what I wanted to do. First, I read books
aimed at the level (middle readers) I wanted to write for. I read
every Newbery winner, and a large assortment of other praised and
valued books. Hundreds of books. I read books now considered classics;
I read books that the Horn Book or Bank Street College's Children's
Book Committee gave starred reviews. I found my own personal role
models among those writers.
And then I wrote. And wrote again. And again. I edited on the
computer and
on hard copies. I read chapters aloud -- many times. I thought back
to the
books I'd most admired and asked what it was that made them special.
I asked
the same of my own books. And then I shared my work with a
small but professional critique group. Everyone else in my critique
group wrote for adults; not children. But I firmly believe that the
best writing for children can be enjoyed by adults,
too. My critique group helped. (And my books are now used in schools
...
and in adult literacy classes!)
Basically, I studied and I analyzed, and I wrote until I'd found
my own
voice. And my 4th historical middle reader will be published
by Margaret K.
McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster) next year.
*Max
Elliot Anderson - http://www.maxbooks.9k.com
I didn't start out wanting to be a children's author. In fact, I fought
hard not to. I had grown up as a reluctant reader, had a famous author
father, and a number of other reasons not to try. Then some serious
business reverses, due to 9/11 and its effect on my clients, made
it clear that I had to do something.
That was when I decided to do a little research into why I didn't
like to read. I found some striking reasons. Then, in a sort of -
find a need in the market and fill it - response, I began writing
for other reluctant readers. I tried for several months to interest
publishers, but received mounds of rejections. Then two men, with
twenty-five years of publishing experience between them, approached
me. As a result, they formed a company specifically for the purpose
of publishing my books.
But no matter how the process happens for each of us, there is no
denying the importance of hard work, persistence, and turning out
the best finished product you possibly can. Even with all the rejections,
I continued turning out manuscripts. Now, with 32 completed manuscripts,
and 7 published books (in 18 months), the "real" work is
in marketing, publicity, and getting the word out.
*Shari
Lyle-Soffe - My credits are all for magazine writing.
I believe perseverance, being eager to learn, developing a thick skin,
networking with other writers, and having patience are key to getting
published. My first contact with writers took place in the ICL chatroom.
That led me to the scheduled chats with published authors, editors,
etc. Contact with other writers is key.
** You have paid the kidnapper's ransom ( reading this text),
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