The Fabulist Flash

Issue 38

Rainbow Glass Postcards (Package of 8)

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. Writer's Bookshelf
3. Feature Article
4. A Writer Tidbit
5. About The Fabulsit Flash

1. This Week

Welcome to Issue 38 of The Fabulist Flash.

We're a bit smaller in numbers this week, but I know everyone here is interested in the newsletter. Thanks to all of you for your patience through this transition.

How was your Memorial Day weekend, enjoyable? While the subject of the holiday is somber, especially during our current times of chaos, having a long weekend and those few extra hours to write was a wonderful treat for many. I spent Monday evening attending a bar-b-q with the members of my writer's group. The company and conversation were lively and the food was excellent.

Most of the past week was spent working on edits for my book, 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live. The publisher wanted several pieces of information added to each of the 50 city profiles, plus two city profiles replaced. While I was quietly in disagreement with them over their choices, it turns out one was an excellent change. I still don't agree with the second, but of course, sometimes we just do as we're told. It feels good to have this round of edits completed, although I know the line edit is coming soon. That's both exciting and daunting.

The big book news this week is that my book has been front listed in Career Press's fall catalog. I knew that was coming, but the catalog is out now and it's simply cool to see it in there. It's also strange, considering the book isn't actually finished yet, but everything is moving along.

SALE! $10 off orders over $30 of any of my Cards & Gifts. Use coupon code GRDAD05. Sale ends June 14, 2005.

Until next week,

Gregory
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Gregory A. Kompes is a freelance writer and photographer. Learn more about Gregory and his work at www.kompes.com

2. Writer's Bookshelf

The Writer's Bookshelf will return next week.

For titles of inspiration to writers visit The Writer's Bookshelf.

3. Feature Article

Using Technology to Succeed as a Writer
by Joanne Seiff

When I began to freelance I had a few email conversations with an author who knew my mother. She insisted that I couldn’t make it in the writing world if I communicated only by email. This author said I must go to writers’ conferences, use only US mail, and “spend money to make money.” At the time, I was unemployed. My husband earned little doing post-doctoral research. I couldn’t afford postage, conferences, or other costly ways “into” the industry. Despite this, I got my writing published.

How did I do it? I stuck to the rule that if I had to spend ANY money, even postage, to submit something, I wouldn’t submit there. I used available resources, even if they were paltry. Here’s how I made it work:

Web resources for writing markets and career guidance: I don’t live in a writer’s city like New York. I wouldn’t know what was going on in the writing world without the web. I’m on free listservs such as Publishers Lunch, Funds for Writers, and. Crwropps. I find ezines like the Fabulist Flash that teach me about writing and the freelance market. I network online and ask experts questions by email. I rely on lists of paying markets online. When I’m on a magazine’s website, I look for their writer’s guidelines. I use the internet almost exclusively to find writing opportunities and grants.

Submit by email: I try to email my submissions whenever possible. I’m not against using the US mail, but it becomes expensive and I’m trying to make money, not spend money. As a byproduct of using email, I spend less on paper and kill fewer trees. I search out publications that welcome email queries or submissions. Email also allows an informal exchange between editors and writers. If your query or submission isn’t quite right, email’s a fast tool for the editor to use. When the editor emails back, asking you to revise a piece, you get a second chance to submit. These same editors are often so busy that they can’t look at a paper submission twice.

Money only, please: Here’s a secret that I’m happy to share. Your work is valuable. You deserve to earn money for your work. I submit to places that pay money rather than copies. I don’t care if they pay only $20-$50, I would rather make money than spend money on my writing. This is true for all the contests, too. I understand why some charge fees to afford contests, but I won’t spend money to submit my work. We know rejections happen along the way. Why lose money to get rejected?

Research-spend time, not money: When you start writing, you’ll need to do research. I use the World Wide Web and the local public library. It takes time and sometimes money (depending on where you live) to go to a good college level research library. Instead, I use Google and Yahoo. I do focused searches. I read book reviews, research agents, find editors’ names, read magazines, and even do academic research for non-fiction freelance articles online. I always try to get several sources that say similar things so that I give readers correct information. Whenever I can run my data by an expert, I do so. I’ll invite someone over for tea or drinks in exchange for information or offer to send them something by email for their help.

You can use the web and email to succeed as a writer. Using the internet to learn about writing, research markets, research writing topics and contact experts is only the beginning. Once you submit your articles and photos by email, you’ll be a professional that knows how to save money to make money. Back in 2002, my mother’s acquaintance, the author, thought I was crazy and said so. I knew then I was just using technology to overcome a career financial hurdle in my life. Since the fall of 2002, I’ve had more than 16 publications and a grant awarded to me. Those successes happened almost exclusively by email. Without the web and email, I wouldn’t have been able to "make it" as a writer.

About the Author
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Joanne Seiff is a freelance writer, educator and designer. The Kentucky Foundation for Women has just awarded Joanne a grant to work on an essay collection, Knitting is Good for You, about knitting as a means to intellectual growth. She hopes to find a publisher for her book project soon. She may be contacted by email at joseiff@yahoo.com.

4. A Writer Tidbit

Are you a busy freelancer? If so, Write From Home and their free newsletter "Busy Freelancer" is for you.

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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Best Sellers
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