WORKSHOP - How to Enter Your Book into Award Contests.

You've written your book, fine tuned it with help from your crit group, and now it is finally published.  You'd love to have your book win an award - right? But how do you go about choosing a legitimate competition + the right one for your book?


Author and Workshop Queen, Donna McDine will help you add that final, award icing to your cake.

 Sign up for the

Second Writer's Workshop on:

How to Enter Your Children’s Book into Award Contests
with Award-winning author, Donna McDine

The world of book award contests is immense, and the wealth of information cannot be covered in one workshop, so please mark your calendar and join us at the Working Writer’s Club on Thursday, December 15 at 11 am CST, for the second workshop given by multi-award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine.

Here’s the scoop on this two-part LIVE

Writer’s Workshop at the
Working Writers Club

 Cost:  FREE for Working Writer’s Club Members                          

      $19.97 for Non-club members (includes both sessions)
     Description: 2x  55-minute writers workshop.

First Workshop Attendees learned. . .

·         The importance of entering book award contests

·         Where and how to research contests

·         How far in advance should you research the contest

·         How to prepare your contest entry

·         To pay or not to pay an entry fee

In the second Workshop

On Thursday, December 15, 11:00 a.m. CDT

Donna will discuss the following:

·         Estimating how many books you need on hand

·         Author copies from your publisher, negotiate with your publisher

·         Determining your budget

·         The importance of having a prepared hard copy media kit and website presence

·         Do contests payoff in the end

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Not a Working Writer’s Club member? Register at the Working Writer’s Club http://www.workingwritersclub.com/events-2 for both sessions of “How to Enter Your Children’s Book into Award Contests” and receive an email invitation to this live event, PLUS the replay the day after for just $19.97.

 

Visit the Working Writer’s Club, and become a Facebook Fan today at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Working-Writers-Club/221038321276421. By becoming a Facebook Fan it will ensure that you are updated on all of the valuable resources and articles at The Working Writer’s Club.  
 

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About Donna McDine:

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78^th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions, Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader ~ The Golden Pathway. 

Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has three more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, and A Sandy Grave. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Working Writer’s Club, and owner of Author PR Services from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI.

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Give BOOKS this Holiday Season!
http://www.margotfinke.com

===============================

HOLIDAY BOOK GIVEAWAY !

TWO
Holiday Season
FREEBY Book DEALS

That will make YOUR KIDS happy!

READING
a
Magic Carpet Ride
to
FUN, ADVENTURE and LEARNING

Go to 
Margot's Magic Carpet
.to leave your answer

NOTE
If you haven't read "Taconi and Claude,"
just GOOGLE the words!

OR

BUY any BOOK
from my website

and get a
FREE COPY
of my fun, eBook adventure for kids
+
I will AUTOGRAPH each book.

Written especially to celebrate the WOW factor
that gets kids READING!


TWO FREE BOOK DEALS YOUR KIDS WILL
LOVE!



******************************************
Give BOOKS this  Holiday Season
******************************************


* Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

* Margot's Magic Carpet
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/




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HOOK KIDS on READING

HOOK KIDS on READING

A CELEBRATION of Picture Book Month

Picture Books
Are Childhood Treasures.

 

Let's Celebrate Picture Book Month
with a look at new picture books out NOW!

We all have memories of favorites, told to us while we snuggled in bed,
begging for just one more story.

It doesn't matter if  the story is in a paper book, on
Kindle, Nook,  or some other e-reader.
OR
You make up a hairy adventure
right off the top of your head?

READ TO YOUR KIDS!

It's the STORY that matters
not the mode of delivery. . .

SO. . .

Here is a list of  Picture Books worthy of being
  Childhood Treasures for your family.

*Mostly Monsterly
Author:  Tammi Sauer

(Simon & Schuster) Scholastic Parent & Child Best Book of 2010
2011 winner of the Oklahoma Book Award
2011 winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award
Scholastic "Time to Read with Just-Right Books for K-2" Editor's Pick

www.tammisauer.com

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*Stella the Fire Farting Dragon

Author:  J. Aday Kennedy

Illustrations:  Jack Foster

Guardian Angel Publishing

 www.jadaykennedy.com

 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616330511/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
 

**********************

*Frankie's Perfect Home

Author : Beverly Stowe McClure
 Illustrator:  Alexander Morris
Guardian Angel Publishing

http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/66cccmr

**********************

Gingerbread Man Superhero!

Author:  Dotti Enderle

Illustrator:  Joe Kulka

Pelican Publishing

http://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Man-Superhero-Dotti-Enderle/dp/1589805216/

ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320534043&sr=1-11

www.dottienderle.com

**********************

*Lucy’s Purple Pullover

Author/Illustrator:  Kavitha Punniyamurthi  
Guardian Angel Publishing

http://kavithapunniyamurthi.weebly.com/
 http://lucyspurplepullover.blogspot.com/

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Lucys-Purple-Pullover-Kavitha-Punniyamurthi/dp/1616330759

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*Shoes for Me!

Author:  Sue Fliess

Illustrator:  Mike Laughead
Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

 www.suefliess.com

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/sSywKK

**********************

*Horatio Humble Beat the Big (dyslexia)

Author: Margot Finke

Illustrator: Ellen Gurak

Guardian Angel Publishing

http://www.margotfinke.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Horatio-Humble-Beats-Big-D/dp/1616331011/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320895959&sr=1-1

Powell’s Books:  http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=1616331305

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*Cowboy James

Author:  Mary Jean Kelso
Illustrator: K.C. Snider
Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso
Amazon:

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/cowboy-james.htm

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* Mr. Pish's Woodland Adventure

 Author/Illustrator:  K. S. Brooks

 Cambridge Books (2011)

          

http://www.MrPish.com

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Pishs-Woodland-Adventure-Pish/dp/1594318867/

**********************

*One Pelican at a Time

Author: Nancy Stewart        
Illustrator:  Samantha Bell

Guardian Angel Publishing

 www.nancystewartbooks.com

 http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/    

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Autographed copies can be purchased at both my web and blog sites.

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*The Wise Old Tortoise and the Monkey

Author: Dr Vukani G. Nyirenda

Illustrator: Ivy Marie Apa

Publisher: Xlibris Publishing

 http://www.kalimatundutales.com

Sales: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Book Depository

**********************

 

*Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish

Author: Janet Halfmann
Illustrator: Joan Paley
Publisher:  Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt

http:/www.janethalfmann.com   

Amazon: 

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Sea-Day-Life-Starfish/dp/0805090738/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320543853&sr=1-2

**********************

* Little Shepherd

Author: Cheryl Malandrinos
IIllustrator: Eugene Ruble
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing

http://ccmalandrinos.com
Amazon: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/little-shepherd.htm

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*Signs of Trouble

Author:  Janet Ann Collins

Illustrator: Jack Foster

Guardian Angel Publishing

 www.janetanncollins.com

 Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Signs-Trouble-Janet-Ann-Collins/dp/1616331119/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320856998&sr=1-1

 **********************

*Penelope the Purple Pirate

Author:  Melissa Northway
Illustrator: Paul Johnson

Polka Dots Publishing

 www.melissanorthway.com

 AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Penelope-Purple-Pirate-Melissa-Northway/dp/0615473911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1304921124&sr=8-1

 **********************

 *A Necklace For Jiggsy  

Author /Illustrator - Kit Grady

Guardian Angel Publishing

www.kitgrady.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Necklace-Jiggsy-Kit-Grady/dp/1616330910 http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/jiggsy.htm

 **********************

*Animal Sound Mix-up

Authors - Connie Arnold and Kit Grady

Guardian Angel Publishing

http://www.childrenbooks.webs.com
http://childrensauthorconniearnold.blogspot.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Sound-Mix-up-Connie-Arnold/dp/161633083X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320845908&sr=1-1

**********************

Prairie Storms
Author: Darcy Pattison
illustrator:  Kathleen Rietz
Published by Sylvan Dell Publishing

www.darcypattison.com

Amazon - hardcover
http://www.amazon.com/Prairie-Storms-Darcy-Pattison/dp/1607181290/

Spanish Edition on Kindle: :Las tormentas de la pradera
http://www.amazon.com/Las-tormentas-pradera-Spanish-ebook/dp/B005GR3SHO/
**********************

*Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep

Author: Kathy Stemke
Illustrator: Jack Foster
Guardian angel Publishing

http://shshshletthebabysleep
Amazon:  http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/shshsh.htm

 **********************

*Frankie's Perfect Home

Author: Beverly Stowe McClure
Illustrator:  Alexander Morris
Guardian Angel Publishing

 http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/66cccmr
 **********************

That's IT mates

Now, go click those links, and enjoy the funny, delightful,
and and oh so wonderful illustrations.

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BOOKS for KIDS

Manuscript Critiques

Margot's Magic Carpet

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RHYMING RUMBLE - How to write rhyme and meter that doesn't suck!

Okay, Mates, I'm on a Rumble 

about
Rhyme and Meter

Why are so many people convinced they can write wonderful rhyming stories?

BEATS ME!

A bunch of the manuscripts that land on my critique desk are picture books written in rhyme and meter.  I'm afraid many of them fail the "3" test.  These are the three basic ingredients for a delightfully rhyming picture book:

            A great story, smooth meter, and

            rhyming words that REALLY fit the story.

I write rhyming picture books myself  - 10 of them actually. Yet I really can't take credit for my rhyming talent.  You see, when the rhyme and meter gene was being handed out,  I suspect I slipped in for a second helping.  And over the years, I discovered that writing in rhyme and meter is similar to singing in key.  You either hit the high notes with ease, or you slide around them - hit or miss. 

 So if you can write awesome stories in plain text, why get an ulcer, or tear out your hair, trying to master the elusive art of words that rhyme and meter that flows.   Trust me - there are less angst ridden ways to torture yourself!

STOP PRESS!
Editors do not hate stories written in rhyme.

They simply hate all those rhyming manuscripts,
with really lousy rhyme and meter,
that hit their desks.

SO . . .

You still long to join the Rhyming Rumble - gene spliced or not?

Then for those masochists determined to bleed or go bald,
here are my tips for hopefully creating
rhyming stories that don't suck!

* The first thing to remember is that you need a great story.  Cool
   rhyme and meter only win accolades when they blend into a terrific
   story.  The story also needs to HOOK a child’s interest, and be
   easily understood.

* Counting the syllables in each line helps you write smooth and even
   meter. Every first line should have close to the same syllable count –
   no more than one difference - either way.

* Note where the stress words fall as you read the lines out loud. 
  They should fall in the same places as those on the corresponding
   line in your first verse.

* Keep the mufti-syllable words in roughly the same place in every
   line of each verse.

* The rhyming words must fit the story and move it on to the next
    level.  

* When you or someone else reads it out loud, wherever you stumble
   suspect a meter problem.

* Choose a verse that has perfect meter, print it out, and make it your
   "blueprint."  Compare the meter in each new verse you write with
    that in the blueprint -  line for line.

And finally, visit the mistress of rhyme - 
Dori Chaconas

  
If Dori's two simple discourses on Writing Rhyme don't turn you
into a Shelley or a Keats,  quit while you still have 
a few drops of blood left and some
stray hairs on your head.

And, just for a giggle, my ODE to rhyme and meter:

    Rhyme and Meter Rumble. . .
    Ahaaaaaa!

    There are people who think rhyme is easy to churn.
    They know all the answers - they don't want to learn.
    They think rhyming stories are done in a flash.
    No need for a rewrite: "How dare you say trash!"

    The brash and unruly don't search for strong verbs,
    Their tired old adjectives pop up in herds.
    But editors know that a rhyme flies on wings
    That lifts up the reader with meter that sings.

    Their syllable count is way off -- for the birds!
    Why bother to count, or weed the dumb words.
   Yet when tart rejection slips paper their walls,
   It begins to sink in -- meter's not found at malls.

    But to weave a great story with meter and plot,
    Interesting characters, setting, the lot,
    Takes talent and patience, and three things quite rare -
    A dash of sheer brilliance, hard work, and care.

    The plot and the characters live in your head,
    And problems galore get you out of your bed.
    If you keep the poor meter that doesn't quite fit,
    Will you get a rejection instead of a hit?

    The words that rhyme easy, but don't help the plot,
    Make editors crazy -- they see this a lot.
    Rhyme needs to blend in, so a story can glide:
    Cool fun and action, on a rhyme/meter tide

    There'll be nit-picking nights, thesaurus in hand.
    Daytime dilemmas -- will it rhyme like you planned?
    And, who stole the words that fit your last line?
    You tear out your hair, and chug down some wine

    Like honey that flows from a summer-warmed hive,
    Story and meter must be golden to thrive.
    The characters perfect, the rhyme must fit well.
    All blended together -- a pleasure to tell.

    Yes, rhyme for a quick note IS done in a flash,
    But if you crave editors offering cash,
    Please, put in the time, and the sweat, and the tears.
    And you could be published in oh . . .  say ten years!

********************* 

*************************

* Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques

* Margot's Magic Carpet

* Virtual School Visits

  

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EDITING for Self Publishers + the Gentle Art of a Professional Critique.

 Let me introduce you to the gentle
art of Professional Critiquing. . .

 For more in-depth details: 
Manuscript Critique Services

************************************

What follows is for those considering

self-publishing:

 When you self-publish, you do not have access to the FREE editing services provided by a traditional publisher.   You must PAY for EDITING.   A good professional edit means a quality book that has a fine chance of garnering glowing reviews. . . . plus SALES!

First, join an online critique group for the genre you write, and pick their brains. Crit groups will also know the reviewers, bloggers, and best places to promote your book.  Most successful authors today work with other writers of their genre, and offer each other feedback and support. Online writing groups usually have many private crit groups formed among their members; 4-6 writers who support and advise each other regarding their manuscripts.  They can often tell you if the publisher you chose is legititimale or NOT.


After your crit group agrees your manuscript is as good as you can make it, have your book professionally edited. No one can successfully self-edit their own book for self-publication. You need a fresh professional eye that knows how to spot plot weaknesses, typos, and characters that are not rich and powerful. A pro edit is expensive, but it makes all the difference between an amateur attempt, and a book that sells.

It takes time to build a platform and find the right contacts and places to promote your book. You have to master the art of tight and terrific Press Releases, set up a great blog that lists your book, cover, and where and how it can be purchased + plus add regular information about yourself and where you will be promoting it. Search out local book stores that will let you do signings. Research book fairs and other events where you and your book will be welcome.

Contact Newspapers, bookstores, TV and radio in your area, and try for interviews and pictures of your book. Those online groups I mentioned earlier can help you find the right place to host a Virtual Tour for you and your book - lots of interviews, pictures and reviews of your book go into these Virtual tours, but you have to find the right company to set it up.

 We writers tend to be insestuous - we promote among other writers.  This is good - up to a point.  However you need to get known to the ordinary buying public.  A good Virtual Tour will also have access to  places where buyers of books hang out. They will make sure your interviews, reviews  and Press Releases go to the right blogs, newspapers and radio stations.  You will pay for a Virtual Book tour like this, but it will preach to those who might buy your book - not just those who already know you write books.

Get known as a writer of a specific genre on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and other sites that are book related in general. Networking is the name of the game. It takes time to build a following, brand yourself as a writer, and discover the right places to promote yourself and your book. It takes time, money, and LOTS of energy to successfully promote a book.

I know. I had three new books published early this year, and I am still running the Promo Game like a crazy lady - and mine were traditionally published!!

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

Virtual School Visits
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

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REVIEW - Trouble on Earth Day

I don't usually do reviews, but this new picture book
by Kathy Stemke spoke to the GREEN in me.

As parents, we teach our kids about many things.  Yet our "actions" will speak louder than all the nagging words we throw at them.  This new picture book of Kathy's has kids and parents working together for a greener and more reusable and recyclable world.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

****************** 

Trouble on Earth Day -
Picture Book – soft cover

Author - Kathy Stemke

Publisher – Wild Plains Press

Illustrations – Kurt Wilcken

Earth Day projects modeled by: Eamon Monaghan and Summer Dodd

ISBN: 978-1-936021-36-9 

Amazon:

Author’s Den:  

 

Kathy Stemke is a writer of talent and imagination, and her squirrel characters in Trouble on Earth Day are delightfully written. Illustrator Kurt Wilcken gives the family a cute and cuddly feel – just right for a story that teaches kids that “green” is great. 

When daughter Shelby wins the Earth Day poster competition, things around their tree house change FAST. The words RETHINK – REUSE and RECYCLE, featured on Shelby’s winning poster, become the squirrel family’s motto. Shelby explains it all to her bewildered parents. And when it comes to reusing, Shelby discovers her mom is no slouch. Even a sad bluebird learns about recycling from this engaging young squirrel.

This cute story is a wonderful way for young kids to learn how to reuse and recycle – and make it FUN. And at the back of the book you’ll discover a HUGE bonus of games, “green” information, and crafty  ways to reuse and recycle everything; from nylons to old CDs. 

Kathy Stemke makes going “green” way cool. 

 This is another of Kathy's delightful picture books.
View it HERE

Kathy Stemke
Freelance Writer/Author/Educator

Sign up for her FREE monthly newsletter:
Movement and Rhythm

===========================

Books - Manuscript Critiques


BLOGS:
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MUSE Conference - ADVICE that ROCKS!

I have just completed a fantastically busy
and rewarding week .

I ran the
HOOK an Editor With Your First Page - Workshop
+ afternoon Q and A chat sessions.

 all for
The MUSE Online Writing Conference. 

This FREE Conference comes around once each year in early October.  It is a chance to take workshops in many aspects of writing for adults or children, book promotion, or pitch your book to an editor.  

ALL for FREE!

The quality of the writing I saw this year was way up,
and I read and enjoyed some awesome first pages  -

 with great HOOKS.

What follows is one of the areas I talked about with the many talented
and dedicated writers who came daily to my workshops.

What to expec when you get a
PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE

I want to let you know what I do as a Professional Critiquer.  It is NOT my job to edit your writing.  If you want to write and publish books, you must come to it with a good knowledge of grammar and punctuation. And if it's been a few decades since you had your knuckles rapped in Ms Writeit's class, then take a refresher course in the basics.

A good edit should be provided by the publisher that accepts your book.  It is their job to give your plot and characters a final OK,  and to nit-pick your grammar and punctuation -
NOT MINE.

A profesional critique should happen before you send your manuscript to the publisher, or before you self-publish.  My job entails nit-picking plot weaknesses and limp characters.  It means nagging you about the need to FOCUS on what is important, and leave those WAFFLES on the breakfast table.  We provide a clean-up crew for weak verbs and constantly repeated words.  A professional critique might suggest you tighten, tighten, tighten your writing - and should offer copious examples on how to do this.  They also vacuum up weak words, and suggest you find stronger and more evocative and powerful alternatives.

A good critique will head off that dreaded side-track, offer a viable alternative, and suggest ways to polish and perfect your writing voice, and the voice of your main POV.  We answer questions support and encourage. All you, the writer  has to do, is provide the basic writing  knowledge mentioned above, talent, staying power, and then write, write, write.  A little LUCK is simply a wild card we all hope will fall into our laps.

A critique, whether professional or private, offers comments, suggestions, and examples for you to consider when you rewrite.  Bottom line: This is YOUR baby.  Others can advise and suggest, but the final choices about what to cut and what to leave are YOURS. As you gain confidence and experience, these decisions become far easier.

Joining a private Critique Group is also a terrific idea, no matter what you write or how you publish.  Networking among other writers, having their fresh view of your chapters, picking their brains, and sharing writing knowledge can only make your writing stronger, richer, and more polished.  These critiques are FREE, so is is wise to let your crit group run through your chapters before you spend hard earned cash on a professional review.  The more suggestions, comments and examples your book needs, the longer it will take a professional to do -  and her time is YOUR money.

NOTE:

A word of caution. When you look for a private group to read your MS, or someone as a crit partner, make sure they write the same genre as yourself. Each genre, from children's books to erotic fantasy have their own particular needs and quirks. Only someone who writes and publishes in a similar genre to yours can really offer helpful and accurate feedback. If you do form a group, make sure there are some advanced or published members. This avoids the blind-leading-the-blind into complete confusion!

I have been with my critique group for 10 years. I can honestly say that I would never have been published without their feedback and great support.

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Books - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

BLOGS:
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