The Weekly 411 (1/8/21)

 

© Lori Nichols

Jan. 8, 2021 vol. 2

The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations & camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Lori Nichols.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHTS

Today we are excited to feature author Chrystal D. Giles and her debut middle grade novel, TAKE BACK THE BLOCK (Random House Books for Young Readers), coming out on Jan. 26. Enter to win a copy!

Cover design by Michelle Cunningham / illustrated by Richie Pop

We are thrilled to feature author Caroline Gertler and her middle grade novel, MANY POINTS OF ME (Greenwillow Books January 12, 2021).  Enter to win a copy!

Cover design © Sylvie LeFloc’h 

Cover illustration © Vesper Stamper

We are excited to feature author G.F.  Miller and her YA debut, GLIMPSED, a rom-com magical realism novel (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Jan. 5, 2021). Enter to win a copy!

Cover design © Jess LaGreca

Jacket illustration © Julia Yellow

We are thrilled to feature author Anthony Manna and his illustrated fantasy, Loukas and the Game of Chance illustrated by Donald Babisch (Mascot Books, 2019). Enter to win a copy!

Picture Books

Tips of Editing Picture Books

For Writers

7 Tips for Creating Awesome Characters

Marketing & Creating a Platform

How Traditionally Published Authors Can Add to their Publisher's Marketing & Publicity

Advice on Pre-Order Campaigns and Swag (Twitter thread)

Mentor Programs

Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program

• What: a six-month mentorship for advanced MG & YA writers with two in-person conferences
• Who is eligible: SCBWI members
• When to apply: by Jan. 31, 2021

Freelance Editors & Critiques

Amber Ross

Social Media

Top 5 Media Tips to Powerfully Market Your Books

Writing Challenges

Storystorm (sign up by Jan. 7)
What: Join picture book writers and come up with 30 new picture book ideas in the month of January. Get daily inspirational and educational posts and have the chance to win prizes.

Conferences, Workshops & Retreats

Feb 17, 8-9:15 ET Inked Voices Webinar: No Nonsense Revision with Sean McCarthy.

 

Literary agent Sean McCarthy will discuss ways to determine when your manuscript is ready for revision; revision approaches and techniques (from butchering-to-the-bones to hand-polishing for submission) and tips for using feedback to guide your revisions. He’ll use client examples to show the evolution of a book right through editorial feedback and revisions. This talk will focus on picture books, but the concepts will apply to writers in other categories.  

 

Feb. 3-Mar. 1 Agent and Peer Virtual Workshop: Middle Grade Fiction, First 15 Pages Critiques with Saba Sulaiman, Talcott Notch Agency. Workshop 15 pages of your MG novel with peers and agent Saba Sulaiman. Writers from diverse backgrounds may apply for a free spot in this workshop. Please apply by Jan 10th: https://inkedvoices.typeform.com/to/EaeolwiW

 

Feb. 17-Mar. 14 Agent and Peer Online Workshop: Young Adult Fiction, First 15 Pages Critiques with Laurel Symonds, The Bent Agency. Workshop 15 pages of your YA novel with peers and agent Laurel Symonds. Writers from diverse backgrounds may apply for a free spot in this workshop. Please apply by Jan 20th: https://inkedvoices.typeform.com/to/bDvFFD1l?

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