Recently I heard someone say they wrote a book in seven days, thanks to AI. I wouldn't say they wrote a book. I'd say they wrote a draft. As we navigate the brave new worlds before us, one question I'm asking me and my process is, What's the right amount of time for my book … [Read more...] about How to Bake a Book: a 10-year Recipe
young adult
Is YA Literary? The Search for an Abundant Canon
So a thing happened, as folks today like to say, deliberately understating the bigness of said thing. And as part of my work these last two years at Vermont College Fine Arts' program in Writing for Children and Young Adults—besides writing one and a half young adult novels, … [Read more...] about Is YA Literary? The Search for an Abundant Canon
5 Questions to Ask Your Author Friend on Sub
"I'm about to go on sub," I used to say to friends. "What's that?" said my friends. "It means my agent is submitting my manuscript to editors." "Oh!" "Or you could say, my manuscript is on submission to editors." "Ah!" Pause. "So good luck! How long does … [Read more...] about 5 Questions to Ask Your Author Friend on Sub
How a Query Can Help You Write Your Novel
When I headed to the Chicago Writing Workshop to pitch agents, you can bet I brought my best boots, a big smile, and a query letter--polished to a high shine. Better than that, I had a complete manuscript. The complete manuscript came courtesy of years of hard work and several … [Read more...] about How a Query Can Help You Write Your Novel
YA Wonders from This Year
I've read many amazing books this year! Find all the reviews at my Goodreads page. A Time to Dance (YA, MG): About pursuing artistic passion (dance) and losing a limb. My review at Teachers Workshop is here. A Wrinkle in Time (YA, MG): About love and hope and … [Read more...] about YA Wonders from This Year