One of my favorite parts of preparing for upcoming talk show interviews is the amount of information I learn about the guest. Jeanette Windle did not disappoint me, in fact she is one of the most interesting authors. She is a child of missionaries and grew up in small towns and the jungles of Colombia. After college and as an adult, she moved to Bolivia to work in the mission field with her husband. While she is "state-side" now, she has traveled widely and brings this experience to her writing.
If you are an author who wants to write fiction that reads like an authentic account, stay tuned to this blog, and Jeanette will share her techniques and tips with you on how this can be done. She has experienced many of the places she writes about. Even if you can't go to the places you'd like to write about or talk to those you'd like to characterize in your book, you can glean much through the correct type of research.
Another interesting point is that Jeanette continues to participate in writing groups. She is teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. What a wonderful gift to those authors who attend. Jeanette currently resides in Lancaster, PA, so if you are in the area you will want to learn about the non-denominational writing group for Christian authors.
As an author I will never stop discovering new ideas and techniques that will continue to stretch my abilities. It is edifying to learn from some of the best! Obviously the access to information online has been a great boon to authors. Sometimes I wonder what we did beforehand. My trips to the college library to research seem so long ago! Are there any techniques you have found especially helpful in your writing projects? Let us know.
Showing posts with label published authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label published authors. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized: Writing Your Book
Time to Give Thanks and Get Organized
Writing Your Book
I speak to so many people who have dreamed of writing a book and becoming a published author. This is the best time to do it! Why? Because there is a new industry sprouting up and that is a self-publishing. Even traditionally published authors are sometimes self-publishing their books in order to expedite the turn around time. I will address the new rash of self-publishing houses owned by traditional publishers in a future blog post.
For today, don't put your writing project away quite yet. Before you get too caught up in the flurry make a list! I recently read a post that made me think! 6VAQJY4P6HT4 The suggestion was to make short lists that are manageable. For example no more that ten-twelve items at a time on a list! These are items you can get done that day.
I have an version of this system. I use yellow, or white pads of paper. You know, the legal kind where the pages flip over. I divide a line down the middle and put two headings. Today and Later. Under the today heading I have the items I must accomplish and under the later...things that crop up or I want to accomplish but I'm not sure I will get to today. It helps to keep my frustration level a bit lower!
I have on-going projects that will take weeks and it can be really disappointing to see them on my list day after day. For those I have a flow chart. I have one for books under contract, and another for a book line for books that will be released, including book promotion time lines. I am still tweaking these but hope to have them in an e-book version in 2010. This has been an invaluable help for me.
Just get it down on paper. Make sure you leave a few minutes a day to work toward your writing goals. Even if it is not putting words on paper, you will find that you are making progress if you are researching or editing. The most successful authors are those that sit on that chair, write and do not move! I have interviewed many of these wonderful authors and they all tell me the same thing. They just get it done. If they don't? The lose a contract.
I do want to take the time to say, thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post a comment, send an encouraging email or just read the blog, in general! It is because of people like you that there are writers like me. It has been my pleasure to host guest bloggers on this site, as well.
Before I end...one parting question...how do you get your writing tasks accomplished during the busy times of the year? Do you take a break or work through the holidays? I'll answer this question down below, and hope you'll post your advice as well.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Christian Authors Network
Christian Authors Network
What a blessing to have a group of Christian authors agree to interviews on my Blog Talk Radio show, here: http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com. These authors have one thread in common, they belong to CAN (Christian Authors Network). I was introduced to this wonderful group some years back. To be a member you must have a book published traditionally.
In the last few weeks, and some more ahead through the end of the year, I will be interviewing successful authors who have so much to share. Some have made their mark through writing articles, others through ghost writing and authoring their own books, and still others through collaborative efforts. Several are journalists, missionaries, and even romance writers. I have learned so much which is a bonus and perk. I have even received books to review, which I consider an honor.
One such book comes from the guest on an upcoming show, Gail Martin. She penned "Writing the Christian Romance" by Writers Digest books. I was delighted to receive a copy as I have always wanted to write a romance. Actually, I've written two, neither of which I've completed. I consider Gail's book to be one of the best in covering the topic of writing a romance from a Christian perspective. In fact, it has motivated me to pull out those files again and take a look. Maybe they are salvageable after all.
Gail has written a blog post on word placement, using a technique called "backloading" that in essence helps to make strong sentences. Writing boldly is her trademark and I look forward to interviewing Gail as well as reading her post!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Guest Blogger: Kathi Macias | Beginning Your Word Journey
“Beginning Your Word Journey”
by Kathi Macias
Ever since I was a child the call of a locomotive wailing in the distance as it headed for parts unknown has tugged at the strings of my heart—and I imagine I am not the only one who has had that experience. There is just something about that plaintive cry that woos us to drop what we are doing, run as fast as we can, and hop aboard for a serendipitous ride. And, of course, that is exactly what we want to accomplish for our readers as we invite them along on our journey of words.
If you have been following along with these articles, you know we have already learned how to “eat an elephant” (lay our track/focus for our writing) and “herd cattle” (snag our readers with a cow catcher). Now it is our responsibility to give those readers a fairly clear idea of where we are taking them. What can they expect to experience on this trip? Will it be a romantic ride through pleasant scenery, a frightening one through dark and unknown territory, a humorous journey with colorful fellow passengers, or maybe all of the above? Will it be a learning experience, or simply an entertaining diversion? Will it challenge their intellect, their values, or maybe even their sense of safety and security? Is it a journey they will want to take alone, or should they consider sharing it with a companion? All of these are valid questions, and we need to give our readers enough answers early on so they can make a decision as to whether or not they want to continue on the trip. And that, of course, is why we must make our locomotive as appealing as possible.
Now this doesn’t mean that before we have even pulled out of the station we have to reveal all that will take place during the entire journey; there is always room for surprises and even an occasional detour (so long as it is relevant to the story and does not get us off track) as the trip progresses. But it is essential that our readers get a clear sense of what they have signed up for before we attempt to take them any farther.
With that in mind, let’s look at an example of a locomotive from one of my nonfiction books, Mommy, Where Are You? The opening paragraph is the cow catcher, snagging the reader; the following nine paragraphs complete the locomotive, establishing the direction and pace of the journey.
Mother’s Day, 1954. I had just turned six. My palms were sweaty, my bony knees were knocking, and my heart was pounding in my ears, as I awaited my turn to stand up and announce to the entire kindergarten class, along with a sizable group of very proud mothers, why I loved my mom.
“I love my mom because she’s soft when I sit on her lap,” one little girl whispered shyly, as embarrassed giggles engulfed the other children.
“I love my mom because she bakes me cookies,” declared the freckle-faced boy across the aisle.
“I love my mom because she doesn’t make me take naps anymore,” added the curly-haired girl in front of me.
And then it was my turn.
“I…I love my mom because…” I stopped, horrified. I knew I loved my mom, and I knew there were a hundred reasons why I did, but for the life of me I couldn’t think of any one of them.
I turned and looked at the group of mothers seated in the back of the classroom. They were all smiling at me encouragingly, but my mom’s smile was the biggest of the bunch. And definitely the most beautiful. That’s when I remembered.
“I love my mom because she takes care of me when I’m sick,” I said, then added, “and that’s a lot!”
As I sat back down, I didn’t even mind the giggles sweeping across the room because I knew I had thought of just the right reason why I loved my mom. A frail, asthmatic child, I had already logged more sick time in my six short years than most people do in a lifetime. But no matter how sick I was or how long I had to stay in bed, I could always count on one thing: Mom would be right there by my side.
That was 1954. It was a lot more common—and a lot easier—for moms to be at their children’s side then than it is today. Kids growing up in that era were part of the “Donna Reed/Ozzie and Harriet/Father Knows Best” generation. We didn’t have to watch “Happy Days” on TV because we were living them. (Besides, we got only one channel on our black-and-white TV, and the most exciting thing that was ever on was wrestling or the test pattern.) When we called out, “Mommy, where are you?” we would hear her answer, “I’m in the kitchen, honey, making your lunch.” But when our children or our children’s children call out, “Mommy, where are you?” they are likely to hear a daycare worker inform them, “Mommy’s at work. She’ll pick you up at 5:30, just like she always does. Now go play with the other children.”
*Adapted from THE TRAIN-OF-THOUGHT WRITING METHOD: Practical, User-Friendly Help for Beginning Writers by Kathi Macias (AuthorHouse, 2005).
by Kathi Macias
Ever since I was a child the call of a locomotive wailing in the distance as it headed for parts unknown has tugged at the strings of my heart—and I imagine I am not the only one who has had that experience. There is just something about that plaintive cry that woos us to drop what we are doing, run as fast as we can, and hop aboard for a serendipitous ride. And, of course, that is exactly what we want to accomplish for our readers as we invite them along on our journey of words.
If you have been following along with these articles, you know we have already learned how to “eat an elephant” (lay our track/focus for our writing) and “herd cattle” (snag our readers with a cow catcher). Now it is our responsibility to give those readers a fairly clear idea of where we are taking them. What can they expect to experience on this trip? Will it be a romantic ride through pleasant scenery, a frightening one through dark and unknown territory, a humorous journey with colorful fellow passengers, or maybe all of the above? Will it be a learning experience, or simply an entertaining diversion? Will it challenge their intellect, their values, or maybe even their sense of safety and security? Is it a journey they will want to take alone, or should they consider sharing it with a companion? All of these are valid questions, and we need to give our readers enough answers early on so they can make a decision as to whether or not they want to continue on the trip. And that, of course, is why we must make our locomotive as appealing as possible.
Now this doesn’t mean that before we have even pulled out of the station we have to reveal all that will take place during the entire journey; there is always room for surprises and even an occasional detour (so long as it is relevant to the story and does not get us off track) as the trip progresses. But it is essential that our readers get a clear sense of what they have signed up for before we attempt to take them any farther.
With that in mind, let’s look at an example of a locomotive from one of my nonfiction books, Mommy, Where Are You? The opening paragraph is the cow catcher, snagging the reader; the following nine paragraphs complete the locomotive, establishing the direction and pace of the journey.
**************************
Mother’s Day, 1954. I had just turned six. My palms were sweaty, my bony knees were knocking, and my heart was pounding in my ears, as I awaited my turn to stand up and announce to the entire kindergarten class, along with a sizable group of very proud mothers, why I loved my mom.
“I love my mom because she’s soft when I sit on her lap,” one little girl whispered shyly, as embarrassed giggles engulfed the other children.
“I love my mom because she bakes me cookies,” declared the freckle-faced boy across the aisle.
“I love my mom because she doesn’t make me take naps anymore,” added the curly-haired girl in front of me.
And then it was my turn.
“I…I love my mom because…” I stopped, horrified. I knew I loved my mom, and I knew there were a hundred reasons why I did, but for the life of me I couldn’t think of any one of them.
I turned and looked at the group of mothers seated in the back of the classroom. They were all smiling at me encouragingly, but my mom’s smile was the biggest of the bunch. And definitely the most beautiful. That’s when I remembered.
“I love my mom because she takes care of me when I’m sick,” I said, then added, “and that’s a lot!”
As I sat back down, I didn’t even mind the giggles sweeping across the room because I knew I had thought of just the right reason why I loved my mom. A frail, asthmatic child, I had already logged more sick time in my six short years than most people do in a lifetime. But no matter how sick I was or how long I had to stay in bed, I could always count on one thing: Mom would be right there by my side.
That was 1954. It was a lot more common—and a lot easier—for moms to be at their children’s side then than it is today. Kids growing up in that era were part of the “Donna Reed/Ozzie and Harriet/Father Knows Best” generation. We didn’t have to watch “Happy Days” on TV because we were living them. (Besides, we got only one channel on our black-and-white TV, and the most exciting thing that was ever on was wrestling or the test pattern.) When we called out, “Mommy, where are you?” we would hear her answer, “I’m in the kitchen, honey, making your lunch.” But when our children or our children’s children call out, “Mommy, where are you?” they are likely to hear a daycare worker inform them, “Mommy’s at work. She’ll pick you up at 5:30, just like she always does. Now go play with the other children.”
**************************
Speaking in the first person, I used my own experience as a nervous six-year-old to draw in the readers and to map out their planned trip. Without too much guesswork readers can now assume that this book is probably directed to mothers of young children, most of whom are valiantly struggling to juggle their many and various responsibilities, including home, family, and career. Though readers may not yet know where I, as the author, stand on the subject or what my advice or counsel will be, they at least know enough to decide whether or not the subject is of sufficient interest to them to read on. If they decide to do so, then we have successfully begun our word journey, and we are ready to move on to the main body of our manuscript, the boxcars, which we will discuss in the next blog post.*Adapted from THE TRAIN-OF-THOUGHT WRITING METHOD: Practical, User-Friendly Help for Beginning Writers by Kathi Macias (AuthorHouse, 2005).
Monday, November 2, 2009
Guest Blogger: Candy Arrington
Are Your Writing Ideas Publishable?
© 2009 Candy Arrington
Each of us has gifts and talents, and as writers, we have unique ideas about how to convey various topics via the written word. So why is it that some ideas make it to publication and others don’t?
Often, would-be writers claim someone “took” their idea when they see a book release on a subject they are interested in writing about. But I believe God gives his message, in different forms, to many different messengers. Some heed the call immediately and follow through. Others get bogged down in preparations or procrastination. Years after the idea’s germination, they are still pondering but haven’t thought things through fully enough to get to the nugget that will interest a publisher.
Here are some things to consider when determining if you idea is publishable:
• What are you writing?
While this may sound amazing, I often review a manuscript the writer thinks is a book, when it’s really an article or devotional. Or a writer refers to something as an article that is really a personal experience story. Or a writer isn’t sure if he’s writing fiction or nonfiction. If you are writing a book, do you know which category your book would fit in on the bookstore shelf? Publishers expect you to know. Until you categorize your work, your writing isn’t likely to get published.
• Who is your audience?
Do you have a magazine or book publisher in mind for your manuscript? Novice writers write first and then try to place their manuscript. Professional writers write to the market rather than chasing it. Until you know your audience, your writing isn’t focused.
• Is there a market like for your topic?
Have you done market research to see what else is available on the topic? Have famous authors, who are considered “experts,” written on the topic? If so, you may well have a hard time getting a publisher to consider an additional book on the subject. Can you refine your idea, making it narrower and exploring a different twist on the topic? For example, the subject of parenting is broad. Narrow it down by writing about parenting a techno-savvy generation or effective parenting despite your upbringing.
• Do you have enough material to support your premise?
Have you created a full outline to see if you have enough for a book, or enough for an article? Can you avoid repeating and rephrasing material? Are there other sources you can draw from and quote? (One caveat: there is nothing more boring than a book of quotations broken up by a little commentary!)
• Is your idea captivating?
Can you sustain the text and hold reader interest throughout the work? Many times writers repeat the same ideas others have already written on, or worse, paraphrase a seminar they’ve attended. If you idea isn’t involved enough to be captivating, or is pirated from someone else, it will never see publication.
• Do you have a compelling beginning?
Are you hooking your readers and drawing them in from the first sentence? Start with a story, yours or someone else’s. Write in a narrative format that makes readers want to know more. You have to pique the curiosity of an editor or agent first before moving further in the publishing process.
About :
Candy Arrington’s writing provides Biblical insights and practical advice, often on tough topics. Her publishing credits include hundreds of articles in periodicals such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Encounter, Pray, The Lookout, The Upper Room, Advanced Christian Writer, CBN.com, The Writer, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s stories have appeared in the Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort series.
She is coauthor of When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life (Harvest House) and Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B & H Publishing Group). Candy is on staff with The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and also provides private paid writing critiques and editing. She is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.
Monday, October 12, 2009
New Author: Just Waiting for the Big Break!
It only takes one book, it only takes one "yes"...it only...
You've written a book, and it took every last ounce of determination. You are finished, you celebrate, and you look longingly at the manuscript which resides on your computer, or on a bookshelf wondering about you next step. Don't worry, we've all been there. Some of us for more years than we wish to share!
Writing a book can be a dream come true! Now it is time to let others read it (and not just your family). Get feedback from those you trust. Make a plan. And follow through.
If you are serious about getting your book published make a list and follow through:
1. Determine if you want to obtain a publisher or self publish
2. If you decide to obtain a royalty publisher, consider an agent
3. If you decide to self publish find a good, no I mean excellent editor
Self Publish duties:
Remember, even Shakespeare was an unpublished author at one time!
What is your story? If you are published what was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? If you are an unpublished author, what is your greatest need...or fear?
You've written a book, and it took every last ounce of determination. You are finished, you celebrate, and you look longingly at the manuscript which resides on your computer, or on a bookshelf wondering about you next step. Don't worry, we've all been there. Some of us for more years than we wish to share!
Writing a book can be a dream come true! Now it is time to let others read it (and not just your family). Get feedback from those you trust. Make a plan. And follow through.
If you are serious about getting your book published make a list and follow through:
1. Determine if you want to obtain a publisher or self publish
2. If you decide to obtain a royalty publisher, consider an agent
3. If you decide to self publish find a good, no I mean excellent editor
Self Publish duties:
- Editor
- Graphic Artist
- Interior book lay out
- Cover Art
- Printer
- Distribution
- Payment System
- Website/Blog
- Social Media
- Agent
- Royalty Publisher
- Attorney
- Marketing Strategies
- Website/Blog
- Social Media
- Interviews
- Lectures
- Book Trailer
- Other publicity ventures
Remember, even Shakespeare was an unpublished author at one time!
What is your story? If you are published what was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? If you are an unpublished author, what is your greatest need...or fear?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Publishers and Printers
Experts come in every shape and size. Some make you feel like you don't know very much and require their far superior information. Others explain way more than you'd ever want to know and make you wish you had never asked. And then there are the ones that are life-savers and are so helpful that you don't know what you'd do without them. Well, to a self published author a good printer is the life-saver, the one that makes us look good that can tweak, fudge and sends us back the manuscript for layout revisions if need be...or fix it on the spot with their pre-flight genius. (Pre-flight refers to the process a book goes through before it is printed.)
In the early days of my publishing career, I used the local printing shops to print up my books. I brought in a high quality laser copy. The company photo copied the pages. They were bulky, comb bound and I couldn't be more proud if the book had leather cover and gilded lettering. They were mine. I had sweated through the process, worked hard and ultimately finished after many, many setbacks. But, here it was in my hand and ready to be purchased by an eager reader, I was sure. The book retailed for $7.95 and was the first edition of "Teaching Science and Having Fun." My first official book speaking tour began with a conference in the Florida panhandle. I learned through a friend, that I had been chose as a Keynote speaker!
Armed with hundreds of books, the family trekked up the state to sell them. I am glad I listened to my husband and only printed 300. I had many books to trek back home. The conference was very well attended but many came to look and purchase at a later date. Questions came like a flock of geese heading south for the winter:
"Do you ship?"
"How much does it cost to ship?"
"Do you sell wholesale?"
"How much do you discount?"
Shipping? Wholesale? Discounting? What was all that? All I wanted to do was write a book and publish it not become a one-man storefront. I soon learned the process after much help from very kind people, like the lady who took about 50 books off of my hands to sell, and others who followed suit. The first bit of advice I received was to leave the price off the back cover of the book and raise the price to at least $12.95 so I could wholesale it at 40-50 percent discount. (Wow, that much! Little did I know that other larger wholesalers required 55-60% discount.)
Well, I'm still in business, the book in question now retails for $16.95 and is in it's 5th edition, and was selected as on of the top 100 Homeschool Curriculum. It has been used in Christian schools by educators, in co-ops and right here in my own home. In fact, I'll use it in the morning to reference the best place to purchase slowing agent for our upcoming Biology co-op.
I am especially thankful to my printer, now an offset printing company that prints the books in larger runs. The books are digitized and I can upload them with a click of a button from my computer to the company's website. The book sports a 4-color cover these days and nice quality paper on the inside. This definitely is a much improved version. It really helps to have a printer that can answer questions and works with me on upcoming projects.
I will be interviewing an expert, Mike McCoy who has lots of experience in the field of book printing, both commercial and with self-published authors. He offers personalized service and consultations on projects no matter how large or how small! Remember my husband's advice? Keep that first print-run small unless you have pre-sold books and know how you will discount and ship them! Better to be safe than in debt! Besides, you can always print a larger run the next time.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Writing Good Book Reviews: by Lori Kasbeer
People often times confuse book reviews with book reports. Book reports describe what happens in the book. Their focus is the retelling of facts concerning plot, characters, and the main idea. Book reviews inform readers what the book is like and whether it was enjoyable or not. Good book reviews help increase the sale of a book.
If you review books on your web site, be aware of the type of readers you have visiting and ask yourself if the subject matter will interest them. For Lori’s Book Reviews the majority of my audience is women between the ages of 20 to 60. I do have a few male readers, but it is predominately women. Therefore books I review will cover what I believe will interest them; you won’t find me reviewing book covering war stories because that is not what my readers are looking for.
When you are offered a book for review, remember that was something the author worked very hard for. Honest opinion of the book should be offered, but in a respectful manner.
Tips I found helpful when I write book reviews:
1. READ THE BOOK. I can not stress this enough, you can not offer a fair review if you only skim the book.
2. As you read the book write down themes or quotes that may interest readers.
3. While writing, tell readers about the story as if you are sitting across from them discussing the book.
4. Give the name of the author and the book several times throughout the review.
5. Since my tag line is “Reviewing Books with a Purpose” I want to share what insight I found in the book. How did the book bring readers closer to God?
6. Express your honest opinion. A review should either persuade readers to pickup the book or to avoid reading it.
7. Don’t give any surprises away in your review.
The on going debate right now is “Do Blog Book Reviews Drive Sales?” Anne Kingman and Michael Kindness, who are Random House sales representatives, reported that more than 30% of their readers at Books on the Nightstand have bought three to five books based on recommendations on the site and 14% have bought six or more, according to the 252 respondents to their recent reader survey. A recent survey of lit blog readers shows that 56% buy books primarily based on the influence of blogs. I believe publishers like Thomas Nelson, Random House and Tyndale House Publishers have realized this and now offer a blogger review program.
After you have a well written review posted on your web site, be sure to email the author or publishing house and offer a link to your review. Also post your reviews on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com to increase your exposure as a book reviewer.
If you are interested in becoming a book reviewer here are some links to get you started:
Thomas Nelson (http://brb.thomasnelson.com/)
Tyndale House (http://mediacenter.tyndale.com)
Lori's Book Reviews:
http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/lorisbookreviews/
If you review books on your web site, be aware of the type of readers you have visiting and ask yourself if the subject matter will interest them. For Lori’s Book Reviews the majority of my audience is women between the ages of 20 to 60. I do have a few male readers, but it is predominately women. Therefore books I review will cover what I believe will interest them; you won’t find me reviewing book covering war stories because that is not what my readers are looking for.
When you are offered a book for review, remember that was something the author worked very hard for. Honest opinion of the book should be offered, but in a respectful manner.
Tips I found helpful when I write book reviews:
1. READ THE BOOK. I can not stress this enough, you can not offer a fair review if you only skim the book.
2. As you read the book write down themes or quotes that may interest readers.
3. While writing, tell readers about the story as if you are sitting across from them discussing the book.
4. Give the name of the author and the book several times throughout the review.
5. Since my tag line is “Reviewing Books with a Purpose” I want to share what insight I found in the book. How did the book bring readers closer to God?
6. Express your honest opinion. A review should either persuade readers to pickup the book or to avoid reading it.
7. Don’t give any surprises away in your review.
The on going debate right now is “Do Blog Book Reviews Drive Sales?” Anne Kingman and Michael Kindness, who are Random House sales representatives, reported that more than 30% of their readers at Books on the Nightstand have bought three to five books based on recommendations on the site and 14% have bought six or more, according to the 252 respondents to their recent reader survey. A recent survey of lit blog readers shows that 56% buy books primarily based on the influence of blogs. I believe publishers like Thomas Nelson, Random House and Tyndale House Publishers have realized this and now offer a blogger review program.
After you have a well written review posted on your web site, be sure to email the author or publishing house and offer a link to your review. Also post your reviews on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com to increase your exposure as a book reviewer.
If you are interested in becoming a book reviewer here are some links to get you started:
Thomas Nelson (http://brb.thomasnelson.com/)
Tyndale House (http://mediacenter.tyndale.com)
Lori's Book Reviews:
http://laurelwreathsreflections.com/lorisbookreviews/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Book Signings: Joel N. Cobbs
by Joel N. Cobbs
· DO NOT be afraid of talking to people. Go to a bookstore, talk to the manager (preferably the General Manager) and set up an appointment.
· DO NOT give up! If a bookstore doesn't want to carry your book, just move on to the next one. If you decide to try the same chain, only do it once more or you'll be "flagged" and will have a hard time getting a signing there later on.
· DO NOT throw tantrums. Sure, this SOUNDS silly, but you'd be amazed. Having several friends in the business, I've heard many a tale about rude customers, but I've also heard some interesting ones about self-published authors.
· (EXAMPLE) A lady went into a Huntsville bookstore with a book she'd self-published. She didn't have the buyback guarantee and the store was unable to carry her book. She left in a huff, making a scene and attracting a lot of attention to herself and the people around her (INCLUDING THE GENERAL MANAGER.) Believe it or not, word travels fast between bookstores, almost as fast as Vegas casinos. If you throw a fit in one store, I promise another will hear about it within a few minutes, probably before you can get there. (How do you think I heard about it?)
· DO go the extra mile. For me, the best experience I had with author signings was with Rick & Bubba. They were scheduled to be at our store at 3 in the afternoon and leave at 6 (yes, only three hours.) So how long did they stay? Until EVERY CUSTOMER LEFT! (Which ran right up to the time we closed.) They even stayed a few minutes after the customers left so the employees could meet them and sign autographs. See? Because of that incident, when I think of author signings they IMMEDIATELY come to mind. Think of it this way, these are the people who are buying your books and telling others to buy them. You want every experience they have with you to be the best and one they'll never forget (in the good way, of course.)
· DO get your name out there. Email the local paper and ask them (say "please") to put a small something about your book signing. Email the contact person at the local news station and tell them about it. Tell your friends and family and ASK them to tell their friends and family.
· And once again, be nice. Realize that times are tough, bad things happen, etc. etc., and just swallow it like a mature adult and move on.
· DO NOT be afraid of talking to people. Go to a bookstore, talk to the manager (preferably the General Manager) and set up an appointment.
· DO NOT give up! If a bookstore doesn't want to carry your book, just move on to the next one. If you decide to try the same chain, only do it once more or you'll be "flagged" and will have a hard time getting a signing there later on.
· DO NOT throw tantrums. Sure, this SOUNDS silly, but you'd be amazed. Having several friends in the business, I've heard many a tale about rude customers, but I've also heard some interesting ones about self-published authors.
· (EXAMPLE) A lady went into a Huntsville bookstore with a book she'd self-published. She didn't have the buyback guarantee and the store was unable to carry her book. She left in a huff, making a scene and attracting a lot of attention to herself and the people around her (INCLUDING THE GENERAL MANAGER.) Believe it or not, word travels fast between bookstores, almost as fast as Vegas casinos. If you throw a fit in one store, I promise another will hear about it within a few minutes, probably before you can get there. (How do you think I heard about it?)
· DO go the extra mile. For me, the best experience I had with author signings was with Rick & Bubba. They were scheduled to be at our store at 3 in the afternoon and leave at 6 (yes, only three hours.) So how long did they stay? Until EVERY CUSTOMER LEFT! (Which ran right up to the time we closed.) They even stayed a few minutes after the customers left so the employees could meet them and sign autographs. See? Because of that incident, when I think of author signings they IMMEDIATELY come to mind. Think of it this way, these are the people who are buying your books and telling others to buy them. You want every experience they have with you to be the best and one they'll never forget (in the good way, of course.)
· DO get your name out there. Email the local paper and ask them (say "please") to put a small something about your book signing. Email the contact person at the local news station and tell them about it. Tell your friends and family and ASK them to tell their friends and family.
· And once again, be nice. Realize that times are tough, bad things happen, etc. etc., and just swallow it like a mature adult and move on.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Do Published Authors Have it Made?
Oh the life of a published author!
Book signings
T.V. and Radio Interviews
Featured Reviews in Major Publications
Cashing Royalty Checks
Eating bon-bon's while wondering if you will buy that French Chateau or go on the world cruise you always wanted...
I'm sure this might be a reality for some, yet the truth for most of us? Hardly. The life of an author is far from the glamor and lights. It is hard work that is rewarded with more hard work. Yes, I've had book signings at National Conventions, radio interviews, my books featured in major publications and I've made money. Yet, for a Christian there is a balance that is necessary, lest we boast.
Keeping my eyes focused on my work is an important element. The good news, for me? My family strives, without even trying, to keep me very down to earth! It is hard at times to dodge every prideful bullet. I do recognize the source of my success. It all comes from the Lord and I could not do it without Him.
This week, one of my wonderful friends, and blessings from the Lord, guest blogger Jackie Perseghetti will share her trials of the 10-Deadly Pitfalls Authors Step Into. She is a gem and you won't want to miss her interview, Monday August 31 on BlogTalk Radio
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Guest Blogger: Susan K. Marlow
Mistakes? You Don't Want to Be Branded a Beginner.
Part 1
Oh, those writing mistakes! Those mistakes that brand a new writer as a "beginner" to the editors we hope to impress with our work. I know all about them--intimately--because I've made most of them. News flash: I was a beginner once, too. But as soon as a seasoned writer pointed the mistakes out, I ceased (for the most part) making them. What separates the beginner from those who go on to become mature writers? It's how quickly they identify and overcome these common mistakes. Here are a few you can start to identify in your own writing:
1. Not beginning your story in the right place. A lot of new writers feel the reader needs back story, character expansion, or setting the scene before diving into the story problem. The truth is, the reader wants to be grabbed with a tantalizing "hook" and drawn into the story itself. Character development, setting, and even back story can be weaved into the story once you've got the reader turning pages. And . . . it's all about turning pages. An editor has a stack of manuscripts to read, and he gives himself a couple of minutes to scan each submission. If he isn't hooked by page 2 or 3, he's going to lay it aside and pick up the next manuscript. This happened to me, but thankfully an experienced, published author told me and not an editor from a publishing house! I had time to go back and start the story right where it needs to begin: just before the story problem. (This is especially true for children's literature.)
2. The need to explain everything. Another mistake beginners make is feeling they need to explain everything. I call this "giving the reader TMI." Too Much Information. The reader drowns in a sea of wordiness and redundancies. Trust me. Readers are smart. They can infer much that doesn't need to be explained. Here is a simplistic example: If a mountain lion is chasing a girl, you don't need to add the part about the girl running. The word "chase" assumes somebody is running. If something changes, (like she falls or climbs a tree), that's the time to tell the reader. Sometimes, in their need to "tell all," a new writer intrudes into the story. The reader knows right away that the action has stopped and he's been jerked from the story. For instance, a story is about the misadventures of Jane in the big city. Nothing seems to be going right for her throughout the entire book. A chapter ends, and then . . . bang! The next chapter begins with, "Jane had come to the city to try and find a job. Now it looked like it wasn't going to work out so well, so she decided to try another alternative." Stop! The whole story has been about Jane's problem. Why review this just because it's a new chapter? And lest you think I'm making this up, except for the name and setting changes to protect the guilty, I found this in a recent editing job.
3. Telling and not showing. Explaining is another word for telling. New writers sometimes do a lot of telling. After all, it's much easier to narrate (tell) a story than to show what is happening. Memorize this phrase: Show. Don't Tell. The reader does not want to learn second-hand what happened in scene about two rivals having a conflict at the water cooler. The reader wants to be at the water cooler, listening in to the conversation, sensing the emotions, being involved in the characters' lives. Even experienced authors sometimes slip into "telling" when their fingers are flying over the keys and they want the story to move quickly. I broke off a scene once, just as my character was about to be dumped fromher horse in front of a group of young ladies. I did a scene break and then had my character retelling her humiliating experience to her roommate. My critique partner wisely slammed me for it and said, "But I want to SEE Andi getting dumped from the horse." Oh. Yeah. Good point.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Cover Story
I enjoy interviewing and learning from my guests on the “Information in a Nutshell” Blog Talk radio show. Every guest has different insights. Eric Reinhold, author of two fantasy books for children, (with a third one in the works), explained that he was fearful he would dislike the book cover chosen by the publisher. He also shared that many of his author friends dislike their book covers. So, he became pro-active and hired the illustrator himself.
The illustrator is an amazingly talented man, and he has captured the essence of the characters. This is something that is difficult at best. An author has an idea in his or her head of what the characters look like. Getting this idea onto paper in words is a daunting task. Eric sent me samples of the many illustrations for his new book. You can view them on Eric's website: http://www.ryannwatters.com
Eric isn't the only one who cares about his book covers. Another author, Susan K. Marlow, who penned the "Circle C Adventure” series from Kregel Publications was concerned as well. She took sample photos of her characters, which the publisher ended up using on the covers of her books for ’tweens! She was surprised, never dreaming they would use the actual photos. She sent several poses as a "humble" suggestion to the publisher. It was her “vision” of the characters, and she wanted to help paint a picture for the graphic artist. With her fifth novel on the horizon, Susan asked the publisher if she could have a “cover” contest to see which photo her readers liked better. She got a great response, but the publisher ended up going with the cover that hadn’t “won” the cover contest. They were both great concepts, so it didn’t really matter to Susan. Publishers sometimes appreciate help from the author, but it is no guarantee that they will take every suggestion to heart. Still, it is worth a try.
The Truth Seeker Mystery Series TM, the action-adventure novels I penned with my daughter, Christina, also had our input. The first book cover was sketched on a piece of paper, scanned, and sent to the graphic artist. He took the ideas and used a picture he had taken as a kid of a burning boat. The second novel was more difficult. We needed our characters rappelling from high atop a mountain in Colorado. Since we live in Florida and have never traveled to Colorado, this posed a bit of a dilemma. An option presented itself when I contacted a friend, a firefighter who owned rappelling gear. I needed a young man, so I called another friend of mine, and her son volunteered. No mountains in southwest Florida, but plenty of trees in our yard. With a little help we were able to hoist our “character” up a tree. There he hung, posing willingly while we shot pictures from every angle. With the wonders of photo-enhancing techniques, a mountain was inserted into the background, and the “rappelling” character placed in the scene.
For the third novel cover I wanted to depict an underwater scene. Our family has quite a few certified scuba divers (including myself), so we did not have a shortage of subjects. Once again it was staged, this time in our backyard swimming pool, with my daughter’s underwater camera. The problem for me was buoyancy. I did not have a wetsuit or weight belt on and had difficulty staying submerged long enough to take the photos. With the aid of my husband (holding me underwater, by the shoulders…I kid you not!), I was able to successfully take the photo that adorns the cover of the third novel. My nephew’s contribution was the underwater picture shot of a reef while on his honeymoon in the Caribbean.
It is amazing to me the lengths authors go to in order to make sure their work shines inside and out. Are you concerned that your book cover will not reflect your vision? Do you have a book cover story? What is your dilemma, and how can I help?
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