mental slush

jonklassen: From a small feature that will run in The Guardian...

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:17:06 -0700

From a small feature that will run in The Guardian in a few weeks entitled “How To Draw A Bear Thinking About Something”

nevver: Day Jobs of the Poets

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:18:34 -0700

nevver:

Day Jobs of the Poets

More Conference Dates for 2013...

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:47:08 -0700

I have some new updates to share from my 2013 calendar. (Please see my complete calendar for all conference/event dates). If you’d like to meet me in person, check out one of these great events! I’ll be on faculty at the following….

* Willamette Writers Conference, Aug. 2-4, Portland, OR

I’ll be doing one-on-one, as well as group consultations, daily. I’ll also be on the “Pitch with the Pros” panel Thursday evening.

* Kansas City SCBWI Fall Conference, Oct. 11-12

I’ll be doing advance written critiques, as well as presenting two workshops on a topic TBD. Looking forward to finding some new talent here—and trying Kansas City BBQ!

Mmm Green Peony tea…pretty and delicious. Just the thing...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:19:59 -0700

Mmm Green Peony tea…pretty and delicious. Just the thing for a gloomy so cal day.

How would you suggest someone go about querying a series? Specifically a trilogy? If I have the manuscript for the first book finished, the second book planned out in detail and a good idea of the third (and know exactly how the whole thing will end), is that adequate? and should I mention this in my letter, or only if more information is requested? Thanks!

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:30:00 -0700

An agent’s primary focus is going to be finding a stellar first book. All we need to know at the query level is either (a) this is book 1 in 3 part series, or (b) that this is intended to be part of series, but it can function as a standalone. Most agents would prefer to see a book that can standalone, but has series potential—as this is easier to sell than, say, a mandatory 3-book series. If your book CAN standalone, this is the most important information to relay—you can also add that you have ideas for a possible Book 2 and 3 but that’s all we need to know at this point.

Thanks for the question—and happy querying!

Check out my guest post on DearEditor.com!

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:20:32 -0800

Check out my guest post on DearEditor.com!:

I answer a question about submitting a picture book dummy to agents and editors simultaneously. I advise finding an agent first and give 3 reasons why….

bookriot: All 7 Harry Potter books are getting new 15th...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:58:15 -0800

bookriot:

All 7 Harry Potter books are getting new 15th anniversary covers! Whaddya think?

Is it neurotic that I’m probably going to re-buy these with the new covers?

What is your usual timeframe for responses on requested material? And when, if ever, is it ok to request an update?

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:31:16 -0700

I do my best to respond to requested materials within two months. However, sometimes I do fall behind. If it’s been more than two months, authors should feel free to check in with me via email and I’m happy to provide an update.

Your agency has a "no answer means no" policy, but why don't you post the status on queries to you on your twitter or tumblr every month or so, I think this will help writers a lot and save them to wait for 8 weeks to know your reply.

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:49:54 -0700

Although my agency’s official policy is “no response means no”, I’ve actually stated that my personal policy is to respond to all queries, as long as they follow submission guidelines. I even did a whole post on it: “My Query Response Policy”.

Also, posting any sort of query status update is problematic, at least for me, because there’s always going to be exceptions. For example, a picture book, or nonfiction proposal, that I want to spend some time with or perhaps share with a colleague before I respond to the author.

But again, I do send a response to all queries, so if it’s a pass, authors will know.

fer1972: Carved Books by Kylie Stillman Defiling the books...

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:39:03 -0700

fer1972:

Carved Books by Kylie Stillman

Defiling the books makes me cringe a little bit, but still pretty cool

rebeccaschinsky: That opening stanza is an exercise in “one of...

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:33:22 -0700

rebeccaschinsky:

That opening stanza is an exercise in “one of these things is not like the others.” But the rest is pretty great.

Can you pitch a novel as multicultural if only the secondary characters are from a diverse background and their culture is incorporated in the plot, but not the protagonist?

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:27:36 -0700

Probably not. Figuring out the genre for your book isn’t an exact science—genres are a bit fluid. The rule of thumb is to pick one or two that BEST describe your book, e.g., “contemporary romance”, “sci-fi thriller”.

If only your secondary characters have a diverse background, I’m thinking “mulitcultural” probably wouldn’t be the best and most accurate genre to describe your book.

Listing accurate genres in your pitch is important because it sets the tone for the sample material, and establishes reader expectations. So again, no hard rule, but you don’t want an agent to be disappointed if the material’s not what you describe it as.

Oh, and don’t list five genres to try and cover your bases (e.g. “a dystopian sci-fi multicultural, that’s part thriller and romance”), this tells me you don’t know what genre it is and is kind of a red flag.

Thanks for the question, hope that helps!

New Conference Dates!

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:58:18 -0700

Here’s the latest updates to my conference schedule for 2012-2013 (go here for my full schedule):

SCBWI-Orange County, Editor’s Day, Sep. 22, 2012

My agency is a huge supporter of SCBWI, and I do as many local events as I can. This will be my 2nd Editor’s Day and I can’t wait! I’ll be holding one-on-one pitch sessions.

Writer’s Digest West Conference, Pitch Slam, Oct. 20, 2012, Hollywood, CA

The conference is the weekend of Oct. 19-21, but I’ll be there Saturday, Oct. 20, only, for the Pitch Slam. There will be two 90-minute pitch sessions, with each author having a 90 seconds to pitch. We agents will get slammed, alright, but that’s lots of opportunities to meet some fantastic authors!

Las Vegas Writer’s Conference, Apr. 18-20, 2013

I had such a fantastic time last year, I’m doing it again! I’ll be participating on panels, holding one-on-one pitch appointments, and leading a breakout session on a topic TBD.

I hope to see some of you at one of these events soon!

-Sara

New Contest Alert: Calling all MG authors!

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:44:31 -0700

New Contest Alert: Calling all MG authors!:

I’m judging a MG-only contest for WD. The contest is live for 2-weeks, through 8/27. The three lucky winners will win a critique from me!

i-love-art: (via littlefoxpaws, laboomeria)

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:36:46 -0700

i-love-art:

(via littlefoxpaws, laboomeria)

My first deal announced in PW!

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:17:36 -0700

My first deal announced in PW!:

Katy S. Duffield’s Aliens Get the Sniffles Too!, a picture book about a little alien who gets a cold – and his parents and dog go to the ends of the universe to make him feel better, to Karen Lotz at Candlewick.

bookmania: Reading is Magical (via Celine Taylor)

Mon, 07 May 2012 21:08:35 -0700

bookmania:

Reading is Magical (via Celine Taylor)

New Conference Dates for 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:44:14 -0700

This weekend I’ll be at the Las Vegas Writers Conference. There I’ll hold one-on-one pitch sessions, speak on an Agents Panel, and will conduct a session called “Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Query Letter”.

I’m also looking forward to attending the Willamette Writers Conference for the first time this year, Aug. 3-5. I’ll conduct one-on-one and group consults, speak on an Agent Q & A Panel, as well as participate in a “Pitch with the Pros” workshop Thursday evening.

Hope to see some of you soon at these great conferences!

Sara

I know it's not an agenting question, but how do you pronounce your last name?

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:16:12 -0700

Thanks for the question, I get this one a lot! My last name is Italian and is pronounced “shoo-toh”. Also, like in, “prosciutto”.

"Kite Tales" Spring 2012 issue, the newsletter for the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:58:05 -0800

"Kite Tales" Spring 2012 issue, the newsletter for the SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California:

Check out my article on page 21 where I share some query Do’s and Don’ts and info on the types of projects I’d love to find right now.