Thursday, November 16, 2017

Resources for Teen Writers

I'm speaking to several groups of teens this month, and part of my presentation includes discussing resources for young writers.

In order for these teens to easily find these resources, and as a guide for students unable to attend my talks, I'm providing links for these opportunities below. Please note that I'm not affiliated with any of these organizations aside from Willamette Writers.

Provides various awards to teen writers in grades 7 through 12, scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and financial aid to students wanting to attend summer creative camps.

An online magazine that publishes “Stories, Poems, and Art by Kids” up through age 13.

Free to students in grades 1 through 12. 

SCBWI Student Writer Scholarships
An opportunity for full-time university students in an English or creative writing program to attend a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference. (Does not include hotel or travel expenses.)

We Need Diverse Books Resources for Writers
A list of links to opportunities for diverse writers and articles about writing diversely.

For the students at my Portland visits:

Writing opportunities for Oregon students in grades five through 10, including meetings and special online content. 

The League of Exceptional Writers
A chance for young writers and artists to learn from professionals in the Portland area. The events are free for students ages 8 to 18 and held at Powell's at Cedar Hills Crossing from 2 to 3 pm every second Saturday of the month from October through May. 

For the students at my St. Louis school visits:

Offers a creative-writing workshop every summer called “Teens Who Write” for students ages 11 to 18.

NOTE: No one should charge you money to publish your work unless they are clearly a self-publishing entity, such as Amazon's self-publishing services. If you are interested in publishing a novel through a traditional publisher, start by finding a reputable literary agent through a source such as the Association of Authors' Representatives. Literary agents should not charge you money to work with them, aside from the percentage of your earnings that they receive when they sell your work (the agent's commission). Please follow each agent's guideline for submission requirements. You will likely need to include a query letter with your submission.

If you would like to add another resource for teen writers in the comments section of this post, please do so, as long as it's a free contest for teens or a reputable organization or workshop.

If you are a teacher or librarian who would like to inquire about scheduling me for a visit, please see my Author Visits page for information about my presentations and fees. During this school year I'm offering a special program for schools reading The Steep and Thorny Way as part of the Oregon Battle of the Books.  

Monday, November 6, 2017

Deadlines, Fall Events, and Signed Copies of ODD & TRUE

Hello, dear readers! I'm spending the rest of the fall finishing the first draft of a new novel that I've been writing for the past year. I don't plan to be on social media much at all during this time, but I will be traveling to two events:

Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 3:00 pm
Cedar Mill Main Library
12505 NW Cornell Rd., Suite 13, Portland, OR
Author talk (free event)

Tuesday, November 21, 2017, 1:30 pm
ALAN Workshop
America's Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, MO
Panel: "The Family You Know and the Family You Don't," with Sayantani DasGupta, J.L. & M.A. Powers, and Cat Winters (registration required)

My stay in St. Louis will also include two middle school visits that are still in the works. If you're one of the students who attends those schools, I look forward to seeing you soon!

☙SIGNED COPIES!

If you're looking for a signed copy of my newest release, Odd & True, you can now order autographed editions from the following stores:

Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Beaverton, OR (call to order a signed edition: 800-878-7323)
Barnes & Noble Tanasbourne, Beaverton, OR (call to order a signed edition: 503-645-3046)

Signed copies of several of my other books are also available at these stores. Please contact the stores directly to find out which of my signed editions they have in stock. If you're ordering online from Fountain Bookstore, look for the words "On Our Shelves Now" below the books' listings. If my novel is listed as sitting on their shelf, it's a copy I signed when I visited Richmond earlier this month.

(Psst, I traveled to Richmond to conduct research on the secret new novel I'm finishing.)

I'll try to post at least one more update before the end of 2017, but if I don't get a chance, thank you, readers, for another wonderful year!


☙ORDER ONLINE:❧

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Powell's • IndieBound • Book Depository • Indigo •  BAM • Amazon UK