FEBRUARY MEETING RECAP

Cindy Daniel gave the group a new slant on the basics of agents and publishers.  When you have your manuscript cleaned up and ready to submit, remember that it's easier for a first-time author to find a publisher than an agent. Most agents are looking for someone with a proven track record.

When sending queries, unless the guidelines state otherwise, send a short synopsis and the first five pages with the query letter. Also, send out a lot of queries. If you aren't receiving a rejection a day, then you aren't sending out enough letters. At this point, the simultaneous submission rule isn't an issue. It will be an issue though if someone asks for the full manuscript.

Networking is good way to garner contacts and gain information in the business. There's nothing wrong with pitching your work to an agent or publisher at a conference, but since it's hard to carry a lot of paper around, they will probably ask you to mail your material later. When you do mail it, remember to mention that you met them at the conference. Membership in chat groups, message boards, on-line groups, and live groups are a good way to promote your books and learn the craft. Not only can you find out who someone else's agent or publisher is but some people join these groups to find reading material in certain genres.  These groups also make good sounding boards and some offer critique groups.

I was supposed to hand this out at the last meeting, but I left it on my desk at work. I have had no experience with this company or the people involved so I'm not endorsing them, just passing on the information.

Please contact Bill Meador (432.570.7649 or thestoryteller@sbcglobal.net) or Marty Morris (432.620.0282 or arlo41@cox.net) to schedule a discussion of your particular needs.

A Brief FAQ on AHP

Q: If I decide to have APH do my book, why can’t you give me any more specifics right now about how much money it could cost me?
A: Depending upon your manuscript’s size and length, your initial investment could be between $ 100 - $ 200. Until we receive your manuscript, and are able to review it, we can’t give you an accurate estimate of what your investment amounts might be.

Q: You don’t seem to have a previous publishing track record. Why should I trust you with my writing products or manuscripts?
A: We’re not satisfied with how authors and writers are reated by the publishing world after we finish our manuscripts. We’re trying to do something about it. We have some ideas of how to approach the problem. We want your support to make it better for all us that write.

Q: If I give you my manuscript for APH Readers to read, how do I know that someone won’t steal my story and publish it under their name as an original work?
A: All of the readers we use for APH readings are under contract to us. In particular, they have to sign a Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvent agreement with us that prevents the very situation you asked about.

Q: You’ve used the word “investment” in your comments. It sounds like a cost to me. In other words, I have to give you money. Isn’t that what you really mean?
A: Yes. However, if you think about investing in the stock or bond markets, or in an IRA, 401(K), or in Mutual Funds, you are doing so with the intent of increasing the value of that investment over time. Right? Most people think of such related dollar amounts as an “initial investment” or “regular investment.” We want to know early in our association that you have more than one book in you that needs to be written. If so, then over time, you’re going to reap the benefits of your writing through an increase in the value of your investment.

Q: What makes Authors Publishing House any different than some other publishers I’ve heard about, like vanity presses, or Print On Demand (POD) companies, or self-publishers?
A: When we first accept your manuscript to be read by the APH readers, we want to be sure that you have a “good” book, namely, one that other people are likely to buy. If our readers don’t think your current manuscript will make a good book, we’re going to tell you. We then present you with the option of deciding whether or not to continue this particular writing project, before you invest significant dollar amounts in something that’s not likely to be successful.
With a vanity press, self-publisher or stand-alone printer, you decide how many books you want printed. You order them and pay for them. A few weeks later, several boxes of books show up on your doorstep, and how you sell them (if you do) is entirely up to you. Please remember that with a vanity press, POD or similar arrangement, that your books will be printed, regardless of whether or not anyone else thinks it’s a good book or not.
With Authors’ Publishing House, you decide how many books you want to place in our various points of sale. Once the books arrive at our offices, we send them through our distributors to the points of sale we deal with, based on your wishes. Your books are in front of the buying public within a few days after being printed.

Q: If I decide to have you print my book through what you call your APH Step 3, I receive one book, right? Am I required to have all my other books (same title) printed through APH, or can I have them printed some other place? What are my obligations to APH at that time?
A: Yes, through APH’s Step 3, you will receive one book. You may have any additional books (with the same title and cover) printed through a printer of your choice. Unless you choose to move to Step 4 in the APH process, namely, order a quantity of books through us and have them delivered to our points of sale, your obligations to APH have been completed. As long as you understand and abide by the appropriate provisions of the Author’s Contract, Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvent, and Return/ Escrow agreements you signed earlier with Authors Publishing House, you have no further contractual obligations with us.

Q: You mentioned something about some contracts and agreements I will need to sign in order to have APH handle my book? Can you describe those again?
A: Yes. First, after receiving the Readers’ Committee endorsement of your book or manuscript, you’ll sign a Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvent Agreement. Second, we will have you sign a Return/Escrow Agreement. If some of your books do not sell, this protects the individual point-of-sale location from losing any money on the book. Third, once you decide to have APH publish your book, you will need to sign an Author’s Contract, which gives APH the authority to publish your book.

Q: How soon after my books are printed can I expect to receive any payments for books that have been sold?
A: As a general rule, APH doesn’t expect to receive payment for sold books until 6 – 9 months after the books first appear on the shelves at a particular point of sale. If sales of your book are higher than originally expected, then time estimates might be shortened.

Q: Can I attempt to sell my own books, or I am required to use APH’s distributors and points-of-sale exclusively?
A: You may certainly attempt to sell your own books to whomever you wish. We encourage and welcome such activities, so long as your attempts don’t violate any provisions of your Author’s Contract and/or Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvent Agreement with the Authors’ Publishing House. Please review your individual APH Contract/Agreement documents to resolve this issue.

Q: If I want to terminate my APH arrangement, what do I have to do?
A: Generally a 30-day (Certified) written notice is all that’s required. However, be sure to review your particular Author’s contract.

Q: If I sign the various contracts/agreements with APH for my current book/manuscript, am I committed contractually to have APH publish any future books?
A: No.. Each book/manuscript you write is a separate legal entity.

Q: Earlier, you said that if I want to be a full-time writer, or something other than a “one-trick pony,” that I need to have more than the story I’ve already written. What did you mean by that?
A: As a publishing/marketing firm, ultimately we’re looking for more than just a single story. We want written sagas that continue for a few books, an inspirational series of novels or creative non-fiction books, continuing character developments over time, mystery novel sequences, who-dun-its, sci-fi epics, etc. We challenge you to stretch the limits of your creative juices and see what might develop.

On-Line Writers resources

Author's Network-for writers about writing based in Europe, but interesting- http://www.author-network.com/
Copyright Forms- http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/
Dallas Sceen Writers- http://www.dallasscreenwriters.com/
Denton Public Library - http://www.cityofdenton.com/pages/library.cfm
National Association of Women Writers - http://www.naww.org
National Writers Union - http://www.nwu.org/
New Writer's Market http://hge.members.atlantic.net/
Para Publishing Website - a good writing, publishing, and promotion source - http://parapub.com/getpage.cfm?file=/homepage.html&user=#user
Preditors and Editors-a resources to check out agents and publishers http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/
Ralan's Webstravaganza-speculative fiction resource http://ralan.com/
Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators - http://www.scbwi.org/
Texas Coalition of Authors, Inc. - http://www.texasauthors.org/
Texas Writers League - http://www.writersleague.org/
The Market List-the online resource for genre fiction writers http://www.marketlist.com/
The Novelist's Workshop-essays and advice on how to publish your book- http://www.monash.com/writers.html
Writer's Exchange - http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/
Writer's Market - http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp
Writers Net-source for information for writers, editors, agents, and publishers - http://www.writers.net
Writing-World.Com - http://www.writing-world.com 
The Zuzu's Petals Literary Resource Homepage-for both writers and poets- http://www.zuzu.com/

There are multitudes of writing resources available on the Internet. Go to any search engine and ask for writer's resources, writer's markets, writer's contests, writer's conferences, etc