An Interview with Danielle Modafferi of Firefly Hill Press.

Tags

Firefly Hill Press, Publisher, Romance, Writing, Young Adult

Article by Susan Monroe: 

 

Danielle Modafferi, CEO of Firefly Hill Press – LLC, a small independent publishing house who strives to find, publish, and market exceptional works of novel-length fiction, specifically in the Young Adult and Romance genres. Danielle will be attending the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ March 23, 2019.

Firefly Hill Press specializes in stories that feature heroines who are not afraid to save themselves – no damsels need apply! Our stories feature love and obstacles that enhance our protagonists’ journeys but in no way defines them. We like to believe that we reclaim the term “happily ever after” and illustrate how it is a unique pursuit and triumph to each character and her goals.

Susan Monroe had the chance to ask Danielle a few questions.

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If we were to meet at a conference, without using anything from the bio, what would you tell me about yourself that would be intriguing?

I have a pretty inexhaustible travel bug and have trouble staying in one place for too long! I started Firefly Hill Press as way to build a digital on-the-go company and pair it with my LOVE of books and writing. I have had the privilege of living all over the United States, in Paris, and in London and am always keeping my eyes peeled for my next destination and inspirational publishing location! If anyone has any good suggestions of what should be next on my list, come find me and let me know!

As an agent, you work with writers, hopefully, long-term, but who are strangers to you at first. Do you look at more than the work submitted to determine that relationship?

Absolutely! Since my company is small by design, I only take on authors with whom I hope to build a career and a future. Of course, it has to be an author whose work I believe in and am enthusiastic about, but more than that, I hope to foster a professional and working friendship with my team. Writing is hard and sometimes requires brutal honesty from both parties. I need my authors to know that those critiques come from a place of love and desire to make their work the best that it can be and the only way that happens is if trust is fostered between us. It is a pretty integral part of a successful working relationship, in my opinion.

Writers often say they became writers because they have to write. What drew you to becoming an agent?

Actually, I too started as a writer. I wrote and published a Young Adult Dark Fantasy novel titled The Girl in the Glass Box back in 2016, which is a fairy tale reimagination based on the Grimm’s version of Snow White. I earned my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2014 and during my time there learned how exciting the publishing side of the industry is. Additionally, I come from a background as an English teacher, so I feel like publishing is an awesome opportunity for me to fuse teaching, coaching, and my love of writing with my interest in the ever-changing landscape of publishing.

When you get a submission, how far into it do you get before you know this one is not for you?

Truthfully, it’s pretty early on – within the first page or so. But out of respect for the writer and the submission, I generally read through most of what is sent to me, even if I know it’s not for us. There are so many things to be told from the first paragraphs: writing style, tone, craft, content themes, and so on. So, I always tell writers that if they are continuously submitting and they are not receiving any promising responses, to consider revising their beginning and perhaps starting the manuscript at a more active point in the story. I see so many manuscripts that just begin in the wrong place. Not to say that the stories are bad or deficient, just that they begin before the “real beginning” of their story should start.

What are your personal peeves when it comes to submissions?

Ooh, when writers clearly have not done their research and are just blanket canvasing their manuscripts to anyone and everyone regardless of genre or submission guidelines. It shows a total disregard for the process and for my time as someone considering this manuscript. For instance, if you are sending me a horror, sci-fi, erotica manuscript, clearly you do not know much about our backlist and what we currently represent. It is just time consuming and a bit inconsiderate.

What trends in the publishing marketplace attract your attention? (Such as, what genres are hot? Where is electronic publishing going?)

Wow – I am LOVE-LOVE-LOVING the resurgence of chick lit and the Rom Com. As a fan of these types of stories myself, I love the hopefulness of these stories and even more so, I am loving the trend that these stories are becoming more female-story-centric. Life is hard and stressful and difficult. Watching the news is NOT FUN (understatement of the year!) and people are becoming bogged down with the heaviness of everyday struggles, which is why light, fun, uplifting literature is really making its way back into the publishing arena.

In terms of what’s coming for e-publishing? Hmm… the hot topic on everyone’s lips for the past few years has been a skyrocketing in popularity in audiobooks. I am really eager to see the technological innovations in this area and am looking forward to more texts becoming more accessible in an audio format. For me personally, audiobooks (and podcasts!) make commuting so much more tolerable. I would love to see maybe even more authors reading their own work? I know it sounds crazy because, of course, the narration needs to be well done, but a big trend in marketing and publishing has been an increased accessibility to authors through social media and live streaming video feeds. No longer are authors these creatures who are holed up in their dark cabins in the woods pumping out pages in their solitude – they are interactive with their communities and readers have become increasingly responsive to it! That aspect of publishing has been really exciting to watch and to be a part of.

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Danielle Modafferi earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Since then, she incorporated Firefly Hill Press in 2014 and has been passionate about discovering and sharing incredible fiction through publishing ever since! She is a: Professor of Writing, Practicer of Random Acts of Kindness, Connoisseur of Cheese, Petter of Puppies, Professional Napper, and Lover of all things Harry Potter. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @danimod115

You can also follow Firefly Hill Press on Facebook.

 

 

What I Learned at the BookBaby Independent Writers Conference

Tags

Book Marketing, BookBaby, EBook Services, Indie Publishing, Self-Publishing

 

 

GLVWG’s Idelle Kursman shares lessons learned when she attended the BookBaby Independent Writers Conference this past November.

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I came home from attending the second annual BookBaby Independent Authors Conference in Philadelphia. I met wonderful fellow writers, listened to practical book marketing tips from successful authors and entrepreneurs, and took away many ideas I am anxious to try.  In this post, I would like to share some of the great ideas I learned at the conference.

Eva Lesko Natiello is an author, speaker and book marketing consultant. She wrote and self-published The Memory Box, a bestseller on The New York Times and USA Today. Her website is evanatiello.com. Eva gave the following marketing tips for self-published authors:

• Fill out your Amazon Author Page completely and link it to your website and blog.
• Run a discounted price promotion and advertise it widely.
• Be a guest for a book blogger. To find book bloggers, simply google “(Your genre”) book bloggers”
• Study the competition. Make a list of all the current books similar to yours in the last three years and find out their book prices, format, and number of pages. How are authors of your genre promoting their books?
• Show gratitude to readers who have taken the time to review your book.

 Tieshena Davis is the CEO and Senior Publisher of the award-winning Purposely Created Publishing Group. She is a speaker and the author of Think Like a Bookpreneur (www.thinklikeabookpreneur.com). Tieshena encouraged authors to begin selling their books with pre-sales, which is a strategy to establish audience interest, connect with fans, and secure advance sales before a book is publicly released.

• Authors need to meticulously plan during the pre-sales process (6-8 weeks before book is released) to achieve results. Set a goal of how much money you the author would like to make. Remember to calculate all expenses (costs of the printing, transaction, shipping, packaging, etc.), and review the profit margin.
• Authors need tools to drive sales such as an email notification list, creating a promotion team, alerting social media followers to spread the word, and exploring targeted events where your readers gather.
• Notify target buyers on an email notification list that the book is available for pre-order.
• Build an audience connection by sharing quotes, tips, or resources; host weekly virtual events; email teaser content; offer special bulk book packages; and send out snippets of the book.
• Run ad campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Author-sponsored ads.
• Discount and cross promote. An example is if readers pre-order author’s second book, they will get the first book at 50% off.
• Run weekly contests and giveaways.

 Joanna Penn was the keynote speaker of the BookBaby conference. She is an author, international speaker, and entrepreneur. Joanna writes fiction and nonfiction. Thousands of authors go to her website www.TheCreativePenn.com for marketing and promotion. The following are her tips:

• Change your mindset– don’t think of yourself as a struggling author. Write down positive affirmations and refer to them daily.
• Authors must focus on the customer. It’s not about you, it’s about the reader. What do they want to pay for? Find the intersection between what you love and what you can sell.
• Amazon is a search engine for people “who buy stuff.” Use it for research to find out what people are buying.
• Sell your book in multiple countries in English. Joanna’s books have sold in English in 86 countries through Kobo (a Canadian company that sells e-books, audiobooks, e-readers, and tablet computers).
• Write three shorter books rather than one 80,000-word book. This works well in fiction.
• Build multiple streams of income. Most writers make money from other sources like speaking, freelancing, and blogging.
• Attract an audience that works best with your personality, your book, and your lifestyle. What can you do consistently over the long term?
• Take action.
• You get what you focus on. Make the time.
• Write the best book you can. Don’t rush it!

As one can see, being a successful author involves hard work; there are no shortcuts. Research, computer savvy, and knowledge of various marketing strategies are imperative. Writing the best book you possibly can is simply not enough.  The experts advise doing around twenty minutes of marketing a day along with writing. If one marketing strategy doesn’t work, try another. Don’t give up.

The BookBaby Writers Conference boosted my motivation to market my first novel, True Mercy. It was great meeting so many like-minded people. Rather than being competitive, participants were eager to help fellow authors succeed. Networking opportunities abounded.

 

Article originally published on Idelle Kursman’s website blog at Idellekursman.com.

 

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Idelle Kursman was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Boston College and her Master’s from William Paterson University. She has a loved one with autism and after watching the movie Taken five years ago, she felt compelled to write a novel about human trafficking. Since she loves thrillers, especially if it is a book she cannot put down, she sought to give readers this experience in her debut novel. At the same time, Idelle seeks to raise awareness for autism and the international human trafficking crisis. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

 You can find Idelle on her website: https://idellekursman.com/, and social media links.

facebook.com/luckcanchange

twitter.com/IdelleKursman

linkedin.com/in/idelle-kursman

Networking for Introverts

Tags

Introverts, Networking, Writing Conferences

Can you believe it’s almost Halloween already.  The next GLVWG WriteStuff Conference™ is just five months away on March 22 – 24, 2019.

GLVWG author and blogger, Idelle Kursman, recently wrote an article for introvert writers who struggle to connect at conferences.  A timely subject from someone who knows, Idelle offers advice on “Networking for Authors“, and how to step out of the comfort zone with editors, agents, speakers, and other writers.

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Most writers are introverts. Networking can be particularly difficult for them. But they can still network successfully to find jobs and to market their writing. Dana Kaye, the owner of Kaye Publicity (https://kayepublicity.com), recently released the helpful video “Networking for Introverts.” This video is helpful not only to writers but also for anyone who is introverted and could use some help. Kaye explained the fundamental difference between introverts and extroverts: while both enjoy socializing, introverts find doing too much drains their energy. They require time alone in order to recharge. Extroverts, on the other hand, are the opposite: they feel drained when they spend too much time alone and renew their energy by socializing. Kaye offers practical suggestions for introverts while they are networking in a room full of people: If you find a person to chat with in a crowd:

• Introduce yourself
• Wait for their introduction
• Shake hands with eye contact
• Ask a question and listen to the answer.

Let the other person talk! (People love talking about themselves and the pressure is off of you to be charming and engaging.)

If you go to a group of people talking:

• Apologize for interrupting.
• Introduce yourself with eye contact.
• Listen to their responses and introductions.
• If they resume the conversation, listen and respond. If they don’t, ask questions and start another conversation.
• Ask meaningful questions.
• Listen!

As mentioned earlier, too much socializing can drain an introvert’s energy, so here is how to make a GRACEFUL EXIT when you meet someone new:

• Shake hands, make eye contact, and say “It was nice to meet you.”
• Swap business cards and provide a reason to follow up.
• If needed, make an excuse such as you must make a phone call or use the restroom. Then leave the room temporarily so they see you are credible and not just want to get away from them.

Don’t forget to mingle! You’re there to make connections. At the same time, take breaks so you can recharge. Before you know it, you’ll be making connections!

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Idelle Kursman was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Boston College and her Master’s from William Paterson University. She has a loved one with autism and after watching the movie Taken five years ago, she felt compelled to write a novel about human trafficking. Since she loves thrillers, especially if it is a book she cannot put down, she sought to give readers this experience in her debut novel. At the same time, Idelle seeks to raise awareness for autism and the international human trafficking crisis. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

You can fine Idelle on her website: https://idellekursman.com/, and social media links.

facebook.com/luckcanchange

twitter.com/IdelleKursman

linkedin.com/in/idelle-kursman

 

 

Christian Writers Conference July 26 & 28

Posted by GLVWG Vice President, Donna Brennan.

 

 

 

Go West Writers

GLVWG will conduct its first Café West on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Wanamakers General Store, 8888 Kings Hwy, Kempton 19529.

 The event is free and will be held rain or shine. It attempts to mirror the format of the monthly Writers Café already in place on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.

 Interested participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring a summary and single page of their current work for gentle critique and guidance.

 Once participants sign in, the readings will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is open to all, but especially those GLVWG members who are unable to make it to the Thursday evening time slot and/or those who live south and west of the regular meeting place (Palmer Township Library).

 Café West is more than just a critique meeting. It’s an opportunity to meet with other writers, share and compare notes about the writing process. It can give you the boost you need to get going and finish your work as well as provide a circle of like-minded enthusiasts who share your passion for the written word.

 With enough literary passion and support Café West could be a regular event. We can certainly look around for even larger venues.

 Coffee, beverages and sandwiches will be available for purchase.

 

Questions: Bernadette Sukley – bsukley@ptd.net

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Bernadette Sukley, Write Stuff Writers Conference™ Flash Literature Contest Organizer and Chairman of the GLVWG Anthology, ‘The Write Connections’, has been researching, writing and editing for over 25 years. Her work has been featured in national and international publications. Her focus is human interest, health and lifestyle. She’s also written and edited guides, pamphlets, columns, stories, and novels. She’s published two novels (A Saving Hurricane, Find Me a Woman) and a nonfiction book (Made in Pennsylvania) within the last eight years.

 

Meet Author Phil Giunta

Tags

Firebringer Press, Speculative Fiction, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Short Stories

 

 

Author Phil Giunta is a regular fixture at GLVWG, and will share his advice on Writing the Compelling Short Story at The Write Stuff Conference™, Saturday, March 25, 2017.  GLVWG’s Dawn Sooy does the honors by asking a few questions about Phil’s life as an author.

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DS – I recently saw a short story of yours (Tower Sixteen), won second place in the Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest. What was the inspiration to write this story?

Phil – I’ve always been fascinated with the WWII fire control towers (commonly known as observation towers) that were constructed along the Delaware coast. Currently, only one is open to the public near Fort Miles in Cape Henlopen State Park and every time I go there, I climb the spiral steps 75 feet to stand at the top and look out upon the park, the ocean, and the Delaware Bay. It’s a gorgeous view.

Long before Cat and Mouse Press started their annual writing contest four years ago, I knew I wanted to write a short story about those towers, but the idea just hadn’t come to me. I was usually buried in several other writing and editing projects. Then in March 2016, a friend reminded me about the writing contest and I learned that the theme for that year was Beach Nights. That’s when it hit me immediately—a ghost story! Most of my paranormal tales have a lot of heart and emotion. I wanted this story to be no different, plus it had to honor our military and those who served at Fort Miles. I know “Tower Sixteen” accomplished all of the above. How do I know this? I was told the ending brought one of the contest judges to tears. Who can ask for anything more?

Kathryn Craft – On Developing a Confident Voice and Macro Editing

Saturday, November 26, GLVWG welcomed Katheryn Craft as a guest speaker to help members understand how to develop a confident voice, and a self-editing process called Macro Editing. Dawn Sooy, GLVWG Secretary, summarized what we learned.

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The morning topic “Developing a Confident Voice, Ten Provocative Questions” began with Kathryn asking ten questions, then asking participants to write their interpretation of the question as it relates to a story.

For example:
1. In what ways can you trust the reader to bring her/his life
experience to the reading of your book?

a. Need to have a tone of confidence for your audience.
The readers can sense this while reading and will keep
them reading.

2. Which setting and character detail will evoke the
emotional world of your character?

a. Only put in details that are essential to the character
Sometimes writers tend to add words that take away
from the character.

Dog Days of Summer

Tags

Canis Major, Dog Days of Summer, GLVWG, Writing

From: Astronomy.com

Dawn Sooy, GLVWG Secretary, remarks about the constant heat during the last few weeks.

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            My two dogs and I have just returned from a short walk. I took a deep breath of relief when I entered the house, the air conditioning slowly cooling my body. For some reason, the phrase “Dog Days of Summer” passed through my mind, so I decided to look it up.

Wiki has the following description, “The dog days are the hottest, most uncomfortable part of the Northern summer. The American weather and farming annual, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, explains that the phrase ‘Dog Days’ conjures up the hottest, most sultry days of summer,” I can attest to that definition, and I am sure many of us in this area are struck by the heat when leaving the house.

Another interesting fact is the ancient Greeks associated this time of the year with Sirius, a star in the constellation that today refers to as Canis Major, literally the “greater dog” constellation.

May publications refer to the “Dog Days of Summer”. To mention a few:  Homer in the ‘IIiad,’ John Webster’s 1613 stage play ‘The Duchess of Malfi,’ Charles Dickens in ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Richard Harding Davis ‘in The Bar Sinister.’”

So sit back, enjoy your pool if you are lucky, or grab a popsicle from the freezer. These days won’t last forever and soon we will be shivering in cold weather.

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Dawn grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania and has experienced the four seasons this state has to offer. She received a degree in Computer Science and worked in that field until 2014. Her interests are writing, reading, and fishing.

She is married to her husband, Bob and between them, they have four children. Recently her granddaughter had a baby and now enjoys the name Great Grammy Dawn.

Dawn has published five short stories, the most recent, “Dancing in the Moonlight”, is published in the GLVWG anthology Write Here – Write Now.  This collection is available for purchase through Amazon.com.

You can find Dawn at her Facebook Page, and coming soon, her new WordPress author site.

 

 

Under Construction

No … you haven’t accidentally landed on a different blog site. Like the vintage TV show, Outer Limits, we are sort-of in control of your viewing.

The GLVWG Blog site is currently under construction with a whole new face.  If you’re a WordPress user, you know the process … we test a few new faces in preview mode before selecting.  I apparently pressed the wrong button.

Don’t be surprised to see it change again as we look for that perfect template. Harder than it looks when accessing from an attic office and this old Selectric. I really should get a new system.

Still has all the same great article content.  If you like what you see, the window of opportunity is still open to comment.

 

Battle of the Books at the Bethlehem Public Library