Monica Valentinelli's Blog: booksofm.com, page 107

Writers: This is Not the Pyramid Scheme You're Hoping For

I'm a writer. Always have been. Always will be. I'm also a writer who wants to work on a project that will hopefully attract new readers and get paid. Sometimes that works out. Sometimes that doesn't.

Like everyone else, I too dream of "making it big." But what does that mean, anyway? Let's say the hand of publishing blessed me and I made millions on a book. What then? Would I stop writing?

No.

What happens if I didn't sell as many copies as I thought I did. Would I stop writing?

No.

If tomorrow, an EMP destroyed the entire internet and all my digital files, would I stop writing?

No.

If some reader publicly came out and said "Gee, I don't like any of the other books in your series besides the first one, so stop writing." Would I listen?

Yeah, not a chance.

I write because I love it and I'm trying like hell to make an honest living from my words.

The thing is, the publishing industry has always been in flux. For as long as I can remember, there's always been some kerfluffle or another. We're seeing it and hearing more about it now because that's what the internet does — highlights micro-and-macro trends as they happen. Yes, what's happening now is a big deal for the industry. Bookstores are going out of business. e-Readers are changing their buying habits. Advances are changing. Prices are all over the map. Self-publishing is less and less of a stigma. But it won't getting sorted out by the end of this year. Chances are, it will take five, ten or twenty years for the dust to truly settle before there's any sort of a baseline trend. Even after everything stabilizes, there will always be an anomaly. There will always be change. Adapt or don't.

So why then, are so many writers freaking out? Well, here's the thing: we all want a guarantee that we're going to be successful… Only there is NO guarantee… And that's where people get a little nutty about this stuff. I often imagine an author sitting at his (or her) keyboard with a calculator figuring out ye olde writing algorithm to scale the proverbial publishing pyramid. Make the rounds at small presses? Check. Sell 20 short stories? Check. Get an agent? Check. Don't forget to level up! Overnight publishing success? Of course!

But being a successful writer isn't a zero sum game. You don't get 1,000 readers who will only read your work and no one else's. You don't forgo small presses and self-publishing because they're so much worse off than the larger houses. You make choices that work for you. Period. If self-publishing works for you? Then do it. If you're happy going through a small press? Then okay! Trying to get an agent? Go you.

Hopefully, you make informed choices based on what you want to earn, how much time is required, etc. Even then, you have to realize you're going to screw up. And that's okay, too! If you're in it for the long haul, like I am, then persistence is key. Just say it with me: money flows to the writer…

Here's what I focus on: writing. And then? Selling my work. If that doesn't pan out? I pitch. You know, for more writing. To sell. That's it. Maybe go to a con or two. As my readership increases, my tune may change to include more appearances, but right now that's what I'm focusing on.

Am I worried about what the future will bring? Yeah, but worrying about writing and actually sitting down and writing are two, very different things. I can whine about wanting to be a popular and successful author all I want, but if I have nothing for people to read… Well, I guess I can keep whining. For a different reason. As in: What was I thinking?

Oh, I suppose I should remember to have fun. If I'm not doing that, then why am I writing again?

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Published on March 22, 2011 15:36

[Photos] Madison Protests Saturday, March 12

These photos were taken on Saturday, March 12th in Madison, Wisconsin. Over 100,000 people were in attendance. Comments are closed to avoid political debate.

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Published on March 13, 2011 10:45

Apex Book Company Revisited

Earlier this year, I had mentioned I had done some consulting for Apex Publications, which is the parent company of Apex Book Company, Apex Magazine and The Zombie Feed. A little over sixty days have passed since implementing a new strategy, and I all can say is "Whooo-hooo!"

In order to make the magazine soluble, I recommended amping up the subscription-based model and holding a drive for new subscribers in January. The tagline was simple. "New Year. New Stories." This drive was a huge success and made possible by dedicated readers, newsletter subscribers, and fans of short fiction. Apex exceeded its goal and has continued that momentum. The magazine that wasn't profitable has now broken even and there are signs of additional growth. What's more, Jason is now able to start the arduous task of improving the magazine for existing subscribers and incorporating promotional aspects for the book line that provide value for readers. Previews or excerpts, for example, is something I just mentioned to Jason earlier this week. Instead of placing an ad, magazine subscribers can read the first chapter or two of a select Apex title in addition to the stories they read. That way, they get something new to read that allows them to make a decision whether or not they want to proceed with a sale.

The other thing that's happened, is that I've seen an amazing groundswell of support from the authors who are publishing through Apex. The Apex blog has taken on a more focused tone; these talented individuals are talking about the things readers want to read — and the stats are backing it up, too.

These are nascent moments, but positive enough to spark Jason's renewed enthusiasm. Unbridled excitement is an awesome thing to see, because when it's unleashed it's contagious. In other words, I coached him up front on what to watch out for and let him loose (so to speak). Now Jason is able to take off because he has a firm grasp on the core business, has seen a positive effect from the changes that were made, and he understands where he needs to go. So much so, that he's planning long-term and releasing new things with a proper launch.

Businesses thrive when they have a strong core business with some amount of flexibility. It is important to be able to change-on-the-fly, but it's also important to have long-term, measurable goals. Apex has all of these things and more.

I have no doubt that there are big things in this publisher's future. What's happened these past few months has been necessary for this small business to refocus its efforts, but there is a lot of room for growth.

Just in time for Spring. Yay!

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Published on March 10, 2011 08:00

Like Zombies? Short Stories? Contest for New Anthology!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that The Zombie Feed is running a contest to celebrate the release of The Zombie Feed, Volume 1. You may recall I posted the Table of Contents and the ability for you to pre-order a signed copy; well, now's your chance to win a free book to add to your library.

Contest ends on Thursday, March 10th and it's really easy to enter. Just visit the link below and ask a question for your chance to win!

Ask a Question, Win The Zombie Feed Volume 1

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Published on March 08, 2011 08:00

[New Release] Read "The Message" at Bewildering Stories

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to announce my latest short story entitled The Message is available for you to read online at Bewildering Stories. The Message is a work of flash fiction with a dystopian science fiction theme.

The reason why this story is called The Message, is because there's a hidden communication to the reader embedded in the work. On the surface, it seems innocuous, but is it really? Find out!

After you read my story, I invite you to check out the other fine works in Bewildering Stories, Issue 421.

Thanks everyone!

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Published on March 03, 2011 08:00

[Guest Post] Print versus Web Writing

The following is a guest post by a blogger and freelancer I met online. Maria shares her views on writing for the web versus writing for print.

Let's get this out of the way: they're not the same thing. Saying the two writing styles are identical and interchangeable would be about as right as saying the same thing about twins (who would then find all sorts of wicked ways to confuse, humiliate, and aggravate you until you learned your lesson).

Storytelling versus Information-Spewing

Creative writing professors and experts expound on the importance of storytelling. If the piece of writing didn't take you anywhere, what's the bleepin' point? Did you meet anybody interesting? Did someone get hit by a bus? Did anyone get to throw a pie? If none of these happened, it's not a story, it doesn't belong in print, and it should be shoved into an encyclopedia or diary.

Meanwhile, web surfers aren't looking for stories—usually. They're looking for facts. How many euros does it take to take a train from Florence to Rome? What movies feature alien invasions? Where can I get a turducken (a dish with a chicken in a duck in a turkey)? Unless someone faithfully reads your blog, they're going to find your post in a keyword search, which means they're on a mission and unless you answer their question in the first few sentences, they're going to go searching elsewhere.

Think of it this way: when you write for print, write for someone sitting in front of a warm fire with a cup of tea. This reader wants to learn about you.

When writing for the web, write for a mouse-clicking kid on a sugar high. This child has absolutely no interest in your life story. He or she will only read 18% of your writing, so there's no use adding pretty adjectives or exciting adverbs.

Consider SEO

Whether you're blogging for money or not (or blogging at all), you'll need to consider key words when writing for the web, even in document titles and headlines.

Let's say that instead of my current title, I'd called this post, "They're Not Twins: Why Writing for Print and the Web Are Different." What's wrong with it (excepting its banality, for which I hope you forgive me)?

1. It's too long. Unless you're going to tongue in cheek, keep titles and headlines short. None of this, "In Which We Learn about the Ways Writing in Print Differs from Writing for the Web" nonsense.

2. Even if you're a blogger and you have many devoted followers, some people will arrive at your site through a keyword search. How will your SEO improve without keywords? Place them at the very beginning of each title and headline. Twins have nothing to do with this post.

Exceptions Are Inevitable

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Many blogs and sites have long, deep posts meant to tell stories and relay emotional and psychological journeys. These are, however, a minority on the web. Most people on the Internet want one of four things: information, social contact, sensationalism, or laughs. If you can't offer any of these quickly, take a breather and work on your craft. Read others' web writing and see what you can learn.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer for onlinedegrees.org and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she's been researching both the highest paying jobs and the lowest paying jobs on the market. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

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Published on March 02, 2011 20:00

[Photos] Madison Labor Protests on Saturday, Feb 26

Wanted to post some pictures we took at the Madison rally on Saturday, February 26th. We had a high of fifteen degrees Celsius that day; snow was more like ice flakes than anything else.

The rally began with The Star Spangled Banner.

Speeches were given by: the leader of the Wisconsin NAACP, an Episcopalian minister representing over 200 clergy from different faiths statewide, Wisconsin native actor Bradley Whitford along with Robert Newman and Gabrielle Carteris representing AFTRA, SGA and the Writer's Guild, several nurses, teachers and professors, Jeff Skiles the co-pilot from the Miracle on the Hudson rescue last year, our state's fire chief, etc.

The protests began almost two weeks ago and Saturday's rally was an estimated crowd of 70,000 plus. To date, there have been no arrests.

Since I do not want to turn my blog into a forum for political debate, I am closing comments. I just wanted to share these photos with you, since these historic and prolonged protests are happening in my town.

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Published on February 27, 2011 13:16

Table of Contents Announced for New Heroes Anthology

Hey everyone,

I'm really excited! The New Hero anthology Table of Contents has been announced and I'm in it!. You may recall me posting about my short story and Stone Skin Press a while back where I talked about "Fangs and Formaldehyde," about an iconic vampire. One of the inspirations for this particular story was Twilight. No seriously, it really was. To me, many modern-day vampires have had their fangs removed. Even though they prey on humans to survive and have traditionally been monstrous creatures, they've been de-fanged for romantic plot purposes. Mind you, I have absolutely no problem with romance authors or readers. Romance is a popular genre and it does have its place in our wide, wide world of fiction. These authors work just as hard as anyone else does to tell a good story.

When I was working on my story, I wanted my modern vampires needed to have a legitimate reason why they weren't monstrous creatures that wasn't just: "Because otherwise people will hunt us." This was a lot of fun to worldbuild because it was a challenge. Was I able to do something unique? Well, you can be the judge of that.

Standing alongside me are several other fine authors including Rich Dansky, Kyla Ward. Ed Greenwood and my friend Maurice Broaddus. After you check it out, be sure to read Diagramming the New Hero where the editor, Robin Laws, explains how he put the order together.

Table of Contents for New Heroes
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel, Julia Bond Ellingboe

Better Off Not Knowing, Jeff Tidball

Warrior of the Sunrise, Maurice Broaddus

The Midnight Knight, Ed Greenwood

The Thirty-Ninth Labor of Reb Palache, Richard Dansky

On Her Majesty's Deep Space Service, Jonny Nexus

Cursebreaker: The Jikininki and the Japanese Jurist, Kyla Ward

Against the Air Pirates, Graeme Davis

Fangs and Formaldehyde, Monica Valentinelli

Bad Beat for Aaron Burr, Kenneth Hite

Charcuterie, Chuck Wendig

Sundown in Sorrow's Hollow, Monte Cook

A Man of Vice, Peter Freeman

The Captain, Adam Marek

I hope you visit Stone Skin Press or watch my blog for more updates. This'll be a fun anthology to read.

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Published on February 23, 2011 08:00

Got a Brain? Pre-Order The Zombie Feed Vol 1

Earlier I posted the Table of Contents for The Zombie Feed, Volume 1. My short story is entitled "Tomorrow's Precious Lambs."

If you follow my work, this particular short story will be unusual for you to read because it's a lot darker and grittier than my other stories. When I was figuring out an angle for this tale, I built a world where the zombie invasion wasn't completely devastating. Then, I gave my zombies some unique attributes that supported the main character's story. Told from a cop's perspective, you'll find out why he lives day to day, hanging on to whatever hope he can find.

I hope you consider picking up a copy of The Zombie Feed Vol. 1. Not only will you find out why my story is entitled "Tomorrow's Precious Lambs," but you'll also read other sinister tales by acclaimed authors including Lucien Soulban and B.J. Burrow.

To get your hands on a copy just click on the book cover or pre-order The Zombie Feed Vol. 1 and feed your head! The editor will be signing your copy; several of these writers, including myself, will be happy to sign our stories as well.

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Published on February 22, 2011 08:00

Eddy Webb and his Tour of Sherlock Holmes

When I was a kid, I was an avid reader and really enjoyed diving into period fiction. For example, Edgar Allen Poe was my introduction to horror and continues to have an influence on how I feel about, read and write within the genre. For mysteries, on the other hand, Arthur Conan Doyle delighted me with the tales of Sherlock Holmes and his character's uncanny deductive reasoning.

Although I started with Sherlock Holmes, I then went on to read other books in the genre by both male and female authors. Remember Nancy Drew? Encyclopedia Brown? Meg? For me, though, the iconic detective and the cases he had to solve really framed what mysteries were all about — the clues.

Eddy Webb, who I've worked with on Scenes of the Embrace, has a great series on EddyFate.com where he critiques the stories in chronological order. I love the idea; I used to read an author's publications in chronological order to see how their writing changed over time. It's really cool to see someone else tackling this approach. The introductory post sheds some insight on his goals for the series:

Much like Dr. Watson, my time with the Great Detective has gone through cycles. Sometimes I spent weeks or months in close company with him, while other times it was years between visits. But he was never far from my mind, and recently he's been on my mind more than ever. A couple of years ago, the incomparable Ken Hite started releasing a series of essays, critiques, and rants on his LiveJournal about each of the Lovecraft stories, which he entitled "Tour de Lovecraft." I mentioned to him in passing once that I should probably get around to doing a similar series based on the Holmes canon of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I remember his response being encouraging, but for some reason I don't recall it clearly. Perhaps I have blocked the incident from my mind for my own sanity. But since then, especially with the release of the Guy Ritchie film Sherlock Holmes in 2009 and the BBC series Sherlock in 2010, I found myself spending more and more time talking with people about the Great Detective, as well as (more often than not) getting into Internet arguments about him. — SOURCE: Introduction to the Tour de Holmes

One of the posts I really liked was his critique of The Musgrave Ritual, where he mentions phrenology and the dreaded butler. This story was one of my favorites as well; it's interesting to see how stories I enjoy resonate with other readers and why.

There are several essays posted already, so if you want to dive in and take a look, be sure to visit his website and read through Tour de Holmes on EddyFate.com. Eddy has also posted links to the public domain e-books on his site, so you can read and comment along with him. Good stuff!

Related posts: My Stance on Writing for Free