The Backstory What do you do if you write a book based on a story in "your own backyard" because of an editor's advice (BLUE, Boyds Mills Press, 2006. The polio epidemic in Hickory, NC) and then the main character keeps talking to you and you want to know what happens next? (COMFORT Calkins Creek, 2009. Anne Fay deals… Continue reading AIM: A Review, an ARC Giveaway, and The Hero's Journey
Congratulations to Michelle Leonard for winning Radioactive! on last week's blog. If you read my blog regularly, than you are no stranger to my friend Joyce Hostetter who I have featured on my blog many times. It is my privilege to host her today as she shares her reflections on some behind the scenes thoughts on writing… Continue reading Guest Post by Joyce Hostetter: On Writing a War Series
Next week I'll return to my posts on Highlights Summer Camp, but today I wanted to share an intriguing marketing initiative. You may have seen #MGGetsReal floating around the Internet this past month. And you may know that it involves five dynamite middle grade authors: Shannon Wiersbitzky, Shannon Hitchcock, Joyce Moyer Hostetter, Kathleen Burkinshaw, and Kerry… Continue reading #MGGetsReal: Behind the Scenes with Joyce Hostetter
"Great story, Carol! Honestly, I have very little to say except can I read more?? It sounds very polished, the writing is excellent, and I love the characters. It sounds from the synopsis that you have a very well thought out book and an interesting story. GREAT first line! Love it. You've gotten into the… Continue reading Conversations with Kathy: Summer Camp at Highlights Part II
Congratulations to Rosi Hollinbeck, who won The Last Cherry Blossom. I think of Rosi as my west coast counterpart. She reviews and gives away books on her blog, as well as provides great links to other writing sites. ***** I was fortunate to attend Summer Camp at Highlights Foundation and in upcoming posts will share many of the… Continue reading The Power of Social Media: Summer Camp at Highlights Part I
Congratulations to Joyce Hostetter who won the autographed copy of "The Great Call of China" on last week's post. Trust me, her winning was independent of this post! A Bible Lesson The ancient Israelites had a problem. In a battle with their enemies the Amalekites, Moses and Aaron noticed that whenever Moses held up his hand,… Continue reading Aaron Moments: A Tribute to Friendship
I am pleased to announce a new series of posts following up on my You Heard it Here First series. In these Where Are They Now? posts I'll share follow-up publication news from authors and illustrators I have featured on my blog. My first success story comes from North Carolina author Joyce Hostetter, who happens to… Continue reading Where Are They Now? Joyce Hostetter's Cover Reveal + Giveaway
Congratulations to a new blog reader, Chris Hoerter of Chapel Hill, NC, who won the autographed copy of The Nine Pound Hammer. He attended John Bemis' class at Central Carolina Community College last year and now will have one of his books! ********* Warning: Reading this blog may get the tune, "Climb Every Mountain" the the… Continue reading Mark Every Milestone
This is my fourth blog post from the 2015 Florida SCBWI young adult workshop. Erica Rand Silverman is an agent with Sterling Lord Literistic and Jacquelyn Mitchard is a prolific author as well as an editor-in-chief at Merit Press. Click here for Part I (Why Write Young Adult); Part II (Querying), and Part III (Pitches). ********* "Connect-Be Authentic-Be Creative-Give Back-Enjoy" by Erica Rand Silverman Connecting means finding… Continue reading SCBWI Florida Workshop Part IV- Marketing Yourself and Your Work
The on-line writing community is rich with resources; I have found many writers are willing to share their knowledge with each other. In the upcoming blogs I'm plan to pass along tips from my fellow writers. Do you have something you have learned as a writer which you would like others to know? Please leave… Continue reading Writing Tips #1: Nuggets of Wisdom from Writers to Writers