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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12/18/06 6:59:13 PM Opening "Chat Log 12-18-06"

Rose1533: hi, Micki
Mallie1025: Hi guys!!
Rose1533: Hi, Selina
SelRsn: Hi
SelRsn: It's a big deal that I even figured any of this out so bear with me if I seem slow.
Rose1533: Hi, Lynn
Lynn Stranathan: Hi, Rose
Rose1533: Hi Tom
PCarlson: Hi Selina and Lynn
PHeeren: hi guys
SelRsn: Hi everyone.
Mallie1025: OK I give up--who is our guest tonight?
SelRsn: So... I'm guessing you guys do this sort of thing all the time?
Rose1533: I forget. No color in here.
PCarlson: folks, Lynn and Selina are the founders and Big Honchos of Yard Dog Press
SelRsn: I think I'm the guest.
Rose1533: Whoa! Cool!
Wellnessmommy: welcome!!!
PCarlson: yes, Selina is the guest speaker
Rose1533: Welcome to Writing To Publish!
Rose1533: Hi, Adam.
SelRsn: Of course I'm also a writer.
Mallie1025: Well then, Hello and welcome!
Rose1533: We have honored guests tonight.
Lynn Stranathan: Actually, I'm just a lurker.
SelRsn: Is that what they call it now?
Mallie1025: beats stalker
PCarlson: we will have a casual chat
PHeeren: hello Lynn
Lynn Stranathan: Hi
PHeeren: how are you?
PCarlson: no major presentation
SelRsn: I've had one of those thought it would be great, you know say that I'd made it. It sucked.
PHeeren: I finished my address labels for my Xmas letter
PCarlson: but if we get going fast, Selina may want to use Protocol
Lynn Stranathan: I've actually done this a time or two -- though you can't tell from my typing
Lynn Stranathan: Selina is brand new to this chat thing
SelRsn: What I'm noticing is that my razor wit is getting lost because I can't answer fast enough.
Mallie1025: That's fine Selina--we can pick it up at the end lol
SelRsn: By the time I answer someone has already put something between and the joke gets lost.
Rose1533: Oh, no. We can figure it out.
Mallie1025: Nah--we can figure it out--took me long enough though
Rose1533: We're pretty canny like that.
Mallie1025: Or uncanny
Rose1533: gmta
Mallie1025: Now letters I never get
Mallie1025: what is gmta?
SelRsn: I have to say I'd much rather do public speaking, that doesn'tbother me at all this makes me nervous, room with 200 people in it... piece of cake.
Mallie1025: Wow--not me--I hate public speaking
Mallie1025: I really do have to picture them all naked
PCarlson: Selina can master a room full of people
SelRsn: I guess it's all what you're used to. I like having an audience.
PCarlson: : : : waves : : :
SelRsn: Thanks!
PCarlson: next time we'll invite everyone we can think of
SelRsn: That works.
PCarlson: but keep it casual and cozy for this evening
Mallie1025: I am okay with mingling--but up front on a stage--not good
SelRsn: That works too, of course if any one wants to ask a question or two that's fine too, just know it will take me time to answer.
Rose1533: I"m a ham, but not a public speaker. I perform. Music mostly.
PCarlson: Hi Morgan
RLMorgan51: Hi Paul
SelRsn: I've done a lot of stand up, some acting, a little singing. Like I said I like an audience Lynn says if it was acceptable I'd have the shower in the living room so I could perform.
PCarlson: well folks, Selina knows all the dirt about F&SF
PCarlson: so ask away!
SelRsn: My spelling is horrible normally and this only seems to make it worse,
Rose1533: Hi, Morgan. Didn't see you come in.
PCarlson: no one spells correctly under these circumstances
Rose1533: OoooYes!!!!!
SelRsn: Cool!
PCarlson: I always correct the session log afterwards
Rose1533: Really? I don't!
SelRsn: Good.
SelRsn: Spell check is my best friend.
PCarlson: I have a question!!!
Rose1533: Except when dealing with homonyms!
SelRsn: Ask away.
PCarlson: based upon something I heard this afternoon
PCarlson: and before also
PCarlson: I am hoping to sell my 2+ SF novels
SelRsn: Yes, they're my boobs
PHeeren: my mom and I will print the address
PCarlson: so -- get an Agent first, or push the publishers directly?
SelRsn: If you can get an agent do that, other wise go direct, but... check the guidelines at the site many houses don't take unagented manuscripts.
PCarlson: : : : sigh : : :
Rose1533: I know DAW and Tor do.
PCarlson: no easy way, eh?
PCarlson: will be sending a short-short to Baens Universe next month
SelRsn: Tor doesn't take unagented manuscripts unless you have an inside lead. IE you have meet someone inside and they told you to send. At least that's the way it was last I asked.
Rose1533: As you know SF/F, does Yard Dog Press publish it?
SelRsn: Yes, Science fiction, Fantasy and horror.
Rose1533: I don't know much about Yard Dog. Is is e- publish or regular publish?
RLMorgan51: thanks for the invite PAUL
SelRsn: Yard Dog publishes trade paper back books, no e-publish.
Rose1533: OK.
SelRsn: We also do chap books.
Rose1533: How easy is it to get the first book of a trilogy or dyad published when it's a new author?
Rose1533: rather, how hard?
Rose1533: new
Rose1533: not new
SelRsn: We've been in business for ten years our author list includes, Lee Kilough, Mark Shepherd, Brian Hopkins, and next year Robin Baily will have a book with us.
Rose1533: I ask because I'm working on such. I think it will go just two books.
Rose1533: And book one is done.
SelRsn: If you have an agent it's actually easier to sell a series novel then it is a single, but that can also depend on the house.
Rose1533: I'm terrified about writing a query and synopsis.
Rose1533: It's so different than the book.
SelRsn: If the book stands on it's now it will sell better then if you're talking a duology. Those are a hard sell.
SelRsn: First step check the guidelines.
Rose1533: LOL! I used that word duology, too, but I can't find it in the unabridged dic. It suggested dyad. SelRsn: If a publisher isn't reading for anything or isn't reading for the kind of book you have to sell there is no sense sending it to them.
Rose1533: Of course not.
SelRsn: The best thing to remember when submitting anything is that you will not be an exception to the rules.
Lynn Stranathan: http://www.shunn.net/format/novel.html Great site for manuscript format -- but check the publishers, too -- and YDP has good format notes on the site www.yarddogpress.com
SelRsn: I can't tell you the vast mountain of crap I get because people didn't bother to look at the guidelines.
Rose1533: I'll look carefully at them. You may hear from me.
Rose1533: Hi, Dale
PCarlson: hi Dale
SelRsn: Then there are the morons who will send their manuscript and in the cover letter it will say, "I know this isn't what you normally print but..."
Deluge7: Hi everyone.
Mallie1025: Hi Dale
Mallie1025: Does Yard dog publish all genres?
SelRsn: No, just science fiction fantasy and horror, and really light on the horror.
PCarlson: it helps to read a YDP book or two
PCarlson: maybe a Bubba title
PCarlson: it is kinda hard to describe . . .
SelRsn: The truth is that no matter where you are submitting it pays to know what they normally print.
Lynn Stranathan: Selina often tells people to find a published work much like the work that they are writing and then check out the copyright page for the publisher
RLMorgan51: SelRsn + sending in a mss to a publisher that you know doesn't usually published that kind of story is a sign of a DESPERATE INDIVIDUAL not necessary A MORON
SelRsn: True.
Rose1533: I get the idea you won't want my book. My word count doesn't come close to fitting.
Lynn Stranathan: how long is it?
Rose1533: 130k
Rose1533: After all, it IS an Epic Fantasy
RLMorgan51: actual count or publisher's count
Rose1533: Closest round up to actual.
RLMorgan51: P COUNT is about 250 words per page
Rose1533: It would probably be a little more in publisher's count, as I understand it.
Mallie1025: That's how I count-250 per page
PCarlson: Donna!
Budhababe: hi all...
PCarlson: and Frank!!!
PCarlson: long time no see
Mallie1025: I thought Word counted 250 per page?
PCarlson: Donna, you know Selina
PCarlson: she published your Word Eater story
SelRsn: I'm one of those people who let the computer count it. Sorry!
Budhababe: when I heard Selina was here...I knew I just had to come visit.
Fjm3eyes: Yes, Paul it is
SelRsn: Hello Donna!
Budhababe: hi Selina...
Budhababe: good to "see" you
Mallie1025: Hi Frank!!
Budhababe: I promise not to interrupt...
PCarlson: Frank writes Horror and such
SelRsn: You can see me! Damn I knew I should have worn pants.
Rose1533: 634 pages.
Budhababe: lol....well, it is an interesting view...
Mallie1025: lol
Fjm3eyes: Hi Mallie
Budhababe: and hi to Lynn
Rose1533: On Word. 1 inch margins (yes, I pushed them out.)
Lynn Stranathan: Hi to you, too, Donna -- and everyone else who just entered
Fjm3eyes: I'd like to get out of horror, Paul
RLMorgan51: 158k + ROSE according to my estimate
Budhababe: so...what's tonight's topic???
PCarlson: we are picking Selina's mind
PCarlson: got a question?
Budhababe: yes...as a matter of fact, I do..lol
Budhababe: when don't I...
PCarlson: LOL
Mallie1025: Frank, I think you could do well with mystery
Budhababe: shall I ask? Don't want to step on anyone's toes...
PCarlson: ask away
Budhababe: will do
PCarlson: we are taking it slow and casual this evening
Rose1533: Yep. You're right.
Mallie1025: Maybe with just a tad of horror
Lynn Stranathan: ask questions. Selina is in the middle of typing a response
Fjm3eyes: Hmmm, Mallie
Rose1533: So that's too large for your press?
Budhababe: selina...what do you look for in a hook for a query letter...what kind of details/format attracks your attention?
PCarlson: attacks or attracts your attention. makes a difference, you know
Lynn Stranathan: The longest novel we've published is 147,000 words.
Budhababe: I guess correct spelling would be a good start, lol
Lynn Stranathan: Fantasy. Single author.
SelRsn: Keep that cover letter short and sweet. If you've met the editor and they told you to send them something remind them of the meeting.
Lynn Stranathan: Unlike the larger houses, we don't do as well with the longer, single author titles
Mallie1025: that's close to 400 words?
PHeeren: ?
Lynn Stranathan: Anthologies do very well for us.
SelRsn: Other wise it's just... This is my novel blah blah. for your consideration. Never! Never! Say It is the story about so and so, it will make you feel this and that.
Rose1533: Bummer.
PHeeren: I don't do horror or science fiction, just short stories for children and adults, plays and poetry
PHeeren: and essays
SelRsn: So do you run around looking for anthologies to write for?
Rose1533: Me?
SelRsn: No PHeeren.
Rose1533: Or Tom? (PHeeren)
Mallie1025: What type anthology?
SelRsn: OK Tom.
SelRsn: It depends on what you write. Anthologies pay decent money get you the most face time.
SelRsn: If you write horror then you're looking for horror anthologies and so on and so forth. Gila Queen on line is a good place to look for markets.
Rose1533: Come to think of it, I do have a series of three SF short stories. Longest is 6k (actual)
Mallie1025: Like a collection of unrelated paranormal/horror stories?
Mallie1025: collection
Lynn Stranathan: I don't know to whom Mallie1025 is speaking -- do you mean the anthologies YDP publishes or other anthologies?
Mallie1025: YDP
Rose1533: OK. Close to 9k publisher's count.
SelRsn: We usually have a theme for our anthologies -most places do- when we're reading for something it will say what we're reading for and the guidelines will be up at the YDP site.
Mallie1025: OK thanks
PCarlson: I have a puzzler
PCarlson: a decision to make
SelRsn: Ask away.
PCarlson: there is a no-pay anthology
PCarlson: some say do not bother
PCarlson: But! One of my favorite SF pro authors will also be in it
SelRsn: Is it for charity? Some of these can get you a lot of face time and good will. Other wise, why bother.
PCarlson: I am leaning toward sending them a new story
PCarlson: not for charity
PCarlson: umm . . .
PCarlson: a small press I had not heard of previously
SelRsn: Then why is the SF pro in on the project?
PCarlson: I do not know why
PCarlson: two pros
PCarlson: I just heard
SelRsn: Check them out first pay or not you don't want your work tied up in a bad project.
PCarlson: true
Budhababe: good advice
SelRsn: I meant check the publishing house.
Budhababe: Selina or Lynn...what do you see as some of the trends in the marketplace...
PCarlson: yes
PCarlson: Whortleberry Press is the place
Lynn Stranathan: Selina is answering the marketplace trends question, but it'll be a moment or two
Budhababe: OK
Lynn Stranathan: she's much more up on all this than I am
SelRsn: It's never a good idea to try to follow trends -I'm guessing you mean in story line- because of the truth of how long it takes to write, sell and then the book to come to press.
Budhababe: true...
Lynn Stranathan: more typing...
SelRsn: By then the whole trend will have changed and you'll be stuck with a book you won't be able to sell till the trend comes back again.
SelRsn: I've never heard of that press, which doesn't mean they aren't legit.
Mallie1025: back
SelRsn: It's best -always- to write what you want to write. It's sort of like dating, if you act like a different person on a date then when you're yourself they leave you.
SelRsn: Also ... chances of making it in this business is small, so if you aren't enjoying what you're writing then why do it?
Rose1533: It's been almost 20 years and I haven't left him yet!
SelRsn: I'm' sorry.
Rose1533: I'm not.
SelRsn: Well there you go the exception to the rule
Budhababe: I've always said if it's not fun writing/or at least exciting, then it's now worth writing.
SelRsn: Still when we're talking readers and or publishers they don't like you to change your writing style.
SelRsn: And if you don't like your work, why on earth do you think anyone else would.
Mallie1025: Bud you may just have a point there
SelRsn: I truly believe a writer does their best work, when they write the book they'd most like to read.
Lynn Stranathan: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/ -- excellent site for checking out prospective markets, agents, houses, etc.
Mallie1025: Makes sense, Selina--I love paranormal and I have sold a few shorts
Mallie1025: But writing a whole novel overwhelms me--chap size would be a good way to go for me, I think
SelRsn: I write in several different genres and have little to no cross over with my horror fans to my science fiction and visa versa.
PHeeren: I will be off for the next 2 weeks and dale, I will email my critique, okay? happy christmas to all!
SelRsn: I find that some ideas are short story ideas and some ideas are novel ideas.
Rose1533: Leaving us, Tom
Rose1533: ?
SelRsn: Have a good trip Tom.
Rose1533: Me, too, Sel.
Mallie1025: I go from horror to paranormal and my style stays pretty much the same
PHeeren: yes until January 2007
Rose1533: Those that don't fit into the Fantasy (still working on book two), go into a short story.
Budhababe: happy holidays, Tom
SelRsn: Your voice should change very little from one genre to the next.
Mallie1025: I just can't stretch out a whole novel--although my memoir will be 400 wds, but that's different.
Rose1533: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Tom.
Fjm3eyes: Merry Christmas, Tom
Mallie1025: Good, safe trip Tom
RLMorgan51: HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL
Lynn Stranathan: Happy holidays -- be safe.
Rose1533: It IS about that time, isn't it?
RLMorgan51: are we going to meet next week XMAS DAY
PCarlson: wow!
BrownDvs: Same to you, Morgan.
PCarlson: the hour has passed
RLMorgan51: TY
RLMorgan51: bye
RLMorgan51: all
PCarlson: see? Now wasn't that easy?
SelRsn: Yes
Rose1533: Paul, are we meeting next week?
PHeeren: Happy Christmas, Rose, Mallie, Paul, Dale, Adam and other guys
PCarlson: Holiday Party next week
Rose1533: Thanks, Tom.
Rose1533: OK. Dale's crit on the 1st?
SelRsn: Thanks everyone
Deluge7: Same to you Tom. Merry Christmas.
Rose1533: or the 8th?
Mallie1025: Happy Christmas Tom
PHeeren: be good to Father Christmas, okay? lol
Mallie1025: 8th
PCarlson: Another Party on the 1st
Rose1533: OK. Thanks, Selina and Lynn.
PCarlson: Dale on the 8th
Budhababe: I'll be taking off...but so good to talk to you both...thanks Selina and Lynn
Lynn Stranathan: Hi Maggie!
Rose1533: I enjoyed it.
PCarlson: hi Skywarrior
Skywarrior3: hey Lynn
PCarlson: Maggie it is
Budhababe: it's been enjoyable...
PHeeren: I still call Santa Father Christmas
Deluge7: Good seeing you, Dee.
Skywarrior3: hey Paul
Budhababe: Happy Holidays to all...
SelRsn: Good to talk to you Donna and hello Maggie
Mallie1025: Selina and Lynn, this was great--hope we can entice you to come back soon
Budhababe: yes, Dale, like the old days, lol
Skywarrior3: heya selina
PCarlson: we can have a party theme
Budhababe: night all...
Lynn Stranathan: Yeah, you can probably entice us...
PHeeren: is that okay with you?
SelRsn: Any time you want me to drop in just ask.
Mallie1025: Yes Tom
Mallie1025: Paul did you hear that? Get it in writing lol
PCarlson: on phone
PHeeren: bye for now
SelRsn: Paul, what do I do now?
Mallie1025: Selina, whatever you want--hang out for a few or say goodnight and how much you loved us
PCarlson: we are done
PCarlson: thanks very much
PCarlson: or stick around
Mallie1025: Paul she said we can lure her back anytime!!
SelRsn: I love you guys! Good night.
Mallie1025: Night Selina!! And Lynn
Mallie1025: Nice chat, Paul--I learned a lot
Fjm3eyes: thanks for mentioning this to me, Paul
BrownDvs: Goodnight everyone.
BrownDvs: Good session, Paul.
Mallie1025: Night Adam
PCarlson: thanks all
Fjm3eyes: Night, Adam
Mallie1025: I must say goodnight as well
PCarlson: sorry, phone rang a moment ago
Mallie1025: Have a wonderful holiday--one and all!!
PCarlson: Frank, what do you want to write now/
Fjm3eyes: Goodnight, Mallie
Mallie1025: Paul they both want to come back sometime--anytime--a good thing!!
PCarlson: coolio
Mallie1025: yep--goodnight guys
PCarlson: well its dinner time here
Fjm3eyes: Paul, don't know. Maybe, I'll try more poetry........maybe prose poetry
PCarlson: okay
PCarlson: I know zilch about poetry
PCarlson: but it's popular!
Fjm3eyes: or stories other than specifically horror
PCarlson: g'nite all
Fjm3eyes: bye Paul

12/18/06 8:08:56 PM Closing "Chat Log 12-18-06"

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