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Inklings Issue 6.21
*****************************************************************
i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 6.21 October 25, 2000
*****************************************************************
<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0620.html>
In this issue: Kelly James-Enger explains how to earn extra money
from your articles by selling reprints, and Marcia Yudkin (Ask
the Freelance Writer) discusses bios and clips.
This issue sponsored by:
*****************************************************************
Publish today! XLIBRIS exists to help YOU publish in both printed
and e-books, sell through stores and the Internet, and connect
with writing resources. Plus, you keep your rights--forever. To
learn more, call 888-795-4274, write to info@xlibris.com, or
visit http://xlibris.com/pubservices/ps_pubkit.asp, Xlibris.
Where writers become authors.
*****************************************************************
ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright (c) 2000 Inkspot Company Of Canada.
See end of issue for full copyright and contact information.
*****************************************************************
CONTENTS THIS ISSUE:
From the Managing Editor's Desk
New on Inkspot
Book Giveaway/Fresh Ink
Market Information
Ask the Freelance Writer
"One Article, Many Paychecks: Selling Reprints" by
Kelly James-Enger
Inkspot Community Chat Update
Writers' Classifieds
*****************************************************************
FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR'S DESK
-------------------------------
Surrey Writers' Conference report (from Debbie)
-----------------------------------------------
"I just got back from the Surrey Writers' Conference in Surrey,
B.C., where I gave workshops on e-publishing, online promotion
for writers, and online markets for writers. I dare anyone to
attend this conference and not leave inspired! This conference
offers a supportive atmosphere and excellent networking
opportunities (as well as gorgeous mountain scenery).
I *highly* recommend it. You can find more info at
http://surreywritersconference.bc.ca/" - Debbie
More Copyright News
-------------------
Writers used to assume that when a magazine or similar
publication registered a "collective copyright" for that
publication, that registration offered protection for the
individual works within the publication. I.e., it has long been
assumed that a writer would not need to register those works
separately with the copyright office, as the collective copyright
was thought to provide evidence of copyright registration. (Note
that a collective copyright does NOT convey copyright ownership
of individual works to the publication.)
That assumption is no longer valid, due to a recent court case.
Lois Morris, who writes a monthly column for Allure Magazine,
sued Business Concepts Inc. for reprinting her columns without
permission in one of their publications. (Conde Nast, the
publisher of Allure, declined to take action against Business
Concepts.) On March 24, 2000, U.S. District Court Judge
Richard Conway Casey ruled that copyright registration for the
entire magazine (Allure) "could not be interpreted as offering
protection to the authors of the individual articles in the
magazine." Authors must register their own copyrights in
order to bring a lawsuit under the Copyright Act of 1976.
Failing to register does not mean that you can't sue for
infringement, but it does mean that you can't sue "for the
large damages allowed by the Act."
To fully protect your work -- and your ability to sue for
damages if anyone uses that work without your permission -- it
is becoming increasingly important to register your copyright.
That costs money -- but fortunately, you can register collections
of material (such as a collection of stories or articles). For
more information on registering copyright, visit
http://www.loc.gov. For more information on the Lois Morris
case, visit http://www.nasw.org.
What Is Publication?
--------------------
You've written a book -- a novel, a collection of poems, a
nonfiction work -- and you want to get it published. But what
is "published"? We are offered a bewildering array of options
these days: Electronic publishing, print-on-demand, subsidy
publishing in both electronic and print venues, self-publishing,
and, of course, good old-fashioned "send it to a publisher and
hope for the best" publishing.
If you're a book author (published or not), we'd like to know
what "being published" means to you. What, in your mind,
constitutes "being published"? What would make you "feel" like
a published author? Is it a question of money? Is it the
number of people who buy/read your book? Is it having a book
you can hold in your hand? Is it being able to find your book
on the shelves of your favorite bookstore? Is it some
combination of the above -- or something else entirely? Let us
know; send an e-mail to <moira@inkspot.com> with "Publish" in
the subject line with your thoughts.
-- Moira Allen
*****************************************************************
Looking for online discussion with other writers? Check out
Inkspot's discussion forum community! Wide range of topics for
writers of all ages.
Forum Topics: http://www.inkspot.com/forums/topics.html
Community Events Calendar: http://www.inkspot.com/events
*****************************************************************
NEW ON INKSPOT:
---------------
THE POET'S RESOURCE has been newly revamped to feature new
reference links and resources for poets. Inkspot welcomes
poetry editor Japheth Brubaker to this section.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/poetry/
THE CHILDREN'S WRITING RESOURCE welcomes its new editor, Peggy
Tibbetts. The section has been newly revamped and will soon
feature interviews and articles for children's writers.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/child/
THE GARDEN WRITERS RESOURCE is now blossoming with links to book
reviews, articles, and gardening associations.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/garden/
BOOK PROMOTION ON A BUDGET
--------------------------
Inkspot is proud to introduce a new column on inexpensive ways
to promote your books. "Book Promotion on a Budget" is written
by MaryJanice Davidson, author of "Escape the Slush Pile." The
November column, "How to Have a Successful Booksigning," is
online now at:
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/davidson/index.html
New on THE TRAVEL WRITER'S SPOT:
--------------------------------
Querying: From Beginning to End
by Myrna Oakley
Find out how this travel writer's query landed her a cover story
and ongoing relationship with a West Coast editor; plus, other
examples of successful travel queries.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres/travel/queries/oakley.html
New on THE SELF-PUBLISHING CENTER:
----------------------------------
A Letter from an Agent to an Author
by Lynn Rosen
A literary agent shares her years of experience and gives advice
to authors seeking agents.
http://www.inkspot.com/selfpub/articles/agent.html
New on FICTIONEER:
------------------
Four Questions for Anne Bowling
An interview on the state of fiction publishing, with the editor
of Writer's Digest's Novel and Short Story Writer's Market.
http://www.inkspot.com/fiction/articles/bowling.html
Role Playing
by Lance Arthur
Tips on developing characters by visiting MUDs, MUSHes and MOOs.
http://www.inkspot.com/fiction/articles/roleplaying.html
Check THE GENRE WRITING PAGE for regular announcements and
updates regarding Inkspot's various fiction and nonfiction
genre sections.
http://www.inkspot.com/genres
New on the main FEATURE INDEX:
------------------------------
Eating for a Living: Becoming a Restaurant Critic
by Joseph Hayes
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/food.html
Researching that Agent Online
by Jason Gurley
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/gurley4.html
Ten Free Ways to Sell E-Books on the Web
by Kristi Sayles
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/sayles.html
Writing for a Book Packager
by Rusty Fischer
http://www.inkspot.com/feature/rusty.html
**-----------------------------------------------------**
INKPRINTS PRIZE GIVEAWAY:
Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer
------------------------------------------------------
by Ray Dreyfack
According to Ray Dreyfack, "Writing without a computer is like
rowing a boat without oars." How has using a computer affected
your writing? Are you closer to your goals? Are you working on a
more professional level or selling more of your work?
Stop by the Inkprints challenge board and write a 150-word
offering on how using a computer and the Internet has advanced
your writing career and how your writing has changed as a result
of new technology. If your entry is selected as the winner, you
win a copy of this book!
Entry deadline is midnight, November 2, 2000.
To find out how to enter Inkspot's Writers' Challenge, please see
INKPRINTS, Bev Walton-Porter's bi-weekly book review column, at
http://www.inkspot.com/books/inkprints.html
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Congrats to DeAnne Todd <fishENMOM@aol.com>, winner of the latest
BookStop writing challenge! DeAnne's flair for humor landed her a
copy of Jennifer Lawler's "Small-Business Ownership for Creative
People."
Here is DeAnne's winning entry:
INSTANT AMNESIA
---------------
Ever want to forget that embarrassing incident in second grade
when you wet your pants and everyone laughed, including the
teacher? Well, at Instant Amnesia, now you can!
With our patented Memory Loss System, you could sail through
Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Just think, no guilt from
your mother over not marrying a doctor, no resentments about how
your brother inherited the family business, and best of all, you
won't be cooking this year because you won't remember how!
Getting a little tired of that lazy husband or wife? At Instant
Amnesia, you can wake up to a brand new husband or wife -- or at
least new to YOU!
Choose from the following:
Unhappy Childhood
Bad Relationship
Addictive Behavior (our biggest seller)
or
Holidays
Say goodbye to anxiety and say HELLO to Instant Amnesia!
**-----------------------------------------------------**
FRESH INK
---------
The Well-Fed Writer
-------------------
Peter Bowerman's website is designed to promote his book by the
same name -- but it's a great resource in its own right. It
offers an extensive collection of links to business and editing
resources, writer organizations and groups, plus a special
section for women in business (including links and an interview
with a freelance writer-mom).
http://www.wellfedwriter.com
The Writer's Mind
-----------------
This site originally began as a showcase site for writers. When
that didn't work out as planned, it became a site where agents
and publishers could post information and guidelines -- which
has evolved into an extensive resource listing for writers.
http://www.thewritersmind.com
Business Communications
-----------------------
Looking for tips on writing for businesses and corporations?
Check this list of resources from WritersWrite.
http://www.writerswrite.com/buscomm/
Writers Graphic Image
---------------------
An interesting collection of tips, exercises, humor, and
puzzles. Check the graphic, write a story...
http://www.writersgraphicimage.com
StudentsWrite.com
-----------------
Both a place for young writers to get published, and a set
of resources for young writers (and, perhaps, not-so-young
writers).
http://www.studentswrite.com/index.htm
** 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), Jan Edwards (JE), Jerri Ledford
(JL).
**-----------------------------------------------------**
THE TOY BOX E-MAGAZINE
Editor: Emily Bivens
808 Grand Avenue, Marion, IA 52302
THE TOY BOX is an online publication covering parenting and all
related issues. FREQ: Monthly. NEEDS: "We look for feature
articles on all aspects of parenting, from pregnancy to teens.
Our accepted features in the past have included: personal
experiences, humor, opinion pieces, nonfiction articles based on
research, interviews with professionals, and current events
issues." LENGTH: 300-1,500 wds. GL: "We prefer writers to query
in most cases, so that we may determine if an idea has or will
be covered in past/upcoming issues. I like brief queries giving
us a rough outline of the idea and writer's experience. E-mail
queries are preferred." Multisubs, simsubs, and previously
published material all accepted. Specify if photos are available.
RIGHTS: One time electronic. PAYS: $5/article, on publication.
"We also offer writers a byline, short bio, and links to other
writing samples or webpages." RT: "Typically it takes me about
one week to get back to writers. I encourage writers to request a
status report if they haven't heard from me in two weeks." TIPS:
"We are eager to work with new writers, as well as those that are
well established. We love gutsy writers who pitch new ideas,
slants, and areas we may not be covering, but should be. We like
our articles to be conversational, yet informational. Our
mission is to provide parents with up-to-date information about
all facets of parenting." (SS)
URL: http://theparentspage00.homestead.com/thetoybox.html
GL: http://theparentspage00.homestead.com/guidelines.html
E-mail: Emily_Bivens@excite.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
THE LARCOM REVIEW
Editor: Susan Oleksiw
Consulting Editor: Rae Francoeur
P.O. Box 161, Prides Crossing, MA 01965
THE LARCOM REVIEW is a journal of the arts and literature of New
England, showcasing contemporary work by writers and artists of
New England as well as exploring work of earlier times.
Interested in all aspects of the six-state New England region.
FREQ: Published twice a year: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.
CIRC: 300. NEEDS: All types of fiction and nonfiction by writers
living in or related to New England. Contributing writers and
artists are current or former residents of New England. Short
fiction, poetry, memoirs, essays and articles and book reviews
considered. Black and white artwork, such as photographs, line
drawings and prints. LENGTH: 3,000 words maximum. RTS: FNASR.
PAYMENT: On publication, $25 for any noncommissioned title or
artwork. Writers and artists are occasionally commissioned to
produce work on specific topics. These pieces pay substantially
more. RT: Between three and six months. SAMPLE COPIES: Available
for $12 plus $2 S&H.; COMMENTS: "We are not interested in
gratuitous sex and violence, foul language as a substitute for
thinking and feeling, or trendy topics." SUBMISSION: All
submissions should be original unpublished work. Cover letters
should be brief and to the point, indicating the connection to
New England or the relevance of the work. Mss should be sent
via USPS only, with a SASE for reply. Submit a query letter if
interested in undertaking a commission. No commission is given
without discussion between writer and editor first, along with
a written agreement. Kill fee paid if final work is unsuitable
for The Larcom Review. Visual artists should submit photographs,
slides or original work in well-protected mailing envelopes with
a SASE. TIPS: "We are looking for mss for a mystery series (also
from a New England writer with a setting in New England). We
have three mysteries coming out in 2001. Would like to start a
series." (JE)
URL: http://www.larcompress.com
GL: http://www.larcompress.com/submissions.html
E-mail: amp@larcompress.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
BLACK GATE
John O'Neill, Publisher and Editor; Nonfiction Editor
815 Oak Street, St. Charles, IL 60174
Fiction Submissions:
David A. Truesdale, 824 Stone Arch Dr., Independence, MO 64052
BLACK GATE Issue #1 will go on sale November 2000. The premiere
issue will be 240 pp. and is published by New Epoch Press. NEEDS:
Epic fantasy fiction of all lengths (including novel excerpts),
articles, interviews, news and reviews. We are looking for
adventure-oriented fantasy fiction suitable for all ages --
including urban fantasy, sword & sorcery, dark fantasy/horror,
"magic realism" and romantic fantasy -- as long as it is well
written and original. PAY: On acceptance. First North American
serial and electronic publication rights. $0.06/wd for fiction.
$0.05/wd for non-fiction. BLACK GATE is also looking for artists
-- for line art, comics, and cartoons. If you have an online
portfolio full of dynamic, fun b&w; art, don't hesitate to contact
us. SUBMISSIONS: Fiction: David A. Truesdale (address above;
prefers snail-mail). Nonfiction and reviews: John O'Neill
(address above; prefers e-mail). RT: 2 months. SAMPLE ISSUES: $8
postpaid; order on the website. Some excerpts will be available
on the site. TIPS: While we'll look at all kinds of fantasy,
we're very hungry for exciting, original fantasy with exotic
settings. Don't send us Arthurian fantasy unless you're
absolutely certain it is original, and will stand well above
the 30-40 other Arthurian stories we'll read this week. We are
also interested in serial fiction, but please query first. (ST)
URL: http://www.blackgate.com
GL: http://www.blackgate.com/sept00/bg/staff.htm
E-mail: john@blackgate.com; davet@worldinter.net
**-----------------------------------------------------**
AUTHOR NETWORK
Editor: Karen Scott
PHONE: (44) 01206 303607
FAX: (44) 01206 303607
AUTHOR NETWORK is a website "for writers, about writing." FREQ:
Weekly. NEEDS: "Tips for writers, articles and how-to pieces,
short stories and poetry, interviews and reviews." For fiction
and poetry, Author Network covers a broad range of genres.
LENGTH: Poetry: 100 lines max; Short Stories: 1,000-3,000 wds;
Short Fiction: 500 wds max; Articles: 1,000-1,500 wds. GL: E-mail
submission or query, including standard information and ms in
either body of e-mail or as a Word attachment. Simsubs, multisubs,
and previously published material all accepted. RIGHTS: One-time
rights to electronically publish work for a given period. Author
retains all other rights. PAYS: Poetry: $5-$20/; Short Stories:
$10-$30; Short Fiction: $5-$20; Commentary: $10-$30; Reviews:
$5-$30; Interviews: $5-$30; Articles: $10-$30. Pays on
acceptance. RT: 10-28 days. TIPS: "Please study the site if you
are interested in submitting material. We are particularly
interested in well-written articles on any aspect of writing.
Write short paragraphs. Remember to constantly edit your work.
Be brief. Give information in bite-sized pieces; people on the
Internet do not read in detail -- they scan the page for clues,
which may be textual or visual or aural. Use lots of subheadings,
dividing the piece by each separate idea. Use bullets. Avoid long
narratives." NOTE: This market will launch in November 2000. (SS)
URL: http://www.author-network.com/
GL: http://www.author-network.com/submissions.html
E-mail: karen@author-network.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
GRANDSTORIES
Editor & Publisher: Maxim Antinori
Max Media, Inc., 471 Arsenal Street #14, Watertown, MA 02472
GRANDSTORIES is a small, startup publishing company devoted to
connecting grandparents and grandchildren through children's
literature. NEEDS: High-quality fiction for children ages 3-10.
Both stories and novels accepted. GL: "E-mail submissions allowed
for manuscripts containing fewer than 1,500 wds. Attach manuscript
to e-mail as text-only file. For longer works, or if
illustrations are included, send printed copy of manuscript...
Please do not send original artwork, copies only." No multisubs.
Simsubs and previously published material accepted. RIGHTS:
One-time print and electronic rights. PAYS: "Royalty of 20% of
list price on print sales, 40% on electronic sales. No advance
payment. Royalties paid on a semi-annual basis." RT: 4-8 weeks.
TIPS: "If you have written a children's story or book, we want to
read it! If we like it, our editors will work with you to prepare
it for publication, print it, and bring it to a growing online
market of grandparents and grandchildren! We look for fiction
that is well-developed with an imaginative storyline and rich,
original characters. Proofread your manuscript thoroughly --
typos and grammatical errors are clear signs that a manuscript
is not ready for submission. Take the time to make sure that
your manuscript is in its finest form, both in content and
structure, before you send it to GrandStories for
consideration." (SS)
URL: http://www.grandstories.com/
GL: http://www.grandstories.com/submissions/index.htm
Author FAQ: .../submissions/author_faq.htm
E-mail: storymaster@grandstories.com
**-----------------------------------------------------**
MARKET UPDATES: In response to the statement from the editors of
Linux Journal that the publication had "gone to the more
traditional 'all rights,'" (reported last issue), a reader notes:
"All rights is NOT "traditional", despite what this editor would
like his contributors to believe. First Canadian, US or North
American Serial Rights is traditional! I hope your readers
understand this." We agree. (MA)
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) judith@judithbowen.com
David Breeden (POET) dbreeden@schreiner.edu
Tracy Cooper-Posey (E-WRITER) tracy@sashaproductions.com
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) charlesd@inkspot.com
Mark Fowler (LAWYER) askthelawyer@inkspot.com
Ginger Knowlton (AGENT) agent@inkspot.com
Michelle West (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 FREELANCE WRITER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Marcia Yudkin <yudkin@inkspot.com>
How Do I Handle a Slim Bio? What Counts as Clips?
--------------------------------------------------
Q: I've been busy researching the freelance market (mostly
magazine articles) and sending out query letters and submissions.
The one thing I'm very uncomfortable about is my Bio. There just
isn't too much to it right now. How can beginning writers sell
their work with a slim bio?
A: In a query letter or cover letter, a bio can be as short as
one sentence. The purpose of that sentence is to increase the
editor's confidence that you can carry out the assignment. If you
have just a few publication credits, that sentence could read:
"My credentials include feature articles in Milwaukee Today and
other local publications." If you have no publication credits,
highlight your personal experience, enthusiasm and knowledge of
the topic, such as: "I've been fascinated by stamp design since
the fifth grade, and have recently begun sharing my love of
stamps with the next generation through my son's fifth-grade
class." Avoid saying anything negative, especially "I've never
been published before." Just make that query letter glow and
someone soon will give you a chance.
Q: How do you prepare clips to send to editors? Is photocopying
hard copies acceptable?
A: I'm not sure how else one could do it! Yes, that's exactly
right. Just make sure the photocopy is readable and neat. It's
sometimes difficult to photocopy newsprint, so for newspaper
clips, ask for assistance at the copy shop. The bigger challenge
is referring editors to Web publications. If you are sending a
query by mail, you can send printouts of the relevant Web pages.
If you are sending an e-mail query (only to an editor who has
asked to be contacted by e-mail), then either cut and paste the
text of your sample article as published to follow your query, or
send a URL on which the editor can click to surf over to the page
on which you are published. Attached files are less convenient, so
stay away from them unless requested to use them.
Q: I have been a writer for about 12 years -- at several
newspapers and magazines -- and recently began seeking freelance
assignments. I am sending ideas to various online and print
publications, but would appreciate any advice on where to find
outlets for work, especially for the growing Net market.
A: Here are my favorite URLs for listings of online writing
assignments:
http://www.content-exchange.com
http://www.inscriptionsmagazine.com
http://www.authorlink.com/jobavail.html
http://www.ajrnewslink.org/joblink
http://www.sunoasis.com
Q: I've had a recipe and cooking ideas (about 250 words)
published in Family Circle magazine, and a 50-word response to a
reader's question published in McCall's magazine. Do these count
as "clips"? They seem too short to "count" but then again they
were chosen to be published, and these are big magazines! Do I
include them in my credentials with some sort of explanation?
A: You're absolutely right that it means something that you
passed the stringent filtering process at these big magazines.
Congratulations! In your position, I would say, "I've had short
pieces published in Family Circle and McCall's magazines." After
all, that's 100 percent true.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Marcia Yudkin launched her freelance writing career 20 years ago
with a successful query letter to the New York Times. She's now
the author of ten books, including Internet Marketing for Less
Than $500/Year, Writing Articles about the World Around You and
Freelance Writing for Magazines & Newspapers. See her Web site
at http://www.yudkin.com for numerous free articles on building
success as a writer.
Copyright (c) 2000 Marcia Yudkin
*****************************************************************
ONE ARTICLE, MANY CHECKS: SELLING REPRINTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Kelly James-Enger <kellyjames@pop.net>
Want to boost your freelance income overnight? Start selling
reprints and you can get paid two times, three times or even more
for the same article.
I've made thousands of dollars on reprint sales in the past
couple of years. For example, I sold a story on what secrets
brides and grooms should share to Bridal Guide for $750; the
story ran in November 1998. Within six months, I'd reprinted
the story in a women's magazine for $250 and in another bridal
publication for $275, bringing my total paycheck for the story
to $1275. A dating article that originally sold for $100 has
netted another $250 in reprints while a business story that
first brought $800 has been reprinted for $250 and $500 during
the past year.
Read on to learn how you can snag more than one paycheck for an
article:
Step One: Negotiate Better Contracts
------------------------------------
You must OWN reprint rights in order to sell them. If you sign
work-for-hire or all-rights agreements, you're giving up your
right to ever resell the same work in the future. Read
publishing contracts carefully before signing them. Some
magazines demand a 90-day or 6-month exclusivity provision that
precludes you from reprinting the story in any media during that
time frame; others may expressly prohibit you from reprinting the
story in competing publications.
When selling rights to any work, remember that the fewer rights
you sell, the better. For print magazines, the least you can
sell is one-time rights (although magazines often want FIRST
serial rights); most web publications want non-exclusive online
rights for a limited period of time. Invest in your future
income by negotiating contracts today.
Step Two: Review your Work
--------------------------
Take a look at the articles to which you currently own rights.
Do you have a lot of parenting pieces? Travel stories?
Technology articles? Make a list of all available stories, their
titles, subject area, word count, and special features like
sidebars and quizzes. Write down when reprint rights will be
available for stories you're currently working on, and review
and update your possible reprint list every three to six months.
Step Three: Scout for Markets
-----------------------------
Keeping your available stories in mind, begin looking for
potential reprint markets. Because I write mostly health and
fitness, diet/nutrition, and bridal and relationship stories, I'm
always on the lookout for smaller magazines that cover those
subject areas. Writer's Market includes listings of magazines
that buy reprints. Smaller circulation publications, regional
magazines and newspapers, and trade publications all may be
interested in previously published material. Check their
guidelines to see if they purchase reprinted stories.
Kathy Sena, a freelancer in Los Angeles, has developed a network
of regional publications for her parenting and health stories and
resells most of the articles she writes. "About 40% of my income
comes from reprints," says Sena. "The checks aren't that big --
maybe $50 or $75 a story -- but they add up quickly!"
By calling major newspapers in neighboring states, Melanie
McManus, a Madison, Wisconsin freelancer, found new markets for
her regional travel stories. She often resells stories to non-
competing publications and has reprinted one story five times.
Finally, don't overlook the Internet -- web sites looking for
content may be interested in electronic rights to stories,
especially if you have a lot of articles in a particular subject
area available. I've recently sold web rights to fitness,
health, and business stories that originally appeared in print
publications.
Step Four: Make Your Pitch
--------------------------
Next, contact your potential reprint markets. If I'm sending
only one story, I write the editor a short letter describing the
article and why it will appeal to readers; I also note where and
when it was published. I close by asking if the editor is
interesting in purchasing reprint rights to the story and include
a copy of the article.
If I think that the market may be interested in more than one
article, I send a letter that includes a story list describing
relevant articles by topic and word length, along with several
clips. I then follow up by telephone in four to eight weeks to
determine if the editor is interested in any stories.
Step Five: Set Your Price
--------------------------
In some cases, magazines or web sites will offer a set amount for
reprint rights; other publications will ask what your usual
reprint fee is. Don't set your rates too low, but keep in mind
that regional publications usually have smaller budgets and will
offer less than national magazines or well-funded web sites.
Step Six: Consider Syndication
-------------------------------
Working with a syndicate -- an individual or organization that
offers reprint rights to your work to various media -- is another
way to net additional income from previously published work.
Syndicates often pay a flat fee for rights to your work for a
fixed time period; less frequently, they may share any sales
proceeds with you, usually 50/50. While syndicate rates vary,
the L.A. Times Syndicate paid me $100 to $125 for exclusive
worldwide rights for one year to several bridal stories.
I've also worked with two individuals who specialize in selling
articles overseas and have made as little as $50 and as much as
$250 for reprint rights to a story. The one-man syndicate I
currently work with has found markets for my work in Denmark,
Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia -- and I've made $900 this
year on stories he's sold. To find a syndicate, check Writer's
Market or ask for recommendations from other writers.
Step Seven: Keep It Up
----------------------
Continue to develop your list of reprint markets and consider
those potential sales when you accept assignments. For example,
I may accept work that pays less than my usual rate if I think
I'll be able to sell reprint rights to the story at least once or
twice. And don't forget to offer new stories as they become
available to your current reprint markets. Invest some time and
energy into selling reprints, and you'll be on your way to
netting multiple paychecks for every article you write.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
Kelly James-Enger is a fulltime freelancer whose work has
appeared in more than 25 national magazines, including Woman's
Day, Family Circle, Marie Claire and Fitness. She also leads
magazine-writing programs and workshops throughout Illinois.
Copyright (c) 2000 Kelly James-Enger
Would you like to reprint this article? If so, please contact
KELLY JAMES-ENGER <kellyjames@pop.net> for permission. Inklings
grants permission for reprints in any medium if and only if
permission is granted by the original author.
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INKSPOT WRITERS' CHAT CENTER UPDATE - by Shane Stacks
-----------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING CHATS:a
WRITING IN FLOW with SUSAN K. PERRY (why, when,
and how to enter a timeless state to produce your best work).
DATE: Thursday, October 26, 2000, 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. Central
SUSAN K. PERRY, Ph.D., psychologist, consultant, and author of
over 800 articles and the recent bestseller Writing in Flow:
Keys to Enhanced Creativity, shares her insight and experience to
help you write more creatively!
HALLOWEEN CHAT! Come on out for a frightfully good time at our
special holiday edition of "Death By The Pen", Monday, Oct.30th,
10PM-Midnight Eastern. Hosted by John McGowan (Writer12) in the
Mystery/Thriller writing room.
TWO NEW WEEKLY CHATS:
"Death By The Pen" - Mystery/Thriller Writing
Host: John M. McGowan - Fridays at 9 p.m. EST
"The Underside" - Horror Writing Chat
Host: Larry Lawrence - Saturdays at 9 p.m. EST
NOTE: The Inkspot chat room now has several main rooms for your
chatting convenience: Adult Writers, Young Writers, and All Ages.
DISCUSSION FORUMS: Join this growing community of writers!
Wide variety of topics and events, everyone welcome.
http://www.inkspot.com/forums/topics.html
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Community Events Newsletter: http://www.inkspot.com/events/
(Or send e-mail to Shane Stacks at staxx@inkspot.com)
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