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ERMA BOMBECK WRITERS' WORKSHOP NEWSLETTER
University of Dayton
September 2005
mailto:erma@udayton.edu
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Dear writer:
Ever wonder about the process authors use to get their books published? I know I did. When I first began pitching the concept for In The Beginning...There Were No Diapers, it would have been helpful to know how other authors handled different aspects of the publishing process. So I recently compiled detailed information about my experiences, including my query letter, book proposal, publishing contract, sales figures and more. You can read it all in "Anatomy of a first book." If you have questions about my process, feel free to ask and I'll share the answers in the future.
Registration for the 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will open later this month. In the meantime, you can view the workshop schedule and faculty.
Keep writing!
Tim Bete
Latest news...
HUMOR WRITER WINS BEST WEB SITE AWARD
Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop director, Tim Bete, has won the grand prize in the 2005 Writer's Digest Best Writer's Web Site contest. Read more.
RAW NERVES: AN INTERVIEW WITH SARALEE PEREL
Psychoanalyst, novelist, and columnist Saralee Perel received the 2005 award for humor writing in newspapers with a circulation of less than 100,000. Her book, Raw Nerves, was the first POD (publish on demand) to ever make it to Book Sense. Read more.
NEED HELP? JUST ASK
Why is it that we don’t get what we want from other people? Is it fate? Are we undeserving? Is there something wrong with us? Lynn Colwell says the answer to all three questions is “no.” Read more.
HUMOR: THE COACH IS CLEAR
Having trouble getting that manuscript to where you want it? LouAnn Edwards knows how to help. Read more.
SATIRE HARD TO WRITE
Dave Barry once said that the biggest fault humor writers make is that they're not funny. Read more.
GET A COKE AND A NOVEL
In the past, vending machines have ended cravings for everything from candy to caffeine. Now, thanks to a chain of bookstores in Paris, vending machines can provide book lovers with reading material twenty-four hours a day. Read more.
THE ODDS OF GETTING A BOOK REVIEWED
Adam Langer says it can be easier to get into Harvard than to get a book reviewed. And he got it straight from the horse’s mouth. Read more.
HUMOR ON THE RUN
Edward Flaim explains how humor can “keep the handgun in its metaphorical holster.” Read more.
HAPPY TO BE REJECTED
Carol Skolnick explains why she was happy to get a “sorry” from the New Yorker. Read more.
GETTING BOOK BLURBS
Marcia Yudkin gives seven suggestions on how to get a blurb for your book. Read more.
WANT TO SELL A SCREENPLAY?
If you are considering writing a spec screenplay, many factors need to be considered. How should it be sold? To whom should it be sold? Is an agent necessary? Here are the answers. Read more.
THE 5 WORST MISTAKES A WRITER CAN MAKE
Most articles about the craft of writing warn new authors about the pitfalls one may face during the writing process. Lon Prater’s shows the mistakes made before the writing process even begins. Read more.
Humor writer of the month
PETER MCKAY
Peter McKay is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and his column is syndicated by Creators Syndicate. Growing up in Los Angeles, Peter McKay started out not to be a writer, but to work in television. His first parts were in commercials, where he gained nationwide attention as the little boy who cried “You sank my battleship!” while clasping his hands to his head. Peter's face appeared on hundreds of thousands of Battleship Game boxes, and he still, to his great frustration, runs into people who ask him to recite the famous line. Visit his Web site.
Emmis Books giveaway
Each month we give away a book on writing to a few subscribers to our newsletter. If you're subscribed, you're entered to win! This issue's winners are:
* Barbara Memoli
* Jennifer Phillips
Thanks to Emmis Books for providing the books for our giveaway!
Who's publishing what?
PAST WORKSHOP FACULTY
ALL STRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO: Lori Borgman's latest book says, "Stress is like middle-age spread and crabgrass; you can tame it for awhile but eventually it sneaks right back up on you."
UMP PUBLISHES TWO NEW TITLES: Shirley Jump has published The Angel Craved Lobster (the third in her romantic comedies with recipes series) and The Marine’s Kiss (the last in her Silhouette Romance Mercy, Indiana series).
PAST WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
OTHER PUBLISHING NEWS
WRITING SECRETS REVEALED: Humorist and university professor Melvin Helitzer reveals secrets about humor writing. He discusses everything from the creative process to getting published.
Markets, contests and more
LOOKING FOR HUMOR WRITERS: Publisher of state-specific humor books needs writers. Read more.
HUMOR WRITING BOOT CAMP: A class for journalists teaching how to write, edit, and sell humorous work. Read more.
LONG STORY SHORT SCHOOL OF WRITING: Online classes including “Humor Writing for Beginners” and “Before and After Promotion & Marketing of Book's Release.” Read more.
FINGERTIP PRESS: Developing a series of trade-paperback originals called Tipping Points Digest for release in fall 2006 and is looking for original or previously published material on a wide range of self-help and how-to topics. Read more.
QUERY LETTERS I LOVE: A blog dedicated to bizarre query letters. Read more.
BOOK PUBLICITY NEWS: Focuses on topics such as the latest buzz in the world of book publicity, how a book publicist can help an author a writer’s reputation and frequently asked questions about the art of book. Read more.
LITERARY AGENT BLOG: A one-time editor turned agent shares the secrets of publishing. Read more.
AGENT QUERY: The largest, most current, searchable database of literary agents on the Web. Read more.
POD-dy MOUTH: Wading through the sea of POD titles, one paperback at a time -- and giving you the buried treasure. Read more.
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK: VABook! is looking for submissions by adults and young people. Accepted works become part of the festival’s many readings and panel discussions. Read more.
FREELANCE WRITER WEBSITE: A list of the best online job boards for writers, plus many useful hints to help you track down suitable employment. Read more.
BOOK PROMOTIONAL NEWSLETER: A bi-weekly e-zine on the marketing of books of all genres. Read more.
VIDLIT: Short, animated video excerpts from several books including John Warner’s Fondling Your Muse. Read more.
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NETWORK WITH OTHER HUMOR WRITERS: Network with other humor writers. Join the e-mail discussion group for past attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers'
Workshop and those who would like to attend in the future.
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SUGGEST A RESOURCE: If you have a favorite book or Web site, let us know at bete@udayton.edu.
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Copyright 2005, University of Dayton
