The Poisoned Pencil – new YA mystery imprint

 

Poisoned Pen Press is launching a new imprint The Poisoned Pencil, which will publish YA mysteries. Jessica Tribble was named publisher last year and said the press aims to publish YA mysteries that are "fast-paced and relevant to today's teens--books that adults will also want to read."

Ellen Larson will serve as editor of The Poisoned Pencil. She said she is "particularly keen" to receive submissions from young adult writers, adding, "Anything goes. As long as the protagonist is between the ages of 12 and 18, it's young adult. I'm excited to begin reviewing submissions, seeing what's out there, and building our list."

Now accepting submissions of YA mysteries between 45,000 and 90,000 words. The protagonist must be between the ages of 12 and 18.

The Poisoned Pencil Submission Guidelines

The Poisoned Pencil uses an online submissions manager to review materials from both authors and agents. Please do not query or submit your MS by email or snail mail. No simultaneous submissions; one submission per author at a time. You will be able to check the status of your MS using the submissions manager. Response time is currently 4-6 weeks.

For more news and updates follow Editor Ellen Larson: @poisonedpencil

Peggy Tibbetts

Now available at Amazon
PFC Liberty Stryker
Letters to Juniper – 2012 Colorado Book Award Finalist

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How do I know when to stop?

“The point of good writing is knowing when to stop.” ~ Lucy Montgomery

As I mentioned in my last post, I am working on the final edits for my next novel, PFC Liberty Stryker. Like every writer at this stage, I ask myself, “How do I know when to stop?”

Many writers believe it’s hard to know when to stop editing. Let’s face it we spend a hell of a lot of time revising our work. John Irving said, “Half my life is an act of revision.” If you’re like me, even after a book is published you see where you could have added a word or two, here and there. Oscar Wilde said, “Books are never finished, they are merely abandoned.” How depressing. I prefer to finish mine, thank you very much. Whether we abandon our books or finish them, at some point we do have to let go.

I have compiled a check list gleaned from years of editing my own and other writers’ works, and listening to what writers and editors say about revision. At each stage in the re-writing process I use the guidelines below to improve my story. This is my map to the finish line.

1. Can you summarize the story in a sentence or two?
2. Details: spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, italics, formatting
3. Is your main character an interesting person?
4. Does she/he have flaws?
5. Does your main character change throughout the story?
6. Is every character necessary to this story?
7. Have you chosen the best point of view?
8. Does the beginning draw the reader in?
9. Is there tension in this story?
10. Does each chapter provide information that moves the story forward?
11. Does every scene?
12. Does your dialogue move the story forward, as in no idle conversations?
13. Does everyone sound alike? Can readers tell who’s talking without dialogue tags?
14. Is there unresolved conflict until the end?
15. Does the story end where it’s supposed to?
16. Do you like this story?

Coming soon: PFC Liberty Stryker
Peggy Tibbetts

Letters to Juniper now available in ebook & paperback at Amazon.com

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