***************************************************************** W R I T I N G W O R L D A World of Writing Information - For Writers Around the World http://www.writing-world.com Issue 5:12 15,500 subscribers June 9, 2005 ***************************************************************** SPECIAL NOTICE: Please DO NOT REPLY to this e-mail; any messages sent to the listbox address are deleted. See the bottom of this newsletter for information on how to subscribe, unsubscribe, or contact the editors. ***************************************************************** CONTENTS ================================================================= From the Editor's Desk WRITER TO WRITER: Email submissions, by Peggy Tibbetts News from the World of Writing FEATURE: Finding Your Writing's Occasion, by Sheila Bender The Write Sites -- Online Resources for Writers WRITING DESK: Are one-time rights the same as first rights? by Moira Allen WHAT'S NEW at Writing World MARKET ROUNDUP/Writing Contests ***************************************************************** WRITTEN A BOOK? GET PUBLISHED TODAY WITH AUTHORHOUSE. Experience the thrill of having your voice in print. With offices in the U.S. and the U.K., join over 20,000 authors who have successfully published with AuthorHouse. To learn more, click here to claim your free Publishing Guide. http://snipurl.com/b6zh ***************************************************************** EARN AN MFA IN WRITING through the brief-residency program at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Call (800) 896-8941x2105 or e-mail gradadmissions"at"spalding.edu and request brochure FA90. For more info: http://www.spalding.edu/mfa ***************************************************************** WRITERSCOLLEGE.COM has 57 online courses. Prices are low. If you can reach our web site, you can take our courses. http://www.WritersCollege.com ***************************************************************** DISCOUNTED SOFTWARE FOR WRITERS -- PowerWriter, DramaticaPro, StoryCraft, WritePro, MovieMagic, StyleWriter, plus many more. HUGE SAVINGS! GREAT SELECTION! Save online at: http://www.MasterFreelancer.com ***************************************************************** THE WELL-FED WRITER by Peter Bowerman - Learn how you can make $50-100 an hour as a freelance writer and easily earn $1000 a week or more working 2-3 good days. Details: http://www.writingcareer.com/pb001.shtml ***************************************************************** LOOKING FOR PAYING MARKETS? Absolute Write Can Help! Subscribe to the Absolute Markets PREMIUM Edition for just $15 a year and get all the writing markets we can cram into your inbox! We've got calls for freelance writers, screenwriters, editors, greeting card writers, translators... http://www.absolutemarkets.com ***************************************************************** FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK ================================================================= Where's My Shovel? Heck, Where's My Flamethrower? -------------------------------------------------- I discovered something rather disturbing this week: I didn't want to go downstairs and work in my "office." Instead, I tried to find things to do on the upstairs computer. Finally I tried to determine what (besides the desire to extend my vacation) was keeping me away from my desk. I tried to visualize that desk -- but couldn't, because I can't actually SEE it. It's piled too deep with clutter. My "do something about this" box has been overflowing for weeks. Immediately above that is a four-inch stack of folders, mostly "great link sites" that I have been wanting to check for more useful links. Above that is the shelf where I stuff everything relating to TimeTravel-Britain.com -- don't ask me what's on it, because I don't know! Above that is another heap of papers which are, I think, the results of my quest for photography contests. To the left of my keyboard is the "shuffle stack" of loose papers that haven't been shifted to any other pile -- either what I'm looking at "right now" or what has just been printed or shifted over from the roll-top desk. Could I have become "clutter-phobic"? Instead of braving my desk, I sat down on the couch and grabbed a book from the shelf at random -- "Smart Couples Finish Rich." I flipped to a chapter toward the end at random, and began to read. Guess what the advice was? "Go to your office and clean up the clutter!" Doing so, the book assured me, would improve my attitude and my productivity. It also advised arming oneself with several large trash bags. We writers tend to believe that a tidy desk is the sign of an untidy mind, and vice versa. Or that clutter proves that we're working, surrounding ourselves with ideas and information and who-knows-what-else. Or that we just don't have TIME to organize the mess when we could be writing instead. Looking at the piles that surround me, however, I realized that clutter -- my clutter, at least -- wasn't inspirational. It wasn't there because I was too busy writing The Great American Novel. Instead, it was sitting there like a huge pile of "should" statements -- "You SHOULD read these articles, you SHOULD check these sites, you SHOULD explore these markets." It was a giant paper nag, a constant reminder that there were more things that I "should" do than I would ever have time to accomplish. So the rest of this week is going to be devoted to de-cluttering. It's not that I'm disorganized -- I actually consider filing a form of recreation. It's that reluctance to admit, "I just don't have time for that, and I probably never will." As writers, we fight a constant battle for time. The number of things that fight for our attention keeps increasing. E-mail is wonderful, but the fact that we can now keep in touch with just about anyone in the world instantly bears the corresponding downside that we are conducting hundreds of times the amount of correspondence that we did when we had to type, fold, and mail a letter. The fact that we can find information on just about any topic, anywhere, at any time, leads to the temptation to click just one more link, spend just a few more minutes following up search leads. And let's not even start talking about cell-phones! One thing is certain: With all the "time-saving" devices available to us, the one thing we're NOT getting is "more time." Instead, if you're anything like me, you're getting more tasks -- tasks that consume your energy without contributing to your goals as a writer. So this summer, let's consider a challenge: Let's look for ways to take back control of our time, and use that time to focus on those things that made us choose to become writers in the first place! -- Moira Allen, Editor ***************************************************************** CAN YOU WRITE A SIMPLE LETTER? If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be. I personally made more than $200,000 this way in one year. Please click here NOW for more details http://www.thewriterslife.com/ph/wworlda63 ***************************************************************** INCREASE YOUR WRITING INCOME - Kristi Holl's practical and inspirational resource that has helped many writers beat a sure path to publication. Free 30-day exam. http://www.thewritersbookstore.com/N1191/ ***************************************************************** WRITER TO WRITER ================================================================= by Peggy Tibbetts (peggyt"at"siltnet.net) Thank you to all the new and experienced writers who have weighed in so far on your email vs snail mail submissions. I will be extending this survey through the next two issues, so if you haven't had time to respond, here's your chance to speak out. To the new writers, I know you're out there, but I didn't hear from many of you. Feel free to join the discussion! I'm also putting out a special call to editors and agents to share your feelings about email submissions. You may remain anonymous, if you wish. Our email submissions discussion would not be complete without paying homage to the award-winning writers' web site, Inkspot and companion email newsletter, Inklings. When Moira Allen signed on with Debbie Ridpath Ohi 1996, they were one of a few online paying markets about writing that accepted only email submissions. Moira shared her thoughts on the evolution of email: "I ran a survey for Inkspot on whether editors were willing to accept email submissions, and if memory serves, only about half the respondents said 'yes'. I suspect that it was the experience of WRITERS who began to push print editors to move into the electronic age." And experienced writers back up this view. C. Jones said she takes email markets more seriously, "because I feel the publisher/agent isn't living in the dark ages." That attitude is echoed by K. McNamara: "I suspect publications that require snail mail are probably not as professional as those that accept email. Maybe the snail mail requirement is a red flag that the operation is not progressive. Why waste effort and postage?" Moira also pointed out that email has changed the style of queries: "The query letter format that I've taught through various articles and classes really applies to the printed letter. I've found that email queries are becoming less formal -- my own, and those I receive as an editor -- and when I receive an email query that looks JUST like a print query, I actually wonder a bit about the writer. I think one reason for the change in formality is that email queries are often tailored to fit on the SCREEN rather than the page, which means a bit less verbiage in most cases." On the other hand, the editor of a literary magazine described how that informality can lead to sloppiness: "Many writers who submit by email ignore writers' guidelines (12-point font, etc.) as well as the period during which we accept submissions. Some use unprofessional email addresses (such as superkisser"at"hotmail) or write cover letters which sound as if the writer is conversing with a personal friend. Sometimes I am sorry that we accept email submissions, but we continue to do so because this enables international writers to submit." Out of all the comments from experienced writers, one thing that stood out is the difference between the way book writers submit their work versus freelancers. "For initial queries and book proposals, about 90% of mine are by snail mail, simply because that's what the guidelines say to do," said E. Masters. "I write children's books. When an editor answers and requests the manuscript, I do it the old-fashioned way -- I put it in an envelope, weigh it, stamp it, make a SASE, address both envelopes, and drop it off at the post office. It's cumbersome but it's what's required by the publishing houses." That policy was echoed by B. Rich: "If I am querying a large publisher like Penguin, then I understand that I need to fit into their guidelines, because the bigger the beast, the more inflexible it is." According to AC Watkins, even after a manuscript is accepted, publishers still prefer to correspond by mail: "Most contracts still have to be sent postal mail, and when I'm working on a book, galleys and such are sent back and forth via postal mail." Recently I saw a cute wall hanging of a cartoon character in a twisted position with the caption: "People who do yoga are flexible." The same thing could be said of writers -- with the same illustration! Many experienced writers were hard-pressed to find any concrete percentages in their email submissions, they remain flexible and follow editorial guidelines as expressed by M. Bracken: "The cost of and/or method of submission does not significantly impact my decision to submit to any particular market. What impacts my decision most is whether or not I believe I have material appropriate for that market. Then, and only then, do I determine how the editor may be most receptive to seeing my work." P. Hendrickson has also developed her own submissions policy: "For new markets, I prefer snail mail (unless their guidelines say they want email submissions) because I feel I can make a stronger first impression if they're holding my clips and letter in their hands." Nearly half of the experienced writers who responded so far said they are definitely fed up with snail mail submissions and now submit exclusively by email. S. Lawrence said she no longer submits by mail: "They take 30 minutes to rustle together and I get no better response. I have been scolded by some writing gurus for this, they say I should do what the editors want. But I am running a business, too, and unless an editor can respect me as a resource, I am not interested in working for that editor. If no email contact is given, I call the publication and see if I can get one. The problem is, when an editor is not interested, there is often no response -- regardless of the method of contact. This is such a tacky development in our business." However, when it comes to the true motivation for email submissions, perhaps E. Winkler said it best: "I recently e-submitted an essay to an e-zine. I had an acceptance the FOLLOWING DAY and three weeks later it was published. Such a thing keeps a writer's juices flowing." This discussion will continue in the next issue. Please keep those responses coming in! For agents and editors: Do you consider email queries or submissions, and why? If not, why do you prefer submissions by mail? For new writers (5 years or less): Do you find that most of your submissions are by email? In other words, are snail mail submissions about as rare for you as email used to be for the rest of us? For experienced writers (more than 5 years): What percentage of your submissions are by email these days versus five years ago? Or are you fed up with snail mail submissions and now submit exclusively by email? Please send your responses to: peggyt"at"siltnet.net Subject: Writer to Writer >>-----------------------------------------------------<< Peggy Tibbetts answers your questions about writing for children in her monthly column, Advice from a Caterpillar: http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/index.shtml She is the author of "The Road to Weird" and "Rumors of War". Visit her web site at: http://www.peggytibbetts.net Copyright (c) 2005 by Peggy Tibbetts ***************************************************************** Our staff of experienced editors, including several published authors, specialize in first-time and novice writers. Free sample edit/critique. Personalized attention by editors specializing in your genre. Clients' needs are our first priority. See us at http://www.alphaediting.com ***************************************************************** BECOME a CREATIVITY COACH or be certified to Teach Creativity Workshops with author and creativity expert Jill Badonsky, M.ED. Contact jillbadonsky"at"hotmail.com, http://www.themuseisin.com ***************************************************************** GET THE TOOLS YOU NEED FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND SUCCESS! Join coach Lisa Collazo in her 6-week teleclass, "Discovering and Claiming Your Identity as a Writer"! Share experiences with a community of writers from around the world. Participate in exercises and assignments to lead you on the path to success! More info: http://www.writewhatyouknow.com/teleclasses.php ***************************************************************** NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WRITING ================================================================= Martha Ivery Indicted --------------------- On June 1, the U.S. District Court for the Northen District of New York ruled that Martha Ivery, president of Press-TIGE Publishing Company, "willfully and knowingly devised, and intended to devise, a scheme and artifice to defraud prospective authors and to obtain their money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises." The primary "pretense" was that of accepting fees to publish authors' books without actually doing so, offering "a variety of excuses for non-publication for years following the initial payment, including problems with illustrations, problems with printers, lost manuscripts, computer viruses, failed computer disks, and production backlogs due to the large volumne of retail orders placed through Press-TIGE." In addition to collecting publication fees directly from authors, Ivery also referred authors to "Kelly O'Donnell," allegedly a literary agent, who collected additional fees for representation and book editing -- but who was actually Ivery herself. In 2002, Ivery filed for bankruptcy, but then "reconstituted Press-TIGE in a new entity, New Millenium Publishing House, Inc., and continued to solicit payments from the same prospective authors under the auspices of the new entity." Ivery was indicted for 17 counts of fraud, including 15 counts of mail fraud, one count of fraud connected with an access device (a credit card terminal), and one count of "making a false oath in a bankruptcy hearing." In his "blawg," Scrivener's Error, copyright lawyer C.E. Petit estimates the losses to authors to be in the range of $500,000 to $800,000. Read the official indictment at http://www.authorslawyer.com/iveryindict.html Scrivener's Error - http://scrivenerserror.blogspot.com/ (scroll down to the June 3 entry) Hooked on Harry Potter? ----------------------- If you're counting the days till July 16 and the release of the 6th Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", there's a web site you can go to for help. Potter Parties.com has information about over 150 parties around the world. Additional information is available, including organizer name, activities, and whether there will be Internet access. There's also a form to add your own party, plus tips for activities, recipes, and decorations for a Potter-themed party. For more information: http://www.potterparties.com German book industry plans online book search --------------------------------------------- The Bšrsenverein of the German book industry, representing some 6,500 publishers, bookstores, second-hand book sellers, wholesalers, and publishing agents, will set up its own platform for a full-text search on the Internet. Responding to Google Print, Amazon's "Look Inside the Book", and the digitalization and networking efforts of European libraries, the new platform is called "Volltextsuche online" and will provide access to digital files of complete texts in German. Matthias Ulmer, publisher at the Eugen Ulmer Verlag in Stuttgart and the initiator of the task force for "Volltextsuche online" said, "The whole industry will benefit from having its own platform. We have the potential, the experience, and the technical expertise for such a solution, and we should use it to protect our own interests against providers from outside the industry to keep control of our own publications." The set up costs of the service will be paid for with advertising on the web site. Google Print is free to publishers and users. The task force plans to present its draft at the booksellers conference in Berlin this month. Study reveals men read books by men ----------------------------------- A study released on May 30 disclosed that men mainly read novels by other men, but rarely read novels by women. Commissioned for the Orange Prize for Fiction, an annual British award for female authors, the research was carried out by Lisa Jardine and Annie Watkins, professors at Queen Mary College, London. According to Jardine, she's received dozens of emails from irate male readers insisting that they are "immensely well-read in women's fiction". Yet she adds, "These are the very men who turn out not to have read any novel at all by a woman recently." The survey, sent to 50 British "opinion formers" (cultural critics, book festival organizers, professors of philosophy, etc.), asked a variety of questions. Jardine and Watkins found that 80% of male respondents had most recently completed a novel by a male author, and many had trouble remembering the last book by a woman they'd read. Female respondents, on the other hand, were split almost 50/50, with over half having recently finishing a work by a female novelist, and the remainder, by a man. They also found that men are aware of authors like Carol Shields, Monica Ali, and Andrea Levy (past Orange Prize winners), and are willing to classify their books as important. "But they were endearingly candid about not having read many of them," said Jardine. The professors are working on another, larger study on men's reading habits, which they will release this fall. Oprah's Book Club sticks with classics -------------------------------------- One June 3, Oprah Winfrey departed from the usual one-author, one-title format for her summer reading pick by selecting three paperbacks by William Faulkner: "As I Lay Dying", "The Sound and the Fury", and "Light in August". In the past, Winfrey's summer picks typically sell more copies than titles selected at other times. At Book Expo America (BEA) in New York, booksellers were happy with her selection. "Name me one other person who could hold up Faulkner and people would go out and actually read him," said Joe Holtzman, fiction category manager at Borders. Richard Howarth, mayor of Faulkner's hometown Oxford, Mississippi, and owner of Square Books store, was not as enthusiastic. He doubts that much of Winfrey's audience will read all three books: "With a good reading-group leader, they'll make it through 'As I Lay Dying,' and they'll make it through 'Light in August.' But they're going to start 'The Sound and the Fury' and say, 'What is this?'" Then he feigned throwing a book over his shoulder. In April, the Word of Mouth writers organization delivered an open letter to Winfrey (signed by over 150 authors) asking her to resume recommending contemporary fiction to her audience. For more information: http://www.oprah.com/books/books_landing.jhtml ***************************************************************** BOOK DESIGN WIZARD Easily create your book layout in MS Word with our book design wizard. Features a friendly user form. Inserts title, copyright, headers, page numbers, ToC, chapters & more. Visit http://www.self-pub.net/wizard.html for more information. ***************************************************************** INTERESTED IN WRITING FICTION OR NONFICTION? Find inspiration and ideas for that next project at Profitable Pen's newest forums! Register for free at http://www.profitable-pen.com. ***************************************************************** FINDING YOUR WRITING'S OCCASION ================================================================= by Sheila Bender Poet Stanley Plumly used to say that poems must weigh more at the end than at the beginning. What matters to us has emotional weight, and as with poetry, the personal essay also supplies a vehicle for writers to find out what matters and to feel the weight of what matters. As writers, we take ourselves, and ultimately our readers, on a journey during which we learn from our experience as we relive it on the page. The best essays allow the writer and the reader to establish and maintain solid footing as they go. This solid footing comes partly as a consequence of the speaker inside the essay revealing the reason the essay is being written right now. Although you as a writer may have been interested in your topic for a while, the speaker inside the essay must have an occasion upon which to start talking in the "now" of the essay. In other words, inside each personal essay, you, in the form of the essay's speaker, have a clear occasion for assembling images and anecdotes that add up to discovery and emotional insight. At the completion of this journey, you will have learned from your writing as well anyone who reads it. Moreover, anyone who reads it will experience the same enlightening journey you took rather than a mere string of events or ideas that do not move toward an emotional destination. Let's take a look at how this works: Recently, I assigned university students the task of writing a description essay about a place for which they have strong feelings. One student came to see me in my office. He had chosen Dodger Stadium in his home city of Los Angeles as his topic because he loves baseball and thought he could write about it. He had associated many images with the topic, including the voice of Vin Scully, the game announcer he had listened to for years on TV when he watched games at home with his father. "But where do I start?" he said, "I have so many memories and thoughts about baseball." You might be feeling something like this as you look over some of your essay sprouts -- they may be something like morning glory vines that spread everywhere instead of maintaining a succinct space. Herein lies the magic of occasion! As we talked, my student told me that he had recently gone to Dodger Stadium for the first time after years of listening to the games at home. At the ballpark, he searched for a glimpse of Vin Scully and could almost make out where he was sitting. He suddenly realized, though, that he wouldn't be able to hear Scully like his father would be at home because Scully's voice was being broadcast over radio and TV, not over the playing field. He experienced a moment of shock when he realized that this game, the first live one he had ever attended, would not be narrated for him by Scully's familiar voice. As I listened to my student talk, I realized that one occasion his speaker could write from would be going to Dodger Stadium the first time and missing the voice of the adored and familiar sportscaster! I knew this because not being able to hear Scully made this game emotionally different from others for this young man. I asked him to describe the moment when he went to Dodger Stadium and looked for Scully and saw him. What did he think at that very moment? He said he wondered about his dad, listening at home, who had turned his son onto baseball, but had never gone to the stadium himself and now refused to go. And yet, unlike his father, the son wants to see the game live. So the occasion of the essay is going to Dodger Stadium for the first time and realizing he would not hear Scully's familiar voice. That realization leads him to explore what it felt like going to Dodger Stadium without his father and what that meant to him. Emotionally, this sounds like an essay about having learned from one's dad, going beyond what he has taught you and then not being able to share that new experience with him. The journey to this emotional information ultimately occurred in the written essay through descriptions of the event at Dodger Stadium, comparisons to watching games at home, memories of what the student's dad taught him about baseball and times he played baseball to impress his father. His father's refusal to attend a live game made the student aware of his father's support and the need to grow beyond what his father could offer. Here is a second example of how reviewing the essay's occasion helps writers embark on their essays' emotional as well as physical journeys. A journalist and technical writer approached me to coach her on personal essay writing. She wanted to describe her mother, an Italian immigrant who raised her daughter with gestures and words about the evil eye. She knew that her mother's old country superstitions had made a great impact on her, and she wanted to write about them as a way of exploring who she is as a mother raising her own children. The topic encompasses so much. It's that question again: Where to start? Well, what is the speaker's occasion? What has prompted her to speech as the essay starts? Has she had an interaction with her son and responded in a way that reminds her of her mother? Is she facing a situation with her son that she doesn't know how to handle but thinks her mother would have handled by invoking fear of the evil eye? If this is so, she can start the essay with the situation and her hesitation in handling it and the knowledge about how her mother would have acted. Then she can write about what she was taught about the evil eye and what it takes to discourage the evil eye. She can write about the resulting effect on her thinking and feeling. Finally, she can return to the interaction with her son, ready to either do as her mother did or do something else she has figured out from thinking about her mother and her upbringing. If you know the topic you want to write about or the subject you want to explore and yet feel unable to make what is at the bottom of your heart and mind come into being on the page despite many details, images, anecdotes and much dialog, you might have some confusion about your occasion. Ask the writer inside your essay, the one on the page recounting your experience, this question: "Why are you writing this essay now?" "Because I missed hearing Vin Scully at Dodger Park and I missed having my dad there, too." "Because I caught myself in the act of doing something my mother had done in raising me, and I wanted to explore how her actions affected me so I might choose a different way of behaving as a parent." Remember, a personal essay, like all genres, is a "made" thing. You are the writer but you have created the speaker in the essay who represents you. The personal essay requires its speaker to reveal a reason for speaking now. Once you realize what the reason is, you will find a way to start and to end your essay. You will also find the words that both tell your story and evoke your struggle toward understanding its meaning. Your success in winning the struggle is the very thing that makes your essay weigh more at the end than it did at the beginning. >>-----------------------------------------------------<< Sheila Bender is a poet, essayist and book author whose newest book is "Writing and Publishing Personal Essays". She is also publisher of Writing It Real, an online premium content magazine for those who write from personal experience. Visit the site to read free sample articles and to learn about subscribing as well as about Sheila‰s online and in-person workshops at: http://www.writingitreal.com Copyright (c) 2005 by Sheila Bender ***************************************************************** SUNPIPER PRESS is dedicated to giving exposure to new, emerging and established writers. Showcasing poetry, short stories and the works of self-published writers. Also offers two essay contest for students. We want you to read AND participate. Join us at http://www.sunpiperpress.com. Promoting the Voices of Our Future! ***************************************************************** FREE SPECIAL REPORT! How to Write Your Book in 14 Days or Less!! Guaranteed!! Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) called this information outstanding! http://www.writeabooknow.com/writing-world2.html ***************************************************************** THE WRITE SITES ================================================================= Free Publishing Information Kits -------------------------------- Choose from three kits on writing, publishing and promoting from Para Publishing. http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=/infokit.html PaperbackSwap.com ----------------- Allows users to swap books. Members post titles they'd like to get rid of and can search for books they'd like to receive. http://www.paperbackswap.com WriteWhatYouKnow.com -------------------- This site offers classes and a very encouraging motivational newsletter. http://www.writewhatyouknow.com/newsletter.php Stories Anonymous ----------------- A site by UK writers for fiction writers to showcase their work, including stories, poems, reviews, links, and news. http://www.storiesanonymous.co.uk/ Booksprice.com -------------- Compare prices and availability on any book before you buy. http://www.booksprice.com Merriam-Webster Asks -------------------- What's your favorite word (that's not in the dictionary)? Read the top ten and previous favorites. http://www.m-w.com/info/favorite.htm ***************************************************************** WRITE IN STYLE AND SELL MORE! We edit and evaluate manuscripts, proposals, synopses and more. Bobbie Christmas (author of Write In Style) BZEBRA"at"aol.com. Sign up for our free tips/markets newsletter! Zebra Communications: http://www.zebraeditor.com. ***************************************************************** BOOK PUBLICITY & PROMOTION Smith Publicity -- One of the most creative publicity and book promotion agencies in the country. Flexible, affordable publicity packages. Radio and TV interviews, features and reviews in newspapers and magazines; book tours, special events. Interviews placed on virtually every top show; stories and reviews in most major newspapers and magazines. Check out http://www.smithpublicity.com or call (215) 547-4778, ext. 111; e-mail: info"at"smithpublicity.com ***************************************************************** THE WRITING DESK ================================================================= by Moira Allen Are One-Time Rights The Same As First Rights? --------------------------------------------- Q: If you sell one time rights to an ezine, can you then sell one time rights again to someone else once the first ezine no longer has it on their site? One time rights aren't the same as first rights are they? A: You can sell "one-time" rights as often as you like, AND at the same time. One-time rights are non-exclusive by definition. The first e-zine doesn't have to have taken the article down for you to sell those rights again. One-time rights are often used for "syndication," i.e., when you sell the same article to multiple newspapers at the same time. Each has the right to use it "once," no one has the right to be "first," and you can sell the same article again and again. One-time rights are also often used for selling reprints. "Nonexclusive" is an important term to keep in mind. If you have sold one e-zine "non-exclusive archival rights," for example, you can sell reprint rights to another e-zine (or a print publication), as long as IT is only interested in nonexclusive rights. However, you cannot sell nonexclusive rights to one publication and exclusive rights to another (if those rights overlap). For example, if e-zine "A" has your material in its archive, and e-zine "B" wants an exclusive reprint, you'd have to contact e-zine A and ask them to remove their archival copy first. Fortunately, most e-zines are pretty understanding about the archival issue -- everyone wants to keep archives, so different publications don't tend to object to OTHER publications having material in their back-issue archives. Also, I'm finding that ONLINE publications seem to be developing their own distinct readership just like print publications -- they don't overlap nearly as much as we probably expected in the beginning. (Probably for the same reason -- who has time to read everything online?) So e-zines are recognizing that if your material appears somewhere else, that doesn't mean that it's going to be "overlapping" with their own readership. >>-----------------------------------------------------<< Moira Allen has been writing and editing professionally for more than 20 years. A columnist for The Writer, she is also the author of "Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer", "The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals" (now available as an e-book) and "Writing.com: Creative Internet Strategies to Advance Your Writing Career". For more details, visit: http://www.writing-world.com/moira/moira.shtml Copyright (c) 2005 by Moira Allen ***************************************************************** WHAT'S NEW AT WRITING-WORLD.COM ================================================================= JUNE COLUMNS: ------------- Advice from a Caterpillar, by Peggy Tibbetts Writing Creative Nonfiction; Proposing a Series; Pitching to Multiple Agents in One Agency http://www.writing-world.com/caterpillar/cat53.shtml Ask the Book Doctor, by Bobbie Christmas Good Rejections, Story Classifications and Interview Release Forms http://www.writing-world.com/columns/book/book08.shtml Imagination's Edge, by Paula Fleming Pull Science from the Headlines, Then Make It Science Fiction http://www.writing-world.com/columns/sf/edge22.shtml The Screening Room, by Laura Brennan Selling Pitches from Australia; Writing a Book About a Show; Finding a Writer http://www.writing-world.com/columns/screen/screen19.shtml NEW AND IMPROVED CONTEST DATABASE! ---------------------------------- I've just switched the Contest Database to a new program that is easier to search and infinitely easier to keep updated. The database now lists more than 450 contests throughout the year (and into 2006); new listings are added every month. Search the database at http://www.writing-world.com/contests/index.shtml If you posted a listing to the old database, it will have been transferred over to the new program; however, you will no longer be able to access it (as your "registration" information is no longer valid), so if you need to make a change, contact me. To post a new listing, go to http://www.writing-world.com/contests/submit.shtml ***************************************************************** FIND 1700 MARKETS FOR YOUR WRITING! Writing-World.com's market guides offer DETAILED listings of over 1700 markets, with contact information, pay rates, needs and more. Fourteen themed guides are available for $2.50 apiece or $25 for the set. For details, see http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml ***************************************************************** MARKET ROUNDUP ================================================================= TRUE WEST Meghan Saar, Managing Editor PO Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 EMAIL: editor"at"twmag.com URL: http://www.truewestmagazine.com True West magazine is published 10 times per year. The magazine does not publish fiction or poetry. Departments relate the history of the American West to the modern Western lifestyle, with articles on Western collectibles, artists, movies, fashion and craftsmen, plus one feature-length historical travel article per issue. Articles that are accompanied by historical photographs, drawings, paintings, etc., receive more consideration than those without art. Seeks to establish long-term relationships with writers who do excellent research, give a fresh look to an old subject, write well, hit deadlines and provide manuscripts at the assigned word length. LENGTH: 2,000 words or less PAYMENT: $150-$800 RIGHTS: FNASR REPRINTS: Yes SUBMISSIONS: Query first, by mail or email GUIDELINES: http://www.truewestmagazine.com/guidelines.html >>-----------------------------------------------------<< LATINO/LATINA WRITERS ISSUE - INDIANA REVIEW Grady Jaynes, Editor Ballantine Hall 465, 1020 E Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405-7103 EMAIL: inreview"at"indiana.edu or URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~inreview/ Indiana Review is proud to announce a call for work by Latino & Latina writers. We are seeking Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction by Latino & Latina writers that that is well-crafted and lively, has an intelligent sense of form and language, assumes a degree of risk, and has consequence beyond the world of its speakers or narrators. We also welcome interviews with established writers. Content that addresses political, social, and cultural aspects of the Latino and Latina identity and community are welcome but not a pre-requisite for consideration. Our intent with this issue is to showcase the vibrant and diverse voices of new and established Latino and Latina Writers. LENGTH: Poetry: 10 pages or less; Fiction: 40 pages or less; Nonfiction: 30 pages or less PAYMENT: $5/page ($10 minimum) RIGHTS: Rights revert to author upon publication REPRINTS: No SUBMISSIONS: By mail only GUIDELINES: http://www.indiana.edu/~inreview/general/latinoissue.html >>-----------------------------------------------------<< PRAIRIE FIRE Andris Taskans, Editor Prairie Fire Press, Inc., Artspace, 423 - 100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3 EMAIL: prfire"at"mts.net URL: http://www.prairiefire.mb.ca/ Prairie Fire publishes literary, not commercial writing. LENGTH: 10,000 words or less PAYMENT: $30-$50/page, please see Rates of Payment: http://www.prairiefire.mb.ca/contribrates.html REPRINTS: No RIGHTS: FNASR SUBMISSIONS: By mail only GUIDELINES: http://www.prairiefire.mb.ca/guidelines.html >>-----------------------------------------------------<< Please send Market News to: peggyt"at"siltnet.net "FNASR": First North American Serial Rights, "SASE": self-addressed, stamped envelope, "GL": guidelines. If you have questions about rights, please see "Rights: What They Mean and Why They're Important" http://www.writing-world.com/rights/rights.shtml ***************************************************************** WRITING CONTESTS ================================================================= This section lists contests that charge no entry fees. For more contests, check our online contests section. http://www.writing-world.com/contests/index.shtml >>-----------------------------------------------------<< Richard J. Margolis Award DEADLINE: July 1, 2005 GENRE: Journalism/Essay OPEN TO: All LENGTH: Two examples of the writer's work, published or unpublished, 30 pages maximum THEME: The Richard J. Margolis Award of Blue Mountain Center is given annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. The award was established in honor of Richard J. Margolis, a journalist, essayist and poet who gave eloquent voice to the hardships of the rural poor, migrant farm workers, the elderly, Native Americans and others whose voices are seldom heard. He was also the author of a number of books for children. PRIZE: $5,000, plus 1-month residency at the Blue Mountain Center, a writers and artists colony in the Adirondacks in Blue Mountain Lake, NY ELECTRONIC ENTRY: No ADDRESS: Richard J. Margolis Award, c/o Margolis & Associates LLP, 137 Newbury Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 EMAIL: harry"at"margolis.com URL: http://www.margolis.com/award/index.html >>-----------------------------------------------------<< CrownAtude Essay Contest for Women DEADLINE: July 1, 2005 GENRES: Essay OPEN TO: Women only LENGTH: 500 words or less THEME: We want to know where you found CrownAtude. Women possessing CrownAtude have formed bonds with other women to create an attitude of community and by doing so they promote, enrich and lift each other up. To find out more about CrownAtude visit our blog. We are looking for well-written essays based on personal experience. PRIZE: $75 ELECTRONIC ENTRY: Yes, no attachments EMAIL: dawn"at"queenpower.com URL: http://www.queenpower.com/CrownAtude.html ***************************************************************** New Listings on THE AUTHOR'S BOOKSHELF: --------------------------------------- Monday's Mysteries, by Larisa Long Find these and more great books at http://www.writing-world.com/books/index.shtml Advertise your own book on Writing-World.com: http://www.writing-world.com/books/listyours.shtml ***************************************************************** ADVERTISE in WRITING WORLD or on WRITING-WORLD.COM! For details on how to reach 50,000 writers a month with your product, service or book title, visit http://www.writing-world.com/admin1/adrates.shtml ***************************************************************** WRITER'S SUCCESS: 400+ Paying Markets, Freelance Jobs, Classes, Workshops, Contests, Ebooks, Articles and more! Subscribe at http://writerssuccess.netfirms.com/ to receive the Writer's Success weekly newsletter. ***************************************************************** EXPAND YOUR NETWORK--DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS--NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE LIFE! Visit the National Association of Women Writers Web site at http://www.NAWW.org! Weekly Inspirational/How-To E-zine: http://www.naww.org/homepage.html Membership Information: http://www.naww.org/generic1.html ***************************************************************** SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) is launching local networking Chapters. Check with us to find a Chapter near you. Contact us if you'd like to start one. Patricia"at"spawn.org. Subscribe to newsletter http://www.spawn.org ***************************************************************** WRITERS: FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australasia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com ***************************************************************** WRITING FOR DOLLARS! - the FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe"at"writingfordollars.com http://www.WritingForDollars.com ***************************************************************** PUBLISH AND PROFIT FROM YOUR BOOK OR EBOOK: Learn how to write and sell your book idea online. Join others from around the world who are making a good living selling their book or ebook online. http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/ebook **************************************************************** WRITERONLINE is an e-publication dedicated to writers and lovers of writing. Fiction, poetry, business and technical writing, how-tos, articles, reviews, freelance markets, jobs for writers and much more, published biweekly. Completely renovated! Visit us at http://www.writer-on-line.com **************************************************************** Writing World is a publication of Writing-World.com http://www.writing-world.com Editor/Publisher: MOIRA ALLEN (writing-world"at"cox.net) Managing Editor (Newsletter): PEGGY TIBBETTS (peggyt"at"siltnet.net) Copyright 2005 Moira Allen Individual articles copyrighted by their authors. Back issues archived at http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml Writing World is hosted by Listbox.com - http://v2.listbox.com ***************************************************************** Subscribers are welcome to recirculate Writing World to friends, discussion lists, etc., as long as the ENTIRE text of the newsletter is included and appropriate credit is given. Writing World may not be circulated for profit purposes. ***************************************************************** Do not reply to this message to subscribe or unsubscribe! 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