Here are three things that glib, hasty or form declines from New York aren’t telling you. The solutions can help you whether you are seeking a major imprint or going it alone:
PROBLEM: I was able to begin skimming your novel almost right away.
Ouch. That’s not the effect you want. The antidote is a high level …
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Book review: Six Crimson Cranes
YA fiction
By Elizabeth Lim
Sixteen-year-old Princess Shiori has a secret. Forbidden magic runs in her veins, and if it is discovered, she’ll be exiled from Kiata, royal daughter or not. On the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she jumps out a window to avoid what she thinks will be a loveless marriage. Her would-be fiancé, Takkan, …
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Book review: City of the Plague God
Middle grade fiction
by Sarwat Chadda
A timely tale for our pandemic season, City of the Plague God draws on lesser-known Mesopotamian mythology to spin its tale of adventure in New York City.
Thirteen-year-old Sikander “Sik” Aziz works in his Iraqi refugee parents’ deli and mourns his dead brother Mo. One night, two demons show up demanding something …
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Book Review: The Court of Miracles
THE COURT OF MIRACLES
Young adult fiction by Kester Grant
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables has proven an enduring touchstone, inspiring everything from a stage musical (remember Les Miz?) to numerous movie versions. Court of Miracles puts its own fresh spin on this durable tale by setting it in an alternate Paris where the wretched poor have formed …
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Help, my ideas aren’t working out!
Dear Writer Guy,
I am writing a story right now, but I can’t think of any ideas on what to write about next. I’m mostly focusing on the genre of “Fictional and Fantasy.” Whenever I think of a good idea, it either doesn’t work out and can’t connect to the rest of the story, or it …
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5 Essential tips for writing picture books
When I am at book signings or doing school visits, I often hear the question, “What advice do you have for someone writing their first picture book?” People are eager to learn the “secret” to writing a runaway best-selling picture book.
There IS a definite art to writing a picture book. For me, a perfect picture …
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How a dog gave me a book
You’ve petted your dog, you’ve walked your dog, but have you ever been inspired by your dog? I have.
My newest book, Switched, is particularly close to my heart because it was inspired by my late dog, Riley. One morning when she was young, we went walking in a canyon and I let her go off-leash. …
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Book review: Lore
LORE
Young adult fiction by Alexandra Bracken
Alexandra Bracken’s LORE boasts a killer premise. Every seven years, as punishment for an ancient rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of Greek heroes. The seven days of hunting is known as the Agon, and whoever kills a god will …
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Where do I get my next story idea?
In the last newsletter, I shared what was going on with me as I finished a project and began to psych myself up for writing the next book. For me, it’s a sometimes-awkward process, filled with stops and starts. I wondered how it was for other writers, and my musing must have struck a nerve. …
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How do you write a graphic novel if you’re not artistic?
Dear Writer Guy,
I have written a picture book story about French Fries called Petrifies! It’s an action packed rescue story. I’ve been told it should be a graphic novel more than once, but have no idea where to go from here. I am not an artist.
Thanks much,
Missie
Dear Missie,
As an initial step toward determining whether your …
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