A Cappela Newsletter for Writers             SEPT/OCT 2004


NEWS & VIEWS YOU CAN USE

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



IN THIS ISSUE:

NEW COLUMN:WRITING TIP

NEW COLUMN:LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

*Pat’s Picks

*Writing Tip          

*Markets

*Contests

*Media Contacts

*Writing Q&A

*Wordplay   

*Quote of the Month

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A friend of mine recently ran into some trouble completing his novel. Mainly, his plot didn't seem to hop off the page and grab readers' attention. He was stuck, and his novel sat in a drawer for months, the victim of writer’s block. Are you similarly stuck? .

There is no magic formula for writing a novel. But we can make the process a whole lot easier. Whether you are just getting started or have a first draft completed, we have a class or writing workshop for you.

Time crunch? Take a look at the new Extended class options at www.acappela.com/classes.htm

Muddled? Try the Coaching workshop Writing Coaching. This workshop will help you get started and give you the tools you need to finish. You'll work with a published author to develop a suitable idea, and by the time you're finished, you'll have developed a working
outline for your entire novel and you will have written and revised the opening chapter (up to 2500 words) with your instructor's feedback.

If you have a good start on your novel--or even have a first draft and need some professional feedback, get a critique (www.acappela.com/critiques.htm.) A Critique is an excellent source of feedback for any writer, beginners to advanced.

If you're struggling with your writing, let us help with a Critique or a class or workshop. You’ll be amazed at how they can clear your mind and give you a new perspective on your work.

                                                                                          Patrika

P.S. 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!

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SELF QUIZ ABOUT YOUR WRITING......

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? (How To Write Publish & Market Your Book -  Consulting -  Writing Coaching)

2) got started, but bogged down? (How To Write Publish & Market Your Book -  Classes - Writing Coaching)

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

 

Where do you want to go?

1) improve my writing skills (How To Write Publish & Market Your Book - Classes - Audio Books)

2) edit what I’ve got into something publishable (edit)

3) have a great piece of writing, and need to get it published (Stalking The Markets  - Book Promotion - International Markets -  eLitAgent - Self-publishing)

 

 

DON’T MAIL THAT MANUSCRIPT....

without a professional review from A Cappela

 

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 680 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.

 

1) Get Your Book Reviewed

 Hardy Green, Books Editor
Business Week
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Katharin a Diaz, Senior Editor
Hispanic Magazine
3980 Cazador Street
Los Angeles, CA 90065  
P (213)743-4514 F (213)743-4511 Kdiaz@usc

 2) Get Interviewed on NPR

 Katherine Lanpher
Host of Talking Volumes
Minnesota Public Radio
45 East 7th Street
St Paul, MN 55101 
P(651)290-1225 F(651)290-1295  klanpher@mpr.org 

 3) Get Mentioned in Print

Janine Warner, Syndicated Columnist
Miami Herald
1607 Stearns Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90035
P (323)935-0015 janine@jcwarner.com        

 

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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  

_____

   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!

*****

Donate $5 to the A Cappela Newsletter for Writers and receive a free copy of the e-book, The Manual of Book Signings and Other Promotional Techniques. Your donation helps in keeping this publication free for all writers! 


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WRITING TIP


 STOCKPILING WORDS

I've always kept what I call a word notebook. -- a tiny spiral notebook with lined pages, in which I keep lists of words. Not phrases, not quotations, just words. No matter what I’m reading; whenever I stumble upon a work I like, I transfer it to the notebook.

My notebook moves with me from my reading chair to my writing area. I use it on days when words are hard to come by. Sometimes I check my notebook for a zesty word that can replace a dull one. Often I'll combine words pulled from the notebook until a good sentence appears
out of the mist. I often do word-association exercises with words from the notebook, allowing a good word to engender another until I hit upon a decent idea. It’s amazing what fresh metaphors I’ve discovered through word association. Try it for yourself.


*****

 

  MARKETS

Fiction and Creative Nonfiction:


"Swink," (http://www.swinkmag.com) a biannual, bicoastal literary magazine launched last March, aims to provide a diverse collection of stories and poetry. Looking for new, fresh writing voices. The nonprofit mag accepts fiction, creative nonfiction, interviews, poetry and other innovative submissions. Learn more about this magazine at website.



The Iowa Review (http://www.uiowa.edu/iareview) Comes out three times a year; publishes fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, interviews, and autobiographical sketches.Guidelines, etc., at website. No email submissions.

 

Literary Mama an online literary magazine, features writing       about the complexities and many faces of motherhood. Publishes fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, literary criticism, book reviews, columns, and profiles. Details at website.

   

NONFICTION

School Arts Magazine (http://www.davis-art.com) Monthly serving the arts and craft education profession. Accepts nonfiction manuscripts of 600 to 1,400 words. Topics include articles on art and craft activities in schools.


Quality Digest (www.qualitydigest.com) Monthly, covering quality improvements. Accepts nonfiction manuscripts of 800 to 3,000 words. Topics and forms include book excerpts, how-to, interview/profile and opinion.

 

Spanish Speaking writer needed Spanish speaking writer-scriptwriter-translator required to translate screenplay from English to Spanish. This is for initial contacting and getting to know you first. Scriptscribers@hotmail.com

 

French speaking writer needed French speaking writer-scriptwriter-translator required to translate screenplay from English to French. This is for initial contacting and getting to know you first. scriptscribers@hotmail.com 

   *****


CONTESTS

  Poetry; 

September 15 Kate Tufts Discovery Award carries a $10,000 prize. Offered annually for a first book by a poet of genuine promise. No entry fee, and the next deadline is September 15. Claremont Graduate University,  E. 10th St., Harper B7, Claremont CA 91711-6165 Phone: (909)621-8974 Fax: (909)607-8438 Website: www.cgu.edu/tufts

 

Fiction/Nonfiction
Deadline: September 15, 2004 Saturday Writers 2004 Short Story Contest Open subject, open genre. (No pornography or gore.) Entries must be unpublished at time of submission, original work of contestant. No more than 2004 words, excluding title.Contest is open to everyone, both members of Saturday Writers and non-members. PRIZE: $100, $50, $25 and publication opportunity. ENTRY FEE: $5 ( http://www.saturdaywriters.org )

  

Deadline Sept. 25th 2004 DIY BOOK FESTIVAL CALL FOR ENTRIES     Self-published or independent publisher non-fiction, fiction, children’s books, how-to, photography/art, comics, 'zines, fan fiction, poetry and e-books released after Jan. 1, 2002. All entries must be in English and have been self-published or issued by an independent house that published less than 50 works since the entry cut-off point. Entry fee: $50 each submission. ; Grand prize for Author of the Year: $1000 cash and a flight to Los Angeles for awards ceremony. Genre category winners receive a combination of books, software and cash awards. Entry forms are available at www.diyconvention.com


Deadline October 15 MYSTERY WRITING CONTEST. All mystery writers are invited to enter the first annual Tony Hillerman Mystery Contest, sponsored by "Cowboys & Indians"
magazine and Wordharvest. Mystery short stories must have a Western or Southwestern
setting and at least one cowboy or Native American character. Your story must be previously unpublished and not exceed 2,500 words. Your cover page should include your name and
contact information: mailing address, phone number, and e-mail; subsequent pages should each include story title and page number. Entry fee: $5. Info and Entry Form:
http://www.sfworkshops.com/hillerman.htm  The winning entry will be announced at the Tony Hillerman Writers Conference: Focus on Mystery on Nov. 4-7 in Albuquerque and published
in an upcoming issue of "Cowboys & Indians."

Deadline: October 15. The Erle Stanley Gardner Mystery writing contest. Entries must include
references to historical buildings and/or people, living or dead, of the Temecula Valley.
Stories should not exceed 1,500 words for high school entries and 2,500 words for adult entries. Prizes: Adult categories: $200, $100 and $50 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. Youth categories:$100, $75 and $50 savings bonds for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place , respectively. More info: http://www.temeculacalifornia.com/Erle_Stanley_Gardner/erle_stanley_gardner.html

 

*****

WRITING Q&A

 

 Q: How can I get booked on TV shows?

A: Getting booked to talk about your book on TV doesn't have to be difficult Here are five steps to becoming a guest that even some PR pros don't know:

1) BE TIMELY. Is the news media covering a story that relates to your book? You need to sell what the news is buying.

2) CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOW. Before you call a TV station, watch their morning show. Do they interview authors? Is there a regular segment featuring books each morning? Don't call or send a news release until you know the answers to these questions.

3) BE CHARMING AND BRIEF ON THE PHONE. Start out by complimenting them on their program. Say something like; "I'm constantly amazed how you fill the show with such interesting guests. You have a great team in the mornings. I have a book that I think your hosts, Bill and Jane, would love!"

4) WRITE LIKE A REPORTER. . Write the kind of headline that a newspaper would run. Make the rest of the release so conversational that a TV anchor could read it right on the air.

5) WAIT FOR A SLOW NEWS DAY. The holidays are the slowest "news times" of the year. When government offices are closed, so are most of our sources. Take advantage of it.
Circle government holidays on your calendar. If the government isn't making news, reporters are scrambling to find something to cover. Pitch even an average story on a day when the media is starving for news, and you're much more likely to get coverage. If your idea is timely, and pitched to the right person when the supply of news is running thin, you're in!

*****

 

WORDPLAY

The Washington Post's Style Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some of this year's winners:

Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. ; 

Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

 

*****

 

Quote of the Month 

Literary insults of note:

"A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults." -Louis Nizer

"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." -Stephen Bishop

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." -Winston Churchill


*****

Don’t forget to send in your suggestions, feedback and your writing questions. And check out the writing resources


                                                                                                     Patrika


TELL A FRIEND - Any writing friends who would be interested in this newsletter? Send them this link with your suggestion to sign up: http://www.acappela.com

 

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