When the new book sales results for October were released by the top booksellers, the news was bleak. The tough economy is hitting the book business hard just like everything else. Published authors will have to work harder to keep their books on the shelves. Unpublished writers struggling to get agents and editors to take an interest in their work, will have less of a chance to become published.
There is something we can do to help. Buy a new book. Head to your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, or Wal-Mart, or Target, whatever bookseller is your preference, and buy a book.
Buy your favorite cookbook author, or romance, western, or horror. How about a children's book or perhaps young adult? There is a book out there for everyone. And with the holidays fast approaching, what better gift to give.
Buy a book and enjoy! :)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Holidays?
Uh, not yet.
I can't quite fathom why people feel the need to decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas hours after the trick or treaters have stripped off their Halloween costumes. (or so it seems)
According to my calendar, Thanksgiving isn't until November, 27th this year, and Christmas falls on well.... December 25th.
I do understand the retailers getting the holiday stock on the shelves ready to nab as many of those end-of-the-year shopping dollars as possible. (especially in this unstable economy) And I like to start my Christmas shopping early to ease the pressure on my pocketbook. :) But, decorating for Christmas nearly two months early is really too much.
When we were young, the thrill of spotting the first Christmas lights on someones tree or house was really special, and it usually happened the week leading up to Christmas.
I feel sorry for the small children and their parents who have to be assaulted with Christmas advertising, television specials, movies, parties, as well as a Santa Claus waving at us from every mall, store, and street corner. It's beyond my comprehension that any child could actually believe in the existence of "Santa Claus" in this kind of hyped up society.
I say all this because Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of year, and it's sad to see it stretched into a two month (or longer) ordeal instead of the special, magical time it could and should be.
Thanks for letting me rant. :)
I can't quite fathom why people feel the need to decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas hours after the trick or treaters have stripped off their Halloween costumes. (or so it seems)
According to my calendar, Thanksgiving isn't until November, 27th this year, and Christmas falls on well.... December 25th.
I do understand the retailers getting the holiday stock on the shelves ready to nab as many of those end-of-the-year shopping dollars as possible. (especially in this unstable economy) And I like to start my Christmas shopping early to ease the pressure on my pocketbook. :) But, decorating for Christmas nearly two months early is really too much.
When we were young, the thrill of spotting the first Christmas lights on someones tree or house was really special, and it usually happened the week leading up to Christmas.
I feel sorry for the small children and their parents who have to be assaulted with Christmas advertising, television specials, movies, parties, as well as a Santa Claus waving at us from every mall, store, and street corner. It's beyond my comprehension that any child could actually believe in the existence of "Santa Claus" in this kind of hyped up society.
I say all this because Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of year, and it's sad to see it stretched into a two month (or longer) ordeal instead of the special, magical time it could and should be.
Thanks for letting me rant. :)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Contest Season (Part 2)
For anyone seriously considering entering the Golden Heart Contest, I have a few comments on the pursuit of entering contests.
Many contests through the RWA chapters for unpublished writers offer a variety of enticements. Usually, the final judges are editors from publishing houses looking for new authors, occasionally they are agents seeking new clients. Sometimes published authors offer a full manuscript critique as a winning prize. Some contests award a small cash prize for the top winner. Some a piece of jewelry, some the entry fee for a local or national conference. All of them charge a fee for entering. This fee is to support the individual RWA chapter.
Know your contest, understand what type of contest you're entering, and what genre/category to submit your manuscript. Make certain it's the right contest for you and your work. Be careful not to randomly enter every contest you see advertised.
I enter very few contests for a variety of reasons. The first is about money. RWA chapters sponsoring contests usually charge anywhere from $10.00 to $40.00. The national Golden Heart is the most expensive I've found at $50.00. I'm also aware of the final judges lined up for a particular contest, if they are for a publishing house I know doesn't publish my category/length of work, I won't enter. I also haven't entered any contests that accept only electronic submissions -- yet.
Most contests are for a small part of your manuscript, such as the first chapter, first 25 pages, a particular scene, and some are for query letters, some for the synopsis, etc.
One of the most important elements in entering contests is that most of them offer a critique of your work even if you're not a finalist. This is the best part about entering in my opinion. :)
Again learn as much as you can about the contest and chapter sponsoring the contest. Know ahead of time whether the contest offers critiques so you won't be disappointed if you don't receive one.
The Golden Heart does not offer a manuscript critique. However, if you final you have the thrill and national esteem of being a finalist. The final editors then read the manuscripts and make their decision in choosing one winner for each category.
Of course the best part of entering a contest is the possibility of catching the eye of an interested editor and perhaps signing a contract to be published. Very cool!
Many contests through the RWA chapters for unpublished writers offer a variety of enticements. Usually, the final judges are editors from publishing houses looking for new authors, occasionally they are agents seeking new clients. Sometimes published authors offer a full manuscript critique as a winning prize. Some contests award a small cash prize for the top winner. Some a piece of jewelry, some the entry fee for a local or national conference. All of them charge a fee for entering. This fee is to support the individual RWA chapter.
Know your contest, understand what type of contest you're entering, and what genre/category to submit your manuscript. Make certain it's the right contest for you and your work. Be careful not to randomly enter every contest you see advertised.
I enter very few contests for a variety of reasons. The first is about money. RWA chapters sponsoring contests usually charge anywhere from $10.00 to $40.00. The national Golden Heart is the most expensive I've found at $50.00. I'm also aware of the final judges lined up for a particular contest, if they are for a publishing house I know doesn't publish my category/length of work, I won't enter. I also haven't entered any contests that accept only electronic submissions -- yet.
Most contests are for a small part of your manuscript, such as the first chapter, first 25 pages, a particular scene, and some are for query letters, some for the synopsis, etc.
One of the most important elements in entering contests is that most of them offer a critique of your work even if you're not a finalist. This is the best part about entering in my opinion. :)
Again learn as much as you can about the contest and chapter sponsoring the contest. Know ahead of time whether the contest offers critiques so you won't be disappointed if you don't receive one.
The Golden Heart does not offer a manuscript critique. However, if you final you have the thrill and national esteem of being a finalist. The final editors then read the manuscripts and make their decision in choosing one winner for each category.
Of course the best part of entering a contest is the possibility of catching the eye of an interested editor and perhaps signing a contract to be published. Very cool!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Contest Season
Romance Writers of America and the multitude of RWA chapters throughout North America offer a myriad of contests all throughout the year. Any genre, style and length are available to the published and unpublished writer.
Right now the national RWA organization is accepting applications and payment for their annual RITA and GOLDEN HEART contests.
The RITA is open to any published writer who had a book copyrighted in the year 2008. For more detailed information check out the RWA website. http://rwanational.org/
The GOLDEN HEART contest is open to any unpublished writer with a completed manuscript who hasn't contracted with a publisher as of the application deadline.
The cost is $50.00 and the deadline to get your application and money in to the national RWA headquarters is: November 17th, 2008! (December 1st for RITA entrants)
Time to get busy.
This is a fiction romance writing contest and the categories are as follows:
Contemporary Series Romance
Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
Contemporary Single Title Romance
Historical Romance
Inspirational Romance
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Paranormal Romance
Regency Historical Romance
Romantic Suspense
Young Adult Romance
The RITA includes two additional categories:
Best First Book
Romance Novella
For details and official guidelines go to the RWA website. http://rwanational.org/
There are usually over 1000 entries for each the GOLDEN HEART and RITA contests. The competition is tough, but can be rewarding if one makes it to the finalists round.
The winners are announced at an awards ceremony held during the national RWA annual conference. Next summer the conference will be held in Washington DC! Fun.
Good luck to anyone entering the GOLDEN HEART and RITA contests!
Right now the national RWA organization is accepting applications and payment for their annual RITA and GOLDEN HEART contests.
The RITA is open to any published writer who had a book copyrighted in the year 2008. For more detailed information check out the RWA website. http://rwanational.org/
The GOLDEN HEART contest is open to any unpublished writer with a completed manuscript who hasn't contracted with a publisher as of the application deadline.
The cost is $50.00 and the deadline to get your application and money in to the national RWA headquarters is: November 17th, 2008! (December 1st for RITA entrants)
Time to get busy.
This is a fiction romance writing contest and the categories are as follows:
Contemporary Series Romance
Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
Contemporary Single Title Romance
Historical Romance
Inspirational Romance
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
Paranormal Romance
Regency Historical Romance
Romantic Suspense
Young Adult Romance
The RITA includes two additional categories:
Best First Book
Romance Novella
For details and official guidelines go to the RWA website. http://rwanational.org/
There are usually over 1000 entries for each the GOLDEN HEART and RITA contests. The competition is tough, but can be rewarding if one makes it to the finalists round.
The winners are announced at an awards ceremony held during the national RWA annual conference. Next summer the conference will be held in Washington DC! Fun.
Good luck to anyone entering the GOLDEN HEART and RITA contests!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Writing and Critiquing
One positive aspect of being a writer is all the wonderful talented writers we meet during our long and challenging journey. Writing is an individual process where we each learn and explore our own way to write. We all write in different styles, genres and voices. Some of us write fast and furiously, and some of us lope along at the speed of a slimy slug. It's what makes writing so exciting and rewarding.
Often times we are called upon to lend our services to our fellow writers in the form of critiquing. Whether we are a member of a writing class, involved in a writing group, or share our work with an individual critique partner, having our work critiqued is an important, necessary part of our writing journey, and it's one of the most difficult.
It's hard to hand our personal writing over to anyone -- including a friend, teacher, or stranger to be critiqued. But best to have their input before submitting your baby to an editor or agent.
Often times, I will be involved in judging a contest. This is fun because it's anonymous, and it allows us the freedom to be honest without creating hurt feelings. Of course, when I judge, I attempt to be as kind, gentle and diplomatic as possible -- making suggestions rather than telling someone what to do to make their story better. After all, it's only my opinion.
Remember all writers are at different levels in their writing -- from beginners all the way to professional, published writers.
Some basic rules to follow when critiquing:
*Make comments and suggestions -- do not rewrite their work
*Be encouraging
*Remind the writer that this is your opinion
*Point out the great lines as well as the sentences that could use revising
*Put in a smiley face or two :)
*Keep in mind the writing level of your author
*Remember, there is always something to learn when reading other writer's work
*Be professional
*Enjoy the process
*Critique unto others as you would want them to critique for you.
Good luck in your writing, and embrace the journey! :)
Often times we are called upon to lend our services to our fellow writers in the form of critiquing. Whether we are a member of a writing class, involved in a writing group, or share our work with an individual critique partner, having our work critiqued is an important, necessary part of our writing journey, and it's one of the most difficult.
It's hard to hand our personal writing over to anyone -- including a friend, teacher, or stranger to be critiqued. But best to have their input before submitting your baby to an editor or agent.
Often times, I will be involved in judging a contest. This is fun because it's anonymous, and it allows us the freedom to be honest without creating hurt feelings. Of course, when I judge, I attempt to be as kind, gentle and diplomatic as possible -- making suggestions rather than telling someone what to do to make their story better. After all, it's only my opinion.
Remember all writers are at different levels in their writing -- from beginners all the way to professional, published writers.
Some basic rules to follow when critiquing:
*Make comments and suggestions -- do not rewrite their work
*Be encouraging
*Remind the writer that this is your opinion
*Point out the great lines as well as the sentences that could use revising
*Put in a smiley face or two :)
*Keep in mind the writing level of your author
*Remember, there is always something to learn when reading other writer's work
*Be professional
*Enjoy the process
*Critique unto others as you would want them to critique for you.
Good luck in your writing, and embrace the journey! :)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friends and Writers
One of the great advantages of being a writer in the 21st century is we have myriad ways to socialize and network with other writers. The computer and the availability of the Internet allows us to communicate with family, friends and like-minded people from all over the globe. Amazing to be sure.
I'd like to introduce a fellow writer who fits into all three of those categories for me. He is family, a friend, and a fiction writer. How lucky am I?
Dell Smith writes short stories and novels of contemporary fiction. And without sounding too bias -- he's a damn good writer! His most recent completed manuscript is A Little Disappeared. He, too, is in search of a literary agent to help launch his publishing career. You can check him out at http://www.dellsmith.com/
Good luck, Dell! :)
I'd like to introduce a fellow writer who fits into all three of those categories for me. He is family, a friend, and a fiction writer. How lucky am I?
Dell Smith writes short stories and novels of contemporary fiction. And without sounding too bias -- he's a damn good writer! His most recent completed manuscript is A Little Disappeared. He, too, is in search of a literary agent to help launch his publishing career. You can check him out at http://www.dellsmith.com/
Good luck, Dell! :)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hope and Romance
As an unpublished writer, my desire is to be published. I work hard at my writing; learning and honing my craft, however it's equally important to know and understand the complex world of publishing. My goal is to have my contemporary romance manuscript, Summer Light, contracted and published by a top publisher in the industry. I've set my sites high, however, there are a variety of other opportunities in the world of book publishing.
There are the well-known New York publishers, smaller presses, vanity presses, e-publishing, self-publishing and everything in between.
According to the Romance Writers of America, romance fiction generated approximately $1.375 billion in sales in 2007! Wow.
That said, the competition is more intense than ever. RWA has a membership of around 10,000. That's plenty of romance happening. :) With the invention of word processing and the ease of computers, it's possible for anyone to sit down and pound out a novel. But the writer must know the basics of good writing and how to tell a compelling story.
I believe I've written a solid story filled with passion, hope, and romance. :)
Wish me luck!
There are the well-known New York publishers, smaller presses, vanity presses, e-publishing, self-publishing and everything in between.
According to the Romance Writers of America, romance fiction generated approximately $1.375 billion in sales in 2007! Wow.
That said, the competition is more intense than ever. RWA has a membership of around 10,000. That's plenty of romance happening. :) With the invention of word processing and the ease of computers, it's possible for anyone to sit down and pound out a novel. But the writer must know the basics of good writing and how to tell a compelling story.
I believe I've written a solid story filled with passion, hope, and romance. :)
Wish me luck!
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