Why I Love "Writer Unboxed"

If you're a writer, I certainly hope you're a faithful reader of Writer Unboxed. 

Used with Writer Unboxed permission

So many times I don't remember how I discovered a particular website or blog, but I actually do recall where and when I first heard about this one. In May of last year, I attended a one day seminar presented by MORWA (Missouri Romance Writers of America). Literary agent and monthly contributor to Writer Unboxed, Donald Maass, was the speaker. He referred to Writer Unboxed that day and I immediately began to follow it.

(Yes, I attended a romance writers workshop, and although I only write personal essays and memoir, I learned an incredible amount of information. I took 13 pages of handwritten notes....er, chicken scratchings. After I went through all of it, I typed up what turned out to be 4 pages of information, which I shared with friends in our Coffee & Critique group.)

One of my favorite contributors to Writer Unboxed is Chuck Sambuchino. He's an editor for Writer's Digest Books, a writer, and a playwright. See his website for more credentials.

So, just why do I love Writer Unboxed? It always has fantastic articles written by an array of contributors, plus author interviews, and Give-Aways! Shortly after attending the MORWA seminar, I left a comment on one of Chuck's posts where he had a give-away, which added my name to a list of 173.....and I won! My fantastic prize: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Edition by Chuck Sambuchino.

Along with reading it and another How To book I discovered on Writer Unboxed, How to Write a Book Proposal, 4th Edition, by Michael Larsen, I'm getting a handle on the correct way to submit requested info to literary agents.  

Stop by there today to read the newest articles, and also leave a comment at Chuck's newest give-away!

*Note 2:00pm: Chuck just informed me he'll be the Saturday night keynote speaker at next year's Missouri Writers Guild Conference in St. Louis! It's being held April 11 - 13, 2014. Hope to see many writer friends there. 

♫♪ ......Meet me in St. Louie, Louie....♫♪

(Sorry, I just couldn't help myself!)

"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live." -- Goethe

Writerly Tidbits

I know..... I'm supposed to be on a Big Blog Break....which I'm really doing, but I wanted to share a couple of Writerly Tidbits.


Remember three weeks ago when I wrote about my dog story "Rocky Loses by a TKO," not making it into a Chicken Soup for the Soul book? Well, I submitted it to Not Your Mother’s Book…On Dogs by Publishing Syndicate. On Tuesday afternoon I received an e-mail and Permission Release Form announcing it "made it through the first consideration round." 

So, since I believe in my story and I enjoy a virtual roller-coaster ride every now and then, I'm very happy I resubmitted it. Time will tell whether it actually makes it into the book or not, but that's okay, too. I've learned to add patience to my list of qualities I'm trying like crazy to learn to be patient, which is so necessary for writers...and people in general!


If the series Not Your Mother's Book.... sounds familiar, it might be because you've read about it on other blogs recently. Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell are working with Publishing Syndicate on three of their many upcoming books. Be sure to visit the website and/or the two blogs.

~~~~~

My other Writerly Tidbit is that I won a book on Writer Unboxed! I first heard about this blog/website when I attended the Donald Maass Workshop last month in St. Louis. He is one of many contributors. 

My name was drawn by random in the post by Chuck Sambuchino, titled What Are the Best Writers' Conferences to Attend? I left a comment along with lots of others, and my name/number was drawn!

I had two choices of books: "2012 Guide to Literary Agents," or "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Ed." I chose the manuscript book and will be happy to share info here on my blog....when I can! 

If you're a writer and/or love to read, please check out all the links I've provided. There's a wealth of information there.

Thanks for stopping by. Now, I'm really not going to post for quite some time. I mean it! 

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked." -- Anais Nin