The Writers Network News, Death Cleaning, October 2020
The Writers Network News, Death Cleaning, October 2020
In This Issue
One: From the Editor's Desk: Death Cleaning
Two: Ask the Book Doctor—Cultural Sensitivity Issues
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 2020, 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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https://www.zebraeditor.com/
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Writer's Quote of the Month
Edgar Degas, considered one of the founders of impressionism (although he preferred to be called a realist), painted portraits that are considered among the finest in the history of art. More than half his paintings depicted dancers, and his use of light and movement made him famous. He said the following about painting, and it can also be applied to writing: “Painting is easy when you don’t know how but very difficult when you do.”
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One: From the Editor's Desk: DEATH CLEANING
Dear Fellow Writers:
Yes, death cleaning. No, it’s not a morbid subject. I never heard the term before I read it on Facebook. Someone asked for information on death cleaning, and someone else suggested THE GENTLE ART OF SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING: HOW TO FREE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM A LIFETIME OF CLUTTER by Margareta Magnusson. I like the idea of uncluttering before I move on to the next life. In September I had a birthday that put me into the second half of my seventies, which means I long ago stopped acquiring things. Instead I have spent the past few years eliminating things from my house. I think about the mess I’ll leave after my demise. I don’t own any valuable antiques, so my son won’t have an estate sale. Instead he will have to rent a huge skip, fill it with my belongings, and pay to have it hauled to a landfill. The thought makes me sad. I want my things to go to good use, if possible, rather than fill a dump somewhere.
A few years ago I packed up several boxes of books related to writing and editing and took them to a meeting of writers. I set up a table with a sign that said, “Free books.” I brought a few copies of WRITE IN STYLE and sold them separately, but mostly I gave away dozens of books and went home much lighter.
I still have several hundred novels and nonfiction books, but before the pandemic I sold forty-five to a book reseller for a paltry $45. He didn’t know I would have given them for free.
Every time a charity schedules a pickup in my neighborhood I go through my closet and drawers and fill a couple bags with clothes, shoes, towels, and whatever else might be useful. I have much more to go.
My files still contain copies of articles I wrote when I was freelance writing. Potential magazine clients way back then often asked for clips of prior articles I’d written, and I sent copies I kept on file. No one has asked me for clips in years, and besides, several are posted on my website now. I recycle those old copies by either using the backs if they are one-sided or putting them in the recycling bin if I copied on both sides.
Speaking of files, my business files go back to 1992 and my personal files go back in some cases as far as 1964, with the last letters my sister sent me before she died in a skydiving accident. Sometimes I go through and cull files that are irrelevant today, but some things, like my sister’s letters, I will treasure until I join her.
The only things I want to acquire these days are ideas for new things to write about. The pandemic has stolen some of my resources, because I can’t travel or visit friends, but this too shall pass. Until it does, I’ll continue to clean out my drawers, cabinets, files, and closets and I’ll write memoirs about events in the past.
What have you been doing these days?
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, coordinator of the Florida Writers Association Editors Helping Writers service, and senior editor of Enjoy Cherokee Magazine
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Two: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR: Cultural Sensitivity Issues
Q: In light of racial and LGBTQ issues, various terminology is changing to more sensitive language, avoiding words and phrases such as master, grandfathered in, slave, etc. In camera units, for example, “master and slave” are replaced with “sender and receiver.” Real estate boards are dropping master bedrooms and instead using owner's room, owner's suite, primary bedroom, or main bedroom. I understand that Merriam-Webster even recently changed gender use in narrative from “he/she” to “they.”
I introduce my female protagonist as a wine master. The title originated in the UK at The Institute of Masters of Wine. As of 2019, 394 men and women worldwide have achieved the prestigious title of wine master. While not an academic degree, it equals in years to that of a PhD, and the tuition is the same as a private university. Accomplished individuals may use the initials MW after their name.
A fellow writer pointed out that the professional title of wine master has gender issues and may also be insensitive to African Americans whose ancestors were slaves. The protagonist is asked about her profession and qualifications for judging wine, to which she replies, "I'm a wine master." This is the term used in publications.
Granted mystery readers may be unaware that the person serving wine in an upscale restaurant is an expert. Perhaps many readers have never heard of a master sommelier or wine master. I don't want to offend anyone in this day and age of sensitivity. If this is the title earned and bestowed upon a female from a highly regarded institute, how can I possibly change the recognition? In wine classes I attend, male and female teachers introduce themselves as wine masters.
I researched and could not find anywhere that the institute had any inclination to change the term “master” to anything else. Would it be better to eliminate “wine master” and say, "I teach viticulture” or "I sell wine?"
I never considered myself prejudiced, but in recent years I've discovered my cluelessness when it comes to insensitive word choices, and I don't want to offend anyone.
A: First let me say that sometimes no other word works, as in the case of terms such as “man-made.” “Person-made” won’t cut it. What would a decent substitute possibly be, without being awkward?
Next I'll say that Merriam-Webster’s decision to accept “their” as a singular pronoun to avoid awkwardness or insensitivity doesn’t mean the pronoun should always be used. The dictionary folks didn’t strongly advocate its use, simply accepted it. Its use can often be avoided by using plurals instead. The seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style addresses the issue as well. It acknowledges that normally a singular antecedent requires a singular pronoun, as in the following: The child was happy he received a gift. Because he/his is no longer universally accepted as a generic pronoun referring to a person of unspecified gender, though, the reference book acknowledges that some people substitute “they” or “their” for the pronoun in speech and informal writing. Yes, the resource specifies only dialogue and informal writing. The Chicago Manual of Style goes on to say, “While this usage is accepted in those spheres, it is only lately showing signs of gaining acceptance in formal writing, where Chicago recommends avoiding its use.” An easy way to avoid the use of the singular they or their is to change the noun to a plural when feasible. The children were happy they received a gift. The children left with their gifts.
Last I'll say that the term “master” has many definitions. Until we get a substitute for “master” in titles that refer to those who have mastered a subject, I can't imagine what could replace it. The very definition of “master” is "an artist, performer, or player of consummate skill." The definition does not specify the gender of the artist, performer, or player. Although the word can be defined as one who in charge of slaves, it is not always used with that connotation. I could be wrong, of course, because many of us are unaware of our prejudices.
My best friend is a cross-cultural trainer who teaches intercultural teams how to work together. She sometimes gives team members a test that reveals people's hidden prejudices, most of which they are unaware. In that vein and as a disclaimer I admit I was born cis gender and grew up in a white, middle-class world, so I can't know what people of other cultures or orientations feel, think, and experience.
I am impressed that you want to be sensitive in your word choice and I hope all of us become aware of the words we choose to speak and write. For now I can confidently say that if men or women go through years of training and become one of the world's few wine masters, they should be allowed to use the term “master” that has historically been used to honor a person who has gained a high degree of skill. I am, however, open to what others think and welcome suggestions.
Do you have a question about writing or editing? Get a quick and personal answer by contacting Bobbie at Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or BZebra@aol.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 at https://tinyurl.com/y7p9xkbb.
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Three: Subjects of interest to writers
MEMBERS WRITE
Donna Parrey sent a copy of her memoir titled SIXTIES: A Journey Through and To. She signed it and thanked me for my input and guidance. Thank you, Donna! I have a special bookcase that I’ve proudly filled with books I’ve contributed to in some way.
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Cindy Pope wrote, “I'm working on my master of arts in professional writing at Kennesaw State, and I have a presentation to write on essays. When I read your ezine, it resonated with me, and I wanted your permission to use part of the ‘emotion in essays’ for my presentation.”
I told her I’d be honored. Thank you, Cindy.
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Ann Favreau sent a sweet poem titled “Friendship” and wrote, “Perhaps this poem will resonate with you. The Venice, Florida, Lions Club is printing and distributing cards to area nursing homes and assisted living centers in addition to some of our members who are alone. We will do a second distribution around the holidays that will reach eight hundred people. The first and third stanzas of my poem will be featured on that card.”
I congratulated Ann on her success with her very dear poem about friendship.
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Several people wrote to request the free report I offered on standard manuscript format—how to format a manuscript. One person wrote, however, and said she’d like to know how to format her book. I had to respond, “Perhaps my information was not clear. I have a report on how to format a manuscript before submitting it to a publisher, agent, or editor, but not how to design a book after it has been edited and is ready to be printed as a book. Only a book designer could possibly explain how to use a design program, and I don't think it can be done in an email. Book design is best performed by a professional book designer; however, some templates are available online that may help. I found one that has quite a few free templates for the interior design of the book. You might still need a book designer to design the cover, however. Check it out at https://www.bookbaby.com/templates. In addition the following website sells templates for interior design and for the cover: https://www.bookdesigntemplates.com. I can't guarantee the quality of what you will get in either case, though.
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Lois Patton wrote to request a copy of my report on standard manuscript format. She added, “I never miss reading and absorbing your monthly postings. I met you several years ago at the FWA conference in Orlando.” She also wished me “All good things, and sooner rather than later, the touch of someone other than a nurse.”
How sweet! I confess I caved and finally got a massively overdue pedicure this month, complete with a foot and leg massage. A nail technician is even better than a nurse. Best of all, my brother and I hugged two weeks ago, when I saw him for the first time since March. We were careful; masks on and our faces in opposite directions.
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Hilary Tate wrote to request the free report on standard manuscript format and said she was going to share it with a friend who is a theater director writing during his recovery from a stroke. She said, “Theater people are master storytellers, and I expect his book to be excellent and entertaining reading.” She added, “I just thought you’d like to know that your report on standard manuscript format is going to a good home.”
A good home indeed, Hilary. Thank you for passing the report along.
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A writer and editor who wished to remain anonymous responded to my editing tip in last month’s newsletter. She pointed out that “yay” can mean an affirmative vote, as in “yays and nays.” My tip said to avoid using “yay” and use “yeah” to mean yes. Thanks to the tip I vote yay for using “yay” to mean an affirmative vote, but yeah, I’m sticking with “yeah” for most other casual meanings of “yes.”
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EDITING TIP: Apostrophes turned wrong
Apostrophes should either be straight up and down or point to the left, but in fonts that feature curly quotes, an apostrophe often can get turned wrong and is an opening single quotation mark instead of an apostrophe. The flaw happens when the spacing is incorrect or when an apostrophe leads off a word, as in ’cause, because the computer assumes the typist is typing an open quotation mark, which would point to the right. To repair the incorrectly turned apostrophes, sometimes you need to force a curly quote to turn the right way, perhaps by typing two apostrophes. [‘’] The first will be an opening single quotation mark, and the second will be the correct apostrophe. Delete the first mark, and you’ll have the correct apostrophe left. It is hardly worth the trouble, which is yet another a good reason to avoid using dialect.
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DIAERESIS: KNOW THE WORD?
A diaeresis indicates that two adjoining letters that would normally form a digraph and be pronounced as one are instead to be read as separate vowels in two syllables. The diaeresis indicates that a vowel should be pronounced apart from the letter that precedes it. For example, in the spelling naïve, the diaeresis reminds the reader that the word has two syllables nai-eve, not one. In British English the usage of diaeresis has been considered obsolete for many years, and in US English, although it persisted for longer, it is now considered archaic as well. Nevertheless, it is still used by the US magazine The New Yorker. In English language texts it is perhaps most familiar in the spellings naïve, Noël, and Chloë.
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HOW TO PITCH AN ARTICLE TO A MAGAZINE
Read Ian Chandler’s road-tested pitch letter and other information here: https://writinglaunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-New-Road-Tested-Pitch-Template.pdf
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CMOS ONLINE Q&A
This month someone posed the following question to The Chicago Manual of Style Online:
Should it be “What will my teacher say about my never returning to class?” or “What will my teacher say about me never returning to class?”
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. You can also get the basics of Chicago style as well as hundreds of tips on grammar, punctuation, and creative writing by ordering PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
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DICTIONARY.COM ADDS NEW WORDS
Dictionaries differ, so Chicago style standardizes books by relying solely on Merriam-Webster. Dictionary.com, however, which many of us may use for expediency, has added or changed more than 15,000 entries on topics ranging from race and sexual orientation to climate and Internet culture. “The unprecedented events of 2020, from the pandemic to the protests, have profoundly changed our lives—and language,” the website states. The updates include words such as “swole” and “livestream,” terms we might use when writing dialogue that takes place in current times.
Read the article here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/new-words-dictionary-2020/
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WRITE IN STYLE: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing
WRITE IN STYLE uses humor, wisdom, and expertise to show writers how to strengthen their writing style and create a fresh voice. Available as an e-book or printed.
Order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/y8fp5nym.
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LOOK YOUR BEST IN PHOTOS
When you pose for a photo to be used on your website, book cover, or other promotional material, Reader’s Digest has a helpful tip. It says not to say “cheese,” because it leaves your mouth stretched unnaturally. Instead say, “Money,” which makes the corners of your mouth go up in a more natural smile. “Money” sounds good to me too.
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FREE REPORT: FIND YOUR FRESH VOICE
My book titled WRITE IN STYLE is loaded with tips on how to find your fresh voice, but this brief report can get you started. Send me an email and ask for “Find Your Fresh Voice” or read the information on my blog. https://www.zebraeditor.com/blog/
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Four: Contests, Agents, and Markets
FLYAWAY BOOKS SEEKS CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS
Flyaway Books is open to unsolicited submissions that observe the following guidelines:
We consider manuscripts for picture books only. We do not consider board books, early readers, or fiction/nonfiction for readers over the age of ten.
We seek manuscripts that reflect themes of diversity, inclusivity, compassion, care for each other, care for the world, social justice, and contemporary issues. These would be appropriate for a general trade market and found in bookstores, libraries, and schools.
We are also open to manuscripts appropriate for progressive churches, religious schools, and readers who value faith inside and outside of a church setting.
Send your complete manuscript within the body of an email to submissions@flyawaybooks.com. Please do not send a partial manuscript or a query without a manuscript. You may submit more than one manuscript at a time if each is sent in a separate email.
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CHICAGO REVIEW PRESS
Chicago Review Press seeks high-quality nonfiction that will sell year after year. We look for books with a well-defined, passionate target audience. Chicago Review Press publishes nonfiction in the following categories: African American interest, autobiography/biography, DIY, film, food and drink (not cookbooks), history, music, parenting, politics, popular culture, popular science, social science, sports, regional (Midwest), nature/outdoor/travel, true crime, and women’s interest. Chicago Review Press also publishes an award-winning line of children’s and young adult titles. We do not publish children’s picture books. We do not publish books in the following subject areas: mind/body/spirit, religion, diet/fitness/nutrition, family memoir, self-help, business, poetry, or photography.” See https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/information-for-authors—agents-pages-100.php
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BLACK MOUNTAIN PRESS SEEKS LITERARY FICTION, CREATIVE NONFICTION, AND POETRY
Black Mountain Press is a literary press for outstanding emerging writers publishing several different genres of books annually. Through the end of 2028 our focus will be in collections of poetry, memoir, novels, and collections of short stories. Our editors are looking for the highest quality literary fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry that combines a distinct voice and vision.
Reading Period: We will accept submissions through December 2028. Due to the overwhelming interest in publishing with the Black Mountain Press, submissions cannot be returned and will be recycled. There are no fees for submitting your manuscripts through the post office.
Submission Procedure: We accept manuscripts via regular post or through Submittable. There is a submission fee if sent through Submittable. Send your finished, book-length manuscript, along with a cover letter containing contact information and relevant biographical information. Manuscripts should be typed on one side of the page only; prose manuscripts double spaced with a 12-pt. font. If accepted for publication an electronic document in .doc or .txt will be requested at that time.
If sending through the post, include a self- addressed stamped #10 size envelope (SASE) for our reply. Do not send us your only copy; it will be recycled.
Send Completed Manuscripts Only!
We do not accept query letters, sample chapters, or proposals to the editors. We are interested in seeing your completed manuscript. We also do not publish stand-alone poems or stories, except in our literary magazine, The Halcyone, that you need to submit through Submittable. We are not accepting any children’s or young adult literature, plays, or self-help books. We do not publish romance, science fiction, thrillers, detective fiction, horror stories, or westerns unless written in a unique, literary, never-seen-before, style. How-to guides will continue to be accepted on a limited basis.
Full guidelines here: https://theblackmountainpress.com/submit/
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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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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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