Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

Sometimes two heads are better than one!

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Sending your work out for review by agents and editors is a big and important step in the publishing process. Many times, what you send is the only basis for the big decision that has to be made. In most cases, the person on the other end doesn’t know you and can only judge your work by the contents of the package.  So, how do you make a good first impression? Review this handy checklist before you send out your work.

• Believe in your work. Be able to sum it up succinctly and passionately. If you’re not enthusiastic and confident about your project, you’re not ready to submit.
• Prepare your manuscript professionally. That includes using good paper, printer and standard formatting. Then package it per submission guidelines. Send only what is requested.
• Perfect your pitch/query letter.
  • Don’t try to sum up whole book in the letter. For fiction, describe your character, setting and obstacle. For nonfiction, present the problem and how your book offers a solution or new information.
  • Why you are uniquely qualified to write this book? What is your training, education and related experience?
  • Who is your audience? (Tip: Anyone who can fog a mirror is not the right answer.) Be as specific as possible.
  • Why have you selected this agent or editor? Do not send out submissions en masse with the same letter to everyone.
• Understand what an agent does and does not do. Understand publishing is a business, and the agent makes a business, not a personal, decision.
• Know the industry lingo: platform, competing books, audience/climate.

Demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the publishing process. Contacting agents is more than writing a letter. You are expected to know how to format your letter and all the parts of the submission package.

Remember, the agent is not responsible for coaching you in the basics of the industry. The job of the agent is to sell your manuscript to a publisher and then negotiate the best possible rights and deal for you. If you can make the agent’s job easier by sending the material he or she needs to get that job done, you will increase your chances of acceptance.

You’ll find detailed instructions on how to write a query letter and prepare a submission package in 4Ps to Publishing Success: Get Your Manuscript Off Your Desk & Into Print. Available as a workbook or ebook, 4Ps to Publishing Success is a complete step-by-step guide to getting published. Or, you can purchase only the information you need in Chapter 7 of 4Ps Buy the Chapter.  Get a full description of all the 4Ps Products here>>>

Before you write even one word of your novel or nonfiction book, your first step should be to identify your target audience. Ask yourself, “Who will read my book?” (BTW, the answer is NOT “Anyone who can fog a mirror.”)

Marketing experts, literary agents and book editors all agree that the more specific you can be about your audience, the more likely that your work will be saleable. Guidelines for defining your readership include the answers to these basic questions:

What is their gender?
What is their age range?
What is their economic bracket?
What is their level of education?
Where do they live?
What do they want and need?
What do magazines/newspapers do they read?
What are their favorite TV shows and/or radio programs?
What Internet sites do they visit?
What social networking sites do they use?

Armed with this knowledge, you can target your writing by “talking” directly to your audience. For example, you would use different tone and words when writing to a senior audience than to teens; women rather than men; techno-savvy vs. computer newbies, etc. Highly targeted writing with idioms and phrases the audience wll recognize is far more effective than bland, “this has to appeal to everyone” writing.

In addition, knowing the habits and haunts of your readers enables you to find them and market your work! A previous post highlighted how one author googled three words that described his target audience, found and joined the discussion groups where his would-be readers chatted, and drove enough traffic to his website to secure a publishing contract for his novel. Other steps you might take include writing articles for the publications your audience reads, commenting on popular blogs about your topic or subject, speaking at professional associations or memberships groups where your readers are found, and so on.

A last, but not final, reason to know your readers is so you can position yourself and your work to provide new/different information, solution to a problem or entertaining material for their enjoyment. Writing that caters to the readers’ interests and needs is an almost sure winner in any market.

The publishing world is being turned upside down by innovative and empowered authors whose messages are just too timely and important to wait for those old traditional avenues to give them the nod of approval. Are you ready to join the ranks of the “I’m in charge” authors? If so, then you can learn something from authors who are taking their futures into their own hands.

Here are just two success stories.Faced with burgeoning businesses and a desire to position themselves as experts, these two women took charge of connecting with their audiences.

Feng Shui expert and artist Pat Heydlauff has been writing a weekly article for a Palm Beach newspaper for years and sending it out to her email list via her personal email program as well. When we began working together, I suggested she use an Internet-based email delivery program to manage her list as well as put the information in a more attractive and easier-to-read format. Pat was driving traffic to her site in a number of ways: speaking engagements, her column, articles in national publications and art classes, but wasn’t getting many new subscribers as a result. I also suggested she include a highly visible sign-up box on her home page and include a bonus report as incentive for subscribing. Her subscriptions skyrocketed. Just a week ago, Pat mailed out the premiere issue of Chaos Busters(TM), her biweekly ezine, in an attractive new html format with expanded content. In addition to an article, she now answers readers’ questions and also has an opportunity to showcase her artwork and upcoming new book, Feng Shui, So Easy Even a Child Can Do It (The Lotus Circle). You can learn a lot about Feng Shui and see how to package yourself effectively by visiting her website, Energy By Design.

Life coach and cancer survivor Paula Holland De Long took a folder full of notes about article and book ideas and decided to put them to work for her. When we started working together, Paula was long on great ideas and short on organization. After separating, categorizing and prioritizing her list of ideas for writing projects, giving seminars and leading support groups, Paula went to work on her list. In just eight short months, Paula has generated some amazing results. She has started a very successful program to help cancer survivors adjust when treatment ends, given at two major medical venues in South Florida as well as a teleconference action group for women. She recently had an article published in a national magazine and her monthly ezine newsletter, Thrive! debuted two months ago. Paula also uses a prominent subscription box on her home page with a bonus incentive for joining her mailing list. You can find great information for cancer patients and their families and observe how to present professional services and products at her website, Coach for Living Online.

Neither Pat nor Paula are graphic designers or technology experts, and they prefer to apply their time and skills to the best use in their professional work. They both use Constant Contact to manage their lists and deliver their newsletters. I use Aweber to deliver this newsletter. Aweber offers additional features that I wanted such as autoresponders and a “hover” subscription box. There are many other services available as well. The ones mentioned here are the ones I have used, so I feel comfortable recommending them.

One more tip about starting an ezine. If you have not published a regular newsletter before, start with a monthly issue. You may love it and want to increase frequency later on. However, a weekly issue is a big commitment. It’s always better to increase your frequency than to decrease from weekly to monthly distribution.

Most services offer a free trial period, so get started today!

Do you have a publishing dream? Have you written it down? Articulated and visualized what publishing success means to you? Good! (I’m envisioning you all nodding your heads, “yes.”)

So, how’s it going? Are you closer than you were a year ago, or do you feel you’re spinning your wheels? (My guess is that my reading audience just split into two groups: one group is smiling, the other group is frowning.)

My “guess” is not a random supposition. After 30+ years of working with writers as an editor, consultant and publisher, I’ve seen many writers succeed while others fail. The difference between the groups is rarely due to talent alone. Successful authors share five traits that separate them from the wannabes. And, here they are:

The 5 Traits of All Successful Authors
1. Successful authors have a personal mission. Their writing stems from a deep need to share their personal passion with the world.

2. Successful authors are persistent. They do not let setbacks or rejection stop them. They develop an attitude of persistence rather than resistance.

3. Successful authors make educating themselves about their craft and the publishing industry part of their plan for success. They subscribe to trade magazines and ezines, attend writers’ conferences and workshops, and take writing classes or join writers’ critique groups.

4. Successful authors invest in coaching and other programs to get professional feedback on their work. They understand that critique is not criticism and are open to the feedback they receive.

5. Successful authors have an upbeat attitude. They don’t have a laundry list of excuses (circumstances) to explain why they are not successful. They understand they have to figure out a way around the obstacles and turn them into opportunities.

No one is born with these traits, but anyone can develop the characteristics of a successful author. It’s up to you to decide if you want to do the work. Choosing to put your efforts into other endeavors and enjoy your writing just for the pleasure of it is a perfectly acceptable decision. But, if you are driven to see your name in print or on a book cover, then start developing these traits and you will see your dreams come true.

In the Boston Globe article, “Liar, liar, bestseller on fire,” author Steve Almond examines the possible reasoning behind the recent “I made it up” memoir confessions of Margaret Seltzer (Love and Consequences) and Misha Defonseca (Misa: A Memoire of the Haulocaust Years). Almond examines the validity behind Seltzer’s statement to The New York Times that she was driven to deceit. She said, “I just felt that there was good that I could do and there was no other way that someone would listen to it.”

Almond suggests there’s truth to Seltzer’s seemingly ridiculous statement because today’s declining book readership demands “ripped from the headlines” memoirs and editors are pressured to respond by supplying readers with what they want. According to Almond, editors don’t believe fiction can supply the sensationalism of a “true” story, hence they jump to print author survival stories because “such books are 100 times more likely to get reviewed and featured on National Public Radio and anoited by Oprah.”

Was nothing learned when thousands of readers returned their copies of “A Million Little Pieces,” after author James Frey admitted that he made up portions of his bestselling memoir. Some readers went as far as to initiate legal action. Doesn’t that tell the publishing community and memoir fakers that people want to support a tragic hero, not a liar?

I don’t buy into the rationale that it’s necessary to turn fiction into fact in order to get noticed or as Ms. Seltzer said, “do good.” (The irony of that statement could launch a novel itself.) I also don’t buy into the popular notion that sensationalism for profit is an excuse to tolerate subterfuge and downright dishonesty. The publishers get little sympathy from me for not checking facts before racing to get the next bestselling survival story on shelves.

My previous post discussed the power we hold as writers. With that power comes responsibility. In 4Ps to Publishing Success, I devote an entire chapter to developing an authentic voice and establishing a bond of trust with the audience. Authentic writing stems from the desire to share the insights we’ve gleaned with others and leave the world a slightly better place for our efforts.

Let’s wield the power of the pen, but do it responsibly. Our purpose is connect and make a difference, not just a profit at any cost.

I was invited to lunch by a friend last week. She said, “You’re always so positive and uplifting … and I’ve been a little down of late. My book seems stalled, and blah-blah-blah. I need a Shelley boost.” Not being one to turn down an opportunity for a free meal or to bask in a little praise, I accepted with enthusiasm.

As we enjoyed our meal alfresco at a downtown sidewalk cafe, my friend remarked that she admired my focus and positive outlook. “You always seem so sure of yourself and what you’re doing.” In comparison, she said, she was frequently distracted from her writing and discouraged by some recent contest disappointments and difficulty completing a chapter.

I admit to being pleased that I project such a favorable image. But here’s the kicker: When I look at my friend, I see a woman writer whose byline keeps popping up in print and Internet columns. In addition, her fiction and nonfiction work has been selected on several occasions in just the last year as a contest winner or runner up–and for some significant cash awards as well! In my estimation, she is a prolific writer and producer of fine quality writing. In fact, in recent months I’ve envied her continued output while I’ve been distracted from my personal work.

Point of view is more than just the voice of a character in a work of fiction. It also means having a distinct perspective based on where you stand. I guess I’ve learned that when I don’t like the view from where I’m standing, I move. I turn the pages in my mind until I find a scenario that suits me better.

Hey, we’re writers. That means we create our own reality as well as fantasy. So, focus your perspective on a vision of yourself that suits you. And stop examining yourself in a 5X magnifying mirror–learn to overlook your perceived flaws and focus on your talent and your purpose.

“What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced and overcome?” That’s the question I like to ask when I interview people who are leaders in their communities, companies or organizations. Although the individual replies vary, the majority of the responses reveal that each person has managed to transform some type of adversity into opportunity.

What I have observed in my own 30-year career is that the opposite is true as well. Unsuccessful people not only let obstacles stop or delay their progress, they actively put barriers in their paths, preventing them from reaching their goals. We all are guilty of this to some degree. After all, it is easier to say we don’t have time to write because we work and have children, homes and mates to look after than it is to get up an hour earlier, go to bed an hour later, or work through lunch hour at the office.

It seems to me that each time I make a concerted effort to rein in my concentration and focus on the completion of a goal, the Universe sends something to tempt me away. Just when I decide to spend the next two weeks finishing the final edit on my book, I get called for a lucrative assignment or interesting project that gives me reason to put my personal work on the back burner—again.

I’ve decided this is the Universe’s way of testing my resolve. It’s saying to me, “OK, Shelley. You say you want your book published. For everything you receive, you must give up something. What are you willing to sacrifice to get what you want–some time, some income?”

Without exception, I have regretted my decision each time I placed my goals on hold “just until this next project is finished.” And, each time I placed myself ahead of the distraction, and said “no” to stepping off track, I have been rewarded with an inner sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with following my heart rather than my head (or pocketbook). The decision to pursue my true calling has also led to far greater riches in the long run than any assignment ever pays in the present.

Knowing what is the right thing to do and actually doing it are two different things. Most of us need some support to help us hold steadfast to our goals. Being part of two writers groups provided the motivation and support I needed to finish my novel. If I didn’t have that commitment to produce a chapter a month, I’d probably never have finished my novel at all.

If you’ve ever felt the desire to pursue your writing dream, don’t let obstacles stop you and, above all, don’t construct stumbling blocks to your success. Set attainable goals and find a support system to keep you going when you’re tempted to get off track. Finally, start visualizing your book signing or whatever symbolizes the accomplishment of your goal…and know that I’m there with you, cheering you on.

I bought a new mascara the other day and as I was walking away with my puchase, the saleswoman asked, “Do you know the right way to apply mascara?” I shrugged and motioned up and down in front of my eyes, as if I were actually applying the stuff. She shook her head and said, “First take the tip–that’s where most of the mascara is when you pull out the wand–and use it apply the mascara to your lashes. Then use the full brush to lift and extend the mascara from the base to the tip of your lashes. You’ll use less mascara and get better results.” I tried it the next day, and she was right.

It reminded me of my mother’s oft-said advice, “If you’re going to do something, do it right.”

Paying attention to even small details can make the difference between being published or being rejected. Considering that editors and agents receive far more submissions than they can accept, they look for any reason to say no. Something as seemingly small as how the manuscript is presented can land your submission in the slush pile or on its way back to you in your SASE without being read. Wouldn’t it be better to just do it right?

Use these guidelines to format your manuscript.

Do:
–Use white bond paper (20 lb. stock minimum)
–Use Times Roman or Courier 12 pt. type only
–Print on one side of the paper only
–Double space (single space poetry)
–Use paragraph indents
–Use paper clips only to secure your manuscript
–At the top each page (except page 1), put the page
number, your last name, book or article title

Don’t:
–Justify the right margin
–Add extra space between paragraphs
–Bind or staple your manuscript
–Put your manuscript in a folder
–Try to be cute or flashy with your presentation

Here’s another one of my mother’s favorite expressions, “You learn something every day.”