My letter of Merit (errr... encouragement!)
It came last week, and even though I could hardly wait, the timing was perfect. (though the date looks like it may have sat in the "out" box for awhile) My Letter of Merit from the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators was in perfect send out time with the monthly on-line Society newsletter announcing winners and letters of merit of the seven grants available. And tadaaaa........
Truly...it does provide me with "extra encouragement" for my writing journey.
This happens to be the story that I've received the most hand written, positive rejections on....yes rejections or rather declines. Some of them were simply timing, others included beautiful words and encouraged me to keep subbing it. And one even said, "we almost accepted it."...now that hurt! But I will keep at it...most of you "know me".
I also won something else very special. A crit for one of my picture books from the very talented writer, Tara Lazar. It was kind of by default, but honest default...I sent the most people over to her picture book premise contest. And I must tell you that my very dear friend, Valarie Giogas, was the grand winner of Tara's premise contest. So happy happy to both of us!!!!! I don't know if Val has subbed her story to Tara yet. I'll be seeing her soon. I'm slow! I haven't decided which of my manuscripts to send-it's hard to decide. Stop procrastinating Mona and get to it!
I've been trying to work up a query letter and have found lots of help right here on the 'net.
*Charlotte Dillon has several example- http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html
*Harold Underdown has too, and much much more at - http://www.underdown.org/mf-cover-and-query-letters.htm
*And Jill Corcoran has a list of agents and their thoughts on query letters- http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-write-query-letter-advice-from.html
These are only a few, but it will take me awhile to get through them...and if you have others, and want to share, I'd appreciate it.
Schmooze week-end coming up. Have been trying to get my pages in order to take for round circle critique. Can't wait to visit, read, write and have fun with some favorite writing buddies. It truly is a working event on Saturday, but there's all that time in between!!!!
Think I'll go to a soccer game this afternoon. Life is okay...life is good!!!
Have a great week