The Authors Place–Lots of Interesting Articles
What are Writers’ Top 10 Writing Challenges?
Dawn Goldberg brings life to words and writing – and helps others through their writing and publishing journey. Sign up for Fuel For Your Writing Journey at Write Well U http://www.WriteWellU.com
When you talk with people on the phone, there’s tone, pitch, speed, and volume to convey meaning. When you talk with people face to face, add in body language, eye contact, and gestures. Just your words, though, account for a small percentage of the meaning you’re trying to convey. Various studies say anywhere from 7% to 49% of the meaning comes from the words you use. That other 51-93% comes from the visual and vocal communication cues you use. What this means is that most of the time you rely on these strong visual and vocal muscles to get your meaning across. And if you’re not doing a good job of that, you usually get immediate feedback from your listener. When you write, you have only the word muscle to work with.
Think of being a writer as a nurturer, a caretaker. You’re taking your readers on a journey. It’s up to you to make sure that the journey is smooth. Paths should be free of boulders and great, yawning chasms.
Here are ten writing challenges, those boulders and chasms, most people face and surefire fixes for each.
Editing—What Does It Mean to Writers?
By Connie Anderson
Yesterday I talked an author who told me proudly, “Everyone LOVES the book—and it is ‘ready’ to go. I asked if she’d like me to just put an editor’s eye to a few of her poems for free. WELL, it isn’t ready to go. Word overuse, punctuation, as well as other issues perhaps only an editor notices—but isn’t that WHY an editor is hired?
Also in the past few weeks, twice I’ve been hired to edit a manuscript—and am the THIRD editor that author has hired/paid.
Pat Morris, freelance editor and president of Midwest Independent Publishers Association, and I did a workshop in March at the Bloomington (Minnesota) Writers’ Festival and Book Fair. It was called: “Editing—Now More Important Than Ever.”
In it we gave a list of questions every author should ask an editor. We want authors not to feel intimated, to advocate for their best book which means having the right editor for them. We are tired of seeing authors taken advantage of by people who say they are editors, by vanity and POD publishers who take money and produce poor quality—you get the idea. We’re up in arms on this subject!
“Rewriting is the opportunity to turn spilt milk into ice cream.”
– Katherine Paterson, Newbery Award winner
Authors: Use E-mail to Promote Your Books
Editor’s Note: This article was written for businesses—but it works very well for authors too. Author Marsha Egan added a comment. Read it and see how it applies to ways authors can use email to promote their books, etc. Then read the rest and learn a lot of helpful things about email–a technology we can’t live without that however has also become a tremendous consumer of time and productivity.
Interruptions for an author can mean that a brilliant idea “went out the window.”
See our review of Marsha Egan’s book.
The Inbox Detox: And the Habit of E-mail Excellence—reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/inbox-detoxand-the habit-of-email-excellence
The E-mail Marketing Advantage
By Marsha Egan, celebrated author, keynote speaker, facilitator, and ICF certified professional and career coach, Marsha Egan, CPCU, PCC, CEO of The Egan Group, Inc.
Especially for Authors:
Email is an effective tool to help authors market themselves and their writings.
• As an example, it is an inexpensive way to announce the release of a new book.
• Emails can be sent regionally to announce book signings and tour engagements.
• Some authors have used email to successfully poll readers for information contained in their writings.
• The opportunities are endless – email is an efficient, effective, and inexpensive way to communicate.
Great marketing can take many forms.
The Serious Art of Dissecting Funny
By Eileen McVety, author, Welcome to the Company (or what it’s really like working here)
SEE OUR REVIEW: http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/welcome-to-the-company-or-what-its-really-like
Quick. Which is funnier? Argyle or plaid?
When I first set out to write a book spoofing office politics and culture, I didn’t think I’d be forced to grapple with such ethereal questions. Perhaps I should have known better. After all, it was not my goal to write anything that made readers crack a smile. Nor was I hoping to stir up a few random chuckles. No, I strove for the brass ring of all humorous writing endeavors—a spontaneous, laugh-out-loud reaction from my audience.
Putting the Fun Back Into (Book) Funerals
After receiving the last rejection letter for my autobiographical novel, Family Plots: Love, Death and Tax Evasion (reviewed here) I held a very public funeral to bury my dream to land a publishing contract that would lead to a best-selling writing career. When I came up with the idea, I had no idea how much it would catch on—how many friends and strangers would embrace the idea. It turned out I wasn’t the only one who had a need to bury the pain of dead dreams, dashed hopes, and disappointments. By the looks of the attendees dancing in the aisles after the event, I also wasn’t the only one who felt a great release.
7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Book
Armchair Interviews says: Before you read this important article, knows that the writer “know his stuff,” and has worked with some big name authors. They have created hundreds of award-winning book covers, including numerous bestsellers. After more than 20 years of working closely with leading authors and speakers like Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield, Ken Blanchard, Tony Robbins, John Edward, Deepak Chopra, and Dottie Walters, as well as publishing giants like HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Prentice-Hall, and Hay House, their mission is to help you avoid these 7 Costly Mistakes.
Dunn+Associates helps bestselling authors, fast-track speakers and information marketers earn more, work less, and build business empires with powerful promotional tools and strategic brand design.
Read these 7 Costly Mistakes Closely so you can save yourself time and money and get a good finished product.
7 Costly Mistakes
LinkedIn for Authors
Information provided by Caroline Melberg, Melberg Marketing. Caroline is a Linkedin and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert. She can reached at: Caroline@Melberg.com
Many people have heard of the benefits of using the popular social networking site known as LinkedIn for finding a job – but did you know that LinkedIn is equally effective for authors looking to get noticed and published?
Do You Want or Expect Explicit Sex Scenes in Every Romance Book You Read?
Stephanie Boyd, Armchair Interviews reviewer
I love a good classic romance–boy meets girl and they go through “stuff,” end up in love and live happily ever after. It is the “stuff” they go through that shows each author’s creativity as they develop their character’s world, locations, situations, etc., and put their individual spin on the classic story outline.
A Publisher That Rushes Out a ‘Threadbare’ ARC Can Spell Disaster for the Author
By Peg Brantley, Armchair Interviews reviewer
http://www.suspensenovelist.blogspot.com
Imagine books as a tapestry. The first thread is the writer, and the tapestry begins. It flows through, adding agents and editors, professional readers, marketing people, bookstore owners and reviewers, finally ending up in the hands of readers—the people the writer was talking to in the first place. Every single thread can have an impact on what the reader holds in their hands. Every single thread is formed in trust.
Crime Fiction: Tips and Pet Peeves
By Hallie Ephron
Hallie Ephron http://www.HallieEphron.com is the author of Never Tell a Lie. She is also a writing teacher and reviews crime fiction for the Boston Globe. Her Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel: How to Knock ‘em Dead with Style was nominated for Edgar and Anthony awards.
I’d had one mystery novel published when I taught my first mystery-writing class at a small conference. I felt like a fraud “teaching” others what I’d barely figured out how to do myself. But I’d been a teacher for decades longer than I’d been a writer, and not knowing how to do something had never stopped me before. I’d long ago discovered that a great way to really learn how to do something is to have to teach it to someone else.
See our review of Never Tell a Lie http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/never-tell-a-lie-a-novel-with-suspense
My Road from Self-Published to Published Author by Sharon Lathan, author
Sharon’s published and future release dates are:
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One – in Target Feb 2009; full release March 1
Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley – September 2009
The Darcys at Year’s End – January 2010
I blame it on being a nurse in an ICU environment. For some 25 years I have thrived in a world where STAT really does mean NOW, and decisions are made instantly and then carried out instantly. Patience does have its place here and there, but for the most part the expectation is for immediacy. Additionally, being a nurse means trusting your instincts, your critical thinking skills, your logic, your gut.
The Next Big Writer – Online Option for Critique of Your Writing
By Diane A. Brown, reviewer, author
I have made a discovery in the writing world–a gem of great worth. It is a place of inspiration, insight, and friendship. The best thing is, you don’t have to leave home to visit.
My search for a writers’ group, or trying to start one, had reached a dead end. I was advised to look for an online group but felt it was too impersonal. Finally after looking for months I gave in and went online. The options were endless but nothing seemed to fit. Then I came across The Next Big Writer Web site: The title was definitely intriguing and the layout looked professional. Here are the basics.
You can participate in two ways:
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=========Thanksgiving-Theme Short Story Contest
Winners announced and stories published. See “And the Winner is>
Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews was on four panels at the James River Writers Conference, October 10-11 in Richmond, Virginia
Read about her experience on our new Author’s Q&A page.
Virtual Book Marketing Conference by AuthorSmart.com
More excellent presentations left. To register and get full details: http://stores.authorsmart.com/Page.bok?template=vbmc
Connie was a featured speaker in Session 4 on Tuesday, September 30 “Getting the Most Out of Book Reviews”
Announcing 2008 Contest: Summertime Blues
Winners have been selected and are posted on “And the Winner Is” page on this site.
See new Thanksgiving theme contest announced on same web page.
Back Up Your Writing—and this isn’t just for authors!
By Alex McGilvery, Armchair Interviews reviewer
This has been a good twelve months for writing. It started in October when I finally completed a re-write of the novel I gave to my wife (A chapter a month for two years.) more than ten years ago. Then in November I took part in and completed NaNoWriMo for the first time. This was something I had wanted to do for years. Writing for Worth1000 and Armchair Interviews had sharpened my skills. My wife liked her novel (version 2), but had some suggestions. So I sat down and wrote version 3. I emailed her a copy which she promised to read when she had time. In the meantime I pulled out my NaNo novel and began to work on version two.
Authors and Publishers Can Utilize Booksellers Organizations When Book Sales Are Getting Musty
Submitted by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Excerpted from her book, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won’t
Email Carolyn: HoJoNews@aol.com
Author’s Web site: http://www.HowToDoITFrugally.com
Use booksellers associations to your advantage. You may wonder why authors would want to have anything to do with associations that exist to help bookstores with their business. It goes without saying that we authors have enough to do with writing and promoting. Booksellers’ associations won’t help you with writing but they sure enough can help you with promotion.
Announcing – Marcher Lord Press – New Press Available (for submissions and contests)
Marcher Lord Press (MLP) is the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. Founded by Christian publishing industry veteran Jeff Gerke, MLP is dedicated to producing the best in Christian science fiction, fantasy, time travel, spiritual warfare, superhero, vampire, and other wonderfully weird Christian novels. MLP produces full-length print novels for Christian adults.
Marcher Lord Press releases three books a season in two release seasons a year: October and April. Go to http://www.MarcherLordPress.com to meet the authors, read sample chapters, see cover art, and more.
Note: Marcher Lord Press is doing a massive prize giveaway drawing on Launch Day, which is October 1, 2008.
—Everyone who signs up at the site registers to win one of the prizes.
—The grand prize is a trip for two to the 2009 ComicCON convention in San Diego.
—And whenever someone registers and mentions you as referrer, your name goes into the hat another time. The more people you tell, the better your chances of winning one of the dozens of prizes.
How To Write A Compelling Query Letter
by Wendy Keller
The most important step in getting published is to push your way past the first gatekeepers – the literary agents. That’s done with a query letter – a letter inquiring about their level of interest in your proposed book. Now the bad news: most agents see hundreds of queries a week by mail and email!
How do you differentiate yourself from this avalanche of queries?
Time, Time Ticking. Ticking Away. What happens after your agent begins selling you?
by Wendy Keller
You wrote the proposal. You’ve gotten an agent. Your proposal has been deemed worthy of presentation by your agent and his/her editorial people. You think it’s gone to New York, and other parts of the country, to meet its potential new editors. What’s actually going on and why won’t anyone tell you if it is sold yet? Because it isn’t.
Here’s what happens, in infinitesimal, intricate detail so that you understand and never, ever ask your agent again what’s going on.
Authors: Give Attention to Detail–On Every Page
Pat Morris, President of Midwest Independent Publishers Association, member of PEN, Professional Editors Network
I threw the book down in disgust. I had been editing much of the day, some of it quite technical, and all I wanted to do before I went to sleep was read something fun that someone else had already edited.
...But please, don’t make me throw your book on the floor!
Pat Morris is a professional copyeditor/proofreader, magazine editor and advocate for good writing—and of course, everything being professionally edited.
How to Manage Your Literary Agent
Submitted by Wendy Keller
I used to tell people there are three kinds of literary agents: The ones who will be your best friend. They’ll take your calls any time of day or night. They will take you to dinner, they’ll help you make hotel reservations or have you stay in their son’s bedroom when you’re in town, they’ll even take a year or so of their lives to line edit your proposal. After nearly 19 years in publishing, my observation is that those kinds of agents – and there are many of them – are not really selling books for a living. They are either housewives earning pin money or a rich husband; living off a trust fund or otherwise employed at other jobs as well.
© 2007, Keller Media, Inc. Want to use this article in your publication? Reprints welcome so long as the article and by-line are reprinted intact and all links made live.
Wendy Keller is a published author, professional speaker and literary agent. She helps authors and speakers make a difference in this world and she is behind the scenes supporting their efforts every step of the way. Wendy has developed some of the best writing tools and seminars for authors available at http://www.kellermedia.com
Audio Interviews Gaining Popularity
Audio Interviews and the Shy Writer
This article first appeared in MadTen’s web site under this title and is floating around the world. Our own Andrea Sisco was quoted.
Reprinted with permission of author, Mayra Calvani.
Audio interviews are in rising popularity as a tool of book promotion among authors. After all, all you need are a phone, a witty personality, and a talent for public speaking. The first one is easy-everybody has a phone these days. The second is a gift you may be born with if you’re lucky. The third is a skill that can be learned, improved and perfected with the right tools.
Nation Novel Writing Month
Alex McGilvery wrote this at our request. As a reviewer, he begged off taking books for NaNoWriMo–so we asked him to tell everyone more about it. Thanks Alex, and good writing.
Nation Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual global word fest. Writers of all stripes join together in the agony of creation beginning on the first day of November and finishing the last day of November. The idea is to write a complete novel of at least 50,000 words during those thirty days. There are no prizes except for the warm glow of a project well completed. The goal is for participants to write 50,000 words. No one reads the novels, no one complains about spelling or grammar. It is all about the joy (or agony) of writing.
NaNoWriMo, as it as come to be known, started in San Francisco in July of 1999 with just 21 participants. They discovered that novel writing could be fun, among other things, and the annual event took off from there. Last year 79,000 people participated with more than 13,000 making it to the 50,000 word mark.
While a number of participants have gone on to have their novels published, for most people the month is about that satisfaction of having actually written that novel they have always talked about. So this November, all around the world, I like thousands of other people, will curl up with a good book – my book.
For more information about National Novel Writing Month, or to sign up go to their web site at http://www.NaNoWriMo.org
10 Tips for Getting Published: Ready, Set …Wait!
by Annabelle Robertson
“How can I get an agent?”
It’s the question every writer wants to know – the one posed most frequently at book-signings, and the one readers always email me about. It’s an important one, too. After all, you can’t get a book published without one. Not really.
For most writers, however, trying to find an agent is a bit like asking how to get an audition at Carnegie Hall.
PJ Nunn Talks About Book Publicity
PJ Nunn of BreakThrough Promotions, located in Texas, answered our questions about what a publicist can do for book authors.
1. Tell us about your publicity company and its focus.
BreakThrough Promotions was started literally as a favor for a friend who felt uncomfortable trying to set up book signings for herself when her first novel was published. I was a freelance writer at the time and offered to help. Things just fell into place.
Read the entire article. (membership required)
The New York Alternative
By Jim Michael Hanson Author of The Laws thrillers
Armchair Interviews has reviewed two of Jim’s books—and our resident mystery/suspense fan, Andrea Sisco, said both were top-notch in content and quality. See our reviews.
Read the entire article. (membership required)
To Write or Not to Write, That Is the Question
By Mayra Calvani
Writer’s block. Do the words make you wince?
If you belong to that blessed, miraculous group of people who can write anywhere, anytime, who are able to switch themselves on into a writing mood like a light-switch, then your answer will be No. But if you’re like me, and belong to that cursed, demonic group who kill themselves writing that first sentence, these words will make you grimace with a heartache that plunges deeper than the Cayman Trough.
My Favorite Books on Book Marketing and Promotion Every Author Must Read
By Scott Lorenz, Westwind Communications
As a book marketing guy and book publicist, it’s imperative for me to keep up with all of the great books and magazine articles being published on the topic of book marketing.
I’ve read dozens and dozens of books on book marketing and usually have found a morsel or two of useful information in each one. Here’s a list of my favorites. By the way, I’ve personally met or have spoken to each author and can attest to the veracity of the material they present and their credentials to discuss these topics.
Read the entire article. (membership required)
What I Love about Literary Festivals (and Writing Conferences or Book Fests!)
by Judy Larsen, author of All the Numbers
http://www.judymerrilllarsen.com Blog: http://notafraidofthefword.blogspot.com
All the Numbers, released July 2006 by Random House/Ballantine
—Featured in the Target 3-for-2 promotion, January 2007 —Selected by Target as a “Breakout Book,” September 2006 —Featured in the Border’s 3-for-2 promotion, Fall 2006 —Literary Guild and Doubleday Bookclub selection
Read the entire article. (membership required)
Armchair’s Own has a New BLOG
This ONE is Special to us!
A Novel Collaboration http://KathleenBaldwin.com/blog
A Novel Collaboration: Join Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews and Kathleen Baldwin, a multi-published novelist, as they discuss writing and marketing a book together while still remaining friends. Read about their thoughts, offer your own writing tidbits and ask questions.
Contact Us
YOUR BOOK REVIEWED:
Authors, to contact us about a review, see the FAQ section and follow the guidelines. Then send all review requests to Andrea@ArmchairInterviews.com
“So… You Want To Start A Book Club”
By Mayra Calvani
Mayra Calvani is an author and book reviewer. Visit her website and subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, The Fountain Pen: http://www.mayracalvani.com
Starting your own book club is a great way to share your love of books with other book lovers. Chances are many book lovers would love to start a club but simply don’t know how, or for some reason think it is difficult. Starting your own book club can be easy, inexpensive, fun, and rewarding. The main requirement? A passion for words!
Step One: Decide The Kind Of Club You Want
Consider Writing for a Nice Second Income
This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise, the Internet’s most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.EarlytoRise.com
Printed with permission.
By Marc Charles
“We loved your reviews, Marc. I’ll FedEx a contract to you this week. We’re looking forward to great stuff from you.”
That’s what a top publisher said to me in 1994. I had just secured my first paid writing project.
Freelance writing is a great secondary business. I know dozens of freelance writers who make anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars a month to well over six figures a year. And you, too, can get paid to write.
Welcome to the Rocky Road of Publishing
“We Love Your Story But We’re Going to Have to Pass…”
By Laurel Dewey, author of PROTECTOR
A hundred years ago, a writer just had to write a good story. There was no hype, best seller list, no five star ratings, no book tours, no second guessing by agents or publishers, no white-knuckled, migraine-inducing, inflated expectations of the “next offering.” There was just the book and the populace either loved it or hated it.
Yes, the PEOPLE had the say of whether a writer was worth reading. And that is STILL the way it is. It’s the people who devour books, join book clubs, share their favorites with friends, chat about books on the Internet and love discovering new talent who will make or break a writer. The trick these days is getting your book into the hands of these people. Authors: Use E-mail to Promote Your Books
Editor’s Note: This article was written for businesses—but it works very well for authors too. Author Marsha Egan added an a comment. Read it and see how it applies to how authors can use email to promote their books, etc. Then read the rest and learn a lot of helpful things about email–a technology we can’t live without that has become a tremendous time and productivity time consumer. Interruptions for an author can mean that brilliant idea went out the window.
See our review of Marshal Egan’s book.
The Inbox Detox: And the Habit of E-mail Excellence—reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/inbox-detoxand-the habit-of-email-excellence The E-mail Marketing Advantage
By Marsha Egan, celebrated author, keynote speaker, facilitator, and ICF certified professional and career coach, Marsha Egan, CPCU, PCC, CEO of The Egan Group, Inc.
Especially for Authors: Email is an effective tool to help authors market themselves and their writings. • As an example, it is an inexpensive way to announce the release of a new book. • Emails can be sent regionally to announce book signings and tour engagements. • Some authors have used email to successfully poll readers for information contained in their writings. • The opportunities are endless – email is an efficient, effective, and inexpensive way to communicate Read entire article
All-Important Research
Jo has written numerous mysteries set in England. SAINTED MURDER, 12TH NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS, PEARS BEFORE SWINE, DEATH OF AN ORDINARY GUY, and HORNS OF A DILEMMA (April 2007), all published by Hilliard & Harris. This story is about how she does the most-important research expected by mystery readers.
A Slippery Business
By Jo Hiestand
Golden Age mystery author Ngaio Marsh researched the murder method for her book Scales of Justice in her front garden, stabbing a variety of large melons with a shooting stick to observe the “head wounds” created by the stick’s pointed tip.