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SPAWNews Archives Available - from Jan. 1997 to this month

SPAWNews, June, 2003

Wendy Dager, Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS
- EDITOR'S NOTE
- JOIN THE SPAWN FORUM
- LETTERS: SPAWNews Readers Respond to "Caveat Amazon"
- NEW! SPAWN E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST!
- SPAWN MEMBER AREA MARKET UPDATE
- START A SPAWN CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA!
- CHAPTER REPORT
- Q&A
- TO ISBN OR NOT TO ISBN
- SPAWN MEMBER NEWS
- CONTESTS AND AWARDS
- EVENTS AND MORE FOR WRITERS
- SIGN UP FOR ESCRIP
- MISSION STATEMENT

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Sometimes I hate my Muse. I call her names. I curse her. But no matter how mad I get at her, she just sits on her perch and laughs, knowing that, even though I can't grab her at the moment, she'll be within my reach sometime. It's just that I never know exactly when or for how long-which is the infuriating part of owning-but never completely possessing-a Muse.

OK, lest SPAWNews readers think I am going insane-but, then again, what writer isn't at least a little goofy?-I don't really have a Muse. One that I can see, anyway. I do have my moments of inspiration, where I work in a whirlwind, seemingly unstoppable in my creativity. That's the time I believe I am being guided by what some might consider The Muse.

This invisible force does not just apply to writers, but also to artists. I learned this several years ago, when I interviewed a New Jersey artist for a newspaper feature article I was writing. The artist became one of my best friends.

Each week, my friend is obligated to complete a load of freelance artwork while trying to market her comic strip-very much like my situation, in which I regularly write for several venues, but my raison d'etre is my currently unpublished novel. We are as close as any two friends can be, but, amazingly, we've never met in person. Although we live 3000 miles apart, we e-mail each other nearly every day. Sometimes I get e-mails from her telling me how excited she is that her weekly freelance work is completed and that she suddenly has a zillion ideas for her comic strip. I understand her joy. She has had contact with The Muse. And, sometimes, I think her Muse might be the same one that sits above me, simultaneously taunting and encouraging, causing both frustration and exhilaration. Which is just fine. Because, if we could capture The Muse-contain her and control her permanently-our artistic challenges would no longer be those satisfying, thrilling, and emotionally exhausting bursts of creative inspiration.
-Wendy Dager is editor of SPAWNews.

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JOIN THE SPAWN FORUM

Join us at the SPAWN Member's Only Forum. There are lively discussions going on right now about self-publishing versus traditional publishing and using a POD company versus a traditional printer. We welcome your input. See you there!

To participate in the SPAWN Forum

• Go to http://www.spawn.org.
• Click on For Member's Only.
• Enter your user name and password (your user name and password changes occasionally and is always published in your monthly SPAWNews)
• Click on Forum.

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LETTERS

The following are e-mail responses to last month's article, "CAVEAT AMAZON" by Patricia Fry.

In response to your article about Amazon.com's new fee, I completely agree with you. It is ridiculous how much they are reducing author's profit. This is especially unfair if the book that you are trying to sell is not that expensive to begin with like my situation. My book costs only $8, and after the 50% discount and $1.75 for S&H, I am lucky if I can afford the annual fee! But, as you said, Amazon.com is the best exposure a book can get. For now, I will just continue my account with them until something better come up.
Sincerely yours,
- Ziva

I am an 83-year-old author of several books. I have asked Amazon how I can sell on Amazon myself, and they told me they want me to buy 1000 books, which would cost me $10,000.  This is a color children's book.  They also want me to pay 55% of the book and a $49 fee with a possible chance that the percentage would soon rise to 60%.  If I were to buy 1 to 10 copies of my book, it would be $15.39 plus $1.00 shipping. I could maybe sell them for $24 each. If I bought 600 to 1000 books, it would be $10 per book.  Everyone says $24 per book is overpriced. One book is by 1stBooks; the children's book is being published by Random House/Xlibris. Xlibris also has not put my book on the Ingram wholesale list because they are looking for a better rate. I thought you might appreciate this information. I am frustrated at my attempts to sell my book.  I really need some new ideas. Thank you for listening.
- June

I thought the fee applied to NEW Amazon Advantage members only. We have sold through Amazon for over a year. Yes, they take a whopping 55% and we have to pay shipping, but that's Baker & Taylor's policy too. Amazon at least gets you global exposure, and they pay promptly (unlike B&T who find any excuse to drag their feet before paying). One thing to watch also with Amazon is their new policy to charge an $8 processing fee for paper checks versus electronic funds transfer. We think this is illegal, and that they are setting themselves up for a class action lawsuit. Please clarify the terms of the fee Patricia wrote about in the SPAWN newsletter-is it for new members only or not?
Thanks,
- Katherine and Karl
 

Patricia Fry responds: "I received the notice about the annual fee (and, yes, the one about the $8 fee) and I've been a member of Amazon.com for several years. It looks like it's going to affect all of us."

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NEW!
E-MAIL DISCUSSION LIST
FOR SPAWN MEMBERS ONLY

Have you ever participated in an e-mail discussion list? It's a discussion that takes place by e-mail, and every member of the group receives every message.

In the new SPAWN E-mail Discussion List, members can:

• Ask the writing, editing, publishing, and marketing questions on your mind.
• Read the answers to everyone's questions.
• Exhibit your knowledge when you answer questions or start a discussion.
• Get to know the members of SPAWN, your peers in publishing.

SPAWN MEMBER AREA MARKET UPDATE

The June SPAWN Market Update (posted in the Member's Only area of the SPAWN Web site) reports recent changes related to 20 more publications. This month's edition features 5 great opportunities for fiction writers and 10 useful resource sites for writers. We've also published interviews with two magazine editors: Phillip Thompson of Army Times Magazine and Anne Beasley from Surf Life for Women. Novelist, Kathryn Lay is our featured writer.

Here are some of the reasons why our subscribers have not yet joined SPAWN:

• They don't feel the need to network with other writers, artists and publishers.
• They believe they're getting all the information they need from SPAWNews.
• They don't have the time.
• They aren't sure it would be worth the investment.
• They believe they are members because they receive SPAWNews. (Subscribers become members only by joining SPAWN.)

And then there are the reasons why SPAWN members continue to renew their memberships:

• They benefit from the information and resources in the SPAWN Market Update.
• They appreciate the supportive environment at SPAWN.org.
• They learn something new each time they enter the Member Area.
• They feel good about supporting an organization that supports and assists writers and publishers at all levels of interest and success.
• They appreciate an affiliation with a well-established, reputable international organization.
• They enjoy the feedback to their questions.
• They use their free Web page and free Web area to market their services or their books.

All back issues of the Market Update are available in the Member's Only area of the SPAWN Web site, http://www.spawn.org/private.  

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START A SPAWN CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA!
 
If you're interested in starting a SPAWN Chapter in your area, find out more at http://www.spawn.org/chapters.htm and then contact Patricia Fry at patty@spawn.org.

Note: Please remember that you must be a paid SPAWN member prior to becoming a SPAWN chapter leader.

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CHAPTER REPORT

AUSTIN, TX
The Austin chapter of SPAWN held its most recent meeting May 1. Mindy Reed, owner of The Author's Assistant, spoke to the group about the value of using a professional editor when trying to get a book published. She explained the differences between developmental editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders, and the importance of each at different steps in the publishing process. Mindy has many years of experience in indexing (she works for the Austin Public Library), and is knowledgeable about every facet of the publishing process. The next meeting will be Thursday, June 5. The topic will be a BEA wrap-up with a panel of members who attended the expo this year. If you wish to join the Austin Chapter,
e-mail tami@spawn.org. -Tami Dever, SPAWN-Austin

RAMONA, CA
The Ramona SPAWN meeting was postponed until July. Check the July issue of SPAWNews for the new meeting date and further details. If you are interested in attending, e-mail greg@spawn.org. -Greg Lawson, SPAWN-Ramona

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Q&A

Question to SPAWN:

Hello,

I have written an excellent book that I believe is ready to be published.  If you can help me or if you can give me some information on how I can go about doing so? Any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  I would like to thank you in advance for you help.

A writer

SPAWN Answer:

Dear Writer:

There are a couple of ways to go about getting a book published. I'll attempt to give you a brief rundown of the possibilities.

1.  You might be able to find a publisher who is interested in publishing your book. Locate publisher listings in "Writer's Market" or "Literary Market Place" (available in the reference section of your library). To find publishers that produce books similar to yours, look at books like yours in local bookstores and contact the publishers listed on the those books.

Some publishers won't accept manuscripts unless their authors are represented by an agent. Find agent listings in "Agents, Editors and You" (Writer's Digest Books) or the AAR Web site at http://www.aar-online.org.

Learn the appropriate way to approach a publisher or agent by studying the articles on the SPAWN Web site (http://www.spawn.org). Basically, you will send a query letter and, if asked, a book proposal. Read about the elements of a query letter and how to prepare a book proposal by reading Patricia Fry's ebook, "The Successful Writer's Handbook," (available for sale at the SPAWN Web site) or Mary Embree's "The Author's Toolkit" (Allworth Press).

2. You can self-publish your book. Again, you will find an enormous amount of information in articles and books at the SPAWN Web site and particularly in the Members Only area of the site at the member forum and in the monthly "SPAWN Market Update." Another excellent resource for self-publishing is member Dan Poynter's book, "The Self-Publishing Manual."

Self-publishing means that you either design your book and cover yourself or hire someone to do it. Then, you take it to a traditional printer or a print-on-demand company to have it printed and bound. You are then responsible for promoting and distributing your book. But don't think that having a traditional publisher will excuse you from the promotional work. Whether you have an agent or not, or a publisher or not, you will be responsible for helping to promote your book. Find out more about book promotion at the SPAWN Web site, especially the Members Only area. You can also read Patricia Fry's book, "Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book," (available at the SPAWN Web site). This book is also available as a freebie when you join SPAWN.

The best advice I can offer you is to become acquainted with other authors and one way to do that is to join networking organizations like SPAWN and to participate in gatherings and communication forums. There's a lot to learn and the best way to learn it is to interact with others of like mind and interest.

I hope this has helped. You have quite a challenge ahead of you. If you have any more questions, please let me know.

Good luck,
Sincerely,
Patricia Fry, President
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)
http://www.spawn.org

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TO ISBN OR NOT TO ISBN?

The following question to SPAWN refers to ISBN, International Standard Book Number. An ISBN is a machine-readable 10-digit number that identifies a book for purposes of commerce and supply chains. For more information, visit http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp.

Hi. I am trying to purchase an ISBN number for a physical and e-book
that I have written. I am having great trouble finding information about
buying one ISBN. I have found information about buying a block of 10,
but the cost is prohibitive to me, and I don't need 10 ISBN's. Do you
know or have any resources I could check out?

Thank you, in advance, for your time.

Michele

Dear Michele:

I'm afraid that the only way you can purchase an ISBN is to buy the whole block of ten. That is, unless you have your book produced by a book packager-sometimes they will provide the ISBN. Often times a book packager also does print-on-demand. As I understand it, if you use an ISBN for the ebook, it will be a different one than the one used for the print book. So you will need two. I'm not sure you will actually need the ISBN for an ebook, though. I didn't use one for my ebook.

If you are planning to produce additional books, you may want to buy the ISBN block. The numbers represent your publishing company and the specific book, edition, etc. Even if you plan to print a second edition of your book in a few years, for example, you would issue a new ISBN.

I hope this has helped.

Sincerely,
Patricia Fry, President
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)

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SPAWN MEMBER NEWS

ADL Publishing of Glendale, AZ announced the April 5, 2003 release of an expanded edition of its successful publication, Dialysis Diet. The book written by SPAWN member Judy Mitzimberg is for anyone starting dialysis or for the caregiver of a dialysis patient. Ms. Mitzimberg was profiled in an article in the Glendale Star in Glendale, Arizona on April 3. This highly successful book has been written from experience by the daughter and caregiver of a dialysis patient. It has been reviewed for the National Kidney Foundation by the Council on Renal Nutrition Patient and Public Education Committee and is featured on their Web site as a resource for hemodialysis patients. It is also featured on the iKidney.com website in their marketplace under books and music. You can find more information regarding this book at http://www.dialysisdiet.com.

In 2002, Book 4 in the Rairarubia tales, Revenge on Rairarubia by W. Royce Adams, won two Book-of-the-Year Finalist Awards in the Juvenile/YA category, one from ForeWord Magazine and the other from Independent Publisher. His juvenile novel, "The Computer's Nerd," is also a finalist in this year's ForeWord Magazine competition; the winner to be announced at BEA in Los Angeles. Book 5 in the on-going fantasy/adventure series, The Ring from Rairarubia, will be released next month. Review The Computer's Nerd at http://www.rairarubia.com.

Dr. Katherine Poehlmann is now on the speaker circuit, presenting How to Beat Arthritis and Chronic Illness, based on her book Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Infection Connection. The book is in the top three in two Amazon categories: Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The next FREE lecture will be at the Manhattan Village mall on Saturday, June 28th, from 2-3:30 p.m., 1200 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 104, Manhattan Beach, California. The mall is bounded by Pacific Coast Highway and Rosecrans. Book signing will follow at nearby B. Dalton, a few steps away, from 4-5 p.m. For more information on the book, five-star reviews, and Dr. Poehlmann's continuing research, see her Web site: http://www.RA-Infection-Connection.com. She will also participate in the El Segundo Library Author Fair on June 1st from 12:30-2 p.m. This is a Meet the Author and book signing event. No presentation.

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Note: SPAWNews advises "caveat emptor" when dealing with venues, contests or promotions unknown to you.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS

SPAWN members: Send your book to the Central Coast Book and Author Festival. SPAWN will have a booth at the CCBookfest in San Luis Obispo June 7. Members are invited to send one copy of each title along with order forms (6" x 9" and smaller). The fee to display one title is $15. For each additional title, add $10. The date is coming up soon. Contact Patricia Fry for details right away at Patricia@spawn.org

Interested in promoting your book? SPAWN member Arlene Graham reports that Simi Valley (California) Cultural Arts Center board member Roseanne Savo is founder of four literary groups that are seeking guest speakers. To contact Savo, call 805-491-3387.

Book and Quill Collectibles needs your autographed books to sell on consignment in their new bookshop in Texas. They do not charge fees, including consignment book sales, sponsored book signings and sponsored book festival attendance. The shop is located in a popular tourist area just off the Square in Waxahachie, Texas (about 30 miles south of Dallas). More information about this shop is at www.bookandquill.com. If you are an author and are interested in selling your books through them, please read the Submission Guidelines and Consignment Contract, http://www.bookandquill.com/submissions.htm.

AuthorsDen is pleased to announce they now have a growing number of Free Reader Tools. You can now easily find, track, interact with and discover brand new books, articles, stories and poems at AuthorsDen. New AuthorsDen Tools include: Author Tracker - get notified when your favorite Authors post new books, articles, stories, poems, etc. Review Tracker - keep track of and edit all the reviews you've posted. Library Manager - manage all the works you've saved in your library. Message Board - view and reply to messages sent to you from other members and visitors. Forums - interact with authors and readers. For more information:
http://www.authorsden.com/login_newmember.asp

The following is a press release (verbatim) from A Cup of Comfort, an acclaimed book series published by Adams Media Corporation. Each volume of A Cup of Comfort is filled with uplifting true stories about the relationships and experiences that comfort, inspire, and enrich our lives. These evocative and engaging stories are written by people from all walks of life and are carefully selected for inclusion in A Cup of Comfort based on originality, creativity, and substance. A grand prize of $500 is awarded for each contest/anthology. All contributors receive a monetary stipend and free copy of the book.
We are actively seeking submissions for the following anthologies:
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR COURAGE
Celebrating unsung heroes, of their own lives or in the lives of others. Possible themes include: the extraordinary valor of ordinary people; thriving (not just surviving) in the face of challenge or tragedy; taking chances and taking control of one's own destiny; doing the right and noble thing for others, against the odds or against the grain; reaching the impossible dream.
Submission Deadline: July 1, 2003; Selection Deadline: August 2003
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR TEACHERS
Celebrating great educators and mentors; the joys and rewards of teaching; and dedicated teachers who've overcome their own challenges and/or helped difficult or exceptional students.
Submission Deadline: July 15, 2003; Selection Deadline: September 2003
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR SISTERS
Celebrating the magical and sometimes maddening bond between sisters. Possible themes include: life-defining or cherished experiences shared by sisters; finding or reconnecting with a lost or estranged sister; amazing examples of kindness, unconditional love, kinship, loyalty, devotion, fun and adventures between sisters.
Submission Deadline: August 1, 2003; Selection Deadline: November 2003
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR SPIRITUALITY
Celebrating enlightening or inspiring, miraculous or simply glorious experiences or teachers encountered along one's spiritual journey. Other possible themes include soul-nurturing practices or relationships; discovering a spiritual path, truth, or kindred spirit; receiving and actualizing (putting into positive action) a spiritual lesson or epiphany; divine intervention and direction.
Submission Deadline: October 2003; Selection Deadline: February 2004
A CUP OF COMFORT FOR MOTHERS AND SONS
Celebrating the powerful bond between mothers and sons. Possible themes include: positive impact of mother on son or son on mother; cherished or challenging experiences shared; connecting or reconnecting with one another; unique and uplifting aspects of mother-son relationship.
Submission Deadline: November 2003; Selection Deadline: March 2004
NOTE: Semifinalists are selected throughout the submission period, so early entry is encouraged. Submission deadlines are sometimes extended to secure the acquisition of a sufficient quantity and balanced mix of compelling stories. Additional volumes are planned. Potential themes include: gratitude, forgiveness, health and happiness (body/soul), baby boomers, bereaved, devout, couples/soul mates, blended families, singles, animal lovers, empty nesters, new parents, parents of tweens/teens, newlyweds, creative spirits (writers/artists), and more. Story Length: 1000-2000 words. Stories must be original, positive, true, written in third or first person, and in English. Preference given to anecdotal and emotionally evocative creative nonfiction stories and narrative essays. Please, no poetry, journalistic articles, commentaries, profiles, eulogies, letters, journal entries, diatribes, composition papers, book chapters, or fiction. Simultaneous and previously published submissions accepted, with the exception of stories that have been or will be published in a mass-market anthology. Aspiring and published writers welcome. For guidelines: E-mail wordsinger@aol.com or send SASE to P.O. Box 863, Eugene, Oregon 97440, USA; or visit the Web site at http://www.cupofcomfort.com

The SPAN BookPublish 2003 College will be held in Torrance, California on October 24-26. Save the date and watch for more information soon.

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CONTESTS & AWARDS

The Indite Circle says: "Due to a small kickback from one of our sponsors, we have decided to run a small short story competition. There will be no entry fee. All writers interested in participating can sign up and receive more information, regarding the dates, guidelines, and prizes." For more information: http://www.inditecircle.com

The 2003 Slamdance Screenplay Competition says that it's here to "promote & support talented new writers." 1st Place Prize - $2000 + a 2004 Slamdance Festival Pass. Late Deadline ($70 submission fee) is June 20; winners to be announced September 8.
To enter: http://www.slamdance.com/screencomp/.

Tennessee novelist Cathie Pelletier (The Funeral Makers), aka K.C. McKinnon, is moving with her husband to Canada. Instead of selling their home in Lawrenceburg, 70 miles south of Nashville, they are holding an essay contest, with the rural property as a grand prize. It costs $125 to submit a 250-word essay describing why the entrant would like to own the house and land. Deadline is June 30. For more information, go to http://www.kcmckinnon.com.

Icarus International is an organization founded to celebrate the history and the beauty and the mysteries of flight through the arts. They're in their 10th year of presenting a poetry contest. The theme this year is The View From 100 (powered flight celebrates it's 100th anniversary in Dec. 2003). The winning poet wins $1000 and publication in a journal. Each entrant will receive a copy of the journal. Entry deadline is July 2. For more information: http://www.icarusinternational.com.

The 16th Anniversary Penumbra Poetry & Haiku Contest, sponsored by  the Tallahassee Writers' Association, announces its deadline as June 30, 2003. Cash prizes: Poetry, $200, $60, $40; 3-line haiku, $100, $40, $20, plus publication in anthology of winners and finalists. Juried competition, no entries accepted online or without required entry fees of  $5/poem; $3/haiku. Send entries and fees to: TWA Penumbra, PO BOX 15995, Tallahassee, FL, 32317-5995. Guidelines by mail or at sponsor Web site: http://twaonline.org. Prize notification by August 30, 2003. Winners' list sent only if SASE included with entries. Penumbra 2002 issue available for $7.50 (includes S&H).

An essay contest is being held to win a 32-acre Colorado Ranch. For more information: http://www.wintheranch.com. Deadline is August 1, 2003.

The 2003 DIY Book Festival has issued a call for entries for its annual program celebrating independent authors and publishers. Award winners will be honored at a ceremony held this October in Los Angeles. The DIY Book Festival will consider self-published or independent publisher nonfiction, fiction, children's books, how-to, photography/art, comics, fan fiction, zines and e-books released after Jan. 1, 2001. All entries must be in English and have been self-published or issued by an independent house that has published less than 50 works since the entry cut-off point.  
This year the grand prize for the 2003 DIYBF Author of the Year is $1000 cash and a flight to Los Angeles. Other genre category winners will receive software, books and assorted prizes, including a review of their work in the DIYReporter.com.
Deadline: Submissions in each category must be postmarked by Sept. 24,
2003. Entry forms are available online at http://www.diybookfestival.com.  

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EVENTS AND MORE FOR WRITERS

Please note: Although SPAWNews does its best to filter announcements and press releases for various events, seminars, and classes, we cannot guarantee a successful experience for all who attend.

Write-to-Publish Conference, June 4-7, Chicago area. Focused on the Christian market, the conference will offer classes for beginners through professionals, meetings with editors, manuscript evaluations and a tour of a publishing house. Speakers include Michelle McKinney Hammond, an award-winning writer, speaker and co-host of the Emmy-nominated TV talk show, Aspiring Women; Clint Kelly, author of 10 books and more than 600 magazine articles; and Jane Rubietta, an award-winning author and international speaker. For more information: http://www.writetopublish.com.

June 5, CLUB DIY will present an evening of live music, a film screening, and a panel discussion at the Derby nightclub at 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Hollywood, CA. The Club DIY topic on June 5th will be "Music Publishing - Your Questions Will Be Answered!" Admission to Club DIY is free to DIY Music Festival, DIY Film Festival  and DIY Book Festival participants, or to DIYReporter.com subscribers. Admission for the general public is $8 before 9 p.m. Paid admissions who pre-register by phone (323-665-8068) with a credit card before June 4 will receive a free transcript of last month's panel, "Independent Music in Film & Television."

The TV Writer.Com Summer Intensive Seminar/AKA Brodystock III will be held July 11-13 at the Victorian Village Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Full price is only $350, with Senior, Student, and Inner Circle Member discounts.  For details go to http://www.tvwriter.com/summer2003.html.

Fade In Magazine announces its 7th Annual Hollywood Pitch Festival™. To register, call 800-646-3896. For more information: http://www.fadeinonline.com.

You will have the opportunity to meet James Bond and over 60 other Film/TV/Real spies at SpyFest 2003 on the Queen Mary August 9-10. For more information: http://www.spyfest.org

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ESCRIP BENEFITS SPAWN

Electronic Scrip Incorporated (ESI) is a California-based corporation dedicated to establishing relationships between commerce and community. Since 1999, over $40 million has been distributed to schools and groups. eScrip is a fantastic resource for fundraising where participating business partners contribute a percentage of your grocery loyalty cards, credit card, and debit/ ATM card purchases to up to three schools, groups or organizations of your choice. You register any one or all of your existing grocery loyalty, debit and credit card for use in the program. Participating merchants will make contributions to your chosen group, based on purchases made by you, just by using the cards you have registered. You can go to http://www.escrip.com/, click on the orange Sign Up button, type in SPAWN, then register your grocery cards and/or credit cards. SPAWN, a 501(c)3 organization, gets a little over 2% in donations from all purchases from participating merchants. If you already have an eScrip account, please remember that you can list up to three groups. Thank you for supporting SPAWN.

• Member Forum. In the SPAWN Forum, you can discuss publishing with knowledgeable published writers and publishers.
• Market Update. This valuable Market Update will appear every month, letting us know exactly what is going on with magazine and book publishers.
• Event Calendar where you can submit your events. After approval, your events will be available for all members to see.
• Member Webpages where you can upload your HTML pages to build your own Web site. Your Web pages will be viewable by everyone on the Internet.
• Metasearch where you can run a single search and get results from six of the top search engines.
• A simple Poll where you can tell SPAWN what you think about the Member Area.
• Outside the Member Area, but for Members Only - Member E-mail Discussion List. Starting June 10, members will discuss their concerns and triumphs in the new e-mail discussion list.

Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network
PMB 123
323 E. Matilija St., Suite 110
Ojai, CA 93023

Website: http://www.spawn.org
Telephone: 818-886-4281
Fax: 818-886-3320

Wendy Dager
SPAWNews Editor, Membership and Database Coordinator
e-mail: editor@spawn.org

Virginia Lawrence
SPAWN Webmaster
e-mail: virginia@spawn.org

Virginia Lawrence
SPAWN Executive Director
e-mail: execdir@spawn.org

Patricia Fry
SPAWN President
e-mail: patty@spawn.org

Advisory Council

Carol Doering

Dallas Glenn

Rosalie Heacock
Literary Agent

Andora Hodgin
Writer, Editor, Publicist

Irwin Zucker
Book Publicist

Jim Lane
Author

Marcia Grad-Powers
Publisher

Melvin Powers
Publisher

Dan Poynter
Author, Publisher

Jean Wade
Author

Board of Directors

Mary Embree
Author, Editor, Literary Consultant
Founder of SPAWN

Patricia Fry
Author, Publisher
President of SPAWN

Virginia Lawrence, PhD
Writer, Editor, Webmaster
Secretary of SPAWN

Ruth Hibbard
Treasurer of SPAWN

Frances Halpern
Author, Columnist, Talk-show Host

Marsha Karpeles
Executive Director, Manuscript Libraries

Richard F.X. O'Connor
Author, Publisher, Editor, Consultant

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote the literary arts and provide education, information, resources and a supportive networking environment for artists, writers, and other creative people interested in the publishing process.

Submission Guidelines

Members and Nonmembers: Please send your press releases, seminar information, and books for review to Wendy Dager, Editor, SPAWNews, P.O. Box 2653, Ventura, CA 93002-2653 or email Editor@spawn.org.

SPAWN membership dues are $45 per year; spouses, half-price. Make your check payable to SPAWN and mail to P.O. Box 2653, Ventura, CA 93002-2653. Or click on Member Application to fill out the secure online form and pay your dues by credit card.

SPAWNews, Member Directory and Web site listings, and discounts for SPAWN events are included in membership.

SPAWN is a nonprofit corporation. Donations are tax deductible.

Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network
PMB 123
323 E. Matilija St., Suite 110
Ojai, CA 93023

execdir@spawn.org