Tuesday Tip: Practicing Writer's Free E-Book of Essay Markets!

A few years ago, when I first went back to writing, I won one of Erika Dreifus' e-books. It was a wonderful boon, and I remember thinking how lucky I was to have that writer's tool. Now, you can get one of those e-books for free!

Erika is the editor of the Practicing Writer, delivering a free newsletter and hosting a blog of the same name. And, as I mentioned, she's authored a handful of e-books. But now she's getting out of the e-book business. Which is a bonus for the rest of us writers!

Um, that didn't come out exactly right. What I mean to say is that Erika's getting out of the e-book business, but she's giving away her e-books when she goes (August 1). Wheee! So, as many of you are essay writers, you should dash over here, read Erika's post explaining it all, and then get your free e-book, The Practicing Writer's Directory of Paying Essay Markets.

I've already downloaded my freebie. And it was simple (you'll have to sign on to the site, but it's free). So thank you very much, Erika. Again!

The Writer's Lot (That's Me!) at WritersNewsWeekly

I usually wait till Tuesdays to do my horn tooting, but you know what they say about the news: Get it while it's fresh!

Or is that what they say about baked goods? Oh, here's what you can do! Grab a baked good while you read my featured essay, "The Writer's Lot." Now, we're all happy-wappy.

And when you finish reading, I hope you'll have time to peruse the rest of this week's edition of WritersNewsWeekly. I'm sure you'll find some interesting and useful writing information, tips, and news. You might want to come back, every Wednesday or Thursday, to get the freshest news available.

But I'd go easy on that baked goods habit. You know what they say: A baked good in the hand is worth 1200 calories on the hips. Or maybe that's just me.

(Disclaimer: No family members were harmed in the writing of "The Writer's Lot," and especially not The Beneficent Mr. Hall. Any resemblance to any characters living in the Hall House is strictly coincidental and totally, um, random.)

On What Makes a Writer's Day

While doing a little blog-keeping, I checked the link to The Enchanted Conversation, the one to my poem, "The Problem With Fairy Tales." I was completely stunned when I saw that the poem had 34 comments!

I remembered that quite a few writer buddies had stopped by EC to leave their thoughts behind, but who the heck were all these other people leaving comments? Honestly, I thought it must be some glitch in the system, like when a person leaves a comment and it gets stuck in some kind of loop.

But, no. I started reading the comments-and they were from different people, strangers to me and not loopy at all. In fact, these were long and thoughtful comments that touched my writer's soul.

Because here's the thing. Writers pour themselves, heart and soul, into their writing. Then they hope, somewhere, someone (preferably an editor) will read their words and say, "This is good stuff! I want to publish this writer's thoughts so that others can enjoy the good stuff!" And oh, happy days, we have affirmation!

So then your words are floating around out there, in a book, or a magazine, or a newspaper, and you are left to wonder if you made someone smile, or nod in agreement, or choke back a tear, or shout to the heavens that you're a hack who doesn't know what she's talking about. In other words, you dream that what you have written has touched someone, in some way or the other. But often, you never know.

Unless you happen to check a link where over 30 comments sit, waiting for you. And then it absolutely, positively makes your day. Here's wishing that someone makes a writer's day today. (And share if you like-I love stories with happy endings!)

Finding Something Friday: writeoncon (It's a Writer's Conference)

Good news, and even better news, and okay, maybe a teensy bit of bad news on Finding Something Friday.

The Good News is for all you writers who've been complaining that nobody loves you, everybody hates you, wah, wah, wah. 'Cause a bunch of writer-ly folks do love you! And not like your significant other who says he/she does and then won't go see your favorite movie with you.

Um, anyway, these lovely folks joined forces to organize an online writer's conference called writeoncon! Let's see...you'll find agents, writers, editors, and others who know lots of writer-ly stuff, and they're thrilled to share what they know.

And the even Better News? It's free! Yep, absolutely FREE! Sign up is July 1st.

And now the sorta Bad News. It's only for kidlit writers. Like your protagonist must be under 18. Not that an under 18 protagonist necessarily makes for a children's novel. But the focus of the conference is children's/YA writing.

Now, dash over right here to get more info on writeoncon. And give yourself a big, old hug!

(And thanks to Jessica for pointing me in the direction of this conference!)

What Not To Wednesday on Marketing and WIIFM

Yes, grasshopper, today we're talking about marketing. But don't think you can skip out because it's marketing. It's marketing having to do with writing. And I'll try to be quick about it.

A few years ago, when I first started column writing, I willingly, happily gave my columns to a regional magazine. For free. I needed to learn the ropes, and fortunately for me, a local rope dangled right there in front of me. I learned quite a bit about deadline writing, fitting in the word count, and being funny whether I felt funny or not. So, it was all good.

After a year or so, a new publisher bought the magazine and I worked out a compensation deal for the column. It was all, um, good-er. And then I thought, as Webster is my dictionary, I'll never write for free again!

Now, I can't tell you what to do, grasshopper (though that is kinda the point here at WNTD), but making absolute statements is not such a good idea. Like when it comes to writing for free. Sometimes, I'll write something for free. Because sometimes, I just want to lend a helping (writing) hand to a friend or colleague. But other times, I'll consider WIIFM.

I didn't know there was an actual acronym for "What's in it for me?" but you learn something every day. I learned that tidbit when I read Jane Friedman's spot-on post, "The Most Important Marketing Acronym: WIIFM." She makes a few excellent points on marketing. And you might want to read the comments, too. You'll find some excellent points among her readers' views.

I know what you're thinking, grasshopper. WIIFM has kind of a harsh ring to it. So maybe a new acronym, more polite-sounding, is needed (with the same sentiment). How about "PAPTDAFFYASMYCRTF."

Hmmm. My next What Not To Do will be on Southerners and why we shouldn't put them in charge of writing acronyms.

*Pleased As Punch To Do A Favor For You And Someday Maybe You Can Return The Favor

Bunches of Books!

I'm having one of those weeks filled with bunches of books! There's one you can win, one that I won, one that's a sneak peek, and one that a friend passed along on a loan.

That kinda rhymed, didn't it? Kinda? Anyway, we must hurry if you want to win a book.

My buddy, Jodi, is giving away When A Woman Takes An Axe to a Wall. Which could go several ways, but in this case, has to do with handywoman's work. You only have till midnight TONIGHT to win this book. But even if you're not into axeing down walls like me, you'll love Jodi's blog. So, skedaddle over there and put a comment on her blog wall.



Last week, I mentioned that I won Savvy, a swell middle grade book by Ingrid Law. But I also won a book called Epitaph Road, a swell YA book by David Patneaude. Know how I won it? Twitter. Well, Twitter to Facebook. Twitter is just a fount of book giveaways! So, there's another place to zip through if you like to win books (and then give them away after you read them). Which is likely to happen soon with Epitaph Road.



I received Accidental Cowgirl by Mary Lynn Archibald in the mail yesterday, and I will tell you that it's a. a humorous memoir, b. it'll be on a later blog book tour here at the Hall of Fame and c. the whole name of the book is Accidental Cowgirl, Six Cows, No Horse and No Clue. I haven't even opened the book and I know I'm gonna laugh. So, you'll want to hear more in July, when Mary Lynn Archibald stops by.




And finally, I had lunch with a buddy (okay, it was Anita) who passed along The Maeve Binchy Writer's Club. She really enjoyed this book about the business of writing, and as I really enjoy her blog, and her fine self, I'm itching to sit down and read this book.


But I've got bunches of books to read. And miles to go before I sleep. (That poem reference kinda fit, didn't it? Kinda?)

Finding Something Friday: Mozark Press

So, here's the thing. Friday is my "Catch Up on All Things Bloggy" day. And generally speaking, I start out the day, zipping from blog to favorite blog, reading about what my creative buds have been up to in their little corners of the writing world. It's all very interesting, but exhausting, in an "information overload" kind of way.

That's why I have to go out to lunch on Fridays. It helps me process all that information. I know it may look like I'm talking about my neighbor while inhaling chips and salsa, but trust me. I'm processing.

Except that today, I happened to stop over at Becky's blog and read somewhere among the last week's posts about this submission call out at Mozark Press. Which had, if I remember what Becky said correctly, originally popped up on Donna's blog, who knows when.

Well. I could barely concentrate on my quesadilla fajita or eavesdropping on the table next to me. All I could think about was a flash story I'd written that I knew would work for this A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas anthology.

One teensy, little thing. I needed about 700 more words, a 40-ish protagonist and a totally different middle and ending. So, that whole writing thing took longer than I planned. Which explains my Finding Something Friday post at a few minutes before Saturday.

Oh, and one more thing. You only have till June 15 if you've got a story stuck in your head now. And really. You don't have time to be lolly-gagging at lunch dates.

Thursday's Three: Writing the Query Letter

I've had query letters on the brain lately...I suppose if I keep reading about how to write a great query letter, I'll actually write a great query letter. So, as I've come across three wonderful resources, let's tackle query letters. (Can't I get a Wheee?)

1. Karen Strong, who blogs over at Musings of a Novelista, shared what she learned in 2010 FL SCBWI: Query Letters.

2. Janet Reid, Literary Agent, has a blog wherein she delves into all things query. She completes me-in a query sort of way.

3. Agent Query...kinda says it all. Except here's tons of tips on writing the query letter.

No more excuses. Wheeeeeee!

(Thanks to stock.xchng for photo)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday on Winning Followers = Savvy

I'm a winner!

Last month, in an effort to increase her followers, my writer friend, Gail, sponsored a giveaway contest. Her goal was to make it to 50 followers, which she did, and then some! And because she was giddy with success, she gave away a few more prizes than she'd planned. So guess who won a book and chocolate?

I won the award-winning book, Savvy, by Ingrid Law. I've already read Savvy, but I'll be feasting on this wonderful juvenile read again. Because reading good books makes good writers. And giving away good books (and don't forget the chocolate!) makes gaining followers a snap (and Gail a savvy blogger!).

Hmmm. I'm not sure whether I'm tooting my horn for me, Gail and her successful giveaway, or Ingrid Law's book, Savvy. I guess I sort of threw in a toot for us all. And while I'm at it, I'll throw in a toot for my dad, the Birthday Boy.

He's 87 years old today. Wow. That can't be right...'cause if he's 87, then I must be, um, getting back to work. Those contest giveaways aren't going to win themselves.

Finding Something Friday on Business Cards (Or Everybody Needs a Simon Cowell Friend)

So, I told you that I purchased new business cards, right? But when they came in, I could see that the photo I used on the card was a tad dark. Still, I figured the card would work.

Until a writer friend of mine said, "Your photo's too dark."

Um, I went to work on that photo, lightening it up, and then ordered new cards. And today, I found the new cards in my mailbox!


As you can clearly see, my writer friend was right. And I'm so glad she told me what I'm sure everyone else was thinking. (If only she could have told me in a British accent.)

Market of the Month: Deep South Magazine

Sometimes, the oak-lined road beckons and you've just got to skedaddle down it.

Which explains the market of the month, Deep South Magazine. They're looking for all kinds of pieces, Southern-style. That means articles, stories, poems, and whatever else you can drawl on and on about.

AND, I have a writing buddy who had a story accepted. Good to know since Deep South is a relatively new magazine. And P.S., she's not even Southern. So, you can't use that as an excuse not to submit to this lovely market.

Time for this little Georgia peach to get on down that road to publication. And best of luck to y'all.

(Thanks to Hope Clark's FFW for this tip, and stock.xchng for the photo.)

Tuesday Tip: Try, Try Again (Or Wasn't That A Lovely Rejection?)

The other day, I received the most lovely rejection from a UK publication. I mean, don't get me wrong. It wasn't all rainbows and puppies. But it was exceedingly polite.

Don't be discouraged, said the editor, for what may not work for us might be perfect for another publication. Honestly, I couldn't have said it better myself. But sending your story out to another publication is not the tip ('cause you already know that).

Here's the tip: When you see a call out for a short story or an essay or a sestina (hey, it could happen) and it makes you think of something you wrote, months, even years ago, pull out the piece. Chances are good that you'll see something (or a few somethings) that make you sorta, kinda squirm. In other words, welcome to that big old room of improvement. Take a seat and get to work. Maybe there's a better way to move your plot, a more interesting way to express your theme, or maybe your sestina was more like a rondeau (um, I don't pen sestinas or rondeaus. But that's not the point here, people). Bet you'll see all kinds of ways to make improvements.

And even if you know it's a long shot, sending your piece to a British publication, at least now, you're motivated and you have a much better piece than you did before. And then, if you get a lovely rejection, send out the piece somewhere else. Because there is a pot of gold at the end of one of those rainbows. Might as well be yours.

(Thanks to stock.xchng for the photo. And here's the short and sweet on types of poetry.)