Today, I have 400 followers (and friends :), just had my 50,000th visitor, and have conducted 40 interviews with editors, agents, illustrators, and authors.
More importantly, over this last year, I've made friends, gathered followers, and hopefully helped some of you move toward your publishing goal.
To celebrate all this, I have a....... GIVEAWAY!!!!
1) All you have to do is comment and tell me one key lesson you have learned this year in relation to your writing journey. It can be about social networking, attending a conference, your writing craft, the submission process. Anything.
2) Oh yeah, and you have to be an OFFICIAL FOLLOWER of my blog (so i can see your lovely little square faces/icons on the left side.)
Only my loyal followers get prizes :).
If you have found my blog for the first time and aren't sure if you can follow, I do come with a 30 day guarantee. If I do not make you laugh, cry, or scream at least once in 30 days, you can unfollow and still claim the prize if you win. :) Am I confident or what?
oh! What is the Prize - you ask???
Drum roll please.........
Neil Gaiman's ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Coraline!!!
The graphic novel adaptation illustrated by award winning artist P. Craig Russell.
You have until Midnight PST (3 am EST) tonight to enter.
Happy Holidays!
Also stay tuned because I have a holiday surprise for Wednesday!!!!
32 comments:
What I've learned... hmmmmm. How about EVERYTHING! Last year I submitted a first draft to an agent, I didn't have a blog, and my second novel wasn't even an idea. 2009 was hard, but wonderful. Great contest!
I'm a fairly new follower but I've gone through some of your past posts. One thing remains fairly consistent to me ... keep writing. Don't give up, learn your craft, embrace it and keep writing.
So I am :) (Writing that is ... even when the time runs out but the words refuse to look at the clock ...)
One thing I've learned this year is that I still have a long way to go with my writing, and it's all right to slow down to better my craft because this isn't a race. :>
And congrats! All of those are awesome accomplishments.
I've learned about what to expect from agents and to always keep writing.
Your blog has been great and informative.
*puts eyes back in head*
Must. Win. Coraline.
LOL!
Shelli, purely for your own feedback, of course ;), I've learned more about the marketing aspect of being an author from your blog than anywhere else.
One of the most thought provoking things I've learned this year is the importance of branding, both book branding, and author branding. We all have to make a personal statement that sets us apart from our peers, and a consistent blog presence helps to accomplish that. Thanks!
Good luck to everyone who enters!
I learned that I have what it takes to be a published author, as my first novel was accepted by Flux.
I did learn a lot more than that, but that was my favorite lesson this year!
Squee.
My big "year lesson" on this writing journey is that it is just that...a journey. I look back at where I was last year at this time, and I can't believe how much I've learned about the industry, marketing, craft, networking. I look back and wonder at my Pollyannaness, but not in a bad way. Here's to looking back at the end of 2010 and wondering how I ever survived without an agent. :) hee hee.
Squee! What a great prize!!!!
I've learned a lot about using the Internet for marketing. I'm huge on Internet marketing, but things like blog tours and how to best use Twitter were kind of unknown to me. I also wasn't really sure if I needed to get into all of that right now since I'm not published yet, but I've definitely seen (both on your blog and on others) that the school of thought is divided.
I really enjoy this series! I think the best way to learn anything is from people who are in it.
What I've learned... Hm...
I've learned that even though you might love your WIP with all your heart, it might not work out, and that's okay.
I've learned to write past the nagging critical voice so that I can build the story. There'll always be time for revision later.
I've learned that when you think something is finished often you have only just begun.
I must covet it!!
This year I learned that blogging wasn't just an exercise in vanity. For a writer, it is another way to hone your craft, and gain exposure to the writing community at the same time.
Happy Holidays!
Hi :)
I've learned so much this year it is hard to decide upon just one thing. I've learned that persistence and dedication are key to a writing career and that it is important to write the story you want to read, not what you think is hot at the moment because it takes so long to get the book published that what is currently hot may not be hot when it is finally published - if that run-on sentence makes any sense. :)
Merry Christmas!
RKCharron
I've learned that writing a novel is both harder and more rewarding than I could have imagined.
I learned that, no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to create a perfect first draft.
kat-tastic(at)live.com
I've learned how great virtual friends can be, especially when you get to meet them in person!
Congratulations on accomplishing so much this year, Shelli :)
We've learned that the waiting doesn't end after you get an agent or even after you have a book deal. In publishing EVERYONE waits. I'm actually starting to get used to it. I've read like 20 books since Thanksgiving. I guess sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride!
I have learned that writing is NOT a solitary endeavor. Thanks for the beautiful blog. I've really enjoyed it.
Oh my gosh!! I shrieked out loud when I saw what the prize was :D. Great contest, Shelli, and congrats on your successes this year!
The biggest thing I've learned this year is that you can query too soon, but you can *never* query too late. Polish your manuscript, and when you think it can't get any shinier, polish it again!
Good luck to everyone, and Merry Christmas!
I learned that I've been a little too focused on pumping out words and lost sight of what really matters to me. I'm so ready to tackle 2010 with my new smarts!
I've learned to keep it fun--and to keep at it. Tenacity is the one thing in this biz that we can totally control!
sf
I've learned that Twitter is an invaluable tool for motivation and keeping tabs on the industry.
I have learned that you can't give up and you should always get help if you need it to look over the story.
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
Shelli, you have an amazing blog and I have learned lots from it!
Specifically, how to network through blogging plus the interviews with agents and editors don't hurt during submission time!
Thanks!
I'm only just getting into the world of publishing, marketing, and all that jazz, so I have learned so many things in those areas in just the last few weeks that it would be hard to list them all.
Most importantly for me, after finishing two different first drafts this year, I have learned that I can do it. I actually can write something of substance.
I didn't realize until today that I am not an *official* follower, Shelli, even though I've been reading you for months on Bloglines. :-D
I've learned that there's a right time and a right place (read agent/editor/contracts) for my writing career, and to be patient because God knows better than I do what is best for me and my life. And when it's finally your *time* it's better than you even imagined.
The biggest lesson I've learned is not to follow all the rules. I read a lot of advice on agent blogs about how to get an agent (don't send ms twice unless they request it, etc.) and then I read all these stories about how writers got their agents on the Guide to Literary Agents blog, and they've all broken the rules!
You've taught me a lot about branding myself and my work. Thanks!!
Your blog has been the best resource I've ever come across for what a writer (published or not) needs to do to market herself. Thank you for all the time you put into your blog, and for sharing so many great tips!
Per an editor's suggestion, I've tried to create an unreliable narrator, which was difficult. My 17 year-old male character needed to be likeable, but not completely trustworthy.
I started off slowly at first, as if the character even believed himself. By the end, he doesn't know who he is. His identity was at stake the whole time.
It was challenging, but I enjoyed trying something different.
I love that book. And that cover is haunting.
It's amazing what you can do in a year, isn't it? Congrats on all you've done, Shelli!
I've learned that if you want more friends, you have to be one first. More comments, be a commenter. More followers, be a follower.
Cool giveaway! I'm bummed I missed it!
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