Ask and Shalla Answers

Writers,

Have a Question?

Q: Can you help me to get a good agent? I've written 9 poetry books and 2 nonfiction books. I have a site and am a very serious writer.

Shalla: Well, so far, I have interviewed/met agents for fiction and some non-fiction but I am not familiar with literary agents who represent poets...

Actually, even if I did, I am sure you would have to go through the same channels of querying them first. I can introduce you to them via seminars at the ShalladeGuzman Writers Group.

Back to agents who represent poets--Have you checked Agent Query?

http://shalladeguzman.com/ShallaAgentList.php

(click on the Agent Query link)

Also, here's a tip: Get published in top literary magazines. Many literary agents look for clients by reading lit mags. Get your poetry published there, here's a list of lit mags, there are many more:

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallaresources.php

and

SHALLA JOURNAL

Good luck!
Shalla

"The Fish In My Bed" by Shalla de Guzman

in Mad Hatters Review Issue 6

Q: Can I know some publishing houses along with their addresses and if possible their E-mail addresses?

Shalla: If you like to e-publish, here are links:

http://shalladeguzman.com/shallaandepubl...

If you like to get published in hard copy, it's good to get an agent. Many of the large houses only accept agented work. Here are links with addresses:

http://shalladeguzman.com/ShallaAgentList.php

Good luck!

Shalla

Q: Which is the best publishing house or writers agent to try to get a first publishing contract?

I have started writing a novel which I think has real possibilities, however, I don't have the time or money to dedicate to it. I have heard that some first time writers do get advances based on first chapters and a synopsis but I don't really know how to start along the path of doing this.

Shalla: Go to a writers conference.

Good ones invite literary agents and editors for writers to pitch to. That’s where you get 5 minutes to tell the lit agent/editor what your book is about and why you think it will be successful.

Have you joined writers groups yet?

Before anything, make sure your manuscript is polished. Literary agents receive tons of queries, you got to make yours shine.Here’s a great free online writers group where you can meet literary agents and editors:

The ShalladeGuzman Writers Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShalladeGuzman/

You can read what agents and editors are looking for:

http://shalladeguzman.com/

And for a list of literary agents:

http://shalladeguzman.com/ShallaAgentList.php

Good luck!

Shalla

Watch Shalla's Latest News!

GOOGLE VIDEOS

Did you know?

There are so many free e-books out there.

Check them out:

How To Write Effective Press
Releases and Boost Publicity
for Your eBooks…
By Eva Almeida

Free E-Classes

More Free E-Books

FREE EBOOK LIBRARY for the Palm and Microsoft Reader

Free E-Books from Fictionwise

And do you know about Google Book Search?

Here's the Google Book Search Help Center

***************

Books to Check Out:

The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work (Paperback) by Meg Leder

Author 101 Bestselling Book Publicity: The Insider's Guide to Promoting Your Book--and Yourself (Paperback) by Rick Frishman (Author), Robyn Freedman Spizman (Author), Mark Steisel (Author) "HOW MANY TIMES have you heard so-called experts on book publicity solemnly warn, "Now that you've written your book, the hard work begins..." (more)

Author 101

***

Blogs Shalla Reads:

Tuned In A blog about television from TIME's TV critic, James Poniewozik

***

Plus! Watch Shalla Hosting a Spellbound Fashion Show

(~44 seconds)

NEWS!

Shalla in Mad Hatters Review?

Issue 6

Like to Write and Publish Your Own E-Book?

17 Action Steps For Online Publishing Success



1. Do Your Research Up-Front - Find out exactly what people are searching for in your niche and find out what the competition is doing.

2. Brainstorm Your Title - Make sure you research your title carefully and select your final title at this stage to facilitate the rest of process.


3. Get Your Book/eBook Registered - Learn the importance of registering your copyright and obtaining an ISBN number for your title.


4. Register Your Domain Name - Decide which is best for you: ".com", ".net", ".biz" or ".org"; select domain name based on your title, and register it.


5. Order Your Cover - Make sure you hire a professional cover designer and visualize your own cover concept as input for the designer.


6. Decide On Key Parameters - Make key formatting decisions and create a master working template.


7. Develop Table of Contents - Create a detailed Table of Contents as your working outline and as the "blueprint" for your book.


8. Develop Detailed Content Points - Drill down to one more level of detail below headings/sub-headings and use this outline as your visual guide.


9. Write Your Book/eBook - Use the Table of Contents master template from Steps 6 and 7 and then fill-in-the-blanks, one-page-at-a-time.


10. Edit and Revise Your Book - Do a light edit during the initial writing process and then get someone else to review it before your own final edit.


11. Create/Publish Your eBook/Book - Convert your word processing document to PDF format and ensure the PDF creation software does a proper job.


12. Create Your Sales Mini-Site - Get mini-site hosted, set-up payment processing, develop sales copy, and upload to Web host site.


13. Launch Your Book/eBook - Request testimonials from niche experts and other webmasters, post them, and then make special introductory offers.


14. Announce Your Book/eBook - Get registered in free and pay-per-inclusion search engines and develop and issue a news release.


15. Market Your Book/eBook - Implement any or all of more than half a dozen proven strategies to market and promote your book/ebook.


16. Take Your Book Digital - Select digital fulfillment distributor for your ebook, and then reformat and transfer digital download files.


17. Go POD With Your eBook - Select fulfillment distributor for your POD book, arrange for additional artwork, and reformat and transfer files.

Tips from e-Book Writing Kit

Free E-Books on Tutorials:Writing & Publishing