Volume 1 ~ Issue 6 . . . . . . . . . . . August 2008

Published by TopNotch Communications Group, LLC
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D., CLC, Principal
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.

From the Editor's Desk . . .

With September just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about all of those writing goals you're going to accomplish once the kids are back in school or the lazy days of summer are over. If you're a serious writer, however, you've been writing all summer. To you, writing is not a hobby; it's a calling.

The writer who writes for Christ has a plan of action. He sets goals and works toward those goals consistently. He gives up what he needs to give up to achieve those goals. Why? Because they are God's goals for God's purposes.

We do not write to please ourselves; we write to please our Heavenly Father so that He may use our writing to build His Kingdom. Just as Jesus did only what the Father told Him to do, so must we write only what the Father tells us to write.

Blessings,

Dr. MaryAnn

In this issue . . .

• Your authority in Christ. Taking a stand against the enemy.
  
  
• So you've landed a contract! Now what?
  

• New this month: Where to find writing gigs?

• What is your writing voice? Read this article and find out.

• What is a writing platform, and how do you build one? To dinf out, read Dianne Butts's article entitled Your Writer's Platform.

• Don't forget to order your copy of The ABCs of TopNotch Writing.

   

ATTITUDE

Take Your Position
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

We Christian writers have an enemy. His name is Satan, and he leads a cohort of demons of various ranks with the sole purpose of thwarting the building of the Kingdom of God. Because writers are extremely influential in building that Kingdom, we are prime targets of the enemy.

While this may seem like a sobering thought - and it is - most of us need a paradigm shift regarding Satan and his devices. It never ceases to sadden me when I hear Christians express fear of the devil. Obviously, these Christians do not know who they are in Christ.

The foundation of all success both as a Christian and as a Christian writer is a knowledge and an understanding of who we are in Christ. Knowing our position will make the difference between a victorious life or a defeated one.

Scripture tells us that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Last time I looked, this means that the devil is under my feet! And he's under yours as well if you are in Christ.

So the next time Satan tries to block your writing path through sickness, conflict, rejection, or anything else, put your foot down. And put it down right on his already broken neck!

BUSINESS

On Contracts
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

At some point during your writing career, you may be offered a contract for either a book, an article, or some writing-related creation. What should you do?

Well, after your feet land on earth once again, put aside the exhilaration and read your contract. You may find that the publisher wants not only your writing but also your soul.

Now, with all due respect to Christian publishers, there is somewhat of a difference in how they treat their writers. But I can vouch for some horror stories, including my own, that involved Christian publishers. So remember: a contract is first and foremost a business deal, so treat it first and foremost as such.

Most, if not all, contracts favor the publisher. My best advice to you would be to hire an attorney who specializes in literary contracts or consult with a writer who is an expert in these matters. Failure to do so could cost you dearly, not only in lost revenue, but in heartache and loss of valuable time.

CRAFT

Raise Your Writing Voice
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D

Just as each of us has a unique physical voice, with individual intonations, inflections, and pronunciation styles, so does a writer have his own unique writing voice. From the point of view of speech, voice is that outer sound of timbre and tone that indicates to our outer ears that a particular person is speaking. From the point of view of writing, voice is that inner sound of timbre and tone picked up by the reader's inner ear when he is reading a piece of writing.

Voice in speech is what makes a person recognizable to us even though we may not see that person. Voice in writing is what makes a writer recognizable to us even though we may not know that he or she is the author of what we are reading.

Voice is something that occurs naturally, both in speech and in writing, and cannot be feigned or forced. Too often, a writer may attempt to copy the voice of his favorite author. In so doing, the writer fails miserably because he is trying to be someone he isn't.

Well, then, how is a writer to develop his or her voice? The answer is simple: Don't try! Voice comes naturally and will develop on its own as a writer practices his art.

Perhaps it will help to think of it in this way: God gives each of us a unique physical voice. A singer does not have to manufacture his voice; it is there. A singer simply practices using his voice and perfects it in the process.

The same is true of the writer.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Your Writer's Platform

by Dianne E. Butts

It's funny. I started writing because I wanted it to be a platform to share my Christian faith. Now, as a writer, I'm told I need a platform.

"Platform" seems all the rage right now. We hear that to interest a book publisher in our projects, we must have a "platform." But just what is your writer's platform? And if you don't have one, how can you build one?

What is a Writer's Platform?
Isn't a platform a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood atop a frame of two-by-fours? Well, that's one kind of platform. But the real question is, if you built one like that, who would gather around it to hear what you have to say? That is what is meant by the writer's platform-not the physical thing, but the number of people you can attract to listen to your words. The size of your platform is measured in the number of people you are reaching.

Do you have a platform?
The most-often talked about platform is public speaking. Do you speak to groups? How many times a year? How many people attend? Whether you speak twice a year to hundreds of people, or dozens of times a year to groups of ten or twenty, this is part of your platform.

If you're not a public speaker, are you willing to become one, making the time to develop your skills, find opportunities, and travel to them? Great! But what if public speaking just isn't going to work for you?

How can you build a platform?
Here are some other types of platforms you can build:

Internet:

Web site: You'll have to work tirelessly to draw traffic to your site with good content and endless promotion. Put the free www.SiteMeter.com on each page to measure your traffic and to see what's drawing them.

Blog: You can set up a blog for free at www.Blogger.com or www.Wordpress.com. Write on a topic connected to your book and post regularly. Promote your blog and add Site Meter to it, too.

E-zines: Share your expertise with others who would love to have it through an electronic magazine like this one through companies like www.aweber.com, www.Bravenet.com, or www.ezezine.com, and build your e-mailing list as large as you can.

Web-conferences, podcasts, and teleseminars: Learn how to teach, speak, or simply reach out to your readers over the internet or phone.

Publications:

Print: The number of readers you reach through articles, newspaper columns, or book contributions is part of your platform. Use the bio to plug your book or direct readers to your web site or blog.

Online: I'm no fan of writing for free-writers need to eat and pay bills, too. However if you get something in return, such as traffic to your web site or blog, it may be worth it to write for large markets such as www.Crosswalk.com or www.CBN.com, or free content web sites like www.ezinearticles.com, www.articleblast.com, and www.free-journal-articles.com, if they will include a link to your site.

Other:

Memberships: Through fraternities, associations, organizations, hobby clubs, and your church denomination, you can extend your reach and increase your platform.

Teaching: Whether a workshop at a writer's conference, bookstore or library, or at your garden club, church, or public or private school, these people will be interested in any book you write.

Publishing companies want to know you can help sell books. Any way you can reach your readers counts, so don't be limited to these. Your platform isn't any one of these things; it is the cumulative number of people you can reach…in whatever way you can reach them.

Use your Platform in your book proposal's Marketing Plan.
Now that you're busily building your platform, or have discovered you have a platform and are hard at work increasing its size, what do you do with it?

Be able to state how big your platform is:

--How many people do you speak to each year?

--Keep statistics of how many visitors come to your web site or blog.

--Create a running list of your published articles and the publication's circulation.

-- List your affiliations and ways you can reach the membership.

--List this information in the marketing section of your book proposal.

--Confidently convince the prospective agent or publisher that you are reaching a lot of people with your words, and then tell them how you can use that platform to sell a lot of books.

___________________________________________________________
Dianne E. Butts has more than 200 publications in over 50 Christian periodicals. This article was adapted from the October and November 2007 issues of Dianne E. Butts About Writing E-zine. For a monthly dose of writing how-tos, opportunities, and more, get your free subscription today. Visit www.DianneEButts.com and use the subscription form or e-mail Dianne at dbwrites@comcast.net.

Editor's Note: Check out Dianne's helpful booklets for writers in the righthand column of this issue.

BOOK REVIEW
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

The Train-of-Thought Writing Method
by Kathi Macias

If you're looking for a book that will get you off to a great writing start, Kathi Macias' The Train-of-Thought Writing Method is unsurpassable in providing basic information, clarity, and sound direction for your budding writing career.

Although targeted to beginning writers, this book is one of those basic guides from which both beginners and pros can benefit by returning to it again and again. In it, the author compares the writing process to a train. She relates each chapter to a particular car in the train and offers analogies to writing. Her goal is to help you, the writer, learn how to organize your ideas, express them in writing, and then polish them into saleable manuscripts.

This book is not about grammar, punctuation, voice, or setting. As the author herself states, "if you want to know how best to take your thoughts and dreams and put them into a clear, compelling, readable manuscript, then this is the book for you."

I heartily concur!

To order your copy of The Train-of-Thought Writing Method, click here.

To hear a very special interview of Kathi discussing her book, click here.

To purchase books and products featured in earlier issues of
The TopNotch® Writer, click here.

To read back issues of The TopNotch® Writer, click here.

TOPNOTCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC
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P (856) 327-1231 F (856) 327-0291
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Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, CEO and Publisher

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HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

Daily Devotions for Writers

Compiled and edited by Patricia Lorenz,
well-known Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor, this book will make a great
gift for yourself or a writer friend.

Order your copy now.

NJ residents, order here.

All others, order here.

ATTENTION
HOMESCHOOLERS!

If you're looking for outstanding literature books you can trust,
check out Dr. MaryAnn's
series on American authors.

A Student's Guide
to Nathaniel Hawthorne

A Student's Guide
to Herman Melville

A Student's Guide
to Mark Twain

All three books are available through
Enslow Publishers.

ADVERTISE WITH US!

Do you have a business or service
you'd like to promote? Then reach
readers all over the world by
placing your ad here.
Contact us for reasonable rates.
Send an email to:

DrMaryAnn@TopNotchWritingSolutions.com

"Help for Writers Series"

Need help with your writing? Check out Dianne E. Butts' pamphlets for writers: Basics for Beginners, Conquering the Dreaded Query Letter, How to Market Your Reprints, How Do I "Show, Don't Tell"?, and Should I Become a Writer?. $3.95 each + shipping. Click "For Writers" at www.DianneEButts.com

Get a Book Proposal Ready to Submit to Publishers ... and pay only $595. And you will only need to pay $495 now; the balance of $100 won't be due until you secure a book contract or decide to self-publish. Please take a moment and read my special offer below...

My name is John Riddle, and I am an author and ghostwriter from Bear, Delaware. I am the author of 34 books, and have worked as a
ghostwriter on numerous projects. (Some of the books I have written
include "For God and Country," "Lintball Leo's Not So Stupid Questions About Your Body,
"Consulting Business," and "The Story of the Pony Express.")

If you are interested in writing a book, but either don't have the time or are not sure how the publishing process works, I can help you.

I have over 30 years experience as an author, and over the past 7 years have been teaching at writer's conferences all across the country. I each with some of the top editors, publishers and agents in the industry, and I know what types of books they are looking for.

Most people don't realize they can sell a book project to a publisher without writing the entire book. All you need is a "book proposal," which consists of:

1. One page summary of the book

2. Two sample chapters

3. Table of Contents

4. Author bio

5. Marketing plan

I can help you create the book proposal for only $595. And you will only need to pay $495 now; the balance of $100 won't be due until you secure a book contract, or decide to self publish. I accept checks and credit card payments via Pay Pal.

Once the book proposal is completed, I will supply you with a list of publishing companies and a few agents. I will also draft a cover letter for you to use when sending out your book proposal.

Once a publisher is interested in your book, they will offer you a contract, and an "advance" payment (against future royalties). I can also review your contract, to make sure you are getting the best deal, and advise you on how to get the "highest advance" possible.

You can learn more about me by visiting www.ilovetowriteday.org I am the Founder of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots campaign I launched in 2002 to have people of all ages practice writing every November 15. The event has really taken off in schools, and last year over 20,000 schools all across the country held special ILTWD events and activities.

Let me know if I can help you with your book project. As a ghostwriter, editor and book doctor, I can take your "rough drafts" of chapters and "whip them into shape," so a publisher will say "yes!"

Thank you for your time and consideration.

May God bless all that you do!
John Riddle
302-834-4910
johnriddle@sprintmail.com

WRITING COACHES

Are you feeling "stuck" in your writing? I've been there myself. Allow me to help you!

Andrea Boeshaar
Certified Christian Life Coach
& Published Author
www.andreaboeshaar.com

___________

TopNotch Life & Career Coaching
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D., CLC

www.TopNotchLifeandCareerCoaching.com

Are you tired of rejection slips?
If so, why not hire a writing coach?

Dr. MaryAnn will coach you in proven
techniques for achieving the writing
success you long for. Give her a call at
856-327- 1231 or email her at
DrMaryAnn@TopNotchLifeandCareerCoaching.com

WRITING SERVICES

THE MOST VALUABLE 2-CENTS YOU’LL EVER FIND!

Clear – Concise – Compelling
Political Commentary That Will Turn
Your Readers into Returning Readers.

Gina Diorio cuts to the chase on today’s hottest issues in a style that's engaging, intellectual, and at times irreverent. Readers might get happy – they might get angry – but they will get thinking.

Contact Gina today to include her political commentary in your publication.

Gina L. Diorio, M.A., Principal
www.Liberty WritingSolutions.com

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Christian

Greater Philadelphia Christian
Writers' Conference
August 7-9, 2008
Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Christian Songwriters' Conference
August 25-28, 2008
Mt. Hermon, California

Act One Screenwriting Weekend
September 19-20, 2008
Rock Island, Illinois

National Christian Writers' Conference & Expo
September 20, 2008
Virginia Beach, Virginia

American Christian Fiction Writers
September 18-21, 2008
Minneapolis, Minnesota

San Diego Christian Writers' Guild
"Writing for Life" Conference
September 26-27, 2008
Rancho Bernardo, California

Sandy Cove Christian Communicators' Experience
September 29-October 2, 2008
Northeast, Maryland

Blue Ridge Christian Novelist Conference
October 5-9, 208
Ridgecrest, North Carolina

Glorieta Christian Writers' Conference
October 22-26, 2008
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Washington, DC Metro Writers Seminar
November 1, 2008
Herndon, Virginia
Contact: Mary J. Yerkes

Writing for the Soul Conference
February 19-22, 2009
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Florida Christian Writers' Conference
February 26-March 1, 2009
Lake Yale Conference Center
Leesburg, Florida

Secular

Creative Freelancer Conference
August 27-29, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

20th Annual Writers' Institute
March 27-29, 2009
Madison, Wisconsin

Travel Writers' & Photographers' Conference
August 14-17, 2008
Corte Madera, California

Maui Writers' Conference
August 29-September 1, 2008
Honolulu, Hawaii

Kentucky Women's Writers' Conference
September 12-13, 2008
Lexington, Kentucky

Sanibel Island Writers' Conference
November 6-9, 2008
Sanibel Island, Florida

Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway in Cape May, NJ
January 16-19, 2009
Cape May, New Jersey


Check out these conference resources:

www.ShawGuides.com

http://writersconf.org/

WRITING CONTESTS
This month we begin a new feature:
Writing Contests. Check these out
and enter a few. You may just win! :)

Christian

Christian Poetry Contest
Deadline: August 31, 2008

Life Lessons Essay Contest
Deadline: September 9, 2008

Operation First Novel
Deadline: October 1, 2008

Operation First Non-Fiction Book
Deadline: October 1, 2008

The AMY Foundation Writing Awards
Deadline: January 31, 2009

Secular

Katherine Anne Porter Award
for Short Fiction
Deadline: August 29, 2008

Glimmer Train Press
Very Short Fiction Contest
Deadline: August 31

American Literary Review
Short Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Poetry
Deadline: September 1, 2008

Mighty River Short Story Contest
Deadline: September 1, 2008

Robert Frost Foundation
Poetry Award
Deadline: September 15

WRITING JOBS
The resources below offer both in-house
and freelance job opportunities for writers.

Absolute Markets Newsletter

EU Writer
(writing opps in Europe)

Journalism Jobs

Morning Coffee

Worldwide Freelance Writer

Writing for Dollars

RESOURCES

Writers Magazines

Christian

Advanced Christian Writer

Cross & Quill

The Christian Communicator


Secular

Byline

Poetry Magazine

Poets & Writers

Publisher's Weekly

The Writer

Writers' Digest

Writers' Organizations

Christian

Act One

American Christian Writers

American Christian Fiction Writers

Christian E-Authors

ChristianPoetry.org

ChristianWriters.com

Christian Writers' Fellowship International

Christian Writers' Group International

Christian Writers' Guild

FaithWriters.com

Fellowship of Christian Writers

Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

International Christian Writers

Literary Christian

Suite 101 for Christian Writers

Utmost Christian Writers

Writers' Information Network

Secular

Academy of American Poets

American Screenwriters Association

American Society of
Authors &Journalists

American Society of Food Journalists

Freelance Writing Organization Int'l

International Association of
Business Communicators

National Association of Science Writers

National Education Writers Association

National Press Club

National Writers' Association

Society of American Travel Writers

Society of Professional Journalists

Teachers and Writers Online

Writers Guild of America

Blogs/Ezines/Websites/Loops

Christian

Christian Fiction Factor

Right-Writing.com

http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com/

Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Marketplace

The Writers' View
(by application only)

Secular

Fiction Factor

Poetic Asides

The Wooden Horse

The Writers' Bag

http://writersdigest.com/101BestSites/

http://www.writing-world.com/

SELF-PUBLISHING RESOURCES

BookMasters

Fruitbearer Publishing

Morris Publishing

Small Publishers Association of North America

Wine Press Publishing

FEATURED MARKET

New Man Magazine

COURSES FOR WRITERS

Internet

Writers Online Workshops

Gotham Writers' Workshop

Correspondence

The Christian Writers' Guild

American Christian Writers (ACW)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

Nov. 15, 2008

I LOVE TO WRITE DAY!

For more info, go to

http://www.ILovetoWriteDay.org

Supplies for Writers

The Writers' Store

The Writers' Life Gift Shop

Organized Times

Writing-Related Resources

Get Organized Now!

Christian Book Distributors

Amazon.com

Oil Painting Techniques

Virtual Sheet Music

Current Cards

AWeber.com

The Christian Writer's Power Source
(The Baptism in the Holy Spirit)

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease."

~Charles Caleb Colton

THE TOPNOTCH WRITER is published monthly by TOPNOTCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, owned and operated by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. Articles in THE TOPNOTCH WRITER are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any way or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.

To subscribe to THE TOPNOTCH WRITER, please send a blank email to

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