Stella Tarakson

Feedback for your fiction: finding the right readers

Stella

15/04/2014

Sending your manuscript out for review is a bit like sending your child to school for the first time. This beautiful but fragile thing, once a part of you, is going out into the cold cruel world. In both cases, you need to wait until the time is right. Your first draft is where you figure out who your characters are and what your story’s about. It’s also the time when you shouldn’t let anyone else see it! Get to know your story better before you start asking for other people’s opinions. In other words, write the second draft before you seek feedback.

This is hard for writers. We tend to be an insecure lot, and crave reassuring feedback. But if you know the manuscript has issues (and it will), then you’re wasting everyone’s time. Once you’ve got it to the stage where you think you know what you’re doing, it’s time to look for readers.

Alpha readers and beta readers

Alpha readers are the very first people to look at your manuscript. You trust them with your unpolished gem. They might read it several times as you struggle through the rewriting process. They are patient and giving. Often they are writers too, and you can hopefully return the favour. Alpha readers deserve all your gratitude … thanks Crafty Theatre, you’re brilliant and I appreciate your help!

Beta readers come in later. That is, once you’ve got your manuscript to a stage where you think it’s ready to submit. You need a fresh pair of eyes, from someone who hasn’t witnessed the plethora of drafts that led to this version. Unlike alpha readers, beta readers are likely to only read your manuscript once. If they have a manuscript too, you’ll probably be expected to read theirs.

Finding readers

Alpha readers are usually people you know, especially if you’re a beginner. Family members and close friends tend to be the ones we turn to first. That’s okay, but keep in mind the feedback you get might not be completely honest. They might be reluctant to offend. Especially partners who fear sleeping on the couch.

The ideal is to know people that are avid readers or writers themselves. Joining a writing group or attending workshops can help you meet such people. If you’re writing for young children and know a friendly teacher, ask them to read it to their class to gauge the kids’ reactions.

Beta readers may also be people that you know, but it’s common to use strangers. This has advantages. They won’t worry as much about hurting your feelings, and they are more likely to be honest. Again, you can meet them in writing groups and workshops. You can also find them online. Goodreads, for example, has a beta reading group that anyone can join: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50920-beta-reader-group

What makes a good reader?

First, you want honesty. All right, you might not want it … but you need it. Second, look for someone who reads a lot. They don’t have to be writers, but they need to be keen readers. Unless, of course, you’re writing for kids that are reluctant readers. In which case, find someone that hates reading!

Most of all, a good reader is constructive. Someone who points out the story’s flaws in a productive and helpful way. Not all readers are like that, however. Some can be destructive and bitter. Avoid them at all costs.

So how do you know whether a reader is right for you? There’s nothing wrong with testing them out. Ask them to read a sample that you know needs work. If they think it’s all wonderful (or all dreadful), you might need to hunt around some more.

What can you expect of readers?

Readers are just that – readers. They are not editors or proof readers. You can’t expect them to fix your grammar and spelling mistakes, or provide you with a professional structural report. What you basically want is someone to say whether your story works or not.

It helps if you can give them some guidance – instructions as to what it actually is you are asking them to do. That’ll be the subject of a future post, where I’ll also look at what you should do with the feedback.

In the meantime …

Have you ever asked anyone to look at your manuscript? How did you pick your reader? Let me know in the comments box :)

Photo credit: Stijlfoto / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) eldeeem / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Book review: A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey

Stella

4 comments

08/04/2014

Remember the feel of old cloth-bound hardcover books? In this age of Kindles and e-books, Penguin has released a series that allows children to experience the same sensory delight of reading as their grandparents. Suited to middle grade and YA readers, the Penguin Australian Children’s Classic Series brings classic Australian stories back to life. With vintage-look covers, they’re a satisfying blast from the past.

The back cover explains the series’ philosophy:
‘Every so often there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. Rediscover the magic of our country’s most memorable children’s books in this collection of stories too precious to leave behind.’

A Fortunate Life

The series includes A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey. It was published in 1981, when the author was 87 years old. According to his grandson, Albert Facey sent the manuscript to the Fremantle Arts Centre Press in Western Australia, asking them to print a few copies for family use. The publishers, recognising it’s potential, released the book into the retail market.

An autobiography, the book is written in a charming period style. There is a beautiful sense of stillness when he describes his childhood in the bush. We learn about his experiences as a soldier in Gallipoli during World War I, the loss of his farm during the Great Depression, and the loss of his son who fought in World War II. And yet, despite his hardships, he titled his book after what he believed he had: a fortunate life.

The book has since been turned into plays and a television series. This classic story will be enjoyed by children, their parents and grandparents alike! More information can be found at the publisher’s website by clicking here.

I wrote this book review for Creative Kids Tales and they kindly allowed me to reproduce it on my blog.

Best Australian blogs competition

Stella

13 comments

01/04/2014

Australians may be geographically isolated, but thanks to the internet we no longer feel it. Through my blog, I’ve connected with amazing people from all around the world. And to celebrate our home-grown blogosphere, the Australian Writers’ Centre has created the Best Australian Blogs Competition. It’s our chance to show our country – and the world! – what we can do.
A close friend and fellow blogger urged me to enter. Thanks Stella (yes, that’s her name too!) the writer of the sparkling new Crafty Theatre blog.

After reading so many great Aussie blogs, I realised I didn’t have much chance – but that’s never stopped me before. And when I looked at the prizes … well, I couldn’t resist having a go. The competition is sponsored by Trafalgar Tours and Random House Books. I think you can see where this is going …

Prizes to die for
The winner receives a 7-day tour of Turkey! I’ve always wanted to go. My parents are Greek, but their families originate from Asia Minor – present day Turkey. (Tarakson used to be Taraktzoglou, until Dad migrated and Anglicised it.) If by some chance I win, Stella, you’re coming with me :) Her family originates from there too.
Other amazing prizes include writing courses with the Australian Writers’ Centre, or cash, books, and a mentoring session with Random House Australia. Some bloggers might even end up signing a book deal with this thriving publishing house. This is a wonderful opportunity for local bloggers and not to be missed.

Categories you can enter
There’s a comprehensive range of categories to enter:
• food
• commentary
• lifestyle / hobby
• personal and parenting
• business
• words and writing.
I entered the latter. Entering is quick and easy. It’s worth a try. Visit the writers’ centre website for details: http://www.writerscentre.com.au/community/best-australian-blogs-comp/ You have to hurry, though. Entries close this Thursday, April 3. You can follow the competition on Twitter #bestblogs14.

Good luck to us all!

Self-publishing tips from the author of Kangaroos and Chaos

Stella

8 comments

25/03/2014

I love it when my former writing workshop students keep in touch – and I especially love news of publishing success! Julia Brooke recently self-published a book that is already selling very well. She has generously agreed to pass on some of the lessons she learned along the way.

1. What type of book have you written, and what format is it published in?

My book is called Kangaroos and Chaos. It’s the true story of a backpacker’s insane adventure around Australia. It’s a humorous travel narrative available on Kindle or as a paperback.

2. What made you decide to self-publish?

I submitted to numerous publishers and received a couple of positive responses, but eventually all my submissions were rejected. It can take up to three months for a publisher to respond, so I used this time to perfect my manuscript. I spent two years writing the book and with self-publishing now a huge industry, there was no need to let my hard work or my story go to waste.

3. How did you go about it?

I researched various self-publishing companies. Eventually I decided to go with Amazon’s Createspace who provide print-on-demand paperbacks as well as Kindle eBooks. I couldn’t afford a professional editor, but advertised for volunteers to offer feedback. The response was overwhelming and saved me a fortune.
Regardless of content, a cover is what showcases a book and so I was happy to hire a professional to help me with the design. Again I spent time researching designers and chose a small company whose style reflected the tone of my book. I also used them to design the interior. Professional touches make a huge difference to a book’s success. A self-published book doesn’t have to look homemade, but I’ve seen plenty that do.

Julia Brooke

4. Can you describe some of the hidden pitfalls you encountered?

I originally used my own pictures of Uluru and the Opera House on my back cover. Thankfully someone noticed pre-launch and warned me that I needed a license to use these images for commercial use. As Amazon is print-on-demand, you can change the cover design at any time, but the downside to self-publishing is that there’s no one to oversee the legal side of things.
I love the interior of Kangaroos and Chaos. However, once completed the designer sent me the files as PDFs, which means I can’t edit them. Every time I want an internal change I have to request it. So far there haven’t been any extra charges, but there are lots of little things I would like to change and wish I could do them myself. If you are planning to use an internal designer, I suggest you negotiate this before commencing work.

5. Do you have any tips for others who may be thinking of self-publishing?

Don’t feel you have to use the large self-publishing companies for your every need. They are great for publishing your books, but there are plenty of other designers and editors out there. Amazon’s Createspace prints and distributes my book and there was a fair bit of pressure for me to use them for my every need. Take your time and research before publishing. You most likely gave this book years of your life, so don’t let your standards drop or rush through the options, just because you are dying to see it in print.

6. Are you happy with the response to your book so far?

I’ve been overwhelmed. I had a marketing plan and it paid off. At the beginning of the book I invite readers to look me up on social media to see pictures from the trip. As a result, I’ve had amazing feedback from all over the world. It’s an incredible feeling to have strangers contact me to compliment me on my work and seek advice for their own Aussie adventures. The Amazon reviews have also helped boost sales.

7. Can you tell us a bit about the book?

It’s the true story of the year I spent backpacking and working on farms around Australia. I wanted to write a book which was humorous, entertaining, educational and inspirational. It’s an honest account of my trip, which was filled with incredible experiences and breathtaking landscapes and a fair amount of debauchery. My father gave a copy to my grandmother for Christmas, I was horrified; there are some things grandparents just don’t need to know!

8. Where can people buy a copy?

Amazon.com for paperbacks and Kindle, or if you would like a copy direct from the author (the cheapest option) contact me by email kangaroosandchaos@hotmail.com. The Amazon link is here.

9. And finally … as my former student … what do you think of my writing workshops? :)

Writing a can be a very isolated experience, so classes such as yours were important. Your support helped me stay focused at a time when self-doubt could have taken over. As a budding writer I had put published authors up on pedestals and although I have still huge respect for anyone who can make a career from this passion, it was reassuring to meet you. Not only are you a successful author and inspirational tutor, but you’re just as human as the rest of us. The classes taught me that with the right knowledge, skills and determination, anyone can make their dreams come true.

NAPLAN-style book give-away

Stella

12 comments

18/03/2014

My new books have been released! They’re designed to help primary school students prepare for the upcoming NAPLAN Language Conventions tests.

NAPLAN – the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy – is a set of assessment tests run in all Australian schools each May. The tests cover basic English and maths skills: see the official website at http://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/naplan.html

I’ve written the Language Conventions books for years 3 and 5. Published by Pascal Press, the books include brief, easy-to-understand explanations, plus the opportunity for students to practise and apply the concepts. Practise tests are presented in the actual NAPLAN style, making it less daunting when the dreaded day arrives! Each book includes:

a pre-test, to pinpoint areas of weakness that may require further attention;
sections focusing on spelling, grammar and punctuation, each with a mini test;
a sample NAPLAN-style test for timed practice.

The books are colourful and inviting, friendly and often humorous. They have lots of great illustrations. I had fun writing them and I’m very happy with how they came out!

The books are available at books stores, department stores, online book stores, and various newsagents. They can also be bought directly through Pascal Press, along with others in the Back to Basics series: http://www.pascalpress.com.au/naplan/

They’re a handy resource for teachers. They’re also popular with parents. They books are a great way to share the learning experience with your kids … know what they’re up to … maybe learn a thing or two along the way … Especially if you’re like me, and grew up in a time when grammar wasn’t taught much at schools!

Book give-away

As NAPLAN is just around the corner, I’m running a book giveaway. This is only for Australian residents. To enter, click on the comments box below and tell me which book you’re interested in – the year 3 book or the year 5 book. I’ll pick two names at random (one for each book). I’ll announce the winner in the comments section on March 25. Good luck!

Why I love running writing workshops

Stella

10 comments

11/03/2014

I was completely blown away last Saturday. I was running Part 2 of my Writing for Profit workshop, and it happened to be my birthday. I’d mentioned to one of my students in a previous course that I’d be working on my birthday. A very lovely woman (and a talented emerging writer) attended both courses. She overheard … remembered … and brought along a fantastic birthday cake!

Plus candles and matches. The whole class sang Happy Birthday. I was utterly gobsmacked. How incredibly thoughtful! Thank you Bec :)

Another woman also knew, and brought along some biscuits for afternoon tea. Greek biscuits (I’m Greek-Australian), made by a company called Stella Cakes. Also amazingly thoughtful. Thank you Janette :)

As a writer, we don’t normally get this sort of thing. Office workers are accustomed to having cakes and afternoon teas on their birthdays. Writers work alone most of the time, and we often miss that contact with colleagues. That’s why I love running workshops. It puts me in the company of people who love writing as much as I do, and helps overcome the isolation that goes with the territory.

I know I’m good at motivating people and helping them see opportunities they’d never considered before. My reward (apart from getting paid, of course) is to see my students happy and glowing with motivation. But this gesture was so totally unexpected, it moved me on a whole new level. If only I’d had the presence of mind to take a photo of the moment …

Never mind. I’ll remember it!

Words that contradict themselves

Stella

10 comments

04/03/2014

Have you ever heard of auto antonyms? They are words that contradict themselves. Also known as contronyms, or words with contradictory meanings. No wonder non-native speakers complain that English is a hard language to learn. It’s not just the spelling!

I had a lot of nerdish fun putting together this list of contronyms. Can you think of any more? Please add to it in the comments section if you think of any that I’ve missed…

1. Left – can mean either remaining (he was left behind) or gone (she left the room).

2. Off – can mean either deactivated (turn off the light) or activated (the alarm went off).

3. Sanction – this can mean to impose a penalty (they imposed economic sanctions) or to give official approval to something (it was sanctioned by the court).

4. Overlook – to supervise someone (overlook the new employee), or to neglect something (the task was overlooked).

5. Dust – to add fine particles (dusted the crops with pesticide) or to remove them (dusted the furniture).

6. Bolt – to secure or lock something (bolt the door), or to run away (the horse bolted).

7. Clip – can mean to fasten (the papers were held together with a clip) or to remove (her hair was clipped off).

8. Fast – can mean to move quickly (he was a fast runner) or to not move at all (it was held fast).

9. Seed – can mean to add seeds (seeding a lawn) or to remove them (seeding a piece of fruit).

10. Screen – to hide from view (the balcony was screened by plants) or to display prominently (screening a film).

11. Buckle – to pull together (she buckled the seat belt) or fall apart (his knees buckled under him).

12. Pit – a hole (a pit in the ground) or a solid centre (a cherry pit).

Photo credit: Truthout.org / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Book review: Firelight of Heaven by Lizbeth Klein

Stella

4 comments

25/02/2014

Mystical settings, powerful crystals, giant spiders and feisty elves – what more could a kid ask for? Children aged 10 and over will find all these magical marvels plus more in the recently launched Bethloria series.

Firelight of Heaven,
Book 1 of the Bethloria Series

The first volume, Firelight of Heaven, introduces the two main characters, orphaned brothers Robbie and Dougray. We know little of their parents, except for hints that there are dark secrets in their past. The book’s point of view switches between the brothers, giving us a deeper understanding of the characters and their touching but angst-ridden relationship.

In this book, the brothers are forced to flee from danger. They meet up with Belle, an elf girl, and commence their quest to locate the seven crystals of the Morning Star. If they fail, the Black Kingdom will cover the woods and permanent darkness will fall. The story interweaves elements of faith, loyalty and trust into an action-packed read.

Published by Australian publisher Wombat Books www.wombatbooks.com, this series promises to be popular with boys and girls alike.

Lizbeth Klein

This is Lizbeth Klein’s first novel. She has written educational material as well as short stories published in anthologies. Lizbeth has 19 years’ experience as a primary school teacher, and has tutored both primary and high school students in English. As such, she is well-placed to know what appeals to children. You can read more about her on her website, www.bethloria.com.

International Book Giving Day

Stella

16 comments

11/02/2014

February 14 isn’t just for lovers – it’s also for book lovers. So put away that chocolate (or gulp it down quickly) and pick up a book! Valentine’s Day is International Book Giving Day, a day dedicated to getting books into the hands of as many children as possible. The books can be new or used, and the aim is to spread the love of reading to the next generation.

The volunteer initiative http://bookgivingday.com/ offers three simple suggestions:

1. Give a book to a friend or relative

This is a great way to get kids you know into the spirit of giving and reading.

2. Leave a book in a waiting room or lobby

Pick a place where you know kids get stuck waiting, and where boredom may be a problem. Doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms are ideal. Choose a fun book and surreptitiously leave it lying around where a kid can pick it up.

3. Donate a book

You can donate children’s books to schools, libraries, children’s hospitals or shelters. There are also many international organisations who deliver books to children in developing countries, such as Books for Africa, Book Aid International and Room to Read. Here in Australia we also have the Footpath Library and the Indigenous Literary Foundation. Visit their websites to find out how you can support them.

One of the bookplates available for download

Getting involved

To take part, you can do any or all of the following:

add your name to the website’s list of people celebrating International Book Giving Day
connect with others on social media
download posters
download templates to put in the books you donate.

Or you can forgo all this and simply give a book to someone who’ll enjoy it!

This is the first year I’ve heard about this, and I’m definitely taking part. Reading was such an important part of my childhood (and it still is), and I love the idea of spreading the joy :)

Do you think you’ll take part too? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

Interview with Lizbeth Klein, author of Firelight of Heaven

Stella

8 comments

04/02/2014

I’m a great fan of fantasy novels, and I was lucky enough to come across Lizbeth Klein, author of the Bethloria series. With a background in teaching, Lizbeth is well placed to know exactly what fascinates children. She’s also an experienced writing tutor, and has mentored several children through the writing of their own works. She was kind enough to agree to be interviewed for my blog.

Lizbeth Klein

1. What is your professional background?
I am a trained primary school teacher and have had 19 years’ experience in the classroom and 7 years as a tutor of English with both primary and high school students.

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer or is it an interest that developed with time?
No, with me I have always wanted to write stories from an early age. I was forever creating adventures and daydreaming about them at school. Only much later on did I have the inclination to actually write them down, and mostly by hand back then.

3. What do you find most rewarding about teaching / tutoring children to write?
The reward comes when I see how they start to take ownership of their stories and want to write it themselves. Sometimes we take it in turns and write a sentence each until they’re happy to write it all. Then I just assist with dialogue, paragraphing, grammar, etc. Aspects of writing that naturally surface from the flow of their ideas. It doesn’t happen with all of them and some may even forget things, but there are others who excel and write wonderful stories. They begin to succeed at school, too.

4. Do you have any tips for parents who wish to encourage children to write stories?
Encourage them to read. Read what they love and are interested in. Visit libraries and bookshops often. Join holiday workshops with authors at libraries. SCBWI (the Society for Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators) http://www.scbwiaustralianz.com/ have great kid’s days out, where kids can partake in writing activities. Join online workshops and competitions. Kids always win something in these, even if it’s a certificate. They’re so encouraging.

5. What genre do you write in and what draws you to that genre?
The genre I love most and have loved since a child is Fantasy adventure. I’m writing now what I wrote back then. As long as I can remember, I’ve loved Elves, Fairies, mermaids and similar creatures of myth and fairytale.

Firelight of Heaven,
Book 1 of the Bethloria Series

6. You’ve recently launched your first book in the Bethloria series. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes, it’s about two brothers, Dougray and Robbie, who must flee their farm after they’ve attended a secret night meeting where nearly everyone is killed. Their grandfather sends them over the forbidden mountain, where they’re tracked by soldiers and chased by Trolls. They are rescued by an Elf girl called Belle, who is on a quest to find the 7 lost crystals of the Morning Star. She joins them and together they journey through a tangled jungle called Gardenia, which is overrun by huge spiders. Basically it’s about them destroying the queen of the spiders, liberating Gardenia from a curse and locating the first crystal. As you can see, it’s fantasy adventure all the way through.

7. Where can people buy a copy of the first in the series, Firelight of Heaven?
They can buy copies from my publisher, Wombat Books, at Berkelouw Bookshop, the Word Bookshop at Sutherland, Koorong, from me on meandhimk@ozemail.com.au. It’s $16.95 a copy. Anyone 10 and over will enjoy it.

8. What are you working on now?
I’ve just completed book 4 in the series. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to start book 5. I’ve had ideas, but I haven’t written anything yet!

You can read more about Lizbeth and her writing on her website http://bethloria.com.au/