Archive for May, 2007
9 Things I Know for Sure
I love children/s literature. It’s the best of the best of writing that’s out there.
Those who get published are not always the best writers and storytellers.
I hate to revise. Novel revision or picturebook revision–they are both hard. But it’s the only way I can get a publishable mss.
One of the best moments in life is [...]
$1000 for an article?
by Darcy Pattison
7th graders getting paid $1000 for an article? Why not? Here’s a 13 year old CEO!
First Lines contest at Editorial Anonymous has announced winners in several categories (see the links on the right side).
Little Brown editor reports on the IRA convention in Toronto.
Booksquare weighs in on the S&S Reversions Rights [...]
S&S Reacts to Objections
This is the update that the Author’s Guild sent out about the Simon & Schuster proposed contract regarding the reversion clause. A quick update on Simon & Schuster’s rights grab:
S&S has fallen back some, now saying they’ll negotiate regarding the reversion of rights clause “on a book-by-book basis.” They also accuse us of an “overreaction.”
Their [...]
Voice Friday: Word Sounds
Voice Friday: Word Choices
Voice Friday: Word Connotations
Voice Friday: Word Sounds
One last posting on how words affect voice–though these thoughts on words will echo throughout any discussion of voice.
Newbery winner, Paul Fleischman says, “. . . the sounds of the words on the page, I would like to argue, are as worthy of a writer?s attention [...]
Author’s Guild v. S&S
The Author’s Guild sent this message to its members on 5/17/07.
I’d be glad to discuss contracts in general, but specific questions about this issue should be directed to the Author’s Guild.
“Simon & Schuster has changed its standard contract language in an attempt to retain exclusive control of books even after they have gone out [...]
Revising Outlines
by Darcy Pattison
One of my current projects is working on a synopses and outlines for a proposed series, both of which are used in marketing of a series. A friend said that one of the proposed outlines didn’t seem like it was enough for a full book, but just a major scene in a book. [...]
Orphaned Manuscripts
by Darcy Pattison
I’ve Been Orphaned: Now What?
One universally dreaded experience is when an editor calls to tell you that s/he is moving to a different publisher, or leaving the business.
This has happened to me four times: twice, young women decided to stay home with new babies; once, a family moved out of the NYC area [...]
Audience Considerations
This week, I’m thinking about audience as I revise my teacher resource book. Teachers are a new audience for me and I?m grateful for the editor for this project, who has lots of experience with teachers. Oh, I get aggravated when she sends back a section–yet, again–for a couple of minor fixes. Yet, I am [...]
MD and IRA awards
A big congratulations to two friends. Dori Butler has won the 2006-7 Maryland Black Eyed Susan Children’s Book Award for the best novel for Grades 4-6. This children’s choice award goes to Trading Places with Tank Talbot. A great read, there’s a sequel and with a possibility of even more from Tank and [...]
Voice Friday: Word Connotations
Voice Friday: Word Choices
Voice Friday: Word Connotations
Voice Friday: Word Sounds
A professional writer must be a lover of words. It is the basis of their craft. We know about the definition of words, what words mean. Today, I want to talk about connotations of words.
Connotations Speaking to Connotations
John Ciardi and Miller Williams in How Does a [...]
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