Our News

That First Page

Every time you send a query, you hope that the agent or editor is going to read your first page--and the next one and the next one. To help writers with this, many conferences do a first page workshop. Some structure it like a Gong Show/American Idol kind of format...

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Final Day to Bid in our Charity Auction

March 31st already? Well, that means it is the final day to bid on our manuscript and query letter critiques that benefit charity. 100% of the money you donate goes to the national Multiple Sclerosis Association. Since two of our agent-siblings have the dreaded...

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10 Foreign Rights Tips

We received a really cool report from our foreign rights co-agent recapping the past year as it related to foreign book sales. There are four big book fairs each year--in Bologna, London, New York, and Frankfurt--where most of the foreign publishers gather to meet...

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Jen Karsbaek Steps Down as Agent

 After a wonderful two years at Fuse, I'm sad to announce that our own Jen Karsbaek is stepping down as an agent due to unforeseen family obligations. She will remain on the Fuse staff as a literary scout but will no longer be accepting new queries. Jen had this to...

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Writers’ Institute, Madison

In about a week, I'll be heading back to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for their annual Writers' Institute conference. And while logic might frown on leaving California for the Midwest in early spring, I'm excited to revisit what has become one of my favorite...

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Q&A with Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

The fourth novel in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, The Diamond Conspiracy, debuts on March 31st. If you like rip-snorting Victorian spy adventures, pick up a copy at a bookstore or online venue near you.

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Passes and Requests

Not long ago, someone tweeted at me "Every writer has seen a thousand rejections. Why don't you show us an acceptance?" It was a bit of hyperbole--I hope--but I understand what he was trying to say. This was in response to my #1000queries thread on Twitter which, by...

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Conference Preparation

As I was preparing to go the SCBWI Golden Gate writers conference this weekend in Monterey, CA (Asilomar, yes!), it reminded me that conference season is kicking into gear early this year and it's never too soon to start your own preparations. Here are some tips: 1....

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