This may sound like a sales pitch but that won't stop me from sharing these observations about Skype (or phone) query letter critiques.They're quite valuable, even more than I knew.
Here's why:

I've done about a dozen so far and with each one, the 'real time' conversation with authors about 'story' has helped them nail down their query letter focus. When you write a query letter that you're just not satisfied with, chances are you don't quite yet know what your story is about OR you've left out important parts. No matter that you've written it, the heart of the story often does not find its way to the one page query. One of my Skype writers pitched a Y/A novel that when we spoke and I asked what's this story about, his reply included a story line barely mentioned and not developed in the query. When I asked why so little attention was paid to it, he had no answer.
Sometimes, we write so many of these dang queries that we lose sight of the story. If this sounds like you, a private consultation may help you save some time.
I'm posting the reviews of satisfied writers to bolster this service I offer. Consider this as one more example of building my platform as a workshop facilitator. Sometimes facilitation is what writers need to push beyond their block, and in my humble, nothing 'blocks up' a writer up like a query letter you just can't seem to get right.

Historically, when writers jumped on the web to either promote and/or self publish, they ran the risk of being considered ‘less than’ in an industry that’s always enjoyed more than it’s share of success- At least that’s how it appeared until the brink & mortar structures began to tumble down.  Random House, Simon & Schuster et al are running frantically to catch the epublishing movement that they insisted didn’t amount to much.

(This 'Musing' introduction found on MUSELetter)

.....It’s true, our publishing paradigm is shifting; however, we are not out of control. Our feet must remain firmly planted in this new paradigm that does not offer any more than the old paradigm did: the best writers get published, folks.

Gladly Gray: Interviews & Essays of Interesting Women Who Are began at MORE.com in 2009  when I wrote my first 'Graying Gracefully' column.

There’s comes a time in a woman’s life when surrendering no longer conjures up a helpless image. Women who discover their sensuality midway through life know what I’m talking about. Surrender can be a good thing.

My most recent webinar experience inspired this video that offers writers a perspective.  Most of us aren't writing marketing-centric books which

is what much of the content in webinars hosted by marketers pitch.  We aren't marketers so when you sign up for webinars, examine carefully the credentials of the

webinar hosts.

A Musing that encourages writers to be aware of webinars selling products. Are they selling the products you need?

Sorry folks but the query letter is here to stay. no one online or off will pay much attention to your work if you can't entice with a hookable pitch. There's just

too much competition out here making noise.

MarketingtheMuse Moderates The New Media Panel @ the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, 2011. 

70 minute panel offered FREE thanks to the Santa Barbara Writers Conference! Hear how new media pros (and writers) Philippa Burgess,  Jeremy Lee James, WriteClick Hosting and best selling urban fantasy sensation, novelist Justine Musk define new media and its utility to writers and creative indie types-US. Video workshop filmed/edited by Lisa Angle, writer/founder, Ninety Degrees Media.  My thanks to SBWC for sharing this video filmed at the 2011 Conference! 

Before I continue blogging about my road to publication, I want to thank Marla Miller for inviting me to guest blog on her site. Marla has a successful presence on the internet and the way she shares it with fellow writers is wonderful

I always use the analogy of driving in this road to publication, but what should I do when my car stalls? That is where I am right now—with one of my books anyway.

Deep into content edits, a problematic issue came up. It was in the first paragraph and the vein of it continued through the whole chapter. I kept trying to “fix” it, but it was like going around a traffic circle without an exit.

Eventually, I thought of a remedy, and promptly sent it to my publisher. Within moments, my phone rang. My heart shot into overdrive upon hearing her voice.  My first thought was, what have I done wrong?

(con't from Museletter)

If You Can't Take the Heat, Get Off the Asphalt!

 Jayha Leigh, an owner of this publishing house, flat out told me I’d hate her during the editing process of Jewel of Ramstone.  I shrugged it off, saying I wouldn’t hate her, figuring my thick skin would protect me. Right? Well, partially.

My convertible isn’t in shape to transport this writer’s journey so, I open the trunk, shove aside the folder of edits and pull out a tire iron, (refraining from using it for anything other than its intended purpose.)

.....I miss Ruby and Galeron from Jewel of Ramstone. I breathed life into those characters and through time, they took on a life of their own. I wrote about the next chapter in their existence for so long, they became a part of mine. Now, they're locked away in a manuscript, just waiting to be freed into a readers mind. Sound crazy? Well, only another writer would understand. That is why this road is lonesome.

No Waiting for Mark Att

It seems there is a lot of construction going on just down the road. I slow down and gape at the hot construction workers. (What? There is nothing wrong with looking.)

There is a convoy of construction vehicles with logos from both publishers.  The road ahead is impassable so I come to a complete stop at the intersection.

Looking to the right, I spot my Jewel of Ramstone publisher. Those spunky women at Beautiful Trouble are feeding edits into some kind of contraption that looks suspiciously like a cement mixer. I suppose they are incorporating my pre-edits into the manuscript. 

To the left is my Basket of Hope publisher. Breathless Press has a flat bed truck stacked with cover art, book blurb, author bio, and a copy of my contract.  I adjust my sunglasses as Hottie-pa-tottie construction guy … with no shirt on, steps out of the truck. (Stop rolling your eyes. I'm a romance nut. I can't help it.)

Don't Be A Man

Today, I received pre-edits from one of my editors. I didn't even know what pre-edits were, and truth be told, it freaked me out. Yes, I could have emailed my editor with the things I didn't understand, but I wanted to figure them out myself.

(Okay, I admit it; I didn't want to look stupid.)

Querying: The Toughest Part to Learn

By J.M Powers

Querying is a part of a writer's life, and in my opinion the toughest part.  Rejection is unavoidable, but knowing that does not make it easier.

Here is my experience with the process of querying--and how it led to publication of not one, but two books

Ah, welcome to this writing life.

...each project a different genre. How should she compile her agent list? Find one agent appropiate for all or....?

Click video for my two cents worth.

The provocation for this musing comes from a story just heard about an unpublished writer who spent significant time and money trying-unsuccessfully-to get a story published.

A few tips I’ve learned traveling down my own publishing highway:

Private editors:

They are a dime a dozen. Seriously.

Of the many I know, some are definitely worth the money they get paid.

The editors who do not fall into this category I categorize this way:

• Some private editors shift into editing because they can’t sustain an income from their own writing.
• Some editors live on past laurels that in 21^st century publishing make their ‘past’ laurels even more dated.  It’s a different publishing world out there. 

Literary Agents:

The ultimate seducer. If an agent wants to rep you, your story must be fab, right?

Not always. The idea of your story is often the seducer. If you lived it but have limited writing chops, some agents will sign you anyway.  

Once signed, some agents will suggest you hire an editor known to them-“We work so well together” is usually the pitch.

Some agents will sign you on and hope you can deliver. Remember, the ultimate seducer is not the agent who wants you; they want your story because they believe it will make money when they sell it. If you can’t deliver the story, the crash from this association hurts hard. 

If you’re not a writer but have a GREAT story that YOU must tell, spend your energy learning how to become a good enough writer to either write it yourself or write well enough to be able to work closely with a professional writer who can carry out your vision.

Fair warning: few editors/writers can write your story.  However, most will tell you they can so be aware.

As a neophyte playwright just told me today about one more rewrite she's just completed. “Writing the play was easy. Rewriting is the tough part.”   

Ah, this writing life.

Social Media: Is mixing personal & professional a good idea?

Yes & No.

What if you are a writer and also passionate about a subject, say politics, which you weave into your social media presence.

Cool.

What if your business offers a service to other writers who you link to through social media?

Cool.

What if some of the writers in your network are just as passionate about their politics that happen to be the polar opposite to yours?

Are we still cool?

Yes & No.

His novel was about a father’s desire to improve his dysfunctional relationship with his son. It also telegraphed something bigger, i.e., the dysfunction in health care that led to its current ‘sick’ condition.

Once that happens,  does it mean your problems are solved?

Not even close. Chances are, you indulged to mask your problems and now that the 'mask' is removed, you see your problems with a clearer view. Right?

Okay, now apply this line of thinking to Quick Query Critique sessions.

I’m in the middle of a book project, working title is Gladly Gray: Essays & Interviews of Interesting Women Who Are. The idea sprouted from my roots. Last winter when my march began, I wrote about Going Gray Though I Prefer To Call It Silver in columns at MORE.com. Reader response encouraged me to think about a book, my go-to thought whenever a topic interests me. For some time now, wearing gray tresses in a not so friendly gray culture has interested me.  

I make no bones about it; I love our president and totally believe in his good intentions. He ran on a reform platform that includes transparency....My admiration for him brings me here to my musings about "transparency" in going gray, musings that began as a solo essay on letting my hair be what it is (gray, though I prefer to call it silver).

Published @ MORE.com

Gray is the anti-sex color.

One of my friends, a multiple divorcee, was completely gray by forty; a silvery mane that sparkled like she did on good days.

By fifty, she was still single but didn’t want to be. Her hairdresser suggested going platinum. Only shades away from her natural silver, the platinum blond did attract more men though I don’t know if she snagged one. We lost touch.

As I traverse down my own road to continuing publication, I appreciate just how hard it is to not only write well but well enough to get published. It’s tough out there. More than ever, writers need each other.  In these changing times in publishing, it does take a village.