Writing, Pitching, & Selling Young Adult Fiction

To those authors working on Young Adult fiction...I'm teaching a class this month at San Diego Writers' Ink, called Writing, Pitching and Selling Fiction for Young Adults (YA). The class will be held at the Ink Spot on Sat March 31st from 2:30 to 5:30.
I've worked with quite a few YA authors in the last few years--on everything from story arc and plot construction to book distribution--including marketing and social media. Most of them are now published or represented.
We'll talk about what makes successful YA books "tick", how to find and pitch to agents and publishers, and how to market and sell your books. Yes, I know that is a lot to cover in 3 hours, but we're gonna do it!
Bring your query letter or a short synopsis, or just a verbal "pitch" of what you're writing, or what you want to write. Don't forget to bring lots of questions...and pass this along to all those YA writers you know.
I hope to see you there,
hasta pronto!

Book query contest

Last weekend's SCWC conference was great--I met some talented people and made lots of good connections with others in the publishing world.
Today's post is just to help promote a query letter contest I've been invited to judge. The winner will get one of ten free three-day writing retreat/seminar (called "Write Your Book in a Week") with Tom Bird.
Here is the link to the webpage with info on the contest and the email to send your query letter to. Even for those writers who aren't able or interested in doing the retreat, it would be good to see if your query letter makes the cut.
For those who want answers about writing query letters, visit my friend Marla Miller's site here for info and a free book query critique.
The deadline is almost upon us, it's February 29th. So, no excuses, submit your query letter today.
hasta pronto!

For the Love of Writers!

This week I'm reading my advance submission pieces for the Southern California Writer's Conference this weekend--lots of good stuff in the stack....which leads me to believe we will have another good group of writers attending this time.
I love meeting new and new-to-me writers and hearing about their projects--helping writers get together with editors, agents, or even other writers that can help them--and who they can network with...This biz is all about networking. That's a big reason that I like to do a workshop or two at SCWC each season (the SCWC meets twice a year at least, in SD and LA).
Speaking of the SCWC, here is Director Wes Albers speaking on Why Conference Matter, which was posted on my "pitch witch" partner (we work magic on your pitches) Marla Millers wonderful website, Marketing the Muse.
Do yourself a favor and check them both out. And I hope to see you at the SCWC!
hasta pronto...have a wonderful Valentine's Day...

New Year's Post--The Joy of Books

Okay, it's been 2012 for over a week now--almost two...What have I been doing, anyway? Well, I've been reading, and writing, and working! Okay, I've also been dealing with a family health crisis--my mom had a stroke the day after Christmas, so that has taken a lot of time and energy to deal with. But she is recovering very well, and is back to reading some books herself--her first read was Flyaway by Helen Landalf and she loved it! What a relief; one of my big worries was that she wouldn't be able to read...as that is one of her life's joys.
Speaking of the joy of reading, check out this amazing (short) video on YouTube, the Joy of Books.
So what books have I been reading? I'm currently reading Madame Bovary--for the first time, oddly enough. I have been trying to get through Joyce's Ulysses but it is really difficult. I mean War and Peace is a lightweight romance novel compared to that! I love moments of Joyce's writing, but there's no thread to hang onto...Or there's a thread, then not, then there is, then there isn't.
I'm working on editing another excellent YA novel right now--the first in a series that is sort of a female Harry Potter, with Dragons--I'm really enjoying the project and I think the manuscript will be ready for the author to pitch it to agents and editors at the Southern California Writer's Conference in February.
hasta pronto!

"The Submission" and "Flyaway"

So much good reading this last month--no wonder I haven't written much here! I finally got to read Amy Waldman's book The Submission last week and have been recommending it to everyone. She has a masterful way of weaving a variety of character's stories--and they are diverse--into a vivid tapestry. And she really captures certain parts of New York--and the way those New Yorkers talk--with perfect pitch. Well worth reading; even if you don't think you care about a 9/11 memorial or racial politics--turns out, you do.
I've been editing a manuscript that also deals with racial politics--but set in Israel...with a heart-wrenching love story at its center. The book has so much potential; the author is reworking it again now...And every time it gets better and better.
And speaking of new books getting out there--my dear friend Helen Landalf's first YA book Flyaway is coming out next month...but it's not too early to pre-order it as a holiday gift for a special young lady (or young man) on your list. Try Powell's or of course, Amazon. Helen is a rare talent, and this book is both real and uplifting. (Will also appeal to bird lovers. )Check out Helen's site.
I'm back to my classics this week--reading George Eliot's Daniel Deronda which my cousin Kiki recommended to me long ago...I have always been a fan of Eliot, but somehow missed this one. What a cast of characters...
Hasta pronto!