2019 Contest Winners
We'd like to thank everyone who participated in the fourth annual Rate Your Story Awesome Openers Writing Contest. Our judges have spent...
BACK TO SCHOOL
Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away (it really does feel like another galaxy), I was given a writing assignment in my eighth grade...
Better Get Your Meter Right or You'll Look Like a Neophyte
Rhyme. Everyone says, “Don’t do it.” “No one will buy it.” “No one will rep it.” And yet many writers are lured in by soothing rhythm of...
Time for a Q&A with Author Lynne Marie!
Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of...
A Special Interview with Agent Adria Goetz!
It's August and we're officially kicking off our annual Awesome Openers Writing Contest! A portion of the proceeds is going to benefit...
REFRAMING THE IDEA OF "GIRL BOOKS", "BOY BOOKS", AND GENDER EXPECTATIONS
When you first announce a pregnancy or a new birth, the first question most people ask: “Is it a boy or a girl?” This seemingly innocuous...
HAVING AN AUTHENTIC WRITING JOURNEY
Everyone’s writing journey is unique. For many of us, publication is the end goal. Still, there are many ways to reach it. I think it’s...
ALL HANDS ON DECK!
TIPS & TRICKS FOR ASSEMBLING YOUR OWN #BOOKCREW This Spring I debuted two new books, both with briny, beachy, boaty themes. LUCY LOVES...
Word By Word
Like many people who write I was first an insatiable reader. This hunger for stories led me to study French literature in college. Right...
Starting Your Own Critique Group
While RYS members have many opportunities to get excellent writing advice at a reasonable cost, there’s another path to consider when...