Noticing Newbies: December 05, 2007 Issue [#2093]
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Noticing Newbies


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  Edited by: esprit Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Welcome to the Noticing Newbies Newsletter! Our goal is to showcase some of our newest Writing.Com Authors and their items. From poetry and stories to creative polls and interactives, we'll bring you a wide variety of items to enjoy. We will also feature "how to" advice and items that will help to jump start the creation process on Writing.com

We hope all members of the site will take the time to read, rate, review and welcome our new authors. By introducing ourselves, reviewing items and reaching out, we will not only make them feel at home within our community, we just might make new friends!


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

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I've been absent from the site for a couple of months, so was unable to write my scheduled editions. I greatly appreciate the Moderators who stepped in to assure those editions went out on time. They did a terrific job with them, didn't they?


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~~Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.~~
unknown




"For Sale By Owner - As Is"



If you watch Home and Garden TV (HGTV) for any length of time, you will eventually see a program that involves getting homes ready to sell. You'll see real estate agents walk through the sellers house and point out what's wrong and what's right. The home owners are advised to change this and remove that and those comments can sting. I’ve noticed how some folks are kinda hurt by the comments, but real estate agents, truthfully, are not thinking about what the owners think.

*Bullet* They are thinking of what buyers look for, and what needs to be done to make this house sell. It's their job - listen to them.

The owners do the work and successfully sell by the end of the show. They admit surprise at how much better the place looks with only a few changes.

If you’ve ever gone through the experience of selling your home, you know the hard work that was needed to make it as perfect as possible. You cleaned out the closets and cabinets that were considered messy clutter to the new eyes of your agent. They know how important first impressions are; so the initial glance from the front door must excite, not dismay.

*Bullet* Selling a house is a business transaction. Your house is just another commodity in a marketplace of hundreds or thousands in your city. For you it is home-sweet- home, but for a buyer it is simply listing # 53.. When there are so many to choose from, the seller knows his must stand out as special to catch the attention of buyers.

Some owners may not want to do any more work or they think it doesn’t need any, and so decide to sell it themselves - By Owner - As Is. I noticed that no one is featured on the program whose hearts were so attached to the old-fashioned porcelain sink that they couldn't bear to replace it.

I was watching such a program the other day and it brought to mind how similar this scenario is to an author trying to sell a book. To love your 'babies' so much you're unwilling to change this or remove that is understandable to me, but I think we have to curb the emotion and treat it as a business transaction at some point. Consider the similarities.

*Bullet* Selling a book is a business transaction. Your manuscript is just one more piece competing in a marketplace with hundreds of others.

Editors and agents see many manuscripts in any given day. Are there errors that you hope the buyer will choose to fix? Why would they do that when there are so many others available that don’t need work? Write with your heart, then prepare to sell by using your head.

Always show your work to the impartial new eyes of a few good reviewers before presenting it to agents or self-publishing. Reviewers have the job of pointing out the scratches on the wall, the dozens of loose, plastic lids in the junk drawer, and the sticking door in the upstairs bathroom. They will see all the clutter and recommend you clean it out. Assuring yourself that your work is as error-free as possible before sending it to an agent will help your confidence too, and what’s wrong with that?

Once an agent receives the manuscript, he probably will also recommend changes. If you really love the story as it is, keep a personal copy for yourself and revise a copy to sell. Don't be afraid to change something to make it fit the market. You might be surprised at how much better it reads with only a few changes.

*Bullet* Literary Agents and editors know what readers want and what keeps a book from being accepted. It's their job - listen to them.

Even if self-publishing, be diligent in presenting the cleanest work possible. Your reputation as a writer is at stake, and you don't want to be remembered as an "As Is" writer.



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Logo for Writing.Com Moderators - small.
noticing newbies committee sig

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Editor's Picks

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Editor’s Picks

 BLACKTHORN Chapter 1 Open in new Window. [18+]
Introduction to the experience and philosophy behind my adventure.
by Rebecca Duquet Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Memento Open in new Window. [E]
Death, and coping with it.
by Zach Attack Author Icon


 Untitled (first chapter) Open in new Window. [13+]
Just the start of a novel im writing, hope i find a way to carry it on!
by Emma F W Author Icon



SUBMITTED ITEMS

Submitted By: Anne Tshudy Author Icon
Submitted Item:
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Submitted By: Kathryne Lynn Author Icon
Submitted Item:
 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor



Remember to read your neighbor’s work too!

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helpful links

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Writing Contests @ Writing.Com Open in new Window. [E]
Writing Contests on Writing.Com are posted here.
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


THE DROP-OFF BOX  Open in new Window. [13+]
Monthly newbie contest.
by Tammy~Catchin Up~ Author Icon


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

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Comments on "Invalid EntryOpen in new Window.

Submitted By: Terry Author Icon
Submitted Comment: Excellent and very helpful information for all writers! Keep up the good work and most of all, KEEP ON WRITING!


Submitted By: Lola - serially obsessed Author Icon
Submitted Comment: Practice. I've been at a loss for subjects to write about many times. What amazes me is that a simple exercise that I do to start myself writing has almost always ended in a short story or the beginnings of a novel. Start writing anything and characters will be born, a place will come alive, dialogue will write itself, and like magic you have written fiction.



We always appreciate the feedback, thanks!

Editors:

Cubby Author Icon
Puditat Author Icon
laurencia

Your host this week is esprit Author Icon

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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