History and Me

Having spent most of this weekend buried under a pile of paperwork, I am now coming up for some air and to rather belatedly post about an exhibition I went to see last weekend at the British Museum. Some time ago I went to the wonderful Babylon exhibition which finishes this week, but last weekend I went to the exhibition about Shah Abbas - which proved to be really interesting.

I learnt many things that I did not previously know and enjoyed the spectacle of it all- the wonderful textiles, ceramics, poetry and literature as well as the history of it all. This coming weekend, I am hoping to go into London again to see the Byzantium exhibition at the Royal Academy. I've never been to the Royal Academy so I am very much looking forward to this.

SCBWI: The Greenhouse Agency

On Thursday I went to a SCBWI Professional series event, at which Sarah Davies and Julia Churchill of the Greenhouse Literary Agency spoke to attendees and answered questions. The evening was very well attended and offered some interesting insights into what this agency is looking for. The Greenhouse started just over a year ago and as Sarah Davies explained unlike other agencies it does not operate from an office. She talked about it being a children's literature agency which is transatlantic and truly international.

She offered up some interesting facts such as - 90% of the revenue for a publisher comes from 10% of its books. And in order to get published time and again it is advisable to be one of these 10%. The question of how was next addressed and for anyone who has read the wonderful Robert McKee's Story- these ideas may sound familiar: 1- unique inspired concept; 2- big stakes; 3- well drawn characters; 4- vivid setting; 5-deeply felt theme.

The Greenhouse Literary Agency is, as the name suggests, a place where writers can grow. It is also green in the sense that paper queries and submissions are not accepted. Look at the agency's website for how to approach them. Good luck with your submissions!!