mel boring

Good afternoon! Welcome to this Tuesday afternoon's "Open Forum" session. I'm your moderator, Mel Boring, and the Web Editor for this site. We're back for an informal time of answering any questions you might like to ask, on any subject. So feel free to ask what's on your mind--and I'll tell you what's on mine! First, please read these announcements, then we'll get started.

mel boring

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: Send questions you'd like answered or discussed by using your "Ask a Question" icon/button. (It looks like a thought bubble icon, RIGHT NEXT TO THE RED QUESTION MARK.) The moderator (me, Mel Boring) will post the questions one at a time in the chat room and do my best to answer them.

mel boring

WARNING: If you don't post anything at all, SOME of you will be bounced off the system in 15 minutes. TO PREVENT THIS, type something (either a question to the moderator or even a private message) every 15 minutes to stay active and remain online.

mel boring

I wanted to tell and remind you of a couple things....

mel boring

First, I've been in the chat room in JAVA, JAVA LITE and HTML, which SOME of you need to be here in....

mel boring

I REdiscovered that in JAVA, in case you wonder,...

mel boring

you can ONLY type about eight words or so of a question,...

mel boring

then you have to type the next part, and so on....

mel boring

If you're worried that that makes it hard for me, it DOESN'T!...

mel boring

I can piece them back together easily....

mel boring

If you're here in HTML, you cannot ask questions at all--and I'm sorry....

mel boring

I've prepared a statement about what I just said, so I'll run it again here:...

mel boring

clove nicely reminded me to tell you that you can't send a PRIVATE MESSAGE backstage to me in Open Forum. What you CAN do if you want to say HI to me, and keep on-line, is to use your "Ask a Question" icon/button to say HI. (It looks like a thought bubble icon, RIGHT NEXT TO THE RED QUESTION MARK. If you are here on JAVA, it's the "ASK?" button; on JAVA LITE, it's the ? thought bubble on the "Ask Question" button; on HTML there is no way to ask questions, sorry!) If you say HI this way, it will just come to me, and not on the screen--and I will appreciate it!

mel boring

I hope this helps! (-:}

mel boring

Also, in follow-up to last week about the court trial,...

mel boring

I have just found out what we expected anyway,...

mel boring

that the publisher will appeal the ruling we won...

mel boring

That's OK, I'm ready for the next round, and feel it is very important for ALL of us....

mel boring

The appeal won't happen for a month or two, so I won' t be away right away again.

mel boring

A Question from MS: How do you write stories which match the magazine you want to be published in without becoming a carbon copy of the articles already published in the chosen magazine?

mel boring

MS, what I'd suggest is that you put the magazine away for at least a week,...

mel boring

THEN begin your own story. That way,...

mel boring

the magazine article or story shouldn't influence yours as much....

mel boring

In the case of an article, there are umpteen zillion ways to write about any subject,...

mel boring

so there's little danger that you have to "carbon-copy" an already-published one.

mel boring

To dawgprint: The question machine just swallowed up your question. Will you send it again, please?

clararose

I've had a chance encounter with the daughter of a VP (program director) of a major publishing group. She gave me his card and strongly encouraged me to call him -- what should I say?

mel boring

First I will say, CONGRATULATIONS, clararose!!! GOOD for you!...

mel boring

Secondly, when you call him, tell him that his daughter recommended you call him....

mel boring

Start with that, and the conversation should take care of itself.

mel boring

I would guess that HE knows his daughter does this, and approves of it...

mel boring

SO, you have an open door with him, clararose!

mel boring

I must give you this correction about using HTML that I just received!...

mbvoelker

Mel, in html people can use the /ask command to ask questions. It gives a few more words in the line than the java/javalite question window too. :-)

mel boring

THANKS, mbvoelker. I guess I didn't see the ask button when I was in HTML this morning....

mel boring

So you ALL can ask questions--GOOD! It might take you a bit longer to ask them piece-by-piece, but I'll get them together, so ask away!

windy

when submiting photos of a school band at the state fair, whos permission do I need?

mel boring

Probably no one's, windy. But it would be polite just to ask the band director(s) for permission....

mel boring

I can't imagine why any band director would say no. But it's the courteous thing to do, even if permission is not really needed.

dawgprint1

I just finished a Christmas Chapter Book but it is at the low end of the word count for books targeted for 7-10 years. My question is should I condense it into a story picture book or try adding to it to make it a chapter book?

mel boring

THANK YOU, dawgprint1!...

mel boring

I wouldn't recommend doing EITHER....

mel boring

Here's why: Since it IS at the low end of the word count for age 7-10 books, an editor will probably be GLAD it's at the low end....

mel boring

And it could change the book concept a LOT if you made it a story picture book....

mel boring

So go ahead and submit it as is, as a Christmas Chapter Book....

mel boring

You do understand, I'm sure, that it wouldn't be for Christmas, 2003, but for Christmas, 2004 or later. GO FOR IT, dawgprint1!

mel boring

Here is more good news about using HTML:...

mbvoelker

HTML has no ask button. The /ask command is used in the regular text window. Details are in the second article. :-)

mel boring

So in HTML, just type your question in the text window at the bottom of your screen....

mel boring

Also, check out Mary Beth Voelker's GREAT articles about using the chat room machinery!...

mel boring

I'll try to get the URLs for them in a minute!

mel boring

Nancy asks: In 1999 I wrote a story for a magazine, requiring 'first rights'. Now, I have rewritten the story to better suit ANOTHER magazine's style. This magazine requires 'first rights', or 'all rights', depending on the type of contract. Since the story is similar, but not the same, is it legally okay for me to submit it to them without saying anything about the first version of the story appearing in such-and-such a magazine in such-and-such issue?

mel boring

If the changes are minor, Nancy, I would play it on the safe side,...

mel boring

and let the magazine you're submitting it to NOW...

mel boring

know that it was published in a different form previously....

mel boring

I don't know how minor or major the changes are,...

mel boring

but it sounds like there would be enough similarities that you should play it safe and tell them.

mel boring

The URL of Mary Beth Voelker's first article about using the chat room is:...

mel boring

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/voelker.shtml

mel boring

The URL of the second one is:...

mel boring

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/ws01/voelker2.shtml

mel boring

They are EXCELLENT, and if you're unsure of yourself in the chat room, do read them!

dawgprint1

Thanks Mel, and yes I know it will be 2004 or later but I want to send it out before Dec to be considered for 2004.

mel boring

You're EXACTLY right in doing just that, dawgprint1!

c3zh

An editor for Highlights asked for non fiction articles. I have a really timely one. I e-mailed the proposal last week stating that I was going to write the article as soon as I received a press kit. I have not heard back from the editor. Now I have the article complete, would it be all right for me to call the editor and ask if she is interested? Should I e-mail again? She put her e-mail address and phone # on the request for articles at write4kids.com

mel boring

Yes, because she put the e-mail and phone number on the request for articles, c3zh,...

mel boring

you'd be right in e-mailing or phoning her....

mel boring

Sometimes editors GUARD their phone numbers and especially e-mails,...

mel boring

so because she gave them to you, it's a kind of "silent signal" that contacting her is OK!

astier

Formatting: Flashbacks how should they appear in manuscript?

mel boring

Hi, astier! Flashbacks must be clearly set out in this way:...

mel boring

When you go INTO the flashback, there should be a "time change signal,"...

mel boring

such as

mel boring

"Carolyn remembered then how embarrassed she had been at her graduation the year before...."...

mel boring

That signals readers that Carolyn is thinking back, flashing back to her graduation, which happened in the past....

mel boring

Then at the END of the flashback, you also need a "time change signal"...

mel boring

to let readers know the narrative is coming back to the present, whatever time you've established for it....

mel boring

With Carolyn, it might be like this:...

mel boring

"Just then, Jan poked Carolyn in the ribs and brought her sharply back to the present."...

mel boring

I have OVERdone these to illustrate, and yours can be more time-takingly subtle....

mel boring

But just remember the going back and coming back must be clearly signaled to your readers, astier.

mel boring

MS wants to know: What is the best route to a continual job in freelancing -just an ability to be able to "shoot the blarney" on corporate subjects (like local newspapers), or actually a place to have some of the work we do with the Institute of Children's Literature publishable?

mel boring

Just "shooting the blarney" would probably not result in a professionally produced manuscript, MS....

mel boring

So it would be far superior to place your work in magazines, or with book publishers....

mel boring

What I'd recommend is that after you have put a story or article down on paper,...

mel boring

look through ICL's CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE MARKET and match the story/article with publishers there....

mel boring

Those are the places actively looking to publish your writing,...

mel boring

and they will give you guidelines in the CMM to follow in writing your story or article, rather than just...

mel boring

"shooting the blarney." I have to say I have always LOVED that expression,...

mel boring

but it doesn't work for the careful writing that a saleable story or article entails.

astier

So the formatting doesnt change? Ive seen it in italics ect.

mel boring

Oh, I'm GLAD you followed the question up, astier!...

mel boring

No, flashbacks should NOT be italicized or bolded....

mel boring

Most editors dislike ANY italics or bolding or underlining formatting....

mel boring

You have have OCCASIONALLY seen flashbacks done in italics in older books,...

mel boring

but they are not done that way today.

gira

I'm having a hard time matching story w/pub, should I toss

gira

it out and start over?

mel boring

GOOD question, gira!...

mel boring

Sometimes it seems like I write a good story,...

mel boring

but NO MAGAZINE seems to say anything in their guidelines indicating they might want it....

mel boring

In that case, I MIGHT start over if I thought the story might just be a weak one....

mel boring

BUT, if I strongly believed it was a strong story, I would...

mel boring

try it at the magazine(s) or book(s) publisher that came the CLOSEST to matching it,...

mel boring

even if the match was not REALLY VERY CLOSE.

mel boring

TB asks about pen names: Are there legalities involved in acquiring a pen name, and how do editors look upon a writer's wish to be printed under a pen name?

mel boring

There are some legalities in using a pen name, TB....

mel boring

First, when you use a pen name, put your REAL name in the...

mel boring

upper left corner of the first (and other) page(s)....

mel boring

But on the FIRST page, under the title line, in the "by line,"...

mel boring

put your pen name. THAT is the name that will be published with the story, then....

mel boring

Secondly, you need to go to the bank and fill out whatever form they have for receiving checks made out to your pen name,...

mel boring

because the publisher's checks may use that pen name....

mel boring

It is easy to to at the bank--and then you'll be able to cash those checks!...

mel boring

As far as publishers or editors are concerned, it's no problem for them. They've seen it done many times, and know how to deal with it....

mel boring

Can you let us know sometime what your pen name is, TB? (-:}

mel boring

From Canoe: What costs, if any, are the obligation of the author when it comes to having a book/novel published?

mel boring

There should be NO costs to YOU, Canoe....]

mel boring

except in the case of a NONficition book, where...

mel boring

you may need to pay for photographs used in the book....

mel boring

There are places to get those at pretty nominal costs, so they shouldn't spend all your advance for the book....

mel boring

But any publisher who approaches you with costs you must pay,...

mel boring

is probably a subsidy publisher. That is essentially a PRINTER you pay to print your book....

mel boring

But a regular publisher will pay all the costs, except in the case of photos for nonfiction....

mel boring

And not long ago, I received for the first time in 34 years of writing,...

mel boring

a money budget for purchasing photographs!

gira

Thank you, Mel, that was what I wanted to hear.

mel boring

You're WARMLY WELCOME, gira!

writerx

what if you were ttrying to 'show' a note- would you italize

mel boring

No, you don't even want to italicize for notes, writerx....

mel boring

What you do with notes is to INDENT each side of the note from the left and right margins....

mel boring

That sets it off so the reader knows automatically that it's a note....

mel boring

I usually indent a note FIVE spaces in from the right margin AND FIVE spaces in from the left margin.

mel boring

Bonnie says: I was a little surprised about the answer to the question on the necessity of a bibliography for an article/book on personal experiences. How does one, or why should one, have a bibliography about something unique to oneself, especially if the experience was not the result of

mel boring

This is a follow-up from a previous question, in which,...

mel boring

I answered that even a personal experience article or book needed a bibliography....

mel boring

That bibliography in the case of a magazine article would be submitted to the EDITOR, but not printed with the article, usually....

mel boring

The reason for a bibliography, of even one book, is that an editor usually wants what could be called...

mel boring

a "reality check." That needs to be a book or magazine article that will give SOME kind of corroboration for the personal experience you're writing about, Bonnie....

mel boring

For example, if I write an article about how I stepped into a flying saucer on my front lawn at midnight last night,...

mel boring

an editor will want SOME kind of "reality check" on that. That "reality check" might be a book in which evidence was put forth of landings of UFOs....

mel boring

I have picked an exaggerated example, but editors are "fact-chasers" and will want some kind of corroboration for what we write in nonfiction.

mel boring

What you write does NOT have to be the result of reading anything,...

mel boring

but it must have some kind of corroboration from at least the personal experience of one other person who's written about it in a book or magazine article.

writerx

Thanks, Mel.....I feel I have so much to learn!

mel boring

We ALL have so much to learn, writerx!...

mel boring

I sometimes am flabbergasted by what I need to learn all the time yet,...

mel boring

even after writing for 34 years....

mel boring

Here's proof of that:...

mel boring

Recently, an editor suggested revision ideas for a novel I've been writing for 27 years....

mel boring

When I read her 2-page letter, it made such GOOD sense that I said to my writers' group:...

mel boring

"I don't know if, in 34 years, I have learned ANYthing about plotting!...

mel boring

So we're ALL learners FOREVER, or we're dead, writerx!

mel boring

AM wants to know: I have written a story that is a kind hearted parody of a very well-known children's classic. It has been turned down by two venues with no comments. I am curious about whether I need to approach the publisher of the original story for permission before sending it out again. There is an allusion to the original story in the first paragraph when my main character finishes reading it. Is that legal? risky? frowned on?

mel boring

The best clue as to what to do here, AM, is...

mel boring

that you alluded to the original story in the first paragraph....

mel boring

That ALONE would send up a "pink flag," if not a "red flag," for an editor....

mel boring

If you are parodying a classic, you don't even need to mention the classic....

mel boring

And when an editor sees the reference to the classic, that gives her/him reservations....

mel boring

Just let your parody stand on its OWN, without reference to the original classic.

mel boring

I want to tell you before we're done that I am now preparing to...

mel boring

put the Open Forums into an archive,...

mel boring

so you could go there and read them after they happen....

mel boring

I haven't been able to get it done yet, but this week is my week to start on the project....

mel boring

There are MANY people who ask for the Open Forum transcripts every week, so I want to do it for you....

mel boring

I don't know yet where they'll be placed, but I'll tell you in the Writer's News.

dianna

hurray!!

writerx

Great....they would be a great reference tool

writerx

we talk about so much...its not easy to remember it all

mel boring

THANK YOU for all that encouragement, dianna and writerx!...

mel boring

I may not get it completely done this week, but I'll get it on the way, anyway....

mel boring

THANKS for being here today, and for your support! See you next Tuesday in Open Forum!

paige

Good idea, Mel. Thank you.

mel boring

You're WARMLY WELCOME, paige!

mel boring

Goodbye for now!