A Different Kind of Success Story: Tammy Takahashi Quits the Query Challenge…

…because she got a book deal from it (!!!) and needs to work on her manuscript.

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Well, I guess I’m not in the challenge anymore. One of the queries I sent out led to a huge success, and now I am working on this one big thing:

In May, I mentioned to an online friend that I was thinking of self-pubbing a book I’ve been working on and off for a couple of years. I did not know it when I told her, but she is an editor for a small press. She had seen my writing around the web, and we’re in the same yahoo group circles, so she knew what my writing style was like. She suggested that I submit my proposal to her boss. She had a suspicion her boss would love it.

So I dusted off my proposal and sent her boss a query along with it. Four days later, the editor wrote me back saying they were interested in the project! We met for lunch, talked things over, made it clear what both of our expectations and desires were for the project.. and after some back and forth, I ended up signing a contract to write my book for them.

My book is called Deschooling Gently: A Step by Step Guide to Fearless Homeschooling and it’s through Hunt Press.

The book is due out in March of next year. I’ve been busy wrapping up the first draft, getting ready to submit the ms for editing.

Thank you for motivating me to get out there. Your challenge is a great incentive! I wish all the participants luck and happy writing!

Tammy, you rock so hard. I love it. Please keep us posted on your book progress! And congrats. You must be SO EXCITED. I’m just thrilled for you.

If you have a Query Challenge Success Story, send it my way!

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

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2007 Query Challenge Success Story #25: Kara Williams

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Two stories accepted at Grandparents.com, which is relaunching its site in mid-July (postponed from June 1, so I’ll have to wait to see my travel pieces up there). I sent a bunch of story pitches that the editor deemed promising, so I hope there’s still more work to be had!

Way to go, Kara! Please leave the links in the comments so we can read your articles. :]

If you have a Query Challenge Success Story, send it my way!

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

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2007 Query Challenge Success Story #24: Jodi Webb

www.inkthinkerblog.com — When she reported her query totals for May, Jodi also included this piece of wonderful news:

I also got a blog–a paying blog called WordLover at As We Are Magazine. It’s about reading, writing, and word puzzles which is just perfect for me. It was the best job I snagged this month but I didn’t count it in my query list since I was answering a post at a writer’s job board. But, the contest helped since the first blog idea I suggested they shot down. I took their criticism, created another idea and submitted that one. And they accepted it.

It’s all about never giving up, isn’t it?

Well if that’s not hitting the nail on the head, I don’t know what is! Great job, Jodi.

If you have a Query Challenge Success Story, send it my way!

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

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Long Overdue Query Challenge Update

www.inkthinkerblog.com — The first thing I’ve learned about myself during the query challenge is that I hate writing queries. The second is that I hate data entry.

The combination of denial about my suckiness at my own challenge and just not wanting to have to go through the tedium of doing math of all things, coupled with being really busy and using it as an excuse to procrastinate, means that I’ve really been slacking about the whole updating the Query Challenge list thing.

BUT! I went through my saved folder and added in all of the updates I’ve received from you since the last time I updated the list, and all of the info I currently have is reflected here, which you can always access via the now-working Query Challenge link in the navigation panel on the left.

BUT! These are not the most current numbers because it’s been a while since I reminded you to send me your totals. SO! Please send me your totals with QUERY CHALLENGE in the subject line. I’m also going to send out an e-mail to the group, so if you don’t receive it by 11 a.m. EST today, please let me know.

NOW! Time for some Query Challenge Success Stories…

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

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Favorite Posts From Recent Blog Reading

www.inkthinkerblog.com — I’m so behind on my reading that I fear I’ll never catch up. But here are a few gems from the last few days that are must reads, even if you’re buried in blogs like I am. :]

From Writer Beware:
Among the more persistent items of writer mythology–agents are likely to steal your work, publishers aren’t interested in first-time authors, you can’t get an agent unless you’re already published–is the notion of blacklisting. Many people fear that there’s some sort of master reference list that agents and editors use to identify troublesome writers, or that agents or editors can turn a writer into an untouchable by passing his or her name around among their colleagues. Read more.

From The Anti-9-to-5-Guide:
Ask the cubicle expat: What are the biggest mistakes that newbie freelancers make? and Nifty freelance rate calculator

From Copyblogger:
The truth is, outside of cutting-edge theoretical science, there is nothing new. And even then, one might argue that scientists are merely discovering relationships amongst things already known. And that’s the key to stealing great content ideas—discovering a relationship between your subject matter expertise and things already known. Don’t worry… it’s not really stealing, but the instant improvement in your content is almost like cheating. Read more.

From BookEnds, LLC:
We hear the word all the time, but I realized today, while talking with an author, that we don’t always know what it means. As anyone familiar with nonfiction knows, a platform is critical to selling a book. I hear it all the time from publishers: “We’re looking for great new business/health/parenting/finance/spiritual/sex/etc. books, but of course the author has to have a really great platform.” So what is a platform? And what’s enough and what isn’t? Read more.

From Home Biz Notes:
Many caregivers must balance job commitments with responsibility for their family member. What happens when these two areas…caregiving and work…conflict? What happens when the home business owner has employees who develop caregiving responsibilities…whether for a child, spouse or parent? Read more.

From Business and Blogging:
Blogging is a transferrable skill. As Web 2.0/social media technology becomes more pervasive in the workplace, more and more business owners and executives are going to be looking for people who have the skills to handle the technology. And as any half-way committed blogger knows, there is a lot of knowledge and skill in this field that you can only acquire by doing it. Read more.

From Contract Worker:
Multiple email accounts: why you shouldn’t maintain them, and what you can do if you already handle lots of them. Read more.

From Declutter It!:
The latest Organize Your Life Blog Carnival, with topics on money management, kitchen organization, beating backlogs, boosting productivity, and more! Read more.

From A List Apart:
Content is the heart of a brilliant user experience. From the body content to the alt text to the footer, the words that shape the page lie at the very center of an engaging visit. If the words aren’t beautiful and meaningful, the sleekest design in the world won’t compensate for it. The body can never replace a missing heart. Read more.

From words/myth/ampers & virgule:
The 2007 Bulwer-Lytton contest winners. Read more.

There are so many more I’d love to share, but seeing as how I’ve been at Panera for about 4 hours already and the manager is glaring at me, I think it’s time to pack up and head out. More to follow at a later date.

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

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