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My OWW writer friend, Phillip Spencer, who pens the blog "Nightspore", recently linked to a post by British author Freda Warrington (ELFLAND), in which she discusses her desire to create strong female characters when writing fantasy.
An excerpt:
I wanted to read about mutual pleasure and joy, I wanted the women to have as much fun as the men, I did not want the men to be selfish pigs, I wanted equality and respect and shared adventure. But too often, in fiction, I was not finding it. Not even from female authors.It's a long post, but well worth reading.
http://www.sarah-ash.com/fantasy-and-science-fiction/1173/guest-blog-for-nobody-knew-she-was-there-by-freda-warrington/
The holidays continue long past Christmas in other countries. Italy celebrates the story of La Befana on January 5. Click on the link to my website to learn more about her, including an original poem.
NOTE: For copyright purposes, I don't post any original writing here.
LA BEFANA
Twelve days after Christmas while Italy sleeps,
La Befana prepares to take flight.
This kindly old witch dressed in raggedy clothes,
brings presents for children all night.
Wishing you all the very best during the holidays.
Click on the link for a special Christmas greeting.
http://www.bluemountain.com/ecards/christmas/spirit-of-christmas/card-3285565
A beautiful example of accordion virtuosity. Never thought "The Four Seasons" could sound so incredible with just one instrument. Vivaldi would be proud.
This young man is Alexander Hrustevich, a Ukranian teenager. http://hrustevich.com/en/bio
Enjoy!
This is a free webinar that will take place on Thursday, May 7. The details below are part of an email I received from Joel Friedlander, one of the co-presenters.
It's sponsored by Kirkus Reviews. Sounds intriguing.
What: Free webinar, "How to Publish Like the Pros"
Where: Online from the comfort of your home or office
When: Thursday, May 7, 2015
11:00 a.m.Pacific, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Cost: None, it's free
Who: You, if you're interested in learning about indie
publishing, and how to find, hire, and work with
editors and designers.
How: Register here: Webinar Registration Page
Why: Webinar seating is limited, grab your seat now!
INDIE RECON, a free online conference founded by S.R. Johannes and Ali Cross, begins tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15 and runs through Friday, April 17.
There are events for beginners on up. Some titles to tempt you:And that's just a few you'll find on Wednesday!For more info, go to: http://indierecon.org/events/
I've posted a new middle-grade short story on my website. It's based on the Slavic myth of the Green Man, also known as Leshee.Hop on over for a look:http://kathrynjankowskibooks.com/stories/Enjoy!
Wishing you and yours all the very best this year.
Cheers!
Kathryn
Image credit: bancodeimagenesgratis.com
Maya Angelou was a true Renaissance woman: writer, singer, dancer, director, civil rights activist. But for me, she'll always be first and foremost a poet. A sample from one of my favorites:
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I'll miss her grace, her joie de vivre, her laugh. And be thankful for the gifts she left behind.
***
Phenomenal Woman excerpt from: THE COMPLETE COLLECTED POEMS OF MAYA ANGELOU, Random House, 1st edition (September 13, 1994).
Image by David Castillo Dominici, FreeDigitalPhotos.net.Though I initially planned to self-publish JURATA'S DAUGHTER, my editor convinced me to give querying a try first. She loves the book and thinks others will, too. Sure hope so.
Here's a list of sites I'm using to research agents and pubishers. If you know of others, please share. Thanks.
#MSWL - This is a Twitter feed where agents and editors
post their "Manuscript Wish List". I recently saw one agent who specifically mentioned Slavic mythology--she's high on my list. You can fine tune this according to genre, such as #MSWL Fantasy, or #MSWL Young Adult, etc. Just remember, you don't pitch on Twitter unless they're having a special pitch day, like #PitMad. Send a normal query instead.
QUERY TRACKER - Search for agents/agencies that rep your genre, keep track of those you've contacted and their responses, store your query letter. A paid membership ($25) allows you to see what any agent has actually requested from queries, a big help if their site says, for example, they accept YA but all they've looked at is MG.
ABSOLUTE WRITE WATER COOLER - Search by agent, or check out these special sections: Bewares, Recommendations & Background Check
; Ask the Agent; Ask the Editor
. There's even a board for sharing your work, but you'll need to set up an account [free!] first. Post your query here and be ready for honest feedback.
AGENTQUERY CONNECT - Find an agent or editor, get your query critiqued, and much, much more.
Cheers!
Mark your calendars for 2014's Indie Recon, the conference for independent writers. It's coming next week, February 25-27.
It looks like another year full of great presenters, including JA Konrath and Susan Kaye Quinn, and a wide range of topics, from writing serials to marketing on Goodreads.
Hope you can make it!
To view the schedule, go to: http://www.indierecon.org/p/schedule.html
Publishers Weekly just ran an article about contracts and book formats that affects anyone looking for a traditional deal.
Agents (most speaking anonymously) are concerned that contracts will soon come with clauses that make no guarantee on format. In fact, according to agent and e-book publisher Richard Curtis, that's already the case with big houses that are releasing e-originals.
For a new author, this can hit hard. Traditional publishing royalties are generally higher for print as opposed to e-books. That means less money for you.
But unless your contract stipulates otherwise, a publisher can test a digital version of your book before deciding if it's worth investing in print.
Since I expect to be going the indie route, this isn't a big issue for me. However, if I were looking for an agent, it would be huge. Why sign away my rights when distribution may be limited?
What are your thoughts? Would you sign a contract that doesn't guarantee a hardcover or paperback edition?
As I begin my journey towards indie publishing, I've been buying books aimed at newbies. Here are five to consider.
If you click on the title you'll be taken to Amazon.com, where you can check out the Table of Contents for each book and then decide which one (or more) fits your needs the best.
Hope you find something useful.
THE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT by Daphne DangerloveI love that Daphne has included a workbook you can print out to keep track of things. Her guidance on market research is spot on. She takes you through the KDP process on Amazon, including how to set up your Author Central profile, Amazon product page, and much more. She notes how Scrivener users can export their books directly into the Kindle format, so there are no extra steps, a huge relief to anyone dismayed about formatting. A fantastic resource.
SELF-PRINTED, The Sane Person's Guide to Self-Publishing by Catherine Ryan Howard
Catherine guides you through the process, from building an online platform, to formatting (for non-Scrivener users) and publishing e-books and paperbacks, as well as how to sell your self-published work. You'll enjoy Catherine's wit along the way.
HOW TO MARKET A BOOKby Joanna Penn It's hard to miss Joanna, she's a powerful presence on social media and has a wonderfully helpful blog,
The Creative Penn. Her book focuses solely on marketing and it's full of time-tested strategies she's used with her own books. I especially enjoyed her section on Amazon reviewers.
LET'S GET DIGITALby David Gaughran David is passionate about authors pursuing the e-book route and the first part of his book covers the digital "revolution" and how it's changed the publishing landscape forever. He covers the basics succinctly, and has excellent advice on why you need to invest in a good editor and book cover designer. He also includes thirty-three success stories to inspire you.
THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTERby Carolyn Howard JohnsonCarolyn is a public relations pro who knows all about getting publicity on the cheap. She addresses common worries, takes you through the basics, and has a very thorough section on how to put together a media kit.
***
If you'd like to continue receiving my blog posts, please subscribe at my new website. I'll be closing out Blogger soon.
Cheers!
A critique group dedicated to your genre, that's what!
Get the full story at my website:
http://kathrynjankowskibooks.com/2013/08/what-every-speculative-fiction-writer-needs/
While you're there, be sure to sign up for email alerts when I post. No more clicking from one site to another.
;-)
I've been busy putting together my very own website!
Hop on over, have a look, and tell me what you think.
http://kathrynjankowskibooks.com/
If you're a regular reader of Miss Snark's First Victim, you know she has monthly "Secret Agent" contests. But the biggest event of the year is her "Baker's Dozen Agent Auction", during which agents bid on promising manuscripts.
To participate, you'll need to submit a logline, the first 250 words of your story, and a $10 entry fee.
SUBMISSION DATES:
October 29 and 31 -- Adult fiction (all genres except erotica and erotic romance)
November 5 and 7 -- Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction (all genres)
THE ACTUAL AUCTION DATE: December 3
Note: This is for completed, polished manuscripts only. So get cracking, you've got almost six months to whip yours into shape.
Interested? For more details, go to:
http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-2013-bakers-dozen-earliest-info-ever.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MissSnarksFirstVictim+%28Miss+Snark%27s+First+Victim%29
Good luck!
It's rare to find a publisher who'll accept submissions without an agent. But if you've got a teen, YA, or New Adult manuscript between 20,000 and 60,000 words, then Bloomsbury Spark has a new imprint you may want to consider.
Spark is a digital, global imprint that will begin publishing short fiction as of August, 2013.
All it takes to submit is a simple email.
For details, go to:
www.bloomsbury.com/us/bloomsbury-spark/Good luck!Thanks to Deborah Halverson at Dear Editor.com for her blog post that brought this to my attention.
Paranormal author Jami Gold is conducting two hour-long classes this week that will show you how to set up a free or hosted website using WordPress.
It's one of many classes available through WANA (We Are Not Alone) International, a social media site started by Kristen Lamb to teach creative professionals how to build effective online platforms.
Neither class is free but they both include handouts and access to a private web page with additional info.
I haven't decided which one would be better, so I'd appreciate your feedback.
- Do you have a Wordpress account?
- Is it free (Wordpress.com) or hosted (Wordpress.org)?
- What made you decide on one rather than the other?
- Did you set it up yourself or did you have help?
Thanks!
The webinar on free sites is April 23 from 7:00 -8:00 p.m. EST. More info here: http://wanaintl.com/event-registration/?ee=133
For those interested in a hosted site (more bells and whistles, but they come with a price), the webinar is April 25 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST. More info here: http://wanaintl.com/event-registration/?ee=134
Good news for those who want to peruse the schedule for SCBWI's Summer Conference before registration opens on April 18.
Follow the link (below) and you'll find three days' worth of workshops and keynote speeches, with tracks identified for published authors, general audience, illustrators, and non-fiction writers. There's also information on the faculty, manuscript and portfolio consultations (available for an additional fee), and Monday's special intensives. Truly an abundance of riches!
Check it out at:
http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=12&page=ScheduleSee you there?
If you're a member of SCBWI you probably already know about its summer conference, held annually in Los Angeles. This year's event runs from August 2-5.
Though the 2013 schedule hasn't been posted yet, from the info currently up at SCBWI's site (see link below) it sounds promising.
The sheer magnitude of it all is a bit daunting, but I'm more confident since participating in the webinar put on by AuthorMedia (see 3/22 post). I'll have my goals clearly set and my pitch perfected--by the way, I've gotten enthusiastic feedback from the grocery clerks who've gamely indulged me, which is encouraging since I envision older teens and twenty-somethings as a big part of the potential market for my fantasy novel.
Since I've only attended regional conferences, this is a big move for me. I've reserved my room at the special conference rate (they go fast, I hear) and will be ready with my credit card when registration opens at 10 a.m. PDT on April 18.
How about you? Have you ever been? Are you going this year?
For more info, go to: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Current-News?SCBWI-2013-SUMMER-CONFERENCE-REGISTRATION-OPENS-APRIL-18th-AT-10AM-PDT
I recently attended a webinar hosted by Author Media (see 3-11 post) that was full of great information on how to deal with agents and editors at writers' conferences.
The overriding idea was simple: preparation is key. You don't just show up, you have to know why you're going, what you hope to accomplish. A clear game plan makes all the difference.
While protocol means I can't reveal everything that was presented, I can pass along my take on a few of the suggestions given by agent Rachelle Gardner and media pro Thomas Umstattd, Jr.:
1. Research - Find out everything you can about the faculty. Check out blogs, websites, twitter, Facebook, etc. This is especially important if you've got a meeting set up with an agent or editor. You won't feel like you're sitting across from a stranger and they'll appreciate the effort you made.
2. Prepare your pitch - Know how you'll answer when someone asks, "What are you writing?" Memorize a five-second pitch, a twenty-second pitch, a two-minute pitch. And practice, practice, practice! Don't limit yourself to friends and family, either. I'm going to start pitching to the grocery clerks who load bags in my car.
3. Bring multiple book ideas - These don't have to be finished projects, but having more than one book in mind shows you're serious about a career.
4. Invest in professional business cards - No homemade, perforated card stock. White background is best. Though some authors use both sides for info, Ms. Gardner suggested keeping the back blank or perhaps inserting a tiny snippet, such as
Notes about [your name]. Clever!
5. Always ask if an agent or editor wants your material(s) - You may think it's nothing to hand over a business card--it's small, right? But whether it's a card, a one-sheet, or sample pages, you need to ask first. It's a professional courtesy, pure and simple.
Ms. Gardner has 10 "teaser" tips at her website:
http://www.rachellegardner.com/2013/03/win-agents-and-influence-editors/If you weren't able to make it to the webinar, hop on over to Author Media. There should be information about buying a recording of the webinar soon:
http://www.authormedia.com/how-to-win-agents-and-influence-editors-at-a-writers-conference-webinar/
Agent Media is hosting a webinar on March 18—featuring mega-agent Rachelle Gardner and marketing expert Thomas Umstattd, Jr.—on how to stand out at a writer's conference.
Just a hint of what they're offering:
- What turns agents on, what turns them off and what makes them run away in terror.
- How to avoid the classic mistakes that scream “amateur”.
- The 5 things successful authors do before the conference to double their chance for success.
- How to talk to an agent who’s already booked solid (without staking out the bathroom).
- Tips, timelines, and goals not offered anywhere else.
It isn't free, but it looks like you'll get a boatload of info for just $15.
I'm in. How about you?
For details, visit:
http://www.authormedia.com/how-to-win-agents-and-influence-editors-at-a-writers-conference-webinar/
You've got until March 10 to submit a pitch to the critique forums at WriteOnCon's 2013 Pitch Fest.
If you've written a MG or YA book and have a query you want to polish, go ahead and give this a try. Extra eyes are so very important and the feedback can be extremely helpful.
I'm working on my pitch now!
For details, go to:
http://writeoncon.com/2013/02/pitch-fest-details-below/
Oh, how I wish this video were longer!
The bond between these two is truly amazing. [wipes eyes]
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I don't use Wordpress but I know some people like it and feel like they somehow don't control their work enough on Blogger. A big book review blog I read just converted from Blogger to Wordpress and I think really likes it.
Good luck with the decision.
I've just been thinking about the idea of wordpress. I don't know enough about it to switch now, but I'll probably take some time to look into it.
Thanks for the heads' up!
I'll let you know if I take either course. Still on the fence.
I would certainly love to know more about Wordpress.
At present, only my blog is on Wordpress. I use a free template, although I did pay for font customization. My domain and webpage are hosted on Go Daddy. I did my own web design (which is probably obvious) rather than use a template. This was years ago when there were few webpage templates available via any platform
For blogging, I find Wordpress less user-friendly than Blogger. I'm constantly having to search the web for html code to get my page to look like I want it to. Plus, there are things I could do on Blogger that I can't do on Wordpress. That said, I prefer the clean design.
I wanted to start a new blog with a slightly different thrust than my old Blogger blog, so I went with Wordpress.
I always set everything up myself because I'm poor. :)
VR Barkowski
Kathryn, Thank you for blogging about my classes!
I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. I'd be happy to answer any questions. :)
Incredible story there. What happened after? Thanks!
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