Set Goals for Your Writing Career

     “Never quit dreaming.” That’s what my eighty-four year old mother-in-law told my husband. Even at her age, she dreams and works toward them. Good advice, and one we writers should take to heart in the new year. Dreams change but should never depart. Reaching our dreams requires planning.

     Here’s my suggestions for setting goals for your writing career.

1.     Is this really for you?

       What do you like to write? What do you read? What do you enjoy? Do have other obligations that come first? Can you balance them with writing? Are you willing to dedicate writing time every day? If you follow Christ, discern God’s will for you in this area. If or when you publish a book, are you willing to promote it?

      Think about these things. Don’t be caught unawares.

2.     Break it down into bite-sized pieces.

     When I started learning the craft of writing, I divided my goals for the long haul:

a.     6 month goal

b.     3 year goal

c.     Lifetime goal.

The point is to determine a plan that you will turn dreams into reality.

3. Mark it down, Baby.

     Each year, I use a wall calendar with big squares. I write my goal for that month at the top of the sheet. This could change later in the year, but the calendar shows me what I’m shooting to reach. Then, I break it down week by week on the calendar. 

     The point is to write down your goals. Don’t just keep them in your mind. Put them in tangible wording. Be realistic. Be fair. Be determined.

     Then at the end of the year, measure your success at meeting goals. Decide what you need to change or incorporate in the next year. Where have you failed or procrastinated? Do you maintain a strong desire and/or need to keep writing or has that changed?

4. Include a time for learning.

         Educate yourself in the craft. What do you need to study? How can you best train?

Here’s some suggestions:

a.     writing groups/loops

b.     online courses

c.     writing craft books

d.     critique groups

e.     In-person conferences and/or workshops

f.     Blogs that focus on writing

    Consider a combination of any and all these. How can you best spend your time and money? Most of us can’t do everything, but we must keep learning while we write.

5. Who influences you?

         Become accountable to a mentor or critique partner. Network with authors online and in person. Listen to them. "More writers become published through the recommendation of another author than by a pitch to an editor." (quote from award-winning, multi-published Christian author Lena Nelson Dooley). With certainty, we can learn from other's experiences.

     Learn from publishers, editors, and agents that have been there and understand the best ways. Become a valuable team member with your publisher.

     Don’t spend time with ones who say you can’t. Seek out people you say, “keep trying.” Associate with people who help you, build you up, encourage you.

6. How’s your energy level?

      Energize through leaving off sugars and fats that drain your vitality.

      Moving your body heightens creativity and invigorates you stamina.

      Love what you do.

7. Pray

     A Christian should never start a new year or make goals without consulting the Heavenly Father in the plans. Maintain contact with God regardless of where your career takes you.

8. Me? A Mentor?

      We’re all at different levels. Someone just beginning to write can learn from someone who’s studied for years.    

     An unpublished writer can gain valuable help from an author that’s published.

     If you’ve published one or two books, you learn from a multi-published author.

     Wherever you are on the path, you have learned lessons you can share. Consider being a mentor to someone else. Teaching will strengthen the lessons you’ve learned, and networking can broaden your base.

In summary,

     Survey your desires and accomplishments in the past year. Write your goals for the new year, for each month, for every week. Make it something you can control. Being published or contracting for more sales is technically out of our hands, but following these guidelines with persistence makes those things doable. So, survey, keep goals, and dream on, writers.

     Since this is near the beginning of the year, I'm on a goal-setting binge. If overeating is a problem, check out my post about setting goals for healthier eating this year. Find it at http://www.janetkbronw.com

Why Attend a Writing Conference?

by Vivian Zabel 

     Thursday I leave for the OWFI (Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc) Writing

Conference 2013. I do my best to attend every year, and for the past 12 years or so, I've been able to do so. I also attempt to participate in at least one other book event a year and the Muse Online Writers Conference. Why? Let me count the ways:

1. I get to meet other authors, rub elbows with the pros. Yes, I'm a professional writer, too, but I enjoy being with the "big" ones, such as J.A. Jance, Steven James, Debbie Macomber, Bill Bernhardt,  Marcia Preston, Jordan Dane, Merline Lovelace, just to name a few. Most on that list I can call by their first names because they have become friends.

2. Speaking of friends, I get to reconnect to those I haven't seen or visited since the last conference. 

3. I learn something that helps me improve as a writer, as a business person (writing is a business), as a professional. All professionals attend workshops, classes, and/or continuing education courses each year. They must to improve knowledge of their craft and to prove their commitment to their profession. To be a professional writer, we must do the same.

     Yes, I know much about writing, even taught it, still do as an editor and the head of a small press, but I'm still learning, improving. We all need to continue to hone our skills, learn about the business end of writing, and the writing market. We never know all there is to know about anything.
     This year at the OWFI 45! Revive! Strive! Thrive! conference, Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, will be a speaker. I have the opportunity to learn more about electronic books, how to format, how to expand the number of eBooks 4RV can produce.

4. Conferences offer the opportunity for writers to meet and pitch to editors, agents, and publisher representatives. A way is provided to "breach" the wall around agents and publishers that can't be found otherwise.  Now that I head 4RV Publishing, I take pitches from other authors, but I remember giving pitches to "famous" agents and editors. I enjoy visiting with them now that I'm a member of their ranks, even if maybe not as famous as some of them, yet.

5. I'm inspired and ready to jump in and write enthusiastically again. Conferences help recharge my writing batteries after being around people who actually understand what I do because they do the same thing -- write. Speakers give me hope that success can and does happen. I return home ready to prop my seat in my chair and pound my fingers on the keyboard again.

6. Some conferences have writing contests, which I enter. Entering means I have a chance to win something. The OWFI conference has a writing contest with 33 different categories and one low entry fee that covers all the entries you send. The deadline is February 1, and the results are announced at the big banquet Saturday night of the conference. I entered four categories this year, so I'll be sitting on the edge of my chair waiting to hear my name called. Yes, I have won in the past, even first place at least twice.

7. I can learn about different genres. This year's OWFI conference focuses on fantasy, which I know little and care for less. Oh, I enjoyed Anne McCaffrey's work and still get to read new works by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, but I don't know enough about the genre to really understand it. This conference I have the opportunity to learn more since Patrick Rothfuss is the keynote speaker. I have a copy of his first book for him to sign, too.
    Jordan Dane will speak about writing young adult novels. One year I attended her session about writing thrillers. She's a great writer and speaker.

 

8. Visit with other writers at all levels of ability and experience -- make new friends and find kindred spirits.

9. At some conferences, a writer can have a few pages of writing evaluated by a professional. 

10. According to Susan Denney (WritingWorld.com), a good reason to attend writing conferences is you can write off the trip and entry frees on your income tax as a business expense. Of course before doing so, you should check with an accountant to be sure you qualify.

     I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend this conference later this week. I get little sleep, much excitement, and work hard the whole time, especially since 4RV Publishing will have an exhibitor table this year. However, I'll return tired, exhilarated, and already thinking about entries for next year's competition.

4RV Bookstore  

 

 

3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents

3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents

By Karen Cioffi

You’ve been slaving for months, maybe years, on your manuscript. You’ve read about belonging to a critique group to help you hone your work and took the advice to heart. You have also listened to the advice about submitting your manuscript to an editor after your critique group is done with it, and after you’ve meticulously self-edited it. Now, you’re ready to begin submissions.

While some authors choose to send queries to a publisher or an agent, there is no reason to choose, send queries off to both. But, there are a few steps you need to be aware of before you actually start submitting:

1. First Impressions
Professionalism, professionalism, professionalism. Yes, be professional. As with any business correspondence, do not use colored stationary, colored text, elaborate font, scented paper or envelope, or any other unprofessional features. You get one shot at making a first impression; don’t blow it on silly additions. And, don’t try to be cute or send a gift. Again, be professional.

2. Research

So, you understand you need to appear professional, but you also need to send your query to the right recipients. You can have the most professional looking query letter, but if you send a query to a romance publisher and you have written a children’s picture book, guess what? You’ll be out of luck.

Research for publishers and agents who work within the genre you write. There are services, such as WritersMarket (http://www.writersmarket.com/) that provide information on where and how to sell your articles or manuscripts. While these services may charge for the service, it is a worthwhile investment.

There are also books that offer the same information, such as Writer’s Market, and Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market. If you choose this option, you will need to get the new versions each year. Agents and publishers are changing staff all the time, new companies are popping up and others are closing down, you will need up-to-date information for your query submissions.

3. Content

In the February 2011 issue of the Writer, agent Betsy Lerner explained, “Editors and agents alike enjoy nothing more than being startled awake by a witty or moving letter.” They want to see something special and unique; this is where your pitch comes in.

While you may have taken heed and had your manuscript critiqued and looked at by an editor, you can do the same with your query letter.

You want to give the impression that you are intelligent, so your query letter must reflect that. Get it in the best shape possible, with a great hook, and then send it off to be critiqued.

Publishers and agents receive more queries than they can comfortably handle, so don’t give them a reason to simply reject yours because of unprofessionalism. Give your query and manuscript every possible opportunity for success.

~~~~~
To keep up with writing and marketing information, along with Free webinars - signup for The Writing World newsletter - click on the link or go to Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing (opt-in is on the right top sidebar).

The best online writers conference I know

by Vivian Zabel 

The Muse Online Writing Conference is the best online conference I've found, and it's free. It allows those who can't attend a conference physically to have a chance to learn more about writing, submitting, promotion, and other aspects we need to know.

Registration closes September 25, so people MUST register now:  After that the forum link to register will disappear .

http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=3

Also, the conferences has pitch sessions, where writers can pitch their manuscripts to agents and/or publishers. Check out the line up so far for workshops and pitch sessions, read the guidelines what and how to submit your pitches:

http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=27

I hardily recommend this conference. 4RV Publishing will have a forum, and I'll be holding a workshop forum, too.

4RV Publishing  
4RV Bookstore  

Publisher - Author Etiquette

by Vivian Zabel

          Finally an author has a contract from a publisher in hand. Now all he has to do is sit back and wait for the money to come rolling in, right?

          A publisher has several excellent books under contract. After the manuscripts are edited at least lightly, all the company has to do is sit back and watch the money fill its coffers, right?

         Actually no. After an author and publisher sign a contract, the work begins, and successful launching of a book depends on cooperation between company and writer. One way to avoid some minefields in the process requires etiquette, good manners. Let’s examine a few “tips” for good publisher/author etiquette.

1. The publisher (meaning all upper staff) should remember that the author’s excitement and desire to know every step of action means he wants his book to be the best it can be. Allowing the author to realize that he can’t be involved in every portion of the process should be gentle and caring, not hateful.

2. The author should remember that the publisher’s desire to have the book edited to the nth degree means he wants the book to be the best it can be. Working with the editor(s) results in a much better book and fewer problems.

3. The publisher must be kind, even when informing an author to grow up and let the publisher do the job needed.

4. The author needs to realize his publisher does know what to do and the best way to do the job of producing a quality book.

5. The publisher should always publicly promote authors in a positive way. Even if one person is easier to work with doesn’t give his book more importance over the book from a more difficult author.

6. The author should acknowledge the publishing company in interviews and reviews, giving links to the publishing company. That doesn’t mean the author should bow down to the company and “gush” about it, but giving credit for the group that made the book possible is good manners.

7. The publisher giving credit to authors, illustrators, artists, and editors aids in promoting books they helped create. Without the full team working together, the publisher wouldn’t have quality books.

8. The author should give credit to editors, illustrators, and/or cover artists who helped make his book one that interests readers. Sharing credit for a successful book doesn’t take any glory from an author.

9. The publisher shouldn’t distract from an author’s accomplishments. Praise never hurts a relationship, especially if justified.

10. The author shouldn’t distract from his publisher by including books from another source with the books or book from that publisher. Any promotion of other books from other publishers or that are self-published should not be posted or linked to the publisher’s information (blogs, websites, etc.).

          I’m sure there are other areas where good manners aid in good relationships in the author/publisher arena, but those ten are a good beginning.

****

          Now, for those who celebrate Easter: May today bring peace, hope, and love through Christ's sacrifice for us.

Vivian Zabel author of Stolen  

4RV Publishing

4RV Catalog

Book festivals: preparation and promotion

by Vivian Zabel  

          By the time this scheduled article appears, I'll be at the North Texas Book Festival in Denton with six other authors from 4RV Publishing: Jacque Graham, Horton Deakins, Galand Nuchols, Wayne Harris-Wyrick, Harry Gilleland (all the way from Lousiana), and Caeleigh (Kelly) McKinna.

          Hopefully, everyone within driving distance of the Visual Arts Center in Denton, Texas will come by and see us.

          Since I'll be at a book festival and have finished part of the hard work preparing to attend (8 hours with Jacque and me working our backs into agony), I thought I'd share some of what I've learned about participating in book festivals.

            Book festivals have at least three results or consequences: sales, promotion, and networking. Of course we all want sales after the effort of preparing and participating in a book festival, but many times sales depend on the amount and quality of preparation. Let’s examine the preparation required for a book festival (on the part of participants, not the hosts – which a longer article) and the promotion value (which would include sales) of participation.

            First, preparation begins long before the book festival itself.

1. Find book festival that meet your need. Needs might include type of books included in the festival, distance involved from home to festival, organization of festival, how well promoted the festival is, etc.
2. Register before deadline.
3. Begin to accumulate items to take to festival: books, table coverings, book holders, posters (if desired), candy and dishes if having candy for visitors, price list(s), tally sheet and money box with change, sales tax permit (if you have one), bookmarks and business cards and other material for handouts. Also have more than one dependable pen for signings.
4. You might have a drawing for some “prize.” Giving away a copy of your book isn’t the best because people won’t buy, thinking they might win. Slips for drawings is one way to accumulate email list additions.
5. Make hotel reservation if needed.
6. If competition for best books, enter if desired before deadline.

The week before the festival, pack and load your vehicle. Choose what you’ll wear for the festival.

Professional or office professional is good. Sloppy or grungy isn’t chic if you want to be taken seriously. Remember, famous people can get by with things we morals can’t.

            Arrive early to set up the day of the festival. Nothing is more confusing than to arrive at the last minute and try to have your table or booth set up before the public arrives. Not only do last minute or late participants fluster themselves, but also the hosts, other participants, and the public, which expect to find everything ready for them when they arrive. Cover your table or tables and set up book displays, materials, and candy dishes. Depending on the number of books and titles you take, give yourself at least two hours or more to have your table or booth ready.

            Have a trash sack or container behind your table and keep your area clean.

            Visiting other tables and authors at a festival is polite and helps with networking, but leaving your table unmanned causes potential customers to go elsewhere. Be sure you wander when there is little activity, and then watch for people to pass your table. If possible, have someone to stay at your table and signal you when you’re needed.

            Unless it’s an emergency or everyone has left, don’t leave before the time set to close the doors. Then quickly and efficiently pack up your books and materials. Leave your area clean.

            If the book festival is in your state, don’t forget to prepare sales tax reports and amounts.

            Now, promotion: What’s the value of participating in book festivals? Why are festivals a good way to promote oneself and books?

            First, the public can meet you as well as purchase your book or books.

            Second, more profit per book is possible at festivals than through any other method of selling (excluding book signings, which are practically the same type of promotion). Please realize, though, that sometimes many sales are made and sometimes, few. One never knows.

            Third, you have a chance to learn from others, see what works for them, discover other ways to promote yourself.

            Fourth, librarians and teachers have an opportunity to visit with you about appearing in their library or school.

            Attending book festivals requires much work, and if you are taking books for other people, such as I as a publisher do, it’s exhausting hard work. However, the promotion value is usually worth the preparation.

Vivian Zabel  

4RV online catalog  

Promotion - good or bad

by Vivian Zabel

          Authors and illustrators, even publishers, need positive promotion, which means promotional items that appear tasteful and professional: website, blog, bookmarks, business cards, book trailers, biography, media kit. In fact major publishers require that all promotional material be approved by them, even if the author or illustrator pays for or provides the items.

          Does that mean we must hire a professional to do our items? Not necessarily. I've designed business cards for 4RV and for myself. I've designed bookmarks. I used templates for my blog, the 4RV newsletter blog, the websites for the company and for me and my books. Yet, they look professional.

          Some of our illustrators and writers have learned to do professional looking book trailers, but sadly not everyone who has attempted one has been successful at producing a good one. Do I know how to create a book trailer? No, but I've been successful with slide shows which could be adapted to trailers, if I knew how to add music. I studied and practiced to make those slide shows, and some I would never show anyone -- too amateurish.

          I'm going to break down the list of promotional possibilities over the next several weeks and give information needed with each one. I'll begin with the one I haven't conquered, but I still know what is needed to be included. I'll cover book trailers first, beginning next Thursday.

          Please join me, and we'll learn together. After all, every item we put out for public display not only impacts you or me as an author or as an illustrator, but also spotlights 4RV Publishing. We want all of us to look good, to look professional.

Vivian Zabel