April 2011

The Right Words Matter More Than the Right Word Count

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Dear Editor…

I am writing a YA novel, I think. (I guess it might be considered middle grade.) How many words are these novels usually? I’m past half way and mine is 14,000 words. Am I on the right track?

Sincerely,

Tina

Dear Tina…

You’re fine. MG fiction ranges between 25,000 and 45,000 words. But forget that for now. You need to focus on definitively identifying your audience. You must know your audience in order to write a story that successfully connects with them. Is your topic right for 9- to 12-year-olds? How about your narrative sensibility? That is, does the story express concerns that reflect a middle grader’s way of viewing the world? Kids that age are typically focused inward, struggling to find out who they are. They shouldn’t sound too self-aware by analyzing themselves or others. Let them judge and act quickly — and then face the fallout.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Can Online Critiquing Hurt My Pub Chances?

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Dear Editor…

Will posting my pb manuscript on online discussion boards for peer critiques hurt my chances of publication?  I have commented on several on SCBWI’s discussion board, but always hesitate.  What are the pros and cons of this?

Sincerely,

Wendy

Dear Wendy….

Editors and agents don’t care if your material has been posted in online critique forums. In fact, some publishers are actively searching for unknowns online, as evidenced with publisher-founded writing communities such as Authonomy (HarperCollins) and the brand new Book Country (Penguin; see today’s Publishers Weekly). But don’t post in online critique communities with the goal of being “discovered.” No one can attest to the odds of that happening or even to the likelihood that publishing companies can realistically maintain such a communal ideal. Post because you seriously want critiques and you seriously intend to give them. Because when all is said and done, the reason such forums exist is to serve your very real need for constructive, objective input on your writing. Before you commit to any critique community, follow it for a bit to get a feel for the quality of participants’ criticism. Then work to build relationships within that community that are built on respect, dependability, and trust.

Happy writing!

The Editor

NEWSFLASH: The FREE EDIT Giveaway Winner

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Dear Readers…

We have a winner for the giveaway for the FREE substantive edit of one fiction manuscript. Read on for the winner….

Dear Readers…

The giveaway for one free edit of a fiction manuscript is over. This morning I used Randomizer.org to select the winning entry. It’s my pleasure to announce the winner: ELIZABETH WESTRA, with her middle grade manuscript The Gold Watch. I look forward to working with Elizabeth and learning what’s up with that shiny timepiece.

Thanks, everyone, for celebrating with me! There’ll be more giveaways to come, including a multi-day virtual book launch extravaganza when Writing Young Fiction for Dummies pubs in July. Daily giveaways, interviews with contributors, free downloads . . . I plan to make it fun for all. For now, I’ll be back with a question-and-answer post on Tuesday.

Happy writing!

The Editor

1st DearEditor.com Free Edit Giveaway Winner Gets Book Deal

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Dear Editor…

I just wanted to let you and anyone else following know that my MG historical fiction novel, DANCE WITH BORZOIS (that you read and edited) was sold to Erin Clarke at Knopf. Thank you, DEB, for all of your great comments!!!! DANCE WITH BORZOIS is expected out spring of 2013.
Cheers,
Annemarie O’Brien

Dear Annemarie…

Congratulations!!!!! This manuscript was the winner of my first Free Edit Giveaway on this site, which means you revised the novel, got an agent, and got a book deal in less than a year. You rocked it, girl! I love your story, too. For the rest of my readers, introducing DANCE WITH BORZOIS:

Set in Imperial Russia and pitched as Marley and Me meets Dr. Zhivago, DANCE WITH BORZOIS is about a girl raised in the family tradition to become the Count’s next kennel steward, breeding borzois hunting dogs worthy of the Tsar, until the birth of a baby brother supplants her, when she must trust her unique gift and reveal the truth about her visions to save the special dog she raised from birth and finally achieve her true destiny.

Keep us posted on the pub date and I’ll announce it here so we can all celebrate. (You know how much I love celebrating!) I’ll also be sending you my copy for an autograph.

Readers, the current FREE EDIT Giveaway’s deadline is tomorrow night, midnight April 22, 2011. If you haven’t already entered, click here for instructions about doing so.

Happy Writing!

The Editor

NEWSFLASH: a DearEditor.com “FREE Fiction Edit” Giveaway

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Dear Readers…

To celebrate the completion of her final manuscript for Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, the Editor is giving away a FREE Substantive Edit of one fiction manuscript for adults or young readers. Deadline: April 21, 2011. Read on for rules….

Dear Readers…

You’ve been on the Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies journey with me, so you should be a part of its milestone celebrations—and there’s cause to celebrate now. On Monday I received word from my editor that the manuscript is now final and moving on to production: “You’re done!” I celebrated with my family by treating them to a night of grand desserts; I celebrate with you by giving away a free Substantive Edit* of one fiction manuscript. Yes, this one is open to young adult fiction AND fiction for grown-ups. Scroll down using the sidebar on the right for all the rules:

1. Your manuscript must be FICTION FOR ADULTS or YOUNG ADULT OR MIDDLE GRADE FICTION (no picture books), ANY GENRE (general, sci fi, romance, steam punk . . . you get the idea; no non-fiction like how-to’s or memoirs, as fictional as those may seem).

2. Your manuscript must be COMPLETE.

3. Your manuscript SHALL NOT EXCEED 80,000 WORDS.

4. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified.

5. Deadline: MIDNIGHT, APRIL 21, 2011, PST.

6. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on APRIL 22, 2011.

TO ENTER:

One entry –  SEND EMAIL to DearEditor.com using the “Write to The Editor” button at the top of this blog. Type “Dummies Celebration Giveaway” in the subject line. In the body of the email, include TITLE of manuscript, YA or MG or ADULT, WORD COUNT, and YOUR FULL NAME. (If you have any difficulty with the contact button, send an email entry directly to dear-editor@hotmail.com.)

Bonus entry – SUBSCRIBE. DearEditor.com subscribers get a bonus entry by sending a second email with “Subscriber’s Bonus Giveaway Entry” in the subject line and your title, YA or MG or ADULT, word count, and full name in the body. (Note: the Editor will verify!) Not a subscriber yet? Then subscribe now by clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the top of this blog and then email your second entry.

Extra bonus entries – SPREAD THE WORD. Blog, tweet, or otherwise electronically tell others about this giveaway to get additional entries. Send an email to DearEditor.com with “I Spread the Word!” in the subject line, and in the body include a link to your blog post or your Twitter address or your Facebook wall or whatever social media you used to spread the word. Don’t send screen-shots; attachments won’t be accepted. Include your title, YA or MG or ADULT, word count, and full name in the body. Spread the word more than once? Then send an “I Spread the Word!” email for each one!

Anyone who doesn’t follow these rules will be disqualified, at the Editor’s discretion. Disclaimer: I do not share or in any other way use your contact information; it’s collected solely for winner contact purposes at the end of the giveaway.

*In a “Substantive Edit,” the author receives general feedback about the manuscript’s overall pacing, organization, narrative voice, plot development/narrative arc, characterization, point of view, setting, delivery of background information, adult sensibility (children’s books only), and the synchronicity of age-appropriate subject matter with target audience, as the Editor determines appropriate and necessary after reviewing the entire manuscript. It is not a word-by-word, line-by-line “Line Edit.”

Okey-dokey, that covers it. After the giveaway I’ll announce the winner and then get back to answering great reader questions, featuring great guest editor posts, and planning a whopping virtual book launch for the Dummies book. Seriously, the launch will be big: multiple days filled with daily giveaways, features, and free downloads. More on that as the July 5, 2011, pub date nears.

Happy writing!

The Editor

 



News: Dummies, Revision Workshop, FREE EDIT Giveaway

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Dear Readers…

I’ve got great news about Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, a revision workshop, and a FREE EDIT GIVEAWAY. Read on for the details…

Dear Readers…

On Monday I received an email from my editor for Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies saying, “You’re done!” All the words and periods are in place and the manuscript is now moving into production, headed for pub date July 5, 2011. This means three things:

1. It’s time for a new Free Edit Giveaway
Because that’s how I like to celebrate (well, that and chocolate). Check DearEditor.com on Friday (4/15/11) for the giveaway details.

2. My editorial hiatus is over
I am officially picking up my red pen again. You can read more about what and how I edit on this page or you can print this pdf which describes my services.

3. Announcing a revision workshop
Registration is open for the Cottonwood Intensive Revision Workshop, to be held May 21, 2011, in Cottonwood, CA (17 miles south of Redding, CA, and approx. 2 hours from Sacramento). I’ll be teaching at the event, which is dedicated to helping children’s book writers revise their young adult novels and picture books. The 1-day workshop is hosted by SCBWI’s California North/Central chapter, with Edgar Mystery Award nominee author Charlie Price and award-winning picture book illustrator, art director, designer, and educator Dr. Mira Reisberg filling out the faculty. For more information or to register (deadline May 1, 2011), contact scbwicanorthcentral@gmail.com, go to the conference website, or click here to view the conference flyer.

Okay, that covers this news break. Off now to get ready for the Free Edit Giveaway….

Happy writing!

The Editor

Scared of Skyping

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Dear Editor…

Thanks to your readers for the suggestion about doing Skype author visits to self promote. The only problem is, I’m a dunce when it comes to technology. What others say is “simple” is NOT so simple to me.  I’ll try it, but . . . what kind of camera should I get for Skype????

Thanks again,

Mimi

Dear Mimi…

If your computer is new enough, you don’t need to buy a separate webcam because a video camera is already installed. If you do need a webcam, basic models are cheap ($20 to $50) and available at any electronics store or even Wal-Mart. Check them out on online stores like Amazon.com, paying special attention to the customer comments to find out about their ease of use and quality. Skype’s video conferencing software works with any webcam.

As for Skype itself, it really is simple. Just go to Skype.com, choose “Join Skype” to set up an account and then click on “Download Skype” and just follow the directions. Then, to enable your installed webcam or your separate one, go to “Tools” “Options” “Video” and then indicate your camera choice. You can test your webcam there. Get a friend to sign up, too, and do some practice calls to get comfortable with the steps. You’ll always do test calls with your schools prior to your visits, too.

On their end, the teachers should contact their tech staff to check their districts’ ability to access Skype. Some districts block that site, requiring techies to change the settings on the teacher’s computer to remove the district filters and allow access to Skype. They may also need to set up a computer network camera for the teacher and a microphone to use on her computer, and she may need to have a personal Skype account. Actually, a lot of teachers are already up to speed with this because with today’s economy, Skype’s free video is often the only way to bring authors into a classroom. The bonus is, Skyping saves you travel time, enabling you to do even more author visits.

Happy writing!

The Editor

Feeling Tense about Tense in Synopses

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Dear Editor…

What tense should be used when writing a synopsis?  Does it matter what tense is used in the manuscript?

Sincerely,

Mary

Dear Mary…

The get-to-the-point answer: Regardless of which tense you use within your manuscript, your synopsis should be written in present tense.

The nifty technical-mumbo-jumbo answer: Characters and events in fiction exist in an eternal Now called the literary present. Thus, any writing (such as a synopsis) that describes a piece of fiction should be written as if the events are happening now, this very moment—in present tense.

Happy writing!

The Editor