Reader question: What’s an imprint?

Ingrid writes to ask: How exactly does an imprint of a publishing company work? Are imprints more specific in subject matter or is there a deeper connection with the parent company? Are your chances of getting published better with an imprint or does the sale of your work do better with a more well-known publisher? … Read more

Toph: “Supercrip” stereotype or well-rounded disabled character?

I just today read this post on disabled people (or, if you prefer, people who happen to be disabled)—particularly regarding creation of characters—over at the Rejectionist, so being a little late and interested in continuing the discussion focusing on a specific character, I am turning my potential comment into a blog post instead. Rachel notes … Read more

What kind of fantasy is Tu looking for? And what kind of synopsis?

Another writer question, the answer for which I think will help more than just one writer. If any of you have questions about what we’re looking for or anything to do with the submission process, please let me know, and I’ll be glad to answer here on the blog (anonymizing your question so it can … Read more

Is my character “black enough”

I recently got this question from a writer, who agreed that answering it on the blog would be useful: My hero is a fifteen-year-old African American boy [in a science fiction story]. A few of my alpha readers (not all) have said that he doesn’t sound “black enough.” I purposely made him an Air Force … Read more

Announcement: Now closed for critiques

Given the demands on my time from a number of directions, I am now closing for new critiques indefinitely. I still have several critiques I’m working on that I need to get back to the authors on; if you’re one of those people, I apologize for the wait. You will be hearing from me soon. … Read more

Why I can’t recommend you to an agent

Sometimes I get emails from people who are just starting out in the publishing process. I understand the frustration that comes when from seeing that practically every publisher requires agented submissions. If you aren’t sure where to start, it can be daunting to try to find information on publishing through Google (Writer Beware covered this … Read more

Writing Excuses hilarity, conferences and conventions for children’s/YA

Today’s Writing Excuses covers conventions you (writers) should be attending, but they didn’t really have time to cover conventions and conferences specifically geared for children’s books (and I actually am not sure if any of them have been to anything except the occasional BYU Writing for Young Readers). I’ve been meaning to post something about … Read more