I’m heartbroken. Crow Toes Quarterly is shutting down and its wonderful editor, Christopher Millin, is returning to his other passion, writing. I loved his publication and I appreciated being pubbed by him two times. His splendid, “playfully dark” collection of poetry and stories will be missed.
For those of you caught up in the book promotion frenzy, here’s a great post by Arthur Slade about ads that work and how. Take a look.
In this month’s Writer Magazine, Susan Shapiro offers up 20 tips for selling your first book. The article is on pp 30-32, but here’s a list of some of those tips (condensed).
- Ask why you want to write the story. Inspire others? Legacy to kids?
- Don’t expect to make the big bucks out of the gate. Be realistic.
- Just write the thing, for heaven sakes. The more pages you get down the better your chances at selling it.
- Read the exact kind of books you want to publish.
- Write what you’re passionate about.
- Frame your book for the sale: a clever title, 2-5 lines that sum up your book. This is for when you trap an agent in an elevator.
- Ask for blurbs BEFORE you sell.
- My favorite: “Plumbers don’t get plumber’s block.” In other words make writing your priority.
- Get criticized and good.
- Her stragegy: Switch to non-fiction if your fiction ain’t cutting it.
- Build your platform: blog, TV, radio. Get known.
Daylight Saving Time:
45% of American adults say daylight saving time is not worth the hassle. 40% say it is. 27% say they’ve arrived somewhere early or late because of it. Rasmussen Reports. I love daylight saving time. Wish they never turned the clocks back.
Christopher Wills says
I like the tips. Funny we have the same arguments about daylight saving here in the UK every year. I love the variation of day length because by winter I like the idea of it being dark in the evenings so I have an excuse to stay inside and write. And by summer I need a bit of vitamin D. Great look to your blog. Followed you from YAlit.org because your books look as though they are similar to the one I have just self published; although yours look much better written 🙂
Paul Greci says
"Plumbers don't get Plumber's block." LOL. It sort of demystifies writing in a good way. Thanks!
Natasha Hanova says
Great tips!
Thought I'd hate the time change. But my daughter is waking at 7:00 a.m. now instead of 6:00, so I'm not complaining.
Lisa Gail Green says
That is really interesting! Particularly the advice to get blurbs before you sell. I've never heard that one…
Kelly says
Always sad to hear about a publication closing!
Great tips! I'm going to go plumb I mean write now!
Darby Karchut says
Oh, so sorry about Crows Toes! And I'm with you – I like it darker in the morning – better sunrises that way!
Bish Denham says
Oh, I like the info. Thanks! As for DST, the only good thing about it (to me) is that I'm only one hour behind my sister instead of two, so calling her is easier.
MG Higgins says
So sorry to hear about Crow Toes.
Do not mess with time! That's my motto and I'm sticking to it.
kellyhashway says
I heard about Crow Toes. I've never subbed there but I know many people who have. It's always sad to see a great mag close.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Daylight Savings? I say no thanks. It's a pain. We can live without it.
LM Preston says
Oh, this is great information. I love more hours of daylight. Love it. Live for it 😀