Three years ago, something wonderful happened. I got stuck in line. Actually I was stuck in line for the ladies’ restroom at a writers’ conference (a common occurrence). I spoke to the woman in front of me and told her I was new to the Nashville area. Her name was Jennifer Lambe. I asked if she might be interested in getting together for coffee and maybe a little manuscript critiquing. She said yes! When we returned to the auditorium, she introduced me to another writer, Kristin O’Donnell Tubb. Kristin said she would be interested in the coffee and the manuscript critiques, too. I met another writer, Hannah Dills, at an RWA chapter meeting and she wasn’t interested in coffee, but she was definitely interested in manuscript critiques. So the Wednesday Writers started meeting for coffee (and tea) and we started critiquing manuscripts.
One of the first manuscripts we critiqued is in bookstores today! It’s Selling Hope by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb. Here’s the blurb:
It’s May 1910, and Halley’s Comet is due to pass thru the Earth’s atmosphere. And thirteen-year-old Hope McDaniels and her father are due to pass through their hometown of Chicago with their ragtag vaudeville troupe. Hope wants out of vaudeville, and longs for a “normal” life—or as normal as life can be without her mother, who died five years before. Hope sees an opportunity: She invents “anti-comet” pills to sell to the working-class customers desperate for protection. Soon, she’s joined by a fellow troupe member, young Buster Keaton, and the two of them start to make good money. And just when Hope thinks she has all the answers, she has to decide: What is family? Where is home?
Congratulations Kristin!
6 comments:
Sounds like a great story! How awesome that you've worked together for 3 years. Maybe you can give us some tips on how you made it work?
Hi Kourtney! I think our critique group works well together because we have the same goals and we respect each other's work and the critique time. Everyone gives a thoughtful critique, constructive with some encouragement thrown in.
Thanks so much for the Selling Hope love, Rae Ann! It's an honor to be a part of the Wednesday Writers (who now meet on Thursdays). ;-)
I know Kristin from the Class of 2k8 and woud LOVE to meet her online. I think this new book of hers will make a perfect Christmas gift for my daughter!
Thanks for sharing this happy story. A great post for Christmas week. Congratulations, Kristin, and to all the other Wednesday writers for helping it happen!
Hi Rae Ann! You're registered for the revisions workshop in Nashville, too. I was looking at some of the names to see if there were other children's writers/SCBWI members in Nashville. I look forward to meeting you and other area authors in April!
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