Poem a day in April
Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Writing and Poetry

I’ve issued a challenge to myself and to all able-minded (and unable-minded) poets to write a poem a day through the month of April at my Poetic Asides blog (http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides).

If you’re down, show up tomorrow morning and start the month on the right foot--the poetic one. I’ll be providing a prompt each day to keep those creative juices flowing. And remember, we’re just going for first drafts here. Revision can happen in May. :)

Best,

Robert

Currently listening : The #1's (Eco-Friendly Packaging) By Diana Ross & The Supremes Release date: 03 February, 2004

10:44 AM - 3 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Will you be my valentine?
Current mood: loved
Category: Writing and Poetry

I've got a little something-something up for Valentine's Day at the Poetic Asides blog (http://www.writersdigest.com/poeticasides).

Whether you love or hate Valentine's Day, I wish you a happy one!

Best,

Robert

Currently listening : Billy Idol - Greatest Hits By Billy Idol Release date: 27 March, 2001

3:14 PM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Please don’t...
Current mood: animated
Category: Writing and Poetry

...ever, ever, ever, ever begin your queries and/or cover letters with: Dear Gentlemen.

You would think in the 21st "hyper-PC" century that such a "tip" would not be needed for writers submitting their work. But I still get at least one email or letter in the mail a month that starts off this way. And no, you cannot fix it by changing your opening to: Dear Ladies.

When you don't know the name or gender of your editor, just start the query or cover letter with: Dear Editor.

It's as simple as that.

Currently listening : Girls Can Tell By Spoon Release date: 20 February, 2001

6:45 AM - 16 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Take Advantage of the Cold
Current mood: cold
Category: Writing and Poetry

Extreme cold temperatures have been gripping most of the continental U.S. this past weekend. I hope everyone has taken advantage of the cold as an excuse to snuggle up next to their manuscripts, query letters and book proposals.

You can play outside when it warms up, but now is the perfect time to make some progress with your writing and submitting efforts. So get at it!

Best,

Robert

Currently listening : Sounds Of Summer - The Very Best Of The Beach Boys By The Beach Boys Release date: 10 June, 2003

5:04 AM - 8 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

Resolution Time
Current mood: breezy
Category: Writing and Poetry

That's right. It's time to make those writing resolutions. Write them out and post them somewhere prominent so that you'll have to face them and think about them everyday. Mine?

* Work more on the revision part of my poetry craft

* Increase submission frequency

* Post to my Poetic Asides blog more regularly (maybe include some interviews with poets)

* Pitch an article or two each month

* Finish that G.A.N. (Great American Novel)

So, it's highly likely I won't accomplish all these goals, and I may even come up short on all of them, but that's why there's a New Year every 365 days--except in a leap year (like the upcoming 2008) when you get a whole extra day to try and accomplish your goals.

If you want, share yours in the comments below.

Happy New Year!

Robert

Currently listening : Cars - Complete Greatest Hits By The Cars Release date: 19 February, 2002

11:35 AM - 11 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Check it out...
Current mood: happy
Category: Writing and Poetry

Check out my Poetic Asides blog (with Nancy Breen) at www.writersdigest.com/poeticasides.

New poetic forms. Joseph Stalin. Graphic poetry (as in comics and poetry combined, not the other "graphic," though you never know). The Futility Review. And lots, lots (even super lots) more with updates nearly daily (in fact, often multiple updates per day).

If you're at all interested in poetry, go ahead and check it out at www.writersdigest.com/poeticasides.

And have a great weekend!

Robert

5:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Update! Chronicle Books Changes Course on POD Referral Program
Current mood: confused
Category: Writing and Poetry

Earlier this week, we reported that Chronicle Books was planning to team up with POD publisher Blurb.com as part of a referral program that would kick back money to Chronicle Books for sending rejected authors to the self-publishing company. Since the story broke, however, Sarah Williams at Chronicle Books reports, "Chronicle Books will not receive a referral fee for recommending Blurb.com to aspiring authors or artists." 

While part of me is happy at this news, because I was troubled by the Newsweek story, there's another part of me wondering how close the deal was to becoming reality and if the public outcry of writers (and possibly editors) helped bring this change of direction. In the original article, there appears to be no doubt that this was going to be a program that would financially benefit both sides.

But then again, who cares as long as there's no longer that financial conflict of interest that could damage unassuming writers careers. Of course, it should still be noted that writers should not mistake a "non-kickback" referral to Blurb.com as a future sale to Chronicle Books--a trap that some unexperienced writers may still fall prey to.

Currently listening : In It for the Money (Limited 2-disc Edition) +9 bonus tracks By Supergrass Release date: 11 November, 1997

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Mainstream Publisher Receives Kick Backs for Referrals
Current mood: crushed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Chronicle Books has announced it will begin a new "mutual referral" program with POD publisher Blurb where Chronicle will receive "an undisclosed cut of the earnings generated" from rejected authors.

To read the original article on Newsweek, go to: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20895716/site/newsweek/?nav=slate?from=rss

While the program figures to be a win-win for Chronicle Books and Blurb from a business point-of-view, this sounds to me a lot like the sketchy "mutual referral" programs that we vigilantly attempt to keep out of Writer's Market. Usually, such operations prey on unsuspecting writers by either referring them to a self-publishing company, a fee-charging literary agent, and/or a pricey editing service.

No doubt, Blurb has a good reputation as a POD publisher, and Chronicle Books publishes great titles. However, I wonder if it's possible to have such a relationship without their being a conflict of interest--especially if this turns into a cash cow for both companies.

And now, how do I provide the legitimate publishing opportunity of Chronicle Books while still protecting the unexperienced writers who typically fall for this kind of referral program? As Poet's Market editor Nancy Breen asked, "Will reading fees for unsolicited submissions be next?"

This event definitely raises many questions to be sorted through.

11:03 AM - 9 Comments - 13 Kudos - Add Comment

Make Up a Word Contest!
Current mood: busy
Category: Writing and Poetry

There's a word creation contest going on over at Writer Unboxed:

http://writerunboxed.com/2007/09/04/writer-unboxeds-contest-contest

The contest is free and runs through September 14th at midnight (EST).

And the prize?!?

A full set of the newly released 2008 Market Book titles: Writer's Market, Poet's Market, Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market and Guide to Literary Agents.

After entering the contest (or as you brainstorm an entry), check out the interviews on the site, including recent ones with Chuck Sambuchino (editor of Guide to Literary Agents) and Alice Pope (editor of CWIM). And you'll probably notice that one is coming up soon with myself.

*****

Also, if you're in a really procrastinatory mood, be sure to check out my blog with Poet's Market editor Nancy Breen at http://www.writersdigest.com/poeticasides. We're usually up to something fun and/or informative.

Until later,

Robert Lee Brewer
Editor
Writer's Market
www.WritersMarket.com

8:58 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

WritersMarket.com Has Been Upgraded
Current mood: excited
Category: Writing and Poetry

WritersMarket.com received an upgrade yesterday to improve many functions on the site--from searching to saving subscriber's logins--making it easier than ever to use to find the market listings that will help writers get published and get paid for their writing.

WritersMarket.com experienced a blackout period yesterday of 12 hours as the updates to the site took hold, and now it's up and running at full speed.

To check out all the changes, be sure to go to http://www.writersmarket.com.

*****

In other news, I'm currently reading the final Harry Potter title, and have been experiencing a sort of sorrow as I read--perhaps, because I know that I'm now only about 560 pages from the conclusion of the entire story. Anyone else experiencing side effects from reading the final Potter? Or am I just crazy? (Probably shouldn't ask that in public, huh?)

*****

Also, my Poetic Asides blog with Nancy Breen has recently taken on the haiku in a couple posts. If you're interested in haiku or just poetry in general, go check it out at http://www.writersdigest.com/poeticasides.

6:31 AM - 3 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment