Independent Writers of Chicago Offers Essential Advice

WPN/IWOSC Shares an Invitation from:

Independent Writers of Chicago

URGENT: How the New USDOL Rule Can Affect You

Free to WPN and IWOSC Members

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6 pm Central 4 pm Pacific on Zoom

What it's all about... We promised, and here it is: With the launch on March 11 of the U.S. Department of Labor's controversial "Classification of Independent Contractors and Employees Under the Fair Labor Standards Act," we freelancers have a myriad of questions regarding how that rule will affect us—and our clients. Will those clients have to hire us as W2 employees— or drop us altogether? How can we protect our businesses? Our careers?  Calm down. Lawyers for the Creative Arts, "Unique Employment Lawyer" Lori Goldstein(who is also one of the top 100 Attorneys selected by Illinois Super Lawyers) will  provide the answers to those questions and many more. Join us as she helps us wrap our heads around a rule that can affect the way 72+ million Independent Contractors (including writers of all stripes) work and live. And that can impact 45% of the U.S. economy. For background on this topic, please visit any of the following links: Fight for Freelancers USA "Are We About to Lose Our Independence?" March Stet President's Post Everything You Need to Know About the Department of Labor Independent Contractor Rule Please register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwuce-vqTIiG9WEvmE... After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.

Writers and Publishers Network (WPN) 1129 Maricopa Hwy #142 Ojai, CA 93023

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER 

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTXQL27T/ ) of books for writers including "The Frugal Book Promoter" (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), and "The Frugal Editor" both offered in their third editions by Modern History Press. Others in that series are "How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically," and two booklets, both in their second editions also from Modern History Press. The booklets, "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "Great First Impression Book Proposals" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor "(https://tinyurl.com/TheFrugalEditor), was recently released in its third edition. It is the winningest book in this series for writers. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It 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" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at "The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor" (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow it to get news on her new releases directly from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

IBPA Wants Its Members at its Publishing University

I am passing along this scholarship program for IBPA's (Independent Publishing Association of America) Publishing University Scholarship.  I have been a member off and on for years and know its value. So if you are traveling post-Covid, I don't want you to miss this opportunity. Hurry, there is a November 30 deadline for applying.  I am still isolating to some extent and masking due to health issues. If you will be there, please extend my good wishes. 

CHJ

IBPA Publishing University Scholarship   CORONADO, CALIFORNIA May 4-6, 2023 https://www.publishinguniversity.org The IBPA Publishing University Scholarship Program provides members of the independent book publishing community interested in advancing their publishing program the opportunity to apply for a complimentary ticket to IBPA Publishing University 2023. IBPA awards one complimentary ticket to each IBPA affiliate association and a limited number of complimentary tickets to at-large IBPA members (i.e., members not associated with an IBPA affiliate). IBPA has full discretion over the awarding of a scholarship to IBPA Publishing University. ​2023 APPLICATION: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RLQ6V76 ​The IBPA Publishing University 2023 scholarship application deadline is November 30, 2022.   APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS   The IBPA Publishing University Scholarship is intended for individuals working in the independent publishing industry who need assistance in growing their publishing program. In evaluating applicants, IBPA considers how the scholarship will assist the individual to become a successful publisher. IBPA also requires that the recipient share what they learned at IBPA Publishing University through an article with their affiliate association members. ​ Each applicant must be: A current member of both the sponsoring affiliate association and IBPA. Actively participating in the publishing process as a publisher of their own or others work. In a position to benefit immediately from the scholarship.   QUALIFYING QUESTIONS   IBPA considers the following questions when reviewing each applicant: How will attendance at IBPA Publishing University assist the individual in his/her publishing career? How will attendance at IBPA Publishing University be translated into the day-to-day operations of the individual’s business? How will the scholarship winner share the information learned at IBPA Publishing University with their affiliate association? This sharing may take various forms, such as a published blog post, presentations at meetings, and mentoring of others throughout the year. Did the applicant win an IBPA Publishing University scholarship in 2022? To serve as many members as possible, a scholarship cannot be awarded to the same member two years in a row. After two years, scholarship winners are welcome to reapply. ​ The current scholarship includes: Complimentary ticket to IBPA Publishing University 2023. Complimentary ticket to the 35th annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Dinner & Ceremony on Friday, May 5, 2023 at the Coronado Island Resort & Spa in Coronado, California. In-person networking opportunities with peers and mentors. Does not include complimentary access to special programming beyond the 35th annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Dinner & Ceremony in Coronado, California. Does not include travel or hotel expenses.

IMORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER

 Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. Carolyn's latest is in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and The Great First Impression Book Proposal (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. The Frugal Editor (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), now in its second edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It 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 (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

Sharing Short List of Agents Gleaned from IBPA's Independent Magazine

The trouble with trying to get recommendations for agents is that most authors haven’t been associated with very many of them and they are therefore unable to compare. Furthermore, many authors aren’t all that willing to share anyway. To find names that may be more reliable than others, go to conferences that feature pitch sessions with agents and read newsletters like this one or magazines like the newly named IBPA Independent. That magazine recently ran a feature that some agents contributed to. Here they are:

Barbara Lowenstein and Mary South at Lowenstein Associates. Find them at http://lowensteinassoiciates.com. 

Denise Marcil of Marcil O’Farrell Literary, http://marcilofarrellliteraryagency.com.

Jane von Mehren at Zachary Schuster Harmsworth, http://szhliterary.com.

Caryn Karmatz Rudy at DeFiore and Company Literary Management Inc. http://defliterary.com. 

Sheree Bykofsky, founder of Sheree Bykofsky Assoicates, Inc.; http://shereebee.com

Anne Edelstein, President, Anne Edelstein Literary Agency LLC; http://aeliterary.com.

It, of course, is up to you to see if each handles your genre and to learn what their submission guidelines are. You’ll find lots more generous agents—the kind willing to contribute to magazines like these or to books like my The Frugal Editor. I list the latter group all of whom were generous enough to help me help authors like you with things to avoid when approaching them with your query letters. Find them in that chapter but also listed in the index of that book. 

PS: I am the kind who shares. My agent is Terrie Wolf at AKA Literary. And she is a sweetie. 

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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 award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Editor; 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 .

Just Wonderin': About Those Expensive Writers' Organizations

When I was starting out in journalism at The Salt Lake Tribune, I often helped with the layout of some of the news pages. Part of that job was editing some of the column we got from news services like AP down to fit in the editorial space left after the advertising department had laid out their advertising for the day. That meant I was shortening some of the biggest and best known columnist of the time--and writing headlines for them. One of them was Ann Landers. Reading her advice was my favorite part of this duty. So now I include a similar column in my free #SharingwithWriters newsletter like the one below. You can get your full dose of writing advice by sending me an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to HoJoNews@AOL.com. Yes, I'll do it for you! I like to meet my subscribers "personally" when I can. 

 

 

Q&A a la Ann Landers

So, Just Why Should I Bother With Writing Organizations Again?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUESTION

Hi Carolyn,

I recently paid $100 to sign up to IBPA (Independent Book Publishers of America) and I am regretting it thus far. Am I missing something, or are all of the benefits they offer at an additional fee. It seems the only thing I get from them is their magazine. Hardly worth the price of admission. What do you use on their site, Net Galley? PR service. Do you pay to have them put your books at the book fairs?

I am curious because I have looked closely at the site and all of the member benefits are more money.

Thanks
Name Withheld

ANSWER

Each book and each author or publisher will benefit in different ways from IBPA and other organizations, but the Net Galley is wildly popular because it helps authors send out lots of review copies on a limited budget  The media release service discount helps anyone who uses them and, on occasion, news an author wants to disseminate is so newsworthy that they should try it (and discounts are always help!)

Also, you are good at writing content and I think you should keep submitting articles to them based on what you see (or don’t see!) in the magazine. They also like success stories from their members. Contact one of their regular contributors Linda Carlson and ask her what she needs. When I can contribute something positive and useful, I answer the questions Linda and others send me for the articles they are writing.  I have also written letters to the editor which have been published and sent releases of interest to writers for their online newsletter. And that is all at no additional cost. In general, to make any organization work for us, we authors need to get in there and make them know us.  

You’ll also want to check out their forum. Answer others questions and pose questions of your own. These are all important no matter what organization you join; it's not only a place to learn and help others, it's a place to gain name exposure. 

My husband Lance had good success with their library mailing for his What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z (http://amzn.to/ForeignersAmericaUS) but he carefully chose from among the many catalogs they offer just because they are expensive. I think librarians were interested because immigrants are in the news right now and his book is perfect for that audience.

In general, don’t let your membership go idle. Use this first year to dig in and see how much you can benefit from it. I haven’t been to their conferences, but I’ve never been to any conference that I didn’t learn something new or meet someone I need to know.

CHJ

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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 award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Editor; 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 .

Loving IBPA and Things to Consider Before Publishing in China

I thought I'd share this tip from my SharingwithWriters newsletter. It started out being a tip about joining an organization but ended up being more than that-especially for those who have heard about the amazing printing costs when one publishes in China.  BTW, you can subscribe to my SharingwithWriters newsletter here and get a free booklet while you're at it. (-: And read some past newsletter. You'll love the tips.

 

Join at least one professional organization for authors/publishers so you get information that can make a difference in your writing/publishing career. I found this article on what you should consider before publishing in China in an article by Peter Goodman in IBPA’s Independent magazine (Independent Book Publishers Association) and I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t been a member:

 

Things to consider before choosing to publish in China:

 
1. Fuel and freight costs have gone up and that may offset any savings you may get by publishing in China.
2. Many North American printers are more efficient than ever before.
3. Does the Chinese printer you are considering care about the environment (China is one of the most polluted countries on earth)?
4. Does the Chinese factory you are considering pay their workers well—and treat them well?
5. Do you want to be sending American dollars overseas?
6. Are you on a tight schedule? Printing in China takes considerably longer than printing near home.
7. Have you compared costs and benefits carefully? Goodman says there may indeed be times when printing in China is right for your book in the quantity you need. And he goes on to show you exactly how to assess that with charts and more.

I suspect that if you joined IBPA and told them you wanted a copy of their August, 2013, issue, they would send it to you. They have always been very responsive to my needs. Find them at www.ibpa-online.org. As you can see, their magazine (and organization) isn’t only for publishers; it’s for anyone who wants to know the whole publishing story. We’re writers. This is our industry, after all. 

 

-----
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 award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; 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 .

Getting the Most Out of Organizations

I just joined (or rejoined!) IBPA (formerly PMA). Right after I received this rundown of benefits from Terry Nathan, the leader personified. (-:  I thought I'd pass them to my blog readers.  I think it's essential that authors who want to network, promote and otherwise build a writing career join organizations--goo ones. But here's my caveat. Look at what they have to offer before you spend your money. And determine what you will use, how you can be active and contribute, how you will benefit. Then weigh those things. Whether or not the organization will be worth the money spent is strictly up to us--the joiners. (-:

I have permission from Terry to reprint his letter:

Dear Carolyn,


Instead of going it alone and spending thousands on direct marketing campaigns, join your fellow IBPA members and get the maximum bang for the minimum buck with IBPA's marketing programs.


Take a look at the marketing opportunities below with immediate and upcoming deadlines. Please remember November 30th is the registration deadline only. For most programs, materials will need to be here by December 10th

NOVEMBER 30th DEADLINES

COOKBOOKS CATALOG MAILINGThis catalog produced by IBPA mails to 3,400 bookstore buyers, 3,000 reviewers, and 3,900 acquisition librarians. We will be featuring books in the following categories: Cookbooks/Cooking, Entertaining, Food Reference, etc. $350 per title. Click here: http://www.ibpa-online.org/programs/coopcats_target.aspx


PUBLIC LIBRARY MAILINGSend your fliers to 4,000 acquisition librarians at public libraries. $215 per flier.  Click here for details: http://www.ibpa-online.org/programs/library.aspx


PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (PLA) SHOWGet your own booth or display your book(s) at this every-other-year show, which attracts public librarians and support staff. $125 per title or $2,300 for your own booth. This year's show will be in Philadelphia, PA. Click here for more details.: https://www.ibpa-online.org/pubresources/exhibits_pma.aspx





OTHER UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

THE 24th ANNUAL BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AWARDSRecognizing excellence in both editorial and design, this award is regarded as one of the highest national honors in book publishing. Books with a copyright of 2011 are eligible to enter. Click here for more details: http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/


RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL CATALOG MAILINGThis catalog produced by IBPA mails to 3,400 bookstore buyers, 3,000 reviewers, and 3,900 acquisition librarians We will be featuring books in the following categories: Religion, Spirituality, Inspirational, etc. Sign up now. $350 per title. Click here: http://www.ibpa-online.org/programs/coopcats_target.aspx


BOOKEXPO AMERICA (BEA) SHOWGet your own booth or display your book(s) at this annual show attracting everyone involved in the world of publishing. This is the largest show in the US each year and this year's show will take place in New York City. $125 per title or $3,800 for your own booth. Click here for more details.: https://www.ibpa-online.org/pubresources/exhibits_pma.aspx


AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (ALA) SHOWGet your own booth or display your book(s) at this annual show attracting librarians from around the country. This is the annual show of the American Library Association and this year's show will take place in New Orleans, LA. $125 per title or $2,450 for your own booth. Click here for more details.: https://www.ibpa-online.org/pubresources/exhibits_pma.aspx


K-12 LIBRARY MAILINGSend your fliers to 4,000 acquisition librarians at Elementary, Middle, Jr. High and High School libraries. $215 per flier. Click here for details: http://www.ibpa-online.org/programs/library.aspx


COLLEGE LIBRARY MAILINGSend your fliers to 3,200 acquisition librarians at College, Jr. College and University libraries. $215 per flier. Click here for details: http://www.ibpa-online.org/programs/library.aspx

IBPA/INGRAM MARKETING PROGRAMSDirect mail and electronic marketing catalogs will expose your books to Ingram Content Group's 28,000 retailers and libraries worldwide.
Click here for details: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Programs/ingramprogram.aspx



AND MORE. . .

PW'S ADULT SPRING ANNOUNCEMENTS - LIST YOUR TITLES FOR FREEPublishers Weekly, the leading trade publication, has partnered with Above the Treeline to collect title information for its very popular Spring Announcement issue. Title collection procedure for PW's spring adult and children's announcements-the Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 issues, respectively, is under way. The deadline for information, to be entered through the PW/Edelweiss portal, is Dec. 5 for adult titles publishing between Feb. 1, 2012, and July 31, 2012, and for children's titles, between Jan. 1, 2012, and June 30, 2012. Click here for more details and to register:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/calls-for-information/index.html?record=63


If I can help in any way, please feel free to call on me anytime.


Terry


P.S. If you are receiving this after the deadline, please contact the IBPA office to see if there is still time to get into these programs.


--


Terry Nathan
Executive Director


PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERSIBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association
1020 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite 204
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266


Tel: 310.546.1818
Fax: 310.546.3939


terry@ibpa-online.org
http://www.ibpa-online.org


If you would rather not receive these reminders, please just let me know.

-----

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: