Monday, April 25, 2016

Free Pitch Sessions - Lakefly Writers Conference

Attending the Lakefly Writers Conference, May 13-14, in Oshkosh? Have an idea for a book you're ready to pitch? Attend Friday's workshop on how to deliver a successful pitch and then sign-up to pitch your book on Saturday to the following publishing reps:

Ashley Ruggirello, representing REUTS, a unique boutique YA/NA publisher based in Milwaukee that offers an unconventional, yet advantageous and author-friendly approach to traditional publishing. Publishes 12-24 titles each year.

Philip Martin, representing small but good quality indie press, Crickhollow Books. Publishes a range of regional-rooted fiction and some genre fiction (mysteries, always am looking for good fantasy but it's hard to find) for adults, and also historical fiction for middle-grade readers.

Jill Swenson (morning only), representing Swenson Book Development LLC, a boutique agency which represents a broad range of authors writing memoir, narrative nonfiction, children’s picture books, middle-grade fiction, art/photography, poetry, and YA.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award Contest

The 2016 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award Contest is now open. This is a Wisconsin Romance Writers of America-sponsored contest for books published in 2015.


Write Touch
All submissions go through an electronic portal at http://writetouch.submittable.com and books are entered either as PDF or MOBI files. There is a free entry portal for WisRWA members to use to enter their free title; all additional entries from WisRWA members and from non-members should be made via the paid entry portal. The entry fee is $25.00 per title.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Fox Cities Book Festival

The Fox Cities Book Festival is in full swing this week! Upcoming speakers include Michael Perry, Abby Frucht and others. Check out the full schedule of events here.


Saturday, April 16, 2016

Mailbag: Kazabo Publishing

From our in-box:

Kazabo Publishing is something entirely new. At Kazabo, established authors are the publishers. In effect we give them an "imprint" and allow them to choose new authors to publish.

It works like this. New and emerging authors submit their books to Kazabo and agree to review five books by other new authors. Based on the reviews their book receives, we put it into out editing process. At the end of that process, our established authors choose the books they believe will appeal to their loyal readers. Once the book is published, the established author uses their marketing platform to help promote the new author. For new authors, our royalty rates begin at 50% while the established author earns 15%. Initially, the new author is published to e-book and then moved into other media and languages as their sales progress.

Before you ask, no, this does not cost the author anything. This is not vanity publishing. The only money we collect is from readers when they buy the author's books! 

Nor is it, by any stretch of the imagination, self-publishing. Kazabo is very selective and no established author will back one of our new authors with their name and reputation unless they are genuinely impressed. Every book published by Kazabo will be a very good book indeed.

So the vast majority of new authors who submit to Kazabo will not make the cut. But there is something in it for them, too. If your book is not selected for publication, you will still receive the five reviews that were done of your book. You will know that five of your fellow authors read your book, thought about your book and provided you detailed, written feedback about your book.

There is a lot more to this program so I encourage you to visit our website, kazabo.com, for more information or to contact me with any questions you might have.

The reason I am writing this to you is that Kazabo is actively seeking submissions from new authors. If you think that this program might be of interest to your members, could you please let them know about us? We are very proud of this as we think this is something that could make a very real difference in the lives of a lot of authors. We would very much like your members to be a part of it!

If you have any questions, of course, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Chiara Giacobbe
Director, New Authors Division
Kazabo.com
(619) 401-3459

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Meeting reminder - April 16th

Create-A-Book ContestJust a reminder that at our Saturday, April 17 meeting we will be judging contest entries for the city-wide Create-a-Book children's writing contest. Entries are judged using a scoresheet provided to us so it's really easy - and lots of fun! Snacks will be provided.