The Writers Network News, March 2019 issue
The Writers Network News, March 2019
In This Issue
One: From the Editor's Desk: The Case of the Missing Towel
Two: Ask the Book Doctor—Pseudonyms and Getting Started
Three: Subjects of Interest to Writers
Four: Contests, Agents, and Markets
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The Writers Network News
No Rules; Just Write!
Editor: Bobbie Christmas
Contents copyright 2019, Bobbie Christmas
No portion of this newsletter can be used without permission; however, you may forward the newsletter in its entirety to fellow writers.
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Zebra Communications
Improving books for writers and publishers since 1992
770/924-0528
https://www.zebraeditor.com/
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Meet Fellow Writers
Do you live in or visit metro Atlanta? Sign up for notices of local (but sporadic) meetings today! Send your name and email address to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Writer's Quote of the Month
Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it. --Colette, author (28 Jan 1873-1954)
Colette was the pen name of the French novelist and actress Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. She is best known, at least in the English-speaking world, for her novella GIGI, which provided the plot for a famous Lerner & Loewe musical film and stage musical. She started her writing career penning the influential Claudine novels of books. The novel CHÉRI is often cited as her masterpiece.
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DON’T MISS AN ISSUE!
If your address changes and our email to you bounces, our system automatically unsubscribes you. If you plan to change your email address, subscribe again with your new address. We cannot add you or change your address, because of our double-opt-in, no-spam policy. Go to https://www.zebraeditor.com/ and sign up with your new address.
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ONE: FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: THE CASE OF THE MISSING TOWEL
Dear Fellow Writers:
When I stepped out of the shower recently, I reached for my bath towel, which usually hangs on a hook by my shower. The hook was empty. I threw the shower curtain back farther and looked around. The only towels available were tucked away in a cabinet under the sink, several steps across a potentially wet floor. What happened to my bath towel, and how did it disappear? How could I traverse a cold, wet, and slippery floor to get a towel? The situation might have been funny in a sit-com, but I’m still weak, just recovering from a bad bout with bronchitis, and at my age my balance isn’t great, either. Instead of reacting instinctively and stepping out of the shower dripping wet, I took a moment to ponder my options. What was my safest action plan? I decided my best bet was to put my washcloth on the floor and carefully step on it, to be sure the floor wasn’t slippery, and next reach into the cabinet under my sink to get a fresh towel. The process worked.
Towel retrieved, I dried off and went about my day. It took me many minutes to remember that after the house cleaners left a day earlier, I’d found a towel neatly folded at the bottom of my bed. I assumed it was a towel that was mistakenly mixed in with the fresh bedsheets the cleaners had put on the bed, and I stuck it in the cabinet under my sink. It turns out I had made an incorrect assumption. For some reason the cleaners had taken my bath towel out of my bathroom, neatly folded it, and put it at the bottom of my bed. Go figure! As a result, the towel I needed was nowhere close to where I needed it when I needed it.
I bring all this information to light because in reality almost everything that happens actually comes about as a result of several steps or missteps. Every accident that takes place has a series of mistakes, oversights, or incorrect decisions that precede the accident. If I’d blatantly stepped out of the shower to get a towel without careful preparation, I could have slipped and broken a hip or worse, and not simply because I stepped out of a shower soaking wet. Why did I have to step out of the shower without toweling off? Because someone else made a decision to remove the towel, fold it neatly, and leave it in the bedroom, rather than returning it to the bathroom. It took several things to go wrong before I slid back that shower curtain and naked, soaking wet, and cold, discovered I had no towel.
When we write our fiction stories the same way, with realistic steps that lead to disaster, climaxes, or plot turns, our stories have believability. While the circumstances that led to the disappearing towel can be seen as a good lesson for writers, it also turned out to be a good lesson for a bather and a housekeeper. As soon as I was dressed, I contacted my house cleaners and told them never, ever to remove the bath towel from my towel hook again. In addition, never again will I step into the shower without first making sure my bath towel is safely nearby.
When you devise the next plot of your next novel, be sure to show realistic circumstances that lead up to each surprise, shift, and plot twist. And be sure your towel is near your shower before you turn on the water.
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com
Author of two editions 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 subscription. Simply go to https://www.zebraeditor.com/ to subscribe to The Writers Network News. My promise: I never share your address or send out spam.
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TWO: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR: Pseudonyms and Getting Started
By Bobbie Christmas
Q: I'm publishing a book of rebuses. Should I use a pen name or my own name? I know some authors use another name when they switch genres, so readers don't become confused. Your thoughts are appreciated.
A: I love to hear when writers of one style turn to another, as in the case of your writing word puzzles. The switch to a totally different genre does sometimes trigger the wish for a pseudonym, but the choice is yours.
Readers don’t easily get confused. They can tell the difference between a work of fiction and one of nonfiction. Even if you wrote in various fiction genres, such as romance, thriller, mystery, and science fiction, each book cover explains what the book is about. How would it bewilder readers?
Personally I love my name, and the only reason I would use a pseudonym is if I were to write something in which I took no pride. Omar Sharif did not change his name when he shifted from acting to screenwriting to writing about bridge; he took advantage of his popularity.
At a book signing once I sat beside a fellow author who admitted she wrote in so many genres and had so many pseudonyms that she sometimes forgot who she was supposed to be on a particular day at a specific event. Gatherings of authors became a nightmare to her, because of her various names. At general book signings where authors were invited as a group, she brought five or six books with various pseudonyms, and no one knew who she was. Guess who was confused. Not readers; the author was the confused one.
No rule applies to using pseudonyms. The choice is a personal one. Before you decide to use a pseudonym, though, think of the pros and cons. The only pro I see is that it gives authors anonymity, if necessary. The cons are too numerous to appeal to me.
Q: Is there software available to start writing my book? Are typewriters still the standard? Should I use a computer? What program should I use, Word? Should I write by hand? I am serious about getting started and want to get your recommendation.
A: I am glad to hear that you are serious about getting started. All writers started somewhere, and now is your time. You may have a lot to learn, but you can’t learn until you start. As for writing down the words, typewriters are history. If you still have one, throw yours away. Publishers want to receive books electronically, which means you will use a computer and a program such as Microsoft Word, which has become the standard in the publishing industry. If you use a Mac computer, the Pages program is also acceptable.
Some folks, though, feel limited by typing or are unable to type. Some believe that something is lost between the mind and the written word unless they write in longhand first and later type the second draft using a computer. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, so only you can choose what is right for you.
If you choose to use a computer—most writers do, today—stick to using either Word or Pages. Both programs allow you to move things around, insert, delete, check spelling, and even check grammar, although you still need to know grammar, because these programs are not human. They may sometimes ask you if you have the right word when you do have the right word, for example, but you’d do well to check to be sure.
Word and Pages are also compatible with the most popular book-design programs, which becomes essential when it's time to send the file to a printer or publisher.
The following information may help you decide which method of creation is right for you.
Benefits of Using a Computer
• It’s speedy. Most people type faster than they can write.
• Moving things around is simple, without retyping.
• You can check for typos and errors in spelling and grammar.
• You can look up alternate words in an electronic thesaurus.
• When you’re finished, the file is ready to send to an editor for editing and/or send to a printer or publisher.
Drawbacks of Using a Computer
• Some people sense that they lose the connection between the brain and hand and therefore do not feel as creative.
• The writer must be able to type, preferably by touch rather than the hunt-and-peck method.
• The writer must have access to a computer and a Word or Pages program.
Handwriting Benefits
• Many people experience a closer connection with the words when their thoughts flow from the brain, down the arm, and into the hand.
• The slower process inspires deeper pre-thinking and better organization.
• Typing from a handwritten manuscript gives the writer a built-in second draft, a chance to revise and improve the handwritten version. Caution: Some writers may think their first draft on a computer is a finished draft, which is never true.
Handwriting Drawbacks
• No known publisher today will accept a handwritten manuscript.
• Getting the manuscripts typed adds an extra step to the process and perhaps an extra expense too, if you cannot type it yourself.
• If writers pay someone else to do the typing, they lose the benefit of tweaking the manuscript another time while they type it themselves.
• Paying someone else to type it adds time, expense, and a chance for errors to be added in.
• Handwriting takes time; it's tedious; it can be daunting and stop a writer from finishing.
• If intending to pay someone else to type the manuscript, the writer must be even more precise with the handwriting, so that others can read it. Even more time is spent with the technical aspect of writing legibly.
Getting the words down is only one step. Do not forget the important step of educating yourself. Successful writers did not write bestsellers the first time they sat down and typed a first draft. They studied the craft of creative writing and all its aspects. Just as Olympic ice skaters have to practice for years first, so do writers. Often their first books are practice, and their second and future books might be good enough to sell.
Do not let the study of creative writing get in the way of writing, though. While you write, study all the aspects and elements of creative writing, such as style, pace, and voice, so that you learn and grow. If you write fiction you must learn what makes a good plot, how to create believable characters, and more. You will need to know how to format a manuscript too.
Don't let anything stop you from writing. You can learn all the aspects of creative writing while you continue to write. When you finish your first draft, you can go back and apply what you learned to your second, third, and fourth drafts, until you know your book is ready to go to market.
An expensive but extremely beneficial way to improve a book and learn much more about creative writing is to pay a professional editor to edit and evaluate your book. A good editor can show you how to improve your own writing style even more.
Most importantly, sit down and write, however and whatever you decide to write. You can’t sell ideas; you have to write them into poems, stories, articles, or books before you can sell them.
Bobbie Christmas, book editor, author of WRITE IN STYLE: USE YOUR COMPUTER TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING, 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 https://www.zebraeditor.com/.
For much more information on these subjects and hundreds of others of vital importance to writers, order PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS, a Book Doctor’s Desk Reference Book at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
Bobbie Christmas’s award-winning second edition of WRITE IN STYLE: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing is available from Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/y7ppcdkd or buy it directly from me at https://tinyurl.com/y7p9xkbb.
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THREE: SUBJECTS OF INTEREST TO WRITERS
MEMBERS WRITE…
After reading last month’s section titled Terms Writers Should Know, Amber Lanier Nagle wrote on Facebook, “Thanks, Bobbie! I just learned a new word—PORTMANTEAU.” She went on to explain to her Facebook friends, “A portmanteau is a word coined by fusing two or more words.” She added her own examples: “Like jeggings, from jeans and leggings. Or metrosexual, from metropolitan and heterosexual. Staycation, from stay and vacation.” Good job, Amber!
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Last month I asked subscribers what, if anything, made them start writing. Cyn MacGregor sent an interesting story that illustrates why rejection should never stop us. In a nutshell she said had long been a freelance writer and editor, writing articles and editing magazines, but when she pitched an idea for a magazine to her magazine publisher and it was rejected, she turned it into her first book—MOMMY, THERE'S NOTHING TO DO. She pitched the book to five publishers, and Berkley, a New York biggie, snapped it up. Since then she’s written and published more than one hundred books. Wow!
Ben Oswald wrote, “My wake-up call came at age 72 when I realized my body could no longer take the punishment that being a contractor required—too many arthritic joints and a steady loss of upper body strength. I decided to realize my long-time dream of seeing my name as author on the cover of a book. Now at 84, I can see my name on the covers of seven novels, two books of short stories, and one non-fiction. Soon to be released, Ghost Haven, my eighth work of fiction.”
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On a different subject, Jacqueline H. wrote:
“Thank you so much for making an ebook edition of WRITE IN STYLE. My physical copy was getting quite dog eared.”
Thank you, Jacqueline!
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TERMS WRITERS SHOULD KNOW
PERIODICAL
THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE defines “periodical” as scholarly and professional journals, popular magazines, and newspapers. In other words, they are things that are published periodically, often on a schedule.
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SAVE $$$ ON EDITING
The sixth edition of PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS answers vital questions that arise while you edit your manuscript. It settles disagreements that may arise in your critique circle, as well. Simply look up the subject alphabetically. Order the ebook or printed book here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/bookstore/.
Here are a few of the 700+ issues PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS puts to rest:
Where do the commas belong? Where do they not belong? (Page 59)
What’s the difference between “which” and “that?” (Page 174)
What is a dangling modifier? How can you repair it? (Page 66)
What is right, “towards” or “toward?” (Page 180)
When should you write out a number? When should you use the numeral? (Page 128)
Which is correct, T-shirt, tee shirt, or t-shirt? (Page 171)
Order a printed or PDF copy here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/bookstore/.
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HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK
When people ask me how to promote a book after it’s published, I have to admit that as an editor, my expertise ends once a book is published. For a limited time, however, Author Publish is offering a free e-book on the subject of book promotion. I haven’t read it, but it may have some valuable information on how to promote a book. See https://www.authorspublish.com/promote-your-book/
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EASY ACCESS TO BOBBIE’S BLOGS
Read creative writing tips as well as some of my personal experiences. Access the Write In Style blog here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/blog/
On the other hand:
For my relationship-related blog, see my blog titled “Neurotica: Crazy Stories of Love, Lust, and Letting Go.” If you like to read about disastrous dates and ridiculous relationships, I’ve got a ton of them, and they all happened to me. Some are funny, some are a little sexy, some are sad, and all true. https://neuroticastories.blogspot.com.
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IS ALL PUBLICITY GOOD PUBLICITY?
I’ve heard people say that all publicity is good publicity. Although in some cases bad publicity has managed to sell a few books, when Jussie Smollet, an actor on the TV show Empire, allegedly staged an assault in an attempt to further his career, he ended up being arrested and charged with a federal crime. His part has now been cut out of the next two episodes. I doubt he would say that all publicity is good publicity.
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Get news, writing-related cartoons, immediate updates, and other good stuff for writers.
Like and follow Zebra Communications at https://tinyurl.com/ydyn3pcu.
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CMOS ONLINE Q & A
Someone wrote to The Chicago Manual of Style Online asking the following:
Q. When is a line space in text (pause) used?
This question may sound simple, but the answer is vital to all writers of books. To get the answer to this question and many more based on Chicago style, go to http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/latest.html.
THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE sets the standard in book publishing for issues such as punctuation, capitalization, and much more. If you write fiction or nonfiction books, you will want to know about Chicago style or be sure to use a professional book editor intimately familiar with Chicago style.
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NEW IMPRINT TO PUBLISH CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Vancouver, B.C., nonfiction publisher Greystone Books is launching Greystone Kids, a new imprint to publish picture and middle grade books. The publisher, which focuses on nonfiction, has had several bestsellers in recent years, including The Hidden Life of Trees by German environmentalist Peter Wohlleben, which has sold more than 250,000 copies since it was published in 2016.The children's imprint will focus on publishing books in the areas of natural history, the environment, sports, and social justice. Read the full Publishers Weekly story here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/79049-greystone-books-expands-into-children-s-publishing.html
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WRITE IN STYLE: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing
WRITE IN STYLE teaches writers how to strengthen their writing style and create a fresh voice, one that publishers and readers want to read.
Order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/y8fp5nym.
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FOUR: CONTESTS, AGENTS, AND MARKETS
ONE STORY WANTS SHORT STORIES
One Story is seeking literary fiction. Because of our format, we can only accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They can be any style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to stand alone. One Story pays $500 and 25 contributors copies for First Serial North American rights. All rights will revert to the author following publication.
We accept submissions from January 15 to May 31 and from September 3 to November 14. Submission guidelines here: https://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=submit.
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ATTENTION SENIOR WRITERS!
If you consider yourself a senior (55 or over) and can look on the light side of the travails of seniorhood or relate a funny incident relevant to being a senior, I want to include you in a new book to be written by a collection of writers.
I have a small publisher onboard with the project. (No contract until he reviews the final manuscript, but he’s definitely interested in publishing it if the book lives up to its promise.)
Your chapter or two, but no more than two from any one author, may be general reflections on seniorhood or the retelling of a particular incident and certainly may be heartwarming but must also be funny. No set length requirements. The book title is SENIORHOOD ISN’T FOR SISSIES. Although there is no advance, contributors will get a share of the royalties. If they contributed one chapter, they get one share. If they contributed two chapters, they get two shares. In the interest of full disclosure, the editor will get two shares besides a share for the chapter she is writing.
Previously published material is okay, provided you have the rights to republish. Submission closes once the book is filled, so don’t wait to send in your contribution.
Please include a one- to three-paragraph bio at the end of your chapter.
Send all materials or inquiries to Cynthia@cynthiamacgregor.com and please put SENIORHOOD in the subject line (important!).
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SHIPWRECKT BOOKS
Shipwreckt Books accepts unsolicited submissions. Please follow our guidelines for submissions. Select the correct imprint for your submission and look over specific guidelines for each imprint at the Submittable portal.
Rocket Science Press for fiction, literary as well as genre novels and short story collections.
Lost Lake Folk Art for memoirs, family stories, bio, essays as well as any other non-fiction.
Up on Big Rock Poetry Series for high quality poetry – no chapbooks, only full-length collections.
Lost Lake Folk Opera literary magazine published twice annually – summer & winter.
Before we will consider book length manuscripts, authors must first submit a query letter, short bio, project synopsis, and/or writing sample – 10-20 pp for prose and graphic submissions; 10 poems. See https://shipwrecktbooks.press/2019/01/07/project-development-publishing-workshops-2/.
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Do YOU have news for The Writers Network News? Send it in the body of an email to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com. Deadline: 18th 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 https://www.zebraeditor.com/ and signing up for The Writers Network News.
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With the exception of Zebra Communications, information in this newsletter is not to be construed as an endorsement. Research all information and study every stipulation before you enter a competition, pitch or accept an assignment, spend money, or sell your work.
The Writers Network News: a newsletter for writers everywhere. No Rules; Just Write!
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