Advice from a Caterpillar

New agent open to MG and YA queries

Peggy Tibbetts — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:59:40 +0000

Kathryn Patten is a new associate with Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc. She came to the agency as a writer who was interested in learning about all aspects of the publishing industry and she quickly worked her way up from intern to associate agent. Kathryn is excited about working with writers, both published and unpublished, and she is actively building her client list. At this time, Kathryn is particularly interested in acquiring YA (all subgenres) and Middle Grade Fiction.

Kathryn is drawn to stories that are unique, character-driven, offer a touch of magical-realism and challenge what might be considered to be the norm. For YA, she would love to find a high-concept story that is somewhat dark/edgy, a thriller that forces her to sleep with the lights on, a romance that has her falling in love with the characters, or realistic fiction that evokes her deepest emotions. For middle grade fiction, she is specifically interested in acquiring books for boys.

Kathryn has been a member of the SCBWI since 2006, and in her free time she enjoys working on her own writing. She also loves to travel to new and exciting places and while she grew up in South Africa, she has lived in six different countries. Kathryn currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, her son, a dog and a cat.

Kathryn can be contacted via email: kpattenbee@aol.com
Subject line: For Kathryn Patten

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New review and interview!

Peggy Tibbetts — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:30:37 +0000

This month you can find me featured at
Underground Book Reviews.

Letters to Juniper review

Interview with Peggy Tibbetts

Many thanks to Underground Book Reviews!

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Writing/Acting Workshop with Laurie Brooks

Peggy Tibbetts — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:45:16 +0000

Colorado Creative Industries
in conjunction with
Prairie Heritage Association, Old Town Museum,
and Burlington On-Stage presents

Writing/Acting Workshop

Friday, February 3, 2012 – 1:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, February 4, 2012 – 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Where: Community Center Building, 340 S 14th Street, Burlington, Colorado (163 miles east of Denver near Kansas border)

This two day workshop features a hands-on approach to the creative process. The writer group will develop and write a play while the acting group begins to build the characters. Then on the second day the writers and actors come together to refine, rehearse and produce the play!

View the workshop flyer

Featuring Laurie Brooks, award-winning and internationally acclaimed playwright & author of Selkie Girl. Laurie’s strong connection and success make her one of the most significant writers for young adults today.

Meet Laurie at an informal gathering and book signing on Friday, February 3, 7:00 P.M., at the Burlington Public Library. View the flyer for more information.

Click here for Workshop Registration Form

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Should I self publish?

Peggy Tibbetts — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:02:48 +0000

I attended an intensive novel writing workshop last year and finished the first book in my dystopian fantasy series. I submitted queries to several agents – like a lot – and a few publishers. But so far no one is interested, which is weird because dystopian fantasy is super hot right now. The thing is, very few publishers will even consider unsolicited manuscripts, or even queries anymore. So anyway, with the whole ebooks rage, lots of writers are going that route and self-publishing. What advice can you give me? Should I self publish?

Funny you should ask! Natalie Collins, my editor and publisher at Sisterhood Publications, recently wrote a blog post that answers your question much better than I could.

Words of Advice for Self-Publishing Writers …

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Bite me SOPA/PIPA

Peggy Tibbetts — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:25:17 +0000

Lots of blogs and websites are going dark today to protest the two controversial anti-piracy bills: The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate companion, the Protect IP Act (PIPA).

I am against this legislation and I support everyone’s right to protest. However I will not shut up or go dark. Today, I exercise my freedom to blog and I will not monitor my content. Instead of going dark, I use this opportunity to shine the spotlight on SOPA/PIPA for my readers.

SOPA, PIPA: What you need to know

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Algonquin accepting MG and YA queries

Peggy Tibbetts — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:21:19 +0000

Algonquin Books is developing a new young readers’ program with fiction for middle grade readers and young adults. The program will launch at the end of 2012 with about six titles. Elise Howard, formerly of HarperCollins Children’s Books, is publisher of the new division at Algonquin. Howard said, “Developing a brand-new young adult and middle-grade readers’ list is a rare opportunity. The really thrilling challenge is to do it within a program as esteemed as Algonquin’s, with the goal of building a small, focused, literary list that reflects and honors its origins in every way.”

Algonquin publisher Elisabeth Scharlatt added: “Over the years, a number of Algonquin’s adult titles have attracted young adult readers. If we’re to grow beyond our adult trade list, then publishing books geared explicitly for younger readers seems to be the most logical way to extend our reach.”

Howard will not accept unsolicited manuscripts or electronic submissions. However she will look at queries. No more than 15-20 sample pages, by snail mail only. For more information go to Algonquin Submission Guidelines

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New year, new book trailer

Peggy Tibbetts — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:15:31 +0000

Happy Twenty Twelve!

It’s a brand new year, and for me another book release. My next book, PFC Liberty Stryker is coming soon from Sisterhood Publications. I can hardly wait.

Happy New Year!

Peggy Tibbetts — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:01:56 +0000

“Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world.” ~ Tom Clancy

Wishing you much success in the new year.

Coming in 2012

PFC Liberty Stryker by Peggy Tibbetts

“Unlike anything you’ve ever experienced …”

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Review: Hugs from Pearl

Peggy Tibbetts — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:31:56 +0000

Hugs from Pearl
By Paul Schmid
Harpercollins
November 2011
40 pages

Pearl is a very friendly porcupine who loves to give hugs. But no one likes to get hugs from Pearl because they hurt. This makes Pearl sad. So she tries different ways to make her quills a little softer. Nothing works until she stops by to visit a rose bush one day and discovers the answer to her prickly hugs. Schmid’s simple and sweet pastel illustrations reveal Pearl’s softer side. Young children will enjoy watching Pearl solve her problem. Perhaps they will even be inspired to think of ways to soften their own prickly sides.

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Merry Christmas!

Peggy Tibbetts — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:22:39 +0000

Wishing all my readers

May all your dreams come true.

Thank you for reading Advice from a Caterpillar.