Sue Bradford Edwards's Blog, page 123

The Scarcity Myth and Children’s Publishing

Scarcity is the idea that if someone else gets a publishing slot that there is not one available for you. Thus if publishers are actively seeking work by diverse authors, white authors will find it harder to get a contract. The problem is that in children’s publishing, this is a myth. I know, I know. … Continue reading The Scarcity Myth and Children’s Publishing →

3 Reasons Writers Should Read Translated Books

I just finished reading a book that I’m recommending to everyone, reader and writer alike. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman will literally make you laugh out loud. It is a story about a would-be bank robber who escapes into an apartment building and takes a group of people at a real estate showing hostage. The … Continue reading 3 Reasons Writers Should Read Translated Books →

3 Sources of Inspiration

I try to get my posts for the week written by Wednesday. I failed to do that this week and was more than a little blue about that fact. “I’m so behind!” But then I got up Thursday morning and went on-line. I’m so glad that I had a post still open this week so … Continue reading 3 Sources of Inspiration →

2 Markets in Search of Work

I recently found out about two markets who are in search of work if you write speculative fiction or fairy tales. Enchanted Conversations Enchanted Converations: A Fairy Tale Magazine publishes retellings and mashups of multiple tales as well as modern stories told as fairy tales. These are tales of transformation and magic. They also publish … Continue reading 2 Markets in Search of Work →

3 Tips for Spooky Settings

I’ve been thinking a lot about spooky, creepy and eerie settings this week. In part, my preoccupation comes from reading an article that claimed only certain settings can be used to write spooky stories. You know – cemeteries, abandoned mansions and the like. Stop. Just stop. That’s absolute nonsense. The spookiest, scariest book I read … Continue reading 3 Tips for Spooky Settings →

3 Reasons to Read the ALA Youth Media Award Winners

Yesterday in a virtual event the American Library Association announced the winners of their annual Youth Media Awards. To select these books, committees of librarians read hundreds and thousands of books published in the past year. They champion their favorites and select an amazing list of books. If you are writing for young readers, whether … Continue reading 3 Reasons to Read the ALA Youth Media Award Winners →

Why We Need White Space

On Martin Luther King Day, I listened as my pastor read excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.  I realized that I had read, and heard, excerpts but never then entire document.  I looked it up.   I succeeded in reading two paragraphs.  I just could not force myself to read one word more. … Continue reading Why We Need White Space →

Second Person POV

One of my students recently asked what my opinion was on writing in the second person. I told her that you don’t see a lot of books written in second person (ha!  See what I did?), because it is hard to do well. Second person POV is written with “you” as the character addressed in … Continue reading Second Person POV →

Get to Know Your Character

There are numerous ways to get to know your character. They can write you a letter. You can contemplate what is in their backpack or even in the back of their closet. Me? I like to noodle over what they are reading. It sounds pretty simple. What types of books does your character read? The … Continue reading Get to Know Your Character →

Sign Up to Hone Your NF Craft

Writing nonfiction is tough. You have to research your topic, hook your reader and spin a story with a satisfying emotional arc all while sticking to the facts. Whew! It certainly isn’t easy. But if it is something you are interested in learning more about the Nonfiction Chicks’ blog is holding their second annual NF Fest … Continue reading Sign Up to Hone Your NF Craft →