The Blogging Bookdoc!

The Blogging Bookdoc!: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR

2012-01-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

The Blogging Bookdoc!: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR

FREE SAMPLE EDIT

2006-08-21T23:13:00.001-04:00

I offer to edit five pages of your manuscript for free.
Please write for details.

No obligation whatsoever.

Email for details:
carolhenson@yahoo.com

Check Out INKYGIRL.COM - writer's resource

2005-03-16T18:27:00.000-05:00

You have to go check out Debbie Ridpath Ohi's website. Remember Debbie? She created that great Inkspot website of years gone by, the site that helped me gain the confidence I needed to write and edit for profit. She gave me my first chance at being a columnist. In fact, I think I earned my first writing dollars from Inklings Newsletter. Anyway, she's back with this very cool site, www.inkygirl.com. She's added a list of paying markets for writers and lots more. Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author of Writer's Online Marketplace. Rock on, Debbie!

WWW.INKYGIRL.COM

QUERY LETTERS THAT WORK

2005-01-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

A good query letter can be a writer’s single most effective marketing tool. But only if it can instantly grab the attention of the reader and keep that attention. A good query letter gets to the point quickly and makes it easier for a "tired, blurry eyed" editor to sit up and take notice.
I enjoy helping writers market their manuscripts once they have been edited. Because of this, I’ve put together a series of query letters that got noticed by agents and publishers. In fact, several of these letters can be credited with helping the author make a sale.
There are a few basic elements that go into a good query letter. I’ve broken these elements into example in an attempt to make them easier to put into practice. Remember, these are just examples. See if you can see the common elements you can incorporate into your own query letters.

ELEMENT 1. The "attention getting opening":

Sometimes the opening takes the form of a question.
This example was used to market a children’s book.
Example:
Do you think children should be helped to understand the difference between fact and fiction, reality and fantasy?
This example was used to get attention focused on a mystery/thriller.
Example:
What really happened in Dealy Plaza on November 22, 1963? Did the head of the FBI and the Vice President play a part in the events of that day?

Sometimes just a friendly opening sentence catches the attention of the reader.
In this example, the author used a bit of familiarity to draw attention to his mystery novel.
Example:
I noticed that you agented a book I enjoyed, [Author's name]'s [Book's name], and thought you might be interested in seeing my mystery, A STRANGE AND BITTER CROP.

Sometimes an interesting statement works just as well.
In this example, the author hopes the saga of a World War II Army Nurse would help get attention.
Example:
In war-torn 1942, Army Nurse 2nd Lt. Ernestine Koranda began a most perilous voyage. Sailing from New York with task force 6924T her troopship made it down the German submarine infested Atlantic Coast and on to Australia. She survived the harrowing trip only to be killed in an airplane crash on her way to her wedding!

Element 2 follows the attention getting opener with a paragraph that helps "justify your project." Why are you writing this book in the first place and why would anyone want to buy it? Who’s interested anyway?

Element 2: "Justify the project." Add interest by incorporating "market information and endorsements."
Market information first:
This paragraph (or sentence) is for a children’s book series.

THE EXPEDITION book series was successfully tested on elementary school students. Parents, teachers and children's librarians have expressed an appreciation for this concept.
This paragraph draws attention to the audience, those interested in WWII Hospital Ships:

This is the untold story of the thirty nine hospital ships that operated during World War II. Each ship is covered from her launch to final demise, with the main emphasis on the ship's career as a hospital ship. WORLD WAR II HOSPITAL SHIPS is aimed at and will find an audience in Military Personnel, Merchant Seamen, Physicians, Nurses, Historians and Ship buffs

Now we’ll talk about the endorsement section:.
The two paragraphs that follow hope their endorsements will show the reader the book is in good hands:

I developed the idea for this series while producing the program "What Does A Writer Do, Anyway?" designed to encourage elementary school students to enjoy creative writing. My program was heartily received by the [local] Community School system.

A STRANGE AND BITTER CROP has been reviewed by Jenny [last name], an attorney who clerks for a superior court judge, Rick [last name], an attorney for a legal aid society, Cheryl [last name], a psychotherapist who specializes in treatment of rape survivors, and a rape survivor who prefers to remain unnamed...(continued...)

... Additional help was provided by a member of a rape crisis line, Dr. Karen [last name], forensic anthropologist for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Stan [last name], sheriff of [name of county], Georgia.

Now we move on to Element 3, the final section of an attention getting query letter. The "About the Author" paragraph is where you get to talk about yourself. This is no time to be modest! "The closing" is just that - the last part of your letter.

Some of these paragraphs combine several styles in an attempt to impress the reader. The writers here are saying, in essence, "I’m the one to write this book."
"About the Author" and "Closing:"

Other works have helped me in creating this children's book series. I am the author of TV GREATS-STAR TREK (Zebra), publisher of RUNNER'S FORUM NEWSLETTER, was Managing Editor of WORKING WRITER MAGAZINE,...(continued)...... served as Research Specialist for INFORMATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, co-produced two writer's conferences/workshops - WRITERSFEST I and II, served as a book reviewer for SYBEX BOOKS and was a guest lecturer at WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CREATIVE STUDIES with the program RESEARCH IN FICTION: GETTING IT RIGHT.

This author highlighted his educational background:

My educational background includes a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in psychology, and a doctorate in counseling. I have studied under Harriette [last name], a graduate of Yale University's writing program. As a life-long Southerner, I have lived and worked in large cities and rural areas...(continued)...

... The characters, settings and events in A STRANGE AND BITTER CROP are an accurate portrayal of both the past and present South. Also, my short story, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, is scheduled to be published in THEMA magazine in May.

This author shows he knows his subject and is enthusiastic about the project:

Born and reared in Texas, I have been a practicing attorney in Dallas for the last twenty-three years. I hold a BBA from Texas Christian University, a JD from Baylor University Law School and an LLM from New York University Law School. (continued)...

...THE THIRD MAN reflects both my life experiences, my professional experience and my interest in the subject matter. Familiar with the workings of the Justice Department and with the legal systems in Dallas, I've patterned many of the scenes and characters after real places and people.

Most people would think that writing a closing to a query letter goes without saying. A closing is a closing is a closing. But remember, the reader is still making up his mind about what sort of person you are. And you can also count on the fact that the reader is short of time and attention span. Get to the point.

"The Closing:"

If my children's book series is of interest to you, I would be glad to send you the complete manuscript for THE EXPEDITION.

Enclosed is a stamped, addressed envelope. I look forward to hearing from you.

I have also written a follow up novel, THE KHOMEINI PROPHECY. Please let me know if you would be interested in reading THE THIRD MAN with a view toward representing me.

End of examples. "Editor’s note to follow."

Be sure to use each element. Attention getting opening, justify the project, about the author and closing a just a few such elements. Also, keep in mind that these are just examples of query letters that have worked. The majority of them consisted of only one page. None exceeded a page and a half.

You can include other elements, of course, but the above letters got the attention of either agents or publishers. Two of these books were sold recently and the authors are confident that they wouldn’t have gotten their foot in the door without a GREAT query letter.

Put these examples to good use.

AVOIDING THE PERILS OF PUBLISHING

2005-01-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

In her book, FROM PEN TO PRINT, Ellen M. Kozak wrote; "Any occupation has a down side, and writing is no exception. It requires the direct application of the seat of your pants to a chair in front of your typewriter or word processor, whether you want to be there or not....It is work without immediate satisfaction. If writing is not to become a chore more dismal than dishwashing, not only must you want to write, you must need to write and you must love to write. If you're just in it for the glamour, try the stage, or politics."
What does this mean? Writing is work. You say you're up to the task, you like a good challenge? You've sharpened your pencils and stacked your legal pads neatly in front of you. But what about all those horror stories you've heard about writing a book? Is there any way to avoid problems? Can you really write a book and get it published? The first thing you need to do is write this down. Ready?

READ... READ...READ...
and
WRITE...WRITE...WRITE.

Did you get that? Good, because those six words are the most important words a writer will ever hear. Commit them to memory. You can't write if you don't read. Once you've done your reading, you need to do your writing. Now that you've mastered the most basic rule of writing, let's go through a few of the most common challenges facing writers today as well as a few solutions to those challenges.

REJECTION

Can you avoid rejection? No. Every writer gets rejected at one time or another. Since you can't avoid rejection, it might help to look at a few of the reasons why it happens.

1). You haven't found an appropriate market. Are you sending your children's book to a publisher known for its How-To books? It would be better to see which publishers, or agents are the most comfortable with buying or representing your type of manuscript.

2). You haven't kept up with what publishers are buying. When THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER was hot, publishers were buying all the submarine books they could get their hands on. Then the trend was courtroom drama or books about bridges, or wife-beating celebrities suspected of murder. Ask yourself what's current, what's hot. Check BOOKS IN PRINT to see how your book is the same, but unique. More on this later.

3) You manuscript needs improving. Try to find an honest critic, someone you respect, who will give you an honest, unsentimental evaluation of your work. This probably won't be your mother, unless she can promise more constructive criticism than praise.

What if you discover your work has all three of these problems? Ask yourself a couple of questions. Do I know who will be buying my book? Have I REALLY taken the time to read other books in my genre? Juvenile, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary fiction, historical romance, nonfiction, biography, how-to?
How does my book match up with what I've been reading? Take note of publishers who are selling these books. Sometimes you can find the names of agents or editors who handle your type of book by reading the author acknowledgments in the beginning of books you admire.
Another trick is to find some people to read your book. Elementary, junior high, high school and community college teachers may be interested in using your manuscript for a class project. I took my juvenile book to my son's former third grade teacher. She was excited about using it as a class project, and asked me to lecture on writing. I stuck around after the lecture and heard the teacher READ a chapter from my story.
What a shock! The most amazing thing I learned from that half hour session in a third grade classroom was that THIRD GRADERS were actually going to read my book. I admit I'd never thought about what it would sound like to third graders, my potential audience.
I also took the time to ask the teacher for a list of her favorite books, the ones she picked to read to her class. Then I went out and read books from that list. I learned a lot about what kids enjoy reading, and the rhythm of what they like to read. Just reading your manuscript out loud can tell you a lot about your story. Try it!
DON'T TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY! Learn from the rejections you're getting. Categorize your rejection slips. Pre-printed, highly impersonal post cards go on top. Then photocopied letters on 3/4 size paper. Then the form letter printed on an actual full sheet of paper, then a full sheet with actual typing. If there's a signature in INK, that's a bonus. Next, a letter typed, signed in ink, with your name and the name of your book on it . . . You get the idea.
If they offer comments, take them to heart. You know you're on the right track if they tell you why they're rejecting you. Do they all say the same thing? You could stubbornly conclude, "they don't know what they're missing," by rejecting your work. The reality is, they know EXACTLY what they're missing! Remember, they're not rejecting you personally, only what you sent them. Above all else, fix the problem and send your manuscript back out there.

RESOURCES

Writers have many resources available to help them get published. One of my favorites is to adopt a librarian. Librarians love to help library patrons. It is more than just their job. I've adopted several librarians and it works quite well. Just follow a few simple rules. Be courteous. Smile. Ask one question at a time. Be specific and patient. If they say they have to get back to you later, believe them. Let them get back to you.
Approach them when they're not busy. With my children's book, I asked a children's librarian what books they get the most requests for. Ask them what they like and what they recommend to patrons. Believe me. It works.
The library is also a great place to find books about writing. You'll find Writer's Digest Books like, HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S BOOK AND GET IT PUBLISHED, HANDBOOK OF NOVEL WRITING or James Michener's WRITER'S HANDBOOK. There are magazines about writing, WRITER'S DIGEST, WRITER, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY. From these you'll learn what publishers are buying, and you can see their projections for the next season.
Other resource books include The LITERARY MARKETPLACE (LMP), WRITER'S MARKET and publisher's catalogs. You can send for catalogs directly from the publisher and that way you'll see sizes, shapes, colors and content of books that publishers have already bought. Ask to be put on mailing lists. Check out book reviews on upcoming books like those found in The NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW.
Of course, there is the Internet. With this resource, the world can be at your fingertips. Many of the books and magazines I’ve mentioned can be found on the Internet, along with lots more..

BOTTOM LINE

So, what's the bottom line? Is it possible to avoid all the perils of publishing? The answer to that is no. You can learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. Decide right now if you want to be a politician or writer. STOP TALKING and START WRITING. Rewrite. Learn the craft of writing by writing. Writing takes WORK. Study your markets. Get your manuscripts in the mail and keep them there. That's how you sell what you write.
Getting a book published is like a marathon, not a short sprint. Learn by doing. Listen to your own voice. Trust yourself. And never forget: READ, READ, READ. And WRITE, WRITE, WRITE.

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?

2005-01-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

Here’s a quote from one of my favorite books about writing:

"Perfectionism. The ‘I have to get it right the first time’ syndrome. I know. You want to make it brilliant the first time out. It’s a nice idea, but it just doesn’t work that way. The way perfectionism works is to tie you up in knots, sending you fleeing from your desk and making you so crazy you can’t write a word. If you want to create massive writer’s block, insist on being a perfectionist." –Joel Saltzman - IF YOU CAN TALK, YOU CAN WRITE

A Great Book Proposal

2005-01-06T02:13:00.000-05:00

A great book proposal is a MUST for non-fiction and as important a selling tool as the query letter is for a fiction project. I’ve come up with a general outline for non fiction book proposals you might find helpful. There are several excellent books about writing book proposals so make sure you check out a few at your local library or bookstore.

The number one priority for a good book proposal is readability and that’s not just in your writing style. Be sure your printout is in a font size large enough for an editor’s tired eyes to read easily, usually 12 point. Plain, white 20lb bond, copy paper, is also important. Now you can concentrate on making sure your writing sparkles. Remember, fun and compelling beats dull and boring every time.
Let’s look at the book proposal’s basic format. Here are eight suggested headings to use:
THE OVERVIEW, THE MARKET, THE COMPETITION, PROMOTION SECTION, ABOUT THE AUTHOR, THE OUTLINE, SAMPLE CHAPTER(S), and CLOSING STATEMENT.

THE OVERVIEW : The overview should include a very powerful opening statement or hook.
Example: "Can the simple addition of a common mineral to America's drinking water save millions from death..?"

Your OVERVIEW should go on to answer these basic questions, hopefully in one or two concise paragraphs. What is your book about? Why should it be written? How do you plan to write it? Why are YOU the best person for the job? If you had five minutes face to face with an editor to discuss your project, what would you say?

THE MARKET and THE COMPETITION : Now you get to use all that market research you did at the library pouring over Books in Print and all those notes you took when you interviewed the bookstore manager. You are familiar with all the books in your book’s genre, and you are confident that your book fits into a niche, yet is unique.
Example: "There is no better time for a personal biography of William Shatner. With the success of STAR TREK MEMORIES and STAR TREK MOVIE MEMORIES, interest in Captain Kirk is high. The TEK WARS movies, written, produced and directed by Shatner can be seen on the USA cable network..."

PROMOTION: What are you going to do to help sell your book?
Example: "I have had over 25,000 hits on my WEB site at [site address]. I will utilize the internet in every way possible to promote this book including web sites, user groups, list-serves and directories. I will draw on my extensive contacts with researchers around the world for the book's forward, endorsements as well as ad blurbs for the jacket..."

THE OUTLINE and SAMPLE CHAPTER(S): Outline is self explanatory. Just make sure these sample chapter are top notch, the best you can do. Send the first three chapters. Editors like to see how you handle the beginning of your book.

CLOSING STATEMENT : A book proposal needs a wrap up, a closing statement.
Example: "STAR TREK AND OTHER ENTERPRISES will leave the reader satisfied and happy. My upbeat biography of William Shatner will generate excellent reviews, translating into high sales and increased value as a STAR TREK collectible..."

Remember, you have to sit yourself down and actually WRITE the proposal if you have any intention of selling your non-fiction book. A good book proposal can help you sell your book BEFORE you write the entire thing. And don’t forget to keep your writing style fun and upbeat. Research the markets and get that proposal out there.

ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR

2005-01-03T22:19:00.000-05:00

ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR: Selected columns from INKLINGS Newsletter for Writers on the Net I've enjoyed writing for INKLINGS since October of 1995. Unfortunately, the newsletter is no longer. It had a good run, though, and helped get other writer’s reference sites get their start. Here are a few of the questions and answers I’ve worked on over the last few years.

Question: I am a beginning writer. I am writing in English although it is not my native language. Once my manuscript is final, how can I ensure the accuracy of language? Who can help me with that aspect?
Answer: That must be quite a challenge, writing in a foreign language. You might try reading it aloud while your English speaking friends are present. They can pay attention to the rhythm and style of English in your manuscript. Reading aloud often brings out subtle differences and can show up any mistakes you may have missed in silent reading. Contacting a language professor might be nice. Often college and high school teachers will use your manuscript in school projects. Also, get as many people as possible to look over your work..

Q: I keep getting the same comment; change from passive voice to active. I'm having trouble with this. Can you help? Does it really make a difference?
A: Don't fret. This happens a lot as a writer works on hone the craft of writing. Switching from passive voice to active voice can be a real challenge. If it's mastered, however, your writing will become sharper, clearer and less wordy. Far more readable.
Here are two examples of passive and active. Print these out and set them beside your manuscript as you edit.
PASSIVE: This screenplay was written by Carol Henson.
ACTIVE: Carol Henson wrote this screenplay.
PASSIVE: It was planned that the movie would be produced by that new production company in the summer of 2002.
ACTIVE: Action Films plans to produce the movie in the summer of 2002.
I have to say, though, that there's nothing wrong with a good passive sentence. Just don't overdo it. Keep your writing tight. Lose the excess baggage. Hone your craft.

Q: I've heard that all book doctors are crooks and you can't trust anyone on the Internet. How would you respond to that?
A: Well, I don’t consider myself a crook on the internet. But how would you know that? One way would be to check my references. Ask for some. Another good thing would be to take advantage of a free sample edit. You send a few double spaced pages of manuscript to the book doctor to be edited. If you like my work, or any other freelance editor's work, then discuss the project. If the free sample edit stinks, look elsewhere. And please, be careful out there on the information superhighway.

Q: I've been working on my manuscript forever. Now I'm ready to submit it. How will I ever be able to finish it and NOT give up?
A: Heavy sigh. A writer writes because he HAS to write. It's easier than tossing and turning all night thinking about characters and plots, dreaming about scenes and dialogue. If you have finished your manuscript, now it's time for fun. Yes, fun! Think of submitting your manuscript as a game. Do your market research. Make your list of agents/publishers. Send out five packages a week and watch your mailbox. If you get all five back, laugh! Laugh because you've already sent out five more. Keep this routine (and your chin) up. It can happen.

Q: Do you think it's true that new writers don't have a chance in today's publishing climate?
A: Absolutely not! I hear this all the time, especially on Internet newsgroups and chats. It seems that a lot of new writers think they can't get published because of some "conspiracy" against them. The truth is that getting published is an adventure in learning. A new writer has to be willing to learn the craft of writing and hone that craft. They also have to write something that a publisher is willing to INVEST in. I can guarantee there isn't a publisher in the world that would let the next best seller slip by just because the writer is new! Study the markets. REALLY study the markets, not just say you've studied the markets. Learn how to write good copy and get the manuscript out there. It can happen.

Q: My organization, an aid and relief group, has asked me to develop and edit a book about our work. I have never worked on a book-length project before. Where do I begin? Any suggestions?
A: One of the first things you should do is make a list of objectives, things you definitely WANT to include in your book. That will help you create a format. Ask your group to give you ideas, maybe even hand out a Q & A sheet for the others to fill in with room for comments. Next, get to the library or bookstore and see what other books are out there like the one you're interested in creating. Other organizations have put books together and if you look them over carefully, you should be able to come up with ideas of your own. Get some copies of Writer's Digest and books about writing nonfiction. Let all the info sink in and take lots of notes. Trust yourself to come up with something practical and unique. You can do it.

Never, ever give up. Discouragement comes from lack of skill. So, LEARN the craft of writing! Do the market research. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. Find out how other writers have done it and follow in their footsteps. If your subject is topical, your writing tight and focused and you’ve found out which publishers and editors buy your type of manuscript, all you need is persistence. Maybe a little luck would be nice, but that would only be a small part of the process. Write! Submit! Go for it.

The Blogging Bookdoc!

The Blogging Bookdoc!: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR

FREE SAMPLE EDIT

I offer to edit five pages of your manuscript for free.Please write for details.

Check Out INKYGIRL.COM - writer's resource

QUERY LETTERS THAT WORK

AVOIDING THE PERILS OF PUBLISHING

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?

A Great Book Proposal

ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR

I offer to edit five pages of your manuscript for free.
Please write for details.