4 This Week for Writers 3/9/13 - Pubtips, Writing Craft, Inspiration, Books, and Industry News

Getting Published

Interview with Literary Agent Sarah Davies
from Writers League of Texas


Are writing contests a good place to get noticed?
from Chip MacGregor .com

Amanda Palmer's TED Talk: The Art Of Asking
from Karen Woodward

How I got my agent (and a few tips)
from The League of Extraordinary Writers

Your pitch is important, too!
from Magical Words

Beware Alibi Publishing, John Scalzi Warns: "This...
from Karen Woodward

Agent Spotlight: Kevan Lyon
from Literary Rambles

Thursdays with Amanda: Rejections Don’t Determine...
from Chip MacGregor .com

Calling Your Manuscript Finished (For Now)
from Rachelle Gardner

Countdown to a Book 6: From Writer to Author
from Blood-Red Pencil

Query Letter Advice: Let Someone Else Write It!
from YA Author Elana Johnson

How to Know if a Contest is Right For You - Dahlia...
from Cupid's Literary Connection

First Five Frenzy with Stephen Fraser of Jennifer...
from chasingthecrazies

Interview with Literary Agent Jennifer Azantian
from YA Stands

Your Book Cover is Like a Highway Billboard
from Writers in the Sky Podcast, E-zine, & Blog

Guest Editor Sara Sciuto re: Should I Submit My Picture...
from DearEditor.com

You Don't Need to Register Copyright for Unpublished...
from Nathan Bransford, Author

Join Mediabistro’s Self-Publishing Finishing School...
from GalleyCat

WriteOnCon 2013 Pitch Fest
from Kathryn Jankowski

Big Blue Marble Books: A Press with a Mission
from PublishersWeekly.com News Articles

Should Writers Query Publishers or Self-Publish?
from Mystery Writing is Murder

WOW Wednesday: Elizabeth Richards on How to Get a...
from Adventures in YA Publishing

You Simply Cannot Be Vague In Your Query
from Babbles from Scott Eagan

When does an agent want to see a book proposal?
from Chip MacGregor .com

25 Things Writers Should Beware
from terribleminds: chuck wendig

Reasons to Self-Publish Part I
from Behler Blog

When Maybe Becomes No
from Babbles from Scott Eagan

Publisher As Prestige Brand?
from The Passive Voice - Latest Updates

Self-Publishing Intelligence Report for February 2013
from GalleyCat

QUERY LETTER CONTEST & Interview with Caryn Wiseman...
from Stacey O'Neale's Site

Pitch vs. Query
from chasingthecrazies

How do you know which agents will work hard for you?
from Chip MacGregor .com

Real Life Diagnostics: Would You Keep Reading? A Look...
from The Other Side of the Story

Querying? Think Outside the Box to Get Noticed
from Writer Unboxed

Writers And Misinformation, Or: “How Did You Publish?”
from terribleminds: chuck wendig

Author Rights and Responsibilities
from Rachelle Gardner

Self-Published Authors Share 5 Things They Learned...
from Live Write Thrive

Where Do You Go for Query Feedback?
from Operation Awesome

Week 3: Self-Publishing With KDP
from YA Stands

Cryptic Queries – Head, Meet Desk
from Behler Blog

Announcing PITCH MADNESS submission windows!
from Brenda Drake . . . under the influence of coffe

Ask Alex: Internships
from Pub(lishing) Crawl

Inspiration and Smiles


Try “Thinking Negative” for a Change
from Rachelle Gardner

The trap we all fall into
from Jenna Avery

IWSG: What I'd tell my younger self about criticism
from Left and Write Brained

Six Tips to Bring Your Book Back from the Doldrums...
from Publetariat: For People Who Publish!

The Proven 3-Step Formula for Success
from Men with Pens

Enemies of the Art Part 10–Having a Thin Skin
from Kristen Lamb's Blog

Write a Novel This Spring with NaNoWriMo
from GalleyCat

10 Things People Say to Published Authors
from Claire King

Why Some Books Are Harder to Write Than Others
from The Other Side of the Story

The Siren on my Shoulder
from YA Muses

5 Things Children Teach Us About Writing
from Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors

The Thick of It
from Lev Grossman

A SELECTION OF REJECTIONS
from Writer Unboxed

Notes of Inspiration
from Stina Lindenblatt

Hangin' With The Cool Kids @ Insecure Writer's Support...
from Julie Musil

How to Get Your Own Shiny New Ideas
from The Daily Dahlia

How I Found My Agent
from The League of Extraordinary Writers

Announcing the Winner of the Pitch+250 Contest
from Adventures in YA Publishing

The Unnecessary Shame Writers Feel When Getting Feedback
from Author, Jody Hedlund

My Skinny
from YA Muses

To Find Success, Learn to Embrace the Meantime
from Kristen Lamb's Blog

Another Indirect Success Story
from Miss Snark's First Victim

How Writing is Like Dating
from Karen Ferrell Books Plus

3 Ways to Supercharge Your Writing This Year
from Writers in the Sky Podcast, E-zine, & Blog

Writing And The Monomyth
from Karen Woodward

Sometimes You Fail. And it Sucks.
from Rachelle Gardner

Writing And The Monomyth, Part Two
from Karen Woodward

Literary Birthday - 2 March - Dr. Seuss
from Writers Write Creative Blog

Question of the Week, 3/3/13 - Plotter or Pantser?
from Adventures in YA Publishing


Story Elements

Flesh Out Your Fictional Character on Reddit
from GalleyCat

Building a world after you've already started your...
from TalkToYoUniverse

The Art of Conflict
from Fantasy Faction

Write strong characters - the "spite house" example
from Time to Write

Writing the Historically Accurate Novel
from Mystery Writing is Murder

Improve your Dialogue by Studying Plays
from Pub(lishing) Crawl

Just Enough Sensory Detail to Set the Stage
from Live Write Thrive

Telegraphing Versus Foreshadowing
from Novel Matters

The Five Rules of Writing Flashbacks
from Writing Forward

Invisible Writing
from Karen Ferrell Books Plus

8 Ways NOT to Describe Your Main Character
from A. Victoria Mixon, Editor

Your villain and you
from Andrew Jack Writing

Video: Building a world after you've started your...
from TalkToYoUniverse

Physical Attributes: Shoulders
from The Bookshelf Muse

Writers: use clothing to reveal character in your...
from Time to Write

Incidents and Happenings: Scenes That Aren’t Actually...
from Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors

Know More Than You Show, Part 1: Character
from Cockeyed Caravan

5 Ways “Difficult” Women Can Energize Your Writing...
from Anne R. Allen's Blog

Drive your story with the Three Excitements (great...
from Time to Write

Story Structure

Malorie Blackman: How do you structure a story? -...
from Books news, reviews and author interviews | guar

Raising The Stakes And Increasing The Tension
from Frankie Diane Mallis

“Side Effects” (deconstruction #3): The Story Milestones…...
from Storyfix.com

Know More Than You Show, Part 2: Plot
from Cockeyed Caravan

What is Profluence?
from Ingrid's Notes

Using Motivation to Plot
from YA Stands

Turning the Ethical Upside-Down
from Magical Words

Endings
from Pub(lishing) Crawl

How To Write a Scene: A Step-By-Step Infographic
from GalleyCat

The Protagonist: How to Center Your Story
from The Write Practice

“What’s the secret behind Oscar-winning screenplays?...
from Go Into The Story

How to Upgrade your Story Idea
from Stavros Halvatzis

If You Struggle With Plot, Here’s How to Think About...
from Jane Friedman

Three Questions to Get to the Heart of Your Story
from The Other Side of the Story

Writing Craft

Writing THE Scene
from Artzicarol Ramblings

Writer's Wednesday: The Dreaded Adverb
from Oasis for YA

Writerly Tools: Critiquing Edition
from There And Draft Again

Get Genrefied: High Fantasy
from Stacked

8 Key Ways to Edit Suspense & Pace into Your Finished...
from The Kill Zone

Five Reasons Why You Should Write A Short Story
from WOW! Women On Writing Blog

New Project: A Guide to Writing a Novel!
from Nathan Bransford, Author

Every Writer Needs a Cartel
from The Write Practice

10 Dirty Fighting Tricks to Spice Up Your Fight Scenes
from Andrew Jack Writing

New Rule: Beautiful is NOT Boring
from Novel Matters

Talk about a GREAT first line!
from Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Guest Post: Deleting by Jennifer R. Hubbard
from The Sharp Angle

Manuscript formatting and prep screencasts
from Carolrhoda Books Blog

TTYU Retro: Using projection/anticipation to improve...
from TalkToYoUniverse

Mom, Dad, and Deep Third POV
from AuthorCulture

Poetic Tricks: Infuse Your Fiction with the Right...
from The Other Side of the Story

Finding Your Character's Voice
from Karen Ferrell Books Plus

Before You Write The First Word
from WOW! Women On Writing Blog

Writing for Middle Grade
from Operation Awesome

The art of critical reviewing.
from WORD for Teens

Book Giveaway and the Difference between Character...
from Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Giving Too Much Away
from Mystery Writing is Murder

It's a matter of emphasis.
from edittorrent

Throw Off the Genre Chains
from Hey, There's A Dead Guy in the Living Room

How to cut a novel (and enjoy it)
from Nail Your Novel

Tuning Your Ear
from Operation Awesome

Avoid Reader Confusion
from Mystery Writing is Murder

Checklist
from Just Jemi

Grammar ABCs: T is for Tense
from Blood-Red Pencil

Girl Writes Boy…Boy Writes Girl
from Stina Lindenblatt

Choose Wisely: Metaphors in Character
from Writer Unboxed

Editing
from The Indelibles

What is the Emotional Investment in Your Stories?
from The Write Practice

News and Trends

Skype Announces Free Group Video Calling for Teachers...
from School Library Journal

Confession: My Relationship with Ebooks
from Confessions

Blogging In Real Life (5)
from WORD for Teens

SFWA De-Lists Hydra; Random House Responds
from Writer Beware ® Blogs!

Random House Responds to SFWA Slamming Its Hydra Imprint
from The Passive Voice - Latest Updates

What Does the Future Hold?
from Rachelle Gardner

Deeply Discounted Big-Six Ebooks Pop on Best-Seller...
from The Passive Voice - Latest Updates

Former Indie Author Jamie McGuire Penalized For Self-publishing?
from Publetariat: For People Who Publish!

DRM: A Petition To Unlock E-Books
from terribleminds: chuck wendig

What If We Put DRM on Chairs?
from GalleyCat

Hachette signs new L J Smith
from Bookseller news

Kid Lit Authors Discuss Diversity at NYPL
from School Library Journal

Yale Awards $1.35M to Nine Writers
from PublishersWeekly.com News Articles

Book News: Dating Homer, Distinctive Bylines
from Page-Turner

Publishing Pulse for March 1, 2013
from QueryTracker Blog

The Last Few Weeks in Books 3/1/13
from Nathan Bransford, Author

The 2013 Golden Kite and Sid Fleischman Award Winners!
from The Official SCBWI Blog

The best writer's success strategy
from Time to Write

Best Business Advice for Writers: February 2013
from Jane Friedman

Why The Romance Genre Will Never Fade
from Babbles from Scott Eagan

Hodder, Penguin and Bloomsbury win at BMS marketing...
from Bookseller news

Cora Carmack and Her (Smokin' Hot) Path to Publication
from QueryTracker Blog

Networking and Promotion

Title Match: Fighting to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
from QueryTracker Blog

Tips for Planning a Super Successful Author Event!
from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. » BLOG

What Not To Ask Your Favourite Author
from Writer Unboxed

Book Signings That WOW
from The Bookshelf Muse

How much time and effort should established publishers...
from The Shatzkin Files

Not sure how to market your book? Maybe you already...
from Nail Your Novel

Free Workshop To Teach Teens eBook Making Skills
from GalleyCat

Friday Book Review: Staci Stallings' Keys to Creating...
from AuthorCulture

Download This Complimentary Report on E-book Promotion...
from Nick's Writing Blog

Marketing Your Books - Just Keep Your Name Out There
from Babbles from Scott Eagan

Best of the Web Book Marketing Tips for the Week of...
from Author Marketing Experts, Inc. » BLOG

How To Launch a Social Media Marketing Campaign
from PublishersWeekly.com News Articles

How To Record, Produce And Distribute Audiobooks With...
from The Creative Penn

Dos and Don’ts of Reviewing
from Magical Words

What's In a Name - Blog Name Characteristics
from Blood-Red Pencil

The Pros and Cons of Being Agreeable and Saying Yes
from Jane Friedman

Don’t Go on TV with Your Fly Open
from Writer Unboxed

Finding Your Brand: My Word Is My Bond by Ron Vitale
from Amwriting Blog | Amwriting Blog

10 Ideas for using QR Codes to Promote Your Book
from Karen Ferrell Books Plus

How Twitter Can Help Your Writing
from The Write Practice

9 Tips for Making Online Friends
from Jami Gold, Paranormal Author

7 Things Confident Writers Don’t Do
from Kristen Lamb's Blog

Know When to Just Stop Talking
from From the Write Angle

Twitter Basics–The Proper Care and Feeding of Hashtags
from Kristen Lamb's Blog

How to Get a Terrific Professional Headshot
from Rachelle Gardner

Six Tips to Bring Your Book Back from the Doldrums...
from Smashwords

3 Ways to Build Meaningful Connections to Move Your...
from The Creative Penn

ANNA STANISEWSKI ON PROMOTING SEQUELS AND MY EPIC...
from Literary Rambles

Why Google+ Is the Best Social Platform for Content...
from Copyblogger

Books and Giveaways

WANDERLOVE Paperback Giveaway! (Bonus: Animals!)
from YA Highway

Character Bucket List: Darby Karchut and Finnegan...
from Adventures in YA Publishing

LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
from YA Author Elana Johnson

Fan Art Contest
from Angels and Demons and Portals. Oh My!

[Cover Reveal & Giveaway] THE WICKED by Kelly Keaton
from Reading Teen

[Book Blast] MOONSET by Scott Tracey
from Reading Teen

Kamy Chetty & a Giveaway!
from Just Jemi

New YALit Releases 3/9-3/15 Plus Giveaway of SACRED...
from Adventures in YA Publishing

MOONSET Giveaway!!!
from Writer's Alley

The Romantic Build-Up by Justine Dell + a Giveaway!
from Roni Loren, Author

Book Blast: Moonset by Scott Tracey
from The Story Siren

[Cover Reveal & Giveaway] LOST IN YOU by Heidi McLaughlin
from Reading Teen

Let The Sky Fall Blog Tour: Author Interview & Giveaway
from Mundie Moms

How to Get Moving on Your Work in Progress: A Review...
from WOW! Women On Writing Blog

Book Reviews from Young Adults
from School Library Journal

WIN one of 5 ARCs of SIEGE AND STORM!
from LEIGH BARDUGO

Blog Tour: ORLEANS by Sherri Smith & Giveaway
from The Story Siren

Is Your Ebook Library a Black Hole?
from Jami Gold, Paranormal Author

Giveaway: Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard
from Cynsations

A Thank-You Giveaway!
from The Daily Dahlia

New YALit Releases 3/2-3/8 Plus FLOWERS IN THE SKY...
from Adventures in YA Publishing

Win 16 Books by 16 Fantastic Authors!
from Reading Teen

Interview with Andrew Fukuda plus a chance to win...
from Latest blog entries

Siege and Storm snippet (help me choose) & GIVEAWAY!
from LEIGH BARDUGO

Saturday Situation ~ Link Up Your Reviews & Give@ways!
from Candace's Book Blog

Giveaway: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington (US/Canada)
from Latest blog entries

Giveaway: Orleans by Sherri L. Smith (US only)
from Latest blog entries

Giveaway: Operation Oleander by Valerie O. Patterson...
from Latest blog entries

Giveaway: The Lives We Lost (Fallen World #2) by Megan...
from Latest blog entries

This Post is CAKE -- a Review and a Giveaway
from The Write Stuff

My Epic Fairy Tale Fail
from Paranormal Point of View

Guest Post by Dazzle Author Amber Garza PLUS Giveaway
from We Do Write

New Voice: Cal Armistead on Being Henry David
from Cynsations

Giveaway: Teen Author Boot Camp Virtual Conference...
from WORD for Teens

Other Weekly Roundups

Cynsational News and Giveaways
from Cynsations

Field Trip Friday
from YA Highway

Twitterific
from Mystery Writing is Murder