hello dear StoryClub Please send your girl some love...I've reentered the query trenches... sent 3 out yesterday...and have like 20 to go. One was to an agent who I live pitched to at the SCBWI summer conference who seemed excited about it... and of course, after I hit 'send' I started running the acronym in my head and realized how many times I've been calling it SCWBI (doesn't that sound better even though it doesn't make sense?) and also that I didn't put headers with page numbers on my writing sample. (side note: If anyone is looking for even more support, SCBWI virtual conference was actually really well run and super fun and easy to meet people). Anyway, I'm excited the actual writing is all me and the story is what I envisioned it to me years ago when I started it... and the query letter is so much better ... as for the synopsis? Well, that's still a beast of burden... Lastly, when i sent out a few queries earlier this year, for the first time, I broke out into hives. that hasn't happened...yet. 🍻to progress! What I learned for this time was to have something ready to go and work on so your not sitting there frozen in fear of rejection ... I mean of course we all want books that go big, but along the way, I've noticed that so long as I'm creative, I am well. and, if you're working on the next thing, it also has the added bonus of having something else to query. The other thing that's different is that I have since built up a writing/creative community that I'm not afraid to lean on. So, thank you all for this space, too! (and to @Angela Griffin for starting that neverending story at the perfect time!)

I just went to FanX Salt Lake last week and sold 244 books!! Biggest success I've ever had at a convention! Here are some tips that will help toward event success. - Have something that draws people's attention. Ideally, something big and tall and curiosity-inciting. My big banner for my book "The Legend of Uh" is bright and colorful and weird enough to bring people in and make them ask questions. - Consider bundles. If you've got books in a series, consider giving people a discount if they buy the whole thing. I've been shocked at how quick people are to buy an entire series or trilogy at a convention (make sure to have bags on hand so they can carry them!). Having something you can point to and say "I'm only offering this discount at this event" is really motivating for customers. - Try to create a sense of "wow" with your booth! I'm still struggling with this, but I've seen other people create beautiful booths with lights, faux ivy, wooden frames, raised platforms, and more. Make it pretty! - When it comes to selling books, sometimes the best decorations are just big stacks of books. Seriously. Pack your booth with books. Put them on stands so the covers are tipped toward the customers. It gives them plenty to look at. - Have a folding wagon or folding dolly cart!! Seriously, these things will save your life. You can't be carrying books and book supplies by hand into a convention center. You'll wear yourself out before the event even begins. - Have calorie-dense rations on hand. Dried mangos, nuts, granola bars, protein bars—preferably things that don't get messy so you don't get anything on your merchandise. Convention food is EXPENSIVE so bringing your own snacks to nom on throughout the day will cut down on costs.

Guys, I sent out my first ever query letter this week! This is scary stuff 😬

Hello from the other side of the planet!! 🌏 I moved to South Korea about a month ago and I have been struggling to find time to write. Part of it is the moving/new job and the other half is the excitement of everything. I'm hoping things will start to calm down so I don't have to go out every night and get basic essentials I've forgotten I don't have yet, but I will take any and all advice for finding a good writing time. I'm sure I just need to say "This is my writing time! I can't do anything else!" But maybe I need someone or something to help me be accountable? I do know the 30k in 30 days challenge really helped motivate me to get writing done. Any tips?

Thursday October 1 at 7 p.m. MDT, StoryClub will be hosting an author Q&A with Ayana Gray, New York Times-bestselling author of speculative fiction! Her works have been translated in more than a dozen languages across five continents and have received critical acclaim at the state and national level. Her books include I, MEDUSA; BEASTS OF PREY; and most recently HAWK AND SPARROW. Learn more about her writing on her website here. What questions do you have for Ayana? Comment them here and tune in next week for answers! And if you're planning on attending, like this post! Everyone who attends is entered into a giveaway contest for one of Ayana Gray's books 👀🎁📖