25 Wednesday Sep 2019
Posted in Ask an Editor
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – What does it mean to have a book optioned?
—Ivy, Los Angeles Continue reading
19 Wednesday Jun 2019
Posted in Ask an Editor
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – How do I write in an accent or use slang when it’s not the way I speak?
—Yolie, Westside
Dear Yolie – Let’s start with some definitions. Accents are “speech habits typical of the natives or residents of a region” while slang is a defined as “language peculiar to a particular group” (Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary).
ACCENTS: With accents, sparing use can be more effective. While some stories may carry an accent throughout, this works only when it’s done well and is easy for the reader to follow. Continue reading
27 Wednesday Mar 2019
Posted in Ask an Editor
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – I’ve been working on my middle-grade book for years with my critique group and think it’s finally ready to send out into the world. What’s the best way to find an agent?
—Susan, Los Angeles
Dear Susan – Finishing your manuscript is quite an accomplishment. Kudos! Since you’re looking for an agent, that must mean you’re seeking traditional publication.
19 Wednesday Dec 2018
Posted in Ask an Editor
Tags
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog. This month, we feature a guest host, Renée M. LaTulippe, children’s poet, freelance editor, and founder/teacher of The Lyrical Language Lab.
Dear Editor – I’ve written a rhyming picture book, but now that I’m starting to search for an agent it seems a lot of them don’t want rhyming picture books. What should I do?
—Sam, Los Angeles
Dear Sam:
This is a question that gets a lot of airtime in kidlit writer circles, and for good reason. After all, we can all see how many rhyming picture books come into the world each year, so someone is writing and selling and publishing them, right? Seeing so many agents and publishers put up “No Rhyme Allowed” signs on their clubhouse doors is frustrating indeed. Continue reading
20 Wednesday Jun 2018
Posted in Ask an Editor, Critique Day
Tags
critique groups, critiquenic, critiques, critiquing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – I think my YA novel is finished but would like to show it to other people for feedback. Where can I find a critique group?
—Effie, Culver City Continue reading
30 Friday Mar 2018
Posted in Ask an Editor
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – I’m ready to submit my picture book to agents but there are no page breaks in my manuscript. Is that a problem?
—Unbroken, Los Angeles Continue reading
13 Wednesday Dec 2017
Posted in Ask an Editor
Tags
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that
are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – What is the difference between a query letter and a cover letter?
—Marissa, the Valley
13 Wednesday Sep 2017
Posted in Ask an Editor, Tips and Tools
Tags
AP Manual, Author Tips, Chicago Manual, CMA, editing, style guides
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – I’ve heard there were “style changes” recently. What does this mean?
—Trying to be Stylish, Los Angeles
Dear Stylish:
What is “style”?
“Style” is the way writers express thought in a written work; this includes text and documentation and any tables and illustrations. “Style” is often used to mean the consistent use of capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, abbreviations, punctuation, ellipsis points, parentheses, quotation marks, the way numbers are treated, grammar, syntax, usage, and much more.
Where can someone learn about style? Continue reading
21 Wednesday Jun 2017
Posted in Ask an Editor
Tags
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – How many pages will I submit to an agent?
—Lim, Los Angeles
29 Wednesday Mar 2017
Posted in Ask an Editor
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI mem
bers submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.
Dear Editor – What is New Adult? How is it different from Young Adult?
—J.T., Los Angeles
