WPN Market Update – October, 2005

By Patricia L. Fry

Going Going Gone – 3 magazines noted
Here’s What’s New – 10 changes and new information bites
Opportunities for Authors – Dust off your religious/spiritual titles.
Book Promotion Opportunities – Locate Book Fairs; Book Review Opportunities
Opportunities for Writers – 4 potential jobs for writers
Opportunities for Artists – 6 publishers who work with artists
Opportunities for Script Writers – 2 more opportunities
Notes of Interest – Publicist/POD. What do they cost?
Publisher Quotes – What publisher’s want from authors
Publisher Interviews – Publisher Pet Peeves; How to get your memoir published
Going Going Gone
HP World/Interex Magazine
Organic Style
Tablet
Here’s What’s New
The 2006 edition of Writer’s Market is out. Purchase yours at Amazon.com or from your favorite independent bookstore. Sure, you can get it at Borders and Barnes and Noble. But think about it, do they support you? Do these mega-bookstores carry your books? Independent booksellers frequently will carry your books. Consider doing business with the indies (as they’re known in the biz), so they can continue supporting you.
 Amazon.com is now selling what they call digital shorts. For 49 cents each you can purchase digital copies of short stories and nonfiction articles. They’re publishing only well-known authors for now. Find out how to submit your great short pieces of literature at http://www.amazon.com/shorts.
Country Woman
Waltson Publishing has new contact information. As of October 1, their phone number is 817-446-3663. Their new email address is service@waltson.com. Waltson Publishing is wide open for just about any type of submission, it seems. They will look at any nonfiction subject and they are open to any sort of fiction submission. They publish 40-60 titles per year. The bad news is that they aren’t accepting any new queries until January of 2006. If you’re working on a book, either fiction or nonfiction, you might note on your calendar for next year, to contact Waltson. http://www.waltson.com
Hollywood Dog Magazine
Prostar Publications used to publish just nautical books. Now they welcome any quality nonfiction book topic including history, memoirs, travel, nature, technical and illustrated books. Visit them at http://www.prostarpublications.com. Contact Peter Griffes.
The Canadian publisher Between the Lines Press is no longer interested in publishing memoirs.
Ten Speed Press seems to be unavailable via email. Their email address published in Writer’s Market doesn’t work for me. If anyone knows a good email address to get to the editorial department at Ten Speed Press, let me know.
Style Writer seems to be blocking emails. They announced several months ago that they would not be accepting queries or manuscripts through July 2005. Here it is October and they are still boycotting submissions.
Dana Cassell, editor of Freelance Writer’s Report writes that founding editor, Jane Pratt, has left her namesake magazine, Jane.
Opportunities for Authors
Say your prayers—the religious book market is growing more than any other category right now, according to the Book Industry Study Group. And with horrendous tsunamis and hurricanes wrecking people’s lives and faith, it is no wonder. In fact, if you have an inspirational book, I suggest sending copies to the victims of Katrina. I sent two boxes of my metaphysical adventure, Quest For Truth in hopes that it would help give hope to the victims and provide tools for coping.
If you have a spiritual book idea, this might be the time to write it. The 2006 edition of Writer’s Market lists around 175 publishers seeking religious titles and about 75 in the market for spiritually oriented books.
Book Promotion Opportunities
If you’re interested in attending book fairs and festivals with your titles, check out this Web site for a list of these events throughout the U.S. http://www.lights.com/publisher/bookfairs.html
Texas Escapes
Get your new book reviewed at NewPages.com. Send your book to Denise Hill, NewPages, POB 1580, Bay City, MI 48706. Email her at newpagesdenise@hotmail.com. She reviews poetry books, fiction, chapbooks, graphic novels and some nonfiction titles. http://www.newpages.com
Opportunities for Freelance Writers
I stumbled across a Web site for writers this week. Long Story Short is a Web site that accepts stories, poetry and articles from beginning and seasoned writers. Linda Barnett-Johnson, Denise Cassino and Sue Scott run the site and, it looks as though they have fun doing it. They don’t pay contributing writers, but they offer a lot of help and encouragement as well as a venue where you can showcase your work. Read their guidelines for writers at their Web site http://www.longstoryshort.us. Click on Submission Guidelines. WPN member, Francine Silverman, is a recent contributing author.
Marvel Comics is seeking new comic heroes. Cartoonists, this is your opportunity. Learn more at http://www.marvel.com.
Writer On Line is looking for a contest and puzzle editor. If you’re interested, email editor@writer-on-line.com for more information.
Christian Home and School Magazine sent me a letter a few weeks ago soliciting articles. They want articles promoting Christian education and addressing a number of parenting topics. Suggested topics include helping your child pursue a hobby, using television responsibly, how much privacy should parents allow children, what like skills children should be taught at home, how to make summer interesting and fun for your kids and monitoring the music children listen to, for example. Articles should run 1,000 to 2,000 words and reflect a Biblical perspective. CHS pays $175-$250 on publication. They also purchase brief parenting tips of from100 to 250 words. Send your query letter or article to Roger Schmurr at Christian Home and School Magazine, 3350 East Paris Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 48512-3054 or RogerS@csionline.org. This might be a good opportunity to promote your book related to parenting, spirituality or religion. They also review books on topics related to their magazine.
Opportunities for Artists
The following publishers are interested in working with artists/photographers:
Alpine Publications produces illustrated books related to animals. You might consider teaming up with an author who writes about horses, pot belly pigs or a specific breed of dog, for example. Learn more about Alpine at http://alpinepub.com. Contact Ms. B.J. McKinney, Alpinepubl@aol.com.
Beeman Jorgensen, Inc. publishes illustrated automotive books. Contact them by writing to Brett Johnson, 7510 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250.
Bluewood Books also publishes illustrated books on the subject of Americana, art, history and other topics. Contact Richard Michaels at POB 689, San Mateo, CA 94401.
Hill Street Press publishes illustrated books on a variety of topics. http://www.hillstreetpress.com. Contact Judy Long editorial@hillstreetpress.com.
Vandamere Press publishes books on a variety of topics, including illustrated books. Jerry Frank is editor. Write to them at POB 149, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.
Ten Speed Press hires artists and photographers for special projects. Send them samples of your work (never send originals). Gear your art or photographs toward cookbooks, children’s books and gift books. Be sure in include your name and contact information. If a project comes along at Ten Speed requiring art in your style, they may call you. Acquisitions, Ten Speed Press, POB 7123-S, Berkeley, CA 94707
Opportunities for Script Writers
The deadline is close, but some of you might have something prepared for this one. John Stoddard of Slamdance is running a teleplay competition. What’s at stake? A JOB WITH FOX21. And if you’re one of the three finalists, you’ll receive Final Draft Pro Screenwriting Software and a one-year subscription to Script Magazine. You’ll also have the opportunity to lunch with and pitch executives from Fox 21 during the Film Festival in January. The deadline for this competition is October 3—that is, your entry must be postmarked by this date. So don’t delay. Go to http://www.slamdance.com/teleplay for details. Contact teleplay@slamdance.com if you have any questions.
Scriptapalooza Inc. sent me a notice this morning endorsing InkTip.com as “the only site where producers consistently acquire scripts and representatives consistently find writers.” Learn more about showcasing your scripts at http://www.inktip.com.
Notes that may be of interest
Q: How much does a publicist charge?
You’ve heard that they can be expensive. And you know there are good ones and poor ones. A good publicist can definitely help you make sales, but you must be willing to be available to participate in all sorts of activities and events. A good publicist can keep you very busy and make you a lot of money. A publicist can cost anywhere from $1000 to $5000 per month. A publicist’s firm might ask for a retainer of from $1,500 to $20,000.
Q: Are fee-based POD publishers becoming more author-friendly?
Unfortunately, I continue to hear more negative stories than positive ones about authors’ experiences with POD publishers. In fact, I have shared with my readers over past months the refreshing fact that one of my clients signed with a subsidy press and was highly satisfied. I saw him recently, however, and things have turned ugly. He reported that the publisher is not upholding his end of the contract. My client is owed thousands of dollars for books—most of which he sold himself—and the publisher is not paying up. Evidently, the author is receiving a few hundred dollars here and there when it should be in the thousands of dollars. So the sweet deal he thought he had has gone sour. Authors beware.
Q: How costly is POD Publishing, anyway?
I received spam from a representative of a major POD publisher last month. She listed prices and I was rather shocked. When you start with the basic book package, add a hard cover, receive 5 galleys to send to pre-publication reviewers, opt for a Library of Congress number (to make your book library-friendly), have your book registered with the copyright office, opt for an index and allow them to edit your book, you’ve spent $3,200.00. And you haven’t even begun to pay for a marketing package, yet. Oh and that entitles you to one author copy. You have to pay for additional books.
In contrast, I just self-published a 75-page book and ordered 500 copies. These books cost me $1.69 per copy. And I get to keep all of the profits.
What Publishers Say
I took some time one day to find out what publishers want and what messages they have for their potential authors. Because publishers receive a lot of mismatched manuscripts, problematic proposals and queer queries and it takes up a lot of their time, they try to stop us at the pass by offering up some tips and advice. Here are a few:
Publishers want to understand you and your project.
“State your topic theme clearly in the cover letter.”
“The most completely well-thought out (developed) proposals earn the most consideration.”
“Sell us on your project.”
“Don’t present your manuscript to a publisher, sell it.”
Publishers need to know that you are willing and able to promote your book.
“Just telling us that you’re available for interviews and promotion is not enough.”
“Tell us how you can help market the book.”
“Author must be willing to promote his book.”
Publishers want authors with some sense of promotional savvy.
“Who is this book written for and what sets it apart from what’s already out there?”
“Think very clearly about the intended audience.”
“Tell why someone would buy this book.”
“We want authors who actively participate in promo.”
“The best authors are already engaged in regular travel and seminars—you need a track record.”
Publishers need you to understand them.
“Please do not send us material that’s not relevant to us.”
“Don’t send submissions unless you’ve read our catalog or one of our books.”
“Write a proposal to suit our guidelines.”
“We won’t weed through poor grammar or spelling to get to the heart of the story.”
“Show us how your book fits in with our catalog.’
(From a children’s book publisher) “Read children’s books.”
“No phone calls.”
And from Pineapple Press, here’s something I’ve been saying to you for years:
“Learn everything you can about book publishing and publicity.”
Publisher’s Interviews
Publishing Memoirs
I planned to write an informative article for you on memoir writing. Since only one publisher responded to my questionnaire, however, I decided to use this as a publisher interview. I spoke (via email) with Dianne at Helm Publishing, a small independent publisher specializing in new and emerging authors for both fiction and nonfiction genres.
Q: Would you describe a memoir.
A: A memoir is a book of personal memories based on the life of the author.
Q: In your opinion, where do memoirs stand currently in popularity with publishers/readers?
A: Memoirs can be a marketable genre if you have enough interesting life anecdotes that keep the reader from falling asleep. I have done two memoirs—the first was a short story format which made for easy reading and you didn’t have to read the stories in order. My second memoir is a private endeavor by a daughter who wanted her mother to write down the family history so it could be passed down.
Q: As you know, more and more people are writing their life stories or portions of them and more of those folks are hoping to be published. But many of them fail to find a traditional royalty publisher. Can you tell us what features or focus a publishable memoir might have? What makes a memoir by an unknown person publishable?
A: A good story-telling form becomes the main reason to read a memoir. The life histories of veterans in WWI, WWII, or Vietnam have become most interesting memoirs because so many people relate to tragedies of this type, there is a reason to buy. A memoir about an early film career might be worth publishing. We’re interested in anything unusual or above normal, (starting your own business in the 1920’s for example). My great great uncle wrote his memoirs of the immigration to the U.S. from Iceland and Canada into Chicago at the time of Al Capone. He has some interesting stories about the gangster era and meeting the heads of mafia.
Q: What are the most common mistakes you see potential memoir writers make?
A: Uneventful writing, little dialog and too much detail. The life of the person in question just doesn’t have good story-telling ability.
Q: What will cause you to take notice of a memoir manuscript?
A: If the stories are sad, interesting or humorous. An author might share medical experiences which allow the reader to relive or relate those times with the author—or stories whereby a life lesson is learned and other people can benefit from the experience.
Q: What would you advise someone who is contemplating writing his/her memoirs or the story of a portion of their life?
A: To make sure they have it read and reread by friends, family, professionals, so that it is not just another diary account of someone’s blah, blah, blah. Make sure it is told in a worthwhile storyline.
Q: Please add anything you feel is important.
A: Find the most appropriate publishers to query for memoir genres, make sure you query the publisher first for interest, and if you can’t find a publisher to look at your ms, consider publishing it yourself.
Publisher Pet Peeves
Sandra at Waltson Publishing, LCC helped me out with questions about publishers’ pet peeves. Here’s how our conversation went.
Q: Would you describe your publishing company including contact information.
A: Waltsan Publishing, LLC has been in business seven years publishing almost exclusively on CD. Some authors have traditionally published books we place in our catalog as a courtesy. We tend to over-book manuscripts and had to cease looking at queries until the log jam within the pipeline lessens. (See editor’s note above.) Due to books on CD not being accepted in book stores as they are classed as “software,” we are making a transition to take all our books to audio.
 
Q: What is the greatest asset an author can come to you with (a great idea, terrific writing skills, excellent qualifications to write on this subject, an understanding of his/her role in book promotion, connections that will help sell the book, other)?
A: The greatest assets an author can bring to our company is an understanding of not only his role in book promotion, but also what he traditionally controls vs. what the publisher controls.
Q: What are your author-related pet peeves (an author who calls you numerous times throughout the day, an author who hasn’t done his/her homework–doesn’t know how to present his/her idea to you, an author who doesn’t follow your submission guidelines, other)?
A: There are several pet peeves that can guarantee a rejection slip—a synopsis almost as long as the manuscript, not willing to use anything other than a typewriter even though we publish for electronic media, a super-passionate aura regarding his work (almost a guarantee the author will fight every editing suggestion and want to dictate cover design, marketing, etc.), poor technical skills (format, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure), but the worst of all is the author that sends a first draft. Just because an author finally is able to type “the end” doesn’t mean it’s the end of the process—only the first part.
Q: What is the most common mistake authors make when submitting to or working with you?
A: Sending a complete manuscript Fed-ex, priority or express mail spending lots of dollars without even finding out if we are interested, then spending the same amount of money to return the manuscript. This breaks a publisher’s heart. Send book rate and a #10 envelope. Ask the publisher to recycle the manuscript if not accepted. The amount of money spent or the speed at which a manuscript arrives does not impress a publisher. Two more fairly common mistakes novice writers make is to create situations to move a story (always apparent to the reader), use Chapter One to fill the reader in on what went on in the character’s lives prior to their story being written and/or to “create” the characters for the reader. (Chapter One should be used as a reference by the writer and discarded for the reader in essence starting the story with Chapter Two).
Q: Describe your most memorable horror story involving an author.
A: I had spent months helping get a new, promising author’s manuscript up to par. After many differences of opinion over scenes that went nowhere, bad continuity, and needless sex passages, when a change was suggested to taking “all night to drive 60 miles on a clear, warm night in Kansas” and the author’s reply was “literary license and, after all, he didn’t drive, so how would he know?” When he commented it was time for him to find another publisher, I fully agreed.
Q: Describe your dream author—you must have a few.
Ernest Hemingway. Gene Stratton-Porter, Hal Morris, John Potter, Dean Koontz. Seriously, there are thousands of my dream authors. In my opinion, though, the ideal author is one who submits a well-written, short query with an equally short synopsis accurately giving the tale’s highlights, then submits a manuscript that has gone through as many edits as necessary to make sure the elements are all strong—punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, story movement, and sufficient conflicts and resolutions with believable ending.
OH, the ideal author sends an envelope with postage attached with a paper clip. Who knows? Perhaps the publisher will need a larger envelope but can still use the postage!
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Joyce at DNA Press responded to my questions about their pet peeves.
Q: Would you describe your publishing company.
A: DNA Press is a worldwide publisher dedicated to publishing books, which teach science in every possible form through fiction and non-fiction.
Q: What type of manuscripts are currently on your wish list?
A: Real Estate, Investment, Business Books.
Q: What is the greatest asset an author can come to you with (a great idea, terrific writing skills, excellent qualifications to write on this subject, an understanding of his/her role in book promotion, connections that will help sell the book, other)?
A: The greatest asset is the combination of a pertinent topic and the ability to develop a terrific marketing plan and promote the book.
Q: What are your author-related pet peeves (an author who calls you numerous times throughout the day, an author who hasn’t done his/her homework–doesn’t know how to present his/her idea to you, an author who doesn’t follow your submission guidelines, other)?
A: Authors who do not do anything about promoting their books and get upset about the lack of sales are the worst experience ever.
Q: What is the most common mistake authors make when submitting to or working with you?
 
A: They have no business plan whatsoever.
Q: Describe your most memorable horror story involving an author.
 
A: We received a manuscript about circumcision targeted at young children. The author was convinced this is the greatest book ever. Now, would you buy it for Christmas? Would you buy it for your child to read at bed time? Would a child pick this book at the library? We had tough times convincing the author that we will not deal with this project.
Q: Describe your dream author—you must have a few.
 
A: The best author is one who runs with the marketing for his or her book and makes a name out there. Sales just follow.
 
Letter to the Editor FROM AN OFFICE CAT
Dear Patricia,
I thought I should describe my life as an office cat before The Lady Who Shares My Office fills your head with fibs. She seems to think that She runs this company, and that I spend much of my time napping.
I trust you will help set the record straight. First of all, it should be obvious that I own the company, Simon Teakettle Ink, and that the website, e-mail address, and savings account are in My name. She has a checking account, but everyone knows that cats don’t write checks! My credit is impeccable; I don’t have to scribble something on a piece of paper in order to buy whatever I need.
We have an unusual office, originally the largest bedroom in this bungalow, facing north with a large window shaded by a huge pine tree. The office clearly belongs to Yours Truly. The window has no curtains or drapes; it’s expanse of glass afford me an excellent view of two bird feeders, and is framed on all four sides by cat cards and posters.
There’s a sturdy carpeted shelf to one side, where I can either sit to look outside or doze if I need a nap. Photos of my feline friends sit in front of the books on almost all of the bookshelves, and some of the gifts sent me from adoring fans grace these shelves as well. It sometimes makes it hard for her to get at a book she wants to consult, but I insist that My Office has to contain My favorite things.
Best of all is My collection of cat mugs. These have all been gifts on various birthdays over the years, and they’ll be used to serve coffee to those attending the party next week celebrating my 18th birthday.
Do I use the computer? Of course! We have an ergonomic keyboard which is just purrfect for paws, and although I need The Lady to send files to the printer, I can send e-mail all by myself. After all, I created the password!
I keep so busy running this company (we’ve just published the third book under the Simon Teakettle Ink imprint) that I don’t have time for many toys. But there are two that have been favorites for many years. First is my teddybear, the size of one of the siblings I left behind at the ASPA when I let The Lady adopt me. I catch him in my paws, play with him, wash him, and get very anxious if he happens to get lost.
My other favorite toy is a soft rubber snake. I’ve had a series of these, as I tend to bite through them and chew them until they’re so disgusting (or so She says) that they have to go out in the garbage. But I always receive another one or two in my Christmas stocking and for my birthday.
Patricia, I’m enclosing a photo of me on My shelf in My office, so you can picture the environment. When Animal Planet were here to film me, they didn’t come in here, preferring to stay in the living room. The videographer was a very nice fellow, but I don’t think he really believed that I owned the company and actually wrote My half of our book, MEWSINGS/MUSINGS.
I trust a woman who loves cats will be more receptive.
Good luck with the book. Do you know about the Cat Writers Association? You might want to join. Go to: http://www.catwriters.org.
Purrs, Simon
http://www.dnapress.com
FAX 501 695 5495
DNA Press
PO Box 572
Eagleville PA 19408 will review books related in any way to Texas. If you have a travel book that touches on visits to Texas or a history book with some relevance to the big state, contact Jamie Engle at Jamie-Engle@comcast.net and ask if she would review your book. Look at the ezine at http://www.texasescapes.com. is coming. Stay tuned for contact information.has a new look and a new focus. For years, the editors stuck strictly to profile pieces featuring women who actually lived in the country on a farm or a ranch. I know, I’ve done some profile pieces for them. But I see in the 2006 edition of Writer’s Market that they have shifted gears and loosened their guidelines. They now wish to see stories about women who live in country homes or rural towns as well as on ranches and farms. And even those interesting women who simply enjoy country topics will be considered. Country Woman is one of the Reiman Publications collection and they don’t post submission guidelines online. You can request them from editors@countrywomanmagazine.com.