I’m in the process of prepping for NaNo next month. Lots of outlining is going on. I’m pretty excited about it for two reasons. My first reason for being excited is because I’ve outlined not only the first book in…

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      Do you know what a Call to Action is? It’s an easy visual for your readers to learn more about you and your writing. I’m in the process of cleaning up my website. Getting rid of extraneous…

The post CTA and Why Indie Pub Needs Them appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

I said Yes.
Sounds like a wedding proposal response doesn’t it? Heather Kelly and I joked about the similarities of organizing the 2015 New England SCBWI conference with organizing a wedding. Lots of people, lots of food, and lots of planning.
Kwame Alexander graced us with his presence this year and we were thrilled to learn he had won the Newbery for The Crossover. He is a wonderful speaker and his theme “The Answer is Always YES” struck a chord with me as well as a number of attendees (and keynoters!).

Natasha Sass (me), Kwame Alexander, Heather Kelly – Isn’t this a great photo??

I believe strongly in the power of saying YES to opportunities. I had very little clue of what I was getting myself into when I said YES to co-chairing a regional SCBWI conference. I enjoy saying yes and taking on new challenges because it’s within those challenges we find opportunity.

Two years ago I said YES to self-publishing my novel. After much research I jumped in with both feet and said YES and my creative self could not be happier. Saying YES to the conference co-chair position gave me an opportunity to let other authors know about the possibilities of indie publishing and it let me meet a number of wonderful people this year.

I want to thank everyone who participated and helped to make the 2015 conference such a success. Every volunteer who donated their time, great and small. Every faculty member who created and presented such wonderful content for their workshops. The hotel for accommodating all 650 of us for the 3 days. The keynoters who inspired us. And best of all, to all the attendees who came to the conference to help make this community what it is. My gratitude goes out to all of you!
I am so very glad I said YES!

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The idea of high concept has been around a while. It makes us sit up and take notice.

From dictionary.com:

The post High Concept – Write YOUR Book appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Today’s post is part of a Choose Your Own Story written and hosted by T. Isenhoff and M. Isenhoff on their Storyboys blog. T. is in 3^rd grade, and M. is in 6^th grade. This story was their winter homeschool project. Travel over to their blog first to start at the beginning, the story will lead you back here. Have fun!

The footsteps stopped right in front of the sideboard door. “Hey!” came a shout. “Someone stole my Oreos.”
“We’re dead meat,” Ed whispered.
“Come on, this way.” Tony led them down the black tunnel. His light barely cut through the darkness. Spider webs brushed against their hair. The tunnel widened enough to stand upright, but the air smelled dank and moldy.
They walked a long way. “I think we’re safe,” Tony muttered. There was no sound of pursuit. “We gave Meatloaf the slip.”
“And I still have his Oreos,” Ed snickered.
“But where are we?” Tony asked.
“Maybe we better go back the way we came,” Ed suggested.
They started back for the kitchen and met a brick wall. “This wasn’t here before. Did we turn off somewhere?” Tony asked.
“I don’t remember any turnoffs,” Ed said.
“Well, we must have gone wrong somewhere. Let’s turn around.”
But only a few minutes’ walk brought them to a wall with a tunnel leading to the left and another to the right.”
“I know we haven’t seen this before,” Ed mumbled. “It’s a maze down here.”
“A magical maze,” Tony glowered. “It’s shifting and changing on us.”
“We have to keep going,” Ed said. “We don’t have any other choice.”
They turned left and followed the dark passage. Then the tunnel split again. And again. And again. Eventually, the Oreos ran out, and the batteries in the flashlights died.
Ed and Tony were never heard from again.
The End

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This all points toward indie middle grade slowly finding its way into kids hands.

How to Market Indie Middle Grade

Reaching Teachers and Librarians
School visits put you in direct contact with your audience, but there’s a limit to how much of that you can do. More teachers, librarians and booksellers interested in MG can be found on NetGalley - they may not be interested in reviewing as much as finding good reads to recommend to their patrons or stock in their libraries and classrooms. You can entice these “gatekeepers” even more by creating online materials (teacher’s guides, games, book trailers) that help them bring your book into the classroom.

Teacher’s Guides – With the help of a teacher-friend, I created my own activities, games, and Teacher’s Guide for Faery Swap. Another MG-author-friend hired Blue Slip media to create hers. Either way, it’s important to emphasize the educational component of your story (including linking to Common Core, as that is a requirement for many schools).

Advertising
Advertising MG works is trickier than other genres. Bookbub has a middle grade list that reaches 170,000+ readers. The ads are pricey, but most people (even MG) seem to make back the money in sales. (Note: Bookbub is difficult to get into and you’ll have to discount your book). Putting a book up for giveaway on Goodreads or LibraryThing is much like posting an ad (for the small price of the book giveaway).


Joining Forces With Other Authors
My indie MG author group, the Emblazoners, is a great resource: we share information on what works (and what doesn’t!), we join forces for things like NetGalley subscriptions and buying ads in MG specific sites like Middle Shelf, and we put together our own catalog of works, marketing jointly to build a list of teachers and librarians interested in MG works.

Do you have other marketing ideas for MG? Share your knowledge in the comments below and we can all benefit!

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This week is all about Middle Grade: writing it, indie publishing it, and especially marketing it! As you may know, reaching those elusive middle grade readers is tough, doubly so when you’re indie published. Plus there are giveaways (see below)! 

Here’s the schedule:

MONDAY: 

Warrior Faeries and Math Magick: How Susan Kaye Quinn is using a Virtual Author Visit video and Teacher’s Guide to reach readers with her MG novel, Faery Swap.

TUESDAY: 

Faery, Fairy, Sweet and Scary: a discussion with MG author Kim Batchelor on writing about Faeries in kidlit.

WEDNESDAY: 

Sci Fi for the Middle Grade Set: a discussion with MG author Dale Pease about writing SF for kids.

THURSDAY: 

Writing Indie MG: a roundup of indie MG authors (Michelle Isenhoff, Elise Stokes, Lois Brown, Mikey Brooks, Ansha Kotyk) about why they write MG and how to reach readers, including their indie MG author Emblazoner’s group catalog.

FRIDAY: 

Marketing Indie Middle Grade – The Hardest Sell - about reaching MG readers as an MG author.

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When Michelle Isenhoff isn’t writing imaginary adventures, she’s probably off on one. She loves roller coasters, big waves, big dogs, high school football games, old graveyards, and wearing flip-flops all winter. You can find out more at her website.

Why Michelle writes MG: Michelle Isenhoff never outgrew middle grade fiction. She loved the innocence and beauty that characterize classic children’s lit so much that she went into elementary education then tried her hand at her own story. She’s now written eight!

How Michelle reaches her readers: Teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers are on the literary frontlines, getting good books into the hands of kids. That’s why Michelle offers free digital copies of her novels and free lesson plan materials to educators on her website.

The Candle Star (Divided Decade Trilogy, 1) – Free everywhere!

Kindle | Nook | Print 

Runaways hidden in the barn, slave catchers housed in the hotel, and Emily squeezed between two very different loyalties. 

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Elise Stokes lives with her husband and four children. She was an elementary school teacher before becoming a full-time mom. With a daughter in middle school and two in high school, Elise’s understanding of the challenges facing girls in that age range inspired her to create a series that will motivate girls to value individualism, courage, integrity, and intelligence. The stories in Cassidy Jones Adventures are fun and relatable, and a bit edgy without taking the reader uncomfortably out of bounds. Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, Cassidy Jones and Vulcan’s Gift, and Cassidy Jones and the Seventh Attendant are the first three books in the series. Book Four, Cassidy Jones and the Luminous, will be released in 2014. You can find more at her website.

Why Elise writes MG: A good adventure story absorbed me during those turbulent years (Come on, the angst, self-doubt, and desire to blend in are still very fresh for you, too. :)). I hope to provide the same escape for other young readers, and ignite their imagination while doing so.

How Elise reaches her readers: Carve out characters that are relatable, facing the emotional challenges they are and managing to triumph. A good sense of humor is a must; quirkiness is a plus, too.

Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula (Cassidy Jones Adventures, Book One)

Kindle | Nook | Print 

Discover how fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones gains superpowers in her first action-packed adventure.

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Lois Brown’s  love of all things fantastical began when her five older brothers made her watch television shows such as “Dr. Who” and “Lost in Space.” (Yes, the originals.) Now she likes to write her own stories that spark the imagination. Her first novel, CYCLES, was a top 5 finalist of The Kindle Book Review’s “Best YA Indie Books of 2012.” You can find more at her website.

Why Lois writes MG: Writing middle grade books is like reliving the best part of your childhood–along with some of the worst. It’s a time in life that falls between still being a child but realizing there is more to the world besides your bedroom and elementary school. 

Mikey Brooks is an author/illustrator, freelance cover designer, daddy of three girls, and a dreamer. He’s published several books including the bestselling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures as well as The Dream Keeper Chronicles. You can find more at his website.

Why Mikey writes MG: When I was twelve I fell in love with a middle-grade series and it changed my life. L. Frank Baum opened not only his world of Oz to me, but he planted a seed that later made me the man I am today. I learned from his stories to be brave, to believe in myself, and most importantly—that magic is real. I write middle-grade books because these are the stories I would have loved to read when I was a kid. They are stories that I hope inspire others.

How Mikey reaches his readers: First in order to “reach” middle-grade readers, you need a book that connects with them. The characters have to be real and relatable. Once you have a story that touches their hearts, it only takes time for others to see it.

The Dream Keeper (The Dream Keeper Chronicles, 1)

Kindle | Nook | Print | Audio

Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.

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Ansha Kotyk writes upper middle grade and young adult novels that take a reader on a journey to remind them, not only of the importance of imagination, but of the bonds of friends and family. You can find more at her website.

Why Ansha writes MG: I love to write middle grade fiction because the age range for the characters is at a time in life when they are a child working to become an adult. There’s a great deal of tension built on that alone. Another reason is that middle grade readers are full of awesome.

How Ansha reaches her readers: I have found the best way to reach middle grade readers is through school visits.

Gangsterland (Ink Portal Adventure #1)

Kindle | Nook | Print 

Jonathan wishes he could hide from the middle school bully and suddenly finds himself inside his comic book. With a murder to solve and a girl to rescue, can he draw the way out before they both become the next victims?

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More Middle Grade Coolness coming up this week! Enter the Giveaway below from all the participating authors!

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This week is all about Middle Grade: writing it, indie publishing it, and especially marketing it! As you may know, reaching those elusive middle grade readers is tough, doubly so when you’re indie published. Plus there are giveaways (see below)! 

Here’s the schedule:

MONDAY: 

Warrior Faeries and Math Magick: How Susan Kaye Quinn is using a Virtual Author Visit video and Teacher’s Guide to reach readers with her MG novel, Faery Swap.

TUESDAY: 

Faery, Fairy, Sweet and Scary: a discussion with MG author Kim Batchelor on writing about Faeries in kidlit.

WEDNESDAY: 

Sci Fi for the Middle Grade Set: a discussion with MG author Dale Pease about writing SF for kids.

THURSDAY: 

Writing Indie MG: a roundup of indie MG authors (Michelle Isenhoff, Elise Stokes, Lois Brown, Mikey Brooks, Ansha Kotyk) about why they write MG and how to reach readers, including their indie MG author Emblazoner’s group catalog.

FRIDAY: 

Marketing Indie Middle Grade – The Hardest Sell - about reaching MG readers as an MG author.

Sue: Dale, what inspired you to write science fiction for the middle grade set?

Dale: I can remember distinctly the transition from “children’s books” to “real” books when I was a kid. I read a lot of books like “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” and the “Hardy Boys.” But it wasn’t until the day I picked up “The Hobbit” for the first time that I truly fell in love with reading. As I look back, I truly believe this was the moment when I could have just as easily stopped being a reader altogether. Kids today, especially boys, are much more likely to quit reading after children’s books become too childish. That’s why I LOVE middle grade books. When done well, they can be a fantastic transition for kids, and a way of turning them into life-long readers.

I’m especially drawn to writing stories to keep boys in love with reading, and I think Science Fiction is a great way to do that. When books about talking animals, and school bullies become a little too simplistic, sci-fi can really grab a kid’s imagination. 

There is a downside, of course. Boys do, in fact, give up on reading around the tween years. So publishers, who are in it to make money like everyone else, don’t market many books to this demographic. And that is where the indie-author can step in. We can write books just as exciting and polished as the big publishers produce, but we don’t have the overhead, so we can fill in the gaps.

The Noah Zarc trilogy is one such series of books. Although girls (and adults) have loved it, I primarily wrote it to be a story boys would feel a connection with. It is meant to help create life-long readers, and maybe, just maybe, keep boys from turning away from reading. And one day, like me, a boy can say they’re so glad they never did.

Sue: Dale, your point about indie authors filling in the gaps is so important, I want to say it again: 

Dale: “Indie authors create books just as exciting and polished as the big publishers produce, but we don’t have the overhead, so we can fill in the gaps.”

Kids also love series, and Dale has a full trilogy out with his Noah Zarc series, with gorgeous interior illustrations, drawn by Dale himself – lots of SF for MG kids to love!

 

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D. Robert Pease is the author of the Noah Zarc series, the upcoming fantasy, SHADOW SWARM, and the upcoming Joey Cola series. He lives in the grey-skied world of Northeast Ohio. You can find out more at his website. 

Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble (Noah Zarc Book 1) 

Kindle | iTunes | Nook | Print | Audio

In a future where Earth has been wiped clean of all life, and humanity has moved on to other worlds, twelve-year-old Noah Zarc and his family have embarked on a quest, in a time-traveling spaceship called the ARC, to retrieve two of every animal and repopulate a dead world.

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The post Middle Grade Week – SF for the MG Set appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

This week is all about Middle Grade: writing it, indie publishing it, and especially marketing it! As you may know, reaching those elusive middle grade readers is tough, doubly so when you’re indie published. Plus there are giveaways (see below)! 

Here’s the schedule:

MONDAY: 

Warrior Faeries and Math Magick: How Susan Kaye Quinn is using a Virtual Author Visit video and Teacher’s Guide to reach readers with her MG novel, Faery Swap.

TUESDAY: 

Faery, Fairy, Sweet and Scary: a discussion with MG author Kim Batchelor on writing about Faeries in kidlit.

WEDNESDAY: 

Sci Fi for the Middle Grade Set: a discussion with MG author Dale Pease about writing SF for kids.

THURSDAY: 

Writing Indie MG: a roundup of indie MG authors (Michelle Isenhoff, Elise Stokes, Lois Brown, Mikey Brooks, Ansha Kotyk) about why they write MG and how to reach readers, including their indie MG author Emblazoner’s group catalog.

FRIDAY: 

Marketing Indie Middle Grade – The Hardest Sell - about reaching MG readers as an MG author.

Kim: Several years ago, while driving home after an evening of teaching, I learned a few things about fairies that I never knew. Throughout the journey on a long stretch of highway, a Celtic music station played a series of eerie songs in recognition of the night before Halloween. Faeries kidnap mothers and their babies and take them to caves where they are held captive. Listen. When it’s completely quiet, you can hear their songs calling out to you to rescue them. “You’re part fairy, aren’t you?” Somewhere on the drive, that line came into my mind and gave birth to the story that would later become my book, The Mists of Na Crainn (not yet in print but hopefully soon). Imagine learning that you were part of a race of people prone to stealing women and babies, among other bad practices, and you never knew it. That became Lyric Doherty’s story, and in the book I introduced her to her classmate, Andrew, whose mother, along with his brother, also went missing, never to be found. I loved writing about a mythical place coexisting alongside of the world as we know it.

Sue: I was also driving in the car, oddly enough! (That’s where I seem to find many of my ideas!) I wanted to write a middle grade fantasy, but with science elements. With my background in science and engineering, I always like to bring some of that into my stories – and I love the intersection of the mystical and the scientific because, to me, science is magical! Not only because today’s mysteries are tomorrow’s science, but because the idea that we can understand how the universe works by applying our minds to it is wondrous to me!

In Island of the Lost Children, Belatresse the Fairy can fly, shrink down in size (she’s slightly smaller than most children) to fit into a pocket uncomfortably, and, of course, influences child archers to shoot unsuspecting 12-year-old girls out of the sky. Human children know it’s best to stay out of her way, or can easily divert her attention with a couple of packets of granulated sugar.

Sue: Ok, all those powers sound like tremendous fun! And I love that the anti-science people are “blunt thinkers!” Thanks for chatting faery (and fairy) lore with me today!

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Kim Batchelor writes for children and adulst. She writes fiction short and long, real and fantastical, foreign and domestic. Her first published book is The Island Of Lost Children, a re-imagining of Peter and Wendy. You can find Kim online at her website.

The Island of Lost Children

Kindle | Print

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PART 1 - TEACHER’S GUIDE
Discussion Questions
Cause and Effect
Character Analysis

PART 2 - KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS GAME

Making it Simple

All of that provides teachers with what they need to bring the message (knowledge is power) into the classroom. But how to entice teachers to consider taking a peek at these materials? And how to tempt students to read the book? I met with the principal of my kids’ school to ask for help. He was enthused, but wanted simpler materials to get things started. (a one page handout for teachers, a two-minute trailer for kids).

So, naturally, I hopped right on it!

2 minute trailer

One Page Summary for Teachers

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On Saturday I sat on the hybrid author panel and answered some questions about my experiences as a self-published author. Here is the link to Kristen Wixted’s summary of the event at The Writers’ Loft.

Me, Brendan Halpin, and Kristine Carlson Asselin on the hybrid author’s panel

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click this to view other Indie Life posts

I love when others share their knowledge. In my before-kids-life I used to teach adults how to use apps. When I was a kid, my sister and I taught our youngest sister to read over a single summer. So I personally enjoy sharing knowledge. And that’s one of the things I appreciate most about the Indie experience. Authors are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience with others.

As I continue to help with the upcoming NESCBWI conference tasks (I’ll post more on the conference soon, I promise. It’s going to be awesome!!), I’m also working on the information I’m going to share as I take part in a hybrid author panel that will be held on January 25th. If you have questions about the various ways to publish, stop by and ask us all your questions. We’re more than happy to share!

Click *here* to see the cool promo layout for the hybrid author panel

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Click to check out more Indie Life posts!

Happy Holiday Season everyone!
Because I’m inundated with Christmas prep I’m posting a cookie recipe that is our family tradition. Good luck getting ready and maybe you’ll try out this great cookie!

Christmas Cookie time!
For as long as I can remember my mom has made cookies at Christmas time. Some of my most favorite, like Sand Tarts (a really thin, buttery sugar cookie cut out) and Springerle. Springerle are easily my favorite cookie of all time. Very few people even know about them. So I’m here to hopefully create a new favorite for you.

You can read a bit about the Germanic history behind springerle and why the cookies have pictures on them. I don’t yet own a springerle rolling pin. I think this is the year I’m going to buy one. They’re not that expensive and they look so pretty.

I want to say you should be a fan of licorice before you start this recipe. But the anise gives the cookie a much more subtle flavor than licorice. It is distinct and, at least to me, perfect with a cup of hot steamed milk.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday from my family to yours.

Mom’s Springerle Recipe
4 eggs
1 lb. box of confectioner’s sugar (4 cups)
1 teaspoon Anise Extract
4 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Anise seed (available in the spice section of the supermarket, especially during the holidays)

Beat eggs until light. Gradually add sugar and beat on high until it’s like a soft meringue. Add anise extract. Sift together the flour and baking soda. Blend into egg mixture on low. Cover bowl and let stand 15 minutes.
Divide dough in thirds. On lightly floured surface roll, with a regular rolling pin, each piece into an 8″ square, a little more than 1/4″ thick. Let stand 1 minute.
With a floured springerle rolling pin roll across the dough firmly to create the imprints. Cut cookies into squares with a sharp knife. Cover cookies with a towel and leave overnight. This dries the cookie and helps retain the picture, and helps make the cookies cake-like when baked.
The next day, grease a baking sheet, sprinkle with anise seed. Rub the underside of each cookie with a bit of water. My mom would keep a cup near the pan to dip her fingers. This helps the seeds to stick to the cookie.
Bake at 300° for 20 minutes until a light straw color. Do not allow them to brown. These cookies should be yellowish when done.
These cookies keep well in an air tight container for weeks, although I eat them pretty quickly. They do get pretty hard after a while… definitely a dunking cookie by the end of the week. Great with cocoa too.
If you don’t have a springerle pin, or the anise seed, the cookies will still turn out awesome!

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#Kindle Countdown Deal – Beginning Today 8am pst. Get GANGSTERLAND at a great price! Check out the reviews and see why it’s a great book for tweens 10+

Click the cover to find out!

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Click the banner to read more Tween the Weekends posts!

Hi everyone! Today I’m going to do something new. A Book review.

I recently read Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko and Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (yes, THAT Suzanne Collins).

Both books are wonderful reads for very different reasons.  But one theme ties them both. Each book deals very closely with family.

In Al Capone Does My Shirts, Choldenko writes about a 1930’s boy whose older sister has autism. They have recently moved to the island of Alcatraz where their father now works as an electrician and guard. Our main character, Moose, loves and protects his sister throughout the story, even when things get rough.

The same can be said for Gregor in Suzanne Collins’ novel. Although this story is about a fantasy world that Gregor and his baby sister fall into, Gregor protects and shows his love for his sister, and his family as he searches the strange underworld for his missing father.

Both stories show the strength and bonds of love of family especially that of brothers and their sisters, and sons and their fathers.  I highly recommend both novels for these wonderful themes as well as the adventures contained within their pages.

Happy Reading!!

Have you read these books, what did you think?  What are some of the themes in the books you’ve recently read?

The post Something new – A Book Review! appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

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Good Day everyone!

As promised  here I am with my update on my classroom visit that I did in early October.

The experience was awesome in many ways. Awesomely draining. Awesomely rewarding. Awesomely awesome.

I was scheduled to present to the first period class at 8:20am. The school was about an hour away, and if you know anything about Rt.495 rush hour traffic in the ‘burbs of Boston, you’ll understand why I was a little anxious about being on time. So to avoid this I woke up at 5:00am and got in the car by six. This avoided traffic altogether, and thanks to my handy dandy GPS, I arrived an hour early. I figured I’d sit in my car, listen to music and go through my presentation. But luckily the teacher was in his room and we chatted about his favorite subject and mine, BOOKS!

Things I learned:

I also learned from him, when I offered to donate books to the school library, that his school no longer has a library. This is where I almost cried. More on the importance of libraries in a moment.

Things I brought:

I brought with me 10 extra books. The teacher had informed me that some kids and teachers may bring in money the day of the event. And I did end up selling every single one that morning.   I also brought about 100 signed bookmarks to hand out to the classes in which I presented. I gave the extras to the teacher. I’m glad I remembered to bring 2 bottles of water with me, because I drank them both!

I am very glad I emailed a copy of my presentation to the teacher. His room was all apple products and I have a PC laptop so I would have had a hard time setting up quickly. I’m sure I would have figured it out, I’m a former IT tech, so that was my job at one point. But I’m all for going with what’s already working, so we used the presentation I had sent him that was already connected to the projector.

More things I learned:

The classes were wonderful. The first period class was a much quieter class than the two classes I had that came in after their gym class. But everyone was supportive and the kids asked the best questions.

This was my first time presenting to a classroom (I have lots of experience presenting to adults) and I found that I will need to create some room in my presentation for the kids to interact with me about what I’m telling them. Adults sit and take notes during a lesson. Kids want to share. I LOVED THIS. But I realized I hadn’t left much opportunity in my presentation for the kids to share their thoughts. But will definitely be tweaking my presentation accordingly.

As I mentioned before I worked with the treasurer of the PTO to handle the collection of money and the order forms. Because we were on a tight time constraint (the orders were placed the same week as my visit) the teacher was kind enough to send me the names of the kids who ordered autographed books. So I had them all personalized and signed before I showed up at the school.

I did sign those 10 additional books that morning but we fit it into the schedule. The one thing that surprised me the most was how much the kids treated me like a celebrity.  I wanted to tell them I wasn’t a celebrity at all, but then they felt special that I was in their classroom. So I didn’t burst their bubble and tell them I still had laundry to do, a cat box to clean and dinner to make when I got home. The last class of kids asked me to sign their creative writing books! I hope meeting me inspired them to keep writing.

Later, I spoke with the treasurer and we exchanged funds. I donated a portion to the PTO, which, to me, is never enough for all the work that they do. THANK YOU PTO MOMS and DADS!!

If you guys have any questions about details of my classroom visits please feel free to comment or email me. I’d love to help!

The post Classroom Visits and the Importance of Library appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Click the pic to view the Indie Life List

Last time I posted for Indie Life I spoke about an upcoming Classroom Visit. I am definitely planning to let you in on all the inside secrets of the how-to’s and planning as well as presenting. Life has gotten “in the way” as they say, and I’ll be posting it on the 23rd during my regular Tween the Weekends post. I’ll also talk about the importance and benefits of being friends with your local library. Be sure to check it out!

Meanwhile feel free to visit the other awesome Indie Life posts going on today!!

(WP is giving me issues this morning, if you click the Indie Life banner to the right, it should take you to the linky list of Indie posts!)

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As many of you know I have a classroom visit coming up where I’ll be discussing revision and it’s importance.I thought I’d take a minute today to show you some of the books I use during my revision process. Some more than others, but all are very helpful in learning the fine art of revision.

What is revision good for? Communication. As writers our job is to communicate our thoughts, our story, to our readers.  Seeing as telepathy is hard to come by, we need to make sure that the story taht we see in our minds is the same as the one on the page. Revision is the step required to get it there.

Over the years I’ve come across a number of books covering revision, revision techniques and tools.  In no particular order, here’s a list of the books I turn to for help.

Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass

Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King

The First Five Pages Noah Lukeman

Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

The post Revision – What is it good for? Books that help. appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

My good friend and critique partner, Laura Pauling has a great new book that I hope you’ll check out. This is one of my favorites for it’s moodier feel that reminds me of Eoin Colfer’s stories. I also really love how she handles the time travel, reminiscent of The Butterfly Effect, only with a lot more hope at the end. Here are Laura’s thoughts on the time travel aspect of HEIST.

I’ve always loved stories or movies that involve time travel. Not so much the science fiction aspect behind it, but how it affects the characters and the storyline. But, that didn’t mean I could ignore the science in my time travel novel.

At first, when Heist was going to be a humorous upper middle grade novel, there was going to be a science lab, a failed experiment, an explosion – and voila – time travel. That didn’t quite fit with the story that was coming out on the page. After the first draft, while doing more in-depth research, I stumbled upon a sickness called, the Stendhal Syndrome. This is a psychosomatic disorder causing dizziness, fainting, confusion, and even hallucinations, when exposed to a large amount of art, and more particularly, beautiful art.

I had my answer. In Heist, Jack Brodie, the main character, has this experience. Copies of the stolen art from the Gardner Museum Heist, bring him back to the night of the crime, March 17, 1990. Also, this fit better with my realistic, gritty time travel, then trying to have an actual futuristic time travel machine.

Her YA Circle of Spies Series includes A SPY LIKE ME and HEART OF AN ASSASSIN. Book three, TWIST OF FATE will be released in the fall of 2013.

HEIST, a young adult, psychological thriller, will be released the summer of 2013.

The post Time Travel – New Release from Laura Pauling! appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Attention teachers and librarians! The Emblazoner’s New Catalog – filled with great middle grade and tween titles your students and patrons will love – is coming soon!

To celebrate, we’re holding a giveaway of stuff you can use: gift cards to add books to your collection and swag to hand out to your students and patrons.

Grand Prizes (2): $15 Amazon Gift cards (to add a book to your library) + SWAG Bags

Less Grand But Still Auspicious Prizes (8): SWAG Bags (bookmarks, collector’s cards, etc. to give away to your students/patrons)

Note: Signing up for the catalog is required for entry. Winners must reside in the United States or Canada. You must be a teacher or librarian to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I am lucky enough to participate in a school visit with a middle school. The interested teacher won one of my books in a giveaway and I offered to visit his classroom. So keep giving out those books! Preparing for a classroom visit is exciting and I keep finding new things I need to consider. I thought I’d share some things that I’m learning as I get ready.

Here are a list of things you might not have considered when thinking about a school visit.

1. Contacts - Keep handy the contact information for your teacher and the school’s PTO point person.

2. Bookmarks – Order  and bring enough bookmarks to hand out freely during the event. Sign some too. Kids love them!

3. Order Form - create an order form for your books that the PTO can distribute and collect monies. Later you’ll donate a percentage of the sales to the PTO as a fundraiser. Provide information about the book and an easy chart to order copies and offer to sign them.

4. Press Kit – This is for the local paper if they wish to promote the event.

5. Books - Order your books early. It usually takes 10 days or more for an order to process.

Besides preparing your presentation with props and fascinating information you’ll also need to know:

• required to fill out a CORI form?
• parking information
• sign-in information
• classroom location
• will you have an escort while in the building?
• lunch?
• potty breaks?
• A/V, are you bringing your own laptop with a PowerPoint? Will the classroom be equipped with a screen and projector? Will someone assist you with setup?
• How many kids?
• How many classes?
• How long is the presentation expected to last? Q&A?

I am presenting to my first class in the beginning of October, so by the next Indie Post I’ll have a follow up on everything that happens!

How about you? Have you done a classroom visit? How did it go?

The post Indie Life – School Visits, the top 5 things you’ll need appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Click the banner to see the great post at Emblazon!

I posted this topic a number of months ago, but I think High Concept is something we writers want to strive for. We really want to find that magic that creates books that everyone wants to read.

I have a fascination with all things High Concept.  I enjoy reading it and I absolutely love the elusive hunt for it as a writer. The best way I think to find your own unique high concept is to really review who you are as a writer.  What moves you?

What are the themes in your writing? We all choose what we enjoy writing about and I don’t mean genre.  Things like family issues, family relationships, friendships, external issues, etc.

Next what do you focus on in your genre. MG/YA, genre fiction have huge ranges of romance, fantasy, science fiction (hard or soft).  Where do you sit inside your genre?

Now try something different.  Focus on YOU as a person.  Sit down with a lined pad or open up Excel or Word and create a numbered list. Write down every movie, book, TV show and song that has ever moved you emotionally either because it’s super fun or caused emotional upheaval. After each title place a dash and add the WHY.  Why did it move you?  What did you LOVE about this experience?

Take another step deeper.  List all your personal experiences that had an impact on you.  White water rafting, exchange programs, vacations… Now be open. This is your list and yours alone. You have every right to absolutely LOVE the Backyardigans for their use of opera in a kids show.  Or claim undying love for the nerdy guy on Glee. This is the list of things that get your blood moving.  This is what you should write about.

Now take a spoon and stir it up.  Mix all of that culture, lit, media and pop together and let it stew for you. This list, this hodgepodge that makes up your experiences is vitally important to your writing because NO ONE ELSE can write about them like you can.  THIS is where your high concept idea is going to come from.

High Concept is not a magic potion that someone created.  It’s YOUR magic.  It’s the boiled down essence of you as a person and your take on the world, made concrete on paper, for your readers to see.

So what’s on your list??

The post Tween The Weekend – High Concept appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Check out my post over at Emblazon today, where I talk about Movies created from books! What’s your favorite?
emblazoners.com/movies-motivate-reading/

And here’s some cool stuff while you’re waiting for my return.
Ender’s Game Trailer:

Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters

The post appeared first on Ansha Kotyk.

Click here to go to the Indelibles and find other Indie Life posts!

School is fast approaching, for some it may have already started! As an Indie Author I’m doubly excited. This year I’ll not only be doing the full-time writing thing, but I’ll also begin doing some school visits with my middle grade book.

For the first time since I started writing for the purpose of publishing, I will finally have the full school day to work solely on my writing. This scares me a little bit, I occasionally have issues with self-discipline and the internet (surprise, surprise). But with the help of a few tools to keep me on track I think I’ll be able to manage.

If you’re looking at the beginning of school as the beginning of your ‘work’ cycle I hope these tools will help you too.

RescueTime- An app that tracks your time usage while on your computer. Spending more time ‘researching’ on Google than typing new words in the manuscript? This guy will tell you. I am thinking this little tattle tale is going to help me learn how to divide my time between the internet and the blank page.

Stopwatch timer – A number of these timers exist for free download online. I have one called Xnote Stopwatch which lets me set a time and then play a wav or mp3 file when time is up.  I can also use this when doing revision and allow it to count out the time for me.

Spreadsheet – Ah, the dumping ground of data. I plan to put my word count for drafting and my time count for revision in here. This is not only necessary for me to see the time I’m putting in, but I bet it’s also important when tax time comes around. If I’m going to do this job full time I have to be good about keeping track of all that time.

Scrivener – Ah, Scrivener, there are so many ways in which I’m not using you. I am, however, using you for the heavy lifting of manuscript creation. I’ll learn your other values yet. Promise. Hugs, kisses. See you soon Scrivener, my friend.

What tools do you use to keep yourself accountable? Please share, I’m going to need all the help I can get this year!!!

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