Tag Archives: Inspiration

HARPER Voyager Author Chat at #SFFChat on Twitter Today

February 23, 2017Literary#SFFChat, Answers, Authors, Book Promo, books, Character Creation, Chats, Conversations, Fantasy, HARPER Voyager, HarperCollins Imprint, Hashtag, Information, Inspiration, Marketing, Page Turners, Publishing, Questions, Science Fiction, Twitter, Writers, Writingpdpabst

Chat time! A group of science fiction and fantasy authors from HARPER Voyager have agreed to chat on twitter today (February 23, 1017) using the hashtag #SFFChat. The mingling will be between 3pm and 8pm EST.

They encourage everyone to participate, writer or not. While I’m sure they’ll talk about books they’ve written (who wouldn’t), they’ll also be discussing querying, world building, character creation, writing a page turner, book promo, and marketing! So join in the fun and get your questions ready!

And always remember, if you can’t make the timeframe, you can always peruse the hashtag later to see the Q&A that took place. You might find a nugget of information.

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

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.

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

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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

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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.

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.

2017 Savannah Book Festival

February 1, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways#amediting, #amreading, #amwriting, Authors, Book Signings, books, Chipeewa Squares, Christina Baker Kline, Colson Whitehead, Inspiration, James Patterson, Manuscripts, Marketing, NY Times Best Seller, Savannah Book Festival, Telfair, USA Bestseller, Vacation, Wright, Writerspdpabst

Celebrating its tenth year, the Savannah Book Festival is proud to announce the full roster of bestselling and emerging authors presenting at this year’s Festival, slated for Feb. 16-19, 2017 in and around Savannah’s historic Telfair, Wright, and Chippewa Squares.

Authors James Patterson, Colson Whitehead, and Christina Baker Kline will headline the 2017 celebration of the written word. But there another 40 authors attending this event. Don’t miss out on this learning experience and ventures around Savannah!

Have fun and learn lots!

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

Bone Jack by Sara Crowe + #Giveaway

January 31, 2017Contests, LiteraryAmazon, Author, BONE JACK, Fiction, Giveaway, Great Read, Inspiration, Instagram, Marketing, Middle Grade, Mountains, New Cover, Photographer, Readers, Running, Sara Crowe, Stag Chase, Story, Twitter, U.K. Version, U.S. Version, Writerspdpabst

It’s with great pleasure I announce Bone Jack by Sara Crowe is being released in the United States on February 7, 2017. I originally interviewed Sara in June of 2014 regarding Bone Jack in the UK. However, the US link on that interview goes to the Book Depository for the UK version. BUT…now you can get the US version with a brand new cover design. And doesn’t it look fabulous?

Synopsis:

Times have been tough for Ash lately, and all he wants is for everything to go back to the way it used to be. Back before drought ruined the land and disease killed off the livestock. Before Ash’s father went off to war and returned carrying psychological scars. Before his best friend, Mark, started acting strangely.

As Ash trains for his town’s annual Stag Chase—a race rooted in violent, ancient lore—he’s certain that if he can win and make his father proud, life will return to normal. But the line between reality and illusion is rapidly blurring, and the past has a way of threatening the present.

When a run in the mountains brings Ash face-to-face with Bone Jack—a figure that guards the boundary between the living world and the dead—everything changes once more. As dark energies take root and the world as he knows it is upended, it’s up to Ash to restore things to their proper order and literally run for his life.

If you would like to learn more about Sara, visit her on twitter or Instagram. She is a wonderful photographer, as well. So check out all she has to offer!

***Congrats to Giveaway Winner: Diana Debolt***

If you live in the United States, be sure and enter the ~~Rafflecopter giveaway~~ (Closed) for a free copy of the US version of Bone Jack! (Yes, this is for U.S. only, sorry guys.) As always, good luck!

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

Pikes Peak Writers Conference

January 30, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & Getaways#amediting, #amwriting, Arthur A. Levine Books, Authors, books, Darynda Jones, Del Rey Books, DONALD MAASS LITERARY AGENCY, Dystel & Goderich, Editing, Editors, Feedback, Fiction, Hone Your Craft, Inspiration, JABberwocky Literary Agency, Kensington Publishing, Kevin Hearne, Kimberley Cameron Literary, Learning, Literary Agents, Manuscripts, Nelson Literary Agency, Non-Fiction, NYT Bestseller, Penguin Random House, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Pitch Events, Published, Publishing, Scholastic, Stories, Tess Gerritsen, The Bent Agency, Unpublished, USA Bestseller, Writingpdpabst

Pikes Peak Writers Conference is an opportunity to get literary advise from a professional in the business or get invaluable feedback on your manuscript. The conference will be April 28-30, 2017 held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Donald Maass (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
Darynda Jones (USA & NYT Bestseller author)
Kevin Hearne (Author of The Iron Druid Chronicles )
Tess Gerritsen (Internationally bestselling author)

ACQUIRING EDITORS:

Esi Sogah (Kensington Publishing)
Cheryl Klein (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic)
Kate Brauning (Entangled Publishing)
Mike Braff (Del Rey Books, imprint of Penguin Random House)

AGENTS:

Sharon Pelletier (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management)
Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary Agency, LLC)
Sam Morgan (JABberwocky)
Natalie Lakosil (Bradford Literary Agency)
Heather Flaherty (The Bent Agency)
Lisa Abellera (Kimberley Cameron and Associates)

For more authors and specialist, go here. And be sure to register before the workshop fills up. As always, have fun!

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

Costa Rica Retreat for Writers and Families

January 16, 2017Literary, Writing Conferences & GetawaysAuthor, Costa Rica, Creative Writing, Fiction, Hammocks, Hikes, Inspiration, Manuscripts, Non-Fiction, Public Readings, Rain Forest, Relaxation, research, Stories, Tourist, Vacation, WIPs, Workshops, Writing, Writing Retreatpdpabst

You’ll stay on a working farm in the heart of the rainforest, with easy access to both hammocks and hikes. Each morning, you’ll participate in creative writing workshops, and each afternoon, you’ll have time to write or explore.

The week begins and ends with public readings — which your family is welcome to attend!

Cost: $1,345-$1,819 per person (does not include lunch or dinner); $290 per child (if sharing a room with two adults). The retreat will be February 4-11, 2017. Remember, if you’re an author, retreats are tax deductible. Get complete details here.

Have fun!

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

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