INTRODUCTION:
Below you will find a string of e-mails reprinted, in part, from "The Jim Cox Report." The first is copied directly from Cox’s newsletter and it includes the copy of an e-mail sent to him and a response from Jim to that e-mail. Then you will see that Jim and I started a conversation on the all-important subject of book reviews. Jim gave me permission to reprint the thread and am doing so because I feel there is so much misunderstanding going around about reviews, even among seasoned writers. And, of course, I reprinting because Jim is not only an expert on the subject, but is also one of the few reputable review journals/sites that is fully open to review books regardless of how they are published. I hope you will take the time to follow the thread, maybe even print it out to read at your leisure. It wouldn’t be in this letter if I didn’t think was worth your time.
FROM THE JIM COX REPORT
Publisher Folk, Friends & Family:
When you are in the business of working with people--and most especially self-published authors--it is inevitable that from time to time you have to engage with disappointment, disaffection, disillusion, and even outrage. The key to success in such dealings is to remain calm, compassionate, realistic, and informational.
I received a letter of complaint, accusation, demand, and threat from a Mr. Ken Jarman, a self-published author (Barefoot Through The Goathead Patch) whose review copy submissions to the Midwest Book Review did not result in a review.
Professional book reviewers and book review publications all too often turn down self-published authors from consideration simply because every now and then they have to deal with the naiveté, emotional involvement, ignorance, unrealistic expectations from a few self-published authors ultimately resulting in threats and hard feelings against the reviewer, and/or the editorial staff of the book review organization.
I'm going to share my response to just such a contact with just such a self-published author. The reason why I put up with belligerent authors is that they are few and far between, plus I've always seen as part of my responsibility as the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review to be that of an educator. So I want to share with other self-published authors information that will prove useful to them should they ever find themselves in Mr. Jarman's position.
Indeed, once the aggrieved self-published author learns the rules of the road with respect to book review guidelines and standards, often their tempers cool and they become more discriminating in their book review submission decisions. In other words, they become more professional and less emotional.
Here's my e-mail to that author:
Dear Mr. Jarman:
Your certified letter of November 9th has been received.
Your books arrived safely and passed my initial screening. Unfortunately they ultimately failed to achieve a review assignment. This is no reflection on the quality of your work because it made a quite favorable impression on me. Simply the unfortunate consequence of having only 76 reviewers to cope with the more than 2,300 titles a month arriving here for review consideration.
With respect to your concerns upon finding a review copy title for sale on the Internet there are some basic publishing industry standards that I would like to bring to your attention because as a self-published author your are apparently not aware of them.
All review copies submitted for review become the property of that reviewer and/or review publication to do with as they please, whether or not a review is generated, and whether or not a generated review is positive or negative with respect to the book in question
There are several instructional articles with respect to book reviewing, the book review process, what to do with reviews, and avoiding scam artists posing as reviewers.
I would direct your attention to the following articles and strongly suggest you read them:
1. Rules Regarding Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/rules.htm
2. How To Spot A Phony Book Reviewer
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/phony.htm
3. Amazon Book Review Guidelines
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/amazguide.htm
4. Amazon Review Copy Policy
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/arcp.htm
5. A Conversation About Getting Your Book Reviewed
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/conversa.htm
6. Defacing Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/deface.htm
7. Getting Reviews For Self Published Books
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/revself.htm
8. How The Book Review System Works
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/system.htm
9. On Book Reviews & Reviewers
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/bookrev.htm
10. On The Use Of Press Releases In Book Reviews
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/pressrel.htm
11. Publication & Book Review Timing
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/revcopy.htm
12. Publicity Released-Based Reviews
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/prbr.htm
13. Regarding Review Copies
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/regardin.htm
14. Reviewers, Accessibility, And Book Stamping
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/advice/stamping.htm
One more general comment I'd like to make and its with regard to the overall tone of your letter. It's quite combative in nature, demanding that you be paid the full cover price for your review copies or dire consequences will result. I quote from your letter:
"Failing your immediate action, I will feel compelled to alert the authors of the two Self-Publishing manuals of my findings and alert the management of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA, of which I am a member to warn members of potential unethical actions by some in your company. I will also alert other Publishing/Author organizations of which I am associated with on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter."
This attitude is precisely why most book review operations will not deal with self-published authors.
You might be interested to note that the Midwest Book Review was founded in 1976 and that I personally have become something of an elder statesman with respect to the publishing industry--simply through longevity in the business which includes a well-earned reputation as being an advocate of small-press publishing and self-published authors whenever possible.
One of the ways in which I try to assist aspiring authors and novice publishers (this includes the self-published author) is to write a monthly column for the publishing industry called the "Jim Cox Report". This is a column of advice, commentary, "tips, tricks & techniques", and resources for the small-press community.
You will find my columns archived on the Midwest Book Review web site at:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/bookbiz/jimcox.htm
Incidentally, all the information on the Midwest Book Review web site (including the "Jim Cox Report") are free of charge.
This e-mail to you in response to your certified letter of November 9, 2010 and will be included in the [next issue of ] "Jim Cox Report" to benefit other self-published authors who may be in need of educating themselves as to the book review process and publishing industry standards with respect to review copy submissions.
Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
Mr. Jarman then responded to the above email:
Dear Mr. Cox,
It is unfortunate that you believe my letter was primarily frustration or anger over my book not receiving a review. As such, you have missed the point. I thought you would want to know what was happening in your company but I'm astonished that you believe you are operating within normal trade procedures and are indeed defending the process as your right. I believe that while it may be legal, it is unethical for any review copy to appear for sale on Amazon within three weeks of being sent, in direct competition with the publishers own books. I appreciate the articles you sent and they explain a lot. It is obvious that some Reviewers feel it is their right to dispose of the review copies "as they see fit" (some seem to have even institutionalize the process) and must rejoice when they receive copies not marked as such, thereby increasing the value of them. You are right this is a good learning experience for me. I will never send out a Review copy again without "Review Copy" stamped on it.
Sincerely,
Ken Jarman
Another e-mail excerpt from Jim to Mr. Jarman:
Thank you for your response. Publishers have every right to mark their review copies as they deem fit.
I appreciate the civility of your latest email. In return perhaps I can provide one more service to you. On the Midwest Book Review there is a book review data base called "Other Reviewers". You will find it at:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/links/othr_rev.htm
This is an extensive listing of freelance book reviewers, book review publications, book review web sites, etc. A few (like Forward Magazine) are "pay for play" in that they charge for their reviews, but most are free of charge. Some are specialized (e.g. children's books, poetry, science fiction, etc) while others are more general in nature. (Editor’s
[Note: You will find another list at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/reviewers_and_review_journals.htm]
The trick is to go down the list (and it's a long one), when you see one that sounds promising, click on it and you'll be zapped to their particular Web site. Read through the Web site and you will be able to determine if they are thematically appropriate for your particular book. And if they are--what their submission guidelines are.
I wish you well in your endeavors and will include this latest exchange along with the first one in the next issue of my "Jim Cox Report.” It has a subscription list of about 3,000 and I believe our two exchanges will be to the benefit of a great many folk who are also trying to understand the publishing industry standards and issues that involve the book review process.
Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
Jim continues in his newsletter:
Something to remember is that whenever confrontation occurs it is often quite possible that offended persons may well be having stress in other parts of their lives--and you just happen to be standing in the direct line of fire at the time.
But to balance this particular experience--just in this same past month I also received a letter containing a postage stamp contribution to "support the cause.” What's unique is that the letter containing the postage stamp contribution came from a self-published author who asked in that same letter that the review of their title be removed from Amazon and from the Midwest Book Review web site because it was so badly flawed.
I investigated--and sure enough, a new reviewer for whom this was their first assignment had so badly botched the review that I was compelled to delete it and remove the reviewer from any further considerations for assignments.
The old dictum that you can't please everybody holds true. But you can make disappointing them a teaching moment for themselves and for yourself.
Please remember that reviewers, like authors, come in three basic categories: The Good; The Bad; and The Mediocre. That's why dealing carefully and courteously with reviewers and with authors is always a good idea.
EXCERPT FROM MY NOTE TO JIM:
Oh, my gosh, Jim. Thank you for this issue. I too have had to deal with a couple frustrated authors after I worked hard trying to help market their books. Both times that happened around my now defunct Authors' Coalition and the book fair booths I put together on behalf of authors under its banner.
I took a different path. I did some hard thinking and decided that I'd rather be writing. Because I love to teach and help, I still only my books, my blogs [including this one] and my UCLA classes to authors--most of them newbies--now.
I'm so glad you didn't give up as easily as I. What you do for subsidy- and self-published authors is rare indeed. We need more patient educators, not fewer.
I definitely can see the temptation to charge for e-book reviews (or any kind) and know lots of people who charge and try very hard to maintain ethical standards as they do so. The trouble is, can they? The other issue is how are those reviews then perceived? Even Kirkus has lost some of its professional status with the "paid for" segment it started a couple years ago. And, to take it one step farther. Do we really think bookstore buyers and others put any credence in them? Witness how many have begun to distrust Amazon reviews. And how many have begun to misuse them.
Another thing. Do we really think that review begin to look like paid ads, that there is any point at all? That is what will happen eventually, no matter how careful some reviewers are to be impartial. Then we might as well just say we are selling paid advertising with a twist.
You have an amazing reputation and, unfortunately, the self- and subsidy-published books suffer from a poor one. Your acceptance of books based on quality--not the looks of its cover or the press it is printed on--is very nearly unique in the industry. I'd hate to see it compromised.
Just my two cents, as long as we're having this conversation and you mentioned it. (-: Guess it's the old journalist in me.
BTW, I think training in the field of publicity often helps with difficult situations we find ourselves, too. The question for me, is not whether I can handle it, it's whether I want to. Maybe a few years ago I would have felt it was worth it on the outside chance I could help, I'm beginning to understand that time is even more precious than I always thought it was.
I'm sure you know that the idea that reviewers should not resell their review copies has been going around the Web among writers for at least a decade. So many view it as unethical. Now we have the new tax laws that advise reviewers to include a disclaimer that they received a book "as payment." I find the idea laughable but more than that, I think it is misleading. The word "payment" suggests that the reviewer has been compensated for the review (and sufficiently!), which in turn removes a review from the ideal situation which is that they provide a completely unbiased opinion of the book because they haven't been paid. No wonder people are confused! Some of my old journalism professors would be turning over in their graves if they had lived long enough to see reviewers who consider a book adequate compensation for a review. Many don't mind doing it for the love of doing but this is hardly "pay." Those same professors would be scratching their heads trying to figure just how a reviewer might go about reviewing a book without a copy. Even e-copies have value. So how will reviewers figure the value of an e-copy to claim as income? It is all beyond belief. Journalism ethics dying on one hand and on the other ethics being carried to the edge of ludicrous.
Oh, by the way, I'm reprinting your article, too. You once gave me permission to do it (credited) at any time, and I take you at your word. In fact, I may include this whole discussion if that's OK.
Best,
Carolyn
ANSWER FROM JIM:
Dear Carolyn:
Thank you for your very kind words. They are greatly appreciated! My "Jim Cox Report" [on review] has certainly struck a chord with a lot of folk. I've had two requests for permission to reprint it.
I think it's my professional background as a social worker and counselor that has given me such a useful skill set in dealing with unhappy people.
Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
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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 how to books for writers including, The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including 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. 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 . If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about this blog:
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friend or Fan! Sorry FB, I'll Take Friend Any Old Time
Today I had lunch with Linda LaRue, star of health/exercercise infomercials. We decided that we don't like the word "fan," even if Facebook does.
Should you have a Fan page?
Before I start, know that once your friends on Facebook reach the thousands, you hit a limit. Then you may have to move to a fan page whether they are as good as the regular Facebook interface or not.
I personally don’t join fan pages. To me they seem redundant to a person or business’s regular pages.
And I don’t have a fan page of my own. At least not yet. That’s because every social network you add means more work for you, if you keep it up. Fan pages seem like a duplicate effort to me and I'm as frugal of time as I am of money.
So, until I reach the magic number (I think it’s 5,000) on Facebook. I won’t do a fan page. Besides, it seems a bit arrogant to call my friends (even my acquaintances) fans.
If you’d like to “friend” me, though, find me at www.facebook.com/CarolynHowardJohnson I really do like the word "friend!"
PS: Don't you think the friendship bracelet kit I found on Amazon (See the Widget in this post) is a fun way to make something special for your writing friends? A bracelet for those who take the time to review your book, as an example. Or bracelets for those in your critique group. (-:
PSS: Here's what Facebook has to say about Fan Pages:
Pages are for organizations, businesses, celebrities, and bands to broadcast great information to fans in an official, public manner. Like profiles, they can be enhanced with applications that help the entity communicate with and engage their fans, and capture new audiences virally through their fans' recommendations to their friends.
You can create and manage a Facebook Page for your organization from your personal account. You can create a Page here (http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php). Please note that only the official representative of an organization, business, celebrity, or band is permitted to create a Page. http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=14259
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Beauty of Poetry Prizes and Free Submissions
Never again will I quote the person who said something like “Poets are lucky to make 4 cents an hour.”
That’s because one of my poems just won a wonderful cash prize from Franklin-Christoph, maker of fine writing instruments. Sponsoring a poetry contest is an ideal connection for such a company and they do it every year. It seems writers—including poets—and beautiful pens and scripts just go together. The poem is “Endangered Species.” It is about a sea dragon who is endangered, but in more ways than one. Find it at http://budurl.com/FreePoetryContest While you're there, poke around and find the free submission process for your own poem.
The pay was excellent if one considers the hours it took to write that one poem. It is best not to factor in the study time and cost required to develop the craft of poetry. In fact, it is best not to think of poetry and most other arts in terms of income, of fame for that matter.
We all know why we write. We write for the love of it. Those who take it up for any other reason, tire of it and eventually disappear from the writing scene. Gone to better things? I think not. Just to something—whatever that may be—that suits them better. I only hope that whatever that is brings them as much joy as writing brings to me.
I'm including some widgets for some other poetry I've done, the Celebration Series of chapbooks with Magdalena Ball. We're excited about the gift-giving concept for poetry, something in about the same price range as a very nice greeting card and less than a box of fatening chocolates. (-:
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
More Editing and Writing Help from, Ta Da! Me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More Editing and Writing Help On the Way
Yay! My new little help for writers is on Amazon in all its chartreuse, red, and yellow glory!
Yep, you can now order a copy to put in your briefcase and read on the fly! It’s the Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy.
This is a booklet. It isn’t intended to be a complete reference for every sneaky homonym in the English language. For one thing there is a nice list of those pesky guys in The Frugal Editor (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor). It’s small partly because it isn’t intended to be drudgery. It’s only 54 pages, so it’s a small, easy-to-read dose of some of the most difficult word trippers, not the ones you learned in the fourth grade. And it is written with a bit of humor to brighten the experience. If you don’t learn anything from it, send it back to me and I’ll refund your money.
Buy the paperback at www.budurl.com/WordTripperPB. It is only $6.95. You support a friend (me!) and you brush up on skills for your writing career. What could be better than that?
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Triple Win: Longridge Writers Group, Twitter, and My Newsletter! (-:
Short and Sweet:
Twitter. It's here with a vengeance. Many love, love, love it. Some just don't get it. The Longridge Writers Group asked me to bring some of the Twitter tips in my newsletter together for writers. And here it is.
Actually this is a triple win. You'll want to know more about Long Ridge Writers Group
for classes, forums and more.
And you'll want to subscribe to my Sharing with Writers newsletter where you'll get everything from Twitter tips to writing and promoting opportunities to a little poetry corner. Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.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 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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Twitter. It's here with a vengeance. Many love, love, love it. Some just don't get it. The Longridge Writers Group asked me to bring some of the Twitter tips in my newsletter together for writers. And here it is.
Actually this is a triple win. You'll want to know more about Long Ridge Writers Group
for classes, forums and more.
And you'll want to subscribe to my Sharing with Writers newsletter where you'll get everything from Twitter tips to writing and promoting opportunities to a little poetry corner. Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.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 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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Monday, March 15, 2010
Writing Contest for Kids
This is a contest for children. I know Dallas personally. She is a fellow USC graduate. So, your children are safe and the contest is on the up and up:
Calling all Young Writers: We Want to Publish Your Work!
* Are you a young writer in elementary school, middle school or high school?
* Have you written a short story, personal essay, or poem?
* Do you want to be a published author?
Write On! Books wants to read your writing! We publish anthologies of work entirely by young writers!
Go to www.writeonbooks.org to submit today!
You can also e-mail submissions to dallaswoodburn@aol.com.
Don’t have access to Internet? You can mail your submissions to:
400 Roosevelt Ct.
Ventura, CA 93003
In your submission please be sure to include your:
• Name
• E-mail address
• Mailing address
• Grade level
Compensation: If your submission is chosen:
• I will help you edit your short story, essay or poem to make it the best it can be.
• You will be a nationally published author!
• You will have the opportunity to do book signings in your community.
Don't delay! The submission period for our first anthology ends March 23, 2010.
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Calling all Young Writers: We Want to Publish Your Work!
* Are you a young writer in elementary school, middle school or high school?
* Have you written a short story, personal essay, or poem?
* Do you want to be a published author?
Write On! Books wants to read your writing! We publish anthologies of work entirely by young writers!
Go to www.writeonbooks.org to submit today!
You can also e-mail submissions to dallaswoodburn@aol.com.
Don’t have access to Internet? You can mail your submissions to:
400 Roosevelt Ct.
Ventura, CA 93003
In your submission please be sure to include your:
• Name
• E-mail address
• Mailing address
• Grade level
Compensation: If your submission is chosen:
• I will help you edit your short story, essay or poem to make it the best it can be.
• You will be a nationally published author!
• You will have the opportunity to do book signings in your community.
Don't delay! The submission period for our first anthology ends March 23, 2010.
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Journaling, Memoir, Fiction, History and Promotion for YOUR Book
Those of you who drop by regularly or subscribe to this blog know that one of the reasons I'm a shamesless promoter is that I know my resources can be your resources, too.
So, this blog is dedicated to Paul Bruno, The History Czar. He recently interviewed me for his show. We talked about my family history and how it inspired my multi award-winning novel, This Is the Place.
Listen to the interview at http://www.careerczar.com/mp3/career030510.mp3 .
And here's the benefit to you (other than the brilliant interview, of course!). Contact Paul if you can find a history slant in your own book! He's at PaulBruno@cs.com and he and his producer are tons of fun to work with. You'll see what I mean when you listen to the podcast. (-:
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Yvonne Perry, owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services http://writersinthesky.com, has put together a blog chain for St. Patrick’s Day March 11 through 17 and this blog is participating in the fun event.
You may be wondering, "What is a Blog Chain?" A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of every person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on one post they find interesting. When you leave a comment on the other eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your own blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who's Blogging?
Below is from Yvonne Perry, giving the line up of blogs we'll be visiting. These bloggers will also be stopping by here.
If you'd like to play with us and get in some great reading this week, simply visit each blog and leave a comment along with the URL to your own blog. You may also want to follow these people on Twitter.
Just like her book, Blast Off!, Allison Maslan's blog is about self-empowerment in body mind and spirit. Learn how to make the changes you want in business, career, relationships, and your body when you visit http://www.myblastoff.com/blog. Be sure to follow Allison on Twitter: @AllisonMaslan
After much debate about which of my blogs to feature in this blog chain, I've decided to introduce you to my book, More Than Meets the Eye. Learn about the process of death and dying, find green burial info, consider activity in the afterlife, and talk about spirit communication at http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/. You'll recognize my constant tweeting as @writersinthesky.
On Writer's Journey is a blog owned by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz. Visit her at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ to read author interviews, book reviews, and all things writing related. She is so generous that she reviewed two of my books and interviewed me twice! Penny is @pennyehrenkranz on Twitter.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a long-time networking friend of mine. She and I have done multiple joint venture projects like this blog chain. She has several blogs, but we have chosen http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com/ to honor our soldiers during this blog chain. Carolyn is on Twitter as @frugalbookpromo.
After 15 years of working in the industry as an ASE-certified automobile technician, my son, Robert McCurley, has started his own Nashville business, Wheel Fix It Mobile Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. His rates are much lower than the cost of taking a car to the shop; plus, he comes to your location! Find auto care tips and information about how to contact him for a local repair when you visit his blog at http://wheelfixit.blogspot.com/. Follow @WheelFixItNow on Twitter.
Tisha Morris is a new WITS client and I am thrilled to be helping her promote her new book, 27 Things to FengShui Your Home. Her blog http://www.mindbodyom.com/ has some great tips for declutter your life, home, and workspace. I've been cleaning like a fiend ever since I got hold of her book! She's on Twitter as @mindbodyom.
If you are looking for something to do outdoors or some new place to go for vacation, you'll love Loretta Leda's blog http://www.newoutdooradventures.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter: @FloridaSpaGirls.
Schall Adams is a new girlfriend and networking partner I found when working on Allison Maslan's Amazon book launch. Schall's blog http://www.mygirlfriendmentors.com/blog is all about women empowering women to live happy, successful, passionate lives! Schall is @SchallAdams on Twitter.
Another WITS client, networker, and dear friend has joined this blog chain. Janet Riehl and I were virtual friends for years before we met in person when she came to Nashville for a recording session with my son-in-law, Scott Kidd. When you visit her blog, http://www.riehlife.com, you may read about the audio book they created! You'll want to follow Janet on Twitter as @Riehlife.
http://bethtrissel.blogspot.com/ Historical and light paranormal romance author. Gardening with a focus on herbs, heirloom plants and old Southern recipes. Please follow Beth Tissel on Twitter: @BethTrissel.
Denise DeMaras is a women's health coach, artist, and writer whose medicine is change. She helps women process emotions, reduce stress, and increase creativity, to make changes or cope with them. She is a board-certified nutrition consultant, Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor, Chapman University Certified Art for Healing Instructor, Columbia University Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I love her fabulous blog at http://blog.denisedemaras.com/ ! Follow Denise on Twitter: @ddemaras.
http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/ is about folklore and family stories, mythology and more. Follow Folkheart Press on Twitter: @Folkheartpress.
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/ features the musings of Dennis S Martin: poet, playwright and novelist from Baltimore, Maryland. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dsmartin49.
http://leedesign2.blogspot.com/ Tips on Mac computers and graphic design. Follow Jessica Galbraith on Twitter: @leedesign.
http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/ This blog is all about writing tips for writers and teachers of writing. Each week I will address one aspect of writing. Occasionally, I will post tips about no-fee contests and calls for submissions by publishers. Follow Nancy Kelly Allen on Twitter: @NancyKellyAllen.
The book publicist, Scott Lorenz, is president of Westwind Communications, a public republic relations and marketing firm with a special knack for working with authors and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Scott is a regular contributor to WITS Newsletter. http://thebookpublicist.blogspot.com/. Follow Scott on Twitter: @aBookPublicist.
Tom Vancel is a retired pharmacist and now does dentistry in third-world countries to help less-fortunate children. Read his blog about his adventures at http://tomvancel.blogspot.com/ .
Long-time WITS client Linda Ballou is about to introduce another book. Find out more about her first book, Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey, when you visit her blog: http://wwwlindaballouauthor.blogspot.com/. Follow Linda on Twitter: @LindaBallou.
Happy networking, everyone.
Yvonne Perry,
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.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 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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
You may be wondering, "What is a Blog Chain?" A blog chain involves about a dozen people who have a blog and want to participate in a fun group activity. Each participant visits the blog of every person on the chain within one week of being sent the list of URLs. When visiting each blog, participants read and comment on one post they find interesting. When you leave a comment on the other eleven blogs you will in turn receive eleven comments on your own blog. And, the search engines smile upon you because this kind of activity increases your blog's popularity and raises its ranks in search engines.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who's Blogging?
Below is from Yvonne Perry, giving the line up of blogs we'll be visiting. These bloggers will also be stopping by here.
If you'd like to play with us and get in some great reading this week, simply visit each blog and leave a comment along with the URL to your own blog. You may also want to follow these people on Twitter.
Just like her book, Blast Off!, Allison Maslan's blog is about self-empowerment in body mind and spirit. Learn how to make the changes you want in business, career, relationships, and your body when you visit http://www.myblastoff.com/blog. Be sure to follow Allison on Twitter: @AllisonMaslan
After much debate about which of my blogs to feature in this blog chain, I've decided to introduce you to my book, More Than Meets the Eye. Learn about the process of death and dying, find green burial info, consider activity in the afterlife, and talk about spirit communication at http://deathdyingafterlife.blogspot.com/. You'll recognize my constant tweeting as @writersinthesky.
On Writer's Journey is a blog owned by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz. Visit her at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ to read author interviews, book reviews, and all things writing related. She is so generous that she reviewed two of my books and interviewed me twice! Penny is @pennyehrenkranz on Twitter.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a long-time networking friend of mine. She and I have done multiple joint venture projects like this blog chain. She has several blogs, but we have chosen http://warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com/ to honor our soldiers during this blog chain. Carolyn is on Twitter as @frugalbookpromo.
After 15 years of working in the industry as an ASE-certified automobile technician, my son, Robert McCurley, has started his own Nashville business, Wheel Fix It Mobile Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. His rates are much lower than the cost of taking a car to the shop; plus, he comes to your location! Find auto care tips and information about how to contact him for a local repair when you visit his blog at http://wheelfixit.blogspot.com/. Follow @WheelFixItNow on Twitter.
Tisha Morris is a new WITS client and I am thrilled to be helping her promote her new book, 27 Things to FengShui Your Home. Her blog http://www.mindbodyom.com/ has some great tips for declutter your life, home, and workspace. I've been cleaning like a fiend ever since I got hold of her book! She's on Twitter as @mindbodyom.
If you are looking for something to do outdoors or some new place to go for vacation, you'll love Loretta Leda's blog http://www.newoutdooradventures.blogspot.com. Follow her on Twitter: @FloridaSpaGirls.
Schall Adams is a new girlfriend and networking partner I found when working on Allison Maslan's Amazon book launch. Schall's blog http://www.mygirlfriendmentors.com/blog is all about women empowering women to live happy, successful, passionate lives! Schall is @SchallAdams on Twitter.
Another WITS client, networker, and dear friend has joined this blog chain. Janet Riehl and I were virtual friends for years before we met in person when she came to Nashville for a recording session with my son-in-law, Scott Kidd. When you visit her blog, http://www.riehlife.com, you may read about the audio book they created! You'll want to follow Janet on Twitter as @Riehlife.
http://bethtrissel.blogspot.com/ Historical and light paranormal romance author. Gardening with a focus on herbs, heirloom plants and old Southern recipes. Please follow Beth Tissel on Twitter: @BethTrissel.
Denise DeMaras is a women's health coach, artist, and writer whose medicine is change. She helps women process emotions, reduce stress, and increase creativity, to make changes or cope with them. She is a board-certified nutrition consultant, Chopra Certified Meditation Instructor, Chapman University Certified Art for Healing Instructor, Columbia University Certified Holistic Health Counselor. I love her fabulous blog at http://blog.denisedemaras.com/ ! Follow Denise on Twitter: @ddemaras.
http://folkheartpressblog.blogspot.com/ is about folklore and family stories, mythology and more. Follow Folkheart Press on Twitter: @Folkheartpress.
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/ features the musings of Dennis S Martin: poet, playwright and novelist from Baltimore, Maryland. Follow Dennis on Twitter: @dsmartin49.
http://leedesign2.blogspot.com/ Tips on Mac computers and graphic design. Follow Jessica Galbraith on Twitter: @leedesign.
http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/ This blog is all about writing tips for writers and teachers of writing. Each week I will address one aspect of writing. Occasionally, I will post tips about no-fee contests and calls for submissions by publishers. Follow Nancy Kelly Allen on Twitter: @NancyKellyAllen.
The book publicist, Scott Lorenz, is president of Westwind Communications, a public republic relations and marketing firm with a special knack for working with authors and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Scott is a regular contributor to WITS Newsletter. http://thebookpublicist.blogspot.com/. Follow Scott on Twitter: @aBookPublicist.
Tom Vancel is a retired pharmacist and now does dentistry in third-world countries to help less-fortunate children. Read his blog about his adventures at http://tomvancel.blogspot.com/ .
Long-time WITS client Linda Ballou is about to introduce another book. Find out more about her first book, Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey, when you visit her blog: http://wwwlindaballouauthor.blogspot.com/. Follow Linda on Twitter: @LindaBallou.
Happy networking, everyone.
Yvonne Perry,
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
http://writersinthesky.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 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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
Writing for Children: Guest Post by Vivian Zabel
You will probably notice that this post by guest blogger Vivian Zabel is longer than most. I couldn't help myself. It's so full of good stuff--for writers of children's literature, but, really, a lot for writers in general. If you are a new writer, you won't want to skip over a single word.
By Vivian Zabel
Many people believe that writing for children is easy, that anyone can do it. Having children doesn’t make a person qualified to write for children either. For example, just because I have a heart doesn’t mean I can do open heart surgery. Writing of any kind takes training, starting with reading the type of literature to be written, studying how to write and for a certain audience, and knowing how to use language correctly and effectively. In fact, writing for children is harder than writing for adults because the length of a children’s story is shorter: the plot, characters, conflict, and action has to be concise and precise. Also a child’s attention span is shorter.
So how can a person learn to write for children? One way is to attend conferences and workshops about writing for children. Another is to read articles from those who know.
Now, let’s look at some suggestions for writing successful children’s stories:
1. Learn how to write. Children’s stories should be well written, but they can’t be if the author hasn’t mastered how to write. Ways to learn include taking courses, reading books, joining a writing group that has discussions and/or workshops to help a person improve writing skills (there are online courses and conferences, too). Chasing a publishing contract comes at the end of a long journey.
Some people believe that writings for children can be about anything, written any kind of way, not necessarily of high quality. If anything, works for children should be of the highest quality.
2. Write a good story with a fast-paced plot. Write from the child’s perspective. Action is an important part of any story, but action close to the beginning of a children’s book is a must to grab attention and keep it. A plot is important for any story or book, and one should be included in any child’s story/book. A fast-paced plot with action holds a child’s attention.
In other words, a children’s book should have well-developed characters, plot, conflict, dialogue, a climax to the conflict, and resolution – all written for the audience’s perspective and maturity level. The younger the audience, the less likely an author should have sub-plots. The real difference between a story written for children and one written for adults is the interest level, the focus, and the perspective.
I’ve read stories and books written about children, but for adults and/or from an adult’s perspective. A child’s story should be written from the child’s perspective. We need to approach our writing from the reader’s frame of reference. We need to put ourselves into the mind of a child the age of our audience.
3. Use correct grammar, spelling, sentence structure. Too many “writers” believe that they do not have to be concerned about grammar because that’s the editor’s job. Wrong. If a manuscript has grammar, spelling, or verb tense problems, whatever, most times an editor will not read much more than a paragraph at most before discarding the writing. So what do editors consider problem areas?
Avoid using all capitals. If a character shouts, show that with words and how they are said.
Then the use of exclamation points is a troublesome area in writing anything. They should be used sparingly and then only in dialogue.
Italics should usually be used to show a character’s thoughts, unless the book is written in first person.
Spelling words correctly and using the correct word are necessary. Computer spell check will find misspelled words but not homophones: their/they’re/there, to/too/two, our/hour, your/you’re, for example.
Since we don’t have time to do a complete English grammar lesson and if you’re not good with grammar and punctuation, use a good online grammar site, find a book about grammar that you find understandable, ask an English teacher. One website that is a source of easy to grasp grammar help is http://www.grammarnow.com/#resources.
4. Active voice and action verbs and show, don’t tell. Using active voice rather than passive was mentioned briefly in the handout, but action verbs need to be used more than state-of-being verbs. The stories need to have lots of action, and using active voice and action verbs helps develop action.
One way that action decreases is when a writer uses expository dialogue. Dialogue is need, in fact required, to write a good story of any kind, but it needs to move the story, the plot along. Expository uses dialogue to “tell” what is happening rather than “showing” what happens. When a character explains his actions or someone else’s actions to the reader, the author is telling, not showing. For example, if the character walks down the street muttering to himself, “I don’t know where I am. I’ve never been in this part of the city before. I think I’ll walk to the corner and turn left. Maybe I’ll see someone to ask for directions. It sure is cold tonight.” That’s expository dialogue.
But if the same scene is written as follows:
Josh looked at the unfamiliar buildings. “Where are all the people?” he asked himself. “Maybe I can find someone around the corner who can help me.” He blew on his hands, trying to warm them. “Mom told me to wear my coat. I hate it when she’s right.”
Using active voice and action verbs also helps an author show rather than tell. When reading scenes in a story, the reader should be able to see the action in his/her mind. The expository example is also an example of telling, or lecturing. The second example shows us what was happening.
Showing is good in writing. Telling, except in few instances, is not good writing.
5. Vocabulary. According to “experts,” a few challenging words in a story is fine. Picture books are often read to a young child, and the reader can explain what a word means. This increases the child’s vocabulary. Also when a child starts reading for himself, a few challenging words, especially if context can help the child understand the meaning.
However, the author should not use vocabulary that is too far above the reader’s understanding.
6. Insert humor, well-defined characters, and avoid clichés. Let’s start with humor. Making a child laugh helps build a pleasant association with reading. Therefore, where possible, a writer should use humor to help a child, especially a reluctant reader, want to read or hear more. Humor in picture books is broad and very visual. Easy readers (and some picture books for ages 6 and up) begin to introduce verbal humor. Chapter books start to work in jokes needing a setup and payoff played out over several scenes. Dialogue, how characters react to one another, or the situation in which a character finds himself, may be humorous.
Well-defined characters are a must for any story. Many children want to identify with the characters in books. No mater how the character appears on the outside, the character needs to deal with situations that the reader can relate to or understand. Book characters should be rounded, have multi-dimensional personalities, not be caricatures or one sided. They should have strengths and weaknesses as people really do so that the reader will care about them and want to finish the whole story. To make children in a story realistic, observe children the age of the characters: note how they talk, act, react.
Clichés weaken any type of writing. Using them is lazy writing and avoids showing the story in a way that the reader “sees” what is happening. The brainy boy who can never attract the pretty girl but somehow saves her is a cliché. The idea that a blond is dumb or an athlete is, both are clichés. Use originality to make a story entertaining and characters believable.
7. Story should translate into illustrations. A story for a picture book should be written with paragraphs that translates into illustrations. This idea goes along with the show, don’t tell idea, too. Only paragraphs with action can be “translated” into illustrations.
8. Morals or lessons should not be “preachy.” A writer’s job is to entertain. If a story has a message, the author should tell it through the plot and characters, not by attaching a moral at the end, or emphasizing the moral or message anywhere in the book. Be subtle, and not force the moral down readers’ throats.
9. Stories should be relevant to the age group. The text should be relevant with plot, approach, and language. Books for children don’t necessarily have a little kid in them. In fact, most children prefer characters to be a bit older than they rather than younger. The plot should be one that the reader can understand and follow without someone having to explain.
Children shouldn’t be “talked down to.” If a writer is condescending or patronizing, children will not want to read the story.
We want children to enjoy our books, not be frightened or exposed to ideas too mature for them, not should they be expected to read things that are stupid. Many children find bodily functions funny, but that doesn’t mean such functions make good topics for children’s literature.
10. The story shouldn’t be too long or wordy. Every word, every sentence should be needed for the story. Avoiding wordiness equals tight writing. If a description or narrative doesn’t move the plot along or isn’t necessary to the story, it should be deleted.. Extra words that add nothing to the story makes listening or reading boring.
Also remember, a child’s attention span depends on the child, but most the age of those listening to or reading picture books will not be interested in a long story.
11. Alliteration, meter, and rhyme must be used well or not at all. Many publishers no longer accept children’s books written in poetry or with alliteration. The reason is too many authors do not know how to use them well.
Alliteration tickles children’s ears, and they like the sounds. However, too much of even a good thing is too much.
Many who try to write stories in poetry form convolute wording to “force” a rhyme. The result is confusion for the one listening or reading.
4RVPublishing is inundated with manuscripts for picture books with the text in rhyme – very bad rhyme. It is better to write for children in prose than in bad rhyme.
12. Use talking animals carefully. Animal characters must be as well developed as a human character. They should have strengths and weaknesses, three-dimensional with quirks, failings, motivations, and personalities.
Many times a novice writer incorporates animals as characters in a story resulting in clichés: the ugly duckling that turns into a swan; shy creatures that suddenly become bold enough to save the day; apparently moral-filled stories that show it’s okay to be different.
According to Write4Kids.com, using talking animals isn’t all bad. “What’s important is that your animals have completely developed, unique personalities and characteristics.” Children will not be drawn to characters that are stereotypes, even if they are animals.
13. Use serious and/or controversial subjects appropriately. Children are bombarded with serious subjects every day, many times without understanding them. Television and video games, as well as web sites surfed, smoother kids with tragedy, even if death and violence hasn’t touched them personally. A story that introduces topics such as death and handles the subject in a realistic, sensitive way actually help children cope with the realities of the world. Often the plot of a book will open the door for parents to answer questions that disturb their children.
In one of my children’s story, the main character, Louie the Duck, doesn’t understand why Gus Goose has to live with his grandparents. Mrs. Goose tries to explain that hunters were allowed at the lake where Gus and his parents lived. Louie doesn’t completely understand, but he gets the message that hunters did something that left Gus alone.
14. Research material for a children’s book. Imagination gives some leeway in writing fiction; however, a writer needs literally to have his facts straight when writing about anything factual. False information in a children’s story is as bad, if not worse, than if in a story or book written for adults.
15. Adults should not “carry the day.” Plots need to empower the young protagonist. Of course adults are needed, and their help may be required. However, the solution shouldn’t be an adult making a miraculous save, but the character or characters solving problems.
16. Use a large dose of imagination.
17. Illustrations. An author, unless a professional quality illustrator or artist, should not try to illustrate his own book. In fact, most publishers require that one of their illustrators do the work unless the author is a professional artist.
Books by Vivian Zabel
Under the name V. Gilbert Zabel (for youngsters and teens):
The Base Stealers Club
Case of the Missing Coach took 2nd place in the North Texas Book competition
Prairie Dog Cowboy and finalist (top 3) in Heartland New Day BookFest competition (results will be known on April 9)
Under the name Vivian Gilbert Zabel:
Midnight Hours, finalist (top 3) in Heartland New Day BookFest competition (results known April 9)
Coming in 2010 – Stolen
Vivian blogs other helpful articles for writers at Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com She is also a publisher: http://4rvpublishingllc.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 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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
By Vivian Zabel
Many people believe that writing for children is easy, that anyone can do it. Having children doesn’t make a person qualified to write for children either. For example, just because I have a heart doesn’t mean I can do open heart surgery. Writing of any kind takes training, starting with reading the type of literature to be written, studying how to write and for a certain audience, and knowing how to use language correctly and effectively. In fact, writing for children is harder than writing for adults because the length of a children’s story is shorter: the plot, characters, conflict, and action has to be concise and precise. Also a child’s attention span is shorter.
So how can a person learn to write for children? One way is to attend conferences and workshops about writing for children. Another is to read articles from those who know.
Now, let’s look at some suggestions for writing successful children’s stories:
1. Learn how to write. Children’s stories should be well written, but they can’t be if the author hasn’t mastered how to write. Ways to learn include taking courses, reading books, joining a writing group that has discussions and/or workshops to help a person improve writing skills (there are online courses and conferences, too). Chasing a publishing contract comes at the end of a long journey.
Some people believe that writings for children can be about anything, written any kind of way, not necessarily of high quality. If anything, works for children should be of the highest quality.
2. Write a good story with a fast-paced plot. Write from the child’s perspective. Action is an important part of any story, but action close to the beginning of a children’s book is a must to grab attention and keep it. A plot is important for any story or book, and one should be included in any child’s story/book. A fast-paced plot with action holds a child’s attention.
In other words, a children’s book should have well-developed characters, plot, conflict, dialogue, a climax to the conflict, and resolution – all written for the audience’s perspective and maturity level. The younger the audience, the less likely an author should have sub-plots. The real difference between a story written for children and one written for adults is the interest level, the focus, and the perspective.
I’ve read stories and books written about children, but for adults and/or from an adult’s perspective. A child’s story should be written from the child’s perspective. We need to approach our writing from the reader’s frame of reference. We need to put ourselves into the mind of a child the age of our audience.
3. Use correct grammar, spelling, sentence structure. Too many “writers” believe that they do not have to be concerned about grammar because that’s the editor’s job. Wrong. If a manuscript has grammar, spelling, or verb tense problems, whatever, most times an editor will not read much more than a paragraph at most before discarding the writing. So what do editors consider problem areas?
Avoid using all capitals. If a character shouts, show that with words and how they are said.
Then the use of exclamation points is a troublesome area in writing anything. They should be used sparingly and then only in dialogue.
Italics should usually be used to show a character’s thoughts, unless the book is written in first person.
Spelling words correctly and using the correct word are necessary. Computer spell check will find misspelled words but not homophones: their/they’re/there, to/too/two, our/hour, your/you’re, for example.
Since we don’t have time to do a complete English grammar lesson and if you’re not good with grammar and punctuation, use a good online grammar site, find a book about grammar that you find understandable, ask an English teacher. One website that is a source of easy to grasp grammar help is http://www.grammarnow.com/#resources.
4. Active voice and action verbs and show, don’t tell. Using active voice rather than passive was mentioned briefly in the handout, but action verbs need to be used more than state-of-being verbs. The stories need to have lots of action, and using active voice and action verbs helps develop action.
One way that action decreases is when a writer uses expository dialogue. Dialogue is need, in fact required, to write a good story of any kind, but it needs to move the story, the plot along. Expository uses dialogue to “tell” what is happening rather than “showing” what happens. When a character explains his actions or someone else’s actions to the reader, the author is telling, not showing. For example, if the character walks down the street muttering to himself, “I don’t know where I am. I’ve never been in this part of the city before. I think I’ll walk to the corner and turn left. Maybe I’ll see someone to ask for directions. It sure is cold tonight.” That’s expository dialogue.
But if the same scene is written as follows:
Josh looked at the unfamiliar buildings. “Where are all the people?” he asked himself. “Maybe I can find someone around the corner who can help me.” He blew on his hands, trying to warm them. “Mom told me to wear my coat. I hate it when she’s right.”
Using active voice and action verbs also helps an author show rather than tell. When reading scenes in a story, the reader should be able to see the action in his/her mind. The expository example is also an example of telling, or lecturing. The second example shows us what was happening.
Showing is good in writing. Telling, except in few instances, is not good writing.
5. Vocabulary. According to “experts,” a few challenging words in a story is fine. Picture books are often read to a young child, and the reader can explain what a word means. This increases the child’s vocabulary. Also when a child starts reading for himself, a few challenging words, especially if context can help the child understand the meaning.
However, the author should not use vocabulary that is too far above the reader’s understanding.
6. Insert humor, well-defined characters, and avoid clichés. Let’s start with humor. Making a child laugh helps build a pleasant association with reading. Therefore, where possible, a writer should use humor to help a child, especially a reluctant reader, want to read or hear more. Humor in picture books is broad and very visual. Easy readers (and some picture books for ages 6 and up) begin to introduce verbal humor. Chapter books start to work in jokes needing a setup and payoff played out over several scenes. Dialogue, how characters react to one another, or the situation in which a character finds himself, may be humorous.
Well-defined characters are a must for any story. Many children want to identify with the characters in books. No mater how the character appears on the outside, the character needs to deal with situations that the reader can relate to or understand. Book characters should be rounded, have multi-dimensional personalities, not be caricatures or one sided. They should have strengths and weaknesses as people really do so that the reader will care about them and want to finish the whole story. To make children in a story realistic, observe children the age of the characters: note how they talk, act, react.
Clichés weaken any type of writing. Using them is lazy writing and avoids showing the story in a way that the reader “sees” what is happening. The brainy boy who can never attract the pretty girl but somehow saves her is a cliché. The idea that a blond is dumb or an athlete is, both are clichés. Use originality to make a story entertaining and characters believable.
7. Story should translate into illustrations. A story for a picture book should be written with paragraphs that translates into illustrations. This idea goes along with the show, don’t tell idea, too. Only paragraphs with action can be “translated” into illustrations.
8. Morals or lessons should not be “preachy.” A writer’s job is to entertain. If a story has a message, the author should tell it through the plot and characters, not by attaching a moral at the end, or emphasizing the moral or message anywhere in the book. Be subtle, and not force the moral down readers’ throats.
9. Stories should be relevant to the age group. The text should be relevant with plot, approach, and language. Books for children don’t necessarily have a little kid in them. In fact, most children prefer characters to be a bit older than they rather than younger. The plot should be one that the reader can understand and follow without someone having to explain.
Children shouldn’t be “talked down to.” If a writer is condescending or patronizing, children will not want to read the story.
We want children to enjoy our books, not be frightened or exposed to ideas too mature for them, not should they be expected to read things that are stupid. Many children find bodily functions funny, but that doesn’t mean such functions make good topics for children’s literature.
10. The story shouldn’t be too long or wordy. Every word, every sentence should be needed for the story. Avoiding wordiness equals tight writing. If a description or narrative doesn’t move the plot along or isn’t necessary to the story, it should be deleted.. Extra words that add nothing to the story makes listening or reading boring.
Also remember, a child’s attention span depends on the child, but most the age of those listening to or reading picture books will not be interested in a long story.
11. Alliteration, meter, and rhyme must be used well or not at all. Many publishers no longer accept children’s books written in poetry or with alliteration. The reason is too many authors do not know how to use them well.
Alliteration tickles children’s ears, and they like the sounds. However, too much of even a good thing is too much.
Many who try to write stories in poetry form convolute wording to “force” a rhyme. The result is confusion for the one listening or reading.
4RVPublishing is inundated with manuscripts for picture books with the text in rhyme – very bad rhyme. It is better to write for children in prose than in bad rhyme.
12. Use talking animals carefully. Animal characters must be as well developed as a human character. They should have strengths and weaknesses, three-dimensional with quirks, failings, motivations, and personalities.
Many times a novice writer incorporates animals as characters in a story resulting in clichés: the ugly duckling that turns into a swan; shy creatures that suddenly become bold enough to save the day; apparently moral-filled stories that show it’s okay to be different.
According to Write4Kids.com, using talking animals isn’t all bad. “What’s important is that your animals have completely developed, unique personalities and characteristics.” Children will not be drawn to characters that are stereotypes, even if they are animals.
13. Use serious and/or controversial subjects appropriately. Children are bombarded with serious subjects every day, many times without understanding them. Television and video games, as well as web sites surfed, smoother kids with tragedy, even if death and violence hasn’t touched them personally. A story that introduces topics such as death and handles the subject in a realistic, sensitive way actually help children cope with the realities of the world. Often the plot of a book will open the door for parents to answer questions that disturb their children.
In one of my children’s story, the main character, Louie the Duck, doesn’t understand why Gus Goose has to live with his grandparents. Mrs. Goose tries to explain that hunters were allowed at the lake where Gus and his parents lived. Louie doesn’t completely understand, but he gets the message that hunters did something that left Gus alone.
14. Research material for a children’s book. Imagination gives some leeway in writing fiction; however, a writer needs literally to have his facts straight when writing about anything factual. False information in a children’s story is as bad, if not worse, than if in a story or book written for adults.
15. Adults should not “carry the day.” Plots need to empower the young protagonist. Of course adults are needed, and their help may be required. However, the solution shouldn’t be an adult making a miraculous save, but the character or characters solving problems.
16. Use a large dose of imagination.
17. Illustrations. An author, unless a professional quality illustrator or artist, should not try to illustrate his own book. In fact, most publishers require that one of their illustrators do the work unless the author is a professional artist.
Books by Vivian Zabel
Under the name V. Gilbert Zabel (for youngsters and teens):
The Base Stealers Club
Case of the Missing Coach took 2nd place in the North Texas Book competition
Prairie Dog Cowboy and finalist (top 3) in Heartland New Day BookFest competition (results will be known on April 9)
Under the name Vivian Gilbert Zabel:
Midnight Hours, finalist (top 3) in Heartland New Day BookFest competition (results known April 9)
Coming in 2010 – Stolen
Vivian blogs other helpful articles for writers at Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com She is also a publisher: http://4rvpublishingllc.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 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 .
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Sunday, March 07, 2010
Free Books All Week
It's Read an E-Book Week!
From March 7 (that's today!) to the 13th, retailers, authors, and publishers are urging you to get hold of and read their books for free, or deeply discounted.
This is read an e-book week's 7th year, and creator Rita Toews has gathered together a welter of resources, free books, and tools to help you read an e-book (or two). So where do you go to get your free books and begin exploring the future of reading?
First, there's Rita's own site: http://ebookweek.com/ which has lots of information and an online bookstore chock full of freebies from participants.
You can pick up the poetry chapbooks I wrote with Magadalena Ball, Cherished Pulse and She Wore Emerald Then for free at: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/maggieball. Maggie's novel, Sleep Before Evening and her book of poetry, Repulsion Thrust are available for whatever you want to pay (including nothing!) at Smashwords. If you do decide to pay anything, all proceeds will go to the Red Cross effort on the earthquake-devastated island of Haiti.
And above all, you can celebrate the diversity and availability of the written word, in all its forms and variations. Enjoy!
PS: You can also drop by Magdalena Ball's interview with Mark Coker who heads up Smashwords that is one of the sponsors of this promtoion at blogtalkradio and hear us talk about the implications and future of ebooks. He gives writers information they need to know!
PSS: If you prefer to have paperbacks for yourself or as gifts, click on the Amazon widgets in this post.
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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 .
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Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Authors Den To Offer New Benefits to Stable of Author Perks
One of the tools I've long used to promote is the AuthorsDen.com community of writers. I use their gold membership to send out my newsletters but they also have a truly FRUGAL membership level (-: and now they're adding something exciting and new. But I'll let my AuthorsDen friend, Matt Miller tell you about it:
In a matter of days AuthorsDen.com will be launching the AuthorsDen Marketplace.
The idea is for us to be a conduit to provide jobs to authors and community professionals and to offer fellow authors practical community support and help in needed areas.
Services will be provided by third parties, not authorsden directly
opening more doors of opportunity to members of AuthorsDen.
In the meantime, join. This Web site is a great beginners site for authors. Many authors use it throughout their writing careers. I have another site because I need to offer lots of Resources for Writers, but I continue to use AuthorsDen for all the other benefits it offers and as a backup when servers are down, etc. AuthorDen is a promotion workhouse and reliable!
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
In a matter of days AuthorsDen.com will be launching the AuthorsDen Marketplace.
The idea is for us to be a conduit to provide jobs to authors and community professionals and to offer fellow authors practical community support and help in needed areas.
Services will be provided by third parties, not authorsden directly
opening more doors of opportunity to members of AuthorsDen.
In the meantime, join. This Web site is a great beginners site for authors. Many authors use it throughout their writing careers. I have another site because I need to offer lots of Resources for Writers, but I continue to use AuthorsDen for all the other benefits it offers and as a backup when servers are down, etc. AuthorDen is a promotion workhouse and reliable!
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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 .
If your followers at Twitter would benefit from this blog post, please use the little Green widget to let them know about it:
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