3. “I fear not the man who has practiced ten thousand kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times.” We are all tempted at some point to dabble in multiple genres. Whilst this may keep your writing fresh, it will not do you any favors when it comes...
“Agent Advice” (more than 150 interviews so far!) is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else. This installment features Elizabeth Kracht of Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Elizabeth's career in publishing took root in Puerto...
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from young adult writer Megan Bostic. GIVEAWAY: Megan is excited to...
Oh my gosh the big day is finally here! My new humor book, RED DOG / BLUE DOG: WHEN POOCHES GET POLITICAL, comes out today, July 31. So exciting! There's some basic info about the book below, but I'll just skip to the giveaway info: GIVEAWAY CONTEST: -- In celebration of release day, I will be...
Writers often live or die by how engagingly they convey the extreme merits of something: a character's beauty or strength, an impassioned cause, a life-altering event. But equally crucial is how convincingly writers can extol---okay, "hype"--- their own work in queries and marketing. Some editors rightly warn against over-hyping in a proposal; but a touch...
1. Top instructional videos on the craft of writing 2. Step-by-step instructions on self-publishing, building a platform, and more 3. Genre specific tutorials 4. Watch the videos in the comfort of your home as often as you like 5. Preview any tutorial before you buy 6. At least one new tutorial is added weekly—with over 60 top-notch tutorials ready...
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage. She is seeking: Her interests...
1. Start tweeting now! Or Tumblring, or whatever, and discover what feels genuine to you. My publisher is very active across multiple social media platforms and encouraged me to get involved well in advance of my book release, to explore what I was comfortable with and start making connections. I happen to like Twitter...
This installment features Evan Gregory of The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Evan began at the agency in 2008 as an Assistant. He currently manages subsidiary rights for the agency in addition to his duties as an agent and general office manager. You can find him on Twitter or over at his blog. He is seeking:...
This series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked. The 58th installment in this series is with agent Sara Megibow...
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from YA writer Mike Mullin, author of the ASHFALL series. GIVEAWAY: Mike...
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. Author Gina Damico writes young adult fiction, and her first novel, CROAK, was released in March 2012 from Graphia. She received a degree...
This installment features Jita Fumich of Folio Literary Management. Jita first began working with Folio in 2006. She holds a B.A. from New York University and has taken classes at NYU’s Center for Publishing. As an agent, Jita seeks to work with her authors on all aspects of their career—understanding that being an author...
Whether you’re just starting to create your story’s characters or ready to sell your manuscript to an agent or editor, you’ll find everything you need to devise, plot, and create a thrilling mystery or thriller that will leave your readers glued to the pages of your book. Right now, we have only a few...
There is an old saying. What comes from the heart reaches the heart. I have always found this to be true. But I would add to it my own less elegant postscript. It helps to know who you’re talking to. GIVEAWAY: John is excited to give away a free copy of his novel to a random...
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at...
The NE-SCBWI Conference, organized by the New England chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, took place in April 2012 and offered an agent-author panel featuring the following literary agents: 1. Stephen Fraser (Jennifer De Chiara Literary), joined by his client Christine Brodien-Jones 2. Jennifer Laughran (Andrea Brown Literary), joined by her client...
Writers have always had to be disciplined, but the internet has made matters a million times worse. In addition to the temptations that everyone else faces, we are being actively encouraged to be online 24/7: to network, promote our books and so on. Ashley Ream wrote a great guest post recently about how to...
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage. She is seeking: History–must have...
Julie Klam is the author of several books, including the New York Times Bestseller You Had Me At Woof: How Dogs Taught Me The Secrets of Happiness (Riverhead Books), Love At First Bark: Dogs and the People They Saved (Riverhead Books), and the forthcoming [fall 2012] Friendkeeping: The Field Guide to the People You...
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Leah Bobet, author of ABOVE. GIVEAWAY: Leah is excited to...
People who work in book publishing always have a ridiculous amount of reading to get through. I once worked on what is pejoratively termed the "slush pile" in the HarperCollins fiction department, where I would often be the first reader. As such, I would get to decide if the story was worth further consideration...
In June 2012, I had the pleasure of presenting at the Crested Butte Writers Conference in Crested Butte, CO. I'm telling you -- this cute mountain town is AWESOME. It's artsy and small and everyone knows each other and everyone bikes everywhere and it's full of fun characters. What a great town. Sunshine in...
“Agent Advice” (more than 170 interviews so far!) is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else. This installment features Erica Silverman of Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. Erica represents authors such as Mariah Bruehl,...
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. Oksana Marafioti is the author of AMERICAN GYPSY: A MEMOIR (FSG Originals, July 2012). GIVEAWAY: Oksana is excited to give away a free...
