The Weekly 411 (1/10/14)
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| © 2013 Liza Woodruff |
January 10, 2014
Welcome to the Weekly 411! This will be a weekly post that highlights the new links added over the past week. This was the first full week of the site and we added a LOT of links, so bear with us this time around. We will also announce the Illustrator Spotlight in this post.
If you subscribe to the site by email, you will get these posts once a week.
Illustrator Spotlight
New Links Added This Week:
New Sections
Check out our new page, Creating a Platform.
Magazine Submissions
Literary Magazine Submissions and Journals Database
Is it a Picture Book or Short Story? How to Figure It Out Mary Kole
Is it a Picture Book or Short Story? How to Figure It Out Mary Kole
For Writers
Open Call for YA Submissions- UNTIL 1/12/14 ONLY!!!!!
For Authors
Marcie Colleen -Teacher's Guides Authors- If you're looking for teaching resources to accompany your picture books, which will increase your opportunities for school and library visits contact-
Grammar/Writing Resources
TEMPLATES! Proper Manuscript Format, Fiction/NF/Novel- William Shunn
Online Picture Book Workshop- Literary Agent Jill Corcoran A path to publishing workshop. The workshop looks amazing and is limited to 10 students. Sign up early to secure a spot. (Online)
AR Book Finder - trying to figure out word counts of your favorite books? Plug in the title under the Advanced Search and you will get the word count.
General Resources
Children's Book Hub - A subscription based resource for children's book writers.
Video Boot Camp with Katie Davis If you're a writer, you need to be making videos in today's technologically centered world. Think it's hard? Well, Katie Davis assures us that it is not! In her Video Boot Camp, Katie walks you step by step through the process. If you think blogging is fun, wait until you check out how cool vlogging is! Go there now!
OMM WRITER- DISTRACTION HELP FOR WRITERS This incredible program (use it with headphones) creates a distraction free writing environment through sounds and visuals.
Noblemania Even awesome children's authors get terrible reviews. Need a laugh? Go here!
Video Boot Camp with Katie Davis If you're a writer, you need to be making videos in today's technologically centered world. Think it's hard? Well, Katie Davis assures us that it is not! In her Video Boot Camp, Katie walks you step by step through the process. If you think blogging is fun, wait until you check out how cool vlogging is! Go there now!
OMM WRITER- DISTRACTION HELP FOR WRITERS This incredible program (use it with headphones) creates a distraction free writing environment through sounds and visuals.
For Illustrators
Advice for Building a Portfolio
Donald Wu Illustrations: a great article, "How to Build an Illustration Portfolio," covering what types of work, order and pacing, and content.
Donald Wu Illustrations: a great article, "How to Build an Illustration Portfolio," covering what types of work, order and pacing, and content.
Juana Martinez Neal: "How to Put a Children's Illustration Portfolio Together," a hands on, how to primer on the physical act of putting together a beautiful portfolio
Good information
Good Opportunity for Illustrators (Kathy Temean, Writing & Illustrating): information about new illustrator agent.
Good information
Good Opportunity for Illustrators (Kathy Temean, Writing & Illustrating): information about new illustrator agent.
Writing Challenges
We welcome contributor Sarah Maynard, who will help keep up with the writing challenges.
Meg Miller's ReviMo- with Meg Miller
What: Dust off those rusty picture book drafts in this challenge to REVISE! You can participate on the blog, on Twitter with a Twibbon, and/or on Facebook
Who: Open to All Picture Book Writers.
When: January 12th to 18th 2014. Registration closes 10 pm CST 1/11/14.
Cost: FREE
3rd Annual Non-Fiction Picture Book (or MG or YA) Challenge (Reading challenge) with Alyson Beecher
What: Challenge yourself to read a self set a goal number of nonfiction picture books (or MG or YA books) over the year. Link your blog or GoodReads Shelf with a widget provided on the challenge blog post. Tweet about the challenge using #nfpb2014
Lucky Clover Picture Book Contest with Christie Wright Wild
What: Submit your MS for a chance to win a personal critique. Guidelines and specifics found on website.
What: Strive to complete 26 picture book drafts in 28 days.
Who: Open to All Picture Book Writers and Illustrators.
Mini-WOW NonFicPic with Kristen Fulton
PB 14:14 with Christie Wright Wild
What: Read, study and share 14 picture books in 14 days. Blogging challenge.
Where: http://reflectandrefine.blogspot.com/ with Cathy Mere, http://enjoy-embracelearning.blogspot.com with Mandy Robek, and http://juliebalen.weebly.com with Julie Balen
What: List your 10 must have non-fiction picture books. Tweet via #nf10for10, link to your blog or comment with your list.
Lucky Clover Picture Book Contest with Christie Wright Wild
What: Submit your MS for a chance to win a personal critique. Guidelines and specifics found on website.
Who: Open to All
When: Quarterly contest held four times a year
What: Strive to complete 26 picture book drafts in 28 days.
Who: Open to All Picture Book Writers and Illustrators.
When: February 1st to 28th 2014
Cost: FREE
Mini-WOW NonFicPic with Kristen Fulton
What: Fall in Love with nonfiction picture books while researching and preparing for WOW-nonficpic 2014. Three days to discover three different topics each day. At the end of Mini-WOW you will have 9 ideas to dive into and narrow down to the 7 you will fully write for WOW-2014. Enter on site daily.
Who: Open to All Non-Fiction Picture Book Writers.
When: February 14th to 16th 2014
Cost: FREE
PB 14:14 with Christie Wright Wild
What: Read, study and share 14 picture books in 14 days. Blogging challenge.
Who: Open to All.
When: February 14th - 28th 2014
Cost: FREE
Where: http://reflectandrefine.blogspot.com/ with Cathy Mere, http://enjoy-embracelearning.blogspot.com with Mandy Robek, and http://juliebalen.weebly.com with Julie Balen
What: List your 10 must have non-fiction picture books. Tweet via #nf10for10, link to your blog or comment with your list.
Who: Open to All
When: February 19 (Speculative Date)
Cost: FREE
Challenges for Illustrators
52 Week Illustration Challenge - a weekly prompt for illustrations
Blogs to Follow
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen's Nerdy Chicks Rule - Great information about all things writing and with a name like Nerdy Chicks Rule, you can't go wrong!
Renee LaTulippe - No Water River - Just named as a "kidlit blog to visit before you die" in SCBWI's THE BOOK!
Renee LaTulippe - No Water River - Just named as a "kidlit blog to visit before you die" in SCBWI's THE BOOK!
Writers Rumpus - a blog by children's illustrators and writers writing for all ages; blog posts on Tuesdays and Fridays
Emma Walton Hamilton's Blog Bestselling Author Emma Walton Hamilton has a blog that guides you through the writing process and the industry.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins Marcie Flinchum Atkins has a great blog, including a Picture Book Status Update form that you can use to track the status of your picture books. Pretty awesome stuff.
Kate Messner - Award Winning Author, Kate Messner blogs about writing and craft.
Editing Services
Harold Underdown, Editor
Emma Walton Hamilton, Editor
Critique Services
Lori Degman, Specializes in rhyming picture books ONLY, Author
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Author
Linda Skeers, Author
Beth StilbornEmma Walton Hamilton's Blog Bestselling Author Emma Walton Hamilton has a blog that guides you through the writing process and the industry.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins Marcie Flinchum Atkins has a great blog, including a Picture Book Status Update form that you can use to track the status of your picture books. Pretty awesome stuff.
Kate Messner - Award Winning Author, Kate Messner blogs about writing and craft.
Agents & Editors, and Queries
Sub It Club - support group for writers and illustrators to send their work out. Includes articles, query tips, and more.
Freelance Editors/Freelance Authors
Harold Underdown, Editor
Emma Walton Hamilton, Editor
Critique Services
Lori Degman, Specializes in rhyming picture books ONLY, Author
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Author
Linda Skeers, Author
Copy Editing and Freelance Services
Critique Groups
Rate Your Story - a free and paid service that will review your picture book manuscript at rate it on a scale of 1-10. Staffed by published and experienced authors.
Challenges
Start the Year off Write 21 days of 21 writing prompts, led by writer Shannon Abercrombie, with guest blogs and prizes.
Inspiration
Noblemania Even awesome children's authors get terrible reviews. Need a laugh? Go here!
Resources -Books
This is a great idea! Your site is going to become comprehensive--but could also become overwhelming. Your weekly posts will make the new stuff stand out, while pointing out the wealth of available resources. Savvy and accessible. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Pat. Appreciate your comments.
DeleteThis site looks great. I'll be checking back often!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much for linking to the Sub It Club.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Dana! Glad you're enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteYay! Cool! WOO!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Erik! We appreciate the comments! :)
DeleteI'd love the weekly posts, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah - thanks for stopping by. Just go to the sidebar on the left of this site and enter your email into the form that says "Weekly Updates by Email" and then activate the link that will get sent to you.
Delete