Congratulations to everyone who finished NaNoWriMo 2015! Even if you didn't get to 50,000 words you still worked your butt off and wrote. So that's a huge achievement. I think we all deserve presents!
So, I've done NaNoWriMo for 3 years now. And there's always that feeling after you're done of "What comes next?" Well, I don't know about you guys, but I always want to do something with my writing. So I look into contests, competitions, and querying. And it's ALWAYS TOO SOON.
I think that it's great to be proud of our work. It's our brainchild, something we've worked on whether it was a month or a year. However, I also know by now that if it's going to be put out in the world. Then we need to shine it like a beautiful gem!
So, here are a few things I've done in the past to move forward actively while not jumping the gun:
1. Get a Critique Partner and Beta Readers:
I've found good critique partners at:
Publishing Crawl's CP match-up (They also have great resources for beginning writers HERE)
2. Enter for a Mentorship or feedback of my writing:
Today is the last day of the Writing in the Margins Mentorship Program Applications.
The Writing in the Margins Mentor Program pairs an emerging author from a marginalized social group with an experienced editor or published author in order to work closely on preparing a manuscript to submit for publication. All authors and editors work on a completely volunteer basis, and there is no charge to the emerging author. Applications are open twice a year, and necessary applicant qualifications are highlighted prior to the submission period.
Go HERE to apply
You can enter first line or first page critiques on great writing blogs such as:
3. Sign up for Conferences
The Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is having their Winter Conference in New York in February. It is a great chance to go to workshops, get critiques and advice, and network. It is for writers and illustrators of children's books only (Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult)
Go HERE to register.
OR
If you're more patient you can go to the Writer's Digest Conference in August 2016.
It is for writers of all age ranges and genres.
Go HERE to register.
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