Elizabeth's Articles included in Reference Books

The Most Trusted Guide to the World of Children's Publishing, fully revised and updated
The 33rd edition of Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market is the definitive and trusted guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults. If you're a writer or an illustrator for young readers and your goal is to get published, CWIM is the resource you need.
In this book, you'll find more than 500 listings for children's book markets, including publishers, literary agents, magazines, contests, and more. These listings include a point of contact, how to properly submit your work, and what categories each market accepts.

This edition also features:
• 500+ listings for children's markets, including book publishers, literary agents, magazines, contests, and more
• Interviews with bestselling authors, including Cassandra Clare, N.K. Jemisin, Jacqueline Woodson, Leigh Bardugo, and more
• Craft articles on topics ranging from P.O.V., mocking-up picture books, and including diverse characters
• Business articles on topics such as making the most of your platform, tracking submissions, and maximizing the time + energy you have to write, and much more

"The best in the business take you through all aspects of developing and writing a mystery, with great insight. Don't try to write a mystery until you've read this book." —Amazon Customer

Get advice from the best in the business on every stage of the novel-writing and publishing process!
In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 3rd Edition, you'll learn from established writers about how to make your novel a reality. Discover techniques and strategies for generating ideas, connecting with readers emotionally, and finding inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully revised edition includes an updated marketing section for navigating the unique challenges and possibilities of the evolving literary marketplace.

• Inside you'll find new essays from dozens of best-selling authors and publishing professionals detailing how to:
• Master the elements of fiction, from plot and character to dialogue and point of view
• Develop a unique voice and sensibility in your writing
• Manage the practical aspects of writing, from overcoming writer's block to revising your work
• Determine the key elements for success in every genre
• Find an agent, market your work, and get published--or self-publish--successfully

You'll also find interviews with some of the world's finest and most popular writers, including David Baldacci, Lee Child, Robert Crais, Khaled Hosseini, Hugh Howey, Stephen King, Dennis Lehane, George R.R. Martin, Jojo Moyes, Anne Rice, Jane Smiley, and Garth Stein. Their insights on the craft and business of fiction will provide you with invaluable mentorship as you embark on your writing journey.

"The two chapters on Dialogue and Suspense by James Scott Bell and Internal Dialogue by Elizabeth Sims, are worth twice the price of this fine volume." —Amazon Customer

Write authentic dialogue that invigorates your story!
Exceptional dialogue isn't just important when writing fiction--it's essential. In order to impress an agent or editor and keep readers turning pages, you need to deliver truly standout dialogue in every scene. Crafting Dynamic Dialogue will give you the techniques and examples you need to impress your readers.
This book is a comprehensive guide to writing compelling dialogue that rings true. Each section is packed with advice and instruction from best-selling authors and instructors like Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Steven James, Deborah Halverson, James Scott Bell, Donald Maass, Cheryl St. John, and many others. They'll show you how to:

• Bend the rules to create a specific effect
• Understand the role of dialogue in reader engagement
• Use dialect and jargon effectively
• Give every character a believable, unique voice
• Set the pace and tone
• Reveal specific character background details
• Generate tension and suspense
• Utilize internal dialogue

Whether you're writing flash fiction, a short story, or a novel-length manuscript, Crafting Dynamic Dialogue will help you develop, write, and refine dialogue to keep your readers hooked.

Create characters that leap off the page--and into readers' hearts!
Populating your fiction with authentic, vivid characters is a surefire way to captivate your readers from the first sentence to the last. Whether you're writing a series, novel, short story, or flash fiction, Creating Characters is an invaluable guide to bringing your fictional cast to life.
This book is a comprehensive reference to every stage of character development. You'll find timely advice and helpful instruction from best-selling authors like Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Orson Scott Card, Chuck Wendig, Hallie Ephron, Donald Maass, and James Scott Bell. They'll show you how to:

• Effectively introduce your characters
• Build a believable protagonist
• Develop strong anti-heroes and compelling villains
• Juggle multiple points of view without missing a beat
• Craft authentic dialogue that propels the story forward
• Motivate your characters with powerful objectives and a believable conflict
• Show dynamic character development over the course of a story

No matter what your genre, Creating Characters gives you the tools necessary to create realistic, fascinating characters that your readers will root for and remember long after they've finished the story.

"I thought '8 Ways to Write a Great Chapter One' by Elizabeth Sims was especially insightful for new and advanced writers alike." —Amazon Customer

The best resource available for finding a literary agent!
No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for adults or children--you need a literary agent if you want to get the best traditional publishing book deal possible. The 2015 Guide to Literary Agents is your essential resource for finding that literary agent and getting your book bought by a top publisher. Along with listing information for more than 1,000 literary agents who represent writers and their books, this new, updated edition of GLA includes:
"10 Reasons Agents Reject Your Manuscript"--helping you learn what not to do during the submission process
"New Agent Spotlights"--profiles of literary reps actively building their client lists right now
13 debut author success stories: Writers explain their paths to publication, so you can learn from their successes and see what they did right
Informative how-to articles on query letters, synopsis writing, voice and craft, platform and blogging, nonfiction book proposals, and more
*Includes access to the webinar "Everything You Need to Know About Getting an Agent" from Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Guide to Literary Agents* In this 90-minute webinar, you'll learn how to compose a query letter, what makes up a compelling pitch, synopsis writing tips, how to research/find agents, and much more.

The best resource for getting your fiction published!
The 2015 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the only resource you'll need to get your short stories, novellas, and novels published.
As with past editions, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers hundreds of listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. Each listing includes contact information, submission guidelines, and other important tips.

The best resource for getting your fiction published!
The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the only resource you'll need to get your short stories, novellas, and novels published. As with past editions, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers hundreds of listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. Each listing includes contact information, submission guidelines, and other important tips.
You'll also find an increased focus on all aspects of the writing life, from insightful articles on craft and technique to helpful advice on getting published and marketing your work. The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers everything a fiction writer needs to achieve publishing success.

"I thought '8 Ways to Write a Great Chapter One' by Elizabeth Sims was especially insightful for new and advanced writers alike." —Amazon Customer

The best resource available for finding a literary agent!
No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for adults or children--you need a literary agent if you want to get the best traditional publishing book deal possible. The 2015 Guide to Literary Agents is your essential resource for finding that literary agent and getting your book bought by a top publisher. Along with listing information for more than 1,000 literary agents who represent writers and their books, this new, updated edition of GLA includes:
"10 Reasons Agents Reject Your Manuscript"--helping you learn what not to do during the submission process
"New Agent Spotlights"--profiles of literary reps actively building their client lists right now
13 debut author success stories: Writers explain their paths to publication, so you can learn from their successes and see what they did right
Informative how-to articles on query letters, synopsis writing, voice and craft, platform and blogging, nonfiction book proposals, and more
*Includes access to the webinar "Everything You Need to Know About Getting an Agent" from Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Guide to Literary Agents* In this 90-minute webinar, you'll learn how to compose a query letter, what makes up a compelling pitch, synopsis writing tips, how to research/find agents, and much more.

Learn How to Create Stories That Captivate Agents, Editors, and Readers Alike!

Inside you'll find the tools you need to build strong characters, keep your plots moving, master the art of dialogue, choose the right point of view, and more.

"You’ll find many exercises already in the book, waiting for you. Don’t know what to write? Try Elizabeth Sims’s 'Random Sentence Kick-Start' on page 129." —James Scott Bell

Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!

In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you’ll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today’s publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.

Inside you’ll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals.