Wiggling, Weaving, Waving

I am getting excited about publishing my book, some day . . . This will be a continual inquiry for me. I can't help but relate this to students I have had in the past. Every once in awhile I am able to witness a turning point in a student. For example, the reluctant reader who finally finds a topic he/she can't get enough of. Something they will keep investigating into adulthood. For some that changed their life by changing their success at school. . . . the girl who goes from below grade average to above grade average in reading because she spent the summer reading. This is one of the reasons I stay in a school setting.

Today was supposed to be the big day. Visit the library, the bookstores etc. Well, Olivia (my 4 1/2 year old has pneumonia--so lets just say we didn't make it.

But I have received some wonderful e-mails from Annette Griessman, a children's author and student in my class. It was helpful to evaluate some of the information I have received with the opinion of a professional author.

I have sent out some of the first copies of the first draft of my book and I am thinking about binding a cleaned up copy to share with local Christian mom groups like MOPS.

Wiggling

I searched 6 web sites more indepth today and was disappointed with the results. When you have to pay money--I am always leary. If my book was marketable--someone should pay me?In evaluating the content--comman sense tells me--they are just money makers.

First Edition www.ecpa.org just led me to www.ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com this service will evaulate your manuscript for $98.00

American Christian Writers www.acwriters.com had a lot of resources, but most were poorly scanned in order forms that all cost minimal fees. It looked very unprofessional.

The Writer's Edge www.writersedgeservice.com will evaluate your script for $95.00

Bowker's Literary Marketplace www.LiteraryMarketPlace.com didn't look useful at all?

Trafford Publishing looked the most promising--this self-publishing service will help you publish your book and you can order them as you need them. I will keep this service in the back of my mind. I would like to find a publisher to do all the work, but in the future--if I feel like my book is complete--this could be an option.

Weaving

My research has taken another turn--all this searching for publishers has made me realize the need to write my first draft of my book. I honestly have been spending a lot of time writing and matching personal stories to scripture--I have a long way to go.

My searching has become a bit haphazard--I decided to read all my posts and make a list of steps to take next.

Web sites to research and/or research more:
1. First Edition www.ecpa.org
2. American Christian Writers www.acwriters.com
3. The Writer's Edge www.writersedgeservice.com
4. Trafford Publishing www.trafford.com
5. www.ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com
6. Bowker's Literary MarketPlace www.LiteraryMarketPlace.com

Places to visit:
1. The library
2. The Christian bookstore(s)
3. Barnes and Nobles

Things to keep in mind:
1. Develop a name by writing for smaller publishers or magazines.
2. If you know a published author, ask him or her to recommend you.
3. Join a writer's group
4. Attend a writer's conference

Things to do now:
Send a one page fax to Bethany House

Webbing

I spoke with Dr. Jewell Coburn the editor of the book Authentic Voices. She suggested I go to the Christian book store and look at the publisher names of companies who publish books similar to mine.

It has been fun compiling my work from the past several years. My book will be a mother's devotional called Little Miracles--each devotion starts with a personal story--then relates to all mothers--finally a biblical lesson with an applicable NIV Bible verse. I have decided my intended purpose is: 1. God to be glorified 2. Moms to be encouraged 3. Available for Christian newsletters/publications 4. Published for a moms devotional book and/or part of a moms devotional book

After contacting Concordia Publishing House www.cph.org/corporate/contact.asp I have found out some more interesting information. An excellent, cost-effective way to make your proposal directly available to member publishers of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association is through First Edition. This manuscript service is available at www.ecpa.org. Another option is American Christian Writers, which had information regarding classes, correspondence courses, conferences, critique services, marketing information, etc. They can be contacted through their website at www.acwriters.com. Finally, The Writer's Edge is a manuscript screening service that reviews proposals for Christian publishers www.writersedgeservice.com

Moody Publishing www.moodypublishers.com will not review non-fiction unless it is submitted by a professional literary agent, but I got some good information from them.
1. Develop a name by writing for smaller publishers or magazines. A portfolio of magazine articles can get you attention for your book proposal.
2. If you know a published author, ask him or her to recommend you.
3. Join a writer's group in your area. This should bring you closer to other published writers and may find you a sponsoring author.

Multnomoah Publishers www.multnomahbooks.com accept queries at writer's conferences.

Smyth & Helwys www.helwys.com/about/directory.html suggests contacting Trafford Publishing www.trafford.com (this is a self-publisher)

Revel Publishers www.revellbooks.com suggest www.ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com a writing service they subscribe to

Bethany House Publishers www.bethanyhouse.com accepts one-page queries sent by fax 952-996-1304

Thomas Nelson Publishers www.thomasnelson.com suggests finding additional information about literary agents and guideline for submitting manuscripts through Bowker's Literary MarketPlace at www.LiteraryMarketPlace.com

YIKES--This is exciting, but my list of things to research keeps getting longer and I am sick of seeing we don't accept unsolicited manuscripts.

New focus question--How do I get an agent?

Frustration

Today I did a lot of research, but I am very frustrated! A lot of "we don't accept manuscripts" from individuals we only accept work from agents. How do I get an agent? Obviously this is a very important question for research.

I did e-mail a piece I wrote about a high school experience to Chicken soup for the Teenage Soul--who knows?

Supposedly--when sending a manuscript it is important to have a "resume"--so a piece published anywhere is good?

Webbing

. . . after contacting a few publishers the most helpful one at this point has been Focus on the Family. They suggested that many periodicals welcome free-lance articles submitted on a speculation basis. For guidance in selecting a suitable target for my writing, they suggest I consult the current edition of Writer's Market, a handbook of all North American publications including Christian magazines. Writer's Market is available in most local bookstores and public libraries . . . generally Christian publications are listed in the "Religion" section of this helpful reference work. They also suggested consulting Sally Stuart's A Christian Writer's Market Guide. This book is available at a cost of $33.50 (including postage), and may be ordered by contacting the author at 1647 S.W. Pheasant Drive, Aloha, OR 97006-3811. They also suggested contacting my local library about writers' clubs and support groups in my area. This gives me a bit of direction and a place to start looking. Off to search I go!

Topic Considerations/Wondering Questions

How did I choose my topic? I am a busy working mom and I tried to think of things I wanted to accomplish anyway or people I wanted to help. My first thought was--could I research something for my husband--for work--he said no. Is their something I could research for my own work--I thought about grants, library educational tools, lesson plan guides etc. I wasn't really excited about that. Then--I thought of something I have always wanted to do--publish a book, but how do I do that?

Wondering--Questions
Is my work good enough to get published?
How do I get it published?
Do I need an agent?
How do I get one?
What is the proper format to start?
Do I need copywrite?
Is a "poor man's copywrite" enough?
What should I do first?
Do I need to start with a time line?
Should I just start sending my work out?

Focus for the project--discover the proper steps necessary to get my first book published.