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The newsleTTeR OF PennwRITeRs InC. sePTembeR/OCTObeR 2016 • VOl. XXIV nO. 5
What Does Success Look Like? The Penn PRACTICe • COlumn #4 • by FRITze RObeRTs, AReA 1
you take a big step when you start to think of your writing as a career. To some, a career is something you do throughout your lifetime. To others, it is an activity that earns you a living. To many people, it’s both. but, how can a person earn a living as a writer? For answers, I took a look at the careers of three successful authors. I got this idea from brandon sanderson, so let’s start with him. 1. BRANDON SANDERSON (b.1975) writes primarily fantasy and is highly prolific, often publishing more than one book per year. He is famous for writing fantasy series with cool new magic systems. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. Sanderson worked as a hotel night clerk while writing his first novels. He also participates in a weekly podcast called Writing Excuses. He lives in a small metropolitan area in Utah. “The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” -Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
2. NEAL STEPHENSON (b. 1959) writes science fiction. He publishes a novel every two to four years. He also writes articles for Wired and consults as a futurist for several companies. In addition to publishing novels, he writes for games and has worked on an interactive fiction piece. He currently lives in Seattle, Washington. “Nothing is more important than that you see and love the beauty that is right in front of you, or else you will have no defense against the ugliness that will hem you in and come at you in so many ways.” -Neal Stephenson, Anathem
3. TONI MORRISON (b. 1931) writes literary fiction, publishing a novel roughly every five years. She worked as an editor in publishing and later was a professor of English until her retirement from Princeton in 2006. She has two homes in New York including a spacious studio in TriBeCa. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” -Toni Morrison
Lately, there is a lot of emphasis on publishing quantity, but it’s interesting to see that the most famous author on this list, Toni Morrison, is the least prolific of the three. On the other hand, the author who publishes the most, Brandon Sanderson, is also the author with the least reliance on work outside of writing. Regardless of genre or style, one thing stands out in the lives of famous writers—they are committed. They write every day. They set and meet goals. Like athletes, they analyze their performance and seek to improve. They also keep their “day jobs” for a long time, and most continue to work well past successful publication. As I said above, I got the idea to analyze authors’ careers from Sanderson. In one of his lectures at Brigham Young University, which was recorded and posted on YouTube, he said he was frustrated with his day job and looked at the career of a writer he idolized. He saw that this person published at least one novel per year. Sanderson worked to get to the point where he could write that much while focusing on his craft. By the time he got his first novel published, he was ready to succeed. He knew what he needed to do. So what do you need to do to develop a career similar to that of your favorite author? Start by analyzing. Pick three authors of books you love to read, or those you would be the most proud to be compared to yourself. Do a little research on each of their careers. How often do they publish? Do they stay within their genre or do they often branch out? What lengths do they publish? How have the answers to these questions changed throughout their careers? Next, dig into their personal lives. Do they have day jobs? Many writers do something else to pay the bills, even though to us they seem “famous.” They may work in the continued on page 12
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President’s Column The theme of this month’s newsletter is the writer’s market. The market can sometimes seem like a maze standing between us and our dreams. Once we learn more about how it works, we realize it is more like a resource center for transforming our efforts into the finished product. Everything is easier when you know how. Because a single, clearly defined path to publication does not exist, the sharing of information and experiences with other writers becomes all the more valuable. Writing groups provide an ideal venue not only to further craft and reinforce motivation, they also provide a forum for sharing stories of struggles and success on the business side of things. hilary hauck, Area 4 PResIDenT
Pennwriters Happenings
is an email newsletter that showcases the achievements and writing-related activities of Pennwriters members. Visit www.pennwriters.org to subscribe. scroll to the bottom of the webpage to PublIshInG news, submit your email address, then complete the mailChimp form. you must be a current, duespaying Pennwriters member in good standing in order to have your news published in Pennwriters happenings. submit your news to Pennnews@Pennwriters.org
2016 Newsletter Themes and Submission Deadlines nov/Dec: short stories, articles, nonfiction submission deadline: Oct. 1 Details for 2017 will be listed in the next newsletter.
If you’re not part of one already, what better time of year than the cool days of fall to refocus your writing and spend time with people who share your passion. You can find local groups listed under Area headings in this newsletter and on the website calendar. If there isn’t a group near you, consider creating one yourself. Your Area Rep will be happy to help. Find a meeting space, connect a few people, and witness the comradery, support and inspiration that ensues. And you won’t just be on the receiving end—whether you’re a seasoned author or a beginner, I’m certain you have something of value to share. Personally, I always love to be in the company of writers; you never know what kind of conversations you’ll hear. After all, writers are creators of mayhem and turmoil, all things lost, architects of resolution and hope. Writers inspire, lead us on adventures, and give us the gift of experiencing life from a different perspective. If you are on the western side of the state, A Writer’s Road Trip—the one-day conference in Erie, hosted by Area 1 on Saturday, October 15—provides a great opportunity to get together with fellow writers and experience a full day of learning and networking. And no matter where you live, you can engage with the Pennwriters community online through our four-week Characters Workshop—BYOC (Bring Your Own Character) with Alex Lidell. This Pennwriters Online interactive workshop will help you develop your character’s personality, conflicts, history and more. Registration is open. The course will run from Oct 3-24, 2016. For more information, visit http://pennwriters.org/character-workshop-byoc-bring-your-owncharacter-with-alex-lidell/. next page
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nOTICe: Publication herein of articles, interviews, and news concerning markets, contests, seminars, classes, etc., does not imply an endorsement, recommendation or any warranty given by Pennwriters, Inc. Readers are urged to determine for themselves the reliability, integrity, and financial responsibility of those with whom they deal. The contents of this newsletter are copyrighted ©2016 by Pennwriters, Inc. All rights are reserved. Permission to photocopy is expressly denied. All rights revert to individual authors immediately upon publication. Any time you change your mailing address or email address, please notify Jackie shaffmaster at Treasurer@Pennwriters.org. we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. 2
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Board of Directors President
hilary hauck, 814-659-6191 President@Pennwriters.org
These are just a few ways to gain value from your membership in Pennwriters. And thank you for continuing to be a member of the Pennwriters community! It might have taken a little extra effort recently—some people experienced problems with the renewal process on our website. I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We have been working hard to fix the functionality errors once and for all. I hear that website woes among non-profits are common, but we are doing our best to make them a thing of the past. I’d like to give a special thanks to Mark Boerma for the many long hours he is dedicating and to everyone else who’s been helping. Enjoy this issue of the Penn Writer, and I wish you all the success you deserve on your writing journey. Happy reading and Pennwrite on! -Hilary
Vice President
bobbi Carducci, 540-338-5064 540-903-6831 VicePresident@Pennwriters.org Secretary
susan Gourley secretary@Pennwriters.org Treasurer
Jackie shaffmaster, 570-878-7056 Treasurer@Pennwriters.org Author Advocate
Ayleen Gontz, 717-359-9279 AuthorAdvocate@Pennwriters.org Webmaster
mark boerma, (570) 578-1473 webmaster@Pennwriters.org Newsletter Editor
heather Desuta, 412-337-6966 newsletter@Pennwriters.org 2017 Conference Coordinators
heather Desuta, 412-337-6966 Carol silvis, 724-327-2725 ConferenceCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Public Relations Chair
Pennwriters Online website: www.pennwriters.org yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pennwriters/join Facebook Groups: Pennwriters; Pennwriters Annual Conference you can also join the Pennwriters linkedIn group and follow us on Twitter.
leslie Tobin smeltz, 610-737-3288 PublicRelations@Pennwriters.org Bylaws Chair
Jean Jenkins, 814-774-0557 bylawsChair@Pennwriters.org Internet Activities & Online Courses Coordinator
Pauline Drozeski, 814-392-8819 OnlineCoordinator@Pennwriters.org Election Chair
Pennwriters Areas Map
Dave Freas electionChair@Pennwriters.org Annual Writing Contest Coordinator
D.J. stevenson writingContestCoordinator@ Pennwriters.org AREA 1 Rep: Todd main, 814-459-8752
Area1Rep@Pennwriters.org
AREA 2 Rep: mark boerma (570) 578-1473 Area2Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 3 Rep: sherry Piersol
Area3Rep@Pennwriters.org
AREA 4 Rep: Tanya schleiden
Area4Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 5 Rep: sandra bush, 717-891-6412 Area5Rep@Pennwriters.org AREA 6 Rep: OPen All areas outside of Pennsylvania are Area 7
AREA 7 Rep: Terry Friedman, 610-331-2558 & 843-236-8189 Area7Rep@Pennwriters.org
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Member News & Happenings TO shARe yOuR news, email newsletter@Pennwriters.org with “Penn writer submission” in the subject line. Please include your Pennwriters Area # in the message.
Area 3 Wende Dikec, writing as Abigail Drake, will release SAYINg gOODBYE, PART ONE and SAYINg gOODBYE, PART TWO. Both will be released September 10, 2016. ese are the first installments in her new series, Passports and Promises. Samantha Barnes always dreamed of seeing the world and only has a few months left before she starts a semester abroad in Japan. Enough time to say goodbye to her friends, polish up her language skills, and maybe even squeeze in a quick fling with handsome fraternity boy Dylan Hunter. All she wants from Dylan is something casual, but things don’t work out as planned. Dylan wants a lot more from her than a hook-up. Before Sam realizes what’s happening, their relationship has become serious, something she never intended. And then she discovers Dylan is hiding a dark secret that makes breaking up with him nearly impossible. Sam is running out of time. She has to leave soon. She has no choice. But leaving Dylan could mean more than just the end of their relationship. It could also mean destroying him completely. Visit wendedikec.com.
Area 5 Bridget Grieve-Carlson’s short story, “Cooper’s Story,” was published in the Sept. 2016 Roanoke Review. e Roanoke Review is now an online literary journal and is available free at roanoke-review.squarespace.com.
Please take a moment to verify that you’ve supplied Pennwriters with a current, valid email address. log in to your account info at Pennwriters.org. we thank you in advance for helping to keep our member roster current. 4
Area 4 Jim Lee had stories published in three e-books released in July and August. 9CRIMES (Bride of Chaos Books, Inc.) includes his story “Playing the Race Card.” His erotic horror story “e Vampire Nymph” is in DEADMAN’S TOME: HORRORgASM (Deadman's Press) and his science fiction story " All or Nothing" is in 9 TALES FROM ELSEWHERE #8 (Another Bride of Chaos title). All are available from Amazon’s Kindle store.
People say, ‘What advice do you have for people who want to be writers?’ I say, they don’t really need advice, they know they want to be writers, and they’re gonna do it. Those people who know that they really want to do this and are cut out for it, they know it. - R.l. sTIne
Keep a small can of WD-40 on your desk— away from any open flames—to remind yourself that if you don’t write daily, you will get rusty. - GeORGe sInGleTOn
Area 3 Cheryl Elaine Williams has 20 devotions in 3-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR A CAT LOVER’S HEART and 10 devotions in 3-MINUTE DEVOTIONS FOR A DOg LOVER’S HEART, published by Barbour Books in July 2016 and available online, in stores where religious gift books are sold, and from Cheryl herself.
Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer. - RAy bRADbuRy
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Market Yourself Through Travel Writing by DOn helIn, AReA 5
I happened into travel writing quite by accident. When I lived in Washington D.C., I saw an advertisement about a travel writing program to be sponsored by The Washington Post. I thought, why not travel and get paid for it? So I enrolled. In travel writing, it’s best to start local. In the beginning, I tracked the articles in our local paper for about three months, observing the types of articles as well as the styles of the various writers. I learned to check for writers’ guidelines in each magazine that could be a publisher of my articles. I spent almost five years as a travel writer, doing articles for newspapers as well as magazines. Then, I got the bug to write fiction. My first thriller came out in 2009, the second in 2012, the third in 2014. I’ve recently launched my fourth thriller. so marketing is a significant focus for me. I’ve always been active on social media but was never successful in developing a blog. I knew I needed a better way to get the word out on my novels, but wasn’t sure what to do. Then, I happened to sit next to the editor of the community newspaper on a writers’ panel. I suggested it would be fun to write articles for his paper. He agreed, and we developed the concept for a writers’ column. Things change, however, and you must be ready to change with them. My editor friend sold the paper to another party, so I made an appointment to meet with the new editor. He was interested in shifting my submissions to travel articles. Together, my editor and I developed a theme. Mine is country living. My wife and I live in a rural area outside of a medium-sized city. In the holiday edition, for example, I wrote a story highlighting places where people can escape
the city to find “old-time” holiday experiences. In the February edition, I did an article on places you can take your special someone for Valentine’s Day. Writing for a newspaper has a number of benefits. First, I insert a blurb about myself and my books at the end of each article. It’s normally around eighteen months or more between releases of my novels, so this helps keep my name before the public. Second, during the research phase for my stories, I meet new people who might be interested in my book. For example, I wrote an article on the local Chamber of Commerce, which brought me a number of new contacts. Third is finding locations for book signings. I did an article on a Celtic festival. Part of my second novel, DEVIL’S DEN, takes place in Ireland. I asked the festival coordinator about a book signing, and she agreed. I met many new people and sold a number of books. Donald Maass, one of the top agents in New York, said something at a conference that’s stuck with me: “It’s not only about selling books, but building a community.” As people have gotten to know me through my newspaper articles, I’ve made new friends who have read my books and liked them. Hopefully, they will tell their friends. Remember, a time-tested way to spread information is word of mouth. So, give it a try. Travel writing is a fun way to begin a writing career. But once you’ve sold that first novel, it’s an even better way to build your community. Don helin is the author of the thrillers Thy kInGDOm COme (2009); DeVIl’s Den (2012); seCReT AssAulT (2014), which won best thriller at the 2015 Indie book awards; and AnGel’s ReVenGe (2016). he writes articles for “The burg,” a community newspaper in harrisburg. Visit him at www.donhelin.com.
I’m out there to clean the plate. Once they’ve read what I’ve written on a subject, I want them to think, ‘That’s it!’ I think the highest aspiration people in our trade can have is that once they’ve written a story, nobody will ever try it again. - RIChARD ben CRAmeR
Genius gives birth, talent delivers. What Rembrandt or Van Gogh saw in the night can never be seen again. Born writers of the future are amazed already at what they’re seeing now, what we’ll all see in time for the first time, and then see imitated many times by made writers. -JACk keROuAC The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Pennwriters Online Courses
Area 1 Todd main • Area 1 Representative 814-459-8752 • Area1Rep@Pennwriters.org meadville Vicinity Pennwriters (mVP) meets 1st saturday, 1-4 p.m. at Tim horton’s on Conneaut lake Road. Contact Janet wells at wellswoodjanet@gmail.com. Presque Isle group meets 2nd saturday, 1-4 p.m. at Tom Ridge environmental Center on Presque Isle. Contact Todd main at todd_main@steris.com. shenango Valley Pennwriters (sVP) meets 3rd saturday, 1-4 p.m. at the shenango Valley library in sharon. Contact Catherine mclean at catherinemclean00@gmail.com. erie group meets 4th saturday, 1-4 p.m. at barnes & noble near the millcreek mall in erie. Contact Dave szymanowski at daveszy@adelphia.net. Fellowship of the Quill (FOTQ) meets every Thursday, 7-10 p.m. at Tim horton’s, 2565 west 12th, erie. Contact Todd main at todd_main@steris.com. Classic writers group meets 3rd Tuesdays, 7-10 p.m. at barnes & noble at 5909 Peach street, meadville. Contact Jean Jenkins at jean.jenkins10@gmail.com. (Group geared for more experienced writers.) Corry writers group meets 1st mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. at Tim horton’s, 7 e. Columbus Ave., Corry. Contact kathy Otten at jersey.vt.1774@hotmail.com.
byOC (bring your Own Character) Character workshop with Instructor Alex lidell October 3-24, 2016 Cost: $49 Visit www.pennwriters.org or enroll at pennwriters.org/character-workshop-byoc-bring-your-own-character-with-alex-lidell
Join Penguin author Alex lidell in a four-week online character workshop. The workshop will cover both character development (the character’s personality, conflicts, history, etc.) and character writing craft (how you, the writer, communicate your character to the reader). bring your own character so the workshop directly supports your wIP! Please note: This is an interactive workshop, with assignments. you will be expected to comment on and discuss other students’ work and receive feedback on your own writing. Textbook (recommended but not required): ChARACTeRs & VIewPOInT, elemenTs OF FICTIOn wRITInG by Orson scott Card. AbOuT The InsTRuCTOR: Alex lidell is a yA fantasy writer and was a popular session leader at the 2013 Pennwriters Conference. her novel, The CADeT OF TIlDOR, was published by Penguin in 2013. Alex loves writing and geeking out over writing craft. she leads writing workshops in schools and writing conferences. Alex lives in the washington, DC, area. Find out more at www.alexlidell.com or by contacting Alex at alex@alexlidell.com. TesTImOnIAls FOR AleX’s wORkshOPs: “I went to your Query, Plot building and synopsis workshops, and I was blown away by all that you did for those of us there. I’ve been to several Pennwriters Conferences, and your workshops were honestly some of the most helpful and inspiring that I have ever been to.” – G.I. workshop Attendee, lancaster, PA “Thank you for a terrific workshop at hooray! you motivated me to try harder and ask the tough structural questions that have thwarted me in the past.” – katie, workshop Attendee, Alexandria, VA
Area 2 mark boerma • Area 2 Representative Area2Rep@Pennwriters.org Danville Group meets 1st and 3rd wednesdays, 7 p.m. at the episcopal Church on market street. Contact Dave Freas at quillracer@pa.metrocast.net.
I don’t need an alarm clock. My ideas wake me. - RAy bRADbuRy
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The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
Premise/Promise
Area 3
A POem by DOn lee, AReA 1
At a recent writing conference the character is me the quest is to learn what a premise might be in a workshop I would be carefully listening for ways to improve the next thing I’d be writing My deficiency some would say is sometimes what I write goes every which way several situations don’t add up to make a story my imagination often leads to a far fetched journey Inciting Incidents that drive my verbal wanderings after a while prompt my audience’s yawnings then there’s the: rhythm and end rhyme enticements, the balance and punctuation requirements and the consistency predicaments For the workshop, I got an idea from a friend named Todd different from anything I’d written, but curious and odd then with a prompt of each element from instructor Judy I kept my pen on the paper because we were in a hurry From a focal relationship with Mrs. Jordan, an attractive blonde, her experience and credentials above and beyond I learned how the elements of a premise could hold a reader’s attention to tell a story with more than one situation e workshop had pressure to meet the day’s time limits and there was more pressure to finish each of the elements I almost felt out of breath when we were done, but was excited to look back and see what I’d begun From the resolution to answer my original question I have a checklist to find unity in one after another situation, revise my drafts to tell a story and promise to become an allegory. Don Lee joined Pennwriters Area 1 to explore writing potential and has found a supportive environment with a wealth of education and direction opportunities.
S av e t h e D a t e - J o i n u S i n 2 0 1 7
Friday evening Keynote ChuCK SambuChino Saturday Luncheon Keynote annette DaShoFy
sherry Piersol • Area 3 Representative Area3Rep@Pennwriters.org second Tuesday of the month Group meets on 2nd Tuesdays at Panera in settlers Ridge near Robinson Township (295 settlers Ridge Dr., Pittsburgh, 15205) from 7-8:30 p.m. The topic is chosen each month by group attendees and posted on the Area 3 yahoo Group. All requests and suggestions for topics are welcome. we need a volunteer to facilitate the October meeting. For information, contact stephanie Claypool at stephanieclaypool@outlook.com. The mindful writers Group - north Our goal is to complete a manuscript in 9 months using writing meditation method. meets every wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at eat’n Park at the wexford exit of I-79. To join, contact madhu wangu at madhu.wangu@me.com. Group is currently at its 20-member limit. The mindful writers Group - east First meeting was Thursday, march 17, at 10 a.m. at eat’n Park at the waterworks mall. To join, contact madhu wangu at madhu.wangu@me.com. Pittsburgh east writers Group small critique group focusing on fiction. All genres welcome. meets 3rd saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at monroeville Public library’s upstairs conference room. Contact Chuck Rakiecz at crakiecz@verizon.net. Critique Group north Group is full, but interested writers may submit their names for the waiting list. meets 2nd Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at king’s Restaurant at wexford exit of I-79. Contact maryAlice at maryalicemeli@yahoo.com. Robinson evening Critique Group meets the 4th wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Panera in settlers Ridge. The group is limited to six members. we currently have four. we welcome anyone, published or not. Anyone who would like to join the group, get additional info, or come to a session and see how we work, contact barb D'souza at barbrett@verizon.net. If anyone is interested in re-establishing a critique group at The Galleria in mt. lebanon, stephanie Claypool is willing to mentor. email her at stephanieclaypool@outlook.com.
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
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Perry Co. Council of the Arts: A Novel Idea
Area 4 Tanya schleiden • Area 4 Representative Area4Rep@Pennwriters.org The Inkwell (Duncansville, PA) meets 3rd Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. at marzoni’s at 164 Patchway Road. Contact hilary at President@Pennwriters.org. The southern Alleghenies writers Guild (Johnstown, PA) meets 3rd saturdays from noon-3 p.m. Contact Jim lee at 814-442-1241 or jimlee.author@gmail.com. Additional writers groups meeting in Area 4: nittany Valley writers network (state College, PA) meets 2nd Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at schlow library (211 s. Allen st.). nittany Valley writers network: The early Risers meets 3rd wednesday from 7-8:00 a.m. at The waffle shop on w. College Avenue. nittany Valley writers network: social meets 4th Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Autoport (1405 s. Atherton st.).
Area 5 sandra bush • Area 5 Representative Area5Rep@Pennwriters.org york Area Group Critique structure: bring 7 copies of up to 5 pgs. of manuscript, double-spaced. meets 3rd Tuesday from 6-7:45 p.m. in the study Room of the Dover Area Community library (3700-3 Davidsburg Rd, Dover, Pa. Contact sandra at Area5Rep@pennwriters.org. harrisburg Area Group Critique structure: bring 10 copies of up to 5 pages, double-spaced. All genres welcome. meets 4th wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. at the new Cumberland library’s back annex (1 benjamin Plaza, new Cumberland). Contact Don helin at dhelin@copper.net. lancaster Area Group meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. in the lancaster barnes & noble cafe. Contact walt honsinger at walthonsinger@hotmail.com. Additional writers groups meeting in Area 5: The Gettysburg writers brigade meets every wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at O’Rorke’s eatery (44 steinwehr Ave.) to talk about writing topics. Readings are every 3rd wednesday. Contact Jim Rada at jimrada@yahoo.com.
A Novel Idea, a novel-writing program through the Perry County Council of the Arts, is a 12-month program. (www.perrycountyarts.org) Each month, Area 2 Rep Mark Boerma attends the workshops and shares a recap.
SUBPLOTS were discussed during the June session of the Novel Idea, led by Catherine Jordan. The following novels were mentioned as examples that contain good use of subplots: THE gIRL WITH ALL THE gIFTS and THE LEgACY. What do subplots do? They add depth to your story. You can think of them as tree branches that provide a natural off shoot to your plot. Main characters can be improved by adding a subplot. The main characters can be made more reliable and more compelling. Subplots provide contrast and variety, story length and story theme. A subplot can deliver a suspension of disbelief: love affair, divorce, strained relationship. Here are some things to NOT do with subplots: Do not add one just to avoid boredom. Do not leave a subplot unresolved. Subplots shouldn’t be complicated. Main characters are in the plot. Secondary characters are in the subplot. Internal pressures are created with the coupling of main and secondary characters using each of their qualities and desires (and opposite qualities and desires). In understanding how breakout novels are built, it is crucial to grasp the difference between a subplot and a layer. Subplots are plot lines given to different characters; layers are plot lines given to the same character. Contemporary breakout fiction makes extensive use of plot layers, which reflect the multitiered complexity that most people feel is the condition of life today. Toward the end of this workshop session, an exercise was assigned. I rather surprised myself. Here is what I wrote (please note that this is a first draft): It was 3 a.m. in the mother of all clandestine places. A parking garage in Philadelphia. That is where the meeting would take place. The place where Robert would know if he would get the go ahead to proceed with operation ‘Clarity of Mind.’ Ironically, at that time of the day it is dark. Nevertheless, we are in the big city of brotherly love and there are streetlights on. It is both dark and light. At this moment in his life, Robert feels the same way. The darkness that clings to his shortcomings and the light that wants him to know the truth.
The Novel Idea workshop session for July was entitled VILLAINS, led by Don Helin. A handout was distributed, and the novels ExTREME PREY (by John Sanford) and THE LIFE WE BURY (by Allen Eskins) provided good story examples with a villain. The definition of villain is a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. The villain should be a worthy adversary for the hero and put the protagonist through his/her paces. Clever, cruel, ruthless, resourceful, he/she should make the hero use his “A” game in a fight to the finish. The hero is only as good as his foil. (Source: WRITER’S DIgEST NOVEL WRITINg YEARBOOK) A villain should be the protagonist in his or her own story. A villain thinks he or she is doing bad things for a noble cause. When developing next page
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your villain, the villain must challenge the hero and be a worthy opponent for the protagonist. A villain must make sense to your reader, even if the reader disagrees with what he/she does. Villains need to justify what they do so the reader can say, “Yeah, I see why he did that.” Readers must be able to understand his/her motivations and action. Readers do not have to like the villain, but they must engage them. In an earlier Novel Idea session (COMPELLING CHARACTERS), a background sheet was used for developing your protagonist character. If you recall, this sheet describes the physiological, sociological, and psychological aspects of your character. Although the villain is a special character, this sheet can also be used for developing your villain.
Area 6 OPen There are currently no Pennwriters groups meeting in Area 6, but if you are interested in forming a group or are interested in the Area Rep position, email president@pennwriters.org.
Area 7 Terri Friedman • Area 7 Representative 610-331-2558 • Area7Rep@Pennwriters.org
The second annual York Book Expo will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at the York Fairgrounds. This is a free event for all ages and will feature more than 100 local authors (including Pennwriter Maria V. Snyder), along with activities for children and families. For information about how to promote your book at the event or to make a reservation for booths/tables, email Demi Stevens, CEO, Year of the Book Press, at demi@yotbpress.com or call (717) 781-4972.
WRITeR’s TOOlBOx
mARkeTInG: COmPeTITORs On bOOk shelVes Visit the top three bookstores in your area. In the section of the bookstores where your books and competitors are, note which books have the cover facing out (a full facing) and which have only the spine facing out. Ones with full facings get more reader attention and generally more shelf space and sales. The same is true for books with their own separate stands or those showcased on end caps (shelves on the butt end facing customers as they enter the aisle). You want your books displayed with full facings—which, depending on the thickness of the book, equals about five spine facings. You can also use facings to estimate market share for competitors, genres, and book subjects. How much shelf space do Author x’s books hold of the entire genre section? How much shelf space do all books on the subject hold? What books have full facings? How much of the store does your book’s genre section cover? -from Strategic Marketing Made Easy For Writers: Optimize Your Promotions For Bestseller Results by nate hardy, Area 6. www.PlussignProductions.org
blue Ridge Group (Virginia) meetings include critique on request, sharing resources, writing exercises and discussion. beginning to multi-published writers welcome. meets 2nd & 4th wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Purcellville library in Purcellville, Virginia. Contact bobbi Carducci at VicePresident@Pennwriters.org. northern Delaware Group meetings will be held monthly. All levels of experience are welcome. For details, email Cindy Callaghan at callaghancindy@gmail.com. Please note: If you have a place to meet and a desire to spend time with fellow writers, it is possible to host a group. For more info, contact Terri.
We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. - eRnesT hemInGwAy
An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. - eDwIn lAnD
If you get media, it’s trying to than
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
bored with social because you are get more value you create..
- FAsT COmPAny 9
Market News
COlumn #115
by JIm lee, AReA 4, AssOCIATe eDITOR, mARkeT RePORTs
Today we’re going to start off with a couple short-deadline opportunities (deadlines on or before September 30). This being a Presidential election year, an outfit called the web of life Foundation is sponsoring a writing contest entitled “Connecting People with Politics.” There is no entry fee. First prize is $1,500; second place gets $500. They’ll consider either short fiction or a nonfiction essay (in either case, 2,000 words maximum). To submit, click on the submission page at www.wolfoundation.org/guidelines. lawless lands, a print anthology being put together by Falstaff books, is subtitled Tales from the weird Frontier. As you might guess, they’re looking for sF/F/h stories (3,0007,000 wds) with a wild west connection. unpublished stories only and no erotica. The co-editors are misty massey, margaret mcGraw and emily leverett. Pay will be at least 4 cents/wd (more if their crowdfunding effort is successful), plus two print copies of the book. Guides: www.falstaffbooks.com/submissions/anthology-submissions-lawless-lands/. submit to lawlesslandstales@gmail.com. like the contest above, the deadline for sending material is sept. 30, 2016.
As the title indicates, Flash Fiction Online is an electronic magazine specializing in short-short fiction (500-1,000 wds). All genres are welcome—except for erotica or excessive gore. editor-in-Chief suzanne Vincent pays a flat $60 for new pieces, 2 cents/wd for re-publications. It’s a monthly, and you can connect with their offsite sub form at www.flashfictiononline.com/main/submission-guidelines/. Guardian Angel kids is another children’s magazine. This e-zine pays 3 cents/wd for fiction, $10/poem. Payments are made via Paypal. (Paypal is free and easy to sign up for. many small-to-medium markets use this payment method.) They have themed issues, so check what they’re currently focusing on at www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html before submitting. The contact person is marysue Roberts, and she wants all works in the body of the email—no attachments. Visit submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com.
Ongoing fiction (and poetry) markets include...
If some of your fiction or poetry “falls through the cracks” of standard literature, you might run it past lazy Fascist Review. The editor here wants “weird, fouled-up work, edgy” (50012,000 wds long). Pay is in flat fees: $50/story, $10/poem. sub to lazyfascistreview@gmail.com and get details at www.lazyfascistpress.com/lazy-fascist-review/.
Deep magic, a new sF/F magazine, specializes in “clean” fiction (meaning no sex, extreme violence or excessive nasty language). They use longer work than most (up to 40,000 wds). Pay is 8 cents/wd for the 1st 5,000 wds; additional wordage earns a still-pro-level: 6 cents/wd up to 16,000 wds (for a maximum payout of $1,060). As just noted, they will take even longer—right up to the edge of novel-length—but will only pay for those first 16,000 words. All this is for new/unpublished material. They will use occasional reprints, but these earn 2 cents/wd. Visit www.deepmagic.co/submissions/.
Dark Quest books is a smaller press that does both print books and e-books. They’re interested in sF/F/DF/urban Fantasy and horror. novella-length up to 120,000 wds. They pay negotiated advance and royalties on print titles; royalty only for e-books (50%). They have a 3-step submission process. First: query them (Dark Quest, Attn: submissions, 23 Alec Drive, howell nJ 07731). next: If they’re interested, they’ll ask for sample chapters. Finally: They ask you to send the entire manuscript. The contact person is neal levin, Acquisitions editor. www.darkquest.com/store/guidelines.html.
From 1984-2005, the late writer/editor Jerry williamson put out a string of influential horror anthologies. The series was known as masques, and new editors mort Castle and Tracy knight are reviving the series, now titled J. n. williamson’s masques. since they plan an ongoing series of hardcover, limited edition volumes, there is no deadline as of now. They’re paying $150 minimum/story (500-8,000 wds); $15-25/poem on publication. new material only, and they want .doc files only if submitting by email (attached in email to editmort@aol.com, with subject line consisting of your name, Jnw masques). Or you can submit by regular mail (just a few such markets still exist!): m. Castle, masques, P.O. box 326, steger, Il 60475.
A quarterly webzine, eye to Telescope uses sF/F/h poetry. send files as .rtf, and since they rotate guest editors and issue themes, check www.eyetotelescope.com/submit.html for more info. They accept both new and reprint poems, 3 cents/wd ($3 minimum, $25 max).
Aquila is a children’s magazine over in the uk. Their target audience: 9-12 yrs. Pay is reported as pro-level but exact amount is unclear. submit via email: editor@aquila.co.uk. For more info, check: www.aquila.co.uk. 10
The name might be slightly unusual, but 3 lobed burning eye (frequently mentioned in shorthand as 3lbe) is an established midsized genre periodical, appearing 2x/year online and with a print anthology every 2nd yr. They use mainly h/Dark Fantasy, but also some dark sF. unpublished work only. They pay $100/story (2,000-7,000 wds); $30/flash fiction (500-1,000 wds), via Paypal, 30 days before publication. The sub form is at www.3lobedmag.com/submissions.html. speclit and Twilight Times have both ceased publishing.
The Penn wRITeR • september/October 2016 • www.pennwriters.org
I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story. - TOm ClAnCy
A new print effort, Occult Detective Quarterly, is scheduled to release its first issue in October. They’re reportedly paying 1 cent/ wd for stories 3,500-5,000 wds long. www.greydogtales.com. The Canadian webzine black Treacle uses new h/DF/spec fiction and related nonfiction, 1,500-5,000 wds. no poetry, though. Pay is flat fee of $50 (CAn dollars). www.blacktreacle.ca/submission-guidelines/. slice magazine uses fiction, nonfiction and poetry. They’re not interested in ‘heavy genre or especially experimental’ work. max length here is 5,000 wds. Pay is $250 for fiction or nonfiction; $75/poetry. sub form and other info are at www.slicemagazine.org/submit-your-work/#.V5eJGgrlIu.
Parent.co is all about “raising great kids.” They want nonfiction blog posts and pay $50 apiece for them. Their guides (www.parent.co/write-parent-co/) list a bunch of subjects to click on. send work via the submittable service. Pennsylvania isn’t part of the blue Ridge area, but it’s close enough that many of us know it well. so consider submitting relevant material to blue Ridge Country. Pays $25-250 for nonfiction about that part of the country, in a range of sections of the magazine. Additional pay for useful photos. writings: 750-2,000 wds on traditions, culture, etc. no reprints. Query by mail (ATTn: kurt Rheinheimer, editor, 3424 brambleton Ave. Roanoke, VA 24018), email (krheinheimer@leisuremedia360.com) or even by phone: 540-989-6138. www.blueridgecountry.com.
And some nonfiction markets…. Gray’s sporting Journal deals with outdoor recreational activities— particularly hunting, fishing and target shooting. They put out 7 issues/yr. mainly nonfiction, but open to related fiction and poetry. They use unpublished work only, and pay varies ($1,250 is reported max). send complete manuscript (don’t query), but read their guides first. They also strongly recommend studying an issue or two (always good advice). Visit www.grayssportingjournal.com/submissions/. Any Pennwriters have anything interesting to say about Aussie culture or literature? Although headquartered in the usA (at wayne state university), the Association of Australian literary studies puts out Antipodes, a twice-yearly publication focused on Australia and new zealand. They mostly use writers from those countries but will consider critical essays of particular interest from anyone. Pay is reported as being in the semi-proto-pro range (amount not specified). For details, visit http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/antipodes/about.html. Gather is a publication aimed at women in the evangelical lutheran Church. They put out 10 issues/yr and use nonfiction on bible studies and other themes. They prefer new but occasionally use reprints. Pay is $20/every 1,000 wds, and they ask that you query with article idea (gather@elca.org) with a sample of your writing attached in ms word. www.womenoftheelca.org/writer-s-guidelines-pages-88.php. history magazine pays 8 cents/wd (2,500 wds max) for articles on world history topics. Query: edward@moorshead.com. subject line: ‘history magazine Query.’ www.history-magazine.com/anotes.html.
As you might expect, Diabetes health focuses on nonfiction about living with diabetes. Pay (not specified) varies, particularly with the experience level of the contributor. www.diabeteshealth.com/contact/. The establishment is a woman-oriented alternative news publication. They use nonfiction and opinion pieces. Pay range: $125-500. www.theestablishment.co/pitchus/. Aimed at reducing prejudice in the classroom, Teaching Tolerance is a project of the southern Poverty law Center. The magazine puts out articles (usually 600-1,200 wds) for educators, with a focus on promoting tolerance. sample articles: www.teachingtolerance.org/magazine/archives. Guides: www.tolerance.org/writing-for-teaching-tolerance. They pay $100/blog post, while the magazine itself pays up to $1/wd max. email subs and additional questions to editor@teachingtolerance.org Professional boat builder is a trade magazine. They use feature articles, 3,000 to 6,000 wds, and shorter pieces for various departments (750-2,000 wds), submitted as ms word or .rtf. base pay is 30 cents/wd with a maximum of $1,800, plus additional pay for photos. They’ll sometimes reimburse expenses for writers on assignment, if arranged in advance. Query for assignments to aaron.porter@proboat.com or by mail at 41 woodenboat lane, PO box 78, brooklin, me 04616-0078. www.woodenboat.com. Information this time came from Ralan.com, the Published to Death blogsite, FreedomwithWriting.com, Facebook’s Open Call pages and my inquiries. To submit market tips, email jimlee.author@gmail.com.
horseChannel.com uses all manner of horse-related nonfiction, 500-1,200 wds. Pay range is $25-150. Query: hc-editor@i5publishing.com.
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What Does Success Look Like? by FRITze RObeRTs, AReA 1 continued from page 1
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field of publishing, teach in a college English department, or offer editing services. Keep in mind that these are still jobs separate from writing. Along similar lines, look into the lifestyles of these writers. Do they drive flashy cars and live in expensive cities? Most authors do not, though some do. Finally, think about your own dreams and aspirations. Do you value money over literary prizes, or vice versa? Take a moment to envision your future as a successful author. Then, determine what steps it would take for you to get there from where you are now. You may find it inspiring. Fritze Roberts is an author-entrepreneur and an active member of Pennwriters Area 1. In 2015 she met her goal of publishing the booklet PROjECT MANAgEMENT FOR AuThORS, in which she describes the SMART goal in detail and gives tips and tricks for becoming a more productive writer. She lectures on the writer’s life and on writing for academics. To learn more, visit www.APeculiarProject.com.
About Pennwriters
Submissions
e Mission of Pennwriters Inc. is to help writers of all levels, from the novice to the award-winning and multipublished, improve and succeed in their craft. Pennwriters, a not-for-profit organization of more than 390 members from Pennsylvania and beyond, was established in 1988 as a networking organization for published and aspiring writers of all genres. e group offers an annual three-day writers conference and area events and has a strong internet presence, with email groups, online classes and social networks. Authors who meet set criteria are granted Published Author status. For more information about Pennwriters and its members, visit www.pennwriters.org or contact Hilary Hauck at President@pennwriters.org.
neXT DeADlIne: OCTObeR 1 (nOV/DeC Issue) Theme: shORT sTORIes, ARTICles, nOnFICTIOn e Penn Writer is published bimonthly. Contact Heather Desuta, newsletter editor, at Newsletter@pennwriters.org. Please share your news, accomplishments, tips, great quotes, book recommendations, etc. Include relevant artwork, photos and book cover images. Word counts—articles: 800 words (1-pg), 1,600 (2-pg). For articles exceeding 1,600 words, contact the editor in advance. Blurb submissions of any length are welcome. Type “PENN WRITER SUBMISSION” in the subject line of your email message, and please include your Area number. (See the map on page 3.)