Swan Lake

So how can I relate writing to the swans I saw this week in our town lake?

I have no idea, but aren't they gorgeous?  At the moment, I write realistic contemporary YA and nonfiction middle grade...so swans aren't really part of the repertoire...but, hmm, they might have to be.

Three mornings a week, I get up at 5:30 and walk with a neighbor.  This was a treat for us this week.  There are some perks (very few, I might add) to getting up at the crack of dawn.

Middle Grade Books

Middle grade reading lists have been a hot topic lately in my life.  Lo' and behold! I recently discovered a new blog written by a group of Middle Grade Authors for parents and writers celebrating all things middle grade.

From the Mixed-up Files...of Middle Grade Authors

They are also hosting a fabulous contest to celebrate their first post -- and I'm sharing not only because I'd love to win the books they're offering, but because I thought lots of people who read my blog would be interested.

Enjoy!

Wonder

One of my favorite authors and friends, Jennifer Carson, is having a contest! 

Purchase a copy of To Find A Wonder and send a photo of yourself with the book, in front of the bookstore to jennifercarson{at} thedragoncharmer{dot}com. If your entry is chosen you and the bookstore will win a handmade Booknook dragon, a prize valued at $75.00. Winners will be announced here, on her blog, on November 22nd! Be sure to include in your entry your name and contact information, as well as the name and location of the bookstore. Good Luck!

This is a great book -- let me know if you buy it and enter Jen's contest...stay tuned to my blog, there might be an opportunity to win a copy of To Find A Wonder in the next few weeks...

On Querying

Shannon Messenger did a great guest post on the Query Tracker blog last week - read it here - about knowing when you're ready to query.  I'm at that crossroads right now.

Her three main points to consider are:

Your Draft:
Mine's been read by family and friends and my critique partners, and parts of it have been read by industry professionals.  The concept is unique and fresh, the writing is good (if I do say so myself), and I've tweaked and tweaked until I feel like I can't tweak anymore. 
Check.

Your Query:
I've got a good one.  It's been critiqued by an agent and my critique partners, and gets the thumbs up.  It has already garnered me a bit of interest.
Check.

You:
Am I ready to face rejection?  Is this the best possible manuscript I can write? Hmmm.  I think so.  I love the story.  I think it's the best work I can possibly produce at this point in my life.  Could it be better?  Well, probably. Things can always get better (isn't that a song?  Yup, Howard Jones). 
Check.


I've got a few beta readers still reading - and their feedback will be helpful in making my final decision about when to actually send the query letters that are burning holes in my hard drive.  I'm contemplating sending to my top 6 or 7 agents and evaluating my response rate.


Check out Shannon's guest post, and tell me: How do you know you're ready?