Reading Aloud To Children

Book Reviews 101
Here are 9 simple steps to keep in mind when creating a book review. Any kind of book review, either written or via web video, explores the main aspects of the book, along with more specific examples.

However, a good book review is not simply a book report or a summary - it goes a step further and connects the book to the world around us.

Some things to keep in mind when reviewing a book:

1. State the name of the book, author and publication information exactly. This seems simple, but is sadly often botched.

2. Do your research and read the book carefully. Don’t review the book if you haven’t completely read it.

3. Never give away the whole story. The goal is to entice readers with your review. Let them know what the book is about; while leaving them wanting more.

4. What is the theme of the book? If a work of fiction, how does the author use characters and setting to drive the plot?

5. What genre is the book? Does it live up to that genre? If it is a mystery, did it keep you guessing? Or, if for instance a how-to book, could one follow the instructions and perform the tasks described?

6. Let people know how you related to the book. Did it make you laugh or cry? Try to share some highlights of the book without giving away too much. Share your personal connection with the book. It makes the review interesting, and gives the person watching or reading your review a sense of who you are.

7. You don’t have to, in a general sort of way, love the book you’re reviewing. Be specific and give specific examples out of the book that support your opinion.

8. Have you read other titles by the author? Comparing the title you are reviewing to other books by the same author will help people gauge their interest in the book.

9. Do some research about the author. There may be something very interesting about the author that readers want to know.

Jessica produces book reviews at BlueRectangle’s San Leandro, California office. BlueRectangle not only buys back <a href="http://www.bluerectangle.com/buyback">used books</a> and textbooks; but offers video <a href="http://www.bluerectangle.com/reviews/view_one_category/today">book reviews</a> To watch some book reviews please visit <a href="http://www.bluerectangle.com">Blue Rectangle</a>

Speed Reading Test Online
Free speed reading online test. Read a text, then answer the quiz. Instant results for reading speed and comprehension level.

Audio Book Myths Or The "Audio Book Phobic" People
Audio books are becoming more and more popular. Yet, there are a lot of individual people that are afraid of trying audio books — they are the "audio book phobic" people.

I have interviewed some of them recently and collected the so called reasons that separate them from the audio book world. I have proven to each one of them that those reasons are only myths and even succeeded in persuading some of them to try those threatening audio books. Here are the main myths I have encountered:

1. I believe audio books are expensive — wrong. In fact, there are free downloadable audio books online. Audio books on mp3 files are usually cheaper than the same title in its book version. Audio book on Cd and books on tape could cost more but are still not expensive.

2. I think that audio books will never be a good substitute for the "real" books — Right. Audio books' publishers do not see audio books as potential books substitutes. They are only an extension for the book concept. You can learn foreign languages or learn history by listening to audio books — You will enjoy it more this way than reading a book about it. Audio books are intended for the times of the day when you can not read books.

3. I have no time to listen to audio books — Wrong. Most of the people listen to audio books driving, cleaning the house, jogging etc. You can not read books in these times. Did you know that the average annual delay due to traffic congestion has more than tripled since 1982 and that More than 19 million commuters travel more than 45 minutes each way to their jobs. In fact, More than 97 million workers drive alone to work each day;

To sum up, to all of you "audio book phobic" people who claim they can not afford audio books. Listen to me; you can not afford not listening to audio books.

Paton Jackson is the head of 911 corp. We have made a comprehensive research about audio books. Let us share with you our finding – the best audio books sources, titles and much more audio book information only on <a href="http://www.911makemoretime.com/audio%20books%20bible.htm" target="_blank">http://www.911makemoretime.com/audio%20books%20bible.htm</a>

New Year's Resolutions for Writers
On-demand publishing helps legions of writers accomplish the second most common New Year's Resolution: publishing a book! It is important to remember that "Getting Published" the right way depends upon more than just finishing your manuscript and sending it off to a publishing company.

There are a number of important factors to consider.

Publication Timeframe

Between traditional publishers and digital book mills, the timeframe for your book's publication may range between 24 months and 24 hours. Both extremes should be avoided. Traditional publishing houses often take up to 24 months to reject a book. Author stories are common about publishers who initially accepted their book for mainstream publication, only to reject it 18-24 months later because the "Marketing Department" didn't consider it feasible. If you have experienced a similar situation, you are a good candidate for on-demand publishing.

On the other hand, digital dot-com book mills on the Internet claim to publish books instantly. One even features a graphic of a "machine" publishing your book for you. How comforting! Machines can do anything in 24 hours, except love something. After the time you invested in your book, you should seek a publishing process that is a bit more... human.

The proper timeframe for book publication is somewhere in between those two extremes. Six weeks is not unreasonable. Nor is 6 months.

Up-Front Costs

Between traditional publishers and off-set vanity presses, the up-front costs for book publication range between $0 and tens-of-thousands of dollars. Just like the timeframe range, both extremes should be avoided. Publishing in the tens-of-thousands range is primarily paying for an off-set print run for books that will then need to be stored (incurring another fee for inventory management).

On the other hand, free publishing requires something even more valuable than a one-time finite fee, like your publishing rights (or something even worse). One dot-com book mill's CEO describes his company's business model in the following trite terms: "One man's trash is another man's treasure." The "trash" he refers to are the books they publish. Not surprisingly, this is the same company that has a "machine" publishing books for them. Yes, machines often generate trash. Proceed with caution.

The proper cost is somewhere in between.

Recurring Back-End Costs

Most authors are unaware of back-end costs at all (and publishers take advantage of that). Be different. Inform yourself by reading and understanding this next section.

Back-end costs include your author's copy price, your retail price/profit margin differential, and your royalties. Most authors focus solely on the one-time-only front-end cost, even though the back-end costs are recurring month after month for the life of the book.

To see a side-by-side comparison of 4 leading on-demand publisher's back-end costs for a 5.5" x 8.5" hardback book (224 pages) with a dust jacket visit http://outskirtspress.com/marketing/case-pb.gif. This is based upon an actual book published by an on-demand publisher, titled (Pretty Blue, for which the author selected the trim size, the hardback edition upgrade, and set the retail price ($24.95), the distributor discount (20%), and the royalty (29%).

If you have already published your book with an on-demand publisher, closely examine what your back-end costs are costing you, and make the appropriate changes. Sometimes, changing publishers is more profitable in the long-run, even if it means absorbing another up-front publishing fee. Of course, only you can make that decision, but by knowing the differences between finite up-front costs, and on-going back-end costs, you are better equipped to make those decisions profitably. Don't just accomplish that New Year's Resolution in 2007. Accomplish it well!

About the Author:

Learn more about on-demand publishing with a free e-book! Brent Sampson is the President & CEO of Outskirts Press at http://outskirtspress.com and the award-winning author of "Self-Publishing Simplified" with a free ebook edition available at http://outskirtspress.com/publishing

Learn more about on-demand publishing with a free e-book! Brent Sampson is the President & CEO of Outskirts Press at http://outskirtspress.com and the award-winning author of "Self-Publishing Simplified" with a free ebook edition available at http://outskirtspress.com/publishing

PERSONALIZED NOTE CARDS 1
Personalized Note Cards as the name suggests, are customized Note Cards. One can get the option of making Personalized Note Cards in almost any kind of card making store. For making Personalized Note Cards the stores use logos and names. One can use Personalized Note Cards for not only business purpose but also for personal use. People write letters on Personalized Note Cards, pen down important notes etc. We commonly see doctors using Personalized Note Cards for writing prescriptions. As one has to create Personalized Note Cards on special orders, so using Personalized Note Cards can be expensive. One can choose from photos, paintings, art works and various designs templates that are usually offered by the stores making Personalized Note Cards. One can also use his own photos and designs to create the Personalized Note Cards. Personalized Note Cards can be used for various occasions like birthday greetings, holiday greetings etc. Today one can even create his own Personalized Note Cards simply sitting on his computer. This is possible with Personalized Note Cards Software. By using Personalized Note Cards Software one can make his own Personalized Note Cards that too without spending much time and money. All though there are many stores which design Personalized Note Cards, but one should browse around and try to find the best place which offers good quality of Personalized Note Cards that too at right prices. Matched sets of Personalized Note Cards are quite popular and the Personalized Note Cards can be made using so many styles and colors that one can find something that fits his demand. One can make Personalized Note Cards using any type of Paper material. To find more information on Personalized Note Cards one can always visit various online sites giving details about Personalized Note Cards. Normal Note Cards can be boring, so by using Personalized Note Cards one can turn the notes into something special and very personal.

Deepak Bansal is an internet marketing consultant having experience of 4.5 years in search engine optimization industry. We are specialist in search engine optimization, link building, internet marketing, copyrighting and content development. This article is written by content writing team of http://www.deepakbansal.com - <a href="http://www.deepakbansal.com">Internet Marketing</a>

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PERSONALIZED NOTE CARDS 2
People use Note Cards for writing facts or ideas on any kind of topic. Today there is also the option of Personalized Note Cards. One can use logos and names to create Personalized Note Cards. Personalized Note Cards can be made in different styles as per the need. One can design Personalized Note Cards for business as well as personal use. Students can use Personalized Note Cards in schools and colleges to pen down important notes. Personalized Note Cards can also be used in offices for the same purpose. In business one requires business cards, so one can create Personalized Note Cards that can be used as business cards. People can also use Personalized Note Cards for as Post cards and write letters on them. Personalized Note Cards can also be used as greeting cards and can be sent to people during special events. One can use various types of pictures, art works etc for making Personalized Note Cards. That’s not all one can also use Family photographs on Personalized Note Cards. There are many Online sites, which offer Personalized Note Cards templates, thus making Personalized Note Cards becomes very simple. All that one needs to do while creating the Personalized Note Cards is enter his name and the content. Different shops charge differently for making Personalized Note Cards. One should visit such places, which can design Personalized Note Cards at affordable rates however the quality should also be good. One can also use Traditional and hand made Personalized Note Cards, as they look very authentic and trendy. One can also make Personalized Note Cards simply at home on his PC using various designing software. One can get Personalized Note Cards with Personalized Note Cards holders and envelops. Personalized Note Cards have multi-purpose uses, therefore one can buy and use the Personalized Note Cards as per their wish. With Personalized Note Cards one can add an extra touch to what ever he is writing. Personalized Note Cards can be made in different sizes, like for writing letters one needs different size of Personalized Note Cards and for calling cards/business cads one needs different size.

Deepak Bansal is an internet marketing consultant having experience of 4.5 years in search engine optimization industry. We are specialist in search engine optimization, link building, internet marketing, copyrighting and content development. This article is written by content writing team of http://www.deepakbansal.com - <a href="http://www.deepakbansal.com/search-engine-optimization.htm">Search Engine Optimization</a>

Who Is The "Hero" In The "Hero's Journey"?
During the past thirty years, much has been (rightfully) made of Joseph Campbell's breakthrough research in cultural anthropology, most famously published in "The Hero With A Thousand Faces." In this book, Campbell examines the many cultural expressions of the heroic role model, and in doing so helped to establish the universality of human hopes, dreams, and lives.

Hollywood, in particular, has embraced this vision, which powers dozens of films a year, and has become clichéd wisdom in development executive suites all over Southern California. Of course, the question of the nature of heroes enters other arenas as well. In the political arena, shaping doctrine around strong leader figures is one way to promote ideas to the public. Heroic firefighters and soldiers appear in ads for one party or another, and our elected officials trumpet their military service—or are criticized for their lack thereof, or are called cowards or even traitors if they disagree with the plans or opinions of an opponent.

Whether one wishes to understand the "Hero's Journey" as a tool for fiction, or desires to rise above the rhetoric a bit, it's useful to define just exactly what a hero is. This is, after all, the human face of the story. If the "Journey" is important, even more so is the person taking it. If we, as a culture, tend to worship and follow heroes, it is vital to have a definition of exactly what this is.

Of course, each of us should search our own hearts for the definitions that help us guide our lives. With that understanding, I'd like to present a definition that has worked for this writer and citizen for many years.

"A hero is a man or woman who holds to their deepest values, regardless of the stress or pressures."

This applies to soldiers in combat, teachers in the inner city, mothers sacrificing for their children, artists resisting commercial demands, teenagers resisting the call of drugs or alcohol or premature sexuality. It demands that the "Hero" understand his or her deepest values, and often, the entire purpose of a story is to force them to confront these deeper truths, stripping away superfluous ego-identity.

Culturally, this means that a person of Heroic dimension doesn't necessarily share our point of view, our political beliefs, even our morality. To understand this is to understand how an apparent moral monster can be lionized by his followers. When we disagree with a leader, and are forced to dehumanize him in order to justify our own position, we diminish our capacity to understand the human condition.

We must hold to our values, and be clear about them. The entire world of advertising—whether Madison Avenue is selling cereal or an unpopular war—is based on anchoring some goal to basic human drives. Those who are uncertain of their values are like straws in the wind, blown by whoever plucks their strings. No wonder we cherish those who seem clear and strong in their identity, who stand by their choices even under stress. No wonder we respect these men and women even as it becomes clear that flexibility and compromise might be the better way. At least they believe in SOMETHING!

If we are to grow beyond sheep needing a shepherd, we must be strong ourselves. We must know ourselves deeply and honestly, and find the bedrock of our own morality. From this place it is easiest to determine when a leader is truly worthy of emulation or admiration or obedience. When we walk this road of self-discovery, we become heroes ourselves, experiencing the adventure of our own lifetimes.

NY Times Bestselling author Steven Barnes has lectured on storytelling and human consciousness at Mensa, UCLA, and the Smithsonian Institute. Creator of the Lifewriting™ high-performance system, he has helped thousands of writers improve their work and lives. Learn more at <a href="http://www.lifewriting.biz" target="_blank">http://www.lifewriting.biz</a>, and <a href="http://www.lifewrite.com" target="_blank">http://www.lifewrite.com</a>

Give Your Book a Selling Chance Before You Write It, Part I
Imagine thousands of people buying your book all over the world in the coming year. Furthermore, they love it and write you about how it has helped them. They even email all their friends about your insightful book. Sound far fetched? Believe it; it could happen to you! Keep reading only if you want to give your message the selling chance it deserves. To start with, every part of your book should be a compelling part of your message. Every part should be written passionately and designed to be a sales tool. Touch your readers' emotion with passion for your topic and you'll sell more books. In fact, when you design your book to include the passion points below, you'll sell more books than you ever imagined. Passion Point 1 Write Your Book's Thesis Statement Write your book's central thought or main point into a one sentence thesis. This one sentence thesis proclaims the general mission of your book. If you want your readers to keep reading to the end, write tightly focused copy. Make every sentence and every chapter support your thesis statement. Better yet, if you're writing your book fast (Write Your Best Book Now - 7 Step Program) using the question-answer method the thesis is the main solution your book offers. Passion Point 2 Direct Your Book to Help One Targeted Audience. I don't want to hurt your feelings but not everyone will want your book. Even so, I am convinced there's a community of people in your field waiting for you to solve their problem. What problems does your message solve for them? Develop an audience profile (picture) and keep it in front of you as you write. That way you can visualize a real person to solve problems for. Additionally, knowing your market before you write will help you write focused, compelling chapters. Writing to a specific person or group of people will keep your readers reading to the end. Write too general and your readers may fall asleep and never come back to your book after they wake. Passion Point 3 Sizzle Your Book Title and Cover. Your title may well be 90% of the pulling power for your book. Researchers say you have 4 seconds to hook your potential buyer. An excellent title is short. The top titles are benefit driven. Don't forget to heat them up with emotion. Use terms your audience can relate to. Use action words and verbs. Quantify change with ways and time limits. Use one or two word ideas to tell a story. Pledge change. Spark interest. Instead of "How to Write an E-book" the author chose the title "Ten Secrets to Write Your E-book Like a Winner." She quantified change, sparked interest and branded her title. Passion Point 4 Invest In Your Front Cover Have you seen the sign, "We Buy Ugly Houses!" Based on the company's popularity, it works for them. But it doesn't work in the book business. Ugly book covers get overlooked. Well designed book covers sell! Hire a professional graphic designer to help you. Professionally designed covers costs from $130-1400 or more. The cover of your book helps make the important first impression with readers and even book-sellers. Remember, the attention of your potential customer is captured largely and first by the cover design. Passion Point 5 Compose Your Book Back Cover Before You Write. This is ranked the second most important "Passion Point" for your book. Think about it in choosing a book to read for yourself, how many times did the title and front cover hook your interest enough to pick it up? Then usually you turn it over to see if you really want to read it. On the back cover, you put the most compelling ad copy, benefits, testimonials, and a small blurb (bio) about yourself. If your prospective buyer likes it they will buy instantly. If they need more information to make the decision they will preview your introduction and table of contents. No matter how good your book is, if you don't use the above simple tips in setting it up you may never sell as many books as your message deserves. Start today. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious. Give your book the best selling chance possible. Fill it with enthusiasm and passion for your topic to sell more books than you ever dreamed. -------------------------------------- Imagine thousands of people buying your book all over the world in the coming year. Furthermore, they love it and write you about how it has helped them. They even email all their friends about your insightful book. Sound far fetched? Believe it; it could happen to you! Keep reading only if you want to give your message the selling chance it deserves. To start with, every part of your book should be a compelling part of your message. Every part should be written passionately and designed to be a sales tool. Touch your readers' emotion with passion for your topic and you'll sell more books. In fact, when you design your book to include the passion points below, you'll sell more books than you ever imagined. Passion Point 1 Write Your Book's Thesis Statement Write your book's central thought or main point into a one sentence thesis. This one sentence thesis proclaims the general mission of your book. If you want your readers to keep reading to the end, write tightly focused copy. Make every sentence and every chapter support your thesis statement. Better yet, if you're writing your book fast (Write Your Best Book Now - 7 Step Program) using the question-answer method the thesis is the main solution your book offers. Passion Point 2 Direct Your Book to Help One Targeted Audience. I don't want to hurt your feelings but not everyone will want your book. Even so, I am convinced there's a community of people in your field waiting for you to solve their problem. What problems does your message solve for them? Develop an audience profile (picture) and keep it in front of you as you write. That way you can visualize a real person to solve problems for. Additionally, knowing your market before you write will help you write focused, compelling chapters. Writing to a specific person or group of people will keep your readers reading to the end. Write too general and your readers may fall asleep and never come back to your book after they wake. Passion Point 3 Sizzle Your Book Title and Cover. Your title may well be 90% of the pulling power for your book. Researchers say you have 4 seconds to hook your potential buyer. An excellent title is short. The top titles are benefit driven. Don't forget to heat them up with emotion. Use terms your audience can relate to. Use action words and verbs. Quantify change with ways and time limits. Use one or two word ideas to tell a story. Pledge change. Spark interest. Instead of "How to Write an E-book" the author chose the title "Ten Secrets to Write Your E-book Like a Winner." She quantified change, sparked interest and branded her title. Passion Point 4 Invest In Your Front Cover Have you seen the sign, "We Buy Ugly Houses!" Based on the company's popularity, it works for them. But it doesn't work in the book business. Ugly book covers get overlooked. Well designed book covers sell! Hire a professional graphic designer to help you. Professionally designed covers costs from $130-1400 or more. The cover of your book helps make the important first impression with readers and even book-sellers. Remember, the attention of your potential customer is captured largely and first by the cover design. Passion Point 5 Compose Your Book Back Cover Before You Write. This is ranked the second most important "Passion Point" for your book. Think about it in choosing a book to read for yourself, how many times did the title and front cover hook your interest enough to pick it up? Then usually you turn it over to see if you really want to read it. On the back cover, you put the most compelling ad copy, benefits, testimonials, and a small blurb (bio) about yourself. If your prospective buyer likes it they will buy instantly. If they need more information to make the decision they will preview your introduction and table of contents. No matter how good your book is, if you don't use the above simple tips in setting it up you may never sell as many books as your message deserves. Start today. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious. Give your book the best selling chance possible. Fill it with enthusiasm and passion for your topic to sell more books than you ever dreamed. --------------------------------------

© Earma Brown, 11 year author, business owner, web developer helps service business owners, professionals and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine iScribe. Send any email to iscribe@writetowin.org for free 7 lesson mini-course Jumpstart Writing Your Best Book Now! or visit her at <a href="http://www.writetowin.org/bestbooknow1.html">Writing a Book</a> for more book writing tips.

How To Break Into Print Publishing
The big question. Do you submit directly to publishers, or do you find an agent who will do that for you? Based on anecdotal evidence I've heard, it can work either way. Many publishers refuse to read unagented submissions, but on the other hand Tom Clancy and John Grisham sold their first books without an agent. The bottom line is, if a publisher reads what he can sell, he'll buy it. It doesn't matter if it comes from an author or an agent. The trick is getting him to read it. That's always your focus. Some people swear by agents because they're the ones who will get you larger percentages and advances. I've decided I don't care quite so much about that. In the case of a new author, I sincerely doubt that'll happen anyway. Maybe later. I'd hate to lose my first sale because some greedy agent asked for too much money. Not that I believe that'll happen either. There are also those who swear by agents because many publishers won't look at an "unsolicited manuscript." That's true enough. They ain't got time. They're using agents as a preliminary screening process. A good agent will also know which publishers are most likely to be interested in what YOU write. Someone recommended that once you've selected some potential publishers, phone each one and ask how they would like to be approached. Ask to whom specifically you should address your work. Then you can honestly call it a "solicited manuscript." (Always be honest in your correspondence.) If this doesn't work, because you can't phone or the secretary refuses to cooperate and tells you things like "we only accept material from reputable literary agents," then mail your query letter, bio, synopsis, and sample chapter. They can only say no, or they can say your query looks interesting and they want to see the rest of the manuscript. If you hook a publisher this way, odds are the publisher will like for you to have an agent. So this is when you can call one, after you've hooked the publisher. The agent gets 15% for doing practically nothing, so he'll take the job. The publisher will become more interested when your agent phones saying he's (or she's) looking after your interests in this matter. The most important step is to get your presentation looking as professional as possible. No mistakes. None. Zero. Nada. The vast majority of rejections aren't because the story is bad, but because the Acquisitions Editor concludes that it'll be too much work to make it "ready to read." With new authors, publishers usually lose money. Advertising, print inventory… don't ask them to invest a great deal of editing time as well. They won't do it. It's just that simple. ===== THE SELECTION PROCESS The most important part of getting your error-free manuscript published is choosing the right market. The best way to do this is to read books that are aimed at the same target audience as your own. If you want to approach publishers directly, look at who published those books. Their marketing machine is already positioned to announce your manuscript to your target audience, and they want more books of the type that you write. They're your best bet. Some authors thank their editors. If you're going straight to the publishers, note the editors' names and use those, preferably after a phone call to ensure the editor still works there. If you can, just phone the publisher and tell whoever answers the phone something like "I'm writing a letter to so-and-so, and I want to be sure I'm spelling the name correctly." I used to be a secretary. I liked quick, easy questions. If you want to approach an agent first, look in the acknowledgements sections of those books. Some authors thank their agents. Look up those agents and start with them. Tell how you found them. This might impress them because it makes you look professional. You know they've got a track record in your genre. They know how to sell to publishers who are aimed at your target audience, so let them do it. Whichever method you use, go in fully prepared. Meaning, work through all the steps below before you submit anything. ===== OVERVIEW Your aim is to convince someone who not only does not know you, but does not want to know you, and has read too many bad books, that your book is different. For this you need a cover letter, bio, synopsis, and a sample chapter of such sublime wit, wisdom and genius that even the most jaded and cynical editor can take pleasure in it. Take your time. Don't just whip up something in a day and send it out. You're probably looking at a one or two year gap between acceptance and publication. So in the grand scheme of things, taking the time to make your presentation really shine won't matter. EXCEPT, it'll ensure you get published in the first place. Every publisher should have writers guidelines. Get them. Read them. Follow them. They're using the process of elimination to get out of reading these submissions. The first step in that process is to bump off everyone who can't follow the guidelines. Don't be one of them. ===== PREPARING YOUR QUERY LETTER This will be the first impression they get of you. Make it a good one! Edit that letter as hard as you would a manuscript, and make the damn thing perfect. Make it good writing. Sum up your book in such a way as to make the recipient of the letter say, "Wow, I want to read this book." The first page of your book, along with the jacket text, are what usually determines whether a browser buys your book or puts it back on the shelf. As you write your query letter, think of what you'd put on that book jacket, and work that concept into your letter. Never address your query letter To Whom It May Concern, Dear Editor, or any of that. Get a name. When you find the books that you really like, and are searching them for potential publishers, call those publishers. Ask who edited those books. If you want to approach the publisher directly, write to those editors. You can find more excellent information on the submission and publication process at: http://www.caderbooks.com/pubfaq.html http://www.dsmagency.com/published.html http://www.fictionfactor.com/guests/findagent.html http://www.fictionfactor.com/children/chances.html http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/scamspotting.html http://www.jkelman.com/publish/ http://www.kerismith.com/WishJarTales/gettingpub.htm http://www.robertaisleib.com/published.htm http://www.sff.net/people/justinvs/howtopub.html With a simple bit of good writing, and we all know you can do that since you've already written and polished your manuscript, you'll make it past this first hurdle. The editor reads your letter, sees nothing in it to stop him from continuing, and has no choice. What would stop him? Typos. Grammar. Spelling. Boredom. Or anything that says "I write so much better than Stephen King that he's not fit to hold my jock strap. Buy my book and we'll both get rich." ===== WRITING YOUR BIO Don't lie. That's the first rule. The second rule is, don't forget any writing credits. List everything relevant you've got. Publications in decent magazines or newspapers. Credits in TV, films, theaters. Any literary prize you've managed to get in adulthood. The fact that you're a professor of English or an editor on a sports journal. If you have no literary background, no education, and no respectable publications, but you spent fifteen years in solitary confinement in a Siberian Work Camp, that might indicate that you have a story to tell. But if you're writing about cuddly koalas to entertain the under-five crowd, this piece of information may be more than anyone needs to know. You can list your credits either chronologically or from most impressive to least impressive. Just whichever puts you in the best light. You want to look like you're already a successful author. You don't want to sound arrogant, but you do want to sound confident. Keep it to a single page. You don't want to waste anybody's time. They don't have enough. (Who does?) If your bio is so bare of details that it's more of a liability than an asset, forget about it. Maybe your "bio" equals a sentence or two, in which case you can work it into your query letter instead of a separate document. Your goal, remember, is to get that editor to read your synopsis or manuscript. To judge it on its own merits. If he reads your writing and rejects it, you gave it your best shot. Try a few more, and if they all reject it, think about improving your writing. But you don't want that editor to stop reading your submission before he gets to your writing. So, take the time to do the query letter and bio correctly. ===== WRITING YOUR SYNOPSIS To quote at least one agent, "There is no such thing as a good synopsis." And how can there be? How do you sum up 50,000 or 100,000 words in a page or two? I'll tell you how I do it. Very badly. Having said that, this is your first chance to show the publisher that you can write. Some publishers want a minimal amount of information on first contact (query letter, bio, synopsis). Others want to see the first chapter or two as well. Nobody wants to see the whole manuscript at first, except those who say so in their writers' guidelines. If you include sample chapters, the chance of them being read depends largely on the quality of your query letter and synopsis. Keep your synopsis short, two pages maximum unless the writers' guidelines say differently. Shorter is better. Pick out the theme and the strengths of your book and, in as clever a fashion as possible, relay these qualities in a brief chronology. The chronology is less important than the theme because, in truth, your only hope with a synopsis is that your theme or concept will strike a chord with the editor or agent reading it. If your story is funny, your synopsis should be funny. If it is a romantic story, then your synopsis should be a romantic synopsis. You are a writer, and here is where you can be creative. Many great works of literature don't have easily defined stories, just fine writing and good characters. If you have no story, then you have to sell your idea. The synopsis must have fine, clear writing. Say how your book starts, how it ends, and the interest in the middle. This isn't the time for cliffhangers. Your sample chapter should do the main talking, but your synopsis should offer up those clever memorable sound bites that will linger in the editor's mind and convince him to read the sample chapter. ===== PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT Did I mention that your manuscript must be flawless? I'll mention it again. Your manuscript must be flawless. Especially be sure that the first chapter(s), the "hook" that you'll submit, will be the type that grabs the reader and makes him/her/it wonder what happens next. Beyond that, some mechanics: If the publisher you're submitting to lists all this information in its guidelines, you're in luck. Do what they say and they'll read the manuscript. Fail to do so and they'll set it down unread, even if you're the next John Grisham. Remember, they're budgeting their time and trying to get out of reading this stuff. Once they read it, they'll be fair. (If not, you don't want them.) If it's good solid writing, you're in. But until they get to the writing, they always expect the worst. If you'd seen some of the crap that comes their way, you'd be just as pessimistic. But in the end they do love good writing or else they'd quit that job. ===== PUBLISHER LIST Publisher Directories at http://www.chinarice.org/publisherlist.html contains the websites of almost 100 publishers, but they do tend to vanish quickly. I recommend visiting this after you've gone through the selection process, either from books you read or from a book such as WRITERS MARKET. ===== AGENT LIST Here's some advice from the Agent Research and Evaluation website. They define an agent as: "...someone who makes a living selling real books to real publishers. No one representing himself as an agent should also claim to be a book doctor, an editor-for-hire, a book 'consultant' of any kind. They shouldn't charge any type of 'upfront' reading fee, marketing fee, evaluation fee or any other fee apart from a commission on work sold. "With the possible exception of certain MINIMAL office expenses, legitimate agents NEVER handle [the expenses connected with submitting manuscripts] as an upfront cost. Only as a billable expense after being shown to have been incurred. "Remember, real agents live off the commissions they make from selling their clients' projects. Scammers live off up-front fees for unnecessary, inadequate, or non-existent services." This is excellent advice. Anyone can call himself an agent, get himself listed somewhere, and tell every author who sends him a manuscript "This is excellent. Send me some money and I'll sell it." Then he can pocket the author's money and do absolutely nothing, or send the manuscript to the same publishers who reject everything else he sends them. Agents work for a percentage of your sales. It's usually 15%. An agent's source of income must be the books he sells. If the author pays him before he closes a sale, where is his incentive to close the sale? Insist that your agent send you copies of all rejection letters. A great agent should offer this without you asking, and those rejection letters shouldn't all be undated "Dear author" or "Dear agent" letters that don't mention you or your agent or your manuscript by name. Your agent should also involve you in the selection process without you asking, even if that just means telling you "I'm sending to this, that, and the other place." Don't let him/her send your gothic romance to a children's publisher, etc. If your agent is sending your stuff to the right places and it's still getting rejected, you've done all you can do, except write better. Literary Agent List at http://www.chinarice.org/usliteraryagentlist.html contains my list of resources for finding an agent in the US. Literary Agent List UK at http://www.chinarice.org/ukliteraryagentlist.html contains my list of resources for finding an agent in the UK. If you've been reading my other advice, you're already talking to other authors. If you know one who's made it into print, especially one who writes in your genre, ask which agent (and which publisher and editor) he used. ===== WARNINGS Once you have narrowed down your list of prospects, visit: National Writers Union (http://www.nwu.org) Be sure to look at "Writer Alerts" Preditors and Editors (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors) Warnings about all the latest scams. How to Spot the Scam Sharks in the Writing Waters (http://www.speculations.com/rumormill/) Writer Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/) A wealth of must-read advice from the Science Fiction Writers Association, regardless of the genre you write in.

Who Moved My Rice? http://www.chinarice.org You can't eat grits with chopsticks