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Careers: Writing/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Guidance | 1/23/2012 | Greg Miller |
| Q: I write quick quotes which I marry with blog-type writing (life’s observations) which can be ... A: I'd suggest you look at a format like tumblr.com, which can handle, text, photos and/or video and is ... | ||
| Including Blog posts/comments | 1/16/2012 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I am writing a memoir, and the vast majority of the material in my book will be taken from blog ... A: Mike! 1. When you say "the owner of the blog" do you mean the person who runs the blog, or the ... | ||
| Use of nom de plume | 12/28/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Cathy, You told a writer that a nom de plume had no effect on taxes and legal matters. But what ... A: James, The quickest way to answer this is to send you right to the source: The U.S. Copyright ... | ||
| Starting in writing | 12/19/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I am hoping you can help me. For the last few years I have wanted to, and been told I should, ... A: To teach you how to write articles would take up more space than is available here. However, I can ... | ||
| Starting in writing | 12/19/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I am hoping you can help me. For the last few years I have wanted to, and been told I should, ... A: Richard! I actually wrote an online class about beginning in freelance writing. I'd be happy to ... | ||
| Starting in writing | 12/19/2011 | Amanda J Evans |
| Q: I am hoping you can help me. For the last few years I have wanted to, and been told I should, ... A: Many thanks for your question and I must say your chosen topic is one that I am very much interested ... | ||
| Starting in writing | 12/19/2011 | Greg Miller |
| Q: I am hoping you can help me. For the last few years I have wanted to, and been told I should, ... A: The structure, tone, length and level of detail in your article will depend on your topic and your ... | ||
| The confession market/writing/submission | 12/1/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: A few years back I sold several stories to, The Confession Market. I made a few bucks and padded ... A: Anita, The "reliable" confession market is all but gone. The "Trues" were sold several years ago to ... | ||
| Can I watch detective shows rather than reading? | 11/28/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I'm trying to write a TV show about an amateur sleuth. For learning purpose, is it fine to watch TV ... A: Of course it is ok to watch TV shows instead of reading books. There is a big difference between the ... | ||
| Driving forward a novel's plot | 11/7/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I'm a bit undecided how to continue my story since I'm afraid a sub chapter could stop the story's ... A: Ariel, I think what might be happening that you feel the book is monotonous is that you're ... | ||
| Driving forward a novel's plot | 11/3/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I'm a bit undecided how to continue my story since I'm afraid a sub chapter could stop the story's ... A: Ariel, I guess I'm not sure what you mean by a "sub chapter." Do you mean a scene break or a ... | ||
| sterling/macfadden | 10/31/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: TRUE LOVE>TRUE ROMANCE>TRUE CONFESSIONS>TRUE STORY> IF THEY HAVE STOP PUBLICATIONS ON THESE ... A: Katherine, I was afraid of that. The "True" magazines were sold in 2008 to Dorchester Publishing, ... | ||
| Tipps for a first time writer. | 10/26/2011 | Greg Miller |
| Q: I'm trying to write my first novel and I'm having some doubts as I progress, so I got some questions ... A: 1) One way to create shape, dynamics and texture is to make sure that each ... | ||
| long words | 9/30/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I have recently started reading and I can't put a book down till I am done with it. Anyway, what ... A: again, Joyce! I guess my best answer would be that many authors don't realize they're using what ... | ||
| long words | 9/23/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I have recently started reading and I can't put a book down till I am done with it. Anyway, what ... A: joyce! I suppose a lot depends on what sort of books you're reading. Are they fiction or ... | ||
| Copyright protection and on-line posting | 9/21/2011 | Amanda J Evans |
| Q: Greetings! As a writer/artist with a slightly twisted sense of humor, I'm planning on posting some ... A: copyright is a tricky thing. the first thing I would mention is that if you are going to look for a ... | ||
| Copyright protection and on-line posting | 9/21/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Greetings! As a writer/artist with a slightly twisted sense of humor, I'm planning on posting some ... A: Jameson! There a couple of potential problems with what you're planning: 1. Do you plan to ... | ||
| review and advice | 9/9/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I am a budding writer and I need you to please give me a review on one of my short stories, if you ... A: Paul, Unfortunately, when I signed on with AllExperts, I was asked not to review stories and ... | ||
| How do i copywrite things i write? | 7/24/2011 | Amanda J Evans |
| Q: I'm Brian, I live in the U.S. but i see you live in Ireland, i hope you can still help me, as your ... A: Many thanks for your question. Everything you write is automatically copyrighted to you but there ... | ||
| copyrights | 7/4/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: How can I find out if a title for a book or story has been copyrighted or registered or trademarked ... A: Desirai! Titles can't be copyrighted. There are several things that can't receive copyright or ... | ||
| writing a book | 7/2/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: If you rememeber me, I wrote you a few weeks ago about writing a book. I have another question for ... A: I'm not a lawyer, so I can't tell you if you would get in trouble. I have read books that named ... | ||
| writing a book | 6/30/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: If you rememeber me, I wrote you a few weeks ago about writing a book. I have another question for ... A: I do remember you! I always advise my students to make an outline before beginning to write. This ... | ||
| Do you need to be good at mathematics to write like Agatha Christie? | 6/28/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I would like to ask whether you need to be good at mathematics to write a mystery book like Agatha ... A: Although an author does not need to know math to write well (unless, of course, they are writing ... | ||
| College Major | 6/27/2011 | Greg Miller |
| Q: but I am currently a college student and looking to major in B.A. In English-Literature. I am ... A: A Masters in English Literature will potentially pave the way for a teaching job. A BA in English ... | ||
| how to write a book | 6/26/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I'm thinking of writing a book. The problem is I have no idea how. Do you have to have someone ... A: So you want to write a book, great! Start this way: 1. Decide what you want to write about. 2. ... | ||
| Getting paid for short stories | 6/23/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I'm 22/female. I have a creative itch that I thought I was going to scratch by getting a degree in ... A: Desirai! There is still a short story market in the United States but it's shrinking all the time. ... | ||
| Teen Novel/Psychological Thriller | 4/28/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: My name's Amelia and I am attempting to write a novel. My main character is female and has ... A: Amelia! I'm glad you're interested in writing a novel. You've picked a difficult subject to tackle ... | ||
| i want to write a book but dont know where to start | 4/4/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: i want to write a book about a life experience i have had reguarding an uphill battle with a dreaded ... A: The only way to start is to start writing. Take your notes and arrange them in some kind of order - ... | ||
| Mystery plotting | 3/24/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: Rand, Recently I've taken up mystery writing. Writers like Agatha Christie and A.C. Doyle have ... A: You are absolutely right, Billy, mystery writing isn't at all easy! There are several kinds of ... | ||
| Creating a Ficitional Character with Mental Illness | 2/21/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I am currently writing Mini-Bios for the primary characters for a three volume novel. To help with ... A: Charles! I guess I'm a little confused about what you consider a "character bio." Typically, a ... | ||
| Fiction Novel Manuscript | 2/19/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Cathy! I’m an aspiring YA novelist in the paranormal romance genre. At the present time, I’m about ... A: Carrie! Sure, you can use real towns. You just have to be careful not to "date" yourself because of ... | ||
| style guides | 2/15/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Is it necessary for every writer or editor to read all of the style guides, e.g. Chicago Manual of ... A: Danielle! It's certainly necessary for every writer, because most every publisher uses the Chicago ... | ||
| Editing | 2/13/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: I have a completed manuscript that I would like to get published into a novel. Can you recommend a ... A: Jerry! Well, if you're seeking out a commercial publisher you might see on the shelves in a ... | ||
| Editing | 2/13/2011 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I have a completed manuscript that I would like to get published into a novel. Can you recommend a ... A: Absolutely! It is my own: http://pygmypress.com. There you can find out about the services we ... | ||
| Short Stories | 2/6/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Cathy Since mid-summer I have written and completed 8 "creepy" short stories (I have 2 more that I ... A: again, Richard! "Creepy," in genre parlance would most likely be considered "speculative fiction". ... | ||
| Short Stories | 1/12/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Cathy Since mid-summer I have written and completed 8 "creepy" short stories (I have 2 more that I ... A: Richard, Yes, THEY pay you. Never pay them--not even just for copies of the book. At the very ... | ||
| freelance writing | 1/9/2011 | Amanda J Evans |
| Q: I have a few questions about doing freelance writing. First, is it really possible for a person to ... A: Many thanks for your questions. When writing for magazines the rates of pay will vary and you will ... | ||
| Short Stories | 1/4/2011 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: Cathy Since mid-summer I have written and completed 8 "creepy" short stories (I have 2 more that I ... A: Richard! Sorry for the delay in responding. Your first email must have gone missing so AllExperts ... | ||
| Creepy kids in horror | 12/29/2010 | Susan Rand |
| Q: I was wondering is there a line for this? I mean I want to put a pair of creepy children in a story ... A: This is a highly subjective matter. What seems to you to be creepy (or not creepy), may appear ... | ||
| writing | 10/29/2010 | Cathy Clamp |
| Q: how can you enhance your writing skills? A: Ivan, First and foremost, READ. Pick books from the subject/genre you intend to write and not only ... | ||
Careers: Writing
Answers by Expert:
Cathy Clamp
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing articles, short stories and novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery. I can also answer questions about writing for major print magazines in the outdoor genre (hunting/fishing/boating/travel.)
Experience
I'm a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Tor/Forge Books . Along with a co-author, I've published fifteen mass market novels since 2004, and have contracts for four more books through 2011. I've also published more than two dozen feature articles in leading outdoor magazines.
Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America, National Association of Legal Assistants.
Publications
Magazines--Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Deer & Deer Hunting. Many others.
Novels/Anthologies--Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing, BenBella Books, Running Press, Wild Child Publishing. Many others.
Education/Credentials
Published Author. Published Freelance Writer. Certified Paralegal with specialities in intellectual property (copyright, trademark, patent) and real estate.
Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, 2009, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
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