HOT OFF THE PRESS! We love to share our information with writers, and we’re happy to pass some of our INSIDER’S SECRETS along to you. Feel free to print these posts to use as a reference. Pass the links along to your writer friends. It’s packed with great information. DEADLINE-DATED lists of anthologies, theme issues, and contests are included at no charge!

In This Issue:

* * A short lesson on how to properly format dialogue in DECIPHERING DIALOGUE.

* * We’re giving away a FREE REPORT that outlines industry-standard Manuscript FORMAT Guidelines when you order our E-book entitled REJOICE IN REJECTION. Go to: http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Rejoice-in-Rejection-e-book.aspx.

* * If you'd like some fun, visit some of the links included in TEST YOUR GRAMMAR KNOW-HOW. We bet you'll learn something!

* * If you're not certain about what makes a MYTH OR FABLE, we've given some explanation to make it easy for you.

* * Our COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS explanation will help you determine when to use “Than” versus “Then” and “Allude” versus “Refer.”

* * WANT US TO CREATE YOUR COVER/QUERY LETTERS? We know writers hate to create cover/query letters, so we have created a new A La Carte PLUS service just for you. Find out more: http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Want-Us-To-Create-Your-CoverQuery-Letters.aspx.

* * THE INS AND OUTS OF SELF-PUBLISHING is a must-read if you're considering publishing your own book.

* * You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming ANTHOLOGIES, SPECIAL-THEMED JOURNALS, and CONTESTS. Visit: http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx.

↓ Scroll Down to Read These Exciting and Useful Articles!! ↓  

It’s easy to get tripped up when writing dialogue. In North America the rule is to use double quotation marks around the words of the speaker; this seems simple enough but the most common problem lies in the placement of punctuation other than quotation marks. Writer’s Relief expert proofreaders offer some tips!

The standard rule is to include periods and commas within the quotation marks:

She said, "I don’t believe you are telling the truth."

"I don’t believe you are telling the truth," she said.

"I don’t believe you," she said, "and I no longer trust you."

"I don’t believe you!" she exclaimed.

"Should I believe you?" she asked.

"Fine, don’t believe me," he replied. "You’ve never trusted me."

Note that dialogue tags (she said, he replied) must be a "speaking action," whereas non-speaking actions (he snorted, she glared) are not punctuated as tags and should be treated as separate sentences:

"I don’t believe you are telling the truth." She glared at him.

"Fine, don’t believe me." He snorted with disgust.

Use single quotation marks to mark dialogue within dialogue:

"And then I looked at him and said, ‘I don’t believe you!’" she said.

She said, "And then I looked at him and said, ‘I don’t believe you!’"

"And then I looked at him and said, ‘I don’t believe you!’ and he walked away."

Another general rule is to start a new paragraph for each new speaker. It makes for a clearer picture of the give-and-take of a "conversation" and helps the reader switch from speaker to speaker.

Some writers use italics to set off dialogue, while others use no special punctuation at all. However, unless you’re Hemingway or Joyce, our proofreaders believe it’s best to save the italics for quoted thoughts and use traditional punctuation for your dialogue. For clarity’s sake, whatever format you choose, keep it consistent, and your readers will thank you.

The art of writing is a creative process. When the ideas are flowing, the last thing you want to worry about is your placement of semicolons or the correct spelling of "jacaranda." But once your ideas are down on paper and you’re satisfied with the result, checking for grammar, punctuation, and spelling becomes a necessary evil. After all, no editor will be impressed with your dramatic story line or unique perspective if your work is peppered with misspellings and funky punctuation. Sometimes a love of the language isn’t enough—a good grasp of the mechanics of writing is required to let your words flow eloquently.

Your options are clear. Brush up on your mechanical skills, hire an editor, or have a trusted writer friend proof your work. At Writer’s Relief, we provide expert proofreading to catch errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. But we can’t always be there to look over your shoulder and point out the run-on sentences in the essay section of a job application or a scathing letter to your senator. The following Web sites provide some fun (yes, even spelling tests can be fun!) and illuminating quizzes to help you identify your weakest areas. And you’ll be improving your craft one comma at a time.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

http://www.wadsworth.com/devenglish_d/special_features/grammarquizzes.html

http://www.copydesk.org/quizzes/quiz48.htm

http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.shtml

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm

Myths and legends are stories that explain historic or natural occupancies in the world. Originally recounted through oral tradition, myths were eventually written down into short stories. Fables and folktales, on the other hand, offer a moral or lesson. The fable is a short story usually written in a simple form, though it can also be created in verse. The following will help you clear up the difference between fables, myths, and parables.

What is a myth?
Mythology is a collective account of myths. Typically, the word "myth" evokes thoughts of ancient cultures, such as ancient Greek or Norse mythology. Many times myths help to explain the unexplainable or how things came to be. For example, the mythological Greek god Apollo carries the sun across the sky in his chariot. This would explain to ancient Greeks why the sun appears to move across the sky. The mythological Norse god Loki is another example. Loki is described as a trickster and was often blamed for mishaps or disasters in a Norseman’s life. The myth is also attributed to more epic stories such as the Mesopotamian The Epic Gilgamesh, which is used as a way of explaining the creation of the world and humankind.

What is a fable?
Often the fable makes use of animals as the central characters, though personification can also be extended to inanimate objects such as trees or rocks. Still, the objective remains the same, which is to teach the reader or listener a lesson of some sort. Aesop (circa 620-560 BC) is perhaps the most well-known writer of fables and one of the most prolific—this Greek slave has around 200 fables attributed to him. An example of a modern fable is George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which satirizes totalitarianism through the use of farm animals.

What is a parable?
The fable should not be confused (though it often is) with the myth or the more closely related form of writing, the parable. The parable usually has a moral maxim as well, but the content deals with the real world.

Are you writing myths, fables, or parables? Writer’s Relief is a submission service that helps creative writers conquer the submission process. Check us out!

A list of words that are often confused, complied by Writer’s Relief author submission service.

Than or Then: than is used to compare two or more things; then is used for subsequence.

Example: I am much taller than you. I walked to the store, then to the park.

Allude or Refer: allude is bringing something up indirectly; refer is to mention it directly.

Example: They alluded to the fact that she was in the hotel. She referred to her degree to prove that she had experience.

Anxious or Eager: anxious implies unease or tension; eager refers to happy anticipation.

Example: I was a little anxious about going to a different school. The kids were eager to go on vacation.

Negligent or Negligible: negligent means you’ve failed to do something you should’ve done; negligible means it’s small or unimportant, with no consequence.

Example: The negligent housekeeper left dust under the dresser. The effect was negligible.

Breach or Breech: breach is a violation of a law, obligation, or standard; breech can mean backside, part of a firearm.

Example: The company sued her for breach of contract. Her children were born breech.

Retch or Wretch: retch is to vomit or try to vomit; wretch is an unfortunate person.
Example: He retched continuously after the previous night's heavy drinking. The old wretch tried to bring down the spirits of everyone around him.

Disapprove or Disprove: disapprove is to have an unfavorable opinion of; disprove means to prove to be invalid, false, or in error.

Example: My mother disapproved of my new friends. The defendant disproved the judge’s decision.

Enviable or Envious: something enviable is desirable; someone who is envious is jealous.

Example: The lifestyle celebrities lead is enviable. She set him up because she was envious of his wife.

Hoard or Horde: a hoard is a stowed-away supply or cache; a horde is a swarm or large group or crowd.

Example: The squirrel was hoarding food in its cheeks. The show was canceled because the horde was uncontrollable.

Lama or Llama: a Lama is a priest; a llama is an animal related to the camel.

Example: We were excited to meet the Dalai Lama. We saw several llamas on the safari.

For more Writer’s Relief articles like this one, read List Of Confusing Words And Homonyms, Contraction Confusion, or Odds and Ends--More Confusing Words.

Learning how to self-publish a book can be time-consuming. Before you publish your book or novel with a third-party publisher (or before you start your own publishing company), read this to learn the basic information on how to self-publish. There are various ways of getting your book published without going through a literary agent or a big New York publishing house.

What kinds of books are best for self-publishing?
Sometimes perfectly good books are rejected by major publishing houses because the audience for the book isn’t very big (in other words, the publisher won’t make gobs of money).

If your book appeals to a niche audience—like birders in Massachusetts, members of a certain church, or even your own extended family—self-publishing may be a good way to get your book to your readers.

Most self-published books do not sell more than a couple hundred copies, and most do not turn a profit. For more on this read Ask Ronnie: Is There More Money In Self-Publishing Or Traditional Publishing?

If your book has wide audience appeal, we recommend querying at least 100 literary agents with your project before giving up on finding a traditional book publisher.

What are the different types of publishers and/or self-publishers?

All types of publishing in which the author assumes the majority of the financial risk can be deemed "self-publishing." But there are distinctions within the larger umbrella of self-publishing. Here is a list of types of publishers that should clear things up:

What is POD publishing?
POD stands for print-on-demand. POD publishers can print your book at a moment’s notice—as few as two or as many as 2,000. POD publishers are generally independent publishers or self-publishing companies.

What is a commercial or traditional publisher?
These are the “household name” publishers, and they are highly selective. There are no costs to the author for printing, artwork, or distribution, and authors are paid up front for their books. Authors do need to be represented by a literary agent and do maintain the ownership of their work. Traditional publishers are Random House, Penguin, etc.

What is a vanity publisher?
A “vanity” publisher prints books at the author’s expense. The author is responsible for paying the publisher’s profit and overhead costs. These publishers print anything for anyone who can pay their fees. They may offer marketing help, warehousing, editing, or promotion of some sort. (NOTE: the term “vanity publisher” is considered pejorative and outdated by many in the the larger publishing industry; use it carefully or not at all.)

What is a subsidy publisher?
This kind of publisher shares the cost of (or subsidizes) publishing a book. Subsidy publishers are often selective, and the completed books belong to the publisher, NOT the author. The books remain in the publisher’s possession until they are sold. Authors can collect royalties. Subsidy publishers are NOT generally considered to be traditional publishers.

What is true self-publishing?
As stated earlier, the term self-publishing can refer to all types of publishing in which the author absorbs some or all of the cost of publication. Historically, the term self-publisher refers to an author who starts his or her own publishing company, pays ALL costs of printing, and is responsible for marketing, distribution, promotion, etc. This is the equivalent of starting a publishing house, but authors who self-publish via their own houses are not considered to be traditionally published (see above for a definition of a traditional publisher).

What questions should you ask a self-publishing company?

1. How much will self-publishing my book cost?  Depending on the services and "extras" you choose, your investment into printing your work can escalate dramatically. Shop carefully. Compare what services are included in your quote. Are you obligated to purchase a minimum number of books? How much of a deposit is required? Do you have to pay for the entire contract before you even see your first book? How quickly can you get additional copies? Is shipping included?

2. Are the printed books high quality in terms of art, typesetting, and paper?  Some less reputable firms will use a lesser quality paper stock and have wider tolerances for production values. Be sure to see a sample of what you’d like BEFORE you sign a contract. Request references. Contact others who have used the service, just like you would do if you were renovating a bathroom.

3. What extras do you offer writers?  Most companies will have additional services they want you to buy. Some may be in your best interest; others are a waste of your money. PODs will sell design services for your book cover, offer editing services, register your copyright, or help you obtain your ISBN and Library of Congress numbers. You may want help with your cover presentation if you are not artistically inclined.

4. Is there a fee for formatting? Manuscripts must be digital and properly formatted. POD companies will help you format your work but may charge an additional fee for this service. Unfortunately, this is one area in which you should NOT skimp. Remember, how the printer receives your work is how it will appear.

5. What kind of distribution do you offer? Many self-publishing companies have an online store. They also offer to list books on Web sites like Amazon or Barnes & Noble. BUT unless the author has marketing in place that will direct readers to go to these online stores, it is unlikely that the author will see substantial sales.

Some self-publishing companies offer to distribute print copies of a book to bookstores. This is a good way to make sure that your book is shelved in stores, but it does not guarantee sales.

If your book is of a particular niche, you may be able to self-promote your book locally. For instance, if your manuscript is about a medical issue, you can set up book signings with local support groups and hospital outreach programs.

6. What is the cancellation policy? Because PODs print exactly what you give them, they will not cancel orders once your work is being printed; they will not accept returns nor give you a refund.

7. What are the responsibilities of the publisher?  PODs will NOT accept nor be responsible for misspelled words, grammatical errors, and overall presentation of the material (unless you pay for proofreading). Some will let you see a mock-up or galley proof before proceeding to the print stage; others do not. And none will take responsibility for the content of your work, including fact checking, potential copyright infringement, or libelous statements.

8. What’s the catch? As with all consumer products, it is important to carefully shop and compare services being offered. Read the fine print. Know what you are agreeing to pay and what you get for your money. Have someone knowledgeable read the contract, too.

Visit these links for more Writer’s Relief articles on how to self-publish a book:

Self-Publishing: When (Not) To Include Your Self-Published Book In Your Cover Or Query Letter Bio

Is Self-Publishing The Easiest Way To Get Published? Decoding The Hype And The Facts

Top Reasons To Query Literary Agents Before Publishing Your Book

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, and contests. Find it by visiting:
http://www.writersreliefblog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx

What are contractions, and how do you use contractions correctly? Contractions are words that use apostrophes to indicate that letters and/or numbers have been omitted. Below is a list to help you lean which is correct: it’s or its, your or you’re, and whose or who’s; and you’ll also learn whether to use an apostrophe 1) when you’re writing a year, 2) when you’re writing plural words like women’s or children’s, 3) when to use an apostrophe for abbreviations like CDs, 4) and more! 

Its vs. it’s 

Its is possessive; i.e., "Its nose was large." It's is the contraction for it is. “It's the biggest I've ever seen.”

Your vs. you’re

Again, your is possessive; i.e., "Pick up your bike or you're going to be in trouble." You're is the contraction for you are.

Whose vs. who’s

Whose is possessive; i.e., "Whose books are on the floor?" Who's is the contraction for who is; i.e., "Guess who's coming for dinner?"

Dates

'60 is the contraction for 1960. Always remember to reverse the apostrophe when the beginning of a word or number is omitted. (To reverse the apostrophe, enter it twice; then delete the first apostrophe so it will curve the correct way.)

Apostrophes are also used when forming plurals of lowercase letters, i.e., i's and t's. The reason for this is more appearance than grammatical. Below are some examples.

Still confused? For more articles and tips on grammar and punctuation, sign up for our FREE newsletter or give us a call to see how Writer’s Relief can help proofread and format your creative writing.