Susan Spann's Blog, page 84

#PubLaw Summer Scams, Part 2: Scams in Writing Contests

Today we’re continuing our summer #PubLaw series on writing scams and how to avoid them with another re-post from early 2012. Remember: a refresher course in scam avoidance keeps your instincts sharp and your writing secure!

Last week we talked about unscrupulous agents and publishers. Today we’ll discuss a scam that hides among legitimate opportunities, making itself more difficult to spot.

Scam #2: Overreaching in Writing and Poetry Contests.

Legitimate writing contests represent valuable opportunities for authors to obtain review and critique of their work. These contests are a real asset to the writing community, and in particular to pre-published authors. New authors often have difficulty obtaining feedback from industry professionals, and contests offer a rare chance for vital review and interaction, since many contests are judged by agents, editors, and other industry professionals. Many contests offer opportunities for authors to obtain a personal critique, regardless of whether the manuscript wins a prize (usually for an additional fee).

Unfortunately, authors’ desire for feedback and praise also provides an opportunity for scammers to offer unscrupulous imitations.

Wary authors can tell the difference by evaluating the contest characteristics:

1. Entry Fees. Legitimate contests charge entry fees (and usually separate fees for individual critiques) but the fees themselves are reasonable in nature. “Reasonable” entry and critique fees vary, but they tend to be in the $25-$50 range. If critique is offered, it should be either included in the entry fee or completely optional. No entrant should be forced to pay a second fee for a critique. All fees should be stated up front – legitimate contests never have hidden fees.

2. “Prizes” should never cost the author money. Beware any contest that requires you to purchase ANYTHING (aside from the entry fee). A popular contest scam includes “finalists” or “winners” in a published anthology, and then requires entrants to agree to purchase a certain number of copies of the work. The scammer thereby ensures a dual profit: once from your entry fees and once from the sales of the “published” work – though almost all of those sales will be to contest “winners.”

3. Copyright seizures. Contests should never require an author to surrender copyright on the submitted work. The contest sponsor has no right to claim copyright as a result of your submission, but many do – and the contest terms are a form of contract, so unwary authors may give away rights just by entering. Don’t surrender your rights accidentally!

4. Unreasonable Grants of Copyright. A variation on copyright seizures is contest terms which grant the sponsor unlimited (or unreasonable) rights to publish submitted work. Some legitimate contests offer publishing contracts as prizes. Many scam contests do too. Read the fine print. If you have any doubts, ask a lawyer to review any contest terms that reference publication before you enter.

5. Exclusivity. Beware any contest that bars you from submitting your work to agents, publishers or other contests during the contest period. This doesn’t necessarily indicate a scam, but it does place restrictions on your work and career.

Never enter a contest if you don’t thoroughly understand the entry terms, or if the entry terms seem to include a grant of copyright or perpetual rights to publication. Read all the rules, and read them carefully. Use common sense. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

For more excellent advice on avoiding scams and evaluating contests, I recommend Writer Beware!

#PubLaw will be “on break” for the next three weeks while I launch and go on book tour for my debut novel Claws of the Cat, but I’ll be posting “#PubLaw classics” every Wednesday through the rest of July and starting new #PubLaw content the first week in August!

Starfish on the Reef

Ever since my childhood visits to my great-grandmother’s house on Balboa island, I’ve loved starfish.

As a child, I walked the beach on sunny mornings, bucket in hand, collecting the starfish stuck on the sand and returning them to the water. I used a bucket in order to return them all to the water directly in front of my grandmother’s home–on the theory that they would be easier to find and protect the next day if I kept them all together and nearby. (It seemed logical at the time. And no, I never did wonder why they scattered out again the following morning.)

It probably comes as no surprise that I relate to The Star Thrower story that ends with the famous line “made a difference to that one.” The first time I heard it, I recognized my childhood self.

When I started my reef aquarium back in 2010, I learned with delight that starfish (more properly known as “sea stars”) were an option. I’d seen them on the sand, and in tide pools, many times, but the thought of watching them live their lives underwater was a kind of dream come true.

Unfortunately, my aquarium is too small for many sea star species. Most would starve to death in a 60-gallon reef. To my delight, however, there are still some stars that thrive in a space like mine.

The smallest brittle stars (known as micro-brittles) live on detritus and thrive in the cracks and crevices on my reef. I sometimes turn on the lights to find one wandering across the glass or over the rocks to find a new hangout:

Up close, they’re fascinating creatures:

Micro brittles usually enter a reef as “hitchhiking” species, which means they’re lurking in live rock or hiding under a coral so the reefkeeper doesn’t even know they’re there. At feeding time, they extend their arms from their hiding places and “wave” in search of food:

Other starfish, such as sand-sifting stars or the popular red and blue linckias, enter the reef more deliberately. One such species that seems to do well in my tank is the smaller, brightly-colored Fromia sea star, which feeds on algae and detritus. Fromia stars don’t move very fast, and spend a lot of time roaming over the hidden parts of the reef, so when mine makes a “public appearance” I usually reach for the camera:

I’ve had it for several months, but typically see it only a couple of times a week.

Which brings up an interesting point about reef aquariums: there’s always something new to see, but you don’t see it all at once, and you never see everything. Still, it’s nice to know the stars are there, and fun to look for them on the reef!

Do you like starfish? Have you ever handled one? Would you like to?

 

 

How an Author Becomes an Astronaut

Nine years; 500,000 words; one dream; one week to go.

The eighteen months since my agent, Sandra, sold my debut novel have passed much faster … and much more slowly … than I imagined.

At times the days dragged out with unreal slowness. The time between the sale and publication seemed never-ending. Weeks passed without any word from my editor, and even though those weeks were a normal part of the publishing process, the stretches of silence weighed on my mind like the world on Atlas’s shoulders.

At other times, I marveled at how fast the time flew by. I’d barely signed my contract before the edits arrived, and shortly after that it was copy edits, first pass pages, and finally printed ARCs.

Last week, my agent emailed me to say she was holding the finished book in her hands.

Two days later a copy arrived in my mailbox.

MY BOOK IS A THING.

It exists in the world, in warehouses and on trucks, and in library catalogs around the country.

When I think of these last eighteen months, the image that comes to mind is that of an astronaut approaching the launch of a new experimental craft.

I’ve watched the specialists build each piece, from engine to wings to paint. I’ve watched it fueling in the hangar and, recently, seen it rolling onto the platform.

There it waits, ready to launch.

No one has flown this one before, and though the early reports suggest it could soar like an eagle, the truth is I don’t know whether this craft can fly.

And I find that thought pretty scary. But I’m going to ride it anyway, and the truth is, I’m excited about the ride.

Like an experimental rocket, the novel could blow up on the pad, or possibly fail to launch at all. It could streak toward the heavens with startling speed, or hover above the ground for a moment and plop to earth with a sound like a deflating whoopee cushion. No way to know in advance. All I can do is strap myself into the cockpit and wait for mission control to push the button that lights the ignition fire.

The funny thing is, I’m ready. Not without some nervousness, but truthfully most of the real fear has passed. I’ve done everything I can do, and well as I could do it. From here, the flight is out of my hands.

It’s time to enjoy the ride.

If you’re in the Sacramento area, I hope you’ll join me on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30pm for the Claws of the Cat launch party and signing at FACE IN A BOOK in El Dorado Hills:

El Dorado Hills, CA: Thursday, July 18, 2013: 6:30pm

Launch Event: Face in a Book Bookstore

4359 Town Center Blvd., #113

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Map Link

I hope to see you there!

Shinobi News: July 6, 2013. Happy Birthday to Me – and You!

Happy Birthday to me!

I don’t usually make a big deal of my birthday, but this year I’ve got an unusual number of things to celebrate.

Among them: my novel debuts in exactly ten days!

And, since it’s my birthday, I’m giving someone ELSE a present – an early copy of CLAWS OF THE CAT!

You can enter to win in one of two ways: either leave a comment on this post or comment on one of my Facebook posts that links to this post (either on my personal page or on my author page). Entries will stay open until midnight Pacific time on Sunday, at which point I’ll draw TWO winners at random from among all of the eligible comments! Each winner will receive a signed HARDBACK copy of Claws of the Cat, which I will mail out as soon as I receive my author copies (meaning possibly BEFORE the official release on July 16!).

Good luck to all!

The legalese: One entry per person, odds of winning will vary with number of entries, void where prohibited, no purchase necessary to win. Contest closes at midnight Pacific time on Monday, July 8. Each winner will receive one (1) signed hardback copy of CLAWS OF THE CAT, which will be mailed on or before the novel’s official release on July 16, 2013!

Comments are open now – Good luck!

 

A Review of BLOOD TANGO

I recently finished reading BLOOD TANGO, the newest mystery release from Annamaria Alfieri.*

Short review: Highly Recommended. One of the best and sharpest mysteries I’ve read in several years.

It’s not an easy thing to write a novel which includes Eva Duarte. “Evita” entered the popular culture decades ago through the musical which bears her name, and the historical record alternately lionizes and vilifies the woman who loved and married Argentinian President Juan Perón. Even those of us who have read her history often find her difficult to understand … and the thought of trying to fictionalize her in any realistic way is a Herculean task at best.

Yet Alfieri not only does it, she does it brilliantly.

The rest of the novel’s characters have similar depth and complexity. Investigator Roberto Leary must tread the dangerous waters of the Argentine police department on the eve of Perón’s ascension to power, attempting to solve a mysterious murder that no one wants him to solve. Couturier Claudia struggles with grief and guilt when her assistant, a girl with the fortune (or possibly misfortune) to look like Perón’s mistress Eva Duarte, is brutally murdered – an ironic twist because Claudia hired the girl to save her from abuse. And those are merely two examples – Alfieri’s cast is masterfully drawn and painted with a depth that makes each character spring from the page.

The mystery itself is engaging, complex, and features an interesting twist: the investigators cannot tell if the girl – who was using the dressmaker’s shop to hide from enemies of her own – was murdered because she resembled Evita or because of her own, complicated past.

Alfieri’s novel features a tightly-drawn plot, engaging narrative, intriguing characters and a “read it all in one sitting” pace that grabs hold on page 1 and doesn’t let go until the surprising–and satisfying–conclusion.

This is a dance you don’t want to miss.

My rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

*Disclosure: Annamaria Alfieri and I are both edited by Toni Kirkpatrick at Minotaur Books. That fact did not impact or prejudice this review in any way.

An Author’s Declaration of Independence

July 4 has always had special significance for me.

First, it’s close enough to my birthday that Independence Day fireworks can double as birthday fun (and, really, who doesn’t like a pyrotechnic birthday?). More importantly, I value the freedoms my country offers. I have the right to speak my mind, to believe what I choose to believe, and to pursue the dreams of my heart. Not all people have these rights, and I am grateful for them (and for the men and women whose courage under fire both earned and protect those rights – I thank them for their bravery and their service).

And so, as I face this final Independence Day before the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, I’m taking a moment or two to declare a special kind of freedom and independence. From this day forward:

I am independent from the fear that neither I, nor my writing, are “good enough.” I will trust the process, improve as I write, and offer the very best stories I can to the world. I will take confidence in the knowledge that I am both teacher and student, and will remain both as long as I continue to write.

I am free from factionalism and petty jealousies. I will support other authors, published and unpublished. I will trust that they …not I … are the best ones to determine the course of their writing careers, and I will support their decisions for themselves and their writing even if I might have made a different choice.

I approach publication with joy and gratitude, despite the nerves that accompany the process. I will not forget that this is a dream come true … and that I am one of the lucky ones. I will remember that thousands of people would gladly take my place, and minor complaints about publication status (even if legitimate in my own eyes) qualify only as “first world problems” in the eyes of those still struggling to see their names and work in print.

I will remember that humility – not selfish pride – is the mark of a valuable human being. No matter how big or how small a book may be, no matter how well or how poorly it sells, every author is a human being first and should remember to be humble, kind, and generous with others.

I declare my independence from crippling fear, my eagerness to continue in the fellowship of authors, my intention to welcome others into that fellowship at every opportunity, and my unbridled joy in this dream made real.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

What do you have to declare today?

 

Congratulations to the #PubLaw Comment Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered the #PubLaw comment contest during the month of June – both here and at Heather Webb’s blog BETWEEN THE SHEETS! We had such fabulous turnout that I actually added a third ARC to the giveaway!

And so, with no further ado, here are the winners!

The winner of the ARC for #PubLaw comments on Spann of Time blog is: Leslie Miller!

The winner of the ARC for #PubLaw comments on Between the Sheets is: Kim Rendfeld!

And the winner of the third ARC – which was an additional drawing from all of the comments on both blogs – is Chris R!

Congratulations to all of you – I’ll be in touch by email and I hope you enjoy the ARCs of Claws of the Cat!

#PubLaw Summer Break – Scam Avoidance

In summertime, authors go to conferences, finish projects, and turn their focus to pitching and publication. Some will opt for traditional houses. Others will take an independent road. But all authors – regardless of publishing path or experience – can be vulnerable to scams.

As we move through the “summer conference and selling season,” here’s a reminder about a few things to watch out for*:

Regardless of the career path authors choose, every writer (published, aspiring, or otherwise) needs to be wary of scams. Authors are most susceptible to scammers before publication, but even represented authors should tread carefully and protect their work with a vigilant eye.

As in other areas, knowing what to watch for is key. This week and next week, #PubLaw will look at common scams and how to avoid them.

SCAM #1: Unscrupulous “Agents” and “Publishers.”

I put these terms in quotation marks to distinguish between the respectable businesspeople who sell and publish manuscripts for a living and those who make their living by exploiting author’s dreams. Legitimate agents and publishers do not charge reading fees. They do not require writers to pay unreasonable sums for vague promises or claim copyright ownership of authors’ works.

Be wary of agents and publishers who make “first contact” to offer their services to you without being queried. Legitimate agents (and publishers) have done this, but statistically the unscrupulous ones do it far more often. Respond with wisdom. Always check credentials, track record, and references before you send a manuscript, sign anything, or agree to representation or publishing terms.

Don’t even sign a “letter of intent” without doing your homework. (In many states, letters of intent are considered legally binding – sometimes even if the text claims otherwise.) Ask questions. Do research – and don’t settle for the opinion of one source only, especially if that opinion comes from the agent or publisher’s website.

Good research methods include:

1. Internet Searches. Run a Google search for the agent or publisher’s name (in quotation marks if the name contains more than one word). Then run a second search with the name and scam (for example: “Made-up  Publishing” scam). The first search should bring up information about the publishing company (or agent). The second will let you know if websites have accused the operation of running a scam. Investigate the veracity of the sites, and always use caution when clicking through search results (good pop-up and virus blocking software is advisable).

2. Industry Watchdog Sites. Websites like Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware! exist to help inform authors of writing scams and unscrupulous businesses. The Absolute Write forums contain pages of information about agents and publishing houses (both honorable ones and the “not-so-much” type) and the site’s regular members are often very helpful and responsive. Pay attention to personal opinions, but pay special attention to facts.

3. Facebook and Twitter. Does the agent or publisher have a Facebook page? A Twitter account? If so, does it look like the pages of other reputable industry professionals? Social media isn’t a mandatory exercise, so not having a Facebook or Twitter page doesn’t necessarily mean the publisher or agent isn’t legitimate. You can also investigate what other people are saying to or about the agent or publisher in those spaces. A verifiable positive (or negative) account from a living person can provide valuable information – but as always, take opinion with caution and wherever possible verify it with facts.

4. Client Referrals. Who does the agent represent? Whose works does the publisher publish? Find out. Contact those authors and ask their opinions. Trust me, they’ll give them to you. I’m outspoken about my appreciation for Sandra Bond and my confidence in her competence and professionalism. I feel the same about my editor at Thomas Dunne Books. If anyone asked me to back up my opinion with facts I’d be glad to do so, and every other author I know (represented and unrepresented, self-published and traditionally contracted) would be glad to share a candid opinion with anyone who asked.

Incidentally, that’s also true of the writers I know who have had experiences with scammers. Those writers will tell you to run as far and as fast as possible from the companies and individuals who took advantage of their innocence. (For the record, I won’t be naming anyone here because I can’t breach client confidentiality, but I’ll speak with people in private as ethics permit.)

5. Common Sense. If an offer or promise sounds too good to be true…it is. No agent and no publisher can promise you riches, fame, or a single sale. I’ll say that again, because it’s important. Agents and publishers cannot promise you fame and fortune, and no legitimate publishing professional will do so. Authors do not merely bang out a manuscript and land on top of the New York Times Bestseller list. Writers don’t do what they do because fortune is sure to follow. I have friends who earned out advances, friends who didn’t, and friends who never received an advance at all. One thing all these friends have in common – publishers made no promises about the success or failure of the author’s work.

If an agent or publisher’s website uses phrases like “guaranteed income,” “easy money,” “supplement your income with writing” or anything else that suggests publication is anything other than hard work without any promises of success – that’s not just a red flag, it’s a mushroom cloud. Investigate VERY thoroughly and proceed with extreme caution and prejudice.

The good news is that publisher and agent scams are very avoidable. Thorough research will almost always reveal the problem before it’s too late. The key is authors not letting the dream of publication blur common sense or distract them from research. Do that, and you can keep that dream from turning into a nightmare.

*And yes, this is a re-post of the original scam avoidance series I ran 18 months ago, but most of you weren’t reading me then, and for those who were…a refresher in vigilance never hurts.

Have questions about this or other publishing issues? Hop into the comments and let me know. I love to hear from you!

June In Retrospective on the Reef!

As always, my first post of the new month offers some of the best shots from the previous month on my little reef. Among this month’s highlights:

Ghillie the seahorse watching me as I watched him/

Emperor Maximus Angryfish I keeping a watchful eye out for shenanigans.

Wilson the urchin wearing a suction cup “hat” that he picked up to use as camouflage.

Emo the clownfish hiding out in his host anthelia, but keeping an eye on the Hawaiian sun coral in case there’s food to steal.

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And, finally, Ghillie  passing a reflective moment on the powerhead:

All things considered, it was a good month on the reef!

Which image is your favorite? I can’t choose!

 

July Monthly Observances, 2013

July is upon us, in all its thermonuclear-temperatured glory. For those of you not too wilted to celebrate, remember that July 2013 is official:

Air-Conditioning Appreciation Month (and boy, do we appreciate it here in Sacramento, where summer temperatures often make you look for the guy with the pitchfork.)

National Grilling Month & National Ice Cream Month (Pro tip: don’t combine them. Ice cream fares somewhat poorly on the grill.)

Smart Irrigation Month (When it’s this hot? Forget the lawn. Water ME.)

Cell Phone Courtesy Month (Remember to tell SIRI “thank you!”)

and, on a more private — but all-inclusive — front, July is the official launch month for my debut Shinobi mystery, Claws of the Cat!

The novel hits stores across the country on July 16 – and the festivities will continue all month long! Check out the Events page, and stay tuned to this space for more details.