Monthly Mumbles: Book Covers (or Lacking)

February 15, 2017LiteraryAdult, Advertising, Artists, Authors, Book Blurb, Book Covers, books, Cover Art, Create, Designs, Digital Art, Digital Editing, Drawings, Editing, Eye Candy, Fiction, Illustrations, Illustrators, Imaging, Inspiration, Manuscripts, Marketing, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, Photography, Photos, Professional, publisher, Stimulate, Stories, Titles, Words, Writer, Young Adultpdpabst

Please note, these are solely my thoughts and nothing more. But, I had to share, regardless of how shallow my readers might think me to be. Recently I got asked to select a free book from a publisher to read. It was my choice, so I could’ve selected anything. I was slightly familiar with the publisher, since I know someone that edits for them. Thus, I was thrilled to take my freebie! (Besides…booooooks people!)

Now, we’ve all heard the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”. And sure, this holds true for many things, especially humans. But in marketing, what’s in front of a consumer must be visually stimulating. And I confess, I am a consumer that needs roused to pick up a book before I’ve ever read the blurb. But from a marketing standpoint, this is just smart business!

So, imagine my dismay as I perused unpleasant cover art from various titles to select my awarded freebie. Most looked cheaply done or simply didn’t mesh with the title. And forgive me for this, but I judge the lack of detail given to a book’s cover as indication of the lack of editing probably given to the story. My eyes will roam over the cover and move along to the next. And with technology today, there simply isn’t a good reason to have bad cover art!

As authors, we don’t always have control over the cover art, but I’d stress to stand ground when something seems extremely off or comes across cheap in appearance. Should a writer want a lovely embracing couple on their horror book? No, this would lead readers to think it’s a love story and could result in bad reviews from romance readers. And authors wouldn’t want a picture of an ocean if their entire story is set within a magical forest. Why would authors expect anything less than perfect for their book baby? This is even more important for authors self publishing. Take the same amount of time on the cover art as you spend on editing. If you hire out the art, be sure to check previous work before settling on the artist or company. This is about proper marketing. Give the reader a reason to pick up the book BEFORE they’ve read the blurb!

That’s it. Rant over.

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

2017 Virginia Festival of the Book

February 13, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAuthor Readings, Authors, books, Charles Wright, Children's Program, David Baldacci, David McCullough, Edward Ayers, Feedback, Fiction, Inspiration, John Gisham, Jon Scieszka, Literary Culture, Manuscripts, Marketing, Non-Fiction, Rick Atkinson, Vacation, Virginia, Virginia Festival of the Book, Workshops, Writers, Writingpdpabst

The Virginia Festival of the Book brings readers and writers together for a five-day celebration of books, reading, literacy, and literary culture. The 23^rd Annual Festival will be held March 22-26, 2017. Programs range from traditional author readings and book signings to children’s programs and hands-on workshops. All programs are open to the public and, with the exception of a few ticketed events, the majority of Festival programs are free to attend.

An abbreviated list of past participants includes Rick Atkinson, Edward Ayers, David Baldacci, Maureen Corrigan, Edwidge Danticat, Kate DiCamillo, Rita Dove, Alan Furst, John Grisham, Jan Karon, Jim Lehrer, Frances Mayes, Colum McCann, David McCullough, Alice McDermott, Katherine Paterson, Jon Scieszka, Lisa Scottoline, Pete Seeger, Karin Slaughter, Alexander McCall Smith, Lee Smith, Bryan Stevenson, Elizabeth Strout, Judith Viorst, and Charles Wright. For a current listing, go here.

As always, have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest

February 12, 2017Awards, Contests, LiteraryAdult Short Topics, Agents, Authors, Chapter Books, Children's Picture Book, Conference, Critique, Editors, Fantasy, February, Feedback, Historical, Mainstream, Manuscripts, Marketing, Memoir, Middle Grade, Monetary Prize, Mystery, Nonfiction, Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Paranormal, PNWA, Poetry, Romance, Sci-Fi, Short Story, Submissions, Thriller, Unpublished, Women's Fiction, Writers, Writing, Young Adultpdpabst

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The deadline for Pacific Northwest Writers Association Literary Contest is approaching. All unpublished entries must be received by February 17, 2017. This is also a chance to get feedback on your work. There are twelve categories:

mainstream
historical
romance/women’s fiction
mystery/thriller
sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal
young adult
middle grade
nonfiction/memoir
poetry
short story
children’s picture/chapter book
adult short topics (articles/essays/memoir)

There are three monetary prizes:

FIRST PLACE: $600
SECOND PLACE: $300
THIRD PLACE: $100

Eight finalist will receive two critiques on their submissions. The agents and editors participating in the PNWA‘s summer conference will pick winners out of the finalists. Go here for complete details. As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry

February 11, 2017Contests, LiteraryAuthors, Contract, Guidelines, Iowa, Lindquist & Vennum Prize For Poetry, Manuscript, Midwest, Milkweed Editions, Minnesota, Monetary Prize, North Dakota, Poetry, Poets, Publishing, South Dakota, Submissions, Unpublished, Wisconsin, Writerspdpabst

Image result for milkweed editions

Submissions for the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry will be closing February 15, 2017. So, don’t delay if you want to enter. This is an annual regional prize, presented in partnership by Milkweed Editions and the Lindquist & Vennum Foundation. Submittors must currently reside in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, or Wisconsin. The submitted manuscript must be unpublished, though individual poems may have been previously published. The prize awards $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions. The winner is selected from a small number of finalists by an independent judge.

For complete details regarding submissions and guidelines, go here.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Iceland Writers Retreat

February 10, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways#amediting, #amwriting, Adult Books, advise, April, Authors, books, Cafes, Critique Partners, Editing, Feedback, Fiction, Goals, Golden Circle, Holiday, Hot Springs, Iceland, Iceland Writers Retreat, Inspiration, Ireland, Learning, Literary Craft, Literary Tradition, Locations, Manuscripts, Marketing, Mentors, Middle Grade, Music, Non-Fiction, novels, Publishing, Readings, research, Reykjavik, Stories, Travel, Vacation, WIP, Work In Progress, Workshops, Writers, Writing, Writing Groups, Young Adultpdpabst

skogarfoss_002-roman-gerasymenko

The Iceland Writers Retreat states that over the course of the retreat, each participant is enrolled in a total of five two-hour small-group writing workshops (max. 15 participants) led by internationally acclaimed authors, a Q&A panel with all faculty, and numerous readings and social functions. But there are only a few seats left, so you better hurry!

Each of our Featured Authors teaches two different workshops, and you have plenty of time to interact with faculty, including those with whom you do not have any workshops. The retreat takes place April 5-9, 2017 and costs approximately ISK 289,000 (approximately $2479 US dollars). Prices exclude airfare and airport transportation.

Langjokull-Glacier-Mountaineers-of-Iceland

But between all the intimate workshops and lectures, writers will have the opportunity to tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in cozy cafes of Reykjavik, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition. And remember, if researching for a novel or just wanting the workshops to improve your craft, this retreat is tax deductible! For complete registration inclusions, go here.

As always, have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Encouragement for the Day!

February 9, 2017Literary, UncategorizedAdult Fiction, Agents, Authors, Beta readers, books, Career, Chances, Contracts, Critique Partners, Day Job, Don't Give Up, Editing, Editors, Encouragement, Failures, Feedback, Inspiration, Keep Going, Manuscripts, Middle Grade Fiction, Non-Fiction, Publishing, Stories, Success, Try, Working, Writers, Young-adult fictionpdpabst

encouraging-pic1

The difficulties of writing a novel can be tedious and more difficult than some people think. Writers don’t just pound out perfection in one sitting the first attempt. It can take days, weeks, months, or even years to get the first draft done, depending on other work obligations. Most writers have a day job not involving their writing career and have to squeeze writing in any free moment they can.

After the first draft is finished, comes the editing, and editing, and editing. A writer then sends manuscript to critique partners (CPs) or beta’s to help find plot holes, voice problems, or anything else they spot helpful. Hopefully, the writer has already caught most grammar and punctuation errors, but if not, CPs and beta’s can help with that too. And behold…more edits, and edits, and edits! If a writer is lucky, they’ll have funds to hire a professional editor to help with their manuscript, but this can get very expensive.

When a writer thinks the project is at it’s best, they send off to literary agents. Sometimes these turn into requests for more revisions, so there is more editing involved. Now, I’m not going to get into the difficulties of landing an agent, or how long it can take to get a publishers to agree to publish EVEN if you have an agent. But, let me say, it can take years of writing new manuscripts and rejection after rejection before getting an agent or a publisher. And even after getting an agent or publishing contract, guess what? There are MORE edits! The process is loooooong! Writer’s know what I’m talking about.

What happens sometimes is a writer can get discouraged after so many rejections. Sometimes they want to give up. But, giving up is the only certain way to make sure a writer doesn’t succeed. The key is to surround themselves with like-minded people. The writing community is very supportive with each other. When they fell discouraged, they should reach out! But no matter what they do, DON’T GIVE UP! Let me repeat that…

DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

Keep writing words to weave into fabulous stories. People want to read them. And they shall, if writer’s keep trying!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Writing Retreat to Corfu, Greece (Women Only!)

February 8, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAdult Books, All-Inclusive, Authors, books, Corfu, Critique Partners, Editing, Fiction, Greece, Journals, Learning, Literary Workshops, Manuscripts, Middle Grade Books, Non-Fiction, Reading, research, Stories, TLC Writing Retreats, Tours, Vacation, Women, Workshop, Writers, Young Adult Bookspdpabst

The TLC Writing Retreats will be having a retreat/workshop in Corfu, Greece! There will only be eight writers permitted each week. This helps an attending writer get more one-on-one time with mentors.

Week 1: May 21-28, 2017.
Week 2: May 30th-June 6, 2017.

Just pick one week to attend. If you’re doing research on a story in Greece, this is your chance to vacation and write off that research on your taxes!

All-inclusive with single room $4,500 USD
All-inclusive with shared room $4,200 USD

• 8 days/ 7 nights
• 30+ hours of writing workshops
• All meals included (excluding alcohol)
• All transportation included
• One Full-day excursion
• Private cooking class
• Journal and all materials included
• A private tour guide with local insights into Corfu
Does NOT include airfare

They promise to help you tell your story with the included workshops, as well as access to a personal guide around Corfu, Greece. As always, have fun and learn lots!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Past Year Memoir Contest

February 6, 2017Contests, Literary#amediting, 16 Words, Authors, Feedback, Fiction, Free Class, Gotham Writers, Grammar, Inspiration, Life In 2016, New York, Non-Fiction, Online Courses, Originality, Past Year Memoir Contest, Spelling, Stories, Submissions, True Stories, Wordsmith, Writerspdpabst

Gotham Writers want you to enter your 16-word memoir that reflects on 2016. The winner will receive a free class of choice from Gotham Writers. And writers should always be about honing the craft! Am I right?

The Details:

Submit a 16-word memoir (true story) that reflects on 2016.
Entry must consist of no more than 16 words. Longer entries will be disregarded.
Entries must be submitted online by midnight Eastern Time, February 20, 2017.
Only online entries will be accepted.
Entry is free. Limit one entry per person.
Entry must be original and unpublished.
Entries will be judged on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.
Gotham will post the winning entry at GothamWriters.com
The winner will be notified by March 8, 2017.

So, don’t delay. Enter the Past Year Memoir Contest today! And as always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

Manuscript Wish List

February 5, 2017Literary, UncategorizedAdult, Agents, Authors, Blog, Completed Manauscripts, Editors, February, Fiction, Guidelines, Instructions, Jessica Sinsheimer, Literary Agents, Manuscript Wish List, Manuscripts, Marketing, Middle Grade, Newsletters, Non-Fiction, Publishers, Queries, Query, Query List, Stories, Submission List, Submissions, Twitter, Writers, Writing In Progress, Young Adultpdpabst

If you don’t know what Manuscript Wish List, you’re in for a treat. This fantastic blog was created by agent Jessica Sinsheimer for agents (and some editors) to let writer’s know what they’d like to see in their inbox. Yes, it’s that simple! So, before you decide to query that shiny new manuscript, check out the website to see if any agents would be a perfect fit. Even more exciting, they’ve created a sign-up for upcoming newsletters!

So when will the next one take place? On February 8th, 2017, tweeting of wishes will unfold on twitter using the hashtag #MSWL. But remember, this IS NOT for direct pitching. Please make a list of agents and/or editors stating your MS might be what they’re looking for. Then send queries as directed by the agent/editor. (If you have trouble locating the information, most can be found on the agency/publisher websites.

Then stay tuned to twitter on February 8th, 2017, as Jessica promises a BIG announcement!

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

World Illustration Award 2017

February 3, 2017Contests, LiteraryAdvertising, Affinity Designer, Animation, Artists, Association of Illustrators, Bill Boards, Book Format, Carpets, CDs, Chalk, Cups, Design, Digital, Directory of Illustration, DVDs, eBooks, Experimental Work, Fabric, Fiction Novels, Forensic Imagery, Graffiti, Graphic Novels, Icons, Illustrators, Images, Interactive Books, Interventions, Landscape, Natural Environment, Natural Science, News Political Satire, Non-Fiction, Paint, Paleontology, Pencils, Photography, Photos, Picture Books, Pop-Up Books, Projects, Record Sleeves, Software, Text Books, World Illustration Awards, Zinespdpabst

The World Illustration Awards are open to illustrators in any country working in any medium or context. Work must be entered as either a New Talent entry or a Professional entry. There are eight categories for works to be submitted. However, keep in mind there is an entry fee for this contest.

All submissions should be completed by Monday, February 6, 2017. All category winners will receive a complimentary software package from the Design Category sponsor, Affinity Designer.

As always, good luck!

P.D. Pabst
Blogger and writer of MG/YA fiction.

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