Agents and editors on Twitter

For those on Twitter:

I've updated my lists of children's/YA book editors on Twitter as well as literary agents on Twitter who represent children's/YA book creators.

I've compiled these lists to help writers and illustrators find industry types to follow on Twitter, not as official lists of those accepting particular types of submissions, so do check the agency and editorial guidelines online before submitting queries, etc. 

For info about breaking into the business etc., please see my list of answers to questions I am frequently asked.

I'M BORED enhanced ebook, book narration and another reason I love Twitter

One of the many reasons I love Twitter is because of the conversations and connections that can happen because of casual mention.

For example, I discovered that the narrator of the enhanced ebook version of I'M BORED was Cassandra Lee Morris while listening to an updated version of the ebook:

I decided to tweet about my Instagram video above. I always try to @mention people when possible, so did a quickie search for Cassandra. Lo and behold, I found her!

Here's an excerpt from the ensuing conversation:

:-)

If you'd like to buy a copy of the enhanced version of I'M BORED with Cassandra's hilarious reading, you can find it on iTunes.

Jimmy Fallon, Twitter and book recommendations (and some Twitter tips for authors and publishers)

 Earlier this week, late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon posted the following on Twitter:

A few minutes later:

Note the smart use of a hashtag, enabling others to browse book suggestions as well. Then he posted his updated list:

I love this. :-D And I've added a few books to my wish list as a result.

Then Michael Ian Black (author of I'M BORED, the picture book I illustrated last year for Simon & Schuster BFYR) and some of his Twitter followers suggested to Jimmy that he should buy Michael's book, YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT. If I had been online at that point, I would have been tweeting as well -- I *love* that book.

Anyway, it worked:

Jimmy Fallon may not be the first talk show host you think of when looking for book recommendations, but the exchange above -and especially the books he ended up choosing- made me more curious about the books that he's written himself (including a picture book!) as well as admire his Twitter savvy, including:

-- He knows how to engage his audience.

-- He used a unique hashtag to make it easier for his followers to see the rest of the conversation.

-- He uses images in his tweets to add visual interest and variety.

Even if you're not a famous talk show host, there's a lot that publishers and authors can learn from the exchange above. For more tips on using Twitter, see my Writer's Guide To Twitter.

#Kidlitchat tonight on Twitter at 9 pm EST

If you're interested in writing for young people, consider coming to #kidlitchat on Twitter tonight. It's my favourite Twitter chat -- it's always fun, and I always come away inspired.

You can see the transcripts of previous #kidlitchat sessions by browsing the archives.

To find out more about how you can participate (or just to eavesdrop), see my Twitter Chats For Writers FAQ.

"How I Tweet" updated...and some feedback

For those interested, I've updated my How I Tweet policy. I'd also like to share some feedback to my How I Tweet post: From Anne Lyle:

Great minds think alike, Debbie (or fools seldom differ – take your pick!) – I’ve recently started doing exactly this. For me the catalyst was FaceBook – because friending is mutual, I tend to be a bit more cautious about who I connect to. So I reserve it for family and real-life friends, and I use a “personal” twitter feed to update my status. I also use the personal twitter account to follow family, friends and a handful of celebs. Then I have a “writing” account, which is my original @annelyle username, for following writers, agents, podcasters, etc. I mostly tweet writing stuff, though I do put the occasional personal thing in if I think it would interest/amuse my followers. This feed also goes onto the homepage of my writing-oriented website – another reason to keep it writing-focused. Finally I have a “chat” account which I use for #writechat and similar – I don’t want either FaceBook or my website cluttered up with disjointed chatter! I manage all these using groups in Seesmic Desktop, usually in the evening here in the UK since I’m more likely to coincide with my US friends then. On my iPhone I prefer Tweetie, which I have used to tweet “live” events such as my research trip to the Tower of London and the British Fantasy Society Awards. This might seem like overkill since I only have a few dozen followers at the moment, but I like to think that I’m building a good foundation for the future.

From Sarah:

Interesting to read your reasoning. I blended my accounts to reflect my policy of personal transparency. You’ve shown me transparency doesn’t have to mean throwing my work, life and sexual secrets into a big Googleified blender. (NOW you tell me?!) With only 500ish followers and very few @ or RTs (despite relevant content…more often than not), it’s much easier for me to streamline accounts than it would be for you. And thanks for giving me an option for how to handle it when I hit the four-digit follower mark Cheers, Sarah

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1000 Twitter Lists!

Congrats to Kevin McGill of Dallas, TX for being the 1000th person to put @inkyelbows on a Twitter list. Kevin wins a US$20 Amazon.com gift certificate. For those that don't know, Twitter lists to organize the people you’re following on Twitter, or find new people. Here's Mashable's guide for how to use Twitter lists.

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