Family of Writers Anthology
Our last Family of Writers meeting is a publication party. This means everyone (parents and students) submits a piece for our anthology! I've saved every anthology since 1998. They are keepsake treasures, holding your family's legacy stories.
It's not lost on me that submitting a piece for our anthology might be causing some stress. I know some of you are thinking—I'm outta here. I don’t have time for this, but don't get scared. Helping your kid develop a process for revision and editing is essential. The process will be worth it in the end. I promise.
First, let's offer each other some grace. While it's ideal that our anthology pieces are polished for publication, if they aren't New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, or even O Magazine ready, let's still celebrate what we accomplished during three short classes! We showed up. We wrote. And we shared stories together. That's some serious rainbows and unicorns magic!
Second, here is a video explaining all Writing Week details. Think of it as a quick class. Watch it with your workbook open to the Writing Week pages.
Third, if you'd like some assistance with revision and editing, here's a 16- minute video and companion printable that helps you help your kids revise and edit WITHOUT DRAMA. (The same printable worksheet is also included in your course workbook in the Writing Week section.) Please note that this approach is a suggestion and not a command. Do what works for you.
Fourth, if you’re short on time, feel free to skip ALL THE THINGS! Do what works for you and submit your pieces.
Finally, if any of you are struggling or your child needs a confidence boost, contact me (LorrieTom@LorrieT.com) and we can hop on Zoom for a quick chat.
Anthology Submission Directions
1. Pick a Family of Writers piece that you'd like to revise and edit. BOTH OF YOU PICK A PIECE. It doesn't have to be the same writing prompt.
2. Parents, review workbook pages 49-52 for directions. Then, watch both revision and editing videos linked above.
3. Revise and edit using the Mrs. Tom method on page 52...or whatever works best for you. Remember, this class is all about nurturing a love of writing and growing a sustainable writing process. If you start getting resistance and feel drama brewing (and that's just in you - ha ha!), don't push. Let it go for now. Your kids have a lot of writing pieces ahead of them. Don't let a less than perfect piece stop either of you from submitting. We all understand that the turnaround time for this piece is short. Submitting something is a win!
4. Here are the exact submission guidelines:
a. Typed is ideal - for this class, do whatever fonts and sizes you want, but know that it's printed in black and white ink. No color please.
b. Include a title, first and last name, parent or child, school, and COHORT 1, 2, or 3.
c. DUE DATE: 11/4/24 (MONDAY) NO LATER THAN 6 PM. Due to the fast turn-around time for anthology printing, I cannot accept late submissions. Of course, it’s fine to any time submit before 11/4.
d. HOW TO SUBMIT: Email LorrieTom@lorriet.com a PRINT-READY WORD document as an attachment. Do not paste it into the body of your email. Do not send me a link to a Google Drive account etc. What you send me is what gets printed. Be sure to include your first and last name on the document and your COHORT.
e. CONFIRMATION: I will email you letting you know that I received your submission. If you don’t hear back from me in a reasonable amount of time, please send me an email asking if I got your piece. Sometimes, the pieces hide in my spam and I don’t want to miss your masterpieces.