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2nd Draft provides a high-level review of your writing, pointing out reasons your work may be getting rejected, or may not meet the standards of traditional publication.
Author Archives: Chuck Sambuchino
Learn How to Sell Articles to Magazines and Newspapers (And Get a Critique!)
I know this blog is mostly about agents and book stuff, but one area of writing I’ve always been active in is article writing. If you’ve never tried to sell articles or columns, you should. It’s a great way to make money, get publication credits, and build your platform. That’s why WD Managing Editor Zachary Petit and I are teaching the awesome webinar, “Sell Freelance Articles,” on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Read more
New Agent Alert: Kat Salazar of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents
About Kat: Kat Salazar joined Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents in February 2011 as an intern for the agency working directly for agency co-founder Elizabeth Pomada. Previously she worked for University of Washington Press as a Marketing Assistant and held internships at University of California Press, HarperOne of Harper Collins, and Wales Literary Agency.
She is seeking: Kat is actively looking for young adult, middle grade, and children’s picture books. For adult audiences, she is interested in literary fiction and urban fantasy. Read more
My Adventures in … San Francisco 2012
I just got back from the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference over Presidents’ Day Weekend, and the event was fantastic. The SFWC, which is co-sponsored by WD, is famous for its number of agents, editors and authors who attend. The San Fran area is rich with writing talent, and the SFWC brings in a lot of area speakers. If you live anywhere in the area, I seriously recommend checking out the event for 2013. Read more
Literary Agent Interview: J.L. Stermer of N.S. Bienstock
“Agent Advice” 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 J.L. Stermer of N.S. Bienstock, a full-service talent agency with a division dedicated to developing literary projects, where she handles both nonfiction and fiction authors. She previously served as literary agent and contracts director with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Born and raised in New York City, and a graduate of Columbia University, she currently resides in Manhattan solidifying that she is forever a city girl through and through. Read more
Debut Author Interview: Chris Pavone, Author of THE EXPATS, a 2012 Thriller
Along with plenty of agent interviews on this blog, I’m hoping to do more interviews of up-and-coming writers (especially debuts) that I like or I think you should know. Today please enjoy an interview with author Chris Pavone, author of the buzzed about novel, The Expats (March 6, 2012, Crown).
GIVEAWAY: Chris is excited to give away a free copy of his novel to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. UPDATE: Mattkrol won. Read more
New Agent Alert: Dawn Michelle Hardy of Serendipity Literary
About Dawn: Dawn Michelle Hardy of Serendipity Literary received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing: International Trade and her Associate of Applied Science degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. For several years Dawn oversaw the day-to-day production and sales operations for independent publisher turned New York Times bestselling author Teri Woods (True to the Game, Dutch trilogy, Alibi).
She is seeking: nonfiction self-help, motivational and empowerment, women’s fiction, relationship, pop culture, leadership and non-denominational spiritual titles. Feel free to contact her in reference to any nonfiction subject. Read more
6 Tips On Writing Plays For Kids
1) Be realistic.Your script probably won’t be performed on Broadway or turned into a blockbuster movie. Avoid special effects, amazing stunts, or anything else that can’t be accomplished by ordinary kids. Keep costumes, sets, and props to a minimum. Writing in the readers theatre format is one of the best ways to create a play that’s simple to stage but exciting in content. For information about readers theatre along with a sample play click here.
GIVEAWAY: Diana has written several books of kids’ plays, and is happy to give a book to a random commenter. Just comment on this post within 2 weeks and a winner will be chosen at random. Winners must live within the US/Canada to win. The winner can choose whichever of Diana’s books they like. UPDATE: Read2BeFree won.) Read more
6 Tips To Resuscitate a Dying Author Blog
Maintaining an author blog is no cakewalk. So if your author blog is slumping, pat yourself on the back. At least you have a spine to slump! If you started your blog because you wanted to impress literary agents and editors with your ability to mobilize audiences, then you want your posts to show lively discussions. You never know who is lurking. But even the freshest blogs can go stale. As a novelist who—for better or worse—started blogging when my first novel came out back in 2009, my blog has seen ups and downs of roller coast proportions. Here are 6 quick tips for boosting buzz when your audience seems like its fizzling.
GIVEAWAY: Lisa is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Sandra Beckwith won.) Read more
Amazing Giveaway: A Free Pass to the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 16-19, 2012) Worth $745
This is amazing news. Writer’s Digest has 1 free pass to giveaway to a random commenter for a full registration pass at the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 16-19, 2012). (Wow!!) Make sure you read this entire post to see all the details of the giveaway, as there are some things you need to do to formally enter. To enter, you will need to comment on this post, and spread the news a bit via social media. (Update: Joan Swan won the pass. Congrats to Joan! Joan will be guest blogging about her travels here on my GLA Blog following the event.) Read more
Literary Agent Spotlight: Carlie Webber of CK Webber Associates
About Carlie: Carlie Webber refused to major in English in college because no one would let her read Stephen King or R.L. Stine for class. She took her love of young adult and genre fiction to the University of Pittsburgh, where she obtained a Master of Library and Information Science, and worked as a YA librarian and reviewer for publications including Kirkus Reviews.
She is seeking: young adult (any and all genres), horror, mystery, thriller, suspense, contemporary romance, humor, literary fiction, women’s fiction. “More specific examples from my submissions wishlist: anything set in the grunge era; GLBTQ for YA; high-concept YA; genre mashups, like paranormal romantic suspense. Read more
Point of View Shifts in Writing: Proceed with Caution
“Which character tells the story?” That’s a crucial character-question writers must ask themselves in the planning stages of any novel. It’s usually followed by: “Should the story come from one character’s point of view, or more than one?” A tricky question, because incorporating multiple points-of-view can be a bit like juggling plates. Each character is tossed into the air for a brief time, highlighted, then another one takes its place. When handled well, this technique can be extremely effective, fluid. When handled poorly, it can end in disaster (plates crashing to the ground). Read more
Agent Kathleen Ortiz Teaches How to Write a Great Query on Aug. 2, 2012 (Includes Query Critique!)
The query letter is that all-important first contact with literary agents. Before they opt to read your work, they have to be interested in you and your story — and that’s what the query letter does. We all know that composing a query is a completely different monster than writing a story. If you’re getting rejected at the query stage, don’t fret — we have an expert for you. Literary agent Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary is teaching an intensive webinar on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 called “How to Hook an Agent or Editor With Your Query.” The intensive webinar features a query critique by Kathleen for every registrant. Read more
New Literary Agent Alert: Erin Harris of Folio Literary
About Erin: Erin Harris is an agent at the Irene Skolnick Literary Agency. A graduate of the MFA program in creative writing at The New School, Erin received her B.A. in English from Trinity College (Hartford, CT), where she was Presidential Fellow of the English Department and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
She is seeking: literary novels with compelling plots and international settings; literary thrillers and mysteries (She’d love to find the next Tana French!); noirs (especially starring headstrong female protagonists); and YA and middle grade novels that transport her to magical places. Read more
Conference Spotlight: 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference (Feb. 18, 2012)
One of the largest writing conferences on the west coast is approaching quickly: the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference, happening Feb. 16-19, 2012 (President’s Day weekend). This event typically sells out every year and attracts more than 20 agents, to say nothing of the large amount of authors and editors who are also part of the program. Keep reading to learn more. Read more
How I Got My Agent: Robin Mellom
“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 literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Robin Mellom is the author of DITCHED: A LOVE STORY, a young adult novel released in Jan. 2012 by Disney/Hyperion.
GIVEAWAY: Robin is excited to give away a free copy of her book to a random commenter. Comment within one week; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Grammarian won.) Read more
Literary Agent Interview: Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency
“Agent Advice” 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 Nicole Resciniti of the Seymour Agency. Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. She also Tweets.
She is seeking: romance, mainstream suspense, thrillers, mysteries, young adult, inspirational, science fiction/fantasy, and action/adventure. Read more
The 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference — a Recap
I just got back from our writers conference in New York, and, as expected, it was extremely busy yet extremely great. It was our second year hosting it in Manhattan, and, besides a snowstorm that hit on Saturday, everything went very smoothly — including the gigantic Agent Pitch Slam, which is my big focus in terms of planning. (If you couldn’t make the conference this year, stayed tuned to the conference website. I expect we will be back in mid to late January 2013 for more awesomeness.) Read more
The Drive to Write
Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month, gives the closing address of the 2012 Writer’s Digest Conference. Read more
How to Make Your Novel’s First 50 Pages Stand Out
Jeff Gerke gives tips to aspiring novelists on how to improve their first fifty pages. Read more
Making Good Ideas Great
Jack Heffron gives tips about how to make good fiction and non-fiction ideas great. Read more
How to Better Market Your Book
A panel of marketing experts give tips on how to better market your book. Read more
Writers Now Have A Choice
Best-Selling Author Barry Eisler predicts the future of publishing. Read more
Seven Secrets of Successful Self-Published Authors
Keith Ogorek, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Author Solutions and self-published author of two books, shares his seven secrets of successful self-published authors. Read more
Ask the Agents
A panel of literary agents talk about their role in the publishing industry and reasons why they reject query letters, proposals, and manuscripts. Read more
Conference Spotlight: The Business of Pet Writing Conference (Feb. 11, 2012 in New York)
Pet writing enthusiasts will gather at The Business of Pet Writing Conference in the Hotel Pennsylvania’s Penn Top Ballroom, and rub elbows with the premiere people in the publishing, social media, pet and related industries. This year, the pet writing conference offers seminars and workshops that help pet writers learn: to report breaking pet news; to create compelling video; to work as a pet travel writer; to pitch pet websites; to create eBooks; as well as to use Facebook and Twitter and Linked strategically as a writer. Read more
