New video! I wanted to start making some useful videos, so I started by creating a series about the querying process for authors. 

This is my first video in the series, which is an introduction to query letters and the querying process. 

In this video:

- How do you get your novel published? 

- What is a query letter?

- Literary agents, what they do, and why you need one if you want to publish your novel the traditional way

- What you need to include in your query letter

- How long should your query letter be

- Some resources you can use to find literary agents, and to craft your first query letter

*Btw, I know my puppy stickers behind me are a little distracting. Sorry about that. haha

I hope you like my video! And if you do, please subscribe to my channel! I’m just starting out with this channel, and I appreciate SO much your support. <3

I am uploading new videos on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Next Sunday: 

Episode #2 of my Querying Process series: How to start querying + Query letter DOs and DON’Ts. 

Wednesday’s video: I will review Jenny Han’s YA novel “Ps. I still love you”

I hope to see you there! 

#MondayBlogs: Patience in publishing and healing

Patience is something I’ve always had — or at least I’d like to think I’ve always had. Waiting has always been a part of my life. Waiting my turn, waiting for the bus, waiting to get home, waiting to hear back from colleges, waiting for grades… well, you get the picture. These are just micro details; the smaller parts that make up the bigger picture of waiting to figure out who I am and what, or…

Post WCNV Query Tips for all writers, not just WCNV participants!

It was a pleasure and honor being a reader for the WCNV contest this past week. I enjoyed reading your work and am so excited for all the requests that came in! Your excerpts about the importance of diversity were especially moving—thank you for being vulnerable and telling your stories. First, congratulations to everyone who entered! Sharing your work can be hard, especially #ownvoices that feel…

Originally posted on Monday 3.28.16--

 “You’re the publisher. You should know where all of the stores are.”

It’s a very common statement that I hear from time to time. You’re very right to assume that publishers typically have knowledge of the overall retail scene, but it’s important to think about the underlying reasons why your editor might ask you about sales opportunities.

  We want to know if you have any insider knowledge of other sales outlets that might not fall within the box of a traditional bookstore. Are there any local gift shops? Museum stores? Hardware stores? Fulfilling a query on retail is your opportunity to get creative with proposing ways to reach sales goals. This is especially important if you live in an area with a smaller population and minimal traditional book retail.

You might have the scoop on a new outlet our field sales rep hasn’t come across yet. Sales reps are excellent at scoping out potential retail sources, but it always helps to be able to come to the table with suggestions of places for them to reach out to that might not already be on their list. In addition to demonstrating your knowledge of the area’s retail, you’re indirectly showing off how connected you are with the local area. An author who knows nothing of the area they’re writing about wouldn’t have the same capacity to understand the rise/fall of local retail as an author who is actively engaged would.

It's the moment you've been waiting for...

out of my Tito's mug (don't worry, it's sans vodka...)

one slip of paper emerges to claim it's rightful place in the Widows & Orphans lineup....

*Drumroll please*

 Why is my editor asking me about local retail??

 See you Monday!! Also, don't forget to share and comment. Discussion is great!