Should You Write While Sick?

Could you get rejected for a typo? Plus TONS of writing resources!

*For writing links and resources, scroll down.*

Do I need to be taking better vitamins?

You all are going to think I’m the most pathetic weakling you’ve ever met, but I have been sick YET AGAIN and am just now getting back to normal.

Ever since early December at least one member of my family (me, my husband, or one of my kids) has been sick. It’s this depressing cycle where one daughter picks up a virus that then makes its way through each of us, and by the time we’re all feeling better, someone else has picked up another illness, and the cycle starts again.

At this point, it’s beyond ridiculous, beyond exhausting, beyond belief. I sometimes feel like curling into a ball and sobbing until spring.

In January, a month when I thought I’d get lots of writing done, my kids were out of school for a week because of snow then out another week because of sickness. When they were in school, I was the one who was sick.

And now here we are towards the end of February, and my ears are still clogged from a sinus infection that Just. Won’t. Quit.

Yet, I am making progress on my novel. Not as much as I thought I would this winter, but I’m becoming somewhat less precious about my writing time. I used to think I needed to be alone in a silent space, feeling good and sipping a nice cup of coffee. (And that is still my preference.) But now I realize I can write with my daughter watching Paw Patrol right beside me. I can write while sipping honeyed tea and miserably hacking phlegm into a tissue.

We do what we have to do.

But also: sometimes we have to rest. This winter I’ve been trying to balance working on my novel with being okay not working on my novel. My top priority is my health. So if I chose sleeping over writing, that’s okay, too. (Not to mention, if you write while feeling truly terrible, you may end up with some truly terrible writing.)

Are any of you dealing with this never-ending cycle of sickness? From what I can tell, it’s affecting a lot of us, especially those with young, germy children.

We also found out recently that our 4-year-old is allergic to cats, which explains HER neverending sniffles. We adopted two cats back in August, and we haven’t exactly decided what to do yet. Her allergies aren’t that bad, and there are options (special food for the cats, Zyrtec for her) if we decide to keep them. On the other hand, my daughter’s health is more important than the cats, despite their cuteness.

Typos: they happen to the best of us

I’m going to blame it on my months of sickness and exhaustion, but I’ve been noticing a lot of typos in my own work lately. There was an especially embarrassing typo in this newsletter (I’ve since fixed it), in the paragraph where I talk about how writers have to be their own editors. *Face palm.*

I tend to dash off my newsletters quickly, perhaps without giving them the level of editorial scrutiny I should, but I even found some typos in the final draft of a manuscript I recently sent to my agent — a manuscript I truly believed I had gone over with the finest of fine-tooth combs.

The truth is, it’s dang near impossible to catch all our own typos.

Though I’m embarrassed when I find out about a typo, I’m also incredibly grateful whenever someone points one out to me. I’d much rather have the opportunity to correct a mistake than have it sitting out there in the wild and me oblivious.

While we’re talking about typos…

If you are currently freaking out because you just realized there was a typo in the query letter or story/manuscript submission you just sent… relax, it’s okay! An agent or editor is not going to reject you on the basis of a typo. (Here’s proof.)

On the other hand, if your query letter or submission is riddled with typos or grammatical errors, that COULD be cause for rejection. Because guess who is very good at finding your typos: someone who is not you. And if you’re not getting feedback on your work before submitting it, or if you’re not getting eyes on your query letter before sending it out… you really really really should. Not only will critique partners find typos, they will likely find bigger problems you need to address as well.

Which now makes me feel like a hypocrite because I don’t get anyone to read my newsletters before I send them out. Maybe I should... I wonder if I could hire college intern English major to read over my newsletters and give me editorial notes for free. Any takers?

Just a thought.

The cats… Should they stay or should they go? What would you do?

Writing News & Resources:

For All Writers:

• If you’re a U.S. resident, you can join the Penguin Random House Reader’s Lounge and be part of a research community of book lovers. Read books, fill out surveys, and influence publishing decisions like cover designs, titles, topics, and more. Plus, win free books!

• Rebecca Makkai
  proves once again that she is The Queen of Substack (IMO) and can make any subject interesting and hilarious with her newsletter about the history and publishing of paperback books.

• Black Fox Literary Magazine’s free submission window is open. Or make a donation to receive feedback and/or an expedited response. They also have a fairy tale remix contest with a deadline of Mar 31. Wanna know someone who was published long ago in Black Fox Lit? Yours truly!

  • P.S. If you want to get a taste of things on the other side, Black Fox Literary is looking for Fiction Readers to read submissions. Apply by Feb. 29.

• The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.

• Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize deadline is March 10 and their Romance Challenge deadline is March 31.

• Short on time? The NYC Midnight 100-word Microfiction Challenge starts April 19.

• Ready Chapter 1 is a community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Find peer critiques and more.

• Writer’s Digest offers tons of online classes and workshops.

• Blue Pencil Agency offers workshops, online events, and writing competitions. Check them out.

• 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!

• The Women’s Fiction Writers Association has a TON of free writing workshops, critique groups, and webinars, plus upcoming mentorship opportunities.

• Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.

• The Writer’s Atelier has a free online writing community with virtual events.

• The Yale Review is accepts 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.

• 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 my list of writing and publishing resources — my very favorite books, websites, and podcasts on writing, publishing, and the creative life.

For KidLit Writers:

• Literary Rambles has 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!

• 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.

• Twitter pitch contests have mostly gone away or moved to other places, but the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Twitter Pitch contest #IWSGPit is happening on “X” on March 27.

• 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.

• 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 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 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!

    • April 7-12: Spring Creative Writing ​with award-winning writer Diana Friedman. For all writers who want help getting started, shaping and refining existing work, as well as time to write and bond with other writers.

    • July 28 - Aug 2: Summer Novel Writing with award-winning author Tammy Greenwood. For writers at all stages of the journey.  

  • The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm. 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.

• 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: 

  • Writing Workshop of Austin: March 1, 2024 (in-person)

  • Houston Writing Workshop: March 2, 2024 (in-person)

  • Colorado Writing Workshop: March 8-9, 2024 (online)

  • North Carolina Writing Workshops: Charlotte March 8 / Raleigh March 9 (in person)

• Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.

• FREE Virtual Conference from The Writer’s Workout will be March 15-17. Sign up now to stay in the loop!

• Apply for the NYC Publishing Workshop, held April 4-7, 2024, and check out the other writing workshops, retreats, and events from Writing Workshops.

• Save 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.