Critiques are now available on queries, Twitter pitches, and 1st five pages. Check out my Critique Services page for rates and FAQs!

Uh, guys. I just read an article that had this very alarming thing to say: "A new route to getting a traditional book deal has recently emerged – one that avoids all that endless uncertainty and stress. This new route is not only much faster, but also means you start earning money before you secure … Continue reading DON’T DO THIS (Or: The “Shortcut” That Made Me Gasp Aloud in Horror)

You guys know that book that made you realize that 1) writing was a very real career choice and 2) nothing would make you happier than writing something half as good as that book? If I listed every book that made me want to be a writer, this blog post would take quite a long … Continue reading Query + 1st Page GIVEAWAY

One of my most favorite people ever, the magnificent Caitlyn McFarland, just did a blog post of advice she would give her 13-year-old self (based on the #dearme hashtag and youtube campaign), so I thought I would piggyback on her idea and do one of my own . . . but with gifs. Because why not? … Continue reading #DearMe

What? Another silly gif post, Rae? What's the matter with you? Don't you have better things to do? Okay, I'll be straight with you, I have a billion things I'm supposed to be doing right now. But I feel like a few people -- very much including myself -- can benefit from this. So . … Continue reading Keep Moving Forward (as told by Meet the Robinsons)

Most of you know that I edit manuscripts and queries and synopses. I've had some great times with those, let me tell you. But less well known are my epic adventures in college admissions essay-editing. A few hours ago, I was working with one of my students on one of those very essays and was dismayed to find … Continue reading All About the Transitions (plus Ice Cream in Hell)

Begging CP's to Trade MS'sGetting StartedRegarding First DraftsPlanning RevisionsTelling CP's about Said RevisionsWhen CP's Bring Me Back to EarthKilling CP's DarlingsKilling Own Darlings When One of Us Tries to Bring Darlings BackWhen Editing and/or Revisions Get Hard FINALLY DONE

By popular demand, I'm bringing Crits from Rae back and giving away THREE "Query + 1st 250" critiques to anyone entering Pitch Wars. Interested? Then MAKE SURE you read how it works and my disclaimers. See you there! How It Works 1- You don't have to follow my blog or me on Twitter. (Would I like it? … Continue reading #CritsfromRae is BACK for PitchWars!