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Published byClaribel Rosalind Patrick Modified over 9 years ago
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Fiction: Publishing & Markets Part I Frederic Murray, M.L.I.S. frederic.murray@swosu.edu
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The Four Elements Good Writing Knowledge of Writing Markets Professionalism Persistence
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Outline: Basics Develop Your Ideas, Then Target the Markets Query and Cover Letters Agents Manuscript Format Word Count Send Photocopies Mailing Manuscripts
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Develop Your Ideas, Then Target the Markets Create then Market or Market then Create? List market for each idea Submission Guidelines Rejection – the mark of a working writer
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Query and Cover Letters Use a normal font Include your name, address, phone, email, web site One inch margins Address a specific editor or agent Limit letter to one page single-space SASE Block paragraph (no indentations) Thank editor for considering query Follow up – Submission Guidelines
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Rookie Mistakes Discuss Pay Rates Mention Copyright (It’s Mine…all mine) Avoid flattery Don’t mention past rejections
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Agents Represent Your Work to Publishers Negotiate Contracts Handle Business Affairs Association of Authors’ Representatives
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Manuscript Format Word Count Send Photocopies Mailing Manuscripts Under 5 pages fold into 3rds, and send in #10 SASE 5 pages, unfolded in 9 x 12 SASE No Certified Mail-Amateur Hour Goal: Make the Manuscript Readable
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Beyond Basics: Minding the Details Contracts & Agreements Rights & the Writer Copyright Six Rules of Publishing Success
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Contracts & Agreements Writer License the Work for current use Limit Publisher’s ability to make other uses of the work in the future Publisher Secure publishing rights for current use Secure publishing rights for future use
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Rights & the Writer First Serial Rights Writer offers manuscript for the first time in any periodical/ All other rights remain w/author One-Time Rights Nonexclusive. Author retains right to publish in other publications at the same time/ aka simultaneous rights Second Serial (Reprint) Rights given to magazine to publish work that has already appeared in another magazine
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Rights & the Writer All Rights Sell every right to publisher…Avoid…can never use again under your name Electronic Rights Cover the new media: Online journals, Games, databases Subsidiary Rights Serial, Electronic, percentage of sales from licensing of these rights Dramatic…TV/ Film Rights Usually one-year option. Buyer tries to resell
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Copyright Copyright protects original works of authorship that are in a fixed tangible form of expression The work is yours…until you say otherwise You do not have to register with U.S. Copyright Office to be protected. Copyright: Lifetime plus 70 years Copyright does not Cover: Titles Ideas Facts www.copyright.gov/forms
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Six Rules of Publishing Success Write What You Want to Write Research…Research…Research…! Submit Tactically Get-and Stay-Organized Keep Writing (and Reading) Nurture Relationships
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Thanks! frederic.murray@swosu.edu
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