WRITING TIP OF THE DAY

Be patient. Every step in the publishing process takes

 longer than you anticipate or the publisher indicates.

GOLDEN SCROLL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2016 Golden Scroll Awards for Publisher, Non-Fiction Editor, and Fiction Editor of the Year as well as the winners of the Golden Scroll Books of the Year contests at the 2016 Golden Scroll Awards and Banquet, Sunday, June 26 at the Duke Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.   Honored for outstanding ministry partnerships with their authors, the Golden Scroll Publisher of the Year Award went to Worthy Publishing.  AWSA author Cynthia Ruchti says of Worthy, “They are fully invested in publishing books people need to read.  No detail is left to chance or whim. It’s a prayed-over publishing process at Worthy.”   Andy Mcguire was named the winner of the Golden Scroll Non-Fiction Editor of the Year Award. AWSA author Terri Roberts said of Mcguire, “Andy showed great support and encouragement through the entire process even though I was battling serious health challenges of stage 4 cancer. He and his staff were there for me.”   The Fiction Editor of the Year was awarded to Jamie Clarke Chavez of JamieChavez.com,  AWSA author Cynthia Ruchti says of Clarke, “Her breadth of knowledge and depth of caring are immense. She not only impacts the finished product, but me as an author.” The Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year Award went to Saundra Dalton-Smith for Come Empty from SonRise Devotionals.  The judges remarked, “Saundra encourages the reader to spend intimate time with Jesus who will not only fulfill our longings but will fill the emptiness within.” Golden Scroll Merit Awards for Nonfiction were also awarded to Patrica A. Ennis for God is My Strength from Christian Focus, Tina Samples and Dave Samples for Messed Up Men of the Bible from Kregel Publications and Deb DeArmond for I Choose You Today from Abingdon Press. Silver Scroll Merit Awards for Nonfiction went to Nan Corbitt Allen for Small Potatoes and Tuesdays @ The Piggly Wiggly from Allen House Productions, Terri Roberts with Jeanette Windle for Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother's Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace from Bethany House Publishers and Susan K. Steward for Formatting e-Books for Writers from Practical Inspiration. The Golden Scroll Novel of the Year Award went to Lynette Eason for Always Watching from Revell of Baker Publishing Group.  The judges agreed, “This novel earns a five-star plus in our book.”   Golden Scroll Merit Awards for Fiction were also awarded to Deborah Raney for both Another Way Home and Two Roads Home from Abingdon Press and Eva Marie Everson for Five Brides from Tyndale House Publishers.   Silver Scroll Merit Awards for Fiction went to Sandra Picklesimer Aldrich for Zetta’s Dream from Bold Words, Inc, Kathi Macias for Return to Christmas from Abingdon Press, and Sarah Sundin for Through the Deep Waters from Revell of Baker Publishing Group.   The Golden Scroll Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Michelle Lazurek for Daddy, am I Beautiful? from Pauline Books & Media.  The judges remarked, “This delightful children’s books shows girls that true beauty exists when we show God's love from the inside out, even if they have green skin and spaghetti and meatballs for hair.”   In addition, the 2016 AWSA Member of the Year Award went to Cynthia L. Simmons. AWSA founder Linda Evans Shepherd says of Cynthia, “She serves the Lord with her whole heart, whether it’s writing her books, hosting her radio show, directing the Atlanta Christian Writers Conference or mentoring home school moms.”    The Beyond Me Award went to Sheryl Giesbrecht, an acclaimed author and radio host who has a heart for missions around the world. The prestigious 2016 Golden Scroll Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kay Arthur.  Shepherd said of Arthur, “Kay may be the famed author of over 100 books, a TV show host, and the founder of Precept Ministries International, but her accomplishments have come as a result of her service unto her Lord Jesus Christ.”   Kay Arthur served as the keynote speaker along with recording artist Babbie Mason and Linda Goldfarb serving as emcee. Authors Carol Kent and Pam Christian presented the awards. Babbie Mason also performed a parody written by Martha Bolton dedicated to editors and publishers.   AWSA, the sponsor of the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet, is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of over 400 top ICRS women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com.

LIVING WORD LITERARY AGENCY CLOSES

Kimberly Shumate moves to new full-time editor position as Living Word Literary Agency closes

 

It was May of 2009 when Kimberly Shumate launched Living Word Literary Agency, pursuing her passion to help new and hungry authors find a home within the publishing community. The following year she joined George Fox University as an Expert Advisor where she guides graduate students through Artifact II—transforming their dissertations into publishable works.

 

She is happy to announce her move to full-time editor working closely with Books, Bach, and Beyond/Creative Enterprises Studio where she will primarily focus on book proposal writing, substantive editing, proofing, project coaching, and ghostwriting. Kimberly invites you to visit their website for more information, and hopes you will think of her for future editorial projects as someone who brings a diverse and unique background to the literary table. 

WORK FOR HIRE

Signing a contract with a publisher stating that a particular piece of writing you are
doing for him is work-for-hire. In the agreement you give the publisher full ownership and

control of the material. You would not be allowed to sell reprints or to use the same content at any time in the future. This is different from all rights in that with all rights, the rights will automatically revert to you after 35 years. Not so with work for hire. If you are selling a piece to a publication as a freelance writer, that does not qualify as a work for hire. Typically, writing can be considered work for hire when it has been created as part of the job you do for your employer. What you write in that situation belongs to the employer.

However, there are a few legitimate situations in which you may be asked to sign a work-for-hire agreement in connection with a writing assignment you are given. One example might be if you write Sunday school curriculum. Because such material is used in multi-year cycles, the publisher needs to be able to reuse it in the future without having to go back to the writers for permission. In such a case, signing the work-for-hire contract is legitimate—especially since it is not something you could sell elsewhere anyway.

If a publisher asks you to sign a work-for-hire contract on a piece you submit, or even one you write on assignment, you need to challenge them. In most cases, if challenged, they will back down.

To see a sample of a work-for-hire agreement, go to: http://www.vlaa.org/assets/documents/Sample%20Work-For-Hire%20Agreement.pdf.

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY

Review the rules for using commas and apostrophes.

VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

A writer's paid assistant that works via phone or email only. No face-to-face relationship. They handle such things as travel details, answering mail, sending out book orders, dealing with paperwork, or even doing some editing (if qualified). It all depends on what kinds of help the author needs, so the work varies accordingly. Because virtual assistants are well trained technically, they charge well above minimum wage. For details about virtual assistants, go to: http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/management/qt/outsourceva.htm.

CBA PUBLICATION CHANGES

With the July issue, releasing later this month, CBA is making big changes to its monthly magazine. Formerly Retailers+Resources, the redesigned magazine promises to reflect a broader vision to unite the Christian products industry behind its common mission of taking the Gospel message throughout the world, introducing people to Jesus, and changing lives.

As every area of the industry faces similar issues, challenges, and struggles, the new magazine provides a place for the industry to meet all year, start conversations, share wisdom, and inspire collaboration.

Specifically, the magazine will continue to cover the important issues affecting every area of the Christian products industry, provide business intelligence, trends, and news, and offer vision, inspiration, and encouragement. New product features and best-sellers will also continue to be a mainstay of the magazine.

As part of this new direction, CBA invites participation from around the industry, to provide insights, weigh in on important topics, and share information that benefits everyone—publishers and suppliers, content creators, distributors, professionals, and retailers alike.
We’re also looking for writers for expanded coverage of technology, finance, category management, and international trends and issues.

If you have a story idea or writer reference, please contact CBA at: info@cbaonline.org.
Subscribers to CBA’s Retailers+Resources magazine will not have to do anything to continue receiving CBA’s new magazine, as their current subscription will apply. Standard re-subscription and membership renewal processes will still apply.

To receive CBA’s monthly magazine (digital and/or print) and join in the industry conversation, go to: http://cbaonline.org/rr/.

 

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY

When you misspell a word, add to a list and memorize the correct spellings.

UNCOPYRIGHTED PUBLICATIONS

Most publications have each issue of their publication copyrighted (registering the copyright) when it is published, but there are those that do not go to the trouble or expense to do so. If you sell to a copyrighted publication, your piece is protected under the publication's copyright. However, if you sell to an uncopyrighted publication, you need to ask that they carry your copyright notice at the end of your piece. If your material is published in an uncopyrighted publication without that notice, it goes into public domain—meaning anyone can use it or reprint it without your permission or any payment to you. Keep in mind that there are similar dangers involved when you post your writing online.

TABOOS

Subjects that will not be accepted by certain publications or book publishers. What might be taboo for one publisher could be fully acceptable by another. The area most likely to have taboos is the religious market, although those taboos seem to change with the passage of time. In the past, in writing for religious magazines, the taboos included references to such things as smoking, drinking, dancing, or playing cards. Most of those taboos have gone by the wayside for all but the most conservative denominations, and even religious publications are open to discussions on homosexuality, or challenges to long-held religious practices. Most publisher's writers' guidelines will indicate if they have specific taboos. Reading sample copies of magazines is also helpful in recognizing the taboos associated with that publication.

And another area that still holds a number of taboos is the children’s book market. For some guidance on how to attempt a children’s book on what might be considered a taboo topic, go to: http://www.ehow.com/how_5095679_write-childrens-book-taboo-subjects.html.

NEW PUBLICIST AT B & H

Jenaye White has joined B&H Publishing Group as publicist for books, Bibles and the B&H brand. White will work alongside B&H brand managers to develop and execute publicity campaigns, and will also manage brand press relations. Dave Schroeder, Vice President of Marketing and Communication, comments: “I’m excited to welcome Jenaye White to our marketing team. She brings intelligence, candor and energy to our B&H products. I know she will be an invaluable member of our team.”  MORE

 

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY

Proofread other blogs to practice your editing skills.

SEQUEL

A book or story connected to a previous one through using the same characters or continuing the previous plot. The original plot is usually brought to a conclusion and the new story creates a new plot for the same main characters, or picks up the lives of lesser characters from the first story. The sequel is usually written by the original author, but it can be written by another author if that person gets written permission to do so. Sometimes a publisher will hire a number of different writers to each write one of the sequels. In any case, getting that permission is required, since the characters in the original story belong to the original author. Even if the original author is deceased, those rights belong to his/her heirs and permission must be sought from them—unless the original book has gone into public domain. In that case you would not need permission, but should ethically credit the original author in the acknowledgments. Here are two sites that will help you understand and write a sequel: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/03/going-once-going-twice-writing-sequels.html, and http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/film/writing-sequels.

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY.

Develop your vocabulary by learning three new words every day.



AND THE SPEAkER SAID . . .

“I came to you in weakness and fear and . . . my message and my preaching were not wise and persuasive . . ..” (I Corinthians 2:3-4).