Rowena Wiseman's Blog, page 20

Flash fiction/Micro fiction submissions

Seizure http://seizureonline.com/project/flashers/
Every Day Fiction http://www.everydayfiction.com/submit-story/
100 word story http://www.100wordstory.org/submit/
Litro http://www.litro.co.uk/submit/
Monkey Bicycle http://monkeybicycle.net/submissions/
Nano Fiction http://nanofiction.org/about
Word Riot http://www.wordriot.org/submissions
The Collagist – Dzanc Books http://www.dzancbooks.org/collagistsubmissions/
Flash Fiction online http://flashfictiononline.com/main/submission-guidelines/
Vestal Review http://www.vestalreview.net/
Akashic Books http://www.akashicbooks.com/submissions/

Book promotion - Nancy Christie

What is your plan for promoting your upcoming short story collection?

Together with my publisher, Pixel Hall Press, and Cynthia Dadson, the Director of Marketing, we have developed a great marketing calendar to generate interest in Traveling Left of Center.


Prior to its release in late August, we’ll be providing ARCs to reviewers and sending out press releases via PRWeb.

I’m creating a list of bloggers to act as hosts for my book blog tours—an idea that was actually inspired by Gillian Felix, whose I hosted on my blog, The Writer’s Place. Another idea is to offer specific bloggers the opportunity to participate in the pre-release cover-reveal for Traveling Left of Center. In return for them doing a three-day promo about the book and its cover on their blog, Pixel Hall Press and I will use our social media venues to announce their participation along with links to their blogs. I see it as a win-win for everyone involved. And, given that I love writing, and reading, short fiction, last December I created 'Celebrate Short Fiction' Day—annually on the shortest day of the year. I have big plans for this year’s day and hope to get support from bookstores, libraries and of course, the media! Stay tuned for more details, which will be posted on my Finding Fran blog.

One thing that I want to stress is how important it is for authors and publishers to work together as a team to coordinate activities. Working with Pixel Hall Press is truly a collaborative effort—an idea from one of us sparks even more. I know I’m very fortunate to have such as a proactive publishing team behind me!

What promotional tactics have you found to be the most successful in the past?

I’ve been very pleased and gratified by the reviews I have had for Annabelle  and Alice in Wonderland —two of the stories that are in the collection—which I attribute to Cynthia. When we started last year, I had a teeny list of potential reviewers and didn’t even know where to find more!

Cynthia not only used her extensive database but also gave me ideas on the best ways to reach out to others on my own. Of course, it’s critical to nurture these relationships by visiting their blogs or following them on social media and posting comments. In some cases, I’ve even invited the reviewers to be on my blogs.


What advice would you give to debut authors trying to promote their books?

Start now to get organized and develop a plan that covers at least a year’s worth of activities. Create a list of appropriate reviewers and bloggers, and reach out to them on a regular basis, either through email, social media or on their own blogs. Offer free excerpts to readers, so they can get a taste of the story and style. On the Pixel Hall Press website, there are several excerpts including one from Annabelle.And have a web presence that includes some way for people to reach you! It’s really import to keep the momentum going even after the book has been released. As Cynthia has said, 'With the new publishing models, a book can continue to be available for years to come. So, the marketing of it must remain viable and fresh. You’re in this for the long run. The publication date isn’t the finishing line, but a bend in the road, setting you off on new paths.'

For more information, visit the Books page of Nancy's website: http://www.nancychristie.com/books.html,  follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/NChristie_OH or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nancychristie.writer

Small press pop quiz - Unthank Books

What makes Unthank Books different to other publishers?
We've got quite a family thing going on that we often have writers who attend our school of creative writing www.unthankschool.com; are perhaps published by us either in our acclaimed bi-annual short fiction series Unthology or as novelists at www.unthankbooks.com; and/or appear at our Autumn literary festival www.unlitfestival.com. We train'em, publish'em and then show'em off.


What kind of manuscripts are you looking for?
Literary novels that either make us look at the world with new eyes or are written in an extraordinary way.


If someone was to read two books on your list, what should they be?
CAPTIVITY by Lander Hawes and LAIKONIK EXPRESS by Nick Sweeney.


What are you excited about for 2014?
That's easy. We've got the second novel by a writer who the Guardian has just called 'the greatest literary author you've probably never heard of' - namely Mr. David Rose. Arguably the greatest short story writer in the UK today, MERIDIAN (publication in October 2014) is a virtuosic example of complex technical achievement married with deep insight and social satire and commentary. It's the musings of a modern architect but manages to be about life in Britain and the West en totale. Very clever and very rewarding. We're very, very lucky to have got this. Should be required reading.
Visit: http://www.unthankbooks.com/

Open for inspection ...

My novel has been out in the public domain for about a month now and I’ve only told a handful of my most trusted friends and my family (because I sort of have to …) I’m still coming to terms with the whole thing of having people I know read my work. It feels a bit like having my house open for inspection and I don’t want all the neighbours coming in and having a sticky beak.

But on the other hand … bring in potential buyers! It would be lovely to have an agent to bring some people in, and show them around, but I’m having to do everything myself. So I’ve been focusing on promoting my book on Goodreads, Wattpad and Twitter and requesting reviews from bloggers. I've been waiting to see what the response would be to this quirky book of mine ... 

This morning I received my very first review on Goodreads … my hands broke out in a sweat, I almost couldn’t look at it … but when I finally did it almost took my breath away. It was overwhelmingly positive and his kind words are etched in my mind forever ... Here's some of what he said ...

The premise: an artist who works at a gallery in Australia goes abroad to secure the loan of some paintings by Von Honningsberg for a retrospective show. The narrator talks about the journey and also describes a lot of his own paintings and drawings done while on that journey, so that later when his work is curated by some bozo there won't be any ridiculous symbolic interpretations that he didn't intend.

It's hilarious and brilliantly done. The writing style is quite colloquial and easy to digest. ((I hate it when people compare someone's prose to work by different authors and expect that to mean something to their random audience, so I'm going to put this little turd inside double parentheses where you can skip it if you want, but... There's a tiny bit of the Holden-Caulfieldesque "attitude" in the narrator, which is rather amusing and honestly I think better than Salinger because it's more mature, and it's not really "bad".)) And there's also a lot of grown-up wisdom about art and relationships. Such huge swaths of this book resonate with me, it's hard to know when to stop gushing. So I'll just pause for breath now, and you can show yourself out  ...  If you're an artist; or you love an artist; or you've been through art school; or you've been to a gallery or museum where the labels don't just carry the title, artist's name, and media report but also contain eye-ball rollingly snooty BS touting High Brow Themes and Divinely Inspired Symbolism, then this book is for you. Tell 'em The Rodent sent you.

This book cost me one whole US dollar over at Screwpulp.com [what a bloody name for a press eh?], and it's the best dollar I've spent in a week of fine coffee and mouth-watering pastries.

This kind stranger, whoever he is, made me laugh at his witty, well-crafted review. I twirled my 3-year-old around twenty times, pumped full of joy, and then I cried a few happy tears, because this guy made me feel as though all my hard work has finally been worth it. And he may have even helped me build some confidence and think perhaps that it's almost time to invite those nosey neighbours in ...


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/850078272?book_show_action=true&page=1

Connu - new short fiction app

Founded by Luthi and Niree Perian, while they were master's students in fiction writing at the University of Southern California, Connu brings keen editorial curation to the digital publishing space with a vision to empower readers to drive the future of the publishing industry. Connu was born in LA's literary community. They asked writers they admired to identify up and coming talents. Recommenders included David Sedaris, Lydia Davis, Joyce Carol Oates, Ron Carlson, Benjamin Percy, Janet Fitch, Rick Moody, Mary Robison, Aimee Bender, Jonathan Lethem, Sam Lipsyte, Wells Tower, Dan Chaon, and many more.
‘With Connu, our goal is to discover the rising literary stars and publish their original short stories, so that our legions of readers can get in on the ground floor of what's happening in contemporary fiction today—instead of waiting years for these authors' books to come out via the traditional route,’ says Perian, Connu's editorial director. ‘I curate stories with an eye on the writers. We're bringing you tomorrow's best-selling authors today.’
Connu’s app platform allows readers to discover new work and go deep with the authors who resonate with them. Subscribers receive an original short story two-to-three times a week, along with a notification. Readers can save their favorites, text a story that feels personal to a friend, or share over social media. Over the next few months, unrolling features will promote connection and community.
Connu launched its first iPhone app in November, followed by a mobile-optimized web app, and is currently in free beta.
Visit: http://www.connu.co/

Writers and poets on Instagram - heartfullofpoetry

How have you used Instagram to build a following?I've not so much as used Instagram as a way to gain a following, but as a way to be heard. Besides, right now, I'm also exclusively an 'Instagram Poet', but I have put some thought into branching out when I'm ready. I do, although, strongly believe that Instagram is the best way to find a following. I like the format, it's easy and there's a whole hidden poetry community that I've found there. People listen.
What kind of posts attract the most likes?From my experience, I've found that people want to see something relatable. That's how they can form an instant bond with your writing. We all want to see someone fighting for us, or making us feel like we're not alone. That's how we're wired. Sometimes though, you just have to write to write and still put it out there. Every word that you say is real and beautiful. People realize that. Focus on your mission.
How has your following on Instagram benefited your work?Tremendously. It's been a blessing to meet the people I've met and to enjoy their pieces. I'm in love with the idea that people want to hear my story and that it can inspire them. Back in September of 2013 when I started, I realized that the only place I could go was up. I did. I grew as a writer, and quite honestly as a person. That's such an undeniably beautiful thing.
Which other writers or poets would you suggest we follow?There are so many good poets out there who stay hidden and I don't shy away from admitting that my favorite poets aren't household names. I suggest you check out these Instagram poets, I adore them: @jrd_bos @chasingkc @jadefire_poetry @lootsvele @ericianhuffman @unknown_poetry@peaceloveandpoetry. These poets have really inspired me. They're absolutely amazing.
What are the best writing hashtags to use on Instagram?Follow heartfullofpoetry on Instagram: http://instagram.com/heartfullofpoetry

Writers and poets on Instagram - Eric Ian Huffman

How have you used Instagram to build a following?I don't a huge account on Instagram - it's about 1200 followers, but I don't work too hard to build rapidly, either. I'd rather have some stability. Some of the people from Instagram also follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, and Soundcloud. Over time, my thoughts on Instagram, as a writer, have become that it is a place to share with friends, and those who might follow because they enjoy your writing. In truth, it's a closed box. It simply isn't as easy to share a post, thereby reaching a larger audience from Instagram as it is in other sites Like Facebook, YouTube, etc.
What kind of posts attract the most likes?The key is in the name. INSTAgram. You don't have much time to catch people's attention. TheY might just be taking a quick peek at their feed and not have time to invest several minutes on a single post. The longer posts, or those with more complex themes, are more likely to be passed over than the short and sweet ones. I don't let that guide my writing there, but has proven to be true over time. As a writing account, I also find the pieces about love seem to get the most attention.
How has your following on Instagram benefited your work?After having stopped writing for 20 years, I started again when I found the writing community on Instagram. I was able to start out slowly, with simpler pieces, and then grow with the support of the community. However, I do from time to time, take a hiatus from Instagram. I leave to write elsewhere, where I am unknown and am not lulled into complacency by the ‘likes’ on Instagram. As a writer, I feel that I have to be able to write without encouragement. That's how the real world works.
Which other writers or poets would you suggest we follow?I usually find a piece I enjoy, or some new thoughts, from @whiskeytrance, @maureenalexandra_, and @werone38.
What are the best writing hashtags to use on Instagram?Most of my writing is a poem or short prose of some sort. #poem seems to be the most popular and targeted tag. I see people use #instagood and #instalikes and all sorts of other things which, to me, just add clutter. I use two or three tags at most, usually just #poem #poetry.
Follow Eric Ian Huffman on Instagram: http://instagram.com/ericianhuffman

How writers can build a following on Wattpad - Jenny Rosen

What kind of work do you post on Wattpad?Mainly novels and short stories. Wattpad is a great place to be able to share your works in progress or finished pieces with a continually growing audience.
How did you build your following on Wattpad?I joined the website a little over two years ago and was immediately drawn into the social aspect of Wattpad. I loved that I could directly connect with my readers and with other authors and spent a lot of time reading and critiquing other people's work. I also spent a portion of my time sharing my own work on the forums, and swapping feedback with anyone who was open to it. It's important to genuinely build relationships, not only with your readers, but also with other authors on the site. Comment on their work, share it, promote it, learn how to be passionate about engaging with other people and supporting them in their writing endeavors. Building a following isn't limited to exclusively amassing fans for your own work it's about reaching out and uplifting other writers and readers in the ways that you can.
What is your best advice for new users on Wattpad?The three P's: patience, persistence, and passion. Sounds incredibly cheesy but Wattpad is a massive community and sometimes a lot of newer  authors worry that their work isn't getting the recognition or ‘success’ that they expected after joining the website. It's easy for new users to get caught up in the numbers game and to get discouraged when your work doesn't rack up loads of reads or high rankings. But what's important to understand about Wattpad is that it's not about the numbers or attaining massive popularity, it's about developing your craft and building real, lasting relationships with other writers and readers. Wattpad reflects the realities of the larger writing world in many regards.  Gaining a dedicated fanbase, sticking with your works, and maintaining the drive to write are all aspects of being an author that you construct throughout your career. There's no such thing as instant success and I'd encourage all new users on the website to give yourself time, build genuine relationships, focus on improving your craft, and the rest will fall into place.
How has using the site benefited your work and career as a writer?Thanks to Wattpad I went from writing for fun to working towards publishing my work and considering a partial career in writing. The editorial team offered me the opportunity to become a Featured Author on the site and will be featuring my first book, ‘The Runaways’, at the end of this month. What's amazing about Wattpad is that it gave me a pretty incredible platform where I could share my work with an active and constantly growing audience. So being a part of a community like this has been fantastic and I recommend it to anyone who's passionate about putting words down on a page and sharing their work with the world.
What are these book trailer things?Book traileVisit: http://www.wattpad.com/user/jr0127
Book trailer for 'The Runaways': http://youtu.be/077EEJ687Cc

How writers can build a following on Wattpad - Katie Tyler

What kind of work do you post on Wattpad?When I joined I only posted fan fiction, firstly the classic One Direction fan fiction as that was the area I felt I could easily fit into as so many other people were writing them as well. A while after I had some attempted ideas at Werewolf stories, they turned into ‘one shots’ as I found they weren’t quite as popular and my priorities were on the fan fiction as more people were reading them. In October 2013 I started writing a fan fiction about ‘Youtubers’, I hadn’t seen many, if any, fan fictions in this category and decided it was a topic I knew well so would attempt to fill the gap.
How did you build your following on Wattpad?It took a long time to get 400 followers on Wattpad for me. Compared to some other, bigger accounts that is barely a dent in their following but for me it is a number of people I never imagined would voluntarily read something I had written. At first there were around 50 people who purely followed me because they read the book, this gradually over time grew to over 100. However, if you want tips or tricks on how to gain followers I have picked up a few techniques. Of course, just asking your readers to check out your profile and ‘follow’, some users could be new and not know how to. Another way, which I still do, is to head on over to Omegle, type in the ‘interest’ bar Wattpad and talk to people who also use the site. Strike up a conversation and exchange profiles, this way you gain a new found friend and follower.
Finally, the way I found most effective was to create a ‘private chapter’ or book on Wattpad which only your fans can read. It could be a little spin off chapter from your main book, but if you put in an Authors Note at the bottom of the original chapter in your book that you have made a private chapter and must be a fan to read it, then all the people that like your writing and want to read more will follow! I did this and gained over 120 followers in less than 3 days. Simple but effective.
What is your best advice for new users on Wattpad?Put yourself out there, create an interesting bio telling people about your interests and things you like, bands, music, TV shows, movies and celebrities. This way if someone comes across your profile and finds you have something in common they will check out your stories out and it gets you involved in the Wattpad community.
Also, make sure you have a unique book cover as we all know the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, but if that’s the only representation you see of the book you want to be drawn in instantly and catch your attention. Follow people! Post on their message boards introducing yourself and have a conversation, making friends on the site is one of the perks. I actually only recently found out about the ‘clubs’ side of Wattpad, join yourself to one of them. They include really interesting discussions!
How has using the site benefited your work and career as a writer?This may sound cheesy; however I do write fan fictions so it’s acceptable. It made me realize that I actually like writing, that potentially it could just be more than being bored on a Saturday when your tumblr dashboard is dead. It’s made and helped me realize that writing could actually be a future career path. It’s helped me meet so many similar people to myself, introduced me to a whole new community and I’ve made tons of new friends. I do struggle with school work, and my grades dip from time to time, but it’s showed me if you are dedicated and put a lot of effort in, results will come. The first ever proper fan fiction I wrote called Starbucks, which is a One Direction one, gained 17,000 reads. At the time I was so shocked, I still am. I couldn’t believe that that many people read my book. I couldn’t even picture that many people in my head. When I started ZalfieI didn’t think it would get very many reads, it was in a category I hadn’t seen many fan fictions about so assumed it wasn’t very popular. In the first 3 days it got over 5,000 reads. I was in complete shock as it had taken me over a year to get 17,000 on Starbucks. I mean, my maths isn’t that great but I could work out the difference. As I started updating daily chapters on it the views grew and grew, people were leaving comments and hundreds of votes. Now Zalfiestands at just over 430,000 reads. I can’t even comprehend how much that is, and I am eternally grateful.
In early December I entered the ‘Watty Awards’ which is the Wattpad awards for best in their categories. I had completely forgotten I had entered this, a banner came up on the home page advertising it so I thought I would check out the finalists, I went onto ‘youtube celebrities’ and on ‘up and coming’ was Zalfie. MY BOOK. I couldn’t believe that I had made it to the finalists! The results for that are yet to come, I’m not sure if I have a chance but if I did win, I can say for definite it would greatly impact my career as a writer.
All the support has deeply benefited my career as a writer, at the moment and the past few months I have been throwing around the idea of actually publishing my book into an ebook and maybe even a printed version. Self-publishing of course, after all I don’t want to push it. Just having a printed, paperback version of a book I wrote myself in my hands … it’s an achievement and goal that would just be remarkable for me and to prove to myself, parents and peers that I haven’t just been wasting my time on the internet for months on end, I have actually created something.
Without Wattpad none of this would have been possible. I would be doing something completely different and probably wouldn’t be the person I am due to not having read hundreds of book on the site and learnt from other amazing writers. It’s so easy to interact with the people that read my work, it’s hugely benefited me as with the comments and messages people leave me that I have actually inspired them to write their own fan fiction! At the age of 15 I’m pretty proud to have achieved that.
I cannot thank Wattpad and all the people that have read even one chapter of my books enough. In the future I plan to take a gap year and write, publish and sell a book. This would not be possible without Wattpad. So, in conclusion, to say it has benefited me hugely would be an understatement.

Visit: http://www.wattpad.com/user/kmteenager 

Book cover brag ...

Just showing off my three new Wattpad covers from Humble Nations. James has some fabulous pre-made cover designs to choose from at: http://humblenations.com/
You can read more about my stories at: http://www.wattpad.com/user/outaprintwriter