I remember reading on websites, forums, and social media that once I started querying a manuscript, I should focus on writing a new one. The advice was that unless I was getting multiple rejections on fulls, or multiple rejections with similar feedback, I should just leave the manuscript alone. The first three times I queried,Continue reading “When you start querying one manuscript, start writing a new one.”
Category Archives: advice
IWSG April: Wishful Writing
The first Wednesday of every month, the IWSG posts an optional question, encouraging members to read and comment on each other’s blogs. April’s Question is: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? (examples: fight scene / first kiss scene /Continue reading “IWSG April: Wishful Writing”
YA: Teens First, Adults who are Young (or young at heart), Second
A few days ago, I read The Many Ways YA Books & The Community Isolates Teens by VICKY WHO READS. It was a thought provoking blog post about Young Adult (YA) fiction that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how teens are isolated from the books that are supposed for them. Because adults are theContinue reading “YA: Teens First, Adults who are Young (or young at heart), Second”
Reflections on My First Two Book Events
This week, I attended my first two book-related events as an author: a book talk / signing at Jabberwocky Books and the Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. For someone with lots of social anxiety, planning, committing too, and/or attending events is no small feat, but somehow, I managed to set up a launch event andContinue reading “Reflections on My First Two Book Events”
What I’ve Learned About Pacing from Writing Five Novels.
In order to have a well paced novel, writers need to be patient. They need to trust their process and not rush it.
Five Friendly Places that Pay for Fiction
Finding a place to publish a short story can be intimidating. Submitting a story I’ve poured my soul into out to a literary magazine is scary enough without worrying about what happens to it once it lands in someone’s slush. And there are so many places that publish fiction. I have to think about thingsContinue reading “Five Friendly Places that Pay for Fiction”
Twitter Pitch Parties Are About More Than Just The Likes
When seeking an agent or publisher for a novel, I participate in every twitter pitch party I get the chance to. So far, no one “like” or “heart” has landed me an agent or a book deal, but I still participate. They help me figure out what agents like the kind of stories I write, andContinue reading “Twitter Pitch Parties Are About More Than Just The Likes”
Fantasy a No Go with This Years Students
Back in January, you may have seen my post about using novels instead of textbooks for my ENG101 and RWR090 classes. Two of the novels worked out okay, but one was a disaster. Feed by M. T. Anderson This semester’s 101 students weren’t as enthusiastic about Feed as last semesters, but after a rocky start,Continue reading “Fantasy a No Go with This Years Students”
Writer Beware: Your Work Is Valuable; Don’t Get Scammed
Most of us start writing because we enjoy it or because we have something we are desperate to share. While some writers hoard their work, afraid to let the public see it, many want or even need their work to be read. Those of us who want to publish aren’t always content to just throwContinue reading “Writer Beware: Your Work Is Valuable; Don’t Get Scammed”
How an editor made my day.
This year, I had high hopes for #DVpit. I’d just finished polishing a new manuscript. My query was in good shape. I’d struggled with my pitches, but thought I finally had them down. I scheduled them, went to work, and tried to not to sneak peeks at twitter between each student I tutored. My tryContinue reading “How an editor made my day.”
Sara Codair 