Do Writers Ever Tire of Praise?
I had the chance to talk to a literary legend... Plus TONS of writing resources!
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
Too awkward to talk to Judy Blume
Over Thanksgiving, my family and I decided to escape the cold and head to Key West. We swam in the ocean and ate fish tacos We saw iguanas and wandered around the historic district in the glorious 78-degree weather. And yet, my kids say their favorite thing was the free popsicles at the hotel pool. Go figure.
Anyway, we stopped by Judy Blume’s book store, Book & Books, and yes, Judy Blume was there, but I felt too awkward to talk to her. What was I going to say? “Hi. I’m a writer, too. Hopefully you’ll carry my YA book one day.” No. Not that. How about, “Hi. I read Blubber over a dozen times as a kid. It’s such a great story about bullying.” Actually, I probably should have said that. I mean, does a writer ever get tired of hearing how much someone enjoyed their work?
I don’t know. Maybe Judy Blume does get tired of it. After all, she’s so famous and has been so famous for so long. On the other hand, as my husband pointed out, she was hanging out at her bookstore, so if she didn’t want people to talk to her, she could’ve just stayed home.
I think if my kids had read a Judy Blume book, I would have taken them over to her and introduced them. But they’re still a little too young for her books. (Although, actually, we could probably start reading the Fudge books with our six-year-old.) Ah well. I missed my chance. Next time I have the opportunity to talk to a literary legend I shall swallow my awkward feelings and go for it.
What would you have done? Are you the type to go up and introduce yourself to famous authors, or do you feel weird about it, like me?
Just a FEW gift suggestions
I know this time of year everyone is giving gift recommendations, so I won’t do too much of that, but I will say the following:
I think a really nice gift for a loved one interested in history, philosophy, sociology, or psychology could be Sapiens: A Graphic History, Volumes 1 and 2. And since they’re in graphic form, I feel they could be appropriate for basically ages 13 and up.
I have now read both of these graphic nonfiction books (wonderful!) and am now reading his follow-up, not in graphic form, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. If your loved one loves to think, about the past and/or the future, I highly recommend! A great gift for someone who loves suspense/horror/psychological thriller with a dash of the paranormal could be any of the following:
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
My Darling Girl or The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
My Darling Girl is set at Christmastime. A perfect cozy/scary read!
Did you know you can gift a paid subscription of my newsletter? You can! Have a writer in your life who might benefit from my writing courses, Query Guru courses, and other paid content? Click the button below:
Writing News & Resources
For All Writers:
The publishing industry is mysteriously/frustratingly hard to navigate. As proof, see this essay by
: My Book Earned Out in Two Years and Nothing Happened.Have you been working and reworking the beginning of your novel but can’t seem to push past a certain point? Then you should attend my Finish Your Novel 1-Day Workshop on Dec. 2 at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, MD.
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association has a TON of free writing workshops, critique groups, and webinars, plus upcoming mentorship opportunities.
The Writer’s Atelier has a free online writing community with virtual events. If you're local to the Orlando, Florida area, they also have in-person events as well!
Black Fox Literary Magazine has free submissions until November 30. They’d love to see more YA, flash fiction, and craft essays!
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency in 2024? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers. I found a residency on there that I just applied to, and I’m pretty excited about it!
Wild Ink Publishing has a call for submissions for several short story anthologies. Wild Ink is a small indie publisher that also publishes full-length novels, so getting a short story in one of their anthologies can be a good stepping stone to possibly publishing a book with them — see my interview with S.E. Reed. They have open submissions for:
Uncensored Ink: A Banned Book Inspired Anthology. Deadline: November 30.
Clio’s Curious Dash Through Time Anthology: Poems and short stories appropriate for middle grade readers (5th-8th grade). This anthology is about historical, contemporary, and futuristic materials. We would like to give readers a timeline of stories focusing on the beginning of time, through to the most fantastical futuristic idea you can possibly imagine. Deadline: January 15.
Looking for a beta reader or critique partner? The Great Beta Reader Match-Upis now open. Register by November 30!
Check out this list of no-fee literary journals currently open to submissions
The Yale Review is now accepting pitches on a rolling basis. Seeking diverse, sharp, intelligent voices on a wide range of subjects, from literature, art, history, and politics to film, television, music, & more.
Check out this12-month Group Coaching opportunity for genre novelists.
The folks at Cheshire Novel Prize host a FREE group on their private app called Writers Space where you can talk about writing, ask for BETA readers, and connect with other writers.
Ready to submit a story? Check out this list of 40 Free Writing Contests! And of course, check out NewPages for submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
Check out the Chestnut Review for stubborn artists. Their submissions are always open and they pay $120/piece. They promise to respond in 30 days, which is HUGE in the lit mag space. Free submissions in most genres and free issues online, plus paid feedback options. They also offer workshops and international retreats. Sounds pretty amazing to me.
Check out my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
SCBWI Members (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the in-person and virtual annual conference will be held February 9-11 in NYC (and online).
Check out Literary Rambles for information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
From Bitsy Kemper’s blog: over 100 publishers accepting unsolicited picture book manuscripts. (Updated June 2023)
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
For Querying Writers:
Check out this list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Former agent Mary Kole of The Good Story Company is leading a free webinar on November 30: Writing an Irresistible Query.
Here’s a query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Find a long list of example query letters on Quite the Query.
Every Friday, Operation Awesome offers one free query critique through their #QueryFriday contest.
Every month I will chose one subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if you’re the winner of the month, I will send you back in-depth feedback on both. Interested in receiving a critique? Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Winter-on-the-Farm Creative Writing Retreat at ZigBone Farm. Just one hour from DC/Baltimore areas in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains with award-winning writer Diana Friedman. January 12-17, 2024. This retreat is for all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as time to write and bond with other writers. Maryland residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Need to just get away and spend time with your writing? Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you intend to use the time and space to work on your writing. The hen house cottage and barn loft normally book about two months in advance.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. I attended one of these conferences in person a few years ago, and I thought it was fantastic. I can’t vouch for the virtual version, but there are some benefits: recorded classes, no travel expenses, attend in your comfy pants. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
AWP 2024 will be held in Kansas City February 7-10 2024, and early bird registration and community scholarship applications are now open!
FREE Virtual Conference from The Writer’s Workout is coming March 2024 -- sign up now to stay in the loop!
Hold the date for the Washington Writers Conference, being held in Bethesda, MD May 3-4, 2024.
Save the date for the awesome Gaithersburg Book Festival (in the DC area): May 18, 2024.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
Eva, thank you so much for linking to my essay! Totally appreciate it, and it's a honor to be includred.