Advice to the Research-Challenged

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, bad facts make readers put your article or book down before they finish it. But over-researching wastes time you could spend writing and tempts you to include unnecessary facts that bore the reader. So how do you find the right balance?

Unlike many people, I love doing research. But I learned long ago that inefficient research wastes valuable writing time. Here are some tips on researching that use examples from my experience while writing In God We Trust (FaithWalk Publishing, 2006).

1. Have a general idea of where your book is going before you start the research. In God We Trust was my response to the ongoing argument over the meaning of the First Amendment’s religion clauses. As I listened to both conservatives and liberals, I became concerned that neither side was painting an accurate picture for the general public. The object of the book is to give laypersons the information they need to draw their own conclusions about what the First Amendment means and how well the Supreme Court has applied it.

2. Tailor your research to the book’s goal. I could have researched and discussed the country’s religious history from the time the Pilgrims reached Plymouth, but that would have overwhelmed my audience with more information than necessary. So I limited my historical research and discussion to the years during which the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written and adopted.

3. Select your sources, then use them wisely. Depending on the topic, libraries, books, magazines, interviews, location visits, and the Internet can all be helpful resources. Interviews and location visits wouldn’t have worked for me, but I made extensive use of the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago and of the Internet. I focused on original sources such as the Supreme Court’s written opinions and James Madison’s notes on the discussions in the House of Representatives. Internet research is tricky unless you use sites you know are reliable. Otherwise, use the Internet as a starting point but confirm your information from more dependable sources.

4. Don’t be afraid to go back and supplement your research. After I started writing, I realized I needed to address two federal laws that Congress adopted in an attempt to overrule the Supreme Court. So I found them and read them.

5. Or to leave some of your research on the cutting room floor. Although I believe in researching efficiently, it is better to err on the side of too much rather than too little. Some of the Supreme Court cases I read were decided on other grounds that avoided the First Amendment issues, so I didn’t use them.

Learn to research efficiently, and you might discover you enjoy it.

Kathryn Page Camp

So you wrote a book? So you self-published? Now it is time to market it! by Katherine Flotz

I wrote my memoirs and those of my husband’s titled “A Pebble in my Shoe”. The stories are part of the history of WWII and are worth remembering. After the writing, re-writing, editing, etc. Pannonia Press of Palatine, IL. published it. This is the imprint owned by another author, Elizabeth Walter, who could not find a publisher for her WWII memoirs. We were on our own paying for the cost of printing.

The next step was to market the book. Many friends of mine, also survivors, purchased the book. Naturally, the family and relatives became customers. It was then necessary to start looking to the local libraries and book clubs. The Crown Point library purchased books for their book club. An informative article appeared in the Crown Point Post Tribune and resulted in some sales. The YMCA book club members purchased copies.

I approached Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com to carry my book. The book was accepted in their inventory.

As customers were reading the book, and passing copies around to their friends, we received inquiries about speaking engagements. Contacts led us to schools, where the English and history teachers asked us to speak. These events always led to sales. Our requirement always included the purchase of books for their school libraries. Don’t forget your own church or neighboring churches of all faiths. They usually have women and men’s clubs who look for speakers. Sales are usually good.

I contacted bookstores in the Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin areas to arrange for book signings. Many of the smaller bookstores take books on consignment. In vacation towns in Wisconsin, I was very successful in repeat book signings because new people come to the towns each year.

If you have a book that is of interest to people, word of mouth is a good marketing tool. The marketing and promotion of your book is best served by your personal contact with your customers.

Peggy Archer gives tips to writers of Children's Books

Hello! My name is Peggy Archer, and I am a children’s author. I belong to the Indiana Writers’ Consortium (IWC) and have enjoyed connecting to writers of all genres here in northwest Indiana through IWC. You can find out more about me and my books on my website at www.peggyarcher.com.

Are you a children’s writer? Just getting started, or looking for a way to jumpstart your writing in the new year? Here’s a list of things you can do to keep yourself on track.

1—Read Children’s Books. Which ones did you like, and why? Read picture books out loud. Feel the rhythm of the words. Taste the language.

2—Set realistic goals. Writing 15 minutes a day, or a couple hours a week is better than waiting for a whole day that’s free before you sit down to write. Break your goals down into small steps that can be accomplished weekly or monthly on your way to reaching your long-term goals.

3—Write as often as you can. The more you write the better you will become. Don’t stress if you can’t write as much as you like. You can always think about ideas, and first lines, sitting in the car or waiting for an appointment. Keep a notebook with you, or a tape recorder, for times when you need to write those words down.

4—Learn all you can about writing for children. Read books and publications for children’s writers, look at websites and blogs, and talk to other children’s writers.

5—Join a critique group with other children’s writers. It helps to get feedback from others who understand the genre. It also gives you a deadline to have something written.

6—Attend conferences for children’s writers. This is a wonderful way to network with other children’s writers, meet editors, expand your marketing possibilities, and get professional critiques on your work.

7—Join SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators). This is an immense resource for children’s writers. Check their website at www.scbwi.org.

8—Research the markets. Read the current Children’s Writers & Illustrators Market Book. Read newsletters and magazines for children’s writers. Check out publishers’ catalogs and guidelines, on line or at your library. Read children’s books and look to see who publishes them.

9—Submit. Once you’ve written your story as best as it can be and researched the markets, submit your work. Submit to children’s magazines, too. Acceptances there are rewarding and encouraging.

10—Enter contests; apply for grants. Remember, there are other benefits besides winning. Beware of those charging a fee and check them out thoroughly first.

Staying on the right track can bring you closer to reaching your goals as a children’s writer. I hope you enjoy the ride!

Peggy Archer
www.peggyarcher.com

2009 IWC "Business of Writing" Progam/Banquet Sells Out

INDIANA WRITERS’ CONSORTIUM’S “THE BUSINESS OF WRITING” DINNER

SELLS OUT

Networking Dinner to Become an Annual Event

From graduate students to internationally acclaimed novelists, they came from Lake, Porter and as far as Jasper counties to attend the “The Business of Writing.” The event, hosted by Indiana Writers’ Consortium, Inc., focused on its mission, to unite, network, inspire and support Indiana’s creative writers, at its 1st annual networking dinner, held at Strongbow Inn, Valparaiso, Indiana, on Thursday, October 22nd.

"I knew that this would be a good dinner and friendly networking event, but I didn't realize how much I would learn from the presentations," [name of book] author Priscilla Herochik [name of city] said.

The evening’s speakers included Sharon Palmeri, freelance writer and writing instructor, who discussed publishing trends via means both tradition and electronic; and Kathryn Page Camp, attorney and freelance writer, who addressed legalities in relation to incorporated writers and income taxes. The keynote speech, delivered by Kate Collins, author of the Flower Shop Mystery Series, offered numerous means to promote published works. Publication tables were filled with books from local authors, ranging from memoirs and literary journals to mysteries and children’s.

“It was hard to close the event but we simply ran out of seating space,” said Secretary/Treasurer Gordon Stamper. “We had not anticipated such a great turnout, but next year we will get a bigger room.”

1st Annual IWC Picnic And Fundraiser

The Indiana Writers’ Consortium proudly presents its 1st Annual Networking/Business Dinner for Indiana Writers

Business/Networking Dinner

The Indiana Writers’ Consortium proudly presents its 1st Annual Networking/Business Dinner
“The Business of Writing.”

To be held at:
Strongbow Inn
2405 East U.S. Hwy. 30
Valparaiso, IN 46383

Family Style Dinner includes: Sliced Roast Beef Au Jus, Sliced roast Pork, and Sautéed breast of Turkey with Dijon Pecan Sauce, Roasted New Potatoes, and Green Beans Almondine. Individual mixed greens salad with two homemade dressings, coffee, tea and water, and dessert are also included.

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 6 to 10 PM

Reservations:
Members: $25.00
Non-Members: $30.00

Deadline: October 1st
Beginning October 2nd: Members $30.00
Non-Members: $35.00

Book Table: For an additional $5.00 writers may exhibit and sell their current work.

Please register by contacting Gordon Stamper at: glsfiction@sbcglobal.net

Speakers:
Publishing:
Sharon Palmeri has taught in all areas of writing for 20 years, and has had many stories published in magazines and newspapers. Palmeri has freelanced as a ghost writer, editor, book doctor, publicist, and publication consultant. She also has worked as content editor, advisor and layout designer.

Legalities:
Kathryn Page Camp has been a licensed attorney for over thirty years. She is the author of In God We Trust: How the Supreme Court’s First Amendment Decisions Affect Organized Religion (FaithWalk Publishing, 2006) and numerous articles.

Keynote Address:
Advertising & Promotion
Indiana native Kate Collins is the author of the best-selling Flower Shop Mysteries. Her books have made mystery best-seller lists and are available in large print editions in the U.S. and the U.K. SLEEPING WITH ANEMONE, ninth in the series, will be a Penguin February 2010, release. Visit Kate at: www.katecollinsbooks.com.