Writer's Support Room - Getting Started


May 17, 2012

"THE WRITE WORDS TO READ"
The Institute of Children's Literature
 http://www.institutechildrenslit.com

"Characters and plots are bound together. Plot develops character; character develops plot."
--Elaine Marie Alphin
in The ABCs of Writing for Children

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

*NEW* Check out the New Improved Student Center

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? CHECK OUT THE TOPICAL SITE INDEX
2. New: "Queries, Proposals, and Submission Packages, Part 2"
3. Vintage: "Plotting for Publication"
4. June Workshop: "Making It Real: Techniques for Capturing Fiction Reader Interest"
5. CHAT EVERY TUESDAY
6. WHAT'S NEW AT KRISTI'S?
8. WEBTASTIC DISCOVERY
7. MARKET NEWS
9. REMINDERS

Hello Students!

Check out the STUDENT CENTER
You can access it from the left side navigation links from all over the site now -- No more disappearing Student Center! Plus, it's been updated and packed with new goodies. All students from any of the classes from the Institute can use their student ID number to access the Student Center.
This gives you access to

If you're a student and you haven't checked out this terrific resource -- check in today!

Many of our enews issues are being blocked from getting to all of our subscribers. It can be difficult to convince your email provider that you truly want to receive this enews. Therefore we've created a list of directions to make it easier for you find the exact steps to ensure the enews always makes it to your inbox. Please, check out this link http://institutechildrenslit.com/email_whitelist_instructions.htm for specific directions to ensure you get every issue of the Children's Writers eNews.

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?
A Full Site Topical Index
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/webindex.shtml

Are you interested in knowing more about "educational markets?" How about "historical fiction?"
There is a perfect topic for everyone and all of the Rx content is listed -- all the articles, all the guest chat transcripts, all the topical open forums. Check it OUT.



2. WHAT'S NEW AT ICL THIS WEEK?
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In Rx
"Queries, Proposals, and Submission Packages, Part Two" with Nancy I. Sanders and Chris Eboch
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/sanders_eboch2.shtml
A totally packed out workshop on all things related to submitting your work -- so good that we had to make it in two parts. Absolutely vital reading.

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3.Vintage

"Plotting for Publication" by Patricia Hermes
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/patricia_hermes.shtml
"...what I use for myself. First, one needs a main character in any story. That character must have a goal and it must be an important, even vital goal. Then, that character must have obstacles thrown in her way, things that make it difficult to acheive that goal. And in the end that main character should be -- must be -- heroic."

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4. WORKSHOP IN THE WRITER'S RETREAT

Making It Real: Techniques for Capturing Fiction Reader Interest
June 11-13, 2012
-- with Vijaya Bodach


Capturing reader interest in fiction means making the story and characters feel real, and exciting. Dialogue, showing, action -- they all play a part.

Vijaya Bodach is a scientist-turned-children's writer. She is the author of 40 science books for children and over 60 magazines articles, stories and poems. Vijaya juggles children, students, pets, and writing in Charleston, SC. To learn more about Vijaya, visit her blog at http://www.vijayabodach.blogspot.com/ or her archived website at http://www.vijayabodach.com/



Remember, if you totally don't want to figure out the Writer's Retreat, you can still send questions, just drop an email to jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com or WebEditor@institutechildrenslit.com. And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat -- http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

NOTE: All transcripts are archived! The archive contains more than six years' worth of full-length interview transcripts

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5.GOT CHAT?


We will continue to have Weekly Chat in 2012 -- Visit with us every Tuesday!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific

Hang out with us on Tuesdays!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm

Every Tuesday, webeditor Jan Fields will be in the chat room to answer your writing questions -- and we'll have fun and friendly chat too.
How To Chat
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/howchat.shtml

And be sure to visit theWriters Retreat if you haven't checked in yet -- I visit daily and I'll be happy to pontificate right there if you have any writing questions. We have over 200 members now!
And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat --
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

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6. What's New At Kristi's

Kristi Holl's Writer's First Aid is so good, the Institute has decided to highlight the goodies she has to offer every week --
it's like getting extra special writing advice in every visit.
http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/

Wed., May 17, 2012 "Quantity vs. Quality: Big Issue for Today's Writer"
Authors are being pushed, prodded, and persuaded to write more books per year. Faster, faster, faster! Has output become more important than quality of writing? Join in the discussion here.

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7. Merit Press Books
http://www.fwmedia.com/press-room/meritpress

F+W Media is launching a new YA fiction imprint, headed by Jacquelyn Mitchard. They plan to release 5 original young adult titles by the end of 2012 and 12 titles next year. The line with have "a particular emphasis on strong, savvy, female heroes rising to conquer sometimes stunning challenges thrown at them by a very real contemporary world" according to publisher Karen Cooper. Jacquelyn Mitchard looks forward to "the chance to work with new authors and established authors on something so important." Although there are no submissions guidelines at this point, this will be a line to watch.
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8. Hallmark Contests
http://www.hallmarkcontests.com/
There's still a couple days to squeeze in an entry to the "Thanks, Mom" anthology contest. Plus, watch the link for upcoming contests.

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9. REMINDERS

The CHAT ROOM is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm -- for extra help, check out "How To Chat."

Our WRITER'S RETREAT, ICL's discussion board is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php. For tips on using the discussion board, check out "Using the New Writer's Retreat."

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