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Inklings Issue 5.25
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i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 5.25 *Season's Greetings!* Dec.22, 1999
*****************************************************************
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0525.html>
This issue features a column by Ginger Knowlton (ASK THE AGENT)
about what to do if you've been unable to sell your manuscript,
and marketing tips for writers by Kathryn Lay.
This issue sponsored by:
*****************************************************************
XLIBRIS exists to help authors publish. Promptly, permanently. You
retain control. We make it happen: your book in beautiful hard
cover and trade paperback editions, available on-demand, forever.
Call for a free information pack: 1-888-7XLIBRIS, email
info@xlibris.com or visit us online: http://www.xlibris.com/ink/
*****************************************************************
Scriptapalooza's 2nd Annual Screenwriting Competition. Prize
money alone doesn't start a career, having your winning script
read by our participating production companies can. Sponsored by
Final Draft. Prizes = $4000 total & software, production co/agent
consideration. http://www.scriptapalooza.com
*****************************************************************
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1995-1999 Debbie Ridpath Ohi. See end
of issue for copyright/contact info. http://www.inkspot.com
*****************************************************************
CONTENTS THIS ISSUE:
From The Editor's Desk
Fresh Ink and Market Information
Ask The Agent
Marketing Day
Writers' Classifieds
*****************************************************************
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
-----------------------
Welcome to the last Inklings issue of this century. :-)
Many thanks to Andy Barrie for interviewing me on the Metro
Morning Show on CBC radio last week about Inkspot and for
playing a track from my group's CD on yesterday morning's show
("Technonerdboy"). :-) More about the show at:
http://www.toronto.cbc.ca/bios/barrie.html
Global Writers' Ink
-------------------
Next week's Global Writers' Ink explores whether UK editors
prefer queries or finished articles, and takes a look at the
literary fiction market in New Zealand. For more info, please see:
http://www.inkspot.com/global/
Additions to last issue
-----------------------
Jennifer McCay was kind enough to help out with copy editing
the last issue when Gail wasn't available. Jennifer's e-mail
address is jennifer@mccay-toppe.com. Thanks also to Amanda
Foubister for her last-minute proofreading.
Sign our officewarming guestbook!
---------------------------------
You're all invited to check out some photos of our new office
and sign the officewarming guestbook at:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/officewarming.html
And finally, I'd like thank all Inkspot staff, users, and
advertisers for their support. As a result of your feedback and
encouragement, Inkspot has grown significantly this past year. New
sections include: e-publishing (including a column by Karen
Wiesner), international marketing (Moira Allen), significantly
revamped young writers' section (Shane Stacks), The Ink Blotter
(Christopher Donner), The Bookstop (Bev Walton-Porter), writers'
community forums (project leader: Devorah Stone), promotion
and marketing column (M.J. Rose)...lots more being planned for
the future. :-)
See you next year!
.-" +' "-. __, ,___,
/.'.'A_'*`.\ (--|__| _,,_ ,_
|:.*'/\-\. ':| _| |(_||_)|_)\/
|:.'.||"|.'*:| ( | | _/
\:~^~^~^~^:/ __, ,___,
/`-....-'\ (--|__| _ |' _| _, ,
jgs / \ _| |(_)||(_|(_|\//_)
`-.,____,.-' ( _/
- Debbie
*****************************************************************
FRESH INK
---------
PRIZE GIVEAWAYS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BOOK MARKETING
-----------------------------------------------------
By David Cole (Allworth Press, 1999). Tips on developing a
successful, cost-effective marketing strategy. Includes info
on how to market on the Internet, marketing to the book
trade and library market, selling direct and building a
direct-mail program, tapping into special sales opportunities
and non-bookstore outlets, creating an effective PR campaign,
and crafting persuasive marketing copy.
Deadline: Jan.2, 2000. For more info about this book and how
to enter, see: http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
RECENT PRIZEWINNERS (includes End-Of-Year Giveaway Winners):
Lori Hahnel, Vance DeMoss, Dianne L. Beetler, Astrid Greene,
John Murcko, Jewely Schroeder, Bonita Kale, Terri Barczak,
Ruth Kohut, Robert D. Lilley, E. Loecher, Emru Townsend,
Elizabeth Langford, Kelli Hartman, Virginia Butler,
Sherry Bowen, Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic, Jason Mawdsley,
Tabatha Yeatts, Bill Huffman, Klaus Rentel, Brooks Bcpss,
Cathy Spalding, Diana Caplan.
Writer's Handbook 1999 (donated by Moira Allen) - Patsy Cobb
To see a full list of Writer's Wish List prizes and prizewinners,
please see: http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway1999.html
HireMinds
---------
A great site for writers, reporters, editors, etc. looking for
networking and job opportunities. (CD)
http://www.hireminds.com
Sandbagger's Site
-----------------
There's a number of good articles here, but this is also the home
of the if-it's-not-world-famous-it-should-be Sandbagger's
Automated Manuscript Management Software (S.A.M.M.). It's a good
product and free, but only available for DOS and Windows. (TK)
http://www.sandbaggers.8m.com/
Pure Fiction
------------
Not purefiction.com, but purefiction.co.uk . A site for writers
and readers. The writers 'stream' includes articles and a fairly
comprehensive list of UK publishers. (TK)
http://www.purefiction.co.uk/
PLOT by Damon Knight
--------------------
An excerpt from Knight's book 'Creating Short Fiction". I own
the book. If you don't, and wonder if you should, check it out
for free here. (TK)
http://www.efn.org/~dknight/plot/
How-To Articles For Writers
---------------------------
Tracy Cooper-Posey's articles include tips on historical
research, mailing lists, networking, finding time to write.
http://www.sashaproductions.com/Articles.html
Historical Research Mailing List
--------------------------------
An excellent historical research list that has recently started
up on onelist. "An online community to offer support and research
ideas for authors of historical novels. All genres welcome." (TCP)
http://www.onelist.com/community/historicalresearch
historicalresearch-subscribe@onelist.com
Published! How To Reach Writing Success
---------------------------------------
Collection of useful articles from Inklings columnist, Marcia
Yudkin (ASK THE FREELANCE WRITER). (DRO)
http://www.yudkin.com/publish.htm
Joan Stark's Winter/Christmas ASCII art
---------------------------------------
Completely unrelated to writing. :-) A fun, non-attachment
way to send seasonal greetings through e-mail. (DRO)
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/7373/xmas.htm
Writer's Digest "Best Site For Writer's" Poll
---------------------------------------------
Cast your vote at the URL below. Deadline: January 10, 2000.
http://www.writersdigest.com/101sites_2000/
New Inkspot articles
--------------------
"No Clips? Don't Despair - Here's An Alternative"
By Moira Allen, Associate Editor of Inklings
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/credentials.html
"Doing Signings By The Book - Or Not"
By M.J. Rose, author of LIP SERVICE
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/booksigning.html
"Five Myths About Writing"
By Robert Marcom, Net Author Moderator
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/fivemyths.html
"Advice For E-Book Authors From A Reviewer"
By Lisa Eagleson-Roever, freelance writer/reviewer
http://www.inkspot.com/epublish/articles/ebookreviews.html
TK: Tony King, CD: Chris Donner, DRO: Debbie Ridpath Ohi,
TCP: Tracy Cooper-Posey.
** Please send suggestions for Fresh Ink to freshink@inkspot.com
*****************************************************************
GOTHAM WRITERS' WORKSHOP: Creative writing classes in Fiction,
Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Poetry, Children's Books, more.10-wk &
1-day classes in NYC and online for adults and teens. For free
catalog, call 212-WRITERS or visit http://www.WritingClasses.com
*****************************************************************
Advertise here! Send e-mail to sales@inkspot.com for details.
*****************************************************************
MARKET INFORMATION
------------------
Please get current, detailed guidelines before submitting to
publications if possible. Don't submit to email addresses unless
specifically stated. Include a SASE for surface mail replies.
More market info at: http://www.inkspot.com/market/.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
"FNASR": First North American Serial Rights,
"SASE": self-addressed, stamped envelope,
"simsubs": simultaneous submissions,
"mss": manuscript, "RT": response time,
"GL": guidelines.
Markets Editor: Sal Towse (ST). Research assistants: Shane Stacks
(SS), Margaret Shauers (MS), Kathie Meyer (KM), Jan Edwards (JE),
Jerri Ledford (JL).
SAN DIEGO WRITERS' MONTHLY
--------------------------
San Diego Writers' Monthly, 3910 Chapman Street, San Diego, CA
92110. Phone: 619.226.0896. Editor: Mike MacCarthy. Print
magazine with Web site focused on promoting a sense of community
among local writers and reaching out to those who appreciate good
writing. "Our goal is to inform, represent, and entertain by
showcasing local writers and a wide variety of fine writing."
FREQ: Monthly February-December, 11 issues per year. CIRC:
2,500-5,000/month. SIZE: 32pps. AUDIENCE: Broad cross-section of
San Diego's literary community including journalists, novelists,
poets, agents, teachers, librarians, editors, producers, and
booksellers. NEEDS: Nonfiction - essays, opinion, humor,
reportage on the writing life; reviews, book excerpts with
emphasis on Southern California and San Diego authors (All
subjects except technical or narrowly academic). No simple-minded
"how-to" articles. Queries are NOT required; hard copy and 3-1/2"
floppy disks are required for nonfiction, fiction, and poetry.
Fiction: All genres and styles (no gratuitous sex, violence, or
profanity). Stories and novel excerpts. Poems - Send no more than
4 poems up to 40 lines each. The Monthly Interview: Queries will
be considered, usually assigned. Subject must be a noteworthy
member of the literary community and must live in or have
recently visited San Diego County or have written something that
has been produced or performed there. LENGTH: Nonfiction - 4,000
wds; stories and novel excerpts 4,000 words; poems - up to 40
lines each - no more than 4 per submission; The Monthly Interview
- 3,000 to 4,000 wds. Guidelines available on the Web site. RTS:
One-time rts. Contributors retain copyright to their material.
PAY: On publication. Fiction and nonfiction, $10 to $25. Poetry,
$5 per poem. COMMENTS FROM EDITOR: "SDWM has been doing its thing
since 1991. We are a labor of love for and about the writing and
reading public with a heavy emphasis on Southern California and
especially San Diego. Our readers tell us we are an imaginative
combination of the styles of 'Poets & Writers' and 'Writers
Digest.' We especially welcome successfully humorous pieces on
the writing life as well as cartoons/small comic strips on the
same subjects." RT: 8-10 wks. SUBMISSIONS: NO TELEPHONE OR E-MAIL
QUERIES. Send mss with a SASE to: San Diego Writers' Monthly,
3910 Chapman Street, San Diego, CA 92110. All queries or
submissions must be typed or computer-printed on 8 1/2" by 11"
paper. All material should be in hardcopy, doublespaced, and
accompanied by a 3 1/2" floppy disk in standard format. Include
name, address and telephone number on all work. Please note any
writing credits/experience. SASE must be included for return or
reply. Submissions without a SASE will not receive a response.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: It is recommended that writers read a
sample copy before submitting. Individual copies and back issues
are available from the editorial office for $4.00 and $3.00
respectively, or visit the Web site. ADDITIONAL TIPS FROM EDITOR:
Submissions from non-San Diegans will be considered. "It depends
on the piece and its relevance to our readership - the writing
and reading community of San Diego with a secondary eye to the
writing and reading community in general." (JE)
URL: http://www.sandiego-online.com/entertainment/sdwm/
GL:
http://www.sandiego-online.com/entertainment/sdwm/submit.stm
E-mail: mcarthy@sandiego-online.com
WRITING FOR DOLLARS!
--------------------
Writing For Dollars! AWOC.COM, PMB 225, 2436 S I-35E, Suite 376,
Denton, TX 76205. Editor: Dan Case. Newsletter for writers who
want to start selling their work or increase their writing
income. Companion publication of The Writer's Place
(www.awoc.com). FREQ: Semi-monthly. CIRC: 15K+. NEEDS: Articles
on improving writing or writing income. Subjects include, but are
not limited to, "How-to-sells" that are market specific,
interviews with successful writers, and new ways to make money
writing. Also seeking "How I Made My First Sell" articles (first
writing you received payment for, experience must include some
benefit to reader). LENGTH: 500-1K wds. GL: Query first with
article idea, writing credits, and estimated number of words.
Queries accepted via email and postal mail (email MUCH
preferred). If by email, include all text within body of email in
plain text ASCII format (no attachments or special formatting).
Occasionally buys previously published material. Simultaneous
submissions okay if editor notified. Multiple submissions okay,
but limit one per contact. RIGHTS: Exclusive first-use one-time
rights. AWOC.COM retains the non-exclusive right to archive and
display the article online on its website for one year. PAYS: On
acceptance. $15/article; $10/article for reprints. RT: E-mail
queries- 1 week; Postal queries- 4-6 weeks; ms subs- under a
month. TIP(S): "Pieces longer than 1000 wds may be accepted on
rare occasions, but good, tightly written 500-1000 word pieces
have a better chance of being bought. If you have some
information that will help writers earn more, we're interested in
looking at your idea. Query first." (SS)
URL: http://www.awoc.com/WFD.cfm
GL: Email editor@awoc.com
E-Mail: editor@awoc.com
GOWANUS
-------
Gowanus. Brooklyn, New York. Editor: Thomas J. Hubschman.
International online journal of intelligent essay, short fiction
and review. FREQ: Quarterly. NEEDS: Articles, essays, short
stories and reviews taking advantage of Internet's
interconnectivity, and sharing the thoughts and experiences of
its users world-wide. Specific preference given to Third World
writers, both residents and expatriates. LENGTH: 1.2K-4K wds. GL:
Email submissions in ASCII format. Multiple submissions, simsubs,
and previously published material all okay. PAYS: $15-$25/piece.
RIGHTS: Buys the right to publish and archive electronically,
plus one-time print rights. Copyright remains with author. RT:
Days to months. Average is six weeks. TIP(S): "We publish both
well-established and novice writers, but they all write well and
have something to say. We do edit, sometimes substantially,
either because the piece requires it or because the writer is not
all that comfortable with English. We are looking for well-rooted
pieces, writing that is very much of its time and place--Africa,
Asia, the Caribbean, etc." (SS)
URL: http://www.dorsai.org/~tjhubsc/gowanus.html
GL: http://www.dorsai.org/~tjhubsc/response.htm
E-Mail: tjhubsc@dorsai.org
THE BARK
--------
The Bark, 2810 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. Phone:
510.704.0827. FAX: 510.704.0933. Editor: Claudia Kawczynska. "The
Bark is a cultural arts magazine for the modern dog culture. We
publish essays, reviews, interviews, commentary, excerpts, poetry
and artwork." FREQ: Published quarterly. CIRC: 60,000. SIZE: 64
pps, magazine format, color throughout. AUDIENCE: National
audience - people who love dogs and who love to read. NEEDS:
Non-fiction and fiction work, poetry, commentary and essays. All
work must include dogs in a prominent manner. Artwork and
photography are also welcome; however do not send originals.
LENGTH: Stories not to exceed 2,000 wds. RTS: FNASR; previously
published and excerpts will also be considered. If work has been
previously published, please identify dates and names of
publications. PAY: On publication and to be negotiated. RT:
Submissions accompanied by an SASE will receive a response within
four months. SUBMISSIONS: Send submissions to: Editor, The
Bark/Submissions, 2810 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 or email
to editor@thebark.com. Mss should be typed, double-spaced and
accompanied by a SASE. Author's name, address and phone number
should be on each page. Include word count and short bio. If mss
is accepted, a copy on disk will be requested. COMMENTS:
"Original pieces greatly appreciated. Essays about the death of a
dog are discouraged because we simply receive too many." SAMPLE
COPIES: Sample copies are available for $3.50, payable in
advance. The Web site (which includes dogs you can pet!) contains
a content sampling, guidelines and information about the
magazine. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Point of view is topical,
unsentimental and intelligent. Magazine provides commentary on
culture and the arts, social and political issues, lifestyle and
media, recreation, health and travel. ADDITIONAL TIPS FROM
EDITOR: "Please acquaint yourself with The Bark's viewpoint
before submission." (JE)
URL: http://www.thebark.com
GL: http://www.thebark.com/who/index.html
E-mail: editor@thebark.com or staff@thebark.com
SINGULARITIES
--------------
Singularities. Danny Adams, 129 Willowdale Drive, #21, Frederick,
MD 21702. Editor: Danny Adams. Singularities is an online
magazine of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. FREQ: 3 times a
year. CIRC: Web hits varies; has been as high as 12,000. NEEDS:
Well-written science fiction, fantasy, and horror of 500 to
20,000 wds; poetry to 100 lines. Needs more imaginative fantasy,
hard SF, and alternate history or near future extrapolation.
PAYS: Pays 1/2 cent/wd for first electronic rights for first five
stories in each issue. After the first five, pays a flat rate.
RT: 4 wks. For examples of the types of stories and poems
published, please view the archives at
http://www.wwco.com/scifi/eharchives2.html. TIPS: "The two things
that impress me most are an imaginative plot (which can include a
new twist on an old theme) and strong characterization." FROM THE
EDITOR: Contrary to information on site, "the submission window
will stay open indefinitely since the move has caused a good bit
of confusion. For some reason a lot of the subs aren't being
forwarded from the old address--at least not by the Post Office,
but rather the family who still live there. The window will stay
open, then, until the new address catches hold and we have plenty
of purchases--and even then I'll give advance warning that it's
going to close." (JL)
URL: http://www.wwco.com/~dda
GL: http://www.wwco.com/scifi/
Email: editor@wwco.com
CONTEST- IKONPEN ESSAY COMPETITION
----------------------------------
iKonPen Essay Competition. Deadline: 9 PM (GMT) Sat. Apr. 8,
2000. Prizes: First: A beautiful pen from Stipula, I-Castoni Eye
of the Tiger with 14kt gold nib. Runner up: Fountain Pens of the
World by Andreas Lombrou, a history of the pen with exquisite
photography. Winners will be announced in and around the middle
of Apr. 2000. Winning entries may be edited for publication. WHAT
TO DO: Write an essay between 750 and 1000 words on the fountain
pen. Your choice of theme. SUBMISSION: Only one entry per person,
written in English, previously unpublished, original work only.
After you have submitted your essay, no unsolicited
correspondence will be entered into. Further unsolicited
communication by the entrant after submission will invalidate the
submission. On the other hand, failure to respond within a
reasonable period to e-mail from contest officials will
disqualify your entry. Submission of entries via e-mail only.
ESSAYS MUST BE SUBMITTED AS E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS ONLY. DO NOT send
your essay as the contents of e-mail. Attach your essay as a
plain text, rich text, Word 95, or Word 97 attachment to the
e-mail. Entries send in any other format (such as HTML) will be
disqualified. No line art, GIF's, text boxes, clip art or fancy
stuff. A great story takes precedence over grammar and structure.
Write with the short-attention-span Internet mentality in mind,
i.e. short paragraphs. Essays should be informative and
entertaining. No racial slurs, profanity, self-promotion, or
defamatory remarks against religious bodies, political
organizations, known persons or organizations. All entries should
be submitted via the e-mail address: competition@iKonPen.com.
RTS: The winning entrants agree to allow iKonPen to publish their
essays. iKonPen has exclusive rights to the winning essays until
they are published on-site. The essay winners then agree to
continue to give non-exclusive rights to iKonPen to publish their
essay. Employees of World Pen Inc. and DataCircus are ineligible
for entry to this competition. The 2 winning entries will be
published in the Summer 2000 issue of iKonZine, in the Guest
Essay column (for the winner) and the new Scriptorium column (for
the runner up). TIP: Send your entry to a friend to make sure all
is well format-wise, etc. before sending it as a contest entry.
(KM)
URL: http://www.ikonpen.com/
E-mail: competition@iKonPen.com
MARKET UPDATES:
As of December 15, 1999, Event Horizon: SF, Fantasy, Horror is on
indefinite hiatus in order to seek investors and/or a
buyer to underwrite its continuation. (ST)
http://www.eventhorizon.com/sfzine/editorial/index.html
Gary Havens, Editor, tells Inklings Family Handyman is entirely
staff written and does not accept outside material. "We do,
however, gladly accept submissions for our 'Handy Hints',
'Workshop Tips', 'Great Goofs' and 'Wordless Workshop'
departments. Directions for submitting original hints (pays $100)
can be found on-line. (ST)
http://208.240.94.53/issue2/handyhints/main.html
Ken Collier tells Inklings that American Woodworker is "no longer
accepting free-lance material except in the form of tips and
hints, and other reader-supplied departments. If you're
interested, send your ideas to the address given in the magazine.
(The pay's a lot better for this type of material, by the way--a
couple hundred bucks for a short paragraph. Wow!)" (ST)
http://www.americanwoodworker.com/current_issue/workshop_tips.html
New Woman will cease publication in January. See article at Media
Central (KM)
http://www.mediacentral.com/channels//magazines/944693770_345.html
Market tidbit passed on by reader Tracy Widner: John Renning,
co-editor, of "Sheep" in San Francisco sent e-mail stating
"Sheep" was "...essentially defunct."
Please send market news to Sal Towse, towse@inkspot.com.
*****************************************************************
Ask The Experts
---------------
*** Please put "inklings question" in the subject header. ***
Judith Bowen (ROMANCE WRITER) JudithBowen@poboxes.com
David Breeden (POET) dbreeden@schreiner.edu
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) charlesd@inkspot.com
Mark Fowler (LAWYER) askthelaywer@inkspot.com
Ken Jenks (ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER) MindsEye@tale.com
Ginger Knowlton (AGENT) agent@inkspot.com
Michelle Sagara (SF/FANTASY WRITER) Michelle.Sagara@sff.net
Lee Wardlaw (CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER) lee@inkspot.com
Marcia Yudkin (FREELANCE WRITER) yudkin@inkspot.com
Columnists may be unable to reply privately to every message,
but will answer selected questions in future issues of Inklings.
Please keep your question BRIEF and send it to *one* columnist.
*****************************************************************
ASK THE AGENT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Ginger Knowlton <agent@inkspot.com>
Q: I haven't been able to make a sale. What should I do?
--------------------------------------------------------
If one has been published, has a reputable literary agent, and
the agent has submitted a singular work (a novel, for example)
for five years, reporting only positive responses from editors
but has not made a sale, is it time to:
1) Seek a new literary agent who has contacts with different
editors?
Instead, do some homework on your own and present a suggested
list of potential contacts/editors/publishers to your agent.
Remember, this is a partnership and your input is not only
valuable, it is necessary. It is your career, after all.
2) Rewrite the book and submit under another title?
If you agree with editorial comments and feel the manuscript
would be improved with revision, I think it's a great idea to
revise. If it becomes a manuscript that is substantially
different from the first version, ask your agent how he feels
about calling the editors who have seen it previously to see
if any of them might be willing to look at it again. But I
don't advise trying to "trick" editors by simply submitting
the same work under another title. I think you should tell
editors upfront that it's a revision of a work previously
submitted.
3) Ask to see where it has been submitted and precisely what the
editorial responses were?
Definitely! I understand that agents have different systems
and some agents don't share letters from editors with
clients. Frankly, I've heard too many stories of authors
wondering if their agents truly sent out their manuscripts at
all for me to feel comfortable working that way. As so many
have said, anyone can call herself an agent. Unfortunately,
there are a lot of unscrupulous ones out there. I suggest
you ask your agent to send copies of letters from editors to
you as they come in and, at the same time, let you know where
the next submission is headed.
4) Give up and chalk it up to experience?
Some manuscripts are unsaleable. Read those editorial
comments and talk with your agent and ask for an honest
assessment. In fact, perhaps a Choice 5) should be added
here...
5) Talk to your agent and ask his advice concerning all of
the above.
Remember, you hired the agent to work for you. Where would
agents--and editors--be without authors?!!
**----------------------------------------------**
Ginger is a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. (please note that
she is currently not looking for new clients). Because of the
volume of mail she receives, Ginger is unable to reply to
messages privately, but will answer selected questions in future
issues of Inklings. If you wish to make a business-related query,
please use regular channels (surface mail). See the AAR FAQ for
tips on how to query an agent:
http://www.bookwire.com/AAR/FAQs.html
Copyright (c) 1999 Ginger Knowlton.
*****************************************************************
MARKETING DAY
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Kathryn Lay <RLay15@aol.com>
To some writers, "marketing" is an ugly word. Others find it
frightening. Still others consider it confusing, frustrating, and
intrusive upon their creativity. So how does a writer keep the
business side of writing from interrupting the creative flow?
I've found that by setting aside one day a week or month to spend
on marketing, I've vanquished the dread of marketing. Because my
husband's payday falls on the last Friday of the month, my
"Marketing Day" is the last Thursday of the month. Then, on
Friday morning, I'm ready to send out my manuscripts.
True marketing involves much more than simply preparing manuscripts
for the mail, however. Here are six ways to make the most of your
day of marketing:
1. Search for Markets
----------------------
Spend time reading your market magazines. Do you subscribe to
online publications such as Inklings, Global Writers' Ink, Writer
Online, Inscriptions, and Writing for Dollars? Did you know that
the Writer's Digest website gives a market of the day, with
guidelines?
This is also a good time to study new magazines. Friends will
often give me copies of a new magazine they subscribe to or have
purchased. Whenever I am in a bookstore, I look over the magazines,
and if I see one I am particularly interested in, I'll purchase a
copy to study. On Marketing Day, I'll sit back with a soda or cup
of tea and study these magazines in hopes of finding ideas to query
or stories to send.
2. List Markets for Your Projects
---------------------------------
Look over the manuscripts you want to market. Do you know where
you will send your work-in-progress? Do you have at least two,
and preferably ten, markets for each of your stories, poems, books
or articles? By making a list for each manuscript, I am not at a
loss if it is rejected the first time out.
By preparing ahead of time, I am also able to send a returned
manuscript on its way again without spending time searching for
my next market. When a manuscript sells, I will create a new list
for selling reprints of my pieces when they become available again.
3. Update Market Information
-----------------------------
Editors come and go, publishers change addresses, houses are
swallowed and new ones created, needs and focuses change. If you
keep records of markets (You don't? Why not?), you will also need
to make changes.
Whenever I hear of an editorial change, I write it on a slip of
paper and put it into my market box. On Marketing Day, I go
through the changes and record them on the 3x5 cards on which I
note potential markets. Whether you keep records in a notebook
or on the computer, be prepared to keep correct information.
When a new editor takes charge, or a previous editor moves to a
higher position, your cover and query letters should reflect the
change. If a magazine changes its policy and accepts only query
letters, and I send a full manuscript, I've wasted my time and
postage.
4. Create Sparkling Queries
----------------------------
A query or cover letter should be created, not written in a hurry.
You are selling yourself and your work. On Marketing Day, I take
time to create exciting letters that will best pitch my work to an
editor. Are they interesting? Do they come to the point without
rambling? Have I found a succinct way to pitch my idea? Is my
proposal professional?
I am always surprised when someone tells me that their well-
written, exciting article, story, or book has not been sent to a
publisher because they don't want to write that query or cover
letter. Use your Marketing Day to practice and to learn.
5. Study Back Issues, Guidelines, and Catalogs
-----------------------------------------------
Do you want to break into "Family Circle"? Read six months to a
year of back issues. Find out what they have published, what they
haven't, and the focus of their market. Get on the above-mentioned
writers' newsletters and look up the hundreds of guidelines waiting
to be downloaded from the Web. Some guidelines give specific needs
as well as information on monthly columns with openings for
freelancers. Send for catalogs by book publishers that publish the
type of book you have written.
6. Prepare at Least One Manuscript and One Query
-------------------------------------------------
At the end of your Marketing Day, you should be ready to market
your work. You have researched, studied, and prepared. Give
yourself the reward of at least one manuscript and one query letter
that is ready to take to the post office the next day. Tomorrow,
you will be ready to let your creative mind flow.
By setting aside a specific day to work exclusively on marketing,
I never feel as if I am interrupting my writing schedule. I have
come to look forward to these days, and am excited about the
possible directions they will lead. Whether you write full- or
part-time, you can benefit from a day to tackle the business side
of writing. And when guilt over lack of marketing tries to tug you
away from writing, you can set those thoughts aside for your next
Day of Marketing.
Writers' Market Newsletters
---------------------------
Global Writers' Ink - http://www.inkspot.com/global/
Inklings - http://www.inkspot.com/inklings
Inscriptions - http://www.inscriptionsmagazine.com
Writing for Dollars - http://www.awoc.com/AWOC-Home.cfm
Guideline Databases
-------------------
Guide to Online Guidelines - http://www.snafu.de/~gadfly/
Writer's Digest - http://www.writersdigest.com
Writer's Guidelines -
http://www.writersmarkets.com/index-guidelines.htm
Writers' Guidelines Database - http://mav.net/guidelines
Writer's Place - http://www.awoc.com/AWOC-Home.cfm
Writers Write - http://www.writerswrite.com/guidelines
**---------------------------------------**
Kathryn Lay keeps 50 manuscripts and queries in the mail at one
time, and has sold over 350 short stories and articles and two
picture books. Her work has appeared in the anthologies A GLORY
OF UNICORNS, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE MOTHER'S SOUL, STORIES FOR THE
FAMILY'S HEART, THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK, and others. She can be
contacted at rlay15@aol.com.
Copyright (c) 1999 Kathryn Lay.
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