An Interview with David Fessenden

Tags

Christian Writers, Editing, Fiction, Indie Publishing, Non-Fiction, Publishing Contract, Writing, Writing Conferences

Article by Jerome W. McFadden

 

We first introduced David E. Fessenden with a recent article in the February 9 GLVWG Conference Blog.

GLVWG author, Jerry McFadden, had a chance to ask David a few questions.

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Jerry: If I were to meet you at a conference, what is something you would tell me about yourself that would be intriguing? Pls do not use anything from your bio.

I have double-jointed elbows!

Jerry:  Who are your favorite authors and why?

A.W. Tozer — He said that a really good book should be read slowly, and often cause you to pause in your reading, to meditate and pray; that’s what his books do for me. C.S. Lewis — He taught me to think more deeply about my faith. Alton Gansky — With his novels, he always seem to write himself into a corner, then resolves his impossible plots by pulling a rabbit out of his hat! 

Jerry: There are times when people relax at home – they read, crochet, and color in the Mandela pattern books. What are your favorite pastimes, other than reading?

Watching old movies — and I mean O-L-D — early talkies!

Jerry: What are the common traps for aspiring writers?

Trying to write books as your earliest attempts at writing, instead of articles, short stories, etc., etc.

Jerry: If you wrote a letter to your younger self, what would you say?

The more you write, the more you’ll get published.

Jerry: How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? Do you have plans for them?

Probably a half-dozen. I hope to finish most of them, though a couple are real dogs, I have to admit — so I probably won’t ever get those done!

Jerry: What age did you start writing? What was your favorite genre at that time and why?

I started in earnest in high school, and liked to write short stories, probably because I didn’t think I’d ever be able to finish a full novel.

Jerry: What kind of research do you do and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

I don’t know — I start researching after beginning a book. How do you know what to research until you know what you’re writing about? I research on and off all through the book writing process.

Jerry: What one thing would you give up to become a writer?

I really should give up more of my free time — and I’m going to have to if I want to get some of those unfinished projects done.

 

 David will be at the The GLVWG Write Stuff Writer’s Conference™ on March 23, 2019 to speak about Publishing Contracts, the Author-Editor Relationship, The Dreaded Outline, and Edition Your Own Material.  

To read more on David, visit:

• Nonfiction writing blog: www.FromConceptoContract.com
• Author/publisher website: www.DaveFessenden.com

And don’t forget to visit his Amazon Page for books he’s written.

 

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Article by Jerome W. McFadden

Jerome W. McFadden’s stories have appeared in various magazines, e-zines such as Flash Fiction Offensive, Eclectic Flash Fiction, and several anthologies –  River Tales , Over My Dead Body, Trails End, including Hardboiled: Crime Scene, Once Around the Sun, A Christmas Sampler, A Readable Feast, and Let It Snow.  Jerry has also been a prolific contributor to the BWG Author Roundtable series. 

Jerry has also won honorable mentions in Writer’s Digest Magazine annual national fiction awards, as well as in several regional writing contests. He received a Bullet Award for the best crime fiction to appear on the web. Two of his short stories have been read on stage by the Liar’s League London and Liar’s League Hong Kong. You can find his published short story works on Goodreads. 

 

 

Meet David Fessenden — Speaker GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ March 23, 2019

Tags

Christian Writers, Editing, Fiction, Indie Publishing, Non-Fiction, Publishing Contract, Writing, Writing Conferences

Article by Write Stuff Conference Chair – Dawn Sooy

 

 

David E. Fessenden has launched out as an independent editorial and publishing consultant after 20 years in editorial management for Christian publishers. Dave has a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in religion, and over 30 years of experience in writing and editing. In his previous positions, Dave has edited scholarly and popular journals, served on the staff of a Bible Institute, and edited a regional edition of the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.

GLVWG was delighted when Dave agreed to speak at the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference™ on March 23, 2019, the only problem, he has a robust presentation list and choosing between the topics difficult. We decided on these:

• The Publishing Contract

Just when you are rejoicing that your book is going to be published, you receive a thick envelope in the mail — the dreaded publishing contract. This seminar will explain the clauses in a standard book contract, from a layperson’s perspective. [Disclaimer — I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t dispense legal advice!]

• The Writer/Editor Relationship

Writers and editors sometimes have a love/hate relationship — but it doesn’t have to be that way. This workshop covers what an editor looks for in a writer, and how you can be the kind of writer-editors love to publish!

• The Dreaded Outline: What Your English Teacher Never Told You

Do you dread preparing an outline? It’s not surprising if you are doing it the way you were probably taught in grade school. This workshop shows you how to break free of strict and silly rules so that you can use an outline as a writing plan.

• Editing Your Own Material (Muhlenberg)
  It’s a basic fact of human nature — we tend to be blind to our own mistakes. (Otherwise, we wouldn’t make the same ones over and over again!) These tips on self-editing show you how to step out of your skin — to be “objective” in the truest sense of the word — and smooth out the rough spots in your manuscript.

 

Who is David Fessenden?

During my 20 years in Christian publishing, I have learned to wear a lot of hats. Let me tell you about a few of them:

Editorial Coach

I can come alongside you to find ways to bring focus to your manuscript, making it more oriented to a specific audience, more effective and more publishable. I can also help you hone your proposal into a dynamic presentation that will spark the interest of a publisher.

Publishing Consultant

I can assist publishing houses, whether large or small, with editorial services and advice in acquisition, publishing agreements, copyright issues, subsidiary and international rights, production (including printed, e-book and audio formats) and promotion.

Academic Literary Agent

I am available to represent a limited number of authors on a per-project basis at a standard 15% agency rate. I capitalize on two decades in editorial positions with CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) publishers and my seminary training to specialize in the nonfiction Christian book market, with a bent toward authors and manuscripts that are more theological, academic or semi-academic.

Among many of the hats David wears, songwriting is another. He has delighted music lovers with songs that can be heard on http://fromconcepttocontract.com/daves-songs/

Dave’s God: There is one thing I really want you to know about me: my life is not my own. I have put it in the hands of the One who created the universe. To read more on this “God stuff,” select this link: Dave’s God

My wife and I live in southcentral Pennsylvania; we have two adult sons/daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

 

To read more on David, visit:

• Nonfiction writing blog:www.FromConceptoContract.com
• Author/publisher website:www.DaveFessenden.com

 

And don’t forget to visit his Amazon Page for books he’s written.

 

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Dawn Sooy, GLVWG’s Conference Chairman, is a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, with plenty of experience the four seasons have to offer. Armed with a Computer Science degree, she worked in the tech industry until 2012. As an animal lover, she volunteers at the local animal shelter, sneaking in treats for the four-legged residents.

Registration for The Write Stuff Writers Conference Opens December 8

Tags

Agent Interviews, Book Marketing, Editing, Speculative Fiction, Writing Conference, Writing Craft, Writing Fiction, Writing Workshops

Write Stuff Conference brochure 2019

We want to give you a heads up about GLVWG’s The Write Stuff Writers Conference^TM .  It’s taking place March 21 – 23, 2019 at the Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center at 300 Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, PA.

We have Ben Wolf presenting on Thursday and Friday. AND he’s the Keynote Speaker on Saturday.

Registration opens Saturday, December 8.

Just in time to give yourself a present – or put on your wish list (hint, hint).

If you’ve attended our conference in the past, you know the value you get for your buck.

If you’ve never been to our conference – prepare for a great experience.

 

Day 1: Thursday, March 21

Ben Wolf

Into the Deep: An Advanced Study of Speculative Fiction

*****

Day 2: Friday, March 22

Ben Wolf

The Three Pillars of Storytelling

Backstory: Your Secret Weapon to Engaging Readers

Writing Flash Fiction that Sells

Janeen Ippolito

Book to Market: Tips to Package, Promote, and Publish Your Book

 

Friday Evening Events

The Pixar Method with Charis Crowe

Page Cuts Critique Sessions ($10 Fee; Advanced registration required)

Followed by reception with snacks and cash bar

*****

Day 3: Saturday, March 23

Ben Wolf

Keynote Luncheon Speech — “Writing Through Adversity”

Presenters (in alphabetical order)

Donna Brennan

Strengthening Your Writing  (2-hour workshop –  Limited to 24 participants)

Getting Started Writing for Magazines

Putting Off Procrastination

Kathryn Craft

Those Critical First Pages

Say That and More: Writing Effective Dialogue (2-hr workshop. Limited to 24 participants)

Charis Crowe

Marketing Execution for Authors

Finding Your Author Voice

YA is Here to Stay (Cedar Crest)

David Fessenden

The Publishing Contract

The Writer/Editor Relationship

The Dreaded Outline: What Your English Teacher Never Told You

Editing Your Own Material (Muhlenberg)

Jon Gibbs

Are Your Characters Right for the Part (Hands-on session.)

The Seven-Sentence Solution (2-hr workshop. Limited to 24)

Janeen Ippolito

Fundamentals of Fiction – Inside Out

How to Write Romantic Subplots

Larry Schardt

Powerful Tools to Enhance Your Writing

Putting a Positive Spin on Rejection (Lafayette)

*****

Keep watching the GLVWG Website and follow the GLVWG Blog for updates, along with our Facebook Page.

An Interview with Tabitha Lord

Tags

Book Club Babble, Book Marketing, Editing, Indie Publishing, Writer Courses, Writing Conferences

I’m a Storyteller …

I always have been. 

When I was a little girl, I wrote poetry, horse stories, adventure tales. I daydreamed about far-off planets, brave heroines, epic journeys. Then life happened. A good life, full of love, laughter, tears, children, work, play, and real adventure! Time passed, but the stories, they were still there, and one day I began writing them down again.

GLVWG’s Sandra Almonte interviewed Tabitha author of the award-winning Horizon series.

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Sandra:  I would like to start with…you have a HUSBAND, FOUR kids, TWO cats AND a black lab. How in the world do you find time to write? Do you have a set time you “get away” to write? What advice can you give those of us that think we don’t have enough time in the day to write?

Tabitha:       I’m hyper-organized, and if someone really wanted to mess with me, hiding my to-do lists and notebooks would send me into a tailspin! Seriously though, I work with a calendar and plan out my time so that I feel proactive instead of reactive, and I can ensure that I’m attending to my priorities first. I wrote a blog about my obsessive organizational habits, Inside a Writer’s Mind – On Editing, while working with a calendar, and I’ll be sharing thoughts on that during one of my programs at the Write Stuff conference.

But really, there’s never enough time until you decide to make the time. Once I commit to writing a new draft, I protect my creative space fiercely. And, over the years, I’ve learned a lot about effective habits, my personal rhythms, and the amount of time I need in order to have a productive creative writing session. I plan my schedule with this information in mind.

Sandra:  You’re also a senior writer at Book Club Babble. How did you become part of that group? How do you juggle your own blog and book writing with writing for the club?

Tabitha:       Several years ago, my friend and I attended the Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC for the first time. I think one the best things about conferences are the fantastic people you meet who become part of your writing “tribe.”  That year, we met some fellow writers who had just started a book blogging web site. They invited my friend and me to guest post, and within a few weeks asked if we wanted to partner with them. There are now seven of us – six who do the writing and interviewing, and one who specializes in marketing strategy and promotions. We read every book we promote, but we don’t promote every book we read. We pride ourselves on the quality of our recommendations, and on the care we give to each author.

I love this work. It gives me an opportunity to read in all genres, and to assure that I keep up the habit of reading even when I’m busy with my own writing projects. The writing community is so supportive of one another, and it’s gratifying to read something wonderful and then be able to enthusiastically promote it on a well-respected platform with good reach.

Meet Author/Editor Patti Giordani

Tags

Editing, Libra Editorial Services, Writing, Writing Conferences, Writing Magazine Articles

GLVWG author, Mitzi Flye, took the time to interview Patti Giordani, one of our presenters at the The Write Stuff Writers Conference™ on Saturday, March 25, 2017.  Patti has been a long member of GLVWG, as well as a Copy Editor for the annual GLVWG Write Stuff Anthology.

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MF:  For some reason, the GLVWG Conference Committee thought I should interview Pattie Giordani. Maybe it’s because I’ve known her all of her life (and dumped her out of her baby carriage). Thank you for allowing me to interview you (she’s touching me!). I will be nicer to you than I was when you were 8 and I was 12.

***

  MF: You have quite a varied background in editing, including being an editor of a nonprofit organization’s magazine and assistant features editor at The Express-Times daily newspaper. But you’re also a writer. Which do you find most rewarding?

PG:Thank you for doing this interview with me! (No one made me say that. LOL) As for editing vs. writing—I find both rewarding. As you know, I’m a Libra so I tend to look at both sides of a question. As an editor, I enjoy helping other writers shape and improve their work. And the most rewarding part is when an author says I made the work better. But I do think my scale is tipped toward writing, because I’m nosy! I’m interested in people, what they do, what they love, their backgrounds, their aspirations—you get the idea. I’m also interested in businesses, places, things, history, and many other topics. Researching and writing articles helps me delve into subjects I might never otherwise have the chance to learn about.

Jennifer Lader Helps Authors Turn Writing into a Business

Tags

Author Coach, Being Productive, Business of Writing, Editing, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Conferences

Jennifer Lader, editor and profile coach, will be helping authors turn writing into a moneymaking business at the Write Stuff Writers Conference™ on March 25, 2017.

Article by Charles Kiernan, Write Stuff Conference™ Chairman

*****

I have known Jennifer Lader for years, being part of my longest standing critique groups. I witnessed her “coming into her own” at a rather phenomenal rate. I am pleased to have her as one of the conference’s non-fiction presenters for 2017.

Jennifer Lader has developed a proprietary process for helping small businesses and sole proprietorships identify and share what they can do for others. After many years as a freelance writer and three years as the editor of what became an award-winning newspaper under her tenure, Jennifer brought her writing and business skills together to build up a successful enterprise as a contractor.

Today, she helps individuals and small businesses develop powerful and easy-to-share profiles, then get the word out.

Along with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Grinnell College, Jennifer has her master’s in public administration. She is the senior writer for the Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence, marketer for Business & Community Financing Solutions, and managing editor for Architects Marketing.

She knows how to pitch stories to the media and has landed her clients in highly positive feature articles. Besides GLVWG, she is a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association and of the Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild. Her work has been recognized with a 1st Place Keystone Press Award for niche publication and a 1st Place Simon Rockower Award for her article on the cultural impact of the television show “Bewitched.”

At the conference will be presenting two back-to-back sessions entiled, THE FINE LINE: HOW TO TURN YOUR WRITING INTO A MONEY-MAKINIG BUSINESS. You’ll come away with specific actions that you can take to launch or invigorate your freelance career.

GOAL: Get into the mindset that you can make money as a freelancer.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Find out the number one way that you can easily promote your services, enable others to envision how you can help them, and melt away your competition (lesson 1)
2. Learn how to think like a business person (lessons 2-7)
3. Make plans now to stake your claim in three easy steps (lessons 8-10).

 

Wow, could we really make a living at this craft? Let Jennifer tell you how.

*****

You can contact Jennifer Lader at jennifer@jenniferlader.com. To learn more about Jennifer Lader’s process, check out her website, jenniferlader.com.

 

Chris Redding Presentation at GLVWG

Tags

Chris Redding, Editing, Ghost Writing, Professional Writing, Writing, Writing Fiction

Aren’t many writers out there, especially new authors, who don’t dream of hitting it big with a bestseller.  The odds of it are akin to winning the lottery.  Chris Redding gave a presentation at the GLVWG September general meeting and offered some tips for making money with the craft before you get published.  In the afternoon session, Chris gave us her top ten list of writing good fiction.  The following is a summary of her talks.

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Morning Session, September 24, 2016

How to make money before you get published

Writing for others is a good way to build a portfolio.

1. Who can you write for? Here’s a few examples.
   1. Magazines – which are getting smaller, and more focused by subject matter.
   2. Newspaper contributions
   3. Beta Reading – Sites do exist where people will pay to beta read material
   4. Writing, Editing, Proofreading
   5. Speech Writing – Lot of corporate folks who need a ghost speechwriter.
   6. Ghost Writing – Penning someone else’s story
2. What skills are needed?
   1. Writing ability – Seems obvious, but necessary to gain trust of potential client
   2. Professionalism and good Business Sense.
   3. Motivation, Perseverance, Discipline
   4. Goal Setting
3. Start Broad. Look for specific jobs where you have expertise. If you’re into gardening, search for all on-line sites and publications that do gardening. A few more examples:
   1. The academic community can be very lucrative, especially students where English is not their primary language. Graduate students who need someone to pen their thesis.
   2. Reputable book review organizations are always on the lookout for credible reviewers
   3. Business writing for corporations, executives in need of someone to take their ideas and organize it into a presentation.
   4. Doctors who don’t have time to pen their articles.
   5. Short fiction for magazines. Chris mentioned the “Confession Market”, or short stories written in the 1st person for magazines such as Women’s World, or True Confessions.
4. In choosing markets, look for news agencies, writers markets. Writer’s Digest and Publisher’s Weekly good places to look.
5. For those without a portfolio, Chris suggested a few sites to browse, but cautioned a need for careful vetting of potential clients.
   1. Upwork.com, Freelancer.com, Guru.com
6. Then, there’s the money side.
   1. When starting out, might have to accept lesser fees until established.
   2. Editors and Proofreaders may charge by the page or number of words
      1. Established, well-known editors charge hourly rates, ranging from $35 – $100 per hour.
   3. Ghost writing someone else’s book can run from $7,500 – $50,000.
7. Things to consider with a writing job.
   1. Will it further your career?
   2. Most periodicals pay by the article, which usually have a defined word length. Some periodicals don’t pay, operating on the premise “the writer gets exposure”. Unless you’re desperate, suggest avoiding these.
   3. Pay careful attention to fee structure and fine print with bigger jobs
   4. With big projects, like ghost writing a book, or preparing materials in business, insist on a written contract. Always front-load the fee. Chris recommended at least 50% of the fee up front, 25% when rough draft is complete, the remainder upon completion. Agree on how many rough drafts will be allowed.
   5. Try to avoid ghost writing projects where potential clients unrealistically believe their story will be a bestseller, and offer percent of future proceeds.
   6. Always have an “out” in all contracts, if project isn’t working for you and the client.
8. Problems you might encounter.
   1. Chris looks at all writing jobs with respect to how much of a “pain-in-the-derrière” a potential client might be.
   2. Client not making themselves available to keep the project moving in a timely manner.
   3. Subject matter not a good fit for your expertise, or not a good fit with potential client.
   4. How taking on writing jobs affects your work/life balance.
   5. Lot of nutty people out there. Go into all projects with your eyes open.

It’s OK For Writers to Talk To Themselves

Tags

Editing, Proofreading, Reading Aloud, Self Editing, Writing Tips

By: Christopher D. Ochs

Years ago, I thought I was terribly clever when I started the practice of reading my drafts out loud as part of my editing process. Several writers have since told me that it is a common and highly recommended practice. My blissfully uninformed hubris must also be common in other writers, since I later found myself repressing a snicker at a writer’s conference, as a speaker touted the benefit of reading aloud with all the earnest fervor of Champollion revealing the secret of the Rosetta Stone.

However, despite my previous innocent self-deception, perhaps I actually have added something novel to that process? That being said, if someone has already come up with this practice, I doff my cap to them. Regardless, I still document my process here in the hope it may help and inspire others.

 

When I read my drafts aloud, I record my voice — in my case, with my Blue Yeti microphone and Sound Forge. Though these are professional grade audio tools, there are several free hardware options and software tools available that will allow you to do very much the same thing — your PC’s built-in microphone with GarageBand for Apple, and Audacity for Windows, to name just a few alternatives.

Once I start the recorder, I only use the mouse to scroll the pages as I read. I force myself not to touch the keyboard during the reading.

I read as emotionally flat as possible, speaking slowly enough that each syllable is enunciated clearly. I cannot stress that enough! If you read aloud at what you feel is a comfortable pace, you will easily misread the material as written. The danger you face here is saying what you think is written, not what actually is in the draft. You have undoubtedly observed this for yourself, if you have read along when someone else reads aloud. I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve heard readers speaking at their comfortable pace unwittingly substitute, add, drop or switch the order of the written words, or worst of all gloss over actual errors in the draft. Slow down!

I allow myself to interrupt the recording to pepper the verbal flow with not only error corrections, but also with editorial commentary. For example, after a sentence I might say: “choose a better word”, “that just scans bad”, “sounds awkward”, “split up this run-on”, “it’s there, not their”, etc. Quite often, I would stop in a middle of a paragraph and leave myself the audio equivalent of a post-it note: “check if this is consistent with what happened in Chapter X”, “this gives me an idea – add XYZ to the next chapter’s outline”, for example.

If the material is long enough, I take a break after an hour of recording. After fetching a fresh cup of joe, I play back the audio file, reading the written copy along with my recording.

Then — and only then — do I edit the draft text according to the verbal notes I made in the recording. Of course, I pause the playback when the edits become extensive.

I have found this process to greatly enhance the simple step of reading drafts aloud, because it engages several parts of the brain simultaneously – reading, speaking, and listening. When all three language centers are actively engaged, a synergy occurs illuminating all sorts of errors and inconsistencies that otherwise are missed. I can attest to this, because each and every step of this process has helped me uncover additional errors in my drafts, especially during the final step of reading along as I listen to my recorded voice.

Christopher D. Ochs
Animator – Author – Composer – Voice Talent