| janfields |
August 15, OPEN FORUM
will begin in 5 minutes. Today we're talking about hot topics in NF.
So what nonfiction questions are on your mind? Join us in the
Auditorium in five minutes.
|
| janfields |
AUGUST 15 OPEN FORUM
begins in 2 minutes. Bring your questions about anything
nonfiction...in two minutes.
|
| janfields |
Welcome to OPEN FORUM:
HOT TOPICS IN NONFICTION! What do you need to know?
|
| janfields |
If you want to ask a
question and be sure it has a chance to be posted, you'll need to
use either the "ask a question" button on the bar across the middle
of your screen. OR type /ask...then space once and type your
question. That passes the question to me and I can post it for
answer. If you type the question in the bar at the bottom of you
screen, I may not see it.
|
| janfields |
Hi Everyone...thank you
for taking time out to join us.
|
| janfields |
Today I wanted to talk
about nonfiction because...
|
| janfields |
It's something a lot of
folks have trouble with.
|
| janfields |
Not with writing it so
much, as picking topics.
|
| janfields |
Hence...the
subject.
|
| janfields |
Today, the HOTTEST
topic in nonfiction...
|
| janfields |
the one editors want
and don't get
|
| janfields |
is
technology.
|
| janfields |
Book publishers are
interested in technology -- despite how quickly it is
changing.
|
| janfields |
Because readers seek
out books on technology...on the history that brought us to today's
technology
|
| janfields |
And some basics of how
things work.
|
| janfields |
But magazine editors
REALLY want technology articles
|
| janfields |
Because they can handle
up to the minute technology piece
|
| janfields |
without worrying about
it becoming obsolete.
|
| janfields |
Unfortunately, most
children's writers don't write about technology...
|
| janfields |
and many are simply
mystified by it.
|
| janfields |
The disparity between
what editors want and the number of folks interested in providing
it
|
| janfields |
is one of the things
that makes technology such a hot topic.
|
| janfields |
Naturally -- you
wouldn't write an article on "technology"
|
| janfields |
You would write one
called "Tunes -- then and now" on the different ways people have
recorded music...
|
| janfields |
You would write one
called "The Computer Inside Me" on the new microchip technology
intended to be embedded inside people.
|
| janfields |
You would look at very
specific elements in technology.
|
| chippy |
Are you talking about
computer technology only, or things like games eg game boys etc as
well?
|
| janfields |
You could easily do a
very successful article on the evolution of digital
games.
|
| janfields |
Or you could get very
specific and look at how one game -- say, The Sims -- changed the
way people think about gaming potential.
|
| janfields |
Or how gaming affects
the physical technology of the computer.
|
| janfields |
There are lots of
articles that could bounce off the base topic of
games.
|
| janfields |
You could also see who
the youngest game creators are...
|
| janfields |
Or look at gaming
competitions.
|
| charweb |
What if I'm writing an
article and it's fully based on......
|
| charweb |
personal expericence and
I don't have any sources.....
|
| charweb |
include in the
bibliography?
|
| janfields |
Hi, char, I actually
responded to this in a previous chat but I'm perfectly happy to hit
it again.
|
| janfields |
If an article is
personal experience...you don't need sources.
|
| janfields |
Your experience is
source enough as long as you stick strictly to your
experience.
|
| janfields |
If you go beyond your
experience, you'll need sources.
|
| janfields |
For example, If you
say, "I watched women throw armloads of flowers to the
performers."
|
| janfields |
That doesn't need a
source.
|
| janfields |
Because it's very
specific and the editor will believe you saw what you
saw.
|
| janfields |
But if you say, "Women
throw armloads of flowers to the performers at every
show."
|
| janfields |
Then you need a
source.
|
| janfields |
You can source it right
in the text: "My sister told me women throw armloads of flowers to
the performers at every show."
|
| janfields |
And you'll eliminate
the need for external sources.
|
| janfields |
Or you can say,
"According to guidebooks, Women throw..."
|
| janfields |
Which again,
constitutes sourcing.
|
| janfields |
But you cannot
generalize from your specific experience to a "every time this
occurs" kind of statement without some sort of
sourcing.
|
| janfields |
Either done in-line by
telling where you learned it happened every time.
|
| janfields |
Or in the cover letter
or bibliography where you could say something
like...
|
| janfields |
Upon leaving the event,
our cab driver said ...whatever...
|
| janfields |
That can go in the
letter if it doesn't fit smoothly in the article.
|
| janfields |
But somewhere, we need
to know where info came from -- from your senses or from something
you read or from something someone told you.
|
| chippy |
What should be included
in the bibliography of a nonfiction article?
|
| janfields |
Bibliographies need to
tell the editor where information originated that you are including
in your article.
|
| janfields |
For example, I am
working on an article right now.
|
| janfields |
And because I have a
LOT of sources...I am footnoting my manuscript as I write it so I
know that I can source every fact (because I know the editor will
ask on this piece).
|
| janfields |
Now, I won't send a
footnoted article out to a magazine editor.
|
| janfields |
It's just for ME at the
writing stage...and I'll keep a copy...so that if the editor asks, I
can pull it up and answer instantly.
|
| janfields |
But I will send a
bibliography with each source.
|
| janfields |
And I normally note in
the bibliography what specific things came from
there.
|
| janfields |
For
example:
|
| janfields |
Magazine Author,
"Article Title," Folio Magazine ...issue info, etc.
|
| janfields |
Followed immediated
by
|
| janfields |
Note: statistics for
readership of women's magazines
|
| janfields |
That tells the editor
where that statistic came from.
|
| janfields |
In case I didn't source
it right in the article text.
|
| janfields |
Now, for what editors
like to SEE in bibliographies.
|
| janfields |
They like to see print
sources and interviews.
|
| janfields |
They will accept some
net sources...but be careful since some editors don't like
websites.
|
| chippy |
So if I understand you
correctly, you note the source where it appears in your article, and
then put in your bibliography at the end or wherever when you send
it in to the editor
|
| janfields |
I note the source is
the article if needful.
|
| janfields |
For example, I might
say...4 out of every 10 new magazines fold in the first
year.
|
| janfields |
And I might just give
that statistic IN THE ARTICLE
|
| janfields |
because maybe I want it
very stark like that.
|
| janfields |
But in the
bibliography, under the source of that statistic...I'll note that is
the source for the statistic on new magazine
success.
|
| janfields |
But maybe I WANT to
source a fact in the article because I think it'll interest the
reader to know the source.
|
| janfields |
So I might
say
|
| janfields |
According to Mr.
Magazine, niche markets have a much lower failure rate than general
interest magazines.
|
| janfields |
Because the reader
might need to know that source since it's mildly
subjective.
|
| janfields |
I don't source every
fact in the magazine...but I have a source for
everything.
|
| janfields |
By the way, all the
examples here are made up... so don't quote poor Mr. Magazine with
my weird ideas.
|
| janfields |
Pathway: How to select
a good topic that hasn't been overdone.
|
| janfields |
Well, some topics go in
trends.
|
| janfields |
And trends can be hard
to know about unless you read a lot of industry
information.
|
| janfields |
You can find out about
trends from ICL's newsletter Children's Writer
|
| janfields |
From Write4Kid's
newsletter
|
| janfields |
From Kid Mag
Writers
|
| janfields |
From the enews I send
out
|
| janfields |
From reading discussion
boards here and on VerlaKay.com
|
| janfields |
I read
EVERYTHING
|
| janfields |
Because I am PROFOUNDLY
LAZY
|
| janfields |
I do not like writing
something and having it turned down as overdone.
|
| janfields |
Also,
of
|
| janfields |
Uh-oh...doorbell...brb
|
| janfields |
Back...sorry. the
landlord is fixing my plumbing.
|
| janfields |
Yippee
|
| janfields |
ColoradoKate says "You
can ask your local librarian about what searchable databases they
subscribe to...
|
| janfields |
EBSCO for
instance
|
| janfields |
and then you can search
for your subject to see if it's been overdone.
|
| janfields |
That does help...a
lot.
|
| janfields |
Though there is a lag
between publication and EBSCO.
|
| janfields |
So sometimes it's hard
to spot a "right now" overdone thing.
|
| janfields |
For example, young
reader editors tell me they are being overwhelmed with BIRDS right
now.
|
| janfields |
It's like a Hitchcock
movie...flocks of bird articles coming in.
|
| janfields |
So birds are
overdone.
|
| janfields |
Gardening was one of
the reallly overdone trends for a while and I think editors are
still probably a little twitchy about it.
|
| janfields |
Though I happen to know
Nature Friend wants gardening pieces
|
| janfields |
Especially nature
friendly gardening.
|
| janfields |
Insects were the MAJOR
overdone thing about a year ago...so a lot of houses still have a
fair number of insects.
|
| janfields |
Now, insects would
quickly become clear from an EBSCO search.
|
| janfields |
But probably not
gardening and birds quite so much.
|
| janfields |
RANI: "I recently read
some books that have fact/fiction stories in the same book. Is this
hot in the market? Which magazines and publishers specialize in this
kind of books? Thanks a lot."
|
|
|
| janfields |
Now, I have to
admit...that was a real surprise.
|
| janfields |
I know some educational
publishers that do historical fiction like nonfiction
sidebars.
|
| janfields |
Or, at least, I've seen
that sort of thing.
|
| janfields |
But to see short
stories and articles in the same book...in, I assume, some kind of
anthology is really new.
|
| janfields |
I haven't heard of it
so I suspect it's not technically a trend.
|
| janfields |
It would be a
libarian's worst nightmare to shelve...do you put it with short
story collections?
|
| janfields |
Do you put it with
nonfiction by topic?
|
| janfields |
Which is a problem
librarians have faced with the Magic Schoolbus
series.
|
| janfields |
Which is fictional
journeys with lots of factual sidebars.
|
| janfields |
Some put it in
fiction.
|
| janfields |
Some in
nonfiction.
|
| janfields |
Kids loved Magic
Schoolbus though
|
| janfields |
so if readers respond,
publishers will follow.
|
| coloradokate |
You've said editors want
print sources--so that includes newspapers and mags? I'm thinking
that for an article about, say, girls' schools in Afghanistan, I
won't be able to find books on the subject, but there are lots of
(adult) magazine articles.
|
| janfields |
Yes, good magazine
sources are fine
|
| janfields |
While you're
researching, you'll want to make copies of all the sources
though.
|
| janfields |
Because if an editor
asks to see the original text ...it can be a pain to find it all
again.
|
| janfields |
I've gotten so I copy
every page that I know I will actually use something
from.
|
| janfields |
It saves me time in the
long run.
|
| eggamy |
Would a piece on
attracting hummingbirds work for that?
|
| janfields |
For Nature Friend -- oh
yes, I expect so...
|
| janfields |
they especially want an
interactive element
|
| janfields |
and not much money
spent
|
| janfields |
So if you do some kind
of hummingbird feeder -- see if you can have the kids make
it
|
| janfields |
Rather than buy
one.
|
| janfields |
Though...planting to
attract hummingbirds is good too.
|
| janfields |
And if you can squish
some hummingbird facts in there...all the better.
|
| chippy |
If you only have internet
sources how do you overcome this?
|
| janfields |
Well, not all internet
sources are the same.
|
| janfields |
For example, many of
the magazine articles I'm using right now actually exist on the net
and that's where I found them.
|
| janfields |
But they are still
magazine sources since they are on the respected magazine's
website.
|
| janfields |
And if I use museum
materials -- I'll usually try to contact the museum to get more
info
|
| janfields |
so I can use the
website AND "an interview"
|
| janfields |
which can spruce up a
source, even if I only ask one question...and it's only to "double
check" stuff on the museum's site.
|
| janfields |
But if you only have
web sites...and they are for places only on the web
|
| janfields |
like Enchanted Learning
or other smallish sites.
|
| janfields |
Then, you've got a bit
of a problem.
|
| janfields |
You just flatly won't
sell to Highlights or the Cricket group.
|
| janfields |
You MAY be okay with
Hopscotch et al...they don't seem overly source
rigid.
|
| janfields |
And you should be okay
for tiny magazine like Nature Friend.
|
| ponytailmom |
how do you cite an
interview in a bibliography?
|
| janfields |
I list it by the
person's name (last name first)
|
| janfields |
followed by "email
interview"
|
| janfields |
or telephone interview
or face-to-face interview
|
| janfields |
If face-to-face, I tell
where...what town.
|
| janfields |
Then I give the date of
the interview.
|
| janfields |
And I give contact
information for the interview subject in case the magazine needs to
make contact for fact-checking.
|
| janfields |
Magazines are
publishing your bibliography
|
| janfields |
So they aren't anal
about the "style" of it.
|
| janfields |
But they really want to
be able to FIND your sources
|
| janfields |
if they need to for
fact checking.
|
| janfields |
So, for interviews I
give contact information
|
| janfields |
And for print sources,
I note in the cover letter that photocopies of actual sources used
are available for fact-checking.
|
| janfields |
Unless I'm sending to
Highlights...then I go ahead and mail the copies with the
manscript
|
| janfields |
Oh...no I forgot GOOD
NEWS
|
| janfields |
So...if you'll indulge
me for a moment.
|
| janfields |
GOOD
NEWS
|
| janfields |
CONNIE: I read about an
opening in one of your newletters for a columnist for Suite101.com
and am now a columnist! You can find me at
http://earlychildbood.suite101.com.
|
|
|
| janfields |
Wonderful!! I'm so
happy when folks find success from something we've
shared.
|
| janfields |
And that brings me to
the end of the questions -- anyone have a question about anything at
all?
|
| chippy |
Are nonfiction articles
still more popular than fiction
|
| janfields |
They are more popular
with boys.
|
| janfields |
But they are also
easier to sell, simply because there are so many more outlets for
them.
|
| janfields |
And quite a bit less
competition.
|
| charweb |
Can you, please, tell
some hot topics for N/F, Jan?
|
| janfields |
For young reader NF,
the hot topics are interactive
|
| janfields |
The bulk of editor
requested young reader nonfiction gets the kids
moving.
|
| janfields |
I saw a piece in
Highlights introducing very young children to yoga
movements.
|
| janfields |
I also so an activity
where children drew a map of sensory events around them...sounds,
smells, sights.
|
| janfields |
That's what editors
like to see for young people.
|
| janfields |
For middle readers,
editors MOST like to see earth science
|
| janfields |
They don't get as much
earth science as they would like -- seems everything sends natural
science.
|
| janfields |
And technology...and
profiles
|
| janfields |
Personal experience
nonfiction is popular with this group also...which also carries
along to teens.
|
| janfields |
For teens, the MOST
popular nonfiction is personal experience...from a teen's
mouth
|
| janfields |
Beyond that...editors
like to see "ways to make money"
|
| janfields |
And decorating
articles
|
| janfields |
Because those are very
popular topics with teens.
|
| eggamy |
Aren't the mag theme list
a good way to find what NF is need
|
| janfields |
Oh, yeah, for magazines
with theme lists...they are a must.
|
| janfields |
But for general
interest magazines without theme lists...
|
| janfields |
it's
harder
|
| janfields |
And keep in mind that
MOST themed magazines are connected with school curriculum when
choosing themes
|
| janfields |
While many general
interest magazines are a little more removed since curriculum
related topics can seem "overdone" or school
workish.
|
| jobranham1964 |
what's the difference
between earth sci and natural sci?
|
| janfields |
Natural science =
plants, animals...living things
|
| janfields |
Earth science = dirt,
tidal waves, earthquakes, stuff I don't know jack about
:-)
|
| eggamy |
Can you suggest a market
for a middle grade craft article?
|
| janfields |
Depends on the
craft.
|
| janfields |
If you can give the
directions in a single paragraph.
|
| janfields |
And it's cute and
girlie
|
| janfields |
You could sell to
Girl's Life, American Girls
|
| janfields |
If it requires 4 or 5
very short steps
|
| janfields |
Uses free or
inexpensive materials
|
| janfields |
And can be played
with
|
| janfields |
Or boys would find it
cool.
|
| janfields |
Highlights is a great
market.
|
| janfields |
If it requires complex
steps and tools
|
| janfields |
But boys would like
it
|
| janfields |
Boy's LIfe or Fun for
Kids
|
| chippy |
If N/F is more popular
with boys do we go the fishing, hunting, football, boys interest
route?
|
| janfields |
From what magazine
editors tell me, nonfiction magazines have split
readership
|
| janfields |
General interest
nonfiction, that is.
|
| janfields |
About 50/50 boys and
girls
|
| janfields |
But if the magazine is
primarily fiction...the readers are mostly girls.
|
| janfields |
But, in terms of what
interests boys...it doesn't have to be fishing...
|
| janfields |
And it basically cannot
be hunting.
|
| janfields |
And it doesn't need to
be sports -- though profiles of athletes are ALWAYS
popular
|
| janfields |
Boys are interested in
all kinds of science.
|
| janfields |
They also like history
-- though tend to gavitate to war history.
|
| janfields |
Well, now it's the
hour...thanks for the extra questions.
|
| janfields |
I get so lonely
:-)
|
| janfields |
Don't forget THURSDAY
evening (or afternoon for you West Coasties)...
|
| janfields |
Dotti Enderle is coming
to chat
|
| janfields |
Basically about the
weird life of a published author.
|
| janfields |
Which turned out to be
NOTHING much like she expected.
|
| janfields |
She has a middle grade
series
|
| janfields |
And a number of picture
books published.
|
| janfields |
And she's great
fun.
|
| janfields |
So, try to come join us
on Thursday.
|
| janfields |
Thanks for spending an
hour with Auntie
Jan
|