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Inklings Issue 6.07
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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 6.7 April 12, 2000
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<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0607.html>
Mark Fowler (Ask the Lawyer) discusses the legality of using
real place names in fiction and whether one needs permission
to use another person's unpublished letters; and two authors
describe how to "Network on the Net" to find writing partners.
This issue sponsored by:
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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/
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ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1995-2000 Debbie Ridpath Ohi. See end
of issue for copyright/contact info. http://www.inkspot.com
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CONTENTS THIS ISSUE:
From the Guest Editor's Desk
Fresh Ink and Market Information
Ask the Lawyer
Networking on the Net, by Teri Brown and Linda Sherwood
Writers' Classifieds
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FROM THE GUEST EDITOR'S DESK
----------------------------
Global Writers' Ink will soon be moving online! After the end of
its first year of e-mail publication, Global Writers' Ink will
move online to become a regular section of the Inkspot website.
The new "global" section will include regular feature articles
and links to useful resources for international writers and
writers who wish to reach international markets. The markets
section will be combined with Inkspot/Inkling's regular market
listings. The section will be free (no subscription required!),
and will be launched in August 2000.
If you are a subscriber to Global Writers' Ink, and haven't
received our letter to current subscribers, please be sure to
contact me at globaleditor@inkspot.com for more information
about your subscription options.
Global Writers' Ink has proven an exciting way to reach out to
the international writing community: More than 2/3 of our
subscribers lived and worked outside North America. We hope
that the new online version of Global Writers' Ink will be an
even greater resource to writers around the globe.
-- Moira Allen
New on Inkspot
--------------
The following articles have recently been posted to the Inkspot
"feature" section:
Literary Agents: Are They Essential to the Canadian Writer?
by Julie H. Ferguson
While 80% of U.S-published books are agented, these figures don't
hold for Canadian authors. Find out if you really need an agent
(and how to find one if you do).
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/agents.html
Mind-Mapping for Writers, by Anne Bartlett
Here's a creative way to make sense of notes, ideas, information,
and all the rest of that hodgepodge of material on your desk.
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/bartlett.html
Working with Editors, by Dee-Ann LeBlanc
Editors don't always tell you what you want to hear -- but they
can be valuable partners in your writing career.
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/editors.html
Coming next week in Global Writers' Ink
---------------------------------------
How to write for German markets, plus an overview of UK fiction
and literary markets.
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FRESH INK
---------
PRIZE GIVEAWAY: THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK, WRITING BOOKS FOR KIDS
AND TEENS
---------------------------------------------------------------
WRITING BOOKS FOR KIDS AND TEENS by Marion Crook. 1998,
Self-Counsel Press. Packed with illustrative examples, this book
offers tips for those interested in writing for a young audience.
THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK, edited by Sylvia K. Burack. 1999, The
Writer. 110 chapters of how-to information by leading writers, as
well as 3,300 market listings. Thanks to Moira Allen (who has a
chapter included) for donating this book!
Deadline: Apr.23/2000. For more info about these books and how
to enter, see: http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
Congratulations to Carey Krieger and Michael Hora, winners of THE
COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO GETTING PUBLISHED.
NOTE FROM DEBBIE: Many thanks for all the wonderful birthday
cards and postcards. :-) Winner of the 2000 Writer's Market
is Bonnie Tharp. Inkspot pen winners: Lynne Remick, Kary
Shannon, Eunice Loecher, Liz U., Briana Guthrie, Janet Biery,
Paulette MacQuarrie.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Crime and Clues
---------------
Writing a police procedural? Detective story? Crime story? Check
out this site with articles related to crime scene investigations,
physical evidence, death investigation, DNA, etc. Fascinating. (TK)
http://www.crimeandclues.com
Holt Uncensored
---------------
Pat Holt is the former book editor and critic for the San
Francisco Chronicle. Her 'uncensored' column appears on the
Northern California Independent Booksellers Association site. (TK)
http://www.nciba.com/patholt.html
The Purple Crayon
-----------------
Great site for children's writers and editors. Maintained by
Harold Underdown, children's book editor. (DRO)
http://www.users.interport.net/~hdu/
Literary and Poetry Contest Scams
---------------------------------
It's a sad story, but true. Many writers are so desperate for
publication that they get taken in by the most unscrupulous
operators. Beware these scams and 'contests'. (TK)
http://wind.wind.org/scams.htm
Proper Manuscript Format
------------------------
The third most pressing question I get asked at writers groups is
how to format a manuscript. (The most asked question "How do I get
an agent?" Second Place: "How can I stop editors from stealing my
stuff?") (TK/SS)
http://www.shunn.net/format.html
Random House and Xlibris form a strategic partnership
-----------------------------------------------------
In addition, Xlibris no longer charges a fee for its core
publishing service. Authors keep all rights. Xlibris has
also majorly revamped their website with writers' resources,
discussions forums, and chat rooms. (DRO)
Xlibris URL: http://www.xlibris.com
Press release:
http://www.xlibris.com/new/pressreleases/random_house_purchase.asp
TK: Tony King; SS: Shane Stacks; DRO: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
** Please send suggestions for Fresh Ink to freshink@inkspot.com
*****************************************************************
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, "cc":
contributors' copies.
Markets Editor: Sal Towse (ST). Research assistants: Shane Stacks
(SS), Margaret Shauers (MS), Kathie Meyer (KM), Jan Edwards (JE),
Jerri Ledford (JL), Moira Allen (MA).
**-----------------------------------------------------**
701 NIAGARA
James Vincent Fusco, Editor
c/o Geneva Business Center, 91 Geneva St., St. Catharines,
Ontario L2R 4M9, Canada; (905) 684-3222; fax (905) 688-4820
A new online magazine that premiered in March; features Niagara
Stories, the monthly place for fiction. FREQ: Monthly. AUDIENCE:
General. NEEDS: Short stories, any genre, any time period, any
subject, but MUST be set in Niagara. Examples -- any honeymoon
story set in Niagara Falls; anything set in historic Niagara-on-
the-Lake or other area city or town, during the War of 1812; upon
a Great Lakes freighter in or near Niagara ports or canal system;
during the mid 1800's when the Underground Railroad for southern
slaves passed through Niagara; during Marilyn Monroe's filming of
"Niagara" (1952); any gambling story set at Casino Niagara, etc.
LENGTH: 1,000-4,000 wds. RTS: Exclusive electronic rights for
30 days, and nonexclusive thereafter. PAY: $50 CDN for accepted
submissions. RT: Eight weeks on average. SUBMISSION: Accepting
submissions via e-mail only. No attached files; paste your text
into the body of e-mail. New and previously published material
will be considered. Simultaneous submissions are accepted; please
advise if your submission has been previously published and where.
ADDITIONAL: "One selection will be made monthly for publication on
the 701 Niagara site. There are six spots still available for
stories this year. Works may be published serially in two or four
parts. Work may also be published in a royalty-paying 'Niagara
Stories' print anthology." (JE)
URL: http://niagara.701.com/sites/701/niagara
GL: fusco@computan.on.ca
SUBS: fusco@computan.on.ca
**-----------------------------------------------------**
ETERNITY PRESS: BEST OF THE 90'S ANTHOLOGIES
Steve Algieri, Executive Editor (see below for anthology editors)
PO Box 930068, Norcross, GA, 30003
"In recognition of the great work (some say the lifeblood of
genre fiction) to appear in the small press, Eternity Press will
collect the one hundred best stories in the horror, fantasy,
science fiction genres for the decade of the 90's in a series of
e-anthologies." Science fiction, fantasy, and horror will be
represented in collections of 33 stories each. EDITORS: Horror -
Jack Fisher & Brian A. Hopkins; Fantasy - Marcie Lynn Tentchoff &
TBA; SF - David L. Felts & TBA. NEEDS: "We will consider horror,
fantasy and SF short stories, novellas, and novelettes originally
published between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999. Stories
originally published before January 1, 1990 (no matter how obscure
the source) and later reprinted during the 90's are not eligible."
Stories must also have been published "in the small press". [See
guidelines at URL below for a detailed explanation of what markets
qualify as small press and which do not.] EXCLUSIONS: "No fan
fiction or fiction based on copyrighted characters, game modules
or worlds allowed. Also, stories published solely on an author's
website are not eligible. *No exceptions*." SUBMISSIONS:
Electronic submissions preferred. Send only one story per e-mail
(use "Submission 90's Small Press" as subject line, cut and paste
story into body of e-mail, *no* attachments), include genre,
contact info, word count, and original publication source and
date. If by post, please include story on PC-compatible disk
rather than hardcopy, and SASE. Simultaneous submissions OK. No
cover letters needed. Up to five submissions may be sent per
anthology. RIGHTS: Nonexclusive reprint rights. PAY: $5/story.
The top-rated story of all three anthologies, as chosen by readers,
will also receive a $500 prize 180 days after publication of the
last anthology. DEADLINE: Feb.15, 2001. (SS)
GL: http://www.pulpeternity.com/gl/90sp.htm
E-Mail/SUBS: pulpeternity@hotmail.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
MYSTIC VISIONS
Dawn Seewer, Articles Editor
MYSTIC VISIONS is an online interactive community and resource
for information on writing, with emphasis on speculative romance
including: fantasy, futuristic, paranormal, and time travel
romance. Web site sections include: Members, Articles, Interviews,
Book Reviews, Romance, Writing Center and Links. FREQ: Updated
monthly. AUDIENCE: Speculative Romance. NEEDS: Articles pertaining
to writing fantasy, futuristic, paranormal and time travel romance;
articles pertaining to the writing life; articles pertaining to
hints, tips and other information of interest to writers. COMMENTS:
"Please keep in mind that we are not a webzine. We are not looking
for fiction of any kind. All articles must be related to writing."
LENGTH: Up to 1,000 wds; longer works will be considered. RTS:
Exclusive electronic rights for 30 days, and nonexclusive archival
rights. After 30 days, rights revert back to author and works can
be resold. Article will be removed from the archive upon request.
PAY: $5 per article upon acceptance. RT: Up to one week. SUBS:
E-mail submissions only. No attachments; paste material into body
of e-mail. If work is too large for one email, send in separate
e-mails, clearly labeled. New and previously published material
will be considered, as long as it does not violate another
publisher's rights. Work must be original. Mystic Visions does
not accept offensive material. Include your name, pen name if
applicable, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number and
title of work with word count for all submissions. Please include
a cover letter with submission. TIPS: "If you are not an expert
in the area you are writing on, then please research the topic.
Many beginning writers read our articles and it is very important
that we provide them with accurate information. Please be sure to
read and follow the guidelines listed on our web site. If you have
any comments, questions or concerns please don't hesitate to
contact the editor." (JE)
URL: http://www.mysticvisions.com/index.html
GL: http://www.mysticvisions.com/gl.htm
SUBS: editor@mysticvisions.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
PLOTLINE FOYER
Hector Garza III, Editor
G.S. & S., 3601 Owens, Bryan, Texas 77808-0969
PLOTLINE FOYER is a website "looking for all types of fiction.
Word count is open. If we accept a long piece, we will serialize
it." Any subject/genre acceptable EXCEPT children's, religious,
occult, gay/lesbian, or pieces that use profanity, porno, or
ethnic hatred. "We'd love it if you come up with your own genre,
or push the boundaries of one... We are looking for poetry and
nonfiction also. Of special interest are HERBS: we would like to
see informative articles on how to use herbs in health care, as
beauty aids, and as cleaning products. We would also like to see
opinion pieces, either with a dash or a slice of humor added. Of
course, humor is not necessary, but readability is. Essays and
opinion editorials should be a smooth read, not choppy or jumpy.
We also accept how-tos. Telling us a little about everything will
make us a jack/jill of all trades." Wordcount: 300-700, but
flexible. PAY: $10 for fiction, $5 for nonfiction and poetry,
on acceptance. CONTESTS: Short Story Contest: Stories between
1,500-3,500 words, meeting criteria above. $15 entry fee. If
submitting by snail-mail, put name, address, phone number and
word count in upper right corner of first page. If submitting
by e-mail, include entry in text of message; attachments will
not be opened. Include SASE or postcard for notification only;
mss. will not be returned. Deadline: Postmark by September 1,
2000. Entrants will be notified of results after October 1,
2000. Prize: Winner will receive $100, publication on Plotline
Foyer website, and publication in Kid's Highway (December 2000),
plus cc of issue. Poetry Contest? Poems no longer than 18 lines.
$8 entry fee for up to 5 poems (no limit on entries). Poems can
be on any subject except those listed above. For snail-mail
submissions, put one poem on each page, with name, address,
telephone and e-mail on each page; if submitting by e-mail,
include in message; no attachments. Deadline: September 1, 2000;
notification after October 1. Winner will receive $50,
publication on Plotline Foyer website, and publication in the
December 2000 issue of Kids' Highway. For contests, make entry
checks payable to G.S.&S.; (MA)
URL: http://home.att.net/~plotlinefoyer
E-mail/SUBS: PlotLineFoyer@att.net
**-----------------------------------------------------**
POWER PROSE
Karen Nerney, Editor
16 E. Main St., Southborough, MA 01772; (508) 303-2418; fax
(508) 303-8520
POWERPROSE is "a content providing service, which provides
content to a variety of clients." AUDIENCE: Buyers of feature
content, including corporate communication and human resource
departments, informational and transactional web sites, Internet
portal sites, newspapers and magazines. We require 200-1,000
articles per week. NEEDS: High quality feature content, both
original and reprint. These include: magazine articles, specialty
articles, newspaper articles, and web site materials, 300-1200
words, depending on the type of submission. RIGHTS: Distribution
rights; writer retains copyright. PAY: For original pieces pay is
$.20-$.75 per word for magazine articles, $75 and up for specialty
articles, $50-$125 for newspaper articles, $37.50-$150 per article
for web site materials. For reprints, payment is either a flat
rate of $50 or a 50/50 share of revenue. SUBMISSIONS: Please send
two or three samples of your work to editor@powerprose.com. A
signed contract is required before articles can be accepted. RT:
Within 10 business days. TIPS: Be persistent, send your best
samples and don't be afraid to try something different. (JL)
URL: http://www.powerprose.com/
GL: http://www.powerprose.com/library/submissions.asp
SUBS: editor@powerprose.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
SAN DIEGO READERS AND WRITERS MAGAZINE
Summer and Charles McStravick, Editors
Artichoke Publishing, P.O. Box 231023, Encinitas, CA 92024;
(760) 632-9268; fax (760) 632-0097
SAN DIEGO READERS AND WRITERS MAGAZINE is a monthly periodical
for San Diego area residents that focuses on the pleasure of
reading and the joys of writing. Besides book reviews, Readers &
Writers contains a monthly feature article and several special
sections, as well as an extensive local resources segment, a
services directory, and an event calendar containing all local
reading- and writing-related events. CIRC: 21,000 NEEDS: We need
freelance book reviews and feature articles that focus somehow on
San Diego County's literary culture or subjects tangential to
reading or the literary life. Feature articles may examine the
current state of San Diego's literary scene by bringing to light
an activity (conferences, workshops, book groups, literacy
groups, etc.) in our area; focus on an author (local or national)
whose work is respected in his or her genre; say something about
the pleasures of reading or ruminate on related subjects (book
clubs, favorite famous author vacation spots or pastimes, etc.);
or say something about writing -- why writers write, how they do
it, who publishes them and why. May also be about hobbies or
other subjects pertinent to the writing life. We look for fresh
concepts and sterling writing that can still be enjoyed by the
"average Joe." PAY: $75 for original articles, $15 for reprints,
$18 for reviews, within 30 days of publication. Rights: First
rights for southern CA area. RT: Due to the volume of
submissions we receive, we normally only respond to those
submissions that we are seriously considering for upcoming
publications. Please accept our apologies if we fail to answer
your query. Reviews and articles that we accept are acknowledged
within four weeks of receipt. TIPS: We like to see creative
article ideas and we MUST see a sample of your nonfiction
writing. We do not print fiction or poetry. (JL)
GL: copy@artichokepublishing.com (autoresponder)
SUBS: sdrw@artichokepublishing.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
ZYZZYVA
Howard Junker, Editor; Heather Hendrickson, Art Editor
P.O. Box 590069, San Francisco, CA 94159-0069
ZYZZYVA is a literary magazine, "the last word," featuring West
Coast writers and artists (those living in AK, HI, WA, OR, or
CA). FREQ: March, August, November. CIRC: 4,000. AUDIENCE:
Literary. NEEDS: "We are committed to reflecting the full range
of talent in our neighborhood -- many genres, many generations,
many schools." Publishes fiction, nonfiction and poetry,
translations - especially of Latin American and Asian writers,
work by photographers and graphic artists. LENGTH: "whatever."
RTS: FNASR (and ZYZZYVA anthology rights). Reserves the right to
post work to web page. RT: Promptly. PAY: $50 honorarium, plus
two author's copies. SAMPLE COPIES: Available from the above
address. Back issues $6, current issue $12 by mail. SUBMISSION:
No e-mail submissions; e-mail queries OK. No telephone calls.
SASE required for reply. Will not consider simultaneous
submissions. Does not comment on work. Photographers and graphic
artists should submit copies or slides only. No photographs of
paintings or sculpture, please. (JE)
URL: http://www.zyzzyva.org/index.htm
GL: http://www.zyzzyva.org/zy-subs.htm
E-mail: editor@zyzzyva.org
**-----------------------------------------------------**
6TH CHIAROSCURO SHORT STORY CONTEST-- THE PIGGIES
THE SIXTH CHIAROSCURO SHORT STORY CONTEST seeks "dark,
well-written fiction," 5,000 words or less. JUDGES: Brett A.
Savory, editor/publisher of Chiaroscuro: Treatments of Light and
Shade in Words; Darren P. McKeeman, publisher of Gothic.net; Gary
W. Conner, publisher/EIC of Twilight Showcase: New Talent in
Horror Fiction; and Seth M. Lindberg, fiction editor of
Gothic.net (tie-breaking judge). PRIZES: "1st place: 1.
Publication in the June, 2000 issue of Gothic.Net at 23c/word. 2.
The Coveted and Frightfully Spectacular Golden Piglet Award. 3.
The choice of a signed limited numbered copy of either COVER by
Jack Ketchum, or TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER, the forthcoming short
story collection by Caitlin R. Kiernan. (Each a $50 value --
generously donated by Barry Hoffman of Gauntlet Press.) 2nd
place: 1. Publication in the June, 2000 issue of Chiaroscuro at
7c/word. 2. The Relatively Prestigious Silver Sow Award. 3rd
place: 1. Publication in the June, 2000 issue of Twilight
Showcase at 4c/word. 2. The Somewhat Well-Regarded but Decidedly
Disgruntled-Looking Bronze Porker Award. 4th and 5th places:
Honorable Mention ribbons (pink, of course) with little pig heads
on them." SUBS: E-mail only, with "Contest Entry" as subject
header. Attach story in .rtf format or paste into body of e-mail.
Be sure to denote italics in some way. No previously published
material or simsubs. RIGHTS: Gothic.net and Chiaroscuro:
Exclusive Internet publication for 90 days, and nonexclusive
secondary rights to archive online for 1 year. Twilight
Showcase: Exclusive "first universal web rights" for 30 days,
after which all rights revert to author. DEADLINE: May 15, 2000.
PAY: On publication. "The word rates listed above are for this
contest and this contest ONLY; they are NOT the regular word
rates for the respective zines." QUESTIONS: Contact the judges
at contest@gothic.net. with "Query" in the subject header. (SS)
URL: http://gothic.net/chiaroscuro/chizine/
e-mail: contest@gothic.net
MARKET UPDATES: Carly Svamvour reports that John Bancroft,
publisher of TW3, returned a submission with "I'm sorry to say
that TW3 is folding at the end of April after a four-year run
on the web. Thanks for your interest."
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 LAWYER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Mark Fowler <askthelawyer@inkspot.com>
Using Real Names; Getting Permission
------------------------------------
Q: What are the rules regarding the use of actual business names
in a story? Mine has the names of several real restaurants in
Kansas City, and in one of them a murder takes place. Should I
worry about using real names? Should I seek a clearance of some
sort from the restaurants mentioned before using them in my work
of fiction? Or do I have anything to worry about at all?
A: Ordinarily using the name of an actual business in a work of
fiction is not, by itself, a violation of that business's rights.
However, depending upon the context, such usage may sometimes give
rise to legal concerns. For example, you should scrupulously avoid
any implication that the business endorses, approves of, or is in
any way associated with your work. You should also avoid any
statements about a business that could be regarded as disparaging.
Thus, depicting a real restaurant as the scene for a fictional
murder could be problematic if, for example, the text could be
read as implying that the restaurant has lax security or is
frequented by unsavory characters.
Q: I'm currently writing a book on my experiences in meeting men
through Internet personals. I am not using the men's real names,
locations, or any factual data that would identify them. Do I
need these men's permission to include some of their letters in
my book? Who legally owns these e-mails, since they were written
to me?
A: If I send a letter to you, you become the owner of the
physical property -- the paper and ink. (Similarly, with respect
to an e-mail message, you probably become the owner of the print-
out of the message, although there is an interesting theoretical
question lurking there that I do not have the space to go into.)
You can show the letter to your friends, tear it up, sell it, or
donate it to a museum. However, the copyright remains my property.
Without my permission, you cannot publish it, quote substantial
portions, or create derivative works based upon my letter. That
said, you may be able to quote briefly from my letter, relying
on the doctrine of "fair use." The law concerning the "fair use"
of unpublished source materials is wonderfully complex. J.D.
Salinger once successfully obtained an injunction against Random
House barring publication of a biography containing brief
quotations from his theretofore unpublished letters because the
limits of "fair use" had been exceeded. If your book depends upon
your ability to quote from previously unpublished letters, you
should speak with your publisher or an experienced copyright
lawyer at the outset of the project to obtain particularized
advice concerning the quality and quantity of use that qualifies
as "fair use." Alternatively, of course, you could obtain written
permission to quote from your e-mail correspondents. Even then,
you may be well advised to consult with your publisher concerning
the exact form it wants such permissions to take.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
This column is by Mark A. Fowler of Satterlee Stephens Burke &
Burke LLP (http://www.ssbb.com).
PLEASE NOTE: This column is intended solely to provide general
information about matters of concern to writers, not specific
legal services or advice. On some issues, there are significant
differences between the laws of the United States and the laws of
Canada (and significant variations from state to state or from
province to province.) If legal assistance is required, the
reader should consult an experienced attorney who can review and
assess all of the facts and circumstances relevant to the
reader's situation.
Copyright (c) 2000 Mark A. Fowler
*****************************************************************
NETWORKING ON THE NET
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Teri Brown <unschoolr2@aol.com>
and Linda Sherwood <slsherwood@michweb.net>
It's finished, but not quite right. Unsure of the problem, Linda
passes it to her writing partner, Teri, to take a look. After
looking it over, Teri passes it back with a few suggestions. A
pretty normal day at the office for most, but Teri and Linda are
separated by over 2,000 miles. They work "side by side" in a
virtual office with the help of the Internet.
Writers have always found that teaming up can be inspirational
and productive -- and the Web has made such collaborations easier
than ever. For someone just getting started, the best way to
learn is to take some advice from the people who are doing this
every day, successfully.
Finding the Right Partner
-------------------------
The first step in developing any partnership is to find a
dependable partner. You want to make sure you choose someone you
can trust, and above all, you want a partner you like. E-mail
communities and writing sites are among the best places to look
for potential partners.
"When looking for a writing partner, find someone who is strong
where you are weak, and vice versa," recommends Michelle Pearson.
She was ready to give up a steady income from freelance writing
until she teamed up with someone she met in Momwriters, an e-mail
community.
Put your reading skills to work. "I think I know how to judge
what other people write," says MJ Rose, who co-authored the newly
released book, "Secrets of Our Success," with Angela Adair-Hoy.
"I can usually spot talent. And I suppose I can also 'read'
someone well by the way they write."
Not every online partnership works out, but there are indicators
to help you develop a successful partnership. "Choose your
partners carefully," warns Helen Hegener, editor and publisher of
Home Education Magazine (HEM). "I've known many relationships
between people trying to work together online that just didn't
work out, often resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings."
Communicating Online
--------------------
Communication is the key, and here the Internet offers a wide
array of choices, including e-mail, instant messaging and chat
rooms. E-mail is the preferred method for many writers, as it
allows the exchange of paragraphs, pages, chapters and more.
On the Internet, there are a few basic rules for communication
between online partners to insure success. Carbon-copy your
partner with every e-mail related to your project that you send
out. It keeps everyone informed and gives you a back-up copy if
computer problems arise for either of you.
Be sure you communicate as clearly as possible. "One really must
be clear about needs and expectations when e-mail is your only
tool for communication," warns Hegener. " It's hard enough to
read between the lines when you're talking to someone in person;
even harder when all you have is their written words, no body
language, voice inflections -- just electrons on a screen."
When reading e-mail from your partner, put your emotions on hold.
If you're not sure whether what they wrote to you is a criticism,
assume that it's not.
Karen Hertzberg, of Coffeehouse for Writers, would agree. "I
think it's vitally important to proofread your mail before you
send it to make sure that you're communicating exactly what you
want to say," says Hertzberg. "In the good ol' days when we typed
letters on big IBM Selectrics and sent them snail mail, we used
to proofread them before we slipped them into the envelope. But
e-mail has the lure of immediacy. Just click SEND and it's gone."
Respect Your Partner's Schedule
-------------------------------
When working online, it is easy to forget your partner has other
demands that may interfere in your working relationship. Joy
Thompson, who works with Hertzberg, remembers how the lack of
communication can cause problems as easily as misconstrued
communications.
"I remember getting an e-mail from her a few months back in which
she asked me if I was upset with her for some reason," recalls
Thompson. A looming deadline had been preventing Thompson from
corresponding normally. "If we worked in the same physical office,
she would have been able to 'see' that I was fine. I think that's
the biggest downside to Internet partnerships. Not only can what's
said in written communication be misconstrued, but [partners can
also misunderstand] the lack of it."
Finances can also destroy a working online relationship. Prevent
problems before they arise by having a signed contract before you
begin to work together so that there will be no misunderstandings
later.
"Get the financial aspects straight from the beginning. Financial
aspects are probably the hardest to discuss without facial
expressions or vocal tones," advises Kim O'Hara, who works with
Helen Hegener on HEM.
Angela Adair-Hoy agrees: "Always, always have a contract. Neither
party should feel threatened when the issue of a contract is
brought up. It protects all parties."
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find a partner.
"Be fearless," advises Hertzberg. "Don't be afraid to ask somebody
to be a friend or partner. The worst that can happen is that the
person will say no, which leaves you no further behind than when
you started. I've found writers online to be amazingly receptive
and welcoming people."
Some Networking Sites:
----------------------
Where Michelle met Mary: Momwriters -
http://www.momwriters.com
Where Linda met Teri: Writing Corner -
http://www.writingcorner.com
Where Joy met Karen: Coffeehouse for Writers -
http://www.coffeehouse4writers.com
Where Kim met Helen: Home Education Magazine -
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
Where MJ met Angela: Writer's Weekly, Angela's e-zine -
http://www.writersweekly.com
For More Information:
---------------------
Collaboration Between and Among Co-authors," by Michael Lennie
http://taa.winona.msus.edu/TAA/COLUMNS/lennie/collaboration.html
"Ten Questions to Ask Before You Collaborate," by Moira Allen
http://www.tipsforwriters.com/collaboration.shtml
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Teri Brown is a full-time writer and homeschooling mom from
Portland, Oregon. She is a columnist for The Link, the nation's
homeschooling newspaper; a Suite 101 "unschooling" editor
(http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/unschooling); and the owner
of way too many pets. More information can be found at
http://www.inspirit.com.au/unschooling/.
Linda Sherwood is a full-time writer from northern Michigan. She
is a journalist for two weekly newspapers and is the founder of
Small Town Press, the home for hometown journalists. She is the
moderator of Inkspot's Journalism Discussion Forum
(http://writers-bbs.com/inkspot/threads.cgi?forum=journalism).
Her work has appeared in Inscriptions, The Writing Corner, Moms
Online and ePregnancy.
Copyright (c) 2000 Teri Brown and Linda Sherwood
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