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Inklings Issue 3.21
================================================================
i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
Issue 3.21 * Over 20,000 subscribers! * Oct.15, 1997
================================================================
<http://www.inkspot.com/pub/inklings/ink0323.txt>
This issue features an article about promoting your book on the
web (by Moira Allen), science writing (by Sherri Chasin Calvo),
and advice about publishing one's novels online (by Ken Jenks).
This issue sponsored in part by:
================================================================
THE WRITER'S SOFTWARE COMPANION: multimedia software by Writer's
Digest's Nancy Kress. Uses advanced learning tech. and total
immersion to bypass years of trial-and-error, dramatically
accelerating a writer's progress. http://www.novalearn.com
================================================================
FREELANCE SUCCESS newsletter gives nonfiction writers the tools
they need to earn a fulltime living. Detailed market information
for pros and those who aspire to be. SASE to 801 NE 70th St.,
Box IK, Miami, FL 33138. E-mail: freelance-success@usa.net
================================================================
* Samurai Consulting * http://www.samurai.com
Services include internet consulting, WWW page design, electro-
nic newsletters, mailing lists, FTP sites, system maintenance,
training. Email: Bryan Fullerton <bryanf@samurai.com>
================================================================
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1995-1997 Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Contact,
copyright, advertising rates and other info at end of issue.
================================================================
| CONTENTS THIS ISSUE: |
| From The Editor's Desk |
| Fresh Ink and Market Information |
| Ask The Electronic Publisher |
| Promoting Your Book On The Web |
| Science Writing: Avoiding the Dreaded "So What?" |
| Writers' Classifieds |
================================================================
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
=======================
Thanks to HomePC magazine for picking Inklings as one of the
"250 Best Sites For Web Freebies" (cover story, October issue).
Congratulations to Dennis Peterson <wordworks1@juno.com>,
whose
name was randomly picked to win a WRITERS FOR HIRE t-shirt.
Please note that the company is NOT giving out free t-shirts;
they are normally $16 apiece. Also, WRITERS FOR HIRE is not a
writers' employment agency..."We are a group of professional
writers, working on various projects, and if we ever have extra
work and we cannot or do not want to handle it, we go to our
files and look to see if there is anyone we might refer the work
to." Contact Linda Hill <lhill@mindspring.com> for more
information.
The writers' guidelines have been updated and are available by
autoresponder mail...send any email to guidelines@inkspot.com.
This issue of Inklings welcomes aboard Gail Heinsohn
<intrepidrider@taconic.net>, professional proofreader. To
find
out more about Gail's services, see her website at
http://www.taconic.net/firstimpressions.
A note on the behalf of my columnists: please note that because
of the volume of mail they receive, they cannot answer every
email question personally...one or two questions will be selected
every issue to be published in Inklings. Also, please do not send
samples of your writing without asking first. There are many
critiquing services and groups available online...some are listed
at http://www.inkspot.com/craft/critique.html.
FRESH INK
=========
Inkspot/Inklings Giveaway: GETTING HOOKED
-----------------------------------------
Current freebie giveaway are several autographed copies of
GETTING HOOKED: FICTION'S OPENING SENTENCES 1950s-1990s, edited
by Sharon Rendell-Smock, 1996. To enter, send an email message
with your name and email address to giveaway@inkspot.com. By
entering this contest, you agree to let your name and email
address be published in Inkspot/Inklings if you win. Deadline:
Friday, October 24,1997. More info about the book and contest
available at:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
Writing Now
-----------
Monthly ezine dedicated to helping writers to market their works.
How-to tips for writers, answers writing questions, highlights
writers around the world, links to other writing sites.
http://www.mindspring.com/~daviskyle/
Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists
---------------------------------
Comprehensive searchable list of mailing lists...good resource of
potential research information.
http://www.NeoSoft.com/internet/paml/
Writer's Block
--------------
Quarterly publication with a focus on technical writing.
http://www.niva.com/writblok/
Internet Writers' Guild
-----------------------
Non-commercial association for writers and artists. Support
group, web ring, mailing list, msg board. Free membership.
http://www.ozemail.com/~kennsj/iwguild/
The Web Writer
--------------
New web site dedicated to helping writers develop content for
websites.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/8390/
From Fade In Through Fade Out
-----------------------------
Electronic book on screenwriting. Also includes film-related
essays, reviews, links to other screenwriting sites.
http://members.aol.com/anniraff/index.htm
================================================================
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/market/.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MARKET SOURCES:
SCAVENGER'S NEWSLETTER
Monthly market info letter for sf/f/h/m writers & artists.
More info at: http://users.aol.com/Lemarchand/scavenger.html
THE GILA QUEEN'S GUIDE TO MARKETS
POB 97, Newton, NJ 07860-0097 Email:GilaQueen@aol.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~alecwest/gila/index.html
THE WRITE MARKETS REPORT
Free issue by e-mail to: ForWriters@hotmail.com.
http://members.tripod.com/~deepsouth/index-writemkt.html
CHILDREN'S WRITERS MARKET LIST (magazines only)
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/shauers.html
For free sample, send any email to childmkt@inkspot.com
==-----------------------------------------------------==
"FNASR" = First North American Serial Rights, "SASE" =
self-addressed, stamped envelope, "simsubs" = simultaneous
submissions, "mss" = manuscript, "RT" = response time, "GL" =
guidelines, "wds" = words, "cc" = contributor's copy.
MARKET EDITORS: TK = Tina Kennedy.
***If you are a *paying* market and would like your guidelines
included in a future issue of Inklings, please fill out the form
at: http://www.inkspot.com/market/mktpayform.html
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
--------------------
Ms. Marlane Liddell (Articles Editor), SMITHSONIAN Magazine, 900
Jefferson Drive, Washington, DC 20560. Monthly publication. "We
prefer a written proposal of 250 to 300 words as a preliminary
query. The proposal should convince us that we should cover the
subject, offer descriptive information on how you, the writer,
would treat the subject and offer us an opportunity to judge your
writing ability. Background information and writing credentials
are helpful." RT=8 wks. Email submissions okay. Include SASE for
snailmail submissions. Pays on acceptance for commissioned
articles. If article is found unsuitable. pays 1/3 payment as
kill fee. Buys FNASR. LENGTH: varies from 1000 wds (humor column)
to 4000 wds (full-length feature). "We consider focused subjects
that fall within the general range of SMITHSONIAN Institution
interests, such as: cultural history, physical science, art and
natural history. We are always looking for off-beat subjects and
profiles. We do not consider fiction, poetry, travel features,
political and news events, or previously published articles. We
have a two-month lead time." Photos are usually obtained through
assignments or stock agencies, but photos accepted if they
accompany a specific article proposal. Copies of magazine: send a
check for $4 for current issue ($5 for back issues) to Judy Smith
at snailmail address listed above. (TK)
Email: siarticles@aol.com
URL: http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/
SHIVER - seeks fiction, poetry
------
T.L. Craigen, Editor, c/o Shiver Publications, POB 178, Surrey
BC, Canada V3T 4W8. Interactive horror/fiction/some sf. First
NASR mostly but we will accept a story that was previously
published provided it has been more than a year since it was
published. FICTION: 10,000 wds max., pays 1c/wd to 5,000 wds, 1/2
cent after that plus a $5 bonus when another writer uses your
character in his/her story. POETRY: pays $5 minimum. FICTION: "We
want well-written, character-driven pieces. Our purpose is to
create an interactive world in which characters from previous
stories are allowed to mingle with each other in new stories. We
want our readers to grow to love the characters of SHIVER and to
look forward to finding out more about them in future issues.
Other writers may use your characters in their stories and we
will pay you for the privilege. As we grow, our payment shall
increase accordingly. We will be taking our more established
writers up the payment ladder with us so it's a good idea to get
involved from the beginning. POETRY: make sure it's full of
imagery. A good horror slant will give it the best chance.
GENERAL INFO: standard ms format. Do not send disks or registered
mail. All manuscripts will be read and we will try to respond
within two weeks. If you haven't heard from us for six weeks,
query. If you are mailing from the USA you need to have Canadian
postage or an IRC. Multiple submissions are okay as long as you
have a separate SASE for each story. Please no simultaneous
submissions. (Source: Scavenger's Newsletter Oct/97)
CHATELAINE MAGAZINE - seeks feature articles
-------------------
Editor: Rona Maynard. Chatelaine Editorial Department, 777 Bay
St., Toronto, Canada M5W 1A7. Phone: 416/596-5425, Fax:
416/596-5516. Monthly Canadian women's magazine. We give readers
agenda-setting reports on national issues and trends (Alberta
under the knife, June 1995; Where should "special needs" children
go to school? October 1995). "We're a trusted adviser on health,
careers, personal finance and more (Estrogen forever? February
1996; Safety on the road, December 1995). We keep an inquisitive
eye on lifestyles and relationships (Honey, there's somebody
else, June 1995; A womanâs best friend, February 1996). We
enlighten with personal narratives (Fat like me, September 1995)
and entertain with profiles (Susan Aglukark: pop star with a
purpose, November 1995) and fiction. Together with service
features on fashion, beauty, decor and food, and a wide range of
columns, our articles explore virtually all facets of Canadian
life." Freelance writers invited to send queries for feature
articles (1,000 to 2,500 words) as well as for these columns:
Mind & Body, Your Business, Wired Woman, Families & Kids (500
words). "A written proposal is essential, summarizing as briefly
as possible: your story idea, its timeliness and relevance to
Chatelaine readers, your angle, potential sources and length."
Include a few samples of your work. Because we receive so many
queries, unsuccessful ones can only be answered if they're
accompanied by a SASE. Address queries to the Senior Editor,
Articles. Please don't fax manuscripts." Fees start at $350 for a
one-page column. Expenses reimbursed only if explicitly agreed to
in advance. FICTION: Max 2500 wds, should have accessible style
and themes of interest to women. Buys the right to first-time
print publication of your work (English and French), plus the
nonexclusive right to store and distribute it electronically, and
to republish your work in an online site. Pays on acceptance. All
articles require "scrupulous research, rich details and
thoughtful analysis. We expect our writers to spend considerable
time on research, and to work with the handling editor until the
article is as informative, enlightening, convincing, innovative,
readable and fair as it can be." (TK)
Email: editors@chatelaine.com or
Rhea Seymour at rseymour@chatelaine.com (she will pass
it
onto the appropriate editor)
URL: http://www.canoe.ca/ChatelaineThisMonth/home.html
RANGER RICK - seeks children's fiction and non-fiction
-----------
"Ranger Rick, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22184: Deborah
Churchman, Fiction Editor; Gerald Bishop, Editor; Claire Miller,
Managing Editor. This natural science publication uses fiction
and nonfiction of up to 1000 words for children 6 to 12; articles
max 900 words. Pay is $50 to $575 on acceptance. Don't attribute
human qualities to animals or encourage keeping wild animals as
pets. They use nature-related puzzles." (Source: Children's
Writers Market column)
URL: http://www.nwf.org/nwf
COLLECTING TOYS - seeks articles
---------------
Collecting Toys magazine, 21027 Crossroads Circle, Box 1612,
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612. (414) 796-8776. Fax (414) 796-1142. Tom
Hammel, Editor. 75% freelance. Collecting Toys is the quality and
readership leader in the modern toy-collecting field, covering
toys from the 1950s to 1990s in full color, with special emphasis
on diecast and steel vehicles, character toys, and action
figures. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 47K. Bimonthly. Pays on
acceptance. Publishes mss 3 months to 3 yrs after acceptance.
Buys all rights. Occasionally accepts reprints. Responds 30-60
days. Sample at bookstores or call (800) 533-6644. Subscription
$19.95; $26 outside U.S. Guidelines by mail with SASE or see
website. NEEDS: "In-depth articles ranging from 1-8 pages on all
aspects of vintage and modern boy's toy fields. Company profiles,
historical pieces, collector profiles. Additionally, we are now
also seeking authoritatively written stories and price guides on
vintage (1950s and '60s) girls' toy subjects. We try to give our
readers access that other magazines in our field cannot attain,
produced to standards that others cannot achieve." Pays average
of $75/printed page. Slightly higher rate for regular or
established writers. Articles average 350 words/printed page, up
to 8 pages. Submit query (preferred) or complete ms by mail with
SASE or by email. PHOTOS/ART: Full color only, 35mm slides
minimum, larger formats are preferred and earn special payments.
"Photos are typically purchased as part of ms. Some split
writer/photographer arrangements can be made depending on story."
HINTS: "We are expanding our range of coverage to include
gender-neutral and some outright girls' stories. In general,
write to our readers, be entertaining AND informative. Stories
need plenty of solid informative meat, structure counts."
(Source: The Write Markets Report Oct/97)
Email: thammel@toysmag.com
URL: http://www.toysmag.com
FINE COOKING - seeks articles
------------
Fine Cooking, The Taunton Press, 63 South Main St. POB 5506,
Newtown, CT USA 06470-5506. Bimonthly. Circ. 120,000. Food
magazine that "concentrates on the pleasures of the kitchen. From
finding the best way to roast vegetables or to poach fish to
controlling the texture of flan or the crispness of tart shells,
FC emphasizes successful cooking and baking techniques. It also
offers a wealth of comprehensive, indepth information that leads
to enjoyment of the process and satisfaction with the results."
ARTICLES INCLUDE: how ingredients act alone and interact with
other ingredients and why, how to shop for the best ingredients
and store them effectively / proven methods for preparing dishes
from the commonplace to the exotic / reviews of cookware, food
preparation equipment, cooking tools, kitchen fixtures, and
appliances / designing a pleasant, efficient and safe workplace /
how accomplished chefs create satisfying, delicious meals.
READERSHIP: "FC is a magazine for people who are passionate about
the craft of cooking. They love the act of cooking for its own
sake, as well as for its results, and seek to understand and
master all aspects of the process. Rather than always being
tethered to recipes, our readers like to improvise, using what's
in season or what's in the larder. Their enthusiasm for preparing
and enjoying good food extends to everyday cooking as well as to
cooking for special occasions...while most of FC's readers are
avid home cooks, many (about 25%) are professionals - chefs,
restauranteurs, caterers, and cooking-school teachers. This means
that all of our articles must be accessible and instructive to
beginning enthusiasts and at the same time be credible and
informative to more sophisticated cooks with greater tastes."
Query first. Pays $150/published page. Some out-of-pocket
expenses covered. (Source: The Gila Queen's Guide to Markets)
Email: fc@taunton.com
URL: http://www.taunton.com/fc/index.htm
================================================================
Ask The Experts
---------------
*** Please put "inklings question" in the subject header. ***
Judith Bowen (ROMANCE WRITER) jbowen@max-net.com
David Breeden (POET) drpoetry@ktc.com
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) cdeemer@teleport.com
Mark Fowler (LAWYER) askthelawyer@inkspot.com
Susan Graham (AGENT) slgraham@mindspring.com
Carol Henson (BOOK DOCTOR) bookdoc@Prodigy.net
Ken Jenks (ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER) MindsEye@tale.com
David Leit (LAWYER) askthelawyer@inkspot.com
Bob Sablatura (JOURNALIST) bob.sablatura@reporters.net
Michelle Sagara (SF/FANTASY WRITER) Michelle.Sagara@sff.net
Lee Wardlaw (CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER) Katknip2@aol.com
Marcia Yudkin (FREELANCE WRITER) send to yudkin@inkspot.com
Columnists may be unable to reply privately to every message,
but will answer selected questions in future issues of Inklings.
================================================================
ASK THE ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER
----------------------------------------------------------------
by Ken Jenks
<MindsEye@tale.com>
Publishing novels on-line
-------------------------
A well-known novelist asked me about publishing her novels on
the Internet. This was my reply:
A: Although we've been doing very well publishing short stories,
I've been hesitating to put novels on-line for a variety of
reasons, but now might be a good time.
First, you can probably earn more money from a novel by selling
it in the traditional publishing system. This pay-per-view thing
is all right, but nobody is earning enough to make a living at it
yet. This is no get-rich-quick scheme -- the money trickles in as
people buy the stories. If you need cash within a few months, the
book publishers are still the way to go, even with the usual crop
of troubles that come with book publishing. The jury is still out
whether you can still sell "First Rights" after you've published
a novel on the Web.
It's hard to read novels on a computer screen, and it's expensive
(in paper and toner/ink) to print them out. If we sell a novel
chapter-by-chapter, and ten chapters cost $0.66 each, that novel
costs the user $6.60. It's cheaper to buy them at the bookstore.
We can adjust the price, and we can package the story
differently, but the difficulty of reading long works on-line is
really a function of the poor quality of computer monitors and
the general inconvenience of reading for hours at a computer
screen. It may take more than a good price to overcome those
limitations.
Other companies have tried pay-per-view on-line novels and have
mostly failed miserably. Sales have not been brisk.
Now that I've mentioned the downside, you clearly have a loyal
customer base who might be interested enough in your work to go
through the time and expense of buying your novels on-line. The
number of people who visit your Web site should give you some
idea of how many Web-enabled loyal readers you have.
I'd guess that a maximum of one in fifty of those loyal readers
would actually buy an on-line novel. So if your existing Web site
has a few hundred visitors per day, selling your novels on-line
might make financial sense. If not, you and your agent should
work through the traditional publication process, slow and
painful as it is, then look at the Web as a reprint market.
I think I could make a little more money from your work if we
first publish it on-line, but I'm not sure that this is in your
best interest. The number of users who visit your existing Web
site will be a good indication of how popular your on-line novels
will be.
You asked about losing control of your work and having it ripped
off. This has not been a problem for any of the short stories
we've published, nor has it been a problem for my competition
(Omni, Tomorrow SF, Galaxy, etc.). The Internet is a community of
users, system administrators and Internet Service Providers
(including government and educational providers). Even if a user
rips off a copyrighted work and republishes it, appeals to the
user, the system administrators and their ISPs almost always
result in quick removal of the offending copy. Very rarely do
laywers need to be involved, and if they do, the copyright laws
are relatively easy to enforce in most nations. The community of
the Internet is strongly interested in protecting intellectual
property rights, and working within that community can help you
protect your rights. You'll find that the community helps you --
people who read your work on-line will often send you e-mail
about it, usually mentioning where they read it. This can help
you spot pirates. There are also technological means for
detecting copyright piracy on the Web. For example, you can
periodically search for a key passage from your work using the
major search engines or meta-engines.
You need to weigh the factors involved in this new world of
on-line publishing before you decide to publish a novel on-line.
Talk to your agent about it. Visit some of the sites which
publish fiction. If you can't find them, your readers probably
can't, either.
I hope we can do business, but I honestly want the best deal for
you. In the long run, that's the best deal for me, too.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
Ken Jenks is the editor-in-chief and owner of Mind's Eye Fiction,
a paying market for short stories on the Internet. He is pleased
to correspond with readers, writers, agents and publishers about
on-line publishing. Mind's Eye fiction can be found at
<http://tale.com/>.
Copyright (c) 1997 Ken Jenks. All rights reserved.
================================================================
PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ON THE WEB
----------------------------------------------------------------
by Moira Allen
<Moira.Allen@olywa.net>
If you've authored a book (or several), let potential readers
know through a carefully designed website. The key lies in the
word "careful". Surfers shun obviously commercial sites, or
those
that are blatantly personal ("Hi! My name is Bob! Click here for
news about my new book, click here for a picture of my dog!")
What readers want is solid information - about your topic, about
your book, about you. Here's how to provide it:
IF YOUR BOOK IS NONFICTION:
* Prepare an article (or several) relating to the subject area
of your book. Don't tease ("to find out more, buy my book");
instead, provide useful information that summarizes or
complements topics covered in your book.
* Prepare a set of FAQs related to the subject area of your
book.
* Include an excerpt of the book, if your publisher will grant
permission. (Present the idea as a promotional opportunity.)
* Offer reciprocal links to relevant sites. Many sites will be
glad of a shared link if your website contains genuinely useful
information. Brainstorm about the types of sites that might be
relevant to your topic, or that might attract visitors who would
be interested in what you have to say.
* Enter your site into a "webring" relevant to your topic.
* Include your e-mail address and indicate a willingness to
answer questions.
* Include complete ordering information, especially if your
books are not readily available in bookstores. Be sure to
include overseas ordering information as well! As an
alternative, offer a direct link to the Amazon.com bookstore page
(www.Amazon.com) that lists your book, enabling readers to order
immediately.
IF YOUR BOOK IS FICTION:
* Fiction readers want to learn more about their favorite
authors. Provide appropriate background information about
yourself: Your interests, what led you to write this particular
book or series, how you came to be a writer, your future plans,
etc. Remain professional (again, no dog pictures!), but let
readers come away with the feeling that they've gotten to know
you better.
* List the books you've written, including those written under
a pen-name.
* Offer a short fiction excerpt, such as a short-short written
for your webpage or a previously published story.
* Include an excerpt of a recent or upcoming book, if your
publisher grants permission.
* Provide useful "tips for writers" that apply to your
particular genre, how to get started, or the skills of writing in
general. Make sure your advice is well-written and practical;
remember, you're a role model to many would-be authors.
* Announce upcoming appearances at conventions, conferences,
booksignings, talk shows, etc.
* Get your site included in lists of author pages (see below).
Seek reciprocal links with author sites that might attract
similar readers. For example, if you write fantasy fiction about
talking dragons, try to link with other authors who write about
similar subjects and whose fans might be interested in your books
(and vice versa).
* Add links to useful pages that relate to your genre (e.g.,
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Romance Writers
of America).
FOR ALL BOOKS:
* Locate your title in Amazon.com and enter the "author's
description" of your book. Since a potential buyer can't flip
through the book to determine its contents, your description may
be the only clue a buyer has as to what the book is about. Also,
complete the "author interview" questionnaire available on the
site.
* Provide complete ordering information, a link to your
publisher's website and ordering page, or a link to Amazon.com or
another online bookstore.
* Provide a cover picture of your book(s). If your publisher
can't provide a GIF file, take your book to a print shop that
provides computer scanning services.
* Join the Amazon.com associates program, and link your page to
your book listing. This way, you'll earn a 15% commission (or
more) every time a book is sold through your site. (That
probably beats your royalties, which you'll also receive!)
* Index your site with the leading search engines. Register
through Submit It! (www.submit-it.com) and also with the search
engines directly. Check the search engines every few months to
make sure your listing hasn't been dropped.
* Check reciprocal links to make sure your URL is listed
correctly.
* Include a counter on every page (not just the main page) to
monitor the number of visitors, and to determine what content is
attracting attention and what isn't. Put your "ordering"
information on a separate page as well, so that you can monitor
how many visitors actually show interest in how to obtain your
book.
* Keep your content fresh. Offer new articles, new resources,
new FAQs. Purge outdated links. Include a "letters to the
editor" or "answers to visitor questions" page as a source of
fresh material. Use the site to announce new developments in the
field (especially for nonfiction) or in your career (such as a
new book).
Not long ago, prophets and pundits touted the Internet as the
supermall of the future. As yet, however, a website still isn't
quite the equivalent of a display window on the electronic
superhighway. For one thing, you don't have a captive audience;
visitors and potential customers must choose to visit your site.
On the other hand, websites provide the potential for content
that traditional forms of advertising lack. Build content into
your website, and they will come!
Some helpful links:
-------------------
BOOKSTORES:
http://www.Amazon.com
http://www.BarnesandNoble.com
(does not give the option for author input)
AUTHOR WEBSITE LISTS AND COLLECTIONS:
* Science Fiction Resource Guide
Offers a list of science fiction author websites, as well as
links to several other author website compendiums:
http://sflovers.rutgers.edu/Web/SFRG/sfrg05.html#Authors
* AuthorWeb
Provides links to various author pages (emphasis on, but not
limited to, science fiction), and also a link to various other
"Author Indices." It's also part of a "Ring of Authors" webring.
(To suggest a link, contact webmaster@dingir.org)
http://www.dingir.org/authors/about.html
* Authors: Men/Women
Links to sites by or pertaining to a wide range of authors,
living and dead, of all genres.
http://www.prairieden.com/links/men.html
http://www.prairieden.com/links/women.html
==----------------------------------------==
Moira Allen is a former editor of Dog Fancy magazine, and has
been a professional freelancer and editorial consultant for more
than 18 years. She is the author of three books and more than 100
articles. She also teaches professional and creative writing at
a local community college. You can find out more information at:
http://www.olywa.net/peregrine/index.html
Copyright (c) 1997 Moira Allen.
================================================================
SCIENCE WRITING: AVOIDING THE DREADED "SO WHAT?"
----------------------------------------------------------------
by Sherri Chasin Calvo
<scalvo@erols.com>
One of the most common blunders in science writing is forgetting
to tell readers why they should care. The reason for this is
simple; most of us working in and around science are there
because we find it fascinating. After all, scientists investigate
the origin of the universe, the beginning of life, the workings
of the human mind. How could anyone NOT find it fascinating?
True enough. Most people would agree that these are interesting
questions. It's connecting these kinds of questions with the
discoveries actually being reported that can be a problem. No one
is ever likely to be able to write a press release which begins
"Scientists have discovered today that the universe works as
follows..." Science is an incremental process, and you have to
make your readers understand and appreciate the steps along the
way.
Of course, it's not only in science writing that explaining the
significance of the material is important. I once had a history
teacher who used to write "So what?" all over essays that failed
to do this to his satisfaction. The difference in science is that
the significance of a finding as stated by the researcher may be
completely incomprehensible to the uninitiated. This is
important, you may be told, because it confirms a particular
model of some process the reader will never have heard of, or
because it will make it possible to synthesize some molecule with
a very long name. So what? But if confirming the model means
meteorologists can better pinpoint where hurricanes will make
landfall, or if the molecule is a synthetic version of a rare
natural substance used in a vaccine or a cancer drug, you can
relate your material to something the readers will care about.
If you try to cram in all the classic "Who? What? When? Where?"
information when writing the lead paragraph of, say, a press
release on a scientific discovery, you may forget the most
important question of all: "So what?" If that's not in the lead,
the reader may never get to the rest of the story. I often
restrict my lead to "What?" and "So what?" and save the rest of
the basic information for the next couple of paragraphs.
Sometimes in order to explain why something is significant, you
need to back up and give an explanation of its context.
Astronomers have discovered a new type of pulsar? What IS a
pulsar, anyway? The explanation should be as brief as possible,
but at the same time quite clear to someone without an expert's
knowledge of the subject. Getting this balance right can be the
biggest challenge in writing the article. If in doubt, often it's
helpful to try your explanation out on the first specimen of the
proverbial "intelligent layperson" who happens to wander by.
A word of caution: Don't try so hard to impress your readers with
the significance of a discovery that you step outside the bounds
of fact. There's a reason why scientists tend to be cautious in
their announcements, using words like "possible" or "suggests
that". It is the nature of the scientific method that today's
experiments and observations are subject to correction by
tomorrow's. An effect may not turn out to be repeatable, or a
model may be refined by new data, or some sort of noise may be
found to have skewed the results. Don't speculate about possible
results of the discovery; instead, find out why the scientists
think it's important, and whether there may be alternate
explanations. Do whatever background reading is required, and
keep asking questions until you understand. And then explain it
in words which will speak to your readers.
==-------------------------------------------==
Sherri Chasin Calvo is a freelance writer. She gets to explain
high energy astrophysics to the public as part of her day job at
NASA.
Copyright (c) 1997 Sherri Chasin Calvo.
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