WRITERLY WISDOM: TINA M CHO

It's time once again for WRITERLY WISDOM where every Wednesday we sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication.  I first met my next guest through Facebook groups like 12 X 12 and Children's Book Hub.  We had writing in common but soon I discovered we also has a shared interest in martial arts...me as an instructor in TaeKwonDo, and her as a cheerleader for her children's own training in this lovely art.  Now we share yet another common interest...she is delving in the non fiction genre of writing and I can hardly wait for the day when I am able to dip my fingers into those same waters.  Today she shows us how to create a solid non fiction proposal. Take it away Tina...


How to Write a Nonfiction Proposal

By Tina M. Cho

Thank you, Donna, for having me on your fabulous blog! I just finished writing a nonfiction book in which I had written the proposal. In fact, the way I pursue and write a proposal might be slightly different from others.

I was taught by a wonderful mentor, Nancy I. Sanders, who showed me how to get a book contract BEFORE you write the book. And so before I even write a proposal, I send a simple query to the editor to see if they are even interested in my topic. Why bother researching for several months if editors aren’t interested? Furthermore, I select book ideas that will fit in with a publisher’s existing line of books. After I hear back from the editor that yes, they’d like to see a proposal on a certain topic, I reply by saying I’ll send them a proposal in a month or list a date. This way of querying before writing the proposal is a good way to get published. This book may or may not be near and dear to your heart, but it’s a way to get published and build your resume. I’ve written three books this way and have one more being seriously considered.

So once I get the green light to write the proposal, I do the research on my topic for the book. From there, I write the proposal package. I’m calling it a package because a proposal is more than one item. A proposal consists of the proposal itself, a table of contents (TOC) or book outline, and sample chapters (1-3). For all of my proposals, I only wrote one sample chapter but very detailed TOC’s. You’ll want to check the submission guidelines for the publisher you’re targeting. Sometimes they have very specific guidelines.

Now I’ll explain the seven components of the actual proposal document. Other web sites will have the same information but maybe in a slightly different order. This is what works for me.

Proposal

I. Overview

This is the introduction to your proposal, the overview, general summary and essence of your book. You want to hook the editor by showing why your topic is relevant and important. My overview sections have been 3-4 small paragraphs. Why did you choose this topic? Is it popular right now? Is it in the news? Here is where you can give a tiny bit of historical information if needed as well. The next little paragraph can show your passion and excitement for the topic. Why is it important to you? And lastly, what can your book offer or do for people?

For example, for my proposal The Girls Guide to Manners and All That Good Stuff, which is forthcoming from Legacy Press Kids, I first gave an overview of how the topic was popular and in the news as Prince William and Kate were getting married. I noticed many articles on etiquette. Even Barbie came out with a movie about etiquette. And universities have added etiquette/manners classes! So I used those as a background and hook. Then I told my passion of why I thought this topic was relevant. My own daughter could use a book about it, along with other girls her age. (This book idea fit into the publisher’s existing line of books.) And my last paragraph explained what this book would have to offer to the specific audience, who are 8-12 year-old-girls.

II. About the Book

This is just a small paragraph explaining a little more about your book and target audience. What components will be in your book? Will each chapter have crafts, activities, recipes, or stories? This is where you can hint at your general plan and make-up of the book.

III. The Need

This is where you explain in 2-3 small paragraphs why your book is needed in today’s market. Does it correlate with Common Core Standards? Does it fill a need? Share the research and show or prove why your book needs to be published. You can also share statistics or demographics of your audience if need be.

For one of my proposals, I discovered that no other books existed on the topic for the target age level audience.

IV. Competition/Market

You need to list titles, authors, and publishing information about comparable books to yours. Use the search function in Amazon or Barnes and Noble and find comp books. Even though there might be many on your topic, an editor at another publishing house might say, “Hey, this is a popular topic for school, and we need one in our catalog, too.” However, after listing the comparable books, write a sentence explaining how your book is unique and different from the ones listed.

V. Promotion

How can you help promote the book? What do you already do? Blog? Twitter? Facebook? Book Reviews? Speak? Share your platform of what you already do and maybe list statistics of how many followers. Perhaps you already are an expert on this topic and lecture or speak about it.

VI. About You

Here is where you list your bio, credentials, other published works, and why you should be the one to write this book. If the book is about science projects, and you’re a former science teacher, then show the connection!

VII. Summary

This is just a 1-2 sentence summary of the proposal. For example, “I look forward to seeing the potential “Title of Book” out in the market someday so that it will [whatever need it will fill or offer to do for people.]

After you write the actual proposal, you’ll need to sketch out a book outline or table of contents. How many chapters do you envision? Give a sentence summary for each chapter and then list detailed points for the components of each chapter. In my experience, the more detailed, the better. If the chapter involves activities, crafts, recipes, or other things, then name them. Tell the editor exactly what the reader will be doing. This makes you as a writer more knowledgeable and organized. And, having a detailed TOC helps for when you later go back to write the actual book after the proposal has been approved. This could be a couple months to a year!

And lastly, write your sample chapters and make sure they follow your book outline. When you have your proposal package ready, follow the directions on your publisher’s web site and either snail mail or email it to the correct place. I hope this has been of some help to you all! Best wishes on your future proposals!

Tina is an author of 25 guided reading books from Lakeshore Learning and Compass Media.  A coloring book, God Is So Good, from Warner Press was published in 2013.  Three nonfiction books are forthcoming from Legacy Press Kids.  She is a former elementary teacher who currently homeschools her 5th grade daughter and 2nd grade son.  Though she grew up in Iowa, she is now living outside of Seoul, South Korea.

Website: http://tinamcho.wordpress.com

The Rules Of Three...

There is the belief in fiction writing that a great story line must include a main character attempting to overcome some enormous obstacle multiple times before they are finally allowed to succeed.  It doesn't even matter whether the trouble comes from outside sources or is one of their own making.  Readers have a hard time relating to some perfect role model leading a perfectly normal life...there is something hinky or just not right about characters like that which makes even the most liberal of editors pass on a manuscript.  But give that same main character a way to struggle within themselves or tackle the world around them where they have the chance to subtly learn a life lesson at the end of the day and readers will beg for more...and so will your editor.

With that idea in mind, when I made the decision to become a professional writer a few years ago, I created my own RULES OF THREE I follow when I'm working on a new manuscript or even revising an old one:

RULE NUMBER ONE

Make the challenges and solutions believable.  Unless you are writing pure fantasy and have created a world where anything goes, your story needs to make sense to your intended reading audience. I started a picture book story once where my main character wanted to win a costume contest.  A simple enough idea any child can relate to.  But if I write the plot where his mother gives him a store bought suit guaranteed to take first prize where is the conflict?  Where is the struggle to overcome the core problem of the story?  So I make him watch others take the coveted prize in previous years while I have him weep for his failures. I have him try different ways to come out on top but each time he falls short until he wants to give up the fight. Only then do I dangle the solution in front of his nose and allow for that AH-HA moment where main character and reader figure out together how to win the prize. Engage the emotions of your audience with real life connections and they will hang on every word you write.


RULE NUMBER TWO

Writing isn't for the faint of heart.  Learn to take chances.  Think outside the box.  Ask yourself all those what-if and 
I-wonder-what-would-happen questions.  Don't be afraid to dig deep inside yourself and be vulnerable on the page. Remember rule number one?  Your writing has to be believable and in order to do that you need to connect with your reader.  Once you have polished your story as much as you can, don't be afraid to let others critique it.  I can verbally castrate myself all day long about how bad one of my stories may be or even worse, shower myself with false praise on becoming the next Mercer Mayer or J K Rowling.  But until I am brave enough to let my words stand up to the critical eyes of my peers, I will never really know my strengths or weaknesses as a writer.  At some point I have to take that leap of faith and place my "baby" in the hands of people I trust to give me honest (if sometimes painful) feedback on how to make my story shine like a diamond.  Only then can I think about rule number three.


RULE NUMBER THREE

It's one step back and three steps forward.  Everything I do concerning my writing is planned to constantly move me forward in this new career of mine.  Through no coincidence I'm sure, I'm now in my third year of writing professionally (maybe the publishing industry IS right about the whole three thing rule?) and I am ready to start submitting my work in the hopes of gaining the attention of an agent who sees the same strengths in my writing as I do.  The first year I researched and read as much as I could about the industry itself.  I followed the advice of wise authors who came before me and worked hard to overcome my own weaknesses as a novice writer.  Year two found me deep in the creative side of things where I wrote numerous stories, entered contests, created this blog, and widened my circle of friends within this writing community.  While I work on building the foundation of my own career, I get to celebrate the successes of those ahead of me on this path to publication.  This year, my third one of writing, I'm ready to start submitting my work. I keep in mind it's one step back and three steps forward every time I send one of my "babies" into the world.  For every ONE rejection email or letter I receive I send my story to THREE more agents.  I carefully consider any encouraging comments they may make but I do not allow those rejections to stop my dream.  I don't take it personally and when they say it's not a fit for them, I simply take that leap of faith again and send my story back out in the hopes one day an agent WILL take notice. Perseverance and patience go a long way in this business.



I'm not saying there aren't days when I'm afraid I'll never make it as a writer.  And I'm not saying I have the perfect solution to the challenge of becoming published.  But I do know there are moments of greatness in all of us...moments when our fingers fly over the keyboard to create a little magic much needed in the world we live in today.  So why not have a little fun along the way?

Flash Fiction Friday

Stuck In A Tunnel

by Donna L Martin

Light was beginning to filter through the treetops  as Willie sniffed the ground by the old oak tree.  Standing strong for years, the decaying trunk now nestled into the dirt and was home for Willie's favorite early morning meal.  Turning his head to one side to stare at the tree, Willie thought about how he could get to the tasty larvae buried deep in the hollowed out tunnel.

"Just enough room for my head" said Willie. "Breakfast is almost here."

Scratching his tusks on the rough bark, Willie pushed his head further and further into the opening until he could almost reach the grubs.

"Just a little more," said Willie.

Stretching out his tongue, Willie wrapped it around a couple of grubs and began backing out of the tunnel.  Oh no! He was stuck! No matter how much he twisted and turned, poor Willie was stuck in the tunnel of the tree and couldn't get out!

"What am I going to do?" thought Willie. "How am I going to get out of here?"

Just then he felt a little tap, tap, tapping on his back.  Who could it be?

***Okay, it's your turn!  What happens next?  How does Willie get free?  And who is tap, tap, tapping?  Put your creative cap on and add a sentence or add a paragraph.  Continue my story or start one of your own.  Join the fun and see where this picture prompt takes us!***

WRITERLY WISDOM: Amanda Luedeke

It's time once again for WRITERLY WISDOM where every Wednesday we sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication.  When I found out the lovely Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor Literary Inc was interested in providing a post for this series, you could have heard my squeals of excitement all the way to Bora Bora!  I know a lot of newbie writers and debut authors struggle with exactly what is "author platform" and how to effectively market their manuscripts.  Amanda has just come out with a wonderful ebook guide to address that very issue.  I asked for my readers to send me questions for her to answer,  and here is the lowdown on what we should and shouldn't be doing when promoting our published work.  Take it away Amanda...


The Art of Author Marketing
By Amanda Luedeke, Literary Agent



Marketing has become one of the biggest obstacles that any author will face. Great marketing ensures book sales and a solid marketing plan or platform can impress any publisher.

But let’s face it. Most authors aren’t the marketing, sales-y types.

I come from a marketing background. Before working as an agent, I worked at an agency outside of Chicago and launched blogs, YouTube Channels, Facebook groups, and strategized apps for some pretty major clients. So when I transitioned to publishing, I immediately realized that I was holding a very coveted gem…the gem of understanding and “getting” marketing.

For well over a year now, I’ve blogged about marketing on the agency blog (www.chipmacgregor.com). Every Thursday, I debunk Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr or SEO or blogging…and I’ve found it to be well received.

But I realized people wanted more than my posts. So, I wrote THE EXTROVERTED WRITER: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform.

It’s the perfect little e-book for:

·      The published author

·      The unpublished author

·      The author looking for marketing ideas

·      The author looking for marketing advice

·      The author looking for marketing reassurance

But most importantly, it’s the perfect little book to help you go from being an introverted, “I-don’t-know-how-to-market-myself,” to an extroverted, “I’m-confident-I-can-market-myself” writer.

Check it out on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords (for all other ereader devices).

Now, I’m here to answer your marketing questions! In preparation for this post, we pulled some thoughts and queries from you readers. SO, get ready, here are my thoughts on your most pressing author marketing questions:

When is the best time to begin marketing a new book? 

You want to have your marketing plan in place about 6 months before release. To schedule blog appearances, speaking engagements, radio interviews, etc., it takes time. So, it’s best to chip away at it over those six months. But the idea is to have things hit the month your book releases (preferably after release).

How are some ways a new author can market their debut book? 

Since it’s your first book, you’re going to have friends and family ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help the book succeed (You won’t get this with any other book you do!). All debut authors should take advantage of this excitement and form a street team to help create a buzz about the book. Use your street team to share on Facebook, Twitter and more. Guest post on their blogs, and get them to place bookmarks or promotional materials at their local coffee shops, doctor’s offices, libraries, etc. Remember, a street team of even 20 can be 20 places at once.

If you could only pick one social media site to promote your book, which one would you choose and why? 

Personally, I’d choose Facebook, but I know of many authors who swear by Twitter. At the end of the day, you need to zero in on the social media channel that best connects with YOUR audience. Blogs, Tumblr, Pinterest, YouTube, Goodreads…Figure out where you have the most fans (or the most potential fans) and set up camp.

What one piece of advice can you give an author who knows nothing about marketing?

Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What would make YOU shell out $15 for a book? Then, do what you need to do to meet that need for your potential readers.

What’s one thing you see missing from websites or blogs that would greatly impact attracting new followers? 

Most websites and blogs are dead zones. The authors do nothing to cultivate relationships with their readers. There’s no personal interaction, there’s no way for readers to feel part of things. If you can foster a community among your readers, that’s a powerful thing.

Do blog tours really help sales of a debut book? 

Typically, no. Typically, blog tours target the same old blogs that have the same old readers of those blogs. The successful tours are the ones that are put together from scratch. So, instead of approaching the same blogs that always appear in tours, an author would approach blogs that typically don’t participate in such things. This is how you get your book in front of new readers who are likely to be pleasantly surprised that you’ve stopped by their blog for a chat.

What’s the worst marketing thing an author can do? 

The worst thing is for an author to either be too passive or too aggressive. The passive authors typically wait for their publisher or agent to tell them what to do. Consequently, nothing gets done. The aggressive authors end up being blocked by readers online because they’re ALWAYS doing the hard sell. Both will kill your career.

Hope this was helpful! And be sure to check out my book for more tips and tricks!

Amanda Luedeke is a literary agent with MacGregor Literary, Inc. A 2006 graduate of Taylor University's Professional Writing program, Amanda spent some years working in marketing as a social media expert and copywriter for major national brands, including Vera Bradley, Peg Perego, and Benjamin Moore. While in marketing, she launched blogs, YouTube channels, Facebook pages, and more on behalf of clients.

She has been an agent since 2010, and has quickly put to use her knack for understanding and not shying away from marketing and promotions. She works with her authors to perfect their brands and marketing efforts, while offering weekly marketing advice on the agency blog.
Amanda lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her husband and Great Dane.

Writers...Start Your Engines!

***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***

Before we get to today's post I wanted to give you updates on a couple of things.  By now everyone who reads my blog knows about the Children's Festival of Reading event which happens in my city every May to help benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  You know I started hosting a FREE AUTHOR'S PROMOTION at my booth where I promote all your lovely ebooks and hardcover books as my way of giving back to this wonderful writing community. Last year I received 350 autographed items (books, bookmarks, postcards, tshirts, mugs, posters, etc) to be included in my FREE GIVEAWAY to some of the 15,000 people who attend this event each year.  Well, the festival is happening this Saturday, May 18th and while I am STILL receiving daily packages from lovely authors all around the world, here are the latest numbers...

That's how many authors are currently participating in this year's event!  And how many autographed books and other signed items do I have so far to give away at my booth this year?

All I can say is WOW!!!

***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***

The second thing I wanted to talk about is my Flash Fiction Friday posts.  When I started those Friday posts, I envisioned something where readers and writers could come together to have fun while creating a story.  I have had tremendous pleasure starting off each week's story, and I enjoyed reading every addition you, lovely readers, have contributed along the way.  There are people who jump in with both feet and add a line or two to each story.  There are others who simply read them for the pure entertainment value and go on with their day.  While I LOVE both groups, the blog stats indicate that maybe this is not something you would like to see on a weekly basis and I'm wondering if I should consider dropping the Friday post?  What do you, my readers, say?  Do you still want to see Flash Fiction Friday posts?  Are the Monday and Wednesday posts enough?  Do you want to see something different on Fridays?  I have actually been toying with the idea of inviting illustrators to stop by on Friday (kinda like my WRITERLY WISDOM) series and give us a peek into THEIR world.  Would you like something like that instead on your Fridays?  I'm open to suggestions and would REALLY appreciate if you would give me your comments and feedback!

***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***NEWS FLASH***

Now on to today's post:

When I was a teenager, my father decided it was time for me to learn how to drive.  He taught my three siblings so I'm sure he thought it would be no big deal to show his fourth child the ways of the road.  There were only two things he really hadn't considered when he put me behind the wheel.  Although my brother and sisters managed to learn how to drive under his watchful eye, my father wasn't exactly known for his patience and we both quickly saw he would not have the patience necessary for me to learn how to drive our family car which was a stick shift.  The other thing my father failed to realize was that he put too much faith in my school's driver's education teacher and thought I would have a better chance of learning how to drive with lessons from him so I was soon enrolled in the class. 

Coach Primeaux was the full time coach of my school football team and part time driver's ed teacher.  Standing well above six feet tall and built like a quarterback himself, there wasn't much that could shake him.  That was good because this was before driving simulators or even a second steering wheel in the training car so it was just me and Coach Primeaux in the front seat, while two other student drivers were in the back seat.  To pass the class I was supposed to drive to the nearest town, fourteen miles away, and return to the school while obeying all the rules of the road.

Everything started out okay...seatbelts securely fastened, hands at ten and two o'clock, checking the rear view mirror every few minutes.  I was feeling pretty confident I would impress Coach Primeaux with my driving skill until we were on our way back to the school and I had to go through Deadman's Curve.

That was the nickname given to a rather sharp curve leading back into town which had unfortunately caused quite a few accidents over the years and one or two fatalities when some driver grew reckless while speeding through the curve.  Just as I began to approach the curve I looked down to check my speed and when I glanced back up, I was looking straight at an oncoming 18 wheeler barreling through Deadman's Curve and NOTHING in Coach Primeaux's class had taught me how to handle THAT scenario!

Needless to say, we all managed to make it through the curve without a scratch and I even commend my teacher for not losing his cool at the near accident, but it sure was funny to see him jump out the car almost before I came to a stop and run behind the school building to smoke a cigarette to calm his nerves...:~)

What does all this have to do with writing?  New writers are like new drivers.  We start out learning the rules of the road to publication and gradually become confident in our ability to maneuver our way around any obstacle in our path.  We don't learn it all in one day and sometimes we fail our test to even be on the road.  But if we want it bad enough we keep getting back in the driver's seat and try again until the day comes when we cross the finish line and can call ourselves authors.  

All it takes is perseverance, a little bit of blind luck, and the ability to START YOUR ENGINE!

Flash Fiction Friday

Time To Live

By Donna L Martin

Stuart didn't know if it was the cold metal pressing against his back or the far off whistle of the train bringing him back to his senses.  His eyes were still closed against the light and he wanted to shake his head to clear the cobwebs away, but it hurt too much to attempt it.  Was he near some train tracks?  Stuart opened his eyes just as another whistle echoed into the distance.  A sharp jolt of adrenaline shot through his body and Stuart's eyes widened as he realized he wasn't just near some railroad tracks but on them!

He could just make out the dark shape of the locomotive, it's headlight cutting through the early morning mist as he struggled against the ropes binding him to the steel tracks.  His eyes stung from sweat as corded muscles strained to break free.  Could the conductor see there was someone lying in the shadows on the tracks? Would he be able to stop the train in time?  Stuart's throat constricted in terror.  Time seemed to slow down as he watched the oncoming train racing toward him.  

Another whistle pierced the air, much closer this time, and the tracks shook wildly beneath him as Stuart wondered if there would be pain or would he just suddenly cease to exist.  If only he had more time.  Time to hug his wife and child once more.  Time to eat the steak he wanted last night instead of settling for a salad.  Time to laugh and love and live another day.  If only he had more time.

What was the use of fighting the inevitable?  Stuart closed his eyes and said a prayer as the last screech of the train's whistle ran over him and then...nothing.  Nothing but the roaring clickety-clack of the cars rushing past him on the other track leading up the mountain.  It wasn't until the silence settled back into the valley Stuart dared to open his eyes.  His body shook, not from the cool morning air, as his mind tried to grasp the fact he was still alive. Now if he could just figure out how to get free before the next whistle blew...

***Okay, it's your turn!  What happens next?  Is there another train around the bend?  Does Stuart get free?  Does he seek revenge against the unknown person who tied him to the tracks?  Put your creative cap on and add a sentence or add a paragraph.  Continue my story or start one of your own.  Join the fun and see where this picture prompt takes us!***

WRITERLY WISDOM: Deborah Amadei

It's time once again for WRITERLY WISDOM where every Wednesday we sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication. This month I'm covering non-fiction writing.  If it's an area you are interested in (like me) but you aren't sure where to begin (like me again), what better place to start than picking the brain of a librarian?  My friend Deborah Amadei knows all the cool places to get you on the right track so take it away Deborah...

How to Start Your Non-Fiction Research

By Deborah Amadei

Are you a writer doing historical research for the first time? How should you start? Let’s say your topic is George Washington. You can get a general idea by reading an encyclopedia article but only as a jumping off point.

In this hypothetical case, I want to write something about George Washington’s contributions towards United States government.

My first step would be to visit my local library and check out books on George Washington and the era in which he lived.

Here’s a couple of books I would check out: Washington: the Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner because I know he is well regarded as an historian. Another title I would choose is: George Washington, the Writer, a Treasury of Letters, Diaries and Public Documents, compiled by Carolyn Yoder.

 But I would need to use primary sources: documents written by him and his contemporaries. It could be newspaper articles and government documents. The writer needs to search primary sources for details that help the reader connect with the subject.

One source I recommend is the American Memory Collection from the Library of Congress http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/browse/

             This link will take you to a page where you can select Presidents only and then to the collection for George Washington’s papers. Diaries give the reader a window into their subject’s thoughts and George Washington was a dedicated diarist.

I went to this link: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gwhtml/gwhome.html

I chose to browse the collection and typed this phrase in the dialogue box: “exercised with Mrs. Washington in the post chaise.”

I selected this item and bookmarked it in Google chrome: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/P?mgw:1:./temp/~ammem_qGzu::

What’s interesting about this? I learned how George Washington exercised.

He and Martha rode in a post chaise, which according to Bing dictionary is: “A horse-drawn carriage: a closed horse-drawn carriage with four wheels that was used in the 18th and 19th centuries as a fast means of transporting mail and passengers.”

Other forms of exercise for him were horseback riding and walking around the Battery (At the time, his official residence was in New York City.

And if I wanted to get a photocopy of a printed edition of a diary I could. The Diaries of George Washington (in six volumes) are available at some public libraries.

Deborah Amadei's research experience comes from her 25 years as a librarian.  She writers picture books (both fiction and non fiction) and is currently working on a middle grade novel.  Visit her at www.deborahamadei.com