Book Giveaway

I love bookstores, but I love libraries even more. Everyone, regardless of their income, should be able to read great books. In this economy, budgets have been cut and libraries have felt the wrath of it.

From The Mixed Up Files..., a blog for fans of middle grade books, is having a fabulous contest where they will donate STACKS of books to one lucky library. Know a library that could use more children's books? Swing by and leave a comment to nominate them for a chance to win.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2010/10/the-great-library-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-7499

Keeping to the Code: Do You Follow Submissions Guidelines?

There are nine aisles at the grocery store. One is open. It's the ten items or less aisle. My cart is overflowing.

The lady at the register says, "Come on, Honey. I'll take you on this one."

I unload my cart in record time, help bag my groceries, and apologize in a babbling manner to anyone with less than ten items who ends up behind me.

If there are rules or guidelines, I like to follow them.

In these days where most major publishing houses are closed to unagented submissions, I wonder how many writers play by the rules. Do you send unagented submissions or queries to editors that are closed to them? Or do you consider those publishing houses off limits until you find someone to represent you? Weigh in in the comment section.

Elementary Books by SCBWI Carolinas Writers

Writers attending the SCBWI Carolinas fall conference are asked to bring a book for the book basket. Each year, our chapter showers an elementary school with books. In case you haven't picked one yet, here are some written or illustrated by our fellow members.

TEACHING THE STORY: FICTION WRITING IN GRADES 4-8 written by Carol Baldwin. Published by Maupin House, 2007. (1 copy will be in the basket)

AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS' DAY written by Tameka Fryer Brown. Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. (1 copy will be in the basket)

ISLAND STING written by Bonnie J. Doerr. Illustrated by Joanna Britt & Laurie Edwards. Published by Leap Books, 2009.

STATE OF WILDERNESS, STATE OF QUARRIES, and STATE OF RESERVATIONS written by Elysabeth Eldering. Published by 4RV Publishing, 2008, 2009, & 2010. Can be ordered from http://jgdsseries.weebly.com/.

BRAVE DONATELLA AND THE JASMINE THIEF written by Caroline McAlister. Illustrated by Donald Hendricks. Published by Charlesbridge, 2010.

THE PROMISE written by Maureen Crane Wartski. Published by Perfection Learning, 2003.

Pop Rocks Prize Pack Winner

The winner of the Pop Rocks prize pack was Elaine DeFoe! Congratulations, and thanks for sharing a favorite songwriter with us.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their favorites. You built a fun list for us to check out.

Songwriters and Other Magical Storytellers

I love good storytellers. They suck you out of your own world and into another. They're magical, and when we pay attention, we can learn some of their tricks.

Some of my favorite storytellers are songwriters. I use them to set the stage for my writing process. Christine Kane's Wide Awake cd (especially tracks 1, 3, and 5) pumps me up to dream big and make it happen. Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream" inspires me to send out submissions, and his song "The Waiting" relaxes me as I check and recheck my inbox and mailbox hoping to hear good news. Other favorite songwriters of mine are Don Henley, Steve Seskin, and Jimmy Buffet.

What songwriters do you love? Leave a comment about them and on Wednesday, September 22 one name will be drawn to win a Margaritaville guitar pick, a Post-it Flag Highlighter, and some Pop Rocks. Not a ten page critique, mind you, but I bet it will make you smile!

Remember, leave your Twitter name or email address if I can't find it through your blog account. I will only mail the prize to a U.S. address. Good luck, and thanks for sharing.

What Kind of Writer Mama Are You?

This morning I watched a mom being interviewed about her daughter's incarceration and trip to rehab. Every time she was asked a question about her daughter's behavior and whether or not it would change, the mom skirted the question by pointing out something someone else did wrong.

How are kids supposed to learn and improve, if the parent refuses to look at what needs work?

This applies to writers too. We birth our manuscripts after long labors. Our stories are our babies. It's hard to hear negative things about them, but we must. If we don't listen, we'll keep making the same mistakes. We need an outsider's opinion on our beloved creations.

I love my critique group. There are seven of us, and everyone brings something different to the table. When it's my turn to submit, I squirm, because if my story is trite, they will tell me. The feedback is not to be mean. We encourage and celebrate with each other too. But each member wants the others to grow, improve, and send out their best work. If I am submitting a manuscript to an agent or editor, you can be sure my critique group has seen it first.

So, manuscript mamas, who do you trust to lovingly tell you what needs work? A critique group? Beta readers? Your mother-in-law? How has your writing improved because of the criticism of others?

Many Hats and a Great Resource for Writers & Illustrators

I wear lots of hats. I’m a mom, a wife, a children’s book writer, a freelancer, a Sunday School teacher, the list goes on. One hat I wear is related to the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. SCBWI is a fabulous national organization that helps newbies and gurus learn and network. I am the Online Networking Coordinator (ONC) for the Carolinas chapter. One my responsibilities is writing a column for the Pen and Palette, their quarterly publication.

The Pen and Palette is a great resource, and you can download it free. The artwork is beautiful, thanks to talented contributors from our chapter and art director Bonnie Adamson. Our editor, Rebecca Petruck, puts together informative and entertaining issues full of advice and opportunities. If it sounds like I’m bragging, it’s because I am. It’s a great publication, and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’ve added a link to the Pen and Palette at the bottom of this post and on the side of my blog. Check it out and let me know what you think.

My column, Caught in the Web, focuses on online networking. Make sure you come back for the Fall 2010 issue to read my interview with agent Natalie Fischer. She shared great information about what she hopes to find and not find when she looks up potential clients.

http://www.scbwicarolinas.org/scbwi-carolinas/pen-palette.html