New Books in Time for Christmas - More Coming

 

      Two of the books coming out in time for Christmas sales are the children's book Lions Can't Each Spaghetti, written by Bethany Ramos and illustrated by Nicole Marrow, and Joy and Mary Save Christmas, written by Wayne Harris-Wyrick and illustrated by Carrie Salazar.

     Pre-orders can be made on the 4RV Online Bookstore.   The picture book and middle grade book titles appear on the content page where one can click on the authors' names, and Lions Can't Eat Spaghetti is on the 4RV Children's Corner page while Joy and Mary Save Christmas can be found on the 4RV Tweens and Teens page. On the imprint pages, click on the book title to go to the author's page to order.

     Lions Can't Eat Spaghetti is a fun hardcover book with quirky cute illustrations for ages 3 to 6.

     Christopher finds a kitten on his doorstep, which, to his surprise, grows up into a lion! Since Christopher already loves his pet, he tries to introduce him to his everyday life, much to the horror of his friends, family, and neighbors.

       Joy and Mary Save Christmas comes in both paperback and hardcover versions.  The story and illustrations combine to create a Christmas story for the whole family, but it is written to appeal to the tween aged reader.

      Christmas, a time of magic and gifts, comes to a halt when stolen presents and electrical problems hit the North Pole.

      What can Santa or his elves do? What can two girls do? Joy and Mary are the only oneswho can save Christmas.

      Both books can be found on other online stores as well as through brick and mortar bookstores. Either one or both would delight young readers for Christmas.

Coming soon, information about other books to be released in time for Christmas.

Writing to Get Published

By Karen Cioffi

All writers have one primary focus—to get published. What makes each of us different is our slant or perspective on the story we’re telling, and how we tell it.

It’s true that anyone can write, but writing to get published is another story. To accomplish this, there four steps you need to include in your writing.

1. Write an out-of-the-ballpark beginning

This is the crucial step that will determine whether the agent or editor keeps reading. Your beginning needs to grab the reader; it needs to lead the reader on without him having to think about it.  

Here are different slants on a possible beginning:

A. Jan saw blood dripping down the wall. She screamed.

This idea is a beginning that might entice a reader to read on, but the problem is it’s telling not showing. To add showing:

B. Blood dripped down the stark white wall, adding to the puddle already formed on the floor. Jane felt a quiver run down her spine. Reacting before thinking of the consequences, a blood curdling scream issued from the depths of her being.

C. Blood slowly dripped down the stark white wall. A quiver ran throughout Jane’s body. An urgent eruption welled up from the depths of her being and brought forth a blood curdling scream.  

D. Blood slowly dripped down the stark white wall, adding to the dark red puddle already formed on the floor. A quiver ran throughout Jane’s body creating an urgent eruption that welled up from the depths of her being—a blood curdling scream issued forth.  

Examples B, C and D do a much better job of showing rather than telling. While they can easily be taken apart and reworded for tightness, more description or less description, whatever the author deems necessary, for this article they serve their purpose.

And remember, using descriptive words and adverbs adds to the word count. So, analyze each word you use; be sure they enhance the story and move it along, not weigh it down. In today’s writing world publishers and agents want tight writing.

2. The body of your story

This area needs to fulfill the beginning’s promise. It needs to keep the reader interested in the characters and plot—this will ensure the reader keeps turning the pages. You also need to keep track of everything going on in the story and follow through. Readers don’t want to feel cheated or disappointed.

Some authors use character and event cards or sheets to keep track of each character’s qualities and the details to each event. This will guarantee continuity and help prevent loose ends.

3. Your ending

The ending must tie everything together and tie-up all loose ends. If you wrote a paragraph or chapter about John and Jane contemplating marriage then segue into something else, let the reader know how it ends up.

It’s also a plus if you can come up with a twist at the end, something the reader won’t expect.
But, keep in mind it’s essential that you leave the reader satisfied.

4. Submitting your work

You’ll never know if you’ve written the next best seller if you don’t submit your work. Research publishers and/or agents who work in the genre you write. Choose the ones that you think are the best fit and study their guidelines. Then, follow the guidelines and submit your work. Don’t let fear or uncertainty keep you from moving forward—nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning author, working-ghostwriter, and content marketing instructor. Get weekly must-know writing and marketing information and more, right to your inbox. Join Karen Cioffi in The Writing World. (It’s all free - lots of freebies too!)