Tag Archives: Middle Grade Books

Submit To Dial Books For Young Readers

See the source image

Did you know that Dial Books For Young Readers (an imprint of Penguin/Random House) allows authors to submit to them without having an agent? Yes, you heard that right! They publish picture book, middle grade, and young adult books. Several of their authors have been on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Other authors have won Newberry Honor, Caldecott Honor, Printz Medal, and many other awards. So, they are a very notable imprint!

If you go this route, make sure your manuscript is polished before submitting! You want to show your best work! Go here for submissions guidelines. And as always, good luck!

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

Advertisement

Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core (Retreat)

Pele's Fire Logo

Looking for a place to type your new manuscript and need a place of inspiration. Try the Pele’s Fire: Write To The Core. This retreat is held at the Oceanside retreat in Hawaii called Kalani.

Image result for kalani cottage

Participate in yoga, meditation, dance, or another wellness program while visiting Kalani. Take a swim, get a massage, or explore the nearby jungle, land, and sea. And if you want an extended stay beyond the writing retreat, look into being a volunteer and get a discount or a scholarship!

Here are some of the things Pele’s Fire all-inclusive writing retreat offers:

  • Your own quiet writing time
  • Small-group workshops with both of their teachers (Rahna Reiko Rizzuto & Elena Georgiou)
  • Generative inspiration and exercises
  • Guided conversations on a variety of writing-related topics
  • Your own one-on-one conference for manuscript feedback
  • Group readings
  • Optional free time to explore the island.

Things you can explore:

  • Volcano National Park
  • Lava Tree Forest
  • Kaimu black sand beach
  • Volcanically-heated warm pools

Join us in 2018

Most importantly, you get to write-write-write in beautiful and awe-inspiring surroundings! But hurry, registration for spring 2018 may still be open, but application deadline expires on December 4, 2017 (or until retreat is full).

Have a great writing experience!

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

Writing Retreat to Corfu, Greece (Women Only!)

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.

Alabama Writing Workshop 2017

Alabama Workshop

The Alabama Writing Workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event, so don’t delay.

The event will take place Friday, February 24, 2017 from 9:30am-5pm at Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham, 2300 Woodcrest Pl, Birmingham, AL 35209. (205)879-7400.

Learn lots and have fun!

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

Sun vs Snow #Contest for #Writers

sunvssnow_copy2

It’s that time of year again when Amy Trueblood and Michelle Hauck host Sun vs Snow! This is not a twitter contest, but a blog contest for unpublished writers. This year they have 21 agents participating (half shown here and the other half shown here). Make sure you get your submission ready via email and submit when the window opens on January 23, 2017 at 4pm EST. They only take the first 200 entries, so don’t wait to long. Get your query and first 250 words polished now!

This is only for completed manuscripts, so please don’t send WIPs. Go here for complete guidelines.

As always, good luck!

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

@WriteOnCon #Conference Is Coming!

WriteOnCon

WriteOnCon is “A writing conference you don’t even have to wear pants to. (Please wear pants, though.)” This isn’t just an opportunity to attend a writing workshop, but it’ll be the cheapest and closet conference you’ve ever attend (aside of being free, of course). Seriously, you can participate from your home! And while you might have missed the raffles and perks to buy, there is still time to sign up to join. Admission is either $5 (General Admission), $10 (General + Live Events), or $15 (General + Live Events + Extended Access). You can’t wrong with any choice!

WriteOnCon is an online conference for kidlit writers and illustrators. Connect with writers, authors, and agents in this event. There will even be Ninja Agents & Editors and live pitch sessions (check the schedule for all 3 days)! But hurry to get registered because it’ll take place Thursday-Saturday, February 2nd-4th, 2017.

As always, good luck!

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

2017 Minnesota Writing Workshop

The 2017 Minnesota Writing Workshop is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). This workshop is a full-day “How to Get Published” writing event in St. Paul, MN on February 11, 2017.

Agents and editors confirmed to be in attendance and/or available to pitch are:

For information on how to enroll and where to stay, go here. As always, good luck!

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

Heidi Norrod’s #KidPit on Twitter

images (1)

Heidi Norrod is hosting another fabulous twitter pitch event for writers called KidPit. In order to participate, authors need to have a finished manuscript and tweet their 140 character pitch using the hashtag #KidPit on November 9. 2016. The contest will be between 9am-3pm CST (Chicago time). You will allowed to pitch six times over the course of the event. I’d suggest once every hour, as the event is six hours long.

This event is open to BOARD BOOKS, PICTURE BOOKS, EASY READER/CHAPTER BOOKS, MIDDLE GRADE, and/or YOUNG ADULT COMPLETED novel, fiction and non-fiction books. When typing your pitch, be sure to include either #BB (Board Book), #PB (Picture Books), #CB (Chapter Books and Early Readers), #MG (Middle Grade), or #YA (Young Adult) and tag with the genre. And don’t forget to add the hashtag #KidPit so it will show up in the feed.

Also, I’d like to remind everyone that twitter pitch parties are open to everyone, meaning anyone can trawl the feed! Be sure to research before you send any submissions from a favored pitch. As always, good luck!

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