| janfields |
February 29, Open Forum
Chat begins in five minutes. Pontificating with Jan Fields in five
minutes.
|
| janfields |
February 29 -- leap
into Leap Day chat with our Friday Open Forum in two
minutes.
|
| janfields |
Welcome to Night Open
Forum for this special extra day in February. I hope y'all have
questions...otherwise, I must pontificate until you all fall
asleep.
|
| janfields |
Now, let me see if I
can get my clone back in the room with y'all.
|
| janfields |
Thank you for being
patient
|
| janfields |
Now, since someone has
a question...I shall unleash the pontificating.
|
| use2bzoie |
I have an article that
was published in weeonesmag.com and they said I am free to send it
else where for publication. When I send it to another magazine, what
is the best way to say that it has been published before? Is one way
better than another?
|
| janfields |
First, you'll need to
be certain the market you're targetting doesn't say
|
| janfields |
No
reprints
|
| janfields |
in their guidelines,
because if they do, they won't take it.
|
| janfields |
Then, you can simply
add a line in the bottom paragraph of the cover letter that
says
|
| janfields |
I am offering "Name of
Piece" as a reprint as it was previously published in Wee Ones, ___
issue (and tell issue date)
|
| janfields |
A magazine would be
more open to a piece that ran a while back
|
| janfields |
than one that ran
recently, but that can vary.
|
| janfields |
The fact that wee ones
archives, so technically the piece is still available online for
free is going to be an issue for some magazines
|
| janfields |
but not for all...it
would be an issue for Highlights or the Carus group
though.
|
| janfields |
But probably less of an
issue for some place like Hopscotch or Pockets.
|
| janfields |
And not an issue at all
for a really tiny magazine or ezine.
|
| janfields |
I just heard ...well,
my other room clone just heard from the lovely
ccollier
|
| janfields |
that wee ones only
archives a year now, so if they ran it more than a year ago, it
would be a little easier to sell
|
| janfields |
since the magazine
wouldn't be paying money for something that is available for free
online.
|
| janfields |
That question actually
relates to something else I was asked recently that might help
folks.
|
| janfields |
So, I'm going to
pontificate on a related note.
|
| jan_fields |
email question: How much
do I need to change an article in order to sell it again after it's
been published?
|
| janfields |
In email, someone asked
me whether an article sold to Highlights (who buys all rights) meant
you could never sell about that subject elsewhere.
|
| janfields |
Now, the short answer
is no
|
| janfields |
But also ... sort
of.
|
| janfields |
A subject is usually a
large area...for example, Highlights just took something from me on
the Robert Peary expedition to the North Pole...that's the
subject.
|
| janfields |
My focus for the
article was the extreme conditions and what it did to the
men.
|
| janfields |
And how physcially
challenging it was.
|
| janfields |
I could not write about
that slant for anyone else.
|
| janfields |
I couldn't use the same
collection of quotes.
|
| janfields |
But, suppose I wanted
to write an article on the murder mystery tied up in that last
expedition, the one that reached the North Pole.
|
| janfields |
I could write something
on that topic, and one of the quotes from the Highlights article
might fit it...but it would be looking at the man's quote in a
totally different light.
|
| janfields |
It would be a different
article -- but the same subject.
|
| janfields |
Or I could write about
the crazy ideas people sent Peary for ways to make the expedition
easier -- like setting up a soup pipeline to pipe hot soup to the
expedition.
|
| janfields |
And how ideas like that
revealled how little people knew about the arctic.
|
| janfields |
Or I could write about
Peary himself...his obsession and how it ultimately nearly killed
him.
|
| janfields |
There would be some
overlap, but the articles would be very different.
|
| janfields |
Now, if I had sold the
article to someone less rights grabby than Highlights and Carus, I
would have more leeway for overlap
|
| janfields |
But even then, most
magazines like to feel like they are getting something
unique.
|
| janfields |
Especially if they're
going to run the articles at about the same time.
|
| janfields |
That's why it's always
worthwhile to over research because it will give you more
options
|
| janfields |
More slants without a
huge overlap
|
| jan_fields |
mirmarswishes: Jan you
said you shouldn't pay to enter a contest, but more of the ones I've
seen ask for some kind of fee. I'm confused.
|
| janfields |
Okay...it's like this,
contests have one of two reasons to charge a free.
|
| janfields |
1. They need the fee to
cover the cost of the contest.
|
| janfields |
This happens sometimes
when a small nonprofit group or writing group sponsors a contest
with a good sized prize
|
| janfields |
and with professional
judges.
|
| janfields |
Many ARTS COUNCIL
contests charge for this reason.
|
| janfields |
They're giving cash
prizes and they need to make that money from fees
|
| janfields |
And sometimes they have
really good judges -- agents, book editors -- and they need to pay
them.
|
| janfields |
If your research
reveals that is why they are charging -- then I would say GO FOR
IT>
|
| janfields |
Those contests do tend
to offer some cred on your writing resume.
|
| janfields |
Also, if you actually
get something for the money and the money isn't huge...then I would
go for it.
|
| janfields |
For example, the
Children's Writer contests usually have fees...they partially pay
the judge with them
|
| janfields |
But they're also a way
to introduce folks to the Children's Writer newsletter ...since you
get a short subscription for the money.
|
| janfields |
So you get something
equal to the value of the fee.
|
| janfields |
If the contest gives
every entrant a critique and the fees aren't huge...that would be
worth something.
|
| janfields |
But if the fee is huge
-- run run run run run...I have never seen a worthwhile contest that
charges or more.
|
| janfields |
I've seen contests that
charge that much, sure.
|
| janfields |
But they are revenue
generating machines.
|
| janfields |
The contest holders are
hoping to MAKE MONEY from the contest.
|
| janfields |
As a result, they are
disinclined to spend money.
|
| janfields |
So you often get poor
judging, and thus...not a big "cred" if you win.
|
| janfields |
And sometimes...these
contests even make the final determination a kind of "popularity
contest" where the finalist are listed online
|
| janfields |
And the winner picked
by visitors to the site.
|
| janfields |
So they aren't even
paying for professional judging -- how could that be worth
|
| janfields |
Now, researching a
contest requires two steps...reading the contest materials and
thinking about it.
|
| janfields |
If they aren't TELLING
you who is judging, they aren't getting big name
judges.
|
| janfields |
When you have big name
judges...you crow about it.
|
| janfields |
And then, ask about the
contest on places like the discussion boards at
|
| janfields |
http://www.verlakay.com
|
| janfields |
and the boards at
http://www.absolutewrite.com
|
| janfields |
They have professional
writers with experience who can help you make wise
choices.
|
| janfields |
Not every contest that
costs is a bad deal.
|
| janfields |
And contests that don't
cost much...well, they might not be particularly good for your
"career" -- meanign now one really cares if you won
one
|
| janfields |
but maybe they're a
morale booster
|
| janfields |
or they give you a
deadline to write for.
|
| janfields |
Or you use it as
writing exercise.
|
| janfields |
In that case, if it
sounds like fun...hey, I see no reason not to go for
it.
|
| janfields |
Just don't give anyone
a LOT of money for a contest.
|
| coloradokate |
If I read something cool
in an adult book or mag, how may I (ethically) adapt the idea for
children? I'd do my own research of course, but the cool set of
facts would still be the same.
|
| janfields |
Actually I see cool
ideas in adult magazines often and think -- wow, kids would like
that.
|
| janfields |
I read about a
biologist...or biotech guy of some sort who created a mouse that
glowed under a black light.
|
| janfields |
I thought...wow, kids
would love knowing about that.
|
| janfields |
Now, the guy who wrote
the article interviewed the man...and so told his name and his
research company.
|
| janfields |
I can contact the man
just like the researched did...and do my own
interview.
|
| janfields |
And I can slant the
interview toward the things kids want to know.
|
| janfields |
Kids don't want to know
all the complex steps (though the guy would love to tell me about
it)
|
| janfields |
but they would like to
know a very simple explanation of how you make a mouse
glow.
|
| janfields |
I had something to do
with genes from...scorpions, I think...they're biofloescent...wow, I
surely cannot spell that word.
|
| janfields |
At any rate...I can
track down the source of the other author's work...and being my
research there.
|
| janfields |
I might end up at
totally other places...I'm using h
|
| janfields |
"his
guy"
|
| janfields |
but I'm not using the
other writer's quotes or work
|
| janfields |
I also read a lot about
green technology because I know that's a hot topic with some
educational magazines
|
| janfields |
and a lot of consumer
magazines
|
| janfields |
So when I find
something really cool, I consider whether I want to backtrack that
magazine's sources and begin my trail where they began
theirs.
|
| janfields |
It's usually pretty
easy to do because adult magazines often have the room to put their
sources right in the articles.
|
| janfields |
And that's no unethical
at all...I'm not reproducing the other writer's
work
|
| janfields |
their
writing
|
| janfields |
I'm just starting at
their starting poit.
|
| janfields |
I would put the adult
article in my bibliography for a couple reasons
|
| janfields |
1. they are where I got
my inspiration, even if I don't quote them at all
|
| janfields |
and
|
| janfields |
2. It impresses kid
editors.
|
| janfields |
Kid editors love if
you're using adult reputable magazines as sources
|
| janfields |
It suggests you're a
real research digger.
|
| janfields |
Adult science magazines
are wonderful places to get inspired.
|
| janfields |
I used to also check
out different research press release places...I can't think of the
names now.
|
| janfields |
Online spots where
researches could dump press releases
|
| janfields |
Press releases are
great..you can quote from them if you want...
|
| janfields |
and they always always
point you at ways to connect with the source.
|
| janfields |
You can also check
University websites, because they'll warehouse research press
releases too.
|
| janfields |
And you can read tons
of new...cutting edge research.
|
| janfields |
That's what the adult
magazine writers are often doing...we can too.
|
| zebrakitchen |
Jan, can you tell us a
few BIG name judges?
|
| janfields |
A big name judge would
just be someone you really want your work in front of like an
acquirig editor at a book publisher or an agent.
|
| janfields |
If a contest is getting
agents and editors to judge -- they tell you.
|
| janfields |
A lot of contests are
judged by the writers the contest runner can coerce into doing
it.
|
| janfields |
They can do a great
job, but they aren't "Wow, Scholastic is going to read my story"
kind of judges.
|
| zebrakitchen |
Would it be possible to
supply us a list of contests?
|
| janfields |
I honestly don't keep
up with contests...I so rarely enter any except Highlights and
Pockets.
|
| janfields |
You can sneak into your
local public library
|
| janfields |
go to the research
desk
|
| janfields |
Ask for the desk copy
of Children's Writers and Illustrators Market
|
| janfields |
and photo copy the
contest pages.
|
| janfields |
They generally have a
good list of the most reputable best known
contests.
|
| janfields |
And be sure to check
your area...many arts councils do writing contests.
|
| janfields |
The one near me gets NY
agents and editors as judges.
|
| janfields |
They only allow local
writers usually, but they can be great contests.
|
| c
mackay |
more on fees. should a
newbie like me pay a large fee to join a writers
association?
|
| janfields |
It depends on the
organization. Some offer a huge amount to new
writers.
|
| janfields |
SCBWI...the society of
children's book writers and illustrators
|
| janfields |
is a great one for new
writers. They offer a lot
|
| janfields |
Some offer very little
for new writers and may be a better choice for later...or they are
genre related like some of the science fiction or romance
groups
|
| janfields |
And some only let you
join if you're published
|
| janfields |
and sometimes only if
you're book published.
|
| janfields |
As a children's writer
-- I think SCBWI is a good deal for a newer writer...the stuff they
send you on first joining is great and they can put you in touch
with critique group sin your area
|
| dries |
What "rights" are
available for writers to offer when submitting a
manuscript?
|
| janfields |
Are the copyright owner
(the writer) you have the SOLE write to share your writing with the
world in any form.
|
| janfields |
And you have the SOLE
right to create a new work based on a pre-existing work by
you.
|
| janfields |
For a publisher to
publish your work, they must "rent" or "buy" some or all of those
rights from you.
|
| janfields |
If they buy them all,
that's called "all rights" or "exclusive rights" or "world wide
rights" or hmmmm....just "work for hire"
|
| janfields |
If they buy all rights
from you...it's not yours anymore.
|
| janfields |
And they can use it as
they like.
|
| janfields |
All other rights
packages...first rights...reprint rights...electronic rights...are
in some way a smaller cut of all the right under copyright that you
own.
|
| janfields |
There are a million
zillion name by which rights can be called.
|
| janfields |
But they all amount to
a publisher wanting to use material you own...and buing the right to
do so.
|
| janfields |
Rights are a wonderful
thing.
|
| janfields |
And you own
them.
|
| janfields |
Publishers need
them...because the law says they can't use your material unless you
give them the right.
|
| janfields |
Or more
hopefully...sell them or rent them the right.
|
| janfields |
It can be a complicated
area but mostly it's just a publisher paying you so they can put
your work before the readers.
|
| janfields |
You want to get as much
money for as many readers as possible.
|
| dries |
Exclusive rights, first
rights, etc...what do publishers want, and
why--please
|
| janfields |
Publishers want it
all...just in case they might someday want to use
it.
|
| janfields |
But mostly they know it
doesn't work that way.
|
| janfields |
So they decide what
THAT SPECIFIC PUBLISHER needs...and they ask for
it.
|
| janfields |
An ebook publisher
might just ask for electronic rights.
|
| janfields |
A tiny magazine might
just ask for one-use
|
| janfields |
The ICL website asks
for one-year online, exclusive
|
| janfields |
A magazine like
Highlights which is constantly approached by companies wanting to
buy articles and stories, wants to be able to sell them...so they
want to buy all rights from you.
|
| janfields |
Traditionally,
Highlights gives writers a kick back when they sell the material to
someone else...but they don't HAVE to because...well...they bought
all rights.
|
| dries |
if electronic rights are
accepted, can the author resell the manuscript--who owns the
copyright?
|
| janfields |
Okay, if an ebook
publisher said, "I would like to publish your
story"
|
| janfields |
We buy electronic
rights for one year.
|
| janfields |
Then, for one year, you
could not sell the piece to anyone else who wants to publish it
electonically.
|
| janfields |
So for one year you
couldn't sell to another ebook publisher.
|
| janfields |
You couldn't put it on
your website (unless you got permission from the ebook
publisher)
|
| janfields |
You couldn't do a
podcast of it...because...it's electronic.
|
| janfields |
You would sell the
story to a print magazine...but they couldn't put it on their
website...just in their print version.
|
| janfields |
After the year of the
first contract was up, you could sell to whomever you found who
wanted to buy it.
|
| janfields |
All rights would be
back to you.
|
| janfields |
Many contracts have
such time limits...when possible, you want that.
|
| dries |
for electronic rights,
could the author resell her manuscript?
|
| janfields |
Yes, but not to anyone
wanting to use it online, or in ebook, or who wanted to make it into
CDs.
|
| janfields |
Not until the length of
the contract time was up.
|
| dries |
pls tell me more about
one-year online, exclusive...will the copyright return to the author
after one year?
|
| janfields |
Right...in fact, the
copyright never changed person.
|
| janfields |
You just "rented" them
the right to use the piece -- the exclusive right to use
it
|
| janfields |
for a
year.
|
| janfields |
But it never stopped
being "YOURS' under copyright...it was just "rented
out."
|
| janfields |
It's like if you rented
someone your car for a week..it's still yours but you can't use it
for the week they have it.
|
| dries |
THANK
YOU!
|
| janfields |
You are most
welcome.
|
| zebrakitchen |
Jan, are you familiar
with www.newfiction.com?
|
| janfields |
No, I learn about the
most interesting places from you guys.
|
| janfields |
But I don't know a
scrap about them.
|
| janfields |
Oh, I really shouldn't
be tooting KMW's horn here, but I wanted to say
|
| janfields |
tomorrow the new
Kidmagwriters.com issue goes online
|
| janfields |
and I'm running a list
of dead/not buying magazines
|
| janfields |
and there are kind of
some surprises so you might want to check it out.
|
| janfields |
It's in the Editor
Speak section.
|
| janfields |
If you see it and you
know of a dead magazine I didn't list...do drop me a
line.
|
| janfields |
Well, that puts me to
show time...so I'm going to pack it up for the
night.
|
| janfields |
Don't forget ...next
thursday Nancy I Sanders...super lady, should be a super
chat
|
