by Madeline Smoot | Feb 8, 2017 | Buried in the Slush Pile, critiquing
One of the best things for your writing is to get feedback from other knowledgeable authors. The easiest way to do this is to set up a critique group. Then, you and like-minded individuals can get together to review and strengthen each other’s works.
by Madeline Smoot | May 21, 2013 | Buried in the Slush Pile, critique manners, critiquing, kindness
When we critique, we are often faced with a dilemma. We need to provide the person with honest feedback, but it has to be done in such a way that the author does not feel threatened as a person and is able to stay in a mind space that can accept the critique. In...
by Madeline Smoot | Mar 10, 2011 | children's book editor, critique forum, critiquing, editing, forum, submissions
So, I’m happy at the way the new Buried in the Slush Pile Forum is working. The layout is clear (if unexciting), and it’s easy to find all of the different people who want feedback on their various summaries. Best of all, the ones I haven’t viewed...
by Madeline Smoot | Mar 7, 2011 | book proposals, cover letters, critiquing, practice
The first part of any book proposal (or submission for that matter) is the cover letter. A query letter is also, in many ways, identical to the cover letter. Basically, these are incredibly important things to be able to write. Also, you’re going to be...
by Madeline Smoot | Apr 27, 2009 | Austin SCBWI, conference, critiquing, handouts, marketing, reading, writing for kids
I have had a busy past few months. So busy, that I was unable to even pretend to try to keep up with blogging. There were book covers to design, interiors to layout, text to edit, text to have copyedited, and a NBN transition team to head. And all with only half a...
