the site of middle grade author Jackie Yeager
In order to write believable stories, writers must read widely in that same age group and genre. Are you writing Young Adult Fantasy? Then you better be reading every YA Fantasy you can get your hands on, mostly from the last five years. That’s a publishing truth and it’s not debatable. Reading books will help… Continue reading Favorite Genre to Write vs Favorite Genre to Read
Last time, I blogged about how tough it can be to keep writing through difficult periods. Today, I have something more upbeat to talk about, one of the perks to being published: signing books for readers! In two weeks, I’ll be signing books at the Rochester Children’s Book Festival with about 50 other authors and illustrators.… Continue reading Signing Books & Gold Gel Pens
Hi there, how are you? If you’re paying attention to my blog, you’ve noticed my lengthy absence. I’ve noticed it too and it wasn’t entirely intentional. I love blogging and if I had my way, I’d blog regularly like I used to…back when I first started swirl and spark over 9 years ago! This year,… Continue reading Break Time is Over
If you’ve a written a manuscript, this post is for you. It’s about a strategy I’m using now as I revise my current project. I created it out of necessity because after going through 15 revision rounds (yes, 15!) I was a broken writer. My story was only mostly good and I didn’t even know… Continue reading 3 Reasons Writers Need to Walk (Far Away) from Their Manuscripts
My word for 2022: CELEBRATE! 🎉 Life goes by too fast not to celebrate the small moments as much as the big ones. So that’s what I’m planning to do more of this year. Celebrate coffee dates and phone calls, game nights and a clean house, a good book and a great Netflix show, meeting… Continue reading Are You Celebrating the Right Things?
Hello, 2022! Last year was a tough one. I welcomed the year with a brand new manuscript and dreams of signing a book contract with a new agent. Ever the optimist, I sent it out to agents with the illusion that this time would be easier. How wrong I was! 2021 basically crushed my spirit… Continue reading Let’s do this, 2022!
Hello there! Need a little Monday motivation? I’ve got you. And I get why you might need some. Weekends are hard, especially the busy ones. But even the good ones. Even the relaxing ones. Even the fun ones. Because once they’re over, life goes on and it can be difficult to jump back into the… Continue reading Make Monday your Favorite Day
For a four-day week, this one sure felt long. So, Happy Friday! I don’t have a long post planned for today or even an official post. But I did want to share this thought for the weekend. It doesn’t matter what your dream is. It may be getting a book published or getting an agent.… Continue reading Pick a Dream & Chase it
One of the unexpected thrills of becoming a published author is hearing from teachers who’ve read Spin the Golden Light Bulb to their students. I imagined (and hoped and wished) that teachers and librarians would someday add my books to their classrooms and libraries. But I honestly never went so far as to imagine them… Continue reading Back to School with the Crimson Five Kids
I’m back in the query trenches. It’s official and I thought it would be fun to bring you guys along for the ride! If you’re new here, you may not realize that I was agented before. I blogged about how I got my first agent here. The day I signed with her (after eight years… Continue reading Jumping Back into the Query Trenches
swirl and spark 