Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

Fat Plum's Book Boot Camp is Back!

Events

What is Book Boot Camp? It is an intensive six-week workshop designed to take your work in progress from mediocre to marketable!

To quote yesterday's Publisher's Lunch, the newsletter of www.PublishersMarketplace.com, it read, "Even in the digital age, the power of meeting face-to-face cannot be underestimated."

While this quote was in reference to attending the London Book Fair, the writer was correct. Face-to-face meetings can be a powerful way to impact your writing.

Book Boot Camp's small group sessions offer writers targeted feedback specific to individual writing projects with a focus on improving the manuscript, taking it to the next level. Constructive, targeted suggestions cover content, editing, and marketing concerns.

Continue reading "Fat Plum's Book Boot Camp is Back!"

Posted by Judy on January 30, 2010
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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Coffee & Crime Breakfast with Michael Baden, M.D. & Linda Kenney

A message from Mary Alice Gorman, owner of Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA:

On Saturday June 27 at 10 AM, we have a Coffee and Crime Breakfast with the Badens and their new novel. Michael Baden, M.D., is one of America's leading forensic experts. He has overseen cases ranging from the death of John Belushi to the examination of the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and has served as an expert witness in countless criminal cases, including the trials of Claus von Bulow and O. J. Simpson. He has been a consulting forensic pathologist to the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the FBI, and the Russian government, as well as a visiting professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, and Albany Medical College.

Linda Kenney has won dozens of civil rights lawsuits and has appeared as a guest legal commentator on Court TV, CNN, and MSNBC.
They live in New York City with their dog, Mycroft.

Call 412/828-4877 or go to www.mysterylovers.com
to buy your ticket at $5.00.........such a deal for writers!!!!

Posted by Judy on April 28, 2009
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids

WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids: Building Writing Confidence in the Classroom & Beyond
June 22-26, 2009
Offered by Published Author Judith Burnett Schneider

I am hosting my fifth annual WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids!

The concepts and skills developed at camp carry into every subject and every form of writing. My daughter was motivated by the instructors to work hard and learn the art of writing. As always, she loved it! ~ Doug (father of a four-time camper)

Whether a student approaches writing projects with confidence or fear, the first step is to understand that writing well is not a talent but a craft that can be learned and practiced -- much like mastering an instrument or excelling in a sport.

Continue reading "WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids"

Posted by Judy on March 19, 2009
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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The End of Publishing as We Know It?

A great article in New York Magazine that every writer should read: Have We Reached the End of Book Publishing As We Know It?

Posted by Julie on September 17, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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What a Vision of Publishing

Twelve publisher Jonathan Karp wrote a wonderful piece in the Washington Post on how publishers are failing authors by going for the quick score instead giving authors time to create books of enduring value. If his theory proves true, eventually they will be forced to invest in quality to maintain their niche of media. I hope I live that long. After you've read the article, do visit Twelve's website and read their unique mission statement and !2 Things. Very cool company.

Posted by Julie on June 30, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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Insight into an Agent's Life

We tend to think that agents are like gods playing puppeteer with our futures. Our dreams hang in the balance -- why does it take them so long to get back to us? Read agent Janet Reid's blog post Well Laid Plans Laid Up and you'll understand. Wow, they really are just like us.

Continue reading "Insight into an Agent's Life"

Posted by Julie on May 19, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids: Meet & Greet

Register & Receive our Thank You Prize!

If the child in your life loves to write or if you'd like her/him to gain more confidence in writing, come visit with authors and professional writers Judy Burnett Schneider and Mary Patouillet. The WRITE NOW Writing Camp Founders & Directors will be hosting a Meet & Greet session at Borders in the Shops at Northway on McKnight Road. They'll be there on Saturday, May 10, from noon until 2:00 PM answering questions and displaying some of the work students have completed during their intensive, fun-filled week at WRITE NOW Writing Camp.

Camp registrants will receive a prize, so come one, come all!

WRITE NOW Writing Camp will be held during the week of June 16-20, 2008 in the music section of the North Hills Borders. It is open to students entering grades 5-8. One returning camper's mom said her daughter "loved the camp and used the material she learned there throughout her sixth grade year."

Can't make it to the Meet & Greet? Email Judy at judy@fatplum.com for more information.

We're looking forward to catching up with our past campers and meeting future students, too!

Posted by Judy on May 05, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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Auction for Writers: Bid on Agent & Editor Proposal Evaluations

Bidding begins today on Brenda Novak's Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research. The auction features some of the typical auction-type items like camcorders, etc. But this one also has items availble for readers and writers that are quite unique.

For example, as of his writing, you can bid on a proposal to be read by agent Jeff Herman. The current bid is $16. Agent Meredith Bernstein is offering to evaluate a proposal with a 24-48 hour response time. That bid is currently at $330.

Check it out and let us know if you bid and/or win!

Posted by Judy on May 02, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Recommended
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Trusting the Revision Process

Kathie Shoop has a great post on recognizing and respecting the power that revision plays in our work. Check out Draft of Life
on housewifecafe.clifeom

Posted by Julie on April 09, 2008
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Tracy Beckerman is Living my Dream

Tracy Beckerman is a very funny writer with a syndicated column, Lost in Suburbia, and a newly published book, Rebel Without a Minivan . It's a compilation of some of her best columns, and it's excellent. I'm not just saying that because I edited the book. Or because I'm the first person she thanks in her acknowledgments.

As you may have gathered, it's my tertiary involvement with the book that keeps my envy from turning into something ugly. Because I've always wanted to write a weekly humor column. Have I ever tried to secure my dream job? Well, no. But I now recognize the wisdom of my inertia. Because my life is just not as funny as Tracy's.

Tracy was a hip, cool New York city girl until having a baby forced her into the suburbs of New Jersey. As she explains, "It's just one of those things that happens, like taxes and varicose veins." Her essays highlight her foibles and survival strategies adjusting to the double-whammy of motherhood and suburban life. There's cellulite on her thighs and ducks in the pool. Near-brawls in the school-supply aisle and raised eyebrows over her spiky-short haircut. Even vacationing in the Magic Kingdom turns maniacal.

Even if my life were as humorous as Tracy's, I doubt I could convey it with the wit and sarcasm that are her trademarks. My only hope is that she'll publish another book. So if you won't buy it for your own enjoyment, please, pick up a copy so I can continue to live my dream vicariously. You can buy it through any bookseller or at www.RebelWithout AMinivan.com

Posted by Julie on April 03, 2008
This entry was posted in the following categories: Congratulations
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