Saturday, February 28, 2009

Wendy Burt-Thomas ~ Guest Author



Join me on Monday, March 2nd when Wendy Burt-Thomas, author of Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters is my guest author.

Wendy will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Friday, February 27, 2009

The Morning Nudge ~ Suzanne Lieurance


The Morning Nudge

Words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done today February 27, 2009

Make Your Own Luck!

Here's something to try.

Just for today, tell yourself "I am SO fortunate. So many good things are happening in my life right now."

No matter what you encounter today, keep repeating those words to yourself.

If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, immediately STOP and say, "I am SO fortunate. So many good things are happening in my life right now."

Negative thoughts attract negative events.

Positive thoughts attract positive events.

Make your own luck with "lucky" thoughts.

Wouldn't you really rather have positive events occur today? I sure would.

Repeat after me, "I am SO fortunate. So many good things are happening in my life right now."

Keep saying this to yourself throughout the day and see what happens.

Try it!

Contact Information:

Suzanne Lieurance

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Capturing Children's Attention


There's one area in writing that I love and that's writing for children up to the Young Adult age group. This is one of the hardest areas to write for because with children you need to remember that they can only comprehend and fully dig into a book if it's based on a social theme or topic they understand. That's why all writers must keep the target age group in mind.

Writing for Children is a new post I added but want to share something else based on this blog's them: Write What Inspires You!

What inspires me is to know that what I have to offer as a writer to children are not preaching sentiments and lessons but entertaining books with hidden meanings and themes they will eventually pick up on. There is nothing greater than to have a child come up to you and tell you how much they enjoyed your book or one of the characters and turn around and ask you when the next book is coming out. It's at this point you know you are on the right path.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Guardian Angel Publishing


Holy Cow! YIPPEE!

Received notification from Guardian Angel Publishing...they have accepted my manuscript entitled, The Golden Pathway!

Publication date to be determined.

I'm doing cartwheels as the printer spits out my 1st book contract! My chiropractor will just love that after just giving me an adjustment!

Have an amazing day!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Book Review ~ The Night Tourist at The National Writing for Children Center


Title: The Night Tourist
Written by: Katherine Marsh
Ages: 10 - 12
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 978-142310689-0
Published: September 2007
Hardcover: 232 pages

Brilliant ninth-grade boy, Jack Perdu lives on the Yale University campus where his father is a professor. Jack leads a solitary life as a classic prodigy and his father finds it difficult to relate to Jack.
To read the complete book review...visit The National Writing for Children Center - http://writingforchildrencenter.com/

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Simon Rose's Guest Blogger - Suzanne Lieurance



Simon Rose's guest blogger this month, is Suzanne Lieurance, a fulltime freelance writer, children's author, and The Working Writer's Coach. This week Suzanne looks at why everyone needs a coach.


If you look around at the top performers today in any field - sports, sales, or even coaching itself....VISIT SIMON AND SUZANNE AT: http://simon-rose.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-everyone-needs-coach.html TO READ MORE OF WHAT Suzanne has to offer.


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Why Was My Manuscript Rejected? 3 Literary Agents, 3 Opinions

Posted at the SCBWI boards by Anna Olswanger

Why Was My Manuscript Rejected? 3 Literary Agents, 3 Opinions

Are you a children's book writer who believes deeply in your manuscript—only to have it returned with a form rejection by agents and publishers?

Three New York agents are offering a new workshop for writers and artists who want to be published in the area of children's books. Their workshop offers feedback in which they will discuss—among many facets of children's book publishing—why they think editors or agents rejected your manuscript. The workshop promises to be lively with three, possibly different,
opinions about the strengths and weaknesses of each manuscript.

Andrea Cascardi of Transatlantic Literary Agency
Anna Olswanger of Liza Dawson Associates
Ann Tobias of Ann Tobias, A Literary Agency for Children's Books

All agents specializing in children's books—will conduct WHY WAS MY MANUSCRIPT REJECTED? on Sunday, April 26, from 9:30 to 4:00 at 138 West 15th Street, New York City.

Authors and author-illustrators of children's books are invited to send a package (20-page maximum) consisting of a one-page synopsis, the query letter you used in submitting your work to agents and publishers, and EITHER a first chapter OR a full picture book manuscript OR an illustrated dummy (all genres are welcome) to be read by the agents in advance of the workshop. Besides commenting on your manuscript, the agents will discuss query and cover letters, the markets for different kinds of children's and young adult books, and offer suggestions on how to submit.

For further informatiion, please visit http://www.3LiteraryAgents.com.

---
Anna Olswanger, Literary Agent
Liza Dawson Associates
350 Seventh Avenue, Ste. 2003
New York, NY 10001
Direct tel.: +1-201-791-4699
www.olswanger.comwww.shlemielcrooks.comwww.host-a-jewish-book-author.com

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

CPSIA Enforcement Waived for Post-1985 Books


Courtesy of PW Children's Bookshelf:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has outlined its enforcement policy for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which took effect on Tuesday, February 10. While consumer products for children 12 and under cannot contain more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part, the Commission said it would “not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing or selling” a list of specified products, including “an ordinary children’s book printed after 1985.”

The Commission says it will not prosecute makers or sellers of these products even if they are found to contain higher-than-permissible lead levels, as long as they did not knowingly sell unsafe products. These rules, announced last Friday, will remain in effect until the Commission takes further action—such as exempting “ordinary” books entirely.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Enslow Publishers, Inc. - Happy Presidents Day


Is your library ready to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birthday? Take a look at Enslow's newest Lincoln biography, 200 Years with Abraham Lincoln: One Man's Life and Legacy. This title has been well received by school and public librarians and has just been featured on SLJ.com's Practically Paradise blog written by Diane Chen. Diane noted that 200 Years with Abraham Lincoln "may be my favorite..." Check out Diane's blog at SLJ.com

Friday, February 13, 2009

Interview with Suzanne Lieurance, Founder & Director of the NWFCC




I recently had the privilege to interview Suzanne Lieurance, Founder & Director of the National Writing for Children Center (NWFCC) & the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC).

Listen to the interview here:







Wednesday, February 11, 2009

VS Grenier of Stories for Children Magazine to be Guest Author at “One Writer’s Journey” Hosted by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz

Stories for Children Magazine
A monthly Ezine for Children (3 to 12)
Website:
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Marketing Manager, Stories for Children Magazine
Email: DonnaMcDine@storiesforchildrenmagazine.org
Phone: 800-670-4416

For Immediate Release


VS Grenier of Stories for Children Magazine to be Guest Author at “One Writer’s Journey” Hosted by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz.

VS Grenier of Stories for Children Magazine will be Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz’s guest author interview on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/.

VS Grenier is the Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Stories for Children Magazine and SFC Newsletter for Writers. She also freelances as a children’s author and editor for Halo Publishing along with running her own editorial/critique service. Grenier was voted one of the Top Ten Editors of 2007 by the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll and won second place in Best Nonfiction of 2007 for her article, “Yes, Virginia, There IS a Santa Claus.” Learn more about Stories for Children Magazine at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org. To learn more about VS Grenier visit http://vsgrenier.com

Be sure to stop by and read this interesting interview and learn about VS Grenier’s inspiration behind Stories for Children Magazine. Please feel free to comment and ask any questions you may have.
Learn more about Stories for Children Magazine at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

###

Full Media Kit, Magazine Cover Art, and more are available electronically upon request.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

SFC Magazine Talks with Children’s Author Stacey Kannenberg


Stories for Children Magazine
A Free monthly Ezine for Children (3 to 12)
Web site: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org


M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Marketing Manager, Stories for Children Magazine
Email: DonnaMcDine@storiesforchildrenmagazine.org
Phone: 800-670-4416

For Immediate Release

SFC Magazine Talks with Children’s Author Stacey Kannenberg

“Let’s Get Ready to Learn” Mom, Stacey Kannenberg, took time out of her jam-packed schedule to be interviewed by Stories for Children Magazine’s new Marketing Manager, Donna McDine. Stacey is a master of multi-tasking and shares with SFC the multiple hats she wears throughout the day including mom, author, publisher, motivator, consultant, and spokesperson. Stacey saw a niche for books to help prepare children for the first day of school. From there a series of books, co-authored with Linda Desimowich, evolved, starting with Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten!

Come along on this amazing journey and learn more about Stacey’s accomplished career and how her writing talents help children get ready for school. Stacey’s books include Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten! and Let’s Get Ready For First Grade!, winner of the 2007 Teacher’s Choice Family Award by Learning magazine. Stacey’s inspiration comes from her own children and her desire to make children feel comfortable and secure on their first day of school.

Explore the World of Ink at SFC and read Kannenberg’s interview conducted by SFC Marketing Manager, Donna McDine, at http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

Be sure to check out the February 2009 issue of SFC Magazine. The magnificent articles and stories will astound you.

Learn more about Stories for Children Magazine at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

###

Full Media Kit, Magazine Cover Art, and more are available electronically upon request.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Stories for Children Magazine Announces Wacky Dream Story Contest


Stories for Children Magazine
A monthly Ezine for Children (3 to 12)
Web site: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Marketing Manager, Stories for Children Magazine
Email: DonnaMcDine@storiesforchildrenmagazine.org
Phone: 800-670-4416

For Immediate Release

Stories for Children Magazine Announces Wacky Dream Story Contest

Make your dreamscape come alive and write about a wacky dream you or one of your characters has had and can’t stop talking about it. It’s all about the wackiest dream, but make sure it is appropriate for children ages 12 and under.

Submissions accepted: March 1, 2009 thru May 30, 2009
Who can enter? Two categories: one for adults and one for children (17 and under)
Contest Fees: Adults $10 / children FREE
Contest Prizes: The Top Three stories for both categories will be published in the following months: 1st place—July 2009 2nd place—August 2009 3rd place—September 2009
In addition to publication in Stories for Children Magazine, our Top Three Winners in both categories will receive:
For Adults:
1st Place: A year’s subscription to Children's Writer, published by the Institute of Children’s Literature.

2nd Place: Writer's Little Instruction Book: Craft & Technique, by Paul Raymond Martin, published by Writer's Digest.

3rd Place: Writer's Little Instruction Book: Getting Published, by Paul Raymond Martin, published by Writer's Digest.

For Youth (17 and under): a $10 gift certificate to a store of their choice.
Judges: The SFC Editors
CONTEST RULES
Specifications: Short stories for children ages 12 and under. Any original, unpublished piece not accepted by any publisher at the time of entry is eligible. Entries can take on any form of wackiness. Maximum word count is 1,200 words. (This is not including your title or byline.) NO sexual, violent, or drug related content. Winners will be selected based on quality and appeal to our readership at Stories for Children Magazine.
All entries must follow Stories for Children Magazine’s submission guidelines at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/WackyDreamStoryContest.aspx

All submissions must be emailed as an attachment to: SFCcontests@StoriesForChildrenMagazine.org by midnight May 30, 2009. In the subject line, write “Wacky Dream Story Contest” and indicate adult or youth category.
No mail-in entries will be accepted! No acknowledgement of the receipt of entries will be sent. Multiple entries are allowed, but must be sent separately.
FOR ADULT WRITERS: An invoice will be sent via PayPal for the contest fee of $10.

FOR YOUNG WRITERS (17 and under): Please follow the submission guidelines above. Plus attach the Minor Release form, which can be found at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/Documents/SFC%20Minor%20Release%20Form.doc

SEND ONLY ONE SUBMISSION PER EMAIL.

Good luck!

Be sure to check out the February 2009 issue of SFC Magazine for the magnificent articles, stories, and Stacey Kannenberg’s Featured Guest Author interview.

Learn more about Stories for Children Magazine at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

###

Full Media Kit, Magazine Cover Art, and more are available electronically upon request.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Muse Online Writers Conference ~ 2009


MUSE ONLINE WRITERS CONFERENCE ~ 2009

Don't miss this unique opportunity to attend the 4th Annual Muse Online Writers Conference - 2009!

Click below to register for the 4th annual Muse Online Writers Conference:October 12 - 18, 2009


Place your membership in INDIVIDUAL EMAIL only.

Updates only by Lea Schizas for the conference.

No email exchange between members. You are responsible to update and reregister if you change your email address. Updates and Info emails will go out once so you need to go into the Messages and find them to update yourselves on news about the 2009 Conference.

Tell your friends to register early because this year the cut off date for registrations is August 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Our aim and purpose is to offer whatever we can to you!

The Online Writers Conference is aimed to offer you, the writer, whatever resource we can to give you the opportunity to enhance and better your craft, to offer the opportunity to make some contacts to get you to that next level all writers seek and that is to be published.
They understand many writers out there do not have the monetary resources to attend outside conferences, or perhaps they are situated very far and even some may be incapacitated in some ways making it difficult for them to travel. Within the world of the Internet, everything is possible and they offer you this chance to come out, have a chat with our Presenters, ask them questions and even attend a few of our FREE workshops to be held throughout the week.

And remember...this is a smoke-free environment.