I've been working on a novel for the past 4 years, and I've finally gotten to the point of the final edit. It is so nice to be almost done, yet I know I've really only just begun with the real work ahead. My agent has to read it over again, give her final approval, and develop proposal packages to send out to various publishers around the first of the year. Then we wait to hear back from a prospective editor to offer a contract. In the meantime, my job is to continue developing my platform and working on developing my marketing skills. 

The question now is what do I do next?  I would like to start a series, but about what, I have no idea yet. I have lots of ideas mulling around in my head, but nothing is appearing on the screen of my laptop yet.  I've started to write a few times, get the first few pages, and then lose interest. What am doing wrong? I've even tried to develop an outline before I sit down to write. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.  I like writing off the fly, or off the seat of my pants, so-to-speak., but I've learned having an outline helps me stay focused and not lose interest. Sometimes I veer away from the details, but in the process I find the story gets even better. At least I have a compass to help me stay on course. I have to admit, I haven't used outlines much in the past, but lately, I am finding them to be helpful in the preliminary stage for developing a story and plot. Now all I need is muse. That's a little trickier, especially when I'm still trying to ward off the Thanksgiving lull. Hopefully, the long drive hangover will pass soon, and I can get my head back into the game. 

Karl Slover was among the last living munchkins who played in The Wizard of Oz. He died at 93 this past week.  According to a reliable source, there are only three of the original 124 munchkin cast members still living now:  Jerry Maren played a lolipop kid, Margaret pellegrini played a flowerpot munchkin and a sleepy head, and Ruth Duccini who played a maiden. 

I just loved the movie and have so many fond memories of watching it as a little girl growing up in the suburbs of Dallas. It was the highlight of our summer to see the annual showing of The Wizard of Oz on TV, which was only offered on network television at that time and considered a very special occasion. So much so, that our family always made plans with another family to make an evening out of it. We popped popcorn and bounced on our knees with great anticipation while sitting on the floor in front of the boob tube. This was way back before they had cable, DVD's, videos, netflix or direct cinema. Most folks had only one TV per household. Ours was a console in the living room, where everyone gathered to watch. That was when TV was the most modern wonder of technology, and it actually offered wholesome quality time for families. 

Growing up as a midget in a time when medical knowledge was limited, Slover was subjected to many pain staking witch doctor style remedies until his father sold him to a traveling circus at 9 years old. Much-like the Biblical story of Joseph, one might say Karl was predestined and set in the right place at the right time in order to be noticed by a certain movie producer and recruited to play the lead trumpeter in The Wizard of Oz. Mr. Slover had five books published about his life during and after The Wizard of Oz. They say you should write what you know, and that he did and did very well. May Karl Slover rest in peace. He's off to see the most wonderful Wizard of all. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

This blog is dedicated to my dear friend, Scott Elms, a true friend to all the munchkins in The Wizard of Oz.

Sources: http://tinyurl.com/6oc7rb9 and Scott Elms

With Thanksgiving upon us, there is so much to be thankful for and to reflect upon. I am grateful to God for my friends and family first and foremost. Also, I am grateful for every rejection letter I've gotten, because it has made me all that more determined to work on my technique and skills as a writer. I am equally grateful for acceptance letters as I have a story coming out this year in a new Christmas anthology titled, "Celebrating Christmas with Memories, Poetry, and Good Food." (see new book for Christmas) I also joined the team of staff writers with Southern Writers Magazine and got my first article published in this month's issue. As President of Bartlett Christian Writers, I've been blessed to support newbie writers to continue writing and submitting their work. I am blessed to be mentored by other writers both online and locally. 

 In reflecting back upon this year, I feel I have made strides in my writing endeavors. I have accomplished certain goals that are helping to propel my efforts even further. The Bible tells us not to despise small beginnings. So with every little thing I write and publish that is taking me one step closer to my dreams. I have met so many wonderful people who I now call friends. Had I not been eager to interview them and write an article to help them promote their books, I would not have had the opportunity to get to know them so well. It's really nice to do the kind of work I love and for that I can say I am truly blessed. 

I hope and pray for you and your family to enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving.  If you are on the road, take care in your travels.  And when you have time to reflect upon the things that matter the most, give thanks! As a well-known worship song goes:

"Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son...Give thanks... Give thanks...Give thanks."

I got an email yesterday asking me about a local publisher I knew nothing about. The author asked about a contract and if the amount of payment involved was appropriate. She also had concerns regarding the lack of communication or help in getting her website up and running to accept presales. Of course, there were red flags flying all over this, and I promptly wrote her back. 

Red Flag #1 - A legitimate traditional publisher would never ask for a dime of money from an author. Instead, they will offer you what is known in the industry as an "Advance" on the estimated royalties. They will offer you a contract upfront stating how this advance will be paid out.  As a responsible writer, you should hire a literary lawyer to go over this contract with a fine tooth comb.  Remember too that you only get what you negotiate, and everything is totally negotiable.

Note:  If you have to pay to get published, then your book is considered self-published.  Be aware that in the publishing industry as it stands today, self-publishing is not acceptable work among most traditional publishers and many professional organizations do not recognize self-published authors. This doesn't mean it's not a well written work, but rather unproven.

Red Flag #2 - Any legitimate traditional or otherwise publisher will have there name out there, online and in other media venues. They are looking for work.  If they are small, they still have professional references available and should be more than happy to share them with you. Always check their website and see what they have done in the past. Contact other authors who have worked with them to get their feedback. 

Red Flag #3 - Why  would a publisher not return a call to a client they have already contracted? Don't play the intimidation game that leaves you feeling you don't know what's going on, even if you really don't know.  You should be asking what is this person hiding?  A publisher is always busy as they certainly should be. There is no excuse for a publisher not to return your phone call within a reasonable time frame or to at least have an assistant contact you to let you know when you can expect a call back.  The practice of common cutesy is simply good business.

Note: Here again, a responsible author will do their homework and research a potential publisher.  

One last word of caution:
Never, never sign any contract with a publisher without going over it with a legal professional who can advise you and assist you in negotiations.  It is well worth the money to protect your work and yourself. 

Here are the last 5 most effective ways to promote your book:

6. Promote your book onFacebook.com and all other FREE social networks. Create a fan page using your book title.

7. Twitter several times a day about your book and other projects you are working on. You can set up a separate twitter account just for your book projects using your author name.  Consider using Tweet Adder (see widget on right sidebar.) You pay only a one time fee for a automated system that helps find appropriate fellow twitterers to increase your followers. 

8.  You can use Digg.com to interconnect and interface all your main social networks, so that all you have to do is tweet once and it goes to all of them.  All your followers in every network will see the same tweet. 

9.  Talk up your book to everyone you meet in order to develop a strong pitch. Join book clubs, writers groups, volunteer at your local library, attend conferences, writers workshops, feature short excerpts in your blog, ask others to mention your book on their blogs and websites.

 And last, but not least.  One of the most effective ways to promote your book is to:

10. Join professional organizations such as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI.org) that will help mentor your efforts. 

No matter if you've already written that bestseller or are still in the writing and editing stages, you need to start pitching your book as soon as possible. Here are ten ways that will give you a leg up in the market place. If you are traditionally published or self-published, you still need to do these things and more in order to promote your book(s). Publishers will expect at least this much from a potential author, and this will let them know how serious you are about getting your book out there.

1. Get a website - no matter if you are published or not - you need a website to promote your efforts as a writer. Get your name out there in the public arena and get that web presence which is vital to your success in the market place.  A Facebook or Myspace profile does not count as a professional website and should not take the place of one. Although, you may want to create a separate profile for this purpose. Purchasing your own domain name in your author name is inexpensive and a wise purchase for a professionally developed website. Be aware that most agents and editors will look at your social network profiles for continuity and appropriateness in your promotional efforts. 
   
2. Pitch your book or idea to the general public and put this on your website. Write a blurb about your book. Make it compelling and enticing, so the reader will want to know more about it. 
   
3. Develop a Bio  - not a biography. This will give publishers and agents an idea of what you are all about. Make it about you as a writer only. You don't need to include everyone in your family or write about every incident in your life up to this point. Just the simple facts, where you live and who you live with, where you went to school, what degrees you hold and other publishing credits. Also, include any professional organizations you are involved with at the time. Be sure to update your bio as needed. 
   
4. Find a Photo - online there are public domain photos that you can download for free. Make sure they are royalty free as well or use a picture you took yourself.  Find a photo that will help promote your book and post it along with your books blurb or pitch on your website. 
5. Get a professional photo done of  yourself.  Glamour shots is good for this one, but even better is to hire a professional. Tell them you are needing a good headshot for your website. This will cost you between $50.00 and $150.00, but it is well worth the money. This photo will go a long way in promoting you as a professional writer and you can use it for many years to come. You may consider updating it every 5 to 7 years or so, just to keep up with your present hair style and appearance. 

Stay tuned to this site for 5 more ways to plug your book to be posted later this week.  For free information on obtaining a free website go to http://buildbuz.com