Most of you know how much I adore six-word memoirs. It has been awhile since I posted any, so I thought I would start with a few of my favorite fall images and events all condensed to just six words.
Pumpkins for carving. Pie for eating.
Wish I understood football, American pastime.
School back in session. Moms play.
Chilly mornings. Coffee on the deck.
Time to wear boots, sweaters again.
Red, orange and yellow leaves. Picturesque.
Deer, hunters in woods. Challenge begins.
Fall menu includes soup and chili.
Please chime in with a few of your own sixes about fall.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I Have An Author Page!
I now have an official author page on the Mirror Publishing (my publisher's) site at http://www.pagesofwonder.com/carter.html
Check it out. You'll see my picture, a bio (and will probably find out things you never knew), my picture book cover and the synopsis that will appear on the back cover.
So many things to do... I must get new business cards, my own fan page (that sounds weird) on FB, a website, handouts for kids, and much more. Also, I've already started lining up book signings and readings for October and November. Please let me know if you want me to read to your class or have a signing at a book store, coffee shop, boutique, fall festival or, well, anywhere.
Any recommendations for new authors and what is best to do first? I know. Put one foot in front of the other. Take a breath. It gets overwhelming but is seriously FUN.
Check it out. You'll see my picture, a bio (and will probably find out things you never knew), my picture book cover and the synopsis that will appear on the back cover.
So many things to do... I must get new business cards, my own fan page (that sounds weird) on FB, a website, handouts for kids, and much more. Also, I've already started lining up book signings and readings for October and November. Please let me know if you want me to read to your class or have a signing at a book store, coffee shop, boutique, fall festival or, well, anywhere.
Any recommendations for new authors and what is best to do first? I know. Put one foot in front of the other. Take a breath. It gets overwhelming but is seriously FUN.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Book Launch In September!
My picture book, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? will be released sooner than anticipated. It'll be available by mid-September. Yippee! I'm so excited.
As I've said previously, I wrote this book to instill hopes and dreams in little ones since they hear depressing news daily and most likely have parents or relatives who are unemployed. I want children to be optimistic and think they can achieve anything.
In WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? the teacher, Mrs. McGee, poses that important question on the first day of school. Students excitedly (and sometimes shyly) answer in verse. Their delightful career aspirations cover the gamut from fireman to dancer to dentist. Some want to be a mommy while others aspire to be the president! Many other professions are mentioned. You'll just have to get the book to see which ones.
The book will be available on Amazon.com, online at Barnes & Noble, plus I'll have a stash for book signings. Hope to see you at a signing or at a school for a reading! Please let me know if you are an elementary school teacher or know one.
Many thanks to Mirror Publishing; the editor, Neal Wooten; and the illustrator, Leo Silva, for making my dream come true!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Meet Mrs. McGee
Meet Mrs. McGee, the teacher in my upcoming children's picture book: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? Isn't she adorable? I just love her. The illustrator, Leo Silva, did a fabulous job creating Mrs. McGee as well as other characters in my book.
On the first day of school, Mrs. McGee challenges the students with that important question and gets a variety of answers (excitedly and sometimes shyly) including dancer, fireman, baker, mommy, astronaut, and many more careers written in verse. The teacher also emphasizes why learning is so important.
During our economic downturn and high unemployment, children hear dreary news daily and retain more than we give them credit for. My goal in writing this book was to instill hopes and dreams in children that they can be whatever they want to be.
Yesterday, I saw the cover art, which was an exciting day. I'll let you know when I have a release date but it's looking like October or early November--just in time for the holidays! I'll keep you posted.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Work Begins
Okay, after all that pre-conference pitch talk, it's over. And it was a fantastic conference. Next year, plan to attend the Ozarks Romance Authors' Conference. You'll be glad you did. BTW, it's not just for romance writers.
Agent Louise Fury with L. Perkins gave great advice and was hilarious. Avalon editor Lia Brown was encouraging, warm and also had several publishing gems to share.
Amazingly, I had two pitches. I thought I had only wrangled one. Turns out, I found out about my second pitch at the exact minute it was to occur. Upon discovering this, my eyes bulged, my stomach lurched, and Cecily, the conference chair, asked if I wanted to reschedule. I knew I'd just get nervous so I went, even though that meant showing up a couple of minutes late (and if you only have ten minutes, that's precious time evaporating quickly) so I walked fast to the room.
I knew enough about Avalon that they didn't accept long works, and my women's fiction is 90,000 words. Lia asked if I had anything else. I told her aobut my romantic suspense and she liked the story! Hooray!!! I told her it's about half finished and she asked for a partial whenever it's ready. Yippee. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and work on it.
My original pitch (the one I knew I had) was with literary agent Louise Fury. I didn't think she represented women's fiction but I still had that pitch in my head (since it's a completed ms), as well as a pitch for a picture book series I'm co-authoring with my daughter. We're about 75 percent finished. Happily, Louise liked my women's fiction premise, asked me to send a partial, AND she wants to see the picture book when it's finished. She also gave me advice about my upcoming project.
That's three separate projects. Plus, I have another one that I haven't yet announced but will soon. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it but I'm excited, too.
I'm so proud of all my writer friends who got up the courage to pitch. Fingers crossed that many of us will have success. How did your pitch go?
Agent Louise Fury with L. Perkins gave great advice and was hilarious. Avalon editor Lia Brown was encouraging, warm and also had several publishing gems to share.
Amazingly, I had two pitches. I thought I had only wrangled one. Turns out, I found out about my second pitch at the exact minute it was to occur. Upon discovering this, my eyes bulged, my stomach lurched, and Cecily, the conference chair, asked if I wanted to reschedule. I knew I'd just get nervous so I went, even though that meant showing up a couple of minutes late (and if you only have ten minutes, that's precious time evaporating quickly) so I walked fast to the room.
I knew enough about Avalon that they didn't accept long works, and my women's fiction is 90,000 words. Lia asked if I had anything else. I told her aobut my romantic suspense and she liked the story! Hooray!!! I told her it's about half finished and she asked for a partial whenever it's ready. Yippee. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and work on it.
My original pitch (the one I knew I had) was with literary agent Louise Fury. I didn't think she represented women's fiction but I still had that pitch in my head (since it's a completed ms), as well as a pitch for a picture book series I'm co-authoring with my daughter. We're about 75 percent finished. Happily, Louise liked my women's fiction premise, asked me to send a partial, AND she wants to see the picture book when it's finished. She also gave me advice about my upcoming project.
That's three separate projects. Plus, I have another one that I haven't yet announced but will soon. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it but I'm excited, too.
I'm so proud of all my writer friends who got up the courage to pitch. Fingers crossed that many of us will have success. How did your pitch go?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Face Your Fear of Pitching
Several of us are pitching this Saturday during the annual Ozarks Romance Authors' conference http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/ Writers from the Ozarks will pitch to either literary agent Louise Fury with the L. Perkins Agency or Avalon editor Lia Brown. And we're nervous.
Whether you're a virgin pitcher, a semi-pro or a pro, let's face our pitch fear head on. What exactly are you afraid of? See a list of possibilities below, then add your own.
I might forget my name, or worse, my plot.
It's highly possible that I'll cry, pee my pants or faint.
What if my book isn't good enough?
I can't figure out how to boil 300 pages of perfect prose down to a sentence or two.
I'm afraid I'll stutter throughout the entire conversation. And turn red.
I just don't have that author "look."
I don't know HOW to pitch.
If I get a book deal, I don't know the first thing about marketing.
I just want to sit in my office and write. Leave me alone.
I've written several books. Which one should I pitch?
I don't like the business side of writing.
What if I get a three-book contract (we can dream!) and I can't meet the deadlines?
I self-published. Will that hurt my chances?
I'm afraid the agent or editor will love my pitch, publish my book (which will sell millions) and I can't handle the success.
Do you relate to any of these? What are your fears? Please chime in. Let's face this pitching thing head on--and good luck!
Whether you're a virgin pitcher, a semi-pro or a pro, let's face our pitch fear head on. What exactly are you afraid of? See a list of possibilities below, then add your own.
I might forget my name, or worse, my plot.
It's highly possible that I'll cry, pee my pants or faint.
What if my book isn't good enough?
I can't figure out how to boil 300 pages of perfect prose down to a sentence or two.
I'm afraid I'll stutter throughout the entire conversation. And turn red.
I just don't have that author "look."
I don't know HOW to pitch.
If I get a book deal, I don't know the first thing about marketing.
I just want to sit in my office and write. Leave me alone.
I've written several books. Which one should I pitch?
I don't like the business side of writing.
What if I get a three-book contract (we can dream!) and I can't meet the deadlines?
I self-published. Will that hurt my chances?
I'm afraid the agent or editor will love my pitch, publish my book (which will sell millions) and I can't handle the success.
Do you relate to any of these? What are your fears? Please chime in. Let's face this pitching thing head on--and good luck!
Friday, July 15, 2011
It's Pitch Season
Batter up! Well, not exactly. While it is baseball season, it's also pitch season for writers. Many of us are getting ready to pitch to agents or editors at upcoming conferences and our nerves are a bit, well, frayed.
Yesterday, I read about a YA author who had a unique take on pitches. He writes a one-sentence pitch before he writes his novel. By doing so he stays true to his premise and he doesn't go through the agony of trying to boil down 300 pages to just one sentence. I think it's a great idea and it has already helped me come up with a pitch/premise for another novel.
Of course, that won't help with my current, finished women's fiction. I have to pare it down for my pitch. Luckily, Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner just blogged about pitching. Below is an excerpt from her post. You can find the rest at http://www.rachellegardner.com I'd encourage you to read the comments section as well. You'll hear some pitch horror stories and won't feel so alone.)
From Rachelle: Too often, people sit down and nervously launch into some kind of story and I find myself dizzy with confusion. I sit there like a deer in the headlights and then I say something like, “Let’s back up. What’s your name? And is this fiction or nonfiction?”
Here are some guidelines:
→ Don’t try to tell the whole story. Start with the plot catalyst, the event that gets the story started.
→ Then give the set-up, i.e. what happens in the first 30 to 50 pages that drives the reader into the rest of the book. Include the pressing story question or the major story conflict.
→ Fill out your pitch with any of the following: plot elements, character information, setting, backstory, or theme. You want to include just enough information to really intrigue your listener.
→ Finish by giving an idea of the climactic scenes and the story resolution.
→ Try not to tell too much of the story in the pitch. The pitch is supposed to get somebody interested, not tell the whole story.
→ Include only a couple of characters.
→ Include one plot thread, or two if they’re closely intertwined. You can hint at the existence of other characters and plot lines.
Be prepared to answer questions that could include things like:
→ How does your story end?
→ What published author’s style would you compare your writing to?
→ Who are your favorite authors in your genre?
→ Is this a series? And if so, what are the subsequent books about?
→ Have you worked with a critique group or a professional editor?
→ Have you pitched this to publishers in the past? If so, what was the response?
Again, this is just an excerpt, and I encourage you to hop over to Rachelle's blog and read her entire post.
Have you ever pitched? Are you going to pitch soon? Tell me about your past pitching experience or how you're preparing for one now.
Yesterday, I read about a YA author who had a unique take on pitches. He writes a one-sentence pitch before he writes his novel. By doing so he stays true to his premise and he doesn't go through the agony of trying to boil down 300 pages to just one sentence. I think it's a great idea and it has already helped me come up with a pitch/premise for another novel.
Of course, that won't help with my current, finished women's fiction. I have to pare it down for my pitch. Luckily, Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner just blogged about pitching. Below is an excerpt from her post. You can find the rest at http://www.rachellegardner.com I'd encourage you to read the comments section as well. You'll hear some pitch horror stories and won't feel so alone.)
From Rachelle: Too often, people sit down and nervously launch into some kind of story and I find myself dizzy with confusion. I sit there like a deer in the headlights and then I say something like, “Let’s back up. What’s your name? And is this fiction or nonfiction?”
Here are some guidelines:
→ Don’t try to tell the whole story. Start with the plot catalyst, the event that gets the story started.
→ Then give the set-up, i.e. what happens in the first 30 to 50 pages that drives the reader into the rest of the book. Include the pressing story question or the major story conflict.
→ Fill out your pitch with any of the following: plot elements, character information, setting, backstory, or theme. You want to include just enough information to really intrigue your listener.
→ Finish by giving an idea of the climactic scenes and the story resolution.
→ Try not to tell too much of the story in the pitch. The pitch is supposed to get somebody interested, not tell the whole story.
→ Include only a couple of characters.
→ Include one plot thread, or two if they’re closely intertwined. You can hint at the existence of other characters and plot lines.
Be prepared to answer questions that could include things like:
→ How does your story end?
→ What published author’s style would you compare your writing to?
→ Who are your favorite authors in your genre?
→ Is this a series? And if so, what are the subsequent books about?
→ Have you worked with a critique group or a professional editor?
→ Have you pitched this to publishers in the past? If so, what was the response?
Again, this is just an excerpt, and I encourage you to hop over to Rachelle's blog and read her entire post.
Have you ever pitched? Are you going to pitch soon? Tell me about your past pitching experience or how you're preparing for one now.
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