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About Cathy Clamp
(Top Expert on this page)

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.

   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Getting Published or E-published

Questions Answered By Expert  Cathy Clamp 
In Category  Getting Published or E-published

SubjectDate Asked

Copyright for books10/5/2008
  Q: Apologies if this is not your area of speciality, but could you point me in the right direction to ...
  A: Dale! This is a good question to ask. Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands are self-ruling British ...
Bookseller's Commission10/2/2008
  Q: What percentage of the list price does a retail bookseller earn? How about a bookseller selling on ...
  A: again, Art! "Should" there be a time limit on returns? Sure. But is there? Nope . . . at least not ...
Bookseller's Commission9/29/2008
  Q: What percentage of the list price does a retail bookseller earn? How about a bookseller selling on ...
  A: Art! Generally speaking, a bookseller requires a 35-40% discount (depending on the chain or store) ...
writ9/23/2008
  Q: Throughout my schooling I usually got the best grade in my class in writing essays or book reports. ...
  A: Al, I guess I'm a little confused about your marketing plan for this book. If you're planning it ...
Me yet again9/19/2008
  Q: I've been giving some thought to dividing my too-long novel into two or three parts, even though I'm ...
  A: Amber! Hmm... that's a tough question to answer. If you'd queried agents and they read the entire ...
Publishers for childrens books, ones to stay away from.9/11/2008
  Q: I just finished the outline of a children's story book. I plan on doing a series of books on the ...
  A: Lisa! I can indeed and it's good you're asking up front before you start the process. A TERRIFIC ...
Poetry books: hard to get published?9/4/2008
  Q: I was wondering...is it fairly difficult to get a poetry book published? And also, how would I go ...
  A: Shelby! Yes, it can be difficult for a debut author to get a book of poetry published. Most of the ...
question about authors9/3/2008
  Q: Can you tell me how authors make money? I assume they receive an advance, but what about after that? ...
  A: Danielle! Sorry for the delay in responding. I had issues with my ISP doing "upgrades." sigh... In ...
starting out8/24/2008
  Q: I have began writing my first book it is a fictional western and I have absolutely no idea where to ...
  A: Matt! Well, let's work first on the order: Sell to a publisher Secure the rights Get published ...
Query letter and copyright8/16/2008
  Q: I'm having an extremely hard time with my query letter for some reason. I have written my first ...
  A: Ashley! Good questions! So let's answer them one at a time: 1. You're not alone. EVERY author has ...
Small booklet.8/8/2008
  Q: I am thinking of writing like small book,booklet about the life experience that could help other ...
  A: again, Brad! Okay, the XP platform will work fine, but you're probably going to have to upgrade to ...
Small booklet.8/6/2008
  Q: I am thinking of writing like small book,booklet about the life experience that could help other ...
  A: Brad! Well, if all you're interested in is a booklet of a few pages, that can be done right on ...
Me, yet again6/19/2008
  Q: I know that, when querying an agent, you're supposed to tell them you enjoyed a book they previously ...
  A: Then you need to start reading it, even if only for a while. See, reading your genre lets you know ...
Me, yet again6/16/2008
  Q: I know that, when querying an agent, you're supposed to tell them you enjoyed a book they previously ...
  A: Amber! I guess I'm confused, because if you honestly don't like anything on their list, why would ...
publishing criteria6/12/2008
  Q: I hope someone can clear up a very unclear criteria regarding what is considered a "published work" ...
  A: Chrissy! I fully understand why you're confused. There are so many "definitions" out there in ...
Publishing poetry6/4/2008
  Q: I have a lot of poetry over the years. I've always been told that its very very good. It seems usual ...
  A: Spencer! The trick with poetry is that it's really hard to find a publisher for an unknown with no ...
eBooks and eBook Marketing5/30/2008
  Q: I guess I have a two-parter. First, what do you recommend as the best tool to create an eBook - PDF ...
  A: again! Hmmm... Boy, I know there ARE some methods to do what you're talking about, but I'm not sure ...
eBooks and eBook Marketing5/29/2008
  Q: I guess I have a two-parter. First, what do you recommend as the best tool to create an eBook - PDF ...
  A: Jason! I guess my personal preference is PDF Software (so Adobe) since more people presently have ...
to be published or to e-publish5/29/2008
  Q: I am a 50 year old injured worker on disability for seven years now with no money,that has written a ...
  A: Okay, so probably in the memoir section. I'd suggest contacting your local bookseller to ask for ...
to be published or to e-publish5/29/2008
  Q: I am a 50 year old injured worker on disability for seven years now with no money,that has written a ...
  A: Jack! Sorry to hear about your injuries and struggles. But you'll be happy to know that if you seek ...
Formatting5/17/2008
  Q: I've read several opinions, but are there definitive rules of formatting? Do I use a header? If so, ...
  A: John! I get this question a lot, so I fully understand what you mean about "several opinions." To ...
Getting published5/5/2008
  Q: I have written a 120,000 word paranormal romance novel and am having a frustrating time finding an ...
  A: Yeah, probably paranormal romance, but you should make certain before you submit the full ms. that ...
Good enough to publish?5/4/2008
  Q: im working on a book, not really expecting it to be published. my sister read it and said she ...
  A: Kitty! There's really no age requirement to publish a book. I've heard of authors as young as 12 ...
help needed5/3/2008
  Q: i have wrtten a biography, although it is in very rough stage at the moment, i was wondering if you ...
  A: Nikki! Biographies are tricky things for publishers, because they have to vet (verify) the ...
can I get a book published at my age, and if yes how?5/3/2008
  Q: I am an 11 year old pupil. I am doing my sats in three weeks, and so far for our practice sats, I ...
  A: Shannon! Sure, I don't see why not. It all depends on the quality of the book. I know of other ...
Getting published5/1/2008
  Q: I have written a 120,000 word paranormal romance novel and am having a frustrating time finding an ...
  A: Durian! Well, something you say here concerns me, so it ALSO might be concerning agents enough to ...
Legal Issues for Anthology4/30/2008
  Q: I was looking through this site looking for an intellectual property expert and came across your ...
  A: Willow! Actually, I DO know of a place where you can find a sample of an interview release. It's in ...
Magazine/newspaper submissions4/29/2008
  Q: Does a list exist of magazine/newspaper editors email address's?
  A: Liz! There are lists, but not specifically of email addresses. Not every magazine or newspaper ...
Query letter4/10/2008
  Q: My friend and I are working on a book project and we're stuck on how to include both of our names in ...
  A: Kris! Well, a lot depends on whether you're planning to show both names on the cover of the book or ...
Tradictional Publishing vrs E-Books4/9/2008
  Q: I have an almost 600 page, finished book ready for publishing. It took me almost two years to ...
  A: Terrence! I guess I first have a bit of a problem with the concept of a "reputable publishing ...
Well, you did say you didn't mind questions :)4/6/2008
  Q: A quick one - when I do write a query letter, would it be okay if I only gave my address and email ...
  A: Sure, but you should probably state in your query that you don't HAVE a phone. Many agents prefer to ...
Me yet again4/4/2008
  Q: hope you don't mind another one! I'm just about to start querying literary agents, and I've hit a ...
  A: again, Amber! Nah, ask as many questions as you like. 237K is pretty long, but a lot depends on the ...
Poems3/28/2008
  Q: I was productive last year, and wrote roughly sixty poems. They would look swell on a printed page. ...
  A: Alan! You're right to ask the question because there have been plenty of occasions where writers ...
Starting out3/22/2008
  Q: Cathy Any ideas you can offer on getting some of my ideas to the 'write' people would be ...
  A: Depends ENTIRELY on the magazine, Bud. You'll just have to read the guidelines. If they allow ...
Starting out3/22/2008
  Q: Cathy Any ideas you can offer on getting some of my ideas to the 'write' people would be ...
  A: Bud! Well, you're right that you probably don't need a creative writing course if you feel you're ...
Writing3/15/2008
  Q: I am 19 years old and have loved creative writing since I was little. I really am thinking I want ...
  A: misskitty! Well, "Children's Books" is a broad category, so you need to decide what you're writing ...
who, what, where, when, why, & how,.3/5/2008
  Q: As I run the gamut of the traditional publishing arena, looking for both, an agent an a publisher, ...
  A: Dan! Sorry for the delay in answering. I apparently didn't get your first email. But the nice ...
Me again2/28/2008
  Q: I'm not sure if you would know this, but maybe you could give me your opinion. I'm thinking about ...
  A: Amber! Don't worry at all that publishers will think you're a "freak." They won't. How you live ...
Where to begin?2/20/2008
  Q: I've always wanted to write a book reflecting some of the experiences I've had in my life, in hopes ...
  A: Anita! Well, your best bet is to hit your local bookstore and look at some of the other books like ...
co author contract2/18/2008
  Q: I'm looking for a contract that can be used between my friend and I. He has helped me write a book ...
  A: Yes, I understand, Jim. But the question is who is the agreement BETWEEN? Let's look at two examples ...
co author contract2/18/2008
  Q: I'm looking for a contract that can be used between my friend and I. He has helped me write a book ...
  A: Jim! Well, there are two kinds of "self-publishing." One is where you hire a company that becomes ...
Proper Article Source Citation2/17/2008
  Q: If I attach an article from a free internet article source on my website do I necessarily have to ...
  A: I'd say yes. Even a free article source is often tied by contract with the author to provide it ONLY ...
literary agent2/2/2008
  Q: I quit the newspaper business and wrote my first book. I am searching for a literary agent in ...
  A: Russ! Well, I have to ask: Why is face-to-face important to you? Email and telephone have made it ...
Typesetting Software1/30/2008
  Q: What is the best and easiest typesetting software to learn to set up a book for BookStore ...
  A: Here's a great article to get you started on understanding how desktop publishing works: ...
Typesetting Software1/30/2008
  Q: What is the best and easiest typesetting software to learn to set up a book for BookStore ...
  A: Angie! I asked a publisher friend of mine this question. Here's his answer: ************* If the ...
Young Writer from the Middle East1/29/2008
  Q: ), I am an aspiring 14 year old writer living in the Middle East. I just read your answer to ...
  A: Heba! No bother at all. I'm here to answer questions. :) 1. No, it's not true. Agents and ...
Publishing question1/13/2008
  Q: I've got 6 or 7 short stories in second draft, and a couple in first draft still. I've also got a ...
  A: Trent! Well, you've got a couple of options with this arrangement. While it's quite difficult to ...
hiring a literary agent1/8/2008
  Q: I have written and published five books, but they were all in the same field, non-fiction "how to" ...
  A: Check out this link: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9223 Found two sales for ...
Permissions1/8/2008
  Q: hope you don't mind another question! You gave me some good advice last time which I intend to ...
  A: again, Amber! Well, you're right to be cautious, because using quotes/poetry without permission can ...
Forewords and more1/4/2008
  Q: I'm not sure you can answer this, but how would someone ask someone else to write a foreward for ...
  A: Leaha! Sorry for the delay in responding, but I was out of town for a couple of days. Generally, a ...
Query letter?12/19/2007
  Q: Is a query letter requried to get published? And if so, how would I format one for my book?
  A: Tom! Generally speaking, yes--a query is required to get a publisher. Basically a query letter is a ...
how do i submit a story i had written12/18/2007
  Q: i had written a short childrens story i am wanting to see if it will go anywhere far as getting ...
  A: Cindy! When you say you've written a short children's story, do you mean an actual STORY, like ...
How to submit manuscript with graphics?12/14/2007
  Q: I'm getting ready to submit a short story for publication, and I'm having some trouble with standard ...
  A: R. My first question is--submit it to "who?" If you're seeking publication through a print magazine ...
A copyright issue12/10/2007
  Q: I've written and am currently polishing a book that was partly inspired by a movie I loved when I ...
  A: Amber! Your best bet at this point is to go to the successor copyright holder---unless the movie is ...
book contract with co-authors..12/8/2007
  Q: ..many months ago you sent me a book contract for co-authors...I am going to have my lawyer alter it ...
  A: again, Angie! Well, this isn't much of a problem for my co-author and I, because I knew up front ...
writing first novel12/4/2007
  Q: I am a non-fiction writer by trade, but have always had the passion to write fiction since I was a ...
  A: Lisa! Congrats on taking the plunge into fiction from the NF side. I did the same, so know that ...
Column in Newspapers12/3/2007
  Q: I am a pastor and want to get a syndicated teaching column in newspapers in the Religious section. I ...
  A: Okay, here are the answers I got about the column query from some columnists I know. Some of the ...
Publishing my sci fi manuscript11/15/2007
  Q: I have just recently completed writing the first of a three part sci fi novel. I really am ...
  A: Metz! I have to be honest---it's difficult to sell an entire science fiction trilogy as your first ...
Article submissions11/3/2007
  Q: Kathy; I have written a number of articles that I feel would be of particular interest to specific ...
  A: Davis! Congratulations on finishing your articles. Submission to magazines depends a great deal on ...
Getting Published10/28/2007
  Q: Cathy. I have been writing, on and off, for almost 10 years. I had an agent for the past 7 years, ...
  A: Kat! Well, first you need to determine what went wrong with your last agent. When you say he wasn't ...
song titles used in a book10/28/2007
  Q: I have searched through books and the internet for an answer on this but cannot find a clear answer ...
  A: Jim! This is a very good question. Your best bet would be to go to the source. The U.S. Copyright ...
I want to publish my writings.10/3/2007
  Q: I am Mirette, a 14-year-old girl from Egypt and I've been writing for a while. I really believe my ...
  A: again, Mirette! Okay, it looks like you have a variety of things you like to write about. What you ...
I want to publish my writings.9/27/2007
  Q: I am Mirette, a 14-year-old girl from Egypt and I've been writing for a while. I really believe my ...
  A: Mirette! Congratulations on starting the writing process. You don't say what sort of writings ...
I'd like to get a book published online9/14/2007
  Q: I would like to know some sites where I could get my book published. In paperback, and they're just ...
  A: Kelly! Well, there are a lot of different companies (known as either subsidy publishers or ...
getting published from the Middle East9/12/2007
  Q: I have just about finished writing my first novel, a whodunit (I just need to do a little editing ...
  A: again, Kahira! Not a problem at all. Happy to help. :) "Registering" a copyright is very different ...
getting published from the Middle East9/10/2007
  Q: I have just about finished writing my first novel, a whodunit (I just need to do a little editing ...
  A: Kahira! First, congratulations on finishing your book! You're ahead of the game right there. And, ...
foreign contract8/25/2007
  Q: i wrote a book about caring for someone with Alzheimer - something i did for my poor old mum for 4 ...
  A: Marion! Congratulations on the success of your book. You're right to be wary of any contract you ...
Release forms for contributing writers8/22/2007
  Q: ..Angie here again...I have another book going where people contribute true stories. Where is the ...
  A: Not a stock form that you can buy in an office supply store, no. You'll need to have one drafted by ...
Release forms for contributing writers8/22/2007
  Q: ..Angie here again...I have another book going where people contribute true stories. Where is the ...
  A: Angie! Boy, you'd think this was a really simple question, huh? But you just raised up a whole host ...
getting started8/22/2007
  Q: Well I started writing a book, based on suspense, I'm finished with the beginning and the end, and ...
  A: Sherry! Congratulations on getting started on your first book. It's a really exciting feeling to ...
Childrens Books8/17/2007
  Q: I'm a retired police officer who went from writing tickets to writing short children stories. I've ...
  A: Leon! First, thanks for risking your life to make the rest of us safe for so long. :) Children's ...
2 authors, 50/50 split?8/11/2007
  Q: .My friend and I are writing a book together. (I am a publisher author already)...Anyway, if we get ...
  A: Angie! Sorry for the delay in answering this but apparently I didn't get the first email. ...
Manuscripts8/9/2007
  Q: Does a manuscript have to be complete before sending it to a publisher for review?
  A: Floyed! This is a very good question. You'll hear from a lot of people that it's NEVER a good idea ...
First novella8/3/2007
  Q: I am currently writing a Detective novella- with a difference. I am utilising pollysyllabic verse ...
  A: Nilesh! Well, first I have to ask how you know it's going to be a novella when you're only a third ...
poetry writing7/22/2007
  Q: i love poetry and i love writing poems. i think i write fairly well. i want more people to read my ...
  A: vineeth! It's terrific that you enjoy poetry and want to get it out to the public. I don't know ...
freelance2/22/2007
  Q: if i have an article to submit do i just send it to various magazines which are relevant and hope it ...
  A: James! I just started as an expert in this category, and didn't realize there were some questions ...
using existing phrase2/16/2007
  Q: I have a question about copyrights- I guess. I just found the perfect title for a book. Problem ...
  A: Meg! I just started as an expert in this category and didn't realize there were some questions ...
When to look for an agent, etc.2/1/2007
  Q: Miller: I'm presently working on a novel, my first. I have just finished the first chapter. I'd ...
  A: Howard! I just started as an expert in this category, and noticed that your question had never been ...

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