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!
I had to make a difficult decision this month. And by difficult, I mean, deciding whether or not I wanted to learn something new.
After I had learned how to self-publish both a print and electronic book on KDP, I figured I was all set. I was at the end of my journey in learning how to use a major bookseller’s self-publishing service.
That wasn’t exactly true.
One thing I disliked about self-publishing an ebook through KDP was its rule about how I could not have my ebook available anywhere else. If it was published through Amazon, it could only be on Amazon. I seriously disliked that rule because one thing authors rely on to get their books in front of more readers is broader distribution. We want our books to be EVERYWHERE. As for an ebook, I could not have the ebooks I published through KDP on other sites such as Smashwords, Kobo, Apple Books or even Google Books. Just on Amazon. This despite one of my publishers ensuring that my books they published were, indeed, everywhere.
However, I knew I could no longer use KDP to self-pub ebooks. After learning that Amazon refused to remove books promoting hateful and harmful speech against the LGBTQ+ community (see news below), I knew I would not feel right to continue to use their self-publishing service. As the parent of kids who belong to the LGBTQ+ community, I knew I had to take a stand. I could not, in good conscience, continue to patronize their service if they continued to sell books which attacked members of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, I discussed this with my oldest, and he assured me that it was the right decision to make.
So, after a bit of research and talking with someone familiar with other self-publishing services, I decided to go with Smashwords for self-publishing ebooks. I braced myself, predicting that the learning process would bring the same kind of hair-pulling, crying, begging for mercy, tears of frustration and agonized cries of disappointment that I went through when I first learned how to use KDP to self-publish. (Not only this, but the process took HOURS to get everything formatted correctly and uploaded! I’d lose a whole day with just one ebook.)
But, actually, the process of self-publishing an ebook on Smashwords was not so painful after all. Sure, I had some formatting goofs, but once I figured it out, I could easily fix them and correct the uploaded book then and there. It helped that they offer a free style guide for self-publishers.
The whole thing went down in just one day and it was actually quite painless.
The best part? I learned that by self-publishing my ebook on Smashwords, I had greater distribution of the ebook.
By publishing an ebook through Smashwords, I learned that not only will it be available on the Smashwords site, but also through other online ebook retailers such as Apple Books, Kobo and Scribd.
Wow, that’s awesome!
And, it turns out, this was not as hard of a decision to make after all.
The remaining free ebooks I am writing and publishing this year will now be self-published through Smashwords. Additionally, there’s a chance I’ll be doing free ebooks next year as well. I already have a bunch of ideas for them. And the prospect of having more ebooks to write is exciting.
I am very excited about this issue! You’ll get to meet author Gloria Oliver. Long ago, I submitted a manuscript to a small press. They accepted the book and I joined their network. During that time, I got to meet some fabulous authors, and Gloria Oliver was one of them. Sadly, things did not work out with that publisher, and we parted ways on good terms. However, I stayed connected with the authors I met through them, and I am excited to share the news about Gloria’s latest book!
I was also fortunate to land an interview with the VERY busy yet VERY prolific self-publisher, Peter Bowerman. I first learned about Peter’s work with The Well-Fed Writer, but he wasn’t done trying his hand at new things! He jumped into self-publishing, and since I was interested in taking that route myself, I naturally checked out his book, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher. Check out the interview with Peter to learn all about how he has found success in self-publishing!
For the editing section of this newsletter, I had the opportunity to interview Carol Narigon. I have known Carol for years and included her in one of my WIPs. Recently, she mentioned she worked as a corporate editor, and that got my attention. Corporate editing? What’s that all about? Thankfully, she agreed to be interviewed for this newsletter, sharing her experience and the kind of work she does. Check the interview out!
Finally, you get to read an interview with the very lovely and very talented ghostwriter, Jenna Glatzer. I met Jenna through the message board for writers, Absolute Write, and at that time, she was still working as a freelancer in addition to building her career as an author. Then I noticed she started ghostwriting books! (Is there no end to her amazing skills as a writer? I think not!) So I was very excited to land an interview with Jenna for this newsletter. Check out our Q&A to learn all about her work as a ghostwriter!
This issue’s feature article discusses a topic that not many writers like to bring up: All of the sitting down we do just to get the writing done! All of that constant sitting for hours on end can lead to serious health problems, and my article shares strategies to still enjoy your passion for writing while at the same time preventing the negative side effects of all of that sedentary time spent at the desk or table.
Also, guess what? We now have an archive! Yay!
Check out archived issues of the SPARREW Newsletter here
All current issues will be posted on my website here
Meanwhile, please check out my latest post:
Dawn Colclasure’s Blog:
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 CORNER
Self-Publisher Interview with Peter Bowerman
I am familiar with your experiences as a self-publisher and I have read your book on self-publishing, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher. I have been hoping to chat with you about self-publishing, but first, I think it might be helpful to go over your background as a writer. So, what can you tell me about your experience as a writer?
I started as a commercial freelance writer in 1994 and, within a few years, began thinking about doing workshops and seminars. So, I started collecting information about how I did what I did in my daily job and, after a few years of collecting notes, I saw I had 80-90 pages of material, and realized it was enough to write a book. I tried to find a publisher initially, but soon decided to do it myself. I came from a sales and marketing background, so I felt comfortable with the marketing side of things.
What has your experience as a self-publisher been like? I mean, did you have trouble learning the ropes? How did you find the right printer? That sort of thing.
Well, it was definitely a learning process, but I kept things simple and I focused on one step at a time. I researched several printers, and wanted to find someone who could print my book as well as handle the logistics of shipping and fulfillment. All in all, it’s been a great experience. One of the unpleasant things that many authors who go the traditional publishing route discover is that they still have to do most of their own marketing. With self-publishing, you know that going in. Yes, you have to do all the production stuff yourself, but that’s just a matter of finding good professional resources like cover designers, editors, interior layout designers, indexers and, yes, obviously printers.
I think your experience in copywriting may have helped you develop the skills to market your book. Aside from the marketing side of self-publishing, though, there's been an ongoing negative stigma attached to self-publishing in general. A lot of negative press about self-published books is out there. How do you respond to the negative stigma attached to self-publishing and self-published books?
Honestly, I don’t think about it or care about it, mainly because very few people realize my books are self-published. And whenever I’m asked the question, I say, “Last I checked, you didn’t have to put some big neon sticker on your book that says ‘Self-published!’” I’ve been approached over the years by four traditional publishers asking whether I’d be interested in going the traditional route, so, obviously, they saw the quality in my books. Frankly, self-publishing has become far more acceptable these days, and as it has, whole industries catering to self-publishers have sprung up. So, the perception is definitely changing.
Wow, I never knew you were approached by traditional publishers about your books. I have come across this happening with many other self-published authors. Did they offer you a contract? What did you tell them?
We never got to the contract stage. I always just thanked them for reaching out to me but let them know that I was doing far better financially on my own than I ever could going with them. It’s always flattering to be approached by those in the industry, so I appreciated it for that alone.
Your books have definitely done well as self-published titles. I'm sure you have had quite a few experiences as a self-publisher. What is one very important lesson you have learned as a self-publisher? What do you know now about self-publishing that you wish you knew at the beginning?
Probably one of the biggest lessons is that you CAN create a product equal to or better than anything a traditional publisher could. It’s all about hiring quality resources, which isn’t very difficult to do. Yes, it’ll cost you money, but you’ll only have to go through that initial production process once.
Do you feel that the money issue should not be an issue at all? That money spent on the production of a quality book is an investment worth making?
Absolutely. If your goal is (as mine was) to have a commercially successful book, then money spent on good cover design, good editing, good interior layout design is money well spent. I see a lot of people that try to cut corners on those things and it shows. People recognize that. That’s exactly the sort of thing that perpetuates the stereotype of low-quality self-publishing.
I completely agree. There are complaints from self-published authors about the production cost for a book, but I really feel it's important to put in your best effort in publishing a book. Let's talk a minute about the marketing aspect, which seems to be another complaint I have come across a time or two. 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?
Being a self-publisher is no time to be modest. You really need to get past that mindset if you even hope to have success as an author. Not to sound harsh, but if you truly are hesitant to promote yourself and your books, then don’t waste your time and money trying to get self-published. Even for authors comfortable promoting their books, there’s no guarantee your books will succeed. If you are hesitant to promote those books, they’re almost guaranteed to fail.
I agree. Marketing books is so important for a self-published author because they are the publisher and it's basically up to them to promote their books. And speaking of promoting books, how do you promote your books and what form of book promotion has worked the best for you?
Well, that could be a very long answer, to say the least. My main promotional strategy was an online strategy. I reached out to hundreds of online publications, websites, and other entities whose audiences I’d determined were markets for my book (writer, at-home-Moms, home-based-business seekers, etc.). I asked them if I could send them the book to review, do an interview with me, let me write an article for their site, do a book giveaway, or some combination of any or all of the above. I was choosing those entities very specifically, because their members would have an interest in my books versus mainstream media, which, by definition, is geared to a far more general audience. I got a very good reception from them, and by doing that 400-500 times over a number of years, I was able to land a lot of promotion and exposure for my work.
That's awesome. Did those efforts bring in book sales?
Absolutely. They did, over time. I have sold well over 100,000 copies of my books and ebooks. But, when I first released the original edition of The Well-Fed Writer, it did very, very well. My first print run was 5,000 copies and I think I went through that in the first three or four months after releasing the book. It didn’t hurt that my book was picked up as an alternate selection of Book-of-the-Month Club shortly after its release. That’s an accolade that I promoted the heck out of and it gave me some pretty strong bragging rights.
That's amazing. Congratulations on all of your success. Does your approach to book promotion differ from the norm?
Absolutely. Most books recommend focusing on mainstream media (MM) – sending out massive numbers of press releases to journalists, in an attempt to catch their attention on the right day and when they’re in the right mood. Well, MM is fickle and jaded, and, well…mainstream.
Meaning that if you have a “niche” book, like my first two are (i.e., on freelance writing, as opposed to a hot mainstream subject like relationships, health, dieting, financial security, religion, politics, etc.), the MM really don’t care about you. It’s that simple. Sure, I could beat my head against the wall repeatedly, and I’m sure I’d generate some interest, but it wouldn’t been enough to justify the effort.
Don’t you have to be a marketing “natural” in order to successfully self-publish?
Absolutely, positively, not. Yes, developing a marketing mindset is crucial for success as a self-publisher. But, it’s just not difficult to do so (I devote an entire chapter in The Well-Fed Self-Publisher specifically to getting one’s mind right – marketing-wise). Success as a self-publisher is far more about a process than an aptitude, far more about a bunch of things you have to do than some way you have to be.
A lot of creative types walk around telling anyone who’ll listen that, “Oh, I’m no good at marketing” or “There’s no way I could ever be a salesman,” when the fact is, they don’t understand what marketing and sales are, and what they think they are (i.e., being pushy or high-pressure), they’re not. If you’re committed to that point of view, and refuse to be persuaded that you TOO can be a successful marketer, then, there’s nothing I or anyone else can do. If however, you’re more committed to being successful with your book, maybe you’ll investigate it a bit further. I hope so, because it’s quite doable…
What are some other important things you have learned as a self-publisher?
When I first saw the question, I sort of smiled, because the first thing that popped into my head was that self-publishing cured my perfectionism. As an old adage reminds, Perfect is the enemy of good. You have so much to get done as a self-publisher, you can’t be a perfectionist on everything, or you’ll never get anything done!
Haha. I can so relate to that. Sometimes I have to recheck everything and hit "publish" or "update" several times but then I have to grab hold of myself and say "it's fine!" and just let the book get out there already. So I totally understand that. But I'm curious about your feelings regarding self-publishing today compared to self-publishing in the past. I mean, in the past, there was a lot of negative talk about self-publishing and aspiring authors were being told to steer clear of it. That has changed nowadays and I'm seeing a lot of authors find success in self-publishing. Having said that, do you feel that self-publishing should be a more acceptable form of getting published these days compared to how it was seen as a "last resort" in the past?
I definitely feel that self-publishing is and should be a bona fide first option for authors. And that’s almost besides the point. Here’s the reality: Overwhelmingly, most authors won’t be able to land a traditional publisher, so self-publishing will be their only option.
That is a good way of looking at it. Plus, there's the fact that some books will be stuck with a traditional publisher for a year or more before seeing print.
Yes. One of the biggest advantages to self-publishing is that you can bring a book to print far faster—6 to 9 months—than you would if you went the traditional route—often 18-24 months. And that 6-9 months is from the time my book is finished, not even counting editing.
That's awesome. Self-publishing can really make the process go faster, if it's done well. Looking back on your self-publishing journey, what do you consider to be the keys to your success that’d you’d want to share with aspiring self-publishers?
FYI: My books are non-fiction, and specifically, non-fiction “how-to,” so that’s the only genre I can speak about authoritatively. Fiction is a different ballgame, though many fiction authors have applied my strategies with good success.
However you choose to publish, the first crucial step is to come up with a topic that’s marketable. Using my books as an example, I knew there was a market for a book (The Well-Fed Writer, a complete blueprint on starting your own high-dollar “commercial” writing business, vs. most “freelance writing” avenues, where starving is the norm.
Ditto with The Well-Fed Self-Publisher, offering a complete blueprint for profitable self-publishing. Not just telling you how, logistically, to self-publish, but (as my subtitle promises), how to turn one book into a full-time living. If there are already 20 books on your subject, does the world need a 21st and if so, what makes yours better in ways that’ll mean something to a buyer?
Just as crucially, is this: Write a Really Good Book. People laugh when I say that, because they’re thinking, “Well, of course,” but it’s certainly not the reality of MOST books! I say it’s THE #1 most important marketing strategy any self-publisher can employ. Write a really good book, one that’s better than it has to be—well-written, well-produced, topical, comprehensive, useful – and you’ll make your ongoing marketing infinitely easier. Why? Because you’ll have precious and powerful word-of-mouth advertising going for you.
For many writers, the biggest challenge will be “MARKETING,” which can terrorize creative types. Having come from that background, I’ve been able, in my books, to demystify those often-scary concepts so they’ll work for you, not against you.
I have one last question for you. How do you feel that self-publishing their books has helped many unknown authors finally get the recognition their books deserve?
Well, I hope this doesn’t sound too harsh, and I’m smiling as I say it, the good news of self-publishing trend is, yes, it’s definitely helped a lot of unknown authors get recognized. And that’s great. At the same time, because there are no longer any barriers to being “published”—especially given the low-investment POD (print-on-demand) options—it’s encouraged those with mediocre books to publish without having any sense of how to create a quality product—writing-wise, editing-wise or production-wise. That, in turn, unfortunately, can perpetuate the stereotype of self-published books as being amateur productions. Another way of saying that is that the stigma of self-publishing, sadly, is often well-deserved. But the way I do it, as outlined in my book, you can create a product that is indistinguishable from one that comes out of a traditional publishing house.
I agree that is important. Thank you for sharing your insights with me. Please feel free to share any last thoughts you want to add.
Well, thank you, Dawn, for reaching out and giving me an opportunity to share a few ideas. I’m been a happy self-publisher and, given how far the industry has come in the last 20 years, and all the cost-effective services and support available, it’s an exceptionally viable path for authors.
About Peter Bowerman:
Peter Bowerman, a veteran commercial writer, is the self-published author of the four multiple-award-winning Well-Fed Writer titles, how-to “standards” on lucrative “commercial” freelancing – writing for businesses for $50-125+ an hour (his chosen profession since 1993).
He chronicled his self-publishing success (~100,000 copies of his books/ebooks in circulation and a full-time living for 10+ years) in the award-winning 2007 release, and its 2014 update, The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living, and its newly released updated edition. www.wellfedsp.com. In 2010, he launched The Title Tailor, his book-titling specialty.
New Releases
Do you feel like there is just too much chaos to get through your day? Does it feel like you have no way out of an oversensitized environment? This ebook shares tips and tricks to help you destress and find a sense of inner peace. Every single day, we are exposed to things that can tear us down. From depressing and horrific events, scary news stories, doomscrolling on social media and dealing with unpleasant and even violent people, our mental health takes a lot of abuse as we try to make it through yet another day. In 10 Ways to Boost Your Mental Health, you'll find 10 easy, free and rejuvenating activities you can do to help you feel just a little bit better despite all of the bad things in life. We can't make the negative things we are exposed to go away, but we CAN do things to protect our mental health and try to keep our sanity in this chaotic world.
Check out 10 Ways to Boost Your Mental Health to get some helpful tips for better mental health!
It's available for free through Smashwords
Coming Soon!
Take some time to reflect and renew your faith with Christian poetry. Meditating Heart shares poems of devotion, faith and guidance to God and how turning to the Lord can help in troubled times.
News in Self-Publishing
"NJ high school student used pandemic lockdown time to pen four historical fiction books" by Philip DeVencentis
via North Jersey.com
"How To Sabotage Your Self-Published Book (in five easy steps)" by Paul Goat Allen
via BookBaby
"Self-publishing trend surges amid pandemic demand for new literature" by Rodaina Ibrahim
via Capital Current
"No one would publish my novel, and now it’s up for the Miles Franklin" by Michael Winkler
Author Interview with Gloria Oliver
When did you start writing?
I started dipping my toes into writing in my teens. Back then, I had a hard time falling asleep, so I would make up stories in my head to entertain myself until I got sleepy. I liked one of them so much that I wrote it down. Not long after, I realized I enjoyed doing it and got an idea for a novel. After that, I was hooked. (Writing can be an addiction!) :P
What was your journey towards becoming an author like?
It was convoluted? Lol. If there was a wrong way to do things, that's the direction I went. D’oh!
After finishing my first novel in my senior year of high school, I didn't do enough research before sending the manuscript to the big publishers, so I committed many newbie mistakes. (For example: not getting the manuscript edited!) The poor thing would languish in the slush pile for a year or two, and then I'd receive a rejection letter.
But I didn't just wait while that first manuscript was away; I started another novel and kept writing. I also discovered fan fiction and joined a group of fans who loved to write. We'd swap stories and try to edit each other's works. I learned a lot from those guys!
Eventually, I got an agent to shop my second book. Unfortunately, though there were some nibbles, nothing panned out.
When I had two more manuscripts done, I heard about a brand new local fantasy and science fiction convention in Dallas called ConDFW. That's when my eyes truly opened. I realized networking was definitely worthwhile and tried to push myself (or at least eavesdropped a lot!). It's where I learned about small presses. Attending the panels and activities, I found new places to submit my work. That's when I sent sample chapters to an outfit called Zumaya Publications. They contracted two of the three manuscripts I'd sent them! From there, I attended more conventions, became a panelist, made more connections, and got more books and stories published by other small presses.
It was only after a couple of them folded and I had to find new homes for two of my titles that I republished them myself with new covers. To get more flexibility in marketing efforts for additional works and pushing my backlist with other companies, I decided I would also independently publish my first series.
But the learning never ends. The journey is constantly changing.
What can you tell me about your latest book?
June-July 2022 will see the release of The JOY of Murder—A Daiyu Wu Mystery. This will be my first ever book 2! All my other novels have been standalones. (Yes, I always seem to take the longest path to get anywhere. Lol.)
A socialite accused of murder, planted evidence, and mysterious enemies challenge blind detective Daiyu Wu in her new sleuthing adventure.
When a highly respected member of the 'Little Mexico' community is killed in 1930 Dallas, all the evidence points towards Grace Pierce, wife of a local businessman and a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. Grace's son Truman turns to Daiyu Wu and her unique detective skills for help, but Dai quickly discovers that nothing about this case is what it seems.
With her companion Jacques and canine bodyguard Prince Razor, Dai must navigate a family in turmoil, racial tensions, and shady business deals to find the actual killer before Truman's mother is sentenced to death.
You can read/download sample chapters here
I even have a book trailer! https://youtu.be/CxJUTQeLFME
What sort of methods do you use for book promotion?
Oh my! All manner of things! I have a website, a newsletter, a blog, Pinterest boards, a Facebook page, Twitter, and more. I also have a ton of places I can connect with others. (Too many, if truth be told. LOL.) You can find links to most of them on the website.
I also have book trailers for all my novels. The website can even read the sample chapters to you using an AI Narrator. (It sounded too cool not to do it!) Just hit the play button of the embedded player.
Lately, my efforts have been in the direction of growing my mailing list by doing book mention swaps and joining group promotions. Reader Magnets are popular, and since I write in multiple genres, I offer readers their choice of five, so they can choose the genre they prefer. You can see what's on offer here
Since The JOY of Murder—A Daiyu Wu Mystery is about to release, I will be doing a special release celebration giveaway for July. The grand prize is three hardcover books—Poirot Investigates - Royal Collector's Edition, Black Jade—A Daiyu Wu Mystery (Book 1), and The JOY of Murder—A Daiyu Wu Mystery (Book 2). There will also be a bunch of free ebooks and short stories for cozy/mystery/thriller up for grabs.
Where do you get your ideas for stories?
I believe that creativity is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more it can do. So I feed it books, movies, TV shows, manga, and anime because you never know what will create a spark. And when I get one that captivates me, I follow the trail to see where it might lead.
I wrote Vassal of El (Fantasy) based solely on an image I saw which stuck with me and demanded I use it in one of my worlds.
Sometimes it's a topic I trip over that I want to explore—for example, the facets of truth, which is a topic I used in Willing Sacrifice (YA Fantasy).
In the Service of Samurai (YA Fantasy) grew from some fascinating characters my husband used in an oriental D&D campaign.
Not that everything turns into a story or novel, though. So I keep things that pop into my head in a document, so they can germinate and perhaps eventually ferment enough that I can use them, as I did with Jewel of the Gods (Fantasy).
The Daiyu Wu Mystery series was a more deliberate creative affair. I wanted to do a series, and I knew mysteries lend themselves to that (plus, I enjoy them!). Then I narrowed down what section of history I thought would make for a rarely covered time period, and after that, I started thinking about who would be an unusual amateur sleuth.
What are you working on right now?
I'd started an urban fantasy project before Daiyu took over. Now that book two is going to print, I want to finish that project. The Secret Humankind is also going to be a series. (My second one!) However, some books are easier to write than others, and this one has been a stickler. But I am stubborn. Lol. As an author, you have no choice but to be. :P
Any advice for other authors?
If writing is your passion, never give up. Do your research, don't skimp on getting your manuscript edited (whether going indie or big pub), and go to conventions! I discovered some of my absolute favorite authors at conventions and made fantastic connections and friends there.
About Gloria Oliver
Gloria Oliver, a slave to her feline and puppy masters, lives in Texas. She is the author of ten fantasy, YA fantasy, urban fantasy, sci-fi, and cozy mystery novels. Her newest release is "The JOY of Murder - A Daiyu Wu Mystery." Book 2 of her first-ever series!
For sample chapters, free reads, and other info, please visit http://www.gloriaoliver.com. Want a gift? Join Gloria's newsletter at https://www.gloriaoliver.com/subscribe
Author News
"Marcy Dermansky on Revising Without Losing Your Mind" by Marcy Dermansky
via LitHub
"Quadriplegic author publishing third book" by Taylor Burke
"The Constellation of Possibilities: An Approach to Writing Historical Fiction" by Matt Bondurant
via Crime Reads
"On Writing Unlikeable Characters" by Kate Williams
via CrimeReads
REVIEWER CORNER
Other Book Reviews
"The Crystal Pond A Young Girl’s Journey Through Imagination by Alvin M. Stenzel"
Book Review: Existential Exploration in Poetry by Gopal Lahiri
via Livewire
"Review: Whips and quips in comedian Tom Segura’s new book" by Donna Edwards
via AP News
"Review: Bay Area writer brings powerful new voice to Indigenous literature" by Alexis Burling
via Datebook
"In 'Human Resources,' a poet finds her voice by working on artificial intelligence" by Jeevika Verma
via NPR
"City on Fire: A Novel" reviewed by Bob Duffy
“The Ends of Men” by Rebecca Onion
via Slate
“Book Review: Jokha Alharthi’s ‘Bitter Orange Tree’ reflects on oil and the lives of Oman’s women” by Radhika Holmström
via Frontline
"The historical novel ‘Horse’ sheds light on real-life racism" by Maggie Shipstead
Calls for Reviews
I’d love to find reviewers for my latest release, 10 Ways to Boost Your Mental Health. Available only as an ebook. Contact me at DMCWriter@gmail.com if interested.
READER CORNER
Book Blogs
Book News
"Amazon employees protest the sale of books they say are anti-trans" by Caroline O'Donovan
"Why Writing a Book is a Better Use of Your Time Than Yet Another "Invisible" Facebook Post" by Stephanie Mojica
via Entrepreneur
"When Will Novels Fix Society Already?" by Lincoln Michel
via Counter Craft
"Making sense of a senseless world: How children's books can mitigate the horror around us" by Helena Ku Rhee
via Salon
"NYPL is giving away 500,000 free books to New York kids and teens this summer" by Devin Gannon
via 6sqft
"Judge in Maryland strikes down library e-book law" by Hillel Italie
"10-Year-Old Creates Library Offering Free LGBTQ Books"
"10 Poorly Written Books That People Still Love" by Amber Smith
via Listverse
“Writer Tweets About Owing Money To Amazon Because Readers Are Returning Their Finished eBooks, Sparks A Debate Among Online Users” by Jurgita Dominauskaitė
"Fight book bans so all teens know they are worthy of love" by Karen Buley
via Seattle Times
"The book that tore publishing apart: ‘Harm has been done, and now everyone’s afraid’" by Gaby Hinsliff
via The Guardian
"Review: Roundup of kids books that celebrate LGBTQ Pride" by Susan Faust
via Datebook
"Reading Voraciously--Why It Matters to Writers" by Mary Carroll Moore
via How to Plan, Write, and Develop a Book
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New from Gypsy Shadow Publishing!
Congratulations to Elizabeth Ann Scarborough on the re-release of her book, The Healer's War. Just in time for Memorial Day!
Winner of the 1989 Nebula Award Award for Best Novel of 1988. “A brutal and beautiful book” that follows the surreal, fantastical journey of a Vietnam War nurse (Minneapolis Star-Tribune).
A literary departure for acclaimed fantasy author Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, The Healer’s War draws on her personal experience as an army nurse in Da Nang to create a classic novel of the Vietnam War, enriched with a magical, mystical twist.
Lt. Kitty McCulley, a young and inexperienced nurse tossed into a stressful and chaotic situation, is having a difficult time reconciling her duty to help and heal with the indifference and overt racism of some of her colleagues, and with the horrendously damaged soldiers and Vietnamese civilians she encounters during her service at the China Beach medical facilities. She is unexpectedly helped by the mysterious and inexplicable properties of an amulet, given to her by one of her patients, an elderly, dying Vietnamese holy man, which allows her to see other people’s “auras” and to understand more about them as a result. This eventually leads to a strange, almost surrealistic journey through the jungle, accompanied by a one-legged boy and a battle-seasoned but crazed soldier—as McCulley struggles to find herself and a way to survive through the madness and destruction.
Word Count: 121450
Available NOW at Smashwords; Amazon and BN Links to follow as soon as they are available.
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New Books
Raising Raffi: The First Five Years
By Keith Gessen
Category: Memoir
by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Women's Fiction
by Sloane Crosley
Genre: Literary Fiction
by Toya Wolfe
Genre: YA
by Leila Mottley
Genre: Literary Fiction
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
by Ed Yong
Category: Science
Rogues:True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks
by Patrick Radden Keefe
Category: Biography & Memoir
Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of OurNation
by Linda Villarosa
Catetgory: Health & Fitness
Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America's Woods
by Lyndsie Bourgon
Category: Nature
Who Is Wellness For?: An Examination of Wellness Culture and Who It Leaves Behind
by Fariha Roisin
Category: Health
This Wicked Fate (This Poison Heart #2)
by Kalynn Bayron
Genre: YA
This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1)
by Emily Thiede
Genre: YA
Forging Silver into Stars (Forging Silver into Stars #1)
by Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: YA
by Melissa Albert
Genre: YA
by Andrew Joseph White
Genre: YA
The Divorce Colony: How Women Revolutionized Marriage and Found Freedom on the American Frontier
by April White
Category: History
Rickey:The Life and Legend of an American Original
by Howard Bryant
Category: Biography/Sports
by Steve Brusatte
Category: Science
The Facemaker: A Visionary Surgeon's Battle to Mend the Disfigured Soldiers of World War I
by Lindsey Fitzharris
Category: Biography & Memoir
We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power
by Caleb Gayle
Category: Native American History
Crying in the Bathroom: A Memoir
by Erika L. Sánchez
Category: Biography & Memoir
A Year in the Life of a New York City Paramedic
By Anthony Almojera
Category: Biography & Memoir
Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others
by Zachary Levi
Category: Biography & Memoir
Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land
by Taylor Brorby
Category: Biography & Memoir
by Katy Tur
Category: Biography & Memoir
by Riley Sager
Genre: Suspense & Thriller
by Katie Gutierrez
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
by Kirstin Chen
Genre: Crime/Thriller
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
by Kate Khavari
Genre: Mystery & Suspense
by Jamie Wesley
Genre: Romance
EDITOR CORNER
Editor Interview with Carol Narigon
How did you become an editor?
Way back in the day I was active on the homeschool boards on AOL, in particular Home Education Magazine. As online communication became more popular, the editors decided to offer homeschoolers a free email newsletter. I was already helping them manage their message boards, so when they asked for someone to start that newsletter and write/edit it, I applied and they gave me the job. Later when they asked for an articles editor, I applied for that job as well. I also pitched them an advice column, which I wrote for 8 or 9 years. Those were my first professional editing jobs.
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 work for a data conversion company as their corporate editor. I deeply edit documents that go out to customers and potential customers, such as proposals, transmittal letters, delivery letters, white papers, meeting minutes, meeting slide sets, training slides. I create PowerPoint slide sets for internal purposes like training and staff meetings. I also write and create the monthly company newsletter. Anything a writer or editor can do, I do it. I’m even learning how to design a website so I can take that over.
I do not work with clients often. They usually just see the end result of my product. Even when I take meeting minutes, I don’t engage in the meeting.
What editing tools do you feel are the most helpful?
I use MS Word and PowerPoint almost exclusively. I sometimes use Excel, but I’m not proficient in Excel like I am in the other two. Some of the specific tools I use in Word to make my work more efficient are Styles, templates, read aloud, quick parts, and fillable forms. If I need to design a document with lots of graphics, I will use PowerPoint and turn it into a PDF.
What are the most common mistakes you see?
Nothing unusual. Not using Styles in Word. Using bullets improperly. (Bullets are a list. One bullet is not a list.) Periods and commas inside quotation marks. Underlining or using quotation marks to highlight words. Writing that is too technical and not accessible for the intended audience. The kinds of things that keep me employed.
Which books do you feel are helpful to writers who want to write better?
One of my favorite writing books is Stephen King’s On Writing. Otherwise I rarely read writing books these days. If I have time outside of work to either read a book on writing or write something, I prioritize writing over reading about it. The best way to learn to write is to do it and to perfect it. To use the spelling and grammar tools that are available and to get advice from a seasoned editor if necessary. I did read a lot of writing books earlier in my career, but so many more good ones are out there today I would go with something more current.
How do you handle a situation where a client often questions or argues your edits done on their work?
I would be more likely to hear an argument from a co-worker. I don’t mind sending a source from the internet if I have to. However, the president of the company has made it clear that I’m the expert on writing and editing so the authority for that kind of thing is usually weighed in my favor. Sometimes I do have to give in to a client who wants to use a particular template for meeting slides or minutes that I know is horrible. In that case, I just suck it up and make our contribution to the template the best it can be. Some battles cannot be won.
That said, please describe your ideal client.
Like I said, I don’t really work with clients any more. Obviously I prefer a client or co-worker who trusts me to do my job and who respects my experience and my position in the company. I’m fortunate that my co-workers do value my contributions and appreciate that my corrections and input make their product better and more professional.
What should a client expect when working with you as their editor?
I try to be gentle, but I am thorough and I will make a document bleed with my red pen. When I did freelance work, one thing clients knew they would get was honesty. If I’m getting paid for my experience and my opinion I will be as authentic as possible. I have warned potential clients that I will tell a person if their butt looks big in a pair of pants, so to expect that I will be honest about their writing and their potential for publication if that is part of the equation.
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?
If I thought a client needed someone with different skills from mine or with more experience than I have, I would try to recommend someone else if I could. Otherwise, I would turn the job down. If I thought I could learn the skill, I would tell the customer I needed to brush up on that skill and do it in my own time.
Do you negotiate your rates?
I don’t need to now, but I rarely did when I was doing freelance work. I know my worth and my skills were worth at least what I charged. I make people look good.
About Carol Narigon:
Carol Narigon has been the corporate editor and QA specialist for Pentecom, LLC for about a year and a half now. Before that, she taught various types of writing from composition/research writing to technical/business writing for engineers to creative writing. She has also worked as a contract editor for an airline support corporation and done various freelance jobs for people who were writing memoirs or other longer forms. And before that she was the articles editor and advice columnist for Home Education Magazine.
Carolyn’s Tricky Edits Column:
Tricky Edits from Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Excerpt from 3rd Edition of The Frugal Editor
@frugalbookpromo
Grammar Tip. We often use the word quote when we write book proposals and query letters. Trouble is, we rarely stop to consider quotation and so we get it wrong. They are not interchangeable. Quote is a verb which means to repeat the words of a writer or speaker. Think of it as the infinitive to quote. Thus, we are quoting someone when we include a blurb or endorsement in our query letter. But when we write down what that person says, it becomes a noun, a quotation.
News in the World of Editing
"Is the Subjunctive Mood Right for Fiction?" by Carol Saller
"Alright, grey, judgement, barbeque: Alternate spellings and how to choose the best one" by June
WRITER CORNER
Ghostwriter Interview with Jenna Glatzer
There is a lot of confusion some people have about what exactly a ghostwriter does. Some people don't know exactly what a ghostwriter is or what they do. Can you please explain what a ghostwriter does?
Sure! A ghostwriter writes material under another person’s byline, usually based on that person’s ideas or direction.
Are there different types of ghostwriting? Please explain.
Yes. I focus on ghostwriting nonfiction books, which means that I do lots of phone interviews with a client and turn those interviews into a book manuscript. My clients are all very involved in the process.
With novels, it can be different—some well-known novelists will give ghostwriters a basic outline and the writer will be in charge of coming up with the material without a lot of other input.
Then there are also ghostwriters who work on articles and essays that are generally used to promote a business.
And some who cross the line into academics, by writing students’ term papers and college essays. I find that deplorable and those are not my colleagues.
How long have you been a ghostwriter?
Since 2004.
How did you get your start in ghostwriting? And what did you start with?
By accident! I had written and edited a few books of my own, including a book about anxiety disorders. One of the people who read that book was Jamie Blyth, a contestant on the first season of The Bachelorette. He was recruited for the show and decided to go for it because he had social anxiety disorder and thought this would be a great way to challenge himself. He wanted to prove to himself that he could get through a truly anxiety-inducing social situation.
After the show, he contacted me and said he enjoyed my book Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders and wanted to know if I’d help him write his book. I ended up loving the process, and the editor and agent for that book (Fear is No Longer My Reality) both referred me to other clients. Almost everything I’ve done since then has been word of mouth.
Is this type of ghostwriting something you will probably stick with?
I’ve always planned to, yes. As you know but other readers won’t, I’ve been going through a health crisis recently and have completely lost my voice. I don’t know if that’s forever or not. So for the immediate future, I’m doing other types of writing that don’t require me to do interviews. That’s tough because my whole career has been about ghostwriting and interviewing. I hope I’ll get back to it soon.
Any chance you will branch out into other types of ghostwriting in the future?
Not too much chance of it—I really enjoy what I do. I would like to add more children’s books.
What sort of skills do you feel are important to have as a ghostwriter?
A lack of ego, a great sense of where a conversation needs to go and how to ask follow-up questions, a strong adherence to deadlines, and a willingness to incorporate feedback from multiple sources (agent, editor, client, possibly publicist and manager, etc.).
What is your most memorable experience working as a ghostwriter?
So many. One of my clients brought me to the Glamour Women of the Year Awards—that was fun. Another client is Broadway actress Tiffany Haas, who invited my daughter to attend a summer acting seminar taught by other Broadway stars… so exciting for both of us. It was an experience my daughter would never have had otherwise.
What are some good books you feel would be helpful to anyone who wants to be a ghostwriter?
I think the key in just about any writing genre is to study bestsellers in the genre. So personally, I write a lot of memoirs, health books, and leadership books—which is also what I read most. The more you read, the more you get a feel for what those genres call for.
Is ghostwriting really as profitable as other ghostwriters make it out to be? How can newbies achieve this kind of financial success?
There’s a huge range. It can be VERY lucrative, but that’s if you get to the top. I spent far too long undercharging because I had no idea what others were charging and that I could command much higher fees. Financial success depends a lot on your track record. You need to be able to point to other books or articles you’ve done that have performed really well—books with major publishers, celebrity clients, bestseller lists, etc. Once you have that, the next contract gets a lot easier to negotiate!
So it’s a matter of being picky about what you take on (even as a newbie) because it does not help your brand at all to show an editor that you worked on a whole bunch of little books that didn’t sell well. (Frankly, that was a mistake I made—I thought I had to work my way up by writing for lots of small publishers first, but that just made me look like small potatoes.) Hold out for bigger projects that can sell to major publishers. Chase people down. Look for people in your circle who might have stories you can tell—social media stars, executives, entrepreneurs, doctors… if you follow someone online and really like them and they don’t have a book out yet, you might write to them and offer your services.
What is your advice to other writers out there who are considering becoming a ghostwriter?
You need to have a track record of your own first, so make sure you have some solid credits. From there, you can contact potential clients directly and/or pitch yourself to agents and editors, asking them to refer you to clients. I’ve done both. It can be a long haul (I’ve been bugging a certain celebrity for years to do a book with me!), but it can also pay off well.
About Jenna Glatzer:
Jenna Glatzer (www.jennaglatzer.com) is the author or ghostwriter of more than 30 books for all five of the Big Five publishers (Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, and HarperCollins). She wrote Celine Dion’s authorized biography and a Marilyn Monroe biography authorized by her estate.
She’s also written articles and essays for The Washington Post, Newsweek, USA Today, Writer’s Digest, Everyday Health, Parents, Mic, and many others. Jenna and her daughter live in New York.
News for Writers
"New AP Stylebook offers chapter on inclusive storytelling" by Joseph Guzman
via Changing America
"Writing honestly about motherhood still provokes anger, but we must tell our stories"
by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
via The Guardian
"Trauma Is Everywhere. Write About It Anyway." by Adam Dalva
via The Atlantic
"How to Help Your Editor #AmWriting #WritingaNovel #WritingCommunity" by Alison Williams
"Potential Legal Issues for Freelancers: What They Don’t Tell You" by Emily Thompson
via WritersWeekly
"Writing a Novel and Healing from Tragedy, Leon’s Learned to Love Himself"
via Thrive
"For poet Tanikawa, it’s fun, not work, at 90" by Yuri Kageyama
via Star Advertiser
"7 Tips for Writing Blog Articles That Increase Traffic" by Chad Buleen
via ClearVoice
"Why I Will Never Stop Writing Gay Sex Scenes for TV" by Ryan O'Connell
via Time
"It Was A Big Mistake To Remove The Write and Edit Function From The Medium App" by Kristina God
via Medium
"When email interviews, once considered ‘a last resort,’ are invaluable for reporters" by John Loeppky
via Poynter
Feature Article
How Writers Can Take a Stand, or Go For a Walk, to Avoid the Negative Health Effects of Prolonged Sitting
By Dawn Colclasure
One of the things that has created the most pleasure in my life? Writing.
One of the things that has created the most health problems in my life? Writing.
Seriously, though. It probably goes without saying that when you are a writer, you will be sitting down. A lot. In fact, one of the popular expressions among writers is “get your butt in the chair” in order to get writing. There are stories of writers siting at the desk for hours, writing.
On the other hand, it doesn’t always have to be that way! In fact, it hasn’t.
Ernest Hemingway made it a habit to stand while typing at his typewriter.
Wallace Stevens wrote while he walked.
James Joyce wrote while lying on his stomach in bed.
These are just a few examples of how writers got creative with the otherwise unhealthy task of sitting down for long periods of time to write. Such a habit can cause health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. For me, personally, I definitely took on extra pounds because I was sitting so much, but I also ended up experiencing bursitis coupled with sciatica. It was because I had sciatica, in which I could not bend my leg, that compelled me to be creative with doing things while standing. I ate a lot of meals while standing at the counter!
Standing is indeed one of the recommendations of fellow writers who have expressed concerns about just how much of an impact all that sitting down can have on their health. One writer I know even bought a desk they could stand at and work. Another writer started working at the treadmill, writing and walking at the same time.
Exercise is indeed an important habit to adopt if a writer who does a lot of sitting wants to avoid health problems. In fact, when I had my own health problem, my doctor encouraged me to start eating healthy and exercise more often.
According to the Mayo Clinic website which shared information about the negative impacts too much sitting can have on our health, “An analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking. However, unlike some other studies, this analysis of data from more than 1 million people found that 60 to 75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day countered the effects of too much sitting.”
After I got sober, one of the changes I made to my daily habits was to add more exercise to my routines. It took a long time, but I finally came up with a schedule in which I could get at least one hour of exercise a day (or more, if I followed ALL of the routines) and still have time to write. When I started implementing these routines, I could definitely see positive results.
Not only this, I felt healthier.
Not only that, but there was less guilt for all the sitting I did when I was writing.
In addition to daily exercise, another way writers can offset the negative health impacts of too much sitting is by taking breaks. One writer I was reading about shared how that since he adopted a more active and healthy lifestyle, he continued to pursue his passion for writing but also took breaks from it every hour. If possible, take a break from writing at the desk every 30 minutes.
Taking breaks has also been helpful for me. It doesn’t hurt that we have a dog constantly asking to be let outside. But I’m also getting up from the desk to do chores, check in with my kids, take care of some errand or other thing. These breaks are great not only because they shorten how much time I am sitting and writing, but they also give me a chance to think about my writing. I go over things I have written so far and check to see if I missed anything, or I’ll think about what I should add next. Writers don’t say they enjoy doing chores for nothing! While we’re busy folding laundry, washing dishes or sweeping the floor, we’re thinking about our writing!
It's a nice break from an unhealthy sitting habit and a nice break from our work. Additionally, we get to back to our work refreshed and recharged. Plus, we have more writing in our head that we need to get down!
We can take breaks from our writing while sitting at the desk as well. I often do foot or arm and shoulder exercises in the chair while thinking about my writing. Yes, it may look or seem silly at first, but your body probably needs them, especially to avoid strain.
Keep in mind that there may be times in which you will need to sit at the desk for long periods of time in order to get certain writing assignments done or projects completed. For example, in addition to writing, I also self-publish books and ebooks, so this can occasionally require working at the desk for hours. In that case, just do the work that you need to do. You might need to spend a long time typing up a handwritten chapter or you might need to spend an hour or so doing research on the Internet. It happens. Just make sure this is extended period of sitting down for your work is not a daily habit.
Sitting is a part of the writing life, but writers have found a way to get the job done without facing the unhealthy side effects that prolonged sitting can cause. You can do the same. Add exercise to your daily routines, take breaks or get creative with how you write. Just make sure you are able to get the writing done that you need to get done without allowing it to damage your health.
Sources:
"The Odd Habits and Curious Customs of Famous Writers" by Maria Popova; The Marginalian; September 23, 2019
"What are the risks of sitting too much?" Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.; Mayo Clinic
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Thanks for reading! See you next month!
