Writers Write ~ Always!

All Styles of Writing:

Fiction Books
Nonfiction Books
Children's Stories

Young Adult Stories
Poets
Song Writers

Greeting Cards
Magazine Stories
Comic Books

A WRITER'S RIGHTS....
When you write for magazines these are the different rights that are offered:
*These two mean the same thing:
first time rights
one time rights
What these mean is that you verify that this is the first time that your story is ever being published or put into print. And that includes the Internet, so if you write something that you might want to sell then do not post it in your blog.
*These two generally mean the same thing: First North American Serial Rights (FNASR)and First North American Rights (FNR)
What they mean is that this is the first time your work is ever being published in America. However, FNASR, also includes Canada.
If you publish a story or poem and then want to sell it again then you can only receive "second rights." That just means that it has been published before and you will only receive $5-$50; depending on the magazine. Some magazines do not offer these rights because they do not buy previously published work.
Never sell "all rights." That means that the magazine can use your material again anyway they want and never have to pay you or obtain your consent because they now own it. And "work-for-hire" is another way of saying "all rights."
"World Rights" means that the article is being published for the first time anywhere in the world.When it comes to your own "copyright" try something called the "poor man's copyright." Mail your writing to yourself BUT do not open it. When it goes into the mail it becomes a federal document· Later if you notice someone using material or if someone accuses you of stealing their work then you have your written material in a sealed envelope with the date stamped on the outside. The only person you let open the envelope is the judge, if it happens to get that far.__________________________________________________BASIC WRITING 101.....
*Most magazines will ask you to write a query before you send your writing in to them. A query is just a letter that describes your story and tells them something about who you are. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn. Most magazines get a couple hundred queries a week and can only choose 10-20. If they tell you to just send your material with a cover letter, it (the cover letter) is basically the same thing. They want to see an overview of your article and learn something about you.
*If they ask for a glossy photo then they want a photo that is shiny paper, rather than a matte-finish.
*If you want to write a children's story and the magazine is looking for a "rebus story" that is a story that uses pictures with the printed word after it. They are mostly for kindergarten or preschool.
*If they say their readers are "young adult" (YA) then it means that they range in age from 12-18.
*If they ask for a writing sample then they want a copy of a story that you wrote even if it has not been published. If they ask for "published clips" then they only want to see material that you wrote that has been published.
*"Simultaneous Submission" means that you have sent this article to more than one magazine. I always tell them that it is not a simultaneous submission even though it always is, they aren't going to know.
*If you send material by mail; always include a SASE. Most magazines will not respond to you without it. You can also include a self-addressed-stamped-postcard. They use the postcard just to let you know that they received your writing. You don't have to send the postcard but it's a good idea. They get so many submissions everyday; this assures you that they received it and it didn't get lost in their slush pile.
*Most magazines offer a kill fee. That simply means that if they offer publication and later decide that they are not going to print your material then they will pay you a percentage of what they offered to pay. When you send material to a magazine do not tell them that you are "submitting your work on speculation," if you say that then the magazine does not have to pay you a kill fee, even if it is offered. Not everyone offers a kill fee.
*Some magazines offer an editorial calendar. This tells you the subjects that they have chosen to cover for the upcoming year(s). This helps when you want to write for a magazine but aren't sure what to write about in your article. It is sometimes called a "theme list."
*Contributor copies are just copies of the magazine that your writing appears.

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Thank A Veteran For Your Freedom
By J. L. Sager
It was a veteran, not a reporter,
Who guaranteed freedom of the press.
It was a veteran, not a poet,
Who guaranteed freedom of speech.
It was a veteran, not a campus organizer,
Who guaranteed freedom to demonstrate.
It was a veteran, not a minister,
Who guaranteed freedom to worship.
It was a veteran, not a salesman,
Who guaranteed freedom to own property.
It was a veteran, not a travel agent,
Who guaranteed freedom to travel.
It was a veteran, not a politician,
Who guaranteed freedom to vote.
It is a veteran who salutes the Flag,
Risks it all for the Flag,
And who is buried beneath the Flag.