Madeline Smoot's Blog, page 9

To Write or Not To Write: Making Decisions

This morning was the perfect morning. I woke up and my husband and son were out of town. I didn’t have a bunch of pressing emails, and I’m fairly caught up on both my CBAY work and the online marketing class I’m taking.

For once, I had free time. FREE TIME!!! The opportunities felt boundless. Should I try to get a little extra sleep? Catch up on the shows I watch? (I’m behind on Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow, because, yes, I am a sucker for the Arrow-verse. And, no, don’t tell me what happened.) Or should I try to work on my poor Untitled Super Hero Novel that I’ve been pecking at for months?

Today I chose writing.

I tell you this not to be all self-congratulatory or to piously tell the world that I picked my art over the mundane pleasures of television. I tell you this because today I made a choice, and today you will too.

There have been lots of times when I have chosen differently, especially in the evenings. My brains is often fried by the time any free time rolls around that I can barely connect enough words to make a sentence let alone craft scenes and dialog. So often have I chosen not to write that there are times that I have had to go back and look up minor characters’ names because I’ve forgotten them. Think of that! Forgotten character names! IN MY OWN STORY.

And you know what? I don’t feel the least bit bad for all those times I chose not to write.

True, there are consequences to not writing. My Untitled Super Hero Novel is not finished. However, I accept that consequence and move on.

The point of all this is that we all make choices, and the key is to making ones we can live with. I can live with the fact that I don’t have the energy or brain space to write everyday. I can live with taking a year to finish a novel I could probably have written in two months. Figure out what you can live with and then when you are faced with a choice of writing or doing literally anything else, you too can make a choice you can live with.

It’s true that you can always find time for writing. It’s just also true that you may not always want to find time. I found my time to write today. Find yours when it works for you.

On the Road Again, Again

Today I hit the road on my way to the annual Texas Librarians Association conference. I love conferences like this. It’s the kind where I’m not a speaker, not really an exhibitor, and I’m not a conference attendee. Basically, it’s a trip where I get to hang out with lots of wonderful writer friends and knowledgeable librarians.

Oh, there will be some work. If you’re going to be at TLA, come by booth 1706 (IPG’s booth) this evening (Tuesday) for a free copy of Melvin Invents Music and its study guide. And on Wednesday from 1-2, Linda Joy Singleton will be signing ARCs of her new book, Memory Girl.

But the rest of the time, I’ll be chatting with authors and other publishing contacts, meeting librarians, and generally enjoying myself. I can’t wait for TLA.

*If you’re going to be there, drop me a note on Facebook so we can meet up!

Do’s and Some Don’t’s of Submitting

Last week I got a submission.

On the face this isn’t so odd. I get submissions all the time even though we aren’t taking unsolicited manuscripts over at CBAY right now. It wasn’t even unusual that this manuscript wasn’t for the kind of children’s book that we publish at CBAY. I get manuscripts all the time like that too.

What was unusual was that my email in the To: line was one of nearly 50 other email addresses. Yes, this person had submitted to me and to nearly 50 other people. At the same time. On the same email.

Yeah.

So, even though I have written extensively on submitting in the past, I figured that it never hurts to have a review post. Here are some do’s and don’t’s:

DO: Submit to multiple people if the people you are submitting to accept simultaneous submissions.

DON’T: Send the exact same email to all of those people.

You need to personalize the email some, and I don’t mean in the To: line. You need to show that you are familiar with the agent/editors work. That you’ve done some research so you know that your book will be a good fit.

DO: Submit to up to 5-10 people at one time.

DON’T: Submit to more than that until you have gotten some feedback from the people you have already submitted/queried.

You want to be able to take into account any feedback you may get on your work. This way, you can send an EVEN stronger manuscript to the next round of submissions. On the other hand if you send to everyone at once, there’s no one left when you want to submit a revised version.

DO: Your research.

DON’T: Randomly send to people who happen to be children’s book editors or agents.

There’s a wide range of genres within the children’s market. People specialize in different things. Don’t send your novel to a picture book person and vice versa.

DO: Actually submit your stuff.

DON’T: Sit on your finished, critiqued work for no apparent reason.

Whether it’s fear of rejection, lack of time, or the inability to prioritize submitting over other stuff (ahem, that last one would be me …), you have to actually submit if you want an agent or to publish with an existing publishing house. If you never submit, you’ll never hear no. Of course, you’ll also never hear yes.

And on that note, I have some editor/agent research to do for my kid spy novel…

My Love Letter to Melvin Invents Music

In honor of its release today, I composed a short little Love Letter for Melvin Invents Music. You can also see it on my Goodreads reviews (in a less missive-manner) as well.

Dear Melvin,

It’s not often I get to acquire a book TWICE. Back when I was the editorial director for a small press, I acquired you. Soon before your release date I left the company to focus on my own small press, CBAY Books. Soon after my departure, the other press shut down, stranding you! A few years later, the authors contacted me, and I was able to buy you again!

I love Melvin Invents Music. That’s true of all the books I publish (if I’m not willing to read a book at least 6 times, I don’t publish it), but this book is special. It really speaks to all those people (kids and adults) who have ever been made to feel outcast because they look at the world in a different way. I liked this book when I originally acquired it for the other press, but after my kid was diagnosed with special needs, I really found myself attached to this book.

Melvin, I have enjoyed your story immensely, and I hope others will as well.

Keep making music,

Madeline

Giants and Ogres

Purchase: IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Paperback, Anthology, Fairy Tales

$9.95

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Ebook, Anthology, Fairy Tales

$4.99

Clever and daring, the artful reimaginings in this delightful collection of ten new tales offer readers another look at the fairytale villains they thought they knew. Whether they are helping instead of hurting or appearing in unexpected forms, you will never quite look at giants or ogres the same way again.

Edited by Madeline Smoot

Including Stories by Jessica Lee Anderson, Melanie Cole, K.L. Critchley, J.G. Formato, John Linwood Grant, Justine Cogan Gunn, Laura Keating, Laura Ring, Hope Erica Schultz,  and Lisa Timpf

Kirkus Review: One Thousand Words for War

So, this is a book review. It just isn’t a review from me.

On March 15, Kirkus Reviews published their review for One Thousand Words for War. I was excited to discover that their review was positive with great quotes like:

If none of their authors are household names (yet), each [story] is well-crafted and thought-provoking in both form and content.    —Kirkus Reviews

If you’d like to read the full review, you can see it here.

One Thousand Words for War

Purchase: IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Paperback, Anthology, Fantasy & Science Fiction

$9.95

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Ebook, Anthology, Fantasy & Science Fiction

$4.99

Imaginative and original, One Thousand Words for War explores in various fantastic settings the different types of conflict—from powerful internal and external conflicts with the potential to destroy the main character’s world to the peace that comes from accepting change. Whether it’s a transgendered girl standing up to bullies or a child soldier trying to save his fellows from war, this collection shows the powerful ways teens can overcome and embrace extraordinary circumstances.

Edited by Madeline Smoot and Hope Erica Schultz

Including Stories by Susan Bianculli, Cathy Bryant, Anthony R. Cardno, Mara Dabrishus, Steve Dubois, Darrel Duckworth, Sarah Lyn Eaton, Valerie Hunter, Anne E. Johnson, Ameria Lewis, Bethany Marcello, Nori Odoi, Laura Ring, Hope Erica Schultz, Walt Socha, C.H. Spalding, Lisa Timpf, and Renee Whittington

Reviews

“Nineteen rising stars answer a challenge to write in a distinctive narrative frame native to East Asian literature . . . . If none of their authors are household names (yet), each [story] is well-crafted and thought-provoking in both form and content.”      —Kirkus Reviews

An Overview of the Children’s Fiction Market

The Children’s Fiction Market can be divided into six areas based on age. Here’s a handy image with some quick references. Now remember, these are generalizations not hard and fast rules. There are original board books; however, the majority are concept books or books that are from picture books. For that matter, you can find middle grade novels under thirty-thousand words; however, many are thirty-thousand words or more.

If you would like a free PDF version of the image, friend my Facebook profile. You’ll find it along with the Submissions Workbook and the Critiquer’s Checklist in the Notes tab.

Celebrating Your Book’s Birthday

Most of the time on this site, I talk about ways to improve your writing, how to submit your manuscript, and other pre-publication topics. Today let’s talk about something exciting that will hopefully be in your near future: your book’s birthday! Or the day your book releases out into the world.

So, now that your book is coming out, it’s time to celebrate. Here are a few places:

Release Party

This probably won’t happen on the exact same day as your book release, but you should plan to have a party as close to the release as possible. I have a couple of release party suggestions here.

Social Media

You aren’t the only person excited about your book’s release. Share the information with your friends and don’t be shy about asking them to share with their friends. You can even use something like Thunderclap to organize all the tweets and posts.

Book Tour (Online)

You’ve probably been doing this for a while before the book comes out in an effort to build up some buzz. However, don’t stop just because the book released. Having the book actually available is just the beginning.

Book Tour (Offline)

Unless your publisher spent a lot on your advance and you’re one of the lead titles for that publisher/imprint, you probably aren’t going to get to go on a publisher sponsored book tour. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t put one together at local bookstores and libraries in your area. And if you do have some hotel/travel expenses, ask your publisher about being reimbursed. The worst they can do is say no. However, don’t plan on being reimbursed unless they specifically agree.

Reviews

Don’t forget to remind everyone to post online reviews places like Goodreads and Amazon. These are a great help for future readers of your books.

No matter how you choose to spend your book’s birthday, have fun! Your book (especially your first book) only comes out once. You’ve spent a great deal of time—years even—on your work. Now is the time to celebrate it’s debut to the world.

Shopping Your Manuscript

’Tis the season to shop. It’s that time of year when lots (but not all) people are frantically running around buying things for others. The other way to look at that is that lots of people are trying to sell things. And if you’ve got a polished manuscript that’s been critiqued, reviewed by your beta reader, and ready to face the world, then you have something to sell too.

It’s true that December is not the best time to submit something. Agents and editors are trying to clear up their slush piles from this year, and December in general is a pretty busy time. Between vacations, family obligations, and the usual workload, this is a hectic time. And we never want to submit during stressful times.

However, a new year is just around the corner. And what better way to start it than be finally sending out that manuscript you’ve been sitting on? And what better time to get ready to submit than now?

Now, I have written extensively in the past about submitting to agents and editors. You can find a list of past posts on my Submission Advice page.

Those posts pretty comprehensively cover the topic, but let’s remember some key points:

Do your research.

Don’t send your picture books to the YA agent that specializes in romance.
Don’t spam the agents/editors.

Send a separate email/submission to each agent/editor on your list.
Don’t send a first draft.

You need to send a polished manuscript that has been vetted by people you trust.
Go to writing conferences.

This is an excellent place to meet people who are actively seeking submissions. Never underestimate the power of networking.
Don’t get too cutesy with your query letter.

This is your time to show the gatekeepers that you are a professional. If you really want your main character to write your query letter, that’s fine as long as the character maintains some professional decorum. No one wants to see a query letter written in a fake baby scrawl using cutesy-wootsey versions of words.
Don’t get too emotionally invested in the process.

Part of submitting is rejection. It’s an unfortunate evil that not every person will connect with your manuscript the way you do. And remember, a rejection does not mean you or your writing does not have value. It just means that for whatever reason that particular person doesn’t see a place in their market for your work. You may just need to find another market.

And to help you get ready to submit, be sure to grab a copy of my free Children’s Book Submission Workbook.