Writing FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the writing profession
This FAQ about writing was compiled and written by Chatley Green wcgreen@cris.com with numerous contributions by others.
1.1 What font should I use? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)- A manuscript is not an opportunity to show off ...
- 1.2 What about photocopies? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- If you submit a photocopy, make sure it's clean ...
- 1.3 How should I format the first page and following pages? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- First page header:...
- 1.4 How should I indicate that the last page of my manuscript is the last page? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- It may also be a good idea to put an end of ...
- 1.5 How much of my manuscript should I include? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Research the rules of the market you're ...
- 1.6 How do I format a picture book? What about illustrations? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Children's picture books are normally assembled ...
- 1.7 How should I format a poetry submission? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- According to the _Writer's Market, 1997 edition,...
- 1.8 How do I count the number of words in my manuscript? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Start at the beginning. Point at the first word ...
- 1.10 What is the best length for a chapter? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- It depends. Although chapters of a standard ...
- 2.0 Does posting my manuscript ruin its chances for publication? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- If you post a piece of writing to a ...
- 3.0 How do I use a pen name? Is it the same as a pseudonym? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Pseudonym means false name (from the Greek ...
- 3.1 Do I have to use a pen name? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- No--unless your name is identical or similar to ...
- 3.2 Can I register a pen name so no one else can use it? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- There is no clearinghouse for pseudonyms. No ...
- 4.0 What about copyrights? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- *Nota bene*...
- 5.0 How do I find a market for my manuscript? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Go to the library and read the current _Writer'...
- 6.0 How do I submit my manuscript? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Insert your manuscript into an envelope that is ...
- 6.1.1 What is a cover letter? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- A cover letter introduces you and your work to ...
- 6.1.2 When should I use a cover letter? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Use a cover letter if the work was requested by ...
- 6.2 What about simultaneous submissions? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- One line of thought: Don't. Yes, editors ...
- 6.3.1 What is a query letter? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- A query letter sells your article, novel, ...
- 6.3.2 What makes a good query letter? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- First of all--the correct editor's name. ...
- 6.3.3 Where can I look at some query letters? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- 1. Any editor's desk
...
- 7.0 Is there a correct format for referencing material from the Web, Gopher, FTP, Usenet, e-mail, other Internet source? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Like everything that concerns computing and ...
- 8.0 What is a vanity or subsidy publisher? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- You pay a vanity publisher to turn your ...
- 8.1 Are vanity/subsidy publishers legitimate? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- It depends. If all you want is your book printed ...
- 9.0 Do I need an agent? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Markets that only accept submissions through agents:...
- 9.1 How do I get an agent? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- The easiest method: Sell your book to a publisher....
- 9.2 How much do agents cost? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Agents should not charge authors up-front fees ...
- 10.0 What professional groups are useful for writers?
- That depends on the writer's goals, needs, and desires. Some ...
- 10.1.1 Australia Council (Professional groups for writers)
- Australia's national arts body; covers grants, cultural exchange,...
- 10.1.2 Australian Writers' Centres
- These are community centres that provide advice and services ...
- 10.1.3 Australian Booksellers Association
- Suite 4, 21 Drummond ...
- 10.2 Canada (Professional groups for writers)
- 10.2.1 Canadian Authors ...
- 10.2 Canada p2 (Professional groups for writers)
- 10.2.5 League of Canadian ...
- 10.2 Canada p3 (Professional groups for writers)
- 10.2.9 Playwrights Union of ...
- 10.3.1 The Writer's Guild of Great Britain
- 430 Edgware ...
- 10.3.2 The Authors' LIcensing and Collecting Society
- Marlborough Court, 14-18 ...
- 10.3.5 Scotland (from the Writer's Guild of Great Britain WWW site) (Professional groups for writers)
- 10.3.5.1 Scottish Arts ...
- 10.5 United States of America (Professional groups for writers)
- 10.5.1 American PEN:...
- 10.5.3 The Authors Guild
- 330 West 42nd ...
- 10.5.4 Writers Guild of America
- Writers Guild of America, ...
- 10.5.5 SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
- 345 North Maple Drive, Suite ...
- 10.5.7 Mystery Writers of America
- 236 W. 27th St....
- 10.5.8 Romance Writers of America
- 13700 Veterans Memorial Drive Suite ...
- 10.5.9 Horror Writer Association
- WWW: http://www.horror.org/...
- 10.5.11 Society for Technical Communication
- 901 N Stuart St., Ste. ...
- 11.0 On-line groups - Usenet (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- Are there any on-line groups? (misc.writing Writing FAQ)...
- 11.0 On-line groups - Listserv (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- 11.4 Listserv: The Fiction Writers ...
- 11.8 Critters Writers' Workshop (On-line groups - misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- http://www.critters.org From the Critters Web Page: Critters is ...
- 11.0 On-line groups - WWW Page (misc.writing Writing FAQ)
- 11.9 WWW Page: Miholer's Screenwriting ...
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