6 Best Articles This Week for Writers 5/6/11

Okay, time for an apology and a procedural note. We've been trying to include the Twitter handles for the folks we include in the round-up, wherever we can find them. Unfortunately, having to leave Google Reader to hunt for them on the individual blogs or, in some cases, search through Twitter, is slowing us down to the point where continuing would jeopardize our ability to keep doing the round-up. While we're sorry to have to do it, we're going to retreat to including just the teaser in the tweets unless we happen to know the twitter handle by heart.

If you would like us to keep including the twitter handle (and this request will likely apply to other bloggers or tweeters who do a round-up) it would be very helpful if you would put it somewhere either at the top or bottom of the post.

Thanks and apologies,

Martina



After the Sale

• The flip side of self-promotion [Writer Unboxed] Six things you must do in a world where publishers no longer have budgets to market your book.
• That Thing You Want to Know.... [Author/Agent Mandy Hubbard] Will writing make you rich? @MandyHubbard breaks down a six-figure deal.
• Authors Must Learn to Sell What They Write [Writers in the Sky E-zine] Fifteen things you should do to market your books. via @writersinthesky
• 20 Awesome YA Book Trailers [GotYA] Need inspiration for your book trailer? Twenty great ones. via @Annie_McElfresh
• Best of the Web Book Marketing Tips for the Week of April 25, 2011 [Author Marketing Experts, Inc.Get Published Tips and Book Marketing Advice from Penny Sansevieri] Good recap of this week's best posts on book marketing. via @Bookgal

Book Reviews

• 101 SUCCESS SECRETS by Christine Fonseca [YA Author Elana Johnson] Brilliant review of @chrstinef's 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids by @ElanaJ's son. Sounds great!
• Blogoversary Giveaway #3 - Spring Reads Prize Pack [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Enter by 5/31 to win ARCs of BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER and STAY. via @TotalBookaholic
• Happy Release Day - Moonglass [Market My Words] Great review of Jessi Kirby's MOONGLASS by @srjohannes. Happy Release Day, Jesse!
• Read the First Two Chapters of POSSESSION! [YA Author Elana Johnson] Dying to read more POSSESSION? Get the first two chapters via @ElanaJ.
• "damn those kids and their recurring need to eat!" [Janet Reid, Literary Agent] Need a phenomenal read? @QueryShark says COUNTY LINE!
• A Book Review and a Book Festival [Write About Now] A great review for Katherine Hannigan's TRUE. via @SherriePetersen
• Guest Post on Strong Heroines by Anne Osterlund, Author of Aurelia [THE BOOK BUTTERFLY] Eleven YA/MG books with great, strong heroines. via @BookButterfly9
• FRIDAY FREESTYLE: Book Review ~ Abandon [Oasis for YA] Great review for Meg Cabot's ABANDON. via @SherWordsGirl

Congrats!

• It's not a dream anymore... [Laura Jane Cassidy] Happy book birthday to @LjCassidy. ANGEL KISS releases from Razorbill/Penguin.
• Tall Story wins first Crystal Kite Member's Choice Award! [Notes from the Slushpile] Huge CONGRATS to Candy Gourlay for winning Europe Crytal Kite Member's Choice Award!
• Growing a penis is hard work (pun intended) [The Misadventures In Candyland] Congrats to @Candylandgang -- it's going to be a boy!

Contests

• Blogoversary Giveaway #4 - Paranormal Abilities Prize Pack [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Win and ARC of KINDRED and a copy of Future Imperfect. Enter by 5/31. via @TotalBookaholic
• Diversity in YA: Guest Post w/ Cindy Pon + Giveaway! [/- LA FEMME READERS -/] Take a moment to think about diversity. Enter by 5/20 to win one of 11 great YA books. via @LaFemmeReaders
• Agent Contest of Epic Awesome! [Sisters in Scribe] @SaraMegibow to judge 140 character pitch contest open 10:00 am ET 5/6. via @SistersInScribe
• Blogoversary Giveaway #2 - HarperTeen Prize Pack #2 [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Win ARCs of THROUGH HER YES and TEETH: VAMPIRE TALES. Enter by 5/31. via @PitchDarkBooks
• Blogoversary Giveaway #1- HarperTeen Prize Pack #1 [Confessions of a Bookaholic] Win HOURGLASS and an ARC of THE GATHERING. Enter by 5/31. via @PitchDarkBooks
• I Spy a Mystery Agent Contest [Adventures In Writing] Enter your 25-word pitch now for Operation Awesome's Mystery Agent Contest. via @isabellamorgan
• JANICE HARDY INTERVIEW AND BOOK GIVEAWAY MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY [Literary Rambles] Great Janice Hardy interview and #giveaway of THE SHIFTER. Enter by 5/7. via @Casey_McCormick
• Holding the Lantern [Novel Matters] YES: Plot is what people will do in spite of everything that tells them they shouldn't.
• CONTEST: Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley [Novel Novice] Enter by 5/9 to win one of three signed copies of WHERE THINGS COME BACK. via @NovelNovice
• Who wants an ARC of FATEFUL? [Claudia's Blog] Enter by 5/19 to win an ARC of FATEFUL by @ClaudiaGray.
• Announcing the YA Muses Prep Your Pages Contest! [YA Muses] Great critique opportunity. Enter the @yamuses contest by 5/14!
• New Contest! Enter to win Abandon by Meg Cabot [Novel Novice] Enter by 5/6 to win Meg Cabot's ABANDON. via @NovelNovice

Craft

• The Defining Scene - Character Intros [The Kill Zone] How your mc first appears should be a character defining moment and leave an image.
• Finding Your Authentic Voice [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Four tips to get the voice into your manuscript. via @RachelleGardener
• Rob’s Laws of Characters [Write Anything] Four important rules for your characters to live by. via @wawriters
• Am I Writing YA or MG? [WOW! Women On Writing Blog] Young adult or middle grade? Here's how to know what you're writing. via @womenonwriting
• T3 - Motivation Reaction Units [The Character Therapist] Use MRU elements in proper order: stimulus then response: (visceral, thought, action, dialogue)
• The Muchness of a YA Heroine [The League of Extraordinary Writers] Who are your favorite YA/MG heroines. Are they muchier? via @amsmibert
• Make Your Antagonist a Force for Good [Jami Gold, Paranormal Author] Use your antag to tie theme to your conflict for a better, tighter story. via @JamiGold
• Feeling frustrated with those stupid rejection letters? [Janet Reid, Literary Agent] Great op to workshop with Hallie Ephron, Roberta Isleih, and S.W. Hubbard. via @QueryShark
• 4 Core Elements of the Writing MFA [iggi & gabi] For your DIY MFA you must read, write, workshop, and connect. via @iggiandgabi
• Great Primary Characteristics [Buried in the Slush Pile] Three things you must do to create successful characters. via @BuriedEditor
• Tips for Selecting Your Story’s Narrative Style [Daily Writing Tips] First, second, or third POV? Past or present tense? Here's what to consider.
• How Plot Development Is Like Navigating a Maze [Cheryl's Musings] Plotted your manuscript into a dead end? Think of it as a maze.
• Make It Worse [Between Fact and Fiction] Are you evil to your main character? You should be. Here's why.
• PRESENT TENSE PROBLEMS [Help! I Need a Publisher!] Are you ready for present tense? Does your story fit?
• 3 Edgy Little Tips to Make Your Story More Compelling [storyfix.com] Three ways to shake things up in your story and make it more original. via @StoryFix
• Jenny: Voice: The Right Words [Crowe's Nest] Brilliant illustrations of voice by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger.
• Key Story Elements: Inner And Outer Desire [Alexandra Sokoloff] Great post on taking character goals to the next level by making them visual.
• Five ways to ruin a good story [James Killick's Blog] Five structural errors that can kill your story. via @Jammer0501
• The Protagonist [GENREALITY] What makes a compelling MC who drives an unputdownable story? via @BobMayer
• The Twenty-Minute Workout (for your MS) [Seeing Creative] AMAZING post. Great tips. Even more great links. via @StinaLL
• Why Opening With a Characteristic Moment Is So Important [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Open with a characteristic moment to foreshadow, frame, and prove worth. via @KMWeiland
• Symbolic [Writer Unboxed] Phenomenal post. Four quick ways to add resonance to your mansuscript. via @DonaldMaas
• Craft TOTW: Making Your Characters Believe [The Enchanted Inkpot.] Two tactics to get characters to believe in magic without boring readers.
• 35 Weird Traits Your Characters May Have [Write Anything] 35 quirks to get you thinking about creating 3-D characters. via @wawriters
• The Rule Of Three : Penny Dolan [An Awfully Big Blog Adventure] The rule of three creates a structure with tension, suspense, and movement. via @AwfullyBigBlog
• How To Write Memorable Characters [BubbleCow] Elements of memorable characters: conflict, backstory, surprise, and voice. via @Bubblecow
• I'm Not Her [Seeing Creative] Ten writing tips to help you break-in from Janet Gurtler. via @StinaLL
• Character Stereotypes: The Lone Wolf [The Character Therapist] Nine stereotype-bending reasons your character may be a lone wolf.
• Trusting Your Reader [Writer Musings] Don't hit your reader on the head with a clue. But how much is too much?
• Up Your (Story) Game: Seven Tips [Cheryl's Musings] Seven ways to play games with your characters and win. via @CherylRWrites
• YA Cafe: What's your favorite YA voice? [All about them words] Three examples of "boy" voice in YA -- all great and very different. via @ghenet
• Rule of Three: No, the Other One [The Other Side of the Story] Brilliant post on the heirarchy of what your scenes must accomplish.
• Writing Tip/Morning Paper [Enter the Between] Good tip! The morning paper as writing inspiration. Hint: think conflict.
• YA Cafe: 3 Tips for Capturing the Teen Voice [iggi & gabi] Some great examples of teen voice and tips for getting it right. via
• If you're a writer, read this. [Janet Reid, Literary Agent] On pushing through until YOU think your work is good enough. via @QueryShark
• 5 Pieces of Well-Meaning Writing Advice That I’m Glad I Didn’t Take [Guide to Literary Agents] Five writing rules you may NEED to break. via @CCHunterBooks & @ChuckSambuchino
• Repost: Voice [GENREALITY] Five things you can do to help find your #writers voice. via @rclementmoore
• Character building tools for writers | Astrological signs [Guardian Cats] Character astrology--use it for character development?
• Inspiration from Libba Bray [Inkygirl.com: Daily Diversions For Writers - by Debbie Ridpath Ohi] Brilliant quote from @LibbaBray. And see her whole post! via @Inkyelbows
• 10 Tips To Improve Your Writing [www.publetariat.com] Ten basic tips to bring your writing to the next level.
• Plot Busters – Kat Incorrigible (1) [Laura Pauling] Great 3-Act analysis (and VOICE) of Stephanie Burgis' INCORRIGIBLE. via @laurapauling
• Writers Write–Creativity Is a State of Mind [Write It Sideways] Turn on your creativity by priming the pump with repetition. via @writeitsideways
• Black Swan–Inner & Outer Demons [Kristen Lamb's Blog] GREAT post on external and internal antagonists in Black Swan and your WIP. via @KristenLambTX
• The Mean, the Bad, and the Nasty—Writing Villains [The Editor's Blog] Tips to craft your villain: "Think complex. Think conflicted. Think driven." via @NovelEditor

Critiquing

• Copy Editing: A New Product For Self-Publishing Writers [BubbleCow] Affordable line-edit service for writers. via @BubbleCow
• 4 Advantages of Re-Reading [A. Victoria Mixon, Editor] Four reasons to re-read, and a great short definition of novel structure. via @VictoriaMixon
• Face-to-Face Writing Groups [The Bookshelf Muse] Words in praise of in-person critique groups of your fellow kidlit writers. via @AngelaAckerman

Inspiration

• Favorite Fictional Worlds, I [The Divining Wand] Some lovely fictional worlds to get your creativity and writer-envy cooking. via @LarramieG
• The Writer Workout [YA Highway] Three exercises you can do at your desk to get more bikini-ready. via @YAHighway
• Take a Chance with Your Writing [Write It Sideways] Four things you risk when you write. Go ahead, take a chance. via @writeitsideways
• 5 Links For A More Balanced Writer's Life [www.publetariat.com] Need some balance in your life? Writers listen up!
• 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Darien Gee [Guide to Literary Agents] Expect the best, express gratitude for the people who said yes, & more writing advice from Darien Gee.
• What's REALLY holding you back? [The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak] Need a boost in self-value? Read this.
• How to Become a More Self-Disciplined Writer [Author, Jody Hedlund] Great post. Five truths that will make you a better writer. via @JodyHedlund
• Timing [Disgruntled Bear] Some truly amazing photos. How would you describe them?
• Patience, My Young Padawan [YA Author Elana Johnson] @ElanaJ asks how have you developed patience? Because in publishing, you need it.
• An Agent in Six Months! (or Eleven Years), but Who’s Counting? [Anna Staniszewski] Think your journey has been long? Here's inspiration via @annastanisz.
• The Hardest Part of Being a Writer [Writer Unboxed] Love: "There’s no wrong way to write a book. There’s only what works for you..."
• Understanding—and Accepting—the Reasons You Write [Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors] Simple to ask, difficult to answer: Why do you write? via @KMWeiland
• Commercial, LIterary, and the Question of Value [Kody's Blog] Must-read post by @KodyKeplinger about the literary v. commercial debate.
• Jennifer Hunt Joins Dial Books for Young Readers [GalleyCat] Jennifer Hunt to take the VP of Acquisition and Development role at Dial. via @GalleyCat
• Are Greek Myths the Next Trend for Teens? [GalleyCat] Greek myths for the YA crowd: The Next Big Thing?

Just for Smiles

• The Book Sugeon [christina lee] Beautiful book art. Unbelievable! via @Christina_Lee04
• JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure | Video on TED.com [Enter the Between] In case you have forgotten--it's worth re-viewing Rowling's inspirational Harvard address.
• WHEN YOU GET A FULL REQUEST [Grab a Pen] Have you gotten a full request that made you feel like this? via @TaherehMafi

Self-Editing

• Mmmm, yes, good dialog must you have [Behler Blog] Four ways your dialogue can kill your manuscript and how to fix them. via @behlerpublish
• Should You Keep an Error Log? [GalleyCat] Should you, could you, keep track of all the errors in your novel? via @GalleyCat
• Muffled Sounds [edittorrent] More great description dissections to help you hone your writing skills. via @TheresaStevens
• How to Become a Super Self-Editor [Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels, comic books and graphic novels] Eleven tips to tune your self-editing skills. via
• How I Edit [Nathan Bransford, Author] Four steps to successful editing. via @NathanBransford
• 15 Purposes for Parentheses [Daily Writing Tips] Got parentheses? Here are 15 reasons you may want to use them.
• Grammar Police: Misplaced Modifiers [Justine Dell] How are your modifiers? Do you need to change where they go? via @JustineDell
• Grammar ABCs: A is for Appositive [The Blood-Red Pencil] Do you know what an appositive is? (You probably have at least one in your ms.)
• 5 Things to Consider Before You Spend Time Editing [Novel Matters] Don't polish your ms before answering these five questions. via @NovelMatters
• Overediting: Sucking the Life Out of Your Story [* Fiction Groupie *] Love: Take care not to take the magic out of your book. via @RoniLoren
• Adverbs Are Really Quite Acceptable [Daily Writing Tips] Great point about adverbs and when they are okay--or even necessary.

Social Media

• Social Networking: Twitter v. Facebook [BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency] In author-promo battle between Twitter and Facebook, @BookEndsJessica says Twitter delivers.
• How to Build Your Website Without Knowing Code [There Are No Rules] Easy tools to get your author website up and running in an hour. via @JaneFriedman
• My Secrets to Successfully Growing My Social Media Followings [Author, Jody Hedlund] Ten tips to steadily building social media success. via @JodyHedlund
• Twitter Etiquette [Paranormal Point of View] 5 things you can do on Twitter--and 3 you shouldn't. via @LisaGailGreen #causeweloveher

To Market

• .doc is not .docx [Kidlit.com] What's up .doc? Why agents request .doc docs, and not .docx docs.
• My Query Letter for JACOB WONDERBAR [Nathan Bransford, Author] Wow! Or, we should say, KAPOW! @NathanBransford's query letter!
• An Editor’s Quick Tips on Submissions [Ingrid's Notes] Truths from an editor about subbing, choosing a house, do's and don'ts and more. via @IngridSundberg
• Will Your First Book Be Published? [Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent] Four reasons you may not want to query your first book until you've written another. via @RachelleGardner
• Catch My Pitch: Writing a Compelling Pitch For Your Book [Amie Kaufman] Working on your pitch? Here's the info you need. via @AmieKaufman
• Successful Queries: Agent Sara Megibow and ''Score'' [Guide to Literary Agents] A rule breaking query letter that WORKED! via @ChuckSambuchino
• Ebook or Print Book? Why Do You Have to Choose? [The Creative Penn] E-books do not equal self-publishing. Consider a print version too. via @thecreativepenn
• The Three Stages of Querying [Author, Jody Hedlund] When is it too soon to query? Which of these three stages are you in? via @JodyHedlund
• How to Be a Conference Extrovert [Writer Unboxed] Three ways to get out of your shell at a writing conference. via @jaelmchenry
• The One Right Way to Write a Query [Kidlit.com] Your query must include these 7 things, but after that, there's no formula. via @Kid_Lit
• ANOTHER internship available [Bent on Books] The Bent Agency is looking for 2-3 interns. GREAT opportunity.
• Agent Advice: Sandy Lu of L. Perkins Agency [Guide to Literary Agents] Sandy Lu of L. Perkins is looking for YA, including steampunk and historical thrillers. via @RickiSchultz
• Agent Spotlight: Jennifer Jackson [Literary Rambles] Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency is looking for YA. via @Casey_McCormick
• In The Spring An Agent’s Fancy Turns To… [Pub Rants] A word about World Rights clauses from agent Kristin Nelson. Don't leave money on the table.

Other Weekly Round-Ups:

• Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest does a wonderful list of best tweets of the previous week. 
• Alice Pope does a Wednesday Tweet Roundup for the SCBWI Children's Market Blog.
• Northern Colorado Writers do This Week in the Writing World every Friday.
• Jennifer Roland does a Writing Roundup on Fridays.
• Ricki Schultz does an "In the Blogosphere" post on Fridays where she lists posts she's enjoyed during the week.
• Elizabeth Craig posts a weekly list of all her helpful Twitter posts.
• And don't forget to check  Nathan Bransford's blog later this morning for his weekly recap of publishing news and information.
• Saturday Link Party [Forever Young] Jessica rounds up fun and interesting links.
• Stina Linddenblatt does a Cool Links Friday. This week, she caught a lot I wish we had on ours. I know what I'm doing for the next few minutes!
• DuoLit does a weekly list of links with some emphasis on self-publishing and marketing.
• YA Highway's Friday Road Trip hits the high points of the publishing industry, writing craft, submissions process, and other fun stuff.
• Cynthia Leitich Smith at Cynsations does a Cynsational author and book news review.

Did we miss anything? Anyone? Please leave a comment with the link!

Happy reading and joyous writing,

Martina, Marissa and Clara