Since joining the blogosphere I've come across some pretty darn cool people. I've also learned the smorgasborg of aspiring authors is vast, varied and oh-so-talented. Given this, it's only natural that some of us may be shooting for the same goals.
Write a novel. Get an agent.
As these two things stand as a constant in my life, I've found four things related to them that I continuously work on to make these goals a reality. They are...
-Gaining more knowledge about the craft
-Building my platform
-Actually writing the novel
-Sweating bullets over the query letter
When my followers shot up from 70 to 150 this past month the wheels in my head began cranking on how my new writer buddies and I could share in this crazy journey holding hands and singing Kum Ba Yah.
SO...
Get ready because together we're going to gear up (Kum Ba Yah style) to get an agent in my month long July blogfest! WOOT!
(Now, you'll have to excuse my complete lack of button making skillz. I never claimed to be a graphics gal:)
Update: I've got the week by week details HERE
What does this blogfest entail? Each week in July we are going to focus on the agent-grabbing elements (platform building, learning the craft, the novel and queries) in an interactive way. I will give more detailed information about the individual weeks at a later date, but let me just tell you this...at the end of each week I will be giving away CRITIQUES GALORE from some seriously talented people who have agreed to help me out in this department. I can assure you, you won't be disappointed (*hint hint* think agents, writers with agents, published authors...see, you aren't disappointed are you?).
Who can join in on the action? This is the really fun part because not all writers are bloggers, so we are opening the fun up to not only blogs, but to all the little Twitter birds out there too! I've got some help here as well. You may remember the last 'Firsts Fridays' interview with Agent Gone Writer, Lora Rivera. Well, the awesomeness that is her is teaming up with me to take on the Twitter side of the madness. So if you would prefer to Tweet with us during the blogfest let Lora know here on her Twitter.
Cool, how do I sign up? Glad you asked because all you have to do is let me know your name and blog or twitter id you'd prefer to interact with us through.
Put it in the comment section of this post and I will get you signed up, OR hop on over and tweet, letting Lora know. Also, if you have a blog, grab the button above and pop it on your blog to share the love. The more people we have in on this, the merrier. Simple enough right?
Yay, so excited to finally have the cat out of the bag.
However....as I am writing this, I'm bleary-eyed and mucho-exhausted, so if I've confused you or you have additional questions put them in the comments, email me, whatev and I'll do my best to answer them.
I can't wait to get this party started!
Until next time...
Keep writing. Keep learning.
Interesting ... not sure I'm there yet. I'll let you now if I change my mind. =D
ReplyDelete*know even
ReplyDeleteDeana, how do you keep coming up with such amazing ideas! I am in total love with this :)
ReplyDeleteSign me up!
Nice--I might even be querying in July. Can we have a few more deets on what will be involved (esp time commitment)?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeletewww.rebeccabany.com
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/becbany
Hi Deana, thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm glad I found yours. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome blogfest-- sign me up!
I'm in!
ReplyDeletehttp://theresamilstein.blogspot.com
Love this idea, Deana, and glad to help out!
ReplyDeleteAs for time commitment, it'll really be as much or as little as you choose to invest--right, Deana? The query week might be a little more time-heavy, but you'll get out of it what you put in.
Can't wait to hear more of the deets!
Yay! So excited to those already signed up! Lora, yes you are right...it is 4 weeks with each week being a stand alone mini hop. You are welcome to participate in one or all. I will give more specific details either this week or next but for now here is a little run down
ReplyDeleteweek 1- I Just had to ask...
We will post our writer questions we just have to have answers to and we will hop around helping and building platform at the same time
week 2- Story Chain
The first in the sign up list will start the story (each will have a direction and certain silly words with a min of 50-100 words)
week 3- Query Contest
Post your query. Hop around critiquing others and post final on my blog, winner (chosen by the lovely agent gone writer, Lora Rivera) chooses either a 1st 5 pg critique or query critique
week 4- First 200 word novel contest. Same premise as query contest except I will pick a top 5 or 10 depending on number of entries. Then agent Kathleen Rushall will pick a winner to get a query + 30 pg crit and 2nd place will win a crit from agent signed author Monica B.W.
Please...anymore questions, let me know. I'm happy to answer:)
Oh, almost forgot...week 1 and 2 will have critique giveaway opportunities as well from published children's book author Margot Finke and Crusade Founder, Rachelle Harrie
ReplyDeleteCount me in! This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe Neophyte Writer http://kristibernard.wordpress.com
Very cool. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteLori M. Lee - http://lorimlee.blogspot.com/
This is awesome Deana! I'm not there but I can't wait to follow along.
ReplyDeleteMandie
http://time4mommy.com
Don't think I'll be able to join this, but I'll be happy to put your button on my blog and spread the news! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this but I'm gone a few days in July. Will missing a day here or there matter?
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Deana! Sorry it's taken me FOR EVER to come over!
ReplyDeleteS.B. Niccum
Author Website
Blog
Great idea! I'd also like to suggest to you and your readers a great site for finding an agent its called agentquery.com. Much success to you!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! This sounds great.
ReplyDeleteSIgn me up! My email is pakazo77@gmail.com and my blog is
http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com
Or you can click on my pic. :)
I'm just finishing up on my wip, so this would help a lot as I prepare to send out.
ReplyDeleteI'm in.
mood
Moody Writing
Count me in! My blog is christinasbuzz.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the opportunity! You can find me at shielawrites.blogspot.com. Now if I could just figure out how to grab that button... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the opportunity! You can find me at shielawrites.blogspot.com. Now if I could just figure out how to grab that button... :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you found my blog, and thank you so much for your sweet post on my blog awards! I would definitely love to take part in this, and my blog is http://lisachickos.blogspot.com . Thanks for the opportunity! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to do this, since it is my main focus right now and I'd have a motivation behind it. But it kinda scares me, lol!!
ReplyDeleteashley-nixon.blogspot.com.
Scares me too...and I'm also not sure I'm "there" but I can try. :)
ReplyDeletemarcieshrinks.blogspot.com
Deal me in!
ReplyDeletecalliekingston.blogspot.com
betterwritethanwrong.blogspot.com
Keep em coming people! It's gonna be fun:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for signing up those who have so far:)
Cool. Sign me up.
ReplyDeletebuildingcastlesonthebeach.blogspot.com
I'm new to the blogfesting, so how to I put the button on my page?
I'm in!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.annemhairisimpson.com
Great - I'm in - the idea of revising my finished novel to prep for query in July just might get me back to writing
ReplyDeleteBlog: marychrapliwy.blogspot.com
I'll give it a go. Count me in.
ReplyDeletehttpa;//educationtipster.blogspot.com
please sign me up.
ReplyDeleteOkay, sign me up. I'll try to make time for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Karen
Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing
The count is at 23 so far!
ReplyDeleteCount me in :)
ReplyDeleteCatherine
http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com
New here...found you through someones button. I can't wait to do this. Count me in coach!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is this??!! I understand I am supposed to grab the button and put it on my site. Then I let you know I'm in. Okay, consider it done!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I'd love to participate!
ReplyDeletewww.letters-to-the-cosmos.blogspot.com
Awesome blogfest! And perfect timing for me! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteBlog: http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter
Twitter: @jcmartin_author
Count me in, please. Novel Thinking
ReplyDeletehttp://fiona-maddock.blogspot.com/
Twitter @fionamaddock
This is an awesome idea! I'm in!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
http://talesfromamother.blogspot.com/
Deana,
ReplyDeleteI don't have a blog (long story) and I'm not a Twitter follower. Can I participate through email or FB? Please email me your reply. THANKS!
erittelking@gmail.com
Emily
great blogfest - with something for everyone. I'm in!
ReplyDeletealex villasante
anvillasante@gmail.com
http://magpiewrites.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is up!
ReplyDeletehttp://getbusywriting.blogspot.com/
See you there!
Awesome...Count me in! (I'm your newest follower.)
ReplyDeletehttp://nancysthompson.blogspot.com/
Sounds interesting, Deanna. Sign me up to participate in at least part of the blogfest.
ReplyDeleteCount me in! I'll be available for everything! :D
ReplyDeleteDeanna, my good friend PK Hrezo has your link on her blog. This sounds like fun ... and I am thinking there is no restriction to genre since it was not mentioned.
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet so many new people through those writers I already know :)
I finally put the button up on my site. Now I have to wait for July? *gnaws fingernails*
ReplyDeleteSounds like a challenge, and not to mention some fun. I'll give it a try. Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Nata
http://zeroatheart.blogspot.com/
Love it! I'm in. Rachel Dillon. My blog is ThroughEndangeredEyes.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWow, there are a lot of participants :)
ReplyDeleteCount me in for number 23,953,451 ;)
Shelly Brown
@sbrownwriter
WritingWithShelly@blogspot.com
Sounds like fun!
Thanks for the invite!
I may be able to participate a couple of those weeks so count me in. Hi. I'm a new follower
ReplyDeletehttp://christinedanek.blogspot.com
This sounds like soooo much fun! Thanks for putting this together for us writer folk! Count me in, chicky! :P
ReplyDeletewww.lindylegend.blogspot.com
@ignis_fatuus_11
I am a new follower. This sounds like fun. Count me in.
ReplyDeleteEmail address: cynthia@dove-ministries.org
Blog address:
http://dove-ministries.blogspot.com/
Thanks a million!
Ooh, so glad I found this! Very exciting.
ReplyDeleteBlog:
http://museandmusing.blogspot.com
twitter:
amys_kennedy
yay!
Alaisdair
ReplyDeletehttp://www.alaisdaird.com
This sounds great, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteBlog:
http://iqurae.blogspot.com/
Woohoo! I am SO in!
ReplyDeleteBlog:
http://meghankirkland.blogspot.com/
I'm in! And hello, I'm a new follower. I'll tweet about the blogfest later this week. My blog is http://alexiachamberlynn.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOkay...time to stop being a wuss!
ReplyDeleteAlleged Author
http://anallegedauthor.blogspot.com
I'm in too. Hopefully I'm not too late.
ReplyDeletehttp://livetowrite1.blogspot.com/
Great idea, Deana! Looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteFine. I'm in. Ugh. It's going to be painful.
ReplyDeleteIs there going to be a place where all the participants and links to their blogs can be found?
Sign me up!
ReplyDeletehttp://appledaysarmynights.blogspot.com/
I stumbled upon your button on a blog and was instantly intrigued! ☺ Sounds like a fun blogfest, though I do have a lot of work to do on my WIP... oh heck, count me in! ;) Lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks ~Amanda
http://amandastwistedtruths.blogspot.com
Do you have to have a book or story written out first to get in on this?
ReplyDeleteLora signed up in another comment area so I'm going to put her here from me to know:)
ReplyDeleteLora Rivera
www.lorarivera.com
Also, to answer CC's question in case others are wondering...no you don't need to have a completed novel to participate. For the final week 4 novel contest, it would help since you will be judged by an agent and if she loves your work may want a full, but that decision is yours and yours alone to make.
This sounds like a fabulous idea! (Nice to *meet* you, btw) I'd like to participate.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: http://www.itwillhappenoneday.blogspot.com
Thanks!
This sounds like a great idea I'm in for the fun. I think I will be ready to look for an agent in July as well.
ReplyDeleteHere is my blog:
http://theforsakenpetal.blogspot.com/
This sounds awesome, count me in!
ReplyDeleteNicole Zoltack
http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com
I'm in
ReplyDeletehttp://andthenshewaslikeblahblahblah.blogspot.com/
Sign me up, please!
ReplyDelete--Karen A. Wyle
(WordsmithWyle on twitter)
If some aspects of this event work better on a blog than on Twitter, then please add my blog, even though it's somewhat neglected....
ReplyDeletehttp://looking-around.blogspot.com
I'm in! The first, third and fourth weeks look especially interesting. Thank you very much for providing this opportunity, Deana.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower and subscriber and will tweet the blogfest and post the button. And, before I forget, my blog address is http://michellefayard.blogspot.com.
Michelle
Hi Deana, I'd love to join. Sign me up! My blog address is
ReplyDeletehttp://vickybruere.blogspot.com
This sounds like a great idea. :) I don't have a novel but have had one dinking around in my brain for several years. Maybe this will be the thing to get me motivated to finally write it. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Tracy Screaming Sardine
Ooh, I like this idea! But if I win a critique would I be able to save it for later?
ReplyDeleteTaylor Roseberry http://www.taylyeerose.com/
Count me in!
ReplyDeleteDeirdra Eden Coppel
http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/
What if I don't have a blog? Can I still enter?
ReplyDeleteI love this blogfest idea. I'm so in.
ReplyDeleteStephanie M
http://steph-wordbyword.blogspot.com/
Deana,
ReplyDeleteI am up for this (bites nails) but I will be out of town for the first two weeks, is it okay if I just do week 3&4?
http://www.christaramblesandwrites.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Purvis
ReplyDeletewww.suzannepurvis.blogspot.com
Sign me up
ReplyDeletehttp://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Please sign me up.
ReplyDeletehttp://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com
If it's not too late I'd like to sign up. I'm at bethfred.com
ReplyDeletebethfred.com
Can I still sign up?
ReplyDeleteMy name is McKenzie McCann and my blog is The Ubiquitous Perspective.
Hope I'm not too late.
Oops, forgot to include my email.
ReplyDeletemrhmccann@gmail.com
Sounds great!
ReplyDeletehttp://publishedinayear.blogspot.com
Wow! LOVE your site and your idea. Just came across this on Twitter. Hope I'm not too late:)
ReplyDeletewww.jamieayres.wordpress.com or
twitter.com/jamiemayres
I want in! My blog: www.jasmine-walt.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteJust found your idea!!!! Thanks to Christine Danek. Though I have a blog I blog a week in advance so can't do it this week... but TWITTER is wide open baby!!!
ReplyDeleteHere is my info:
Blog: Unedited - http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jenunedited
Is it too late to sign up? What a fantastic, fun idea ^_^
ReplyDeleteI'm at http://blog.apathyshero.com
twitter: @aszreal
I'm gonna try it. The worst thing that can happen is I'll still be where I'm at only a little smarter, right? http://meoutsidethelines.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna try it. The worst thing that can happen is I'll still be where I'm at only a little smarter, right? http://meoutsidethelines.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late, but I just found this blogfest and would love to participate in the last two weeks. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeletehttp://sharonbayliss.blogspot.com/
I;m a new follower....would love for you to follow back :)
ReplyDeletehttp://wherenothinggoodcomeseasy.blogspot.com/
Hi Deana,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I didn't find your blog until last week or so but took part in the query contest. But just incase - sign me up!
http://freyamorris.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Well I never signed up on this post - but did weeks one and two, and want to do four.
ReplyDeletehttp://jrowrites.blogspot.com
Thanks!
I just found out about this. Sorry to have missed the fun. Good luck to everyone who participated.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so great, too bad I'm too late! (Didn't mean for that to rhyme...anybody want a peanut?) I hope it went well, and what a fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, you like what I like (saw your interview (03/2011)), so look out for me, I'll query you soon. Ugo
ReplyDelete