Welcome to the SPARREW Newsletter!
The newsletter for Self-Publishers, Authors, Readers, Reviewers, Editors and Writers!
Welcome to the latest issue of the newsletter! This newsletter is just for writers, book reviewers, booklovers, self-publishers, editors and authors. So glad to have you on board!
Confession time: I was not able to release the book I intended to release this month. My plan was to release a novelette but, unfortunately, I was without a fiction editor. I debated releasing this ebook without edits, however, I did not feel comfortable doing so. My experience in trying to read a nonfiction ebook that was sorely in need of edits pretty much helped me to come to the decision that I shouldn’t do it. While I enjoyed reading the book, the various mistakes made it hard for me to read it without interruption. I would edit the book in my mind as I read it, but it really killed the reading experience for me. I could not sit back and REALLY enjoy reading the book. All of those mistakes kept bothering me too much. I eventually stopped reading the ebook altogether.
So that pretty much told me that releasing a novelette without edits was a really bad idea!
I got busy looking for an affordable editor of fiction. Since my finances are pretty limited at this time, and since I was not going to ask an editor already charging extensive fees to offer me a deal on their editing services, I had to see if I could find an editor of fiction who charged a decent rate. Fortunately, that happened rather quickly, and since her rate was her regular rate, I hired her on to edit my remaining fiction ebooks. Yay!
Some writers may feel that if they are giving away their work (such as with a free ebook), it’s not worth it to invest in an editor or a good cover designer. However, consider this: Readers new to your work who read one of your free ebooks may walk away with a bad opinion of your skill as a writer if you don’t put in the effort to produce your best work. I have come across many free ebooks that had bad covers and very poor editing, and this was the first time I was getting acquainted with the writer’s work. Not only did I NOT finish reading their ebooks but I also had zero interest in reading any of their other work.
With the free ebooks I came across which had great covers, good writing, and interesting content, as well as stories written well, I read their books to the end, left positive reviews, and looked for the author’s other work to read. (I love finding new authors to read!)
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Put your best book forward. As professional writers, we owe it to ourselves to produce our best work, even if it’s something we choose to give away for free. Some writers may feel it is a “waste” of money to pay for editing, cover design and formatting, but if you want to attract new readers with your free content (which is your ultimate goal), you want to make sure that the sample of your work they are receiving is a good representation of the kind of writing you provide in your work which they would otherwise have to pay for. If your work is good enough, and if your writing is good enough, they’ll be willing to pay for it.
In other news, you will find more info on what kind of free ebook awaits your clicks below.
I am very excited about this issue! Check out the interview with self-publisher, Valerie Allen. I became aware of Valerie’s work through a Facebook group for writers, and I soon learned she also self-published ebooks. In fact, she has self-published many of them, most of them available through Amazon. Learn all about Valerie’s experiences as a writer as well as her journey in self-publishing.
You’ll also get to meet author Russell R. James, a prolific author of science fiction and horror novels. I became acquainted with Russell and his work through Facebook, and I have been impressed at the rate he is constantly bringing out new books. Read all about him and his work in the author interview!
Kim Catanzarite returns to the newsletter, this time with an interview about being an editor. I have been checking out Kim’s editing services and her course at Writer’s Digest (which is on my wish list!). Read all about her experience and advice as an editor.
Finally, you’ll get to meet short story writer Elana Gomel. After Elana joined the Gypsy Shadow Publishing family, I immediately got busy checking out her work as an author and writer. I connected with her through Facebook, and I was constantly coming across her posts about acceptances and publication of her short stories. She is definitely a successful and prolific short story writer. Read my interview with Elana to learn all about her and her work!
As always, check out the latest installment in Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s Tricky Edits column!
This issue’s feature article is about something which I feel a lot of writers might be able to relate to: How writing first thing in the morning seems to be the only chance they have ever been able to find time to write! My writing schedule and “working hours” went out the window this summer. My oldest does not use the PC very often, but my youngest definitely grabs time to use it whenever they can! And they usually end up being on the computer for hours – since, of course, they don’t have school! Morning writing has helped me to manage getting a lot of writing done this summer, although sadly, the same can’t be said about work on my books. Hopefully I can get back to working on them soon!
Enjoy this issue!
Check out archived issues of the SPARREW Newsletter here
All current issues will be posted on my website here
Meanwhile, here are my most recent blog posts:
Dawn Colclasure’s Blog: “The August Ebook Confusion”
I welcome submissions from subscribers!
Are you a booklover who wants to have your book blog featured?
Are you a writer with news?
Are you an author looking for reviewers of your latest book?
Are you a book reviewer whose review just went live?
Are you a self-publisher with a new release?
Are you an editor who wants to share your thoughts on editing, complete with a bio advertising your business?
Please feel free to submit any of these notes to me at DMCWriter@gmail.com for the next issue of the newsletter!
Self-Publisher Interview with Valerie Allen
1. What can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
I write fiction, nonfiction, short stories, anthologies, and children's books. For many years I wrote primarily academic and educational materials. My interest turned to writing fiction based on issues that impact families. All of my novels are psychological thrillers with a focus on a child in peril. My short stories delve into various family relationships, some humorous and others poignant. My children's chapter books touch on the concerns of children in middle grades.
2. What made you decide to write a book?
As a psychologist, I've always been moved by the depth of emotion brought about by life circumstances, as well as the reaction in dealing with them. Within this context I attempt to share the idea that we all experience and survive the day-to-day events presented by our life situation.
3. What circumstances brought you to the decision to self-publish your book?
I decided to self-publish after I explored the timeliness of traditional publishing and the restrictions involved.
4. What has your experience as a self-publisher been like?
I have enjoyed the success I've found as an Indie publisher! The convenience, going at my own pace, making timely changes/corrections/edits to make updates, and yes, even doing my own marketing! I have enjoyed the support and encouragement of other Indie publishers as well as traditionally published writers.
5. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self- publishing and self-published books?
Truthfully, I have not found this to be an issue. My writing has found a following of readers and my books are in libraries. They are well represented on social media and Amazon sends out notification of my work without a charge.
6. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher?
As with anything, “Persistence is the key to success!” I enjoy creativity and self-expression. My writing brings self-satisfaction and insight to others.
7. What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
It may be hard to believe, but there was a time of no computers, no electronic devices, and no cell phones! Self-publishing would have been much easier if I had the benefit of IT from the beginning instead of all that trial and error along the way!
8. A lot of authors of self-published books have reservations about promoting and marketing their book. Some even feel that it is a form of vanity or self-importance. What is your opinion about this?
I'm likely one of the few writers who enjoy marking. You must “tell to sell” and reach readers. I enjoy meeting people and sharing information that I think they will find interesting.
9. How do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
I use all three modes to promote my work: in person, hard copy materials, and social media. All are successful in their own way, as I reach a different group of readers (and hopefully buyers).
10. What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
I've learned the importance of networking and sharing information with others. Writing is done in isolation and it's important to have others to turn to for information and encouragement.
11. Do you feel that self-publishing is a viable choice for other authors?
Absolutely! One must have computer skills and a willingness to learn about the publishing industry as a whole.
12. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
This was bound to happen, as there are many talented authors, with the skills to write interesting stories. Traditional publishers cannot accept every manuscript due to limitations of costs and staff. Additionally, they tend to accept only manuscripts within what they feel is of interest to their target readership. Books outside of that realm are rejected out of hand. Self-published authors take on full responsibility for their work from start to finish!
ABOUT VALERIE:
Valerie Allen, psychologist and author writes, fiction, nonfiction, short stories, anthologies, and children's books. She is the Executive Director of Authors for Authors and a popular speaker at book and author events. She conducts workshops for writers using her book, Write, Publish, Sell! 2nd Ed, and seminars for educators, parents, medical, and mental health professionals based on her motivational, self-help books, Beyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony and Understanding Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends. She lives in warm and sunny Florida, where she has raised six children from whom she
has learned many things about life and love! Visit her Amazon page as well as her website.
New Release!
Free tools and resources for writers are all over the Internet. If you have been hoping to find them all in one place, then look no further! From editing to formatting, grammar and spelling, character names and world building, Free Stuff For Writers is a new ebook that will help writers find the free tools and resources they need. This ebook is full of lists of where to find free courses and workshops, where to score free word processing apps and how you can get your manuscript edited using a free online tool. You’ll also discover free newsletters for writers as well as where to find jobs. Free Stuff For Writers is your answer to “where can I find a GOOD free writing tool on the Internet?” and can help you make sure your work looks professional, edited, and just the way you want it to be!
Available as a free download from Kindle Unlimited here
Coming Soon!
Smokey is a curious, adventurous and fun-loving housecat who leads a secret life going on missions with his friends. The Smokey Files shares stories of this lovable housecat’s many adventures, all while surviving the crazy antics he comes across while living with a human who would rather spend more time writing than filling up his food bowl!
News in Self-Publishing
"Everything you need to know about self-publishing your book, in 7 simple steps" by Supriya Thanawala
via Money Control
"The Write Stuff: Tips On Self-Publishing A Book" by Michelle Talsma Everson
via Forbes
"What is the best way to market your self-published book?" by Rachel Klaver
via Stuff
Author Interview with Russell James
1. When did you start writing?
My first novel to be accepted by a publisher was DARK INSPIRATION in 2011, but there was a lot of very bad writing that went on for years before that. Many might say some bad writing has gone on after that as well.
2. What was your journey towards becoming an author like?
When my wife and I would take a long trip, I would say “You know what would be a good story?” and then give her a plot outline of something I’d thought of.
Eventually she got tired of listening to this and said “Why don’t you write down these stories you keep telling me?”
“Because no one would ever pay to read something I’d written,” I said.
Well, she got me into a writing class for a Christmas present.
That led to working with a coach and an excellent critique group to get my skills honed. Eventually I had two short stories accepted for publication and then Samhain Horror picked up DARK INSPIRATION.
3. What can you tell me about your latest book?
DEMON DAGGER came out August 16th from Flame Tree Press. In this story, Drew Price has the gift of being able to see the demon within a possessed person, which has set him on the path to be a demon hunter. Archdemon Nicobar, who had been sent back to Hell, returns and possesses a new host. That archdemon is bent on revenge against demon hunters, and the hunter's family is not exempt from that vengeance. Drew has to master using the demon dagger to slay the archdemon, but Nicobar is always one step ahead, and the stakes keep getting higher. I'm very proud of this latest work and it has gotten a great review at Publisher's Weekly.
4. What sort of methods do you use for book promotion?
For DEMON DAGGER I hired Kaye Publicity to help me get out the word. This is the first time I’ve done that and I think it has been worth the investment. They have been able to line up a lot of interviews and reviews for the book.
On my own I use Facebook and to a lesser extent Twitter to keep in touch with people, but I don’t think either are very good sales tools.
Getting the word out about my books mostly happens at horror and pop culture cons. I do a dozen or so events a year where I get to meet hordes of fun readers and chat with returning fans. Those appearances are always a blast.
I have a monthly newsletter that people can sign up for here if they want to see the latest happenings in my writing, convention, and auto repair world.
5. Where do you get your ideas for stories?
Every story is different, usually sparked by something I observe or an interesting article I’ve read. That gives me a starting point and I write organically from there.
DEMON DAGGER is the only novel where the idea started the story in the middle. I live in Central Florida and love to visit the theme parks. Watching the costumed characters one day I thought how you really don’t know who is inside the big smiling character head. It could be anyone.
Being a horror writer, of course that led me to wondering if it could be a bad person, someone intent on exploiting this moment where people drop their guard in a supposedly safe environment. This idea became pivotal scene in the middle of the book. So, for the first time I had to write outward from the middle instead of from the start to the finish.
6. What are you working on right now?
I have three series through Severed Press: The Grant Coleman Adventures, the Ranger Kathy West Adventures, and the new Rick and Rose Sinclair Adventures. Grant is a paleontologist who keeps getting roped into expeditions that end up finding giant monsters. These are Saturday matinee B-movie fun tales. His sixth adventure was trying to steal resurrected wooly mammoths from a Russian oligarch above the Arctic Circle in MAMMOTH ISLAND. In the current work-in-progress, I have him facing some serious dinosaurs in the wilds of Utah in DESOLATION CANYON.
7. Any advice for other authors?
Keep reading, keep writing, and finish what you have started. Completing that first work is a major milestone, proof that you can take a project from start to finish. That confidence makes tackling the second round of inspiration easier. Be prepared for a lot of rejection and celebrate even the smallest win.
ABOUT RUSSELL:
Russell James grew up on Long Island, New York and spent too much time watching late night horror. After flying helicopters with the U.S. Army and a career as a technical writer, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight, including horror thrillers DARK INSPIRATION, Q ISLAND, and THE PORTAL. He authored the Grant Coleman Adventures series starting with CAVERN OF THE DAMNED and the Ranger Kathy West series starting with CLAWS. He resides in sunny Florida. His wife reads his work, rolls her eyes, and says "There is something seriously wrong with you."
Visit his website, check in at Russell R. James or Russell James–Author on Facebook, follow on Twitter @RRJames14, or say hello at rrj@russellrjames.com.
Author News
"I wanted to use gender-neutral pronouns in my new book – my publisher pushed back" by Linda Jane Keegan
via The Spinoff
"The quirky bookshop representing independent and self-published authors from around the world" by Anna Ferguson
via TeessideLive
"Quick Tips on Writing a Novelette" by Deborah Sheldon
via HorrorTree
"Writing Advice: How to Get the Feedback You Need" by Carmen Amato
via Publisher's Weekly
"7 Questions to Reboot a Nonfiction Book You’ve Been Writing Forever" by Jennifer Louden
via Jane Friedman
"How Suspense and Tension Work Together to Increase Story Impact" by Tiffany Yates Martin
via Jane Friedman
"THE MAKING OF A CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATION" by Karen Cioffi
via Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi
"“True Publishing Includes Marketing… or How I Developed My Book Marketing World View" by Carolyn-Howard Johnson
via Reader Views
Other Book Reviews:
Buried Secrets of Krissy Baccaro reviewed by Rod DiGruttolo
via New Book Review
via Defining Ways
"Book review: 2 new poetry collections lay the groundwork for reclaiming our humanity" by Nancy Lord
via Anchorage Daily News
"Review: 'Where Are the Snows,' by Kathleen Rooney by Max Winter
via The Star Tribune
Calls for Reviews
I’d love to find reviewers for my latest release, Free Stuff For Writers. Available only as an ebook. Contact me at DMCWriter@gmail.com if interested.
News in Book Reviewing:
"How to review a book you don’t like without destroying your professional relationships" by Letitia Henville
via University Affairs
Book Blogs
Book News
"Graywolf Press’s New Publisher is Looking for Talent in New Places" by Kate Dwyer
via The New York Times
"This New DC Bookstore Sells Only Queer-Focused Books" by Grace Deng
via Washingtonian
"For Instant Happiness, Grab a Book and Head Outside" by Elisabeth Egan and Erica Ackerberg
via The New York Times
"Little Free Libraries put books in their place" by M. English
via The Times Herald
via Cision
"Banning Books Is No Way to Protect Young Minds" by Stephen L. Carter
via The Washington Post
"“Making sure that we are reaching new audiences”: How publishers are innovating with audio" by Faisal Kalim
via What's New in Publishing
"Google’s “helpful content update” rolls out today: What publishers need to know"
via What's New in Publishing
"Amazon Stands by Books" by Jim Milliot
via Publishers Weekly
"Americans Don’t Want Books Banned, But They’re Divided Over What Schools Teach" by Zoha Qamar
via FiveThirtyEight
"The freedom to read banned books" by AJ Fahr
via Branson Tri Lakes News
New Books
Screamcatcher: Sa'be Most Monstrous (Screamcatcher #4)
by Christy J. Breedlove
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy
INVENTOR OF THE FUTURE: The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller
by Alec Nevala-Lee
Category: Biography
by Winnie M Li
Genre: Thriller
Hunter's Wish: A Post-Apocalyptic Alien Romance (Xarc'n Warriors: Mountains Book 4)
by Lynnea Lee
Genre: Science Fiction
Chaos: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Elite Rogue Alien Warriors Book 3)
by Hattie Jacks
Genre: Science Fiction
SEDUCE (SKY CLAN OF THE TAORI BOOK 3) by Tana Stone
by Tana Stone
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Reede's Mission to the Sectors: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel (Sectors New Allies Series Book 15)
by Veronica Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Dark Elf's Property (Dark Elves of Protheka Book 8)
by Celeste King
Genre: Paranormal/Romance
BRUTAL ORC (BRIDES OF ATTIS BOOK 2) by Luna Hunter
by Luna Hunter
Genre: Science Fiction
THE HIVE (OMEGA BLOODLINES BOOK ONE)
by SC Morrison
Genre: LGBTQ+ Science Fiction/Horror
GUARDED BY THE ALIEN BOSS (A MATE FOR THE LURAELLA TRADERS BOOK 2)
by Alina Riley
Genre: Steampunk/Science Fiction
by Anna Adler
Genre: Romance
IMMUNITY BOND (MODIFIED HUMANS BOOK TWO)
by L M Spilsbury
Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
Flame Kept (Intergalactic Matchmaking Agency Book 2)
by Athena Storm
Genre: Paranormal Romance
BLOOD OF THE JAGUAR (SONS OF kUKULCAN BOOK 9)
by R L Olvitt
Genre: Science Fiction
Ruby Fever (A Hidden Legacy Novel)
by Ilona Andrews
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ONCE UPON AN EVER AFTER: A COLLECTION OF TWISTED FAIRY TALES
by Various Authors
Genre: Anthology/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
TOGETHER WE STAND VOL 2: A CHARITY ANTHOLOGY FOR UKRAINE
by Various Authors
Genre: Anthology
THE GIRL ON THE POSTER (THE DARK CIRCUS TRILOGY BOOK TWO)
by H P Mallory and J R Rain
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ETERNALLY HERS: FF PARANORMAL ROMANCE COLLECTION
by Various Authors
Genre: Anthology/LGBTQ+ Paranormal Romance
MUSE INSPIRED (NINE HEIRS AND A SPARE BOOK 6)
by Donna McDonald
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
COLD BROOM COFFEE (ENCHANTED ENCLAVE MYSTERIES BOOK 8)
by Samantha Silver
Genre: Cozy Mystery
FLUKE AND THE FANTASTIC FINALE (THE FANTASTIC FLUKE BOOK 5)
by Sam Burns
Genre: LGBT Fantasy/Paranormal
PACK RECLAIMED (BLOOD AND MOONLIGHT BOOK THREE)
by Jarica James
Genre: Romance
Clown in a Cornfield 2: Frendo Lives
by Adam Cesare
Genre: YA Horror
Tricky Edits from Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Excerpt from 3rd Edition of The Frugal Editor
@frugalbookpromo
What All-Cap Titles Won’t Do for You!
Stop! Reserve your use of all-caps for places they will work for you, and that’s very few places. Many search engines’ algorithms don’t recognize all-caps, so using them may do the opposite of what you are trying to do. For instance, if you use them on your book’s title or author name, they can limit search engine discoverability for your books. That might mean fewer book sales among other benefits.
ABOUT CAROLYN:
Once a month Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares a tricky edit excerpted from The Frugal Editor with Dawn’s newsletter readers. It’s the winningest book in her multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series for writers. She is now working on the third edition for release in September and found this tip that will be especially useful for self-publishers. Learn more about the series at her website.
Editor Interview with Kim Catanzarite
1. How did you become an editor?
My first editing job was for a local newspaper. That’s where I learned what copyeditors do. Before that, I thought they simply read a piece of writing and corrected typos. At the newspaper, I realized that copyeditors delve a lot deeper than that. They fix awkward sentences, apply the rules of the stylebook, and sometimes totally restructure a piece of writing.
After the newspaper, I became an editor at a book publishing company and was introduced to developmental editing, The Chicago Manual of Style, and the book publishing process.
2. What kind of editing do you do? And will you work with a client who asks for the kind of editing you don't normally provide?
I offer developmental editing (also called content editing) and copyediting. The first type deals with the “big” things, like overall story structure, characters and their arcs, point of view, and pacing. Copyediting, on the other hand, takes a close look at the writing itself. That’s where grammar, word choices, and style come in. I don’t offer proofreading.
3. What editing tools do you feel are the most helpful?
The Chicago Manual of Style is the most helpful tool out there. I’m old school so I have never used editing software. I know there are programs available that help with basic grammar, and I think that’s great for getting those errors out of the way. I also believe programs like this can’t replace the work of a human editor.
4. What are the most common mistakes you see?
When it comes to developmental editing, I see a lot of errors in point of view, which pertains to who is telling the story. For instance, if you’re telling the story from Anne’s point of view, you can’t head-hop into Bill’s thoughts and feelings. You can only tell us what Anne sees, hears, thinks—what Anne experiences—and unless she’s telepathic, she won’t know what Bill is specifically thinking until he tells her.
As a copyeditor, I see every kind of mistake. The worst of them are sentences that are hard to follow or simply don’t make sense. If the reader can’t figure out what you’re trying to say, that is a big problem.
5. Which books do you feel are helpful to writers who want to write better?
The Chicago Manual of Style. Part II of the book, titled Style and Usage, contains sections on grammar and punctuation as well as spelling and hyphenation. These are the basics every writer should know. Writers who want to improve can study that section and practice applying what they learn to their writing.
6. How do you handle a situation where a client often questions or argues your edits done on their work?
I haven’t had this experience. I edit the entire book and return it to the writer. In the case of a developmental edit, they will go through my comments and suggestions, and decide which they want to incorporate. If a suggestion doesn’t resonate with them, they always have the option to ignore it. Only the author knows what’s best for their book.
When it comes to copyediting, they can decide to accept all of my changes or some of them or none of them. If a change doesn’t feel right to them, or they don’t like it for artistic reasons, they are free to stick with the original.
I always provide a three-page editing sample before we’ve agreed to work together so the client can get a feel for the kind of edits they’ll get from me.
7. That said, please describe your ideal client.
An ideal client is one who is open-minded and eager to learn from the editing experience. Both a developmental edit and a copyedit can be an eye-opening learning experience for a writer who wants to up their game.
8. What should a client expect when working with you as their editor?
They can expect me to do a thorough job and to give them the best advice I can provide to help them improve their book.
9. What do you do in the event that you feel the client’s work needs more in-depth editing than what they have asked for?
Often a client will think the book is ready for a copyedit, but when I start reading it, it becomes clear that there are too many development issues to ignore. This can happen when an author uses beta readers to help with the developmental editing rather than hiring a professional editor. Beta readers are important and they’re definitely useful, but they don’t have the depth of knowledge a professional has.
I suggest using a round or two of beta readers before hiring a developmental editor. The best situation is one in which the author pays for just one round of developmental editing.
If the book suffers from structural issues or POV problems, or things like repetition, slow pacing, and plot holes, it’s not time for the copyeditor to work her magic. A copyedit is a waste if the content of the book is still being shaped, added to, or deleted from. The manuscript must be in the best shape possible before it’s ready for the polish a copyeditor will apply.
10. Do you negotiate your rates?
Editing fees are not cheap because good editors have worked very hard to hone their skills, usually over a substantial number of years. Sometimes there’s room for negotiation. For instance, when an author has had a developmental edit done, follows with a substantial amount of revision, and then feels a second round of editing is warranted.
I offer a high skill level and decades of experience, but I take a middle-of-the-road approach when it comes to the rates I charge. I stick with the industry averages.
ABOUT KIM:
Kim Catanzarite began editing in 1990. She has worked with large publishing companies like Random House, New American Library, Better Homes and Gardens Books, and Writer’s Digest Books as well as independent authors at various stages in their career. Kim also teaches copyediting courses for Writer’s Digest University, and she writes for print and online magazines all over the internet. Her blog discusses the ins and outs of self-publishing and all things writing craft. She is the award-winning author of The Jovian Duology.
News in Editing
"When Newspaper Editors Fail to Edit, Harm Can Result" by H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
via Kiplinger
"Capitalizing Titles" by Mignon Fogarty
via Quick and Dirty Tips
Interview with Short Story Writer Elana Gomel
1.How did you get started writing fiction?
I was a writer before I knew the alphabet. My mother was a journalist and an essayist, and she told me that as a toddler, I used to sit in front of her and copy what she was doing by pretending to type. Once I started reading, I knew that storytelling was what I wanted to do with my life. But there are bills to pay, so I took a long detour into the academy. I became a university professor, teaching narrative theory and English literature. In order to climb the professional ladder, you need to publish a lot. My first books were academic: I wrote about the kind of stories I wanted to write: sci-fi, fantasy, mystery. About twelve years ago, I realized that if I didn’t start writing fiction now, I would never do it. So, I did.
2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing? (Such as fantasy, romance, horror, or unspecified)
I only write dark speculative fiction. This actually covers quite a lot of ground: from sci-fi to fantasy to supernatural horror. But everything I write has to have a speculative element. For me, the greatness of fiction is that it opens up new worlds and lets us see beyond our everyday concerns. As a reader, I seek the sense of wonder above all else. And as a writer, I write what I would like to read. As for the “dark” part, this is how my imagination works, though in life I am actually a very optimistic person.
3. What was it about writing short stories that just seemed to "click" with your writing career?
My first short story was based on a fairy tale I loved as a child: the story of Princess Turandot who challenged her suitors with clever riddles. I read it when I was about 8, and even though I did not quite understand why she rejected all suitors but one, it stayed with me. So, when many years later I decided to start writing, I sat down with no plan and no outline, and the story came back to me but in a very different guise. Now it became a tale about a strange world in which women gave birth to flowers and men worshipped a veiled god. And then the floodgates opened, and all the fairy tales that I remembered; all the sci-fi ideas I pondered; all the ghosts and monsters I enjoyed poured in, clamoring for new visions. There were so many that I realized that if I wanted to do justice to the creatures of my imagination, I need to start with short stories. Worldbuilding in a novel is very different from worldbuilding in a short story where the constraints of length force the writer to focus on what is crucial. Since my stories aim to create a single powerful experience of wonder and (often) terror, I need to pare down the plot and characters to what is essential. This is why fairy tales are my go-to models of great storytelling. They give you only what is needed to create an entire world in your head. Fairy tales can, of course, be expanded into novels: my latest novel Nightwood is precisely such an expansion. But you don’t have to write 100,000 words to tell the story of Sleeping Beauty, yet it stays with you forever.
4. Is there a type of short story that you enjoy writing most? Please explain.
I am a lucid dreamer. Every night I enter realms of wonder that are more vivid than my everyday life. I try to remember my dreams by writing them down (I have a large folder titled Dreams in my Dropbox) and use them as inspiration. Translating the beautiful illogic of dreams into a coherent narrative is more difficult than it sounds, but some of the greatest fantasy writers, such as Clive Barker and Thomas Ligotti, knew how to do it. I am trying to do the same. So, my favorite type of story is the one that retains the vivid and compelling imagery of a dream, yet also has something meaningful to say about the human condition.
5. What was it like when you sold your first short story?
It sounds like a cliché, but I could not believe it. I just stared at the email for a long time, and then called my mother (who was alive then), and she was incredibly happy. But the thing was, she could not read it. My mother was a wonderful writer, but she only wrote in Russian and did not speak a word of English. It is still my greatest regret that she could not read any of my stories or novels. Anyway, the felling of having your first story sold is indescribable, and quite different from the satisfaction of having an academic article or book published (which I had already experienced by that time). Fiction is much more you than nonfiction. You feel your first sale like the validation of you as a person, not just of your analytical or writing skills.
6. Where do you find short story markets to submit to?
There are several excellent sites that offer easy tools to search for appropriate markets. I use three: Duotrope, Horror Tree, and Submission Grinder, but there are others. But I cannot overestimate the importance of social media. I am a member of several Open Submission groups on FB in which writers and publishers share their open calls. Without these groups, I would miss about half of the calls that are out there. There has been an increasing trend of anthologies and zines calling for very specific themes and giving strict deadlines. Googling “Open submissions” or something like this won’t take you far. But if you know about a specific theme and the dates of its open window, you can start working on a story appropriate for this venue in advance. I have been doing more of this recently – tailoring my stories to a particular anthology or special issue. It’s great in many ways, not least because it increases your chances of a sale but also because it trains you to be more disciplined. Twitter can also be useful, especially if you have a specific publisher in mind who you can follow.
7. What is one lesson you have learned as a writer when it comes to writing short fiction?
It may sound trite, but the most important lesson is never to give up. For every sale, you will have many rejections. You will have to deal with negative reviews, obtuse editors, and unsympathetic readers. Rejections are hard to take. Negativity may be destructive – if you let it. It is as true for writers as it is for academics, and perhaps for everybody. I have learned to roll with the punches. When a story is rejected, I resubmit immediately – unless I realize that there is, in fact, something wrong with it, and then I revise. I revise constantly, and I enjoy the process (I know that other writers do not but for a short story, in which every word counts, you simply have to). Rejections are not simply part of being a writer: they are a necessary part. Coping with them is what ultimately makes you a professional.
ABOUT ELANA:
Born in Ukraine and currently residing in California, Elana Gomel is an academic with a long list of books and articles, specializing in science fiction, Victorian literature, and serial killers. She is also an award-winning fiction writer and the author of more than a hundred short stories, several novellas, and four novels. Her latest fiction publications are Little Sister, a historical horror novella, and Black House, a dark fantasy novel. She is a member of HWA and can be found here and on social media.
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Feature Article
Morning Writing Gets the Day Off to a Good Start!
By Dawn Colclasure
Whenever I come across someone complaining that they never have time to write, I suggest they write first thing in the morning. This very act of getting words onto the page before tackling the day has helped me get A LOT of writing done ever since I became a parent. However, I have also noticed certain benefits of morning writing even after my kids have gotten older and need less of Mom in the mornings.
I have written about the benefits of morning writing in the past for an article I sold somewhere. Unfortunately, this article was published sometime before 2010, and I don’t have the link for it anymore. I can’t even remember where I sold it! Google was no help in my search for it, either. All I know is that when I wrote about the benefits of morning writing, it was pretty much an objective look at those benefits, with quotes from writers singing its praises.
This article, however, reflects my own personal benefits of morning writing, which I have uncovered ever since that article was written.
When my kids were little, I adopted the habit of getting up early in the morning so that I had time to write. With little ones underfoot, this was the best time available for it! (Although, I often ended up writing while taking care of them as well. I wrote during playdates, while feeding them, and during their naps! I was often at the computer writing while my oldest, as a toddler, was at my feet playing with toys or paging through his baby books.) This habit turned out to work for me so well that I decided to keep it long-term.
And since I am the only morning person in this family, it has worked out well for me too. I can often be found at the desk writing in the mornings with the rays of the sun at my back just as the sun is coming up.
When I write first thing in the morning, I am able to get all of that stuff that’s in my head out of there. Instead of carrying it around as I go about my morning routines, I sit at the computer and type it out. Or, if I can’t get to the computer or laptop, I will either write it on my phone or in a notebook. (It depends on how much I want to write!) So, getting all of that stuff out of my head first thing in the morning ensures that I won’t forget it. It also gives me the mental ability to focus on doing other things in the morning.
Another benefit of writing first thing in the morning is that I am able to make sure I have my “writing time” for the day taken care of before I have to get busy with everything else. There is always something which I want to write each day, and having the opportunity to write about it in the morning helps me to feel at ease that that particular thing will get written. This has been especially true for the summer, when my youngest, who is a HUGE gamer, spends a lot of time on the one computer we have playing games. (Yes, I am anticipating the days I get the computer back after the kiddo returns to school!) With my laptop conking out on me and my preference for typing everything instead of writing it by hand complicating my ability to get things written, getting that “writing time” first thing in the morning has helped me to get things written up!
Of course, there were times I didn’t get the writing done first thing in the morning. On those days, I had to wait until I could use the computer to get some writing done. (I don’t like bugging my family to get off the computer so that I can write. Just as they patiently wait for me to finish using it while I write, I patiently wait until they are done doing whatever they’re doing on the computer so that I could use it.) The next time the computer was free to use, however, I’d grab it and start eagerly writing whatever it was I needed to write. (It helps to make notes in my notebook and on my phone to help me to remember things about what I want/need to write.)
Another benefit of writing first thing in the morning is that I have often had ideas for things to write later in my day, with no opportunity available to write it. So I had to save that idea for the next time I had to sit at the computer and write. So, when the next morning arrived, I had the blissful number of hours of uninterrupted time to write. I would use this time to write the thing I had an idea for – and then some!
Finally, when I wake up in the morning, I am usually feeling well enough to write. Usually. I don’t normally deal with chest pain, dizziness or headaches in the mornings – all threats to my ability to write later in the day. There was one day, for example, that I was pondering writing a blog post while I was out running errands. Unfortunately, the rest of the day brought on two episodes of migraines, and there was NO WAY I would be able to write anything while dealing with those. Those migraines pretty much canceled out any writing I would be able to do during the rest of my day. But I DID write that morning, and I was relieved that at least I got THAT bit of writing done for the day. Even so, when something like this happens, it doesn’t cancel what I’m going to write. It just postpones my ability to write it!
Because of these benefits, I now make it a point to write every morning. I may do a workout first or I may send out a quick post on social media, but the mornings are meant for writing. It is the one time of the morning that I have control over – before I have to get busy with the kids or do other things.
Not everyone may feel that writing first thing in the morning is for them, and that’s fine. Everyone’s internal clock is different. We all have different sleeping patterns (not to mention episodes of creativity which strike at odd hours of the night!). And some people prefer to write at night.
That’s fine. Nothing wrong with that at all.
But as for me, I am a morning writer. I get up out of bed and start writing. It’s a great start to my day, and at least it gives me the satisfaction that no matter what the day throws at me, I still put aside time to write.
BIO:
Dawn Colclasure is a writer who lives in Oregon with her husband and children. She is the author and co-author of over two dozen books, among them 365 Tips for Writers: Inspiration, Writing Prompts and Beat the Block Tips to Turbo Charge Your Creativity and the horror novel, Shadow of Samhain. She is also a content writer, freelance writer, book reviewer and ghostwriter. She is also a self-publisher. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies. She publishes the SPARREW Newsletter each month. Her websites are https://dawnsbooks.com/ and https://www.dmcwriter.com/. She’s on Twitter @dawncolclasure.
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Thanks for reading! See you next month!
