Hi Ms. Write,
I have many unfinished books buried in a chest. My question is when
shopping your work how many chapters should you send to a publishing house?

Thank you,
VA Writer

Dear VA Writer,
Most agents and/or publishers will request no more than up to three chapters. In most cases, agents will require a query letter and synopsis and may ask for chapters or the entire manuscript in they are interested in what you have provided in the query letter or synopsis.

Be aware the that many publishers will not accept unsolicited works directly from writers. Begin by shopping for an agent who will work to find the right publisher for you. Ms. Write

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Hello,
First off hats off to The Review great lit-zine you have here.
Ms. Write, my daughter has written a ton of poetry that I would like to
incorporate into a book of poetry for teens. How do you find out if
there's a market for this type of book? I know that there are readers for
everyone, but after self publishing I don't want her writings to just sit
on the book shelf in a store. She has also started a novel. So we are trying
to do our research to see which one we should publish first.

Arlene Taylor
Washington DC

Dear Arlene,
First of all congratulations to your daughter for her this accomplishment.
There is a market and research is necessary. Check into your local library and book stores. Find books that are similar to hers and check out what those authors are doing to reach their audience. Visit their sites and find out what events they are doing. Also, notify her school, teachers may be willing to support her as well as your local libraries. Be ready with an action plan by the time her books are ready to hit the shelves.

Glad to hear that she has a novel in the works also. I would advise you to published whatever is finished first.

Good luck,
Ms. Write

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Hello, I am looking for some feedback on a question that was asked recently
during a book club discussion.

Should a stepdad be able to discipline his stepchildren?

Ijustwanttoknow
Richmond, VA

Dear Ijustwanttoknow,
Absolutely. A stepdad should be able to discipline his stepchildren, as long as that stepdad is a sane and responsible adult who is justly and actively involved in raising that child. Discipline done right, (with the child's best interest at heart) is a by product of love. What I wouldn't condone is any form of abuse!

Ms. Write