If you don't know, Mike, Michelle, and I are hosting Query Kombat 2014, an awesome contest, but a brutal one. From a pool of 225 entries, we'll pick 64 to be part of our contest. So you want a free pass into the contest, right?
Twitter party!
There will be topics and things to talk about on May 21 and during the wait time until the chosen entries are released on May 30th. We’ll start with naming your category/genre to help those who may not be so sure to finalize their answers.
Just tweet your answers under the hashtag #QueryKombat and have some fun meeting and talking with other Kombatants, judges, and your hosts. J
May 21st Tweet your age category and genre. Ask questions about genre if you’re unsure where your manuscript fits.
May 22-23rd Tweet what time you submitted your entry to our QK email. Nerves and jitters can be calmed by sharing with others. Also tweet out what you find the hardest about writing. Is it keeping out telling? Writing action scenes? What’s hard for you?
May 24th Tweet your main character’s name and a special tidbit about them. See what sorts of names are popular and if anyone else shares MC’s names with you.
May 25th Tweet your entry Nickname and why you choose it.
May 26th Tweet out those first lines.
May 27th Tweet the very last lines of your manuscript.
May 28th Tweet us your villain’s name and something evil about them.
May 29th Tweet the title of a soothing song that is helping you get through the day before the picks are revealed. Hold hands and sing Kumbaya lyrics like the band of friends you’ve become. (We’ll be running around like crazy gerbils getting everything ready.)
The hosts will post reminders for you in the #QueryKombat feed. It’s all about “Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you” and having fun!
Just tweet your answers under the hashtag #QueryKombat and have some fun meeting and talking with other Kombatants, judges, and your hosts. J
May 21st Tweet your age category and genre. Ask questions about genre if you’re unsure where your manuscript fits.
May 22-23rd Tweet what time you submitted your entry to our QK email. Nerves and jitters can be calmed by sharing with others. Also tweet out what you find the hardest about writing. Is it keeping out telling? Writing action scenes? What’s hard for you?
May 24th Tweet your main character’s name and a special tidbit about them. See what sorts of names are popular and if anyone else shares MC’s names with you.
May 25th Tweet your entry Nickname and why you choose it.
May 26th Tweet out those first lines.
May 27th Tweet the very last lines of your manuscript.
May 28th Tweet us your villain’s name and something evil about them.
May 29th Tweet the title of a soothing song that is helping you get through the day before the picks are revealed. Hold hands and sing Kumbaya lyrics like the band of friends you’ve become. (We’ll be running around like crazy gerbils getting everything ready.)
The hosts will post reminders for you in the #QueryKombat feed. It’s all about “Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you” and having fun!
And make sure to follow me and Tweet me on Twitter! I'm SC_Author.
Now onto the Free Pass Opportunities!
Now onto the Free Pass Opportunities!
For my Free Pass, all you have to do is comment below (you can use the Name/URL option if you don't have a Google account) and answer this question:
Why do we need diverse books?
Of course, this question was inspired by the amazing hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks on Twitter. I'll admit, when I first saw it, I wasn't sold by the idea because I thought the very idea of actively seeking 'diverse' books negates the purpose of making diversity normal in literature. But by reading the tweets, I was proved wrong.
Answer the question in less than or equal to 25 words by Thursday 12 pm EST! The answer I like the best wins the free pass (and I say 'the answer I like the best' because it's 100% subjective) and I'll announce the winner on Friday.
If you aren't submitting to Query Kombat, please answer anyway! I'd love to hear your thoughts.
So, tell me, in less than 25 words, why do we need diverse books?
We need diverse books because everyone needs a role model.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because love interests should come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and abilities.
ReplyDeleteWe need more diverse books because soulmates can be any gender.
ReplyDeleteWithout risking some weird foot fungus, there’s no better way to walk a mile in someone’s shoes than by reading their words and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because growing up, I didn't have any. I want children to see themselves in their literary heroes.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because all of us matter and our stories need to be told.
ReplyDeleteWe need diversity because one-size-fits-all works even less for books than it does for clothes.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because reading should open up new worlds, not narrow the existing one.
ReplyDeleteWe need diversity because when we "meet" people in books they feel less like strangers when we meet them in real life. @Arborwriter
ReplyDeleteWe need diversity because finding someone like ourselves in a book makes us feel less alone.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because if John Green was black or Gillian Flynn was trans their books wouldn't be championed & on front shelves in bookstores. @Quiana2001
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because we never know what will touch someone's heart. As with any art form, books speak uniquely to each person.
ReplyDeleteWe need diversity in books because I grew up thinking I was weird for being a girl who liked to watch movies with explosions instead of kissing.
ReplyDeleteBooks need to mimic the real world and diversity is the key ingredient. It’s a part of every life, every corner, every sock drawer.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because the world's getting smaller and we need less stereotyping of different ethnicities. I want a child to look across the room and see another kid of a different race/religion/color/ethnicity and feel that he could walk across and talk to that kid about the science experiment he/she happens to be working on or a video game she/he happens to be playing, and not feel awkward or conscious about their differences, but feel an excitement about the experiment/ game. I want those kids to be able to take their color/religion/ethnicity/race out of the equation. Like the commentator above said - books need to mimic the real world.
ReplyDeleteDiversity is in the eye of the beholder and thankfully this generation of readers is color blind.
ReplyDeleteEmail: scottsdalewriters (at) gmail (dot) com
We need diverse books because even though my kids don't look Hispanic, they are - and I want them to be proud of it. hhbrady2005 (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because : everyone should be able to go into a bookstore or library and find a reflection of themselves on the shelves. @Jen_Laird
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because they help us to see past appearances and customs - and to realize we are all very similar underneath. @Calcifer123
ReplyDeleteThe world is diverse,
ReplyDeleteSo our books should be;
But not on store shelves.
We need to live as one;
So our books should live.
@LynetteEklund
We need diverse books to represent our diverse world. @jesskemp17
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because we are a diverse people.
ReplyDelete@debramckellan
We need diverse books for the same reason we need all books, to better understand ourselves.
ReplyDeleteDiverse books allow mankind the opportunity to gain wisdom, understanding and acceptance of our differences, and similarities, thus touching the human essence. :D
ReplyDeleteTwitter @Dorris208
Evil doesn’t just visit the children of the corn and lust doesn’t paint in one shade of grey. Vices don’t discriminate. Neither should our books.
ReplyDeleteTwitter: @whikerms
We need diverse books -- and by "diverse" I mean both non-trend-following and "diverse" -- because kids are smarter than we give them credit for. Let's not pander to what's easy and safe and "marketable."
ReplyDelete@BrennaEhrlich
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDiversity in books, art, music, dance, the answer is the same; it attributes and contributes in equal proportions. By having diversity in books we not only represent all creed and breed of mortals but also every physiological, psychological, political and moral belief across all nations, all religions and all cultures.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that can truly stop violence, bigotry, racism and injustice is the pen, and the only soldier who can brandish such a strong weapon is an author.
oops! forgot my twitter handle @nik_vukoja
I've always taught my daughter to be open-minded and accepting of everyone. EVERYONE. Sharing diverse views in books is one more way to make future generations as awesome as my girl.
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because singularity is boring and unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteThe world is diverse and our books should reflect that so that every person, while unique, also knows they are not alone.
ReplyDeletecsmyers3637@yahoo.com
We need diverse books because stories should pull you in, not make you feel secluded. @JessHoefer
ReplyDeleteWe need diverse books because literature is often the spark that ignites social change. Empathy is the author's greatest gift to their reader.
ReplyDelete@LaraRectenwald
Books reflect our world, so there's no reason why diversity shouldn't stand out in our writing as it is our future. @writemew
ReplyDeleteTeach tolerance and acceptance. Before Harry Potter, most MG MCs centered around popular kids. Now geeky misfits rule. That's the power of diversity in books.
ReplyDeletelanaklaydon (at) gmail (dot) com
We need diverse books because there's unity in diversity.
ReplyDelete@ShayaRoy
I need diverse books because it's not good enough for me to only understand myself. I need to understand others.
ReplyDelete