Can't Punctuate Dialogue? Consider the Sentence
By G. Miki Hayden
Instructor at Writer's Digest University online and private writing coach
firstwriter.com – Monday September 4, 2017
Whereas everyone is welcome to write without a clue - you do have a computer, after all - unless you start with a strong foundation and build from there, your lack of understanding is going to cost you.
Recently, a student of mine expressed strong irritation when I suggested she learn to punctuate. Yes, I really am that annoying person. Well, the next time I went through her writing, I restrained myself from spending the time and effort on such minor matters as how her sentences were put together. I should simply presume people will be happy to pay for an edit rather than learn some of the basics of writing.
I thought I might start here with the sentence, really for a reason that has to do with punctuating dialogue - the issue on my mind right now. Why? Because while line editing, I've found so many examples of a certain glitch that boils down to a mere misunderstanding of what a sentence is.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Monday September 4, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Markets: Children's
Handles fiction and nonfiction for children of all ages, including picture books. Also represents illustrators. Welcomes submissions from debut and established authors and illustrators. Send query by email only, with cover letter, synopsis, and full ms as separate Word file attachments. See website for individual agent details and interests and approach one agent only. Aims to respond to every submission, within six weeks.
The BFG, Skellig, Aubrey ... children’s books boom
theguardian.com – Sunday September 3, 2017
Once upon a time, nine-year-old bookworms used to curl up with Little Women, or burrow under the bedclothes with a torch to read Swallows and Amazons after hours. Childhood reading was an idyll in a walled garden and books forever shaped the landscape of our minds.
Sundress Academy for the Arts Applications for Spring Artist Residencies
sundressacademyforthearts.com – Sunday September 3, 2017
Sundress Academy for the Arts (SAFTA) is excited to announce that they are now accepting applications for short-term artists' residencies in creative writing, visual art, film/theater, music, and more for the Spring of 2018. Each residency includes a room of one's own, access to a communal kitchen, bathroom, office, and living space, plus wireless internet. The length of a residency can range from one to three weeks. SAFTA is currently accepting applications for our spring residency period, which runs from January 1st to May 6th, 2018. The deadline for spring residency applications is September 10th, 2017.
DHH Literary Agency to hold second pitching round
thebookseller.com – Saturday September 2, 2017
DHH Literary Agency is holding its second round of pitching sessions for unrepresented writers in November.
With a view to finding new clients, and following its first successful session held in April this year, five agents will be available for a 10-minute slot for an individual writers to pitch their story and receive "honest and valuable" feedback. The pitch sessions will run from 4pm to 7pm on Monday 27th November at Browns on St. Martins Lane in central London.
London Startup Uses Technology To Open Up The World Of Book Publishing
forbes.com – Friday September 1, 2017
Emmanuel Nataf has a simple mission: “I want more people to share their ideas with the world.”
That’s why three years ago, the Frenchman moved to London and co-founded Reedsy, a curated marketplace for authors to find publishing professionals to help bring their book to life. While Paris may have Station F now, Nataf saw opportunity in the British capital thanks to the concentration of publishers, writers, and investors.
Akbar to edit online literary magazine for Unbound
thebookseller.com – Friday September 1, 2017
Unbound is launching an editorially-independent online literary magazine dedicated to long-form writing, edited by former Independent literary editor Arifa Akbar, and titled Boundless.
Created in part to counter the diminishing space in traditional media, the magazine will launch this autumn as part of the Unbound website and will focus on "long, well-written pieces" (2,000 to 3,000 words) by authors and critics, covering a broad range of subjects.
Sarah Mills, Writing Methodology, Tone and Pace, and Tips for Budding Writers
goodmenproject.com – Thursday August 31, 2017
Sarah Mills is a Writer and Editor at Conatus News, as well as a personal friend with whom I have written some articles. Here is a short interview with her.
Thirteenth short story contest winners announced
firstwriter.com – Thursday August 31, 2017
After much deliberation, firstwriter.com is pleased to announce the winners and special commendations of its Thirteenth International Short Story Contest, which opened in May 2016 and closed on May 1, 2017.
Stephanie Wolfe Murray, publisher – obituary
telegraph.co.uk – Wednesday August 30, 2017
Stephanie Wolfe Murray, who has died aged 76, co-founded the influential Scottish publisher Canongate Books and kept it afloat through regular financial crises for some 25 years.
Though Scottish publishing had a distinguished history in the 19th century, by the early 1970s there were only really two publishers which could accurately be called Scottish: Chambers, which primarily produced dictionaries, and Bartholomew, the mapmakers.
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