Ask an Editor: Writing Accents and Using Slang

Tags

accents, sensitivity readers, slang, writing tips

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – How do I write in an accent or use slang when it’s not the way I speak?

—Yolie, Westside

Dear Yolie – Let’s start with some definitions. Accents are “speech habits typical of the natives or residents of a region” while slang is a defined as “language peculiar to a particular group” (Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary).

ACCENTS: With accents, sparing use can be more effective. While some stories may carry an accent throughout, this works only when it’s done well and is easy for the reader to follow.

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Ask an Editor: What’s the Best Way to Find an Agent?

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agent, agents

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – I’ve been working on my middle-grade book for years with my critique group and think it’s finally ready to send out into the world. What’s the best way to find an agent?

—Susan, Los Angeles

Dear Susan – Finishing your manuscript is quite an accomplishment. Kudos! Since you’re looking for an agent, that must mean you’re seeking traditional publication.

Ask an Editor: Rhyming Picture Book, featuring Renee LaTulippe

Tags

picture book, poetry, Renee LaTulippe, rhyming

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog. This month, we feature a guest host, Renée M. LaTulippe, children’s poet, freelance editor, and founder/teacher of The Lyrical Language Lab. 

Dear Editor – I’ve written a rhyming picture book, but now that I’m starting to search for an agent it seems a lot of them don’t want rhyming picture books. What should I do?

 —Sam, Los Angeles

Dear Sam:

This is a question that gets a lot of airtime in kidlit writer circles, and for good reason. After all, we can all see how many rhyming picture books come into the world each year, so someone is writing and selling and publishing them, right? Seeing so many agents and publishers put up “No Rhyme Allowed” signs on their clubhouse doors is frustrating indeed.

Ask an Editor: Where Can I Find a Critique Group?

Tags

critique groups, critiquenic, critiques, critiquing, SCBWI community, SCBWI events, SCBWI members

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – I think my YA novel is finished but would like to show it to other people for feedback. Where can I find a critique group?
—Effie, Culver City

Ask an Editor: Should My Picture Book Have Page Breaks?

Tags

editing, pages, pagination, picture book, picture books, submissions

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – I’m ready to submit my picture book to agents but there are no page breaks in my manuscript. Is that a problem?

—Unbroken, Los Angeles

Ask an Editor: Query Letter and Cover Letter

Tags

cover letter, editor, queries, query letter

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – What is the difference between a query letter and a cover letter?

—Marissa, the Valley

Ask an Editor: What is Style? Recent Updates to the “Chicago Manual of Style”

Tags

AP Manual, Author Tips, Chicago Manual, CMA, editing, style guides

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – I’ve heard there were “style changes” recently. What does this mean?

—Trying to be Stylish, Los Angeles

Dear Stylish:

What is “style”?

“Style” is the way writers express thought in a written work; this includes text and documentation and any tables and illustrations. “Style” is often used to mean the consistent use of capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, abbreviations, punctuation, ellipsis points, parentheses, quotation marks, the way numbers are treated, grammar, syntax, usage, and much more.

Where can someone learn about style?

Ask an Editor: Submissions to Agents

Tags

agent, agents, pages, submissions

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – How many pages will I submit to an agent?

—Lim, Los Angeles

Ask an Editor: What is New Adult?

Tags

NA, New Adult

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – What is New Adult? How is it different from Young Adult?

—J.T., Los Angeles

Ask an Editor: Word Count for Middle Grade and Young Adult

Tags

editor, editors, middle grade, word count, young adult

“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered as part of our quarterly Kite Tales blog.

Dear Editor – Word count requirements confuse me. Should I try to reach a certain number before I submit my novel? Does it really matter?   —Rob, Studio City

Dear Rob – An ideal reference for word count is SCBWI’s annual publication, The Book: The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, available to SCBWI members at https://www.scbwi.org/online-resources/the-book/. The printed version is a bargain at $6.25 plus shipping, or download the PDF for free.