Great Resources for Writers . . .

1.  Get thee to Kate Messner's amazing virtual summer writing camp.  (No fees.  No fuss.  No muss.  Just a great community and lots of inspiring ideas and "visits" from guest authors.)  Click here to learn more.  Click here for today's mini-lesson. 

2.  You MUST read this article about saying "no" to protect one's creative time, written by Kevin Ashton.  Excerpt:  "Time is the raw material of creation."  "Saying 'no' has more creative power than ideas, insights and talent combined."

 3.  Every one of Marion Dane Bauer's blog (Writing, Revision and Life . . . ) entries is an insightful look at an aspect of a writer's life.  Here's a post she wrote about cobbling together a living as a writer.  (If you have a moment, check her posts before and after this one.)

4.  CYNSATIONS is a fabulous blog by Cynthia Leitich Smith.  It's frequently updated and loaded with great resources, information, interviews, giveaways and much more.

5.  WRITER UNBOXED offers more writerly wisdom than you could shake a pencil at.  One of my favorite contributors is Robin LaFevers.  Her post, "Clawing Our Way Back to the Creative Center" resonates with truth and wisdom.  (Be sure to read Donald Maass' comment after the post, about the questions that will lead you to your next novel.)

6.  If you're feeling discouraged about the process of writing a novel or you find yourself going over the beginning again and again, you are not alone!  Check out Barbara O'Connor's blog, Greetings from Nowhere.  She's got tons of great posts about the writing process (and her dog's cute).

7.  Prolific author, Donna Jo Napoli, gives an excellent Tedx talk about why we writers for children must dare . . .




Wherever you are on your writer's journey, here's hoping these resources excite and inspire.

Happy writing trails,
Donna

Mini Writing Conference -- 6-1/2 Lists of Advice from Editors, Agents, Authors and a Really Cool Kid

We added a new feature this past year at Wild About Words -- 6-1/2 Lists of wise advice from agents, editors, pumpkin carvers, etc.

I've gathered the year's worth of blog posts here for a free mini writing conference. Hope you find something useful, inspiring . . . and fun.

MINI WRITING CONFERENCE . . .

1. Lauren Tarshis -- What Makes a Good Short Story (Lauren is the editor of Scholastic's Storyworks Magazine. Not only is she an excellent editor, she is also the author of several books, including Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and the I Survived . . . series.)

2. Kate Messner -- How to Survive a Skype Visit (Kate is a teacher, Skype visit expert and author. Her newest novel is Sugar and Ice, which is an Amazon Best Book for December.)

3. Tina Wexler -- Ways to Impress and Agent (I'm grateful to call Tina my agent and my friend. She'll return to I.C.M., International Creative Management, in January, after her maternity leave.)

4. Cynthia Lord -- Secrets to Successful School Visits (This year, Cindy had 70 events to promote her TWO new books -- Hot Rod Hamster and Touch Blue. Cindy is a Newbery Honor Award recipient for her novel, Rules.)

5. Paul May -- Funny List of Things to Do While Waiting for an Editor or Agent to Call (Paul is not only a talented writer, fun friend and fantastic family guy, he recently took on the post of critique group coordinator for SCBWI Florida. Thank you, Paul!)

6. Cynthia Leitich Smith -- How to Promote Your Book Like a Pro (Cynthia's blog, Cynsations, is a great resource for the children's writing and illustrating community. She's celebrating the release of her new picture book, Holler Loudly.)

7. David LaRochelle -- Ways to Carve a Fantastic Pumpkin (Besides carving pumpkins, David has TWO new books out this year -- 1+1=5: And Other Unlikely Additions and Minnesota's Hidden Alphabet. I'm a big fan of his novel, Absolutely, Positively Not, which won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.)

8. Austin Towle -- Things I Wish Authors of Books for Kids My Age Knew (This post, written by a 13-year-old, received the most comments!)


I hope you enjoyed this mini writing conference. Look for more 6-1/2 Lists in 2011!

Promote Your Book Like a Pro -- Cynthia Leitich Smith -- Top 6 1/2 List

Cynthia Leitich Smith is everything that is wonderful about the children's literature community. She shares industry information, insightful interviews and book giveaways on her blog, CYNSATIONS. She is a community builder and a consummate professional.

Today, Cynthia is sharing tips about book promotion.

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the New York Times and Publishers Weekly best-selling author of ETERNAL and TANTALIZE (both Candlewick). Her award-winning books for younger children include JINGLE DANCER, INDIAN SHOES and RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME (all HarperCollins). She looks forward to the release of HOLLER LOUDLY (Dutton, Nov. 2010) and both BLESSED and TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY (both Candlewick, Feb. 2011).

Cynthia is a member of faculty at the Vermont College M.F.A. program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Her website at www.cynthialeitichsmith.com was named one of the top 10 Writer Sites on the Internet by Writer's Digest and an ALA Great Website for Kids. Her Cynsations blog at cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/was listed as among the top two read by the children's/YA publishing community in the SCBWI "To Market" column.

6-1/2 WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK LIKE A PRO . . .

1. Research what has worked for other authors with titles that appeal to the same audience. Talk to them, read their blogs, offer to buy them lunch and pick their brains. Youth literature authors are big on paying it forward. That resource person may turn into one of your most effective advocates.

2. Make a plan. Think about your goals, audience, contacts, competing time demands, budget, other resources, and what kinds of things you enjoy doing. Is this a book that will be stocked in bookstores or will it go primarily to the school/library market? Do you have a curriculum tie-in? A news hook? Is your audience made up of 4 to 7 year olds or high school and college readers? The formula for every book and every author will be different.

3. Give yourself deadlines, and do what you can before the release date. Put together your readers' guide and media kit. Order bling. Hire a web designer or publicist. Contact bloggers. Plan the launch party. Work now to make it easier on yourself later.

4. Start buzzing. Announce the illustrator, cover art, the flap copy. Show off your book trailer. Promote upcoming tie-in events. Let your excitement show.

5. Launch the book. This is the time to go full-out with your plan. Enjoy it! You've got your plan. Many of the elements are already in place. And be flexible. Keep your eyes and ears open for new, unforeseen marketing opportunities.

6. Keep pounding that drum-not only while the book is on the front list but for its life in print. Publishers have limited staffs and season after season of new books to think about. You're the best, most consistent spokesperson for your book.

6 ½. All of that said, your most important job is to get your next book written. Nothing sells a back-list book like a new release. So have fun with marketing and promotion, but remember that you're a writer-first, last, and always!

Thank you, Cynthia!

Couldn't agree more with 6 1/2. The best advice my agent, Tina Wexler, has given me is simply: "Write the next book."

What's YOUR best promotion idea?

FOR WRITERS (AND ILLUSTRATORS) ONLY...

"It takes twenty years to become an overnight success," Eddie Cantor said.

Since I sold my first bit of writing -- cryptogram puzzles for $1.50 a piece -- when I was twenty and sold my first novel when I was forty, I can attest to that!

It's a long journey, but a fun one if you love what you do. And it's even more fun when we help each other along the way.

Here are some excellent resources for information, inspiration and a warm, welcoming community:

For Industry News:

• Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog CYNSATIONS. You'll learn much about what's happening in the industry as well as have opportunities to win books.
• Nathan Bransford's BLOG gives tips and hints about successful queries as well as poses questions about all things publishing.
• Arthur A. Levine just started a BLOG with an interesting discussion going on right now.

For Agent Info:

• Verla Kay's MESSAGE BOARD offers a wealth of information about agents and everything else! It's a vibrant and generous community.
• Casey L. McCormick has a series of interviews with agents as well as other links and info. Check out the Q & A she did with my agent, TINA WEXLER from ICM.

For inspiration:

• MIKE JUNG talks about signing with an agent after much patience and persistence.
• STEPHANIE J. BLAKE signed her first book contract after years of close calls.
• ROBIN MELLOM, a third of the Disco Mermaids, talks about the sweet deal negotiated by her agent, JILL CORCORAN, after a long road of writing, revision and rejection.

It happened to them. It happened to me (after half a dozen rejected and UNpublished novels that are sitting in a drawer). It can happen to you!

If you know of any other resources for writers and/or illustrators, please share in the comment section. And if you have any good news, please share that, too!

ALL BOOKED UP THIS SUMMER?

The sensational Cynthia Leitich Smith is giving away a copy of HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL on her wonderful blog, CYNSATIONS. (Head over and win yourself a copy.)

If you'd rather win a copy of the new paperback version of AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!, you can do that over at GOODREADS.

And if you'd prefer a REALLY cheap hardback version of AS IF BEING 12 3/4 . . ., you can get that here.

Here's hoping that whatever you're reading this summer, you are enjoying yourself immensely.

I just finished Nature Girl by Jane Kelley. What a FUN read!

WHAT ARE YOU READING?