Isabelle Hardesty's Blog, page 8
January 1, 2016
Twitter and Pitch Parties… PitMad, PitchMAS, SFFPit, Pit2Pub, SonofaPitch and DVpit
Today, one year ago exactly, I was scrambling to finish editing my short story, Jade’s Awakening. I finally finished on January 1, 2015 at about 10 p.m. I took a deep breath turned to my husband and said,”I’m doing it.” I hit send and my email flew to its new home, the inbox of Gilded Dragonfly Books. I went through all of the emotions: excitement, dread, doubt, then a calmness set over me. Several months later, I received a call that my submission was accepted! My short story is now published in Legends of the Dragon.
My short story, Jade’s Awakening, is published in Legends of the Dragon.
My attendance at Dragon Con’s various writers’ panels had given me some information, but now I was delving into beginning a novel and I needed more guidance.
In June, I set up my writer’s account on Twitter. I used Twitter’s search function to find literary agents, writers’ resource websites, and fellow writers in various stages of their careers. The variety was a perfect blend. I received frequent inspirational tweets from one account I followed and then tweets about plot development several hours later from another twitter account. It was a perfect combination of motivation and knowledge.
While browsing through Twitter I found someone’s tweet about Scrivener. I bought it then wondered if my money was wasted…it was not. Scrivener is one of the most helpful things I’ve ever bought in my life. I am not exaggerating. It helps organize and plan your manuscript.
I began my novel using Twitter as a resource and mined the blog archives of award wining blogs targeting writers.
Mark your calendars and be ready to pitch, pitch, pitch!
____________________________
Manuscript finished, now what?
It’s edited and polished…don’t let it gather dust.
____________________________
Before you jump in, be sure to edit and polish your manuscript!
I then found some tweets about bizarre hashtags like #PitMad, #PitchMAS and #SFFpit. I ignored these words at first not knowing what they were and thinking they must be targeting experienced writers or some sect of elite writers that I was obviously not a part of yet.
One day, I went down the rabbit hole of #PitMad and came up with a huge carrot! This is a modern, free and relevant event that is extremely helpful to writers who are looking for agent representation or looking to be published directly via a publisher.
Create a pitch that covers main character, conflict and stakes, what the main character will lose if goal is not met.
Include #PitMad or whatever hashtag needed for your contest.
Include a category. I use #YA for Young Adult. Include a genre. I add #UF for Urban Fiction. Click here for more info on categories and genres. Brenda Drake, the creator of PitMad has useful resources and information on her website.
Keep everything at or under 140 characters, as this is the limit for Twitter. If you will be at work or unable to tweet the day of the event, use Hootsuite or Tweetdeck and schedule your tweets. Check each site to learn their rules.
When you receive a like from an agent or publisher, click on their Twitter account. Scroll through until you see their tweet which says something like the image below.
If you want to potentially work with this agent or publisher, send the requested submission to them.
Be sure to visit their websites for submission info if they do not include a tweet like the one above.
That’s it! Check to see if you get more than one like on Twitter. Hopefully, you have several and are able to increase your odds of success!
#PitMad
2016 #PitMad events are spread out throughout the year. You can only tweet 3 times total per manuscript. Rules are important and keep agents from getting overwhelmed.
( spring) March 17th
(summer ) June 9th
(fall) September 8th
(winter) December 1st
For more information and rules, click here.
Read about success stories from PitMad here.
#SFFpit
Then I found out about #SFFpit. This Twitter Pitch Party focuses on writers with unpublished, edited and polished manuscripts which are either Science Fiction or Fantasy for any age group. The 2016 dates have not been posted yet, so be sure to keep checking for the next event. Click here to find out the specifics of this Twitter Pitch Party.
#PitchMAS
I was motivated, having sent out several queries from the previous two Pitch Parties. I then participated in PitchMAS. This was also very productive and led to several requests from agents or publishers who liked my pitches.
#PitMatch
This is new and the first event will happen on February 11th. It’s a collaboration between #MSWL and #PitMad. Writers, editors and agents team up to make the best matches. February 11, 1-4 EST. This is organized by Brenda Drake and Jessica Sinsheimer. For more info, click here.
#Pit2Pub and #SonofAPitch
Two more upcoming Twitter Pitch Parties I have yet to participate in are Pit2Pub and SonofAPitch. Both seem to aim at helping writers find publishers for their manuscripts. I don’t know if agents will be lurking, you never know.
SonofaPitch happens in four stages. The last day is the open Twitter Pitch Party.
Week 1 starts Feb 15, 2016
Week 2 starts Feb 22, 2016
Week 3 starts Feb 29, 2016
Twitter Pitch: Mar 7, 2016
This is for all genres of YA, NA, and Adult.
#DVpit
April 19, 2016 is the debut for #DVpit aimed at helping marginalized voices be heard. For more information visit http://www.bethphelan.com/dvpit
____________________________
Interested in finding out about even more Twitter Pitch Parties?
Literary Agent Carly Watters shares important information about Twitter Pitch Parties and how to write a pitch. Click here
Want more information? Click Sub It Club here.
Some people may prefer bypassing Twitter Pitch Parties, but for me, it’s been a great way to jump in and see what agents and publishers are looking for. If it’s not your thing then you may prefer querying directly to agents or publishers.
I am so glad people like Brenda Drake, Dan Koboldt, Jessa Russo, Tamara Mataya, Kristin D.VanRisseghem, Beth Phelan and Katie Teller have organized these amazing Twitter Pitch Parties. Thank you!
Isabelle Hardesty
5 Reasons for the Rise of the Telenovela in 2016 https://t.co/CFk4kur9cA #fiction #romance #writing #amwriting pic.twitter.com/QV071fZuWM
Isabelle Hardesty was born and raised in Miami on a street that had coconut trees and the scent of a nearby Cuban bakery’s latest creations wafting in the warm air.
Currently, Isabelle lives in Atlanta with her husband. She loves being with her family and eating chocolate.
The post Twitter and Pitch Parties… PitMad, PitchMAS, SFFPit, Pit2Pub, SonofaPitch and DVpit appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
Twitter and Pitch Parties… PitMad, PitchMAS, SFFPit, Pit2Pub, and SonofaPitch
Today, one year ago exactly, I was scrambling to finish editing my short story, Jade’s Awakening. I finally finished on January 1, 2015 at about 10 p.m. I took a deep breath turned to my husband and said,”I’m doing it.” I hit send and my email flew to its new home, the inbox of Gilded Dragonfly Books. I went through all of the emotions: excitement, dread, doubt, then a calmness set over me. Several months later, I received a call that my submission was accepted! My short story is now published in Legends of the Dragon.
My short story, Jade’s Awakening, is published in Legends of the Dragon.
My attendance at Dragon Con’s various writers’ panels had given me a good foundation, but now I was delving into beginning a novel and I needed more guidance.
In June, I set up my writer’s account. I used Twitter’s search function to find literary agents, writers’ resource websites, and fellow writers in various stages of their careers. The variety was a perfect blend. I received frequent inspirational tweets from one account I followed and then tweets about plot development several hours later from another twitter account. It was a perfect combination of motivation and knowledge.
While browsing through Twitter I found someone’s tweet about Scrivener. I bought it the wondered if my money was wasted…it was not. Scrivener is one of the most helpful things I’ve ever bought in my life. I am not exaggerating. It helps organize and plan your manuscript.
I began my novel using Twitter as a resource and mined the blog archives of award wining blogs targeting writers.
Mark your calendars and be ready to pitch, pitch, pitch!
I then found some tweets about bizarre hashtags like #PitMad, #PitchMAS and #SFFpit. I ignored these words at first not knowing what they were and thinking they must be targeting experienced writers or some sect of elite writers that I was obviously not a part of yet.
One day, I went down the rabbit hole of #PitMad and came up with a huge carrot! This is a modern, free and relevant event that is extremely helpful to writers who are looking for agent representation or looking to be published directly via a publisher.
Create a pitch that covers main character, conflict and stakes, what the main character will lose if goal is not met.
Include #PitMad or whatever hashtag needed for your contest.
Include a category. I use #YA for Young Adult. Include a genre. I add #UF for Urban Fiction. Click here for more info on categories and genres. Brenda Drake, the creator of PitMad has useful resources and information on her website.
Keep everything at or under 140 characters, as this is the limit for Twitter. If you will be at work or unable to tweet the day of the event, use Hootsuite or Tweetdeck and schedule your tweets. Check each site to learn their rules.
When you receive a like from an agent or publisher, click on their Twitter account. Scroll through until you see their tweet which says something like the image below.
If you want to potentially work with this agent or publisher, send the requested submission to them.
Be sure to visit their websites for submission info if they do not include a tweet like the one above.
That’s it! Check to see if you get more than one like on Twitter. Hopefully, you have several and are able to increase your odds of success!
2016 #PitMad events spread throughout the year. You can only tweet 3 times total per manuscript. Rules are important and keep agents from getting overwhelmed.
( spring) March 17th
(summer ) June 9th
(fall) September 8th
(winter) December 1st
For more information and rules, click here.
Then I found out about #SFFpit. This Twitter Pitch Party focuses on writers with unpublished, edited and polished manuscripts that are either Science Fiction or Fantasy for any age group. The 2016 dates have not been posted yet, so be sure to keep checking for the next event. Click here to find out the specifics of this Twitter Pitch Party.
I was motivated, having sent out several queries from the previous two Pitch Parties. I then participated in PitchMAS. This was also very productive and led to several requests from agents or publishers who liked my pitches.
Two more upcoming Twitter Pitch Parties I have yet to participate in are Pit2Pub and SonofAPitch. Both seem to aim at helping writers find publishers for their manuscripts. I don’t know if agents will be lurking, you never know.
SonofaPitch happens in four stages. The last day is the open Twitter Pitch Party.
Week 1 starts Feb 15, 2016
Week 2 starts Feb 22, 2016
Week 3 starts Feb 29, 2016
Twitter Pitch: Mar 7, 2016
This is for all genres of YA, NA, and Adult.
Interested in finding out about even more Twitter Pitch Parties?
Literary Agent Carly Watters shares important information about Twitter Pitch Parties and how to write a pitch. Click here
Click Sub It Club here.
Some people may prefer bypassing Twitter Pitch Parties, but for me, it’s been a great way to jump in and see what agents are looking for.
Good luck!
Isabelle Hardesty
Before you jump in, be sure to edit and polish your manuscript!
Isabelle Hardesty was born and raised in Miami on a street that had coconut trees and the scent of a nearby Cuban bakery’s latest creations wafting in the warm air. Her interest in art and fashion lead her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Fashion Design. She worked as an assistant fashion designer for several companies in New York and Miami. Isabelle then left the fashion industry and became and art educator and continued painting and writing.
Currently, Isabelle lives in Atlanta with her husband. She loves being with her family and eating chocolate.
She has just finished her first YA novel, The Witch of Belle Fleur. The main character is Juliette: Loves telenovelas, check. Becomes lead witch, check. Likes two guys, check. Must save town from villain, check.
Isabelle’s short story, Jade’s Awakening, is published by Gilded Dragonfly Books and is featured in Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1.
The post Twitter and Pitch Parties… PitMad, PitchMAS, SFFPit, Pit2Pub, and SonofaPitch appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
December 29, 2015
5 Reasons for the Rise of the Telenovela
Telenovela, a word that is colorful and rolls off the tongue like candy, is more than just a soap opera. Telenovelas have moved from the small productions of the 1950’s, such as Mexico’s classic, Ángeles de la Calle (Angels of the Street), to vast collaborations between Grupo Televisa and China with a spin off of the 2008 hit, Yo soy Betty, La Fea, known as Ugly Betty in the U.S.
Telenovelas are so popular that there is even a new show called Telenovela. This show is in English and focuses on the behind the scenes drama of a telenovela star.
Click to share!
Lets find out why we can’t get enough of telenovelas…
1.
Telenovelas don’t last for years and years. A telenovela can run from a few months to about a year. This gives viewers an out, as opposed to standard soap operas which run for years or even decades.
2.
Telenovelas cast attractive actors. Women and men wear lavish fashion, decadent jewelry and artfully applied makeup. Let’s not forget the “are you kidding me” perfect hair. We feel more beautiful just by watching. This more gorgeous than life appearance lets viewers get transported far off to a place where calories and flawed makeup do not exist.
3.
Locations are exotic and vibrant. Take a look behind the actors next time one of them finally remembers their name, or a blind person suddenly has the gift of sight while at the wedding of her long lost twin… you will see decor that asks, “Why not?” Eggplant wall color, green vases and sunset colored furniture. A true delight for the viewer who is surrounded by decor set in neutral colors that “go with everything.”
4.
Story lines which are never, ever boring. The writers have a blast adding crazy twists and epic blind sides, knowing that viewers will scream with delight and pain. Lovers never have it easy in a telenovela. The easier their beginning is, the more complicated and devastating their future will be. And this makes watching it entertaining. You can be sure that after clicking off your television, swiping your smart phone’s screen closed, or shutting your laptop, you most likely have an easier life than the main characters.
5.
Love always wins! Despite the gorgeous villain, who may have the most perfect makeup and designer clothes, the two lovers will find each other. It may be years later, but love always overcomes any amnesia, kidnapping, baby switching, blackmailing or self doubt. And that is why telenovelas are here to stay.
Click to share!
Isabelle Hardesty was born and raised in Miami on a street that had coconut trees and the scent of a nearby Cuban bakery’s latest creations wafting in the warm air. Her interest in art and fashion lead her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Fashion Design. She worked as an assistant fashion designer for several companies in New York and Miami. Isabelle then left the fashion industry and became and art educator and continued painting and writing.
Currently, Isabelle lives in Atlanta with her husband. She loves being with her family and eating chocolate.
She has just finished her first YA novel, The Witch of Belle Fleur. The main character is Juliette: Loves telenovelas, check. Becomes lead witch, check. Likes two guys, check. Must save town from villain, check.
Isabelle’s short story, Jade’s Awakening, is published by Gilded Dragonfly Books and is featured in Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1.
The post 5 Reasons for the Rise of the Telenovela appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
November 25, 2015
So much to be Thankful for
This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for my wonderful family. It’s humbling to have so much to be thankful for.
This year, I am also thankful for the writing community who are so generous and helpful. I was able to finally get published this year, thanks to Gilded Dragonfly Books. My short story, Jade’s Awakening was featured in Legends of the Dragon, Vol.
I have attended several years of Dragon Con with my husband and sisters and found myself attending most of the writers’ workshops. I enjoyed the other panels which featured actors, however, I was fascinated and inspired by the people who created the worlds in which the actors worked.
This year I also found the benefit of Twitter as a learning platform. I’ve mined Twitter for knowledge and learned about #Pitmad #Pitchmas #Mockpit #MSWL #NANOWriMo
I look forward to learning so much more as I continue my magical journey as a writer.
Isabelle Hardesty
The post So much to be Thankful for appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
October 18, 2015
Fall Essentials
This fall, be sure to have your copy of Legends of the Dragon to read during those chilly nights. Enjoy Jade’s Awakening, a short story written by Isabelle Hardesty. Click the video below to learn more about Jade. Legends of the Dragon features seventeen short stories.
http://IsabelleHardesty.com/redesign/wp-content/uploads/Jades-Awakening-with-MUSIC.mp4
The post Fall Essentials appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
September 15, 2015
Dragon Con 2015
My husband and I had a great time at Dragon Con this year. My two sisters and my niece went as well.
Why go? I love the costumes, yes, but I love the various tracks created for writers. It’s a great way to network, learn about what’s happening in YA, Urban Fantasy and Fantasy literature.
I have yet to make it to Comic Con, but look forward to braving that one day. Here are some photos from previous Dragon Con years. [image error]
All photographs
copyright Isabelle Hardesty 2015.
The post Dragon Con 2015 appeared first on Isabelle Hardesty.
August 30, 2015
Get Your Kindle Edition e-books Signed
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Get your e-book Kindle edition copy of Legends of the Dragon signed by Isabelle Hardesty, even if you live on the other side of the globe.
Just click Authorgraph if you would like me to sign your e-book Kindle edition and I will add a personal message from me, Isabelle Hardesty, to you.
If you will be at DragonCon in Atlanta Labor Day weekend, I hope you are bringing you paperback copy of Legends of the Dragon for me to sign! There will be paperback copies of Legends of the Dragon at DragonCon to buy as well.
Is there a cost to send or receive an Authorgraph? Requesting and receiving Authorgraphs are free. However, if you use Amazon’s Personal Document Service to receive the Authorgraph on your Kindle then Amazon may charge a small delivery fee.
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