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Margot Finke's Monthly "Musings"

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These articles by Margot Finke provide guidance to people getting started in the children's publishing world and answer many typical questions. These materials are posted on this site for free individual and non-commercial use. They are provided as a public service. Out of respect for their creators, please follow our copyright policy.

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Index of Musings:

Archives:

Are You Fishing For an Editor? Bait Your Hook with the First Page (July 2001)
So You Want to Write a Picture Book? (May 2002)
Query Letters for Children's Books Fiction (April 2003)
Tight Writing (June 2003)
The Attribution Game: Writing Better Dialogue (February 2004)
Rhyming Picture Books: For Those Who Must (April 2004)

More new columns and archives posted monthly

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Margot Finke is an Aussie. She has lived in Oregon with her husband and family for over 25 years. Margot writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. "Kangaroo Clues," an adventure in rhyme, has recently been published. Other books in her series of Aussie and American animal rhymes are to follow...

Her husband, Alan, is very supportive. He says, "Writing keeps Margot out of mischief!" Their three children are grown and doing well out on their own. These days, gardening, travel and her cats, fill in the cracks between writing.

With no talent for juggling writing and kids at the same time, Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her to work at writing every day. She says, "I envy those who began young: slipping into writing-mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes!"

Margot's manuscript critique service offers personal guidance to beginners and others seeking a fresh opinion. Visit her website for further details. Her "Writer's Retreats & Conferences" column appears regularly in the Smart Writers Journal.