LITERARY AGENT MARK MCVEIGH...and ME

Literary Agent, Mark McVeigh sat down with me via Skype  and answered my extensive list of questions. Mark gave me permission to share our discussion with you, my blog friends. (A word of advice…Practice using Skype several times before you talk to an agent. I got into a bit of a tizzy when I could see and hear Mark, but he couldn’t hear me. I do have to smile when I think of him holding up a sign that said “Volume.”)

Mark taught elementary school, in Brooklyn, from 1993-1997. He then went to work for Golden Books as an editorial assistant. Mark has written many books for young reader, almost all under pen names. He worked in editorial positions for eleven years before he switched roles and opened his own literary agency. The McVeigh Agency  is a boutique literary agency handling writers, illustrators, photographers, and graphic novelists for both the adult and children’s markets. Mark recently joined the blogging community. If you haven’t had the opportunity to hop over there and become a follower, now is as good of time as any…but be sure to come back and read my Skype interview with Mark.

In Part One of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh I’m going to address the issue of query letters…

Me: “Mark, do funny query letters work?”

Mark: “What makes a good query letters is very subjective. I like them to read as if the author is writing to a lawyer, very direct and clear; only including materials relevant to the manuscript you are submitting. The first paragraph should be brief and about yourself. Are you a librarian, a teacher, or something that relates to the manuscript? Do you work with kids? The second paragraph is your pitch. Imagine you have six seconds to tell me about your book, and write your pitch that way. NO RAMBLING! Mention the setting, the main character, the conflict, and the resolution. If you can fit it in, make a comparison to something currently popular in the media. For example, I think Modern Family is hilarious, say I got a query that said the main character had a similar voice to the oldest daughter in Modern Family, I’ll want to see it. The third paragraph should be 75-100 word synopsis of your manuscript. That’s about it. Anything else isn’t really necessary. People often describe their motivations for writing the manuscript. I don’t think that’s helpful.”

Me: “Should you include National Reading Standards if you know they fit your manuscript.”

Mark: “You can, but be brief.”

Me: “Should you send a thank you to an agent after a response to your query or is it just more mail in their inbox?”

Mark: “I prefer it when people close their business correspondence with ‘Thank You’ in advance. A follow up email or letter uses up time I could be spending with manuscripts.”

Me: “One agent I queried suggested I submit a manuscript to a specific editor at a specific publishing house. Should I send him a thank you for that suggestion?”

Mark: “I don’t think so. Only send him a thank you if the editor expresses an interest in that manuscript. Then email the agent, specifically thanking him for pointing you in the right direction and letting him know that the editor requested to see your manuscript. The agent will store this information, in his mind, for future contact he might have with you.”

Me: “When you receive a query, do you Google the potential client?”

Mark: “I don’t Google them, but if they say they are a published author I look on Amazon for their book, and then Publisher’s Marketplace to look up the publishing house, if I haven’t heard of it.”

Me: “Do contests and magazine articles listed in a query impress agents?”

Mark: “Unless you won a big contest, run by a publishing house, I wouldn’t necessarily put it in a query. Don’t put anything in the query unless it relates to what you are submitting, or your platform.”

Me: “That leads right to my next question. What is a platform?”

Mark: “A platform is any media based entity you have that puts you out there for people to read or experience in some way. It could be a blog, a local radio chat, contacts you have with the media, even Twitter. You should be tweeting.”

Me: “I’m glad I caught your Tweet. It landed me this opportunity to visit with you. But Twitter is something I have to get better at.”

Me: “How do you pitch yourself to an agent verses pitching a project?”

Mark: “You don’t pitch yourself, you pitch your manuscript. An agent chooses clients based on the book they are presenting. That said, I do look for clients who have ideas for more than one book in them.”

Cynthia Smith  interviewed Mark in 2009. She asked him who would be a dream client. Mark said, “Someone who has both a voice and a message, is willing to work at both their craft and the business of publishing, and knows it takes time to build a career.”

Mark is a genuinely nice guy.  Hop over to his blog , become a follower, then hop over to his website and read his submission guidelines .

I hope you'll come back tomorrow when I’ll be posting the rest of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh…

Agent Research and Querying, plus an Awesome Giveaway...

Sometimes, you think a book is so valuable that you buy two copies....Which gives me the opportunity to either go through the hassle of trying to return it, or having an awesome giveaway. So you guessed it...

I'm giving away one copy of the 2015 Guide To Literary Agents.

If you know me, you know I a HUGE proponent of doing your research, no matter what it's for.  For the past month or so I've been researching agents. Before I began, I created a list of the places I would look at to research each potential agent. My checklist looked like this:

AGENT RESEARCH CHECK LIST:

• Agent’s name and agency website
• @twitter
• Writer’s Digest Blog information
• GLA (Guide to Literary Agents)
• Publisher’s Marketplace likes and dislikes
• Blog accounts
• Facebook 
• Interview information
• Editors and Predators, Writer Beware and Absolute Writer (the Water Cooler)
• QueryTracker.com
• Do a Google Search

Feel free to copy and paste my list, so you have it for future reference...

I created a document with the above information. Once each agent checked out,  (and not all of them did) I personalized the query, based on my research, and copied their submission guidelines and email address into their query/document. Being organized is key here! Whether you do it on paper, in a spreadsheet or on a file folder. Keep track of who you query and when you query them (leave space for a response, too). 

Every agent has specific guidelines you have to follow. Don't fool yourself into thinking it won't matter if you send them the whole manuscript, when they ask for ten, fifteen or fifty pages... It does matter. The rules are there for a reason. Be sure to follow them to the very best of your ability. This is your introduction to them. Show them that you are paying attention to what they want.

I would suggest if you are querying a novel or a non-fiction work, that you make several submission packages, so that you can easily adapt to each agents requirements. Some agents accept attachments and some want your letter and your submission in the body of an email.  So pay attention to HOW they want to see your work. 

Putting your best foot forward is like having the perfect handshake. Not too soft. Not too strong. Not too sweaty. Just right...

If you would like to win a copy of the 2015 Guide to Literary Agents, please pop over to my website,  click on one of the social media links and say something about my services or my site and leave a comment on this post. 

For my non querying friends....Our babies are happy and loving the new house.

Please come back on March the 6th to see who won the copy of the 2015 Guide to Literary Agents and to join in on a discussion on rejections.

LITERARY AGENT (and blogger) MARK MCVEIGH...PART TWO

Part Two of my Skype  interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh.  If you missed part, one follow the link and get caught up on Mark’s views on queries.

Part Two of my interview with Literary Agent Mark McVeigh focuses on the market.

Me: “I’ve written a couple folktales and was wondering how marketable they are.”

Mark: “I’m assuming you’re referring to folktales in picture book format. Picture books, in general, are a hard sell right now, and folktales are not as sellable as they were in the 90’s. You might query a small house. Schools still buy folktales, but the major houses aren’t selling to school like they were fifteen years ago. If the current administration pumps money into schools and libraries as they are promising, like they did in the 60’s under Lyndon Johnson, it would affect the publishing industry. But right now the consumers are kids and they don’t have as much disposable income as they did five years ago.”

Me: “What do you think about EBooks?”

Mark: “EBooks are going to revolutionize the industry, and I do think do for publishing what ITunes did for the music industry. Anyone interested in being a writer needs to follow the digital revolution closely.”

Me: “Do agents look at small market publishers?”

Mark: “It depends on the material. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.”

Me: “Do agents try to maintain contacts with editors at all houses or do they cultivate relationships at specific houses?”

Mark: “A smart agent tries to get to know every major publishing house. I’ve worked many publishing houses. I’ve been in the business for over 10 years, and I’ve lived in New York for almost twenty. You get to know people. New York is a big city that works like a small town and publishing is like a gated community in that small town. It’s not so hard to get to know people.”

Me: “As a former teacher and Golden Books editor, do you gravitate to picture books or pull back from them because of the current market?”

Mark: “I’m very selective about picture books. There will be resurgence, but right now I have to be selective when bringing picture book writers on board.”

Me: (All doom and gloom) “So I’ve written a historical fiction picture book, should I just hang it up?”

Mark: “No, not at all. Just do your homework. First, make sure the topic hasn’t been covered too extensively. For example, MARTIN’S BIG WORDS is a gorgeous picture book and in many ways the go-to book when classrooms are studying Martin Luther King, Jr. The house that published MARTIN’S BIG WORDS probably wouldn’t publish another Martin Luther King, Jr. book because it would detract from the sales of this gorgeous book that continues to do well. You have to give publishers something new and of interest.”

Me: (Big smile) “If God or Heaven are mentioned in a picture book, does that make it only marketable in the Christian market?”

Mark: “It depends on the taste and interest of the editor and much those topics are discussed. There are so many picture books of prayers for children that are perfectly marketable.”

Me: (Huge smile!  I had a great vidoe chat with Mark.  I truly learned a lot about queries and about the current market.)

 I truly appreciated the opportunity to talk with Mark. Often, as writers we get the sense that agents are sitting on pedestals looking down on us. My Skype chat with Mark helped me see that agents are people too. They are not just their jobs…Just like we are not just writers. What we do plays a part in who we are, but hopefully we are more than just what we put on paper. If you missed out on Mark’s Fifteen Minutes Contest , he’ll be having another one during the first week in April, so make sure you keep an eye on his blog.

Not Afraid of the "F" Word...Judy Merrill Larsen Stops in for a Visit

Today I’d like to introduce you to my friend and women’s fiction writer Judy Merrill Larsen. I met Judy several years ago through Laura Bradford (Elizabeth Lynn Casey). Judy and I were on Laura’s MS walk team. (Late this month, I’ll introduce you to another one of Laura’s team members.) I hope you enjoy the interview and stick around for the drawing.


Me: Judy, ALL THE NUMBERS is one of my favorite adult books. I took it with me on to a conference. I remember crying on the plane. (Not big out loud crying, tears running down cheeks crying.) It was the best conference I’ve ever been to, but every night I was dying to get to bed so I could read your book. My roommate went straight to sleep and laid there reading and crying until 1 in the morning every night, until I finished your book. It was emotionally overwhelming. Did any particular event cause you to write it?

Judy: The idea for the book came to me when I was at my best friend's lake house and our kids were playing in the lake while we watched from the dock. A jet skier went by and I thought, "what if?" What if one of the kids had been out too far? What would that do to me as a mother? As a friend? How would I recover from something like that? The whole story just flowed from there.

Me: Judy, even though you have one published book, do you ever doubt yourself?

Judy: Of course. I think all writers struggle at times--is this manuscript good enough? Will I ever get published again? Will readers connect with my work? But you have to learn to push those doubts aside and control what you can control--and that's the writing.

Me: What advice can you give to aspiring authors?

Judy: Read everything you can--things in your genre, things in other genres--it doesn't matter, just read. And then write. Set goals and aim toward them. Don't ever give up.

Me: I’ve done several posts on writing routines and setting weekly goals. Do you have a writing routine?

Judy: Yes. I try to write nearly every day--even if it's just to tweak what I write the day before. When I'm in full writing mode, my goal is to write 1500 words a day. And I never let myself stop when I'm stuck. I always make myself write through the "dead zone" and I always try to stop when I'm excited about what comes next.

Me: I love researching, what is your favorite type of research?

Judy: I love talking to people who have "inside information"--they always give me such wonderful details and usually I'm surprised by some of the things I learn from them which not only add depth to my story but often also take me in a new direction with it.

Me: Do you have an agent? How does having an agent help you?

Judy: I love, love, love my agent. A good agent is your link to publishing. She knows which editors are looking for which manuscripts and she also knows the business side so I all I have to worry about is writing the best book I can write.

Me: Do you have a favorite book?

Judy: My favorite book of all time is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It's such a perfect, sweet, powerful story. And my 15 years as an English teacher really developed my love of classics--GRAPES OF WRATH, THE SOUND AND THE FURY, and THE THINGS THEY CARRIED.

Me: At this point in your career, do have a critiquing partner or beta reader?

Judy: Not officially. I have several good writing friends and we'll exchange work at times, but it's nothing formal or structured or organized.

Me: As an aspiring writer I hear that being socially available is so important. Do you do school visits? Book signings? Library visits?

Judy: Oh, my gosh, I love to visit school and libraries and book stores to meet readers and talk about books and writing. I've probably visited (in person or by phone) with close to 100 book clubs since my novel came out--it's one of my absolute favorite things to do!

I’d like to thank Judy for stopping by today. I’ll be using random.org to give away two signed hardback copies of Judy’s book ALL THE NUMBERS on Friday, June 11th at 3:00. (I know that’s an odd time, but I’m doing a cancer walk from 6 to midnight.) Here’s what you have to do: be a follower on my blog, leave a comment telling your favorite adult book (Yeah, I know most of you read young adult…), hop over and check out Judy’s blog (Not Afraid of the “F” word) and her website.

Judith Engracia Stops In For A Chat

(Judith and her gorgeous Siberian Husky.)

I must say it has been a delight doing this contest with Judith.  I was so pleased when she picked an extra winner.  One day I'll write a big girl book and be able to submit it to her.  (wink)  But for now, this interview might give all you YA, MG, and other novel writers some insight to Judith's likes and dislikes.  :)

ME: Judith, what made you decide to become a literary agent?


JUDITH: I always knew I wanted to work with books, so I decided to try out an intership with a literary agency. I was just a sophomore in college and didn't really know what the job entailed, but after the literary agent described the job during my first interview, I fell in love immediately. I remember squealing, "I can't believe a job like this exists!"

ME: How important were reading and writing to you as a child? Did you have a favorite author growing up?

JUDITH: When I think about my childhood, the most prominent memory is reading on the living room couch with books stacked up next to me. I didn't really go out much--in fact, I think there's a permanent imprint of my body on the couch. I grew up with Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley books (Sweet Valley Kids, Twins, High, etc) and later her gritty Fearless series, so I guess you could say she was my favorite author. But I also read a lot of Lois Duncan and Gail Carson Levine. And since my mom was an English teacher who tuned me into the classics, I read and cried over The Iliad and The Phantom of the Opera (why, Christine, why?!) many times. As for writing, I scribbled in my journal a lot and wrote haikus to my Siberian Husky, but I'm not sure if that counts.

ME: Who are some of your favorite contemporary authors? What are your favorite genres?

JUDITH: Let's see...I have to read every thriller by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (who knew an albino detective could be so hot?), and I'm dying to read the next installment in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series and Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series. There's Orson Scott Card, too, for creating my loves, Ender and Bean. And somebody please tell me when the next book by Chuck Palahniuk, Jeffrey Eugenides, or Jonathan Safran Foer is coming out! As for genres, I like literary fiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, mysteries, YA, and MG.

ME: When people query you, do you like amusing queries or do you prefer more professional letters?

JUDITH: Professional, definitely, but one that captures the tone or voice of the work. In other words, just because it's professional doesn't mean it has to be boring.

ME: Now for more personal questions...What do you do for fun?

JUDITH: Keysi Fighting Method! KFM is a method of self-defense that's meant to prepare you for multiple opponents in real-life situations on the street. It's really cool because we'll practice outside at night on the cement and have special days where we'll train in winter jackets or in shorts and flipflops, to try and make things as realistic as possible. I'm one test away from reaching the orange grade, so when I'm not reading, I'm shadowboxing.

ME: One last question... What advice would you give querying writers?

JUDITH: The query itself is a writing sample, so it should be tightly written. The manuscript could have a great plot, but if the query letter doesn't convince agents that it's well written, then it probably won't receive many requests.

*********

Again, I'd like to thank Judith for judging my critique contest.  If you haven't checked out her blog, you should!  You can also visit Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency's website to find out about all the agents listed.  Judith will let us know when she is officially ready for queries.  :-)

Happy querying everyone!

TRUTHS REVEALED, AWARDS TO BE GIVEN AND AN UPDATE...

My truths revealed…


1. I was born in England in 1963. I lived in a house with no toilet or bathtub. We only had water in the kitchen sink. The only untruth here is I wasn’t born in 1963.

2. I moved to America when I was 10. I moved to North Dakota and was super excited because the toilet was inside the house! Not true...I moved to the U.S. when I was 8. I moved to Iowa first, then Arkansas, then Missouri and now I’m in Iowa again. Ironically, I’m about an hour from where I moved to when I first came to the States.

3. I married my high school sweetheart. We dated for two years, got married and had a baby right away. The only truth in here is that I dated my husband for two years. We waited for ten years to have a baby. She’s fourteen today!

4. I was a disc jockey on a local radio station in college. I interviewed former President Bill Clinton and Miss USA, Terry Utley. This is so close to being true, but I didn’t interview President Clinton.

5. I've met Bill Clinton, Dale Bumpers, Sam and Helen Walton and J.B. Hunt. Helen Walton told me that if your husband didn't see you eat cake, the calories didn't count and J.B. told my husband he married above his head. The truth is revealed…This is all true!

6. I once ate 3 Mc Rib sandwiches and a large order of fries. (Ah, to be young again...) Not...I ate two Mc Rib’s and a large order of fires at McDonalds.

7. When I was in Costa Rica (last year) I touched an alligator. Close, but not quite true.  I touched an iguana in Costa Rica. They have crocodiles there, not alligators. I did go on the Rio Tarcoles and saw loads of crocodiles.

So now I’d like to pass on these two awards:

I’d like to pass the Creative Writer Award to Jill, Karen Hooper, D.L., and Shelley (just bought one of her books). I look forward to reading their 6 untruths and one truth. This is a fun writing activity. I had no idea it was that easy for me to lie!

I’m passing The Silver Lining Award to Casey (for linking my interview with her informative blog), Buffy (who is always encouraging me) and Old Kitty (who is such a sweet person and a fellow Brit).

Thanks for all the kind notes about Macy yesterday. She’s still not herself, but she seems a bit better. We (Awesome Vet and me) think it was a reaction to the shot she had yesterday.

If you haven't been to Literary Agent Kathleen Ortizzle's blog, hop over and check it out.  She has a great post on query etiquette today and holds quite a few contests. (Kathleen held the query contest with agent Joanna Stampfel-Volpe.)

Have a great evening! I’ll be taking my daughter out to celebrate the fourteenth birthday tonight.

QUERY KNOWLEDGE QUEST...

The truth is; we all want (at least) one of these to be ours. Query letters to agents, editors, and publishers are the means to our desired end. So how can we make our query letters catch someone’s eye. First, we have to look at the rejections we have received and ourselves some serious questions:

Check out the links to my Wadmates, Susan and Amy’s blogs for what they have learned about queries in the past week.

My analysis of my (query) entry in Joanna Stampfel-Volpe’s contest follows each question…

 Did I target right person to submit it to? No, I treated this like it was a contest.
• Did I do enough research? Answered…I should have known what she was looking for.
• Did I critique my query like it was a manuscript? Did I check for adverbs, that's, be verbs…Umm, well you can see I didn’t.
• Did I study interviews of the recipient and found out his or her likes and dislikes in a query? Answered.
• Am I aware of what is going on in the market? Thanks to a Skype interview with Agent Mark McVeigh, I feel aware of what is going on in the market. That was why I didn’t query a folktale or a picture book manuscript. Link one and two will get you to my interview with Mark.



 Was it the best letter it could be? At that moment, I thought it was. In retrospect, I should have considered who I was sending it to. I was thinking about using the book in the classroom, not how am I going to hook her and get her to want to read the manuscript.
• Did I have a hook? I thought I did, but not so much…I was thinking of how I would use it as a teacher.
• Did I ramble? I don’t think so.
• Did I keep it under 300 words? Yes.
• Did I follow their guidelines? Yes. I reread the rules of the contest before I hit send.
• Was it tailored to their taste? No, foolishly, I considered this a contest rather than a query letter.



On Sat, Feb 27, 2010 at 12:01 PM

Dear Ms. Stampfel-Volpe,

I appreciate the opportunity enter your Query Contest –I can handle the truth.

BORROW, BEG AND EARN is a beginning chapter book that reflects our society’s current obsession with living beyond our means at any. It incorporates math and personal responsibility on the level that would be appropriate for a second or third grader.  (See what I mean about how I would use it in the classroom...)

8 (Should I have spelled out his age?) year old David desperately (adverb) wants a pair of Ninja Heelys. The problem is; he’ll have to save the money for them. David thinks this will be impossible, but Mom’s willing to pay him for doing chores. The first day of vacation arrives and he borrows money from three people. David gets into a cycle of borrowing and spending. When he hits rock bottom, his family and friends seem to pull away from him. By the end of the summer David has figured out how to live within his means, pay everyone back, reclaim his best friend, buy the Ninja Heelys, and learned to save.  (Did I ramble? Characters? Plot? Resolution?)

I have a B.S. in Elementary Education and taught elementary school for seventeen years. I am a SCBWI member and a Highlights Foundation Summer Workshop at Chautauqua alumni. (Didn't include my magazine publication ecause it wasn't relevant to submission.)

Thank you for your time (Thanks in advance...) and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Sharon Mayhew
http://skmayhew.blogspot.com/  (Showed a little of my platform, in case she was interested.)


Dear Sharon,

I don't really fall in love with the pushing-the-moral type chapter books.

Pass for me, but thanks for participating,

J

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe
Agent
Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation



WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR REJECTIONS? Please share…

How Thick Is Your Skin?

Last week, I was invited by my friend, Sue Bradford Edwards, to participate in this "blog hop interview." The idea is this: She sent me some interview questions, which I answer, and at the end I tag 3 other writers who will in turn answer the same questions on their blogs next week. Please check out Cynthia's answers to the questions at her blog, One Writer's Journey (suebe.wordpress.com).  Feel free to leave a comment and tell her it's from me. 

~ How does your writing process work?

~What is the hardest part about writing?

~What scares you?

Because I try to break the norms...not be a rule follower...be a rebel...I'm going to combine three questions into soap box discussion:

Writers seem to try and group themselves as either a plotter or a pantser.  I'm somewhere in between.  Before starting a big project I jot down notes, either on paper or on the computer.  I write down scene ideas, setting notes, character notes, words I like and in the case of the novel I just started querying, historical details that I think will be relevant to my story.  Then I write all of those things on note cards and put them into groups and glue them on poster boards. I mount them on bulletin boards on easels or anywhere I can get them to balance in my office.  Then I start writing on paper.  I pretty much write scene by scene.  Having the posters hanging everywhere really helps me with this.  I always know where the story is going to begin and end, but many times my characters have surprised me as I'm going along. 

When I've finished a manuscript, I read it out loud to myself and do more edits.  Adding in needed details.  My mg novel started at 18,000 words and ended up around 35,000.

When I think I am ready for a critique partner to read for me, I put the manuscript  in the correct submission format, with headers, page numbers, etc. I just read an awesome article on how to prepare your manuscript for a critique partner or for submission on Theresa Milstein's blog. Please check it out.

The first time you hit send it can be really scary, heck it's always scary, but you build up  tolerance.
I'm always worried that the person who reads my words will think it is awful.  So then I read it out  loud a couple more times before I hit send.  

Remember, you can't take it back one you hit send, so you want it to be the very best manuscript it can be.  ALWAYS use spell check!

Then while I am waiting to hear something, I write something else. Right now I am working on a fable. 

When I get a critique back, I read all the comments and suggestions...then let them sink in.  Sometimes you get feedback that is pretty tough.  Responding to it right away is not the best idea.  I got a critique from an agent a few years back that made me really upset.  I sent her a graceful thank you and stuck it and my story to the side for several months.  When I went back to it months later, I could see what she was talking about.  I reworked the ms.  I've had great feedback and suggestions from both agents and editors since then.  Having a thick skin helps you get through those moments. I had to remember the agent was trying to help my ms...not insult me.  Now the ms is improved, I'm working on finding a small niche' home for it...just like the editors and other agents suggested. 

~Who are the authors you most admire?
My favorite Non-fiction writer Stephen Swinburne and for YA Scott Westerfied, and finally, for picture books, Tammi Sauer.


Thanks for stopping by and chatting with me. You guys are the best!

Please check out Sue's  answers to the questions at her blog,   Feel free to leave a comment and tell her it's from me.

In addition, I am tagging the following authors:
Eve Gall
Robyn Campbell
Lenny Lee

Please stop by these blogs next week for glimpses into three authors' worlds. 

PS: If you missed this awesome post on critiquing over at Theresa's blog please check it out.

~~~YA WRITERS ALERT~~~ Agent Lead Webinar

(I just love this new photo of Mark!)

Last February I was fortunate enough to "meet" Literary Agent Mark McVeigh.  (Smile)  I won a skype chat/interview with him which resulted in a publication credit for me.  (Big Smile...See side bar!)  Then Mark offered his first Webinar and I was one of the lucky people he invited  to participate (waves to my cps that I met through Mark).  It was a super experience!  You can read about it here.  You can read more about Mark here and here.  I have to tell you guys that Mark is one classy guy and I am so blessed to have him as a friend.  His friendship made me realize that Literary Agents are people too.  I was  much more comfortable chatting with agents and editors at the SCBWI conference I  went to in September.  I attribute this to Mark taking me under his wing.  (Thanks Mark!  You're the best!) 

So, here's the Scoop...



NAILING YOUR FIRST CHAPTER by Mark McVeigh of The McVeigh Agency


Available Dates: Dec 11 or Jan 8
Times: 1PM or 4PM EST
Register by: 11/30 (Mark is taking late registration for the 1pm webinar on 12/11)and 12/30
Fee: $75 for YALITCHAT.ORG Tier II members or $100

Register via email: webinars@themcveighagency.com (or you can let me know and I'll forward your name and email to Mark) with NAIL YOUR FIRST CHAPTER in the subject line. In body of email please include: Full name, contact email, daytime contact phone. Please also indicate whether you are a TIER II member of YALITCHAT.ORG.

Course description: 90-minute interactive course focused on the all-important first chapter of your manuscript including: crafting a killer opening line, introducing your main character, establishing setting/ context without getting bogged down in detail, capturing your voice, and how and when to end the chapter. 60-minutes of instruction and 30-minutes of Q and A using anonymous first paragraphs from attendee WIPs.

Attendee Information: This interactive webinar has a voice component that allows attendees to speak directly to Mark and the class, as well as a chat function.

About Mark McVeigh

Former Editorial Director, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Aladdin), Senior Editor, Dutton Children's Books, Editor, HarperCollins Children's Books

Visit The McVeigh Agency online! Or Visit The McVeigh Agency Blog!

This is a super opportunity! You don't need to be a paying Yalitchat member to take the class, but you do need to be a "free" member before you register for Mark's webinar.  Mark's doing the webinar twice in December and twice in January--$100 for a 90 minute webinar plus critique or $75 if you are a Tier II member.  It's well worth the money!

If you have any questions you can leave them in the comments or leave me your email address and I can reply personally or forward it to Mark if I can't answer the question.

Have a great rest of the week!  We're expecting snow...

Exceptional Contest, Cool Awards and a Bodybugg...

My dear friend, Susan (pictured here with author Peter Jacobi), and I got to spend some little  quality time together this weekend.   (Me...full of smiles)  We talked about books, agents, submissions and blogs.  We even played games  (Susan and Sharon with big smiles...husbands...not so much).  If you haven't checked Susan out, please do.              

To my surprise, Susan presented me with a Creative Writer Award last month.   I've been directed to tell six untruths and one truth, so here I go...

1. 
   
   I was born in England in 1963.  I lived in a house with no toilet or bathtub.  We only had water in the kitchen sink.
2. 
   
   I moved to America when I was 10.  I moved to North Dakota and was super excited because the toilet was inside the house!
3. 
   
   I married my high school sweetheart.  We dated for two years, got married and had a baby right away.
4. 
   
   I was a disc jockey on a local radio station in college.  I interviewed former President Bill Clinton and Miss USA, Terry Utley.
5. 
   
   I've met Bill Clinton, Dale Bumpers, Sam and Helen Walton and J.B. Hunt.  Helen Walton told me that if your husband didn't see you eat cake, the calories didn't count and J.B. told my husband he married above his head.
6. 
   
   I once ate 3 Mc Rib sandwiches and a large order of fries.  (Ah, to be young again...)
7. 
   
   When I was in Costa Rica (last year) I touched an alligator. 

HMMM....Which one is true?  (The big reveal and pass the award along is  tomorrow.)

The lovely ladies, Bethany and Suzette, at Shoot Star awarded me the Silver Lining award for venturing into the 21st Century.  I did a two part Skype interview with literary agent Mark McVeigh.  Bethany and Suzette are having an AWESOME CONTEST!!!  Suzette's agent is giving away a 40 page critique!!!!  So hop over and fill out their easy form.  Good luck everyone!

How many of you are numbers people...detail orientated...  I bought a Bodybugg today.  I spent a huge chunk of the day on the computer figuring it out (hopefully).   I'm looking forward to checking it at the end of each day to see if I had a calorie deficit.  I can't wait to add another column to my workout spread sheet. Does anyone have a bodybugg?  Have you had any success with it? 

MYSTERY AND ROMANCE WRITER ELIZABETH LYNN CASEY/LAURA BRADFORD STOPS BY FOR A CHAT… (And a signed book give-away)

Today I’d like to introduce you to a special friend; Laura Bradford or as some of you might know her as, Elizabeth Lynn Casey. I met Laura about five years ago. Our daughters went to the same dance studio in St. Charles, Missouri. The first time I chatted with Laura she was diligently typing away on an Alpha Smart and I interrupted her to find out what she was doing. I took a break from grading papers and we began to chat. It turned out she was writing her second novel FORECAST OF EVIL (one of my favorite books). I was so excited to meet a real live author…Over the years; she’s shared her journey with me and encouraged me to start writing again. We’ve celebrated her success and my successful rejections (yeah, you all know what I mean) almost always over lunch at Olive Garden. Laura and I both moved away from St. Louis at about the same time. She moved to New York and I moved to Iowa. I hope you enjoy the interview and will hop over to her websites and buy one or two of her books…

Laura has two websites: http://www.laurabradford.com/ (romance) and http://www.elizabethlynncasey.com/ (mystery)

Me: First, tell us about your most recent book? (DEADLY THREADS was released today!)

Laura: DEATH THREADS, the second book in my Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series, is a fun book! And by fun, I mean, fun! The people of Sweet Briar, South Carolina have long prided themselves on a history that saw them rising from the ashes (at the hands of Yankees during the Civil War) in Cinderella-style. It's a history they've prided themselves on for over a century.

It's also a history that's been wrong...a fact uncovered by local author, Colby Calhoun.

The truth isn't quite so pretty.

And for Colby, it could prove deadly.

Me: Could you tell a little about how your path to publication?

Laura: I wrote my very first book, JURY OF ONE, while raising two small children. It took me five years to write that book. I sent it (first) to a small press who was relatively new at the time. They responded after a few months with a no, but a desire to look at it again if I made some changes. Six months later, I sent it back and got a deal. I wrote three books for them--all of which were picked up for Harlequin's Worldwide Mystery direct to consumer book club. In 2008, I was contracted by Berkley Prime Crime to write their new Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series. Two months later, I secured my first of three contracts (so far) with Harlequin American Romance.

Me: Even though you are “living the dream” do you ever doubt yourself?
Laura: Sure. When SEW DEADLY first came out and I realized how visible it was in B & N's across the entire country, I got worried. Could I sell that much? Would I fail?

I'm happy to say I did fine...hitting B & N's mass market mystery national best seller list at # 5 for the first few weeks along with other national lists as well. That said, I'm sure I'll panic again. With each new book.

Me: Best advice to aspiring authors?
Laura: Write every day. Read, read, read. And listen to your gut (but make sure it's your gut your hearing and not your pride).

Me: How did you get your agent?
Laura: I was already published with a small press when I got my Agatha nomination in 2005 and a book club deal with Harlequin's Worldwide Mystery. Those things--coupled with a fun (and complete) manuscript for a chick lit novel--caught the interest of several agents. I chose the one I thought would be best for me and then we joined forces. Sadly, that chick lit manuscript didn't sell (though it did earn some great rejections). But, as you can see, I've keeping busy with other projects.

Me: Do you Twitter? Blog? Facebook? Make your own book trailers?

Laura: I blog Monday-Friday on my website: http://www.elizabethlynncasey.com/

I also have an Elizabeth Lynn Casey page on Facebook (which I enjoy).

And I do twitter, but mostly via my Facebook page.

Me: Do you have a writing routine?
Laura: I am a morning writer. It's rare I write in the late afternoon/evening unless I'm on a tight deadline. And I find that I like to write away from home (Panera is a favorite) during the early part of the book when distractions at home affect me too much.

Me: Are you an outliner?
Laura: No. Every time I try to write with an outline, the characters take over and do what they want anyway.

Me: Typically, how long does it take you to write your first draft?
Laura: 2 months.

Me: Do you have a favorite book?
Laura: Mary Higgins Clark's A CRY IN THE NIGHT is the book that made me want to write mysteries rather than the children's books I'd always envisioned.

Me: At this point in your career, do have a critiquing partner or beta reader?

Laura: No. I have a goal/motivational partner...but in terms of critiquing my work?No.

Me: What is the name of your next book and when does it come out?

Laura: My next book is a romance and it will come out in July. A Mom for Callie will be part of the Harlequin American Romance line. It will be in stores (Borders, Wal-mart, K-Mart, etc) for one month starting July 12th. After that, it's only via online venues like www.eharlequin.com until it sells out!

Me: Do you have manuscripts in a file that you haven’t queried or submitted to anyone yet?
Laura: I have a suspense novel that is done--start to finish--but still needs a good 20 K increase. It's a fabulous concept and could really be something fun. The stumbling block is finding time to complete it between contracts. But I will. Soon.

Me: Do you do school visits? Book signings? Library visits?
Laura: Absolutely! I love doing all of the above!!! Especially school visits! It's my way of paying it back!

Me: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Laura: I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was ten. I was playing at a friend’s house one day (it was raining) and we'd run out of things to do. So she got out a stack of paper and said we should write a children's story. I did... And from that moment on it's all I've ever wanted to do.

Me: How did you celebrate your first sale?
Laura: My very first sale, ever? That would be my first small press mystery and I remember a drawing my kids made for me and a balloon. It was special!

Me: Mystery and romance are quite different. How difficult was it to switch genres? Did you have to spend a lot of time reading romances?
Laura: It wasn't as difficult as I would have thought. I just trusted my muse when writing the first romance and it didn't steer me wrong. I did read fairly extensively in the line I wanted to sell to, but more for feel than to truly analyze.

Me: Where do you find inspiration for your novels?
Laura: The radio, primarily. Those little 5-10 second newsbytes they run through in the morning between music sets. LOVE those!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Laura. She’s just wonderful!

Now for the fun stuff…Leave a comment and get one entry, post a link on your blog (leave me a link, please) and you get another entry, go to Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s blog post for today (5/4/10) and leave a comment about this interview and you get a third entry! (I’ll hop over there on Friday and add entries from there.) I’ll assign you a number for each entry and then use random.org to select four winners. Each winner will receive one signed book. I’ll announce the winners on Friday around 5 p.m. Good luck, everyone!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR YOUR PLATFORM?

(This has nothing to do with my post, it's just a great picture from my trip to the Bahamas...)

So, what are you doing to build a platform?  In my interview with literary agent Mark McVeigh we learned that a platform is any media based entity you have that puts you out there for people to read or experience in some way. It could be a blog, a local radio chat, contacts you have with the media, even Twitter.

Do you have a blog?  Do you Twitter?  Do you facebook?  Do you belong to YALITCHAT?  Have you joined The Inkwell?  Have you done any school/library presentations?  Have you been on the radio?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO BUILD A PLATFORM?