SCBWI | Cathy C. Hall Writes

I’m singing the lon SCBWI TEAM BLOG esome “Everybody’s Going to The SCBWI Conference in LA But Me” blues this week. Still, I was trying to suck it up and think happy thoughts for next year. I remembered that I wanted to share this cool tool for finding books in libraries.

It’s called Worldcat and it’s so amazing, I could play around with it all day. Here’s how it works: You go to this splendiferous site, type in the title of the book you’re looking for, include your zip code, and bingo! All of the libraries holding this book in your vicinity and beyond will appear.

So, if you’re looking for an unusual, new, or maybe even your own book, the libraries pop up on the screen. Wouldn’t you like to know all the libraries that are carrying your brand new book? I know I’d be checking Worldcat. Probably every day.

Like I said, I was trying to think happy thoughts. And I also remembered that a fellow Southern Breezer (Hey, Mary Ann Rodman!) passed along the Worldcat site, I think, on a new blog called “Teaching Authors.” Six children’s authors, who also happen to teach, alternately share the posts, and honestly, they pack a lot of information in one blog!

So, when I checked it out today, just to see how the gang was getting along, I noticed that Esther wrote how she was LA bound for the SCBWI Conference.

See what I mean? Everybody‘s going but me. But then I read the entire post and cheered up. Because all sorts of folks will be blogging from LA and I can join the fun, if only virtually, by going to the Official SCBWI Conference Blog.

Now I’m singing a happy little ditty. Hum along with me to “Thanks, Esther, I’d still be cryin’ if I hadn’t checked the Teaching Authors blog today!”

I always need a day or two after a conference to decompress. Just a day, though. ‘Cause after listening to the writerly wisdom (and wit), I have a l-o-o-o-n-n-n-g list of Things To Do to get Cathy C. Hall and her writing up to par.

I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers at Springmingle ’09, and I’m sorry if you didn’t get to go. Maybe a few tips will cheer you up. Here’s a quick rundown of what I (kinda) learned and who I (sorta) met:

1. From Shelli Wells, I learned that a writer can have a “book” brand or an “author” brand. And even a shadow brand (that’s the brand you don’t mean to give off. I’m a little worried that I give off a “who’s the crazy woman asking all those questions?” brand) Check out Shelli’s blog for more of her fabu marketing tips.

2. From Abigail Samoun, an editor at Tricycle Press AND Mary Kate Castellani from Walker Books, I learned that I’d better do my research when I submit my book, and put that research into my cover letter. ‘Cause editors are happy when you pull your end of the work load. So, research and compare your book against what’s already in the market place, using the most current, technologically advanced system you can find (Okay, use Amazon. That’s what all the editors use).

3. From Caityln Dlouhy, Executive Editor from Atheneum Books, I learned how editors think when they read that first page of a manuscript. (She didn’t get to my First Page, and um, I’m okay with that. Changing up my First page is first on my Things to Do List).

4. From Kathleen Duey, an incredibly prolific author, I learned that I’m lazier than I thought. But on the up side, I learned there’s hope. She suggested writers keep a file of story sparks (which I do) and put this document on your computer (which I don’t do) so you can check in with your ideas and grow your stories. Such a simple idea, but brilliant! (And another thing on my Things To Do List). That’s me with Kathleen. She looks way too happy to be so busy!