Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘publisher’

What Should I Do Before I Hire an Editor to Review My Manuscript?

The question is answered by Teresa LeYung Ryan–Book Doctor/Manuscript Consultant, Career Coach, Author

Nina Amir, creator of Write Nonfiction in November http://writenonfictioninnovember.com/ had invited me to be her guest-blogger in 2008, to help answer that question.  My advice for narrative non-fiction writers is the same for fiction writers.

“How to Look at Your Manuscript with an Editor’s Lens”

Since writing a story with the intent to engage the reader is so much like meeting a stranger and wanting him/her to be interested in you, I will focus on how to make the first quarter of your story a compelling read.

I love working with diligent writers who want to transform their manuscripts into page-turners. However, there are things you can do before you give your work to an editor. Let me show you how you can help yourself.

As an editor, the four biggest mistakes I encounter are manuscripts that are weak in these elements:

• Planting hook(s) or story-question(s);
• Grounding the reader with the three Ws (Who?  When?  Where?);
• Showing (not telling) what the protagonist wants;
• Paying attention to language and rules

Let’s learn from the pros.

Planting Hook or Story-Question:

In The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, Maxine Hong Kingston hooks us with the first line: “You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you…”   Then, Ms. Kingston transitions into her story with:  “Whenever she had to warn us about life, my mother told stories that ran like this one . . .”

Grounding the Reader with the Three Ws:

In Woven of Water, while the story timeline spans from 1957 to 2005, Californian author Luisa Adams brilliantly shows us who she was as a girl (not with a year-by-year narrative, but with a single exquisite chapter).  Because she grounded us with “who, when, where,” we eagerly follow as she takes us into her enchanted world of a “cottage in the forest.”  Another device to ground the reader is the employment of sensory details (not long descriptions).  Sensory details put the reader in the scene/story world.  Re-read one of your favorite author’s books. Study from the masters.

Showing What the Protagonist Wants:

In The Other Mother, young Carol Schaefer wants to ask questions:  “Was there any way to keep my baby?  Was there anyone who would help me find a way to do that?”

Paying Attention to Language and Rules:

Read the first five pages of Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt and you will see how this wordsmith plays with language and rules. (You can “bend” the rules to create flow, but you must not ignore them.)

Sentences Deserve Your Attention:

Nina Amir’s post on her blog  http://writenonfictioninnovember.wordpress.com/2007/11/ is a must-read.

Remember Groucho Marx’s line “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas…”? That sentence got a lot of laughs.  But, what if you didn’t want to be funny (ambiguous in this case)?

How would you rewrite these poorly constructed sentences?

• He likes to fish near the Farallon Islands and they jump when they’re hungry at dawn or dusk.
• She insists on knowing when I come home and leave, not to be nosy, but for safety reasons.
• Being cautious as not to step on the dog’s tail, the children tip-toed away from him while sleeping.
• My husband still in bed snoring, I have always enjoyed rising before dawn and I eat my toast and drink my green tea on the terrace.

To improve your sentence structure and other skills, I recommend these books:

• The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
• Woe is I: Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. O’Conner

More Advice:

• In all four stories (The Woman Warrior, Woven of Water, The Other Mother, Angela’s Ashes), the authors present memorable experiences by employing authentic details, unusual story-worlds though real, and poetic language. You want to do the same for your story.
• Also, these stories have another vital component-all four plotlines have what Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots, Pure and Simple, calls “Cause and Effect” linked scenes.  Another must-read blog:  http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/search?q=first+quarter
• When you’re writing non-fiction and do not have the luxury of rearranging the sequence of events to create a page-turning plotline, you can engage the reader by using concise expositions to leap over blocks of time in order to focus on the core themes and fast-forward the story. A helpful website: http://www.memoriesandmemoirs.com
• You the author must show the reader what the protagonist wants, even if the protagonist doesn’t know at first.
• We don’t have to “like” a protagonist, but, we do need to connect with him/her on an emotional level.

In the fiercely competitive arena of the publishing world, how does one stand out in a crowd?  Building relationships is one key to success in this business. Another key is to know how to translate the themes from your life to your writing and articulate those themes as community concerns.  I want to see all hardworking writers realize their dreams. My best wishes to you!

Do you know a writer who wants to go to a writers’ conference but can’t afford it? Encourage her/him to ask family and friends to chip in (what better Christmas gift or birthday gift!).

For non-fiction authors: Writing for Change Conference http://www.sfwritingforchange.org/

For both fiction and non-fiction authors:  San Francisco Writers Conference http://sfwriters.org

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Book Doctor/Manuscript Consultant, Career Coach, Author, Publisher

Coach Teresa edits manuscripts for authors who want to attract agents  & publishers  OR  want to be their own publishers. She specializes in contemporary novels, thrillers, children’s & YA novels, memoirs, short stories, and anthologies. She likes spunky protagonists.

Love Made of Heart is:
• recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association

• read by students at Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, CCSF, and many other colleges and high schools.

• used in Advanced Composition English-as-a-Second-Language classes
• archived at the San Francisco History Center

GraceArt Publishing is the publisher of Build My Name, Beat the Game: 22 Days to Identify & Develop My Writer’s Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention.

Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”  

To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”  Please click here for my blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

A Week of Wearing 3 Hats – Writing Career Coach – Author -  Publisher

As Writing Career Coach

I presented “Build My Name, Beat the Game” to delightful writers at the Redwood Writers Conference.  Writers in my session, please scroll down until you see my post/column entitled “Redwood Writers Conference Pure Joy” and follow instructions please to build your names.

There’s post-conference work for me.  I’ll email colleagues and follow up on our conversations; I’ll email writers in my session some coaching notes; I’ll pitch my workshop to other organizations.

Do you know a non-fiction writer who wants to go to a writers’  conference but can’t afford it? Encourage her/him to ask family and  friends to chip in (what better Christmas gift or birthday gift!).   Check out Writing for Change Conference.

As Author

I’m writing down “gems” as they pop into my head.  Gems in the form of dialogue, metaphors, descriptions, hooks, and story-questions.

I had a chance to chat with Martha Engber at the Redwood Writers Conference and read the jacket copy of her novel  The Wind Thief.  I started reading it when I got home Saturday night and have been reading a little everyday.  What lovely prose and sensory details! What a gifted writer.  Tanya Egan Gibson is another gifted writer; I’m also reading her novel How to Buy a Love of Reading. My reading well-written books can only make me a better writer.

As Publisher

I’m updating Build My Name, Beat the Game: 22 Days to Identify & Develop My Writer’s Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention so that I can take the next step in publishing the next edition–and that is letting Nancy Mulvany create the index.

This evening I attended a Business and Leadership program at the Commonwealth Club on “iPad Revolution and the Future of Digital Magazines” with Matthew Davis of Zinio and Matt Carlson of Hot Studio, two pioneers in this emerging field.  Kevin O’Malley, President, TechTalk/Studio was Moderator (Thank you, Kevin, for inviting me.  The program was enlightening).

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”  

To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”  Please click here http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ for Home Page of my blog.

Thank you Everyone for being there.  If you had filled out an evaluation form from my session, you’ll be receiving additional coaching notes from me about building your writer’s name.

Right now, please click on the blue title-bar of this post/column to get the comment boxes so that you can tell the world what your mission statement is (how you help a particular group of people with the themes/subject matters/issues in your literary work). Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, building your name is a breeze when you have your mission statement.   Here are examples . . .

* * * * * * * * *

(as fiction and narrative non-fiction writer)

I,Teresa LeYung Ryan, use my novel Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their families suffer. My motto: Through my writing, I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

* * * * * * * * *

(as prescriptive/”how to” non-fiction writer)

I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, help writers create their mission statements with my workbook Build My Name, Beat the Game: 22 Days to Identify & Develop My Writer’s Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I say: Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.

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After you fill in the boxes, copy your message (so that you’ll have your composition for your own websites/blogs/email signature blocks), then click the “submit” button in my blog post.  You must fill in the box for “email address” in order to submit comments to any blogs. After you press the “submit” button, your comment will be routed to my blog’s administrator for approval.  You will see your comment “published” on my blog in a day or so, sometimes sooner.

Also try this, to see how the Internet works.  In the Google search box, key in part of a phrase you wrote in your comment and your name (if you included your name in your comment); press Google search key.  Look how fast your entry can be found.

To get a free blog (no hosting fees), go to www.wordpress.com.  If you’d like to watch a video to see how to get a free blog and how to navigate, go here: http://wordpresscentral.org/ Linda Lee of http://askmepc.com/ created the tutorials.

How was the pre-conference poetry evening? How was the conference?  Redwood Writers Conference was pure joy! I’ll be posting photos and more links during the week.

I cheer for all writers who want to touch lives with their words.

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Author / Writing Career Coach / Publisher

As a writing career coach and editor, I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, help writers identify themes, issues, and archetypes in their manuscripts and choose the right publishing routes.

To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”  Please click here for other posts in my blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Hello Berkeley Branch Members & Friends!

Thank you Everyone for being there today.  If you had filled out an evaluation form, you’ll be receiving additional coaching notes from me about building your writer’s name.

Right now, click on the blue title-bar of this post/column to get the comment boxes so that you can tell the world what the themes are in your literary work.

* * * * * * * * *

Example:

(as fiction writer) I am Teresa LeYung Ryan and I use my novel Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their families suffer. My motto: “Through my writing, I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

* * * * * * * * *

Example:

(as non-fiction writer) I am Teresa LeYung Ryan and I help writers with my workbook Build My Name, Beat the Game: 22 Days to Identify & Develop My Writer’s Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I say: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”

* * * * * * * * *

After you fill in the boxes, copy your message (so that you’ll have your composition for your own websites/blogs/email signature blocks), then click the “submit” button in my blog post.  You must fill in the box for “email address” in order to submit comments to any blogs. After you press the “submit” button, your comment will be routed to blog’s administrator.  You will see your comment “published” on my blog in a day or so, sometimes sooner.

Also try this, to see how the Internet works.  In the Google search box, key in part of a phrase you wrote in your comment and your name (if you included your name in your comment); press Google search key.  Look how fast your entry can be found.

To get a free blog (no hosting fees), go to www.wordpress.com.  If you’d like to watch a video to see how to get a free blog and how to navigate, go here: http://wordpresscentral.org/ Linda Lee of http://askmepc.com/ created the tutorials.

I Cheer for Writers at California Writers Club October 17, 2010!  Happy California Writers Week (third week of October)!

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Author / Writing Career Coach / Publisher

As a writing career coach and editor, I, Teresa LeYung Ryan help writers identify themes, issues, and archetypes in their manuscripts, and choose the right publishing routes.

To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.”  Please click here for other posts in my blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

photo by Joe Jackson: Celebrating California Writers Week, Don Hudson, Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan, Lloyd Lofthouse, Jerry Mahoney, Alon Shalev hold up California Writers Club's banner at Oakland Public Library after meeting and presentations

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The Jennifer Joseph, Publisher, Manic D Press Books

I met Jennifer Joseph at a writers’ conference many years ago and throughout these years whenever someone asks: “Who should we include on a panel of experts in the publishing industry?” I would reply: “Invite the owner of Manic D Press–Jennifer Joseph.  Great energy.  Savvy.  She cares about her authors’ careers.”

Manic D Press is an award-winning literary press based in San Francisco, California publishing fiction, poetry, pop culture, music, art, narrative-oriented comix, and alternative travel books,  representing a diverse group of unique writers and artists,

When I was president for California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch 2005-2006, I wanted to give our members a program of publishing experts at the June 2006 meeting–my last meeting as president.  That day, I learned from Jennifer Joseph why publishers usually don’t print large quantities of any particular book, and, why publishers “remainder” books (sell a book at a low low price) even when they’ve been only recently published.  Here’s the answer:  Books are inventory; inventory gets taxed.  To have unsold books sitting in warehouses cost money to the publishers.

Last week, at the publishing panel sponsored by Women’s National Book Association at San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch, I learned from Jennifer Joseph to take advantage of the facebook phenomenon.  I love writing blog posts to help writers build their names/platforms; Jennifer recommends my using facebook to broadcast new posts.

Also, I learned that she publishes poetry books.  On the Manic D Press postcard are thumbnail-size images of 20 book covers with their titles, authors’ names, genres, ISBNs and cover prices; 5 of them are poetry/essays.

Please visit the online Manic D store  http://manicdpress.com

On her website, Jennifer says: “If there’s a Manic D book that’s not here and you want it, send an email, okay? Thanks for everything (and especially for reading our books).”

Writers who want to see submission guidelines, go to:  http://manicdpress.com and scroll to the bottom of the page  OR click here: http://manicdpress.com/submissions.html

http://www.facebook.com/manicd

http://twitter.com/manicdpress

Awards presented to Manic D Press include 2000 American Library Association Stonewall Award for Literature; 1997 Firecracker Alternative Book Award for Art; 2002 and 2000 Firecracker Alternative Book Awards for Fiction; 1998 American Institute of Graphic Arts juried traveling exhibition 50 Books, 50 Covers; Sept/Oct 2003 + March/April 2004 Booksense 76 lists; SF Bay Guardian’s 2004 Best of the Bay: ‘Best Quintessentially San Franciscan Publisher’, Publishing Triangle’s 2007 Thom Gunn Award for Poetry + 2008 Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction; SF Weekly’s “Best of San Francisco 2008″; 2009 and 2010 Lambda Literary Transgender Awards.

Thank you, Jennifer Joseph, for being a hard-working publisher who enjoys sharing your insight with the writing-and-reading community!

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

More September Birthdays in My Literary Community

Dear Writers,

Eight years ago when my novel Love Made of Heart was about to “hit the streets,” my publisher (Kensington in New York) had purchased front-store-shelf -space at Borders and Barnes & Noble;  Nancy Suib & Anne Shulenberger, the independent sales reps for Kensington, had recommended my novel to their accounts/independent bookstores.

An author is lucky to get shelf-space (and to be “face out” so that customers would see the book cover), but, because new releases from publishers arrive every day, those precious high-visibility shelf-spaces usually cannot be reserved for one particular book for more than what is paid for by the publisher.

And, even if a new book gets into a bookstore, how do customers know about it?   One way is for the author to appear at the bookstore.  But, bookstore appearance aren’t easy to land because, as I said before, new releases from publishers arrive every day.

Two booksellers gave me my first break.  Kate Kelley from Books Inc. on Chestnut Street in San Francisco and Luan Stauss, owner of Laurel Book Store.

Luan says in her wonderful e-newsletter this week:

“Nine years ago, on September 15, 2001 the Laurel Book Store opened the doors for the first time.  And yes, it really has been that long. Babies then are now reading. 10 year olds then are now in college. Some of the college students then are now parents. While a whole swath of us haven’t aged a bit.
It’s been quite a ride and I’m planning for bigger and better things for the future.  We’re trying hard to roll with the economic punches and it’s made better by all of you who have been here supporting us all this time.  And by all the great books that come out each year making it tough to decide what to sell!
Rather than have a party this year, which by the way is the pottery year, we’re going to start planning for the 10 year anniversary. But do come by for a cookie, wish us well, and tell us what you’re reading!
Happy reading, and thank you for 9 years worth of your support.” Luan

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oakland-CA/Laurel-Bookstore/137434275283

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, a new member of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter, celebrates her birthday. Leigh Anne writes novels,  including  Futuristic and Suspense-Thrillers.  WNBA is lucky to have her in our chapter–she attended our September board meeting, assisted the board members at our Sept. 12 publishing panel at the SF Public Library, and, with Kate Britton (VP of SF Chapter) will represent WNBA at the Redwood Writers Conference on Oct. 30, 2010.

Also, Leigh Anne is a Member of & Social Media Wizard for the Redwood Writers – the second largest branch of the California Writers Club; she’ s a member of San Francisco Writers Community

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To Writers,

Keep writing, keep networking, keep building your name/platform, keep learning about the industry through the experts (including published authors, bookseller, librarians, teachers, literary agents, acquisition editors and folks in publishing houses, members in writers’ organizations, and folks in their circles of influence).  Celebrate being a writer!

Hope to see you at October 2010 events!

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Here’s a tip from me—Writing Career Coach Teresa… One way to build your name/platform is to write book reviews.  Who reads book reviews?  Book buyers, book sellers, teachers, librarians, agents, publishers, sales reps, wholesalers, distributors, and of course your fans/readers.

My clients ask me:  “How do I write book reviews on Amazon to build my name/platform?”

To write a review for a book listed on Amazon.com:
After you get to the Amazon-page dedicated to the book, scroll down and look for the rectangular button: Create your own review
You’ll be asked to sign-in. If you don’t want an account at Amazon, then, you can’t write reviews on Amazon.
After you sign-in, you’ll be asked:
Are you over 13?
Then, you’re asked: “How do you rate this item?” 1 to 5 stars

Example: I studied Christy Pinheiro’s & Nick Russell’s book The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! Start Your Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon

I rated Christy Pinheiro’s & Nick Russell’s book 5-stars
The title of the review I used: Most Helpful Guide on Self-Publishing
My review:
“Thank you, Christy Pinheiro & Nick Russell, for helping me through my self-publishing journey with your wonderful ‘page-turning’ guide on how to succeed in the Amazon CreateSpace program. Your tips, especially on identifying a publisher’s name and your interviews with other experts, were all priceless.” Teresa LeYung Ryan, writing-career coach, author of Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
Tags: self-publishing, amazon createspace, christy pinheiro, nick russell, step by step guide, book publishing, print on demand

Here’s the link to all the book reviews I’ve written on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2N7SSE36ACHMR/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author & writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing

Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Hello, Everyone,

I have exciting news.  Today I registered my own publishing company – GraceArt Publishing.  I thank my dear mastermind buddies who have encouraged me these past two years to re-invent myself again.  Thank you, author Luisa Adams, for coming up with “GraceArt.”  Thank you, plot consultant, author & publisher Martha Alderson, for trail-blazing.

I’m proud to be a publisher. I can better support bookstores, booksellers, schools, libraries, and the entire book community now.

Since January 2010 I have been updating my 22-minutes for 22 days workbook to help authors build their names/platforms to attract agents, acquisition editors and publishers. Printing and shipping my workbook have been time-consuming and costly.  After reading The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! Start a Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon, I have decided to use the CreateSpace program for my workbook.

Now I am not only the author but also the publisher and owner of the ISBN (the book’s I.D. number); Amazon will print-on-demand, produce the e-book version of my workbook, distribute, and fulfill orders.  As the publisher, I will continue to promote my book; also I can update it as often as I want.

So, I have changed the title of my workbook from Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published to:  Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I like “Build Your Name, Beat the Game ” though (love the rhyme–thank you Elisa Southard); I can use it as my workshop title.

May the force be with you, Writers & Publishers!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com