Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Inklings Issue 5.12
================================================================
i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 5.12 * Over 45,000 subscribers! * June 9, 1999
================================================================
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0512.html>
This issue offers advice from Judith Bowen (ASK THE ROMANCE
WRITER) as well as online interviewing techniques from
Christine Ballew-Gonzales.
This issue sponsored by:
=================================================================
The WRITER'S SOFTWARE COMPANION: award-winning CD by Writer's
Digest's Nancy Kress rapidly accelerates writing/publishing
process--with SOFTWARE DREAMPACK FOR WRITERS, 57 free writers'
programs: brain trainers to time-savers and writing coaches.
Free downloads and extras: http://www.novalearn.com/sites/ink.htm
=================================================================
THE DRAGONFLY REVIEW: on-line literary journal published
quarterly by Chiron Press. Seeking short stories, poems, personal
essays, reviews and interviews that reflect the unique nature of
the Pacific Northwest. Submission Guidelines and other info for
contributors can be obtained at: http://www.chironpress.com
================================================================
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.
Ask for a free hardback sample: 1-888-7XLIBRIS, email
info@xlibris.com or visit us online: http://www.xlibris.com
================================================================
"ANCIENT HEALING FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM" WRITING CONTEST:
Berkeley Springs, WV, "the country's first spa," is seeking
writers to pen articles about the area on numerous topics. Prizes
include paid spa weekend and writer's workshop. More info:
http://www.berkeleysprings.com/contest.html
================================================================
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1995-1998 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
Online Interviewing Techniques
Writers' Classifieds
================================================================
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
=======================
I'd like to welcome Moira Allen as Associate Editor of Inklings.
Moira has been a professional writer for 20 years, and is a
full-time freelancer. She is the author of four books and nearly
200 articles. Her new book, WRITING.COM: CREATIVE INTERNET
STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE YOUR WRITING CAREER, will be published by
Allworth Press in August 1999. The book will present an overview
of the ways in which the Internet and instant electronic
communications are changing the way writers do business. Moira
currently has a column on Inkspot called Freelancing 101, which
can be seen at: http://www.inkspot.com/moira/
Shane Stacks has been invaluable in helping me with Inkspot
and Inklings, and is now an Assistant Editor. Other masthead
changes: Fox will be helping out with market research, as will
a newcomer to Inkspot, Kathie Meyer.
Kathie Meyer is a lifelong resident of Washington state. She has
13 years experience working for Washington State University
Libraries where she's had Internet access since the early 90s.
She is currently easing into the life of a full-time freelance
writer with a little help from her friends.
You can find out more about the people who help out with
Inkspot (except for Kathie; I just hired her yesterday so
haven't had a chance to post her masthead bio page yet) at:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/contact.html
Travel tips
-----------
Several subscribers responded to my call for travel tips last
issue. Suggestions on how to stay connected included:
(1) finding a provider with an 800 number, a list of local
numbers, or a "roaming service"
(2) having correspondence ready before the trip to cut down
on online time,
(3) using phone lines in campgrounds ("If they understood
computers and 800 numbers, they were agreeable."),
(4) checking a website called "On The Road", which has handy
links about mobile computing:
http://www.slip.net/%7Eokumura/ontheroad.html,
(5) using cybercafes, libraries, schools ("I have discovered that
the most reliable on-line access can be found on college and
university campuses, anywhere in the world. Computer technology
is the fastest growing area of the campus and the clusters tend
to be located in most academic buildings and libraries. If you're
discreet, you can be in and out of the lab in less than 30
minutes."). One subscriber and her husband live on a sailboat;
they access the Internet through a library system.
(6) getting an AOL or Compuserve account ("AOL has local numbers
for most areas, so hooking up doesn't ring up long distance
charges."),
(7) web-based email like hotmail.com ("While I am away
I can redirect my usual email programme to send it to my hotmail
address, or I have someone in the office do it for me."),
(8) combining a web-based mail service with redirection. One person
suggested I set up editor@inkspot.com to a web-based reader,
which could be set up to redirect mail to my real email address.
Then when I'm travelling, I could just remove the last step of
redirection so that the mail stays on a web page which I can
check anywhere.
and finally...
(8) staying *offline* when on vacation! ;-)
Many thanks to those who contributed suggestions.
More thanks...
--------------
Thanks to Carol Givner and the Gold Coast Fiction Writers for
making my interview part of their Women In Publishing series
in WORDSMITH. For more information about the organization, see:
http://geocities.com/SoHo/Village/3896/Goldcst3.htm
Thanks also to StudyWeb (http://www.studyweb.com) for selecting
Inkspot as one of the best educational resources on the Web.
Prizewinner
-----------
Congratulations to Harry Connolly, who wins a copy of HOW
TO WRITE ARTICLES THAT WILL SELL, by L. Perry Wilbur and
Jon Samsel.
================================================================
FRESH INK
=========
PRIZE GIVEAWAY: Travel Publications
-----------------------------------
Published by Travel Marketing Sources. Compilation of
publications using travel material. Features names and addresses
for nearly 650 magazines and 200 U.S. and Canadian newspaper
travel editors. Deadline: June 20. For more info about the
compilation and how to enter, see:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
Editors' and Writers' Toolkit
-----------------------------
Good reference site. Also includes info about the business of
writing, a tax toolkit, a journalists' toolkit, and a women's
history toolkit. (DRO)
http://writetools.com/
Telecommuting job opportunities for writers
-------------------------------------------
Part of a larger site. (DRO)
http://www.tjobs.com/writers.htm
SharpWriter.Com: A Resource for Writers
----------------------------------------
This site includes a number of essays, including a very stirring
piece on literary theft. SharpWriter.Com pays for non-fiction
for writers. (TK)
http://www.sharpwriter.com
http://www.clocktowerfiction.com
WritersBBS Banner Exchange
--------------------------
1:1 banner exchange for writing-related websites. (DRO)
http://writersbbs.com/exchange/
Self-Publishers Discussion List
-----------------------
A newsletter-style list where self-publishing authors
discuss marketing, profit, and production strategies.
http://www.writersmarkets.com/index-publish.htm
Wordweave
---------
Articles and activities to stimulate creativity; a theme of the
month and an email newsletter are just some of the features here.
(TK)
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/Veranda/2932/wordweav/index.html
WriterMom.com
-------------
Parts of this site look incomplete (e.g. some 404s lurking
about), but it offers a daily inspiration mailing list,
discussion list, nice collection of articles (see Writer's
Retreat), other resources. (DRO)
http://www.writermom.com/
CORRECTION:
Apologies to Ralan Conley's SpecFic & Humor Webstravaganza for
the typo in their site name a while back. The site, by the way,
contains over 200 monthly updated markets and info about response
times, categorized writer-related links, more. URL:
http://members.xoom.com/RalanConley
Fresh Ink editors: (TK=Tony King) (DRO=Debbie Ridpath Ohi)
(GH=Gail Heinsohn)
** 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
================================================================
Advertise in this space! Email 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/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 assistants:
Shane Stacks (SS), Margaret Shauers (MS).
ROCKLOVE.COM
------------
2240 St. Francis Drive, Suite L, Palo Alto, CA, 94303. Phone:
(650) 812-0483. FAX: (650) 494-6953. Editor-In-Chief: Scott
Hunter. Internet magazine dedicated to covering the rock music
scene. FREQ: Weekly. CIRC: 450K-600K hits per month [Inkspot
Note: "hits per month" is not a completely accurate
representation of individual viewers per month on a website, but
the figure does give a good approximate indication]. NEEDS: Band
features, live show reviews, CD recommendations, music events,
press conferences, music and related technology articles, book
reviews, music reviews, interviews, video reviews and editorials.
LENGTH: Wd count open. GL: Query or submit completed ms, by
postal mail or email (email preferred). Multiple submissions,
simultaneous submissions okay, no previously published material.
RIGHTS: Purchases electronic display rights for 30 days. PAYS:
$15-350, depending on length and type of piece. RT: 24-48 hrs.
TIP(S): "Rocklove.com is a music RECOMMENDATION & APPRECIATION
site. Our goal is to source out the good, find the interesting in
it and report it, leaving the negative for the journals that
prefer not to broaden the horizons of their readers. RockLove
looks to make consumers out of its readers by connecting with
them and influencing their music and entertainment purchases."
(SS)
URL: http://www.rocklove.com/
GL: Send email request
E-Mail: editor@rocklove.com
SECRETS & STRATEGIES FOR THE OFFICE PROFESSIONAL
------------------------------------------------
Secrets & Strategies for the Office Professional. Economics
Press, Inc., 12 Daniel Road, Fairfield, NJ. 07004-2565 USA.
973-227-1224** FAX: 973-227-9742** (**"Note that these are the
company phone numbers and not mine; I'm a freelance editor. To
reach me or submit, please use e-mail.") Editor: (Ms.) S.
O'Keefe. Formerly titled SECRETARY'S LETTER, a 4-page biweekly
newsletter published by Economics Press, aimed at administrative
and executive assistants to help them with their ever-broadening
responsibilities. Subscribers are mostly in the U.S., with some
in Canada, the UK, and the Pacific Rim. CIRC: under 5M. NEEDS:
300 to 700 wds. Specific how-to information on career
advancement, better communication, workload organization,
presentation graphics, problem solving, spreadsheets, desktop
publishing, records management, meeting planning, travel
planning, office equipment, and training. Newsletter closes three
months before pub date, so allow five months for seasonal
articles. No fiction, poetry, or fillers. Articles from
experienced administrative assistants are strongly encouraged.
For all submissions, include a brief summary of work and/or
writing experience. PAY: One month before pub date. $25 or $50,
depending on length, for First Serial and First Electronic
Rights. $25 for article reprints published in non-competing
markets. Byline given on all articles. RT: 6 wks. E-submissions
only at this point, with article pasted at the end of cover
letter. Put the article topic in the subject line. No
attachments. SAMPLE: For sample articles, go to
http://www.epinc.com. Scroll down the side headings to "Office
Support Skills" and click on "FREE Office Training, Techniques
and Strategies." About half of these are from SECRETARY'S LETTER.
TIPS: Try to find a balance between very concrete how-to-do-it
strategies and ones that will work beyond just your own
experience and prove useful in most offices. (ST)
URL: http://www.epinc.com> [see notes above]
GL: listed above
E-mail: okeefe7@zdnetmail.com
CRESCENT BLUES
--------------
Crescent Blues. Attn: Editor. P.O. Box 3121. Arlington, VA.
22203. Phone: N/A. FAX: N/A. Editor: Jean Marie Ward. Reviews of
all sorts of arts and entertainment (artists, dance, conventions,
horror, decorative arts and more) for readers with varied
tastes--people who don't want to be pigeonholed as fans of a
single genre or medium. FREQ: Theoretically, we post a new
edition every two months. In fact, we update at least weekly.
CIRC: Over 50K hits/mo. NEEDS: 300-500 wds. Previously
unpublished reviews of books, movies, live performances, videos,
television shows, CDs and games. Market for feature articles and
graphics is very limited. Query the editor in advance before
submitting. No feature or graphic will be considered for
publication unless the concept is approved in advance. All
queries and submissions should be sent to
crescentblues@hotmail.com. The subject line should read "QUERY"
or "SUBMISSION" as appropriate. Reviews should be typed or pasted
in the body of the "SUBMISSION" email. To speed the contract
process, review submissions should include the full legal name,
snail mail address and telephone number of the prospective
contributor. The editor will determine submission format for
features and graphics on a case-by-case basis. However, queries
and approved submissions should also include the prospective
contributor's full legal name, snail mail address and telephone
number. Crescent Blues uses the Associated Press (AP) Style
Guide, and all narrative submissions should follow AP standards
for abbreviation, punctuation, etc. If you aren't familiar with
the AP Style Guide, you need to check it out before you submit.
PAY: First electronic serial rights for a period of one year from
date of publication. The rate of compensation for all reviews and
features is $.005/wd, payable upon receipt of a signed contract.
NOTE: There are many reasons why a proposed review or feature
could be rejected. Foremost among them are: *The concept does not
work for Crescent Blues. *The article or review is poorly written
or contains so many typographical errors it is not worth the
editor's time to fix it. *The article or review is out of date;
the movie is no longer in the theaters, the book is no longer on
the shelves, etc. *The review item is too popular; we already
have two or more reviews on this topic in the publication queue.
*The content of the article is actionable under libel, copyright,
trademark or other statutes. RT: So far, less than a week. TIPS:
Please, submit via email per our guidelines [see below]. Please,
do not write that you want to work for "Crescent Blues." The
flattery, while appreciated, won't work; CB does not have any
paid staff positions. In addition, since our guidelines state we
buy by the article, it also tells me you didn't read the
guidelines, which reduces the chances that I will greet your
subsequent submission with cries of rapture. Please, look at the
reviews and features we post. At the moment, you can find our
entire catalogue at the "Etc." link on the Table of Contents.
Reading the ezine gives you a better idea of the length and depth
we expect in our reviews, interviews and features. When I say in
the guidelines that CB seeks reviews between 300-500 wds, I mean
it. Naturally, CB will always make exceptions for extraordinary
work, but my idea of extraordinary would make Lord Byron flinch.
Before you hit the send button, please, reread your review and
reduce the use of "is" by 85 percent. I hate passive voice. (ST)
URL: http://www.crescentblues.com
GL:
http://www.crescentblues.com/constantpages/aboutus.shtml#submission
E-mail: crescentblues@hotmail.com
EXTREMES
--------
Extremes: Fantasy and Horror From the Ends of the Earth. Lone
Wolf Publications, 13500 SE 79th Street, Oklahoma City, OK,
73150. Editor: Brian A. Hopkins. Author-Publisher cooperative
venture on CD-ROM, with 20 contributors, an artist, and the
editor/publisher all splitting the profit equally. NEEDS:
Fantasy and horror stories set outside the continental United
States. GL: Queries/submissions accepted via postal mail and
email. If by postal, include SASE; be prepared to provide story
electronically later. By email, use either Wordperfect, MS Word,
ASCII, or RTF format. No previously published material. RIGHTS:
First Publication Rights. Pays: 1/22 (4.5%) of all profits,
currently estimated at over $100. RT: 1 month. TIP(S): "Story
locale should have a direct bearing on the story itself... don't
take the story you just wrote, change its location to the Fiji
Islands and send it in thinking it will cut the mustard. Put in
some research time. Know the area you are writing about. Make
sure there's a reason why this particular story could only take
place where it did." (SS)
GL: http://www.dm.net/~bahwolf/extremes.htm
E-Mail:
Queries/Info: brian_a_hopkins@sff.net
Submissions: lwpub@aol.com
CONTEST: INSCRIPTIONS
THEME: Letters of acceptance and/or rejection
DEADLINE: 5 p.m. EST June 25, 1999
------------------------------------
Inscriptions e-zine. Editor: Pamela Wilfinger. The weekly e-zine
for professional writers is hosting a writing contest. CIRC: 1440
subscribers; 3600 unique site visitors/mo. NEEDS: Pretend you're
the editor of a magazine or publishing house, and have just
received Pulitzer Prize-winning material. Respond to the author
in the most glowing and kind way with a letter of acceptance.
Or...pretend you are that same editor, except you've received the
worst piece of drivel ever committed to paper. Because you have
no tact, and no fear of retribution, write the most scathing,
evil and wicked rejection letter, one that'll crush any writer's
heart and spirit. Entries should be less than 500 words. Please
put a space between every paragraph and do not use indents. There
is no entry fee to enter the Letters Contest. All entries must be
in English, but the writer can live anywhere in the world. Paste
your entries directly into an e-mail and send with the subject
heading "Letters Contest." Include your real name, mailing
address and e-mail address with each entry. One letter per
e-mail, please. Entries without complete author information or
sent in other formats (including attached files) will be
disqualified. You may enter as often as you like. Each entry will
be acknowledged, once received by the Inscriptions staff. If you
do not receive confirmation within 48 hours, please resend your
entry. RTS: One Time Electronic. PAYS: First Place/Letter of
Praise - $25 and publication in Inscriptions. First
Place/Rejection Letter - $25 and publication in Inscriptions. (ST)
URL: http://come.to/Inscriptions
E-Mail: MaidenFate@aol.com
MARKET UPDATES FROM SAL:
------------------------
Lorine Wright, Managing Editor, Real Woman magazine (Inklings
market: 09 Dec 1998) confirms information provided by writer
Kathie Meyer: effective June 11, Real Woman's new address will
be: Real Woman Publishing. 7830 Claremont Mesa Blvd. San Diego,
CA 92111. 619-974-1777. FAX: 619-974-1770. On June 12, the area
code will change to 858.
Eternity, The Online Journal of the Speculative Imagination
http://www.pulpeternity.com/gl/eol.htm. "The online magazine is
now closed to all unsolicited submissions until next year. Please
do not query as we're overstocked in all areas."
Country Folk Art Magazine is no longer in publication.
Author Patricia Netzley reports receiving a letter from Beverly
A. Balaz, Publisher, stating "we write to inform you of the
decision to close Macmillan Children's Reference (formerly Silver
Burdett Press). No further books will be published by this
division, which includes Silver Press, Silver Burdett Press,
Dillon Press, New Discovery Books, Crestwood House, and Julian
Messner."
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
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) 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>
What is a chapter?
------------------
Q. I'm not always sure what separates one chapter from another,
i.e., are there a certain number of chapters in a novel/mss, or how
do I know when to start a chapter, etc.?
A. Well, what's a chapter--really? Novels were divided into
"chapters" so that they could be published in segments, or
serialized, by the newspapers or penny presses that originally
published them. The tradition stuck in book publishing.
In a romance novel (mind you, this is a very broad
generalization) you should end each chapter on a "hook" of some
sort, something that will make the reader want to turn the page
and read on. You do NOT want to ever end a chapter with a
character going to sleep! The middle of a scene, a new
development, a surprise of some sort--don't overdo this and have
every chapter hanging on a gasp.
You will have about 12-20 manuscript pages in a chapter; that
seems about right for romance which is heavily character-based.
In a mystery, for instance, you'll note that chapters tend to be
much, much shorter.
Also, you'll look for about--I emphasize "about"--three scenes
per chapter, hopefully with "rising" motion. They can be short,
short, long; long, short, short; even short, short, short. Or two
"longs"...again, nothing is written in stone.
Many authors write their books in one long manuscript, then go
back and break it into chapters. I don't. I write chapter by
chapter, and while there is some revising in the process and
rearranging of chapters, I find writing by chapter is a helpful
writing and planning tool in itself.
Hope that's of some help!
How much does Harlequin pay new romance writers?
------------------------------------------------
Q: I am a published magazine writer who would like to try my hand
at a romance novel. I have no idea what kind of money Harlequin
typically pays new romance writers, and I have not been able to
find out from their Web site. Would you have any idea what the
figures are or do you know where I could find out?
A: This is a legitimate question. Would you go into plumbing if
you had no idea what a plumber made? On the other hand, one
plumber might make one figure while another might make two or
three times as much.
It's the same in the writing business. A newly published horror
or mystery writer won't make nearly as much as Stephen King or
P.D. James.
Romance is no different. Like most publishers, Harlequin Books
pays a royalty based on sales. There are different royalties for
retail sales, direct sales, foreign sales, etc. The difference
is that a new writer with a company like Harlequin has a much
better chance of at least making back his or her advance, because
of the way Harlequin markets books.
Harlequin pioneered the method of "packaging" books in lines,
pre-packs. This means that they send out the same numbers of
titles in each line for that month. If you were writing for
Silhouette Special Edition (Silhouette is wholly owned by
Harlequin), you would have the same number of books in the
"package" that goes out to retailers as one of their better known
authors, say, Nora Roberts. This gives new authors shelf space
that they'd rarely get with another company, which tends to focus
on lead authors and midlist authors. The money spent on
promoting the lead titles often vastly surpasses that spent on
promoting midlist, if any is spent at all!
So, getting back to your question...you can make anywhere from,
say, $5K to $50K per book writing for Harlequin. That's total
ballpark, but at least you have an idea. The biggest factor is
how widely distributed the line is. Harlequin Presents, for
instance, is widely distributed throughout the world and has
phenomenal foreign sales that can dribble in for ten years or
more. The longer books, like Superromance, tend to be sold mainly
in North America, which is the biggest single market by far.
Other, more specialized books, such as the Love Inspired romances
with a Christian theme, have a more specialized, less widely
distributed readership.
So the money you make will depend on the line you write for, and
how good your individual sales are in that line. Good luck!
==------------------------------------------==
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.
Copyright (c) 1999 Judith Bowen.
=================================================================
ONLINE INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Christine Ballew-Gonzales <Christygon@aol.com>
The mid-1990s Internet shift from an academic entity to a
business offering might very well have been the greatest single
advancement for writers since the invention of the pen. While the
Internet has provided new markets, streamlined research
capabilities, and great sources of writer support and
information, it has also ushered in new ways to interview
subjects.
As a full-time freelance writer, I use online interviewing
techniques extensively. Email is always my first choice for an
interview, and I ask my interview contacts up front if I may ask
my questions via email to save my time and theirs.
Advantages
----------
There are several advantages to using the online interviewing
methods of email and instant messaging. One terrific advantage is
you won't have anyone squawking at you that they were not
correctly quoted - you will have the printed email message in
your file to back you up. Using email to interview subjects
forces you to be more prepared by formulating questions in
advance rather than using the top-of-your-head approach. This
also leads to greater writing precision and even tighter
articles, since your email question lists can easily be reworked
into article outlines. Email interviews save time for both the
interviewer and interviewee, eliminating chit chat and drawn out
off-task conversations. It allows you to ask your questions at
any hour of the day without bothering anyone; therefore you are
able to use otherwise unproductive hours for interviewing. One of
the greatest plusses of email interviewing is that it is
infinitely cheaper than picking up the phone every time you need
to talk to an expert. This is especially important to freelance
writers, who must do everything they can to control overhead.
Techniques
----------
Online interviewing techniques follow traditional interview
methods closely. Professionalism is the name of the game, and
that begins with following correct netiquette. When contacting a
potential interviewee by email, introduce yourself and the
publication you will be writing for. Be a bit on the formal side
for the first contract, until you develop somewhat of a
relationship. This is an important point, as many writers tend to
think that using email gives them license to be casual. Do not
contact a subject by email and begin firing questions at them
press-conference style, which is the online equivalent of kicking
down their office door. State your intentions, and ask for
permission for the interview first - then follow up with
questions. Print everything out and keep everything. Be sure to
email them with a gracious thank you, and contact them again when
the article comes out.
It's worth noting that contacts found in newsgroups or
organizations such as Profnet tend to be particularly open to
online interviews (though this isn't always the case), since they
have deliberately placed their information on the Internet and
are receptive to the inquiries of writers.
When to use phone interviews
----------------------------
If your subject expresses a wish for a phone interview instead,
don't press the issue. Many interviewees think that email is just
too impersonal, and the anonymity of the Internet still makes
some potential interviewees nervous. It is important to respect
their request for a change of interview venue. In addition, many
experts, CEOs and information officers prefer to use the
telephone to size you up, so to speak. They want to hear your
voice, see if you can think on your feet, and ask good interview
questions. You also may want to use the phone when you hit on a
particularly lively interviewee, as their conversational quotes
may add depth to the finished article. Email can even assist in
coordinating a phone interview, thereby eliminating an irritating
(not to mention time-and-money wasting) game of phone tag.
Instant messaging
-----------------
Using instant messaging is a bit trickier and less-often used
online interviewing method. It has been my experience that you
can use instant messaging's accompanying 'buddy lists' to see if
your interviewee is online and in a position to pick up their
email, but rarely for an interview itself. I suspect the reason
that many people prefer to answer interview questions by email
rather than instant messaging is that they want time to think
their answers through, and they like having a hard copy to back
up the accuracy of what was said. The one cardinal rule of
instant messaging interviewing is never, I repeat, never burst
into their virtual office as an online intrusion and begin asking
questions.
While online interviewing techniques may never fully replace
sitting in front of a subject to ask questions, learning to
utilize the Internet to effectively interview contacts will put
your writing on a twenty-first century level. It's a skill that
no working writer who intends to take his or her business into
the next millennium can afford to do without.
==-----------------------------------------==
Christine Ballew-Gonzales is an award-winning freelance writer
based in Springfield, Missouri. She has produced hundreds of
published newspaper, magazine and corporate articles and
specializes in writing about parenting issues and the business of
writing.
Copyright (c) 1999 Christine Ballew-Gonzales.
=================================================================
INKSPOT WRITERS COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE (IWCC) by Shane Stacks
http://www.inkspot.com/ss/iwcc/
Coordination underway with several published authors for casual
Q&A; and open discussion chat/workshops. Details soon. As a
reminder, published authors interested in hosting a chat receive
a small honorarium, and publicity in Inklings and Inkspot. (Feel
free to contact me for more info).
NEXT IWCC HELP SESSION: Sat, 12 June @ NOON EDT, 11 AM CDT
(Informal hour of chat in the Inkspot Classroom, show up with any
and all needs, large or small!)
**There doesn't have to be a scheduled chat for you to show up,
have some fun, and participate in our writing community. Please
drop by anytime!**
MISCELLANY: Up-to-date IWCC info and help can ALWAYS be found at
http://www.inkspot.com/ss/iwcc/, or contact Shane Stacks
directly: staxx@inkspot.com. 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
=================================================================
Thick skin wearing thin? Agented Bookdoc will help whip your mss
into publishable shape. REASONABLE rates. L.Grant@prodigy.net
=================================================================
ABC Editing: Successful, published writers perform Effective,
affordable editing! See http://www.abcediting.com
=================================================================
Get Published! New, affordable way to market your writing online.
Visit Manuscript Depot http://www.manuscriptdepot.com/
=================================================================
FREE. Enjoy a weekly fix of crisp, original, short humor.
http://www.virtualabsurdity.com or sample@virtualabsurdity.com
=================================================================
PERFECT KEYBOARD LITE ($19): Tired of typing the same phrases
over and over? Why not let your computer do the work. Launch
phrases, paragraphs, URLs, email addresses, scripts and macros
with one key or combination of keystrokes. This simple program
will change your computer using experience forever. Free 30 day
trial. http://www.tricksandtrinkets.com/pk
=================================================================
WritersBlok Short Story Contest 1st Prize $1000. Any Genre
accepted. Deadline Aug 31st, 1999. For complete guidelines:
http://www.writersblok.com or email webster@writersblok.com
=================================================================
New Class: Your Rocket Ride to a Full Time Writing Career
Writers Write University http://www.writerswrite.com/wwu/
=================================================================
== How to advertise in Inkspot or Inklings ===
=================================================================
Reach over 45,000 people for as little as $30/issue. For full
details, write to the autoresponder ratecard@inkspot.com or see:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/ratecard.html
=================================================================
Editor-in-Chief: DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI <editor@inkspot.com>
Associate Editor: MOIRA ALLEN <moira@inkspot.com>
Markets Editor: SAL TOWSE <towse@inkspot.com>
Submissions Editor: CHRISTOPHER DONNER <chris@inkspot.com>
Assistant Editors: FOX <fox@inkspot.com>
SHANE STACKS <ss@inkspot.com>
Research:
SAL TOWSE, SHANE STACKS, FOX, MARGARET SHAUERS,
MOIRA ALLEN, KATHIE MEYER
Web Administration:
TONY KING, SHANE STACKS
Systems Administrator: BRYAN FULLERTON <bryanf@samurai.com>
Copy Editor/Proofreader: GAIL HEINSOHN <intrepidrider@taconic.net>
JODI KRANGLE
Sales & Advertising: sales@inkspot.com
Business Partner: JEFF RIDPATH <jwr@interlog.com>
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:
Moira Allen, Judith Bowen, David Breeden, Charles Deemer, Mark
Fowler, Carol Henson, Ken Jenks, Ginger Knowlton, Michelle
Sagara, Margaret Shauers, Sal Towse, Lee Wardlaw, Karen
Wiesner, Marcia Yudkin.
Full masthead info at http://www.inkspot.com/admin/contact.html
Thanks to Samurai Consulting for hosting the Inklings mailing
list. More info: http://www.samurai.com or bryanf@samurai.com
=================================================================
Inklings is a free biweekly newsletter for writers.
Subscribers are welcome to recirculate or reprint Inklings for
nonprofit use as long as the appropriate credit is given and the
ENTIRE text of the newsletter is included (including credits and
information at the end of each issue). Others should contact me
at editor@inkspot.com. All articles copyrighted by their
authors.
Back issues and other information available at:
http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/
Inklings is part of INKSPOT, a web resource for writers:
http://www.inkspot.com/
Autoresponder info (send any email to the following addresses)
------------------
info@inkspot.com - Info about Inkspot and Inklings
ratecard@inkspot.com - Advertising info and rates.
adminfaq@inkspot.com - How to subscribe, unsubscribe, etc.
guidelines@inkspot.com - Writers' guidelines, payment info.
SNAILMAIL: 122 St. Patrick St., Box 123, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5T 2X8. For packages, please contact me first.
================================================================
To unsubscribe from Inklings, email majordomo@samurai.com with
"unsubscribe inklings <your email address>" in the message body.
================================================================
