Marketing an Authorless Book??

The challenge of marketing the anonymous book
News.yahoo.com has an article about the difficulties of marketing a book by an anonymous author. "With luck and the right story, an anonymously written book can seem like a secret everyone is dying to learn, a book that sells itself. Otherwise, the publisher has to depend on the slow, uncertain process of reviews and word of mouth."

Cec Times Three!

In the near future you will have THREE opportunities to sit under Cecil "Cec" Murphey's teaching!

Cec will be in Yorktown, VA for a one-day workshop November 5, 2005 entitled from From Title to Publication: Everything You Wanted to Know about Writing a Book. For flier that will give you information you can email your postal address to Yvonne at: yvonne@whro.net .

Cec will return to Yorktown, VA March 15-18, 2006 for another Intensive Mentoring Clinic. (Start saving your money now). Again, you can get more information about this by sending your postal address to Yvonne at: yvonne@whro.net .

Finally, Cec will be in Ringwood, NJ, May 13, 2006. I haven't discuess the topic of his Ringwood one-day workshop yet, but I am considering running the From Title to Publication: Everything You Wanted to Know about Writing a Book

Newspaper Job

Editorial North Jersey Community Newspapers seeks freelance reporters to cover municipal and school board meeting and write features. Proven journalism and AP style preferred. Send resumes and clips to: Trudy Walz at walz@northjersey.com or mail to 41 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450-3805. No phone calls please.

New Mag Launch - Living 101

Living 101: test issue of Generation Y magazine launches
Sunset Publishing is launching Living 101, which targets consumers in their twenties. "Designed for Generation Y readers, which represent the biggest demographic in the United States since the Baby Boomers, Living 101 will address issues such as living on one's own for the first time, finding a job, and finding a mate." If the trial issue is successful, the company says it will consider a regular publishing run. Source: publications.mediapost.com

250 FREE Quality Business Cards

Vista Print (the place where I buy my business cards and the NJCWG business cards) is, for a limited time, offering you 250 FREE business cards - you only pay shipping and handling. If you plan to write for publication you MUST have a business card.

Go to their website and click on the offer that you see on the left.

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/bcfree.aspx?GP=8%2F10%2F2005+8%3A41%3A17+AM

Writing Op - WomenSpeak

Here is another writing op that recently came across my desk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ms. DuMont

My name is Antionette Johnson. I am currently looking for inspirational women writers to submit their short story for the upcoming series entitled: Leaps of Faith, Out of the Heart Women Speak. Please visit our website at http://www.womenspeak.net/. Could you pass the word about this site to other writers in the group? For further information please contact me:
usersaj@adelphia.net
Thanks,
Antionette Johnson

EXCELLENT Writing Op - ThyStaff

I recently received the following message from the Editor of ThyStaff. This is not currently a paying market but may become one in a short time. I've emailed Mitch Allen and asked that he send a subscription to our group so you will have sample copies to work from. I encourage you to check this out. I am going to submit something for their review shortly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Louise,

My name is Mitch Allen and I serve as editor of ThyStaff, the automatic devotional newsletter. Actually, ThyStaff is a new type of communications tool available to the leaders of Christian organizations. It is just cleverly disguised as a newsletter! I invite you to learn more about our newsletter at www.thystaff.com .

LORD willing, ThyStaff will launch on October 1, 2005. We are so excited about this! I am anxious to see your members included in this project. It is vital to the success of this project that we receive your contributions on a steady basis. We have already made contact with writers from Kuwait, Africa, England, India as well as all over the United States. I'm going to get a world map just to show my sons the locations of our contributors!

Here are the writer's guidelines your members will need. Look them over and drop me a note with any questions or suggestions you may have.

Please, send your submissions as quickly as possible so we can review them by August 22. This will allow adequate time to assemble the newsletters in advance of the launch date. Again, we will need material on an ongoing basis after that date as well.

Compensation: First, your members will be given a byline at the end of their article when it is published. Additionally, we will send a short bio and contact information for each writer to our subscribing organizations. Finally, if one of your members submission's is used, they will receive a credit for a three month subscription to our newsletter service (valued at about $75.00!). They may donate this to their church, civic organization, favorite missionary or use it themselves to keep in contact with their supporters! By the way, your local Christian writer's group is eligible to receive ThyStaff for FREE. (Please, e-mail me now to sign up!)

Our goal is to begin cash payments for submissions by the end of this year, LORD willing. This will be based upon how quickly we enroll subscribers, so be sure put in a good word for us with any churches or groups who could use this exciting new service!

Guidelines: Our format will accommodate articles up to 350 words in length. Larger articles will typically be devotionals. The smaller articles will usually be more informational, educational or entertaining in nature. Consider the following suggestions for smaller articles:

World prayer alerts
World Christian news briefs
Family life tips
Poetry
Holiday histories
Greek for dummies
Church history
Recipes
Health tips
Bible trivia
Movie reviews
Websites of interest
Church leader bios
Famous Christians
Excerpts from old books in public domain
How to work with youth, children, seniors, singles or students
Book reviews
Magazine reviews
Conferences
Bible book synopsis (Book at a glance)
Layman's lexicon (Dummy's dictionary of Biblical/Christian terms)
Cult watch
Jokes
Puzzlers

The devotionals will be Youth/Adult oriented. Perhaps your members can share one of their own experiences that reinforce biblical concepts. We don't want them to just overlay a scripture onto a "neat story". People identify with the struggles of others. Please have them include the scripture text and which translation or paraphrase they are using. They should give a call to action so the reader can grow from their experience.

ThyStaff is not a forum for discussing theological differences. We invite submissions from the world-wide body of Christ and obviously do not expect uniformity. We do, however, expect agreement with the statement of beliefs found in the FAQ section of thystaff.com. Our Writers Agreement asks authors to affirm these core beliefs. We also ask that a pastor or staff member confirm the author's membership in a local New Testament church. Our subscribers expect us to provide solid Protestant Christian content, not Mormonism, Buddhism, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Submission Process:

• Visit www.thystaff.com and register as a writer
• ThyStaff will send an e-mail confirming your registration and will provide a form to submit for our records.
• Print out and complete the short form. Please note this form has the Church Membership Confirmation section at the bottom.
• Mail the original back to ThyStaff at the address provided. This is a one-time procedure.
• Submit your article to ThyStaff by e-mail. These should be pasted it into the body of the email. No attachments.
• ThyStaff will review the submission. They do minor editing for length, spelling and clarity and the article will be emailed back to you with the changes (if any).
• Edited submissions should be reviewed by you. This will give you the opportunity to accept or reject the edits.
• If you accept the changes, you send in the copyright release for the article.
• If you reject the changes, send us the rejection.
• When ThyStaff receives the release, they publish .

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Copyrights: ThyStaff asks only for a one-time release of the writer's copyright. This release will cover the initial electronic publication as well as permission for our subscribers to reprint the writer's article in it's entirety in their hard-copy newsletter. This reprint permission is only for the 30 days following the electronic publication. The writer must own the rights to the article, of course, in order to submit it for publication. We welcome items previously published if the writer still retains the copyrights.

The writer must send us the following completed form before we can publish their article. They can send it now, or after we notify them that we intend to publish their article. They should print and fill it out, sign it and have it verified by the Pastor or staff member from their church. Again, the Writer's Agreement with ThyStaff only needs to be sent one time.

Thanks again for your help! ThyStaff has the potential to bless so many people. Thank you for being a part of this adventure!

God bless you and your efforts,
Mitch Allen
Editor, ThyStaff

A Reason To Write Conference

Publicity is stepping up for the NJCWG - A Reason to Write Conference - October 8, 2005. Press releases went out and brochures are in the mail. If you are a NJCWG member, you are still required to fill out a registration form to attend. If you need additional brochures for your church, other writing groups, libraries or organizations, please contact me and I'll get these to you ASAP.

I need your help to get the word out about this conference. PLEASE help me by placing brochures in the hands of those who might want to attend. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Here is the webpage that will take you directly to the conference info. Please note that the online registration form does NOT work at this time.

http://www.louisedumont.com/ARTW.html

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Sample Writing Booklet

MESSAGE FOR NJCWG MEMBERS

The NJCWG Sample Writing booklet is coming along nicely. We have a number of good submissions but we are willing to look at a few more. Contact me or Clare Cartagena if you have something to offer.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Tantalizing Sentences

Tantalizing Sentences, Tempting Paragraphs
Presented by Louise Bergmann DuMont

At the NJCWG – 08/08/05

When you gather tantalizing sentences they soon create tempting paragraphs. These will quickly lift your writing above other manuscripts and you'll soar toward publication

ADD A TOUCH OF THE UNUSUAL
Carefully research and study your subject matter. Know what you want to say and how you are going to say it. The essence of writing an interesting article is simplicity… but to make your writing stand out, you must add a touch of the unusual. The more you know about your subject, the more likely you will be able to interject something that the reader does not already know.

WORDS THAT FLOW, SMOOTH SENTENCES
Examine your sentences and paragraphs to ensure that the words flow smoothly. A paragraph should deal with ONE (and ONLY one) idea. This idea is developed through sentences that logically advance the point you are trying to make. Each sentence should add meaning or develop the story (plot). Check, recheck and then check again for logic.

A new author's brain fairly bursts with plot twists and character information. If the author does not pass this information on to the reader in a logical fashion, the reader doesn't "get" the words. Imagine a river filled with small smooth stones. The water gently ripples over the stones but continues forward without much trouble. Whirlpools are like breaches of information. They spin the reader around and around while he tries to find a way to move on. Dams are like too much information. They stall the reader as maneuvers around the mass to get through the story.

Logical, linear sentences that vary in length but provide the appropriate information are like a babbling brook. There is a flow that is almost musical in quality.

ACTIVE LANGUAGE "POPS"
Passive writing is boring to read. Active verbs and strong nouns create friction and energy. They are the difference between a flat, warm cola on a hot day, and freshly opened bottle of sparkling champagne on New Year's Eve. Read good contemporary literature and it will "pop" with active voice.

WRITE USING YOUR OWN VOICE
If you haven't yet found your own voice, don't fret. The more you write, the more you'll realize what works and what doesn't. Practice writing the way some of the better contemporary writers do. You'll find you can not mimic some, but the voice of others will come easily. Concentrate on the "sound" of the words. Are you a forthright person - the first to arrive at every party? Or do you amble into a room fashionably late, waiting to see who else arrived first? Know your style, your writing will likely follow similar patterns.

VARY THE LENGTH OF YOUR SENTENCES
The length of a sentence can create drama, provoke tension or evoke mood. As a rule, sentences within a paragraph should vary. This helps to hold the reader's attention by allowing the reader to breathe, think and even ponder the thoughts you are presenting

Example (From Ursula Le Guin's The Earthsea Trilogy:
The boat rounded a short promontory, and he saw on the shore what he took for a moment to be a ruined fortress. It was a dragon. One black wing was bent under it and other stretched out vast across the sand and into the water, so that the come and go of the waves moved it a little to and fro in a mockery of flight. The long snake-body lay full length on the rock and sand. One foreleg was missing, the armor and flesh were torn from the great arch of the ribs and the belly was torn open, so that the sand for yards about was blackened with the poisoned dragon-blood. Yet the creature still lived. So great a life is in the dragons that only an equal power of wizardry can kill them swiftly. The green-gold eyes were open, and as the boat sailed by, the lean huge head moved a little, and with a rattling hiss, steam mixed with bloody spray shot from the nostrils

Writing Nonfiction For Children

Mary Ann L. Diorio, PhD
Mary Ann L. Diorio, Ph.D. (a Central New Jersey author) wrote an excellent article entitled Researching Your Nonfiction Articles for Children. It is currently posted on The Spririt Led Writer's website: http://spiritledwriter.com/aug2005/research.htm

Meeting - Monday

The next meeting of the NJCWG

Monday, August 8
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00-9:00 - Critques

As always, looking forward to seeing you!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Great Quote

Although these weren't specifically written about writing, many certainly apply to our field of endeavor.

`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Top 10 Creative Rules of Thumb by Charles "Chic" Thompson
1. The best way to get great ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.
2. Create ideas that are 15 minutes ahead of their time...not light years ahead.
3. Always look for a second right answer.
4. If at first you don't succeed, take a break.
5. Write down your ideas before you forget them.
6. If everyone says you are wrong, you're one step ahead. If everyone laughs at you, you're two steps ahead.
7. The answer to your problem "pre-exists." You need to ask the right question to reveal the answer.
8. When you ask a dumb question, you get a smart answer.
9. Never solve a problem from its original perspective. 10. Visualize your problem as solved before solving it."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Charles "Chic" Thompason - BIO

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chic Thompson is an internationally renowned speaker and author on creativity. He has worked extensively for many U.S. and foreign corporations, including UTC, McGraw-Hill, Accenture, and the Young Presidents’ Organization. He has also worked with such U.S. government agencies as the CIA, the FBI, and NASA, and has helped schools develop stronger creative thinking skills. Thompson is the author of What a Great Idea! (HarperCollins, 1992) and Yes, But…: The Top 40 Killer Phrases and How You Can Fight Them (HarperCollins, 1994).

Passive to the Extreme

Today I heard what, IMHO, was the ultimate expression of passive-speak. Sentence after passive sentence was uttered by a well educated man on a radio program intended for an educated audience.

The program began like this, "For ... there were negative repercussions due to the simultaneity of the actions of John Smith and John Smith's group." Why couldn't he simply say, "John Smith and his group's actions resulted in negative repercussions for..."?

To anyone who heard the rest of the story the reason was obvious. The speaker wanted to take the blame OFF John Smith and his colleagues, and he wanted to place the blame as far from the true object of the sentence (John Smith) as possible. If he could have sent the blame out to outer space, I believe he would have. Although the speaker used passive voice correctly in this instance, I don't think the intelligent listening audience was the least bit fooled by the technique.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator of the NJCWG
http://www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com/

URGENT NEED - Music & Teen Book Reviews

Jars of Clay

I am starting a parents' newsletter as a way to connect with the parents of our jr and sr high teens. It will be called: T 'n T - Dynamite News for Parenting Tweeners and Teens. I am volunteering my time and talents so I can't pay you a dime, but if you contribute you'll get a byline.

I need some music and book reviews as follows...

MUSIC
Needed now: A review of a CD offered by Jars of Clay, tobyMac or Tait.
Future reviews: Zoegirl, Superchic, Kutless, Switchfoot, Others (?)

BOOKS
Needed now: A review of a good parenting book for parents of pre-teens (tweeners). Prefer Christian authors, but not beat-them-over-the-head-with-the-gospel kinds.
Future reviews: YA novels or good adult fiction for teens.
Future reviews: Christian adult fiction and non-fiction for parents of teens.
Future reviews: Reviews of good parenting magazines, music, websites, blogs, or other resources.

Contact me with the name of book/CD and author/artist that you want to review. Reviews should be approximately 300-400 wrds. Positive reviews only. I'll print one of each per quarter (total eight per year). Author retains all rights to their work (you can sell it for money somewhere else because this isn't considered a big enough venue to matter). Most recent releases will be given precedence.

ARTICLES
I will also consider short articles (300-500 words) about parenting teens and keeping your sanity while parenting tweeners and teens. Humor is especially good but factual articles will also be consdered. Want lots of anecdotes, show (no tell), and fun stuff. No fiction (raising a teen is hard enough without throwing more unreal things into the mix).

Contact me with the name of book/CD and author/artist that you want to review. Reviews should be approximately 300-400 wrds. Positive reviews only. I'll be printing one per quarter. Author retains all rights. More current releases given precedence.

SHORTS/FILLERS
Need a few 50-100 word fillers or how-to's. Keep it light and positive.

CONTACT INFO
Publication - T 'n T: Dynamite News for Parenting Tweeners and Teens
Editor: Louise Bergmann DuMont
Email: njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

(GREAT) Writing Op - Oatmeal Studios

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This publisher's material is 85%
freelancer generated!
Great writing opportunity!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OATMEAL STUDIOS
P.O. Box 138W3
Rochester VT 05767
Phone: (802)767-3171
Contact: Helene Lehrer, creative director.

Editor's Note: "Humor--conversational in tone and format--sells best for us."

85% of material freelance written.
Bought 200-300 ideas/samples last year.

Responds in 6 weeks. Pays on acceptance. Current market list for #10 SASE.

Overview: Also Christmas, Hanukkah, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day, etc. Will review concepts. Humorous material (clever and very funny) year-round.

Needs: humorous, birthday, friendship, anniversary, get well cards, etc.

Prefers unrhymed verse ideas. Current pay schedule available with guidelines.

Other Product Lines: Notepads, stick-on notes.

Tips: "The greeting card market has become more competitive with a greater need for creative and original ideas. We are looking for writers who can communicate situations, thoughts, and relationships in a funny way and apply them to a birthday, get well, etc., greeting. We are willing to work with them in targeting our style. We will be looking for material that says something funny about life in a new way."

Writing Op - Cards & Poetry

NEW MARKET

WILLIAM CARROLL DESIGNS, INC.
2742 14th St. N.
Naples FL 34103-4538

Phone: (239)434-2203
Fax: (239)434-2510
E-Mail: carobi5@aol.com
Website: www.williamcarrolldesigns.com
Contact: Carol Fitzgerald, president.

Established: 2003
Submit seasonal/holiday material 6-12 in advance.
Returns submissions with SASE.

Pays on acceptance.
Needs Overview: Send verse submissions via e-mail.

Needs: Conventional, Humorous, Inspirational

Prefers unrhymed verse ideas. Submit maximum 10-15 ideas/batch. Pays $20–40/idea. Pays more if greeting cards are accompanied by artwork or photographs.

Tips: "We specialize in high quality photography. We are looking for verses to go with photographs of children and nature. We need creative and imaginative ideas. Cute thoughts and humor sells well with the children's line. Inspirational does well with nature cards. We do not accept anything off-color, nor do we accept rhyme."

New Magazine Launched - Quick & Simple

Quick & Simple: weekly women's magazine launches
Starting August 2nd, the 60-page oversized magazine will publish its first four issues biweekly, then weekly starting with the October 4th issue. "Quick & Simple joins a burgeoning category of low-cost, newsstand-focused titles, including Time Inc.'s All You and Bauer Publishing's First for Women (it also closely resembles the name and concept of Time Inc.'s Real Simple). The new Hearst title doles out easy recipes as well as beauty, fashion and home tips using vibrant-colored sidebars and graphics. The magazine targets mass-market, mid-30s single women and mothers. Stories in the premiere issue include two-minute hairstyles and diet-friendly fast-food menus." Editor: Susan Toepfer. Source: mediaweek.com

New Magazine Seeks Contributors

Info From Country Magazine
(note the many other mags published by Reiman Publications)
http://www.reimanpub.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Publisher seeking contributions for test issue of national, bi-monthly print magazine. Our audience is largely urban or near-urban and sophisticated with an interest in authentic country living and lifestyles. Our goal is the highest quality writing that delves into all aspects of a thoughtful country life.

We are currently reviewing submissions and queries for features and shorts related to country and small town life including but not limited to home, food, work and business, gardening, farming, livestock, country skills, rural issues, travel, and arts and culture. Features: 1,000 to 4,000 words. Essays and Shorts: 300 to 1,000 words. Related photographs may be considered. We do not accept poetry or fiction. Our only criterion is great writing. We are looking for in-depth, substantive writing rich in detail that demonstrates a fond appreciation of the subject.

Currently 25 cents/word on acceptance and an additional 75 cents/word on publication. We buy First North American Serial Rights. Please include a brief statement of any prior writing and/or publishing experience and include a phone number where we may reach you. Please do not include or attach photos. Do, however, specify if accompanying photos are or could available. Send email submissions, queries, or correspondence to: ingress@sti.net.

Fun for Writers

Here are a few fun days for writers to observe in August.

August Daily Observances
Aug 2 - National Night Out (gotta relax sometime)
Aug 5 - Work Like A Dog Day (to compensate for our night out)
Aug 6 - National Fresh Breath (Halitosis) Day (its all that coffee!)
Aug 6 - National Pamper Yourself Day (Oh Yeah!)
Aug 13 - National Underwear Day (just how many jobs can a person do in their underwear??)
Aug 14 - International Nagging Day (get that article DONE)
Aug 15 - National Relaxation Day (so you can get over the nagging)
Aug 17 - Meaning of "Is" Day (grammar does count)
Aug 18 - Bad Poetry Day (hey, we all can't be GOOD poets)
Aug 19 - Aviation Day (for Shea)
Aug 21 - Poets Day (for Maude)
Aug 22 - National Punctuation Day (NOT for me)
Aug 27 - Sing Out Day (toot your own horn, write your press release today)
Aug 28 - Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day (official goof-off day)
Aug 28 - Crackers Over The Keyboard Day (an OTHER reason for goofing off on he 28th)
Aug 31 - Love Litigating Lawyers Day (for those who goofed off too much)

Fun fun!

The Writer Mag - GREAT Show vs Tell Article

If you don't already subscribe to The Writer magazine, you might want to pick up the August copy. There is a TERRIFIC article (in the column Writer at Work) called *It's Show Time* by Bharti Kirchner. Lots of examples and beautifully written. This issue would be worth every penny if *It's Show Time* was the only article in it -- but of course there is plenty more.

How to read a literary magazine By Gregg Rosenblum
A top TV writer on how a script is born By Kinney Littlefield
Turn one interview into multiple articles By Robert Bittner
Building a literary life By Sarah Anne johnson
Set the scene [Step by Step] By Quinn Dalton
How to create suspense [Step by Step] By William G. Tapply
Revise your manuscript to get it published [Step by Step] By Sam McCarver
Get Started - How to prepare your short story for submission By Tom Bailey
Breakthrough - A family gets published By Joyce Litz
Syntax - Number know-how By Arthur Plotnik
Off the cuff - Reader's wish list By Peter P. Jacobi
Literary Spotlight - Zoetrope: All Story profile By Gregg Rosenblum
Market focus - Taking aim at mystery By Michael Bracken
Get Published - Putting the power in writers' hands By Andrea Campbell
Writer at Work - It's show time By Bharti Kirchner
AND More...

Description, Narration, Exposition

Description, Narration, Exposition
Presented by Louise Bergmann DuMont at the NJCWG - 7/25/05

Most of prose is divided into: Description, Narration, Exposition, and Dialog. This lesson will discuss the first three.

Most authors aren't conscious of what they use and when they use it, but new writers should make an effort to know the difference. You produce better writing when you use all four in your manuscript.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DESCRIPTION - to give sensory impressions of a thing.
Good description includes: 1) accurate observation 2) an appropriate level of detail 3) optimal word choice

Accurate Observation
When writing description you must not include speculation or the probable outcome of a scene. You simply describe what you see (from the POV you've chosen) -- as accurately as all of your senses can discern it. This means that you do not limit yourself to what you see. You may want to include in your description some of what you smell, hear, taste, feel and/or see.

Level of Detail
How much detail a writer uses to describe something to an audience depends on what the reader needs to know. You determine this by deciding what you want and need to convey -- the specific point of the manuscript.

Examples:

How-To-Article -- In a "how to build a staircase" article you need to convey the specific size and weight of the lumber used, the type and size of the bolts/ screws/ nails, various lumber treatments used to waterproof wood (if it is for outdoors), and many other specifics.

Murder Mystery -- You may want to mention some portion of the staircase construction if the murderer deliberately creates a fault in a staircase he is building - which he will use to kill his mistress.

Romance Novel -- You will mention very little about the construction of the staircase if the only thing that hero and heroine do is kiss at the foot of the stairs.

I am reminded of the colleague I dread to meeting. When you greet her with, "Good-morning, how's it going?" she proceed to inundate me with every ache and pain that ever assaulted her. Then there was the new mom who shared each grueling moment of her long and painful delivery. The birth of her beautiful child was an anti-climax to her pain. On the flip-side, there have been times when I've wanted to know exactly how something looked or felt, only to be frustrated with vague generalities. Balance is everything. How do you achieve balance? Analyze the intended audience and their needs.

Optimal Word Choice
Effective writing uses specific words and should connect with as many of the senses as appropriate. For example, do not say, "It was delicious," when you could say, "It felt smooth and cold on my tongue and reminded me of fresh kiwi, but sweeter. When you offer only your own feelings, you distance your reader. To say, "I cried through the first half of the movie," does not engage the reader. It is better to say, "When George left his family to find work at the very beginning of the movie, I remembered the loneliness when my father left home for six months to find work in another state. The women who played the part of George's wife did an excellent job of acting and she reminded me of my own mom who had to keep the family together during the time when my father was away." Now the reader not only knows why you cried but is allowed to experience part of the movie with you.

Avoid judgment words like "good" or "bad." Give specific details that SHOW the good or bad and allow your reader to experience the event.

Every word must carry its own weight. Chose your words carefully.

NARRATION - to tell, in detail, what happened. Read about giving details under 'description.'
Most stories begin with Narration. That is where the hook is usually set. When a person tells a story during a conversation, they are most often using narration.

Imagine meeting an old girlfriend (or boyfriend) outside a coffee shop. You decide to have a cup of coffee and talk over old times. During that time you realize that she's recently divorced and now she's hitting you. What sort of conversation would you have with your current girlfriend to tell her about this event? What sort of conversation might you have with your best "buddy" when you meet for tennis next weekend? In both cases the extent of the details may be different but you are essentially telling about the same event. People narrate verbal stories all of the time. Good written narration becomes great with practice. Excellent writing becomes evident when you show the appropriate details and your purpose in telling the story is clear -- also honed with practice.

In the case of telling your current girlfriend about meeting your former girlfriend, your purpose is to be honest but not alarming. When you tell your best friend about it after your tennis game, your purpose might be to show that you've got a much better girlfriend now than you did before -- and maybe, that you've still "got it" when it comes to attracting the ladies. In both cases you will use details that contribute to your purpose rather than detract from it.

EXPOSITION - the setting forth of the meaning or purpose of something, especially in writing.

Exposition is always objective. The writer informs or explains but does not express their opinion. News (both print and broadcast) is an example of exposition. This would, of course exclude the editorials. Textbooks, instruction manuals and reports are also exposition. A writer may tell or interpret facts but it must be without personal bias. The writer's "voice" may come through his writing (making it uniquely his) but his opinion on the topic in question should not appear in the writing.

A writer can "slant" a piece by choosing to include some facts and by leaving others out. This makes exposition not entirely objective, but as a whole, writing that would be considered "useful" is exposition. Because of this, exposition is not necessarily the most interesting writing to everyone who reads it (think 'owner's manual'). The purpose of exposition is to convey information clearly and accurately. If you are writing a novel you want to seriously limit your exposition because few people read novels for instruction. If you are writing a book about the care and feeding of new puppies, anyone seeking that information will find your exposition interesting enough. "Cat people," those who don't currently have a puppy and people who don't like animals won't care about your writing no matter what fascinating writing techniques you use. Exposition, more than any other writing, requires the author to know their topic well and know their audience and have an expertise

Important things to remember when writing exposition:

*Know what you are talking about. Only people seriously interested in your topic will read exposition. Fakers are quickly exposed.
*Know your purpose. A clear purpose will help you decide on things like what order to provide your information and what you should emphasize.
*Know what your audience knows and doesn't know. Don't write for both the beginner and the expert. You'll bore both.
*Use headings, short paragraphs, lists, subtopics, and bold print to make your reader's search for information easier.

Blog by Bethany House Editor - David Long

David Long, an editor for Bethany House happens to have a blog on blogspot.com. It is called Faith and Fiction. You might want to check it out. His current thread is called "DaWhy Bother?” – Who Is Reading Anyway?"

http://faithinfiction.blogspot.com/

ZirdNews

Here is an interesting (secular) new site that is still in its Beta test. It hosts a section for television & film news and for publishing news. An example of what it brings to its readers follows:

PUBLISHING NEWS
Crowded markets: chic-lit, science fiction, and murder mystery. Loyal
readers to a select group of writers generating good sales figures, but
publishers are wary to admit any newcomers into this over-competitive
market.

Check it out at: http://www.zirdnews.com/

Lesson for Tonight's Meeting

Tonight's agenda is packed.

The topic of tonight's lesson will be: Description, Narration & Exposition
What are the differences between these three types of writing? When should each be used? What are some techniques that will make each stand out as superior writing?

The NJCWG Sampler
I'll have copies of the guidelines for the NJCWG Sampler Book we are creating. Ideally every member of the group will submit at least one piece to this book.

Chat Time
Come to spend a few minutes chatting with other writers in a social setting. Bring your dinner or nice cold beverage and relax in the company of your friends and writing colleagues.

A Reason To Write - October 8, 2005
Update on our October conference, what still needs to be done, etc.

Recap
We'll also spend a few minutes tonight talking about what we've accomplished in the first half of this year and where we'd like our writing to go for the remainder of 2005.

Hope to see our NJCWG Members tonight!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Next Meeting of the NJCWG

For Members of the NJCWG
----------------------------
Monday, July 25, 2005
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Discussion/Teaching
8:00-9:00 Critiques

We've had a few weeks off from regular meetings but now we're getting back in to the swing. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening! God Bless

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Hooks - Msg From Patrick O'Tool

Patrick O'Toole, a NJCWG member who will be teaching at our October 8 -- A Reason to Write Conference just posted an excellent article on his blog about "Hooks." You might want to take a moment to read it. I'm posting Patrick's blog address below but you'll also find his address, along with many other great web and blog sites, to the right of this message listed under the "LINKS" section of our NJCWG blog.

http://www.patrickotoole.com/

Writing Op - Family Seeds Magazine

http://www.familyseeds.com/writers.html

Family Seeds Magazine
E-mail query letters, in the body of the e-mail, to: seedsubmissions@familyseeds.com

Family Seeds Magazine is a monthly Christian family magazine. Our readers are Christians of all denominations from all around the world. They are Christian writers, musicians, artists, carpenters, ministers, laypeople, farmers, factory workers, executives, professionals, secretaries, and retired folks, especially families and anyone in between - anyone and everyone who truly believes in living to serve God.

E-mail first to let them know you want to send a submission as an attachment. They don't open attachments from people they don't know. MS Word attachments are preferred (.doc files). Always include: a cover letter of introduction, a 50-75 word biography which may be included if your work is published, an optional photo (actual photo or .jpg or .tif files at 300 dpi accepted), Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) if contacting us by snail mail or e-mail address if you wish to receive a reply. E-mail queries and submissions welcome. All work is subject to editing if accepted. NO Simultaneous submissions.

Writers will receive $100 to $200 per article, depending on length and quality in exchange for one-time print rights. In addition, they will receive a free one-year subscription to Family Seeds Magazine, either for themselves or to give as a gift to someone else.

Writing Op - Angelica Magazine --- Contemporary Christian Art & Fiction

-----
Angelica Publishing is launching a new quarterly magazine of contemporary Christian art and fiction (suspense/thrillers). The first issue will go to press in early 2006 and they are buying stories for it now.

Each issue will contain approximately seven short fiction pieces (1800 to 4500 words) and will include moving Christian art and photography with a message. They will pay 20 cents a word. Each issue will consist of 80-96 pages, both color and B&W. Stories can be submitted via an e-mail attachment in a Word document, or copied/pasted in the body of the email. Send to lynettewfuller@yahoo.com or mail to: Lynette Fuller, Editor, 207 Grinders Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Read their statement of faith and writers guidelines at their Web site, www.angelicamagazine.com .
-----

VERY "SPECIAL" Writing Op - Parables Magazine

Parables has a help not hurt policy. If they are unable to use your story, they will write you with specific reasons and suggestions for improvements. This takes considerable effort on their part, but I commend them for going this extra mile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parables is a Christian fiction magazine offering six well-crafted Christian Fiction short stories, interviews with the top authors in Christian fiction, book reviews, CBA industry news, and an edge of your seat serial!
Submissions: Yes, accepting submissions
Word Count: 1000-5000 wds
Format: Please send all submissions to editors@parablesmag.com. Please send the stories as attachments in either Word or Text format. Please include a professional cover letter in the body of the email and tell us your targeted genre* in the subject line. For instance: Contemporary Fiction Submission or Romantic Suspense Fiction Submission, etc.

*Targeted Genre: Each month we target two genres

Jan and Feb: Romance, Contemporary
Mar and Apr: Comedy, Contemporary
May and Jun: Historical, Contempory
Jul and Aug: Thriller/Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Sep and Oct: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Supernatural, Contemporary
Nov and Dec: Biblical, Contemporary

Address: 1400 East 35th St., Texarkana, AR 71854
Email: editors@parablesmag.com
Email submissions: Yes
Web site: http://www.parablesmag.com/
Guidelines (READ THESE): http://www.parablesmag.com/guidelines.html
Contacts: Rosalind Morris, Editor
Categories: other
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Si-fi, Mystery, Humor
Notes: This market does NOT consider simultaneous submissions. This market does NOT consider previously published work.

Writing Op _ Eclectic Homeschool Online

Eclectic Homeschool Online promotes creative homeschooling and is seeking articles covering any topic that deals with homeschooling or Christian living. Eclectic Homeschool Online promotes creative homeschooling and is seeking articles covering any topic that deals with homeschooling or Christian living.
Pays: $100 for articles 1000-3000 words.
Address: PO Box 5304, Fallon, NV 89407-5304
Email: articles@eho.org
Email submissions: Yes
Links: http://eho.org/
Notes: This market does NOT consider simultaneous submissions.This market does NOT consider previously published work.
Updated: May 23, 2005.

New - Chicken Soup For the Soul Magazine

Chicken Soup: women's magazine launches
Inspired by the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, the magazine version will be "geared toward women 35 to 54 with articles on food, fashion, beauty, home life and entertainment -- all with a healthy dose of inspiration." Two issues are scheduled this year and six next year.
Source: washingtontimes.com
http://www.chickensoupmagazine.com/
Writers Guidelines: http://www.chickensoupmagazine.com/default.aspx?pid=51

Query Letter Do's and Don'ts

DO
* Present only your best work.
* Be professional.
* Use a copy of the publication’s current guidelines. Carefully follow their instructions and format information.
* Get the correct publication name and address out of a market guide. Be sure to address your letter to the correct editor – then verify all the information with a phone call.
* Keep your letter short (one page).
* Check your spelling and grammar. They do count.
* Remember that the person you are writing to wants to find a great story.
* Target an appropriate publication / publishing house. This will substantially reduce your chance of rejection.
* Read numerous copies of the publication you are submitting to (or books published by the house you want to work with).
* Read the ads in the publication and find out what type of person reads that publication. This is the best way to know your audience because I guarantee that the marketing department who sells the ads knows who buys that publication.
* Show that you’ve done your homework by indicating that you know who your target audience is, word length (or projected length) of your manuscript, genre, etc.
* Politely follow-up on your submission after the suggested period of time.
* Keep a positive attitude. If one publication rejects your work it does not necessarily mean that another won’t pick it up.
* Avoid gimmicks (colored paper, colored ink, glitter, fancy fonts, unusual sized paper or envelopes.
* Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the agent or editor to respond to you.
* Title your work.
*Know what the editor is looking for and what they need.
* Take advantage of e-queries where appropriate.

DO NOT
* Announce that you are an amateur, a new writer, or an unpublished writer. All of this is irrelevant if your manuscript is up to par.
* Include other people’s statements about your work.
* Tell an editor how hard you worked on your piece.
* Mention who helped you with the piece (ie "my critique group reviewed and edited this article")
* Tell the editor that you will "make any changes he/she wants" or that the piece still needs work.
* Tell the editor how "thrilled" you would be to have your article published in this particular magazine or that you’ve had a subscription to it for twenty years.
* Confuse a sales tool (query / cover letter) with a sales pitch ("oh, ah, pick me, pick me!!!).
* Tease the editor by omitting the ending or other important facts, with the hope that this will entice him to contact you for more information. They don’t have time for games.
* Neglect spelling, grammar, clean presentation, clear wording and vivid description.
* Include information about your family, how much you love writing or a long description of the story/book/article.
* Query more than one article/story in one letter
* Discuss payment, copyright information or the rights you wish to sell in your letter. All this will come after they contract you.

Writing Op - Funny Times Mag

Funny Times
Publisher: Funny Times Inc.
Established: 1986
Frequency: Monthly
Circulation: 62,000
Accepts Email Submissions: No
Website URL: http://www.funnytimes.com
Description: Funny Times employs some of America's best cartoonists and writers to bring their humorous perspectives to a variety of topics, including politics, the environment, and pop culture.
Email: ft@funnytimes.com
Phone: 216/371-8600
Fax: 216/371-8696
Guidelines URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
Address: The Funny Times c/o The Editors P.O. Box 18530 Cleveland Heights , OH 44118

Writing Op - Flight Journal Mag

Flight Journal
Publisher: Air Age Publishing
Accepts Email Submissions: Yes
Website URL: http://www.flightjournal.com
Description: Flight Journal is a magazine created expressly to capture the vital spirit, drama, and evolution of man's winged adventures.
Editor(s): Tom Atwood
Email: toma@airage.com
Fax: (203) 431-3000
Guidelines URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
Address: Flight Journal magazine c/o Dana Donia Air Age Publishing 100 East RidgeRidgefield , CT 06877-4606

Writing Op - CLASS ACT

Class Act
Publisher: Class Act, Inc.
Established: 1993Circulation: c. 500
Accepts Email Submissions: YesWebsite URL: http://www.henderson.net/~classact/
Description: Practical ideas for language arts teachers in grades 5-12.Editor(s): Susan ThurmanEmail: classact@henderson.net
Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
Address: PO Box 802Henderson, KY 42419
Rights: We purchase all rights.
Needs: We need practical, tested ideas for English classrooms, grades 5-12. We look for articles that have ideas that teachers can use the day they read them. It helps to know what teenager don't know in order to write for them. Writing with a sense of humor helps, too.
Length: 500-200 words.
Art/Photo Needs: n/a
Payment: Payment ranges from $10-$40, plus an author's copy. We do not have a kill fee; we pay the full amount upon receiving a signed contract.
How to Submit: Please send to Dotty Denton in a cut-and-paste form (no attachments).
Response Time: Generally we respond in less than 1 month.
Tips for Writers: We are seeing far too many submissions that are not geared toward our format or our audience. Please be familiar with both.
Sample Copies/Subscription Information: Samples=$3. Subscription (for nine issues)=$25.

Writing Op - Cat Fancy Mag

Cat Fancy
Publisher: Fancy PublicationsWebsite URL: http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/
Description: Cat Fancy is your complete guide to help you better understand, care for, and enjoy your cat. Get important healthcare advice, nutrition tips, in-depth breed profiles, and insights into your cat’s behavior.
Email: query@catfancy.comGuidelines
URL: Click here for writer's guidelines information.
Newsstand Listing: Subscription Information
Address: Features EditorCat Fancy3 Burroughs IrvineMission Viejo, CA 92618 USA
Art/Photo Needs: See the Photographer's Guidelines

Writers' Resources

Here are a few select writing resources that you can find on the web.

Almanacs and Factbooks
Business of Writing
Dictionaries Online
Encyclopedias Online
Magazines for Writers
Market Information
Media Centers
Media Research
Miscellaneous
Thesauruses Online
Writing Instruction

www.HappyNews.com is looking for positive stories and features from your community. They pay $0.03 per word plus bonuses for related photographs. Click on the Submit Story link on the front page to get started.

Hint: What abbout a postive article about the Ringwood Mine Llantern Tours, a kid who works with senior citizens at The King's Kitchen or maybe a list of the best family-friendly movies of the summer???

http://www.happynews.com/

Worth a Look - (lower) Paying Markets

Here is a website that lists dozens of lower paying markets ($25/article or $.05/wrd). Don't discount these markets though. They are well worth a look.

www.internet-resources.com/writers/markets/online-guidelinesLOWPAY

Travel Articles

Travel Writing - $20 per small article OR chance for $800
When you check out the site, you'll notice that there are NO travel stories for New Jersey! This could be a great opportunity for you to be published!

http://www.craftytraveler.com/editorial_guidelines

Submit Form:
http://www.craftytraveler.com/submit_article

Time To Get On Board!

It h-o-t outside and may have you dreaming of the beach... but autumn is closer than you think!!! Our NJCWG - A REASON TO WRITE conference is scheduled for October 8, 2005 -- less than 12 weeks away. Are you ready?

NJCWG - A REASON TO WRITE
October 8, 2005
$30.00 (includes breakfast, lunch and all your materials)
8:00-8:30 -- Meet & Greet, Registration, Breakfast
8:45 - 9:15 -- Opening Remarks
9:15 - 12:30 -- Classes & Workshops
12:30 - 1:15 -- Lunch
1:15 - 4:30 -- Classes & Workshops
4:30 - 5:00 -- Closing Remarks

If you haven't already registered, please contact Nancy Baker ASAP (flyingswan@optonline.net). We have secured a wonderful staff and will offer a great selection of courses. Signing up for the ones you want will be on a first come, first serve basis. All the course info and staff bios are listed on my website (www.louisedumont.com). When you get there, simply click on the NJCWG button and find the link to the conference info (Note: There is a glitch in the on-line registration form and it is currently NOT working - sorry. To register you must contact Nancy.)

Please share all conference info with church, friends, family and co-workers. I'm eager to make this conference the best it can be. A larger attendance offers more interaction and a better overall experience for our attendees.

If you need brochures and/or registration forms for your church or for any writing groups you belong to, please give me a call or email me at (njcwg.dumont@gmail.com) Thank you.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Director, NJCWG - A Reason to Write 2005

Free Writing for Anthologies Course

Received this message from a member of an other writers group.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Writing/Publishing friends,

I am excited to announce that I'm now able to offer a free course to writers who want to write for the popular anthology/compilation market.

I'd be VERY grateful if you would let your friends and readers know about the "Writing for Anthologies" course (a four-session do-it-at-your-own-pace), which is offered via Writers' Helper: www.writershelper.org/antholog

Thanks, and have a wonderful week!

Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
Author, Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms (Barbour)
Co-author, The Groovy Chicks' Roadtrip to Peace (Cook/LifeJourney)
www.groovychicksroadtrip.com

New Cafe Mocha "Light"

My new Cafe Mocha "Light" column is posted on
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Jehovah-Tsbaoth (The Lord of Hosts) 1 Samuel 1:3

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com
www.njcwg.blogspot.com
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com
Recent Releases: Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day and Grace by the Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind

Excellent Speech

THE MENDING STRING by Cliff Coon
Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0802440843
Paperback

Below is of the address to the Christy Awards banquet for Christian fiction, July 9, 2005.

Take a few minutes to read this. It makes an excellent commentary on society in general, their fiction "needs," and why/how some of those needs have come to be.

http://www.culture-makers.com/articles/instant_messages

To see the 2005 Christy Award Winners you can go to:

http://www.faithfulreader.com/features/christy_awards.asp

God Bless...

Another Great Blog - Jeff Schick

Another NJCWG member is using a blog to get their message out. His coments on the recent London bombings are profound. Some of his earlier posts on creating a vision statement are excellent as well and pertain to our goals as writers.

Check out Jeff Schick's blog at:
http://becomingourdestiny.blogspot.com/

Publisher's Obituary

www.PublishersMarketplace.com
Today's Meal announced: Publisher Preiss Dies In Auto Accident
Publisher, packager, digital publishing pioneer and longtime force in the rise of graphic novels Byron Preiss died tragically in an auto accident in East Hampton on Saturday. Just 52, making his weekly trip to Shabbat services, Preiss's car was hit by a bus. The funeral service will be held tomorrow morning. In a posted notice, the family requests that any donations be made to the UJA of New York, where Preiss was co-chair of the Publishing Committee.

August Issue of Writers Digest

The August issue of Writers Digest Magazine is filled with resources for every level or writer.

POETRY
Author, Miriam Sagan, shows you how to use alternate sources to find poetic inspiration. She says:

"Take a page of prose that interests you. It can be anything—from the dense, imagistic writing of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude to a passage from a Virginia Woolf novel to a manual on a home renovation technique. Now, break it into poetry. Take out anything that doesn’t interest you. Prune out small words such as ‘the’ and ‘a,’ and look for surprises, metaphors and unexpected combinations. The result may be a complete poem (be sure to credit the original) or simply an exercise to stretch your imagination. Adding your own lines of response can make it into an entirely different poem."

CONVERSATION
Writer's Digest's InkWell section poses a thought-provoking question each month. This month's question:

In the August issue of WD, we discuss how to kill off characters in your
fiction. Which literary character(s) do you feel deserved to live? Or maybe you
think thereÂ’s one who shouloffered been offed in Chapter 1 but makes it to the end.

To be part of the WD monthly Conversation, e-mail your brief response (up to 50 words) to writersdig@fwpubs.com with "Dearly Departed" as the subject line.

WESTERNS
Is the western alive and well in 21st Century America? Author, Loren Estleman, responds:

"Yes, and the audience is there. For one thing, we have increasingly
sophisticated readers. TheyÂ’re less inclined to accept that old chivalric
code of the fast-draw contest and want to know more about the grittiness of
the actual West. And if youÂ’re asking me if thereÂ’s a market for it, think
about writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, Jane Smiley and
Barbara Kingsolver. All of these people are writing historical Westerns now,
but theyÂ’re painting on a much broader canvas.

There are also greater repercussions now to the actual points of action than weÂ’ve seen in the past. These days, writers arenÂ’t just dealing with the fact that somebody
was shot down in the street. They’re also dealing with the family—the characters left behind.

The modern Western is more rooted in humanity than it was in the past. This was always true of the great Westerns. But when so many people tried to imitate them, it became like a 10th carbon copy—it just got worse and worse. Unfortunately, the Western has always been judged by its more mediocre work."

POPULAR FICTION
Each month Writers Digest offers its readers a "writing prompt." Here is the prompt for August.

YouÂ’ve been given a one-year deadline and a $1 million signing bonus to write a
300-page novel. ItÂ’s the day before the deadline and youÂ’ve written one page.
What are you going to tell your editor? Write an elaborate excuse thatÂ’s so
clever and believable that it becomes the plot of your novel.

MORE...
This issue holds so much information that I can't begin to share it all with you. If you are not yet a subscriber to a writers magazine (like Writers Digest or The Writer) you should seriously consider becoming one. These magazines do not simply teach, they inspire and motive a writer to excellence.

If you would like a discounted subscription, see me -- and, no, I don't get any perks for getting new subscriptions.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG
Director, A Reason To Write Conference - October 8, 2005