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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Children’s Lit Bits: Sites You Don’t Want to Miss

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You know how I like to win stuff. And I can win a few children’s books just by telling you about this great transcript: http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/binestock.shtml. But I would have told you about it eventually ’cause it’s jam-packed with lots of great info about children’s picture books.

Now that I think about it, when it comes to jam-packed great children’s info, you can’t beat the weekly newsletter from the Institute of Children’s Literature. Check out their website to see how you can sign up for the free e-news.

Then you’ll get transcripts like this all the time. You’ll also get tips about kid lit websites. Like this great blog I just spent the morning reading: Editorial Anonymous. It’s penned by a children’s book editor who reminds me a little of Miss Snark. Maybe she’s just carrying on the tradition of telling it like it is from the editor’s perspective. So don’t expect rainbows and teddy bears. But do expect to laugh.

And expect to learn a little something about children’s writing. Just that one little bit might make all the difference!

What Not to Do Wednesday: Been There, Done That

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I got involved in a bit of a group online discussion today (probably should have been writing, but I’ll write about that WNTD next week) and realized that a writer friend had taken a classic WNTD and turned it around into a What Exactly To Do.

First, the WNTD: Don’t go counting your money for the manuscript ’til the check comes in, grasshopper. But, honestly, is there a writer out there who hasn’t fallen for that? You send your article or story or essay off and weeks later the contract lands in your inbox. Wheee! Before you can say, “I just sold another one!” you get an email saying that you are not, unfortunately, one of the finalists. Or that the magazine will not, unfortunately, be using your article. Or the webzine’s gone belly up. Whatever.

The bottom line is the same. You spoke too soon. And now you feel like, well, I think we’ve said enough about that. Best to move on to the What Exactly To Do, as my writer friend did ever so promptly.

Take that glowing piece of writing and immediately send it back out again. If there’s not a market available now, keep checking back…there will be. Because here’s the thing. If it was good enough to be a finalist, or considered for a magazine the first time around, it’s still good. It’s still saleable. And don’t you forget it. Or the article.