Kidlitchat Transcript – August 4th (part 2)

 

8:53 pm MayaPublicity: #kidlitchat i’m off, night all, thank you for the chat
8:53 pm elanaroth: @Lisa_Frame I won’t lie that it hasn’t been slow. But the good books still get bought. #kidlitchat
8:54 pm janetleecarey: @EngridE1 Okay you’re on for Monday Engrid . . . . #kidlitchat
8:54 pm leewind: @elanaroth Thanks – It’s all about balancing anticipation and expectations, isn’t it #kidlitchat
8:54 pm elanaroth: @ktubb Not sure there’s a good rule of thumb. And depends on the relationship with said blurber… #kidlitchat
8:55 pm literaticat: Hey I am here too! (For agentish questions or just jokes.) #kidlitchat
8:55 pm maggiedana: @elanaroth Is market for kids’ books holding up better than for grownup fiction #kidlitchat
8:55 pm elanaroth: @ktubb I assume there’s a contract and a book actually being published, yes #kidlitchat
8:55 pm Lizannewrites: yes writing has evolved some write screenplays some pub’d 3 times in Chicken Soup books. some write MG’s YA’s started as all PBs #kidlitchat
8:55 pm sherisaid: @elanaroth #kidlitchat is it difficult to get an agent
8:55 pm bonnieadamson: @literaticat Or both! #kidlitchat
8:55 pm KellyDHouse: battery is dying. Need to call home – so thanks, all for an enjoyable evening! #kidlitchat
8:56 pm EngridE1: @bonnieadamson Magical realism, to me, occurs when something magical happens & the character accepts it without question. #kidlitchat
8:56 pm ktubb: @elanaroth Thank you! Yes, contracted and Fall 2010 pub date. Do I go thru my agent #kidlitchat
8:56 pm Lisa_Frame: @elanaroth That’s good to hear. Here’s to hoping it picks up in the near future as well. #kidlitchat
8:56 pm elanaroth: @maggiedana BIG question. I say yes. want to jump in @literaticat #kidlitchat
8:56 pm dawnmetcalf: RT @Gwenda Great execution is just about always trendy. #kidlitchat
8:56 pm joycelansky: @sherisaid I have a friend who has published 8 books. Her two novels r amazing. One won a big award. She can’t get an agent. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm elanaroth: @ktubb Agents can be helpful if they have a relationship to use. But make sure blurber is a suitable fit for your book. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm thewritingthing: For upper YA, where is the line you see for stronger language #kidlitchat
8:57 pm literaticat: @elanaroth @maggiedana - oh FOR SURE. definitely. absolutely. no doubt in my mind whatsoever. i can’t say YES more vehemently. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm bonnieadamson: @EngridE1 Ah–do you have examples of books .. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm sherisaid: @joycelansky #kidlitchat LOL! excellent answer.
8:57 pm janetleecarey: @ktubb Character accepts without question and reader is surprised. Suddenly the mind is open to new possibilities. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm dawnmetcalf: Just a quick “hi” to say Write What You Love. The trend will come around to you eventually — Be ready for it! #kidlitchat
8:57 pm elanaroth: @sherisaid Yes. It’s pretty competitive. Queries are up. Plus side is, there are also more agents now to try. #kidlitchat
8:57 pm sarahshum: #kidlitchat Editors send mss for blurbs when there’s a final ms, but before there’s an ARC, with hopes for quotes by ARC time, but def pub
8:57 pm jane_mackay: RT @ColleenLindsay Kids & YA writers: #kidlitchat is going on right now. Go particpate and/or ask some questions and use the hashtag, pls.
8:58 pm maggiedana: @elanaroth I heard kids’ books holding up b/c given choice between book for herself & book for her kid, Mom buys 1 for her kid. #kidlitchat
8:58 pm EngridE1: @literaticat Jokes L8r :-) Agentish now, I was asking opinions on magical realism being fantasy or another genre. #kidlitchat
8:58 pm janetleecarey: @dawnmetcalf Thanks for saying that Dawn #kidlitchat
8:58 pm elanaroth: @literaticat @maggiedana There is a reason 99% of my list is children’s. I believe children’s books outlast all. Kids must read. #kidlitchat
8:58 pm ktubb: @elenaroth Thank you again! :-) #kidlitchat
8:58 pm Lisa_Frame: @elanaroth I have read your tweets for a while. What is certain death for query letters Obviously, signing “love” is one. #kidlitchat
8:59 pm literaticat: @EngridE1 Another genre. In my opinion, anyway. #kidlitchat
8:59 pm RebeccaMather: I keep reading I don’t need an agent for my children’s PB. I’m afraid to just send it in to a publisher. Any adivice.Send Query #kidlitchat
8:59 pm kathleenfoucart: Big Thanks to @elanaroth and @literaticat for offering to answer agent-related questions :) #kidlitchat
8:59 pm maggiedana: RT @elanaroth: There is a reason 99% of my list is childrens. I believe childrens books outlast all. Kids must read. #kidlitchat
8:59 pm elanaroth: @Lisa_Frame Certain death in queries are the obvious things: plain bad writing, sloppiness, rudeness, blandness, rambling… #kidlitchat
8:59 pm janetleecarey: @Lisa_Frame Also , I’ve heard, saying, “my Mother Loved this book!” Um . . . yeah, right . . . #kidlitchat
9:00 pm sherisaid: @elanaroth #kidlitchat hmm…I wonder if good authors get lost in the slush. I did the math on short stories with an SF ed once. not pretty
9:00 pm dawnmetcalf: RT @kathleenfoucart Big Thanks to @elanaroth and @literaticat for offering to answer agent-related questions :) #kidlitchat
9:00 pm sarahshum: @RebeccaMather find out who takes unagented mss, do your homework, and be prepared to wait a bit longer than you’d like! #kidlitchat
9:00 pm crineyz: #kidlitchat @janetleecarey Thank you, see i can follow along for the 1st time.:)
9:00 pm gregpincus: @dawnmetcalf Great to see you stop in, Dawn. #kidlitchat
9:00 pm literaticat: @RebeccaMather ”They” are right, there are loads of nice publishers who take unagented picture books. #kidlitchat
9:00 pm joycelansky: @Lisa_Frame Signing love even upsets the agent who compares writer-agent relationships to dating. ;) #kidlitchat
9:00 pm Evilgenius333: @RebeccaMather Very good friend of mine did just that and got published. Book is doing very well and they’ve asked for series. #kidlitchat
9:00 pm maggiedana: Another query turnoff: getting agent’s name wrong! #kidlitchat
9:01 pm elanaroth: @sherisaid It happens, sad to say. But I also find true gems in my query pile. Just signed one today. #kidlitchat
9:01 pm HeleneBoudreau: Magical realism: elements of fantasy set in a contemporary world. No #kidlitchat
9:01 pm elanaroth: Query tips: please spell my name right. Please be succinct. Please know what your book is about. Please follow my guidelines. #kidlitchat
9:01 pm janetleecarey: @elanaroth Authors love to hear good news like that! #kidlitchat
9:02 pm literaticat: Query turn-offs: Querying genres that I don’t rep at all (erotica thrillers no thanks.) Also, arguing with rejections. #kidlitchat
9:02 pm leewind: RT @elanaroth I also find true gems in my query pile. Just signed one today. #kidlitchat YAY! Nice story!
9:02 pm sherisaid: #kidlitchat while it seems children’s books should be easier to write – I’m betting not.
9:02 pm EngridE1: @literaticat Thank you. #kidlitchat
9:02 pm bonnieadamson: RT @elanaroth: Query tips: spell my name right. Be succinct. Please know what your book is about. Please follow guidelines. #kidlitchat
9:02 pm crineyz: #kidlitchat Now as far as trends go, things go round and round, so really when does one start and end
9:03 pm kathleenfoucart: @sherisaid Good bet! :) #kidlitchat
9:03 pm kdueykduey: @joycelansky There is exact no formula, you just need an effective, short, pithy letter that conveys the book and your skill. #kidlitchat
9:03 pm literaticat: @crineyz I think that thinking about trends will drive you batshit crazy. Just write a good book please. #kidlitchat
9:03 pm janetleecarey: @sherisaid Children’s books Not easier to write — author’s opinion. #kidlitchat
9:03 pm utahsavage: Ask my first question of a real life agent & forget to add that #kidlitchat. Well I’m disqualified from writing a query letter #kidlitchat
9:04 pm Evilgenius333: #kidlitchat That’s all for me. Gotta run. Thanks as always to @BonnieAdamson and @gregpincus for gathering the troops.
9:04 pm cheriwilliams: RT @literaticat: I think that thinking about trends will drive you batshit crazy. Just write a good book please. #kidlitchat
9:04 pm elanaroth: @utahsavage What was your question #kidlitchat
9:04 pm RebeccaMather: @Evilgenius333 thanks. That’s good to hear. Good for her! Guess I need to muster up my courage then huh.#kidlitchat
9:04 pm bonnieadamson: @utahsavage LOL Try again! #kidlitchat
9:04 pm literaticat: @utahsavage LOL – what was the question There is always room for second chances. #kidlitchat
9:04 pm marybrebner: RT @literaticat: I think that thinking about trends will drive you batshit crazy. Just write a good book please. ~Lol! So true #kidlitchat
9:04 pm sherisaid: @elanaroth #kidlitchat good to know- Not that kidlit is my thing, but it could happen. Don’t know if I can write big concepts in small words
9:04 pm EngridE1: @bonnieadamson Isabel Allende/Gabriel Marquez /Tolkien magical realism – Somewhere In Time #kidlitchat
9:05 pm EllenHopkinsYA: @literaticat #kidlitchat You don’t rep erotica Shoot. There goes my query. (don’t tell Laura. I know she doesn’t rep it!)
9:05 pm sarahshum: What @literaticat said. Don’t FOLLOW trends, just a good book, please! #kidlitchat
9:05 pm crineyz: #kidlitchat Boy you got that right! @literaticat
9:05 pm elanaroth: @sherisaid You put that nicely. “Big concepts in small words.” I like it. #kidlitchat
9:05 pm sherisaid: @RebeccaMather #kidlitchat you don’t have anything to lose by trying.
9:05 pm bonnieadamson: @EngridE1 Gotcha #kidlitchat
9:05 pm literaticat: @EllenHopkinsYA ha! #kidlitchat
9:05 pm janetleecarey: @cheriwilliams yes to “Just write a good book” please. My experience is go back to the writing desk and work on compelling story #kidlitchat
9:06 pm elanaroth: @sarahshum @literaticat DITTO DITTO DITTO. Just know what’s out there. Don’t go running after it to catch it. #kidlitchat
9:06 pm marybrebner: @janetleecarey @sherisaid Kids books def. not easier to write-have to walk a fine line, don’t talk down to ‘em, still entertain #kidlitchat
9:06 pm HeyWhitney: What about us illustrators Any advice for how you want to see our work #kidlitchat
9:06 pm EngridE1: @HeleneBoudreau But the “fantasy” is accepted without question = magical realism #kidlitchat
9:07 pm jeanie_w: @EngridE1 I would say THE THIEF LORD by Cornelia Funke is magical realism. LORD OF THE RINGS is high fantasy. #kidlitchat
9:07 pm joycelansky: @sherisaid After writing adult lit, I think it would be hard to sound like a kid. Someone in my crit group struggles with this. #kidlitchat
9:07 pm theamillerryan: @literaticat Can a children’s picture book text be too regional – do you mind hearing about prairie, Black Hills, badlands #kidlitchat
9:07 pm literaticat: @elanaroth See – I actually found that sort of offensive, in a vague way. It sounds talk-downy. #kidlitchat
9:08 pm EgmontUSA: @marybrebner With all of that combined in a tight, smart package, it’s NOT easy. #kidlitchat
9:08 pm sherisaid: @marybrebner #kidlitchat that’s what I suspected. some childrens’ books are just so..profound, in so few words.
9:08 pm ktubb: @janetleecarey Re: “Kid books easy to write.” Response: “That’s like asking a pediatrician when they’ll practice for adults.” #kidlitchat
9:08 pm AnnaZiska: I see so many variations on YA novels. What is the typical word count #kidlitchat
9:08 pm kathleenfoucart: @joycelansky @sherisaid I think it has a lot to do with your “voice” – if it lends itself naturally to teen/kids writing or not #kidlitchat
9:08 pm EngridE1: @jeanie_w Yeah, I agree about Lord of the Rings…no idea why I typed that. #kidlitchat
9:09 pm elanaroth: @literaticat Really I don’t think it works for all genres of kidlit, but has a nice feel to it. #kidlitchat
9:09 pm literaticat: RT @ktubb YAY! Re: “Kid books easy to write.” Response: “That’s like asking a pediatrician when they’ll practice for adults.” #kidlitchat
9:09 pm kathleenfoucart: @ktubb rofl. I will have to remember the pediatrician thing :-D #kidlitchat
9:09 pm Candace_xoxox: #kidlitchat First YA novel and have queried many agents. Not sure if the query is the problem, my writing or the fact it’s my first novel
9:09 pm mitaliperkins: If a Kid/YA agent doesn’t represent a genre, may an author find another agent who does Is agent bigamy possible or desirable #kidlitchat
9:09 pm GinaRitter: Hope #kidlitchat keeps going for a while… I just got here and can’t join yet (raging toddlertude in background), but am reading.
9:09 pm kathleenfoucart: @literaticat Yeah, I thought it sounded a bit talk-downy, too. #kidlitchat
9:09 pm kdueykduey: @kathleenfoucart @sherisaid and for YA, the line between that and adult is a thin one sometimes, especially fantasy #kidlitchat
9:10 pm EgmontUSA: @ktubb Can I use that the next time I tell someone I work in Children’s Publishing #kidlitchat
9:10 pm sherisaid: @joycelansky #kidlitchat I’m versatile. I’m struggling to write a bio for a businessman. too cut and dried for me. creative, i got in spades
9:10 pm literaticat: @mitaliperkins Do you mean, if the author writes adult books too OR do you mean, the author writes another sort of kids book #kidlitchat
9:10 pm marybrebner: @EgmontUSA YES! So true-kids know when you’re talking down to them & they def. know what they like–and don’t! #kidlitchat
9:10 pm maggiedana: @mitaliperkins LOL! Agent bigamy! #kidlitchat
9:10 pm dawnmetcalf: RT @janetleecarey Re: “Kid books easy to write.” Response: “That’s like asking a pediatrician when they’ll practice for adults.” #kidlitchat
9:10 pm blayze316: if an editor has your requested manuscript, is it still worthwhile to query agents or wait till you hear something positive #kidlitchat
9:10 pm joycelansky: @Candace_xoxox Unfortunately, they don’t tell u y; however, Cynthia Liu gives great feedback. She’s an author & great promoter. #kidlitchat
9:10 pm sherisaid: @kdueykduey #kidlitchat no sex :D that’s the line.
9:11 pm janetleecarey: @kdueykduey line thin as a spiderweb . . . #kidlitchat
9:11 pm kdueykduey: @mitaliperkins I have one thing with an “adult” agent. It depends on the deal the contract, the mutual agreement. #kidlitchat
9:11 pm ktubb: @EgmontUSA Absolutely! :-) #kidlitchat
9:11 pm HeyWhitney: more specificly what if you are the author and illustrator Do you want to see dummy books Would u rather read the story first #kidlitchat
9:11 pm EngridE1: @Candace_xoxox Excellent question…..hope you get an answer tonight. #kidlitchat
9:11 pm literaticat: @theamillerryan I think it depends. I personally like stories with the flavor of a distinct & unusual locale. #kidlitchat
9:12 pm bonnieadamson: Reminder: transcript will be posted–an expanded one tonight. Carry on at will! #kidlitchat
9:12 pm elanaroth: @blayze316 Start querying! But don’t rely on that request to be an automatic- signing reason. #kidlitchat
9:12 pm utahsavage: @literaticat Is a query part pitch, part bio That I’ve done. But query Never. Selling you on me is the hard part of writing. #kidlitchat
9:12 pm theamillerryan: @literaticat Thank you! That’s encouraging! #kidlitchat
9:12 pm nandinibajpai: #kidlitchat Rushdie on magic realism here http://www.charlierose.com/view/clip/9515
9:12 pm kathleenfoucart: @kdueykduey Definitely a thin line in fantasy! #kidlitchat
9:12 pm kdueykduey: @sherisaid In YA Oh, no sex isn’t the line at all… detailed erotic description not used, but it’s there..#kidlitchat
9:12 pm mitaliperkins: @literaticat If an author writes for adults, non-fiction or fiction, may — nay *should* — s/he find more than one agent #kidlitchat
9:13 pm joycelansky: @sherisaid There’s plenty of sex in YA. I hope writing that word doesn’t bring me unwanted followerers. #kidlitchat
9:13 pm bonnieadamson: @literaticat Is any region over-represented #kidlitchat
9:13 pm sarahshum: @blayze316 This editor says feel free to keep trying to get an agent if you want an agent #kidlitchat
9:13 pm AnnaZiska: RT @sherisaid: @kdueykduey #kidlitchat no sex :D that’s the line. Really what about Forever by Judy Blume
9:13 pm sherisaid: @kathleenfoucart #kidlitchat hard to say about my voice. I can do casual, and I have good communications skills, kid love me. But who knows
9:13 pm EngridE1: @nandinibajpai Totally cool, thank you! #kidlitchat
9:13 pm Candace_xoxox: @ColleenLindsay #kidlitchat Have queried many agents. No pick ups. A small press offered publication. Should I take it or keep looking
9:14 pm EllenHopkinsYA: @leewind #kidlitchat I also show nothing until the book is completed. And then only to my editor.
9:14 pm literaticat: @mitaliperkins I myself have clients who also have adult book agents – cause I don’t rep adult books at all. Some do both. #kidlitchat
9:14 pm kdueykduey: @kathleenfoucart yes. Locus reviewed mine and I was….jazzed…#kidlitchat
9:14 pm literaticat: @mitaliperkins I don’t mind – but I am sure that some agents would mind very much indeed. So case by case. #kidlitchat
9:14 pm literaticat: @bonnieadamson I don’t have an answer for that. #kidlitchat
9:14 pm sherisaid: @AnnaZiska @kdueykduey @joycelansky #kidlitchat *cough* it was a joke, people.
9:15 pm thewritingthing: @DCav3 I think to keep it relatable it has to be harder, but there’s a line pubs won’t touch. #kidlitchat
9:15 pm joycelansky: @Candace_xoxox If it were my first book to be published, I’d take it. It depends on how hungry you are. #kidlitchat
9:15 pm mitaliperkins: @literaticat Wow. I’ve been so Laura-focused I sold my one adult non-fiction book by msyelf. Dunderhead me. #kidlitchat
9:15 pm kathleenfoucart: @kdueykduey Oh, yay! :-) #kidlitchat
9:15 pm mitaliperkins: @literaticat Wow. I’ve been so Laura-focused I sold my one adult non-fiction book by myself. Dunderhead me. #kidlitchat
9:16 pm literaticat: @utahsavage Don’t worry about it. A line or two of bio. It is so no big deal. #kidlitchat
9:16 pm literaticat: @mitaliperkins But Laura does adult books to, no Or only fiction #kidlitchat
9:16 pm janetleecarey: Gotta go — fun chat all. See ya #kidlitchat
9:17 pm kdueykduey: @EllenHopkinsYA Me, too. But this complicated trilogy.. I asked a friend to look at the first 2. We traded… #kidlitchat
9:17 pm literaticat: @Candace_xoxox Is it a reputable small press Do you see their books in bookstores Will they do a nice job with it #kidlitchat
9:17 pm crineyz: @kathleenfoucart #kidlitchat Are there any story characters you all are tired of reading about. Just a few headache ones.
9:17 pm joycelansky: I’m going to call it a night. I’m back to the day job. Thanks for a great kidlitchat. #kidlitchat
9:17 pm jeanie_w: @EllenHopkinsYA You don’t have critique partners #kidlitchat
9:18 pm gregpincus: Folks, my internet connection will be closing down very shortly. Will try to squeeze in a transcript post. #kidlitchat
9:18 pm literaticat: (why don’t question marks work!) #kidlitchat
9:18 pm gregpincus: Thanks all for coming and to @elanaroth and @literaticat for fielding the bonus round of questions! #kidlitchat
9:18 pm AnnaZiska: @sherisaid #kidlitchat Thank you that made my night a little easier.
9:18 pm bonnieadamson: Thanks to all; special thanks to @sarahshum, @EgmontUSA; @elanaroth; @literaticat for braving the waters tonight. #kidlitchat
9:18 pm EngridE1: Thank you @BonnieAdamson & @GregPincus for a freespirited #kidlitchat
9:19 pm kathleenfoucart: @crineyz can’t think of any in particular- 1-dimensional mean girls, maybe. But I think any char. “type” can be made fresh #kidlitchat
9:19 pm literaticat: oh is it over – i just got here! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm elanaroth: @bonnieadamson My pleasure! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm sherisaid: @AnnaZiska #kidlitchat :D
9:19 pm HeyWhitney: Darnit I always come in on these kidlitchat things too late! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm maggiedana: Testing question marks … 3 coming up #kidlitchat
9:19 pm EngridE1: @literaticat No question marks for me either. Thank you for your input. Much appreciated. #kidlitchat
9:19 pm johnlechner: @HeyWhitney Re: illustration, I can’t speak for editors but I think a sketch dummy is good, IF you’re author&illustrator. #kidlitchat
9:19 pm bonnyglen: @gregpincus Sorry I missed it! (Again. West coast dinnertime & many hungry mouths!) :) Will enjoy the transcript, thanks! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm bonnieadamson: @literaticat Thought it was just me! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm utahsavage: RT@literaticat Does anyone read a query from a never published novelist who’s 65 Should I look for a new, young, hungry agent. #kidlitchat
9:19 pm EgmontUSA: @bonnieadamson @gregpincus A pleasure, as always! Thanks for hosting! #kidlitchat
9:19 pm jeanie_w: Yes, many thanks again! RT @EngridE1: Thank you @BonnieAdamson & @GregPincus for a freespirited #kidlitchat
9:20 pm sarahshum: night all! #kidlitchat
9:20 pm Lisa_Frame: Thank you everyone! @gregpincus @BonnieAdamson @elanaroth @literaticat We appreciate everything. #kidlitchat
9:20 pm Lizannewrites: Great chat! can’t wait to read the transcript! #kidlitchat
9:20 pm AnnaZiska: #kidlitchat Thank you that was informative.
9:20 pm utahsavage: @literaticat Does anyone read a query from a never published novelist who’s 65 Should I look for a new, young, hungry agent. #kidlitchat
9:20 pm sherisaid: #kidlitchat I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open…I get up too early and spend way too much time online. thanks for a great chat!
9:20 pm kdueykduey: Going back to work…. Thanks to everyone!!! May your writing fly! #kidlitchat
9:20 pm Lizannewrites: Have fun at SCBWI LA #kidlitchat
9:20 pm Candace_xoxox: @literaticat The small press is new as of last year. They have published three books that are in stores. They pay very little. #kidlitchat
9:20 pm HeyWhitney: @johnlechner thank you! I just dont know how an illustrator would query! It seems its hard to get info on it. #kidlitchat
9:21 pm Lizannewrites: Thanks Bonnie & Greg! #kidlitchat
9:21 pm bonnieadamson: Wonderful conversation tonight–can’t wait to read transcript. Hate it to end! #kidlitchat

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