Hashtag Heaven for Writers and Illustrators - on this Writerly Wednesday

If you're writing and looking for an agent to represent you in the wonderful world of publishing, then there are a few hashtags you really should know about and use...to find your perfect match. Writing and finding your "perfect" agent is a lot like dating. You need to search in the right places, know what you're looking for, and what would make a good fit for you...and your prospective agent. 

One of the critical hashtags for writers, illustrators and writer/illustrators is: #MSWL

This stands for Manuscript Wish List. Agents and even editors use this hashtag on Twitter to let you know what sort of stories they are searching their slush piles for. 

It's sort of  like going to a dating site and reading a bio about your prospective new Honey. You'll want to know if the person likes long walks on the beach or if they prefer to sit on the couch and watch a rousing game of football...or perhaps tennis. 

#MSWL tells you all this information - (specifically related to stories, characters, voice, submission methods, etc.) and what the agent/editor prefers plus much more. It can't be understated how helpful this one simple hashtag can be, because when you want to make a love connection (for your story or illustrations) this is the quick shortcut to finding out all the scoop on the person you're going to be sharing your "baby" with. 

But this isn't the only hashtag that will help you find a connection out in the world of publishing. And, I'm sure you're not only looking for an agent. You might want to find like minded people who love reading, writing and simply supporting one another in this lonesome journey down the path toward publication. 

So, if you're looking to make a connection with your writing community, you might want to try the hashtag #writingcommunity on Twitter. You will find more people than you could find at a beach on a hot summer day, and these people will most likely have a  lot more in common with you than those swimsuit clad beachcombers.

There are many more helpful hashtags a writer and/or illustrator can use to find a Love (or even Like) connection. But these two will get you going on the Write Track ;D So, what's stopping you? Start hashtagging away. And, if you have a few more helpful hashtags you use, why don't you share them down in the comments section? We can all work together to help build this writing and illustrating community of ours. 

So, until next Wednesday, "Write On!" 

5-Minute Floss Tube Project-Tin Tutorial

If you're looking for a place to store your craft projects that's prettier than a paper bag, here's a Super Simple 5-Minute Project-Tin Tutorial. 

Sewing Project bags may be beautiful, but they take more than a few minutes to make, while this craft project will provide a 5-minute craft and you'll be able to store these project-tins easily on a shelf. Plus, they'll look pretty too all while keeping your cross-stitch fabric from getting wrinkled.

What could be better? And, even if you don't cross-stitch, I'm sure you can find a purpose for these pretty canisters. 

Simply click on the link below or go to my YouTube channel and peruse through my floss tube episodes.

 There are  many tips, tricks and hints to getting published and you can find differing points of view any place you look but here is a golden nugget I received early on in my writing career and it's very similar to Nike's motto of  "Just Do It". The tip is not to worry about finding an agent, getting published or even how you're going to market the book and brand yourself. The best tip I ever got was:

"Write the BOOK!"

Nothing else matters until you have a "product" to publish. You shouldn't worry over word count, fret over format or stress over sequence. Just  write the book. It will definitely need to be read-over, revised and re-revised before its ready. So, don't get hung up on the  small stuff. Until you have pages to read, you don't have anything to work with. 

I've written or maybe I should say I've had 5 books published-one is even on audible. But, I've written many more than 5 books. The truth is not everything we write will ever see the light of a printing press, publishing house or book store. 

But don't worry about that. Just Write the Book! No matter what, you'll be polishing and perfecting your craft, building a better brand, and working to create a truly beautiful book. 

And here's one more tip, which applies to life as well as to writing:

Attitude is Everything

Remember telling a story is all about a journey, and we should all take the time to enjoy our own trip down the path to publication. Writers are creative people and most creative people are bound to suffer some rejection - but it's what we do with the experience that molds us into the storytellers and people we become. 

I'm not saying you have to enjoy rejection - that would be impossible - at least for me but we can all learn something from our experiences in life. 

Remember falling down is an accident - staying down is a choice. 

When you receive a rejection, don't let it keep you down. Consider  any helpful feedback, process it and then move on. But most important off all, Just

Write the Book!

5-Minute Craft Tutorial to make St Paddy's Day Garland

If you're like me and you like to decorate for the holidays but don't want to spend a lot of money on store-bought decorations, you might enjoy my 5-minute tutorial, which shows  you how to make a fun Shamrock garland with scraps of fabric you might have around the house (and if not, you could use old (nearly worn out) towels or t-shirts). If you're curious how I did this super simple garland, click on the video below to see it.

Writerly Wednesday - Upcoming Writing Contests

 

Writing contests can encourage you to perfect your craft while giving you the opportunity to earn a little recognition, make some money and hopefully meet some new friends. So get those pages polished, and start cracking those knuckles because it's time to deep dive into the murky waters of writing contests. What do you have to lose? And after reading about these contests, you'll see you might have a lot to win. 

Here is a list of upcoming contests for writers: 

The Writer: Flash Fiction Writing Contest - The Writer (writermag.com)

Essay Contest: Contests - The Writer (writermag.com)

The James Laughlin Poetry contest: James Laughlin Award | Academy of American Poets

PitMad: #PitMad | Pitch Wars

Good luck everyone. Now send those pages, articles and stories out because you might win and even if you don't, you could make some  good friends along the way. 

Flosstube Episode #2 Sisters celebrating St. Paddy's Day with Cross-stitch

Anyone else have a sister they spend time with - especially during the pandemic? Well, I grew up in a family, where Mom and Dad had nine kids and all we ever did was spend time together. So, now that we're older and (hopefully) wiser, we're trying to have fun instead of spending our time cleaning, cooking and  basically helping the family get by. And one of the ways we've been spending our time connecting creatively is by cross-stitching. We have also just started playing tennis together and enjoying the outdoors by running.

If you're interested in any of these things, please click on the short video below and let us know what you think. Plus, if you cross-stitch or run or play tennis, we'd love to connect with you too.

Writerly Wednesday - Tips, Tricks and Helpful Hints to Help You Find Your Path to Publication

 

If you're looking for helpful hints to find a few ways to connect with a literary agent, here are a few tips: On April 17, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators from the Inland NW Region is hosting an Agent Day. 

They will have three agents on faculty (see below): 

1)  KellyDyksterhouse (Raven Quill)

 Kelly is looking for middle grade and young adult manuscripts. 

She wants action-adventure with heart and universal themes such as identity, friendship, family, and an #ownvoices novel in verse or coming of age story. She enjoys magical realism, and books with a sense of wonder and magic. 

She wants contemporary YA, #ownvoices that explore the struggle between personal identity, family identity and culture, a YA fantasy that feels new, has great action and a romantic thread.

 Query her at QueryMe.Online/KellyDyksterhouse

 2)  Paige Terlip (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) is looking for all categories of children’s books from picture books to young adult, as well as select adult fiction and nonfiction. She is also looking for illustrators and author-illustrators and graphic novel illustrators.

She wants high concept novels with captivating hooks, snarky characters with hearts of gold, creative magic systems, complicated relationships, and found families. She likes well-plotted twists, being a little bit scared, and stories that explore the fluidity of gender and bring the queer experience to light.

On the adult side she's open to thrillers/psychological suspense, fantasy/sci-fi, upmarket fiction, cozy mysteries, as well as narrative nonfiction and self-help. She loves stories that make her feel a range of emotions, and a narrative that sticks with her long after she closes the book.

 Query her when she opens to submissions at Query Manager: QueryManager.com/PaigeTerlip 

3) LisaAmstutz – Storm Literary (Lisa is closed to submissions right now) But when she reopens, she is looking for nonfiction of all ages. She loves books with heart; science, agricultural and environmental topics; new insights on history, culture or the arts; strong characters and settings; humor; lyrical texts and multicultural themes. 

But you can query her colleague Michelle Hauck with middle grade,  young adult and some adult genres. She isn't accepting nonfiction, picture books of chapter books at this time. 

Query Michelle here