• Home
  • Bio
    • Press Kit
  • Books
  • Blog
    • Master List of Story Tips
  • Teacher Resources
    • Author Visits + Events
  • Contact
  • Invite Me to Speak

Author of THE ELEVENTH TRADE

alyssamhollingsworth@gmail.com
Alyssa HollingsworthAlyssa Hollingsworth
  • Home
  • Bio
    • Press Kit
  • Books
  • Blog
    • Master List of Story Tips
  • Teacher Resources
    • Author Visits + Events
  • Contact
  • Invite Me to Speak
How I Met My Publisher(s)

How I Met My Publisher(s)

Jan 19, 2017

Guys, I am SO EXCITED to FINALLY be able to share some important news with you. But now that the time has finally come, I don’t even know how to start. I’ve been sitting on this secret so long, I can’t find the words I want — which is unfortunate, since my job is words. I’m going to pull a Ted Mosby and back this train all up to show you How I Met My Publisher(s). Here we go! Gifs will help me.   February 2016 My agent Amber has been working with me on Illuminate for some time. But she’s like,...

A Novel Idea: Blurbs

A Novel Idea: Blurbs

Jun 24, 2016

Click the pictures to see them full-size (and read the full blurbs). I’m taking a quick break from the Q&A series to participate in A Novel Idea. Yes, I’m talking about my own projects quite a lot here lately – mostly because that’s what my life currently revolves around! The Eleventh Trade is back with my agent now, and I’m busily editing away at Illuminate (and having entirely too much fun rediscovering the story after a nine month break). Here’s the Novel Idea prompt for this week: What would the back cover of your novel say? Try to make it...

New Look! Plus Writing News!

New Look! Plus Writing News!

Jun 13, 2016

It’s been a bit quiet here. Why, you ask? Because I have been up to my ears in writing deadlines! Once upon a time, my agent Amber Caraveo asked me to send her information on my other projects. Among other things, I sent her the synopsis and first few chapters of (what was then called) The Great Tanboor Trade. She loved it… like, a lot. Like, she sort of wondered if it should be my debut level of a lot. After having a 24-hour panic attack/identity crisis (“Me? Writing middle grade contemporary? MEE??”), I agreed to do a speed-draft of...

How I Signed with a Literary Agent: Not the Way You Think

How I Signed with a Literary Agent: Not the Way You Think

Jan 24, 2016

Literary agent. Offers. First refusal. Revision. Contracts. Murder. These are all words that could describe my journey to signing with an agent. (Except for that last one. I was just joking. Or was I?) Readers of the blog might remember that I signed with Amber Caraveo of Skylark Literary back on December 16. But like all stories, it doesn’t actually begin there. When most writers decide to go the route of traditional publishing, they start by querying literary agents. They send out a juicy story blurb, tantalizing first chapters, maybe a sexy synopsis (two words you never thought you’d see together)....

4 Tips for Historical Fiction

4 Tips for Historical Fiction

Sep 9, 2015

Last spring, the Roman Baths Museum in Bath, England, approached my MA program and asked the students to write short stories about the Beau Street Hoard—a real live treasure hoard discovered across the street. The museum wanted to make the discovery exciting for kids, so they turned to us to come up with short stories about how the hoard came to be buried. I was super excited about this project. I love historical fiction and I love the Roman Baths. But when I sat down to write a story in no more than 2000 words, about a time period I...

Things That Have Been Up and Stuff

Things That Have Been Up and Stuff

Sep 3, 2014

This is a general update blog post, so it’s going to be a bit random and short. Yay? My friend Katherine came for a visit! We had many adventures, including but not limited to: Catching a train only because the staff held their car door open for us, performing period dances on the lawn at Chatsworth (Pemberley), exploring a plague village, and a bit of waltzing in the Assembly Rooms! (Katherine is my dance buddy and we took full advantage of this.) I have been editing like a mad person. This will probably result in some revision-themed posts soon. I...

The Madwoman’s Tips For Making Revision Fun

The Madwoman’s Tips For Making Revision Fun

Jun 21, 2014

Revision can be a taxing process. Trust me: When am I not revising something? (Spoiler: The answer is I am in a perpetual state of revision.) This month, I set out to finish revising the last 12 chapters of WIP Blessings that have been hanging over my head since January. And I did it! And it wasn’t terrible! So how did I make editing over 30k in three weeks fun?   1. Print the sucker out At some point in your revision process, you’re gonna need to print that baby out. (If you’re like me, you’ll probably print it several...

Writing Tips: Getting Away from the Computer

Dec 28, 2012

Over the years, the computer has become the place where I either work or I procrastinate. It’s increasingly harder to sit at the computer and write if I’m not already inspired or don’t already have blueprints of what I need to be doing. So this semester, I started looking for creative ways to get the inspiration flowing without having to sit in front of a screen. You might be thinking, “That’s what journals and pencils are for, foolish child!” I agree. I used to love writing in journals. But with my Rheumatoid Arthritis, I find it increasingly difficult to hold...

Alyssa Logo
Alyssa Hollingsworth

Alyssa was born in small town Milton, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.

Goodreads Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn

divider
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Popular Posts

  • How I Met My Publisher(s)
    How I Met My Publisher(s) Guys, I am SO EXCITED to FINALLY be able to...
    Read More
  • How Plot and Narrative Strengthen Stories
    How Plot and Narrative Strengthen Stories As a young writer, I didn’t know the difference between...
    Read More
  • 50 Questions to Ask Your Antagonist
    50 Questions to Ask Your Antagonist Antagonists are tricky. Too little work, and the antagonist comes across...
    Read More
  • 10 Questions to Ask When You Create a Fictional Culture
    10 Questions to Ask When You Create a Fictional Culture The way I build worlds is by collecting cool stuff...
    Read More
  • How to Write Arguments with Maximum Punch
    How to Write Arguments with Maximum Punch Arguments are both exciting and difficult to write. It’s challenging to...
    Read More

the girl

Alyssa Hollingsworth
Alyssa was born in small town Milton, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.

© 2018 · Alyssa Hollingsworth

  • Home
  • Bio
    • Press Kit
  • Books
  • Blog
    • Master List of Story Tips
  • Teacher Resources
    • Author Visits + Events
  • Contact
  • Invite Me to Speak