A New Point of View about Self Publishing

Today I have a special guest for the New Author. Catherine Ryan Howard just released her new book but before that could happen she exhausted all of her options of traditional publishing and went the way of self publishing. Below is her account and lessons learned during her journey to self publication.

5 THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY SELF-PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE
by Catherine Ryan Howard

Having just self-published her first book using Amazon’s POD service, CreateSpace, Catherine Ryan Howard, a self-confessed former self-publishing snob, reflects on the lessons learned. She used Amazon’s CreateSpace, a Print on Demand (POD) service, to publish her travel memoir, Mousetrapped: A Year and A Bit in Orlando, Florida.

1. It’s a lot more work than you think it’s going to be

Back in the naiveté of my pre-self-publishing days, I thought this would be easy. I’d written the book, hadn’t I? I’d spell-checked it. Surely all I needed to do now was insert some chapter headings and write my Acknowledgements - right? I thought it could be done in a Saturday afternoon. In reality, I’d never been more wrong about anything in my entire life. First, there were decisions to be made. Which trim size? What colour paper? How about a distribution plan? Print and electronic editions, or just print? Once those headaches were out of the way, I hired a proof-reader who discovered approximately 23,012 errors in my 65,000-word manuscript, 23,011 of which I wouldn’t have even known were there. Next up, formatting the interior. Tip: never indent your paragraphs with tabs - trust me on this! Then there was cover design, checking the proof copy and - take a deep breath - okaying it. Self-publishing has a bad reputation because people don’t put in the work and it takes a lot of it to make your book look good.

2. It’s going to cost a lot less than you think it will

A few months ago I read an article about a children’s author who allocated €10,000 ($13,500) for self-publishing his book, and I gulped like a cartoon character. My budget was barely enough to buy a copy of his book! But when I started investigating POD, I couldn’t believe just how cheaply it could be done. Your IBSN is free (the POD provides it) and the only thing you absolutely have to pay for is the single proof copy you must check and okay before your book gets officially published. I chose to pay for a proof-reader and a cover design, but if you can do this yourself or have friends in the business who can help you out, you can self-publish your book for about $20.

3. It’s possible to make a POD look professional

POD gets a bad rap because writers - despite having read hundreds if not thousands of books in their lifetime - seem to forget every single thing about what they’ve seen in them once they come to make their own POD book. They leave out title pages, start their chapters at the very top of the page, have a ‘1’ on the first page, fail to have the book properly edited or proof-read and then, worst of all, put them in covers that make your eyes bleed. Take the time to comb through the interior. Take a few books off your shelf, see how they’re laid out and copy them. Don’t use the cover templates provided by your POD service - they all scream ‘self-published’! Have someone help you with cover design or purchase something like BookCoverPro, reasonably-priced cover design software that is easy to use. Size is also really important. I found that most people were choosing books 6 x 9 inches in size, but most novels I buy in brick and mortar bookshops are 5.5. x 8.5., which is what I made my book.

4. Your most valuable asset is you.

Mousetrapped did the rounds of one literary agent and four publishing houses and they all said the same thing: they really enjoyed it, but there wasn’t enough of a market for it to warrant mainstream publication. It was a book about working in Disney World - how many people, realistically, would be interested in that? Probably not too many. So when I came to self-publish, I focused - unconsciously, at first - on getting people interested in me, in my writing. I started a blog, Catherine, Caffeinated, that brought everyone along for my self-publishing ride. I started using Twitter, but confined self-promotional tweets to Mondays (#mousetrappedmondays!) - you have to remember that those kind of tweets are not what your followers are following you for. I was also blatantly honest about my reasons for self-publication; I didn’t pretend it was because I wanted ‘more control’ and or that it was my first choice. I think honesty goes a long way in all aspects of life and by just being myself I’ve made some fabulous new friends and got promotional help from all sorts of unlikely places.

5. When it’s all over, you’re going to need a long vacation.

It’s a long, exhausting process that never stops - even after publication, you’ll have to make an effort everyday to sell your book. But it’s totally worth it and if you do take a long vacation - if you can take one; we all know self-publishing isn't going to make you rich! - you never know, it might form the basis of your second book...


LINKS:

Official MOUSETRAPPED Site (incl purchase info): http://mousetrappedbook.com
Catherine’s blog, Catherine, Caffeinated: http://catherineryanhoward.com
Read all about Catherine’s self-publishing adventures in excruciating detail: http://catherineryanhoward.com/selfprinting
Follow Catherine on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cathryanhoward

The Envelop Please...

Today is the day! After weeks of preparation and reading all the great submissions we have a winner for both the short story and poetry categories. I warned the judges that it would be a hard decision to make and I believe they would each tell you I was correct.

It was a nail biter to be sure as two short stories entered the weekend tied for the top spot. What I found most interesting in the poetry category was the broad range of emotions the poems stirred in the judges. Many had pinpoint reasons why they picked the poem they did. On the flip side of the coin, you could actually feel the internal battle the judges fought as they tried to decide on which would be the winning short story. I received comments that stated how much they liked a particular story but it was still hard because they were drawn to a second just as much.

I can tell you that all the finalist should be proud of their accomplishment. As for the winners, you earned it. As I stated at the beginning, those in the writing industry would decide the winner. Your work won their vote and that is something to hang your hat on.

Okay, enough talking. We are here to celebrate with the winners. As a reminder, the winner from each category will receive a $20 gift card to Amazon.com, a badge for their blog and/or website (as of now there are only 2 on the entire Internet), and your work will be published in an upcoming issue of Dream Chaser's Magazine.

The winners of the 2010 New Author Writing Contest are:

In the Poetry Category the winner is......DECIMATION by Simon Marshland
In the Short Story Category the winner is.......SOLITAIRE by Michael Cormier


Please take a moment and congratulate our winners for this year's contest. I hope next year's contest is just as competitive and entertaining. Remember, it is never to late to get started.

Here is the winning poem and the attachment to the winning short story.

Decimation

By Simon Marshland

Where fly our bees and butterflies

Where nest our birds of song

Who cares if our last meadow dies

Who bothers what’s gone wrong

What selfish careless things we’ve done

How deep should be our shame

Cupidity and greed have won

Base urge of the inane

This land is ours but ours on trust

Not ours to mar despoil

Ten million years turned back to dust

Two thousands wasted toil

There is still time but only just

Still time to mend our ways

And together with concerted thrust

Reverse this trend that slays

Aid the miracle of rebirth

For the children yet unborn

To shape a fresh and new Earth

With a living breathing dawn

You can read the winning short story - Solitaire - by follow this LINK. 

Poetry Against Cancer

I am very happy to announce that the second poetry book I am published in is now on sale. At the current time you can get this book through LuLu.com by clicking on the image located at the top right of this blog or at the link at the bottom of this article.

Having lost my dad to cancer almost two years ago I find it to be both a privilege and honor to be a part of this project. You see, all the proceeds made from this book will be donated to the St John's Ward at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, (in Dublin  Ireland) the Haemotology and Oncology ward. We have a great opportunity to help this hospital establish this ward and thereby help the children of Ireland and nearby areas battling cancer.

I have looked through the book and I believe it has a little for everyone; love poems, sad poems, children's poems and seasonal poems.

Before I wrap up this article I want to take a moment and thank the people that put this book together and all the authors all over the world who submitted their work to this project. It is, without a doubt, a worthwhile endeavor.

If you would like to check out this book and purchase it you can by following this LINK.

If you would like to know more about Our Lady's Children's Hospital follow this LINK.

To find out more information about the fundraising effort check out this Facebook PAGE.

Splinters

Title: Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor
Author: Randolph N. Alvis
ISBN: 978-1-60383-183-3
Genre: Religous/Inspirational
Pages: 113
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
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Mercy, hope and love – but of these, love is greatest.


There are times in a person’s life when they hit a wall, hit rock bottom, or find themselves in a bad situation. What we do at these times is an illustration of who we are and what we believe. There are; however, times when we simply can’t go it alone. It is these times when we need someone to lean on; something to hold on to. In “Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor” we find the source of inspiration, the power of faith and the hope of an eternal Shepard.

“Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor” is the culmination of the Lord’s impact on every aspect of life. From the meaning of love to the joy of hearing a bird’s song in the morning we see his hand in all. Even in troubling times, as we see first hand from the experiences of the author, we see the Lord working in us. He is shaping us for something better.

There are difficult times and we don’t see how things will be better for us but just as described in “Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor” those are the times we are being shaped just as a carpenter does with a piece of wood.

Randolph Alvis expresses his passion and love for the Lord on every page of “Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor.” He is a normal person with the normal concerns about life and family which makes this book refreshing and easy to connect with. Readers can relate to the experiences shared by the author and his family.

“Splinters on the Carpenter’s Floor” captures the essence of hope, joy and love provided and freely given by our Lord and savior. I recommend this inspirational book to anyone in need of comfort, up-lifting or motivation.

If you would like to learn more about this book please visit HERE.

About the Short Stories

I know, I know, I promised the short stories and they are not posted yet. The thing is, I'm having problems getting them converted into a format that is easy for blogger to navigate and easy for you to read. However, if you look above this article you will see them listed. Just click on each one and the story will open up. I did this so you can read them as your time allows.

Did you notice my contest update at the top? I warned the judges this was going to be tough and I was right as they have mentioned how hard it was to pick the best poem and short story. Then again, that just shows the caliber of writers we have here in the New Author community.

We have had some fin with this year's contest. I hope you will take the time and read all the short stories and share your thoughts with the writers.

Poetry Finalists - Part II

Here are the last two of the four finalists for this year's contest. I hope you enjoy reading all four of them.

Decimation

By Simon Marshland

Where fly our bees and butterflies

Where nest our birds of song

Who cares if our last meadow dies

Who bothers what’s gone wrong

What selfish careless things we’ve done

How deep should be our shame

Cupidity and greed have won

Base urge of the inane

This land is ours but ours on trust

Not ours to mar despoil

Ten million years turned back to dust

Two thousands wasted toil

There is still time but only just

Still time to mend our ways

And together with concerted thrust

Reverse this trend that slays

Aid the miracle of rebirth

For the children yet unborn

To shape a fresh and new Earth

With a living breathing dawn

                            _____________________________________________________

Revelation

By Margaret Bail

I noticed her when she walked into the conference, not because she was pretty (though she wasn’t not pretty), but because she reminded me of a Renaissance painting – round, full and ripe – not at all today’s feminine ideal. She wore an inappropriately revealing white dress, cut low up top and cut short down below, obviously designed for a slimmer form then manufactured and distorted to fit everywoman. When she sat her copious breasts surged, threatening to overflow, while under the table her ample thighs were visible much farther north than I preferred to see, though from my angle the ultimate terminus was still eclipsed. I tried to pay attention to the conference. And yet…inexplicably distracted, my eyes were still drawn to that fleshy chasm, rippled legs spread too wide (but not quite Sharon Stone wide). I wondered, both titillated and bemused, how much she revealed to the men directly across from her if it was too much or just enough.

Poetry Finalists - Part I

Below you will find two of the four poems selected as finalists for this year's contest. I am posting them in no particular order. I will post the next two shortly. Once the poems have been posted I will begin posting the short stories.

I Have Opened My Eyes

by Lena Toporikova

I have opened my eyes

Just to see the truth,

To find out what matters most.

To survive through life,

To learn how to trust,

After all these years to stop feeling lost.

To find myself,

The questions, the answers,

The doubts, the lies

Which are all disguised.

Confusion. Tears. Stabbing pain.

Pride. Presumptions. False allegations.

I am surely going insane.

All I see are just complications. .

Laughter. Dreams. Passion. Emotions.

Can I have them back once and forever?

Can I smile again like nothing had happened?

Can I love again like I’ve never been hurt?

Can I sleep tonight like the sweetest baby?

Can I see the life like I once have been used to?

I have opened my eyes

Just to see the truth,

To find out that nothing has changed.

That my life is the same,

That my journey goes on.

But don’t ask me

Where it leads.

I have opened my eyes.

All I’d wanted I’ve got.

Just not sure it was what I needed.

Have I found the truth?

Not so sure I did…

I don’t know.

I can’t say.

                            ______________________________________________________

TO MY VALENTINE

Copyright 2009 Navjeet Singh Sandhu

God sighted me and you, in this ring

Like two pearls on a string

I’ve seen many maidens,

But no one is like you even in the heavens.

Not only in the sense of beauty,

But in every treaty.

Seen many beautiful faces,

Yours left, on my heart, deep trace

To see you is the wish of my eyes,

At each instance in every day’s trice

Let the people tally or depart,

But you are the princess of my heart.

We are just 'two peas of a pod',

Put together, personally, by God.

I wish in this pool of adore,

It’s your canoe that touches the shore.

Listen to my small sweet heart,

It, of my life, announces you an un-separable part.

In my garden, it’s the flowers of your name that grow,

No other sailor’s boat, in this ocean of love is to row.

Let these two pearls in the string,

Be closest to each other for ever and ever in this ring.

In the Hands of the Judges

What a great day to announce the authors moving on to the next round. I have to tell you that the turn out was fantastic for this year's contest and I am already looking for ways to make next year's even better. After reading (and re-reading) all of the submissions I have chosen the following to be presented to the judges:

Poetry Category

Decimation by Simon Marshland

To My Valentine by Navjeet Singh

I Have Opened My Eyes by Lena Toporikova

Revelation by Margaret Bail

Short Story Category

Solitaire by Michael Cormier

The Inheritance by Rosemary Rains

Redemption by Icy Sedgwick

The Box by Jan Cline

Take a moment and give a big congratulations to our finalist for this year's competition. I assure you, the judges have a tough decision to make. I will began posting these poems and stories for you to read in the coming days but first I need to get them to the judges.

A Helping Hand

You know, I feel very blessed and humbled by the attention my blog and writing has received lately. I hope that never changes because I have big plans and high expectations. I don't believe I'm the only one though; it is good to have goals, dreams, and expectations. To be honest, the thing that I enjoy most is helping others. It is by helping that we learn and grow together.

During the last week of February I was contacted by Marian L. Thomas, a contributing member of Newbie's Magazine, asking me if I was interested in preparing an article and biography for the March issue of the magazine. They wanted to do a piece on blogs that help new authors. You can imagine my reaction. I was amazed that they even thought about me and the New Author. On the other hand, I was also very excited. I replied that I would do it and have it submitted before the deadline. Yep, my first writing project with a deadline.

The above embedded widget is the cover for the March issue of Newbie's Magazine. It is an online magazine that you can click and look through the pages. If you click the page you will zoom in on the text which is a nice thing to have. What I am curious about are your thoughts in regards to my article. I attempted to answer the question - how does your blog help new authors? You can read it on page 11. 

The Contest is Heating Up!

The submission deadline is TODAY! I thought I would refresh everyone's memory about the second annual New Author Writing Contest, the rules and more importantly, the PRIZES!

Please submit your poem and/or short story to the following address: sb.knight@live.com.

On March 17th I will announce the submissions that will be moving on to the judges. At which time, I plan to post the submissions right here for all to read.

The judges must have their vote for best poem and short story to me by March 29th. I will announce the winner on March 31st.

The prize package will be as follows:

For the winning poem - a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com, A certificate badge to post on your site, and your poem published in the May/June issue of Dream Chaser's Magazine.

For the winning short story - a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com, A certificate badge to post on your site, and your short story published in the May/June issue of Dream Chaser's Magazine.

As for the rules, here they are:

• Judges cannot submit entries for the contest (sorry).
• Participants are allowed to submit a total of two (2) entries. For example, you may submit one poem and one short story or two poems or 2 short stories at a maximum.
• All poems will be limited to one page in length. Please include your name with your poem.
• All short, short stories will be a maximum of 2,000 words. Please include your name and title on each page just in case I get clumsy and papers fly.
• I will read all submissions and select the top five (5) short stories and poems at which time they will be posted on the New Author.
• The judges may cast their vote at any time after ALL the submissions have been posted. All votes will be e-mailed to me and I will announce the winner.
• Most importantly, we will have fun while showcasing the talents of the New Author community.

If you have a poem or short story ready to go then send it my way. Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbor, you can tell your dog if you like. The more submissions we have the better.

Eternity In Sight

Title: ‘Til Eternity
Author: Paul Bortolazzo
ISBN: 978-0-9675683-0-0
Genre: Christian Resource
Pages: 304
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
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Eternity is coming…are you ready?


The events described in The Revelations of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Bible, are often times confusing and horrifying to Christians both young and old. It is a book that is misunderstood and, unfortunately, misinterpreted by many in the world today. “’Til Eternity” clarifies those misinterpretations and misunderstandings unlike any other book I have had the privilege to read by addressing many questions that are frequently asked. Some of those questions are:

• Who are these false prophets we have been warned about in Matthew 7:15 and how can we recognize them?
• How will we recognize the beast and what event will start the Great Tribulation?
• How does the seventy weeks of Daniel correlate with The Revelations of Jesus Christ?
• Who or what is the great Harlot in Revelations 17:1?
• What is the significance of the Day of The Lord in Zephaniah 1:18?
• What is the difference between the Judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 and the Judgment at the Great White Throne in Revelations 20:12-13?

The profound message and warning contained in the pages of “’Til Eternity” come straight from The Revelations of Jesus Christ. “’Til Eternity” takes an in-depth look at each event, one by one, to provide a better understanding. With crisp explanations, supported by additional scripture from many of the books of the Bible, the events come together to paint a vivid picture of the second coming of our Lord and Savior.

Paul’s impressive credentials as a scholar compliment his passion for the Lord perfectly. With a straight forward and honest writing style Paul displays his extensive research and study with purpose and desire. By limiting his personal opinions about these events he allows the scriptures to dictate and direct this book. For that he is commended.

“’Til Eternity” is a powerful resource for Christians as we prepare to overcome the wrath of the dragon and the evil of the beast until that glorious time when our Lord returns.

“’Til Eternity” will encourage you to read and study the Bible. It is through this study that we understand the true power of the shed blood of the Lamb. If you thirst for the Lord’s blessing of wisdom I highly recommend this book.

To find out more about this book and the author please follow HERE.

Here Is The First!!

Did you notice the book in the top right corner of the site? That is the first of two poetry anthologies I am published in. This one I actually get royalties from! The second one is for a charity. All the proceeds from that one will be donated to a children's hospital's new cancer wing. I will let you know when that is released.

However, today we are looking at this first one which is a collection of love poems based on Valentine's Day. If you click on the book it will take you to the actual site where you can purchase it and also view a sample of it. I have to admit, it was exciting signing my first contract for a publisher and actually getting paid for my work.

Check it out. I would really like to get your thoughts after reading the poetry inside. Here is the link to the publisher's page.

An Interview With Author Deborah McCarragher

There are times when people express their own experiences and it resonates with many as it strikes a similar cord. Author Deborah McCarragher is one of these people. Journey with me as we learn more about this author, her experiences and her new book.

About Deborah McCarragher

Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savoir in 1989. She uses her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church. She also enjoys in-depth bible study in her personal time and is a small business owner of over twenty years. Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her books. She and her husband reside in north Florida.

About “Mission Possible: Spiritual Covering”

Mission Possible is a unique book in the Christian marketplace. It addresses a subject that is often overlooked and misunderstood. It is a candid look at my struggles and quest to reach my husband for Christ. I became a believer seven years into our marriage. It is written as I have lived it, and applies scripture and biblical context to each chapter. Mission Possible was nominated for Christian Small Publisher’s Assoc. Book of the Year Award for 2009.


What inspired you to craft this quite insightful volume?

I was involved with a local intercessory prayer group at the time, and was prompted by God during prayer to write down what He was conveying to me about my husband and his salvation. It was quite literally written while inspired, and without much effort on my part. I typed on the computer as He led me to bible verses and topics to talk about. I remember writing down the names of the (7) chapters during prayer time on a tablet, just looking at them afterwards in awe. It was quite a moving experience.

The book is anchored strongly in sound scriptural support. Did you perform much research prior to putting it together?

Yes I did, however, I was also fortunate to be part of an inter-denominational comprehensive bible study (BSF - Bible Study Fellowship) for seven years which gave me much of my bible study background as a new believer. As I wrote the book, God would lead me to a verse I was familiar with, or I would read something that day that would remind me of something I had studied earlier. Practical application was always prompted by the Lord in my prayer and devotional time.

What primary advice do you have for women who are married to "non-believing" husbands?

I think the most important advice is to have faith in Who God Is and His sovereignty. We can't "pre-package" our spouse's conversion experience, and God will always do what will bring Him the "most glory". We also have to remember that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. Our spouse (if unsaved) isn't governed by God's Spirit - so we have to release them from that accountability. We must have faith that rests in God and not in our own understanding. We must not rely on what we see, but what is unseen.

Have you had the opportunity to share the book with church groups or congregations?

I have shared at my home church in ladies bible study groups and Sunday school classes briefly, but not in a large forum yet. I plan on contacting local churches and introducing myself and my book to women's ministry leaders this year. I want to share my personal testimony with others and bring hope and encouragement to women who are hurting and frustrated.

What kinds of reactions has the book generated thus far?

I have had great reaction to my little book. Some women love it because it is not lengthy, and they can read it quickly - yet refer back to it over & over again. One woman emailed me a testimony that she was nearly ready to leave her husband, but after reading the book, felt that God was leading her to give her marriage another try. That was very humbling and gratifying for me. I just want to help women see that there is an alternative to being miserable in an unequally yoked marriage.

What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from it?

I would love readers to discover that God has a plan for each marriage that is in spiritual disunity. It involves us, but it is always done HIS WAY! I want readers to know that it is a process that evolves over time, that we must not put God in a “box”, but give Him room to move in our spouse's life. They need to know that because we are not perfect and continue to sin, that Satan will try to discourage and influence us to believe that our "mission" is not possible - but with God, all things are possible!

Please share more with us about your publishing company, Alabaster Box Publishing.

I formed my company, Alabaster Box Publishing Inc. so I could self-publish my book Mission Possible. My company's mission is to minister to women who are married to men that don't share their passion for Jesus. My Mission Statement on my website says my goal is to: ENCOURAGE women through scripture to believe in God's Word to transform their husbands; TEACH women, by using the principles in this book,
through mentoring and discipling, in the Lord; CHALLENGE women to "get out of their comfort zones" as they minister to their spouses as unto the Lord; and REACH women for Jesus who are searching for answers when their marriages just don't add up . My company's motto is "Books to stir your mind, and stretch your soul!"

What's next for you?

I am working on another book that is completely different from my first book. It is titled Trees of the Bible - A Spiritual Journey. It will feature various trees in scripture and talk about their significance in the Bible. It features their Hebrew name and their scientific designation. There is an excerpt on my website.

How can our readers learn more about you and purchase your book?

My book is available through my website at http://www.godmissionpossible.com & from several other online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It can also be ordered at any Christian bookstore through Ingram. I have my book available in (4) forms: as a trade paperback, audio book on CD, as an EBook, and as a downloadable MP-3 version.
They can visit my Blog page .
Email at deb@alabasterboxpublishing.com .

Any final thoughts you'd like to share?

I’d like them to know that I understand how difficult it is to be married to a spouse who doesn't share your love and devotion to the Lord Jesus. I, like many of my readers, get frustrated and disillusioned, but I know God has perfect timing and our best interest at heart. He wants our spouses to come to a saving knowledge of Him and embrace a future together that brings glory to Him.

Face Off - The Agents

From time to time I plan on writing an article about the pro's and cons of two conflicting ideas. In the end I hope that you will share your thoughts regarding the topic. Today's face off is between having an agent and not having an agent.

To prepare this article I read a number of other articles and tweets concerning both sides of this face off. I would say that this topic is as polarized as the traditional publishing and self publishing argument.

The positives for having an agent:

Once you land an agent they become your confidant, your go to person. The really good ones make sure their clients are on track to meet deadlines and keep them up beat during the process. They handle the majority of the negotiations for you when it comes to signing that contract which is a good thing since they know the ends and outs. Agents act as the spokesperson for their clients. If you have questions or concerns you voice them to your agent and if they can't provide an answer they get it for you.

They act as a filter for the traditional publishing companies; therefore, if your agent presents it to these publishers it is a safe bet that they will read it and like it. Agents have their finger on the pulse of the publishing world. They know what direction to go; when to go there; and how to get there. Many authors on Twitter brag about their agents and how good they are which is reassuring to those who are looking for one. Surprisingly though there are also agents on Twitter bragging about their clients and how proud they are of them and their books.

From this information it is easy to see why authors want an agent. They carry much of the weight for you. There is, of course, another side to this coin.

The negatives for having an agent:

Finding an agent is easy to do with the Internet. Having an agent represent you is another story. Agents a very precise in what they are looking for. They want that next big thing. Some are willing to take on new authors but you really need to present something special to get their attention. This does happen but the percentages are not in the favor of authors.

Agents do not work for free. They get paid based on your contract (and perhaps book sales). Any agent that wants money up front is a scam and we should avoid them at all cost. Having an agent will cut into the potential money the author could make. As I just said, there are bad agents out there who will scam you. This is another item on our list to be aware of.

The waiting is an unavoidable negative for an agent. They are very busy and overworked so the wait could last a long time. It is very important to always notify them that you are indeed submitting to other agents. Since they are overworked they require that all submission be formatted properly. The only problem I have discovered in researching this topic is that the majority of the agents have different submission standards.

Do the pros out-weigh the cons for having an agent? I can't answer that but we can look at the alternative.

The positives for NOT having an agent:

Without an agent the author has the authority to call all the shots. They work hand in hand with the publisher to produce their manuscript and they also negotiate their own contracts. With the increase of small, independent publishers this is not an impossible task. Even negotiating a contract can be understood better by doing a little leg work and research.

The middle man has been eliminated and so has the fee associated with it. You will be forced to do a great deal more work with this elimination though so it is something to think about.

Time is also a factor to consider. As I said, it takes time to find an agent and to hear back from one. Once you have an agent you have to wait again for them to get your manuscript on the desk of a publisher. When working on your own you get your manuscript on the desk of a publisher instead of an agent and cut out a lot of waiting.

The negatives for NOT having an agent:

Wading through the water of the publishing world without an agent can be hazardous. They know where the pot holes are and can help you avoid them. They know the little tricks that publishers can play in contract negotiations as well.

Time is still a factor, you will be waiting for a response no matter which direction you go. This should not be a problem because we all love waiting anyway, right?

Without an agent you become your spokesperson and that could be problematic at times. Do you know who to call if you have a question or concern? Also, you will be completely responsible for deadlines. If you miss one you will be the only one to catch the heat.

The support an agent supplies will not be there. Instead you will need to find that support from another source which could be hard to do.

I can't tell you which way to go or what decision to make. I would say to make the decision that works best for you. This article is only here to shine a light on both sides of this coin. To have an agent or to not have an agent is a compelling argument in my opinion.

All About the Contest

With the looming submission deadline I thought I would refresh everyone's memory about the second annual New Author Writing Contest, the rules and more importantly, the PRIZES!

I began accepting submissions at 8:00 a.m. on March 1st. The cut off date for submissions is March 14th (a mere 10 days away...you have time). Please submit your poem and/or short story to the following address: sb.knight@live.com.

On March 17th I will announce the submissions that will be moving on to the judges. At which time, I plan to post the submissions right here for all to read.

The judges must have their vote for best poem and short story to me by March 29th. I will announce the winner on March 31st.

The prize package will be as follows:

For the winning poem - a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com, A certificate badge to post on your site, and your poem published in the May/June issue of Dream Chaser's Magazine.

For the winning short story - a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com, A certificate badge to post on your site, and your short story published in the May/June issue of Dream Chaser's Magazine.

As for the rules, here they are:

• Judges cannot submit entries for the contest (sorry).
• Participants are allowed to submit a total of two (2) entries. For example, you may submit one poem and one short story or two poems or 2 short stories at a maximum.
• All poems will be limited to one page in length. Please include your name with your poem.
• All short, short stories will be a maximum of 2,000 words. Please include your name and title on each page just in case I get clumsy and papers fly.
• I will read all submissions and select the top five (5) short stories and poems at which time they will be posted on the New Author.
• The judges may cast their vote at any time after ALL the submissions have been posted. All votes will be e-mailed to me and I will announce the winner.
• Most importantly, we will have fun while showcasing the talents of the New Author community.

If you have a poem or short story ready to go then send it my way. Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbor, you can tell your dog if you like. The more submissions we have the better.

Looking at the Government

Title: Developed Minds, Developing Minds and the Stupid Terrorist
Author: Harish Maiya
ISBN: 978-1-4392657-8-9
Genre: Political
Pages: 164
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
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All governments have issues.

Governments around the world have multiple issues they are responsible for. In this time of recession, health care issues, terrorist attacks and unbelievable deficits many are looking for answers. “Developed Minds, Developing Minds and The Stupid Terrorists” looks at governments; what they have done, what they are doing and, from a theoretical standpoint, what they need to do.

Executive bonuses, Wall Street, taxes, abortion, Medicare, and social security are just a few of the items examined and discussed in this inspection of the United States government. Taken a step further; however, we see a comparison to that of the government body in India. It is this comparison that shines a light and partially explains the reputation of success that the United States has all over the world.

There is little doubt that Harish is passionate about politics as it is displayed throughout the book. It is that personal thought and opinion that controls the flow of this political experience.

“Developed Minds, Developing Minds and The Stupid Terrorists” is the culmination of author Harish Maiya’s extensive research. His sweeping comparison between the governing body of the United States and that of India is complex and informative. By limiting his personal opinions about these events he allows the scriptures to dictate and direct this novel. For that he is commended.

“Developed Minds, Developing Minds and The Stupid Terrorists” is a thought provoking exploration of the government structure. I recommend this book to those with a liberal view of politics and also those with a curiosity of foreign governments.

If you would like to learn more about this book please visit HERE.

An Author With an Interest

Today we have a  change in direction. As you know, authors have many interest and hobbies. Today we get to read an example of one from author Simon Marshland. His interest in animals has provided us with this interesting article. So I will step aside and let Simon do the typing.

A Honey? I Don't Think So.

Around four feet from nose to tail and standing up to 11 inches at the shoulder the Honey Badger or Ratel is not exactly cuddly. Found largely in Africa and the Far East honey though not their staple diet is certainly a favoured delicacy and a prize for which the well protected creature will happily risk a sore nose. Before attacking the hive the animal will use its anal skunk like glands to fumigate the bees in the same way beekeepers use smoke, releasing a suffocating odour that stuns and kills the bees before attacking the hive and relying on its thick coat to protect it from the stings of the survivors. Often led to the beehive by the honey guide bird, which tucks in to the leftovers, the Honey Badger will swiftly demolish a hive eating all the honey, larvae and wax in minutes

One of the fiercest hunters the Honey Badger will attack and eat almost any animal, insect or reptile it comes across; from worms to scorpions, porcupines to tortoises, to even the odd small crocodile. It is totally fearless, attacking animals much larger than itself such as buffalo and antelope. It is said that they first castrate then leave the victim to die from blood loss before dining on the carcass. Even lion, leopard and man have been attacked on rare occasions and vulture’s nests high in trees raided for their eggs.

Another favourite dish is snake, the deadly poisonous cobra and puff adder standing no chance as the Honey Badger, even if bitten during the death fight, will merely swell and become paralyzed for a couple of hours before recovering to resume its meal. They seldom fall prey to pythons, wolves, bears, lions, tigers or leopards because apart from the ferocity of attack their thick loose skin makes them hard to grip and they are able to twist inside their skin to bite their adversary.

Born in burrows the chief danger to the cubs is being dragged from the den and eaten by other passing Honey Badgers resulting in only a fifty percent survival rate. Honey badgers are not born with climbing or snake killing skills but must learn them, as they are vital for survival. So when the cubs are old enough to leave the den with their mother it is for a short intensive course in killing that they must pass or subsequently die.

In a recent study undertaken by the magazine Scientific American it was found that pound for pound the honey badger is the world's most fearsome land mammal as a result of its favourable claw to body ratio and aggressive behavioral tendencies.

Which leads us to the conclusion that on occasion the word Honey is not necessarily a term of endearment.

My thanks to Brian for the opportunity to guest post on his blog and my invitation to everyone to visit my blog
Simon Says.