What's New in the Publishing World

 

What’s New in the Publishing/Writing World

 By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers

 

Image Courtesy Amazon's New Buy Page for Series

I know.

 

You are laughing. Everything is new in the publishing world, and in the last decade it’s moved faster than ever before. That’s probably the biggest reason that Modern History Press is publishing my HowToDoItFrugally Series of books in new editions, including the just-released Third Edition of The Frugal Editor: Do It Yourself Editing Secrets for Writers. And that means that beyond the basics I had to decide what was new enough (and helpful enough!) for me to include in it. I mean, the second edition was already jam-packed with essentials needed way beyond grammar and craft needed by authors whether they self-publish or publish traditionally.

 

My publisher swears there is 50% more in the third edition than the second and we won’t even talk about the first! (Once published—gratefully—by Red Engine Press.)

 

So here is the new stuff that even those who read the second edition will find in this this new one. I hope you’ll find it well worth investing in the ebook. I promise you some surprises:

 

Why a Third Edition of The Frugal Editor?

It surprises people when they learn that grammar rules change over time. Or that what they learned in high school or advanced grammar classes in college is either passé or may not apply to fiction or to the publishing of books as opposed to the web and other media. It also surprises them to learn that a perfectly edited book is never perfect because there are always so many disagreements among experts. And even experts are often misinformed. Further, as my client base grew, I kept running into common misconceptions and outright annoying style choices that would never fly in the publishing world. Thus, a new edition of The Frugal Editor was a must! So here is a smattering of what is new:

·       The Third Edition has new “Editor’s Extras” based on my own school of hard knocks! (I think you’ll love seeing (and learning from!) the worst mistakes I made with my first publishing effort in spite of years as a journalist, PR professional, and writing instructor!)

·       Authors will love the all-new sections including:

o    Beta readers and peer reviewers

o    What you probably don’t know about custom dictionaries

o    Up-to-date rules for accommodating gender-specific and other cultural needs. I mean, are you using the LGBTQIA2+? When you need to be as politically correct possible? 

o    A chapter for word-lovers and poets

o    Quickie reviews of word processors. They’ve changed a lot over the years.

o    What even traditionally accepted front and back matter can (and can't)  do for your book sales, your career, and your readers

o    How to spot shady publisher scams

o    How and when to go for style choices for your book rather than rules.

·       The Third Edition of The Frugal Editor still includes the basics that make you into an on-your-own editor when you must be. Few writers other than Toni Morrison can afford to hire an editor for every query letter, every media release, every media kit, every blog post. So until your career is so star-studded you can afford a publicist and editor on a retainer basis, writers need to know both the basics of editing and the little-known secrets.

·       The third edition is still loaded with reader favorites like what authors need to know about book covers—but it’s updated!

·       New information helps with oft-misunderstood aspects of publishing like these:

o    Agents are a cantankerous lot. (Nope! In The Frugal Editor, twenty-one of the nation's best tell you their pet peeves and they do it in the best of spirits.)

o    If your English teacher told you something is OK, it is. (Language has changed since you were a sophomore. And your English teachers likely have no background in publishing, so apart from basic grammar, how much help can they be?

o    If a manuscript or query is grammar-perfect, you'll be fine. (No! Lots of things that are grammatically correct annoy publishers.)

o    Always use your Spell and Grammar Checker. (No! Some suggest you don't use it at all, but The Frugal Editor helps you make it your partner instead of your enemy.)

o    Your publisher will assign a top-flight editor. (Maybe, but don't count on it. The more you know, the better partner you’ll be for an editor!)

o    Formatters and editors will take care of the hyphens, ellipses, and all the other grungy little punctuation that English teachers avoid teaching because they didn't know how to use them either. (Chances are, you'll catch even great formatters and editors in an error or two if you know your stuff!)

 

More About Today’s Contributor

 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson brings her experience as a publicist, journalist, marketer, and retailer to the advice she gives in her HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers and the many classes she taught for nearly a decade as instructor for UCLA Extension’s world-renown Writers’ Program. Both the first and second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter and The Frugal Editor are multi award-winners. The latter is her winningest book which includes awards from USA Book News, Readers’ Views Literary Award, the marketing award from Next Generation Indie Books and others including the coveted Irwin award. Her third book in the HowToDoItFrugally Series is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. It was released to acclaim from The Midwest Book Review and others.

 

“Careers that are not fed die as readily as any living organism given no sustenance.”

Carolyn Howard-Johnson,

Website: http://www.HowToDoItFrugally.com     Blog: http://sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
E-mail: HoJoNews  @ AOL.  dot   com        Amazon Profile and Book List: http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile

Are Secondary Characters Needed?

 

Contributed by Karen Cioffi, 

Before I get into whether secondary characters are necessary, it’d be a good idea to become familiar with what secondary characters are and what they do.

A secondary character is any character in the story aside from the protagonist (main character) and the antagonist (villain or force in opposition to the protagonist).

As a side note, an antagonist doesn’t have to be a character. It can be an internal emotional or mental problem. Or, it can be an external force, such as a category 4 hurricane, that the protagonist must prepare for or fight to survive.

It’s important to mention also that there are two categories or ‘subclasses’ of secondary characters:

1. The supporting character.

A supporting character is a substantial part of your story. This character is part of the protagonist’s life and is usually there throughout the story helping move the story forward.

An example of this is Chen from Walking Through Walls. Wang is the protagonist, and Chen is his best friend. Wang bounces many of his problems off Chen, and Chen advises him. Chen is the voice of reason and calm, while Wang ‘wants what he wants’ and is impatient.

This friendship is an essential part of the story. It’s part of what makes Wang choose one course of action over another in the end.

Sometimes supporting characters can have their own subplot. Using Walking Through Walls again, Chen was chosen by his village to become an Eternal apprentice. His village was invaded by neighboring warriors, and his younger sister was abducted.

Supporting characters can be a catalyst for the direction the story takes.

Chen’s backstory also plays a part in the direction Wang takes in his character arc.

Along with this, supporting characters are essential to a book series.

Think of just about any series on TV (old or new): The Big Bang Theory; Superman; NCIS; Castle; The X-Files; even the MythBusters. You expect to see the supporting cast. You’d be disappointed if you didn’t see them.

2. The minor character.

A minor character is someone who may make a brief appearance in the story or is in the background throughout. This character gives the story more authenticity and dimension. There will most likely be various minor characters throughout a book.

For example, Wang and Chen are in an apprenticeship with other students in Walking Through Walls. These students help create a dimensional world for the story. But, while they exist and are mentioned here and there, they aren’t essential to the story.

A great example of a minor character is the taxi driver, Sylvester, from the, 1947 movie, “The Bishop’s Wife”. Sylvester was only in a couple of scenes, but he was memorable while adding nothing more than humor to those particular scenes.

Summing it Up

Getting back to the title question of whether supporting characters are important to stories, they are. They are an essential part of every story.

This post was originally published at
Secondary Characters – Are They Important?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, and children’s ghostwriter, rewriter (editor), and coach with clients worldwide. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Writers on the Move, and an author online platform instructor.

Karen’s children’s books include “Walking Through Walls” and “The Case of the Plastic Rings,” and her DIY book, “How to Write Children’s Fiction Books.” You can check them out at: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/karens-books/.

If you need help with your children’s story, visit: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com.  

Your Writer's Toolbox & A+ Content

 

One of the most rewarding experiences of
my writing career was to see how much
this little girl enjoyed Tall Boots

By Linda Wilson @LinWilsonauthor

As you go about marketing your books, try to envision A+ content on your Amazon author page, and what it could do for your sales. What is A+ content? Visit the sales page of any of your favorites books, scroll down a smidge, and you might see an attractive, very large display of a bold title, with perhaps quotes from reviews, photos, and choice illustrations from the book. If the first book you search doesn’t have A+ content, keep looking. A+ content is getting more and more popular. You will find it, and when you do, watch out. You might get hooked!

A company I’ve been working with for years now, 100 Covers, acquainted me with A+ content in an email. 100 Covers can produce content that dazzles. I know, because the company created stunning A+ content for my book, Tall Boots. Go to the page, scroll down, and you will see how our joint efforts turned out: https://www.amazon.com/Tall-Boots-Linda-Wilson/dp/1735131016/ref=sr_1_1

Good Fortune Fell on My Doorstep

The photos of the young reader and permission to use her photos virtually fell in my lap. I had sent the book to one of my relatives. She shared it with her friend and her friend sent me a photo of her daughter reading the book because she enjoyed it so much. I asked for her permission to use the photo and she sent me more photos! Out of all my experiences with my readers, my connection with my relative and this family has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

The rep and artists at 100 Covers did the rest. They took the title from the cover and interior illustrations, and voilà, the finished product was ready to post--almost. 

Creation of A+ Content is Free and Doable Yourself

Amazon offers creation of A+ content at no charge. Videos can be included in your content. Here is a summary of how it works, courtesy of Google:

How to create Amazon A+ Content

1. In seller central, hover over Advertising > A+ Content Manager.

2. Click 'Start creating A+ content'. ...

3. Add content name and language. ...

4. Then, click 'Add Module'.

5. Choose your modules. ...

6. Apply to your ASIN(s).

7. Review and submit for approval.

Whether you’re creating A+ content yourself or having a company create it for you, you will find templates in which you need to fit your content. It wasn’t difficult for me to navigate the template I chose. The templates are specific, and when I went to post my Tall Boots content, I found that word counts were specific and short. My blurbs were too long. To get it right, I simply needed to edit the blurbs I had written to be much shorter than I had first intended.

Once you’re finished, Amazon reviews your content before allowing it to be published. My content was not accepted at first. Amazon made it clear why, so there was no guess work involved. They asked me to remove one short sentence because it sounded like a sales pitch. I didn’t agree. I thought the sentence only encouraged readers to follow the character’s example in the story, to discover courage they already possess to reach their goals. But I had no problem deleting the sentence. Once I did that, Amazon accepted the content and posted it soon after.

My picture book, A Packrat’s Holiday: Thistletoe’s Gift, is next in line. The A+ content for it is being created now, as I write, by 100 Covers.

I may never know if A+ content helps my book sales, but like everything else in writing for children, it’s fun, and best of all, it’s free!

My latest picture book, Cradle in the Wild
is now available: amzn.to/3Pj6Puu

Linda Wilson writes stories for young children. Visit Linda at https://bit.ly/3AOM98L. Click the links for free coloring pages and a puppet show starring Thistletoe Q. Packrat. While you’re there, get all the latest news by signing up for Linda’s newsletter. 

 Find Linda’s books at  Amazon Author Page.

 Connect with   Linda: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram  

10 Tips to Help You Become the Writer You Wish to Be

 by Suzanne Lieurance

No matter what kind of writer you wish to become, follow these tips and you'll reach your goal(s) much quicker.

Tip #1. With whatever type of writing you want to do, level up your knowledge and skills so you reach your goal faster.

For example, if you want to write a novel, be sure you understand the structure of novels and all the components needed for a marketable novel.

Tip #2. It’s easier to stay motivated when you have a clear picture of where you want to be at the end of the process.

Tip #3. It’s okay to have gigantic goals.

 

As long as you break those goals into small, achievable steps, they are reachable.

 

Tip #4. It’s okay to slow down your progress as long as you never stop.

 

Remember, with writing, slow and steady wins the race.

 

Tip #5. Learn to ignore naysayers.

 

Once you stop listening to them, your opportunities for growth will skyrocket.

 

Tip #6. When your work is critiqued (either by your editor, your agent, or your critique group) listen with the intent to understand, not with the intent to reply.

 

Tip #7. Practice being be bold and confident as a writer.

 

The more deeply you feel it, the more you will become it.

 

Tip #8. Recognize your writing weaknesses and your writing strengths.

 

Make the most of your strengths and work to improve your weaknesses. 

 

Tip #9. Sometimes the best writing opportunities are just outside your comfort zone.

 

Don’t be afraid to take a chance and write something that seems a bit of a stretch for you.

 

Tip #10. Celebrate your small successes along the way to your ultimate goal.

 

You'll stay more motivated to keep moving towards your long-term writing goals this way.

 

Okay, so start with just one of these tips today and start moving closer to becoming the writer you wish to be.

 

Try it!

For tips and resources about writing delivered to your emailbox every weekday morning, get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge. And, if you need more than a Nudge, join The Monday Morning Shove.

Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books, a freelance writer, and a writing coach at writebythesea.com.

 

Why Writers Need to Become Time Aware

By W. Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a writer, I want to increase my writing and ability to publish (in any format). I’m basically saying I would like to be more productive. In this article, I want to explain a  key to increasing your productivity: become time aware.

For example, the timing of your pitch is a critical part of the process—and often outside of your control. As an editor, I’ve had authors who don’t take the publishing contract that I offer them through Morgan James yet later (sometimes years after the offer) they will reach out to me and ask if it is still possible. Before answering, I will check with my colleagues then when I find the opportunity is still available, they move forward and publish their book with us and get it into the bookstores.

Everyone has the same amount of time. The key distinction is how we use that time. One of the first steps in the process of becoming more effective with your time is understanding how you’re using it. I encourage you to keep a time log for a week. You can be as detailed or simple as you want but make a written record of how you are spending your time each day. Then after a week evaluate the time log to note areas where you are wasting time. You will “discover” the hour or two you are spending reading Facebook posts or watching videos on YouTube. Or the several hours each night you are spending in front of the television watching shows. Or possibly it is some other time-wasting activity such as spending time on the phone talking with a relative or __________. Each of us are wasting time on these types of activities. Once the time is spent you can never get it back. Your awareness is the first step then you make intentional changes in how you spend your time to accomplish whatever you want. You may want to increase your writing, publishing, platform building, marketing and any number of other aspects of the writing life.

In the past, I’ve learned my mind can often create barriers. Possibly you are in this situation. I say to myself, “My best writing time is in the morning so I can only write then.” Or “My best time to write is after my kids are in bed.” Be aware of these mental restrictions, then consciously remove these barriers from your schedule. Maybe you only have ten or fifteen minutes to crank out some words like part of a magazine article or a blog post or a book review. My encouragement is for you to use these fifteen minutes wisely and write whenever you can. Some people wonder how I’ve written over 60 books and for more than 50 publications. My writing is just like your writing: one word, one paragraph, one sentence, one page at a time—over and over. When I think about writing, it does nothing to put words on my screen. It is only by sitting at my keyboard and moving my fingers that my writing moves into action.

Our lives as freelance writers provide freedom to control our own schedule and calendar. If I want to spend the day reading a book or taking my wife to lunch, I can do it. Yet this freedom also brings greater individual responsibility. You have no taskmaster or accountability to anyone other than yourself. Be aware of how you use your time.

I also encourage you to create systems and habits to make better use of your time. For example, I use the program called Hootsuite to schedule the majority of my social media. Other people use Buffer as this tool. I also use the “reminders” section on my phone to make sure I meet my various deadlines and tasks. I’ve learned that I can write anywhere and at any time.

As you become more aware of time and how you use it, you can become more productive. Like any journey, your commitment to make changes begins taking the first step.

Tweetable:

This prolific writer and editor contends your first step to increase your productive as a writer is to become time aware. Discover the details here. (ClickToTweet)

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s recent book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tips for Writing Creatively

 by Deborah Lyn Stanley

We write blog posts, fiction, memoir and non-fiction pieces; But at the core, we are telling stories full of descriptive prose, narration, action and challenges.

Last time we talked about analyzing our writing. It’s healthy to analyze our plan, our goals, and to decide what’s working and what’s not. What if we have forgotten the reader here and there? Let’s backtrack to discover the root cause. Does the delivery have rhythm and flow? Areas of too much information? Is the language active with lively nouns and verbs? When reviewing these questions as we read our plan and the draft, some needed improvements may standout.

So, what is the best way to start an article, blog post, short story, or book? We need to focus on the heart of the article or story. Does it open with a promise of what is coming, a connection to the deeper story, an underlying cause? It’s probably a good idea to write that first chapter or opening sentence, remembering this is a draft, and we may need to change or rewrite the opening at some point. Once we are further along in writing the piece, we’ll likely know more thoroughly what we want to say—when we know the characters and flow of the story better. And how it should end.

Story structure is also called narrative structure, the flow of events as beginning, middle and end. Being acquainted with various structures can help and resolve the reader’s questions. Helping to connect the events of the piece with the significant points.

Most commonly, though, we talk about narrative in terms of Point of View (POV) such as:
1) First Person Point of View—The “I” telling.
First Person narration is the most personal. The reader feels they are hearing the story directly, as if the character is actually talking to them—like having a conversation with a friend. The reader may know a character by the way she/he describes her/his world. And thus gives the character voice.

2) Third Person Point of View—The “he or she” telling.
There are two types of third person POV: limited and omniscient.
It’s not speaking directly to the reader, but consider these options:
Limited viewpoint is specific to a character’s perspective, thoughts and experiences. But you can’t show what that character doesn’t experience or have knowledge about.
Omniscient viewpoint is not restrictive. The perspective can float from place to place, from one character’s thoughts to another character’s thoughts.

3) Multiple Points of View—Switching characters from one point of view to another at the end of a scene, section or chapter. In this way, you can show a situation from different perspectives, show your main character from the inside and out, or even when he/she wasn’t there. It allows you to choose to tell a scene along the most interesting path.

Keep Your Writing Practice 

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/   
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/

Mom & Me: A Story of Dementia and the Power of God’s Love is available: on Amazon
& https://books2read.com/b/valuestories

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Heart-Centered Goals

Good writers leave their heart on the page ... whether it's fiction, non-fiction, novels, screenplays, essays, or anything else. Writing is also a business. When you put your heart into the business of writing, it shows an authenticity that prospects, clients, and your audience will respond to and love. 

I recently spoke with Marketing Magician Dean Hankey, Spiritual Intuitive Life & Business Coach Erin MacCoy, and Mali Phonpadith, Founder & SEO SOAR Community Network on an episode of #GoalChatLive about what it means to be heart-centered in business. 

When you lead with your heart (Erin), express yourself from a place of truth (Mali), and your choose to be nice, it shows in all you put our in the world.

Heart-Centered Goals 

• Mali: Find a practice that works for you to uncover what you want to focus on. For example, meditation and journaling. 
• Erin: Practice gratitude. Write down 3 things you are grateful for every day.
• Dean: Ask yourself these questions: Who can I help? How can I help? Help people identify and cross the “caring” chasm. Think VIP. Add Value to people that adds Impact for others, so that everyone Profits

Watch our conversation.

Final Thoughts 

• Dean: Find ways to be value, service, and support to others 
• Erin: Let bliss be the primary motivator 
• Mali: Practice self-love and self-compassion

Your heart needs to show in all aspects of your creative work - not what's just on the page. Lead from the heart and all else will follow. 

* * * 

For more inspiration and motivation, follow @TheDEBMethod on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin! 

* * *

How do you put heart into the business of writing? Please share in the comments. 

* * *

Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A goal-strategist, corporate consultant, and project catalyst, Debra offers personal and professional planning, event strategy, and team building for individuals, businesses, and teams. She is also the author of Write On Blogging and Purple Pencil Adventures; founder of Write On Online; host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat, #GoalChatLive on Facebook and LinkedIn, and The DEB Show podcast. She speaks on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.