Taking time to take time.

I have finally carved some time out of my busy work and home life to take a weekend away to write, edit and pitch. This time is crucial to my possible success.

In real life I work a demanding corporate job, and am a mother to two young children under 5 years old. My day is packed from 5:45am to 9pm every weekday and on the weekends its the normal chaos and mental chatter of "life with family and house".

So this weekend, I am here, in a house, alone, for approximately 40 hours. So far I have tightened up 3 picture book manuscripts and have done research on agents who may be interested in each one. On the to do list is working on the query letters and the ever frightening task of pressing send.

I once read something about how instead of answering the question "what do you do?" with your job, that you should answer it with what passion you embody. For me, my corrected answer would go from "I'm a Facilities Manager for 3 offices" to "I'm a writer and creator."

Cheers to taking the time.

Getting nibbles at a "Twitter Party"

I recently participated in a "Twitter Party" for children's literature.

For anyone that does not know what Twitter Party is, it's basically the planned use of a specific hashtag during an allotted time. During that time frame, people who are looking for something watch the live stream of people who are offering something and using that hashtag.

For example, I have written a few children's books that I would like representation for, therefore, I tweet about my books using the hashtag and hope to gain the attention of agents and publishers. If they "like" my tweet, I have an in and am able to send my manuscript to them!

I've participated a few times but this is the first time I have ever gotten any "likes". I got likes on two different books, which is FANTASTIC!

I immediately started working on my cover letters and sent off my queries. It's all very exciting.

I'll keep you updated if I hear back from the agents!

"Twitter Parties"

Tomorrow I am joining two "Twitter Parties" to pitch a few kids book ideas. It's all very exciting and a bit nerve-wracking!

Books to be pitched:

• Zoo of Emotions 
• In search of a publisher that will do a reprint in a board book edition
• Black, White & Rad
• A High Contrast Dictionary of Cool for Newborns
• Kid Feminist
• Pretty much what it sounds like... :)

All of this may be for naught, which is actually fine. It will be great practice and has put a fire under my butt to do final edits on manuscripts.

Wish me luck!