another cool contest

http://www.suzannefranco.com/blog-contest-drawing-launches-today-over-2000-in-prizes

 

Check out this great contest that Suzanne Franco is hosting. (She’s the lady behind my favorite newsletter for writing gigs – FreelanceDaily.net)

If you vote for Suzanne as your favorite blogger, you can entered into a drawing for a ton of cool prizes!

freelance writers vs. free-time writers

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.

–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

I saw this quote in FreelanceDaily.net (If you don’t subscribe, it’s totally worth it!) and it reminded me of the writers vs. wannabe deal. I can’t tell you how many people come up to me after (or before) my class, “Breaking Into Freelance Writing” and talk about how they have “always wanted to write a book” or “always wanted to be a writer.” How can you WANT to be a writer? I hate to sound like Yoda but there is no want…you just do. 

 

This is the only difference b/n us and them. We write and they talk about writing. That’s why I stopped going to writers’ groups. So frustrating. I have much more respect for people who write and submit and get rejections (especially if they learn what to fix) than those who don’t even try. 

 

Of course, I write for a living – not “for fun” (though I love what I do!) – so I”m a bit biased. ; )

flash fiction contest

Announcing the 2009 Pikes Peak Branch National League of American Pen Women Flash Fiction Contest

 

A complete, but very short story of 100 words or fewer

 

 

 

Deadline: Postmarked by March 2, 2009

 

Entry fee:  $10.00

 

Prizes: 1st $75; 2nd $40; Judge’s Merit $15.00

 

Theme: “Everything was perfect”

 

          Flash fiction is a complete, but very short story of 100 words or fewer.  The title is not included in the word count.  The story must pertain to the theme, “Everything was perfect.”  All genres are welcome, and multiple entries may be submitted.  An entry fee is required for each entry.  No poetry.  A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be included.  Winners will be notified by or before April 15, 2009.  For complete rules and entry blank please go to www.nlapwcolorado.org.  (click Pikes Peak branch, then contests) or write to:

 

 

 

Carol Caverly

 

Flash Fiction Contest Chair

 

86 Rising Sun Ter

 

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Another day of freelance writing

So a lot of people ask me what exactly I do all day as a writer. Here’s a glimpse into my day today. 

My “to do” list started off with:

1. Do PR work for Client #1

2. Phone consultation with franchisee at noon

3. Write 4 articles for Client #2’s magazine

4. Work on book promotion

5. Do Xmas cards

6. Write article for major magazine (due Dec. 2 before I leave for trip)

 

Of my list, I ended up working on book promotion almost all day – plus the PR call. There were so many interruptions – emails and phone calls from clients, friends and former students asking about my book coming out, urgent emails from consulting clients needing questions answered, and an unexpected glitch  in my Web site’s links to buy my books on Amazon (which obviously had to be fixed ASAP!) 

 

So, I bump almost all of my ‘to do’ list to tomorrow because by 4:30pm I had to leave to get my toddlers. (Next to impossible to work with them at home.) After they sleep, I may be able to get back to work, but boy does the stress of not getting through an important “to do” list weigh on me – especially when I still have so much to do before the book’s release. 

Would love to hear how others prioritize and juggle deadlines with “vital” interruptions all day!

My Amazon Spike Day letter (feel free to copy if you do one)

Order Wendy’s new book on Dec. 1 and get a free e-book!

 

Dear Friends,

Have you ever thought of making money from your writing? Perhaps you’ve got an idea for a novel or nonfiction book. Or maybe you’ve got some magazine articles swirling around in your head. If you (or someone you know) would like to know how to sell your work, I invite you to buy my new book, “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters” on December 1.

The 30+ samples of good and bad queries walk writers through the “must-have” and “don’t-even-think-about-it” points with a balance of clear instruction, examples and humor. Where similar query books just tell you to write a hook – it gives insight into what makes a good opening paragraph for an article, novel or nonfiction query. There are special considerations for book queries by genre (from Romance and Mystery to Speculative and Thriller – plus everything in between) and the FAQs come straight from the author’s experience as a writer, author, magazine editor and book copyeditor. The “what editors/agents/publishers like” and “what editors/agents/publishers don’t like” are incredible resources, offering a look into water coolers throughout the publishing industry. Plus, it’s funny.

 

Why December 1? It’s my official “Amazon Spike Day,” where I attempt to bump my book up the rankings. The better my book sells before its December 5 release date, the more often Amazon will recommend it to shoppers and the more likely bookstores will order extra copies.

Here’s a link to check out the book. (You can also buy it from Amazon through this link.)  http://www.GuideToQueryLetters.com

So what’s in it for you (besides knowing you helped an old friend!)? Everyone who orders “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters” from Amazon on December 1 receives:

         1.  My free e-book, “3 Years of Ask Wendy; Your Freelance Writing Questions Answered” (a $9.95 value!) – featuring Q & As on everything from how to sell greeting card copy and fillers to making money from personal essays and short stories. (This e-book is compiled from my “Ask Wendy” column for WritersOnTheRise.com, one of Writer’s Digest Magazine’s Top 100 Web sites for Writers.)

         PLUS….

         2. A chance to win one of 6 books:

         • “Get Known Before the Book Deal” by Christina Katz (author of “Writer Mama” and founder of WritersOnTheRise.com)

         • “Writer Mama; How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids” by Christina Katz (www.thewritermama.com)

         • “Work It, Girl! 101 Tips for the Hip Working Chick” by Wendy Burt and Erin Kindberg (our second book in the Hip Chick series)

         • “A Christmas Dozen; Christmas Stories to Warm the Heart” by Steve Burt  (award-winning writer and author of 12 books)**

         • “Odd Lot; Stories to Chill the Heart” by Steve Burt (winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award; winner of 6 Honorable Mentions for Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror; Honorable Mention Best Horror Book by ForeWord Magazine and Honorable Mention Best Genre Fiction from Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards)**

         • “Oddest Yet; Even More Stores to Chill the Heart” (Bram Stoker Winner!)**

**Steve Burt is not only my dad and mentor, but also an award-winning author. In fact, he won the Bram Stoker Award, the highest honor in horror writing!

         PLUS…

         3. One winner will receive a free email or phone consultation and editorial feedback on the topic of their choice: writing for magazines, novel queries, greeting cards, nonfiction book proposals, freelancing for a living, etc..

         Just order the book from Amazon (there’s a link to Amazon through http://www.GuideToQueryLetters.com) on Monday, December 1 and email me your receipt. I’ll email you the e-book and enter your name in the drawing!

         Please don’t feel obligated to buy the book. But if you choose to, let me say “thank you” in advance!

         All my best,

 

         Wendy Burt-Thomas

         www.GuideToQueryLetters.com

        

         

re: Estella’s questions

Hi Estella,

You don’t mention what type of book it is (novel?) but if you don’t have the funds to self-publish (Print-on-demand is the cheapest. Probably $499 for the set up and 5 author copies) then another option is to seek out a publisher. I highly recommend using an agent because even though they’ll take 15% of whatever they make you (no fees in advance), they’ll negotiate more money, better rights, and perhaps get you foreign translation rights. I am concerned that the book is a bit short – either for fiction or nonfiction – unless it’s a gift book. Another option is to create an ebook. I bought the software online for $22 and just copied and pasted the text into the software and then hit “export as PDF.” Very simple even for those who aren’t real tech-savvy. You can sell ebooks all over the Web – for full price through your own methods or through ebookstores who take a cut.

Is the audio book the same book as the 117-page book you mention above? If so, an agent will negotiate audio rights for you.

marketing your book

Yesterday I finished my “Amazon Spike Day” letter, which I’ll be emailing in order to encourage friends, family and fellow writers to buy my book on December 1.

 

Why Dec. 1? Because the book is scheduled to hit Writer’s Digest’s warehouse on Dec. 5. By doing an Amazon spike early:

1) I increase the chances of getting bookstores to order extra copies because there were so many pre-orders (high demand before the book even comes out)

2) I increase the chances of Amazon recommending my book to customers who are buying similar books. “If you like X, you might also like Y.”

My good friend Christina Katz had an excellent response from her Amazon spike day so I figure why not?

I’ll have to keep you posted…after Dec. 1!