Posted by Mark Shaw on August 16, 2010
Yes, Hemingwaywantabes, your loyal book consultant is ready to assist you through “Free Friday” mentoring sessions.
Just this past week, I spent time on the telephone with a woman from Texas who wants to write, but hasn’t a clue as to write about. After hearing her passion for the spiritual world, I suggested she attempt a work of fiction based on the spiritual journey that had led her from the depths of depression to her current state of bliss. The main character may be patterned after her, or another if she chooses, with the plot including how organized religion didn’t quite cut it when too many obstacles were in the way. No matter, the main character, like her, bypasses the traditional route and discovers a path to her God she never knew existed.
If you would like to chat about your book, please check the Literary Consultant page on my website at www.markshawbooks.net. Or send me an email at mshawin@yahoo.com to set up a time when we can chat. I’ll be pleased to give you my two cents, based on my experiences in the publishing world, regarding book ideas, storytelling alternatives, book proposal concepts, query letter forms, or even how to find the proper literary agent or publisher for your book.
I love to mentor aspiring authors, whether the genre is fiction or non-fiction, and I look forward to speaking with you.
Blessings,
Mark Shaw
Posted in Free Mentoring for Aspiring Authors Available | Tagged: Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway, Books, Literary Agents, Editors, Writers, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Authors, Publishers, Mark Shaw, www.markshawbooks.net | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on July 24, 2010
Hemingwaywantabes, hello and good day. Hope your writing adventures are going well. Keep the faith, one day you will be published!!!
Meanwhile, another warning about the scams out there. Beware of subsidy publishers, literary agents who want to charge you a fee, and most important, all of these people who call themselves, “writing coaches.” Certainly many are legitimate, but check carefully their credentials to see what they have published, and who has been published using their guidance. Regarding their having been published, by this I mean “books,” and books published by reputable publishers, no subsidy publishers, no wacky self-publishing, but real publishing. Check to see sales figures, etc., and check references wherever possible.
Also, most critical, ask for a list of clients who have been published, and who by. Any legitimate “writing coach” will provide this information. If they won’t, run the other way!!!
Blessings and good wishes,
Mark Shaw – www.markshawbooks.net.
Posted in Beware of Scams and More Scams | Tagged: Agents, Aspiriing Authors, Authors, Books, Editors, Ernest Hemingway, Fiction, Hemingway, Literary Agents, Mark Shaw, markshawbooks.net, Non-Fiction, Publishers, Publishing Scams, Writers | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on June 21, 2010
Hello Hemingwaywantabes. Hope all is well and that you are writing away toward your publishing dreams. Recently, I spoke to the Boulder, Colorado Writers Group and provided Ten “Do’s and Don’t's” To Guide Publishing Dreams. This strategy has worked for me and for many of my clients who have been published. More at www.markshawbooks.net. Here goes:
Ten “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” Guaranteed to Work In Today’s Marketplace
Do Know Who The “Players” are in Today’s Traditional Publishing World – Literary Agents and Publishers Alike
Do Use Publisher’s Lunch as your bible to Understanding the Publishing World
Do Use Publisher’s Lunch, AARonline.com, and querytracker.net to locate potential Literary Agents.
Do Use Publisher’s Lunch to Locate PublishersDon’t Send the Query Letter and Book Proposal to Agents/Publishers Without Adequate Research
Don’t Simply Send a Query Letter and Synopsis to Potential Literary Agents and Publishers
Above all, Do Emphasize Your Expertise to Write the Book (Platform) and Promotion and Marketing Alternatives Including New Media
Do Follow the Proper Form For Query Letters (one page) and Book Proposals Including Correct Use of Buzz Words
Do Send Five to Six Query Letters and Book Proposals at a Time – Use Snail Mail if Possible
Do Follow Up After Two Weeks to Check Status of Submissions
Do Not Be Discourage By Rejection – This Word is Not a Part of the Aspiring Author’s Vocabulary
Bottom Line: To Optimize Traditional Publishing Potential, Remember:“Unique Book Idea + Great Writing + Savvy Publishing Strategy
And remember – It only takes one literary agent and/or one publisher to say “Yes.”
Posted in Ten "Do's and Dont's To Guide Your Publishing Dreams | Tagged: Amazon, Authors, Book Publishing, Editors, Ernest Hemingway, Fiction, Hemingway, Literary Agents, Mark Shaw, markshawbooks.net, Non-Fiction, Poets, Publi, Publishing, Writes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on May 31, 2010
Hey, Hemingwaywantabes, I have discovered some great grammar guidelines provided by a terrific proofreader/editor named Kristina (www.ParagonProofreading.com). Here is the link. Take a look and learn since without proper grammar, your writings will fall on deaf ears when they are submitted to literary agents and publishers. That’s no good especially when you have a terrific story to tell. So heed Kristina’s advice. It will be well worth it.
Here’s the link: http://www.grammarguidelines.blogspot.com/
Posted in Grammar Guidelines from Kristina | Tagged: Editors, Ernest Hemingway, Grammar, Hemingway, Literary Agents, Manuscripts, Mark Shaw, Proofreading, Publishers, Words, www.markshawbooks.net, www.ParagonProofreading.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on May 24, 2010
Hello Hemingwaywantabes. Hope your writing is fruitful and that you are edging toward publication potential in the near future. Never give up – remember, it only takes one literary agent to say “yes,” and one publisher to say “yes.” Keep the faith, your day is coming.
Besides PublishersLunch.com, which I have suggested before as an important tool to help you with your publishing strategy, another side, http://querytracker.net/index.php may also be helpful. Take a look at what the site offers free of charge, a way to track submitted query letters. Scads of literary agents are also listed as well as some publishers and I like the site’s warning, “Never give money to a literary agent.”
Hope this information is helpful. Now go write “one true sentence” as Mr. Hemingway used to say.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Book Proposals, Books, Editors, Ernest Hemingway, Fiction, Hemingway, Literary Agents, Mark Shaw, Non-Fiction, Query Letters, www.markshawbooks.net | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on May 19, 2010
Hello Hemingwaywantabes. Hope your writing journey is going well.
Many who visit this blog site are most kind with their comments but somehow do not realize that it is possible to download my book, How To Become a Published Author: Idea to Publication, free of charge. Free! Yes, free, that magic word we all love.
To do so, simply download the various chapters posted above this posting. By doing so, you will learn practical information designed to guide your process toward becoming published. And also learn about the evils of subsidy publishing, a dragon is there ever was one.
More information is also available at my website, www.markshawbooks.net. Don’t hesitate let me help you. I love helping aspiring authors.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Aspiring Authors, Authors, Books, Editors, Fiction, Mark Shaw, Non-Fiction, Proofreaders, Publishing, Subsidy Publishers, Words, Writing, www.markshawbooks.net | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on April 29, 2010
Interested in knowing all sides of the equation regarding the risky business of self-publishing? Then I suggest you take a gander at the following article:
reviews.cnet.com /self publishing
Good information all around, especially regarding all of the scams there are that trap unsuspecting writers into believing a subsidy publisher is their best friend. This is simply not true, as this article points out.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Amazon, Book Surge, Editors, Kindle, Literary Agents, Lulu, Mark Shaw, Publishing Companies, Publishing Scams, Self-Publishing, Shaw, www.markshawbooks.net | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on March 18, 2010
Okay, Hemingwaywantabes, here’s some good tips for you regarding the query letter. I know there are a thousand and one ideas out there but please consider mine as they have worked now for nearly twenty books and counting. And remember, literary agents and publishers expect the right form to come their way. Otherwise you are dead before you even get a shot, and nobody wants to be dead!
Most important – the QL may only be one page in length, no more. No more, I said.
Now, the first paragraph feature two lines or so with a snappy description of what the book is all about. Give it some zip to gain immediate attention. If you don’t, no one will bother reading on.
The second paragraph. Consider these buzz words, “This unusual (or unique) scenario sets the stage for ________ (name of your book), a (insert about three or four more lines describing your book in detail. For fiction, that means a “mini-synopsis,” for non-fiction, a “mini-overview.” Most times this description will be lifted from your book proposal draft, one reason I suggest creating a book proposal first.
The third paragraph. Consider these buzz words: “(name of your book) is written in the spirit of such bestselling books as _____, _____, and _____, but it is unique because ____________. The target audience is anyone who enjoys (provide sense of who the audience is for your book.)”
The fourth paragraph. Consider these buzz words: “The author’s expertise to write this book stems from (provide your credential – why you are the one person in the world to write this book). It will be promoted (give some ideas you may have for good promotion – rely heavily on new media promotion – internet, etc.)
The fifth paragraph. Consider these buzz words: “Based on the genre of books mentioned on your website, I believe (name of your book) will interest you. If so, a manuscript is available for consideration.” (Or, a book proposal if you decide to got this route.
Thank you so much,
Z. Hemingway, Jr.
That’s it. Zing, zing, zing. Certainly, variations may occur, but if you stick with this form, you can’t go wrong.
Now get busy and create your query letter. And keep saying to yourself, “I will be published.”
If you have questions, send me a comment. Or email me at mshawin@yahoo.com
Posted in Query Letter Musts | Tagged: Authors, Book Proposals, Editors, Ernest Hemingway, Fiction, Hemingway, Manuscripts, Mark Shaw, Non-Fiction, Publishing, Query Letters, Writing, www.markshawbooks.net | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on February 22, 2010
Every aspiring author should strongly consider securing a competent literary agent to assist he or she’s efforts to locate a good publisher for their book. Good sources of information include www.publisherslunch.com, the AAR website, and a free media newsletter called mediabistro.com. Here’s one posting from the latter of interest:
Pitching An Agent: The Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Score representation at this shop with a marketable narrative for fiction or non
By M. David Hornbuckle – February 22, 2010
 |
Number of agents: Four. They also have a very active and successful foreign rights agent and a movie agent in L.A.
Number of clients: More than 100.
Notable clients: Linda Lael Miller, Boyd Morrison, Keri Arthur, Karen Chance, Larissa Ione, Susan Donovan, Celeste Bradley, Lilith Saintcrow, Lauren Destefano. Amount of unsolicited material selected: About 5 percent a year
Fiction vs. nonfiction: Approximately 60 percent fiction, 40 percent nonfiction
Background: Irene Goodman got the agent bug more than 25 years ago after first breaking through as an editorial assistant at a publishing house. It was while later working at a small, but powerful agency (they represented Stephen King at the time) that she began taking on some of the clients the primary agent didn’t have time for. Within a year, the former medieval studies major was in business for herself . . .
Researching agents is a necessary evil toward realizing publishing dreams. So get busy hemingwaywantabes. A good agent is right around the corner. |
Posted in Discovering Literary Agents | Tagged: Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway, Books, Publishing, Literary Agents, Editors, Writers, Writing, Authors, Mark Shaw, www.markshawbooks.net, Goodman Agency | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mark Shaw on January 31, 2010
Am reading the revised edition of Moveable Feast released late last year that includes much of text cut from the book published after Hemingway’s death. Once again, I am amazed at the writing skill of the master. One great quote of his applies to every writer who has trouble continuing the writer process. It is:
“Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is to write one true sentence, and then go on from there.”
Okay, then, when you hit a wall, think of “one true sentence,” one great thought, and continue on. Most of all, never give up. The writing process is a lengthy one, filled with hills and valleys, but determination will pull you through.
Posted in Keep the Faith: Hemingway Wantabes | Tagged: Ernest Hemingway, Fiction, Hemingway, Mark Shaw, Moveable Feast, Non-Fiction, Novels, Old Man and the Sea, Paris, Publishers, Publishers Lunch, Writers, www.markshawbooks.net | 4 Comments »
