Month: November 2012

KidLit Cares: Poetry or Picture Book Critique with Author Kelly Fineman

Auction #27: Poetry or Picture Book Critique with Kelly Fineman

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

 

Poet and children’s book author Kelly Fineman is offering a critique for an aspiring  poet or picture book writer.  Kelly is a published poet, frequent presenter at SCBWI Conferences, and the author of AT THE BOARDWALK.

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for bidding!

KidLit Cares: Manuscript Critique with Author Sarah Darer Littman

Auction #26: Manuscript Critique with Sarah Darer Littman

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Popular YA author Sarah Darer Littman is offering 20-page manuscript critique for an aspiring MG or YA novelist.  Sarah’s titles include WANT TO GO PRIVATE, PURGE, and LIFE, AFTER.

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for bidding!

KidLit Cares: Manuscript Critique with Author April Henry

Auction #25: Manuscript Critique with April Henry

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Bestselling mystery author April Henry is offering a first-five-pages manuscript critique for an aspiring  novelist.  April’s titles include the popular GIRL, STOLEN and her forthcoming THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED. She’ll follow up your critique with a 20-minute phone call to answer your writing & publishing questions.

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for bidding!

KidLit Cares: School and Library Planning & Publicity Package from Kate Messner

Auction #24: School & Library Planning & Publicity Package from Kate Messner

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

This School/Library Planning & Publicity Package is perfect for the debut author/illustrator or for anyone who creates books and would like to see more of those books in schools and libraries.

Kate Messner (that’s me)  is the author of twenty current and forthcoming books for young readers as well as a former National Board Certified English Language Arts teacher. I spoke at the 2012 TED Conference, give frequent presentations at state & national education, library, and writing conferences; and visit hundreds of schools and libraries each year, either in person or via Skype, to talk with kids about books and writing.  Connecting teachers & kids with book is my passion, and I’ll work with the winning bidder of this package to create a school & library outreach plan for your picture book, MG novel, YA novel, or nonfiction title of your choice.  Here’s how it will work:

You’ll send me an ARC or finished copy of the book you want to focus on. You’ll also answer a survey I’ve designed to help me learn how your book and your personal talents might fit school & library needs.  Then, I will:

  • Read your book and design a study and discussion guide for classes & book clubs. It will be modeled after the ones I create for my own books. Here’s an example – the discussion & resource guide I created for Eye of the Storm. I’ll send it to you as a Word document, and you’ll be able to share it on your website, with your publisher, and wherever else you’d like.
  • Write you a letter that includes the following:
    • An overview of how I think your book can meet the needs of schools, libraries, & book clubs.
    • A paragraph about how your book can be used to help teachers meet the new Common Core State Standards. This will be written in a way that you can copy and paste it onto your website or other promotional materials.
    • Suggested ideas for in-person school visits
    • Suggested ideas for Skype visits
    • Suggestions for how your publisher’s school & library marketing person might pitch you to appear on panels at conferences like NCTE, ALA, and IRA.  This will be written in a way that you can copy & paste into an email to your school & library conference person.
    • Other suggestions that might help your book reach more schools/libraries. This may include resources to share on Pinterest, people to follow on Twitter, etc. We’ll talk.
  • Write a post about your book on my blog, featuring the title and talking about how I see it fitting into school, library, and book club plans.
  • Share that blog post with my 8000+ Twitter followers & Facebook friends, many of whom are teachers and librarians.
  • Have a 30-minute phone call with you, during which we can talk about any and all of the above items and you can ask whatever other questions you’d like about how best to connect your book with schools, libraries, and book clubs.

Please note: This is a lot of stuff, requiring a lot of thought, so it won’t be done overnight. You can plan on receiving your discussion guide & letter about four months after you’ve sent your book & completed your survey.

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: “Free Pass” to Chronicle Books Editorial Meeting & Picture Book Critique with Editor Melissa Manlove

Auction #23: “Free Pass” to Chronicle Books Editorial Meeting & Picture Book Critique with Editor Melissa Manlove

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Chronicle Books editor Melissa Manlove is offering what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an aspiring picture book author — a FREE PASS to the Chronicle Books Editorial Meeting, along with a picture book critique before your book goes to the meeting. Here’s how it will work…

The winner of this auction will receive a picture book critique with Melissa. After you’ve had a chance to revise based on her comments, she will take your manuscript to the Chronicle Books Children’s Editorial Meeting, where potential acquisitions are discussed. If one of the editors is excited about it, great! If not, Melissa will share the group’s thoughts and feedback with you so that you can revise again and submit the project elsewhere.

Note from Kate: Melissa is my editor at Chronicle and worked with me on SEA MONSTER’S FIRST DAY and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW. She is kind, funny, and smart as the day is long. This is a truly amazing opportunity.

Note from Melissa:

I am moved again and again by the generosity of the children’s lit community! As we have passed the $1,000 mark, I am going to sweeten the deal.

As of now, this prize also includes advance copies of four of my books releasing in 2013 (as they become available). You will have Steam Train Dream Train, On a Beam of Light, Little Red Writing, and Lifetime ahead of everyone else.

If the bids reach $2,000 I will include $300 worth of Chronicle books (you choose the books).

If the bids reach $3,000 I will include a one-on-one lunch with me whenever we’re next in the same area (my treat, of course)–at which you will feel free to pepper me with publishing questions. (Assuming you’re in the US. I’ll find a conference near you or some other excuse to be in your area.)

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Picture Book Critique with Michelle Knudsen

Auction #22: Picture Book Critique with Michelle Knudsen

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Michelle Knudsen is the bestselling author of more than forty books for children, including LIBRARY LION and her latest, BIG MEAN MIKE. She’s offering a picture book manuscript critique for an aspiring picture book author!

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Writer’s Care Package from Sarah Aronson

Auction #21: Writer’s Care Package from Author Sarah Aronson

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

 

Young adult and middle grade author Sarah Aronson is offering a special Writer’s Care Package for KidLit Cares. She’ll send the high bidder some treats, a nice notebook, two of her favorite craft books, and a special surprise for inspiration. This would be a great holiday gift for the writer in your life!

Opening Bid: $20

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLItCares: Skype Visit & Signed Books from Barbara O’Connor

Auction #20: Skype Visit & Signed Books from Author Barbara O’Connor

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Award-winning author Barbara O’Connor is offering a 30-minute Skype Q and A session for your school, library, or book club, along with signed copies of SIX of her books!  Barbara writes novels for kids in grades 3 through 6. Her books include HOW TO STEAL A DOG, THE SMALL ADVENTURES OF POPEYE AND ELVIS, THE FANTASTIC SECRET OF OWEN JESTER, and her latest, ON THE ROAD TO MR. MINEO’S.  Barbara visits schools across the country and loves discussing her work with students.

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Skype Author Visit & Signed Books from Sara Lewis Holmes

Auction #19: Skype Visit & Signed Books from Author Sara Lewis Holmes

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Author Sara Lewis Holmes is offering a 30-minute Skype Q and A session for your school, library, or book club, along with TEN signed copies of her terrific middle grade novel, OPERATION YES.

Opening Bid: $20

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

KidLit Cares: Skype Visit & Signed Books from Author Linda Urban

Auction #18: Skype Visit & Signed Books from Author Linda Urban

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. Agents, editors, authors, and illustrators have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here. Now, on to the auction!

Award-winning author Linda Urban is offering a 30-minute Skype visit for your school, library, or book club, along with signed copies of all of her books: novels A CROOKED KIND OF PERFECT and HOUND DOG TRUE; picture book MOUSE WAS MAD; and a special advance reader copy of her March 2013 novel, THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING. (Note from Kate: I read this book as a manuscript. I am a huge fan of all of Linda’s books, but this one is my favorite.)

Opening Bid: $30

Auction Ends: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 10pm EST. (Any bids submitted in comments after that time will be void.)

A note about last-minute bidding: If you are used to computerized Ebay auctions that end at an exact, given second, please know that the KidLit Cares auctions don’t work quite that way. Each auction ends when I post the “Auction closed” comment. I do that when my computer turns to 10pm, but because I have multiple auctions to close at that time (also because I am human) it will not be a totally exact thing.  (I have been working for years to try and clone myself, but to no avail, and I am particularly bummed about that at the moment. Those cloned Kates would have been great at closing auctions all at once.) At any rate, the winning bid is the high bid before the Auction Closed comment, even if the time on your computer reads slightly after 10:00. Thanks for understanding!

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!