Content Edit Tips

You have a story? You've written, "The End." Now what? How does the story in the computer become a book that other folks can download or hold in their hands?

There are a number of ways to get your manuscript into a published, available form, but you will want it to be at its absolute best. If you're seeking traditional publication your manuscript needs to be perfected and polished. If you're wanting to indie publish, even moreso should your manuscript be perfect. No one wants to hear from a reviewer that the book was disappointing because there were extraneous typos. An even worse scenario would be for readers to be frustrated over inconsistencies or errors within the essential elements of your story.

Before you start worrying over punctuation and typos, you'll want to go through the 7 major elements
of your book. Tonight, Tuesday September 5, at 7PM Central, the Executive Editor of Write Integrity Press, Marji Laine Clubine, and her special guest, author Fay Lamb who is a highly sought freelance editor in her own right, will discuss the major elements of a fiction novel and how to edit for those elements.

In fact, this topic is such an in depth concept, Fay and Marji will be discussing it through December on Publishing Laine, a talk show on the "Along Came a Writer" network at Blogtalk Radio. If you have questions about editing, email DownPublishingLaine@gmail.com. If your question is used, you'll receive a free book - US residents only.

And if you're looking at this article after Tuesday, September 5, 2017, you can visit the Publishing Laine show at THIS LINK.

Impress an Editor in 9 Steps: Part 5

Dear Editor,

Here you go. Talk to you soon.

Signed

Me

No, this isn't a real cover letter. However, some proposals have come through our offices with nothing at all in the email, not even a signature. 

It's hard to say if a cover letter/email like that is being used to force an editor to open the proposal or from an author who is too busy or too shy to actually use the skills they want to sell.

When you write to an acquisitions editor… WRITE to the editor. After all, you are a writer. This is a person you’re emailing. Engage him or her just like you would if you met on the street. An e-mail is a letter after all. Take a moment to introduce yourself and share a little about why you're righting.

Not only is the email a letter, the person to whom you are writing is representing a business. Professionalism is always a plus. Talk to them in your initial email. Tell them why you’ve chosen to email them. Give them a little background on your story that might not fit into part of the proposal attachment.

Publishing companies, even small ones, receive hundreds of proposals every year. Sometimes, they receive hundreds of proposals every week! It’s easier for them to reject a project than it is to accept one. Especially from an author with no publishing experience. Show how well you can engage your audience by engaging them. Give them every reason to pick you.

My best advice: Show, through that initial email, the passion you have for your topic or the enthusiasm you have for your story. Enthusiasm is contagious and can go a long way in moving your book through to publication.

And if you have a question about publishing, queries, proposals, or what type of publishing is right for you, drop a line right here! Our executive director, Marji Laine Clubine, might use your question on her radio show, February 7 at 7PM Central (Publishing Laine). If she uses your question, she'll send you a free book.

Radio - ACTIVE!

The New Year opens up a brand new avenue for Marji Laine Clubine, the executive director of Write Integrity Press. She is the new host of the radio program, "Down Publishing Laine," which has its first episode at 7PM Central January 3, 2017.

Author Shirley Crowder will join her on her first show. Shirley will be discussing her latest release, PRAYER STUDY GUIDE, that is the companion to PRAYER: IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU by Harriet E. Michael.

So where are you on your writing journey? Do you have a question for a publisher? Need clues in how to proceed with your dreams of being an author or novelist? Be part of Marji Laine's first audience on the chat line or leave a question in the comment section!

Or you can listen live and chat your questions to Marji Laine at 7PM Central at THIS LINK.

12 Books of Christmas: DECKING THE HALLS by Marji Laine

Marji Laine is a romantic-suspense
author and the new executive
director of Write Integrity Press.
Learn more about her at her author
page at www.WriteIntegrity.com

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Family, laughter, food, decorations, lights - I love it all. In fact, I was married in December. Sweet hubby and I celebrate 30 years in a couple of weeks.

I remember the Christmas after our first anniversary. We had a little four-foot tree that we stuck in front of a window. We splurged on a box of twinkle lights and some assorted plastic ornaments. And we had a little, gold-dressed angel for the top. She didn't even light up, but she had such a sweet face, I couldn't resist.

We also had the hurricane lamps, adorned with poinsettias, that had been carried by my bridesmaids in our wedding. They became my dining table centerpiece for several Christmases.

Every year, sweet hubby and I added a little more to our decor. A NOEL sign hung beside our door, a stuffed Santa and reindeer, and a couple of new ornaments. Before our third Christmas, we moved into our first house and got to enjoy a "real" tree. We invested in some yard art the following year, a pair of singing mice, and of course continued to build our stuffed Santa collection.

With the addition of children, our decorations focused on them - a Santa calendar, a couple of ladders

and elves, a long shelf full of various festive items, and blue jean stockings. Our tree has grown and we've even gotten a second one to display in one of our front windows while our main tree graces our family room.

And no, the sweet little angel does not grace the top of this tree. She was simply too small for such a large tree and with no lights, she didn't show up. But she looks outstanding on the new smaller tree on display in my office.

And she still has the sweetest face.

About the Author:

Marji writes what she loves to read: mystery, suspense, and romance all with a deep thread of faith and hope. A home-schooling mom of four, she's nearing retirement with her youngest two, twins, in their senior year. In addition to her writing and editing, she  is also the high school coordinator and web designer of a large co-op, and works at her church as the children's music director, a teacher in the Sunday youth classes, an assistant in the youth choir, and an alto in the adult choir.

Learn more about Marji at her author page on the Write Integrity Press website: WriteIntegrity.com

Recipe for Christmas Toffee:

My twins have figured out the easiest way to make toffee - which is good because I'm a reluctant cook! Be careful, though. The toffee is terribly addictive!

1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 sleeve (or so) Saltine crackers
1/2 bag chocolate chips
sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or M&Ms  for decoration

Apply foil to a jelly roll pan and spray it with baking spray. Spread the crackers across the jelly roll pan to cover it completely.

Heath's Point is a fictional small town
in Northeast Texas, but living there can
be ... well, murder. Book 1,  COUNTER
POINT, is available at Amazon in
print and e-book.

Melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Continue to stir it as it boils for 2 minutes.

Pour the mixture over the crackers and coat them evenly. Put the pan in a 350° oven for 6 minutes.

As soon as you remove it from the oven, sprinkle the hot coating with chocolate chips which will melt fairly quickly. Spread the melted chips and decorate before storing the entire pan in a freezer for at least an hour to thoroughly chill the candy. Break the pieces apart before serving.

12 Books of Christmas:

You can win a copy of Marji's COUNTER POINT along with 11 other books (US residents only) by commenting below and leaving your email address for us to add to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) While your commenting, tell us: What is your favorite Christmas ornament, and why is it special?