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Coffee Break for Writers Monthly E-zine |
In This Issue: Straight Talk From the Editor Feature: "Eight Tips to Get Your Manuscript Sold" Paying Markets Writing and Publishing News Writing Exercise Cafι Fun Legal Information Advertising Information Suggestions Feedback Brewing for May 2008 Straight Talk From the Editor After all these years of writing I still remember when I sat down to pen my first query letter. I worried about wording the query letter just right, and then when I sent it off, I wondered if I said the right things but knew it was too late if I hadn't, because the query was already making its way through the mail system. I also remember my first rejection. The editor was kind and even included a little advice, but I was still heartbroken and felt a bit uninspired. I knew I had to keep on trucking, though, so I did just that, and it wasn't long until my query letter landed in the right editor's hands, which earned me my first sale! I jumped for joy, of course, and that acceptance inspired me to keep on working toward my dreams and climbing the ladder to success one rung at a time. I've learned many things about writing over the years, and I'm always learning something new. To become a better writer, I read often and study writing-related articles, books and blogs. If you're just starting out as a writer or looking to hone your skills, don't skip over this month's feature article. In our feature article for this month, Suzan Wiener shares eight tips to help you sell your manuscript, so you too can move up another rung on the ladder. Never give up on your dreams work toward them, Misti Sandefur Has Coffee Break for Writers helped you land a new client, publish an article or
enhanced your freelance writing skills? Then by all means, please tell let us know how we've helped you. Maybe you have suggestions on how we can improve our e-zine ... feel free to send
those our way as well. Eight Tips to Get Your Manuscript Sold By Suzan L. Wiener Have you gotten that most welcome acceptance, signed a contract and mailed it back only to have it returned several months later due to lack of space in their magazine? I have and know how frustrating that can be, but don't give up on that manuscript. Here are ways I found to keep that manuscript circulating and finding a home for it. 1. If you think it is good and the editor only returned it for that reason (or similar circumstances), send it back again the following year. Enclose a polite note stating your article was close to publication and ask if they might be able to use it now. Address it to the same editor you dealt with before. If the editor is no longer there, address it to the new editor. Try not to write, Dear Editor; that is not professional. Always look for the editor's name. You can find it on the masthead of their publication. (If you absolutely cannot find their name, you can write Dear Editor, but it won't look as good.) I sent a story that was close to publication a year later and it appeared in Women's Household. It even had my picture and byline. For me, it was quite an accomplishment. Of course, if the manuscript is returned a second time, don't send it to the same editor again. Instead, send it to another publication. 2. If your manuscript needs editing, don't hesitate to revise it. Who knows, you might get it accepted immediately and, with the revisions, you might sell it for more money. 3. Remember, the reason some writers get their work accepted more often is because they persevere and keep sending in their work, despite rejections. That is one of the key ingredients to getting published. 4. Ask another writer whose work you admire to read your manuscript. Don't be timid. They will ask you the next time to do that for them. Most writers are eager to help another writer. They appreciate being asked. 5. Look up different markets where you think your work would be well-suited and send it out to them. You can send it to more than one publication at a time if they all state in their guidelines that simultaneous submissions are okay. If not, then you should not do that. 6. If you have enough articles, you can even self-publish it in an e-book and sell it on eBay. I know of writers who have done that and it's a great idea. Make sure to find out what your e-book is worth and don't sell yourself short. 7. Get a permanent writing partner and exchange manuscripts with them so they can see what needs improvement and what works. This really has helped me. Many times it is hard to catch our own mistakes. Your writing partner should be someone on the same level of expertise as you are or higher. 8. Make sure you know the subject you are writing about. If you aren't sure of certain facts, research them. Being wrong about an important piece of information in your article is a sure sign of a beginner's work. The editor won't be happy at all and will reject it outright. If you follow the above tips, you will most likely get your manuscript accepted, even if you have to send it out to several different publications. It works for me. Suzan L. Wiener has had many articles on writing, short stories, poems and shorter pieces published in major publications such as Coffee Break for Writers, Mature Living, Mature Years, Complete Woman, Canadian Writer's Journal, The New Writer, NEB Publishing, Saturday Evening Post, MetroSeven (Australia), Family Circle, Woman's World, etc. She has won several contests. She also has her unrhymed love poems in an e-book, which is available at Books on Board. Paying Markets Are you looking for writers? If so, send your information to Coffee Break for Writers. Your information will then be posted in our May 2008 issue. There is only one requirement: you MUST pay writers at a rate of $.10 or more per word or a flat rate of $25 or more. It won't cost you a dime to have your call for writers placed in Coffee Break for Writers. Deadline for sending your information: May 1, 2008. A Wild Ride A website devoted to parents of a challenging child. Seeking: Stories from parents with a challenging child. Payment information: $25 per story. Baby Corner "Baby Corner's goal is provide a wide range of information for parents, and we seek out submissions that are informative and unique. We rely on the experience, research, and information of writers to publish articles that will appeal to our readers." Seeking: Articles related to parenting. See their Web site for a list of the topics they cover. Payment information: $35 for feature articles and $10.00 for personal essays. Pays on publication via Paypal or check. Chatelaine "Chatelaine is Canadas biggest, oldest and best womens magazine, and its read by more Canadians than The Globe and Mail and National Post combined." Seeking: Stories on topics that range from investigative reports, politics and crime. Also publishes engaging profiles, first person narratives and informative for controversial health stories. Does NOT accept poetry or fiction. Payment information: Compensation is over $100. Childbirth Solutions "90% freelance written. ChildbirthSolutions.com is the online storehouse of information, services and support for childbearing women worldwide." Seeking: Essays, interviews, profiles, poetry, photos and birth stories. Payment information: Up to $40 for essays, interviews, profiles and birth stories, $25-$50 per photos, and up to $20 per poem. Helping Your Child Succeed in School "Parents and guardians play an essential role in student achievement. Without guidance and support at home, students are more likely to fail, regardless of the quality of teachers and standards in a school or district. With Helping Your Child Succeed in School, your school can directly and regularly connect with these vital but often unrecognized and sometimes reluctant members of the learning community to encourage their involvement in education." Seeking: Advice to help parents help their children succeed in school. Payment information: Pays $.20 per word. Writing and Publishing News Have you launched a new e-zine, newsletter, magazine, blog or Web site for writers? Has your publication made editorial changes? Are you currently running a contest for writers that doesn't require an entry fee? Will you be hosting an upcoming event for writers? Send us your press release and your news could appear in the next edition of Coffee Break for Writers! Editorial Comings and Goings: Michelle Preli joined Brides.com as their editor-in-chief. Time Out New York welcomed Billie Cohen back as their deputy editor. In addition to Cohen, Erin Wylie became Time Out New York's new editor for their Seek section, and finally, Allison Williams earned the assistant editor title. Erin Swift, former market editor at O at Home, took over as the editor for the Lifestyle & Reception column in Elegant Bride. Swift is filling in for Liz Roth while she's on maternity leave. On March 31, Stacy Adimando, former associate editor at Natural Health, became the lifestyle editor at Every Day With Rachael Ray. Inked named Jason Buhrmester as their new articles editor. Alison Mitchell went from being the education editor for The New York Times to the position of associate managing editor. Parents welcomed Wendy Toth as their new editorial assistant. Publication Comings and Goings: Resonance, the Seattle-based music magazine called it quits after over 10 years. Resonance debuted in 1994. In addition to Resonance, Harp, another music magazine, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and as a result, Harp will fold as well. The National Geographic has launched Green Guide, a new magazine for consumers who wish to "go green." Writing Exercise Think of a hobby you love. Write down the name of that hobby. Finally, see how many article ideas you can come up with about that hobby. Following is an example: Hobby: Collecting teddy bears Ideas: choosing the right teddy bear, kinds of teddy bears and teddy bear clubs for collectors. Cafι Fun Do you know what the following terms and abbreviations mean? These are all terms that you might find in a publication's guidelines for writers. Answers will be revealed in next month's edition of Coffee Break for Writers. 1. Simultaneous Submissions 2. Reprint 3. FNAR 4. Unsolicited Manuscripts 5. Kill Fee 6. SASE Legal Information Coffee Break for Writers has made every effort to be factual with regard to the content and information provided in this e-zine; however, your results may vary. Coffee Break for Writers accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from the use of the information generated within this e-zine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form either whole or in part without the written permission of the copyright owner. Violations of this copyright notice will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law. If you're interested in any article published in this e-zine, you must contact the editor of Coffee Break for Writers. When inquiring about an article, make sure to mention the title and author of the article. Upon receipt of your inquiry, Coffee Break for Writers will forward your request to the copyright owner of the article or articles. Advertising Information Coffee Break for Writers e-zine is an advertisement-free publication. Therefore, we do not place any advertise- ments in this section of our Website. However, we do accept advertisements on other sections of this Web site as long as they relate to the writing or publishing industry. To find out more about our advertising, visit Affordable Advertising. Once there, you'll also find our demographics. Suggestions If you have any suggestions at all for future issues of Coffee Break for Writers, send them our way. It can be suggestions for articles, new columns or etc. Feedback We also welcome your comments on anything in this issue, past issues or future issues. Don't be shy; send your letter to the editor. We value every word. Brewing for May 2008: An article on writing through your character's eyes. Paying fiction markets. ... and much more! |