Query Letter Tips

For those that don’t follow the Query Shark blog, or on Twitter, this is a tip you might have missed.

And since I was having this conversation a few weeks ago with a couple of writer friends, I thought all you friends out there might want to see it as well.

I mean we are All pretty busy and I know I appreciate it when you all tell and send me things.

The Query Shark says:

you don't need to tell me it's a simultaneous submission. I assume you're querying widely. Unless an agent specifically requests to know that you can leave it out. And you don't want to spend words on something you don't need to say. Use as many words to entice me to read this instead of covering housekeeping matters.

So what have you come across or heard that I should know?

Come on now, I share with you!

Pitching Practice ... Deadline’s Looming

Deadline’s Looming, people!

For all you pantsers out there. Not panthers. Pant-sers. Yes, I’m sure you know who you are.

Sit on your pants ’til a deadline looms over you then set your pants on fire to get everything done in time.

I’m saving your pants. And possibly your bum [as the British call our backsides].

Deadline is approaching - Like in pants on fire time - for JRW members to get first placement preferences for the Conference.

Conference will be here before you know it but it’s not pants-on-fire time yet. Yet. Maybe. Depending on what your plans are. {keep reading} But you know how those lolly-gag times creep up on you. [No not up your…. Never mind.]

Quickly moving on to Why you should be signing up for the Conference Now and not lolly-gagging around.

Just check this out -

Another Pitchapalooza Winner Lands a Book Deal!

Congratulations to our Pitchapalooza winner from Kansas City, Genn Albin who just got a mega six-figure, 3-book deal for her young adult fantasy novel, Crewel. Check out Genn’s guest blog about her wild ride. She's going to check in with us regularly to let us know about her progress from Pitchapalooza champion to bestseller.

Uh-huh. Yeah. Isn’t that what we are all talking about wanting!

Well, guess who has these Book Doctors in the house!!!

If you didn’t say James River Writers Conference in October no lollipop for you!

Well, we don’t have lollipops anyway, But we will have the Pitchapalooza Book Doctors in October!

In Library of Virginia’s house, where the JRW Conference is to be held.

But the deadline is Looming for their signups! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

And tried to save your pants.

After you sign up for the Conference and get your Pitch spot secured, and thus saving your pants, you can go over and sign up for their email newsletter - yes, where do you think this info’ is coming from. Oh, I guess I should be playing it more mysterious and secretive. Well, good thing I don’t try to write too many mysteries, and just enjoy reading them.

There’s even a video sneak peak of what to do for Pitchapalooza so you can start practicing and all!

You can see the video And sign up for the email newsletter here.

Same place!

How cool is that!

And see how nice I am to you - I’m trying to save your shirt as well as your pants. *Grin*

Don't forget to read the comments - where they say even those that Didn't sign up in time for the Pitchapooza schedule learned a Lot.

--- oh dear, is that sizzling I hear somewhere? Are you starting to feel hot? Better move now. *grin*

[If you need any more links to the James River Writers Conference than what’s been given here. Just check previous blog entry. One of them has Lots. and lots. ;) ]

See ya over on the Cool side of things. ;)

Pitching and Wooing

Pitching and wooing. What dating used to be called in the ‘old’ days. Or so I’m told. Hey, I’m not That old!

I wonder if pitching and wooing were a part of courting? Yes, that is another old term for dating. And again, I am Not That old either. Really.

I assume ‘dating’ is still an appropriate term nowadays. Things are quite a bit different than when I was growing up. Some might be due to the time period I will admit, but I think mostly due to circumstances. After all, look at all the changes in everyone’s lives that social media has brought on.

But some things do stay the same. Whatever you would call it, pitching and wooing, (although I’m not sure if that was part of courting or not), courting, dating, the sentiments are generally the same. And apply to all close relationships, in some way. Like the close relationship most writers want to have with their agents. You can start on your way to pitching and wooing an agent at the upcoming James River Writers Conference in October.

Well, we help you with the pitching part, the wooing part is up to you.

For those of you needing extra help on the pitching part - and who doesn’t need refresher thoughts and ideas - check out the James River Writers blog for a bunch of great pitching tips or reminders of how to do it.

Especially if it’s been a long time between dates. Uh, with pitching an agent, I mean we enjoy your company and all but not sure we want to get in that business. But you never know I suppose, so you might want to keep an eye on the website and the blog. Just in case.

**Grin**

But we do like hearing about your successes and accomplishments so do come to the James River Writing Show next Thursday and tell us about them.

And put the casual meet Writers Wednesday on your calendar to come tell us All about it.

We might even want to hear about your pitch and woo stories.

You never know. ;)

Work, and Heat, and Dragons, Oh My!

Okay so the Heat around here in Virginia has nothing to do with Dragons.
I think.
Virginia Is sizzling with Dragon talk this summer tho'.

And yes, I shouldn’t be getting distracted from my work on conference things, but, I say, it Really helps sometimes to take a step back and look at why we all are working so hard here.
[I said a step back, we haven’t run away. Yet.]

And here is a Really good reason!
Yay! :::Claps hands:::: [hey, it’s better they are clapping each other than my head like they’ve been doing lately]

Yes, it is a bit hot out there, here in Virginia certainly, but if you don’t at least read this you are going to regret it come fall when you need the heat. And the info’ ….

And if you haven’t been reading the James River Writers Conference blog — WHY HAVEN’T YOU???

We do forgive you. If you start now. I’ve made it easy for you, just click on one of the word links above. Or Here.

And if it so happens you don’t want to miss the fabulous writers that are being talked about on the blog so far, go here to sign up. Before it fills up and sells out.
It’s going to be a GREAT Conference I’m tellin’ you! We’re certainly working really hard to bring you GREAT!!!

Now, I must get back to work, and you must go check out the JRW Conference blog.
And Keep checking it out!!!

I would ask you to come back here and tell me which of the featured authors are your favorite so far but that would be too much like picking favorites of your children wouldn’t it? …. Pssstt, you can tell me later. ;)
After all, JRW’s Writers Wednesday is coming up next week.
Last one before the change of venue.
So you might seriously want to check it out.
I can hear your favorites then. And why they are your faves of course.
Hey, I said we were working hard didn’t I. ;)

Read this summer, Put These Dates on Calendar

Another reason to sit down and read this summer. Other than fact too hot to do anything else, right?

Sure is in Virginia all I'm saying.

Three Critics Pick The Best Books For Summer

The NPR people critics picks.

And don't forget to put these dates on your Calendar for October!

Since this is one of the books they pick.

Silver Sparrow

By Tayari Jones, hardcover, 352 pages, Algonquin, list price: $19.95

The first line of this book reveals the secret that informs the lives of this family's story: "My father James Witherspoon is a bigamist." Two families live with this reality, but only one knows the truth. The daughters become friends. They are half sisters, but only one of them knows it. One girl moves through life guarding this secret, the other lives in blissful ignorance. While Jones' book is fiction, it has roots in her biography. Gonzalez says this is a fascinating story that examines the psychological effect a father's deception has on his wives and children.

And Tayari Jones is going to be at the James River Writers Conference in October!

[Along with Kitty Kelly! And a Lot of other great writer people.]

Just saying.

Do you Really want to miss it?

I Couldn't Resist

Okay so I couldn't resist this challenge. The BDCWB Flash Fiction Challenge #1 [The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog]

They gave a picture -

And the limit of 500 words. I used 498 words with my little flash fiction story I flashed out quickly here -

I couldn’t help but sneak a look at his stiff back, listening to his bare feet slapping the pavement, when he walked away from me.

I couldn’t help it. I wrapped my arms around myself to contain the pain that had come when he had set his jaw and told me decisively he was leaving me. I had managed not to break down into hysterics. That was a moment to be proud of. Mostly.

But now that he wasn’t watching, he hadn’t even looked back once, the hurt moved as he did. I tightened my grip on myself, undone. My arm lifted as if it were going to wave goodbye, in case he did look back, not that it seemed he was going to now. I moved my trembling hand to my mouth to stifle the cry that threatened to erupt, shutting my eyes to try to contain the rush of tears and stop the glint of sunlight on them that would give me away. In case he does look back. The wet trickle down my cheeks told me I wasn’t successful. Pressing my lips tighter, I swiped at the damp and snuck a look at my fingertips, they weren’t bright red as I expected. I was sure I was starting to bleed from all the cuts inside me.

I could see his silhouette stretched across the black surface, at least it was leaning back toward me. But he was so far. So far from my arms.

Even over the hot smell of pavement and summer, I knew if I concentrated for even the smallest period of time I would smell him. I would almost taste the smell of him as he nuzzled close in my arms. These same ones that were shaking around me now.

This was all a mistake. Some misunderstood failing on my part. I knew in my bones that my arms would always ache like this. I would never be able to fill the emptiness no matter how tightly I wrapped them around myself.

I couldn’t let him leave like this.

No matter what damage it did to either of us, this couldn’t happen like this. Not now. And eventually we’d get beyond this, I just knew we would. We had to. We had to.

I swallowed my pride along with the lump of tears and started along his path. The perspective of my sight made him look so small, I quickened my step. I broke into a run as I choked back the sob of his name.

He had stopped and turned toward me when I finally reached him, grabbing him tightly against my chest.

“Don’t you ever do this to me again.” I unclamped my jaw to spit out the words in his ear. The same jaw that was echoed in his smaller version. I loosened my grip on my son enough to shake him, “this is not the way to do it. When the time comes we’ll figure it out.” Somehow.

I couldn't come up with a good title though. You got an inspired one you care to share?

Thanks to Denise for her blog heads up - go over and read her flash fiction version - here.

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Revision Process Writers Face

A great blog post about the revision process and stages for writers. And the normal feelings and emotions you have as you are in the midst of it.

With great pictures. Here.

Oh, come on, go ahead and look. It's so true it hurts. And the pictures are so cute they hurt. ::grin::::