Sunny Frazier's Posts - Authors.com2024-03-29T00:39:49ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazierhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1547974975?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.authors.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=0k31p96x5aatu&xn_auth=noWHY YOU GOT THAT REJECTION LETTERtag:www.authors.com,2015-10-20:3798404:BlogPost:1521322015-10-20T16:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">You've worked hard on your query. You followed all the “rules” you read in writing magazines. You've sweated blood to create a great opening, to get the synopsis down to a page. I'm the acquisitions editor who received this carefully constructed letter.</span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">To be honest, before I read your synopsis, I googled your…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">You've worked hard on your query. You followed all the “rules” you read in writing magazines. You've sweated blood to create a great opening, to get the synopsis down to a page. I'm the acquisitions editor who received this carefully constructed letter.</span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">To be honest, before I read your synopsis, I googled your name. Where is your website? I didn't see a blog. You're on Face Book—I'm not impressed. There was no activity indicating that you read and comment with the writing community. I'm not just evaluating your manuscript, I'm evaluating you. Are your ideas for success realistic? Are you dreaming of a NY Times bestseller listing? Do you hear Hollywood knocking on your door?</font></font></p>
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<p><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="3">I feel marketing and platform building starts the minute a writer decided to write a book. Yes, that early. Anyone aspiring to a career in publishing in the 21<sup>st</sup> century cannot be blind to all the posts and forums talking about branding. So, where is your voice?</font></span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">When I write and ask you about this void in your social marketing, you ask, “What am I suppose to market? You haven't published my book yet!” You market what you've got—your name. Name recognition is the first step toward building a platform. You make contacts, commenting on the blogs of others so people can see YOUR NAME. You add a bit about yourself so people can get to know the person behind the name. You blog at websites that give you your own page, like Book Town and Book Blogs. You “friend” others on the site, people who are readers, writers like you, industry people like me. You network and build connections.</font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I can understand when you tell me you don't know anything about marketing—that can be corrected. It's a learning process. But I tune you out when you tell me it's somebody else's job to market your book. You are the author, the artist, not a person who soils their hands with promotion.</font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Prima donnas need not apply. In this day of tough competition and stretched budgets, nobody gets to sit on the sidelines and wait for royalty checks. We all get out there and hustle. I would rather contract a good book with a strong marketer than a great book from an author who won't lift a finger to promote.</font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Don't undercut yourself by adding in your query, “I have macular degeneration, can't drive anymore, get around with a walker, have a phobia about flying and I'm computer illiterate. My dream is to have a book published before I die.” Why anyone would give full disclosure so early in the game is beyond me. What can I do except send a rejection?</font></font></p>
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<p>And finally, please don't try to sway me with a list of university accomplishments, lofty credits and literary aspirations. You read the guidelines on our website, right? We're looking for genre fiction. You know, the stuff average people want to read: a good mystery with a dead body on the second page; a romance where the boy always gets the girl; a Western where the good guys wear white hats and ultimately win the gunfight. Not highbrow, but immensely entertaining. Something we can sell.</p>
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<p>So, all I can do is write, “Thank you for your query letter, but I'm sorry we cannot publish your book at this time.”</p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">So, I got these two kittens a few months back. Ragamuffin is a torty; Rusty is orange and fluffy. They were rescued from a stray cat's litter.</p>
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<p>I'm trying hard not to be an over-protective mother. When Rusty, the clueless male, climbed up to the top of the tree, I had the crazy idea to send his much more sensible sister to fetch him down. She obeyed and went to the rescue like a St. Bernard.</p>
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<p>Which left me to wonder: when did I…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">So, I got these two kittens a few months back. Ragamuffin is a torty; Rusty is orange and fluffy. They were rescued from a stray cat's litter.</p>
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<p>I'm trying hard not to be an over-protective mother. When Rusty, the clueless male, climbed up to the top of the tree, I had the crazy idea to send his much more sensible sister to fetch him down. She obeyed and went to the rescue like a St. Bernard.</p>
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<p>Which left me to wonder: when did I acquire cat-logic? Was it after the fifth feline over the years or the fifteenth? It's not any sort of maternal instinct on my part; these little furballs are the ones born with instincts. I'm just trying to keep up.</p>
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<p>However, when you're around cats for an extensive amount of time (as many writers and crazy cat lovers are), they tend to brainwash us. Why else would I find myself typing between Gemini's legs as she languidly paces the desktop? Or turn on the desk lamp when I don't need it just to keep her warm? Lord knows SHE'S not paying the electric bill.</p>
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<p>I'm glad I live alone with these felines. I'm not prepared for unbrainwashed visitors to question my behavior when Rusty and Ragamuffin climb me like a jungle gym. I pluck off this living lint without even thinking about my actions. I'm sure it would appear strange to outsiders.</p>
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<p>This morning, I watched the two race around the house, stopping only to judo/wrestle each other. I quietly sipped my tea and listened to objects crash in other rooms. This is our normal routine. I am one with the catastrophes going on around me.</p>
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<p>I've already accepted the quirks of these kittens and I suppose they are accepting mine. Or, perhaps I'm being trained. The three older cats and have already helped me establish nighttime habits as sleeping is their priority. Gemini won't come to bed until after I have tea and before lights out. Kitler knows it's time to settle down to sleep when she hears the white noise machine. Petey Pie jumps off the foot of the bed in disgust when I suffer from insomnia. He finds my restlessness irritating.</p>
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<p>(Here comes the segue to the serious side of this blog. You knew it was coming, right?)</p>
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<p>I'm talking about a learning curve here. The craft of writing, like raising kittens, takes time to understand. Focusing and comprehending what people say in classrooms and critique groups can take years. There will be missteps and crashes as we blunder our way through the process. Writers must wrestle with their thoughts and emotions, then reproduce them in a tangible form on paper. We are not born with the instinct to write, but we do have an instinct to communicate.</p>
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<p>Just as I study my cats for clues to their behavior, writers need to study the industry and pay attention to how publishers operate. It does no good to yowl and complain. Publishing isn't going to adapt to you or your needs anytime soon. Like the aloof feline, it's their way or go away.</p>
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<p>When it comes to marketing, be like a kitten with a ball of yarn. Get playful, have fun with it. Strew it all through the Internet. Let people follow the string back to your novels.</p>
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<p>And, like all cats—every now and then you gotta take a nap.</p>YOU CAN'T PROMOTE WHAT DOESN'T EXISTtag:www.authors.com,2015-09-20:3798404:BlogPost:1523722015-09-20T16:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p>The world of publishing is very much like playing craps in Vegas. No matter how hard a writer evaluates a publishing house or tries to predict its future success before signing on the dotted line, the industry itself is as consistent as a roll of the dice.</p>
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<p>There are calculations you can make based on factors such as the length of time the house has been in business, the size of its stable of authors, the number of titles and presence on the Internet. But, getting information…</p>
<p>The world of publishing is very much like playing craps in Vegas. No matter how hard a writer evaluates a publishing house or tries to predict its future success before signing on the dotted line, the industry itself is as consistent as a roll of the dice.</p>
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<p>There are calculations you can make based on factors such as the length of time the house has been in business, the size of its stable of authors, the number of titles and presence on the Internet. But, getting information on sales stats or evaluating their marketing is near impossible. You simply aren't privy to what is going on behind the scene.</p>
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<p>I know a friend whose publisher closed shop and burned all the book stock. Another has had two publishers die on her. Sometimes a publisher goes in a new direction—say, deciding to switch from Christian publishing to erotica. Heaven forbid!</p>
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<p>As the saying goes, nothing is guaranteed in life except death and taxes. While it's understandable that an author wants to hold on tight to their life's work until the “sure thing” comes along, the results is never getting a book out on the marketplace. Publishing houses have their ups and downs, their quirks and foibles. Remember, there are real people behind each house and they gotta be a little crazy to want to deal with the egos and eccentricities of writers.</p>
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<p>How exactly do you pick a publishing house to get your novel out there? I could give you a generic answer, like find a good fit. But, if you haven't published, what is a “good fit?” This isn't a pair of shoes you're trying on.</p>
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<p>One of the things you can do is contact the authors and ask “How is your experience with your publishing house?” Authors are usually very honest with their peers. But, don't stop at the first bad review because that could be a single experience or an author who is never satisfied. When you encounter people at conferences, ask how they feel about the house they're publishing with.</p>
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<p>Many people rely on online sites like Predators and Editors or Absolute Write. The problem with these sites is that once a publisher or agent is blacklisted, they offer no recourse for getting off their hit list. Nobody is watching the watchers.</p>
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<p>So, what is the savvy author to do? You're not going to like my advice, but here it is: jump in with both feet and hope for the best. Take a chance and get a book out to the marketplace. The only reason to hold on to your treasured words is if this is the only book you will ever publish. If that's the case, you don't have much of a career ahead of you or a publishing house willing to put money behind a one-trick pony.</p>
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<p>Like I said at the start, it's always going to be a crapshoot.</p>THE HISTORY OF PUBLISHING: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUREtag:www.authors.com,2015-08-20:3798404:BlogPost:1523732015-08-20T16:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p align="center"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why bother learning the industry you want to be part of? Why go to medical school before you do surgery?</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Yeah, it makes that much sense.…</font></font></font></p>
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<p align="center"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why bother learning the industry you want to be part of? Why go to medical school before you do surgery?</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Yeah, it makes that much sense.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2"><b>To understand your options in publishing, you must know the history.</b></font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Knowing the history of publishing gives you an understanding of where publishing is today. Understanding the current status of publishing gives you information. Information helps you make intelligent decisions on how you want to publish.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Originally books could only be afforded by the rich. The general masses could not afford to buy books which is all right since most could not read. Publishing was a rich man’s hobby and publishing houses were handed down as family operations.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2"><b>An industry is born</b></font></font></font></p>
<p><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333">As America moved into the 20th</font></font></font></span><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333"> </font></font></font></span><font color="#0000FF"><u><a href="http://backcountrywriter.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/publishing-past-present-and-future-2/"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333">century</font></font></font></span></a></u></font><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333">, schooling became mandatory and school books were required. A need arose to publish books more cheaply, so publishers became corporations and started mass production of books. This required having a corporate headquarters. New York was the designated locus.</font></font></font></span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">The idea of the agent system came from Britain At first, publishers didn’t care for the agent system. Soon, however, they saw that agents could be useful for screening books. This created a Catch 22 situation: writers could not get an agent without publishing a book and proving their saleability , but couldn't publish a book without having an agent. Agents only make money when a book is acquired and they were not interested in “small potatoes.” Now came the dreaded “ slush pile.” Few books made it from the slush pile to the printed page.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Dan Poynter, an American author, consultant, publisher, speaker (and parachute designer) has written more than 125 books, reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them related to book publishing.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">The following stats were gathered by Poynter:</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">132 million manuscripts are submitted yearly. 1% will be published.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">3,000 manuscripts are published daily</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Of those published, only 2 % sold more than 5,000 copies.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">16% sold fewer than 1,000 copies.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">82% sold less than 100 copies.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">IF a manuscript manages to get through the slush pile, 90% will be rejected after the first page is read.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">98% will be rejected after the first chapter is read.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">30-50 will get through to serious consideration.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2"><b>Mass marketing of affordable books</b></font></font></font></p>
<p><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333">Paperbacks were developed in 1935 over in England under a line labeled Penguin Books. In America, Simon and Schuster created Pocket Books in 1939, with the first production being Pearl S. Buck's <i>The Good Earth.</i> The new format revolutionized the publishing industry. The size was designed to fit into a man's trouser pocket.</font></font></font></span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2"><b>The “Big Six”</b></font></font></font></p>
<p><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif">The six largest publishing houses are</font> <font face="Georgia, serif">Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Group, Random House, and Simon & Schuster</font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">.</font> <font face="Georgia, serif">In the early 1990's, five of the Big Six were sold to overseas publishers in Great Britain, Germany and France. The new owners quickly eliminated imprints and mid-list authors who were not big names but who had solid sales. Instead, they concentrated on mass appeal books and celebrity authors. A good example today are <i>A Shore Thing</i> and <i>Gorilla Beach</i> by Snooki from Jersey Shore.</font></font></font></span></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Authors, who once had contracts, floundered. Several tried to create their own publishing houses. Even bookstores, like Poison Pen in Phoenix, stepped in to become publishers. Perseverance Press picked up authors with a series in place who suddenly found themselves with no publisher. Some of these ventures succeeded, some failed. It was a precarious time for publishing.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">A new kid on the block was born, outfits like PublishAmerica and Iuniverse. These businesses appeared to be the solution to the problem, but fell short. Authors struggled to find an acceptable solution.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2"><b>Enter technology!</b></font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">But technology intervened. With the development of print on demand technology (POD) and computers, books could be printed cheaply and retain quality. Publishing could be done by staffs as small as one or two people and could be anywhere in the country. Large buildings, massive staffs and warehouses to hold books were outdated notions. The books, known as trade paperbacks, were a more logical size with less paper waste than cutting paper stock down to the size of paperback (which were now too large to fit in anyone's back pocket). Larger publishing houses dismissed the technology as substandard and bookstores declined to carry trade books. The reading public, unused to this new look, did not respond with sales. The books were mistakenly dumped into the region of vanity press—even though the large publishing houses began to adopt the technology without admitting to the fact.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">With the development of electronic readers and a generation raised on digital toys, Amazon Kindle, Nook and Ipads quickly overtook the book market with cheaper and instantly accessible e-books. This cut sales considerably, for both publishers and agents. In addition, Amazon made it possible for authors to self-publish without the stigma of being dubbed “vanity press.” For the first time, power was taken away from large publishing houses and the slush pile sidestepped as authors took matters into their own hands. By cutting out the middle man and sharing profits only with Amazon, more money went into the authors' pockets. Amazon leveled the playing field. However, editing and marketing were on the onus of the author as well.</font></font></font></p>
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<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">Experts predict that by 2020, a majority of books will be self-developed as e-books first, with publishing houses competing for titles and negotiating for rights directly with the author. Social media marketing already drives sales and will play an even larger part in marketing.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#333333"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font size="2">It's a brave new world and the shift of power from publishers to authors is a sign of the times to come.</font></font></font></p>
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<p><b><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="2"><font face="Georgia, serif"><font color="#333333">For more information about Sunny Frazier, visit</font></font></font></span></b> <font color="#0000FF"><u><a href="http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/"><b><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="3">http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/</font></span></b></a></u></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Click on the link under her book covers to buy her books</font></font></p>ACQUISITIONS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLYtag:www.authors.com,2015-07-20:3798404:BlogPost:1422642015-07-20T03:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p>If you love to read, then the job of acquisitions editor for a small press is a dream come true. If you hate to dash dreams, are easily swayed or thin-skinned, find another occupation.</p>
<p>I am the gatekeeper who stands between you and the publisher. The publisher concentrates on production and relies on me to take queries and make decisions based on the needs of the publishing house. We share a vision and it's my job is to find manuscripts for that vision.</p>
<p>So, read the guidelines…</p>
<p>If you love to read, then the job of acquisitions editor for a small press is a dream come true. If you hate to dash dreams, are easily swayed or thin-skinned, find another occupation.</p>
<p>I am the gatekeeper who stands between you and the publisher. The publisher concentrates on production and relies on me to take queries and make decisions based on the needs of the publishing house. We share a vision and it's my job is to find manuscripts for that vision.</p>
<p>So, read the guidelines and study titles we've published. Get an idea of what we're looking for. We concentrate on our strongest genres and have marketing expertise.</p>
<p>Note our word length. Larger outfits can produce huge books and charge more; we have to keep production cost down and make books affordable.</p>
<p>If it's a mystery, kill somebody already! The days of long literary passages are over. This is a TV generation, so grab my interest and do it quickly.</p>
<p>Show me craft. Anyone with a computer can write a novel, but few realize that writing needs to be studied like any other profession. Craft is more than punctuation.</p>
<p>Here's the author who gets a rejection slip:</p>
<p>THE BRAGGART. “This is the best book you'll ever read. All of my relatives say so.” I'm not impressed, nor am I going to let the opinions of others sway me.</p>
<p>THE BEGGER. “Please publish my book before I die. I just want to see my name on the cover.” I sympathize, but that's not a good reason for me to send a contract. That's what vanity press is for.</p>
<p>THE DEMANDER: “Have you read my book yet? Will you read it in the next 24 hours?” No, so don't bug me every week. The more you ask, the longer it takes.</p>
<p>THE SENSITIVE: “You don't like my book? You don't like me!” I'm not rejecting you, and I will take the time to tell you why your book didn't make the cut.</p>
<p>THE IMPATIENT: “I got the contract a year ago. Where's my book?” Publishing is slow. We do our best, but we get the flu, have the occasional crisis and sometimes get overwhelmed with the workload. I work on Christmas and Thanksgiving—do you?</p>
<p>THE SLOB: “I wrote the book, now you fix the punctuation, grammar and spelling errors.” Nope. I'm going to pick manuscripts that are clean.</p>
<p>THE INFLEXIBLE: “My words are precious, so don't change them.” I respect your opinion, but it might lose you a contract.</p>
<p>THE LAZY: “Me, market? That's for underlings. I'm an author!” I need authors with marketing savvy and a willingness to promote.</p>
<p>THE CLUELESS: “I want to be on Oprah's book list. And I hear Hollywood calling.” Make sure your expectations are realistic.</p>
<p>THE BAIT AND SWITCH: “Thanks for doing all the work on my book, but now I'm going to give it to another publisher.” Time and money wasted. Plus, some deserving author lost an opportunity.</p>WHAT'S YOUR GENRE?tag:www.authors.com,2015-06-20:3798404:BlogPost:1423502015-06-20T01:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Although I do astrology, I no longer ask people “What's your sign?” As an acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press, I now ask authors, “What's your genre?”</p>
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<p>The worst thing a writer can do is give me a blank stare. “Genre” is an essential part of the lingo in publishing lexicon. It's how we classify a book and decide if it fits our line.</p>
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<p>Labeling books has practical reasons. Bookstores (when they existed) found it useful to put books…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Although I do astrology, I no longer ask people “What's your sign?” As an acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press, I now ask authors, “What's your genre?”</p>
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<p>The worst thing a writer can do is give me a blank stare. “Genre” is an essential part of the lingo in publishing lexicon. It's how we classify a book and decide if it fits our line.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Labeling books has practical reasons. Bookstores (when they existed) found it useful to put books of the same sort together on one shelf. That's why there's the romance section, sci fi, fantasy, horror, Westerns and mystery. Sometimes the classifications were wrong because of all the crossovers. But, anything's better than dumping the titles under General Fiction, which is the kiss of death.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The genre I write in is mystery. My Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries are defined by several sub-genres: police procedural/amateur sleuth/paranormal. Crossovers in all genres are widely accepted. It's a great way for authors to expand their fan base.</p>
<p></p>
<p>For years, literary writers looked down on genre writers. The word conjured up cheap reads for the mildly illiterate. Also known as “popular fiction,” these are books average people want to read. Call it commercial fiction—books that sell and make money.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On the reverse, genre writers have tagged literary works “A whole lot of words about nothing.” Pretty words, insightful, meaningful, intellectual. But, we ask, where's the plot?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Don't get me wrong: genre writers can get a little literary. I love to let readers coast along with the plot I've woven before slipping in a sentence or paragraph to make the astute reader sit up and pay attention. I know my craft. Elizabeth George and P.D. James can certainly be called literary. Even Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, noir hacks in their time, are now respectable. With time comes veneration.</p>
<p></p>
<p>When I received mystery manuscripts from two profs on both sides of the USA, I noted the terrific prose but wondered: Where are the bodies? Personally, I like a corpse to show up on the second page to get the ball rolling. Long intros and endless description went out with the Bronte sisters. Tough to reject these teachers, but that's what I did.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Both instructors not only listened but brought my novels to the classroom to teach genre fiction. In New Jersey and California, students are learning from my books. I was invited to speak at Mt. San Antonio, the largest junior college in the states. Reality meets the Ivory Tower. I left with several student submissions and rewrites from the teacher.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I recommend authors define their intent before writing. Whether you write Steam Punk or Zombies, hold your head high and claim your genre.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sunny Frazier</p>
<p><font color="#000080"><u><a href="http://www.sunnyfrazier.com/">http://www.sunnyfrazier.com</a></u></font></p>LOOKING TO THE PASTtag:www.authors.com,2015-05-20:3798404:BlogPost:1424452015-05-20T01:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p align="left" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">What happens when something you love becomes WORK?</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes, that's my current dilemma. I love to read (who doesn't?) and mystery has been my favorite genre until I became acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press. The manuscripts came fast and furious, box loads via snail mail, cyber submissions filled my e-mail. All of a sudden I was forced to speed read the first 30 pages, make decisions like a Roman…</p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">What happens when something you love becomes WORK?</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes, that's my current dilemma. I love to read (who doesn't?) and mystery has been my favorite genre until I became acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press. The manuscripts came fast and furious, box loads via snail mail, cyber submissions filled my e-mail. All of a sudden I was forced to speed read the first 30 pages, make decisions like a Roman emperor: thumbs up or thumbs down? Then I had to break the news, good or bad to struggling authors. Even good news came with caveats like “What is your platform?” and “You do understand it could be a year before the book is published, right?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>All of a sudden the wonderful mysteries waiting for me on my own bookshelf looked unappetizing. Another dead body, another clue. Even my pleasure reading was turning into WORK.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm not sure how it happened, but one day my mind informed me that I needed to learn everything about Alexander the Great. Not that I'd given him much thought before, but it seemed crucial now that I understand what he was all about in the grand scheme of history. I found books, fiction and non-fiction, saw the terrible movie with Colin Ferrell and a terrific one with Richard Burton. I got ancient maps out and pieced it altogether in my head until I understood Alex's link between crude warfare and military genius.</p>
<p></p>
<p>From there I had to know everything about the Roman empire, so I tackled Colleen McCullough's series. At a thousand pages each in very small type, the seven books are daunting. But they led me on a quest to Margaret George's The Memoirs of Cleopatra and a new-found curiosity about her sister Arsinoe. Talk about sibling rivalry!</p>
<p></p>
<p>At this point, I became a library junkie. I went on a spree trying to learn the whole Plantagenet family tree and the War of the Roses, which sounds much prettier than the reality. The upstart Tudor's were easier to keep track of, despite Henry's six wives. Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel made Thomas Cromwell come to life and convinced me he got a bad rap in the history books.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Mad Juana of Spain, Lucrezia Borgia, the Medici's, all this history I urgently needed to cram into my brain. Why this sudden thirst for knowledge? And, where were all these great stories and characters when I was sitting bored in history class? I felt gypped and realized as my list of titles grew longer that I would never catch up, not in my lifetime.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Maybe, as I get older (I just turned 61 three weeks ago), history seems more relevant as my own life dwindles down. What is my place in the grand scheme of things? What impact did I make on the world? I just want to know how the times I live in are connected to the past. Unimportant facts suddenly seem of the utmost importance. I'm greedy for knowledge.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The other day, the local librarian asked if all these books were for research. Would my next mystery be set in medieval times? No, I told her as she swiped my card. Just my summer reading. Otherwise, it would be WORK.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Excuse me now. I have to apply sunscreen because I have a hot pool date with Attila the Hun. </p>TELL ME A STORYtag:www.authors.com,2015-04-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415912015-04-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Remember when the day ended with a bedtime story?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I remember my mother reading a picture book I already knew by heart. When he was home from sea duty, my father would spin stories of his childhood in the South. Sometimes he'd recite scenes from “Gone With the Wind,” changing his voice to fit each character. Okay, that may have been a little over the top. Does an eight-year-old really need to go to sleep with Scarlett's “As God is my witness”…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Remember when the day ended with a bedtime story?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I remember my mother reading a picture book I already knew by heart. When he was home from sea duty, my father would spin stories of his childhood in the South. Sometimes he'd recite scenes from “Gone With the Wind,” changing his voice to fit each character. Okay, that may have been a little over the top. Does an eight-year-old really need to go to sleep with Scarlett's “As God is my witness” speech ringing in her dreams?</p>
<p></p>
<p>As I grew older, there was the flashlight under the covers to read Nancy Drew after lights out. My eyesight was already bad, so warnings that I'd ruin my eyesight did no good. Most of the good TV programs for kids ended by nine. Reading a few chapters was a perfect way to wrap up the day.</p>
<p></p>
<p>What happened to the pleasure of reading in bed until eyelids droop and words start to blur?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I hear a lot of adults say they don't have time to read. Life is too full of commitments, everything happens at warp speed, TV and the Internet eat up free time. How can simple words on a page compete for our attention?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have the solution: short stories.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Often overlooked or underestimated, the short story is considered one of the hardest forms of fiction writing to conquer. Novelists who have no problem writing a 400-page book cringe at the idea of writing a 2,000 word story. The writer has to reign in all those lovely descriptions, start the story at the action, keep the character count down, and conclude the story in a way that satisfies readers. It's a lot to ask for in ten typed pages.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Edgar Allen Poe is said to be the Father of the American Short Story. Now, there's a writer who could give readers nightmares! I wouldn't advise anyone to read The Tell-Tale Heart or The Raven before falling asleep.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Mark Twain once wrote to a friend, “If I'd had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Twain spoke for all of us who write short fiction. The hardest stories to write are termed “flash fiction.” These are stories around 500 words in length, shorter than this column. With such a tight word count, every word has to count. There can't be a spare adjective, no qualifiers like “So,” “But,” and “Therefore” are allowed. I write mystery stories that include a detective, clues, a dead body or two, and a solution. Readers say the stories always seems much longer.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Writing short pieces requires discipline. There's no room to ramble and every sentence has to be trimmed to the bone. I like to take sentences I've written and see how many words I can remove and still make sense. Mysteries work well with short, staccato sentences. I've even been known to write one word paragraphs.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Anthologies and short story collections are the answer for people who say they have no time to read. A story can be read in one sitting and are perfect to have on hand while waiting in a doctor's office. The reader gets a sense of instant gratification without the commitment a novel demands. It's also a great way to sample the words of a wide variety of authors. I have stories in four anthologies, and many readers have liked my short pieces enough to buy my novel.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Instead of watching the 11 o'clock news, take a book to bed. Rediscover the joy of reading. And remember—you're never too old for a bedtime story. </p>YEA SAYERS AND NAY SAYERStag:www.authors.com,2015-03-13:3798404:BlogPost:1416652015-03-13T22:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">To cyber-socialize or not to cyber-socialize? That is the question.</p>
<p></p>
<p>My New Year's resolution for '09 was to finally, seriously and extensively take a look at all the social sites I kept hearing about. My Space. Face Book. Crime Space. Twitter. Blogs. No more letting the info slide by, no more shaking my head and saying, “Who's got time for all this bulls__t?” I would do an investigation, just like my sleuth Christy Bristol. I would finally find…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">To cyber-socialize or not to cyber-socialize? That is the question.</p>
<p></p>
<p>My New Year's resolution for '09 was to finally, seriously and extensively take a look at all the social sites I kept hearing about. My Space. Face Book. Crime Space. Twitter. Blogs. No more letting the info slide by, no more shaking my head and saying, “Who's got time for all this bulls__t?” I would do an investigation, just like my sleuth Christy Bristol. I would finally find out what all the fuss was about.</p>
<p></p>
<p>First, I had to learn to put on the brakes. I was painstaking setting up my profile, tentatively adding friends, photos, an opinion or two. People responded. “Will you be my friend?” Uh, yeah, guess so. Messages began to flood my mailbox.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I found myself overloaded with all these strangers clamoring for attention. I decided to create a folder to stuff the socializers in until I could find time. Sunday mornings were free because business emails slowed on weekends.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As I took time to look at blog sites, I noticed links listed. My former training as a narc secretary kicked in. Where I once sifted through allegations to detect clues on drug trafficking, I now investigated these links for info. I sped the process by copying the entire group and creating a new folder titled Blog Sites. I could already see where this was going to become unwieldy, so as I checked each one out, I discarded what I couldn't use and put the “possibles” in alphabetical order.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes, I'm a bottom feeder. Let others do the work, I'll reap the rewards. I discovered an incredible number of sites and slammed profile on in record time. I tossed in photos, never the same as the other sites. I recycled good blogs, figuring I'd find a different readership at each site. I insisted my friends from my publishing house (Oak Tree Press) join me. I was a brat.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The work immediately paid off. People invited me to guest blog. Would I consent to be interviewed? Would I like my newest book, WHERE ANGELS FEAR, be reviewed? My Murder Circle was named a professional site by Linked In (yes!). My googled hits tripled in two weeks.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But, with success comes controversy. Those I left behind in the dust, the naysayers, carped that I wasn't doing any “real” writing. Or, why should they follow my lead without a book to market? On a panel in Hawaii, two major authors cautioned, “You should all be writing books, not wasting time on these sites.” Even the moderator let out a gasp (and befriended me as soon as we returned to the mainland).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Waiting means playing catch-up. Smart writers create a presence that will be ready when their first book is published. The rest of us, late to the game, are running to keep pace. Being aggressive pays off when it comes to selling books.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The way I see it, writers are now divided into two categories: Those who “socialize” with the possibility that their efforts will pay off in the end, and those who are “unsocial” and assume hard work will eventually be rewarded in sales.</p>
<p></p>
<p>My opinion? Do nothing and nothing is all you get. </p>I HEAR VOICEStag:www.authors.com,2015-02-13:3798404:BlogPost:1416642015-02-13T22:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I wrote a column in my local newspaper about a former English teacher who passed away. The article generated emails from other former students with their own stories to share. But one reader, a woman in my graduating class (1969), wrote to tell me that she not only enjoyed the article, but liked my writing enough to buy my mystery novel, FOOLS RUSH IN.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Compliment accepted (as well as the check).</p>
<p></p>
<p>What this reader responded to is…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I wrote a column in my local newspaper about a former English teacher who passed away. The article generated emails from other former students with their own stories to share. But one reader, a woman in my graduating class (1969), wrote to tell me that she not only enjoyed the article, but liked my writing enough to buy my mystery novel, FOOLS RUSH IN.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Compliment accepted (as well as the check).</p>
<p></p>
<p>What this reader responded to is something all writers are told to strive for in their writing. Elusive, indefinable, yet oddly recognizable, the term for this is “Voice.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Anyone can be taught grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, all the building blocks needed to create a manuscript. What is harder to capture is the way a writer puts all of those elements together and produces prose as unique as a thumb print.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The best explanation I have heard of Voice comes from mystery writer Lawrence Block. He said Voice is like listening to two people tell the same joke. The punchline is the same, but the process of getting there, the style of the narrator, even the body language marks the difference between narrators. And, just for the record, I can't tell a joke to save my life. I get to the punchline and fall flat.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Think of an author you love to read. John Steinbeck, for example. Whether he's describing Dust Bowl migrants in “Grapes of Wrath,” or a sardine cannery in Monterey, I'm always aware of Steinbeck. He brings to life the Joads, Doc, and the madame of the Bear Flag bordello. Characters are formed with care and detail. We not only hear their voices but that of their creator.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you took Steinbeck's name off the covers, would a reader still be able to recognize that the stories were penned by the same man? Probably. If Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy wrote “Cannery Row,” would the story have a different Voice? Oh, sure. There'd be a submarine on a covert mission or a sunken Spanish galleon that has to be lifted from the Pacific floor. The story would be full of action and bravado instead of contemplation. And the book would no doubt make the best seller list.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Voice of a writer is an important part of the craft of writing. Some people are born with a gift, some acquire Voice. My father, a Southerner, had a rich way with words and inflection. He picked this up from listening to old men spin tales around a pot belly stove. I took what he gave me, genetically and verbally, added a college education and came up with my own style.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The process doesn't happen over night. Voice means knowing who you are, as a person and as a writer. Expression flavored with opinion. Hard work, trial and error. Self-discovery. A conviction of viewpoint and the fearlessness to go public.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you've read this far, you've heard my Voice. I started with the aftermath of my previous column. The second paragraph is an incomplete sentence with a touch of humor. Move on to Serious. I tossed in a genre reference, followed by a literary icon. I had fun with the idea of literary art rewritten by two bestselling authors. I gave you a piece of my family history. Finally, I revealed the intent of this column, meant for aspiring writers. The message is this: Write brave. Learn well. Be patient. Pay attention. Have attitude. Listen to those around you and to your heart.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I wrote this column in two hours and 619 words. Each word was weighed and considered. This is my Voice.</p>READING BETWEEN THE LINEStag:www.authors.com,2015-01-13:3798404:BlogPost:1416632015-01-13T22:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I heard a quote the other day stating that fiction is more “real” than non-fiction because, in writing fiction, it's easier to tell the truth.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Think about it. If you're writing non-fiction, you have to stick to the facts. There's no way a writer can go inside the mind of the subject and detail how decisions are made. Only actions and consequences are recorded. One can surmise, conjecture, and deliberate, but will never really know the…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I heard a quote the other day stating that fiction is more “real” than non-fiction because, in writing fiction, it's easier to tell the truth.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Think about it. If you're writing non-fiction, you have to stick to the facts. There's no way a writer can go inside the mind of the subject and detail how decisions are made. Only actions and consequences are recorded. One can surmise, conjecture, and deliberate, but will never really know the truth.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Fiction writers, like myself, are allowed to creatively explore human nature. We drum up conflicts for our characters to figure out and overcome. We try to see how far we can push the people we create, and how far we can push the reader. We search our souls in order to make others search theirs. And, we do all of this in the context of a story that will engage and entertain readers.</p>
<p></p>
<p>When I write, I usually focus on something that's been bothering me. I once observed an extremely overweight man in a crowd and noticed other people averting their eyes. It occurred to me that obesity might be the best way to be underestimated. So, I created a unique detective, a sumo wrestler who makes a career change. In “Sayonara, Mr. Chips,” my character is ridiculed, ignored, and treated as if he is stupid. He turns all of these negative reactions to work in his favor. Of course, he solves the case. Not only is he observant, he understands the Japanese culture better than the police. And, I never once let him lose his dignity.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Another thing that bothered me was the way a friend in law enforcement was being treated as she aged. Instead of using the knowledge she'd built up over the years, responsibilities were taken away from her. She was being emotionally downsized. When I wrote the story “Baby Blue,” based on a Hanford murder case, I let her solve it. Then, while being praised in the story for what she considered just doing her job, she puts in retirement papers. I let my friend do in the story what she can't do in real life: leave the force on a high note.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The hardest writing of all is sketching out portraits of the people we love. The traits we want to explore in their personalities are the ones people would rather hide. Perfect people make boring characters. It's not only safer to fictionalize my friends, but they never seem to recognize themselves in my stories.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Romance writers try to make couples live happily ever after. Mystery writers tackle injustice and right the wrongs. Fantasy writers bring magic back to our jaded realities. Horror writers remind us things could be worse. Historical fiction gives us the past, sci-fi presents the future.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is it what really happened? No. Non-fiction deals with life as it exists. Fiction writers probe the depths of mankind, to find out what makes us tick. We project our own hopes onto the pages we write and trust that our words will connect with a reader.</p>
<p></p>
<p>One person's fiction is another's truth. </p>CONFESSIONS OF A CONTEST JUNKIEtag:www.authors.com,2014-12-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415922014-12-13T22:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I love writing contests. When I hear of one or come across a contest on the Internet, my heart starts racing and ideas flood my mind. My competitive spirit kicks into high gear. I may never run a marathon or win a ballroom dance competition, but give me a theme and a deadline and I'm up for the challenge.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Short stories are a terrific way to start a career in writing. Just ask Stephen King. It hones writing skills and forces writers out of their…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I love writing contests. When I hear of one or come across a contest on the Internet, my heart starts racing and ideas flood my mind. My competitive spirit kicks into high gear. I may never run a marathon or win a ballroom dance competition, but give me a theme and a deadline and I'm up for the challenge.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Short stories are a terrific way to start a career in writing. Just ask Stephen King. It hones writing skills and forces writers out of their comfort zone. I wrote a story about a sumo wrestler for a contest called “The X-tra, X-tra, X-tra Large Detective.” I've written about a soldier from the Iraqi war, as well as a rock-'n-roll musician for an anthology based on the seven deadly sins. I even tackled the Hispanic fable of La Llorona. None of those stories are a part of my culture or experience.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Many writers back away from the whole idea of writing contests because there's usually a fee involved. I have no problem with shelling out $15 for the entry fee. I compare it to betting on a horse race—and I'm the horse. I'm in to win, place or at least show. I put out the very best story I can write. If some other writer beats me out of the prize, I have to give them credit because I know I've given them a run for their money.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Another reason writers are hesitant to go into competition is because they suspect a scam. They feels publishers are out to take their money and then coerce winning authors to buy a book for every relative. However, the cost of producing a book includes editing, printing, storage and distribution. It exceeds the amount taken in by entry fees. Short story collections are usually produced as a labor of love and rarely make a profit. The option to purchase is the author's decision.</p>
<p></p>
<p>There is also the fear that a contest is rigged, that winners are people the judges know. Most contests are done by blind entry. Stories are assigned a number before being handed off to the judges. Judges are never given the name of the author and must judge the story on its own merits.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The final fear, and the silliest, is that the author's precious words will be ripped off. Get real. Who wants to be sued over a short story? And no, stories don't have to be copyrighted. In fact, authors retain their rights if the story wins and doesn't get into print, or first American rights are returned after a reasonable time frame.</p>
<p></p>
<p>An aspect fledgling writers don't consider until too late in the game are writing credits. When I finished my first novel, I presented the publisher with five pages listing my published stories. With the cost of book production, no publisher can afford to invest in a new author who lacks proven experience in the field.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Personally, I consider entering and winning writing contests as a litmus test of my skills. How else to decipher whether the writing is as good as friends and relatives assure me? Trophies from strangers lets me know where I stand in the world of scribes.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Write brave and go for the prize!</p>YOUNG AT ARTtag:www.authors.com,2014-11-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415212014-11-13T22:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">You've heard the phrase “If I only knew then what I know now.” This doesn't apply in the writing world. Everything I thought I knew about writing has changed in the last 20 years. Oh, not the basic rules of grammar and punctuation, that's still in place even if sometimes ignored. But how I write, and more importantly, how I publish has come out of the dark ages.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I knew I wanted to be a writer from age 13. I had good teachers, learned what I needed…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">You've heard the phrase “If I only knew then what I know now.” This doesn't apply in the writing world. Everything I thought I knew about writing has changed in the last 20 years. Oh, not the basic rules of grammar and punctuation, that's still in place even if sometimes ignored. But how I write, and more importantly, how I publish has come out of the dark ages.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I knew I wanted to be a writer from age 13. I had good teachers, learned what I needed to know to put sentences together and got encouragement for my forays into journalism. And then I was left at the edge of a cliff, looking at the publishing industry across a wide gap with no clue how to get there.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I tried going it alone. I wrote my first book on an electric typewriter, helped with a wonderful invention called Wite-Out. I still have those yellowed pages. It didn't matter how much I wanted to be an author, all of the opportunities seemed to be in New York. I shelved my dreams for 30 years.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Internet has changed all that. Or, has it? I just gave a speech to two separate groups on alternative publishing. The average age in the group was about 60. Where were all the young, aspiring writers? The audience I lectured to had a hard time understanding Publish On Demand technology, small press dynamics or the concept of Kindle. They are now retired and free to write, have lots of experiences under their belt, but time is running out and technology is racing forward.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So, if I were 16 again but in the year 2014, here's what I would do to jump start my career.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd find a group of like-minded peers and create a writers' group.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd make an effort to meet published writers. I didn't meet an author until I was 40.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If my parents could afford to buy me a computer, I wouldn't waste time goofing around on the Internet. I'd be googling markets and finding venues to publish my stories. I'd enter writing contests and hone my skills. I'd participate in social sites designed for writers. These groups talk about more than stories, they talk about finding an agent, unethical publishers, promotional cost and the nuts and bolts of the industry.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd ask for a subscription to Writers' Digest for Christmas. I'd find other writing magazines and scour the articles for information. I'd go to the library for “How To” books on plotting, characters and craft.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd figure out what “genre” means and decide the direction I want to aim my writing. Literary is pushed in schools, but genre fiction is what the public reads.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Publishing could be a young person's game, but too many writers wait until they are plagued with arthritis, hampered by failing eyesight and have senior moments that temporarily steals words and coherent ideas.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yeah, that's what I'd do differently.</p>WHY I'M NOT WRITINGtag:www.authors.com,2014-10-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415902014-10-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm very adamant on the Internet and elsewhere that I don't believe in the notorious “writers block.” Most former journalists and newspaper people will agree with me. We couldn't couldn't look up at the editor in despair and whine, “I don't know, sir. The words just aren't coming to me right now.” That doesn't fly when there are column inches to fill and lay-out people impatiently tapping their toes. Writers block = pink…</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm very adamant on the Internet and elsewhere that I don't believe in the notorious “writers block.” Most former journalists and newspaper people will agree with me. We couldn't couldn't look up at the editor in despair and whine, “I don't know, sir. The words just aren't coming to me right now.” That doesn't fly when there are column inches to fill and lay-out people impatiently tapping their toes. Writers block = pink slip.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">What I DO get are diversions. Here is my Top Ten list:</span></p>
<p></p>
<ol>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Housework is suddenly more compelling than writing the next chapter.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The cat is sitting in front of my computer screen and I can't bear to disturb her.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Hoping for a phone call—from anybody, even a telemarketer.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="4">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I need to finish a book because (a) It's overdue at the library; (b) I must return it to a friend; or (c) it will turn into dust. Could happen.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="5">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">What's in the refrigerator that wasn't there ten minutes ago?</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="6">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Tea break!</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="7">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Must plan next year's vacation NOW.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="8">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The desk needs organizing. I can't work on a messy desk (yeah, right).</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="9">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The sun's out. Vitamin D is important. So is sunscreen as I lounge by the pool.</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol start="10">
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">BLOGGING. Ha! Tell me that's not a productive use of my time. You're reading this so you're guilty too!</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTIONStag:www.authors.com,2014-09-13:3798404:BlogPost:1414222014-09-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">Mystery conventions have to be some of the wackiest, most creative and high energy get-togethers around, Comic Con not withstanding (if you can stand a hundred Darth Vadersroaming around).</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">Years ago,…</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">Mystery conventions have to be some of the wackiest, most creative and high energy get-togethers around, Comic Con not withstanding (if you can stand a hundred Darth Vadersroaming around).</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">Years ago, when I was starting out in the mystery field, a small conference called Bare Bones took place in the hills above Escondido in a church camp near the town of Julian. We stayed in cabins, ate commune style, sat before a huge fire as we listened to speakers. Sue Grafton asked for my autograph on a short story I'd just published. The following year, J.A. (Judy) Jance and I had enough of camp life and hung out at a hotel instead. One year it snowed. I met Jan Burke, Carolyn Hart and many authors who later became big names. Unfortunately, one of the California fires torched the campgrounds.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">To go to something so intimate to the international Bouchercon is a shock to the system. My first Bcon was in 1997 in Monterey, CA. I got my first bookbag and free books to add to my stack at home and rode up in the elevator with Sara Paretsky. The president of our Sisters in Crime chapter had just died at a very young age and we showed up wearing our red t-shirts in her honor. We were given condolences at the SinC breakfast.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">At that point, I was hooked. Left Coast Crime was easier to attend and nearly as big as Bouchercon. For West Coast authors, it's sort of like a class reunion. Here are some high points:</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">1998, San Diego: Judy Jance was rushed to the hospital, possible heart attack. Her agent and I stayed up all night in the waiting room, waiting. False alarm. People rumored that she'd gotten stage fright because she was to sing in the talent show. To prove them wrong, Judy got up and sang acappella at the closing ceremony.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">2000, Tucson: A major league baseball team came into town and the hotel bumped Sue Grafton from her room. We were aghast, but she handled it like a lady. I doubt if she's ever returned to Tucson and surprised she hasn't murdered the hotel staff in her novels. “W” is for What the ???</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">2002, Portland. My friends and I explored Powell's Bookstore, every floor. I saw my first human “statue” and had to touch it to believe it was a spray painted man. Steven Saylor was guest of honor.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">2003, Bcon Las Vegas: I was on my first panel. I was nervous up on stage next to Janet Hutchings, editor of Ellery Queen Magazine. Did I really inform her that the magazine was stale? No wonder none of my stories have ever appeared between its covers.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">The most recent Bcon in San Francisco was also the most generous with books, food and free alcohol. I don't know what they were thinking! As starving writers we hit the prime rib and ice cream bar with a vengeance. NEVER offer an open bar to mystery authors. I came home with 32 free books and great memories.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">I've been to 19 conventions over the years. I went to Killer Nashville just to meet Jeffrey Deaver. Iattended Malice Domestic and played debutante as a first-time author. Didn't win a teapot. Took the Mob Tour with the Public Safety Writersin Vegas. Murder in the Grove opened my eyes to how much fun Boise can be. Bikini bareback riding, anyone?</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">My favorite conference has to be Kona, Hawaii. Besides being set in a gorgeous location, the conference was small and I did my most productive networking. I became best buds with a woman from Sacramento SinC and the Canadian mystery writers (I'll be going to Bloody Words, Victoria BC in June). I met Kelli Stanley, Sue Ann Jaffarian and Rebecca Cantrell just as they burst on the mystery scene and snapped up awards. People stayed through to the very last panel even with the ocean and sunshine trying to lure us away.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">I recommend conventions for anyone who is serious about having a career in the mystery community. Max out your credit cards, sell your first born, do whatever it takes to get there. Stay in the conference hotel, too much happens on the fly. Find regional conferences to get your bearings. Bring business cards, we exchange them like we're playing poker. Don't try to hit every panel, you'll exhaust yourself. Take photos. Watch the alcohol and know who you're talking to before you say something you'll regret. Dress casual and wear comfy shoes. Case the place so you won't get lost trying to find rooms.</font></font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode"><font size="2">Most of all, have fun. It's a tax write-off, people! </font></font></font></p>SIZE DOESN'T MATTERtag:www.authors.com,2014-08-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415202014-08-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I'll be blunt.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Central Valley is considered an agricultural giant. However, many consider this area a cultural wasteland. Some of those people with negative impressions don't live in Los Angeles or San Francisco. They live right here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>For a writer who believes there is a wealth of possibilities to write about in this region, the misconception hurts. William Saroyan renamed Fresno “Ithaca” for “The Human Comedy.” He brought…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">I'll be blunt.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Central Valley is considered an agricultural giant. However, many consider this area a cultural wasteland. Some of those people with negative impressions don't live in Los Angeles or San Francisco. They live right here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>For a writer who believes there is a wealth of possibilities to write about in this region, the misconception hurts. William Saroyan renamed Fresno “Ithaca” for “The Human Comedy.” He brought Armenians to literary attention with “My Name Is Aram.” John Steinbeck mined the Dust Bowl experience and a grim time in Valley history in “The Grapes of Wrath,” and walked away with a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Another Valley-grown Pulitzer Prize winner is poet Philip Levine. He taught for many years at California State University, Fresno. Flying under the radar is essayist Gerald Haslam. “The Other California: The Great Central Valley In Life and Letters,” is a collection about growing up in Kern County. Sadly enough, when he did a book signing in Fresno, I was one of the few people who attended.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Love him or hate him, Mark Arax created controversy with “The King of California: J.G. Boswell and the Making of a Secret American Empire.” I was in college journalism with Mark and can only applaud his success, regardless of his subject matter.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Is that enough proof that we don't deserve the reputation for being culturally deprived? Yet, if you look at the major newspaper, The Fresno Bee, it would seem homegrown authors don't exist. Canned reviews of best selling authors show up in the Spotlight section, but little is mentioned of local authors. We're out there, and they don't care.</p>
<p></p>
<p><i>If you build it, they will come.</i> Why, I wondered, can't Kings County be a Field of Dreams? Nobody else was stepping up to the plate. We don't need a half-million unmotivated people to support a cultural crusade. Fresno had its chance to get their literary on, and it turned its back. Maybe it's time for a small town to show what can be accomplished with motivation and community support.</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">So, I teamed up with the Kings County Library, the Hanford Mall and the Hanford Sentinel to put on the Big Valley BookFest. The event was FREE and participating authors kept all the money generated from sales.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I have a reason to invest in this endeavor. I'm a local author. I write about the Valley because it's what I know and love. What writers really want is an audience, a chance to show their stuff. The Write Stuff.</font></font></p>THE TRUTH OF FICTIONtag:www.authors.com,2014-07-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415892014-07-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I worked for the Sheriff's Department in Fresno, I created a saying and put it on a rolling banner as a screen saver: “A Writer Reinvents the Truth.”</span></p>
<p align="left" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p align="left" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">This was never more accurate than when I wrote my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN. I took the first case I worked as a secretary for an…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I worked for the Sheriff's Department in Fresno, I created a saying and put it on a rolling banner as a screen saver: “A Writer Reinvents the Truth.”</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">This was never more accurate than when I wrote my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN. I took the first case I worked as a secretary for an undercover narcotics team and fictionalized it to include a kidnapping, two murders and a budding romance.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I was invited to speak to a book club three hours away on the Pacific coast. Summer means 100+ degree weather for days on end in the Central Valley of California. Any excuse for a trip to the coast is a good one.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">What was different about this event was that the detective I wrote about, “Wolfe” in my book, came with me. His mother was hosting the event at her house. She wanted her friends to meet her son just to prove he wasn't the cad I made him out to be in the novel.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Thirty-two women filled the living room, everyone anxious to meet “the author.” An 11” X 14” black and white photo of “Wolfe” greeted them at the front door. It was from his undercover days, and he bore a striking resemblance to Charlie Manson.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The detective surprised me by compiling a photo album of all the characters in my book. Everything I'd written about, from the members of the meth gang to the heroin hype kit that nearly killed my heroine, was there for show-and-tell.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The ladies had read the book and quoted from passages I barely remembered. They used the fictional names of the characters while asking the detective questions. It was a little confusing for him, but he'd read the book as well. It had jogged his memory of details of the 1991 case. I was amazed by how much of the story I had retained while writing the book and how close my descriptions were of the drug dealer's compound. Seeing the photos brought back those memories.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Fictionalizing true events requires a writer to pick details that will make the story “real” to the reader, but it also means leaving details out. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it can lose readers. The drug dealer I wrote about believed he was the reincarnation of the god Thor. There was no way that piece of trivia would show up in my novel!</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The relationship between “Wolfe” and Christy was NOT the status of the detective and myself. My writing group insisted on a romantic relationship gone sour, so that's what I wrote. The storyline and tension became stronger. I'm not sure how the detective's wife felt about it, but we assured her it was fiction.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">When life gives writers great material, it's important to deliver a novel that is entertaining but also opens up the reader's world. The characters have to come alive, the dialog has to ring true. But, unlike reality, it is the writer's job to elevate the story to more than just a re-telling of events. Fictionalization means bringing in the author's unique and subjective viewpoint, a landscape of words to help readers find truth in their own lives. </font></font></p>SPEEDING DOWN THE INFORMATION HIGHWAYtag:www.authors.com,2014-06-13:3798404:BlogPost:1414212014-06-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">When does promotion start?</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The minute you take yourself seriously as a writer.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">When my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN, came out in 2006, I was a novice at promotion. I did pretty well, but the…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">When does promotion start?</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The minute you take yourself seriously as a writer.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">When my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN, came out in 2006, I was a novice at promotion. I did pretty well, but the Internet did not have much blogging or all the websites available for promotion. I felt much was a waste of my time. I had more important things to do than sift through the Internet.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">My attitude changed in 2009. My New Year's resolution was to carefully examine cyberspace. I followed the leads as I came across them. I used many of the skills I learned while working in the Narcotics unit at the sheriff's department, where I tracked down criminals by scouring confidential sites for clues to their whereabouts. The sleuthing techniques I developed are now useful in an entirely different way.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">In the learning process, I've isolated three key elements: finding sites, participating on sites and controlling the vast amounts of information.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Finding sites is not a challenge. Go on any author's website and check out the links. Links lead to links and the trail seems to go on forever. I check websites to see who reviewed an author's book. I am a scavenger, always hunting for clues to the next opportunity. This requires an eye for spotting potential and discarding what will not help my career.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">After checking out a site, I make a decision whether or not to join. Joining means getting my photograph on the page and accumulating “friends.” If the process of joining seems overwrought, I just leave a message commenting on the blog. People reading my messages will see my name and face. Like dropping breadcrumbs, I lead readers back to my own site.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Monitoring traffic to and from sites is a lot of work. The trick is to control the Information Highway so it takes me where I want to go.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I created a folder called “Sunday Work.” I attend to it religiously. All week long I move emails from blog sites to the folder. My Sundays now start with a cup of coffee, the Sunday comics and then I tackle each item in the folder. Often, by opening one site, I can eliminate many of the posts telling me I have messages at the site. I also do updates.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The second document is called “Blog Sites.” As I come across sites I'd like to check out, I copy the link and add it to my list. I also put the list in alphabetical order to make sure there are no repeats, color coded by month so I could tell at a glance if I neglected a site. If I post on the site, I put the date and action taken.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">If a writer thinks self-promotion takes away from actual writing time, they will be left on the side of the road with a book to sell and nobody buying.</font></font></p>SLOGGING THROUGH BLOGStag:www.authors.com,2014-05-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415882014-05-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was late to the blogging game. The first blogs I read seemed to be a waste of time. Personal info on what other people are doing doesn't interest me. I wondered why writers spent time with this format and who the heck has time to read it?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A tool is only as good as the person wielding it. A blog every day is not only tiresome, but it drains the writers. I decided that instead of hosting my own blog, I would…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I was late to the blogging game. The first blogs I read seemed to be a waste of time. Personal info on what other people are doing doesn't interest me. I wondered why writers spent time with this format and who the heck has time to read it?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A tool is only as good as the person wielding it. A blog every day is not only tiresome, but it drains the writers. I decided that instead of hosting my own blog, I would guest blog at the site of other people.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A blog doesn't do much good if nobody reads it. The trick is to lure others to the site. When I blogged about being a contest junkie, I went to several online groups I subscribe to and simply planted a teaser, then the blog addy. How many people do I reach via groups and personal connections? Around 10,000, and that's a conservative estimate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">If a blog gets people talking and dropping your name in the right circles, it's all good. If they like your “voice,” chances are good they'll check back often.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Quid pro quo: I started checking out the blogs other people mentioned. Often, I dropped off a comment on their site, and my comments come with my photo attached. I also noted the addy and sent an email to friends who would benefit from discussions on marketing, outlining, character development and other aspects of writing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm invited to be a guest blogger on other sites. This is one way for the host to take a breather, plus it adds a breath of fresh opinions to revive a blog. Again, I steer my network to this new blog. Everyone gets something out of the deal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm also discovering blogging doesn't eat up my writing time. I kept my monthly columns I did for the local paper on writing, plus I contribute to several newsletters. With a few sentence changes, I can take a piece geared to a small town readership and expand it for a wider-based audience. This is recycling at its finest.</span></p>AM I A WRITER?tag:www.authors.com,2014-04-13:3798404:BlogPost:1414192014-04-13T21:30:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Last week at my writing group, one of the aspiring authors had a bit of a breakdown. She suffered from what all writers eventually go through. Her faith in her abilities was shaken, the struggle to get her story on paper seemed overwhelming, and the awful question loomed: Am I really a writer?</p>
<p>This rite of passage is crucial. Writing a book initially seems like fun. The potential novelist thinks, “Oh, I have stories to tell, I have a great imagination, I…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Last week at my writing group, one of the aspiring authors had a bit of a breakdown. She suffered from what all writers eventually go through. Her faith in her abilities was shaken, the struggle to get her story on paper seemed overwhelming, and the awful question loomed: Am I really a writer?</p>
<p>This rite of passage is crucial. Writing a book initially seems like fun. The potential novelist thinks, “Oh, I have stories to tell, I have a great imagination, I got an 'A' in English class in high school/college. My mother and friends say my emails are quippy, they delight in my ability to tell a good story. I'm a natural.”</p>
<p>The reality is the plain white sheet of paper waiting for words. The cursor on the computer becomes a throbbing curse. Minutes tick by as phrases refuse to come. The story percolating in the brain falls short in print.</p>
<p>“I know what I want to say, but I can't get the ideas to come out as I imagined,” one in our group complained. “I wanted to kill my husband for interrupting my flow of words,” the most mild-mannered member fumed. “I feel like I'm ignoring my children, but I'm determined to get this book written,” the young mother confessed.</p>
<p>Like addicts at an AA meeting, we admit we write to the detriment of other parts of our lives. Spouses get neglected and have to take on extra duties so we can get pages written and attend critique sessions. We needed our writing “fix” so badly, we went from meeting twice a month to every Friday night. Our social lives now revolve around professional organizations like Romance Writers of America and Sisters in Crime in Fresno. We show up at library events to network with published authors. We crave writing conferences and conventions, the cost be damned.</p>
<p>But, wanting to be a writer and being a writer are two distinctively different animals. The wannabe sees the fun, the fulfillment, the praise, the bucks. They have passion and a story to tell and probably some talent.</p>
<p>Real writers expect to get saddle sores from sitting in front of the computer. Their eyes go bad from staring at the screen. Coffee, a shot of brandy and dark chocolate will only keep them functioning for so long. The only exercise they get is in their fingers—if they don't get carpal tunnel first. They crave distractions, any reason to leave the ball and chain of the chair. They don't want to talk to anyone who can't empathize with their suffering.</p>
<p>And that, folks, it the crux of the problem. Does the world care if there is one more writer or one more book on the shelf? Not really. Is writing worth sacrificing the real people in our lives in favor of the fictional people we create? Are the rewards worth the effort? Am I really up to the task?</p>
<p>Writing is a choice. Nobody is standing behind us with a gun to our heads telling us to publish or perish. Writing is hard. More than just imagination and plot, good writing includes craft, strong word choices, constant editing, the illusive element called “voice,” and a thick skin. Writing is a gamble. Even the best novels often don't see publication. Writing is about going the distance, not running a sprint. Writing is not graded, except by sales. Writing demands sacrifices, and each aspiring novelist has to ask, “What am I willing to give up to reach my goal?”</p>
<p>I gave up housework, TV and a marriage while writing my first novel. I cleared the way to write full time by forfeiting what others consider necessities: relationships, a social life and a steady income. I live in a bathrobe surrounded by cats unable to complain to the neighbors when I kick them outside so I can write. A balanced diet is TV dinners, smoothies and chocolate. My yard work goes neglected and housework is negligible. I live like a spinster and don't have time for bad habits, except biting my nails when I'm working on deadline. Do I feel this life is what I want? Absolutely. I'm living my dream.</p>
<p>But, that's my story. My writing group gave the aspiring author empathy and a tissue to wipe away tears and years of frustration. Her life is full of overwhelming obstacles, yet I know she'll show up next Friday night ready for more criticism. Last week she had a breakdown--next week, perhaps a breakthrough. </p>WRITING THE POLICE PROCEDURALtag:www.authors.com,2014-03-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415192014-03-13T22:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p align="center" lang="en-US" style="text-align: left;" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's face it: people in law enforcement have the best stories to tell. Problem is, they are used to giving "Just the facts" as Joe Friday often reminded up. At this year's Public Safety Writers Conference in Vegas, I did a presentation to show how to turn those true stories into profitable fiction. I thought some of you might benefit from my notes.…</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" style="text-align: left;" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let's face it: people in law enforcement have the best stories to tell. Problem is, they are used to giving "Just the facts" as Joe Friday often reminded up. At this year's Public Safety Writers Conference in Vegas, I did a presentation to show how to turn those true stories into profitable fiction. I thought some of you might benefit from my notes.</span></p>
<div id="Section1" dir="ltr"><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><br/>Viewpoint character:<br/>Although the true story is from the law enforcement viewpoint, sometimes a story is better told from another angle. The victim's viewpoint, the criminal's viewpoint, a secondary character (the ride-along, the partner, or, in my case, the office secretary).<br/><br/>1st or 3rd person:<br/>Pick one. Try a story both ways.<br/><br/>Control the story:<br/>This is why you are fictionalizing crime stories. There is no control over how things happen in real life, so work the facts of the story to be somewhat believable but with a conclusion of your choice.<br/><br/>Pull away from “the facts:”<br/>The only time exact facts matter is when you are writing true crime. For fiction, keep the reader in mind and don't get so detailed that the reader gets lost. Dial the story back and just concentrate on the elements that make the investigation or crime unique.<br/><br/>Keep characters to a minimum:<br/>Yes, it takes several departments to solve a crime. No, you don't have to mention all of them. With peripheral characters, just use titles instead of names: “My partner,” “The coroner,” “The I.D.Tech.” Maybe you want to tag a nickname on a character to make them stand out. But even the brass can go by “Captain,” or “Lieutenant.”<br/><br/>Change or add characters:<br/>Don't be afraid to change the real people to more creative fictional characters. If you stick too close to what you see or feel about the real individuals, you will find yourself either censoring your writing or making enemies. If you need an extra character, or even need to eliminate one or two, just do it.<br/><br/>Use jargon:<br/>Readers love police jargon. That's one of the reasons they read police procedurals. Just keep the jargon in check and make sure it's explained in the context of the story. Don't give dictionary explanations for the words.<br/><br/>Changing the ending:<br/>Often the story is interesting, but not satisfying as a story. In that case, make the ending a twist, an observation of life, wrap the case or incident up in a way that's perhaps not true to the real story, but inventive.<br/></font></font></p>
</div>
<p></p>WELCOME TO YOUR WORLDtag:www.authors.com,2014-02-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415872014-02-13T22:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p align="left" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the curses of being a writer is when people say “I've had a fascinating life. You should write about me.”</span></p>
<p align="left" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've had a fascinating life myself. I caused a small riot in a train station in Hanover, Germany, and another riot in a marketplace in…</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the curses of being a writer is when people say “I've had a fascinating life. You should write about me.”</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've had a fascinating life myself. I caused a small riot in a train station in Hanover, Germany, and another riot in a marketplace in Haiti. International misunderstandings can happen when you're 23 and clueless. Seventeen years working in law enforcement gave me plenty of plots.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">According to a New York Times survey, 81% of Americans feel they have a book in them and that they should write it. Those of us who worked in law enforcement have material to spare.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">My friend talks about writing a novel. Her excuses: “I have no time, I'll get to it when my life settles down, I don't know how to get started.” Nothing is on paper. Every day is one more day lost. In a business that takes time to break into and requires energy and $$$ to promote and travel, age is a factor. Writers get younger while my friend waits for her moment of opportunity.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">There will never be time to write. Real writers squeeze time between a spouse, children and a job that pays the bills. Real writers wake up an extra hour earlier, go to bed an hour later, give up TV, find excuses to stay home on weekends and carry notebooks everywhere they go in case an idea pops into their head. They give up things. I gave up housework. We all make sacrifices.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">When author Jean Kerr wrote “Please Don't Eat the Daisies” in 1957, she locked herself and a typewriter in her station wagon and let her four young sons beat on the windows while she finished the book. Think what she could have accomplished in an SUV!</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Still want to write a book? Here's my advice:</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<ol>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Put the first word on paper. Any first word. It won't stay there, and it won't be your last. Just as a journey starts with the first step, writing starts with the first word.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Don't look back. Fill pages up with words. Don't ask yourself if they're the right words. Do that later. Just keep going forward.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Nothing is written that can't be rewritten. This is why computers come with a delete key.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Don't let family members read your work unless they have a novel under their belt. Find a critique group or people who have published. Those are the people worth listening to.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Don't talk your plot out. You will verbally write your story and be instantly satisfied. Soon you won't feel like you have to write it at all.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Don't announce to the world that you are working on a book. You might even want to keep your writing a secret. Friends will be afraid you'll fail. Enemies hope for failure.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Never worry about disappointing people. Never disappoint yourself.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Read up on writing, but don't spend all your time reading. Ditto for research. While fun and informative, it's not writing.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Don't start another novel. Commit to one project all the way to The End.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">If you write 300 words a day (half the length of this column) by the end of a year you will have a 100,000 words, which is a hefty manuscript. That's all it takes. What are you waiting for?</font></font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>WANTED: ACQUISITIONS EDITORtag:www.authors.com,2014-01-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415182014-01-13T22:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p align="center" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><br></br>WANTED</font></font></p>
<p align="center" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Acquisitions Editor</font></font></p>
<p align="center" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Independent Press</font></font></p>
<p align="center" lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Salary: Below Minimum Wage…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><br/>WANTED</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Acquisitions Editor</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Independent Press</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Salary: Below Minimum Wage</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Qualifications: Can you read?</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="center" xml:lang="en-US"></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Even if I'd seen an ad like that beforehand, I think I would have still applied for the job.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">There was no Help Wanted sign at Oak Tree Press. Instead, there was an overworked publisher, a stack of queries and limited staff.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I'm a person with a bad habit of looking at the status quo and asking myself, “How can this be done better?” I'm not sure if that speaks to my leadership skills or just the fact that I can't leave well enough alone.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">In the Navy, I was told “Never volunteer.” I ignored that sage advice just like I ignored many of the edicts I was taught. Accessing the situation, I told Billie Johnson “How about letting me handle acquisitions?”</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Boxes of slush poured in via UPS. To prevent my spare room from becoming a warehouse, I decided to go green. Only electronic queries would be acceptable.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I instituted a timely response to queries. I know authors are taught “The query letter is the most important letter you will write.” There are even workshops on the topic. I don't read the query (sorry aspiring writers!). Instead, I look for two things: genre and word count. If neither apply to our guidelines, I send a rejection letter. I don't believe in generic rejections, just like I don't believe in generic authors. I will tell writers where they missed the mark.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I then google the author. I'm looking for a “Q” rating, the number of times the writer's name appears on the Internet. I'm searching for a website or any attempt to build a platform. Is the author serious about a career? Have they been interacting with cyber/social/professional websites and blogs? Or, do they feel their job is simply to write?</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Too many writers tell me they are going to market once their book is contracted. I believe marketing starts the minute you decide you want to write a novel. Name recognition is key. When regularly commenting, contributing and following blogs, peers and professionals notice. This is how to attain future reviews, interviews and blurbs. I would rather publish novel with a strong marketeer than a bestseller from an author who has no intention of promoting.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">The days of the publicity machine are over. A small press expects an author to be savvy in marketing with skills in place. This is where Oak Tree may be different from other houses. As we grew from 12 titles a year to the current 36, contracted authors started functioning as a “family.” We don't market as individuals, but as a group. Loyalty to the house and to each other are key.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">In researching for this piece, I discovered that most jobs as acquisition editor expect a masters degree in English; I have a BA in journalism. An acquisition editor at McGraw-Hill is expected to bring 20 books into publication; I've brought in 15 in my first year. On the low end of the pay scale, acqui-editors make $30,000; I get paid after bills, authors and cover artists are paid.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">On the other hand, the perks are phenomenal. I was flown to Puerto Vallarta to speak to a writers' group; traveled to Victoria, BC, to scout for our first Canadian property; spoke at the largest junior college in the US; and my mystery novels are used to teach genre writing in community colleges in NJ and California. Plus, I head up The Posse, possibly the most “novel” force in marketing on the Internet.</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">All because I saw a need, lent a hand and had a heart. </font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" align="left" xml:lang="en-US"></p>OH, TO BE YOUNG AGAIN. OR NOT.tag:www.authors.com,2013-12-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415862013-12-13T22:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p>I was recently invited to Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, to speak to aspiring writers about the world of publishing. Mt. SAC, as it is commonly called, is the largest community college in the United States. I wasn't there just to lecture at the weekend writers' conference, but also to represent Oak Tree Press in my role as acquisitions editor and scout for talent.</p>
<p>To be 60 and sitting in a classroom with people barely in their 20's listening to teachers half my age was really…</p>
<p>I was recently invited to Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, to speak to aspiring writers about the world of publishing. Mt. SAC, as it is commonly called, is the largest community college in the United States. I wasn't there just to lecture at the weekend writers' conference, but also to represent Oak Tree Press in my role as acquisitions editor and scout for talent.</p>
<p>To be 60 and sitting in a classroom with people barely in their 20's listening to teachers half my age was really refreshing. I looked at eager faces, the excitement of putting their thoughts into words still apparent in their eyes. I'm not jaded but I know the light will dim in most of them by the time life intrudes and hands them responsibilities, marriage, mortgage and little mouths to feed. Some are already being told by concerned parents that writing is only a dream, to study something practical like business.</p>
<p>What was I going to tell them—that their parents are wrong to dash their dreams so early? Should I encourage them to follow their art and their heart at all costs? The times of living in a garret and pounding out a bestseller on a Royal typewriter are over. What's a garret? What's a typewriter? Did the dream ever really exist, or is it all part of the myth?</p>
<p>What I wound up telling them was the truth, gently but adamantly. First, I gave them the hard stats:</p>
<p>132 million manuscripts are submitted yearly. 1% will be published.</p>
<p>3,000 manuscripts are published daily</p>
<p>Of those published, only 2 % sold more than 5,000 copies.</p>
<p>16% sold fewer than 1,000 copies.</p>
<p>82% sold less than 100 copies.</p>
<p></p>
<p>IF a manuscript manages to get through the slush pile, 90% will be rejected after the first page is read.</p>
<p>98% will be rejected after the first chapter is read.</p>
<p>30-50 will get through to serious consideration.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It's not what these young adults wanted to hear.</p>
<p>I wasn't there to discourage them because I firmly believe publishing has never been so much in an author's favor as the times we live in. This generation is not at the mercy of Big Publishing, the agent third-circle-of-hell, enough rejection slips to wallpaper their dorm rooms. Electronic publishing and the devices they love have made them power players in the world of words. Their peers are coming out with novels written for a generation which grew up on Harry Potter and Buffy. Hollywood hasn't missed the trend, taking self-published bestsellers and turning them into movie gold.</p>
<p>There's no more “paying one's dues” to achieve success. It now comes down to creativity, not just in writing but in marketing and media savvy. Success is for the student who fearlessly confronts this brave new world of publishing and dictates the terms.</p>
<p>Did I find the talent I was looking for? Oh, yeah. There were two manuscripts I was ready to snatch up had they been finished. I also found Wonder Boys Jeffrey and Daniel, Augie and AJ, Marta and Michaelsun and met John Brantingham, a teacher they love and I one I would love to someday publish. I hope I left behind a little hope and a lot of encouragement. </p>IN DEFENSE OF CRAZY CAT LADIEStag:www.authors.com,2013-11-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415172013-11-13T22:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Right now I have the matron of the house standing guard by the computer making sure I write positive things about the tribe. Gemini, who entered my life on my birthday, allows me to tap at the computer keys for just so long, then reminds me to take a break by crawling into my lap for a few strokes of her own.</p>
<p>The other four are off doing their own thing: Kitler is asleep on a cardboard box, a favorite spot of all cats (along with the step stool, the…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Right now I have the matron of the house standing guard by the computer making sure I write positive things about the tribe. Gemini, who entered my life on my birthday, allows me to tap at the computer keys for just so long, then reminds me to take a break by crawling into my lap for a few strokes of her own.</p>
<p>The other four are off doing their own thing: Kitler is asleep on a cardboard box, a favorite spot of all cats (along with the step stool, the recycle bin and my favorite robe). The newest addition, who I call The Little Prince, has discovered the fake ficus and confuses it with real greenery. He doesn't know it, but he's going to the vets in two weeks to become a eunuch.</p>
<p>Cats are great companions for older, single women. We are quiet, move slowly (especially in the morning), have soft voices and time to cuddle. They are purfect for writers because they love it when we stay in one place for hours and they can doze nearby. When we move, they reluctantly relocate. When we explain our plot frustrations, they listen intently. When we need them, they knead us.</p>
<p>I live in a small, rural town where cats are still considered farm animals. People aren't inclined to spay or neuter so the neighborhood is over-run with strays. I have fixed as many as I can catch with the help of my sister (also a crazy cat lady). Strays are welcome to eat kibble and sleep on blankets I keep on the porch for cold nights. This does not endear me to the neighbors, who feel if ignored, the cats will go away. I don't believe starvation is an option.</p>
<p>Although there is no love for cats here, the local shelter puts cats on a train and sends them to San Francisco to a no-kill shelter. I've been told that pet stores no longer “sell” cats in the Bay Area, people are encouraged to give a home to shelter kitties. I hope that's true.</p>
<p>The running joke at mystery conference is “Never kill a cat.” Don't laugh. I wrote a nasty letter to Joe Konrath for doing exactly that in his first book. I had to put down THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO because a cat was tortured and dismembered. If that's a spoiler, I don't care.</p>
<p>Before I close, I want to explain Kitler's name. There is a website called “Kitler Cats,” one of the funniest sites ever. These are cats with a distinctive mustache.</p>IF I COULD TURN BACK TIMEtag:www.authors.com,2013-09-13:3798404:BlogPost:1414182013-09-13T21:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p><strong>Would I? I have thought of this question many times as I push forward. I think it’s good to stop and evaluate once in awhile. Am I on the right track? Could I have avoided the pitfalls? Can I learn from my mistakes? Here’s what I came up with:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d started earlier. I wrote every chance I could, in secret as a child. My mother thought it was a waste of time when I could be outdoors or…</font></font></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Would I? I have thought of this question many times as I push forward. I think it’s good to stop and evaluate once in awhile. Am I on the right track? Could I have avoided the pitfalls? Can I learn from my mistakes? Here’s what I came up with:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d started earlier. I wrote every chance I could, in secret as a child. My mother thought it was a waste of time when I could be outdoors or doing chores.</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d understood the teachers who raved about my talent instead of being embarrassed to be singled out.</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d been the homecoming queen instead of the editor of the high school newspaper, guaranteed to kill one’s social status.</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d grabbed opportunities that presented themselves. If I’d married the scarred Vietnam vet, his father promised me a writing career on the AAA travel magazine. I could have had a terrific career and a bad marriage. I ran in the other direction. I joined the Navy.</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I hadn’t settled for being a dental tech in the military. Schools weren’t guaranteed for women back in 1972 and dental training was all I was offered. Later I found out that if I had passed on the offer, I would have been mopping floors until I could “strike” for a journalism position. While I didn’t take the gamble, I did volunteer at every base newspaper where I was stationed.</font></font></p>
</li>
<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish my college profs wouldn’t have pushed me to interview for a local newspaper in my junior year. I was the token woman and apparently wasn’t suppose to score three front page stories in one edition. The men resented me and my love of journalism died.</font></font></p>
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<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I had started my first novel earlier. Instead, I went on to work in the narcotics division of the sheriff’s department and realized I had everything to become a mystery writer—including great plots.</font></font></p>
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<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d published before I was seasoned. All sorts of options were there: Publish America, Xlibris, the new e-book format. Instead, I watched and learned from other’s mistakes. I studied the trends in publishing, learned about the industry, weighed my chances with a large publishing house and finally made a decision. I picked a growing publishing house that NEEDED me as much as I needed it. I found I liked making decisions with the publisher and having my ideas heard.</font></font></p>
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<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d known that I was a good public speaker. Instead, I practiced with a video camera and worked on my flaws (stop the hair flipping, no “uhhs”). Volunteering on panels and not worrying so much about being judged as being listened to took awhile to sink in.</font></font></p>
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<li><p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">I wish I’d censored my tongue and my prose. My opinions sometimes raises eyebrows and provokes responses. So do my novels. I get kicked off or moderated on list serves. People remember who I am. I’m controversial. Oh wait—that’s a good thing, right?</font></font></p>
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<p>So, would I do anything differently if I could rewind the clock? No, I don’t think so. Everything in my life, every crazy decision I made and strange road I followed made me the writer I am today. I guess I trusted my judgment and stayed true to my ideals. I couldn’t ask for more or done anything differently. And anyway, time doesn’t go backward, it only moves forward. So should we.</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><br/><br/></p>DAVID VS GOLIATHtag:www.authors.com,2013-08-13:3798404:BlogPost:1416622013-08-13T21:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Small publishing vs. BIG PUBLISHING.</p>
<p>Every Author sets out with high hopes of publishing their book and seeing it on the shelves of the big chains. They deserve to be there. After brain-sweat and sacrifice, the reward should be wonderful book signings and lines of buyers waiting for an autograph.</p>
<p>That's the carrot that keeps writers pounding away at the keyboard. It happens to a lucky few. But sometimes the author published by a major publishing…</p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US">Small publishing vs. BIG PUBLISHING.</p>
<p>Every Author sets out with high hopes of publishing their book and seeing it on the shelves of the big chains. They deserve to be there. After brain-sweat and sacrifice, the reward should be wonderful book signings and lines of buyers waiting for an autograph.</p>
<p>That's the carrot that keeps writers pounding away at the keyboard. It happens to a lucky few. But sometimes the author published by a major publishing house is a one-book wonder and left to contemplate why the publisher deserted them. Sometimes they can't meet the sales expectations of their publisher on the second book and get pushed to the sidelines. Sometimes the economy downsizes them right out of their career as big publishing can't balance cost of putting out a book with a frugal public. Authors never fantasize about that aspect of the industry.</p>
<p>Then there are the small press authors. We're the ones who looked at the slush pile and the long lines in front of agent's doors and said, “I can do better.” We rolled the dice and took a gamble on a small outfit, a one-man-(or woman)-band. We were impatient and wanted our work out there before we were too old to travel and promote.</p>
<p>I started my career by joining with two girlfriends and putting out a regional mystery anthology of our prize-winning short stories. Anthologies are tough to get published, but nobody told us. We found a publisher, designed the cover and each paid $2,000 dollars to co-publish. The publisher put in a thousand dollars. Soon it was apparent that no store, not even the independent book stores in our city, would carry the books. It was also apparent that we had a public delighted to read about the San Joaquin Valley. We had published the first mystery anthology in this region. We hand-sold the book, one at a time.</p>
<p>I'm lucky to have such a rough start. It banished my own illusions of the publishing world. I actually had to learn everything from the ground up. I knew when my first novel was published that my success would happen under my own steam. I love having a big say in how I market, it makes me feel in control of my career. I didn't hand my work over to corporate strangers and trust that they would have my best interest at heart. I bounced off the contacts and savvy I'd learned from the first books I published. I had a readership in place salivating for the next book in the series. I also delved into Internet promotion and invited several of you to join me.</p>
<p>What I love about being with a small publisher is that I feel nurtured. I know my talent is respected. I still get to be a player in the literary world. Some may feel they are too big for small publishing. I feel you can't promote what doesn't exist, so while some authors spend time looking for an agent and a publisher and hoping lightening strikes, I'm out selling my next book.</p>
<p>Small publishing is a choice. My career is what I make it, not what a faceless committee decides. I choose to enjoy the freedom, explore the possibilities and reap the fruit of my labors. Oh yeah—and now I'm acquisitions editor for my publishing house, Oak Tree Press. Try making THAT leap in a big publishing house!</p>HOW BIG IS YOUR BOX?tag:www.authors.com,2013-07-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415852013-07-13T21:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Talk about diminishing venues to speak and sign, difficulty getting book sales and name recognition makes me wonder--how far out of the box are you willing to think?<br></br><br></br>I live in a small town, pop. 23,000 (Lemoore). Ten miles away is a larger town (Hanford). Forty miles away is the Big City (Fresno).<br></br><br></br>I lived in the Big City over 25 years and was never able to get a signing or even a book launch. The local…</font></font></p>
<p lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">Talk about diminishing venues to speak and sign, difficulty getting book sales and name recognition makes me wonder--how far out of the box are you willing to think?<br/><br/>I live in a small town, pop. 23,000 (Lemoore). Ten miles away is a larger town (Hanford). Forty miles away is the Big City (Fresno).<br/><br/>I lived in the Big City over 25 years and was never able to get a signing or even a book launch. The local newspaper ignores local authors in favor of canned wire reviews of authors who would never set foot in this part of California. What good was that doing me?<br/><br/>When I moved back to my hometown, I was asked to write a monthly column on writing in the weekly newspaper. They practically created an entertainment section just for me. I sought to fill it with other book news and author interviews. I did this without pay. I became known as "the local mystery writer." Nice.<br/><br/>The Hanford library read one of my columns and asked me to do an event. It was such a great experience, I asked if I could help with the author program and filled the calendar with local authors all the way to 2011. I also write all the newspaper articles and contact the media. Free of charge.<br/><br/>An even smaller town, Chowchilla, put on a Local Authors Event. It cost nothing, but was set in a small room, little media notification and not well attended. I used the event to grab business cards from every author. Why couldn't I do a similar event in Hanford?<br/><br/>I asked the same question of my library. I was offered free use of the Veterans Building, picked a date, and put out a call for authors. Over 23 have responded so far. The event will be free to the public, widely publicized and the local ice cream parlor (best ice cream in the world, we are a dairy region) may be giving us coupons to go with book sales.<br/><br/>Okay, the point of my blog: instead of wondering where all the good sales venues are, why not create them? Not just for yourself, but for all the authors in your area. Why not just do what I did--ask. Sometimes it just takes one person to get the ball rolling.<br/><br/>Keep in mind, I did this with no pay. Yes, it took time from my life and writing. However, it has resulted in a higher profile in my region and kept my name out there to the public. I've also become the de facto hub of a writers' consortium since I have all the contacts. You need a speaker? Call me.<br/><br/>There are a few things you must be willing to do, but then, you should be doing them already. I became familiar with the movers and shakers in my small towns, including the Board of Education, the Sheriff and Police Departments (for crime writers), the junior college, high schools, tourist board, woman who holds the Indian casino purse strings, and the wife of the commander on the local military base. I did this by hand-distributing flyers the library made for upcoming speakers. I also interacted with all the sorts of writing groups in the area: Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers, various critique groups and reading groups.<br/><br/>Key to everything is the media. I took the time early on in my career to contact every newspaper in the area, especially small publications looking for newsworthy articles. I check periodically to make sure the same reporters are covering features. I ask what their deadline is for community news announcements. I ask if it would help if I drafted or wrote the article for them. Having been a newspaper woman in the past, I know these people are underpaid, overworked, underappreciated and stressed. To have someone offer to take some of the load off is heaven-sent. Do I get paid? No.<br/><br/>But I do get rewarded. My town gave me a book launch at the prestigious Carnegie Library. My books sell. I get written up in the media. I have two towns behind my career. I know people. We do lunch. They pay.<br/><br/>I'm not suggesting this philanthropic approach will work for everyone. If it's only your purse strings you are concerned with--not your fellow authors or your publisher's sales figures--then so be it. However, these are tight economic times. You can lament the buying public or you can offer them a free experience and hope they respond generously. Give a little to get a little.<br/><br/>So, ask yourself--how big is that box you're in? Don't you want to peek and see what's outside the box?</font></font></p>OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!tag:www.authors.com,2013-06-13:3798404:BlogPost:1416612013-06-13T21:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Sound familiar? Dr. Seuss wrote the poem as an inspiration and promise to children.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote><font color="#000000"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman, serif">Writers go to many places, often inside our heads but sometimes to book signings, conferences, libraries and Starbucks. Usually we pay our own…</font></font></span></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Sound familiar? Dr. Seuss wrote the poem as an inspiration and promise to children.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote><font color="#000000"><span lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman, serif">Writers go to many places, often inside our heads but sometimes to book signings, conferences, libraries and Starbucks. Usually we pay our own way just for the opportunity to put our books in front of readers.</font></font></span></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Imagine my shock and disbelief when I was contacted by the Puerto Vallarta Writers Conference and invited to be a speaker. They apologized that they wouldn't be able to pay for anything but airfare. Were they kidding? I had my passport out and dusted off in record time.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">If someone had told me five years ago that I would be a featured speaker at any conference, I would have laughed myself silly. I had one published novel, a few short story trophies under my belt and I was paying my proverbial dues to the writing gods. When did my life take a leap forward?</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">There was no leap. There were tiny steps, cautious ones at first. As I got my footing, I began exploring. The Internet came into its own and I eagerly embraced cyber-socializing, blogging and marketing. I sprinted ahead when curiosity made me volunteer to do acquisitions for my publisher. Now I was experiencing a runner's high, enjoying the rarefied air of helping other writers get published.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">On the plane to Puerto Vallarta I kept reminding myself that I'm a woman living in a rural town with small (but growing!) readership for my astrology-based mysteries who doesn't get out of her bathrobe most days and is one feline short of Crazy Cat Lady. Yet, someone recognized all the hard work I'd invested in my career and felt I had something to offer those taking their own tentative steps in the business.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">After a wet winter in California, PV (as the ex-pats call it) was all sunshine, music, exotic smells and terrifying traffic. The cobblestone streets were made for burros, not SUVs. I was a guest at a charming hotel and awoke every morning to the deep cathedral bell in the town square. The Mango Library turned out to be a beautiful venue, the audience friendly and casual, a state of being in this part of the world. I spoke about publishing for two hours straight after a tamale lunch, fighting jet lag and the urge to take a siesta. I got to spend the rest of the time enjoying my fellow speakers and taking pitch sessions with writers.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Something in me had changed by the time my plane landed in the U.S. I felt, for the first time, like I was worth every penny people were willing to pay me. I have information to give to other writers, secrets and strategies that will help their careers. I've paid my dues and are reaping the rewards for hard work in a field I have always loved.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Dr. Seuss said it best:</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">Out there things can happen<br/>and frequently do<br/>to people as brainy<br/>and footsy as you.</font></font></font></blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3">And when things start to happen,<br/>don't worry. Don't stew.<br/>Just go right along.<br/>You'll start happening too.</font></font></font></blockquote>
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<blockquote lang="en-US" xml:lang="en-US"><br/><br/></blockquote>YOU'VE CHANGED—HAS YOUR WEBSITE?tag:www.authors.com,2013-05-13:3798404:BlogPost:1415832013-05-13T21:00:00.000ZSunny Frazierhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SunnyFrazier
<p>Websites are now as important for establishing identity as a birth certificate or a driver's license. Yet, I've noticed that once an author puts one up, the site is often forgotten and neglected.</p>
<p>I research authors when they send me query letters in my capacity as acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press. I like to know who I'm dealing with and, short of doing a background check, websites are all I have to give me an inkling of their accomplishments up to this stage in their…</p>
<p>Websites are now as important for establishing identity as a birth certificate or a driver's license. Yet, I've noticed that once an author puts one up, the site is often forgotten and neglected.</p>
<p>I research authors when they send me query letters in my capacity as acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press. I like to know who I'm dealing with and, short of doing a background check, websites are all I have to give me an inkling of their accomplishments up to this stage in their careers.</p>
<p>When all of us tentatively dipped our toes in the Internet waters, websites had to be done by techy people who knew the bells and whistles. Their expertise came with a price tag. The evolution of do-it-yourself sites taught us all what a domain name was and put self-made websites within reach. They became the way we reached out to the world.</p>
<p>What prompted me to blog about this is the realization that my own website construction didn't in any way reflect who I am today. I had evolved but my website was stagnant.</p>
<p>Of course, the bio info hadn't changed. The past is what it is, I can't recreate it. The second page was updated to show the covers of both my Christy Bristol mysteries. But, where was any indication of my current status of scouting for authors and creating careers? There was nothing showing this progression.</p>
<p>What I saw were pages that no longer had any use. My links page didn't attract any attention; in fact, other authors were doing it better with a line-up on the perimeters of their sites. I was more interested in their links and using them for my benefit. I scrapped Links and substituted a page showing off covers of books I'd midwifed into print. I included a video of publisher Billie Johnson and I giving our mission statement for Oak Tree Press. I titled the page “Mission: Acquisitions.” Catchy, right?</p>
<p>“On the Road” wasn't relevant now because kidney failure curtails future public appearances. The nifty idea I had called “The Murder Circle” to promote authors had given away to another nifty idea: “Posse Posts.” The Posse is a marketing group I lead by sending them to websites that expand their knowledge of promotion. Why not make the links available to everyone?</p>
<p>I encourage everyone to examine what your website says about you to the world and try to keep it current with your growth. After all, the idea is to reflect not just who you are but where you're going in your career. </p>