Children's Writers eNews
April 26, 2012
"The Write Words to Read"
The Institute of Children's Literature
http://www.institutechildrenslit.comEditor: Jan Fields --
jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everybody has a secret world inside them.
-- Neil Gaiman
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
1. News For You: Writing Game with PRIZES!
2. New: "Is Your Story a Picture Book or Short Story for a 'Zine?"
3. Vintage: "How To Write a Children's Picture Book"
4. May Workshop: "Queries, Proposals and Submission Packages"
5. Chat Every Tuesday!
6. What's New At Kristi's?
7. Market Help
8. Webtastic Goodies
9. "Preparing to Interview Experts"
10.Good News
11.A Note for our users.
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Counting down to the April 30 deadline for the Children's Writers Middle Grade Fiction Contest --
http://www.thechildrenswriter.com/af627/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. "Is Your Story a Picture Book or Short Story for a 'Zine?" by Christine Kohler
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws06/pborzine.shtmlDeciding if your story is really a picture book can be hard, this piece makes it easier.
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3. "How to Write a Children's Picture Book" by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/binestock.shtmlMore help understanding the nature and structure of picture books.
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4. Writer's Retreat Workshop
May 2-4, 2012 "Queries, Proposals and Submission Packages" with Chris Eboch and Nancy Sanders in the Writer's Retreat
http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.phpInitial contact with a publisher can be a daunting idea. How do we put our best foot forward? What do we do about a lack of publishing credits? What do publishers really want? Let two experience professionals help clear the muddy waters of connecting with publishers.
Chris Eboch’s novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure; and the Haunted series, which starts with The Ghost on the Stairs. Her book Advanced Plotting helps writers fine-tune their plots. She has written nonfiction work for hire for Lucent, Aladdin, Picture Window Books, and Compass Media. Learn more at ttp://www.chiseboch.com or check out her writing tips at her <a href="
http://chriseboch.blogspot.com> Write Like a Pro! blog</a>. Chris also writes for adults under the name Kris Bock. Kris Bock writes action-packed romantic suspense involving outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Rattled follows a treasure hunt in New Mexico and Whispers in the Dark involves intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. Read excerpts at <a href=http://www.krisbock.com>www.krisbock.com</a>.
Nancy I. Sanders is a bestselling and award-winning children’s author of over 80 books. She wrote a children’s column for the Writer’s online magazine from 2008 to 2011 that you can still access today. Known as an inspirational and motivational mentor by friends and fellow writers, Nancy truly believes that everyone can follow their dreams to be a successful children’s writer. In her book, <i>Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career</i>, Nancy teaches writers how to manage their time and focus their energies so that they are writing each day with purpose in order to get published, earn an income, and satisfy their personal fulfillment as a writer. Amy Jackson, Senior Editor at Sleeping Bear Press said about her book, “Like no other how-to children’s writer’s book out there. An honest, realistic guide for anyone aspiring to become a career writer, Nancy I. Sanders demystifies the process from pen to paycheck. <i>Yes! You Can</i> is like having your own personal writing coach at your side.” <a href="
http://www.nancyisanders.com">www.nancyisanders.com</a>
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5. Join us for Live Chat...
Every Tuesday we gather in the chat room to talk writing, selling, marketing, weather and bunnies! Whatever you want to chat with your fellow writers about -- come and have some fun!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific
Every Tuesday come and bring any writing questions you might have...or just hang out with people who share your same dreams.
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6. This Week at Kristi's
Kristi Holl's Writer's First Aid is so good -- it's like getting extra special writing advice in every visit.
http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/Wed., April 25: "Help is Just a Click Away"
Have you collected quotes and free ebooks and downloads from the Internet? Do you remember to document the source of your information (the URL)? I nearly always forget. Copying and pasting the information and a long URL was a headache. Until now. Here is a simple (and f*r*e*e) system for capturing, storing, and organizing web pages, videos and audio files!
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7. Penumbra
http://musapublishing.blogspot.com/p/penumbra.htmlThemed speculative fiction market -- paying. NOT a children's market. Uses themes.
Accepts speculative fiction poetry.
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8. Middle Grade Summer Book Club
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.comThe Summer Book Club is for Middle Grade Fiction and will run June 1 to the middle of August -- complete with giveaways and interviews with the authors.
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9. Preparing to Interview Experts
from the Reliable Research chapter in Melissa Abramovitz fantastic book:
A Treasure Trove of Opportunity: How to Write and Sell Articles for Children's Magazines
"Figure out what you need and want to gain from the interview, and formulate specific questions to help you reach this goal. Do you mainly want an expert’s opinion about a controversial topic? Do you want his recommendations for a how-to piece? Do you want to know how an entertainer got started in the business? Do you want general information about a person’s education and hobbies for a profile? Ask the right questions. Do you need photos? Make a note to yourself to be sure to ask.
Doing your homework will allow you to achieve your objectives and will prevent wasting your own and the interviewee’s time. Deviating from your prepared questions a bit if you need clarification or if a slight tangent seems interesting is good – indeed, some of the juiciest anecdotes and unique tidbits may come from such deviations. But for the most part, know what you want and stick to getting that information.
An expert will expect that a writer has done a fair amount of research and has developed a focus before the interview. Calling an archaeologist and saying “Tell me about archaeology” just won’t hack it. Let the person know that you’ve studied the basics and are serious about enriching your article with her first-hand knowledge. If you’re writing about innovative new tools archaeologists use, you might say, “I’ve read that radio carbon dating techniques are being replaced by newer technologies. Which of these technologies have you used in your research, and how do they work?” If you don’t understand an answer, ask for clarification. It won’t make you look stupid – just thorough and professional."
* Used with permission from the author
Want more? Check out Melissa's site:
http://www.melissaabramovitz.com/------------------------
10. Good News
Jocelyn Kasper: The morning after an email I tossed off was circulated, I was invited to guest post on a writers’ blog about writing. My tribute to author and writing teacher, Bonnie Hearn Hill, was published in the Friday Speak Out blog on WOW Women on Writing e-Magazine 4/20/12. It’s about saying goodbye to certain punctuation marks.
Here's the link:
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2012/04/friday-speak-out-my-name-is-jocelyn-and.html. Or you may Google: punctu-holic, a word I coined.
Margaret C. Aranitis: I would to announce my first book, a fantasy mid-grade book, The Legend of ELPandPaws by M.C. Arvanitis. The happy ELVanites make their livelihood manufacturing the special stuffed bears for the Santa Corporation. When a panda cub, captured by the evil Ughlies, sends sad vibes to the workers, ELVina and ELMetric are sent to find the source of the Negative Disease epidemic. When the two ELVanites fall into the hands of the Ughlies it looks bad. Can they escape and make the Panda happy so the factory workers can get on with making the Love Bears?
Florence Roberts: I have had two nonfiction articles published by Spigot Magazine, a science magazine for kids: "How Our Bodies Move," and "How Brain Cells Talk to Each Other."
Marianne Mitchell: After years of research and writing, my historical fiction book, A PROMISE MADE, is out in ebook format. Paperback format to come. Quick blurb: Silver Plume, Colorado is the end of the line and the beginning of a new life for sixteen-year-old Petra. After fleeing her abusive stepfather, she must learn how to fend for herself, keep her promises and confront her worst fears. It's available now at:
http://www.amazon.com/A-Promise-Made-ebook/dp/B007VEOF5YDiane Kress Hower I am appearing monthly on our local NBC affiliate's Morning Show to recommend high quality children's literature to an audience of young parents. I am also blogging about those books. You can find out how to submit at
http://bookwisdombydiane.blogspot.com <http://bookwisdombydiane.blogspot.com/> At this time, I am most interested in authors from Colorado and the Western States.
What's Your Good News? Send to
jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com------------
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