Money The Write Way a free eMagazine for writers of integrity *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ March 3, 2004 Volume 2 Number 6 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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 DiGrazia 7.) The Boast Post---Bragging Board of Writers Triumphs and Victories *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine ISSN pending. Copyright 2004 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 A month has gone by already? Wow! I'd like to say again how much we appreciate our faithful subscribers, but this last month you must have all been so busy writing that you forgot to send in many boasts or questions. Please remember this eMag is a free service to you, the writer/author so please feel free to interact. We're considering making this eMag bimonthly? What are your reactions or suggestions to this idea and any others? What things would you like to see here in 2004? We're here listening and ready to deliver so drop us a line. May your pen overflow, Carmel *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ This week's newest COMP-ortunity Monterey Bay Aquarium Website: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org email: kpeterson@mbayaq.org Address: Monterey, California Phone: 831-648-4922 Contact: Ken Peterson Description: A world-class aquarium with more than 30,000 sea creatures in 34 major galleries. Coverage desired: Promote the new shark exhibit coming Spring 2004 as well as numerous new family friendly attractions and exhibits. Prefers writers with any of the following: Letter of assignment, writing samples/clips for review. Possible comp: Tickets to the aquarium and excellent press materials. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ "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: How long should I wait to hear a response on an email query and can I just attach the proposed manuscript to the e-query? D. Huntington, Telluride, CO Answer: You should wait the time that is stated in the writer's guidelines or Writer's Market before sending a polite follow up such as: I sent you a query regarding XYZ on such and such a date...was wondering what you thought? You should never send any manuscript or anything else for that matter, by attachment until you are given the go ahead or the invitation by the editor as most will simply delete emails with attachments from unknown senders. Question: Should I put my eBooks on Amazon? I've heard of their Advantage program. S. Hale, California Answer: Personally, I have found regular independent eBookstores to pay much higher royalties with a fraction of the hassle of Amazon. However, this is just my experience and the experience of many of my students. I recommend trying CyberRead.com and Ebookstand.com first and the dozens of other great eBookstores out there these days, then last of all, the Amazon Advantage program. This program is sometimes referred to as the DISadvantage program by some of my students and colleagues. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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 The Business Side of Writing Don't Overlook the Newspaper Market Newspapers buy literally thousands of features every year on a wide variety of subjects from British gardens to whale watching. You can tell which newspaper features have been provided by freelancers by the notation just under the author's name that says, "Special to the Chicago Tribune," "Special to the LA Times," or whichever newspaper it happens to be. Because I have students who specialize in selling newspaper features, I frequently clip articles from several publications each week just to keep track of what's being purchased. Believe me, the variety of subjects is mind-boggling. A Collection of Subjects I recently found the following titles in my files: "Sprucing Up Your Car with a Used-Car Dealer's Finesse," "Biking Norman Rockwell Country," "Antique Tools--Growing Interest in a Young Field," Family Papers--Proper Conservation Saves Treasures," "Ballooning: Thrilling, Invigorating, and Elemental." and "Ancient Teeth Yield Clue to Origin of Oldest Inhabitants of America." Can articles like these be sold to a number of different newspapers? The answer is yes. After all, newspapers have only a limited circulation area. Some newspapers cover all or most of a state, others may serve a region or a single county, still others have a readership limited to one city and its outlying population area. Most newspapers are perfectly willing to let you resell an article outside their circulation area. This means you can sell the same feature to the Seattle Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Salt Lake Tribune, the Kansas City Star, and other newspapers. Several years ago, a friend of mine wrote a 1,200-word article on the many uses of computers. The first year he sent his computer article to about two hundred major, daily, non-competing newspapers across the U.S. This resulted in sales to the Denver Post and a number of others. Payment, however, was extremely uneven and ranged from as low as $30 to a high of $120. The total for the first year was about $900. The second year he sent the same article out to about two hundred smaller newspapers across the country, including the Bangor Daily News, The Jackson Daily News, the Montana Standard and others. This time around he picked up about $600. The third year he mailed to weekly newspapers. This round netted only $300. The fourth year he started all over again with different statewide newspapers. Another writer has had extremely good luck with an article on poison oak and poison ivy. The first year he figured he took in about $900. He then decided to get extremely scientific about it and put together a list of about 1,200 newspapers. Check out the e-newslibrary newspaper list. These he divided into statewide papers, regional or metro papers, local papers, and lower levels of non-overlapping circulation. He entered this list on a computer disk. His object was to uses a mailmerge program to automatically address both his cover letter and his mailing labels. This worked fairly well for him. For most newspapers you can now send your query by e-mail. But you need to spend some time on line and send it to the editor and department that uses the article that you have written. Here are some tips. 1. Study the newspapers to see what kind of article they take. 2. Make up your newspaper list. 3. Divide your list so that you have separate listings for the statewide, regional, and smaller newspapers. 4. Mail to about thirty statewide newspapers the first year for each article. The second year mail to all the regionals and so forth. 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 writing at numerous universities. Home office writing workshops, online writing courses, a ton of writing information www.californiawritersacademy.com Articles, Mar 13, Novel, April 24, Travel Writing & Comping, May 8. Sign up now. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~ Editor's Pick Book, Magazine, Website, and e-Book Review Victoria Beninga, Editor This Month's Review: Spirit-Led Writer Because Jesus has been in the news a lot lately, here is a review for all you Christians, or for all you non-Christians who just want to view a great writing website. Spirit-Led Writer is listed as one of Writer's Digest Magazine's 101 Best Web Sites for writers. It is a monthly newsletter full of inspiration and helpful articles. The January, 2004 issue contains departments entitled "Musings," "Conference Review," "Writer's Devotional," and "God's Glory." The feature articles are "How to Build a Website for the Totally Clueless," "Cutting (Out) Corners: Breaking Free When You Get Boxed In," "Written Confirmation," "Experience A Must," and "Online Classes: Sit Back, Relax, and Learn." The Columns in this issue are "The Business of Writing," "Encouraging News," "Poetry Potpourri," "Writing Links," "Inspired Romance," "Writing Contests," "Writing from the Heart," "Writers of the King," and "Spirit Led Soapbox," You can sign up to have the newsletter delivered to your e-mail every month. Spirit-Led Writer also offers critique services and accepts articles from freelance writers. To get to Spirit-Led Writer, go to , and may God bless you in your writing! Victoria Beninga Publisher/Editor/Columnist, GOLD COUNTRY FAMILIES, a FREE e-mail newsletter and FREE eMagazine of Sierra Nevada Gold Country family-friendly activities, Associate Editor/Columnist, MONEY THE WRITE WAY, a FREE eMagazine for writers of integrity, *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~The Art of Reviewing Rose Di Grazia Etiquette for Writers Good manners are important even in writing. Writing a restaurant review does not entitle the writer to be a pompous jerk. Don't assume you can bring a buddy along on a restaurant review without having the decency to ask if it is all right with the manager. It is usually perfectly fine, but ask to be courteous. Do take an interest in the manager and the restaurant once you are there by asking questions. People are suspicious of writers who plop themselves down and begin eating without asking questions. Remember you are there to write a review so ask away. Jot info down. Don't rely on just your memory. Always say please and thank you when asking for an extra plate etc. Never plop yourself down and begin ordering the help or manager for that matter around. Be gracious. Remember you are getting a free meal. Always say please and thank you. Remember you are supposed to be a professional so dress the part. People treat you based on your appearance. Don't forget to send a thank you note and don't forget to send a copy of your article to the business. Keep your word always! Remember you catch more flies and friends with honey not vinegar! Rose DiGrazia is an accomplished writer and restaurant critic living in Texas. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ 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: My new eBook and POD, "FRIEND SHIP IN A JAR" is selling well and available at ebookstand.com Sharron Hale, Sacramento, California *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Womenıs Poetry Competition First prize £1,000, second prize £500, third prize £250. Entry fee £5 for up to five poems. Closing date 31 May 2004. The 25 best entries will be published in Mslexia, the best-selling magazine for women writers. For conditions of entry, please contact: Mslexia (PC), Freepost NEA5566, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1BR; 0191 261 6656; poetrycomp@mslexia.demon.co.uk; www.mslexia.co.uk Mslexia, the magazine for women who write PO Pox 656 Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1PZ 0191 261 6656 www.mslexia.co.uk *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Now you can access a invaluable writing information at: www.californiawritersacademy.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~