Spotlight: Self Publishing

If you still have a lot of questions about self publishing, and who doesn't, beg, borrow or buy a copy of the new March/April issue of Writer's Digest. The magazine has dedicated a good portion of its space to the many different aspects of self publishing. Some of the subjects they cover include PODs, e-books, editorial services, self publishing statistics, books made to order, POD cookbooks, self publishing awards, etc. etc. This issue provides a very good overview of the whole world of self publishing and contrasts it to traditional publishing. Check it out. You're bound to learn a thing or two.

Russ Heitz

Now THAT'S called Perseverance

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) recently named two writers as their co-Grand Masters for 2009. Sue Grafton is one half of the winning team. The other half is James Lee Burke who has written more than 25 mystery & suspense novels. But he did NOT start out as a Grand Master. In fact, his novel The Lost Get-Back Boogie was rejected 111 times over the course of 9 years! When the book was finally published it was quickly nominated for a Pulitzer Prize!

Later, Burke was the recipient of the Breadloaf and Guggenheim Fellowship and two of his titles, Heaven's Prisoners and Two for Texas were made into movies. He has also won MWA's Edgar award twice in the category of "Best Novel."

So the next time you think about shoving that Great American Novel of yours into the bottom drawer, remember James Lee Burke. Rejected. 111 times.

Russ Heitz
www.russheitz.com

Brush-up Time?

From time to time, we all need to brush up on adverbs, adjectives, misplaced modifiers, and a whole bunch of other stuff that we may have forgotten from English 101. John McCafferty suggests a good place to start is www.newsroom101.com. Among other things, the site features eight lessons assembled by the grammar consultant for the Tallahassee Democrat Ron Hartung, assisted by Gerald Grow, professor of journalism at Florida A & M University.

The site also "offers more than 2,000 free, self-instructional exercises for journalists, writers, editors," and anyone else who wants to "review (or learn) journalistic language, as governed by the Associated Press Stylebook."

Check it out. It'll show you how much you've forgotten. The multiple choice questions will also help you become a better writer, regardless of your genre. All the lessons are free, too. All you have to do is sign in. Such a deal ...

Russ Heitz
www.russheitz.com

Toot Your Own Horn

One of the nice things about having our own FWA local chapter BLOG is that it gives us all a chance to toot our own horns every now and then. And a good opportunity it is, since there aren't too many folks around who'll toot your horn FOR you. So whenever anything happens in your writing life that you're proud of, or want to share with the rest of us, send the info to Mike Durr at michael_durr@comcast.net, Sue Haley at shaley1112@Verizon.net, or Russ Heitz at rlh3738@msn.com. Any one of us will be DELIGHTED to post your good news for all to see.

And to show you how it works, I'll toot my own horn right now. BEEP-BEEP!

If any of you ever listen to Internet radio stations check out www.radioearnetwork.com. A local interviewer named Joe has been interviewing local writers and broadcasting the interviews WORLDWIDE via the Internet and Radioearnetwork. I was interviewed recently and the interview will be coming up online later this month. At first my interview was scheduled for January 20 at 11 a.m.!! And I thought, Oh, great. That's about the time everyone in the Western World and a good part of the Eastern World will be watching and/or listening to Obama's Inauguration. I'll be lucky if 2 people hear my interview. But then, thank goodness, my interview was moved to Tuesday, January 27th at 11 a.m., with a repeat on the 29th at 7 a.m. So if you're at your computer at either of those times go to www.radioearnetwork.com. That is, if you're interested. If not, forget I mentioned it. But don't ask me to listen to YOUR interview either!

The interview will also be available sometime soon on my website, thanks to Ray Ryder, another one of our local mystery writers. If you'd like to be interviewed and have that interview broadcast World Wide, contact Susan Klaus at furryklaus@aol.com. Susan Klaus has published a couple fantasy books that especially appeal to the ladies. "I haven't met a woman yet who doesn't like my books," Susan says. Susan belongs to both the Authors Connection group and the Sarasota Fiction Writers, as does Ray Ryder. Ray, by the way, will be appearing at the St. Pete Book Fair later this month. For more info about that event, contact Ray at ray@starbake.com.

Now, see how easy that was? I not only tooted my own horn, I tooted a couple other horns as well! And before I forget. Our own Writer Emeritus In Residence John McCafferty is the one who suggested we post some info about online writing courses. (See the previous article.) So let's hear it for John. BEEP-BEEP!

Russ Heitz
www.russheitz.com

Big Changes in the Big Apple

For those who are not on the mailing list, Dan Poynter's latest Newsletter had a couple of very disturbing articles and links about some of the firings, transfers, downsizings, consolidatings, and goings out of business that are rocking the Big Name Publishers in NYC. Publishers like Random House, Doubleday, et. al. Like nearly every other industry, publishing has been taking some pretty brutal shocks lately. And the upshot of it all spells more trouble for writers. If you want the honest and gloomy truth about the effects of our recession on the publishing industry, check out Poynter's website: http://www.parapublishing.com/ and find the "newsletter" tab. Item #4 of the current issue is where all the bad news starts. And if you don't get Poynter's newsletter, think about signing up. It really does contain a lot of worthwhile info. And better yet, IT'S FREE!

Russ Heitz
http://www.russheitz.com/

Outsourcing Everthing

For those who may have missed it, a Maureen Dowd column in the New York Times illustrated once again the inevitable encroachment of globalization. This time it is local newspapers that are taking the plunge.

James Macpherson, publisher of a local California newspaper called PASADENA NOW, recently fired seven members of his Pasadena staff, which included five reporters, and replaced them with a handful of non-journalists who live in India. The reason? The reporters were being paid $600 to $800 a week. The non-journalists in India will do the same work for less ... for a whole LOT less.

There's no need for overhead expenses either, like health benefits, merit raises, workshop training, computer breakdowns, etc. Macpherson simply buys his articles one at a time.

"I pay per piece, just the way it was in the garment business," he says. "A thousand words pays $7.50." For those who don't have a calculator nearby, that comes out to .0075 cents a word. As a comparison, that is considerably less than science fiction magazines 50 years ago were paying for novellas about interplanetary space travel, green-skinned aliens, and a cock-eyed concept called Global Warming.

How do non-journalists in India report on local events going on in Pasadena, California? By using today's electronic gadgetry: email, cell phones, web surfing, and internet videos of local town hall meetings. Macpherson admits, however, that sometimes something is lost in multi-continent translations. One of his Indian non-journalists, for example, thought the Rose Bowl was some kind of gastronomic delight, rather than a football game. But hey, who cares about trivia, right?

It would be nice to think Macpherson's idea is just some nutty experiment by one small-time publisher. Unfortunately, it's more like a warning about the future of newpapers. A guy named Dean Singleton, who just happens to be the head of a newspaper conglomerate that includes 54 daily newspapers such as The Denver Post, The Detroit News, and The Pasadena Star-News, is also looking into the possibility of outsourcing every aspect of publishing, including possibly having one news desk for ALL of his papers, and having that desk "maybe even offshore," he says.

Shocking? Sure, but not surprising. Everything else is being globalized, why not local newspapers.

If you want to read Maureen Dowd's entire column go to www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/opinion/30dowd.html.

Russ Heitz
www.russheitz.com

Testing The Power of Networking!

I received the following note from Jane Sutton, an FWA member in Lee County. Let's help her out . . . Saturday, December 6th at Barnes and Noble at 3:00 pm. Great way to give a 'feedback flower' and do some gift shopping, too!

Dear Susan

I'm a member of FWA and belong to the Southwest Florida Group (I live in Fort
Myers). On Saturday, December 6 at 3pm, I will be doing a book signing at the
Barnes and Noble on 4010 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. I'm wondering
if you would let your group know about the event? It is my first signing and I
don't know anyone in the area so I am hoping that some FWA members will be
able to drop by for a bit of moral support, if nothing else.

Thanks for your help.
Jane Kennedy Sutton
Author of The Ride
http://janesutton.com/
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

Writer's Conference Tips

This excerpt is from $uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book.

Writers’ Conference Tips:

• When called upon to read, do not describe what you are reading. Simply stand up and begin. We cannot repeat the cardinal rule of writing enough…show, don’t tell.
• Make and practice an elevator speech about your book. That translates to giving a synopsis in 30 seconds or less.

Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill
www.BooksByHills.com
www.noralyn.com/blogger/success

You Could Be Right

As we get closer to November and the chance to vote for a new president of these United States, conversations between normally pleasant people can turn ugly when we let our opinions and our enthusiasm rule our basic good manners. I find myself growing more quiet when I don't agree with someone's political or religious position, not knowing what to say without attacking their point of view.

Then recently someone gave me a golden nugget of advice on how to be pleasant without sacrificing what you believe in. Just four little words you could use in those tricky situations when you need to respond to something you couldn't possibly agree with: "You could be right". You're not saying they ARE right, or that you agree with them, but you've managed to make them feel like you're listening and considering what they are saying without criticizing or trying to persuade them to change their position.

Patti Stevenson

The Cacophony of Chatter

We've lost the art of critical thinking. There canʼt be much denial of this lack if one simply uses the powers of observation. Have you peered at the world around you lately? The recent disaster on Wall Street, if you think about it, has been silently screaming at us for months. Iʼve recently had a revelation as to the possible root cause, or at least one of them, of this lost treasure. In order to employ critical thinking, one must have a stimulant of clarity, or relevant information about which to think. Without that, the most you can do is react after the fact, or blindly follow the herd.

In order to contribute a relatively informed critique of ever-changing current events in my columns, Iʼve had to become a political talk show junkie. Personal opinions and philosophies aside, I've watched overtly partisan channels to observe the ʽbig pictureʼ of event coverage and campaign rhetoric. At the risk of blindness, Iʼve poured over every major newspaper and underground publication on the ʽnetʼ, devouring the editorials and opinion columns of every well-known journalist and a few not so known. Iʼve discovered that what we as a society have truly lost is the ʽart of listeningʼ.

Susan Haley, author of Rainy Day People

Link to the article

Book Marketing Ideas

Here are some hints from “Success, Your Path to a Successful Book.”

1. Frequent bookstores and browse shelves to see what others are writing on your topic and what makes your project unique.

2. Cover design attracting attention, making you grab a book, will cause buyers to pick up your book. Be sure the size of your book and cover will fit on a shelf easily as the spine may be all that shows. Title and author should be clear.

Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill
www.BooksByHills.com

Sharing Your Poetry and Writing Online

I mentioned a couple months ago that I post poetry at Allpoetry.com. The sister site for stories is called storywrite.com. Sign up at either site and you can post your writings and post comments to other members there. You can mark some for Adults; I have some of my poems marked that way because of graphic imagery used. It is free to sign up, but you can pay to get extra features.

Jim Geimer

Basics for Avoiding Lawsuits

John McCafferty sent in some information about writing and lawsuits that all of us need to consider. Most of it is common sense: don't libel other people and don't plagiarize. Those are the biggies.

But within those generalizations are important details. A good place to start is by checking out the link below. There are also plenty of good books on the topic of communications law. If you're going to write for public consumption, you should buy an up-to-date one and read it.

John's link is from The Poynter Institute's web site about the legal aspects of Blogging, but it also pertains to writing in general.

Mike Durr

Link to article on legal aspects of blogging

Googling with God

Fling your Internet far and wide
Capture all Knowledge known to Man
Then you challenge the All-seeing God
Great Gamble! - Who'll blink first?

John Clarke

REVIEW OF A MYSTERY

Have been reading "Impossible Possession" by Kay Harper and it is pure drivel. It is not a very thick book so I can probably plow my way through to its ending.

It is more "Bodice Ripper" than "Mystery" and not even a particularly interesting "Bodice Ripper." The heroine is
incredibly rich, incredibly gorgeous, incredibly powerful and most incredibly is a 30-year-old VIRGIN until page 188 when, thankfully, her incredibly rich, incredibly handsome, incredibly powerful Boyfriend relieves her of this burden.

Gag me with a spoon !!!

Sharon Baker

Identify Needs & Competition

Many identify goals automatically. For others, it is a chore. In “Success, Your Path to a Successful Book,” we list eight major ones. Writing your goals helps. Start with:

1. Identify your long-term vision, and determine how you are going to get there with your short-term and long-term goals.
2. What is unique about your topic so it stands out from others on the market today? Work on discovering the innovative hook.

Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill
www.BooksByHills.com

Simplicity

For me, mornings are the toughest. Delightful dreams subsume to screams of lawnmowers, garbage trucks. Arising alone to face workday, chores, singleness wearies.

Soon comfort comes in mews of hungry cats, the curling of three felines around ankles; the senses are treated. Sometimes simple chores turn delightful.

While gardening early today, a walking stick chose to scale my hand, an alien land, and its singular beauty reminded me all day long of what really matters.

Kathy Powers

Taking Out the Wash

In his biography of Picasso, Patrick O’Brian observes that while some good painters are lost to drink and depression, that’s not the rule: “In general, painting is a healthy trade, perhaps because painters work out their conflicts in a perpetual self-analysis….”

The same seems true of writers. Serious writers inspect their frailties in public. The result is continual, cleansing catharsis. We writers may wear our emotions on our shirtsleeves, but shirtsleeves are easily washed.

Mike Durr, author of My Brain, My Future
http://www.thebusinessofthinking.biz/thinkingarticles.htm.

What a Wonderful Surprise!

Hello Group!

I've just returned from a trip to California where I had little computer access. I'm so thrilled to see the participation here on the blog. Keep it coming. It's a pleasure to read and what a great way to keep in touch with the members and be up on the latest news of the group. I'd like to thank Michael Durr for putting the time in to make this possible.
Best,
Susan Haley

Checklist

Is my draft clear, concise, honest?
Spelling, grammar correct?
Does it say what I mean?
Do I use active verbs?
Employ the senses?
Create mental pictures?
Avoid cliches, useless words?
Is the language specific, definite, concrete?
Are story and characters credible?
Is the dialogue realistic?
Have I double-checked facts?
Would rewrite help?

John McCafferty

My Modest Goals as a Short Story Writer

That my stories will be found
in the lunch boxes
of every American worker,
every student in schools.
On the night tables in all hotel rooms
for bedtime readers.
Lastly, to remain a humble person
when millions of dollars
come pouring in!

Edward Lyman

Communication Clarification

it's been said
"ask and you shall receive",
but what does that actually mean?

does one need to be specific?
or just the general gist?

it's also been said
"watch what you pray for"

what if one limits
what might be in store?

if one's never experienced
the world's endless gifts
how would one know
how grand to make the list?

so can one really say
which way one should pray?

Linda White, poet and performer on CD "Journey into a Poet's Mind"

Link to Linda's website
"this ain't your mama's poetry!"

Publicity

It is worthwhile to spend time and money promoting your book. Brenda and I believe promotional advertising is more cost-effective. Tie this with FREE publicity and you will have a combination that can create a "buzz" and demand. You pay for advertising, publicity is free.

"Publicity is to books what oxygen is to lungs. Without it, sales suffocate and die." Kent Carroll.

The more publicity you receive, the better. We cover publicity in depth in, $uccess, Your Guide to a Successful Book.

Maralyn D. Hill
www.BooksByHills.com
MDHill@NoraLyn.com

So, the club really does have some writers

I want to comment on the contributions to the blog that keep rolling in. I took on this task as semi-official blog poster with some trepidation; you know, more busywork. But the material you all are sending in is interesting, making me want to check my e-mail more often to see what’s there.

This activity even triggered a visit to one of your websites. If you want to see a beautiful and effective way to market books on the web, check out www.booksbyhills.com. This is Brenda Hill and family’s site featuring books on food and travel and business. One of their books, which I need to read, is actually on the topic of book marketing. Brenda Hill was at our last meeting as a new and hopefully returning participant.

Administrative detail: if you want your e-mail address displayed, say so with each contribution. Because a lot of people don’t want to broadcast their e-mail addresses, I’ve only been posting websites, and then only when you include them. Also, if you have a book or published article to promote, mention that with your contribution.

Mike Durr, author of My Brain, My Future
miked@thebusinessofthinking.biz

Survival

Some sleeves now have patches. Knees of favorite jeans, white with time, are whole again. When my being is worn thin as a turnstile token used once too often, when ego and reality undo my sense of purpose and peace, I apply a little patch. Stopping the clock and the idiocy it represents, I patch. Real laughter; a fat kitty lying next to me; great food; earned garden grime; silence; music. Patches. Good, useful things.

Kathy Powers

Progress

As 1940s white kids we fought with blacks because of color. Their hero was heavyweight champ Joe Louis. But even he couldn’t get them the same movie location that we had. Or, water fountain, pool ticket or bus seat. Even in the Army, blacks were second-class citizens. President Truman helped change that. Then came Martin Luther King and others. Now, Obama may become President. We're a mess now but have done some things right.

John McCafferty

The Informed American

I watch the news most weeknights. It keeps me informed.

From this past week, I can tell you for sure that Republicans and Democrats don’t like each other. I know the Russians don’t like anyone messing with Russia’s neighbors; that’s Russia’s job.

All the politicians agreed that gas prices are rising and house prices are sinking. They also agreed that Hurricane Gustav has their full attention.

I tell you, I sleep better because I’m informed.

Mike Durr, author of My Brain, My Future
http://www.thebusinessofthinking.biz/newbook.htm

The Road to Success

For beginning and seasoned writers, participating in writers groups, (FWA), workshops, conferences and classes is invaluable to your success.

We owe our productivity to consistent ongoing study and improvement in two ways:
. Seeking advice from those who know. Stop thinking and talking about writing an article or book. DO IT!
. Know that marketing begins at your book's conception.

"The road to success is always under construction" Anonymous

Brenda Hill
International Food, Wine & Travel Writer
www.booksbyhills.com

The Truth

They came with magazines saying they had ‘The Truth’. I was young, a new parent, scientifically educated, arrogant and atheist, but missing something. I challenged them, intent on altering their beliefs. It went the other way. They showed consistency in their beliefs that worship of evolution didn’t. They gave a three-word Bible quote, “God Is Love!” not ‘gives’ or ‘has’ but ‘Is’. It lived, growing in my heart and mind, becoming ‘The Truth’ I sought.

Gret Pays

Citizens Still Decide the Future

I wonder how far our nation must fall before we, as citizens, begin to shape up and value our Constitution and what our forefathers set forth. It's no secret that our once Superpower Nation is no more. Sound bytes and out of context clips fill the air waves, but I question who actually reads the books, papers, editorials, and then THINKS for themselves? Itʼs easier to parrot what one's heard. Thatʼs not what responsibile citizenship is about. Nor, is it the path to re-creating a strong democracy, more the path to doom.

Susan Haley, author of Rainy Day People