How nice: Elizabeth Gilbert explains all

The woman who wrote Eat, Pray, Love raised the bar for all writers. But you need not feel that faint twinge of jealousy. Turns it took Elizabeth Gilbert a looooong time to be accepted:

After more than five years of sending out work for publication and collecting only rejection letters, she finally broke onto the literary scene in 1993, when one of her short stories was pulled from the slush pile at Esquire magazine and published under the heading “The Debut of an American Writer.” (excerpt from Elizabeth Gilbert's bio).


Click here for a wonderful essay sharing her thoughts on the writing life.

So, let's spend the summer writing well. As Elizabeth Gilbert says, "PUT IT OUT THERE."

Helen Gallagher
Release Your Writing

Award winner: "Release Your Writing"

I'm shamelessly following the Doris Lessing post with my own award news:

Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way is a Nonfiction-General award winner in the 2008 IWPA Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest. My client and colleague, Francine Friedman also won in the Non-fiction Autobiography category for her memoir Match Dot Bomb.

Enter contests. You never know if you may win, and the ability to have your work judged by professionals is always rewarding. For Release Your Writing, the judge said:

"A fabulous work and a must for anyone trying to understand the complexities and options for publishing in the early 21st century. The organization is grand and the explanations clear and concise."

Doesn't that make you want to run out and buy a copy? Click here for purchasing options.

Attention writers: "Don't imagine you'll have it forever"

Let's get that mojo moving writers, as Doris Lessing says: "Don't imagine you'll have it forever."

Lessing: Nobel win a 'disaster'

The increased media interest in her has meant that writing a full novel was next to impossible, she told Radio 4's Front Row.

Lessing, 88, also said she would probably now be giving up writing novels altogether.

Her latest book is the partly fictional memoir entitled Alfred and Emily.

Since her Nobel win she has been constantly in demand, she said.

"All I do is give interviews and spend time being photographed."

Speaking about her writing, she said: "It has stopped, I don't have any energy any more.

This is why I keep telling anyone younger than me, don't imagine you'll have it forever.

Use it while you've got it because it'll go, it's sliding away like water down a plughole."

Lessing is the 11th woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature in its 106-year history.

Her best known work, of course, is The Golden Notebook.

Whether she means energy or time, we all know its fleeting. Read the full article at BBC.com here

The time to write!

While taking time to devote to writing is not exclusively a woman's problem, there are rather urgent reasons why we need to consciously support women in the arts. Consider these facts, from A Room Of Her Own Foundation:

• Only 9 out of 52 winners of the National Book Award for Fiction are women.
• Only 11 out of 48 winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction have been women.
• Generations of students studied art history with a text that did not include one woman artist—Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Nevelson and Lee Krasner were all excluded.
• Women writers won 63 percent of the awards but less than 30 percent of the money in awards and grants reported by Poets & Writers. (January/February 2003 issue)
• In 2002 all but one of the Pulitzer Prize finalists for Fiction and Poetry were male.
• 94 percent of all the writing awards at the Oscars have gone to men.
• Of the major artists represented by major New York galleries, only 16 percent are women.
• Only 25 percent of the advisory members of the National Endowment for the Arts are women.
• A recent study by the Coalition of Women’s Arts Organizations showed that in all one-person shows for living artists in American museums, only 2 percent of the featured artists were women.
• A 1992 study showed that only 17 percent of artists in galleries nationally were women, whereas the Bureau of Labor indicated that 48 percent of professional American artists were women.
• 51 percent of all visual artists are female and women hold 53 percent of art degrees, but 80 percent of art faculty members are male.
• 68 percent of total art income in the U.S. goes to men and 73 percent of all grants and fellowships in the arts go to men.

Need a nudge? Writing resources

If you need to recharge your creativity or find places to publish your work, the web is full of great resources.

Take a look at WorldwideFreelance.com, especially their Writing section, for help when you need a little inspiration:

They have fresh articles on:

• fiction, non-fiction and blogging
• freelance writing
• writing habits
• international markets
• the writing craft
• queries, mistakes to avoid, and dealing with rejection
• publishing and book promotion

There you go - just one site out of thousands that can turn a slow day into a writing spree!

Blogger adds post-dated feature

If you blog here at blogger.com (and why wouldn't you?), you know you can trick the system by clicking Post Options and giving your post a past or future date. Blogger has now made this a bit easier, so you can create what would be daily posts, but write a batch of them all at once, and have them load per your schedule. Read on...

Scheduled post publishing, which we talked about testing on Blogger in draft last month, is now live for everyone. If you set a post’s date into the future, Blogger will wait to publish until that time comes.

Have you ever wanted to announce something on a certain date but knew you wouldn’t be at a computer to make a post? Or you wanted to keep posting regularly but knew you’d be on vacation for a few weeks? Scheduled post publishing is here to help you out.

Scheduling a post is easy to do: on the post editor page, click the “Post Options” toggle to show the “Post date and time” fields. Then, type a post date and time that’s in the future. When you click the “Publish” button, your post will become “scheduled.” When the date and time of the post arrive, it will be automatically published to your blog.

New York Times essay today on authors & self-publishing

This will especially interest members of the BWW workshop held yesterday. Today's New York Times has an essay here
and its as though the writer was sitting right there with us. She mentions so many of the same things we discussed.

Log in at the NYTimes or email me if you want a text-only version of the essay:
The title is "You're an Author? Me Too!" by Rachel Donadio.

The 7th point on a PowerPoint slide

Well, what good is a PowerPoint slide show if you cut off the last item? An astute observer in a workshop this morning noted my slide entitled Seven ways to find an agent, actually had only six points.

Here are all seven in their entirety:
1. Check the acknowledgments in similar books. You'll generally see a “thank you” to the author's agent.
2. Subscribe to writersmarket.com, read agentquery.com, Publisherslunch, Mediabistro.
3. Ask a fellow author for a referral to his/her agent.
4. Explore writing organizations and databases: ASJA.org, or Literary Market Place (LMP) at your library.
5. Attend workshops and establish connections.
6. Do a web search for the agent type most specific to your book/ non-fiction, literary fiction, memoir, etc.
7. Use your platform to help agents find you.

And a platform basically includes some combination of these resources to provide a viable audience for your book:Image (c) Helen Gallagher, please do not distribute without permission.

Good reviews need only a few well-chosen words

Here's an excerpt from a review of Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way. t's posted on Boomer Women Speak and circulated in their worldwide newsletter. For you, here are my two favorite passages:

"Release Your Writing is written in a direct, no-nonsense fashion and is a valuable tool for anyone striving to publish their work. Topics are indexed in this small hand-held guide that fits neatly in a purse, a laptop carrier or alongside your desktop PC."

Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos
http://www.nabbw.com/list_bookreview.php?book_id=73

April 23 is Unesco's World Book & Copyright Day

From Unesco:
"23 April: a symbolic date for world literature for on this date and in the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity."

So, read something profound on April 23rd, or even better, write something!

Full Unesco report

Antitrust matters over Amazon

I was pleased to receive an after-hours email message tonight from the Washington Attorney General's Antitrust Division office. Her comments are posted below, (see March 29 entry) and she kindly suggested we visit this link where the current status is posted:

www.atg.wa.gov/amazonpod.aspx

What's your motivation?

What does it take to light a fire under your desire? I often say we need to listen to our inner voices when it comes to our writing, and our hopes. Many people say "I want to write about travel," for example, or "I wish I could get published." But what do they do to get there?

Here's your inspiration for today:

". . . Never hope more than you work."

- Rita Mae Brown

So whatever you're trying to achieve, make sure you are actually DOING something every week and every month to bring yourself closer to that goal. Don't "wish" your life away.

During a presentation last night for Midwest Writers Association, I mentioned the goal at the end of my talk would be for audience members to choose two or three of the ideas presented, and go home and put those ideas to work.

I was thrilled to wake up this morning (well, I'm thrilled to wake up every day!) to see an email from one audience member, who took action on two of the suggested topics yesterday. She went home got herself involved in two sites to increase exposure for her book, and she did them before even going to sleep! Now that's commitment.

What are you trying to make happen in your writing career? Don't hope for it - work at it. Add a comment below, if you would like to share your commitments.

HGTV: Promoting publishing

After speaking at the Univ. Wisconsin Milwaukee Spring Writer's Festival in March, I was lucky to be invited to appear on live television on The Morning Blend, up in Milwaukee. Here's my "HGTV" moment.

Pathways to Publishing

Monday, March 31, 2008

With digital technology available today, authors don't need to hunt for an agent, and wait for a publisher. Today's self-publishing allows an author to get a timely book on the market, re-issue a book that's gone out of print, and enjoy the publishing process. There's no need to follow the old model to become published today. Author Helen Gallagher offers help with book marketing and manuscript production from her book "Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way."
Here's the link.

"Release Your Writing" praise & endorsements

From: Beneath the Cover

from BeneathTheCover.com Over at Release Your Writing with Helen Gallagher, there’s an outstanding article on self-publishing, also taken out of Publisher’s Weekly. For those who are not yet aware, Publisher’s Weekly is the 800 pound Gorilla in the room. Being mentioned in their esteemed pages can create enough attention to drive mountains of sales. Helen notes that an interview with J. Kirby Best, the CEO of one of the largest POD companies in the world, Lighting Source, shows how Print-On-Demand is truly taking off in the new millennium. He’s quoted as saying, “It took us seven years to print 10 million books…This year we published 10 million in the first 11 months.” Another “Wow!” from this publisher. I recommend a visit to Helen’s blog to read the whole post, and to consider her book, Release Your Writing: Book Publishing Your Way. I was particularly fascinated by her Book Tour link. We do Virtual Book Tours (you can see ours at www.ahablog.com) at WME, but what I discovered at the Book Tour link on Helen’s blog is really outstanding. Finally, a place online that can help drive traffic and book sales, and is freely managed by the author. You should check it out, here. ****************************************** "Gallagher examines the changing publishing industry and advocates self-publishing and/or POD (Print-on-Demand) for those whose work is unlikely to attract the attention of a large publisher. "Attract a publisher if you can, but if not, don't wait your life away." -- M.M.S. ****************************************** SPAWN: Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network review by Patricia Fry... yes, it's "the" Patricia Fry: Excerpt: " This book includes a section on the writing process and offers a lot of tips and techniques related to computer use for writers. Again, this author includes charts, diagrams and examples to help readers understand the concepts and make good choices. She also provides resources to back up her message and where readers can get additional information. The resources appear throughout the book and also in a separate section toward the back of the book. And she includes a couple of chapters on book marketing. I especially found her information on website strategies interesting and useful." Read full review at SPAWN.org ****************************************** My yellow highlighter was flying off its 200 pages while I noted valuable tips on how to move forward with the publishing process. In fact, by the time I was finished reading this gem, nearly the entire book was highlighted. Furthermore, the book is written in such a down-to-earth tone that you'd better set an extra place because you'll feel as if Gallagher is sitting across from you at your kitchen table. So whether you're in the preliminary outline stage, in the midst of writing your manuscript, or giving it a final edit, read Gallagher's book before you launch yours. You'll be grateful you did. -- F. F. ******************************************
" Gallagher's book includes everything you need to know to decide whether POD is right for you, and provides a wealth of information about how to choose the right POD publisher (love the side-by-side comparison chart of the top 10 POD firms) as well as tips on writing and marketing the book." -- K.J.E. March 19, 2008 BNET.com is the go-to place for management. I'm proud to see a nice write-up on Release Your Writing on their site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0SFC/is_2008_Jan/ai_n24217516 January 4, 2008 Midwest Book Review: midwestbookreview.com Excerpt: Effectively organized into three major sections, 'Release Your Writing' covers contemporary changes in the publishing industry, the self-publishing option, Publish On Demand (POD) companies; and ebooks. 'You, The Word Processor' includes The Time to Write; The Writer's Toolbox; and 'Computer Power Tools'. The third section is devoted to the 'Business of Being a Writer' by focusing on book marketing and promotion, and keeping a book in print and available to the reading public. It should be noted that Helen Gallagher's writing style is conversational and engaging -- making it an ideal format for presenting her observations, ideas, and advice. Enhanced with an appendix listing writing resources, a glossary, and an index, "Release Your Writing" will prove invaluable and instructive reading for aspiring writers who have become published -- either on their own or through an independent publisher. Monday, December 2, 2007 SPAWN: Small Publishers, Artists, and Writers Network review by Patricia Fry... yes, it's "the" Patricia Fry: Excerpt: " This book includes a section on the writing process and offers a lot of tips and techniques related to computer use for writers. Again, this author includes charts, diagrams and examples to help readers understand the concepts and make good choices. She also provides resources to back up her message and where readers can get additional information. The resources appear throughout the book and also in a separate section toward the back of the book. And she includes a couple of chapters on book marketing. I especially found her information on website strategies interesting and useful." Read full review at SPAWN.org Monday, October 8, 2007 Get Your Book Into Print: A Review Computer consultant Helen Gallagher, author of Computer Ease, has written a new book, Release Your Writing: Book Publishing, Your Way (Virtualbookworm, 2007). She presents a practical, businesslike, common-sense approach for getting your book published, mainly through self-publishing or POD (Print-on-Demand). Gallagher examines the changing publishing industry, pointing out some interesting facts: "A few companies, just five or six, control over 80 percent of the industry. Most books in bookstores come from those few firms. Only one to two percent of unsolicited submissions are purchased for publication." What's more, it's usually a long journey of up to two years or more from manuscript to publication for traditionally-published books, and most have to sell at least 1,200 copies for marginal success, over 7,000 to sustain interest. Even then, there's no guarantee of financial success, and most book promotion is still left to the author. The author points out, "self-publishing is not settling for second best. It's the right choice if your book won't likely capture the attention of a large publisher and you don't want to spend years waiting to see your book in print." Gallagher is writing for a wider audience, but it seems to me that most of my fellow senior writers or would-be writers need to heed her words. "Attract a publisher if you can, but if not, don't wait your life away." Through her considerable experience both as a writer and as a consultant who helps clients through her firm, Computer Clarity, Helen Gallagher is well qualified to give extensive advice on both word processing techniques and on the business aspects of being a writer. From organizing material to establishing a contact database to promoting your book through a web site or blog, she covers all the bases, and she adds an appendix of writing resources. For a writer either beginning or just finishing a book, Helen Gallagher's Release Your Writing should prove to be a valuable tool. This book can be ordered at http://www.releaseyourwriting.com/. Copyright 2007 by Marlys Marshall Styne “Helen Gallagher's new book Release Your Writing has just stripped you of your last excuse for not writing that book that's inside you and waiting to be released. She has an answer for every question you've ever had about birthing a book into the world and covers every step you need to take it from beginning to end. Helen's grasp of the subject is comprehensive and her style of communicating is friendly, accessible, and inspiring. If you follow the steps that Helen suggests, you can be the author you've always wanted to be. She's one of the best guides out there on the pathway to publishing!” Jan Phillips, author of The Art of Original Thinking, Marry Your Muse