Christina Katz Recommends

Amazon Spike Day on December 1st for Wendy Burt Thomas' New Book, The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters

 For any of you who don't know Wendy, she writes the "Ask Wendy" column for Writers on the Rise and is a long-time writing mentor of mine. In fact, I "met" my husband, Jason, in Wendy's "Breaking Into Freelance Writing" class nine years ago. (Thanks for teaching that class, Wendy!)

Enough about her match-making skills. Check out Wendy's new book!

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Queries; Landing articles, agents and book deals
By Wendy Burt Thomas

Who says query books can’t be funny? Beyond the basic structural “how-to” of other writing books, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Queries offers beginning and intermediate writers a glimpse into real queries that landed article assignments, agents or book deals. Though the title may lead some to believe it’s strictly to be shelved as a reference manual, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Queries is a smooth read from cover to cover.

The 30+ samples of good and bad queries walk writers through the “must-haves” and “don’t-even-think-about-it” with a balance of clear instruction, examples and humor. Where similar query books just tell you to write a hook – it gives insight into what makes a good opening paragraph for an article, novel or nonfiction query.

There are special considerations for book queries by genre (from Romance and Mystery to Speculative and Thriller – plus everything in between) and the FAQs come straight from the author’s experience as a writer, author, magazine editor and book copyeditor. The “what editors/agents/publishers like” and “what editors/agents/publishers don’t like” are incredible resources, offering a look into water coolers throughout the publishing industry.

Much of the book is taken from frequently asked questions from students who attended the author’s workshop, “Breaking Into Freelance Writing,” which ran for eight years. Unlike other books which focus on only one particular type of work (such as how to write a nonfiction book query), this book recognizes that writers often have several interests: articles, nonfiction, genre fiction, etc. The Writer’s Digest Guide to Queries is a great one-stop resource for anyone who wants to go beyond format and structure and into crafting unique queries to get you noticed – and published.

Bio:
Wendy Burt-Thomas is a full-time freelance writer, editor, copywriter and PR consultant. Her more than 1,000 published articles, essays and stories have appeared in such varied publications as Family Circle, American Fitness, ePregnancy, NYTimes.com, MSNBC.com, Woman’s World and Home Cooking. Wendy’s columns – on business, marketing, parenting, writing and healthy living – have appeared in countless newspapers and magazines.
Wendy’s previous two books, Oh, Solo Mia! The Hip Chick’s Guide to Fun for One and Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick were written with co-author Erin Kindberg and published by McGraw-Hill.

Her workshop, “Breaking Into Freelance Writing” has led her to a variety of speaking engagements on the topics of writing, PR, marketing and copywriting. She taught a version of her seminar at the Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference and to numerous business and networking groups around the region.
On any given day, Wendy is editing magazines, drafting ad copy, working on a column, writing greeting card copy, or doing PR consulting. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband Aaron, daughter Gracie, son Ben and two black labs. Learn more at http://www.WendyBurt-Thomas.com.

More About Jennifer Keene's New Book: On Sale Now!

“DIVORCE! MUST SELL DOGS!”  This sad classified headline appeared recently in a major newspaper. With a national divorce rate at around 49%, it’s not the first plea of its kind.

A recent poll by US matrimonial attorneys revealed a steady increase in the number of pet custody cases heard by courts the first five years of this decade.  About 90% of those respondents cited dogs at the heart of their clients custody demands (5% involved cat custody).*

Nearly 75 million dogs are part of US households.  Roughly 40% of those households include two or more dogs.  By law, in most states, pets are considered property – like a piece of furniture or an automobile.  So, when things don’t work out, when love between a couple is gone, who gets Fido?

Finally, from TFH Publications, comes the first-ever self-help book to guide couples and the dogs who love them, through the confusing and painful process of breaking up.

New in bookstores this April – We Can’t Stay Together for the Dogs: Doing What’s Best for Your Dog When Your Relationship Breaks Up ($22.95; Hardcover; ISBN: 978-0-7938-0624-9; TFH Publications). Written by Oregon-based (and single-again) professional dog trainer Jennifer Keene, this unique self-help guide stresses problem-solving using “3 Cs” – helpful to any pet household: communication, compromise, and canine-centricity.

More coming soon...

Marc Acito's Book Trailer for Attack of the Theater People

It is 1986, and aspiring actor Edward Zanni has been kicked out of drama school for being "too jazz hands for Juilliard." Mortified, Edward heads out into the urban jungle of eighties New York City and finally lands a job as a "party motivator" who gets thirteen-year-olds to dance at bar mitzvahs and charms businesspeople as a "stealth guest" at corporate events. When he accidentally gets caught up in insider trading with a handsome stockbroker named Chad, only the help of his crew can rescue him from a stretch in Club Fed. Laced with the inspired zaniness of classic American musical comedy, Attack of the Theater People matches the big hair of the eighties with an even bigger heart.

Pre-order Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe by Jennie Shortridge

My friend Jennie Shortridge has a new novel coming out in May called Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe. Here's a bit more...

When she learns that her college sweetheart husband has been seeing another woman, Mira Serafino’s perfect world is shattered and she wants no one, least of all her big Italian family, to know. She heads north—with no destination and little money— stopping only when her car breaks down in Seattle. She takes a job at the offbeat Coffee Shop at the Center of the Universe, where she’ll experience a terrifying but invigorating freedom, and meet someone she’ll come to love: the new Mira.

Get it while it's hot!

Whidbey Students Sponsor a Monthly Short Form Contest

From my friend, Nancy Boutin:

April is National Poetry Month and we'd like to celebrate. But, as we've come to appreciate, poetry can be found almost anywhere in the short form. And we at the Whidbey Writers Workshop adore the short form.

For April, send our judge something poetic--a memoir about the poetry in your life, a lyrical short story, or even something that rhymes--and she might send you $50 and a new honor for your writing resume. Just be sure to keep it short.

Please go to www.whidbeystudents.com for the contest link and full guidelines. While you're there, listen to our own David Wagoner recite his most anthologized poem, "Lost."

Five Reasons to Love Marc Acito

1. He's cute.

2. He's funny.

3. He's a weight-loss inspiration.

4. He bares all. (I'll let you find this one yourself.)

5. He's one of the finest, funniest writers you'll ever read. And that is rare!

And this month, his second hilarious book is coming out!

But I'm sure you'll want to read his debut hilarious book first.

Here's the newest, followed by the debut. Better get 'em while you can!

Elizabeth Lyon Announces her Sixth Book, Manuscript Makeover

Only an excellent and experienced editor could write a really good book on this topic. So who better than Elizabeth Lyon, one of the most excellent and experienced editors I know.

The book is Manuscript Makeover, Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore (April 2008, Perigee Books).

I'll have a review of the book here soon. In the meantime, feel free to learn more here:

http://www.manuscriptmakeover.com/

Order from Amazon here.

Join Sage Cohen at the coast for a poetry weekend: April 4-6!

Spend two glorious days writing and communing with other writers, within view and earshot of the Pacific Ocean!

As Writer-in-Residence at Oregon Writer's Colony, I'll be leading a poetry weekend from April 4-6! Each attendee will bring his or her own writing project and plan on at least 10-12 hours to work on the project. The group will convene throughout the weekend to share goals, meals, poetry and conversation. I'll facilitate writing prompts and exercises for poets at all levels. Optional private poetry critiques can be arranged. Program starts Friday night with introductions, includes two overnights, and concludes early in the day on Sunday.

Cost is just $125!

Contact me directly with questions: sage@sagesaidso.com
Learn more and register: http://www.oregonwriterscolony.org/Writer-in-residence.htm

About Sage Cohen
Sage Cohen is the author of Writing the Life Poetic, a creative companion for poets forthcoming from Writer’s Digest Books, and  the poetry collection Like the Heart, the World. Sage’s work appears in dozens of literary journals and anthologies including Cup of Comfort for Writers, VoiceCatcher, Poetry Flash, Oregon Literary Review and blueoregon.com. In 2006, she won first prize in the Ghost Road Press poetry contest. Sage holds a MA in creative writing from New York University where she was awarded a New York Times Foundation fellowship. She teaches Poetry for the People, an email poetry class.

www.sagesaidso.com