First, some IWSG announcements:
Two new team members joined us last month - Heather Gardner and C. Lee McKenzie! We want to welcome Heather and C. Lee and let them know their contributions to the IWSG will be appreciated.
We also set up a IWSG Merchandise page. Now you can show off that you are an insecure writer.
This month we welcome new members to the IWSG blogging:
Blue Fox Cafe, Kathy S Collier/Author, My Brain Injourney, The Write Project, Write Accountable, Going Solo with spelling errors, 60 Second Saga, Putting the Clothes On, Taking the Gloves Off, Northern Lights Gothic - KT Wagner, Danger, Love, and Mystery, Ray Pace at LargeLiterature for Kids, Fiction Playground, DB McNicol, Author, and Larry D. Mihm.
Today’s optional question:
How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
It changed some in that I noted grammar rules wrong more often.
But it really changed when I added reading submission manuscripts, because then I’m looking at a story with a very critical eye. Passive writing really leaps out at me. And don’t get me started on typos in query letters.
Otherwise, I am full steam ahead with three upcoming releases and another one pending. (I think my official title should be “Juggler.”) I’m always on the lookout for a great story though, so check out the submission guidelines for Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and her imprint, Freedom Fox Press.
The Remnant comes out next Tuesday. Thanks to MC Book Tours for spreading the word.
That book comes out May 2.
56 comments:
Great post Diane,
Welcome Heather and Lee
To the ISWG.
I know you'll do well,
That I can tell.
Thanks in adavance from me.
I went to the merchadise page alas can't get the pen
as I am outside the YS.......Shame,
Happy February Diane.
Yvonne.
I can imagine with your publishing companies that you've become a way more critical reader. I do spot writing errors but can still read for pleasure.
Wow - you are juggling a lot! There's tons going on with the IWSG. It keeps getting better and better each month :-) Cheers - Ellen
Hi Diane, heading a publishing company entitles getting a very critical eye. You can sniff out a bad manuscript just by reading a few pages. Its a blessing when it comes to reading submissions but a irritant when you read for pleasure.
The real question is, do you read ANYTHING outside of submissions these days?
I'm sorry, Yvonne.
Crystal, not much.
I notice when I'm reading that I mental edit out "thats" and sometimes rearrange words sentences to make them read easier. Which makes me wonder how edits missed them. But then I remember, editing can go on for.e.ver!
I don't know how you do all you, Diane! You are awesome.
I notice a lot more now too. I hopeit translate in seeing crap in my own stuff! :)
Aw, I hope you get to read for fun soon.
Hi Diane - you must learn as you go, especially after the years' of experience you've had in this business. I guess a lot of submissions can just be put to one side, or returned as sadly not passing muster. But that flower appears at just the right time to cheer you on ... it's great how much help you're giving everyone - cheers Hilary
I bet when reading just for fun you're able to tell right away whether a book is worth your time. Congrats on all the good stuff you're juggling!
You're a very busy lady. I admire any one who can turn off their internal editor and enjoy a book.
So much goodness. :)
I'll make sure I have no typos...
It's marvelous everything new happening with the IWSG! :)
You are a juggler. I know you'll keep all the balls in the air.
You definitely are a juggler! I don't know how you do it. Have a lovely week!
Thanks, Lee and Heather, for helping out IWSG. You rock.
Hi, Diane.
You're a hard worker Diane. A critical eye is important in publishing. IWSG swag sounds awesome. I hope to buy some one day.
I love Heather & C.Lee! They're both amazing. I'm sure it's great to have them on board. And I will opt to calling you Madam Juggler from now on. :)
Ha, yep! Passive voice sticks out to me too. It's odd when I'm trying to sing songs at church. The stone was rolled away...by zombies.
I can imagine that reading manuscripts would leave you pretty jaded when reading books in general. Hope you can turn some of it off when you read for pleasure. Glad to hear your press is keeping you busy.
I don't know how you do everything, and so well. Three more books I've added to my TBR list. Cats always attract my attention.
It makes sense that you would gain an even more critical eye from reading submissions. That would totally change your way of looking at things :)
Do you ever tire of reading so many submissions? Like you said at my blog, I bet it would be nice to sit and read a book for just pleasure. Maybe in a bubble bath or something. ;)
Passive writing can be quite useful, when used appropriately. But not something I recommend trying to use unless absolutely necessary. Like most rules in writing, it's not so much a hard fast rule, as it is something to not do too often. My biggest pet peeve is 'Wall of Text'. It's a gaming term, but one that applies to writing, when a writer has a series of paragraphs over 100 words long. The worst I've seen is a 9 page chapter 1 with 6 paragraphs. ugh.
Congrats on the releases! Also, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but Spunk on a Stick is an AWESOME name.
I too have become more critical of others writing (and mine). Good luck on your upcoming releases.
Grammar errors jump out at me all the time now. I've quit reading some books too, whereas years ago I'd have probably plodded along. I watch films more closely for plot elements, etc., too. Have a great rest of the week!
Bish, yes it can.
Nicki, which means I don't read many bad books.
Sheena-kay, hopefully we can ship to you without it costing an arm and a leg one day.
Loni - LOL!
Beverly, it's a wonderful story.
Elsie, I tire of reading bad ones.
Chris, those are waaaaaaay too long.
CD, thank you. My husband came up with that one.
I've definitely become a more critical reader as well!
Reading, writing, and editing are three very different hats. I'm always amazed when people like you accomplish all three successfully.
Like you I've read a couple of times for contests. It changes how you read, that's for sure. But I try not to read like that except when needed. It becomes more work than pleasure.
It can really dampen our reading when we can't avoid seeing every type, grammar or punctuation mistake rather than enjoying a story but I think that's impossible for those of us with a relentless inner editor. I can't imagine people sending query letters with mistakes...kill me now!
So much excitement in your post! I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you for the mention. I'm honored to be included in this group.
TY
Heather
Oh my, I didn't realize that you owned Dancing Lemur Press until I read your bio! That is quite an accomplishment! I have a number of books (like Alex's) published at DLP, and I can't wait to read the IWSG anthology.
I'd be afraid reading submission manuscripts would really burn me out on reading. Well, maybe not, because I am a reading addict! I've noticed that you and several others have published a welcome to new IWSG members. That is really a nice thing to do.
Good luck with your very busy agenda!
So much great stuff going on with IWSG and your press imprints. Awesome to hear so much good news.
You are definitely a skilled juggler!
I'm so paranoid about typos in my cover letters when submitting short stories. I check multiple times before I send them. That, and the submission guidelines. I think when I got into critique groups and contest judging I got much more critical in how I viewed things.
You sound busy, to say the least! I guess you become even more attuned to technical issues when reading submissions. Good luck with the launches.
The IWSG swag looks great and congrats to Heather and C. Lee for joining the team. Dancing Lemur Press has published some great books and I'm delighted to help spread the word through MC Book Tours.
All things to keep in mind when submitting. Thank goodness for critters. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
If I start really getting into a story then I might be more likely to overlook the manuscript errors. If I start noticing errors then it either means that there must be a lot of them or I'm really bored with the story. Either way that's bad news.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You are one busy woman, Diane. Yup, typos in a query would turn off anybody.
Ahhhh, yes. Passive construction. Between the 6 o'clock news reports and the publishing industry, it is making me nervous. Do you I think we will all be talking like that soon?
I'm reading a blockbuster now and have been *so* critical. If I were this critical with my *own* books, perhaps *I'd* have a blockbuster, ha!
Ooh--passive writing. My nemesis. I can find it in others more easily than in my own....So many exciting events in your life. Enjoy!
I bet publishing for others has affected you. Looking forward to the new releases.
Happy IWSG Belated Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
That makes sense that reading like a publisher acquiring manuscripts would change how you read other books too. I know working as an editor changed how I read almost as much as being a writer.
I love the shout outs for the newbies and the new merchandise! I am really looking forward to the new anthology too!
Loving the anthology cover!! Have a great week, Diane.
Congrats on all the new releases. Here's to another great year of publishing!
Didn't those pens turn out nice?
You have a great one.
I agree about you being the Juggler. Good for you keeping everything in motion. Kudos on the swag!
Those pens are great! I have the t-shirt. :)
Congrats to all authors from Dancing Lemur!
Always busy and highly productive too!
I tip my hat to you, Diane.
I'm sure your company will grow from strength to strength!
I'd love to purchase some swag...
A zillion years ago, I was a reader for a NY agent. It was amazing how badly written some of the mss were. I was told to expect that a lot of them went on to find a contract somewhere else. IOWS, they kept improving. That gave me hope. Congratulations to William. The cover is very appealing. Great job.
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