It's Okay

I received the dreaded rejection. I really thought I had a chance with this one, but I still kept that little voice in the back of my head. I am glad I did. I think that is probably what helped ease some of the pain. That and a wonderful husband, great kids, and fabulous friends. All that plus two hollow chocolate Easter bunnies and a bottle of wine. ;}

It is all good now, most of the time.

Time to send out another ms.

Contest

I received the following from ICL newsletter ~

Pockets Fiction Contest
http://pockets.upperroom.org/annual-fiction-contest/
Enter from now until August 15, 2011
Free to enter. No set theme. Word Count 750-1000 (do not go over or under).
Award: $500 and publication in Pockets.
Entries the do not win are still considered for possible publication in the magazine under normal submission rates.
Submissions by postal mail only -- see address on website.

Another chance to submit your wonderful stories!! What are you waiting for?!

Announcing a birth!!

A title was born last night. An awesome, exciting, fun title for a fun and imaginative manuscript. This manuscript is currently on a short list with an editor and it was at her suggestion that a new title was created.

So the title went from "Heroes of the Kingdom" to "The Dragon and the Enchanted Kingdom".

Tell me what you think. Does the new title pull you in enough to look at the book?

story pitch

Below are some reasons why we have been working on our story pitch. Here are two opportunities for three line pitches. Both are for literary agents. I received the notice through the Savvy Authors Newsletter. The opportunities are there when you are ready.

http://www.savvyauthors.com

Apr 1
9AM - 11PM EST

Pitch Your Book
Pitch your book to Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
Drop by the Savvy Blog on Friday, April 1st for a chance to get your three line pitch in front of the eyes of agent, Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Kevan handles women's fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women's fiction, young adult fiction and all genres of romance. Her particular interest is historical fiction of all types. She looks for stories that draw the reader in and loves a sweeping, complex story with strong female characters.

Apr 29
9AM - Midnight EST

Pitch Your Book
Pitch your book to Vickie Motter of Andrea Hurst & Associates
Friday April 29th from 9 a.m to midnight, Vickie Motter of Andrea Hurst & Associates will be taking three line pitches on the Savvy Blog. Vickie is looking for new and previously published authors dedicated to continuously developing their craft and writing poignant nonfiction or marketable fiction. She loves all things weird, fantastical, morbid, and romantic. She’s always reading and looking for books that transport her to new lands and allow the imagination to run rampant. She has a special love of unique plots, dark themes, strong characters, an engaging voice, and witty humor.

Opportunities

I live over 2 hrs away from my local scbwi. So I helped start a writer's group through my local arts council. In an effort to help all group members find their path to reaching their writing goals, I have started scouring the internet for opportunities for them. In the process I have discovered a few golden nuggets of my own. If you are a writer in search of ways to improve your craft. If you desire to get an agent or become published. Continue to read this blog. I will endeavor to post the same information/opportunities here that I share with the writer's group. If you have any information, please email me so we can post for others. By working together and sharing information, maybe we can each find our yellow brick road to help us reach our Land of Oz.

Conferences

When you look for conferences to attend, make sure the speakers are people you want to hear. I wish I would have realized this for my first conference. I thought everyone had something I wanted to hear. It took that "newbie" approach to realize I did not want to pay for someone to whine over how bad the industry is to them. Do remember they may be going through a dry spell.

If you are looking for the absolute best conference ever, check out Highlights Foundation Writers Workshops. They have small group settings in Pennsylvania and a fabulous summer one in Chautauqua, NY. Well worth the time and money.

New Contest

Check out the new contest on Buried in the Slush Pile Blog. Here is your chance to win a critique from and editor for picture book or middle grade/ya. Good Luck!!!!

Opportunities

Life is full of oppotunities. Some we can see and others pass us by. Our focus can be so blinded by the shiny ring dangling in front of us, that we step over the golden bar that has been laid at our feet. Maybe we should take the time to see all the opportunities around us and not be so narrow on our focus.

Rewrite

I am thrilled to find myself among the few manuscripts still being considered. However, I am finding that the fun little manuscript I had written is not fun anymore when I am struggling with words for a rewrite. But I am still thrilled, only now with a headache. ;}

Critique

Wow! I received my critique back from Madeline Smoot at CBAY books. Very intense. She is going to be running contests on a regular basis. Something every children's writer should check out.

Amen Sister!

I won a contest and was allowed to submit three chapters to the editor. In her post today she mentioned editing to much. Is she preaching to the chior?! Oh-No, what does this mean for my ms?

Birthdays!!!

Do you remember when birthdays were something special? They were the highlight of the week, if not the month. My birthday was yesterday. I was recovering from the flu, had to go to a funeral, and then work late to catch up. All I wanted to do was crawl back into my nice warm cozy bed.

Then I started getting the emails from family, friends, and even facebook friends. I received over 50 birthday greetings. It really was better than homemade chicken noodle soup and my cozy bed.

Don't forget what a kind word, or even a birthday greeting can do for someone. I don't think I ever will again.

Thanks all!!!!!

Top 50 list!!

I just discovered that I made Ron Knight's Top 50 List of Authors on Facebook. I came in at #43. How exciting!!!

Is it too much?

I have been wondering ~ If you have a ms submitted with an editor is it okay to follow them on social media (i.e. twitter, blogs, facebook)? Is it okay to enter their contests? Does it make them aware that you are committed to your writing and their publishing house or is it more like you need to be committed and you might be bordering on stalking?

patience

Patience is not one of my best attributes. I remember when I had my first child I prayed for God to give me patience. He did. He gave me two more children. I know God must have a sense of humor and I've often thought I had "fractured" answered prayers. They're close to what I prayed about, only with a tweak!

Hope

I recieved an email from a poetry editor saying they like my poems and are sending me a contract. I'm cautiously excited.

I did have to wait a day to respond to the email so I didn't come across as the little excited puppy leaving puddles.

Wow, has it been that long since I posted. Life is flying by fast. I'll shorten down my year ~ wonderful conference at Chautauqua, NY, with the Highlights Foundation. Loads of inspiration. Writing like a mad women with several manuscripts submitted. Looking forward to starting a mentoring program with one of the author/instructors from Chautauqua.

No recent rejections ~ writing life is good!