May 2016 Issue
Transcription
May 2016 Issue
The Authority Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association—Since 1994 Volume 23 Issue 5 May, 2016 May 21 CAPA Meeting — Jerry Labriola Will Present: Essentials for Writing a Novel Jerry Labriola, M.D., the author of 15 mystery novels and coauthor with Dr. Henry Lee of four forensic science books, will be CAPA's speaker on May 21. His topic is "Essentials for Writing a Novel." A Yale graduate, Dr. Labriola practiced medicine for 35 years and served as state senator; ran for Lt. Governor and Governor of Connecticut; and for the United States Senate. The meeting will be at a different location — it will be held in the cafeteria at the Avon Middle School, 375 West Avon Road (on the same road as our regular meeting, but about one mile west, near the intersection of West Avon Rd and Country Club Rd). Enter the school and turn to the right. Meet A Member: Jason Marchi By Will Dunlop Jason Marchi cites TV as the fuel for the imagination that serves him as a writer: “I’d watch a Saturday morning TV show like “Daktari” and after the show was over my heart would race with excitement. I couldn’t lace up my sneakers fast enough. And then I’d burst out the back door and into the backyard, where I’d spend the rest of the morning living on an African savanna, helping sick animals, going on safaris, chasing imaginary rhinos, and generally having a grand time.” Jason began writing after taking creative writing classes at Guilford High School taught by English teacher Joan Hayes. “It was because of Miss Hayes’ love of story and writing that I first got the bug,” Ja- Connecticut’s Source for Writing, Publishing & Marketing Information Inside This Issue Cover Design Strategies Cover Design Media Tips Strategies Media Selling Tip More Books CAPA Mini-U Reluctant Reader Connections IBPA Scholarship Poetry the 130 Rule ABCs ofand Editing Selling Books to Museums Celebrating Success Copyright Issues Writing Group Editing Process Upcoming Meetings Celebrating Success Sales Presentations Upcoming Meetings CAPA Webinars MarchConnection CAPA Webinars Co-op Co-op Connection Contributors Contributors Guy Achtzehn son remembers. “I was beginning to find an outlet for that wild imagination I’d had as a boy.” Another instigator was famed author Ray Bradbury, whom he wrote to in college during his freshman year. “Ray made the mistake of writing back. I would not leave him alone after that, and every three months I wrote him another letter after reading more of his amazing stories. He wrote back every single time, offering advice.” Continued on page 6 p. 2 p. 22 p. p. 32 p. p. 43 p. p. 43 p. p.54 p. p. 64 p. p. 64 p. p. 75 p. p. p. 76 p. p. 78 p. p. 88 p. 8 Jason Mark Alster Dottie Albertine Contributors Adele Annesi AdeleBuland Annesi Roberta Dick Benton Dotti Albertine Nancy Butler Roberta Buland Adele Annesi Will Dunlop Will Dunlop Wayne Dyer Dick Benton TonyaFoster Evans George Roberta Buland David George Garnes Foster Will Dunlop Frances Gilbert David Garnes Wayne English Brian Jud Felix F. Giordano David Garnes Elaine Kuzmeskus Noreen Grice Jenn T. Grace Karin Lefranc Brian Jud Ann Jamieson Dannel Malloy Joseph Brian JudKeeney Chuck Miceli Jerry Gay Labriola Barbara Nicholson Eric M Larson Diane Mikan Dan Poynter Jason Roger CMarchi Parker Tish Rabe Tom Santos Lisa TishSamia Rabe Mickey Spillane Tom Santos Lisa Samia Dan Dan Uitti Uitti Tom Santos Benita Dan UittiZahn page 2 The Authority The Cover Story - Dottie Albertine (Dotti Albertine of Albertine Book Design is an award-winning book designer and has been designing custom book covers and interiors for over 20 years. She can be reached at: www.AlbertineBookDesign.com and [email protected]) Capt. T.C. Randall, a charming, incredibly informed, self-taught sort of cell biologist and lover of the sea (inner and outer) chose this original painting for the cover of his book. Snakes variously symbolize medicine, wisdom and deceit. They are seen as messengers of transmutation able to crawl out of their old skins. Capt. Randall explains the simple acidic oxidative stress that is the cause of disease and the destruction of Earth’s atmosphere, and tells his reader how to crawl out of this skin into a healthy new one. To make the title “pop” over a busy background, I used a hot color, embossing, a red outline and a glow filter. I chose a font that was smooth and simple, reflective of the snake. It is italicized to indicate movement and action. It looks very straight-forward, but each book cover requires getting the “feel” of the book and several cover comps to get just the right one that works without being overworked. CAPA Officers’ & Board Members’ Contact Information Brian Jud Jerry Labriola Steve Reilly Dan Uitti Brian Jud Roberta J. Buland Deborah Kilday Brian Jud Will Dunlop Paula Flynn Tom Santos Steve Reilly Brian Jud Dick Benton Dan Uitti Deborah Kilday Dennis Schleicher Peggy Gaffney Richard Moriarty Speak English and not jargon; one of the problems many people have is they’re so into the details of the subject at hand they expect everybody to know the shorthand. If you’re in the business you know what they are, but most of us don’t. If you’re not a local resident I don’t expect you to know local events. And I don’t expect you to be a walking encyclopedia. But I do expect you to know national events surrounding your topic, what pertains to the topic we’re here to discuss. Benita Zahn, Noon News anchor and talk-show host on WNYT-TV, Albany, NY Article Submission CAPA Board of Directors Founder Co-Founder (CAPA) President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Immediate Past President Newsletter Director Meet-A-Member Articles Meet-A-Member Articles SECAPA Director SWCAPA Director Program Director Membership Director Webmaster Director The Big E Bookstore Publicity Director Social Networking Past-President, Advisor Media Tips [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Editor—Brian Jud, Meet-a-Member Column—Will Dunlop and Paula Flynn, Copy Editor—David Garnes, Staff Photographer—Deborah Kilday, The Authority welcomes articles written by members. Here are our guidelines. Topics may cover any aspect of writing, publishing and marketing. Your personal slant on this is of interest to all of us and welcome. Articles should be no longer than 400 words. If the article is longer, the editors reserve the right to reduce the size or divide it into sections that would be run in successive issues. All articles will be edited. Submit single spaced with no built-in formatting. Submit all articles to Brian Jud at [email protected]. Send submissions for the Meet-A -Member column to Will Dunlop at [email protected] or Paula Flynn at [email protected] ARTICLES DUE BY THE 28TH OF THE MONTH The Authority CAPA Mini-U: A One-Day Intensive University Workshop The Buck Starts Here Attend this oneday event and discover how you can sell more of your books in large, non-returnable quantities. Learn how you can be more profitable. Saturday June 25, 2016 10:00 am – 4:00pm Presented by Brian Jud 10:15 am—11:45 am What is special sales (non-bookstore marketing) and how you can sell more books in large, non-returnable quantities • A comparison of retail vs. nonretail buyers: once you understand the pros and cons of these two segments you can approach them effectively and efficiently Ten benefits of special sales: ten reasons why you made a good decision to sell to non-bookstore buyers Fastart™ checklist: an overview of all the steps you can take and the order in which to take them Define your target readers and buyers. Who are the people who can benefit the most from reading your content? Who else? Where do they work? Shop? Associate? Go to school? Who could be a decision influencer? The answers to these questions will make all your promotion and selling efforts more effective and efficient. page 3 12:30 pm—1:30pm How to find and contact prospects among non-retail buyers. Create a prospect list to find new buyers for your books among buyers in non-retail segments. These could be marketing people, HR managers, sales managers, association meeting planners, and prospects at government agencies, military buyers, libraries, book clubs or at schools. 1:45 pm —3:30 pm How to find and contact prospects among retail buyers. You are already familiar with this sector – it’s just like selling through bookstores. You find distributors or wholesalers to get your books into retail outlets where they are sold off the shelf to consumers. Payments are made in two or three months and unsold books are returned. Examples of non-bookstore retailers are discount stores and warehouse clubs, airport stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, museums, zoos and national parks, gift shops, and specialty stores. Location: The Loop Event Venue, 311 East Street, (RT 10) Plainville, CT 1 Day - 3 Workshops - Price = $40 Workshop Is Limited To A Maximum of 50 People – First Come, First Served Sign Up Now To Reserve Your Spot! Register at www.bookapss.org/ JudMiniU.pdf Sell the problem you solve, not your book Connections By Adele Annesi All writers need support for every step and at every stage of the writing life. Here are some of the best resources for new and experienced writers. About Freelance Writing http:// www.aboutfreelancewriting.com: This comprehensive site offers lots of free tips, articles and information for emerging and established freelance writers in varied genres. Advice to Writers http:// www.advicetowriters.com: This resource offers information from a host of authors on the world of writing. Discussions range from craft to publishing and publicity. Daily Writing Tips http:// www.dailywritingtips.com: Get information on the writing skills you need in everyday academics, life and work, not to mention creative projects. The emphasis is on clear, correct English. New articles are published daily on grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and vocabulary. Standout Books https:// www.standoutbooks.com/blog: Independent authors seeking publication can find a variety of resources to help them produce a high-quality product. This site emphasizes educational resources and the extra mile to further author success. Continued on page 4 page 4 Connections Continued from Page 3 The Creative Penn http:// www.thecreativepenn.com: These resources help writers finish, publish and market their books. It was voted one of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers and one of the Top 10 Blogs for Self-Publishers. The Procrastiwriter http:// www.theprocrastiwriter.com: Celebrate and channel your procrastination with advice from writers who get the work done. Visitors and guest posts are welcome. The Write Practice http:// thewritepractice.com: Jumpstart the habit of writing with fresh prompts, lessons and a supportive community for feedback. This site aims to show how great writers found their voice and help today’s writers grow into theirs. Happy writing! Adele Annesi is a writer, editor and teacher, and cofounder of the Ridgefield Writers Conference. Her blog is Word for Words http:// wordforwords.blogspot.com. Submit queries to [email protected]. Selling to Museum Gift Shops By Guy Achtzehn Books are considered impulse items in museum stores and should be priced accordingly. In addition, to a value price, buyers look for quality of production and content. The information in a new title is expected to be precise, and it may be subjected to a formal review process. Your submission to the buying authority should include a statement that facts and dates have been checked for accuracy. The Authority Poetry and the 130 Rule By Joseph Keeney Amazon’s Create Space told June (my client) that the title on the spine had to be ripped off before her poetry book could be printed; 130 pages were needed to keep the title. Like most other poetry authors, June’s book contained 50 to 65 poems. In the past, adding pages like the dedication and bio to the count of the poems was enough to get the title printed. But now Create Space and other print-on-demand companies won’t budge on the page number. June learned that the library could affix a sticker on the spine but she didn’t like that. There were other choices, too: 1) create more poems; 2) go to another printer; or 3) add filler pages. In my experience as a publisher, choice #1 is out as poets oppose creating more poems. Choice #2 is out because Create Space offers hard-to-beat no start-up fees and low print-on-demand costs. That leaves choice #3; hence, filler pages are offered as the solution to the page count dilemma. Let’s start by adding no-brainer filler pages: table of contents, copyright, dedication, acknowledgement, forward and bio pages. Section pages add considerably if you organize your poems into categories. We have potentially uncovered 10 to 15 extra pages so far to add to the poem count. The real thrust in adding filler pages, however, comes from another resource. You get free access to this resource on the Internet: royalty-free clip- art, photos and quotes. Sprinkle these on 30 to 40 blank pages throughout your book and your spine-text problem disappears. But a word of caution is warranted. I suggest you tread lightly! You do not want to distract from your poetry with too much clip-art, photos and quotations. Filling blank pages for the sake of filling blank pages is noise. The trick is to make sure that on each blank page, only one, very small clip art, photo or two-line quote is centered. I promise you that it will look good in the layout. And, in addition to the look, make each filler page meaningful by relating it to a poem or other content in your book. The royalty-free sites listed here offer a treasure trove where you can find the exact idea you are looking for. And, with smart filler pages, you may be able to avert the sticker on the spine. Clipart: openclipart.org; www.elker.com; wpclipart.com Photos: getty images;freefoto.com; freeimages;freedigitalfotos.net Quotations: great-quotes.com; the quotations page; the quote garden How Long Copyright Protection Lasts By Tonya Evans The duration of copyright protection depends on when a work is created and always runs through the end of the calendar year in which it expires. But in general for works created on or after 1978, protection lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years after her death. For additional information and specific details about pre -1978 works or those created on a work-for-hire basis or by more than one author, see Copyright Companion for Writers. The Authority page 5 The ABCs of the Editing Process: Both Sides of the Pond: American vs. British Spelling By Roberta Buland Differences arise between American and English spellings of the same words and may be perplexing to readers. Despite how much the USA and UK have in common, there are enough differences between the two versions of the English language that an American may not always understand exactly what a Brit is saying. The US and the UK's imperial histories and modern influence over the world have changed the English language forever. And there is no going back! When I lived abroad, I often was asked to edit a work written in English that could be easily understood by English speakers all over the world. Since English is my mother tongue, I wondered at first what was meant by “easily understood” until the challenge presented itself written in “British English.” No doubt you have come across words thought to be misspelled in American English only to find out that those words are accurately spelled in British English. Some British words have an extra “u” until you realize (no pun intended) that the “u” signifies British spelling, as in favorite/favourite, color/colour, and neighbor/neighbour. My computer highlights the British words with a “u” in red, signifying a misspelling. No doubt, a computer intended for the British English world would highlight those spellings without the “u.” What's a writer to do? Other differences abound. There is the use of “z” vs. “s” in some words, as in analyze/analyse and memorize/memorise. American English often simplifies spelling by leaving out letters. Examples are airplane/aeroplane, program/programme, plow/plough, aluminum/aluminium, and draft/ draught. “Draught” on my computer was not highlighted as misspelled. I checked the meaning of the American spelling of “draught.” It is a variant on “draft,” so that makes it ok to use in either version of English. But, beware the noun, “draughts,” which means checkers! Then there are the “reversal” words. Americans prefer to use “er” at the end of a word whereas the British use “-re” as in theater/ theatre and meter/metre. Many American English writers like to sound or appear sophisticated. They might use the Queen’s spelling of “grey” for “gray” or “tyre” for “tire.” Another difference is found in names of articles of clothing. While Americans are enamored of sneakers of all colors and brands, the British call the same shoe a “trainer.” Not knowing the difference between the two words, it is incumbent upon the author to clarify or you will have students wearing “trainers,” which are usually used by babies! The same holds for sweater. The British call it a “jumper” or “pullover.” A jumper is like a sleeveless dress in American English, or it can refer to a cable to connect a dead battery to a live one. While a pullover is a kind of sweater in American, it is only one kind, not as inclusive as in British English. Americans wear brac- es on their teeth to straighten them; the British wear them to hold up trousers. We call the latter suspenders. Imagine if you used the wrong word in your writing! One of the words that has always perplexed me is the British “waistcoat.” Logically, it sounds like a kind of coat. Yet for the British, it is what Americans mean by a vest. My advice for American authors: Use American spellings as much as possible. If you do need to use a British spelling or definition, be sure to let your readers know what you mean. And, no matter what, be consistent in spelling usage so as not to confuse your audience! Questions or comments? Email: [email protected] et Roberta J. Buland is the OwnerEditor of RIGHT WORDS UNLIMITED, a full service editorial and publishing firm in West Hartford. She is a past president of CAPA and may be reached at 860-3082550. Feel free to contact her with questions about any aspect of editing, writing, and publishing. Do you shy away from taking a risk, or do you consider it an adventure? It depends on your definition. The word “risk” has roots in the Italian word rischiare, meaning, “to dare.” Strike the right balance between risk and reward. Dare to sell to non-bookstore buyers. page 6 CAPA Members Celebrating Success Noreen Grice says, "I was honored to present the 10:30 am live planetarium (tour of the night sky) show at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC. The show was sold out, and it was amazing to speak under a 70-ft dome of stars! After the planetarium show, I did a book signing of Everyone's Universe, Second Edition, outside the Museum gift shop. It was a five-star day!” Eric M Larson just received an exceptional review of his newest novel, Millville: A Real New England Ghost Story in the “Midwest Book Review,” an organization committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. The MBR publishes monthly book review magazines specifically designed for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and the general reading public. The reviewer comments: “...an inherently fascinating and deftly crafted story that demonstrates author Eric M. Larson's impressive and exceptional storytelling skills. A fully engaging and absorbing read from beginning to end.” Felix Giordano says, “My two novels in the Sheriff Jim Buchanan series, Montana Harvest and, recently, Mystery at Little Bitterroot, have achieved extraordinary success. Mystery... attained Amazon's #1 monthly ranking for Native American Literature's Hot New Book Releases in April, 2016, outpacing the newest Longmire mystery, and remained #1 for most of the month. Both novels were ranked in Amazon's top 10 Best Selling Books in the Native American Literature category with Mys- The Authority tery...reaching as high as #3. So far this year, together they have generated sales of more than 1,300 copies and more than 300,000 Kindle Normalized Pages Read (KENP). Montana Harvest is currently in audio book production with ACX, a subsidiary of Amazon. I also held a recent book signing at the Ashford Senior Center's Spring Craft Fair, where I donated the sales of the first ten copies to the senior center.” CAPA Membership Director Dick Benton keeps busy getting involved: “I produce the MPHA Newsletter that goes out quarterly. It’s a community newsletter for the magical village of Milton (a part of Litchfield). I also do the LWG Pitter-Patter (newsletter) for The Litchfield Writers Guild, which I have run since 2003. That’s published twice a month. Then there’s the NMC (Nutmeg Miata Club). Holly (my wife) and I conduct a Wine and Dine Run annually. And I write The Benton Perspective on each Run afterwards, which goes on the Nutmeg Miata website.” Jason Marchi Continued from Page 1 Fast forward to today: Jason has been a part-time freelance correspondent to Shore Publishing (a weekly newspaper publisher) and their ancillary magazines for the past 11 years. Before that he was with publisher McGraw/Dushkin for 17 years, fulfilling several roles that eventually led to the position of administrative services and facilities manager. This experience all led to his creating his own small press in 2010. As many other authors have said, Jason writes because he has to: “I only feel mentally and emotionally healthy when I write. From the physical action of my fingers wanting to move on the keyboard, to the satisfaction of building a miniature world where one did not exist before...It’s just you and the blank page or the blank screen...That’s the thrill of the process.” And he loves the entire process: getting a new idea, scene writing, and even research, though he notes culling extensive research down into what he should use is challenging. Jason has been doing journalistic writing, but he says he loves the short story. He also writes children’s stories and has two 32-page ..picture books: The Continued on page 7 The Authority Jason Marchi Continued from Page 6 Legend of Hobbomock: the Sleeping Giant and The Growing Sweater. Jason's published work also includes short stories and reprints, along with poems that have been published by Amazing Stories and Weird Tales. He has sold over 300 personality profiles, 100 news and crime-ways articles, and a dozen feature stories covering topics from the history of Connecticut shade tobacco to an exposé about a dog therapy program at Niantic's York Correctional. He has earned two awards and a number of certificates, which he cites as inspiration whenever he has the common writer’s fear that he will not be able to write another decent story. When asked about any projects currently in the works, Jason had this page 7 to say: “I have too many projects in the pipe-line, and each one screams Making at me to abelarge, brought non-returnable to full life. I’ll book sale never run out to corporate of ideas. buyers I’ve backed usually requires away from that the newspaper you make awriting formal saleslast the presentation year to finally to one bring or more full people. voice toThe the 300 larger short the stories sale theasking more people for completion. involvedEach with story the decision. has a file Murphy’s folder neatly Law placed is alive in one and of well 18(!) in the special-sales filing cabinet drawers. arena,Iand have tomy prevail you work cutmust out for have me,the and flexibility I’ll haveto to deal for live with another a variety 30 of years unexpected writing circumstances. full time to complete most of these books.” 1. Your presentation is postJasonponed, first joined generally CAPA at the afterlast he was invited minuteby (reschedule Deborah Kilday as quickly to sell copies as possible) of Hobbomock at the Big -E. Of CAPA’s members, he says, 2. A major decision maker “CAPA has wondrous, driven,cannot attend or must early knowledgeable membersleave to help self-publishers and small-press publishers through a myriad of details involved in the business.” Among those he gives a shout-out to are Brian Jud, Dan Uitti, Chuck Miceli, and Richard LaPorta. Jason says he would like to learn more about marketing, citing that being a self-publisher is challenging when it comes to distribution. He is currently working on a marketing campaign for The Legend of Hobbomock: the Sleeping Giant. He asks if anyone has advice on a distributor who will allow him to handle order fulfillment of his preprinted book stock for a reasonable price. For more information about Jason, visit his website at www.jasonmarchi.com. You can also find his currently available titles at www.omicronworld.com and Amazon.com, and he welcomes emails at [email protected] “The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book.” Mickey Spillane Schedule of Upcoming Meetings CAPA CENTRAL Location: Sycamore Hills Park Community Center Avon, CT; third Saturday of each month, 10:30 am (http://www.aboutcapa.com/avon.htm) May 21: Jerry Labriola — Essentials for Writing a Novel (Avon Middle School) June 18: Tom Campbell — How to Get the Most From Your Printer July 16: Annual Summer Picnic August 20: Dave DeWitt: Use handwriting to eliminate writer’s block September 17: Leslie Karen Hammond: Book Publishing for People with Powerful Stories CAPA SOUTHEAST Location: Best Western, Olympic Inn, 6:30 pm (Tom Santos, [email protected]; find current meeting information at http://www.aboutcapa.com/capase.htm) May 16: Best Western, Olympic Inn, Rte 12, Groton, CT June 20: Richard LaPorta, more on Copyrights July 18: Brian Jud — Book Marketing August 15: Summer Meeting, Annual Picnic CAPA SOUTHWEST Location: Plumb Memorial Library, Shelton. 6:30 pm (Steve Reilly, [email protected]; find current meeting information at http://www.aboutcapa.com/capasw.htm) May 9: Jerry Labriola — Fiction Writing June 13: Speaker and Topic To Be Announced July 11: Speaker and Topic To Be Announced page 8 The Authority CAPA’s Co-op Connection Save money as you market your books by sharing the cost of events with other CAPA members. Want to participate in one of these sales opportunities with other CAPA members? Log on to the CAPA social network (http:// authorsandpublishersct.ning.com/). June 4 5 5 11 11 11 18 18 18-19 18-19 25 25 Bloomfield Seymour Shelton Litchfield South Windsor Unionville Cheshire Old Lyme Ansonia Monroe Ansonia New London Celebrate Bloomfield Founders' Day Arts & Crafts Fair Gallery on the Green Strawberry Festival & Craft Fair Strawberry Festival & Craft Fair Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair Osprey Festival Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire Strawberry Festival & Craft Show Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire Thames River Art & Craft Show July 2-3 2-4 8-10 9 9 9-10 9-10 15 15 23 East Lyme Ansonia Enfield Hartford Lisbon New London Shelton Guilford Hartford Colchester Niantic Outdoor A&C Show Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire Town Celebration Riverfest EcoFair Sailfest Soupstock Craft Expo 2016 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz Festival on the Green CAPA P. O. Box 715 Avon, CT 06001-0715 Free Book Marketing Webinars Brian Jud will host webinars that can help you sell more books, more profitably. These webinars are free to CAPA members. Each starts at 6 p. m. Eastern Time. If you cannot attend, a link to the recording will be posted at www.aboutcapa.com. You may also find details about future webinars there. The upcoming free webinars for CAPA members are: May 26: “Green Audiences, Green Titles, Green Printing,” By Shel Horowitz, 6:00 pm ET; Register at: http://tinyurl.com/j4tanjd June 8: “How to Sell More Books to Non-Bookstore Buyers,” By Brian Jud; 6:00 pm ET, Register at http://tinyurl.com/h7yp93v June 23: “Mid-Year Marketing Checkup,” by Brian Jud; 6:00 pm ET; Register at http://tinyurl.com/ gq64omr