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Inklings Issue 2.14
i n k l i n g s
Newsletter for Writers on the Net
Issue 2.14 Aug. 7, 1996
=====================================================================
<ftp: ftp.samurai.com pub lists inklings v02-n014>
INTERVIEW WITH ZILPHA KEATLEY SNYDER
Three-time Newbery Honour Book Award winner
COPING WITH WRITERS' BLOCK
by Joanne Reid
COLUMN TOPICS:
When do I send out my mss? by Susan Graham
Manuscript format? Paperclips vs staples? by Michelle Sagara
Reprint rights? Finding a market? by Marcia Yudkin
FRESH INK - resources for writers on the net
Market Information - First Sale Stories - Subscriber Publications
Congratulations to Tim Fox (timfox@netcom.com), the 4000th subscriber
to Inklings! Tim says he found Inklings while surfing Yahoo. "I've
written (semi) professionally for the last ten years or so. Assorted
stuff, the longest gigs I had were writing sketches for a Prairie Home
Companion-type radio show produced in San Francisco, and as an arts
columnist for a now defunct multimedia magazine, Morph's Outpost.
Presently, I'm doing final revisions on a first novel. I'm also a
musician (guitarist), and am working various club venues in the SF Bay
Area with my group, Fox&Katz.; We do sort of a flamenco-jazz fusion
thing." For his prize, Tim has selected the 1996 Guide To Literary
Agents, published by Writer's Digest.
A brief note: If you are having trouble subscribing to Inklings (i.e.
you've subscribed but haven't received any issues in several weeks),
please check that your "From:" email address is set up correctly in
your mailing program. If it's incorrect, issues will bounce and your
address will be removed from the list. I also have no way of
contacting you to let you know, or responding to your email inquiries.
=====================================================================
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, training. Email: Bryan Fullerton <bryanf@samurai.com>
=====================================================================
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 editor@inklings.com.
=====================================================================
FRESH INK
=========
Manage Your Writing
-------------------
Online guide to more effective business writing. By Kenneth Davis,
part of the Komei Business Writing page.
<http: wyn.com komei writing manage00.htm>
Wordwrights Canada
------------------
Editing and author service. Site includes lots of Canadian writing links.
Director: Susan Ioannou.
<http: www.enterprise.ca %7esusioan wordwrights-canada/>
6' Ferret Writers' Group
------------------------
Site includes tips of establishing your own writers' group, writing
exercises, ideas for planning special events, recommended reading, and
writing links. Also explains the name of the group. :)
<http: members.aol.com ferretgrp index.html>
The Copyright Website
---------------------
I mentioned this site last year but it's worth mentioning again.
Lots of useful copyright info (U.S. law).
<http: www.benedict.com index.html>
Free motivational newsletter for writers
----------------------------------------
Victory Crayne's newsletter is now free and available on her website,
which contains many excellent articles and resources for writers.
<http: www.crayne.com victory/>
Ghost Story competition
-----------------------
Deadline: Sept.1/96. Two divisions: STUDENT (15-24 yrs), ADULT
(others). One winner each division will get free admission to the
Mid-Atlantic Writers' Workshop 31 Oct-3 Nov held at Lake Wright Resort
& Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA (transportation not included).
Two typed pages, mailed no later than 1 Sept 96 to Bookman & Stone
Literary Agencies, 3832 Larchwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
23456...writer(s) should include their name, address, phone, email. In
case of cancellation, no prizes will be awarded. No entry or reading
fees.
======================================================================
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. More
market info at: http://www.inkspot.com/~ohi/inkspot/marketinfo.html.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MARKET SOURCES:
***SCAVENGER'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.
***CHILDREN'S WRITERS MARKET LIST***
Available by e-mail or snailmail. Margaret Shauers, 1411 12th, Great
Bend, KS 67530. $5.00 email listing; $6.00 snailmail. Contact
<mshauers@midusa.net> for free sample e-mail market listing.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
"FNASR" = First North American Serial Rights, "SASE" = self-addressed,
stamped envelope, "simsubs" = simultaneous submissions, "mss" =
manuscript, "RT" = response time, "GL" = guidelines.
PAYING MARKETS:
TransVersions
-------------
Mr. Dale L. Sproule & Ms. Sally McBride, 1019 Colville Rd, Victoria
BC, V9A 4P5 Canada. Ambitious, literary, stylish stories. SF/H
leanings (but see full guidelines at website). Pays $.01 a word Cdn.
for stories max 10,000 wds (payment for 10-20,000 wd stories to be
negotiated with the sale). 25 cents a line & copy for poems. Buys
FNASR.
<http: www.astro.psu.edu users harlow transversions guidelines.html>
Internet Underground
--------------------
Internet Underground, 1920 Highland Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. Magazine
about the Internet. "We want stories that appeal to Internet surfers
who have a good sense of humor and a liberal attitude." Demographics:
late-teens through late 30s, educated and Internet-savvy. Check online
guidelines for specific departments that are open to freelancers.
Departments run from $25 to $300. Features start at $200 and go up
quite a bit, depending on each individual writer's experience. All
fees are negotiated prior to assignment. Pays within about 30 days of
publication, not acceptance. No simsubs. Query first.
<http: www.underground-online.com writers.htm>
Email: IU@mcs.net
Papyrus
-------
Quarterly writer's magazine, is seeking articles on the craft of
writing. Welcomes submissions from serious beginning writers. No
simsubs or reprints. $20-$25 per article. "Usually payment will be in
copies of the issue carrying your work, but we'll pay for a good craft
article, and have paid for exceptionally good fiction and nonfiction
in the past." RT = 2 weeks. Pays on publication.
<http: www.readersndex.com papyrus/>
Email contact: Ginger Whitaker at <gwhitaker@imagine.com>
Strange Fiction
---------------
Strange Fiction! The magazine of Fiction and Fantasy is now accepting
submissions for their December issue. To be published bi-monthly,
printing new, inventive and high quality science fiction, speculative
fiction, and fantasy. Submissions to 10,000 words. E-mail submissions
to b_gerbe@oz.plymouth.edu, and snail mail to Benjamin Gerber, c/o
Strange Fiction, P.O. Box 1207, Ashland, NH 03217-1207. Deadline for
December issue is November 5, 1996. Pays $10.00 per story, with plans
to switch to a per word pay rate. (Source: The Market List)
Grain Magazine
--------------
Editor: J. Jill Robinson; Poetry Editor: Tim Lilburn; Fiction Editor:
Connie Gault. Grain Magazine, Box 1154, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
S4P 3B4. Literary quarterly journal. Accepts poetry, fiction,
non-fiction, drama. RT: 2-4 months. PAYMENT: Poetry: $30 to $100
(depending on number of pages published). Fiction, and Other: $ 30 to
$100. Buys first Canadian serial rights only. Copyright remains with
the author. No simsubs or reprints. Read back issues before
submitting. See full guidelines in website:
<http: www.sasknet.com corporate skwriter grain_about_contribute.html>
Philadelphia City Paper
-----------------------
Seeking first-person essays for their "I" and "On The Road" sections.
Approx. 1,000 words. "In the case of "On The Road" I am looking for
essays from afar, not travelogue pieces." Submit pieces by email to
Howard Altman, news editor, altman@citypaper.net Pays on publication:
$100. (Source: misc.writing, July 23/96)
UPDATES:
Margaret Shauers reports that Disney Adventures is no longer looking at
freelance.
=====================================================================
INTERVIEW WITH ZILPHA KEATLEY SNYDER
-------------------------------------------------------------------
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi <editor@inklings.com>
Zilpha Keatley Snyder has been writing books for children since 1964.
She has won many awards for her publications, including three Newbery
Honor Book Awards (THE EGYPT GAME, THE HEADLESS CUPID and THE WITCHES
OF WORM). Her works include over thirty novels, four picture books,
and a collection of poems. Her sequel to THE EGYPT GAME will be out
early next year, and she is currently working on a story set in an
orphanage in 1910. More information can be found at her website:
<http: www.microweb.com lsnyder/>.
How did you make your first sale?
---------------------------------
It happened in 1962 when I was teaching in Greenbrae, California.
Although I had been an aspiring writer since I was eight years old, I
hadn't thought about writing for children until that year, when it
suddenly occurred to me to write a story for my class. Of course they
liked the story--or were diplomatic enough to say they did--and the
next step was to talk to the school librarian. It was she who
suggested sending it to Jean Karl at Atheneum, and I never sent it
anywhere else. That isn't to say, however, that it was instantly
accepted. My first letter from Jean, a long one, told me in some
detail what was wrong with my maiden voyage into children's literature
(length, point of view problems, development of secondary characters,
etc.) but at the end she suggested that if I was going to be working
on it, she would like to see it again. Two rather complete rewritings
later, I received a contract and became a published author.
I know now that I was very fortunate to sell a first manuscript,
unsolicted and unagented, and I'm sure such an outcome would be much
more difficult to achieve today. But it did happen, and now 33 books
later...
At what point did you decide to give up teaching to write full-time?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I taught for nine years, stopping the year my first book, SEASON OF
PONIES, was accepted. I taught the age I now write for and enjoyed
it, but writing had been a life-time dream and I wanted to devote
myself to it full time.
What are your writing habits?
-----------------------------
I'll start with setting because it contains the best news. I have a
lovely place to work, on the fourth floor of our town house in Mill
Valley, CA. The windows face back on the hillside--redwoods, ivy and
meandering deer trails. Peacefully sylvan, and yet only a few minutes
walk to town.
At the moment, any comments on my work habits would be influenced by
the fact that lately I seem to be having a particularly hard time
finding time to write. I keep wondering when the mythical long, slow
days of summer are going to start. When they do I'll get back to my
four to five hours a day--broken only by short interludes dedicated to
going downstairs for a cup of tea, or to take my little dog on an
urgent piddle run.
I can't imagine a more idyllic setting for writing! :) What about novel
outlines? Do you do them? If so, how detailed are they?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I do a version of an outline but only after I've written two or three
beginning chapters to get the general feel of the story. What follows
is a short--no more than two or three page--narrative synopsis. This
barebones plotline, which I sometimes describe to kids as "writing the
book report before the book is written", is crucial as it gives the
story direction and plot. After that I outline only a chapter at a
time--in two columns that might be labeled Action and Exposition. A
step that helps me to remember to weave such elements as character
development and description into action and/or dialogue whereever
possible. I also tend to draw maps, of towns or neighborhoods. Also
floorplans, when a house, school, public building, or even a castle,
plays a significant role.
What books do you have on your "writer's reference shelf"?
----------------------------------------------------------
Apart from the usual set of encyclopedias, thesauruses, timetables
of American history, etc., my collection of reference materials varies as I
move from book to book. For example, at the present it temporarily
includes a copy of a 1908 Sears Roebuck catalogue. (a fascinating
storehouse of unbelievable information--such as ladies, dressy shoes for
$1.29 per pair)
How do you handle good/bad reviews of your books?
-------------------------------------------------
Concerning reviews: My husband used to say a bad review always sent me
into a "blue funk". But over the years one learns that what one
reviewer hates the next one adores, and the best solution, as with so
many of life's problems, is simply to wait awhile.
What advice do you have for hopeful children's writers?
-------------------------------------------------------
My best advice to aspiring writers of children's books would be first
of all to read a lot, preferably under the guidance of a good
children's librarian. So many beginners tend to write the kind of
thing that might have been popular when they were a child. Next would
be to do a lot of serious plotting since kids are not as patient with
meandering streams of conciousness as are adult readers. Also, write
for an age level that you particularly enjoy and understand.
=====================================================================
COPING WITH WRITERS' BLOCK
---------------------------------------------------------------------
by Joanne Reid <jbreid@mbnet.mb.ca>
A recurring topic on internet writers' groups is writer's block. The
writers discussing the cursed block range from beginners to old pros
at the writing game. Here are some suggestions that came out in a
recent discussion as possible reasons for writer's block.
1. Not thinking through a situation carefully enough
----------------------------------------------------
When the first blush of an idea strikes, the immediate feeling is to
sit down and capture it on paper. However, rushing to write before the
idea is fully formed can have detrimental effects...suddenly you find
yourself painted into a corner with no way out.
2. No outline
-------------
This is related to the previous problem. Many experts believe that
without an outline, you're doomed to failure. Even if it is nothing
more than a few lines describing the story, an outline is essential.
Even a brief article needs to have its beginning, middle and end
sketched out before you begin. Otherwise, it is guaranteed that you
will bog down.
3. Being bored with what you're writing
---------------------------------------
Don't write it. If it bores you, imagine how the reader will feel
about it. If every section of the work you're writing bores you, dump
the entire project. Chances are you are writing something not because
you care about it but because you think this type of writing is easy.
Confession writing and romance writing are often thought of, by
amateurs, as "easy" markets where anything sells. Consequently many
people who never read either attempt to rattle off a romance and
suddenly find themselves blocked.
4. Not writing every day but only when the muse strikes
-------------------------------------------------------
You must have a schedule for writing. Ideally, this would be every day.
Even if you end up tossing out what you write, you've got to be
serious about it. Real writers do not wait until the muse strikes.
That is an indulgence purely for the dabbler.
5. Weariness
------------
One problem for some writers is that they have a job that involves
writing. They head in to the office, write reports, memos, whatever,
all day long. Then they head home and the thought of looking at a
keyboard overwhelms them.
There are two things such a person can do: quit the job or write in
the morning. Neither is easy but if the person really wants to write,
some adjustment in the current lifestyle must be made.
HINTS FOR BREAKING THE BLOCK:
Have several projects going at the same time
--------------------------------------------
If you're burned out and can't finish one piece of work, switch to the
other. Often putting the work in progress to the back of your mind
helps. The subconscious mulls it over while you are consciously
working on something else.
Freewriting
-----------
Since you have to be at your keyboard daily (or at least 5 days a
week), develop the habit of freewriting. There are a number of
creativity books which suggest starting off your day with morning
pages. One of the most popular is Julia Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY.
Simply write whatever comes to your head. If you can't think of
anything, write that you can't think of anything. A good
recommendation is if all else fails, describe what is around you.
The most dangerous (to your writing career) thing to do is to give in
to writer's block. If you do, suddenly you will find that decades
have passed and all you can do is mourn what might have been.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Joanne Reid is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer. This article was
reprinted with permission from her Net Content column.
Her Writer's Page URL: http://www.mbnet.mb.ca/~jbreid/
Copyright (c) 1996 Joanne Reid.
=====================================================================
Ask The Experts
---------------
*** Please put "inklings question" in the subject header. ***
ASK THE AGENT: Susan Graham at <slgraham@atl.mindspring.com>
ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR: Carol Henson at <ubkx12c@prodigy.com>
ASK THE CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR: Lee Wardlaw at <katknip2@aol.com>
ASK THE ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER: Ken Jenks at <fictions@aol.com>
ASK THE FREELANCE WRITER: Marcia Yudkin. Send to <editor@inklings.com>
ASK THE HORROR WRITER: Paul Guran at <darkecho@aol.com>
ASK THE SF/FANTASY AUTHOR: Michelle Sagara at <mms@turing.toronto.edu>
Columnists may be unable to reply privately to every message, but will
answer selected questions in future issues of Inklings.
=====================================================================
ASK THE AGENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
by Susan Graham <slgraham@atl.mindspring.com>
Q:
I have been working on a work of fiction for the last two years and as
the outline goes I am just a few weeks from completing the first
draft. At what point do I know I've cleaned up the manuscript enough
to send it to an agent? Should I have someone else edit the work?
A:
Use a book for a guide, or get involved with a reputable critique
group or writing workshop. My favorite editing how-to book is
"Getting The Words Right" by Theodore Cheney. It teaches you all of
the things the others do, but in an efficient, time-saving manner.
Another one that I like a lot is Gardner's book on editing, which also
discusses sentence- and word-rhythms.
Worst case, if you have the money to spare and can't seem to get it
right on your own, is go to an independent editor for help. Spend the
extra money for a thorough editing job with explanations, so you'll
know how to do it yourself next time. Average price for this is $2
per page. Get at least three names to choose from, and don't just get
the slickest one.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
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 SF/FANTASY AUTHOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------
by Michelle Sagara <mms@turing.toronto.edu>
Manuscript submission envelope?
-------------------------------
I've read a lot about how to format a manuscript for submission, but
what about the envelope? I always use a plain 9x12 envelope so that I
mail my work flat, but does a handwritten address look bad enough to
score points against me? I also handwrite the address on the SASE.
Should I be using typewritten labels?
A:
In order to present as professional an appearance as possible, I'd
suggest it. It's not, ultimately, completely necessary, as most buy
decisions in most magazines will be made by a person other than the
one who took your manuscript out of its envelope.
Paperclips vs staples? Page numbers?
------------------------------------
Why do editors, agents, et al want manuscripts paperclipped together?
I've stapled mine in the past, which I thought was okay to do in case
the pages got separated. I've also forgotten occasionally to create a
header on my computer with my name and page number on every page. Does
this get my manuscript automatically rejected?
A:
It's easier to read loose pages than stapled ones, and on the off
chance that you do buy it, it's vastly easier to photocopy without
removing the staples and dealing with curled corners. I'd say it's
practical preference.
Of these two things, I would consider a lack of page numbers to be the
worse crime. Imagine an editor's office: Piles of manuscripts
everywhere. Someone comes in, adds something to a teetering stack and
the pile _falls_. If they can't figure out which page follows which
page, and which, easily, belongs to which manuscript, it's not likely
to help.
However, while neither a staple or lack of a header will automatically
spell out rejection, I always remember what one editor said about what
she looked for, first, in a manuscript: Clean copy and clean
presentation.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Michelle Sagara is the author of The Sundered novel series (Del Rey)
the Hunter Series (Daw, under her married name Michelle West), as
well as many short stories. _Hunter's Death_ was recently released.
Copyright (c) 1996 Michelle Sagara. All rights reserved.
=====================================================================
ASK THE FREELANCE WRITER
---------------------------------------------------------------------
by Marcia Yudkin
Reselling an article
--------------------
Q: I sold the First North American Print Serial Rights to a Q&A;
interview I did as a freelancer to a large Connecticut-based
newspaper. A large, Connecticut-based publication is now interested in
essentially the much larger, full transcript of the same piece. It is
not quite clear to me if I can sell the same rights to this piece to
this other publication even it includes substantially more material.
A: You can't resell First serial rights, but it sounds to me like you
don't have a real problem here. If the second publication is aware of
the first, then they should be very happy with buying either one-time
or reprint rights. If they're not aware of the first publication,
then they have the right to know. Just explain the situation and
offer them one-time or reprint rights.
Finding the right market
------------------------
Q: As a registered nurse, I am interested in writing on health-related
topics for magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Women's Home Journal. I
have already published two articles this year for professional
journals and have written smaller articles over the last few years for
newsletters. How do I begin to sell my work/ideas, or find out what
the magazine would be interested in without being lost in the shuffle?
A: I'm not familiar with Women's Home Journal, but I did work for
Cosmopolitan four times. Generally they won't consider you as a
possible writer until you can show them clips on women's topics in the
style they publish. Articles for professional journals will not help
you there, I'm afraid. Also, the best way to understand what Cosmo is
looking for is to look up a year's worth of issues in the library from
two or three years ago. Those topics are ripe to be repeated this year
or next, perhaps with a new twist.
So my advice is to publish some lively health articles for general
readers in smaller publications first, then send your clips to Cosmo.
Essentially that's what I did.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Marcia Yudkin is a freelance writer who has published hundreds of
magazine articles ranging from the New York Times to Cosmopolitan, and
is author of eight non-fiction books. You can get e-mailed copies of
Marcia Yudkin's Freelance Writing FAQ by sending e-mail (it doesn't
matter what is contained in the e-mail) to: fl@yudkin.com. Questions
for the column should be sent to editor@inklings.com with "ask the
freelance writer" in the subject header.
Copyright (c) 1996 Marcia Yudkin. All rights reserved.
=====================================================================
"FIRST SALE" STORY: Brynly Roberts <104346.246@CompuServe.COM>
--------------------------------------------------------------
"My first article sale was made one year ago to The Western Producer,
a weekly agricultural publication distributed across Canada. The
article came out April 6, 1995, under the heading, Chuting the Works:
Retiring in Rodeo Land, and profiled a retired teacher who was
building rodeo turn-out chutes to fill his time and earn some extra
money. This was my first sale, and was made on the first submission.
I located this market through the Writer's Market, and read a number
of back copies at the local library. The Farm Living section of the
paper proved to be a good target for my article. Before I tried my
hand at non-fiction, I had been writing fiction for about one year,
and although my stories were not selling, the exercise proved
advantageous, as I learned a great deal about the writing business.
I've had about 20 articles published in various markets during the
past year."
==-----------------------------------------------------==
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 editor@inklings.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 editor@inklings.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!
Ioannou, Susan. WHERE THE LIGHT WAITS. Poetry (Ekstasis Editions,
Victoria, BC) http://www.enterprise.ca/~susioan/wordwrights-canada
Rocamora, Mary and Koertge, Ron. THE PERSONAL JOURNEY WORKBOOK.
(The Rocamora School) http://members.aol.com/douglaseby/Page17.html
======================================================================
EDITOR: Debbie Ridpath Ohi (editor@inklings.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
editor@inklings.com. All articles copyrighted by their authors.
Inklings is a free newsletter for writers on the net, published every
2-3 weeks. More info at <http: www.inkspot.com ~ohi ink inklings.html>
Inklings is part of the writers' website INKSPOT:
INKSPOT: Resources for Writers
<http: www.inkspot.com ~ohi inkspot>
To subscribe & unsubscribe: Send e-mail to majordomo@samurai.com with
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Box 123, Toronto, ON Canada M5T 2W7 (for packages, contact me first)
======================================================================
