Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Inklings Issue 2.02
================================================================
i n k l i n g s
Newsletter for Writers on the Net
Issue 2.2 February 09, 1996
================================================================
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0202.html>
In This Issue
-------------
Feature Articles:
----------------
CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR: LEE WARDLAW
BEWARE THE AGENCY AGREEMENT - by Ivan Hoffman, B.A., J.D.
Columns:
--------
FRESH INK What's new for writers, best of the Web
MARKET Market information
ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR Carol Henson answers reader's questions
ASK THE AGENT with Susan Graham from Graham Literary
Agency
ASK THE LAWYER New column with Ivan Hoffman
WORKSHOP Writer's Poll results: market info
sources
An online reader survey is available for those who lost their
annual
surveys, or who subscribed after the surveys were mailed out.
This
survey will be available year-round and is located at:
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/ink/survey.html.
I've revised the "bounced issue" policy to the following: If your
e-mail address bounces two issues in a row, I will be forced to
unsubscribe you (sorry, but my mailbox gets full of bounced mail
otherwise). Previously I sent out test messages in response to
bounce
messages, but as the subscription list grows I am finding this
takes
too long.
If you suspect you've missed an issue, you can check the most
recent
issue at ftp://ftp.samurai.com/pub/lists/inklings/, or the
website
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/ink/inklings.html. If you suspect
you've
been unsubscribed, you can always try re-subscribing yourself by
sending
email to majordomo@samurai.com with "subscribe inklings" in the
message
body. If you are still on the subscribers' list, you will receive
an
automated message telling you so.
==============================================================
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.
==============================================================
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@interlog.com.
==============================================================
FRESH INK
=========
London Screenwriters Workshop
-----------------------------
"This site aims to become the major source of screenwriting
information
within the UK with a particular emphasis on New Writers and New
Opportunities." Events, contests, workshops, courses, websites,
other
useful information. A Virtual Script Workshop is being started
(for more
info, see
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/gh91/virtual.htm).
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/square/gh91/lsw.htm
Email contact: jhobsona@cix.compulink.co.uk
Lou Grantt's home page
----------------------
Lou Grantt is a script consultant, and his site is full of useful
information for writers in general as well as scriptwriters. Be
sure
to check out his hints about writing action sequences and doing
research.
http://www.primenet.com/~lgrantt/
Email: lgrantt@primenet.com
***The Scrivenery
-----------------
Monthly online journal for fiction writers. Elegantly
designed...Ed
Williams has done an excellent job with this site. Contains prose
exercises, vignettes submitted in response to the exercises,
essays on
writing and the writing life, a calendar of literary birthdays
with
quotations from well-known authors, and other miscellany of the
author's
trade. The Marketplace
(http://www.hti.net/www/hwilliam/market.htm), for
example, contains markets for short fiction, a place for authors
to
announce publications and promotional appearances, events,
conferences,
contests, guidelines, and calls for manuscripts.
http://www.hti.net/www/hwilliam/index.html
Email contact: hwilliam@wally.hti.net (Ed Williams)
The Art DEADLINES List
----------------------
A list of competitions, contests, call for entries/papers,
grants,
scholarships, fellowships, jobs, internships, etc, in the arts or
related areas (painting, drawing, animation, poetry, writing,
music,
multimedia, reporting/journalism, cartooning, dance, photography,
video,
film, sculpture, etc), some of which have prizes worth thousands
of
dollars. It is international in scope. Contests and competitions
for
students, K-12 and college aged, are included. Some events/items
take
place on the Internet.
http://rtuh.com/adl
Email: adl@rtuh.com
Foreign Language Resources
--------------------------
From Arabic to Yiddish, you'll find many language resource links
here.
http://www.itp.berkeley.edu/~thorne/HumanResources.html
Resources for Teachers of English for Science and Technology
------------------------------------------------------------
Links to useful resources on the web for those interested in
technical and scientific writing. There is also a mailing list:
EST-L: A mailing list for teachers of English for Science and
Technology
Subscribe by sending the command "sub est-l [First Name] [Last
Name]"
to listserv@asuvm.inre.asu.edu
http://www.cibnor.conacyt.mx/est/est.html
Writers' Research Service
-------------------------
A team of freelance researchers will do your research (via
libraries and
internet). Selected archive of research materials/topics ranging
from
crime to chocolate recipes, serial killers to Superman movies.
Each
research report consists of 20-25 pages, coming from numerous
sources,
tailored on your needs and specifications. For more info, contact
ART41250@LEONIS.NUS.SG, stating the research area you require.
=================================================================
MARKET INFORMATION
==================
***The Market List
------------------
Current listing of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror short
fiction
markets, compiled bimonthly in windows helpfile format. Over
eighty
markets are included, categorized by professional, semi-pro,
'zine,
anthology, and contest. Also, short articles and Q & A with
writers and
editors, and tips and hints on submitting your work. Searchable
keywords
include genre, story length, simultaneous submissions, new
listing, and
average response time. Both Windows and Mac downloadable text
files
available.
I downloaded the Mac version and was extremely impressed by the
volume
of information. Look like the info is frequently updated, too.
This
is definitely a "must-see" for anyone interested in sf/f/h
markets. The
site also has a list of "market listing" websites for writers of
all
genres.
http://users.aol.com/marketlist/
Email: CHolliday@aol.com
Ploughshares Magazine
---------------------
Hardcopy literary magazine published three times a year. Welcomes
fiction and poetry (no genre work, please). Writers strongly
advised to
look at back issues. Please send only one short story and/or one
to
three poems at a time (mail fiction and poetry separately).
Stories
should be typed double-spaced on one side of the page and be no
longer
than thirty pages. Novel excerpts are acceptable if they are
self-contained. Unsolicited book reviews and criticism are never
considered. Poems should be individually typed either single- or
double-spaced on one side. Responds in 3-5 months.
All manuscripts and correspondence regarding submissions should
be
accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope (S.A.S.E.) for
a
response; we suggest you enclose a business-size S.A.S.E. with a
32-cent
stamp and ask for a reply only, with the manuscript to be
recycled if
unaccepted (photocopying is usually cheaper than return postage).
Payment is upon publication: $25 per printed page, with a $50
minimum
per title and a $250 maximum per author, with two copies of the
issue
and a one-year subscription.
Send to the Fiction or Poetry Editor. Ploughshares, Emerson
College,
100 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02116-1596. No online or electronic
submissions. We consider manuscripts postmarked between August 1
and
March 31.
Guidelines: http://www.emerson.edu/Ploughshares/Guidelines.html
Adventures of Sword and Sorcery Magazine
----------------------------------------
"We are looking for Sword & Sorcery, High Fantasy, and Heroic
Fantasy
fiction from 1000 to 8000 words. We want fiction with an emphasis
on
action and adventure, but still cognizant of the struggles within
as
they play against the struggles without. As examples, think of
the
fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Fritz Leiber, and
Katherine
Kurtz, but with 90's sensibilities. Include sexual content only
as
required by the story, but not excessive/porn. Pays
$0.03-0.06/word on
acceptance for FNASR.
Send all submissions to Randy Dannenfelser, Editor, PO Box 285,
Xenia,
OH 45385, or send e-mail submissions (RTF or ASCII files) to
dspress@erinet.com. And, the best way to find out what we want to
buy,
is to see what we have already bought. In other words, pick up a
sample
copy of the magazine at a bookstore, or order one directly (see
web
site)."
Guidelines: http://www.erinet.com/dspress/guidelin.htm
Fender Publishing
-----------------
Fender Publishing Company, a small press in Seattle, is seeking
funny, cynical,
politically incorrect professional non-fiction writers. We are
especially
interested in finding writers from San Francisco, Boston, New
Orleans,
and Seattle. We do not pay advances, but do pay a good
percentage of net by
contract. See our page: http://ttx.com/bookzone/10000516.html to
see our first
published title. Send inquiries to us at fenderpub@interserv.com
attn: Lori
Highlights for Children fiction contest
---------------------------------------
Deadline: Feb.29/96. Topic: "Children in Today's World". Max
length:
900 words. Three prizes of $1,000 each. For guidelines, write to:
Fiction Contest, Highlights for Children, 803 Church St.,
Honesdale,
PA USA 18431.
Philadelphia Forum
------------------
"A new Philadelphia newsprint weekly, the _Philadelphia Forum_ is
designed
as an exchange of ideas and opinions among its readers and
writers. We
favor local writers, but quality comes first. We're looking for
essays and
op-ed articles about the world as you see it--thoughtful pieces,
directed
toward an intelligent, questioning, concerned audience.
We take no particular editorial social/political stance but
accept
articles on merit (and, of course, whim). Ideally, we like to
think of
ourselves as gathered in the editor's living room trading
observations, so
a direct, conversational tone usually works best.
Pay is in the neighborhood of $50 (higher for cover stories). At
present,
we have no publication email address, so you'll just have to deal
with
old-fashioned ways. Please send/phone/fax all queries to:
Dan Rottenberg, editor, Philadelphia Forum, 1816 Ludlow St.
Phila., PA 19103 (215) 557-8410 voice (215) 557-8499 fax."
(Source: misc.writing Jan.30/96)
=================================================================
CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR: LEE WARDLAW
===================================
How did you sell your first book?
---------------------------------
Believe it or not, it was plucked and rescued from a slush
pile! The
book was COREY'S FIRE, a young adult novel that had been rejected
by four
other publishers. The fifth house I sent it to made an offer (I
can still
remember vividly what time of day I received the letter, what I
was wearing
and what I had eaten for lunch!). An author-friend then referred
me to her
literary agent. The agent offered to look over the contract for
for a small
fee; later, after seeing more of my work, she agreed to take me
on as a
client.
Unfortunately, a month before publication of COREY'S FIRE,
the contract
was canceled! A new editor took over who did not like my book,
and the whole
deal fell apart. (Yes, I can still remember vividly what time of
day I
received the letter, what I was wearing, and what I was unable to
eat for
lunch!) My agent managed to resell the book a year later,
however, to an
editor at Avon/Flare who had previously rejected the book because
the subject
matter was too serious for their YA romance line. They had since
changed the
focus of their books, and suddenly COREY'S FIRE fit right in!
The book went
on to win two awards, get excellent reviews, and be optioned for
a TV movie.
Moral of the story: Persistence Pays!
What are your writing habits, and how do you set your goals?
------------------------------------------------------------
Writing is my job, so I treat it as such. I "commute" from
the kitchen
to my in-home office every morning at the same time, work for a
set number of
hours, take a lunch break, and go back to work till my husband
comes home. I
also often work weekends - - especially if I have a deadline.
Mornings are
my most productive time, so I try to schedule doctor's
appointments, grocery
shopping and various errands for the late afternoon. For a while
I tried
screening my phone calls to keep the interruptions to a minimum.
But I found
I'm too much of an optimist to do it consistently. I kept hoping
it was my
agent calling with news that I'd sold a book!
Goal-wise, in early January I usually write out a set of
long-term goals
for the coming year ("I will write a middle grade novel and two
picture books
by December 31st."), as well as several short-term goals ("I'll
have X-number
of pages finished by March 2nd.").
What advice can you offer hopeful writers?
------------------------------------------
The biggest piece of advice I can offer is: Don't take
rejection
letters personally. Otherwise, they can become a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
The most important (and hardest) thing I've learned over the
years is that
rejection letters are an inevitable, mundane part of the job - -
just as
photocopying is for a secretary, or correcting homework is for a
teacher. If
you receive a form rejection, shrug your shoulders, file the
letter away, and
send your manuscript to another publisher in the return mail. If
you receive
a personal rejection with comments about your manuscript, read
and think
about those comments with an objective eye. Make the changes you
agree with
- - and jettison the rest. Then send that manuscript right back
out again!
After all, your book isn't going to sell sitting in a drawer . .
.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Lee Wardlaw is the author of 15 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), THE GHOUL
BROTHERS
(first chapter book) and PUNIA AND THE KING OF SHARKS (picture
book)
will be released in the fall of '96.
Lee will be the Author-in-Residence in the Electronic School
House on
AOL during the month of May. (To find the department, AOL
subscribers
go to Keyword: ESH.)
Lee lives in Santa Barbara, California. Her web page is located
at:
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/inkspot/a-lee.html
================================================================
MORE ON SEARCH TOOLS
====================
I covered Yahoo and Lycos in the first issue of Inklings, citing
them
as useful search tools for writers. Since then I have come across
several other extremely useful search engines.
Alta Vista
----------
My favourite these days is Alta Vista
(http://www.altavista.digital.com/). You can search Usenet
(newsgroups) or the Web, with a variety of search methods. There
is
plenty of online help available. Alta Vista has indexed more than
16
million Web pages, along with postings from 13,000 Usenet groups
"updated in real-time".
Results are more comprehensive than Yahoo and better-formatted
than Lycos.
DejaNews
--------
I find Dejanews (http://www.dejanews.com/) is the most useful
tool when
you want to search Usenet for information. I searched for my
name,
for example, by entering "Debbie & Ohi" in the search field. The
'&'
indicated an AND search (i.e. I wanted to see messages that
contained
both "Debbie" and "Ohi". If I wanted an OR search, I would use a
'|'.
You can search only particular newsgroups, by date, author,
excluding
certain words or phrases, and so on.
My search turned up 8 hits. Most messages were ones I had posted
myself, but a few were posted by other people about my writers'
sites.
One was about Inklings, posted in news.lists.
If you'd like to explore some of the other ways of searching the
World
Wide Web, try Yahoo's list of search engines and services:
http://www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/
World_Wide_Web/Searching_the_Web/
=============================================================
BEWARE THE AGENCY AGREEMENT by Ivan Hoffman, B.A., J.D.
===========================
So you have finally found an agent to represent you and your
work.
Congratulations! And now the agent has presented to you his or
her
"standard" agency agreement for you to sign. You might be well
advised
to take a close look at some of its provisions before allowing
your
enthusiasm at "having an agent" overwhelm your better sense.
Initially, you must believe in yourself and your work. You must
believe
that it is you, the artist, that is unique. You must believe that
an
agency is only as good as its clients. And you are the client. It
is
your book that the publisher is going to publish.
You must approach the agency agreement with this same confidence.
And
this confidence must give you the ability to say "no" to certain
clauses
in the agreement.
And so feeling this rush of self-confidence, the first clause to
which
you should pay attention is the scope of the rights you are
giving to
the agent. If this is your first dealing with the agent, you may
wish to
have the agreement cover only this manuscript (and limit it even
further
as below) as opposed to signing an agreement giving the agent the
exclusive rights to represent all of your writing.
Indeed, some agency agreements reach so far as to cover
representation
for works already in existence at the time the contract is
signed. In
other words, you may be giving away representation rights to past
works.
Additionally, depending upon the reach of the agency, it may or
may not
be the appropriate agency to represent subsidiary rights such as
for
movies, periodicals etc.
The next point of which you should be aware is the term of the
rights
you are giving away to represent your work. Usually there is some
broad
grant, such as for the duration of the copyright or for so long
as
income is received but you should negotiate a "condition
subsequent"
clause. This is a clause that says that, notwithstanding the
term, in
the event that the agency does not secure a publishing deal for
the ms.
within a certain time, then the agreement is terminable by you.
This
time, usually not less than 6 months nor more than 2 years, is
negotiable. What is important here is that you keep it short
enough so
that if the agent is not doing the job you expected, you gain
back your
rights before the ms. has been shopped "all over the street" and
is no
longer a viable package that another agent can effectively
represent.
Perhaps the most important point is the commission rate, which
unfortunately tends to be the least negotiable. Ten percent is
usually
the minimum except in unusual circumstances while 15% is becoming
more
in vogue, especially among New York agents. But in the event that
you
grant the agent rights to represent your work in areas they
traditionally do not work in, they will ask for a higher
percentage in
order that they might engage a sub-agent to represent the work in
those
areas. You should ask for the right to be consulted with regard
to that
sub agency in the event you grant these rights away. Ideally, you
should
limit the representation to those areas in which the agency
specializes.
Let me summarize by repeating that you must believe in yourself
and your
work. Do not sell yourself short by executing an agency
representation
agreement that puts you on the defensive. You are the creative
force
that makes the publishing world move.
Copyright (c) 1996 Ivan Hoffman.
PLEASE NOTE:
This article is not intended as a substitute for legal advice.
The
specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome
different
than would be anticipated by you. You should consult with an
attorney
familiar with the issues and the laws.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Ivan Hoffman (ivanlove@earthlink.net) is a published author as
well as
Attorney At Law with 22 years experience. His columns are of
interest to
both writers and publishers and are available on his site:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ivanlove
ASK THE LAWYER
==============
Ivan Hoffman has agreed to answer questions from readers about
the
legal aspects of writing/publishing. Please send your questions
to
ivanlove@earthlink.net with "ask the lawyer" in the subject
header.
Unfortunately he is unable to answer all messages via personal
email
but will choose selected questions to answer in future issues of
Inklings.
================================================================
ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR
===================
Writing in a foreign language
-----------------------------
Q: I am a beginning writer. I am writing in English although is
not my
native language. Once my manuscript is final, how can I ensure
the
accuracy of language? Who can help me with that aspect? -
Rosemarie
Dear Rosemarie,
That must be quite a challenge writing in a foreign language.
You
might try reading it aloud while others are present, especially
your
English speaking friends. They may be able to pay attention to
the
rhythm and style of English in your manuscript. Reading aloud
often
brings out subtle difference in language and can also show up any
glaring mistakes you may have missed in silent reading.
Of course, contacting a language professor might be nice. Often
college and high school teachers will use your manuscript in
school
projects. If your native language is French, contact the French
department. German, German department, etc. Get as many people
as
possible to look over your work, or as many as you felt
comfortable.
Also, Writer's Digest often advertises editors and book doctors
that
may be willing to check over your work for a fee.
Whatever works best for you, remember to keep on writing. And
trust
yourself.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Carol Henson is a Book Doctor/editor/author cruising the 'net on
a
regular basis and would be happy to respond to your questions
about Book
Doctors, editing, writing, etc. Her new web page is located
at: http://pages.prodigy.com/MI/ubkx12c/bookdoc.html.
Send your questions to Carol Henson at UBKX12C@Prodigy.com with
the
subject header: "Book doctor question". Carol will answer
selected
questions in future issues.
================================================================
ASK THE AGENT by Susan Graham of Graham Literary Agency
=============
Q. I have written letters to over 200 agents and none is willing
to take
on a new client. Since it is almost impossible to be published
without
an agent, what is an aspiring writer to do? - S.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
------
Dear S.,
I would say your query letter is probably at fault. I doubt that
all of
them are "not willing to take on a new client," but rather that
they are not
willing to take you and your property on.
Look in the library and at the bookstores in your area for books
about
writing good query letters. A good query letter can make the
difference
between a "No" and a "Maybe. Let me take a look at it."
The Writer's Market always has a good section on this, if you
can't find it
anywhere else. Most reference books on publishers have some
mention of it.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
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.
Readers are invited to send questions to
slgraham@atl.mindspring.com
with the words "inklings agent question" in the subject header,
but are
warned that because of volume of mail, Susan is unable to reply
privately to each message. Certain questions will be selected to
be
answered in future issues of Inklings.
Copyright (c) 1996, Graham Literary Agency, Inc. All rights
reserved.
================================================================
WRITER'S POLL RESULTS: MARKET INFORMATION
=========================================
Poll # 3 was "What are your best sources of market information"?
Many quoted Writer's Digest magazine and the annual Writer's
Market
put out by Writer's Digest books. Other sources included:
- reading the publications (potential markets) themselves
- The Writer (magazine)
- check bookstores for what's on the market, what's moving
- used bookstores to see what people are dumping
- unconventional book outlets like grocery stores and drug stores
- listen to radio programs that cover the genre of books you
write
(e.g. children's) and then try to find the books they pick at
the local bookstores
- GEnie writer's resources (WRITERS.INK)
- SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
- friend who has the inside scoop on what you're writing
- Publisher's Weekly
- word of mouth
- Freelance Success newsletter, the marketing and management
newsletter for experienced journalists and nonfiction
writers (contact 74774.1740@compuserve.com for samples)
- American Society of Journalists and Authors newsletter
- private writers' groups, mailing lists and discussion
forums online and offline
- AOL writer groups
- Literary Marketplace
- other writers
- RWA newsletter, Writers' Alliance newsletter
- Insider's Guide to Book Editors (by Jeff Herman), Publishers
and
Literary Agents; The Writer's Handbook; Novels and Short Story
Writers
Market; The Canadian Writer's Market;
- "I find that I get my best sources of market information
from magazines that are geared toward a particular subject,
e.g. I get my best computer marketing info from a
computer oriented magazine."
- Bacon's Magazine Directory
- your agent
- "Humor & Cartoon Market" (Writer's Digest books)
- Institute of Children's Literature & their newsletter
- referrals from editors you've worked with in the past
- Byline, Writing for Money (newsletter)
- The Market List at http://users.aol.com/marketlist/,
Scavenger's Newsletter, Speculations,
Gila Queen's Guide to the Markets, Locus, SF Chronicle
- Christian Writer's Market Guide, The Christian Communicator
- internet
- CBI
- Poet's Market (Writer's Digest books)
The compiled results can be seen at:
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/ink/poll3results.html
NEW POLL: WRITING HABITS
========================
What are your writing habits? (where and when do you write? how
do you
set your goals, if any?)
You can send your answers via email to ohi@interlog.com with
"Writer's Poll #4" in the subject header, or use the online form
at
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/ink/poll4.html
================================================================
EDITOR: Debbie Ridpath Ohi (ohi@interlog.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
morgaine@utcc.utoronto.ca.
All articles copyrighted by their authors.
Inklings is a free newsletter for writers on the net and is
published
every 2-3 weeks. For more info, please e-mail:
morgaine@utcc.utoronto.ca
or see http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/ink/inklings.html. Back
issues starting
with Issue 1.6 available at:
ftp://ftp.samurai.com/pub/lists/inklings/
WWW-VL: Writer's Resources on the Web:
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/www/writesource.html
INKSPOT: Resources for Children's Writers:
http://www.interlog.com/~ohi/inkspot/
To subscribe send e-mail to majordomo@samurai.com with "subscribe
inklings" in the message body. To unsubscribe, use "unsubscribe
inklings". Find out more info with "info inklings".
=================================================================
