Book Reviews: Hatchet

In Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, a young boy named Brian Robeson is stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. With nothing but a hatchet, he must summon all his strength and ingenuity to survive. As Brian faces the brutal challenges of nature, he learns powerful lessons about resilience, self-reliance, and the will to live. Join us for a video review of this gripping survival story that proves how one person can make it through the toughest of situations with determination and heart.

How to Research your Book at the Library

The internet is great and all, but when you want to research various topics for your book(s) sometimes it becomes necessary to go to a proper library...

Following the logic that libraries are inherently superior, let's list the ways authors can use libraries to conduct research for their books that you can't do using the internet.

1. Access Rare and Out-of-Print Books: Libraries often carry rare, historical, or out-of-print books that may not be available online.

2. Utilize Special Collections: Many libraries have archives and special collections containing primary source materials, old manuscripts, and local records.

3. Consult Local History Archives: Libraries frequently have archives on local history, newspapers, and documents that are specific to a region or time period.

4. Request Research Assistance from Librarians: Librarians can provide expert research guidance, suggesting resources and materials not easily found on the internet.

5. Explore Microfiche and Microfilm: Libraries often have archived materials, such as newspapers and journals, available in microfiche or microfilm formats.

6. Access Print Journals and Academic Articles: Many libraries subscribe to print journals or have access to databases that provide in-depth, peer-reviewed articles not freely available online.

7. Use Genealogy Resources: Some libraries offer tools like free access to Ancestry.com or local genealogical records, useful for research into family histories and character backgrounds.

8. Research Reference Materials: Libraries carry encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference materials that provide in-depth information often not available online.

9. Examine Maps and Blueprints: Many libraries hold historical maps, city plans, and architectural blueprints that can aid in world-building or historical accuracy.

By utilizing these library resources, authors can uncover materials and insights that go beyond what’s easily accessible on the internet.

Dead Peasant Submissions close on April 4th (Today!)

 http://deadpeasant.org/submission-info.html

 Deadline for submissions is April 4th.

 Good thing I submitted yesterday. 

 

How to Write the Perfect Query Letter to a Publisher

Submitting your manuscript to a publisher is one of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—steps in the writing journey. Your query letter is your first impression, your handshake, your sales pitch. And while there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all “perfect” letter, there is a proven structure that gets results.

Here’s how to write a query letter that gives your book the best shot.

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Step 1: Do Your Homework

Before you write a single word:

• Research the publisher. Make sure they’re open to unsolicited submissions (many require agented submissions).

• Tailor your letter. Mention why you're reaching out to them specifically.

• Know your genre. Publishers specialize—don’t send your sci-fi epic to a romance imprint.

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Step 2: Use the Standard Query Format

A query letter is a one-page business letter, typically 250–400 words. It should include:

1. Salutation

Use the editor’s or acquisitions manager’s name, if you can find it.

Example:
Dear Ms. Johnson,

2. Hook / Introduction

Start with a compelling sentence that introduces your book and captures attention.

Example:
When 17-year-old Callie discovers a letter from her future self warning of a murder, she has 48 hours to stop a crime she hasn’t seen yet.

Include your title, genre, word count, and a brief positioning statement.

Example:
“Tomorrow’s Letter” is a 90,000-word YA speculative thriller that will appeal to fans of Karen McManus and Blake Crouch.

3. Mini Synopsis (1 paragraph)

This is the heart of your letter. It should summarize the plot in 3–5 sentences, focusing on your main character, the conflict, and the stakes.
Tip: Don't explain the whole plot or give spoilers—just enough to intrigue.

4. Author Bio

Briefly state who you are and your relevant writing credentials (if any). If you’re unpublished, that’s okay.

Example:
I’m a high school teacher and member of SCBWI. My short fiction has appeared in Flash Fiction Magazine.

Or:
This is my debut novel.

5. Closing & Contact Info

Be polite, professional, and confident.

Example:
Thank you for considering my submission. The full manuscript is available upon request.
Include your name, email, phone number, and website (if applicable).

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Step 3: Follow Submission Guidelines

Publishers may ask for:

• A full manuscript

• The first 10 pages

• A synopsis

• An author platform summary

Follow their guidelines exactly. Sending attachments when they want pasted text, or submitting genres they don’t accept, is a fast way to get rejected.

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Quick Dos and Don’ts

DO:

• Use a clear, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial

• Keep it under one page

• Proofread carefully

• Be professional, even if you add a touch of personality

DON’T:

• Say your book is the next Harry Potter or NYT Bestseller

• Include irrelevant personal information

• Submit to multiple publishers without following each one’s policy

• Send an unfinished or unedited manuscript

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Sample Query Letter (Fiction)

Dear Ms. Jones,

When shy violin prodigy Ava Drake is accepted into an elite music conservatory, she expects practice, pressure, and perfection—not a secret society of musicians who believe that music controls fate itself.

“The Tuning Key” is a 75,000-word YA contemporary fantasy that blends the magic of If We Were Villains with the tone of A Deadly Education.

As Ava learns to compose spells through song, she must choose between mastering the art or exposing the truth—before someone plays a final note that could silence her forever.

I’m a high school music teacher with a background in classical performance. This is my debut novel.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I’ve included the first 10 pages below, per your submission guidelines.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Email] | [Phone] | [Website, if applicable]

Can You Really Learn How to Get Published Just from Blogs?

Blogs have opened the gates to the once-guarded world of publishing, offering free advice on everything from writing a query letter to finding the right literary magazine. But can you really learn how to get published just from blogs?

The short answer: yes—but with a few caveats.

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Blogs Can Teach You the Basics (and Then Some)

Many established authors, literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals now run blogs that break down the publishing process into manageable steps. You can learn how to:

• Write and format a query letter

• Find agents and publishers open to submissions

• Understand traditional vs. self-publishing

• Market your work and build an author platform

• Avoid common submission mistakes

For example, Jane Friedman’s blog explains the business of publishing in clear, no-nonsense language. Nathan Bransford demystifies the query process. And sites like The Write Life and Authors Publish offer concrete lists of where to submit your work.

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What Blogs Can’t Do

Despite all their value, blogs aren’t magic wands. They can’t:

• Give you personalized feedback on your manuscript

• Guarantee your work is ready for submission

• Make you sit down and write every day

• Build confidence overnight

Blogs can show you the door—but you still have to walk through it. And the path involves rejection, revision, and persistence. It helps to combine what you learn from blogs with writing groups, workshops, or even professional editing when possible.

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Use Blogs Wisely: A Strategy for Learning

If you’re serious about getting published, don’t just read blogs passively. Use them as part of an active learning routine:

1. Follow a Few High-Quality Blogs
   Pick 2–3 that align with your goals. For example, if you’re submitting short fiction, follow blogs that list open calls for lit mags.

2. Take Notes and Bookmark Key Posts
   Create a publishing folder in your bookmarks or note-taking app. When it’s time to write a query or find markets, you’ll have resources ready.

3. Apply What You Learn Immediately
   Read a post about writing a synopsis? Try it that day. Learning sticks when it’s practiced, not just read.

4. Stay Updated
   The publishing world changes quickly. Submissions open and close. Agents move. Blogs often update this info faster than books do.