BORROWING THE KNOWLEDGE YOU NEED
Whether you write what you know or delve into subjects that intrigue but are new to you, editors want primary sources. For some subject areas, such as history, this means locating, letters, journals, maps, and other contemporary documents. For science and other academic topics, writers can turn to research studies and professional journals.
For almost any topic, expert sources are among the strongest of all. Experts can expand on material located in journals, settle controversies, and give you access to the latest information in their field.
Despite this, many writers avoid contacting experts. Let's get you past that fear today.
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EVALUATING YOUR SOURCES
Today’s episode comes from the IFW book Searching: A Research Guide for Writers, now available in our bookstore. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, research is an important piece of having an authentic article or manuscript that connects with editors and readers. In this episode, we’re talking about how to evaluate the information you find in your research for credibility and reliability.
Questions to Ask
Never accept a web page at face value; always evaluate the information. Here’s a checklist of basic things to consider:
• Who is the author? What credentials does this person or organization have?
• What is the purpose of the website or publication? Is it intended to inform, inspire, entertain, or persuade? What is the historical context of the information?
• How comprehensive is the coverage? Is it an overview or does it delve deeply into your topic?
• Is the source impartial or does it emphasize paid links?
For more questions to ask about your source, listen to the full episode.
Grab your copy of Searching: A Research Guide for Writers in the ICL Bookstore!
FINDING MARKETS FOR YOUR WRITING
Businesses and industries consider market research a wise investment. They don’t waste time and money trying to sell air conditioners in Alaska, fur coats in the tropics, or prime beef to vegetarians. Successful writers, too, must learn to be market-wise about their creative products.
You wouldn’t have to do much market research to see that an article on retirement living would be a poor choice for Humpty Dumpty Magazine or Highlights for Children. But other market choices are not that obvious. Suppose you’ve written a great sports story for readers in the 8-12 age bracket. Which of those two magazines would be an appropriate market for it? A professional writer would know instantly. In this episode, we talk about how to find the best markets for your work.
Grab the most recent Market Guides for Children's Writers in the ICL Bookstore!
INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN CAMPBELL BARTOLETTI
Susan Campbell Bartoletti is the author of picture books, novels, and nonfiction for children, including the Newbery Honor book Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow, the Sibert Medal-winning Black Potatoes, and Dear America: A Coal Miner's Bride. Her work has received dozens of awards and honors, including the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Nonfiction, the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, and the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.
We discuss:
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