Editor's Blog November 2006
Nov 30, 2006, Readability
Readability is measured by indexes like Fogg and Flesch. True readability is much more complex. Use both the hard calculations and the softer measures to check your writing.
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Nov 29, 2006, Second Annual Self-Publishing Symposium
[ClickPress, Tue Nov 28 2006] The Second Annual Self-Publishing Symposium is set to be held at Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem, New York on March 25, 2007. Last year's Symposium attracted a wide variety of authors, agents, editors, book industry personnel. In 2006 Vickie Stringer of Triple Crown Productions shared tips of her unique journey from a Self-Published Author to literary stardom.
The2007 (sic) Symposium is geared toward helping participants learn successful business strategies from industrty (sic) experts, network with professionals and make powerful connections, and help them grow their business to new heights.
Second Annual Self-Published Syposium (sic) program Schedule:
9:00 am - 9:30 am Registration and Welcome
9:30 am - 10:30 am Keynote Address delivered by Tony rose (sic) of Amber Books
10:30 am - 11:20 am Session I : Truths about Self/Independent Publishing
11:30: am - 12:20 pm From the Page to the Stage & Beyond
12:30 pm - 1:20 pm S'Indie Awards Luncheon
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm Sessuin III: Mastering the Busuiness (sic) of Publishing
2:30 pm - 3:20 Hot Topics Discussion Panel
3:20 pm - 4:00 pm Closing Reception
S'INDIE Awards Guidelines for S'Indie Awards Luncheon
Submit your title for the second annual S'Indie Awards (Self/Independent Authors) Award at the Self-Publishing Symposium. The purpose of the awards is to to (sic) provide is to provide(sic) additional exposure to the works created by African-American independent and Self-Published Authors, and to honor their contribution to the market. Decisions will be based on literary excellence, quality, production, and originality. All submisions (sic) must include two review copies of the work being entered and a profile of the author. submissions for the trailblazer award must include a list of the author/publishers accomplisments (sic) and a press kit.
Award Categories:
Best Fiction
Best Children's Book
Best Non-Fiction
Best Spiritual/Inspirational
Best Poetry
Best Cover
The Trailblazer Award - Recognizing a publisher for significant contribution and accomplisments (sic) in the Independent Publishing area.
Black Enterprise and King Printing Company, Inc. are proud sponsors of the 2007 Second Annual Self-Publishing Symposium.
To register for the Second Annual Self-Publishing Symposium log on to www.aspiscomm.com and click on event link. For more information or to inquire about becoming a sponsor Contact Renee Flagler at rflagler@aspicomm.com or call 516.642.5976. For complete submission guidelines for S'Indie Awards log on to www.aspicomm.com/events.html
Nov 29, 2006, Youngest Writer Ever Published
This and Last Season's Excursions by six-year-old Christopher Beale of Scotland is one for the books -- The Guiness Books.
Christopher is the youngest published author on record.
His novel has five chapters.
Although it was published by Aultbea Publishing, a company that sometimes serves self-publishing writers, This and Last Season's Excursions was published as a trade book through regular channels.
Now if a six-year-old can do this, what is holding back the rest of us?
Nov 27, 2006, Advertise On This Site
Learn how to get advertising space on the Writer's Helper Web site, one of the top 1% of Web sites worldwide.
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Nov 27, 2006, The Healing Power of Writing
Peggy Rambach, a writing teacher, has led wellness-focused classes on writing memoirs. Students grow as writers and as people.
When done well, writing about one's own life informs and shapes the present and future outlook of the writer.
Rambach's classes published their work in All That Matters
Even if you never publish, writing a memoir has the potential to heal. Click here for more on writing memoir.
Nov 26, 2006, Will My Edited Work Be Published?
What does it take to be published? An editor lists types of books with a good chance of being accepted for publication.
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Nov 26, 2006, What is Proofreading?
An editor answers the question, what is proofreading?
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Nov 24, 2006, Memoir
Things to consider when you write a memoir. Learn how a memoir differs from an autobiography.
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Nov 24, 2006, Who is Max Perkins?
Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, and Thomas Wolfe all had the same editor. A self publishing author explores the need for editing.
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Nov 24, 2006, You Better Watch Out! Google Books Is Coming To Town!
Google aims to catalogue all books. . .
. . .and not just the publishing information, but the whole text. You could search books the way we currently search Web sites for information.
Good idea or bad?
The debate goes on.
One interesting consequence relates to plagiarism. Wonder if your book has been copied? Type a sentence into the search box and click the button. If something other than your own book comes up, someone is copying someone.
The link below takes you to Google's Beta page for book search. Of course not all books are fully indexed right now so your search will not be definitive.
But this is one to keep an eye on.
Nov 20, 2006, Marketing Ninja
A self-proclaimed marketing Ninja, Richard Craze of White Ladder Press shares his story.
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Nov 20, 2006, Literary Agent
What Ellen did when the literary agent didn't come.
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Nov 19, 2006, Self-Publisher Wins State Award
I love the stories of self-publishing success. Here's the latest one.
Evelyn Johnson's book Barns of Old Mission Peninsula and Their Stories won a 2006 award of merit for a privately published book from the Historical Society of Michigan.
Johnson, 70, is a first-time author.
It's of interest that the book is non-fiction. Self-published non-fiction has a much better chance of success than self-published fiction has.
On the cautionary side of things, even though 1000 copies have sold, there are still outstanding bills on the design and production of the book.
Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. But for those with a passion to see their work in the hands of others, for those who take the time to produce quality work, recognition is possible.
Ms. Johnson's award is proof that it's possible.
Nov 18, 2006, What are line editors?
Line editors, the artists of the editing world, give a writer's words elegance and power. An editor outlines the qualities of a good line editor.
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Nov 18, 2006, Indigo, Chapters And Coles Partner With iUniverse
NEW YORK, NY (November 16, 2006) – iUniverse, the leader in supported self-publishing, has teamed up with Indigo Books & Music Inc, who operates the largest bookstore chain in Canada, to offer authors the chance to fulfill their dream — prominent placement of their books in a Chapters, Indigo or Coles store.
“As Canada’s leading bookstore chain, we want to support the best of home-grown talent and help outstanding new authors get discovered. By displaying their self-published books on our shelves, we can help increase awareness of their work to millions of booklovers in Canada who shop with us each week,” said Joel Silver, senior vice-president of print procurement, Indigo Books & Music Inc.
“iUniverse provides authors with the professional editorial guidance, art direction and marketing advice needed to help them achieve their greatest potential,” said Susan Driscoll, president and chief executive officer of iUniverse. “Those authors who publish a high-quality, professionally packaged book through iUniverse now have an unparalleled opportunity to develop a local following through targeted marketing and Chapters, Indigo or Coles in-store placement.”
The titles selected will be those achieving the iUniverse Publisher’s Choice designation. Publisher's Choice titles meet or exceed standards established by iUniverse that are in line with the editorial and cover design demands of today’s competitive marketplace. Only newly released titles published through the iUniverse Premier Plus package are eligible to receive this status.
“Premier Plus is our most comprehensive publishing package,” Driscoll said. “This package gives authors a chance to build their skills as writers and marketers through an honest assessment of their work, professional advice for improving it, and training and support to promote the books once they’re published."
Authors that publish through Premier Plus have their manuscripts and cover ideas reviewed by professional editors and art directors with experience in the traditional publishing industry. These experts provide valuable advice that increases the likelihood of market success. Authors that achieve Publisher’s Choice receive one-on-one marketing training and support from iUniverse to help them prepare for their book’s in-store placement. These titles will then be featured in a high-traffic area of a Chapters, Indigo or Coles store for at least sixty days—longer if the book keeps selling.
“This program is unique in the publishing industry,” Driscoll said. “For the first time, self-published authors in Canada have a systematic path to getting local bookstore placement. However, let’s be clear that getting into bookstores does not guarantee book sales. Even the best self-published authors will still need to aggressively promote their books to generate demand, just as authors who are published through the large commercial houses must do. The good news is that iUniverse can provide them with the support and services to do that.”
Nov 17, 2006, Telephone Contact
Audrey Owen, Writer's Helper editor answers the question, Why can't I make telephone contact with you?
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Nov 17, 2006, Tips On Writing An Op-Ed Piece
In Publicity for Nonprofits: Generating Media Exposure That Leads to Awareness, Growth, and Contributions
Although the advice is aimed at non-profit groups who want free press, any writer can write an op-ed. If you have a book you want to promote, consider the op-ed section of the newspaper.
Take the advice of writing something in advance that you can offer quickly when news related to your book's copy breaks.
Nov 17, 2006, An Interview With Eric Carle WITH PHOTOS!
Eric Carle is known to children and adults who read to children as the unusual illustrator who uses collage to tell a tale.
From Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
For insight into his work, click the link below, which will take you to a video-taped interview with Carle. (Note: This link is no longer live. It was taken down at the source.)
Nov 17, 2006, Instruction Manuals Writing Tips
Writing tips for writing instruction manuals. The how-to for how-tos. Link to a helpful editor.
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Nov 15, 2006, Modern Guttenburg
Fred Ward, a modern Guttenburg, explains how he produced his 9 exquisite gem books.
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Nov 13, 2006, Gifts for Writers
Reviewed and recommended gifts for writers. Your gift is encouragement of talent. Find both free gifts and gifts to buy for yourself or your writer.
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Nov 12, 2006, Ghostwriters
An editor outlines what ghostwriters do and who uses ghostwriting services.
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Nov 10, 2006, Just What Does The Average Print On Demand Book Earn?
First-year sales of iUniverse-published books average between 125 and 150 copies. Selling 150 copies of a $15 iUniverse paperback through retailers like Barnes and Noble or Amazon would earn the author just $288 to $360.
News like this will put some off. Others will rise to the challenge.
All writers who decide to self-publish need to count the costs and think seriously about marketing to make a profit on a book.
Be aware that self-published books carry the taint of poor quality because so few self-published writers spend the money to have their books properly edited.
If you do decide to go it on your own, be sure the product you put out is the highest possible quality.
Nov 9, 2006, Full Time Writer
A full time writer, Paul Blakey, offers support to other writer/publishers through his Self Publishers Club
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Nov 8, 2006, Canada's Giller Prize
As I write this, Canada celebrates its fiction with the presentation of the Giller Prize.
Five finalists share the evening for their excellent prose. If you have an interest in Canadian literature, or are just wondering which good book to read next, consider these books. Like Canada itself, the shortlist includes writers with a variety of accents and ethnic backgrounds.
In alphabetical order. . .
Rawi Hage: De Niro's Game
Vincent Lam: Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures
Pascale Quiviger: The Perfect Circle
Gaetan Soucy: The Immaculate Conception
Carol Windley: Home Schooling
And the winner is. . .
. . .VINCENT LAM for BLOODLETTING & MIRACULOUS CURES.
Just before Jack Rabinovitch, who founded the Prize in 1994 in memory of his late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller, announced the winner, he said,
"For the price of a dinner for two in Toronto, you can buy all the books on the list, so eat at home, and buy the books!"
Nov 8, 2006, First Book
A first book is much like a first baby. An author in the midst of writing his first book tells about his experience with an editor.
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Nov 7, 2006, Writer's Exercise
Writers need physical exercise. Suggestions from a writer/editor.
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Nov 6, 2006, Educative Edit
Audrey Owen, Writer's Helper editor explains what an educative edit is, and why she developed it.
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Nov 4, 2006, Editor's Credentials
An editor answers: How do you check an editor's credentials? What credentials must an editor have?
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