A follow up to Author Bios - using mine

I am not sure that I was clear enough yesterday in the bios. So, today I will use one of my drafts to show you what I did.

#1: Bio for Twitter or Elevator  Pitch. It is a micro bio and in the first person. You start with your name, occupation and accomplishments.

My name is Sheryl A. VanVleck. I graduated from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, IL. I am a portrait artist and sculptor, and member of SCBWI. I live with my husband and two grandsons in Indiana.

I'm not sure this is telling enough really. Where is the I have written and what is it about, so I will have to work on it more.

#2:    Bio for Query letters and Social Media - this is 50 words and first person.

My name is Sheryl A. VanVleck. I am a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and I have completed two years at the University of Illinois - Chicago Circle for pre-law; with honors. I am a portrait artist and sculptor, and member of SCBWI. I live in Indiana with my husband and two grandsons.

#3:  Bio for Bylines and Book Jackets - again 50 words but you change it to third person.

Sheryl A. VanVleck is a graduate of  ...

#4: Short Bio of 100 words that could work for book cover and is in third person.

Sheryl A. VanVleck is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has completed two years at University of Illinois-Chicago Circle for pre-law; with honors. She was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for freshmen women and became an Edmund J. James Scholar. Throughout her five years of college, a consistent thread has run through her education as teachers encouraged her to become a writer. She won a Good Housekeeping paid contest and publication; as well as had numerous articles published in art magazines. She is a professional portrait artist and sculptor, and member of SCBWI. She lives in Indiana with her husband and two grandsons.

#5: one page bio in third person: add 'nice to know' and sums you up completely.

I am not typing all of it. I found errors in the ones I had done already, but I have added, a published author recommending my mystery manuscript to her agent, Rendezvous' experience used in my fantasy, and a "Seeds for Seniors" program I have been promoting. 

Hope this helps you get your bios in order. Everything I read, said you need to keep a variety of updated bios on hand.  A writers work is never done.

AUTHOR'S BIOS and WEBSITES and doctors.

Hard to believe it has been so long since I posted. Even the book was put on hiatus January to May and it is all because our doctor disappeared.

Okay, he did not disappear, he simply decided to change his alliances. He left IU for Franciscan and thought he would be done in a matter of, well a lot less time then it took him. During that time we came down with an intestinal flu (two weeks of our life) then a Viral Bronchial infection that took another six weeks of our life, then a Gout attack like I have never experienced before in my life. On top of all that, I had to go to my heart doctor and please prescription renewals for medications I would have been out of.

Next week, we get to see our GP in his new location.

LESSON LEARNED: I can never move again, unless he moves again and then I will become his stalker.

So, even though I started on my new website months ago, I lost January through May to illness. Some of May anyway, some I just lost to stupidity. I would create an outline of the site (as you should), create a page and realize it was all wrong: again, and again, and again.

I am now working on my bio for the website. And I finally looked up a bunch of YA sites and also recommendations for what to include.  A compilation of what I learned is here.

For your author bio, you need several bios:
1 - for Twitter or elevator pitches - a micro bio in first person. Just two sentences approx.
2 - For Query letters and social media - 50 word bio in first person
3 - For Bylines and Book Jackets - 50 word bio in third person
4 - For book cover - 100 word bio in third person
5 - A long bio - 1 page - in third person.

This actually makes it easier to write, when you start with #1 bio's must haves: your name, degrees, how you are earning a living and where, and with who, you live.  (That last only needed for family and pets).

Write #1 in first person, then add a bit of detail that is pertinent ie member of SCBWI, pertinent honors, awards, etc. for #2, which is also in First Person.

Then, change that one to third person and you have #3, the 50 word byline or book jacket bio.

#4 is for the book cover and you get to add 50 more words, in third person. You can add more pertinent, interesting things, a magazine competition, etc.

#5 is the long bio of one full page Make it in third person and you add things that are nice to know and that sum you up completely. You also want to include charities you are involved in and, at the end, where you may be reached.

This really helped me as I usually write way too much. Following this kept me succinct and on track.

Hope it helps you and thanks for following me even when I have been home ill.

AgentQuery Connect

Things seem to fall into your lap just when you need them. I am eternally working on my query letter and I've just discovered AgentQueryConnect.

AgentQueryConnect has a neat feature where you post your query letter and/or your synopsis and fellow writer members critique them. Within minutes of posting my, what I thought was polished query, I had my first critique. Don't forget, I have been researching and working on this Query for months and months.

When I wrote my first manuscript, a mystery novel, I went to 'Of Dark and Stormy Nights' mystery conference, in Chicago. I had a novel critique with a published Mystery author and her words to me were, "Would you like the name of my agent?"

I then, in true newby fashion, sent off a query letter (with absolutely no idea what one was) and, to make matters worse, without a finished manuscript in place. I was near finished, I was barely edited and I knew I had plotting problems.

This time around, I have worked for four years to learn plotting, character, everything I possibly can to make this book the best I can do. I have spent the last two years, while waiting for it to perk in my head and be critiqued by others, researching all the editor/agent/writer blogs for what makes a good query/synopsis/longline, you have it. But, there is always room for improvement and my first critique on AgentQueryConnect proved that to me.

I'm off to bed now, although I literally slept most of the day today, and hope to get back to polishing my query in the morning.

LESSON TO LEARN: Do NOT send your query off first to your very favorite pick of an agent. If you do, you will be sorry five queries later when you discover that it needs to be polished more.

Query day and Madness

Now that the manuscript for Moon Tree Brothers is complete, revised, edited and it's logline is done, it is time to work on my Query letter.

First, never think your logline is done. None of these submission documents are ever "done". They are just complete until you look up the next agent and see what they like and then you can emphasis the things in your novel that "the current submitting to agent" likes.

I think that makes it a bit easier to write them. It's like having an assignment in school and knowing that the teacher is really fond of (gosh, all I can think of here is chocolate), well that would work if chocolate is in your book, so okay, you emphasis the chocolate instead of the spaghetti this time around. But, you still need an original really good synopsis, query, etc to work from.

Late last night I came up with a good way to do it. Well, I didn't http://marcussakey.com/articles_querygoround.php did. Sorry it's not linking right, just Google Marcus Sakey. One of my book loves is mystery and I have turned to Marcus Sakey to figure out this Query in simple terms. "Just the facts, Ma'am."

Summing up your newly finished beloved baby in 3-5 lines is not easy. He says to "focus on the drama and the stakes and leave out the minor characters"...themes/complications. Check out his article if this is not clear enough for you. It seemed clear at 2am. But, I am tired now, from being up that late so nothing is seemingly clear.

The point of the Query, he says, "Just show them you know how to tell a story." Now, that is simple. I have also seen it described as sitting down to tell your manuscript as a short bedtime story. After all, that is what we are selling: We are great storytellers!

That said, I love Madness. Book two , Moon Tree Madness, is going well. I may have mentioned it already but I had this great idea for a character based on Dawn French. She just seems to flow from my fingers. I usually "cast" my characters early on. Even if it is a photo from a magazine of someone I have no idea who they are, I seem to see something in their face that makes them come alive for me.

So, I'm off to finish my basic query, so that I can get back to Madness. Have a great day.

I have joined the age of technology

I AM ON HIGH SPEED!!!!

Excuse me for yelling, but it's so exciting. We tried it out for a month, with Verizon's USB port WiFi and it works.

That little USB port thing-a-ma-bob has become the most sought after item in our house. My custody is days, JCountry gets it earlier evening, like 3pm, and JediKnight gets it after work, which can be as late as midnight. So, it gets hung on doorknobs around the house (Not meaning, do not enter) meaning, "I'm done. Your turn."

I can see a movie clip and even look at all the forwarded junk certain relatives send out. If I want.

So, hopefully, I will become a regular blogger here again. Although, I picked up another watcher in my absence so I really think there may be a thing to this being paid not to blog.

My current status is a headache from rewarding my logline/one-line pitch. I have decided that I will never get it right and maybe, just maybe there is really NOT one perfect logline for your work.

I'm thinking that perhaps, as you would do with the Query, you need to slant it a bit to take advantage of the things you want to emphasis for each agent you query. What do you think?

While these submitting things are endlessly worked on, I have started on book 2 of the Moon Tree series and I am so excited. I don't try for a lot of humor, but this book seems to be bringing it out. I am introducing a new teacher and I just keep seeing Dawn French. Now, how can you not laugh when Dawn French is around? The first chapters have written themselves and are now making me work on chapter 3.

But, I have high speed, so ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Except getting the darn woodpeckers to stop chipping away at the house.

Procrastination.

Procrastination is the name of the game. Either that, or I am ADD. Some days I can focus on the web page for hours. Other days, not so much.

Some days, I alternate and work on the web page for a while and then on the synopsis or query letter. So, since I am trying not to procrastinate by spending hours on blogs and such, I will give you a link to a good site for information about composing a good query letter.

Guide to Literary Agents - "20 Tips on Query Letters," as Told by Agent Janet Reid

Off to procrastinate on something else.

The most important paragraph you will ever write!

The most important paragraph you will ever write is probably the second paragraph of your query. This paragraph is your teaser, the paragraph that will take the agent/editor’s feet off his desk as he sits up with delight in his eyes and a deep desire to read the rest of your manuscript.

The following two paragraphs were in my entry for: Mandy Hubbard - Query Day is Here!

Alex is the youngest of a neglected trio of brothers with the will to survive. When the brothers flee their home, they journey to a land ruled by the Thunderer of the Iroquois nation and guarded by a fierce black dragon man. As they strike out on a quest for security and friendship, they find that learning can be full of magic, compassion does exist, friends come in all sizes, and some battles are worth fighting. (You will notice this is very near what I have on this blog side bar. I would not have left that up, had it been successful in the query. You do not want editor's/agents reading the same thing twice.)

Moon Tree Brothers is an fantasy novel told through the eyes of the youngest brother, Alex, age eleven. Alex’s battle, in this the first in the series, is to make life safe for the sisters they left behind, complete the education he has not been given at home, and stay out of trouble when he is used to being alone and out in the night.

Mandy Hubbard's critique:
So, I’m having a hard time with this one. You’re telling us a lot. But you’re not showing us much. All I know about Alex is he’s a neglected 11 year old. I think you spend too much of your query trying to summarize the themes of your novel instead of setting it up and trying to hook us. Don’t tell us what they’ll learn: show us what their challenge is in the beginning of the book.

Try something closer to:

“Alex LASTNAME is eleven years old when he leaves the only home he’s ever known in favor of a long journey to FOREIGNPLACE. But he, along with his two brothers, are determined to succeed in order to find a safe haven for their sisters.

"But the journey is complicated by X factor and Y event, and Alex begins to wonder if he’s made a mistake. Can he really make it all the way to FOREIGN PLACE?

"Hmm, see, I can’t even write the query for you because I truly have no idea what your story is about. You’ve got a 5 paragraph query and of it, only about three sentences pertain to the events of the book, and a few more are listing out the lessons we’re going to learn along the way. (NEVER preach the lesson’s we’ll learn, let us discover them ourselves!)."

I am now working on another version of my query. I want to make sure any editor/agent I submit to cannot wait to get my manuscript. And, do not forget that you want to tailor your query to each agent/editor individually.

I believe the lesson here is: write your query as well as you write your manuscript. How many years did you work on your book?

STUPID QUERY ERRORS 101

I knew there were things wrong with the query I was working on. And, thanks to Mandy Hubbard - Query Day is Here!. My query is the sixth or seventh down in the list and, while query day is over, you can learn a ton by reading these queries and what she has to say.

We are told by "they." You know that great "they say, that..."? I subscribe to their blogs and web advice and then can get really confused at times. So, the first "they say," is that you should have the first paragraph personalized to the agent/editor you are sending it too.

One of my favorite agents states he wants to see everything. He is a nice person too, in helping people, even a total newbie to the world of blogs when I just could not get my comment posted for a test he was having. Okay, it's Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent: The 3rd Sort-of-Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge.

I had read to personalize the query but then not to try to be funny. Do I listen? No! And, yet I knew in my gut that I was trying too hard. You judge:

Dear (agent’s name)(personalized to agent)
I am writing to you because you seem to have boundless energy and enthusiasm. Why else would you put yourself through judging so many on-line contests? Okay, perhaps you are a bit masochistic too. You always say that, even if the book is not perfect for your list, “Send it to me first.” I try to follow orders.

There are TWO MAJOR ERRORS here.

1. Just being way too personal and maybe even offensive by saying he is masochistic. (There is a reason I do not work as a comic.)
2. Even though he does say, "Send it to me first." My Middle Grade Fantasy is NOT on his list. Now, that doesn't mean he would not accept it, but should I really tell the agent I would like to have represent me that my work does not fit???

Okay, dumb moments of an author, post one, is done for the day. Next post, the most important paragraph you will ever write, and getting it right!

Young Adult novel, revising critique & never ending revision

Okay, couldn’t fool you on that last post. Tonight my Middle Grade novel became a Young Adult Novel. I have read the definitive reason on deciding how, The Difference Between Middle Grade & Young Adult, when it is meant for an 11/12 year old age group.

My book does have the subject of child abuse as a part of the story and this will probably put it into a more advanced Middle Grade category. With everything else I am fretting over, including yet another opening, I am not too concerned about this. It's for my agent/editor to decide.

A third draft of my query letter states: "When Alex and his two brothers decide they have had enough, they run away from home with the help of a half man/half black dragon and a deteriorating house fairy. But, that is only the start of Alex’ battle as he must learn to accept help from others and learn what being a friend means." This battle, for Alex, is due to his past neglect and abuse.

Now, if I could just find that perfect opening for my story. I just recently began revising my opening again after entering it in Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent's first paragraph contest. His comments about what an agent use to judge that all important paragraph, opened my eyes to the deficiencies in mine. I'm sure my personal editor will be just soooooo happy.

Of Dark and Stormy Night

I believe it was the winter of 1995, that I attended Of Dark and Stormy Nights, mystery writers conference in Chicago. It was a great experience, but I was lost. These are the situations that bring out the introvert side of me.

I planned ahead of time, what events I would sit in on and I was given a critique with Eleanor Taylor Bland, a published Mystery writer. I was in heaven when she said, “Submit it.” And “Would you like the name of my agent.” As I’ve written before, I did submit it, but I did everything wrong.

Since then, I have learned how the process works and I have learned to edit more thoroughly, and, the most important thing I have learned is to follow your instincts.

The process includes submitting a properly formatted query letter, to the right agent/editor and with a really dynamic part about your protagonist’s character featured. Don’t “tell” them about the world or the mechanics or how long it took you to write it. Write it as if you are a published author, assume they know writing a book takes time, and feature your protagonist. I am not covering more here, because there are a ton of agents/editors out there who cover it in detail.

For querying see two of my favorites: Brooklyn Arden: Manifesto and Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent

As far as for editing, just as with writing, you will have to do through trial and error to find what works best for you. There are no hard and fast rules and you can go crazy trying to follow everyone’s advice. For plotting: I tried small index cards, large index cards, two different rolls of paper, and charts up the wazoo (just what is a wazoo anyway?). I tried a ton of methods before I found out what would work for me and, with the internet, it is so easy (but still time consuming) to read all that advice and decide for yourself.

Following your instincts is my final point on this sunny (in Indiana) day. Because, I knew my book was not ready to submit and I did it anyway, thus proving to one agent out there that I was an amateur. My novel was not completed yet and it needed some work on editing, as well as making my protagonist a stronger person.

I may not have found an agent at that conference, but it gave me the self-confidence to know that someday I would. And, the corner to turn is in sight.