A Cappela Newsletter for Writers                        March/April 2004

Your monthly newsletter from Patrika, your Author’s Advocate™

Visit her, send an email, at www.acappela.com

Recipient of the
Certificate of Merit
Writer’s Digest
Zine Publishing Competition

IN THIS ISSUE:

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I’d like to hear from you, so if you’ve got a comment or question, email it to our Q&A and read your answers in this newsletter. Send to:acappub@aol.com , Subject: Q&A. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

                                                                       Patrika

Here’s a little self-quiz to help you figure out just where you are, and to point you toward where you want to go. The links following each question will lead you to some answers. For more information, email me: acappub@aol.com

Where are you?

1) have an idea but haven’t written anything (see WP&M, Consult; Writing Coaching)

2) got started, but bogged down (see Classes, Writing Coaching, WP&M)

3) have first draft, but don’t know if it’s any good (see Critique)

Where do you want to go?

1) improve my writing skills (see WP&M, audiobooks, Classes)

2) edit what I’ve got into something publishable (see Editing, Book Doctoring)

3) have a great piece of writing, and need to get it published (see Stalking the Markets; Book Promotion; Self-Pub; Selling to Ims; eLitAgent)

DON’T MAIL THAT MANUSCRIPT without a professional review from A Cappela Publishing

Before you mail out that manuscript or query, make sure it’s as polished and professional as possible. Send your work to A Cappela Publishing and get the specific tailored advice you need to get an extra edge on the competition — and make all your manuscripts more marketable.

After a thorough evaluation of your submission, one of our published, professional staff writers will give you detailed feedback and recommendations. You’ll learn what is and isn’t working in your writing, and how to fix it.

Your Critique includes:

*Genre-specific Advice: Whether your writing is a novel or a nonfiction book, an article or short story, a query letter or book proposal, you can be sure that your work will be evaluated by a pro who has personal experience with the same kind of writing.

*Grammar and Style Suggestions: Your personal reviewer will evaluate your writing to point out common grammatical, structural and stylistic mistakes — mistakes that can mean the difference between a rejection and a sale.

*Market Recommendations: If your manuscript is marketable as is, or with slight revision, you’ll get recommendations for marketing your work — including how to identify the publishers which buy your kind of writing.

For complete information, including submission guidelines and rates, visit

http://www.acappela.com/critiques.htm

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This newsletter is sent by subscription only. Please pass this newsletter along to people you feel may benefit by this information. This issue has been sent out to 520 writers. Won't you help this ezine grow? Tell your friends to subscribe at http://www.acappela.com

Media Contacts

This new column is for those of you looking for ways to get your writings reviewed, to get a radio or TV interview, or in some other way promote your writing.

3)You’re On The Air Benita Zahn, News anchor and talk show host on WNYT-TV (15 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12204) says, "I don't care whether the book is fiction or nonfiction per se, provided it's interesting, there's something compelling about it and there's a belief that my audience would be interested. And that changes from show to show."

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PAT’S PICKS:

How to Become an EXPERT in Your Field

Write a book! Here’s why:

* Authoring a book will help you gain instant credibility and differentiates you from your competition.
* People will listen to you and respect you because a book proclaims you as an expert.
* Your book will introduce you to new, more affluent clients.
* It will open the door for interviews on radio, TV and in newspapers, and a book review gives you FREE advertising.

Need help writing your book? See http://www.acappela.com/AH.htm   

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Writing and Selling Your First Book? If you've ever dreamed of writing a book, now is the time to start. With Write Publish & Market Your Book you'll get all the information you need to get started, as well as learn what to do when you're finished writing!

Here's a peek inside:

* Discover 10 easy ways to get past writer’s block
* Learn the nuts and bolts of writing your opening
* Find out how to pace your novel like a pro
* Get the inside scoop on what editors really want
* Discover 25 tips for publishing success
* And of course, pages and pages of information on how to choose the markets that are best for you!

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WRITING TIP

This month’s tip explains how you can break into various inspirational publications:

        The number one hindrance to breaking into this market is failing to make the move from
        personal experience and insight to the universal truth that applies to all readers.

Take time to know the potential market. Just because a magazine is focused toward a religious audience doesn't mean it'll accept any type of religious writing.

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Nonfiction

~ Women’s Day For the contemporary woman. Feature articles provide information on food and nutrition, health and fitness, beauty and fashion and the traditional values of home, family and children.Guidelines: www.womansday.com  Contact Jane Chesnutt, Editor-in-Chief.

~ Sky ( http://www.delta-sky.com ). Delta airline's in-flight publication featuring and emphasizing travel, but also presenting contemporary lifestyle subjects. Terms: Pays $1/word and up. Contact editorial department for complete guidelines.1301 Carolina St., Greensboro, NC 27401.

~Amazing Journeys (AJ) Magazine ( http://www.journeybookspublishing.com ) New quarterly print magazine of SciFi and Fantasy. Buys first serial rights; books & anthology rights discussed after acceptance. Those authors whose work generates the most interest from readers may be given an opportunity to participate in one of their upcoming anthologies. Hopes to develop a "stable" of authors for publishing house by using the magazine, and later the anthologies, as a test vehicle for writers. Those who pass may find themselves with a book deal a few years down the road. "Our initial payments will be very small, but hopefully as our presence grows and our authors names become know so will the money." Email: journey@journeybookspublishing.com . Editor(s): Edward Knight, Donnie Clemons Address: 3205 Hwy. 431, Spring Hill, TN 37174

Espresso Fiction, an innovative new web service is looking for quality short stories under 3,500 words. Our subscribers enjoy reading fiction but rarely find time to read a novel or go looking for interesting stories. If the story that we send them is the only bit of fiction they read all week, it has to be a great read - satisfying, refreshing, just like a good cup of coffee. Go to www.espressofiction.com and read our guidelines and submit stories online. Payment is US$30 plus a free annual subscription to Espresso Fiction valued at US$36. http://www.espressofiction.com   editor@espressofiction.com

Scripts

Deadline May 31^st Southern California's Heritage Square invites playwrights and history buffs nationwide to submit one-act theater scripts for this year's LIFE IN THE PAST LANE competition. The four winning entries will be produced in December 2004, professionally filmed, and the playwrights interviewed for a feature magazine article. Performances will be costumed and staged in architectural venues that date from the 1870's to the 1940's. Entry fee: $5 per script. (No limit on number of entries per writer.) For rules, sample format and entry form, visit: http://www.heritagesquare.org  or submit an email to InkView@cswebmail.com with the subject line "Life in the Past Lane Contest".

Fiction/Poetry

Deadline March 15^th Rick Magers, http://grizzlybookz.com , runs a free flash fiction writing contest (500 words or less) three times a year. Entries are judged by Storyteller Magazine publisher and staff—1st place wins $50 plus a one year subscription to the magazine plus publication—2nd place wins a subscription.

~Deadline March 15 LIVING STUPID: DUMB THINGS SMART PEOPLE DO Do You Have Funny Story? Have you done something that was dumb but really funny? We all have. And now Stephanie Marston, Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Empowered Woman¹s Soul is seeking stories for Living Stupid: Dumb Things Smart People Do. Now you have an opportunity to contribute to this new series by sharing your humorous, true-life experiences. A Living Stupid story is a humorous, true story, that tickles your funny bone or makes you laugh out loud. It¹s a story about something you¹ve done that later makes you smack your head and laugh at yourself. (It can even be a funny story about someone else.) Send your story to Living Stupid, P.O. Box 31453, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87594-1453. Please keep a copy of your story, as submissions cannot be returned. Or email stories to smarston@earthlink.net. (We prefer emails!) The maximum word count is 1200 words. For each story selected for the book a permission fee of $100 will be paid for the rights. There are no limits on the number of submissions.

Deadline March 31^st This year's theme for the 2nd annual "Write Your Memoir Day" on April 11, is "someone who made a difference in my life." Stories judged solely on content; 1,000 words or less Entry forms and stories should be emailed to sherry@yourmemories.net, typed and faxed to 858-271-5226, or mailed to: Premier Administrative Services, 9524 Kearny Villa Road, Ste. 105H, San Diego, CA 92126 More information (toll free) 1-877-640-8477. Prizes include a digital camera, "Get The Edge" audio program, scrapbook album and supplies, one-year subscription to Good Old Days magazine, and a one-year subscription to Reunions magazine. Winners will be announced on www.yourmemories.net   on April 11, 2004.

Deadline April 15, 2004 2004 Independent Publisher Book Awards

Independent, university, small press, and self-publishers throughout North America may enter books published with a 2003 copyright or that were released in 2003. Submit one copy of the title per category. Entry fees: $60 per title, per category until Nov. 15, 2003 (higher fees later - see www.independentpublisher.com   for details) Questions? Jimb@bookpublishing.com

~ Deadline April 30 Biannual Postcard Stories Contest Can you write a complete story in a postcard? This is our challenge to you -- stretch your imagination, create a dazzling story, write it in a postcard and send it to us! There's no word limit, as long as the entire story is in a postcard and we don't have to use a magnifying glass! 3 winners announced on June 12. For complete details (mechanics, prizes, etc.), go to http://ewritersplace.com/postcardstories.html

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Q: What are book signings worth to an author?

A: From a public relations perspective, a great reason to do book signings is to get the store to order your book in the first place! Even if only two people show up for a signing, the store often orders dozens of copies of your book. The good PR of being listed in their schedule of events, or of having a poster displayed in the store is invaluable. You couldn't pay for that advertising, and it goes a long way with customers who may think of your book days or weeks later when looking for the perfect gift or when they’re ready to read something new. It’s worth the effort even if you only sell a few books that day.

Although most book stores will send a news release about your book signing, send your own as well. This increases your chance of getting coverage. Send it at least two to three weeks in advance to all media within a 50 mile radius. Include a photo of yourself and a book cover. Your release should tell all about your book, yourself. If you’re doing a talk instead of just a book signing, include your topic title and a little bit about it. Include your phone number and the contact person, address and phone number of the book store.

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Wordplay

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you.
13. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddish expressions.

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Quote of the Month

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