Twitter Pitch, Anthology Contest Winners, and Blurb Contest Results

First of all, don't forget, the IWSG Twitter Pitch event, is happening on January 20th. 

Create a Twitter-length pitch for your completed and polished manuscript and leave room for genre, age, and the hashtag. On January 20, Tweet your pitch. If your pitch receives a favorite/heart from a publisher/agent check their submission guidelines and send your requested query.

If your new year's resolution is to see your book published, the IWSG is here to help! Many writers have seen their books published from a Twitter pitch - it’s a quick and easy way to put your manuscript in front of publishers and agents. 

For more information, check out the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J.
Cavanaugh. Again, that website is: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Secondly, you can also see the results of the yearly IWSG anthology contest there. Congratulations to those ten authors who will have their short stories published in the anthology: Dark Matter: Artificial

Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

Finally, a short time ago I shared The QueryLetter.com Writing Contest, which just wrapped up. It was a huge success, with a total of 3,847 submissions!

They've announced the winner and runners up and posted the top 10 blurbs here: https://www.queryletter.com/post/announcing-the-winner-of-the-2020-queryletter-com-writing-contest

Since so many authors are working on their own blurbs, I thought you might like to view a few of their favorites. There's a lot to learn from these expertly crafted blurbs. Let me know what you think.

Are you participating in the Twitter Pitch> Did you submit to the anthology contest? Did you like the winning blurb? Which one interested you the most? Are you working on your own blurb?

June Scribbler Box

I just received my third box from Scribbler. You can learn about the April box, and why I subscribed here. Or you can learn about my May box here.

At first glance, I don't love it as much as the second box. Just as before, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a writing exercise postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice.

The first item after that was a bag of coffee. As I mentioned in April I don't drink coffee, but I do enjoy the smell of it so I will be passing this bag (which smells wonderful) to my husband.

Some other goodies included a coaster that reads "Rise & Write," four different bookmarks with pictures/quotes, and a "Reading Guide" notepad.

This months new release novel is STORM AND FURY by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The description for this one sounds mildly interesting. As usual, there is also an autograph plate, a revision letter from an editor, an exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author. 

This months theme was AUTHOR CAREER and the revision letter included was from a different novel by this author.

The monthly professional invitation is to chat with Natashya Wilson, executive editor for Inkyard Press. I absolutely love that this subscription service is connecting us to professionals in the field. I had to miss the last two months invitation to the live interaction due to work conflict, but have since caught the recording. I'll let you know how all three have gone soon.

I originally ordered a three month subscription, and I'm not sure about the long haul, but I will subscribe for a few more months to see what quality and variety they offer. To learn more about this service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?

May Scribbler Box

I just received my second box from Scribbler, and so far I love it even more than the first box! You can learn about the April box, and why I subscribed here.

This months box was full of interesting, useful, and fun items. Just as before, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a fun writing exercise postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice.

The first surprise was a package of old-fashioned hard candies called "Lemon Drops." I've never had them before, but I absolutely loved the flavor. My husband and I have been devouring them.

Some other goodies included a pin depicting a skull with a pencil in its mouth and the phrase "Write Your Wrongs," a red journal with a battery life symbol and the words "Loading Ideas," and a nonfiction book by Gail Carson Levine called Writer to Writer.

Then were the main reasons I joined this service: a new release novel, a revision letter from an editor, exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author. 

This months theme was CONTEMPORARY, and the selected novel is The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman. This book sounds really good, and I'm anxious to dive in after I complete my current read. The author also included an autograph plate, a pretty blue pencil with the title of her book, and an envelope with a writing project from the books publisher. The revision letter she included was from a different novel which is interesting.

The most exciting item included in this box is the invitation to chat with an Associate Director of Marketing for Berkley at Penguin House. I absolutely love that this subscription service is connecting us to professionals in the field. I had to miss the previous months invitation to the live interaction due to a work conflict, but I plan to access the recording soon. I'll let you know how that goes.

This is only my second box, but I am truly excited about the posibilities offered so far. To learn more about this service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?

My First Scribbler Box

In early March I wrote about my interest in a subscription box called Scribbler. You can read that post here.

After seeing invitations and videos for dozen of subscription services, this one really caught my attention. This month I decided to take the plunge and subscribe for three months to see if their claim was true.

The website asserts the box will help novelists do the three most important things: stay motivated, improve craft, and connect with writing professionals. Inside each box - curated "writerly" gifts, new release novel, a revision letter from an editor, exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author.

I just received my first box and am already excited by the possibilities and the plethora of goodies inside!

The first thing you see upon opening the box is a fun writing exercise postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice.

The first surprise, and the only item I didn't care for, was coffee flavored candy. While many writers love this beverage, I've never cared for the drink. I like the smell, probably since I grew up with it in the house, but I can't stand the flavor. So, I passed these on to my husband who claims they are "okay."

Some other surprises included cute pencils, each with a different day and mission emblazoned on it. One reads "On Mondays I Plot," one that reads "On Tuesdays I Write," one that reads "On Wednesdays I Drink," one that reads "On Thursdays I Edit," and  the final one reads, "On Fridays I Daydream." I also received an inkwell sticker, and a "Voice and POV Map."

Below that were the main reasons I joined this service: new release novel, a revision letter from an editor, exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author.

This months theme was VOICE, and the selected novel is Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds. While this is not a book I would have chosen for myself from a shelf, I'm curious to see how this unique idea plays out, as well as what the author can teach about voice.

The most exciting item included in this box is the invitation to chat with an executive editor at Harper Collins Publishers. I absolutely love that this subscription is connecting us to professionals in the field. 

Although this is my first box, and I haven't taken time yet to examine each item, I am excited already about the next shipment. To learn more: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?

7 Tips or Reminders for New and Seasoned Authors

Even if you’re self-publishing, it can be pretty difficult to get your material in front of readers. Publishers, agents, and editors are overwhelmed with thousands of manuscripts every year. With so much competition, how can you get your own work noticed, and then published?

1)      Educate Yourself – If you want to publish with a traditional publisher, get your hands on a current Writer’s Market (there is a general one, and many versions specific to each genre here) and then review works recently published by the company, or professional, you are looking into. Another great source when researching agents, editors, or publishers is Absolute Write.

2)      Follow Publishing Blogs – the metaphor “seeking a piece of the pie” still holds true in the writing industry, and the best way to do so is by studying those who have already received a slice. The best advice, lessons, and up-to-date information come from the people who work in the industry. So find a few favorite agents, editors, authors, and publisher blogs. Then follow them faithfully, but don’t allow them to overwhelm your own writing time. A few I recommend following are Rachelle Gardner, Jane Friedman, Chip MacGregor, The Insecure Writers Support Group, and Nathan Bransford. 

3)      Write a Great Proposal and Query – Many agents, editors, and publishers have specific goals of what they are seeking. Be sure to research their individual guidelines. However, if you want general lessons on how to write a manuscript proposal, check out this FREE download from Noah Lukeman here.

4)      Have Your Work Edited – Not many of us are capable of editing ourselves. So, whether it’s a friend who was an English major, fellow authors from your writers group, or a select group of beta readers, be sure to ask at least a few others to review your proposal, query, articles, or manuscripts. You might even consider hiring the services of a professional editor. Be sure to check out the free site Preditors & Editors, or the two sources mentioned in #1 so you know you are hiring a legitimate individual.

5)      Consider An Agent – Most of the larger and more traditional publishing houses will not review work unless it is submitted by an agent. However, there are many smaller presses, and open call periods which do not require you to be represented. Consider your goals for your manuscripts and then review the Writer’s Market or Absolute Write sites mentioned in #1 before deciding.

6)      Consider self-publishing – It’s not always the best choice, or even the easiest, but there are times when it is the right choice. For example, if you have a very specific and narrow target market, or if you just want to share shorter works in between full-length manuscripts, then this may be the choice for you. Hybrid authors (those who publish some works through traditional means, and some on their own) have become the norm. Need help deciding? Check out this article: Should You Self-Publish?

7)      Don’t Give Up – Even the most seasoned and successful authors struggle with bouts of frustration or self-doubt. We all go through periods of wanting to give up. Numerous rejections, family and work responsibilities, and so much more can slow down and interrupt your ability to create. Nothing worth having comes easily. As I reminded you last week, one of my favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill, "Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about."

What advice do you have for first-time or struggling authors?