There Are No Rules - Thursday, July 31, 2008

This just in (thank you, Grace)!: On Good Morning America this morning, there was an interview with author Stephanie Meyer about her latest book. At the end of the interview, they asked her a question about writing/publishing a novel, and she mentioned Writer’s Market as a great resource. Here’s a video clip of it (it happens around the –1:30 mark): http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5487417

Writer's Market editor Robert Brewer comments:

You heard it: "Writer's Market IS a great resource."

I am surprised, however, that the conversation didn't shift focus at that exact point from Meyer to Writer's Market. A good interviewer would've interrupted saying something like, "Whoa-whoa, Stephanie--Writer's Market?!? Here let me get my pen out; can you give us all the URL on that? (pause) And one more time for the folks at home? Thanks, Stephanie. And tomorrow, we'll be bringing you an interview with the folks from Writer's Market." I mean, that's how I would've handled it. ;)

General | New Titles From F+W

Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:14:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1] Trackback

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Interview With Faculty Chair of Vermont MFA Program
Posted by Jane

Here at Writer's Digest, we have been extremely fortunate to work with the faculty chair of the Vermont MFA program, David Jauss, to publish his writing instruction (or non-instruction) book, Alone With All That Could Happen. It is a lovely book that I hope gets the attention it so richly deserves. (In early 2009, we're also publishing a collection of essays from the Vermont MFA faculty called Words Overflown By Stars.)

For those who aren't aware, the Vermont MFA program (a low-residency program for creative writers) was ranked one of the best in the country by Atlantic magazine. So we're particularly excited about the partnership.

In any case, the whole purpose of this post is to let you know of a terrific 30-minute interview with David Jauss with Shelagh Shapiro, for her show called "Write the Book" on WOMM-LP 105.9 FM (Burlington, Vermont). It's available for free as a podcast through iTunes, or you can visit the show online and listen here: Write the Book podcast (July 26).

Craft & Technique | New Titles From F+W

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:53:46 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0] Trackback

On the Road: Willamette Writers Conference
Posted by Jane

Tomorrow I'm departing for Portland, Oregon, to speak and take appointments at the Willamette Writers Conference. Lots of frenetic energy and familiar faces at Willamette, and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with authors new and old. The WD-related highlights:

My Session: The World of Sales (Or: It's All About the Numbers)
Once again I deliver the facts about how books are sold (and returned) on a national level.

"Never a Better Time to Be a Writer"
WDB author Christina Katz is Friday's lunch speaker! I'm finishing up production on her book for this fall, Get Known Before the Book Deal. She's also presenting "Your Roadmap to the Nonfiction Book Writing Process."

"Writing a Killer Mystery" and "Plotting Crime Fiction"
WDB author Hallie Ephron (Writing & Selling the Mystery Novel) demystifies the art and artifice of mystery writing. Her Killer Mystery workshop is so popular and helpful it's being offered twice during the weekend. She's also participating on a panel that I've seen her organize at other conferences, "Why I Stop Reading," which is not to be missed!

"Toning Your Poetry for Power and Precision"
WDB author Sage Cohen (Writing the Life Poetic, forthcoming in 2009 from WDB) offers tips on poetry revision.

"Getting at the Gold in Your YA Novel"
WDB author Laura Whitcomb (Your First Novel) offers advice in the young adult genre and marketplace. Laura is at work on a second book for WDB, due to release in 2009: Novel Shortcuts: Ten Techniques That Ensure a Great First Draft.

"Fiction's Balancing Act" and "Corpses, Cliffhangers, and Other Remedies for Pacing"
WDB author Jessica Morrell (Between the Lines and the very new Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches) offers her always enlightening and in-depth fiction writing wisdom.

Finally: WD's very own Chuck Sambuchino (editor of Guide to Literary Agents) will be in attendance, delivering manuscript critiques and presenting two workshops, "Everything You Need to Know About Agents" and "Building Your Freelance Portfolio."

Always love to meet people who are reading this blog, so say hello when you see me wandering the halls of the Sheraton in search of coffee, chocolate, or an evening nightcap.

Conferences/Events

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:14:15 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2] Trackback

Monday, July 28, 2008

Time to Get a Tattoo?
Posted by Jane

I don't have any body art or tattoos. I don't even have my ears pierced. But the following site does inspire: a photo gallery of literary tattoos. Lots of e.e. cummings, Vonnegut, Plath, and (strangely?) Little Prince.

A few memorable ones (from, in order, Theodore Isaac Rubin, e.e. cummings, and Kerouac):

Fun

Monday, July 28, 2008 5:52:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0] Trackback

Finding Books You Like: Start at Page 69
Posted by Jane

Time for lighter fare! The Guardian (UK) has a charming article on the theory that it's possible to choose books you love by first reading Page 69. (Read the article here.)

I will now test this theory on a few recent releases from HOW, TOW, and Writer's Digest.

Zombie Haiku

Falling with the group,
by the time I get to her,
all that's left is hair.

Always be careful
when you're biting teeth with teeth.
Dead teeth tend to lose.

I push with my chin,
a better biting angle,
into her shoulder.

So You Want to Be President?

Long May Iowa and New Hampshire Reign! Primary Scenario 1

Regardless of the reasons why, everything is riding on the battle for these two states. Taking heed of legendary former House Speaker Tip O'Neill's maxim that "all politics is local," the first part of this challenge will ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of Iowa and New Hampshire. Decide whether each statement applies to New Hampshire or Iowa (or one of the other choices … you get the idea).

1. My motto is "live free or die."
A. Iowa
B. New Hampshire
C. Tony Hawk
D. Other

Answer: B (Tony Hawk is a good guess, but he isn't a state.)

Fiction Writer's Workshop, 2nd Edition

Epiphany should not be confused with a trick ending. For example, if you write a st ory in which a young woman looks forward to getting together with a man, giving this the appearance of a date, and then, in the last line of the story, it turns out that the man is her dad—and that's the whole point—you are not making an epiphany. The main character knew it all along, and the writer chose to hide this information to surprise us later. Now, this may be charming, but it's cheap. The character must come upon some genuine discovery.

Fun | New Titles From F+W

Monday, July 28, 2008 3:57:01 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0] Trackback

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Recap (Day 3): Midwest Writers Workshop
Posted by Jane

It's the third and final day of the Midwest Writers Workshop! It started with the traditional buttonhole breakfast, where each faculty member hosts a table with a specific topic.

My Buttonhole Topic: Online Marketing and Promotion
I spent a couple hours (over some excellent scrambled eggs and coffee, good job BSU catering!) talking about the basics of online author marketing and promotion. The key points that came up again and again:

Yes, an author Web site is mandatory if you're publishing a book. At what point does it become critical? When people start to search for you online (e.g., through Google), wanting more information about who you are and what you do. You don't want them to come up empty handed. In some categories/audiences, if you don't exist online, it's like you don't exist at all.
A Web site doesn't have to cost you money or be flashy to be effective. How can you figure it out? Go to conferences or writers groups and ask others how they did it.
No, you don't have to blog, but if you do, make sure you maintain it and feature something useful to your readership.
The time you spend on online marketing/promotion efforts directly relates to who your audience is. For example, if you're a YA author, then you must spend a lot of time being visible online and promoting online. But if you're marketing to a readership that is not Web savvy, then spend less time online (but you're not off the hook—industry professionals and media professionals will still look for you online).
Social networking is fun, but not mandatory. I recommend trying it, just to eliminate the fear or ignorance factor. You don't have to continue doing it if it seems unproductive or unfun. If you're trying to reach a younger audience, social networking probably is an essential element of your online marketing.
Effective marketing (whether online or offline) is that perfect combination of (1) your strengths (2) your audience's needs and (3) the best fit for your content. This leads to authentic and worthwhile marketing efforts.

The Times They Are A-Changin'
In the afternoon, I talked about how the publishing world is becoming format- and platform-agnostic, meaning it's all about content, and not the vehicle for the content. Furthermore, there can be more lucrative earning opportunities in other forms of media that are personalized and immediate, such as seminars and events. I quoted Seth Godin before, and I'll quote him again: "The book is becoming the souvenir."

Evening Keynote by Jeff Stone
A remarkable and delightful children's author. Highlights from his talk:

No. 1 Rule: Have fun. If you don't have fun writing it, no one will have fun reading it.
Good idea: Write what you know. Better idea: Write what you want to know.
If you're stuck in your story, do something you've always wanted to do (sail a boat, ride a horse, etc).
You have to be able to talk about your work and pitch it (condense it).

Finally—I'm Left Speechless
Right before the keynote address, Alan Garinger (from the MWW committee) announced that, in addition to their annual writing awards (Manny Awards & the R. Karl Largent Prize), they were presenting the infrequent and prestigious Dorothy Hamilton Award, which I wasn't familiar with (and I've been attending for six years, so it really is infrequent). As Alan started describing the recipient (a person who had been attending for six years, was a publishing industry insider … well … ) … I am still speechless.

My enormous gratitude to everyone on the MWW committee—Jama, Alan, Ron, Earl, Barb, Charlotte, Cathy, Holly (and I know others I'm missing here, forgive me!)—who are so loving and generous. It's an incredible blessing to be given an award for doing something that I love and cherish immensely. Thank you very, very much. You're all like family.

Postscript (after recovering my faculties!)
Now that I've recovered (a little), here's what I would've said about this very touching gesture. To the MWW committee, to MWW faculty, to MWW attendees (of the past six years): thank you, thank you, thank you. Perhaps you believe you are the lucky ones, but any generosity I've offered at MWW has come back to me a thousandfold. I go every year with an open heart, and I find myself unbelievably enriched upon my return home. Anyone who has attended this event knows what I'm talking about; it has the power to change lives, and I always experience people (writers, faculty, and committee members) who touch me indelibly. Again: Thank you.

Conferences/Events | Getting Published | Marketing & Self-Promotion

Saturday, July 26, 2008 7:25:32 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [7] Trackback

Friday, July 25, 2008

Recap (Day 2): Midwest Writers Workshop
Posted by Jane

This morning I met with writers for manuscript critiques. The most common problem?

Too much detail and explanation in the opening
That means too much telling and showing. (Do we really need to watch your character move slowly from one place to another, each movement, each gesture, each breath? That's not building momentum. That's usually called boring.) Carefully consider if each detail or action needs to be specifically conveyed. (Is it OK if it is only implied?) Here's a challenge I presented to three different writers: Can you take your first five pages, and condense into 1 page? 1 paragraph? What happens? What stays, what goes? Is it stronger?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Midwest Writers Workshop
Bill Fitzhugh delivered the lunch keynote. Highlights of his talk:

There are still dry counties in Mississippi.
Remember to do the research.
It's mostly hard work, but sometimes 10,000 butterflies come in through the window, then they leave. And you work to make that happen again.

In the afternoon, I once again delivered my session on crafting a saleable nonfiction book concept that will attract the attention of agents and editors. (You can go here to download the PowerPoint presentation as PDF file.) If you attended the MWW session and still need the handouts (three pages total), then e-mail me at wdbooks@fwpubs.com, and I'll send them to you as PDF files.

Conferences/Events | Craft & Technique | Getting Published

Friday, July 25, 2008 6:09:32 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1] Trackback

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Recap (Day 1): Midwest Writers Workshop
Posted by Jane

This morning I arrived in Muncie, Ind., in time for my lunch talk on "The World of Sales" (or how publishers sell books into stores/retailers and to distributors/wholesalers).

The World of Sales talk
Within the first five minutes, I'd delivered the first hard truth about book publishing (or book sales): all books sold to bookstores are sold on a returnable basis—meaning the books can be returned to the publisher at any time, for any reason. So it's important to distinguish between "sell-in" (how many copies are initially sold into stores) and "sell-through" (how many copies actually sell through the register into readers' hands).

Quick intermission (death-bed advice to writers)
During the introduction of conference faculty, we were each asked to give one piece of advice to writers if it were the last thing we would ever be able to say on the matter. The themes?

perseverance (my answer)
keep writing, get it done
believe in yourself
forget the market, write your own book
get the words right

How to Get the Most Out of a Writer's Workshop
Author Shirley Jump delivered the evening keynote. She has charming promotional cards that I didn't realize were promotional cards when I first saw them. One one side, it says,

WRITER AT WORK
Do Not Disturb
Note: Will make exceptions for those bearing contracts, chocolates, or margaritas.

On the other side: Picture of Shirley and web site address. Brilliant!

Highlights of her advice:

Always be professional. You'll be bumping into agents or editors; you don't where such a meeting will eventually lead. You are interviewing for the job of author.
Be extroverted even if not by nature. Talk to everyone you can; you're among like people. Network. You need contacts.
Don't sell yourself (pitch to editors/agents) unless you're asked to.
Sleep when you get home. Attend everything, go to everything, both formal and informal. (And do the eat-there-stay-there option if available.)
Take a day to follow-up after the conference; send thank-yous.
Take time afterward to note what excites you most, then act on it.

Tomorrow: a full day of breakout sessions! (Click here to view the MWW schedule.)

Conferences/Events | Getting Published

Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:48:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0] Trackback

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

On the Road: Midwest Writers Workshop
Posted by Jane

Tomorrow I will be on the campus of Ball State University (Muncie, Ind.), participating in the Midwest Writers Workshop. I've been speaking at this conference since 2003, and it is very near and dear to my heart (particularly since I come from Indiana and spent a couple years attending high school in Muncie).

On the agenda:

Thursday lunch speaker: "The World of Sales" (where I explain how books are sold to chain bookstores, online stores, distributors, wholesalers, and specialty accounts). Followed by informal coffee talk that afternoon.
Friday workshop: “Crafting a High Powered and Saleable Nonfiction Book Concept." This is the same one I delivered for the first time in Athens. (See previous post.)
Saturday workshop: “The Times, They Are A-Changin'." I discuss how major book and magazine publishers are beginning to recreate themselves into media companies. I help writers make sense of (and navigate) the ongoing transformation of writing and publishing in the digital age.

Lee Lofland, author of WDB's Police Procedure & Investigation, will also be at speaking on topics related to his book (thinking like a detective, understanding police tools and equipment, writing a realistic crime scene, creating compelling villains).

Literary agents will be present, including Anne Hawkins (John Hawkins & Associates), Amy Tipton (FinePrint Literary Management), and Josh Getzler (Writers House).

MWW always offers an excellent program and is known for its very friendly and experienced staff. Look for my in-depth recaps each day, starting tomorrow!

Conferences/Events

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:48:23 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0] Trackback

If Fonts Were People
Posted by Jane

Another item to share: What would fonts look and act like if they were people? This video shows what happens (and sorry to say, Comic Sans saves the day). Thanks to Melissa for passing along!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Fun

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:54:08 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1] Trackback

Google Sponsored Links