Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Okay. Here is one that I actually have already sent out to a contest. More than one book is mentioned in this one as well because I sent in both manuscripts and I wanted to make sure the letter for each mentioned the pair of manuscripts. It's a little long, but I felt the need to describe the series...

Good stuff. I agree with all of it. And this was sort of an experimental query. I have several others and will post a different one later today that is more specific to just this book. I wanted to try a different angle, but maybe it's not a good idea. Just to clarify, Liora is the teenage protagonis...

This is sort of like walking out to the mailbox in 10 degree weather: I hate that my nostrils freeze on the way there, but I want the mail so bad I sprint for it even without a coat or shoes. Here's a rough draft query...that's my disclaimer, anyway. I really love red pen, so whoever does that cool ...

My Plan: Dark chocolate

I didn't think I'd ever consider it, because I've had free editing by family in the business, but also by actual authors who are not blood. :-) But I guess what intrigued me here was that she was a former agent, who I actually "knew" and with whom I had real conversations about my work. I ...

Absolutely! the Chronicles are not chronological...how foolish of me! But I was thinking more recently, as well. Thanks for the input. Especially the idea of "strongest novel first." I tend to get hung up on a particular character starting off the series, but it doesn't have to be that way...

Okay...question. Let me set it up: Two years ago at a writers conference I frequent, I met a young agent (from a big NY house--it was all very exciting!) and we hit it off great. She was totally into my genre (YA fantasy) and we had a great conversation over drinks. She asked me what I was working o...

Nice post. Does anyone know of a resource for YA/Fantasy small press?

I think it would be kinda cool to be able to read the first three books in any order (once they were all published) because the story unfolds in all sorts of interesting ways for these different characters. It doesn't have to be published that way, I just like the idea. I'm curious if it would be a ...

Is anyone aware of a series where the books are published out of order (on purpose)? This is something I'd love to see done with my books. It sounds confusing, but I have four books that follow three generations. Therefore there are several main characters but they are all related. For example: Book...

I'm in the process of creating my 2010 List: agents, publishers, editors, etc that I will submit to this year. In the past I haven't been very serious about it, only submitting to a handful of agents over the last few years. The small press intrigues me and I'm wondering more about it myself. Does a...

This week's favorite quote:

"I have no talent of certainty." ~Fanny Price, Mansfield Park


Yeah, kiddo, me neither.

I'm not a teacher yet but I'm about to start grad school for Secondary Ed English (I already have a degree in Social Welfare that is about eleven years old, so I'm sort of starting over). I'm looking forward to teaching writing more than anything else. Literature appreciation, next. There is a Ning ...

If a new (unpublished) writer enters a contest with a publisher and wins, should he/she find an agent immediately?

Critique, absolutely. I don't believe praise. But scribble all over my paper with red pen and I will know that you read it, considered it, and made your best suggestions. Love it. Love that red pen.