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SPAWNews, September, 2003

Wendy Dager, Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS
- EDITOR’S NOTE
- SB BOOK FESTIVAL WANTS YOU!
- SPAWN MARKET UPDATE
- A WORD ABOUT HOTMAIL
- SPAWN CHAPTER REPORTS
- SPAWN CATALOG FOR MEMBERS
- Q&A BONANZA!
- SPAWN ANNOUNCES MENTOR PILOT PROGRAM
- SPAWN MEMBER NEWS
- CONTESTS AND AWARDS
- EVENTS AND MORE
- SIGN UP FOR ESCRIP
- MISSION STATEMENT

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EDITOR’S NOTE

I read somewhere there was a movement to make crisp September the start of the American New Year instead of dreary January. If you think about it, it makes sense. While September is still summertime in some parts of the country—certainly here in Southern California, where it is currently 90 degrees outside my air-conditioned office—we eventually enjoy those signs of autumn, when the leaves turn colors and there’s that fabulously acrid scent in the air. That—and the fact that school began for my children the last week of August, just before Labor Day—makes it seem as if September is the perfect month to celebrate newness, if not the actual new year.

A fresh start is something I very much want—and need—since I never seemed to get to all the work I’d planned to do during the summer. Whether due to my own laziness, or the constant disruption of shlepping my teen and preteen daughters to the mall, as well as the time spent breaking up their arguments—I didn’t hunker down and work on my big writing projects. Of course, motivated by deadlines and steady income, I did take care of my regular freelance work, but never found a moment to start that second novel or my how-to book.

And now, with September here, and our household back into a routine, I’ve got big plans. I hope you do, too, because, whether you are a writer, artist, or publisher, there is nothing so invigorating as a new beginning.

–Wendy Dager is editor of SPAWNews. To learn more about Wendy, visit her Web site, http://www.gorgeousandbrilliant.com.

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THE SANTA BARBARA BOOK AND AUTHOR FESTIVAL WANTS YOU!

Because of high member participation, SPAWN has purchased two booths at the 2003 Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival. The festival takes place on Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SPAWN members are invited to participate in the SPAWN booth for a period of 3 hours during which time you may promote and sell your books. To help defray costs, the charge for participating members is $25 for one title and $10 each for additional titles.

Those who cannot attend, but who wish to display their books, may send one copy of each title along with promotional material and a $10 fee per title.

Space is limited, so make your reservations now. For additional information and to reserve space, please email Patricia at patricia@spawn.org. Note: This offer is for SPAWN members only. If you are a newsletter subscriber and wish to join SPAWN, please go to http://www.spawn.org.

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SPAWN MARKET UPDATE

The Market Update is a prime benefit provided for SPAWN members. Each month we publish 8-15 pages of information and resources for writers and publishers. If you're in a writers' critique group or would like to join one or start one, you won't want to miss Patricia Fry's interview with 3 successful critique group leaders published in the September issue of the SPAWN Market Update. Learn how writers in a Kentucky group work with members who are especially sensitive to being critiqued. Find out which rules and guidelines work for a group in San Luis Obispo, CA. Discover how they use psychology to critique writers in New Jersey.

Fry has also interviewed Meg Weaver of Wooden Horse Publishing for this issue. Weaver operates the largest and most comprehensive magazine database on the Web for writers, publicists and researchers.

• The name of the new magazine currently requesting submissions on volunteer and nonprofit issues in the PA area.
• Where you can find up to date magazine submission information 24 hours per day.
• How to make a writers' group work for all the members.
• Which rules are most important in guiding a writers' group.
• The contact information for the magazine looking for your horror story!
• The southern regional magazine ready to pay $500 for your good fiction piece.
• The name of the group running writing contests every month.

Join SPAWN for access to this generous issue of SPAWN Market Update and all 20 back issues. 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. 

Join SPAWN now by clicking on the "Join SPAWN Now" button at the top left of this page.

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PLANNING TO USE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS FROM HOTMAIL OR YAHOO?

Before you sign up for an e-mail address from Hotmail or Yahoo or any other free e-mail service, be warned: Both Hotmail and Yahoo have very limited storage capacity for each e-mail address. This means that if you don’t check your mail and empty the mailbox often, your mailbox quickly becomes full. Then it starts rejecting e-mail messages, and you’ll never know what messages you’ve missed. The limitations of these free mail services have become a concern for SPAWN. When we send e-mail to member and subscriber Hotmail boxes, our e-mail commonly bounces. Too often, we simply cannot get our messages through to Hotmail or Yahoo e-mail users!  

If you were considering using the Hotmail or Yahoo free e-mail service, go right ahead. Sure, give your Hotmail address to your ex-husband and to various Web sites. But be sure to use a regular e-mail address for everything important; give your real e-mail address to your mother and to SPAWN.  

If you want to truly enjoy the benefits of being a SPAWNmember, give SPAWN your real e-mail address when you join our organization. And subscribe to SPAWNews with your real e-mail address. Communicating with SPAWN members and subscribers is a privilege, and we guard your privacy! 

–Virginia Lawrence, Ph.D., SPAWN's Webmaster and Technology Editor, is a professional Web Designer and Online Marketing Consultant who publishes both in print and online. Contact her at virginia@spawn.org or visit her Web site at http://www.cognitext.com

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CHAPTER REPORT

AUSTIN, TX

Our August meeting was all about book design and why hiring a professional is so important to book sales and to your sanity! Tamara Dever, owner of TLC Graphics, has been a graphic designer for over 15 years and has been producing award-winning book design since 1996. Members learned about the value of good book design, why you should use a professional designer for your cover and interior, and how to find the right one for your project. The process and timeline of having your book designed and printed was also discussed. Everyone asked great questions and enjoyed the presentation. If you wish to join the Austin Chapter, e-mail Tamara Dever, tami@spawn.org.

BALTIMORE, MD

The first meeting of SPAWN Baltimore on July 27th, Barnes and Noble Towson MD, was great! We had a better turnout than we expected and a lot of support from the staff in making announcements for us. The Barnes and Noble staff were very gung ho about our continuing to have weeknight and weekend meetings there. The August 2 meeting at the Enoch Pratt Library was not quite as successful, but we did get the opportunity to meet Ann Foley of Dogwood Books and truly enjoyed her company. Ann, we look forward to visiting you next month. On a celebratory note, we would like to congratulate William P. Haynes/Elliot on his upcoming book of poetry to be published by PoeticJava Publishing and released on October 3, 2003: WAY TO GO elliot!

For more information about Baltimore Chapter meetings, e-mail Ramona Davis, ramona@spawn.org.

Start a SPAWN Chapter in your area!
Find out more at  http://www.spawn.org/chapters.htm, then contact Patricia Fry at patty@spawn.org.

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

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SPAWN CATALOG FOR MEMBERS

SPAWN is offering you an opportunity to promote your books, services and businesses to thousands of people. SPAWN is currently producing a catalog of members’ books, services and businesses. This catalog will be posted on the SPAWN Web site for one full year if you maintain your membership in SPAWN. The catalog will be available for reading and/or downloading by the general public and by SPAWN Chapter leaders. Note that the SPAWN site receives over 150,000 visitors per year.

Your book covers, publicity photos, and logos will appear in color on the
Web site. You can see the examples for one book page and one services page at http://www.spawn.org/private/catalog. We are also producing a print version of the catalog for distribution at the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival on September 20, 2003. We will not be mailing any copies of the print version.

And the fee for this opportunity?
Only $35 per title, business, or service for members.
Only $20 per title or service for members who are also participating in the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival. This is in addition to the fee for book festival participation.

For more information about the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival, contact Patricia Fry at Patricia@spawn.org.

Sign up now to promote your book(s) and/or advertise your editing, publishing, printing, graphic arts or other service or business in the SPAWN catalog. Fill out the form at http://www.spawn.org/private/catalog.

Each ad will fill one-sixth of an 8.5 x 5.5 page and it will run for one year. The printed version of the catalog will be handed out at all book festivals where SPAWN has a booth.

If your membership expires within that year and you do not renew your membership, your ad will be dropped.

This offer is for members only. To join SPAWN, go to the top left of this page and click on "Join SPAWN Now."
If you have any questions, please contact: Patricia@spawn.org.

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Q&A BONANZA:

SPAWN President Patricia Fry Answers Your Questions

To Whom It May Concern:

I have three poems published thus far and I have just completed my first children’s book.

My book is truly delightful and I'm in the process of finding an illustrator. I need help finding a publisher for my book. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

A Poet

Dear Poet,

Thank you for your interest in us here at SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). And congratulations on having some poems published. It's exciting to be thinking about publishing a book. I'm in the process of completing my 16th and it's still exciting.

First, I'd like to recommend an illustrator for you. I have not met this woman except via the Internet, but she just furnished me with a cover illustration for a book on writing for children and it is absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend that you look at some of her work and consider her as your illustrator. Her name is Vanessa Richardson and she's at vr_illustraion@earthlink.net. Please tell her that Patricia Fry recommended her.

As for finding a publisher, I suggest that you go to the bookstores and find books like the one you're writing. Contact those publishers. Also study Writer's Market and Literary Market Place—both available in the reference section at your library. You can also purchase Writer's Market for around $30. It comes out every year around this time. Look for the 2004 edition now.

Writer's Market lists hundreds of publishers by subject and gives you their contact and submission information.

You might also consider self-publishing. "The Jester Has Lost His Jingle" was self-published and they sold thousands—I think something like 80,000 copies within a very short period when it first came out. My books, "The Successful Writer's Handbook" and "Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book," could be helpful to you whether your self-publish or go with a traditional publisher. (http://www.matilijapress.com)

I also suggest that you consider joining us here at SPAWN. We publish a very informative newsletter monthly—you can subscribe to the newsletter free without joining SPAWN. As a member, however, you can also become part of our discussion groups where you can discuss publishers for children's books with other members. We have several members who have written and published children's books. We publish a monthly Market Update (for members), which is jam-packed with information for writers/authors/publishers. We offer opportunities to help members experience success with their publishing projects, discounts on printing and other services for members, and volumes of useful information.

Find out more by visiting our Web site at http://www.spawn.org. To join, click on the "Join SPAWN Now" button. The fee for one year is $45.

I wish you success.

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

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Dear People,

I have written some short stories. I am presently writing a nonfiction bio. This bio details my family's life. Friends have urged me to publish a column, write short stories, or publish a bio. I realize I need an agent. Can you suggest several with whom I can consult? Note that this book covers several generations of momentous political upheaval. One book probably would not cover it all.

Thanks.
A New Writer

Dear Writer,

Congratulations on your project. It sounds like an interesting one. I would recommend that you reference the book "Agents, Editors and You," available through Writer's Digest Books at http://www.writersmarket.com or at your local library. You might also look through "Literary Market Place" in the reference section at the library. In both of these volumes, you will find agents listed, contact information and the type of work they represent.

Here are three Web sites with agent listings:
Association of Author's Representatives: http://www.aar-online.org
Agent Research: http://www.agentresearch.com
Writers Net: http://www.writers.net

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

* * *

Dear Editor,

I'm a self-published author who just joined SPAWN and SPAN. I'd sure appreciate some feedback on a question about selecting a topic for magazine articles without losing your right to write on the subject again.

I've read at least 6 different books on writing magazine articles. I've read so much about rights. But, now that a magazine opportunity is in my lap, I'm not clear on how the "rights" will play out.

If I write an article about a unique seminar/master class topic, do I lose my right to write and publish about the subject elsewhere?

Should I develop, publish, and copyright a booklet on this topic before writing the article in the magazine?

The SPAWN members have written many, many magazine articles to promote themselves and their books.  Your suggestions on how to select an appropriate magazine topic would be most helpful.

Thank you very much for any information you can provide.

Respectfully,
A SPAWN member

Dear SPAWN member,

Thank you for your interest in SPAWN and for your recent membership.

As to your question, this should come as no surprise, but the rights you retain depend on the contract you sign. And even when you do sign over all rights to an article (which I highly advise AGAINST), you're only selling the rights to that article, not the topic.

Most magazines these days offer first or one-time rights. This means that you are free to sell one-time or reprint rights to other magazines. And you can also include this article in a book, if you want. If a magazine publisher offers you an all rights contract, negotiate for one that you can accept. Sometimes the publisher won't budge on the contract. That's when you walk away. There are plenty of other magazines eager for good articles.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Patricia Fry, President
SPAWN
http://www.spawn.org

Editor’s Note: I have encountered this situation many times. As a freelance columnist for the Ventura County Star, I contractually gave up all rights to each of my columns printed by the newspaper. While my editors are very good about giving reprint permission to other outlets, I often see my columns on Web sites that have not received permission, which is very frustrating. The bigger problem, however, is that although I get paid (by Scripps Howard, parent company of the Star) for the initial publication, I never get any money for reprints. This issue, so important to us starving writers, was addressed in the landmark case Tasini vs. The New York Times. For more information, go to the Web site of The National Writer’s Union http://www.nwu.org. –W.D.

* * * * *

MENTOR PILOT PROGRAM

SPAWN is pleased to announce that we are branching out to support and guide young people in their writing endeavors. We are in the early stages of developing a pilot program through the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation in Ojai, California designed to benefit and nurture young writers. Through this program, we hope to encourage talented young writers in honing their skills and finding outlets for their work. We also want to attract children and teens who are considered at-risk and show them how to use writing as a tool for coping, healing, esteem-building and joy. SPAWN is a 501 (c) 3 organization and has already received some funding for this program. At this point, we are encouraging additional funding as well as additional ideas for a viable program.

The first meeting will be held in Sherman Oaks, CA on September 4. Contact Patricia Fry for particulars: patty@spawn.org.

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SPAWN MEMBER NEWS

Gail Thornhill has offered to donate five copies of each of her books, "The Magic Eyes of Tizzy Dean" and "The Secret Life of Truly Jones" to the SPAWN Youth Writing Project. Thank you, Gail!

Congratulations to Keith Hemmerling, President of The Hemmerling Foundation, whose film "West 47th St." aired August 19 at 10:00 p.m. on PBS's "P.O.V." The film, which was nine years in the making, offers a stark portrayal of mental illness on the streets of New York. It premiered in Paris at The Cinema du Reel Festival to rave reviews, and has received awards in film festivals in Korea, France, Canada, Ireland, and throughout the United States. Film Festivals.com wrote: "Fiction could never invent such beautiful characters," and the Cleveland International Film Festival called it "A documentary masterpiece." There are no future televised air dates lined up at present, but a theatrical run is envisioned in the future.

Chuck Hillig will be signing copies of his latest title, "Seeds for the Soul," at Borders Books in Oxnard (at the old Esplanade) on Saturday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Joan Blacher, author of "Murder Canyon" and "Difficult Teens," reports that she has done a number of readings and book signings recently. Among them: "Murder Canyon," at the Local Hero Book store in June and at the Pleasant Valley Historical Society's Gala in July, and "Difficult Teens" at the Oxnard Borders Books in August. On September 9, she will be discussing "Murder Canyon" at the Simi Valley Cultural Center; signing "Murder Canyon" at the Crime Time booth at the Santa Barbara Book Festival on Sept. 20, and on Sept. 21 at the West Hollywood Book Festival's Mystery Writers of America booth.

Patricia Fry's revised print edition of "The Successful Writer's Handbook" is now available for sale. This 192-page paperback offers practical tools, creative ideas, useful techniques and scads of valuable resources for authors and publishers. Includes everything from how to find writing work to a timeline for self-publishing. $15.95. Available through http://www.matilijapress.com and at Amazon. Contact: Patricia@spawn.org

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OPPORTUNITIES

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

Book Talk Radio on WXXA-AM 790 in Louisville, KY is seeking authors. Interested authors should email Steve Hudson at RadioTalkers@aol.com and submit book synopsis, author bio and contact info.

The Reference Shelf is a way to showcase your titles before 65,000 librarians and library administrators. For more information: http://www.basch.com/ref_home.htm.

Boox Review is seeking submissions and also accepting paid advertising. For more information: http://www.thebooxreview.com/submissions.htm. For the advertising info page: http://www.thebooxreview.com/advertise.htm

Writer Online has developed an innovative support program for published authors, called WOLves. This support program serves as an exciting and viable alternative to classes and workshops that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and stop helping the writer when they end. The support program, on the other hand, is ongoing. It begins after the information has been absorbed by the student.
WOLves: http://www.writers-promote.com
WOLves Media Room: http://writerspromote.homestead.com/room.html

Combined Book Exhibit: There will be book exhibits held in Pennsylvania, Illinois, MO, MA, NY and CA through December. For more information on the Combined Book Exhibit: http://www.combinedbook.com.

Do you or someone you know have a book on chronic illness? National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week is September 22-28. This is an excellent time to promote related books. For details: rest@restministries.org/ or http://www.invisibleillness.com.

Members of the Sacramento Publishers and Authors are planning to reserve a booth at the ALA Convention in Seattle on February 24-28, 2004, to display their books. They are seeking other authors who wish to have their books displayed to keep the costs down. They ask that any SPAWN members who are interested please contact Ernie Spencer at eespencer@earthlink.net.

Bookman Publishing has developed an exclusive list of over 500 independent filmmakers. For $199, they will write an AP style press release for your book, and send it by email directly to this brand new list. Bookman Publishing has also been offered a unique opportunity by a network of AM and FM radio stations to produce and broadcast a series of one hour talk shows with authors. Two authors will be interviewed in each weekly,one-hour broadcast, guaranteeing 24 minutes of actual air time per author.For more information: Brien Jones, brien@bookmanmarketing.com, http://www.bookmanmarketing.com, phone (800) 342-6068, fax (765) 342-7217.

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CONTESTS & AWARDS

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.

Fade In Magazine announces its 2003 Fade In Awards, with over $10,000 in prizes for winning scripts. There are six categories, including comedy, action/adventure, thriller, drama, film noir and family. Submission deadline is October 31, 2003. For a contest application: http://www.fadeinonline.com.

Publishers Marketing Association announces The 16^th Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards Competition for excellence in publishing during 2003; submission deadline is December 31, 2003 for titles published July 1-December 31, 2003. For more information: http://www.pma-online.org.

The MonkeyHawk Playwrights’ Competition is now accepting submissions for 10-minute, One Act, and Full Length scripts. Top Entry wins over $1000 in cash and prizes, plus professional production during the Spring 2004 MonkeyHawk Playwrights’ Festival in Hollywood. For more details: http://www.monkeyhawk.com.

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EVENTS AND MORE

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.

The UCLA Extension Writers' Program is hosting The Writers Faire on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at UCLA, Young Hall Courtyard. For info: http://www.uclaextension.edu/writers or writers@uclaextension.edu or 310-825-9415.

Authors for Charity, a group of independent writers, has declared October 2003 "National Authors for Charity Month."  Throughout the month they will be sponsoring book-signing events in cities across the U.S. All participating authors will be donating a portion of their royalties to local charities.
For more information: http://www.shirleydicks.com/charity.htm or contact Shirley Dicks, sdicks@blomand.net. 

The third annual Amelia Book Island Festival, dedicated to literacy, love and celebration of the written word and the community of writers and readers, is October 2-5, 2003. It features more than 30 authors of novels, mysteries, histories, westerns, suspense thrillers, poetry and books for young readers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the authors and participate in workshops with authors, agents, editors, publishers and publicists. The festival features several events including Rock-N-Roll Readings, 25 author-led workshops and discussions, Lunch-with-Authors,Dine-with-Authors and Authors-in-Schools of Nassau County. The $15 festival ticket provides admission to all workshops and readings. The Lunch-with-Authors event is also $15. Luncheon seating is limited. Ticketsare available now at BooksPlus, First Coast Community Bank, the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce offices and by mail. For more information, visit http://www.bookisland.org or call the Book Island Festival, 904-491-8176, or e-mail info@jasonmudd.com.

The 10th Annual Austin Film Festival is October 9-12. For details on badges, teachers, hotel discounts, and full list of confirmed panelists, or any questions, go to http://www.austinfilmfestival.com or call 1-800-310-3378

The Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN) is the second largest nonprofit trade association for small publishers in the world. SPAN announces BookPublish 2003. It's their 7th annual College and Trade Show which is designed to provide attendees a year's worth of marketing, promotional and operational concepts in three days. It's at theTorrance Marriott Hotel in Torrance Oct. 24-26. Twenty-two authors and independent publishing experts will speak at BookPublish 2003.  Publishing industry suppliers will serve on informative panels and also answer individual attendees’ questions at the Trade Show exhibit. Extraordinary networking opportunities exist at the focused discussion luncheon roundtables. For more details, http://www.spannet.org/2003 or call SPAN at 719-395-4790 or email scott@spannet.org.

NOLA Book Fair: On the weekend of October 25, streetcars, booze, food, music, authors, poets, publishers, art book makers, zinesters, booksellers, activists and culture jammers are coming together for a weekend celebration in the heart of old New Orleans. Tables are only $7.00. Participating publishers include City Lights, Soft Skull, AK Press, Last Gasp and Verso. Over 70 publishers are making the trip this year. For more information: http://www.nolabookfair.com/

The Maui Writers Conference sets sail on an adventure that is unparalled in the book world. Cruise into history with New York Times best-selling authors Janet Evanovich, John Saul, Dorothy Allison, Elizabeth George, Terry Brooks, Susan Wiggs and Gail Tsukiyama who will set sail aboard the MS Rotterdam for the 1st Annual MWC PANAMA CANAL CRUISE for BOOK LOVERS and WRITERS, March 3-13, 2004. E-mail Georja Skinner, kemp@mauiwriters.com for more information.

The American Self-Publisher Association is the largest national organization devoted to self-published writers and is a not-for-profit association. Bobbie Christensen, Director of the ASPA, will present the day-long conference Writing, Publishing & Marketing Your 1st Book (or 7th) for all authors and potential authors, fiction or non-fiction, for the following organizations.
September 20th 10:00am-5pm $30 Portland, ME, University of So. Maine 207-780-5900
September 21st noon-7pm $29 Newton Centre, MA, Learning Connection 401-274-9330
September 28th noon-7pm $29 Washington, DC, First Class 202-797-5102
October 4th 10:00am-5pm $34 Atlanta, GA, Knowledge Shop 678-766-6666
October 11th 10:00am-5pm $22 San Antonio, TX, NE Cmty. Education 210-657-8866
October 12th 10:00am-5pm $20 Austin, TX, University of Texas 512-232-5277
October 18th 10:00am-5pm $29 El Paso, TX, University of Texas 915-747-5142
October 25th 10:00am-5pm $29 Phoenix, AZ, Glendale Community College 623-845-3805
October 26th 10:00am-5pm $39* Las Vegas, NV, University of Nevada 702-895-3394
November 1st 10:00am-5pm $29 Pasadena, CA, Pasadena Community College 626-585-7601
November 9th 10:00am-5pm $35 Fresno, CA, Fresno Community College 559-457-6015
November 15th 10:00am-5pm $29 Seattle, WA, Discover U 206-365-0400
November 22nd 10:00am-5pm $25 Chico, CA, Butte Cmty. College 530-895-2289
January 31st 10:00am-5pm $29 Portland, OR, Portland Cmty. College 503-977-4933
For more information: 916-422-8435 or email ASPublish@aol.com http://www.BooksAmerica.com/AmericanSelfPublisher

Seybold San Francisco 2003 takes place September 8-12 in San Francisco. This is the technical conference of the year for all publishers. This is where we learn about the intricacies of PDF, more about Quark, details on online publishing, digital printing, digital illustration, and much more. Read all about it at http://www.seybold365.com/sf2003/.
SPAWN is sending a representative who will report back!

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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.
• Member Catalog where you can list your books and services
• Member Discussion list where you can discuss your triumphs and questions with your publishing peers.

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, Ph.D.
SPAWN Webmaster
e-mail: virginia@spawn.org

Virginia Lawrence, Ph.D.
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, Ph.D.
Writer, Editor, Webmaster
Executive Director of SPAWN

Ruth Hibbard
Treasurer of SPAWN

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