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Top 7 Query Letter Mistakes Makes Writers Minds Explode

July 22, 2011 by 4 Comments
letter Q

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Dear Authors and Writers,

Are you in violation of making the top 7 query letter mistakes? If you are, don’t worry about it. We’ve all made these mistakes. Remember, you can’t change what you don’t know. The good news is outlined below are the top seven query letter mistakes you can avoid.

Top 7 Query Letter Mistakes

1. Addressing to a ‘phantom’ instead of real person. If you’ve addressed your query letter with Dear Sir, Dear Madam, To Whom It May Concern, or Dear Gentlemen, you committed violation #1. Most of the time, publications will list the names of editors, assistant editors, associate editors, and so on. If you don’t have a name, pick up the phone (I know) and call. Don’t worry, the phone is your friend.

2. Improper format. Do you use a ‘funky font’ instead of Arial, Times New Roman, or some other acceptable font? Do you use 14 pitch instead of 10 or 12? Alas, you may appreciate an off-beat font and large type but editors don’t. Use an acceptable font the next time you write a query letter.

3.  Improper margins. If you’re sending a query via snail mail or email (file), use 1″ margins. Sometimes, publications prefer you to copy and paste your query letter directly into the email which means you don’t have to use 1″ margins. However, if you’re allowed to send attachments, use 1″ margins.

4. Improper file extension. Believe it or not, sending a .docx file isn’t acceptable for all publications. Some still prefer .doc or .txt (text files). Read all of the guidelines before you submit a query letter with the incorrect file extension.

5. More than one page. A two-page query letter is usually frowned upon. Keep query letters to one page. Read and reread your query letter and edit.

6. Spelling mistakes and other errors. Proofread your query letter before you send it. Remember, spell check doesn’t catch all errors. Read sentences to make sure they make sense; correct punctuation You may consider having someone else proofread your query letter. Two pairs of eyes can be better than one!

7. Thanking the editor. Believe it or not, a “Thank You” goes a long way. Thank the editor for their time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Rebecca

P.S.

I know I addressed this blog post in a ‘generic or phantom manner,’ but I don’t know all of your names!

Bonus!

*Insulting the editor and publication. Don’t insult the editor and publication. This will guarantee your query letter will be filed — in the trash!

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How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

July 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
iPad Display Item

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If you wrote or plan to write an eBook, follow the guidelines outlined below on how to make your eBook stand out. Having and providing readers with great content is half the battle. I know you’ve heard this before, but sales and marketing are part of the equation. Publishing is a business! Remember, you’re not in the business of selling books. You’re in the business of sales and marketing and solving problems.

How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

1. Write an eBook that readers want to read. What problems do people have? What solutions can you offer them? Research and dig to find what people need help with. Of course, if you’ve experienced a problem or got through a difficult time, you can best believe that others have experienced what you did. Write about it!

Make sure your eBook has been edited and proofed before you publish it. Hire an editor

2. Reach out for help. Get together with a group of 2-4 five writers and critique each others’ work. Make sure constructive criticism is the name of the game. Hire an editor (you’ll want to do this anyway) to review your work. Also, check out web-based writing communities such as CritiqueCircle, WritersBBS, My Writers Circle, and other critique groups.

3. Purchase an ISBN number. This is how retailers track the sales of your book.

4. Cover design. Go big, or go home! Make a statement by having a cover design that literally (I know I used literally) stands out. Use bold colors and graphics. You want to grab the attention of readers. However, make sure readers can understand what your eBook is about by creating a ‘targeted’ book cover. This is known as the 2-second test. If they can’t tell what your book is about by looking at the cover, a re-design is necessary. Hire a professional graphic designer or use the services provided by your self-publisher. This way you’ll look like your belong at Barnes and Noble and ‘mom and pop’ bookstores.

5. Think beyond the ink. Thanks to technologies such as the iPad, you can include graphs, illustrations, and video clips. Reading devices will evolve throughout the years. Visit BookBaby and learn about their available special formatting options.

6. No more Word. Alas, you’ll have to convert your Word or Text file to make sure it’s compatible to eReaders. The main file extensions are:

1. EPUB (.epub). Is the most popular and standard format. It allows DRM. Major retailers use this except Amazon.

2. Mobipocket (.mobi). Users can add a blank page within the text for notes, bookmarks, corrections, and drawings. Very cool!

3. Kindle (.azw). This is Amazon’s proprietary format based on mobipocket. It comes with its own digital rights management protections.

The good news is you can use Adobe InDesign (love this) to convert your book to an EPUB eBook. Visit JimAndZetta or ePub Conversion and get assistance with the conversion. Another alternative is to have your distributor/self-publisher convert your eBook for you.

7. Sales and marketing. The most dreaded step for some writers; others embrace the joy of sales and marketing.

Sell eBook here:

1. Apple iBookstore for iPad

2. Amazon (Kindle)

3. Barnes and Noble (Nook)

4. Reader Store (Sony Reader)

5. Google eBookstore (multiple readers)

Use the following marketing tips to spread the word about your eBook:

● Social Media. You’ve heard this before but it begs repeating. Open a Facebook Fan page and actually interact with your fans. Get to know them don’t make it all about YOU because this will deter readers. Hold a contest, say “Thank You” once in a while, chat with your fans, and allow them to have discussions about your eBook. Create a separate Twitter account. You may consider opening a MySpace account since the website is undergoing major changes.

● Create a website. Create a ‘special’ website for your eBook. Blog about it and be open to feedback from readers. You may consider creating a forum on the blog to allow readers to discuss your eBook.

● Schedule a book signing and or readings. Readers love to meet authors. I should know. I volunteered at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona and witnessed many book signings. It’s exciting for readers to meet and speak with authors. You may consider reading your book and having the audience discuss it. You’ll receive a lot of feedback and insight.

● Get to know other writers. Start a group where writers can meet and discuss writing topics such as eBooks. You could always create an online group or find one on the internet.

● Attend conferences and trade shows. Be where the industry is. Networking and making connections can take you and your writing to the next level.

Writing and selling an eBook has transformed through the years. Digitally distributing your eBook is yet another adventure you get to experience within the world of publishing. If you ever feel that self-publishing isn’t for you or worth it, remember that great writers such as William Blake, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Elliot, John Milton, and many others self-publishing their writing at one point or another. Imagine how many more readers they would have reached through eBook readers. Write on, write from the heart!

Rebecca

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10 Easy Ways to Keep Writer’s Block Out of Your Mind

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The discouraged Nenene suffering from writer's...

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R.L. Stine, author the Goosebumps series, was interviewed by Gotham Writers’ Workshops. He was asked about his take on writer’s block. R.L. Stine says, “I never had writer’s block. I really don’t have time for it – too many books to write.” He tells writers to keep going even when the writing isn’t easy. He makes a good point by saying, “You know you can go back and fix it.” That’s good writing advice.

There really is no reason for writer’s block because every day life provides you with ideas. Whether you listen to the news or read the newspaper, read the news online, overhear conversations, read blogs, or participate in forums; you’ll find inspiration just about anywhere at any time.

10 Easy Ways to Keep Writer’s Block Out of Your Mind

1. Stop believing in writer’s block. This can be tricky when other writers tell you writer’s block is part of being the writer’s life. God knows I wrote my fair share of blog posts about writer’s block. Kick writer’s block to the curb. Start observing your surroundings with your ears instead of your eyes.

2. Participate in writing exercises and prompts. The Creative Copy Challenge is one of my favorites. You even receive feedback on your submissions. Now that’s a novel idea!

3. Do crossword puzzles. This is an excellent way to unlock the hidden ideas in your mind.

4. Play ‘brainy’ or word video games. My mom loves AARP and plays the word games on the website. Heck, I’ve played some of the games featured on AARP. Yahoo! offers brainy and word games as well.

5. Start affirming, “There’s no such thing as writer’s block.” Affirmations are positive statements that work when you’re in a ‘good’ feeling state. They don’t work if you’re feeling down and out. A couple of affirmations for writer’s block are:

1. I have plenty of writing ideas.
2. I easily think of writing ideas.
3. I’m able to create new writing projects.

6. Join a writer’s group or circle. Gathering with other writers is a fantastic way to think of writing ideas. If you need some help brainstorming for ideas, ask your group to help you.

7. Read. When’s the last time you read a good book. Reading is good for the mind and soul. You never know what ideas will ‘pop’ into your head after reading a good book.

8. Write. You probably heard this one repeated over and over again. Here it is again: write every day. Write a poem, blog post, article, short story, or haiku. The point is to write!

9. Subscribe to writer’s magazines. Check out Writer’s Market and Writer’s Digest. These are the most popular publications for writers. Sign up for their newsletters and writer’s block will disappear overnight.

10. Believe in your writing. Sadly, some writers don’t believe in their writing. They’ve probably read or heard too many ‘horror stories’ about writers receiving rejection letters. Remember, John Grisham received 30 rejections for A Time to Kill which was eventually published and made into a movie. This can happen to you if you believe in you and your writing.

Rebecca

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Don’t Kill Your Novel Idea: Even John Grisham Was Rejected

July 13, 2011 by 1 Comment
“]Cover of "A Time to Kill [Blu-ray]"

Cover of A Time to Kill [Blu-ray

The July 10, 2011 issue of Parade Magazine featured an interview with John Grisham. His first novel, A Time to Kill was turned down and rejected 30 times; he still has the files. According to John, “I saved all of that stuff.” It makes you wonder if those in the publishing world really know a good thing when they read and see it. Not only is A Time to Kill a wonderful book, it’s a thought provoking movie. Matthew McConaughey’s performance as young lawyer Jake Tyler Brigance shines through at the end when he delivers his closing statement before the jury. I won’t give away the ending in case you haven’t read the book or seen the movie.

Reading that famous author John Grisham was rejected will put you at ease. John eventually was published and has experienced major success since the publication of A Time to Kill. It makes you wonder about the publishers and or literary agents who rejected John’s novel. Are they still in publishing? Are they kicking themselves in the behind? Do they have publishing remorse? How could they not see what a great book A Time to Kill was? Let’s face it; John’s books make great movies. More importantly, they make a lot of money for the arts and entertainment and publishing industries respectively.

John Grisham’s story will inspire you to keep writing every day. Forget about the naysayers because it’s obvious they don’t know what they’re talking about! Whenever you receive a rejection letter from an agent or publisher say the following, “Thank you for rejecting my novel or non-fiction book. I’ll find another literary agent or publisher. No biggie. After all, look at the success of John Grisham. He was rejected 30 times!” Now, go forth and write your novel and know that it will be published.

Rebecca

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Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Self-Publishes through CreateSpace

June 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment
New Orleans mayor C. Ray Nagin

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Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin published his book Katrina’s Secrets; Storms After the Storm, Vol. 1 through CreateSpace. Why would he do this? It’s obvious he wouldn’t have a problem obtaining a literary agent and publisher to publish his memoir. Mr. Nagin appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and said, “The literary agent and publisher wanted me to change things. I would not have been able to have said what I wanted. That’s why I self-published my book.” Even former mayors of major metropolitan cities see the value of self-publishing and so can you.

If you’re still undecided about self-publishing, allow Mr. Nagin to put your fears to rest. He probably had many publishers to select from, but he decided to publish his book on his own. This gives him more control over the content and how to market his book. He also doesn’t have to pay a literary agent and publisher. Mr. Nagin has the potential to earn more money from self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

The value of self-publishing

1. You don’t have to pay a literary agent and publisher.

2. You decide what you want to write — how deep you want to go.

3. You decide how your book is marketed.

4. You decide the amount of book signings you want to do.

5. You decide how long you want to do a book tour.

6. You decide who’ll design your book cover (interior and exterior).

7. You decide if you want to produce a book trailer.

8. You decide how many chapters/pages your book will be.

9. You decide how many radio/TV appearances you’ll do to promote your book.

10. You decide when and where you’ll speak about your book.

11. You decide if you want to write a second book.

If you’ve been skeptical of self-publishing your book, you may want to reconsider it. Mr. Nagin is proof that self-publishing works. Yes, he’s a famous mayor. But, he still has to market and promote his book like every other author on the planet. Mr. Nagin saw the value of the self-publishing platform. He didn’t want to make changes to his book. He wanted to write and publish it the way he wanted to. He deserves credit for that. Most ‘celebrities or well known people’ would have caved and listened to the literary agent. They would have gone along with the plan to publish a ho-hum or so-so book. Mr. Nagin had the courage to do his own thing. He deserves respect for standing up for his book.

Rebecca

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