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Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert

October 8, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Marcia Rosen (NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What is unique to the pandemic that is beneficial to writers?

Zoom book marketing events and meetings have proven to be valuable for writers during the pandemic. Writing organizations, libraries, and bookstores have all given authors an opportunity to talk about writing and their books. I’ve found this to be very beneficial.

What can writers capitalize on to stay motivated to write?

Staying connected to other writers, attending in-person or Zoom writing events and meetings may be motivating. Being a guest on writing blogs or writing articles to have your voice heard. I also teach writing classes, and responses from others is very motivating for me.

Are there any stats for the success rate of writers?

Measurements of success are having your book listed on a best-seller list or winning a writing award. Also, success can be relative depending on the author and what they are looking for as a writer.
——————

From staying on track to not giving up or giving in, from not listening to negative voices, including your own, the purpose of this presentation is to encourage you to stay determined, confident, courageous, hopeful, inspired, and motivated with respect to your writing. We’ll talk some of what can inhibit and interfere with writing goals and how to move past them.

There are times it’s possible to be discouraged and unsure and wondering why you’re even bothering. But your soul cannot and does not really want to give up. So, write on, tell the negative voice in your head and from others to go away! Each writer needs the promise of possibility and hopefulness that their dreams and ambitions can be fulfilled.

In this presentation we’ll cover:

  • Having your voice heard during this pandemic!
  • Knowing you have the right to be a writer
  • Perseverance
  • Trusting your own voice
  • Dealing with and ignoring negative voices
  • Planning, preparing, pushing forward
  • Motivation and staying motivated
  • Setting a writing schedule or routine
  • Setting deadlines for yourself
  • Avoiding distractions and distracting people
  • Being comfortable with the plans for your work and your ideas on issues such as dialogue, character development, point of view, tone, and your storyline.

You can join in this conversation on October 19, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on motivation. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

John McIntyre, The Grammar Expert

October 5, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know John McIntyre (NAIWE’s Grammar Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Do grammar rules change based on genre?

Something we all understand intuitively, but which some people find troublesome, is that we have many Englishes, and each one has its own grammar. “Me and Emily are going to the mall” is an error in formal, standard English, but the conjoined subject is immediately understood, widely in use, conformed to a recognized pattern, and, therefore, grammatical in the informal dialect in which it is used. Similarly, double negatives are an error in standard English but a recognized grammatical pattern for emphasis in African American English.

Is there one reliable grammar source?

The thing you half-remember from high school English is probably not. A good bit of the advice you can find online is trash. (See my little book, Bad Advice: The Most Unreliable Counsel Available on Grammar, Usage, and Writing.) If you need to consult an authority on formal English, Garner’s Modern English Usage by Bryan A. Garner furnishes the best-informed prescriptivist advice you can find. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage provides historical background and leaves choices to you. Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer is recent, informed, and lively. You would do well to keep all three close at hand for when you have serious concerns about grammar and usage.

What do you find fascinating about grammar?

I spent half of my forty years as an editor learning things and the second half unlearning them. The traditional schoolroom grammar was drummed into me in school in rural Kentucky. In my time as an editor, talking over issues with other editors, and later becoming acquainted with linguists and lexicographers, I arrived at a much broader understanding of English grammar. It’s so much more varied and interesting to explore than the tired, stale, and unhelpful prescriptivist/descriptivist categories, or the erroneous belief that English is in decline, would have you believe. I try to keep in mind something that H.L. Mencken wrote in The American Language: “The error of . . . viewers with alarm is in assuming that there is enough magic in pedagogy to teach ‘correct’ English to the plain people. There is, in fact, too little; even the fearsome abracadabra of Teachers College, Columbia, will never suffice for the purpose. The plain people will always make their own language, and the best that grammarians can do is to follow after it, haltingly, and often without much insight. Their lives would be more comfortable if they ceased to repine over it, and instead gave it some hard study. It is very amusing, and not a little instructive.”
——————

John, who was a working newspaper editor for 40 years, has watched writers grapple with changing patterns of English usage and wants to help you make reasonable decisions. You can send him questions that concern you, and he will answer them at the webinar. Anticipating your concerns, he is preparing advice on perennial concerns: Should we give up on “whom”? Is singular “they” here to stay and acceptable everywhere? What can we do about “lie” and “lay”? You will get the best advice available.

You can join in this conversation on October 12, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on your burning grammar questions. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Grammar

Greg Smith, The Novel Writing Expert

September 10, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Greg Smith (NAIWE’s Novel Writing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Is this a guide to follow at will?

The Agile Writer Method is something you can do at your own pace and on your own schedule. However, it is structured for 10 pages per week for 25 weeks. I recommend you find two critique partners and have weekly meetings where you review your weekly 10-page output. This creates a sense of accountability that motivates you to write each week. However, you can follow the program and write your novel at whatever pace works best for you.

Do all the steps need to be in order to write a good novel?

Yes, and no. The big idea behind the Agile Writer Method is successive refinement. You’ll start with a single sentence describing your story. Then write an elevator pitch (one paragraph). Then a synopsis (one page). During the plotting phase, you create an eight-stage Storyboard (or outline) that structures your story. Then you write 10 pages a week for 25 weeks. So, yes, there is a progression that you need to follow. However, many Agile Writers will write their beginning, then their ending, and then fill in the middle! So, it’s a pretty flexible method.

Do you offer a template?

Yes, there are templates for the Hero Abstract, the Story Abstract, and the eight-stage storyboard (or outline). These templates will get you started. Most Agile Writers are pretty creative; they’ve embellished and augmented the templates to suit their needs. As I have said, The Agile Writer Method is very flexible!
——————

Storytelling is as old as the human race. Over the ages we’ve come to expect a pattern to storytelling. In this webinar, Greg Smith lays out this time-worn pattern. Based on Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, mythology, psychology, and screenwriting techniques, the “The Eight Stages of the Novel” will help you plot your story before you put pen to paper.

You can join in this conversation on September 13, at 8:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on writing your novel. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

MJ Courchesne, The Copyright & Permissions Expert

August 13, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Should a freelancer expect to sign a work-for-hire agreement for each job?

It’s good practice to sign some sort of contract before starting a new job. Whether it’s a work-for-hire or another arrangement is really up to the freelancer. If you’re new to the field, you may wish to sign a work-for-hire to get your name out there and establish your reputation in a certain topic area. If you’re an established writer, you may wish to push for a royalty or another arrangement wherein you maintain your copyright. But either way, a contract between you and your client is good business so that both you and your client understand the full terms of your arrangement from who owns the work to how payments should be made.

Can you use your own contract in lieu of using the other party’s?

It may depend on the client. If it’s a small company, they may be amenable to signing a contract that you prepared. If it’s a well-established corporation, however, they may very well insist you sign their contract.

What language in a contract would cause you not to sign it?

This is tricky because it really depends upon the nature of the job. Obviously, if you are interested in maintaining your copyright, you will want to avoid any transfer of copyright language. Beyond that, it really depends upon your goals and business needs for the job.
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This interactive webinar will feature some sample agreements and sources for templates that the writer might find useful during their writing career. What does a work-for-hire generally look like? What should you expect in a standard trade publishing contract? How common are NDAs in the publishing world and why might you need one? How do you format a simple permission request? Who can you reach out to for help when reviewing a contract? Be ready to take notes and bring your questions for this informative session on contracts and agreements.

You can join in this conversation on August 31, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on writing agreements. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events

Brian Schwartz, The Self-Publishing Expert

July 9, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Brian Schwartz (NAIWE’s Self-Publishing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

What makes a good review?

A good review helps target the book for the right reader while steering the wrong reader away. I often tell authors “The way you get a good review is by putting your book in the hands of the right reader. Bad reviews are the result of putting it into the hands of the wrong reader.” If your reviewer is open to advice, provide them with keywords you know others are likely to use in a search since reviews are also indexed by search engines. An ideal review is 1–2 paragraphs and mentions the main reason why they read the book and what they got out of it. People are skeptical that a review is legit when the review is only 1–2 sentences.

Can a book ever have too many reviews?

Never! Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents has over 31,000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.8/5 stars.

Can you sensor or pick and choose reviews?

No, and you should never engage with a reviewer. In one instance, I did reach out to a 1-star reviewer and offered to compensate her for her time because the author was distraught. Some companies who sell products on Amazon may offer a bad reviewer a full refund if they are willing to take down their review. But this is not advisable. I regret doing it myself as it tarnishes the integrity of the entire system and you are setting yourself up for scammers who just want free products. The truth is that the more people you ask, the more likely you will get a bad review. But a few bad reviews can raise the legitimacy of the others and if the bad review steers the wrong reader away from your book, then it’s actually done you (and the reader) a service. I tell authors that for every one bad review, they should try to offset it with two positive ones.
——————

What’s the one thing you can do each day to grow your sales? Ask for a review. In this webinar, Brian will empower you to build the essential foundation behind any successful book: a strategy to continually ask for reviews. Before you spend a dime on advertising, your book must have reviews. While Amazon reviews get all the attention, there are many other ways you can leverage reviews elsewhere.

Key takeaways you can expect from attending this webinar:
• The indicators that Amazon uses to remove reviews
• The importance of “vanilla urls” when pointing to Amazon
• The 3 key elements of an effective review
• Using Amazon reviews in your marketing materials
• How many reviews you need
• When a bad review can be good
• How to avoid getting banned by Goodreads
• What a successful reviewer outreach, tracking & follow-up system looks like
• How to find over 100 potential reviewers in your own network.

After helping hundreds of authors over the past 10+ years, Brian has seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. How do you get a good review for your book? You put your book in the hands of the right reader. Amazon.com began with a single line of code. Similarly, the success of any title began with a single review.

You can join in this conversation on July 28, at 6:30 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on book reviews. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Marketing, Writing

Tamian Wood, The Book Cover Expert

June 11, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Tamian Wood (NAIWE’s Book Cover Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

 

What is color psychology, and is this just for book covers?

Color psychology is the study of hues and shades as a determinant of human behavior. It is not just for book covers. Color psychology is regularly used in all kinds of marketing applications, such as product packaging, corporate branding, television commercials, automotive design, in the clothing industry, interior design, furniture design, just to name a few.

 

How are cultural responses determined?

Cultural responses are set upon us by our cultural environment. If your parents, siblings, neighbors, friends believe that a certain color is representative of XXX, then you will likely have the same reaction to that color stimulus. For example, a Western cultural response to mourning is to wear black or dark somber colors.

 

How can color affect our brain?

A human’s occipital lobe is mostly associated with color visualization. The colors green and blue, which are the most common colors in nature, can provide healing to a stressed-out mind. Thus the color blue is widely used in mental therapy to reduce stress and reduce the rate of suicide. Japan has gone as far as painting the train station walls with the color blue and found it has helped to reduce suicide in public spaces by 75%.

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Have you ever wondered what makes a person pick one product over another? Many times, it’s the result of good design. In this webinar you’ll learn a bit about the basics of color psychology, including cultural responses and the language of color.

We’ll also explore the transformative magic of typography and how you can use it, in varying ways, to change the message of your words. I’m not talking about reading the words themselves, but rather reading the mood of your font choice. And last, we’ll take a dive into tracking, kerning, and leading. OH MY!

You can join in this conversation on June 21, at 2 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on typography. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Marketing

Ruth Thaler-Carter, The Networking Expert

May 14, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Ruth Thaler-Carter (NAIWE’s Networking Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

 

What do new and existing writing businesses have in common?

New and existing writing businesses probably share a common goal: for the owner’s words, thoughts, and perspectives to find an audience and outlet. Their owners might be at different stages of creativity, visibility, or success, but every writer wants—even needs—to be seen and heard.

 

Please explain why all writing is not business material.

A lot of writing isn’t oriented to business use, starting with poetry, fiction, plays, and memoir, even though a writing business can be about getting non-business material out into the world. Where the concept of a “business” comes into play is in applying business-like principles to getting the work done, finding agents and outlets for the work, responding to editing and proofreading input, getting paid, and related details.

 

Do audiences and readers carry the same weight in writing businesses?

Readers are audiences! Whether someone is writing a novel or a press release, a poem or a white paper, a play or a case study, a how-to book or a personal blog post, we all want what we write to be seen and appreciated. Clients might be more demanding than readers, but every audience or reader matters. We want everyone who sees our writing to understand it, respond to it positively by publishing reviews or acting on it somehow, recommending it to others, and reading or buying the next piece we write.

——————

Starting a writing business is exciting and challenging. Writing is a creative act. Having a writing business is a practical process. Get some practical, effective tips from a long-time, award-winning freelance writer/editor in this session. Learn about types of writing that can be the basis of a business; getting experience; finding outlets, audiences, readers and clients; avoiding scams; and more. Whether you want to write and publish books or articles, fiction or nonfiction, this session will get your writing business off to a strong start (and enhance an existing one).

You can join in this conversation on May 20, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on giving your writing business a strong start. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

Kristen Fischer, The Journalism Expert

April 9, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Kristen Fischer (NAIWE’s Journalism Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

 

What types of questions add to the story?

Personally, I approach every story as if another outlet is covering it, because that’s likely happening. I’m always on the lookout for a different quote or a different angle to explore in addition to that main news. For me, questions that add to a story go beyond the who-what-when-where-why. Depending on the story, the type of story (say, feature versus exclusive breaking news), and the audience, questions that add to the story always dig a little deeper. And you have to do so in a way that doesn’t cause the source to clam up, so you have to build that objectivity and trust, and avoid being accusatory. That’s why I often go beyond the “why do” to “why don’t” types of questions. That prompts the source to give you more information and really explain it in a way that gives the reader the whole picture. It’s hard to give a specific question, but I believe that by being aware of the different kinds of questions we can ask, it will give reporters an edge.

 

What are some types of open-ended questions?

I like to ask “what does that look like” to get the source defining what we can expect–other than “we’ll see” or “it’ll be good or bad.” It forces them to give more detail. Then if they do, you can go from there with any additional questions. I also like to ask sources to explain something to me like a layperson if something is confusing, so they explain things and both I and the reader understand the point they are trying to convey. I like to ask “what’s next” in certain cases so the source may speculate on the implications of a news development–that’s the kind of digging that takes my story a step further and sets it apart from the competition. I rarely ask a yes/no question.

 

Is there a situation when a yes-or-no question works best?

Yes, definitely. Though I rarely ask them (or rarely only ask a yes-or-no question), these questions are great when you want a source’s stance on something and they are not being clear. Make your question clear and you may get that yes-or-no answer that in many cases gets a source to go on the record with their stance on something. Otherwise, yes-or-no questions don’t lead into much of a response. There’s definitely a type of story that they are imperative, and in other stories, they’re not as relevant. You have to know when to ask a yes-or-no question, in terms of thinking of the primary objective of your article. If it’s to get a lawmaker to state their stance on something, it certainly fits. But I think we owe it to readers to go beyond that and understand the sources reasoning for that response as well.

——————

Journalists have to guide an interview, and how they do it can make or break a story. In this webinar, we’ll explore different tactics for asking questions that receive more open responses, and produce better sound bites. Come prepared with one example of a great question you’ve asked in the past, and one that you thought was great yet fell flat.

You can join in this conversation on April 14, at 10 am eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on asking better interview questions. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert

March 12, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Jake Poinier (NAIWE’s Freelance Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

 

Are there standards to setting the fee structure?

Setting a freelance fee structure is a taste of the Wild West. The simplest calculation is to know your hourly rate and accurately assess how long the tasks will take, but there are countless factors that can influence what you charge. It’s also important to consider fee structure from the client’s perspective; what makes sense for one might not appeal to another. If a client wants a firm project estimate, you shouldn’t suggest an hourly rate or per-word rate, and vice versa.

 

What information on an industry rate sheet is helpful?

Industry rate sheets give basic, broad guidance on what others are charging, so they’re arguably most helpful for freelancers who are new and have absolutely no idea where to start. The challenge is that you don’t know what the inputs were: What types of industries, projects, and clients? What part of the country? How many years has someone been freelancing, and how skilled are they? A successful, experienced freelancer will often have rates above the upper range shown in industry charts.

 

What are some tips for how to properly use an association survey?

An association survey can be one of the components to create your rates, but should not be the only one. Do the math on what you would like to earn annually, and break it down to an hourly rate or range. Networking with other freelancers is an easy way to check your math.

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As a freelancer, pricing and estimating your services properly is the foundation of your long-term financial prosperity and day-to-day psychological well-being. In this webinar, Jake “Dr. Freelance” Poinier offers a strategic, value-focused approach to setting your fee structure, taking into account the numerous factors that can’t be found on an industry rate sheet or association survey. Topics include formulating your basic pricing, creating persuasive estimates, dealing with challenging negotiations, raising your prices, and much more.

You can join in this conversation on March 30, at 3 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on figurative language. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events

Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert

February 12, 2021 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Kajli Prince (NAIWE’s Tax Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

We hear that freelancers may be eligible for the Payment Protection Program (PPP). What are the qualifications that freelancers need to meet?

The main qualification for PPP is that the business has less than 500 employees (i.e., small businesses). These loans can be forgiven if the borrower spends a minimum percentage of proceeds on payroll costs within a specified time frame called the “covered period.”

 

Regarding a PPP loan, how do freelancers determine if we should use 8 weeks or 24 weeks for calculating loan forgiveness?

The covered period is either 8 or 24 weeks, depending on when the loan was assigned a loan number. Before June 5th, 2020, the covered period was 8 weeks. After June 5th the covered period was extended to 24 weeks. Borrowers who received their loan before June 5th may keep their original 8-week covered period or apply the new 24-week covered period. Generally, the 24-week covered period is a better option.

 

What is the rule of thumb for how much a freelancer should/can save for retirement?

My simple Rule of Thumb for retirement is: save as much as you can. So, you AsQ, “What small business retirement instruments are available to me and how much can I save with them?” Great question. Here are the big ones:

• 401(k)/403(b): $19,500 (under 50 years of age) and $26,000 (50 years of age and over)
• SIMPLE: $13,500 (under 50 years of age) and $16,500 (50 years of age and over)
• IRA, Traditional and Roth: $6,000 (under 50 years of age) and $7,000 (50 years of age and over)

——————

2020 was a year full of dramatic stimulus efforts intended to relieve huge financial stresses felt by most Americans. It seems that everyone is hopeful for 2021, but huge questions still loom large as to what happens next, especially with a new administration on the horizon. Kajli Prince will share the 21 questions he is asked most frequently about what to expect in 2021. The topics range from small business loans (and loan forgiveness) to retirement contributions/distributions/deductions, child & dependent care expenses, working virtually, etc. These 21 answers are intended to enlighten viewers as well as provoke further Q&A.

You can join in this conversation on February 25, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on figurative language. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Taxes

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