Q: Expert question is directed to Don Keith: Question GHOSTS & SPIRITUAL. My question covers two main area's which is why I am having problems seeing it in the shop windows. Can you help me with the right place to direct it. GHOSTLY SECRETS WITH DR. IAN CURRIE is a book about Ghosts with spiritual self-help from the knowledge gleaned. I would like to see my book as a movie or tv show, in fact have a Canadian producer wanting to do the tv show but have problems getting a network to take us. Since touting the proposal have seen a flood of similar interest shows. please help.
A: Getting a book purchased by a company or network for movie or TV is, at best, a long, long shot. I don't mean to be discouraging--obviously books are optioned for movies and TV all the time--but when you consider the sheer volume of material out there, the odds of actually getting something produced are daunting.
Remember, the majority of movies or TV shows come from other sources, not books. That lowers the chances for us even more. However, if you feel your book does have possibilities, then the best route to take is through an agent. Very few of us have the contacts necessary to market our works to those who actually have the capability of getting a feature film made. Beware of people who call themselves "producers." I could have optioned my books many times over to people who claim they are "producers," that they have the contacts to put a deal together. In every case, they were merely looking for material for no upfront cost that they could begin shopping to people they don't know, just in case lightning might strike. Not a one of those people has done a movie yet and I suspect they never will. They would have, though, tied up my books for years so I would not be able to do anything with them if a legitimate production house came along and wanted them.
Writers Digest and others publish directories of agents. Choose some that seem to have done something with material like yours and approach them. Legitimate agents will not tell what you want to hear. They'll tell you what they truly think. They may not be right, but they do have the benefit of considerable experience. They know what the media are looking for at any given time. They don't take on projects unless they think they can make a deal.
Finally, be honest with yourself. Is your book really a movie or TV show? Does it have characterization and plot, drama and conflict? Does it have a narrative string that would translate to the screen? Can the story be told in three acts? Two hours of screen time? Is the plot simple enough that it can even be done on the screen? Are there principal characters with whom the movie-going public can identify and pull for? Does the book already have a huge following of people who would rush to see the film or tune in for the TV show?
From the title of your book ,it appears to be non-fiction, using the supernatural as the basis for self-improvement. That doesn't strike me as material for a movie. It might be a segment on an existing program on TV such as the "Most Haunted" show on A&E. If that is the case, I would approach the production companies that do those kinds of shows and let them know what you have. You may not need an agent for that, but you do need to be careful that you don't get your material lifted. You can usually do a Google search for the show by name and find out who the production company is. They'll have contact info and, in many cases, guidelines for submitting material.
Good luck. If you don't have a thick skin and a ton of perseverance, don't bother. And remember: if it was easy, everybody would have her name in the credits of a movie. But if you do have the persistence, go for it!
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Q: I have recently self published my first novel 'Circle of Darkness' which is an ongoing fantasy saga. I have also signed with a New York agent but it appears not be so legit. What would be your advice on marketing and promoting the book? I live in Glasgow, Scotland.
A: First of all, I'd want to know why you had your doubts about the agent? Has this person asked you for money other than actual expenses such as copying or postage? Bad sign! Have you checked them out on preditors& editors or other warning lists? Talked with any of their existing clients?
As to how to market...Since you're in Scotland, I'd develop affiliate relationships in the US, maybe a distributor if you could land one. I'd also participate in the appropriate discussion lists and try to get over this way for one or two fantasy conventions per year. I'd be glad to discuss privately working up an entire marketing plan for the book.
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Q: I intend to self publish my first book. It has many regional references. I am seeking a local illustrator and could use some direction when it comes to payment structure. Most artist's are turned off with presenting 5% share of the royality, feeling their time and talent is worth so much more. Is paying per hour or per image a worthwhile alternative. What is considered standard, yet not insultive? I really don't want to have to reveal my costs - to make an illustrator aware of the breakdown. Please advise...
A: Since I am not self-published this is a difficult question for me to respond to. According to SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) an illustrator gets anywhere from $2,500-4,000 for a first book and then 5% of the royalties, (5% of net.)
Robert Noreika, who illustrated my two "marsh" books, did get a larger advance for the second book, Marsh Morning, as did I. Dawn Publications is a small press and they work with a lot of first-time illustrators and authors, so their advance was not as much. I have done three (third one due out in 2007) with Dawn and each time my advance was better, but still lower than with Lerner. Don't know what they paid Bob for Seashells by the Seashore or Jeanette Canyon, who was a first time illustrator with my fourth book, Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef. With traditional presses, the publisher (editor) usually chooses your picture book illustrator; it was not my choice! However, I am very pleased with their choices.
In your case, you will be choosing the illustrator and I guess it comes down to how much you want a certain illustrator and how much you are willing to pay. My suggestion would be to pay an advance (negotiate that with the illustrator) and then give him/her 5% of the royalty which is standard. That way the illustrator will have been paid for his/her work whether the book has good sales or not. The 5% royalty is a risk so naturally the illustrator will want an advance. Why not let your illustrator name the advance and you can decide from that? You do not have to reveal your costs.
Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!
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Q: Can you provide me with, or point me to an online resource(s), that provides a structure on how to write a biography?
A: As you know, biography is not my field of expertise, but as a library worker I am used to researching questions outside of my area of interest.
Using Google as my search, I typed in these words "How to write a biography?" and it came up with a few hits with tips, one of these sites was www.writingsmart.com
A rule of thumb when writing biography is extensive research for facts relating to your subject, try also to explore maps, and newspapers of the era as well as related letters, also interview contacts with your subject if possible. I have noticed that recently biography writing has become more fluid and not the stiff almost encyclopaedic type entries it used to be. Biography writers seem to be taking license these days to allow their subjects to speak, think and feel. Although of course none of this should be out of character or context. Another tip is to read older as well as recent biographies to get some sense of the writing style, for that should help to make you aware of what works. Ask your local librarian for advise on other available resources, it will be welcomed, and don't forget that the Internet can be an invaluable tool. And last of all, good luck.
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Q: I have a manuscipt for a children's book that I would like to have published. It is a basic counting book for young children. It has to do with making a sandwich. I will need an illustrator to draw the pictures that I have in mind to accompany the text. Do you have any suggestions for publishing houses that I might want to submit the manauscript to? Would you recommend getting an agent?
A: Congratulations on having a completed manuscript. You will find that publishers prefer to choose their own illustrators. Many have a stable of on-call artists and editors, and in conjunction with the art director, they prefer to choose for themselves. Even smaller publishers like to do this themselves. New writers are often paired with established artist, or the other way around, thereby ensuring that at least one name on the book's cover is well known.
Choosing a publisher is the hardest of all jobs, unless you are famous or a pop star. Research is the name of this game. Try JacketFlap http://www.jacketflap.com/ This would help you search for publishers that want counting books like yours.
Go to the Amazon Dedicated search page and you can do a similar search. Amazon book/publisher search -
Getting the CWIM (Children's Writers & Illustrators Market) can also help. They give the web addresses of most publishers and other information that could help you. Check out the publisher's websites, their latest list of books, and their submission guidelines. Make sure CWIM is current, because printed information gets dated very quickly.
Joining an online list for children's writers is also a good idea.There you will be able to pick the brains of many published and unpublished children's writers, and check out the wonderful array of information on their websites. Members have also formed a number of private critique groups. Being in a good critique group offers many advantages: writing feedback, encouragement & support, plus a link to other writers like yourself. I always advise new writers to join a good critique group.
If you go to my website and click on my Site Directory at the top of HomePage, the Directory will point you to many pages that will prove helpful to you, plus links to other great websites.
I hope all this proves to be helpful information. Good luck!
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Q: I have written a 13,000 word story set in medieval times and written in the manner of Hawthorne's "Rappacini's Daughter" or Poe's "The Mask of the Red Death." The work is somewhat allegorical and explores the metaphysical balance between good and evil in the universe. Questions: Am I writing gothic, horror or suspense? I don't know how to catagorize such work in modern terms. 2. I can't find many print magazines that publish works of such length. Can you recommend?
A: Poe is credited with being the Father of the Horror, genre, and the Masque of the Red Death, features a man, rather than a trapped damsel in distress, like the Traditional Gothic does. The setting is an abbey which is unfamiliar to the hero, Prince Prospero, which is also like a Traditional Gothic. It's also filled with symbolism of evil, also an element of a Gothic.
Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter features a trapped damsel in distress, like a Traditional Gothic. The setting is mysterious which at first seems good, and only later is revealed as bad and deceiving, which also is like a Traditional Gothic
So it sounds like what you're writing is a cross between the Traditional Gothic and Horror, (because of the allegory) which is often classified today under Speculative Fiction.
I found quite a few for stories of 6,000 to 8,000 words, but the problem is 13,000 is an odd length. It's actually a novelette, shorter than a novella, which is roughly 17, 500 words minimum. But I did find a few places you might try under both Gothic and Speculative Fiction markets. A couple pay, but most don't, so you'll have to decide if you want to get exposure first, then go for pay later on.
For example, the Illuminata, a newsletter which is widely read by by both speculative and literary Gothic fans and is published by Tyrannosaurus Press www.Typrannosaurus.com
doesn't pay, but offers great exposure for getting your name out there.
Another market is "Mythic Delirium," at http://futurefire.net. It doesn't pay, but offers exposure. There, you submit your story.
Another is http://not-one-of-us.com and www.ttapress.com. For these, you submit your story. They pay, but minimally, depending on your length, which, they both say, is open.
For www.talebones.com, it pays also, but instead of submitting your story, you query only.
These are very small markets, except for the Illuminata, but typically small publications offer excellent feedback. You might also decide what rights you want to offer, and if you sell first-time rights to one publication, you can then offer it to those who want reprints, increasing your exposure and possibly your pay.
Good Luck!
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Q: What is the difference in self publishing and independent publishing? Thank you for a reply.
A: Publishing terms can get confusing, partly because they are often used interchangeably...and partly because they are often changed and/or redefined.
"Independent publishers" are generally companies that specialize in a particular genre or area. They are sometimes referred to as "small presses," though many could be considered quite large. And they can encompass both traditional and self-publishing. For example, a university press may print many books written by various authors whereas an individually owned press may print only books written by the owner.
"Self-publishing," on the other hand, refers specifically to authors who publish their own books. This is a process in which the author assumes full responsibility for producing, printing, and marketing his or her own book. It involves a lot of work and can be accomplished either with the help of publishing professionals or on one's own.
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Q: Expert question is directed to Edith Tarbescu: Now that I have completed my first children's book could you please tell me how I go about finding an agent that will look at my work or should I just send it to a publisher?
A: - I think you shd. do a couple of things if you haven't done them already. First, become a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator). The website for SCBWI (in L.A.) is: www.scbwi.org
By becoming a member of SCBWI, you'll get a newsletter and learn about conferences, etc. Then you should order a copy of the latest "Marketing Survey" from SCBWI. It's a list of Publishers for Young People, tells names of editors, which publishers don't accept unsolicited manusripts, etc. Very valuable. There is also the hardcover book "Writer's Market," that gets updated every year.
Re: agents. If you do your homework and target your mansucript so it goes to the approprate editor, you will be better off sending it to publishers yourself, rather than spending time trying to get an agent, especially since you're unpublished at this point. It's as hard to get an agent as it is to get published. But perservere!
I hope this was helpful. Good luck. If you have any more questions, pls. feel free to write to me via this Ask The Experts page.
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Q: I write in the field of history of ancient Greek philosophy. I have published several books with good academic presses (Oxford U.P., Princeton U.P.), but always with small print runs.I have a book coming out in July from Princeton U.P. which could potentially have a larger audience. It's covers roughly the beginnings of scientific thinking (title: Explaining the Cosmos) and could tap into the science market. The book is in the general area of intellectual history. It contains no technical science, although there is some close analysis of ancient texts in it.Though it is not a textbook or a primer, it does not presuppose any prior knowledge of the subject matter. I would think that the target audience would be the educated public (upper level college or college graduates), in particular the kind of people who read Scientific American and are interested in general science.
Would it be worth my while to do some marketing of my own, hire a publicist, etc.? (I've never done anything like this.) If so, how should I proceed? Thanks
A: Good luck on your new book. It has an interesting title and in view of the current flap on creationism, intelligent design and Darwinism, it should find a niche if it was written for the general market.
Since you have a book the general public might enjoy you have several options but they are all contingent upon the distribution arrangements the publisher has set up. Once that is established you can set up a marketing program around that. I can make some suggestions once I know the nature of the distribution avenues.
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Q: I've published an acting book called The Actor's Menu by Bill Howey. The book is distributed by IPG. It's sold on Amazon and on a website. Sales are okay in the bookstores. We want to get it into the hands of actors, a very niche group. My question is: Which works better, an ad in an acting magazine that reaches 20,000 actors a week or buying that same magazine's mailing list and sending a flyer or postcard to each individual? Advertising vs direct mail?
A: You know they say that it takes seven viewings to make an impression so I would recommend doing both - advertising and sending postcards. It's hard to say if you did only one which would work better.
You have a very niche group so if I were you I would find out every place that actors frequent and put posters up, ask acting schools if they would help you promote your book, etc. Hope this helps.
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Q: I have tons of articles out there and more on the way. I Google high and get lots of compliments on the website--but very few sales. Please help me. There are a couple of e-books ready to be listed, but I am not sure how to maximize sales. Thanks and have a wonderful day. It is just beautiful here in Missoula, MT. I am so glad to be alive and able to enjoy the Spring.
A: I have a number of ideas to make your website more effective:
1) Dump the Google ads–you’re inviting people to leave your site and buy something else. Likewise the affiliate program. Yes, I know you make some $$ from them, but your site has become a vehicle for other people’s businesses.
2) Do a better job of asking for the sale. Your special $39 offer is not bold enough. The little tiny yellow boxes have such small print that they’re hardly readable—and that’s with my reading glasses on! I suggest that you move your bulleted list to the left into some of that white space and have an equally large space for your featured special to the right. The special or featured item should rotate on a regular basis—put an end date on the special.
3) The questions at the bottom of the page should be headlines with at least two lines as a sub-heading. You need to compel your surfers to act. “Click here” should be replace with “more…”
4) Include a quiz, survey or other way of engaging your audience.
5) And speaking of your audience, have you listed your website in directories or other places where your targeted audience will find you. Being listed high on Google is great as long as people are asking the same questions you’ve asked, but would they? Have you created a Google ad-words campaign to capture that audience?
6) Do you track your incoming web traffic so you know what websites or blogs have linked to you? Do you Google yourself and your books on a regular basis? You should also use MSN, Ask, and Yahoo—the results will be different.
7) You have to update your pages more regularly—“New in 1/05” is not new half way through 2006. Your copyright date is still 2005.
8) Rotate your articles so everything is not always available—make people ask or give them a reward of an article that’s not “free” for filling out a survey or taking a quiz.
9) Subscribe doesn’t tell me what I’m subscribing to or why I should ask for yet another email. Give me a compelling reason.
10) Your quotation marks are showing as question marks on my Window XP computer. You must not be using a web-safe font. You need to go to other computers to see how your site looks.
11) Your top copy is boring and what is {name withheld} & Associates? I thought this was {name withheld} Press, but who cares about that? They can already see that. Businesswoman is one word, but you don’t need it as a descriptor—it’s obvious you’re in business. Why are Director and Personal Historian capitalized? Why use plain Arial font here when everything around it is so fancy? I’d use Georgia font–it’s web safe and matches the surroundings better. Instead of this:
Ms. {name withheld} is the Director of {name withheld} & Associates. She is a published author, teacher, business woman, professional public speaker and respected Personal Historian.
How about something like:
{name withheld} is a writer, teacher, public speaker, and personal historian. She is also a mother, grandmother, wife, and observer of life. Her interesting perspectives of life’s many journeys will make you think differently about yourself!
You have to sell yourself, to sell your books. Your surfers need to trust and care about you. The testimonials are good, but they can’t stand alone. I think you can do a better job on your “about” page, too. That might be the place to describe {name withheld} & Associates. You’re a writer: write something more interesting.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks for asking.
All the best,
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Q: Interesting idea, this expert website. Thank you. I have a new book I just published by Steve Chandler and Sam Beckford, titled; The Small Businedd Millionaire. I would ask your help in determining the companies that would give this book as a premium to their business customers. Thank you.
A: I would try all the national franchise companies, to see if they would be interested giving book, selling book, to their franchisees. Franchisers are constantly training and motivating franchisees to be successful.
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Q: I've written a memoire about my tour of duty in Vietnam (largely from the standpoint of humor) but I will be printing the following in the front matter...
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I took creative license in the writing of this book in order to present a tale that would flow seamlessly. While some of the details and most of the dialog is fictional, all of the principal stories are true. Characters were combined and renamed and anecdotes were chronologically rearranged in order to minimize confusion, heighten interest, and present a smoother flowing narrative, but not to the point of compromising the integrity of the story.
I have included a glossary at the end of the book and highly recommend to all those that are not familiar with military terminology and colloquialisms to look it over before starting to read this tale.
Thank you and enjoy the read.
What category does this put me in, fiction or non-fiction and what other catagories would be of use to me besides Military History?
A: With all the recent flack about fiction/non–fiction, you need to be very careful not to misrepresent yourself, so my gut instinct is that it should be categorized as fiction since not all of it is totally accurate history. You may also put it in the humor section.
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