4-5 Writers and Networking

(c) 2009 Jamie Proctor

Jamie Proctor, who teaches writing in Kentucky shared these tips about the importance of networking with other writers.

• Go out of the way to engage writers, all writers, in conversations.
• Take writing classes whenever possible.
• Submit to the same editors over and over, particularly when a personal note is received.* Let all friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances know you're a writer -- you never know who knows a pro!
• Join online groups, and be active in them.
• Join local writer's groups. Start your own if you can't find one anywhere. A good place to find one is at the library -- just ask a librarian.
• Attend conventions in the genre of your interest. They're out there -- just run a Google search for, say, mystery convention, or romance convention. And, then talk to the writers, attending the writing workshops, striking up conversations with workshop participants and coordinators. At a convention, your mouth is your best friend. At science fiction conventions, chicks have an edge, too, if you don't mind flirting a little. :) you don't have to look like Carmen Electra for that to work!)
• When meeting a writer, try to start a friendship. It's surprising how many writers have close friendships with several other writers!
• Writers are genuinely friendly and interested in other people, but be selective about who you befriend. Don't mess with people who don't take writing seriously; it's a waste of time. (I don't mean drop long standing friendships, either! This category includes, but is not limited to
• The guy who wants you to read his stuff, but can't take criticism.
• The person who takes writing classes, but never gets around to writing.
• The person who is afraid to submit -- these folks are redeemable, however, if you have patience and don't mind your own writing taking a hit for a while. Jamie Proctor

END

Chapter 9 - Querying and Related Issues: http://tinyurl.com/349p8ej

Next: 4-6, The 'Rights' You Market: http://tinyurl.com/28ey4x7

1-12 How to double-space e-mail

Greg Gunther, Co-Administrator on Internet Writing Workshop, http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/, shared this tip on how to create manuscripts so you can email them in double-spaced format, as required by some media. For instance, Christian Science Monitor specifies double-spaced for manuscripts submitted via email or snailmail. Greg is always willing to share tips on getting the most from your computer programs. Contact him at: pvgreg@cox.net.

1. Open the file in Word.
2. Click File, Page Setup. Set the left margin to 1 inch, and the right margin to 2.5 inches. (This will set the text line to be 5 inches long.)
3. Select the text, excluding the title.
4. Click Format, Font. In the Font name pane, scroll down to the Courier New font, and select it. Make the Size as 12. Click Ok. (Courier New font at 12 point size creates all characters at 0.1 inches width. That way, in the 5 inch space, each line will be 50 characters, max.)
5. Click anywhere on page to get rid of the selection and show the file's text normally. Manually put the cursor at the beginning of each line and press the Enter key twice to add a blank line. Do that for all lines except the title.
6. Click File, Save As. In the resulting screen, down at the bottom, click the downward facing triangle at the right end of the Save As Type: line. Scroll down until you see MS-DOS Text with Line Breaks (*.txt). Click that line. Click the Save button. (I prefer to add MS-DOS to the filename of the new files it's creating.)
7. Close Word.
8. Open the .txt file you just saved. Review the file to make sure all your lines have formatted double-spaced. Correct as needed.
9. Select, copy, and paste it into your email. Send it to yourself as a test. It ought to be exactly what you want.

So long as you have not saved it during any of these intermediate steps, your original .doc file will remain as before.

END

Chapter 3 - The e-World and e-Zine Publishing, http://tinyurl.com/2c6g33q

Next: Chapter 4 - Writers Guidelines and Magazine Calendars http://tinyurl.com/2v6ej46

8-3 Purposeful Pitching - How To Get The Most Out Of Writers Conferences

(c) 2009, Mona Leeson Vanek

Going to a writer's conference? Looking for the perfect person to advance your book (career)? Next to writing the manuscript, researching agents and editors is an author's most important task.

• Gather brochures well in advance.
• Check where and when editors and/or agents will be available.
• Check how many interviews each offers.
• Gauge your odds of snagging one.

Publisher's Weekly (in libraries and online) prides itself on being the 'bible' of the industry.

Tip PublishersWeekly.com, http://www.publishersweekly.com/ is one site every writer should bookmark and visit often, and explore thoroughly. You can keep up with industry news by subscribing to PW Daily for Booksellers from Publishers Weekly. Another source is: Editor and Publisher: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/index.jsp

Also, search in the book jackets at bookstores. Ask store managers if they can tell you what agent represented which books. Network with other writers in writers groups, especially online where you can reach a wide variety of writers and tap their vast pool of information.

Create a folder for each publisher's representative and agent you'll see at the conference. Create a file about the agent's:

• Career or professional goals.
• How their career is progressing.
• Where they fit into the publishing house's hierarchy.

Tip: Study photos. It's always easier meeting someone whose face is familiar.

Write to the agency and ask:

• Which authors the agency has represented.
• What genres the agency handles.
• Which genres the agent specializes in.
• Which authors the agent has represented.
• The number of titles represented a year.
• Ask for a sample of their standard contract.

Request a copy of their submission guidelines, and follow it to the letter.

Write to the publishing house and ask the same questions, substituting "publisher" in place of "agency" and "editor" in place of "agent." Also ask:

• For the publisher's press releases or media packet.
• For current and back booklists.
• For catalogues.
• Get a copy of the publishing house's guidelines (study every detail.)

Be courteous and thank them for their time. Enclose an SASE.

When you've zeroed in on a good possibility, and feel that your book is a perfect fit, a. with a publishing house ­and with their editor's interests; b. with an agency and with their agent, apply for a meeting.

Your professionalism sells you as much as your words. Your personality, appearance and your courtesy are important factors in this unique interview process. The confidence you demonstrate in your work, yourself and your abilities, shines through your enthusiasm for your manuscript.

Tip: Ask the conference chairman or publicist for the correct pronunciation of the editor or agent's name if you're in doubt.

Your interview will be a business meeting. Dress appropriately, but don't be afraid to be yourself. Publicity tours are always foremost in editors and agents' minds. They're looking for good writers who are public-oriented and memorable. Always be sure that you don't smell as though you've been marinated in your perfume or aftershave lotion.

Arrive ten minutes early. Wait quietly outside until the writer before you exits, then walk in, introduce yourself and shake hands. Wait for the editor\agent to ask you to be seated. In a friendly, professional voice, begin your sales pitch by giving information about yourself. Don't spend more than four minutes recounting your writing background and accomplishments. Remember to smile.

Be enthusiastic, positive, and informative as you quickly move on to the description of the book you're pitching. Show the editor:

• That you know your story.
• That you know what s/he wants.
• That you have the story s/he is going to want.
• That you can deliver a manuscript s/he'll be happy with.

It's crucial to project the impression that you'll be cooperative to work with, through all the changes that you'll be asked to complete.

Carrying an index card to refer to is useful and can boost your confidence (if you feel more comfortable reading from it, do so). Beforehand, jot these pertinent things you should mention:

• Working title of your book.
• One or two sentences that tell the plot summary
• a.) conflict
• b.) type of novel (i.e. romance, historical, mystery, etc.)
• c.) the word count.

Two minutes should be plenty of time to cover this information.

Tip: When you're trying to figure out how to write that succinct "grabber" for an agent or editor visit a bookstores and study blurbs on best-seller book jackets. Make a habit of studying the one-line descriptions of this year's published titles.

Mastering this step of concisely stating your novel's focus may help you create the one-liner that excites the right agent for you.

Leave time to discuss what makes your book different from other books. Example:

• Your theme.
• The defining characteristics and occupations of your main characters.
• Internal and external conflicts.

Editors and agents often ask for more information, and ask that you query by letter. They'll tell you if they're interested, or that your material is not suited for their house (or agency.)

Before leaving when time's up, say thanks and offer your business card. No matter what the outcome of your interview, you've had the opportunity to discuss something you love with a kindred soul.

That's the essence of purposeful pitching.
End

Next, 8-4, PR is PR: http://tinyurl.com/2dv2g39

Chapter 16 - Education and Reference: http://tinyurl.com/36maz9e

8-4 PR is PR

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Carol Cassara explained PR (public relations) in a copyrighted interview several years ago. Recently, Rebeca Shiller shared her insights into agency PR.

(c) November, 2002, Carol Cassara, ccassara@aol.com.

"While I've never said that PR is the world's most important, exquisite job and that only a chosen few can do it, I do believe it is only civilized to respect the time and effort each of us puts into what PR professionals do for a living and the level of expertise we have attained.

"Public relations is a single aspect of the promotional mix - --that also includes advertising and sales collateral . . . both are more sales-oriented than PR. PR is the art (and it is definitely an art) of obtaining positive media coverage for a client's product or service.

"It's more than spewing out news releases. It's looking for the nexus between what your client offers and what the media need. And when done well, it's more strategic than you can imagine.

"Perhaps because I went to journalism school, and because I've seen college graduates come into PR with a simplistic view and be ill-prepared to serve clients, (and because as a corporate PR exec and a nonprofit exec, I hired PR consultants) I'd like folks who aspire to this work to know that you don't just read a few news releases and figure it out -- and bank all that easy money. (PR firms pay lower than just about any consulting firm and non-profits have notoriously low budgets.)

"I would suggest to them what I suggest to any entry level PR person - take some news writing courses at a local Journalism school and understand what reporters and editors are looking for. Understand what "news" is and how to identify it, because "news" is not the sales benefits of your product or service, and a news release is not a brochure that describes those things in glowing terms. PR is not sales.

"If you learn how to practice PR, you'll be more effective for your client, which of course you WANT to be -- because you are taking your client's money for a service rendered and your client has a right to professional service for their investment.

"In PR, we write the following kinds of things:

• News releases (AP style, not all hyped up with glowing sales terms, but instead, much as a journalist might write news)
• Contributed feature articles (but only to local weeklies that don't have much staff and appreciate getting them, and to a standard of excellence that editors compliment our firm on)
• Op-eds (clients who have a position on an issue often use their PR firm to ghost write in the appropriate format...and then they have to be "pitched")
• Fact sheets or backgrounders (the basics of a project or company that helps a reporter put the news in context)
• Pitch letter (or email, or fax) (presents why you think the news you are sending is important, why the reporter should cover it.)

"Positive news coverage is important to clients because it is thought to have the cachet of a "third party endorsement"--unlike advertising or sales collateral.

"During my career, I've had many clients who don't have real "news", but believe that reporters should be just dying to write marketing hype about their product/service, because after all, that product or service is just wonderful! Or, who are horrified when a reporter doesn't write about them in glowing terms. In those cases, I always recommend the client consider advertising instead--where you can control the message entirely.

"There's also a specialty called "crisis PR", which is helping your client respond when they've either gotten in trouble or are getting bad press for some other reason. Think about the Red Cross PR crisis around September 11, or the commonly used case study of the Tylenol poisonings. I've done quite a bit of work with crisis clients over the years, and the skill set there differs significantly . . . but that's a story for another time. End"

Rebeca Schiller, http://www.rebecaschiller.com/, a former PR agency professional, has this to say about PR

"PR is good for only one thing - to alert the public of new products, policies in a straightforward, no nonsense manner."

She talks about how humiliating it was, when she worked for a PR agency to have to "embarrass myself for the thousandth time when I had to pitch a story that no one, not even the CEO's grandmother, gave one flying $#@!"

Performed without integrity, she says PR is " the most miserable profession on the planet; a non profession with agency principals whose heads deserve to be on the chopping block."

Today,  as online editor for an art magazine, she sits on the other side of the desk and makes

"a special effort to circumnavigate around PR people, get the news straight from the source, and produce something worthwhile."

Each perspective will help you better understand the role PR plays in a writer's career.

Sandra Beckwith, a recovering publicist who has written two publicity books and uses workshops and other tools to teach how to generate publicity says, "Why pay a pricey consultant when you can do it yourself?" She offers a free book publicity e-zine, http://www.buildbookbuzz.com./ Also visit Sandra's blog, http://buildbuzz.blogspot.com/.
End

Chapter 17 - Organizations and Newspapers: http://tinyurl.com/35mr8f2

Next: Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

1-4 Let Clip and Save = Efficient Writing

(c) 2010 by Mona Leeson Vanek

You can easily minimize Internet research time and maximize writing time. All you need do is Toggle between programs, clip and save and paste, and file methodically, and quickly retrieve data as needed. Here's how to Clip and Save and Paste your research.

Copy material on the Internet and paste it into your file-message 
Copy and Paste are actions done when you Right mouse button, and select from the drop down list by moving your pointer to the one you want and clicking the Left button.

1.) Start your e-mail program

• Send it to the taskbar by clicking your mouse on the [-] sign at the top right hand corner of your screen.

2.) Open your Internet browser program.

To move back and forth between these two programs as you copy and save research material, Toggle will mean to click on the e-mail icon in your task bar.

Until you close your e-mail program, Toggle will return you to the open message you left.

3.) With your Internet browser open (on top)

• Toggle e-mail.

Press "ctrl  n" (ie: press both keys simultaneously) to create a file-message. Later, it will become a mailbox folder.

Type your research project name into the To: line. This identifies the project.

Use the Subject: line to elaborate on message contents.

4.) Toggle. The "http" line at the top of your browser screen is the URL (what got you to this web page, either because you typed it there, or you clicked on it's link somewhere.)

• Click mouse pointer on URL to highlight it.
• Right click (opens the drop-down list.)

Select Copy from the drop down list This places an invisible copy on your (invisible) Clipboard, ready to be pasted wherever you want it.

4.) To save what you just copied,

•  Toggle the e-mail icon

Right click mouse pointer inside the new message

Select Paste from the drop down list. Anything you copy can be pasted where you want to save it.
*Every time you insert material into your file-message, press "ctrl s" to save all that you've collected in case the power goes off unexpectedly shutting the computer down, or some other computer crash happens.

• When you close your e-mail file-message the message goes into your OUT mailbox (or Draft, or whichever folder (mailbox), depending on your e-mail program. The message remains there, ready to be reopened and added to. If using your word processor, save the named document after each insertion by pressing "ctrl s".

5.) Toggle, and on the web page, look for the Site Map.

Not all web pages will have a site map, but it's very useful. It's often a link on the Home page, usually either near the top of the page or near the bottom. If you don't see it, try pressing ctrl f to open your computer's Find function, where you type 'Site Map.' Also, ctrl End will quickly get you to the bottom of the page, where you may find who owns the site.

6.) Locate the web page owner's name, and highlight (by holding down left mouse key while scrolling) and Right click. Choose "copy". Finding the owner often takes persistent searching, and not all sites list the owner. Sometimes it's a corporation. Check also in "About Us" and "Contact Us" (where you might also find the president or CEO's name), or in the Copyright information, which is also usually at the page bottom.

7.) Toggle, and in file-message, Right click and "paste" the owner's name.

8.) Toggle, and find out how to contact the web page owner. Save the contact information in your e-mail message. Include an e-mail address and a phone number (if available) in case you need to get in touch at some later date. Even if you aren't sure you have the right e-mail address, someone will generally reply to your e-mail.

Some editors only require citing your source URL, however many editors expect you to obtain permission to cite material from a web site.

If there's a contact's link, often the address will be automatically inserted into a new message in your e-mail program. Copy and save it. Other times, an on-line reply form will open. Save a copy of the web page URL in your file-message in case you want to use that form later.

When you send a message via an on-line form, it disappears, so when you contact a web site owner using the online form, before sending (or submitting) ALWAYS create a copy of the message you type (ctrl a inside of the online message box to highlight all, and then ctrl c to copy.) Paste (ctrl v) your copy into your file-message.)

9.) As you explore the links on the web page and highlight, copy and save the snippets you'll use later when you flesh out your article or story, remember to also save the URL from every new page you gather data from.

Also check for a "last updated" note. Many pages were last updated years ago, and few say when, but if you find a recent update note it's a much more valuable resource. More and more editors will accept only recently published online citations.

When finished, the important information you need to cite your facts will be readily available when needed -- in the e-mail folder (mailbox) you create to store them.

10.) Close the file-message. It's now ready to Transfer.

11.) If you haven't attempted to create new mailboxes, the process is similar to saving word document files, and your e-mail program Help file will walk you through it. (*See Step 3.)

While you're searching online, you may find information for a different article. Save it into a new e-mail message message.

Control key functions:
In many software programs, keyboarding is supported. In other words, when you press a combination of the control (ctrl) key simultaneously with another key a function is available:
Ctrl while rolling your mouse over a line (or picture) highlights it.
ctrl c = COPY, whatever is highlighted
ctrl v = PASTE, whatever you have copied
ctrl f = SEARCH, opens a box with a line where you type the number, symbol, letter, word or words you want to find quickly
ctrl a = HIGHLIGHTS, the entire open file. Highlighted material can then be copied, deleted or moved to somewhere else within the document.
If you accidentally delete something (and you will!) ctrl v should paste it back! IF ctrl v does not, then use ctrl z.
ctrl z = UNDO, last typing (ie: like if you've deleted something and decide you want it back, pressing ctrl z will return it to wherever it was.)
ctrl o = OPENS, Offers you a box showing all the files in your computer from which you can choose the one you want to open.)
ctrl p = PRINT, the file (message) that is currently open.
ctrl s = SAVES, the current message, and keeps it open so you can continue typing into it.
ctrl w = CLOSE, messages, mailboxes, documents, and some programs, such as Internet Explorer, etc.
ctrl e = SEND, messages. (Send is immediate IF you are connected on-line, otherwise you'll get a 'can't send' message.)
ctrl d = DUMP, messages into your trash mailbox.
ctrl l = OPEN ADDRESS BOOK
ctrl k = COPY, highlighted message sender's ADDRESS INTO ADDRESS BOOK
ctrl 6 = will start a spell-check on words in the open message. (you chose what you want to do about them and cancel out of the spell-checker at anytime.)
ctrl works with home and end keys, too. They are useful ways to speed moving around in the open file and can save you lots of time.
ctrl tab = toggle between open pages.
ctrl p = print and save this so you can refer to it anytime!
ctrl q = QUITS, a program (exits the program and the message will be gone, gone, gone, as in erased and gone forever! It's as final as putting your mouse pointer on the little "x" in the top corner to EXIT. DO NOT QUIT or EXIT documents you've written without first using ctrl s to save, or ctrl w to close and save the current message you're typing, or ctrl e to send it.
End

Next: 1-5, 1-6, Let Retrieving Misplaced Data = Efficient Writing, http://tinyurl.com/23oth76

Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - Ideas - http://tinyurl.com/2es3w63

5-7 Travel Writing

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Get started by learning about this huge and widely varied genre by visiting Travel Writing Net: http://www.travelwriting.net//. Check all the links.

Talking Travel With Roy Lowey, http://www.ttrn.com/, may just have the most useful links for travel writers, as well as travelers. Begin your thorough exploration by clicking the entire list of links at the top of the National Association of Travel Journalists Association, http://www.natja.org/. Select Travel World Magazine, http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/. Keep exploring and learning all you can. You'll be able to search for many excellent articles. Scroll down and click on Site Map.

Durant Imboden's Writing.Org site, http://travelwritten.com/, "A travel writer's guide to self-publishing on the Web,"  is good. Scroll his Articles Index to find Travel Writing, and read his article: http://www.writing.org/html/a_travel_writing_1.htm.

Lorry Pattons' Travel tips 'n' Tales, http://lorrypatton.com/ Browse, check out links, and especially the Terms of Use Copyright link at the bottom of the page. (TIP: Press Trips, when they appear, will be found under News, which is separated by topics. Sometimes none are listed.)

Check out Scott American Corporation at, http://www.scottamerican.com/. For free information, click the GoGo for travelers, and be zipped to, http://www.gogoinfo.com/ where you'll find a wealth of information. Click Site Map and surf the results, and grow your travel writing knowledge exponentially!

For example, at Cathay Pacific Airways, by surfing the links you can learn about baggage, in-flight health, airports, lounges, aviation logistics, and antenna farms, etc. Let each spark ideas to topic spoke.

Check Destinations at each airline to learn which cities to focus on when getting ideas for in-flight magazines. Don't skip Travel Publications. Check each publication for submission guidelines.

*NOTE: Travel Publicity Leads is for travel writers with some experience, not beginners or students. The services offered should not be used until you have developed experience in the niche of travel writing. Study how other writers looking for press trips or press kits use the listing service.

Travel Press Kits
BootsnAll Press Kit is an excellent example of what may be included in a press kit:
http://press.bootsnall.com/.

Many companies, locations, media, etc., offer press kits. Get started by typing "travel press kit" into www.dogpile.com. The search will return different results, depending on what new information has reached the Internet. For example, I found links to: http://www.roadandtravel.com/company/marketing/presskit.htm;
http://www.wildernesstravel.com/ (search press kit).

Expect to find unexpected perks as you build your databases. For example, at http://www.alaskatia.org/, the official Alaskan Vacation Planner, although the site didn't look impressive, when I scrolled I found a link to a calendar of events, and at the very bottom, two excellent resource links, the Industry Glossary, and the Site map.

Travel guides
Do lots of homework online by checking the multitude of online travel guides for destinations, accommodations, etc. Pamela Lanier hosts several websites you can link to from her interesting site: http://www.pamelalanier.com/. Roll your mouse over her site carefully so you don't miss any links.

Lanier Travel Guides, http://www.travelguides.com/ is one example. On the http://www.lanierbb.com/ page, Check the destinations link to find thumbnail sketches of destinations. It offers a site map where you can select from their database of destination information. Great for gathering data and generating dozens of ideas to topic spoke! ALWAYS check her Site Map on each page.

Travel writers association
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, http://www.ifwtwa.org/.You can spend days surfing this site and not get to all of the information you can glean, free!

Graduated memberships are available. The online application(s) give the fee(s). Memberships include newsletter, Press Pass, that lists press trips, conferences, markets, etc. Click Magazine, to view it online. Spend some time exploring this excellent site, because you don't know what freebies you'll find unless you do!

Locate Chambers of Commerce at: http://www.2chambers.com/

Currency exchange calculators:
XE.com, http://www.xe.com/
Yahoo Finance, http://tinyurl.com/4oqxy
X-rates.com, http://www.x-rates.com// provides rates of exchange and alphabetical list of countries.

Travel Library: http://www.travel-library.com/. Personal travelogues and worldwide travel and tourism information. Has important link to Airline Ticket Consolidators. The travelogues listed in the Library sometimes contain links to personal home pages. People put their travel stories online in the Travel-Library and include their personal web sites for a variety of reasons. Almost none of these writers are making any money from writing their travelogue. HOWEVER, with persistent surfing, you can also locate interesting sites such as places for working and volunteering. Maybe you'll discover someone interesting, and write a profile article.

TravelWritingNet, http://www.travelwriting.net/, is devoted soley to showcase the best in high-quality travel writing from unpublished writers. It may be right for you when you're stepping into the speciality field. Payment consists of having the satisfaction of getting your stories published where others can enjoy them.

Other information sites and press packets
Check out state websites, too. For example, see Montana information here: http://travel.state.mt.us/ (TIP: Click Search and Help near bottom page to get a VERY comprehensive alphabetical list of what's in Montana! (quick link: http://travel.state.mt.us/searchhelp/siteindex/.) Sign up for a newsletter, if you're interested in state that has a certain mystique popular with readers.

InterNetAdventures.net has recently launched a new Web site for journalists and editors researching adventure travel stories in the Rocky Mountain states, http://www.internetadventures.net/ The site offers journalists complete online press kits for adventure travel companies. Go to:. *For information, email, info@internetadventures.net.

Travel Writers Exchange also has good information, http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/
Airline websites can lead to a wealth of travel information, too. For example, from Delta Airlines site map at, http://www.delta.com/help/site_map/. I located Frommers, an excellent international itinerary guide resource: http://www.frommers.com/.

FreeTrip(R) (Freetrip.com, Inc.) http://www.freetrip.com/ has a quick and dirty calculator for best route between two points-- and, importantly, gives you approximate driving time. It allows you to constrain the trip to or away from certain highways if all you're looking for are the text descriptions of how to get somewhere.

Centers for Disease and Control, Traveler's Health, http://www.cdc.gov/travel/travel.htm, provides international travelers with current information on disease outbreaks and health issues. Includes information on recommended vaccinations, and links to CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program for sanitation inspections on international cruise ships.

Travel writing isn't only about making trips or visiting destinations; let topic spoking lead your writing in many directions. This venue can be challenging, but the rewards are many. Give traveling a try, if you have a strong constitution and itchy feet.
End

Chapter 12, Other Writing Opportunities: http://tinyurl.com/35w2nju

Next: 5-8, Newspaper Contracts: http://tinyurl.com/2b3kkax

9-8 Promoting Your Book

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Promotion is 85% of becoming a successful author. Unless your book sells, whether self-published or through a publishing house, promotion is the number one key to sales. You must be involved and be able to generate sales on a broad scale. Besides being a benchmark of your success, sales of your book pay the bills.

But sales don't happen without promotion.

Whether your books is the product of a publishing house or if you self-publish it, promotion is largely up to you. Your promotional efforts are integral to becoming a successful author. Your job includes discovering or generating ways to spread the word about your new book. And time quickly runs out, and yours is quickly bumped from the new book list.

One opportunity not to be ignored is The Habitual Reader, http://www.habitualreader.com/, 00an online fiction book club that features reader profiles, book reviews, and favorite community bookstores. Along with a wealth of information, it offers free promotion of your book(s). Here is your chance to "shamelessly self-promote your masterpiece." If you're published, click "Authors."

Charlotte Cook, President of Habitual Reader and Komenar Publishing suggests,

"If an author wants to have substantial impact on our site, he or she should use the other offerings as well, such as Reviews and Profiles. We are also looking for some original editorials. Each of these offers participants in the site an opportunity to be featured and showcased. And those authors who send us more readers ... not just other authors ... help the site become successful for all of us."

Also, take advantage of the excellent help you'll find by visiting, http://www.komenarpublishing.com/home.htm (featured in Shelf Awareness.) I especially recommend that you click "About Us," and scroll down to Charlotte Cook and click "See some examples."

Two books belong on your reference shelf:

• The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't, by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
• Plug Your Book! Online Book Marketing for Authors, by Steve Weber.

Each provides a wealth of information and ideas on how to market and publicize your book, especially Weber's book, which also includes an entire section on blog tours and social networking.

Book promotion is increasingly the burden of the author, rather than the publisher, so regularly search online for news articles that address the issue. Search dilligently to find opportunities to promote your book.

Arrange book signings at local book stores; smaller stores generally yield better results than large chain book outlets like Barnes and Noble, etc.

Join or monitor writers discussion lists, too. And read, Advice From The Pros, What About Distribution and Publicists?, http://tinyurl.com/2dw2teo.
End

Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

Next: 9-9, Trade Book Publishing Agreement: http://tinyurl.com/2eq4myf

5-5 Screenwriters Online Resources

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Drew's Script-O-Rama Index of movie scripts available on the Internet:
http://www.script-o-rama.com/

Simply Scripts, Screenplays, transcripts, and partial scripts of old, current and soon to be released movies:
http://www.simplyscripts.com/

Movie-Page.com: Scripts, Large archive of movie screenplays in plain text or PDF format:
www.movie-page.com/movie_scripts.htm.

Full Sail University. Awesome Scripts and Screenplays. Read dozens of film scripts online:
http://www.awesomefilm.com/

Weekly Script, Movie and television screenplays and transcripts, listed alphabetically:
http://www.weeklyscript.com/

Screenplays-Online.de. Read over a hundred scripts online or join a screenplay-related discussion group:
http://www.screenplays-online.de/

The Scriptwriters Network, founded in 1986, is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization created by writers for writers and industry professionals:
http://www.scriptwritersnetwork.org/

TV Film Rights.Com. A world marketplace community for TV and film rights;
http://www.tvfilmrights.com/

The Hollywood Script Readers' Digest, a division of Alliance Diversified Ltd. Showcases synopses of unproduced screenplays and TV series proposals:
http://www.screenscripts.com/

Colin's Movie Monologue Page. Multitude of movie monologues:
www.whysanity.net/monos

List of screen writing software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screenwriting_software
End

Chapter 12 - Other Writing Opportunities: http://tinyurl.com/35w2nju

Next: 5-6, Medical Writing:(under construction)

9-3 Audio Book Publishing

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

The audio book industry is on a fast track ~~ with over a billion dollars in sales annually. Over 40 million audio books were sold last year alone, according to Spoken Books Publishing, http://www.spokenbookspublishing.com/

• Words come alive and fictional characters quickly become real.
• How-to-information becomes understandable.
• Sightless people can enjoy books again.

The reasons go on and on, and profits to authors soar.

Read summaries from publishers that specialize in audio books, at Spoken Books Publishing, http://spokenbookspublishing.com/faq.htm, and also study at Publishing Central, http://tinyurl.com/5elkqp, and at Green Leaf Book Group LCC, http://www.greenleafbookgroup.com/.

Also, type (Tip -- fast method, copy\paste) audiobookpublishing into http://www.dogpile.com/ and http://www.msn.com/ to get many sites to check out.

The importance of new developments in the industry must always be considered.

As I write this, a major concern with electronic publishing is being tied to a format which can only be read by proprietary hardware or software.

Keep an eye on this by checking news reports. Ie. Adobe, Kindle, Mobipocket, iPad. etc. (Today, 07/21/10, Amazon.com is offering a free download of Kindle to your PC, http://tinyurl.com/2ep4pcx. I have no idea how long this offer will last, but you can check on it at Amazon.com.)

In ten years time, all of them could be past history, or if they are available they won't use the same format. Nor is it likely that today's devices will still work that long into the future: they break down, they get dropped, they get lost.

• Where does that leave readers who have bought books in these formats?
• Or writers whose work has been published in these formats?
• Do similar fates befall audio books, too?

Experienced professional writers keep abreast of the market place, because the book marketplace is changing lightening fast.
End

Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

Next: 9-6, Book Publicity and Marketing?: http://tinyurl.com/3aj2nrw

7-2 Infringement and Plagiarizing

Dealing With Plagiarizing
(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

Many things have changed since litigation was initiated because of plagiarism issues in electronic databases, and writers still await settlement awards. Read the latest update on that Copyright Class Action lawsuit here: http://www.copyrightclassaction.com/. Publishers and writers now negotiate contracts that avoid plagiarism issues, but they still occur. Writers are encouraged to contact the perpetrator every time someone uses their work without authorization, whether in print or online.

In today's electronic marketplace, plagiarism and copyright infringement may be better understood, but they're still serious problems for ALL writers. When negotiating a magazine's contract, freelancers may prefer to strike everything beyond use in a single print edition. Negotiating for all they're worth, they wrestle with clauses covering audiotape, microfilm, microfiche, CD-ROM, and broad electronic rights like database. They'll try for time limits, and excise one vicious clause that boils down to 'rights of the purchaser to secure copyright as proprietor', or in other words, giving their copyright over to the publisher.

However, even with successful negotiating, freelancers too often end up finding themselves inadequately protected.

Say you don't write for on-line publication; that doesn't necessarily mean that your words aren't going to be on-line. Freelancers say one problem is that print publishers don't always own the rights they've sublicensed, but realistically nearly every publisher obtains at least non-exclusive electronics rights for some period of time; whether the author limits archiving or allows archiving their writing ad infinum.

Expect to find that copyright infringement spans all countries and many continents, but laws differ. For example, Canadian law allows copyright cases to be heard in small claims courts. Copyright infringement in the United States is decided in federal courts, although suits charging breach of contract may be heard in small claims or other state courts.

Plagiarism by an individual, in some cases such as in educational use, has a slightly different connotation from the use of your works without permission by a concern or company. The need to consult an attorney who specializes in intellectual rights cannot be over-emphasized.

At home, or at the library, you can use the capabilities of spider searches on the World Wide Web, to routinely track down plagiarizers and infringers. If a publisher has exceeded the terms of its license the writer's contract is breached, and the writer may also still charge others in the chain of plagiarizing with copyright infringement. A publisher's indemnification doesn't let the others off the hook. Each time a violation is found, writers need to take aggressive action.

Immediately ask Internet Service Providers (ISP) to remove the offending Web sites alleged to have illegally post your copyrighted works. Be prepared to prove you are owner of the copyright. The subject of on-line copyright infringement is complex and serious.

Five organizations in the writer's favor are, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc.(ASJA), http://www.asja.org/, The Authors Guild, http://www.authorsguild.org//, The Authors Registry, http://www.authorsregistry.org/works.htm, the Text and Academic Authors Association, http://www.taaonline.net/, and the National Writers Union, (NWU), http://www.nwu.org/.

Send information and scuttlebutt to American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA): Contracts Committee, ASJA, 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. ph: 212-997-0947. Visit their searchable archive of ASJA Contracts Watch at http://www.asja.org/cw/cw.php. Contact info is on the web page. Read the other valuable information and tips on freelance contracts, electronic rights and copyright. Subscribe to get e-mail announcements.

Study posts at Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, search 'writer beware', http://www.sfwa.org/tag/writer-beware/

Only vigilance will protect you from copyright infringement. Don't let plagiarists and copyright infringers steal your material!! Be concerned. Stand up for the rights of ALL writers!!
End

Chapter 14 - Tending to Business: http://tinyurl.com/32rr8a5

Next: 7-3, What About Taxes : http://tinyurl.com/25ssc52

6-3 Character traits

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson VanekBegin learning about character traits and their importance from the book many professional writers recommend, The Writer's Guide to Character Traits, Linda N. Edelstein. Edelstein talks about common traits such as, being dependable, creative, ambitious, charismatic, curious, etc. As your character first begins to evolve, step back and make a list of this person's character traits.Practice this technique by writing a short vignette that tells a story about a character, using one set of characteristics. For instance, show a "responsible" character's deeds in your story. Then write another vignette, using a different set of characteristics. Make a habit of this exercise while you're writing.Study online at Suite101, http://tinyurl.com/lsk5mr.When you want to expand your understanding, type character traits into a search engine, such as http://www.dogpile.com/, and follow links to continue your studies about character traits and their importance in a story.
END

Chapter 13 - Genre Writing and Writing for Children: http://tinyurl.com/3x33osl

Next: 6-4, Show Versus Tell Issues: http://tinyurl.com/298dogs

6-2 All About Names

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Exploring names and their meanings for your characters can not only be fascinating, but very enlightening. Names bear more thought an consideration than many writers realize.

BabyNamer.com, http://www.babynamer.com/ is fast, efficient and very useful for finding names, their origins and definitions, nicknames, etc.. Click a letter of the alphabet at the top to generate girl\boy lists alphabetically. Click color button, pink or blue to get names by gender. Click name. Panel on right gives clickable options that return information about Name Page, Name Sakes, Similar and Drawbacks, each requiring only a mouse click to bring information lightening fast!

Behind The Name, the etymology and history of first names, http://www.behindthename.com/, is a terrific resource that lets you check popularity, related names, name day, name ratings, etc., arranged by nationality, mythology, biblical, and many more options. You'll like the Alphabetical Navigator in a box at the left.

Kabalarian's site is an invaluable and fascinating site that concerns names, Kabalarians Philosophy, http://www.kabalarians.com/. Although time ran out before I was ever able to download alphabetical name list, by using the Search box near top right of page, typing in a name, and then checking What Does My Name Mean?, I gleaned some information. Kalabarian Philosophy Electronic Newsletter, The Newsline, contains a vast amount of information about names.

Find the top 100 names in any given year at Social Security Online, http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/. You can also search a name to discover the year(s) it was most popular.

After you've studied at these sites, you'll be much better equipped when naming your characters, and you'll probably visit repeatedly.
End

Chapter 13 - Genre Writing and Writing for Children: http://tinyurl.com/3x33osl

Next: 6-3, Character Traits: http://tinyurl.com/2cmgumc

4-4 Adventuring Your Road To Successful Writing and Marketing

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

Use the Internet to minimize the time spent locating magazines to study, find archived articles, obtain free sample copies, locate writer's guidelines, and query editors. Other important information, such as magazine publishers, publishers' representatives, and award-winning stories that help you blueprint your stories and articles to a magazine's template reduce guesswork.

Explore each web site

For example, by following links at About.com:Doll Collecting, I discovered there are fifteen magazines for dolls! http://tinyurl.com/5ts485, and more here, http://tinyurl.com/5pht6t, (Both websites belong to the New York Times http://www.nytco.com/. See a list of New York Times web sites, http://www.nytimes.com/. New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/auth/login required (which is free)

IMPORTANT -- Take time to learn about companies you hope to write for. For example, you'll see New York Times web sites listed at the bottom of the home page.) About.com is owned by New York Times. In the permission I received from them to include information and links, they also said, "Please be advised that linking to an article on The New York Times is free of charge and does not require permission. You do, however have to use the Publisher's URL which will take your readers back to The New York Times web site in which they have to be a member, or become a member. Membership is free of charge and only takes a minute to complete. For further information on linking, please see the URL below: http://www.nytimes.com/membercenter/faq/linking.html. If you wish to post an article onto your site (your URL would then host the material), then permission is needed and copyright fees apply."

Time Inc. has a portfolio of 21 U.S. magazines and more than 25 U.S. Web sites. Take time to learn more here, http://www.timeinc.com/aboutus/index.php.

Site Map
The Site Map displays the links on the web page, providing information quickly. Not all web pages have one, but you'll either find it at the top or the bottom of the page.

MAGHOUND, http://www.maghound.com/home.ep. When I clicked a magazine there, the resulting page offered View All Magazines. Hovering a mouse over each magazine's cover page displays its specialty. Maghound.com belongs to Time Inc., which publishes more than 115 magazines, including 22 in the U.S., which are read nearly 250 million times worldwide on a monthly basis, 26 US web sites, 48 worldwide web sites.

Web page search funtion
Take advantage of a web page's search function, because theirs often locates magazines missed by your favorite search engine. Mamma.com is a top Meta Search Engine, found at, http://www.mamma.com//. The search function at Starting Point, http://www.stpt.com/ brings links to magazines to read. Starting Point (TM) Magazines http://www.stpt.com/ is one of the best databases to search any topic and the magazines catering to it. It doesn't cover guides, but is a very good place to start when you're studying magazine content. Read reviews to get inside the magazine's readers minds.

NBC Internet (NBCi), http://tinyurl.com/6d2m8s will search many of the publications on the web for subjects or keywords, including magazines.

Explore the Internet Public Library, and also use their search utility: http://www.ipl.org/. With diligence, you find goodies like: http://www.ipl.org/div/serials/

Moira Allen's Website for writers, Writing-World.com, http://www.writing-world.com/, offers many links to various markets and writers' sites.

Visit Kirk LaPointe's J-Home has a very comprehensive list of links to magazines, http://www.kirklapointe.com/.

The American Journalism Review site, http://ajr.org/ affords links to the 50 largest circulation magazines in the states and the 25 largest circulation magazines in Canada. However, not every large circulation magazine has a link because many do not have web pages. Use News Sources at the top of the page and then select from the drop down list to get categorized lists.

Specialties
Specialties galore exist, such as Family Tree Magazine, devoted to family and genealogy, http://www.familytreemagazine.com/magazine/.

Greeting card magazine, Greetings.etc., is the industry's leading magazine, http://www.greetingsmagazine.com/greetings/index.shtml.

Provided by the Weider History Group, the world's largest publisher of history magazines, TheHistoryNet.com is excellent, and will also show you the picture of the day: http://www.historynet.com/.

Women magazines URL links and much much more are at, http://femina.cybergrrl.com/ under Media and Publications. If you write for or about women you'll want to check out, http://www.ivillage.com/magazinesites/.

If writing trade articles interests you, locate FreeTradeMagazines -- an excellent trade magazines resource, http://www.freetrademagazines.com/. Click on a listed magazine to get a page with more magazines in that topic. Study and compare to learn each magazine's style, content, publication dates, etc. (Tip: If making money from your writing-related website interests you, on the home page at the top, click the "Affiliate" button for full details.

Click on a listed magazine to get a page with more magazines in that topic. Study and compare to learn each magazine's style, content, publication dates, etc.

Magazine databases
Some magazine databases have links to magazine guidelines or contact information.
Databases of magazines, (writers guidelines for many magazines are also linked)
Writers Write, http://www.writerswrite.com/paying/
Writers Weekly, http://www.writersweekly.com/markets/
Snafu.de, http://home.snafu.de/gadfly/a-c.htm
Writing For DOLLARS, http://www.writingfordollars.com/.
Ark Royal Magazines, http://www.100-free-magazines.com/.
Magamall.com, http://www.magamall.com/.
Magatopia.com, http://www.magatopia.com/
ABZY News Links, http://www.abyznewslinks.com/.

Sample Magazines to study
At magazine seller sites click on the magazine cover. Some offer a blurb about the focus of the magazine. Many magazines offer free trials. It's fine to order magazines, but don't feel obligated to subscribe. Unless you are truly interested, and want the subscription, immediately write cancel on the statement when it arrives and return it the same day, or very soon afterwards.

Archives
While reading magazines online, check the magazine's archives, where stories are often categorized by month or year, or by alphabetized listing of archived articles.

Archives are very useful to learn what the editor wants, how magazine focus changes over several years, and topics that have been published. If the same topic is covered periodically, it's an opportunity for you to target the magazine with an article on previously covered topics ~~ at a later date!

Writers guidelines
At magazine seller sites, choose the name of any magazine and copy-paste or type it into your search engine to locate the home page of the magazine, where you'll often find a link to writer's guidelines.

If guides aren't on the home page, check at their About Us and\or Contact Us to request them. You can also contact a magazines' advertising department and ask for their media kit (and your editor will never have to know.) Study the media kit and editorial calendar to learn about the behind the scenes operation of magazines.

Guidelines for many magazines are at: http://www.writersdigest.com/. Hover your mouse over Get Published to locate the drop down and get Hot Markets, where you'll find The Writer's Digest Top 100. Each magazine title you click will take you to that magazine's writers guidelines.

How much can you learn from one magazine? SeedQuest contains an online and prints publications list. Begin at the homepage, http://www.seedquest.com/. I don't remember ever surfing so many links from one web page that led me to a wider variety of topics! Nearly every line of type is a link! It's an awesome resource to spark topic ideas. Exploring leads to great story ideas.

For example,

• start by clicking 'seed biotechnologies
• scroll to a link to Seed Technology Center at UC Davis and click their link
• then use the Google search on the resulting page
• from there you can surf on over to CooksGarden -- and spark endless writing possibilities!

Although eHarlequin, http://www.eharlequin.com/, publishes romance, their website is a treasure of helpful information. You'll find the Site Map near the bottom of the home page, from which you can jump to the blog, http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=35&chapter=0, which offers Read, Talk, Write, along with much more.

Also, find much more by clicking Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ.

If you explore the site you'll find articles on writing a synopsis, publishing glossary, what proofreader's marks mean, etc.

By diligently exploring the Internet to find magazines, editors, spark ideas, and guidelines you'll pave your road to successful writing and marketing.
End

Chapter 9 - Querying and Related Issues: http://tinyurl.com/349p8ej

Next: 4-5, Writers and Networking: >http://tinyurl.com/2b2q22n

6-1 Strong Fictional Characters

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

This advice is shared by Alan Girling, Freelance Writer.

• "Do you need to study strong female fictional characters? Have you related to those in books such as the Taming of the Shrew; Jane Eyre; Anne of Green Gables? At The Back Fence, http://www.likesbooks.com/102.html, you'll find a long, interesting and very thorough essay on heroines in classic fiction and modern romance with detailed descriptions, many links, and relevant quotations from discussed books." ~~ Alan Girling

End

Chapter 6 - Permissions and Writer Beware: http://tinyurl.com/3a9yfby

Next, 6-2, All About Names: http://tinyurl.com/32vyakh

3-5 Quoting Quotes

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

When quoting someone else's quotes for historical references, you say

• Quoted in REFERENCE, page [xxx.]

However, be careful in assuming fair use in ANY case, especially if you're getting paid for the project.

Anthony Robbins was successfully sued over the use of a couple of TWO-WORD phrases. There is no word count limit that determines fair use, and if you're getting paid to write the book, it's a "commercial purpose."

There's an excellent article about this on Ivan Hoffman's website at, http://www.ivanhoffman.com/fair3.html. Ivan's entire site http://www.ivanhoffman.com/ has many, many useful articles. He is an attorney who specializes in copyright and intellectual property law. There are two previous articles on other aspects of fair use, as well.

Keep in mind that Hoffman's articles are not intended as legal advice and are not legal advice. The articles are intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information and are not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.
End

Chapter 5 - Copyrights, Previously Published Works,and Using Quotations: http://tinyurl.com/38t4xpd

Next: Chapter 6 - Permissions and Writer Beware: http://tinyurl.com/3a9yfby

9-6 What About Distribution and Publicists?

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Distribution has always been one of the major reasons for not self-publishing your book. So what can you do to help turn that around?

Diane Diekman, author of two books she self-published, A Farm in the Hidewood; My South Dakota Home (ISBN 0-9708201-0-0) and Navy Greenshirt: A Leader Made, Not Born (ISBM 0-9708201-1-9), says boxes of them remain because she had no distribution system. However, since the University of Illinois Press, which has worldwide distribution, published her third book, "Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story (ISBN is 978-0-252-03248-6.)

U of I Press sent 17,000 catalogs around the world, made numerous contacts for reviews, and a blurb in the Faron Young book jacket promotes her earlier books. And now, Diane makes good use of her website, http://dianediekman.com/, where links publicize her first two books, plus Faron Young, Marty Robbins (Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, her book in progress) and a link to her Newsletter and Blog.

Still, Diane said that hiring a publicist would have been helpful. A publicist would have set up book tours and radio interviews and other events for her. Many publishers do not set up events, or pay for them. And if you self-publish a publicist may be able to help. You must also ensure that bookstores will allow you to bring in your book if you are able to schedule a book signing, and be sure that sufficient copies are at the event.

Developing your platform is extremely important. Speak at every opportunity. Network with professional writers. Start a newsletter as soon as you finish writing your book. Be creative and grow your subscriber list. Network with other newsletter-owners and ask them to offer reprints of yours to their distribution list, if possible.

Diane started a weekly Faron Young email newsletter more than two years before publication of her book, after she'd finished writing her manuscript. By the time her book was on book shelves, her subscriber list had grown from 40 to almost 400, and another newsletter with a 20,000-person distribution reprints hers.

Distribution and platforms are critical, however not every professional agrees on the importance of platforms. Begin by reading the following post, http://tinyurl.com/crh6ae, at Michael Hyatt's website. Then scroll to the bottom of the post and check out the articles linked there:

• 7 Ways To Build Your Online Platform From Scratch, http://tinyurl.com/ybqdvqq

Then, you should know enough to begin your strategy for success.
End

Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

Next: 9-7 What an Agent Expects to See: http://tinyurl.com/26cvlhr

2-5 Grammar Resources

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

Where do you go for answers to grammar questions?

The following websites can help

PainintheEnglish.com, a grammar forum for the gray areas of the English language offers excellent help, http://painintheenglish.com/.

The University of Chicago Writing Program, http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/resources/grammar.htm.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has an excellent handout here, http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/passivevoice.html.

Find answers to grammar questions at Capital Community College Foundation sponsors The Guide to Writing and Grammar: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/. Click Index to get links to whatever you want to know about.
End

Chapter 4 - Writers Guidelines and Magazine Calendars http://tinyurl.com/2v6ej46

Next: Chapter 5 - Copyrights, Previously Published Works,and Using Quotations: http://tinyurl.com/38t4xpd

9-9 Trade Book Publishing Agreement

(c) 2010, Mona Leeson Vanek

CopyLaw.com, http://www.copylaw.com/ is a great site to study and learn about trade book publishing. Visit About Us and acquaint yourelf with owner, Lloyd Jassin. Read the Articles, explore the Forms, and don't miss Visit Our Blog, http://www.copylaw.org/ and become a regular follower.
then become a regular follower.
End

Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

Next, Chapter 19 - Research and Libraries: http://tinyurl.com/3x2h4uq

9-2 About That Agent

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

You'll find many answers to your questions about agents by visiting The Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR), http://aaronline.org/. AAR's site explains the organization and tells what to expect from a reputable agent. Before you begin your search for an agent to represent you, explore the wealth of information offered to learn such things as etiquette, what questions to ask an agent, etc.

You'll also find very good links to help you understand many aspects of writing at Dan Perez' web site, http://www.sff.net/people/dan.perez/advice.htm, including an article on what to look for in an agent.

Many agents prefer cover letters that demonstrate your writing ability to query letters. Sound assured and be very clear. If they enhance the focus of your manuscript, it’s okay to include clips (your previously published material).

Your query should clearly ask, "Do you want to see my book proposal about [ xxx…]?”.

When you receive an affirmative response, send the proposal with a cover letter saying, "Here is the proposal you requested for, “working book title.”

Just because an agent asks for exclusivity on your proposal doesn't mean she necessarily thinks it’s saleable. It only means she doesn't want to waste her time looking at it if someone else is also looking at it. Agents get as high as 300+ queries a week.

On Natalie R. Collins' web site, http://www.nataliercollins.com/, scroll to the bottom where you'll find Agent link. The agents listed have a verifiable track record of legitimate sales. It's updated about every three months. Each agent is researched before being added. No additions are made without her approval. TIP: The Agent page will give you instructions on how to download the list that's grown to large to display on a web page.

Collins says,

"I will not claim every agent on there is good, because I have heard of some writers having HORRIBLE experiences with A-list agents, but it's a good place to start. One big plus, you will not find scam artist agents on this listing."

Collins is the author of Wives and Sisters, and Behind Closed Doors, from St. Martin's Press. Find Suspense Fiction Behind the Zion Curtain here: www.nataliercollins.com/weblog.

You should never be shy of asking questions about the agent's background and way of working.

Ask:

1. About the agent's background in publishing, Hollywood or the law.
2. Which clients and/or types of books the agent represents.
3. Which publishers the agent works with regularly.
4. Does the agent visit New York (if he or she doesn't work there).
5. How will you be expected to pay the agent (is he or she asking any reading or editorial fees beyond the commission?)
6. Whether the agent will forward publishers' rejection letters (if any) to you upon their receipt
7. Whether you'll be consulted on all deals that go through on your behalf (you must be!)
8. To what extent the agent is experienced and aggressive in selling subsidiary rights (or engaging co-agents to do it for him or her) and negotiating points on your contract.

When a publisher accepts your proposal, you should always be able to get a list from the agent of where she submitted it and copies of rejection letters.

Alternative to having an agent
For some books, you’ll do well by dealing directly with a publisher. Do your homework to find an appropriate publisher who accepts manuscripts from writers. Then query the publisher’s Acquisitions Editor.

When requested by the AE, send your formal proposal. Be sure to follow the publishing house’s template if you get one. It will include an overview of other competing books on the market, with publisher, author, ISBN, etc., and a few paragraphs that detail how your book is better, or adds value not found in those already available.

When dealing directly with a publishing house, be sure to have your Intellectual Properties Attorney review and explain the contract details so you clearly understand them. After the publisher makes you an offer, it’s legitimate to get an agent to represent you.

Above all, make sure you have a sense that the agent likes and understands your work and knows the market (the specific editors and houses) for it. If your genre is a newer area for the agent, that's not necessarily a bad thing (it may make you the agency's "star client" in that genre), but just be sure the agent knows who the right editors will be. And be certain that the person seems like someone you could work happily with. Your agent doesn't have to become your closest pal, but he or she does need to be someone you can trust, respect, and feel comfortable with.

One last point: it's diplomatic to reserve these questions for your interview or discussion with the agent, after the agent calls or writes to express interest in representing you. Agents can more comfortably discuss them over the phone with you than in writing (either by email or by letter). Don't put them in your query letter or you'll probably alienate the person.

Also, check out QueryTracer, http://www.querytracker.net/.

Contracts resulting from an agent's efforts
Look at a contract as a business proposition, not just as an opportunity to publish books. Your agent might help you get the best contract, but you will want your Intellectual Property Attorney on board, too.

Novelists, Inc., keeps its members connected, communicating, and well informed while striving to better the status of fiction writers: http://www.ninc.com/. This fine web site has excellent articles. Use tabs at the top to locate. One article, written by Laura Resnick about negotiating a book contract, has some relevance to magazine contracts.
End

Chapter 18 - Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/38d98qf

Next: 9-3 Audio Book Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/28qz3rx

10-4 More Useful Links to Markets

(c) 2010 Mona Leeson Vanek

LitLine, A Website for the Independent Literary Community, http://www.litline.org/links/onlinejournals.html

Poets and Writers, http://www.pw.org/. (Click Magazines and scroll to Classifieds at bottom of that page.)

Towse's, http://tinyurl.com/2dfo43n

Poetry Publishers Who Accept email Submissions, http://newark.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/pbonline.html. Compiled continually by Louie Crew

NewPages.com, http://www.newpages.com/npguides/litmags.htm

Literary Magazines, Every Writer's Resource, http://tinyurl.com/aoxvpa

Millikin University of Haiku, Directory of haiku magazines, http://old.millikin.edu/haiku/magazines.html
End

Chapter 21 - Polish, Sell, and Enjoy Rewards!: http://tinyurl.com/38et5xn

Next: 10-5, Use Wi-Fi Legally: http://tinyurl.com/2ca84d3