Posted on by Chris Sarantopoulos

Inspirational prompt 35

Let’s see what paths this takes you 🙂 Lots of things to play with here. Characters, setting, backstory, conflict. Take your pick.

———

“Go on, open the umbrella, Richard. Now’s a good a time as any.”
“No.”
“Open it.”
“I said, no.”
“open the umbrella, or I’ll smack you in the head with it, you old geezer.”
Henry puffed and huffed and rolled his eyes. “Who you’re calling old, you, you, you overripe prune? Your senility makes you forget I’m the youngest. Four moon turns. Y-O-U-N-G-E-S-T. Youngest.
“You’re older than me. Four moon turns OLDER! Father mixed us up at first, remember? I’m the youngest.”
Richard harrumphed and turned his back, one leg over the other, foot bouncing up and down irritably.
Henry rolled his eyes and kept drumming his thigh with his fingers.
“Open the umbrella.”
“Huh-uh.”
“You stubborn old fool. He’ll die with everyone else in less than five minutes. What difference does it make if we claim him now? Open the damn umbrella.”
“Oh, no. I’m not getting the blame again for another early reset.”

Posted on by Chris Sarantopoulos · 2 Comments

Publishing contracts – Tips regarding the Grant of Rights clause, by Sidebar Saturdays

So you’ve chosen which publishing path is the right one for you, you’ve weighed the pros and cons of each, and are now faced with the legal technicalities. If you can afford a lawyer who specialises on publishing contracts, or if you have an agent to back you up, kudos! Agents are there to support writers and deal, among others, with the legal stuff. The rest of us, who struggle for traditional publishing, envy you, turn makeshift dummies of you into pincushions cackling in the gloom, and covet what you have.

But what about those who opted for traditional publishing without an agent or a lawyer to back them up? How many of you can honestly say they have a solid understanding of legal terms? Specifically, publishing legal terms? Chances are not many of you. It’s okay. In all my academic years, I only had to attend one legal class and I still don’t know how I passed that class.

I recently stumbled upon a website that covers many aspects of publishing law. Sidebar Saturdays is a blog where the practice of law meets the profession of writing, posted weekly by writers who are attorneys, and it’s designed to provide fellow writers with a general understanding of publishing law and help make their fictional legal scenarios realistic. One article in particular drew my attention, which had to do with the Grant of Rights clause. The writers of the article provide ten basic tips that should help those of you who are, or thinking of being, traditionally published without an agent or legal assistance, and want to have a better understanding of what happens when you grant certain rights to the publisher.

I hope you find it as helpful as I have 🙂

Posted on by Chris Sarantopoulos · 2 Comments

How to Tell Which Self-Publishing Company is Right For You

Today, I’d like to focus on the writers who choose to self-publish. Far be it from me to be seen as some sort of expert on the subject, since not only I haven’t published a novel-length work. I’m only investigating options and always keep in mind that someone else may be interested. Because I know some of you may find it useful, or may have something to add or correct, I feel it’s best to provide reference to other people’s views and knowledge who are more experienced than me, and maybe even from some of you. Always keep in mind that everyone’s path to publication is different, so don’t take anyone’s opinion to heart. Research before you do anything.

*Chris leans forward, narrows an eye, and beckons you closer as if in conspiracy – If you’ve self published in the past, that means you’re an expert in the field compared to me, so please share your experiences and wisdom with the rest of us who stumble in the dark, ‘kay?*

A while back I told you about Jane Friedman’s infographic regarding available publishing paths, which obviously included self-publishing.

As it turns out, self-publishing is not all about you, the writer, doing all the work and making all the decisions a publisher should make, like typesetting, formatting etc. There are companies out there who do the job for you. Whether you opt to go for that or not – that’s a totally different decision, one that’s up to you – the following questions found on Ryan Lanz’s blog might prove helpful in making the right choice when it comes to self-publishing companies.

Posted on by Chris Sarantopoulos

Inspirational Prompt 34

sara

Today’s prompt will be short but, hopefully, sweet.

Left by the side of the bed of room 321 of Pineview Hotel, folded neatly, police officers found the following note in a flowing and elegant handwriting:
Dear humans,

I don’t know how you do it, but I’ve had enough pretending to be like you.
Officer Wallace was the first the wall sucked in.

 

Posted on by Chris Sarantopoulos

Five Reasons You Can’t Get Your Novel Published – And Why It’s Not Your Fault

Have you ever wondered why a publisher (when dealing with small presses or publishers who accept unsolicited submissions) or an agent might turn down a manuscript that is perfectly and flawlessly written? What’s that? Only poorly written/edited works get rejected, you say? Think again. Every writer, including the best selling authors (enter whatever name you want here; Rowling, King, or any other) had their best work rejected more than once.

Here are five reasons this may happen, and will happen to those of us who will try traditional publishing. Don’t be disheartened. Our time will come one way or another. But it’s still helpful to identify the reasons behind a rejection, so that our ego and precious feelings don’t get crushed every time we receive one. You see, it’s not always your fault.