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About Cathy Clamp
Expertise
I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting published through commercial publishers, ebook publishers and self-publishing I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication.
Experience
I'm a USA Today bestselling author of romance fiction in the Tor/Forge Books paranormal romance line. Along with a co-author, I've published eight novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for six more books through 2009. I've also published short stories in regional and national magazines as well as freelance feature articles.
Organizations
Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications
Books: Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing; Magazines: Rocky Mountain Game & Fish, Guns & Ammo, Fur-Fish-Game, many others.
Education/Credentials
My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years.
Awards and Honors
USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, 2007, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, 2006, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Getting Published or E-published > to be published or to e-publish
Expert: Cathy Clamp
Date: 5/29/2008
Subject: to be published or to e-publish
Question
QUESTION: I am a 50 year old injured worker on disability for seven years now with no money,that has written a book about the horrors of being injured at work and then being treated like dirt--it's taken me five years to write this 250 page work and believe it to be worth publishing; however, with absolutely no money and no one to fund me I need to know how best to proceed--I thank you in advance for any answer given.
ANSWER: Hi, Jack! Sorry to hear about your injuries and struggles. But you'll be happy to know that if you seek out an ordinary commercial publisher, you won't have to have anyone to fund you. THEY pay YOU. That's the way it works in this business. The trouble is that so many people have been led to believe that it's the other way around that it's really frightening to a lot of aspiring authors.
What you should do is decide what sort of book you have. Is it more of a "memoir" or autobiography . . . saying, "this is what happened to me", or is it a self-help book where you teach readers how to avoid what you had to go through? Once you've decided, wander down to your local bookstore and look on the shelves. Right there are the names of the publishers you want to "query" with a proposal. There's a whole new language you need to learn in publishing but don't worry---it's FREE! In fact, once you decide where on a bookstore shelf you think your book would sell, you can go to a whole bunch of places right on the web to learn the business. If you'd like, I'd be happy to give you a whole list of links where you can learn everything you need to know from honest, helpful people who won't try to take your money or steal your book. One place to visit is a writer's site called AbsoluteWrite. I posted a thread there that is a list of definitions for publishing that will help you learn how the process works. There are more than 22,000 members from around the world. It's a nifty place!
Here's the thread if you want to take a look (you might have to cut and paste it into your browser bar if it doesn't light up) :
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59010
Tell me what kind of book you've got and I'll give you some more suggestions. :)
Cathy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Cathy. Thanks for answering so quickly. I really don't know in what catagory to place my book. It is the story of my trials and tribulations I've had with workers compensation throughout my life, although written very toungue in cheek, serious, but funny; all true, but parodied. The title is---There's a Stick in my Ass
Answer
Okay, so probably in the memoir section. I'd suggest contacting your local bookseller to ask for suggestions on other books that might be along the same vein as your book. Then, read it to see how they've put it together (since sometimes that's an important thing to a publisher.) But mostly, write down all the information from the "copyright page" of the books about how to contact the publishers who produce that sort of book. Hope that helps a little. :)
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