Mindy Hardwick's Blog, page 51
June 14, 2012
Lovestruck Blog Hop and Giveaway
It’s a blog hop! A Lovestruck Giveaway Hop! And today, I’m talking about a romance series which has left me completely smitten! I was introduced to the world of romance–both books and writing–when I began working on my young adult romance, WEAVING MAGIC. In my young adult romance, Shantel loves romance books! She wants nothing more than for sixteen-year-old Christopher to be her romantic hero. But, Christopher is not so sure he can live up to Shantel’s dreams.
Story Blurb: He loves magic. She loves romance. But the biggest illusion is the one Shantel and Christopher perform together. Sixteen- year- old Christopher fights to stay sober while fifteen-year-old Shantel struggles in the aftermath of her mother’s death and seeks refuge in a fantasy world. But the unacknowledged roots of their problems refuse to stay buried and soon, the two are headed toward a deadly magic trick. Can Shantel and Christopher move beyond magical illusions to find love?
You can find WEAVING MAGIC on Amazon and at MuseItUp Publishing. It is coming soon from Barnes and Noble and the Apple Store.
When I wrote WEAVING MAGIC, I realized I needed to understand a bit more about how romance books worked. So, I signed up for a Writing a Romance class with local author, Susan Wiggs. I’m a good student, and I always buy and read the author’s books when I take a class. I picked up Susan Wigg’s THE MISTRESS which is a book in her Chicago Fire Trilogy, and I was HOOKED!
After I devoured THE MISTRESS, I went onto read the other two books in the series, THE FIREBRAND, and THE HOSTAGE.
What I loved about these three books is not only the strong heroes and heroines, I loved the historical detail I learned about the Chicago Fire. The trilogy is a sweeping saga about three young ladies who are interconnected and how their lives are changed by both the Fire and the men they meet in that Fire. And, Wiggs keeps true to a good romance in that it’s not only the ladies who have their lives changed by love, the men are strong characters who do not surrender to love easily, but when they do….ah, it’s a perfect romance!
I went onto read many more of Susan Wigg’s books, and have been lucky enough to hear her talk a couple more times since that first Writing the Romance Class. Susan Wiggs is one of the keynote speakers at the Seattle RWA Conference in October, and as I’ll be attending and at the bookfair signing copies of WEAVING MAGIC, I can’t wait to hear Susan Wiggs again!
In honor of Susan Wiggs and those first romance books I read, I’m offering a PRINT GIVEAWAY of one copy of either THE FIREBRAND, THE HOSTAGE, or THE MISTRESS. Winners choice.
In order to enter, leave me a comment below and tell me why you want to win one of the books.
U.S. addresses only for this giveaway. The contest runs from June 15-June 22.
Be sure to stop by the other blogs participating on the Lovestruck Blog Hop. You can find a list of the other blogs participating here.
June 13, 2012
New Short Story Published–”Best Friends”
I am happy to share that my tween short story, “Best Friends” is now available. “Best Friends is a story about a “first crush” and is published with eChook. The story is a part of a digital short story collection which includes stories for all ages.
Blurb: Thirteen-year-old Samantha and Jamie are NOT a couple. Jamie and Samantha have known each other since they were six weeks old. They are best friends. But, now something is changing and Samantha is not sure how she feels about Jamie. Does she like him as more than friends? Does he like her as more than friends? Will the Valentine’s Day Dance be the place to discover if they might be a couple?
Main characters, Jamie and Samantha, first appeared in an audio story published with Sniplits. You can buy “I Believe” here.
This week, “Best Friends” is available at the Apple Store FOR FREE. The collection will retail for $3.99. The digital short story collection will be available to Nooks, Kindles and Android Phones. I will post when it’s available in other retail outlets.
For those of you with Apple Products (Iphones, Ipads, Apple Computers), you can download “Best Friends” here.
It’s FREE this week!
June 12, 2012
Summer Reading Challenge
Do you remember Summer Reading Programs at the library? My childhood library was Kirkwood Public Library. Each summer, I would get a Passport to Reading and read through a large stack of books.
One of my favorite things to do was choose an author to read. I read all of the Madeline L’Engle Meet the Austin Books one year, and another year read all of the Dicey Tillerman Family books by Cynthia Voigt. As an author, I can now see that my favorite authors were writing spin-off books. Spin-off books are not sequels. They don’t depend on a previous book to keep the story line going. Spin-off books are where an author takes minor characters and creates a story line around that minor character.
This summer, I am doing a lot of writing. It is time to replenish the writing store! Having two books and a romance novella all publish in one year has left my shelves empty! So, what am I writing? I am working on a chapter book series and I am revising my middle grade mystery, Granddad’s Toys. As a part of my writing, I thought it would be fun to challenge myself with a “Passport to Summer Reading” program. I read a lot of chapter books while taking Anastia Suen’s Writing the Chapter Book Class this past winter, so I feel like I understand the structure of writing a chapter book.
However, I am a little murky on the plotting of a a children’s mystery book. In the Vermont College MFA program, we always had to read and write papers about our reading each month. This training taught me well, and when I set out to write a new book–I always read extensively in that genre.
So, relying on my childhood summer reading program lessons, I have chosen a children’s middle grade mystery author to read. Nancy Springer.
Nancy is the author of the The Enola Holmes Series.
The first in the series is the The Case of the Missing Marques.
Blurb: When Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared—on her 14th birthday nonetheless—she knows she alone can find her. Disguising herself as a grieving widow, Enola sets out to the heart of London to uncover her mother’s whereabouts—but not even the last name Holmes can prepare her for what awaits. Suddenly involved in the kidnapping of the young Marquess of Basilwether, Enola must escape murderous villains, free the spoiled Marquess, and perhaps hardest of all, elude her shrewd older brother—all while collecting clues to her mother’s disappearance!
I challenge you to a summer reading program. What author will you read? If you’re writing, why are you reading this author? What do you hope to learn from this author? I’d love to hear what author you will read for your summer reading program, so leave me a comment in the comment section below.
Happy Summer Reading!
June 11, 2012
Stained Glass Summer Available for Libraries
I’m very, very happy to announce that STAINED GLASS SUMMER is available to purchase for library ebook collections through Overdrive! Overdrive is the major library distributor for ebooks. STAINED GLASS SUMMER has already been purchased by the Sno-Isle Library System. This is the Snohomish/Island County Library system, so if you are a patron at these libraries, head on over and check it out! You can download in any format from the library–Nooks, Kindles, Ipads, etc. The book world is so much fun these days!
If you’d like to see STAINED GLASS SUMMER in your local library, go to your local library’s home page and there should be a “Request Book” form. You’ll usually only need your library card, title of the book, and author.
I can also send you bookmarks or postcards to share with your local children’s and teen librarians.
Just in time for Summer Reading!
June 8, 2012
Be a Famous Writer Contest for Kids
Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest for Kids
Enter Mrs. P’s 3rd Annual “Be-A-Famous-Writer” Contest. Write a story, submit it to MrsP.com – and Mrs. P herself might read your story on her website!
ENTRY DATES: SEPTEMBER 1, 2012.
For Children ages 4 to 13 years of age
Mrs P invites children to write a story on any topic, no less than 250 words and not to exceed 1,000 words. It may be fiction or non-fiction. All participants must be between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. There are two age competition categories: 4 to 8 years of age, and 9 to 13 years of age.
The two (2) Grand Prize winners’ stories will be read by Mrs P and original illustrations will be created. The lucky child will receive an actual copy of the story in addition to having it posted on the web site (www.mrsp.com) for viewers to watch and enjoy. MrsP Enterprises, LLC pays all costs of producing the winning book and video. Additionally, all 10 finalists in the contest receive prizes from the contest sponsors. Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookseller in the world, who has been a sponsor since the first year of the contest and for a 2nd year, Sakura of America, an innovator in writing and artistic tools.
Young Adult and Middle Grade Novel Submission Opportunity
Algonquin Books Submission Guidelines
Algonquin Books publishes literary fiction and nonfiction. We don’t publish poetry or genre fiction (romance, science fiction, etc.). In late 2012 we will begin publishing literary YA and middle-grade reader books.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or any electronic submissions. We do accept queries and will contact you if we would like to see the full manuscript. Please note that we cannot take calls regarding the status of your submission.
If you would like us to consider your manuscript, please send a short (no more than 15-20 double-spaced pages) sample of your work, a cover letter, a self-addressed envelope, and a check to cover return postage to:
For YA/MG submissions:
Elise Howard
Algonquin Books
225 Varick St.
New York, NY 10014
For more information about submissions to Algonquin Books, see their submission guidelines here.
Short Story Market for YA and Children’s
Chamberton Publishing is seeking YA and Children’s Stories for two of their upcoming anthologies.
Short Story word count between 500 words and 7,000 words
Previously published stories are accepted as long as you have the rights to them.
Payment for Stories:
500 to 2.500 words – $50
2501 to 5.000 words – $75
5001 to 7.000 words – $100
Young Adult: (Deadline for submissions September 1, 2012)
Young adults deal with many issues – peer pressure, bullying, self esteem, just to name a few. For this anthology we are looking for stories that inspire hope, feature main characters that overcome great odds/obstacles, or leave the reader inspired. We are open to any genre as long as it is intended for the YA audience and meets the guidelines mentioned below. The common thread tying these stories together are the themes of hope and encouragement.
Children’s Anthology - (Deadline for submissions July 1, 2012)
This anthology is intended for elementary age children and has a ‘Bedtime Story’ theme. Stories that are sweet, encouraging, funny, silly, rhyming, written in verse, or teach a moral lesson are acceptable. All short stories for this anthology will be considered as long is they meet the guidelines below. The thread stitching this book together is the ‘Bedtime Story’ theme.
Submission Guidelines can be found here
June 7, 2012
Blog Interview: Rhay Christou on Getting an Agent
When a character takes a journey, they should always have a best friend to be on the journey with them. Writing is a journey, and today, it’s my great pleasure to host my best friend on the writing journey, Rhay Christou. Rhay has recently signed with an agent for her young adult novel, and she agreed to share her incredible journey with us.
I met Rhay in the Vermont College MFA Writing for Children Program. We were in the same class and both of us absolutely adored and lived by the words and advice of Norma Fox Mazer. After we graduated, Rhay and I started an e-mail correspondence, and seven years later, I don’t know what I would do without those morning, cup of coffee e-mails from Rhay to start my day. We read and critique each other’s work and we share our rants and raves about writing and life.
Vermont College MFA Graduation, July 2005
Rhay lives on the Island of Cyprus with her husband and two sons. Yes, you read that right! Lucky—yes. But, this also means Rhay does not have many opportunities to attend writing conferences or workshops to meet agents face-to-face or pitch her work or hear about the industry. She relies on her own ability to seek out this information and continue her learning in writing.
Rhay impresses and inspires me with her hard work, dedication, and persistence to never give up on this writing journey. It is my great pleasure to share her agent journey with you!
You’ve recently signed with an agent for your young adult novel. Congratulations! Can you tell us about how it felt to get The Call?
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster. The first contact wasn’t a call. It was an email, saying I devoured your novel. I honestly don’t think there are four words more beautiful in the world. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t speak. The phone calls started coming next. Not only one but three. Three people loved my novel. It was overwhelming, but in a great way.
How did you select your agent? How did you decide to query this agent?
I’m pretty particular about the agents that I query. I do a lot of research and chose to query based on the information I find. I look at the company profile and the types of books sold. I read every interview that an agent has done. Recently, I also made the choice to try a newer agent, an agent who works for a good company, but are building their careers. My thought here was that newer agents might not only have more time to read and consider a query but if they ultimately signed me, they would have more time to help develop my career. I wouldn’t be one of the many, but one of the few.
There was a little bit of a flurry around your novel with more than one agent wanting to represent you. Can you tell us how you narrowed down your choice?
The flurry was amazing as it was unexpected. It was the hardest choice I ever had to make. Fortunately, I have a great support group and people were more than willing to do a bit of undercover work to get me more and more information. Most people told me to go with the agent who had the best track record, who’d sold the most, but in the end, though, I had to go with my gut. I had been the one to speak with the agents, and get emails from the agents. It was a hard choice, but I remember always saying, I wish someone would just take a chance on me. I’ll make it happen. In the end, I took a chance on my agent. She’s new, but determined and has the weight of her agency behind her. More importantly, I feel like she is someone who will really work for me and someone I can work with.
What is your writing process for your young adult novel? How long have you been working on it?
I’m an obsessive writer. I put my butt in the chair seven hours a day, five days a week. That is my writing time, the time I just let the creativity flow. The evenings, the weekends and waiting in the car for kids is my reading and planning time. I make copious amounts of notes, character cards, rough plot outlines, during these times. Once a draft is done, I put it aside for a few weeks and spend the time reading craft books on writing elements. I also get feedback from trusted writers. I use this feedback to do revisions and revisions and revisions. I am big on revisions. I am big on the idea of trying a suggestion even if I don’t eventually make the change.
You have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. Have you taken other coursework since graduating? Why do you think it’s important for writers to keep learning?
I loved Vermont College. I had such great advisers and learned so much during my time there. The number one lesson I learned while there was that I had a ton more to learn. If you sit back and think you know it all just because you have a piece of paper in hand, that’s a real recipe for failure. I’m also trying to take courses and evaluate books and learn more.
Was there a give-up moment for you in your agent search? A time when you wanted to throw in the towel? How did you keep going?
The give up moment came recently. In August of 2011, I had an agent very excited about reading a full. Eventually, she came back with a rejection, but gave me a couple sentences of good advice. I spent the next four-month tearing apart my novel and doing a complete rewrite based on those two sentence. I took two courses and a line-editing course. I worked and worked and worked and in March of 2012 I was rewarded with another agent very excited to read my novel. She came back with wonderful things to say. It was very exciting reading. She really liked it. She was really on the fence with this one. Ultimately, she decided to pass and to be honest I went into a real downward spiral. I started feeling that no matter what I did this writing thing was just not going to happen for me. It was a very dark time. But I forced myself into my chair every day. Sometimes I’d manage a sentence or a paragraph. The what’s the point question kept ringing in my head. But I sent out a couple of more queries and then the planets aligned and the stars shined.
What do you think helped you in your process to landing an agent? Any tips you want to share with other writers?
For me I think the key was three factors. I have never blanket queried. I do a lot of research and I’m very particular about who I send out to. I think that was a big factor.
Secondly, when I did get a rejection with some thoughts on it, I would use those thoughts to make my work better. I was always finding ways to get back into the novel and make it better.
Lastly, I think the choice to try a newer agent in my query process was a great idea. Not only did she have time to give my query attention but also because she really is a determined and intelligent person. Her ideas for revision are just stellar and her vision for how to proceed from here just makes sense.
Where can we find you to follow the rest of this exciting journey?
Website: www. rhaychristou.com
Twitter: @rhaychristou
June 5, 2012
Stained Glass Summer Print Book Updates
A few updates on STAINED GLASS SUMMER..
There are some new blog interviews for STAINED GLASS SUMMER:
Fellow Musa YA author, Derek Thompson, hosted me on his blog here.
And, artist, Amanda Trought, hosted me on her blog here. Amanda found me through Twitter, and I was thrilled to connect with her!
Both of these blogs are in the UK, so it’s fun to see STAINED GLASS SUMMER crossing the waters!
I’ve also been working on the proofs and updates for……..the PRINT version of STAINED GLASS SUMMER. Yes, that’s right….there is going to be a print version of STAINED GLASS SUMMER. BUT….it will NOT be available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc…Not at first.
The first round of print books can be found in a couple different places.
First, I will use a couple print books for giveaways (stay tuned for a print book giveaway on this blog later this summer… But, I’m going to make you work for it….).
And, I will sign and sell print books at author events. Now, as most of you know, I present a lot of workshops, so there are going to be lots of ways for you to buy a print copy of STAINED GLASS SUMMER, and I’ve been lining up some author signings for this summer and Fall.
Some of the places I’ll be include:
The Waterfront Book Festival at the Everett Marina Boardwalk on Sunday, August 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Seattle RWA Conference Bookfair. October 27, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Westin Hotel, Bellevue, Washington. Open to the public.
And I’ve applied to be at the Surrey International Writers Conference Book Fair, October 20, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, Surrey, British Columbia. The book fair is open to the public.
My YA romance, WEAVING MAGIC, is published with Canadian Publisher, MuseItUp, and the content editor for WEAVING MAGIC will be taking pitches at this conference.
Once I have print copies of WEAVING MAGIC in hand, I’ll also schedule a Book Party and Signing-most likely at the Schack Art Center in Everett. They have an amazing hot glass shop to see!
I’ll also be selling copies of the print version of STAINED GLASS SUMMER at all the kids summer workshops where I’m teaching including the Manzanita Hoffman Center Arts Camp, the Tolovona Arts Writing for Children Workshop on August 4 in Cannon Beach, and the Everett Library Teen Poetry Workshop on July 11.
The print books will sell for $10 and includes the free study guide which is available as a download on my website. The study guide will be in the back of the print copy–which is very exciting!
So, if you want a print copy of Stained Glass Summer, come visit me at an author signing this summer and/or Fall! When you purchase a print copy of STAINED GLASS SUMMER at an author event, you’ll get one of my signed bookplates too!
(And sorry, I can’t mail these print copies to you–you must see me in person or win one through a giveaway. I will mail a giveaway copy to you–US addresses only).
June 4, 2012
YA Steampunk Anthology Seeks Submissions
Pugalicious Press is looking for short story submissions for a steampunk YA anthology Real Girls Don’t Rust.
From their website:
“Steampunk is a genre which originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or “Wild West”-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville, of (Wikipedia).”
If your short story is between 5500 and 7500 words and fits into the genre of YA steampunk, we want to read it!
Submit the whole manuscript as a Word .doc file (no .docx) by September 1, 2012, with the subject heading: submission–YA anthology.
Please include a bio, publishing credits if any, and a synopsis.
Here’s the minimum offering on the payment and royalties for this anthology: $25.00 at time of publication, plus 10% royalty and we are asking for first e-book and printing rights for two years.
