Welcome Back – To Me That Is

I hope you’ve missed me. I haven’t written a blog  since I left to go to the Pennwriters Conference. I didn’t expect to be gone so long and I apologize for that.  I was not feeling well when I left. When I tried to speak my voice sounded more like a bull frog than me. I probably should have stayed home but I was scheduled to present a two-day workshop and be a panelist at a read and critique session and I didn’t want to leave the wonderful organizers in the lurch.

Each day I that passed I felt worse and as soon as the sessions were over for the day I want to room, took my medicine and went to bed. I missed socializing with all the people I look forward to seeing each year, including Jonathan Maberry.  I spent each night coughing and getting very little sleep and I want to thank those who attended my workshop for being so understanding and moving as close to the front of the room as possible in order to hear me.  Not only wa my voice nearly inaudible but I know the presentation itself was not as good as it should have been. Please give me another chance next year. I promise a more energetic event.

When I arrived home my wonderful husband greeted me with a big hug and told me to get into bed (he had already turned down the covers for me). Soon after I settled in he brought up a tray with another dose of medicine, a bowl of soup, a cup of tea, and just in case tea wasn’t what I wanted, a glass of wonderfully soothing ice water. Is it any wonder I love that man so much?

A simple throat infection doesn’t usually hit me so hard but I had been working almost nonstop for months and the combination of the bug and exhaustion did me in. It took me two weeks to begin to feel good again. During that time I sat on the couch completely unmotivated and letting everything go. When I finally looked at my email again there were over 1,400 messages waiting for me. Most of them writing contest entries from kids across the country that had to be read and sorted in time to announce the winners and launch the next contest. It made me tired again just looking at my in-box.

I’m trying hard to learn from that experience and not take on so much, but I have to tell you so far, it’s not working.  In about fifteen minutes I’ll head out to Bull Run Elementary School in Centreville, VA  for an author visit to two fourth grade classes. I will do the same thing tomorrow and Friday for a total of six classes in three days. There is no way I’ll ever pass up a chance to talk to 180 kids and share the magic of story telling.

I have given up on the goal of writing a blog  day for the rest of the year.  I’m going to try a weekly blog and see how that goes.  See, I’m taking on less work after all.

Pennwriters Conference – The Business of Writing

Know the Business
Please note this schedule is subject to change.
Friday, May 13th
9:15 — 10:15 From Concept to Bookstore with agent Denise Little
What are the typical steps in the publication process? What are some of the exceptions to the rule? And why is it so amazing that books arrive every day in bookstores, ready to amuse and move us? Come hear literary agent, Denise Little answer those questions and more as she discuss the increasingly crazy voyage of a typical book from concept to bookstore.

10:30 — 11:30 Break Free From the Slush Pile with CJ Lyons
Learn the secret to successful pitching and how to engage an editor or agent through your query letter. Participants who wish to have their query evaluated during the workshop should email it as an attachment to CJ@CJLyons.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it prior to April 30th. One lucky writer submitter will win a critique from CJ’s agent, Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Agency!

1:30 — 2:30 Small Press Panel
Is a small press right for your book? Join editor Cathy Teets of Headline Books, agent Jason Pinter of The Waxman Agency, and novelists Rick Robinson and Kristin Bair O’Keeffe as they share the ins and outs of publishing with small and university presses.

2:45 — 3:45 The Pros, Cons & Cautions of Self-Pub’ing Nonfiction with Deanna Adams, Carrie Kennedy and bookseller Maryanne Eichorn
Today’s writers have a lot of publishing options, and self-publishing can seem like a good solution. Is it? Our panel of two nonfiction authors and a bookstore manager discuss their firsthand experiences with self-published books, from quality concerns to marketing and distribution hurdles. Knowing what they now know, would they do it all again?

Saturday, May 14th
9:15 — 10:15 The Author-Agent Relationship with Nancy Martin
One author discusses the important alliance between author and agent–especially now during tumultuous times in the publishing industry. Topics include how to find the right agent, developing short- and longterm career goals, fostering a business partnership, when and how to change agents, and more. Bring your questions and concerns.

10:30 — 11:30 The Dos and Don’ts of Finding and Agent with Victoria Skurnick
The road to finding an agent can be as difficult to navigate as the road to finding a publisher is. In this session, you will find out how to approach an agent, how to get an agent to take you seriously, and how not to piss an agent off.

1:30 — 2:30 Agent Panel
Join our visiting agents as they take your questions on everything and anything that you ever wanted to know about working with agents in today’s publishing climate.

2:45 — 3:45 Welcome to the Jungle with agent Barbara Poelle & CJ Lyons
Get a publishing reality check with NYC agent Barbara Poelle and her client CJ Lyons as they honestly answer questions about today’s industry. Are you better off going Big 6 or small press? What about indy pubbing? Do you even need an agent? If so, how can you grab one? What are editors “really” looking for? Bring your burning questions. (Pith helmets and bull whips optional.)

Sunday
10:30- 11:30 Building Your Freelance Portfolio with Chuck Sambuchino Building Your Freelance Portfolio with Chuck Sambuchino

Learn the basics of freelancing — how to write articles for magazine, newspapers and websites. We’ll discuss how to identify markets, realize your own specialties, structure a magazine query, come up with ideas, resell ideas, and more.

Marketing is Not My Calling

The Prompt  from the Daily Post at WordPress read,” Pick something you don’t like and accept it.” It’s almost spooky how timely that is now that I have to work with the publishers to promote my book. Their job includes making initial contacts with media representatives and niche markets. Then, they tell me,  it’s up to me to follow-up if there in no response within two weeks. Therein lies the rub.

I am not a marketing person. I am terrified of cold calls. The very idea causes my mouth to become dry and my tongue to refuse to form even small words with clarity.  Why would anyone believe that a person who can’t speak on the phone can write well?  Or even worse, can you picture the expression on the face of the TV or radio host as she envisions a trembling, tongue-tied, puddle of a woman trying to pitch her book?

The irony in that is, I have no problem speaking to a room full of people. I teach writing workshops regularly without a qualm. If you need a speaker at the last minute, call me. If you place the call I’m fine. If you ask me to set it up and I crumble. 

I thought I had a solution. I called my sister. She’s one of the most vibrant, outgoing women I know. I figured I’d ask her to be my PR person. She’d  make the calls and my event calendar would fill up.  Unfortunately, when I explained my problem she said, “I know! I have the same problem.” 

I have to accept that this is something I don’t like and do it anyway. Perhaps someday it will get easier. (I don’t really believe that. I’m trying to be brave in the moment.)  My only hope is that someone I know is a talented telemarketer.  My fantasy is to find someone who loves to talk on the phone who  needs a speaker for an upcoming  conference or workshop.  Barter can be a wonderful thing. Until then I have to make at  least one call a day. Just thinking about it makes me nervous but it has to be done despite the fact that marketing is not my calling. I’m doomed.

Anthologies Seeking Submissions

Chicken Soup for the Soul says:

“We have many Chicken Soup for the Soul® books in development and are adding new titles all of the time. We are always looking for new stories and poems and hope you have some for us to consider. Take a look at the list of our future book topics to see if you have a story or poem on a subject we are looking for and then please submit it to us.

If you have a great story or poem you want to submit but we are not collecting for that topic at this time, please save it and check back with us soon. Our list of Possible Books Topics is added to frequently and hopefully, in the near future, we will add a topic that will be a perfect fit for your story or poem.

We prefer that you submit your stories only once, but if you believe your story fits in more than one book topic, please indicate which other topics you have submitted it for in the Comments line on the submission form. You can submit your story by going to the link at the bottom of the page. Thanks!

Here Are Our Future Topics:

***SELECT YOUR TITLE***

Brides and Weddings
You are engaged! How lucky you are to have found that one person you want to share the rest of your life with. We are looking for stories about this very special experience in your life. From the proposal, to the planning, to actual wedding day events — both touching and hilarious – these stories will capture your heart and your emotions. Stories from the groom or the proud parents would be great too! Please share the memories that were created during this special time in your life. The deadline date for story submissions is April 30, 2011.

Christmas Stories
We are collecting stories for our newest Christmas book. Everyone has special memories and stories to tell about the Christmas season – from inspirational and joyous, to heartwarming and humorous. We want to hear about your special Christmas memories and traditions. Please note: if you have submitted stories to our Christmas books in the past, we have your stories in our database. Please make sure that the stories you are submitting to this book are NEW stories that our editors have not read before. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2011.

Family Caregiver
Do you have a family member who requires constant care? Well, you are not alone. The stories in this book will be written by people caring for a family member who requires their assistance due to a variety of reasons – old age, Alzheimer’s, chronic illness, long-term or permanent physical or mental disabilities. Are you part of the “sandwich” generation – caring for an elderly relative while also raising your children? Or are you the person receiving the care from a family member? We want to hear from you too. These stories will inspire and support family members who are making sacrifices to make sure their loved ones are well cared for, whether in their own homes or elsewhere. The deadline date for story submissions is July 15, 2011.

Find Your Happiness
How have you found happiness in your life? Share your stories about how you found purpose, passion, and joy in your life. Stories can be serious or funny, but definitely inspirational. Attitude adjustments, gratitude, a new way of handling your daily life, major realizations, and other great ideas to inspire readers to find their own paths to happiness would be appropriate. The deadline date for story submissions is May 15, 2011.

Food and Love
There is such a universal connection between food and love – both the romantic kind of love and the comforting kind of love between family members and friends. There is that delectable feeling that certain aromas and tastes stir up in your memory and imagination. We are looking for savory, sweet, sometimes spicy, mouthwatering, succulent, and tasty stories on how food and love together played a flavorful part in your life. You get the idea! These stories will whet your appetite and leave you with a divine aftertaste and a pungent yearning to read more. The deadline date for story submissions is May 15, 2011.

Home Sweet Home
Whether you rent your home or own your home, home is where your heart is. It is your safe place in the world. We are looking for stories about getting your first home, returning to your childhood home, do it yourself repair disasters and successes, downsizing, moving day or any heartwarming or funny stories associated with home. This book will make the perfect housewarming gift. The deadline date for story submissions is August 30, 2011.

Marriage and Married Life
Whether you are newly married or have been married for years and years, the stories in this book will capture your imagination, inspire you, make you laugh and touch your heart. We are looking for stories that will celebrate the commitment two people make when they say their vows. Tell us about your relationship. What makes it work? How did the comfort of your mate guide you through challenging times? What is the most important thing in your relationship? How did you try to change your mate? Did it work?! The deadline date for story submissions is May 30, 2011.

Think Positive for Kids
Where do your children find the inner strength to stay positive in these challenging times? The world today is fast-paced and filled with choices, temptations and challenges. The values that children, ages 7 to 12, learn today will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We are looking for stories that show children how to make good choices… even when no one is looking, respect the needs and feelings of others and focus on hope. The stories will remind kids that each day holds something to be grateful for and show them that they are not alone in dealing with difficult issues. We hope that adults will take the time to read these stories with their children as together you share special times and expand communication. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2011.”

Submit Your Story

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• Anthology submission call – Soup of Souls (panicpress.org)
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• Here’s a Story Submission Letter Written by a 14-Year-Old Stephen King (geektyrant.com)
• The First Line Summer 2011 Call for Submissions (teacherwriter.net)
• Bleed: Vampire anthology open to submissions (panicpress.org)