Hello Reader,
With book bans and anti-trans/anti-LGBTQ+ legislation gaining traction across the country right now, it's more important than ever to get diverse books into the hands of those who need them. That's why I'm proud to once again contribute to the We Need Diverse Books winter auction.
There are tons of bookish and writerly gifts for the readers and the writers in your life, so please check it out and consider bidding--it's such a great cause. And of course, you're likely to be able to get a great deal on my most popular package: my 50 page Manuscript Audit.
Each year, I share a little musical interlude from my women's choir to spread some much-needed holiday cheer. One of my favorite songs in our repertoire this season is Ocho Kandelikas, a Ladino song that celebrates the eight candles of Hanukkah. I was hoping the recording of our performance was going to be available in time for Hanukkah, but it's not ready yet, so I have a fun version from PBS News Hour for your listening pleasure:
Wishing a peaceful Hanukkah to all who celebrate!
Warmly,
Julie
PS - The next Craft Magic webinar is TOMORROW: Synopsis as a Planning Tool at 4pm Pacific (It will be recorded for those who cannot attend live). Let me help you demystify this oft-maligned document with my easy step-by-step process for creating a synopsis. It really is one of the most powerful planning and revision tools in your writing toolbox.
Julie Artz works with both award-winning and newer authors across the publishing spectrum from Big Five to small and university presses to indie and hybrid. She is an Author Accelerator-certified Founding Book Coach, a sought-after speaker and writing instructor, and a regular contributor to Jane Friedman and Writers Helping Writers, and a regular instructor for AuthorsPublish, IWWG, ProWritingAid and more. Her work as a Pitch Wars and Teen Pit mentor, a former SCBWI Regional Advisor (WWA), and her memberships in The EFA, the WFWA, AWP, and the Authors Guild keep her industry knowledge sharp. A consummate social and environmental justice minded story geek, Julie lives in an enchanted forest outside of Redmond, Washington, with her husband, two strong-willed teenagers (when they’re not off at university!), and two naughty furry familiars. She’s built a thriving book coaching business based on her values, her editing chops, and her knowledge of story. Check out her weekly newsletter, Wyrd Words Weekly, and subscribe today.
Hello Reader, I've been neglecting the "What I'm Reading" portion of my newsletter in all the busy-ness of the past few months, so today is a double-header. If you're looking for something to distract you from the news once you get your ballot in, this is the newsletter for you! Even though I'm mostly writing adult fiction these days, my love of middle grade endures. And part of the reason for that is the hope and heart that is so much a part of my favorite middle grade stories. This week,...
Hello Reader, I'm just about on the other side of a month of busy-ness and I'm not going to lie: I'm tired. But I also experienced some deep magic that has rekindled my writing spark. If you've been around here long, you know I'm almost as big a music buff as I am a book nerd. And this past weekend was something I would call once in a lifetime if not for the fact that I got to experience it last summer as well: Joni Mitchell and the Joni Jam. Bear with me, even if you don't love Joni the way...
Hello Reader, Ever since I read Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism this past spring, I've been grappling with my feelings about social media. Remember the good old days of Twitter, when we were a cozy little writing community running pitch contests, giving each other support and feedback, and tagging everything with #amwriting and #writingcommunity? At the same time, I was logging into Facebook daily to see photos of my friends and family instead of endless ads and toxic political memes. Sigh....