Writing and Publishing News from

March 17, 2010

Your Back Cover Copy

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 5:43 am

Yesterday, we discussed your author bio and the various ways you can use one. I mentioned publishing your author bio either on the back cover of your book or in the back matter (pages toward the back of the book).

Question: What else goes on the back cover?
Answer: Whatever it takes to attract, intrigue and/or entice readers.

I tell authors, when they are working on their book proposal, to think like a publisher—get into his head. Give him the information he needs that will convince him to invest in your project.

And when your book is completed and you design your back cover, your primary consideration is now your target audience—your customer. Marketing experts say that a potential customer will pick up a book and spend something like 5 seconds looking at the front cover. Most will then turn it over. How much time they spend looking at the back cover depends on what you’ve presented there.

Generally, you’ll build the following into your back cover copy:

1: Brief description of the book. (“Ten true stories of women military pilots.” Or “Tips and techniques for photographing your pets. Or “A story of love and intrigue within a high profile government agency.”)

2: For nonfiction, a bulleted list reflecting some of the most important aspects of the book: (How to choose the background for your photo shoot; Tips for getting your pet’s cooperation; How to stage more creative photos; Make your dog more photogenic…)

3: Your photo. For the pet photography theme, you may want to use a photo of you photographing a dog or cat—or a picture of you posing with a pet. For a novel, use your most attractive or most “writerly” publicity photo.

4: Your bio—especially important for a nonfiction book. Again, following the pet photographer them, you’ll want to provide the information that a potential customer requires: Who are you? What is your expertise/background in photographing animals? Have you published anything else? This author might write, “Ben Hansen specializes in pet photography. He was the photographer for three White House dogs and he’s the author of “How to Capture Your Dog’s Personality in Pictures” and “Photographing the First Dog.” He has had articles published in numerous magazines, including Photography Today, Parent and Child and The Dog’s Day. He currently lives with his wife and two very photogenic dogs in New Hampshire.

5: Testimonials/endorsements. If you have collected favorable comments for your book, particularly from high profile people, use one or two on the back cover.

6: Your website address. I like to place contact information on the back cover

Don’t forget to save room for the barcode.

If you need additional information about what goes on the back cover, how to prepare the back matter and front matter of your book or you have questions about other aspects of writing, publishing and/or book promotion and distribution, order my book today—The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

NEWS FLASH
The shipment of our brand new book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales is scheduled to arrive on our doorstep tomorrow, Thursday March 18, 2010. I’ll spend my day Friday preparing shipments to customers and delivering them to the post office. In order to receive your copy (and gift copies) by the 22nd – 25th of March (depending on where you live), place your order today. This 130-page book has over 40 color photos of cats and kittens and includes around 40 stories and vignettes about cats and kittens. The stories are humorous, harrowing and heartwarming. And the book is only $12.95.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Most of you know Patricia Fry as a strict, nonfiction writer. Catscapades, while still nonfiction, is quite a departure from what she usually writes, in that she has attempted to capture the essence of cats and their cat-like antics in storytelling fashion.

March 16, 2010

Tips For Writing Your Author’s Bio

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 5:14 am

As an author who is seriously promoting a book, you will be asked fairly often for your “bio.” What, exactly, is a bio? What do people want when they ask for your bio? How is it used?

I use my bio at the end of the articles I submit for publication. I use these bios to introduce myself as an expert in the topic of the article and to promote my most appropriate book. For an article on how to find article ideas, I might write that I have been writing articles for publication for over 35 years and am the author of “A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles.” If the piece features how to write a book proposal, for example, I might say in my bio that I’ve written dozens of book proposals for my own books and those of my clients and that I am the author of “How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less.” I might also include the fact that I am the Executive Director of SPAWN, an International networking organization for authors.

But authors use bios in many other ways, as well: for promo ahead of a speaking engagement, book signing or participation in a book festival, for example. You use your bio on the cover of (or in the back matter) of your book and on your brochures and other promotional material. It might follow an interview, be included in a review of your book or be published at the end of a book you review. When your book is included in a catalog or at Amazon.com, there may be space for the author’s bio. You’ll want to use a brief bio when you post comments at other blogs and at forums. Many of us use “signatures” at the end of our emails, which is another sort of bio.

Once you begin the interesting and challenging process of book promotion, you will find yourself in the public eye (at least, to some extent), and you will need to come up with bios for different occasions and purposes. So what does the bio accomplish?

• Your bio is your introduction. Your audience wants to know a little about the person behind the book, presentation, article…

• Your bio should demonstrate your expertise in the subject matter at hand.

• Your bio is your avenue through which to promote your books and/or services.

As you can see, while your bio is for your audience—it serves to position you as an expert in your field—it is also your opportunity to introduce your book and to, perhaps, make some sales.

Before writing a bio to be published in a conference program or to accompany your book at a showcase website, for example, find out the projected word count. You’ll write something quite different if the limit is 300 words as you will if you’re restricted to 25 words.

I’m in the process of developing a new website. And I have to tell you that writing the About Us section for the new website and refining it for the Matilija Press website has been an enormous undertaking. As many times as I have written bios of all sizes for all manner of intent, I am finding this task to be an enormous undertaking. So I have been focusing on these tips:

• Outline the info that must be included at each site (heavy on Patricia Fry as an author for the Matilija Press site and more about Patricia Fry the editorial and publishing consultant for the Patricia Fry site).

• Consider what site visitors—many of them potential customers/clients—want to know about my offerings and me.

• Give enough without overwhelming visitors. Now that’s a hard one.

• Use bullets, as I have here, to break up the text and clarify information.

• Always provide a link or contact button so the visitor can easily reach you with any questions.

Your bio can be as powerful as a New York billboard when it contains the right information and is seen by the right audience. The next time you’re required to write a bio, consider what you want it to accomplish and then add the elements that will make it work on your behalf.

Patricia Fry is the author of 31 books including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html. She works with other authors on their projects, whether they need editing services or help creating a bio, book proposal, query letter or book promotion plan. Contact Patricia Fry for a free estimate: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Now that’s an example of a brief, but informative bio.

March 15, 2010

When Your Book Promotion is Countered by Other Author’s Book Promotion

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 6:00 am

Have you noticed that we are all so busy promoting that hardly anyone is actually buying?

You send your promo email to potential customers for your book and receive back several promo emails in return. You attend a meeting or event, hand someone your business card and they hand you their promo material. You pay for booth space in order to sell your book at a book festival and other authors, who do not have booths, come up to you with pitches about their books. (I HATE when that happens.) I’ve even seen authors sneak in, set up tables at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where everyone else has paid nearly $1,000 for a booth, and begin hawking their books. I’ve seen them get busted, too!

I’ve also observed people, presumably from other booths, stand across the walkway from the SPAWN booths engaging the attention of passersby with their spiels and their promo material—distracting them from our booths. And when I see that, I will report them. Hawking like this is discouraged at many book festivals even from outside your own booth—let alone in front of other authors’ and organizations’ booths.

It can become difficult to promote your book when your promotional efforts are not even received, but are countered by, “Here’s my new book/service/product.” How do you handle that? Do you just move on or do you politely express an interest in the other person’s book, service or other product?

I’ve discovered that if you acknowledge the other author’s book by expressing an interest, asking a few questions, looking it over (if in person), visiting the website and then commenting on the book, they will show more interest in yours. Maybe you know someone who could use their book, you do book reviews on this topic for an organization newsletter, you know of a book club that might want to choose this book to read, you have a promotional idea that would fit their particular book. Try either massaging the other author’s ego (“Wow, I love your book cover.”—“What a great idea for a book…”) or provide a solid recommendation for promoting the book and see what you might get back.

Let me know if this is something you already do and how it’s working to your benefit.

If you are just sick and tired of every shred of your promotional efforts being countered by a bombardment of promotion, give this a try. It may actually help your sales and overall exposure. It’s certainly a better approach than allowing yourself to be beat down by the opposition time and time again.

NEWSFLASH
Today is the last day you can order Catscapades, True Cat Tales at the prepublication discount. So hurry over to http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

Article-Writing Course in Progress
I know that many of you are interested in making a little extra money writing articles for magazines. Some of you want to promote your books through articles. Let me show you the way toward success in the article-writing field. I am in the process of teaching the course as we speak. It is not too late to sign up. Learn more about this course here: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

March 14, 2010

Write Articles That Actually Sell

Filed under: Article-Writing — Patricia @ 7:12 am

I received some articles this week from someone who wants us to publish them in one of our SPAWN newsletters or at the website. Of course, they were designed to promote a book. But they were quite poorly written—needed editing. And they were off topic for SPAWN—so not appropriately targeted.

I’m sure that my regular blog followers do not make these mistakes. You make sure that your articles are polished and you submit them in the required manner and to the appropriate venue.
If not, you, too, are probably receiving those dreaded rejection letters or, worse yet, you are being ignored. (Don’t you hate when that happens—not EVEN a rejection note or email….)

Hey rejection happens. I received two rejection letters from publishers with regard to my revised edition of Over 100 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book, just yesterday. The publishers just didn’t feel as though they could sell enough copies of a book on this topic to chance investing in it. I understand. In the meantime, another publisher asked to see the completed manuscript and is reviewing it now.

Okay, but let’s talk about those articles of yours. I suggest that you use magazine articles to promote your book. But let’s be real!

• They must be interesting/of some value to the reader.
• They must be relevant to the publication.
• They must be timely.
• They must be fresh/not be run-of-the-mill pieces.
• They must be carefully edited.

Think about it, if you needed (I mean really needed) an editor for your book manuscript, you probably need an editor for your articles. If you didn’t hire an editor for your book, maybe you don’t know what editorial problems may lurk within the pages of your memoir, novel or nonfiction book. And if your articles are continually being rejected, maybe it is because you need an editor.

Most editors (like myself) will edit articles as well as book manuscripts. I just finished working with a gentleman on an article he is going to submit to a contest. I think he is happier with it now—I know it has a much better chance of winning.

When I wrote my rejection to the author who sent those articles to SPAWN yesterday, I offered my services (at $50/hour) to edit his articles so he’ll have a better chance of getting them published.

Some writers don’t even know what an article actually consists of. They don’t give it a beginning, middle and end. They just ramble or pull something from their book and call it an article. Most book excerpts need some work in order to turn them into an article.

You’ve never thought of submitting book excerpts to magazines in order to promote your book? There are lots and lots of magazines in every category that use book excerpts. In fact, this is one of the themes for the SPAWN Market Update to be posted in the member area of the SPAWN website April 1. Join SPAWN here http://www.spawn.org

A more economical way to get your articles edited and to LEARN editing techniques for your articles is to SIGN UP for my online article-writing course. Sing up today and bring your article-writing skills up to par: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Contact me to edit your next article. I’ll give you a discount if you’ll mention it in your email: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Monday (March 15) is the last day that you can order Catscapades, True Cat Tales without paying shipping.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

One more thing—Amazon is ordering quite a few copies of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Thank you for placing your orders! And I’m sure that you, like so many other authors and hopeful authors, will thank me for writing it, once your project starts to take off.

March 13, 2010

Is Your Writing Being Rejected or is it YOU?

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 5:19 am

Weather is changing. Time is changing. The world is changing and, as writers, we need to change right along with it.

If your manuscript is being rejected time and time again, maybe you need to make some adjustments to your presentation or approach. Are you getting any feedback from editors or publishers? Some of them will tell you why they have decided to pass on your book.

Most editors and publishers specialize in some way. They have certain standards, requirements, agendas. It is your job to give them something that fits within their specifications. If you don’t adhere to their word count, subject preferences, etc., your piece will most likely be rejected.

Some of you are saying, “Well, duh!” But you might be surprised at how many would-be authors “reject” submission guidelines and just do their own thing.

This week, as Executive Director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I received three requests that were way off base for us. One woman wanted us to partner with her in some program that didn’t relate to our purpose here at SPAWN. And I received query letters from two hopeful authors who, obviously, didn’t do their homework. And both query letters were atrociously poorly written. Both authors made a lot of excuses for their shortcomings. One explained that he had no money and no means of helping with promotion. If I were a publisher I would have rejected both of them on the spot.

And this is what many editors and publishers do—they reject the author/writer rather than the story, article of book manuscript.

Particularly for an author, if you fail to show a bit of savvy with regard to the publishing process, if you indicate that it is difficult for you to follow-through (you use a friend’s computer and check email only once in a while), you are disabled and can’t get out much, you are aging or too busy and not interested in promotion, you love your manuscript the way it is and have no intention of making any changes, etc., you will be rejected. What publisher wants to work with someone who is not flexible, eager to do what it takes to get published, able to respond promptly and follow-through and capable of getting out and promoting the book?

That’s what I want you to think about this weekend—why you are being rejected time and time again. It may not be necessary, at all, for you to turn your back on traditional publishing and go with a pay-to-publish outfit. You may be able to land a publisher for your marvelous project if only you knew how to perfect your presentation and understand how best to approach a publisher.

Many of you already have a copy of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. If so, I suggest that you read it from cover to cover again. If you are trying to pitch your project to a publisher as we speak, read Chapters Two and Eight. Study the section of how to write a successful query letter and book proposal. Reevaluate your query letter and proposal. Send them to me for evaluation if you like. PLFry620@yahoo.com

Recently, one of my clients was working on a query letter based on the suggestions in my book and wasn’t getting anywhere. He sent it to me. I tweaked it so it had a stronger lead and more emphasis was put on the aspect that mattered most to the publisher and he is now circulating a much more powerful query letter.

Don’t give up seeking a publisher too soon. It is harder than ever to land a publishing contract. It is going to take time. Just make sure you have the best presentation possible, that you are approaching the right publishers and then be patient.

If you don’t have a copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, check it out at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

March 12, 2010

Writers NEED Other Writers

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 7:01 am

My speaking gig was enjoyable yesterday. The writers meet at a plush country club on a lake. Beautiful setting on a gorgeous spring day. I enjoyed meeting some interesting writers and heard another interesting speaker who talked about how to make real money writing and selling ebooks. I’ll share more about this as I learn more. I plan to do a study of the concept this weekend.

Today, though, I have a long day of writing, editing and proofing ahead as I prepare a manuscript for a publisher. Cross fingers!

Do you belong to a writers’ group? Do you have a writing buddy? Are you part of a writing/publishing organization? Do you attend writers’ conferences and other events? If you are writing, you should be doing at least some of this. You cannot attend a writers’ event without learning something of value. Now, coming from someone who has been in the “biz” for as long as I have, that’s really saying something, isn’t it? Get out of your writing closet, meet other writers, mingle, ask questions, listen to what others have to say. Not only will you learn, you will probably receive a mighty shot of inspiration that you can take back to your writing room with you. It’s a win/win situation. Those of you who have belonged to or attended writers’ group meetings know this. So if you are not currently getting out and meeting other writers, do so. Create reasons to be around other writers, even if you just mall-walk with a writer friend or carpool with someone who writes.

You can communicate with other writers via the Internet, as well. Tap into some of the various forums available to writers at all stages of their passion. If you belong to an online organization with a discussion group, such as Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network—SPAWN, or the Cat Writer’s Association, participate. See if you can find a writing buddy to help motivate and inspire you. Start conversations related to an issue you’re experiencing with your writing or publishing project.

And in the meantime, let me be your buddy through one of my books—The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book or A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles, for example. Or get to know me a little through my metaphysical adventure memoir, Quest for Truth. All available at http://www.matilijapress.com

Monday is the last day you can order Catscapades, True Cat Stories at the prepublication discount. Order your copy NOW!
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html

March 11, 2010

Create a Lifestyle Related to Your Publishing Project

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 6:04 am

I’m off to speak to a group of writers this morning.

I love my work. I’ve discovered over the years that if you choose to exercise all of the possibilities within the writing/publishing realm, there’s such variety of things to enjoy. I’m sure this is true of many professions. You can choose to sort buttons in a warehouse all of your life or you can also learn how to select the buttons that will sell that season, find out where they are available, travel to exotic places to purchase them, explore different ways to display and promote buttons, establish a sales route and go in person to sell the buttons, give demonstrations for ways to use the buttons, learn to sew, design clothing and other items using buttons, teach sewing and crafts using buttons and/or come up with new markets for buttons—button art, for example. Pretty soon, you are designing buttons from your mansion and traveling worldwide with your wares.

Does this scenario resonate with you at all? Do you see how you can develop a more interesting, challenging life just by expanding on the topic of your book, for example? Maybe you wrote a young adult fantasy and paid to have it published. Don’t stop there. If you enjoy writing and you love the story you created and your characters, take your interest to other levels. How?

• Go on a book tour—arrange book parties at interesting bookstores and other venues where you can meet your readers. Have fun with these—hire magicians, involve the audience in acting out scenes from the book, etc.

• Write short stories for fantasy and young adult publications.

• Establish a national fantasy book club or organization.

• Teach fantasy writing workshops.

• Work with a group of homeschooled children on their own fantasy book.

• Write one or more sequels to your book.

• Create a brand and produce related items—games, toys, figures, etc.

• Run contests related to the theme of your book.

• Ask young people to help edit your next book—some of them have amazingly keen eyes for inconsistencies in a story.

• Launch a fantasy conference or festival where every booth represents some sort of young adult fantasy book or other item.

• Turn your book into a play and produce it locally.

Not only will you have fun pursuing some of these activities, these are all excellent ways to promote your book (or your series of books), as well.

So what will it be for you? Will you continue to sort buttons or will you break free of the mundane tasks and establish some sort of fascinating life around your love for those buttons?

In the meantime, let me help you through the writing, publishing and/or promotion processes of your book. Perhaps I can guide you toward your dream life. PLFry620@yahoo.com. Visit my website: http://www.matilijapress.com

March 10, 2010

How to Get Editors to Notice You

Filed under: Article-Writing — Patricia @ 6:53 am

One of my former students recommended my online courses at her blog site today:
http://lgburns.livejournal.com

I’ve also had my articles published in three different writing/publishing magazines and newsletters this week. I know I’m popular because I have two cats sparring over my lap this morning. Sigh! One is a 6 pounds kitten and the other is a 15 pound grumpy old cat. Usually, the kitten wins—Lily is more cunning and charming than Max—and she’s more ardent. He’s easily intimidated by her cunning ways.

Speaking of being popular, I had a telling email from a friend and colleague this morning. We were having an email conversation about the state of the freelance article market. She made an interesting point. She is a freelance writer and she says she is getting quite a bit of work. She thinks it’s because editors are being inundated with material from so many “amateurs” that they recognize and appreciate queries from obvious professionals.

Hey, if you are interested in making a little (or a lot of) money writing articles for magazines, this is valuable information and insight. If you want to improve your standing with magazine editors, here are my recommendations:

• Read my book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles,
http://www.matilijapress.com/writingpage.html

• Sign up for my online article-writing course:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm

Don’t just rush in with what you believe is a good idea. You need to understand and follow submission protocol. For example, find out if this is a topic your target magazine has covered recently. Editors do not like to be bothered by writers who have neglected to do their homework.

Don’t assume that the editor will fall in love with the article theme you present. Spell out your vision for the article and make sure it fits securely with the particular magazine’s format.

Don’t send original photographs, bios of half dozen potential experts for your piece, the article outline, your 6-page resume and testimonials from everyone you know related to your expertise in this topic. Study each magazine’s submission guidelines and send each editor what they require and request. Generally, this is a one-page query letter (instructions for writing succinct query letters in the book and as part of the course).

Don’t bother an editor with something you think they should publish even though it is way different than anything they have published in their 25 year existence. If they don’t use fiction, they don’t use fiction, don’t try to bully them into publishing your special piece of fiction. If they don’t publish essays, they don’t publish essays and your beautiful essay probably won’t change this fact.

Don’t glorify your potential article with a lot of obscure words and phrases. It is what it is and it should fit the magazine’s specifications.

Most of all, don’t make a sloppy presentation. Editors are either extremely busy or quite disorganized and they do not relish trudging through something that looks like the dog ate it and then regurgitated it. Be neat. Be succinct. Be explicit. Be professional.

March 9, 2010

Choose the Right Editor

Filed under: Editing — Patricia @ 5:49 am

Professionals recommend that you hire an editor before you start shopping your manuscript around—even before you self-publish. You know this, but you balk at the idea. You say, “An editor might change my voice.” “I don’t want to spend the money—I don’t even know if I can get this book published.” “If I get it published, will it even sell?” “Is it really worth spending the money for an editor?”

The truth is, your dream of landing a publisher is more realistic if you have worked with a qualified editor. Once your book is published, your chances of attracting readers grow considerably when you can present a well-written, professionally edited product.

Okay, so you decide that you probably should have an editor take a look at your manuscript. But who? How do you locate one? How do you choose one? Here are some guidelines that might help. Choose an editor who,

• has been recommended.

• comes with good references.

• is credible within the industry.

• understands the publishing industry and what it takes to get published.

• knows the purpose and the process of writing a book proposal and a query letter.

• is familiar with your book subject and/or genre.

• will evaluate a portion of your manuscript and give you an estimate.

• will offer a sample edit on 250-500 words or so of your manuscript.

• will do a final edit/proof (after you’ve revised your manuscript based on her suggestions) for a lower rate.

This should eliminate from your list of potential editors, your son’s high school PE teacher, the retired professor down the street and your co-worker who seems to have a mastery of the English language.

Your editor doesn’t have to be someone you’ve actually met. Business is conducted via the Internet every day, including the business of editing. If it makes you feel better, you might have a telephone conversation with your editor of choice in order to get a sense about this person.

Beware of the lowball estimate for editorial work. The concept, “you get what you pay for” is true in this profession, as well. I know one author who politely turned down my editorial services and went with someone she found on the Internet. Certainly, the $340 estimate for editing her 250-page manuscript was a refreshing consideration after hearing my $1,200 bid. In the end, however, this author was extremely disappointed. She believes that the “editing” process she paid for was nothing more than a quick spellcheck. This turned out to be a costly decision, after all.

Whether your book is fiction or nonfiction, a children’s story or a reference book, do yourself and your project a favor and hire a qualified editor.

For more about self-editing and hiring an editor, read Chapter Nine of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Patricia Fry as Your Editor
Let me give you a sample edit and an estimate on your fabulous manuscript. I also work with articles. PLFry620@yahoo.com. See some of my client testimonials here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/testimonials.html

March 8, 2010

From Writer to Author—How to Make a Successful Transition

Filed under: Editing,Publishing — Patricia @ 7:31 am

Do you write to fulfill something within yourself or to offer something of yourself to others? Is your project being fueled by your emotions? Is your desire to be read actually getting in the way of your success?

I think we are all at least a little guilty of narcissism when it comes to our writing. We want what we want—the joy of seeing our words spill out over the paper. YOUR words! Of course, they’re everybody’s words, but the way they are strung together makes them your words. Isn’t that satisfying? So you get to revel in the lovely phrases and paragraphs that come from your very own head and heart.

Have you ever felt the thrill of writing? I sometimes quiver with a sense of delight while in the process of writing. I say to myself, “I love what I do!” I must be the luckiest woman alive. I have spent my life doing what I love—writing, day in and day out! I am blessed.

But I don’t stay in this state for very long because there is another side to the coin. With every pleasure, there is a consequence. With every dream, there is an awakening. And for most of us who want to spend our days writing, there is the reality of survival. Most of these writers find regular jobs. Some of us find ways to make writing pay. As many of you know, that’s what I did!

I wrote for fun during the time I was raising small children. Because of my make-up or something I was taught—I’m not sure—I couldn’t continue writing purely for pleasure. I love to sew and do needlework, but I do it only when there is a reason—a goal. I make things for others, mostly. Of course, I used to sew clothes for my family. But, again, this was a necessity. I made clothes rather than buy them. That was my justification for getting to sew. I love to garden, but I do this with neighbors and visitors in mind. And there came a point with my writing that I had to justify spending time doing something so enjoyable. So, in 1973, I began writing for publication.

During the mid 1980s, it became necessary for me to contribute financially to the household and I found a way to do that through my writing. I’ve been supporting myself through writing ever since. But my writing business has changed shape a few times. I earned my living by selling articles to magazines for many many years. I have 31 books to my credit, so I earn money from royalties and book sales. But now my focus is YOU and your writing projects.

I have books to help you make the best decisions for your publishing projects, of course. I teach online writing courses. But I’m also available to work with you personally at many levels. I do book editing. I also edit articles. I help you write your book proposal and walk you through the process of choosing the right publishing option for your project, etc.

Let my experience influence your success as a published author or freelance writer. Contact me and let’s talk about your project. Every author needs an editor—some more than others. Sometimes the writing is fine, but the scope or focus of the book is off for the market the author hopes to reach. Perhaps you have a query letter that is falling flat with publishers. Let me help you re-create one that will address the publishers’ most pressing concerns, which may not be the concerns you have addressed in your letter.

Writing is a craft—a heart thing. Transforming your writing project into a publishing project takes more than simply going in search of a major publisher. I can make your transformation from closet writer to successful author less painful and more successful. Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Learn more about me and my work at
http://www.matilijapress.com

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