The Writers Alley: The Christian Writers' Market Guide

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Rest of Sally Stuart's Story

I've had a delightful time interviewing Sally. Some of us have posed questions directly to Sally in the TWV2 Christian Writer's Group on Yahoo this week. She hasn't disappointed. Here is your turn to feast in her wisdom.

In part one of this interview Sally presented the birth of The Christian Writer's Market Guide, who would take over the project, and other questions. You can read the interview here: Interview with Sally Stuart.

Today, Sally shares her personal ideas and tips:

Welcome back, Sally!

Let's get started. Tell us, Sally, what is your favorite book/genre and why?

I read constantly, so it's hard to pick just one favorite book. I guess I'd have to say, Come Away, My Beloved--which has been a staple in my quiet time over the years. For pleasure, I read a lot of suspense fiction. I'm not sure if I've ever asked myself why, but I think it's because I love the exercise of trying to figure out "who done it." As a writer it becomes second nature to try and figure out how another writer plants the evidence we are supposed to overlook when we read so they can surprise us at the end.

So true. The detective hat is essential for writers, useful in all genre. With this in mind, what advice would you give an aspiring writer?

First advice would be to write--and write a lot. It's by writing that we improve our craft. And although we hear a lot about the importance of marketing, having an agent, or whatever it is--what it all comes down to is it's the quality of the writing that makes the difference between getting published--or not. However, that said, studying the markets and determining potential markets for what you want to write is also essential. And you must do that before you write so you can gear the piece to the specific needs of an appropriate market.

The reason so many writers fail is that they write something and then try to find a place where it will fit. The key is in identifying the appropriate potential market or markets before you ever start the writing. Editors these days are adamant about writers following their guidelines exactly. Much easier to do that if you know what those guidelines are when you begin. Also attending writers' conferences is a big help to new and experienced writers.

Oh, yes. And each year you kept us updated with modified guidelines in the Christian Market Writers Guide. We appreciated your ministry. Can you tell us how what has God called you to do next?

I'm still waiting for that message, but in the meantime I just want to slow down enough to hear that still, small voice that will take me on to the next adventure. Although I have given up the marketing column in the Christian communicator, I am starting a new Q & A column for the same publication. I hope some of you will e-mail me your writing questions at stuartcwmg@aol.com.

Your new column will be a great avenue for writers to learn. I'll ask the first question. Can you tell us one of the biggest mistakes writers make?

I guess the thing I have noticed the most over the years is that they give up too soon. Writing takes more persistence than almost anything else you can do. You have to give it the time it deserves (which usually means giving up something else you are doing), and then keep submitting it as long as there are appropriate places to send it. Even a dozen rejections is not a reason to quit submitting, as long as you have done your homework and are tweaking it each time to fit the specific needs of the next publisher.

Dealing with rejection is difficult for all of us. Sometimes inspiration motivates us to get back on target. Who has been your inspiration?

Of course, there have been a lot of people who have inspired me over all these years, but it consistently is those writers and even would-be writers who have the determination to do whatever it takes to get published, and stick with it even in the face of continuing disappointments. I have seen a lot of potentially great writers who didn't care enough to follow through and do what it takes to get published--which is really sad. But I've also seen writers with much less talent who kept working hard and with so much dedication to the task that they were published regularly. They are the ones who inspire me.

stuartcwmg@aol.com

www.stuartmarket.com

www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com

Thank you Sally for sharing with us.

We all wish you God's blessings in your new pursuits.

Do you have any other questions for Sally?

Would you like to leave a comment of appreciation of encouragement for her?

Perhaps you have questions for Jerry B. Jenkins, regarding his new ideas for the Christian Writers Market Guide. He will answer your questions in my next post in two weeks, April 27th. I have a few questions planned for him, but need more.

Plenty for you to comment on. Let's shower Sally and Jerry with our encouragement and questions!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

An Interview with Sally Stuart

Sally Stuart has influenced many writers with her Christian Writers' Market Guide. With this tool, she has devoted 27 years to informing writers of accurate, up-to-date information in the publishing world.

The Christian Writers' Market Guide provides a plethora of information! Any writer can discover which publisher might accept a devotional, fiction story, missions article, or Sunday School how-to. You name it- it's there. Writers/Authors can also find web sites, word count, editor's names, needs, addresses, etc. all in one handy dandy resource.

Sally has graciously agreed to spend time with us in a two-part interview. Part two will be posted Wednesday, April 13th.

Welcome Sally!

#1 The Christian Writers' Market Guide is a vast resource. After all your work every single year, what did you take away from the project?

First of all, tons of great memories and special friendships. It's been great to have the ongoing relationships with both writers and editors for all these years. Probably most important is that God calls us to certain tasks we feel unprepared and unequipped for--but He knows what He's doing. I would never have launched the market guide if I didn't believe it was exactly the right path for me. As writers we always have to be open to His leading--even when the path is scary.

Yes, the path can be scary. #2 How did the project start: your idea, marketing, etc.?

Actually, it wasn't even my idea. I was freelancing at the time and was always on the lookout for new markets for my own writing. As a result of that I started doing the marketing column in what was then The Christian Writer (now the Christian Communicator). It was published in Florida at that time, and I'd gone to visit the editors while I was in the area. At the time I was preparing to teach a marketing class at a writers' conference, so asked the editor if he would pay for a mailing if I sent a little questionnaire out to some of the editors asking for some current market needs I could put in a handout. He agreed, but later suggested that if I sent out a few more questionnaires and put the info together in a book, he would publish it. I agreed--and the rest--as they say--is history. Of course, I had no idea then that it would become my life's work for the next 27 years.

I have had articles published thanks to the market guide. I'm grateful for your ministry. #3 Will you share a success story from someone who used this book?

I don't think of one specific success stories, but I have writers come up to me all the time and tell me of sales they have made--whether it was their first devotional--a series of novels--or anything in between. The reason the market guide has been so successful itself over the years is because it doesn't matter what you are writing or where you are in your writing career, it's always there to take you to the next step--whatever that step is.

#4 Who is taking over the Writer's Market Guide and what would you like to share with those who are curious about the next step?

This week we are signing final papers to transfer ownership of the guide to Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind series) with the Christian Writers' Guild. The former director of the Guild, Kerma Murray, will be doing the actual work on the guide. The guide will go on pretty much as it has in the past, although they will likely make some changes to improve it as the years go on. The publisher's plan is to put it online eventually. I know those who are on the list to get the guide automatically every year as soon as it comes out are asking if they will honor those orders--and the answer is: Yes. The questionnaires have already gone out for the 2012 edition, but if there are new groups, conferences, or editorial services you want added, just contact them at marketguide@christianwritersguild.com.

If you are asking about my next step--I think it's a long nap. No, I hope to get back to my own writing. The responsibilities of the guide have kept me from doing much of that over all these years, so I'm excited about starting over. I will also continue doing book proposal and book contract evaluations, as well as teaching at conferences.

Let's have some fun, #5 what has been your dream?

I would love to write a novel, but because my nonfiction brain works inside little organized boxes, I'm not very good at the free thinking required for plotting. But who knows?

Thank you Sally! I think we'd all like to encourage you to write a novel. We're your cheerleaders.

If you are interested in contacting Sally, you'll find her at:

Sally Stuart

stuartcwmg@aol.com

www.stuartmarket.com

www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com

What questions do you have for Sally?

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