Kidlit Summer School is Coming Soon!

Kidlit Summer School is starting soon, and if you haven't heard about it already,  you will definitely want to check it out! 

Kidlit Summer School is a fabulous free way to learn about writing for children. It is put on by a fabulous kidlit faculty. There will be daily lesson posts with writing exercises and more. You'll want to register because it comes with some great perks:

• eligible to win any giveaways or books, critiques, or other swag that they’ll be handing out during the month
• eligible to participate in special Summer School events like webinars
• able to access the Kidlit Summer School exercise book
• invited to join our private Kidlit Summer School Facebook community where you can connect to other children’s book creators and lovers of kidlit

Even if you miss out on registration (it ends July 15th) you can still take part in class by going through the blog posts and doing the exercises. This year's theme is Heart & Humor. All stories can use those elements!

Kidlit Summer School runs from July 11th through August 5th. I'm all signed up and excited to get started. You can read about Kidlit Summer School here and sign up using their form. Hope to see you there!

*Bonus info! BEDTIME MONSTER illustrator Bonnie Adamson is this year's Kidlit Summer School Art Director. She created the adorable logos!

I've Written a Picture Book, Now What?

It's pretty common when you're starting out writing picture books to have written a picture book and not know what to do next! I get questions about it all the time. So, here are some basics things you should do when you have written a children's book but are not quite sure how to go about getting it published:

1. Get critiques. Just because you wrote a picture book doesn't mean it's ready to send out into the world. Once you've made the story the best you can make it find some other picture book writers to trade with. Getting thoughts and opinions from others writing in the same category as you will help you see your work in a new light. Getting professional opinions from those who are working in the field can be eye opening as well. My recommendation would be to trade with critique partners and when you are ready, to spring for that professional opinion. (To find critique partners you are welcome to join my Sub It Club Critique Partner Matchup. If you are ready for a professional opinion, check out my critique services.)
2. Revise. Revise, revise, always revise! Revise to make your manuscript the best that you possibly can. Revise before getting critiques. Revise after critiques. Ha! Seriously though, putting your manuscript away for a few weeks then taking a new look at it can help your see it with fresh eyes. Picture books take lots of rounds of revisions.
3. Read Picture Books. In between all of those revisions and even when you are revising, read loads of picture books. Reading newly published ones from the larger publishing houses will help you know what the market is looking for. Although there are definitely some good books published by smaller publishers, don't automatically take them to be the general consensus on what publishers are looking for. Sometimes small publishers are able to make allowances that the big publishers don't. Self-published don't make good guides either as the author has no guidelines they have to follow.
4. Read books about writing for children. Get them from your library. Order them from your book store. Just read them!
5. Read blog posts about picture book writing. There is a lot of good information out there. I have some posts about picture book writing. Author Josh Funk has a great Guide to Writing Picture Books. Author Pam Calvert has Picture Book University where you can also learn a lot. All of these resources are free and they are just the tip of the online iceberg!
6. Do numbers 1 - 5 so many times that you can't even count how many times you have done them.
7. Do NOT try to find an illustrator. I put that one in red because it is such a common misconception. If you want to sell your picture book manuscript to a publisher it is their job to find the illustrator for the book. They want to do this. You having the manuscript illustrated counts against you, not for you. If you yourself are not a professional illustrator, write the best, submission-ready, illustratable manuscript you can. Then send it out for consideration. 
8. Learn about what publishers, and therefore agents, are looking for. When you start delving into the world of children's publishing you will know things like #7, for instance. You will know that to give your picture book manuscript a better shot it just might be best to keep it under 700 words. A high-concept can be a good thing too. (Tip #8 here is a little repetitive but I felt like it needed saying. You can learn about what publisher and agents are looking for by doing #'s 3, 4, & 9!)
9. Learn about querying.

• Join me at Sub It Club. We talk about all the things that have to do with submitting manuscripts for publication. We post lots of submission information on the blog and have a very active private Sub It Club Facebook group with loads of super fantastic writers and illustrators where you can learn and ask questions, get help on your query letters, and more.

• Check out the Monster List of Picture Book Agents where you can start learning about agents and what they are looking for. (Hint: agents who represent picture books often like to know what else you have if they are interested in the manuscript you have queries with, so it can be good to have a few polished manuscripts ready to go when querying. But keep in mind, there are no hard and fast rules here. Use your judgement.)

• Check out the Monster List of Picture Book Publishers with links directly to publisher's submission guidelines so you can see what you need to do to ask them to consider your work. (Hint: If you are interested in working with an agent, you should submit your work to them first as they don't like a manuscript to be too shopped around. But you can definitely submit your work straight to publishers who are open to unsolicited submissions.)

• You can join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. SCBWI is an international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children's literature. They have tons of resources and put on great workshops and conferences. Peruse their website to see all the things they offer.

• Become a member of the SCBWI Blueboards. This is a message board where tons of writers and illustrators hang out. You can learn so much there! You do not have to join SCBWI to take part in the boards.

Please realize that all of these things take time. Picture books may seem short and simple but they take a lot of work and thought to be great. That beautiful picture book you see on the shelf has most likely been years in the making. But, they are definitely worth it!

If you have a specific question feel free to contact me. If I can I will answer your question on the blog here. 

Suddenly it's Spring

In the Fall of last year I was excited. I told myself that over the winter I'd have lots of time to get writing done. Oh yes, I'd finish up a few of those picture books I've been working on. Maybe I'd even revisit that middle grade novel I have half way finished that is sitting in the file waiting for me. I had other big plans too but, ya know, they didn't quite happen as planned.

The thing is that writing something of quality always takes longer than I feel like it should. Logically, I know this. I work long and hard on each one of my picture book manuscripts. I get critiques, revise, re-revise, and revise some more. I mull over that scene, that phrase, that word until I can get it "just right" for the story. Still, my brain can't help but think, you know what the story is. Just get it finished up already!

Of course, writing a publishable picture book takes time. Sure, we hear the stories of 'it just came to me, I wrote it down, sent it out, and the publisher loved it!' I am certain that can happen but I tend to take any of these sorts of statements with a grain of salt. They are not the norm by any means. The picture book authors I know work long and hard to make those few words shine. They get critiques, revise for their agents, revise for editors, and sometimes... eventually those words get turned into a book.

Finding that "perfect" way to tell a story that will mesh with illustrations takes a lot of thought time. I can tend to get hard on myself that I am not getting anything accomplished. I have to remind myself that I am. Stories are always rattling around in my brain. They have been all winter. And now, suddenly it's spring. And that's okay. Because now I can write outside.

Picture Book & Query Letter Critique Up for Bid!

There is an Auction of Hope going on right now for writer and Sub It Clubber Cindy Springsteen.  Cindy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and Plasma Cell Leukemia. The auction is to help with any medical or miscellaneous cost that will come their way during treatments and other things she will be going through.

One of the items up for bid is a picture book manuscript and query letter critique from me. No bids so far so you just might get a good deal and help someone out at the same time! Bidding ends on 5/15.

This link should take you right to my critique: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154135548979544&set=gm.1137741916276691&type=3&theater

You can read about my critique services here if you want to know more: http://frolickingthroughcyberspace.blogspot.com/p/critique-services.html

Please check out the rest of the items in Cindy's Auction of Hope: https://www.facebook.com/events/1136700729714143/?active_tab=posts

Picture Book & Query Letter Critique Services

I have updated my critique services page! It's something I've been wanting to do for quite a while now but haven't taken the time. I think that the explanations on what I do when critiquing and the process for requesting a critique are much more thorough now. I also added a bit about my experience. I get a lot of the same questions and I tried to answer them on the page so people don't have to ask. If you see anything else you think I should answer, just let me know! I do love helping others with their picture book manuscripts and query letters. Here's the updated page info:

Picture Book Manuscript Critiques

You should never submit a manuscript to an agent or publisher without having your worked critiqued and then undertaking revisions. This is how we make our work shine! We become so close to our stories that we just cannot see what needs improving after a while. Another pair of eyes can do wonders!

How do you know when you are ready for critique? Have you rewritten and revised and worked hard on your manuscript and feel like you are stuck? Are you thinking your story is complete but have not gotten any feedback? Then it's probably time. For me, when I cannot see anything else I think I should change, or am even making changes back and forth to words or phrases I have previously written, I know I am ready for a critique. When I get those critiques back I always see ways to make more improvements.

Picture books in particular take more work than it feels like they should, because they are so short. Don't be fooled! While there are many different ways a manuscript can be written, there are certain criteria that publishers are looking for that make a picture book manuscript publishable. Of course, each story is different and I always keep your vision in mind, as well as the market, when giving a critique.

My picture book critiques tend to be intensive. I use track changes and include line by line notes using the comment feature to point out issues I see as I read through the manuscript. I oftentimes put in examples to help illustrate ideas or concepts to help you get your revision juices flowing. I can't help but throw in line-editing if I see a spot that needs it or a general issue that needs to be addressed. I also write notes straight onto the manuscript. At the end of the document I give a general big picture analysis. I do not just read through once, but many times, until I feel that I have given you the best critique that I can.

Beginning writers will find that I do a lot of teaching in my critiques. There are many common mistakes that I see in picture book manuscripts -- things that are definitely learned from studying, writing picture books, and taking part in the industry for an extended amount of time. I tell people things I wish I would have been told when I was starting out! I add tips or links that I think might be helpful to you in your picture book writing endeavors. 

Experienced picture book writers will find that I keep an eye toward the market when giving critiques. I make suggestions and ask questions to help you bring out your best manuscript.

All of my picture book critiques, no matter your experience, are given with an eye toward helping you create a salable manuscript. I want to see you succeed! I put in lots of time and thought on critiques. Of course, we all want to hear that our work is wonderful and ready to go, but I vow to give you an honest critique pointing out the good and the things that need work. To me, that is the best kind of critique that a writer can get!

Picture books up to 1000 words, non-rhyming critique fee is $85.00.

Higher word count manuscripts can be prorated. 
Add $15.00 for rhyming manuscripts (because they take much longer to critique.)

Picture book and query letter critique at the same time, for the same manuscript -- $120.00

Query & Cover Letter Critiques

I love query letters. Cover letters too. The difference? A query letter asks if you can send the material, while a cover letter introduces what you have sent. When you have a good base letter, you can change it up to fit your needs.

To me, writing these letters is a fun challenge. That seems to make me somewhat of an anomaly. But, it’s true. Query letters are like a puzzle that has many possible solutions. I just love piecing them together.

It is imperative to remember that your letter is a sales tool. One that you need to use to your best advantage. I can help you make sure your letter includes an enticing hook, the pertinent manuscript information, and relevant bio. Just as with my picture book critiques, I am very thorough with query letter critiques. I give line by line notes and suggestions as well as line editing if needed. If I need to ask you questions to help me give better suggestions on your letter, I will.

As with manuscripts, you can't always see the issues in your own query letter. You want to give enough information so that the gist of your story is clear to someone who has not read it. You want it to be enticing. You want your query letter to make the reader want more!

My letters for various manuscripts have gotten requests and interest from many agents and publishers. I have helped writers of all genres with their query letters. So, if you are ready for another set of eyes on that all important introduction to your work, from board book to picture book, MG, YA to Adult novel -- fiction or nonfiction, I would be happy to help.

Query letter critique fee is $40.00 

One page letter, any genre.

Picture book and query letter critique at the same time, for the same manuscript -- $120.00

Critique Request Instructions

When you are ready for a critique please email me. Indicate the type of critique you are looking for -- picture book manuscript, query letter, or both. You can put CRITIQUE REQUEST in the subject line of your email.

For picture book manuscripts please let me know the word count and whether or not the story is written in rhyme. For query letters I'd love to know the genre you are working in. If you have any questions for me, just ask. You are welcome to attach the manuscript or query as a Word or Open Office document in your email.

I bill through Paypal, which you can pay whether you have a Paypal account or not. I will email you an invoice via Paypal once I have gotten your request and we have worked out any details. I am also happy to take a check. Critiques will be started once payment is complete.

I like to have up to two weeks to complete manuscript critiques as I sometimes like to have time to think on things, but I often have them done more quickly than that. Query letter critiques will be completed in one week or less. I am happy to work with you to have your critique done by a specific date if requested. 

It is nice if you have your manuscript in a standard format. Plus you will need it that way for submitting! If you are not sure about standard picture book manuscript format, you can find instructions in my formatting post.

Critique fees are for a one time critique. If you are interested in having me critique a manuscript after you have revised, I am happy to do it at a discounted rate.

About My Experience

I've been writing picture books for a very long time. I can't even begin to count the number of critiques I have done. I’ve edited novels, both fiction and nonfiction for publishers, critiqued everything from story app concept to magazine article, MG, YA, and even the "dreaded" synopsis.

My picture book, BEDTIME MONSTER, is published by Raven Tree Press. KICK! JUMP! CHOP! THE ADVENTURES OF THE NINJABREAD MAN is scheduled to be released by Sterling Publishing in 2017. I am represented by Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.

"Heather's critique is exactly what I needed to get me out of a state of stagnation and moving in a better direction on my children's book proposal. The constructive information she shared in my critique was conveyed with a distinct air of "been there, pitched that" experience. Heather knows what agents and publishers need from a proposal and helps writers hone in on their story's hook and refocus their pitch. I highly recommend her services and wouldn't hesitate to work with Heather on future projects." - Stacey Viera, Best Light Media

"Heather has critiqued a number of my picture book manuscripts--and I couldn't be more satisfied. Her comments are thorough and insightful and straightforward--a gift for any of us who have walked away from a critique with more questions than answers!" - Terry H., Children's Book Writer

Monster List of Picture Book Agents - Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, Red Fox Literary

5/15/2016 - Stephanie is CLOSED to unsolicited submissions. Red Fox agents only consider submissions through industry referrals or conferences at which they present. Stephanie is scheduled to participate in #PBPitch on 6/16/2016.

Red Fox Literary has a new agent! Stephanie Fretwell-Hill started her career selling foreign rights for Walker Books Ltd. and also worked as an acquiring editor at Peachtree Publishing. You can read her full bio on the Red Fox Literary About Us page.

Red Fox agents are normally closed to unsolicited submissions but Stephanie is open for a limited time. If you want to submit your work to Stephanie you will need to do so by July 25, 2016. Update: As of 4/25/16 Stephanie has already gotten over 4,000 submissions! She will now be closing to submissions on 5/15/2016. Please do check the Red Fox Literary Submission Guidelines to make sure that date has not changed before you submit.

The Red Fox Literary Press Release about Stephanie joining the agency has some great information in it.

Although she is new to agenting, there is a bit more good information around the web to help you make the decision as to whether or not Stephanie might be the right agent to submit your work to:

Kathy Temean has a great interview with Stephanie about her agenting style, what she is looking for as an agent, and more. You will definitely want to read this one. Bonus: Stephanie will be doing first page critiques on Kathy's blog. Submissions need to be in by April 21st. The post will be up on April 29th.

Stephanie is on Facebook and has some public posts on her page that might help you get to know her tastes.

You can follow her on Twitter @SFretwellHill

Writer's Digest did a New Agent Alert that is repetitive if you've read the other links here, but it does lay out what Stephanie is looking for quick-style.

You can find Stephanie's profile on LinkedIn.

There are a couple of quick tips from Stephanie at this post about the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference at Write Naked. (Scroll down to under the second photo.)

There's some comments on Querytracker regarding Stephanie's response time. You have to join to be able to read them, but it's free.

Alright, this is digging deep. I found a link to an old blog of Stephanie's. If you have a food manuscript she just might dig it. ;) (I put the link to the profile so you can see it for yourself. Website 1 does not work. Website 2 does.)

Okay everyone, do remember that submitting to Stephanie has a deadline! A new agent such as Stephanie can be a great opportunity as she is building her list. Good luck!

This post is part of the Monster List of Picture Book Agents. If you have an additions or changes you think should be made to this listing please contact me or leave them in the comments. Thanks!

Some Picture Book Writing Tips

I've come across a few good sites with some helpful picture book writing tips as of late, so I wanted to pass them along. I know so many of you reading my blog are working hard on your picture book manuscripts!

Author Josh Funk has put together a Guide to Writing Picture Books that breaks the important parts of picture book writing into short, easy to digest posts. I know that a lot of you like to write in rhyme so be sure to check out Don't Write in Rhyme where Josh point out many of the common rhyming mistakes. You can also find loads of good rhyming tips at RhyPiBoMo like this one on multi-syllabic ending rhyming words by agent Sally Apokedac.

Mem Fox has so many great books. I happened upon her website and found that she has a whole bunch of hints for writers. She has 4 links in the sidebar on the page. Her hints are nice and straightforward. Love them!

I also really enjoyed DON'T DO IT! - how Not to write a picture book by Malachy Doyle on the Picture Book Den blog. Funny post title but true enough!

It can be good to take a break and refresh your picture book writing knowledge with posts like these and then dive back into writing. I myself am off to dive into picture book revisions again now.

When you think you are ready for new eyes on your manuscript check out my Critique Services. I love helping new and seasoned picture book writers and can always make time for a picture book critique!

Me, in PW? aka I HAVE NEWS!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!

Publisher's Weekly -- it's the place to go to read about book deals. It can be so fun to read, and to see the people I know from around the web getting book deals. For me, it's inspiring to read about what children's books will be coming out in the future. The Publisher's Weekly Rights Report helps me see what types of books are selling and who the agents and publishers involved are. Reading the weekly report is another good way to get to know the publishing world. Of course, when you really want a book deal it can perhaps be not as fun to read becuase you wonder if you are ever going to see yourself listed there, but it helps to remember that if you are a writer you have to be in it for the long haul.

For me, it has finally happened. My book deal is listed in the Publisher's Weekly Rights Report! It is amazing to see myself there. I have wanted to have a book announcement for so long in general. Of course, I have known about my book deal but seeing it there announced to the kidlit book world makes it feel all new and exciting again. If you don't want to follow the link I will show you here:

I am super excited about this book. It's punny. It involves cookies, and ninjas. Stuff I love! My agent really helped encourage me to write even better than I thought I could. Zaneta Jung and the team at Sterling Publishing are so enthusiastic and supportive. The cut paper illustration style that Bomboland does are fresh and fun. I cannot wait to see how it all turns out!

Monster List of Picture Book Agents -- Lori Nowicki, Painted Words

Painted Words is an agency founded by Lori Nowicki in 2006. They represents many award winning books and many author/illustrators. They represent a few authors who do not illustrate as well.

You can find Lori Nowicki at Publisher's Marketplace. While it looks like she tends to focus on author/illustrators she does say, "We are currently looking for submissions from authors in the areas of picture books, beginning readers, and chapter books (ages 4-8), as well as Middle-Grade fiction (ages 9-12)."

You can find Painted Words on Facebook, on Twitter @painted_words, and on tumblr, which looks to be filled with the most content. Lori Nowicki does have a profile on Linkedin. Painted Words has a Linkedin page as well.

There is not much information about Lori Nowicki online. I have queried Lori and got a nice, personal reply from her assistant. Looking at Lori's list of clients and award winning books to me, made her an agent to definitely consider. Lori was listed as one of the top 20 picture book agents according to sales in 2013,

Be sure to peruse the entire Painted Words website to get a feel for the type of stories they represent. If you would like to submit your work to Painted Words please see their submission guidelines.

Painted Words represents Connie Schofield-Morrison & Marilyn Sadler.





This post is part of the Monster List of Picture Book Agents. If you have an additions or changes you think should be made to this listing please contact me or leave them in the comments. Thanks!

My First Ever Newsletter is Out!

Today I published my very first Writers of Childish Things Newsletter. I was sort of nervous. I see sending something directly to people's inboxes as a big responsibility and I am very humbled by those who have chosen to subscribe.

I'm starting my newsletter in a very busy month! In this first newsletter I share about the opportunities we have coming up this month for Sub It Club's 3 Year Celebrations. There are going to be some great giveaways for picture book writers! There's also a long list of upcoming pitch opportunities that are open to picture books.

Of course, I talk about the new Monster List and my new Picture Book Query Letter Workshop. In my newsletter you'll find a special Workshop discount for subscribers. So, if you've interested I'd love for you to subscribe!

You can read the newsletter here: eepurl.com/bN7XGb. You'll find a subscribe button in the top, left hand corner.

The New Monster List of Picture Book Publishers!

I know that a lot of you use my Monster List of Picture Book Agents. It's a good resource for when you're on the hunt for an agent, if I do say so myself. I go through the same process to create the posts as I would if I were researching an agent to query. I search to find information about the agent, what they're looking for when it comes to picture books, what they want in submissions, who they represent... all of those things we try to figure out so we can make an educated guess as to if we might want to work with someone. All that research can help you find a way to personalize your query letter too.

I started the list because when I was looking for an agent I spent so much time slogging through submission guidelines trying to figure out if an agent actually took on picture book writers who didn't illustrate, that I got pretty fast at it. Plus I had a big list of agents and I wanted to share it. I still do. Putting together Monster List posts takes some time. But it's fun and I'm going to try to step it up this year and get a lot more posts done. There are lots of agents out there looking for picture books!

Created by Dana Carey.

There's another Monster List I have been wanting to create for some time. As I was putting together my new Picture Book Query Letter Workshop (I announced it yesterday!) I knew that I finally needed to get the list together for people to use.

Sometimes you want to submit your work straight to a publisher, and that is what this list is all about. I am really happy to give you the Monster List of Picture Book Publishers! So far there are over 60 publishers on the list, most of whom are open to unagented submissions right now.

I'm not going to be doing individual posts for this Monster List. Instead I have created a page and linked directly to the publisher's submission guidelines. Those can be so hard to find sometimes! Then you can click through to their website and see what picture books they publish and do your research to decide if they might be a good publisher for your manuscript.

I'm going to add to the list as I come across more picture book publishers. I'll keep track and do an update post on the blog every so often and will be sending out the info in my newsletter as well. (You can sign up in the sidebar.)

A huge THANK YOU! you to my partner in Sub It Club, Dana Carey, for changing up the fabulous Monster List of Picture Book Agents logo she created for me so that I can use it with the Monster List of Picture Book Publishers as well. I just love love that logo!

Whether you are thinking you might like to submit your book directly to publishers, or are well underway with submitting your work, open the door and take a peek at the new Monster List of Picture Book Publishers! Maybe some good places to submit your manuscript will jump out at you.

And if you're feeling like you need help with your query letter, please check out my Picture Book Query Letter Workshop. I'd be happy to help you get that query letter written so you can put your best pitch forward and submit that picture book!

Something New!

I have some exciting things coming up! I have a new Monster List I'm creating to help you find places to submit your work. Soon I'll be opening up a new class I'm creating for picture book writers submitting their work. In February there are great opportunities coming up at Sub It Club. And maybe sometime soonish, I'll even have some good news to share.

Since I split myself between here and the Sub It Club blog I don't always get all of the information out in one place. So, a newsletter will be a good one stop place to capture it all. My plan is to only send out a newsletter 3 to 4 times a year. I'll include the news on who I've added to the Monster Lists, links to tips on submitting and writing, and whatever else I find that I think is helpful to children's book writers. If you're interested I'd love for you to sign up!

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Monster List of Picture Book Agents - Carrie Hannigan of HSG Agency

Carrie Hannigan of HSG Agency

Today's Monster List of Picture Books Agents feature is on agent Carrie Hannigan of HSG Agency (Hannigan, Salky, Getzler Agency). You won't find a bunch of interviews with Carrie online or much social media. But that doesn't mean she's not an agent to consider by any means!

According to Carrie's bio on the agency website she worked with esteemed agent Timothy Seldes of Russell & Volkening for 14 years before moving on to form HSG agency. HSG Agency opened in 2011. Carrie has many successful clients.

Be sure to read Carrie's full bio on the agency website.

While you will mostly have to rely on the HSG Agency website, there are a few other places online where you can learn about Carrie and her agency:

Hannigan, Salky, Getzler Agency has a Facebook page where they post about client releases and more.

Read Carrie's Publisher's Marketplace page to learn about the genres she represents, clients, forthcoming books, and more.

You can get a feel for Carrie's response times by reading the comments and response times reports on her Querytracker listing.

Carrie's picture book author clients include Erica S. Pearl

and Ann McCallum 


Carrie has some amazing clients. She represents author/illustrators as well. Be sure to check out the HSG Agency Clients page.

If you think your work might be a fit for Carrie Hannigan, read over the HSG Agency Submission Guidelines for details on how to submit your work. They ask for electronic submissions only. Yay!

*Please do note that Carrie is not looking for picture books written in rhyme.

This post is part of the Monster List of Picture Book Agents. If you have an additions or changes you think should be made to this listing please contact me or leave them in the comments. Thanks!

Enjoy the Little Things

Hey there. As you probably know, the road to publication can be a long one. When you are writing and polishing, submitting and waiting, not a whole lot of tangible things happen. Yes, you have put words on the page. Lots of words! But if you're like me, you aren't showing them to anyone. If you're not careful it can make you feel like you are not doing anything because there is nothing for anyone to see! Or worse, you can feel like you are failing and that is not good for writing great things.

Here's the thing, a published book is but one of the positive things that can happen for you as a writer. Sure, a published book or agent can feel like the golden prize that we're all trying to reach. But there are lots of positives along the way that you need to recognize. They are the things that will keep you going along the long road!

Here are some things that you should pat yourself on the back for:

• Coming up with something great: a title, character, sentence, etc. Yes!
• Finding the perfect word you needed. Uh-huh!
• Finishing a draft. Sweet!
• Completing a revision. Even sweeter!
• Positive things your critique partners say about your work. Woohoo!
• Figuring out a problem you had in your writing. Phew!
• Submitting your polished work. Yay!
• Getting to go have fun at a conference. Yippee!
• Great writer friends. The bomb! 

And of course these are things to hold onto that should tell you that yes, you are doing things right:

• Personalized rejections. They don't send these to everyone!
• Invitations to send more work. They like your style!
• Revision requests. They believe you created a piece that might work in their publishing program!
• Agent interest. An agent thinks they may be able to sell your work! 

Nope, you can't control these last things but if you get something of this nature, don't forget it. Pull it out and reread it when you are wondering why you are spending so much time on this writing thing. 

Either way, remember the positives! Go write some more great sentences. Find that perfect word. And chat it up with your writer friends. You can usually find me blabbing away at Sub It Club or on twitter. ;)