MEMBERS OF NJ CREATIVES TO SHARE THE SECRETS
OF THEIR PUBLISHING SUCCESS
A novelist, children's book writer, and calendar writer/illustrator team are
featured speakers at NJ Creatives' February Meeting
Paramus, NJ --January 26, 2004-- Have you ever wondered how to get your creative
ideas published, whether they involve a manuscript of a novel, a collection of
illustrations or photos, a non-fiction book or even copy for a weekly engagement
calendar? Four members of NJ Creatives (also known as S.W.A.N. - Self-employed
Writers and Artists Network) will share the secrets of their publishing success
on Wednesday, February 11, at the Bergen Museum of Art and Science, located on
the lower level of the Bergen Mall. Networking is at 7:15 p.m. and the program
begins at 7:45 p.m. Admission is free for members of NJ Creatives and $8 at the
door for guests.
From dark tales of vampires and abduction, to an uplifting
illustrated children's book about a single adoptive mom, to the collaborative
creation of a whimsical weekly engagement calendar, guest speakers Eileen
Watkins, Mary Zisk, Cos Ferrara and Sarah Macy will explain how they achieved
their success and offer tips on how others can do it too. After individual
presentations, the audience will have an opportunity to ask the panel questions.
Non-fiction writer and novelist Eileen Watkins, one of the
presenters, is author of Dance with the Dragon, published in April 2003 by Amber
Quill Press. Her second novel, Ride a Dancing Horse, also to be published by
Amber Quill Press, is due out in April of 2004. According to Watkins, "Amber
Quill books come out as e-books and print-on-demand paperbacks." Dance with the
Dragon, a dark supernatural novel about vampires and the daughter of a United
States Senator, who is kidnapped into a dangerous cult, was given high praise by
Dark Realms Magazine: "Lovers of classic vampire literature will appreciate the
subtlety and finesse with which this tale unravels. (Bram) Stoker himself would
be proud!"
Watkins admits she struggled many years to publish her novels,
partly she believes, because they fell between several accepted genres. "The
advent of online publishing has finally opened things up for me, because
publishers of e-books and print-on-demand books aren't as worried about
categorizing the book. If others out there have 'unconventional' books, what
worked for me may work for them too."
Author/illustrator Mary Zisk found her inspiration in her own
unconventional life. "Being a single, adoptive mother, I saw a need for a
children's book on that subject. Most of the children's books on adoption
featured two parents. I was able to get published by finding a void and filling
it," she maintains. She both wrote and illustrated her book, The Best Single Mom
in the World: How I Was Adopted," published by Albert Whitman and Company in
2001. Zisk will tell how she was able to pinpoint a publisher, what she needed
to do to get a contract and how she completed the process.
Writer Cos Ferrara and illustrator Sarah Macy, both members of
NJ Creatives, along with writer Ed Wilczynski, teamed up to create an amusing
weekly engagement calendar, "Rule of Thumb." Ferrara and Wilcyzynski decided to
investigate 53 expressions that have become part of the American vernacular.
They offer explanations about curious sayings like "it's raining cats and dogs,"
"wearing your heart on your sleeve," and "flying off the handle," among others
like "kangaroo court" and "sowing wild oats." Published by Tide-Mark Press,
"Rule of Thumb," Ferrara says, "had been on the planning board for some time
before it actually came to life." He had the concept and format he wanted, but
he needed the right illustrator. He found what he was looking for in illustrator
Sarah Macy, a fellow NJ Creatives member. "She brought talent, creativity, and a
unique sense of humor to the process that helped make the book a success and the
project fun."
They created a proposal containing some sample write-ups with
illustrations on spec and began shopping it around. "We fielded a rejection or
two before we got a positive response from Tide-Mark, a calendar publisher,"
notes Macy. "We took a chance on this project because we all felt it was so
worthwhile. The project took four months to complete. The publisher was very
enthusiastic about the concept and loved our work."
Begun in 1984 by three freelance professionals who wanted to
exchange ideas and referrals, NJ Creatives (also known as S.W.A.N. - the
Self-employed Writers and Artists Network) has grown into a successful
non-profit, dues-paying organization that boasts a diverse and ever-increasing
membership of talented professionals. Members include writers, designers of
print and web media, illustrators, photographers, video producers and public
relations specialists. To insure a high level of quality for clients, every
applicant's portfolio of work must first be evaluated by NJ Creatives before
membership is approved.
For more information on the February meeting, please contact NJ Creatives President
Stan Cohen at 201-384-9784 or visit the Membership Section of the website at
www.njcreatives.org. To find out more about joining NJ Creatives, please contact
Membership Director
George Kamper at 973-394-9974.
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