How to be a good literary citizen
Finish your novel, help debut authors, and TONS of writing resources
*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*
Finish Your Novel (two ways)
For those in the DC area, I will be teaching an in-person workshop called Finish Your Novel at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18. I’ll give my best tips for moving forward with your manuscript, as well as how to set deadlines and hold yourself accountable.
This free outdoor festival has an incredible line-up of author talks, children’s activities, and writing workshops for teens and adults. (Full schedule here)
If you can’t make the festival, I have an online version of Finish Your Novel here for my paid subscribers. I gave this talk recently at the Perfect Your Process online summit. It covers much of the same ground I’ll cover at the festival, the downside being: you won’t be able to meet other novel-writers and potentially find an accountability buddy.
It’s a very helpful talk either way, full of advice and resources. Here’s what people had to say about it:
“This has been fantastic, Eva! Really made me feel much better about my process and where I am on this journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“A fabulous and very helpful talk. Thanks so much for the suggested process at the end. That will be like gold to me.”
“I really liked this talk. Very helpful.”
“Down to earth and practical. You speak from experience and I appreciate it.”
Debut authors have it hard
I’m always on the hunt for debut authors to interview for my blog, and most recently I interviewed Cindy R. X. He about her debut YA thriller Perfect Little Monsters.
Cindy told me the personal story that inspired her dark novel, and how, after fifteen years working in finance, she quit her bank job and followed her passion. Be sure to read the whole interview here.
I would say Perfect Little Monsters “hits bookshelves” on May 7, but for debut authors these days, that’s not always the case. In an attempt to stay profitable, Barnes & Noble’s new(ish) policy is to prioritize buying hardcover books with proven sales history and/or strong existing platforms.
Hmm, guess who has no proven sales history? Debut authors. Which means most won’t get the thrill of seeing their book baby on the shelves of B&N.
This is why it’s helpful for debut authors to make connections with local indie bookstores, and why it’s so important that other writers be good literary citizens and help out debut authors.
So consider preordering Cindy’s Perfect Little Monsters, or, if you’re not into YA, check out my friend Danny Goodman’s debut book Amerikaland, an adult literary novel out on June 4.
How to be a good literary citizen
Ways you can help a debut author:
Preorder the book. Preorders alert retailers that they should buy the book and can create a ripple-effect with sales. (Consider preordering Perfect Little Monsters or Amerikaland.)
Buy the book. If you miss the window to preorder, buying the book after it’s out is great, too.
Request that your local library purchase the book. B&N may not be buying debuts, but libraries are! This option costs you nothing (though you will need a library card), and then you can borrow the book when it comes in! Just do a quick search for “purchase book request” on your library website, or, of course, ask a librarian for help!
Add the book as “want to read” on your Goodreads page. This is a free way to help publicize the book in the reading community.
Spread the word on other social media sites. Mention the book on Instagram, Facebook, X, etc. And consider tagging the author if you feel comfortable. I wouldn’t tag a big-name author, but debut authors usually appreciate the shout-out.
Attend author events and signings. Imagine how you’d feel as an author if you showed up to give a talk or do a signing and no one was in the audience. Awkward! So if you notice an author is doing an event in your area, go check it out! You don’t need to have read the book or heard of the author to attend. It can be interesting to learn the backstory of a book, plus, attending author events is good research for when you’re doing author events one day.
Write a (good) review on Goodreads, Amazon, or elsewhere. If you didn’t like the book, maybe don’t write a review. I won’t tell you you can’t write your truth, but if you’re planning to become a published author one day, you might want to stick to writing good (or at least not-bad) reviews. Because author karma and whatnot.
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
Recently Elle Griffin (who published her dystopian novel on Substack) shared a depressing view of traditional publishing, but then:
- (with 25+ years of experience in publishing) presented a perspective that is much more positive and factual, and
Jane Friedman (one of the top publishing experts in the country) also shared her thoughts, which included this comforting quote:
“Sales for book publishers have been increasing over the last five years, in fact, partly due to the pandemic. Big publishers have been slowly losing market share to smaller publishers and to authors. This is good news if you want to see innovation and more competing models. But big publishing is not going away—there will always be a place for it.”
Check out the I Am in Print Writing Competition with seven genres, all judged by a professional agent or publisher. Deadline May 28.
NYC-based writers, apply for the Emerging Writer Fellowship from The Center for Fiction. Application is due May 31!
The Great Beta Reader Match-Up from
is open! Register by June 2.The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
This online course on Writing Motherhood from Off Assignment looks amazing — taught by Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch. Starts June 4. Off Assignment is a literary magazine that offers other courses and is open to submission.
Your self-published or hybrid-published book can win up to $10,000 plus expert marketing services with the North Street Book Prize. Deadline July 1.
Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.
Check out all the many upcoming online craft workshops from Savvy Authors!
Writing Workshops also offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Need a template for a nonfiction book proposal? Here’s one from Neon Literary!
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
Cheshire Novel Prize hosts 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 my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.
For KidLit Writers:
Thank you to the
for the following items:6-week advanced picture book course with Clare Helen Welsh. Starts May 20th.
The Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2024 is now OPEN! Closes 1st June.
Check out this unpublished middle grade novel contest from Ready Chapter One. Winner gets a book deal!
The Good Story Company is offering a free online workshop on May 23: Writing Irresistible Picture Books.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
Submit your children’s book to these publishers: no agent required!
Check out this incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Have you joined SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)? They have events, conferences, and it’s a great way to find critique partners and beta readers, for everything from picture books to young adult novels.
For Querying Writers:
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
Here’s a query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Pitch contests have mostly move off of Twitter(“X”), but some seem to be coming back (for now). These events can sometimes feel like a bunch of authors screaming into the void, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. After all, I found my agent through a Twitter pitch party. So mark your calendar for these upcoming pitch parties.
#PitDark on May 23 for horror, mystery, thriller/suspense, dark fantasy, and any book of a “darker” nature.
#KidLitPit on May 30 for picture books through YA.
#JoyPit on June 7 for lighthearted, feel-good books
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query letter and the first two pages of your manuscript, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you in-depth feedback on both. Interested? Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
Writers of color, check out the Anaphora Conference and PitchFest, May 13-17
If you live in the DC area, check out the Local Author Bazaar at People's Book in Takoma Park on June 8!
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away?
2024 Writing Retreats at ZigBone Farm (Just one hour from DC/Baltimore area in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains). MD residents can apply for a grant to help cover costs!
July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.
September 22-27: Fall-on-the-Farm Women's Poetry Writing Retreatwith Award-Winning Poet and Writing Instructor Ann Quinn
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. Open year-round, the only requirement for this peaceful retreat north of Baltimore is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences will held both online and in person this year. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. Check out the upcoming conferences:
Michigan Writing Workshop (Detroit suburbs): May 4, 2024 (in-person)
Writing Conference of Los Angeles: May 4, 2024 (in-person)
Portland Writing Workshop: May 10, 2024 (in-person)
Seattle Writing Workshop: May 11, 2024 (in-person)
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
Washington Writers Conference, being held in Bethesda, MD May 3-4, 2024.
I will be teaching a workshop at the incredible Gaithersburg Book Festival (in the DC area): May 18, 2024. See you there!
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.