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April15, 2008 - Resurrection and rebirth: Scribe and Quill for 2008 >> |
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?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? Scribe & Quill ~ Spring 2007 ?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? Vol. 5 Issue 1 ISSN: 1098-6375 Section 1 of 2 Sections ~~**~~**~~** MASTHEAD ~~**~~**~~** * Editor & Publisher Bev Walton-Porter <mailto: scribequill@comcast.net> * Assistant Editor <mailto:mplcreative1@aol.com> Mindy Phillips Lawrence * Non-fiction Editor Bobbi Linkemer <mailto:bobbi@writeanonfictionbook.com> * Humor/Poetry Editor Donna "Kai" Wilson <kai@kaiberie.com> * Book Review Editor – On Leave (Please forward all review requests to scribequill@comcast.net) Sonali T. Sikchi * Non-fiction Columnists: ~Mayra Calvani <mailto:mcalvani@yahoo.com> ~Jill Vaile – On Leave ~Pamela S. Thibodeaux * Fiction Columnist ~Rick Chiantaretto <mailto:rick@facadeofshadows.com> * Writer's Astrological Almanac Columnist ~Kathy Watts <mailto:direwolf@stratlabs.com> * Staff Book Reviewers: ~Pat McGrath Avery <mailto:patmcgrathavery@excite.com> ~Brittany Bordelon <mailto: jack_off_jill_lover48098@yahoo.com> ~Mayra Calvani <mailto:mcalvani@yahoo.com> ~Ilona Heged?s <mailto:fairylona@yahoo.co.uk> ~Carolyn Howard-Johnson <mailto:hojonews@aol.com> ~Bobbi Linkemer <mailto:bobolink@accessus.net> ~Mary L. Meeks <mailto:demetria24@aol.com> ~Rita Porter beepmybeep2@mchsi.com * Guest Columnists: ~Carolyn Howard-Johnson <mailto:hojonews@aol.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TABLE OF CONTENTS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Privacy Notice ~ Editor's Note ~ Announcements ~Scribe & Quill Patrons ~FEATURED ARTICLE: Reviewers vs. Bloggers: The Controversy By Mayra Calvani <mailto:mcalvani@yahoo.com> ~FEATURED ARTICLE: Twelve Tales of Woe from a Busy (and Grumpy) Editor By Carolyn Howard-Johnson <http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com> ~Scribes of Note: Virtual Quills ~FEATURED FICTION COLUMN: Romance Writing for the Romantically Challenged: Support Group Part 2 By Rick Chiantaretto <mailto:rick@facadeofshadows.com> ~FEATURED ARTICLE: Dreams to Goals to Reality By Susan Eileen Walker <sewalker101@hotmail.com> ~FEATURED INTERVIEW: Up Close and Personal with Pamela S. Thibodeaux By Bev Walton~Porter <mailto:scribequill@comcast.net> ~FEATURED WRITER'S ALMANAC: Heads Up! The Writer's Astrological Almanac – May 2007 By Kathy Watts <mailto:direwolf@stratlabs.com> ~Book Reviews --"Writing Children's Books for Dummies" by Lisa Rojany Buccieri and Peter Economy --"Aiming At Amazon" by Aaron Shepard --"Mending Fences" by Star Ferris --"1001 Ways to Market Your Books" by John Kremer ~Featured Contests ~Call for Submissions ~Professional Writing Courses ~The Last Word: Recommended Links for Writers ~Contact and Submission Information ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** PRIVACY NOTICE! ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Our e-zine is NEVER sent unsolicited. If you are receiving Scribe & Quill, it is because you have opted to receive it in your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive Scribe & Quill, you may unsubscribe by sending a blank e-mail to: mailto: 16153-unsubscribe@zinester.com or visit this URL: http://www.zinester.com/u/16153 We respect the privacy of all our subscribers and we NEVER share your information with other companies or organizations. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Dear Subscribers, After an unintended absence and many changes, Scribe & Quill is back and ready for 2007. Due to increased writing and editing obligations on my end, this zine will now be published each quarter, rather than monthly or bi-monthly. Scribe & Quill will be distributed the seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. On occasion, we may publish special bonus issues as well. While I would like to publish the zine more often, unless I want to sleep or spend any quality time with my family, it's not possible at this time. This month, Scribe & Quill celebrates its ten-year anniversary. In 1997, I published the first issue of the zine and only 20 people – if that – received that first issue. Since then, the zine has grown and changed in various ways. In its current incarnation, Scribe & Quill has 11,000+ e-mail subscribers and receives 60,000 visitors, on average, to our website. In addition, Scribe & Quill took 4th place in the 2006 Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. In 2005's poll, Scribe & Quill placed in the top ten. Next, you may notice that scribequill.com is no longer our primary home. Our website has temporarily moved to http://www.scribequill.net and will eventually expand to http://www.scribequill.org as its main site. Please update your bookmarks. Finally, all of us on staff would like to welcome our new Non-fiction Editor, Bobbi Linkemer (mailto:bobbi@writeanonfictionbook.com), to our staff. Bobbi is a ghostwriter, editor, writing coach, and the author of 12 books, including "Going Solo: How to Survive and Thrive as a Freelance Writer." She has also written a step-by-step workbook, "How to Write a Non-fiction Book: From Concept to Completion in 6 Months." She also teaches a course on writing non-fiction books for Scribe & Quill. During this time of transition, I appreciate your patience and understanding. In order for Scribe & Quill to continue into the future, major changes were required. Although it was a painful process that took a good deal of rumination on my part, I came to the conclusion that it was more important to ensure S & Q Until our Summer issue, Bev Walton~Porter, Editor/Publisher scribequill@comcast.net http://www.bevwaltonporter.com http://www.astrologyforwriters.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ANNOUNCEMENTS: ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** **SCRIBE & QUILL HAS A NEW SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SCRIBEQUILL.NET ! We have moved to scribequill.net! Please update your bookmarks. **Scribe & Quill is building a presence on MySpace! Our profile is under construction, but you may go ahead and add us as a friend at: http://www.myspace.com/scribequill ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** SCRIBE & QUILL -- LEFT AND RIGHT!: ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Have a question to pose to other writers about the technical aspects of writing? Want to post your latest success or sale? Need to promote a new market? This community is exclusively for the left-brained, linear side of Scribe & Quillers! Post your messages here! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ScribeQuill/ *** Scribe & Quill also has a journaling community on Live Journal: http://www.livejournal.com/~scribequill Come express your innermost thoughts/feelings about being a writer in this community diary -- stream of consciousness and personal journal entries relating to the ups/downs/sideways of the writing life are welcomed! This community is exclusively for the right-brained, abstract side of Scribe & Quillers! ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** BE A SCRIBE & QUILL PATRON: ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Developing and distributing a regular publication, both online or in print, requires time and incurs costs such as Web hosting, domain fees, program renewals and operating costs. We are glad to deliver S & Q to our readers at no charge, but we appreciate any contributions made to show support for this endeavor. Become a patron of Scribe & Quill and help support the continued publication of this 'zine. When you become a patron, we will list your name on our Web site and run a short personal profile of you in our zine as our thanks to you for your support. Contributions may be made in these ways: * Using the online payment service Paypal.com, Click on this link: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=editor%40scribequill.com&;item name=SQpatron&item number=SQPatron&amount=5.00&no note=1&tax=0¤cy code=USD go to Pay Pal directly (http://www.paypal.com) and send contribution to scribequill@gmail.com * Using a credit card via Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PTBVV59ORYU9J Thank you for reading our magazine, and for your continued support. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** The International Order of Horror Creatives/Professionals caters to creatives working in all disciplines related to horror, including, but not limited to: authors, writers, editors, artists, filmmakers, screenwriters, actors and musicians. Currently, we have 200 members across the globe, with a full ? of our members listed as professional-status. We offer multidisciplinary networking, monthly chats, podcasts, the Codex Nocturnum message board a members-only quarterly newsletter. This year we will be launching online workshops and a showcase gallery for our members' work. We offer two levels of membership: Associate ($5 per year) and Professional ($10 per year). For more information or to apply for membership, visit: http://www.horrorprofessionals.org/ or e-mail membership@horrorprofessionals.org with APPLICATION REQUEST in the subject line. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED ARTICLE: Reviewers vs. Bloggers: The Controversy By Mayra Calvani mcalvani@yahoo.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Reviewing has been a hot subject among kid lit bloggers lately, ever since the magazine n+1 came up with an article about a week ago which criticized—though not in such direct terms—bloggers of not being objective, honest enough with their reviews, of not posting enough negative reviews and of lacing their positive reviews with facile praise. The main question seems to be: is it possible to be unbiased in a cozy environment where the people who post friendly comments under the bloggers' posts are often the same people who request reviews from these bloggers? In other words, is it possible to be objective in the blogosphere, where authors, publishers, publicists, reviewers and librarians are in friendly terms with each other in such blog communities as Live Journal? In a perfect world, a reviewer should never review a book by a person he/she knows. But, as usual, more often than not, what is ideal in theory is not realistic in the real world, and this sin is not only committed by bloggers, but also by legitimate reviewers who write for online and print review publications. Another issue seems to be the lack of format which many (maybe most?) bloggers have when writing reviews. Unlike the 'legitimate' reviewers who seem to have a preference for a 'standard' structure — an interesting lead/opening sentence, a short summary of the plot without ever giving away spoilers or the ending, and an intelligent, fair, tactful evaluation — the bloggers write about books anyway they want. They have the freedom to write in any length or style without a thought to format — even to the point of giving away spoilers or relating the ending of a book. This freedom comes with the territory of being a blogger. But then, the questions arise: are bloggers real reviewers? What defines a review? After all, there are many types of reviews — academic and long, light and short, and snippets like those in such publications as Library Journal. Different review sites and publications have different guidelines. Are blogger reviews a new, different type of review? Should we draw a distinction between bloggers who are simply readers and post reader reviews and 'legitimate' reviewers who post real ones on their blogs? After all, just like on Amazon, there are reader reviews and reviewer reviews. Are bloggers the lowly counterparts of legitimate reviewers? Is this an elitist attitude? These questions are fascinating because there are no easy answers. As usual, opening a discussion about what is right and wrong is like opening a can of worms. A couple of years ago, this dilemma started with the emerging online review sites. I remember how librarians and bookstores often dismissed them as not legitimate. Online review sites have come a long way. Now it's the bloggers who are being attacked. Ultimately, I think we're not giving enough credit to the discerning reader of reviews. It's so easy to tell a good review from a cheesy one guilty of facile praise! There are good and bad reviewers everywhere. Serious blogger reviewers aren't going to be stupid enough to post overly positive reviews because if the reader buys a book based on that review and then finds that book to be poorly written, that blogger will lose all credibility and that reader won't come back to this blogger for more reviews. Honesty and fairness go with our job as reviewers, without it, we're nothing but weak, cheap publicity. That is not to say we should be nasty or mean. This brings me to the subject of negative reviews. There are too many good books out there to be spending time writing about the bad ones (even negative reviews are a type of publicity!). Unless it's a book that has been written by a famous author and/or heavily hyped, I won't bother posting negative reviews on my blog and newsletters (this wouldn't be the case, however, if the book was assigned by a review site/publication, in which case I wouldn't have a choice but to write the negative review). One thing the blogging technology has done is bring books and literature closer to the public and, let's face it, the average person is so busy and/or has such a short attention span that long, insightful reviews are not the most practical thing in the world. Blogger reviews are like quick tasty treats of information for people on the run who enjoy reading about books. In the end, and in spite of the slippery questions mentioned above, I'm all for anything that brings literature closer to the public. === BIO: === Mayra Calvani is the co-author of the forthcoming book, "The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing," from Twilight Times Books. Visit her website at http://www.mayracalvani.com. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED ARTICLE: Twelve Tales of Woe from a Busy (and Grumpy) Editor By Carolyn Howard-Johnson <mailto:hojonews@aol.com> ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Here's an imaginary letter from a busy and grumpy editor to you, yes, YOU! (And, yes, it made me feel good to write it!) Dear Freelancer, Author of Poetry, Short Stories, Books or Anything Else: Pretend I'm a Busy Editor (or Agent or Publisher or Producer) that you want to contact. I depend on what you have to say for content but not nearly badly enough to have to dig for it. In other words -- to be perfectly blunt -- there are lots of feature ideas out there, lots of authors, lots of books and no matter how good yours is, yours is not worth it to me to have to work overtime. Something else will come along shortly and that person will have the savvy to make my job easy for me. So, here are some ways to help me out: 1. Don't send attachments. I jus' ain't gonna open them. (Clinton might say, "It's not only the time, it's the viruses, stupid!") 2. Let me know if you have a media kit available, electronically and by post. If I want one, I'll ask. 3. Don't make me fill out and squint at one of those little spam forms for your convenience. Nope, not gonna go there! 4. If you're sending me something for one of my columns or features, try to send it in the style I use or at the very least, include all the information that I need. 5. If you send me a letter, tell me what it is you want. I'm not a mind reader. Do you want something included in my newsletter? Do you want me to consider it as recommendation for my classes? Do you want me publish it on my website? My anthology? Most editors do more than one thing. 6. If you're sending something by e-mail tell me what in the subject line. Media Release. Query. Subscribe. Whatever. Then follow that with a subject line I can't resist. Otherwise -- you guessed it -- I might not open it thinking it's SPAM. 7. Use a signature line. PLEASE! Even if we've corresponded before. I'm not as young as I used to be. I have more contacts than I used to. I may know more than one Pam. I may even know more than one Pam Brown. 8. Don't change your e-mail every two weeks and expect me to keep my files current. 9. Don't reply to one of my e-mails without clipping and pasting a sentence or two to remind me what I said to you. You know? I may have written 200 e-mails on Tuesday! 10. Don't expect me to trail around your website finding what I need for a story. Put it all in one, easily identifiable place. Like a media room. When I have my radio host hat on, I don't even mind if you call it a press room, but I'll know you're more of a professional if you don't! 11. Try to use my name if you're contacting me personally. I don't mind mass e-mails but you'll get better results from something personal. 12. Keep your messages or letters full of information, yes, but still as short as possible. You should be able to pick out the most pertinent part of your message and say it one page. 13. A baker's dozen. Something extra to illustrate this point. Always give more service than an editor asks for. Let him or her know you're available to help. When asked, answer promptly and completely. And don't send new information in scraps. Include what you sent before for easy reference. === BIO: === Carolyn Howard-Johnson is an award-winning novelist and poet. She is an instructor for UCLA Extension's Writers' Program and has shared her expertise at venues like San Diego State's world renowned Writers' Conference and Call to Arts! EXPO. She was recently awarded Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature; her home town's Character and Ethics Commission honored her for her work on promoting tolerance and the Pasadena Weekly named her to their list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life happen" for literary activism. Her nitty gritty how-to book, "The Frugal Book Promoter," won USA Book News' Best Professional Book and the Book Publicists of Southern California's Irwin Award. Her second in the HowToDoItFrugally Series is “The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success.” Cheryl Wright of Writer2Writer.com says, "The Frugal Editor will become a well-used reference for writers around the world." http://HowToDoItFrugally.com . ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** "Make a Big Splash Selling Your Books on Amazon" is a step-by-step e-guide for holistic, self-help and inspirational authors to jumpstart new book sales or give previous books a larger audience. For reviews and more information, please visit: http://www.newradiance.com/amazonbigsplash.htm ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** SCRIBES OF NOTE ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** At Scribe & Quill a virtual quill is our way of congratulating scribes of note who have made an article sale, published a book, snagged an agent/publisher or have reported to us a number of other notable successes in writing/publishing. Our quills are virtual because they exist only in cyberspace. We honor the recipients here with an old-fashioned pat on the back and publication of your news so our readers can celebrate with you! Have a success you'd like to trumpet to the rest of world? Send your triumph to scribequill@gmail.com with VIRTUAL QUILL in the subject line. This edition's virtual quills are as follows: Magdalena Ball's (mailto:maggieball@compulsivereader.com) chapbook, "Quark Soup," was released by Picaro Press. Details can be found here: http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/images/quarkindex.htm *** Rick Chiantaretto's book, "Facade of Shadows," was released October 3, 2006. Visit http://www.facadeofshadows.com or contact rick@facadeofshadows.com for more information. *** Feather Schwartz Foster announces the publication of "T: An Auto-Biography," described as a delightful 80-page romp with "T" - a Model-T Ford - as he recounts his life from birth as a small-town car in the 1920s through his incarnation as a Demolition Derby vehicle in the 1950s - and beyond! Suitable for boys and girls aged 8-13 (grades 3-8). For more information, visit http://www.featherfoster.com. *** Jewels of the Quill (http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com) sold several new anthologies to Whiskey Creek Press for 2008 release: "Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume III" (March 2007); "Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume IV" (March 2008); "Shadows in the Heart, A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology" (September 2007); "Christmas Wishes, A Jewels of the Quill Christmas Anthology" (September 2008). *** Michael LaRocca (mailto:larocca.michael@gmail.com) edited "Vocational English Today," a textbook which was published by Zhejiang University Press and which has been designated a key learning resource. He was also interviewed by http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot36.html He left China in June 2006 after six years to try his luck in Chiang Mai, Thailand. *** Mindy Phillips Lawrence (mailto:mplcreative1@aol.com), a Missouri author and Scribe & Quill's Assistant Editor, appeared on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" with Melissa Block (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6278012) Mindy has also been accepted into the graduate English program at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She will begin her coursework in 2007 after completion of her next book, "They Came Home: Iraqi Freedom Veterans," from Red Engine Press. *** Sara Webb Quest announces North46 has published her second book with Sally Odgers, "The Other Side of the World and Back." The book is a companion follow-up to their first poetry book. In addition, Sara's children's story "Foggy Fun" appeared in FANDANGLE MAGAZINE (http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewshortstory.asp?AuthorID=2092) *** Brad Schreiber (http://www.brashcyber.com) published "Stop the Show! A History of Insane Incidents and Absurd Accidents in the Theatre" through Thunder's Mouth Press in September 2006. *** Jeremy Seffens (mailto:Jeremy@horrorprofessionals.org) has been named Editor-in-Chief of The Bloodied Quill, the members-only newsletter of the International Order of Horror Professionals. In addition, Jeremy Seffens received his first acceptance for poetry in WestWard Quarterly. *** Joy V. Smith (mailto:pagadan@aol.com) published two articles, Selling an Audiobook and Selling a Cool Book About the House that Joy Built, in the October 2006 issue of The Electronic Write Stuff: http://www.northfloridawriters.org/ *** Robin Cohen Westmiller's (mailto:RobinWestmiller@aol.com ) book, "Blood Tastes Lousy With Scotch," was published by Star Publish (http://starpublish.com). The book is available in both paperback and e-book versions. *** Karen Wiesner (http://www.karenwiesner.com) announces her 35th release with "Bounty on the Rebel's Heart, Book 3" (Romantic action/adventure) now available through Whiskey Creek Press http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/BountyOnTheRebelsHeart_KarenWiesner.shtml Read an excerpt here: http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/fiction7.html ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** IS YOUR MANUSCRIPT READY FOR PUBLICATION? Detailed Manuscript Critique and Editing by Bestselling Author, Former Pulitzer Judge, & Writing Professor. Reasonable Rates, Free Initial Evaluation. http://www.writersconsultant.com E-mail: writersconsultant@gmail.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** QUOTABLES ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** "When writing a novel, that's pretty much entirely what life turns into: 'House burned down. Car stolen. Cat exploded. Did 1500 easy words, so all in all it was a pretty good day.'" -- Neil Gaiman "You need a certain amount of nerve to be a writer." --Margaret Atwood "Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon." --E.M. Forster "The unpublished manuscript is like an unconfessed sin that festers in the soul, corrupting and contaminating it." --Antonio Machado ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED FICTION COLUMN Romance Writing for the Romantically Challenged: Support Group Part 2 By Rick Chiantaretto <mailto:rick@facadeofshadows.com> ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** In case you missed part one, it went something like this: Lots of authors who write horror write romance – there is no ghost in Jane Eyre – interview with Sara Fitzgerald. Now, on to part two: I’m Rick Chiantaretto, the hunky leader of this support group. If you are a romance writer, you may find this group more like a horror novel, with me hacking up all you know to be true: it is surely a grisly sight. If you are a romance reader, you’ll find that this is more a lesson on humor. Finally, if you are new to the romance genre, welcome! One of you is bound to fall madly in love with me. After all, this is romance, and there are rules. Rule #1: The central love story While many writers include romantic elements in their writing, actually writing romance requires that the love story, and characters related thereto, becomes the focal point of conflict. The story should focus on two people falling in love, and the struggle they must inevitably go through to justify that love. This is, perhaps, where romance novels deviate from what we as human beings want. I’ve heard many people tell me of encounters with love at first sight, where the heavens open, pink bunnies are hopping through the glorious sunshine as fluffy clouds drift above. Most of the time, however, romance reflects more of the true sense: there is more against the characters, then for them. Rule #2: A satisfying and happy ending. This is where horror authors and romance authors diverge. Romance thrives on the "feel-good factor," and readers have come to expect such. This in no way takes away from romantic tragedy (i.e. Romeo and Juliet), but nevertheless there is a resolution in which both parties end up together, or in some greater love that is evident to the reader… even if it is in death. I have noticed that with a romantic story, if you take away the "feel-good factor" (of two people's struggle being forever envisioned) you cross into another genre completely. Speaking of genres, let's take a quick look at the many sub-genres of romance – and there are many. Eventually I stopped looking because the list was getting to long. I'll briefly mention each, and discuss what makes that sub-genre unique. Contemporary Romance These are tales set mostly in the present time, but can be categorized as taking place after the World Wars. They often contain elements of suspense, humor and drama. Those covers you see with Mr. and Ms. Right half naked on pink bed sheets? Probably falls into this category. More true-to-life sagas of strong women who don't need anyone until they do (you know what I'm talking about), also probably falls into this genre. Erotica Erotica focuses heavily on the sexual components of a story, often relying on graphical descriptions to turn up the heat. This sub-genre makes heavy use of language not commonly found in other categories of romance. Need I say more? Fantasy Romance Although still centered on a romantic tale, Fantasy Romances take place on other worlds and contain elements of magic. They sometimes incorporate mystical creatures such as dragons, elves, or fairies, or horrific creatures, like vampires and werewolves. Fantasy Romance usually centers on mythology and legend. If I were to write a romance novel, it would probably fall under this category (and you knew you wouldn't be able to get through one of my articles without the word vampire at least once… now twice… right? [Insert plug for my new novel here]). Glamour Romance This is the category of romance that focuses outside of the "Jane Plain and Tall" category and often is based on characters that are rich and powerful, elite and celebrity-like. Two examples of authors that write Glamour Romance are Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz (neither of whom I've read). Historical Romance Perhaps one of the best known sub-genres, Historical Romance stories are set in the past, generally before the World Wars. This, of course, encompasses a long time, and could include the American west, American colonial, civil war, revolution, reconstruction, Native American, Australian colonial, European dark ages, early European renaissance, French revolution, Celtic, medieval England, Victorian England and Regency England time period. Whew! This is one of the largest categories in romance, and could even include the 'knight in shining armor rescuing damsels in distress' plotlines. Paranormal Romance This one could be fun! Paranormal Romance contains "other-worldly" elements such as ghosts, spirits, devils, demons or angels. In some cases, the characters may posses certain paranormal powers (like X-ray vision?). Pirate Romance "Adventure and romance on the high-seas, featuring swash-buckling pirate captains and feisty heroines willing to risk all to be with the bad-boy of the sea!" Okay, I didn't write that (it was in an article by Lee Masterson), but I found it really amusing. Romantic Comedy Okay, personally I think that was just an oxymoron, but when I think of books like "Bridget Jones's Diary" I can understand why there is such a category (I've never read it, or seen the movie; is it even romantic?). From in-your-face tricks to quiet wit, these novels are often categorized in the "Chic-Lit" section of bookstores. Romantic Suspense Think espionage, forensics, homicide, drug-dealing and smugglers. This category of romance usually is more dramatic, and the author must be careful to not cross over into the drama category. Most of the time, Romantic Suspense is based in a contemporary setting. Young Adult Less on the sex, more on the self-discovery, Young Adult Romance is written with the teenager in mind. Of course, you could repeat all the categories above as sub-genres of this sub-genre, but that would get tedious. Now that I have all that out of the way, it is time to dismiss our session and reschedule for next time, where you will be completely enthralled by part three. We'll delve into more specifics, and discuss characterization and why characters are not the most important part of a romance. I know you will miss me, but absence only makes the heart grow fonder. If you are not in love with me yet, you will be dear support group participant. Just think of it as one of the obstacles we must overcome in order to be together. Obstacle #2? I should be charging 85 bucks a session for these support groups. ==== BIO: ==== Rick Chiantaretto is a student at Weber State University where he is studying computer science and English. His first book, "Facade of Shadows," was published in 2006; more information can be found at http://www.facadeofshadows.com. Rick is a regular volunteer at the Utah Humanities Council where his favorite work is helping with the Great Salt Lake Book Festival. He is a writer of horror and dark fantasy, with a flair for satire. Rick is also a member of the League of Utah Writers and the International Order of Horror Professionals. A native of West Valley City, Utah, Rick stays busy with his own technology company, Sentinel Technology, and hopes for a career in computer security. That is, if he doesn't become a best-selling author first. You may contact him at rick@facadeofshadows.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED ARTICLE: Dreams to Goals to Reality By Susan Eileen Walker <sewalker101@hotmail.com ~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** There is a fine, but distinctive, line between dreams and goals. “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” a cartoon cricket once said. And that’s the trick. A dream is a wish, a hope, an intangible thought. A dream sits atop a mountain more treacherous than Mount Everest with no way to reach it. A goal, on the other hand, is tangible, touchable, a destination that may be far away, but reachable nonetheless. When I was 13, I dreamed of the next Dr. Seuss or Judy Blume or Carolyn Keene. My only problem was I did not know how to proceed. I had no plan. My dream was just that, a dream. I kept journals, wrote stories and read books by the wagonload. But my dream remained unfulfilled. I had not yet turned it into a goal. To me it was still a nebulous desire always just beyond my reach. It wasn’t until I turned the dream of being a published writer into the goal of writing and being published did I begin to see progress. It still took a long time, but I did reach my goal. I made my dream come true. I am now a writer with my fourth novel, "Secret of the Dance." Turning your dream into a goal and then turning that goal into reality takes the four P’s – planning, patience, persisting and most of all, passion. Planning. The first step in turning that dream, whether it is to lose 20 pounds, find a job or write a term paper, is to make a plan. Sit down and make a list of everything you need to do. If there is someone you have to talk to, put that on the list along with anything, big or little, that needs to be done. The problem with that list is that it is and long, big and overwhelming. For example, to write a term paper on whether or not there are the local gang problems, you’ll need to research gangs and their history, talk to the local police, school officials and some other leaders of the community. You’ll need to find out what gangs are in your area, how to recognize them and if possible, maybe even interview one or two members of the local gangs. Okay, so the list is long and where do you begin? Break those big steps into smaller, more manageable steps. Then do at least one step at a time, making all those little goals add up to the focus goal of a term paper. Patience. The second P is patience. It takes time to work through anything. "Rome was not built in a day" is a familiar saying to most of us. No building is, unless you’re Ty Pennington and have hundreds of helpers and unlimited resources at your disposal. For me, patience became the issue. I’d been writing and submitting my stories for a number of years and the only thing happened was that several people calling themselves agents or publishers scammed me out of thousands of dollars. I did have a couple of articles published in writer’s magazines, but there was no payment for all the work I had done. Just as I was about to give up, I received a call about a job as a freelance writer for an Internet website that wanted to put up a children’s page. I worked for them for a year and a half. By the time they stopped working with freelancer writers, my first book had been accepted for publication and I became what my family now calls a "real writer." The best example I know for patience is the submission process. After working for weeks, months or even years on a writing project it is now time to send it off to a publisher for consideration. Though it would be wonderful to have a response in a day or a week, the reality is that it normally takes two to six months or longer to hear back from a publisher. So you focus on other things, trying not to obsess about that one bit of your soul you’ve sent out into the world all by itself. Getting a job is the same idea. You apply for a position, then have to wait for the call to come in for an interview. You go to the interview, then have to wait for a second or third or fourth interview. Then you have to wait for another phone call saying you got the job. (Of course you got the job, you were prepared and brilliant during the interview, right?) And so on and so on. Life is about being patient, yet prepared for anything that comes your way. Persistence. The third secret to success at anything, whether it is riding a bicycle, getting a part in the school place, getting your novel published or conquering the world, is persistence. The act of persisting, of keeping on no matter what tries to stop you or who tells you to give up. Remember the old adage, "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again." To meet any goal or make any dream come true, you have to focus on your purpose and move toward it. You have to be tenacious. You have to be stubborn. You have to be pigheaded. Sometimes you’ll want to wallow in the disappointments of setbacks and obstacles, but don’t let that stop you. Don’t let anything stop you. You have a dream. Figure out how to make it come true. At five, I fell in love with words thanks to Dr. Seuss and a mother who loved to read with me. At 13, I decided I was going to be a writer when I grew up. I wanted my name on the spine of a book or five or ten. At 38, my dream came true when I sold my first children’s story to an Internet website. I went on to sell more than 40 stories to them before they changed their editorial policy and stopped working with freelances. Since that start as a paid writer, I have had three young adult novels and a children’s chapter book published with more on the way. Along the way I learned a few things. 1. Focus, Focus, FOCUS! Focus on your dreams! Focus on YOUR game plan to make YOUR dream a reality. Don’t forget to think outside the box. Be flexible. Be creative. Be inventive. Think of something the rest of the world hasn’t. 2. Find at least one person who believes you can do ANYTHING. All it takes is one person who supports you to drown out all those people who tell you to give up. I’ve had several such people in my travels towards being an author. I will remain forever grateful to those friends for cheering me on. Sometimes they were the only things that kept me from having a giant bonfire in the backyard to burn every manuscript in my office. 3. When you stumble, DO NOT QUIT. When you have a setback, allow yourself five minutes, an hour or even a whole day to feel sorry for yourself. Then step back, re-evaluate where the last step failed, change direction and charge ahead. Passion. The last P of making dreams come true is passion. It is the last one on the list, but probably the most important of the four. You have to love this thing you are working towards. You have to live it, breathe it, want it more than anything in the world. "Follow your bliss," and "Follow your passion and the money will come," are two of my favorite sayings and are so very true when it comes to making your dreams come true. If you do not love the thing you are working towards, you will not work as hard to achieve it. So, you got a job, but it does not stir your passion. It is not the greatest job in the world. It is not even on your list of the top ten jobs you might love to have. Do not quit. Work this job to the best of your ability while you are searching for that perfect job. Make this job the best one for today. Find some one thing you like about this job and focus on that while you are searching for or working towards that position that you dream about. Be warned, though; sometimes when you work hard and your dream comes true, you will find that the dream has changed and you may not want this dream any more, you want a different version of it or a different dream altogether. So, now using the four P’s, planning, patience, persistence and passion, go make your dreams come true. ==== BIO: ==== Susan Eileen Walker lives in New Bern, North Carolina with a rat terrier named Grizzly who thinks he is the boss. When she is not working as a medical transcriptionist or writing her next story, Susan divides her time between daydreaming, singing and making hats for infants and children. Her published works include "101 Borden Street," "Maura's Trunk" and "I Am the Quigglebush Bear." Keene Publishing/Moo Press released her latest young adult novel, "Secret of the Dance," in September 2006. You can learn more about Susan and her books at http://www.authorsden.com/susaneileenwalker ~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Are you IN yet? Inkwell Newswatch (IN), a no charge literary e-zine and writers' resource publication. IN provides 'how-to' on writing fiction, non-fiction, journalism, screenplays, stage plays, comedy, internet, TV, radio, poetry and more. All forms of writing information available, plus profiles, interviews, features and professional resources for editors, journalists and writers. Published by the Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l. If you're serious about writing, you have to get IN: http://fwointl.com/LMPmail/link.php?id=3c24af1sandq_IN ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED INTERVIEW: Up Close and Personal with Pamela S. Thibodeaux By Bev Walton~Porter <mailto:editor@scribequill.com> ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** SQ: When did you decide to become a writer? PT: I began writing 25 years ago after reading one-too-many insipid little books and thought I could do better. A mite arrogant as it turns out since, though writing may be relatively easy (for some), writing something that's publishable and marketable is much more difficult. SQ: Talk about your former career or jobs - how did it prepare you to become a writer? PT: Well, none of my former jobs have appeared in my stories, but experience in sales has prepared me to approach people very easily. One of the greatest lessons you learn working in sales is that you MUST believe in your product. If you don't believe in your product, no one else will either. The same goes for your writing. If you don't believe in your writing and in your books enough to talk about them, no one else will either. That stands true for not only publishers and editors, but readers. SQ: Name other people who have influenced your writing, both in your personal life and, perhaps, a famous author who influenced you the most. PT: I guess the person who has influenced my writing the most is my mom, by being an avid reader and encouraging me to be one too. My husband is also an avid reader. As for famous authors, I met Nora Roberts very early in my writing career. Her easy-going personality, as well as her encouragement when I participated in the exercises she gave as part of the workshop, was a great influence. Not to mention I am an avid fan of hers. Though my writing is different from theirs (I don't write traditional CBA), Francine Rivers and Robin Lee Hatcher's work have influenced me the most in the area of Christian writing. SQ: Tell us your methods for goal-setting and how you reach those goals consistently. PT: I really hadn't thought much about goal setting in the past. I would simply sit down and write and when one project was finished, move on to the next. But now, as a multi-published author in both romantic fiction and creative non-fiction, I have to balance my writing with other things like editing, submitting and promoting, which all take a substantial amount of time, research and effort. On top of that, I work full-time as a Licensed Sales Producer in the Insurance Industry, so time is really limited for other duties. My method of setting goals is simple. When I get to the point where I've got too much to do and too little time and overwhelmed at the thought of it all, I sit down and pray for clear direction. Once I receive that, I make a To Do list and scratch things off as they're done. Of course, I'm usually adding to the list as often as scratching off, but having that list helps me stay focused as well as see what I'm accomplishing. SQ: Of all the traits of the successful writer, what's the one thing you must have in order to reach your goals and succeed (in your opinion, of course)? PT: Persistence and thick skin. In my humble opinion, if you can't handle rejection, you're in the wrong business! SQ: What is the one obstacle you've had to overcome the most in order to become the most productive writer you could be? PT: Since I work, I still don't feel I'm the most productive writer I'd like to be. I'd love nothing more than for my books, articles and essays to lead to more $$ and higher paying assignments where I could actually make a living with my writing. SQ: What's the most important lesson you've learned so far in your writing career? PT: Never give up! Even if you're writing doesn't fit a particular niche, don't quit. Writing is a talent, a gift from God, don't bury your talent or hide your gift. SQ: Tell our readers about the current projects you are working on, as well as any forthcoming writing projects. PT: Currently I'm awaiting the final edits on my 3rd 'Tempered' Novel; Tempered Fire, after which we'll be working on getting book 4, Tempered Joy out. The one project I will definitely be working on in the near future is Tempered Truth, book 5 - and hopeful the last!- in the 'Tempered' series. I also have three other novels complete that are looking for a home. SQ: Anything else you'd like to share with our readers? PT: Yes, Stop by The Romance Readers Room and Check out My Weekly Blog http://www.romancereaders.com/wordpress/ and look for my personal blogs "pthib's blogs" coming soon to writingup.com! SQ: Thank you for taking the time to speak to the readers of Scribe & Quill. I know they will appreciate it! PT: Thank you for having me! Take care, stay in touch, God Bless and remember: Only when hearts are tempered, minds are opened and wills are softened can man discern the will of God for his life. Pamela S. Thibodeaux "Inspirational with an Edge!" http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com Member/CoFounderBayou Writers Group http://www.geocities.com/bayouwritersgroup ?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? End of Part I ?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? ?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? Scribe & Quill ~ Spring 2007 Section II ?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,?¤?°`°?¤?,??,? ISSN: 1098-6375 ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** DO YOU WRITE LIKE A LEO? CAN YOU PLOT LIKE A CAPRICORN? YOUR SUCCESS IS WRITTEN IN THE STARS! "Sun Signs for Writers" (Writer's Digest Books) is the first book to harness the power of the zodiac to improve writing! Readers discover their writing strengths and weaknesses based on their astrological sign. This unique and practical guide brings together the creative worlds of astrology and writing for an instructive guide that any writer can benefit from. Packed with exercises designed for each sign's tendencies, as well as examples of famous writers and their signs, "Sun Signs for Writers" will help writers of all genres — and astrological signs — improve their skills. * The only book to combine writing and astrology * Fun size and format make this a perfect year-round gift for writers * Sure-fire ways to beat writer's block * Advice on how to deal with rejection * How to give critiques and understand critiques coming from other signs * Writing exercises tailored for your creative style * How to use astrological signs to build the perfect foundations for believable characters. Here's what reviewers are saying about "Sun Signs for Writers": ++ Midwest Book Review calls Sun Signs for Writers "A unique, revealing guide" ++ C. Hope Clark, author and editor of Funds for Writers says: "Bev Walton-Porter has created a genuinely fun book in Sun Signs for Writers. I read it in one sitting, a rarity in my busy and hectic world." ++ Author Barbara Ardinger, Ph.D. says: "Sun Signs for Writers is one of the most helpful books you'll ever find. Buy it, read it, and set it on your shelf beside The Elements of Style, The Transitive Vampire and the Chicago Manual of Style." ++ Ginnie Bivona, Director of Atriad Press notes: "...this is more than just another astrology book; I intend to suggest this book to every aspiring writer I come in contact with, it's got more useful suggestions, and concise information about how to make it in this industry than I have read anywhere else in a very long time. It's inspiring and informative, and personally I think it belongs on the shelf of every writer. It's that good." Now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and brick-and-mortar bookstores across the globe! For more information or to peak inside the book, visit: http://www.wdeditors.com/wordpress/fall-2006-titles/sun-signs-for-writers/ ISBN: 1582974039 ISBN-13: 9781582974033 Format: Paperback, pp. 176 Publisher: Writer's Digest Books Visit the Astrology for Writers website: http://www.astrologyforwriters.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT Are you serious about writing and about being published? Join: OneGoodTurn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com No cost, no obligation. Just writer helping writer. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED WRITER'S ALMANAC: Heads Up! The Writer's Astrological Almanac May 2007 By Kathy Watts <mailto:direwolf@stratlabs.com> ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** May Day, the First of May, is on a Tuesday with the Moon at the end of Libra, in the heart of the Via Combusta. It's a strong serious start to a strong serious month. Expect continued misunderstandings and missed connections with friends. It's okay and getting better. Speak clearly with a warm voice; don't smile too much. Wed May 2 is the Full Moon at 11 Scorpio. The Moon opposes Mercury at 1 am. The Full Moon happens two hours later. By nine that night, the Sun conjuncts Mercury. Serious thoughts and projects are appropriate Sat May 5 the Moon is in Sagittarius. It conjuncts Jupiter around 4 am, then conjuncts Pluto late that night, just before midnight. Let the Moon carry Jovian overtones with it to Pluto for a mellower day. Tue May 8 shortly after midnight, Venus enters Cancer. Around 11 am the Moon enters Aquarius. Creativity may turn to imaginative work in the kitchen. Writers need to eat, too. Take extra care with knives and around the stove -- Mars is still within orb of that conjunction with Uranus. Wed May 9 the Moon is in Aquarius. Around 8 pm comes the Moon-Saturn opposition. Work with reckless imagination. There will be important as well as brilliant ideas in there. You don't need to show it to anyone for at least two weeks. Thu May 10 the Moon conjuncts Neptune around 2:30 am. Midafternoon, the Moon moves into Pisces. Get your dream journal caught up and save all that beautiful hard work your subconscious has been doing. Fri May 11 the Moon is in Pisces all day. In the early hours Mercury leaves Taurus and enters its home sign of Gemini. An hour before midnight, the Moon conjuncts Uranus. Choose your party pals well, because people will be talking a lot and speaking off the tops of their heads as well as from the bottom of their hearts. Take extra vitamins in preparation for the next few days. Sat May 12 the Moon conjuncts Mars around 4 pm. Three hours later the Moon moves into the sign of Aries. Heads up, if there have been lingering problems, today the logjam may break free. Tue May 15 the Moon will be in Taurus all day. Around 7 am, Mars leaves Pisces and enters its home sign of Aries. This is also the day before the New Moon, always a Heads Up. Drive carefully. Wed May 16 is the New Moon at 25 Taurus. This happens just after noon. By 7:30 pm the Moon enters Gemini. Things won't slow down, they'll just shift from the physical racetrack to the mental. May sparks fly from your fingers at the keyboard. Thu May 17 the Moon will be in Gemini all day. The Moon conjuncts Mercury that afternoon, then opposes Jupiter late that night. There's an 'X marks the spot' in the sky, with the Moon and Mercury nearly opposed Jupiter and with Saturn opposing Neptune. The spot marked by this celestial X is YOU. Be the melting pot for clever mental generosity and judicious inspiration. Put it in your work and let it shine. Fri May 18 the Moon opposes Pluto late in the afternoon. Three hours later the Moon enters its home sign of Cancer. A planet is more powerful and happy in its own sign. Right now the Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter are all in their own homes. Be calm, powerful and hospitable. Everyone will appreciate it and be impressed. Sat May 19 Mercury opposes Jupiter in the late evening. The Moon is still in Cancer. This is the time to be a good guest. Mental buffoonery is unavoidable but try and keep it at home. Mon May 21 the Moon enters Leo an hour after midnight. Two hours later the Sun leaves Taurus and enters Gemini. Mental output may bloom but so may the social schedule. Be grateful for all the help Saturn can give to keep things under control. Tue May 22 with the Moon in Leo, the Moon conjuncts Saturn shortly after noon, then five and a half hours later the Moon opposes Neptune. What you over-edit in the morning, you can flesh out and bring back to life in the afternoon. Wed May 23 midmorning, the Moon enters Virgo. You have work that is almost ready to send out into the world. Put those finishing touches on it and let it go. Thu May 24 Neptune goes stationary retrograde. The Moon is in Virgo all day. Great ideas deserve time and delicate care. Don't be impatient. Sun morning May 27 Mercury opposes Pluto. The Moon is in Libra. The sky is full of oppositions but don't feel scattered. Even intellectual flare-ups are just that, flare-ups. Balance will win in the end. Enjoy this weekend. Mon May 28 the Moon enters Scorpio in the late morning. By 6 pm Mercury leaves Gemini for the sign of Cancer. Thoughts turn to home and heart, and of course, country. Love them all. Wed May 30 the Moon is void of course in Scorpio from 10 am till 10 pm, when the Moon finally enters Sagittarius. If you don't get much done, don't fret. Sometimes the universe puts everything on hold. It is not wasted time, though, so do something Geminian -- a long postponed phone call, perhaps, or indulge in research. The month goes out on a high note. Thu May 31 is the second Full Moon of the month (a Blue Moon), at 10 Sag. Make a writerly wish. Make several. Be brilliant, of golden heart and silver mind. The world needs you. Heads up. === BIO: === Kathy Watts (mailto:direwolf@stratlabs.com) is a life-long stargazer, long-time astrologer and member of the San Francisco Astrology Society (where she's done presentations). Besides astrology columns and solar/lunar return reports, Kathy writes short novels, mostly young adult novels and ghost stories. Currently, her young adult novel, "Cemetery Boy," is in her agent's capable hands and making the rounds. Books on tap are "Heart of the Redwoods" (a YA with trees, plus Bigfoot) and "City of Falcons" (stories of the pre-Dynastic kings of Egypt). Online, her short fiction has been on http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com and Astropoetica.com (http://www.Astropoetica.com) has archived one of her poems. Also a serious fiber artist, Kathy has a spinning wheel and is not afraid to use it. E-mail her anytime. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Whiskey Creek Press presents the award-winning "FEAR - An Anthology of Horror and Suspense" https://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=477 "FEAR - An Anthology of Horror and Suspense" is now available! With an introduction by NY Times Bestselling horror author Nicholas Grabowsky, and a TOC that includes John Everson, Louise Bohmer, Katherine Smith, Nancy Jackson and Giovanna Lagana, this is a collection not to be missed! Pick yours up in e-book or trade paperback now! ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ADVERTISEMENT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Use the power of myth to enhance your projects — any genre, any style — with consultations, books and seminars from international speaker and consultant Pamela Jaye Smith, author of "Inner Drives" and "Power of the Dark Side" (2007). http://www.mythworks.net Call 323-874-6042 to discuss how we can work together. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** BOOK REVIEWS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** RATING LEGEND: **** Quills = Excellent *** Quills = Good ** Quills = Fair * Quills = Poor ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** "Writing Children’s Books for Dummies" Authors: Lisa Rojany Buccieri and Peter Economy Reviewer: Mayra Calvani (mcalvani@yahoo.com) Publisher: Wiley Publishing, Inc. (http://www.wiley.com) Format: Adult, Trade Paperback, 355 pages, $19.99 ISBN: 0-7645-3728-8 Rating: * * * * Quills www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0764537288/scriquilezine “Writing Children’s Books for Dummies” is one of those complete, easy-to-use guides that should be on the shelf of any writer who is serious about writing and publishing children’s books. Having read most of the reference books on this subject on the market today, I can say this is right there among the best and well worth its price. The structure of the book is clear and easy to handle, the language straight forward and to the point. No matter which aspect of children’s writing or publishing you’re interested in, you only have to look in the table of contents to find it. The authors use interviews and illustrations to present their ideas in a more engaging manner. They also utilize icons to stress important ideas or points. For example, special icons are used for “Tips” (expert advice), “Remember” (important information to store in your brain for later recall), “Warning” (avoiding mistakes), and “Ahead of the Pack” (new and innovative topic). At the end of the book there are five lined pages for note taking -- quite practical for those readers who like to take notes as they read. Everything from formats and genres, understanding the market, setting up your workspace, coming up with ideas, researching, creating compelling characters, the mechanics of writing (conflict, climax, dialogue, setting, point of view, tone, theme, etc.) to editing and formatting, illustrating, finding agents and publishers, the publishing process and much, much more. You’ll even find more than ten great sources for compelling storylines, as well as helpful tips on promoting your work. In short, all the information you’ll need to succeed as a children’s book author. Whether you choose to read from cover to cover or jump straight to the topic of your choice, “Writing Children’s Books for Dummies” will prove to be an indispensable reference and amalgam of helpful information for your writing career, as well as a fecund source of ideas for articles. Highly recommended for both fiction and non-fiction writers, students of children’s literature and writing teachers. ************ ”Aiming At Amazon” Author: Aaron Shepard Reviewer: Mayra Calvani (mcalvani@yahoo.com) Publisher: Shepard Publications (http://www.shepardpub.com) Format: Adult, Trade Paperback, 174 pages, $15.00 ISBN: 978-0-938497-43-1 Rating * * * * Quills www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/093849743X/scriquilezine In his latest book, “Aiming at Amazon,” Aaron Shepard proposes a revolutionary way to self publish your non-fiction work and market it successfully. No, this is not one of those books that will teach you how to become an instant Amazon Bestseller. What Shepard suggests is much more ingenious. While becoming an instant bestseller may appear glamorous, the effect of this marketing trick lasts little compared to a real bestseller with good steady sales over a long period of time. Furthermore, the author’s innovative technique includes ignoring—yes, totally disregarding—bookstores. With this plan, your aim will be selling your book via Amazon only. While this method may appear a little extreme, there’s a beautiful simplicity to it. Shepard demystifies distributors and wholesalers and offers you a practical, step-by-step plan on how to become your own small press, print your book, and sell it to the public via Amazon. He explains why it’s important to stay away from subsidy companies that use print on demand, and he takes you right to the POD printer itself—Lightning Source—saving you an infinite amount of money in the process. Some of the topics discussed include: choosing POD for printing your books, researching the market, designing and layout, cover design, setting up accounts with Lightning Source and Amazon, Amazon marketing tactics, and getting reviews, among others. In sum, everything you need to know to become your own press and start selling your book online. Whether you live in the US or in another part of the world, this is an important book to read if you plan on self publishing a non-fiction book, as Shepard also offers valuable information for those living abroad. Written in Shepard’s friendly style, “Aiming at Amazon” is a must read for anybody who is considering self publishing without too much hassle or expenses. ********* ”Mending Fences” Author: Star Ferris Reviewer: Rita Porter (beepmybeep2@mchsi.com) Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press (http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com) Format: Adult, Paperback or E-format, 197 pages, September 2006, $12.95 (print)/$5.99 e-format ISBN: 978-1593745622 Rating: * * * Quills http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=472 Jennifer, a widowed parent to one near teenage boy, Aaron, finds them traveling to the god forsaken place known as Oklahoma, to visit a ranch she won on a lark, to look it over before selling it. Not counting on a cantankerous caretaker tossed in, Jennifer was a bit miffed to say the least with her first showing of the wide open spaces and the friendliness of the people. Jace rubs Jennifer the wrong way, nothing he says or does is going to work for her, but with Aaron there is hero worship, after all he is dealing with a real cowboy! Opening herself up slowly to Jace and the way she feels for him, Jennifer finds herself falling hard. Hearing the rumors around the little town about how he killed his wife and son, scare her into thinking, common sense tells her it is impossible, but facts sometimes speak a different language. Hard times hit right along with a mishap from Mother Nature in the form of a tornado! This too shall be overcome if it is meant to be. The main characters are written strongly made more believable by the secondary characters. Such as Jennifer in the mother and woman role, the division she would feel between the two parts of herself strongly shown in her desires as a woman, and the need to grow a strong independent son. Aaron lends her character the ability to provide the proof of how it is possible to be both. Jace is a stand-alone sort, written with the strong male characteristics. “Mending Fences” is a romance written with a mystery that with open communication could have been avoided. Lending credibility to the love that builds over time through hardships either from one’s own making or an outside influence. Bring with it a touch of realism of what it is like to break off from what is known into the great unknown, learn again what it is to live and love, and to take chances. ********* ”1001 Ways to Market Your Books” Author: John Kremer Reviewer: Mayra Calvani (mcalvani@yahoo.com) Publisher: Open Horizons (www.bookmarket.com) Format: Adult, Trade Paperback, $27.95, 700 pages ISBN: 0-912411-49-X Rating: * * * Quills www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/091241149X/scriquilezine If you were able to choose only one book on book marketing today, this would be definitely it. This 700-page monster has all the information any author or publisher will ever need to market and promote books, and to create a “state-of-the-art” marketing plan. In spite of the huge amount of information Kremer offers, the book is well organized and the subjects easy to find, either from the table of contents or index. The author also includes articles by experts on various subjects, as well as an amalgam of up-to-date links and resources. What sets this book part from others in the field, besides the amount of information, are the details. There are many books on promotion out there, but few go as deep as this one. In this sense, this is an invaluable reference work. Though it is impossible to list all the subjects covered, following are some of them: basic fundamentals of book marketing, planning, distributors and wholesalers, major book reviewers, arranging print/radio/TV interviews, book tours, book signings, advertising (direct mail, finding lists, telemarketing, print ads), offbeat marketing, book fairs and conferences, catalogs, internet promotion, selling to bookstores, libraries, gifts shops and many other retail markets, subsidiary and foreign rights, and much, much more. Kremer explores each subject in depth and offers clear, pragmatic advice on how to succeed at each level of promotion. Have your highlighter, pencil and Post-its ready, as this is a book you’ll want to dissect and examine section by section. A book that should be not on your shelf but on your desk at all times, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books comes highly recommended from this reviewer. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FEATURED CONTESTS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Boomer Women Speak Writing Contest My Favorite Memory of the 50s, 60s, or 70s Deadline: May 31, 2007 Entry Fee: NONE - Great prizes including $50.00 CASH, books and New Membership or Renewal to NABBW! Remember "Hey Jude" or "American Pie?" Maybe you remember riding around all week on $2.00 worth of gas. Or … eating foot-longs at the local Dairy Queen? When your memories stir, does your heart race back to prom night? Don't let "what happened at Woodstock stay in Woodstock!" Why not share your favorite memory with us and win prizes? We want to know your favorite memory of the 50s, 60s or 70s. Send us your fav and let us all travel with you down memory lane. Just think, this time you don't have to buy gas! Please visit us at http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com for guidelines and submission information. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** RED SAGE PUBLISHING GUIDELINES We are looking for high quality writing, and all submissions should have a happy ending except for the Pure Erotica line. However, the Pure Erotica line must have a satisfying, non-depressing ending. Please keep in mind that Red Sage is known for sensual or erotic romance for women and will not accept anything that could be even considered offensive: no rape, incest, bestiality, racial slurs, pedophilia, and no body functions which anyone would find distasteful. Red Sage will not accept any previously published works in e-book format or multiple submissions. We will however consider previously published print books for e-books if the author has all rights. Guideline details and submission information at: http://www.eredsage.com/Submissions-sp8.html *** THE WILD ROSE PRESS GUIDELINES We publish only stories where romance is a strong element and in ALL lengths. This includes short stories. Please do not submit any type of nonfiction. We do not accept unsolicited complete or partial manuscripts, but ask instead that you submit a query letter and up to a 5 page double-spaced synopsis. The query letter should contain a word count and pertinent facts about yourself as a writer, including your familiarity with the romance genre. Please indicate what line you think your project is appropriate for, if it is completed, what you think makes it special, and previous publishing experience (if any). For detailed submission guidelines, visit: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/submissions.htm *** A WOMAN’S GOODNIGHT GUIDELINES http://www.awomansgoodnight.com/AWGN-submission-guidelines.pdf Short story writers wanted: literary erotica for women Introducing our website designed purely for a woman's pleasure-seeking imagination. A Woman's Goodnight caters to women's varying needs for sensual distraction in their everyday lives. A Woman's Goodnight will publish high quality stories online on a continuous basis. We are looking for a full range of stories from the romantic, the sensual, the boudoir to the fully sexual. The stories will be professionally voiced and made available as an audio download so please keep that in mind when submitting your work. Terms of payment are based on word count and we reserve the right to make any changes we feel are necessary. Popular stories will also receive a royalty. We offer $.04 US per word and after the first 100 sales offer $.50 per sale as a royalty. For popular stories we estimate about 1,000 sales per story, this translates into $450.00 US for successful stories. Please review our Submission Guidelines at http://www.awomansgoodnight.com/AWGN-submission-guidelines.pdf, and submit your work to stories@awomansgoodnight.com We look forward to hearing from you. Help us build a collection of literary erotica for women. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** LIVE TO WRITE. WRITE TO SELL. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Beginning or intermediate writer? Scribe & Quill offers courses by PUBLISHED PROFESSIONALS that are affordable, fun, motivational and focused on results -- we deliver that and more! Sign up for affordable writing workshops taught by *published* professionals who work in the writing/publishing field. All of our facilitators are multi-published and offer one-on-one interaction with students. Course sessions are perpetual, so you may sign up and begin your course at your own convenience! Currently we offer personal instruction in these areas: -- Tapping the Muse Within -- Editing Essentials -- How-to Articles -- Non-fiction Book Proposals -- Professional Freelance Writing -- Marketing/PR for Writers -- Query Magic -- Writing the Novel For more information on how our courses work or to enroll, visit our courses page located at: http://www.scribequill.net/Courses.html ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** BOOK OFFERINGS FOR THE READER IN YOU! ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Looking for a great book to read? Visit Scribe & Quill's Online Book Gallery Featured listings include: * "A Very Special Child: An Adoption Story" by Debra Shiveley Welch (non-fiction) * "Alien to Existence" by Jonathan Ark (fiction) * "Christopher Bullfrog Catcher" by Christopher Shiveley Welch (non-fiction) * "Coquina Key" by Micah O'Brien (fiction) * "Death Comes Too Soon" by Patricia Harrington (fiction) * "Fa?ade of Shadows" by Rick Chiantaretto (fiction) * "Finding New Goddesses" by Barbara Ardinger (non-fiction) * "First Saturday" by Rosemary O'Brien (fiction) * "Glimpses 2" by Martha Jette (non-fiction) (More than 90 strange, but true paranormal tales from around the world!) * "Going Solo: How to Survive and Thrive as a Freelance Writer" by Bobbi Linkemer (non-fiction) * "In the Shadow of Suribachi" by Joyce Faulkner (fiction) * "Mending Fences" by Star Ferris (fiction) * "Night Crimes" by Judith Colombo (fiction) * "Sun Signs for Writers" by Bev Walton~Porter (non-fiction) * "The Old Man's Trousers" by John Haines (fiction) * "Privileged Witness," "Silent Witness" and "Hostile Witness" by Rebecca Forster (fiction) * "Wishing Makes It So" by Marilyn Meredith (fiction) To view all the offerings in our gallery, please visit: http://www.scribequill.net/Gallery.html Promote your book in our Book Gallery. Single book listings only $5 per month; only $8 per month to list two titles: http://www.scribequill.net/BookListing.html ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** THE LAST WORD -- RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR WRITERS: ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** 21st Century Publishing Update http://www.julieduffy.com Absolute Write http://www.absolutewrite.com The Academy of American Poets http://www.poets.org The Authors Guild, Inc. http://www.authorsguild.org BookWire http://www.bookwire.com Cata-Romance http://www.cataromance.com The Burry Man Writers Center http://www.burryman.com Charlotte Dillon's Resources for Romance Writers http://www.charlottedillon.com Done Deal http://www.scriptsales.com Erotica Readers & Writers Association http://www.erotica-readers.com Fanfiction.net http://www.fanfiction.net Fiction Addiction http://www.fictionaddiction.net Fiction Factor http://www.fictionfactor.com Fictionette http://www.fictionette.com Food Writing, http://www.food-writing.com FundsforWriters http://www.fundsforwriters.com Gila Queen, http://free-path.org/gilaqueen/com HollyLisle.com http://www.hollylisle.com Hollywoodlitsales http://www.hollywoodlitsales.com Internet-Resources.com http://www.internet-resources.com/writers Journalism Jobs http://www.journalismjobs.com JournalistExpress http://www.journalistexpress.com MediaBistro http://www.mediabistro.com Mike's Writing Workshop http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mikeswritingworkshop/ National Writer's Union http://www.nwu.org New York City Writers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newyorkcitywriters/ OrganizedWriter.com, http://www.organizedwriter Poetic Voices http://www.poeticvoices.com Preditors & Editors http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors PublishersLunch http://www.publisherslunch.com Ralan's SpecFic & Humor Webstravaganza http://www.ralan.com Romance Central http://www.romance-central.com Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America http://www.sfwa.org The Scriptorium http://www.thescriptorium.net Sell Writing Online, http://www.sellwritingonline.com SF Romance, http://www.sfronline.com Small Publishers Association of North America http://www.spannet.org Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators http://www.scbwi.org SpecFicMe Market Newsletter, http://www.specficworld.com/sfme.html Spicy Green Iguana http://www.spicygreeniguana.com Spirit-Led Writer http://www.spiritledwriter.com Sun Oasis Jobs http://www.sunoasis.com U.S. Copyright Office http://www.loc.gov/copyright/search Vision: A Resource for Writers, http://www.lazette.net/Vision/ Visual Thesaurus http://www.visualthesaurus.com Worldwide Freelance Writer, http://www.worldwidefreelance.com Write From Home http://www.writefromhome.com Write Thinking http://www.writethinking.net WritingAustralia.com eZine, http://www.writingaustralia.com WriteCraftWeb, http://www.writecraftweb.com WritersCrossing.com Newsletter, http://www.WritersCrossing.com Writer Gazette, http://www.writergazette.com Writers Guild of America http://www.wga.org The Writer's Hood, http://www.writershood.com The Writer's Life, http://www.thewriterslife.net The Writing Parent http://www.thewritingparent.com Writing for Success, http://www.writing4success.com/newsletter.htm Write Success, http://writesuccess.com The Write Way, http://www.write101.com Writers Weekly http://www.writersweekly.com Writers Write http://www.writerswrite.com ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Scribe & Quill, ISSN 1098-6375, is a quarterly electronic newsletter for writers working in all genres and at all experience levels. Poetry, non-fiction, articles, how-to, fiction and interviews are accepted. Articles and interviews should relate to writing in some way. We accept most genres of fiction and poetry, save for erotica. To view our guidelines, visit: http://www.scribequill.net/Guidelines.html Advertise to thousands of readers for ONLY $15 per month! Visit: To view our guidelines, visit: http://www.scribequill.net/Advertising.html or e-mail scribequill@comcast.net Scribe & Quill only asks for one-time rights. Reprints welcome! Upon publication, rights revert back to authors. Scribe & Quill’s E-zine is now powered by Zinester.com Our zine ID is 16153 Subscription E-mail: 16153-subscribe@zinester.com Subscription URL: http://www.zinester.com/s/16153 Unsubscription E-mail: 16153-unsubscribe@zinester.com Unsubscription URL: http://www.zinester.com/u/16153 Scribe & Quill Description Page: http://subs.zinester.com/16153 Scribe & Quill Archives Index: http://archives.zinester.com/16153 (c) 2007 Scribe & Quill http://www.scribequill.net ISSN: 1098-6375 All Rights reserved. |
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