"Bedeviled" by Shani Petroff (Penguin)
Updated: Saturday, 22 Aug 2009, 9:06 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 20 Aug 2009, 4:04 PM EDT
MYFOXNY.COM - Authors like J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Meg Cabot have
made reading cool again for many teens and tweens. But what does it
take to become an author and just how do you break into children's
publishing? Fox 5's Christina Park set out to find out.
She spoke to Fox 5 writer Shani Petroff, who is also the
author of
Bedeviled: Daddy's Little Angel. It's published by Penguin
and is about 13-year-old Angel Garrett who finds out her dad is the
devil.
So what made Penguin buy this series and pass on others?
Publisher Francesco Sedita said the great voice, characters
and story line drew him to the series. Senior editor Judy
Goldschmidt agreed, saying voice is always the first thing she
looks for.
Agent Jodi Reamer represents Shani along with many best
selling authors including Stephenie Meyer of the
Twilight saga. She says a key to getting published is
sticking with it. She says writing is a skill you can hone, and the
more you practice the better you get.
So what else can help your chances of getting a book deal?
In our MYFoxNY.com Web extra, Shani Petroff got some extra
inside scoop from her publisher, editor, and agent.
Some tips included in the piece:
1. Write what you're passionate about.
2. Read what's out there--know the market and what's age
appropriate.
3. Never stop trying to advance your writing.
4. The pitch doesn't matter if the writing doesn't live up to
it.
5. Explore writers' workshops, conferences, classes.
6. Network.
7. Don't give up.
For more information on
Bedeviled log on to
ShaniPetroff.com . You can connect with her on
Facebook and Twitter.