WPN Market Update – December, 2007
By Patricia L. Fry
Editorial Comment – Here’s How to Legitimately Purchase Just One ISBN.
Going, Going, Gone – 8 mags, a writers’ website and a publisher gone.
Here’s What’s New – 4 new magazines, 2 relaunches and more.
Opportunities for Anyone – Several jobs within the publishing industry.
Opportunities for Fiction Writers – 3 high paying markets and 2 GREAT resources.
Opportunities for Freelance Writers – Over 30 magazines that pay well.
Book Promotion Opportunities – Sell to Libraries in December, magazines that publish novel excerpts, a strong market for your children’s book.
Opportunities for Artists – 3 opportunities.
Resources for Authors and Freelance Writers – “Writers Suck at Selling.”
Bonus Item – NEW Video ads for print magazines.
Guest Interview – Scott Schmidt, Salvo Press, publisher of mystery, thriller, suspense and espionage books.
Editorial Comment—You CAN Now Legitimately Purchase Just One ISBN
Again, I’m going to interrupt a Market Update to make an important announcement. This one is for every author who wants to purchase just one ISBN. I’ve warned you against buying the ISBN from a publisher because that ISBN is tied to him and his company. Trying to distribute a book with an ISBN in someone else’s name, could cause you all sorts of annoying problems. And, I maintain that if your book ever becomes HUGE, what’s to stop an unscrupulous publisher from claiming an interest in your profits. After all, the ISBN is in his name.
A good guy to the rescue. Ron Pramschufer over at RJ Communications has been named an authorized agent of the US ISBN agency, RR Bowker, for the sale of single ISBNs. One ISBN can now be purchased online for $125 at https://isbn.selfpublishing.com/application.php.
Going, Going, Gone
Magic Window, a children’s magazine, is gone.
Prosper is going down the tubes.
Motto has ceased publishing.
Absolute is seeking money to help them stay afloat.
Writer.com is gone.
Triskelion Enterprise Publishers in Arizona is reported to have gone bankrupt. (They published science fiction and romance titles.)
New Man is planning to fold.
Spirited Woman will follow New Man. has ceased publication.
House and Garden
Cable World is gone.
Here’s What’s New
Arthur has relaunched. You might recall that this magazine folded last year. Well, it’s back. What is Arthur? It’s described as a transgenerational counterculture music magazine featuring contemporary art, photos, political essays and literary reviews. http://www.arthurmag.com.
American Heritage is also back. John Ross is the new managing editor. So far there doesn’t seem to be a website for this magazine.
6060 Publications is new. This bimonthly lifestyle publication targets audiences between the ages of 50 and 70. They post an editorial calendar at their site. Check it out and see if you have something to contribute in 2008. http://www.60-60.net/editorial.php. They publish articles on money matters, hobbies volunteering, living a more balanced lifestyle and more.
Big World, an online magazine for travelers in search of uncommon experiences, is coming soon. Watch for the website to open: http://www.bigworldmagazine.com.
Faithful Sister. Publisher Pamela Holley-Bright launched this new magazine for African-American teen girls in the fall of 2007. They welcome contributors. If you have an article with a Christian perspective on lifestyle, health, beauty, décor, etc, contact Pamela Holley-Bright at phbright@faithfulsismag.com. Web site: http://www.faithfulsismag.com.
Bookmasters, Inc. has added a new Muller Martini Diamant 30 case binding line to its newly expanded facility in Ashland, Ohio. This is one of only two such machines in the U.S. This addition will provide quality, shorten schedules and keep the company competitively priced. The most exciting feature, according toe Ray Sevin, President of BookMasters, is that it can produce a European Round. http://www.bookmasters.com
Kids En Espanol magazine will fold into Ser Padres, the Hispanic version of Parents. This magazine is distributed in physicians’ offices. Visit the website to learn more about the editorial needs. http://www.meredith.com/mediakit/hispanicventures/serpadres/editorial.html
Sibyl is a new magazine for women in the 30 to 65-year bracket. It features articles for the spirit and soul of women in the Carolinas. You can learn a little more about the magazine at http://www.sibellaonline.org. But, if you have a book that you’d like reviewed or you want to submit an article, you’ll have to call or write to ask about the procedure; 704-583-6386. 8116 South Tyron St., Ste. B3-12, Charlotte, NC 28273.
Have any of you heard of Mike Geffner? He produces a newsletter for authors and freelance writers every few months and it is a whopper. The last issue was at least 50 pages long. He has been collecting articles from experts and producing this newsletter for several years. Recently, however, he said that he could no longer do so without charging subscribers UNLESS he could entice advertisers. For several weeks, he contemplated whether to close or seek ads. Then he wondered who would advertise. I just received his latest announcement. Mike Geffner’s Newsletter will continue. And he would like to know, is there anyone out there who wants to advertise? Request ad rates by emailing Mike at: mgeffner@earthlink.net.
Opportunities for Anyone
WOW! Women on Writing is looking for 4 interns to contribute several hours per week working on their website. Interns will have the opportunity to advance very quickly after training and will receive paid assignments should they choose to become more involved. Send the following to editors@wow-womenonwriting.com, a brief bio, links to any websites/blogs/publications and the area in what way you’d like to be involved (writing, editing, newsletters, blogging, emails, contests, marketing, forums) and let them know how much time you’d like to spend with them per week.
Hampton Roads Publishing Company is looking for experienced book publishing professionals including copy editors, proofreaders, book designers, content and development editors, indexers, permission editors and photo researchers. productiondirector@hrpub.com.
Opportunities for Fiction Writers
Subtropics Magazine pays up to $1,000 for literary fiction and $100 for poetry. They want to receive your submission by mail along with a short cover letter. And, since they respond only by email, do not expect your submission to be returned. Amazingly, these editors claim to respond within 2 weeks. They recommend that you read an issue of the magazine before you submit anything. Submissions are accepted from August 31st to May 1st only. Mail your submission to Subtropics, POB 112075, 4008 Turlington Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-2075. But I recommend studying the submission guidelines first. http://www.english.ufl.edu/subtropics/submit.html
The Sun Magazine publishes 20 fiction pieces per year. And they pay $300 to $1,500 per story. They pay $50 to $250 per poem. This is one opportunity worth checking out: http://www.thesunmagazine.org.
GUD Magazine or Greatest Uncommon Denominator Magazine was launched last year as a publication that transcends and encompasses the audiences of nonfiction as well as both genre and literary fiction. And they’re a paying market. GUD Magazine pays $450 for book excerpts, essays, historical/nostalgic pieces, interview/profile, personal experience and even travel pieces. They also pay $450 for adventure, confessions, erotica, experimental, fantasy, horror, western, science fiction, suspense and more. While they use only 2 to 4 nonfiction manuscripts per year, they use as many as 40 fiction pieces. And they want to see the finished manuscript for both fiction and nonfiction. Mainly, they want something different. Do you write poetry or comics? GUD Magazine uses 12 poems per year and 10 comics. Learn more by visiting their website: http://www.gudmagazine.com. Questions? Contact one of the editors via email, editor@gudmagazine.com. You can address either Mike Coombes, Sal Coraccio, Kaolin Fire or Sue Miller. They prefer receiving submissions via their online form: http://www.gudmagazine.com. Click on “Submit.”
“Yes, You Can Make Money Writing Fiction.” This is the title of an article I wrote and which was published by Fiction Fix in September. If you write fiction and you would like to justify your passion by earning some money, you may find this article interesting. I provide information about several paying markets for fiction writers and I tell you exactly how to go about submitting your work and I even tell you how to get an agent for your fiction. Read the entire article at: http://www.coffeehouseforwriters.com/fictionfix/0703%20Fry.html.
Have you heard of StoryBase? http://www.Storybase.net is a useful resource for any type or genre of fiction writing, from drama to comedy, from screenplays to interactive games, from novels to short stories. Use Storybase.net to discover new possibilities, points-of-view and points-of-departure from which your story can unfold. A sure-cure for writer’s block, Storybase.net can be used throughout your creative process. Whether you like to outline first or just jump right in, Storybase.net is only one click away, providing thousands of specific, personalized writing prompts that can help your writing project come alive. The information and prompts at this site will guide you in forming characters and in developing situations involving various emotions and actions. Check it out and see if it will help you to improve your story.
Opportunities for Freelance Writers
PassionFruit Magazine is seeking personal stories. They want to see travel-inspired creative writing in great storytelling style. They pay $20 to $100 for stories. Learn more at http://www.passionfruit.com/submissions.html.
Are you looking for freelance work that pays $500 and up? Consider these:
Magazines that pay $125 to $500 include:
Book Promotion Opportunities
I’d like to deem December Library Book Promotion Month. Libraries typically purchase books in December and June. I suggest that you all join me in an effort to promote your books to libraries this month. How? Send your promo to librarians via mail or, use my favorite way, send brief, well-written promo emails to at least some of the 118,000 libraries in the U.S. Those of you who have read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book —either the first or second edition—know exactly what to do: Go to http://www.ala.org or http://www.librarydirectory.com or http://www.travelinlibrarian.info/libdir. Select the libraries you want to contact and may the best books find themselves in libraries all over this nation! For more on how to make library sales, read my article, “Tap Into the Library Market” at the WPN website: www.spawn.org/marketing/tapintolibrarymarket.htm
Oregon Quarterly publishes excerpts from novels. Describing themselves as the “Northwest perspective from the University of Oregon,” they are now considered a regional rather than a strictly university magazine. While it sounds as though they are open to many thoughts, opinions, genres and topics, they do prefer a Northwest and/or University of Oregon tie to the books they consider excerpting. Learn more at: http://www.uoregon.edu/~oq. If you have a novel set in Oregon or with some sort of Northwest focus, contact Guy Maynard at gmaynard@uoregon.edu or quarterly@uoregon.edu and see if they will publish an excerpt from your novel.
Children’s book authors, does your city sponsor a book club for students? Mayors of some cities throughout the U.S. have started book clubs in order to promote literacy through reading. Chicago, Florida, Texas, Minnesota and Illinois are some of the states with book clubs where children are rewarded for reading books. What do these programs need? Excellent books for students to read. If you have a book suitable for children at any reading level, I suggest doing a Google search to locate cities where such programs are taking place and tell the organizers about your book. Here are a few websites to get you started. I’d love a report from you on others. Springfield, Illinois: http://www.lincolnlibrary.info. Austin, Texas: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/mbc0720070314.htm. St. Paul, MN Book Club, Google “Mayor Norm Coleman’s Book Club.” Jacksonville, Florida, Google “Mayor Peyton’s Book Club.”
Opportunities for Artists
GUD (Greatest Uncommon Denominator) Magazine uses original art and photography. Learn more about the magazine and their needs at http://www.gudmagazine.com. Order a PDF copy of the magazine for $3.50. The print magazine is $10.
PassionFruit is seeking photos and artwork. They pay $10 to $25 for photos and illustrations and $75 for cover art. https://www.passionfruit.com/submissions.html.
Artist Resource at http://www.artistresource.org is a great place to go if you’re seeking work as an artist, want to know about events and shows, other organizations and opportunities, links, publications and more.
Resources for Authors and Freelance Writers
I recommend reading J.A. Konrath’s blog dated October 22, 2007. It’s called, “The Art of the Soft Sell” with a sub title of “Writers Suck at Selling.” I think you’ll find it interesting: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2007/10/art-of-soft-sell.html.
Bonus Item
Have you seen the latest in magazine advertising? Believe it or not, it’s print magazine ads with full-color VIDEO. No Way, you say? Yes way, reports an article at http://www.mediaweek.com. Lenticular technology is amazing enough. This is where the reader can change the picture by tilting the page. The printed image shows depth of motion as the viewing angle changes. Rolling Stones Magazine ran an ad recently using a lenticular process.
But one innovative graphics expert has come up with a way of producing an animated image on a print magazine page. He uses a coin-size battery to create this electronic display.
Guest Interview
Introducing publisher Scott Schmidt from Salvo Press
Q: I see that you publish 3 fiction titles per year and you’ve been in business for almost 10 years. Can you tell us something about your publishing interest? What type of books are you seeking?
A: As we have for the past 10 years, Salvo Press seeks the best fiction titles we can find in the mystery, suspense, espionage and thriller areas.
Q: What are some of your published titles?
A: Our most prominent titles—those which have been picked up in mass market paperback, audio, and by foreign publishers—are those by author Trevor Scott. However, we have nearly 20 authors.
Q: Which of your book topics/genre seem to be most popular—easiest to sell in the marketplace?
A: Mysteries and thrillers.
Q: What kind of author do you prefer working with? Describe your ideal author.
A: We like low maintenance authors who work hard to promote their work, and who are true professionals.
Q: I see that you require a query letter first. Do you ever request a book proposal from a perspective author? Why?
A: We don’t deal in proposals. That’s for non-fiction. We only deal with fully complete novels that have been edited and revised and edited and revised and edited and revised.
Q: What is the most common problem you see in fiction submissions?
A: Authors who have not done their homework, and those who write sloppy query letters with three or more typos and grammar problems in one page. I was an English major, but even I can multiply those errors over a 300-page book.
Q: What would you like to say to our audience about how to approach the publishing industry and your publishing house, in particular?
A: Please do not contact us until you have edited and revised your book until you’re sick of doing so. Then let it sit for a couple of months and edit it again as if for the first time. Only then should you consider writing a perfect and intriguing query letter. We prefer to hear from authors by email.
Scott Schmidt, Publisher, Salvo Press. . http://www.salvopress.com
Editor’s note: While Mr. Schmidt does not require a book proposal for fiction, many other publishers do. Some want to see a full-blown book proposal. Others request that you include your promotional ideas, important contacts, your qualifications to write this book and your proposed market for this book in a query letter. These are some of the same questions you would answer in a book proposal.
You’ll notice that this publisher does expect his authors to promote their books. I’m sure that the more information you can give publishers such as Mr. Schmidt about your promotional skills, contacts and ideas, the more interested they will be in your project.
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