AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of getting short stories published in magazines, ezines and anthologies I can help with writing a cover letter to an editor and editing the story to suit a request for revisions. I can explain publishing terminology, acronyms and manuscript formatting. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of magazines, ezines and anthology 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 and in published anthologies.
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; Short Stories: Prairie Times, California Fish & Game, Freya's Bower, OxCart Press.
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.
Question Hi Cathy.
I have a short essay about my father (WWII veteran who is suffering from dementia and Parkinson's Disease). It is from my own perspective and memories that I have of this wonderful man. I would like to get it published as a tribute, but I am not sure how. Could you offer some advice?
I also have a novel that my father has written. It took him 12 years to write this fictional story and I think it is worth trying to get it published. He was a very gifted writer and it seems like such a waste. He is too far gone now to do anything with it. What are you thoughts on following through with his work?
Thanks so much.
Sincerely,
Liane MaLossi Kerbyson
Answer Hi, Liane!
There are a lot of places to publish short essays, both in print and in online e-zines. The best place to try to find a good fit is to visit a couple of websites with links to the publications:
They both update regularly so there are new things added every week or two.
As for the novel, that's a trickier one. See, the trouble with intellectual property like novels is that they're often not covered under Powers of Attorney (if you have such a thing) in order for him to publish it. YOU, as an individual, can't, because the copyright belongs to him. No agent or publisher would accept the book unless he could enter into a contract to give them the rights to put the book in print. If he's in the early stages of his conditions and is sometimes lucid enough to manage his own affairs, it would be a good idea to have him execute a Literary Power of Attorney to allow you (or whoever else he chooses) to make any needed edits to the book and contract to sell it. His doctor would be the best person to answer whether he has enough mental capacity to execute such a document (and an attorney would likely REQUIRE a letter from the doctor saying he's capable.) The attorney would also want to satisfy himself that your father is of sound mind. In many states, the standard for signing a Power of Attorney is the same as signing a Last Will. In some states, though, the standard is higher. You might also ask the same attorney to have him sign a Book Collaboration Agreement, which would make publishers even more comfortable about dealing with you directly.
Good luck with this. My father-in-law has Alzheimer's, so I know what you're going through. :( I hope you can make his dream come true.
