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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

As promised, this issue explores more about book publishing and its related services. For those authors wanting the traditional route, you’ll want to secure a literary agent. Louisa Ermelino joins us after many years with Publishers Weekly as the reviews director and then the editor-at-large at the same trade publication with her article, “Finding a Literary Agent,” a practical approach. In addition, Printed Word Reviews has supplied a sample query letter as well as a current list of a few active agents interested in securing and representing authors, as well as a link to hundreds of agents across the country.

SAVE the DATE: June 23 - 25, 2024 Book Camp

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The 1106 Design Difference by Michele DeFilippo Literary Agent Query Letter Example Finding a Literary Agent by Louisa Ermelino A Professional Book Designer’s Approach by Diana LaGuardia Finish Strong & Be in the Know: Fourth Quarter Financials Matter by Kevin Kamen Self-Publishing: 12 Steps to Consider When Self-publishing Your Book by Linda F. Radke

Next, I chose Diana La Guardia, an American magazine designer with an impressive résumé, to write an article from the designer’s perspective on how a designer should think about and work with an author on designing a book. I hope you gain a deeper understanding of what book designers go through in putting their best into your book presentation, and help you help them along in the process. Enjoy this article from a different vantage point from that which is so commonplace in book publishing instruction.

Book CAMP by Printed Word Reviews magazine, Online format Library of Congress ISSN 2994-4406 is published 5 times a year. Questions or comments are welcomed, please contact the Publisher Ted Olczak at Ted@printedwordreviews.com.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express permission from the publisher.

You all know FORBES magazine’s famous 400 Richest Americans list. Kevin Kamen is FORBES’ multi-media financial expert who assists wealth reporters when they determine their financial value in this sphere. Kamen has supplied us with why you must know your business’s value, and how important fourth quarter numbers are.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher. To submit your book for review, send to: Printed Word Reviews, 63 Clinton Rd, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028. Allow 8 -12 weeks. Unpaid reviews are not guaranteed. More details available on our website at https://printedwordreviews.com/

Lastly, for those brave enough, or just impatient, I’ve asked Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC to provide a quick outline of steps to consider when thinking about selfpublishing your book. Radke also provides author services through her business Story Monsters.

To submit your book, visit our websites:

Although there are two more issues of Book CAMP to be published before the main event, IPA Book Camp 2024, don’t delay in registering. You can register here: www. ipaBookCamp.com. Taking place over three days, IPA Book Camp promises to attract accessible and motivated book experts to share their knowledge. I hope all attendees walk away with new ideas, ways to implement them, and some great new publishing friends.

Spring 2024 https://www.independentpressaward.com/ Fall 2024:

https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/

(More consumer focused; different judging; allows for all authors and publishers to participate; announced in the fall of every year)

To advertise, please contact Ted@PrintedWordReviews.com, or visit our website, https://www.independentpressaward.com/advertise

Until next issue...

Ted Olczak Publisher

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Traditional Publisher Quality for Independent Authors • copyediting and substantive editing • cover design • page design and typesetting • proofreading

• eBook formatting • author website design • project management • book marketing help

From manuscript to market, our professional team serves authors worldwide.

C O N TA C T U S F O R A C O N S U LTAT I O N T O D AY

1106design.com • (602) 866-3226 • md@1106design.com You probably spent years crafting your work, so why rush to the finish line only to wind up with a low-quality product? One of the indie authors’ biggest mistakes is not ensuring that their book is professionally produced. Quality services may be pricier, but you should consider them an investment more than an outright expense. Ensuring your work has been edited, designed, and published correctly is the best way to help you break even. Readers won’t waste time on a book that has an amateurish cover, or that is poorly edited. They want to know their money is going toward a quality product, just as you should want to know your money is going toward exceptional service. Rest assured, at 1106 Design, we only offer top-notch service. Whatever you’re in the market for–editing, cover design, interior design, you name it–we have you covered. Feel free to contact us at https://1106design.com to learn how we can help you succeed.

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SAMPLE Query Letter Here is an example of a query letter for a specific genre: Dear [Agent Name],

Dear [Agent Name],

I am writing to seek representation for my completed novel, [Title], a [genre] novel of [word count] words.

I am writing to seek representation for my completed novel, [Title], a 95,000word young adult mystery novel.

[Insert a brief and intriguing hook that grabs the agent’s attention and introduces the main conflict of the novel.]

When sixteen-year-old Piper Jones’s best friend is found murdered, she is determined to solve the case. But as she digs deeper, she uncovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy her entire town. Piper is a smart and resourceful protagonist, and the mystery is complex and suspenseful. I am confident that [Title] would appeal to fans of YA mystery novels such as [list of comparable titles].

[Insert a more detailed summary of the novel, highlighting the main characters, plot, and themes.] [Insert a brief bio about yourself, including any relevant writing experience or publications.]

I have attached the full manuscript for your consideration. Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

When writing your query letter, be sure to personalize it to the agent you are querying. Research the agent’s interests and submission guidelines, and tailor your letter accordingly. Also, be sure to proofread your letter carefully before sending it off.

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Finding a literary

agent

am always impressed at the stories of finding their latest client in the slush pile, which these days is their email inbox. But let’s be practical. Where to start? Don’t be shy. Mine your friends and family. Anyone you know who knows an editor or an agent or another writer and is willing to pass on your manuscript is always something to consider. People like to help.

Then, consider the lists of agencies (and interviews with agents) in publications like Poets & Writers and also on the web which will tell you if they are accepting submissions, the guidelines, by Louisa Ermelino and what type of work they are interested in. Also, checking the acknowledgement pages of books you like or are similar You’ve written your masterpiece and you’re ready to yours is a good way of targeting an agent because inevitably they are thanked, profusely. to send it out to the world. Some authors query ten agents; some authors have wish lists of agents; some authors take the blanket approach. I’ve spoken Step 1: You need an agent. There are stories of miracle discoveries with authors who have sent over a hundred queries. Any and but the reality is that the competition is fierce; an advocate and an all of these methods can work. insider on your path to publication is important, and that would be: your agent. The query letter should be succinct, summarize the book, and mention other books it is comparable to. You can include a The bad news is that agents, all of them, get hundreds of queries chapter but the letter is the key to exciting interest. Write this from new authors. carefully. The good news is, they really do read them and are always looking for And don’t get discouraged. And keep writing. And good luck. the gem, the needle in the proverbial haystack. Interviewing agents, I You could end up not only with an agent, but a best friend.

See Louisa Ermelino at the 2024 IPA Book CAMP, https://www.independentpressaward.com/ipabookcamp

Literary agents actively seeking manuscripts Falkin Literary 2605 W 49th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78731 Accepts E-mail Queries: Yes Interested in Representing: All fiction but genre romance and sci-fi. Nonfiction: general; narrative, pop-culture, politics/current events Clients Include: Louisa Luna, Peter Farris, Gemma Amor, Christian Picciolini, Kristen Lopez, Laurent Bouzereau http://www.markfalkin.com/falkin-literary. html

Trident Media Group 355 Lexington Avenue, Floor 12, New York, NY 10017 Accepts E-mail Queries: Yes Interested in Representing: All genres & categories Clients Include: Ronald H. Balson, Elwin Cotman, Lori Foster, Alan Hlad, Colleen Houck, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Andrew Klavan, Lana Kortchik, Julian Lennon, Kat Martin, John A. McDermott, Diane McPhail, Sarah Mensinga, T. Jefferson Parker, Adam Wallace, Jaimal Yogis and more. https://www.tridentmediagroup.com/agents/ mark-gottlieb/

Felicia Eth Literary Representation 555 Bryant St., #350, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Accepts E-mail Queries: Yes - preferred Interested in Representing: Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, popular science, investigative journalism, pop culture https://www.ethliterary.com/

SERENDIPITY LITERARY AGENCY 305 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216 Accepts E-mail Queries: Yes Interested in Representing: Children’s and YA adult fiction and non fiction across categories Clients Include: Derrick Barnes, Tommie Smith, Will Packer, Dick Gregory, Marilyn Nelson, Ed Gordon, Gordon James, Sundee Frazier, Jessica Care Moore https://www.serendipitylit.com/

You can find a full list of literary agents here: https://www.printedwordreviews.com/literaryagents