Dear Kerrie: Following up and Breaking into National Magazines

Dear Kerrie,
I sent my manuscript to a publisher whose submission guidelines said would respond in 4-6 weeks. I'm in the sixth week now and wonder if I should follow up in some way. What's your advice if I don't hear soon? ~Janie

This is a great question. We have to remember that publishing is a business. Imagine if you had your car in the shop and they said it would be ready Tuesday by 1:00 and they said they will call you when its ready. 1:00 on Tuesday rolls around, then 2:00, then 3:00. What would you do? You would call and ask them when the car will be ready.

Publishing is no different. I figure if they give me a time line and then don't follow through with it, I have the right to follow up. Be polite and business like, but definitely follow up. You can do this with a phone call or if you don't feel comfortable calling, then email. Either way just tell them your name and that you are checking on the status of the manuscript you sent them on _________.

Good Luck and keep me posted on what happens.
~Kerrie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Kerrie,
Hi! Here's a question for you . . . How do you break through the national mag barrier without national writing experience? I'm published in regional magazines, which is lovely. Now, I'm trying to crack the national mag barrier. Obviously, I am sending the usual irresistible query letter with clips and hoping that with persistence will get me in. What are your suggestions? ~Melissa

Another great question and I get asked this one a lot. The answer is to study, study, study. I highly recommend you pick 3-5 nationals that you want to be published in. Then research those magazines. Subscribe to them, study their guidelines, study the articles and study the advertising in the magazine.

The guidelines will tell you exactly what they are looking for and how to submit to them. Usually the guidelines don't list specific editors. Your job is to find out who you need to submit to. This can be done with a quick phone call. All you have to say is, "Who should I direct a travel (or whatever topic you are writing about) to?" Ask them if they accept email queries and ask for the exact spelling of the name. Sometimes you get transferred to the editor. Don't panic, stick to the same question.

Study the articles so you understand the tone, length and style the readers are looking for. Pay attention to whether or not the articles are in first person, notice how many expert quotes are included, study the tone/voice and pay attention to who is writing the articles. Refer to the masthead often to see if contributors or editors are typically writing for a certain section. Note, contributing editors are freelancers--they are not staff writers.

Advertisers pay big bucks to get their product in front of their target demographics. So the advertising in a magazine can tell you a lot about who is reading the magazine. Look at the ages of the people in the ads and pay attention to what is being advertised. This will tell you a lot about the typical reader and that is who you keep in mind when you are writing for a particular publication.

After you become an expert on the magazines, then query. Don't be afraid to refer to articles from past issues in your query. For instance, "My article, Living the High Life, will have a similar format and style as the article "Trendy Teens" from your August 2009 issue.

Editors want to know that you understand who their readers are and what they want. You need to conform to them, not the other way around. Query them often and show them, that you do understand their readers.

Whew, I hope that helps to answer your question. Give it a try and let me know how it goes or if there are any other questions you may have.

Happy Studying,
~Kerrie

Blog Funk

I seem to be at a loss about what to write today. I am not a blogger who likes to post, just for the sake of posting. I don't want to be a blogger who bores readers with what I had for breakfast (which is only tea at this point, in case you are wondering), who describes the rotting vegetables hidden in the produce drawer (green onions) or who shares deep dark secrets about my family (I remember this one time my mom--never mind).

My blog is about writing and I want to share writing "things," but I am stuck. I guess I have writing blog block and I need your help. I feel like Princess Leah in the original Star Wars "help me Obi-Wan you're my only hope" except I am saying, "Help me blog readers, you're my only hope."

Please share with me:

• your writing questions
• writing challenges you have
  
• writing success stories
• those things you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing
• topics you want to see more/less of

I hope you will take some time to share your thoughts. My goal with this blog is to support and encourage writers and to do that effectively, I need to find out what your questions and needs are.

Thanks for helping!
Kerrie

What Does Your Email Say About You?

I have blogged about this topic before, but figured it was time to revisit again, especially for anyone looking to get published. I urge you, no I am begging you, please create an email address that actually has your name in it. It shows professionalism and it makes it easier to find.

As the director of Northern Colorado Writers I am accountable to 180 members, my presenters and around conference time, agents, editors, authors and other writers. Needless to say, I get a lot of email. I do a pretty good job keeping track of everything, but there are times when writers make my life a little challenging because when I sit down to send them an email, I can't figure out which email address is theirs. This is challenge is not exclusive to my job as director. I have heard agents and editors say this is problem for them too.

Imagine sitting down to write an email to Laura Smith who you had a brief correspondence with. You do what we all do, start typing her name. But, if Laura doesn't have an email address with her name in it, you will type out the whole name and still not find her. So then you have to sort through the "no name" pile (just like a teacher).
crazynudist@gmail.com
iguanalover13@comcast.net
writergrandma67@gmail.com
vegansrock@aol.com

Then you either take a guess at whether Laura is a nudist or vegan or you don't even bother to send the email--not good if it is an agent you sent a query to.

So please, make life a little easier for people and use your name in your email address. It shows you are a professional and helps others identify you.

Thanks for listening,
Kerrie

15 books-15 minutes

A fellow writer posed challenge to me recently.
In 15 minutes, can you name 15 books that made an impact on your life?

My timer is set and here I go:

1. Grapes of Wrath
   
2. A Taste of Blackberries
3. Tuck Everlasting
4. Richard Scarry-What Do People Do All Day?
5. Of Mice and Men
6. Are You There God Its Me Margaret
   
7. Little House on the Prairie series
   
8. Chronicles of Narnia
9. Snow Falling on the Cedars
10. Harry Potter series
11. Success Principles
12. 10 Secrets For Success and Inner Peace
13. Secret Life of Bees
14. On Writing
15. Where the Sidewalk Ends

Now here is the same list and why/how they impacted my life.

1. Grapes of Wrath: One of the first classic literature books I had to read in Jr. High. I found the story compelling and intense.
   
2. A Taste of Blackberries-4th grade teacher read it to the class. Dealt with friendship and death
   
3. Tuck Everlasting-Same teacher read this one. New take on living forever.
   
4. Richard Scarry-What Do People Do All Day?-My dad would sit with us and we would give all the little characters new names and write them in the book.
   
5. Of Mice and Men-Another classic I had to read.
   
6. Are You There God Its Me Margaret-read as a teenage girl, book about teenage girl...
   
7. Little House on the Prairie series-My first taste of historical fiction in elementary school
   
8. Chronicles of Narnia-I was taken to another world. Dreamed of finding my own special land.
   
9. Snow Falling on the Cedars-Well written literary novel.
   
10. Harry Potter series-need I say more.
    
11. The Success Principles-Helped me to give direction to my life.
    
12. 10 Secrets For Success and Inner Peace-Helped me to stay grounded and centered.
    
13. Secret Life of Bees-Great story, great writing--a thinking book
    
14. On Writing-Stephen King is my new writing hero
    
15. Where the Sidewalk Ends-showed that poetry can be fun.

Try this exercise. It is interesting to see which books come to mind first and then go back and think about why and how they impacted you. Do you see any patterns in your writing today that stem from your top 15 books?

What are your 15 books?

Dear Kerrie: What is a Query Letter?

Dear Kerrie,

I want to write for magazines and someone told me I need to send a query first, not a complete article. What is a query?

A query is basically a one to two page sales pitch to an editor. The letter gets the editor interested in the article, explains what will be in the article, shares why you are the perfect person to write it and give the editor a taste of your writing style.

Editors are busy people, so they don't have time to read an inbox full of articles. The query letter helps streamline the process and also gives the editor an opportunity to suggest a different angle or word count before you begin writing the actual article.

A query also saves you, the writer some time. You can do some initial research, make connections and flesh out our idea. Then once the assignment is made, you can then put in the needed time to write a fabulous article.

The format of a query letter is pretty simple.

Salutation: Dear _________ (be sure to find out the name of the correct editor to send the query to. Don't just put Dear Editor.

paragraph 1: Your hook or lead. Get the editor interested in your idea with an interesting opening about your article

paragraph 2: Body. What is your article about? Do you have any facts? What are your key points.

paragraph 3: Offering. What are you offering and how will it effect the readers? "I am proposing a 1,000 word article highlighting the health benefits of dark chocolate. This article will educate your readers and show them that dark chocolate can be a valuable component of a healthy diet. "

paragraph 4: Your Qualifications. What makes you the perfect person to write this article? Do you have any published clips (copy of published articles)? Do you have personal experience with this topic? Does your degree make you an expert? Even if you don't have any clips, you can show why you are the person to write this article.

Closing: A call to action, "I look forward to hearing from you soon." "Would you like me to send you the article?"

Signature: Sign your name.

*Make sure you to include your contact information in the query.

Do your research and put the time into writing an outstanding query letter. A good query letter is the difference between and acceptance letter and a rejection letter.

Happy querying!
~Kerrie

Fuzzy Characters-Help!

I have a problem and I am wondering if other writers do too. Or am I the only one with this weird disability. I don't have clear images of characters in my head when I am writing or reading fiction. They are all kind of fuzzy. I can't really make out clear, defining characteristics.

I realized this when I was working on a short story yesterday. I was content in my little fuzzy world until a writing friend said I needed to add more description of the character. No problem, I thought. I can do that. I sat and sat and sat and for the life of me, I couldn't see my character's face. I closed my eyes, took deep breaths, got in the scene--no luck.

You have to understand that my writing background is with magazine and newspaper writing. The people I write about are real and they already have faces, so I don't have a problems there. I have also published personal essays, but once again, those are about real people.

When I read fiction it happens too. I can picture scenes, but I can't create a character in my head. Sometimes I insert a person I know as the character, but most of the time, my characters are fuzzy. Can I get glasses for my brain?

So now my short story is almost done except for those small details about my protagonist. All you fiction writers out there-do you have any suggestions for me? Is there anyone else out there who has this strange problem?

Help!

Dear Kerrie: Memoir Writing

Every Monday I will answer your writing questions. So send me them by Friday each week. No question is too small or too big and I will do my best to get to all of them.

Dear Kerrie,

Thank you so much for your help with writing. Your answers are very helpful.
I have a non-fiction question about writing a book with somebody. The book is not a biography but more about their current life. Would this be considered a memoir? Would it be written in first person? Would you use first person, even if the ghostwriter was writing most of it? Would you start it with something current(exciting) , and then go back to their past?

Bill
-------------------------------
Dear Bill,

These are all good questions. Let's look at each question separately.

1. The book is not a biography but more about their current life. Would this be considered a memoir?
This depends on how you write it.

A memoir doesn't have to take place way in the past. A memoir tells a story about someone. The time table of that story can be a decade, a few years, a few weeks or even a few days. When it happens doesn't matter but how you write it does.

Typically a memoir reads like a novel and is in first person. There are real-life characters, a plot, tension and resolution. A memoir provides a snapshot into an event in someone's life. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a story about nine months of her adult life and her quest to find herself. Frank McCourts, Angela's Ashes takes place during a longer time span, from when he is two until he is a young adult.

You can also write your story as a nonfiction book. Here you can tell the story but also weave in informational pieces. A nonfiction book becomes more of a resource. Jack Canfield, in his book The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, weaves his personal stories with information on how to create success in your life. Award winning speaker LeAnn Thieman starts each chapter of her book, Balancing Life in Your War Zones: A Guide to Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health, with a part of her personal story about operation babylift. She then follows it with the life lesson and information on how to lead a more balanced life.

2. Would it be written in first person?
If it is a memoir-absolutely

3. Would you use first person, even if the ghostwriter was writing most of it?
Yes. This is called an "as told to" story. You write is as if you are the other person. These are one of my favorite things to write. Make sure you interview the person thoroughly, especially with a book. Then on the cover of the book it would have by Jane Doe as told to Bob Smith.

4. Would you start it with something current(exciting) , and then go back to their past?
Yes. Remember a memoir should read like a story, so you need to get your reader hooked at the beginning. You don't want to start chronologically. Hit the reader with something exciting and then weave in the back story throughout the rest of the book.

I have written about memoir writing in previous blogs. You can click here to read those posts. One post even recommends some memoirs to read (very important if you are going to write one).

Happy Writing!
~Kerrie

Good Book -vs- A Great Book

A few years back on a vacation to Alaska, I became fascinated (obsessed really) with Matryoshka (nesting) dolls. I loved not knowing how many little wooden dolls I would find hidden inside. It became my quest to find the one around 6" tall that had the most in it.

I searched in every store we visited. There was no way to tell from the outside of the doll, how many were on the inside. So I opened and opened and opened--each time with great anticipation. Each time being a little disappointed when it stopped at five. Then I had to put it back together and try again.

I almost became resigned to the fact that five was as far as any of them would go, but another one caught my eye. It was black with a prince on a white horse painted on it. It reminded me of a fairy tale. I took a deep breath and opened the first one, then the second, all the way to number five.

I suppressed the urge to jump up and scream when I realized I could keep going. I opened the next until I came to number ten which was about the size of a pencil tip. I yelled to my husband to come and look. I was thrilled. My quest was complete. I went over to the counter and bought it right away.
The other day I was in my living room after reading a disappointing book by a best-selling author. I looked over at my two Matryoshka dolls on the shelf (one was a gift) and realized the similarities between my nesting doll quest and the search for a good book.

I like my doll that only has five, but it is not my favorite. My favorite is the one with ten in it. I like this one best because it goes deeper. Someone took the time to paint the tiny, unique details on each one and go as far as they could with this set.

My favorite books are the same way. The author has taken the time to create a plot that goes deep and gets to the core of the story. There is depth in the characters and I become entrenched in the story.

Reading a great book conjures up the same feelings I had when I found my perfect nesting doll. The anticipation built as I revealed each new doll. The same thing happens with a good book. The tension builds until it seems like it can't go any more, then a really good author keeps going with one more little "doll" until finally you get to the end, the last "doll." There is a feeling of great satisfaction as the reader and an urge to track down the author and give him/her a big hug and say thank you.

As you go back and reread/rework your own novel, short story or children's book, think about this, does your story stop at five dolls or does it go into more depth with ten. A five doll story can be nice-but a ten doll story is amazing. What kind of story do you want to write?

My quest continues for more ten doll Matryoshka dolls...and for more ten doll books.

Agent Shares View About Rejection

If you have ever wondered if literary agents have any idea what it feels like to have a manuscript rejected, check out a recent post on Rachelle Gardner's blog (which is a blog you should be following regularly). It was eye opening for me when I read it. Let me know what you think.

http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2009/08/rejection-stinks.html

Review: Denise Vega's Books

Guest Blogger

Delaney is a freshman in high school and a talented young writer who loves to read and write reviews for me.
------------------------------

"My name is Erin P. Swift. I am now going into 9th grade, but not without my share of humiliating experiences. You know how most people say that 7th grade is the year of wonder and a new beginning.

Well at least my best friend Jilly said it was. She couldn’t stop talking about cute boys, lockers, cute boys. It drove me insane. All I wanted to do was play basketball, and create web pages and a secret blog. Middle school was the least of my worries.
The weird thing about Molly Brown Middle school is that all the kids are separated into three different tracks. Which mean different classes, different lunches, different everything. And well let’s just say me and Jilly didn’t get on the same track. And I had never lived without Jilly before.

She stood me up and walked me around (she ever chose my clothes)…..she kinda controlled me. But not in a bad way. I was so scared. That was only the beginning of my YOHE (Year of humiliating events). But I’m not gonna tell you all of it. But to sum it up lets just say there’s boy drama, blog drama, corn costumes, and cherry tootsie pops.

Well that was 7th grade. Ah! Scary! 8th grade wasn’t much better. During the summer again Jilly went on about the same things she did last summer. Cute boys, lockers, cute boys. (Even though she had a boyfriend.) But at least we were on the same track that year. But from the YOHE I had learned to stand on my two feet, but it was still good to have Jilly with me.

I walked in to MBMS (Molly Brown Middle School), on the first day expecting everything to go great all year long. That changed when I met Reede my locker partner. I looked at her once and knew there was going to be trouble. But again I can’t tell you everything, except the drama in 8th grade was so much different then the drama in 7th grade. I would call it more mature."

Okay, well I’m not actually Erin P. Swift, I just though it would be fun to write in her perspective for a little bit. But I can’t truly get into her voice, the only person that can actually do that is Denise Vega author of Click Here: To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade and the second book in the series, Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) . She is one smart cookie I must say. Click Here was an amazing book of self-discovery, and drama.

The way there was plot in every chapter, kept me turning every page. (I finished in a matter of three days.) Not only is her plot wonderful, but so was her character development. I could actually feel what Erin or Jilly was feeling. Click Here also had a moral like every good book should have.

By the end of the book Erin had grown from a dependent person, to a very free and independent person. She learned she could walk on her own over-sized feet.

Access Denied was a very different story then Click Here. Much different drama. It went from best friend and blog drama to major boy and peer pressure drama. This book made me laugh, made me angry (I actually almost threw it once, but didn’t,) and made me cry, (Yes I actually bawled, not just cried.) Oh yeah and it constantly made me crave cherry Tootsie pops.

After reading Click Here I didn’t think Erin had anymore growing to do, but I was wrong. Throughout the second book she was faced with many situations that forced her to choose between the right thing and the wrong thing. Peer pressure. Of course she messed up a few things but what kind of book would it be if she didn’t? We all make mistakes.

This book also has a good lesson. From the beginning even after Click Here, Erin was kind of a follower, never really a leader (Except in the Intranet club.) She followed others examples, and always craved to fit it. But in the last chapter we see that she became a leader and affected others choices. She became unique, and open. She learned to express her opinions freely. Well, I think she just became a freshmen, ready to take on the four grueling years of high school ahead of her…..bum bum bum!

I recommend you get this book for any teen girls you know. They will love it.

~Delaney

Back on Track

Dear Faithful Writing Bug Followers,

As you may have noticed, I have not been a very studious blogger over the past month. I was swept up by my family, a pop-up camper and some amazing adventures. I am back now and plan to blog more consistently. I do appreciate your continued readership.

I loved every trip we went on and although I did not write or blog at the time, my experiences will definitely enhance my future writing. There were 22 of us; 10 adults and 12 children making each experience unique and memorable.

We camped at the top of Cameron Pass in Colorado where a dozen or more hummingbirds buzzed around our three feeders and even perched on our fingers. On a hike, the mist from an amazing waterfall cooled us off and provided a great backdrop for photos.

In the Medicine Bow forest in Wyoming we went sledding during the day and played with lighted Frisbees in the dark of night. At night around the campfire we all enjoyed adding a verse to our own Campfire Blues while be accompanied by my dad on guitar.


The rumble of Harley's filled Custer State Park in South Dakota a few days before the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally and I will never forget seeing five black ferrets hiding and playing in the rocks by Sylvan Lake. The nightly program at Mount Rushmore was inspirational and worth seeing.

The time away helped me recharge my batteries and now I am ready to write and blog again. My mind is filled with great intriguing characters, beautiful settings, fresh dialogue and new scenes.

What have you done recently to recharge your batteries?

Kerrie

p.s. My Dear Kerrie column will resume next Monday (Bill I will answer your most recent question then.)