Editor: Susan M. Tierney

Paperback: 744 pages (also available in Kindle and Audio format)

Publisher: Writers Institute Publications (January 15, 2011)

Review:

This book is divided into five sections: consumer magazines, trade magazines, regional magazines, start-up magazines, contests and awards. Like the similiar book Writer’s Market, The Best of the Magazine Markets for Writers provides all the info you need: description, submission instructions, how to get guidelines/sample copy, rights and payments, and comments from the editor. My book is full of Post-It notes. No, it didn’t come with sticky notes…but it should! Each time I find a promising market I mark the page with a sticky note and my copy is positively bristling with white, blue and gold notes marking pages. You would think Writer’s Market, the writer’s Bible, would be enough for any writer! But I found some markets in this book that weren’t mentioned in WM. And I live by the mantra, “The more possibilities, the better.” Now it’s time to get my queries out there.

What did I find? Markets ranging from Catholic mags to history mags to service groups to military that were looking for articles on everything from health to parenting to business advice to history to humorous personal essays. Well, here is a sampling of the new markets(new for me at least):

• America
• American History
• American Legion
• Aviation History
• Elks Magazine
• Funny Times
• Going Bonkers
• Green Prints
• Home Business
• Lighthouse Digest

Of course, as with any annual print book, some of the info–especially editor’s names–could be out-of-date by now. So, I’ll double check the markets I’ve found with online sources. But it is a good starting point. And if you don’t mind being REALLY out-of-date the 2011 copy is on sale for about 1/3 of the regular price as we enjoy the last few months of the year.

In case you’re wondering…I bought this book myself. It wasn’t a gift of the editor or the publisher.

Not only was Josh Berk the author of one YA mystery, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, and in the process of writing another one for release in 2012 but he seemed perfectly willing to answer any question we asked. Truthfully, the questions were a little slow coming at first since we were star struck by the idea of having this type of author in our midst. We have speakers each month and have had authors before but I’m pretty sure Josh was our first “published by Alfred A. Knopf which by the way is a New York publisher” as our guest. It’s tough to lure New York published authors to our group for several reasons:

1. We’re located in a small, small, small town–not home to many authors.
2. We’re not even in close proximity to a city full of authors we could convince to visit our town.
3. None of our members have a circle of author friends they could convince to come visit us.
4. Our speaker’s fee is small.

So the people who book our speakers(not me)have creatively found speakers close to home. Recently, we had a cop come speak to us about police procedure which was really fascinating for those of us interested in mystery writing. We’ve had copywriters, travel writers, magazine article writers, self-published authors, poets, and more. But now we had someone who had made it to a New York publishing house book contract, something many of us aspire to.

Photo by Olaf Starorypinski

Remember it’s only one person’s opinion.

That agent, editor, critic, reviewer…whoever it is and whatever they say, even though it may feel like a pronouncement from the “publishing industry” really it’s just one person’s opinion.

See. it’s all POV!

See, it’s all POV.

I can’t blame the book store owner only. She’s young, she’s new to the business, she needed someone(me!) to prod her along.

So here are my mistakes–hopefully you can learn from them. I know I did.

1. Multiple Authors — Because there were three other authors featured that day I thought I could benefit from people coming in for their books and liking mine also. Like me, they didn’t draw any customers in or, I suspect, do any advertising.

2. Advertising — I didn’t do any other than a mention on my Facebook page a couple of weeks before the event. I should have been mentioning it in the days leading up to the event as well as sending a release to my local paper.

3. Advertising Part II — I didn’t ask the bookstore owner what she was doing to advertise the event. I didn’t suggest that she send a release to her local papers, mention it on the store’s Facebook or hang a sign in the window.

The only thing I did do right was offer to hold a trivia contest(my book is about trivia)and offer my book as a prize, thinking the possibility of winning a free book might draw in people who would ultimately pay for the book. Perhaps it would have worked if anyone had known about the contest.

On the upside I did meet one woman who told me about another woman that led to two small writing jobs. The silver lining I suppose.

So what’s the moral of this story?

Getting the venue to agree to host an event isn’t the end of your job. You’ve got to get your butt(literally and virtually)out there making sure people in your network know about the event and the bookstore owner is telling people in their network.

Get out your bullhorn! You don’t want a sequel of Book Signing: The Disaster.

Lots of our articles can be refashioned for children’s publications but most of us don’t even bother.(OK, I don’t know about all of us. Me. I don’t bother.)

Let’s look at an article I’ll be working on in a few weeks. I’m going to the National Zoo and decided to help pay for the trip with an article or two. I’ve already sold one to a grandparents magazine on tips for a great zoo trip.

As my son and I were reading a short item in our local paper written for adults but enjoyed by my son just the same, I realized that my zoo trip could be a wealth of material for children’s articles: about animals, about zoo keepers jobs, about riding a camel(checked-they don’t have camel rides), about how zoo animals celebrate their birthdays(involves lots of peanut butter or fruit frozen in “Ice cakes” depending on the animal). So during our trip I’ll be on the hunt for ideas, snapping photos, and talking with zoo keepers.

Why don’t we do this more often? Almost any interesting person you’ve interviewed could also be a feature for a children’s magazine, especially if they have a “cool” job. You can also adjust craft projects, news items, unusual charities, history.

If you’re going to to start looking at your articles through KID glasses here are a few markets to check out. One thing, most require a fully written article which is easier to accept if you’re already writing and getting paid for an adult market article on the same topic. And you absolutely, positively need photos!

Highlights Magazine

Cobblestone and Cricket

American Girl

Don't Miss the Review of Ann Whitford Paul's book on Friday!

I’m glad I had the talk when I did because this Saturday I’m going to the Write Stuff Writer’s Conference in Allentown, PA complete with pitch sessions. I’ll be pitching my novel and maybe this boost of confidence I got from my Blog Tour Talk will make it easier for me to talk to an agent. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Most of us aren’t crazy about talking in public. Didn’t I once read that more people are afraid of public speaking than are afraid of dying? There was a time(long, long ago)when authors didn’t have to talk. They just wrote. Not so anymore. If you want to be successful you’ll have to talk. Whether it be convincing an agent to take you on, chatting at a book signing or conducting a workshop at a writer’s conference. So it’s time to start practicing now! Surely you have something you could talk about at your local writer’s group?

I wish I could give you some surefire tips. I don’t do the audience in the underwear tip. Here are my meager tips. Hope they work:

1. Water – Once I got on a roll because the audience asked A LOT of questions. My throat got dry and then I started coughing. Now I always bring a bottle of water.

2. Props – For me it’s usually books or magazines that have to do with the subject I’m talking about. But handouts also work well. What do they do? First, they give people something to look at if they arrive early. Second, they give you something to do with your hands during the talk so you don’t have that voice in the back of your head yelling, “What should I do with my hands?” Hey, the voice thinks about weird things during talks, what can I say? Lastly, the props can help keep you from wandering off on a tangent.

3. Smiles – I’m one of those people prone to staring at the floor instead of at people’s faces. But make yourself look at people and smile while you talk.

4. Questions – Sometimes it gets lonely up there on the podium. So try to get the audience to interact by asking questions and at the end say, “Does anyone have any questions?” You have to ask because sometimes they aren’t sure you’re “done” so they don’t say anything. Of course then the voice in your head(he is a troublemaker) says, “AH! No one’s talking. You have to talk.” So you talk. And the audience thinks you aren’t done so they don’t ask any questions. And trust me, people always have questions.

Sara Hodon and me being interviewed about writer's conference for Republican Herald staff photo by Steve Pytak

1. Don’t Make Things Up — Some would call this lying but most of the times it’s “OMG I’m so nervous and if I don’t answer I’ll look like an idiot so I’ll just say anything” Syndrome. Practice saying this, “What an interesting question. Can I think about that one and get back to you?” Often at the end of an interview, when you’re feeling calmer the answer comes to you. If it’s a specific fact(numbers and dates often evade our memories) simply tell them you have to check. It’s great to throw this on someone else. “I have to check with my agent/publisher/records.”

2. Interviews Are Not Conversations — If the interviewer is good you feel comfortable, you want to share, you want to chat. But never lose sight of the fact that, although it feels like just the two of you talking, it isn’t. It’s you, the interviewer, and everyone who ever reads the article. In a recent interview for my writer group’s first writers conference we somehow blurted out that only six people had signed up. Six! If you read about a writers conference that only had six people attending would you want to go? Thankfully, the journalist left that little tidbit out of the article. So keep asking yourself: is this a good thing for the world to know?(More people did sign up after the article!)

3. No Shoehorning — Sometimes you have something you really want to say. But they don’t ask the question. So in desperation at the end of the interview you just throw the information in some answer even thought the question has nothing to do with the information you’re shoehorning in. Some journalists will pull out that disjointed info and create a new question to match it. Others just leave it and you sound a bit wandering. Try saying, “I wish you had asked me…” And then give them that info you’re dying to share.

4. Don’t Answer Every Question — It begins to feel like school. If they ask the question you have to at least give it a shot. You don’t. In email interviews just leave the question blank. For live interviews learn to deflect questions when you don’t have anything worthwhile to say or it’ll distract from your purpose for the interview(selling a book, publicizing a class, etc.). Just Say No.

5. Be Prompt — We’re all busy. But the faster you get back to an interviewer with a yes or a no to an interview the less likely they are to replace you with another subject. And you don’t want to miss out on all that free publicity, do you?

But I think I’ve finally solved the problem. I printed it out. Yup, the WHOLE thing. Of course in “I need my glasses” 8 pt print. And it has become my constant companion. To the bedroom to fold clothes, to the kitchen to eat lunch, to sit on the floor next to the computer while I work. I never have a chance to forget it since it’s always staring me in the face. The guilt has done wonders for me! Whenever I have a few spare moments I pick it up(after all it’s RIGHT THERE)and edit a few more paragraphs. I could actually be done by my dad’s birthday. And no, I won’t tell you when that is!

Who knew a stack of paper could make you feel guilty and propel you to action? Guilt is a wonderful thing!

Conference Time--bring your own lawn chair!

I’m also heading for a conference in my own backyard(no, not literally although my backyard is big enough for one!). My writers group the Black Diamond Writers Network is hosting their first conference. Although I have not been a driving force behind it, I’ve played a small part. I have happily gone begging to every writer I know on some level for a copy of their book as a door prize. Two things to say on that:

1. Begging is much easier by email than in person.
2. Writers are incredibly generous people.

Now, on to the meat of today’s post. I still remember my first conference…four years ago. My friend Sara tugged me along with her and has been my conference buddy ever since. In memory of all the great times I had, everything I learned, and my daughter’s upcoming conference here are eight quick tips.

1. Bring a Bag – My first conference I brought a small purse. I didn’t know about the sample issues of magazines, workshop handouts, pens, notepads, bookmarks, and assorted other stuff that would be given away. So tuck a tote bag inside your purse or pocket so you can haul around your freebies all day.

2. Dress Like a Grown-Up – If you normally wear jeans(or jammies)to work, step it up for the conference. Especially if you’ll be pitching for an agent or editor throw on comfy but professional clothes. But watch the shoes. You’ll find yourself running from one end of the venue to another to workshops so wear shoes that are up to the challenges. Something less than stilettos and more than sneakers.

3. Find a Conference Buddy – As a shy person I found it easier to attend the same breakout sessions my friends did that first year. But truthfully, everyone talks to you at conferences so you never have to worry about sitting alone. So, if you attend one breakout session and your conference buddy attends the other, you can each get two copies of the handouts and share. It’s almost like attending both the sessions.

4. Friends are Everywhere – Don’t be intimidated when you walk into that breakout session alone. And don’t sit at an empty table! Head right for that table that’s half full. They’d love to have you! Chances are as soon as you sit down they’ll ask that inevitable question “What do you write?”

5. Introduce Your Dreams – A hundred times each day someone will ask you, “What do you write?” At the time of the conference I was getting paid to write for trade magazines. That’s what I told people. What I failed to understand was that the question was really “What do you dream about writing?” I could call myself a novelist even if I’d never actually published a novel. They wanted an update on my dream.

6. Don’t Miss Opportunities – Writing contests, agent meetings, special workshops…find out exactly what the conference is offering and take advantage of every opportunity. Your book isn’t 100% ready? Go to the agent meetings anyway. Some day it will be and this meeting will either give you an agent to submit to or give you practice pitching to agents. Science fiction contest and you don’t normally write science fiction? Write it! Do it all.

7. Bring Food – We’re not talking a hoagie stuffed into your tote bag but it never hurts to bring a granola bar. It can keep a tummy from growling during an agent pitch or tide you over if lunch is late—or you miss it.

8. Cheat Sheets – Networking is an important part of success. But it doesn’t work if you get home, spread out the dozens of business cards you collected, and have no idea who is who. Turn the business cards into cheat sheets by jotting down descriptions on the back of cards whenever possible. It’s important to remember that Joe Smith is the memoirist with red hair while Joe Samson with the beard is the professor from NYU who writes short story collections.

Share your knowledge with me…what’s your best tip for attending a writers conference?

Curious about my secret? Yoga? Organization? A great new writing book? A Marine-turned-writing-mentor? No to all those(although I am learning yoga with my daughters’ new Wii program—apparently I’m very centered. Who knew?).

Saturday was my monthly writing group. Writing is a solitary business and many times I prefer that. The silence. The mulling over words in my head. The working in my pajamas. But, even though I belong to several supportive virtual writers group, I eventually long for the company of other writers. Writers aren’t like other people. Let’s compare:

If you give them a page with two sentences on it, alike except for three words…

Nonwriters: Will wrinkle their brows and say, “They’re different?”

Writers: Will smile and say, “The second one is so much better.”

If you tell a funny story as you drink coffee…

Nonwriters: Will squirt coffee through their nose in appreciation.

Writers: Will squirt coffee through their nose in appreciation. Then, they will give you a list of markets and encourage you to submit it.

When you tell the group about your monthly progress…

Nonwriters: Will frown and say, “So you didn’t publish anything?”

Writers: Will jump up and down and scream, “You got a personalized rejection from The New Yorker?”

There’s no denying that we’re a different bird. And, that we need each other to survive. Until I started attending a writer’s group I never knew how much I needed one. They speak your language. They cheer your successes and console your failures.

But mostly because they are always there waiting for the next thing. What have you written since last month? What have you submitted? Did you work on that book proposal like you promised at the last meeting? Even if they never ask those questions the fact that they HAVE done something spurs you on to the next accomplishment. Listening to the monthly reader with one half of your brain you have a conversation with yourself with the other half. “Why haven’t you polished your opening? You could write something like this! She has four kids and a full-time job. What are you waiting for?”

Some writers feel that a writers group can’t offer them anything because the members are all newbies or don’t write in their genre. There are classes and other resources for networking and learning. A live writing group offers you something different—a friendly push.

What’s the most important thing your writers group has done for you?