Thanks to the Miami conference and a brand, shiny new upper respiratory infection that has kicked me on my a$$, I am late to the show with this week's Round-up. And the fact that it exists at all is 100% thanks to the brilliant, lovely Clara Kensie, who has been keeping us afloat these past weeks. Please give her a big hand, everyone. She rocks. As soon as the antibiotics fully kick in, I'll be back to give her a hand. Meanwhile, here's what we've got for the week. Enjoy!
Call for Help
Donna's Dream House is a holiday home for children and teenagers with life-threatening or terminal illnesses, situated in the heart of Blackpool, UK. Run by volunteers, it has hosted and helped hundreds of families. Until just before Christmas, when arsonists broke into the Dream House, stole essential computer equipment, and started a fire that damaged the building so badly, it may have to be rebuilt completely. More importantly, the fire destroyed many personal items and mementoes.
The Dream House had to cancel Christmas for the families that were set to stay there over the holidays. The Write Dreams blog wants to help give them a flying restart in 2012. They are auctioning off critiques, books (including some rare UK ARCs) and other goodies.
http://writedreams2012.blogspot.com/
New DIYMFA Feature
Gabriela Pereira is offering a new feature on the DIY MFA blog. The idea is to provide writers with all the basic legal information they need to know so they can make smart choices and ask the right questions when seeking legal advice. The series started this week with an intro post and continues Wednesday and Friday (MWF for the following two weeks as well).
Craft of Writing
- Description: 6 signs you're doing it wrong.
.W.I.P. It: 6 Signs of Description Misuse - Answer these 3 questions & you'll be able to tell whether your scene works or not.
“Scheherazade” — A Guest Post from Art Holcomb - How to format manuscript so your editor will love you forever & shower you with royalty checks.
Reminders to basic manuscript formatting - @tabithaolson on telling & showing, with wonderful examples.
Writer Musings: Tell Me First, Then Show Me - A bad critique group prevents growth, creates bad writing habits, & deforms your WIP.
Can Critique Groups Do More Harm than Good? - It's ok to have a weak heroine if in the end she finds some strength in herself. It's ok to have a kick ass heroine as long as she has to admit she's vulnerable.
Mindy Ruiz: Who's Your Heroine???
Inspiration
- More advice from the brilliant--er, I mean terrible--mind of @chuckwendig
25 Things Writers Should Start Doing - Spouse or parent doesn't like your book? Don’t let negative opinions of loved ones make you quit.
In the Face of Adversity: When Loved Ones Don’t Love Your Book | Fantasy Faction - "Aspiring" authors: A title is not something we earn, it is who we are. If you're committed to your career, you are already an author.
Don’t Eat the Butt–Lies that Can Poison Our Writing Career #1
Issues, News, Trends, and Congratulations
- Learn how books are published before you waste months a book that will never sell.
Babbles from Scott Eagan: Know The Business BEFORE You Get Too Far In
Self-Publishing, Book Promotion, and Author Marketing
- Excellent guidelines for promoting your book on Twitter, WITHOUT bugging your tweeps.
Help! I Need a Publisher!: How much promotion is too much?
To Market
- Does your title say, "Pick me up & buy me!" It will, if it reflects the soul of your story.
Miss Snark's First Victim: On The Fine Art of Titling - Querying? Bookmark this post & refer to it often. Tips for all stages of querying
The Bluestocking Blog: Resource Roundup – Querying Your Masterpiece - Agent Sarah Burnes of The Gernert Company seeks sharp, original voices in literary & commercial fiction, MG & YA.
Literary Rambles: Agent Spotlight: Sarah Burnes - conferences: are you going to one (or seven?). What to expect.
How To Prepare for a Writers Conference | GENREALITY - Why @StephaniHeafner is glad she took the small-press route to publication. Inspiring!
* Roni Loren - Fiction Groupie *: One Author's Reasons For Choosing to Publish with a Small Press + Win a Book - Pitching? Here's a list of things NOT to say or do.
Writing Fiction Right from novelist Gail Gaymer Martin: Editors: What Not To Say and Do
Other Weekly Round-Ups:
- Cynthia Leitich Smith at Cynsationsdoes a Cynsational author, craft, and book news review.
- Elizabeth Craig posts a comprehensive weekly list of all her helpful Twitter posts.
- Stina Lindenblatt does a fabulous Cool Links Friday post every week.
- YA Highway's Friday Road Trip hits the high points of the publishing industry, writing craft, submissions process, and other fun stuff.
Happy reading and joyous writing,
Clara and Martina
Since I'm done creating my round-up, I'm going to find time to read this one.
ReplyDeleteYay for another awesome list of links. I'm off to check them out! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of goodies - thanks!
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is feeling back to normal soon - you've had a heck of a time with it! Sending healing wishes your way *hugs*
These link posts are the cyber version of the maps to the stars home you can grab in Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for including my post. I love these roundups and always find valubale nuggests that often get overlooked during the week. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks everyone! Finding time for Favorite Articles every day is a challenge, but your 'thank you' comments make it all worth it. I'm so glad you find the links useful.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
~Clara
As I get busier and busier, I appreciate you guys more and more. THANK YOU for doing all this work and putting the best stuff together. :)
ReplyDeleteAngela