Wise Ink Said I Could Share! "Ten things not to say to a Writer" Enjoy!

Writing a book or already published? Take a breather and enjoy writing and publishing tips that'll help you on your journey!

What You Probably Meant to Say To Us:
A Twitter-Inspired Etiquette Guide


Here we are, trapped behind our laptops, just trying to transmute our vast, disorganized thoughts into legible English. We haven’t been bothering anyone. In fact, if we think about it, we’ve actually been entertaining the public for the past couple centuries. We’ve churned out best sellers, inspired Hollywood films, and incited entire cultural movements.

And yet, we can’t seem to get societal approval for our creative routines. Huh.Welcome to life as a writer.

Recently, we took our frustration to the Twittersphere to expose the most irksome comments we’ve heard over the years using the hashtag#TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter. The result was painfully humorous and all too true.

And simply too good to restrict to Twitter.

So, we’ve repurposed our writerly pain and into an etiquette guide for individuals who seem confused about how to address a real live author. Writers, feel free to distribute this list of unnecessary comments (and their preferred counterparts) to friends and acquaintances who just don’t get it.




1.




We aren’t really sure what about writing doesn’t constitute work in the mainstreamer’s mind, but we are getting tired of being asked about our “real” jobs.

What you probably meant to say: “Tell me about your latest writing project!”




2.

There’s no way our first drafts are perfect—we knew that before we asked you to be a beta-reader! We don’t expect a full copyedit, line edit, and proofread—we’ll get the paid professionals to do that. We just want your honest thoughts from a potential consumer’s perspective.

Instead, try answering these questions: Is the dialogue convincing? At what point (if any) did you lose interest in the storyline? What questions did you have about the main character while reading? Were there any gaps in the plot?




3.

You’re right, “reading” and “writing” ARE synonyms. The process is exactly the same. Likewise, haven’t you heard it isn’t polite to make everything about yourself?

Next time try: “I know you do a lot of writing—how did you decide to publish your most recent project?”




4.

Sure, sometimes we glean character ideas from our surroundings, but it’s not a given. Don’t assume we are writing about ourselves, and for the love of all that is good and holy, do not assume we are writing about YOU either.

This conversation starter might be better received: “Where did you get your inspiration for your latest project?”




5.




Absolutely, and we will just continue our lives as starving artists.

Keep in mind we writers spend months upon years polishing our manuscripts. While it’s not every author’s goal to make millions, it would be nice to turn a profit on all our hard work.

What you probably meant to say: “Where can I buy a copy of your new release?”




6.

Thanks for having our back, but that’s not necessarily the type of writing we do. Unless we’ve been vocal about our need for additional work, it’s best to assume we are devoted to the projects we’re already undertaking.

Before you offer us a side job, ask us: “What’s your genre and ideal audience?”




7.

We don’t have to defend our decision to self-publish—we know traditional publishing is no longer the only route to success, and we are confident in our choice! Self-publishing is not just a “start” but a means to an end—spreading our mission and message.

Next time, try saying: “Tell me about your self-publishing process! What are the challenges and benefits?”




8.

We appreciate you taking the time to read and rate our books! But a three-star review might be doing us more harm than good. Prospective readers are scanning for the next best read, so if you genuinely loved our book as you claimed, go ahead and show your enthusiasm with a five-star review!

Tell your favorite author this instead: “I rated your book on Amazon! Where else can I write a reader review?



9.




We aren’t going to lie—sometimes we do sit back and write beautiful things. But these moments are wedged between weeks of writers block, the toils of re-writing, and agonizing over how to sell our brainchild.

We suggest you ask: “What’s the daily life of an author really like? Tell me about your process!”




10.

We LOVE that you read the gritty innards of our book and absorbed our message—that’s our ultimate goal! But we would love it even more if you remembered our titles so you could recommend it to your friends (or even enemies). Word-of-mouth is the most affordable marketing, people!

Next time, try: “I keep a copy of Why We Ink on my bedside table at all times because it offers me daily inspiration!”



We’re guessing all these underhanded comments just “came out wrong.” Don’t worry, friends and family—we understood what you really meant.

Readers, what were some of your favorite #TenThingsNotToSayToAWriter? Let us know in the comment section below!

The post What You Probably Meant to Say To Us: A Twitter-Inspired Etiquette Guide can be found on the Wise Ink Blog.






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Artisanal Authoring: The Strange Need to Justify Authorpreneuring - By Erec Stebbins

Artisanal Authoring: 

The Strange Need to Justify Authorpreneuring

I have a number of friends in the Native American style flute community who make flutes for a living or as a hobby. Some full time, some part time. In fact, you might like to check out some amazing instruments in wood  and ceramics.  These are artisans in the best and oldest sense of the word. They are homeshop craftsfolk, working with their own hands, nowadays hanging their virtual shingles on the internet.

Compared to Yamaha recorders, their hand crafted, more variable, personally quality checked without robots products are valued more highly than the precision, machine crafted flood of flutes that sell for much cheaper. These “makers” are considered artists, their individualism in their art part of the charm and value.

When potters form their plates and bowls, hire external shops to fire them, then sell the products locally and/or online, they are artisans. I have never heard the term “Vanity Kilns” applied to them. Jewelry makers rarely have the label of “self-forged” on their earrings as a derogatory comment. In general, the image of an artist is enhanced by their ability to bring to fruition their work “from their own two hands.”

Not so with writers.

Until recently, and still now the tendency is strong, writers who do not go through external businesses specializing in producing books are considered somehow less than artists. There is no equivalent “artisanal” mystique about self-publishing. The more one does oneself – from writing to layout to artistic work for the covers – the more one is considered doing it for “vanity.” There are no vanity kilns, only vanity presses. Such writers have historically been met with derision and mockery.

The reason for this is actually quite obvious. Until the last 10-15 years of human civilization, it was quite impossible for single artisans (aka “writers”) to produce books. The technology of disseminating the written word either was extremely limited inherently (stone carving early on, or handcopying), or was the province of large, industrial machineries affordable only to businesses and not individual proprietors (unless they possessed a private fortune).

Therefore, the cultural structure of publishing became centered on large capital, the companies that could afford it, and the process of getting books to those printers. Those who could afford them – in order to maximize their wealth – screened writings for what would generate that wealth and allow for the business to continue. Quality was only one of several variables in the financial equation and often not the principle term. And there was a strong incentive for these businesses to delegitimize any other approach to the process.

With Print On Demand services (POD), digital technology in word processing and art, and the connection of anyone, anywhere through the internet, it became possible very recently for writers to write their books, format them, create covers etc, and send digital forms of the manuscript (for print or ebook) to services that would produce hardcopies and digital distribution at a fraction of the cost that typified such efforts in the past. Now hundreds of thousands of self-published novels are released each year.

Regardless of what one thinks of this trend, the larger picture is that the process of producing and distributing books has been democratized (and there is no going back). Anyone can paint, sculpt, knit, fashion jewelry or pottery and sell their goods without undo stigma (well, assuming it isn’t horrendous!). The situation is now no different with the written word.

The question is therefore when, not if, writers will take their (rightful) place among other artists and craftspeople. As is usually the case, the true cultural paradigm shift requires some generational die-off (we more enlightened ancient ones, notwithstanding). You see most of the resistance and mockery of artisanal authorpreneurs in the established (read older) generation, and most of the acceptance of it in the young. Soon the young will be the established: révolution accomplie.

It used to be that if you couldn’t convince a large industry to take your book, you could never shop it around for an audience. Imagine if a potter had to run her works by a large ceramics corporation, with its high throughput, standardized guidelines for mass market sales, and other requirements of big business, in order to ever offer her work to the public? If the corporation refused (for many reasons), the poor products of her hands would be shelved and forgotten.

Once it was so with authors. But not anymore. Now writers can publish digitally and in print without the need of “respect laundering” through a publishing house. Of course, high sales are not promised (and are rare), but the technological barriers are removed for this area of artistic expression.

Welcome to the brave new artisanal world of publishing.

The Invention of Clay McKenzie--Delightful Romp Into Unique Publishing "Situation..."

"So you will help this author get discovered on your own time, not to mention mine, and for what? The satisfaction of finding a good book."
"She shrugged. "That is one way of putting it, I suppose."
"He laughed. 'And is there another way of putting it? Obviously I know little about publishing, but in my world a smart person does whatever it takes to put a deal together as long as the return is worth it--if the juice isn't worth the squeeze, then you drop it like a hot rock. In your world, it seems that those who have the least to gain do all the work, and that is, to coin a word, fucked. You are too smart to play that game for long."
"Publishing is an odd business. People get into it because they love books, and enjoy the publishing process."
"Is your love of books greater than your concern for yourself? It seems to be it is a vicarious way to go about things. You get the dog work and not the glamour."
"I have to learn to play the game before I can figure out a better way to go about things."
"Pablo sighed and threw up his up his hands. "Okay, I give. What kind of book is it anyway?" he asked. "Is it good erotica or something worthwhile like that?"
"I'd call it a contemporary Western mystery."
"Is that a real genre?"
"She laughed. "No, not really, but that is what it is."

~~~

The Invention of Clay McKenzie

By Ed Teja and

J. Reid Beckett

Writers across the world would love to have Stephanie Masters be the first reader of their manuscripts! She was ambitious, even taking the slush pile--unsolicited submissions from writers--home with her to read, hoping to find that one manuscript that would help both her as well as an unknown writer...

And she did!

Great, right? No, wrong...

The manuscript was indeed good--good enough to move it forward for the next reader...

But if she did that, it would be her one and only involvement with this great book she'd found! She wanted more!!!

"It is just common sense things," Stephanie said.
"The writer has to make his book an attractive
proposition for the publisher to consider it, and
without some of that, how do we know that we can
sell it?"
"Pablo laughed. "Yet for two days you've been
telling me that this book will sell shit loads."
"She winced. "It is one thing to convince editors.
But if the sales staff doesn't sign off on it, it won't
get published."
"To be fair to your cowboy writer," he said, "I
wouldn't have known that publishers need all
that stuff either. And I certainly wouldn't expect
to have to plan on doing all, or most, of the
marketing myself. If I sent a manuscript to a
publisher, I'd think of the process as similar to
that when an engineer develops a new product.
Someone has identified a need, he comes up with
a product to meet that need, and then the company
takes over, doing the packaging and marketing."
He scratched his head. "But you guys expect your
product designer to develop and execute the
marketing plan?"
"Sure. Why wouldn't they? They get paid royalties,
so the more books we sell, the more they make."
"Pablo  laughed. "I think I am in the wrong
business. What is it that Icon does for its share
of the money, which I presume is significant?"
~~~

If Stephanie had not been living with Pablo at the time, she may not have started it... But Pablo was rich, buying and selling businesses and he was quite willing to point out that Stephanie was intelligent but not making much money. Her bringing home manuscripts to read, rather than being available for sex whenever he wanted it, was just an example of the differences between them...

Personally I was glad when she left him...

But while she had listened, she began to dream a little, making money at what she loved doing was much better than working herself to death trying to succeed...

So she took the first step. She traveled to the home of the author, on her own time, money and without the knowledge of the company for whom she worked...

What she discovered forced the next step... 

Not only did the author know nothing about the business part of becoming a published author, he didn't want to learn!

You know, I have to believe that sometime in the past, publishers handled much more of the business part of getting a book out than they do now... But no matter how much is true in this book or another, the author is certainly not prepared and normally would never consider having to market his own book, including making all the arrangements, etc. Lots of good books are out there, believe me, that never get bought, simply because nobody knows about them...

Soooo, during the discussion with the author, there was many ideas floating around in her head... When I was working as an "author's representative" I was essentially doing what Stephanie planned... I was the individual behind the scenes submitting for authors, then negotiating with publishers on rights, etc. But Stephanie had one, much bigger problem, than most...

Her author not only did not want to do any marketing, business planning, and all the other myriad tasks that came with the actual publishing activity, he was also not an individual who "could" effectively market the book...

Clay McKenzie, author of The Sound of One Man Dying didn't exist. The author, Jerome Mortenson, had written under a different name, but had not included it in his submission. Clay McKenzie could be anybody, so I

Clay was probably younger, but I
thing Richard Boone would make
a wonderful author, don't you?

picked out somebody to play the part [on my blog at least]. Actually, an actor was hired to do just that--create the author, Clay McKenzie...

"He leaned against the back of the chair, smiling at the blonde, and thinking how pleasant the job had gotten once he mastered his fear of talking to people off the cuff about writing and being a writer. Even talking with writers and editors turned out to be far easier than he'd expected. Fun, even. Writers were a lot like actors and each had his own way of working so he couldn't really ever say anything that would mark him as a phony. As long as he knew the plot and characters of his own books, the rest was subjective. Fortunately, he had always been a reader and had a working familiarity with contemporary writers. That gave him confidence. Mortenson had given him a description of his writing process, including his goals and intentions for his books. Stone had nervously memorized every word. As his comfort grew he rephrased the information, putting his Clay McKenzie spin on things; these days he often spun things out of whole cloth giving his efforts a folksy twist. Even if he made a mistake or contradicted himself he'd learned that one of his practiced smiles earned him tolerance and forgiveness. It made him more human, therefore, oddly, more convincing.
"This scenario repeated regularly but never bored him. He imagined that it was like having a part in a long-running Broadway play only the pay was better and he got a starring role. I can't imagine ever tiring of his, Stone Thought. Lovely to have a run of the play contract...

~~~

Was all of this a scam? I think the major issue for me was that Stephanie had continued to work for the publishing company which ultimately bought the book... that was definitely a conflict of interest. Otherwise, it sounded like a process that just might work...

Except one bad apple in the planning... There were now five individuals involved, but it only takes one criminal, doesn't it... To say that the invention of Clay McKenzie started to fall apart was to trivialize what happens and the dangerous situation Stephanie was actually in! 

This is both a fun and uniquely different romp into book publishing. An ambitious individual who can look at an issue and figure out how to get things done is A future entrepreneur if...  But when it turns into one scam after another... For the reader, we sit back and laugh because of the "dumb" people who were involved. Well, no, not dumb--rather, the "trusting" people who get involved and don't immediately realize that if something does not sound right, there is, indeed, probably something that is not right. There's not too much mystery involved for readers; it's more an adventure watching to see how far this will go!

The key issue are the characters. The author, reclusive, remains true to himself. Stephanie is the main character and before long, you will be wanting to help her, maybe even slap her into recognition! Still, even if nobody slapped her, it is a wonderful and fitting ending that totally satisfies, even if it certainly is a surprising one! A totally enjoyable tale in the ever-changing world of today's publishing! Check it out!

GABixlerReviews

Ed Teja has worked as a magazine editor, poet, freelance writer, musician and boat bum. He grew up traveling the planet and never stopped. He currently is sitting still in Cambodia long enough to finish writing some new stories, learn a bit of Khmer and some tunes on traditional Cambodian instruments. Hiw previous books include The Legend of Ron Anejo, a novel about the world's very best Caribbean boat bum.


Jim Beckett grew up in a military household, living in Hawaii, Japan, Turkey and less exotic locations across the United States. After earning a degree in Organic Chemistry, Dr. Beckett began his career as a research chemist for Cities Service Company. Shortly after Cities was bought by Occidental Petroleum, Jim moved into the management and business functions, leading a group of talented professionals into developing the first commercial coalbed methane operation in Virginia among other innovations. Before retiring in 1999, Jim was involved in the environmental aspects, remediating Superfund sites for the company. Technical writing and executive communications were always an integral part of Jim's career.

EditPros LLC Publicly Thanks Its Reviewers - Cool, Right?!!!

I recently reviewed a book published by this group. After it was posted, I was asked to allow an excerpt, which naturally I agreed to... Then I discovered that the group uses excerpts to further publicize their books in a monthly newsletter... What a nice way to thank reviewers!

I have found that you can learn a lot by signing up for newsletters, so I thought I'd share a little from their August issue... You may want to review this site as well...

BOOKSHELF: Reviewers recommend Reckoning at Sea and Within My Grasp

     Numerous readers and book reviewers have given high marks to the two newest books that EditPros has published: Max Young's Reckoning at Sea: Eye to Eye With a Gray Whale and Mike Penketh's Within My Grasp: A Double Amputee's True Story. EditPros co-owners Marti Smiley Childs and Jeff March served as co-authors of both of these autobiographical adventure books. Read more...

FEATURE: Don't be fooled by an appositive – know when to use 'we' or 'us'

     As an ongoing dispute between teachers and a school district over salary became increasingly contentious, teachers resorted to a series of strikes. An article about the unremitting strike quoted one of the teachers, who said, "All other avenues of taking action have been explored and haven't worked. If the negotiations keep on going, the only way us teachers can make an impact and be taken seriously is to close down schools."
     The teacher's statement may have weakened her case – not because of her willingness to disrupt school to assert her point, but because of how she expressed it. She made an elementary mistake in pronoun usage - an error for which one of her students should have been harshly graded. Read More...

GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions

1. Terry Z. wrote:

     A headline that read "Police fire water cannons to disperse protesters" caught my attention. Is it possible to "fire" a water cannon? Perhaps discharge water?

The grammar coach replies:  Read More...

FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend – and earn a finder's fee of up to $500

     Do you know of a friend or colleague whose office can benefit from EditPros' services? Read More...

YOUR TURN: Ask the "grammar coach" or subscribe

     We invite you to submit your questions to the "grammar coach," and we welcome you to subscribe to this monthly newsletter  Read More...

Please Note: BRH only endorses companies or individuals with whom I've Worked...

EditPros News   ~~   Vol. 17, No. 8   ~~   August 2013
Monthly information digest for EditPros clients and friends
Writing, editing & publishing ~~ http://www.editpros.com

   

Whole Lotta Trouble Leads to Whole Lotta Fun...

My name is Richard Wannamaker. After retiring from the IRS, I decided to write a story about my roller-coaster life as a cost accountant. Enclosed please find my 500-page autobiography, a volume I have fondly entitled Journal Entry—
get it?   
Tallie winced. She got it, and about twenty others like it on her desk every week. Reams of paper containing stories utterly inappropriate for the mystery and romance fiction lines for which she acquired. It wasn't that she didn't admire the man for creating the tome, but if he'd researched Parkbench Publishing at all, he would have known they weren't looking for autobiographies. And that she wasn't a Mr., but a Miss.
 Miss— as in unmarried and unlikely to be in the near future. If only Richard Wannamaker had been on her mother's Christmas card mailing list, he'd have been privy to that tidbit, courtesy of her mother's annual Blankenship Bulletin, complete with pictures, favorite family recipes, and news. This year's headline:
YES, OUR BEAUTIFUL, SUCCESSFUL DAUGHTER IS STILL SINGLE!
It was almost February and she was still recovering from that one.
Tallie sighed and forced her attention back to the cover letter in her hand.
~~~

Whole Lotta Trouble

By Stephanie Bond

Want to take a break and sit down with a fun book about book publishing? This is one you'll enjoy...at least I did!  Tallie works for a small agency but has recently been outgunned by another editor, known as Scary Kara...who promised the author's agent, Jerry Key...much more than Tallie, shall we say?

Tallie had been given the job of editing the new manuscript for the top author of the agency. Her boss, Ron Springer, the executive editor, then left on an extended time away from the office, but told her he would be in touch. Tallie had met with Gaylord Cooper, had managed to get him to accept her in place of Ron, who had always edited for Cooper in the past, and then politely refused to meet with Jerry later.

Jerry was met by Kara as he was going down the elevator...and just like that, Tallie had lost the account. With Ron out of the office, there was nothing she could do.

Of course, the fact that there was only one copy of the manuscript led to problems...Yes, can you imagine a writer only making one copy of his new book, for which he had been given a high 6-figure advance?!!!

And, no copies were to be made while it was in the hands of the publishing company!

Seems Gaylord Cooper was continuously certain that somebody was out to sabotage his work...

But was he just eccentric or was there something behind it?

In any event, that precious manuscript was still in Tallie's hands, even though it was no longer hers to protect!

Tallie's best friend was not really the one she could share her frustration with--she had once dated Jerry Key and both knew she was still a little in love with him. Still, Tallie had to talk to somebody! But Felicia had her own problems with Jerry since two of his married writers were fighting and somehow Jerry seemed to be in the middle of whatever was going on...

But as they were talking another young woman stopped by their restaurant table.  She wanted to talk to Tallie about her company possibly doing a print version of an ebook she was now working on. When she started to talk about the story, however, it soon became apparent that Felicia recognized the story! Uh Oh! As they talked, the name Jerry Key came right into the middle again...

Source: boston.com via Julien on Pinterest

The door to the spa opened and out strolled Jerry Key, blond, tall, and fashionably thin, a man bag over his shoulder for his 
gadgets. The man prided himself on owning the latest and  greatest electronic equipment, from phones to laptops to stereos. He had teased Felicia about her penchant for retro, 
from her vinyl collection and the old turntable she played them  on to the big-button land line phone in her bedroom. 
As always, her pulse rate increased at the sight of him, doubly so with the anticipation of confronting him. She stood and screwed the lid onto the bottle of caffeinated water. 
She was stowing the bottle in her purse when she realized that someone had joined Jerry on the street—a woman. Frozen, she watched as the two embraced, then shared a full-on kiss. Their meeting, it seemed, wasn't accidental. Felicia removed her sunglasses and bumped her nose against the window, flabbergasted.  It couldn't be. But if the woman's long red coat wasn't enough to prove it was Suze Dannon pressed against him...

Well, these three women decided to put Jerry in the spot...they played off of his sexual activities and called to arrange a special date...so that when they got to his hotel, he was already naked and blindfolded! They then tied him up further, took his picture and sent it to his entire mailing list... Wow... that was...cruel???

Only thing is, though, their plan to have the maid find him and let him loose didn't work... and when they did find him the next morning, he had been... murdered...

Oh yes, there's lots more, including Tallie having a blind date with a man from her home town!

A lost manuscript that Tallie may or may not have eft in a taxi, a scene of a crime, or just about anywhere else...

A late idea about why her boss and the author could not be found, and what was so important about a manuscript...

Actually, the last part of the book blew me away... Never would have saw it coming and still wonder... Let me know what you think about what was really happening. That is, besides the fun, the crazy email pictures going "viral"??? (Probably!)

Hey, check this one out!


GABixlerReviews

Stephanie Bond has written over 60 novels for publishers such as Bantam, St. Martin's Press, Avon/HarperCollins, and Mira Books. She currently writes a humorous mystery series called BODY MOVERS, and romantic comedies for Harlequin Books. She is best known for writing steamy books that make readers laugh out loud. Read on to find out more about Stephanie's childhood and how she became a writer. http://www.stephaniebond.com/about.html

Fun Look Inside Publishing--Read My Review; Find Kate Mitchell's Site to Learn More!

Check Out Kate Mitchell's Site!

"You had a run-in with Bernie; I saw you in his office when I got here and
figured you could use a friend."
Suddenly Mac's ability to know exactly what she needed was starting to
bug the hell out of her.
"It doesn't matter." She waved a hand, hoping it would all go away, "I
just need to be alone."
"It does matter, Kate. I know how important your career is to you and had
this gone south it could have meant, well, we both know what it could have
meant." Mac slid into one of her leather chairs.  Kate wished he would
leave. Nothing he was saying was making her feel any better.
"Bernie will accept responsibility for nothing. Not ever. The sooner you
learn that, the better off you'll be."
"Not only did he not accept responsibility, but he also blew off the whole
freaking incident, like he's forgotten an event poster instead of the one
reason people were there: the books."
"Kate, I'm not trying to diminish this, believe me I'm not, but the quicker
you move past it, the better you'll be. People like Bernie get to these
positions by God-knows-what means. Maybe he's Edward's bastard son, I
don't know. The point is if you push this, you won't win. He will..."
~~~

The Publicist

By Christina George


Yes, I wanted to read The Publicist purely on the basis of the title since I do spend quite a lot of my time with books...LOL What I didn't want to do, however, was to be awake at 1 AM finishing the book, reading the few pages of Book 2 and wanting to call this dear lady and scream "Where the H is the next book!...or words to that effect...

Some writers have the ability of writing as if they are just talking to you, or at least it seems like that because the story sounds so real, so convincing that you feel like you actually know the new character who has been created... The back cover states: "The story only an insider could tell..." Indeed this is Kate Mitchell's story and what's more, you'll quickly find out that Kate is doing her own publicity for her book...so don't bother looking for Christine George, whoever she is...LOL I've already sent a Facebook "close friend" request for Kate, am following her on Twitter demanding to know about Book 2, and, well, you get the idea... My readers know that I hate to be kept hanging!

Kate Mitchell is a publicist in a major NY company...but, everybody should quickly know, that any female working these days will find herself in similar situations on the job...

You know what I mean...there's men there...and some of them are married...

In fact, many single women will find that there are few straight men surrounding her on the job...

But that just means that we must be even more professional, normally a more effective employee than most, and spend a lot of your own time working long hours trying to be recognized and move up... Kate is a woman with whom I would be friends and would "do lunch" with, going over the various problems we face respectively in our jobs, and gaining the sympathy and sometimes good guidance to help us through it.

And believe me, Kate gets into some fantastic situations, like being called to come "talk a suicidal writer" down from the ledge when she demands that her publicist be contacted!

Or how about the diva who absolutely must be on Oprah, or interviewed by The Talk--or whichever is the latest top TV talk program... Actually, Kate loved her job and did very well in dealing with any situation that she had to face...

including terminating the long-term contract with an author with whom she had become friends...

Of course, it was the boss who was looking at the bottom line and knew they were friends, so assigned what would normally be his job to Kate to handle... but that led to an entirely new issue which was the cause of my frustration...because it's to be in Book 2...

There was also another long-term author, who had lots of fans, but her books were not the tough, edgy, sex-filled novels that the boss wanted to have for the future. But Kate had accidentally heard about that upcoming cancellation...and, wow, you wouldn't believe how she handled that situation--I loved it! Reminded me of something I would do, but just not so dramatically...

So Kate was flying pretty high, gaining a reputation, moving toward handling top authors... There was just that one issue, you know--the one man to whom she was attracted was unavailable...

And he was attracted to Kate and had the power to ensure professional interaction increased...

Oh yeah, there's lots for any women out there who have faced similar situations to enjoy...and, men--the author included Mac's [MacDermott Ellis] viewpoint and feelings as well...so it definitely is a novel that is contemporary professional life that is anywhere and everywhere...It's meant, I think, to be a fun book and it is! It's meant, I think, to show the publishing world (and others) from an insider's perspective, and it succeeds! But, in the end, it also shares those deep personal internal thoughts that we all have when confronted with personal relationships within and without our business organization. And, after all, those are what affects our heads and our hearts the most...

Personally, this was a must-read type of book--and you'll know who you are if it is for you too... Enjoy!


GABixlerReviews

About Kate Mitchell

Only an insider could tell a tale like this. As a workaholic publicist with a big New York house, Kate finds herself at the mercy of a broken system—including books that don’t sell, and author egos as big as the island of Manhattan.


I'm a book publicist at a New York publishing house. Books are my life. Put that remote control down and pick up a book. The world would be a better place. Lives in New York, New York Born on August 22

About the Author

I've worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here's what this book isn't. It's not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it's not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won't know which ones, hell it's more fun to guess, right? I continue to work in publicity and help authors because at the end of the day I do love books, I love publishing, and I love authors. I hope you'll enjoy this romp through Kate's world as much as I enjoyed creating it. Find our more at: thepublicistnovel.com

Dara Beevas Directs Excellent Reference Guide to Writers!

http://www.wiseinkblog.com/

the Indie Author

Revolution

An Insider's Guide to
Self-Publishing

Dara M. Beevas


Most of you know by now that I support Indie Authors activities in this exciting time when changes to the publishing world allow more and more writers to ensure their books are completed and available across the world! During my activities at Rainbow's End Publishing Company, I had the great experience to work with the author and publisher as she wrote a how to, entitled Self-Publish Your Book With Little or No Money! (Note that this book is now outdated. A caution to all for this type of book: Make sure the copyright is fairly new to ensure the latest information.)

Of course, it is a lot more work for Indies, isn't it? That's why I wanted to read and review Revolution by Dara Beevas. Because it is indeed a revolution that is happening as more and more writers choose the self-publishing road. I'm the type of individual that buys this type of book for my personal home library. Once writers start this road, an easy-to-use reference, in my opinion, is mandatory! And this book meets that criteria. Not only is it well-documented with a Table of Contents, Bibliography, and Index, it has further relevant information giving a glossary, resource directory, sample plans and directions on copyrighting. In fact, I should immediately add that this is also an excellent reference for any writer, because the entire process is shown and can help you follow your work through all the necessary steps no matter what route you choose in the publishing world.

I'm not going to spend too much time going over content. If you're a writer, I couldn't think of anything that was not.  included. On the other hand, I can praise Beevas for the quality and quantity of her information; that is, the book itself if very well done...beautiful cover, excellent spotlighting graphics and extra little detailed page highlights that show this individual knows what she's doing!

The second thing I noticed was that she was quick to point out that it is totally up to the self-published writer/author to set a high standard and to ensure that it happens! Kudos to the author for creating a reference tool, but also an excellent example of the quality readers expect in books, in her own published work!

Okay, here's the most important thing I personally learned and it is an exciting addition to the self-publishing process. Did you know  there is now what is called a "Mentoring Press?" The title itself is wonderfully welcomed I am sure. But let's  learn exactly what that means:

A hybrid publisher that guides authors with marketable manuscripts through the self-publishing process. Mentoring presses offer services for a fee that includes coaching, editing, book design, printing, publicity and distribution. Mentoring presses are often selective and emphasize the importance of editing and good design to create successful books.

If you have worked with hundreds of writers like I have, you soon realize that some know some things, but need help on other parts of the process...Knowing about this made reading this book totally worthwhile for me as a reviewer and responder to lots of process questions! Both advantages and disadvantages of this is provided in the Guide.

Little things mean a lot to me, given my business administration background, so I'll also thank Beevas for things like:

• Providing signs that indicate when a publishing expert is not a true expert...
• Providing "The Last Word" and "Indie Author Wisdom: throughout the book 
• Providing same style sheet for submission of manuscript.
• Perceiving the book as "a complete product requiring attention to every detail."
• Reminding writers that galleys are printed while your book is with the proofreader!
• Covering what POD means.
• Including information on multiple writers, book pricing as well as credit card functions!
• Marketing--reviews, complimentary copies {"A word to the wise: be strategic with your complimentary copies...}, and using the Internet as part of the selling process.

Writers, Authors and publishing staff, or service providers in publishing could all benefit from having this book on their resource shelf! Indies: A Must-Read! Get It!

GABixlerReviews

Dara M. Beevas is a writer, editor, blogger, speaker and indie author. She mentors other indie authors as Vice President of Beaver's Pond Press, an award-winning mentoring publisher in the Twin Cities that has helped more than 600 indie authors self-publish. Her passion for authors and the indie author revolution led her to launch Wise, Ink, an online community for indie authors.

For most of her career, Beevas has worked in publishing. She was acquisitions editor for the American Chemical Society and has also worked at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She received her Master's Degree in publishing from George Washington University and was selected as an emerging writer by the Givens Foundation for African-American literature.

Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Beevas moved to Minneapolis in 2007 with her husband Tomme Beevas. The Twin Cities' writing community captivated her almost immediately. In her spare time she writes poetry, short stories, and is a speaker on the topic of self-publishing. She's reachable via her blog www.wiseinkblog.com, LinkedIn, and @darairene on Twitter.

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David Callinan on Publishing's Industrial Revolution...

Publishing's 


Industrial Revolution 


Liberates Writers

To some published authors the notion of marketing themselves over and above the support (or not) that they receive from their publishers comes hard. It doesn't seem natural. In the words of John Braine (Room At The Top) 'a writer is a person who writes'.


But the natural order of things, whereby writers locked themselves away in some rural or coastal idyll and allowed the words to flow from writer central (that special place in the brain that generates the creative juices and is in touch with the greater you), is undergoing some remarkable and far-reaching changes.

Will publishers continue to hold the whip hand? Don't get me wrong. There are some wonderful, committed, intelligent and sympathetic publishers and editors who are in love with books and with writers. But there are those that are less so. And publishing is going through a form of industrial revolution that may see it change forever. And author power may be about to manifest itself – the first million selling ebook authors have already arrived.

Savvy authors, whether published or indie (another new tag applied to writers borrowed from the music industry)  now have to be marketers, bloggers, designers, PR consultants, and social networking gurus as well as novelists and authors, I somehow find it hard to imagine a Hemingway or a Lawrence or even a Spillane settling down to an hour or so with Twitter or MySpace or Facebook. Mind you, I could be wrong.

From the Personal Blog of Cheryl Moore...

Image via Wikipedia

Entering the World of Unbound Boxes Limping Gods...

Micro story creation: Sharing with others

Monday 25th July 2011









In April 2009, I had finished my fourth novel, and a rather bad relationship. My ultra critical and socially challenged ex partner had quite rightly pointed out that it was fine to write novels, but that my 'hobby' wasn't getting me anywhere. In his opinion writing was pointless without a readership! I partially agreed with him, but fortunately for me, our relationship disintegrated further, I turned him into one of my characters and we parted company. This sounds rather mean, but this was not a positive and encouraging sort of guy. Self esteem semi-intact, I was set for war, to prove him wrong about so many things. Writing is not just a hobby to me. I may not be a 'raging beauty' (He seriously said that!) but writing is what I do best. I can't cook or perform magic, but I want people to read my novels. I want people to know this world exists and to fall in love with my characters as much as I have.          

      So to get feedback on the first few chapters of Unbound Boxes Limping Gods, (my first novel in the series) I did something very brave. (For me) I joined a critique group, (The Cola Factory, based in London. Headed by Michaela Statton.) Real life writers constructively criticised. I'd also joined an online group of writers, formed by Justine Marie Hedman. I met some fantastic writers who I remain friends with to this day. They read, they encouraged, and constructively criticised. I began to feel that my writing did have worth in the literary world. This was the beginning of my opening up these stories to other people. No one apart from a few close friends had read my work before, (my ex wasn't one of them!)

     After getting affirmation that it wasn't just a 'hobby' and people actually wanted to read my work, I decided that it's easy to get feedback for accessible mediums like music and poetry and short stories, but reading a whole novel takes time. I was in a predicament. I had written a long line of novels, but no short stories, had no publications to my name, no editor or agent. If I wanted to seriously take those first steps to getting my novel published I had to think of alternatives to simply approaching a publisher, dressed in my writerly birthday suit. So, I thought about my characters, about the stories in the background, in the sub plot, in their past, about things which happened in the character's lives, before the novels were set. After a while the very first micro story was written and illustrated. My interpretation of a 'fragment' from my novels, became easily accessible to people, gave them a taste of what my world is about. I've now completed 19 micro stories, have submitted to a publisher for novel one, (still waiting for the decision) and have written two steampunk short stories for an ezine, due out in September.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm not naive enough to think these steps are enough to magically conjure a publishing contract, but reality and magic seem to mix together when you spend most of your time in fiction. One thing I know is that whatever happens in the publishing world, writing good quality stories, submitting, taking rejection and being stubborn are a cocktail of ingredients you should never be without. Whatever happens in reality, this world is now living outside my head. It's something I can share with you. You are very welcome to come with me as I continue writing. One day, hopefully not too far in the future, you'll be able to read my first novel. The place these characters call home.

    Thanks to everyone, past present and future, who make these stories more than just a 'hobby.'

Reprinted with permission
by Cheryl Moore