The Writers Network News, March 2014 Issue http://ezezine.com
The Writers Network News, March 2014
In This Issue
One: From the editor's desk: Practice, Practice, Practice
Two: Ask the Book Doctor about Switching from Nonfiction to Fiction
Writing, Comma in Direct Address, Questions about Using an Editor, and
an Addendum to a Prior Column
Three: This Month's Easy Editing Tip from Bobbie Christmas: Have Fun,
Not a Fun Time
Four: Subjects of Interest to Writers
Five: Contests, Agents, and Markets
Six: Got Muse? Objects Tell Stories
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The Writers Network News
No Rules; Just Write!
Editor: Bobbie Christmas
Contents copyright 2014, Bobbie Christmas
No portion of this newsletter can be used without permission; however,
you may forward the newsletter in its entirety to anyone who may be
interested in subscribing.
Newsletter Sponsor
Zebra Communications
Excellent editing for maximum marketability
More than twenty years in the business of editing books (We must be
doing something right.)
As book doctors, we write, edit, and evaluate fiction and nonfiction
manuscripts, book proposals, query letters, and synopses. As book
shepherds, we guide writers through the process of self-publishing. We
are a top-rated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business.
Zebra Communications
230 Deerchase Drive
Woodstock, GA 30188
770/924-0528
http://zebraeditor.com/
Follow my Write In Style creative-writing blog at
http://bobbiechristmas.blogspot.com/
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Meet Fellow Writers
Do you live in or visit metro Atlanta? Sign up for local meeting
notices today! Send your name and e-mail address to
Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Note: I have shortened some links in this newsletter with the help of
www.tinyurl.com, a free service that takes long web addresses and
converts them to short ones.
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Writer's Quote of the Month
Linus Pauling said, "The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot
of ideas."
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One: From the editor's desk: Practice, Practice, Practice
Dear Fellow Writers:
I admit it; I enjoy bowling. It may not be the most highbrow of
pastimes, and some have scoffed at it, saying it's a hobby, not a
sport, but I like it. For the past fourteen or fifteen years, my
brother, sister, and I have bowled together once or twice a week,
travel schedules and weather permitting. Bowling gives us a good reason
to get together regularly, and we often enjoy lunch afterward, before I
return to my office and get back to the business of editing books. We
all need and deserve a break from work, we need to stay active, and we
must find ways to spend time with our family members. Bowling helps me
on all those levels.
Although my siblings and I claim we are not competitive, we do enjoy
winning a game now and then. At the end of each game, though, my
brother usually comes out on top, and I often bring up the rear, with
my sister's score in the middle. She and I only occasionally have a
better score than our brother, but we all have a great time together.
A year ago I joined a league, partially for the social aspect, but
partially so I could improve my game and perhaps beat my brother and
sister a little more often. When I did not see my scores improving by
much, I bought a new ball, on the guidance of a bowling instructor.
With the combination of bowling more often, listening to experienced
bowlers and bowling instructors, and using a newer, better ball, I am
seeing my average creep up little by little, and it gives me joy.
Today for the first time, I saw the correlation between bowling and
writing. When writers practice their craft and look for people, tools,
books, seminars, and groups that will help them improve their writing,
their writing improves. In bowling and in writing, a great deal of wise
advice, diligent practice, and good tools combine to help people
improve.
You are a writer. What have you done lately to improve your writing?
What technology have you embraced to improve your speed and abilities
even more? What seminars have you taken? What books on writing have you
read? What meetings have you attended where you could gain information
from other writers? What new sights, experiences, or people have you
encountered to increase your storehouse of knowledge?
We writers must all learn constantly, and we much practice writing
stronger, better, and tighter stories.
How, then, can you write a bestseller? Practice, practice, practice.
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas (Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com )
Author of Write In Style, owner of Zebra Communications, director of
The Writers Network, and coordinator of the Florida Writers Association
Editors Helping Writers service.
If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, please sign up to get your
own copy. Simply go to www.zebraeditor.com, click on Free Newsletter,
and follow the prompts. I never share your address or send out spam.
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Two: Ask the Book Doctor about Switching from Nonfiction to Fiction
Writing, Comma in Direct Address, Questions about Using an Editor, and
an Addendum to a Prior Column
By Bobbie Christmas
Q: I've been a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers for many
years, but I have a novel in my head, begging me to write it. I'm not
sure I can successfully switch from writing nonfiction to writing
fiction. What are some of the things I need to know?
A: Quick answer: everything.
Let me explain. I worked with newspapers and magazines for the first
twenty years of my writing and editing career, so I thought I knew
enough to write a novel. Boy, was I wrong! The best thing I did was
join a critique circle for novelists, and I quickly saw that I knew
almost nothing about how to write fiction. I knew a great deal about
how to form a strong sentence; I knew grammar, and I thought I knew
punctuation. Quickly I learned, however, that I had been using
punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviations standard in AP style,
whereas novels and nonfiction books call for Chicago style.
As a gift, my son gave me a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style, and I
went into overwhelm, because of the volume of the book. I didn't think
I could learn it all. I soon realized that I did not have to learn
everything, but I did need to look up specific things, when I wasn't
sure.
Members of my critique circle had been writing fiction much longer than
I had. I could help them when it came to grammar and strong sentence
structure, but they helped me tremendously with details of Chicago
style as well as the many elements of fiction. They made me aware of
point of view, setting scenes, scene changes, character development,
plot development, exposition, backstory, flashbacks, and much more that
I had never encountered as a writer and editor of newspaper and
magazine articles.
Go ahead and begin writing your novel, but find a good critique group
that concentrates on novels and get feedback and information from
members more knowledgeable in writing fiction.
In addition, pay attention while you read your favorite novelists and
see how they handle openings, chapters, flashbacks, backstory,
exposition, dialogue, scenes, character development, plot evolution,
climax, and denouement.
I also offer a lengthy free report on some of the differences between
AP style and Chicago style. It has good information for anybody not yet
fully familiar with Chicago style. Ask for Report #118 by e-mail
(Bobbie@zebraeditor.com), and I'll send it right away.
The switch from nonfiction to fiction isn't simple, but if your heart
is in writing a novel, you will enjoy entering a whole new world of
writing.
Q: Is a comma necessary before "Levi" in the following?
"You know what Levi? I do my best work when I am in a hurry."
A: Yes, Mary, as you suspect, a comma is always necessary in direct
address.
Q: I have never published before. I have written a book containing
twenty-four short stories. Do all novice writers need to employ an
editor? Without the book being edited, will a publisher reject the book
outright? What is the cost of hiring an editor? If I hire an editor, is
it necessary to have one that lives near me so that we can discuss the
editing process from time to time?
A: Do all novice writers need to employ an editor? No, but novice
writers who want to improve their chances of success do employ editors,
not only to ensure the book has no errors, but also to learn in the
process. One of my clients said the report I sent, based solely on his
writing, was like a four-year college course in creative writing.
Will publishers reject an unedited book outright? The answer depends
upon the publisher. Some have guidelines that state the book must be
edited before it is submitted, but major publishers (and they are few
in number) may accept an unedited manuscript. It would have to be
spectacular in every other way, of course, and in some way carry a
guarantee of success, such as if the author is already a well-known
celebrity.
The cost of hiring an editor depends upon the editor and the services
he or she offers. My prices are posted on my website for everyone to
see. I do recommend using an editor who is upfront about his or her
fees and services. Editors who charge by the hour scare me; authors
have no idea of what the total cost might be.
Do you need to find an editor near you? Absolutely not. With today's
technology, every editor can be as near as a computer or a telephone. I
edit books for English-speaking clients around the globe. My clients in
South Africa, Australia, Japan, Canada, and other countries chose me
because I was right for their books, not because I live nearby, and
we've had no difficulty communicating.
Finally, do you personally need an editor? We all do; we cannot know
what we don't know. We cannot see our own mistakes. For example, you
sent the title of your book, but it is missing a hyphen, and without
it, the meaning of the title changes. I do recommend finding an editor
to ensure the book is the best reflection on you and has the best
chance of success. You'll be amazed at all you will learn from a
qualified professional editor.
Addendum to prior column:
In a prior column I could not think of a way that "can not" would be
used as two words, without punctuation between them, but an eagle-eyed
reader sent the following information: When "can" is an auxiliary verb,
as in "can publish," it might come before "not only…but also." Example:
We can not only produce a microchip, but also imbed an algorithm for
self-testing it. Thank you, Helen Gordon, for the example. It proves
once again that writing has few absolute rules.
----
Bobbie Christmas, book editor and owner of Zebra Communications, will
answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Read
more "Ask the Book Doctor" questions and answers at
www.zebraeditor.com.
For more questions, answers, and comments, order the book, Ask the Book
Doctor: How to Beat the Competition and Sell Your Writing. Go to
http://zebraeditor.com/book_ask_the_book_doctor.shtml.
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Three: This Month's Easy Editing Tip from Bobbie Christmas: Have Fun,
Not a Fun Time
The word "fun" is a noun. Although some dictionaries list it as an
adjective, they also admit it is an informal term as an adjective,
which means knowledgeable writers do not use it as an adjective in
narrative. It might, however, appear as an adjective in dialogue, when
a character is speaking informally. Let me explain, because we all see
signs that say things like "Have a Fun Time" at (such and such an
event). We hear people say, "That was a fun exercise." Educated people,
however, know to write "Have Fun" at (such and such an event). They
know to say, "That exercise was fun." They can also use true
adjectives, instead of "fun" and write "Have a Good Time" at such and
such an event. They can write "That was an enjoyable exercise."
To make sure you have not used "fun" as an adjective in the narrative
portion of your manuscript, use my Find and Refine Method to search and
destroy all misused instances of the word. Type Control+F, type fun,
and your computer will show you each use of "fun," so you can determine
whether it is used correctly. Yes, the computer will show you other
words with "fun" in them, such as fundamental, but you can easily move
to the next instance.
Have fun fixing all the incorrect uses of fun, but don't have a fun
time; have an enjoyable time.
For more editing and creative writing tips, order Purge Your Prose of
Problems here: http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
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Four: Subjects of interest to writers
Member Dotti Hydue, a proofreader, sent in this goodie: "On the evening
news, in the crawl at the bottom of the screen that distracts the eye
and mind, I read the following: The burglary suspect turned himself
into the sheriff's deputy."
Dotti adds, "That would be some trick!"
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Wow! Augusten Burroughs, author of Running with Scissors, is coming to
Atlanta. It's the Atlanta Writers Club Centennial Event, and I wouldn't
miss this one.
Atlanta Writers Club Centennial Celebration (1914-2014)
April 19, 2014 -- 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center
535 Means Street N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30318
The Atlanta Writers Club (www.atlantawritersclub.org/) is delighted to
announce its special guest speaker, bestselling memoirist and novelist
Augusten Burroughs, acclaimed author of Running with Scissors, Dry, and
more.
Join the AWC for an evening of heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and
soft drinks, with music, memories, and an extraordinary guest speaker.
In addition, all attendees will receive a booklet commemorating one
hundred years of AWC history and activities.
To order tickets, contact AWC Officer Emeritus George Weinstein at
gjweinstein@yahoo.com and provide the following:
+ the number of tickets being ordered
+ the member's first and last name
+ the member's preferred e-mail address
+ If two tickets are being ordered, the name of the person accompanying
the member
*Early-Bird ticket price, $30 per person through March 15, 2014
Beginning March 15, tickets will be $50 per person for members and
their guests, and if seats are still available on April 19, members and
their guests can purchase tickets for $75 at the door.
*To qualify for early-bird pricing, you must be a current member of the
Atlanta Writers Club with dues paid at least through April 19, 2014. If
purchasing two or more tickets, your guest does NOT need to be a club
member to participate in this event. For simplicity, if your membership
will expire on or before April 19, 2014--or you are not yet a member of
the club and wish to join--$40 in dues will be added to your total,
providing membership for 365 days from your renewal/joining date.
For non-members who wish to attend the centennial celebration, the cost
is $50 per ticket until March 15, after which the ticket price for
non-members will be $75 apiece.
Don't Delay - Space is Limited
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Free Tools for Writers from Bobbie Christmas and Zebra Communications
http://zebraeditor.com/free_reports.shtml.
New report just added: Chicago style for newbies and for those
switching from AP Style. Look for Report #118.
From the above site you can download many PDF reports on
writing-related subjects, including correct manuscript format, how to
form and run a critique circle, how to identify weak writing and repair
it, self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and much more.
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Free Book Reviewer: Rappaters
"I put this blog together to assist other ex-military writers with
breaking into the market. There's such a shortage of sites willing to
review our work and the type of stories that interest us. That said, I
welcome all book submissions and respect every author putting in the
work to get their story out there. I'm not an agent, publisher, or damn
"professional" critic. I'm a regular Joe and fellow author who really
understands what you're going through." For submission guidelines, go
to http://rappeters.wordpress.com/review-submission-guidelines/.
For this and more book reviewers, go to
http://www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net/index.html.
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Terminology Writers Should Know: Flatsigned
Stephen King coined the term "flatsigned" to describe a book signed by
the author, directly on the title page, without being inscribed to
anyone. Flatsigned books are the most desirable (and therefore most
valuable) ones for collectors.
If you go to a book signing, have the author flatsign the book without
an inscription to you, and the book may be more valuable one day to a
collector. If you are an author, you may offer to flatsign your books
to buyers, but most prefer for you to write an inscription to
themselves or to a friend, if they are giving the book away. Perhaps
flatsigned books are the most valuable because most signed books have
personal inscriptions, making flatsigned books fewer in number.
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Purge Your Prose of Problems
A Book Doctor's Desk Reference, Fifth Edition
Save thousands of dollars and edit your own book! Order my proprietary
book-doctor desk reference book online at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
In alphabetical order and in easy-to-understand language, Purge Your
Prose of Problems covers all you need to know to revise and edit
fiction and nonfiction books, including grammar, punctuation, word
choices, creative writing, plot, pace, characterization, point of view,
dialogue, Chicago style, format, and much more. The spiral binder lets
the book lie flat in front of your computer, for easy use. Available
printed or as a PDF e-book that allows you to keep all this vital
information on your computer for ready reference.
The e-book is the best deal, because you get it immediately and pay no
shipping, and it then resides on your computer for the speediest
reference, whenever you need it.
To save thousands of dollars by editing your own book, order Purge Your
Prose of Problems today at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
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What Common Grammatical Mistakes Can Tell You About the Shameful Moral
Failings of Others
See http://tinyurl.com/l363c7o and enjoy.
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Ask the Book Doctor: How to Beat the Competition and Sell Your Writing
answers many of the questions you wish you could ask an editing expert.
Whether you write books, short stories, articles, reports, or anything
else, learn more about how to write, edit, and sell your work.
Paperback: $14.95 plus $4.99 S & H (total: $19.94 US) E-book: $8.95, no
S & H, with almost instant delivery. You will save almost $10 by buying
the e-book! To order either, go to http://tinyurl.com/lexp7n.
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Become my friend on Facebook and follow my adventures, opinions, and
observations: http://www.facebook.com/bobbie.christmas
Like Zebra Communications on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/7vcxaxu.
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Five: Contests, Agents, and Markets
Foreword Literary
http://forewordliterary.com/
Foreword Literary is a full-service, hybrid literary agency based in
the Silicon Valley with offices throughout the country. We blend the
tried-and-true methods of traditional publishing with the brash new
opportunities engendered by digital publishing, emerging technologies,
and an evolving author-agent relationship.
Visit the website to see what each of the agents is seeking and how to
query each of those agents.
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Royal Palm Literary Awards Open for Entry
http://floridawriters.net/RPLA.html
The RPLA is a service of the Florida Writers Association established to
recognize excellence in members' published and pre-published works
while providing objective and constructive written assessments for all
entrants.
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Voluted Tales
http://volutedtales.com/page/submission-guidelines
Voluted Tales Magazines publishes four monthly editions, roughly one
each week of the month. These include Voluted Tales General edition,
Voluted Tales Themed edition, Voluted Tales Serials edition and Voluted
Tales Classics/Steampunk edition.
As we are just relaunching in this new format after a year's break, we
will begin with the General Edition only for the first month or two,
and bring the others on line as things progress.
Voluted Tales Magazines is looking for stories and comics/graphic short
stories that cover the spectrum of science fiction and fantasy genres.
I'm also after some original steampunk works. Horror and paranormal
romance I'll look at, but I admit to not being as well read with them
and they're not my personal strong points.
We purchase first International Serial Rights, for both electronic
(online and pdf) and print publications, with an option on
anthology/special edition (best of, special edition, etc.) rights.
Do not send query letters, just make the submission.
Submissions are accepted only through the site's article submission
link. For full submission information, go to the site listed above.
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The Chariton Review Short Fiction Prize
The Charition Review Short Fiction Prize is an annual award for the
best unpublished short fiction on any theme up to 5,000 words in
English.
The author will receive $1,000, and the winning story will be published
in The Chariton Review. Up to three finalists will also be published in
the spring issue. All U.S. entrants will receive a complimentary copy
of the spring prize issue.
For complete guidelines, see
http://tsup.truman.edu/chariton/guidelines.asp.
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Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St.
Suite 650
San Francisco CA 94104
Phone: (415)288-0260
Fax: (415)362-2512
E-mail: bkpub@bkpub.com
Website: www.bkconnection.com
Berrett-Koehler Publishers' mission is to publish books that support
the movement toward a world that works for all. Our titles promote
positive change at personal, organizational, and societal levels.
For complete guidelines on what to put in your book proposal to this
publisher, go to http://www.bkconnection.com/static/proposal.asp.
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Six: Got Muse? Objects Tell Stories
Today as I walked my dog, I noticed a neighbor's car parked in his
driveway with the front fender and grill missing. I knew that car had
been pristine when it sat unused for almost a year, after a relative of
the neighbor died. The neighbor had told me at the time that she was
saving the car for her son, who was almost of driving age. Today the
car sat in the same spot as always, yet with a newly damaged front end.
What story did I hear that car tell me? Obviously the son was at last
learning to drive, and whoops! He had a little fender bender.
For this writing exercise, think about everyday objects and how their
change, placement, or disappearance could tell a story. Write that
story.
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Do YOU have news for The Writers Network News? Please send it in the
body copy, not an attachment, to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Deadline: The
15th of each month.
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Send a copy of this newsletter to all your writing friends. Tell them
to join The Writers Network F-R-E-E by visiting www.zebraeditor.com and
clicking on Free Newsletter.
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With the exception of Zebra Communications, information in this
newsletter is not to be construed as an endorsement. Be sure to
research all information and study every stipulation before you accept
assignments, spend money, or sell your work.
The Writers Network News: a newsletter for writers everywhere. No fees.
No officers. No Rules; Just Write!
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