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Archived 2010 Book Recommendations
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Archived 2010 Articles |
Articles Some Tips on RWA Conference Etiquette by Problem Child The RWA Conference is this month, and though the Playfriends blog with advice every year, this year I’ve been asked to do something for School on the topic. I don’t claim to be an etiquette expert, but I have been to five of these events, and I’ve seen some faux pas that would curl your hair. So, some advice about conference behavior… *Pitching to editors/agents. I know a lot of folks go to conference in the hope they’ll be able to pitch their project to an editor or agent. And, yes, editors and agents are there to find new talent. However, they’re also there to do a lot of other things as well. So how do you know if it’s okay to pitch – outside of your pitching appointment? Easy. They will ask you to. They know you’re a writer, and if you’re breathing, that means you probably want to pitch. It’s not a secret or anything. Why do you think so many publishing professionals don’t wear their name tags unless they have to? They’re trying to avoid being stalked or pitched to at awkward or inappropriate moments. It’s never okay to pitch without invitation. Not in the bathroom, not in the pool, not in the bar. The un-asked-for pitch is not a way to make friends. The phrase you are waiting for is “Tell me about your book.” Please note, that phrase is different from “So, what do you write?” “What do you write?” is polite conversation for the table or elevator. This is the conference equivalent of “How are you?” The question “How are you?” is not an invitation to jump into the details of your recent health scare is it? No. So the proper answer to “What do you write” is something like “I write sassy short contemporaries along the lines of a Modern Heat,” or “I write dark, dystopian fantasy with a steampunk twist.” Should that be something the agent or editor is interested in – and if they have time, are in the mood, or feeling friendly towards you – then you’ll get the coveted invitation: “Tell me about your book.” Anything that doesn’t specifically echo that phrase is NOT an invitation to pitch. Period. Do not launch into your pitch otherwise. *Making friends with industry professionals. This kind of branches off of the above. Remember that editors and agents are being stalked by all kinds of crazy writers at conference. Not being one of those crazy people can be a big boon for you. Treat them like people. Compliment their shoes. Discuss the very interesting chicken lunch that’s being served. Ask them if they’re reading anything they really love right now. You can also ask industry questions – like rising trends they’re excited about, whether or not they think ebooks are the death knell of traditional presses. Just don’t always talk about yourself or your books. Being the normal, rational person in a sea of crazy stalkers is good. You may find you’ll get many more requests to pitch just because you’re not tripping over yourself to do so. And if the request doesn’t come, you now have a great way to open the query you send later: “Dear Agent X, I really enjoyed meeting you at RWA and talking about the benefits of stir-frying veggies. I took your advice and looked up that website you recommended. I’m now seeking representation for my 50k contemporary… blah, blah, blah.” Dollars to donuts, the agent remembers having the stir-fried veggie conversation and is feeling rather generous toward you because you were the only person at the table NOT trying to pitch her that day. Polite conversation, showing interest in the other person, and all the normal hallmarks of civilization don’t go out the window at conference. In fact, they become even more important. *Dress appropriately. Honestly. This is a professional event. Granted, my chosen profession allows me to wear sweatpants every day and showers are totally optional. But that’s because I’m in my house. Alone. With no one but the mailman to see me. When I go to conference, I make sure I look like I care. And that means dressing appropriately. Were you ever told to dress for the job you want, not the job you have? Same goes here. Do you see Linda Howard or Nora Roberts running around conference in ratty jeans and a t-shirt with a “funny” slogan on it? No. You don’t have to wear a suit and heels – you can be comfortable in a nice pair of khaki pants and a decent shirt. But you do want to look put together and presentable. It shows you care about your writing and making it in this business. True story: while at the RT Conference this year, I met one of the editors for the magazine. Three hours later, I found myself in front of a camera being interviewed for their website. Sure, it may have had something to do with the fact I’m naturally talkative and cute as a button, but (and I was told this) it was also partly because I was “Camera Ready.” It was a great opportunity that fell into my lap partly because I’d dressed appropriately that day. *Basic manners go a long way. Conference is big, crowded, and noisy, and any time you have those three things going on, common courtesy becomes even more important. Don’t cut in line or rush the elevators. Be patient. Be friendly. Say “please” and “thank you.” Hold doors for people. Don’t let your bags slam into other people. Just remember that the person you cut in front of to get to lunch just might be the editor you’re pitching to later that day. Leave a good impression with people. Not only the industry professionals you want to work with some day, but also the readers, reviewers, librarians and booksellers who will help make or break your career. And let’s not make enemies of other writers, either. You might end up in the same circle one day… *Watch your mouth. Don’t say anything you might regret later. It’s amazing who might be listening. All unkind, snarky, or disparaging remarks need to stay behind your teeth. It’s a very small world, and that catty remark might come back to bite you in the butt. Don’t count on the privacy of your hotel room either as a good place to vent. Hotel walls can be thinner than you think, and carry sound better than you imagine. I’ve heard some interesting stuff through the walls at conference. Good thing I wasn’t the person under discussion (but the folks in the next room didn’t know that…). So nothing here is earth-shattering news. No deep trade secrets were revealed. In fact, you probably knew most of it already. But conference doesn’t always bring out the best in people. There’s often a feeling of desperation in the air at conference; there’s sometimes a whiff of entitlement coming from the next table; and there’s usually a large dollop of bitterness or jealousy just around the corner. Don’t be one of those people. Keep a positive, professional attitude, remember this is a business event, act like the nice person your mother raised you to be, and you’ll do just fine. You might even have an awesomely good time! Conference Tips 101 One of the major highlights of the year for authors who are members of Romance Writers of America is the National Conference. Writing is a solitary, painstaking task that requires long hours in front of the computer, keeping company with only the characters in our heads. Whether we’re published or not, this is our one chance to be with other writers 24/7, dress in fancy clothes, and present ourselves as the professionals we are working so hard to be. The National Conference is the biggest conference in Romancelandia, but there are numerous regional conferences that offer the same opportunities on a smaller scale. These are great places to network, learn, and to simply talk with other writers who honestly “get” the process of writing. But if you’ve never attended a conference like this, it can be a little intimidating. So we thought we’d put together some tips and tricks for surviving a Writers’ Conference. Packing First things first – what do you take? Here’s a complete packing list that Smarty Pants likes to call the Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List. It’s a great place to start building your own list.
From SP: Mine is broken into sections, starting with what I'm wearing on the plane. These are usually items that are too bulky to pack and comfortable for travel. Planes get cold and I've been so happy to have my sweater instead of wearing shorts and flip flops like all the other tourists. Plus, when they change your gate for the 10th time or your plane is late and you have 5 minutes to make your connection, sneakers are a godsend. Wear on Plane:
Then I have the list of what goes in my backpack. I like backpacks because my hands are free, but this could be your carry on, your toiletry bag...whatever. Just make sure these items are in a bag you physically have custody of at all times. Must have stuff. You don't want it to end up in New Jersey while you're waiting at the luggage carousel in DC. Backpack:
Next is what goes in my toiletry bag. If you're carrying this on, remember all liquids, gels and aerosols must be smaller than 3 ounces and must all fit within a clear, one quart ziplock bag. You have to pull this out and run it through the security x-ray separately. If you do check the bag, I still recommend putting liquids inside a ziploc bag in case a bottle comes open and leaks all over your clothes. Toiletry Bag:
Luggage :
Finally, to determine my outfits, I use a daily breakdown. I try to bring some neutral pieces like black capris or a skirt that I can use a couple times. Microfiber is awesome - it doesn't wrinkle and it takes up almost no space in your bag. I also advocate the inclusion of one extra outfit that lies somewhere between your workshop attire and your formal in case you get an impromptu invite to a dinner or a party someplace nice. Write out your schedule for each day, then use it to determine how many and what type of outfits you will need. Clothes
Take a jacket or shawl to wear in the conference rooms. They keep the temps at a level comfortable for a man in a wool-blend business suit, which means a woman in slacks and a blouse will have blue lips and goosebumps before you can spell Antarctica. Don’t forget to try on all your clothes and shoes before you leave, that way you’ll know that they fit and there aren’t any missing buttons or broken zippers. Wear comfortable shoes. Everyone will tell you this, but I think it is important to make a concession to style, too. I want to have pretty feet that aren’t killing me too badly at the end of the day. To that end, I splurge when it comes to shoes. I pay a little more for specialty shoes designed to be easy on the feet. Look for brands like Soft Spots, Clarks, or Fitzwell, which are made for comfort but have really nice dress shoes as well. They cost, but it’s worth it. Plan your wardrobe around one color. Planning around either black or brown for your wardrobe can cut down on the number of clothing items you have to take. For instance, I’m taking a black skirt with 2 different shirts for my cocktail events this year. One black pair of shoes that will go with those outfits, my black dress pants, and one of my formal dresses. That’s really helpful because shoes take up lots of space and add up weight quickly. Learn the wonders of non-wrinkling fabric. I’m loving the microfiber. Most of my clothes are made of this wonder fabric—including one of my evening gowns. Not only can I fold (read “wad”) everything into a suitcase instead of using a hanging bag without dreading the time spent with an iron at the other end, the fabric is so thin that it takes up very little space. Meaning I can bring even more clothing! Bring hangers. Especially if you have roommates. Hotels rarely have more than a few non-removable hangers in the room, and you’ll need those extra hangers for all your stuff. If you bring some metal ones from the drycleaner, you can leave them behind (opening up a little space for one last book or souvenir). --Problem Child Scheduling and Activities
Volunteer because it's a great opportunity to meet other writers and a mutual task that can provide a basis for conversation. And you'll be giving back to the organization that gives us so much. --Playground Monitor Feel free to come and go from workshops without having to wait until they end, as long as you do it quietly and with consideration of others. People have to move in and out of workshops a lot at conference because of appointments and meetings. So no one is surprised when people leave, and they don’t get upset as long as you use your manners. Sit near the back and at the outside of an aisle if you know ahead of time that you are going to be leaving. Write out your schedule, but leave room for the unexpected. It is said that a lot happens in the bar at National conference, and that’s certainly true. Even if you don’t meet your dream editor there, lots of hilarity can ensue with the right group of friends. Yes, conference is about business, but why not have some fun while you’re gone? I have a lot of events that I have to attend this year, so this list-maker definitely has her schedule already worked up. I’ve also listed a couple of workshops that I’d REALLY like to attend in person. Other than that, I’ve tried to leave some space free. You never know what you might get swept up into during that down time.
Be careful what comes out of your mouth. You never know who may be at the back of the elevator car. It could be the editor who has your manuscript or her best friend. Be especially careful not to enjoy the ECR too much because loose lips sink ships -- and writing careers too. --Playground Monitor Work on the answer to the question "What do you write?" People will ask you and you need to be comfortable with your response. Personally, I always feel silly talking about my work, even with other writers, so I have to have an answer prepared that doesn't make me sound awkward. --Smarty Pants Advance communication with your roommates is critical. Consolidate and plan ahead--you don’t need four hairdryers. If one of your roommates happens to wear the same size clothes or shoes, maybe you could have an extra fabu outfit ready to wear, yet not in your suitcase! --Problem Child Remember that by the end of the week you’ll be tired and grumpy from being on the go constantly and around so many people, so things that would normally not bother you may become a big deal. Keep this in mind when dealing with your friends. : ) Those are the people we’ll take our irritation out on, when we wouldn’t if we were talking to an editor. Even this angel snaps occasionally by the time we’re ready to come home, so I really try to watch my mouth and be ever ready with an “I’m Sorry”. --Angel Pitching and Networking
One of my writing friends is really big on goals -- even at conference. She doesn't leave home without a goal in mind. I try to do this too and come up with something that is tangible and can be measured, such as networking with five new people or learning about several publishing houses you were not familiar with before the conference. Prepare your story pitches before you leave. In the rush to get everything ready, working on your editor and agent pitches can get shuffled to the background. But trust me, you don’t want to be up until 1 a.m. the night before, stressing over just the right word to describe your hero. (Been there, done that.) Instead, you should be getting a couple of extra hours of sleep. Do yourself a favor and put together your full-length and elevator pitches before you go. It will save you a lot of stress later. Elevator pitches need to be prepared too. You never know when that badgeless person sitting at your luncheon table, who asks you what your book is about, will be an editor or agent, or the friend of an editor or agent. So summarize your current project or style in a sentence or two. You’ll be glad you did! When you are preparing those pitches, include the names of some authors who write for the houses you are pitching to, especially ones who write stories similar in voice or type to your own. That way, when the editor asks you which of their authors you like, you’ll know what to say. I know this from experience. If you are meeting up with someone you haven’t met before, pick out a landmark in the hotel to meet at. That will be a lot easier than trying to find each other in a crowded hotel lobby.
Drink plenty of water. Hotel air conditioning can dehydrate you quickly, and that can lead to the mother of all headaches. Most hotels offer glasses of water in each meeting room. Or do as I do and buy a bottle of water in the airport once you’ve passed through security and then just refill it throughout the week. --Playground Monitor Get travel size bottles whenever possible. I’ve been grabbing travel size soap, shampoo, and toothpaste at the store over the past few weeks. Taking these instead of full size bottles can really cut down on the weight of your suitcase. Need specific products that don’t come in travel size? Purchase some refillable bottles. --Angel --Angel Open a FedEx account. Yep, I’m serious. With all the books and such you’re going to pick up at Nationals, most folks will tell you just to ship a box of your newly acquired goodies home. It’s a great idea—at least until you see the line at the business center as everyone tries to get their boxes shipped. If you have a FedEx account, you can just fill out the form with your account number and drop the box off at the concierge desk. Most hotels will seal the box and get it shipped off for you. No waiting in line. It only takes a few minutes to set up an account on-line—much faster than waiting in that really long line with everyone else. You know, you can ship stuff to the conference as well… --Problem Child And one last tip—this one for saving the planet. Many hotels are now trying to save water and lower the amount of detergents uses, so they give you the option of not having your towels replaced every day. It’s a nice idea, except if you have three roommates (like I do), it’s impossible to keep up with whose towel is whose. Take a couple of small pieces of colored ribbon and a few safety pins. Mark your towels with a ribbon and hang them up to dry. --Playground Monitor Taking the Stage: Learning to Love (or at least not hate) Public Speaking by Kimberly Lang As a writer, I’ve worked hard to improve my craft, educate myself about the business, and become more marketing-savvy. But there was one place I found that I was a little ahead of the game, and it’s working in my favor: the fact I’m not afraid to speak to a group. But as a writer, I’m finding that people seem to think I might have something important to say. (We can debate underlying sentiment to that at a later date.) So, they’re asking me to speak. I have six trips to the microphone coming up between now and August. It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of public speaking. These speaking engagements serve several purposes – I’ll be paying back some of the assistance I was given by sharing what I know with aspiring writers, I’ll be promoting my chapter and fellow writers, and most importantly, I’ll be promoting myself. As a new writer, getting my name out there is vital, and by agreeing to do speaking engagements, I now have a whole lot of other people promoting me. It may be for their interest, but I’ll take any free promotion I can get. I used to be afraid to speak in front of a group. I still remember the utter disaster of my first trip to the microphone: my bid for Student Council my sophomore year. No, I didn’t win. And while I did have to do some presentations in college, I didn’t get over my fear of public speaking until I took a job in the non-profit world and making presentations was a substantial part of my job. I traveled all over the state talking to groups. I was forced to get over my fear if I wanted to continue to draw a paycheck. Of course, teaching burned off any lingering fears – once you’ve faced down eyeball-rolling freshmen, *any* crowd would be considered friendly. But if your day job hasn’t given you this skill, you need to cultivate it on your own. I return to my teacher roots to give you some advice on how to get over your fear of public speaking so you can make the most of this way to promote yourself. Just do it. Yes, that seems like a simplistic answer to a complicated and paralyzing fear. I’m not saying you have to make your debut on the Jumbotron at Nationals – in fact, I recommend you get some experience before that day arrives. But you need to just accept the fact that the only way to get over this fear is to go through it. Start Small and Use Someone Else’s Material. Find a friendly crowd and start small. Try your RWA chapter—if you have a real fear, start with chapter business like reading the minutes or providing a summary of a cool workshop you attended. Does your church need someone to do a reading? Can you lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the PTA meeting? Having a crowd of faces you know smiling back at you helps, as does have a set presentation that you aren’t responsible for. You can worry about the presentation, not the content. As you get comfortable with that, move up in the size and composition of the group. Get used to speaking to strangers. Then, start coming up with your own topics and materials. Another good idea as you’re building your confidence is to be part of a panel. The attention is split between you and the other panelists, so you can get used to being up there without being on the mic the whole time. Practice and Hone: Videotape yourself, then bite the bullet and watch it. Do you fidget? Mumble? Never make eye contact? Ask a trusted friend for true feedback on how you could improve your delivery. Knowing that you’re projecting well and making a good impression will help give you confidence as you move on. Most towns have a Toastmasters or other similar group. Join them and use the opportunity to practice and hone your public speaking skills. Groups are always looking for speakers – and with the fear of public speaking so prevalent, there are plenty of opportunities for you to step in. As you build confidence and a reputation as a good speaker, you’ll find more and more offers coming your way. Eventually, they may even start paying you. If your heart is pounding at even the thought of this, remember that nine times out of ten, you are facing a group who wants to hear what you have to say and they want you to do well. They have nothing but positive feelings towards you. (Unless you are facing freshmen. That’s a hostile crowd and an unhappy captive audience.) Just a few other tips as you starting honing your public speaking skills:
I’ve dragged many a Playfriend and chaptermate up onto the stage in my time, but I swear I do it only out of love. Being comfortable in front of a crowd is a tool in the professional side of your writer’s tool kit, and one that will serve you well. Start getting over your fear now, and you’ll be ready for the Jumbotron at Nationals in no time! You Thought You Were Done? Revisions. Behind synopsis I think that’s the second most dreaded word for a writer. At least it is for me. I love the creative part of writing a first draft, the fun of chiseling away at the thousands of possibilities on the blank page to uncover the characters and plot that shape the story. Revisions are like sit-ups. I know I need them but I don’t necessarily enjoy doing them. Don’t get me wrong. I know they are important and necessary and I definitely appreciate the end results – just like those sit-ups. Writing the first draft is, if not always easy, at least fun. Revisions are work. What stays? What goes? What’s working? What isn’t? So often I have a hard time finding the answers to these questions. It’s difficult for me to be objective and evaluate my story from an editorial perspective. Often it’s the smallest tweaks in characterization and plot that can take a good story to something great. So how do you tell the difference? It can be overwhelming to look at a story and think of all the things you need to double check for – continuity, characterization, plot holes, grammar, voice – especially when you’re tackling a 300 or 400 page book. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m always afraid I’m going to lose one of those threads if I revise for all of them at once. My favorite technique is to layer. I do it when I’m writing and I like to continue the thread when I’m revising. I pick one specific thing and read through the chapter, partial, scene or entire book for that one single thread. For me, it takes away some of the pressure to get it perfect the first try. Of course, like just about everything there is a downside. By the time I revise an entire book I might have read each scene or chapter ten to twenty times. By then I’m thoroughly done with the project and usually want to kill the characters in a fiery crash. Luckily, I usually get a few weeks or months between then and when I get revisions from my editor and get to start the process all over again. So why do this? What’s the upside? I know that when I’m done I’m going to have a finished product that’s better than when I started. That alone is worth the blood, sweat and tears (sometimes) that revisions require. But that’s just my approach to revisions. I know there are others. In fact, I know there are writers out there who live for the revisions stage, who think that’s really where the magic happens. I envy those people. It’s not that I don’t understand the importance and the benefits of revisions…it just isn’t as much fun for me as the actual writing. There are so many books out there designed to help you edit and revise. Quite a few of them are great and if this is an area that you have trouble with I highly recommend a trip to your local bookstore to find one or two that might work for you. However, my favorite resource when revising is a great first reader. Often another set of eyes – someone you really trust - will not only see things you can’t but also bring another perspective to the story. However, the number one caveat is that you must filter any feedback you get through your own instincts as the author of the story. You and only you will know whether a suggestion works for the characters and plot that you’ve built. Finishing the book is an amazing feeling, but the process doesn’t end there. From there, the real work starts. Some helpful resources for editing/revising:
To Inc. or Not to Inc. – That is the Question by Diane O'Brien Kelly Those who run any business, including a writing business, have a multitude of options when it comes to choosing the form through which to operate. The choices range from sole proprietorships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”) to S and C corporations (“S corps” and “C corps”). A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by an individual, usually under the owner’s name. LLCs are a popular business form because they function with the flexibility of a sole proprietorship, yet also provide limited liability for the owners without the extensive formalities required for corporations. S corps are generally small, closely held corporations and are permitted a maximum of one hundred shareholders. C corps are often publicly traded, widely held, and can have any number of shareholders. Both S and C corporations are required to have bylaws, hold shareholder meetings, and maintain extensive books and records to document corporate decisions and actions. The primary reasons business owners forego a sole proprietorship and choose to form a separate legal entity to operate their businesses are: Many accountants, attorneys, and tax advisors recommend that their clients form a separate entity. However, writers beware. In many cases, the debate about whether to incorporate is “much ado about nothing.” Business advisors have their own interests at stake and often the primary benefit of forming a separate business entity for a client is to finance the advisor’s next vacation. The Liability Issue. Although lawsuits against writers such as J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown have dominated the headlines, legal action against writers is still relatively rare. Nevertheless, nobody wants to face a stressful lawsuit and the potential loss of personal assets. Forming a separate entity through which to operate a writing business can protect a writer’s personal assets from being seized to satisfy a judgment if the business is sued. However, because forming and running an LLC or corporation costs more time and money than a sole proprietorship, a writer should consider whether a real risk of liability exists before deciding whether to form a separate business entity. For writers, the primary threats are lawsuits for copyright violations (plagiarism), defamation or libel, and invasion of privacy. A novelist is unlikely to face a lawsuit if the writer’s work contains only fictional characters and is entirely the writer’s own creation with no unauthorized “borrowing” from other works. Writers who produce unauthorized biographies, write true crime books, or reference real-life persons are at greater risk, especially if any juicy, sordid details about a person are exposed. Be aware also that simply being successful can pose a higher degree of risk to a writer. Those in search of a deep pocket to pick may set their sights on a high-profile, wealthy writer as a target for a nuisance suit, hoping the busy writer will offer a quick out-of-court settlement to avoid spending the time and money to fight the frivolous suit in court. Suits against Rowling and Brown were eventually dismissed for lack of merit, but not until time and money was spent to prove the claims were unfounded. Nothing like a frivolous lawsuit to ruin a perfectly good day, huh? If only a small risk of liability exists, it’s likely not worth the time and money to form and operate a separate legal entity. On the other hand, if a writer is taking significant risks with their work, the writer may be wise to form a limited liability entity to protect the writer’s personal assets. Now for the bad news. The formation of a limited liability entity such as an LLC or a corporation isn’t an absolute protection, thanks to a doctrine known as “Piercing the Corporate Veil.” This doctrine allows a court to disregard a separate legal entity if the business owner has not treated the business as separate and distinct from the owner. To prevent the corporate veil from being pierced, business owners should not pay personal expenses directly from business accounts. Rather, the owner should take a draw or salary from the LLC or corporation and deposit these funds in the owner’s personal bank accounts, then pay any personal bills from the owner’s personal accounts. The business owners should also sign all contracts in a manner clearly indicating they are signing on behalf of their LLC or corporation as a representative of that entity - for example, “AAA Publishing, by Suzy Q. Writer, President.” Business owners who mix their personal and business accounts or sign contracts in their individual name only may find themselves facing personal liability despite the fact that they formed a limited liability entity for their business. Bummer. Tax Considerations. The good news is that the income of LLCs and S corps is not subject to a separate level of federal income taxation. Whoopee! An LLC with only one owner can report its income on a Schedule C, just as if the business were a sole proprietorship. Could it be any easier? For S corps, a separate tax return must be filed (Form 1120S), but the form is simply an informational return and no tax is actually paid by the S corporation. The S corp’s income flows through to the shareholder’s individual income tax return, where it is reported on a Schedule E and taxed at the writer’s individual income tax rates. Unlike S corps, C corps are subject to tax at the corporate level. In some instances, the formation of a C corporation can save tax by permitting the division of income between the writer and the corporation and thus spreading income over the lower tax brackets for individuals and corporations. Unless the income of the C corporation is high enough though, the cost of paying a professional to prepare the separate corporate tax return as well as the costs associated with operating a corporation may exceed any tax savings. Moreover, the writer would need to be paid a salary from the C corporation, which would require payroll taxes to be withheld and reported and a W-2 to be issued to the writer for tax purposes. In some cases, the formation of a C corporation would unduly complicate matters and impose additional expense on the writer. A tax pro would need to examine a writer’s specific financial situation to determine whether forming a C corp makes sense. Writers should also be aware that for state income tax purposes, the formation of a separate legal entity may subject their income to additional taxes the writers may avoid by operating as a sole proprietorship. In my home state of Texas, for instance, sole proprietorships are not subject to the state income tax on businesses, while LLCs and corporations are subject to the tax. Thus, forming a separate legal entity can backfire tax-wise, resulting in additional taxes and filing requirements and taking up more of the writer’s precious time and money. Other considerations. Some writers want to have a separate business name and tax ID number because they either want to operate under a name other than their personal name or do not want to provide their social security number to others for risk of identity theft. Fortunately, these writers do not have to go to the extreme measure of forming a separate legal entity to accomplish these goals. A writer can operate under an “assumed name” by registering a business name with the appropriate government office, which in most jurisdictions is the county clerk for the county in which the writer lives. In addition, sole proprietors may obtain a tax identification number different from their social security number to use for business purposes by filing Form SS-4, available on the Internal Revenue Service website, www.IRS.gov. The Bottom Line. The bottom line is that in many cases it’s best to operate as a sole proprietorship. But if your writing is high stakes or high income, you should consult your legal or financial advisor to determine if forming a separate entity is right for you. Speak Up! Finding Your Voice by Alexandra Frost My chapter, Heart of Dixie, encourages everyone to provide workshops or craft pieces, regardless of where they are in their writing journey. Everyone has something to share, even if they don‘t think so. So what do I have to offer? Perspective, maybe. I don‘t know how many spotlights and workshops I‘ve been to where an editor stood up and said what really got them fired up was an unique and fresh voice. This usually elicits mutters from the crowd. How do you make your voice unique and fresh? The editors never tell you that part as voice is one of the few things you just can‘t learn. Along my curvy path toward publication, voice is one thing that has been consistently mentioned as a strength. Not so much at first, but as time has gone on and I‘ve gotten more comfortable with my writing, my voice has become more distinct. Even in rejection letters, I get a lot of compliments on my voice, even if the premise doesn‘t fly. If you are unsure about your voice, how do you go about finding it? I can‘t give you a treasure map that will lead you straight to it, but I can tell you about some things I‘ve done that have helped me get in touch with my voice. Write. I know, you‘re saying ―duh― at this point, but just hold on and let me elaborate here. Write as much as you can. Try not to hold back. The only way to really know what you can do is to just let it flow without internal editors and outside influences. Write, then go back and read it and see what you can find. Listen. When I was first writing, thoughts or ideas would come into my head and I would edit it out. I thought it was too much. I was supposed to be writing a serious romance here. The quirky neighbor down the hall with S&M tendencies did not fit in to my angst-ridden vampire book. Sex scenes were supposed to be tingle-inducing and sensual, not funny. So I ignored the little voices and wrote the way I thought I should. You will not be surprised to find that my earlier stuff was a little flat. Nothing special. I was editing my voice out of the story without even knowing it. They‘ve already bought Nora. They don‘t need a Nora clone. They want something new, so stop writing what you think editors want. Ask. If you have critique partners that read your work, ask them about your writing and style and what stands out to them about it. Honestly, I hadn‘t identified that I even had a voice until one of my CPs pointed it out. I was shocked. The thing they identified as making my work unique and distinctly mine was the one thing I hadn‘t given much thought to. And honestly, you shouldn‘t give much thought to it. Your voice should flow naturally. Let Go. I think the breakthrough book for me and my voice was a story where I added this snarky secondary character that could say or do whatever he wanted because no one could hear or see him but the heroine. I never let my main characters do this because the hero was supposed to be sexy and alpha and the heroine identifiable. At least that‘s what I thought. I always felt restricted with what I could or couldn‘t do with them because they had to be perfect. The ghost, however, could say whatever he wanted. And boy, did he! My voice really and truly flowed through him. Everyone who read it and knew me well said that they could "hear" me in this character. DING DING! Voice. Right there. Found it. Explore. Once you have a solid idea of what your voice is, play with it. If you tend to write with a sensual tone, run with it. If you write snappy, light stuff, make the most of it. Don‘t try to write something that doesn‘t work for you just because it‘s what‘s popular at the moment. Force-fitting your voice isn‘t useful and it won‘t help you grow as a writer. You have to embrace your voice once you identify it. Make the most of it. Explore what you can do with it and judge the reactions and feedback you get. You may find you get more positive contest feedback. Write Again! When you have a grasp on your voice, write like mad. Cherish what is different about your stories and your writing and use it to produce the best work you possibly can. Once I realized that there was a quirk and a snarkiness to my writing that really worked for me, I went with it and came up with some of my best books and ideas yet. I can‘t give you a step by step map that will lead you directly to your voice, but hopefully the ideas above will help you explore and find it on your own. The most important thing is that you embrace who you are as a writer and use it to your advantage instead of letting it hold you back. It makes all the difference. Non-Deductible Expenses by Diane O'Brien Kelly Fortunately, most expenses a writer incurs relating to his or her writing business are deductible for tax purposes, typically in the year the expense is actually paid. But to make our taxes more interesting, the IRS has thrown a few curveballs at us. What’s not deductible: (1) The first phone line into your residence. No matter how much you use your home phone for business, even if the business use is 100%, you cannot deduct any of the cost of the first phone line into your home. If you obtain a second phone line for use in your business or for a fax machine or internet, you can deduct a pro-rata portion of your cost of this second phone line based on your proportionate business use. Changes in the law may be in the works, however. As the popularity of mobile phones continues to rise and residential landlines become less common, the IRS could decide to allow a proportionate deduction. (2) Fines or penalties. Civil or criminal fines or penalties paid to a governmental body are not deductible for tax purposes. Did you receive a speeding ticket on your way to a conference? It’s not deductible. Did your library stick you with a stiff fine when you were late to return those kama sutra books you checked out as research for your latest erotic novel? The fine’s not deductible. Tough news for any lawbreakers out there! (3) Club dues. Do you take your writing buddies, editor, or agent to the country club for a nice round of golf or a fancy meal on occasion? Although the cost of the golf game or meal may be partially deductible as business-related meals and entertainment, you are not permitted to deduct any of the cost of the dues required to be a member of the club. This non-deductibility rule applies to clubs organized for pleasure, recreation, or social purposes. You’re permitted to deduct dues paid to professional organizations, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and civic or public service organizations. (4) Prepaid rent or lease. Cash-basis taxpayers generally include items in their taxable income in the year payment is received and deduct expenses in the year the expense is paid. However, the IRS does not allow any taxpayers to deduct rents paid in advance. You can only deduct payments that apply to rent for the tax year being reported. Therefore, even if you pre-pay the following year’s January rent or lease payment in December, you have to wait until the succeeding tax year to deduct the payment on your return. This rule applies to rental of both personal property such as copiers or computers and real property such as office space or your home office if you lease your home. (5) Clothing. A question I’ve been asked several times is whether items of clothing purchased solely to wear to a specific writing-related event are deductible. This question always makes me unpopular, as I’m forced to tell the writers that the $500 ball gown they purchased for their writing organization’s awards ceremony is not the least bit deductible, even if the writer will never wear the dress again. The IRS is a stickler on this rule. If the item of clothing is a type that could be worn on another occasion, no deduction is allowed even if the item is, in actuality, never worn again. Sorry, Cinderella! (6) Unpaid earnings. Did your publisher go bankrupt, owing you thousands in royalties? Did your agent flee to a tropical island with your advance? Although these losses certainly feel like expenses, the IRS does not allow a taxpayer to deduct unpaid earnings. What a bunch of meanies! (7) Business Gifts valued at over $25. The IRS allows a taxpayer to deduct only $25 per recipient of the cost of business gifts given in a tax year. What a bunch of cheapskates! If you give gifts in excess of $25 to any particular recipient, you lose the deduction for the amount in excess of $25. If your gift would qualify as business-related meals and entertainment – for example, you take your critique partners to the theater, a sporting event, or out for a meal and have a substantial business discussion before, during, or after the event – you should treat the cost as a meals and entertainment expense instead of a gift. The good news is that the definition of “gift” for purposes of this rule does not include any item that costs less than $4, has your name clearly and permanently imprinted on the gift, and is one of a number of identical items you distribute widely, such as pens, magnets, coasters, or bookmarks. These items are treated as promotional or advertising expenses and are fully deductible. (8) Raffle tickets or bingo cards. The IRS does not allow a taxpayer to deduct the cost of raffle tickets, bingo cards, and the like, even if purchased from a charitable organization to which monetary donations would otherwise be deductible. In theory, the value of the chance of winning equals or exceeds the amount you paid for the raffle ticket or bingo card, though we all know that once those winning numbers are called, certain tickets or cards are absolutely worthless. Books of the Month Blonde with a Wand by Vicki Lewis Thompson Reviewed by Smarty Pants Anica Revere is the responsible sister. The owner of her own coffee shop, Wicked Brew. The kind of girl that wouldn't get involved with a man until he knew she was a witch. But when the man in question turns out to be a player, she throws the rules out the window and turns Jasper Danes into a cat. Jasper never realized the sexy blonde he was dating was in the closet - the broom closet, that is. But when he finds himself turned into a scruffy black cat and the woman responsible stripped of her powers to turn him back, he realizes they're both in big trouble. Anica must turn to her wild sister Lily for help and eventually, to contact Dorcas and Ambrose - famed wizards from Big Knob, Indiana. In the end, will the price to fix their mistakes be higher than they're willing to pay? This was a great story. I literally laughed out loud when the hero found himself trapped under the bed, irrationally terrified of a broom. It's those kind of details that make one of Vicki Lewis Thompson's books a special, sexy blend of fun and humor. I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on Chick with a Charm - the next book in the Babes on Brooms series about the wild and wicked sister, Lily. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen I’ve often discovered that the books I enjoy the best are recommendations from friends that I trust. Friends that read and like the same kind of books I do. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen was no exception. It was recommended by Playground friend – and excellent writer in her own right – Rhonda Nelson. I’ll stop for a moment to point out that she also suggested I read Twilight and the Sookie Stackhouse novels so I now read absolutely anything she tells me to…and you should too. For some strange reason I thought this was a new book and only discovered (after googling in hopes of discovering a sequel) that it was published in 2007. Alas, so far there isn’t a sequel but she does have two other books already in print that will be downloaded to my Nook in the next thirty seconds. In case you haven’t figured it out, I loved this book! It centers around two sisters and a little girl who live in an enchanted house with an enchanted garden and a sometimes annoying apple tree that tries to give everyone glimpses of their future. Each of the sisters is dealing with her own journey to the life they’re supposed to lead. Their home has meant different things to them over the years, one never leaves and the other has always tried to stay away. But that isn’t what their future holds. I loved the soft, easy writing. The wonderfully accurate and relatable Southern feel to the story and the town. The simple way that Ms. Allen is able to slip magic into everyday life, making you hope and believe that anything is possible. Crush on You by Christie Ridgway Reviewed by Playground Monitor Alessandra Baci is on a mission: save Tanti Baci, the winery that’s been in her family for generations. She’s decided to transform her grandparents’ cottage into a place for weddings, thus boosting the company’s revenues and moving it into the black. However, when her contractor gets a better offer, she’s left accepting the offer of Penn Bennett, the bastard son of the neighboring Bennett family – a family who also has a stake in the winery. She’s used to the town deferring to her wishes after what happened five years earlier, but Penn seems to be immune. In fact, he seems to enjoy taunting her. Local folks call Alessandra the “Nun of Napa” because of her disastrous wedding day, but Penn won’t be fooled by the angelic face and the tears she turns on and off like a faucet. He’s a cynic at heart, especially after finding out his biological father and brothers grew up in luxury while he and his single mom lived at the poverty level. Now, though, Penn’s the star of the famous TV show Build Me Up and he’s in the perfect position to help save Tanti Baci. But can he save himself from the Nun’s charms? Crush on You is the first of three books revolving around the Baci sisters, and based on this first one, I’m chomping at the bit to read more. The characters are believable and their conflicts real. The dialogue is sassy and sharp, and more than once I found myself laughing out loud. It’s on the shelves now. Crush on You gets a definite thumbs-up from me! Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones Reviewed by Smarty Pants There are days when its good to be me. Those days include when I can get my hands on a copy of a great book before its released in stores. Of course, I got it early because its better to do a review before the book is released, so here's my review of Blood Born. Thought vampire romances were over? That's just because you haven't read Blood Born. In an entirely new spin on vampires, the world sits on the brink of chaos as a vampire revolution threatens to destroy everything humans know and understand. If the rebels are successful, humans will be reduced to cattle, a food source at the whim of the superior vampire race. But to succeed, the rebels must break an ancient spell and keep the immortal warriors from crossing into this world by killing the human conduits that bring them over. Chloe is a conduit, although if you asked her, she'd say she's a restaurant manager with a heart condition. The descendent of an ancient warrior? Not so much. Pushed to the brink of madness by confusing dreams that keep her awake, she's caught off guard when she's attacked and almost killed. Her savior? A dark, mysterious man who seems confused by Chloe's reaction to him. Luca is a blood born - one of the few vampires actually born to two vampire parents. He's stronger, faster and more powerful than any other vampire. Almost all fear him, but few remember him. He's lived his life walking in and out of people's memories for two thousand years with only the oldest vampires capable of remembering him once he leaves their sight. But this woman does remember him and is resistant to his attempts to cloud her mind of the night's grusome events. He's curious as to why she's the only one. And once he realizes the truth behind her attack, he's determined to protect her. I took this book with me on a business trip and this story completely sucked me in. Only severe turbulence got me to sit the book down and from there, I had to force myself not to finish it so I'd have something to read on the way home. Howard and Jones both bring their unique storytelling styles, blending to make a story that captures the imagination and the heart. Release by Beth Kery Reviewed by Angel In this erotic romance, Genny finds herself torn between the scorching passion she finds with her husband’s business partner and the consequences of the one night they gave in to their need. Now she’s left to wonder if Sean’s love for her led him to murder her husband, or if someone else is to blame. But when the killer decides to come after her, there’s only one man she can run to for help. Sean gave in to his attraction for Genny the night his business partner offered to share her, but the memories of Genny’s sweet submission are overshadowed by the hell that followed. When Genny finally turns to him, Sean vows to protect her very life, and show her the pure passion that should have existed between them. He only hopes to win her trust before she disappears from his arms for good. Kery’s strong characters and powerful emotions combine to create a scorching tale of two lovers who made one tragic mistake that could affect the rest of their lives… or cut their lives very short. Filled with intrigue and deep, dark secrets, this is a sexy, tension laden read that will keep you up all night! Last of the Ravens by Linda Winstead Jones Miranda Lynch needs a vacation. She's worked endlessly with the police solving crimes since a car accident killed her sister and left her with the ability to see, hear and talk with the dead. Retreating to the mountains, she hopes to find some peace. Instead, she finds Bren Korbinian and the ghost of his dead mother. The last of his kind, Bren is different too. He's a shapeshifter that transforms into a flock of ravens and the last in his bloodline. Bren and his dead mother both recognize Miranda is his mate and the only woman who could carry on his bloodline, but he isn't certain he even wants to. Being different is dangerous - The Order of Cahir exists solely to destory them. They set out after Bren and Miranda, letting nothing get in the way of their mission. This fast paced thriller has all the perfect elements - a dark paranormal hero, a likeable heroine, danger, romance, and a meddling dead mother-in-law. I can't wait for her April release - Come to Me, with Silhouette Romantic Suspense. Be sure to grab them both while you can. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey There is one reason and one reason only that I picked up Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. It was hard to refuse the cover flash – the undead can really screw up your senior year… Beth Fantaskey does an excellent job bring an interesting twist to the world of YA vampires. Lucius Vladescu does more than screw up Jessica Packwood’s senior year. He insists that she’s a long lost Romanian vampire princess…and his fiancé. Marrying a vampire was not exactly in Jessica’s life plan. But life doesn’t always work out the way that you expect. It’s interesting to watch both Jessica and Lucius grow and learn that lesson. Not only did I devour this book, I went to the author’s website to read the short story sequel she has published there. I highly recommend it. Magnate’s Mistress… Accidentally Pregnant! by Kimberly Lang Magnate’s Mistress… Accidentally Pregnant! is another sassy book by our very own Kimberly Lang. Sensible Ally Smith is intent on embracing her freedom after being dumped by a cheating fiancé, and sexy thrill-seeker Chris Wells is just the man to sweep her off her feet. Seeking only a summer fling, she’s surprised to find she takes home more than a few hot memories. But will the famous tycoon be willing to accept her into his life, along with the baby they made by accident? This fun twist on the secret baby theme is written with the characteristic Kimberly Lang sparkle, adding a dash of hot Caribbean nights, romantic sailboats, and the belief that being true to ourselves can bring us a love that lasts forever. |
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