Archive for January, 2012

re: Keep My Fantasies to Myself During Submission?

posted 1/30/12

Dear Editor…

My current manuscript is different from my others, which are high fantasy. High fantasy is such a select genre—do I say something about those manuscripts when I query this one?

Anon.

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re: Use Modern Dialogue for Historical Fiction?

posted 1/19/12

Dear Editor…

In writing an historical fiction novel about an immigrant boy in 1911, how would you handle dialogue—should it be true to the time or more modern for today’s readers?

Roz

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re: When Is the Best Time for a Blog Tour?

posted 1/17/12

Dear Editor…

When is the best time for a blog tour? Before the book comes out? After? Anytime to get buzz on the book?

Thanks again,
Natasha

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re: I Refuse to Believe Epistolary Novels are “Dead”

posted 1/11/12

Dear Editor…

I’ve written a contemporary YA novel in epistolary format. All of the professional feedback I’ve received is positive (I even won an award for the 1st 15 pages). Most agents tell me the writing is excellent, BUT they are passing strictly due to the format. A favorite author told me that epistolary novels are dead. Dead? I don’t believe it. How do I find agents/editors who will consider an epistolary novel?

T. S.

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re: How Do I Set Up a Blog Tour?

posted 1/5/12

Dear Editor…

I really enjoyed your blog tour, and now that my picture book biography, Cixi, The Dragon Empress, will be released in October by Goosebottom Books, I’d like to know how I would go about setting up a blog tour.

Thanks,
Natasha

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re: Girl Writes Boy . . . Bad Idea?

posted 1/3/12

Dear Editor…

I write both non-fiction picture books and boy-centric middle grade novels. I publish the non-fiction under my full name, but should I consider using initials for the novels, since I’m not the same gender as the MC? Will it matter to the reader?

Thank you for your thoughts on this!
Alison

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