Money The Write Way a free eMagazine for writers of integrity *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ June 4, 2003 Volume 1 Number 12 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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 6.) 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 With the summer arriving early this year, I am so excited at the thought of travel and weekend jaunts just around the corner. Am I paying for any of my summer travel? You must be kidding! I wrote the book on comping (quite literally). It's easy and fun, and resorts, hotels, theme parks, dude ranches, and bed and breakfasts rely on people just like you to direct business their way, through well-crafted travel articles. So what are you waiting for? Once you write a travel article or two it begins to explode and snowball. You get offered more free travel, dining, and entertainment than you can possibly find time to enjoy and write about. But that's not the worst problem a writer can have, right? In fact, this month I now have two new columns, which makes four. Now that's a lot of comp-ortunity! Ever thought of writing travel but haven't tried? Don't put it off any longer. Travel writing is wonderful for stay-at-moms, retired folks, golfers, cruise addicts, almost anyone who loves to experience exciting travel but doesn't have a huge travel budget. Visit our new website: http://www.moneythewriteway.com to learn more. Every week I have students from my seminars and writers who read my books, and can't believe how easy it is, but had never thought to ask before. Once they try, they are hooked on the exciting world of travel writing. It really is that simple. You just have to know who to ask and how. Have a great summer and happy comping, Carmel *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ This week's newest COMP-ortunity Sutter Gold Mine Website: http://www.caverntours.com Address: P.O. Box 78 Vallecito, CA 95251 Phone: 1-866-SNCAVES Contact: Lisa Boulton, lisa@caverntours.com Description: An underground mining exploration experience in a real gold mine. Coverage desired: Family destination, outdoor recreation. Prefers writers with: experience or assignment Possible comp: Comped mine tours. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ "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: What do I do with the photo CD's from chambers of commerce, innkeepers, etc.? I'd love to use 'em in my articles, but I don't know if I'm supposed to pay for the ones I use, just give proper credit and let the publication handle payment...? Any advice? -JR Auburn, CA Answer: Generally, CD's with photos included in media kits or sent from chambers of commerce are for your use in your articles. You need not give credit unless they specify a request for you to do so. Even most innkeepers are happy to allow you to use photos off their websites for publicity. But if in doubt, simply call and ask. Question: I got your book BEEN THERE COMPED THAT and it is terrific. Your class was good also. Without buying an e-book to see for myself, how feasible is it to apply photos in an e-book? My book will probably be about 30 to 50 pages in length, and maybe even longer. I have considered an artist to draw body positions and postures and place them on one or two pages, if photos are not practical in an e-book. I would like your opinion, if you would be so kind. What e-book publisher would you recommend? -LM Answer: Typically a few photos aren't a problem in an eBook, provided they aren't high resolution and don't hog a lot of memory. Consumers want to download eBooks quickly and if they can't, you may run into numerous problems. The main thing is make sure that the entire eBook fits on a single diskette. Many successful authors do hire someone to draw sketches if detailed illustrations or photos require too much memory. To answer your second question, I highly recommend: www.ebookstand.com or: www.cyberread.com Question: When can one submit email queries? -Jane H. Auburn, CA Answer: While email queries were totally unacceptable a few short years ago, they are gaining popularity quickly. But until it becomes the standard, it is still only appropriate to query by email if the publication clearly states in their manuscript guidelines or submission guidelines, that they welcome email queries. 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 by Duane Newcomb Creating Article Ideas The easiest way to create article ideas that add to your income is to let the magazine tell you what they want. For instance, if a magazine has an article on how to save money shopping warehouse stores, you wouldn't want to duplicate this idea. That particular magazine wouldn't be interested. But the theme here is saving money, and the magazine might be interested in ways their readers can save money shopping. So you suggest a money saving article title: "Thrifty Internet Shopping: How to beat the discount stores by 20 to 30% every time." This is a completely different idea, but it has many of the same elements. Here are some guidelines: 1. Look for the common denominator in every article idea. 2. Try to come up with specific article ideas within that common denominator that the same magazine might like. 3. Query the magazine you have surveyed about the best of the ideas you have generated. In addition to this, you can take a magazine's idea, rework the same concept and resell it--but not to that magazine. If you think the warehouse shopping article is a good idea, you might use the original article as a research source. Do more research on your own and write a warehouse shopping article you would sell to another magazine. If I found the idea in a woman's magazine, for instance, I might try a short piece on this subject for a hunting and fishing magazine, concentrating on fishing tackle. I might also sell the same general concept to an automotive magazine. Ideas cannot be copyrighted, and you're welcome to use them as long as you use only the facts and add your own angles and point of view. Don't stop when you sell that first article. To make any money in this business, the initial sale is only the beginning. The next step is to take this article and spin the idea off into articles for as many other magazines as possible. This requires looking at a lot of different magazines and asking yourself. Would this particular magazine be interested in a version of this article slanted toward their needs? If you feel the answer is "yes" then send the editor a query. I have made many, many sales this way. Visit The Booksite For Authors (published and unpublished) The Booksite at http://www.bookforce.bizland.com offers a cornucopia of information on publishing and promoting and writing your nonfiction book. You can reach my other websites through this URL. Go to the bottom of the home page. Duane Newcomb's Writing Guides help you write proposals and book query letters, find 20-30 markets for every article idea and more. http://www.ebookstand.com/cat.grp/besthow-to.html Need Your Own Website that you can build yourself? I can help. Visit our build-a -Website Page at: http://www.bookforce.bizland.com/id41.html 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 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ Editor's Pick Book, Magazine, Website, and e-Book Review by Victoria Beninga, Editor This week's Review author.co.uk If you're looking for a web site that will offer you helpful information for your writing, try logging on to the British web site http://www.author.co.uk. The author.co.uk website offers links to articles full of information for writers. This site also contains interviews with authors and links to authors' web sites. You'll find book and film reviews as well as sections devoted to ebooks and poetry. There is a section called "Useful Contacts," which contains links for articles on a variety of subjects helpful to writers, such as writing for children and selling your work online. The "Writing Advice" section contains helpful advice on many topics, including how to start writing, how to write with style, and how to keep diaries and journals. You can even sign up to receive their emagazine. No matter what country you live in, you'll find a lot of great information on the British web site http://www.author.co.uk. Victoria Beninga, Travel Columnist/Editor/Publisher, GOLD COUNTRY FAMILIES, a FREE eMagazine and e-mail newsletter of child-friendly local activities and getaways for families living in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country, http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com Columnist/Associate Editor, MONEY THE WRITE WAY, http://www.moneythewriteway.com RV Ebooks available at http://www.ebookstand.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ 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: An eBook success story---"Renting Paradise: 10 Amazing Houses, Cabins, Cottages, Apartments & Estates You Can Call Home for a Weekend .. or More" ...it's now on sale at http://www.hadami.com. (You will have to do a search on "renting paradise" to get to it.) -J. Copeland, CA RD Larson again brings together her popular odd-couple pals, Erle and Stumpy, in one of the most powerful stories yet starring the irresistible, seemingly ill-matched, best friends. In her latest work, small-town Erle and Stumpy are hired by penny-pinching Bud the Builder to construct a pavilion over Dream Lake for the advertised 'Dream Dance Under The Stars'. RD from the USA uses 5,600 words to tell the story of DREAM LAKE. (http://bewrite.net/free_fiction/shorts/dream_lake.htm) Look out for RD's impeccable dialogue, magnetic narrative, and uncanny ability to drive her reader on, expertly and subtly picking up pace from gentle introduction to explosive climax. RD's many fans can now find a whole series of her unforgettable short tales in the Free Fiction pages. Also pick up a copy of her stunning psychological thriller, 'Evil Angel,' from the BeWrite Bookshop. -RD Larson Another Ebook Success story!--- How to Plan a "BIG" Bar-be-cue on a "small" Budget, features great tips on how to plan a BIG cook-out and save money at the same time. It also features some fantastic "Priceless" family recipes that are certain to "WHET YOUR WHISTLE"! Get your copy today and be ready for those summer events...DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! Just go to: http://www.ebookstand.com/m/donaldeprice - to download your copy -Donald E. Price, Priceless Write Words Publishing Sacramento, CA "Recently I completed an entire section of Las Vegas related travel articles for the Honolulu newspaper. I researched various content, made all independent arrangements, visited Vegas, conducted numerous interviews (even at 5:00 A.M.), organized my thoughts, then crafted all copy. After minor revisions and fact checking, published the special section. Looked great, and I have already re-sold a few of the articles elsewhere." -Bob Ecker is a freelance writer living in Napa, California. Note from the publisher: "Gangbusters month, you guys---keep up the good work and keep sharing the boasts!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Coming Soon/Around the Corner: Carmel Mooney's online Travel Writing/Comped Travel Course. Take it 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 Carmel Mooney's Upcoming Writing and Publishing Classes/seminars: 6/28 Making Money the Write Way for Magazines and Newspapers, Learning Exchange, Sacramento, CA *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It's FREE---List your inn, resort, restaurant, entertainment venue, business, or destination seeking written coverage---contact the publisher at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine TO SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with "subscribe" as the subject to: subscribe@moneythewriteway.com TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with "unsubscribe" as the subject to: unsubscribe@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. If this occurs, please 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. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~