Mocha Mind

If you want to make money by writing articles, get your hands on editorial calendars.

Also known as ‘Advertisers Packs’ or ‘Media Kits’, editorial calendars and advertisers’ guidelines often have information on proposed themes for the year and deadlines for submissions. This is a huge opportunity for you to get the jump on other authors who are submitting blind queries. You’ll already know what types of articles to write. As a bonus, editorial calendars sometimes include a listing of special issues they will be publishing. Media Packs also give you information on the publication’s reader profile, what they want the magazine to represent and circulation figures.

So Google ‘editorial calendar’ and start making some moolah!

-Gioya McRae

©2010 Mocha Mind Communications

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

- Truman Capote

SLF travel grants are awarded to assist writers (speculative fiction, poetry, drama, creative nonfiction) in their research. They are not currently available for academic research. Offers
one $800 travel grant annually, to be used to cover airfare, lodging, and/or other travel expenses. If awarded the grant, the recipient agrees to write a brief report of their research
experience (500-1,000 words) for our files, and for possible public dissemination on our website.

Deadline:  September 30, 2010

For details please visit http://speculativeliterature.org/Grants/SLFTravelGrant.php

FanStory Logo

For over ten years FanStory.com has been providing writers of all skill levels feedback, contests and a place to share their writing with a community of writers.

Participate in free writing contests for cash prizes. Choose from over 50 new writing contests each month. In addition, a new writing prompt contest is announced daily.

For more information, please visit www.fanstory.com

By now you’ve heard the term “platform” numerous times. What is a writer’s platform and why is it a necessity for successful writers?

Your platform is the total of your methods of promoting your book. You better have a good writing platform today, or editors and agents may throw your manuscript into the round file. Let’s clear up the confusion on writing platforms and move your manuscript to the top of the slush pile.

Build your writing platform with these elements:

• A Good Website. Every author should have a website to promote his work. An agent wants to know that you will work to promote alongside the publisher.
• Blogging. Establish yourself as an expert in your field by blogging to share your knowledge.
• Social Networking. By networking on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social sites you keep your face and product in the public eye.
• Seminars & Workshops. Give seminars, workshops or just speak about your chosen subject matter or about writing in general.
• Writers’ Groups. Join or start a writers group. Not only will you hone your craft, but writers buy books from other writers.
• Promotional Materials. Offer promotional materials such as mugs, pens or tee shirts printed with your book cover. Check out Cafepress.com for ideas.

Be visible in as many places as possible and market the Hell out of your books. When agents and editors see that you’re willing to publicize your work, they will be more willing to publish you. And isn’t that the point?

-Gioya McRae

©2010 Mocha Mind Communications

Look at writing from a new angle every day with Life Sentences by Gioya McRae. The exercises, prompts and challenges will keep the ink pumping from your veins to your keyboard. Breathe new life into your literary skills. Stimulate your “write” brain.

For more info, please visit http://www.mochamind.com/lifesentences_onesheet4.html

ISBN 978-0-9774542-4-2
Available NOW for $15.00!

Click to Purchase Book

Keep Our Libraries Open!

Gov. Christie’s budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services.  This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services.  Once state funding is eliminated, NJ will lose $4.5 million in federal funding.  This will have a devastating impact on New Jersey libraries.

Our libraries are a wonderful, FREE resource for computer access, movies, programs and information. In these economically deprived times, we need our libraries more than ever.

Please visit the NJLA Capwiz site and send a message to the Governor and your State Senate and Assembly representatives asking them to restore library funding and oppose A2555 at this link http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/utr/1/IXPMMGCLZR/BYABMGCMAX/4898317546 and click the TAKE ACTION button.

We need your voices to be heard in Trenton!

Thank you.

PLAN TO ATTEND A WRITERS’ CONFERENCE LIKE NO OTHER!
2010 SPECIAL GUEST: GENE WILDER

DATE: Saturday, April 10, 2010
TIME: 7:30AM – 9:30PM
VENUE: Oronoque Country Club, Stratford, CT
REGISTRATION FEE: $165

Make connections with publishing insiders and get individualized feedback with dozens of networking opportunities, including:

• One-on-one manuscript critiques with editors and agents – Networking breakfast, lunch and dinner – Post-conference networking party
• Perfect your craft with a choice of seven different workshops from over thirty sessions offered in:
• Fiction – Nonfiction – Memoir – Mystery – Poetry – Screenwriting – Children’s literature – Romance – Horror/Sci-fi
• Get the insider’s edge with a vast selection of rare, how-to tutorials from every department within a publishing company, including:
• Marketing/Publicity – Art/Production – Contracts – Special Sales – Media training – Pitching your work – How to appeal to agents and editors – Literary agent and editor discussion panels

And more!

To register or for more information, please visit: www.unicornwritersconference.com

My stories run up and bite me on the leg – I respond by writing down everything that goes on during the bite. When I finish, the idea lets go and runs off.

-Ray Bradbury

What can you learn by walking through a bookstore? Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned writer, an author needs to constantly update his knowledge of the book industry.

I have met authors who had no idea that audio books existed or who didn’t know the best format for their books. The knowledge gleaned from strolling through a bookstore will greatly increase the understanding of your business. After all, writing is a business.

What can you learn?

-See your competition. What unfilled niche can you fill?

-See how books in your genre are formatted (size, inside text, covers, etc.)

-What book covers are eye-catching?

-What ancillary products are offered (journals, writing kits, etc.)?

-In what new formats are books being offered (audio books, playaways, Kindles, etc.)?

After you see what’s on the market, you can decide the best way to present your product so it stands out from the crowd. Remember, we can always learn something about the ever-changing world of literature. Have a great stroll!

-Gioya McRae

©2010 Mocha Mind Communications