IN THIS ISSUE:
My monthly column update
Book Happenings
Q & A Time

Happy Father’s Day!

We all know that devoted fathers are priceless, but are daddies and daughters psychic? I wonder sometimes. Read more about this strange phenomenon in this month’s “Every Day Is Mother’s Day” column, “Daddy-Daughter Talk, Part II”, now online at:

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/momsday_index.html
(You may have to copy and paste the above URL into your web browser to get it to work.)

And, as always, I appreciate your feedback.

An interview I did a while back finally made it online at The Writers Manual web site. They asked me some really different questions--like what’s my favorite food, color, sound, article of clothing, person, memory and word--along with the usual writing questions. Check out my weird answers at the URL below:

http://www.writersmanual.com/ACindyAppel.shtml


~~BOOK HAPPENINGS~~

Not much going on in the book biz this month for yours truly. Still no word from Dorchester on the fate of my romantic-comedy, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER. I’m beginning to think it’s time to search again for a new home for my story about a commitment-shy sheriff and a beautiful sleepwalking librarian. I hate the idea of missing out on the chance to hook up with a big name publisher, but if they’re not interested… Well, why should I wait another year and a half to find out?

But while I wait and mull my options on that book, I have another novel manuscript under consideration with a new electronic publisher. Let’s hope they’re not so slow to respond. And I’m working on a non-fiction writer’s guide on manuscript preparation to go along with my “The Curse of the Manuscript-Eating Slushpile Monster” presentation. More details coming soon.

In the meantime, why not pick up a couple of romances to read while you lounge by the sea or the pool? :-)

“Cynthianna Appel has written an exceptional Contemporary Romance. It has all the elements that immediately captured and maintained my full attention. Another winner!” --Myshelf.com Reviews

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL (ISBN 1-58851-918-X)
Publish America Inc. http://www.publishamerica.com
(trade paperback edition—available at Amazon.com, BN.com, Wal-Mart.com and other online booksellers. Electronic formats available at Wings ePress.)

“Believable characters, natural dialogue, and a plot that just gets better with each page makes THE FIXER-UPPERS a great read.” --Donna Bolk reviewing for Affaire de Coeur magazine.

THE FIXER-UPPERS (ISBN 1-59088-984-3)
Wings ePress http://www.wings-press.com
(trade paperback and electronic editions)

Now, it’s time for everybody’s favorite—

~~Q & A TIME~~

Q: What is meant when a writer is told to write to his or her “target audience”?

A: Have you ever participated in an archery event? What’s that round, bull’s eye paper thingy tacked up on a bale of hay that everyone is aiming for called? You guessed it--a target.

Take it a step further now. What audience (group of people) are you aiming for when you write that you think will want to buy and read your book? Those potential readers are your target audience.

How do you know who makes up your target audience? It depends on what you’re writing. If you’re writing romance your target audience will be predominantly women between the ages of fifteen and one-hundred and fifteen, most of whom have at least a high school education, many of whom are working professionals. If you’re writing a mystery, your target audience will still be predominantly adult women (as women buy and read the majority of books) but it will include male mystery buffs, too.

If you’re not certain about the demographics of your target audience do some research. Many writers groups do extensive surveys yearly to find out exactly what kind of people are reading what kinds of books. It’s invaluable information.

Why is it important that you “write to your target audience?” Think about it. If you know that middle-aged men enjoy reading techno-thrillers, yet your techno-thriller contains elements that could potentially turn off middle-aged male readers, then your chances of your book being successfully published are slim to none. Simply put, your book doesn’t deliver the “promised goods” fans of the genre have come to expect. And a disappointed reader won’t recommend your book to his friends.

Publishing professionals (editors, agents) are always thinking of the bottom line (what will sell) when they make a decision whether or not to publish a manuscript. If your book’s target audience isn’t one that their company routinely reaches (or it isn’t a particularly large audience) then they’ll probably pass on it. Your options are to look for another publisher, self-publish it yourself, or sit down and re-write or re-slant your story until you can convince a publisher there is a viable target audience for it. Remember, in the business end of the publishing world a book’s profit-making ability reigns supreme.

You can learn more about manuscript submission “dos and don’ts” in my talk, “The Curse of the Manuscript-Eating Slushpile Monster”. Feel free to e-mail me if you’re interested in having me come speak to your writing group sometime.

In the meantime, if you have a question--any question, related to writing, publishing or whatever--email me at cynthianna@hotmail.com.(Do not hit "reply" to this newsletter--your email will bounce.) Results guaranteed or double your money back. ;-)

And don’t forget you can read my answers to writing questions from previous newsletters online at:
Writing Tips
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna/writingtips.html

Until next time, enjoy the sun and the fresh air... And don’t forget to give your daddy a big hug on June 15th.

God bless!
Cindy
(a.k.a. Cynthianna Appel)
My web site: http://pages.sbcglobal.net/cynthianna

P.S. Feel free to forward this newsletter on to an email friend or ten. You'll be glad you did. (But if you do forward this, please forward the entire contents and not just bits and pieces. Thank you.)