MEDIA KIT – HOW, WHAT, WHY?

Hello! I am very excited about some ongoing projects and I wanted to stop for a moment and tell you what I am doing. I am creating a Media Kit, or a Press Kit if you will.

I want to cut right to the chase today, so let’s dive in.

Have you ever heard the term ‘media kit’ or ‘press kit’? If so, you’re a step ahead of the game. Feel free to scroll down to THE LIST of things that can go into your media kit.

If you’re still here then that’s great. We’re going to learn about media kits and prepare one. Mine is very very old and very very very outdated, thus I need a new one. I am going to track my progress building one and post all the tidbits here when it’s done. In the meantime let’s talk about what a media kit is and what they’re most commonly used for, and most importantly WHY they are so vital, and such time savers. So many ands. Sorry bout that. It’s 3 am.

The first question you are probably going to ask yourself starts with a rebuttal I bet. “I don’t need a press kit… Or do I?” Yes. Yes you do. I will explain why but trust me, you do.

Quick note: These are especially important for authors who write non-fiction, as this will also be a part of your query package to agents and editors. (Though certainly EVERY professional needs one)

What is a media kit?

A media kit, often referred to as a press kit in business environments, is a pre-packaged set of promotional materials of a person, company, or organization distributed to members of the media for promotional use. They are often distributed to announce a release or for a news conference, blog tours, marketing campaigns, interviews, and more.

A press kit is like a resume for you and your company. You may include pictures of yourself or team, logos, pictures of store fronts or products & merchandise. The goal of the press kit is the same as all other marketing that a company or individual does. It should grab the reader’s attention, make a lasting impression and create interest. It needs to answer questions clearly and beautifully. Remember, getting attention is important not only with audiences, but also with editors and business professionals. Package your materials in a unique way and make sure the materials are presented professionally. Like yourself at an interview or your resume on paper you want to present yourself and your work professionally as well as stylishly. No- that’s not to mean pink scented paper, but if that’s really important to you, I say go for it. Just make sure you thank it over for a while first. I mean after all what if your business is pink scented stationary?

 

What goes in a media kit?

There are many items that can go into a press or media kit, depending on the situation, the audience or the use. A media kit for potential investors is much different than a kit for potential clients. If I need your help as a person or help from your company to support me and my company to get off the ground, I am not sending you my media kit for you to buy my novel and the custom painted artwork that was created for the novel specifically.

Only put information that is current and most relevant to your target reader. Unless your business is selling a gourmet candy, I don’t need to know you were a chef for twelve years if you’re asking me to support you. And bottom line that is what a media kit is for. It is a TOOL that allows people the information and supplies needed to support us, be it buying our product or investing to grow the company or individual’s entrepreneurship.

You may end up with zip files of different media kits for different purposes. That’s FANTASTIC if you are that organized because then you are much less likely to need to make big changes, if any changes, between needing the press kit for all sorts of reasons. And yes, as an indie walking the professional industry as a lone wolf or an indie starting their very own Fortune 500 Company you are likely to have the need for media kits which contain different types of material for different purposes.

 

For simplicities sake, we will be referring to you/your business as ‘the company’. It sounds mysterious. I like it.

THE LIST

1. Letter of introduction: Who are you, what are you doing here, and why will they give a damn.
2. Mission statement: What you do – Why you do it, what makes this important – Missions – goals and objectives.
3. Images of the company: You, your team, events you’ve participated in, booths, logos, products, e-business cards, affiliate image links & HTML thingiebobs.
4. Information on the company:
5. Product and service information, including a product, service or performance review: Samples or examples. Screen shots. Pictures. An order form. If this is a physical media kit being delivered to a store include samples of the product for them to offer to potential buyers AND some product for the owner / manager to keep for themselves as a thank you gift for considering you or hosting you. – HOT TIP: Any gift you can provide to whoever you are giving your media kit to for whatever purpose is only going to benefit you! Don’t bribe them. Thank them. (AUTHORS: This includes your synopsis, query/blurb, 3 sample chapters.)
6. Recent publications/press/articles: What I generally recommend is a pleasant and informative page of links to these things with a small 1-3 sentence paragraph describing what it is and who it’s hosted or sponsored by. However this can also include audio and video files of radio or TV interviews, guest vlogs, speeches, podcasts, performances and any other media-covered event.
7. A sample news story: This is your chance to guide the media or your reader. Some editors will even print it verbatim, as they view ready-to-print articles as an easy way to fill up space with little effort on their part. They do, of course, usually edit these stories, so be prepared.
8. Brief Interview Q & A: Just some favorite interview questions with unique, detailed but quick answers.
9. Awards
10. If you do community service associated with your career type you may include information on the charity and what services and aid you provided. Do not include tax deductible donations cause then you look like a bragging ass.
11. Specific information and schedules of upcoming promotions and events. Include links if available to the event or cause. If the event is for a benefit or cause include a paragraph about the benefit in addition to any links.
12. Factual background material: If you have masters in literature and you’re writing a book, say so. If you are a vet selling a product to help animals, show your doctorate off. Dig deep.

*Our Critics*

 

13. Get ready, this is a big one. Feature article material: BE USEFUL. Can you provide 500 words on a topic that will benefit someone in the same field?

• How to utilize SEO for your field specifically for example.
• How to convert to Epub and Mobi.

The world wants to learn things. Teach them. How do you make candles, soap?

After you have delivered or sent or mailed or whatever’d the media kit allow a couple of days for them to receive it or get to it, then FOLLOW UP. Be polite and brief. All you’re doing is making sure they received it. One great way to do this for a physical media kit is to include a custom made or pretty little postcard already post marked confirming they received the kit that they just need to drop in the mail. Write it out for them. “We received your press kit.” Boom, done. You can rest easy knowing it’s in the right hands and not be pushy about it. If your press kit is going through the world wide web delivery system then the postcard is out of the question. Some companies have an automatic reply “We got your stuff”, some don’t. If they don’t allow 3 days for them to find it in the in box, (days off for people are not just on sat and sun.) then email them. “Hello, just wanted to make sure you got the stuff. Thanks for your time”

Don’t come across pushy or rude. Not everything happens as fast as we want it to. Patience is a virtue. Be generous with time for these things.

EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: Some businesses state on their company home pages or somewhere that you should NOT follow up or call or fax or email or walk in to ask if they got your stuff unless you are otherwise directed to.

 

Okay, you have the information to get going on this. Right now. Come on. Get to it. Even notes on a napkin if that’s your option. Take a step, and set yourself up to complete this. Goal setting is crucial to every step of our careers. Set a realistic date to have your first or base media kit created by.

Authors Pen Letter of Support to NC Youth

A North Carolina law seen as LGBT discrimination has prompted more than 260 members of the kid lit community to show their support for all young readers.

Source: Authors Pen Letter of Support to NC Youth

A law affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in North Carolina has spurred more than 260 authors and illustrators of children’s literature to write an open letter to young readers in the state.

The document is in response to the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, a law directing all public schools, government agencies, and public college campuses to require that multiple-occupancy bathrooms and changing facilities be designated for use only by people based on their “biological sex” stated on their birth certificate.

The letter was crafted by authors Phil Bildner, C. Alexander London, Meg Medina, and R.J. Palacio. Among the signatories are Laurie Halse Anderson,  Katherine Applegate, Jay Asher, Chris Crutcher, Matt de la Peña, Jack Gantos, Rita Williams Garcia, John Green, Ellen Hopkins, David Levithan, Patrick Ness, Jason Reynolds, Rick Riordan, and Jacqueline Woodson.

The letter, a portion of which appears below, and complete list of signatories is being formally released by School Library Journal.

As artists, we strive to create books that promote acceptance of all people regardless of race, religion, or gender identity. We will continue to do so; however, we cannot and will not support a state government that promotes discrimination. Each one of us will have to consider our participation in conferences and festivals in North Carolina while this law is in place. But you have our word that we will never abandon our thousands and thousands of readers in North Carolina. We stand with those who share our guiding principles and fundamental beliefs of equality, inclusion, and fair treatment. Thus, we will continue to visit your schools and libraries. We will spread kindness and inspire compassion and hope, as we believe books, in their best moments, always have and always will.

Palacio, author of Wonder (Knopf, 2012), was the impetus. “I generally avoid talking about politics publicly, but this legislation isn’t about politics. It’s about human rights. If one person’s human rights are violated, every human’s rights are violated,” she said. She reached out to Medina and Bildner, who in turn contacted London. “Whenever we visit schools, we often find ourselves talking about kindness and empathy. It was time to walk the talk,” said picture book and middle grade author Bildner.

“The authors who’ve signed our open letter are not a corporation. We’re not part of a union. We don’t all work together….All we are is a small group of people who write books for a large number of children,” Palacio told SLJ. Corporate boycotts in North Carolina have been part of the reaction to the law.

London, author of the “Accidental Adventures” series, wanted to make sure his readers know their lives are not invisible. Medina, who is active in the We Need Diverse Books movement, sees the letter as “confirmation that our children’s book community is filled with people who genuinely care about and advocate for young people.”

FREEBIE! Review Tool

Hello again! I made something for all of my amazing author friends. The biggest question I am asked, and am still trying to answer, is “How do I get reviews?” Well, let’s find out. I am trying something, and I invite you to try it with me. We want reviews from the people who read our books, clearly, like, DUH. So at the end of my books I will be placing a review page request image. I am loading it here, please by all means download this jpeg and use it for your very own. No reason to give anyone credit. If you would share this with your author friends and perhaps on your Pinterest book boards that would be fantastic! See improvement in your reviews? Come back and comment, let us know how the journey is going! As I have more ideas on how to acquire reviews there will be more posts!

What’s in a Title?

Reblogged on WordPress.com

Source: What’s in a Title?

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Deborah Riley-Magnus

 

I went strolling through the bookstore for inspiration the other day. What struck me … even more then the vibrant covers … were the names of the books, specifically, the KEY WORDS found in so many Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance book titles.

For example …

KEY TITLE WORDS IN URBAN FANTASY BOOKS

• Hunter
• Huntress
• Guardian
• Angels (fallen, of course)
• Faerie
• Demon
• Blood (blood and more blood)
• Dark
• Light
• Night
• Moon
• Wicked
  

 

KEY TITLE WORDS IN VAMPIRE BOOKS

• Secret
• Kiss
• Thirst
• Blood (of course)
• Werewolf (odd)
• Moon
• Beginning
• Hell
• Desire
• Devil Fire
  

Now I walked over to the Young Adult Fantasy department and this got pretty interesting. No wonder why teenagers are so scary!

KEY TITLE WORDS IN YA FANTASY BOOKS

• Demons
• Shadows
• Darkness
• Blood
• Witch
• Dragon
• Night
• Fallen
• Powerless
• Evil
• Moon (Red, Black, Dark and a few other frightening versions)
• Guilt
• Dead
• Dread
• Fire
• Godless
  

Sheesh! Do you think maybe it’s our fault the Young Adults are so damn angsty?

Vampire Explored is a blog by Deborah Riley-Magnus, author the Twice-Baked Vampire Series. Book 1, Cold in California  COMING SOON!

Concept Is Not Story!

Source: Concept Is Not Story!

 

“I’ve got a great idea for you,” someone inevitably says to you when they find out you’re a writer. Their eyes gleaming with mischievous pride as they fight to contain their smile, they slowly spell out either a painfully clichéd idea that you’ve seen listed on Hackneyed Premises to Avoid At All Costs or else is something so far-fetched and desperately “original” that you have no idea how to begin telling them why it would never work. Of course, they couldn’t be bothered to take this brilliant idea and do anything with it, but they’re positive that they’ve just given you the answer to all your prayers. Because, naturally, being a writer is all about taking other peoples’ ideas and spinning that straw into gold, right?

 

 

What makes me laugh/cry about this kind of situation is what a profound lack of understanding it shows about what writing is and what writers do. It assumes that I, the writer, am nothing more than a clever typing monkey who has been waiting his whole life to hear the right idea. Because that’s what it’s all about, right? Once you’ve got that great idea, your book will just about write itself! These are the people who probably don’t even want to be writers and will likely never be writers. They got that one stupendous idea in their heads and figured they’d peddle it around to someone who could use it. The problem is that it’s their idea and I don’t care about their idea. I care about my ideas! Trust me, I have more than enough ideas to keep me busy for the rest of my life, so either take that idea of yours and write it yourself or let it go.

 

What about all you aspiring writers out there? Do you have that big idea that you jealously guard and only tell other writers after they’ve sworn a blood oath upon the soul of their first-born not to steal or repeat it?  I’ve got some news for you:

 

Nobody wants your damn idea, either.

 

Ideas are rampant in the writing business and concepts come free in cereal boxes. Literally everyone on this Earth has probably had at least one idea for what would make a good book and no one else cares until someone puts it down on paper. That’s what matters, friends. Until it’s on the page in your own words, that story is nothing but a daydream.

 

There is a crucial difference between a concept and a story, one which a surprising number of aspiring writers don’t recognize. A concept is a pitch, a premise, a logline, a marketing device. A character wakes to find himself on a strange alien planet. At the end, however, we realize that he’s actually a dog living in the suburbs!! This is what passes for a story idea to many would-be writers, but it’s a concept. A concept is the seed from which a story grows. This only happens when you begin to examine a concept closely and ask questions: who is the main character? What does he want? Who or what is keeping him from what he wants? What obstacles does he have to overcome? Why should the reader give a shit?

 

That last one is an especially important question. If the whole point of your “story” is to set up some lame gag or clever twist, then just don’t. It’s probably been done before and done better. A real concept is a starting point: What if? What if cancer was actually an alien life-form? What if a boy and a girl from rival families fell in love? What if dinosaurs never died off? What if a bunch of teenagers drove around the country in a van solving mysteries? What if the Roman Empire never fell? What if a vampire got a glow-stick stuck up its ass? These are all interesting concepts, but left un-examined, that’s all they are. They imply potential for a story, but they aren’t a story. The story begins to happen when someone takes that concept and says: “Okay, this is what happens…”

 

 

Concepts are wonderful, but my advice to anyone out there who is hoarding some concept for fear of it being stolen is: stop worrying. In fact, you should tell your concept to as many people as you can and listen to their reactions. What questions do they ask about it? What are the aspects they want to know more about? What about it are they skeptical of? This is your free focus-group! Take your concept out of your head and explore it, outline it, define the characters, create a beginning, middle, and an end—then you’ve got a story!

 

It’s my belief that great writers can take any concept—that they care about—and make a story out of it. Several great writers can take the same concept and create several stories out of it, each one unique and each one their own.

 

 

Stephen King isn’t successful because his ideas for novels are hundreds of times more original than other writers’, he’s successful because he fleshes his concepts out with rich, memorable characters and vividly-drawn places that engage and reader and make them give a shit! Stephenie Meyer isn’t successful because Twilight was an original concept or even because it was particularly well-written; Meyer used a familiar framework to tell a story about characters that she obviously loved. Somehow, it showed through everything else, because readers across the world identified with those characters. She got her readers to give a shit. The secret to successful writing isn’t great concepts (although those help); it’s taking a concept and exploring it in a way that is uniquely yours. It’s making the reader care about what happens to your imaginary people and their imaginary world. And it’s something that no one else can give you.

 

 

A Writer Writes… Except When They Don’t

Reblogged on WordPress.com

Source: A Writer Writes… Except When They Don’t

An interesting article was pointed my way by J.H. Moncrieff entitled “Writers, We Need to Stop Saying This.” It makes a case for the once-defining advice that “a writer writes.” That’s true in context — you aren’t a writer if you’ve never written — but it can also be a source of frustration for the writer who HAS already written. The reason is obvious:

Writer’s block is a real thing.

Sometimes it’s pressure to perform or succeed, to break in or break out, or to duplicate a previous success. Sometimes it’s intruding external life events or a complete lack of inspiration. But when you’re told a writer writes and you’re not writing, those self-worth doubts begin to creep in — a self-fulfilling prophecy.

As any career writer will tell you, there is a degree of luck involved to being discovered and becoming popular or recommended, but a body of existing work is the best way to not only become successful but to be ready for it. But I offer a counterpoint for the writer who has already written:

A writer THINKS about writing even when they’re not.

When it’s time to write, I write. When it isn’t and I’m not writing, I think about writing…a lot. I take notes. I imagine scenes and let them play out over and over. I entertain myself with ideas. I wait until I’m so ready to write because I haven’t been writing that I can’t wait to write.

Then — and only then — I write.

It’s a form of self-encouragement, anticipating the impending work of the wordsmith. When inspiration is lacking and real life keeps you from escaping into imaginary worlds, screaming at a blank page isn’t therapeutic for everyone, and neither is beating yourself up about it.

One trick I use is writing to an ending — meaning I know my ending before I get there. This keeps me excited to reach that ending and drives my first draft, but I’ve learned that a weak story and a bad ending can also gum up the machinery, and sometimes you have to walk away. This doesn’t work for everyone, but I know when to stop because I know when I’m done. It also doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind over the ending. Good realistic characters can surprise you; let them, but also remember what makes a story work: a beginning, a middle, and an ending that fit together.

Stories need to make sense because, far too often, real life doesn’t.

There’s a fun little 1992 flick with Tom Selleck called Mr. Baseball about an American pro ball player traded to a Japanese team. The new coach recognizes that his player is disenchanted with the sport, seeing that Tom anticipates the worst possible results… and gets them. The coach takes him off the team to make the player hit golf balls with a bat at a driving range (while others are using actual clubs) and to hit other things. After a while, the angry and frustrated Tom finally screams, “I’m sick of this crap! I want to hit a baseball!” After making the player repeat those words until the lesson is learned, the coach replies, “NOW you’re ready.”

Are you ready?

Brian Patrick McKinley

From the desk of author Brian Patrick McKinley,

I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I was that kid who wrote up little stories to show his parents and grandparents. School newspapers? Joined up with them at every school I attended, desperate to see my stories in print. I was also an avid amateur actor, though, and the twin passions of storytelling and performing have played a big role in my life and the stories I write today. At times, I went back and forth between wanting to be a novelist or a movie star, but eventually I came to the realization that I was a better wordsmith than thespian. My desire to perform has never abandoned me, however, and part of what I think makes my stories good is my attention to the characters. I write about characters who get involved in events as opposed to plot scenarios that happen to feature characters. To me, it’s an important distinction. I write about characters that I would love to portray, rich characters with strong inner lives and goals.

I moved to the Chicagoland area from New Jersey in 2003 expressly to help my writing. I moved into an apartment in Palatine with a friend who was also a writer. I got a job as a third-shift security guard and used the many empty hours the job provided to write Ancient Blood. I had written a few screenplays and short stories previously and even tried another novel first, but this was the first time that I had ever managed to start a novel length project and finish it. It took about a year to write and then several more months to edit to really get it to where I wanted it. So, once that was done and it was as perfect as I could make it, I compiled lists of agents and sent out queries.

Cue the crickets.

I got a few responses, of course, but most seemed to think that the vampire genre was played out or something about my premise didn’t grab them. The few who requested a look often liked it, they just didn’t love it enough to champion. So it sat around while I worked on other projects, moving from Palatine to West Dundee and then from West Dundee to Elgin and occasionally sending out a new batch of query letters for my sad little first child, but always with the same end result. However, as the familiar story goes, I never gave up and, after losing my job and being forced to return home to New Jersey, I wound up finding a publisher by accident on Facebook.

Stranger than fiction, right?

 

Quick Tip – Utilize Amazon Features

Hi, everyone! Just stopping by for a Quick Tip for self-published authors. Right now I am updating some books for an author near and dear to me by making sure they are utilizing ALL of the possible information on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. I cannot tell you how important it is for you to check this. All books should be related to key words in every possible way. I am listing all of my books and y mother’s books under the Publisher Literary Karma. This will build our brand. I invite you to do this if you like. Anyone who stumbles across or finds Literary Karma on google and amazon would then have a link to your book. In addition to adding this publisher (if that space is not already taken, I am also using this under add contributors.) Speaking of which!!!! Add contributors I am also updating. Updating this may also benefit you. Bare in mind, if you do have multiple contributors you have to add them all at once, adding a new one for every name before hitting save or you may just be changing the name of the contributor rather than adding several. In addition make sure you use EVERY SINGLE AVAILABLE category and key word. These are vital. This is how people find you. It gets you added to lists. Lists are GOOD! Utilize these properly and you will have more exposure.

Speaking of which, you better make sure you have an author page at Amazon Author Central. If you have pen names they must each have an individual page, with author picture and bio. I cannot get the blog option to work yet for any link I have tried. If you know the trick to this please let me know! But this is vital so that everyone can type in your name and find your books. Otherwise they may not be able to find you so no excuses, do it now!

Hello from the other side.

Hello, hello from the other siiiiiiide… I haven’t called even once, I hate the phone.

Well, tonight I have nothing specific to say, but I made a vow to myself I would talk at least once a month about how things are going. I would tell the ups and downs, the wins the loses.

Unfortunately I don’t have much to report yet. The last month has been very busy with plotting and planning my little heart out, while trying to get a handle on my health. The past few months of which it has been on a roller coaster of ups and downs with far more downs than ups. Right now I even have another flu, which I have had for almost two weeks and has steadily gotten worse these last three days. I was also down with a cold in January, February, December, November, and October. This is very unlike me despite my immune system being poor I rarely ever got sick before. So I am doubling up on zinc, chlorophyll, garlic pills, vitamin c, omegas. Anyhow, this too shall pass.

So yesterday was the Spring Equinox, some prefer Ostara. Either way, hope you had a lovely day. We had some pretty unfortunate frigid weather, but we have a very big Easter day coming up the whole family will be coming over for. I have gone all up an out. There will be food for an army, and dang it, it’s going to be cute food. You heard me. I said it. There will be CUTE. FOOD. (I will try to take pictures and post them) Tiny bunny cookies trimming a spring green cake to boot. There will be a lot of cute food actually. I will tell you, since most of you don’t know, I was a chef for twelve years. Well I make some seriously delicious meals but since it’s been so very many more years since I was in the upscale end of the industry my food is not always very pretty. It might look like slop in a bowl but it’s the tastiest slop you will ever eat. To try harder though I have started baking breads again. I started doing sweets too, once a week but then realize that once a week became twice a week and I was the one eating most of the brownies. You need to try this recipe though. For reals, yo!

I do plan on doing crap tons of cooking and canning this summer. The garden is massive at the new house and I have gone full throttle on my selection. I have twelve tomato bushes. If you have ever grown tomatoes and discovered you average 50 – 100 tomatoes per plant, well you know that’s a crap ton o’tomatoes. Hellooooo salsa. Yes yes, call me Martha if you must. The truth is I just really like good food and this is so much cheaper, better for you, and just plain better. We very rarely eat out because we live in the sticks. No fast food, no gas stations even within a fifteen minute drive. I love it. It’s more work in the kitchen but I really love it. I even threw out my microwave. Fekk it! I hear they’re toxic or something. I dunno. Don’t wanna know. Also that thing was a beast so now I have way more kitchen counter space. The bread maker takes up half its space. Either way food tastes better without it and that’s what matters. Plus, not that I want to get specific here but we spend a TON on groceries every month. We feed every day regularly 3 meals and snacks 5 people and at least twice a week 9 people. So the garden should help that tons. I do hope I get to have a lot of fruit though. Not sure just yet. I will update you when I get the chance. If I remember.

Who knows maybe this will boost my immune system too. I live near some Amish, I need to get some honey. Here is a picture of the dining room wall I painted. Hopefully soon I can show off the rest. I’m not quite done. If I can recover a bit I expect to be done before Easter. If not, surely by the end of my mini-stay-cation here at the end of the month. By then I want to also paint my son’s shelf, and the kitchen backsplash. Yes. I am painting it. Did you expect anything else? Pffft.

So I’ve gotten a bit off track here I should discuss something exciting that pertains and benefits you outside of the best brownies I have ever tasted. Feel free to send some recipes to me, too. You can put them right here in the comments. Bonus points if it’s your own recipe. I really want brownies now. Dang it. It’s late. I do not need to make brownies.

I should put a recipe in one of my novels one day. Just because. Mental note made. File that away for later.

If you can’t tell I have more than a literal fever I have some pretty bad spring fever. I crave being outside, but I can’t handle cold yuck and muck. I know someone who would laugh at me for that, as our winter we have had 2 maybe 3 dustings of snow on the ground at best. It’s still cold and mucky. Anyway, I just really need to get my spring and summer on. I want to nap outside in the hammock. I don’t even have a hammock… But I have a tutorial on how to make one. Hmm. We shall see.

So on top of spring fever I have also started a new book. Actually that makes four I am working on. I am not sure which one will make it to the finish line but rest assured good people, June will see you another novel of Gagne unleashed on the world. My goal every year is to publish at least one book in June. At the very least. It’s my birthday present. That’s all you need to know. I am trying to change my outlook on birthdays. I used to have a pretty sour one for them. But if I want my kids to truly take care to celebrating all holidays and for them to believe how important birthdays are I have to lead by example in at least some way. Well, that’s the goal. Maybe you can help hold me to it.

Oh! One last nugget of fun for you, two things to look for coming out NEXT WEEK. (At some point when it is not Easter madness, forgive me if I miss a week) The House of Muses, brought to you by the ever so lovely Jordanna Rowan. This woman is in all fact a muse, an inspiration, and a goddess in her own rights. She, ladies and gentlemen, is proof that the dream is more than a possibility, with enough dedication and hope it can be a reality. I will be putting up some information on Jordanna and her House then, with lots of amazingness so be sure to check that out. (She’s having a sale if you wanna go peak!)

Also an introduction of the lovely Vivian Lee, who I am honored to be joining this September at the Thunder Valley author signing on September 10^th (2016) in Midwest City Oklahoma. There will be much more upcoming bits and pieces about the even and it’s incredible cause also. I have some wonderful plans in store on how to bring YOU some behind the scenes amazingness from the collaborators and some fantastic authors that are involved with Thunder Valley, and I absolutely cannot wait. So please be sure and stick around you won’t want to miss what’s coming to Literary Karma soon.

Time to sign off, I talk a lot. Sweet sleep my friends, and may tomorrow be a better day for all, no matter how wonderful your today has been.

 

 

 

Submitting Your Manuscript

Hello there! Wonderfully, I have a nasty cold. So today I am going to partake in some rooibos tea, and raisin bread. I use this recipe and as I roll the dough out I add a ton of raisins. I’m becoming addicted to making breads. Easter is next week. I was sick during the Equinox. Dang it, I better be better by Easter. Anyway… where were we?

Submitting Your Manuscript

Here you will learn how to create the best submission package that you can; what they consist of and what a query and synopsis is and how to write them.

Just like writing your book, submissions are an art of their own. They should be specially crafted with as much heart and thought, care and technique as your book; be it a novel, short story, article, non-fiction, whatever the case may be.

There are a million articles on submissions. I encourage you to read at least ten (ideally more than twenty) before you even begin an outline. While you read through these many articles think about your work you’re submitting. Write down ideas. Things important to you that you want in the submission package. Why read so many? Don’t they all say the same thing? No, they don’t all say the same things because everyone’s opinion varies. And ultimately I say read so many because your opinion too is personal to you. While it is good to listen to the advice of others, especially those with experience, it is important to make your voice stand out in your submission.

Every writer has what we call a “voice”. It is the style in which we personally write in. Every part of your submission should reveal your voice but still be completely professionally done. I don’t mean hire a pro, I mean do your research and make your submission package as polished as possible just like your work you are submitting.

Research is the key here. If for example, you have written a novel and are submitting to an agent let’s say, they all expect something specific. Don’t worry all agents give guidelines. Some are vague and loose guidelines, some are incredibly strict in what they expect. Even if they’re strict though they expect to see your voice in this submission. It is a massive complex prelude to your story and who you are. They need to know both to make the best decision for their business in whether to take you on as a client or not.

Your average submission package includes the following: (This is from my experience in working with agents and publishers in what I have seen. As I stated every agent or publisher is a little different so please check to see what they want, don’t only go by what I mention here. I am going to be including everything I can think of as to what they may want to provide you the most information accurately.)

Query letter

A query is your introduction. If your agent wants a query this goes at the top of the page. Your query letter will need to include some specific facts and an explanation of your book.

Now everyone has a different opinion on how a query should be written. Some say put the author facts at the top. But I disagree. Let me explain why.

Agents receive thousands of queries. They may choose ten in a thousand or so. But they choose those ten primarily for what the story is about and if they like it and believe it has promise. Yes there are many other factors involved but this is an important one. So it is in my best judgment that I give you my opinion that you should START your query with the blurb of what your story is about. The author is important yes but that’s secondary. The story is more important so let’s give them the important info first. Does that make sense to you? It does to me anyways.

So your query letter needs to stay under standard page lengthy. That seems so small but it’s actually a lot of space. You can fit five to six paragraphs on  a page. Now this is a very important guide line. The agent doesn’t want to read a book about your book. Give them some important facts in an entertaining light and let them decide from that if they want to read your book.

Right now you may be panicking. How can they make an accurate decision based on a couple of paragraphs when your novel is ninety thousand words?! Well think of it this way. You decide to read a book based on the blurb (the description) on the cover. They do the same thing. It is an agent’s job to know books. It’s their life. They’re smart enough to know if your book is worth the time to read based on the information on one sheet of paper. Now it’s your job to make the query good enough to make them want to read your book.

A blurb is like a very short synopsis (we’ll discuss synopsis here in a little bit.)

It gives an outline of what your book is about. Rule ONE in writing a blurb (an important rule) write the blurb in third person no matter what viewpoint your book is written in. You want to describe the most important parts of the plot. It needs to answer some important questions: Who, What, How, Why.

Who: Who is this book about?

What: What is the book about? Is it about an item? An Event? A place? What are the characters in this book doing? What is their GOAL? Every book has a goal. What are the challenges they face?

How: How are they to accomplish this?

Why: Why are they doing it? And the MOST IMPORTANT why- Why does or should your reader care? That seems like a mean question but it is a very important question because it is one, (even if they don’t realize it) that every single reader asks themselves in order for them to determine whether or not they want to read or keep reading your book! One more thing about this section in the query to the agent (unlike a blurb) you MUST give a brief explanation of the ending. You NEVER withhold information as a ploy to make them want to read more. They are not you’re customers.

At the end of this article I will give you some examples of good and bad query letters.

Now that we have discussed the part about the book let’s move on. The next most important part to include is the details of the book. One brief paragraph that gives the books name, the genre (YOU MUST CHOOSE AND GIVE THE GENRE – If you can’t tell someone what the genre is it can’t be classified which means no book stores or libraries) the word count. Word count does not have to be exact just round to the nearest thousand. Example 86,000.

Next you can but do not have to include a paragraph about yourself. How do you know if you should or not? You SHOULD if you have ever been published, or if you have school experience pertaining to your subject or literary schooling of any kind. That way you can prove why you’re the best author for this book. This is similar to a miniature resume. If you don’t have experience or schooling don’t feel defeated. Many people have become successful published writers and have had neither schooling nor been previously published. Now some people believe that if the agent feels connected to them, likes them, or knows more about them that they are more likely to be chosen. This is not at all true. Until they sign you they really don’t care who you are. They don’t want your life story unless this is pertinent information to the BOOK.  For example the book is about raising an autistic child and you have one. If you don’t and have virtually no background in this then you have no place writing a book about it. But if you are raising a child with health needs (this is only an example) you don’t need to tell the agent if the book is about vampires.

 

This is also the paragraph you will include any information pertinent to how you discovered this agent. Now I don’t mean, “I googled agents and your name came up.” But if you have previously met this agent at a seminar and introduced yourself or you spoke to them at all like, “In Chicago I was at the conference and we spoke for a moment about my book Ruckus in the South.” or just something along the lines of, “In LA I went to your seminar and was really impressed with what you said.”

Otherwise if you don’t personally know the agent but was referred by one of their clients, (make sure you’re not lying they WILL check and this could potentially ruin your name if they were to mention you lied to other people in the business) Mark referred me to your agency because he felt my work was something you would be interested in.” Now what if you did google them or found them at random and did the research and that’s how you chose to submit to them. That’s just fine too as long as the agent says they are accepting open submissions. Generally it will state on their website if they are closed to submissions or only taking certain ones like referrals.

But back to the point- If this is the case it’s simple. First of all make sure you thoroughly research the agent to be certain they accept your genre. It makes the agent upset if you waste their time by submitting a horror novel to an agent who only accepts romance for example. But once you know they accept your work say so, “After some extensive research on your company I really feel your agency (or the agent themselves) could be a great match for myself and my work because I looked over your other titles.” Or something like that anyways. But don’t this line unless you have really done the research. Which you better!!!!

Now then, once you’ve written all this you’re basically done with the query section. Now you simply need say, “Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, writer” Now this isn’t the end of the submission package UNLESS the agent states on the site they ONLY want a query letter and if they like it they will ask for more.

Some want more information. Such as a synopsis.

Synopsis

 

Synopsis is in ways much easier than a query letter. They can be believed to be similar but in all honesty they’re supposed to be quite different because they are far far more detailed. Now here is the part you won’t like. A lot of agents want different types of synopsis. Some want a synopsis no longer than one page, or has a max of two to three pages. Some want a detailed synopsis breaking down every chapter. Generally I recommend writing one MAIN synopsis to keep stored that you can create other more complex or other simpler synopsis from. This main synopsis I recommend making one detailed paragraph for every chapter. You can add or subtract to this in another document as needed. Keep this forever even after you’re published you may find a need for it.

Now you want the synopsis to hit all of the main points of the book. Every important event per chapter no matter what the event is. You also must do this with the ending. Once again, the agent is not your customer you do NOT withhold important details about this book as a ploy to try to get them to read your manuscript. They are using this synopsis to find out exactly what this book is about. Now it is important not just to give a rundown of what the book is about and who but there are two other key things to take into account.

One: They don’t need unimportant details. They don’t need the characters full name but the primary name they are addressed as in the book. They don’t need the characters personal information unless that is what the story is about. When writing your synopsis you are summarizing a book not re-writing it. Only give the important details.

Two: This is your SALES PITCH. Though it must be thorough and accurate you need to show your flare. Whatever your writing style or voice of writing is it needs to be seen in your synopsis too. It needs to be interesting in other words. Don’t make the agent feel like they’re reading an instruction manual. Your book is interesting, isn’t it? Your query and synopsis need to be too.

Now aside from a query and synopsis you may be asked for sample chapters. Do NOT give them chapter seven and eight because they are your favorite. You ALWAYS give them the beginning of the book, however much they ask for.

If you are doing an email submission all of the above goes into the body of the email unless directed otherwise. Be careful copying and pasting it can cause some format issues just read through it carefully once pasted to be sure it looks clear. Also you should make SURE the entire emails font is done in Times New Roman or another font they request generally the manuscript to be formatted in. Do not ever use fancy fonts or paper in any type of submission this appears unprofessional. Yes it will get you noticed. Yes it will get you attention. It will make them think you can’t follow any professional guidelines is the special message it sends when you do so.

If they direct you to send your manuscript with the submission (ONLY attach the manuscript if they ask for it. Do not send anything they don’t ask for it will get you an auto reply no immediately upon them seeing your submission) then you may add this and only this as an attachment.

Now if anyone has any additional questions or would like this article to have additional information included we encourage you to write in. I hope this has helped at least one person out there. Thank you for all of your support

I’m so glad to have you here. It’s wonderful seeing promising authors take the next step in polishing their craft. Because I want to do all that I can to help you accomplish these dreams I’ve put together the Unhindered Writer’s Guide. There are a few articles here not found on the website including a marketing guide I hope inspires you!