Agent Spotlight: Tori Sharp Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Tori Sharp here. She is an associate literary agent at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.

Hi­ Tori! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Tori:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I’ve been an Associate Literary Agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency since August 2020. Before that, I was an assistant to Jennifer De Chiara and an intern for two years. So far, I’ve been reading through queries, signing clients, helping my clients through revisions, and preparing to go on submission with multiple projects.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency is a full-service NYC agency; we do it all. Each agent has unique preferences about the projects we represent (for instance, I currently represent children’s literature exclusively and am not seeking adult projects) but we do as an agency represent every age category and genre. If querying authors look through the JDLA agents’ profiles, then it’s likely they’ll find someone who represents their type of book. JDLA’s 20^th anniversary is coming up in a couple of months, and as a whole the agency represents hundreds of clients and regularly lives up to our motto of “making dreams come true” for authors. We also work with dedicated co-agents for foreign, film and television, and audiobook rights.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

So far, I represent MG and YA, and I’ll happily consider any children’s literature, including picture books and chapter books. I’m looking for all genres, though I’m probably not the best agent for horror. I love seeing submissions with a witty voice and playful tone. I also like seeing that the writer knows how to tell a story; that each scene and paragraph and line has a function or, ideally, multiple functions. It’s the same for comic pages; if the sequential narrative moves at an effective pace while also developing characters, foreshadowing, hitting emotional beats, etc., that shows a level of craft that excites me.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

I’m always excited to see graphic novel proposals, since I’m a graphic novelist myself and majored in Sequential Art at SCAD. Recently, across genres, I’ve been craving something with loving and zany family dynamics. (Hilary McKay does this brilliantly in SAFFY’S ANGEL and, more recently, her BINNY books, where the characters are sometimes at odds but ultimately love and accept each other.) I also hope to see more #ownvoices neurodiverse books from autistic and ADHD writers and artists. I always enjoy fantasy stories with casual magic or “modern” witchcraft that’s considered commonplace wherever the story is set, and I’ve been craving a middle-grade story that’s really action-packed and thrilling.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

At the moment, I don’t represent anything for the adult market, and I am not interested in horror. And while I love looking at submissions that wrestle with serious topics, I tend not to like “issue books” or grimdark stories.

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

Authors and agents are people. So are editors and readers. It’s important to me that everyone I work with treats each other as a human being, with kindness. This has absolutely been my experience with my own agent and the whole team at my publisher, and it’s the experience I want all my clients to have throughout their careers. As an agent, I intentionally foster open communication and transparency, and I make sure my clients always know they can approach me with any question—I work for them, after all.

Publishing is an industry that can feel opaque and mysterious, so I seek to demystify the process for my clients and let them know what’s happening step-by-step so they can feel confident we’re taking every measure to ensure their success.

The books I represent usually call out to me because I’m intrigued by a specific theme—something that ties in perfectly with the plot and makes me excited about the book’s potential to bring a new perspective or confidence or joy to readers. That’s what makes me want to drop everything and fight for a project. On top of the story being engaging and smart, it has to express a shared human experience in a way I haven’t seen before.

Unfortunately, that’s a nebulous thing to try to communicate to anyone who’s querying me, since neither of us will know exactly what will pique my interest until you happen to hit on it. So far I’ve been drawn to projects about living authentically as yourself and pursuing the things that make you happy, but what might inspire me changes day-by-day, and every time I look through queries I’m so excited because I don’t know what I’ll fall in love with next.

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Yes, I am an editorial agent! Once you submit to an editor and get a pass, that’s a closed door, so I like to make sure all of our submissions sparkle before we send them out. I’ll typically go through more than one round of revision with an author before bringing their project to editors.

The first thing I do with a new client manuscript is to ask questions about the story’s theme, character dynamics, and resolution to make sure I fully understand the author’s intentions with their story, and then I write an edit letter and mark up the manuscript with comments. The complexity of this will vary based on how polished the manuscript already is when it hits my inbox. My role is to help the author identify and internalize their own purpose with their book and then ask questions that will help them draw their own conclusions about how to achieve it, rather than superimposing my own vision on top of their work. This process of helping authors think about aspects of their story from a slightly new angle and then watching them come up with brilliant solutions is one of my favorite things in the world.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

As of now, I accept queries only via email. My submission guidelines are detailed on my agency’s website, which is included below with all my links. I really love when query letters include specifics about the story in the pitch, rather than a bunch of generalities. Being too vague is one of the most common problems with queries; I need to get a sense of what your unique story is about. I personally think it’s great to start with a quick logline before you launch into the bulk of the pitch. You should also include your manuscript’s word count or the projected page count for a graphic novel.

Lastly – it’s delightful when queries include links to Spotify playlists or Pinterest boards related to the project, and I appreciate seeing links to authors’ Twitter accounts or writing blogs if they feel inclined to include them. None of that is necessary, and the story itself is the most important factor in a query, but those extra additions can be fun to see.

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

Just be sure to follow submission guidelines! Don’t send your entire manuscript or any attachments with a query unless an agent explicitly requests that in their guidelines. Many authors try to show confidence by saying things like “this is the best book you’ll ever read and will be a bestseller,” but, ultimately, the writing should speak for itself, and this industry is so subjective that personal taste is a huge factor, so it’s better to keep it simple in a query and follow the standard format with concision. If you have multiple projects, please query me with one at a time.

As for the first pages, it’s common advice to start your story with action or during an exciting moment, but that can be dull or even disorienting to the reader if you don’t first show them who your character is. Your first pages should make me care about your lead character so that I can be invested in whether they’ll accomplish their goal.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I try my best to respond within a week, but it really depends. When I’m in the middle of reading manuscripts, preparing a submission, or conducting other business on behalf of my clients, querying authors might have to wait up to six weeks for a reply because I’ll always prioritize the needs of my existing clients. Generally, though, the longer it takes me to respond, the more likely it is I’ve got your query in a “maybe” folder and really, really want to request it. Since I get so many queries, I have to be very selective and honest with myself about which ones I’d do the best job of representing.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

I am open to representing anyone who sends me a project I fall in love with, whether or not it’s your first book. If you’re querying a book that has been previously self-published or published by smaller presses, I would be less likely to represent that specific project, though it depends on what rights you’ve retained with that work. My advice for all querying authors, generally, is to keep writing the next thing.

12. With all the changes in publishing—self-publishing, hybrid authors, more small publishers—do you see the role of agents changing at all? Why?

I don’t think the role of agents will greatly change any time soon, since being an agent has always meant being able to adapt. For instance, agents being “editorial” is a relatively new normal, in the grand scheme of publishing. Agents adapt in tandem with the publishing industry overall and take notice of what the market is hungry for. More agents are representing graphic novelists and illustrators in general compared to just a few years ago, just as an example, after the success of certain comics. Agents will continue to serve an important role in advocating for their clients, but there will also always be options for authors who decide not to seek representation or who have the desire and business savvy to succeed on their own with self-publishing.

Clients:

13. Who are some of the authors you represent?

As a new agent, I’m being very selective with my client list. I represent Dane Erbach, who writes incredibly funny and smart YA contemporary novels. I also represent the graphic novelists Eric Lide and Vanessa Stefaniuk, both of whom are exceptional graphic novelists and webcomic artists.

Interviews and Guest Posts:

14. Please share the links to any interviews and guest posts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

You can find a PDF of my zine SLUSH: A GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS on Gumroad, and this is definitely my best resource about querying. It’s up for $5 but I periodically waive the cost, so keep an eye on my Twitter for the occasional free resource. It’s gotten a very positive response from querying authors. You can find that here: https://gum.co/TKJjQ

Links and Contact Info:

15. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Find my submission guidelines here: https://www.jdlit.com/tori-sharp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NovelTori

My website: https://noveltori.com/

 Additional Advice:

16. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Join a critique group! Or start one. You can use services like Zoom or Discord to run writing groups virtually. Reading other peoples’ work critically is the best way to improve your own craft, which will ultimately help you get agents’ attention. Other than that, keep being curious about everything writing- and publishing-related. Learn all you can about what a career as an author actually entails. Listen to tons of podcast interviews with writers and just soak up first-hand accounts about how those authors got their start and the sort of things that helped them on their way to publication. Keep yourself inspired so you can keep trying!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Tori.

­Tori is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through December 5th.  If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that's okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debut Author Interview: Summer Rachel Short and The Mutant Mushroom Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have debut author Summer Rachel Short here to share about her MG spooky mystery The Mutant Mushroom Takeover. It sounds like a great story that combines science, a mystery, and contemporary issues.

 Here’s a blurb from Goodreads: 

Ever since Magnolia Stone’s scientist dad left Shady Pines to find a new job, Maggie’s been stuck in her gramma’s mobile home with her grumpy older brother, Ezra. Now she’s on a mission to put her family back together by winning the Vitaccino Junior Naturalist Merit Award.

When Maggie and her best friend, Nate, a wannabe YouTube star and alien conspiracy theorist, scout out a rare bioluminescent fungus, Maggie is certain she’s a shoo-in to win. But after animals around town start sprouting unusual growths and Ezra develops a bluish glow and hacking cough, Maggie wonders what they’ve really stumbled onto.Follower News

Before I get to my interview with Summer, I have Follower News to share.

Tyrean Martinson has a new science fiction release, Liftoff: The Rayatana Series Book 1. Here's a blurb and a few links:

A spaceship in disguise,
An Earth girl searching for a sense of home,
And a Thousand Years’ War between alien races,
All collide on a summer afternoon.

LINKS: Kindle           Barnes and Noble                  Kobo               Smashwords                Bookbub            Goodreads

Interview With Summer Rachel Short

Hi Summer! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

Thank you for having me! My writing journey kicked off back in college. I majored in journalism and wrote for my university’s newspaper. I also took a number of creative writing classes, wrote short stories, and dreamed of one day writing a novel. After graduation, I worked in public relations for a number of years, later had kids, and sort of put the dream on the back burner. Every now and then, I’d pick up a pad of paper and jot out the first bits and pieces of a story idea, but I never did much more than that. Then about five years ago, I watched a movie set in Iceland and the scenery got my creative wheels spinning again. I didn’t end up writing a novel set in that country, but I did get very serious about finishing a manuscript. But first I had to figure out the mechanics of writing a full-length novel. I joined critique groups, attended conferences, and read all I could about the craft. From that time on, writing went from something on the back shelf to a very intense passion.

 2. Where did you get the idea for The Mutant Mushroom Takeover? 

A couple things got me going. One was a documentary my kids and I stumbled upon on YouTube called Fungi: The Rotten World Around Us. It had spooky music and was loaded with fascinating tidbits about mushrooms. I was so intrigued I kept reading and learned about even more bizarre types. I sort of tucked away those facts in the back of my mind. Then later my son had an idea for a character he wanted me to write about. It was a pirate named Root Beard whose beard would be made of living tree roots. Root Beard didn’t make it into my book, but the notion of a character who was part human part something else did. It’s funny how different pieces come together on projects. I keep a folder of story ideas and whenever I hear about something that sparks my interest, I add it.

 3. That's cool that your son gave you the kernel of an idea for your story. You’ve tied science into your plot, and I read that you included an author’s note about what scientific facts were true and not true at the end of the story. What research did you have to do on the science behind what was going on with the strange mushrooms that Maggie and Nate found? What advice do you have for other writers wanting to weave science into their story? 

I did quite a bit of research on a variety of fungi, including bioluminescent mushrooms which produce light using the same chemical found in fireflies. I also learned more about parasites, slime molds, and the behavior of certain kinds of insects. My advice would be follow your interests. If some bit of science is fascinating to you, then there’s a good chance you can weave it into your story in a way that is natural and interesting to your readers.

4. That's great advice. I'm not sure I could research so much about mushrooms. What was your plotting process like?

I like to come up with a rough outline of where I’m going before I start writing. I write down things like the inciting incident, midpoint, climax and resolution. For The Mutant Mushroom Takeover, I had an idea of who my main character would be and the problem she was up against. But as I wrote, certain things changed as I got to know my story and characters better. For example, my main character’s best friend started out as a bully character who was not friends with Maggie. But the more I wrote of Nate, the more he kept coming out with funny lines. Eventually, I completely reinvented him to be Maggie’s funny, conspiracy-theorist, wanna-be YouTube star BFF.

5.  Your plotting process is similar to mine. I read that you participated in the Pitch Wars. How did that help you strengthen your manuscript? 

Pitch Wars was a great experience for me. My mentors read my entire manuscript and then gave me insightful feedback that helped me revise my story. One thing they helped me focus on in particular was my character’s internal journey. They recommended craft books, brainstormed with me, and offered suggestions. The whole process allowed me to see my story in a new way and gave me a set of tools for revising future stories.

6. That all sounds so helpful. What was something that surprised you in working with your editor?

I think before we sold my book I had a picture that editors were very intimidating people but really they’re fellow book lovers who are great champions for authors and their stories. My editor, Krista, has been fantastic to work with and is also very warm and personable.

7. Your agent is Alyssa Eisner. Share how she became your agent and your road to publication. As part of the Pitch Wars contest, there is an agent showcase where mentees share excerpts of their manuscripts and agents can request their materials. 

Once the Pitch Wars agent showcase ended, I sent out my requested materials, followed by a handful of

other queries. After I hit send, I spent my time biting my nails and continuously refreshing my email. About a week later, I received an email from one of the agents I'd subbed to requesting a call to talk about my book. I reached out to my Pitch Wars mentors and we shared virtual squeals and jumping up and down. I was really nervous leading up to the call, but everything went smoothly and we had a great talk. Following my mentors' advice, I nudged all the other agents I'd submitted to or queried and let them know I'd had an offer of representation. The next couple of weeks were a flurry of emotions as agents responded, many requesting the full manuscript or saying they were reading it fast to meet my deadline. About a week before my decision window closed, I had another agent call. This time with Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group. From the moment we got on the phone, I felt she would be the perfect champion for my work. She was passionate and knowledgeable and had so many great ideas right off the bat for positioning my book and for revisions. I signed with her shortly after that call and have been so glad I did.

8. What a great way to get an agent! Your book released on 9/22/2020. Share how you’ve been promoting it given the pandemic. What worked and what would you have done differently? 

Because of the pandemic, I had my book launch online with a local independent book store instead of in
person as I’d originally envisioned. The virtual launch ended up being great and allowed me to connect with many people I wouldn’t have otherwise. The video got nearly 900 views, so I feel like that was a success. I also have a couple of Zoom classroom visits coming up that I’m looking forward to. As far as other promotion ideas, I’m pretty new to all this, so I can’t really say what works or doesn’t just yet. But I try to stay active on social media––interacting with teachers, librarians and other authors. I think that trying to develop relationships with people who love books is a good way to let them know you’re out there.

9. What are you working on now? 

I’m currently revising the sequel to The Mutant Mushroom Takeover. That book’s slated for release in 2021. It’s set in Yellowstone National Park and features a brand new mystery for Maggie and Nate to solve. I’ve seen a sneak peek of the cover and it looks amazing!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Summer. You can find Summer at:

Thank you, Natalie!

Website: https://srachelshort.com 

Instagram: @summerrachelwrites

Twitter: @Summer_Rachel_ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerrachelshort

Giveaway Details

Summer has generously offered a hardback of The Mutant Mushroom Giveaway for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by November 28th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. and Canada.

 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways

Wednesday, November 18th I have an agent spotlight interview with Tori Sharp and a query critique giveaway

Monday, November 23rd I have an interview with debut author Carol Coven Grannick and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Renni's Turn

Wednesday, December 2nd  I have an interview with debut author Diana Pinguicha and a giveaway of her YA fantasy A Miracle of Roses and my IWSG post

Thursday, December 3rd I'm participating in the Winter Is Coming Giveaway Hop

Monday, December 7th I have an agent spotlight interview with Maria Vincente and a query critique giveway

Monday, December 14th I have a guest post by debut author M.L. Tarpley about marketing and school visits during COVID-19 and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Malie and the Maize

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop

Happy Monday Everyone! Happy Tuesday Everyone! Today I'm thrilled to be participating in the Super Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop hosted by The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It.  I love being part of blog hops like this.

This month I am doing the giveaway differently and am just offering an Amazon Gift Card. However, if you are a book lover or want another opportunity to win an Amazon Gift Card, click on the link in my Current Giveaways listed above for another chance to win a book or gift card.

My giveaway this month is a $15 Amazon Gift Card

Giveaway Details

One lucky entrant selected by the entry form will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Open to entrants internationally as long as Book Depository ships to you for free, 13 years and older. Open for entry from 11/10 – 12/1/2020 at 11:59 pm EST. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The selected winner will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email to claim this prize or a new winner will be selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways

Monday, November 16th I have an interview with debut author Rachel Short and a giveaway of her MG spooky mystery The Mutant Mushroom Takover

Wednesday, November 18th I have an agent spotlight interview with Tori Sharp and a query critique giveaway

Monday, November 23rd I have an interview with debut author Carol Coven Grannick and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Renni's Turn

Wednesday, December 2nd  I have an interview with debut author Diana Pinguicha and a giveaway of her YA fantasy A Miracle of Roses and my IWSG post

Thursday, December 3rd I'm participating in the Winter Is Coming Giveaway Hop

Monday, December 7th I have an agent spotlight interview with Maria Vincente and a query critique giveway

Monday, December 14th I have a guest post by debut author M.L. Tarpley about marketing and school visits during COVID-19 and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Malie and the Maize

Hope to see you Monday!

Here are all the other blogs participating in this blog hop:

Debut Author Interview: Sheila M. Averbuch and Friend Me Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m thrilled to have debut author Sheila M. Averbuch here to share about her MG contemporary/thriller Friend Me. It sounds like a great story, and I’m excited to read it.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads: 

What happens when an online friend becomes a real-life nightmare?

Roisin hasn't made a single friend since moving from Ireland to Massachusetts. In fact, she is falling apart under constant abuse from a school bully, Zara. Zara torments Roisin in person and on social media. She makes Roisin the laughingstock of the whole school.

Roisin feels utterly alone... until she bonds with Haley online. Finally there's someone who gets her. Haley is smart, strong, and shares anti-mean-girl memes that make Roisin laugh. Together, they are able to imagine what life could look like without Zara. Haley quickly becomes Roisin's lifeline.
Then Zara has a painful accident, police investigate, and Roisin panics. Could her chats with Haley look incriminating?

Roisin wants Haley to delete her copies of their messages, but when she tries to meet Haley in person, she can't find her anywhere. What's going on? Her best friend would never have lied to her, right? Or is Haley not who she says she is...

With twists, turns, and lightning-fast pacing, this is a middle-grade thriller about bullying, revenge, and tech that young readers won't be able to put down.Hi Sheila! Thanks so much for joining us!

Follower News

Before I get to Sheila's interview, I have Follower News.

Shannon Lawrence has a new book, Happy Ghouladays: A Collection of Holiday Horror Short

Stories, that will be releasing in November. Here's a blurb and a few links: Family time can lead to murder and mayhem, especially during the holidays. These and other tales of woe await you beneath the mistletoe. Be careful who you offer a kiss. It may be your last.

Links:
Pre-order link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MDZR9K5
My website: www.thewarriormuse.com
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewarriormuse

And Lynda Young writing as Elle Cardy has a new YA fantasy novella, Well of Ash. Here is a blurb and a few links:

No one knows who built the Great Wells across the world or why. To linger near makes the skin crawl and the mind drift in nightmares. Yet this one calls to Ash in whispers that pull her closer. Soon she’s caught in a mystery that can kill. She must find the answers before she loses her sanity and her life.

If you like dragons, magic, and a fierce heroine with a wounded heart, then you’ll love Well of Ash, a YA Fantasy novella by Elle Cardy. Available now as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. OR, for a limited time, pick up a free copy when you join Elle’s VIP newsletter club.

Interview With Sheila Averbuch

Hi Sheila! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

I’ve earned a living from writing, first as a journalist and then as a copywriter, for 25 years. So for me, seeing my name in print wasn’t the dream: the dream was to write for children. I wanted to write stories that 11-year-old me would have read without stopping, forgetting meals, bedtime, and even homework to read just a little more. I wanted this so much, I never told anyone -- because I knew from being a professional actor for a couple years just how badly I handled rejection. I've said before that the goal of becoming a children’s writer was so precious and so huge, it felt like a gigantic and embarrassing imaginary friend that only I could see!

It wasn’t until I was 33 (17 years ago!) that I made the first inquiries about how one goes about that kind of thing, which led me to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. SCBWI was my gateway to the professionals who helped me work on my craft and connect me with like-minded aspiring children’s authors; I loved it so much, my friend and I started the Scotland region of the British Isles network; it’s now a thriving, supportive community of more than a 100 writers and illustrators.

 2. That's awesome that you already had a writing career before starting to write for kids. Were did you get the idea for Friend Me?

One spark was the day that my 13-year-old son mentioned it was his best friend’s birthday. I encouraged him to call the boy on the phone, and he acted like I’d suggested something unnatural. The aversion that many tweens have to using their phones for voice calls is so well known, it’s a thing now in kidlit  – remember that joke in ONE OF US IS LYING where one character jokes to the other, What does ‘incoming call’ mean? ­– but it also got me thinking.

If a young person could have a whole friendship with someone via text and chat, what could that lead to? And that led me into thinking about bullying, because when I thought about the young person who would become so totally reliant on that phone-friendship, to the exclusion of real-world friends and family, I realized she’d be someone who was suffering badly. I also had another a-ha moment when I realized the central twist of FRIEND ME – I was in the depths of the flu but made myself grab a pen and scratch down a note so I wouldn’t forget it.

 3. So true about kids not wanting to talk on the phone. You were a journalist before becoming a MG author. What made you decide to make the leap to writing for middle graders? Has your writing as a journalist helped you in writing stories?

I worked as a tech journalist for over two decades and FRIEND ME is interesting because it’s the sixth manuscript I’ve written, but the first that marries my background in tech (I was IT Journalist of the Year in Ireland way back in 2000!) with my passion for writing kidlit. FRIEND ME has a lot of tech – cyberbullying, obviously, but also advanced AI, bullet trains…there’s even a robotic cat.

I think the book found a publisher in part because childhood has become so technologized. The innovations that I cover still in my day job as a tech writer definitely fuel my fiction, and the discipline of getting words onto the page I learned in journalism school is also invaluable. My work as an actor was also essential: I wrote my first manuscripts with a kind of cool distance, never realizing I had to get into character and be that person. My writing got a lot better when I used that actor’s insight.

4. Your book is described as a fast-paced thriller. How did you plot this out? What advice do have for other writers on how to create a page turner.

FRIEND ME was the first time I skipped my usual process of writing a plot outline –typically one

sentence, 25 or so, for the projected chapters of whatever middle grade manuscript I was working on. I started writing FRIEND ME slowly and averaged 250 words a day; I wouldn’t let myself advance to the next scene until I knew absolutely that Roisin, my main character, was driving the action. All I had was an idea of the overall online-friendship-goes-bad and the central twist, and I didn’t bother with those 25 sentences.

To be honest I’d intended to write FRIEND ME purely to get myself out of a dark place (I’d actually given up on writing for children, and was feeling really low), but three chapters in, I felt more like myself again. The story was going well, so when I saw the deadline approaching for the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awards (which give a cash grant, mentoring and training to Scotland’s most promising unpublished writers, funded by Creative Scotland), I went for it and included a 500 word synopsis for the whole story.

That provided a compass, but I kept that commitment to staying deep within Roisin’s point of view, writing slowly, and not letting myself advance without a strong, character-driven reason. I also adore masters of twist like Karen McManus, Elizabeth Wein and Sarah Waters, and tried to apply what they’d taught me about leading readers exactly where I wanted them to go.

5. So interesting that you didn't start with an outline. Roisin is bullied at school and on social media, and it sounds really like extreme bullying from your blurb. How did you tackle this issue, which many middle graders, without getting preachy?

You are so right that middle grade readers won’t stand for preachiness. In FRIEND ME, I try to let Roisin’s actions speak for themselves, showing both what ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ look like on social media. Roisin switches off her phone when notifications are getting her down. She hits the swimming pool and feels more like herself when she’s doing that heavy workout. This based in reality including my own research about the nature of cyberbullying (how it gets deep inside your head, delivered by the highly personal device of your mobile phone), and coping strategies suggested by mental health resources for young people (switch off if you can, delete apps if necessary, get as much physical exercise as you can to get those good endorphins going). There are good resources in stopbullying.gov and Nicola Morgan’s TEENAGE GUIDE TO STRESS on these coping strategies.

6. What was something you learned about making your story stronger from working with your editor?

Working with Emily Seife, who’s a Senior Editor at Scholastic, was an author’s dream. Not only was she sensitive and kind, she also saw a flaw in my story arc that no other reader had. Originally, Roisin feels she has defeated her bully Zara, and starts wanting to escape the increasingly uncomfortable friendship with Haley, right after Zara’s accident. That was dramatically unsatisfying, because it gave my main character everything she wanted in the middle of the book, but it was also hard to believe: would Roisin really be over Zara? Would she really be so quick to drop Haley? The friendship between them, and the way Roisin copes with the lingering trauma of Zara’s bullying, now resolve in a more believable and interesting way in the final version of FRIEND ME.

7. Jennifer Laughran is your agent. How did she become your agent and what was your road to publication like?

If your readers can bear it, I wrote a long how-I-got-my-agent blog post here:[ http://www.sheilamaverbuch.com/blog/how-i-got-my-agent-and-what-nearly-stopped-me/]; in brief, my journey to publication began with a derivative sci-fi adventure I wrote back in 2003. Cut to 2014, and I got a standard but beautifully worded form rejection from Jennifer on a different middle grade manuscript, and her kind reply made me want to return to her when I had totally redrafted it. In 2015 I took advantage of a live Writers Digest webinar where Jenn critiqued the first 500 words. She liked what I’d done, and again her few words of encouragement were manna to me. We met at Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop in December 2015; I’d queried her just before this, and she offered representation then and there, under the redwoods.

Our first two manuscripts that we went on sub with didn’t find a home (yet!), but we hit gold with FRIEND ME. Shout out to Jenn and her Andrea Brown Literary Agency colleagues for the title! Emily thought its original title (BEST FRIEND CODE) didn’t quite hit the mark, and an all-agency brainstorm by Jenn’s colleagues came up with our wonderful alternative.

8. What an awesome way to get your agent. You live in Scotland. How are your promoting your book in the United States? What advice do you have for other authors who have to focus on online marketing given COVID-19?

The fact that I live in a little stone cottage in Scotland, outside the city, and went through years of manuscripts and over 100 rejections before getting a deal proves that you can do it, too -- and you don’t need to live in London or New York.

 Online promo offers real opportunities, and everyone is in the same online-only boat this year. A year ago, my husband had a terrifying head-on car crash at 60mph; even though he walked away from it, the accident was a drastic reminder of my real priorities. I decided before Covid that I would do online-only promo until 2021, to be here for my family as Ralph recovered.

 I attended a SCBWI debut bootcamp that helped me realize it’s ok to focus on what I like and what I enjoy (for me, that’s Twitter, Instagram, and talking about books). I also took a wonderful Reinventing the Author Visit masterclass with Kate Messner that helped me formulate a virtual school visit that’s right for FRIEND ME.

The best thing to do for your own online marketing is to have your own website (mine is sheilamaverbuch.com). I keep mine updated with info about my book including promo blurbs, links on where to buy, and a full press kit (including high-res photos and biographies) that’s an editable Google Doc.

I also put out a quarterly Kidlit News email newsletter that anyone can sign up for, about what I’m reading, authors resources and other value-added content, not just about my writing. Having your own mailing list, even if it just starts with a handful of people (never subscribe anyone to it unless they ask to be), is one of the best things you can do for your marketing.  

9. That's great that you're staying home to take care of your husband. You have a day job as a senior content strategist and social media manager. How has this helped you develop your marketing plan and social media platform? What advice do you have for the rest of us on developing our online presence?

Content gets conversations started. Focus on making and sharing content you like and are good at: for me it’s pics and mini reviews of what MG and YA books I’m reading, plus mini videos and other content about FRIEND ME –Instagram is a super place to share bookish content because the algorithms really seem to favor it; explore tags there like #bookstagram and #middlegrade. I post this content also on Twitter, where I also follow and react to what’s being said by teachers and librarians, using Twitter lists.

 YouTube mini videos are one of the best things you can do for search engine visibility – unboxing your ARCs, talking to camera if you can bear it – and they’re easy to embed in a website or share on social. For graphics I use tools like Canva and the free PowerDirector mobile app to edit video I shoot on my phone. I also write blogs regularly on my website at sheilamaverbuch.com and I share these on all my platforms. 

 Be authentic with whatever content you share and whatever you say on social media: listen before you post, and never post anything in the heat of the moment.

 In your bio or at the top of your social profiles, include hyperlinks to places that people can buy your book, NEVER just an Amazon link; I use bit.ly to create short hyperlinks (choose a naming convention: all of my links begin with bit.ly/SMA) that I can track clicks and see what’s popular.

 I also sent a few of my precious author ARCs to people who I knew would be willing to put up Goodreads reviews; these have been hugely helpful in FRIEND ME’s visibility to search engines. But I can’t stress this enough: do NOT rely on social media for all of your visibility: have your own website and mailing list, which you control.

 10. That's all great advice. What are you working on now?

 I’m working on another standalone middle grade technothriller, this time centered around selfie culture and what that does to the tween psyche.

 Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sheila. You can find Sheila at:  

Website http://www.sheilamaverbuch.com  

Sheila’s Kidlit newsletter http://bit.ly/SMAkidlitnews

Twitter https://twitter.com/sheilamaverbuch 

Instagram https://instagram.com/sheilamaverbuch/ 

Giveaway Details

Sheila has generously offered an ARC of Friend Me for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by November 21st. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. only.

 Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews and Giveaways

Tuesday, November 10th I'm participating in the Super Stocking Giveaway Hop 

Monday, November 16th I have an interview with debut author Rachel Short and a giveaway of her MG spooky mystery The Mutant Mushroom Takover

Wednesday, November 18th I have an agent spotlight interview with Tori Sharp and a query critique giveaway

Monday, November 23rd I have an interview with debut author Carol Coven Grannick and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Renni's Turn

Wednesday, December 2nd  I have an interview with debut author Diana Pinguicha and a giveaway of her YA fantasy A Miracle of Roses and my IWSG post

Thursday, December 3rd I'm participating in the Winter Is Coming Giveaway Hop

Monday, December 7th I have an agent spotlight interview with Maria Vincente and a query critique giveway

Monday, December 14th I have a guest post by debut author M.L. Tarpley about marketing and school visits during COVID-19 and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Malie and the Maize

Hope to see you tomorrow!