Thanks to everyone who entered the Maggie Gift Book Giveaway. It was heartwarming to read your thoughtful essays, from as far away as Australia! Gift-wrapped copies of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon will be sent to prize-winner’s friends and loved … Continue reading 
By: Carmela Martino and 5 other authors,
on 12/12/2012
Most of the adults who sign up for my writing classes have the same goal: to get a book published by a traditional publisher. They're usually shocked to learn what a long, slow process book publication typically is, whether they're working on a picture book or a novel. To help cope with the wait, I recommend they work on building a portfolio of writing credits they can mention in their cover/query letters. On Monday, Esther shared links to information on how to get published in Highlights magazine. Highlights is a well-respected magazine that's been around for years, and an impressive credit to include in your writing portfolio. Unfortunately, that means they receive a huge volume of submissions, making them a tough market to break into. I like to remind my students that there are other children's magazines, many of them more open to material than Highlights or the Cricket Magazine Group, which publishes high-quality magazines for toddlers to teens.
"Each issue is built around a specific theme with material that can be used by children in a variety of ways. Submissions should support the purpose of the magazine to help children grow in their faith, though all submissions do not need to be overtly religious."The magazine's monthly themes are listed on their website, along with a submission deadline for each issue. To paraphrase something I heard Richard Peck say years ago, "A deadline is a writer's friend." When I first learned of Pockets and their theme/deadline list, I submitted some theme-related puzzles. To my delight, they were accepted! That success led me to try my hand at writing a short story specifically for an issue focusing on "prejudice." They accepted that piece, and "The Cupcake Man" became my first published children's story. Pockets also published my first children's poem. (Is it any wonder why I'm so fond of this magazine?)
By: Shelley Workinger,
on 2/2/2012
By: Laurel Gaylord,
on 10/19/2010
By: Karen Cioffi,
on 1/4/2009
We're back with Dianne Sagan for a few questions and answers.
Your story, Second Chances, is part of "The Tainted
Mirror An Anthology". I've been told that anthologies are difficult to sell. Do you find that to be true?
Anthologies like the Chicken Soup series, Cup of Comfort series, and others that are well known, have a ready made audience when they release new volumes because they already have a high profile. The anthology my story is in has had pretty good sales, but the key to selling anthologies is to have at least one well known writer who has a name that is familiar to people. Of course the promotion of all the writers who participate in an anthology makes a difference in sales.
What is the word count or page count on your typical short stories for anthologies?
It can vary, but the average word count in about 1200 words. You have to write tight for it to work well.
What advice can you offer writers interested in ghost
writing and/or contributing to anthologies?
Advice for writers interested in ghost writing would be that you need to decide for yourself if it matters to you that you will not get recognition for the books you write. In some cases, you have to sign a nondisclosure agreement. You're usually paid a flat fee for your work. If it bothers you that your name isn't anywhere on the book or article, then ghostwriting probably isn't for you. If that is okay with you, then you can make a good living at it. Bookpackagers use ghostwriters. I have information about ghostwriting on my website, http://dgsagan.tripod.com and have an article on ghostwriting in the article bank at Writing for Dollars. I also speak to groups about ghostwriting.
Advice for anthology writing is to stay informed about calls for writers. Go to the Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup, and other anthology sites. See what they are looking for and follow their guidelines. You can also google "anthologies" or "calls for writers". anthologiesonline.com is a really good source and has a new list every month. As in all things, you want to check things out before you send to something you're not sure of. Reading other stories that have been published in anthologies can help you know what they usually publish.
Did your novel, Escape, find a home yet?
It doesn't have a contract yet, but with revisions the publisher says she will send me a contract. I'm not sure if I will get to keep the title, but I trust my publisher on title choices.
And finally, do you find that emails and groups you belong to steal precious time away from your writing?
I find that I have to discipline myself to spend some time with my groups and networking, but it can really take up all your time if you're not careful. Mondays are my day to do all the "cats and dogs" stuff - miscellaneous paperwork, the business part of writing, blogs, catch up on things and correspondence including email. Other days I try to limit myself to an hour and no more than an hour and a half for emails and business concerns. I try to do group emails and blog visits at least twice a week. I write at least 20 hours per week minimum.
Don't forget to get your copy of "The Tainted Mirror An Anthology:"
ISBN 13:978-0-9786066-1-9
It can be found on amazon.com and barnes&nobel.com
You can reach Dianne at:
www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
http://www.authorsden.com/diannesagan
Thanks so much, Dianne, for being my guest this week, and thank you for all the useful information you provided. It was certainly a pleasure having you here this week.
Virtual Book Tours next tour is scheduled for January 15th - stay tuned!
Karen
By: Rebecca,
on 2/26/2008
Frank Close, OBE, is a Professor of Physics at Oxford University and a Fellow of Exeter College. In his new book, The Void Close tells the story of scientists’ efforts to understand the Void and in the process helps us understand that by seeking to understand the nature of the Void, we are confronting the enigma of why anything should exist at all. In the excerpt below Close looks at ancient conceptions of the Void.
The paradox of creation from the void, of Being and Non-Being, has tantalized all recorded cultures. As early as 1,700, years BC, the Creation Hymn of the Rigveda states that
There was neither non-existence nor existence then. There was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond. What stirred? Where? (more…)
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Thanks for the great information/tips! I have a subscription to Pockets and Highlights magazines. They're in my kids names, but I get to them first.
I also like Chicken Soup for the Soul. You've touched on a lot of good things in this post.
Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback, Angela. Do let is know if you sell anything to any of these markets.