Last Friday was EPICON conference in New Orleans, and I attended several classes.
I want to share a few things that I learned at this conference to help aspiring writers.
First, thing I learned is don't forget to claim your writing expenses on your taxes, even if you are not published yet...you can claim expenses....
Second, if you write historicals a good place to find out information is on the Census website. (sorry, I don't have the website address, but I'm sure it's not hard to find.)
On to Marketing...Deidre Knight suggested aspiring authors/authors do a monthly newsletter, do contests, twitter, and when you have signings make sure to have a sign up sheet to get email addresses for give aways...she also said you should have a theme...I'm working on mine right now...she also said to "give away" books....lots of them if you can...get your name out there....
Debra LeBlanc suggested to meet Book store managers, give them gifts (book markers, etc.)...oh and put the blurb on back of your book marker, I forgot to do this one...blah... Book plates are great LeBlanc said...also don't just promote yourself, do for others...go beyond yourself....but don't waste a ton of money...try to do something on-line that is free...
Another thing I learned is to make goals and write them down....Enjoy the journey, not just the sale....be in charge of your journey, get rid of limitations...
Sara Thacker talked about sub-text. What is being said but not spoken...this was a great class...It was about what lies beneath the surface...use lots of body language...
I also learned at this conference that no book video is better than a bad one....so if you do one make sure it is good. Reflect the mood of the book, give enough info to entice the reader but don't give away the ending, blend literature, music and art and put it all together so that it flows nicely...not to much "wording"...short sentences....
Okay, I'll do a Part II on what I learned at the conference later...these are just small caps on what I remembered most.......(please excuse any typo's, I'm really tired....night!)
Good luck on writing,
Dawn Chartier
NOT AN ANGEL, coming soon from TWRP
Showing posts with label aspiring writers help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aspiring writers help. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Few Ways to Get a Automatic Rejection for your Query Ltr.
I'll list a few ways to get a rejection letter...but I'll also post a few ways that might help you get a request. Each agent/editor is different so what one might like the others may not.
Automatic Rejection for your Query Letter:
1.) Spell the editors/agents name incorrectly.
2.) Use all types of fonts/colors on the query letter
3.) Send the same query letter email to several editors/agents at the same time where everyone can see everyone else listed.
4.) Tell them you are the next Nora Roberts, J K Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Dan Brown.
5.) Don't proof your query.
6.) Forgetting to include your contact info other than the email address.
7.) Telling the agent/editor how your book is the next New York best seller.
8.) Don't follow submission guidelines. (okay, I cheat a little on this one)
9.) Leaving the editor/agent without knowing the end.
10.) Tell the editor/agent you've been rejected 10 times.
There are so many reasons they can reject your query, don't give them the chance. Research how to write queries. One place I found very helpful Kristin Nelson's Agency (www.nelsonagency.com) Kristin and Sara often post loads of tips on their website...
Another helpful site is www.charlottedillon.com
Okay, so here are a few tips to make your query better.
1.) Don't go over one page for a query. Use one paragraph for the heroine, one for the hero, and one on how they came together and solve the major conflict. (Should put their goals. (what they want, why the want it, and why the can't have it.)
2.) If you've won any contests and such, put it in last. And if you have any personal experience in what you are writing about, maybe add a line about that. Example: My series is about women in construction. I work in construction, so I can relate to what I'm writing.
3.) Mention if you belong to RWA or other writing groups. If you belong to critique groups. Some of these things might help let the agent/editor know you are serious about the business.
4.) A website. Lots of people say you don't need one, but I think it is a good idea to start one now before you are published. Put your website on your query so the agent or editor can see your samples of your writing. Most editors/agents are like us, and they want to see what you are about, just like we want to see what they are about.
5.) Please research editors/agents who you are submitting to. See if they represent books that you write. One way to do that is look them up on the web and most of the time they put their authors who they represent or they will flat out tell you they don't want this genre' or that genre'.
6.) Please spell check. And please don't forget to "thank" them for their time. (this one is a biggie for me...always always thank them!!!)
I could go on and on with my list, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope this helps....
Good luck staying out of the rejection pile....and remember if you do get a rejection try to learn as much as you can from it....at least you are ahead of the game for those that never ever submit.
Never give up your dream of becoming a writer....
Keep reading, keep writing, and keep submitting....
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, coming 2010 from The Wild Rose Press
www.dawnchartier.com
Automatic Rejection for your Query Letter:
1.) Spell the editors/agents name incorrectly.
2.) Use all types of fonts/colors on the query letter
3.) Send the same query letter email to several editors/agents at the same time where everyone can see everyone else listed.
4.) Tell them you are the next Nora Roberts, J K Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Dan Brown.
5.) Don't proof your query.
6.) Forgetting to include your contact info other than the email address.
7.) Telling the agent/editor how your book is the next New York best seller.
8.) Don't follow submission guidelines. (okay, I cheat a little on this one)
9.) Leaving the editor/agent without knowing the end.
10.) Tell the editor/agent you've been rejected 10 times.
There are so many reasons they can reject your query, don't give them the chance. Research how to write queries. One place I found very helpful Kristin Nelson's Agency (www.nelsonagency.com) Kristin and Sara often post loads of tips on their website...
Another helpful site is www.charlottedillon.com
Okay, so here are a few tips to make your query better.
1.) Don't go over one page for a query. Use one paragraph for the heroine, one for the hero, and one on how they came together and solve the major conflict. (Should put their goals. (what they want, why the want it, and why the can't have it.)
2.) If you've won any contests and such, put it in last. And if you have any personal experience in what you are writing about, maybe add a line about that. Example: My series is about women in construction. I work in construction, so I can relate to what I'm writing.
3.) Mention if you belong to RWA or other writing groups. If you belong to critique groups. Some of these things might help let the agent/editor know you are serious about the business.
4.) A website. Lots of people say you don't need one, but I think it is a good idea to start one now before you are published. Put your website on your query so the agent or editor can see your samples of your writing. Most editors/agents are like us, and they want to see what you are about, just like we want to see what they are about.
5.) Please research editors/agents who you are submitting to. See if they represent books that you write. One way to do that is look them up on the web and most of the time they put their authors who they represent or they will flat out tell you they don't want this genre' or that genre'.
6.) Please spell check. And please don't forget to "thank" them for their time. (this one is a biggie for me...always always thank them!!!)
I could go on and on with my list, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope this helps....
Good luck staying out of the rejection pile....and remember if you do get a rejection try to learn as much as you can from it....at least you are ahead of the game for those that never ever submit.
Never give up your dream of becoming a writer....
Keep reading, keep writing, and keep submitting....
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, coming 2010 from The Wild Rose Press
www.dawnchartier.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sola Writers Meeting - July 18th - Self Editing Help!
For our July's writers meeting we are having author/free-lance editor, Marie Goodwin present "Beyond the Commas: The Pleasures and Perils of Self-Editing."
Marie Goodwin, a 28 year Sola-RWA member and former Program Chair, has recently launched her editing website at madaboutbooksmarie.com. Marie holds a MFA in Creative Writing from LSU. She has written the Sola Grammar Queen column for the past five years. Drawing on her expertise in writing and editing, Marie will share tips on how to write for the market in this July Sola presentation.
Hope to see you there.
Dawn
Marie Goodwin, a 28 year Sola-RWA member and former Program Chair, has recently launched her editing website at madaboutbooksmarie.com. Marie holds a MFA in Creative Writing from LSU. She has written the Sola Grammar Queen column for the past five years. Drawing on her expertise in writing and editing, Marie will share tips on how to write for the market in this July Sola presentation.
Hope to see you there.
Dawn
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Writing Contest - Deadline July 15th - Sola-RWA
Are you a new writer? Have you been writing a while but with no feedback? Are you curious what other's think about your writing, but your too scared to put your work out there?
Well, here is the great part of Sola's Writers Contest. No one needs to know it's your writing. You can enter the contest under a made up name. You'll get awesome feedback from professional writers and published authors. What more could you ask for, well if it's great then it could go in front a agent and/or a New York publisher.
All you need is the first 5 pages (that's easy!) and a 1 page synopsis (synopsis is not judged so if you don't know how to write one, then don't worry about it. Just say this is my Hero's goal, motivation and this is what stops him from getting it. Same thing with the heroine.)
So, the deadline for this contest is now July 15th 2009 - They extended because they need more entrees, that means yours has a better chance at winning!! If it doesn't win, then you still have feedback on your writing from someone who has no idea who you are..........
So there! Enter the contest..........go to www.solawriters.org and look for the Dixie Kane writers contest button and enter........Just Do It!!
Dawn
Well, here is the great part of Sola's Writers Contest. No one needs to know it's your writing. You can enter the contest under a made up name. You'll get awesome feedback from professional writers and published authors. What more could you ask for, well if it's great then it could go in front a agent and/or a New York publisher.
All you need is the first 5 pages (that's easy!) and a 1 page synopsis (synopsis is not judged so if you don't know how to write one, then don't worry about it. Just say this is my Hero's goal, motivation and this is what stops him from getting it. Same thing with the heroine.)
So, the deadline for this contest is now July 15th 2009 - They extended because they need more entrees, that means yours has a better chance at winning!! If it doesn't win, then you still have feedback on your writing from someone who has no idea who you are..........
So there! Enter the contest..........go to www.solawriters.org and look for the Dixie Kane writers contest button and enter........Just Do It!!
Dawn
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