DO Judge a Book by its Cover!

What makes a good book cover?  Well, according to experts, its “bold typography especially hand-drawn, a ‘smart’ photograph” and few, if any, quotes.  If you aren’t pleased with the book design, design your own!

An interview, at dogmatika.com, with Nick Sayers with Hodder and Stoughton Ltd. Book publishers revealed the following information:  Sayers maintains that “If book publishers do not stock your book because of the cover, pay attention.”  The majority of book sellers will survive without your book, but a book cannot survive without them.

www.dogmatika.com

One the Road Again—I Just Can’t Wait to Get on the Road Again

Adam Langer, author of “Crossing California,” writes of his book tour experience for thebookstandard.com.  Getting off of his airplane in Kansas City, Langer was met by his media escort.  Unfortunately, copies of Langer’s book had not yet arrived, so they were free to do whatever he wanted to do for the rest of the day.  Later Langer and his advisor were chatting with the Barnes and Noble Community Relations Manager who is responsible for author appearances.  She said that her stores most popular book signing event by far was “Miracle Dog:  How Quentin Survived the Gas Chamber to Speak for Animals on Death Row,” by Randy Grim.  She advised Langer to either put a dog on his book cover or bring one with him to his next book signing event. 

In his article, Langer shares the following information gleaned from his experience:

• Bookstore staff recommendations at book chains are being sold to publishers

• Print and radio can drive book sales

• John McCain is a serious reader of literary fiction

• AND, drum roll please—The more physically attractive a book seller happens to be, the more likely a famous author will stick around long after a signing

www.thebookstandard.com

Are You Calling Me a Vocabularian?  Read on …

Editors at Merriam-Webster dictionary, asked visitors to their web site to submit words that are not found in the dictionary.  The top words, submitted during a two-week period, include the following made-up words:

Ginormous—Bigger than enormous

Confuzzled—Confused and puzzled, at the same time

Lingweenie—A person who makes up new words

Cognitive Displaysia—The feeling you have before you even leave the house that you are going to forget something and not remember it until you’re on the highway.

Wait, isn’t cognitive displaysia a real word?

www.m-w.com

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We all have childhood memories of watching baseball, eating hotdogs and cracker jacks.  Some of us even have memories of playing “little league” games or pick up games in our backyards.  Whether it’s a recent trip to a major league game or a memory that draws you back to the ol’ ball game, here’s your chance to share that experience.  In a short story (500 words or less) or in a poem, reveal what baseball means or meant to you. 

Deadline June 9, 2005 12pm EST, USA
No submissions accepted after deadline.

The winner for the last contest Dare to Dream will be announced in our next issue. 

NOTE: We'll send a single confirmation of receipt of your payment.
WOL can't be responsible for communication problems or missing emails. Entrants should use the "confirm receipt" option in their email program. WOL cannot refund entry fees for entries that are not accompanied by a submission.

Pay the contest fee, then email your submission to: contest@writer-on-line.com

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Contest fee : $5.00 if paying by credit card; $7.00 if paying by U.S. check; $12.00 if paying by non-U.S. check.

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Mary Anne Donovan
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Rochester, NY 14624

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