SPAWN Market Update – February 2006

WPN Market Update – February, 2006

By Patricia L. Fry

Going, Going, Gone – 4 magazines, a review site and a writing mag are gone
Here’s What’s New – 12 new magazines and some industry changes
Opportunities for Freelance Writers – 5 good freelance opportunities
Opportunities for Authors – 7 potential publishers and freebies at LMP
Book Promotion Opportunities – 6 of them
Opportunities for Screenwriters – Workshops galore
Opportunities for Photographers – 5 magazines that want photos and a seminar
Reference Sites of the Month – A library directory and 2 writing Web sites
Bonus Item – Article: Promote Your Book Through Alternative Venues
Editor’s Request – It’s your turn
 
Going, Going, Gone
Inspired House
Book Review Café, an online book review site, is gone.
Cristina La Revista Magazine
Ruminator Magazine
Campus Life
Corney Vanhelden, editor of Writer-on-Line.com, announces that they will no longer be producing the Writer-on-Line newsletter.
Here’s What’s New
Note: When I list a new business, Web site, market or opportunity, this is not necessarily a recommendation. Please check into and check out any and all publishers, agents, distributors, reviewers, Web sites, booksellers, etc. before deciding whether or not this is the right entity for your project.
Additional Note: Why is it important to know about changes in the industry? Information is your friend. And change can sometimes open new doors. Let’s say that your article ideas have been rejected time and time again by a particular magazine editor. Then one day you read in the WPN Market Update that this magazine or publisher has a new editor. Send one of your appropriate query letters to this editor and your idea just might be welcomed with open arms.
Absolute Write Newsletter
Bookman Marketing is now Airleaf Publishing and Book Selling. http://www.airleaf.com
True Girl
Sway
Tango Magazine
Campus Life
Radish
Nails Magazine
It’s time to submit articles to AAA Midwest Traveler. But hurry. They stop accepting submissions in February. Go to http://www.travelermags.com for writer’s guidelines.
Grit Magazine
The Atlantic Monthly
Booktech Magazine
Printmedia Magazine
Sharon Ritchey is seeking writers living in Virginia to write for her new magazine, Soul of Virginia. She’ll pay .20 cents/word. She prefers seeing your resume first. Find out more about this publication at http://www.soulofvirginia.com.
Stimuli
Aging With Style Magazine
Guilt and Pleasure
Heart and Soul Magazine
Opportunities for Freelance Writers
You may recall my piece mentioning the big shift in magazine ownership between Gruner/Jahr and the Meredith Corporation. Well, there have been a lot of changes in the editorial lineup since. As you may know, staff changes can mean opportunities for freelance writers. If former editors of Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Fitness, Country Home, American Baby and Parents rejected your articles, maybe now is the time to submit your great ideas to a whole new editorial staff. First, study the magazine’s masthead or Web site to learn who is at the helm and then contact them by name. Meredith Corporation offices are at 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309-3023.
If you like to write for Cat Fancy Magazine, be aware that they accept queries only during the months of January through May. Do you have a good story idea for Cat Fancy? Now is the time to contact them. This magazine covers all aspects of responsible cat ownership including grooming, behavior, health, nutrition, training and personalities. They also welcome some fiction and poetry. They pay $50 to $450 for 600 to 1000 words. They also use work by photographers and artists. Contact Susan Logan at query@catfancy.com. Web site: http://www.catfancy.com.
Country Business Magazine
NurseZone.com
Bridal Guide
Brady Magazine at http://www.bradymagazine.com lists opportunities for freelance writers. Go to the Web site and click on “Writers Wanted.”
Opportunities for Authors
Do you have a book of poetry, a piece of fiction or a children’s literature manuscript? Viveca Smith at VSmith Publishing just might be interested in publishing it. VSmith Publishing is a traditional royalty publisher. Contact Ms. Smith at VSmithPublishing@aol.com.
A.T. Publishing is also a traditional royalty publisher who pays an advance of from $500 to $1000 for how-to books and books on educational topics. They pay royalties of 15 to 25 percent. If you have a manuscript related to cooking, foods, science, sports, recreation or educational topics, contact Anthony or John Prizzia at A.T. Publishing, 23 Lily Lake Rd., Highland, NY 12528.
John Florez at Wisdom Voyager will purchase manuscripts outright for ebooks for the K-3 set. He’ll pay $100 to $1000. Florez is looking for short stories which teach character, poems and songs. Contact Florez at: jwflorez@earthlink.net.
 
MC Press publishes as many as 40 titles per year and they only receive 100 queries. It seems like good odds to me. They’re mainly interested in technology books. And they pay 10 to 16 percent royalties. Check them out at http://www.mcpressonline.com.
Ann A. Hunter at Loft Press, Inc. pays royalties on anywhere from 12 to 20 titles per year. She’s interested in how-to, textbooks, biographies and coffee table books on many subjects. Contact them at http://www.loftpress.com.
Contemporary Press publishes most types of fiction. They’re a fairly new publisher who plans just 4 titles per year for now. Learn more about them at http://www.contemporarypress.com.
Did you know that you can get some information from literary marketplace online for free? It will normally cost you $399 to access Literary Marketplace online. But they have a program now through which you can access as many as 279 book manufacturers, 270 book distributors and sales reps, 135 magazines, 132 conferences and workshops and 153 radio programs featuring books. Register at http://www.literarymarketplace.com and get limited free access.
Brady Magazine at http://www.bradymagazine.com lists opportunities for authors. At present they have two children’s book publishers seeking manuscripts. Good luck.
Book Promotion Opportunities
Mind Your BIZness is a talk radio opportunity for authors and others. Danielle Hampson offers what she calls an “educational moment” for free. If you want to blatantly promote your book during the radio interview, there is a small fee. You can also purchase the show segment and upload it to your Web site. Check it out at http://www.mindyourbizness.com. Or call, 480-502-5354. Email Danielle for more information at Danielle@daniellehampson.com.
Irene Watson announces her new book review site, Reader Views. If your book qualifies, one of Irene’s team of reviewers will review it and Irene will post the review at their Web site. It appears that all of this is free—but do read the submissions information posted at http://www.readerviews.com/Submissions.html.
Book Browse
Calling All Authors is a global talk radio show hosted by publisher, Valerie Connelly. http://www.globaltalkradio.com Do you have valuable information and insight for their listeners? Contact Connelly at info@globaltalkradio.com or fill out the form at the Web site.
BookStream is the newest wholesaler on the block. Jack Herr, former distribution executive for Random House, and his partner Rich Stone, aspire to be the most competitive book wholesaler out there. For starters, they’re offering a 42 percent discount across the board. They’re currently only distributing books throughout Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia South Carolina and the northeast. http://www.bookstream.com
Would you like to see your book selling through Borders Bookstores? Try this: send your book to New Vendor Acquisitions, Borders Group, 100 Phoenix Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108 for consideration. I recommend that you first read their submission guidelines at: http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/artists/publishers.htm.
Opportunities for Screenwriters
American Accolades is a newsletter for screenwriters. Subscribe at: http://www.americanaccolades.com.
There may still be time to attend the “High Concept Formula to Creating, Pitching and Selling to Hollywood Seminar” February 11, 2006. It is billed as a step by step guided approach to screenwriting. Learn more at http://www.scriptapalooza.com or info@scriptapalooza.com.
There’s a screenwriting workshop to be facilitated by Chris Huntley, April 1 and 2, 2006. Learn more by calling 800-847-8679.
Attend the Great American PitchFest at the Sheraton Universal Studios, April 28-30, 2006. Bring your scripts and/or ideas to sell. http://www.pitchfest.com or 877-255-2528.
Opportunities for Photographers
There are several magazines that solicit photographs. One of them is Cat Fancy. Submit photos with or without an article. There’s a detailed list of the type of photos the art director wants to see at http://www.catfancy.com. Click on Photographers Guidelines. They pay anywhere from $25 to $200 per photo.
Home and Away Magazine
Smithsonian Magazine
Motor Trend
Military Officer
Uphoff Studios at successthroughphotography@unexc.com is offering photographers the opportunity to “shoot and profit.” They’re holding a seminar called Success Through Photography. They don’t give a lot of information in the email I received—not even a Web site to visit. But they claim they can help you to earn as much as $20,000 per month with your camera. Use the email above to learn more. And report back to me if this opportunity opens up a door to big money for you and your family.
Reference Web sites of the month
Have you visited either of these writing Web sites? They’re both new to me and I thought I’d share them with you. Both of them require that you sign up in order to use the Web site, but I don’t think there is a charge for membership. Be sure to read the fine print. Spoiled Ink is at http://www.spoiledink.com and Writing.com is at—yup, you guessed it, http://www.writing.com.
The World Wide Web Library Directory lists over 8800 libraries in 130 counties. Access the list at http://www.webpan.com/msauers/libdir. If Quality Books distributes your book, you might want to help sales along by sending press releases to librarians. Let them know that they can purchase copies of your book through Quality Books (a major library distributor).
Bonus Item:
Promote Your Book Through Alternative Venues
Are you running out of ideas for promoting your book? Does it seem as though there are fewer and fewer good promotional opportunities? Don’t despair. Sure, you’ve probably promoted in all of the usual places. You’ve visited the natural venues. Maybe now it’s time to pursue something less obvious.
Someone who is pitching a book on how to grow herbs would naturally give talks and demonstrations at nurseries, garden centers and health food and herb stores.
Natural venues for promoting a historical novel might include museums, bookstores, schools, libraries and civic clubs in the state where the story takes place.
You could expect to sell a book of cat stories through pet stores, veterinarians’ offices and gift shops.
Okay, so you’ve visited all of the natural venues for your particular book. You’ve also built a Web site, done dozens of book signings, solicited a few reviews and sent out mailings. What comes next? Where do you go to find new customers—to create fresh interest in your book? I suggest that you seek alternative venues. For example, try the following:
Speak at civic organization and other club meetings. Program chairpersons everywhere are eager to book interesting, enlightening, educational and entertaining presentations. Think about it, clubs that meet once a week need 52 programs. And clubs and organizations, even in small communities, can number in the dozens.
Locate lists of local clubs through your Chamber of Commerce. Or look in the front pages of your phone book. This information might also be posted on the city’s/county’s Web site.
Next, develop a couple of generic presentations related to your book and begin contacting program chairpersons for local Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist and professional clubs as well as the Board of Realtors, garden club, Friends of the Library, historic society and so forth.
Certainly, there are people in every audience who would be interested in knowing more about herbs. But instead of pursuing the gardening angle, this author might create an interesting talk featuring the history of herbal remedies or she might reveal how to use herbs in cooking. The author could spice up her talk by sharing recipes enjoyed by celebrities or focusing on people in history who used herbal remedies for various ailments.
The author of the historical novel must concentrate on bringing the story to life for his audience. He should practice doing this without revealing too much of the story. He might tell a parallel story, for example.
The author of the cat story book could tell a few of the stories. Not everyone in the group will be interested in cats, so this author might want to warm up the audience to cats. He might start by telling jokes about the differences between dogs and cats. He might share a story about a dog person who made room in his heart for a cat when one saved his life. Everyone loves happy endings. And everyone knows someone who adores cats.
Generally, you’ll be given the opportunity to do back-of-the-room sales after a presentation. Not everyone will buy a book on the spot, so make sure they all leave with one of your brochures.
Here are a dozen additional alternative venues to consider for promoting your book:

  1. Get involved in community events. Keep apprised of upcoming events sponsored by the city or local clubs and organizations. How? Read the calendar section of your newspaper, subscribe to organization newsletters and periodically check their Web sites. Find a way to get exposure for your book during the event. Donate copies for a silent or live auction. Maybe you could arrange to speak, sign your book as a guest at one of the booths or include your brochure in their packet of handouts. Of course, if you volunteer in some capacity, chances for promotional opportunities are markedly greater.
    I’ve promoted my local history books during our Ojai Day celebration through presentations and while working in the City Historic Preservation Commission booth. I often donate copies of my books for auctions and door prizes at charity events. It’s fun to see my books viewed and handled many times over throughout the day. And I take every opportunity to chat with folks who express an interest.
  2. Spend time at senior centers. How many senior centers and assisted living facilities are there in your county? Probably more than you think. Contact them and offer to present a program for their residents. Offer signed copies at a discount to residents and the facility librarian.
  3. Go to church. Many churches spawn groups and clubs that meet separate from Sunday services. Arrange to share your presentation with them. Give members an added incentive to buy your book NOW by donating a percentage of each book sold that evening to the church.
  4. Join in with Elder Hostel groups. Many communities host Elder Hostel groups. Visit the Elder Hostel Web site at http://www.elderhostel.org for information about Elder Hostel hosts in your county. Contact the hosts and ask to be put on their program agenda for the coming year.
    I give tours for Elder Hostel groups and always sell copies of my local history books. I presented a program for visiting grandparents a few years ago and almost everyone bought a copy of my grandparenting book. In order to maintain a sense of intimacy with the visitors, I designed a fun presentation that required everyone’s participation. I’m convinced that someone who might not otherwise buy a book, may do so if they feel a sense of camaraderie with the author.
  5. Visit schools and colleges. Whether you have a book related to history, herbs, motorcycles or cats, you can create a program to take into the schools. If your book isn’t conducive to a history, English, math or geography lesson, for example, talk about what it’s like to write a book, demonstrate how a book is produced or teach a writing segment. Send the students home with your brochure and, if appropriate, donate a few copies of your book for the classroom or school library.
    If yours is a children’s book, visit classrooms throughout your state. You should also submit your book at the district level for inclusion in the school system. If your book teaches a character lesson, apply to have it included in the reading list for the Character Counts program. http://www.charactercounts.org
  6. Sit in at writing group meetings. Writers are generally voracious readers. So it follows that you could make some sales by visiting writers’ groups throughout your state. Locate writers’ groups by doing a Google search using the keywords, writers and a city—writers Fresno or writers group Miami. Or contact that city’s arts council or librarian for information about writers’ organizations. Ask the group leader if you can come and speak on an appropriate issue. Maybe you had an unusual experience while producing your book, learned a valuable publishing or marketing lesson or gained some special insight. This may be worth sharing with budding or even experienced writers.
    There are additional benefits to visiting writers groups—there’s much to be learned from other writers and authors. Involvement with a writers group can keep you updated about promotional opportunities, workshops, book festivals and so forth.
     
  7. Enter the corporate environments. Some large corporations have after-hours gatherings. A local company might welcome entertainment during the lunch hour or while staff is working out in the gym. Call some of the larger companies in your area and offer to give a presentation to their employees or maybe a group of visiting dignitaries.
     
  8. Attend shows, fairs and festivals. Nearly all books are conducive to book festivals. But some of books are also appropriate for special events such as gift shows, renaissance fairs, arts and crafts fairs or shows related to kids, music, food, cars or sports, for example. Rent a booth, share a booth and/or audition to be a presenter.
     
  9. Join online discussions, bulletin boards and blogs. Few authors consider entering into discussions via the Internet. Yet, the opportunities for free exposure are vast. Did you know that you can even participate in most blogs? I have my own blog and I’m involved in about dozen writing/publishing-related bulletin boards and discussion groups. I enjoy responding to writers’ questions, giving my two-cents worth on important issues and so forth. While I’m at it, I also mention my latest book either in my response (if applicable) or in my carefully worded signature.
    To locate discussion groups, bulletin boards and blogs in the topic of your book, do a Google search. Use the keywords bulletin board and your topic or blog and your topic. For example, bulletin board gardening (or herbs), forum Georgia history, blog parenting.
     
  10. Throw home parties. Although this may sound kind of primitive and even a little hokey, home parties can be an enjoyable and even profitable way to promote your book. Finagle an invitation to a friend’s, relative’s, colleague’s, neighbor’s or acquaintance’s home and ask them to invite a dozen or more friends in. Plan something special for the evening. Ask guests to solve a mystery based on your book or help you with a demonstration. Bring costumes and have them participate in a play. Make the evening fun and entertaining. But also make it clear that the books you brought to share are for sale.
     
  11. Go on the radio. You’re probably aware of services designed to get you on talk radio. Most of them are pretty costly, so why not do the legwork yourself? Research radio and even television stations through Literary Market Place, Gales Directory of Publishing and Broadcast Media or The Business Phone Book USA. (Available in the reference section at your local public library.) Locate free radio talk show directories by doing a Google search.
    Before going on the radio, be prepared for incoming orders. Make sure that your book is listed in Books in Print, have an 800 phone number and/or sign up for a merchant account so you can take orders through your Web site.
     
  12. Talk about your book everywhere you go. In other words, the world is your stage. Carry your book with you. You never know when the opportunity will arise to tell someone about it. And you never know when that someone might be the program director for the local TV station, the organizer of an upcoming book festival, a book publicist who is looking for excellent books to represent or just an ordinary being who appreciates a good read.

As I wrote in my book, Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book, “There’s nothing really hard about selling books, it’s finding customers that takes thought, time and effort.” Let these alternative ideas inspire and motivate you. Good luck and good marketing.
Patricia Fry is the author of 24 books including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (Matilija Press, 2006). http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Editor’s Request
Tell us how the WPN Market Update, WPNews or some aspect of the WPN Web site has helped you professionally. Have you landed a writing assignment, won a contest, found a publisher or agent, had your book reviewed, sold photographs to a magazine, got a job as an illustrator/editor/writer or discovered a lucrative promotional idea as a result of your WPN membership? If so, please share the specifics with us. If not, whose fault is that?
Make this the year that you take advantage of all that WPN has to offer. Read the newsletter from cover to cover. I know that you are not doing that because just this week, I sent emails to every member I could locate who lives within 60 miles of an upcoming book festival to be held here in Ventura, CA. Most of the people I contacted were not aware of the book festival, yet we have run large announcements about the book festival in three consecutive months of our WPNews.
Members will ask questions in WPNDiscuss that were answered succinctly in the most recent Market Update. They’ll also email Virginia, Wendy or me to ask something that is clearly posted at the WPN Web site.
I challenge each of you to spend more time educating yourself and becoming informed this year than you do playing computer solitaire, reading and sending computer jokes or watching television. Make this the year that you actually meet your writing/publishing goals.
Email me at patricia@spawn.org with your WPN generated successes. I’d also like to hear from those of you who plan to make important changes this year in the way you approach the material we send and the site we provide. Contact me at: patricia@spawn.org. You might also enjoy reading and even participating in my blog. http://www.matilijapress.com/publishingblog.
By Patricia Fry uses some photos. They pay $25 (inside) to $300 (cover). http://www.moaa.org buys photos and pays $25 to $500. http://www.motortrend.com uses photos with or without manuscripts and on assignment. They pay up to $400 per photo. http://www.smithsonianmag.com uses 20 to 30 photos per issue. They encourage freelance submissions. Go to http://www.homeandawaymagazine.com. Click on “Contact” and scroll down to where it says, “Photographic Guidelines.” They pay $475 for a full page photo and anywhere from $175 to $250 for smaller photos. is a book review site that specializes in excellent fiction and nonfiction. They have some pretty strict criteria, so study their site before submitting your book. The book must be published within four months of your submission for one thing. Go ahead and check the site out, but be sure to heed the instructions printed in red. They are not accepting submissions until mid February. I recommend making a note to check back around the 15th of this month to see if they’ve removed this notice. http://www.bookbrowse.com uses articles on relationships, marriage, sexuality, fitness, psychology, finance and travel. And they’ll pay .50 cents/word for 1000-2000 words. Editor Susan Schneider does not want to see essays. She needs solid reporting articles with anecdotes and quotes from three expert sources. Contact Susan at sschneider@bridalguide.com if you have a question or to request a copy of their guidelines for writers. But they prefer receiving queries by mail. Bridal Guide, 3 East 54th St. 15th Fl, New York, NY 10022 wants features related to nursing. Contact Carol Burke at carol.burke@nursezone.com. They pay $150-$300. is seeking articles. I’ve written for them a couple of times. They like profiles of interesting/unique country businesses. They’ll pay $350 for 1000-2000 words. Learn more at http://www.country-business.com. has been relaunched. If you’d like a copy of their guidelines for writers, I suggest writing to, Heart and Soul Magazine, One North Charles St., 25th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. I went to their Web site and it seems to be under construction. is also new. Editor, Mireille Silcoff uses essays, memoirs, fiction pieces and even comics and photographs related mostly to Jewish culture and history. Her aim is to inform and entertain her readers. Check out the Web site at: http://www.guiltandpleasure.com. is new. Contact editor Peggy Austen for a copy of their guidelines. peggy@agingwithstyle.com. is a new magazine related to culture and lifestyle. Editors are currently hiring writers and columnists. Email editors for additional information at info@stimuli-magazine.com. has changed its name to Publishing Executive. Learn more at: http://www.pubexec.com. has been renamed Book Business. This is a publication for publishers. Note that the Web site still reflects the old title, http://www.booktechmag.com. But stay tuned, because the editors claim that they’ll be offering new opportunities for freelance writers. has new address: Write to them at The Atlantic Monthly, The Watergate, 600 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037. Phone: 202-266-6000has a new Editor in Chief. If you have a story idea for this very old family publication, contact Kathryn Compton at grit@grit.com. has a change of email. Throw out the old one and use this one: cyndy.drummy@bobit.com. is a new magazine all about improving one’s health through natural foods. Editor Joe Payne prefers stories that reflect events, occurrences, businesses and people in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. They pay $50 to $150 per article or story. Be sure to read the magazine to get an idea of their style and focus. http://www.radishmagazine.com Contact Mr. Payne at editor@radishmagazine.com. is now Ignite Your Faith. Editor Chris Lutes highly recommends that you study the magazine before making a submission. What they want is faith-based articles for teens, but they have some pretty specific guidelines. You’ll find their guidelines at their Web site: http://www.igniteyourfaith.com. Click on “Writers Guidelines.” . It looks like there are only limited submission opportunities, at least right now, for this ultimate chick magazine. It you write for chick mags, go to the Web site and sign up for a free copy of this magazine. http://www.tangomag.com. Study it to get an idea of the types of articles they use. is a new magazine for those interested in Middle Eastern culture. Visit their Web site at: http://www.sway-magazine.com. Contact the editor for additional information by emailing info@sway-magazine.com. is a new faith, lifestyle and fashion magazine for Catholic teens. As is often the case with new magazines, there seems to be no submission guidelines listed at their Web site. If you have an interest in writing for this teen magazine, email the editor and request a copy of their guidelines, editor@truegirlonline.com. Learn more about the magazine at: http://www.truegirlonline.com. has a new look. With the January 18, 2006 edition, Jenna Glatzer has changed to an html format. I understand that you need html-based email in order to appreciate the new layout. I don’t have it and I don’t like the look. Learn more about Jenna’s newsletter at her site http://www.absolutewrite.com. is no more. It’s Ignite Your Faith, now. (See below.) is out of business. quit. has ceased publication.