September 2017

Arrival of My ARCs

Advanced reading copies. The famed ARCs. Also known as galleys, these are the first appearances of a novel into print. ARCs are used to introduce a book to reviewers, awards committees, and readers (with an eye to publicity and future purchases). But at their core, they share an author’s fictional world with a selectively chosen… Read more »

Early Praise for The Mad Wolf’s Daughter

Getting a blurb is a big deal for a debut author. It’s an early validation of your book and your talents, and it’s one of the high points in the months before the publication date. When a debut author received blurbs from established authors she admires (or adores, or worships), the resulting emotions are immense…. Read more »

The Power of the Rewritten Word

One of the hardest things for young writers to remember is that a work of writing isn’t finished when you reach the end of the paper or file. Revision, that frightening word, is next. But that can be hard to appreciate. For many students, writing is simply hard, and rewriting an agony. In elementary and… Read more »

Story Bite 1: Focus on Character

In this story bite writing prompt, let’s talk about character. Characters are the very first step in making a story come alive. Think of this statement: In 1066, the Battle of Hastings determined England’s fate. Men from France battled men from England and won a decisive victory. Okay. That’s a fairly accurate statement. But now let’s… Read more »