tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post1349272751684816300..comments2024-03-28T05:28:28.567-04:00Comments on Editorial Anonymous: Work that Hook!Editorial Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06294247222893767117noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-55988198341413360752020-11-25T06:20:08.079-05:002020-11-25T06:20:08.079-05:00Wales publications are offering the most appropria...Wales publications are offering the most appropriate Wales publications are offering the most appropriate <a href="https://www.walespublicationsltd.com/wpl-edit" rel="nofollow"> Research Paper Editing in UK </a> to allow you to be the one who gets selected for publishing the research in top ranked journal.Wales Publicationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10242753417985168367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-36950879752655945652007-07-29T14:29:00.000-04:002007-07-29T14:29:00.000-04:00I sent my MS to a professional editor (I found her...I sent my MS to a professional editor (I found her on Editors and Preditors, thanks to you) for character and plot analysis. As part of the package, she writes the query letter and summary.<BR/><BR/>I've never written anything other than school work before and got the impression that the steps to publication are 1) write the book 2) edit, edit, edit yourself and when you think it's done, 3) send to a professional editor then 4) incorporate those changes you agree with. Only then are you ready to submit query letters.<BR/><BR/>It sounds like you and some of your commenters, who are obviously in the same business, are saying that you should write your own query letter so that it's in your voice and not your polishing editor's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-46096568570977438182007-07-29T02:35:00.000-04:002007-07-29T02:35:00.000-04:00Here's a tidbit to chew on.Roal Dahl lived next do...Here's a tidbit to chew on.<BR/>Roal Dahl lived next door to my friend when he was growing up in England. Roal Dahl did crazy things and crazy things were always happening to his family. One example was he used to drive his Jag across his front lawn. My friend has always said R.D. took notes on life, finding humor in the ordinary and finding a common laughing point. His brilliance was delivering it to the masses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-13659666545585476112007-07-27T18:25:00.000-04:002007-07-27T18:25:00.000-04:00Oh.. Louis Sachar is BRILLIANTLY funny.. I used to...Oh.. Louis Sachar is BRILLIANTLY funny.. I used to love the "Wayside school" books as a kid, and Holes was GREAT.<BR/><BR/>Also, Gordan Korman (not super recent) is really funny... I used to LOVE him.. <BR/><BR/>But you won't be able to find another Roald Dahl... just like there's only one Lewis Carroll, some authors, especially the ones that hang around for generations, are one of a kind.....<BR/><BR/>One thing you might want to try is a "Three chapter rule" --Someone I know from SCBWI uses it with her daughter... they give a book three chapters before they give up and throw it to the crocodiles...<BR/><BR/>apparently the first Harry potter book started them on this trend, because they were bored after the first chapter but wanted to see what all the hullaballoo was about....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-1894103996335187662007-07-27T17:32:00.000-04:002007-07-27T17:32:00.000-04:00By any chance -- is your son feeding off your atti...By any chance -- is your son feeding off your attitude? I mean, does he have your clearly implied agreement that anything but Roald Dahl is stupid? If so, you may be "teaching" him resistance, inadvertently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-82542714552017216452007-07-27T17:28:00.000-04:002007-07-27T17:28:00.000-04:00My kids and I hate Roald Dahl. This is not to star...My kids and I hate Roald Dahl. This is not to start a RD war, it's just to point out that every writer has their audience and their non-audience. I think what you need to do is discover who else your son likes (I know, you've been trying) rather than bemoan that there's nobody on Earth but Roald Dahl and he's not around to write anymore. <BR/><BR/>How about Gregor the Overlander? Yes, it is a series, but a current one; new volumes are released every couple of years. Would he like Jerry Spinelli? My son, not a fiction lover, goes for him. How about Louis Sachar? And how about nonfiction, as was suggested? Many boys who think books are stupid will read nonfiction about subjects that grab them. What's his passion? Can you introduce him to nonfiction on that subject? And do take the advice of others here and make friends with your local children's librarian. She or he can really help point the way. A small children's bookshop might help, too, as they still hand-sell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-81936126309372429172007-07-27T17:03:00.000-04:002007-07-27T17:03:00.000-04:00Are you David Copperfield, by any chance? Because ...Are you David Copperfield, by any chance? Because it sounds like you expect others to pull magic out of their ass. So I am presuming you can do the same.<BR/><BR/>Anyone who is not thinking first and foremost about their young readers is going to fail in the marketplace. And as for real writers with real bills to pay from their very real hard work, their eye is firmly on their readership, I can assure you.<BR/><BR/>And this blog, correct me if I'm wrong, is largely concerned with the business of children's publishing, not the wonder of it.<BR/><BR/>The presumptuousness of your posts really got under my skin. But now I must get back to making magic.<BR/><BR/>P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-90568004134962636042007-07-27T16:45:00.000-04:002007-07-27T16:45:00.000-04:00By the way, Anon -- have you tried your son on NON...By the way, Anon -- have you tried your son on NON-Fiction?<BR/><BR/>(Not an area where I have a lot of experience, but...)<BR/><BR/>I know my Roald Dahl obsessed younger brothers had a hard time finding fiction to suit them... but good nonfiction books about their interests could lose them for a whole afternoon....<BR/><BR/>Just a thought.... one doesn't have to read fiction to love reading, and many boys really like finding things out.....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-82206516801778594592007-07-27T16:22:00.000-04:002007-07-27T16:22:00.000-04:00I'm sure you're right, my apologies. I just believ...I'm sure you're right, my apologies. I just believe that children's books have become about anything except the young reader. And I came to this blog for reasons of my own. And if I told you who I am you'd freak out...and start editing my posts, I'm sure. I was just curious as to the responses I'd get to some of my comments. Take care, all. And much success with your writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-86408417272735930732007-07-27T16:16:00.000-04:002007-07-27T16:16:00.000-04:00I would love to know what anonymous does for a liv...I would love to know what anonymous does for a living, and whether it involves having to listen to angry inquiries (from someone who has never done any work in the field) about why s/he doesn't "just" do something absolutely brilliant, exactly like Famous Person X, only of course completely original.<BR/><BR/>I, too, wish Roald Dahl were here. He was always great at coming up with suitably unpleasant fates for nasty, stupid people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-46914070711079084302007-07-27T15:47:00.000-04:002007-07-27T15:47:00.000-04:00Children's writers are a group of people who love ...Children's writers are a group of people who love children's books so much that most of us slave away unpaid for years and years, struggling to master our craft, amassing piles of rejection slips. Even when we finally achieve success, the vast majority of us go on having to support ourselves in some other way, because except for J. K. Rowling and a few others, it just doesn't pay that much. We don't need to be snarled at about how someday we'll "pay dearly." Trust me, we already have.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-12062352722595566992007-07-27T15:44:00.000-04:002007-07-27T15:44:00.000-04:00Thanks EA for the clarification regarding hook. I'...Thanks EA for the clarification regarding hook. I'm sure there's at least one shiny slithery thing in my book.<BR/><BR/>And, to anonymous, all I can say is that all of us -- agents, editors, writers -- we're doing the best we can. If you haven't figured it out yet, writing and publishing for children is largely a labor of love. It's a ton of work and few get rich. We do it (as I speak for everyone) because we love books, kids and want to write and publish that work that will speak to your son.<BR/><BR/>We aren't talking about hooks because we all want to write a great hook and nothing more -- we're talking about hooks because that is just one small and important aspect of this slush-filled process.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure there are books out there that your son will like. Think of yourself as an editor, reading through the library of slush as you look for it. It'll give you compassion for their work. The work that they do for you and your son.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-63468966466028986752007-07-27T15:41:00.000-04:002007-07-27T15:41:00.000-04:00Eva Ibbotson's books are fantastic. Hard for me to...Eva Ibbotson's books are fantastic. Hard for me to imagine any kid finding them boring.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous, if you're not a children's writer, I'd be curious what drew you to this blog. Most of us are here because we write for children, and Editorial Anonymous is generously giving us insight into the publishing process. We are talking about "editors and publishers and blah, blah, blah" because (a) this is what we do for a living (or in some cases hope to do), and (b) the nuts and bolts of the publishing business is what this blog is ABOUT. <BR/><BR/>Many of us also frequent children's literature blogs and chatboards where we talk about the stories that we love. I'm not sure how you got here, but you might find what you're looking for at one of those. I'd recommend Fuse #8 and Read Roger for a start.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-90648091080584799182007-07-27T13:34:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:34:00.000-04:00Sorry all... I get out of hand when I start recomm...Sorry all... I get out of hand when I start recommending books.... I'll stop now and cook my kids lunch...Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-90682082760513251322007-07-27T13:33:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:33:00.000-04:00Lemony Snickett doesn't COMPARE to Dahl...He's act...Lemony Snickett doesn't COMPARE to Dahl...<BR/><BR/>He's actually pretty boring... I haven't been able to make it through the series.....<BR/><BR/>One thing that I find helps is checking to see how long it takes an author to write a book... if he churns them out every few months, they're probably not worth reading...<BR/><BR/>But if he ONLY wants Dahl, you'll probably never find a substitute...<BR/><BR/>Well, there are the collections of Edward Gorey -- but he might be to young for those, and they're more "graphic novel"<BR/><BR/>Oh... have you tried Neil Gaiman's "Coraline?" That one's pretty dark too.....<BR/><BR/>But, on the whole, dark AND funny is almost impossible....<BR/><BR/>For "not as dark" but still well-written and fun, there's also<BR/>Terry Pratchett... he has a series out that starts with "Wee Free Men" -- it makes a HILARIOUS read aloud if you try to do the voices.....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-40124451196726611892007-07-27T13:27:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:27:00.000-04:00Also, would you mind telling me a few recent books...Also, would you mind telling me a few recent books that you and your son tried and hated, and why you hated them? That might give me a better grip on your problem...<BR/><BR/>As it is, you're simply making ad hominem attacks against a group of people you've never met....<BR/><BR/>The reason we ask about hooks and the like is because we want to know how to get the books we've written, that we're really excited about, into print and into the hands of readers who'll adore them....<BR/><BR/>The hook think is a technical discussion, not really about what makes great children's literature....<BR/><BR/>though I'm sure you can find plenty of sites that discuss that on line too....<BR/><BR/>But again, a librarian is a book-seekers BEST resource... it's what they do for a living and they LOVE to match kids with books they'll enjoy... it's not just a job, it's a calling.....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-82070607406164116822007-07-27T13:23:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:23:00.000-04:00Thanks, Deirdre! Some of these we've tried and the...Thanks, Deirdre! Some of these we've tried and they didn't work, but others we haven't, but will. Thanks again! And you're right: He keeps wanting the authors to be Roald Dahl (and he HATES Lemony Snicket, go figure; too much narrative, I think), so we usually put the new books down and pick up James or Charlie or BFG, etc. That man was truly a genius. My son is almost hypnotized when I read these books to him, and it's like he blames me when the new books are "stupid," as he calls them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-14776048932781384762007-07-27T13:21:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:21:00.000-04:00Once again, I really suggest you consult a good ch...Once again, I really suggest you consult a good children's librarian....<BR/><BR/>Most authors have their own favorite styles and genres.... a librarian would be better at figuring out what's best for your son...<BR/><BR/>I can only recommend what I've liked, and right now my daughters are too young for most of these....<BR/><BR/>They're still in the goodnight moon, Max and Ruby, Dr. Seuss stage......Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-52520115602988716402007-07-27T13:18:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:18:00.000-04:00Oh! And Diana Wynne Jones had a new one last fall ...Oh! And Diana Wynne Jones had a new one last fall called<BR/><BR/>"The Pinhoe Egg" -- also a lot of fun... <BR/><BR/>(And DON'T even THINK of accusing her of being a Rowling Knockoff---- she's been at since the 70s!!!!!!!!!!)Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-73943779326570386252007-07-27T13:14:00.000-04:002007-07-27T13:14:00.000-04:00"Dragon Slippers" by Jessica Day George was EXCELL..."Dragon Slippers" by Jessica Day George was EXCELLENT, but probably a bit too much of a "girl" book for your son.....<BR/><BR/>Gerald Morris has a GREAT series called "The Squires Tales"--- The most recent one was published in 2006 -- a great retelling of King Arthur, all from a minor characters viewpoint....<BR/><BR/>And there's always Brian Jacques... The Redwall books DO get a tad repetative (there are a gazillion of them , but they're great rip=roaring adventures--just don't read them all back to back) and his "Flying Dutchman" series is shaping up to be really neat.....<BR/><BR/>None of these have the same dark edge as Dahl, though.... They're more adventure.....<BR/><BR/>One problem with looking for "Another Dahl" is that he's totally unique... there can't be another.... he was a genius, and any attempt to mimic him is just pathetic...<BR/><BR/><BR/>Oh, you might also not be familiar with the "John Bellairs" books... the series started in the early eighties.... very dark and scary... after he died, someone else took up the writing and I've been told the new books are actually fabulous! (haven't gotten to read them yet) but they've come out in the last year or so....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-52039818843204722612007-07-27T12:55:00.000-04:002007-07-27T12:55:00.000-04:00BTW, please give me the name of a new children's b...BTW, please give me the name of a new children's book that's going to change my outlook. A book that'll transport me and my young son. A book we'll want to read over and over again, like we do Roald Dahl's work. Go ahead. Something newly published this year. Brand new. Not a series. A brand new book and author who is magical and amazing and wonderful. I'm waiting...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-73366048726756367982007-07-27T12:45:00.000-04:002007-07-27T12:45:00.000-04:00What was the plot of Charlie and the Chocolate Fac...What was the plot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? What was the plot of James and The Giant Peach? And I meant "magic" in the sense of wonder and excitement and wanting to turn the pages, not poof there's a rabbit! My point: you people talk about a bunch of crap. Kids don't care about this garbage you speak of. Hook? Roald Dahl's writing was simple and magical. Is Criss Cross really a children's book? And what the hell is that book about anyway. Also: Roald Dahl himself said his books were not about plot; he wrote simply to entertain. Yes, his books had plot, all books have plot, or should, but his books were not plotted. If any of you write for children, I'd be real interested in reading your work, because the focus I see here is not about children, but about you and editors and publishers and blah, blah, blah. I'm not a writer; I'm a reader, and my son hates books because they bore him, and you, dear people, if you are writers or editors, are boring young readers to death. Plus, almost every new book is doing nothing but copying what's already out there. Have you read Rick-somethings Titan Curse or whatever. Yes, it popular, and it's a Harry Potter knock off. It's terrible what you folks are doing. Your focus is all wrong and one day you're all going to pay dearly for it. That's fine, yell and curse and me, no matter. I'm the one buying your work and I'm telling you I'm not happy or impressed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-18541594883258793252007-07-27T12:30:00.000-04:002007-07-27T12:30:00.000-04:00oops.. in both of those, "lived" not lives..... m...oops.. in both of those, "lived" not lives..... my typing leaves a LOT to be desired......Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-13761823947991412212007-07-27T12:29:00.000-04:002007-07-27T12:29:00.000-04:00Oh, and as for "the story was dull but the writing...Oh, and as for "the story was dull but the writing was wonderful"...<BR/><BR/>If Roald Dahl's writing HADN'T been wonderful, his stories would have seemed dull.....<BR/><BR/>Part of "the magic" IS the writing...<BR/><BR/>For instance, contrast:<BR/><BR/>"In a hole in the ground lives a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort"<BR/><BR/>with:<BR/><BR/>"Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who lives in a comfortable hole."<BR/><BR/>Same plot elements, but the second has no magic while the first draws you in....Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986595816238301046.post-76165119311449001732007-07-27T12:22:00.000-04:002007-07-27T12:22:00.000-04:00Um... Roald Dahl was ALL about plot.... And chara...Um... Roald Dahl was ALL about plot.... And characters.... and being wickedly, subversively funny....... <BR/><BR/>Magic wasn't the point for him, it was a plot device......<BR/><BR/>And there are LOTS of horendously dull children's books involving magic... I know... i used to pick them up as a kid and throw them out the window in disgust....<BR/><BR/>And not ALL children like Magic....<BR/><BR/>I personally LOATHE "teen problem novels"... I always have.... you know "Bonnie's brother died of cancer and now she gets violently ill whenever she sees a cute guy dressed as a clown" novels......<BR/><BR/>But I had lots of friends in high school who devoured them like sugar-spun candy.<BR/><BR/>And I had friends who said "ewww.... fantasy? If it couldn't really happen, why read it?"<BR/><BR/>Tastes are widely varied... a GOOD hook matches someone who would like your book with the book.... <BR/><BR/>BTW--- if you're ALWAYS buying books that disapoint you, perhaps you should consult a librarian....<BR/><BR/>They're really good at playing the "If you liked X your will probably also like Y and Z" game...<BR/><BR/>Many public libraries even subscribe to "readers advisory" databases... The public can access them, and they can find books similiar to ones they've liked.....<BR/><BR/>but it's unfair to say "all children like magic" or horses, or princesses or glitter or puppies or dinosaurs or trucks, for that matter.......<BR/><BR/>Children are not a monolithic group, anymore than adults..... or any subset of adults...<BR/><BR/>If I said "Single women over 30 like soft-porn quality trashy romance with Fabio on the cover," <BR/><BR/>I would be flamed to death... and rightly so.....<BR/><BR/>There's a similiar problem with treating "the children" as a single entity.....<BR/><BR/><BR/>(Sorry about the long rant in reply..... I just get annoyed when people forget that children are just shorter people with fewer years to their age.... not some strange robots with no desires, wants, ideas and feelings of their own.......)Deirdre Mundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357363160387734552noreply@blogger.com