TOM BIRD'S WRITER'S ROUNDTABLE
Birdwise News from Tom Bird Seminars
Volume 9 Issue 6, June 19, 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
- The Bird's Word
- Good News
- Summer Consultation Course
- Book Formatting - Special Offer
- Student Success Stories
- Tucson, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Scottsdale, Mesa and Vegas
- Covers
Dear Author,
I hope this letter finds you well.
As we sink softly into the dog days of summer, my advice to you is to turn your talents toward writing your books and screenplays in preparation for having your works ready for submission when the next acquisition period begins just after Labor Day.
If you have not already sent off your query letter or will be unable to do so before the end of the month, hold off until September to send it out, for the literary area comes to almost a complete halt in July and August.
Me? I am at present readying myself for a well deserved vacation. The house/pet sitter is in place and we leave on the 23rd for a family reunion in Pittsburgh. Then on the 26th we are off to the shores of the Great Lakes, where we will be hosting friends and family at a thirteen-bedroom cottage we’ve rented for entertaining during my most recent class reunion. We then return on the 6th to begin preparation for the birth of our first child in early September.
To encourage you to keep driving toward the completion and/or acquisition of your literary desires, I’ve included just a splattering of the extensive amount of good news on both publishing and with their writing being experienced by your fellow world changers, as well as some news in general about some upcoming classes, events or offerings.
Keep writing and keep being you. The world is a much better place as a result.
My best, Tom
Just wanted to update you on the query letter responses. I had 39 responses of which 17 expressed interest! How nice. Dr. Nell M. Rodgers
Five agents are already interested in seeing Cass Brady’s novel. Mother and book, both residing Georgia, are doing fine at this time.
Shelley Marie Gaul, of Tucson, has received an astounding ten positive replies to her most recent, obviously well-written query.
Paul Hall, of Michigan, is having his novel, Level of Detection, reviewed by agents Bob Tabian and Liz Trupin-Pulli, while his latest work of fiction, Place the Dead Call Home, is being looked at by Pam Ahearn.
Erie M, who preferred that we not use his full name, received five positive replies from agents, almost immediately, in response to his first query.
Ken Fienberg, of Atlanta, received three requests from agents from his first twenty replies to see some material from his latest work.
ll has been going so well with my newly created Summer Consultation Course (SCC) that I have made the decision to open my schedule to a few more students. If you are interested, please give my assistant Shawna a call at 928-203-0265 (or email your phone number to her at Shawna@tombird.com) to set up an appointment so we can talk and to see if we would do well in working together.
I will be conducting interviews through the 22nd, and after the 6th when I return from vacation.
I have included a copy of the letter I originally sent out on SCC, which does a good job of describing what it is all about:
Even though I will not be accepting any further students into my Intensive Writing Program this summer, I have devised a much less expensive program that should fit your needs. If you would like to get your book written this summer and ready for submission by next fall—a period of time when the publishing industry is always looking for books—this is the program for you.
The program, which I just recently devised and, thus, is not yet listed on my website, would cover an average of two pre-arranged consultations a week over a four-month period and cost $350 per month.
I will be accepting a limited number of students, so I would strongly recommend contacting my assistant Shawna (928-203-0265 or Shawna@tombird.com) as soon as possible if you are interested in being
considered, and she will set you up with a time during which we can further discuss the program.
BOOK FORMATTING - SPECIAL OFFER
From the number of calls that I receive, I know that some of you are interested in having my part-time assistant format your POD book. What may have stopped you from taking this step though, was that she has been booked so far in advance that you haven’t been able to get on her schedule.
Well, just to give you a “heads up,” I spoke to her a few hours ago and she told me she had a few last minute cancellations for this summer. So if you have been waiting for awhile to move into her schedule, now may be your chance to do so immediately and get your book into publication by early fall. Just think, come September, you could be holding a copy of your book in your hand, attending book signings, and speaking at workshops. If you’re ready for this important step, contact her now before all the remaining slots are taken.
You can find out just about everything you want to know about her formatting services through her website http://www.podbookdesigns.com, or email her at jamielinn@saloff.com, or you can just call her at 814-734-5189. She offers special discounts to my students, so make sure and let her know you heard about it from me.
For you do-it-yourselfers, she also does consulting, walking you through each step in regard to: getting your ISBNs, copyright, formatting, self publishing, choosing the right cover artist, and self-promoting through sites such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and more. I don’t think those services are listed on her site yet, but I believe she has two consulting packages to choose from – one that covers 2 hours of time for around $160 and another one that covers 5 hours for $350. If you are interested, you can check with her on the exact figures.
Carol Scribner, Sedona
Just a quick message to ALL to let you know that I just returned from the BEA in New York and won an award for the book!!!!. So now, To Life in Small Corners is an award winning book!!! We won the Nautilus Book Award, sponsored by Body+ Soul magazine. It's owned by Martha Stewart and the elegant award ceremonies were held in her classy corporate offices. Her staff catered, she provided flowers etc. I got to make an acceptance speech on the spot (no advance announcement of the winners - going in we only knew we were finalists ) and make a plea for TurtleWill and book sales. It was such an honor. So now we have more news to spread!!! See what you all have to look forward too!!!!!
Maria M. Smyth, Scottsdale, Arizona
Hi Tom! I just wanted to let you know that it has been two weeks since I finally starting writing my book. I began writing during my lunch breaks at work about 3-4 times a week. I use an unoccupied office which ensures me privacy. At first, I wasn't sure if I could remember how to breathe in order to start writing from my heart and get into that zone. Fortunately it all came back to me! The second time I wrote, I seemed to be struggling with my word flow. Each time after that it has been a piece of cake. The time goes too fast and I'm not ready to stop, which leaves me wanting to write more, much more. One day I spent an hour just reviewing what I had outlined for my chapters, and looking up information I needed to fill in, which were noted on the side of my tablet. It reassured me that I was ontrack.
I began to feel so elated about writing on a topic which I am so passionate about. I have to do this, it is what I need to do at this time in my life. I can't wait to complete this book. But, then there are moments I'm filled with fear. My topic is so personal, so private and I'm not sure if I can handle seeing it on print. (See below). I have been doing my best to push those fears and anxiety away. I'm trying not to concern myself with seeing it on print, but just to write.
My goal is to increase the amount of time I will spend writing, and the time of the day I will be doing it. I realize that some things will just have to go without getting done for now. Wow, so very unlike me!
I'll keep you up to date with my progress. Thank you!!
Mike Henle, Las Vegas, Nevada
Hi Tom:
Just wanted to tell you that my book Through the Darkness: One Man's Fight to Overcome Epilepsy is now on several websites including Amazon and Publish America along with a few others.
In addition, Borders has agreed to carry it in Las Vegas and would like to see about taking it a step further for me. I'm talking to other book stores and I'm confident that they, too, will carry it when it's officially
released in a few weeks.
As an author, you know how it feels when something like this is completed and out there for others to read. It's nothing less than a dream come true and I only hope that it helps others who might be struggling with
epilepsy or other challenges.
I've got another book that I'm now contemplating, although I haven't quite figured out how to pull everything together at this point. But getting the first one off the ground is such a massive thrill that one more seems
like a natural.
Sylvia Sultenfuss, Atlanta, Georgia
I am sending a group message about my wonderful celebration and book signing in Charlotte, NC. My old friends offered an opportunity to have a private book signing and I accepted, thank you! Clarice and Dent Goodyear invited 250 people and in the end, 60 people attended the event in the New Museum of the South in downtown Charlotte. There were great eats and drinks and a guest list of an eclectic group of committed people, from politics to animal rights to human rights.
Since I was going to be in Charlotte, we connected with the local radio station talk show and contracted to do an hour interview about The Joy of Adulthood. The show happened to be an NPR program that went out to both Carolina's. What a gift! The interviewer was a substitute but did a good job, having read the book and having come with many thoughtful questions. He had underlined and highlighted so many parts and I was impressed with his interest.
After the first 20 minutes, the public phone calls came rolling in. All were men except one female, if I remember accurately. They were all very excited and positive about the elements of the distinctions of Child, Adolescent and Adult by Choice. One man said that he had pulled over to a Barnes and Noble and had ordered the book on the spot.
At the end of the interview, Chris, the interviewer, told me that he had had a difficult time doing the interview because he kept getting lost in what I was saying and that it was "in his face", confronting him about his own issues. He gave a big hug and said that to have people calling in like they did was unusual. (I did get a CD of the interview.)
One woman emailed Clarice and said that she was RSVP-ing to the book signing after having heard the radio interview. A US Ambassador came to me at the book signing table early in the evening and expressed his surprise at the author and the book. He had heard the radio interview and had already told his assistant to order the book on Amazon. He had not realized that I was the one on the radio interview until he saw me and the title of the book at the book signing.
Another woman had ordered from Amazon, had read the book and invited her friend to the signing. Her friend cancelled her dental surgery that day realizing that she would be too woozy to go to the book signing. About 50 books, audio books and Meditation CD's were purchased. There were invitations to speak at the Rotary Club and for local book club discussions. What an acknowledgment of the book and my message.
I came home to many emails with more comments related to the interview and requests for guidance about emotional issues. I am truly moved by the response and the opening that has been created out of this wonderful gift of my friends, the Goodyears.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. We have only just begun!
TUCSON, SANTA FE, ALBUQUERQUE, SCOTTSDALE, MESA AND VEGAS
I will be holding classes in the following locations in the upcoming weeks. For further information on any of the classes or to register, feel free to click onto the link to my website, which will lead you to who you need to contact and how.
Writer’s Success Series, Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ,
June 21-22, 520-206-4500
How to Get Published, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ,
July 13, 480-423-6321
45 Days or Less to the Completion of Your Book, Scottsdale Community
College, Scottsdale, AZ, July 14, 480-423-6321
How to Get Published, Sageways, Santa Fe, NM,
July 20, 505-271-7029
45 Days or Less to the Completion of Your Book, Sageways, Santa Fe, NM,
July 21, 505-271-7029
Writer’s Success Series, UNM, Albuquerque, NM,
July 22-23, 505-277-2527
Writer’s Success Series, UNLV, Las Vegas, NV,
July 26-27, 702-895-1022
I have been recommending cover artist Manjari Henderson, who I have personally used for years. Manjari offers special discounts for my students and actually reads each of her clients’ books to get just the correct feel before going to work. If you’d like to know more about how Manjari works, or if you would like to see some of the covers she has designed, feel free to either visit her website http://www.ManjariGraphics.com or give her a call at 303-443-1552.
