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  The WordSmitten Weekly Broadcast :: About the Books

  WordSmitten.com

  Date / Time: 11/29/2009 9:00 PM UTC

  Category: Writing

  Call-in Number: (347) 945-6885

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  Tune in to the fun. Listen every Sunday afternoon at 4 PM for the WordSmitten "About the Books" broadcast. Interested in novels, short stories, and non-fiction books? WordSmitten's host, Kate Sullivan, interviews notable authors, editors, literary agents, and publishing executives. These storytellers engage in lively and entertaining discussions about the people, the books, and the business of writing. Listen to authors describing the process, the travel adventures, the researc

  Upcoming Episodes

  12/6/2009 9:00 PM UTC - The WordSmitten Weekly Broadcast :: About the Books

  12/13/2009 9:00 PM UTC - The WordSmitten Weekly Broadcast :: About the Books

  12/20/2009 9:00 PM UTC - The WordSmitten Weekly Broadcast :: About the Books

• Featured Episode

  WordSmitten :: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jane Smiley

  WordSmitten.com

  Date / Time: 9/6/2009 8:00 PM UTC

  Category: Writing

  
  

  WordSmitten's host, Kate Sullivan, interviews notable author Jane Smiley, the author of ten works of fiction, including The Age of Grief, The Greenlanders, and A Thousand Acres, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Her recent books include Horse Heaven and Moo. Her essays appear in Vogue, The New Yorker, Practical Horseman, Harper's, and the New York Times Magazine. :::::::::::: She has written on politics, farming, horse training, child-rearing, literature, impulse buying, getting dressed, Barbie, marriage, and many other topics. :::::::::::: She is now at work on a novel about sex set in Hollywood. Kate Sullivan looks forward to discussing any items that include horses, tinsel town, and critters of any persuasion, ones that make the world more interesting. We are delighted to have this outstanding writer on the broadcast. Jane Smiley lives in Northern California with her three children, three dogs, and her sixteen (and counting) horses. Born in Los Angeles, California, Jane moved to the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, then received her BA at Vassar College. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Tune in to the fun. www.wordsmitten.com www.blogtalkradio.com/wordsmitten www.meetup.com/wordsmitten www.twitter.com/wordsmitten

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• On Demand Episodes           17407          

  Original Air Date: 4/27/2008 8:00 PM UTC

  WordSmitten.com and host Kate Sullivan with author Janet Burroway

  Kate Sullivan interviews Janet Burroway, who is the noted author of "Embalming Mom" and the famous college text, "Writing Fiction," required reading in creative writing courses on every major university campus.
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  • Tags:
  • writing
  • fiction
  • Janet Burroway
  • nominated for a Puli
  • awardwinning author
  Comments (1)

• Original Air Date: 4/20/2008 8:00 PM UTC

  WordSmitten Media "About the Books" Interviews bestselling author Nancy Horan

  WordSmitten interviews author Nancy Horan in today's segment. Her debut novel, "Loving Frank," hit the bestseller list and she worked for more than seven years to bring this story of Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress to paper. Listen to interviews with outstanding authors, editors, literary agents, and book publishing executives. Visit www.wordsmitten.com for online interviews with senior editor Nan Talese of Doubleday, author ZZ Packer (a four-part interview), Park Avenue literary agent Eric
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  • Tags:
  • authors
  • Ballantine
  • books
  • Doubleday
  • editors
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 4/14/2008 11:00 PM UTC

  Literary Agent Jeff Kleinman and debut author Quinn Cummings

  Manhattan literary agent Jeff Kleinman discusses some of his clients' newest books, including "The Art of Racing in the Rain," due out in May 2008, and Quinn Cummings' manuscript titled, "I WAS ONLY TRYING TO HELP." Visit FolioLit.com and for Quinn Cummings, the QC Report at http://qcreport.blogspot.com for more information on this debut author who is the actress who played Marsha Mason's daughter in Neil Simon's "The Goodbye Girl."
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  • Tags:
  • Quinn Cummings
  • The Art of Racing i
  • authors
  • book launches
  • Folio Lit
  Comments (1)

• Original Air Date: 4/13/2008 8:00 PM UTC

  WordSmitten Media "About the Books" Interviews

  WordSmitten interviews author Franz Wisner who discusses his next book, the film (he says whoever plays him has to be better looking than whoever plays his brother), and his first book, "Honeymoon with My Brother." Listen to interviews with outstanding authors, editors, literary agents, and book publishing executives. Visit www.wordsmitten.com for interviews with senior editor Nan Talese of Doubleday, author ZZ Packer (a four-part interview), Park Avenue literary agent Eric Simonoff, and
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  • Tags:
  • authors
  • authors
  • book publishing and
  • book publishing exec
  • books
  Comments (8)

• Date / Time: 4/9/2008 9:49 PM UTC

  Kate Sullivan Interviews Author Roy Peter Clark, Discussing "Writing Tools"

  Roy Peter Clark, author of a recently released book Writing Tools, is vice president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a school for journalists and a company that owns controlling interest in a Tampa Bay newspaper, St. Petersburg Times. He is the author many non-fiction books and founding director of the National Writers Workshops.
  
  As a featured speaker at the WordSmitten Writing Workshop Series, he rocked the audience with piano playing, quotes from Chaucer, comparisons of writing and music, and practical information about the writing for publication and for pleasure.
  
  In an upcoming appearance on Blog Talk Radio, he discusses how the National Writers Workshops were formed and what he believes is the best way to engage young adults in the craft of writing.
  
  Visit www.wordsmitten.com and www.poynter.org for more information.
  
  • Tags:
  • Poynter Institute
  • journalism
  • writing tools
  • writers
  • National Writers Wor
  No Comments

• Date / Time: 4/9/2008 9:33 PM UTC

  WordSmitten Interviews Manhattan Book Publicist Scott Manning - Live Show May 4, 2008 - 4 PM

  WordSmitten Media, Inc.
  the people, the books, the business of writing
  
  WordSmitten is a gateway for new and professional writers who want to achieve success in the book publishing industry.
  
  <b>BOOK PR - A MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR AUTHORS. </b>
  
  Reprinted article<p>
  by Kate Sullivan and Danita R.A. Feinberg<p>
  Read the full article at www.wordsmitten.com<p>
  
  On Sunday, May 4, we invite listeners to tune in and ask those questions that have been thorns in your sides about the business of marketing and book publishing.   
  
  Scott Manning, a Manhattan public relations professional offers advice on how to publicize your book.
  
  He takes time out from his recent projects to talk with us about promotional responsibility.
  
  Projects that include "Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War" and P. J. O' Rourke's  books, "The CEO of the Sofa" and "Parliament of Whores" --both bestsellers.
  
  Manning holds the post of book-promotions advocate and media relations consultant and he provides an inside look at counter-currents hidden from an author's view. This is an in-depth discussion of publishing industry objectives vs. author objectives.
  
  About Publishing_______________________________________________
  
      What trends do you see in publishing (other than merger fever) that will affect book publicity during the next few years?
  
      As the economy continues its slow down, I think publishers' belts will become tighter than ever. A publisher has to be concerned with what will sell books-period.
  
      Although many would consider publicity to be "free," it isn't when a publisher considers the cost of travel and more importantly, the cost of a staff person's time to work on a project.
  
      When I was an in-house publicity director, I was constantly faced with balancing publicity potential with cost-and here is where an author's agenda and that of his/her publishing house can diverge. Whereas the author, on the other hand, might see opportunities in publicity efforts that will open other doors.
  
  How do you decide if you will represent an author?________________________
  
      Above all else, timing is key. I can't tell you how often I receive phone calls from authors whose books have either just been published or are about to be published. Authors should contact people like myself at LEAST five months in advance of publication. First, we need to find out just exactly what the publisher is planning (or not planning) to do-how are they supporting the book? Second, in order to prepare decent materials and approach the media, we just plain need the time.
  
      My guidelines are simple: is this a book for which I can deliver the goods? Is there media potential for this author and their work on and/or off the book page? Once I've established what I think are realistic goals, do they mesh with the client's expectations?
  
      What are three things that writers should never do, besides tackling their own publicity if they are not trained in the process, when promoting a book?_____________________
  
          * Never cold call a media contact without mailing or e-mailing materials in advance-even if they are a personal contact and it's appropriate for you to call about your own work. Invariably, their response will be "send me something," if you haven't already.
  
          * Although there's wisdom in not taking "no" for an answer, you have to be realistic about it. If someone has given you a firm "no," don't turn into a stalker just because you have a new angle. It's more important that you retain a good relationship over the long term.
  
          * Don't sit back and expect things to happen just because you're being published. Make an active effort to find out what your publisher's plans are-and determine whether or not you'd like to do more.
  
          About You___________________________________________________
  
          What did you do prior to artist/author representation?
  
          I've worked in book publicity for most of my career. I took a sidestep into consumer products public relations for two years in the eighties. Believe it or not, that experience gave me some valuable insights into working with the media when there is no book or author involved. When you're handling Weight Watchers, as I was, the pitch is a lot more challenging.
  
          How did you get started in publicizing authors and how long have you been in the profession?________________________________________________________
  
          I moved to New York to be an actor after graduating from college in 1979. By the end of my first summer, I knew that the theatrical life had been a total fantasy and I needed to get a job. Having been an English major, I decided to go into publishing.
  
          After spending a year as an assistant in the sales and library promotion departments, I decided that publicity was where all the fun was. I talked my way into the department and stayed there for eight years.
  
          Is there a book in your own future, and if so fiction or non-fiction?_____________
  
          Non-fiction. During a brief period of unemployment (yes- it happened to me and was in many ways the best thing that could have happened), I worked on a book proposal that did not get off the ground at the time-but I may return to it at some point.
  
          It concerns adults, myself included, who overcame something in their childhoods and actually applied the experience toward success. To paraphrase Nietzsche, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger."
  
          What are the books that you read (and read again) that make you believe that writing is a worthwhile endeavor?_____________________________________________
  
          There's one book that I'm constantly recommending to people, because it literally changed my life. "Composing a Life," by Mary Catherine Bateson describes people who find themselves at turning points. In order to create a new direction for themselves, they take something from one area of their lives and combine it with another aspect that may be seemingly un-related.
  
          In my case, I combined my vocation in publishing with my avocation as a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  
          The result was the creation of the Books for a Better Life Awards, which honors the best self-help books published each year and at the same time has raised nearly a half million dollars for the MS Society.
  
          About the craft__________________________________________________
  
          What would you tell beginning writers who wish to write?
  
          I won't be trite and say "write what you know"-but, write what you know. From a publicist's perspective, we can only promote something that rings true.
  
          For beginners hoping to get that first glimpse of reader attention, what components of short-story awards do you believe are most helpful to beginning writers: getting the story ready for a deadline, learning to wait for answers, proper presentation? How does the process help to promote writes' work?
  
          Anything that brings greater recognition to a writer's work is beneficial. Even if it only causes one more person to read what you've written, you never know who that one person might be (an agent, an editor, a reviewer).
  
          For three years, I handled the public relations for a wonderful organization called Poets & Writers, Inc. Their mission is to help would-be authors go about the work of getting attention for themselves in an intelligent way-to do their homework and focus on the right publications, how to present themselves, etc.
  
          So, of your list, I would choose proper presentation.
  
          What is your greatest success story?_________________________________
  
          Probably "Black Hawk Down," but on the lighter side I had a great time with the re-launch of "Valley of the Dolls." We proclaimed a Jacqueline Susann revival, and from there it took on a life of its own.
  
          With "Black Hawk Down," did the campaign you planned for the book turn out as expected?_________________________________________________________
  
          We all knew we had something special with this book-but I don't think anyone could have expected what it actually became. I had the great fortune of being part of a team on this book-and it's a classic example of how publicity should never exist in a vacuum.
  
          Just relying on media ink to sell a book is not enough. By the time I came along, the book had benefited from strong word-of mouth in the military thanks to its serialization in the Philadelphia Inquirer and other newspapers.
  
          In addition, the book's publisher, Morgan Entrekin, has an uncanny knack for creating pre-publication buzz around certain books. I was able to build upon both these elements by trotting poor Mark Bowden to practically every God-forsaken military installation in the country. I think he visited 25 markets in all, signing books in PXs and bookstores near bases-and slowly building his credibility with local media outlets.
  
          With someone as irreverently funny as P. J. O' Rourke, how difficult is his work to promote? Were you part of the campaign for his previous work, "Eat the Rich," released a few years ago?_______________________________________________________
  
          I've worked with P.J. on four books, including "Eat the Rich" and his latest, "The CEO of the Sofa." He is not difficult to promote at all. The art of handling his publicity involves strategizing about when to say yes to media requests. But P.J. is more than just good with a one-liner.
  
          On September 11, he had just started his tour for "CEO of the Sofa." For two weeks, everything was canceled because no one wanted to laugh. But after that, we picked up right where we left off because he is expert at striking the right balance between making people laugh, and getting to the heart of some very serious issues. He's an amazingly smart guy.
  
          Describe your perfect client.________________________________________
  
          Someone who trusts me.
  
          Describe the client from hell.________________________________________
  
          Someone who doesn't trust me. I've been doing this a long time. If you don't trust me, don't hire me.
  
          Links you would suggest to our site visitors._____________________________
  
          www.pw.org (Poets & Writers, Inc.)
          www.publishersmarketplace.com (great resource for everything you need to know about publishing-and for finding people like me)
  
          Scott, thank you for participating in this Q&A, we appreciate your candid responses to our questions.
  
          It's been a pleasure, Kate.
  
  Visit www.wordsmitten.com and www.scottmanningpr.com for more information.
  
  • Tags:
  • Scott Manning client
  • P. J. O'Rourke
  • author of "CEO of th
  • " and Mark Bowden
  • author of "Black Haw
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• Original Air Date: 4/8/2008 5:00 PM UTC

  Author of more than 21 novels, Shelley Singer, Mystery Maven

  California author Shelley Singer, author of more than 21 novels, discusses the Edgar award and the Shamus award (she was nominated for the Shamus), talks about her novels, the writing classes she teaches, and her life as a writer in this witty and fun interview with this legendary crafter of mysteries.
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  • Tags:
  • author
  • awardwinning author
  • book
  • Edgar award
  • editing
  Comments (1)

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