Where I waste my time (all two seconds it takes to read the post each week):
SlushPile Hell
Written by anonymous, I absolutely crack up over these posts.
Helpful: (every blog on the whole list can be termed as "helpful" but here's my favorite)
Query Shark
Walks you through what works and what doesn't in real queries. Covers everything from the greeting line to basic plot to word count. I've been reading this blog for as long as I've been reading blogs (because obviously I don't get enough practice on my own--I just really like seeing someone's process and watching writers grow).
Agent Blogs:
Pub Rants
Very insightful and covers everything from the day to day, the obscure, and wonderful advice on everything publishing.
BookEnds, LLC
Great advice and insight on everything publishing.
Rachelle Gardner
Titled, Rants and Ramblings, she does more than just rant and ramble. Again, great insight and advice.
YA:
YA Highway
Features guest posts, writing tips, new releases, etc. I always know the post, no matter the topic, will be worth it.
Adventures in Children's Publishing
Covers all of the children's market including YA and MG. Fantastic advice. Their feature "1st 5 Pages Workshop" is invaluable. And I love stalking their Friday's "Best Articles this Week for Writers."
Book Bloggers: (some of my favoritist people in the world) (the people who make my Mt Rainier reading pile into Mt Everest).
bibliophile brouhaha
She has great recommendations on YA, contemporary, paranormal, and dystopian.
YA Book Realm
I love her short reviews--short, sweet, and to the point, and she always has fabulous recommendations. YA, of course.
Preternatura
Great reviews on Paranormal and Urban Fantasy books. (See? I'm not only about YA, though sometimes I forget that too.)
The Bookanistas
YA, MG, and PB (picture books) book reviews. They give ONLY positive reviews and love promoting fellow writers/authors. Always a joy to read the reviews and putter around on linking sites.
Client Blogs:
Cambria Dillon
Writing. For Real. Kris Asselin
Carolina Valdez Miller
Strange Places. Julia Darcey
These aren't all the blogs I read, but they are some of my favorites. And these obviously aren't the only blogs worth reading out there. There are tons more of course, but these are the ones I go to quickly if I have five minutes.
Your turn. Favorite, funny, helpful blogs?
Happy reading!
20 comments:
I love slush pile hell!! I thought, at first, that the posts must be exaggerated because I found it hard to believe that semi-illiterate individuals would write books. I know better now.
As much as I envy a job where you get to be so involved with making great books, I'm glad I don't have to read queries.
Melanie McCullough
melaniemccullough.blogspot.com
Great links! Thanks. I hope to see you PNWA, I write middle-grade so I am just wanting to meet you because I stalk you online, I won't be bothering you with something you're not looking for. ;)
Creepy Query Girl (http://creepyquerygirl.blogspot.com/) is one of my favorites. Katie manages to be funny and realistic all at the same time.
My friend Aleeza does great book reviews (http://creepyquerygirl.blogspot.com/)
And I might as well put my own link down, because if I ever find myself finished with the revisions on my current ms, I fully intend to send a query :) (And I think I'm pretty entertaining! LOL http://writersblog-gina.blogspot.com/)
For just random funniness, check out The Oatmeal and Hyperbole and a Half.
OOOPS, I posted the wrong link for Aleeza's blog. I meant http://aleezarauf.blogspot.com/
I like Nathan Bransford's blog because of his publishing knowhow.
I love your blog! And... Heather's Odyssey too. She's a sweetie and smart!
http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.com/
I love Tawna Fenske's Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing blog--mainly because she's hilarious.
Also, I have to insert a shameless plug for our blog, Sisters In Scribe. We reviewed NEED by Carrie Jones today, and just hit 500 followers so we'll be having a celebration contest! www.sistersinscribe.com
Ooh...I lOVE checking out new blogs and adding to my ever-expanding Google Reader list! Thanks V!
I have not read slush pile hell so I'll have to check it out. Most of the others you mentioned I already follow, and agree they are worthwhile!
For editing and writing mechanics I've been enjoying Blood Red Pencil: http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the links. Will check out. I just wanted to guide you towards one of my favorite blogs for book reviews (and she also does some AWESOME book cover posts). She is one of the most avid readers I've ever known. Her reviews are amazing. I could spend hours there.
http://inkcrush.blogspot.com/ Naomi is from Australia so you not only get reviews on books from the American market, but from some phenomenal Australian authors as well.
Tahereh. Mafi.
http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/
If I were still in college, her Twitter feed would probably be singularly responsible for failing me out.
I make a point to read the following on a daily basis:
http://www.tiptoe-kisses.blogspot.com/
http://murdershewrites.com/
http://murderati.com/
Great blog suggestions! I know some of these, but not all. Time to add to the Google Reader!
For writers querying, I think Literary Rambles Agent Spotlight is a pretty awesome resource as well, at least gives a good starting point:
http://caseylmccormick.blogspot.com
I already had most of these, but I've now added three more blogs to the blogroll on MY blog (are you jealous?). Like I have time to follow more blogs!
Thanks anyway! :)
Enjoyed your blog/posts and have saved it in my favorites to keep following. I've recently began the 'blog visiting' and find the following interesting reads:
http://ter-whenigrowup.blogspot.com
http://insaneyetfunctional.blogspot.com
Didn't want to overwhelm you with a long list since I'm sure your schedule is rather full...of course let me not forget to give my blog some self promoting: http://eveslog.wordpress.com
thanks for sharing all this helpful information, would love to subscribe to your blog.
You have a nice and informative blog. Best wishes from Canada.
I agree with Michael O, even though Nathan Bransford is no longer an agent, he has one of the best blogs in the writing blogosphere. Miss Snark's First Victim is also great for aspiring writers.
You've got some of the good ones up there, that's for sure, and a lot of helpful suggestions too. If you aren't afraid of turning your readling list into Mt. Everest x 2, then you might risk taking a peek at these;
http://calico-reaction.livejournal.com
http://abooksellerblog.blogspot.com
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