Sunday, March 27, 2016

What next? A Look into what you should do after finishing (editing) a novel/story

SO YOU’VE WRITTEN A NOVEL...WHAT’S NEXT?
By, Seek, Write, Earn

After you have polished it to high sheen, you should submit to an editor and/or Beta readers (these are folks who read your work for you, to let you know if there are any snags, readability, any glaring errors)  This should be done before you start the next step.  If you have already done this GREAT, you are ready for the next step.

Two Options:

Independent Publishing, this is where you do ALL the legwork.  It is not for everyone, but if you master the steps, then you can do well with it.  I won’t go into the steps on how to do this, because quite frankly, I have not done this yet.

I will say, this is where you format your manuscript to upload to booksellers like Amazon, CreateSpace, Lulu, and various other formats.  

You would also do all the marketing (release parties, bling, interviews etc.)  You will also be able to have control over publishing electronically and/or print copies.

Second Option.  Traditional Publishing.  

This is where you submit  your manuscript (actually basically a query letter with 1 or 2 chapters, depending on what publisher you send it to).  A lot of publishers will only accept submissions of “Agented work.”   This is where you get an agent first.  There are those who do accept unagented work, but having an agent can be a blessing.  

When you want to go the Traditional route, you need to write a query letter, and have sample chapters ready.  A Query is basically a brief (one page if possible), letter of introduction; basically an introduction to yourself and the story.  Basically a brief synopsis will do.  Then you add a bio (including previous publishing credits).  

HOWEVER:  BEFORE YOU SEND TO ANY PUBLISHER!!!

You must read the publisher’s (submission or writers) guidelines thoroughly.  If you do not follow them, this is pretty much the kiss of death.  A lot of publisher’s take that as a sign of an amateur, and being unprofessional. It’s very important to pay attention to these details.  It can me the difference from the slush/trash pile to publication.


Google “Query Letters” for some good examples of those.  Remember, you only have one chance to make a good impression!

The last thing with publishing traditionally, most publishers may not accept what are called “Simultaneous submissions.”   This is sending it to more than one publisher at a time.  Most do not allow this, so if you do find one who does, you should make sure that you tell them in your query that you have submitted it elsewhere.  Then if you do hear from the one, and they reject it, you are good to go if the 2nd accepts it.  If the first does accept, you must notify the other that the first has accepted it.  You basically tell them that you are withdrawing it from submission.  

Finding Resources and Opportunities.

There are a couple that I recommend.  

  • Writer’s Market “yearly”  this one is put out by Writers Digest Books.  It’s a yearly compendium of all things publishing.  They do verify the ones they put in there, so you should be safe in using them.  They are very cool with other goodies, like how to set prices, and have tons of articles.  I get the current ones at my local library, they also put out Novel and Short Story Market, Christian Writers, Children’s, Agents, etc.  They have an online presence as well, which includes a submission tracker.
  • Freedom With Writing  They are for online and short story/anthology opportunities.  They have a newsletter which you could subscribe to.



About the Authors:

L. Anne Wooley  comes from the US in the state of Ohio.  She has been published in several online ezines (With Painted Words, InGenre), she has also been in the charity anthology Lupus Animus (in which she wrote a story entirely in Haiku), More recently, she was published in “The Fandom Universe” relating her memories of the first Star Wars movie.  
She also hosts a blog for all things writerly.  She can be found at:

Blogger:
http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LAnneWooleyAuthor/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/velvetdelenn

Adrienne Devine:
Author AM Devine is an indie author located in West Tennessee. She's been writing for something along the
lines of 20 years. While this has mostly been for herself, she has always held tight to the dream of
becoming a published author.                                   (CONTINUED)

She writes in the genres of Sci-Fi and Fantasy mostly, with the occassional trip into Paranormal or Romance.

AM Devine writes under three names, those being: AM Devine, Athena Devine, and Minerva Devine. AM Devine
is where you will find the largest collection of stories right now, it being her Sci-Fi pen name. Athena Devine
is the name under which she will be releasing her fantasy works, and Minerva Devine is the name under which
she hopes to release a few urban paranormals.
Website:
Facebook
Twitter:

Matthew Weedon:

Matthew A. Weeden is a freelance writer working from his cramped apartment in Denver, Colorado. He is a lucky husband, and adoring father, and a passionate creative. Most of his work has been in small stage theater productions, video games, freelance contract work, and screenwriting.



Facebook:



Matthew is head writer on this site:

http://avalongamesllc.com/

Monday, March 21, 2016

NEW AD(VENTURE)S OR YES, I AM A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT


I'm really dangerous when I'm thinking of stuff.  I get into more trouble that way, and also I really need to quit, and focus on what I need to be focusing on.  That is finishing Stormraevyn for publication.

But, I was talking to a friend from a huge writers group that we are both part of (and it was the first time we'd met in person), that what we really need, is a way to find freelance work, and publishing opportunities all in one place.  She agreed that the idea was pretty good.  It's almost ready to start, I'm just getting all the I's crossed, and T's dotted.  I also have a couple of vict er volunteer helpers to run this idea.

What it entails is creating a facebook group (at least at first), and the name has been selected.  "Seek, Write, Earn."  And would help writers find freelance work, and also publishing opportunities.  There would be "How to," style articles on how to look for these opportunities, the best websites, newsletters, etc.  There are other ones on FB, but the ones I've seen, are mostly self promotion, and that is something I do not want.

So with that in mind, stay tuned to this blog for more exciting news!

Friday, March 11, 2016

Happy Birthday to me! And time to start the Camp Nano Waltz

Happy Birthday Lisa!


SHHHHH...it's very scary....Google knows it's my birthday today.  Not sure I'm really caring about that idea.  :P

But I just want to take the opportunity to talk about Camp NaNoWriMo.

What is Camp NaNoWriMo?  I'm glad you asked.

Camp NaNoWriMo is almost exactly like regular NaNoWriMo.  It's put on by the same group.  They have their own webpage though, and unlike regular Nano, you can set your own goals.

Also, you can join a "cabin," a virtual forum.  You supply your own S'mores!

The goodies are pretty much the same as the ones you get for Nano.  And you can pretty much use it to finish a first draft, or as an editing period (where you count the words that you take out, and that you add).  Sort of a reverse Nano. One of my writing mentors actually did the reverse Nano.  I think it was a cool idea.

Anyhow, the link to the Table of Contents for my Nano blogs is found here (go below).

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2015/08/table-of-contents-nano-related-blog.html

Good Luck, and Happy Nanoing!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

The Fandom Universe

My most recent publication:  :)




Sorry about the quality of the photo...taken in a dark car.

The story I wrote that is in this, is about my first experiences with Star Wars.  I was 12 when it came out.  It was the first movie, that I ever saw more than once.