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Inklings Issue 2.08
================================================================
i n k l i n g s
Newsletter for Writers on the Net
Issue 2.8 May 17, 1996
================================================================
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0208.html>
INTERVIEW WITH MARCIA YUDKIN
Author of "Freelance Writing For Magazines and Newspapers"
FRESH INK - resources for writers on the net
Market Information - First Sale Stories - Subscriber
Publications
COLUMN TOPICS:
Agents for children's writers? - Susan Graham
First novel offers - by Carol Henson
Where should I send my picture book? - by Lee Wardlaw
Thanks to those who sent me email, wishing me a good vacation.
You can see
some of my holiday pics at
<http://www.inkspot.com/~ohi/photos.html>. We
paddled into the cottage while the lake was still frozen,
navigating around
the ice near the shore and bashing through thin bits with our
paddles when
necessary. Had a wonderfully relaxing week! The ice went out
halfway
through the week.
Thanks to Bruce Balan for the nice review about Inklings in his
Technology Column for the SCBWI newsletter.
I have been getting a number of email messages from subscribers
confusing
Inklings with the children's email discussion list hosted by the
Children's Book Insider people. Please note I have nothing to do
with
the children's book mailing list. The CBI folks can be reached
at <cbi@rmi.net>.
Inkings is now downloadable from the AOL Writer's Club (Business
of Writing
library).
=================================================================
========
This issue sponsored in part by:
* Samurai Consulting *
<http://www.samurai.com/>
Services include internet consulting, WWW page design,
electronic
newsletters (like INKLINGS!), mailing lists, FTP sites, system
maintenance, and training. Contact Bryan Fullerton at
bryanf@samurai.com for more info.
=================================================================
=========
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1996 Debbie Ridpath Ohi. See end of
issue
for more copyright details, and info on how to subscribe and
unsubscribe. Send questions and comments to ohi@inkspot.com.
=================================================================
=========
FRESH INK
=========
Bricolage list of publisher guidelines
--------------------------------------
"Publishers and editors of the publications listed here have
indicated
their readiness to: 1.receive queries or accepted work via email,
and
2.pay for the material which they publish."
<http://bel.avonibp.co.uk/bricolage/resources/lounge/pubs/inde
x.html>
Electronic rights in newspapers and magazine contracts
------------------------------------------------------
Info courtesy ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors).
Also see
"E-Wrongs About E-Rights" at
<http://www.eskimo.com/~brucem/ewrongs.htm>
<http://www.eskimo.com/~brucem/asjatips.htm>
MLA-Style Citations of Electronic resources
-------------------------------------------
Useful guide for those wondering how to cite sources of
electronic info.
<http://www.cas.usf.edu/english/walker/mla.html>
Avoiding Publishing Scams
-------------------------
Advice from WebCube, small press and publishing distributor.
<http://www.webcube.com/authors/scams.htm>
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
--------------------------------
Nonprofit organization founded in 1967 by a group of writers and
educators
who believed that writers could make a unique contribution to the
teaching
of writing.
<http://www.twc.org/>
U.S. Graduate writing programs
------------------------------
Kudos to Erin Fitzgerald <galleria@nai.net> for starting
this long-needed
resource!
<http://members.aol.com/galleria/mfalist.htm>
Anne Hart's Resources for Writers on the Web
--------------------------------------------
Author of over 40 books has compiled a useful list of resources
for writers.
<http://bel.avonibp.co.uk/bricolage/resources/websites/ahart.h
tml>
Scriptito's Place
-----------------
Writing resource center for young writers. Contests, tips, useful
articles.
<http://members.aol.com/vangarnews/scriptito.html>
Writer & Client Newsletter
--------------------------
Publication by and for freelance business & technical writers and
business
professionals is now on the web. Free emal subscription available
by
contacting essncom@primenet.com.
<http://www.primenet.com/~essncom/writer.html>
=================================================================
=========
MARKET INFORMATION
==================
Please note: Inklings does its best to print only accurate market
info.
However, it cannot be held responsible for lost postage, time,
etc. that
you may incur due to inaccuracies. Do not send submissions by
email before
inquiring first. You should get current, detailed guidelines
before
submitting. Include SASE for snailmail replies.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MARKET SOURCE:
Scavengers's Newsletter
-----------------------
Excellent monthly market info letter for
sf/fantasy/horror/mystery writers
and artists with an interest in the small press. Sample copy $2.
SUBSCRIPTION INFO -- Bulk: $15.50/yr, First Class: $19.50/yr,
Canada:
$18.50/yr, Overseas: $24.50/yr air mail, $15.50 surface. All
orders in U.S.
funds, MO, or mint US stamps. Contact: Janet Fox, 519 Ellinwood,
Osage
City, KS USA 66523-1329.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Dimensions of Madness mix-up
----------------------------
Because of vague wording on my part, some subscribers thought
they were
supposed to write to DarkEcho@aol.com for submission guidelines
to the new
Dimensions of Madness anthology. Paula's email address was
included only as
a source of the market listing, from her horror writer's
newsletter.
Apologies to DarkEcho@aol.com and to those subscribers whom I
confused. To
get more information about the Dimensions of Madness anthology,
you'll have
to snailmail a request to: Dimensions of Madness, Angelus Press,
7 St.
Luke's Road, Allston, MA 02134. To get information about Paula's
excellent email newsletter for horror writers, contact
DarkEcho@aol.com.
Phase Transitions
-----------------
"New on-line sf market. They've just opened up for business; no
cost to
read, but any donations that readers feel inclined to give will
be applied
toward paying future authors (i.e., a funding model sort of like
public
broadcasting, but without the government subsidy :-). Note that
donations
do _not_ benefit existing authors who've already been paid." See
website
for details. (Source: Inklings subscriber)
<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~jaustin/Phase/Transitions.html>
;
Imagine
-------
New publisher looking for "cute, happy, and entertaining works of
fiction
appropriate for children under 11 years of age." Flexible
length. "We want
stories that lend themselves very well to rich illustrations.
Also, we are
particularly interested in stories that are in a series." Payment
arrangement will be on a royalty basis of between 10-25% of the
retail
price depending upon the contribution to each product. Royalties
will be
paid twice a year. "We plan on developing some electronic
childrens' fiction
and distributing it via the internet."
<http://www.olympus.net/biz/imagine>
Email contact: Matthew Ready <imagine@olympus.net>
ARTNET Writers' Opportunities
-----------------------------
List of writing contests and call for submissions. Part of a
larger site
called ArtNet, which includes opportunities in various arts,
including
writing. For more information, contact editor@cedarbay.com
<http://www.teleport.com/~cedarbay/artnet.html>
-- See Writers' Section
The Black Lily
--------------
"The Black Lily fantasy, historic medieval, gothic/horror,
and ghost story themes. Vincent Kuklewski, 8444 Cypress
Circle, Sarasota, FL 34243-2006. Summer issue full, reading
for fall & winter issues. Still need fantasy/medieval stories,
poetry, work with erotic edges, & seeking story 40K to
60K to serialize. Pays $5 per 10K. Cover art pays $20 -
medieval horror theme. Single copy $4.50, Quarterly
subscription $15.00. NOTE: word is Black Lily has financial
problems
and is only paying half what their published guidelines say."
(Source: Heliocentric NETWORK. http://www.wolfenet.com/~lbothell)
Non-fiction with Chinese themes wanted
--------------------------------------
China Books publishes fiction and nonfiction picture books
through middle
grade, all with a Chinese theme. Currently looking for
nonfiction in the
following areas: China's history, environment and language;
textbooks,
folklore, how-to, self-help, gardening, religion, travel. Send a
query with
description of the book, table of contents and two sample
chapters to James
Wang, Editor, China Books and Periodicals, Inc., 2929 24th
Street, San
Francisco, CA 94110. A catalog is available and free upon
request. It
should also be noted that a small percentage of this publisher's
books are
subsidy.
Talebones: Fiction on the Dark Edge
-----------------------------------
Patrick Swenson, Editor/Publisher, Fairwood Press, 10531 SE 250th
Pl #104,
Kent WA 98031. One of 3 finalists for "Best New Magazine", voted
on by
the Genre Writer's Association. "Now reading for #5, to be
published in
October. Need more dark SF, fewer vampire and writer stories!
Still
responding to mss rather quickly (one week, usually). Submit now
while
the amount of mss is still manageable! Now paying 1 cent/wd for
ALL
fiction, regardless of track record. Sample $5, $16/yr (4)."
(Source: Scavenger's Newsletter)
Frontiers
---------
Blue Heron Press, POB 670096, Houston TX 77067-0096. Harry Hoge,
Fiction
Editor; Bradley Earle, Poetry Editor. Literary prose and poetry
that
explores the hero's journey -- survival and exploration. One Time
Rights.
Originals only, no reprints. Fiction: any length but over 10,000
wds not
likely to be selected. Poetry. Payment $10 for stories less than
5,000
words, $20 for stories over 5,000 words, $5 for poems.
Contributors receive
2 copies of the journal. Simultaneous subs okay. Deadline is
Sept.1 each
fall. Stories concerning the American frontier will be given
first
priority; however, all frontiers will be considered: historic
exploration,
deep sea exploration, exploration of hostile environments,
metaphysics
or space exploration. Anywhere there is a frontier there is a
story worth
telling. Standard mss format. We will gladly recycle mss to save
postage.
Unpublished writers given the same consideration as others. The
editors also
produce a second anthology: _Quantum Taol_, released in the
spring.
A copy of either journal is $4.95. (Source: Scavenger's
Newsletter)
New Millennium Writing
----------------------
"NEW MILLENNIUM WRITING, A Journal for the 21st Century, is a
brand new
publication out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Seeking fresh, original,
forward-looking pieces that are excellent or provocative in some
way. No
charge to submit. Include brief bio note. Pays in copies or, for
assigned
pieces, a negotiated fee. Send to: NMW, P.O. Box 2463, Knoxville,
TN 37901.
(12/96)" (Source: Artist & Author Showcase at
<http://www.teleport.com/~cedarbay/menu.html>)
=================================================================
=========
INTERVIEW WITH MARCIA YUDKIN
-----------------------------------------------------------------
---------
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
<ohi@inkspot.com>
Marcia Yudkin has published hundreds of magazine articles in
publications ranging from the New York Times Magazine and
Psychology
Today to Cosmopolitan and New Age Journal. She is also the author
of
eight nonfiction books, including "Freelance Writing For
Magazines
and Newspapers" (HarperCollins).
How did you get into freelance writing?
--------------------------------------
In 1980, I was quitting a job as a college professor, thinking
I'd go off
and write the Great American Novel. When reading the daily New
York
Times one day I happened to read a notice soliciting advertisers
for a
new section of the NY Times on education. I thought, "Maybe
they're
looking for articles too" and shot off a query letter. The
editor called
two days later and asked me to go ahead on speculation. That
article
was published on January 4, 1981 and launched me as a freelance
writer.
How useful is the internet to you in your writing?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
------
I went online in early 1994 thinking that it would simplify the
process
of rounding up interviewees for a book I was starting to write.
It did
indeed do that, and surprised me by bringing me business as well.
In
asking for people to interview, I introduced myself as the author
of *Six
Steps to Free Publicity,* my previous book, and discovered that
this sold
books for me, and got me consulting clients. My surprise and
curiosity
about this led to my next book contract, for *Marketing Online*,
also
from Plume/Penguin Books, so you could say that the Internet (in
the
broad sense of cyberspace) has been extremely useful for my
writing career.
How did you track down potential interviewees?
----------------------------------------------
I posted notices on the small-business forums on Prodigy, America
Online
and CompuServe. I also had a friend post notices on The Well,
where she
was a member. I worried that I'd be deluged with responses. In
fact, I
had to post variations of my notice several times, with different
headlines and different wording, over a period of a month or two
to get
the responses I needed. But it sure was more convenient and less
expensive than the alternative -- getting on the phone and asking
everyone I knew if they could think of people who would be good
for me to
talk to.
What is your daily work schedule like? (e.g. work habits)
---------------------------------------------------------
Mornings are my best time for writing, so I try to preserve them
for
writing. When I'm working on a book I work 7 days a week to keep
the
momentum going. Actually, I work most days anyway. I quit by
mid-afternoon and rarely write in the evening.
What kind of goals do you set for yourself, if any?
---------------------------------------------------
When I'm working on a book, I'm happy to write three pages a day.
I try
not to push myself to do more than that, because it usually means
I'll
have less energy the following day.
How do you organize your work?
------------------------------
I use file folders inside my desk, boxes full of certain
categories of notes on the floor near my desk and the old
papers-everywhere-on-top-of-the-desk method. Right now I'm
collecting
ideas for multiple projects, so I try to keep all the notes
separate in
different folders. I also try not to rely too much on what's in
my
computer, and instead of making backup disks I make sure to have
one copy
on paper of most things that I have in the computer.
What are you working on right now?
----------------------------------
I'm working on a co-authored book on women entrepreneurs and
another
that's more of a personal memoir.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
You can get e-mailed copies of Marcia Yudkin's FAQs by sending
e-mail (it
doesn't matter what is contained in the e-mail) to:
fl@yudkin.com (for The Freelance Writing FAQ)
prinfo@yudkin.com (for The Small Business Publicity FAQ)
=================================================================
=========
ASK THE AGENT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--------
by Susan Graham of Graham Literary Agency
<slgraham@atl.mindspring.com>
Children's writer representation?
---------------------------------
Q: Do you represent children's writers?
A: Not usually. I haven't been very good at it when I tried it
so far, and
it would have to be a rather amazing book for me to have another
go at it.
Instead, I would recommend that you query another agency that
specializes
in childrens books, such as McIntosh & Otis.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Susan L. Graham owns Graham Literary Agency, Inc. She represents
genre
fiction as well as commercial fiction and nonfiction. Her unique
Website (http://www.mindspring.com/~slgraham/) helps to promote
her
authors and the agency.
Copyright (c) 1996, Graham Literary Agency, Inc. All rights
reserved.
=================================================================
=========
ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--------
by Carol Henson
<UBKX12C@Prodigy.com>
First novel offer?
------------------
Q:
My daughter had a small press offer to publish her first novel.
They
say they can't pay an advance, but would give her 8% of the
book's
earnings. Is this a reasonable deal?
A:
My first thought is ANY offer for a first novel should be grabbed
up
instantly. That would be MY decision if I were in your
daughter's place.
But maybe I should ask a few questions and make another
suggestion, just to
round out the decision making process. Does your daughter have
an agent?
Has she had any other offers? Sometimes if one publisher is
interested,
other publishers who have seen the book but passed on it will
take a second
look now that there is an offer on the table. That could result
in a
bidding war and a little more money. But then again, maybe not if
the offer
is coming from a small press. Tell the publisher your agent will
get back
to them shortly. Now, contact an agent from a list of reputable
ones, if
you don't already have an agent, and tell them you've been
offered a
contract. Any agent worth his/her salt will want to take you on
and help
you out of this fortunate situation. Or... you could take my
first
suggestion and run with the offer as it stands! <vbg>
Then tell your
daughter to get cracking on her next book. Keep me informed,
okay? And
trust yourself.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Carol Henson is a Book Doctor/editor/author and is happy to
respond to
your questions about Book Doctors, editing, writing, etc. Her
web page is
located at: http://pages.prodigy.com/MI/ubkx12c/bookdoc.html.
Copyright (c) 1996 Carol Henson. All rights reserved.
=================================================================
========
ASK THE CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--------
by Lee Wardlaw
<Katknip2@aol.com>
Q: I have written an unusual piece about a little girl who has
a hearing
mommy and a deaf daddy. I've also hired an award-winning deaf
artist to do
the illustrations. The manuscript is in both English and Spanish.
Have you
any leads where I might send this?
A: Before you send this manuscript anywhere, first check
CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN
PRINT at your local library (under the subject "Deafness" or
"Hearing
Impaired") to see how many other books similar to yours have
already been
published. This will tell you whether there's a market for your
book, and to
which publishers you should avoid sending it. (If a publishing
house has
recently published a book with a hearing-impaired theme, they're
not going to
want to publish another.)
As to where to send the manuscript, ask yourself: Does the book
have a
universal theme or focus in which *all* children will be
interested? If so,
than you can send the book to any of the major publishers. If
the theme or
focus is more narrow, you will need to chose a smaller publishing
house that
specializes in this type of book. (For example, Albert Whitman
does a number
of books about kids with "handicaps".) You can find a list of
publishers and
the types of manuscripts they are looking for in the Children's
Writer's &
Illustrator's Market, available at most bookstores.
Most publishing houses prefer to hire their own illustrators for
picture
books, so be sure your award-winning artist understands that an
editor may
show an interest in buying your manuscript but *not* the
illustrations. If
you feel having a deaf artist adds to the value and promotability
of the
book, then submit two or three of his/her illustrations along
with your
story. (One should be a complete drawing in full-color; the
other two should
be black-and-white sketches. *Do Not* send original artwork;
color
photocopies only.)
I wouldn't bother to mention that you have written the book in
both English
and Spanish - - until after you sign the contracts. Most
mainstream
publishing houses do not publish translated versions of their
books or sell
the translation rights until after they see how well the book has
sold to
schools, libraries, and in bookstores. -L.W.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Lee Wardlaw is the author of 16 books for young readers, ranging
from
picture books to young adult novels. Titles include THE TALES OF
GRANDPA
CAT (illustrated by Ronald Searle) and SEVENTH-GRADE WEIRDO. 101
WAYS TO
BUG YOUR PARENTS (middle grade novel) and THE GHOUL BROTHERS
(first chapter
book) will be released this fall.
Lee's web page is at
http://www.inkspot.com/~ohi/inkspot/a-lee.html
Copyright (c) 1996 Lee Wardlaw. All rights reserved.
=================================================================
=========
"FIRST SALE" STORY: Pamela S. Kramer
<Pamela_Kramer@msn.com>
============================================================
"I made my first sale about 10 years ago when I was working as an
employment
manager for a school district in Denver. Reading applications
and resumes
and conducting interviews gave me some "inside" information into
the best
way to land a job. I've always been interested in magazine
writing, so I
sent a query to Woman's World, a weekly which I read regularly
and knew
they ran a column called On The Job every issue. They asked me
to submit
the piece on spec, which I did. They accepted the story, and
asked me to
think of more ideas, which I did. The same editor also was in
charge of
another column called Your Money and she asked me to think of
consumer/finance topics as well. I wrote for these two columns
several
times a month for about two years. Nowadays I still write about
careers
and money but I also write about parenting, relationships and
senior issues
as well. My latest assignment was for Woman's Day. I love this
business!"
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Thanks to those who sent me "first sale" stories. I will be using
some of
them in upcoming issues. Published authors: please encourage
others by
sharing the story of how you made your first sale! Send your
paragraph to
ohi@inkspot.com with "first sale" in the subject header.
=================================================================
=========
SUBSCRIBER BOOKS
================
If you have a book coming out this year, send the info (BRIEF,
please, no
press releases) to ohi@inkspot.com with "inklings book promo" in
the
subject header. Subscribers only, please. I will print a few each
issue. If
this is your first sale, please let me know so I can highlight
it!
***BUZZ MAURO & DEB GOTTESMAN: _The Interview Rehearsal Book:
Seven Days to
Job-Winning Interviews Using Acting Skills You Never Knew
You Had._
(Piccolo Press, summer/96).
SUSAN CRITES PRICE & TOM PRICE: "The Working Parents Help Book:
Practical Advice for Dealing with the Day-to-Day Challenges
of Kids and
Careers," Second Edition, Updated and Expanded, (Peterson's,
Fall
1996).
JONNIE JACOBS: _Shadow of Doubt_. Kensington, hc, $18.95.
Mystery Novel.
***First sale!
=================================================================
=========
WRITERS' MAGAZINE INDEX
=======================
WRITER'S DIGEST, MAY 1996
-------------------------
Questions and Answers About Copyright, Your Short Story Shape-Up
Plan,
The Travel Writer's Most Valuable Writing Tool, Big Needs At the
Tiny
Take-Home Church Papers, The 1996 Writer's Digest Guide To
Writers'
Conferences, Seminars & Workshops, Chronicle: Seeking The Freedom
To Write.
(Thanks to Lisa Ramaglia <lisa.ramaglia@corpsoft.com> for
following info)
BYLINE, MAY 1996
----------------
Working with Small Presses-by Penny Ehrenkranz
Eight Weeks to a One-Act Play-by Amy Munnell
Writing Essays from Experience-by Howard Scott
End Piece: Real Writers Work Naked-by Shirley-Rae Redmond
Fiction: Ten Minutes of Bliss-by C. L. Daniels
The Final Draft: Don't Be Subtle-by Marcia Preston
Would We Pass the Test?-by Kathryn Fanning
Wrestling With the New Poetries-by Betty Shipley
Byline's address is: P.O. Box 130596, Edmond OK 73013, 1 year
US$20.00 (11 issues).
Writer's Journal Vol. 17, No. 4
-------------------------------
FEATURES:
Writing About Crime...Jack London's Million Dollar
Eyes...Tracking the Elusive Guideline...Lessons Learned from
a Rewrite...A Word About Words...Let Your Fingers Do the
Walking...12 Tips on Finding the Best Writing Books For
You...Magnify It to See It...Every Day With Poetry...Asther
Comments
COLUMNS:
Software review--Plots Unlimited, For Beginners Only: The
Art of Transition, So You Want to Be a Travel Writer: Sample
Query Letters, Writer's Clubs, Words...Tools of Our Trade:
Misuses of the English language. (There are several more.)
(Subscription info: Val-Tech Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 25376,
St. Paul MN
55125, 1 year US$19.97 for 6 issues).
The Writer, May 1996
---------------------
The Making of a Novelist--Barbara Taylor Bradford, Making
the Reader Care--Marjorie Franco, Writing How-To Articles--
Dennis E. Hensley & Holly G. Miller, Writing the
Supernatural Novel--Elizabeth Hand, Writing Mysteries for
Young Readers--Willo Davis Roberts
(Subscription info: THE WRITER, 120 Boylston Street, Boston MA
02116-4615
(617)423-3157 fax-(617)423-2168, 1 year--$28.00, 2 years--$52.00,
3 years--$75.00)
The Writer, June 1996
---------------------
Writing the Disaster Novel--Richard Martin Stern, The
All-Important Query Letter--Steve Weinberg, Creating
Memorable Endings--Peter Robinson, Breaking Into Book
Reviews--Brian McCombie
SPECIAL FEATURES:Market in Bloom: Writing for Gardening
Magazines, Writing for Pelican Publishing Company--Nina
Kooij (for subscription info, see above listing)
=================================================================
=========
EDITOR: Debbie Ridpath Ohi (ohi@inkspot.com)
COPY EDITOR: Cathy Rutland (cathyr@rom.on.ca)
Subscribers are welcome to recirculate or reprint Inklings for
nonprofit
use as long as the appropriate credit is given and the ENTIRE
text of
the newsletter is included (including credits and information at
the end
of each issue). Others should contact me at ohi@inkspot.com.
All articles copyrighted by their authors.
Inklings is a free newsletter for writers on the net and is
published every
2-3 weeks. More info at
<http://www.inkspot.com/~ohi/ink/inklings.html>
Inklings is part of my writers' website:
INKSPOT: Resources for Writers
<http://www.inkspot.com/~ohi/inkspot>
To subscribe & unsubscribe: Send e-mail to majordomo@samurai.com
with
"subscribe inklings" in the message body. To unsubscribe, use
"unsubscribe inklings". Find out more information with "info
inklings". EMAIL: ohi@inkspot.com. SNAILMAIL: Inklings, 55 McCaul
St.,
Box 123, Toronto, ON Canada M5T 2W7 (for packages, contact me
first)
===============================================================
