WPNews, August 2021,
The Promote, Enter, Write, Beware Issue |
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From Kathleen Kaiser, President
Over the next two months, WPN will be launching two new services to help authors and small publishers gain more reviews (New Releases From…ONE) and a second program that will place your books in front of over 5,000 librarians with purchasing authority (New Releases from… Librarian Edition). Learn more by clicking the ads in this issue.
We launched the 805 Writers Conference new website July 30. At this year’s conference, we have a stellar group of speakers covering many vital aspects of selling and marketing your books. Plus, we are branching out into poetry with a panel led by Hiram Sims on How to Make Money as a Poet. Hiram will host the first 805 Poetry Open Mic to close out the conference Sunday night. And, we have a panel of mystery writers to discuss their research and writing process.
Early bird discounts run through August 31. If you are a WPN member, this discount is available through September 15. To get the code, sign into the WPN Members Only section of the website to retrieve the code. Learn More
Hope you are enjoying the summer. Stay safe!
Kathleen, kathleen@kathleenkaiser.com |
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From Sandra Murphy, Editor
The weather is still erratic, new mask mandates are in effect, and people are getting cranky. What better time to write? And promote what you’ve written as well. Zoom meetings can be annoying (you’re muted, what?, you go ahead, no, you first, and the noisy kids, tv, pets in the background) but we are able to stay in touch more often than in-person for long-distance relationships, go to more conferences at a lower cost, and see the faces that go with the name on emails or posts in our groups or on Facebook.
During the hard times, people get more creative. It takes a while to find your stride, but when you do, you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Dawn Dixon, a writer I met at Bouchercon Dallas in 2019, has pushed herself to publish a book that took years to write and to teach herself to promote it. You can hear her on a podcast with Terry Cagle as she talks about the anything-but-straight path she took to be an author. Listen here: https://porchmatters.buzzsprout.com/1286810/8885178. Hear more of Terry’s podcasts at: https://porchmatters.buzzsprout.com/.
Dawn’s book, Faux Finished, a murder mystery, is just out with a great sense of place as well as fun characters. In Dallas, I convinced her to submit a short story for the anthology Peace, Love, and Crime. Under the Boardwalk was a sure thing the minute I read it. Dawn writes Southern.
Sandy, Editor, editor@writersandpublishersnetwork.com
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Ask the Book Doctor: Avoid Litigation by Bobbie Christmas |
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Q: If I mention a song in my book, could I get in trouble? Here’s a sample sentence: Evanescence’s “Good Enough” was playing on the radio. I have quoted nothing from the lyrics. If I just mention that Evanescence is the character’s favorite band, do I need to do any legal things?
A: I am not an attorney, but I do know that
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titles cannot be copyrighted, so you can certainly quote a title. Using even a few words from the lyrics of a song not in the public domain, however, can open you up for trouble if you haven’t received permission.
Q: Please be so kind as to define the rules and regulations for quoting song titles and lyrics in published works.
Read more
Bobbie Christmas, book editor, author of Write In Style: Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing, and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or BZebra@aol.com. Read Bobbie’s Zebra Communications blog at https://www.zebraeditor.com/blog/. |
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Hit the Streets for Local Book Promotion That Really Works! by Penny Sansevieri |
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I’m a big proponent of online book promotion; not only does it work, it’s also necessary if you want to stay competitive and get your book a wide reach. As everything opens up and
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we return to a semblance of normal, you can get back out into your community and get your book out there, too. Here’s a list of local book-promotion strategies that almost any author can take advantage of! Learn More
Penny C. Sansevieri, founder and CEO of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a bestselling author and internationally recognized book-marketing and media-relations expert. She is an adjunct professor teaching self-publishing for NYU. She was named one of the top influencers of 2019 by New York Metropolitan Magazine.
AME has had dozens of books on top bestseller lists, including those of The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.
To learn more about Penny’s books or her promotional services, visit www.amarketingexpert.com |
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Killing Dreams One Rejection at a Time by Michael Bracken
Sisters in Crime Announces Winner of inaugural Pride Award
On June 1, 2021, Sisters in Crime (SinC) announced that the winner of the inaugural Pride Award for emerging LGBTQIA+ writers is C.J. Prince (she/hers) of West Orange, New Jersey. The winning novel-in-progress was selected by judges (and SinC members) Cheryl Head, John Copenhaver, and Kristen Lepionka., who said, “C. J. Prince’s excerpt from her novel-in-progress, The Butcher’s Son, impressed with its fresh blend of gripping crime story and culture-clash narrative, in which a lesbian NYPD detective must confront the homophobia and dark secrets of the Orthodox Jewish community she left years ago. Learn More
Additional information about the award can be found at https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride
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Also Sisters in Crime on YouTube
Join Sisters in Crime president Sandra SG Wong as she leads a roundtable discussion of genre with SinC members Esme Addison, Kate Carlisle, Kia Dennis, Naomi Hirahara, Kristen Lepionka, Elizabeth Little, Delia Pitts, Barbara Ross, and PJ Vernon. The conversation includes discussions about the difference in genres, mashups, and the "rules" and how to break them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C9fz4FRmjM
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Paige Allen is sharing an update about our IngramSpark Catalog
Integrity Guidelines, along with tips for submitting successful content.
To our valued customers,
In an effort to maintain our commitment to both authors and distribution partners, the IngramSpark Catalog Integrity team will be conducting an ongoing review of all titles and accounts. Below is a list of Things to Know to meet these regulations.
Learn More |
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Per Our Last Email Story Submission—Trouble with a client? Vent here! |
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Details for submitting your story to Per Our Last Email Podcast.
The goal of the podcast is to share stories from freelancers in order to laugh together about mishaps, commiserate over difficult clients, bring awareness to the struggles of the freelancing life, and build community through comedy and cocktails. Learn More |
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Beware! Scam Alerts Aimed at Authors
Scan Alert #1Silver Ink Literary Agency
“It has come to our attention that a scam outfit by the name of Silver Ink Literary Agency is emailing authors to solicit book proposals for publication with major publishers. The scammers are using the Authors Guild’s logo on their letterhead and the logos of leading publishers to solicit book proposals and charging authors up to $6,000. The letter also claims that the Authors Guild is chairing a task group that oversees the editorial and publishing process.
“This is a scam. We strongly advise you not to correspond with the sender. We are in the process of taking legal action against the scammers.
“If you or someone you know has received this email, please contact us immediately at staff@authorsguild.org.”
Scam Alert #2
Truman Publishing
We have heard from a member about an outfit called Truman Publishing aggressively marketing its services to authors. Judging by their website, which lists several fake addresses and has other inconsistencies, we suspect that this outfit is a scam and strongly advise all authors to avoid contact with them. |
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Lynn Varon Launches Writer Web for Authors
WPN member Lynn Varon has launched Writer Web, a websitedesign business that caters to authors' particular promotional needs. She helps writers establish an online presence quickly and affordably with a three- page initial website. The expandable designs allow the client to add pages and features as their budget allows. Visit www.writerweb.net for more information and to get the free Author Website Design Book.
Lynn Varon is a professional copy editor who has worked in magazine publishing for more than 20 years and in website editing and design for 10 years.
Professional Editor and Proofreader Varon.com |
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Sandra Murphy had two articles published in the Historical Mysteries 2 Summer Issue of Mystery Readers Journal. The first, “Music Defines a Decade,” explains how, as editor, she chose twenty-two stories for the anthology Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the 60s, and how performers as different as Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, and Blind Faith or the Stones could work as the selected songs featured in the stories.
The second article is “Writing What You Don’t Know but Can Research.” She co-wrote “Gracie Saves the World” with Michael Bracken. Set in the 40s, it’s about a woman who finds a dead stranger in her bed and saves the world by solving the case. Sandra’s research topics included salaries for the women who worked in factories to replace the men who served in the Armed Forces, what goods were rationed during WWII, and details like the fact that women were unable to get silk stockings during the war and couldn’t go to church bare-legged until priests made a special ruling allowing it.
She was interviewed by the Chicks on the Case about how books are selected for review, how the reviews are written, what to do if you don’t like the book, and more. https://tinyurl.com/w9hhe8c8 |
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Talking Book Publishing podcast is a goldmine of information from authors and publishing professionals to help authors on their road to bookselling success. In August, we have two AFter Hours with the Producer segments. First with poet Hiram Sims and the second with Ayn Cates Sullivan. New podcasts are released twice a month on all of the major podcast services and at https://talkingbookpublishing.today. Subscribe for free. |
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News You Might Have Missed |
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An empowering picture book by Senator Elizabeth Warren
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Fan of mysteries? Podcasts? |
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Stacey Abrams to Publish Children's Debut with HarperCollins
Her first picture book, Stacey's Extraordinary Words, launches on December 28 with HarperCollins Children's Books imprint Balzer.
**** From Shut Up and Write - Submissions: The Harsh Reality and How to Improve Your Odds
Posted by Thea Pueschel https://tinyurl.com/5223ku68
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Short Story Collections as Portals to Literary Magazines and Other Writings by Lyndsie Manusos on Book Riot
https://bookriot.com/short-story-collections-as-portals/
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Taking on a Charming Dog’s Life – Talking with Spencer Quinn at the Bit Thrill, the magazine from the International Thriller Writers https://tinyurl.com/3kemtcf9 TENDER IS the BITE CHET PIC
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Big Question = Big Girl Panties... Cathy Ace Talks about Changes in Publishing on the Criminal Minds Blog
https://7criminalminds.blogspot.com/2021/07/big-question-big-girl-panties-by-cathy.html
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YouTube interview with Richard Krawiec, editor of One Magazine, which has a different approach to submissions. Each poet may submit only one poem. When the editors have twenty-one poems they like, they publish. https://tinyurl.com/pe9fb37v
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May bookstore sales were up 130% over May 2020 sales, to a total of $632 million.
https://tinyurl.com/mjdpvv6e
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Kindle Vella has launched. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/4bccccpm.
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How Do Kindle Unlimited Subscribers Behave in 2021 (And How Does it Impact Authors)?
By Clayton Noblit posted by Written Word Media
https://tinyurl.com/4ruemep4
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PRH (Penguin Random House) has tentatively scheduled the reopening of their offices for mid-September. Vaccinations will be required. Work from home will still be available. https://tinyurl.com/2zhy89fs
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The American Booksellers Association included an anti-trans book along with other materials and books sent to 750 booksellers, who feel the association’s apology was weak and lacking in transparency. https://tinyurl.com/33wsezuv
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Six Mistakes to Avoid in Your BookBub Ads
https://tinyurl.com/sbr2fvcv
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Beacon to Produce, Distribute Histria Audiobooks https://tinyurl.com/upb8cpu3
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Where the Heart Is: Close-up on Maverick
A new graphic novel imprint tells tales that reflect readers’ own stories
https://tinyurl.com/n252m2 |
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Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
$3,000 for a poem in any style or genre and $3,000 for a poem that rhymes or has a traditional style. Ten Honorable Mentions will receive $200 each (any style). The top 12 entries will be published online. The top two winners will also receive two-year gift certificates from our co-sponsor, Duotrope (a $100 value). Length limit: 250 lines per poem. Entry fee: $15 for two poems. Multiple entries welcome. Final judge: S. Mei Sheng Frazier, assisted by Vernon Keeve III. Deadline: September 30. Submit online here: https://tinyurl.com/y6zz9m6f
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How has your identity as a woman affected your career, jobs, and/or your relationship with money?
Submit your essay on the theme “Work and Womanhood” to share your stories, experience, and perspective.
What they’re looking for
Genre: Personal Essay
Length: 500–2,000 words
Theme: Work and Womanhood
Questions to answer: How has your identity as a woman affected your career, jobs, and/or your relationship with money?
Open to all trans and cis women writers 18+, regardless of previous experience or publication.
Submission period: July 15–Sep. 15, 2021 No entry fee. More information
https://www.healthyrich.co/writing-contest
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Fiction Contest
Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
https://ernestjgainesaward.org...
Eligibility: Rising African-American authors with novels or short-story collections published in 2021
Prize: $15,000
Deadline: August 15, 2021
Nonfiction Contest
Iowa Prize in Literary Nonfiction
https://uipress.dev.drupal.uiowa.edu/authors/iowa-nonfiction.htm
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: Publication by University of Iowa Press
Entry fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2021
Poetry Contests
Grayson Books Poetry Prize
http://graysonbooks.com/contest.html
Eligibility: All poets writing in English
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $25
Deadline: August 15, 2021
Omnidawn Open (Poetry Book Contest)
http://www.omnidawn.com/contest/poetry-contests.htm
Eligibility: All poets
Prize: $3,000 + publication
Entry fee: $27
Deadline: August 16, 2021
Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize
https://www.utica.edu/academic/as/english/nassar//index.cfm
Eligibility: Poets residing in upstate New York with work published between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021
Prize: $2,000
Deadline: August 31, 2021
Multi-Genre Contest
1/2 K Prize
https://indianareview.org/prizes/1-2-k-prize-2/
Eligibility: All writers
Prize: $1,000 + publication
Entry fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2021
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Red Hen Press Fiction Award
https://redhenpress.submittable.com/submit/
$25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2021. The Red Hen Press Fiction Award is for a previously unpublished fresh and original work of fiction, either a novel or short-story collection, with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors. The prize includes $1,000 and publication of award-winning manuscript by Red Hen Press.
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Quill Queer Prose Award
https://redhenpress.submittabl...
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 31, 2021. The Quill Prose Award is for a work of previously unpublished prose with a minimum of 150 pages by a queer (LGBTQIA+) writer. Award is $1,000 and publication of award-winning manuscript by Red Hen Press. |
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