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Careers: Writing/paranormal subjects

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Expert: - 10/20/2008


Question
I am interested in writing about my paranormal experiences during my years in business in a haunted building. Could you suggest a certain style that may intice readers more than just the average ghost story? Thanks

Answer
Hi, Nan!

Well, there are a lot of different styles that can attract readers. The ones that seem to do the best, though, are either novelizations of real events (The Amityville Horror, for example) or short bits about different places that are haunted (The Most Haunted Cities in America, for example.) That's not to say that your book couldn't do equally as well, but for a single location, you'll have to have either a big thing happen that chased you away, or that you managed to solve the issue and help the spirit move on, or even something that somehow changed your life (for better or worse.)

What you might want to do is spend some time in one of  the larger bookstores or major library to see what is on the market now and what was previously published but might be out of print. Get the names, ISBN and author of several of the books that are similar to what you're thinking of writing and also the names of the publishers. You'll then have some choices about who to approach with your book, and you can search the publisher's websites for their submission requirements.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with it!

Cathy

Careers: Writing

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Cathy Clamp

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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