“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
Mark Twain
First Line: She’s Still Here
Welcome back to my first line blog series! This week, we’re taking a look at the first line of SHE’S STILL HERE, a spooky middle grade novel by Caitlin Alexander. This book is currently available where books are sold. As some of you know, I also write spooky middle grade, so this book was right…
Middle Grade Review — She’s Still Here
Welcome back to my book review series. This month, I’m reviewing SHE’S STILL HERE, by Caitlin Alexander. This middle grade mystery is full of spooky twists and turns and is perfect for fans of Nancy Drew and Mary Downing Hahn. This book is currently available where books are sold. Let’s dive in. My review: When…
Kidlit Vibes Contest
I have already been slacking on my weekly blog posts, but for good reason! I have some SUPER exciting publishing news to share soon, AND I’ve been busy helping my critique group (affectionately known as the “Frenzy Friends”) get ready for the 2ND ANNUAL KIDLIT VIBES CONTEST!! There are a lot of contests out there,…
First Line: Disconnected
Welcome to the second installment of my “first line” blog post series. This week’s line comes from DISCONNECTED, a young adult dystopia novel by Riley Cross. This book will be available on May 10, 2023, where books are sold. You can pre-order this novel on B&N or Amazon! I really enjoy dystopian stories, and although…
Young Adult Review: Disconnected
I am excited to talk about the next book in my book review series! DISCONNECTED by Riley Cross will be available on May 10, 2023, from Monarch Educational Services, LLC. If you like sci-fi/dystopia stories, then you’re going to want to read this one! This is a genre I particularly enjoy, and this story is…
Agents vs Publishers: Where to Submit
Now that you have written your story, had it edited, and it is the best version it can be, it’s time to start submitting it for publication! Just when you thought the hard work was over, it’s really just beginning. There are many paths to publication, and not all of them are right for everyone.…
50 Precious Words 2023
***THIS ENTRY WON 7TH PLACE*** I love writing contests! They are a great way to stretch your creative muscles, and often my entries turn into longer stories, or sometimes even stories suited for magazines. The 50 precious words contest was started in 2016 and the entries get better every year. It’s amazing that anyone can…
First Line: Maggie and the Mountain of Light
As part of my blog series, I want to dive a little deeper into the first lines of novels. For this week, I have chosen “Maggie and the Mountain of Light” by Mark Snoad. (I reviewed this book last week on the blog. Click here if you missed it!) First lines are so important. A…
Middle Grade Review: Maggie and the Mountain of Light
As part of my weekly blog posts, I thought it would be fun to do some middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) reviews. Check back the first Saturday of every month to read a new review. This month, I selected MAGGIE AND THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT by Mark Snoad. Mark is a fellow Monarch…
What is Middle Grade?
You’re probably aware by now that my upcoming book is a middle grade novel. So, what exactly does that mean? Middle Grade refers to books for middle school aged children (roughly ages 8-12). But there are a few more defining characteristics of middle grade. Those are the “official” requirements for a middle grade novel, but…
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“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
Robert Frost
Lindsey Hobson, author 