So, it is a little-known fact that I really love reading blurbs. Blurbs on the backs of book jackets, Publisher's Marketplace announcements, taglines printed on shiny hardbacks, query letters...it's always fascinating to me how people manage to condense a 40-to-90,000 word novel into a few sentences.


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About a year ago, while surfing the internet and procrastinating various important activities, I ran into this blog post by agent Jennifer Jackson.

"I have noticed a marked increase in the amount of queries coming from minors, that is authors under the age of 18, over the last few months. I believe the youngest so far was 12...

"I do not know what is ( Read more... )

Just so you know, I am a stalker.

Especially now that another book is out in QLH (query letter hell). I spend a lot of time reading authors' and agents' blogs for tips on queries, revisions, and getting "The Call" from an agent (oh, wonder of wonders.) So today, during my blog stalking, I ran into Tenner Christy Raedeke's post in which she answers a ( Read more... )

So, yesterday was officially a Bad Mood Day. I didn't sleep well. I woke up to a rejection on a City of Shadows partial. I realized I have about three more hours of student teaching before I can finish this school year. I had a very stressful, painful, emotional weekend this past Friday through Sunday, and it's still sticking with me.

Now, my Bad ( Read more... )

If anyone's interested in finding out about this "City of Shadows" and "Shadow snippet" nonsense that I keep talking about, my query letter was featured in Nathan Bransford's contest here. Basically, the idea of the contest was that everyone could be an "agent for a day" and comment on your query about whether they would reject or request the ( Read more... )

1. The three - count 'em, three - spiders crawling around on the carpet in my family's basement. Cripes, I love being home. There is no better way to commune with nature than to buy a house in the mountains and decorate your family room with a stone fireplace, aspen-paneled walls, and leather couches. This particular set-up attracts critters like ( Read more... )

*surfaces from City of Shadows and lame class projects for a moment*

I'm going to be finished with CoS in a week, max! *pumps fist Napoleon-Dynamite style*

The whole March 19 goal wasn't working for me, considering I can only go without sleep for so long. But I'm pretty sure the first draft will be finished by the beginning of spring break. I'm ( Read more... )

That's essentially what Tina Wexler at International Creative Management had to say about my query letter, after which she requested the first 50 pages. Wish me luck!

What I'm listening to right now: "Quicken" by Thousand Foot Krutch

What I'm doing right now: Editing the last hundred pages of Firebrand before I go to dinner, and celebrating another ( Read more... )

Dear Really Awesome Agent Person Who's Reading My Query:

What would you do if your worst nightmare was the only thing that could save your life?

I read on your website that you are interested in reality-based fantasy novels and thrilling page-turners. I am confident that you will appreciate the world of FIREBRAND, a young adult fantasy ( Read more... )