Being True, Being Real: YA Authors, Writing for Teens
March/April 2010 
 WOW! Women On Writing
 Issue #38: Being True, Being Real: YA Authors

In This Issue:
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The Power of Memoir



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Greetings!


[Issue 38 was guest edited by Margo L. Dill]

I confess--I love young adult literature. Maybe I've never grown up, and that's the reason why I read YA books and write for teens. Maybe I still remember what it's like to be full of angst over the pimple on your chin before you see your crush in first period, or decide whether or not you should go to the party your parents forbid you to attend. Maybe I fell in love with this genre when I coached high school cheerleading and basketball and discovered that teens are refreshingly honest, full of love and enthusiasm, and surviving every day in a teen-eat-teen world.

When Angela approached me and asked if I would like to guest edit this issue, I had to re-read her e-mail a few times to make sure that she really wanted me. (See...teen angst, anyone?) Then, I sent her an e-mail that said I would love to, and I'm sure it was filled with a thousand exclamation marks. I'm so thrilled to share this genre with WOW! readers and present these articles and interviews about books that are hot and edgy and authors who work hard to keep teens reading.

And what an issue we have for you! We have interviews with authors who cover everything from the history of X-rays to a crystal meth addiction. We have articles from writers who have explored the much-debated topic of YA censorship, how to use social networking with your teen audience, and when or why to put references to Facebook or MP3 players in your YA fiction.

But most importantly, you'll find that all of the advice points to how crucial it is to be real and true when writing for teens. They're an audience that will be the first to inform you that you didn't work hard enough to create an engaging and real story; but teens will also be the first ones to dedicate their lives to promoting your books and buying your sequels if you touch their hearts and minds.

WOW! has dedicated issues to children's writing in the past. If you want more information on children's writing, or you write for a different age group, then check out: Picture Perfect Children's Books (February 2009), and Once Upon a Writer (October 2007).

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Putting together an issue is a lot of fun, but it also takes a lot of teamwork, time, and funds to pay freelancers. Our sponsors make this possible. We hand pick sponsors that we think would be of interest to writers like you! All of the sites contain useful information for writers. Please take a moment to visit our sponsors' sites:

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A big, warm, thank you goes out to our freelancers & staff:

We welcome back freelancer Allena Tapia and thank her for her insightful article into the issue of censorship of YA novels. Allena shows us through interviews with authors, teachers, students, parents, and librarians why some novels are challenged and removed from shelves, why many people don't agree with these practices, and what people are doing to fight censorship. But best of all, she includes advice on what to do if you're worried about censorship of your YA work and what to do if you find yourself facing parents who are challenging your books. She talks to us about how to "speak your truth!"

Interested in the nonfiction YA market? We welcome back and thank freelancer and workshop leader, Darcy Pattison, for providing us an interview with author Carla McClafferty, who has three YA nonfiction books on X-rays, Marie Curie and radium, and the American journalist Varian Fry, who helped over 2,000 refugees escape Nazi-occupied France. Carla helps us understand how to take a nonfiction idea and turn it into a high-concept idea that will sell. She discusses book proposals, loglines, and agents. This is an interview not to miss, even if you've never considered nonfiction writing--Darcy and Carla might just change your mind.

We welcome Kathy Higgs-Coulthard to the WOW! family and thank her for her interview with YA author Ellen Hopkins. I was so excited when Kathy queried us, offering an interview with Ellen, who is one of the most gracious authors I know. Ellen writes her YA novels about controversial subjects such as drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and mental illness in verse. Yes--you read that correctly--in verse! If you haven't read an Ellen Hopkins novel, I urge you to rush out and find one. Kathy talks with Ellen about building real teenage characters, finding an authentic YA voice, and her writing process as well as so much more about her books and teen fans. I won't be surprised if you find yourself bookmarking this article and coming back again and again to learn from Ellen's expert advice.

In the Summer 2009 Flash Fiction Contest, Bridgid Gallagher won an honorable mention; and now we welcome her to the WOW! family, and thank her for her article on connecting with readers through social media. She answers many of the questions and concerns I've heard YA authors discuss and have seen debated on Twitter. Bridgid interviews YA authors Bree Despain, Melissa Marr, and Lisa Schroeder to discover how they use social networking sites, blogs, and websites to reach their teen readers. She also talks with industry experts Alice Pope and Greg Pincus, who are both regular users on Twitter and full of advice for YA authors. You'll gain many great tips and ideas for your own blog, website, and social media use.

Allena Tapia also gives us a sensational 20 Questions interview with Pam Muñoz Ryan; and we thank Allena for contacting Pam, who is an extremely busy author writing across several genres. Pam is well-known for her award-winning YA books, Esperanza Rising and Riding Freedom. Pam discusses writing everything from board books to YA novels, universal teenage themes, her writing process, and some of her inspiration. If you want to read how a seasoned pro writes her books and even organizes her office, don't miss this interview.

We welcome freelancer Trina Sotira to WOW! and thank her for her contribution to this month's Freelancer's Corner. Trina confesses to us that she's a pack rat; but luckily, she's found ways to use those teenage photos and mementos she's saved in her YA novels. Trina shows us how to take your obsessions from your teenage years and turn these into unique and memorable character traits. Her humor and enthusiasm will get you in front of a computer and working on your YA characters.

Freelancer BJ Marshall joins WOW! for the first time with a How 2 column about using technology references in YA novels. We thank BJ for figuring out whether or not we should mention our character's iPod or call it an MP3 player, or whether characters should write on their friend's Facebook wall or send a text message instead. Many contemporary fiction writers worry about dating their stories, and BJ provides good tips on how to avoid making this mistake.

Everybody needs a bit of inspiration! Returning freelancer and WOW! blog tour manager, Jodi Webb, gives us some writing inspiration in her interview with author Liz Rosenberg. Liz is another one of those talented authors who has written and published everything from poetry books to YA novels; and during the interview, she was also busy moving to London! We want to thank Jodi and Liz for providing this interview in spite of moving boxes cluttering up a new household. Liz is a teacher, too; and this is easy to tell since her answers to Jodi's questions are full of advice and support for writers. Liz inspires us with stories of why she writes for teens as well as discussing how encouraging it is to know her books touch her young readers and keep them reading!

Most of all, I'd like to thank Angela Mackintosh, WOW!'s editor-in-chief, who is a constant and gracious supporter of women writers around the world. Angela's expert advice, guidance, and creativity have helped me put this issue together, and I hope it's one of your favorites!

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Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest

DEADLINE: May 31, 2010 Midnight, Pacific Time.

GUEST JUDGE: Literary Agent, Jenny Bent

About Jenny: In a career spanning 15 years, I have made a practice of making bestsellers--either by spotting new talent or developing careers for multi-published authors. My list is varied and includes commercial fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction and memoir. All the books I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration and great writing and story-telling.

I was born in New York City but grew up in Harrisonburg Virginia in a house full of books where I spent many lazy afternoons reading in a sunny window seat. I went on to England to get a BA/MA with first class honors from Cambridge University. After graduation I worked in magazines, bookselling and agenting, most recently at Trident Media Group, before founding THE BENT AGENCY in 2009. I now live in Brooklyn in an apartment full of books and while there are not quite so many lazy reading afternoons, I manage to fit one in now and then.

Find out more about Jenny by reading her interview on WOW! Women On Writing: Jenny Bent Tells Us What Agents Want.

Visit The Bent Agency's website: www.thebentagency.com

PROMPT: Open Prompt

WORD COUNT: 750 Max; 250 Min

LIMIT: 300 Entries

Don't wait until the last minute! Enter Today. Visit our Contest Page and download our terms & conditions ebook. Good luck!

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Call for Submissions

WOW! is seeking submissions for their upcoming themes:

Fiction Mechanics/Novelist's Tool Kit: (Deadline for queries/subs: April 15, 2010)
In January, when I was putting together the links at the bottom of Beth Cato's fabulous article Beginning After NaNoWriMo, I noticed that we were short on articles that covered the mechanics of fiction. I'd love to see comprehensive articles on all the tools novelists need to have in their toolbox for working on their novels. Here are some basic topics: (Note: this is an all "how to" issue, no interviews.)
- Plot & Structure
- Scenes
- Description & Setting
- Pacing
- Voice
(Note: we already have articles on: dialogue tags, self-editing for fiction writers, and beginnings/middles/ends.)

Creativity: (Deadline for queries/subs: May 15, 2010)
This issue is open to interpretation. Get creative and send us your queries/subs!

The Freelance Union 3: (Deadline for queries/subs: June 15, 2010)
This issue covers all topics related to freelance writing. This will be our third issue on the subject, so we are looking for article topics we haven't covered before. Please visit our previous issues:
The Freelance Union 2
The Freelance Union 1
Some other issues that cover freelance writing:
Breaking Out of Your Cube
Money Matters for Writers
Writing the Web
You can also do a search of our site with the Google Search box that is located on the left-hand sidebar of every page of our site to make sure we don't already have an article covering the topic you are proposing. Note: this is an all how-to issue. The only sections that are open to interviews are the 20 questions column and the Inspiration column.

Submission Guidelines:Also, please review our submission guidelines on our Contact Page (scroll to the bottom under "Submissions") for pay rates and how to submit. We look forward to hearing from you!

Some of the slots have already been filled above because we announce first calls for submissions in our Premium-Green Markets newsletter. To find out about first calls from WOW! please subscribe to our Premium-Green Writer's Markets. We share detailed descriptions of specific articles we need right now. Land one gig and it more than pays for a year's subscription! We currently have over 28 issues--ebooks filled with over 100 pages of markets--available for immediate download with the purchase of your subscription. Join the community that gives back! And write-on!

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On to the issue, enjoy!

 Speak Your Truth: YA Novels & Censorship
 By Allena Tapia

Allena Tapia Novels like Speak, Whale Talk, and Boy Toy have moved past the subject of blossoming into womanhood, which censored young adult novelist Judy Blume explored through her 13 plus YA and middle-grade novels, and into new territory such as homosexual relationships, rape, drug and alcohol addiction, racial ugliness, and graphic violence. The times they are a-changin', but are young adult authors being forced to remain in the past? Allena Tapia explores this subject through interviews with authors, teachers, students, parents, and librarians.

MORE >> 


 Write Nonfiction for Kids? Break Out With a High-Concept Idea: Interview With Carla Killough-McClafferty
 By Darcy Pattison

Carla Killough-McClafferty A high-concept book is one that takes a universal theme and puts a fresh, original, creative twist on it. It can be explained in two or three sentences and will leave you wanting to read the book; or in the case of writers, it may leave you wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" When the idea of high concepts is applied to nonfiction for kids, it can create breakout titles for an author. Darcy Pattison interviews Carla McClafferty, author of three such high-concept books, who tells us how she does it!

MORE>> 


 Channeling the Voice of Youth: An Interview with Ellen Hopkins
 By Kathy Higgs-Coulthard

Ellen Hopkins Voice--the personality on the page. It's what pulls readers in and keeps them along for the journey. Finding the perfect voice for a story is never easy, but writing for the young adult audience can be downright daunting. Teenagers want to see themselves reflected between the pages of a book. It isn't enough to mimic the voice of a teenager; to hook the young adult crowd, you have to climb inside their skin and channel their unique energy. Kathy Higgs-Coulthard chats with Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass, Identical, and Tricks, who shares her secrets on perfecting YA voice.

MORE>> 


 Blogs, Twitter, Websites & More: Connecting with Young Readers through Social Media
 By Bridgid Gallagher

Bridgid Gallagher Whether you are finishing your YA manuscript, searching for your dream agent, or surviving waves of revisions, you're looking to grow your readership. Since 93 percent of teens are accessing the Internet, getting the word out online is key to obtaining bestselling readership numbers. There's only one problem: unless you're already a well-known YA author, teens aren't going to come to you. Bridgid Gallagher interviews social-media-savvy experts and successful YA authors that help point you towards timesaving social media tools. Build your network now and who knows? It just may lead to your next book deal!

MORE>> 


 Rising, Riding: 20 Questions Answered by Pam Muñoz Ryan
 By Allena Tapia

Pam Munoz Ryan Pam Muñoz Ryan's credit list is prolific, to say the least. With twenty-five published books to her name, Ryan has touched on several fiction genres, including young adult, middle grade, and children's picture books. However, it's often her YA novels, Esperanza Rising and Riding Freedom, that garner the most attention--mainly due to several prestigious awards the books have won. Esperanza Rising checks in with the Pura Belpré Award among others, while Riding Freedom was awarded the National Willa Cather Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 1999. Allena Tapia interviews Ryan, who was so kind to share her insights into writing for young adults during a busy time--at the cusp of the release of her new YA book, The Dreamer, which follows the life of a young Neftali Reyes of Chile, otherwise known as the poet Pablo Neruda.

MORE>> 


 Pack Rats and Procreation: Using Your Past to Write Teen Fiction
 By Trina Sotira

Trina Sotira When we give our story something unique and specific--quirky characters or memorable settings--we leave a lasting impression on our readers. In order to start writing your childhood, dig deep into your past. Look for clues, objects, and memories that inspire you to move forward with the story. In this article, Trina Sotira, a self-proclaimed pack rat, shows you how to take your obsessions from your teenage years and turn them into unique and memorable character traits.

MORE>> 


 How 2 Use Technology References in Young Adult Fiction
 By BJ Marshall

BJ Marshall If you've crossed paths with any teenagers lately, you've no doubt witnessed them texting, e-mailing, and social networking--or talking on their cell phones about how they just texted, e-mailed, or visited a social networking site. Technology and modern communication devices are not just an accessory to teens today, but a part of the fabric of how they relate to one another and to the rest of the world. But how do you integrate technology into a storyline without making the work seem dated? Or leave technology out without appearing out of touch? And how important is it to keep current with the latest gadgets and online tools? In this article, BJ Marshall talks with authors, agents, and editors who share their best tips on how to incorporate modern technology into believable plots that can withstand the test of time.

MORE>> 


 The Search for YA Inspiration--From Pomegranates to E-mails: An Interview with Liz Rosenberg
 By Jodi Webb

Liz Rosenberg Writing for a YA audience is akin to teaching teenagers in the classroom--a rewarding give-and-take relationship. It's a challenge to connect with this age group and capture their attention. But on the flip side, once you do, they return the favor. The intense emotion, enthusiasm, and loyalty that cascade from young readers can encourage writers to return to the YA audience again and again. Jodi Webb caught up with author Liz Rosenberg right as she was in the middle of a move from the U.S. to London, but she graciously found time to share her thoughts about the inspiration she finds in writing YA books.

MORE>> 


 Premium-Green Writers' Markets: Give Yourself the Ultimate Gift that Gives Back
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We know that becoming a freelance writer takes more than just market listings. You'll need the opportunity to network with your peers and have a support system to help you reach your goals. And that's exactly what your Premium-Green Markets Subscription will do.


Here's what you get when you subscribe to PREMIUM GREEN:

  • Monthly 100+ page ebook in friendly PDF format: Easy to print, easy to save. No need for storing emails to find links and articles you missed!
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  • Documents for PG Subscribers: Upload, download, and share content with the group. We put up f*r*e*e* articles, contracts, and ebooks for the group each month, so take advantage!
  • First Calls from WOW!: We give you immediate calls for what we need on the spot (or when we're in a crunch) to fill each issue. Get on the ground level and write for us!
  • Pink & Green: Find women's markets only, and get insight from the editors and what their needs are right now.
  • Markets, markets, and more markets. We provide markets for all aspects of freelancing. One example is, "Niche Quiche," which includes greeting card markets, slogans, and anything you can write in a few words and get paid! Check out our markets page for more details.

Earn the money you deserve, and get a real support team that will help you grow your freelance career.

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The subscription price is $48 a year, which is $4 per month. We want to support you! Let's make this a banner year for all women writers. We can only do it by helping each other and creating a strong network and community for ourselves. Together, we can do it!


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 WOW! Women On Writing Workshops & Classes
 invest in yourself, write now

WOW! Classes Whether you are looking to boost your income or work on your craft, we know that education is an important part of a writer's career. That's why WOW! handpicks qualified instructors and targeted classes that women writers will benefit from. The instructors are women we've worked with on a professional level, and these ladies offer high quality courses on various topics.

How the courses work: All of the courses operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--and are taught one-on-one with the instructor. The flexibility of the platform allows students to complete assignments on their own time and work at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. It's a wonderful experience and an excellent way to further develop your skills, or to try your hand at something completely new!


Featured e-Courses (By Date):


FOOD WRITING: THE BASICS by Mary MacRae Warren

START DATE: March 22, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through lectures, writing exercises, and instructor feedback we will cover the basics of food writing (in print and online formats). Students should complete the class with at least one work suitable for publication. We will explore food writing essentials including: food reporting and research, techniques for developing sources in the food world, resources for covering food news, and conventional forms of food writing.

Course objectives:
1. To complete at least one work that is publishable.
2. To encourage you to read published food writing to better understand the genre.
3. To increase your confidence and skills as a writer.
4. To develop a foundation for the skills of crafting, editing, and revising.

Limit: 25 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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PUBLISH THAT BOOK: HOW TO WRITE A NONFICTION BOOK PROPOSAL THAT SELLS by Andrea Campbell

START DATE: April 5, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Let me show you through my intense, 8-week-long workshop how to get a nonfiction book proposal ready for publishers. This is your opportunity to gain a serious business advantage over other writers who will try to wing it. And even if your first book doesn't sell, you will have the skills and the template to apply to other ideas and other projects. You may even come up with more ideas for more books as you work through this course.

And my workshop is different. I keep the classes small so you receive a lot of individual attention; class size is limited to 10 students. In addition, you will have e-mail feedback on all assignments. Another thing I do in my workshops is to have weekly chat sessions. Yes, every Thursday night, we will meet online to ask questions, discuss the lesson plans, and talk about additional information or details that you might have missed. Chats are an important tool for learning (and camaraderie) and why shouldn't we work together to leverage our knowledge? And to make it worth your while, you will also receive additional materials to help illustrate important points from the lesson plans or that you can use to aid you in staying abreast of what is happening in the publishing industry.

This course is for intermediate level students. Try to clear your plate of other things that may distract you and be prepared to work hard. If you want results, you will get them but this class involves work and preparation week after week. In this class, you can expect to learn:

- If your idea is a good one
- The essential ingredients of a book proposal
- What the format and overall look of the actual proposal should be
- How to write your proposal letters and the best markets for your book
- Why you must exploit your "intellectual capital"
- The nuts and bolts of the nonfiction book publishing industry

By the end of class, students will have a marketable, nonfiction book proposal package ready to send out to agents, including a query letter, along with the confidence to market his/her product.

Limit: 10 students

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SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING by Christina Hamlett

START DATE: April 5, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 6-week class provides an overview of the techniques and formatting requirements to develop an original screenplay. The lectures and assignments cover character development, dialogue, genre, structure, pacing, budget, and marketability. All materials submitted are critiqued by a professional screenplay consultant and learners are free to ask as many questions as they'd like about how to turn a story idea into a commercial, pitch-ready script.

Limit: 10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING by Christina Hamlett

START DATE: April 5, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, the live theater experience has satisfied an audience's need for entertainment that is immediate, intimate and accessible to all ages and levels of society. Whether performed in an outdoor courtyard, on a vintage stage, in a school auditorium, or above the din of an urban coffeehouse, a play is an ever-evolving and timeless art form that derives its energy from both sides of the footlights. Unlike a novel or a film which is financed and produced only once, a theater script undergoes a new transformation with each change of cast and each change of venue. Even the passage of time itself impacts how a theatrical story will resonate with successive generations, giving new definition and perspective to old ideas or providing a yardstick of how far we've come from social mores that were once held as truth.

In this class, you'll be learning what makes a play successful...and how to write one yourself! Each module consists of a lecture and writing assignment, as well as interviews, websites and anecdotes. Ideally, it should only take one week to complete each exercise. The final assignment will be the writing and submission of an original 15-minute one-act play, which will be professionally critiqued for its adherence to all of the principles addressed in class.

Limit: 10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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PERSONAL BRANDING 101 by Mary MacRae Warren

START DATE: April 5, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will explore the importance of branding to authors and help you pull together your brand--whether you're established or just starting out in your writing career. At the end of the class you will have a portfolio and campaign to market your writing.

Limit: 10 students

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SHORT FICTION WRITING by Gila Green

START DATE: April 6, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through writing exercises and classmate and instructor feedback we will delve into the fundamentals of short fiction with a view to publishable work. We will explore a variety of craft elements including: character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, voice and theme.

Course objectives:
1. To complete at least one work that is publishable.
2. To encourage you to read published short fiction including, short stories, personal essays and flash fiction (Fiction under 800 words).
3. To increase your confidence and skills as a writer.
4. To develop a foundation for the skills of crafting, editing, and revising.

Limit: 8-10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: April 21, 2010

DURATION: 7 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will teach the basics of writing for children's magazines, crafting short stories, nonfiction articles, poetry, and fillers. The student will come away with a short story and cover letter, nonfiction query letter, and a filler or poem. She will also have a list of potential markets, fitting her manuscripts. The instructor will also share an organizational tool for submissions and information on finding other children's writers and networking.

Limit: 15 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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GET PAID TO WRITE: BECOME A FREELANCE WRITER! by Nicole LaMarco

START DATE: May 17, 2010

DURATION: 10 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is for beginning freelance writers or for those who are interested in becoming freelance writers. It includes all of the basics of freelance writing: overviews of the different fields in freelance writing, what is needed to begin, how to store ideas, where to get ideas, how much you should make, where to find clients, and how to get clients.

In this class, I am your writing mentor through every lesson, every assignment, and I stay your writing mentor for life. Make some extra money with your writing or create your own full-time freelance career! Learn from my personal stories, information, resources, goals, activities, lessons, and assignments. Everything in this writing class is done via e-mail. This class will provide you with the structure and guidance you need to get paid to write.

Limit: 15 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR AUTHORS: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more! by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: May 24, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will teach writers how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites such as Shelfari or JacketFlap (students' choice) to network; to build a loyal following of fans; to start working on a brand/image; and to promote books, articles, magazines, and blogs. Instead of using Facebook and Twitter to write about your fabulous dinner or disastrous day at the grocery store, you will learn to sell yourself and your writing!

Limit: 20 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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BLOGGING 101 AND MORE: Start a Blog, Make it Unique, and Keep it Going by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: July 12, 2010

DURATION: 5 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Blogging is one of the best and cheapest ways to achieve an Internet presence. This class will help students start a blog. If you already have a blog, it will help you target the readers you want to reach. Students will also learn how to create a unique blog, build followers and/or drive traffic to their blogs, blog on a schedule, connect posts to social networking sites, and monetize their blogs. This course is for beginning and intermediate bloggers or for people who are looking to spice up their blogs! **Please note: you do not have to be technologically savvy to start a blog and keep up with it!

Limit: 20 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

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I hope you are as excited about our classes as we are. WOW! Women On Writing ensures that our instructors will work with you one-on-one. In most cases you will receive emailed course materials and assignments, or for those with groups, you will be able to download course materials. Your instructor will give you assignments and personal feedback, and guide you through a charted course of learning. Our instructors are wonderful ladies who go above and beyond to help you achieve your writing goals.


MORE>> 


 WOW! BLOG: THE MUFFIN
 Find out the latest from the Bakers of WOW!

The Muffin Have you checked out what we've been baking for you on the daily Muffin? We've stirred together some traditional ingredients with new ones to deliver more interviews, enlightenment, thought provoking ideas, and inspirational messages to help you through those gray writing days.

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Never Stale! Here's the Latest:

Tuesdays are contest interview days!

If you are interested in writing for our contests, check out the interviews with previous Top 10 winners to find out how they crafted their stories.

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Contest First Place Winner: Leigha Butler
Interview by Marcia Peterson

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Contest Second Place Winner: Arlene L. Walker
Interview by Jill Earl

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Blog Posts of Interest:

Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., Author of The Power of Memoir, Launches Her Blog Tour!
Interview by Jodi Webb

Join us for Linda Joy Myers' first blog tour stop for The Power of Memoir: How to Write Your Healing Story. Linda tackles a lot of questions we all think about. How do we decide what facet of our life experience to focus on? She shares some great tips to help get you started. How much should we reveal about the people in our lives? Linda has a very detailed answer to this question of telling "secrets" that is a must read. 33 comments! There are more stops to go on this tour, check it out! Check the dates and join in.

Bonnie Hearn Hill, Author of Aries Rising, Launches her Blog Tour!
Interview by Jodi Webb

An interest in astrology along with her close friendship with Cosmo Magazine Astrologer Hazel Dixon-Cooper inspired Bonnie Hearn Hill's Star Crossed series: Aries Rising, Taurus Eyes, and Gemini Night. Join us for her first blog tour stop, where youll find out how she managed to have all three books coming out in one year! Bonnie also shares her thoughts about critique groups: both the damage that the wrong writing group can do to a writer, and tips on how to create your own, wonderful critique group. There are more stops to go on this tour, check it out! Check the dates and join in.

Straight Talk About Self Publishing: An Interview with Miles Nelson of Dog Ear Publishing
Interview by Jodi Webb

With traditional publishers publishing fewer titles per year because of dwindling profits and the growth of digital media, many authors are considering their publishing options, including self publishing. So to help you navigate these tough choices and to give you a better understanding of your options, we've invited Miles Nelson of Dog Ear Publishing to answer some of our questions on the subject.

Silencing the Negativity
By Elizabeth King Humphrey

After receiving some negative comments on her writing, Elizabeth turned to a writer/editor friend with a wicked sense of humor. Soon, she was laughing again and regained her sense of balance. What do you do to return balance to your writing after feeling the pinch of an inner or external critic?

Can Plagiarism Be Creative?
By Elizabeth King Humphrey

Some argue that there are no original stories, just a re-hash of stories that have come before. But sometimes, that line blurs. Join in on the discussion about how reading other works influences us, and how to give credit where credit is due.

Need Writing Inspiration? Think Celebration!
By LuAnn Schindler

Monthly holidays and celebrations are the perfect fodder for a researchable and marketable idea. Sometimes, they allow you to write something for fun...and still get paid!

The Ten Things that Must Happen in Your Writing
By Jill Earl

Reached an impasse in your writing? Work through those "ten things that must happen" technique and bust through that block in no time!

Social Networking for Authors: Tips from Margo L. Dill
Interview by Angela Mackintosh

Don't miss this fun and helpful interview about social networking with WOW! Classroom instructor Margo Dill. Learn more about Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn--and why it's important to use all three platforms. Find out the quickest way to build a following when you're just starting out. Lots of great tips!

To Write a Newsletter...Yes or No?
By Chynna Laird

Have you ever considered writing a newsletter? Chynna shares her experiences, including lessons learned and a list of reasons to go for it.

JUST WRITE!
By Carrie Hulce

If you're experiencing writer's block, try picking a word or phrase, then come up with a sentence using the word. Build from there. And if family is a distraction, consider Carrie's tip of scheduling writing time into an appointment calendar and share it with your family! They will know not to bother you, and you will have more time to write.

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Your post can be about: writing inspiration, balancing family life/parenting with writing, craft of writing fiction/nonfiction, how-tos, tips for author promotion/marketing/social media, book reviews, writing prompts, special opportunities (paying markets for writers), publishing industry news/gossip, and anything you think our readers will love.

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In Closing:

We hope this issue has provided you with some great tips on the craft of writing for young adults and the YA marketplace. Even if you don't write for this particular age group, there is still a lot of takeaway for any writer. The articles on connecting with readers through social media and how to use technology references in fiction can certainly be applied to any genre you write for. I'm really happy with the way this issue came out and want to thank Margo L. Dill for putting it all together. She did such a great job! I hope you'll love it just as much as we do.

Be True, Be Real, and Happy Writing!