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Inklings Issue 5.04
================================================================
i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 5.4 * Over 45,000 subscribers! * Feb.17, 1999
================================================================
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0504.html>
This issue features an article about free software for writers
by Melaine Ryther, advice from Judith Bowen (ASK THE ROMANCE
WRITER) about sending out queries, and an article by Joseph
Mulligan about breaking into the field of sportswriting.
This issue sponsored by:
=================================================================
The WRITER'S SOFTWARE COMPANION: award-winning CD by Writer's
Digest's Nancy Kress rapidly accelerates writing/learning process.
Includes SOFTWARE DREAMPACK FOR WRITERS, 57 free/shareware writers'
programs, from brain trainers to time-savers and writing coaches.
Free downloads and extras: http://www.novalearn.com/sites/ink.htm
=================================================================
WRITER ON LINE: An electronic magazine for writers of all kinds
and a paying market for writers. $50.00 for articles on the craft
of writing, 800 to 2000 words. http://www.novalearn.com/wol
WORDWRIGHT CRITIQUE SERVICE: Review of your manuscript by top
professionals/published authors. http://www.novalearn.com/ww
================================================================
****PUBLISH & KEEP CONTROL*** No Internet Publishing service is
EASIER, FASTER or CHEAPER than Writers' Club's and the Author
RETAINS all RIGHTS and SETS the ROYALTY. Your book--View it
online--print only when PAID. http://www.WritersClub.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 Romance Writer
Free Software For Writers
Sportswriting - What A Life!
Writers' Classifieds
================================================================
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
=======================
Jeff and I are on vacation in the Dominican Republic this week;
I am going to try very hard to stay away from the computer,
but I don't know if I will be able to stand being "offline" that
long. :-) Many thanks to Shane Stacks for sending out this issue
for me.
David Breeden will be conducting a free, online workshop
about ONLINE NOVEL MARKETING on Wednesday, Feb.17th. See the
IWCC Update near the end of this issue for details, or contact
Shane at ss@inkspot.com.
Congratulations to the following winners (randomly drawn from
those who filled out surveys):
Catt Foy - 1999 Writer's Market
Tobin Elliott, Carole Davis, Frankie Finley -
A Literary Companion, adjustable bookmark
Linda Josie Phillips, SB Bishop -
The Elements Of Style (by Strunk and White)
Kat Gonzalez - Bird By Bird (by Anne Lamott)
Raquel Leib - bookplates
Brian Forte - Writer's Guide To Internet Resources
(1998, by Vicky Phillips and Cindy Yager)
Tom Przybylski, Teresa Shaw, Jenna Ledingham, George Weaver,
Darren Wheatley -
Classy bookmarks
Joan Halperin, Donna Doyle, Paula Pierce
Classy Antioch bookplates
David Matthews - Antioch book magnet
Fran Gallagher Ripsom
Adjustable bookmark
Correction to last issue:
-------------------------
I incorrectly formatted one of the sluglines in Charles Deemer's
article on screenplay format last issue. Apologies for any
confusion this may have caused! It should have read as follows:
INT. CHARLES' HOUSE - OFFICE - DAY
EXT. CHARLES' HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
================================================================
FRESH INK
=========
BOOK PRIZE GIVEAWAY: SPORTS JOURNALISM CAREERS
----------------------------------------------
THE MULLIGAN GUIDE TO SPORTS JOURNALISM CAREERS. By Joseph and
Kevin Mulligan (VGM Career Horizons, 1998). Comprehensive guide
for those interesting pursuing a career in sports journalism.
Includes insights and examples from over 75 professional
sportwriters. Deadline: Feb.21,1999. To enter, see URL below for
details:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
AV Photo Finder
---------------
A picture is often worth a thousand words. If you're stuck on
how to describe a schooner or Dodger Stadium or ancient grain or
a suit of armor check out this new tool from Altavista. Follow
the link off the Altavista home page or go directly to the URL
below (TK):
http://image.altavista.com/cgi-bin/avncgi
The Screenwriter In Cyberspace
------------------------------
Regular column by Charles Deemer. The page also has links to
RealAudio tips for screenwriters as well as an archive of past columns.
http://Screenwriters.com/Deemer/
Pure Fiction
------------
Strong articles here covering many of the basics for
writers--everything from how to write a synopsis to sex and
violence in horror fiction. This is a great link to give to
newcomers in writing groups. (TK)
http://www.purefiction.com
Publishers Weekly
-----------------
It's the bible of the industry and the site has just been
redesigned making it easier to find what you're looking for. This
should be in every writer's Bookmark (Favorite) list. (TK)
http://www.bookwire.com/pw/pw.html
Drew's Script-O-Rama
--------------------
If you want to write scripts you have to read scripts. Where do
you find them? Drew's Script-O-Rama. Drew has scoured the
Internet to provide links to scripts, shooting scripts, drafts,
unused scripts and transcripts for major motion pictures and TV
shows. There's hundreds of them! (TK)
http://www.script-o-rama.com
Fresh Ink editors: (TK=Tony King)
** Please send suggestions for Fresh Ink to freshink@inkspot.com
================================================================
FREELANCE SUCCESS newsletter gives nonfiction writers the tools
to earn a fulltime living. Detailed market info and online
writing classes. SASE to 801 NE 70th St., Miami, FL 33138, email
freelance-success@usa.net or see http://www.freelancesuccess.com
================================================================
CHARACTER NAMING MADE EASIER! Character Naming Software(tm) Mac/
Win contains over 28,000 first & last names. Search by meaning,
ethnic group, themes & more. http://www.dfcreations.com/cns.html
Download it today & start finding names right away! Only $29.95
================================================================
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/bt/market/.
==-----------------------------------------------------==
"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,
"IWGL" = Inkspot Writer's Guideline Library.
Markets Editor: Sal Towse (ST). Research asst: Shane Stacks (SS).
OUTDOOR CANADA
--------------
Outdoor Canada. 340 Ferrier St., Suite 210, Markham, Ontario,
Canada, L3R 2Z5. Tel: (905) 475-8440, ext. 151, Fax: (905)
475-9560. Editor: James Little. Canada's leading outdoor
magazine, delivering "the total outdoor experience" for an active
readership that is passionate about Canada's natural heritage.
Covers a wide range of subjects (with a mostly Canadian focus),
including fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, canoeing,
photography, wildlife and the environment. FREQ: 8 issues/yr.
CIRC: 85K and growing. NEEDS: How-to and where-to service
articles, profiles, and in-depth reports. GL: Writers must be
authorities on their subjects. Features: 2000-3,000 wds; service
pieces must provide latest, most reliable information, while
feature reports and profiles should be well-researched and
original. Outdoor Journal (shorter, newsier, front-of-book
journal): 100-500 wds. Most photography assigned by magazine, if
needed to include use original transparencies, not prints.
Multiple submissions ok, no simsubs or previously published
material. Send 1-2 page query, include clippings and SASE (if
outside Canada, include an International Reply Coupon), including
daytime phone number (a must), and email address and fax number
(if applicable). RIGHTS: FNASR. PAYS: Features: $500 upwards;
Outdoor Journal pieces: $75-225. Payment depends on quality and
length. RT: 2 months. (SS)
E-mail: oceditorial@outdoorcanadamagazine.com
SPECULATIONS
------------
Speculations, 1111 West El Camino Real #109-400. Sunnyvale, CA.
94087-1057. Editor: Denise Lee. Bimonthly 64-page print magazine
for writers who want to break into or increase their presence
within the science fiction, fantasy, horror, or "other"
speculative fiction subgenres. CIRC: ~1200. Size: 64pp. Needs: We
print original articles, essays, columns, interviews with
editors, agents, and publishers, Q&A; with the experts,
genre-specific advice, and anything else we can find that we
think might help our readers sell more fiction. We are not a
fiction or poetry market, nor do we print fiction reviews, or
illustrations. While there is always a need for beginner-level
writing advice, we believe that we have covered the majority of
it in our first few years' issues, and that what remains would
best be handled by our panel of columnists. WeÕd rather see our
freelancers turn in more specialized materials; an excellent way
to sell an article to Speculations is to take your pet
peeve--Ellen Dawn Benefield's article from #11 on the way horses
are portrayed as wind-up toys in fantasy novels, for
instance--and tell our audience how to do it right. WeÕve been
conspicuously light on hard-sf material in the past. And weÕre
always seeking more material for novelists; synopses that sold
are a good bet for a quick sale. Finally, our readers are
constantly asking us to find out "what editors really want."
Interviews with big-name editors will be welcomed with open arms
and checkbook. For best results, please send an e-mail query to
the editor before writing anything. WeÕd hate to have to tell you
that what youÕve sent has already been done after you took the
time to write it! Our complete publishing history is also online;
if youÕre not a subscriber and want to get the flavor for whatÕs
already been published between our covers, please go take a look
at the Archive Stacks. We strongly prefer to do business via
e-mail if at all possible; we've found that it minimizes
turnaround times, expense, and confusion. But query first,
please, and give us a chance to consider our reply before the
very first time we answer you. PAY: On acceptance for FNASR or
One Time Only Reprint Rights. At least $0.03/wd for up to 2K
words. RT: 1 mo. (ST)
URL: http://www.speculations.com/
GL: http://www.speculations.com/faq/guidelin.htm
E-mail: denise@speculations.com
EARTHWATCH
----------
Earthwatch Institute. 680 Mt. Auburn St. P.O. Box 9104.
Watertown, MA 02471-9104. 1-800-776-0188 (617) 926-8200 FAX:
(617) 926-8532 Editor: Mark Cherrington. Director of Public
Affairs: Blue Magruder. Earthwatch magazine is the journal for
EARTHWATCH Institute. EARTHWATCH Institute is an international
nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research
worldwide through its volunteers and scientists working together
to improve our understanding of the planet. The Institute's
mission is to build a sustainable world through an active
partnership between scientist and citizen. Through public
participation in field research, Earthwatch helps scientists
gather data and communicate information that will empower people
and governments to act wisely as global citizens. Biannual. (We
also publish an Expedition Update newsletter 3x/year.) CIRC: 35K
paid. 40-48pp. Full color. Audience: Earthwatch members and
volunteers in 50 states and 48 countries, newsstand purchasers
nationally through Eastern News. NEEDS: News articles,
first-person accounts of expeditions, features related to field
research. All articles must relate, even if tangentially, to
research projects sponsored currently or in the past by the
Earthwatch Institute. (see <http://www.earthwatch.org> for
descriptions of current projects) Earthwatch is a journal of
global change and discovery, with first-hand accounts of
cutting-edge field research. Articles cover all areas of field
research, from archaeology to zoology. The magazine allows
readers to join volunteers vicariously as they study dolphin
language in Hawaii, excavate a Roman fort in England, or
dinosaurs in Montana, or track whales, elephants, and sea turtles
from Australia to Zimbabwe. Among the prominent authors and
scientists who have written for Earthwatch magazine are
E.O.Wilson; David Mech; Sir Crispin Tickell, former British Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher; George Archibald; and Roger Swain.
PAY: Up to $1000 for full feature article averaging 2500 wds.
Rarely, travel expenses to get to a research site. RIGHTS:
First-time rights internationally, plus possible future use on
our web site. (Freelancers are encouraged to resell different
versions of the article after it has appeared in Earthwatch
Magazine.) RT: We're pretty quick with initial reaction, final
decision can take a couple months. E-mail queries preferred.
SAMPLE ISSUE: Call or email Blue Magruder, Director of Public
Affairs, bmagruder@earthwatch.org. TIPS: Although we use only a
few freelance submissions each year, Blue Magruder is very good
at thinking up angles for freelancers to place articles relating
to our work in others' publications. e.g. 140 projects in 50
countries and 23 states to choose from gives great angles for
articles for anything from Gourmet to Retired Officer to
Electronic Learning to Escape (and nearly half of the projects
each year are new)... so freelancers should feel free to call to
explore ideas for queries to other publications. I also can
probably find vets, nurses, electrical engineers, teachers,
corporate types, etc. who've volunteered on remote or newsworthy
expeditions to profile in professional magazines, employee
magazines, city magazines, or almost anywhere the freelancer
writes for regularly! (ST)
URL: http://www.earthwatch.org/
E-mail: bmagruder@earthwatch.org
MARKET UPDATES:
Dogwood Tales Magazine <http://www.dogwoodtales.com/> is no
longer publishing.
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) drpoetry@ktc.com
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) cdeemer@teleport.com
Mark Fowler (LAWYER) askthelawyer@inkspot.com
Carol Henson (BOOK DOCTOR) bookdoc@Prodigy.net
Ken Jenks (ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER) MindsEye@tale.com
Michelle Sagara (SF/FANTASY WRITER) Michelle.Sagara@sff.net
Lee Wardlaw (CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER) lee@inkspot.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.
Please keep your question BRIEF and send it to *one* columnist.
================================================================
ASK THE ROMANCE WRITER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Judith Bowen <JudithBowen@poboxes.com>
Q: I am nearly finished my first manuscript (almost 200 pages,
50,000 words or thereabouts) and am working on a sequel. Do I
send out a query and cover letter to each publisher I want to
look at my mss, or do I send out the mss along with the
query/cover letter so that the publisher(s) can look at my mss at
the same time?
Also, should I send a SASE w/each mss that I send out, or just
"assume" that they're going to destroy my copy or what should I
do with this?
Am I allowed to send my mss to several publishers at one time, or
only to the one that I think will be most interested in my story?
I'm confused on this.
A: These are all excellent questions.
First of all, you should only target publishers that publish
books of your manuscript length, unless you feel that your book
should be either shorter or longer--in which case, why isn't it?!
Fifty thousand words is on the short side for many publishers.
Romance lines that accept shorter manuscripts include Harlequin
Romance (Editor, Linda Fildew), Harlequin Presents (Editor, Tessa
Shapcott), Harlequin Duets (Editor, Malle Valik)(they are two
short books in a one-book packaging) and Precious Gems (Editor,
Kate Duffy). Kensington Books is currently coming out with a new
contemporary romance line, in the 70-75,000 range with, I
believe, Ann LaFarge as editor.
In terms of what to send, a query may be sent to many publishers
at once. A proposal or a manuscript is generally sent to one
publisher at a time. Many publishers, including Harlequin,
specifically require "no multiple submissions." (By this, they
mean proposals or manuscripts, not queries.) This will involve
extra time for you. It doesn't seem fair, but that is just the
way it is in this business. You can expect to wait a few weeks to
a month or two on a query, up to a year on a full manuscript!
Sometimes, even longer. Again, this seems very unfair, but the
editorial staff at most publishing houses is sadly overworked,
and unrequested manuscripts (the infamous "slush" pile) is the
lowest priority for most editors. On the other hand--there is
always a happy story!--Kathleen Woodiwiss was "discovered" in the
slush pile.
Send a SASE with your query or proposal (three chapters and an
outline which begins at the beginning, not Chapter Four). These
days it is quite common to ask the editors to destroy your
manuscript if you do not want to pay the postage to have it sent
back. If you are submitting to Harlequin Romance or Presents, in
London, England, this postage-saving can be considerable. Some
publishers will send a manuscript back regardless, whether or not
you include postage, but this is not standard practice.
A query--no more than two pages, preferably one--does
not require an SASE, but sending one still makes sense.
Anything that makes an editor's day easier--such as being able to
pop back a quick request to see a proposal or your manuscript
after eyeballing your query--is probably a good idea. If you live
in another country, you can either use international postal
coupons, available at horrendous cost from your post office and a
real pain for both you and the recipient, or you can buy postage
stamps from, say, an American via some e-mail list or other
source. Romance Writers of America has several members who
regularly buy postage for writing friends in other countries. An
inquiry at http://www.rwanational.com will probably yield
results.
In terms of which publisher you target first, considering the
amount of time that tends to be involved, I would start with the
one that you think most likely to be interested in your book. If
you have a series romance, with a light, sassy tone, you'd be
advised to send it to Duets--the home of what was once Yours
Truly and Love & Laughter (now the one anthology) rather than
Pocket books, which publishes larger, single title mass market
paperbacks. If you have an agent, he or she can advise you on
this.
Best of luck! Welcome to the publishing game. You have already
accomplished a great deal by completing a manuscript. Many people
never get that far. If you don't sell this book, don't despair:
you are in very good company. Many authors don't sell until
they've sent out their fourth or fifth manuscript. Sometimes many
more. (A word of caution: a sequel, such as the w-i-p you've
mentioned, can be dangerous when you have no sure sale for your
first book. Many editors will want to be consulted on the
advisability of a first-time author doing a series of linked
books. On the other hand--Diana Gabaldon did just that!)
==------------------------------------------==
Judith Bowen is an award-winning romance author who currently
teaches classes on writing popular fiction in Vancouver, Canada,
and on-line with Writers on the Net <www.writers.com>. THE
DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER (0-373-70835-1) is a May, 1999, release from
Harlequin Superromance, the fourth in her "Men of Glory" books.
Judith Bowen will be appearing with Harlequin's Five Decades of
Romance anniversary celebrations in Calgary and Edmonton (Alberta),
Prince George, Richmond and Cranbrook (B.C.) and Winnipeg (Manitoba)
this spring.
Copyright (c) 1999 Judith Bowen.
=================================================================
FREE SOFTWARE FOR WRITERS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Melaine Ryther <Mmryther@aol.com>
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, so the saying goes,
but writers who know their way around the World Wide Web are
offered something even better: free software.
Presented here is a collection of freeware that can help make you
a more organized and productive writer. At the very least, trying
out the programs will keep you at your keyboard a little longer.
And your wallet will be no worse off than before.
First things first. If you don't already have an unzipping
utility (a program that opens compressed files--those that
typically end with .zip or .sit), download one of the following.
You'll need them to open most of the other programs listed.
FreeZip - For Windows
http://www.healey.com.au/~nu-lifetv/freezip/
Stuffit Expander - For Macintosh
http://www.aladdinsys.com/expander
Here are a few other technical tips to keep in mind before you
begin:
--Create a folder on your hard drive just for downloads (e.g.,
C:\Downloads).
--If you have virus software, run it on downloaded programs
before installing them. Chances are good that the programs aren't
infected, but why worry if you don't have to?
--Delete the ZIP file after installation. You no longer need it
and it takes up valuable disk space.
You're now ready to explore the freeware frontier. Just remember
to come back--there's nothing out there that will make your
deadlines disappear.
Software available for both Windows and Macintosh
-------------------------------------------------
Star Office - This complete office suite includes a word
processor, spreadsheet, drawing program, database, HTML editor,
and more.
http://www.stardivision.com
Alexa - This browsing companion helps you navigate the Web
intelligently and offers instant access to the Encyclopedia
Britannica and Merriam Webster's Dictionary.
http://www.alexa.com
Script Maker - Format your script to Hollywood standards with
this Word 97 screenplay template.
http://www.cyberfilmschool.com/download.htm
Windows-only software
---------------------
TreePad - Store your notes, text, e-mails, and other bits of
information in this free-form database.
http://www.freebyte.com/freeware
Visual Einstein 32 - Organize your book, screenplay or article
with this feature-rich information manager.
http://www.ozemail.aust.com/~tdambra/einstein.html
Yeah Write - Keep a journal, dash off a memo, write a letter or
just about anything else with this visually unique word processor.
http://www.wordplace.com
Plotting - Break through writer's block with this basic plotting
assistant.
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-
bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000S21&b;=
Random Verse Lab - Input the words you want to use, and this
poetry generator will put them together for you.
http://freespace.virgin.net/c.blunt/rvl
StickyNote - This indispensable utility sits in your system tray,
ready for use in any program.
http://www.advantagecom.net/nonags/index.html
Net Sonic - A Web surfing accelerator that speeds up online
research.
http://www.web3000.com
Web Ferret - Find what you need fast with this efficient search
tool that queries large search engines simultaneously and brings
you the results within seconds.
http://www.ferretsoft.com/netferret/index.html
WebReaper - This offline browser enables you to download web
pages to your hard drive so you can view them at your
convenience, or save them permanently.
http://www.otway.com/webreaper
Word Junction - Add a theme-related puzzle to a children's
article or make a stand-alone puzzle with this crossword and
word-find generator.
http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/8w3/word_junction.htm
Writer's Screen Saver - Make others believe you're working when
you're really not with this clicking typewriter screen saver.
Also features famous writing quotes.
http://www.authorworld.com/software/writersscreensaver.shtml
Macintosh-only software
-----------------------
Nisus Writer - A full-featured word processor that includes such
extras as desktop publishing tools, auto indexing, graphics
creation, and more!
http://www.nisus.com
Amorphia - Organize your notes, musings, business contacts--you
name it--with this information manager.
http://www.thefreewaresite.com/macfreeware/macfreeware.html
McPoet - Set the style parameters and McPoet will generate poetry
on demand.
http://www.macsdiner.com/free/freeware.t
Conc - Produce a concordance and index of your magnum opus with
this program.
http://www.sil.org/computing/conc/conc.html
XWord Studio - Create crosswords from scratch. Includes a handy
template for typing clues.
http://shareware.miningco.com/msubmac.htm
Additional freelance sources
----------------------------
The Freeware Site
http://thefreewaresite.com
Freeware Home
http://www.freewarehome.com
Freeware32.com
http://freeware32.com/index.html
Freeware Web
http://freewareweb.sili.com.br/software.html
MacUpdate
http://www.macupdate.com
MacShare.com
http://www.macshare.com/sftwre-to.html
With all this new software to test out, who has time for lunch
anyway?
==--------------------------------------------==
When Melaine Ryther isn't busy downloading software,she writes
feature articles, short fiction, and "everything in between". Her
work has been published in a variety of print and online
publications, including Writers' Journal, Mother Earth News,
Country Woman, Catholic Heritage, Catholic Parent, Walking, Boys'
Life, and BrainPlay.com. Melaine lives in western Washington
State with her husband and son. She can be reached at
mmryther@aol.com.
Copyright (c) 1999 Melaine Ryther.
================================================================
SPORTSWRITING...WHAT A LIFE!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
By Joseph Mulligan <jmulli@philly.infi.net>
Ask the novice where most sportswriters work and the answer
is usually "in newspapers, as reporters"... Not quite true!
Editors at The American Society of Newspaper Editors put a wider
spin on the subject: "Most beginning journalists head into
reporting, but the world of print and online media and the
broadcast businesses also seek young talent as sports
photojournalists, artists, copy editors, librarians, and other
specialists." Add all the fields below and you'll see that you
can find thousands of other sports journalism positions. If
you're an educated newcomer with writing ability, curiosity, and
determination, you should have little difficulty finding
interesting and challenging positions. To excite your readers
with your rich literary style, veteran sportswriters advise
getting a broad based education. Your knowledge of history,
geography, computers, and the arts will give you the tools to
create stories with vivid analogies, similes, and metaphors.
Getting started
---------------
Duke Little, of the online Sports Careers company
(Sportscareers.com) said: "Most positions we list are entry-level
to mid-management, and almost 80% of them are for jobs that
require writing skills, such as producing presentations and print
materials for the media (publications, proposals, contracts).
Many sports journalists start with an internship, before or after
graduating college. Interns learn the business, different writing
styles, and unique techniques. In print media, your best chance
of being hired for your first job is at a small newspaper, maybe
in your hometown. It's an ideal training ground, with practice in
all phases of journalism, covering high school and college
athletics, and writing game-day stories to tight deadlines.
Sports editors around the country look for the following traits in
applicants:
- Writing and interviewing talent
- Ambition and work ethic
- Versatility
- Personality
- Ability to listen
- Loyalty
- Exemplary character
Learning to write well
----------------------
Top sportswriters in all media exude writing excellence. Their best
stories, however, result more from outstanding interviews. If you get
people to trust you they'll open up about the subject. Don't rely on
your tape recorder or handwritten notes to do all the work. Listen to
interviewees' spontaneous answers and react to them; they'll tell
you even more. E.M. Swift, of _Sports Illustrated_ advises "do your
research and find as much as possible about the subject. Use
first-person interviews, background research, library work, and
newspaper checks. Write to cover the subject concisely and
entertainingly. If one paragraph doesn't flow freely into the next,
you'll lose your reader."
Where else to write?
--------------------
Write for sports business publications, sports magazines,
Internet sports, and radio and TV. Sports advertising, marketing,
and PR firms always need talented writers. Sports journalism also
encompasses investigative reporting, photojournalism,
freelancing, and copy editing (which surprisingly pays better at
some newspapers than reporting), and media relations in college
sports.
Stories like those in Street & Smith's Sports Business Daily are
taken from the news wires, television, newspapers, and from
cyberspace. Business and investigative writers ferret out
material by studying trade publications and public records, and
questioning agents, general managers, presidents, and owners.
Are you Web-savvy, sports-smart, and a good writer? If you can
write punchy, tight copy, the world of new media, radio, or
television is waiting. These require much tighter wordsmithing
than do print publications. A paragraph that looks good in print
may read well on the Web at half the length. Broadcast writers
also must fit their reports into small, defined radio and
television time slots. It's like writing what you presume is a
compact article of 2,000 words, only to have an editor say "trim
it to 800 words!"
Freelancing
-----------
Freelance sportswriting is purchased by most print, broadcast,
and online publications. John Rawlings, Editor of _The Sporting
News_, buys mostly from established writers. He said "it's a tough
market, but it's like anything else, you've got to be talented
and know what the publication you're pitching a story to wants.
Obviously, most of the freelance writers we use are experienced
and have demonstrated their skills; but we take flyers on young
people all the time."
Take every opportunity to write to accumulate experience and
impressive clips. Volunteer to write about local athletes and
events (with or without compensation) for local, high school,
and college periodicals. Record your broadcasting efforts on
video or audio tape for future employers.
Create a website to display talent or send well written inputs to
other online media. This author's book, _The Mulligan Guide to
Sports Journalism Careers_, explains how major television networks
hired young writers just from their posts on sports websites.
Sportswriting provides a level of challenge and reward found in
few other vocations, especially for those who love to write about
the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the athletic contest.
Remember, it may take only one "hit" to launch your sportswriting
career. . .and then it can be a great life!
==-------------------------------------------==
Joe Mulligan is a freelance technical & travel writer; editor,
and co-author of The Mulligan Guide to Sports Journalism
Careers. Contact him at E-mail: jmulli@philly.infi.net or
http://www.sportswriting.com
Copyright (c) 1999 Joseph Mulligan.
=================================================================
INKSPOT WRITERS' COMMUNITY CENTER (IWCC):
** UPCOMING WORKSHOP/CHAT: ONLINE NOVEL MARKETING
Host: David "Dr. Poetry" Breeden
Date: Wed, Feb.17th
Time: 9:30 PM EST (8:30 PM CST)
Place: Inkspot Classroom, IWCC
Join ASK THE POET expert David Breeden for an informative,
interactive hour of chat as he discusses issues raised in
"Selling A Novel On The Net". For more information, see
http://www.inkspot.com/ss/iwcc/ or contact Shane Stacks at
ss@inkspot.com.
OTHER IWCC NOTABLES:
Coming soon: ONLINE COPYRIGHT ISSUES chat/workshop with Loretta
Kemsley. Next Informal IWCC Help Session with Shane Stacks: Wed,
Feb. 24, 8-9 PM EST. The IWCC is generously supported by the kind
folks at MOOkti (http://noisey.oise.utoronto.ca:9996/).
=================================================================
W R I T E R S ' C L A S S I F I E D S
=================================================================
WEBSTORE FOR WRITERS includes the popular "Writers' Software
Store". Ready to be a master? See http://www.MasterFreelancer.com
=================================================================
The Writer's Nook (http://www.thewritersnook.com) is an on-line
workshop and resource site for writers. Most popular links are to
information on urban legends and hoaxes, acronyms and
abbreviations, markets, and web authoring help. Also, consider
joining the growing Writer's Nook Virtual Community.
=================================================================
WRITE IN PROVENCE! May 15-31, 1999. 2-wk intensive writing with
Paul Christensen and Luis Urrea will recharge your creativity in
fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Daily writing and touring of
countryside. Lodging in fairy tale inn (Hotel Des Sequins). Max
20 participants. More info: atelier@tca.net or phone 409-693-3885.
http://www.wordchasers.com
=================================================================
Thick-skin wearing thin? Agented Bookdoc will help whip your ms.
into publishable shape. REASONABLE rates. L.Grant@prodigy.net
=================================================================
FREE short story evaluation when you learn why a New York Times
bestselling writer and a Pulitzer Prize nominee recommend the
exclusive LIFEWRITING AUDIO COURSE. For details, see:
http://WWW.lifewrite.com/sb_for_writers.html
=================================================================
C O N F E R E N C E S
=================================================================
Whidbey Island Writers' Conference: Feb.26-28, 1999, Near Seattle,
WA. Skill-building sessions & workshops, consultations, fireside
chats. Info: writers@whidbey.com, http://www.whidbey.com/writers/
=================================================================
== How to advertise in Inkspot or Inklings ===
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details, write to the autoresponder ratecard@inkspot.com or see:
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Fox, Chris Donner Shane Stacks
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COPY EDITORS/ Gail Heinsohn <intrepidrider@taconic.net>
PROOFREADER:
SALES & ADVERTISING: sales@inkspot.com
BUSINESS PARTNER: Jeff Ridpath
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:
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Full masthead info at http://www.inkspot.com/admin/contact.html
Thanks to Samurai Consulting for hosting the Inklings mailing
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