Turns out... it's fun!
Audio editing, line editing, and TONS of writing resources!
*For writing news and resources, scroll down.*
Remember that thing I was afraid of?
Remember when I was freaking out because it was my turn to do audio editing for the podcast I now cohost? I was begging someone to please apply for the This Mama Is Lit audio editing position (and you still can!) and save me from my technology nightmare.
But guess what? I watched some short youtube videos, and I pretty quickly figured out the basics of GarageBand (a free app on my Mac that can be used for podcast editing). Turns out, audio editing is quite absorbing and, dare I say it, fun.
I had 55 minutes of raw audio that I needed to cut down to a 30-minute episode. So there I was, listening like an eavesdropper to a conversation I wasn’t there for, deciding what our listeners would hear and what they wouldn’t. I determined which parts of the interview were the most engaging. I deleted “ums” and repeated phrases. I cut long pauses and weird noises. And I felt… powerful. There’s something very satisfying about polishing a conversation by cutting it down to the bone.
It’s kind of like revising and polishing a piece of writing. No wonder I like it.
(P.S. My first-ever experience with audio editing can be assessed by listening to the upcoming Sept. 11 episode of THIS MAMA IS LIT with the delightful and prolific author Catherine Newman. Subscribe to the podcast now so you don’t miss it!)
Speaking of revising…
I recently went back to a novel I gave to my agent a few months ago. The manuscript had been through a large number of revisions and edits, and I really thought it was as tight and polished as possible. And yet, even within the first chapter I found a few things to cut. Give a piece enough time, and you can almost always find more ways to sharpen it.
Looking to tighten your manuscript? Check out 43 Words You Should Cut From Your Writing Immediately, from
.Also, in celebration of my newfound skill of audio editing, I am offering Part 1 of Line Edit Lessons for free: Line Edit Lessons #1: How to Polish Your Manuscript at a Sentence Level. (The second lesson will still be for paid subscribers only.)
That’s all for today because my kids are home for the summer and this is all I have time to write between getting them snacks and taking them to the lake to swim!
Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
Substacker
is offering scholarships to other substack writers. Deadline August 22.97 Calls for Submissions (paying markets!) for August 2024
Fascinating article about how this memoirist went from “Big Five or Die” to a happily self-published author.
Evaluating publishing contracts from Writer Beware.
Free online workshops from Good Story Company:
Story Snobs Pitch Contest on August 28 (pitch your work to editors for a chance to get feedback!)
Writing an Irresistible Query Workshop with Mary Kole on August 29
Listen to the latest episodes of This Mama is Lit, a podcast from
Literary Mama featuring interviews with writer-moms. (P.S. We’re looking to hire an audio editor!)
- (the online journal) will begin accepting submissions Sept. 1!
All About Fantasy Virtual Full-Day Retreat on Sept. 28 from Bianca Marais, fantasy author and host of the great podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing.
Check out the free event replays of various workshops at Manuscript Academy.
NYC Midnight’s Rhyming Story challenge starts September 20. Register before then!
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
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.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
NewPages has tons of submission calls from literary magazines and journals.
For KidLit Writers:
Applications for the We Need Diverse Books Mentorship Program opens August 15.
Searchlight Writing for Children Awards. Contests for PB, children’s, and YA writers. Deadline Sept. 1.
Mary Kole has a new book: the Writing Irresistible Picture Books Workbook
Wow Con, WriteMentor’s annual online conference for writers of children’s fiction: Sept. 27-29.
YALLFest, the Book Festival for writers and readers of Young Adult will be held Nov. 15-16 in Charleston, SC.
A list of places that publish stories for children from The Write Life.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews.
Submit your children’s book to these publishers: no agent required!
Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) fir events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
For Querying Writers:
Here’s a list of small publishers, most of which do not require agents.
A query letter template from agent Samantha Wekstein and lots of querying advice from agent Eric Smith.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (many of them thrillers).
Pitch contests on Twitter(“X”) seem to be coming back. These events can feel like a bunch of authors screaming into the void, but it doesn’t hurt to try. After all, I found my agent through a Twitter pitch party. So read my article:13 Things to Know About Twitter Pitch Events then mark your calendar for these upcoming pitch parties:
#PitchDis on Sept. 10-12 will take place on the PitchDis website and is for writers who self-identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill. To make sure everyone's comfortable with the new pitching format, the form will be posted Aug 5-9. Use the form to practice, but any info submitted during this time will be deleted. Pitches will ONLY be accepted September 10-12
#PitBLK on Sept. 21-24 for all authors of African descent will take place on the PitBLK website.
#KidLitGN on Oct. 2 for for writers and illustrators of middle grade and younger graphic novels. This event will take place on the KidLitGN website.
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query and first two pages, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you feedback on both. Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
The FREE National Book Festival will be held this Saturday, August 24th at the Washington Convention Center in D.C., 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
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!
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.
The James River Writers Conference in Richmond, VA is happening Oct. 4-6.
The Maryland Writers’ Association Conference is happening Oct. 19-20 in Baltimore.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
YALLFest, the Book Festival for writers and readers of Young Adult will be held Nov. 15-16 in Charleston, SC.
The San Miguel Writers’ Conference and Literary Festival is happening February 12-16 in beautiful/historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I’ve spent a lot of time in San Miguel, and it’s a great place to visit.
Are you an author who's had a book published in the last two years? The Annapolis Book Festival is now accepting submissions for our 2025 Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:
Wow Con, WriteMentor’s annual online conference for writers of children’s fiction: Sept. 27-29.
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
Such a great compilation of resources, Eva. (And thanks for the mention! I came by because of the Substack award and didn't even expect to see my name here. What a nice surprise.) 💛
It's great to hear about your positive audio editing experience! As a longtime radio guy and editor (going back to the days of razor blades and tape), I must remind myself that not everyone has done it. I use Logic Pro, which is much more than an audio editor, but it's also great for simple editing once you get the hang of it. I hope you keep doing more and keep enjoying it!