EDITING for Self Publishers + the Gentle Art of a Professional Critique.

 Let me introduce you to the gentle
art of Professional Critiquing. . .

 For more in-depth details: 
Manuscript Critique Services

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What follows is for those considering

self-publishing:

 When you self-publish, you do not have access to the FREE editing services provided by a traditional publisher.   You must PAY for EDITING.   A good professional edit means a quality book that has a fine chance of garnering glowing reviews. . . . plus SALES!

First, join an online critique group for the genre you write, and pick their brains. Crit groups will also know the reviewers, bloggers, and best places to promote your book.  Most successful authors today work with other writers of their genre, and offer each other feedback and support. Online writing groups usually have many private crit groups formed among their members; 4-6 writers who support and advise each other regarding their manuscripts.  They can often tell you if the publisher you chose is legititimale or NOT.


After your crit group agrees your manuscript is as good as you can make it, have your book professionally edited. No one can successfully self-edit their own book for self-publication. You need a fresh professional eye that knows how to spot plot weaknesses, typos, and characters that are not rich and powerful. A pro edit is expensive, but it makes all the difference between an amateur attempt, and a book that sells.

It takes time to build a platform and find the right contacts and places to promote your book. You have to master the art of tight and terrific Press Releases, set up a great blog that lists your book, cover, and where and how it can be purchased + plus add regular information about yourself and where you will be promoting it. Search out local book stores that will let you do signings. Research book fairs and other events where you and your book will be welcome.

Contact Newspapers, bookstores, TV and radio in your area, and try for interviews and pictures of your book. Those online groups I mentioned earlier can help you find the right place to host a Virtual Tour for you and your book - lots of interviews, pictures and reviews of your book go into these Virtual tours, but you have to find the right company to set it up.

 We writers tend to be insestuous - we promote among other writers.  This is good - up to a point.  However you need to get known to the ordinary buying public.  A good Virtual Tour will also have access to  places where buyers of books hang out. They will make sure your interviews, reviews  and Press Releases go to the right blogs, newspapers and radio stations.  You will pay for a Virtual Book tour like this, but it will preach to those who might buy your book - not just those who already know you write books.

Get known as a writer of a specific genre on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and other sites that are book related in general. Networking is the name of the game. It takes time to build a following, brand yourself as a writer, and discover the right places to promote yourself and your book. It takes time, money, and LOTS of energy to successfully promote a book.

I know. I had three new books published early this year, and I am still running the Promo Game like a crazy lady - and mine were traditionally published!!

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

Virtual School Visits
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

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REVIEW - Trouble on Earth Day

I don't usually do reviews, but this new picture book
by Kathy Stemke spoke to the GREEN in me.

As parents, we teach our kids about many things.  Yet our "actions" will speak louder than all the nagging words we throw at them.  This new picture book of Kathy's has kids and parents working together for a greener and more reusable and recyclable world.

HOW COOL IS THAT!

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Trouble on Earth Day -
Picture Book – soft cover

Author - Kathy Stemke

Publisher – Wild Plains Press

Illustrations – Kurt Wilcken

Earth Day projects modeled by: Eamon Monaghan and Summer Dodd

ISBN: 978-1-936021-36-9 

Amazon:

Author’s Den:  

 

Kathy Stemke is a writer of talent and imagination, and her squirrel characters in Trouble on Earth Day are delightfully written. Illustrator Kurt Wilcken gives the family a cute and cuddly feel – just right for a story that teaches kids that “green” is great. 

When daughter Shelby wins the Earth Day poster competition, things around their tree house change FAST. The words RETHINK – REUSE and RECYCLE, featured on Shelby’s winning poster, become the squirrel family’s motto. Shelby explains it all to her bewildered parents. And when it comes to reusing, Shelby discovers her mom is no slouch. Even a sad bluebird learns about recycling from this engaging young squirrel.

This cute story is a wonderful way for young kids to learn how to reuse and recycle – and make it FUN. And at the back of the book you’ll discover a HUGE bonus of games, “green” information, and crafty  ways to reuse and recycle everything; from nylons to old CDs. 

Kathy Stemke makes going “green” way cool. 

 This is another of Kathy's delightful picture books.
View it HERE

Kathy Stemke
Freelance Writer/Author/Educator

Sign up for her FREE monthly newsletter:
Movement and Rhythm

===========================

Books - Manuscript Critiques


BLOGS:
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.coom/
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

MUSE Conference - ADVICE that ROCKS!

I have just completed a fantastically busy
and rewarding week .

I ran the
HOOK an Editor With Your First Page - Workshop
+ afternoon Q and A chat sessions.

 all for
The MUSE Online Writing Conference. 

This FREE Conference comes around once each year in early October.  It is a chance to take workshops in many aspects of writing for adults or children, book promotion, or pitch your book to an editor.  

ALL for FREE!

The quality of the writing I saw this year was way up,
and I read and enjoyed some awesome first pages  -

 with great HOOKS.

What follows is one of the areas I talked about with the many talented
and dedicated writers who came daily to my workshops.

What to expec when you get a
PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUE

I want to let you know what I do as a Professional Critiquer.  It is NOT my job to edit your writing.  If you want to write and publish books, you must come to it with a good knowledge of grammar and punctuation. And if it's been a few decades since you had your knuckles rapped in Ms Writeit's class, then take a refresher course in the basics.

A good edit should be provided by the publisher that accepts your book.  It is their job to give your plot and characters a final OK,  and to nit-pick your grammar and punctuation -
NOT MINE.

A profesional critique should happen before you send your manuscript to the publisher, or before you self-publish.  My job entails nit-picking plot weaknesses and limp characters.  It means nagging you about the need to FOCUS on what is important, and leave those WAFFLES on the breakfast table.  We provide a clean-up crew for weak verbs and constantly repeated words.  A professional critique might suggest you tighten, tighten, tighten your writing - and should offer copious examples on how to do this.  They also vacuum up weak words, and suggest you find stronger and more evocative and powerful alternatives.

A good critique will head off that dreaded side-track, offer a viable alternative, and suggest ways to polish and perfect your writing voice, and the voice of your main POV.  We answer questions support and encourage. All you, the writer  has to do, is provide the basic writing  knowledge mentioned above, talent, staying power, and then write, write, write.  A little LUCK is simply a wild card we all hope will fall into our laps.

A critique, whether professional or private, offers comments, suggestions, and examples for you to consider when you rewrite.  Bottom line: This is YOUR baby.  Others can advise and suggest, but the final choices about what to cut and what to leave are YOURS. As you gain confidence and experience, these decisions become far easier.

Joining a private Critique Group is also a terrific idea, no matter what you write or how you publish.  Networking among other writers, having their fresh view of your chapters, picking their brains, and sharing writing knowledge can only make your writing stronger, richer, and more polished.  These critiques are FREE, so is is wise to let your crit group run through your chapters before you spend hard earned cash on a professional review.  The more suggestions, comments and examples your book needs, the longer it will take a professional to do -  and her time is YOUR money.

NOTE:

A word of caution. When you look for a private group to read your MS, or someone as a crit partner, make sure they write the same genre as yourself. Each genre, from children's books to erotic fantasy have their own particular needs and quirks. Only someone who writes and publishes in a similar genre to yours can really offer helpful and accurate feedback. If you do form a group, make sure there are some advanced or published members. This avoids the blind-leading-the-blind into complete confusion!

I have been with my critique group for 10 years. I can honestly say that I would never have been published without their feedback and great support.

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Books - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

BLOGS:
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.coom/
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/
http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com/

Introducing VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS - Skyping to promote READING

Coming soon . . .

from
Margot Finke 

At my writing desk, holding "Taconi and Claude,"
my latest mid-grade adventure or boys - and tomboys!
 

VIRTUAL  SCHOOL VISITS –
Skype Makes it Happen!

This is for the teachers - or those who know teachers:

I am looking for teachers, or schools, that would like a
VIRTUAL VISIT
from a children's author who loves to get
RELUCTANT READERS READING. 
 

With the economy in the dumps, and many schools feeling a definite pinch, Skype and a Webcam make sense.  And I promise your class AFFORDABLE and INFORMATIVE fun.

I am also more than happy to plan my presentation
so that it fits the needs of YOUR class's curriculum.

Let’s negotiate a
VIRTUAL  SCHOOL VISIT

http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

 Go here for ALL the details

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Margot’s Magic Carpet
11x Books With a WOW Factor
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com

SCHOOL VISITS via Skype and a Webcam - Are they a GO?

AINT NEW TECHNOLOGY AWESOME.

For schools a bit off the beaten track, or unable
to come up with big fees,  have you though to
Try a SKYPE-WEBCAM visit
to introduce YOU and your BOOKS?

I write books for kids (11pub so far), and I'm looking for
teachers or schools that would like a Skype/Webcam
visit from an author like me . . .

Margot Finke

An author who loves to get reluctant readers
HOOKED on READING.   

With the economy in the dumps, and many schools feeling a definite pinch, I think author visits via Skype and a Webcam will fill a very definite need in an economical, as well as fun and informational way.

HERE'S MY PLAN

Just like my in-person school visits, I would talk about writing books, illustrating them, read one of my latest, and maybe run a short lesson on writing or rhyme.  I am happy to provide whatever the class curriculum needs. I will encourage the use of active and powerful words - of kids exercising and playing with their imagination. The idea is to paint instant word pictures in your reader's head. This brings the plot and the characters alive. 

Reading is a Magic Carpet Ride
to fun, adventure, and a chance for great educational
opportunities – all from the safety of your comfy chair. 

 

My collection of Australian aboriginal artifacts  – boomerangs, message sticks and bark paintings etc,  show well, and would be a hit with any class. And answering children’s questions is always a highlight of any school visit of mine.

I would also love to give the class, or any child that wants one, a FREE copy of my short time-travel (PDF) adventure. Synopsis:  When a magical Boab tree sends Taconi spinning into the 21^st century, Ruthie and Horatio (characters from 2 other books of mine) help Taconi and Claude find their way back to the 1950s where they belong. 

My two latest books are:

Taconi and Claude – Double Trouble.

This is a mid-grade adventure about a young aboriginal boy’s coming of age problems. It is set on a cattle station in outback Australia, circa 1950.  *My Teacher’s Guide page encourages the use of the KWL study guide. There is also a glossary of fun Aussie and aboriginal words included.
http://myplace.frontier.com/~mfinke/Teacher%27s%20Guide.htm#teach

Horatio Humble Beats the Big D.

 

This rhyming picture book supports dyslexic kids in their efforts to read.  It is a fun read for any child, yet it encourages parents to diagnose problems early.  A helpful parent/teacher guide is included.

Teachers who are interested, please e-mail me for more details:
 mfinke@frontier.com

( Home schooling parents too! )



Make the  Skype-Webcam technology work for
YOUR CLASS.

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** Margot’s Magic Carpet
   See 11x Books with a WOW Factor

    http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

** Manuscript Critiques - Help for writers
    http://www.margotfinke.com

The MUSE ONLINE WRITING Conference will help HOOK KIDS on YOUR WRITING

HOOK KIDS on YOUR WRITING  by signing up for the
 
FREE

Muse Online Writing Conference

October 3rd through 9th - now signing up attendees.

CHOOSE FROM  an awesome list of. . .

workshops, pitch sessions, agents, publishers and chat
sessions being offered throughout the week of October 3rd - 9th.
http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content

This is my fifth year of offering a fast assessment on hundreds of first pages.  I hardly have time to breath for the whole week.  However, meeting new writers and helping them on their way is always a thrill for me:

* Will it HOOK an editor's interest.
* Does it include a WOW factor
* Is it tight and terrific - no waffles ?

AND OTHERS ALSO OFFER:

workshops with  terrific writing, promotional and assorted other guidance, publishing advice + a chance to pitch your story to a publisher.  The FREE Muse Online Conference is a once a year chance to find new contacts, network with other writers, and pick the brains of the experts.
 

A slam dunk - right?

BUT DON'T DAWDLE!

Workshops and classes fill up FAST!

Sign up NOW, and get a handle on all those details you need to know
about writing, publishing and promoting your book.

SIGN UP link is in the left column

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Margot’s Magic Carpet
 11x  Books With a WOW Factor
 http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

Books - Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

RANDOM ACTS OF PUBLICITY - Help Friends Promote Their Books.

Let's all
CELEBRATE

The Annual Random Acts of Publicity Week

September 6-8th 2011 

 Give a Fellow Writer's

New Book
an
EXTRA PLUG!

Okay mates, hold onto your hats.  I have a long list of titles that will  

delight, intrigue, and HOOK your interest.


Please spread the word with links on
YOUR BLOGS,
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and MORE.


Promote someone else's book and they will reciprocate.

In today's depression-like climate, authors need to network, and bring the superb children's books that fellow writers publish to the attention of those who BUY books for the kids in their lives - grandmothers,  parents, aunts, uncles, or libraries schools and churches. 

WHATEVER IT TAKES, MATES!

Feral -  YA 

Bev Cooke

http://bevnalabbey.wordpress.com
http://bevcooke.ca

Orca Book Publishers

Synopsis:

She lives in fear – of the two-legs, of the noisy, massive trains that scream in and out of the station, of cats and rats and dogs and the dark of the tunnels. She lives in the subway, where the hard shoes kick her ribs, where shrill voices beat her ears, where she subsists on the garbage of the humans as Candlewax, the lost one watches.

BUY:

ISBN:978-1-55143-747-7

Canada

http://www.orcabook.com/ 
http://www.amazon.com

US -  Go to our American site

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Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep

Picture book: ages 3-7

Kathe Stemke:

http://educationtipster.blogspot.com

http://shshshletthebabysleep.blogspot.com

 

Illustrator:  Jack Foster

Guardian Angel Publishing

Synopsis:

When Zachary puts on his thick black glasses, he becomes a super hero. This enables him to protect his new baby sister from all kinds of problems. In the process he learns how much he loves her. This action-packed book with clever rhymes focuses on teaching consonant blends.

BUY:

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/shshsh.htm 
ISBN : PRINT: 978-1-61633-156-6; 6161331569
e-Book: 978-1-61633-157-3; 1616331577

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Hunted -  YA

Cheryl Rainfield:

http://www.cherylrainfield.com/blog

West Side Books

Synopsis:
Caitlyn, a telepath in a world where that's illegal, must choose between
staying in hiding or saving the world.

BUY:

http://www.amazon.com/Hunted-Cheryl-Rainfield/dp/1934813621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315010450&sr=8-1

ISBN : ISBN-10: 1934813621
ISBN-13: 978-1934813621

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Come See the Earth Turn -
The Story of Leon Foucault

Picture Book, ages 4-8

 Lori Mortensen

 

Illustrator: Raul Allen

Random House 
 

Synopsis:

Did the Earth really turn on its axis? Scientists believed it did. But how could they prove it? Many had tried . . . and failed! Then, one historic day in Paris, Leon offered the proof everyone had been waiting for.

Winner of the 2011 NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12.

BUY:

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/200334/come-see-the-earth-turn-by-lori-mortensen

ISBN : 978-1-58246-284-4

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Isabel’s Secret  
Chapter Book  8-12 years

Jan May

Illustrator: Julianna Davis

 
Publisher: New Millennium Girl Books

Synopsis:  

Isabel is a spirited eleven year old girl who is in love with horses.  Her motto of faith: "Winners never quit and quitters never win, for I serve the mighty God that lives deep within” helps her to win horse races and small things like that. But it’s sorely put to the test when she discovers Grandmother Biltmore’s plan to take away the family horse ranch. Follow her and her best friend Holly on an adventure in faith as they try to save the ranch and uncover a family secret that rocks Isabel’s world.

BUY:
http://www.NewMillenniumGirlBooks.com
Amazon
ISBN:  978-0-9835281-0-4

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What’s Better Than That Seren Dippity?

Picture Book for 3-6 year olds    

Brenda K. Hendricks

http://www.myquotesofencouragement.com

Illustrator: Brenda K. Hendricks

Publisher:  Two Small Fish Publications

Synopsis:

Every plump-with-pollen daylily in the field belongs to Seren Dippity. What’s better than that? But she’s not sharing. Will she learn to stop stinging and scaring and start singing and sharing before she loses all her friends?  Hidden bees on every page and includes pages to print and finish.

BUY:

Hard copy:  http://www.twosmallfish.org/bumbly_bee.htm
ISBN #978-0-9826582-1-5

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Elliot and the Pixie Plot  - MG fantasy

Jennifer A. Nielsen

www.jennielsen.com

Illustrator -  Gideon Kendall

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Synopsis: 
When Elliot is kidnapped to the Underworld by mischievous Pixies,
he must steal a sock from the evil Demon Kovol if he is ever to return home again.

Book Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0bP33sAReQ

BUY:  http://www.amazon.com/Elliot-Pixie-Plot-Underworld-Chronicles/dp/1402240201

ISBN #: 140224021

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Carla's Cloud Catastrophe -
ages 4-8, picture book

Beth Bence Reinke 

www.bethbencereinke.com  

Illustrator: Ginger Nielson
www.gingernielson.com

 

4RV Publishing  

www.4rvpublishingllc.com

Synopsis:
When a weather disaster threatens to shut down the town and ruin
Carla's birthday, someone must save the day. 

BUY:

http://www.amazon.com/Carlas-Cloud-Catastrophe-Bence-Reinke/dp/0982834608/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books  

http://4rvpublishingcatalog.yolasite.com/children-page-4.php

ISBN: 978-0982834602

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  The Chosen - YA

Andrea Buginsky 
http://andisrealm.webs.com/

Publisher: Solstice Publishing

Synopsis:

Halli is a shy, young dwarf who has no idea of her true calling.  When the evil Prince Gastle sets out to detroy the world of Phantasma, Queen Laurali of the Elves comes to tell Halli she’s a Holy Paladin with the power to heal, and will join The Chosen, a group of brave warriors being sent to defeat the evil beast and save Phantasma.  Will Halli be accepted by her group, and be able to keep them alive through their adventures?  Will the evil Prince Gastle be defeated, freeing
Phantasma from his destruction?  Only time will tell.

BUY:

http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/The-Chosen-%252d%252d%252d-PDF-EBOOK.html

ISBN:  9781461130086

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Davey Crockett Gets Hitched:
Picture book - Kindergarten through Grade 4

 

Bobbi Miller:

http://www.bobbimillerbooks.com/

 

Illustrator:  Megan Lloyd

 

Holiday House

Synopsis:

Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind can out dance any fool. So it comes as a complete surprise when Davy Crockett--with the help of a well-placed burr--manages to keep up with her. Two large-than-life characters do-si-do into each other's hearts in this hilarious tale, full of spit and vinegar.

 

BUY:http://www.amazon.com/Davy-Crockett-Hitched-Bobbi-Miller/dp/0823418375/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315141479&sr=1-1

 

ISBN : ISBN-10: 0823418375

ISBN-13: 978-0823418374

 

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The Wise Old Tortoise and the Monkey - Picture book

Dr Vukani G. Nyirrenda
http://www.kalimatundutales.com

Illustrator: Ivy Marie Apa

Xlibris

Synopsis:

The Wise Old Tortoise and the Monkey is based on a Zambian folktale about life in a diverse community. In the story, a diverse group of animals and a bird live in the same tree home but don't interact. The Monkey hosts a get-to-know-each-other party up the tree but the Tortoise can't climb. Disappointed, he hosts his own party later but requires neighbors to wash their hands before eating. Monkeys fail the test, leave the party, but the compassionate Tortoise invites them back.

BUY:
www.xlibris.com/bookstore

SBIN:
(Softcove), 978-1-4586-9133-6
(Hardcover),  978-1-4628-8471-1

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This is
Random Acts of Publicity week!

please . . .
GET THE WORD OUT!

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    Margot’s Magic Carpet
    Books With a WOW Factor
    http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

    Manuscript Critiques

Let me help you write,
"As Tight as Your Granny's New Girdle!"
    http://www.margotfinke.com


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