Sue Alexander passed away on July 3,2008.  

This is such an unexpected, sad surprise with the summer conference so close.  I never got to know her personally, but I've seen her at SCBWI- LA's Writer's Day and at other events like the Working Writer's Retreat '07.  I had the pleasure of eating a couple of meals with her there where she spoke to us about her experience in publishing.  She even gave me a lesson on plot on the last day, along with the encouragement to keep going and finish writing my book.  I will miss seeing her at the SCBWI events and I will never forget her and what she's done to encourage and support writers in this tough industry.

If you would like to send messages of support to her family and friends, please go to www.sue-alexander.com.

ttfn,

Marie 

I just got back from the Book Expo of America!  What a rush!  I got see and meet NEIL GAIMAN!!  I got his autograph on the advance reader's copy of his new book "The Gravyard Book" . . . wow . . . he is sooooo hot! (well, I thought so . . )  I totally gushed like a teenager and told him he was the greatest and that I loved him!!!  He was so gracious.  I also got to meet Kate DiCamillo!  She was really nice and Steph was so sweet to take a picture of me with her.  I got Cecil Castelucci's new graphic novel, also signed.  She is sooooo cool! 

My friends Stephanie, Edith and Carlynn were there.  We all attended the Children's Book and Author breakfast with guest speakers, Sherman Alexie, Judy Blume, Eoin Colfer and Neil Gaiman.  The speakers were all fantastic and shared some fantastic stories about writing, fan letters from children and about their books.  I also met some nice people in the lines.  Book people are just soooo cool, great, and friendly!!

My body aches from all the books I had to carry but it was all worth it!  I can't wait to sort out the books and count them and well, just admire the lovely stack they will form on my carpet!  I've got enough reading for a LONG time . . . so that means I can't buy anymore books . . . we'll see just how long my self control will last.  Now to get my hubby to build me the bookshelf he promised he'd build for me . . .

I'm still hovering on cloud NG . . . sighs . . . .  ;)

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Last Saturday was SCBWI OC's Agent's day and what a day it turned out to be.  There were five agents there to share their wisdom.  They were Paula Allen of Screenland Literary Associates, Rachel Orr of Prospect Agency, Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group, Jaime Weiss Chilton of Andrea Brown Literary Agency and finally Lindsey Davis of Writer's House (west coast).  They had many nuggets of pretty much the same advice one always hears at these conferences, like "send your very best and polished manuscripts" and how finding the right agent is crucial, etc.  

One thing I thought was different was regarding query letters.  Lindsey Davis brought some unique, attention grabbing letters (Writer's House west wants query letters only, no ms attached).  One in particular struck me as really funny.  At the end of his letter, he included reviews of his book from famous authors . . . "Stephen King - Stop following me!".  Anyway, Lindsey Davis said that it was a great way to show your writing and that a query letter didn't have to be so formal.  But remember that this is just one agency's opinion.  Paula Allen said that she hates query letters so don't send them to her.  She would rather have a standard cover letter along with the MS (whole for a PB and 3 chapters of a novel).  She said that she can't decide if she's interested until she actually reads the work.  Makes sense.

They also gave some insights on trends.  Editors seem to be hot for "Tween" novels.  They are also asking for books about "go cart racing", PB or MG, I'm not sure.  The trend also seems to be moving toward "realistic fantasy".  When asked to define this, they said that it should be a story set in contemporary times, where the main character would have some special powers, sort of superhero in nature.  They are also looking for books about middle America.  No more gossip girl, big city stuff.

Anyway, that's pretty much it.  I had a professional critique done and it confirmed something my critique group already told me.  Now I'm preparing for the SCBWI Summer conference in earnest!  Have to put my thinking cap on and start scribbling.  I make myself crazy with these conferences, but I love them.

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Yes . . . that is the color of my mood.  I should actually be frantic with worry because my laptop is down and my MANUSCRIPT is on it and like the dim headed ninny muggin that I am, I didn't back it up.  I tell myself its too soon to panic and I should trust that my dear hubby will fix the problem (it freezes as soon as I log on).  

In the mean time, I'm struggling over revising my next chapter.  I haven't been able to sit down and do any major writing, just doing bits and pieces (adding a sentence, changing a sentence).  Then the computer thing happens and I feel totally deflated. (I'm currently using my son's desk top for my internet fix).  

Another thing that has me feeling this way is a call I received from my nurse about my recent mammogram.  She finally got my mammo report.  It included followup pictures they wanted to take two weeks after the initial mammo along with ultrasound results.  They apparently noticed some "lobular density" in the mammo but couldn't see anything significant in the ultrasound so they want me to come back for a followup in six months to make sure there are no changes.  I didn't feel any changes and neither did my nurse when she did my exam so I'm hopeful that everything will be okay.

I'm looking forward to getting out of this rut . . . .let's see, I have a hair appointment tomorrow.  That should improve my mood!  It's so relaxing to get your hair done . . . and I'm going to SCBWI-OC's Agent's day this Saturday so that ought to get those writing juices going!  

My mood is beginning to improve already.  Now I'm hungry so I guess I should go make dinner . . . 

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And I was having some enormous ones for the last few days.  I think it was stress over Delacorte and sure enough, I got the rejection last Saturday.  I'm glad I got it because I really couldn't concentrate on revising and I have A LOT of work to do on my book.  

The bright spot on Saturday was Writer's Day!  There were some awesome speakers!  Patricia Lee Gauch from Philomel gave a wonderful talk about finding the heartbeat in your story.  The author panel with Cecil Castellucci, Caroline Hatton and Sally Jones Rogan was wonderful and inspirational in sharing their journeys toward publication.  Gail Carson Levine was wonderful talk about writing fantasy and Elizabeth Partridge had a wonderful presentation on writing biographies. 

I also saw some people who were in my group at the Encino Retreat!  Suzanne is on her way to signing with an agent!  Wonderful to see Sarah and Eloise even though I didn't get a chance to talk to her.  The great and morale boosting part was when NG won the Honorable Mention in the YA Category for the contest!  YIPEEEE!  I'm definitely geared toward working hard to revise my ms  and hopefully submit to one of the agents I'll be seeing at the May 3rd contest.  One of my critique buddies was also there, so it was a great time getting to know one another better.

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