Money The Write Way a free eMagazine for writers of integrity *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ November 5, 2003 Volume 2 Number 2 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ To join our more than 4000 subscribers, and receive the FREE eBook, "So You Want to be a Travel Writer," click on: http://www.moneythewriteway.com It's FREE! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In this issue: 1.) Letter From The Publisher---On The Home Front 2.) Ask an Expert/Questions and Answers 3.) COMP-ortunity of the month 4.) The Business of Writing by Duane Newcomb 5.) Editor's Pick/Reviews by Victoria Beninga 6.) The Art of Reviewing by Rose Di Grazia 7.) The Boast Post---Bragging Board of Writers Triumphs and Victories *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine ISSN pending. Copyright 2003 Write Spirit Publishing. All rights reserved. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Start Comping today by purchasing our best selling eBook: "BEEN THERE---COMPED THAT!" Free Travel, Dining, and Entertainment, All for the Cost of Some Ink Available at: http://www.moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ On The Home Front Carmel L. Mooney Do the crisp autumn air and beautiful leaves inspire you? For me they do. In fact, nothing inspires me more than the soft pure peaceful snow falling outside my window like we enjoyed a couple of days ago here in the Sierra. Sometimes I get discouraged like all writers. I spend most of my time writing travel columns and restaurant reviews and other things that make me immediate money. It's what most of us writers call the bread and butter. It's the stuff you can count on for income month after month. But sometimes it causes burn out and squelches the creative energy that we'd rather spend on our passion whether it be writing a fiction novel or a children's book or creating poetry. Even I get so bogged down with kids, teaching classes and seminars, marketing my books, and my monthly writing assignments that I occasionally get discouraged that I don't have time to write my fiction novel or just journal. But somehow the change in the seasons always inspires me to carve out a little bit of time for what fills my soul, even if it is at midnight. I hope you'll be true to your inner-writer this fall and nurture your creativity by allowing a little extra time to simply write for fun. I hope you find time to enjoy the beauty of autumn and our exciting new column premiering in this month's issue, Carmel *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ This week's newest COMP-ortunity Elam Biggs Bed and Breakfast Website: http://www.elambiggs.com Address: 220 Colfax Ave. Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone: 530-477-0906 Contact: Peter and Barbara Franchino Description: Beautiful historic bed and breakfast in downtown Grass Valley, California. B & B is within walking distance of all shopping and history of downtown area and participates in annual B & B tour. Excellent breakfast, friendly, peaceful environment. Owner is a magician and adds to the fun with magic tricks at breakfast. Coverage desired: Print media coverage of history and unique destination opportunity. Prefers writers with any of the following: letter of assignment, or writing samples/clips for review Possible comp: stay a night when availability allows. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ "Ask a Pro" Publishing/Comping/Writing Q&A "Your Questions---You Always Wanted To Ask," answered by professional writing consultant/coach/author/instructor, Carmel L. Mooney To ask Carmel a writing, publishing, or comping question, email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com. Questions may be edited for length or content if necessary. Question: I took your writing for magazines class a couple months ago. I have written a book and I am thinking about going the eBook route. How do I contact eBookstores (like CyberRead.com) and (eBookstand.com) asking them if they would display my book in their store? Also how would I go about having a book signing at a bookstore? ---J.Donaldson, California Answer: Just send a very simple short letter/email saying you'd like to submit your eBook with a brief description. As for book signings (for POD), just call up independent books stores and inquire with the manager. Borders does have a "local author" section. Many of my students have had good luck with Barnes and Noble as well. Question: I have my first comped dinner at a restaurant this Friday and quite honestly I'm a little nervous and scared about how to approach this whole thing. This will be my first article, but I don't want them to know that. I don't want to appear phony or deceptive as I am taking this new opportunity very seriously, so I could use your expert advice on manners and such. How would you approach this???? ---C.N. California Answer: I would show up and if you have a digital camera, take a few photos of the place and the food. Unless they ask, don't tell them you are a new writer. If asked, simply tell them that you are a new professional writer and just recently got your first assignment. You can always reassure them that when it comes out in print you will send them a copy. They must already be okay with it if they offered you the comp. Worst case, you can write a short eBook. Always tip 15% on a comp. You have my comp book that gives a few pointers too. I usually ask the owner/manager when I arrive if they have certain signature (well known) items they'd like me to try or otherwise I can make my own selections. 8 times out of 10 they will let you order whatever you want but may also bring you some sample platters to try of appetizers or desserts etc. Remember to go in with confidence that you are doing them a service of free advertising and good press and remember if the bill would have been $100, that it did not cost them even a quarter of that to accommodate you, so enjoy and have fun. To ask Carmel a writing, publishing, or comping question, email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com Carmel Mooney is also available by phone and/or email for private consultation, editing, and coaching. Carmel has helped hundreds of writers achieve writing and publishing success. Email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com or call her at: 916-205-4763 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ The Business Side of Writing Duane Newcomb How to Establish Yourself With Editors Actually it's easy to establish yourself with an editor so that he or she will buy your articles regularly, will sometimes call you for assignments, and will often depend on you to provide the magazine with certain types of articles. I have a friend who sold an article to Omni magazine because an Omni editor saw one of his articles in another publication, liked his writing style and gave him an assignment. This first sale was followed by a number of others. At first, this writer simply contributed pieces for some of the continuing features and columns carried by the magazine. Then his editor was assigned to cover outer space for the magazine. The writer knew almost nothing about the subject. But the editor asked him to handle assignments on outer space because he, the editor, had confidence in this author's writing. Last time I talked to the writer, he had just come back from an assignment to cover a space station convention in Boulder, Colorado. He was learning about space, and having a great time handling the assignments. In my own case, I had worked for Trailer Life magazine for about five years. At the time, I had a column running in the magazine and also sold them an article a month. One morning I received a call from the editor/publisher who asked what I knew about boating. My answer was "nothing." "Fine," he said, "You're going to be our field editor for a new magazine called Family Houseboating." The next few years, I flew around the country testing houseboats for the magazine. Although I didn't know much about houseboats when I started, I knew a great deal by the time I finished. Follow That First Sale Immediately In trying to establish yourself with an individual editor, the place to start is with an initial sale of one article. But remember, that's just the beginning. Follow that first sale with another query and sale almost immediately. Your new idea must be of real interest to the editor, but write that next query within a few weeks of the first acceptance. As soon as the second article has been sold, put your next idea on the editor's desk. By the time you have made six or seven sales, you will have begun to establish a relationships with that editor. And that is the secret to selling a continuous series of article to any one magazine. Almost Staff Your object is to try to work almost as staff on one magazine. This frequently happens when an editor knows your work is professional and starts to rely on you for certain types of coverage. In one case, with a retirement magazine, I started out with an article on trailering for retirees, came back with a piece on a couple who lived in a mobile home, and then did another on mobile home living. Somehow that made me an expert on recreational vehicles and mobile homes. After that, over the next four years, the editor assigned me to handle every piece on the subject that appeared in the magazine. I wrote a complete supplement on mobile home living, a long article on how to buy a trailer, a piece on full-time trailering, and a lot more. With Western Outfitter, I began by compiling a retail roundup piece over the phone. The editor liked this article so well, she asked for another, then another, until I was writing all their merchandising articles every month. Core Income The first step is to establish yourself with one magazine. The second is to cultivate another magazine the minute that first publication purchases articles from you on a regular basis. Continue until six or seven publications accept your material every month or every few months. You now have created what I call your "core income." This gives you a base income each month with which to pay bills. Suggest Ideas Regularly In the writing business, you'll find that the more ideas you suggest to magazines, the more go-aheads you'll get. And as the editor begins to know your work, you'll also start receiving assignments you didn't solicit. In one instance, Scripps Howard Business Publications, on the basis of one idea, suddenly began to assign me two or three articles a month. This went on for two years, all because I suggested one idea the editor really liked. These ideas should generally be suggested using the query format. Sometimes you can suggest an idea in a phone conversation, once you and an editor have gotten acquainted, but often the editor will also want to see it in writing. I have stopped doing as many articles as I once did, since I now spend a lot of time writing proposals for book authors who can't write their own. But, I still keep my hand in it. I have worked for one association magazine for about 17 years. Recently I got a phone call from the editor asking if I had any ideas. "Of course," I said. "Absolutely." I then started putting several together. I quit a long time ago writing traditional query letters. I usually put about 5 together on a page or two (no longer than 2 paragraphs each). I e-mailed these in and didn't think much about them. Then I decided I had better call and make sure he got them. We had a long conversation, with the result that he gave me three assignments out of the four ideas I sent him. After awhile, you'll start to get a sixth sense about the magazine. And in many cases you'll begin to understand the magazine as well as the editor does. When you get to this point, you'll probably have all the assignments you can handle and more. Duane Newcomb is a literary consultant with 36 non-fiction books to his credit, over 5000 articles and more than 150 client books in print. He has taught article and non-fiction book courses at numerous colleges, universities and writer's conferences across the United States. He welcomes new clients needing a manuscript evaluated. dnew@thegrid.net Subscribe to his free, monthly professional author newsletter at: dnew@thegrid.net Visit Duane Newcomb's website: www.bookforce.bizland.com Purchase Duane Newcomb's writing guides at www.ebookstand.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ Editor's Pick Book, Magazine, Website, and e-Book Review Victoria Beninga, Editor This Month's Review: THE EVERYTHING GET PUBLISHED BOOK By Peter Rubie Peter Rubie knows about writing. In addition to being a published author, he is a literary agent and a former publisher. He shares his knowledge in the 321-page THE EVERYTHING GET PUBLISHED BOOK, one of the many books available in "The Everything" series. Mr. Rubie covers topics such as publishing terms, categories and genres, good ideas and bad ideas, knowing your audience, sizing up the competition, book proposals, getting an agent, and how a publishing house is set up. Once your proposal is accepted, you can read about the acceptance process, how your book gets into the stores, types of rights, royalty checks, and even what to do and not to do on local and national TV. There are helpful sidebars, cleverly typed on pictures of bookmarks. There are also listings of North American book publishers, schools that offer writing programs, and literary agents. The entertaining, informative THE EVERYTHING GET PUBLISHED BOOK is available online and in retail bookstores. Victoria Beninga Publisher/Editor/Columnist, GOLD COUNTRY FAMILIES, a FREE e-mail newsletter and FREE eMagazine of child-friendly local activities and getaways for families living in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country, http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com Associate Editor/Columnist, MONEY THE WRITE WAY, a FREE eMagazine for writers of integrity, http://www.moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~The Art of Reviewing Rose Di Grazia, Columnist We went out to eat once a month when I was a child. It was always on that day my father had just received his paycheck. We looked forward to burgers or pizza. I came from a family of seven kids; I remember always being hungry. I decided when I went out on my own that I would eat anywhere my heart desired. Now I review restaurants and other types of entertainment for a living, and you can too. Here are some helpful hints to get started: 1. Next time you go out to eat, take notes. Write about all you can using your senses. Jot down prices, and explain what kind of service you received. 2. Keep a journal of all your adventures. Write about all the places you frequent. 3. Practice makes perfect when writing daily. 4. Take your camera along and take photos of the food and atmosphere. 5. Share your writing with a friend. A friend can help point out mistakes in grammar etc. 6. Read other reviews in magazines and newspapers to get the feel of it. 7 Once you feel you have the hang of it, collect newspapers and magazines from coffeehouses or local free publications. Next write to the editors or publishers and query with your ideas for reviews, and see what happens. Rose Di Grazia, is an accomplished writer, poet, artist, and dog lover. She has been published by the Austin American-Statesman, Citysearch.com, New Texas Magazine, KLRU/PBS Channel 18, the Brownsville Herald, and the Coastal Current. Rose is a travel writer, and restaurant and entertainment critic. She is the great niece of the late, famous, artist Ted De Grazia. She was also niece of Thomas Di Grazia, an artist of children's books for Harper & Row Publishers. Rose's on line magazine will be coming soon to the Internet near you. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ The Boast Post Don't be modest-we applaud you! Whether it's an assignment victory, a publishing accomplishment, comp, or a writing goal achieved, we'd love to hear it. Please include your full name or initials, and your city and state. Send your boast in 75 words or less to: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com (may be edited for length or content) Boast: Here's a great boast from a lady who took Carmel's Travel Writing/Comped Travel class and secured her first comp just 18 hours later: Can you hear my shouts of glee? Thank you so much...I'm so excited!!! I just comped a room a hotel, and dinner and drinks. ---C. Neumann, Northern California At RDLarson.com you'll find RD's newest published work The Red Pail. --- RD Larson, Pacific Northwest *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Coming Soon/Around the Corner: Great writing courses by nationally acclaimed writing instructors! Take them from the privacy of your home and have email access to your questions from the instructor. COMING SOON! Email for more information; there's no obligation. Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Websites for Writers! ---Hazel Nieves, expert on Internet Marketing and Online business success, is owner of Web Development Company, Sierra Technology Solutions, Inc. She has 20 years experience in sales, marketing, and technology and is a committed crusader in helping take the confusion out of taking your business online. You can contact Hazel at 530-367-2915 or Customerservice@sierratechnologysolutions.com Special Offer! Writers Special E-biz Website Package Turn-key Package Includes: *5 Custom Pages *Shopping Cart (up to 10 products) *Secure Server *One year hosting service *Uses your own domain *Up to 15 Email accounts *Attractive Professional designs to choose from *Copyright Statement page Special Price: $ 600.00 complete Get started today with your Affordable Professional E-business website here: http://www.sierratechnologysolutions.com /writers/writers_special.htm Learn more from Hazel at: http://www.sierratechnologysolutions.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW Ever thought of publishing an eBook or Print on Demand Book? A CD with all the tools you need to succeed is now available, Book Creation Tools by CyberRead, co-authored by John Nightingale and Carmel L. Mooney This comprehensive CD includes: *~Print on Demand and eBook format and template *~Atlantis Word Processing Software *~Literary Agents *~eBook reviewers *~Book trade publications *~Independent bookstores *~Business book sites *~College libraries *~Cooking sites *~ezines related to books *~Fiction book sites *~Public library sites *~Health book sites And MUCH more... Send check or money order for $29.99 to: Carmel L. Mooney, P.O. BOX 3405 Auburn, CA 95605 And begin today experiencing the thrill of monthly royalty income. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It's FREE---List your inn, resort, restaurant, entertainment venue, business, or destination seeking written coverage---contact the publisher: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and check the SUBSCRIBE BOX (You'll also get a free eBook gift as our way of saying thank you.) TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and check the UNSUBSCRIBE box Changing email addresses? Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and subscribe under your new address *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Have something you'd like to offer more than 4000 writers and authors? Place YOUR ad in Money the Write Way today! It's affordable and effective. Email for rates and details: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Write Spirit Publishing P.O. Box 3405 Auburn, CA 95604 Contact us at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com We welcome your: comments/suggestions/requests/contributions Carmel L. Mooney, Publisher Victoria Beninga, Associate Editor http://www.moneythewriteway.com Should the links we provide not work, this may mean your E-mail program doesn't like our code. Simply go directly to our current online archived issue at: http://www.moneythewriteway.com You may freely distribute this eMag to friends, discussion lists, and writing groups as long as the issue is included in its entirety. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~