BY MJR. MORON:
I have it on good authority that the boycott on aquisitions by HMH does NOT apply to the children's division and that the boycott on all divisions will most likely be lifted after the first of the year.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Bad Market News...
BY MJR. MORON:
Just in from Publishers Weekly...Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has stopped acquisitions completely, at least for the time being.
[excerpt]It’s been clear for months that it will be a not-so-merry holiday season for publishers, but at least one house has gone so far as to halt acquisitions. PW has learned that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has asked its editors to stop buying books. Josef Blumenfeld, v-p of communications for HMH, confirmed that the publisher has “temporarily stopped acquiring manuscripts.”
The directive was given verbally to a handful of executives and, according to Blumenfeld, is “not a permanent change.” Blumenfeld, who hedged on when the ban might be lifted, said that the right project could still go in front of the editorial review board. He maintained that the decision is less about taking drastic measures than conducting good business.
If you're submitting to any houses, check to make sure they aren't imprints of HMH. They have a lot of imprints, including Clarion. It looks like you can still submit, and if they really like something, they may take it up the ladder, but they won't be able to negotiate until the acquisitions freeze is lifted.
Merry Christmas.
Just in from Publishers Weekly...Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has stopped acquisitions completely, at least for the time being.
[excerpt]It’s been clear for months that it will be a not-so-merry holiday season for publishers, but at least one house has gone so far as to halt acquisitions. PW has learned that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has asked its editors to stop buying books. Josef Blumenfeld, v-p of communications for HMH, confirmed that the publisher has “temporarily stopped acquiring manuscripts.”
The directive was given verbally to a handful of executives and, according to Blumenfeld, is “not a permanent change.” Blumenfeld, who hedged on when the ban might be lifted, said that the right project could still go in front of the editorial review board. He maintained that the decision is less about taking drastic measures than conducting good business.
If you're submitting to any houses, check to make sure they aren't imprints of HMH. They have a lot of imprints, including Clarion. It looks like you can still submit, and if they really like something, they may take it up the ladder, but they won't be able to negotiate until the acquisitions freeze is lifted.
Merry Christmas.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Hot Market Info
BY MJR. MORON:
I keep up with this blog by Kristin Nelson, of the Kristin Nelson Literary Association. Yesterday, she posted some great market information -- what editors are looking for now. Check it out here:
http://pubrants.blogspot.com/
I keep up with this blog by Kristin Nelson, of the Kristin Nelson Literary Association. Yesterday, she posted some great market information -- what editors are looking for now. Check it out here:
http://pubrants.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 8, 2008
BY MJR. MORON:
My WIP is going really well. I doubt I'll finish it before the end of the month (I'm trying to finish it for NaNoWriMo) but I'm pretty happy with my progress. Here's a clip...
Light spilled out as the door swung open and silhouetted in the brightness stood the only relative I’d ever met: Uncle Titus. He was big. Tall and wide, but not fat. Just muscley, like a man who’d made his living pounding nails or busting concrete. He was also silent. After looking us over for a minute or two, he took Mom’s suitcase, stepped aside and motioned us in.
I don’t know what I expected…maybe a lot of beer cans and newspapers and microwave dinner trays. But the house was … I guess you’d say neat. Neat as a pin. Pillows on the couch, an afghan folded over a rocking chair, a cup of coffee next to a thick book.
“Exactly like I remember it,” Mom said.
Uncle Titus was still holding her suitcase. In the light, I could see he was pretty old, like maybe sixty, and kind of bald on top. I just couldn’t get over how big he was. The suitcase looked like a lunchbox in his hands. I stepped closer to Mom; she seemed awfully small next to the guy and he still hadn’t said anything. Maybe he didn’t know we were coming. Maybe he was mad.
But then he smiled.
I’ve never seen anything like that smile. Big and scary as he was, that smile made you want to go up and give him a hug. It made you want to laugh out loud. It was like everything that had ever made me happy, all rolled together. I couldn’t help but smile back.
My WIP is going really well. I doubt I'll finish it before the end of the month (I'm trying to finish it for NaNoWriMo) but I'm pretty happy with my progress. Here's a clip...
Light spilled out as the door swung open and silhouetted in the brightness stood the only relative I’d ever met: Uncle Titus. He was big. Tall and wide, but not fat. Just muscley, like a man who’d made his living pounding nails or busting concrete. He was also silent. After looking us over for a minute or two, he took Mom’s suitcase, stepped aside and motioned us in.
I don’t know what I expected…maybe a lot of beer cans and newspapers and microwave dinner trays. But the house was … I guess you’d say neat. Neat as a pin. Pillows on the couch, an afghan folded over a rocking chair, a cup of coffee next to a thick book.
“Exactly like I remember it,” Mom said.
Uncle Titus was still holding her suitcase. In the light, I could see he was pretty old, like maybe sixty, and kind of bald on top. I just couldn’t get over how big he was. The suitcase looked like a lunchbox in his hands. I stepped closer to Mom; she seemed awfully small next to the guy and he still hadn’t said anything. Maybe he didn’t know we were coming. Maybe he was mad.
But then he smiled.
I’ve never seen anything like that smile. Big and scary as he was, that smile made you want to go up and give him a hug. It made you want to laugh out loud. It was like everything that had ever made me happy, all rolled together. I couldn’t help but smile back.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Math Adventure Submissions for charlesbridge Publishing
I got these guidelines from Randi Rivers today. They are not posted on the Charlesbridge Publishing Website. So all you picture book writers...get busy writing picture book with math themes!
Cheers,
Sharon
Charlesbridge Publishing
Math Adventure Guidelines
We are currently looking for stories involving the “big ideas” of math. Stories should be non-rhyming, thirty-two-page picture books, or two thousand to three thousand words for children to read independently at ages 8–12.
The Story
The story should work on its own because of its characters, humor, and/or fascinating story line. It should be as appealing and engaging as any good, non-mathematical story.
Along these lines, the characters must be believable and well-developed. The main character, preferably a kid, should be someone readers can understand and care about.
As in any good story, there should be a central problem or conflict—one that matters to both characters and readers. The strongest problems are those that the main character needs to solve for personal reasons.
The Math Concept
Just because “the math concept” has been given its own section, don’t let that fool you! The math concept must be integrated with the story concept; it needs to be a natural part of the main character’s discovery as he or she tries to achieve the goal or solve the problem at the core of the story. A series of word problems or computation problems is not interesting.
No one should be doing calculations in the story, or giving lectures about math. Solving the problem should require an understanding of a math concept. We want the story to be on a conceptual level.
Some of the concepts that interest us are proportion, size, length, area, probability, sequence and change, logic and proof, tessellations, hierarchical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and dot patterns. In general, we are interested in mathematical thinking.
This mathematical concept needs a human element. Readers understand better when the emphasis is on the discovery of the concept.
Last but not least, the concept ought to be used in an exciting or playful way. Math is fun. Humor helps!
We do not accept electronic submissions. Manuscripts should be sent via standard mail. Include a SASE with sufficient postage if you want your manuscript returned. Submissions should be sent to: Math Adventure Editor, Charlesbridge Publishing, 85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
Cheers,
Sharon
Charlesbridge Publishing
Math Adventure Guidelines
We are currently looking for stories involving the “big ideas” of math. Stories should be non-rhyming, thirty-two-page picture books, or two thousand to three thousand words for children to read independently at ages 8–12.
The Story
The story should work on its own because of its characters, humor, and/or fascinating story line. It should be as appealing and engaging as any good, non-mathematical story.
Along these lines, the characters must be believable and well-developed. The main character, preferably a kid, should be someone readers can understand and care about.
As in any good story, there should be a central problem or conflict—one that matters to both characters and readers. The strongest problems are those that the main character needs to solve for personal reasons.
The Math Concept
Just because “the math concept” has been given its own section, don’t let that fool you! The math concept must be integrated with the story concept; it needs to be a natural part of the main character’s discovery as he or she tries to achieve the goal or solve the problem at the core of the story. A series of word problems or computation problems is not interesting.
No one should be doing calculations in the story, or giving lectures about math. Solving the problem should require an understanding of a math concept. We want the story to be on a conceptual level.
Some of the concepts that interest us are proportion, size, length, area, probability, sequence and change, logic and proof, tessellations, hierarchical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and dot patterns. In general, we are interested in mathematical thinking.
This mathematical concept needs a human element. Readers understand better when the emphasis is on the discovery of the concept.
Last but not least, the concept ought to be used in an exciting or playful way. Math is fun. Humor helps!
We do not accept electronic submissions. Manuscripts should be sent via standard mail. Include a SASE with sufficient postage if you want your manuscript returned. Submissions should be sent to: Math Adventure Editor, Charlesbridge Publishing, 85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.
Recommend Reading From Chautauqua Faculty Members
Last night, amidst the election excitement, I compiled a list of recommended books from the workshops I attended at Chautauqua. My list includes the title, in some cases the author, who recommended the book, and in some cases why they recommended the book. I don't know about your guys, but I am keeping a running record of all the books I have read since Chautauqua. I am up to 15...Remember I had a brain lapse when I moved. I wonder if our resident techno genius can give us each a spot on our blog to keep track of the number of books we each have read????
Happy Reading Wadettes!
Sharon
Recommended book list from Chautauqua
Bring Back the Deer (Neil)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (Kim—Johnny like story)
Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (Peter Jacobi)
The Flight of the Doves
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Patti)
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Patti Gauch)
Tea Party Today by Eileen Spinelli
Hobbit (Patti Gauch)
The Writer’s Journey by Chris Vogler
The Great King by Susan Cooper (Patti Gauch)
Midwife’s Apprentice
A Letter in the Wind by Neil Waldman
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman (Tracy Gates edited)
The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaefer (“ “)
The Name Jar by Yangssook Choi (””)
Llama Llama Red Pajama books by Anna Dedney (“”)
Lissy’s Friends by Grace Lin (“”)
Thank You Bear & Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley (“”)
Only Emma books by Sally Warner (“”)
The winning Season by Rich Wallace (“”)
Mirror, Morro by Harrison (“”)
The Hero by Ron Woods (“”)
Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace (“”)(recommended by Kim Griswell-setting)
James town 1607 by Elisa Carbone (“”)
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson (“”)
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (“”)
(NF) Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney (“”)
Up Close Series by Rachel Carson& Thurgood Marshall (“”)
The Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula Leguin (Patti Gauch—best ever fantasy)
The Ancient One & The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron (Patti Gauch)
Highway Cats by Janet Lisle (Patti Gauch—didactic story)
Ringer by Spinelli (Patti Gauch)
Bread and Roses Too by Patterson (Kim Griswell—homelessness-setting)
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli (Kim Griswell-setting)
A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (Kim Griswell-setting)
Lionboy by Zizou Corder (Kim Griswell-setting)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (Kim Griswell-setting)
Shabanu and Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples (Kim Griswell- setting)
There’s and Owl in the Shower by jean Craighead George (Kim Griswell–setting)
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Kim Griswell–setting)
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerly (Kim Griswell-setting)
Now It Is Winter by Eileen Spinelli (Kim Griswell-setting)
Edna by Robert Burleigh (Kim Griswell –setting)
The Crystal heart: A Vietnamese Legend by Aaron Shepard (Kim Griswell-setting)
All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (Kim Griswell-setting)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Kim Griswell-setting)
Pokey Puppy (Clay Winters)
Tarzan (Clay Winters)
Tale of Two Cities (Clay Winters-this book caused Clay to love reading,)
The Craft of Interviewing by John Brady (Andy Boyles)
Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic NF by Jon Franklin (Andy Boyles)
On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Andy Boyles)
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen (Andy Boyles)
Happy Reading Wadettes!
Sharon
Recommended book list from Chautauqua
Bring Back the Deer (Neil)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (Kim—Johnny like story)
Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson (Peter Jacobi)
The Flight of the Doves
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Patti)
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Patti Gauch)
Tea Party Today by Eileen Spinelli
Hobbit (Patti Gauch)
The Writer’s Journey by Chris Vogler
The Great King by Susan Cooper (Patti Gauch)
Midwife’s Apprentice
A Letter in the Wind by Neil Waldman
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman (Tracy Gates edited)
The Squiggle by Carole Lexa Schaefer (“ “)
The Name Jar by Yangssook Choi (””)
Llama Llama Red Pajama books by Anna Dedney (“”)
Lissy’s Friends by Grace Lin (“”)
Thank You Bear & Don’t Worry Bear by Greg Foley (“”)
Only Emma books by Sally Warner (“”)
The winning Season by Rich Wallace (“”)
Mirror, Morro by Harrison (“”)
The Hero by Ron Woods (“”)
Wrestling Sturbridge by Rich Wallace (“”)(recommended by Kim Griswell-setting)
James town 1607 by Elisa Carbone (“”)
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson (“”)
The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt (“”)
(NF) Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney (“”)
Up Close Series by Rachel Carson& Thurgood Marshall (“”)
The Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula Leguin (Patti Gauch—best ever fantasy)
The Ancient One & The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron (Patti Gauch)
Highway Cats by Janet Lisle (Patti Gauch—didactic story)
Ringer by Spinelli (Patti Gauch)
Bread and Roses Too by Patterson (Kim Griswell—homelessness-setting)
Breath by Donna Jo Napoli (Kim Griswell-setting)
A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer (Kim Griswell-setting)
Lionboy by Zizou Corder (Kim Griswell-setting)
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (Kim Griswell-setting)
Shabanu and Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples (Kim Griswell- setting)
There’s and Owl in the Shower by jean Craighead George (Kim Griswell–setting)
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (Kim Griswell–setting)
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerly (Kim Griswell-setting)
Now It Is Winter by Eileen Spinelli (Kim Griswell-setting)
Edna by Robert Burleigh (Kim Griswell –setting)
The Crystal heart: A Vietnamese Legend by Aaron Shepard (Kim Griswell-setting)
All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (Kim Griswell-setting)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Kim Griswell-setting)
Pokey Puppy (Clay Winters)
Tarzan (Clay Winters)
Tale of Two Cities (Clay Winters-this book caused Clay to love reading,)
The Craft of Interviewing by John Brady (Andy Boyles)
Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic NF by Jon Franklin (Andy Boyles)
On Writing Well by William Zinsser (Andy Boyles)
Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen (Andy Boyles)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Susan's Workspace
I write at the dining room table. I should write in the office, but I don't because the dog barks when I sit in the office because she can't come in that room (she chews my books). The sad thing is, I actually have to move all my books, folders, laptop, etc. back and forth between the dining room and the office, because if I leave them on the dining room table unattended, the dog will chew them. With my first big royalties check, I'm going to put a door on the office so I can sit in there and she can't see me. That's my dream!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Link to Amy's Story
http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/ComingHome.aspx
This is the link to my story, Coming Home, which is in Stories for Children this month.
Also--Waddettes--please note I've made a list for each of you to the right to post your current submittals. Just click on the tools below your list and you'll be able to edit it as needed.
This is the link to my story, Coming Home, which is in Stories for Children this month.
Also--Waddettes--please note I've made a list for each of you to the right to post your current submittals. Just click on the tools below your list and you'll be able to edit it as needed.
Amy's Messy Nest
Here's my desk. I spend most of my day here--designing houses, writing and trying to satisfy my email addiction. My day starts about 8:30, after I get Xander off to school. I check email, visit my favorite writing websites, update Facebook or post something to my personal blog. Then I get started on the architecture work. If I have a light day of work, I might do some writing after lunch or (as I've been doing lately) pull together a submittal for an editor or agent. My day ends at 2:45, when I get ready to pick Xander up from school. After that, it's homework, then dinner. Then, I head back up to check email and visit my favorite writing websites...AGAIN...unless I have a meeting, a soccer game, a volleyball game, a get together or (my favorite evening activity) critique group!
In the file cabinet next to my desk, the top drawer holds all my writing files. I also keep a binder next to my desk that tracks my submittals, rejections, comments and estimated response times. I don't do a lot of plotting or planning for any of my books. I usually brainstorm ideas, characters, settings and events on a blank word document. After I fill about two pages, I'm usually inspired enough to start writing the first few chapters. It's usually around chapter three that I stop and decide that the book is going nowhere and I suck at writing. That's when I reassess, figure out what's working and write a chapter by chapter synopsis of how the remaining chapters will go.
Tess likes to keep words around her; I like to keep images and photos of people and places that evoke strong feelings. Right now, I have a bunch of photos of a 1957 Jewel travel trailer (inside & out) because that's what the main character in my current WIP lives in.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's writing rooms.
From Where I Sit...Tess' work room
My friends always raise an eyebrow when they come into my office. Words, ideas, phrases and research are all taped up to the wall in a messy hodge podge of paper and painters tape. My husband calls it my war room. It is an idea I got from Graham Salisbury (Scott O Dell award winner for 'Under the Blood Red Sun'). He taught that no one owns a word and you can use cool words to fuel your writing. A few on my wall right now include lanky, hydrangeas, bald faced liar, coil and heaven help them. I use these words to fuel ideas and new phrases in my writing. I also like having my research right up where I can see it without having to look it up in a binder. I wish you could see the bright pink wild rose bushes out of my window - but had the blinds closed in this shot. Oh well. Hey - here is my challenge:
Where do you write from? Post a picture so we can all envision you being a creative genius!
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