I thought I’d share some of what I learned this past weekend at the SCBWI-Carolinas conference.
1. I’m not as close to having a finished manuscript as I’d thought (more on this in a future blog).
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| Mary Cate Castelanni |
2. From Mary Cate Castellani, editor at Walker Books: A book’s definition of either Middle Grade vs. Young Adult is determined by where it will be shelved in Barnes & Noble and the age of the protagonist (13 and up is YA).
3. Also form Mary Cate: An editor may like your work, but if she can’t sell it to her acquisitions committee, she’ll pass on it.
4. From several editors and agents: “Write fresh” is a nice way of saying “Get rid of cliches.”
5. From Lucy Cummins, art director at Simon and Schuster: “If you’re going to write from two points of view, there has to be a reason for it.” (more on this in the upcoming blog.)
6. From Marietta Zacker, agent with Nancy Galtt Literary Agency: Writing and revising take time. It is like stirring a cup of hot milk until it reaches the right temperature. Be patient.
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| Marietta Zacker |
7. From John Bemis: Consider what will transform your character. Use this.
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| John Bemis |
8. From Kathleen Volcjak, the conference book seller: I have lots more to learn about the tapestry of North Carolina history.
Congrats to Emily! Windblowne is a great book. I picked up his new one about Yorik Mortwell, which my boys loved. I love it to, for various reasons, including a Runaway Bunny, a creative use of caterpillars, etc.SCBWI conferences are a great place to figure out where you are in the writing process. Keep stirring! <3
Congrats to Emily! Windblowne is a great book. I picked up his new one about Yorik Mortwell, which my boys loved. I love it too, especially for a Runaway Bunny and the creative use of caterpillars. SCBWI conferences are a great place to figure out where you are in the writing process. Keep stirring! <3
Thanks Carolyn. AM about to go stir the pot in a mighty big way!
Thanks, Carol – and Emily, I hope you enjoy my book. :)
Your number one takeaway is a reality check, isn't it! Been there myself. This weekend. But so worth it because I came home excited and ready to work.
YEs, Gretchen. I guess we're in the same boat. But at least we're enjoying the ride! We'll need to keep encouraging each other along the way.
Congrats to Emily on getting that awesome book!
These are great tips. Sounds like a missed a wonderul conference. I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
Carol, sounds like the advice you received is right on and that you are on the right track and before you know it, your book will be published. Stick with it and hang in there – it will happen before you know it – E :)Elysabeth ElderingAuthor of Finally Home, a YA paranormal mystery (coming soon)http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.comhttp://eeldering.weebly.com
Dear Carol, I'm glad I got to see you at the conference. Good luck with your revisions in view of all the inspiration at the conference! I know it's going to be awesome. Do something fun today!Joan Y. Edwardshttp://www.joanyedwards.com
Carolyn, I enjoyed your class on Friday. I illustrate many things for the educational market and have been blessed to work with the same amazing editors for over a decade! Thank you for your 8 notes from the conference, too!
Thanks Deb, Elysabeth, and Joan for stopping by my blog. Yes, it was a great conference– and now it's back to work!!
Thanks for those tips Carol! It's always good to hear things directly from the mouths of the experts.
Carol,Congratulations to the winner!I loved this post's layout. Great eye appeal. It was also informative and interesting. I look forward to future posts on topics you plan to expand. You have me wanting to turn the page. :)
Thanks, Linda. I don't often have folks comment on a post's eye-appeal. It's nice to know that this one hit the mark! Thanks for reading.
I have published my review on Windblowne by S. Messer http://spottoread.blogspot.com/2011/10/12.htmlThanks again for the great book!Emily D.
Congrats to Emily! Windblowne is a great book. I picked up his new one about Yorik Mortwell, which my boys loved. I love it to, for various reasons, including a Runaway Bunny, a creative use of caterpillars, etc.SCBWI conferences are a great place to figure out where you are in the writing process. Keep stirring! <3
Congrats to Emily! Windblowne is a great book. I picked up his new one about Yorik Mortwell, which my boys loved. I love it too, especially for a Runaway Bunny and the creative use of caterpillars. SCBWI conferences are a great place to figure out where you are in the writing process. Keep stirring! <3
Thanks Carolyn. AM about to go stir the pot in a mighty big way!
Thanks, Carol – and Emily, I hope you enjoy my book. :)
Your number one takeaway is a reality check, isn't it! Been there myself. This weekend. But so worth it because I came home excited and ready to work.
YEs, Gretchen. I guess we're in the same boat. But at least we're enjoying the ride! We'll need to keep encouraging each other along the way.
Congrats to Emily on getting that awesome book!
These are great tips. Sounds like a missed a wonderul conference. I am looking forward to seeing you soon!
Carol, sounds like the advice you received is right on and that you are on the right track and before you know it, your book will be published. Stick with it and hang in there – it will happen before you know it – E :)Elysabeth ElderingAuthor of Finally Home, a YA paranormal mystery (coming soon)http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.comhttp://eeldering.weebly.com
Dear Carol, I'm glad I got to see you at the conference. Good luck with your revisions in view of all the inspiration at the conference! I know it's going to be awesome. Do something fun today!Joan Y. Edwardshttp://www.joanyedwards.com
Carolyn, I enjoyed your class on Friday. I illustrate many things for the educational market and have been blessed to work with the same amazing editors for over a decade! Thank you for your 8 notes from the conference, too!
Thanks Deb, Elysabeth, and Joan for stopping by my blog. Yes, it was a great conference– and now it's back to work!!
Thanks for those tips Carol! It's always good to hear things directly from the mouths of the experts.
Carol,Congratulations to the winner!I loved this post's layout. Great eye appeal. It was also informative and interesting. I look forward to future posts on topics you plan to expand. You have me wanting to turn the page. :)
Thanks, Linda. I don't often have folks comment on a post's eye-appeal. It's nice to know that this one hit the mark! Thanks for reading.
I have published my review on Windblowne by S. Messer http://spottoread.blogspot.com/2011/10/12.htmlThanks again for the great book!Emily D.