Call for Submissions: Got Ghost?

Rocking Horse Publishing is seeking ghost stories set in Missouri for an anthology that will be published this coming October. The deadline is August 30, so what are you waiting for? Scare up a ghost story.

Here is the call for submissions from their website.

Rocking Horse Publishing Call for Submissions

"Spirits of St. Louis: Missouri Ghost Stories"

RHP will be releasing a volume of original ghost stories set in Missouri, based on legend or purely fiction, in October 2013! Potential authors must submit, by August 30,  works of 1000-5000 words plus a short, 30-word bio, and must be age 18 older.

Selected authors will receive two copies of the anthology and a one-time royalty of $25.00. Additional copies may be purchased at a 50% discount plus shipping. Books will be available in both print and E-format.

We want good ghost stories, things that go bump in the night, haunted houses - no werewolves, vampires, or fantasy. No erotica, devil worship, or otherwise sexual or offensive themes.

Please follow regular submission guidelines below, but submit manuscripts to rhpanthology@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Thanks to Brad Cook of St. Louis Writers Guild for sharing the link to the submission call-out.

Sweeter than Candy for Writers on St. Valentine’s Day: A Sample of Dianna Graveman’s Marketing Seminar

Since I can’t afford to give all my readers flowers or chocolate for St. Valentine’s Day—and to avoid tempting those of us who gave up candy for Lent—I decided to do something a bit different in today's post.

How about a sweet treat for writers who crave to learn more about the business-end of our craft? Sound tasty? I thought so too. Today’s post is healthier and less fattening, but more filling than chocolate! So, here’s the “skinny.”

Earlier this month, I received a message from Dianna Graveman of 2Rivers Communications and Design that she was giving a seminar on Advanced Marketing. I have known Dianna for several years, and I know how strong and current her background is in writing, editing, teaching, social media, and marketing. After checking my calendar, I decided to attend her seminar, and I’m glad that I did.

At $15, Dianna’s presentation at All On the Same Page Book Store in Creve Coeur, MO, was a bargain. The night of the event, Dennis and Robin Tidwell had to scramble to find extra chairs to accommodate the dozen or so writers who showed up at their cozy store.  

During her presentation, Dianna gave a preview of an article on Indy Publishing that she’s been assigned to write for the 2014 Writer’s Market. 

Not wanting to steal any thunder before her article is published, I asked Dianna if she’d mind if I blogged about her presentation. Dianna said she’d be delighted.

Here are some highlights from my notes:

Writers need to think like business people.

Speaking to groups sells more books than just signings.

Think beyond speaking to just writing groups.

Target your audience.

Offer value by speaking on a topic of interest.

Learn how to write a press release.

Join groups that promote events.

Send your host a jpg headshot and bio in advance.

Start local and expand.

Become familiar with social media tools.

Create a Facebook Event and invite contacts (That’s how I learned about Dianna’s seminar).

Follow-up with an e-mail (That’s how I remembered the date).

Don’t hard sell.

Send your host a thank you after the event.

Offer to write a blurb about the event.

Pass out business cards.

I hope my fat-and-sugar-free sampler of what Dianna talked about has whet your appetite and given you some food for thought about marketing. 

If you want to learn more about Dianna's upcoming presentations, click on this link.  

"Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Soup for the Body" Book Signing on Saturday

I'm pleased to announce that this coming Saturday, December 8th, I will be one of ten local Chicken Soup for the Soul writers participating in the fourth annual "Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Soup for the Body" book signing.

The signings will be at three independent book stores in the metro-St. Louis area. Customers who bring in a canned good, which will be donated to area food pantries, will receive 20% off their entire purchases that day.

The fun will begin at All on the Same Page, 11052 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, MO, from 10 a.m. till noon. Authors signing books there include: Nina Miller, Theresa Sanders, and T'Mara Goodsell.

In the middle of the day from 1-3 p.m., Main Street Books, 307 S. Main Street in St. Charles--the book store that started it all four years ago--will host Cathi LaMarche, Linda O'Connell, Lynn Cahoon, and  Pat Wahler.

And . . .if you want to visit a haunted book store, The Book House, 9719 Manchester Road in St. Louis, will host the late shift between 4-6 p.m. Donna Volkenannt (that's me) will be signing copies of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas" which includes her true story "Unexpected Joy." Other authors signing at the Book House are Beth M. Wood and Sioux Roslawski.

Hope to see you this coming Saturday.

If you can't make it to the Book House, please stop by one of the other book stores on Saturday. The event is for a great cause.

Independent book stores are fantastic supporters of local witers, our food pantries can use your help--and you get a discount on your purchases!

I wasn't kidding about the Book House being haunted. If you drop by, I'm sure you can learn more. And don't forget your canned goods.