Today's post is a combination of a tip, a resource, and (lo!) a great anecdote that livens up something as potentially drey as a new vocabulary word. It's from my often eclectic newsletter, which you can subscribe to by sending an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in it to me at HoJoNews (at) aol.com.
Writing Related Vocabulary
I love Word of the Day from www.yourdictionary.com. An entry, the noun “Pasquinade,” is related to what we writers do so I though I’d pass it on to you. You may also want to sign up to get a new word in your e-mail box each day. I delete the ones I know and read the ones I don’t when I’m not super busy. Below is their take on the noun "pasquinade."
"Pronunciation: [pæs-kwên-'neyd]
"Definition: A piece of writing that ridicules a specific person and is posted in a public place; a public lampoon of a particular person.
"Usage: Like the pasquinade, a lampoon is a composition that uses literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and irony to attack someone. The difference between a pasquinade and a lampoon is that the pasquinade publically ridicules a person named, while the lampoon may be directed toward a group or otherwise protect individuals. A pasquinader is one who writes pasquinades; the act of doing so is pasquinading."
Dictionary.com will soon send the difference between lampoon and satire. You won't want to miss it! And here's the anecdote I promised you, this one the etymology of "pasquinade."
"French, from Italian "pasquinata," from "Pasquino." A statue representing Menelaus with the body of Patroclus stands in the Piazza di Pasquino, a small square near the Piazza Navona in Rome. Legend holds that Pasquino, a tailor in the Piazza, had a sharp wit and a reputation for lampooning, and sometimes he hung his most pointed observations from the statue in the square. The statue took on his name when others joined in Pasquino’s pastime, pinning their lampoons on the statue until, finally, the practice of publically lampooning others itself took on his name."
Thanks for all of this go to Dr. Language at YourDictionary.com
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
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Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
How I Sold My Book by Giving It Away
By Seth Harwood
Before it ever hit print, my debut novel Jack Wakes Up was a free serialized audiobook. And giving my crime fiction away for free turned out to be the key to becoming a published author—that last piece of the puzzle that eludes so many aspiring writers.
How did it work? Well, I got my MFA from a prestigious writers’ workshop. I got a dozen stories placed in literary journals. In short, I was doing all the things “they” (the literary establishment) tell you you have to do in order to become a successful author. And it wasn’t working. Agents were saying nice things about my crime fiction, but weren’t willing to take me on as a client. Eventually I started looking for another way to drive my own career and put my work in front of people. Having had a little success with a published story online—my friends could read it and I was hearing from strangers who liked it, two things that had never happened with the dozen stories I’d slaved to publish in literary journals—I could see that the web was the way to do this. But I couldn’t imagine anyone reading a novel online, or even on his or her computer. I did have an iPod though, and didn’t I listen to it all the time in the car and at the gym? Wasn’t I taking out books on CD from my local library for my drive to work? Sure I was. So when a friend showed me how he’d been using his iPod and a thing called podcasting to get free audiobooks from an unknown author named Scott Sigler, I knew I had to figure out how this was done.
Turns out that making MP3 files costs nothing. Distributing them costs me less than $10 a month, no matter how many episodes go out. Each week, I release a free episode—usually a couple of chapters—to thousands of subscribers. You can think of this as a throwback to two old forms of crime distribution: either the pulp magazines or the old-time radio plays that introduced detective adventures to early listeners on the radio.
The point of the pulps was the same as what I’m doing: to use the least expensive means to get good crime stories out to eager consumers. Sure, I’m giving my work away and getting nothing—at least no money—in return. But as an author, this never bothered me: all around me writers are fighting to get their work in front of readers, buying expensive ads, employing publicists, praying for a piece of the ever-shrinking review pages. So if I’d found a way to get my work out on my own and build an audience, why should I care that I wasn’t earning money? I mean, my goal has always been to support myself as a writer, but it still looked like landing a publishing contract was the way to make that happen.
More important than the career stuff, though, has been the effect of having an audience on the way I work. As soon as I started podcasting, I was getting regular e-mails from listeners around the country and even the globe! I started to see positive reviews posted about my work on iTunes. People actually liked what I was doing. Suddenly I was writing for an audience. And ultimately this made all the difference. Now I know I have people waiting for what I’ll write next; I feel like a digital Dickens, trying to get the new book written for my fan base to consume as soon as I put it out. Podcasting also became a new end-product for each book; once I’ve podcast a book, I want to move on and get working on something else. In the last three years, my writing output and drive have soared to levels I couldn’t have imagined back in my MFA days.
The truth is, I learned a hell of a lot about how to craft good fiction in grad school, and I’d had enough of just showing my work to my peers for critique. I was ready to get my words out there to a real audience of readers. And since I have, they’ve given me all the motivation to achieve things I never even thought I could. Design a website? Put out videos of myself on the web? Become someone on the cutting edge of new media? I never would’ve dreamed of doing all that a few years ago. In grad school I wrote everything with a pen on a yellow pad!
And somewhere along the line, that podcasting process turned into a game plan, one that worked. Thanks to podcasting I’m about to be a published author—my book Jack Wakes Up is under contract with Random House, and comes out in May. (Shameless plug: Michael Connelly said, “Jack Wakes Up rocks!” But you know what’s even cooler? This week I got a rap track one of my listeners made about my latest lead character!) I’m back to my original dream: to succeed in the traditional publishing realm and see my book on bookshop shelves. When I went back to the publishing establishment with a proven audience behind me, I suddenly became about a hundred times more attractive than I’d been as just another aspiring author with the typical literary creds.
Distribution, creation, marketing and promotion—podcasting has given me the keys to all of these at a time when old avenues have vanished. It gave me control of my career.
If you’d like to hear Jack Wakes Up or my two follow-up JACK PALMS novels, visit http://sethharwood.com. There you’ll find interviews, press coverage, free audiobooks, and much more. You might want to try http://sethharwood.com/what_is_podcasting for a start.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved in the podcasting process and use it to promote your own work, visit http://authorbootcamp.com or drop me a line at http://sethharwood.com/contact. Jack Wakes Up comes out on May 5th from Three Rivers Press. Look for me reading at a bookstore near you this summer!
-----
Seth Harwood graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 2002, and his short stories have been published in numerous journals and anthologies. He has taught creative writing and literature at Stanford, City College of San Francisco, the University of Iowa, and the University of Massachusetts. His first novel, Jack Wakes Up, comes out in May 2009 from Three Rivers Press. You can find free audio novels, interviews, and much more at http://www.sethharwood.com.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Before it ever hit print, my debut novel Jack Wakes Up was a free serialized audiobook. And giving my crime fiction away for free turned out to be the key to becoming a published author—that last piece of the puzzle that eludes so many aspiring writers.
How did it work? Well, I got my MFA from a prestigious writers’ workshop. I got a dozen stories placed in literary journals. In short, I was doing all the things “they” (the literary establishment) tell you you have to do in order to become a successful author. And it wasn’t working. Agents were saying nice things about my crime fiction, but weren’t willing to take me on as a client. Eventually I started looking for another way to drive my own career and put my work in front of people. Having had a little success with a published story online—my friends could read it and I was hearing from strangers who liked it, two things that had never happened with the dozen stories I’d slaved to publish in literary journals—I could see that the web was the way to do this. But I couldn’t imagine anyone reading a novel online, or even on his or her computer. I did have an iPod though, and didn’t I listen to it all the time in the car and at the gym? Wasn’t I taking out books on CD from my local library for my drive to work? Sure I was. So when a friend showed me how he’d been using his iPod and a thing called podcasting to get free audiobooks from an unknown author named Scott Sigler, I knew I had to figure out how this was done.
Turns out that making MP3 files costs nothing. Distributing them costs me less than $10 a month, no matter how many episodes go out. Each week, I release a free episode—usually a couple of chapters—to thousands of subscribers. You can think of this as a throwback to two old forms of crime distribution: either the pulp magazines or the old-time radio plays that introduced detective adventures to early listeners on the radio.
The point of the pulps was the same as what I’m doing: to use the least expensive means to get good crime stories out to eager consumers. Sure, I’m giving my work away and getting nothing—at least no money—in return. But as an author, this never bothered me: all around me writers are fighting to get their work in front of readers, buying expensive ads, employing publicists, praying for a piece of the ever-shrinking review pages. So if I’d found a way to get my work out on my own and build an audience, why should I care that I wasn’t earning money? I mean, my goal has always been to support myself as a writer, but it still looked like landing a publishing contract was the way to make that happen.
More important than the career stuff, though, has been the effect of having an audience on the way I work. As soon as I started podcasting, I was getting regular e-mails from listeners around the country and even the globe! I started to see positive reviews posted about my work on iTunes. People actually liked what I was doing. Suddenly I was writing for an audience. And ultimately this made all the difference. Now I know I have people waiting for what I’ll write next; I feel like a digital Dickens, trying to get the new book written for my fan base to consume as soon as I put it out. Podcasting also became a new end-product for each book; once I’ve podcast a book, I want to move on and get working on something else. In the last three years, my writing output and drive have soared to levels I couldn’t have imagined back in my MFA days.
The truth is, I learned a hell of a lot about how to craft good fiction in grad school, and I’d had enough of just showing my work to my peers for critique. I was ready to get my words out there to a real audience of readers. And since I have, they’ve given me all the motivation to achieve things I never even thought I could. Design a website? Put out videos of myself on the web? Become someone on the cutting edge of new media? I never would’ve dreamed of doing all that a few years ago. In grad school I wrote everything with a pen on a yellow pad!
And somewhere along the line, that podcasting process turned into a game plan, one that worked. Thanks to podcasting I’m about to be a published author—my book Jack Wakes Up is under contract with Random House, and comes out in May. (Shameless plug: Michael Connelly said, “Jack Wakes Up rocks!” But you know what’s even cooler? This week I got a rap track one of my listeners made about my latest lead character!) I’m back to my original dream: to succeed in the traditional publishing realm and see my book on bookshop shelves. When I went back to the publishing establishment with a proven audience behind me, I suddenly became about a hundred times more attractive than I’d been as just another aspiring author with the typical literary creds.
Distribution, creation, marketing and promotion—podcasting has given me the keys to all of these at a time when old avenues have vanished. It gave me control of my career.
If you’d like to hear Jack Wakes Up or my two follow-up JACK PALMS novels, visit http://sethharwood.com. There you’ll find interviews, press coverage, free audiobooks, and much more. You might want to try http://sethharwood.com/what_is_podcasting for a start.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved in the podcasting process and use it to promote your own work, visit http://authorbootcamp.com or drop me a line at http://sethharwood.com/contact. Jack Wakes Up comes out on May 5th from Three Rivers Press. Look for me reading at a bookstore near you this summer!
-----
Seth Harwood graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 2002, and his short stories have been published in numerous journals and anthologies. He has taught creative writing and literature at Stanford, City College of San Francisco, the University of Iowa, and the University of Massachusetts. His first novel, Jack Wakes Up, comes out in May 2009 from Three Rivers Press. You can find free audio novels, interviews, and much more at http://www.sethharwood.com.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
New Concept in Writers Conferences Announced
I feel fortunate to be involved with an innovative new writers' conference on historical St.Simon's Island in Georgia. It has been mounted by incredibly energetic people who have planned three conferences (each with a different theme) for their inaugural year. I hope you'll plan to attend. If not, I hope you'll help us spread the word, especially the conference's support of the No Child Left Behind charity. You will find information and contact information direct from the planners below:
Invitation for Participation 2009 Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
Literacy is our purpose.
Fulfilling dreams is our goal.
http://www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com@ Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia
February 12-15, 2009 – History Fiction/Non-Fiction/Romance
Elizabeth Blahnik, Ernest Gilbert, Pam Mueller, Kathy Kerr, Maggie Toussaint, Dr. Jim Outlaw, Lee Carter, Millie Wilcox, Monica Simmons, Roger Pinckney
May 14-17, 2009 “How To…”
Dickie Anderson (F), Ed Ginn, Dr. Ervin Williams, Holly McClure, Cappy Rearick, Harlan Hambright, Constance Daley, Bud Hearn, Mary Wagner, Dr.William Rawlings
August 13-16, 2009 “SciFi, Fantasy, Mystery, Inspirational- This World and Beyond”
Linda Armstrong, Charlotte Babb, Maggie Carter d’Vries, Nina Munteanu, Tom Dent/Andy Lamon, Jaclyn Weldon-White, Dr. Thom Brucie, Daniel Black, Victor DiGenti, Jack McDevitt.
November 12-15, 2009 “Novels, Short Stories, Etc.”
Chris Rumble, Lois Ruby, Len d’Eon, Prof. Richard Krevolin, Julie Grimm, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Patricia Patterson.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference would like to present you with an opportunity to partner with us in creating the most exciting development since the printing press.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is a non-profit organization committed to the support and advancement of all writers published and non-published, offering four conferences of specifically chosen genres throughout the year, providing conference attendees a symposium of experienced authors, teachers, editors and others from the publishing world.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference, An International Forum for Writers, Publishers and Educators, cordially invites you to participate in our international budding authors conferences.
Above is our agenda for 2009, offering a total of ten sessions per conference. Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference prefers to have a montage of the above talent at each conference to introduce attendees to all levels of the Language Arts World.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference would appreciate your assistance in inviting these creative guest speakers and budding authors of all ages to attend our conferences. This is an extraordinary way to bring together the current “Hemingways” and “Laniers” with those of tomorrow.
This is not just for adults. Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is extending this internationally to Middle and High School Students as well as to College and University Students.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is proud to support “No Child Left Behind."
Scribblers’ Retreat appreciates your assistance in offering this invitation to all authors, book stores, editors, libraries, publishers, schools regionally, nationally, and internationally (students 12 years old and up), and writers’ workshops.
Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
“Where “can’t” is not in our vocabulary.”
Jeanie Pantelakis
Secretary/Treasurer
Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
620 Sea Island Road, Suite 329
St. Simon's Island, GA 31522
1-800-996-2904
912-230-2207
jeanie@scribblersretreatwritersconference.com
www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com
Technorati Tags:
scribblers writers conference, Chris Rumble, Lois Ruby, Len d’Eon, Prof. Richard Krevolin, Julie Grimm, carolyn howard-johnson, jeanie pantelakis, st. simon's island, georgie, book promotion, writing, book marketing, learning writing, publishing, book publishing, no child left behind
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Invitation for Participation 2009 Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
Literacy is our purpose.
Fulfilling dreams is our goal.
http://www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com@ Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia
February 12-15, 2009 – History Fiction/Non-Fiction/Romance
Elizabeth Blahnik, Ernest Gilbert, Pam Mueller, Kathy Kerr, Maggie Toussaint, Dr. Jim Outlaw, Lee Carter, Millie Wilcox, Monica Simmons, Roger Pinckney
May 14-17, 2009 “How To…”
Dickie Anderson (F), Ed Ginn, Dr. Ervin Williams, Holly McClure, Cappy Rearick, Harlan Hambright, Constance Daley, Bud Hearn, Mary Wagner, Dr.William Rawlings
August 13-16, 2009 “SciFi, Fantasy, Mystery, Inspirational- This World and Beyond”
Linda Armstrong, Charlotte Babb, Maggie Carter d’Vries, Nina Munteanu, Tom Dent/Andy Lamon, Jaclyn Weldon-White, Dr. Thom Brucie, Daniel Black, Victor DiGenti, Jack McDevitt.
November 12-15, 2009 “Novels, Short Stories, Etc.”
Chris Rumble, Lois Ruby, Len d’Eon, Prof. Richard Krevolin, Julie Grimm, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Patricia Patterson.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference would like to present you with an opportunity to partner with us in creating the most exciting development since the printing press.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is a non-profit organization committed to the support and advancement of all writers published and non-published, offering four conferences of specifically chosen genres throughout the year, providing conference attendees a symposium of experienced authors, teachers, editors and others from the publishing world.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference, An International Forum for Writers, Publishers and Educators, cordially invites you to participate in our international budding authors conferences.
Above is our agenda for 2009, offering a total of ten sessions per conference. Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference prefers to have a montage of the above talent at each conference to introduce attendees to all levels of the Language Arts World.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference would appreciate your assistance in inviting these creative guest speakers and budding authors of all ages to attend our conferences. This is an extraordinary way to bring together the current “Hemingways” and “Laniers” with those of tomorrow.
This is not just for adults. Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is extending this internationally to Middle and High School Students as well as to College and University Students.
Scribblers’ Retreat Writers’ Conference is proud to support “No Child Left Behind."
Scribblers’ Retreat appreciates your assistance in offering this invitation to all authors, book stores, editors, libraries, publishers, schools regionally, nationally, and internationally (students 12 years old and up), and writers’ workshops.
Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
“Where “can’t” is not in our vocabulary.”
Jeanie Pantelakis
Secretary/Treasurer
Scribblers' Retreat Writers' Conference
620 Sea Island Road, Suite 329
St. Simon's Island, GA 31522
1-800-996-2904
912-230-2207
jeanie@scribblersretreatwritersconference.com
www.scribblersretreatwritersconference.com
Technorati Tags:
scribblers writers conference, Chris Rumble, Lois Ruby, Len d’Eon, Prof. Richard Krevolin, Julie Grimm, carolyn howard-johnson, jeanie pantelakis, st. simon's island, georgie, book promotion, writing, book marketing, learning writing, publishing, book publishing, no child left behind
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Q&A a la Ann Landers: More on Tip Sheets as Promotion
Below is a letter written to me by a new writer who is trying to promote her book by doing something she loves, writing. In this case she has written a tip sheet. I suggest a whole cadre of ideas of ways to promote for those who would rather write than do many of the other things we commonly think of as promotion. Writing tip sheets is one of them. Thanks to Diana Dodson for allowing me to reprint her questions.
Diana Dodson Asks:
I recently sent you a copy of my, Tip Sheet. I had told you that a paper had asked me for a press copy and we did not know what they meant by a “press copy.” The paper wanted a copy of my book to look at.
I did have another question though. I had thought about this when I was reading your book. If we sent tip sheets to newspapers, why would they necessarily want to use one, where they know nothing about the author or the book?
ANSWER:
To entice a paper to be interested, you want to make you tips something that would interest the public. Or the specific audience of the media you are submitting to. Example, one of my tip sheets is on “Everything You Wanted to Know about Utah but Were Afraid to Ask.” I only send it out right after there is a big brouhaha in the news about polygamy or some such thing. My book is set in Utah. So the tips aren't about the book but they are related to the book.
Diana asks:
Is there a form letter that should be included with the Tip Sheet?
ANSWER:
You may adapt the query letter examples I’ve given in both The Frugal Editor and The Frugal Book Promoter (they’re all a little different). You tailor them to become a query for your tip sheet. Remember, with a tip sheet you are asking for something to be published. Thus it is a query letter, not a cover letter. There is no possible way to cover all the exigencies for anything an author might submit for consideration to a variety of people including agents, editors and publishers. Thus, the ones in both books are templates and you will need to make them fit your different needs.
Diana Asks: Do you feel papers will put these in, even if they know nothing about you?
ANSWER:
When you write a query letter you let the editors know a little about you. Did you see the section on building relationships with editors in my book? If you submit releases, tips sheets, etc. often enough, eventually they will come to recognize you. And, of course, the whole idea of tips sheets is that newspaper and magazine editors often need--really need--little fillers. So, if a tip sheet that might appeal to their audience comes along, they very well might use it, whether they know you or not. Don’t forget to tell them they can use it at no charge and be sure to include a 25 word or less credit line, usually only your name, the title of your book and maybe your e-mail or Web site.
Technorati Tags:
query letters, diane dodson, tip sheets, book marketing, book promotion, promoting with writing, building relationships with editors,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Diana Dodson Asks:
I recently sent you a copy of my, Tip Sheet. I had told you that a paper had asked me for a press copy and we did not know what they meant by a “press copy.” The paper wanted a copy of my book to look at.
I did have another question though. I had thought about this when I was reading your book. If we sent tip sheets to newspapers, why would they necessarily want to use one, where they know nothing about the author or the book?
ANSWER:
To entice a paper to be interested, you want to make you tips something that would interest the public. Or the specific audience of the media you are submitting to. Example, one of my tip sheets is on “Everything You Wanted to Know about Utah but Were Afraid to Ask.” I only send it out right after there is a big brouhaha in the news about polygamy or some such thing. My book is set in Utah. So the tips aren't about the book but they are related to the book.
Diana asks:
Is there a form letter that should be included with the Tip Sheet?
ANSWER:
You may adapt the query letter examples I’ve given in both The Frugal Editor and The Frugal Book Promoter (they’re all a little different). You tailor them to become a query for your tip sheet. Remember, with a tip sheet you are asking for something to be published. Thus it is a query letter, not a cover letter. There is no possible way to cover all the exigencies for anything an author might submit for consideration to a variety of people including agents, editors and publishers. Thus, the ones in both books are templates and you will need to make them fit your different needs.
Diana Asks: Do you feel papers will put these in, even if they know nothing about you?
ANSWER:
When you write a query letter you let the editors know a little about you. Did you see the section on building relationships with editors in my book? If you submit releases, tips sheets, etc. often enough, eventually they will come to recognize you. And, of course, the whole idea of tips sheets is that newspaper and magazine editors often need--really need--little fillers. So, if a tip sheet that might appeal to their audience comes along, they very well might use it, whether they know you or not. Don’t forget to tell them they can use it at no charge and be sure to include a 25 word or less credit line, usually only your name, the title of your book and maybe your e-mail or Web site.
Technorati Tags:
query letters, diane dodson, tip sheets, book marketing, book promotion, promoting with writing, building relationships with editors,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Q&A a la Ann Landers: Using Tip Sheets to Promote
In The Frugal Book Promoter I talk about including a tip sheet in the media kit you send out to editors--particularly newspaper and magazine editors. I always get questions about the use of tip sheets. Perhaps Diana's questions and my answers will help you with the concept of tip sheets.
Diana Dodson Asks:
I recently sent you a copy of my, "Tip Sheet." I had told you that a paper had asked me for a press copy and we did not know what they meant by a “press copy.”. The paper wanted a copy of my book to look at.
CAROLYN COMMENTS:
I think we were both assuming they were referring to a ocpy of the tip sheet. Interesting how communication can get blurred.
Diana asks:
I did have another question though. I had thought about this when I was reading your book. If we sent tip sheets to newspapers, why would they necessarily want to use one, where they know nothing about the author or the book?
ANSWER:
For them to be interested, you want to make your tips something that would interest the public. Or the specific audience of the media you are submitting to. Example, one of my tip sheets is on “Everything You Wanted to Know about Utah but Were Afraid to Ask.” I only send it out right after there is a big brouhaha in the news about polygamy or some such thing. My book This Is the Place is set in Utah. So the tips aren't about the book but they are related to the book.
Diana asks:
Is there a form letter that should be included with the Tip Sheet?
ANSWER:
You may adapt the query letter examples I’ve given in both The Frugal Editor and The Frugal Book Promoter (they’re all a little different). You tailor them to become a query for your tip sheet. Remember, when you submit a tip sheet it is like any other submission, you are in effect ASKING for something to be published. Thus you would want to send along a query letter, not a cover letter. There is no possible way to provide templates or samples to cover all the exigencies for anything an author might submit for consideration to a variety of people including agents, editors and publishers. Thus, the samples in both books are templates and you will need to make them fit your different needs.
Diana asks:
Do you feel papers will put these in, even if they know nothing about you?
ANSWER:
When you write a query letter you let the editors know a little about you. Did you see the section on building relationships with editors in my book? If you submit releases, tips sheets, etc. often enough, eventually they WILL come to recognize you.
And, of course, the whole idea of tips sheets is that editors often need--really NEED--little fillers. So, if a tip sheet that might appeal to their audience comes along, they very well might use it, whether they know you or not. Don’t forget to tell them they can use it at no charge and be sure to include a 25 word or less credit line, usually only your name, the title of your book and maybe your e-mail or Web site.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
How and Why I Chose A Subsidy Publisher for The Frugal Book Promoter
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Recently I was approached by someone who was presenting on e-publishing and asked me to help her with ideas to help her audience with subsidy publishing. She says, " I got a list of the stuff to look out for, but I know you did a successful book with a subsidy publisher. You told me at the time you really have to do your homework. What did you do to identify a good publisher, and how did you find publishers to compare? This is what I wrote to her:
This subject is a whole lot more complex than it seems. Each person has different goals and that will affect their choices. I do an entire two hour workshop on the subject myself! Having said this, this is why I chose my publisher.
Star came with good references from people I knew personally and I had known the publisher as a Webfriend, knew I could trust her. That’s the value of networking.
Star right up front tells her authors that marketing will be their responsibility. Having said that, she sponsors an e-group and offers up articles and ideas on promotion--these are a big help to her authors with no promotion experience. That she does this is an extra, not an essential IF one has a good book on promotion to refer to-- like THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, also published by Star.
Though I am an editor, I didn't have time (or the interest!) to learn all the other aspects of publishing like formatting and the nitty gritty stuff about cataloguing, online sales, ISBNs, etc. (See more about speed below).
She works with a marketer who will--at an additional but very reasonable charge--work to get your book into bookstores.
She accepts returns (which the author must guarantee) so that bookstores will feel comfortable stocking Star books.
She has a tiered program and one of them fit my needs. My needs were:
1. I needed fast publication because I intended to use my book as a practical text that is light reading--not filled with marketing jargon-- for the fall class I was teaching at UCLA. It can easily take two years to find an agent and then give that agent time to place a book in the hands of an publisher. Add the actual publishing time onto that!
2. I wanted to make an actual profit on this book and in one of her tiers, paperbacks get near-full royalties. That means authors make almost the entire difference between the cost of the book and what it sells for at retail unless they give over part of that profit to Amazon and/or other online or brick and mortar bookstores and/or distributors. I made back my investment within 60 days.
3. Her prices are reasonable but if one factors in the profit margin in number 2 and promotes a book well and has a "book product" that is NEEDED, her fees are not all important because an author will earn back her investment in short order.
5. I needed complete control over my book if it was going to be used as a syllabus/text for my class. No way did I want my name on something that had been diddled with by an editor who never had a book of her own and didn't know beans about promoting one.
6. I needed a publisher who would work with me on special needs, like changing the cover to announce the USA Book News's "Best Professional Book" award. TC, the publisher, had a new cover out within two to three weeks of the announcement of the award.
7. I wanted a publisher who wouldn't take on just any book because the services were being "paid for." The quality of a publisher's other books is a reflection on yours.
Star is at http://starpublishllc.com.
To compare subsidy publishers, use Google. Use the terms POD publishers, subsidy publishers. Then do a "+ list" and you may even find a whole list of them. Then use an e-group where authors gather to ask them about their experiences. Many I know have been happy with iUniverse. I prefer not to use them, though, because they are too known as a subsidy publisher and there is still some bigotry about self- and subsidy-published books--especially among bookstore buyers. Most readers don't care but some do. Though I believe that an author can be proud of self- and subsidy-publishing and all the publishing models in between if an author's goal is to sell in bookstores, a publisher that is not easily identifiable as any specific kind of publisher helps keep the book from being pigeonholed. That's a sort of bigotry akin to judging a book by its cover but it exists.
Do know that there is a publishing model for every title and for every author’s personality. No one way is right for all. I’ve published many, many ways. I consult with authors on their choices, guide them to the likeliest process for their work and pocketbook. The thing that is important to know is that any author can take control of his or her own publishing career today. No one must be at the mercy of old way, old prejudices. Or new ones for that matter.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Bookstores Aren't the Best Place to Sell Books But Bookstands Will Help Anywhere!
Once upon a time I owned a small chain of retail stores. I know how important display is to a product; we used to display our merchandise (like mini pictures) with bookstand and we sold the stands to customers to use in their homes as well. So, I've always used bookstands to display my books on, too. If you don't, you should consider it. Today's guest blogger Sue Freeman has the resource for bookstands and a few other inspiring stories to tell about how and where to sell books. She also has some ieas for their most effective use. You will see my novel, This Is the Place, displayed on a stand in the photograph.
Bookstands Make Your Books Stand Out
By Sue Freeman
We’re all susceptible to the impulse purchase. That’s why grocery and discount stores line the checkout lanes with goodies to catch your eye. It works — you buy more.
One day, I went to a bike shop to buy an odometer for my bike. I waited at the checkout counter while the cash register completed its computation. My casual glance lighted upon a reflective leg band hanging on a small display rack. I grabbed one and added it to my purchase. It got me thinking – why not get my guidebooks displayed where people are forced to wait. People shopping in a bike shop already have, or are buying a bike and need to know where to go biking. My guidebooks would make a perfect impulse purchase.
All we needed was a convenient way to display the books and an incentive for shop owners to place them on the checkout counter. We began looking for book stands. We needed a small quantity (to test the idea), and stands that were durable, attractive, and available at a low cost. We found companies that offered book stands, but finding one that met all our criteria proved to be a challenge. We persevered and created a successful promotion.
The outdoor recreation guides we sell through Footprint Press, Inc., cover trails for hiking, bicycling, and skiing. We’ve gotten them displayed on checkout counters in bike shops, gift shops, nature centers, wineries, coffee shops, and even gas stations.
When we make a sales call we offer a free plastic countertop display stand to retailers who buy at least five books. With the stand -- and some not so subtle suggestions from us -- our books end up being displayed on the checkout
counter nine times out of ten. Our best success has been with face to face sales calls.
We tape a business card to the back of each stand, which gives our customers quick access to our reorder phone number.
Stores Where Stands Show Up
Of course, some shop owners say no — their counters are too crowded already. But, the ones who say yes end up selling many more books and we make our $4 to $7 investment in the display stand back very quickly.
I’ve seen display stands boost sales for other kinds of books also, when publishers carefully target the stores they approach. If your book appeals to grandparents, for instance, you’ll want to target toy and clothing stores where they’re likely to shop. If your book is historical fiction or nonfiction, you’ll want to target stores with merchandise that appeals to people interested in its period, its protagonists and/or its location.
Clearly, this means you won’t want to limit your outreach to bookstores. As I mentioned, even gas stations worked for us, and our books were the only ones they had ever carried.
Once you’ve identified stores where your specific customers are likely to shop, then pitch your book(s) to the owners or managers. Sometimes the offer of a free bookstand is what tips the scales so that they say yes.
Height Helps at Events
We also use bookstands to give our books a lift at festivals, book signings and seminars. And I use the word “lift” advisedly. We’ve spent time and money to get to these events, and often shelled out money for the honor of setting up a table at them. If we spread our books on the table (as I’ve watched many exhibitors do) and sit back as people wander past, they send only a fleeting glance toward our display, and we’ve lost an opportunity.
So we don’t spread the books out on the table. We set them upright on display stands at various heights.
Since we’ve invested in captivating cover designs, we display each book face out to passersby and let their glances light upon our covers, enticing them over for a closer look.
This works well, even for those who aren’t aggressive marketers. I know some publishers and authors can reach out to engage people in conversation as they walk by, but I’m too shy to do it successfully, and I suspect many others are too.
Whether you’re shy or aggressive, displaying books on stands helps entice
potential customers to your table. And at a talk or workshop, having books on display stands on a table in the back of the room makes them much more noticeable to attendees. People are more likely to see them when they come in, and stop to browse. Browsing often turns into buying.
Try it. Use book display stands to leverage exposure for your book(s) at retail stores and at festivals, exhibits, and book signings. Increase impulse purchases and watch your sales increase.
Sue Freeman is the publisher of Footprint Press Recreation Guidebooks and the owner of DisplayStands4You.com. To see the book display stands it sells, visit www.displaystands4you.com.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Poetic, Green Promotion
Yvonne Perry is the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services. She and her company produces Writers in the Sky Newsletter (http://www.writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html) a free monthly publication filled with articles, announcements, and information about the craft and business of writing, publishing, and book marketing. Yvonne came up with the clever idea to promote her newsletter by creating a community chapbook compiled of poems submitted by anyone who wished to contribute.
The chapbook was distributed to everyone in her network on Friday, the thirteenth. She took a day that many people see as ominous and made it into a day that poetry lovers everywhere would appreciate. She saw substantial increase in the number of subscribers added to her newsletter list as a result of this effort, and everyone in the community benefitted.
This promotion also encouraged communication among her contacts. I thought it a wonderful way to both promote and help other writers (in this case, poets). Thus I wanted to share the idea with you.
The poetry chapbook can be downloaded at http://writersinthesky.com/WITSChapbook09.html You may want to use it as a template for your own green, poetic promotion!
Oh, by the way. It's green, because the project is paperless. Just want to be clear here. Ha!
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
The chapbook was distributed to everyone in her network on Friday, the thirteenth. She took a day that many people see as ominous and made it into a day that poetry lovers everywhere would appreciate. She saw substantial increase in the number of subscribers added to her newsletter list as a result of this effort, and everyone in the community benefitted.
This promotion also encouraged communication among her contacts. I thought it a wonderful way to both promote and help other writers (in this case, poets). Thus I wanted to share the idea with you.
The poetry chapbook can be downloaded at http://writersinthesky.com/WITSChapbook09.html You may want to use it as a template for your own green, poetic promotion!
Oh, by the way. It's green, because the project is paperless. Just want to be clear here. Ha!
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Even Fiction Writers Can Market with Tips Booklets
Those of you have followed my advice for a while know that one of the things I am most passionate about is marketing fiction and poetry. That's because so many people think it's impossible but also because I've been there, done that, and know darn well that it's possible. Today a very old friend I met when we were both speaking at a SPAN (Small Publishers Association of North America) conference in Atlanta agreed to let me use one of her articles on promoting with tips booklets. You'll like what Paulette Ensign has to say about their possibilities for fiction as well as nonfiction!
Guest blogged by Paulette Ensign
"My topic doesn't fit into a how-to tips format."
That comment shows up periodically, and did again this week. Even when a person has written a novel, there are ways to create a tips booklet that can help market that novel plus become its own new source of revenue. THOSE are the purposes of a booklet.
Let me back up a tad. A tips booklet is a way for the reader to test out the information of the author, to see if it's something that leads to wanting more of what the author's got. It's a way to gently approach a topic that may be otherwise overwhelming or brand new. It's one format of the material, which can then be embellished, expanded, or otherwise modified by the author.
A booklet is NOT the consummate reference on a given topic. A tips booklet, in particular, is NOT a narrative philosophical statement or observation of something. It's a tips booklet, with how-tos in it.
Let's say you wrote a novel, set on a rural farm in Midwest America, and you want to sell lots of copies of that novel, which common wisdom says is a challenge to do. One way to do it could be by writing a tips booklet about ways (tips!) to live a happy, fulfilling, and interesting life in rural America, or on a farm. That would certainly give the reader of your book more of a connection to what your book is about, wouldn't it, especially when you include some specific invitation that looks something like "for more about living on a farm in Midwest America, you'll enjoy reading our book, "Life in a Corn Field."
Or you are interested in featuring the accomplishments of some notable people of current or historical times. Instead of a treatise about them, it could be very useful to create a tips booklet that includes guidance based on what those people did to accomplish what they accomplished, for others to mirror in their own lives.
Once in a rare while there is a topic that simply does not lend itself to a tips booklet. It's usually something in science or math and focused on theory. It's at that moment you'll see a glaze come onto my face. Otherwise, let's talk about what your tips booklet is and can be.
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© 2008, Paulette Ensign
Paulette Ensign has sold well over a million copies of her own tips booklet, "110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life," in four languages and various formats without spending a penny on advertising. From her San Diego, California-based http://www.tipsbooklets.com, she assists individuals and groups transform their knowledge into tips booklets and other information products for marketing, motivating, and making money.
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Guest blogged by Paulette Ensign
"My topic doesn't fit into a how-to tips format."
That comment shows up periodically, and did again this week. Even when a person has written a novel, there are ways to create a tips booklet that can help market that novel plus become its own new source of revenue. THOSE are the purposes of a booklet.
Let me back up a tad. A tips booklet is a way for the reader to test out the information of the author, to see if it's something that leads to wanting more of what the author's got. It's a way to gently approach a topic that may be otherwise overwhelming or brand new. It's one format of the material, which can then be embellished, expanded, or otherwise modified by the author.
A booklet is NOT the consummate reference on a given topic. A tips booklet, in particular, is NOT a narrative philosophical statement or observation of something. It's a tips booklet, with how-tos in it.
Let's say you wrote a novel, set on a rural farm in Midwest America, and you want to sell lots of copies of that novel, which common wisdom says is a challenge to do. One way to do it could be by writing a tips booklet about ways (tips!) to live a happy, fulfilling, and interesting life in rural America, or on a farm. That would certainly give the reader of your book more of a connection to what your book is about, wouldn't it, especially when you include some specific invitation that looks something like "for more about living on a farm in Midwest America, you'll enjoy reading our book, "Life in a Corn Field."
Or you are interested in featuring the accomplishments of some notable people of current or historical times. Instead of a treatise about them, it could be very useful to create a tips booklet that includes guidance based on what those people did to accomplish what they accomplished, for others to mirror in their own lives.
Once in a rare while there is a topic that simply does not lend itself to a tips booklet. It's usually something in science or math and focused on theory. It's at that moment you'll see a glaze come onto my face. Otherwise, let's talk about what your tips booklet is and can be.
Technorati Tags:
tips booklets, paullette ensign, marketing fiction, promoting fiction, promoting poetry, marketing poetry, carolyn howard-johnson, the frugal book promoter,
-----
© 2008, Paulette Ensign
Paulette Ensign has sold well over a million copies of her own tips booklet, "110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life," in four languages and various formats without spending a penny on advertising. From her San Diego, California-based http://www.tipsbooklets.com, she assists individuals and groups transform their knowledge into tips booklets and other information products for marketing, motivating, and making money.
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Q&A a la Ann Landers: The Big Multiple Genre Branding Question
I get letters and sometimes the questions asked are just too good for me not to pass on to other writers--with permission, of course. Laurel Peterson’s perspicacious questions are among those I couldn’t resist. Below you’ll find all her questions but especially the one that bothers authors who write in several genres. I’ve inserted my answers in bold. Hope you find a tidbit or two that will help you with your promotion campaign.
FROM LAUREL
Dear Carolyn:
Prill Boyle, editor of the Defying Gravity blog, referred me to you through LinkedIn, while you were, I believe, steaming your way toward Panama! I imagine that must have been quite a trip.
By way of introduction, I am a newly published editor (with a partner) of a women's studies book called Interpretations: The Shapes of Justice in Women's Experience, released by Cambridge Scholars' Publishing (www.c-s-p.org). This summer, a chapbook of poetry will come out, That's the Way the Music Sounds (www.finishinglinepress.com). I have been reading your book, The Frugal Book Promoter (which my poetry publisher recommended, by the way!), and your advice is so very helpful. Thanks! I confess, however, to being completely daunted by the process and while I'm usually pretty good at taking things one step at a time, I feel as though I'm behind the 8-ball, and I'm not sure where to put my energy first or even which thing is going to be most useful.
ANSWER: You've read The Frugal Book Promoter and so I'm sure you know you have to pick and choose. Select from that book only what feels best for your book, your personality, and your pocketbook! Don’t spend a lot of money because things you pay for generally don't work any better (or even as well) as promotions that are free.
LAUREL So! That said . . . I am most stumped with how to brand myself. I can see that you have written a wide variety of things, and you talk a bit about your brand in your book, but I would love to hear more about that. I am not only a poet and non-fiction writer, but I'm also a mystery novelist (where my heart is these days), and the only thing that holds them all--loosely--together is the idea of women's issues. However, that is such a tricky brand, as one can end up being categorized as feminist (in the negative, harsh sense) or the colloquial use of “chick” (as in the we-can-write-her-off sense!).
ANSWER: I have this same problem. I, too am a poet (I've pasted a couple of my e-mail signatures below so you can see how I swing between my literary work and my how-to books for writers, even in the smallest things. Here's what I ended up doing and it will probably help if you follow this by going to my Website and looking at it first and as you read this explanations. It’s at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Here’s the plan.
~I put all my work under the frugal banner because, frankly, nonfiction will always attract more readers and other visitors than literary genres do. Furthermore everything on the same Web site helps my literary work because there is some crossover interest (though not much!).
~You'll see the literary links on the left, more general links at the top of the home page. I use two different domain names. The HowToDoItFrugally domain goes to the main (home or index page) but the second one, www.carolynhoward-johnson.com goes directly to the page that talks about my poetry, novels and leads more directly to the individual pages of my creative work.
~That I used my own name of my creative work illustrates how important it is that you choose a brand that isn’t too narrowly focused. Authors often write more than one book and those are often in more than one genre. When I wrote my novel, I never suspected that I would write several chapbooks of poetry. Simply put, there are times when your name is your best brand. (-:
~I am also interested in helping soldiers in Iraq. I tend to keep that almost entirely separate from my other branding though I do mention it on my Website here and there (on the tolerance page, as an example). That blog is www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com. And you'll see more about another book I'm involved with that is only , really, for people aligned with the military in some way.
You are on the right track. You try to choose a brand that encompasses as much as possible. And I understand about the feminist/chick thing. I have another friend struggling with that and among readers of material of interest to women it is very important.
LAUREL: In addition, the college where I work (I'm full time at Norwalk Community College where Prill has been involved) would like to sponsor a book release party for the scholarly book; I'm not sure what you think of those, if you've used them, and what results they've had for you.
ANSWER: I love launches and think they are very effective when you have them in one of your own little ponds. It’s a little like putting having a wedding--both the work and the thrill. Having said that, for a launch to be successful you have to promote it like crazy. Use your Frugal Book Promoter index and check out words like launch, book signings, etc. Signings and launches are always more successful when you have a partner (not only writing but promotional) as you would have with this one--your Norwalk Community College is sure to support the party. I think you'll have a blast. It's part of the great fun.
Would you thank Finishing Line Press for me for recommending my book? I am published with them, too. Tracings, is now an award-winner! (-:
LAUREL: Anyway, that's a lot of questions from a stranger! I am grateful for any bit of experience you can offer.
Regards,
Laurel Peterson
Note: Laurel Peterson is a professor at Norwalk Community College and a published writer and editor.
Technorati Tags:
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
FROM LAUREL
Dear Carolyn:
Prill Boyle, editor of the Defying Gravity blog, referred me to you through LinkedIn, while you were, I believe, steaming your way toward Panama! I imagine that must have been quite a trip.
By way of introduction, I am a newly published editor (with a partner) of a women's studies book called Interpretations: The Shapes of Justice in Women's Experience, released by Cambridge Scholars' Publishing (www.c-s-p.org). This summer, a chapbook of poetry will come out, That's the Way the Music Sounds (www.finishinglinepress.com). I have been reading your book, The Frugal Book Promoter (which my poetry publisher recommended, by the way!), and your advice is so very helpful. Thanks! I confess, however, to being completely daunted by the process and while I'm usually pretty good at taking things one step at a time, I feel as though I'm behind the 8-ball, and I'm not sure where to put my energy first or even which thing is going to be most useful.
ANSWER: You've read The Frugal Book Promoter and so I'm sure you know you have to pick and choose. Select from that book only what feels best for your book, your personality, and your pocketbook! Don’t spend a lot of money because things you pay for generally don't work any better (or even as well) as promotions that are free.
LAUREL So! That said . . . I am most stumped with how to brand myself. I can see that you have written a wide variety of things, and you talk a bit about your brand in your book, but I would love to hear more about that. I am not only a poet and non-fiction writer, but I'm also a mystery novelist (where my heart is these days), and the only thing that holds them all--loosely--together is the idea of women's issues. However, that is such a tricky brand, as one can end up being categorized as feminist (in the negative, harsh sense) or the colloquial use of “chick” (as in the we-can-write-her-off sense!).
ANSWER: I have this same problem. I, too am a poet (I've pasted a couple of my e-mail signatures below so you can see how I swing between my literary work and my how-to books for writers, even in the smallest things. Here's what I ended up doing and it will probably help if you follow this by going to my Website and looking at it first and as you read this explanations. It’s at www.howtodoitfrugally.com. Here’s the plan.
~I put all my work under the frugal banner because, frankly, nonfiction will always attract more readers and other visitors than literary genres do. Furthermore everything on the same Web site helps my literary work because there is some crossover interest (though not much!).
~You'll see the literary links on the left, more general links at the top of the home page. I use two different domain names. The HowToDoItFrugally domain goes to the main (home or index page) but the second one, www.carolynhoward-johnson.com goes directly to the page that talks about my poetry, novels and leads more directly to the individual pages of my creative work.
~That I used my own name of my creative work illustrates how important it is that you choose a brand that isn’t too narrowly focused. Authors often write more than one book and those are often in more than one genre. When I wrote my novel, I never suspected that I would write several chapbooks of poetry. Simply put, there are times when your name is your best brand. (-:
~I am also interested in helping soldiers in Iraq. I tend to keep that almost entirely separate from my other branding though I do mention it on my Website here and there (on the tolerance page, as an example). That blog is www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com. And you'll see more about another book I'm involved with that is only , really, for people aligned with the military in some way.
You are on the right track. You try to choose a brand that encompasses as much as possible. And I understand about the feminist/chick thing. I have another friend struggling with that and among readers of material of interest to women it is very important.
LAUREL: In addition, the college where I work (I'm full time at Norwalk Community College where Prill has been involved) would like to sponsor a book release party for the scholarly book; I'm not sure what you think of those, if you've used them, and what results they've had for you.
ANSWER: I love launches and think they are very effective when you have them in one of your own little ponds. It’s a little like putting having a wedding--both the work and the thrill. Having said that, for a launch to be successful you have to promote it like crazy. Use your Frugal Book Promoter index and check out words like launch, book signings, etc. Signings and launches are always more successful when you have a partner (not only writing but promotional) as you would have with this one--your Norwalk Community College is sure to support the party. I think you'll have a blast. It's part of the great fun.
Would you thank Finishing Line Press for me for recommending my book? I am published with them, too. Tracings, is now an award-winner! (-:
LAUREL: Anyway, that's a lot of questions from a stranger! I am grateful for any bit of experience you can offer.
Regards,
Laurel Peterson
Note: Laurel Peterson is a professor at Norwalk Community College and a published writer and editor.
Technorati Tags:
laurel peterson, norwalk community college, branding, multiple genre branding, book promotion, book marketing, poetry chapbooks, finsihing line press, carolyn howard-johnson, sharing with writers, prill boyls, defying gravity,
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Writers Everywhere! Fight the Recession! (By Going Back to the Basics)
Staying positive.
Sometimes it’s harder to do than at other times. Depression or recession. I think the economists got the nomenclature wrong but it really makes little difference. In either case, it’s been, yes, depressing for writers who want to sell their work, whether they’re freelancers, novelists or whatever. It really makes no difference. The publishing industry is in the pits.
To stay positive in a down market--whether we’re pitching a screenplay or shopping a book--we return to the tried and true values. You know them. And I have a couple of twists on them. Here’s a review:
~Too many rejection letters get discouraging so be even more assiduous with your research. Know your journals, publishers and agents and submit only to those who have expressed an interest in your genre or in a voice like yours. Also check to see what they have published in the last year. Don’t submit something just like it. They’ve been there and done that.
~Write a great query letter to go with what you submit. Learn how to do this straight from interviews with some of our nation’s best agents in The Frugal Editor (you’ll also find a list of those agents and their Web sites in the Appendix of that book). There are also templates in your Writer’s Market but do try to give your letter a little more voice or sparkle than their samples suggest. One of the agents I interviewed says she gets so many look-alike queries is “just plain creepy.”
~Tailor each query letter you send out to give it special appeal for that agent or editor or publisher.
~If you are interviewing, dress the part. Don’t go to the depths of your closet to find something suitable. It may not be. Even the cut of a jacket can change in a year. Treat yourself to a new one. You’ll feel cheerier.
~For gawd’s sake network (see last week’s newsletter). Twitter is a great place to do that--agents, publishers, freelancers, Web people--they’re all tweeting! All you need to do is gather the kinds of people around you who you can help and who can help you. Then stay in touch. Twitter makes that easy (Find me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo). I’m running a regular tip series on agents, reviewers, and publishers who tweet.
~Remember that legitimate, heartfelt endorsements sell. Use them on your Web site, on your business cards, on your blogs, in your e-mail signatures, on your business stationery. You DO have business stationery (or a virtual letterhead), don't you?
~Don't stop promoting. This is NOT the time to let up on your exposure or your branding. Just use the most FRUGAL ways to do it.
Keep Writing, Promoting and Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
PS: Speaking of recession, long time subscriber to my Sharing with Writers newsletter and writing friend Aaron Paul Lazar was just laid off from Kodak with more than 1,000 others. If you know of a virtual job that could utilize his considerable engineering and writing skills, please contact him at aaron.lazar@yahoo.com.
Technorati Tags:
rejection letters, query letters, book marketing, book promotion, endorsements, recession, selling books in recession, freelancing, sharing with writers, carolyn howard-johnson,
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Sometimes it’s harder to do than at other times. Depression or recession. I think the economists got the nomenclature wrong but it really makes little difference. In either case, it’s been, yes, depressing for writers who want to sell their work, whether they’re freelancers, novelists or whatever. It really makes no difference. The publishing industry is in the pits.
To stay positive in a down market--whether we’re pitching a screenplay or shopping a book--we return to the tried and true values. You know them. And I have a couple of twists on them. Here’s a review:
~Too many rejection letters get discouraging so be even more assiduous with your research. Know your journals, publishers and agents and submit only to those who have expressed an interest in your genre or in a voice like yours. Also check to see what they have published in the last year. Don’t submit something just like it. They’ve been there and done that.
~Write a great query letter to go with what you submit. Learn how to do this straight from interviews with some of our nation’s best agents in The Frugal Editor (you’ll also find a list of those agents and their Web sites in the Appendix of that book). There are also templates in your Writer’s Market but do try to give your letter a little more voice or sparkle than their samples suggest. One of the agents I interviewed says she gets so many look-alike queries is “just plain creepy.”
~Tailor each query letter you send out to give it special appeal for that agent or editor or publisher.
~If you are interviewing, dress the part. Don’t go to the depths of your closet to find something suitable. It may not be. Even the cut of a jacket can change in a year. Treat yourself to a new one. You’ll feel cheerier.
~For gawd’s sake network (see last week’s newsletter). Twitter is a great place to do that--agents, publishers, freelancers, Web people--they’re all tweeting! All you need to do is gather the kinds of people around you who you can help and who can help you. Then stay in touch. Twitter makes that easy (Find me at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo). I’m running a regular tip series on agents, reviewers, and publishers who tweet.
~Remember that legitimate, heartfelt endorsements sell. Use them on your Web site, on your business cards, on your blogs, in your e-mail signatures, on your business stationery. You DO have business stationery (or a virtual letterhead), don't you?
~Don't stop promoting. This is NOT the time to let up on your exposure or your branding. Just use the most FRUGAL ways to do it.
Keep Writing, Promoting and Yes, Editing, Too!
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
PS: Speaking of recession, long time subscriber to my Sharing with Writers newsletter and writing friend Aaron Paul Lazar was just laid off from Kodak with more than 1,000 others. If you know of a virtual job that could utilize his considerable engineering and writing skills, please contact him at aaron.lazar@yahoo.com.
Technorati Tags:
rejection letters, query letters, book marketing, book promotion, endorsements, recession, selling books in recession, freelancing, sharing with writers, carolyn howard-johnson,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tee C. Royal Riffs on Dealing with Rejection
Today's guest blog is an example of what using social networks can do for you. Tee C. Royal is a fellow tweeter on Twitter.com. Find her at www.twitter.com/rawsistaz) She is also a great example of what dedicated people can do for one another. I hope her piece on rejections helps you deal with it better.
Five Tips for Dealing with Rejection
By Tee C. Royal
It’s a fact. Most people do not like to be rejected and this does not change for those in the literary arena.
I’m going to take a step back from RAWSISTAZ/being a book club founder & moderator and throw on my other hats. While it’s not something I actively promote, I have been a freelance editor and reader for around seven years. I started both shortly after starting RAWSISTAZ, working directly for authors and also for a few publishing companies, but it’s never been the main focus of what I do, simply because RAWSISTAZ had the #1 slot. But during this time, I’ve seen hundreds of manuscripts, quite a few of which needed work and unfortunately I couldn’t recommend for publication.
Now, I’m an agent and focusing more on getting my agency running and taking what I’ve already done in the industry a step further and actually helping authors get their work published. Granted, there were a few deals I helped authors achieve prior to becoming an agent, but now I’m doing it for real and enjoying the experience. Unfortunately, one of the hardest parts is rejection. For the author and for me.
It’s hard rejecting potential clients, especially if I’ve enjoyed some of their previous work. It’s also hard having a client receive a rejection letter from a publisher. With the very first rejection I received, I was at a loss for words, couldn’t figure out why or what the editor must’ve been missing to pass on such a wonderful book. LOL. (I’m now sure this is what all authors think when they get rejections.)
The author took it better than I did, and I eventually put my feelings to the side and moved on. But it’s hard. Man is it hard. I also remember the first rejection I gave as an agent. I was overly concerned about hurting the writer’s feelings, so I took several weeks before I actually sent the email. Again, it is hard!
I said all that to say that I can now somewhat imagine being the author and dealing with rejection, but I do have 5 quick tips on the subject. Hopefully they will help those who may need that extra push to keep going.
1) BE PREPARED - Please don’t submit your work before it is completed. This not only means have the book finished, but ensure it’s been edited. I don’t know how many times I’ve received a query, requested more than the standard 3 chapters, but then I don’t hear from the author for several months. Why? Because they’re finishing the book.
2) ACCEPT CRITICISM - Again, no one likes being rejected, but you’ll find some agents/editors offer feedback on why the book didn’t work for them, suggestions on what needs improving, and things of this nature. Don’t be so quick to throw out these tidbits of information along with the rejection. Good can come from being rejected. Also keep in mind that it can be a good story, well-written, and all that, but it’s not right for that agent/editor, for that cycle, or various other reasons. It’s simply one person’s yes or no. Move on to the next person.
3) BE REALISTIC - There are thousands of authors out there, so you’re not the only one submitting your work to a particular agent or agency. Don’t assume that we’re sitting around fiddling our thumbs. We aren’t. Also, our existing clients are our primary focus, so while we would love to respond in 3-4 weeks or sooner, it simply doesn’t work out that way sometimes. Be patient and realistic while waiting for a follow-up. Inquiring every 2.3 weeks isn’t helping your case any. It actually hurts it. And, once you get the follow-up, don’t be arrogant, rude, obnoxious or all-knowing about it. It’s a turn off and could possibly turn what would’ve been an “I’m interested” into an “I’ll pass.” I loved an author’s work recently and could see the book doing well, but his reply to my request for the remaining chapters and a contact number totally changed my desire to work with him. Granted, it took quite a while to get to his submission and reply, but starting off his response with “It’s good to hear from you after 5 months,” wasn’t really too bright. Then, he didn’t send what I requested, but another “taste” of the book. What? LOL. Sorry, he had to go. Not following directions is one of my pet peeves.
4) KEEP ON MOVING - Don’t find yourself in the waiting mode; continue to write, query others, write more, and study the craft. Oftentimes, we find ourselves stuck in the “I’ma wait until” frame of mind, expecting someone to do something or for something to happen. While it’s good to be hopeful, it’s not good to be so expectant. Basically what I’m saying is don’t put anything on hold waiting on the “yes” because in some cases, you will be disappointed. Instead, live in the present, and again, continue to write, query, study and do research. Be confident in knowing that it’ll happen when and as it should.
5) CHANGE YOUR VIEWPOINT - Change your viewpoint about the rejection. Don’t take it personal, as an outright slight against you. The work was rejected, not you per se. Look at the rejection as one step further in recognizing your dream of being a published author (or of getting that agent, deal, etc.). Everyone started off with that first book. Many authors who were rejected numerous times over are now best-selling authors. So, continue to work hard, keep the faith, utlize the aforementioned tips and continue to perfect your manuscript. Then, submit again and again and again. It’ll happen.
Continued blessings to each and every one of you on the path to publication. May your rejections inspire you to work harder and one day secure your spot as a best-selling author.
**Originally posted on my column for Blogging In Black, March 12, 2008*
Technorati Tags:
tee c. royal, agents, rejection, rejection letters. writing, authors,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Five Tips for Dealing with Rejection
By Tee C. Royal
It’s a fact. Most people do not like to be rejected and this does not change for those in the literary arena.
I’m going to take a step back from RAWSISTAZ/being a book club founder & moderator and throw on my other hats. While it’s not something I actively promote, I have been a freelance editor and reader for around seven years. I started both shortly after starting RAWSISTAZ, working directly for authors and also for a few publishing companies, but it’s never been the main focus of what I do, simply because RAWSISTAZ had the #1 slot. But during this time, I’ve seen hundreds of manuscripts, quite a few of which needed work and unfortunately I couldn’t recommend for publication.
Now, I’m an agent and focusing more on getting my agency running and taking what I’ve already done in the industry a step further and actually helping authors get their work published. Granted, there were a few deals I helped authors achieve prior to becoming an agent, but now I’m doing it for real and enjoying the experience. Unfortunately, one of the hardest parts is rejection. For the author and for me.
It’s hard rejecting potential clients, especially if I’ve enjoyed some of their previous work. It’s also hard having a client receive a rejection letter from a publisher. With the very first rejection I received, I was at a loss for words, couldn’t figure out why or what the editor must’ve been missing to pass on such a wonderful book. LOL. (I’m now sure this is what all authors think when they get rejections.)
The author took it better than I did, and I eventually put my feelings to the side and moved on. But it’s hard. Man is it hard. I also remember the first rejection I gave as an agent. I was overly concerned about hurting the writer’s feelings, so I took several weeks before I actually sent the email. Again, it is hard!
I said all that to say that I can now somewhat imagine being the author and dealing with rejection, but I do have 5 quick tips on the subject. Hopefully they will help those who may need that extra push to keep going.
1) BE PREPARED - Please don’t submit your work before it is completed. This not only means have the book finished, but ensure it’s been edited. I don’t know how many times I’ve received a query, requested more than the standard 3 chapters, but then I don’t hear from the author for several months. Why? Because they’re finishing the book.
2) ACCEPT CRITICISM - Again, no one likes being rejected, but you’ll find some agents/editors offer feedback on why the book didn’t work for them, suggestions on what needs improving, and things of this nature. Don’t be so quick to throw out these tidbits of information along with the rejection. Good can come from being rejected. Also keep in mind that it can be a good story, well-written, and all that, but it’s not right for that agent/editor, for that cycle, or various other reasons. It’s simply one person’s yes or no. Move on to the next person.
3) BE REALISTIC - There are thousands of authors out there, so you’re not the only one submitting your work to a particular agent or agency. Don’t assume that we’re sitting around fiddling our thumbs. We aren’t. Also, our existing clients are our primary focus, so while we would love to respond in 3-4 weeks or sooner, it simply doesn’t work out that way sometimes. Be patient and realistic while waiting for a follow-up. Inquiring every 2.3 weeks isn’t helping your case any. It actually hurts it. And, once you get the follow-up, don’t be arrogant, rude, obnoxious or all-knowing about it. It’s a turn off and could possibly turn what would’ve been an “I’m interested” into an “I’ll pass.” I loved an author’s work recently and could see the book doing well, but his reply to my request for the remaining chapters and a contact number totally changed my desire to work with him. Granted, it took quite a while to get to his submission and reply, but starting off his response with “It’s good to hear from you after 5 months,” wasn’t really too bright. Then, he didn’t send what I requested, but another “taste” of the book. What? LOL. Sorry, he had to go. Not following directions is one of my pet peeves.
4) KEEP ON MOVING - Don’t find yourself in the waiting mode; continue to write, query others, write more, and study the craft. Oftentimes, we find ourselves stuck in the “I’ma wait until” frame of mind, expecting someone to do something or for something to happen. While it’s good to be hopeful, it’s not good to be so expectant. Basically what I’m saying is don’t put anything on hold waiting on the “yes” because in some cases, you will be disappointed. Instead, live in the present, and again, continue to write, query, study and do research. Be confident in knowing that it’ll happen when and as it should.
5) CHANGE YOUR VIEWPOINT - Change your viewpoint about the rejection. Don’t take it personal, as an outright slight against you. The work was rejected, not you per se. Look at the rejection as one step further in recognizing your dream of being a published author (or of getting that agent, deal, etc.). Everyone started off with that first book. Many authors who were rejected numerous times over are now best-selling authors. So, continue to work hard, keep the faith, utlize the aforementioned tips and continue to perfect your manuscript. Then, submit again and again and again. It’ll happen.
Continued blessings to each and every one of you on the path to publication. May your rejections inspire you to work harder and one day secure your spot as a best-selling author.
**Originally posted on my column for Blogging In Black, March 12, 2008*
Technorati Tags:
tee c. royal, agents, rejection, rejection letters. writing, authors,
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Poetry Form: Examples of Harry Gilleland's Storoem
In the post on August first, poet and author Harry Gilleland explained
what a storoem is. Today I present two examples of storoems from his
newest poetry book, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man.
Guarded By Lions
From Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, comes this report
of a twelve-year-old girl abducted by seven men.
One man wanted to wed her, but she refused to court.
The men stole her away, determined to beat her then.
For there, young girls are often severely battered
and raped to make them accept an unwanted marriage.
This girl was repeatedly beaten, left blood-splattered
and whimpering in pain…of justice, a true miscarriage.
After a week an unlikely trio of saviors happened by.
Three male lions, their thick, black manes resplendent
in the African sun, chased away the men, who didn’t try
to save the girl but abandoned her to her fate attendant.
She lay before the lions -- a defenseless, easy meal.
But, and many call it a miracle, the lions did her no harm.
Instead they stood guard over her, a happening surreal.
Half a day the lions watched and waited, ready to disarm
any danger that approached her. True guardians they were!
When rescuers arrived, the lions turned and walked away
with no look back. These unlikely saviors became but a blur
as they disappeared, leaving behind wonderment this day.
Authorities explained the girl’s whimpering had possibly
sounded like the mewing of a lion cub, keeping her safe.
Male lions kill cubs they did not sire; her scent would ably
make her human -- all logical explanations merely chafe…
…maybe miracles truly do occur due to the hand of fate.
A Soldier’s Goodbye
It’s a scene oft repeated throughout history,
from Greeks sailing away to faraway Troy,
Romans marching off to lands of mystery,
continuing today whenever troops deploy.
A soldier must say goodbye to his loved ones,
be it his parents, his girlfriend, or his mate.
He’ll soon encounter explosions and guns,
with his destiny placed in the hands of Fate.
His loved one hugs him tightly, with tears
streaming: “I love you. Come back to me.”
The soldier acts brave, camouflaging his fears.
Neither knows what the outcome will be.
He must join his unit; his wife says, “Wait!”
She clings, fearing never again seeing him alive.
Reluctantly, he pulls away: “You’ll make me late.
Don’t worry, dear. I promise you that I’ll survive.”
Now all assembled, the warriors set off to war
with hearts heavy, yet ready to answer the call.
Leaving loved ones is something they abhor…
homecoming will be sweet, if they return after all.
PS: Please find an explanation of storoem on this blog's August 1 post. That post also serves os an example of how poets can contribute to literature and use their contribution to promote poetry and their own art.--
----
These storoem and others were published March, 2008: "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man", a new collection of poetry and a 2008 Reader Views Literary Award winner (Honorable Mention in Fiction, Poetry category).
-----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
what a storoem is. Today I present two examples of storoems from his
newest poetry book, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man.
Guarded By Lions
From Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, comes this report
of a twelve-year-old girl abducted by seven men.
One man wanted to wed her, but she refused to court.
The men stole her away, determined to beat her then.
For there, young girls are often severely battered
and raped to make them accept an unwanted marriage.
This girl was repeatedly beaten, left blood-splattered
and whimpering in pain…of justice, a true miscarriage.
After a week an unlikely trio of saviors happened by.
Three male lions, their thick, black manes resplendent
in the African sun, chased away the men, who didn’t try
to save the girl but abandoned her to her fate attendant.
She lay before the lions -- a defenseless, easy meal.
But, and many call it a miracle, the lions did her no harm.
Instead they stood guard over her, a happening surreal.
Half a day the lions watched and waited, ready to disarm
any danger that approached her. True guardians they were!
When rescuers arrived, the lions turned and walked away
with no look back. These unlikely saviors became but a blur
as they disappeared, leaving behind wonderment this day.
Authorities explained the girl’s whimpering had possibly
sounded like the mewing of a lion cub, keeping her safe.
Male lions kill cubs they did not sire; her scent would ably
make her human -- all logical explanations merely chafe…
…maybe miracles truly do occur due to the hand of fate.
A Soldier’s Goodbye
It’s a scene oft repeated throughout history,
from Greeks sailing away to faraway Troy,
Romans marching off to lands of mystery,
continuing today whenever troops deploy.
A soldier must say goodbye to his loved ones,
be it his parents, his girlfriend, or his mate.
He’ll soon encounter explosions and guns,
with his destiny placed in the hands of Fate.
His loved one hugs him tightly, with tears
streaming: “I love you. Come back to me.”
The soldier acts brave, camouflaging his fears.
Neither knows what the outcome will be.
He must join his unit; his wife says, “Wait!”
She clings, fearing never again seeing him alive.
Reluctantly, he pulls away: “You’ll make me late.
Don’t worry, dear. I promise you that I’ll survive.”
Now all assembled, the warriors set off to war
with hearts heavy, yet ready to answer the call.
Leaving loved ones is something they abhor…
homecoming will be sweet, if they return after all.
PS: Please find an explanation of storoem on this blog's August 1 post. That post also serves os an example of how poets can contribute to literature and use their contribution to promote poetry and their own art.--
----
These storoem and others were published March, 2008: "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man", a new collection of poetry and a 2008 Reader Views Literary Award winner (Honorable Mention in Fiction, Poetry category).
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books for writers, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't and The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. Her FRUGAL book for retailers is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. She is also the author of the Amazon Short, "The Great First Impression Book Proposal". Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor blog.
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