From Publishers Lunch:

Michelle Nagler will join Random House Children’s Books on July 15 as associate publishing director for the Random House/Golden Books group, reporting to Mallory Loehr. Nagler is currently editorial director at Bloomsbury Children’s. Editorial director for Stepping Stones Jennifer Arena; executive editor Shana Corey, and associate editor and Chelsea Eberly will report to Nagler going forward.

Congratulations Michelle!

Prufrock Press is looking for Historical MG Nonfiction.

From their website:

At Prufrock Press, we want to build a new series of high-interest children’s nonfiction books based on American history, and we are on a search for great teacher-authors to participate in the writing project.

Imagine a series of children’s books (ages 8–12) based around the themes of …

• history’s mysteries,
• strange histories, or
• hidden or forgotten histories.

Initially, we imagine specific books in the series would target periods or events such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, disasters in American history (e.g., the Hindenburg, Chicago Fire, 1918 flu pandemic, etc.), strange explorations, or surprising inventions. However, if you have a different idea, we would love to hear it.

Deadline for Proposal is: 7/15/2013For more information:

http://www.prufrock.com/Assets/ClientPages/History_Prospectus_Guidelines.aspx

Werner & Pratt Agency has added Emily Mitchell as an agent.

http://www.wernickpratt.com/

Here’s a link to an interview with Emily by Barb Krasner at her blog The Whole Megillah

 

I find the rules on when to use Lay vs. Lie almost impossible to remember. Writer’s Digest spells it out Here:

Lay vs. Lie

From the Bloomsbury website:

Bloomsbury Spark is a one-of-a-kind, global, digital imprint from Bloomsbury Publishing dedicated to publishing a wide array of exciting fiction eBooks to teen, YA, and new adult readers.

Our outstanding list will feature multiple genres: romance, contemporary, dystopian, paranormal, sci-fi, mystery, thriller, and more.

http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/bloomsbury-spark/

 

An interesting article on why kids like dystopian, and there’s a list of dystopian novels toward the end, if you are looking for ideas for your dystopian-loving kid.

http://blog.readkiddoread.com/why-are-teens-reading-dystopian-novels/

 

 

The History of Typography

If you’ve ever wondered about typography, here’s a short video that is illuminating.

Here’s an interesting article from Infinity Publishing:

Your author platform is the single most important thing you can create for yourself. And I’m not kidding when I write this: You must start promoting at least a year ahead of your book’s release. This might sound ridiculous, but starting the buzz early will give you a better shot of getting onto best seller lists in your opening week.

Read the rest here:

http://blog.infinitypublishing.com/bloginfinitypublishingcom/bid/115765/developing-your-author-platform?source=Blog_Email_[Developing%20Your%20Auth]

 

• Use your creative skills to make information products

From the website:

The conference highlights:

• What is new in children’s nonfiction publishing
• How you can use your talent to create books, e-books, apps, and other educational materials
• Use your creative skills to make information products
• Get ideas for school and library nonfiction presentations
• How to sell and market yourself and your nonfiction ideas with digital technology and social media
• Applying your expertise in fiction to a new genre: nonfiction
• The Common Core Standards and how your nonfiction books and apps can meet them

http://www.childrensnfconference.com/

What is new in children’s nonfiction publishing
     • How you can use your talent to create books, e-books, apps,
        and other educational materials

     • Get ideas for school and library nonfiction presentations
• How to sell and market yourself and your nonfiction ideas with
digital technology and social media
     • Applying your expertise in fiction to a new genre: nonfiction
     • The Common Core Standards and how your nonfiction books
and apps can meet them  
– See more at: http://www.childrensnfconference.com/#sthash.nmn7xQMr.dpuf

A UNIQUE CONFERENCE THAT HIGHLIGHTS:
     • What is new in children’s nonfiction publishing
     • How you can use your talent to create books, e-books, apps,
        and other educational materials

     • Use your creative skills to make information products

     • Get ideas for school and library nonfiction presentations
• How to sell and market yourself and your nonfiction ideas with
digital technology and social media
     • Applying your expertise in fiction to a new genre: nonfiction
     • The Common Core Standards and how your nonfiction books
and apps can meet them   – See more at: http://www.childrensnfconference.com/#sthash.nmn7xQMr.dpuf

A UNIQUE CONFERENCE THAT HIGHLIGHTS:
     • What is new in children’s nonfiction publishing
     • How you can use your talent to create books, e-books, apps,
        and other educational materials

     • Use your creative skills to make information products

     • Get ideas for school and library nonfiction presentations
• How to sell and market yourself and your nonfiction ideas with
digital technology and social media
     • Applying your expertise in fiction to a new genre: nonfiction
     • The Common Core Standards and how your nonfiction books
and apps can meet them   – See more at: http://www.childrensnfconference.com/#sthash.nmn7xQMr.dpuf

A UNIQUE CONFERENCE THAT HIGHLIGHTS:
     • What is new in children’s nonfiction publishing
     • How you can use your talent to create books, e-books, apps,
        and other educational materials

     • Use your creative skills to make information products

     • Get ideas for school and library nonfiction presentations
• How to sell and market yourself and your nonfiction ideas with
digital technology and social media
     • Applying your expertise in fiction to a new genre: nonfiction
     • The Common Core Standards and how your nonfiction books
and apps can meet them   – See more at: http://www.childrensnfconference.com/#sthash.nmn7xQMr.dpuf

From Donna Gephart:

Learn how to survive (and thrive!) writing for the middle grade market! On May 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM CT, I will give a talk titled, “Recharge Your Writing Batteries: How to Write For the Middle Grade Market” at the Write Now! Mastermind class. The call is free, but you need to sign up at 
http://www.writenowcoach.com/resources/write-now-mastermind.html
. The Write Now! Mastermind Class
 provides free monthly one-hour educational calls with accomplished authors, agents, editors, and other publishing professionals. The calls are hosted by Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander (@WriteNowCoach), who is an author and professional certified coach specializing in helping people write books fast, publish their work, and market it online.