The Newbie Corner - Gaining Access - Part 2 - Non-Fiction I started out as a non-fiction writer. Articles and devotionals found acceptance into Christian publications. However, when I approached an editor at a conference about my idea for a devotional book, I was in for a wake-up call. 1. Many publishers get these items from packagers. They put together the books and sell them to the publisher. 2. A non-fiction book requires a huge platform to guarantee sales. Think about radio and TV programs, giant ministries, well-known speakers, and celebrities. 3. Even if you have many writing credits on your resume, it doesn't hold a lot of weight when it comes to getting a non-fiction book published. This is why many authors decide to go the Indie (self-publishing) route. We're blessed that digital publishing has made this easier and much less expensive. Many ministries self-publish their books, thus avoiding the long and often arduous traditional journey. Whether you decide to give traditional publishing a shot or not, learning the craft and producing an interesting, informative book is paramount. While a subject may be fascinating to you, engaging the reader and meeting a perceived need requires writing techniques that will achieve your goals. Writers: What have you learned about the publishing journey for non-fiction? Readers: What kind of non-fiction books do you enjoy? Devotional? Memoir? Biography? Other? Please share.

I started out as a non-fiction writer. Articles and devotionals found acceptance into Christian publications. However, when I approached an editor at a conference about my idea for a devotional book, I was in for a wake-up call.

1.  Many publishers get these items from packagers. They put together the books and sell them to the publisher.

2.  A non-fiction book requires a huge platform to guarantee sales. Think about radio and TV programs, giant ministries, well-known speakers, and celebrities.

3.  Even if you have many writing credits on your resume, it doesn't hold a lot of weight when it comes to getting a non-fiction book published.

This is why many authors decide to go the Indie (self-publishing) route. We're blessed that digital publishing has made this easier and much less expensive. Many ministries self-publish their books, thus avoiding the long and often arduous traditional journey.

Whether you decide to give traditional publishing a shot or not, learning the craft and producing an interesting, informative book is paramount. While a subject may be fascinating to you, engaging the reader and meeting a perceived need requires writing techniques that will achieve your goals.

Writers:  What have you learned about the publishing journey for non-fiction?

Readers:  What kind of non-fiction books do you enjoy? Devotional? Memoir? Biography? Other? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Klaus Post

Slide Presentations/Copyright Tips/Chick-fil-A/Devo/Amish Declutter Hacks

1.  For those of you who not only write but also speak, Yvonne Ortega gives tips on how to use slides in your presentation.

2.  Susan Spann posted at Writer Unboxed regarding copyrights. While she called it, "Holiday Copyright Tips," the advice is good for any time of the year. Whether you're a writer, blogger, or just post on social media, this is a must read.

3.  Around Christmas, I was searching the gift card rack at my local grocery store for Chick-fil-A and couldn't find them. It's no secret that the fast-food company's values have made them a target of the politically correct segment of the population. WND reports it hasn't hurt them a bit. They have passed Wendy's and Taco Bell in popularity and are now number three in the rankings.

4.  Amy Carroll posted at Crosscards devotional site on the subject of prayer. When the Lord gave her "prayer" as her word for last year, she wondered how she'd ever fit hours on her knees into her busy schedule. See how the Lord led her and the joy she discovered.

5.  The new year stirs an urge in me to declutter. Maybe we can't do it all in one day, but we can spend five minutes a day. One of the suggestions is to start a no-clutter zone.

Writers:  What tips do you have for writers who also speak?

Readers:  Which link resonated with you this week? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Fred Culpers

The Newbie Corner - Gaining Access - The Fiction Write

An aspiring author recently asked how they could get a real publisher. Good question. Let's explore the process:

1.  Write a book, but not just any book - a great book. Take the time to research similar titles, as well as your target audience. Are you writing for the Young Adult (YA) crowd? Romances appeal to most women and are the most popular genre. How about Sci-Fi, mystery, fantasy, and futuristic? Let's not forget contemporary works, historical novels, and women's fiction.

2.  Okay, you now have a first draft. Read everything you can get your hands on to improve your skills, go to workshops and writers' conferences, visit writing blogs and soak up as much as you can. Go home and apply those lessons to your writing.

2.  Now that you have re-written your first draft, find a critique partner to read it and suggest changes. Don't cry when it comes back with lots of red ink.

3.  Writers conferences often have authors present who will do paid critiques. Invest in one. (If this seems like a long process, it is. You don't produce a publishable manuscript overnight.)

4.  If you can afford it, hiring a professional editor can provide a great learning experience, as well as polishing your work. Make sure you select someone who will be compatible and knows what they're doing. (Many offer to do sample chapters for a fee.) I found my editor on LinkedIn, Deirdre Lockhart, of Brilliant Cut Editing.

5.  The next step is to obtain an agent. The best place to meet one is at a writers' conference. Attending agent/editor panels at a conference can provide insight into what they're seeking in the way of genre. Most conferences also provide one-on-one appointments with agents and editors.

6.  If an agent or editor asks you to send them either a partial or full proposal, make sure that's your top priority when you arrive home. Visit their websites for guidelines and follow them to the letter. Allow yourself five or ten minutes to do a Snoopy Happy Dance and then get to work.

7.  If the agent/editor sends a rejection letter, put it in a file and continue writing. Tip:  These folks like to see you've written more than one book. After all, would you want to spend hours of your time to work with someone whose creativity dries up after a single story?

8.  If an agent/editor gives suggestions on how to improve your writing, take them seriously. The first time I met with an agent, he told me to go home and learn how to write fiction. Ouch!

9.  If you land a contract with an agent, it's a big step. Getting a publishing contract is another set of hurdles, but it's not impossible.

It takes time, patience, and perseverance to get a traditional publishing contract. Many people opt to go the Indie route (self publishing), but do your research before diving into that pond.

Although the journey is long, enjoy it. Once writing gets in your blood, it's hard to walk away.

Writers:  What questions do you have about the publishing process for fiction writers? (We'll talk about non-fiction next week.)

Readers:  Are you surprised at how much is involved in the publishing process? Please share your thoughts.

Photo Credit:  Mario Alberto Magallane Trejo

Families in Fiction/Marketing Poetry/Answered Prayer/Devo/Most Searched

1.  Kathleen McCleary posts at Writer Unboxed on the subject of "Navigating Families in Fiction. In real life, we all experience loss, have difficult relationships, etc. This is something every novelist can apply to their writing.

2.  Karen Whiting, at The Write Conversation, talks about marketing your poetry. She has some unique ideas.

3.  Testimonies of answered prayer encourage and spark our faith. I recently read about a young girl diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor on Faithwire. The prognosis was grim, but God...

4.  Jean Fischer shared her experience with hearing God's voice on her Compost Pile blog. This sweet story touched my heart. I hope it blesses you as well.

5.  Last Thanksgiving, I discovered pecan pie, and I've craved it since that day. I wasn't surprised when it came up as one of the most-searched recipes of 2018 on Google. Check out this post at Delish and see what other meals made the list.

Writers:  How do you explore the complex relationships of your characters?

Readers:  How does reading testimonies or novels impact your spiritual life? Please share.

Photo Credit:  B S K

On My Kindle - The Blessing by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow

A job assignment forces May Somerville's father to relocate the family from New York City to untamed Colorado. All of their dreams are put on hold as they struggle to adjust to a new life near the gold mines.

Alexander Whittier travels throughout Europe with his parents, but he can't shake the memory of the beautiful May Somerville. Her father's reports no longer reach them, and news of their tragedies sends him hurrying to Colorado.

Will May's secret and the many hard times she's endured ruin their chances for a future together?

Kacy Barnett-Gramckow is a new-to-me author. While The Blessing started off on the slow side for me, it picked up speed. The fate of the tightly-knit family kept me engaged, while the steadfast determination of May propelled the story forward.

I'm giving The Blessing five stars for its great story and historical content. I'll be checking out this author's other books.

Disclaimer: Neither the publisher nor the author paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine, and mine alone.

Adjectives/Literary Device/Yoga/Blessings/Home Safety

1.  Zoe M. McCarthy gives tips to improve story description when using adjectives. This skill-based post provides valuable information for both fiction and non-fiction writers.

2. Lori Hatcher posts at The Write Conversation on parallelism, a literary device. Don't let the term scare you. You've seen it multiple times. Now is your chance to define it and apply it to your own writing.

3.  Faithwire reports on a pastor's warning about a practice that is becoming increasingly popular in the United States among Christians - yoga.

4.  Henry McLaughlin posts at The Write Conversation about the blessings of being a writer. Readers, you might find this glimpse into the writer's life quite interesting.

5.  I came across a blogger called, "Plucky," who gave 3 Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe This Winter.

Writers:  Which writing link did you find most helpful? Please share.

Readers:  What are some of the steps you take to keep your home safe during the winter? I recently purchased new smoke/carbon dioxide alarms for my home. My smoke alarms were very old and required constant vigilance to make sure the batteries were working. I didn't have any carbon dioxide alarms.

Photo Credit:  Fastfood

Incorrect Phrases/Powerful Antagonist/Victory/Devotional/Valentine's Day

1.  Zoe M. McCarthy talks about Incorrect Construction of Common Phrases. This was a fun read. I discovered a few that I've been using wrong.

2.  Having a powerful antagonist in your story is key to challenging your main characters no matter what the genre. Lisa Hall-Wilson gives 9 Tips For a Powerful Antagonist.

3.  Breaking Christian News reports on a victory for several Christian Ministries after a 4-Year Legal Battle regarding abortion.

4.  I've gotten into the habit of going to bed too late. Then I have trouble getting up at 5:00 AM and hit the snooze button: once, twice, ugh - three times. When I saw this article, "Escaping the Power of the Snooze Button," I had to read it. Yeah, it hit me right where I live.

5.  Valentine's Day is around the corner. I saw these cookies on FB and had to share them. Here's the tutorial.

Writers: Which common phrase tripped you up?

Readers:  When reading a book, how important is a strong antagonist to you? Please share.

Photo Credit:  Piotr Koczab