Michelle Hauck's Blog, page 62
August 6, 2015
How To Get Your Con On with S. Usher Evans
Before I started this whole author-thing, you wouldn't have caught me dead at a comic book convention. But as a self-published author, I realized very quickly that the best way to get my book in the hands of new readers was to go where the readers were. And as a science fiction/fantasy writer, that meant going to every comic book convention I could find.
Example of a poster I used to release my second book at Pensacon. So far, I've hit eighteen, and I'm about to hit my nineteenth this upcoming weekend. During that time, I've learned a couple things that have allowed me to sell anywhere from 10 to 100 books in a single weekend. While those aren't NYT bestseller numbers, they're enough to pay my mortgage. I will mention that this post is geared towards comicons, but the lessons can be applied to any convention. Also, since I do own my books, book covers, and book copyrights, I have free use of my images. If your publisher owns yours, check with them on limitations.
Find an EventFirst and foremost, find one! Believe me when I say that most every single city across the great US (and abroad, too) has some kind of comic book convention. The trick is to make sure that you find one that is big enough to make your costs, or make sure you're going into it knowing that you'll lose money. And don't do six money-losers in a row like some idiot author who shall not be named. There's pros and cons for going big and the same for going small. Big Cons with Big Celebrities bring Big Numbers of people. But you usually don't get the kind of one-on-one attention that turns passers-by into superfans. Also, they usually cost more, so if the event is a bust then you may lose money. Small cons are inherently riskier, even when you've only paid $50 for a table. I went to one three day convention where the only books I sold were to other vendors and the convention chair's mom. You want to do a little research before you put your money down. If you can't name any of the celebrity guests, don't pay more than $50. 9 times out of 10 all conventions need is your hard earned cash to get a table. Some cons do a little screening of their participants, so be aware if that's the case. The only one I've ever been rejected for was DragonCon, which is a BIG CON. Besides, it never hurts to ask!
Get Yer Swag OnOnce you've got a con and a date, it's time to focus on your booth. You'll be pulling people into your booth with your pearly whites and charm and charisma (right?), but you need to make sure your booth set up looks professional. Trad pubbed kids--talk to your publisher. They might even have stuff that they can send you to use and then you don't have to make your own. They can also send you books. For me, I have three eight foot banners that I hang behind my booth. Sometimes I use all three, sometimes just the Razia one and the Empath one.
My booth set-up at a convention. For my Double Life banner, I use quotes from reviewers whereas Empath simply was the dragon. Both banners pique interest from different sets of folks. I got all three from Vistaprint and they cost around $75 to print, including the holder (I made them myself). Don't forget a tablecloth, either. If you want to splurge on a printed table cover, you can, but for my money, the banners give you more bang for the buck.
How Many Books?As far as how many books I bring to an event, it really depends. The most books I've ever sold was 183, and that was when I was selling my second book for $5 more. You want to buy enough that you won't sell out (or if you do, you won't sell out at, say 1pm on a Sunday *cough*), but you don't want to waste all of your potential profit on books that won't sell. My own optimistic rule is to bring enough of my first book and standalone to break even (to include books themselves, flight, hotel, food, etc). Sometimes I'm sinking more money in than I could ever hope to make back, and in that case, I stick with at least a box of 40 for each.
The SchpielWhen a person comes up to my booth while I'm talking with someone else and reads the back of the book, I've yet to see them stay. There's simply too much activity going on at a convention for a person to comprehend what a space pirate bounty hunter is. So in order to sell the book, I sell the book. As in I look at them in the eye and convince them why they should give me their $10. I start by saying hello to every single human (and non-human) that walks by. Sometimes they look like I'm going to murder them, sometimes they ignore me completely. But sometimes, they return the hello. Then I ask, "Are you looking for a new book today?" Sometimes, a "No, thanks." But sometimes, that light goes off in their eyes and they come rushing over. Then I say, "I have two flavors: space pirates or anxiety dragons. Pick your poison." Quick and easy topic synopsis so I can gauge which is going to land. Then the schpiel, which I have memorized before the con even begins (but after saying it 10,000 times, I would have it memorized anyway): "Double Life is about a young woman leading a, you guessed it, a Double Life. Subtle title, no? (pause for laugh or eyeroll). In one life, she's Lyssa Peate, planet discovering scientist, and in the other, she's Razia--space pirate bounty hunter (the more interesting one is second to land the blow). Unfortunately, neither life is going very well (pause for laugh). As the bounty hunter, she's one of the least (emphasize) wanted people in the universe and as the scientist, she just got a new intern who is definitely (emphasize) spying on her. Then that intern is mistaken for her hostage by the universal police (pause for effect)." Blah blah, more about the other books, release dates, etc. "Empath is about another young lady with a dragon-sized avoidance problem. She's stuck in breakup hell until she hears a mysterious voice promising an easy escape from her problems. Transported to a new world, she now has the power to feel what others are feeling. Just one small (emphasize) problem: there's a dragon in the mountain that eats people like that, and oh by the way, she may be hearing it in her head, tempting her deeper into her own darkness (pause and add "dun dun dun!")" When I finish a day of a convention, I am physically and vocally drained from doing this bit on repeat. But I know with utmost certainty that when I do the song and dance, I make sales. And I see other authors who sit behind their booth and say nothing, and they don't make the sales that I do.
The TakeawaysYou are at the convention to sell books, but not everyone you talk to is going to buy a book. So you want to make sure that you have some kind of something for them to take away. My old standby is a business card (I also keep a stack in my wallet), but I have also seen people flip out for the Empath bookmark.
Complete with yarn. My Empath bookmark[/caption] I started off with having Double Life on one side, then S. Usher Evans and my website on the other. But after I published a few books, I switched it up to focus the business card on the free download of Double Life and the Razia Series on the back. I don't usually carry business cards for Empath, but I might consider doing that in the future. The other thing that I always do is make sure I have a sign up available for my newsletter. Since I have an old iPad with a keyboard, I keep that out with the Chimpadedoo app from Mailchimp. I may never speak to that person again, but if I have their email address, I can send them a monthly newsletter with all the pertinent information about new releases and general happenings. Consider your newsletter mailing list to be akin to your Facebook Page likes or your Twitter followers. It's not a silver bullet, but it's another tool in your marketing arsenal. Now that I have three books, I've started bringing small brown paper bags with my self-pub imprint stickers on them. Just one more thing to give away that has my info on it.
Care and FeedingDon't forget to bring a plethora of pens, and I would actually consider bringing something to eat and drink (and your favorite caffeinated beverage). I usually work alone, so I don't get to leave my table but to pee when absolutely necessary. Smoothies are a good option since someone always walks up to the table when you take a huge bite of a peanut butter cracker.
And of course, if you decide to eat this all day long...
SummaryWorking a convention is the most exhausting thing you might do as an author, but they also provide the biggest opportunity for making money and meeting new fans. I can't tell you how it fills my heart with joy when a fifteen year old girl runs up to your table and says, "OMG It's you! You're my favorite author!" Squish! Got questions? Need some help? I'm always available on Twitter @s_usherevans.
About the Author
S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in a small, suburban town in northwest Florida, she was seventeen before she realized that not all beach sand is white. From a young age, she has always been a long-winded individual, first verbally (to the chagrin of her ever-loving parents) and then eventually channeled into the many novels that dotted her Windows 98 computer in the early 2000’s. After high school, she got the hell outta dodge and went to school near the nation’s capital, where she somehow landed jobs at National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and the British Broadcasting Corporation, capping off her educational career with delivering the commencement address to 20,000 of her closest friends. She determined she’d goofed off long enough with that television nonsense and got a “real job” as an IT consultant. Yet she continued to write, developing 20 page standard operating procedures and then coming home to write novels about badass bounty hunters, teenage magic users, and other nonsense. After a severe quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided to finally get a move on and share those novels with the world in hopes that she will never have to write another SOP again. Check her out at www.susherevans.com.
Example of a poster I used to release my second book at Pensacon. So far, I've hit eighteen, and I'm about to hit my nineteenth this upcoming weekend. During that time, I've learned a couple things that have allowed me to sell anywhere from 10 to 100 books in a single weekend. While those aren't NYT bestseller numbers, they're enough to pay my mortgage. I will mention that this post is geared towards comicons, but the lessons can be applied to any convention. Also, since I do own my books, book covers, and book copyrights, I have free use of my images. If your publisher owns yours, check with them on limitations. Find an EventFirst and foremost, find one! Believe me when I say that most every single city across the great US (and abroad, too) has some kind of comic book convention. The trick is to make sure that you find one that is big enough to make your costs, or make sure you're going into it knowing that you'll lose money. And don't do six money-losers in a row like some idiot author who shall not be named. There's pros and cons for going big and the same for going small. Big Cons with Big Celebrities bring Big Numbers of people. But you usually don't get the kind of one-on-one attention that turns passers-by into superfans. Also, they usually cost more, so if the event is a bust then you may lose money. Small cons are inherently riskier, even when you've only paid $50 for a table. I went to one three day convention where the only books I sold were to other vendors and the convention chair's mom. You want to do a little research before you put your money down. If you can't name any of the celebrity guests, don't pay more than $50. 9 times out of 10 all conventions need is your hard earned cash to get a table. Some cons do a little screening of their participants, so be aware if that's the case. The only one I've ever been rejected for was DragonCon, which is a BIG CON. Besides, it never hurts to ask!
Get Yer Swag OnOnce you've got a con and a date, it's time to focus on your booth. You'll be pulling people into your booth with your pearly whites and charm and charisma (right?), but you need to make sure your booth set up looks professional. Trad pubbed kids--talk to your publisher. They might even have stuff that they can send you to use and then you don't have to make your own. They can also send you books. For me, I have three eight foot banners that I hang behind my booth. Sometimes I use all three, sometimes just the Razia one and the Empath one.
My booth set-up at a convention. For my Double Life banner, I use quotes from reviewers whereas Empath simply was the dragon. Both banners pique interest from different sets of folks. I got all three from Vistaprint and they cost around $75 to print, including the holder (I made them myself). Don't forget a tablecloth, either. If you want to splurge on a printed table cover, you can, but for my money, the banners give you more bang for the buck.
How Many Books?As far as how many books I bring to an event, it really depends. The most books I've ever sold was 183, and that was when I was selling my second book for $5 more. You want to buy enough that you won't sell out (or if you do, you won't sell out at, say 1pm on a Sunday *cough*), but you don't want to waste all of your potential profit on books that won't sell. My own optimistic rule is to bring enough of my first book and standalone to break even (to include books themselves, flight, hotel, food, etc). Sometimes I'm sinking more money in than I could ever hope to make back, and in that case, I stick with at least a box of 40 for each.
The SchpielWhen a person comes up to my booth while I'm talking with someone else and reads the back of the book, I've yet to see them stay. There's simply too much activity going on at a convention for a person to comprehend what a space pirate bounty hunter is. So in order to sell the book, I sell the book. As in I look at them in the eye and convince them why they should give me their $10. I start by saying hello to every single human (and non-human) that walks by. Sometimes they look like I'm going to murder them, sometimes they ignore me completely. But sometimes, they return the hello. Then I ask, "Are you looking for a new book today?" Sometimes, a "No, thanks." But sometimes, that light goes off in their eyes and they come rushing over. Then I say, "I have two flavors: space pirates or anxiety dragons. Pick your poison." Quick and easy topic synopsis so I can gauge which is going to land. Then the schpiel, which I have memorized before the con even begins (but after saying it 10,000 times, I would have it memorized anyway): "Double Life is about a young woman leading a, you guessed it, a Double Life. Subtle title, no? (pause for laugh or eyeroll). In one life, she's Lyssa Peate, planet discovering scientist, and in the other, she's Razia--space pirate bounty hunter (the more interesting one is second to land the blow). Unfortunately, neither life is going very well (pause for laugh). As the bounty hunter, she's one of the least (emphasize) wanted people in the universe and as the scientist, she just got a new intern who is definitely (emphasize) spying on her. Then that intern is mistaken for her hostage by the universal police (pause for effect)." Blah blah, more about the other books, release dates, etc. "Empath is about another young lady with a dragon-sized avoidance problem. She's stuck in breakup hell until she hears a mysterious voice promising an easy escape from her problems. Transported to a new world, she now has the power to feel what others are feeling. Just one small (emphasize) problem: there's a dragon in the mountain that eats people like that, and oh by the way, she may be hearing it in her head, tempting her deeper into her own darkness (pause and add "dun dun dun!")" When I finish a day of a convention, I am physically and vocally drained from doing this bit on repeat. But I know with utmost certainty that when I do the song and dance, I make sales. And I see other authors who sit behind their booth and say nothing, and they don't make the sales that I do.
The TakeawaysYou are at the convention to sell books, but not everyone you talk to is going to buy a book. So you want to make sure that you have some kind of something for them to take away. My old standby is a business card (I also keep a stack in my wallet), but I have also seen people flip out for the Empath bookmark.
Complete with yarn. My Empath bookmark[/caption] I started off with having Double Life on one side, then S. Usher Evans and my website on the other. But after I published a few books, I switched it up to focus the business card on the free download of Double Life and the Razia Series on the back. I don't usually carry business cards for Empath, but I might consider doing that in the future. The other thing that I always do is make sure I have a sign up available for my newsletter. Since I have an old iPad with a keyboard, I keep that out with the Chimpadedoo app from Mailchimp. I may never speak to that person again, but if I have their email address, I can send them a monthly newsletter with all the pertinent information about new releases and general happenings. Consider your newsletter mailing list to be akin to your Facebook Page likes or your Twitter followers. It's not a silver bullet, but it's another tool in your marketing arsenal. Now that I have three books, I've started bringing small brown paper bags with my self-pub imprint stickers on them. Just one more thing to give away that has my info on it.
Care and FeedingDon't forget to bring a plethora of pens, and I would actually consider bringing something to eat and drink (and your favorite caffeinated beverage). I usually work alone, so I don't get to leave my table but to pee when absolutely necessary. Smoothies are a good option since someone always walks up to the table when you take a huge bite of a peanut butter cracker.
And of course, if you decide to eat this all day long...
SummaryWorking a convention is the most exhausting thing you might do as an author, but they also provide the biggest opportunity for making money and meeting new fans. I can't tell you how it fills my heart with joy when a fifteen year old girl runs up to your table and says, "OMG It's you! You're my favorite author!" Squish! Got questions? Need some help? I'm always available on Twitter @s_usherevans.
About the Author
S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in a small, suburban town in northwest Florida, she was seventeen before she realized that not all beach sand is white. From a young age, she has always been a long-winded individual, first verbally (to the chagrin of her ever-loving parents) and then eventually channeled into the many novels that dotted her Windows 98 computer in the early 2000’s. After high school, she got the hell outta dodge and went to school near the nation’s capital, where she somehow landed jobs at National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and the British Broadcasting Corporation, capping off her educational career with delivering the commencement address to 20,000 of her closest friends. She determined she’d goofed off long enough with that television nonsense and got a “real job” as an IT consultant. Yet she continued to write, developing 20 page standard operating procedures and then coming home to write novels about badass bounty hunters, teenage magic users, and other nonsense. After a severe quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided to finally get a move on and share those novels with the world in hopes that she will never have to write another SOP again. Check her out at www.susherevans.com.
August 5, 2015
Book Blogger Conversation with Danielle Davis
I'm excited to start a new series of posts with a group that is under appreciated--book bloggers!
Book bloggers are obviously so important to authors. They give consistent reviews. They open their blogs to us. They are readers and fans! I think we should honor them more.
So this series of interviews was born! Hopefully it will help authors find bloggers and give everyone else a better appreciation of them.
Welcome to Danielle Davis for our very first interview. Be sure and check out her links at the end of this post.
What types of books do you review?
Danielle: I review picture books, the kind that are smart, beautifully illustrated, playful, and/or unique.
Do you have any guidelines for authors to follow in contacting you? A link will work.
Danielle: I typically receive books from publishers directly, but I love it when an author or illustrator reaches out too. Email is perfect and my contact info can be found here.
Do you post anything besides reviews—such as cover art or giveaways?
Danielle: Yes, yes! I try to always pair a picture book review (and interior art) with something related to the book. Sometimes that’s a craft. It could be an interview. I might collaborate with someone who provides a book-related recipe. Or it might be pictures of pool floats. You know, stuff like that.
And I love hosting giveaways and do so with some regularity. They combine mail and passing books on to others, two of my very favorite things.
How do you find books to review or do they come to you?
Danielle: After two years of blogging, I now receive a lot of books in the mail directly from publishing companies. That said, I’m still always hunting online at other blogs, at independent bookstores, and at my local library, where I have my very own hold shelf. J
What got you into blogging about books?
Danielle: My love for them and wanting to share that. And, more specifically, I wanted to provide posts that make connections between picture books and their subject matter in fun, interesting ways.
What elements go into a good review and how long does it take to write one?
Danielle: What a good question. If I’m making something or collaborating with someone, a blog post can take days. If it’s a simpler affair, a couple to a few hours, which includes gathering interior artwork from an author, illustrator, or publisher as well as writing (and reading).
For picture books, I think a good review shows us illustrations from the book because it’s such a visual medium. And I think it also tells us what the blogger loves about it, why it’s special. And finally, I think it gives us a sense of the story, premise, or characters, without giving everything away.
How often do you post reviews?
Danielle: Usually twice a week though I’ve been posting only once a week this summer.
What types of things make for an extra special book? The kind you don’t forget?
Danielle: I think one big thing that makes a picture book extra special is that it takes full advantage of the form. So that means it’s visual in its storytelling, spare, and makes you either laugh or cry at the end. I think you really want that ending to resonate one way or another so that kid readers want to go back immediately and read it again or so that it sticks with them in some way. A book, any book, should change you after reading it—make you see a familiar thing with fresh eyes, make you giggle, make you feel something.
Favorite books you’ve reviewed.
Danielle: HUGME by Simona Ciraolo from last year charmed me. Maybe because it’s about an adorable cactus and I live in Los Angeles. But mostly because of its authenticity. There was something honest and slightly edgy about it that I really loved.
Books you are looking forward to in the next year.
Danielle: I’m excited to write blog posts on two soon to be released picture books: THEWONDERFUL FLUFFY LITTLE SQUISHY by Beatrice Alemagna and SWAN by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Both are inventive and beautiful and not to be missed! (And they make you feel things!) J
Do you prefer kindle or actual books when reading?
Danielle: Picture books are by their nature objects. The experience of holding one and often reading it aloud and showing the pictures is integral to the magic.
If you could only purchase one book, what would it be?
Danielle: Only one book? That. Is. Tough. Probably THE GIRL IN THE FLAMMABLE SKIRT , a collection of short stories by Aimee Bender. I was introduced to it when I was just starting to commit to the idea of trying to be a writer ten years ago and everything I’ve written since has been influenced in some way by that wild and wonderful book.
Only one picture book? THE RED TREE by Shaun Tan. I know, it’s so sad! Oh well, that’s the one I’d pick because it’s brilliant and everything I need in a book.
What’s your favorite spot to read?
Danielle: For picture books, it’s my living room or the library. Or, even better, to a group of little ones with the amazing nonprofit called Reading to Kids that I volunteer with once a month. Yeah, that’s the best spot.
Give us your best advice for a beginning book blogger.
Danielle: I think it’s important to post about books you truly like. That’s how you begin to develop your blog’s aesthetic and point of view. That’s how you create a voice. That’s how you throw glimmering bits of positivity out into the book universe. And that’s how you become a source others with similar tastes can trust.
One other thing: don’t be afraid to reach out to authors and publishers, even when you’re just starting out. They’re usually kind and appreciative of your efforts on behalf of books, no matter how new or small your blog!
Thank you so much, Michelle, for having me!
----------------------------------------
Danielle Davis has an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, a membership with SCBWI, and a pair of roller skates. She writes books for young readers and helps others do the same. Her blog, This Picture Book Life, is a good place to find her.
DanielleDavisReadsandWrites.comThisPictureBookLife.com@writesinla
Book bloggers are obviously so important to authors. They give consistent reviews. They open their blogs to us. They are readers and fans! I think we should honor them more.
So this series of interviews was born! Hopefully it will help authors find bloggers and give everyone else a better appreciation of them.
Welcome to Danielle Davis for our very first interview. Be sure and check out her links at the end of this post.
What types of books do you review?
Danielle: I review picture books, the kind that are smart, beautifully illustrated, playful, and/or unique.
Do you have any guidelines for authors to follow in contacting you? A link will work.
Danielle: I typically receive books from publishers directly, but I love it when an author or illustrator reaches out too. Email is perfect and my contact info can be found here.
Do you post anything besides reviews—such as cover art or giveaways?
Danielle: Yes, yes! I try to always pair a picture book review (and interior art) with something related to the book. Sometimes that’s a craft. It could be an interview. I might collaborate with someone who provides a book-related recipe. Or it might be pictures of pool floats. You know, stuff like that.
And I love hosting giveaways and do so with some regularity. They combine mail and passing books on to others, two of my very favorite things.
How do you find books to review or do they come to you?
Danielle: After two years of blogging, I now receive a lot of books in the mail directly from publishing companies. That said, I’m still always hunting online at other blogs, at independent bookstores, and at my local library, where I have my very own hold shelf. J
What got you into blogging about books?
Danielle: My love for them and wanting to share that. And, more specifically, I wanted to provide posts that make connections between picture books and their subject matter in fun, interesting ways.
What elements go into a good review and how long does it take to write one?
Danielle: What a good question. If I’m making something or collaborating with someone, a blog post can take days. If it’s a simpler affair, a couple to a few hours, which includes gathering interior artwork from an author, illustrator, or publisher as well as writing (and reading).
For picture books, I think a good review shows us illustrations from the book because it’s such a visual medium. And I think it also tells us what the blogger loves about it, why it’s special. And finally, I think it gives us a sense of the story, premise, or characters, without giving everything away.
How often do you post reviews?
Danielle: Usually twice a week though I’ve been posting only once a week this summer.
What types of things make for an extra special book? The kind you don’t forget?
Danielle: I think one big thing that makes a picture book extra special is that it takes full advantage of the form. So that means it’s visual in its storytelling, spare, and makes you either laugh or cry at the end. I think you really want that ending to resonate one way or another so that kid readers want to go back immediately and read it again or so that it sticks with them in some way. A book, any book, should change you after reading it—make you see a familiar thing with fresh eyes, make you giggle, make you feel something.
Favorite books you’ve reviewed.
Danielle: HUGME by Simona Ciraolo from last year charmed me. Maybe because it’s about an adorable cactus and I live in Los Angeles. But mostly because of its authenticity. There was something honest and slightly edgy about it that I really loved.
Books you are looking forward to in the next year.
Danielle: I’m excited to write blog posts on two soon to be released picture books: THEWONDERFUL FLUFFY LITTLE SQUISHY by Beatrice Alemagna and SWAN by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Both are inventive and beautiful and not to be missed! (And they make you feel things!) J
Do you prefer kindle or actual books when reading?
Danielle: Picture books are by their nature objects. The experience of holding one and often reading it aloud and showing the pictures is integral to the magic.
If you could only purchase one book, what would it be?
Danielle: Only one book? That. Is. Tough. Probably THE GIRL IN THE FLAMMABLE SKIRT , a collection of short stories by Aimee Bender. I was introduced to it when I was just starting to commit to the idea of trying to be a writer ten years ago and everything I’ve written since has been influenced in some way by that wild and wonderful book.
Only one picture book? THE RED TREE by Shaun Tan. I know, it’s so sad! Oh well, that’s the one I’d pick because it’s brilliant and everything I need in a book.
What’s your favorite spot to read?
Danielle: For picture books, it’s my living room or the library. Or, even better, to a group of little ones with the amazing nonprofit called Reading to Kids that I volunteer with once a month. Yeah, that’s the best spot.
Give us your best advice for a beginning book blogger.
Danielle: I think it’s important to post about books you truly like. That’s how you begin to develop your blog’s aesthetic and point of view. That’s how you create a voice. That’s how you throw glimmering bits of positivity out into the book universe. And that’s how you become a source others with similar tastes can trust.
One other thing: don’t be afraid to reach out to authors and publishers, even when you’re just starting out. They’re usually kind and appreciative of your efforts on behalf of books, no matter how new or small your blog!
Thank you so much, Michelle, for having me!
----------------------------------------
Danielle Davis has an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, a membership with SCBWI, and a pair of roller skates. She writes books for young readers and helps others do the same. Her blog, This Picture Book Life, is a good place to find her.
DanielleDavisReadsandWrites.comThisPictureBookLife.com@writesinla
August 4, 2015
Cover Reveal for FROSH
During welcome week at Hillson University, the FROSH will hit the fan.
Type-A aspiring journalist Ellie plans to take freshman year by storm. But hell-bent on breaking a huge on-campus scandal, she risks becoming one herself—and getting the mysterious, heart-melting QB in serious trouble.
Grant, star quarterback and charismatic chick-magnet, is hiding a life-altering secret. The last thing he needs is an overeager (absolutely adorable) journalist asking questions. He’s got a reputation to protect.
High-society legacy student Devon is ready to catch the football hottie of her dreams. If the tabloids feature her with the “it” boy on her arm, her tainted past will be buried—or so she thinks.
Charlie, pre-med, is done being the sweet and funny geek that girls like Devon ignore. But if he tries to impress her with a new edgy, spontaneous attitude, will his heart end up in the emergency room?
FROSH intertwines the stories of Ellie, Grant, Devon, and Charlie in Mónica B. Wagner’s sexy NA debut series, about falling in love and falling apart.
October 20, 2015
The Studio/Paper Lantern Lit
Goodreads
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Mónica was born in a Peruvian city by a snow-capped volcano. Growing up, books were her constant companion as she traveled with her family to places like India (where she became a vegetarian), Thailand (where she *almost* met Leonardo di Caprio), France (where she pretended to learn French), and countless other places that inspired her to write. Now, Mónica lives in Chile with her husband, three boys, eleven hens, and stray dog.Website
Blog
@Monica_BW
August 3, 2015
Pitch Wars Mentor Plug for 2015
Last year I was a middle grade mentor and loved all the imaginative stories for kids. But I like to change things up, so this year something new!
Qualifications:
And so begins the brag-fest. Let's get that part over.
First, the oh-so-astonishing and exciting bio:
Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two new adults. Two papillons help balance out the new adult drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow among others.
Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.
Find me on twitter at @Michelle4Laughs
On the hush-hush side, I'm waiting to be allowed to announce a little something else to go in that bio. Something a little... big, if you know what I mean.
Moving on.
I'm not going to fill this post with gifs. I'm not going to shout and boast. Simply put, I know contests. I know agents--lots of agents. I've hooked many writers up with their agents--or helped them on their way so they could do it themselves.
Many of them are now PitchWars mentors. They are very talented writers, and I'm thankful I happened to spot them.
If you don't know, I'm the host of Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, New Agent and Sun versus Snow as well as Picture Book Party. I also post interviews with agents on my blog to help querying writers. I've been running contests for three years.
My contests have resulted in dozens of success stories. I've read thousands of entries and know what works.
You want the real deal mentor, then you want me. (Sorry other mentors.)
I. SPOT. WINNERS.
Enough said. I humbly drop the mic and walk away.
My Editorial Style:
I prefer to work by email or chat. I'm not a fan of talking on the phone.
Last year out of about 80 submissions to me, I requested 10 partials and then 4 fulls from that. All 10 partials got edit letters and in-line feedback from me.
What am I looking for?
This year I am mentoring in the adult category. And I'm being very selective in what I'm looking for: fantasy and a very few types of science fiction.
I want adult fantasy and especially epic fantasy, though I'll look at all other kinds.
Sorry but:
-I'm not your person if your story includes tons of romance. If the MC bats her eyes and moons over guys/girls a lot, it's not for me.
-I'm not your person if your word count is over 120,000 or under 70,000.
-I'm not your person if you have vampires or werewolves.
-I don't do Twilight.
-I'm not a big fan of ghosts.
-I'm not your person for whiny/bitchy or complaining main characters.
-Elves and dwarfs are not really my area of interest.
-I'm not your person if you believe your manuscript is practically perfect as is. You have to be willing to revise--not huge, rewrite-the-whole-thing revisions, but some.
-If you have graphic sex scenes or kill all your main characters, it's not for me. I quit GoT in the second book.
-I do want unique concept. Something that stands out of the crowd.
-A little romance is okay. As long as it isn't the MC's focus.
-I will consider dystopian or post apocalypse, but no other type of science fiction.
-I want magic and big worlds.
-I want characters with secrets they're hiding and lots of backstory that comes out gradually, not in the first chapter.
Some of my favorite authors include: Brandon Sanderson, Kate Elliott, Michael J. Sulllivan, Robert Jordan, Kristen Britain, Jim Butcher and more.
If you have something like the Green Rider series, I want to see it. If you are into WoT (if you know what this means, you're my kind of writer) and The Dresden Series, I want to see it.
Please make sure you are sending adult fantasy my way. Don't waste a mentor slot sending YA or MG. Due to the contest structure, I'm restricted to the adult category.
On a side note, I know it's hard to pick a mentor when you only get to send five subs. It will be difficult to pick just one mentee. I'm looking for something I really love as we only get one choice. I hope you'll choose me to help you.
If in doubt or you want to know my editorial style, ask me on twitter (@Michelle4Laughs) or in the comments.
See you August 17th for subs and August 10th for #AskMentor on twitter.
Here are the "other" mentors.
1. Kes Trester (co-mentoring with Jennifer Hawkins)
2. Mindy McGinnis (co-mentoring with Kate Karyus Quinn)
3. N.K. Traver
4. Kristin B. Wright
5. Laura Heffernan
6. Mary Ann Marlowe
7. Joy McCullough-Carranza
8. Lisa Lewis-Tyre
9. Jenni L. Walsh (co-mentoring with Trisha Leaver)
10. Sarah Glenn Marsh
11. Julie C. Dao
12. Kellye Garrett
13. K.T. Hanna
14. Jessie Devine
15. Rosalyn Eves
16. Jami Nord
17. Samantha Joyce
18. Helene Dunbar
19. Jenna Lehne
20. Linsey Miller
21. Jessica Vitalis
22. Stacey Graham
23. Dan Koboldt
24. Brighton Walsh
25. Kate Brauning
26. Lisa Maxwell
27. Wendy Spinale
28. Sarah Cannon
29. L.L. McKinney
30. Juliana Brandt
31. Scarlett Cole
32. Hayley Stone
33. Jennifer Blackwood
34. Kendra Young
35. S.P. McConnell
36. Nikki Roberti37. Emmie Mears
38. Lori Goldstein (co-mentoring with Chelsea Bobulski)
39. Jennifer Hawkins (co-mentoring with Kes Trester)
40. Elizabeth Briggs
41. Ron Walters (co-mentoring with Meredith McCardle)
42. Fiona McLaren (co-mentoring with Dionne McCulloch)
43. S.M. Johnston (co-mentoring with Stacey Nash)
44. Max Wirestone
45. Jaye Robin Brown
46. Molly Lee
47. Rachel Lynn Solomon
48. J.C. Nelson
49. Holly Faur
50. Sonia Hartl
51. Natasha Raulerson
52. Marty Mayberry
53. J.C. Davis
54. Rebecca Wells
55. Michelle Hauck
56. Tabitha Martin
57. Rebecca Petruck
58. Sarah Henning
59. Alex White
60. Jeanmarie Anaya
61. Laura Salter
62. Wade Albert White
63. Brooks Benjamin
64. Margarita Montimore
65. Megan Grimit
66. Charlie Holmberg
67. Diana Gallager
68. Stefanie Wass
69. Tamara Mataya
70. Rebecca Sky
71. Kara Seal
72. Lee Gjertsen Malone73. Katie Bucklein
74. Kevin A Springer
75. Brianna Shrum
76. Kate Karyus Quinn (co-mentoring with Mindy McGinnis)
77. Kim Graff
78. Emily Martin
79. Trisha Leaver (co-mentoring with Jenni Walsh)
80. Kim Long
81. Catherine Scully
82. Stacey Trombley
83. Stephanie Scott (co-mentoring with Valerie Cole)
84. Valerie Cole (co-mentoring with Stephanie Scott)
85. Lizzy Charles
86. Dannie Morin (co-mentoring with Alexandra Alessandri)
87. Kate Foster
88. Elly Blake
89. Julie Sondra Decker
90. Lady Lioness
91. Susan Gray Foster (co-mentoring with Monica Bustamante Wagner_
92. Kelly Calabrese
93. Sarah Nicolas
94. Kelly Siskind
95. Roselle Kaes
96. Monica Bustamante Wagner (co-mentoring with Susan Gray Foster)
97. Renee Ahdieh (co-mentoring with Traci Chee)
98. Traci Chee (co-mentoring with Renee Ahdieh)
99. Janet B. Taylor
100. Jessie Humphries (co-mentoring with Mara Rae)
101. Lynnette Labelle
102. Erica M. Chapman
103. Summer Spence
104. Marieke Nijkamp
105. Meredith McCardle (co-mentoring with Ron Walters)
106. Thomas Torre
107. Phil Stamper
108. J.A. SoudersPowered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
Qualifications:
And so begins the brag-fest. Let's get that part over.
First, the oh-so-astonishing and exciting bio:
Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two new adults. Two papillons help balance out the new adult drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.
She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow among others.
Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.
Find me on twitter at @Michelle4Laughs
On the hush-hush side, I'm waiting to be allowed to announce a little something else to go in that bio. Something a little... big, if you know what I mean.
Moving on.
I'm not going to fill this post with gifs. I'm not going to shout and boast. Simply put, I know contests. I know agents--lots of agents. I've hooked many writers up with their agents--or helped them on their way so they could do it themselves.
Many of them are now PitchWars mentors. They are very talented writers, and I'm thankful I happened to spot them.
If you don't know, I'm the host of Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, New Agent and Sun versus Snow as well as Picture Book Party. I also post interviews with agents on my blog to help querying writers. I've been running contests for three years.
My contests have resulted in dozens of success stories. I've read thousands of entries and know what works.
You want the real deal mentor, then you want me. (Sorry other mentors.)
I. SPOT. WINNERS.
Enough said. I humbly drop the mic and walk away.
My Editorial Style:
I prefer to work by email or chat. I'm not a fan of talking on the phone.
Last year out of about 80 submissions to me, I requested 10 partials and then 4 fulls from that. All 10 partials got edit letters and in-line feedback from me.
What am I looking for?
This year I am mentoring in the adult category. And I'm being very selective in what I'm looking for: fantasy and a very few types of science fiction.
I want adult fantasy and especially epic fantasy, though I'll look at all other kinds.
Sorry but:
-I'm not your person if your story includes tons of romance. If the MC bats her eyes and moons over guys/girls a lot, it's not for me.
-I'm not your person if your word count is over 120,000 or under 70,000.
-I'm not your person if you have vampires or werewolves.
-I don't do Twilight.
-I'm not a big fan of ghosts.
-I'm not your person for whiny/bitchy or complaining main characters.
-Elves and dwarfs are not really my area of interest.
-I'm not your person if you believe your manuscript is practically perfect as is. You have to be willing to revise--not huge, rewrite-the-whole-thing revisions, but some.
-If you have graphic sex scenes or kill all your main characters, it's not for me. I quit GoT in the second book.
-I do want unique concept. Something that stands out of the crowd.
-A little romance is okay. As long as it isn't the MC's focus.
-I will consider dystopian or post apocalypse, but no other type of science fiction.
-I want magic and big worlds.
-I want characters with secrets they're hiding and lots of backstory that comes out gradually, not in the first chapter.
Some of my favorite authors include: Brandon Sanderson, Kate Elliott, Michael J. Sulllivan, Robert Jordan, Kristen Britain, Jim Butcher and more.
If you have something like the Green Rider series, I want to see it. If you are into WoT (if you know what this means, you're my kind of writer) and The Dresden Series, I want to see it.
Please make sure you are sending adult fantasy my way. Don't waste a mentor slot sending YA or MG. Due to the contest structure, I'm restricted to the adult category.
On a side note, I know it's hard to pick a mentor when you only get to send five subs. It will be difficult to pick just one mentee. I'm looking for something I really love as we only get one choice. I hope you'll choose me to help you.
If in doubt or you want to know my editorial style, ask me on twitter (@Michelle4Laughs) or in the comments.
See you August 17th for subs and August 10th for #AskMentor on twitter.
Here are the "other" mentors.
1. Kes Trester (co-mentoring with Jennifer Hawkins)
2. Mindy McGinnis (co-mentoring with Kate Karyus Quinn)
3. N.K. Traver
4. Kristin B. Wright
5. Laura Heffernan
6. Mary Ann Marlowe
7. Joy McCullough-Carranza
8. Lisa Lewis-Tyre
9. Jenni L. Walsh (co-mentoring with Trisha Leaver)
10. Sarah Glenn Marsh
11. Julie C. Dao
12. Kellye Garrett
13. K.T. Hanna
14. Jessie Devine
15. Rosalyn Eves
16. Jami Nord
17. Samantha Joyce
18. Helene Dunbar
19. Jenna Lehne
20. Linsey Miller
21. Jessica Vitalis
22. Stacey Graham
23. Dan Koboldt
24. Brighton Walsh
25. Kate Brauning
26. Lisa Maxwell
27. Wendy Spinale
28. Sarah Cannon
29. L.L. McKinney
30. Juliana Brandt
31. Scarlett Cole
32. Hayley Stone
33. Jennifer Blackwood
34. Kendra Young
35. S.P. McConnell
36. Nikki Roberti37. Emmie Mears
38. Lori Goldstein (co-mentoring with Chelsea Bobulski)
39. Jennifer Hawkins (co-mentoring with Kes Trester)
40. Elizabeth Briggs
41. Ron Walters (co-mentoring with Meredith McCardle)
42. Fiona McLaren (co-mentoring with Dionne McCulloch)
43. S.M. Johnston (co-mentoring with Stacey Nash)
44. Max Wirestone
45. Jaye Robin Brown
46. Molly Lee
47. Rachel Lynn Solomon
48. J.C. Nelson
49. Holly Faur
50. Sonia Hartl
51. Natasha Raulerson
52. Marty Mayberry
53. J.C. Davis
54. Rebecca Wells
55. Michelle Hauck
56. Tabitha Martin
57. Rebecca Petruck
58. Sarah Henning
59. Alex White
60. Jeanmarie Anaya
61. Laura Salter
62. Wade Albert White
63. Brooks Benjamin
64. Margarita Montimore
65. Megan Grimit
66. Charlie Holmberg
67. Diana Gallager
68. Stefanie Wass
69. Tamara Mataya
70. Rebecca Sky
71. Kara Seal
72. Lee Gjertsen Malone73. Katie Bucklein
74. Kevin A Springer
75. Brianna Shrum
76. Kate Karyus Quinn (co-mentoring with Mindy McGinnis)
77. Kim Graff
78. Emily Martin
79. Trisha Leaver (co-mentoring with Jenni Walsh)
80. Kim Long
81. Catherine Scully
82. Stacey Trombley
83. Stephanie Scott (co-mentoring with Valerie Cole)
84. Valerie Cole (co-mentoring with Stephanie Scott)
85. Lizzy Charles
86. Dannie Morin (co-mentoring with Alexandra Alessandri)
87. Kate Foster
88. Elly Blake
89. Julie Sondra Decker
90. Lady Lioness
91. Susan Gray Foster (co-mentoring with Monica Bustamante Wagner_
92. Kelly Calabrese
93. Sarah Nicolas
94. Kelly Siskind
95. Roselle Kaes
96. Monica Bustamante Wagner (co-mentoring with Susan Gray Foster)
97. Renee Ahdieh (co-mentoring with Traci Chee)
98. Traci Chee (co-mentoring with Renee Ahdieh)
99. Janet B. Taylor
100. Jessie Humphries (co-mentoring with Mara Rae)
101. Lynnette Labelle
102. Erica M. Chapman
103. Summer Spence
104. Marieke Nijkamp
105. Meredith McCardle (co-mentoring with Ron Walters)
106. Thomas Torre
107. Phil Stamper
108. J.A. SoudersPowered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
August 2, 2015
Name That Judge #13 (Last One)
This judge has been correctly named! See the comments for the answer. Thanks for playing everyone!
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off. This judge has not been put forth as a guess in any post yet.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Princess of Llamas. And they have provided a few hints:
Writes MG fantasy
First year QK judge
Used "just" 138 times in recent WIP before revising
Twitter homepage contains a relative
First one to correctly name this judge wins a first chapter critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off. This judge has not been put forth as a guess in any post yet.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Princess of Llamas. And they have provided a few hints:
Writes MG fantasy
First year QK judge
Used "just" 138 times in recent WIP before revising
Twitter homepage contains a relative
First one to correctly name this judge wins a first chapter critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Name That Judge #12
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off. This judge did very well in Query Kombat 2014 as a Kombatant.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Romida Vane. And they have provided a few hints:
Romilda Vane is, clearly, obsessed with Harry Potter. She comes by magical tendencies the old-fashioned way, having grown up near Salem on the land of an accused witch. She writes very quirky YA and NA and won one of the categories in last year's Query Kombat contest.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Romida Vane. And they have provided a few hints:
Romilda Vane is, clearly, obsessed with Harry Potter. She comes by magical tendencies the old-fashioned way, having grown up near Salem on the land of an accused witch. She writes very quirky YA and NA and won one of the categories in last year's Query Kombat contest.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Name That Judge #11
This judge has been named! Check the comments for the answer. A new Name that Judge coming in a few minutes.
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off. And this judge subbed to me in last year's PitchWars and is now a mentor.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Princess Buttercup. And they have provided a few hints:
1. I have a deep and abiding love for the word "y'all." 2. I have traveled most of the continental US, by CAR. Say the words "road trip" at my house at your own peril.3. I have an excellent ear for the MG voice because I spend nine months out of the year with, you guessed it, middle graders.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query or first page critique. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off. And this judge subbed to me in last year's PitchWars and is now a mentor.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Princess Buttercup. And they have provided a few hints:
1. I have a deep and abiding love for the word "y'all." 2. I have traveled most of the continental US, by CAR. Say the words "road trip" at my house at your own peril.3. I have an excellent ear for the MG voice because I spend nine months out of the year with, you guessed it, middle graders.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query or first page critique. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
August 1, 2015
Name That Judge #10
This Judge has been named. See the comments for the answer and watch for more chances to win tomorrow.
Hint, this author had a book published in May 2015.
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Haley James Scott. And they have provided a few hints:
Haley James Scott recently visited Wilmington, North Carolina for a wedding, which is the location of the TV show that inspired her namesake judging nickname (photos may be on Instagram). Her first book was inspired by her real-life cultural background. She loves pizza, all things related to British culture, and has been known to throw one-woman 90's boyband dance parties.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query or first chapter critique. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Hint, this author had a book published in May 2015.
It should be getting easier as more names are crossed off.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Haley James Scott. And they have provided a few hints:
Haley James Scott recently visited Wilmington, North Carolina for a wedding, which is the location of the TV show that inspired her namesake judging nickname (photos may be on Instagram). Her first book was inspired by her real-life cultural background. She loves pizza, all things related to British culture, and has been known to throw one-woman 90's boyband dance parties.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query or first chapter critique. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Name That Judge #9
This judge has been named! Check the comments for the answer. Another post will go up at 3 pm.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Library Junkie. And they have provided a few hints:
This judge loves soccer and plays on two teamsThis judge has a coffee and nacho addiction When she's not writing, this judge is watching Orange is the New Black
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Library Junkie. And they have provided a few hints:
This judge loves soccer and plays on two teamsThis judge has a coffee and nacho addiction When she's not writing, this judge is watching Orange is the New Black
First one to correctly name this judge wins a query critique. I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Name That Judge #8
The judge has been correctly named. Check the comments for the answer.
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Mallory Pike. And they have provided a few hints:
(1) Jared Leto once offered her a cigarette in a dark alley. (2) Last year, she sent her agent a query for erotic Baby-Sitters Club fan fiction. (3) She rarely/never tweets writing advice.(4) Her debut novel comes out in April 2016.(5) In a movie about her life, she'd be played by a Victoria's Secret model. Or Tina Fey. Probably Tina Fey.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a three chapter critique (no more than 50 pages) or a signed copy of Powerless by Tera Childs and Tracy Deebs. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
Ready for another of our little game of Name that Judge? Let's see if this one goes as quickly. There are 34 Query Kombat judges and all are agented or published writers with experience in this business.
Some have agreed to join me and give away a prize to whoever guesses their nickname. You can find their bios at Mike's blog, SC's blog, and my blog. (No, I'm not providing the links. Where's the fun in that? But look in the May archive.) I will provide the list of judge names. Guessed judges are marked off.
Jessica KappKathleen AllenTracy TownsendLaura HeffernanMax WirestoneKristin B. WrightMary Ann MarloweBetsy AldredgeCarrie DuBoisNatasha RaulersonSarah Glenn MarshAmy TruebloodJudy ClemensWade Albert WhiteTatum FlynnKim LongJamie HowardRichard PearsonMelissa CarusoWendy NikelChristina JuneJ.C. DavisStephanie ScottCarrie AnnKendra YoungHeather Powell-van FleetAmanda HegerAnnika SharmaRena OlsenCale DietrichSharon ChriscoeMarty MayberryDan KoboldtMaragaret Fortune
This judge's nickname was Mallory Pike. And they have provided a few hints:
(1) Jared Leto once offered her a cigarette in a dark alley. (2) Last year, she sent her agent a query for erotic Baby-Sitters Club fan fiction. (3) She rarely/never tweets writing advice.(4) Her debut novel comes out in April 2016.(5) In a movie about her life, she'd be played by a Victoria's Secret model. Or Tina Fey. Probably Tina Fey.
First one to correctly name this judge wins a three chapter critique (no more than 50 pages) or a signed copy of Powerless by Tera Childs and Tracy Deebs. Winner's choice! I'll put a time limit of five days on this, but hopefully we won't need to worry about such things.
Other rules. Let's see...
You don't have to have entered or been picked for Query Kombat to play. Anyone may try and Name That Judge. There will be other posts with fresh judges coming up soon. You may enter more than one Name That Judge post. You may only guess once on each post. You must leave a way to reach you--twitter handle or email address.
Play!
