This is pretty funny - from politicians to TV personalities to scientists to writers.
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
SARAH PALIN: Before it got to the other side, I shot the chicken, cleaned and dressed it, and had chicken burgers for lunch.
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn’t about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where’s my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken’s intentions. I am not for it now and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken doesn’t realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he’s acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I’m going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed access to the other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he’s guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer’s Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I’ve not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn’t ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn’t that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
Thoughts, Musings, and the Writing Life of YA Author Kimberley Griffiths Little
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Great Agent Hunt!
Stats and The True Story:
I will attempt to be semi-coherent in giving you my humble story of how I found my agent, Tracey Adams of Adams Literary. (Find my name on the client page and read my new bio there.) She is absolutely terrific, very friendly, in my corner, knows all the best editors, chats me up with fantastic editors, *gets* my work better than I’d ever dreamed. In short, things are going swimmingly and I’m thrilled to pieces to be working with her!
In the Fall of 2006, my agent of 10 years and I decided to part ways. She had sold three books for me, which you can see here at my website: www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com (But don’t forget to come back for the rest of the story.)
My agent informed me she was moving to Costa Rica, and that from now on I was going to have to do all my own submissions (which I’d already been doing a lot of and not enjoying it too much). She had started her agency in the adult literature world, specializing in mysteries, sci-fi and fantasy, and falling accidentally into the YA world,. We’d also met at a local conference. Along with her move to Costa Rica, she was going to emphasize blockbuster adult thrillers and women’s fiction and she wasn’t keeping up much with the children’s world. She hadn’t been able to sell any of my current manuscripts and I heartily believed in them and didn’t want to give up.
Fact: Currently I have complete manuscripts for 6 novels, partials for 3 books and synopses for 5 more(!) and I was being told to just write a new book. Um, it was time to move on.
Moving on is not so easy to do . . . Finding a new agent – even harder.
I began researching agents and agency websites, discovered the world of writers through Blogspot and LiveJournal and many writers who let me email them and ask questions about their agents. I compiled a huge master list, which kept being added to over the next 18 months.
I did my homework – continued to research for new agents, definitely a constant in this saga - and three months later sent out my first batch of queries.
To make a long story shorter, by the time I was offered firm representation I had queried 39 agents. As I write this, that number is staggering to me.
So how did the 39 break down?
Fact: I queried with two different manuscripts, but the majority of queries were for one novel in particular, Secret Rites of the Goddess. The other manuscript, The Healing Spell, I started querying much later in the game – basically the last 6 months.
Fact: 90% were query emails with synopses, some included a few pages. The other 10 % were snail mail. I thought about querying several other very well-known agents, but just did *not* want to do the snail mail routine with a SASE and a run to the post office and purchasing more nice letter-head paper. That is for the olden days!
The Numbers Game:
13 Agents wanted Fulls
12 Agents wanted Partials (several wanted partials of both projects)
7 Agents never bothered to acknowledge or respond to the query at all. Amazingly high number - and from some very reputable, big agencies.
7 Agents never asked for anything, but I did get a personal rejection letter. A variety of reasons. Too full with clients right now, not the right kind of project for them even though it sounded interesting, etc.
Most of the agents read right away within a few weeks and most gave very nice comments. I did revise twice on my own during the 18 months of submitting. After that, I had 6 agents request specific revisions and asked me to resend, but I never did revise for anybody while I was still waiting to hear from others. I figured I’d revise/resub after I finished my entire list of agents.
Fact: I still have 20 Agents on my list that I researched, but never queried.
Fact: After a year, I got discouraged waiting as well as the whole, excruciatingly long process so I subbed partials to 8 editors that I carefully researched who might like my books. I had great success. Several asked for fulls, and 4 of them or 50% asked me to send them my new projects in the future. I was psyched about that!
Fact: The previous fact proves that editors are still reading their slush piles! And asking for fulls and writing personal letters to authors.
Fact: I entered into some lovely correspondence with several agents. I knew they would take me on with the right project.
Fact: On August 27, 2008, Tracey Adams and I had a two-hour phone conversation and we signed each other up!
Fact: Tracey never had me do ANY revisions before submitting to editors.
Fact: This blog will have some most excellent news next week. Fingers crossed and stay tuned!
Fact: If anybody would like to see my list of agents, I’d be glad to email it to you so that you can see if any of these agents might be right for you. Don’t forget to do your research/homework though!
The Last and Best Fact: I attended SCBWI LA in August 2007, mostly because I wanted to meet Tracey Adams since she was only accepting submissions from writers who attended the conferences she spoke at. It took a year and several emails over the summer with her when she offered representation, but she was always my Number One Choice Agent, although her offer suddenly got 5 other agencies jumping, too. It was obvious after corresponding with all the interested agents that I’d picked the right agent as #1. I couldn’t be more pleased.
End of Story!
Or maybe just the beginning . . .
I will attempt to be semi-coherent in giving you my humble story of how I found my agent, Tracey Adams of Adams Literary. (Find my name on the client page and read my new bio there.) She is absolutely terrific, very friendly, in my corner, knows all the best editors, chats me up with fantastic editors, *gets* my work better than I’d ever dreamed. In short, things are going swimmingly and I’m thrilled to pieces to be working with her!
In the Fall of 2006, my agent of 10 years and I decided to part ways. She had sold three books for me, which you can see here at my website: www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com (But don’t forget to come back for the rest of the story.)
My agent informed me she was moving to Costa Rica, and that from now on I was going to have to do all my own submissions (which I’d already been doing a lot of and not enjoying it too much). She had started her agency in the adult literature world, specializing in mysteries, sci-fi and fantasy, and falling accidentally into the YA world,. We’d also met at a local conference. Along with her move to Costa Rica, she was going to emphasize blockbuster adult thrillers and women’s fiction and she wasn’t keeping up much with the children’s world. She hadn’t been able to sell any of my current manuscripts and I heartily believed in them and didn’t want to give up.
Fact: Currently I have complete manuscripts for 6 novels, partials for 3 books and synopses for 5 more(!) and I was being told to just write a new book. Um, it was time to move on.
Moving on is not so easy to do . . . Finding a new agent – even harder.
I began researching agents and agency websites, discovered the world of writers through Blogspot and LiveJournal and many writers who let me email them and ask questions about their agents. I compiled a huge master list, which kept being added to over the next 18 months.
I did my homework – continued to research for new agents, definitely a constant in this saga - and three months later sent out my first batch of queries.
To make a long story shorter, by the time I was offered firm representation I had queried 39 agents. As I write this, that number is staggering to me.
So how did the 39 break down?
Fact: I queried with two different manuscripts, but the majority of queries were for one novel in particular, Secret Rites of the Goddess. The other manuscript, The Healing Spell, I started querying much later in the game – basically the last 6 months.
Fact: 90% were query emails with synopses, some included a few pages. The other 10 % were snail mail. I thought about querying several other very well-known agents, but just did *not* want to do the snail mail routine with a SASE and a run to the post office and purchasing more nice letter-head paper. That is for the olden days!
The Numbers Game:
13 Agents wanted Fulls
12 Agents wanted Partials (several wanted partials of both projects)
7 Agents never bothered to acknowledge or respond to the query at all. Amazingly high number - and from some very reputable, big agencies.
7 Agents never asked for anything, but I did get a personal rejection letter. A variety of reasons. Too full with clients right now, not the right kind of project for them even though it sounded interesting, etc.
Most of the agents read right away within a few weeks and most gave very nice comments. I did revise twice on my own during the 18 months of submitting. After that, I had 6 agents request specific revisions and asked me to resend, but I never did revise for anybody while I was still waiting to hear from others. I figured I’d revise/resub after I finished my entire list of agents.
Fact: I still have 20 Agents on my list that I researched, but never queried.
Fact: After a year, I got discouraged waiting as well as the whole, excruciatingly long process so I subbed partials to 8 editors that I carefully researched who might like my books. I had great success. Several asked for fulls, and 4 of them or 50% asked me to send them my new projects in the future. I was psyched about that!
Fact: The previous fact proves that editors are still reading their slush piles! And asking for fulls and writing personal letters to authors.
Fact: I entered into some lovely correspondence with several agents. I knew they would take me on with the right project.
Fact: On August 27, 2008, Tracey Adams and I had a two-hour phone conversation and we signed each other up!
Fact: Tracey never had me do ANY revisions before submitting to editors.
Fact: This blog will have some most excellent news next week. Fingers crossed and stay tuned!
Fact: If anybody would like to see my list of agents, I’d be glad to email it to you so that you can see if any of these agents might be right for you. Don’t forget to do your research/homework though!
The Last and Best Fact: I attended SCBWI LA in August 2007, mostly because I wanted to meet Tracey Adams since she was only accepting submissions from writers who attended the conferences she spoke at. It took a year and several emails over the summer with her when she offered representation, but she was always my Number One Choice Agent, although her offer suddenly got 5 other agencies jumping, too. It was obvious after corresponding with all the interested agents that I’d picked the right agent as #1. I couldn’t be more pleased.
End of Story!
Or maybe just the beginning . . .
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Haunted Houses
Halloween is in only 10 days and Albuquerque has TWO haunted houses to scare the bejeebies out of you!
I am getting my arm twisted to go to 13th Street Manor: www.hauntplex.com/albuquerque/nm_13thstreetmanor.html
Who's twisting my arm? My new daughter-in-law (!) who works there seven days a week scaring people until Halloween is over.
I've never been a person who seeks out horror movies. I love mysteries and suspense and thrillers. The Bourne Identity, Mission Impossible, Dial M for Murder - but HAUNTED HOUSES with people screaming and blood dripping and zombies chasing you and vampires rising out of the dark and ghouls grabbing at your ankles? Thank you very much but I think I'd rather hit the dollar movie down the road and see Traveling Pants 2! (Watch the very cute trailer at this link.) Anyone seen it yet? Carolee Dean and I are going to go see it for a girl's night out soon.
Anyway, Milyssa really, really wants us to go, and I'm feeling guilty putting her off. I said maybe I'll go if my hubby is on one side of me, and my boys on the other three sides. And I'll hide my eyes. And run really, really fast!
See, when I was eleven years old I had a *bad experience* at our local haunted house in Concord, California. I went with my best friend, Starr, and I got so scared by people grabbing at me and getting electrically zapped on a bench that I was near tears and begged to leave. They let me out a side door. I was sooooo relieved. But my friend Starr FINISHED the tour ALL BY HERSELF. And didn't seem terribly freaked out at all.
I guess I'm a wimp.
I'll let you know next week if I went and if I survived.
If this blog goes dark, you'll know the outcome . . .
I am getting my arm twisted to go to 13th Street Manor: www.hauntplex.com/albuquerque/nm_13thstreetmanor.html
Who's twisting my arm? My new daughter-in-law (!) who works there seven days a week scaring people until Halloween is over.
I've never been a person who seeks out horror movies. I love mysteries and suspense and thrillers. The Bourne Identity, Mission Impossible, Dial M for Murder - but HAUNTED HOUSES with people screaming and blood dripping and zombies chasing you and vampires rising out of the dark and ghouls grabbing at your ankles? Thank you very much but I think I'd rather hit the dollar movie down the road and see Traveling Pants 2! (Watch the very cute trailer at this link.) Anyone seen it yet? Carolee Dean and I are going to go see it for a girl's night out soon.
Anyway, Milyssa really, really wants us to go, and I'm feeling guilty putting her off. I said maybe I'll go if my hubby is on one side of me, and my boys on the other three sides. And I'll hide my eyes. And run really, really fast!
See, when I was eleven years old I had a *bad experience* at our local haunted house in Concord, California. I went with my best friend, Starr, and I got so scared by people grabbing at me and getting electrically zapped on a bench that I was near tears and begged to leave. They let me out a side door. I was sooooo relieved. But my friend Starr FINISHED the tour ALL BY HERSELF. And didn't seem terribly freaked out at all.
I guess I'm a wimp.
I'll let you know next week if I went and if I survived.
If this blog goes dark, you'll know the outcome . . .
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Daydreaming Book Covers
Surely I'm not the only one who makes up potential covers for their manuscripts . . . this was way fun to put together while I'm waiting to hear about my submissions . . .
Isn't it gorgeous? I wonder what the actual novel will look like after the story SELLS and the art department gets a hold of it. I can't wait!
Course the title could end up changing, too. That seems to happen a lot these days.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
We're on Submission - and it's my 100th Post!
Yep, my new and awesomely amazing agent has officially submitted two of my completed novels, a MG called The Healing Spell and an edgy YA with crossover potential titled, Secret Rites of the Goddess. My wonderful agent went to New York two weeks ago and pitched/chatted up my books with 7 various editors from dynamite houses - and they ALL wanted to read the manuscripts. Picking and choosing who gets what and when needed a bit of discussion, but we managed to figure it out. :-D
The blurbs for you curious folks out there . . . actually, these are the synopses I wrote for my query letters to editors and agents. I usually got requests to send the full manuscript.
Secret Rites of the Goddess
by
Kimberley Griffiths Little
On the night of Jayden's blood ritual, she learns about the ancient Mother Goddess as well as the forbidden secret rites celebrated at the goddess temples of Ashtoreth - idol worship that daughters of Abraham have been warned to shun. The stories are curious and terrifying, especially when Jayden's older sister Leila seems determined to join the temple priestesses and experience the seductive, sexual rituals.
Jayden's character is tested as she loses her family one by one to the harsh life of the desert, finding herself raising her infant sister after her mother dies in childbirth. She's also mesmerized and confused by Kadesh, the stranger who unexpectedly appears as if conjured by desert spirits. Is the young man a heathen or a believer, and what is the truth about his elusive tribe in the distant Southern lands?
When Jayden's cousin Horeb, her betrothed, raids Kadesh's caravan and kills the young man she loves, the pressure to turn herself over to the temple cult where there is luxury and comfort despite its hidden vices is more than she can bear. Only the promise Jayden made to her mother and her devotion to the True and Living God keeps her sane, even when she is shunned by the women of her clan.
Then Jayden learns there is a chance Kadesh might still be alive, and she sets off on a dangerous journey to find him, even though he hides a tragic secret of his own. In this story of peer pressure and cults set against the weaving tapestry of the ancient art of belly dance, Jayden discovers strengths she didn’t know she had and a faith that will help her stay alive, even as the world around her falls apart.
NOTE: My agent calls this book the YA equivalent to THE RED TENT, one of her all-time favorite books and every editor in New York said the same thing. It's a sexy, girl-power book about peer pressure and an ancient form of an all girl "gang" inside the Temple of Ashtoreth. Along with a romance and lots of danger.
The Healing Spell
by
Kimberley Griffiths Little
Deep in the Louisiana Cajun country, Livie Moulaison’s mother arrives home from the hospital in a coma after a terrible accident in the bayou. Daddy is determined she will only get better surrounded by the people who love her best, but Livie is terrified of her mother’s lifeless condition and wracked by a guilty secret.
The household gets even more tense when Aunt Colleen comes from Montana to nurse Mamma, and Livie and her younger cousin Thibodeaux clash from the get-go. It drives Livie crazy how this kid seems to know her worst fears--and plays on them to torment her. Mostly, Livie is afraid she and her mother will never be able to heal the hurtful past between them if Mamma never wakes up again so she takes her pirogue into the darkest part of the swamp to seek out the mysterious traiteur in hopes of buying a healing spell that will bring her mamma back to life.
Stuck in the middle of three sisters, hiding a forbidden pet alligator, and afraid to disappoint her daddy whom she loves more than anyone else, Livie struggles to find her place within her own family as she learns about the power of faith and redemption.
NOTE: One editor said she LOVED the mysterious title and another said she could feel the steamy setting rising off the page.
And now we are playing the waiting game . . .
The blurbs for you curious folks out there . . . actually, these are the synopses I wrote for my query letters to editors and agents. I usually got requests to send the full manuscript.
Secret Rites of the Goddess
by
Kimberley Griffiths Little
On the night of Jayden's blood ritual, she learns about the ancient Mother Goddess as well as the forbidden secret rites celebrated at the goddess temples of Ashtoreth - idol worship that daughters of Abraham have been warned to shun. The stories are curious and terrifying, especially when Jayden's older sister Leila seems determined to join the temple priestesses and experience the seductive, sexual rituals.
Jayden's character is tested as she loses her family one by one to the harsh life of the desert, finding herself raising her infant sister after her mother dies in childbirth. She's also mesmerized and confused by Kadesh, the stranger who unexpectedly appears as if conjured by desert spirits. Is the young man a heathen or a believer, and what is the truth about his elusive tribe in the distant Southern lands?
When Jayden's cousin Horeb, her betrothed, raids Kadesh's caravan and kills the young man she loves, the pressure to turn herself over to the temple cult where there is luxury and comfort despite its hidden vices is more than she can bear. Only the promise Jayden made to her mother and her devotion to the True and Living God keeps her sane, even when she is shunned by the women of her clan.
Then Jayden learns there is a chance Kadesh might still be alive, and she sets off on a dangerous journey to find him, even though he hides a tragic secret of his own. In this story of peer pressure and cults set against the weaving tapestry of the ancient art of belly dance, Jayden discovers strengths she didn’t know she had and a faith that will help her stay alive, even as the world around her falls apart.
NOTE: My agent calls this book the YA equivalent to THE RED TENT, one of her all-time favorite books and every editor in New York said the same thing. It's a sexy, girl-power book about peer pressure and an ancient form of an all girl "gang" inside the Temple of Ashtoreth. Along with a romance and lots of danger.
The Healing Spell
by
Kimberley Griffiths Little
Deep in the Louisiana Cajun country, Livie Moulaison’s mother arrives home from the hospital in a coma after a terrible accident in the bayou. Daddy is determined she will only get better surrounded by the people who love her best, but Livie is terrified of her mother’s lifeless condition and wracked by a guilty secret.
The household gets even more tense when Aunt Colleen comes from Montana to nurse Mamma, and Livie and her younger cousin Thibodeaux clash from the get-go. It drives Livie crazy how this kid seems to know her worst fears--and plays on them to torment her. Mostly, Livie is afraid she and her mother will never be able to heal the hurtful past between them if Mamma never wakes up again so she takes her pirogue into the darkest part of the swamp to seek out the mysterious traiteur in hopes of buying a healing spell that will bring her mamma back to life.
Stuck in the middle of three sisters, hiding a forbidden pet alligator, and afraid to disappoint her daddy whom she loves more than anyone else, Livie struggles to find her place within her own family as she learns about the power of faith and redemption.
NOTE: One editor said she LOVED the mysterious title and another said she could feel the steamy setting rising off the page.
And now we are playing the waiting game . . .
Friday, September 26, 2008
Go! Arts Festival in Albuquerque
I'll be at the Go! Arts Festival in downtown Albuquerque all day TOMORROW!
There's a children's booth with 5 terrific local writers reading and autographing our books! WAY FUN!!!
The Festival is located on Gold Street and our booth is between 3rd and 4th streets on the south side in the Children's Activity Area
Who will be there?
Me!
Kersten Hamilton
Neecy Twinem
Kris Litchman
Edith Tarbescue
Please come say hello! Enjoy the gorgeous fall weather! Buy an exciting book! Eat a Snickers!
There's a children's booth with 5 terrific local writers reading and autographing our books! WAY FUN!!!
The Festival is located on Gold Street and our booth is between 3rd and 4th streets on the south side in the Children's Activity Area
Who will be there?
Me!
Kersten Hamilton
Neecy Twinem
Kris Litchman
Edith Tarbescue
Please come say hello! Enjoy the gorgeous fall weather! Buy an exciting book! Eat a Snickers!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Books Read Over the Summer
Children’s/YA Fiction:
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr *
Breathe My Name by R. A. Nelson *
Peeled by Joan Bauer
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry *
Total Constant Order by Crissa-Jean Chappel
Love me Tender by Audrey Couloumbis
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
Undercover by Beth Kephart *
How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
Remembering Raquel by Vivan Vande Velde *
Seer of Shadows by Avi *
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson *
Adult Novels:
The Twelfth Transforming by Pauline Gedge *
Lady of the Reeds by Pauline Gedge *
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella *
Non-Fiction:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne *
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A novelist looks at his craft by David Morrell *
* My favorites of the Current List
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr *
Breathe My Name by R. A. Nelson *
Peeled by Joan Bauer
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry *
Total Constant Order by Crissa-Jean Chappel
Love me Tender by Audrey Couloumbis
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
Undercover by Beth Kephart *
How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
Remembering Raquel by Vivan Vande Velde *
Seer of Shadows by Avi *
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson *
Adult Novels:
The Twelfth Transforming by Pauline Gedge *
Lady of the Reeds by Pauline Gedge *
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella *
Non-Fiction:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne *
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A novelist looks at his craft by David Morrell *
* My favorites of the Current List
Friday, September 12, 2008
I'm Signing at the New Mexico State Fair!
I'll be at the Children's Pavilion at the New Mexico State Fair TODAY at 2:30 p.m. and MONDAY, September 15th at 2:30 p.m.
I'll be doing a reading from THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER and then autographing books! I will also have copies of BREAKAWAY and ENCHANTED RUNNER, which won the Southwest Book Award.
Please come on down! I'd love to meet ya!
I have candy.
I'll be doing a reading from THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER and then autographing books! I will also have copies of BREAKAWAY and ENCHANTED RUNNER, which won the Southwest Book Award.
Please come on down! I'd love to meet ya!
I have candy.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
We have a winner!
The winner of THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER is . . . .
Ruby(mouth)!!!
Please email me your name and address at kglittle(at)msn(dot)com and I'll send that to you right away!
Thank you for playing, everyone, and and enjoy a good book today!
Ruby(mouth)!!!
Please email me your name and address at kglittle(at)msn(dot)com and I'll send that to you right away!
Thank you for playing, everyone, and and enjoy a good book today!
Monday, September 08, 2008
If you don't know this site yet, you need to!
WWW.CYNTHIALEITICHSMITH.COM
It's my good friend Cynthia's 10-year anniversary of her web site - packed with everything you ever wanted to know about Children's Books and Authors and the publishing world. It's for readers, writers, librarians, parents, booksellers, anybody interested in the Children's/YA market.
Bookmark it.
Enjoy it.
Learn from it.
Most of all, have fun!
P. S. Enter my book giveaway contest below. Now. That's an order, people!
It's my good friend Cynthia's 10-year anniversary of her web site - packed with everything you ever wanted to know about Children's Books and Authors and the publishing world. It's for readers, writers, librarians, parents, booksellers, anybody interested in the Children's/YA market.
Bookmark it.
Enjoy it.
Learn from it.
Most of all, have fun!
P. S. Enter my book giveaway contest below. Now. That's an order, people!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Book Giveaways!
Don't forget to enter my book giveaway in the post below for THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER!
And here's another one at http://angiefrazier.blogspot.com/2008/09/contest.html
Enter both!!!
And here's another one at http://angiefrazier.blogspot.com/2008/09/contest.html
Enter both!!!
Friday, September 05, 2008
In Celebration of my Agent Signing!
Hi gang,
I'm still running around playing catch up after a wild August and I need to go spend a few hours up in Albuquerque this afternoon taking care of *business* so my post on "How I Came to Sign with The Adams Literary Agency" will appear on Monday. (Because weekends are tough for blogging). And I need to write a bio for the agency website and take a photo to send to Tracey, which is going to take some time. I have a first draft written, Tracey - in case you're reading this! Gulp.
But I gotta keep the partying goin'!!!
I've never done this before and it's high time I did so . . . to celebrate my agent signing, I'm going to do a giveaway of my YA, THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER pictured here.
The book in hardcover is shiny and has gorgeous cover art by the internationally famous artist, Joel Nakamura. The story is time travel and exciting and dangerous and there's a love story. And it's based on actual events from 1599, too!
All you have to do is post a comment and tell us something you love about your agent - and if you're not agented tell us something you're hoping for in your agent-to-be!
Feel free to link to my journal and spread the word. Announcements on your journals/blogs will automatically enter your name twice!
A *second* copy of THE LAST SNAKE RUNNER will be given away on my mirror blog as well! Whoo hoo!!! http://kimberleylittle.livejournal.com
Deadline: Tuesday, September 9th at midnight!!!
Have a happy weekend!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
It's Awesome News Day!!!!!!
Yep, I think I left you all hanging long enough. I'm sorry! I was dying to tell, but I had so many things going on and I've been physically fried for awhile.
So I'm home from my trip, said goodbye to my darling son at college, ran a million errands, helped him solve a few problems, drove long days in the car, survived a Mount Timpanogos hike, awed over the beauty of Arches National Park and all the while I was TINGLING with excitement because . . .
I had just signed with Tracey Adams of Adams Literary Agency!!!! Yes, the one and only Tracey Adams, agent extraordinaire!!!
She wants me! She loves my novels! She *gets* my stories! She's going to start calling editors about my novels and get me great deals!
YES, YES, YES!!!!!!
I AM THRILLED TO PIECES.
Tracey was always my #1 choice - and I got her!
More of the backstory tomorrow . . .
So I'm home from my trip, said goodbye to my darling son at college, ran a million errands, helped him solve a few problems, drove long days in the car, survived a Mount Timpanogos hike, awed over the beauty of Arches National Park and all the while I was TINGLING with excitement because . . .
I had just signed with Tracey Adams of Adams Literary Agency!!!! Yes, the one and only Tracey Adams, agent extraordinaire!!!
She wants me! She loves my novels! She *gets* my stories! She's going to start calling editors about my novels and get me great deals!
YES, YES, YES!!!!!!
I AM THRILLED TO PIECES.
Tracey was always my #1 choice - and I got her!
More of the backstory tomorrow . . .
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A little news
We're taking off at the crack of dawn to take my son back up to BYU, and I'm madly packing and falling over with exhaustion from a wild week AND I have good news, but I'm going to spill next week when I have more than 10 seconds to write a blog. So stay tuned - and have a great Labor Day weekend!
Okay, here's a nugget:
Good stuff on the movie front: I have a new idea for a murder thriller film based on a true story from 1967 that happened right here in my own little town on Route 66 - and the movie producer is very excited about it and cannot wait to see it! I've been researching, figuring out characters, and trying to finish up a short treatment to send to him when I return from the wilds of Utah. It's going to be a cross between No Country for Old Men and Chinatown! How about that?!
Okay, here's a nugget:
Good stuff on the movie front: I have a new idea for a murder thriller film based on a true story from 1967 that happened right here in my own little town on Route 66 - and the movie producer is very excited about it and cannot wait to see it! I've been researching, figuring out characters, and trying to finish up a short treatment to send to him when I return from the wilds of Utah. It's going to be a cross between No Country for Old Men and Chinatown! How about that?!
Friday, August 22, 2008
I can't keep a secret
I was going to wait until things were more official, but . . . I got an offer of representation from an agent last week and we're having a phone interview next week!!!!!!!!!
After 18 months of querying, stopping to revise, querying, revising (on my own that is) it's finally happened!
So I contacted all the other agents who had fulls and partials and they are all madly reading (and some asked for more - since I just finished my In a Paris Minute novel two weeks ago!) . . . I'm excited and nervous and sort of dazed.
Please pray for me that I won't sound like an idiot on the telephone. ;-D
After 18 months of querying, stopping to revise, querying, revising (on my own that is) it's finally happened!
So I contacted all the other agents who had fulls and partials and they are all madly reading (and some asked for more - since I just finished my In a Paris Minute novel two weeks ago!) . . . I'm excited and nervous and sort of dazed.
Please pray for me that I won't sound like an idiot on the telephone. ;-D
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Movie Update!
I've been traveling the past couple of weeks and now I'm getting ready for some family to drop in on us for a week. I thought I'd better write a blog before I forget how!
WHAT A CRAZY SUMMER THIS HAS BEEN! Seems like everyone I talk to has had the same kind of nuttiness in their lives.
So about the movie and the producer . . . I heard back from him very quickly, unlike the book publishing business where your manuscripts get sucked into a black hole without a map.
The good news: He *loved* the story and my writing and my characters!!!
The bad news: He has a very small budget and doesn't produce historicals because they are way too expensive and mine is time-travel and involves snakes and horses and 16th century armor and guns and cannons.
The good news: He emailed again to assure me that he wants to see more treatments from me and would love to work with me - meaning he wants to buy a movie from me. Just send him a contemporary Southwestern story.
Uncertain news: I gotta come up with a new idea and write it!!! No problemo. Think, brain, think.
Good news redux: My *movie* friend has more potential producers to send the completed treatment of The Last Snake Runner to - yay! And we're brainstorming new ideas tomorrow.
More good news: I did three more revision rounds on my YA novel, IN A PARIS MINUTE - and an editor at Candlewick wants me to send it to her so she can read it during her vacation next week! Now *that's* something that doesn't happen very often!
Gooder news: The manuscript was sent today at 2:51p.m. via email attachment.
I'm trying to catch up on blogs now . . . and I'm sinking fast . . . hope you're all good though!
WHAT A CRAZY SUMMER THIS HAS BEEN! Seems like everyone I talk to has had the same kind of nuttiness in their lives.
So about the movie and the producer . . . I heard back from him very quickly, unlike the book publishing business where your manuscripts get sucked into a black hole without a map.
The good news: He *loved* the story and my writing and my characters!!!
The bad news: He has a very small budget and doesn't produce historicals because they are way too expensive and mine is time-travel and involves snakes and horses and 16th century armor and guns and cannons.
The good news: He emailed again to assure me that he wants to see more treatments from me and would love to work with me - meaning he wants to buy a movie from me. Just send him a contemporary Southwestern story.
Uncertain news: I gotta come up with a new idea and write it!!! No problemo. Think, brain, think.
Good news redux: My *movie* friend has more potential producers to send the completed treatment of The Last Snake Runner to - yay! And we're brainstorming new ideas tomorrow.
More good news: I did three more revision rounds on my YA novel, IN A PARIS MINUTE - and an editor at Candlewick wants me to send it to her so she can read it during her vacation next week! Now *that's* something that doesn't happen very often!
Gooder news: The manuscript was sent today at 2:51p.m. via email attachment.
I'm trying to catch up on blogs now . . . and I'm sinking fast . . . hope you're all good though!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
An Historic Writing Day
This morning I emailed off a 20 page screenplay treatment and resume to a REAL, LIVE MOVIE PRODUCER who WANTS TO READ IT!!!
My treatment (which is another word for a very long developed synopsis with character development and all the plot twists and turns and climax and resolution written in present tense) was subbed to this producer with a recommendation from a writer this producer knows well. Which is even better.
It all started about a month ago . . .
Well, maybe 6 years ago when I thought, hmm, my book, The Last Snake Runner, is certainly a visual, exciting war story and love story. Maybe I'll try my hand at a screenplay just for kicks. I read a few screenplay books, then sat down and wrote it in about two weeks. Very fun experience, but what do I do with it? Screenplay gets shelved in my files. After all, I don't know a soul in the movie business and neither did my agent at the time.
Zip Fast Forward: A few months ago I met a screenplay writer who newly moved here and has sent the last 15 years writing his own or developing ideas or fixing screenplays for various producers. I mentioned I'd written one based on my novel and he said he'd like to read it. He thought it was terrific and the writing was wonderful.
Him: Are you sure this is your first screenplay?
Me: Yeah. I promise!
Him: It's so well done. You've got all the special formatting down, great dialogue, good descriptions, action. I'm impressed. I think I may know somebody who would like to see this.
Me. You're kidding.
Him: Nope, let me help you do a treatment.
Me. Sure!!!
After an intense month of brainstorming, writing, revising, adding many more cinematic elements, a new beginning, a very dramatic, magical climax, it's done. Got resume put together, was introduced to said producer who WANTS to do a movie set in New Mexico with Native Americans. (He's German after all, and Germany LOVES Native American stories) and it's off across the Atlantic.
Best part is: Producer said he's got a two week window to read it and I'll know what he thinks very soon. Not in 8 months. Like some editors and agents I know. Not naming any names . . .
Second best part: He actually has some funding - one of the biggest hurdles to a movie actually getting produced.
Third best part: If it's a go, the movie will be produced and distributed in Europe AND the U.S.
Me: WOW. JUST WOW.
Now you know where I've been the past month of absentee blogging . . . and I'm almost done with final revisions on my novel, In a Paris Minute, too. Can't wait to mail it out! But I'm just a little tired . . .
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Fun Video!
Moving right along . . . tell me I'm crazy because I'm sure it's true or else the heat has gotten to me and I'm not responsible for my actions . . . BUT I now have over 100 blogs I'm keeping up with via friends on Live Journal and all the blogs I've put into my bloglines for daily reading. I'm getting carried away - literally. I feel myself going down The Mighty River of Blog Land. Nary a rock or branch in sight to save myself.
So I mostly read other authors, agents, editors, but I also have some historical stuff and I peruse a few adult romance sites since I'm writing romance (of sorts) myself - except they're YA.
I came across this video today. All the authors who have been nominated for the RITA Award (which stands for something in the romance genre, but my brain is too woozy to remember exactly WHAT.) made this and it's hysterically funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2UXH_LWkic
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Mornings by the Rio Grande
Mornings are so beautiful here. I got up early, opened all the windows and doors wide to the let cool air rush throughout the house and then laid down on my bed listening to birds chirping, the cats scratching around - or on top of me (I swear their favorite thing to do - or push their heads under the covers with me), and watched pale morning sunlight make shadows and drops of yellow on my bedspread.
I tend to get up quickly, check email, exercise, eat breakfast, shower, throw laundry in, do dishes, write out bills, make any necessary phone calls, catch up on everyone's blogs, do my scripture reading, run errands, etc. and then it's 95 degrees and I try to write.
I'm making a promise to myself that before the summer is over I'm going to lie in bed enjoying the morning with a book. I mean, I only have 25 in the stack waiting for me. I know because I counted yesterday!
All during the school year I'm up at 5 a.m. to teach and I need to indulge in a good *lie-in* with a book at least ONE summer day. All I need to go with my book is a box of chocolates.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Book Purses - you know you want one
Then I found this!
Now I'm wondering if my brand new daughter-in-law would help me make one of these. Turns out she's quite the seamstress and very creative. Can you imagine a conference or ALA or BEA or Bologna where everyone (the girls at least) were carrying a purse in their favorite book?
(Full instructions with pictures and supplies needed at the link!)
How to Make a Book Purse
Make this purse out of an old (preferably cheap and unloved) book. It's sure to be a conversation starter wherever you take it and you'll get to recycle a discarded book in the process.
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Time travel, war, love, rattlesnakes, magic . . .
