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Expert: - 2/19/2011


Question
Hi, Cathy!

I’m an aspiring YA novelist in the paranormal romance genre. At the present time, I’m about 46,000 words into my novel. Thus far, I’ve only used fictional towns that I’ve placed in strategic areas of Ohio. I’d like to move the next set of events into Columbus. Will that destroy the fictional continuity? I suppose I could change the capital city to something similar, but I’d probably have to change mention of certain sports teams and the like. What do you think?

Also, is it ever fitting to include acknowledgments in a manuscript? For example, I enlisted the aid of a few specialized experts for research. If they wish to be acknowledged, should I include something to that effect in the manuscript, before I begin the process of querying agents? Or should I wait until I’ve obtained representation and a concrete publishing offer, before I even consider adding those details?

Thank you so much for your time!

Answer
Hi, Carrie!

Sure, you can use real towns. You just have to be careful not to "date" yourself because of it. For example, if you use a setting that includes a local coffee shop that closes or moves in a year, readers familiar with the area can be drawn out of the book because of the change. Also, you have to be careful to refer to places only in neutral or flattering manners. You can't say bad things about a business or is management (even if you're making up the people in a real place) without possible consequences. Some companies/chains are really serious about it and have sued authors in the past.

As for acknowledgements, you can include that page in the manuscript if it's important to you. But really, for paranormal romance, what expert is going to have any sway with an editor? For example, I've thanked wolf researchers in the acknowledgments of our werewolf romance novels, but it didn't have any meaning to the agent or editor. Because of the genre, and the requirement of building your own world, it's tough to tout the accuracy of the research, because it's all in your mind anyway. If that makes sense... :D

Hope that helps! Good luck!

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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