Friday, December 20, 2019

Dear Santa: one writer's Christmas wish (annual repost)

Originally published December 21, 2011. Dedicated to everyone with a very specific writer's wish this holiday season. May Santa bring you what you wish...I'm still waiting for Rick Springfield!

Dear Santa,

Its been awhile, I know.  I have found it difficult to write ever since the Easy Bake Oven incident of 1979, however, I have finally let that go.  From what I have gathered through the years, you saved me and my family from many a cake with the consistency of a hockey puck.  However, I have to say at times I do feel a little unfulfilled, having never had the "cooking by lightbulb" childhood experience.  But despite all of that, I am quite a good baker, as you know because of the milk and cookies I have left you over the years.  And we will come back to that later.

I write today with a very specific want...desire...need!  Santa, I WANT AN AGENT!  I want a literary agent real bad.

There I said it.

To think that I could have that one person who believes in my work as much as I do and who has the professional clout and know-how to launch my career is wonderful!

To be able to say to other social invitations, "No sorry.  I am not available Tuesday.  I have a lunch meeting with my agent," would be grand!

To be "represented" to the Publishing BIG HOUSES in NYC...priceless.  Well, not "priceless"...it'll cost me 15% of any earnings...but STILL!  To even imagine having earnings from my writing is unfathomable!

I know what you are going to say.  I know you are not in the business of giving people as Christmas gifts.  I remember that letter I wrote when I was 10, requesting Rick Springfield to be my boyfriend.  You answered that you had found that people did not take kindly to being shoved in your sack and flown around the world only to be delivered under a tree on Christmas, so you gave up the practice.  Therefore, I had to be content with a Rick Springfield poster...hardly a substitute.

I know as much as I promise to take good care of my agent and treat my agent well, you are NOT going to shove one down my chimney.  That's why I came up with Plan B.

When you arrive at my home on Christmas Eve, instead of the customary milk and cookies, you are going to notice three things:  my computer with a window already open to a blank document in Microsoft Word, my printer all ready to go with plenty of paper, and a dictionary (agents do not like to see misspellings or misused words).

I am asking you, dear Santa Claus, to write a Query Letter for me!  Who better than someone who supposedly spies on me all year round?  You know all about me.  You know what I've been writing.  So pitch it!

They say to think of it as an elevator speech...or maybe in your case, a chimney speech.  For example, if you suddenly ran into Steven Spielberg on someone's roof and had a script you wanted to sell to him, what would you say to Mr. Spielberg on the trip down the chimney?  Get it?

Anyway, I will also include a list of guidelines. And Santa, please make sure you follow the appropriate guidelines so that your letter can be seriously considered. If I am interested in using your letter, I will certainly follow up by sending the appropriate milk and cookies. However, if you haven't heard from me within 6 to 8 weeks, please assume that I am passing on your letter and will be seeking help elsewhere.

Thank you in advance for your help.  Oh...and Merry Christmas!  Let's hope this is the beautiful beginning of the renewal of our friendship.

Sincerely,
Marcie Colleen

Monday, December 2, 2019

Opportunity to Start 2020 WRITE!

2019 is winding down and you deserve a break. 

But be sure to set yourself up for writing success in 2020!




Do you have at least FOUR picture book manuscripts you want to revise?

Would you like to dedicate one month to fine-tuning your manuscripts?

Could you benefit from the eyes of a professional?

STUDY HALLis a month-long online critique group for writers of picture books, which provides manuscript critiques, weekly talks, daily motivation, and accountability under the guidance of a professional, multi-published author.

Your One Month of Study Hall Includes:
·      FOUR Professional Critiques– Once a week, upload a picture book manuscript for critique by Marcie and the other members of the group.
·      Weekly video chats – Once a week Marcie will host a Facebook Live Chat in which she will speak to the manuscripts she has critiqued and provide additional guidance. If you cannot participate live, the session will be posted in the group for later viewing.
·      Unlimited Access to Marcie in the Private Facebook Group – Study Hall will take place in a private Facebook group where Marcie will be daily, responding to your posts, answering your questions, etc. She’s there to support you in your writing projects. 
·      Weekly Live-Virtual Writing Streaks – Once a week we will schedule a virtual Writing Streak so we can work alongside each other on our writing projects. Writing Streak times will vary each week.
·      Accountability Check-Ins – Once a day (Monday through Friday)—in the morning to set our intention and writing goals for the day and once in the evening to check in and help each other stay accountable and motivated to keep going. It is up to the participant to decide how little or how much they do. Every bit counts! The most important thing is daily progress.
·      Small Group Attention– Each month of Study Hall will have no more than SIX participants.

Get ALL of this for the low price of $245 per month!
Email Marcie at marciecolleen@gmail.com
Now booking for January, February, and March!
Start 2020 the right way!
(If space is available, writers may join for more than one month at a time.)


Wednesday, October 9, 2019

I Have a Key to the City!

Last week I had the honor to be the APPLE (All People Promoting Literacy Efforts) Celebration of Reading Author in Henderson, Nevada.


Fan art from a reader in Henderson, NV
Sponsored by the City of Henderson, Henderson Libraries, and the Clark County School District, I was flown to Las Vegas for three packed days of school visits.

(Special shout out to my friend and fellow writer, David McMullin, who was instrumental in setting this all up.)

The trip culminated in an evening event which was open to the public at the Paseo Verde Library. And get this, at the event, before I did my presentation, I was presented with the key to the city!! That's right, the mayor gave me a key to Henderson, NV.

Chock this up to the really cool, and unexpected, things that sometimes happen to authors.

Oh...and I found out that earlier this year Carlos Santana was also granted a key to Henderson. https://www.ktnv.com/positivelylv/carlos-santana-receives-key-to-henderson

Maybe I should reach out to him so we can meet up and check to see which doors it opens!

Thanks, Henderson! Keep reading!

An actual key to the city!!!


Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Join Study Hall and End 2019 the Right Way! Now Enrolling for October, November, and a Mini December



Do you have at least FOUR picture book manuscripts you want to revise?

Would you like to dedicate one month to fine-tuning your manuscripts?

Could you benefit from the eyes of a professional?

STUDY HALLis a month-long online critique group for writers of picture books, which provides manuscript critiques, weekly talks, and daily motivation and accountability under the guidance of a professional, multi-published author.

Your One Month of Study Hall Includes:
·      FOUR Professional Critiques– Once a week, upload a picture book manuscript for critique by Marcie and the other members of the group.
·      Weekly video chats – Once a week Marcie will host a Facebook Live Chat in which she will speak to the manuscripts she has critiqued and provide additional guidance. If you cannot participate live, the session will be posted in the group for later viewing.
·      Unlimited Access to Marcie in the Private Facebook Group – Study Hall will take place in a private Facebook group where Marcie will be daily, responding to your posts, answering your questions, etc. She’s there to support you in your writing projects. 
·      Weekly Live-Virtual Writing Streaks – Once a week we will schedule a virtual Writing Streak so we can work alongside each other on our writing projects. Writing Streak times will vary each week.
·      Accountability Check-Ins – Once a day (Monday through Friday)—in the morning to set our intention and writing goals for the day and once in the evening to check in and help each other stay accountable and motivated to keep going. It is up to the participant to decide how little or how much they do. Every bit counts! The most important thing is daily progress.
·      Small Group Attention– Each month of Study Hall will have no more than SIXparticipants.

Get ALL of this for the low price of $198 per month!
Email Marcie at marciecolleen@gmail.comto 
Now booking for October, November, and December*! 
End 2019 the right way!
(If space is available, writers may join for more than one month at a time.)

(December’s Study Hall is a Mini Study Hall of 3 weeks, 12/2-12/20 for $150)

Monday, July 8, 2019

The Heart (and Power) of an Indie Bookstore

Marianne Reiner, owner of Run For Cover Bookstore (www.runforcoverbookstore.com)  in Ocean Beach, San Diego has outdone herself! 

Over the weekend I received an email from Marianne. She had overheard a father and daughter in her children's section, reading Super Happy Party Bears #1: Gnawing Around. The daughter, 5, was immediately drawn to the Bears, handing the book to her father who started to read aloud, prompting him all along to continue. "Don't stop!" "Just one more page."

As the two approached the counter to purchase the book, Marianne spoke with them. She explained that the author lived locally and was a friend. She learned that the two were in San Diego on vacation and would be returning home soon. 

The little girl would soon be a big sister and this vacation was to make her feel extra special before the new baby arrived. Marianne's wheels started turning and she cooked up a wonderful surprise to make this a vacation to remember.
Marianne emailed me to tell me about the young girl and her love of the Super Happy Party Bears book. She said she wanted to gift the second book to the girl and wondered if I could come to the store to sign it. Of course I did (adding a Super Happy Party Bears button to the special package)!

Not long afterward, Marianne forwarded this lovely thank you from the father:

Hi Marianne,

Thank you, and Marcie, so much for the signed book - she was over the moon, and immediately starting comparing the different chapter title numbers and looking at the stories. She’s thrilled about the buttons, and is already talking about wanting all the books! Thank you for making our vacation here special. 

You will not get this kind of love and care through Amazon. This is the heart of an indie bookstore. This is the heart of bookseller, Marianne Reiner, and Run For Cover Bookstore. 

By the way, if anyone reading this would like a signed copy of any of my books, please feel free to contact Run For Cover (marianne@runforcoverbookstore.com). She would love to make that happen.

Thank you, Marianne! Connecting readers to books is a magical endeavor and you are a generous sorceress, indeed.

Monday, April 1, 2019

A SUPER HAPPY Fan Mail Monday!


It's Super Happy Fan Mail Time! 
Today's mail is from comes from Anna A. 
Thank you, Anna! So happy you enjoyed book #1.
Find The Super Happy Party Bears wherever books are sold.


Monday, March 25, 2019

Fan Mail Monday!


Today's fan mail comes from Maya, age 7. 
Thank you, Maya! 





Find PENGUINAUT! wherever books are sold.



Sunday, January 13, 2019

Put Your Best Foot Forward with Study Hall in 2019! NOW Enrolling through June!


Do you have at least FOUR picture book manuscripts you want to revise?

Would you like to dedicate one month to fine-tuning your manuscripts?

Could you benefit from the eyes of a professional?

STUDY HALL is a month-long online critique group for writers of picture books, which provides manuscript critiques, weekly talks, and daily motivation and accountability under the guidance of a professional, multi-published author.

Your One Month of Study Hall Includes:
·       FOUR Professional Critiques – Once a week, upload a picture book manuscript for critique by Marcie and the other members of the group.
·       Weekly video chats – Once a week Marcie will host a Facebook Live Chat in which she will speak to the manuscripts she has critiqued and provide additional guidance. If you cannot participate live, the session will be posted in the group for later viewing.
·       Unlimited Access to Marcie in the Private Facebook Group – Study Hall will take place in a private Facebook group where Marcie will be daily, responding to your posts, answering your questions, etc. She’s there to support you in your writing projects. 
·       Weekly Live-Virtual Writing Streaks – Once a week we will schedule a virtual Writing Streak so we can work alongside each other on our writing projects. Writing Streak times will vary each week.
·       Accountability Check-Ins – Twice a day (Monday through Friday)—once in the morning to set our intention and writing goals for the day and once in the evening to check in and help each other stay accountable and motivated to keep going. It is up to the participant to decide how little or how much they do. Every bit counts! The most important thing is daily progress.
·       Small Group Attention – Each month of Study Hall will have no more than SIX participants.

Get ALL of this for the low price of $198 per month!
Email Marcie at marciecolleen@gmail.com to 
REGISTER TODAY!
Registration NOW open for 
February through June!
(If space is available, writers may join for more than one month at a time.)