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December 2009 Blog Posts (58)

On Revision

I'm spending most of my writing time lately revising. I love revisiong, so let me just preface with that.

But...

and there is a but...

It's really important to remember to write. The more we write, the better we get--there's no substitution for getting those words on the page.

Added by Jamie on December 30, 2009 at 6:03pm — 2 Comments

Agent Michelle Brower seeks manuscripts that "MAKE HER CRY"

Does your YA novel touch the heart, does it bring tears to the eyes of the reader? Does the plot and the characters, or even the voice stay with the reader long after the pages have been put down? Then this agent is looking for you!

Agent Michelle Brower of Wend Sherman Associates, Inc says;

"Please Make Me Cry!

I've been working on a lot of thrillers and mysteries lately, which can be a great thing- recently I've been privy to taxidermy-obsessed serial killers, zombies who… Continue

Added by Jessica Milar on December 30, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Agent Mary Kole says "MAKE ME CARE." Read all about it at AGENT INSIDER

Agent Mary Kole of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency recently gave an in-depth interview. Here's what you can write to catch her eye on a query:

"Make me care. A lot of queries don't tell me what's important to the character, what's at stake, how things go from bad to worse for them. People read to bond with people. Even if you've got a blockbuster plot, the character is still important because....

SEE THE REST OF THIS INTERVIEW AT AGENT INSIDER -… Continue

Added by Jessica Milar on December 29, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Review of Candor by Pam Bachorz

You know those stories that just stick with you? The ones that, while maybe not the absolute best book in the entire world that you want to read over and over, you can't seem to stop thinking about? (Have you had enough with the rhetorical questions?) CANDOR by Pam Bachorz is now one of those books for me.

I finished it in one sitting, curled up in my bed yesterday, and I haven't stopped thinking about it. It even invaded my dreams. Okay, I did read it right before bed but still. It… Continue

Added by Mary Brebner on December 29, 2009 at 12:30pm — 3 Comments

Staff Free downloads of YA books? How awesome is that!

So two authors I very much enjoy, Lisa McMann and Maureen Johnson, are giving away free downloads this month! I just had to share this with my #yalitchat pals in case you hadn't seen this!

Lisa McMann is giving 30 days access to Wake, her debut novel. I read Wake in one sitting and went out and bought book 2, Fade, the next day. LOVE this book. It's about a girl who gets sucked into people's dreams, including those of a very hot, mysterious boy at school. You can download Wake… Continue

Added by Jessica Capelle on December 29, 2009 at 3:22am — No Comments

Staff But WAIT! More 2010 AMAZINGNESS Coming!

Class of 2k10 Book… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 27, 2009 at 6:32pm — No Comments

Staff Are You Ready For 2010? I Suggest You GET Ready!!!

The Tenners Are Coming: a 2010 Book Odyssey!…

Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 27, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Staff New editor-at-large to acquire and edit YA and middle-grade fiction

New editor-at-large to acquire and edit YA and middle-grade fiction

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 12/22/2009 2:32:00 PM

Around this time last year, Melanie Kroupa, who had had her own imprint at FSG Books for Young Readers since 2000, was let go as part of Macmillan’s reorganization of its children’s division. But news came late yesterday that Kroupa will be joining Marshall Cavendish Children's Books as an editor-at-large on January 1, reporting to publisher… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 24, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT...Check out Agent Insider

Before your submit to Agent Inbox, be sure to check out AGENT INSIDER.
We've got the inside scoop on the Agents who review queries in Agent Inbox.

And check out AGENT INSIDER for info on other agents who may be a perfect match for your manuscript.
READ ALL ABOUT IT IN AGENT INSIDER
http://yalitchat.ning.com/group/agentinsider

Added by Jessica Milar on December 23, 2009 at 9:30am — 4 Comments

New Agent Actively Seeking Young Adult

Katie Grimm of Don Congdon Associates, Inc. is actively seeking YA, as well as other genres. She says, "I am much more open to fantasy and sci-fi in YA and MG, but I have somehow escaped the pull of the vampire or vampire spin-offs, so no dragon slaying angel faeries for me!"

Read all about it in AGENT INSIDER
http://yalitchat.ning.com/group/agentinsider

Added by Jessica Milar on December 21, 2009 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Staff How To Write A First Chapter That Rocks!

From Write It Sideways Blog

How to Write a First Chapter that Rocks

by suzannah on November 23, 2009

When I go to the library to find new reading material, the first thing I do is read the opening paragraph and skim through the first few pages of each selection.

If I don’t like what I see, the book goes back on the shelf.

Imagine literary agents and editors doing the same thing when they read your manuscript. If the first pages are no good,… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 21, 2009 at 1:09pm — 1 Comment

INTRODUCING...ASK A NINJA AGENT

You've heard of ask a Ninja? Well this discussion thread is for anyone to ask anything regarding publishing, and I'll try to find the answer (preferably from a blog or interview of an agent or editor, or even a publisher, or even a YALITCHAT board member has the answer). Hopefully this will make the Agent Insider Group more interactive.

No question is too big or too small, have no fear, you're among friends at YALITCHAT.

Fire Away over at AGENT INSIDER!!

Added by Jessica Milar on December 20, 2009 at 1:04pm — No Comments

Agent Joanne-Stampel Vogel shows you how to write the perfect pitch. Read all about it in AGENT INSIDER

Literary Agent Joanna- Stampel Vogel of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation details what goes into a pitch in AGENT INSIDER. A brief excerpt:

The pitch needs to convey three things: the plot, the genre and the tone of the story. And it needs to convey these things in one concise sentence. It doesn’t need dialogue, it doesn’t need a cast list, it doesn’t necessarily need the title and it definitely doesn’t need the word count—and before you snicker at this advice,… Continue

Added by Jessica Milar on December 20, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Get info from good sources

I love what Rachelle Gardner discussed on her blog earlier this week. She gave excellent advice on verifying the source of information and getting it from trusted sources.

I found it a great reminder.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/12/heard-it-through-grapevine.html

Added by Michelle Witte on December 20, 2009 at 1:22am — No Comments

Staff Publishers Desperately Seeking Insanely Great Debut Novelists

(according to Alan Rinzer)

From The Book Deal Blog

12.17.2009

Publishers desperately seeking insanely great debut novelists

“Everybody’s looking for the next big thing — a work of great literary fiction from an unknown writer who’s never been published.”

That’s according to Jay Schaefer, an editor-at-large at Workman Publishers in New York City and its subsidiary, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Schaefer, a… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 19, 2009 at 11:45pm — 3 Comments

Staff What's American Idol Got To Do With Literary Advances????

From Galley Cat

American Idol and Literary Advances

By Jason Boog on Dec 18, 2009 04:23 PM

In a blog post, veteran editor Alan Rinzler (pictured) tried to find out why a few first-time novelists had landed large advances recently--citing a $600,000 and two six-figure advances for untested authors.

He debated the topic with Algonquin Books and Workman Publishers editor-at-large Jay Schaefer. When asked why these first time advances had went so high,… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 19, 2009 at 11:30pm — 1 Comment

Staff Tips For A Successful Author Reading

From Alan Rinzer

The Book Deal Blog

2009

9 Tips For Successful Author Readings

Readers are fans. They love author appearances!

What’s more, a successful author reading can spark sales and help build a following for a new book.

Publishers know this, but unfortunately, the days of big budgets for glamorous book tours and star-spangled author events are now largely behind us.

Author readings still a hot… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 19, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Staff What Is YA?

By Nicola Crossley is custom publishing administrator at the Orion Publishing Group (UK) , and social secretary for the Society of Young Publishers (UK) -- From Bookseller.com

Generation YA

28.07.09

Just what is a young adult novel? Surely the answer is simple: a work of fiction that is aimed directly at, and relates to, teenagers. Controversy over age ranging on books raises the all-important question—does teenage fiction actually exist, is it possible to… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 19, 2009 at 8:22pm — No Comments

Staff Bad News for Debut Literary Advances In The UK

From Bookseller.com

Literary début advances fall as low as £500

17.12.09 Benedicte Page

Advances for some literary fiction débuts have dropped to as little as £500, according to agents and publishers.

Advances of £1,000 or £2,000 are becoming increasingly common although other débuts still command good figures. Rebecca Hunt’s Mr Chartwell was sold to Fig Tree at auction last month as part of a two-book deal worth more than £100,000.

Jonathan Cape… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 19, 2009 at 8:14pm — No Comments

Staff Paulsen to Launch Eponymous Children's Imprint-PM

From Publishers Marketplace: December 17, 2009

President and publisher of Putnam Children's for the last 15 years Nancy Paulsen will launch an eponymous imprint, Nancy Paulsen Books in 2011. She plans to publish 12 to 15 picture books, middle grade and young adult novels a year. Paulsen will keep her current position until a replacement is named, with a search underway now.

Paulsen says in the announcement, "I am thrilled with the opportunity to return to my true… Continue

Added by Georgia McBride on December 17, 2009 at 4:41pm — No Comments

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