Category Archives: Writing

Monday Advice from Agents and Editors: An Editor’s Take on Criticism

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

The Wakeup Call Many new authors, shiny new publishing contract in hand, think all the hard work is over. And then they get the first editorial letter. The one that’s a dozen pages long. The one that starts “I really … Continue reading →

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Writing Swordfights

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

Today I saw a terrific post on writing swordfights over at Book Wars (“unadulterated fangirling of children’s books, authors, and bookstores”). It made me recall the two semesters I took fencing in college and the aching, burning thigh muscles that … Continue reading →

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Alex award Winners

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

Originally posted on Writing and Illustrating:
•All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, published by Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. (9781476746586). A blind Parisian girl and an orphaned German boy conscripted by the Nazis for…

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Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: Develop Your Voice

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

What Every Agent Wants “…stories, written with an unforgettable voice.” (Amanda Leuck, Spencerhill Associates) “…stories with a strong voice.” (Danielle Burby, HSG) “…an engaging voice.” (Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Agency) “Definitely a voice. Everything else we can work with but a … Continue reading →

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Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: The Magic of Micro-Tension

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

According to literary agent Donald Maass, “the most important technique for fiction writers to grasp” is Micro-Tension. Now I read a lot of books about the writing craft and attend workshops whenever I can. Over the years, I’ve heard quite … Continue reading →

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