This set of illustrations on the New York Times blog leaves me in hysterics.Thanks to Liz Mills for the procrastination link.
What’s wrong with this query letter?
Sheryl Cline (1)Laura Geringer Books (2)557 BroadwayNew York, NY 10012 Dear Sheryl (3),Thanx (4) for talking with me on the phone. When Art (5) said at that conference (6) that he would love to publish my book (7), I was very pleased (8). He said "Wizard Magick High" (9) would be great for you and... Continue Reading →
How to write badly, well
Here's an entry from a blog blog that makes fun of common errors and bad approaches in writing:Write thinly-veiled, self-aggrandising autobiographical fiction Joe Stockley paced the floor of his office and cursed under his breath. Dammit, he thought, why am I such a brilliant writer that no-one ever understands the depth and complexity of my... Continue Reading →
Writers and their blogs
You know who is the only writer who can get away with describing her ear infection, runny nose and assorted ailments? Jane Yolen.
Book publicity: a funny take
Before we get to the funny, here's a good summary of what a first-time author can expect from a publisher's publicity department. In other words, don't expect billboards and such.Here's the start of a Shouts & Murmurs letter to an author: Hi, Ellis—Let me introduce myself. My name is Gineen Klein, and I’ve been brought... Continue Reading →
A fun way to make your character more annoying
You know, here's a link to a poll that claims nearly half of all Americans find "whatever" to be, like, the most annoying word ever. It is what it is, you know. Anyway, here's the link. Whatever.
Wondermark Genre Fiction Generator
Another brilliant entry from Cory Doctorow, behold David Malki's Wondermark Genre Fiction Generator (steampunk authors, take note!):
Betsy Lerner on bad business lunches
I read Lerner's THE FOREST FOR THE TREES years ago and enjoyed it (an editing guide). But I might like this roundup of worst-ever business lunches even more. Here's a taste: “Hm, oh god, worse lunch date ever, but there are so many to choose from! Probably my first one. I was a baby editor... Continue Reading →
A blog I’m loving
It's the Rejectionist. And I can't seem to stop reading. Here's a sample entry:Tuesday, September 29, 2009Topics That Are Not, In Fact, of Inherent Interest, and Do Require Some Effort On Your Part in Order to Constitute a Successful BookAlcoholism (of self, of parents), amulet discovery, autism, being a musician, being a twenty-year-old musician with... Continue Reading →
Great tongue-in-cheek promotional video
Here's James Gurney, creator of the Dinotopia series, promoting his humor. Bet he books a lot of class visits with this.