Rx for Writers

Writer's Support Room - Getting Started


September 2, 2010

"THE WRITE WORDS TO READ"

The Institute of Children's Literature
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com


"In writing fiction, the more fantastic the tale, the plainer the prose should be. Don't ask your readers to admire your words when you want them to believe your story."
-- Ben Bova


CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

*NEW* Check out the New Improved Student Center

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? CHECK OUT THE TOPICAL SITE INDEX
2. WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK: "The Dos and Don'ts for Communicating with Editors"
3. Vintage Content
4. GUEST WORKSHOP EVENT - Turning Ideas Into Stories
5. CHAT
6. WHAT'S NEW AT KRISTI'S
7. MARKET NEWS
8. REMINDERS


Hello Students!

Check out the STUDENT CENTER
You can access it from the left side navigation links from all over the site now -- No more disappearing Student Center! Plus, it's been updated and packed with new goodies. All students from any of the classes from the Institute can use their student ID number to access the Student Center.
This gives you access to

If you're a student and you haven't checked out this terrific resource -- check in today!



Many of our enews issues are being blocked from getting to all of our subscribers. It can be difficult to convince your email provider that you truly want to receive this enews. Therefore we've created a list of directions to make it easier for you find the exact steps to ensure the enews always makes it to your inbox. Please, check out this link http://institutechildrenslit.com/email_whitelist_instructions.htm for specific directions to ensure you get every issue of the Children's Writers eNews.

1. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?
A Full Site Topical Index
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/webindex.shtml

Are you interested in knowing more about "educational markets?" How about "historical fiction?"
There is a perfect topic for everyone and all of the Rx content is listed -- all the articles, all the guest chat transcripts, all the topical open forums. Check it OUT.





2. WHAT'S NEW AT ICL THIS WEEK?
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In Rx
"The Dos and Don'ts of Communicating with Editors" by April Aragam
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws05/dodonteditor.shtml
Tips for making the most of your communication with editors.
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3. OTHER GOODIES

"Short Stories Teens Want to Read" with Deborah Vetter
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/dvetter2010.shtml
Learn about stories teens want to read and editors want to buy.

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4. WORKSHOP IN THE WRITER'S RETREAT

Turning Ideas Into Stories
September 14-16, 2010
-- with Sue Ford


The journey from really good idea to really good story can be challenging. How do you make your story live up to the great idea? How do you turn ideas that come from the news, your experience, or your imagination into a really great story? Let Sue help.

SM Ford has sold over 130 magazine pieces for children and adults. She has sold two children's books. Her picture book Things Little Kids Need to Know was chosen as a 2000 Read, America! Collection Selection. Sue writes for children under her maiden name, Susan Uhlig. Check out more on her website: www.susanuhlig.com which has a link to her blog of children's book reviews.

Remember, if you totally don't want to figure out the Writer's Retreat, you can still send questions, just drop an email to jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com or WebEditor@institutechildrenslit.com. And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat -- http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

NOTE: All transcripts are archived! The archive contains more than six years' worth of full-length interview transcripts

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5.GOT CHAT?


Our Next Casual Tuesday Forum will be Tuesday September 21, 2010
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific

Hang out with us on Tuesdays!
http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm

The Institute Chat is open again and flashier than other. This is a much smoother easier to use chat, but for those who are new to chatting or just want some help with all the nifty bells and whistles, we have a new article.
How To Chat
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/howchat.shtml

Come Hang With Us Every Tuesday
Talk Writing, Socialize, Make new friends

http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm
We'll be waiting for you
3-4PM Atlantic
2-3PM Eastern
1-2PM Central
Noon -1PM Mountain
11AM - Noon Pacific
Come on in and let's chat!

And be sure to visit theWriters Retreat if you haven't checked in yet -- I visit daily and I'll be happy to pontificate right there if you have any writing questions. We have over 200 members now!
And, check out the new article on using the cool features of the Writer's Retreat --
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/retreat.shtml

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6. What's New At Kristi's

Kristi Holl's Writer's First Aid is so good, the Institute has decided to highlight the goodies she has to offer every week --
it's like getting extra special writing advice in every visit.

http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/

Friday, August 27: “Follow-up on Optimism/Pessimism”
Optimism and pessimism have to do with how we explain positive and negative events to ourselves. This attitude—made up of three distinct traits—directly affects our writing, our health, and enjoyment of life. It determines how you see the world. Read here to see how you can “learn optimism.”

Monday, August 30: “The E-book Revolution”
E-books have exploded lately. Now that about *half the books sold on Amazon.com are e-books,** *it’s time to take them seriously. Since it may highly impact your own writing future–especially if you hope to make a living at writing–I’d encourage you to check out these articles.

Wednesday, September 1: “Reactions to the E-book Revolution”
The eight comments about Wednesday’s “E-book Revolution” post were so thought-provoking that I didn’t want the blog readers to miss them. I will post the eight comments below, with *my reactions in red*. Please add your own two cents’ worth!

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7. istorytime story apps
http://istorytimeapp.com/contact.html
Accepts illustrated stories (so if you're sitting on a picture book illustrated by a friend or yourself, this might be for you). iStoryTime books work best when they have: Appeal for ages 2-7 (can be specifically for just 2 year-olds or just 6 year-olds, not necessarily all) 10-50 pages in length with Less than 100 words per page -- Text and illustration on every page -- royalties only. More questions? Ask the folks at submissions@istorytimeapp.com

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8.NatGeo Newswatch

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/
Looking for great nonfiction article ideas? This blog contains great ones constantly.

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8. REMINDERS

The CHAT ROOM is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/entry.htm -- for extra help, check out "How To Chat."

Our WRITER'S RETREAT, ICL's discussion board is up and available at http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php. For tips on using the discussion board, check out "Using the New Writer's Retreat."

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Phone: (203) 792-8600 (800) 243-9645
Fax: (203) 792-8406
E-Mail:
WebEditor@institutechildrenslit.com

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