February 1, 2004 Volume 3: Issue 2
"Self Published Authors" Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Helping self-published authors promote and market their books
and share information and resources.
February 1, 2004 Volume 3: Issue 2
Dan Shaurette
editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com
By Subscription Only! You are receiving this newsletter because
you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions are at
the end of this newsletter.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Editor's Notebook
2. Newsletter Submission Guidelines
3. Feature Article by Judy Cullins
4. Resource Links
5. Publicity Article by Roberta Gale
6. Free Products, Services, Downloads
7. Interview of Sara Webb Quest
8. Classes & Workshops
9. Review by Daniel Shaurette
10. Announcements/Requests
11. Commentary by Michael Levy
12. Classified Ads
13. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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1: EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
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Welcome to the February 2004 newsletter for
SelfPublishedAuthors.com. For those of you who are new to the
subscription, I hope you will enjoy this issue. Thank you for
visiting the website and subscribing to the list.
To the regulars out there, I'm glad to see you back for another
issue. This month we have three wonderful articles, plus an
interview, our first review, as well as more great resource
links.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or if you’d like
to contribute, be interviewed, add an event or have a request,
please reply to this email, or drop a line to me at:
editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
Thanks for reading and enjoy the issue!
Dan Shaurette
editor@selfpublishedauthors.com
http://www.ShauretteNet.com
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2: NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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The newsletter for SelfPublishedAuthors.com is here to provide a
resource for all authors. Obviously, we want to help you
succeed in your writing, self-publishing efforts, and self-
promotion. I have received a few requests from fellow authors
asking what they can do to promote their books in the
newsletter.
I am always happy to help promote an author and their works in
the newsletter. That's what we're here for. That being said,
the best I can do is one of the following.
If you are interested in writing an article about your
experiences as a self-published author, I would be more than
happy to consider it for publication. If I publish the article,
I will give you space for a signature box that you could use to
promote yourself and your book.
If you would like to send me an ARC copy of your book, eBook
format preferred, I would be happy to review it and interview
you. The interview would most likely be what gets published in
the newsletter, but reviews of recommended books may also be
published. Please note, I have already been presented with some
works to read, so please query me first before sending your
books. I'd rather return a book than form a slush pile.
If you have a book signing coming up, we do try to list those
when they are timely. Remember our newsletter is published in
December, February, April, June, August, and October. If you
host a class or workshop, or have a website that promotes a
writer's resource, please let us know about it. All links about
such events are provided free of charge. Your name, location,
dates, and contact info. will presented.
If instead you are just interested in placing an advertisement
in the newsletter for your book or website, you can read about
the rates on the website at
http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com/advertise.html -- they are
very fair (only $6 per newsletter issue for a five line ad.)
Advertising requests sent to me, however, will be forwarded on
to Christina Wheeler (contact@selfpublishedauthors.com), the
website and newsletter owner.
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3: FEATURE ARTICLE by Judy Cullins
Publishing Your Book - What Way is Best For You?
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Your print or eBook is nearly finished. You wonder if you should
try to get an agent to represent you to the publisher. Maybe
you've already sent out your query letter to some agents. You
dream how great it would be to be taken under the publisher's
wings.
What's wrong with this picture? Even if an agent has given you
the go and asks for a book proposal that has specific marketing
information in it (takes three to seven months to write), you
still have to face reality.
FACT: Like Oprah, publishers and agents choose only 1-2% of
proposals submitted.
Let's say for now, you are chosen. The point is, are you
fortunate to be chosen? Are you willing to wait on the
traditional publishing process for 12 more months? Are you
willing to accept around 2-5% of the profits? Do you realize
that after a few months of one initial book tour (of which you
must pay all costs from your book sales), you are on your own?
And, if you don't put a lot of time into promotion, your book
will fade away within two months from the brick and mortar book
store shelves. All unsold and coffee-stained books left will be
returned, and the cost is deducted from the author's royalties.
Unless you are a favored celebrity or famous author, publishers
put little time or money into your book's promotion.
Get the Right Help the Right Way
Who says you can't publish the book yourself? It will certainly
cost you less than you imagine, even under $1000. It will bring
you all the profits. It will put you in charge to make suitable
and favorable writing, publishing and promotion decisions.
With a little help from professionals! These entrepreneurial
experts such as book coaches, book designers, and eBook
specialists can guide you through publishing success. These
people may give tele-classes, small group coaching experiences,
inexpensive ways to learn the ropes. These pros will shorten
your learning curve too, so you get the right help right away to
write the right book right away.
When you think you still have to promote your books, even with a
publisher, why not keep most of the profits and do some of the
work yourself? Learn from your coach's experiences, "Do What
You Do Best - and Hire the Rest!" (That doesn't mean you can't
barter for services). Check out the methods below and see which
one suits you best, is more rewarding and far more profitable.
Why Self-Publishing?
In self-publishing, you are the boss. You get to choose the
cover, the style, the layout, the message, even the format
(eBook or Print Book). Since you are the one enthused about it,
you will be able to capitalize and can promote far better than
many publishers.
In self-publishing, who do you think can sell your book the
best? You, the passionate author in love with his or her book,
or the rookie publisher's employee in charge of publicizing your
book?
On Print Books--Print on Demand Two Ways
1. Hire the Publisher/Printer yourself to just print your book
from your Word file. In Print Quantity Needed such as
http://www.daharts.com (similar to POD) you keep all of your
book's rights. This method helps you make much more profit from
your effort and you will get your book out to the buyers so much
faster, making faster profits.
2. Hire Full-Service Print on Demand Publisher/Printers who each
charge you an up front fee to set up. They too take your word
files and put into Portable Document Format.
The downside? Check to see if you need these services. You don't
need an ISBN number if you sell from your own web site. The
biggest downside to me is that I have no control over my book.
Here, you must buy back each book from the printer/publisher at
a wholesale price--almost half of what you will sell it for.
So, your profits are limited.
List of POD Publishers to Investigate:
1. www.trafford.com - 888-232-4444
2. www.IUniverse.com - 877-823-9235
3. www.XLibris.com - 888-795-4274
4. www.pagefreeepublishing.com - 888-707-7634
5. www.infinitypublishing.com - 877-289-2665
These companies do not offer a good promotion plan. If you want
to sell online, you'll have hundreds of thousands of eager book
buyers ready to buy when you apply the number one, free way to
promote your book--submitting articles to opt-in eZines and web
sites. Contact a reliable book coach for this information.
On eBooks
If you sell your book as an eBook on your Web site or link it to
other publishing web sites, you will make 100% of the profit.
FACT: In traditional publishing for print books, you must get a
distributor, and a wholesaler to get brick and mortar bookstores
to carry your book. The bookstore gets a percentage too. Maybe
these costs will add up to 85%! What's left for the author, the
one who wants to make a difference in people's lives?
Is there a drawback to self-publishing?
If you print it, you must pay for the printing yourself, but
remember that could be as low as $300 for 50 plus books. Print
on Demand and Print Quantity Needed print short runs from five
to 500. Depending on how many that could run from $2-$5 for a
book you can sell for $15. You'll only have to make a small
investment, you won't have a huge inventory, and you can apply
your extra cash to book promotion, the most important part of
the book's journey.
Why Write an eBook Fast?
You make all the money, can make ongoing, passive profits for
life, spend much less time writing and promoting, retain total
control, share your unique, important message with 1000's daily,
build your client base and credibility, reach your target
audience easily and distribute yourself, spend less money and
have more cash flow, finish your book within 30 days, make
ongoing passive profits for life, can update your book when it
needs it, become the expert in your field, gain trust,
credibility and friends.
More benefits: you don't have printing or inventory costs, can
use Word in 8.5"x11" format and PDF, don't have to travel, don't
have to tell or sell, don't have to package and mail books,
distribute and sell online from email or a Web site, no
packaging, no printing, and no mailing.
Promotion is always at least as important, if not more
important, than your book. Drawbacks are starting to look like
profits and a low cost investment for you. With PQN (you have
all control, keep and distribute all the books) or eBooks you
won't have hundreds or thousands of unsold books in your garage
gathering dust.
Many people feel it's a drawback to have to market and promote
their books. Yet, you can learn skills such as the sixty second
"tell and sell," the promotional article or power press release,
and the sales letter for your Web site from an already
successful author-coach. Publicity agents charge a lot of money
and tend to overdo the media kit, (media editors and reporters
usually throw everything away except the news release).
You need to learn how to talk about your book in a few
sentences, a few paragraphs, and a longer sales letter. You need
someone who has authored and sold many books, one with long-term
copy writing experience. But even if you spend $1000 for
coaching, editing and printing, you'll still be able to realize
a larger profit than the traditional route.
You, the author, need to decide what path is best for you.
Make sure it's a profitable one.
Judy Cullins: 20-year author, speaker, book coach
Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams
eBk: "Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online"
http://www.bookcoaching.com
To receive FREE "The Book Coach Says..."
or Business Tip of the Month go to
http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
Judy@bookcoaching.com
Ph:619/466/0622
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4: RESOURCE LINKS
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JMH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS - Advertising
During the month of February, receive 1/2 off all advertising
packages. This special is on a first come, first served basis.
Contact: editor@jmhcreativesolutions.com
http://jmhcreativesolutions.com/advertise.html
CLICKBANK - eCommerce site to power YOUR eBookstore!
You've written your book, and have created an eBook version
yourself. Now you want to sell your eBook yourself, accepting
payments online but don't know how to start - or worse, you do
know, and don't want all the hassle of merchant accounts, secure
servers, etc.? ClickBank is the solution for selling your
digital products like eBooks, software, music, or anything that
can be downloaded or emailed. There's a one-time $49.95
activation fee, and no monthly fees.
THE SCORE: You set your retail price for your product. Twice a
month, they send you a paycheck for the products they have sold
for you, minus $1 + 7.5% per product sold. If you sold one eBook
at $10.00, their cut is $1.75, and your profit is $8.25! After
selling SIX copies, you've recouped your activation cost.
Any following sales are gravy. Your customers can pay by Visa,
MasterCard, AMEX, or Discover credit cards, debit cards, and
even checks (in the US only.)
THE CATCH: They are not an eBook publisher, web designer, or
marketing company. You have to do all that work. But if this
is what you've been waiting for BECAUSE you've already done the
work, and you are lacking that crucial piece of payment for the
sale, this seems to be the solution.
http://www.clickbank.com
Have you used this service? Tell us about it, or recommend
another! Send an email to editor@selfpublishedauthors.com and
let us know.
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5: PUBLICITY ARTICLE By Roberta Gale
What To Do When Your Interview Crashes
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A few weeks ago my hard drive crashed. I was on pins and needles
for a seemingly endless day, hoping against hope that it could
be fixed. I turned in to a basket case when I found out it was
so fried that data recovery would be impossible, even if I was
willing to spend the thousands of dollars that service usually
costs.
Like most people, I thought it could never happen to me, and
like most people I had failed to back up my computer. I stewed
and steamed and blamed everyone from myself to my husband to the
UPS guy. I worked frantically for days, trying to find "hard"
copies of some material, begging people I knew to e-mail me back
stories and proposals I had sent them, and trying to rebuild my
address book and data bases from scratch.
But it was only when I relaxed a bit and began to take orderly
stock of what I lost, that the true rebuilding process started
coming together. I mourned my hard drive and the mountains of
work I would never see again, and then moved on to the task at
hand. I methodically listed what I remembered I had, what I
needed to get, and how I would get it. I then took steps to
ensure that a hard drive crash would never knock me off my feet
again.
How does my little sob story relate to you? For those of you who
have experienced a horrible interview, you may have felt like
your emotional hard drive crashed. You thought you were ready.
Confidence was coursing through every vein. But somehow, when
you finally went on the air with the host, nothing went right.
You didn’t say what you meant, you didn’t mean what you said,
your voice sounded horrible, you looked like a homeless person,
you stuttered, you got confused, you went blank, the host didn’t
like you. Somehow you managed to pull off the worst interview in
the history of the media.
Like most people, you never thought this could happen to you,
and like most people, you had no contingency plans to deal with
the situation. You’re angry with yourself, the host, the
audience, your phone, anyone or anything that you can
frantically grab on to and blame for this verbal and/or visual
catastrophe. Sound a bit like me and my hard drive crash?
Now here’s where the rebuilding begins.
Allow yourself to be as angry or upset or humiliated as you want
to be for a few days, during which time you will NOT listen to
that painful interview or view that horrific videotape.
Have an objective friend, co-worker, family member or your media
coach listen to or watch the interview and give you their honest
assessment. It may not have been that bad, and it’s possible
that you were too hard on yourself. Or it may have been awful.
You are not always able to judge your own performance, and an
outside opinion is needed to get some perspective.
Then, take some time to write down absolutely everything you
remember about the interview, no matter how inconsequential.
Include the following: Time of day, weather, your pre-interview
state of mind, any outside or family issues you were dealing
with at the time, your feelings about doing the interview, how
nervous you were, how well you were feeling physically, where
you did the interview, any transportation or traffic hassles
getting to the interview, phone quality if applicable, any
distractions during the interview, how prepared you were, what
types of notes you had, what the host was like, your feelings
toward the host, the type of station, the state and city of the
interview.
Now let’s rebuild your emotional hard drive one folder at a
time.
Take a look at or a listen to the tape again, keeping the list
you just made in front of you. As you watch or listen, check off
anything that may have affected any part of your performance.
For example, if you stumbled and stammered after one of the
host’s questions, was it due to nervousness, or were you truly
unprepared? If you looked horrible on camera, was it because you
did your own makeup, or because you had a bad cold that day?
Once you connect each part of "The Universe’s Worst Interview"
to a specific cause, you can begin to correct the problems one
at a time and let go of the parts that were out of your control.
Rather than thinking of your interview as this big, ugly monster
that can never be tamed, you will begin to look at it in more
manageable pieces that can be worked on in baby steps.
Making mistakes is not a crime, but not learning from them is.
I look to the following definition to encourage you to work on
and positively critique each and every interview. "Insanity is
doing the same thing over and over and expecting different
results."
Roberta Gale Media Coaching
"Individualized Instruction in the Art of the Interview"
http://www.robertagale.com
Email: roberta@robertagale.com
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6: FREE Products, Services, Downloads
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eBookCompiler - Free Demo/$29.95 Reg - Win95 and above, MSIE 4+
This software will take a set of HTML files (created in Word,
for example) and compile them into a self-running eBook (for
Windows 95 or better).
THE SCORE: The demo is fully functional and does not expire,
so you can create all the royalty-free eBooks you want for free.
But if you choose to sell your eBooks, they require you to
register the software.
THE CATCH: It's only fault seems to be no planned support for
Mac, Linux, PDA or any other operating systems. Your book
therefore will have a limited audience, albeit the largest one,
i.e. Windows users.
THE COIN TOSS: What seems to be a factor that can go either way
for this program is that it requires your manuscript to be in an
HTML format. If you are familiar with web design, or have a word
processor like MS Word that can convert your ms. to HTML, then
you are good. If not, then you will need to invest in an HTML
editor, or find a plug-in for your Word processor software.
http://www.ebookcompiler.com
Have you used this software? Tell us about it, or recommend
another! Send an email to editor@selfpublishedauthors.com and
let us know.
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7: INTERVIEW: Sara Webb Quest by Dan Shaurette
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In my writing career, I'd like to think I'm really just
beginning. I have a few credits under my belt, including having
the opportunity to be the editor for this newsletter. However,
there are a few people I can say that I do admire for what they
have accomplished. Among the list of writers out there, I have
to admit, I hope I could someday say I'll be half as successful
as the lady I had the opportunity to interview this month. Her
name is Sara Webb Quest. If you are like me, you have probably
seen her name in many internet writing circles or in print.
Sara Webb Quest is a professional writer in addition to being a
book editor for JMH Creative Solutions. She is the Review
Editor for FirstWriter.com. Not only is she a regular columnist
for Suite101.com for "Alternative Writing", she is the course
developer and instructor for two Suite University courses. She
is also the Founding/Senior Dean of Suite University’s Writing
and Publishing School, and the Associate Editor of Suite101's
Professional Writing Hub.
Her latest book, BECOME A WELL-PAID BOOK REVIEWER, has been
published by SelfHelpGuides.com. Her articles, reviews and
award-winning poems have been published in Parenting Magazine,
Inside Cape Cod, Cape Cod Parent & Child, The Dana Literary
Society, and Scribe & Quill, just to name a few. She lives in
Massachusetts with her husband and daughter where she even
operates her own writing service, S. Webb Quest.
DS: First off, Sarah, thank you very much for this opportunity
to interview you. How many projects are you actively involved
in right now, and quite honestly, how do you find the time?
SWQ: I'm currently focusing on four projects: promoting my
freelance writing service, editing manuscripts for
http://www.jmhcreativesolutions.com, running Suite University's
Writing & Publishing School and collaborating on a poetry book
with my friend / author Sally Odgers.
DS: To your credit, you have written poetry and fiction, essays
and articles, reviews and editorials, instructional courses, and
now a guidebook for helping other writers. How long have you
been writing professionally, and do you think your purpose has
changed over the years?
SWQ: I have been writing professionally for five years or so.
My purpose has changed over the years from writing for fun and
publishing credits to writing for those aspects and money! Since
the birth of my daughter the money part has taken priority.
DS: What was the first thing you wrote that was published and
when?
SWQ: I wrote a free-verse poem called "Success" that was
published online at Fluid Ink Press five years ago.
DS: Have you had any projects that haven't sold that are still
looking to be published, and do you still actively pitch them?
SWQ: I'm glad you asked! "A Mountain Place" is a spiritual-
fantasy book for children aged 6-12. Information about it can
be read at http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?
AuthorID=2092&id=6374. The book meets today's spiritual and
fantasy demands by children. "Expecting a Grand Baby" is an
article that shares my experience and lessons regarding being a
petite woman pregnant with a larger-than-average baby. The
article offers information that just doesn't exist. Plus, it's
funny. I think these two projects would sell if I actively
pitched them -- time is what's lacking!
DS: Besides being a writer and a mother (which is a full-time
job in of itself) what other jobs have you held, and did you
leave them to write professionally?
SWQ: When I first began writing professionally, I worked in a
pottery shop. I became pregnant during that time and wanted to
work somewhere supportive of motherhood. I chose to become a
pre-school teacher, where I still work one day per week for
sanity's sake. Still, this is a hard question to answer as I'm
a new editor at J.M.H. Creative Solutions and recompense is good
enough that I would give-up the day care if I received a long
series of editing projects!
DS: If I may ask, has your husband been supportive of your
writing as a profession, especially now that you are a new
mother?
SWQ: For the most part he has been incredibly supportive and so
has my mother who we rent a house from.
DS: Was BECOME A WELL-PAID BOOK REVIEWER written out of a desire
to pen down your advice, or were you trying to write a book that
you yourself wished existed once upon a time?
SWQ: There is no book in existence, other than this one, telling
how to become a paid book reviewer. I think the reason for this
is because it is a very new "amateur" writing venue -- it meets
the tremendous augmentation in new authors as a result of
increased publishing opportunities.
DS: The book gives many examples from your own query letters
and other very specific tricks to getting the edge in marketing
one's self as a professional writer. How much is from your
personal history and how much was research?
SWQ: Since there were no facts on starting a paid review job,
I had to use my personal, step-by-step process to guide the
reader from developing their review craft to getting regular-
paying gigs.
DS: Did the manuscript for your guidebook sell immediately?
Did you have an agent?
SWQ: The manuscript took a couple months to sell, so it didn't
sell immediately. I don't have an agent yet.
DS: How much time do you devote to marketing your book,
websites, etc., and what has worked the best for you?
SWQ: Marketing is so much a part of my writing it is hard to
pinpoint how much time is devoted to it! I market my book every
time I email someone, since it's in the signature. All in all,
I market my book five hours per week (give or take) and the
websites five to eight hours per week. Tools that have worked
are: involving myself as a part of the staff of a big online
community, querying topnotch publications, and sending a writing
newsletter to 50 subscribers have been great tools.
DS: Do you have other similar books in the works right now, or
any plans to write more self-help guidebooks?
SWQ: Friend and prolific author Sally Odgers and I are
collaborating on a poetry book to be possibly titled "Other Side
of the World." It offers dreamy, sensual, and classical-styled
verse and a look at Australian / American themes. I am on Cloud
9 with this project as Sally is an idol of mine!
DS: Is there any genre of writing that you haven't done that you
have considered? Besides the obvious full plate you already
have, why else might you not have pursued it?
SWQ: LOL -- Technical writing was a consideration I didn't
pursue because other writing venues allowed more room for
creativity and emotion. Although, technical writers have a right
to disagree!
DS: Is there an author or favorite book that influenced and
inspired you over the years?
SWQ: Stephen King's book On Writing was a central inspiration.
I had always wanted to turn blunt, simple phrases like him.
In the book, King tells how he learned from each of his many
rejections before striking gold with his novel Carrie.
DS: How do you define "success" and would you consider yourself
to be successful as a writer?
SWQ: I have worked too hard at my writing not to consider myself
a successful writer. I define "success" as knowing, beyond a
shadow of a doubt, that you have produced a flawless work.
Microsoft Word helps -- it helps in perfection of overall
consistency.
DS: Your book and courses are geared to giving writers the right
tools to succeed as professional writers. Do you have any tips
or universal advice for other aspiring authors?
SWQ: Focus on a few authors whose careers you wholly admire then
submit to the same publications -- and eventually agents /
publishers -- they have submitted to.
DS: Thank you Sara, for your time with me. I wish you even more
success in your career and especially in future writing
pursuits.
SWQ: Thank you, Dan. You are a kind and gifted person.
Keep writing!
Have a manuscript you want edited?
Take advantage of Sara's experience and innovative services at
http://www.jmhcreativesolutions.com
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8: CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
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SUITE UNIVERSITY: School of Writing & Publishing
SuiteU offers online courses in an overwhelming range of topics,
but specifically for writers who wish to hone or pick up new
skills, this school offers 28 unique courses on topics ranging
from creativity workshops and character development, to résumé
and cover letter writing, to writing for newspapers and
magazines. They can be taken anytime online, and come as
interactive courses or quick courses.
http://www.suite101.com/suiteu/school.cfm/15917
SCREENWRITERS MEETUP
Meetup with local professional and aspiring screenwriters to
discuss story ideas, plot lines, character development, etc.
Monday, February 16 @ 8:00PM (3rd Monday of every month.)
Find a local meetup near you by visiting:
http://screenwriters.meetup.com
JOURNALISTS AND REPORTERS MEETUP
Meetup with other local pundits and commentators, reporters
and journalists of all stripes.
Wednesday, February 18 @ 6:00PM (3rd Wednesday of every month.)
Find a local meetup near you by visiting:
http://journo.meetup.com
ONLINE WRITING WORKSHOPS, LLC
This site hosts virtual writers' communities in which writers
can get feedback on their works in progress, improve their
writing through critiquing others, and meet fellow aspiring
writers. There is an annual membership fee ($49/year) which
is waived for the first month.
http://www.onlinewritingworkshop.com
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9: REVIEW by Daniel Shaurette
"Become A Well-Paid Book Reviewer" by Sara Webb Quest
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Genre: Non-fiction/Self-help/Writing/Publishing
Format: Adobe Acrobat PDF eBook
Publisher: SelfHelpGuides.com
ISBN: 1-877285-87-0
Price: $4.99 USD
Working as the editor for the SelfPublishedAuthors.com
newsletter, I have had the opportunity to get to know the next
generation of professional authors. One such author is Sara Webb
Quest, an internet writer and reviewer.
Her latest book, BECOME A WELL-PAID BOOK REVIEWER, has been
published by SelfHelpGuides.com. In it, Sara gives step-by-step
instructions, tips, and tricks which can help an avid reader
take a love of reading books and make a living at writing
reviews.
The guidebook format provides key steps for breaking down the
standard review style along with helpful hints to start critical
thinking. She has given many examples from her own query
letters and reviews which show us what to aim for in quality and
content.
There are exercises in each chapter geared to helping the writer
hone the skills the book explains. There are good solid tips in
the guidebook as well, especially involving speed-reading, and
in writing biased versus unbiased reviews.
Another feature of her book is the listing of a good spectrum of
websites to submit reviews to. While finding places to submit
to is always a challenge for a new reviewer, the ones she lists
here are tried-and-true.
The tip that struck a chord for me was on speed-reading. This is
a skill I have never learned, though I have tried most methods.
Reading faster and still reading effectively will be the key for
me; my slush pile is already beginning to grow. Her pointers
accented my understanding of how vital this will be for a
successful review writer, and will help me with future reviews.
Sara has a strong background in writing, and I have read many of
her reviews. This guidebook shows off her skill as a writer,
and her knowledge is easily passed on to the reader. I enjoyed
this guidebook and believe it is a fine resource and writing
companion. It is a unique guide that does fill a niche for new
and potential review writers like myself.
Sara Webb Quest is a book editor for JMHCreativeSolutions.com.
She is the Review Editor for FirstWriter.com. In addition, at
Suite101.com she is a regular columnist, a course developer for
two SuiteU courses, the Senior Dean of the SuiteU Writing and
Publishing School, and the Associate Editor of Suite101's
Professional Writing Hub.
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10: ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
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NEW at SelfPublishedAuthors.com:
We are pleased to announce that SelfPublishedAuthors.com has
added a Resource Center to the website. Add a link to your
business or website if it provides a writers' resource, such as
POD, self-publishing, agents, freeware or shareware for writers.
a writers' group, etc. This will provide a valuable source for
writers, as well as drum up new business for you.
Visit SelfPublishedAuthors.com and click the link to the
"Resources" on the home page. If you would like to be added to
an existing resource page or have an idea for a new page, please
send an email to contact@selfpublishedauthors.com
- Christina Wheeler
REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS: [PAYING] Stone Soup Magazine
"Stone Soup is made up of stories, poems, book reviews, and art
by young people through age 13." What a great way to encourage
your children to gain a passion for reading and writing! Send to
Stone Soup Submissions Dept., P.O. Box 83, Santa Cruz, CA 95063.
http://www.StoneSoup.com
REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS: [PAYING] Acrimony Magazine
Acrimony is a monthly publication that focuses on the
Alternative, Gothic, and Paranormal scenes. Acrimony is
currently publishing short essays, investigative stories,
poetry, pictures, and other artwork.
E-mail your content to editor@acrimony.org or mail it to
Lava Marketing, P.O. Box 215, Ontonagon, MI 49953.
http://www.Acrimony.org
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11: COMMENTARY: Writers Stew by Michael Levy
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Just as soon as a toddler learns to walk and talk, so do they
begin to read and write. They quickly learn that reading and
writing will influence every part of their human life. No matter
what job or profession they follow, writing will be an integral
part of it. It may be a simple shopping list for a housewife or
an intricate equation for a quantum scientist; everyone will use
one form of writing or another.
Professional writers may allow their perceptions and concepts to
simmer on a low light for many years, whilst others may allow
their ideas to boil over. Indeed, some writers may never get
their pot lit and have to dine on cold leftovers throughout
their lives. However, there is one burning question all writers
should ask themselves: "Why am I writing?
- Do they write for the money?
- Do they write because they have a good imagination?
- Does their mind conjure up images of death and destruction?
- Are they suited to writing horror, mysteries or perhaps dramas
and romance?
The subject matter is as large as the world we live in. But once
again the question should be asked, "Why am I writing?" The
question needs to be asked over and over again.
Why? Because the world we live in at this moment in time is
sinking deeper and deeper into a vast cooking pot of
intellectual sewage that continues to feed toxic waste into the
minds of present and future generations.
It is no longer good enough for a writer to stew in their own
juices, for their juices may be badly contaminated and they may
not realize the damage they are doing with their writing. Let's
for one moment play a game of "What If's".
- What if everyone who puts pen to paper writes an inspirational
helpful article or essay?
- What if every horror writer stops writing horror and starts to
write motivational works?
- What if every journalist and editor refuses to publish non-
essential negative news and instead publishes exhilarating
columns on love and joy?
- What if every screenwriter only wrote scripts that projected
the virtue of the human race?
I think you get the point. If you are a writer cooking up a new
plot, stop and ask yourself, "Why am I writing?"
Place your fingers (with your hands) on your lap and clear your
mind. Take in a few deep breaths and wait for the authentic
answer to your question to come into your mind. If every writer
who reads this article would project their true nature in their
writing and not the one given to them by their education and
upbringing.
Why then, the world would become a better place for everyone to
live in. This is your chance to really make a difference. This
is the true reason you were born. You are designed to help
humanity enjoy life.
The mystical flame is lit and all the ingredients are provided
for you (in the silence of your mind) to cook up a delightful
platter of unique works of majestic authenticity and
genuineness. If at first you do not find any customers for your
new pot of truth, have no fear. In time your works will join
together with all the other writers and you will reminisce of
the days when "What If's" became "Can Do's".
Now wouldn't that be a dainty dish to set before every baby?
So that they may be crowned kings and queens of a humanity
focused on Love & Joy.
Michael Levy is the author four books: "What is the Point?",
"Minds of Blue, Souls of Gold", "Enjoy Yourself-It's Later Than
You Think", and "Invest With a Genius." Michael's poetry and
essays now grace many web sites, journals and magazines
throughout the world.
http://www.pointoflife.com
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12: CLASSIFIED ADS
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LISTINGS:
ADD YOUR BOOK LISTING & AUTHOR BIO:
This is a marketing feature you don’t want to miss:
http://www.selfpublishedauthors.com/add.html
SHAURETTENET: The Home Page of Dan Shaurette
- His Novel, LILITH'S LOVE - http://www.Liliths-Love.com
- The Shaurette Gazette - http://www.ShauretteNet.com/gazette
- The McJournal Project - http://clik.to/McJournal
All this and more at: http://www.ShauretteNet.com
Book Creation & Publishing Services
Comprehensive publishing program includes everything from
the ISBN to international listings and distribution.
Cover design and text layout services. Editing services.
http://www.trippinglightlybooks.com
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT COULD BE HERE!
Contact Christina Wheeler for more information:
contact@selfpublishedauthors.com
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13: Subscriber Management / Contact Information
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© 2002-2004 Self Published Authors All Rights Reserved
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