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<\/a>Representing the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group<\/a>: Kristin Prescott, me & Kylie Pfeiffer.<\/p><\/div>\n Woo hoo \u2013 I love being in print!<\/p>\n This article is all about the teen fiction books<\/a> I write collaboratively with a bunch of awesome authors to raise money for The Kids’ Cancer Project<\/a>. Looking for an extra Christmas present for your 8-14 year old? Then give them the gift of knowing they’re helping research into childhood cancer by reading one of these adventures!! They’ve won a load of awards!<\/p>\n If you’d like to donate to The Kids’ Cancer Project<\/a>, simply order your print copy or ebook through your favourite online retailer, or contact me<\/a> as we have some stock here too.<\/p>\n Read more here<\/a>. Buy now here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n Read more here<\/a>. Buy now here<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n They’re great stocking-fillers!<\/p>\n Next up, some advice for writers!<\/p>\n Last night I attended a fabulous ‘Partners in Words<\/a>‘ meeting \u2013 a network of Sydney-based authors, librarians, booksellers, publishers and editors… We meet at the Blue Gum Hotel, Waitara, several times a year. This meeting was particularly fabulous because Lisa Heidke<\/a>, Chris Allen<\/a>, Melinda Seed<\/a>, Libby Sherrard<\/a> and Jo Coffey<\/a> all shared with us their top publishing tips. It was such an informative session, I thought I’d share a summary with you…<\/p>\n Jo Coffey, Libby Sherrard, Melinda Seed, Chris Allen and Lisa Heidke.<\/p><\/div>\n Her main advice to writers was to rest your manuscript after you’ve written it, and don’t ‘write what you know’ as the maxim says. Instead, extend yourself so you and your readers don’t get bored. You might never have murdered someone before, but that doesn’t mean you can’t kill off a character in your book!<\/p>\n He told writers to get their stuff out there and not to write to a formula. Trust your instincts!<\/p>\n Talking about social media, Melinda said to “always be yourself, unless you suck, in which case be someone else!” He he, great advice Melinda! She also reminded people that you go on social media to be social. If you want to sell your book, take out an advert. Authors shouldn’t use their accounts solely for book promotion.<\/p>\n Libby also spoke about social media and advised authors not to let things sit out there online.<\/p>\n Finally, Jo told us some funny anecdotes from her time as a bookseller and gave us two pieces of advice \u2013 never tell someone you’ve read a book when you haven’t, and don’t harass booksellers about stocking your book!<\/p>\n Hanging with my author buddies Anna Maguire<\/a> and Pip Harry<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n If you’re a Sydney writer and want to come along to the next meeting of Partners in Words, just send me a message<\/a> and I’ll put you in touch with the organisers.<\/p>\n In the meantime, have a great day and, if you can, read a stories!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Words in Print First up, find me on p13 of The Manly Daily today! Or in the image below, he he… Woo hoo \u2013 I love being in print! This article is all about the teen fiction books I write collaboratively with a bunch of awesome authors to raise money\u2026<\/p>\n![\"Zena](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Zena-Shapter-NBWG-SCRIBBLES-RGB.jpg\")
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<\/a>Partners in Words \u2013 Tips for Writers<\/h1>\n
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<\/a>Lisa Heidke<\/a><\/h4>\n
Chris Allen<\/a><\/h4>\n
Melinda Seed<\/a><\/h4>\n
Libby Sherrard<\/a><\/h4>\n
Jo Coffey from Novella Books<\/a><\/h4>\n
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