WRITERS’ NEWS
http://www.writers-online.co.uk FEBRUARY 2020^93New Epoch
Get on board
GLOBAL LITERARY MARKET
GLOBAL LITERARY MARKET
PDR Lindsay-SalmonGary DalkinAlso
mentioned...
Patrick Forsyth considers
the promotional possibilities
to be found within a bookGOING TO MARKET
One for book writers this month. Books
remain, I think, something special. They
are read, sometimes reread and lent or
passed on, and I for one hate to throw a
book away. The reader reads, and hopefully
enjoys your book, but what else do they
see within the book and on its cover? Well
potentially quite a lot and such present sales
opportunities. If you self-publish, consider:- Reviews (good ones): of this or other books,
these can certainly prompt future sales. - Acknowledgements: mainly to say thank
you, but could contain mentions of your
other work. - Author biography: certainly this can
mention other works and where to buy
them as well as background (earlier
publications can appear also as a simple list). - Advertisement: a page specifically
plugging other books (and perhaps
including their blurb). - Author’s note: this might concern research
or history and could be written in part to
add credibility. - Teaser: the actual first few pages of another
title (what better way to sink in a hook?) - Pictures: of the author (though I doubt
my picture would prompt future sales!),
book covers, props (eg the gun linked to
a murder mystery), illustrations (eg the
character in a children’s book). - Footnotes: certainly for non-fiction this
can add something. *
Similarly, a preface, written by someone
other than the author (especially if they are
well-known, popular or authoritative) can
be, in part, a sales message and may add
both to the book and the appeal its cover
sends out.
Those undertaking self-publication can
make decisions about this list themselves.
If you are on a conventional publishing
route then maybe it is a list to discuss
with your editor.* (My book Beguiling Burma has nothing to
do with this but making this point gives it a
plug! Never miss an opportunity.)Epoch magazine is published by the faculty of Cornell University’s
creative writing programme. It ‘publishes fiction, poetry, essays, cartoons,
screenplays, graphic art, and graphic fiction’, three times a year in
September, January, and May. The editorial team are old fashioned in that
they refuse to accept electronic submissions. Submit by post only, and no
multiple or simultaneous submissions and no reprints.
Submissions are open between 15 September and 15 April of each
academic year, addressed to the appropriate editor. Screenplays, cartoons,
graphic art, and graphic fiction should labelled as such on the envelope.
For poetry, submit up to five poems in one envelope. The team like
poetry in all forms, including the long poem. For fiction, short short to
novella length, submit one story per envelope and no more than three
pieces of flash fiction in all forms. Submissions of graphic art, graphic
fiction, and cartoons should be as pdf on disk.
Submit all work in a standard publishing format. Edit well, proofread
and don’t forget full contact details, email address, and phone number.
Response time is ‘after three months’. Payment is ‘a minimum of $50 per
poem and a maximum of $150 per story for First Rights.
Details: Epoch, 251 Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY 14853-3201, USA; website: https://english.cornell.edu/
epoch-magazine-0Now in its 28th year, The Surfer’s Journal is a lavishly produced
132-page print bimonthly published in California but with a
global readership. The editors are ‘always looking for writers,
photographers, artists, and surfers to introduce new areas of
interest’ and strongly recommend you read some recent issues of
the title before making a submission. They describe the Journal as
‘Literary, but not academic. Timely, but not trendy. Authoritative,
but not dry. Deluxe, but not fancy.’ You can check out some content online at http://www.
surfersjournal.com/feature/
To make a submission go to https://surfersjournal.submittable.com/submit, where
you can upload photo and video submissions and make pitches for written work. You
will need to create a free account first, then upload a very short cover letter summarising
your wave-riding/writing background, as well as why you feel your proposed article
would be good for TSJ. If you have high quality photos to accompany your article
mention this.
Original, previously unpublished work is greatly preferred, but reprints may be
considered. No simultaneous submissions. Payment is 8-10¢ per word for First Print
Rights but may vary by negotiation.
Win an editorial critique for a paragraph from an unpublished novel or novella in the
Favourite Paragraph contest from Louise Walters Books
To enter, send the paragraph from an unpublished novel or novella manuscript
(minimum 20,000 words) that you feel best represents you as a writer.
The winner will receive an editorial report on their first three chapters/thirty pages and
a 2020/21 Supporter Subscription to Louise Walters Books. Two runners-up will receive
Supporter Subscriptions. All longlisted writers will receive brief feedback on their entry.
The entry fee is £5, or £10 for an entry plus book.
The closing date is 29 March.
Website: http://www.louisewaltersbooks.co.ukParagraph please!